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CEGL006255 Liriodendron tulipifera - Platanus occidentalis - Betula lenta / Lindera benzoin / Circaea lutetiana ssp. canadensis Floodplain Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Tuliptree - American Sycamore - Sweet Birch / Northern Spicebush / Broadleaf Enchanter''s-nightshade Floodplain Forest
Colloquial Name: Northern Blue Ridge Montane Alluvial Forest
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This community type occupies montane alluvial floodplains along more-or-less high-gradient streams and small rivers at the foot of the Blue Ridge in Virginia and Maryland. It appears to be confined to floodplains with relatively fertile alluvial deposits derived from metabasalt (greenstone), pyroxene-rich granites, or metasiltstone/phyllite. These habitats are typically narrow, nearly flat, and have complex, coarse, bouldery or cobbly microtopography and rocky streambeds. Soils are well-drained and moderately fertile. Most of the lower streamside terraces are probably flooded briefly at least annually. Larger floods are rare. However, periodic catastrophic floods associated with hurricanes or exceptionally large rainfall events may be very destructive to stream channels and vegetation. Many of these sites were probably cleared and/or subjected to multiple historical disturbances, including grazing and cultivation . This forest is composed primarily of mesophytic upland species with some admixture of species characteristic of alluvial and wetland habitats. Vegetation is generally species-rich and heterogeneous, with composition frequently shifting in association with microhabitat conditions and disturbance histories. The overstory typically contains many tree species. However, Liriodendron tulipifera is generally a constant codominant, while Platanus occidentalis is usually scattered and occasionally abundant. Other species that are important in some stands include Acer negundo, Acer rubrum, Acer saccharum, Betula alleghaniensis, Betula lenta, Betula nigra, Carya cordiformis, Carya ovata, Fagus grandifolia, Fraxinus americana, Fraxinus pennsylvanica, Juglans nigra, Nyssa sylvatica, Quercus alba, Quercus montana, Quercus rubra, Tilia americana, Tsuga canadensis, Ulmus americana, and Ulmus rubra. The understory contains saplings of the overstory species, along with Asimina triloba, Carpinus caroliniana, Cornus florida, Corylus spp., Hamamelis virginiana, Lindera benzoin, Ostrya virginiana, and Viburnum prunifolium. The herb layer is very diverse and dominated by numerous upland mesophytic species. Wet microhabitats typically support Impatiens capensis, Carex intumescens, Carex tribuloides, Glyceria striata, Thalictrum pubescens, Viola cucullata, and few other wetland plants.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Montane floodplain forests of the Appalachians are poorly inventoried. Based on existing data, this vegetation appears to represent a relatively cohesive, if variable, association-level unit.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This forest is composed primarily of mesophytic upland species with some admixture of species characteristic of alluvial and wetland habitats. Vegetation is generally species-rich and heterogeneous, with composition frequently shifting in association with microhabitat conditions and disturbance histories. The overstory typically contains many tree species. However, Liriodendron tulipifera is generally a constant codominant, while Platanus occidentalis is usually scattered and occasionally abundant. Other species that are important in some stands include Acer negundo, Acer rubrum, Acer saccharum, Betula alleghaniensis, Betula lenta, Betula nigra, Carya cordiformis, Carya ovata, Fagus grandifolia, Fraxinus americana, Fraxinus pennsylvanica, Juglans nigra, Nyssa sylvatica, Quercus alba, Quercus montana (= Quercus prinus), Quercus rubra, Tilia americana, Tsuga canadensis, Ulmus americana, and Ulmus rubra. The understory contains saplings of the overstory species, along with Asimina triloba, Carpinus caroliniana, Cornus florida, Corylus spp., Hamamelis virginiana, Lindera benzoin, Ostrya virginiana, and Viburnum prunifolium. The herb layer is very diverse and dominated by numerous upland mesophytic species. Wet microhabitats typically support Impatiens capensis, Carex intumescens, Carex tribuloides, Glyceria striata, Thalictrum pubescens, Viola cucullata, and few other wetland plants.
Dynamics: The relatively fertile, low-lying habitats occupied by this association provide optimal habitats for many invasive introduced species, especially Microstegium vimineum.
