West Gulf Coast Pine-Hardwood Forest

This West Gulf Coastal Plain ecological system consists of forests and woodlands dominated by Pinus taeda and/or Pinus echinata in combination with a variety of dry to dry-mesic site hardwood species. This type was the historical matrix vegetation (dominant vegetation type) for large portions of the West Gulf Coastal Plain landward of the range of Pinus palustris, where it replaced Pinus palustris-dominated vegetation. In this region of 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 (droughty sands, calcareous clays, and shallow soil barrens/rock outcrops). Such sites are underlain by loamy to fine-textured soils of variable depths. These are upland sites on ridgetops and adjacent sideslopes, with moderate fertility and moisture retention. This type was also present in more limited areas within the range of Pinus palustris (in the West Gulf Coastal Plain), where it was confined more typically to sideslopes and other locations not dominated by Pinus palustris. There are no known "fidel" herbaceous species or any local endemic or globally rare plant species, and overall this system may have supported relatively low levels of vascular plant species diversity. This system has undergone major transformations since European settlement of the region.

Examples of this system are forests and woodlands dominated by Pinus taeda and/or Pinus echinata in combination with a host of dry to dry-mesic site hardwood species, such as 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. Other species that may occur include Quercus margarettae, Quercus velutina, Carya tomentosa (= Carya alba), Carya texana, Cornus florida, Crataegus spp., Ostrya virginiana, Symplocos tinctoria, Morella cerifera, Vaccinium arboreum, Vaccinium elliottii, Viburnum acerifolium, and Viburnum dentatum. Woody vines in this system may be conspicuous and often include Smilax bona-nox, Vitis spp. (often Vitis rotundifolia or Vitis mustangensis to the south), Parthenocissus quinquefolia, and Toxicodendron radicans. The herbaceous layer is generally sparse (often less than 20% cover), with Schizachyrium scoparium, Chasmanthium laxum, Chasmanthium sessiliflorum, Dichanthelium sphaerocarpon, and Pteridium aquilinum often present to dominant. The importance of Acer floridanum (= Acer barbatum), Acer leucoderme, and Liquidambar styraciflua may increase with the absence of fire. In parts of southeastern Texas, the hardwood component of stands may contain Quercus nigra, Quercus virginiana, Quercus falcata, Liquidambar styraciflua, and Ulmus spp. Shrubs include Ilex vomitoria, Cornus florida, Morella cerifera, Callicarpa americana, and Vaccinium arboreum (Elliott 2011).

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 (droughty sands, calcareous clays, and shallow soil barrens/rock outcrops). Such sites are underlain by loamy to fine-textured soils of variable depths and generally are Alfisols or Ultisols. These are upland sites on ridgetops and adjacent sideslopes, with moderate fertility and moisture retention. In Texas, this system occurs over a wide variety of landforms, with drier expressions occurring on hilltops and ridges. It occupies slopes and lower landscape positions, where conditions are more mesic, and composition of the system varies across these gradients. It is found on numerous Cenozoic sedimentary formations and some Cretaceous formations of the Mesozoic era. These formations range from sandstone, shale, alluvium, and conglomerate, to marl, with glauconitic formations (Weches) and tuffaceous formations (Catahoula) present (Elliott 2011).

Forests with dense tree cover (especially evergreen cover) have reduced shrub and herbaceous cover. Herbaceous cover may be additionally limited by dense litter accumulation. Few occurrences of this system can be considered old-growth.

This system is restricted to the West Gulf Coastal Plain of Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas.