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CEGL003725 Platanus occidentalis - Betula nigra / Cornus amomum / (Andropogon gerardii, Chasmanthium latifolium) Floodplain Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: American Sycamore - River Birch / Silky Dogwood / (Big Bluestem, Indian Woodoats) Floodplain Forest
Colloquial Name: Appalachian-Cumberland Sycamore - Birch Riverscour Woodland
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: These woodlands occur along high-energy Appalachian rivershores, such as along the New, Bluestone, and Gauley rivers in West Virginia. They maintain an open canopy due to mechanical disturbance (flooding and scouring). The coarse-textured substrates are potentially well-drained, but fluvial topography and proximity to the water table often result in a mixture of well-drained and poorly drained microsites. The usually short, open canopy is composed mostly of flood-battered trees, typically codominated by Platanus occidentalis and Betula nigra. The tallest trees are often the younger ones which have not yet been subjected to damage by severe floods. Additional important trees include Acer saccharinum, Acer rubrum, Carpinus caroliniana, Catalpa speciosa, Diospyros virginiana, Fraxinus americana, Fraxinus pennsylvanica, Nyssa sylvatica, Robinia pseudoacacia, Salix nigra, Ulmus americana, and Ulmus rubra. Tsuga canadensis is present in some sites along the Gauley River. Common shrubs include Alnus serrulata, Cephalanthus occidentalis, Chionanthus virginicus, Cornus amomum, Hypericum prolificum, Ilex verticillata, Lindera benzoin, Physocarpus opulifolius, Salix caroliniana, and Xanthorhiza simplicissima. The invasive exotic shrub Rosa multiflora is sometimes present. There is often a large component of woody vines in the short-shrub layer, including Campsis radicans, Toxicodendron radicans, and Vitis rupestris. The herb layer is composed of a mixture of warm-season grasses and forbs adapted to frequent flooding and high light exposure. Characteristic herbs include Andropogon gerardii, Apocynum cannabinum, Baptisia australis, Chasmanthium latifolium, Conoclinium coelestinum, Cryptotaenia canadensis, Deschampsia flexuosa, Dichanthelium clandestinum, Eupatorium fistulosum, Galium triflorum, Justicia americana, Lobelia cardinalis, Lysimachia ciliata, Onoclea sensibilis, Osmunda regalis var. spectabilis, Packera aurea, Packera paupercula, Panicum virgatum, Pilea pumila, Rudbeckia laciniata, Solidago gigantea, Solidago juncea, Solidago simplex var. racemosa, Solidago rugosa, Symphyotrichum prenanthoides, Tradescantia ohiensis, Trautvetteria caroliniensis, Tripsacum dactyloides, Verbesina alternifolia, and Viola cucullata. Exotic herbs which are common, usually in small amounts, include Prunella vulgaris, Plantago rugelii, Trifolium pratense, Melilotus officinalis, Lysimachia nummularia, and Coronilla varia.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Along the New River, this association is ecologically and floristically intermediate between ~Andropogon gerardii - Panicum virgatum - Baptisia australis Riverscour Wet Meadow (CEGL006283)$$, which is more open and occurs on sites which are more severely impacted by flooding, and ~Platanus occidentalis - Fraxinus pennsylvanica / Carpinus caroliniana / Verbesina alternifolia Floodplain Forest (CEGL006458)$$, which has a more closed canopy, usually lacking Betula nigra, and occurs on sites less severely impacted by flooding. It is also similar to ~Salix nigra - Betula nigra / Schoenoplectus pungens Riverscour Shrubland (CEGL006463)$$, which occurs on finer textured alluvium in riverside positions along lower energy reaches. Similar vegetation was described from the New River Gorge by Suiter (1995) as Platanus occidentalis - Betula nigra forest. Two phases of this association can be recognized along the Bluestone River and its tributaries. Stands on cobble and boulder substrate, which are subject to more frequent, higher energy floods, have more open canopies and relatively sparse herb layers with Andropogon gerardii prominent in late season. Stands on sand substrate, which are subject to less frequent, lower energy floods, have taller, more closed canopies, often dominated by Betula nigra, over lush, tall herb layers with abundant Dichanthelium clandestinum and Chasmanthium latifolium. The tough-rooted, flood-tolerant Carex emoryi often grows in a line along the riverside edge of this association, sometimes beyond the woodland canopy. These zones are included within the association concept presented here. Recent classification studies in the National Park Service National Capitol Region have shown this association to be distinct from similar vegetation in the Potomac drainage, which is classified as ~Platanus occidentalis - Betula nigra - Salix (caroliniana, nigra) Floodplain Forest (CEGL003896)$$.