Print Report
CEGL006426 Vaccinium (angustifolium, myrtilloides, pallidum) - Cladonia rangiferina Dwarf-shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: (Lowbush Blueberry, Velvetleaf Huckleberry, Blue Ridge Blueberry) - Grey-green Reindeer Lichen Dwarf-shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: These blueberry barrens, known from scattered locations in the Adirondacks, northern Maine, and Downeast Maine, occur on flat or undulating glacial outwash or till plains, sometimes as openings within wooded barrens. The soils are sandy, acidic, and very nutrient-poor. Where the substrate contains an impervious subsoil layer, the natural undulations in the substrate result in a pattern of upland and wetland pockets in an intimate network. Dwarf-shrubs are the dominant plants. Widely scattered trees may be present, but overall tree cover will be under 20%. Herbs are scattered among the blueberries, rarely totaling more than 25% cover. The bryoid layer may be extensive and is usually dominated by lichens. One or more lowbush blueberry species are the dominant shrubs: Vaccinium angustifolium, Vaccinium myrtilloides, or Vaccinium pallidum. Minor shrubs include Aronia melanocarpa, Spiraea alba, Kalmia angustifolia, Comptonia peregrina, and Lonicera villosa. Piptatheropsis canadensis, Piptatheropsis pungens, or Oryzopsis asperifolia are characteristic herbs, although rarely abundant. Other herbs include Pteridium aquilinum, Solidago canadensis, Euthamia graminifolia, Lycopodium dendroideum, and Lycopodium digitatum. Cladonia rangiferina, Cladonia stellaris, and Cladonia pyxidata are common lichens; mosses include Polytrichum juniperinum, Polytrichum commune, Polytrichum piliferum, and Pleurozium schreberi. In the wetter pockets, Sphagnum mosses may be locally common. This association generally occurs in areas with a consistent fire history. Where fires have been particularly intense, lichens may form extensive carpets, sometimes termed "lichen barrens."
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: How the Northern Appalachian - Acadian commercial blueberry barrens fit into this concept has not been addressed; more data are needed.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Dwarf-shrubs are the dominant plants. Widely scattered trees may be present, but overall tree cover will be under 20%. Herbs are scattered among the blueberries, rarely totaling more than 25% cover. The bryoid layer may be extensive and is usually dominated by lichens. One or more lowbush blueberry species are the dominant shrubs: Vaccinium angustifolium, Vaccinium myrtilloides, or Vaccinium pallidum (= Vaccinium vacillans). Minor shrubs include Aronia melanocarpa, Spiraea alba, Kalmia angustifolia, Comptonia peregrina, and Lonicera villosa. Piptatheropsis canadensis (= Oryzopsis canadensis), Piptatheropsis pungens (= Oryzopsis pungens), or Oryzopsis asperifolia are characteristic herbs, although rarely abundant. Other herbs include Pteridium aquilinum, Solidago canadensis, Euthamia graminifolia, Lycopodium dendroideum, and Lycopodium digitatum. Cladonia rangiferina (= Cladina rangiferina), Cladonia stellaris (= Cladonia alpestris), and Cladonia pyxidata are common lichens; mosses include Polytrichum juniperinum, Polytrichum commune, Polytrichum piliferum, and Pleurozium schreberi. In the wetter pockets, Sphagnum mosses may be locally common.
Dynamics: This association generally occurs in areas with a consistent fire history. Where fires have been particularly intense, lichens may form extensive carpets, sometimes termed "lichen barrens."
Environmental Description: The setting is flat or undulating glacial outwash or till plains. The soils are sandy, acidic, and very nutrient-poor. Where the substrate contains an impervious subsoil layer, the natural undulations in the substrate result in a pattern of upland and wetland pockets in an intimate network. Fire is an important disturbance vector.
Geographic Range: Known from scattered locations in the Adirondacks, northern Maine, and Downeast Maine.
Nations: CA?,US
States/Provinces: ME, NY
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.685487
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR
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.4 Temperate to Polar Scrub & Herb Coastal Vegetation Formation | F005 | 2.B.4 |
| Division | 2.B.4.Na Eastern North American Coastal Scrub & Herb Vegetation Division | D026 | 2.B.4.Na |
| Macrogroup | 2.B.4.Na.2 American Beachgrass - Sea-oats - Seaside Goldenrod Dune & Grassland Macrogroup | M057 | 2.B.4.Na.2 |
| Group | 2.B.4.Na.2.e Bear Oak - Sheep Laurel - Kinnikinnick Sand Barrens Group | G063 | 2.B.4.Na.2.e |
| Alliance | A3913 Lowbush Blueberry - Blue Ridge Blueberry Sandy Heath Alliance | A3913 | 2.B.4.Na.2.e |
| Association | CEGL006426 (Lowbush Blueberry, Velvetleaf Huckleberry, Blue Ridge Blueberry) - Grey-green Reindeer Lichen Dwarf-shrubland | CEGL006426 | 2.B.4.Na.2.e |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Blueberry - Lichen Barren (Gawler 2002)
- Eastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boston, MA.
- Edinger, G. J., D. J. Evans, S. Gebauer, T. G. Howard, D. M. Hunt, and A. M. Olivero, editors. 2014a. Ecological communities of New York state. Second edition. A revised and expanded edition of Carol Reschke''s ecological communities of New York state. New York Natural Heritage Program, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Albany, NY.
- Gawler, S. C. 2002. Natural landscapes of Maine: A guide to vegetated natural communities and ecosystems. Maine Natural Areas Program, Department of Conservation, Augusta, ME.
- Gawler, S. C., and A. Cutko. 2010. Natural landscapes of Maine: A classification of vegetated natural communities and ecosystems. Maine Natural Areas Program, Department of Conservation, Augusta.
- Norton, A. H. 1927. Botanical notes from the Milbridge region. Maine Naturalist 7:148-151.