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CEGL004503 Quercus rubra / Rhododendron catawbiense - Rhododendron arborescens Woodland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Northern Red Oak / Catawba Rosebay - Smooth Azalea Woodland
Colloquial Name: Southern Blue Ridge Heath Bald Oak Woodland
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This association consists of open woodlands dominated by stunted red oaks, over a dense layer of ericaceous shrubs in the high elevations (greater than 1200 m [4000 feet]) of the Southern Blue Ridge. The canopy is usually dominated by Quercus rubra, but significant amounts of Quercus alba are also typically present. Amelanchier laevis and Sorbus americana occur over a dense shrub layer of Rhododendron catawbiense, Rhododendron arborescens, Rhododendron calendulaceum, Rhododendron maximum, Menziesia pilosa, Gaylussacia ursina, Eubotrys recurva, Vaccinium simulatum, and Viburnum nudum var. cassinoides.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This community is found in association with the higher elevation granitic domes in the vicinity of Highlands, North Carolina. Examples are known from Scaly and Yellow mountains, North Carolina, and are possibly on Satulah Mountain, North Carolina. Georgia examples include Rabun Bald and Brasstown Bald. This community is naturally restricted and occupies a very small total acreage.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: These red oak woodlands are typically very open, and their lower strata are dominated by heath species. Stands of this association have stunted (3-8 m) canopies of oaks (Schafale and Weakley 1990). Quercus rubra and Quercus alba are typically the dominant trees in stands and plots attributable to this type (Peet et al. unpubl. data). Amelanchier laevis and Sorbus americana occur over a dense shrub layer of Rhododendron catawbiense, Rhododendron arborescens, Rhododendron calendulaceum, Rhododendron maximum, Menziesia pilosa, Gaylussacia ursina, Eubotrys recurva (= Leucothoe recurva), Vaccinium simulatum, and Viburnum nudum var. cassinoides.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This stunted, open red oak woodland is found in association with the higher elevation granitic domes in the vicinity of Highlands, North Carolina, and possibly on Satulah Mountain, North Carolina. Georgia examples include Rabun Bald and Brasstown Bald. The environmental factors that could contribute to the distinctive physiognomy of this community include fire, chronic high winds, and ice storm effects (M. Schafale pers. comm.).
Geographic Range: This community is found in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Georgia and North Carolina.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: GA, NC, SC?, TN?
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.689416
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G2
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 1 Forest & Woodland Class | C01 | 1 |
| Subclass | 1.B Temperate & Boreal Forest & Woodland Subclass | S15 | 1.B |
| Formation | 1.B.2 Cool Temperate Forest & Woodland Formation | F008 | 1.B.2 |
| Division | 1.B.2.Na Eastern North American Forest & Woodland Division | D008 | 1.B.2.Na |
| Macrogroup | 1.B.2.Na.2 Appalachian-Northeastern Oak - Hardwood - Pine Forest & Woodland Macrogroup | M502 | 1.B.2.Na.2 |
| Group | 1.B.2.Na.2.a Chestnut Oak - Hickory species / American Chestnut Forest Group | G015 | 1.B.2.Na.2.a |
| Alliance | A3116 Northern Red Oak - White Oak Montane Forest Alliance | A3116 | 1.B.2.Na.2.a |
| Association | CEGL004503 Northern Red Oak / Catawba Rosebay - Smooth Azalea Woodland | CEGL004503 | 1.B.2.Na.2.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: < IE4c. Southern Appalachian High Elevation Granitic Dome (Allard 1990)
- 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.
- GNHP [Georgia Natural Heritage Program]. 2018. Unpublished data. Georgia Natural Heritage Program, Wildlife Resources Division, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Social Circle.
- Nelson, J. B. 1986. The natural communities of South Carolina: Initial classification and description. South Carolina Wildlife and Marine Resources Department, Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, Columbia, SC. 55 pp.
- Peet, R. K., T. R. Wentworth, M. P. Schafale, and A.S. Weakley. No date. Unpublished data of the North Carolina Vegetation Survey. University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.
- 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.
- Schafale, Mike P. Personal communication. Ecologist, North Carolina Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Recreation, Natural Heritage Program, Raleigh.
- Southeastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Durham, NC.