Name:
Acer saccharum - Tilia americana - Quercus rubra Forest Alliance
Reference:
NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description:
This alliance, found in the midwestern United States, forms the westernmost portion of the mesic deciduous forests that occupy much of the eastern United States. Stands of this alliance are found on well-drained, nutrient-rich loamy soils to dry-mesic fine sandy loams and loamy sands and have a moderately dense to dense tree canopy dominated by some combination of <i>Acer saccharum, Quercus rubra</i>, and <i>Tilia americana</i>. Other common canopy species include <i>Acer rubrum, Carya</i> spp., <i>Celtis occidentalis, Fraxinus pennsylvanica, Quercus alba</i>, and <i>Ulmus</i> spp. <i>Carpinus caroliniana</i> (in the southern half of this alliance's range) and <i>Ostrya virginiana</i> are characteristic subcanopy trees. The dense canopy tends to inhibit the formation of a significant shrub layer. Scattered shrubs of <i>Acer spicatum</i> (in the north), <i>Corylus americana, Hamamelis virginiana, Ribes</i> spp., <i>Sambucus</i> spp., <i>Viburnum acerifolium</i> (in the north), and <i>Zanthoxylum americanum</i> may be found in stands of this alliance. Spring ephemerals are a distinctive part of the herbaceous layer, especially in the southern part of this alliance's range. Common herbaceous species include <i>Anemone quinquefolia, Carex pensylvanica, Claytonia</i> spp., <i>Dicentra cucullaria, Erythronium</i> spp., <i>Eurybia macrophylla</i> (in the north), <i>Hepatica nobilis var. acuta, Laportea canadensis, Polygonatum pubescens, Sanicula odorata, Trillium grandiflorum</i>, and <i>Uvularia grandiflora</i>. This alliance tends to be more intolerant of fire than forests on more droughty soils to the south and west. Along the western edge of its range, stands are found on sites protected from fire. The most common disturbance is a single-tree or small-group gap dynamic. Larger windthrow events or fire can occur but typically on a 500- to 1000-year cycle. Those stands with <i>Quercus rubra</i> as the predominant canopy species may result from a combination of natural disturbances, such as slightly more frequent fire, and human-caused disturbances. Conversion to agriculture, logging, and urban development have impacted this alliance across its range. Large white-tailed deer populations in portions of the range of this alliance can also impact regeneration of some tree and herbaceous species.
Accession Code:
urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:38031-{7389470B-B96C-47C6-881B-8D52DC8F9F06}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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