Print Report
A0622 Quercus montana - Quercus coccinea Shale Woodland Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: This alliance includes open woodlands dominated by Quercus montana, with lesser coverage by Amelanchier arborea, Carya glabra, Pinus virginiana, Quercus coccinea, and Quercus velutina, occurring on shale and siltstone barrens and ridges in the Allegheny Plateau and Knobs region of Kentucky, possibly ranging into Tennessee and West Virginia.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Chestnut Oak - Scarlet Oak Shale Woodland Alliance
Colloquial Name: Shale Oak Woodland
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: This alliance includes open woodlands of shale and siltstone barrens and ridges in the Allegheny Plateau and Knobs region of Kentucky, possibly ranging into Tennessee and West Virginia. Canopies 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, 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). This alliance is currently defined in a narrow sense to cover woodlands associated with shale substrates, but may be expanded if needed. This alliance also includes (in concept) Quercus montana-dominated woodlands on the siltstone ridgetops of the Kentucky Knobs region, but this concept apparently represents an undescribed association.
Diagnostic Characteristics: This alliance is narrowly defined to cover woodlands associated with shale and siltstone substrates dominated by Quercus montana in the Allegheny Plateau and Knobs region of Kentucky, possibly ranging into Tennessee and West Virginia.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: The concept of this alliance may need to be reviewed. It is currently defined to cover woodlands associated with shale and siltstone substrates, but may be expanded if necessary. There may be other undescribed associations that would be placed here, or associations currently in other groups that actually belong here. This alliance includes (in concept) Quercus montana-dominated woodlands on the siltstone ridgetops of the Kentucky Knobs region [see ~Quercus montana / Juniperus virginiana / Vaccinium arboreum / Taenidia integerrima Kentucky Siltstone Woodland (CEGL007259)$$]. 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.
Floristics: Canopies in stands of this vegetation are dominated by Quercus montana (= Quercus prinus), with lesser coverage by Amelanchier arborea, Carya glabra, Pinus virginiana, Quercus coccinea, and Quercus velutina. Other species include the woody plants Carya alba, Cornus florida, 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).
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This alliance includes open woodlands of shale and siltstone barrens and ridges.
Geographic Range: This alliance is found in the Allegheny Plateau and Knobs region of Kentucky, and possibly related areas of Tennessee and West Virginia.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: KY, TN?
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.879076
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.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 |
| Association | CEGL003706 Chestnut Oak / Flowering Dogwood - Common Serviceberry / Common Silk-grass Woodland | CEGL003706 | 1.B.2.Na.1.d |
| Association | CEGL004439 Chestnut Oak / Poverty Oatgrass - Sticky Catchfly Woodland | CEGL004439 | 1.B.2.Na.1.d |
| Association | CEGL007259 Chestnut Oak / Eastern red-cedar / Farkleberry / Yellow-pimpernel Kentucky Siltstone Woodland | CEGL007259 | 1.B.2.Na.1.d |
Concept Lineage: All of the associations in this alliance are from the old alliance A.622 (2/3).
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
- Evans, M., B. Yahn, and M. Hines. 2009. Natural communities of Kentucky 2009. Kentucky Nature Preserves Commission, Frankfort, KY. 22 pp.
- 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.
- Hines, Martina. Personal communication. Ecologist, Kentucky Natural Heritage Program, Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commission, Frankfort.