Name:
Juniperus virginiana - Quercus (stellata, velutina, marilandica) Forest Alliance
Reference:
Southeastern Ecology Working Gro...
Description:
These are mixed forests (often stunted) of cedar and xeric oaks; some stands may be fire-suppressed oak savannas. Examples of this alliance often occur over limestone, sandstone, or sandstone chert; they may also possibly occur on old fields. Examples of this alliance are typically less calcareous than similar forests which are dominated by Quercus muehlenbergii and Quercus stellata. In Arkansas, associated species include Ulmus alata, Carya texana, Fraxinus americana, Sideroxylon lycioides, Celtis tenuifolia, Cercis canadensis, Rhus aromatica, Symphoricarpos orbiculatus, Viburnum rufidulum, Antennaria plantaginifolia, Cheilanthes lanosa, Cheilanthes tomentosa, Euphorbia commutata, and Scutellaria ovata. 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. Additional information about associations in this alliance is needed to help determine if at least some of this vegetation should possibly be referred either to the II.B.2.N.a Quercus stellata - Quercus marilandica Woodland Alliance (A.625) or to the I.B.2.N.a Quercus stellata - Quercus marilandica Forest Alliance (A.253).
Accession Code:
VB.CC.28512.JUNIPERUSVIRGIN
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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- status: accepted
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This Community's Level:
Alliance
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 This Community's Children:
[none]
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Names:
Scientific: Juniperus virginiana - Quercus (stellata, velutina, marilandica) Forest Alliance
Translated: Eastern Red-cedar - (Post Oak, Black Oak, Blackjack Oak) Forest Alliance
UID: HIGHER_CLASS_UNIT.2.126139
NatureServe
Explorer
Code: A.383
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