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A1492 Quercus velutina - Quercus ellipsoidalis Wooded Grassland Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: This fire-dependent oak barrens alliance is found on drier substrates in the Great Lakes region and northeastern Great Plains. Trees are scattered to clumped within a grassy matrix and dominated by Quercus macrocarpa and Quercus ellipsoidalis.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Black Oak - Northern Pin Oak Wooded Grassland Alliance
Colloquial Name: Black Oak - Northern Pin Oak Barrens
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: This fire-dependent oak barrens alliance is found in the Great Lakes region and northeastern Great Plains. Herbaceous species dominate this alliance, but trees and shrubs are common and can be abundant in the prolonged absence of fire. Trees and shrubs may be scattered across the landscape or clumped. The most abundant trees are Quercus macrocarpa and Quercus ellipsoidalis, which have a height of 5-15 m and an open canopy (10-60%). Cover in the tall-shrub and low-shrub layers varies from 0-40%. Short-shrub species include Amorpha canescens, Corylus americana, Rhus glabra, and Toxicodendron radicans. Symphoricarpos occidentalis can be common on heavier soils. The herb layer is dominated by graminoids, with forbs more prominent in shaded areas. Herbaceous species include Ambrosia psilostachya, Amphicarpaea bracteata, Andropogon gerardii, Artemisia ludoviciana, Calamovilfa longifolia, Carex pensylvanica, Carex spp., Comandra umbellata, Hesperostipa spartea, Parthenocissus quinquefolia, Schizachyrium scoparium, and Sorghastrum nutans. Stands of this alliance are found on well-drained, coarse-textured sandy soils derived from glacial outwash or end moraine formations. Soils range from almost pure sand, to loamy sand, to sandy loam. The soils have low fertility, organic matter, and moisture-retention capacity. Factors which affect seasonal soil moisture are strongly related to variation in this type; slope, aspect, topographic position, elevation, depth to water table, and presence or absence of less permeable soil layers are among these factors. The conditions were also favorable to periodic fires, necessary to maintain the open structure and floristic composition.
Diagnostic Characteristics: The most abundant trees are Quercus macrocarpa and Quercus ellipsoidalis, which have a height of 5-15 m and an open canopy (10-60%). Cover in the tall-shrub and low-shrub layers varies from 0-40%. The herb layer is dominated by graminoids, including Andropogon gerardii, Calamovilfa longifolia, Carex pensylvanica, Carex spp., Hesperostipa spartea, Schizachyrium scoparium, and Sorghastrum nutans. Stands are found on well-drained, coarse-textured sandy soils derived from glacial outwash or end moraine formations. Soils range from almost pure sand, to loamy sand, to sandy loam. Periodic fires occur.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: The term "savanna" is often applied to this vegetation, though the term "oak barrens" is a common, historic name used for the vegetation (Curtis 1959). Canopy cover is here restricted to the more open condition (10-60%), but applications at the state level show a wide range in variation, including up to 70 or 80% cover, particularly when a strong grassy tallgrass prairie flora persists.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: The most abundant trees are oaks, which have a height of 5-15 m and an open canopy (10-60%). Cover in the tall-shrub and low-shrub layers varies from 0-40%. The herb layer is dominated by graminoids.
Floristics: This dry to dry-mesic oak barrens alliance is found in the Great Lakes region and northeastern Great Plains. Herbaceous species dominate this alliance, but trees and shrubs are common and can be abundant in the prolonged absence of fire. Trees and shrubs may be scattered across the landscape or clumped. The herb layer is dominated by graminoids, with forbs more prominent in shaded areas. Species found in the herb layer include Ambrosia psilostachya, Amphicarpaea bracteata, Andropogon gerardii, Artemisia ludoviciana, Calamovilfa longifolia, Carex pensylvanica, Carex spp., Comandra umbellata, Hesperostipa spartea (= Stipa spartea), Parthenocissus quinquefolia, Schizachyrium scoparium, and Sorghastrum nutans. The most abundant trees are Quercus macrocarpa and Quercus ellipsoidalis, which have a height of 5-15 m and an open canopy (5-60%). Cover in the tall-shrub and low-shrub layers varies from 0-40%. Short-shrub species include Amorpha canescens, Corylus americana, Rhus glabra, and Toxicodendron radicans. Symphoricarpos occidentalis can be common on heavier soils.
Dynamics: The fire dynamics for this alliance are described in the group description.
Environmental Description: Stands of this alliance are found on well-drained, coarse-textured sandy soils derived from glacial outwash or end moraine formations. Soils range from almost pure sand, to loamy sand, to sandy loam. The soils have low fertility, organic matter, and moisture-retention capacity. Factors which affect seasonal soil moisture are strongly related to variation in this type; slope, aspect, topographic position, elevation, depth to water table, and presence or absence of less permeable soil layers are among these factors. Periodic fires are essential for maintaining the open structure and floristic composition (MNNHP 1993).
Geographic Range: This alliance is found in the Great Lakes region and northeastern Great Plains. It can be found in Canada in southern Ontario.
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: IA?, IL, IN, MI, MN, ND, OH, ON, PA?, WI
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.899144
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.4 White Oak - Bur Oak - Shagbark Hickory Forest, Woodland & Savanna Macrogroup | M012 | 1.B.2.Na.4 |
| Group | 1.B.2.Na.4.a Bur Oak - Black Oak / Big Bluestem Savanna & Barrens Group | G181 | 1.B.2.Na.4.a |
| Alliance | A1492 Black Oak - Northern Pin Oak Wooded Grassland Alliance | A1492 | 1.B.2.Na.4.a |
| Association | CEGL002160 Bur Oak - (Northern Pin Oak) / Little Bluestem - Prairie Junegrass Open Woodland | CEGL002160 | 1.B.2.Na.4.a |
| Association | CEGL002492 Black Oak - Northern Pin Oak - (White Oak) / Little Bluestem - Sundial Lupine Open Woodland | CEGL002492 | 1.B.2.Na.4.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Oak Barrens (Curtis 1959) [Wisconsin]
- Curtis, J. T. 1959. The vegetation of Wisconsin: An ordination of plant communities. Reprinted in 1987. University of Wisconsin Press, Madison. 657 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.
- Faber-Langendoen, D., and Midwest State Natural Heritage Program Ecologists. 1996. Terrestrial vegetation of the midwest United States. International classification of ecological communities: Terrestrial vegetation of the United States. The Nature Conservancy, Arlington, VA.
- MNNHP [Minnesota Natural Heritage Program]. 1993. Minnesota''s native vegetation: A key to natural communities. Version 1.5. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Natural Heritage Program, St. Paul, MN. 110 pp.