Name:
Juniperus virginiana - Quercus (muehlenbergii, stellata) Forest Alliance
Reference:
Midwestern Ecology Working Group...
Description:
This alliance covers calcareous forests dominated by Quercus muehlenbergii and Quercus stellata with Juniperus virginiana var. virginiana. These forests are apparently more strongly calcareous than those in the I.C.3.N.a Juniperus virginiana - Quercus (stellata, velutina, marilandica) Forest Alliance (A.383). The structure and composition of vegetation in this and related alliances depends on management and disturbance history, as well as inherent site conditions. Depending on soil depth, climate, and fire interval, the canopy closure and the relative Quercus / Juniperus balance will vary considerably. At some sites, both forest and woodland communities may be present, grading into one another depending on aspect, surface geology, or fire history. With prolonged fire suppression, Juniperus will increase in importance and stature, eventually occupying part of the canopy with the oaks, and presenting greater canopy closure. In intermediate stages, an oak canopy will overtop a subcanopy of Juniperus. Drier, rockier, or more frequently burned examples will tend to exhibit an oak woodland physiognomy. In an Ozarkian element, stands are typically found on moderate to steep mid and upper slopes of hills and plains, crests of bluffs, and ridges, generally with a southern and western aspect. Soils are shallow and well-drained, and the parent material is limestone or dolomite bedrock with fragments or boulders at or near the surface. Tree canopies are short and slow-growing with slow replacement. The understory may be poorly developed, with shrubs sometimes dominant. Mosses may dominate the ground layer. The canopy contains Quercus muehlenbergii, Quercus alba, and Acer saccharum. The subcanopy contains Acer saccharum, Juniperus virginiana, Cornus florida, and Celtis laevigata var. texana. Other tall shrubs include Chionanthus virginicus, Cotinus obovatus, Frangula caroliniana, Ilex decidua, Sideroxylon lanuginosum, and Viburnum rufidulum. Herbs include Anemone virginiana, Arabis missouriensis, Astragalus distortus, Berlandiera betonicifolia (= Berlandiera texana), Erysimum capitatum, Galium arkansanum, Hexalectris spicata, Hybanthus concolor, Penstemon arkansanus, Polygala senega, and Tragia cordata. This vegetation is associated with limestone or dolomite glades.
Accession Code:
VB.CC.18545.JUNIPERUSVIRGIN
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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