Name:
Quercus velutina - (Quercus ellipsoidalis) Wooded Herbaceous Alliance
Reference:
Midwestern Ecology Working Group...
Description:
This dry to dry-mesic herbaceous alliance is found in the Great Lakes region and northeastern Great Plains. Herbaceous species dominate this alliance, but trees and shrubs are common and can be abundant in the prolonged absence of fire. Trees and shrubs may be scattered across the landscape or clumped. The herb layer is dominated by graminoids, with forbs more prominent in shaded areas. Species found in the herb layer include Ambrosia psilostachya, Amphicarpaea bracteata, Artemisia ludoviciana, Andropogon gerardii, Calamovilfa longifolia, Carex pensylvanica, Carex spp., Comandra umbellata, Parthenocissus quinquefolia, Sorghastrum nutans, Hesperostipa spartea (= Stipa spartea), and Schizachyrium scoparium. The most abundant trees are Quercus macrocarpa and Quercus ellipsoidalis, which have a height of 5-15 m and an open canopy (5-60%). Cover in the tall-shrub and low-shrub layers varies from 0-40%. Short-shrub species include Amorpha canescens, Corylus americana, Rhus glabra, and Toxicodendron radicans. Symphoricarpos occidentalis can be common on heavier soils. Stands of this alliance are found on well-drained, coarse-textured sandy soils derived from glacial outwash or end moraine formations. Soils range from almost pure sand, to loamy sand, to sandy loam. The soils have low fertility, organic matter, and moisture-retention capacity. Factors which affect seasonal soil moisture are strongly related to variation in this type; slope, aspect, topographic position, elevation, depth to water table, and presence or absence of less permeable soil layers are among these factors.
Accession Code:
VB.CC.20929.QUERCUSVELUTINA
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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