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CEGL004831 Quercus phellos - Quercus similis - Pinus palustris / Crataegus spp. / Carex cherokeensis Wet Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Willow Oak - Bottomland Post Oak - Longleaf Pine / Hawthorn species / Cherokee Sedge Wet Forest
Colloquial Name: South Atlantic Mixed Oak-Pine Calcareous Flatwoods Forest
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This seasonally saturated forest type is described from a restricted area in the lower South Atlantic Coastal Plain of Georgia. It occurs along flat or gently sloping environments often near seasonally flooded bottomlands and grading up into Pinus palustris-dominated flatwoods. Known examples of this type have been found over soils of the Meggett Series, a very deep, poorly drained calcareous soil with a high base saturation. These soils maintain a seasonally high water table that allows for more hydric species in this community. Because of the slow permeability associated with these soils, stands of this type are subject to some ponding after rain events. Calcium carbonate and often shell fragments are present in the soil and alter soil chemistry, allowing for some calciphilic species in this community. It is likely that soils of this vegetation overlay coquina limestone, also referred to locally as "marl." These wet flatwoods forests are often dominated by Quercus phellos, Quercus similis (rare in Georgia), Pinus palustris, and Pinus taeda. Typical shrubs include Crataegus spp., Diospyros virginiana, Sabal spp., Callicarpa americana, Hypericum hypericoides, Viburnum obovatum, Ilex spp., and Morella cerifera. The herbaceous layer is often dense with grass and sedge species. The presence of Pinus palustris, an often-dense graminoid cover, and proximity to fire-maintained Pinus palustris-dominated flatwoods suggests that historically, low-intensity fires may have played an important role in maintaining this natural community.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This type is closely related, particularly in environmental characteristics, to a wet marl flatwoods forest endemic to North Carolina, i.e., ~Carya cordiformis - Quercus pagoda - Carya myristiciformis / Sabal minor - Cornus asperifolia Wet Flatwoods Forest (CEGL007316)$$. The two are distinguished from each other floristically, as marl is not located as close to the soil surface in this association (CEGL004831), and thus fewer calciphilic species are present. It is also related to a saline flatwoods forest of the West Gulf Coastal Plain (~Quercus phellos - Quercus similis / Crataegus marshallii - Crataegus spathulata / Chasmanthium laxum Wet Forest (CEGL007363)$$), which shares Quercus phellos and Quercus similis with this association.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: The vegetation is dominated by pine and oak species in the canopy, which ranges from 60-80% cover. Smaller trees such as Celtis spp. can be somewhat important in these stands, allowing for a distinct understory about 15-20 m in height. Crataegus spp., Morella cerifera, and other shrubs are often a significant component of these forests, often with up to 40% cover. The herb layer is generally dense and strongly dominated by grasses and sedges.
Floristics: These wet flatwoods forests are often dominated by Quercus phellos, Quercus similis (rare in Georgia), Pinus palustris, and Pinus taeda. Other tree species may include Quercus virginiana, Quercus shumardii, Quercus nigra, Quercus laurifolia, Nyssa sylvatica, Celtis laevigata, Celtis occidentalis, Acer rubrum, Liquidambar styraciflua, Prunus serotina, and Carya aquatica. Crataegus species are constant (100%) and include Crataegus crus-galli, Crataegus aestivalis, and Crataegus marshallii. Other typical shrubs include Diospyros virginiana, Sabal palmetto, Sabal minor, Callicarpa americana, Hypericum hypericoides, Viburnum obovatum, Ilex vomitoria, Ilex opaca, Ilex decidua, and Morella cerifera. The herbaceous layer is often dense with grass and sedge species such as Chasmanthium laxum (dominant), Chasmanthium nitidum, Carex cherokeensis (constant), Scleria oligantha, Rhynchospora inexpansa, Rhynchospora caduca, Dichanthelium commutatum, Dichanthelium aciculare, and Dichanthelium boscii. Other herb layer species consist of Sanicula canadensis, Aristolochia serpentaria, Elephantopus nudatus, Eupatorium semiserratum, Oplismenus hirtellus ssp. setarius, Ruellia caroliniensis, Elytraria caroliniensis, Symphyotrichum dumosum, Oxalis stricta, Mitchella repens, Solanum carolinense var. carolinense, Rubus trivialis, and Dichondra carolinensis. Vines are usually abundant and include Parthenocissus quinquefolia, Vitis rotundifolia, Vitis cinerea var. floridana, Nekemias arborea (= Ampelopsis arborea), Campsis radicans, Toxicodendron radicans, and Berchemia scandens.
Dynamics: This community is subject to some seasonal ponding in low spots and seasonally saturated soils because the clay subsoils (and possibly marl substrates) prevent rapid percolation of water. The presence of Pinus palustris as a canopy dominant within this community, along with an often dense graminoid cover, suggests that historically low-intensity fires may have played an important role in maintaining this vegetation.
Environmental Description: Stands of this association occur over calcareous soils of the Meggett Series on relatively flat environments. These soils maintain a seasonally high water table that allows for more hydric species in this community. Because of the slow permeability associated with these soils, stands of this type are subject to some ponding after rain events. Calcium carbonate and often shell fragments are present in the soil and alter soil chemistry, allowing for some calciphilic species in this community. It is likely that soils of this vegetation overlay coquina limestone, also referred to locally as "marl."
Geographic Range: This type has been documented from a 5-square-km site between the Satilla and St. Marys river drainages in southeast Georgia (Camden and/or Charlton counties?). It may also occur in northern Florida.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: FL?, GA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.835388
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G1
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.3 Temperate Flooded & Swamp Forest Formation | F026 | 1.B.3 |
| Division | 1.B.3.Nb Southeastern North American Flooded & Swamp Forest Division | D062 | 1.B.3.Nb |
| Macrogroup | 1.B.3.Nb.2 Swamp Tupelo - Swamp Chestnut Oak - Bald-cypress Basin Swamp & Flatwoods Macrogroup | M033 | 1.B.3.Nb.2 |
| Group | 1.B.3.Nb.2.b Laurel Oak - Willow Oak - Loblolly Pine Wet Flatwoods Group | G130 | 1.B.3.Nb.2.b |
| Alliance | A3443 <i>Quercus michauxii - Quercus pagoda - Quercus laurifolia</i> Wet Flatwoods Forest Alliance | A3443 | 1.B.3.Nb.2.b |
| Association | CEGL004831 Willow Oak - Bottomland Post Oak - Longleaf Pine / Hawthorn species / Cherokee Sedge Wet Forest | CEGL004831 | 1.B.3.Nb.2.b |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: < IIA10c. Wet Marl Forest (Allard 1990)
- Allard, D. J. 1990. Southeastern United States ecological community classification. Interim report, Version 1.2. The Nature Conservancy, Southeast Regional Office, Chapel Hill, NC. 96 pp.
- GNHP [Georgia Natural Heritage Program]. 2018. Unpublished data. Georgia Natural Heritage Program, Wildlife Resources Division, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Social Circle.
- Southeastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Durham, NC.