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CEGL006458 Platanus occidentalis - Fraxinus pennsylvanica / Carpinus caroliniana / Verbesina alternifolia Floodplain Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: American Sycamore - Green Ash / American Hornbeam / Wingstem Floodplain Forest
Colloquial Name: New River Sycamore - Ash Floodplain Forest
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This association represents closed-canopy deciduous floodplain forests along the New River and nearby rivers in West Virginia, occurring in small to medium-sized patches (<0.1-13 ha) on the wider floodplains which are associated with point bars along the inside bends of large river meanders. It also occurs on alluvial fans at the mouths of tributaries, and at knickpoints created by rapids and waterfalls. These positions are temporarily inundated by low- to medium-energy floods which may occur at any time of year but are more frequent in the winter and spring. Substrates are alluvium, including boulders, cobbles, gravel, and sand. Soils are well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral sand and sandy loam. Elevations of mapped stands range from 259 to 476 m. The tree canopy is dominated by Platanus occidentalis, Fraxinus pennsylvanica, Ulmus americana, and Liriodendron tulipifera. Additional important trees in the canopy include Betula nigra, Fraxinus americana, Juglans nigra, Nyssa sylvatica, Quercus rubra, Robinia pseudoacacia, Ulmus americana, and Ulmus rubra. The subcanopy includes canopy species and Acer saccharum, Carpinus caroliniana ssp. virginiana, Cercis canadensis, Chionanthus virginicus, Cornus florida, Halesia tetraptera, Sassafras albidum, and Zanthoxylum americanum. Species in the shrub layers not included in the canopy include Asimina triloba, Campsis radicans, Dirca palustris, Hamamelis virginiana, Lindera benzoin, Toxicodendron radicans, and Viburnum recognitum. Cover in the diverse herb layer ranges from 5 to 90% depending on the degree of canopy shading, and includes species typical of mesic forests as well as those of floodplains.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: No Data Available
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This association represents closed-canopy deciduous floodplain forests along the New River and nearby rivers including the Bluestone. The tree canopy is usually tall (20-35 m) with cover in plots ranging from 40 to 80% dominated by Platanus occidentalis, Fraxinus pennsylvanica, Ulmus americana, and Liriodendron tulipifera. Additional important trees in the canopy include Betula nigra, Fraxinus americana, Juglans nigra, Nyssa sylvatica, Quercus rubra, Robinia pseudoacacia, Ulmus americana, and Ulmus rubra. Subcanopy cover ranges from 10 to 80% and may include canopy species and Acer saccharum, Carpinus caroliniana ssp. virginiana, Cercis canadensis, Chionanthus virginicus, Cornus florida, Halesia tetraptera, Sassafras albidum, and Zanthoxylum americanum. Cover in the tall-shrub layer of plots ranges from 10 to 80%, and cover in the short-shrub layer ranges from 10 to 50%. Additional species in the shrub layers not included in the canopy include Asimina triloba, Campsis radicans, Dirca palustris, Hamamelis virginiana, Lindera benzoin, Toxicodendron radicans, and Viburnum recognitum. Cover in the diverse herb layer ranges from 5 to 90% in plots, depending on the degree of canopy shading. Herbs with highest constancy and/or cover in plots include Ageratina altissima, Allium cernuum, Amphicarpaea bracteata, Arabis laevigata, Aristolochia macrophylla, Asarum canadense, Boehmeria cylindrica, Brachyelytrum erectum, Cardamine impatiens, Chasmanthium latifolium, Cinna arundinacea, Circaea lutetiana ssp. canadensis, Cryptotaenia canadensis, Dichanthelium clandestinum, Dioscorea villosa, Elymus hystrix, Elymus virginicus, Eurybia divaricata, Festuca subverticillata, Galium aparine, Geum canadense, Iris cristata, Laportea canadensis, Lysimachia ciliata, Maianthemum racemosum, Packera aurea, Parthenocissus quinquefolia, Phlox paniculata, Pilea pumila, Polygonatum biflorum, Polygonum pensylvanicum, Polygonum virginianum, Polystichum acrostichoides, Rudbeckia laciniata, Sanicula odorata, Sedum ternatum, Silene stellata, Silphium perfoliatum var. connatum, Solidago flexicaulis, Symphyotrichum cordifolium, Symphyotrichum prenanthoides, Tradescantia virginiana, Verbesina alternifolia, Verbesina occidentalis, Viola striata, Zizia aptera, Zizia aurea, and Zizia trifoliata. Exotic plant species which invade this community include Alliaria petiolata, Glechoma hederacea, Cardamine hirsuta, Lonicera japonica, Microstegium vimineum, Polygonum cuspidatum, Prunella vulgaris, Urtica dioica ssp. dioica, and Rosa multiflora. Vascular plant species richness in the 17 sampled plots ranges from 26 to 70 per 200 m2 (mean = 51.9).
