Southeastern Great Plains Floodplain Forest
Geology
This system generally occupies Quaternary alluvium.
Landform
This floodplain forest occupies relatively broad flats at low topographic positions, along large streams where alluvial deposition dominates. Rivers such as the Sulphur, (and tributaries such as White Oak and Cuthand Creeks), Sabine (and Lake Fork), Trinity (and its major tributaries), Navasota, and portions of the Lower and Middle Brazos (and its major tributaries), Colorado, Guadalupe, Lavaca, Navidad, and San Antonio Rivers may support this system.
Soils
Bottomland Ecological Sites (including Loamy, Sandy, and Clayey) characterize this system.
Parent Description
Dominant communities within this system range from floodplain forests to wet meadows to gravel/sand flats; however, they are linked by underlying soils and the flooding regime. Canopy dominants may include Carya illinoinensis (pecan), Fraxinus americana (white ash), Quercus nigra (water oak), Ulmus crassifolia (cedar elm), Celtis laevigata (sugar hackberry), Ulmus americana (American elm), Quercus fusiformis or Q. virginiana (plateau or coastal live oak), Platanus occidentalis (American sycamore), Acer negundo (boxelder), Gleditsia triacanthos (common honeylocust), Quercus macrocarpa (bur oak), Morus rubra (red mulberry), Fraxinus pennsylvanica (green ash), and Sapindus saponaria var. drummondii (western soapberry). Especially along river margins, species such as Platanus occidentalis (American sycamore), Populus deltoides (eastern cottonwood), and Salix nigra (black willow) may dominate. In this eastern part of the range of the system, Liquidambar styraciflua (sweetgum), Quercus phellos (willow oak), and Betula nigra (river birch) may also be commonly encountered. Seasonally flooded sites, especially within the Trinity River basin, may have Quercus lyrata (overcup oak) as an overstory component. Overgrazing and/or overbrowsing may influence recruitment of overstory species and composition of the understory and herbaceous layers. Shrub species may include Callicarpa americana (American beautyberry), Cephalanthus occidentalis (common buttonbush), Ilex decidua (possumhaw), Ilex vomitoria (yaupon), Sideroxylon lanuginosum (gum bumelia), Diospyros virginiana (common persimmon), Vaccinium arboreum (farkleberry), Juniperus virginiana (eastern redcedar), Cornus drummondii (roughleaf dogwood), and Viburnum rufidulum (rusty blackhaw), which may occur as dense patches following disturbance, but are otherwise generally fairly sparse. In the southern expressions of the system, other shrubs such as Prosopis glandulosa (honey mesquite), Acacia farnesiana (huisache), Diospyros texana (Texas persimmon), and Condalia hookeri (brasil) may be commonly encountered. Vines such as Berchemia scandens (Alabama supplejack), Campsis radicans (common trumpetcreeper), Vitis spp. (grape), Parthenocissus quinquefolia (Virginia creeper), Toxicodendron radicans (poison ivy), Smilax bona-nox (saw greenbrier), and Ampelopsis arborea (peppervine) may be conspicuous. Herbaceous cover includes Elymus virginicus (Virginia wildrye), Verbesina virginica (frostweed), Chasmanthium latifolium (creek oats), Chasmanthium sessiliflorum (narrowleaf woodoats), Carex cherokeensis (Cherokee sedge), Tripsacum dactyloides (eastern gamagrass), Symphyotrichum drummondii var. texanum (Drummond's aster), Calyptocarpus vialis (straggler daisy), Geum canadense (white avens), Sanicula canadensis (Canada snakeroot), Ambrosia trifida (giant ragweed), Panicum virgatum (switchgrass), Galium spp. (bedstraw), Teucrium canadense (American germander), and Carex spp. (sedges). Wetter sites may contain species such as Zizaniopsis miliacea (marshmillet), Rhynchospora spp. (beaksedges), Eleocharis spp. (spikerushes), Nymphaea odorata (American waterlily), and Peltandra virginica (Virginia peltandra). Non-native grasses that may dominate these sites include Cynodon dactylon (bermudagrass), Bothriochloa ischaemum var. songarica (King Ranch bluestem), and Sorghum halepense (Johnsongrass). Herbaceous cover may be quite high, especially in situations where shrub cover is low. The non-native trees Triadica sebifera (Chinese tallow) and Melia azedarach (chinaberry) may be present.
Ecological Mapping Systems
Central Texas: Floodplain Evergreen Forest
As described for the system, but the canopy is dominated by Juniperus virginiana (eastern redcedar). In some cases, this mapped type may have Pinus taeda (loblolly pine) as the canopy dominant.
