Name:
Pinus palustris Woodland Alliance
Reference:
Southeastern Ecology Working Gro...
Description:
This alliance includes mesic to dry-mesic upland Pinus palustris woodlands and savannas, on rolling hills or on flats, with an open to sparse canopy of Pinus palustris, and lacking scrub oaks and the extreme xeric conditions that typically support these species. If oaks are present, they are generally of more mesic species, such as Quercus falcata, Quercus nigra, Quercus virginiana, or Quercus pumila; examples may contain more xeric species such as Quercus marilandica or Quercus stellata, in combination with the more mesic oaks. Other pines, particularly Pinus echinata, Pinus elliottii var. elliottii, and Pinus taeda, may be present. While not dominant, they may form part of the canopy, increasing with fire suppression. When fire-suppressed, Quercus falcata, Liquidambar styraciflua, Acer rubrum, Quercus nigra, Nyssa sylvatica, Cornus florida, Callicarpa americana, and/or Rhus copallinum may invade or increase. Overall floristic composition is primarily composed of upland species typical of mesic to dry-mesic conditions, but may include an admixture of species characteristic of wetland sites and those characteristic of xeric sites as well. Some typical mesic to dry-mesic herbaceous species include Andropogon ternarius, Andropogon gyrans var. gyrans, Schizachyrium scoparium, Sorghastrum nutans, and Panicum virgatum. Aristida stricta or Aristida beyrichiana are also dominant or at least present in the herbaceous layer of many associations within their respective ranges. Variation in floristic composition of this wide-ranging alliance is related to site conditions, fire interval, and local or regional floristics. The herbaceous layer typically becomes much less diverse with increased fire interval. This alliance typically occurs on finer-textured soils, such as clays and clay loams.
Accession Code:
VB.CC.19099.PINUSPALUSTRISW
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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