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Betula nigra - Platanus occidentalis / Berchemia scandens / (Arundinaria gigantea) - Boehmeria cylindrica Temporarily Flooded Riverfront Forest | Southeastern Ecology Working Gro...
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Name: Betula nigra - Platanus occidentalis / Berchemia scandens / (Arundinaria gigantea) - Boehmeria cylindrica Temporarily Flooded Riverfront Forest
Reference: Southeastern Ecology Working Gro...
Description: This forest community occurs along the narrow depositing and eroding banks adjacent to the medium-sized rivers on the Upper West Gulf Coastal Plain of Arkansas. The canopy is medium-tall, usually less than 20 m (70 feet). The community is a narrow, linear feature with many trees leaning over and falling into the rivers. The high bank floods infrequently and drains quickly. Dominant tree species include <i>Betula nigra</i> and <i>Platanus occidentalis</i> with occasional <i>Gleditsia triacanthos, Liquidambar styraciflua</i> (common), <i>Morus rubra</i>, and <i>Tilia americana var. caroliniana (= Tilia caroliniana)</i>. The understory is sparse with occasional <i>Acer negundo, Carpinus caroliniana</i>, and <i>Diospyros virginiana</i>. <i>Arundinaria gigantea</i> occurs throughout, often in thick stands. <i>Berchemia scandens, Toxicodendron radicans</i>, and <i>Vitis rotundifolia</i> occur as dominate woody vines. The herbaceous layer is often sparse. Herbaceous species include <i>Symphyotrichum lanceolatum (= Aster lanceolatus), Bignonia capreolata, Boehmeria cylindrica, Commelina virginica, Hydrocotyle</i> sp., <i>Leersia virginica, Panicum anceps</i>, and <i>Viola sororia</i>. This forest community occurs on deep, well-drained alluvial sand deposits. Litter and large woody debris often accumulate in huge conglomerations and ALPS (aerial leaf packs) are often found up to 5m (15 feet) into the canopy after large flood events. This community is adjacent to <i>Taxodium distichum - (Nyssa aquatica) - Carya aquatica / Planera aquatica</i> Permanently Flooded River Channel (low bank) Forest. On larger rivers it grades into <i>Acer saccharinum - Ulmus americana</i> Riverfront Forest. On base rich sites it grades into <i>Platanus occidentalis - Acer negundo</i> Riverfront Forest. The type location is in Dallas County, Arkansas. High-quality examples are known from Big Cypress Unique Area, Moro Bottoms Natural Area, and Pond Creek National Wildlife Refuge. This community is known from Cleveland and Sevier counties, Arkansas. It is likely extant throughout the Ouachita River Basin. 
Accession Code: VB.CC.36218.CEGL007983
Plot-observations of this Community Concept: 0
      Party Perspective according to: NatureServe (organization)
Perspective from: 17-Nov-2014 to: 01-May-2019
     
  • status: Provisional
  • This Community's Level: association
  • This Community's Children: [none]
Names:   Common: Upper West Gulf Coastal Plain Riverfront Forest
  Translated: River Birch - American Sycamore / Alabama Supplejack / (Giant Cane) - Small-spike False Nettle Temporarily Flooded Riverfront Forest
  Scientific: Betula nigra - Platanus occidentalis / Berchemia scandens / (Arundinaria gigantea) - Boehmeria cylindrica Temporarily Flooded Riverfront Forest
  Code: CEGL007983
  UID: ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.688434 NatureServe ExplorerNatureServe Explorer logo