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CEGL007298 Quercus rubra / Carex pensylvanica - Ageratina altissima var. roanensis Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Northern Red Oak / Pennsylvania Sedge - Appalachian White Snakeroot Forest
Colloquial Name: High-Elevation Red Oak Forest (Tall Herb Type)
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This community occurs on most of the major mountain ranges of the Southern Appalachians in North Carolina and Tennessee, at elevations over 1400 m (4500 feet) on broad ridges, and on steep rocky slopes at the heads of coves, often with northern or southeastern aspects. It includes forest vegetation with a closed to very open canopy, where Quercus rubra makes up at least 75% of the tree canopy and with less than 20% shrub cover. Canopy trees may be gnarled and stunted, especially on ridge crests. Other canopy species may include Acer rubrum, Crataegus punctata, Crataegus flabellata, Betula alleghaniensis, Betula lenta, and, at high elevations, Picea rubens. An open subcanopy contains canopy species plus Hamamelis virginiana, Amelanchier arborea, Acer pensylvanicum, Halesia tetraptera, and Ilex montana. Herbaceous cover is dense and diverse, composed of sedges, ferns, and tall herbs, with dominance varying within and between occurrences. Typical herbaceous dominants include Carex pensylvanica, Ageratina altissima var. roanensis, Thelypteris noveboracensis, Dennstaedtia punctilobula, Eurybia chlorolepis, Oclemena acuminata, and Laportea canadensis. This forest often occurs adjacent to or grades into forests dominated by Picea rubens, Abies fraseri, or northern hardwood species (Betula alleghaniensis, Fagus grandifolia, Aesculus flava). In some areas, this community is found adjacent to montane shrublands and grasslands. This community is often referred to as a "Subalpine Oak Orchard Forest."
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This community includes forest vegetation with Quercus rubra making up at least 75% of the tree canopy and with less than 20% shrub cover. Herbaceous stratum dominance varies within and among occurrences but is composed of sedges, ferns and tall herbs. Typical herbaceous dominants include Carex pensylvanica, Ageratina altissima var. roanensis, Thelypteris noveboracensis, Dennstaedtia punctilobula, Eurybia chlorolepis, Oclemena acuminata, and Laportea canadensis. In three plots classified as this association in the Appalachian Trail classification project, herbs present in all samples are Angelica triquinata, Carex pensylvanica, Clintonia umbellulata, Smilax herbacea, Solidago curtisii, and Thelypteris noveboracensis. Woody species with 100% constancy are Acer rubrum, Acer pensylvanicum, Ilex montana, Prunus serotina var. serotina, and Quercus rubra (Fleming and Patterson 2009a).
Two varieties of Quercus rubra occur within the range of this community, Quercus rubra var. ambigua and Quercus rubra var. rubra (Kartesz 1999). Although the two varieties are known to occur together (Rohrer 1983), Quercus rubra var. ambigua occurs mostly at elevations greater than 1000 m (3300 feet), while Quercus rubra var. rubra occurs at elevations less than 1000 m (3300 feet) (Weakley 1997). The two varieties are based upon morphological differences in the leaves and acorns (Fernald 1950, Coker and Totten 1945); however, studies of foliar flavonoid composition in different Quercus rubra populations suggest that varietal distinction may not be warranted (McDougal and Parks 1984). Even though most studies of Quercus rubra-dominated vegetation do not distinguish Quercus rubra at the varietal level, it is likely, given the elevational range of this community, that the dominant species in this forest is Quercus rubra var. ambigua.
Two varieties of Quercus rubra occur within the range of this community, Quercus rubra var. ambigua and Quercus rubra var. rubra (Kartesz 1999). Although the two varieties are known to occur together (Rohrer 1983), Quercus rubra var. ambigua occurs mostly at elevations greater than 1000 m (3300 feet), while Quercus rubra var. rubra occurs at elevations less than 1000 m (3300 feet) (Weakley 1997). The two varieties are based upon morphological differences in the leaves and acorns (Fernald 1950, Coker and Totten 1945); however, studies of foliar flavonoid composition in different Quercus rubra populations suggest that varietal distinction may not be warranted (McDougal and Parks 1984). Even though most studies of Quercus rubra-dominated vegetation do not distinguish Quercus rubra at the varietal level, it is likely, given the elevational range of this community, that the dominant species in this forest is Quercus rubra var. ambigua.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This community includes forest vegetation, with a closed to very open canopy, where Quercus rubra makes up at least 75% of the tree canopy and with less than 20% shrub cover. Canopy trees may be gnarled and stunted, especially on ridge crests. Other canopy species may include Acer rubrum, Crataegus punctata, Crataegus flabellata, Betula alleghaniensis, Betula lenta, and, at high elevations, Picea rubens. An open subcanopy contains canopy species plus Hamamelis virginiana, Amelanchier arborea, Acer pensylvanicum, Halesia tetraptera, and Ilex montana. Herbaceous cover is dense and diverse, composed of sedges, ferns, and tall herbs, with dominance varying within and among occurrences. Typical herbaceous dominants include Carex pensylvanica, Ageratina altissima var. roanensis, Thelypteris noveboracensis, Dennstaedtia punctilobula, Eurybia chlorolepis (= Aster chlorolepis), Oclemena acuminata (= Aster acuminatus), and Laportea canadensis. Many species in this community are endemic to the Southern Blue Ridge or have the bulk of their worldwide range in that region. Some of these endemics include Abies fraseri, Aesculus flava, Ageratina altissima var. roanensis, Carex roanensis, Clethra acuminata, Euphorbia purpurea, Eubotrys recurva (= Leucothoe recurva), Prenanthes roanensis, Rhododendron catawbiense, Rhododendron vaseyi, Silene ovata, Solidago lancifolia, and Vaccinium erythrocarpum.
