ILLUSTRATED FLORA OF EAST TEXAS - Brit - Botanical Research ...

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SOILS OF THE PINEYWOODS SOILS, CLIMATE OF PINEYWOODS/INTRODUCTION 79 A variety of soil types exists in the Pineywoods (see page 49)—excessively well-drained soils of dry sandy uplands and flooded soils of river swamps may occur in close proximity on the same landscape. Most upland soils have light-brown to reddish sandy loam, loam, or clay loam topsoils, with clay content usually somewhat higher in the subsoil than in the topsoil. They are usually medium acid to very strongly acid and are relatively low in available nutrients as the result of leaching caused by the region’s abundant rainfall. Soils are usually more than 1 m (3.3 ft) deep and rock outcrops are uncommon, although locally, ironstone hardpans and outcrops of sandstone, glauconite, and other sedimentary rocks occur (Dolezel 1975, 1980, 1988; Neitsch 1982; McEwen et al. 1987). On uplands, the Ultisol and to a lesser extent Alfisol soil orders dominate, although Vertisols and Entisols (Psamments = a very sandy subtype of Entisols) occur locally (Buol 1973; Dolezel 1975, 1980, 1988; Christensen 2000). The broad river floodplains, a prominent feature of most Pineywoods landscapes, consist of alluvial (flood-deposited) soils belonging to the Entisol and Inceptisol orders (Buol 1973; Christensen 2000). In Nacogdoches County, the heart of the Pineywoods, widespread upland loam and clay-textured soils include the Nacogdoches, Sacul, Trawick, and Woodtell series. Common upland sandy soils include the Lilbert, Darco, Tenaha, and Tonkawa series, while on river floodplains the Mantachie and Marietta soils dominate (Dolezel 1980). CLIMATE OF THE PINEYWOODS Eastern Texas has a subtropical climate characterized by hot, humid summers and mild winters with occasional periods of frost, but usually with negligible snowfall (Larkin & Bomar 1983). Periods of freezing temperatures are usually of short duration and commonly associated with “Blue Northers,” cold fronts from the north accompanied by dramatic temperature drops and temperatures to as low as -17ºC (0ºF) (Bomar 1983). The average number of frost days per year is 16 and 23 for Jefferson (Beaumont County) and Liberty (Liberty County), respectively (Marks & Harcombe 1981). These frosts are an important factor excluding many subtropical species from the region despite its otherwise year-round warm climate. Average yearly temperatures range from 19.5º C (67º F) in the south to 17.8 C (64º F) in the north near the Arkansas border. Mean July and August high temperatures are 34º C (93–94º F), although high temperatures of 35–38º C (upper 90s F) are not uncommon (Larkin & Bomar 1983). Average low temperatures are 21.7º C (70–71º F) for these months. While daily highs are cooler than for Central Texas, high humidity ensures that summer days in the Pineywoods are uncomfortably “hot and muggy” for most people. However, for much of the year (October–April) temperatures are pleasant. Even in January, the coldest month of the year, mean high temperatures range from 15.6º C (60º F) in the south to 11.1º C (52º F) in the north (Larkin & Bomar 1983). Average January lows range from -1.1º C (30º F) near the Arkansas border to 3.9º C (39º F) in Hardin County in the southern Pineywoods (Larkin & Bomar 1983). Average rainfall ranges from 152 cm (nearly 60 inches) along the southeastern border with Louisiana to about 98 cm (40 inches) at the western edge of the Pineywoods (for example at Crockett and at the Van Zandt County line on Interstate 20). Precipitation is evenly distributed throughout the year and significant rains fall even during the hottest summer months (Larkin & Bomar 1983). However, summer droughts, such as those of 1999 and 2000, cause severe stresses, especially to non-native and non-adapted plants. Nonetheless, a relatively humid climate has enabled forest vegetation to develop in the Pineywoods. Thunderstorms often accompany precipitation, especially in summer. They are often severe, and lightning from these storms ignited many of the frequent fires that burned through the pine-dominated uplands characteristic of the presettlement landscape (Komarek 1974; Frost 1993).
