Name:
A.499
Reference:
EcoArt 2002
Description:
This alliance includes all ~Pinus palustris$-dominated vegetation on dry to xeric sites in the southeastern United States. These types include `longleaf pine sandhills' of the Atlantic and Gulf coastal plains; other dry to xeric substrates of the East Gulf and West Gulf coastal plains; as well as `montane longleaf' on rocky substrates of the Piedmont, Cumberland Plateau, and Ridge and Valley. Longleaf pine sandhills include a variety of xeric to dry-mesic ~Pinus palustris$ communities, characterized by the presence of one or more scrub oaks, most characteristically including ~Quercus incana, Quercus laevis, Quercus margarettiae, Quercus myrtifolia, Quercus geminata, Quercus minima, Quercus arkansana, Quercus chapmanii, Quercus stellata$, and ~Quercus marilandica$, sometimes in combination with the more mesic oaks ~Quercus virginiana, Quercus falcata, Quercus pumila$, and ~Quercus nigra$. The more montane examples may contain ~Quercus prinus, Quercus coccinea, Quercus falcata, Pinus echinata$, and ~Pinus virginiana$. The structure of examples of these communities is highly variable, depending on fire frequency. Generally, appropriately fire-managed examples of these communities have an open canopy of ~Pinus palustris$, with scattered tree-sized individuals of the ~Quercus$ spp.; the oaks are otherwise reduced to sprouts. Under lower fire frequency, these communities often develop a dense subcanopy, shrub layer, or even canopy of scrub oaks. In addition, fire suppression may promote ingrowth of other pines, particularly ~Pinus clausa, Pinus echinata$, and/or ~Pinus taeda$. Where a well-developed shrub stratum is present, common shrubs include ~Vaccinium stamineum, Vaccinium arboreum, Vaccinium virgatum, Vaccinium tenellum, Gaylussacia dumosa (= var. dumosa), Gaylussacia frondosa (= var. frondosa), Gaylussacia nana (= Gaylussacia frondosa var. nana), Gaylussacia tomentosa (= Gaylussacia frondosa var. tomentosa), Ilex vomitoria, Rhus copallinum, Asimina parviflora$, and ~Morella cerifera (= Myrica cerifera)$. ~Aristida stricta$ or ~Aristida beyrichiana$ are also dominant or at least present within their ranges in the herbaceous layer of many associations. Other characteristic grasses include ~Sporobolus junceus, Aristida purpurascens, Schizachyrium scoparium, Andropogon gyrans$, and ~Andropogon ternarius$. Soils of this alliance include sandy Entisols, plinthic and aquic Ultisols, Alfisols and occasionally Spodosols. Soils vary in texture from deep sands to well-drained loams with a strong clay component. Montane examples occur on rocky ridges comprised of various rock types including sandstone, quartzite, phyllite, mica schists, and gneiss.
Accession Code:
VB.CC.2143.A499
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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