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A3271 Pinus echinata - Quercus stellata - Quercus velutina Ozark-Ouachita Woodland Alliance

Type Concept Sentence: These shortleaf pine - hardwood forests and woodlands are found in the Ozark and Ouachita regions of the southeastern United States and are characterized by Pinus echinata, Quercus stellata, and Quercus velutina, with Carya tomentosa, Quercus alba, Quercus falcata, and Quercus marilandica. Typical shrubs include Vaccinium arboreum, Vaccinium pallidum, and Vaccinium stamineum.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Shortleaf Pine - Post Oak - Black Oak Ozark-Ouachita Woodland Alliance

Colloquial Name: Ozark-Ouachita Shortleaf Pine - Oak Woodland

Hierarchy Level:  Alliance

Type Concept: This alliance accommodates shortleaf pine - hardwood forests and woodlands found in the Ozark and Ouachita regions of the southeastern United States. Stands are characterized by Pinus echinata, Quercus stellata, and Quercus velutina, with Carya tomentosa, Quercus alba, Quercus falcata, and Quercus marilandica. Typical shrubs include Vaccinium arboreum, Vaccinium pallidum, and Vaccinium stamineum. More open stands with woodland physiognomy will include Chasmanthium sessiliflorum, Echinacea pallida, Monarda russeliana, Schizachyrium scoparium, and Solidago ulmifolia. Habitats for this vegetation generally include upper to middle slopes and ridges, and particularly areas along ridges and on upper south- to southwest-facing slopes, as well as saddles and flatter ridgelines

Diagnostic Characteristics: This alliance is partly defined on biogeographic criteria. It is difficult to find clear diagnostic floristics to differentiate shortleaf pine vegetation in the Ozarkian region from that in other parts of the southeastern United States. Quercus velutina and Quercus stellata both have their highest overall importance values in the Ozarkian region, so they are used as nominals, but they are both wide-ranging species. The absence of Quercus montana is one criterion; in contrast to examples from the Appalachians, Pinus virginiana, Pinus rigida, and Pinus pungens will also be absent. Despite these (negative) differences, it is hard to define a unit based on the absence of taxa rather than the presence of them.

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: This alliance encompasses members of two ecological systems: ~Ozark-Ouachita Shortleaf Pine-Oak Forest and Woodland (CES202.313)$$ and ~Ozark-Ouachita Shortleaf Pine-Bluestem Woodland (CES202.325)$$.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: The structure of stands may vary in canopy closure depending on site aspect and the fire regime.

Floristics: Stands are characterized by Pinus echinata, Quercus stellata, and Quercus velutina, with Carya tomentosa (= Carya alba), Quercus alba, Quercus falcata, and Quercus marilandica. Typical shrubs include Vaccinium arboreum, Vaccinium pallidum, and Vaccinium stamineum, More open stands with woodland physiognomy will include Chasmanthium sessiliflorum, Echinacea pallida, Monarda russeliana, Schizachyrium scoparium, and Solidago ulmifolia.

Dynamics:  No Data Available
Environmental Description:  Habitats for the vegetation of this alliance generally include upper to middle slopes and ridges, and particularly areas along ridges and on upper south- to southwest-facing slopes, as well as saddles, flatter ridgelines, and clifftops. Stands are found on a variety of geologic substrates. Soils may be shallow and rocky.
Geographic Range: This alliance is restricted to the Ozark and Ouachita regions of Arkansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. One association''s range extends into the Interior Low Plateau of Illinois.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  AR, IL, MO, OK


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.Na Eastern North American Forest & Woodland Division D008 1.B.2.Na
Macrogroup 1.B.2.Na.1 White Oak - Southern Red Oak - Shortleaf Pine Forest & Woodland Macrogroup M016 1.B.2.Na.1
Group 1.B.2.Na.1.b Shortleaf Pine - Southern Red Oak - Post Oak Forest & Woodland Group G012 1.B.2.Na.1.b
Alliance A3271 Shortleaf Pine - Post Oak - Black Oak Ozark-Ouachita Woodland Alliance A3271 1.B.2.Na.1.b
Association CEGL002393 Shortleaf Pine - Post Oak - Blackjack Oak / Little Bluestem Woodland CEGL002393 1.B.2.Na.1.b
Association CEGL002394 Shortleaf Pine - White Oak / Little Bluestem Woodland CEGL002394 1.B.2.Na.1.b
Association CEGL002400 Shortleaf Pine / (Farkleberry, Blue Ridge Blueberry, Deerberry) Forest CEGL002400 1.B.2.Na.1.b
Association CEGL002401 Shortleaf Pine - Black Oak - Post Oak / Blueberry species Forest CEGL002401 1.B.2.Na.1.b
Association CEGL002402 Shortleaf Pine / Rock Outcrop Interior Highland Woodland CEGL002402 1.B.2.Na.1.b
Association CEGL004444 Shortleaf Pine - White Oak - Southern Red Oak Forest CEGL004444 1.B.2.Na.1.b
Association CEGL007489 Shortleaf Pine - White Oak - Northern Red Oak / Farkleberry / Longleaf Woodoats Forest CEGL007489 1.B.2.Na.1.b
Association CEGL007815 Shortleaf Pine / Little Bluestem - Elmleaf Goldenrod - Red-purple Beebalm - Pale Purple Coneflower Woodland CEGL007815 1.B.2.Na.1.b
Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

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

Author of Description: M. Pyne

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.