Dynamics: The canopy is probably rarely removed completely by natural disturbance; however, small canopy gaps are caused by individual tree death. Occurrences of this community on exposed slopes and south- and west-facing ridges are subject to lightning-caused fires and damage by ice and wind. Damage by ice storms is probably the most common form of natural disturbance.
Quercus rubra reproduction and survival is optimal in canopy gaps with little regeneration under the forest canopy, hence these forests will eventually succeed to forests with mixed canopy composition of Quercus rubra, Betula alleghaniensis, Acer rubrum, and Fagus grandifolia. Many Quercus rubra-dominated stands of today were, prior to the chestnut blight in the 1930s, dominated or codominated by Castanea dentata with scattered Quercus rubra and Acer rubrum in the canopy (Golden 1974). The fungus Endothia parasitica eliminated Castanea dentata in the upper canopy, subsequently releasing the subcanopy Quercus rubra, which eventually resulted in a nearly pure upper canopy of large Quercus rubra.
Quercus rubra reproduction and survival is optimal in canopy gaps with little regeneration under the forest canopy, hence these forests will eventually succeed to forests with mixed canopy composition of Quercus rubra, Betula alleghaniensis, Acer rubrum, and Fagus grandifolia. Many Quercus rubra-dominated stands of today were, prior to the chestnut blight in the 1930s, dominated or codominated by Castanea dentata with scattered Quercus rubra and Acer rubrum in the canopy (Golden 1974). The fungus Endothia parasitica eliminated Castanea dentata in the upper canopy, subsequently releasing the subcanopy Quercus rubra, which eventually resulted in a nearly pure upper canopy of large Quercus rubra.
Environmental Description: This community occurs at elevations over 1400 m (4500 feet) on broad ridges and on steep rocky slopes at the heads of coves, often with north or southeast aspects. Occurrences of this community on exposed slopes and south- and west-facing ridges are subject to lightning-caused fires and damage by ice and wind. Damage by ice storms is probably the most common form of natural disturbance. This community occurs over well-drained, loamy soils underlain by Precambrian gneisses, schists, and granites. These soils are classified as Typic, Umbric, or Lithic Dystrochrepts, and Typic Haplumbrepts (Golden 1974). Soils supporting this community tend to have relatively high base status.
Geographic Range: This community occurs on most of the major mountain ranges of the Southern Appalachians in North Carolina and Tennessee.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: NC, TN
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.689678
Confidence Level: Moderate
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 | CEGL007298 Northern Red Oak / Pennsylvania Sedge - Appalachian White Snakeroot Forest | CEGL007298 | 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: ? High elevation red oak/Pennsylvania sedge forest (CAP pers. comm. 1998)
< IA4g. High Elevation Northern Red Oak Forest (Allard 1990)
< Mixed Fern Phase, Tall Herb Phase (DeLapp 1978)
? Northern Red Oak (55) (USFS 1988)
< Northern Red Oak: 55 (Eyre 1980)
< IA4g. High Elevation Northern Red Oak Forest (Allard 1990)
< Mixed Fern Phase, Tall Herb Phase (DeLapp 1978)
? Northern Red Oak (55) (USFS 1988)
< Northern Red Oak: 55 (Eyre 1980)
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- CAP [Central Appalachian Forest Working Group]. 1998. Central Appalachian Working group discussions. The Nature Conservancy, Boston, MA.
- Coker, W. C., and H. R. Totten. 1945. Trees of the southeastern United States. University of North Carolina Press, Chapel Hill.
- DeLapp, J. A. 1978. Gradient analysis and classification of the high elevation red oak community of the Southern Appalachians. M.S. thesis, North Carolina State University, Raleigh. 483 pp.
- Eyre, F. H., editor. 1980. Forest cover types of the United States and Canada. Society of American Foresters, Washington, DC. 148 pp.
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- McDougal, K. M., and C. R. Parks. 1984. Elevational variation in foliar flavonoids of Quercus rubra L. (Fagaceae). American Journal of Botany 71:301-308.
- NatureServe Ecology - Southeastern United States. No date. Unpublished data. NatureServe, Durham, NC.
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- 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.
- Southeastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Durham, NC.
- TDNH [Tennessee Division of Natural Heritage]. 2018. Unpublished data. Tennessee Division of Natural Heritage, Nashville, TN.
- USFS [U.S. Forest Service]. 1988. Silvicultural examination and prescription field book. USDA Forest Service, Southern Region. Atlanta, GA. 35 pp.
- Weakley, A. S. 1980. Natural areas inventory and management recommendations for Big Yellow Mountain, Avery County, North Carolina. Unpublished document. The Nature Conservancy, North Carolina Field Office. Carrboro, NC. 100 pp.
- Weakley, A. S. 1997. Flora of the Carolinas and Virginia. Unpublished May draft. The Nature Conservancy, Southeast Regional Office, Chapel Hill, NC.
- Whittaker, R. H. 1956. Vegetation of the Great Smoky Mountains. Ecological Monographs 26:1-80.