Print Report
CEGL007139 Tsuga caroliniana / Kalmia latifolia - Rhododendron catawbiense Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Carolina Hemlock / Mountain Laurel - Catawba Rosebay Forest
Colloquial Name: Carolina Hemlock Forest (Typic Type)
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: These forests occur with canopies dominated by Tsuga caroliniana, without admixtures of Pinus species, although Quercus montana may be present as a minor component. Shrub strata tend to be dense and dominated by ericaceous species such as Kalmia latifolia, Rhododendron catawbiense, and Rhododendron minus. Other minor components may include Pinus virginiana, Pinus rigida, Pinus pungens, Nyssa sylvatica, and Quercus coccinea. Other characteristic species can include Xerophyllum asphodeloides, Eubotrys recurva, Polypodium appalachianum, Smilax rotundifolia. This forest occurs in the upper Piedmont and Southern Blue Ridge, on narrow ridges and upper north-facing rocky slopes.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Although no doubt a rare, small-patch community type in Virginia, additional examples are likely and should be sought. The long-term impact of hemlock woolly adelgid on Tsuga caroliniana needs systematic study. The role of fires in the ecology of Tsuga caroliniana communities is also unclear, since evidence of stand expansion following both following fires and periods of fire exclusion have been noted (Schafale and Weakley 1990). Rentch et al. (2000) found that Tsuga caroliniana dominating a site in Bottom Creek Gorge (Montgomery County, Virginia) was long-lived, very tolerant of drought stresses, and had reproduced episodically over the past 200 years. No evidence of fire is mentioned in this paper.
Six plots from Tennessee and Virginia were classified as this association in the Appalachian Trail classification project (Fleming and Patterson 2009a). These plot samples vary from the core association concept in that they have only moderate coverage (> 25%) by ericaceous shrubs and a mixed canopy with 10-75% cover by Tsuga caroliniana, with Quercus rubra, Quercus montana, and Quercus alba. The most constant species (>67%) in these plots, in order of descending constancy, are Tsuga caroliniana, Quercus rubra, Acer rubrum, Quercus montana, Quercus alba, Nyssa sylvatica, Betula lenta, Pinus strobus, Acer pensylvanicum, and Viburnum acerifolium.
Examples in North Carolina include Hickorynut Gorge, Linville Gorge, Hanging Rock State Park.
Six plots from Tennessee and Virginia were classified as this association in the Appalachian Trail classification project (Fleming and Patterson 2009a). These plot samples vary from the core association concept in that they have only moderate coverage (> 25%) by ericaceous shrubs and a mixed canopy with 10-75% cover by Tsuga caroliniana, with Quercus rubra, Quercus montana, and Quercus alba. The most constant species (>67%) in these plots, in order of descending constancy, are Tsuga caroliniana, Quercus rubra, Acer rubrum, Quercus montana, Quercus alba, Nyssa sylvatica, Betula lenta, Pinus strobus, Acer pensylvanicum, and Viburnum acerifolium.
Examples in North Carolina include Hickorynut Gorge, Linville Gorge, Hanging Rock State Park.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: These forests occur with canopies dominated by Tsuga caroliniana, without admixtures of Pinus species, although Quercus montana (= Quercus prinus) may be present as a minor component. Shrub strata tend to be dense and dominated by ericaceous species such as Kalmia latifolia, Rhododendron catawbiense, and Rhododendron minus. Other minor components may include Pinus virginiana, Pinus rigida, Pinus pungens, Nyssa sylvatica, and Quercus coccinea. Other characteristic species can include Xerophyllum asphodeloides, Eubotrys recurva (= Leucothoe recurva), Polypodium appalachianum, and Smilax rotundifolia.
Virginia stands are strongly dominated by Tsuga caroliniana, with Quercus montana the most important canopy associate. Quercus rubra, Quercus alba, several Pinus spp., Nyssa sylvatica, and Acer rubrum are minor canopy associates. Acer rubrum, Amelanchier arborea, and Sassafras albidum are common understory trees, while Rhododendron catawbiense, Kalmia latifolia, and Hamamelis virginiana are dominant shrubs. Additional shrubs include Pieris floribunda, Vaccinium pallidum, Rhododendron periclymenoides, and Gaylussacia baccata. The herb layer is generally sparse with scattered individuals or patches of Aralia nudicaulis, Carex pensylvanica, Chimaphila maculata, Cunila origanoides, and Hexastylis virginica. Species richness ranges from 12 to 19 taxa per 400 m2 (mean = 16).
