Print Report
CEGL006544 Schizachyrium scoparium - Danthonia spicata - Carex pensylvanica / Cladonia spp. Grassland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Little Bluestem - Poverty Oatgrass - Pennsylvania Sedge / Cup Lichen species Grassland
Colloquial Name: Low- to Mid-Elevation Little Bluestem - Poverty Oatgrass Outcrop Opening
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: These grassy openings are found on rock outcrops and summits at 365-1220 m (1200-4000 feet) elevation in the Central Appalachians and adjacent regions. Settings include flat summits, outcrops, plateaus and southwest-facing upper slopes. Bare rock (acidic sandstone and conglomerates) typically makes up a large part of the cover. Danthonia spicata, Schizachyrium scoparium, and Deschampsia flexuosa are all typical. Total herbaceous cover is usually 25-50%. Other associates include Carex pensylvanica, Piptatheropsis pungens, Patis racemosa, Prunus pumila, Rumex acetosella, Rubus spp., Sibbaldiopsis tridentata, Cladonia sp., and Umbilicaria sp. There may be small patches of shrubs within the graminoid matrix, including Vaccinium spp., Gaylussacia baccata, and Aronia melanocarpa.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: No Data Available
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Danthonia spicata, Schizachyrium scoparium, and Deschampsia flexuosa are all typical. Total herbaceous cover is usually 25-50%. Other associates include Carex pensylvanica, Piptatheropsis pungens (= Oryzopsis pungens), Patis racemosa (= Oryzopsis racemosa), Prunus pumila, Rumex acetosella, Rubus spp., Sibbaldiopsis tridentata, Cladonia sp., and Umbilicaria sp. There may be small patches of shrubs within the graminoid matrix, including Vaccinium spp., Gaylussacia baccata, and Aronia melanocarpa.
Dynamics: This type is probably fire-initiated.
Environmental Description: This association occurs on rock outcrops and summits at 365-1220 m (1200-4000 feet) elevation in the Central Appalachians and adjacent regions. Settings include flat summits, outcrops, plateaus and southwest-facing upper slopes. Bare rock (acidic sandstone and conglomerates) typically makes up a large part of the cover.
Geographic Range: These grassy openings are found on rock outcrops and summits in the Central Appalachians and adjacent regions from Massachusetts to Pennsylvania.
Nations: CA?,US
States/Provinces: CT, MA, NJ, NY, PA, QC?
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.685616
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G3
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.e North-Central Appalachian Acidic Scrub & Grassland Group | G789 | 2.B.2.Nc.1.e |
| Alliance | A4111 <i>Vaccinium pallidum - Vaccinium</i> spp. - Sheep Laurel Rocky Heath Alliance | A4111 | 2.B.2.Nc.1.e |
| Association | CEGL006544 Little Bluestem - Poverty Oatgrass - Pennsylvania Sedge / Cup Lichen species Grassland | CEGL006544 | 2.B.2.Nc.1.e |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: > Schizachyrium scoparium - Hypericum gentianoides community (Metzler and Barrett 2006)
> Schizachyrium scoparium / Prunus pumila var. susquehanae community (Metzler and Barrett 2006)
> Schizachyrium scoparium / Prunus pumila var. susquehanae community (Metzler and Barrett 2006)
- CDPNQ [Centre de données sur le patrimoine naturel du Québec]. No date. Unpublished data. Centre de données sur le patrimoine naturel du Québec, Québec.
- 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.
- 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.
- Metzler, K., and J. Barrett. 2006. The vegetation of Connecticut: A preliminary classification. State Geological and Natural History Survey, Report of Investigations No. 12. Connecticut Natural Diversity Database, Hartford, CT.
- Perles, S. J., G. S. Podniesinski, E. Eastman, L. A. Sneddon, and S. C. Gawler. 2007. Classification and mapping of vegetation and fire fuel models at Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. Technical Report NPS/NER/NRTR--2007/076. National Park Service, Philadelphia, PA. 2 volumes.
- Perles, S. J., G. S. Podniesinski, M. Furedi, B. A. Eichelberger, A. Feldmann, G. Edinger, E. Eastman, and L. A. Sneddon. 2008. Vegetation classification and mapping at Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River. Technical Report NPS/NER/NRTR--2008/133. National Park Service, Philadelphia, PA. 370 pp.
- Swain, P. C., and J. B. Kearsley. 2014. Classification of the natural communities of Massachusetts. Version 2.0. Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program, Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife. Westborough, MA. [http://www.mass.gov/nhesp/http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dfg/dfw/natural-heritage/natural-communities/classification-of-natural-communities.html]