Print Report
CEGL006231 Quercus muehlenbergii - Cercis canadensis / Packera obovata - Lithospermum canescens Woodland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Chinquapin Oak - Eastern Redbud / Roundleaf Ragwort - Hoary Puccoon Woodland
Colloquial Name: Chinquapin Oak - Juniper Limestone Woodland
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This open calcareous glade occurs in the Central Appalachians in the Ridge and Valley of northeastern West Virginia, western Virginia, and in central southeastern Pennsylvania. The vegetation occurs on moderate slopes at elevations ranging from 400-730 m (1300-2400 feet). Slopes are typically south- or southwest-facing and about 20-30° but may be much steeper. Soils are shallow, dry, stony, calcareous loams derived from limestone or dolomite bedrock. Trees are generally widely spaced and relatively short (3-10 m). Quercus muehlenbergii is the dominant tree, with associates including Cercis canadensis, Juniperus virginiana, Celtis tenuifolia, Fraxinus americana, and Ostrya virginiana usually present. Shrubs are often of sparse cover but may include Rhus aromatica and Rosa tenuifolia?. Cornus florida may be a common woody associate in West Virginia and Pennsylvania. The herbaceous layer is patchy but may be quite diverse. Graminoids include Bouteloua curtipendula, Carex eburnea, Elymus hystrix, Carex pensylvanica, Poa compressa, Danthonia spicata. Associated forbs include Anemone virginiana, Symphyotrichum undulatum, Symphyotrichum oblongifolium, Asclepias verticillata, Houstonia longifolia, Penstemon hirsutus, Viola spp., Antennaria plantaginifolia, Phlox subulata, Lithospermum canescens, Cynoglossum officinale, Allium cernuum, Solidago ulmifolia, Solidago arguta var. harrisii, Packera obovata, Blephilia ciliata, Galium pilosum, Arabis lyrata, Heuchera americana, Draba ramosissima, Pycnanthemum incanum, Aquilegia canadensis, Helianthus divaricatus, Scutellaria ovata, Silene caroliniana ssp. pensylvanica, Sisyrinchium mucronatum, Minuartia michauxii, Euphorbia corollata, Paronychia montana, and Paronychia virginica.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Field survey of this vegetation and its cliff habitats can be a dangerous undertaking and many stands have not been thoroughly explored or plot-sampled. Most Virginia occurrences are small (0.1-1.0 ha ) but some exceed 4.0 ha (10 acres) on the more massive cliffs. This community type is distinct from prairie-like calcareous "barrens" occurring on steep hillslopes and dominated by warm-season perennial grasses (e.g., Schizachyrium scoparium, Andropogon gerardii, Bouteloua curtipendula, Sorghastrum nutans) with scattered woody scrub. These barrens are represented in western Virginia by two community types, neither of which is known to occur in the George Washington and Jefferson national forests.
At present, this type is a broadly defined unit that encompasses a variety of rocky calcareous habitats. Virginia stands of this vegetation have a strong restriction to cliffs and rocky escarpments, as well as a composition that differs somewhat from stands in other portions of the range. These differences are reflected in the State Name, which is more useful for field identification and descriptive purposes in Virginia. However, there is some compositional and environmental heterogeneity among the plot samples supporting our interpretation of this vegetation, with six plots representing strict cliff/outcrop vegetation on limestone and three plots representing clifftop habitats on dolomite. The latter subgroup has habitats with considerable areas of exposed mineral soil and has much higher mean species richness (n = 83 taxa per 400 m2 vs. 37 taxa per 100 m2). Additional data collection and analysis over the full geographic range and in Virginia is clearly warranted and will likely result in splitting of this type.
A Juniperus virginiana - Quercus muehlenbergii / Carex eburnea Woodland community identified by Fleming (1999) appears to be a segregate associated with xeric cliffs.
At present, this type is a broadly defined unit that encompasses a variety of rocky calcareous habitats. Virginia stands of this vegetation have a strong restriction to cliffs and rocky escarpments, as well as a composition that differs somewhat from stands in other portions of the range. These differences are reflected in the State Name, which is more useful for field identification and descriptive purposes in Virginia. However, there is some compositional and environmental heterogeneity among the plot samples supporting our interpretation of this vegetation, with six plots representing strict cliff/outcrop vegetation on limestone and three plots representing clifftop habitats on dolomite. The latter subgroup has habitats with considerable areas of exposed mineral soil and has much higher mean species richness (n = 83 taxa per 400 m2 vs. 37 taxa per 100 m2). Additional data collection and analysis over the full geographic range and in Virginia is clearly warranted and will likely result in splitting of this type.
