Print Report
CEGL006533 Vaccinium uliginosum / Sibbaldiopsis tridentata Sparse Vegetation
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Bog Blueberry / Shrubby Fivefingers Sparse Vegetation
Colloquial Name: Subalpine Rock Bald
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: These sparsely vegetated rocky balds are found on subalpine and alpine summits of the northern Appalachian Mountains. They are on dry acidic rocky summits, ridges and outcrops composed of resistant granitic bedrock, mostly at elevations between 915 and 1525 m (3000-5000 feet), sometimes as low as 550 m (1800 feet). Soil development is minimal, with vascular vegetation confined to crevices. Expanses of bare rock with crustose lichens predominate. Vascular vegetation is usually less than 25% cover overall, although in patches coverage may approach 70%. The dominant plants are Vaccinium uliginosum, Vaccinium vitis-idaea, Empetrum nigrum, Empetrum eamesii ssp. atropurpureum, and Sibbaldiopsis tridentata. Juncus trifidus and, at higher elevations, Carex bigelowii may be present, but in far lower abundance than they are seen in alpine habitats. This association is related to the alpine ~Vaccinium uliginosum - Rhododendron lapponicum / Juncus trifidus Dwarf-shrubland (CEGL006298)$$, but occurs at lower elevations and lacks characteristic alpine plants such as Diapensia lapponica, Agrostis mertensii, Rhododendron lapponicum, etc. It differs from lower elevation open summits in the presence of subalpine Vaccinium uliginosum (and sometimes Juncus trifidus or Carex bigelowii).
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: Expanses of bare rock with crustose lichens predominate. Vascular vegetation is usually less than 25% cover overall, although in patches coverage may approach 70%. The dominant plants are Vaccinium uliginosum, Vaccinium vitis-idaea, Empetrum nigrum, Empetrum eamesii ssp. atropurpureum, and Sibbaldiopsis tridentata. Juncus trifidus and, at higher elevations, Carex bigelowii may be present, but in far lower abundance than they are seen in alpine habitats.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: These sparsely vegetated rocky balds are found on subalpine and alpine summits of the northern Appalachian Mountains. They are on dry acidic rocky summits, ridges and outcrops composed of resistant granitic bedrock, mostly at elevations between 915 and 1525 m (3000-5000 feet), sometimes as low as 550 m (1800 feet). Soil development is minimal, with vascular vegetation confined to crevices.
Geographic Range: This association is found on subalpine and alpine summits of the northern Appalachian Mountains from Maine to New York.
Nations: CA?,US
States/Provinces: ME, NH, NY, VT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.688404
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.d <i>Vaccinium uliginosum - Diapensia lapponica - Carex bigelowii</i> Temperate Alpine Tundra Group | G909 | 4.B.1.Na.1.d |
| Alliance | A1116 Bog Blueberry - Mixed Alpine Heath Alliance | A1116 | 4.B.1.Na.1.d |
| Association | CEGL006533 Bog Blueberry / Shrubby Fivefingers Sparse Vegetation | CEGL006533 | 4.B.1.Na.1.d |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Crowberry - Bilberry Summit Bald (Gawler 2002)
- 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.
- 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 C. V. Cogbill. 1999. Alpine and subalpine vegetation of the White Mountains, New Hampshire. New Hampshire Natural Heritage Inventory, Concord, NH. 25 pp. plus figures.
- 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.
- Thompson, E. H., and E. R. Sorenson. 2005. Wetland, woodland, wildland: A guide to the natural communities of Vermont. The Nature Conservancy and the Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife. University Press of New England, Hanover, NH. 456 pp.