Print Report

CEGL006066 Gaylussacia baccata - Vaccinium angustifolium - Arctostaphylos uva-ursi / Schizachyrium littorale Dwarf-shrubland

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Black Huckleberry - Lowbush Blueberry - Bearberry / Shore Little Bluestem Dwarf-shrubland

Colloquial Name: Sandplain Heathland

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This association includes sandplain heathlands of the northeastern Atlantic coast dominated by heath shrubs. They occur on nutrient-poor, sandy/gravelly moraine and outwash plains near the coast and are affected by onshore winds and salt spray. Dwarf-shrubs are often dominant, especially Vaccinium angustifolium, Vaccinium pallidum, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, and Gaylussacia baccata. Associated species include Vaccinium myrtilloides, Hudsonia ericoides, Comptonia peregrina, Kalmia angustifolia, Baptisia tinctoria, or Rubus hispidus. Corema conradii may be locally abundant. The herbaceous layer is similar to sandplain grasslands, only less diverse. Common species include Deschampsia flexuosa, Schizachyrium littorale, Carex pensylvanica, Lespedeza spp., Solidago puberula, Viola sagittata var. ovata, Eurybia spectabilis, Viola pedata, Comandra umbellata, Epigaea repens, Tephrosia virginiana, Gaultheria procumbens, Juncus greenei, Ionactis linariifolius, Helianthemum dumosum, Liatris scariosa var. novae-angliae, Sericocarpus asteroides, Solidago nemoralis, Euthamia spp., and others. Graminoids do not form extensive turf. Small to locally abundant patches of tall shrubs are often present, including Quercus ilicifolia, Aronia arbutifolia, Corylus cornuta, Prunus maritima, Rubus flagellaris, Rosa carolina, Rosa virginiana, or Morella pensylvanica.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: This sandplain heathland association is similar to sandplain grassland, ~Morella pensylvanica / Schizachyrium littorale - Danthonia spicata Shrub Grassland (CEGL006067)$$, but differs in that shrubs are more abundant and the herbaceous layer is less abundant and less diverse. Soils tend to be less nutrient-poor than sandplain grasslands and likely have been disturbed less frequently.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available

Floristics: Dwarf-shrubs are often dominant, especially Vaccinium angustifolium, Vaccinium pallidum, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, and Gaylussacia baccata. Associated species include Vaccinium myrtilloides, Hudsonia ericoides, Comptonia peregrina, Kalmia angustifolia, Baptisia tinctoria, or Rubus hispidus. Corema conradii may be locally abundant. The herbaceous layer is similar to sandplain grasslands, only less diverse. Common species include Deschampsia flexuosa, Schizachyrium littorale, Carex pensylvanica, Lespedeza spp., Solidago puberula, Viola sagittata var. ovata (= Viola fimbriatula), Eurybia spectabilis (= Aster spectabilis), Viola pedata, Comandra umbellata, Epigaea repens, Tephrosia virginiana, Gaultheria procumbens, Juncus greenei, Ionactis linariifolius, Helianthemum dumosum, Liatris scariosa var. novae-angliae, Sericocarpus asteroides, Solidago nemoralis, Euthamia spp., and others. Graminoids do not form extensive turf. Small to locally abundant patches of tall shrubs are often present, including Quercus ilicifolia, Aronia arbutifolia, Corylus cornuta, Prunus maritima, Rubus flagellaris, Rosa carolina, Rosa virginiana, or Morella pensylvanica (= Myrica pensylvanica).

Dynamics:  This community occurs in association with sandplain grasslands, maritime/coastal forests and shrublands.
Environmental Description:  This association occurs on nutrient-poor, sandy/gravelly moraine and outwash plains near the coast and are affected by onshore winds and salt spray.
Geographic Range: Currently described from Massachusetts and New York.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  MA, NY


Confidence Level: Moderate

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.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 A4369 Northern Bayberry / Little Bluestem species Heath & Grassland Alliance A4369 2.B.4.Na.2.e
Association CEGL006066 Black Huckleberry - Lowbush Blueberry - Bearberry / Shore Little Bluestem Dwarf-shrubland CEGL006066 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: > Bearberry heathland (Dunwiddie et al. 1996)
> Broom crowberry heathland (Dunwiddie et al. 1996)
> Huckleberry-scrub oak heathland (Dunwiddie et al. 1996)
? Moorland (Lundgren 2000)
Concept Author(s): S.L. Neid

Author of Description: S.L. Neid and L.A. Sneddon

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 05-10-02
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