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CEGL006203 Pinus rigida / Quercus ilicifolia / Piptatheropsis pungens Woodland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Pitch Pine / Bear Oak / Mountain Ricegrass Woodland
Colloquial Name: Northern Pitch Pine / Bear Oak Barrens
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This northernmost pitch pine - scrub oak barren community occurs on flat glacial outwash plains in southeastern Maine and south-central New Hampshire. Soils are typically sandy, well-drained and nutrient poor. A local history of fire is essential to the maintenance of the community. An open canopy, 30-70%, of Pinus rigida over a dense, patchy, tall-shrub layer (25-95%) of Quercus ilicifolia forms the characteristic structure of this community. In places the canopy may also contain Quercus rubra, Pinus strobus, Betula populifolia and occasionally Picea rubens or Abies balsamea. A short-shrub layer of Vaccinium angustifolium, Comptonia peregrina, Pteridium aquilinum and Gaultheria procumbens is usually present. Herbaceous species are scattered and generally more dense where the scrub oak is discontinuous. Characteristic herbs include Piptatheropsis pungens, Oryzopsis asperifolia, Carex lucorum, Schizachyrium scoparium, Sibbaldiopsis tridentata and Danthonia spicata. Occasional species include Vaccinium myrtilloides, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, Comandra umbellata and Corylus sp. An interesting variant of this community containing Pinus resinosa in the canopy occurs on eskers and outwash plains in New Hampshire.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This community is similar in composition to other pine barren communities in northern New England, however, it generally lacks the grassy openings which attract rare lepidoptera.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: An open canopy, 30-70%, of Pinus rigida over a dense, patchy, tall-shrub layer (25-95%) of Quercus ilicifolia forms the characteristic structure of this community. In places the canopy may also contain Quercus rubra, Pinus strobus, Betula populifolia, and occasionally Picea rubens or Abies balsamea. A short-shrub layer of Vaccinium angustifolium, Comptonia peregrina, Pteridium aquilinum, and Gaultheria procumbens is usually present. Herbaceous species are scattered and generally more dense where the scrub oak is discontinuous. Characteristic herbs include Piptatheropsis pungens (= Oryzopsis pungens), Oryzopsis asperifolia, Carex lucorum, Schizachyrium scoparium, Sibbaldiopsis tridentata, and Danthonia spicata. Occasional species include Vaccinium myrtilloides, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, Comandra umbellata, and Corylus sp. An interesting variant of this community containing Pinus resinosa in the canopy occurs on eskers and outwash plains in New Hampshire.
Dynamics: This community is composed of species which are tolerant or favored by a frequent fire regime. Although there is some evidence that other types of disturbance may be effective in maintaining the structure and composition of this community, it is unlikely to persist without some form of management.
Environmental Description: This woodland occurs on flat glacial outwash plains. Soils are typically sandy, well-drained and nutrient-poor. A local history of fire is essential to the maintenance of the community.
Geographic Range: This community is known only from southeastern Maine and south-central New Hampshire. Waterboro Barrens in Maine, Ossipee Barrens in New Hampshire.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: ME, NH
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.685733
Confidence Level: Low
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.9 Pitch Pine - oak spp. - American Holly North Atlantic Forest Macrogroup | M525 | 1.B.2.Na.9 |
| Group | 1.B.2.Na.9.a Pitch Pine Barrens Group | G161 | 1.B.2.Na.9.a |
| Alliance | A4468 Pitch Pine Inland Sandy Woodland Alliance | A4468 | 1.B.2.Na.9.a |
| Association | CEGL006203 Pitch Pine / Bear Oak / Mountain Ricegrass Woodland | CEGL006203 | 1.B.2.Na.9.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
- Eastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boston, MA.
- 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.
- 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.
- Harris, P. 1991. Waterboro Barrens. Waterboro, Shapleigh, Newfield. York County, Maine. A report prepared by Polly Harris for the Nature Conservancy, November 1991.
- Schweitzer, D. S., and T. J. Rawinski. 1988. Element stewardship abstract for northeastern pitch pines / scrub oak barrens. Unpublished report. The Nature Conservancy. 21 pp.
- Sperduto, D. D., and W. F. Nichols. 2004. Natural communities of New Hampshire: A guide and classification. New Hampshire Natural Heritage Bureau, DRED Division of Forests and Lands, Concord. 242 pp.
- Widoff, L. 1988. Pitch pine/scrub oak barrens in Maine. Planning Report No. 86. Critical Areas Program, Maine State Planning Office, Augusta, ME, and Maine Natural Heritage Program, Topsham, ME. 104 pp.