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Loblolly and Shortleaf Pine-Oak Forest

EVT 7371West Gulf Coastal Plain Pine Forest
G013G2TreeConifer
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Summary
This forest group consists of vegetation typically dominated by Pinus taeda and/or Pinus echinata in combination with a suite of dry- to dry-mesic-site hardwood species, primarily Quercus alba, Quercus falcata, and Quercus stellata, but also the scrub oaks Quercus incana, Quercus margarettae, and Quercus arkansana. It is primarily found in the West Gulf Coastal Plain and Upper West Gulf Coastal Plain of southern Arkansas, northwestern Louisiana, and parts of eastern Texas, with an extension into central Texas, which is locally known as the "Bastrop Pines." The range of this type is predominantly north of the historic range of Pinus palustris, and was the historic matrix vegetation type for large portions of the Upper West Gulf Coastal Plain. Within this area, this type was historically present on nearly all upland sites in the region (except on the most edaphically limited sites, such as droughty sands, calcareous clays, and shallow soil barrens/rock outcrops). The upland sites on which the group is found are underlain by loamy to fine-textured soils of variable depths, and are found on ridgetops and adjacent sideslopes, with moderate fertility and moisture retention. In more limited areas of the West Gulf Coastal Plain (USFS Section 232F), stands are confined more typically to sideslopes and other less fire-prone locations not dominated by Pinus palustris. Other tree species that may occur include Quercus velutina, Carya tomentosa, Carya texana, Crataegus spp., and Ostrya virginiana. Typical shrubs include Symplocos tinctoria, Morella cerifera, Vaccinium arboreum, Vaccinium elliottii, Viburnum acerifolium, and Viburnum dentatum. Some typical grasses include Chasmanthium sessiliflorum, Dichanthelium sphaerocarpon, and Schizachyrium scoparium.
Source: NatureServe Explorer
Vegetation
This forest group consists of vegetation typically dominated by Pinus taeda and/or Pinus echinata in combination with a host of dry- to dry-mesic-site hardwood species, primarily Quercus alba, Quercus falcata, and Quercus stellata. Stands on narrow ridgetops, which can be isolated from the effects of fire, may exhibit greater dominance by hardwoods. Most stands will presently exhibit a more-or-less closed canopy condition, but under historical conditions may very well have been open-canopy forests or woodlands. Other tree species that may occur include Quercus velutina, Carya tomentosa (= Carya alba), Carya texana, Crataegus spp., and Ostrya virginiana. Typical shrub species include Symplocos tinctoria, Morella cerifera, Vaccinium arboreum, Vaccinium elliottii, Viburnum acerifolium, and Viburnum dentatum. Some typical grasses include Chasmanthium sessiliflorum, Dichanthelium sphaerocarpon, and Schizachyrium scoparium. The importance of Acer floridanum (= Acer barbatum), Acer leucoderme, and Liquidambar styraciflua may increase with the absence of fire. There are no known "strong differential" herbaceous species or any local endemic or globally rare plant species, and overall this group may have supported relatively low levels of vascular plant species diversity. Examples in the "Bastrop Pines" extension are more likely to include Quercus marilandica as a dominant with Quercus stellata. This area is west of the ranges of the other component Quercus species.
Source: NatureServe Explorer
Environment
Stands on narrow ridgetops, which can be isolated from the effects of fire, may exhibit greater dominance by hardwoods. Soil/substrate/hydrology: In southern Arkansas, northwestern Louisiana, and parts of eastern Texas, this type was historically present on nearly all uplands in the region (except on the most edaphically limited sites, such as droughty sands, calcareous clays, and shallow soil barrens/rock outcrops). These upland sites are underlain by loamy to fine-textured soils of variable depths and are found on ridgetops and adjacent sideslopes, with moderate fertility and moisture retention. Within the range of Pinus palustris, vegetation of this group is apparently favored on relatively finer-textured soils, rather than coarser-textured ones. The "Bastrop Pines" extension of this group in central Texas is found on the Reclaw Formation (D. Diamond pers. comm. 2003).
Source: NatureServe Explorer
Dynamics
This vegetation has undergone major transformations since European settlement of the region, due to cycles of timber removal, heavy grazing, agricultural cropping, and conversion to plantations of improved Pinus taeda. The Pinus taeda of the "Bastrop Pines" region is genetically different than strains to the east; it has much greater drought tolerance. It is possible that this area was one of the epicenters of early southern pine colonization of the coastal plain based on fossil pollen evidence.
Source: NatureServe Explorer
Ecologically Associated Plant Species

Plant species that characterize this ecosystem type, organized by vegetation stratum. These are species ecologically associated with the ecosystem, not confirmed present in any specific area.

Associated Species (no stratum assigned)

Castanea ozarkensis, Cypripedium kentuckiense, Vitis rupestris
Source: NatureServe Ecological System assessment
Ecologically Associated Animals (2)

Animal species ecologically associated with this ecosystem type based on NatureServe assessment. These are species whose habitat requirements overlap with this ecosystem, not confirmed present in any specific roadless area.

Butterflies & Moths (2)

Common NameScientific NameG-Rank
Northern MetalmarkCalephelis borealisG3
Frosted ElfinCallophrys irusG3
Source: NatureServe Ecological System assessment
At-Risk Species Associated with this Ecosystem (4)

Species with conservation concern that are ecologically associated with this ecosystem type. G-Rank indicates global conservation status: G1 (critically imperiled) through G5 (secure). ESA status indicates U.S. Endangered Species Act listing.

