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CEGL006624 Pinus virginiana - (Pinus rigida) - Nyssa sylvatica / Xanthorhiza simplicissima / Euphorbia corollata Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Virginia Pine - (Pitch Pine) - Blackgum / Yellowroot / Flowering Spurge Forest
Colloquial Name: Appalachian-Alleghenian Pine Floodplain Forest
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This association occurs in narrow bands along high-energy floodplain gorges of a few rivers in West Virginia. Sites are located at constrictions associated with rapids and bends in the river. Solar exposure is relatively high for the gorge setting; most known sites occur in positions with southerly exposures. Substrates include bedrock, boulder, cobble, and sand. Soils are acidic, well-drained sand to sandy loam. Vegetation is a mixed evergreen-deciduous forest or woodland dominated by Pinus virginiana and/or Pinus rigida, with associated species forming an unusual mix of xerophytic and flood-tolerant species. The canopy varies from tall to somewhat stunted, with 30 to 70% cover. Canopy trees, in addition to the dominant pines, include Acer rubrum, Nyssa sylvatica, Liriodendron tulipifera, Quercus prinus, Quercus alba, and Platanus occidentalis. Other trees that are common in the subcanopy include Tsuga canadensis, Ilex opaca var. opaca, Oxydendrum arboreum, Chionanthus virginicus, Carpinus caroliniana ssp. virginiana, and Betula nigra. Shrub species include Hamamelis virginiana, Rhododendron maximum, Kalmia latifolia, Lindera benzoin, Physocarpus opulifolius var. opulifolius, and Xanthorhiza simplicissima. There is often regeneration of Pinus virginiana in the shrub layers. The herb layer is usually diverse, in sharp contrast to xeric upland associations dominated by Pinus virginiana or Pinus rigida. Common herbs in plots include Rudbeckia laciniata, Potentilla canadensis, Pedicularis canadensis, Packera aurea, Lysimachia quadrifolia, Zizia aptera, Viola pedata, Solidago simplex var. racemosa, Packera paupercula, Hypoxis hirsuta, Euphorbia corollata, Deschampsia flexuosa, Schizachyrium scoparium, Andropogon gerardii, and Sorghastrum nutans.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Recognition of this new association (February 2010) is supported by data from eleven plots along four rivers in West Virginia. Canopy dominance of this association is similar to ~Pinus virginiana - Pinus (rigida, echinata) - (Quercus montana) / Vaccinium pallidum Forest (CEGL007119)$$, but it differs by its occurrence on floodplains and by having much higher diversity in the shrub and herb layers, including many species tolerant of flood disturbance. A single plot from New River Gorge at Sandstone Falls (NERI.92) that was previously classified (Vanderhorst et al. 2007) as a variant of ~Platanus occidentalis - Betula nigra / Cornus amomum / (Andropogon gerardii, Chasmanthium latifolium) Floodplain Forest (CEGL003725)$$ is probably better classified as this association.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This association is a mixed evergreen-deciduous floodplain forest or woodland dominated by Pinus virginiana and/or Pinus rigida. Floristic composition is an unusual mix of xerophytic and flood-tolerant species. Tree canopies are tall or somewhat stunted and canopy cover ranges from 30 to 70%. Canopy trees, in addition to the dominant pines, include Acer rubrum, Nyssa sylvatica, Liriodendron tulipifera, Quercus prinus, Quercus alba, and Platanus occidentalis. Subcanopy cover ranges from 0 to 60%. Additional trees that are common in the subcanopy include Tsuga canadensis, Ilex opaca var. opaca, Oxydendrum arboreum, Chionanthus virginicus, Carpinus caroliniana ssp. virginiana, and Betula nigra. Shrub species include Hamamelis virginiana, Rhododendron maximum, Kalmia latifolia, Lindera benzoin, Physocarpus opulifolius var. opulifolius, and Xanthorhiza simplicissima. There is often regeneration of Pinus virginiana in the shrub layers. The herb layer is usually diverse, in sharp contrast to xeric upland associations dominated by Pinus virginiana or Pinus rigida. Common herbs include Rudbeckia laciniata var. laciniata, Potentilla canadensis var. canadensis, Pedicularis canadensis ssp. canadensis, Packera aurea, Lysimachia quadrifolia, Zizia aptera, Viola pedata, Solidago simplex var. racemosa, Packera paupercula, Hypoxis hirsuta, Euphorbia corollata, Deschampsia flexuosa var. flexuosa, Schizachyrium scoparium var. scoparium, Andropogon gerardii, and Sorghastrum nutans. Vascular plant species diversity in six plots sampled along the Gauley River range from 32 to 70 taxa (mean = 56.2). Bryophytes identified in the Gauley River plots include Dicranum scoparium, Bryoandersonia illecebra, Grimmia pilifera, Hypnum imponens, Leucobryum albidum, Leucobryum glaucum, and Thuidium delicatulum; lichens include Xanthoparmelia plittii and Parmotrema hypotropum.
Dynamics: This association appears to occur in riparian sites subject to occasional high-energy, stand-replacing floods.
Environmental Description: This association occurs in well-drained positions on floodplains that are hypothesized to be subject to occasional high-energy, stand-replacing floods. Sites are located at knickpoints, or constrictions, which are associated with rapids and bends in the river. Solar exposure of sites is relatively high, especially compared to other gorge bottom communities; most sites occur in positions with southerly exposures. Slopes at Gauley River occurrences range from 0.7-18° (mean = 12°) and elevations range from 214 to 401 m (mean = 264 m). Some sites do not appear to flood regularly but others have evidence (flotsam, sediment accumulation) of frequent flooding. Stands occur on bedrock, boulder, cobble, and sand substrates. Bedrock and boulders provide structure and microsites which facilitate establishment and survival of xerophytic trees and shrubs in frequently flooded sites. In areas that are infrequently flooded, unvegetated ground cover is dominated by litter; in areas that are more frequently flooded, it is dominated by rock, sand, and flotsam. Soils are temporarily flooded, well-drained sand and sandy loam. Soils test strongly to slightly acidic (mean pH = 5.3) with relatively low levels of total exchange capacity, organic matter, estimated N release, S, Al, Ca, K, and P.
Geographic Range: This association is currently known from the Gauley, Greenbrier, New, and Tygart''s Valley rivers, on the west slope of the Eastern Continental Divide in West Virginia.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: WV
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.835732
Confidence Level: Moderate
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 | CEGL006624 Virginia Pine - (Pitch Pine) - Blackgum / Yellowroot / Flowering Spurge Forest | CEGL006624 | 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: No Data Available
- Eastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boston, MA.
- Vanderhorst, J. P., B. P. Streets, Z. Arcaro, and S. C. Gawler. 2010. Vegetation classification and mapping at Gauley River National Recreation Area. Technical Report NPS/NER/NRTR--2010/148. 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.