Print Report

CEGL006596 Vaccinium myrtilloides / Pteridium aquilinum / Polytrichum spp. Acidic Peatland

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Velvetleaf Huckleberry / Western Brackenfern / Haircap Moss species Acidic Peatland

Colloquial Name: Allegheny Mountains Velvetleaf Huckleberry Shrub Swamp

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This successional shrubland occurs on temporarily flooded or saturated acidic soils in the Allegheny Mountains region of West Virginia, at elevations between 770 and 1220 m. It is a small-patch type that occupies flat to mildly inclined (0-5°) slopes in headwater basins. It occupies slightly drier positions in open wetland mosaics, either on the margins of the wetland, as drier lenses in the middle of the wetland, or interfingering with wetter shrub swamps or herbaceous wetlands in an irregular pattern related to moisture availability. This community is part of the natural disturbance mosaic of beaver-influenced vegetation types at high elevations in the Alleghenies, and also occurs on formerly forested wetlands that were logged or burned within the last 120 years. Hummock-and-hollow microtopography is moderately developed, with moss-covered hummocks formed over woody stem clusters, decayed wood, and roots. Soil texture is moderately poorly to very poorly drained silt loam or clay loam, with peat developing in some older stands. Mean soil pH is 3.7 (n=9). The tall-shrub layer typically includes Vaccinium myrtilloides and Viburnum nudum var. cassinoides. Less common species in the tall-shrub layer include Hypericum densiflorum, Picea rubens, Populus tremuloides, Amelanchier spp., Prunus serotina var. serotina, Viburnum recognitum, Acer rubrum, and Abies balsamea. The short-shrub stratum is fairly dense and strongly dominated by Vaccinium myrtilloides, Photinia melanocarpa, and Hypericum densiflorum. The dwarf-shrub species Rubus hispidus has high cover and constancy in this type. The herbaceous layer typically includes a component of acidophilic upland species. Species with high cover and constancy are Pteridium aquilinum, Solidago uliginosa, and Danthonia compressa. Herbaceous species with high constancy but lower cover include Lycopodium obscurum, Juncus effusus, and Carex debilis. Species with lower constancy that are sometimes abundant include Gaultheria procumbens, Eriophorum virginicum, Carex folliculata, Brachyelytrum erectum, Solidago rugosa, Apocynum androsaemifolium, and Lycopodium clavatum. The nonvascular stratum is dominated by Polytrichum spp. (Polytrichum juniperinum, Polytrichum commune, Polytrichum strictum, Polytrichum pallidisetum) and often includes moderate cover by Sphagnum spp. (Sphagnum fallax, Sphagnum girgensohnii, Sphagnum rubellum). Cladonia spp. are often present with low cover. Indicator species that help to distinguish this community from others within the shrubland physiognomy for high-elevation wetlands of the Allegheny Mountains region are Danthonia compressa, Polytrichum spp., and Pteridium aquilinum. Mean species richness of all vascular plants and any nonvascular plants with cover >1% is 22 taxa per 400 m2.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: Thirty-three plots (8 occurrences) represent this type, which was classified as part of a 2004-2006 study of high-elevation wetlands in West Virginia''s Allegheny Mountains region (Byers et al. 2007). This type clusters well together considering that it is a fairly broad group. The ordination shows a fairly good grouping in the drier, acidic, Sphagnum-poor portion of species space. The type has been adequately sampled throughout its range in West Virginia.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available

Floristics: This successional shrubland occurs in the Allegheny Mountains region of West Virginia. The tall-shrub layer averages 10% cover and typically includes Vaccinium myrtilloides and Viburnum nudum var. cassinoides. Less common species in the tall-shrub layer include Hypericum densiflorum, Picea rubens, Populus tremuloides, Amelanchier spp., Prunus serotina var. serotina, Viburnum recognitum, Acer rubrum, and Abies balsamea. The short-shrub stratum averages 50% cover and is strongly dominated by Vaccinium myrtilloides, Photinia melanocarpa, and Hypericum densiflorum. The dwarf-shrub species Rubus hispidus has high cover and constancy in this type. The herbaceous layer, with mean 60% cover, typically includes a component of acidophilic upland species. Species with high cover and constancy are Pteridium aquilinum, Solidago uliginosa, and Danthonia compressa. Herbaceous species with high constancy but lower cover include Lycopodium obscurum, Juncus effusus, and Carex debilis. Species with lower constancy that are sometimes abundant include Gaultheria procumbens, Eriophorum virginicum, Carex folliculata, Brachyelytrum erectum, Solidago rugosa, Apocynum androsaemifolium, and Lycopodium clavatum. Nonvascular plants average 60% cover, dominated by Polytrichum spp. (Polytrichum juniperinum, Polytrichum commune, Polytrichum strictum, Polytrichum pallidisetum) and often including moderate cover by Sphagnum spp. (Sphagnum fallax, Sphagnum girgensohnii, Sphagnum rubellum). Cladonia spp. are often present with low cover. Indicator species that help to distinguish this community from others within the shrubland physiognomy for high-elevation wetlands of the Allegheny Mountains region are Danthonia compressa, Polytrichum spp., and Pteridium aquilinum. Mean species richness of all vascular plants and any nonvascular plants with cover >1% is 22 taxa per 400 m2 (Byers et al. 2007).

