Name:
Quercus palustris - (Quercus lyrata) - Fraxinus pennsylvanica / Acer rubrum var. drummondii / Carex spp. Forest
Reference:
Southeastern Ecology Working Gro...
Description:
This seasonally flooded bottomland forest community occurs at low elevations in depressions and flats associated with the overflow bottoms of small streams and on the larger Arkansas River floodplain in the Arkansas Valley of Arkansas. The trees are tall (to 80 feet), and the canopy can be closed to moderately open with a dense herbaceous layer of sedges and rushes. The canopy is dominated by Quercus palustris. Other typical canopy associates may dominate locally and include Fraxinus pennsylvanica, Quercus lyrata, Quercus nigra, and Liquidambar styraciflua. Oaks comprise over 50% of the dominants, higher percentages in older stands, lower in more disturbed areas. Occasional canopy species include Acer saccharinum, Carya glabra, Celtis laevigata, Celtis occidentalis, Morus rubra, Prunus serotina, Quercus similis (= Quercus stellata var. paludosa), Ulmus alata, and Ulmus americana. The subcanopy is dominated by Acer rubrum var. drummondii with occasional Acer negundo, Diospyros virginiana, and saplings of canopy species. The shrub layer is sparse with Arundinaria gigantea, Asimina triloba, Cephalanthus occidentalis, Ilex decidua, and Rubus allegheniensis occurring on raised mounds within the depression forest. The exotic Ligustrum vulgare may be present. Vines are uncommon except in disturbed areas and may include Berchemia scandens, Parthenocissus quinquefolia, Smilax rotundifolia, and Toxicodendron radicans. The herbaceous layer is dominated by dense stands of sedges including Carex crinita, Carex lupuliformis, Carex tribuloides, and Carex typhina. Other herbaceous species include Symphyotrichum lateriflorum (= Aster lateriflorus), Bidens aristosa, Campsis radicans, Chasmanthium latifolium, Desmodium paniculatum, Commelina virginica, Echinodorus cordifolius, Geum canadense, Hypericum hypericoides, Juncus effusus, Leersia oryzoides, Polygonum virginianum, Sanicula canadensis, Saururus cernuus, Cinna arundinacea, Trachelospermum difforme, Trepocarpus aethusae, Verbesina alternifolia, and Vernonia missurica. This community occurs on Taft silt loam in the Leadvale-Taft soil association. Taft soils are somewhat poorly drained and level on old stream terraces in broad valleys. The soil is formed in loamy alluvium washed from weathered sandstone and shale in uplands. There is a firm brittle layer in the subsoil which slows penetration, limits the available water capacity, and restricts root penetration. The stands are seasonally wet with a seasonally saturated hydrology. Many are impacted by beaver. Areas that have been cutover more recently have more stems per acre, a more closed canopy, and reduced herbaceous layer. No high-quality examples are known. This community is known from Fort Chaffee and other areas in the Arkansas Valley. The type location is in Sebastian County, Arkansas.
Accession Code:
VB.CC.21474.QUERCUSPALUSTRI
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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