Ecological Classification Fieldguide
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FIELD GUIDE ECOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM FOR THE NATIONAL FORESTS AND ADJACENT AREAS OF THE WEST GULF COASTAL PLAIN: 2nd APPROXIMATION ECOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM FOR THE NATIONAL FORESTS AND ADJACENT AREAS OF THE WEST GULF COASTAL PLAIN 2nd Approximation Report submitted in fulfillment of an agreement between Stephen F. Austin State University, The Nature Conservancy, Kisatchie National Forest, and the National Forests and Grasslands in Texas, Prepared by: Stephen F. Austin State University Nacogdoches, Texas and The Nature Conservancy Nacogdoches, Texas February, 2007 PREFACE It has been nearly seven years since the release of the first version of the ecological classification system for the national forests and adjacent areas of the West Gulf Coastal Plain. During this time ecological classification has begun to be used as a tool in forest planning and management and pilot studies mapping landtype phases have occurred on limited portions of Kisatchie National Forest. We have indeed taken the first steps toward using a common language —that of ecological units, the LTA and the LTP-- for describing, managing, and protecting the forest resources of the West Gulf Coastal Plain. In our current world of global warming, catastrophic storms and the setbacks and opportunities for forest management that result from them, where we are beginning to recognize that major cities can be threatened by the loss of the fragile wetlands that protect them, the central idea of ecological classification--that land management must take into account the intrinsic ecological characteristics of the particular area being used---is more pertinent than ever. As with the previous edition, a primary goal of this document is to focus the attention of as many natural resource professionals as possible on the ecosystems and natural processes on which we and all other species depend. The field guide has undergone a number of revisions since its first release in 1999. Additional fieldwork and data collection has enabled us to extend geographic coverage to include both the area of the Caney Ranger District of Kisatchie National Forest in northern Louisiana and the Red River Alluvial Plain--which makes a great swath through the pine forests of western Louisiana where Kisatchie National Forest lies. Numerous photographs now provide examples of ecological units and important plant species. The text throughout the document has been thoroughly checked and extensively revised. Highlights of some of the changes include: Increased recognition in the descriptions of upland ecological units within the historic range of longleaf pine that an alternative mixed-forest plant community--dominant on many modern landscapes-- develops on these sites in the absence of fire; incorporation of standard terminology derived from the US Army Corps of Engineers Wetland Delineation Manual to describe the hydrologic regime of all ecological units that experience any type of flooding or saturation of the soil; Changes in the names of certain wetland ecological units, for example “Regularly-Flooded Swamps”, to reflect the standardized hydrologic terminology; and the addition of new landtype phases for the Kisatchie Sandstone Hills and the Alluvial Floodplains and Terraces. We also attempted to relate the Texas Landtype Associations with those across the Sabine River in Louisiana, and to map the occurence of Landtype Associations in Louisiana outside of Kisatchie National Forest lands. The results of this effort yielded some surprises; at least two Texas landtype associations, the Lignitic Uplands and the Clayey Uplands, extend across the Sabine River into Louisiana. The product, Figure 3-5, shows the LTAs in their geographic context and will hopefully serve as a starting point for refined description and mapping of Landtype Associations. Although revised, this fieldguide is by no means final. As was the case with the first draft, it is intended to be a working document. Future changes may include expanding coverage to areas of the West Gulf Coastal Plain not near national forests, developing landtype phase-level maps, and continuing to refine the descriptions of landtype phases and other ecological units. As was the case with the first edition, we hope that this document will provide planners, foresters, and scientists with enhanced understanding of the local ecosystems with which they work and that they be able to use this information to improve their planning, management, or research and to better protect the health and integrity of our forests. James Van Kley Stephen F. Austin State University February 2007 I PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION The development of the Ecological Classification System for the national forests of the West Gulf Coastal Plain marks a fundamental shift in the way we think about and manage our forest resources. In the past, different aspects of the forest, such as vegetation, wildlife, water, and soil, were often considered independently of each other. However, planning for multiple uses and management in an ecosystem context requires that we recognize the complexity and interconnectedness of all components that make up a forest. Our actions upon one component will have an effect on all the others. But identifying and describing ecosystems is an extremely difficult task, as we are attempting to mentally reduce intricate, multi-dimensional systems that we do not--and may never--completely comprehend, into simple, understandable categories. The Ecological Classification System is a first attempt to form one common language for describing, managing, and protecting the forest resources across the West Gulf Coastal Plain. This field guide is designed to be a working document to aid resource planners, foresters, and biologists to better understand the ecosystems occurring on national forest lands and to integrate ecological information into their planning, management, and research activities. Many features are included in this field guide to assist in identifying and mapping lower level ecological land units, including a dichotomous key and descriptions of ecological types, descriptions of key plant species, a summary account of historical vegetation in the region, and regional maps showing geographic locations of higher level ecological units. We are only just beginning to comprehend the web of interrelationships that make up an ecosystem. As future research brings additional knowledge to light, the Ecological Classification System will be modified and refined to reflect our increased understanding of these natural systems. It is hoped that this document will motivate all that are interested in protecting the health and biological diversity of our forests to focus attention, not just on one or a few species, but on the ecosystems and natural processes upon which these species, and we, depend. Rick Turner The Nature Conservancy July 1999 II AUTHORS AND ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Researchers from Stephen F. Austin State University and The Nature Conservancy in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service prepared this field guide to the Ecological Classification System for the national forests and adjacent areas of the West Gulf Coastal Plain. Authors who have contributed directly to this field guide include: James E. Van Kley, Professor, Department of Biology Stephen F. Austin State University Nacogdoches, Texas Rick L. Turner, Ecologist, The Nature Conservancy Nacogdoches, Texas Latimore S. Smith, Ecologist, Louisiana Natural Heritage Program Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Baton Rouge, Louisiana Robert E. Evans, Botanist, National Forests and Grasslands in Texas Lufkin, Texas Assistance with the development of this publication was provided by staff from The Nature Conservancy, National Forests and Grasslands in Texas, Kisatchie National Forest, and other agencies. Ike McWhorter of The Nature Conservancy and Bill Bartush of the National Forests and Grasslands in Texas assisted with defining the scope of this project and provided administrative support. Philip Hyatt, John Novosad, Susan Carr, David Moore, and Calvin Baker assisted field crews with logistics, site selection, and data collection on Kisatchie National Forest. Guy Nesom of the Texas Regional Institute for Environmental Studies, Sam Houston State University, assisted with site selection and collection of field data on Sam Houston National Forest in Texas. Kevin Mundorff, Mike Dehnisch, and Matt Welch collected field data and assisted with data analysis while pursuing graduate studies at Stephen F. Austin State University. The authors wish to acknowledge Larry Brown of Houston Community College for assistance in plant identification. The assistance of Raymond Dolezel in classifying soils was greatly appreciated. We would like to thank Scott Beasley of the College of Forestry, Stephen F. Austin State University, for use of the Geographic Information Systems Laboratory. The helpful suggestions of Paul Harcombe of Rice University, Alan Weakley of the Southeast Regional Office of The Nature Conservancy, and Jim Keys and Susan Hooks of the USDA Forest Service Southern Regional Office were also appreciated. Finally, we acknowledge Forest Supervisors Alan Newman, Danny Britt, Ronnie Raum, Lynn Neff, Fred Salinas, and Gretta Boley for their support of the Ecological Classification System. Citation: Van Kley J.E., R.L. Turner, L.S. Smith, and R.E. Evans. 2007. Ecological classification system for the national forests and adjacent areas of the West Gulf Coastal Plain: 2nd approximation.