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A2023 Juniperus ashei Southeast Great Plains Ruderal Forest Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: This semi-natural forest is strongly dominated by Juniperus ashei, and is found in disturbed, fire-suppressed sites, including old fields, pastures, successional cleared land, and other variously disturbed areas on soils derived from limestone, from the Edwards Plateau in Texas, where it is thought to be primarily distributed, but it may also occur in Oklahoma, Arkansas and Missouri.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Ashe''s Juniper Southeast Great Plains Ruderal Forest Alliance
Colloquial Name: Southeast Great Plains Ruderal Ashe''s Juniper Forest
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: This semi-natural forest is strongly dominated by Juniperus ashei. It is found in disturbed, fire-suppressed sites including old fields, pastures, successional cleared land, and other variously disturbed areas on soils derived from limestone. It is documented from the Edwards Plateau in Texas, where it is thought to be primarily distributed, but it may also occur in Oklahoma, Arkansas and Missouri. Although classed as a forest, this alliance sometimes has the appearance of a woodland or shrubland. Canopy closure may range from open (25-60% cover) to closed (>60% cover) and stature may be low (<4 m), as the dominant species Juniperus ashei rarely exceeds 9 m in height. Scattered shrubs may include Forestiera pubescens, Mahonia trifoliolata, Rhus trilobata, Cornus drummondii, and Opuntia engelmannii. Herbaceous ground cover is variable and often sparse and may include Carex planostachys, Brickellia cylindracea, Bouteloua rigidiseta, Schizachyrium scoparium, Sporobolus compositus, among others. Patchy exposures of bare ground are common and a dense layer of juniper needles may also be present.
Diagnostic Characteristics: This semi-natural alliance is strongly dominated by Juniperus ashei. It is found in disturbed, fire-suppressed sites, including old fields, pastures, successional cleared land, and other variously disturbed areas on soils derived from limestone. It is more typically a closed forest, as compared to the natural woodlands of Juniperus ashei.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: The prevalence of Juniperus ashei has likely increased since presettlement times in some areas of central Texas. This is speculated to have resulted from several factors, including overgrazing and altered fire regimes. As a result, it may be difficult to distinguish juniper-invaded habitats classed here from areas where juniper was naturally a dominant component of the vegetation.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: Although classed as a forest, this alliance sometimes has the appearance of a woodland or shrubland. Canopy closure may range from open (25-60% cover) to closed (>60% cover) and stature may be low (<4 m), as the dominant species Juniperus ashei rarely exceeds 9 m in height.
Floristics: The canopy is strongly dominated by Juniperus ashei. Other species that may occasionally occur in the canopy include Quercus fusiformis, Quercus buckleyi, Ulmus crassifolia, Fraxinus albicans (= Fraxinus texensis), and Quercus stellata. Scattered shrubs may include Forestiera pubescens, Mahonia trifoliolata (= Berberis trifoliolata), Rhus trilobata, Cornus drummondii, and Opuntia engelmannii. Herbaceous ground cover is variable and often sparse and may include Carex planostachys, Brickellia cylindracea, Bouteloua rigidiseta, Schizachyrium scoparium, Sporobolus compositus, among others.
Dynamics: Fire is thought to have played a significant role in limiting the occurrence of this alliance. Lack of fire, among other factors, is speculated to have resulted in an increase in the prevalence and dominance of Juniperus ashei since presettlement times in some areas of central Texas. These stands may eventually succeed to other forest/woodland types or may revert back to grasslands with the reintroduction of fire.
Environmental Description: This alliance is found in disturbed, fire-suppressed sites, including old fields, pastures, successional cleared land, and other variously disturbed areas on soils derived from limestone.
Geographic Range: This alliance is known from the Edwards Plateau of central Texas. It may also be found within the range of Juniperus ashei in Oklahoma, Arkansas and Missouri.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AR?, MO?, OK?, TX
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.899191
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNA
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.90 Black Locust - Tuliptree - Norway Maple Ruderal Forest Macrogroup | M013 | 1.B.2.Na.90 |
| Group | 1.B.2.Na.90.a Eastern Red-cedar - Tuliptree / Tatarian Honeysuckle Ruderal Forest Group | G030 | 1.B.2.Na.90.a |
| Alliance | A2023 Ashe''s Juniper Southeast Great Plains Ruderal Forest Alliance | A2023 | 1.B.2.Na.90.a |
| Association | CEGL004159 Ashe''s Juniper Ruderal Forest | CEGL004159 | 1.B.2.Na.90.a |
Concept Lineage: proto-alliance A2023
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
- 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.