Print Report
CEGL006473 Acer saccharum - Liriodendron tulipifera / Galium concinnum - Carex laxiculmis Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Sugar Maple - Tuliptree / Shining Bedstraw - Spreading Sedge Forest
Colloquial Name: Central Appalachian Ridge & Valley Floodplain Forest
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This association is currently known from the Ridge and Valley province of Maryland. It occupies well-drained floodplains of small to medium-sized streams in areas underlain by sandstone and shale. Flooding likely varies from infrequent and ephemeral to periodically significant, with a return interval of 1 to 3 years. Soil samples collected from plots varied from sandy clay loams to sandy loams, with significant gravel content and relatively low base status. The vegetation is a predominantly deciduous forest with mixed and variable overstory dominance by combinations of Liriodendron tulipifera, Acer saccharum, Fraxinus americana, Quercus alba, Tilia americana, and Quercus rubra. Liriodendron tulipifera is most constant in the overstory, while Acer saccharum is constant in various strata and has the highest mean cover across 8 plot samples. Pinus strobus, Acer rubrum, Platanus occidentalis, and Magnolia acuminata are relatively minor species that only occasionally approach 25% cover in an individual plot. Lindera benzoin, Hamamelis virginiana, and Carpinus caroliniana are the most constant understory species. The herb layer is moderately diverse, with Eurybia divaricata, Polystichum acrostichoides, Cardamine concatenata, Claytonia virginica, Carex laxiculmis var. laxiculmis, Ageratina altissima, Maianthemum racemosum ssp. racemosum, Galium concinnum, Uvularia sessilifolia, Solidago caesia, and Carex digitalis all occurring in >75% of the plot samples. Species richness of 8 plot samples averaged 54 taxa per 400 m2.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: The classification is based on analysis of data from 8 plots collected in Washington and Allegany counties, Maryland, as part of the National Capital Region Parks project. Alliance placement needs review.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This is a predominantly deciduous forest with mixed and variable overstory dominance by combinations of Liriodendron tulipifera, Acer saccharum, Fraxinus americana, Quercus alba, Tilia americana, and Quercus rubra. Liriodendron tulipifera is most constant in the overstory, while Acer saccharum is constant in various strata and has the highest mean cover across plot samples. Pinus strobus, Acer rubrum, Platanus occidentalis, and Magnolia acuminata are relatively minor species that only occasionally approach 25% cover in an individual plot. Lindera benzoin, Hamamelis virginiana, and Carpinus caroliniana are the most constant understory species. The herb layer is moderately diverse, with Eurybia divaricata, Polystichum acrostichoides, Cardamine concatenata, Claytonia virginica, Carex laxiculmis var. laxiculmis, Ageratina altissima, Maianthemum racemosum ssp. racemosum, Galium concinnum, Uvularia sessilifolia, Solidago caesia, and Carex digitalis all occurring in >75% of the plot samples. Other herbaceous species that can be locally important in the type include Podophyllum peltatum, Brachyelytrum erectum, Prenanthes altissima, Bromus pubescens, Erythronium americanum, Sedum ternatum, Amphicarpaea bracteata, Actaea racemosa (= Cimicifuga racemosa), Thalictrum thalictroides, Carex gracillima, and Carex woodii. Species richness of 8 plot samples averaged 54 taxa per 400 m2. Some spring ephemerals are present in most plots, but the herbaceous flora generally lacks the lush aspect and leafy, nutrient-demanding species (e.g., Caulophyllum thalictroides) of very fertile floodplain or cove forests.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: The type is associated with well-drained floodplains of small to medium-sized streams in areas of the Ridge and Valley underlain by sandstone and shale. Flooding likely varies from infrequent and ephemeral to periodically significant, with a return interval of 1 to 3 years. Soil samples collected from plots varied from sandy clay loams to sandy loams with significant gravel content, and were strongly acidic (mean pH = 4.8) with moderately low calcium and magnesium levels, and intermediate (59%) total base saturation.
Geographic Range: This association is currently known from multiple sites near the Potomac River in the Ridge and Valley province of Maryland. Although patches are small, the habitat appears to be fairly common in the region, and the type is likely to have a much wider range than existing data indicate.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: MD, VA?, WV?
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.802059
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR
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 | CEGL006473 Sugar Maple - Tuliptree / Shining Bedstraw - Spreading Sedge Forest | CEGL006473 | 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: > Acer saccharum - Tilia americana - Liriodendron tulipifera / Carex gracillima - Brachyelytrum erectum Forest (Lea 2003)
> Liriodendron tulipifera - Pinus strobus - (Tsuga canadensis) / Carpinus caroliniana / Amphicarpaea bracteata Forest (Lea 2003) [not CEGL008405 or Fleming and Coulling (2001).]
> Liriodendron tulipifera - Pinus strobus - (Tsuga canadensis) / Carpinus caroliniana / Amphicarpaea bracteata Forest (Lea 2003) [not CEGL008405 or Fleming and Coulling (2001).]
- Eastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boston, MA.
- 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.