Print Report
CEGL006155 Vaccinium uliginosum - Harrimanella hypnoides - Loiseleuria procumbens Dwarf-shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Bog Blueberry - Mossplant - Alpine-azalea Dwarf-shrubland
Colloquial Name: Alpine Heath Snowbank
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This alpine heath snowbank community occurs at the higher elevations above treeline in alpine regions of the northern New England Appalachians. It is most typical just below the rims of alpine cirques or over the brow of alpine cliffs, where significant snow accumulates on the lee side of rocks and ledges, and is the last snow to melt in the spring. Elevations are above 1400 m (4600 feet). Soils are moderately well-drained, but thin and gravelly. The dwarf-shrub layer is dominant, with 65-90% cover. Herbs are scattered in openings among the shrubs, and may be locally abundant on rock shelves. Dominant species include the dwarf-shrubs Vaccinium cespitosum, Vaccinium uliginosum, Ledum groenlandicum, and Empetrum nigrum. Particularly characteristic, although not necessarily dominant, are Harrimanella hypnoides, Phyllodoce caerulea, and Loiseleuria procumbens. Important herbs include Deschampsia flexuosa, Carex bigelowii, and Solidago macrophylla. Lower-elevation herbs may also be present here, including Maianthemum canadense and Cornus canadensis. The particular setting and the presence of alpine species Harrimanella hypnoides, Loiseleuria procumbens, and Phyllodoce caerulea differentiate this community from other alpine heathlands and krummholz communities.
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 dwarf-shrub layer is dominant, with 65-90% cover. Herbs are scattered in openings among the shrubs, and may be locally abundant on rock shelves. Dominant species include the dwarf-shrubs Vaccinium cespitosum, Vaccinium uliginosum, Ledum groenlandicum, and Empetrum nigrum. Particularly characteristic, although not necessarily dominant, are Harrimanella hypnoides, Phyllodoce caerulea, and Loiseleuria procumbens. Important herbs include Deschampsia flexuosa, Carex bigelowii, and Solidago macrophylla. Lower-elevation herbs may also be present here, including Maianthemum canadense and Cornus canadensis.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This alpine heath snowbank community occurs at the higher elevations above treeline in alpine regions of the northern New England Appalachians. It is most typical just below the rims of alpine cirques or over the brow of alpine cliffs, where significant snow accumulates on the lee side of rocks and ledges, and is the last snow to melt in the spring. Elevations are above 1400 m (4600 feet). Soils are moderately well-drained, but thin and gravelly.
Geographic Range: This alpine heath snowbank community occurs at high elevations in alpine regions of the northern New England.
Nations: CA?,US
States/Provinces: ME, NH, NY, QC?
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.684923
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G2G3
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 4 Polar & High Montane Scrub, Grassland & Barrens Class | C04 | 4 |
| Subclass | 4.B Temperate to Polar Alpine & Tundra Vegetation Subclass | S12 | 4.B |
| Formation | 4.B.1 Temperate & Boreal Alpine Tundra Formation | F037 | 4.B.1 |
| Division | 4.B.1.Na Eastern North American Alpine Tundra Division | D042 | 4.B.1.Na |
| Macrogroup | 4.B.1.Na.1 Eastern North American Alpine Tundra Macrogroup | M131 | 4.B.1.Na.1 |
| Group | 4.B.1.Na.1.d <i>Vaccinium uliginosum - Diapensia lapponica - Carex bigelowii</i> Temperate Alpine Tundra Group | G909 | 4.B.1.Na.1.d |
| Alliance | A1116 Bog Blueberry - Mixed Alpine Heath Alliance | A1116 | 4.B.1.Na.1.d |
| Association | CEGL006155 Bog Blueberry - Mossplant - Alpine-azalea Dwarf-shrubland | CEGL006155 | 4.B.1.Na.1.d |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: < Snowbank (Bliss 1963)
- Bliss, L. C. 1963. Alpine plant communities of the Presidential Range, New Hampshire. Ecology 44:678-697.
- Eastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boston, MA.
- Edinger, G. J., D. J. Evans, S. Gebauer, T. G. Howard, D. M. Hunt, and A. M. Olivero, editors. 2014a. Ecological communities of New York state. Second edition. A revised and expanded edition of Carol Reschke''s ecological communities of New York state. New York Natural Heritage Program, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Albany, NY.
- 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.
- Gawler, S. C., and A. Cutko. 2010. Natural landscapes of Maine: A classification of vegetated natural communities and ecosystems. Maine Natural Areas Program, Department of Conservation, Augusta.
- Sperduto, D. D., and C. V. Cogbill. 1999. Alpine and subalpine vegetation of the White Mountains, New Hampshire. New Hampshire Natural Heritage Inventory, Concord, NH. 25 pp. plus figures.
- Sperduto, D. D., and W. F. Nichols. 2004. Natural communities of New Hampshire: A guide and classification. New Hampshire Natural Heritage Bureau, DRED Division of Forests and Lands, Concord. 242 pp.