Sandy/Gravelly Floodplain Forest

Description

Sandy/Gravelly Floodplain Forests are dominated by mature sycamore and cottonwood. While these species can occur together, sycamores tend to dominate the smaller, higher energy streams with more gravel, while cottonwoods are more dominant on larger rivers with less gravel. A tall, uneven canopy of 80 to 100 feet tall, with occasional gaps and a closure of 80 to 100 percent is the dominant feature of this ecological site. However, patches of younger, early successional trees and shrubs occur mainly along the flood-prone edges or interior high-water channels of the mature forest. Willows are common in the younger patches and persist along the edges of the mature forest where there is more light. Younger patches tend to occur on recently deposited sands and gravels, and have a sparse understory. Mature forests have a more stable surface with a dense ground flora of wildrye and woodnettle. Dense tangles of vines can also occur, especially associated with canopy gaps. Slippery elm, green ash and hackberry also succeed into the canopy gaps.

Submodel

Description

Sandy/Gravelly Floodplain Forests subjected to repeated, high-graded timber harvests and domestic grazing transition to this state. This state exhibits an over-abundance of less desirable tree species, and weedy understory species such as buckbrush. The vegetation offers little nutritional value for cattle, and excessive stocking damages tree boles, degrades understory species composition, destabilizes stream banks and results in soil compaction and accelerated erosion and runoff during flood events. Restoration of the floodplain forest can be facilitated by exclusion of cattle coupled with tree planting.

Submodel

Description

Conversion of Sandy/Gravelly Floodplain Forests to planted, non-native pasture species such as tall fescue has been common in the Ozark highlands. Frequent flooding and low available water capacity make non-native pastures difficult to maintain in a healthy, productive state on this ecological site.

Submodel