Print Report
CEGL006250 Picea rubens / Ribes glandulosum Woodland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Red Spruce / Skunk Currant Woodland
Colloquial Name: Red Spruce Talus Slope Woodland
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This association is a red spruce woodland of acidic talus slopes in the Northern Appalachians. The community occurs generally within the spruce-fir forest zone at moderate to high elevations inland, and may occur near sea level along the coast. The substrate varies, even within a site, from cobble to large boulder-sized talus. There is variable soil development depending on the periodicity and intensity of rockslides, but generally soils are thin and extremely patchy. The tree distribution is likewise patchy: in some areas there may be a partial to almost closed canopy; at most sites these areas are interspersed with patches of nearly open talus. Shrub and herb vegetation is very scattered and sparse. The bryoid layer ranges from sparse to well-developed; bryophytes are mostly desiccation-tolerant species, and crustose lichens may be extensive. The canopy is dominated by Picea rubens, in association with Abies balsamea, Betula papyrifera var. papyrifera, Betula papyrifera var. cordifolia, and Betula alleghaniensis. The tall-shrub cover is composed of Acer spicatum, Acer pensylvanicum, Sorbus americana, and Sorbus decora. Ribes glandulosum is a typical and diagnostic smaller shrub. Low heaths include Kalmia angustifolia, Vaccinium angustifolium, Vaccinium myrtilloides, and occasionally Gaylussacia baccata. The herbaceous layer is made up of vines and forbs confined to crevices and may include Parthenocissus quinquefolia, Dryopteris marginalis, Polypodium appalachianum, Polygonum cilinode, Solidago simplex var. randii, Deschampsia flexuosa, and, occasionally Juncus trifidus. The bryoid is made up of Umbilicaria spp., Cladonia spp., Grimmia spp., Ptilidium ciliare, Dicranum polysetum, and other Dicranum spp. Ground cover is talus with variable litter accumulation. This association is differentiated from most other red spruce woodlands (e.g., ~Picea rubens / Vaccinium angustifolium / Sibbaldiopsis tridentata Woodland (CEGL006053)$$) in its occurrence on talus on steep slopes, and in general has a lower cover of heath shrubs. At some sites, near the base of the talus slope it may grade into ~Picea mariana / Ledum groenlandicum - Empetrum nigrum / Cladonia spp. Dwarf-shrubland (CEGL006268)$$; that cold-air talus community has a much more extensive dwarf-shrub layer dominated by Ledum groenlandicum.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: No Data Available
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: In some areas there may be a partial to almost closed canopy; at most sites these areas are interspersed with patches of nearly open talus. Shrub and herb vegetation is very scattered and sparse. The bryoid layer ranges from sparse to well-developed; bryophytes are mostly desiccation-tolerant species, and crustose lichens may be extensive. The canopy is dominated by Picea rubens, in association with Abies balsamea, Betula papyrifera var. papyrifera, Betula papyrifera var. cordifolia, and Betula alleghaniensis. The tall-shrub cover is composed of Acer spicatum, Acer pensylvanicum, Sorbus americana, and Sorbus decora. Ribes glandulosum is a typical and diagnostic smaller shrub. Low heaths include Kalmia angustifolia, Vaccinium angustifolium, Vaccinium myrtilloides, and occasionally Gaylussacia baccata. The herbaceous layer is made up of vines and forbs confined to crevices and may include Parthenocissus quinquefolia, Dryopteris marginalis, Polypodium appalachianum, Polygonum cilinode, Solidago simplex var. randii, Deschampsia flexuosa, and, occasionally Juncus trifidus. The bryoid is made up of Umbilicaria spp., Cladonia spp. (= Cladina spp.), Grimmia spp., Ptilidium ciliare, Dicranum polysetum, and other Dicranum spp. Ground cover is talus with variable litter accumulation.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This association is a red spruce woodland of acidic talus slopes in the northern Appalachians. The community occurs generally within the spruce-fir forest zone at moderate to high elevations inland, and may occur near sea level along the coast. The substrate varies, even within a site, from cobble to large boulder-sized talus. There is variable soil development depending on the periodicity and intensity of rockslides, but generally soils are thin and extremely patchy.
Geographic Range: This association is found on acidic talus slopes in the northern Appalachians.
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: MA, ME, NB, NH, NY, QC?, VT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.683584
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G3G5
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 1 Forest & Woodland Class | C01 | 1 |
| Subclass | 1.B Temperate & Boreal Forest & Woodland Subclass | S15 | 1.B |
| Formation | 1.B.2 Cool Temperate Forest & Woodland Formation | F008 | 1.B.2 |
| Division | 1.B.2.Na Eastern North American Forest & Woodland Division | D008 | 1.B.2.Na |
| Macrogroup | 1.B.2.Na.7 Sugar Maple - Yellow Birch - Eastern Hemlock Forest Macrogroup | M014 | 1.B.2.Na.7 |
| Group | 1.B.2.Na.7.d Red Spruce - Balsam Fir - Paper Birch Forest Group | G744 | 1.B.2.Na.7.d |
| Alliance | A3314 Red Spruce / Lowbush Blueberry Rocky Woodland Alliance | A3314 | 1.B.2.Na.7.d |
| Association | CEGL006250 Red Spruce / Skunk Currant Woodland | CEGL006250 | 1.B.2.Na.7.d |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: ? SNE acidic talus forest/woodland (Rawinski 1984a)
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- Rawinski, T. 1984a. Natural community description abstract - southern New England calcareous seepage swamp. Unpublished report. The Nature Conservancy, Boston, MA. 6 pp.
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- Swain, P. C., and J. B. Kearsley. 2014. Classification of the natural communities of Massachusetts. Version 2.0. Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program, Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife. Westborough, MA. [http://www.mass.gov/nhesp/http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dfg/dfw/natural-heritage/natural-communities/classification-of-natural-communities.html]
- Thompson, E. H., and E. R. Sorenson. 2005. Wetland, woodland, wildland: A guide to the natural communities of Vermont. The Nature Conservancy and the Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife. University Press of New England, Hanover, NH. 456 pp.