Dynamics: Flooding frequency varies by relative elevation but is likely to occur at least annually throughout most of this community. Evidence of flooding includes fluvial microtopography, flotsam piles, and lack of thick litter layers and organic soil horizons.
Environmental Description: This association occurs in small to medium-sized patches (<0.1-13 ha) on floodplains of the New and Bluestone rivers. The best developed stands occur on the wider floodplains which are associated with point bars along the inside bends of large river meanders. It also occurs on alluvial fans at the mouths of tributaries, and at knickpoints created by rapids and waterfalls. These positions are temporarily inundated by low- to medium-energy floods which may occur at any time of year but are more frequent in the winter and spring. Substrates are alluvium, including boulders, cobbles, gravel, and sand. Soils in plots are described as well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral sand and sandy loam. Soil chemistry analyzed from 6 plots at New River Gorge and the Bluestone River indicates slightly to strongly acidic soils (mean pH = 5.82) with relatively low levels of organic matter, S, Al and K, and relatively high levels of Ca, Cu, Mg, and Zn compared to average values in the area. Soils along the Bluestone River, where this association is somewhat influenced by reservoir backup, are more poorly drained, higher in organic matter, and finer textured (silt loam). Slopes range from level to steep (mapping unit values range from 0-35°, mean = 8°). Elevations of mapped stands range from 259 to 476 m.
Geographic Range: This association is currently documented from the New River and nearby rivers in West Virginia but is presumably wider ranging.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: PA?, WV
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.795056
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G3Q
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 | CEGL006458 American Sycamore - Green Ash / American Hornbeam / Wingstem Floodplain Forest | CEGL006458 | 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: = Platanus occidentalis - Fraxinus pennsylvanica / Carpinus caroliniana riparian forest (Vanderhorst 2001b)
< mesic upland forest (Suiter 1995)
< mesic upland forest (Suiter 1995)
- Eastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boston, MA.
- Suiter, D. W. 1995. The vascular flora, rare species and plant migrations of New River Gorge National River, West Virginia. Master''s thesis, Marshal University, Huntington, WV. 174 pp.
- 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., B. P. Streets, J. Jeuck, and S. C. Gawler. 2008. Vegetation classification and mapping of Bluestone National Scenic River, West Virginia. Technical Report NPS/NER/NRTR--2008/106. National Park Service, Philadelphia, PA.
- 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.
- Zimmerman, E. A. 2011m. Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program. Sycamore Floodplain Forest Factsheet. [http://www.naturalheritage.state.pa.us/Community.aspx?=16025] (accessed January 31, 2012)
- Zimmerman, E. A., T. Davis, M. A. Furedi, B. Eichelberger, J. McPherson, S. Seymour, G. Podniesinski, N. Dewar, and J. Wagner, editors. 2012. Terrestrial and palustrine plant communities of Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Harrisburg. [http://www.naturalheritage.state.pa.us/Communities.aspx]