Print Report
CEGL002387 Impatiens pallida - Cystopteris bulbifera - Adoxa moschatellina Algific Talus Rock Vegetation
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Yellow Jewelweed - Bulblet Bladderfern - Moschatel Algific Talus Rock Vegetation
Colloquial Name: Driftless Area Algific Talus
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: The algific talus slope community type is found in the Driftless Area (Paleozoic Plateau) of the upper midwestern United States. Stands occur at the base of steep north-facing dolostone talus slope adjacent to maderate cliffs. Continuous cold-air drainage from fissures and ice caves in the talus creates a cool, moist microclimate that keeps summer temperatures from rarely exceeding 16°C, and winter temperatures rarely below -10°C. Exposed talus and boulders may be common. Stands vary in size from a few m square to narrow linear complexes that extend up to 1.5 km, depending on their geology. The vegetation is dominated by forbs, ferns, and mosses, which cover much of the talus. The most abundant species are Adoxa moschatellina, Circaea alpina, Cornus canadensis, Cystopteris bulbifera, Impatiens pallida, Maianthemum canadense, Mertensia paniculata, and Mitella nuda. Other characteristic species include Aconitum noveboracense and Chrysosplenium alternifolium var. sibiricum (a boreal disjunct). Carex norvegica is reported in Wisconsin. Associated shrub and tree species include Abies balsamea, Acer spicatum, Betula papyrifera, Fraxinus nigra, and Rhamnus alnifolia. Relict and disjunct vascular plants found only on algific talus slopes include Aconitum noveboracense and Chrysosplenium alternifolium var. sibiricum. Among the land snails, the same is true for Discus macclintocki and Vertigo brierensis, whereas others occur mostly on algific talus slopes, including Catinella gelida, Vertigo hubrichti ssp. hubrichti, and Vertigo iowaensis.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This type is related in species composition, geographic distribution, and climate to ~Driftless Area Maderate Cliff Vegetation (CEGL002293)$$. The type can be adjacent to stands of ~Pinus strobus - Abies balsamea - Betula alleghaniensis Driftless Forest (CEGL002111)$$.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: The vegetation is dominated by forbs, ferns, and mosses, which cover much of the talus. The most abundant species are Adoxa moschatellina, Circaea alpina, Cornus canadensis, Cystopteris bulbifera, Impatiens pallida, Maianthemum canadense, Mertensia paniculata, and Mitella nuda. Other characteristic species include Aconitum noveboracense and Chrysosplenium alternifolium var. sibiricum (= Chrysosplenium iowense) (a boreal disjunct). Carex norvegica is reported in Wisconsin (E. Epstein pers. comm. 1999). Associated shrub and tree species include Abies balsamea, Acer spicatum, Betula papyrifera, Fraxinus nigra, and Rhamnus alnifolia. Relict and disjunct vascular plants found only on algific talus slopes include Aconitum noveboracense and Chrysosplenium alternifolium var. sibiricum, though in Wisconsin Aconitum is also found on moist sandstone ledges elsewhere in the Driftless Area (Frest 1991, MNNHP 1993, E. Epstein pers. comm. 1999).
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: Stands occur at the base of steep, north-facing dolostone talus slopes, often associated with maderate cliffs. They formed in carbonate units exposed along major drainages at the edge of concentric, cliffy cuestas found in the region. Generally they formed as a result of periglacial frost and ice wedging on north-facing slopes with 7 m or more of rock exposure. Common features of the bedrock where these talus slopes are formed include their formation as mechanical karst, i.e. karst formed from frost action and ice wedging when the system originated during the Wisconsin glacial period. Continuous cold air drainage from fissures and ice caves in the talus creates a cool, moist microclimate that keeps summer temperatures from rarely exceeding 16°C, and winter temperatures rarely below -10°C. Exposed talus and boulders may be common, and the talus size varies depending on the geologic formation of the talus. Stands vary in size from a few meters square to narrow linear complexes that extend up to 1.5 km, depending on their geology (Frest 1991).