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This association is a deciduous woodland with a short, open canopy (10-70% cover) typically codominated by flood-battered Platanus occidentalis and Betula nigra. Additional important trees include Acer saccharinum, Acer rubrum, Carpinus caroliniana, Catalpa speciosa, Diospyros virginiana, Fraxinus americana, Fraxinus pennsylvanica, Nyssa sylvatica, Robinia pseudoacacia, Salix nigra, Ulmus americana, and Ulmus rubra. Tsuga canadensis is present in some sites along the Gauley River. The tallest trees are often the younger ones which have not yet been subjected to damage by severe floods. Common shrubs include Alnus serrulata, Cephalanthus occidentalis, Chionanthus virginicus, Cornus amomum, Hypericum prolificum, Ilex verticillata, Lindera benzoin, Physocarpus opulifolius, Salix caroliniana, and Xanthorhiza simplicissima. This association is the primary habitat for the threatened shrub Spiraea virginiana along the Gauley River. Some Gauley River sites have Kalmia latifolia, Rhododendron arborescens, and Vaccinium corymbosum, but heaths are not typical. The invasive exotic shrub Rosa multiflora is sometimes present. There is often a large component of woody vines in the short-shrub layer, including Campsis radicans, Toxicodendron radicans, and Vitis rupestris. The herb layer is composed of a mixture of warm-season grasses and forbs adapted to frequent flooding and high light exposure. Characteristic herbs include Andropogon gerardii, Apocynum cannabinum, Baptisia australis, Chasmanthium latifolium, Conoclinium coelestinum, Cryptotaenia canadensis, Deschampsia flexuosa, Dichanthelium clandestinum, Eupatorium fistulosum, Galium triflorum, Justicia americana, Lobelia cardinalis, Lysimachia ciliata, Onoclea sensibilis, Osmunda regalis var. spectabilis, Packera aurea, Packera paupercula, Panicum virgatum, Pilea pumila, Rudbeckia laciniata, Solidago gigantea, Solidago juncea, Solidago simplex var. racemosa, Solidago rugosa, Symphyotrichum prenanthoides, Tradescantia ohiensis, Trautvetteria caroliniensis, Tripsacum dactyloides, Verbesina alternifolia, and Viola cucullata. Exotic herbs which are common in small amounts include Prunella vulgaris, Plantago rugelii, Trifolium pratense, Melilotus officinalis, Lysimachia nummularia, and Coronilla varia. Plants tracked as rare in West Virginia by the Natural Heritage Program include Baptisia australis, Carex emoryi, Coreopsis pubescens var. robusta, Juncus dichotomus, Solidago simplex var. racemosa, Spiraea virginiana, Stachys tenuifolia, and Vitis rupestris. Vascular plant species richness in the 51 sampled plots in West Virginia ranges from 15 to 87 (mean = 49.5). The bryophyte layer is usually poorly developed; crustose lichens may occur on large rocks. Along the Gauley River, mosses in plots include Schistidium apocarpum, Grimmia laevigata, Climacium americanum, Bryoandersonia illecebra, and Sphagnum lescurii; lichens identified in plots include Coccocarpia palmicola and Dermatocarpon luridum.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: These woodlands occur along high-energy Appalachian rivershores, such as the New River in West Virginia. They maintain an open canopy due to mechanical disturbance (flooding and scouring). This association occurs as relatively continuous linear zones (sometimes in small patches), commonly on deposition bars, in positions that are subject to frequent high-energy flooding. These floods damage and remove trees, maintaining an open canopy. Variation in this community related to flooding frequency and intensity is expressed in sediment particle size, ranging from boulders and cobbles in areas subject to the most frequent, highest energy floods to stone-free silty sand in areas subject to less frequent, lower energy floods. There is no soil horizon development. These coarse-textured substrates are potentially well-drained, but fluvial topography and proximity to the water table often result in a mixture of well-drained and poorly drained microsites. Unvegetated ground cover is dominated by various mixtures of boulders, cobbles, and sand, with significant cover by coarse woody debris (flotsam) and standing water in some plots. Soil chemistry analyzed from 27 West Virginia plots indicates low levels of macronutrients (N, P, K) and organic matter, and high levels of several micronutrients (Fe, Mg, Mn, Zn, somewhat variable from site to site). Plots along the New River have soils with relatively high pH (mean = 6.73), while those along the Bluestone and Gauley rivers are more acidic (mean pH = 5.6 and 5.3, respectively). Slopes range from level to steep but are generally gentle. Known elevations range from 207 to 485 m (670-1575 feet).
