Name:
Quercus shumardii - Carya myristiciformis - (Quercus muehlenbergii) / Carex cherokeensis - Sorghastrum nutans Woodland
Reference:
Southeastern Ecology Working Gro...
Description:
This mesic calcareous upland woodland community occurs in areas of deep, moist soil usually on nearly level terrain or possibly in topographically protected areas in the Upper West Gulf Coastal Plain of Arkansas. These communities are typically bordered by dry-mesic blackland prairie. Fire plays a role in the formation and maintenance of the community as Juniperus virginiana var. virginiana readily invades and suppresses the herbaceous vegetation. The trees are of medium height (to 45 feet). Dominant tree species include Quercus shumardii and Carya myristiciformis with Quercus muehlenbergii and Quercus stellata as occasional. Berchemia scandens, Cercis canadensis var. canadensis, Fraxinus americana, Juglans nigra, Juniperus virginiana var. virginiana, Liquidambar styraciflua, Parthenocissus quinquefolia, Frangula caroliniana (= Rhamnus caroliniana), Smilax bona-nox, and Smilax rotundifolia occur as occasional sapling, shrub, and woody vine species. The herbaceous layer can be moderately-tall (to 4 feet) and dense or, where fire-suppressed, short (2 feet or less) and sparse. Dominant herbaceous species include Carex cherokeensis and Sorghastrum nutans with Arisaema dracontium, Asclepias purpurascens, Asplenium platyneuron, Symphyotrichum cordifolium (= Aster cordifolius), Carex glaucodea (= Carex flaccosperma var. glaucodea), Echinacea purpurea, Galium circaezans, Penstemon digitalis, Ruellia strepens, Salvia lyrata, Spigelia marilandica, and Toxicodendron radicans. During periods of prolonged fire suppression, the woodlands become denser and herbaceous vegetation abundance and diversity decreases. Soils are deep, alkaline clays, with high shrink-swell character, of the Sumter Series. The largest and highest quality remnants of this community occur at the International Paper Blackland Prairie and the Brewer tract. A small remnant of this community at the southwestern corner of Terre Noire Natural Area has responded well to fire management, with reduced woody vegetation density and increased herbaceous layer diversity. The type location is in Clark County, Arkansas. Other examples are known from Howard County, and it should be found in Hempstead, Little River, Nevada, and Sevier counties, Arkansas.
Accession Code:
VB.CC.17908.QUERCUSSHUMARDI
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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