Print Report
G013 Pinus taeda - Pinus echinata - Quercus spp. Forest & Woodland Group
Type Concept Sentence: This vegetation is dominated by Pinus taeda and/or Pinus echinata in combination with a suite of dry- to dry-mesic-site hardwoods, including Quercus alba, Quercus falcata, and Quercus stellata, and the scrub oaks Quercus arkansana, Quercus incana, and Quercus margarettae. It is primarily found in the West Gulf Coastal Plain with an extension into central Texas, locally known as the "Bastrop Pines."
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Loblolly Pine - Shortleaf Pine - Oak species Forest & Woodland Group
Colloquial Name: Western Gulf Coastal Plain Pine - Oak Forest & Woodland
Hierarchy Level: Group
Type Concept: This forest group consists of vegetation typically dominated by Pinus taeda and/or Pinus echinata in combination with a suite of dry- to dry-mesic-site hardwood species, primarily Quercus alba, Quercus falcata, and Quercus stellata, but also the scrub oaks Quercus incana, Quercus margarettae, and Quercus arkansana. It is primarily found in the West Gulf Coastal Plain and Upper West Gulf Coastal Plain of southern Arkansas, northwestern Louisiana, and parts of eastern Texas, with an extension into central Texas, which is locally known as the "Bastrop Pines." The range of this type is predominantly north of the historic range of Pinus palustris, and was the historic matrix vegetation type for large portions of the Upper West Gulf Coastal Plain. Within this area, this type was historically present on nearly all upland sites in the region (except on the most edaphically limited sites, such as droughty sands, calcareous clays, and shallow soil barrens/rock outcrops). The upland sites on which the group is found are underlain by loamy to fine-textured soils of variable depths, and are found on ridgetops and adjacent sideslopes, with moderate fertility and moisture retention. In more limited areas of the West Gulf Coastal Plain (USFS Section 232F), stands are confined more typically to sideslopes and other less fire-prone locations not dominated by Pinus palustris. Other tree species that may occur include Quercus velutina, Carya tomentosa, Carya texana, Crataegus spp., and Ostrya virginiana. Typical shrubs include Symplocos tinctoria, Morella cerifera, Vaccinium arboreum, Vaccinium elliottii, Viburnum acerifolium, and Viburnum dentatum. Some typical grasses include Chasmanthium sessiliflorum, Dichanthelium sphaerocarpon, and Schizachyrium scoparium.
Diagnostic Characteristics: Tree: Pinus taeda (strong), Pinus echinata (moderate), Quercus alba (weak), Quercus falcata (moderate), and Quercus stellata (weak). Pinus palustris (weak), Quercus margarettae, Quercus velutina (weak), Carya tomentosa, Carya texana (moderate), Crataegus spp., and Ostrya virginiana. Shrub: Symplocos tinctoria, Morella cerifera, Vaccinium arboreum, Vaccinium elliottii, Viburnum acerifolium, and Viburnum dentatum (weak). Graminoids: Chasmanthium sessiliflorum, Dichanthelium sphaerocarpon, and Schizachyrium scoparium (all weak).
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: The distribution of this vegetation group is primarily contained within the distribution of Quercus falcata (Burns and Honkala 1990b), and should not be found west of that area, with the one notable exception of the "Bastrop Pines" extension. There are issues related to vegetation which appears similar to this group but within the range of longleaf pine. Marks and Harcombe (1981) address this issue in relation to vegetation of the Big Thicket region of Texas, within the range of longleaf pine. Their "Upper Slope Pine Oak Forest" may represent successional vegetation which has developed under conditions of fire suppression on portions of the landscape which would have historically been occupied by longleaf pine-dominated vegetation. In contrast, their "Mid Slope Oak Pine Forest" may actually represent examples of this vegetation group which occur adjacent to longleaf pine-dominated uplands, but on lower slopes where fire is infrequent enough that longleaf pine is absent. More investigation of this question is needed.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: The physiognomy and composition of stands of this vegetation may vary with environment (aspect, slope position) and with the effects of fire (whether anthropogenic or natural). Most stands will presently exhibit a more-or-less closed-canopy condition, but under historical conditions may very well have been open-canopy forests or woodlands. In the Upper West Gulf Coastal Plain, (primarily landward of the distribution of Pinus palustris), stands can occur on narrow ridgetops, which would be relatively more isolated from the effects of fire, and thereby exhibit greater natural dominance by hardwoods.