80 INTRODUCTION/PRESETTLEMENT, EARLY SETTLEMENT, RECENT CONDITIONS OF PINEYWOODS Climate extremes, especially droughts and low temperatures are likely more important than average conditions for excluding non-adapted species from the Pineywoods and maintaining natural vegetation patterns on the landscape. For example, Ilex opaca (American holly), a native broad-leaved evergreen characteristic of mesic sites, has become common in recent years on a variety of upland sites. Following the severe summer drought of 2000, it was possible to observe a “kill line” on many hill slopes above which this species had died on the higher and drier topographic positions and below which it had survived on more mesic sites (J. Van Kley, pers. obs.). Human activities involving fossil fuel use and forest clearing have contributed to a 31% increase in atmospheric CO2, since the industrial revolution. Global warming, changes in precipitation patterns, and more irregular weather patterns are among the predicted results (Houghton et al. 1995, 2001). Balancing on the eastern edge of a dramatic precipitation gradient, the Pineywoods are potentially vulnerable to even small climatic shifts. Increased transpiration resulting from warmer temperatures, more frequent summer droughts, and/or reduced rainfall could cause an eastward shift in the forest boundary and the replacement of Pineywoods forests with scrubland. Many Pineywoods trees (e.g., Quercus alba [white oak], Liquidambar styraciflua [sweetgum], Acer rubrum [red maple], and Fagus grandifolia [American beech]) are temperate species at the southwestern (hot, dry) corner of their ranges. Vegetation will be important in monitoring effects of any climate changes, and baseline vegetation data are critical if we are to document any long-term changes. PRESETTLEMENT, EARLY SETTLEMENT, AND MORE RECENT CONDITIONS IN THE PINEYWOODS As in modern times, the landscape of the presettlement and early settlement Pineywoods was a mosaic of different vegetation types, each responding to local patterns of soils, topography, and disturbance. Native Americans, primarily various Caddo tribes in the north and central parts of East Texas and the Atakapas to the south (Newcomb 1961; Smith 1995; La Vere 1998, 2004), had long inhabited and modified localized areas (e.g., cultivated fields in river bottoms), but in general the region was a vast area of forest and woodland (Phelan 1976; McWilliams & Lord 1988). Pines dominated in some areas, hardwoods in others, and mixed forests in still others. However, even prairies were present in some areas with special soil conditions. The earliest known non-natives to enter the Texas Pineywoods were members of the Spanish Moscoso Expedition led by Luis de Moscoso Alvarado, who replaced Hernando De Soto upon his death. The expedition entered East Texas in 1542 and continued west perhaps as far as the Brazos River (Bruseth 1996). One of the earliest descriptions of the Pineywoods was of an area in the vicinity of modern Houston County—this was Don Domingo de Terán’s 1691 account (from Weniger 1984b): On the 3rd, our royal standard and camp continued the march toward the north, a quarter northeast from the aforesaid bank [of the Trinity River], penetrating through a dense wood and over a rough country.…We marched this day five leagues. On the 4th our general muster was held and our royal standard and camp moved forward in search of the Texas or Teija.…We made this day five leagues through the same kind of dense woods and through a rough country.…The whole country is wooded to a distance of about twenty-five leagues from this spot. Somewhat later, more detailed descriptions of parts of the Pineywoods were provided by Amos A. Parker (1968) who traveled through the area in 1834. Of the area just east of the Sabine River, Parker noted: After we passed the river bottom, we came to gentle swells, of red clayey soil, covered with oak, hickory, &c. called oak openings. Sometimes we passed a small prairie…
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ILLUSTRATED FLORA OF EAST TEXAS
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ALLDREDGE, LINDA & JACK BATTERBAE,
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We would like to recognize and expr
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ISSN 0833-1475 ISBN 1-889878-12-X S
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“DEEP EAST TEXAS IS AN OLD, QUIET
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Elray S. Nixon E lray Nixon was bor
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ILLUSTRATED FLORA OF EAST TEXAS TAB
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TABLE OFCONTENTS/ PAGE APPENDICES A
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Hymenocallis liriosme
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ILLUSTRATED FLORA OF EAST TEXAS OVE
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4 INTRODUCTION/GEOGRAPHIC AREA OF E
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10 INTRODUCTION/MAJOR RIVERS OF EAS
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12 INTRODUCTION/PLANTS TREATED The
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14 INTRODUCTION/GUIDE TO ARRANGEMEN
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16 INTRODUCTION/GUIDE TO SOURCES OF
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18 INTRODUCTION/GUIDE TO GEOGRAPHIC
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20 INTRODUCTION/GUIDE TO ENDANGERED
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22 INTRODUCTION/GUIDE TO GLOSSARY,
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24 INTRODUCTION/GUIDE TO ABBREVIATI
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26 INTRODUCTION/SUMMARY DATA ON FLO
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Page 47 and 48: 30 INTRODUCTION/AUTHORS’ NOTE Pre
Page 49 and 50: 32 INTRODUCTION/GENERAL GEOLOGY OF
Page 63 and 64: 46 INTRODUCTION/SOILS SOIL ORDER DE
Page 65 and 66: 48 INTRODUCTION/SOILS, EAST TEXAS B
Page 67 and 68: 50 INTRODUCTION/SOIL-RELATED GEOLOG
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Page 83 and 84: 66 INTRODUCTION/CLIMATE OF EAST TEX
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Page 107 and 108: 90 INTRODUCTION/CURRENT VEGETATION
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Page 133 and 134: 116 INTRODUCTION/ PRESETTLEMENT, EA
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130 INTRODUCTION/BLACKLAND PRAIRIE
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132 INTRODUCTION/GEOLOGY OF BLACKLA
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134 INTRODUCTION/PRESETTLEMENT AND
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144 INTRODUCTION/VEGETATION OF BLAC
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146 INTRODUCTION/FUTURE OF BLACKLAN
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148 INTRODUCTION/FUTURE OF BLACKLAN
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150 INTRODUCTION/CADDO LAKE LOCATIO
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152 INTRODUCTION/CADDO LAKE FIG.84/
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154 INTRODUCTION/PRESENT AND FUTURE
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156 INTRODUCTION/BIG THICKET THE BI
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158 INTRODUCTION/BIG THICKET GEOGRA
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160 INTRODUCTION/NATURAL HISTORY OF
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172 INTRODUCTION/SUMMARY DEFINITION
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184 INTRODUCTION/HISTORY OF BIG THI
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190 INTRODUCTION/CONSERVATION IN BI
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200 INTRODUCTION/ORIGIN AND DIVERSI
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228 INTRODUCTION/CONSERVATION IN EA
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234 INTRODUCTION/HISTORY OF BOTANY
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244 INTRODUCTION/BOTANY IN NORTH CE
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246 INTRODUCTION/BOTANY IN NORTH CE
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248 INTRODUCTION/BOTANY AT UNIVERSI
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250 INTRODUCTION/BOTANY AT TEXAS A&
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252 INTRODUCTION/BOTANY AT TEXAS A&
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254 INTRODUCTION/OTHER CONTRIBUTION
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256 INTRODUCTION/CURRENT BOTANICAL
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258 INTRODUCTION/BOTANICAL ART IN E
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