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CEGL006428 Trichophorum cespitosum - Saxifraga (foliolosa, paniculata, rivularis) Alpine Cliff
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Tufted Bulrush - (Leafy-stem Saxifrage, White Mountain Saxifrage, Weak Saxifrage) Alpine Cliff
Colloquial Name: Northern Appalachian Alpine Cliff
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: These are high-elevation cliffs that support mixtures of vegetation interspersed with rock faces. Most vegetation is confined to areas where water flows over the rock face. Trees are absent. Herbs and bryophytes are prominent, but dwarf-shrubs may be common as well. Local vegetation cover may be nearly continuous, but taken over the entire rock face it is more sparse. Carex scirpoidea and Trichophorum cespitosum are the most abundant graminoids; Juncus trifidus and Calamagrostis canadensis are frequent. Low shrubs include Vaccinium uliginosum and Alnus viridis ssp. crispa. One or more alpine herbs are the most diagnostic plants, such as Saxifraga foliolosa, Saxifraga paniculata, Saxifraga rivularis, Epilobium hornemannii, Arnica lanceolata, Polygonum viviparum, Phleum alpinum, and Cardamine bellidifolia. This association can share species with ~Carex scirpoidea Alkaline Cliff Sparse Vegetation (CEGL006526)$$, but occurs at higher elevations and contains at least some strictly alpine herbs.
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: These are high-elevation cliffs that support mixtures of vegetation interspersed with rock faces. Most vegetation is confined to areas where water flows over the rock face. Trees are absent. Herbs and bryophytes are prominent, but dwarf-shrubs may be common as well. Local vegetation cover may be nearly continuous, but taken over the entire rock face it is more sparse. Carex scirpoidea and Trichophorum cespitosum are the most abundant graminoids; Juncus trifidus and Calamagrostis canadensis are frequent. Low shrubs include Vaccinium uliginosum and Alnus viridis ssp. crispa (= Alnus crispa). One or more alpine herbs are the most diagnostic plants, such as Saxifraga foliolosa, Saxifraga paniculata, Saxifraga rivularis, Epilobium hornemannii, Arnica lanceolata, Polygonum viviparum, Phleum alpinum, and Cardamine bellidifolia.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: Exposed cliffs near or above treeline in the Northern Appalachians. Seeps and rivulets may keep extensive areas of the cliff face wet.
Geographic Range: This type occurs on cliffs above treeline in the Appalachian Mountains of northern New England. Canadian status is unclear.
Nations: CA?,US
States/Provinces: ME, NH
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.685951
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 4 Polar & High Montane Scrub, Grassland & Barrens Class | C04 | 4 |
| Subclass | 4.B Temperate to Polar Alpine & Tundra Vegetation Subclass | S12 | 4.B |
| Formation | 4.B.1 Temperate & Boreal Alpine Tundra Formation | F037 | 4.B.1 |
| Division | 4.B.1.Na Eastern North American Alpine Tundra Division | D042 | 4.B.1.Na |
| Macrogroup | 4.B.1.Na.1 Eastern North American Alpine Tundra Macrogroup | M131 | 4.B.1.Na.1 |
| Group | 4.B.1.Na.1.f <i>Rhizocarpon geographicum - Carex bigelowii - Carex scirpoidea</i> Temperate Alpine Rock Vegetation Group | G911 | 4.B.1.Na.1.f |
| Alliance | A4004 Northern Appalachian Alpine Cliff Alliance | A4004 | 4.B.1.Na.1.f |
| Association | CEGL006428 Tufted Bulrush - (Leafy-stem Saxifrage, White Mountain Saxifrage, Weak Saxifrage) Alpine Cliff | CEGL006428 | 4.B.1.Na.1.f |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Alpine Cliff (Gawler 2002)
- 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.
- 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.