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CEGL007259 Quercus montana / Juniperus virginiana / Vaccinium arboreum / Taenidia integerrima Kentucky Siltstone Woodland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Chestnut Oak / Eastern red-cedar / Farkleberry / Yellow-pimpernel Kentucky Siltstone Woodland
Colloquial Name: Kentucky Knobs Siltstone Barrens
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: These siltstone barrens are found in the Knobs Region of Kentucky. All occurrences are located on outcrops of the Borden formation, composed of complexly interbedded strata of siltstone, limestone and shale which underlie much of this region. The canopy is dominated by Quercus montana, with Quercus stellata and Quercus marilandica, as well as Carya glabra, Cercis canadensis, Diospyros virginiana, Juniperus virginiana, and Ostrya virginiana. Typical shrubs include Amelanchier arborea, Rhus aromatica, Rosa carolina, and Vaccinium arboreum (which is very common). Other ericaceous shrub species are also present. Characteristic herbs and grasses include (but are not limited to) Schizachyrium scoparium with Arabis laevigata, Danthonia spicata, Helianthus hirsutus, Helianthus divaricatus, Houstonia canadensis, Liatris aspera, Liatris squarrosa, Manfreda virginica, Silene caroliniana, Solidago nemoralis, Tephrosia virginiana, and Taenidia integerrima. The vegetation is fairly similar in species composition and structure to that of the shale substrates, but the siltstone ridgetops are on average less acidic and less eroded than typical shale barrens in this area. The ground cover on the siltstone-dominated substrates is often very grassy and more diverse than that of shale woodlands/barrens, and the canopy cover more complete (ca. 50%). These siltstone woodlands and barrens tend to occur along narrow rocky ridgetops or on xeric south-facing steep upper slopes.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: No Data Available
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Typical canopy species in these siltstone barrens include Quercus montana (= Quercus prinus) (which is dominant with 10-70% canopy cover) with Quercus stellata and Quercus marilandica, as well as Carya glabra, Cercis canadensis, Diospyros virginiana, Juniperus virginiana, and Ostrya virginiana. Typical shrubs include Amelanchier arborea, Rhus aromatica, Rosa carolina, and Vaccinium arboreum (which is very common). Other ericaceous shrub species are also present. Characteristic herbs and grasses include (but are not limited to) Schizachyrium scoparium with Arabis laevigata, Danthonia spicata, Helianthus hirsutus, Helianthus divaricatus, Houstonia canadensis, Liatris aspera, Liatris squarrosa, Manfreda virginica, Silene caroliniana, Solidago nemoralis, Tephrosia virginiana, and Taenidia integerrima (M. Hines pers. comm.).
Dynamics: This community appears to be primarily edaphically controlled, instead of through fire or grazing. All occurrences are located on upper ridgetops with south- or southwest-facing aspects where soils are thin and rocks of the Borden formation outcrop. The relatively low diversity of individual occurrences with few conservative species suggests that these small-patch communities might periodically close in, resulting in a decrease of herbaceous species that, during drier periods, might recolonize the site (M. Hines pers. comm.).
Environmental Description: These siltstone barrens and woodlands are found in the Knobs Region of Kentucky (Norman-Knobs Upland 71c of EPA; 222Ef of Keys et al 1995). They tend to occur along narrow rocky ridgetops or on xeric south-facing steep upper slopes. Soils include Garmon channery silt loam, on 30-80% slopes, are very rocky (fine-loamy residuum weathered from limestone and siltstone), with pH levels around 4.5 to 7.3; Garmon silt loam, on 25-60% slopes (mixed fine-loamy residuum weathered from limestone and siltstone and/or calcareous shale), with pH levels about 4.5 to 7.3; and Shelocta-Lenberg soil complex, on 12-30% slopes (B. Yahn pers. comm. 2014).
Geographic Range: This association is found in the Knobs Region of Kentucky.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: KY
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.907201
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G2?
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.d South-Central Interior Oak Savanna & Barrens Group | G651 | 1.B.2.Na.1.d |
| Alliance | A0622 Chestnut Oak - Scarlet Oak Shale Woodland Alliance | A0622 | 1.B.2.Na.1.d |
| Association | CEGL007259 Chestnut Oak / Eastern red-cedar / Farkleberry / Yellow-pimpernel Kentucky Siltstone Woodland | CEGL007259 | 1.B.2.Na.1.d |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
- Evans, M., B. Yahn, and M. Hines. 2009. Natural communities of Kentucky 2009. Kentucky Nature Preserves Commission, Frankfort, KY. 22 pp.
- Hines, Martina. Personal communication. Ecologist, Kentucky Natural Heritage Program, Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commission, Frankfort.
- Southeastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Durham, NC.
- Yahn, Brian. Personal communication. Ecologist, Kentucky State Nature Preserve Commission, Frankfort.