Environmental Description: This community type occupies montane alluvial floodplains along more-or-less high-gradient streams and small rivers at the foot of the Blue Ridge. It appears to be confined to floodplains with relatively fertile alluvial deposits derived from metabasalt (greenstone), pyroxene-rich granites, or metasiltstone/phyllite. These habitats are typically narrow, nearly flat, and have complex, coarse, bouldery or cobbly microtopography and rocky streambeds. Soils are well-drained and moderately fertile. Most of the lower streamside terraces are probably flooded briefly at least annually. Larger floods are rare. However, periodic catastrophic floods associated with hurricanes or exceptionally large rainfall events may be very destructive to stream channels and vegetation. Many of these sites were probably cleared and/or subjected to multiple historical disturbances, including grazing and cultivation.
Geographic Range: The type likely occurs along the foot of the northern Blue Ridge from near Roanoke, Virginia, to the north end of Catoctin Mountain, Maryland.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: MD, VA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.738484
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G3?
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.3 Temperate Flooded & Swamp Forest Formation | F026 | 1.B.3 |
| Division | 1.B.3.Na Eastern North American-Great Plains Flooded & Swamp Forest Division | D011 | 1.B.3.Na |
| Macrogroup | 1.B.3.Na.1 Silver Maple - American Sycamore - Hackberry species Floodplain Forest Macrogroup | M029 | 1.B.3.Na.1 |
| Group | 1.B.3.Na.1.b <i>Acer saccharinum - Platanus occidentalis - Liquidambar styraciflua</i> Floodplain Forest Group | G673 | 1.B.3.Na.1.b |
| Alliance | A3701 American Sycamore - Green Ash - Tuliptree Central Appalachian-Piedmont Floodplain Forest Alliance | A3701 | 1.B.3.Na.1.b |
| Association | CEGL006255 Tuliptree - American Sycamore - Sweet Birch / Northern Spicebush / Broadleaf Enchanter''s-nightshade Floodplain Forest | CEGL006255 | 1.B.3.Na.1.b |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
- Eastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boston, MA.
- Fleming, G. P., K. D. Patterson, and K. Taverna. 2017. The natural communities of Virginia: A classification of ecological community groups and community types. Third approximation. Version 3.0. Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage, Richmond, VA. [http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/natural-heritage/natural-communities/]
- Fleming, G. P., and K. Taverna. 2006. Vegetation classification for the National Capitol Region parks, western region. Regional (VA-WVA-MD-DC) analysis prepared for NatureServe and USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program, March 2006. Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage, Richmond.
- Fleming, G. P., and P. P. Coulling. 2001. Ecological communities of the George Washington and Jefferson national forests, Virginia. Preliminary classification and description of vegetation types. Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage, Richmond, VA. 317 pp.
- Harrison, J. W. 2011. The natural communities of Maryland: 2011 working list of ecological community groups and community types. Unpublished report. Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife and Heritage Service, Natural Heritage Program, Annapolis. 33 pp.
- Harrison, J. W., compiler. 2004. Classification of vegetation communities of Maryland: First iteration. A subset of the International Classification of Ecological Communities: Terrestrial Vegetation of the United States, NatureServe. Maryland Natural Heritage Program, Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Annapolis. 243 pp.
- Lea, C. 2003. Vegetation types in the National Capital Region Parks. Draft for review by NatureServe, Virginia Natural Heritage, West Virginia Natural Heritage, Maryland Natural Heritage, and National Park Service. March 2003. 140 pp.
- Young, J., G. Fleming, P. Townsend, and J. Foster. 2006. Vegetation of Shenandoah National Park in relation to environmental gradients. Final Report (v.1.1). Research technical report prepared for USDI, National Park Service. USGS/NPS Vegetation Mapping Program. 92 pp. plus appendices.
- Young, J., G. Fleming, W. Cass, and C. Lea. 2009. Vegetation of Shenandoah National Park in relation to environmental gradients, Version 2.0. Technical Report NPS/NER/NRTR--2009/142. National Park Service, Philadelphia, PA. 389 pp.