Print Report
A3215 Quercus laceyi Forest & Woodland Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: This alliance includes short-statured woodlands dominated by Quercus laceyi occurring on slopes in the southwestern Edwards Plateau (Balcones Canyonlands) and adjacent areas of western Texas.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Lacey Oak Forest & Woodland Alliance
Colloquial Name: Lacey Oak Slope Forest & Woodland
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: This alliance includes short-statured woodlands dominated by Quercus laceyi occurring on slopes in the southwestern Edwards Plateau (Balcones Canyonlands) and adjacent areas of western Texas. Other canopy associates may include Juniperus ashei, Quercus buckleyi, Ulmus crassifolia, Quercus muehlenbergii, and Quercus fusiformis. The understory typically includes Juniperus ashei and may also include Ilex vomitoria, Callicarpa americana, Ptelea trifoliata, Ungnadia speciosa, Ilex decidua, and Cornus drummondii. These open woodlands occur as small stands, generally less than 10 ha, often interspersed with grassy openings. They are found on rocky canyon slopes or on shallow soils that have developed over limestone. This alliance is known from the southern and southwestern portion of the Edwards Plateau of central Texas and is threatened by conversion to pasture, residential development, and by the pressures of deer overpopulation and the overstocking of livestock.
Diagnostic Characteristics: This alliance is characterized by Quercus laceyi.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: It is likely that there are undescribed associations related to this alliance. More work is needed to determine if the proposed alliances in ~Balconian Dry-Mesic Hardwood Forest Group (G028)$$ are valid. This alliance is similar to Quercus buckleyi-dominated woodlands that occur in similar habitats. Other woodland communities dominated by Quercus laceyi are known to occur in Texas. Further work is necessary to distinguish these types.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: This alliance includes short-statured woodlands (canopies 6-12 m high).
Floristics: Canopies are dominated by Quercus laceyi with lesser amounts of Juniperus ashei, which becomes more important in the understory. Quercus buckleyi, Ulmus crassifolia, Quercus muehlenbergii, and Quercus fusiformis may occur as minor components in the canopy, while Ilex vomitoria, Callicarpa americana, Ptelea trifoliata, Ungnadia speciosa, Ilex decidua, and Cornus drummondii may be variously present in the understory (Riskind and Diamond 1988).
Dynamics: 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: Woodlands in this alliance are dominated by Quercus laceyi and occur on canyon slopes. These open woodlands occur as small stands, generally less than 10 ha, often interspersed with grassy openings. They are found on rocky canyon slopes or on shallow soils that have developed over limestone.
Geographic Range: This alliance occurs in the southwestern Edwards Plateau (Balcones Canyonlands) and adjacent areas of western Texas.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: TX
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.899339
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
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.3 Texas Red Oak - Texas Live Oak - Ashe''s Juniper Forest & Woodland Macrogroup | M015 | 1.B.1.Nd.3 |
| Group | 1.B.1.Nd.3.b Texas Red Oak - Arizona Walnut / Ashe''s Juniper Dry-Mesic Forest Group | G028 | 1.B.1.Nd.3.b |
| Alliance | A3215 Lacey Oak Forest & Woodland Alliance | A3215 | 1.B.1.Nd.3.b |
| Association | CEGL002136 Lacey Oak - Ashe''s Juniper Woodland | CEGL002136 | 1.B.1.Nd.3.b |
Concept Lineage: A.616 is narrower
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: ? IB3b. Lacey Oak Woodland (Allard 1990)
- 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.
- Diamond, D., B. Amos, T. Cook, R. Edwards, W. Elliot, R. Evans, and K. Kennedy. 1992. Endangered, threatened, and watchlist of natural communities of Texas. Texas Organization for Endangered Species. Austin, TX. 14 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.
- Orzell, S. L., principal investigator. 1990. Texas Natural Heritage Program inventory of national forest and national grasslands in Texas. Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, Natural Heritage Program, Austin.
- Riskind, D. H., and D. D. Diamond. 1988. An introduction to environments and vegetation. Pages 1-15 in: B. B. Amos and F. R. Gehlbach, editors. Edwards Plateau vegetation: Plant ecological studies in central Texas. Baylor University Press, Waco, TX.