Print Report
G651 South-Central Interior Oak Savanna & Barrens Group
Type Concept Sentence: This vegetation includes open woodlands dominated by Quercus montana with Carya glabra, Pinus virginiana, and Quercus coccinea; or by Quercus stellata and Quercus marilandica, found on shale and siltstone barrens and ridges in the Allegheny Plateau and Knobs region of Kentucky, or on clay soils derived from limestone in the Ridge and Valley of Georgia, or loessal soils on the Interior Low Plateau of Tennessee.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: South-Central Interior Oak Savanna & Barrens Group
Colloquial Name: South-Central Interior Oak Savanna & Barrens
Hierarchy Level: Group
Type Concept: This vegetation includes two distinct assemblages of open woodlands. One is found on shale and siltstone barrens and ridges in the Allegheny Plateau and Knobs region of Kentucky, possibly ranging into Tennessee; the other is found on clay soils derived from limestone in the Ridge and Valley of Georgia, as well as on winter-wet, summer-dry loessal soils on the Interior Low Plateau (Western Highland Rim) of Tennessee. The canopies of the former are dominated by Quercus montana, with lesser coverage by Amelanchier arborea, Carya glabra, Pinus virginiana, Quercus coccinea, and Quercus velutina. Other species include the woody plants Carya tomentosa, Cornus florida, and Vaccinium pallidum, and the grasses and forbs Aristida dichotoma, Aristida oligantha, Danthonia spicata, Dichanthelium linearifolium, Pityopsis graminifolia var. latifolia, and Potentilla canadensis. Some examples may contain Silene caroliniana. The latter less acidic examples are dominated by Quercus stellata and Quercus marilandica, with a diverse ground layer containing a wide variety of native forbs and grasses. Pinus echinata may be present in some examples. Among the dominant grasses, Schizachyrium scoparium is most abundant, with Andropogon gerardii and Sorghastrum nutans; Carex spp., Dichanthelium spp. Gymnopogon ambiguus, Panicum virgatum, and Sporobolus clandestinus may also be present.
Diagnostic Characteristics: This group is defined to cover woodlands associated with shale and siltstone substrates dominated by Quercus montana in the Allegheny Plateau and Knobs region of Kentucky, as well as other woodlands associated with clay soils derived from limestone in the Ridge and Valley of Georgia and winter-wet, summer-dry loessal soils on the Interior Low Plateau (Western Highland Rim) of Tennessee. In this latter vegetation, Quercus marilandica and Quercus stellata are characteristic overstory dominants.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: There may be other undescribed associations that would be placed here, or associations currently in other groups that actually belong here. This concept is that of woodlands (i.e., the tree cover is thought to range from 25-60%), not "sparse woodlands" or "barrens" where tree cover is more typically 10-25%.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: These are open deciduous woodlands. Trees may be stunted and gnarled. Better quality examples will exhibit an open overstory with a sparse subcanopy and understory, over a ground layer containing a variety of native forbs and grasses.
Floristics: In one suite of these woodlands, found on shale and siltstone in Kentucky and Tennessee, canopies are dominated by Quercus montana (= Quercus prinus), with lesser coverage by Amelanchier arborea, Carya glabra, Pinus virginiana, Quercus coccinea, and Quercus velutina. In this vegetation, other species include the woody plants Carya tomentosa (= Carya alba), Cornus florida, and Vaccinium pallidum, and the grasses and forbs Aristida dichotoma, Aristida oligantha, Danthonia spicata, Dichanthelium linearifolium, Pityopsis graminifolia var. latifolia, and Potentilla canadensis. Some examples may contain Silene caroliniana (ssp. wherryi, or possibly ssp. pensylvanica). In examples of a second suite of woodlands, found on clay or loessal soils in Georgia and Tennessee, the canopies are dominated by Quercus stellata and Quercus marilandica, with a diverse ground layer containing a wide variety of native forbs and grasses. Pinus echinata may be present in some examples. Among the dominant grasses, Schizachyrium scoparium is most abundant, with Andropogon gerardii and Sorghastrum nutans most characteristic; Carex spp., Dichanthelium spp. Gymnopogon ambiguus, Panicum virgatum, and Sporobolus clandestinus may also be present.
Dynamics: Presumably a combination of edaphic factors (dry, rocky soil or xerohydric soil) with historic grazing and fire operated to keep these sites open. Under current conditions, ecological management, including prescribed fire, may be necessary to maintain them in an open condition and maintain their ground layer vegetation.
Environmental Description: This group accommodates two suites of woodlands.Tthe first includes open woodlands of shale and siltstone barrens and ridges of the Allegheny Plateau and Knobs region of Kentucky; the other suite of woodlands are found over clay and loessal substrates over limestone-derived soils in the Ridge and Valley of Georgia, on winter-wet, summer-dry loessal soils in the Interior Low Plateau (Western Highland Rim) of Tennessee. There are possibly undescribed associations of related areas in these and adjacent regions.
Geographic Range: This vegetation is known from two distinct areas: the Allegheny Plateau and Knobs region of Kentucky (and possibly related areas of Tennessee); and the Ridge and Valley of Georgia and the Interior Low Plateau (Western Highland Rim) of Tennessee and possibly Kentucky. There may be undescribed associations in these and adjacent regions.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AL, GA, KY, TN
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.877315
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.1 White Oak - Southern Red Oak - Shortleaf Pine Forest & Woodland Macrogroup | M016 | 1.B.2.Na.1 |
| Group | 1.B.2.Na.1.d South-Central Interior Oak Savanna & Barrens Group | G651 | 1.B.2.Na.1.d |
| Alliance | A0622 Chestnut Oak - Scarlet Oak Shale Woodland Alliance | A0622 | 1.B.2.Na.1.d |
| Alliance | A3315 Blackjack Oak - Post Oak Clay/Loess Woodland Alliance | A3315 | 1.B.2.Na.1.d |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
- 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]