Common NameScientific NameG-RankESA Status
Northern MetalmarkCalephelis borealisG3--
Frosted ElfinCallophrys irusG3--
Southern Lady's-slipperCypripedium kentuckienseG3--
Rock GrapeVitis rupestrisG3--
Source: NatureServe Ecological System assessment
Component Associations (23)

Plant community associations that occur within this ecological system. Associations are the finest level of the U.S. National Vegetation Classification (USNVC) and describe specific, repeating assemblages of plant species. Each association represents a distinct community type that may be found where this ecosystem occurs.

NameG-Rank
Pinus echinata - Pinus taeda - Quercus stellata / Juniperus virginiana / Cornus drummondii WoodlandG1 NatureServe
Pinus echinata - Quercus incana - Quercus stellata / Cnidoscolus texanus WoodlandG2 NatureServe
Pinus echinata / Quercus incana / Selaginella arenicola ssp. riddellii WoodlandG2 NatureServe
Pinus echinata - Quercus (margarettae, stellata, falcata) - Carya texana WoodlandG2 NatureServe
Pinus palustris - Pinus (echinata, taeda) - Quercus falcata - Carya texana WoodlandG2 NatureServe
(Pinus palustris) - Quercus stellata - Quercus incana / Tetragonotheca ludoviciana WoodlandG2 NatureServe
Quercus arkansana - Quercus incana / Selaginella arenicola ssp. riddellii WoodlandG2 NatureServe
(Quercus incana) / Schizachyrium scoparium - Bouteloua hirsuta - Dalea villosa var. grisea - Selaginella arenicola ssp. riddellii Xeric Sand Barrens WoodlandGNR NatureServe
Pinus echinata - Pinus taeda - Quercus (alba, falcata, stellata) ForestG3 NatureServe
Pinus echinata - (Pinus taeda) - Quercus falcata / Dichanthelium sphaerocarpon ForestG2 NatureServe
Pinus echinata - Pinus taeda - Quercus stellata - Carya texana / Vaccinium arboreum WoodlandG3 NatureServe
Pinus echinata - Quercus alba / Viburnum (dentatum, acerifolium) ForestG2 NatureServe
Pinus echinata - Quercus stellata - Quercus falcata - Carya texana WoodlandG1 NatureServe
Pinus (echinata, taeda) / Symplocos tinctoria - Morella cerifera - Vaccinium elliottii ForestG3 NatureServe
Pinus taeda - Pinus echinata / Chasmanthium sessiliflorum Ruderal ForestGNA NatureServe
Pinus taeda - (Pinus echinata) - Quercus falcata - Carya texana / Vaccinium arboreum ForestG4 NatureServe
Pinus taeda - (Pinus echinata) / Quercus michauxii / Thaspium barbinode ForestG1 NatureServe
Pinus taeda - Quercus alba - Carya tomentosa / Acer floridanum - (Acer leucoderme) ForestG2 NatureServe
Pinus taeda - Quercus alba - (Fagus grandifolia) / Smilax pumila - Mitchella repens ForestG3 NatureServe
Pinus taeda - (Quercus spp.) / Ostrya virginiana - Sabal minor ForestG2 NatureServe
Pinus taeda - Quercus stellata / Crataegus spp. WoodlandG2 NatureServe
Quercus alba - Quercus falcata - Quercus stellata - Nyssa sylvatica / Carex cherokeensis ForestG3 NatureServe
Quercus stellata - Quercus marilandica - Pinus taeda Jackson Acidic Clay WoodlandG2 NatureServe
State Conservation Ranks (4)

Subnational conservation status ranks (S-ranks) assigned by Natural Heritage Programs in each state where this ecosystem occurs. S1 indicates critically imperiled at the state level, S2 imperiled, S3 vulnerable, S4 apparently secure, and S5 secure. An ecosystem may be globally secure but imperiled in specific states at the edge of its range.

StateS-Rank
ARSNR
LASNR
OKSNR
TXSNR
Roadless Areas (6)

Inventoried Roadless Areas where this ecosystem is present, identified from LANDFIRE 2024 Existing Vegetation Type spatial analysis. Coverage indicates the proportion of each area occupied by this ecosystem type.

Louisiana (2)

AreaForestCoverageHectares
Saline Bayou W & S River CorridorKisatchie National Forest7.6%165.06
Cunningham Brake Research Natural AreaKisatchie National Forest1.6%11.7

Texas (4)

AreaForestCoverageHectares
Big CreekNational Forests in Texas49.4%289.62
Big WoodsNational Forests in Texas40.6%217.62
Little Lake CreekNational Forests in Texas22.8%54.9
Winters BayouNational Forests in Texas6.0%17.55
Methodology and Data Sources

Ecosystem classification: Ecosystems are classified using the LANDFIRE 2024 Existing Vegetation Type (EVT) layer, mapped to NatureServe Terrestrial Ecological Systems via a curated crosswalk. Each EVT is linked to the USNVC (U.S. National Vegetation Classification) hierarchy through pixel-level co-occurrence analysis of LANDFIRE EVT and NatureServe IVC Group rasters across all roadless areas.

Vegetation coverage: Coverage percentages and hectares are derived from zonal statistics of the LANDFIRE 2024 EVT raster intersected with roadless area boundaries.

Ecosystem narratives and community species: Sourced from the NatureServe Explorer API, representing professional ecological assessments of vegetation composition, environmental setting, dynamics, threats, and characteristic species assemblages.

IVC hierarchy: The International Vegetation Classification hierarchy is sourced from the USNVC v3.0 Catalog, providing the full classification from Biome through Association levels.

Component associations: Plant community associations listed as components of each NatureServe Ecological System. Association data from the NatureServe Explorer API.

State ranks: Conservation status ranks assigned by NatureServe member programs in each state where the ecosystem occurs.