Print Report
CEGL006062 Alnus incana - Cornus spp. / Clematis virginiana Alluvial Shrub Swamp
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Gray Alder - dogwood spp. / Devil''s Darning-needles Alluvial Shrub Swamp
Colloquial Name: Alluvial Alder Thicket
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: These shrublands occur along large streams and rivers in New England, northern New York and western Pennsylvania. They are found on river-margin alluvial deposits of moderate-energy reaches, where the flooding regime prevents forests from developing. The setting can range from flats to moderately steep banks; soils are usually sandy or silty and have little organic matter. Most are temporarily flooded, and the soils may not remain saturated through the entire growing season. Tall shrubs (1.5-3 m in height) dominate the vegetation, usually forming at least 50% cover and often creating a dense thicket. The amount of lower shrub and herb vegetation varies inversely with the tall-shrub canopy. Bryophytes are usually sparse but may be locally abundant in some settings. Alnus incana is a constant and usually dominant shrub. In some cases, Alnus serrulata (in more temperate settings) or Alnus viridis (in more boreal settings) may occur with or in place of Alnus incana. The ability of alders to bend under strong currents and their nitrogen-fixing root nodules may give alders a competitive advantage over other shrubs in this setting. Cornus sericea or Cornus amomum, along with Salix spp., are frequent associates and may dominate in some areas. Viburnum nudum var. cassinoides is occasional but not abundant. Acer rubrum, Prunus serotina, Ulmus americana, and/or Acer saccharinum may be present, as sparse individuals; in more southerly examples of this type, Acer negundo and Salix nigra may occur. Spiraea alba is usually present and may be abundant as a lower shrub. Clematis virginiana is a typical vine, often clambering in tangles on the shrubs. This type is distinguished from other northeastern Alnus-dominated associations by its alluvial setting. Although common, this association is little studied and comprehensive surveys have yet to be undertaken.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This type is currently broadly defined, as detailed studies of riparian shrublands in the Northeast are few. Stands dominated by Alnus versus those dominated by Salix and Cornus appear different and may be separable as distinct types with additional survey data. Likewise, higher-energy Alnus thickets close to the channel may be distinct from lower-energy thickets in alluvium that is further removed from the channel, but additional data are needed.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Tall shrubs (1.5-3 m in height) dominate the vegetation, usually forming at least 50% cover and often creating a dense thicket. The amount of lower shrub and herb vegetation varies inversely with the tall-shrub canopy. Bryophytes are usually sparse but may be locally abundant in some settings. Alnus incana is a constant and usually dominant shrub. In some cases, Alnus serrulata (in more temperate settings) or Alnus viridis (in more boreal settings) may occur with or in place of Alnus incana. The ability of alders to bend under strong currents and their nitrogen-fixing root nodules may give alders a competitive advantage over other shrubs in this setting. Cornus sericea or Cornus amomum, along with Salix spp., are frequent associates and may dominate in some areas. Viburnum nudum var. cassinoides is occasional but not abundant. Acer rubrum, Prunus serotina, Ulmus americana, and/or Acer saccharinum may be present as sparse individuals; in more southerly examples of this type, Acer negundo and Salix nigra may occur. Spiraea alba is usually present and may be abundant as a lower shrub. Clematis virginiana is a typical vine, often clambering in tangles on the shrubs. Common herbs include Doellingeria umbellata (= Aster umbellatus), Calamagrostis canadensis, Boehmeria cylindrica, Elymus riparius, Elymus virginicus, Eupatorium maculatum, Iris versicolor, Lycopus uniflorus, Lysimachia ciliata, Lysimachia terrestris, Osmunda claytoniana, Matteuccia struthiopteris, Muhlenbergia glomerata, Onoclea sensibilis, and Thalictrum pubescens.
Dynamics: On river reaches subject to ice-scour, the shrubs may be regularly killed back almost to their roots and may be shorter than 1.5 m in at least the first year of regrowth.
Environmental Description: These shrublands occur along large streams and rivers in New England, northern New York and western Pennsylvania. They are found on river-margin alluvial deposits of moderate-energy reaches, where the flooding regime prevents forests from developing. The setting can range from flats to moderately steep banks; soils are usually sandy or silty. Most are temporarily flooded, and the soils may not remain saturated through the entire growing season.
Geographic Range: This shrub swamp of moderate- to high-energy floodplains occurs in New England and south to Pennsylvania.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CT, MA, ME, NH, NY, PA, RI, VT, WV
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.688664
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G4G5
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.2 Broadleaf Cattail - White Snakeroot - Rush species Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Macrogroup | M069 | 2.C.4.Nd.2 |
| Group | 2.C.4.Nd.2.g Laurentian-Acadian Wet Meadow & Shrub Swamp | G904 | 2.C.4.Nd.2.g |
| Alliance | A4377 Gray Alder Shrub Swamp Alliance | A4377 | 2.C.4.Nd.2.g |
| Association | CEGL006062 Gray Alder - dogwood spp. / Devil''s Darning-needles Alluvial Shrub Swamp | CEGL006062 | 2.C.4.Nd.2.g |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: >< Alnus incana ssp. rugosa - Salix spp. community (Metzler and Barrett 2006)
- Eastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boston, MA.
- Enser, R. W., and J. A. Lundgren. 2006. Natural communities of Rhode Island. A joint project of the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management Natural Heritage Program and The Nature Conservancy of Rhode Island. Rhode Island Natural History Survey, Kingston. 40 pp. [www.rinhs.org]
- 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.
- Gawler, S. C., and P. S. Bowman. 2012. Vegetation classification and mapping at Saint-Gaudens National Historic Site, New Hampshire. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/NER/NRTR--2012/584.1. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO.
- Lubinski, S., K. Hop, and S. Gawler. 2003. Vegetation Mapping Program: Acadia National Park, Maine. Report produced by U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, and Maine Natural Areas Program in conjunction with M. Story (NPS Vegetation Mapping Coordinator) NPS, Natural Resources Information Division, Inventory and Monitoring Program, and K. Brown (USGS Vegetation Mapping Coordinator), USGS, Center for Biological Informatics and NatureServe. [http://biology.usgs.gov/npsveg/ftp/vegmapping/acad/reports/acadrpt.pdf]
- Metzler, K., and J. Barrett. 2006. The vegetation of Connecticut: A preliminary classification. State Geological and Natural History Survey, Report of Investigations No. 12. Connecticut Natural Diversity Database, Hartford, CT.
- Nichols, W. F., J. M. Hoy, and D. D. Sperduto. 2001. Open riparian communities and riparian complexes in New Hampshire. New Hampshire Natural Heritage Inventory, DRED Division of Forests and Lands, Concord, NH. 82 pp. plus appendices.
- 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.
- Swain, P. C., and J. B. Kearsley. 2014. Classification of the natural communities of Massachusetts. Version 2.0. Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program, Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife. Westborough, MA. [http://www.mass.gov/nhesp/http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dfg/dfw/natural-heritage/natural-communities/classification-of-natural-communities.html]
- 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.