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G160 Pinus banksiana - Quercus ellipsoidalis Barrens Group
Type Concept Sentence: These barrens occur within the western and northern Great Lakes regions and are characterized by open canopies typically dominated by Pinus banksiana with a graminoid understory, but Pinus strobus, Pinus resinosa, and Quercus ellipsoidalis also may occur as common overstory dominants. Sites occur on flat or gently glaciated landscapes such as outwash plains, glacial lakeplains, and sandy river terraces.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Jack Pine - Northern Pin Oak Barrens Group
Colloquial Name: Laurentian Pine Barrens
Hierarchy Level: Group
Type Concept: These pine-oak barrens occur in the northern and western Great Lakes region. They occur primarily on sandplains/outwash habitats, with dry, frequent fires (every 10-50 years) and occasionally on Great Lakes dunes. Overstory is very open and savanna-like, with trees scattered or clumped. Pinus banksiana typically dominates the canopy, but Pinus resinosa, Quercus ellipsoidalis, and Pinus strobus also are common overstory dominants. The understory is often quite low in diversity and open. Prairie species are often present; Schizachyrium scoparium and Andropogon gerardii are common throughout much of the range of the group. Other common ground layer species include Carex pensylvanica and Apocynum androsaemifolium, species that are also common in forest edge or open woodlands. Typical dune species such as Ammophila breviligulata and Juniperus horizontalis are common on dune examples. Common shrub species include Vaccinium angustifolium and Corylus americana. Oak grubs may be common under frequent burning. Past logging practices in some areas also decreased the number of pines and created areas dominated by oak sprouts and scrubs.
Diagnostic Characteristics: Open to moderately dense canopy of pines such as Pinus banksiana, Pinus resinosa, and Pinus strobus mixed with Quercus ellipsoidalis. The understory typically is strongly graminoid-dominated and contains several tallgrass prairie species and dwarf-shrubs.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This group covers the pine barrens within the western Great Lakes region. It is ecologically similar to ~Pitch Pine Barrens Group (G161)$$ in the Northeast, but the ranges of the dominant tree species show little to no overlap. In addition ~Pitch Pine Barrens Group (G161)$$ includes pitch pine forests, whereas this group currently excludes them. Review is needed of the placement of Pinus banksiana - Quercus ellipsoidalis forests found in the Great Lakes Pine Barren region. ~Laurentian-Acadian Pine - Oak Forest & Woodland Group (G025)$$ may overlap somewhat with this group on dry-mesic sites, Great Lakes dune sites, or sites that may not have not burned for more than 50 years. Stands on Great Lakes dunes include Grand Sable and Sleeping Bear Dunes, Michigan.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: Tree canopy cover is highly variable, ranging from open scrubby shrublands with few, scattered trees to moderately closed woodlands or forests, typically with a strong ground layer of graminoids, including prairie grasses and forbs. Fire suppression has led to increased canopy closure in many areas (Curtis 1959).
Floristics: Dominant canopy species include Pinus banksiana, Pinus resinosa, Quercus ellipsoidalis, and Pinus strobus. In northern Wisconsin, extensive logging, fire suppression, and lack of seed source can decrease the cover of pine species (Pinus spp.) in some stands, and Pinus resinosa is now uncommon as a dominant. Prairie species such as Schizachyrium scoparium and Andropogon gerardii are common throughout much of the range of the group, although they can decrease in number and abundance from south to north within the range of this group. Other common ground layer species include Carex pensylvanica and Apocynum androsaemifolium, species that are also common in forest edge or open woodlands. Common shrub species include Vaccinium angustifolium and Corylus americana. Examples of this group on dunes can contain dune understory species such as Juniperus horizontalis and Ammophila breviligulata (Curtis 1959).
Dynamics: Catastrophic burns may create open bracken grasslands, though these may originate more typically from clearing of forests and subsequent fires on morainal substrates (Curtis 1959).
Environmental Description: This group occurs on flat or gently glaciated landscapes such as outwash plains, glacial lakeplains, and sandy river terraces. Soils are typically dry sands, but some stands can occur on rocky soils (Curtis 1959).
Geographic Range: Occurs throughout the northern and western Great Lakes region, from Minnesota to Michigan and Ontario.
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: IL, IN, MB, MI, MN, ON, WI
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.833286
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.6 Eastern White Pine - Jack Pine - Northern Pin Oak Forest & Woodland Macrogroup | M159 | 1.B.2.Na.6 |
| Group | 1.B.2.Na.6.d Jack Pine - Northern Pin Oak Barrens Group | G160 | 1.B.2.Na.6.d |
| Alliance | A1499 Jack Pine - Pine species - Oak species Barrens Woodland Alliance | A1499 | 1.B.2.Na.6.d |
| Alliance | A4402 Jack Pine - Eastern White Pine / Creeping Juniper Wooded Grassland Alliance | A4402 | 1.B.2.Na.6.d |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
- Comer, P. J., D. A. Albert, H. A. Wells, B. L. Hart, J. B. Raab, D. L. Price, D. M. Kashian, R. A. Corner, and D. W. Schuen. 1995a. Michigan''s native landscape, as interpreted from the General Land Office Surveys 1816-1856. Michigan Natural Features Inventory, Lansing, MI. 78 pp. plus digital map.
- Comer, P. J., D. A. Albert, and M. Austin (cartography). 1998. Vegetation of Michigan circa 1800: An interpretation of the General Land Office Surveys 1816-1856. Michigan Natural Features Inventory, Lansing, MI. 2-map set, scale: 1:500,000.
- Curtis, J. T. 1959. The vegetation of Wisconsin: An ordination of plant communities. Reprinted in 1987. University of Wisconsin Press, Madison. 657 pp.
- 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]
- Kost, M. A., D. A. Albert, J. G. Cohen, B. S. Slaughter, R. K. Schillo, C. R. Weber, and K. A. Chapman. 2007. Natural communities of Michigan: Classification and description. Report No. 2007-21, Michigan Natural Features Inventory, Lansing. 314 pp. [http://web4.msue.msu.edu/mnfi/reports/2007-21_Natural_Communites_of_Michigan_Classification_and_Description.pdf]
- Wisconsin DNR [Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources]. 2009b. Natural communities of Wisconsin. Pine Barrens. Overview. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Madison. [http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/land/er/communities/index.asp?mode=detail&Code=CTSAV006WI] (accessed October 2009).