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CEGL004042 Quercus phellos - Quercus alba - (Quercus michauxii) - Carya carolinae-septentrionalis Wet Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Willow Oak - White Oak - (Swamp Chestnut Oak) - Southern Shagbark Hickory Wet Forest
Colloquial Name: Piedmont Hardpan Small Stream Forest
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This community is known only from North Carolina but may possibly be found in Virginia, South Carolina or Georgia. These forests occur in very gently-sloped upper drainages in flat Piedmont terrain with dense clay hardpan soils that have restricted internal drainage. Restricted rooting depth, shallow ponding of water on the surface, and short-duration flood flows appear to be important environmental factors. The canopy is a mix that includes both wetland and upland species. Generally Quercus phellos or Quercus michauxii are abundant. The most abundant upland species tend to be Quercus alba and Carya carolinae-septentrionalis. Liquidambar styraciflua and Acer rubrum may also be common. Other canopy species may include Carya ovata, Ulmus americana, and Fraxinus sp. Platanus occidentalis, Celtis laevigata, or other alluvial species may be present but generally only in very small numbers. The understory consists of canopy species, plus Nyssa sylvatica. Shrubs are sparse, but vines, especially Smilax rotundifolia, may be prominent. The herbaceous layer is generally dense, though it may be locally sparse. Herb diversity is high and includes both wetland and upland species. Wetland Carex spp., Danthonia spicata, and Glyceria striata are abundant. Invasive exotic plants of floodplains, such as Microstegium vimineum and Lonicera japonica, are often present. The shallow stream channels are, at least sometimes, lined with Isoetes sp.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This community shares characteristics of both a headwater stream floodplain and a hardpan upland.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: The canopy is tall and closed, except for gaps, and is a mix that includes both wetland and upland species. Generally Quercus phellos is the most abundant wetland tree, but Quercus michauxii or Liquidambar styraciflua may be instead. The most abundant upland species tend to be Quercus alba and Carya carolinae-septentrionalis. Acer rubrum may also be common. Other canopy species may include Carya ovata, Ulmus americana, and Fraxinus sp. Platanus occidentalis, Celtis laevigata, or other alluvial species may be present but generally only in very small numbers. The understory consists of canopy species, plus Nyssa sylvatica. Shrubs are sparse, but vines, especially Smilax rotundifolia, may be prominent. The herbaceous layer is generally dense, though it may be locally sparse. Herb diversity tends to be high and includes both wetland and upland species. Wetland Carex spp., Danthonia spicata, and Glyceria striata are abundant. Invasive exotic plants of floodplains, such as Microstegium vimineum and Lonicera japonica, are often present. The shallow stream channels are, at least sometimes, lined with Isoetes sp.
Dynamics: Community dynamics are not well-known. Like most Piedmont forests, these communities probably exist naturally as uneven-aged, old-growth forests. However, wetness and shallow rooting depth may make them more susceptible to windthrow than most upland forests, and subject to larger canopy gaps. Both extreme wet and extreme dry periods would stress some component species and might cause mortality. Floods have little current, and flood disturbance is otherwise low, but creation of bare ground by flowing water is likely important to the establishment of some herbaceous species.
Environmental Description: These forests occur in very gently-sloped upper drainages in flat Piedmont terrain with dense clay hardpan soils with restricted internal drainage. Restricted rooting depth, shallow ponding of water on the surface, and short-duration flood flows appear to be important environmental factors. These drainages have low gradients, but evidence of flow across the whole community is often visible. These communities are often associated with mafic rocks such as gabbro, but they may occur on soils ranging from acidic to basic. Creek channels are shallow and clay-lined, and some examples have a distinct anastomosing channel pattern.
Geographic Range: This community is known only from North Carolina. Though known close to the Virginia border, no examples are known in Virginia. It may possibly be found in South Carolina or Georgia.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: GA?, NC, SC?, VA?
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.858824
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G2
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.Na Eastern North American-Great Plains Flooded & Swamp Forest Division | D011 | 1.B.3.Na |
| Macrogroup | 1.B.3.Na.2 Pin Oak - Green Ash - Blackgum Swamp Forest Macrogroup | M503 | 1.B.3.Na.2 |
| Group | 1.B.3.Na.2.b Overcup Oak - Post Oak - Blackgum Flatwoods & Pond Forest Group | G654 | 1.B.3.Na.2.b |
| Alliance | A3430 Willow Oak Piedmont-Cumberland Wet Depression Forest Alliance | A3430 | 1.B.3.Na.2.b |
| Association | CEGL004042 Willow Oak - White Oak - (Swamp Chestnut Oak) - Southern Shagbark Hickory Wet Forest | CEGL004042 | 1.B.3.Na.2.b |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Piedmont Headwater Stream Forest (Hardpan Subtype) (Schafale 2012)
- Nelson, J. B. 1986. The natural communities of South Carolina: Initial classification and description. South Carolina Wildlife and Marine Resources Department, Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, Columbia, SC. 55 pp.
- Schafale, M. P. 2012. Classification of the natural communities of North Carolina, 4th Approximation. North Carolina Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Recreation, Natural Heritage Program, Raleigh.
- Southeastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Durham, NC.