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A3109 Acer grandidentatum - Quercus gravesii - Quercus muehlenbergii Forest & Woodland Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: Stands in this forest and woodland alliance are dominated by deciduous trees species Acer grandidentatum and Quercus gravesii or Quercus muehlenbergii, which are diagnostic species, and occur in mesic canyons of the Chisos Mountains and Guadalupe Mountains of Trans-Pecos Texas and New Mexico.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Bigtooth Maple - Chisos Red Oak - Chinquapin Oak Forest & Woodland Alliance
Colloquial Name: Madrean Bigtooth Maple - Oak Forest & Woodland
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: Stands in this forest and woodland alliance occur in mesic canyons of the Chisos Mountains and Guadalupe Mountains of Trans-Pecos Texas and New Mexico. The tree canopy is dominated by deciduous tree species Acer grandidentatum and Quercus gravesii or Quercus muehlenbergii, which are diagnostic. Other characteristic species sometimes present include the deciduous Ostrya chisosensis and Quercus graciliformis, and the evergreen Arbutus xalapensis, Hesperocyparis arizonica, Juniperus deppeana, Juniperus flaccida, Pinus cembroides, Pinus edulis, Pinus ponderosa var. scopulorum, Quercus grisea, Quercus emoryi, and Quercus rugosa. The shrub and herb strata are relatively sparse. Associated shrubs that may be present include Agave havardiana, Agave parryi ssp. neomexicana, Ceanothus greggii, Crataegus tracyi, Dasylirion leiophyllum, Garrya ovata, Mahonia haematocarpa, Nolina erumpens, Salvia regla, and Vitis arizonica. Associated herbaceous species include Bothriochloa laguroides ssp. torreyana, Bouteloua curtipendula, Muhlenbergia rigida, Piptochaetium fimbriatum, Poa strictiramea, and Schizachyrium scoparium. These woodlands occur along drainage channels, sometimes occupying benches, terraces, and adjacent lower slopes, often in coarse, rocky substrate. It occurs in the most sheltered habitats, on upper stream terraces and canyonheads. These communities grade to slightly less mesic mixed evergreen-deciduous forests and woodlands.
Diagnostic Characteristics: This is a diverse mesic Madrean forest or woodland with diagnostic species Acer grandidentatum and Quercus gravesii or Quercus muehlenbergii typically dominant. Other characteristic Madrean species are typically present in the tree or tall canopy, including Arbutus xalapensis, Hesperocyparis arizonica, Juniperus flaccida, Pinus cembroides, Quercus emoryi, and Quercus grisea.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Acer grandidentatum is thought to be a relict species from the Pleistocene glaciations in the canyons of the Guadalupe escarpment.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: This alliance is characterized by a closed canopy of tall cold-deciduous or broad-leaved evergreen shrubs or short trees 6-8 m in height. Short evergreen shrubs may also be present. The herbaceous understory is typically sparse and composed of annual or perennial graminoids and forbs.
Floristics: Stands in this forest and woodland alliance occur in mesic canyons of the Chisos Mountains and Guadalupe Mountains of Trans-Pecos Texas and New Mexico. The tree canopy is dominated by deciduous tree species Acer grandidentatum and Quercus gravesii or Quercus muehlenbergii, which are diagnostic. Other characteristic species sometimes present include the deciduous Ostrya chisosensis (= Ostrya virginiana var. chisosensis) and Quercus graciliformis, and the evergreen Arbutus xalapensis, Hesperocyparis arizonica (= Cupressus arizonica), Juniperus deppeana, Juniperus flaccida, Pinus cembroides, Pinus edulis, Pinus ponderosa var. scopulorum, Quercus grisea, Quercus emoryi, and Quercus rugosa. The shrub strata is variable but usually relatively sparse. Associated shrubs, rosette shrubs and cacti that may be present include Agave havardiana, Agave parryi ssp. neomexicana, Ceanothus greggii, Crataegus tracyi, Dasylirion leiophyllum, Garrya ovata, Mahonia haematocarpa, Nolina erumpens, Opuntia spp., Salvia regla, and Vitis arizonica. The sparse to moderately dense herbaceous layer is dominated by perennial grasses such as Bothriochloa laguroides ssp. torreyana, Bouteloua curtipendula, Muhlenbergia rigida, Piptochaetium fimbriatum, Poa strictiramea, and Schizachyrium scoparium. Forb cover is typically sparse but may be diverse.
Dynamics: In southern stands, these communities are typically associated with protected topographic positions with relatively moist soils and lower fire frequencies than surrounding hillsides.
Environmental Description: Stands in this forest and woodland alliance occur in mesic canyons of the Chisos Mountains and Guadalupe Mountains of Trans-Pecos Texas and New Mexico from 1300-2620 m elevation. These woodlands occur along drainage channels, sometimes occupying benches, terraces, and adjacent lower slopes, often in coarse, rocky substrate. It occurs in the most sheltered habitats, on upper stream terraces and canyonheads. These communities grade to slightly less mesic mixed evergreen-deciduous forests and woodlands.
Geographic Range: This forest alliance occurs in mesic canyons of the Chisos and Guadalupe mountains in the Trans-Pecos of Texas, southern New Mexico, and likely adjacent Mexico.
Nations: MX?,US
States/Provinces: MXCHH?, NM, TX
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.899239
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.1 Warm Temperate Forest & Woodland Formation | F018 | 1.B.1 |
| Division | 1.B.1.Nd Madrean-Balconian Forest & Woodland Division | D060 | 1.B.1.Nd |
| Macrogroup | 1.B.1.Nd.2 Chihuahuan Pine - Douglas-fir / Silverleaf Oak Madrean Montane Forest & Woodland Macrogroup | M011 | 1.B.1.Nd.2 |
| Group | 1.B.1.Nd.2.b Douglas-fir - Southwestern White Pine / Silverleaf Oak Forest & Woodland Group | G202 | 1.B.1.Nd.2.b |
| Alliance | A3109 Bigtooth Maple - Chisos Red Oak - Chinquapin Oak Forest & Woodland Alliance | A3109 | 1.B.1.Nd.2.b |
| Association | CEGL004547 Bigtooth Maple - Chinquapin Oak Forest | CEGL004547 | 1.B.1.Nd.2.b |
| Association | CEGL004548 Bigtooth Maple - Chisos Red Oak Forest | CEGL004548 | 1.B.1.Nd.2.b |
Concept Lineage: Old Alliance I.B.2.N.b. Acer grandidentatum Montane Forest Alliance (A.265) in part (disjunct southern portion of old alliance).
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: >< Bigtooth Maple-Oak Series (Diamond 1993)
- Allard, D. J. 1990. Southeastern United States ecological community classification. Interim report, Version 1.2. The Nature Conservancy, Southeast Regional Office, Chapel Hill, NC. 96 pp.
- Diamond, D. D. 1993. Classification of the plant communities of Texas (series level). Unpublished document. Texas Natural Heritage Program, Austin. 25 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.
- Freeman, C. E., and W. A. Dick-Peddie. 1970. Woody riparian vegetation in the Black and Sacramento Mountain ranges, southern New Mexico. The Southwestern Naturalist 15(2):145-164.
- Gehlbach, F. R. 1967. Vegetation of the Guadalupe Escarpment, New Mexico-Texas. Ecology 48:404-419.
- Muldavin, E., P. Neville, P. Arbetan, Y. Chauvin, A. Browder, and T. Neville. 2003a. A vegetation map of Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico. Final report submitted in partial fulfillment of Cooperative Agreement No. Ca-7170-99-004. New Mexico Natural Heritage Program at the University of New Mexico, Albuquerque. 102 pp.