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Quercus stellata - Quercus similis - Quercus marilandica Saline Woodland | Southeastern Ecology Working Gro...
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Name: Quercus stellata - Quercus similis - Quercus marilandica Saline Woodland
Reference: Southeastern Ecology Working Gro...
Description: This edaphically controlled oak woodland occurs on saline-sodic soils of alluvial origin in the Upper West Gulf Coastal Plain and Mississippi River Alluvial Plain of Arkansas and Louisiana. The topsoil is thin silt with high levels of sodium and/or magnesium salts in the subsoil. Although the subsoil is silt, it is essentially cemented into an impervious hardpan by calcium. Sites therefore alternate between extremely dry and extremely wet, a condition that has been described as 'xerohydric.' On the edges of sites, where the soil is deeper, this community grades into hardwood or pine - hardwood forest, depending on the ecoregion and local matrix communities. This woodland may occupy a narrow ecotone, grading into a thinner-soiled herbaceous community, or it may cover tens of acres. The nominal species may be the only tree species present. Trees are typically stunted, ranging from 5-10 m in height Ground layer flora on thin-soil sites may be limited to <i>Cladonia</i> spp. lichens, or on thicker-soil sites <i>Aristida longispica</i>, other <i>Aristida</i> spp., or <i>Schizachyrium scoparium</i>. <i>Sabal minor</i> is common in occurrences on the West Gulf Coastal Plain. The role of fire in maintaining this community is not understood. 
Accession Code: VB.CC.35264.CEGL008418
Plot-observations of this Community Concept: 0
      Party Perspective according to: NatureServe (organization)
Perspective from: 17-Nov-2014 to: 01-May-2019
     
  • status: accepted
  • This Community's Level: association
  • This Community's Children: [none]
Names:   Common: Upper West Gulf Saline Oak Woodland
  Translated: Post Oak - Bottomland Post Oak - Blackjack Oak Saline Woodland
  Scientific: Quercus stellata - Quercus similis - Quercus marilandica Saline Woodland
  Code: CEGL008418
  UID: ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.686270 NatureServe ExplorerNatureServe Explorer logo