A Juniperus virginiana - Quercus muehlenbergii / Carex eburnea Woodland community identified by Fleming (1999) appears to be a segregate associated with xeric cliffs.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Over most of the type''s range, Quercus muehlenbergii is the dominant tree, with associates including Cercis canadensis, Juniperus virginiana, Celtis tenuifolia, Fraxinus americana, and Ostrya virginiana usually present. Trees are generally widely spaced and relatively short (3-10 m). Shrubs often contribute sparse cover but may include Rhus aromatica and Rosa carolina. The herb layer is patchy but frequently quite diverse. Graminoids include Bouteloua curtipendula, Carex eburnea, Elymus hystrix, Carex pensylvanica, Poa compressa, and Danthonia spicata. Associated forbs include Anemone virginiana, Symphyotrichum undulatum (= Aster undulatus), Symphyotrichum oblongifolium (= Aster oblongifolius), Asclepias verticillata, Houstonia longifolia, Penstemon hirsutus, Viola spp., Antennaria plantaginifolia, Phlox subulata, Lithospermum canescens, Cynoglossum officinale, Allium cernuum, Solidago ulmifolia, Solidago arguta var. harrisii (= Solidago harrisii), Packera obovata (= Senecio obovatus), Blephilia ciliata, Galium pilosum, Arabis lyrata, Heuchera americana, Draba ramosissima, Pycnanthemum incanum, Aquilegia canadensis, Helianthus divaricatus, Scutellaria ovata, Silene caroliniana ssp. pensylvanica (= Silene pensylvanica), Sisyrinchium mucronatum, Minuartia michauxii (= Arenaria stricta), Euphorbia corollata, Paronychia montana, and Paronychia virginica.
Most plot-sampled Virginia stands form open to very sparse woodlands with stunted trees 6-10 m tall contributing 25-40% cover. Stands in the most stressful microhabitats often assume shrubland stature. Juniperus virginiana is the most abundant and characteristic woody species in both the small tree and shrub layers, with Quercus muehlenbergii and Quercus rubra more or less constant associates. Cercis canadensis and Ostrya virginiana are constant shrub associates, while Philadelphus hirsutus (hairy mock-orange) and Fraxinus quadrangulata (blue ash) are important shrubs at southern end of the range in the Cumberland Mountains. The herb layer is very open (usually <40% stratum cover), with low shrubs and vines such as Rhus aromatica, Parthenocissus quinquefolia, and Toxicodendron radicans contributing constant but low cover. Lithophytes prevail among herbaceous species; relatively constant and/or locally abundant herbs include Aquilegia canadensis, Asplenium resiliens, Carex eburnea, Carex pensylvanica, Draba ramosissima, Heuchera americana, Minuartia michauxii, Pellaea atropurpurea, Phlox subulata, Packera obovata, and Symphyotrichum oblongifolium. Exotic weeds are occasionally present in small numbers but do not thrive in the thin, rocky soils.
Most plot-sampled Virginia stands form open to very sparse woodlands with stunted trees 6-10 m tall contributing 25-40% cover. Stands in the most stressful microhabitats often assume shrubland stature. Juniperus virginiana is the most abundant and characteristic woody species in both the small tree and shrub layers, with Quercus muehlenbergii and Quercus rubra more or less constant associates. Cercis canadensis and Ostrya virginiana are constant shrub associates, while Philadelphus hirsutus (hairy mock-orange) and Fraxinus quadrangulata (blue ash) are important shrubs at southern end of the range in the Cumberland Mountains. The herb layer is very open (usually <40% stratum cover), with low shrubs and vines such as Rhus aromatica, Parthenocissus quinquefolia, and Toxicodendron radicans contributing constant but low cover. Lithophytes prevail among herbaceous species; relatively constant and/or locally abundant herbs include Aquilegia canadensis, Asplenium resiliens, Carex eburnea, Carex pensylvanica, Draba ramosissima, Heuchera americana, Minuartia michauxii, Pellaea atropurpurea, Phlox subulata, Packera obovata, and Symphyotrichum oblongifolium. Exotic weeds are occasionally present in small numbers but do not thrive in the thin, rocky soils.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This open calcareous glade occurs in the Central Appalachians in the Ridge and Valley of northeastern West Virginia, western Virginia, and in central southeastern Pennsylvania. The vegetation occurs on moderate slopes at elevations ranging from 400-730 m (1300-2400 feet). Slopes are typically south- or southwest-facing and about 20-30° but may be much steeper. Soils are shallow, dry, stony, calcareous loams derived from limestone or dolomite bedrock. Trees are generally widely spaced and relatively short (3-10 m).
Throughout the global range of this type, sites are located on limestone and dolomitic slopes at elevations ranging from <300-800 m (<1000-2600 feet). Soils are shallow, stony, calcareous loams and clay loams. In Virginia, this vegetation type is generally associated with exposed, xeric cliffs and other large outcrops of carbonate rock. Sites are typically on the upper portions or spur crests of sideslopes undercut by rivers or large streams. Slopes are predominantly and sometimes dramatically convex, with rugged, complex, and variable microtopography. Surface cover of exposed bedrock and loose stones is high (mean = 50%) in plot-sampled stands, with most plants rooted in crevices and on thin-soiled ledges. The surficial rock and associated edaphic stresses often limit both vegetation cover and species richness, which is comparatively low (n = 52) among community types on calcareous substrates. Soil samples collected from plots representing this type are circumneutral to moderately alkaline (mean pH = 7.2) with very high calcium levels (mean = 3127 ppm) and moderately to very high magnesium levels (mean = 559 ppm). Periodic drought stress appears to result in occasional mortality of trees and shrubs in these habitats.
