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CEGL004024 Hudsonia tomentosa Dune Dwarf-shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Woolly Beach-heather Dune Dwarf-shrubland
Colloquial Name: Great Lakes Beach-heather Dune Dwarf-shrubland
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This dwarf-shrubland is found in the Great Lakes region of the United States. Stands occur on gently to moderately sloping dunes (dune-swale complex) and sandplains with rapidly drained sand soil. This unique community likely occurs because of the protection by the dunes from north winds and the slightly elevated location on low to midslopes. The slight slope and protection from the wind limit erosion and allow a stable surface for vegetation (versus the shifting sands of the higher dunes). This community is dominated by Hudsonia tomentosa, which can often occur in monotypic stands. A very sparse taller shrub layer with species such as Pinus banksiana, Populus balsamifera, and Salix interior may be present. The sparse herbaceous layer includes Ammophila breviligulata, Deschampsia flexuosa, and Maianthemum stellatum.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This association is temporarily placed in an alliance found along the North Atlantic Coastal Plain. It may need to be moved to another alliance based on revisions to the NVC such that it occurs within a Great Lakes dunal group.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This community is dominated by a sparse to moderately dense (25-80% cover), often monotypic, dwarf-shrub layer of Hudsonia tomentosa. There may also be a very sparse tall-shrub layer and sparse cover of short shrubs. When present, these include Pinus banksiana, Populus balsamifera, and Salix interior. The sparse herbaceous layer includes Ammophila breviligulata, Deschampsia flexuosa, and Maianthemum stellatum. In addition, this community supports Michigan state-vulnerable Cirsium pitcheri and Tanacetum bipinnatum ssp. huronense. Nonvascular species (mosses and lichens), including Cladonia sp., and Cladonia rangiferina (= Cladina rangiferina), cover up to 50% of the ground surface.
Dynamics: Common disturbances are foot trails (impacting the cryptobiotic crust on the soil), Pinus banksiana and Ammophila breviligulata encroachment, and fire suppression.
Environmental Description: This community consists of sandy or dunal areas dominated by Hudsonia tomentosa. It is largely confined to the low and midslope areas of Great Lakes dunes. Stands often contain a cryptobiotic crust on the soil.
Geographic Range: This community is found along dunes and sandplains throughout the northern Great Lakes.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: MI, WI
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.816681
Confidence Level: Low
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.B Temperate & Boreal Grassland & Shrubland Subclass | S18 | 2.B |
| Formation | 2.B.4 Temperate to Polar Scrub & Herb Coastal Vegetation Formation | F005 | 2.B.4 |
| Division | 2.B.4.Na Eastern North American Coastal Scrub & Herb Vegetation Division | D026 | 2.B.4.Na |
| Macrogroup | 2.B.4.Na.2 American Beachgrass - Sea-oats - Seaside Goldenrod Dune & Grassland Macrogroup | M057 | 2.B.4.Na.2 |
| Group | 2.B.4.Na.2.d Creeping Juniper - American Beachgrass Coastal Dune & Grassland Group | G089 | 2.B.4.Na.2.d |
| Alliance | A3719 American Beachgrass - Juniper species Great Lakes Dune Grassland Alliance | A3719 | 2.B.4.Na.2.d |
| Association | CEGL004024 Woolly Beach-heather Dune Dwarf-shrubland | CEGL004024 | 2.B.4.Na.2.d |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
- Hop, K., S. Menard, J. Drake, S. Lubinski, and J. Dieck. 2010a. National Park Service Vegetation Inventory Program: Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, Wisconsin. Natural Resource Report NPS/GLKN/NRR-2010/199. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 310 pp.
- Hop, K., S. Menard, J. Drake, S. Lubinski, and J. Dieck. 2010c. National Park Service Vegetation Inventory Program: Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Michigan. Natural Resource Report NPS/GLKN/NRR-2010/201. National Park Service, Fort Collins, Colorado. 358 pp.
- Kost, M. A., D. A. Albert, J. G. Cohen, B. S. Slaughter, R. K. Schillo, C. R. Weber, and K. A. Chapman. 2007. Natural communities of Michigan: Classification and description. Report No. 2007-21, Michigan Natural Features Inventory, Lansing. 314 pp. [http://web4.msue.msu.edu/mnfi/reports/2007-21_Natural_Communites_of_Michigan_Classification_and_Description.pdf]
- Midwestern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Minneapolis, MN.
- WDNR [Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources]. 2015. The ecological landscapes of Wisconsin: An assessment of ecological resources and a guide to planning sustainable management. PUB-SS-1131 2015. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Madison. [http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/landscapes/Book.html]