Sumter National Forest Final Report - NatureServe

Similar Associations:• Pinus echinata - Quercus (prinus, falcata) / Oxydendrum arboreum / Vaccinium pallidum Forest (CEGL007493)• Pinus echinata / Schizachyrium scoparium Appalachian Woodland (CEGL003560) -- a related evergreen woodlandRelated Concepts:• IA6a. Dry Shortleaf Pine - Oak - Hickory Forest (Allard 1990) BClassification Comments: Probably very widespread at low elevations in and around the southern Appalachians. This associationoccurs on more xeric, extreme sites than a similar association, Pinus echinata - Quercus (prinus, falcata) / Oxydendrum arboreum /Vaccinium pallidum Forest (CEGL007493).CONSERVATION RANKING & RARE SPECIESGRank: G4? (2002-10-22): This association is probably very widespread at low elevations in and around the southernAppalachians. The final resolution of the rank and rarity of this association depends on the determination of its total global range. It isvulnerable to logging, development, invasion by exotic plant species, and fire exclusion. Shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata) populationsseem to have undergone rangewide declines in the vigor and extent. Stands of this association are threatened by the effects ofcontinued fire suppression, which would inhibit the reproduction of Pinus echinata and cause the grass-dominated herbaceous layer todeteriorate.High-ranked species: No informationELEMENT DISTRIBUTIONRange: This shortleaf pine - oak woodland is known from low elevations in the Southern Blue Ridge Escarpment region, andprobably extends into the adjacent southern Ridge and Valley, Cumberland Plateau, and Piedmont.Subnations: GA, KY?, NC, TNTNC Ecoregions: 50:?, 51:C, 52:PUSFS Ecoregions: 221:?, 231Ag:PPP, M221Dc:CCP, M221Dd:CCCFederal Lands: NPS (Little River Canyon?); USFS (Sumter)ELEMENT SOURCESReferences: Allard 1990, Schafale and Weakley 1990, Southeastern Ecology Working Group n.d.SHORTLEAF PINE - ROCK CHESTNUT OAK / FOOTHILLS RHODODENDRON / HILLSIDE BLUEBERRY FORESTELEMENT IDENTIFIERSNVC association: Pinus echinata - Quercus prinus / Rhododendron minus / Vaccinium pallidum ForestDatabase Code: CEGL007496Formation: Mixed needle-leaved evergreen - cold-deciduous forest (I.C.3.N.a)Alliance: Pinus echinata - Quercus (coccinea, prinus) Forest Alliance (A.395)ELEMENT CONCEPTSummary: This association is a mixed forest occurring in association with Tallulah Falls quartzite in the Blue Ridge/Piedmonttransition of South Carolina and Georgia, at 490-610 m (1600-2000 feet) elevation. This is an open forest with a stunted canopy andscattered rock outcroppings. Pinus echinata and Quercus prinus dominate the canopy, but other species may occur, including Pinusrigida, Pinus virginiana, Quercus coccinea, Quercus falcata, Quercus stellata, and Quercus marilandica. Rhododendron minusoccurs as a tall shrub (greater than 2 m) and can be quite dense. Vaccinium pallidum is the dominant short shrub (less than 2 m), inareas where the Rhododendron is sparse or absent. Other shrubs may include Vaccinium arboreum, Rhododendron maximum, andKalmia latifolia. Smilax glauca and Vitis rotundifolia are common vines. The herbaceous stratum is sparse, with scattered grasses andforbs, including Chimaphila maculata, Pteridium aquilinum var. latiusculum, Dichanthelium dichotomum, Danthonia sericea, andSchizachyrium scoparium. This forest occurs on convex landforms over rocky, shallow soil and on broad, low ridges and exposed,convex slopes with southerly exposures, 490-610 m (1600-2000 feet) elevation.Environment: No informationVegetation: Stands are dominated by Pinus echinata and Quercus prinus, but other species may occur, including Pinus rigida, Pinusvirginiana, Quercus coccinea, Quercus falcata, Quercus stellata, and Quercus marilandica. Rhododendron minus occurs as a tallshrub (greater than 2 m) and can be quite dense. Vaccinium pallidum is the dominant short shrub (less than 2 m), in areas where theRhododendron is sparse or absent. Other shrubs may include Vaccinium arboreum, Rhododendron maximum, and Kalmia latifolia.Smilax glauca and Vitis rotundifolia are common vines. The herbaceous stratum is sparse, with scattered grasses and forbs, includingChimaphila maculata, Pteridium aquilinum var. latiusculum, Dichanthelium dichotomum, Danthonia sericea, and Schizachyriumscoparium. In an example on the Chattahoochee National Forest, the open canopy is dominated by Pinus echinata, and the midstory isdense and dominated by Quercus marilandica and Quercus prinus. The dense shrub layer is dominated by Vaccinium pallidum andalso includes Rhododendron minus, Asimina reticulata, and Kalmia latifolia. The herbaceous layer is generally sparse, but grassyopenings are present and dominated by Schizachyrium scoparium and Danthonia sericea.Dynamics: No informationSimilar Associations:Vegetation of Sumter National Forest April 30 200451Copyright © 2004 NatureServe