Print Report
CEGL006901 Platanus occidentalis - Fraxinus pennsylvanica - Ulmus americana / Cornus sericea Floodplain Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: American Sycamore - Green Ash - American Elm / Red-osier Dogwood Floodplain Forest
Colloquial Name: Sinkhole Pond Floodplain Forest
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This sinkhole pond floodplain forest of northwestern New Jersey occurs in solution sinkholes that developed on Allentown Dolomite bedrock with glacial till / bedrock surficial deposits. Soils are shallow silt loam or silty clay loam over bedrock and somewhat poorly drained. The closed-canopy deciduous forest is dominated by Platanus occidentalis, Fraxinus pennsylvanica, and Ulmus americana. Other associates may include Carya tomentosa, Carya cordiformis, Celtis occidentalis, or Quercus bicolor. The most common shrub is Cornus sericea, with associates including Ilex verticillata and Spiraea alba var. latifolia. Vines include Toxicodendron radicans and Vitis riparia. The herbaceous layer is characterized by Scutellaria lateriflora, Symphyotrichum racemosum, Lysimachia ciliata, Boehmeria cylindrica, and Carex granularis. Associated herbs include Acalypha rhomboidea, Carex bebbii, Carex pellita, Mentha arvensis, Onoclea sensibilis, Dichanthelium acuminatum var. fasciculatum, and Thelypteris palustris. This association is broadly similar to ~Fraxinus pennsylvanica - (Juglans nigra, Platanus occidentalis) Floodplain Forest (CEGL006575)$$ but differs in its environmental setting (pond floodplain as opposed to alluvial floodplain).
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This association is currently described only from northwestern New Jersey, but its potential occurrence in the Ridge and Valley regions of Pennsylvania and Maryland should be investigated.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: The closed-canopy deciduous forest is dominated by Platanus occidentalis, Fraxinus pennsylvanica, and Ulmus americana. Other associates may include Carya tomentosa, Carya cordiformis, Celtis occidentalis, or Quercus bicolor. The most common shrub is Cornus sericea, which often forms a dense thicket around the edge of the pond under the overhanging tree canopy. Other shrub associates may include Ilex verticillata and Spiraea alba var. latifolia. Vines include Toxicodendron radicans and Vitis riparia. The herbaceous layer is characterized by Scutellaria lateriflora, Symphyotrichum racemosum (= Aster racemosus), Lysimachia ciliata, Boehmeria cylindrica, and Carex granularis. Associated herbs include Acalypha rhomboidea, Carex bebbii, Carex pellita, Mentha arvensis, Onoclea sensibilis, Dichanthelium acuminatum var. fasciculatum (= Panicum lanuginosum var. tennesseense), and Thelypteris palustris. Large trees are shallow-rooted and windfalls are common.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: The environmental setting is solution sinkholes that developed on Allentown Dolomite bedrock with glacial till / bedrock surficial deposits. Soils are shallow silt loam or silty clay loam with a pH of 6.6-7.8 and somewhat poorly drained. Terraces and upper slopes are temporarily flooded in late winter and early spring as groundwater enters the ponds through springs and seepage fissures in the bedrock. Passive, low-energy flooding occurs on the upper pondshore and floodplain terrace for an average of 6-8 weeks. Aspect and slope are variable among occurrences, and elevation ranges from 150 to 190 m (495-620 feet). Exposures of bedrock, large rocks, and bare soil are common.
Geographic Range: This association is currently described from northwestern New Jersey but may also occur in Pennsylvania and perhaps Maryland.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: MD?, NJ, PA?
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.742058
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G2G3
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 | CEGL006901 American Sycamore - Green Ash - American Elm / Red-osier Dogwood Floodplain Forest | CEGL006901 | 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
- Breden, T. F., Y. R. Alger, K. S. Walz, and A. G. Windisch. 2001. Classification of vegetation communities of New Jersey: Second iteration. Association for Biodiversity Information and New Jersey Natural Heritage Program, Office of Natural Lands Management, Division of Parks and Forestry, New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Trenton.
- Eastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boston, MA.
- Walz, K. S., R. J. Canace, J. Boyle, R. Witte, M. S. Serfes, W. Honachefsky, J. Kurtz, and R. Dutko. 2001. Identification and protection of reference wetland natural communities in New Jersey: Calcareous sinkhole ponds of the Kittatinny Valley. New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Parks and Forestry, Office of Natural Lands Management, Natural Heritage Program, Trenton. 276 pp. plus appendices.