Floristics: This forest group consists of vegetation typically dominated by Pinus taeda and/or Pinus echinata in combination with a host of dry- to dry-mesic-site hardwood species, primarily Quercus alba, Quercus falcata, and Quercus stellata. Stands on narrow ridgetops, which can be isolated from the effects of fire, may exhibit greater dominance by hardwoods. Most stands will presently exhibit a more-or-less closed canopy condition, but under historical conditions may very well have been open-canopy forests or woodlands. Other tree species that may occur include Quercus velutina, Carya tomentosa (= Carya alba), Carya texana, Crataegus spp., and Ostrya virginiana. Typical shrub species include Symplocos tinctoria, Morella cerifera, Vaccinium arboreum, Vaccinium elliottii, Viburnum acerifolium, and Viburnum dentatum. Some typical grasses include Chasmanthium sessiliflorum, Dichanthelium sphaerocarpon, and Schizachyrium scoparium. The importance of Acer floridanum (= Acer barbatum), Acer leucoderme, and Liquidambar styraciflua may increase with the absence of fire. There are no known "strong differential" herbaceous species or any local endemic or globally rare plant species, and overall this group may have supported relatively low levels of vascular plant species diversity. Examples in the "Bastrop Pines" extension are more likely to include Quercus marilandica as a dominant with Quercus stellata. This area is west of the ranges of the other component Quercus species.
Dynamics: This vegetation has undergone major transformations since European settlement of the region, due to cycles of timber removal, heavy grazing, agricultural cropping, and conversion to plantations of improved Pinus taeda. The Pinus taeda of the "Bastrop Pines" region is genetically different than strains to the east; it has much greater drought tolerance. It is possible that this area was one of the epicenters of early southern pine colonization of the coastal plain based on fossil pollen evidence.
Environmental Description: Stands on narrow ridgetops, which can be isolated from the effects of fire, may exhibit greater dominance by hardwoods. Soil/substrate/hydrology: In southern Arkansas, northwestern Louisiana, and parts of eastern Texas, this type was historically present on nearly all uplands in the region (except on the most edaphically limited sites, such as droughty sands, calcareous clays, and shallow soil barrens/rock outcrops). These upland sites are underlain by loamy to fine-textured soils of variable depths and are found on ridgetops and adjacent sideslopes, with moderate fertility and moisture retention. Within the range of Pinus palustris, vegetation of this group is apparently favored on relatively finer-textured soils, rather than coarser-textured ones. The "Bastrop Pines" extension of this group in central Texas is found on the Reclaw Formation (D. Diamond pers. comm. 2003).
Geographic Range: This vegetation is primarily found in the West Gulf Coastal Plain and Upper West Gulf Coastal Plain of southern Arkansas, northwestern Louisiana, and parts of eastern Texas, with an extension in central Texas (the "Bastrop Pines").
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AR, LA, OK, TX
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.833202
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 1 Forest & Woodland Class | C01 | 1 |
| Subclass | 1.B Temperate & Boreal Forest & Woodland Subclass | S15 | 1.B |
| Formation | 1.B.2 Cool Temperate Forest & Woodland Formation | F008 | 1.B.2 |
| Division | 1.B.2.Na Eastern North American Forest & Woodland Division | D008 | 1.B.2.Na |
| Macrogroup | 1.B.2.Na.1 White Oak - Southern Red Oak - Shortleaf Pine Forest & Woodland Macrogroup | M016 | 1.B.2.Na.1 |
| Group | 1.B.2.Na.1.g Loblolly Pine - Shortleaf Pine - Oak species Forest & Woodland Group | G013 | 1.B.2.Na.1.g |
| Alliance | A0386 Bluejack Oak - Arkansas Oak - Shortleaf Pine Woodland Alliance | A0386 | 1.B.2.Na.1.g |
| Alliance | A3129 Shortleaf Pine - Loblolly Pine - Post Oak Forest Alliance | A3129 | 1.B.2.Na.1.g |
| Alliance | A3130 Loblolly Pine - White Oak / Viburnum species Forest Alliance | A3130 | 1.B.2.Na.1.g |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: > Loblolly Pine-Southern Red Oak/Callicarpa Loamy Mesic Lower Slopes and Terraces Landtype Phase (Turner et al. 1999)
? Mid Slope Oak Pine Forest (Marks and Harcombe 1981)
> Mixed Hardwood - Loblolly Forest (Martin and Smith 1991)
> Mixed Hardwood - Loblolly Forest (Martin and Smith 1993)
>< Oak-Hickory-Pine Forests (Skeen et al. 1993)
> Shortleaf Pine / Oak - Hickory Forest (Martin and Smith 1993)
