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A3359 Acer rubrum - Nyssa sylvatica Ozark-Interior Seepage Forest Alliance

Type Concept Sentence: These are forested acidic seeps and saturated swamp forests of the Ozark-Ouachita and Interior Low Plateau regions of the unglaciated southeastern and central United States in which Acer rubrum and Nyssa sylvatica are common components. The most characteristic herbaceous species are ferns. Sphagnum spp. are also typical.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Red Maple - Blackgum Ozark-Interior Seepage Forest Alliance

Colloquial Name: Ozark-Interior Red Maple - Blackgum Seepage Forest

Hierarchy Level:  Alliance

Type Concept: Vegetation of this alliance is found in forested acidic seeps and saturated swamp forests of the Ozark-Ouachita and Interior Low Plateau regions of the unglaciated southeastern and central United States. Forests in this alliance have variable canopy composition, but Acer rubrum and Nyssa sylvatica are common components. Canopy composition differs from the surrounding upland and varies with geography. Typical canopy species across the range of this alliance include Acer rubrum var. trilobum, Liquidambar styraciflua, and Nyssa sylvatica. Understory and shrub species include Alnus serrulata, Ilex opaca var. opaca, Rhododendron canescens, and Viburnum nudum var. nudum. Characteristic herbaceous species include Osmunda cinnamomea, Osmunda regalis, and Woodwardia areolata. In addition, Sphagnum spp. are typical. These wetland forests generally occur where the soils are saturated to the surface for extended periods during the growing season, but where surface water is seldom present. These forested acidic seeps are found on hillsides, streamheads, floodplain edges, poorly drained depressions, and gentle slopes where saturated conditions influence the vegetation. Where the tree canopy is open, the understory vegetation is patchy, ranging from shrub-dominated patches to minerotrophic sedge meadows.

Diagnostic Characteristics: The nominal species (Acer rubrum and Nyssa sylvatica) are found in a variety of habitats, so are not diagnostic in and of themselves. The range (Ozark-Ouachita and Interior Low Plateau regions) and habitat (forested acidic seeps, saturated swamp forests, etc.) are also part of the diagnostic criteria.

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: Associations placed in this alliance generally contain Nyssa sylvatica instead of Nyssa biflora (which is normally found in the coastal plains to the east and south of this alliance''s range), but some stands of these associations may vary from this general assumption, which is further confounded by identification problems between these two taxa.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: Examples are variable in canopy closure, with more open examples having better-developed herbaceous layers. Where the tree canopy is open, the understory vegetation is patchy, ranging from shrub-dominated patches to minerotrophic sedge meadows.

Floristics: Forests in this alliance have variable canopy composition, but Acer rubrum and Nyssa sylvatica are common components. Canopy composition differs from the surrounding upland and varies with geography. Typical canopy species across the range of this alliance include Acer rubrum var. trilobum, Liquidambar styraciflua, and Nyssa sylvatica. Understory and shrub species include Alnus serrulata, Ilex opaca var. opaca, Aronia arbutifolia, Rhododendron canescens, and Viburnum nudum var. nudum. Characteristic herbaceous species include Osmunda cinnamomea, Osmunda regalis, and Woodwardia areolata. In addition, Sphagnum spp. are typical. Where the tree canopy is open, the understory vegetation is patchy, ranging from shrub-dominated patches to minerotrophic sedge meadows.

Dynamics:  Individual occurrences of these forests tend to be small in extent and can provide habitat for rare plant species. Surface fire, during dry periods, and other disturbances such as windstorms can affect the structure of the canopy. Examples with more open canopies have better-developed herbaceous layers. Where the tree canopy is open, the understory vegetation is patchy, ranging from shrub-dominated patches to minerotrophic sedge meadows.
Environmental Description:  These wetland forests generally occur where the soils are saturated to the surface for extended periods during the growing season, but where surface water is seldom present. These forested acidic seeps are found on hillsides, streamheads, floodplain edges, poorly drained depressions, and gentle slopes where saturated conditions influence the vegetation.
Geographic Range: Vegetation of this alliance is found in the Ozark-Ouachita region of Arkansas and Oklahoma in addition to the Interior Low Plateau and the adjacent coastal plains from Alabama through Tennessee, Kentucky and Missouri north to southern Illinois.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  AL, AR, IL?, IN?, KY, MO, OK, TN


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.3 Temperate Flooded & Swamp Forest Formation F026 1.B.3
Division 1.B.3.Na Eastern North American-Great Plains Flooded & Swamp Forest Division D011 1.B.3.Na
Macrogroup 1.B.3.Na.2 Pin Oak - Green Ash - Blackgum Swamp Forest Macrogroup M503 1.B.3.Na.2
Group 1.B.3.Na.2.a Red Maple - Blackgum - Sweetgum Seepage Forest Group G044 1.B.3.Na.2.a
Alliance A3359 Red Maple - Blackgum Ozark-Interior Seepage Forest Alliance A3359 1.B.3.Na.2.a
Association CEGL002407 Red Maple - Green Ash / Sedge species / American Tree Moss Seepage Forest CEGL002407 1.B.3.Na.2.a
Association CEGL004425 Carolina Red Maple - Blackgum / Mountain Azalea - Possumhaw / Netted Chainfern Seep Forest CEGL004425 1.B.3.Na.2.a
Association CEGL007444 Carolina Red Maple - Sweetgum - Umbrella-tree / Royal Fern - (Southern Yellow Lady''s-slipper) Seep Forest CEGL007444 1.B.3.Na.2.a
Association CEGL007822 Carolina Red Maple - Blackgum / Midwestern Meadowbeauty Seep Forest CEGL007822 1.B.3.Na.2.a
Concept Lineage: A.348 (in part; three associations of 16 total) plus one from A.347

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: We have incorporated significant descriptive information previously compiled by Karen Patterson and Julian Campbell.

Version Date: 01-08-14
  • 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.
  • Campbell, J. J. N. 1989b. Historical evidence of presettlement forest composition in the Inner Bluegrass of Kentucky. Pages 231-246 in: G. Rink and C. A. Budelsky, editors. Proceedings of the Seventh Central Hardwood Forest Conference, Southern Illinois University, Carbondale.
  • Evans, M., B. Yahn, and M. Hines. 2009. Natural communities of Kentucky 2009. Kentucky Nature Preserves Commission, Frankfort, KY. 22 pp.
  • Eyre, F. H., editor. 1980. Forest cover types of the United States and Canada. Society of American Foresters, Washington, DC. 148 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.
  • Foti, T., compiler. 1994b. Natural vegetation classification system of Arkansas, draft five. Unpublished document. Arkansas Natural Heritage Commission, Little Rock. 8 pp.
  • Funk, V. A. 1975. A floristic and geologic survey of selected seeps in Calloway County, Kentucky. M.S. thesis, Murray State University, Murray, KY. 84 pp.
  • Funk, V. A., and M. J. Fuller. 1978. A floristic survey of the seeps of Calloway County, Kentucky. Castanea 43:162-172.