Name:
Acer rubrum - Nyssa spp. - Liquidambar styraciflua - Quercus nigra / Osmunda spp. Swamp Forest
Reference:
NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description:
This community develops at the base of sloped terraces, on the edges of floodplain terraces, on the floodplain-upland margin, on the edges of large mima mounds, and in an attenuated fashion along floodplain drainages on the Upper West Gulf Coastal Plain of southern Arkansas, adjacent Oklahoma, and possibly adjacent Louisiana. Canopy structure is variable but usually different to surrounding forest due to common tree falls. The canopy is usually shorter, often shrubby, and frequently relatively open with few large trees. The soil is saturated or the water table near the surface throughout the year. The soils are shallow mucks with a relatively deep organic layer. These seeps would be subject to fire depending on topographic locations under historic conditions. All known examples are fire-suppressed. Examples of this community are known from Big Cypress Unique Area, Lorance Creek Natural Area, Moro Bottoms Natural Area, and Pine Bluff Arsenal Old Growth Area. This community is known from Cleveland, Dallas, Jefferson, and Saline counties, Arkansas. The type location is in Dallas County, Arkansas. These seeps are likely found throughout the Ouachita River Basin. <i>Acer rubrum</i>, not always identifiable to <i>var. drummondii</i>, is always present, although it does not always dominate (or even reach) the canopy. The overstory is highly variable but usually includes some combination of the following: <i>Ilex opaca, Liquidambar styraciflua</i> (common), <i>Nyssa biflora</i> (sporadic distribution), <i>Nyssa sylvatica, Quercus nigra</i>, and <i>Quercus phellos</i>. The understory often includes <i>Carpinus caroliniana</i> and saplings of the overstory trees. The shrub layer is diverse and can include <i>Cornus obliqua, Crataegus marshallii, Hamamelis virginiana, Itea virginica, Styrax grandifolius, Vaccinium arboreum, Vaccinium fuscatum</i>, and <i>Viburnum</i> sp. Woody vines are common and may include <i>Berchemia scandens, Smilax bona-nox, Smilax rotundifolia</i>, and <i>Vitis rotundifolia</i>. <i>Osmunda cinnamomea</i> and <i>Osmunda regalis</i> usually dominate the herbaceous layer and are indicative of seep conditions. Other ferns usually include <i>Athyrium filix-femina ssp. asplenioides, Onoclea sensibilis, Pteridium aquilinum</i>, and <i>Woodwardia areolata</i>. Other herbaceous species may include <i>Carex debilis, Carex intumescens, Carex louisianica, Chasmanthium sessiliflorum, Commelina virginica, Hypericum hypericoides</i>, and <i>Saururus cernuus</i>. <i>Sphagnum</i> sp. is the ground cover. The herbaceous layer is dense even under low light conditions.
Accession Code:
urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:36150-{35EF2237-4DBE-42A2-8B52-515B1A2E738B}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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