Distribution Map
Photos
Central Texas: Floodplain Live Oak Forest
As described for the system, but dominated by Quercus fusiformis (plateau live oak) or Quercus virginiana (coastal live oak). Deciduous species can be, and frequently are, common in the canopy, but Quercus fusiformis (plateau live oak) or Quercus virginiana (coastal live oak) clearly dominates. Juniperus virginiana (eastern redcedar) may also be present.
Distribution Map
Photos
Central Texas: Floodplain Hardwood / Evergreen Forest
As described for the system with a mix of evergreen and deciduous species in the canopy, with Quercus fusiformis (plateau live oak) representing the most common evergreen component.
Distribution Map
Photos
Public Land Occurrence
- Bastrop State Park: Texas Parks & Wildlife Department
- Caddo National Grasslands Wildlife Management Area: Texas Parks & Wildlife Department
- Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge: US Fish and Wildlife Service
- Ham Creek Park: City of Blum
- Lavon Lake Recreation Area: US Army Corps of Engineers
- Palmetto State Park: Texas Parks & Wildlife Department
- Ray Roberts Lake State Park: Texas Parks & Wildlife Department
- Rochester Park: City of Dallas
- Somerville Lake Recreation Area: US Army Corps of Engineers
Central Texas: Floodplain Hardwood Forest
As described for the system, but deciduous species dominating the canopy.
Distribution Map
Photos
Public Land Occurrence
- Aquilla Lake: Texas Parks & Wildlife Department
- Big Lake Bottom Wildlife Management Area: Texas Parks & Wildlife Department
- Calaveras Lake: Texas Parks & Wildlife Department
- Fort Boggy State Park: Texas Parks & Wildlife Department
- Fort Richardson State Park and Historical Site: Texas Parks & Wildlife Department
- Fort Worth Nature Center: Tarrant County
- Goliad State Park & Historic Site: Texas Parks & Wildlife Department
- Granger Wildlife Management Area: Texas Parks & Wildlife Department
- Gus Engeling Wildlife Management Area: Texas Parks & Wildlife Department
- Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge: US Fish and Wildlife Service
- Keechi Creek Wildlife Management Area: Texas Parks & Wildlife Department
- Lake Arrowhead State Park: Texas Parks & Wildlife Department
- Lake Lewisville Recreation Area: US Army Corps of Engineers
- Lake Whitney State Park: Texas Parks & Wildlife Department
- Lavon Lake Recreation Area: US Army Corps of Engineers
- McAllister Park: City of San Antonio
- Mitchell Lake Audubon Center: National Audubon Society
- Mountain Creek Lake Park: Dallas Park and Recreation
- Navarro Mills Lake Recreation Area: US Army Corps of Engineers
- Nolte Island Recreation Area: Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority
- Olmos Basin Park: City of San Antonio
- Possum Kingdom State Park Area: Texas Parks & Wildlife Department
- Ray Roberts Lake State Park: Texas Parks & Wildlife Department
- Richland Creek Wildlife Management Area: Texas Parks & Wildlife Department
- Rochester Park: City of Dallas
- San Antonio Missions National Historic Park: National Park Service
- Somerville Lake Recreation Area: US Army Corps of Engineers
- South Side Lions Park East: City of San Antonio
- Stephen F. Austin State Park: Texas Parks & Wildlife Department
Central Texas: Floodplain Evergreen Shrubland
Shrublands of the floodplains of the region that are dominated by Juniperus spp. (juniper) occurring as shrubs, or other evergreen shrubs, such as Ilex vomitoria (yaupon) or the non-native Rosa bracteata (Macartney rose). This type may also represent young Pinus taeda (loblolly pine) stands.
Distribution Map
Photos
Public Land Occurrence
- Caddo National Grasslands Wildlife Management Area: Texas Parks & Wildlife Department
- Dinosaur Valley State Park: Texas Parks & Wildlife Department
- Fort Richardson State Park and Historical Site: Texas Parks & Wildlife Department
- Granger Wildlife Management Area: Texas Parks & Wildlife Department
- Lakes of Springfield Park: City of Rowlett
- Lake Whitney State Park: Texas Parks & Wildlife Department
- Meridian State Park: Texas Parks & Wildlife Department
- Possum Kingdom State Park Area: Texas Parks & Wildlife Department
Central Texas: Floodplain Deciduous Shrubland
Shrublands of the floodplains of the region that are dominated by deciduous shrubs such as Ilex decidua (possumhaw), Prosopis glandulosa (honey mesquite), Salix nigra (black willow), Cornus drummondii (roughleaf dogwood), and/or Cephalanthus occidentalis (common buttonbush). This mapped type may also include areas with sparse woodlands composed of typical deciduous overstory species as described above, or sites in early succession dominated by species such as Prosopis glandulosa (honey mesquite), Acacia farnesiana (huisache), Celtis laevigata (sugar hackberry), or Triadica sebifera (Chinese tallow).
