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CEGL003914 Alnus serrulata - Rhododendron arborescens / Sarracenia oreophila - Rhynchospora rariflora Seepage Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Hazel Alder - Smooth Azalea / Green Pitcherplant - Few-flower Beaksedge Seepage Shrubland
Colloquial Name: Southern Appalachian Low Mountain Seepage Bog
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This non-alluvial, montane wetland is primarily shrubby, with open herb-dominated areas. Known examples, from Clay County, North Carolina, and Towns County, Georgia, are on shallow slopes, at about 457-550 m (1500-1800 feet) elevation, and have a palustrine hydrology, fed by acidic seepage. Few examples are known and all have been altered considerably by grazing, fire, cultivation, and drainage efforts. Common species in the 1- to 2-m shrub stratum include Alnus serrulata, Rhododendron arborescens, Lyonia ligustrina, Aronia arbutifolia, and Rosa palustris. Osmunda cinnamomea and Sarracenia oreophila are conspicuous and occur as clumps in herbaceous openings. Other typical herb species include Rhynchospora rariflora, Thelypteris palustris var. pubescens, Sagittaria latifolia, Rhexia virginica, Rhexia mariana, Eryngium integrifolium, Helianthus angustifolius, Eupatorium perfoliatum, Eupatorium pilosum, Eupatorium rotundifolium var. ovatum, Eutrochium fistulosum, Eriophorum virginicum, Sanguisorba canadensis, and Juncus caesariensis. Other characteristic species include Andropogon glomeratus, Symphyotrichum dumosum, Betula nigra, Cinna arundinacea, Drosera capillaris, Eleocharis tuberculosa, Eriocaulon decangulare, Eryngium integrifolium, Fuirena squarrosa, Gratiola pilosa, Juncus canadensis, Panicum virgatum, Polygala cruciata, Rhynchospora gracilenta, Scleria muehlenbergii, Saccharum giganteum, Scleria ciliata, and Xyris jupicai. Fire may have been a natural disturbance in this community type, suggested by the large suite of species more typical of fire-maintained communities of the Coastal Plain.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Similar non-alluvial wetland vegetation occurs in the Piedmont of Georgia and Alabama. These Piedmont bogs lack the mountain species component that distinguishes the community described here. Little is known about these Piedmont wetland communities and their classification is uncertain at this time.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Owing to disturbance of the only known examples, the original vegetation structure of this community is unknown. This non-alluvial, montane wetland is primarily shrubby, with open, herb-dominated areas. Common species in the 1- to 2-m shrub stratum include Alnus serrulata, Rhododendron arborescens, Lyonia ligustrina, Aronia arbutifolia, and Rosa palustris. Osmunda cinnamomea and Sarracenia oreophila are conspicuous and occur as clumps in herbaceous openings. Other typical herb species include Rhynchospora rariflora, Eriocaulon decangulare, Thelypteris palustris var. pubescens, Sagittaria latifolia (= var. pubescens), Rhexia virginica, Rhexia mariana, Eryngium integrifolium, Helianthus angustifolius, Eupatorium perfoliatum, Eupatorium pilosum, Eupatorium rotundifolium var. ovatum, Eutrochium fistulosum (= Eupatorium fistulosum), Eriophorum virginicum, Sanguisorba canadensis, and Juncus caesariensis.
Dynamics: Fire may have been a natural disturbance in this community type. This is suggested by the large suite of species more typical of fire-maintained communities of the Coastal Plain. It is also possible that this suite of species is present in this community because of its low elevation and phytogeographic history. Little is known about the successional dynamics of mountain wetlands. It is thought that historically fire was important to maintaining this wetland''s open structure.
Environmental Description: Known examples are on shallow slopes, at about 457-550 m (1500-1800 feet) elevation, and have a palustrine hydrology, fed by acidic seepage.
Geographic Range: This type is known only from Clay County, North Carolina (Govus 1987), and Towns County, Georgia (Schnell 1980). It should be sought in nearby counties. This community also occurs in Alabama along the Little River.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AL, GA, NC, TN
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.686992
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G1
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 2 Shrub & Herb Vegetation Class | C02 | 2 |
| Subclass | 2.C Shrub & Herb Wetland Subclass | S44 | 2.C |
| Formation | 2.C.4 Temperate to Polar Freshwater Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Formation | F013 | 2.C.4 |
| Division | 2.C.4.Nd Eastern North American Temperate Freshwater Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Division | D323 | 2.C.4.Nd |
| Macrogroup | 2.C.4.Nd.1 Shrubby-cinquefoil - Canadian Burnet / Inland Sedge Seep Macrogroup | M061 | 2.C.4.Nd.1 |
| Group | 2.C.4.Nd.1.a Catawba Rosebay / Tawny Cottongrass / Peatmoss species Shrub & Herb Seep Group | G184 | 2.C.4.Nd.1.a |
| Alliance | A3383 Maleberry - Red Chokeberry / Roundleaf Sundew Seep Alliance | A3383 | 2.C.4.Nd.1.a |
| Association | CEGL003914 Hazel Alder - Smooth Azalea / Green Pitcherplant - Few-flower Beaksedge Seepage Shrubland | CEGL003914 | 2.C.4.Nd.1.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: < IIE1b. Southern Appalachian Bog Complex (Allard 1990)
? Low Mountain Seepage Bog (Weakley and Schafale 1994)
? Low Mountain Seepage Bog (Weakley and Schafale 1994)
- Allard, D. J. 1990. Southeastern United States ecological community classification. Interim report, Version 1.2. The Nature Conservancy, Southeast Regional Office, Chapel Hill, NC. 96 pp.
- Carter, R., T. Boyer, H. McCoy, and A. Londo. 2006. Classification of green pitcher plant (Sarracenia oreophila (Kearney) Wherry) communities in the Little River Canyon National Preserve, Alabama. Natural Areas Journal 26(1):84-93.
- Chafin, L. 2011. Georgia''s natural communities and associated rare plant and animal species: Thumbnail accounts. Based on "Guide to the Natural Communities of Georgia," by Edwards et al. 2013. University of Georgia Press. Georgia Nongame Conservation Section, Wildlife Resources Division, Georgia Department of Natural Resources. 125 pp.
- Govus, T. E. 1987. The occurrence of Sarracenia oreophila (Kearney) Wherry in the Blue Ridge Province of southwestern North Carolina. Castanea 52:310-311.
- Norquist, H. C. Personal communication. USDI Fish & Wildlife Service, Endangered Species Field Office, Jackson, MS.
- Schafale, M. P. 2012. Classification of the natural communities of North Carolina, 4th Approximation. North Carolina Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Recreation, Natural Heritage Program, Raleigh.
- Schafale, M. P., and A. S. Weakley. 1990. Classification of the natural communities of North Carolina. Third approximation. North Carolina Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Recreation, Natural Heritage Program, Raleigh. 325 pp.
- Schnell, D. E. 1980. Notes on the biology of Sarracenia oreophila (Kearney) Wherry. Castanea 45:166-170.
- Schotz, A., H. Summer, and R. White, Jr. 2008. Vascular plant inventory and ecological community classification for Little River Canyon National Preserve. NatureServe, Durham, NC. 244 pp.
- Southeastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Durham, NC.
- Weakley, A. S., and M. P. Schafale. 1994. Non-alluvial wetlands of the Southern Blue Ridge: Diversity in a threatened ecosystem. Water, Air, and Soil Pollution 77:359-383.