Geographic Range: The algific talus slope community type is found in the Driftless Area (Paleozoic Plateau) of the upper midwestern United States ranging from northeastern Iowa, southeastern Minnesota, southwestern Wisconsin, and northwestern Illinois.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: IA, IL, MN, WI
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.688631
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G2
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 6 Open Rock Vegetation Class | C06 | 6 |
| Subclass | 6.B Temperate & Boreal Open Rock Vegetation Subclass | S04 | 6.B |
| Formation | 6.B.1 Temperate & Boreal Cliff, Scree & Other Rock Vegetation Formation | F034 | 6.B.1 |
| Division | 6.B.1.Na Eastern North American Temperate Cliff, Scree & Rock Vegetation Division | D051 | 6.B.1.Na |
| Macrogroup | 6.B.1.Na.1 Shrubby Fivefingers - Rock Polypody / Cup Lichen species Eastern North American Cliff & Rock Vegetation Macrogroup | M111 | 6.B.1.Na.1 |
| Group | 6.B.1.Na.1.d Central Midwest-Interior Cliff & Rock Vegetation Group | G841 | 6.B.1.Na.1.d |
| Alliance | A4225 Central Midwest-Interior Alkaline Talus & Rock Outcrop Alliance | A4225 | 6.B.1.Na.1.d |
| Association | CEGL002387 Yellow Jewelweed - Bulblet Bladderfern - Moschatel Algific Talus Rock Vegetation | CEGL002387 | 6.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: = Impatiens pallida - Cystopteris bulbifera - Adoxa moschatellina - (Chrysosplenium iowense, Aconitum noveboracense) Herbaceous Vegetation (Faber-Langendoen 2001) [Algific Talus Slope]
= Talus Slope Algific Subtype (MNNHP 1993)
= Talus Slope Algific Subtype (MNNHP 1993)
- Epstein, Eric. Personal communication. Community Ecologist, Wisconsin Natural Heritage Program, Madison, WI.
- Faber-Langendoen, D., editor. 2001. Plant communities of the Midwest: Classification in an ecological context. Association for Biodiversity Information, Arlington, VA. 61 pp. plus appendix (705 pp.).
- Frest, T. 1991. Summary status reports on eight species of candidate land snails from the Driftless Area (paleozoic plateau), upper Midwest. Contract No. 30181-01366, USFWS Region 3.
- INAI [Iowa Natural Areas Inventory]. 2017. Vegetation classification of Iowa. Iowa Natural Areas Inventory, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Des Moines.
- MNNHP [Minnesota Natural Heritage Program]. 1993. Minnesota''s native vegetation: A key to natural communities. Version 1.5. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Natural Heritage Program, St. Paul, MN. 110 pp.
- Midwestern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Minneapolis, MN.
- Minnesota DNR [Minnesota Department of Natural Resources]. 2003-2005a. Field guide to the native plant communities of Minnesota. Three volumes: The Laurentian Mixed Forest Province (2003), The Eastern Broadleaf Forest Province (2005c), The Prairie Parkland and Tallgrass Aspen Parklands provinces (2005b). Ecological Land Classification Program, Minnesota County Biological Survey, and Natural Heritage and Nongame Research Program. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, St. Paul.
- Minnesota DNR [Minnesota Department of Natural Resources]. 2005c. Field guide to the native plant communities of Minnesota: The Eastern Broadleaf Forest Province. Ecological Land Classification Program, Minnesota County Biological Survey, and Natural Heritage and Nongame Research Program. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, St. Paul.
- WDNR [Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources]. 2015. The ecological landscapes of Wisconsin: An assessment of ecological resources and a guide to planning sustainable management. PUB-SS-1131 2015. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Madison. [http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/landscapes/Book.html]
- White, J., and M. Madany. 1978. Classification of natural communities in Illinois. Pages 311-405 in: Natural Areas Inventory technical report: Volume I, survey methods and results. Illinois Natural Areas Inventory, Urbana, IL.