Print Report

CEGL006143 Hudsonia tomentosa - Arctostaphylos uva-ursi Dwarf-shrubland

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Woolly Beach-heather - Bearberry Dwarf-shrubland

Colloquial Name: Northern Beach-heather Dune Dwarf-shrubland

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This association comprises dune heathlands of the north Atlantic coast from southern Maine to Long Island, New York, dominated by Hudsonia tomentosa. It occurs in well-developed dune systems in the lee side of primary dunes or on secondary dunes with active sand deposition and movement. Hudsonia tomentosa is a dominant as well as keystone species of this community, binding sand in place and forming more suitable habitat for other plants to become established. Associated herbs generally occur in low abundance and include Polygonella articulata, Lechea maritima, Deschampsia flexuosa, Minuartia caroliniana, Ionactis linariifolius, Solidago sempervirens, Lathyrus japonicus, Artemisia stelleriana, Carex silicea, Chamaesyce polygonifolia, Cyperus polystachyos, and scattered Ammophila breviligulata. Older, more stabilized dunes tend to have greater species diversity and less sand deposition. In these areas Arctostaphylos uva-ursi can displace Hudsonia tomentosa or codominate, and Asteraceae species and Cladonia spp. are common. Scattered individuals of Morella pensylvanica, Rosa rugosa, Prunus maritima, or Gaylussacia baccata may occur within this community.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: ~Hudsonia tomentosa / Panicum amarum var. amarulum Dwarf-shrubland (CEGL003950)$$ is a southern analog of this association.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available

Floristics: This dwarf-shrubland is dominated by Hudsonia tomentosa. Associated species generally occur in low abundance and include Polygonella articulata, Lechea maritima, Minuartia caroliniana, Ionactis linariifolius, Solidago sempervirens, Lathyrus japonicus, Artemisia stelleriana, Carex silicea, Chamaesyce polygonifolia, Cyperus polystachyos, and scattered Ammophila breviligulata. Older, more stabilized dunes tend to have greater species diversity and less sand deposition. In these areas Arctostaphylos uva-ursi can displace Hudsonia tomentosa or codominate, and Asteraceae species and Cladonia spp. (= Cladina spp.) are common. Scattered individuals of Morella pensylvanica (= Myrica pensylvanica), Rosa rugosa, Prunus maritima, or Gaylussacia baccata may occur within this community.

Dynamics:  This association occurs in large dune systems with active sand deposition and movement. This association grades into dune grasslands dominated by Ammophila breviligulata or into maritime shrub thickets.
Environmental Description:  This association occurs in well-developed sand dune systems in the lee side of primary dunes or on secondary dunes with active sand deposition and movement. Conditions are xeric; plants must be adapted to low moisture, high surface temperature, and high light intensity.
Geographic Range: This association is restricted to coastal sand dunes from southern Maine to Long Island, New York.

Nations: CA?,US

States/Provinces:  CT, MA, ME, NY, RI


Confidence Level: Moderate

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G2G3

Greasons: No Data Available
Type Name Database Code Classification Code
Class 2 Shrub & Herb Vegetation Class C02 2
Subclass 2.B Temperate & Boreal Grassland & Shrubland Subclass S18 2.B
Formation 2.B.4 Temperate to Polar Scrub & Herb Coastal Vegetation Formation F005 2.B.4
Division 2.B.4.Na Eastern North American Coastal Scrub & Herb Vegetation Division D026 2.B.4.Na
Macrogroup 2.B.4.Na.2 American Beachgrass - Sea-oats - Seaside Goldenrod Dune & Grassland Macrogroup M057 2.B.4.Na.2
Group 2.B.4.Na.2.c Northern Bayberry - American Beachgrass - Shore Little Bluestem Dune & Grassland Group G493 2.B.4.Na.2.c
Alliance A1062 Woolly Beach-heather Dune Dwarf-shrubland Alliance A1062 2.B.4.Na.2.c
Association CEGL006143 Woolly Beach-heather - Bearberry Dwarf-shrubland CEGL006143 2.B.4.Na.2.c
Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Hudsonia tomentosa dwarf-shrublands (Metzler and Barrett 2006)
= Beach heather community (Martin 1959b)
? Coastal dune community (Rawinski 1984a)
= Dune heath (Johnson 1985b)
? Interdune (McDonnell 1979)
? New England heath sand barrens / coastal heathland (Rawinski 1984a)
Concept Author(s): L.A. Sneddon

Author of Description: S.L. Neid

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 05-10-02
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