> Shortleaf Pine / Oak - Hickory Forest (Martin and Smith 1991)
> Shortleaf Pine-(Longleaf Pine)-Post Oak/Callicarpa-Chasmanthium Loamy Dry-Mesic Uplands Landtype Phase (Turner et al. 1999)
> Shortleaf Pine-Post Oak/Chasmanthium Clayey Dry-Mesic Uplands Landtype Phase (Turner et al. 1999)
> Shortleaf Pine-Post Oak/Chasmanthium Clayey Uplands Landtype Phase (Turner et al. 1999)
> Shortleaf Pine-White Oak/Callicarpa-Chasmanthium Sandy/Loamy Dry-Mesic Uplands Landtype Phase (Turner et al. 1999)
> White Oak-Loblolly Pine/Callicarpa Loamy Mesic Lower Slopes and Terraces Landtype Phase (Turner et al. 1999)
> White Oak-Loblolly Pine/Callicarpa Loamy/Sandy Mesic Lower Slopes and Terraces Landtype Phase (Turner et al. 1999)
> White Oak-Loblolly Pine/Callicarpa Loamy/Sandy Mesic Slopes Landtype Phase (Turner et al. 1999)
? Mid Slope Oak Pine Forest (Marks and Harcombe 1981)
> Mixed Hardwood - Loblolly Forest (Martin and Smith 1991)
> Mixed Hardwood - Loblolly Forest (Martin and Smith 1993)
>< Oak-Hickory-Pine Forests (Skeen et al. 1993)
> Shortleaf Pine / Oak - Hickory Forest (Martin and Smith 1993)
> Shortleaf Pine / Oak - Hickory Forest (Martin and Smith 1991)
> Shortleaf Pine-(Longleaf Pine)-Post Oak/Callicarpa-Chasmanthium Loamy Dry-Mesic Uplands Landtype Phase (Turner et al. 1999)
> Shortleaf Pine-Post Oak/Chasmanthium Clayey Dry-Mesic Uplands Landtype Phase (Turner et al. 1999)
> Shortleaf Pine-Post Oak/Chasmanthium Clayey Uplands Landtype Phase (Turner et al. 1999)
> Shortleaf Pine-White Oak/Callicarpa-Chasmanthium Sandy/Loamy Dry-Mesic Uplands Landtype Phase (Turner et al. 1999)
> White Oak-Loblolly Pine/Callicarpa Loamy Mesic Lower Slopes and Terraces Landtype Phase (Turner et al. 1999)
> White Oak-Loblolly Pine/Callicarpa Loamy/Sandy Mesic Lower Slopes and Terraces Landtype Phase (Turner et al. 1999)
> White Oak-Loblolly Pine/Callicarpa Loamy/Sandy Mesic Slopes Landtype Phase (Turner et al. 1999)
- Burns, R. M., and B. H. Honkala, technical coordinators. 1990b. Silvics of North America. Volume 2: Hardwoods. Agriculture Handbook 654. USDA Forest Service, Washington, DC. 877 pp.
- Comer, P., D. Faber-Langendoen, R. Evans, S. Gawler, C. Josse, G. Kittel, S. Menard, C. Nordman, M. Pyne, M. Reid, M. Russo, K. Schulz, K. Snow, J. Teague, and R. White. 2003-present. Ecological systems of the United States: A working classification of U.S. terrestrial systems. NatureServe, Arlington, VA.
- Diamond, David D. Personal communication. Director, Missouri Resource Assessment Partnership (MoRAP), University of Missouri, Columbia.
- Faber-Langendoen, D., J. Drake, S. Gawler, M. Hall, C. Josse, G. Kittel, S. Menard, C. Nordman, M. Pyne, M. Reid, L. Sneddon, K. Schulz, J. Teague, M. Russo, K. Snow, and P. Comer, editors. 2010-2019a. Divisions, Macrogroups and Groups for the Revised U.S. National Vegetation Classification. NatureServe, Arlington, VA. plus appendices. [in preparation]
- Griffith, G. E., S. A. Bryce, J. M. Omernik, J. A. Comstock, A. C. Rogers, B. Harrison, S. L. Hatch, and D. Bezanson. 2004. Ecoregions of Texas (two-sided color poster with map, descriptive text, summary tables, and photographs). U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, VA. Scale 1:2,500,000.
- LNHP [Louisiana Natural Heritage Program]. 2009. Natural communities of Louisiana. Louisiana Natural Heritage Program, Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries, Baton Rouge. 46 pp. [http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/sites/default/files/pdf/page_wildlife/6776-Rare%20Natural%20Communities/LA_NAT_COM.pdf]
- Marks, P. L., and P. A. Harcombe. 1981. Forest vegetation of the Big Thicket, southeast Texas. Ecological Monographs 51:287-305.
- Martin, D. L., and L. M. Smith. 1991. A survey and description of the natural plant communities of the Kisatchie National Forest, Winn and Kisatchie districts. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Baton Rouge, LA. 372 pp.
- Martin, D. L., and L. M. Smith. 1993. A survey and description of the natural plant communities of the Kisatchie National Forest, Evangeline and Catahoula districts. Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Baton Rouge. 274 pp.
- Skeen, J. N., P. D. Doerr, and D. H. Van Lear. 1993. Oak-hickory-pine forests. Pages 1-33 in: W. H. Martin, S. G. Boyce, and A. C. Echternacht, editors. Biodiversity of the Southeastern United States: Upland Terrestrial Communities. John Wiley & Sons, New York. 373 pp.
- Turner, R. L., J. E. Van Kley, L. S. Smith, and R. E. Evans. 1999. Ecological classification system for the national forests and adjacent areas of the West Gulf Coastal Plain. The Nature Conservancy, Nacogdoches, TX. 95 pp. plus appendices.