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A3711 Acer saccharum - Carya cordiformis Mesic Floodplain Forest Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: This mesic hardwood floodplain forest alliance is found in the central, primarily unglaciated, midwestern United States. Stands are dominated by a combination of Acer saccharum, Fagus grandifolia, or Carya cordiformis. Stands occur on fairly mesic level to gently sloping ridges, terraces, natural levees, or higher elevations which border river floodplains or streams.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Sugar Maple - Bitternut Hickory Mesic Floodplain Forest Alliance
Colloquial Name: South-Central Mesic Floodplain Forest
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: This mesic hardwood floodplain forest alliance is found in the central, primarily unglaciated, United States. Stands are dominated by a combination of Acer saccharum, Fagus grandifolia, or Carya cordiformis. Stands occur on level to gently sloping ridges, terraces, natural levees, or higher elevations which border river floodplains or streams. Sites often have a ridge-and-swale topography. Mesic moisture conditions are maintained throughout most of the growing season, but some flooding does occur.
Diagnostic Characteristics: Mesic floodplain forests dominated by a combination of Acer saccharum, Fagus grandifolia, or Carya cordiformis found within the central, primarily unglaciated, midwestern U.S.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This alliance is more mesic than others in this group. It can be difficult to distinguish from upland maple forests or lower terrace floodplain forests. This alliance may need to move to a more mesic group and perhaps to ~Silver Maple - Sugarberry - Sweetgum Floodplain Forest Group (G673)$$, because it is primarily found in the Interior Highlands. More review of this separation is needed. Component associations may need refining.
Listing this alliance for Canada is based on crosswalks of CEGL005014 to forest types in southern Ontario (FOD6 in Lee et al. 1998). That type is listed among southern Ontario''s uplands forest, but the type is described as "represents the wetland (swamp) - terrestrial transition" (Lee et al. 1998). Here we place those types in this mesic floodplain type. But the crosswalk needs review [see comments in CEGL005014].
Listing this alliance for Canada is based on crosswalks of CEGL005014 to forest types in southern Ontario (FOD6 in Lee et al. 1998). That type is listed among southern Ontario''s uplands forest, but the type is described as "represents the wetland (swamp) - terrestrial transition" (Lee et al. 1998). Here we place those types in this mesic floodplain type. But the crosswalk needs review [see comments in CEGL005014].
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: These floodplain forests are dominated by broadleaf deciduous trees that vary from small-statured (5-15 m tall) stands to taller (15-25 m) mature stands.
Floristics: Stands are dominated by a combination of Acer saccharum, Fagus grandifolia, or Carya cordiformis.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: Stands occur on level to gently sloping ridges, terraces, natural levees, or higher elevations which border river floodplains or streams. Sites often have a ridge-and-swale topography. Mesic moisture conditions are maintained throughout most of the growing season, but some flooding does occur.
Geographic Range: This alliance is found in the central, primarily unglaciated, midwestern United States.
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: IL, IN, KY, OH, ON, PA?, TN, WV
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.899763
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.1 Silver Maple - American Sycamore - Hackberry species Floodplain Forest Macrogroup | M029 | 1.B.3.Na.1 |
| Group | 1.B.3.Na.1.a Silver Maple - Green Ash - American Sycamore Floodplain Forest Group | G652 | 1.B.3.Na.1.a |
| Alliance | A3711 Sugar Maple - Bitternut Hickory Mesic Floodplain Forest Alliance | A3711 | 1.B.3.Na.1.a |
| Association | CEGL005014 American Beech - Oak species - Red Maple - Black Walnut Floodplain Forest | CEGL005014 | 1.B.3.Na.1.a |
| Association | CEGL005035 Sugar Maple - Bitternut Hickory / Pawpaw Floodplain Forest | CEGL005035 | 1.B.3.Na.1.a |
Concept Lineage: Central mesic hardwood associations from A.302 and A.284.
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
- 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.
- Faber-Langendoen, D., and Midwest State Natural Heritage Program Ecologists. 1996. Terrestrial vegetation of the midwest United States. International classification of ecological communities: Terrestrial vegetation of the United States. The Nature Conservancy, Arlington, VA.
- Lee, H., W. Bakowsky, J. Riley, J. Bowles, M. Puddister, P. Uhlig, and S. McMurray. 1998. Ecological land classification for southern Ontario: First approximation and its application. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Southcentral Science Section, Science Development and Transfer Branch. SCSS Field Guide FG-02.
- Nelson, P. W. 1985. The terrestrial natural communities of Missouri. Missouri Natural Areas Committee, Jefferson City. 197 pp. Revised edition, 1987.