Geographic Range: This type is currently documented from high-energy Appalachian rivers, such as the New, Bluestone, and Gauley rivers in West Virginia. Its range may include some of western Virginia as well.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: WV
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.685143
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G3
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.3 Temperate Flooded & Swamp Forest Formation | F026 | 1.B.3 |
| Division | 1.B.3.Na Eastern North American-Great Plains Flooded & Swamp Forest Division | D011 | 1.B.3.Na |
| Macrogroup | 1.B.3.Na.1 Silver Maple - American Sycamore - Hackberry species Floodplain Forest Macrogroup | M029 | 1.B.3.Na.1 |
| Group | 1.B.3.Na.1.b <i>Acer saccharinum - Platanus occidentalis - Liquidambar styraciflua</i> Floodplain Forest Group | G673 | 1.B.3.Na.1.b |
| Alliance | A3699 River Birch - American Sycamore Appalachian-Piedmont Floodplain Forest Alliance | A3699 | 1.B.3.Na.1.b |
| Association | CEGL003725 American Sycamore - River Birch / Silky Dogwood / (Big Bluestem, Indian Woodoats) Floodplain Forest | CEGL003725 | 1.B.3.Na.1.b |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Betula nigra - Platanus occidentalis / Xanthorhiza simplicissima woodland (Walton and Anderson 1997)
= Platanus occidentalis - Betula nigra / Cornus amomum riparian woodland (Vanderhorst 2001b)
? Platanus occidentalis - Betula nigra forest (Suiter 1995)
= Platanus occidentalis - Betula nigra / Cornus amomum riparian woodland (Vanderhorst 2001b)
? Platanus occidentalis - Betula nigra forest (Suiter 1995)
- Mitchem, D. O. 2004. Characterization of the vegetation and soils of the forest communities at Camp Brookside in Summers County, West Virginia. Major paper, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg.
- Southeastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Durham, NC.
- Suiter, D. W. 1995. The vascular flora, rare species and plant migrations of New River Gorge National River, West Virginia. Master''s thesis, Marshal University, Huntington, WV. 174 pp.
- Vanderhorst, J. 2000b. Plant communities of Harper''s Ferry National Historical Park: Analysis, characterization, and mapping. West Virginia Natural Heritage Program, West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, Elkins, WV. 37 pp.
- Vanderhorst, J. 2001b. Plant communities of the New River Gorge National River, West Virginia: Northern and southern thirds. Non-game Wildlife and Natural Heritage Program, West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. Elkins. 146 pp.
- Vanderhorst, J. P., B. P. Streets, J. Jeuck, and S. C. Gawler. 2008. Vegetation classification and mapping of Bluestone National Scenic River, West Virginia. Technical Report NPS/NER/NRTR--2008/106. National Park Service, Philadelphia, PA.
- Vanderhorst, J. P., B. P. Streets, Z. Arcaro, and S. C. Gawler. 2010. Vegetation classification and mapping at Gauley River National Recreation Area. Technical Report NPS/NER/NRTR--2010/148. National Park Service, Philadelphia, PA.
- Vanderhorst, J. P., J. Jeuck, and S. C. Gawler. 2007. Vegetation classification and mapping of New River Gorge National River, West Virginia. Technical Report NPS/NER/NRTR-2007/092. National Park Service, Philadelphia, PA. 396 pp.
- Vanderhorst, Jim. Personal communication. Ecologist, West Virginia Natural Heritage Program, West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. Elkins, WV.
- WVNHP [West Virginia Natural Heritage Program]. No date. Unpublished data. West Virginia Natural Heritage Program, Elkins.
- Walton, D., and M. Anderson. 1997. Critical habitats and associated communities in the riparian zone of the Gauley River. West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, Natural Heritage Program, Elkins.