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CEGL004392 Asplenium montanum - Heuchera parviflora var. parviflora - Silene rotundifolia Cliff Sparse Vegetation
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Mountain Spleenwort - Little-flower Alumroot - Roundleaf Catchfly Cliff Sparse Vegetation
Colloquial Name: Cumberland Plateau Sandstone Cliff (Dry Type)
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This community occurs on relatively dry, exposed vertical sandstone cliffs in the Cumberland Plateau of Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia, Georgia, and Alabama. Vegetation consists of scattered individuals of Asplenium montanum, Silene rotundifolia, and other species rooted in crevices and erosion pockets. In some parts its range, this community is the primary or sole habitat for rare endemic species, such as Minuartia cumberlandensis. The vegetation is generally very sparse, owing to rock characteristics. Occasional well-developed crevices and seepages with more moisture and soil development are the primary locations where most vascular plants occur. Heuchera parviflora var. parviflora, Silene rotundifolia, Asplenium montanum, Asplenium bradleyi, Mitchella repens, Kalmia latifolia, and Decumaria barbara are primary species present.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This type can co-occur with ~Osmunda cinnamomea - Rhynchospora capitellata - Thalictrum mirabile Cumberland Seepage Cliff Vegetation (CEGL008432)$$ on a given cliff. In general this association (CEGL004392) occurs at the uppermost 1/3 of the cliff exposures, while CEGL008432 occurs at lower, more shaded portions.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: The vegetation is generally very sparse, owing to rock characteristics. Occasional well-developed crevices and seepages with more moisture and soil development are the primary locations where most vascular plants occur. Heuchera parviflora var. parviflora, Silene rotundifolia, Asplenium montanum, Asplenium bradleyi, Mitchella repens, Kalmia latifolia, Decumaria barbara are primary species present (NatureServe Ecology unpubl. data). Locally, seepages may support Osmunda cinnamomea, Woodwardia areolata, and Itea virginica. Because these seepage areas are of very small size, they are included within the concept of this type. Asplenium montanum is a characteristic species in stands of this type, although it may not have high cover and will not necessarily even be present. Heuchera parviflora and Silene rotundifolia are equally characteristic and diagnostic.
Dynamics: This community is apparently stable over time, though individual crevices and seepages supporting plants may be affected by extended drought, rock fall, or sloughing.
Environmental Description: This community occurs on relatively dry, exposed portions of vertical sandstone cliffs in the Cumberland Plateau of Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia, Georgia, and Alabama. These cliffs tend to be massive, but largely shaded by tall trees rooted at their bases and may be exposed to full sun for a maximum of 30-40% of days. On a given cliff this community may be considered the matrix type that typically develops along the upper 1/3 of the vertical surface and lower if seepage is lacking; it is far more common than related moist cliff communities of the region (A. Schotz pers. comm.). The cliff''s geometry (few crevices capable of accumulating soil), chemistry (generally highly acid), and erosion (cementing compounds being dissolved and sand particles eroding) create harsh growing conditions; vascular plants, lichens, and nonvascular plants are all infrequent.
Geographic Range: This association occurs in a limited area of the Cumberland Plateau of northern Alabama, northwestern Georgia, eastern Kentucky, eastern Tennessee, and possibly southwestern Virginia
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AL, GA, KY, TN, VA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.684075
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G3G4
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 6 Open Rock Vegetation Class | C06 | 6 |
| Subclass | 6.B Temperate & Boreal Open Rock Vegetation Subclass | S04 | 6.B |
| Formation | 6.B.1 Temperate & Boreal Cliff, Scree & Other Rock Vegetation Formation | F034 | 6.B.1 |
| Division | 6.B.1.Na Eastern North American Temperate Cliff, Scree & Rock Vegetation Division | D051 | 6.B.1.Na |
| Macrogroup | 6.B.1.Na.1 Shrubby Fivefingers - Rock Polypody / Cup Lichen species Eastern North American Cliff & Rock Vegetation Macrogroup | M111 | 6.B.1.Na.1 |
| Group | 6.B.1.Na.1.c Appalachian Cliff & Rock Vegetation Group | G840 | 6.B.1.Na.1.c |
| Alliance | A2071 Appalachian Acidic Cliff Alliance | A2071 | 6.B.1.Na.1.c |
| Association | CEGL004392 Mountain Spleenwort - Little-flower Alumroot - Roundleaf Catchfly Cliff Sparse Vegetation | CEGL004392 | 6.B.1.Na.1.c |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: < Dry Sandstone Cliff (Evans 1991)
= Sandstone Cliffs and Rockhouses (Schmalzer and DeSelm 1982)
= Sandstone Cliffs and Rockhouses (Schmalzer and DeSelm 1982)
- Evans, M. 1991. Kentucky ecological communities. Draft report to the Kentucky Nature Preserves Commission. 19 pp.
- Evans, M., B. Yahn, and M. Hines. 2009. Natural communities of Kentucky 2009. Kentucky Nature Preserves Commission, Frankfort, KY. 22 pp.
- Fleming, G. P., K. D. Patterson, and K. Taverna. 2017. The natural communities of Virginia: A classification of ecological community groups and community types. Third approximation. Version 3.0. Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage, Richmond, VA. [http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/natural-heritage/natural-communities/]
- GNHP [Georgia Natural Heritage Program]. 2018. Unpublished data. Georgia Natural Heritage Program, Wildlife Resources Division, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Social Circle.
- NatureServe Ecology - Southeastern United States. No date. Unpublished data. NatureServe, Durham, NC.
- Schmalzer, P. A., and H. R. DeSelm. 1982. Vegetation, endangered and threatened plants, critical plant habitats and vascular flora of the Obed Wild and Scenic River. Unpublished report. USDI National Park Service, Obed Wild and Scenic River. 2 volumes. 369 pp.
- Schotz, A., M. Hall, and R. D. White, Jr. 2006. Vascular plant inventory and ecological community classification for Russell Cave National Monument. NatureServe, Durham, NC. 108 pp.
- Schotz, Al. Personal communication. Community Ecologist. Alabama Natural Heritage Program. Montgomery, AL.
- Southeastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Durham, NC.