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CEGL004821 Pinus rigida - Quercus montana / Gaylussacia baccata / Carex pensylvanica Woodland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Pitch Pine - Chestnut Oak / Black Huckleberry / Pennsylvania Sedge Woodland
Colloquial Name: Appalachian Pitch Pine Pavement Woodland
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This association grows on massive, gently to steeply sloping pavements of Silurian, Devonian, and Pennsylvanian sandstones that occur locally on the middle to upper sideslopes of ridges in the Ridge and Valley and Cumberland Mountains of Virginia and possibly West Virginia. It also occurs on the Allegheny Plateau and Ridge and Valley physiographic provinces in Maryland. Most stands occur in the elevational range of 760 to 1100 m (2500-3600 feet); Maryland stands are much lower in elevation at 245 to 305 m (800-1000 feet) than stands documented in Virginia and West Virginia. Aspect varies from east to northwest, and moisture conditions are generally xeric. Surface substrate cover of exposed bedrock averages 75 to 80%. Soil development in these habitats is negligible, consisting of shallow organic-rich accumulations in cracks, crevices, and shallow depressions. Occasional ledges support very thin veneers of soil material, which is extremely acidic and nutrient-poor. Summer drought and strong winter winds and ice are major stressors of this community type. Vegetation is characterized by a sparse, stunted woodland of short (often <6 m tall), widely spaced Pinus rigida, often in association with Quercus montana. Occasional canopy associates include Quercus rubra, Pinus virginiana, and Pinus echinata. Total canopy cover is usually <25% and often <10%, with trees rooted in larger cracks and crevices. Total shrub cover is typically 10-15%, with Betula lenta, Smilax glauca, Gaylussacia baccata, Kalmia latifolia, Amelanchier arborea, Acer rubrum, Sassafras albidum, and Vaccinium pallidum the most frequent species. The herb layer is sparse (generally <5% total cover), with only occasional, continuous patches of Carex pensylvanica, Danthonia spicata, or Deschampsia flexuosa covering a few square meters. Lithophytic species such as Corydalis sempervirens, Dicentra eximia, Polypodium appalachianum, and Saxifraga michauxii are characteristic but occur at very low cover. Lichens and bryophytes usually cover much of the exposed pavement surfaces. The glades over Pottsville in the Ridge and Valley of Maryland are characterized as sparse woodlands with a strong dominance of Pinus virginiana and/or Pinus rigida in variable proportions. Oaks such as Quercus montana and Quercus velutina are also present but minor.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: In the 1134-plot regional analysis for the Southern Appalachian portion of the Appalachian Trail (Fleming and Patterson 2009a), a small group of three Virginia plots was classified as this type. In a subsequent 1300-plot analysis of all Virginia montane upland forests, woodlands, and barrens (Fleming and Patterson 2009b), it was represented by five plots. Although plot data are limited, these groups are distinct from other xeric woodlands and barrens in both cluster analysis and ordination studies. Other large occurrences of this association have been documented qualitatively by Virginia Division of Natural Heritage botanists and ecologists. The type has been internally recognized for years, but had been assigned to the now-retired Pinus (virginiana, rigida) - Quercus montana / Gaylussacia baccata - Vaccinium pallidum Woodland [Provisional] (CEGL006563). Conceptually, environmentally, and physiognomically, this association appears to be distinct from the associations that superseded CEGL006563 elsewhere in the Central Appalachians (i.e., ~Pinus rigida - Quercus coccinea / Vaccinium angustifolium Woodland (CEGL006557)$$ and ~Pinus rigida / (Quercus ilicifolia) / Aronia melanocarpa / Deschampsia flexuosa Woodland (CEGL006116)$$). However, additional data collection and analysis of related pine woodlands are certainly warranted. If interpreted very broadly, this community might be considered a sparse, lithophytic variant of ~Pinus (pungens, rigida) - Quercus montana / (Quercus ilicifolia) / Gaylussacia baccata Woodland (CEGL004996)$$, the widespread Central Appalachian community of xeric ridges and spurs.
A small "Sandstone Glade" dataset collected in 1994 by Ashton Berdine over the Pottsville sandstone formation was used to validate this type for Maryland. Data from Mill Run and Martin Mountain in the Ridge and Valley physiographic province formed a somewhat heterogeneous group characterized by open, stunted pine woodlands over much exposed sandstone pavement and low herb diversity. Another stand on the Allegheny Plateau at Cucumber Hollow Glade also fits this concept in being characterized by stunted open woodlands of Pinus rigida over sandstone pavement. Maryland data is supported by five plots with a mean species richness of 15 species, homoteneity of 0.693, and Bray-Curtis similarity of 0.431.
