Print Report
A3214 Acer grandidentatum - Quercus muehlenbergii - Juglans major Forest & Woodland Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: Forests of this alliance are typically dominated by Acer grandidentatum and/or Quercus muehlenbergii, occupying mesic canyon bottoms and lower slopes of the Edwards Plateau region and adjacent areas of central Texas and possibly Oklahoma.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Bigtooth Maple - Chinquapin Oak - Arizona Walnut Forest & Woodland Alliance
Colloquial Name: Bigtooth Maple - Oak Forest & Woodland
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: This forest alliance occurs in mesic canyons and lower slopes in dissected landscapes of the Edwards Plateau and adjacent regions of Texas and possibly Oklahoma. It is typically dominated by Acer grandidentatum and/or Quercus muehlenbergii. Other canopy associates may include Quercus laceyi, Quercus buckleyi, Fraxinus albicans, and Prunus serotina var. eximia, among others. Commonly encountered shrubs in the diverse shrub stratum may include Lindera benzoin, Styrax platanifolius, and Cornus drummondii. The herb stratum is often characterized by Carex edwardsiana. Substrates are typically limestone. Moisture availability and sheltered lower slopes and canyons help to maintain this alliance.
Diagnostic Characteristics: The presence of either Acer grandidentatum or Quercus muehlenbergii in combination with Quercus buckleyi, Juglans major, and/or Prunus serotina var. eximia, occurring along mesic lower slopes and canyons in the Edwards Plateau and adjacent areas of Texas and possibly Oklahoma.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This alliance attempts to circumscribe vegetation of mesic lower slopes and canyons in the Edwards Plateau of Texas. More information is needed to flesh out detailed floristic, environment, and range of this alliance. It is likely that there are undescribed associations that could be classified here.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: This alliance is a deciduous forest which often has a diverse, but patchy understory of deciduous and evergreen shrubs and small trees.
Floristics: This alliance is characterized by Quercus muehlenbergii and Acer grandidentatum, which may dominate individually or as codominants. Associated species may include Quercus laceyi, Quercus buckleyi, Fraxinus albicans (= Fraxinus texensis), Ulmus crassifolia, Quercus sinuata var. breviloba, Juniperus ashei, Prunus serotina var. eximia, and Tilia americana. The diverse shrub stratum may include Lindera benzoin, Styrax platanifolius, Ungnadia speciosa, Frangula caroliniana, Cornus drummondii, Philadelphus texensis, Viburnum rufidulum, and Garrya ovata ssp. lindheimeri. The herb stratum is often characterized by Carex edwardsiana. Other species may include Aquilegia canadensis, Adiantum capillus-veneris, Galium circaezans, and Verbesina virginica var. virginica.
Dynamics: Moisture availability and sheltered lower slopes and canyons help to maintain this alliance. The landscape setting of this alliance, mid to lower slopes in fairly dissected terrain, likely provides some protection from fires which may originate in the surrounding, more level uplands.
Environmental Description: The dry to mesic forests of this alliance occur in canyons and moist lower slopes in dissected terrain. Substrate is typically limestone.
Geographic Range: This alliance is found in the Edwards Plateau and adjacent regions of Texas and possibly Oklahoma.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: OK?, TX
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.899338
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR
Greasons: No Data Available
Concept Lineage: A.215 is narrower
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: > Quercus muehlenbergii forest alliance (Hoagland 1997)
- Amos, B. B., and F. R. Gehlbach. 1988. Edwards Plateau vegetation: Plant ecological studies in central Texas. Baylor University Press, Waco, TX. 144 pp.
- Diamond, D. D. 1993. Classification of the plant communities of Texas (series level). Unpublished document. Texas Natural Heritage Program, Austin. 25 pp.
- Diggs, G. M., Jr., B. L. Lipscomb, and R. J. O''Kennon. 1999. Shinners & Mahler''s Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas. Botanical Research Institute of Texas, Fort Worth. 1626 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.
- Hoagland, B. W. 1997. Preliminary plant community classification for Oklahoma. Unpublished draft document, version 35629. University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma Natural Heritage Inventory, Norman. 47 pp.
- Hoagland, B. W. 1998a. Classification of Oklahoma vegetation types. Working draft. University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma Natural Heritage Inventory, Norman. 43 pp.