A Quantitative Analysis of Bottomland Communities in South-Central Oklahoma

Abstract

Floodplain plant communities were sampled at 13 sites along Wildhorse and Rush creeks in south-central Oklahoma. Ulmus americana, Salix nigra, Tamarax gallica, Salix interior, Populus deltoides, Amorpha fruticosa, Parthenocissus quinquefolia, Rhus radicans, Cynodon dactylon, Ambrosia trifida, and Bromus japonicus were important species of communities which occurred in stream channels. Celtis sp., U. americana, Sapindus drummondii, Acer negundo, Symphoricarpos orbiculatus, P. quinquefolia, Smilax bona-nox, Vitis spp.. Elymus virginicus, and Sanicula canadensis were important species of bottomland forest communities which occurred adjacent to stream channels. The composition of bottomland forests was similar to that reported by Rice (1965) for bottomland forests of north-central Oklahoma. A large majority of the forests along Wildhorse and Rush creeks have been destroyed and replaced by agricultural communities which are of little value to wildlife species. If present trends continue, it is likely that all significant stands of bottomland forests will be eliminated from these streams in the near future. In Oklahoma, mesic eastern deciduous forest communities generally merge with tall grass prairie communities in the eastern third of the state (Duck and Fletcher 1943). However, corridors of mesic forest extend a considerable distance farther west along streams. At one time, most of the major streams in central Oklahoma supported extensive growths of riparian forest (Bruner 1931). These served as critical wildlife habitat for many species with eastern deciduous forest affinities. During the 20th century, the total area of bottomland forests in central Oklahoma has been drastically reduced in association with improved water control measures and increased agro-industrial activities in the