Dynamics:  This is a small-patch successional shrubland community. It is maintained by beaver activity, seepage from adjacent uplands, high water tables in adjacent flat-lying headwater basins, and rainfall. Nutrient cycling occurs from the decay of litter or woody vegetation.
Environmental Description:  This successional shrubland occurs on temporarily flooded or saturated acidic soils in the Allegheny Mountains region of West Virginia, at elevations between 770 and 1220 m. It is a small-patch type that occupies flat to mildly inclined (0-5°) slopes in headwater basins. It occupies slightly drier positions in open wetland mosaics, either on the margins of the wetland, as drier lenses in the middle of the wetland, or interfingering with wetter shrub swamps or herbaceous wetlands in an irregular pattern related to moisture availability. Where conditions are favorable, individual stands may be as large as 20 ha. This community is part of the natural disturbance mosaic of beaver-influenced vegetation types at high elevations in the Alleghenies, and also occurs on formerly forested wetlands that were logged or burned within the last 120 years. It is probably more widespread now than in the past when forests covered much of its current habitat. Where natural succession is unhindered, some stands will likely recover to forested wetlands of high conservation value, although the recovery rate is slow (perhaps a century) in these frost-pocket habitats. Hummock-and-hollow microtopography is moderately developed, with moss-covered hummocks formed over woody stem clusters, decayed wood, and roots. Bedrock may be sandstone, shale, or limestone. Soil texture is moderately poorly to very poorly drained silt loam or clay loam, with peat developing in some older stands. Hydric soil indicators include histisol, depleted matrix, depleted below dark surface, and redox depressions. Mean soil pH is 3.7 (n=9), mean pore water pH is 4.6 (n=7), and electrical conductivity averages 50 micromhos/cm (n=3). Soil chemistry is characterized by high Al, Fe, total exchange capacity, and organic matter; moderate K and exchangeable nitrogen; and low B, Ca, Cu, Mg, Mn, Na, P, S, and Zn (n=9). The unvegetated surface is predominantly litter, with an average of 3% bare soil, 1% downed wood, and 0.5% standing water (Byers et al. 2007).
Geographic Range: This community occurs in the Allegheny Mountains region of West Virginia, at elevations between 770 and 1220 m.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  WV


Confidence Level: High

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR

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.2 Temperate to Polar Bog & Fen Formation F016 2.C.2
Division 2.C.2.Na North American Bog & Fen Division D029 2.C.2.Na
Macrogroup 2.C.2.Na.1 Leatherleaf - Small Cranberry - Few-seed Sedge Bog & Acidic Fen Macrogroup M876 2.C.2.Na.1
Group 2.C.2.Na.1.a Leatherleaf - Few-seed Sedge - Bog Laurel Boreal Bog & Acidic Fen Group G748 2.C.2.Na.1.a
Alliance A1018 Highbush Blueberry Peat Shrubland Alliance A1018 2.C.2.Na.1.a
Association CEGL006596 Velvetleaf Huckleberry / Western Brackenfern / Haircap Moss species Acidic Peatland CEGL006596 2.C.2.Na.1.a
Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Vaccinium myrtilloides / Pteridium aquilinum / Polytrichum spp. Shrub Swamp (Byers et al. 2007)
= Vaccinium myrtilloides thicket community (Fortney 1975)
Concept Author(s): E.A. Byers et al. (2007)

Author of Description: E.A. Byers

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 04-03-07
  • Byers, E. A., J. P. Vanderhorst, and B. P. Streets. 2007. Classification and conservation assessment of high elevation wetland communities in the Allegheny Mountains of West Virginia. West Virginia Natural Heritage Program, West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, Elkins.
  • CVI [Canaan Valley Institute]. 2005. Wetland assessment. Unpublished report.
  • Eastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boston, MA.
  • Fortney, R. H. 1975. The vegetation of Canaan Valley, West Virginia: A taxonomic and ecological study. Ph.D. dissertation, University of West Virginia, Morgantown.
  • Francl, K. E. 2003. Community characterization of high elevation Central Appalachian wetlands. Ph.D. disseration, University of Georgia, Athens.
  • Robinette, S. L. 1964. Plant ecology of an Allegheny mountain swamp. M.S. thesis, West Virginia University, Morgantown.
  • WVNHP [West Virginia Natural Heritage Program]. No date. Unpublished data. West Virginia Natural Heritage Program, Elkins.