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CEGL004990 (Quercus montana) / Vaccinium pallidum / Schizachyrium scoparium - Danthonia spicata / Cladonia spp. Scrub Grassland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: (Chestnut Oak) / Blue Ridge Blueberry / Little Bluestem - Poverty Oatgrass / Cup Lichen species Scrub Grassland
Colloquial Name: Low-Elevation Acidic Glade (Grass Type)
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This type is found on gently to moderately sloping outcrops of felsic rocks with irregular or undulating surfaces but few crevices, and is characterized predominantly by graminoids and low shrubs in fairly shallow soil mats. It includes drier examples where Schizachyrium scoparium, Danthonia spp., or other dry-site grasses predominate. This community is distinguished by the predominance of somewhat deeper soil mats, capable of supporting grasses. Grassy mats and low-shrub patches are prominent, but lichen-covered bare rock and thin mats dominated by Selaginella spp. are often present. Trees may be dispersed throughout the community. This type is similar to a granitic dome, but it has more soil, less exposed bedrock, and the vegetation is more stable
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Occurrences are found throughout the Southern Blue Ridge and on mountain-like outliers in the upper Piedmont, including Crowders Mountain State Park and Hanging Rock State Park in North Carolina (M. Schafale pers. comm.). A good example of this type was observed in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park occurring on an exposure of outcropped slate. It also occurs in the Nantahala National Forest and also possibly in the Pisgah National Forest. This association is distinguished from Low Elevation Mafic (or Basic) Glades (CEGL004991) by the absence of plant species characteristic of higher pH conditions, such as Hylotelephium telephioides (= Sedum telephioides), Dodecatheon meadia, Sedum glaucophyllum, Cheilanthes lanosa, Arabis laevigata, and Penstemon canescens. This type is also distinguished from Low Elevation Rocky Summits (CEGL004524, CEGL004989) by having few crevices and having abundant grassy mats and low-shrub mats in shallow soil but relatively few forbs or woody plants rooted in crevices. This type is also distinguished from the Biltmore Sedge Type (CEGL004523) by having grassy mats predominantly consisting of Schizachyrium scoparium, Danthonia spicata, or other dry-site grasses or herbs rather than Carex biltmoreana or other Carex spp.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Stands of this association are characterized predominantly by graminoids and low shrubs, but may have sparse to even moderate tree cover. In drier examples, Schizachyrium scoparium, Danthonia spp., and other dry-site grasses predominate. Low shrubs such as Vaccinium pallidum may be abundant. Lichen-covered bare rock and thin mats dominated by Selaginella spp. are also often present. Lichens may include Cladonia spp. Scattered trees most typically are Quercus montana (= Quercus prinus), but may be other oaks, or pines. In an example of this vegetation type observed in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the dominant grasses include Schizachyrium scoparium, Andropogon gerardii, and Sorghastrum nutans. In addition, Eurybia surculosa and Selaginella rupestris are prominent.
Dynamics: The soils and arrangement of bare rock and vegetation appear to be relatively stable in these communities, unlike the cyclic succession of short-lived vegetation mats in granitic dome communities. Nevertheless, the shallow soils presumably make them prone to drought-caused mortality and is a major reason they stay open. The vegetation is dense enough that fire is probably important under natural conditions. Lack of fire may have caused increased shrub and tree cover in some examples, and may lead to gradually reduced size of glades.
Environmental Description: This type, which is similar to granitic dome vegetation, occupies gently to steeply sloping outcrops of felsic or other metamorphic rock with irregular or undulating surfaces but few crevices. Examples are scattered in the Southern Blue Ridge, where granitic igneous or metamorphic rocks occur. It may occur on other kinds of substrates; for example, a site was observed in Great Smoky Mountains National Park on a steep exposure of slate at an elevation of 1100 m (3600 feet). Some outliers occur in the upper Piedmont of North Carolina. Examples may be physiognomically variable, with a mixture of fairly shallow soil mats dominated predominantly by graminoids and low shrubs, as well as with somewhat deeper-soil mats which are capable of supporting larger shrubs and trees. Lichen-covered bare rock and thin mats dominated by Selaginella spp. are often present but are less prominent than in granitic dome communities, while grassy mats and low-shrub patches are more prominent.
Geographic Range: This type is restricted to the Southern Blue Ridge of North Carolina and possibly South Carolina, and is also found on mountain-like locations in the upper Piedmont.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: NC, SC?
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.685204
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G2
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.1 Catawba Rosebay / Michaux''s Saxifrage - Flattened Oatgrass Felsic & Mafic Scrub & Grassland Macrogroup | M506 | 2.B.2.Nc.1 |
| Group | 2.B.2.Nc.1.d Wretched Sedge - Michaux''s Saxifrage - Highbush Blueberry Appalachian Rocky Outcrop Group | G670 | 2.B.2.Nc.1.d |
| Alliance | A3960 Chestnut Oak - Shortleaf Pine / Little Bluestem Scrub Alliance | A3960 | 2.B.2.Nc.1.d |
| Association | CEGL004990 (Chestnut Oak) / Blue Ridge Blueberry / Little Bluestem - Poverty Oatgrass / Cup Lichen species Scrub Grassland | CEGL004990 | 2.B.2.Nc.1.d |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Low Elevation Acidic Glade (Grass Subtype) (Schafale 2012)
- Govus, Tom. Personal communication. Ecologist. Ellijay, GA.
- NatureServe Ecology - Southeastern United States. No date. Unpublished data. NatureServe, Durham, NC.
- Peet, R. K., T. R. Wentworth, M. P. Schafale, and A.S. Weakley. No date. Unpublished data of the North Carolina Vegetation Survey. University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.
- 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.
- Schafale, M. P., and A. S. Weakley. 1990. Classification of the natural communities of North Carolina. Third approximation. North Carolina Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Recreation, Natural Heritage Program, Raleigh. 325 pp.
- Schafale, Mike P. Personal communication. Ecologist, 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.