Name:
Quercus virginiana - Sabal palmetto Coastal Evergreen Forest Alliance
Reference:
NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description:
This alliance includes communities of barrier islands, maritime hammocks, and some more inland coastal hammocks and other fire-protected situations, which are dominated and characterized by <i>Quercus virginiana</i>, and often containing <i>Sabal palmetto</i> and <i>Juniperus virginiana var. silicicola</i> within their ranges. Habitats for associations in this alliance range from subxeric to moist. Vegetation of this alliance most typically lies just landward of maritime shrub zones; it ranges from warm-temperate to subtropical and often has a component of deciduous broad-leaved trees as well, particularly in the north. This community occurs over moist, sandy soils, on low areas of the mainland coast, and stands are protected from the most extreme maritime influences (i.e., salt spray) but are susceptible to high winds and flooding during hurricanes. Extending south from the vicinity of Cape Fear, North Carolina, the canopy is dominated by <i>Quercus virginiana</i> and <i>Pinus taeda</i> with some <i>Sabal palmetto</i>. Farther south, <i>Pinus elliottii var. elliottii</i> and <i>Sabal palmetto</i> become more prominent. In mid-Florida, tropical species begin to dominate the understory while temperate species retain canopy dominance. Vegetation of this alliance may be found on xeric to mesic sites, often occurring as linear strands behind frontal dunes. The seaward edge is generally found on the leeward side of dune complexes which provide shelter from excessive salt spray and overwash. This vegetation is also found on top of relict dune ridges and other areas with xeric to mesic hydrology. This alliance also includes upland palm savannas dominated by open to scattered canopy of <i>Sabal palmetto</i>. In some cases, these communities occupy narrow strips of upland adjacent to marsh. They have a dense shrubby understory and a high water table. Severe conditions, likely including periodic hurricane damage (by wind and flooding), preclude forest development. They occur in the ACE (Ashepoo-Combahee-Edisto) Basin and may be most common in the Sea Islands Section of the Coastal Plain. In southern Florida, vegetation of this alliance occurs on similar sites to <i>Pinus elliottii var. densa</i> communities but with more frequent fire (2- to 3-year return time) favoring the palm species <i>Sabal palmetto</i> and <i>Serenoa repens</i>.
Accession Code:
urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:38479-{C4B7321A-35C0-4BBE-9DAA-C12406499DF7}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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