Virginia stands are strongly dominated by Tsuga caroliniana, with Quercus montana the most important canopy associate. Quercus rubra, Quercus alba, several Pinus spp., Nyssa sylvatica, and Acer rubrum are minor canopy associates. Acer rubrum, Amelanchier arborea, and Sassafras albidum are common understory trees, while Rhododendron catawbiense, Kalmia latifolia, and Hamamelis virginiana are dominant shrubs. Additional shrubs include Pieris floribunda, Vaccinium pallidum, Rhododendron periclymenoides, and Gaylussacia baccata. The herb layer is generally sparse with scattered individuals or patches of Aralia nudicaulis, Carex pensylvanica, Chimaphila maculata, Cunila origanoides, and Hexastylis virginica. Species richness ranges from 12 to 19 taxa per 400 m2 (mean = 16).
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: Over the full range of this type, stands typically occur on narrow ridges and upper, north-facing rocky slopes. Four documented Virginia stands, including three plot-sampled by DCR-DNH ecologists and one studied intensively by Rentch et al. (2000), occurred at elevations from 591-1075 m (1940-3525 feet). Sites include a narrow spur ridge crest, one upper slope, and two middle slopes, with south, southwest, and north aspects. Slopes are strongly convex. Two sites have substantial surface cover of rocks (70% and 31%), while the other two sites have negligible rock cover. Soils are extremely acidic (mean pH = 3.8), with very low calcium and magnesium levels and high iron and aluminum levels.
Geographic Range: Tsuga caroliniana communities, in general, have a restricted range, occurring primarily in the Southern Blue Ridge, with scattered occurrences in the upper Piedmont and Ridge and Valley of North Carolina, Tennessee, South Carolina, and Virginia.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: NC, SC, TN, VA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.685244
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G2
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.2 Appalachian-Northeastern Oak - Hardwood - Pine Forest & Woodland Macrogroup | M502 | 1.B.2.Na.2 |
| Group | 1.B.2.Na.2.g Table Mountain Pine - Virginia Pine - Pitch Pine Woodland & Barrens Group | G905 | 1.B.2.Na.2.g |
| Alliance | A0144 Carolina Hemlock Woodland Alliance | A0144 | 1.B.2.Na.2.g |
| Association | CEGL007139 Carolina Hemlock / Mountain Laurel - Catawba Rosebay Forest | CEGL007139 | 1.B.2.Na.2.g |
Concept Lineage: The former Tsuga caroliniana - Quercus prinus / Rhododendron catawbiense Woodland (CEGL003773) was merged with this association.
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: ? Tsuga caroliniana / Kalmia latifolia - Rhododendron catawbiense Forest (Fleming and Coulling 2001)
< Eastern Hemlock: 23 (Eyre 1980) [presumably, although Carolina hemlock is not mentioned.]
< IA6g. Carolina Hemlock Bluff Forest (Allard 1990)
< Eastern Hemlock: 23 (Eyre 1980) [presumably, although Carolina hemlock is not mentioned.]
< IA6g. Carolina Hemlock Bluff Forest (Allard 1990)
- Allard, D. J. 1990. Southeastern United States ecological community classification. Interim report, Version 1.2. The Nature Conservancy, Southeast Regional Office, Chapel Hill, NC. 96 pp.
- Eyre, F. H., editor. 1980. Forest cover types of the United States and Canada. Society of American Foresters, Washington, DC. 148 pp.
- Fleming, G. P., K. D. Patterson, and K. Taverna. 2017. The natural communities of Virginia: A classification of ecological community groups and community types. Third approximation. Version 3.0. Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage, Richmond, VA. [http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/natural-heritage/natural-communities/]
- Fleming, G. P., and K. D. Patterson. 2009a. A vegetation classification for the Appalachian Trail: Virginia south to Georgia. Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage. In-house analysis, March 2009.
- Fleming, G. P., and P. P. Coulling. 2001. Ecological communities of the George Washington and Jefferson national forests, Virginia. Preliminary classification and description of vegetation types. Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage, Richmond, VA. 317 pp.
- Nelson, J. B. 1986. The natural communities of South Carolina: Initial classification and description. South Carolina Wildlife and Marine Resources Department, Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, Columbia, SC. 55 pp.
- 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.
- Rentch, J. S., H. S. Adams, R. B. Coxe, and S. L. Stephenson. 2000. An ecological study of a Carolina hemlock (Tsuga caroliniana) community in southwestern Virginia. Castanea 65(1):1-8.
- 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.
- Southeastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Durham, NC.
- TDNH [Tennessee Division of Natural Heritage]. 2018. Unpublished data. Tennessee Division of Natural Heritage, Nashville, TN.
- Weakley, A. S., L. A. Mehrhoff, III, and L. Mansberg. 1979. Natural area inventory--Master plan for Bluff Mountain, Ashe County, North Carolina. Unpublished report. The Nature Conservancy, North Carolina Field Office, Carrboro. 225 pp.