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A2059 Fagus grandifolia - Quercus alba - Quercus nigra Coastal Plain Forest Alliance

Type Concept Sentence: These are mesic hardwood forests of slopes and small stream bottoms in the coastal plains of the southeastern United States dominated by Fagus grandifolia, Quercus alba, and Quercus nigra.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: American Beech - White Oak - Water Oak Coastal Plain Forest Alliance

Colloquial Name: Coastal Plain Mesic Beech-Oak Forest

Hierarchy Level:  Alliance

Type Concept: This alliance includes southern mesic hardwood forests dominated by Fagus grandifolia and Quercus spp., particularly Quercus alba and Quercus nigra. Associations in this alliance include primarily mesic forests that typically occur on slopes and small stream bottoms in the coastal plains of the southeastern United States from Virginia to Texas. A diverse, often dense canopy is usually present, which may include Acer floridanum, Acer leucoderme, Carya cordiformis, Fraxinus americana, Liquidambar styraciflua, Liriodendron tulipifera, Quercus michauxii, Quercus pagoda, and Ulmus spp. Widely variable understory and shrub layers are usually present. Although the herbaceous layer is typically sparse, it may contain a number of species which are restricted to these rich mesic habitats or nearly so. This alliance is primarily found north of the distribution of Magnolia grandiflora, which typically will not be present in stands.

Diagnostic Characteristics: These forests are generally south of the interior mesophytic forests of the Appalachian and Interior Plateau regions, and north of the range of Magnolia grandiflora. The combination of Fagus grandifolia with Quercus alba and Quercus nigra, lacking Magnolia grandiflora, is consistent with this concept.

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: No Data Available

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: These are closed-canopy forests with dense and diverse shrub and herbaceous strata.

Floristics: Examples are dominated by Fagus grandifolia, Quercus alba, and Quercus nigra. A diverse, often dense canopy is usually present, which may include Acer floridanum (= Acer barbatum), Acer leucoderme, Carya cordiformis, Fraxinus americana, Liquidambar styraciflua, Liriodendron tulipifera, Quercus michauxii, Quercus pagoda, and Ulmus spp. Widely variable understory and shrub layers are usually present. Although the herbaceous layer is typically sparse, it may contain a number of species which are restricted to these rich mesic habitats or nearly so.

Dynamics:  These are mesic forests of relatively fire-sheltered environments. Stands are vulnerable to the effects of canopy removal and subsequent soil erosion. Some examples are highly threatened by timber removal and development. Other threats include windthrow, microclimate modification from intensive silvicultural practices on adjacent uplands, herbicide use, and vegetation damage by feral hogs.
Environmental Description:  Most associations in this alliance of the coastal plains of the southeastern United States are found in mesic uplands (slopes, ravines, etc.), but some occupy upper terraces of stream and river floodplains.
Geographic Range: This alliance is found in the coastal plains of the southeastern United States from Virginia to Texas, and north to Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Tennessee. Two associations are attributed to the adjacent Piedmont.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  AL, AR, FL, GA, LA, MS, OK, SC, TN, TX


Confidence Level: Low

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.1 Warm Temperate Forest & Woodland Formation F018 1.B.1
Division 1.B.1.Na Southeastern North American Forest & Woodland Division D006 1.B.1.Na
Macrogroup 1.B.1.Na.3 American Beech - Southern Magnolia - White Oak Forest Macrogroup M008 1.B.1.Na.3
Group 1.B.1.Na.3.b American Beech - Southern Sugar Maple - White Oak Forest Group G166 1.B.1.Na.3.b
Alliance A2059 American Beech - White Oak - Water Oak Coastal Plain Forest Alliance A2059 1.B.1.Na.3.b
Association CEGL003859 American Beech - White Oak - Sand Hickory / Sand Post Oak / Horsesugar East Gulf Coastal Plain Forest CEGL003859 1.B.1.Na.3.b
Association CEGL004539 American Beech - White Oak / Mountain Laurel - (Catawba Rosebay) / Beetleweed Forest CEGL004539 1.B.1.Na.3.b
Association CEGL007206 American Beech - White Oak - (Southern Sugar Maple) / Mixed Herbs Forest CEGL007206 1.B.1.Na.3.b
Association CEGL007207 American Beech - White Oak / (Southern Sugar Maple, Chalk Maple) / Eared Goldenrod Forest CEGL007207 1.B.1.Na.3.b
Association CEGL007208 American Beech - White Oak / American Holly / Southern Ladyfern Forest CEGL007208 1.B.1.Na.3.b
Association CEGL007210 American Beech - White Oak - Sweetgum / Southern Magnolia / Sarsaparilla-vine Forest CEGL007210 1.B.1.Na.3.b
Association CEGL007211 American Beech - (White Oak, Water Oak) / Horsesugar - (Silky Camellia) Forest CEGL007211 1.B.1.Na.3.b
Association CEGL007525 Loblolly Pine - White Oak - (American Beech) / Sarsaparilla-vine - Partridgeberry Forest CEGL007525 1.B.1.Na.3.b
Association CEGL007845 White Oak - (Swamp Chestnut Oak, Water Oak) / American Holly / Slender Woodoats Forest CEGL007845 1.B.1.Na.3.b
Concept Lineage: This represents the larger portion of A.228 (8/9) which was combined with parts of A.238 (1/15), A.284 (4/8), and A.404 (2/8) to form the new alliance Fagus grandifolia - Quercus alba - Quercus nigra Forest Alliance (A2059).

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
Concept Author(s): M. Pyne, in Faber-Langendoen et al. (2013)

Author of Description: M. Pyne

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 03-14-14
  • Faber-Langendoen, D., J. Drake, M. Hall, G. Kittel, S. Menard, C. Nordman, M. Pyne, M. Reid, M. Russo, K. Schulz, L. Sneddon, K. Snow, and J. Teague. 2013-2019b. Screening alliances for induction into the U.S. National Vegetation Classification: Part 1 - Alliance concept review. NatureServe, Arlington, VA.