Home/Ecosystems/ Bastrop Lost Pines Forest

Bastrop Lost Pines Forest

EVT 7358Bastrop Lost Pines Forest and Woodland

CES205.896GNRTreeConifer

Summary

This system, dominated by Pinus taeda, is endemic to central Texas. Locally this is known as the "Bastrop Pines." Examples may share similarities, in terms of the vegetation, with Coastal Plain pine-hardwood systems to the east (in TNC Ecoregions 40 and 41) but differ in the fact that this system contains only loblolly pine which is generally considered successional in the more eastern systems. The vegetation includes a range of communities (that have yet to be defined) that range from very dry to xeric uplands to dry and even mesic areas with different suites of hardwood associates. The Pinus taeda of this region is genetically different than strains to the east; it has much greater drought tolerance. It is possible that this area was one of the epicenters of early southern pine colonization of the Coastal Plain based on fossil pollen evidence.

Source: NatureServe Explorer

Vegetation

This system is dominated by Pinus taeda, often with Quercus stellata and Quercus marilandica present to codominant. Quercus incana, Quercus margarettae, Carya texana, Ulmus crassifolia, Celtis spp., and Juniperus virginiana may also be present. Vaccinium arboreum is a frequent shrub component. Other shrub and woody vine species that may be present include Sideroxylon lanuginosum, Callicarpa americana, Ilex vomitoria, Toxicodendron spp., Rhus aromatica, Smilax bona-nox, Parthenocissus quinquefolia, and Vitis spp. A grassy herbaceous layer may be present with Schizachyrium scoparium commonly encountered, but other species include Andropogon gerardii, Nassella leucotricha, Sporobolus junceus, Paspalum plicatulum, Paspalum setaceum, Aristida spp., Sporobolus clandestinus, Digitaria cognata, Dichanthelium oligosanthes var. scribnerianum, and Dichanthelium oligosanthes. Forbs are conspicuous and include Heterotheca subaxillaris, Euphorbia corollata, Monarda citriodora, Galactia volubilis, Liatris aspera, Brazoria truncata, Diodia teres, and many others (Elliott 2011).

Source: NatureServe Explorer

Environment

Stands of this system occur on dissected uplands. Sandy soils characterize this system with typical Ecological Sites being deep sand, sandy, and sandy loam. It may also occupy gravelly sites associated with more recent geologic strata. Sandy Eocene formations such as Carrizo, Sparta, and Queen City formations are most frequently associated with this system, though it may also occur on the Reklaw (another Eocene) Formation (Elliott 2010).

Source: NatureServe Explorer

Dynamics

Local accumulations of pine needles result in a patchy distribution of herbaceous cover. This system bears some resemblance to pine woodlands and forests farther to the east and may represent a western, more xeric outlier of these similar systems.

Source: NatureServe Explorer

Distribution

This system is endemic to central Texas.

Source: NatureServe Explorer

Ecologically Associated Plant Species

Plant species that characterize this ecosystem type, organized by vegetation stratum. These are species ecologically associated with the ecosystem, not confirmed present in any specific area.

Tree canopy

Pinus taeda, Quercus marilandica, Quercus stellata

Herb (field)

Brazoria truncata var. pulcherrima, Nassella leucotricha

Source: NatureServe Ecological System assessment

Ecologically Associated Animals (6)

Animal species ecologically associated with this ecosystem type based on NatureServe assessment. These are species whose habitat requirements overlap with this ecosystem, not confirmed present in any specific roadless area.

Mammals (1)

Common Name	Scientific Name	G-Rank
White-footed Deermouse	Peromyscus leucopus	G5

Reptiles (4)

Common Name	Scientific Name	G-Rank
Eastern Hog-nosed Snake	Heterodon platirhinos	G5
Eastern Kingsnake	Lampropeltis getula	G5
Texas Spiny Lizard	Sceloporus olivaceus	G5
Little Brown Skink	Scincella lateralis	G5

Other (1)

Common Name	Scientific Name	G-Rank
Western Ratsnake	Pantherophis obsoletus	G5

Source: NatureServe Ecological System assessment

At-Risk Species Associated with this Ecosystem (1)

Species with conservation concern that are ecologically associated with this ecosystem type. G-Rank indicates global conservation status: G1 (critically imperiled) through G5 (secure). ESA status indicates U.S. Endangered Species Act listing.

Common Name	Scientific Name	G-Rank	ESA Status
Centerville Brazos-mint	Brazoria truncata var. pulcherrima	G4T3	--

Source: NatureServe Ecological System assessment

State Conservation Ranks (1)

Subnational conservation status ranks (S-ranks) assigned by Natural Heritage Programs in each state where this ecosystem occurs. S1 indicates critically imperiled at the state level, S2 imperiled, S3 vulnerable, S4 apparently secure, and S5 secure. An ecosystem may be globally secure but imperiled in specific states at the edge of its range.

State	S-Rank
TX	SNR

Methodology and Data Sources

Ecosystem classification: Ecosystems are classified using the LANDFIRE 2024 Existing Vegetation Type (EVT) layer, mapped to NatureServe Terrestrial Ecological Systems via a curated crosswalk. Each EVT is linked to the USNVC (U.S. National Vegetation Classification) hierarchy through pixel-level co-occurrence analysis of LANDFIRE EVT and NatureServe IVC Group rasters across all roadless areas.

Vegetation coverage: Coverage percentages and hectares are derived from zonal statistics of the LANDFIRE 2024 EVT raster intersected with roadless area boundaries.

Ecosystem narratives and community species: Sourced from the NatureServe Explorer API, representing professional ecological assessments of vegetation composition, environmental setting, dynamics, threats, and characteristic species assemblages.

IVC hierarchy: The International Vegetation Classification hierarchy is sourced from the USNVC v3.0 Catalog, providing the full classification from Biome through Association levels.

Component associations: Plant community associations listed as components of each NatureServe Ecological System. Association data from the NatureServe Explorer API.

State ranks: Conservation status ranks assigned by NatureServe member programs in each state where the ecosystem occurs.