A small "Sandstone Glade" dataset collected in 1994 by Ashton Berdine over the Pottsville sandstone formation was used to validate this type for Maryland. Data from Mill Run and Martin Mountain in the Ridge and Valley physiographic province formed a somewhat heterogeneous group characterized by open, stunted pine woodlands over much exposed sandstone pavement and low herb diversity. Another stand on the Allegheny Plateau at Cucumber Hollow Glade also fits this concept in being characterized by stunted open woodlands of Pinus rigida over sandstone pavement. Maryland data is supported by five plots with a mean species richness of 15 species, homoteneity of 0.693, and Bray-Curtis similarity of 0.431.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This community is characterized by a sparse, stunted woodland of short (often <6 m tall), widely spaced Pinus rigida, often in association with Quercus montana (= Quercus prinus). Occasional canopy associates include Quercus rubra, Pinus virginiana, and Pinus echinata. Total canopy cover is usually <25% and often <10%, with trees rooted in larger cracks and crevices. Shrubs and shrubby, stunted trees that also find a foothold in crevices, depressions, and shallow organic accumulations include Betula lenta, Smilax glauca, Gaylussacia baccata, Kalmia latifolia, Amelanchier arborea, Acer rubrum, Sassafras albidum, and Vaccinium pallidum. Other shrubs, including Ilex montana, Rhododendron catawbiense, and Vaccinium stamineum, may also occur but are not constant. Total shrub cover is typically 10-15%. The herb layer is sparse (generally <5% total cover), with only occasional, continuous patches of Carex pensylvanica, Danthonia spicata, or Deschampsia flexuosa covering a few square meters. Lithophytic species such as Corydalis sempervirens, Dicentra eximia, Polypodium appalachianum, and Saxifraga michauxii are characteristic but occur at very low cover. Lichens and bryophytes usually cover much of the exposed pavement surfaces; Leucobryum glaucum is a frequent bryophyte, while frequent and/or abundant lichens include Xanthoparmelia spp., Dimelaena oreina, Lasallia pensylvanica, Lasallia papulosa, and Cladonia spp. Overall species richness is characteristically low, averaging 23 taxa per 400 m2 in five Virginia plots. The glades over Pottsville in the Ridge and Valley of Maryland are characterized as sparse woodlands with a strong dominance of Pinus virginiana and/or Pinus rigida in variable proportions. Oaks such as Quercus montana and Quercus velutina are also present but minor. Maryland data is supported by five plots with a mean species richness of 15 species, homoteneity of 0.693, and Bray-Curtis similarity of 0.431.
Dynamics: Constant summer drought and strong winter winds and ice are major stressors of this vegetation type. It is doubtful that fires are a major ecological influence due to the lack of significant fuels to carry frequent fire.
Environmental Description: This association grows on massive, gently to steeply sloping pavements of Silurian, Devonian, and Pennsylvanian sandstones that occur locally on the middle to upper sideslopes of ridges in the Ridge and Valley and Cumberland Mountains of Virginia and possibly West Virginia. It also occurs on the Allegheny Plateau and Ridge and Valley physiographic provinces in Maryland. Most stands occur in the elevational range of 760 to 1100 m (2500-3600 feet); Maryland stands are much lower in elevation at 245 to 305 m (800-1000 feet) than stands documented in Virginia and West Virginia. Aspect varies from east to northwest, and moisture conditions are generally xeric. Surface substrate cover of exposed bedrock averages 75 to 80%. Soil development in these habitats is negligible, consisting of shallow organic-rich accumulations in cracks, crevices, and shallow depressions. Occasional ledges support very thin veneers of soil material, which is extremely acidic and nutrient-poor.
Geographic Range: This association is known from the southern part of the Central Appalachians and the Pine Mountain area of the Cumberland Mountains in Virginia. Similar vegetation occurs in eastern West Virginia (J. Vanderhorst pers. comm.). In western Virginia, it is most frequent and forms the largest patches on the higher, longer Ridge and Valley strike ridges west and southwest of Roanoke. It also occurs on the Allegheny Plateau and Ridge and Valley physiographic provinces in Maryland.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: MD, VA, WV
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.836338
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G3
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.2 Cool Temperate Forest & Woodland Formation | F008 | 1.B.2 |
| Division | 1.B.2.Na Eastern North American Forest & Woodland Division | D008 | 1.B.2.Na |
| Macrogroup | 1.B.2.Na.2 Appalachian-Northeastern Oak - Hardwood - Pine Forest & Woodland Macrogroup | M502 | 1.B.2.Na.2 |
| Group | 1.B.2.Na.2.g Table Mountain Pine - Virginia Pine - Pitch Pine Woodland & Barrens Group | G905 | 1.B.2.Na.2.g |
| Alliance | A0677 Table Mountain Pine - Pitch Pine - Chestnut Oak Woodland Alliance | A0677 | 1.B.2.Na.2.g |
| Association | CEGL004821 Pitch Pine - Chestnut Oak / Black Huckleberry / Pennsylvania Sedge Woodland | CEGL004821 | 1.B.2.Na.2.g |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Pinus rigida - Quercus montana / Gaylussacia baccata / Carex pensylvanica Woodland (Fleming and Patterson 2009b)
= Pinus rigida / Oxydendrum arboreum / Danthonia sericea Woodland (Fleming and Coulling 2001)
= Pinus rigida / Oxydendrum arboreum / Danthonia sericea Woodland (Fleming and Coulling 2001)
- Eastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boston, MA.
- Fleming, G. P., K. D. Patterson, and K. Taverna. 2017. The natural communities of Virginia: A classification of ecological community groups and community types. Third approximation. Version 3.0. Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage, Richmond, VA. [http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/natural-heritage/natural-communities/]
- Fleming, G. P., and K. D. Patterson. 2009a. A vegetation classification for the Appalachian Trail: Virginia south to Georgia. Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage. In-house analysis, March 2009.
- Fleming, G. P., and K. D. Patterson. 2009b. Classification of selected Virginia montane wetland groups. In-house analysis, December 2009. Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage, Richmond.
- Fleming, G. P., and P. P. Coulling. 2001. Ecological communities of the George Washington and Jefferson national forests, Virginia. Preliminary classification and description of vegetation types. Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage, Richmond, VA. 317 pp.
- Vanderhorst, Jim. Personal communication. Ecologist, West Virginia Natural Heritage Program, West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. Elkins, WV.
- WVNHP [West Virginia Natural Heritage Program]. No date. Unpublished data. West Virginia Natural Heritage Program, Elkins.