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CEGL004779 Pallavicinia lyellii - Sphagnum sp. Cliff Vegetation
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Lyell''s Ribbonwort - Peatmoss species Cliff Vegetation
Colloquial Name: Mossy Coastal Plain Streamwall Vegetation
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This vegetation is found where seepage occurs through acidic clays on saturated, vertical to near-vertical, shaded exposures along large creeks in the Coastal Plain. Related vegetation is reported from Weches/Recklaw geology (which may have calcareous tendencies) in Texas and from the Ouachita Mountain Region of Arkansas. The wetter phase of this vegetation is dominated by Pallavicinia lyellii, Atrichum sp., Plagiomnium sp., Sphagnum sp., and other unidentified liverworts and mosses. An often evident zonation has the Sphagnum more prevalent near to the exposed top of the bank, and the Pallavicinia occupying the lower, more heavily shaded portion. Herbaceous vascular plants are scattered but not dominant; they include Symphyotrichum lateriflorum, Poa autumnalis, Mitchella repens, Viola x primulifolia, Osmunda cinnamomea, and Woodwardia areolata. This vegetation occurs on cutbanks of large creeks. Shrubs often arch over the banks from above, shading them for much of the day. Individual occurrences may continue along several hundred m of stream length on banks which are about 5 m high. The adjacent drier phase may occur on banks which receive greater insolation, or where the soils are of coarser texture. These areas are dominated almost entirely by the same Sphagnum sp. which forms a component of the wetter phase. Related vegetation reported from Weches/Recklaw geology of Texas may actually represent a distinct association.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Based on vegetation observed on acidic Miocene clays along Black Creek in the De Soto National Forest, Forest and Perry counties, Mississippi. Vegetation along the Little River and other deeply entrenched valleys in the North Carolina Sandhills Region appears to be the same type.
Similar occurrences have been observed along occasionally scoured banks of Colorow Creek, Sabine National Forest, Sabine County, Texas, and Mill Creek, Angelina National Forest, San Augustine County, Texas (R. Evans pers. comm.). Apparently due to scour episodes during infrequent high-gradient flows, large sheets of moss peel away from the substrate. All Texas examples seem to be heavily seepage influenced, with one example forming a slight overhanging drip wall. The Texas occurrences are found within a matrix of relatively species-rich, mesic hardwood slopes/ravines, in which Fagus grandifolia is a local dominant. These areas represent considerably more topographic relief than the regional norm; all appear to be linked to Weches/Recklaw geology (which may have calcareous tendencies). In addition, the stream channels themselves are locally unusual with rocky substrates and clear water. Some of the streambed cobbles (often tightly consolidated mudstone) support the same bryophytes and liverworts as the adjacent walls. Mosses tend to heavily dominate with much smaller patches of liverworts present. Osmunda cinnamomea and Athyrium filix-femina are the most frequently encountered ferns.
Similar occurrences have been observed along occasionally scoured banks of Colorow Creek, Sabine National Forest, Sabine County, Texas, and Mill Creek, Angelina National Forest, San Augustine County, Texas (R. Evans pers. comm.). Apparently due to scour episodes during infrequent high-gradient flows, large sheets of moss peel away from the substrate. All Texas examples seem to be heavily seepage influenced, with one example forming a slight overhanging drip wall. The Texas occurrences are found within a matrix of relatively species-rich, mesic hardwood slopes/ravines, in which Fagus grandifolia is a local dominant. These areas represent considerably more topographic relief than the regional norm; all appear to be linked to Weches/Recklaw geology (which may have calcareous tendencies). In addition, the stream channels themselves are locally unusual with rocky substrates and clear water. Some of the streambed cobbles (often tightly consolidated mudstone) support the same bryophytes and liverworts as the adjacent walls. Mosses tend to heavily dominate with much smaller patches of liverworts present. Osmunda cinnamomea and Athyrium filix-femina are the most frequently encountered ferns.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: The wetter phase of this vegetation is dominated by Pallavicinia lyellii, Atrichum sp., Plagiomnium sp., Sphagnum sp., and other unidentified liverworts and mosses. An often evident zonation has the Sphagnum more prevalent near to the exposed top of the bank, and the Pallavicinia occupying the lower, more heavily shaded portion. Herbaceous vascular plants are scattered but not dominant; they include Symphyotrichum lateriflorum (= Aster lateriflorus), Poa autumnalis, Mitchella repens, Viola x primulifolia, Osmunda cinnamomea, and Woodwardia areolata. In North Carolina, vascular plants include regionally rare Drosera rotundifolia, as well as Erigeron vernus, Xyris baldwiniana, Rhynchospora gracilenta, Sarracenia purpurea, Utricularia subulata, Mikania scandens, Triadenum virginicum, Lygodium palmatum, and Dichanthelium dichotomum var. ensifolium (= Dichanthelium ensifolium). Chamaecyparis thyoides and Kalmia latifolia often occur along the upper edge. The adjacent drier phase may occur on banks which receive greater insolation, or where the soils are of coarser texture. These areas are dominated almost entirely by the same Sphagnum sp. which forms a component of the wetter phase.
Dynamics: Undercutting of the banks by streamflow likely causes occasional sloughing of the bank face. This may be necessary for maintaining the open vegetation and limited soil development in these sites, but may potentially destroy portions by creating a more gently sloped site with deeper soil. Scouring by floodwaters periodically affects the lower parts of banks, and may be sufficient to maintain this community indefinitely.
Environmental Description: This vegetation is found where seepage occurs through acidic clays on saturated, vertical to near-vertical, shaded exposures along cutbanks of large creeks in the Coastal Plain. Shrubs often arch over the banks from above, shading them for much of the day. Individual occurrences may continue along several hundred meters of stream length on banks which are about 5 meters high. Banks up to 8 m high occur in North Carolina. Related vegetation is reported from Weches/Recklaw geology (which may have calcareous tendencies) in Texas (R. Evans pers. comm.).
Geographic Range: This association is found along rivers on the Coastal Plain of Texas, Mississippi and North Carolina (Little River, Black River, Rockfish Creek, Willis Creek) and may be widely distributed in other states of the Atlantic and Gulf coastal plains.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AL?, AR?, FL?, GA?, LA?, MS, NC, SC?, TX
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.684249
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G3
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.e Southeast Coastal Plain Cliff & Rock Vegetation Group | G842 | 6.B.1.Na.1.e |
| Alliance | A3996 Southeast Coastal Plain Cliff Alliance | A3996 | 6.B.1.Na.1.e |
| Association | CEGL004779 Lyell''s Ribbonwort - Peatmoss species Cliff Vegetation | CEGL004779 | 6.B.1.Na.1.e |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
- Evans, Rob. Personal communication. Regional Ecologist, Plant Conservation Program, North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Raleigh, NC.
- GNHP [Georgia Natural Heritage Program]. 2018. Unpublished data. Georgia Natural Heritage Program, Wildlife Resources Division, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Social Circle.
- Nelson, J. B. 1986. The natural communities of South Carolina: Initial classification and description. South Carolina Wildlife and Marine Resources Department, Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, Columbia, SC. 55 pp.
- 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.
- Southeastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Durham, NC.