Distribution Map
Photos
Public Land Occurrence
- Aquilla Lake: Texas Parks & Wildlife Department
- Benbrook Lake Recreation Area: US Army Corps of Engineers
- Big Lake Bottom Wildlife Management Area: Texas Parks & Wildlife Department
- Dinosaur Valley State Park: Texas Parks & Wildlife Department
- Fort Richardson State Park and Historical Site: Texas Parks & Wildlife Department
- Granger Wildlife Management Area: Texas Parks & Wildlife Department
- Lake Arrowhead State Park: Texas Parks & Wildlife Department
- Lake Lewisville Recreation Area: US Army Corps of Engineers
- Lake Whitney State Park: Texas Parks & Wildlife Department
- Navarro Mills Lake Recreation Area: US Army Corps of Engineers
- Palmetto State Park: Texas Parks & Wildlife Department
- Richland Creek Wildlife Management Area: Texas Parks & Wildlife Department
- Somerville Lake Recreation Area: US Army Corps of Engineers
Central Texas: Floodplain Herbaceous Vegetation
Floodplains of the region that lack a significant overstory or shrub canopy, but retain cover in the herbaceous layer. Non-native grass species such as Cynodon dactylon (bermudagrass), Bothriochloa ischaemum var. songarica (King Ranch bluestem), and Sorghum halepense (Johnsongrass) may frequently dominate this vegetation type. Tripsacum dactyloides (eastern gamagrass) – Panicum virgatum (switchgrass) dominated prairies on lowlands, like those that occur at Knight Prairie and Mill Creek Bottom, may also be mapped as this vegetation type.
Distribution Map
Photos
Public Land Occurrence
- Aquilla Lake: Texas Parks & Wildlife Department
- Attwater Prairie Chicken National Wildlife Refuge: US Fish and Wildlife Service
- Big Lake Bottom Wildlife Management Area: Texas Parks & Wildlife Department
- Dinosaur Valley State Park: Texas Parks & Wildlife Department
- Granger Wildlife Management Area: Texas Parks & Wildlife Department
- Hagerman National Wildlife Refuge: US Fish and Wildlife Service
- Ham Creek Park: City of Blum
- Lake Arrowhead State Park: Texas Parks & Wildlife Department
- Lake Lewisville Recreation Area: US Army Corps of Engineers
- Lakes of Springfield Park: City of Rowlett
- Lake Whitney State Park: Texas Parks & Wildlife Department
- Lavon Lake Recreation Area: US Army Corps of Engineers
- Navarro Mills Lake Recreation Area: US Army Corps of Engineers
- Ray Roberts Lake State Park: Texas Parks & Wildlife Department
- Richland Creek Wildlife Management Area: Texas Parks & Wildlife Department
- Somerville Lake Recreation Area: US Army Corps of Engineers
Central Texas: Floodplain Herbaceous Wetland
These wetlands are dominated by numerous sedge species, including Carex spp. (sedges), Eleocharis spp. (spikerushes), Cyperus spp. (flatsedges), and Schoenoplectus pungens (common threesquare). Various grasses and Juncus spp. (rushes) are also common. Forbs that may be encountered include species such as Hydrocotyle verticillata (whorled water-pennywort), Polygonum spp. (smartweeds), Pluchea odorata (purple marsh-camphor), and Ambrosia trifida (giant ragweed).
Distribution Map
Public Land Occurrence
Central Texas: Floodplain Seasonally Flooded Hardwood Forest
In this eastern portion of the range of the system, the occurrence of bottomlands that are seasonally flooded becomes more common. These sites may be dominated by species that may be more commonly encountered to the east, such as Quercus lyrata (overcup oak) and Quercus phellos (willow oak). Salix nigra (black willow) may also be commonly encountered within the mapped type. Herbaceous cover is very limited due to the frequency of flooding. Shrubs that can withstand frequent inundation, such as Cephalanthus occidentalis (common buttonbush), Planera aquatica (water elm), and Forestiera acuminata (swamp privet), may be present to dominant.
Distribution Map
Photos
Public Land Occurrence
Central Texas: Floodplain Baldcypress Swamp
In the eastern portion of the range of the system, baldcypress swamps are more commonly encountered, particularly in the eastern part of the upper Trinity River basin. These sites are dominated by Taxodium distichum (baldcypress). Some mapped occurrences may be dominated by Planera aquatica (water elm).
Distribution Map
Photos
Public Land Occurrence
- None.