Name:
Quercus pagoda - Quercus michauxii - Carya ovata / Carpinus caroliniana / Carex complanata Mesic Floodplain Forest
Reference:
NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description:
This subhydric forest community is located on the higher elevations of floodplains located on the Upper West Gulf Coastal Plain of southern Arkansas. The canopy is tall (over 30 m [100 feet]) and nearly closed but ragged with small (0.5-2.0 acres) gaps under old-growth conditions. Younger stands typically exhibit a denser and more closed canopy. The canopy often has multiple layers with large emergent trees, usually <i>Quercus pagoda</i>. This forest community is infrequently flooded and drains rapidly. Dominant tree species include <i>Quercus pagoda, Quercus michauxii, Liquidambar styraciflua</i> (common), and <i>Nyssa sylvatica</i> with <i>Acer rubrum var. rubrum, Carya glabra, Carya ovata, Diospyros virginiana, Ilex opaca, Morus rubra, Pinus taeda, Quercus alba</i>, and <i>Ulmus americana</i> occurring as occasionals. Based on the number of stumps, historically, <i>Pinus taeda</i> was a common component of this community. <i>Carpinus caroliniana</i> is the dominant understory tree. Other understory trees include <i>Hamamelis virginiana, Ilex opaca, Sassafras albidum</i>, and <i>Ulmus alata</i>. The dominant shrub is <i>Symplocos tinctoria</i> with <i>Callicarpa americana, Hamamelis virginiana, Vaccinium fuscatum</i>, and <i>Vaccinium virgatum</i>. Scattered stands of <i>Arundinaria gigantea</i> are found throughout this community. Seedlings of <i>Quercus nigra</i> and <i>Quercus phellos</i> are common, but few saplings or trees are extant. Common woody vines include <i>Berchemia scandens, Parthenocissus quinquefolia, Smilax bona-nox, Toxicodendron radicans</i>, and <i>Vitis rotundifolia</i>. <i>Chasmanthium sessiliflorum</i> occurs as the dominant herb. Other herbaceous species include <i>Nekemias arborea, Amphicarpaea bracteata, Symphyotrichum lanceolatum, Bignonia capreolata, Campsis radicans, Carex complanata, Carex debilis, Carex glaucodea, Helenium flexuosum, Trachelospermum difforme</i>, and <i>Viola sororia</i>. The herbaceous layer can be sparse under low light conditions. The ground cover is mostly oak leaf litter. These forests occur on relatively poorly drained, nearly level, acidic soils composed of fine sands and silt. These forest communities typically have Mima Mounds interspersed and grade into <i>Quercus nigra - Quercus phellos - Liquidambar styraciflua / Ilex opaca / Vaccinium fuscatum / Smilax smallii / Galium obtusum ssp. obtusum - Carex debilis</i> Temporarily Saturated Overflow Bottom Forest. This forest community could be subject to late summer and fall wildfires during dry conditions. Fuel build-up is generally not high. However, the <i>Pinus taeda</i> component that was extant historically could have made this community more flammable. Under current management practices the <i>Pinus taeda</i> component is much reduced. High-quality examples are known from Moro Bottoms Natural Area, Overflow National Wildlife Refuge, and Pine Bluff Arsenal Old Growth Area. Other examples are known from Big Cypress Unique Area, Lorance Creek Natural Area, and Pond Creek National Wildlife Refuge. The type location is in Dallas County, Arkansas. This community is also known from Ashley, Cleveland, Jefferson, Saline, and Sevier counties, Arkansas. It is likely extant throughout the Ouachita River Watershed.
Accession Code:
urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:36149-{861350C6-7908-41D3-8DE2-BCFC57688E53}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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