Forest Composition on Loessal and Non‐Loessal Soils in West‐Central Mississippi

Abstract

Four forest communities related to obvious edaphic areas in west—central Mississippe were sampled. Communities on thick loess were dominated by Liquidambar Styraciflua, Tilia sp., Quercus nigra, Liriodendron Tulipifera, Quercus falacata var. pagadaefllia, ulmus americana and rubra, and Carya cordiformis; those on thin loess by Fagus grandifolia, Nyssa sylvatica, Quercus velutina, and Carya tomentosa. Upland communities on non—loessal soils were dominated by Pinus taeda, Pinus echinata, Quercus falcata var. falcata, and Quercus alba; bottom land communities by Liquidambar Styraciflua, Fagus grandifolia, and Pinus glabra. Plant communities on deep loess and creek bottom non—loess were most closely related by species composition. These communities were quite distinct from communities of the general region as described in the literature. Examination of physical, climatic, and weather data indicated that the principal environmental factor delimiting the communities was availability of water.