Print Report
CEGL005046 Pinus rigida / Vaccinium spp. - Gaylussacia baccata Woodland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Pitch Pine / Blueberry species - Black Huckleberry Woodland
Colloquial Name: Pitch Pine / Heath Barrens
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: These pitch pine - heath barrens occur on sandy glacial deposits at low elevations in New England and adjacent Canada. The soils are derived from glacial outwash or, less frequently, till, and are coarse, well-drained to excessively drained, nutrient-poor, and acidic. Sites generally have a history of periodic fire. The tree canopy ranges from sparse to partly open, and the understory features a well-developed low heath layer. Taller shrubs are sparse or absent. The herb and bryoid layers are of variable cover, and the ground cover is sparse needle litter and base sand. The open canopy is dominated by Pinus rigida with a variable mixture of associates, including Pinus strobus, Pinus resinosa, Quercus rubra, or Populus grandidentata. In the northern part of the range, Pinus banksiana or Picea rubens may also be present. A few scrub oaks (Quercus ilicifolia, Quercus prinoides) may be present as tall shrubs. The dwarf-shrub layer is comprised largely of heaths, including Vaccinium angustifolium, Vaccinium pallidum, Vaccinium myrtilloides, Gaylussacia baccata, and Kalmia angustifolia. The herbaceous layer often includes Pteridium aquilinum, Carex pensylvanica, Carex lucorum, Piptatheropsis pungens, Gaultheria procumbens, Aralia nudicaulis, Maianthemum canadense, Melampyrum lineare, Fragaria virginiana, Lysimachia quadrifolia, and Cypripedium acaule. The bryophyte layer is of variable cover and is characterized by Cladonia arbuscula, Cladonia pyxidata, Dicranum polysetum, Pleurozium schreberi, and Leucobryum glaucum. These barrens differ from the related ~Pinus rigida / Quercus ilicifolia / Piptatheropsis pungens Woodland (CEGL006203)$$ in their lack of a well-defined scrub oak shrub layer; they are also more likely to have Pinus strobus and/or Pinus resinosa as a canopy associate.
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: The tree canopy ranges from sparse to partly open, and the understory features a well-developed low heath layer. Taller shrubs are sparse or absent. The herb and bryoid layers are of variable cover, and the ground cover is sparse needle litter and base sand. The open canopy is dominated by Pinus rigida with a variable mixture of associates, including Pinus strobus, Pinus resinosa, Quercus rubra, or Populus grandidentata. In the northern part of the range, Pinus banksiana or Picea rubens may also be present. A few scrub oaks (Quercus ilicifolia, Quercus prinoides) may be present as tall shrubs. The dwarf-shrub layer is comprised largely of heaths, including Vaccinium angustifolium, Vaccinium pallidum, Vaccinium myrtilloides, Gaylussacia baccata, and Kalmia angustifolia. The herbaceous layer often includes Pteridium aquilinum, Carex pensylvanica and/or Carex lucorum, Piptatheropsis pungens (= Oryzopsis pungens), Gaultheria procumbens, Aralia nudicaulis, Maianthemum canadense, Melampyrum lineare, Fragaria virginiana, Lysimachia quadrifolia, and Cypripedium acaule. The bryophyte layer is of variable cover and is characterized by Cladonia arbuscula (= Cladina sylvatica), Cladonia pyxidata, Dicranum polysetum, Pleurozium schreberi, and Leucobryum glaucum.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: These pitch pine - heath barrens occur on sandy glacial deposits at low elevations in New England and adjacent Canada. The soils are derived from glacial outwash or, less frequently, till, and are coarse, well-drained to excessively drained, nutrient-poor, and acidic. Sites generally have a history of periodic fire.
Geographic Range: This association occurs at low elevations in New England and adjacent Canada.
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: CT, MA, ME, NH, NY, ON, QC?, RI, VT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.684099
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.9 Pitch Pine - oak spp. - American Holly North Atlantic Forest Macrogroup | M525 | 1.B.2.Na.9 |
| Group | 1.B.2.Na.9.a Pitch Pine Barrens Group | G161 | 1.B.2.Na.9.a |
| Alliance | A4468 Pitch Pine Inland Sandy Woodland Alliance | A4468 | 1.B.2.Na.9.a |
| Association | CEGL005046 Pitch Pine / Blueberry species - Black Huckleberry Woodland | CEGL005046 | 1.B.2.Na.9.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: ? New England pitch pine/scrub oak barrens (Rawinski 1984a)
? Pitch pine-heath barrens (NAP pers. comm. 1998)
? Pitch pine-heath barrens (NAP pers. comm. 1998)
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