Throughout the global range of this type, sites are located on limestone and dolomitic slopes at elevations ranging from <300-800 m (<1000-2600 feet). Soils are shallow, stony, calcareous loams and clay loams. In Virginia, this vegetation type is generally associated with exposed, xeric cliffs and other large outcrops of carbonate rock. Sites are typically on the upper portions or spur crests of sideslopes undercut by rivers or large streams. Slopes are predominantly and sometimes dramatically convex, with rugged, complex, and variable microtopography. Surface cover of exposed bedrock and loose stones is high (mean = 50%) in plot-sampled stands, with most plants rooted in crevices and on thin-soiled ledges. The surficial rock and associated edaphic stresses often limit both vegetation cover and species richness, which is comparatively low (n = 52) among community types on calcareous substrates. Soil samples collected from plots representing this type are circumneutral to moderately alkaline (mean pH = 7.2) with very high calcium levels (mean = 3127 ppm) and moderately to very high magnesium levels (mean = 559 ppm). Periodic drought stress appears to result in occasional mortality of trees and shrubs in these habitats.
Geographic Range: This community is found in the ridge and valley region of northeastern West Virginia, western Virginia, and calcareous areas in central and southeastern Pennsylvania. Its range in West Virginia is limited.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: MD, OH, PA, VA, WV
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.685340
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G3G4
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.b Chinquapin Oak - White Ash - Eastern Red-cedar Forest & Woodland Group | G016 | 1.B.2.Na.2.b |
| Alliance | A3106 Chinquapin Oak Appalachian Limestone Woodland Alliance | A3106 | 1.B.2.Na.2.b |
| Association | CEGL006231 Chinquapin Oak - Eastern Redbud / Roundleaf Ragwort - Hoary Puccoon Woodland | CEGL006231 | 1.B.2.Na.2.b |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Juniperus virginiana var. virginiana - Quercus muehlenbergii / Carex eburnea Woodland (4.2) (Fleming 1999)
? Chinquapin oak-redbud calcareous woodland (northern type?) (CAP pers. comm. 1998)
? Glade Woodland (Bartgis 1993)
? Chinquapin oak-redbud calcareous woodland (northern type?) (CAP pers. comm. 1998)
? Glade Woodland (Bartgis 1993)
- Bartgis, R. L. 1993. The limestone glades and barrens of West Virginia. Castanea 58:69-89.
- CAP [Central Appalachian Forest Working Group]. 1998. Central Appalachian Working group discussions. The Nature Conservancy, Boston, MA.
- Eastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boston, MA.
- Fike, J. 1999. Terrestrial and palustrine plant communities of Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania Natural Diversity Inventory. Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Recreation, Bureau of Forestry, Harrisburg, PA. 86 pp.
- Fleming, G. P. 1999. Plant communities of limestone, dolomite, and other calcareous substrates in the George Washington and Jefferson national forests, Virginia. Natural Heritage Technical Report 99-4. Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage, Richmond. Unpublished report submitted to the USDA Forest Service. 218 pp. plus appendices.
- 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. 2009b. Classification of selected Virginia montane wetland groups. In-house analysis, December 2009. Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage, Richmond.
- Fleming, G. P., and K. Taverna. 2006. Vegetation classification for the National Capitol Region parks, western region. Regional (VA-WVA-MD-DC) analysis prepared for NatureServe and USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program, March 2006. Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage, Richmond.
- Grossman, D. H., K. Lemon Goodin, and C. L. Reuss, editors. 1994. Rare plant communities of the conterminous United States: An initial survey. The Nature Conservancy. Arlington, VA. 620 pp.
- Harrison, J. W. 2011. The natural communities of Maryland: 2011 working list of ecological community groups and community types. Unpublished report. Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife and Heritage Service, Natural Heritage Program, Annapolis. 33 pp.
- Harrison, J. W., compiler. 2004. Classification of vegetation communities of Maryland: First iteration. A subset of the International Classification of Ecological Communities: Terrestrial Vegetation of the United States, NatureServe. Maryland Natural Heritage Program, Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Annapolis. 243 pp.
- Sneddon, L., and S. Menard, editors. 2002. International classification of ecological communities: Terrestrial vegetation of the United States, Western Allegheny Plateau. Draft revisions based on contributions of the Western Allegheny Plateau Ecology Group. Unpublished report. NatureServe, Boston, MA.
- WVNHP [West Virginia Natural Heritage Program]. No date. Unpublished data. West Virginia Natural Heritage Program, Elkins.