Print Report
CEGL002288 Ozark Chert Moist Cliff Vegetation
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Ozark Chert Moist Cliff Vegetation
Colloquial Name: Ozark Moist Chert Cliff
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This moist chert cliff community is found in the Ozarks region of the south-central United States. Stands occur on extremely steep to vertical rock exposures in crevices along bluffs or rock ledges in valleys. Aspect is northern and east. Soils are generally absent, except in crevices or on ledges. Moisture drains rapidly, but conditions may remain moist because of shading or extensive moss and lichen mats. Bedrock is chert or chert conglomerates. Overall vegetation is sparse, with the herbaceous layer less than 20%. Trees, when present, are scattered and limby. The herbaceous layer is dominated by ferns and spring ephemerals. Ferns include Asplenium trichomanes, Dryopteris marginalis, and Polypodium virginianum, and possibly Dryopteris goldieana. Forbs may include Mitella diphylla and Mitchella repens.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Concept of the type is taken from Missouri state classification - Moist Chert Cliff (Nelson 1985). Tim Nigh (pers. comm. 1996) has indicated that the name "Mitella diphylla - Mitchella repens - Dryopteris goldieana Chert Cliff" may well describe this type.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Overall vegetation is sparse, with the herbaceous layer less than 20%. Trees, when present, are scattered and limby. The herbaceous layer is dominated by ferns and spring ephemerals. Ferns include Asplenium trichomanes, Dryopteris marginalis, and Polypodium virginianum, and possibly Dryopteris goldieana (Nelson 1985). Forbs may include Mitella diphylla and Mitchella repens (Tim Nigh pers. comm. 1996).
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: Stands occur on extremely steep to vertical rock exposures in crevices along bluffs or rock ledges in valleys. Aspect is north and east. Soils are generally absent, except in crevices or on ledges. Moisture drains rapidly, but conditions may remain moist because of shading or extensive moss and lichen mats. Bedrock is chert or chert conglomerates (Nelson 1985).
Geographic Range: This moist chert cliff community is found in the Ozarks region of the south-central United States, particularly Missouri and Kansas.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: KS, MO
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.685238
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G2G3
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 6 Open Rock Vegetation Class | C06 | 6 |
| Subclass | 6.B Temperate & Boreal Open Rock Vegetation Subclass | S04 | 6.B |
| Formation | 6.B.1 Temperate & Boreal Cliff, Scree & Other Rock Vegetation Formation | F034 | 6.B.1 |
| Division | 6.B.1.Na Eastern North American Temperate Cliff, Scree & Rock Vegetation Division | D051 | 6.B.1.Na |
| Macrogroup | 6.B.1.Na.1 Shrubby Fivefingers - Rock Polypody / Cup Lichen species Eastern North American Cliff & Rock Vegetation Macrogroup | M111 | 6.B.1.Na.1 |
| Group | 6.B.1.Na.1.d Central Midwest-Interior Cliff & Rock Vegetation Group | G841 | 6.B.1.Na.1.d |
| Alliance | A3995 Ozark Acidic Cliff Alliance | A3995 | 6.B.1.Na.1.d |
| Association | CEGL002288 Ozark Chert Moist Cliff Vegetation | CEGL002288 | 6.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: = Chert Ozark Moist Cliff Sparse Vegetation (Faber-Langendoen 2001)
= Moist Chert Cliff (Nelson 1985)
= Moist Chert Cliff (Nelson 1985)
- Faber-Langendoen, D., editor. 2001. Plant communities of the Midwest: Classification in an ecological context. Association for Biodiversity Information, Arlington, VA. 61 pp. plus appendix (705 pp.).
- Lauver, C. L., K. Kindscher, D. Faber-Langendoen, and R. Schneider. 1999. A classification of the natural vegetation of Kansas. The Southwestern Naturalist 44:421-443.
- Leahy, Mike. Personal communication. Missouri Natural Heritage Database, Missouri Department of Conservation, Jefferson City.
- Midwestern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Minneapolis, MN.
- Nelson, P. 2010. The terrestrial natural communities of Missouri. Revised edition. Missouri Natural Areas Committee, Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Conservation, Jefferson City.
- Nelson, P. W. 1985. The terrestrial natural communities of Missouri. Missouri Natural Areas Committee, Jefferson City. 197 pp. Revised edition, 1987.
- Nigh, Tim A. Personal communication. Ecologist, Missouri Conservation Commission, Jefferson City.