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CEGL006276 Betula populifolia / Schizachyrium scoparium - Ionactis linariifolius Ruderal Sparse Vegetation
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Gray Birch / Little Bluestem - Flaxleaf Whitetop Aster Ruderal Sparse Vegetation
Colloquial Name: Ruderal Inland Sand Barrens
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This inland sand barren community occurs in Kennebec County, Maine. One occurrence has been reported from Canterbury, New Hampshire. It occurs in inland areas where the soil is essentially pure shifting sand. Sands may form low shifting dunes or occur as a flat plain. In Maine, occurrences appear to be the result of land-use patterns that resulted in xeric sand barren associations nearly devoid of trees (e.g., overgrazing). The single New Hampshire example occurs on a 1.5 m to 1.8 m high point bar along the Merrimack River. The openness of this occurrence is presumably maintained by windblown shifting sand and intermittent flooding but the role of anthropogenic disturbance needs investigation. This community is primarily 90% sand with scattered vegetation. The characteristic species Schizachyrium scoparium, Betula populifolia, Ionactis linariifolius, Juncus greenei, Oenothera biennis, Pinus strobus and Quercus rubra are shared between the New Hampshire site and most of the Maine sites. The Maine occurrences also contain Populus tremuloides, Abies balsamea, Juniperus communis and Carex umbellata with high frequency. The New Hampshire occurrence contains Aristida basiramea, Digitaria cognata, Cyperus dentatus, Solidago bicolor, Dichanthelium clandestinum, Trichostema dichotomum and Bulbostylis capillaris, none of which are reported in the other occurrences.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Maine Natural Areas Program considers this type artifactual, resulting from overgrazing on sandy soils: interesting from a vegetation development standpoint, but not a state-significant target for natural feature conservation efforts. The Maine and the New Hampshire occurrences share many species but occur in slightly different geomorphic settings. They have been combined into one community type here, but further research may justify separation into two types. In New Hampshire this community is referred to as "inland dune community." Inland sand dunes of Rhode Island support a more southern flora but share several species with this community.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This community is primarily (90%) sand with bits of scattered vegetation. The characteristic species Schizachyrium scoparium, Betula populifolia, Ionactis linariifolius, Juncus greenei, Oenothera biennis, Pinus strobus, and Quercus rubra are shared between the New Hampshire site and most of the Maine sites. The Maine occurrences also contain Populus tremuloides, Abies balsamea, Juniperus communis, and Carex umbellata with high frequency. The New Hampshire occurrence also contains Aristida basiramea, Digitaria cognata, Cyperus dentatus, Solidago bicolor, Dichanthelium clandestinum, Trichostema dichotomum, and Bulbostylis capillaris, none of which are reported in the other occurrences. At least one occurrence contains Lycopodium sabinifolium, uncommon in Maine.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This community type occurs in inland areas where the soil is essentially pure shifting sand. Sands may form low shifting dunes or occur as a flat plain. In Maine, most occurrences appear to be the result of land-use patterns which resulted in xeric sand barren associations nearly devoid of trees. For example, at least one Maine occurrence is thought to have formed as a result of overgrazing. The single New Hampshire example occurs on a 1.5-m to 1.8-m high point bar along the Merrimack River. The openness of this occurrence is presumably maintained by windblown shifting sand and intermittent flooding, but the role of anthropogenic disturbance needs investigation.
Geographic Range: This community is known only from Kennebec County (and possibly Cumberland County), Maine. One occurrence has been reported from Canterbury, New Hampshire.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: ME, NH
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.684544
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNA
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.90 Orchardgrass - Canada Goldenrod - Multiflora Rose Eastern North American Ruderal Grassland & Shrubland | M123 | 2.B.2.Nc.90 |
| Group | 2.B.2.Nc.90.a Tall goldenrod - Kentucky Bluegrass - Stiff Dogwood Ruderal Meadow & Shrubland Group | G059 | 2.B.2.Nc.90.a |
| Alliance | A3934 Canada Bluegrass - Gray Goldenrod - Spotted Knapweed Ruderal Dry Meadow & Shrubland Alliance | A3934 | 2.B.2.Nc.90.a |
| Association | CEGL006276 Gray Birch / Little Bluestem - Flaxleaf Whitetop Aster Ruderal Sparse Vegetation | CEGL006276 | 2.B.2.Nc.90.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Betula populifolia / Schizachyrium scoparium - Ionactis linariifolius Sparse Vegetation (Rawinski 1987)
? Sparsely vegetated disturbed dunes (NAP pers. comm. 1998)
? Sparsely vegetated disturbed dunes (NAP pers. comm. 1998)
- Eastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boston, MA.
- Gawler, S. C. 2002. Natural landscapes of Maine: A guide to vegetated natural communities and ecosystems. Maine Natural Areas Program, Department of Conservation, Augusta, ME.
- Grossman, D. H., K. Lemon Goodin, and C. L. Reuss, editors. 1994. Rare plant communities of the conterminous United States: An initial survey. The Nature Conservancy. Arlington, VA. 620 pp.
- NAP [Northern Appalachian-Boreal Forest Working Group]. 1998. Northern Appalachian-Boreal Working group discussions. The Nature Conservancy, Boston, MA.
- Rawinski, T. J. 1987. Inland dunes/sand barrens of Maine: A preliminary report. Eastern Heritage Task Force, The Nature Conservancy, Boston, MA.