Name:
A.1499
Reference:
EcoArt 2002
Description:
This alliance, found in the Great Lakes region, occurs on dry, sandy sites. Stands have widely spaced individual or clumps of trees with a canopy generally less than 25%. In the interior of lower Michigan the average tree height is 8 m. The herbaceous layer is dense to moderate. Shrubs are rare to abundant. Graminoids dominate the herbaceous stratum. ~Schizachyrium scoparium$ and ~Carex$ spp., especially ~Carex pensylvanica$, are widespread in stands of this alliance. ~Andropogon gerardii, Calamovilfa longifolia, Danthonia spicata, Koeleria macrantha, Poa pratensis$, and ~Hesperostipa spartea (= Stipa spartea)$ are common but rarely dominant. Forbs include ~Symphyotrichum oolentangiense (= Aster oolentangiensis), Dalea$ spp., ~Euphorbia corollata, Liatris$ spp., and ~Solidago nemoralis$. The most abundant tree species is usually ~Pinus banksiana$, but this alliance includes stands that are dominated to codominated by ~Quercus ellipsoidalis$. Other trees that can be abundant include ~Pinus resinosa, Populus grandidentata, Populus tremuloides$, and ~Quercus macrocarpa$. Common shrubs are ~Comptonia peregrina, Corylus americana, Gaylussacia baccata, Salix humilis$, and ~Vaccinium$ spp. Along the shores of the Great Lakes in Michigan, the low shrubs ~Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, Juniperus horizontalis$, and ~Juniperus communis$ are often abundant, and ~Pinus strobus$ can be found in the tree layer. Semi-aquatic species can be found in low areas. ^The topography of stands of this alliance is flat to rolling. The soils are sandy, acidic, droughty, and infertile. They occur predominantly on glacial outwash or the sandy beds of former lakes. These sands have poor nutrient-retaining capability due to the continuous presence of acidic pine litter during the Holocene, low concentrations of divalent cations in the parent material, and the sandy, well-drained character of the soils. The soils are mostly entisols; some transient stands may be on Mollisols. The Entisols are usually fine to coarse sands but can be loamy sands. Near the Great Lakes in lower Michigan, changes in the water table can affect the floristic composition. Fire is very important in maintaining the open character of this alliance. In the prolonged absence of fire, the tree canopy fills in and stands become woodlands or forests.
Accession Code:
VB.CC.1267.A1499
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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