Name:
Schizachyrium scoparium - Sorghastrum nutans - Andropogon gerardii Grassland Alliance
Reference:
NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description:
This alliance includes upland tallgrass prairie vegetation on rolling uplands in the Blackland Prairie ecoregion in Texas and possibly Oklahoma. It is characterized by <i>Schizachyrium scoparium, Sorghastrum nutans, Andropogon gerardii</i>, and <i>Sporobolus silveanus</i>. A variety of other graminoids and forbs may also occur including <i>Carex</i> spp., <i>Bouteloua</i> spp., <i>Aristida</i> spp., <i>Paspalum floridanum, Nassella leucotricha, Tridens strictus, Carex meadii, Dichanthelium oligosanthes, Dichanthelium linearifolium, Dichanthelium aciculare, Panicum virgatum, Bifora americana, Silphium</i> spp., <i>Dalea</i> spp., <i>Helianthus maximiliani, Stenaria nigricans, Eryngium yuccifolium</i>, and <i>Liatris</i> spp. This vegetation occurs on rolling uplands and occasional exposed rock outcrops. Underlying soils include Mollisols, Alfisols, and Vertisols. Gilgai and mima mounds provide microtopographic relief that influences species composition in some examples. Remaining examples have been impacted by overgrazing and lack of prescribed burning. Much of the original acreage has been converted to row crops or tame pasture, or has succeeded to woodland. Fire, climate, native grazing and edaphic factors all played a roll historically in maintaining an open structure in this vegetation. Loss of these natural processes often results in a decrease in native grass cover and increase in woody invaders. Threats to these communities include fire suppression, livestock grazing, and damage by feral hogs and vehicles. The current range of this alliance has been reduce greatly from its historic extent.
Accession Code:
urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:39273-{20C0B162-27A9-43C3-AC47-8ECA789B3AF4}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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