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CEGL004094 Carex pensylvanica Grassland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Pennsylvania Sedge Grassland
Colloquial Name: Grassy Bald (Sedge Type)
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This association represents montane grasslands occurring over 1220 m (4000 feet) elevation in the southern Appalachian Mountains dominated by Carex pensylvanica. Associated species include Carex debilis, Polytrichum commune, Helenium autumnale, Danthonia compressa, Sibbaldiopsis tridentata, Fragaria virginiana, Ageratina altissima var. roanensis, Angelica triquinata, Oclemena acuminata, Bromus pubescens, Dennstaedtia punctilobula, and Rumex acetosella (exotic). Woody species such as Rhododendron catawbiense, Pieris floribunda, Rubus canadensis, and Robinia hispida, may have sparse coverage in some occurrences.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Three plots from Roan Mountain were classified as this association in the Appalachian Trail project (Fleming and Patterson 2009a), although two of the plots capture shrublands (heath thickets) with dense Carex below, or heath bald / grass bald transition areas. Species with a 100% constancy in the three plots include Acer rubrum, Carex debilis var. rudgei, Carex pensylvanica, Dennstaedtia punctilobula, Ilex montana, Picea rubens, Prunus pensylvanica, and Vaccinium simulatum.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This grassland is dominated by Carex pensylvanica. Associated species include Carex debilis, Polytrichum commune, Helenium autumnale, Danthonia compressa, Sibbaldiopsis tridentata, Fragaria virginiana, Ageratina altissima var. roanensis, Angelica triquinata, Oclemena acuminata (= Aster acuminatus), Bromus pubescens, Dennstaedtia punctilobula, and Rumex acetosella (exotic). Woody species, such as Rhododendron catawbiense, Pieris floribunda, Rubus canadensis, and Robinia hispida, may have sparse coverage in some occurrences.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: Montane grasslands over 1220 m (4000 feet) elevation in the southern Appalachian Mountains.
Geographic Range: This community is known from the highest elevations of the southern Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: NC, TN
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.683914
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G1
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 2 Shrub & Herb Vegetation Class | C02 | 2 |
| Subclass | 2.B Temperate & Boreal Grassland & Shrubland Subclass | S18 | 2.B |
| Formation | 2.B.2 Temperate Grassland & Shrubland Formation | F012 | 2.B.2 |
| Division | 2.B.2.Nc Eastern North American Grassland & Shrubland Division | D024 | 2.B.2.Nc |
| Macrogroup | 2.B.2.Nc.1 Catawba Rosebay / Michaux''s Saxifrage - Flattened Oatgrass Felsic & Mafic Scrub & Grassland Macrogroup | M506 | 2.B.2.Nc.1 |
| Group | 2.B.2.Nc.1.b Pennsylvania Sedge - Flattened Oatgrass - Shrubby Fivefingers Southern Appalachian Grass Bald Group | G657 | 2.B.2.Nc.1.b |
| Alliance | A2026 Pennsylvania Sedge - Flattened Oatgrass - Blue Ridge St. John''s-wort Grass Bald Alliance | A2026 | 2.B.2.Nc.1.b |
| Association | CEGL004094 Pennsylvania Sedge Grassland | CEGL004094 | 2.B.2.Nc.1.b |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Carex pensylvanica Herbaceous Vegetation (Fleming and Patterson 2009a)
< ID9a. Grass Bald (Allard 1990)
< ID9a. Grass Bald (Allard 1990)
- Allard, D. J. 1990. Southeastern United States ecological community classification. Interim report, Version 1.2. The Nature Conservancy, Southeast Regional Office, Chapel Hill, NC. 96 pp.
- Fleming, G. P., and K. D. Patterson. 2009a. A vegetation classification for the Appalachian Trail: Virginia south to Georgia. Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage. In-house analysis, March 2009.
- Fleming, Gary P. Personal communication. Ecologist, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage, Richmond, VA.
- Peet, R. K., T. R. Wentworth, M. P. Schafale, and A.S. Weakley. No date. Unpublished data of the North Carolina Vegetation Survey. University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.
- Schafale, M. P. 2012. Classification of the natural communities of North Carolina, 4th Approximation. North Carolina Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Recreation, Natural Heritage Program, Raleigh.
- Schafale, M. P., and A. S. Weakley. 1990. Classification of the natural communities of North Carolina. Third approximation. North Carolina Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Recreation, Natural Heritage Program, Raleigh. 325 pp.
- Southeastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Durham, NC.