Print Report

CEGL006145 Prunus serotina - Sassafras albidum - Amelanchier canadensis - Quercus velutina / Smilax rotundifolia Forest

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Black Cherry - Sassafras - Canadian Serviceberry - Black Oak / Roundleaf Greenbrier Forest

Colloquial Name: Northeastern Maritime Forest

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This maritime forest community of the North Atlantic Coast ecoregion occurs on sheltered backdunes, bluffs, or more interior coastal areas not directly influenced by overwash but affected by salt spray and wind-pruning. Vegetation in these sheltered areas is sometimes referred to as "sunken forest." This name refers to the topographic position of these examples, which are found in large depressions, lower in elevation (by 1-3 m) than the interdunes. These examples are shielded from strong prevailing winds and salt spray, which permits lush growth of broadleaf shrub and vine species. Soils are coarse, well-drained sand subject to considerable shifting during coastal storms, or till and sand deposits of terminal moraines. Physiognomy is variable and ranges from closed-canopy forest to open woodland to dense tall shrubland, and may be more accurately called scrub. Trees found in this community are usually stunted and flat-topped; the canopy may be only 3-7 m tall. Dominant trees vary locally and include Prunus serotina, Sassafras albidum, and Amelanchier canadensis, with admixtures of Celtis occidentalis, Quercus velutina, Pinus rigida, Juniperus virginiana, Acer rubrum, Amelanchier stolonifera, and in southern occurrences Quercus coccinea, Quercus falcata, Liquidambar styraciflua, and Ilex opaca. Additional shrub species may also contribute substantially to the canopy and include Vaccinium corymbosum, Morella pensylvanica, Gaylussacia baccata, Viburnum recognitum, Viburnum dentatum, and Rosa virginiana. A true shrub layer is generally not present. Lianas are common and can be dense in the canopy or the ground layer; species include Parthenocissus quinquefolia, Toxicodendron radicans, Smilax rotundifolia, and Smilax glauca. The understory is generally sparse with tree or vine seedlings plus herbaceous species, including Aralia nudicaulis, Moehringia lateriflora, Maianthemum stellatum, and Maianthemum canadense. Several invasive species can be prevalent in this association, including Lonicera morrowii, Lonicera japonica, Ligustrum vulgare, Berberis vulgaris, and Celastrus orbiculatus.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: ~Prunus serotina / Morella cerifera / Smilax rotundifolia Scrub Forest (CEGL006319)$$ is the southern analog of this association and is differentiated by having species of more southern affinity such as Morella cerifera and Pinus taeda. This association is floristically similar to ~Amelanchier canadensis - Viburnum spp. - Morella pensylvanica Scrub Forest (CEGL006379)$$, which is a successional type.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available

Floristics: This association is generally a maritime forest or scrub forest, although physiognomy can vary considerably. Trees found in this community are usually stunted and flat-topped; the canopy may be only 3-7 m tall. Dominant trees vary locally but often include Prunus serotina, Sassafras albidum, and Amelanchier canadensis, with admixtures of Celtis occidentalis, Quercus velutina, Pinus rigida, Juniperus virginiana, Acer rubrum, Amelanchier stolonifera, and in southern occurrences Quercus coccinea, Quercus falcata, Liquidambar styraciflua, and/or Ilex opaca. Additional shrub species may also contribute substantially to the canopy and include Vaccinium corymbosum, Morella pensylvanica (= Myrica pensylvanica), Gaylussacia baccata, Prunus maritima, Viburnum recognitum, Viburnum dentatum, and Rosa virginiana. A true shrub layer is generally not present. Lianas are common and can be dense in the canopy or in the ground layer; species include Parthenocissus quinquefolia, Toxicodendron radicans, Smilax rotundifolia, and Smilax glauca. The understory is generally sparse with tree or vine seedlings plus herbaceous species, including Aralia nudicaulis, Moehringia lateriflora (= Arenaria lateriflora), Maianthemum stellatum (= Smilacina stellata) and Maianthemum canadense. Several invasive species can be prevalent in this association, including Lonicera morrowii, Lonicera japonica, Ligustrum vulgare, Berberis vulgaris, and Celastrus orbiculatus. The regionally uncommon species Tilia americana var. heterophylla has been reported from one occurrence (Svenson 1970).

Dynamics:  This association occupies a transitional zone between dune grasslands or low dune shrublands and maritime forest. Physiognomy is highly variable depending on degree of exposure to wind and salt spray and depending on the overall height of the surrounding dunes.
Environmental Description:  This association occurs most often on stabilized backdunes, generally leeward of secondary dunes or in protected hollows. It also occurs on bluffs or in more interior coastal areas. It is subject to varying degrees of wind and salt spray. Soils are coarse, well-drained sand subject to considerable shifting during coastal storms, or till and sand deposits of terminal moraines.
Geographic Range: The range of this community (estimated at 400 square km) is from southern New Hampshire to Delaware but is restricted to the coast.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  CT, DE, MA, ME?, NH, NJ, NY, RI


Confidence Level: Moderate

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G2G3

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.c Pitch Pine - American Beech / Northern Bayberry Maritime Forest Group G893 1.B.2.Na.9.c
Alliance A0237 Black Cherry - Serviceberry species - Eastern Red-cedar Maritime Scrub Forest Alliance A0237 1.B.2.Na.9.c
Association CEGL006145 Black Cherry - Sassafras - Canadian Serviceberry - Black Oak / Roundleaf Greenbrier Forest CEGL006145 1.B.2.Na.9.c
Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: > High dune thicket (Martin 1959b)
>< High mesic thicket (Martin 1959b)
> High xeric thicket (Martin 1959b)
? Maritime Forest, Dune Subtype, Deciduous Forest (Rawinski 1984a)
? SNE Maritime Forest on Dunes/Maritime Juniper Forest (Rawinski 1984a)
? SNE Maritime Forest on Uplands/Maritime Oak Forest (Rawinski 1984a) [also Coastal Forest.]
? SNE coastal rocky headland community (Rawinski 1984a)
? Scrub Forest (McDonnell 1979)
? Southern New England forest on dunes (Rawinski 1984a)
>< Successional Maritime Forest (Reschke 1990)
= Successional Maritime Forest (Sneddon and Zaremba 2004)
< Sunken Forest (Art 1987)
= Sunken forest (Dunlop and Crow 1985)
Concept Author(s): L.A. Sneddon

Author of Description: S.L. Neid, L.A. Sneddon, E. Largay

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 03-26-07
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