Print Report

A1505 Quercus macrocarpa / Mixedgrass Woodland Alliance

Type Concept Sentence: This alliance, found in the northern Great Plains, is a mixedgrass savanna and woodland. Scattered and clumped trees are always present, and the tree stratum varies from 10 to 60% cover. Quercus macrocarpa is the most common tree while mid grasses and tall grasses dominate the ground layer.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Bur Oak / Mixedgrass Woodland Alliance

Colloquial Name: Bur Oak / Mixedgrass Woodland

Hierarchy Level:  Alliance

Type Concept: This alliance, found in the northern Great Plains, is a mixedgrass savanna and woodland. Scattered and clumped trees are always present, and the tree stratum varies from 10 to 60% cover. Quercus macrocarpa is the most common tree. Mid grasses and tall grasses dominate the ground layer, including Andropogon gerardii, Carex pensylvanica, Schizachyrium scoparium, and Sorghastrum nutans. Shrubs are present but may be scattered. Corylus spp. and Symphoricarpos occidentalis are typical shrubs. Stands of this alliance occur on sandy lacustrine and glacial outwash deposits reworked by wind, on shale, and on glacial till. Soils are relatively infertile and excessively well-drained.

Diagnostic Characteristics: The tree stratum varies from 10 to 60% cover, with Quercus macrocarpa the most common dominant. Mid grasses and tall grasses dominate the ground layer, including Andropogon gerardii, Carex pensylvanica, Schizachyrium scoparium, and Sorghastrum nutans. Stands occur on sandy lacustrine and glacial outwash deposits reworked by wind, on shale, and on glacial till.

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: This alliance is rare, and more study needs to be done to characterize it.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: This alliance has an open to moderately closed tree canopy (10-60%). Shrubs are typically scattered. Midgrass and tallgrass species form a moderate to dense herbaceous layer 1-2 m tall.

Floristics: This alliance, found in the northern Great Plains, is a mixedgrass savanna. Mid grasses and tall grasses dominate the vegetation. Scattered and clumped trees and shrubs are always present. Andropogon gerardii, Carex pensylvanica, Schizachyrium scoparium, and Sorghastrum nutans are abundant herbaceous species. Quercus macrocarpa is the most common tree and may be the only tree species in some stands. Corylus spp. and Symphoricarpos occidentalis are typical shrubs.

Dynamics:  No Data Available
Environmental Description:  Stands of this alliance occur on sandy lacustrine and glacial outwash deposits reworked by wind, on shale, and on glacial till. Soils are relatively infertile and excessively well-drained.
Geographic Range: This alliance is found in South Dakota and North Dakota and in Canada in southern Manitoba.

Nations: CA,US

States/Provinces:  MB, ND, SD, WY


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.Ne North American Great Plains Forest & Woodland Division D326 1.B.2.Ne
Macrogroup 1.B.2.Ne.1 Bur Oak - Quaking Aspen / Western Wheatgrass Forest Woodland Macrogroup M151 1.B.2.Ne.1
Group 1.B.2.Ne.1.a Bur Oak - Hazelnut species / Sedge species Forest & Woodland Group G329 1.B.2.Ne.1.a
Alliance A1505 Bur Oak / Mixedgrass Woodland Alliance A1505 1.B.2.Ne.1.a
Association CEGL000554 Bur Oak / Sun Sedge Woodland CEGL000554 1.B.2.Ne.1.a
Association CEGL000555 Bur Oak / Hophornbeam Forest CEGL000555 1.B.2.Ne.1.a
Association CEGL002137 Bur Oak / Beaked Hazelnut Woodland CEGL002137 1.B.2.Ne.1.a
Association CEGL002138 Bur Oak / Chokecherry - Western Snowberry Woodland CEGL002138 1.B.2.Ne.1.a
Association CEGL002162 Bur Oak / Mixedgrass Sand Wooded Grassland CEGL002162 1.B.2.Ne.1.a
Association CEGL002163 Bur Oak / Mixedgrass Loam Wooded Grassland CEGL002163 1.B.2.Ne.1.a
Association CEGL002164 Bur Oak / Mixedgrass Shale Wooded Grassland CEGL002164 1.B.2.Ne.1.a
Concept Lineage: equivalent to A.1505

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

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

Author of Description: D. Faber-Langendoen

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 01-08-14
  • 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.