Print Report
CEGL007029 (Pinus palustris) / Quercus georgiana Woodland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: (Longleaf Pine) / Georgia Oak Woodland
Colloquial Name: Pine Mountain Georgia Oak Woodland
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This distinctive community occurs on the quartzite ridge (Hollis Formation) of Pine Mountain (Harris County, Georgia) primarily in the eastern portion of Franklin Delano Roosevelt State Park. This association covers large segments of the landscape in the vicinity of Dowdell Knob and on Bumblebee Ridge. Quercus georgiana is the overwhelming dominant woody species in the well-developed subcanopy and shrub layers. A sparse emergent layer of Pinus palustris, Pinus echinata, Quercus montana, and/or Carya pallida is typical with low cover values (<10%). Other woody species of the shrub layer include Vaccinium arboreum, Vaccinium stamineum, Vaccinium pallidum, and Hypericum hypericoides. Most examples seem to exhibit signs of fire suppression, and the herbaceous layer is poorly developed. Characteristic forbs and graminoids include Carex nigromarginata, Houstonia longifolia, Danthonia sericea, Aureolaria pectinata, Hypericum gentianoides, Packera anonyma, Viola pedata, and Piptochaetium avenaceum.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Examples occur at Franklin Delano Roosevelt State Park, Harris County, Georgia. It is unclear what natural or man-made events have led to the development of these unusual Georgia oak forest/woodlands. Only sparse and widely scattered stumps can be observed that would indicate the removal of a longleaf pine canopy. The sites are typically rocky, often with abundant quartzite nodules. One possible theory is that these sites are fire-sheltered and thus led to the dominance of Quercus georgiana, which is reputed to be fire-intolerant. Many trees are multi-stemmed with the central leader showing signs of senescence.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Quercus georgiana is the overwhelming dominant woody species in the well-developed subcanopy and shrub layers. A sparse emergent layer of Pinus palustris, Pinus echinata, Quercus montana (= Quercus prinus), and/or Carya pallida is typical with a low cover value (<10%). Other woody species of the shrub layer include Vaccinium arboreum, Vaccinium stamineum, Vaccinium pallidum, and Hypericum hypericoides. Most examples seem to exhibit signs of fire suppression, and the herbaceous layer is poorly developed. Characteristic forbs and graminoids include Carex nigromarginata, Houstonia longifolia, Danthonia sericea, Aureolaria pectinata, Hypericum gentianoides, Packera anonyma, Viola pedata, and Piptochaetium avenaceum.
Dynamics: The dynamics of this association are poorly understood. It is possible that it is restricted to fire-sheltered sites, or sites where fire has been excluded for a long period of time. It is believed that the structure of this community would have a much more open character if subjected to periodic prescribed fire.
Environmental Description: This Georgia oak woodland/forest association has a very limited distribution, being restricted to the quartzite ridge (Hollis Formation) of Pine Mountain (Harris County, Georgia) in the eastern portion of Franklin Delano Roosevelt State Park. Favored sites for this association contain shallow soil to rocky substrates, on southerly and westerly exposures. The environment is extremely xeric, and areas with Georgia oak may be fire-sheltered. All observed examples appear to be fire-suppressed with near complete canopy closure, and it is believed that this association would have a more open character under the influence of fire.
Geographic Range: This oak woodland association is restricted to the quartzite ridge (Hollis Formation) of the Piedmont on Pine Mountain (Harris County, Georgia).
Nations: US
States/Provinces: GA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.861494
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G2Q
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.b Shortleaf Pine - Southern Red Oak - Post Oak Forest & Woodland Group | G012 | 1.B.2.Na.1.b |
| Alliance | A3272 Longleaf Pine - Shortleaf Pine - Chestnut Oak Interior Woodland Alliance | A3272 | 1.B.2.Na.1.b |
| Association | CEGL007029 (Longleaf Pine) / Georgia Oak Woodland | CEGL007029 | 1.B.2.Na.1.b |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: < [75] Pine-Hardwood Xeric Ridge and Slope Forests (Wharton 1978)
- 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.
- Wharton, C. H. 1978. The natural environments of Georgia. Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Atlanta. 227 pp.