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CEGL006463 Salix nigra - Betula nigra / Schoenoplectus pungens Riverscour Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Black Willow - River Birch / Common Threesquare Riverscour Shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This association represents woodland or wooded herbaceous vegetation which occurs on wet beaches along the New River downstream from rapids (the "eddy zone"). These are frequently flooded positions within the active channel shelf which receive sediments of relatively fine-textured alluvium. Substrates often exhibit definite layering of sand and silt laid down by successive flood events. Ground cover by flotsam is often high. Substrates are usually saturated, with water inputs from flooding and from upslope seepage. The dominant tree is Salix nigra, often rooted on the uphill side of stands; individuals are flood-battered or toppled, and overhang or extend horizontally into the community. Betula nigra is common as a small tree or shrub. The shrub layer is also dominated by Salix nigra, sometimes with Cephalanthus occidentalis. Herb cover in plots ranges from 10 to 40%, with a large component of wetland indicator species. Schoenoplectus pungens is the dominant herb (5-40% cover and high constancy). Additional herbs with high constancy in plots include Chasmanthium latifolium, Conoclinium coelestinum, Dichanthelium clandestinum, Eleocharis spp., Equisetum arvense, Eragrostis hypnoides, Justicia americana, Leersia virginica, Panicum rigidulum, Polygonum cespitosum var. longisetum, and Saururus cernuus. Additional characteristic herbs include Bidens frondosa, Cyperus odoratus, Eleocharis obtusa, Eragrostis pilosa, Hibiscus laevis, Lindernia dubia, Ludwigia palustris, Panicum dichotomiflorum, and Vernonia noveboracensis.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: The nominal species Schoenoplectus pungens was previously included in the genus Scirpus. This association was described by Vanderhorst (2001b) as an herbaceous type, Scirpus americanus (Scirpus tabernaemontani) riparian herbaceous wetland. Although Scirpus tabernaemontani was originally included in the name for this community, its occurrence in this type has not been documented. The three plots on which this description is based were placed to sample herbaceous physiognomy, but further observations suggest that the tree species Salix nigra has high indicator value for this community and that it is better recognized as a woodland. These observations also support the recognition of this association because its occurrences are easily distinguished on the ground and are repeated on the landscape in a pattern which reflects environmental gradients.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This association represents woodland or wooded herbaceous vegetation which occurs on wet beaches along the New River downstream from rapids. The three plots were placed to sample herbaceous physiognomy, but further observations suggest that the tree species Salix nigra has high indicator value for this community and that it is better recognized as a woodland. Additional tree species in plots include Betula nigra and Platanus occidentalis. Trees are often rooted on the uphill side of stands, are flood-battered or toppled, and overhang or extend horizontally into the community. Cover in the shrub layers is also dominated by Salix nigra. The shrub Cephalanthus occidentalis, a wetland indicator, may also occur in this community. Herb cover in plots ranges from 10 to 40%, with a large component of wetland indicator species. Schoenoplectus pungens is the dominant herb (5-40% cover) and constant in plots, and this species, along with Betula nigra, has high indicator value for this association, but it may be absent in some stands. Additional herbs with highest constancy in plots include Chasmanthium latifolium, Conoclinium coelestinum, Dichanthelium clandestinum, Eleocharis spp., Equisetum arvense, Eragrostis hypnoides, Justicia americana, Leersia virginica, Panicum rigidulum, Polygonum cespitosum var. longisetum, and Saururus cernuus. Additional characteristic herbs include Bidens frondosa, Cyperus odoratus, Eleocharis obtusa, Eragrostis pilosa, Hibiscus laevis, Lindernia dubia, Ludwigia palustris, Panicum dichotomiflorum, and Vernonia noveboracensis. Vascular plant species richness in the 3 sampled plots ranges from 14 to 28 (mean = 23).
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This association is documented from the shores of the New River, usually in positions with slack water (the "eddy zone") just downstream from rapids. These are frequently flooded positions within the active channel shelf which receive sediments of relatively fine-textured alluvium. Substrates often exhibit definite layering of sand and silt laid down by successive flood events. Ground cover by rocks is usually low and ground cover by flotsam is often high. Substrates are usually saturated, with water inputs from flooding and from upslope seepage, and most occurrences would qualify as jurisdictional wetlands. Additional hydric soil indicators observed in plots include low chroma horizons, diffuse mottle, and odor of hydrogen sulfide. Soil pH measured in the field from plots ranges from 6.5 to 7. Soil chemistry analyzed from one plot indicates pH of 6.2, relatively low levels of Al and K, and relatively high levels of Ca, Fe, Mg, Mn, P, Su, and Zn. Slopes range from gentle to moderate. Elevations of mapped stands range from 305 to 346 m.
Geographic Range: This association is currently known from the New River in West Virginia, with wider distribution in the Central Appalachians, Cumberland, and Western Allegheny Plateau ecoregions possible.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: WV
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.793421
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G1?
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 2 Shrub & Herb Vegetation Class | C02 | 2 |
| Subclass | 2.C Shrub & Herb Wetland Subclass | S44 | 2.C |
| Formation | 2.C.4 Temperate to Polar Freshwater Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Formation | F013 | 2.C.4 |
| Division | 2.C.4.Nd Eastern North American Temperate Freshwater Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Division | D323 | 2.C.4.Nd |
| Macrogroup | 2.C.4.Nd.3 Eastern North American Wet Shoreline Vegetation Macrogroup | M880 | 2.C.4.Nd.3 |
| Group | 2.C.4.Nd.3.a Eastern North American Riverine Wetland Vegetation Group | G755 | 2.C.4.Nd.3.a |
| Alliance | A0948 Black Willow Sand-Gravel Floodplain Scrub Alliance | A0948 | 2.C.4.Nd.3.a |
| Association | CEGL006463 Black Willow - River Birch / Common Threesquare Riverscour Shrubland | CEGL006463 | 2.C.4.Nd.3.a |
Concept Lineage: Upgraded to Standard during screening.
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Scirpus americanus (Scirpus tabernaemontani) riparian herbaceous wetland (Vanderhorst 2001b)
- Eastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boston, MA.
- Vanderhorst, J. 2001b. Plant communities of the New River Gorge National River, West Virginia: Northern and southern thirds. Non-game Wildlife and Natural Heritage Program, West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. Elkins. 146 pp.
- Vanderhorst, J. P., J. Jeuck, and S. C. Gawler. 2007. Vegetation classification and mapping of New River Gorge National River, West Virginia. Technical Report NPS/NER/NRTR-2007/092. National Park Service, Philadelphia, PA. 396 pp.
- WVNHP [West Virginia Natural Heritage Program]. No date. Unpublished data. West Virginia Natural Heritage Program, Elkins.