Print Report
CEGL004033 Southern Appalachian Bedrock Riverscour Vegetation
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Southern Appalachian Bedrock Riverscour Vegetation
Colloquial Name: Southern Appalachian Bedrock Riverscour
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This community is a bedrock scour community of medium to large rivers of the Southern Blue Ridge and possibly adjacent regions. The vegetation is confined to bedrock crevices and small soil pockets, and has low cover. The full range of its variation is poorly known. Known examples have Andropogon virginicus as the most constant abundant species. Other abundant herbs include Ipomoea pandurata, Ionactis linariifolius, Dichanthelium acuminatum var. fasciculatum, Juncus marginatus, Justicia americana, Apocynum androsaemifolium, and Equisetum arvense. Woody species include Salix nigra, Platanus occidentalis, Ilex verticillata, Ulmus alata, Toxicodendron radicans, and Parthenocissus quinquefolia.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This association is intended to cover bedrock scour communities of the Southern Blue Ridge, other than those that fit the couple of specialized associations from the Hiwassee and Ocoee rivers. The only documented examples are on the Nolichucky River (Brown 2002). These form the basis for this description, but examples found on other rivers may differ.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Vegetation consists of low cover of herbs and small woody plants. In the Nolichucky River examples, Andropogon virginicus is the most constant abundant species. Other abundant herbs include Ipomoea pandurata, Ionactis linariifolius, Dichanthelium acuminatum var. fasciculatum, Juncus marginatus, Justicia americana, Apocynum androsaemifolium, and Equisetum arvense. Woody species include Salix nigra, Platanus occidentalis, Ilex verticillata, Ulmus alata, Toxicodendron radicans, and Parthenocissus quinquefolia. Vegetation is limited by low density. Plants include species that are firmly rooted and tough, and those species that readily invade disturbed areas.
Dynamics: These communities are maintained by periodic floods, which prevent soil accumulation and limit the growth of plants. Soil volume is limited, and some microsites may become very dry between floods.
Environmental Description: This association is found on flood-scoured bedrock outcrops along medium to large mountain rivers. The vegetation is confined to bedrock crevices and small soil pockets. It is documented from the Nolichucky River (Brown 2002) and likely occurs on other rivers of the Southern Blue Ridge and possibly adjacent regions.
Geographic Range: This association is potentially found throughout the Southern Blue Ridge and possibly in adjacent regions.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: GA?, NC, TN?
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.839094
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G3
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.4 Temperate to Polar Freshwater Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Formation | F013 | 2.C.4 |
| Division | 2.C.4.Nd Eastern North American Temperate Freshwater Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Division | D323 | 2.C.4.Nd |
| Macrogroup | 2.C.4.Nd.3 Eastern North American Wet Shoreline Vegetation Macrogroup | M880 | 2.C.4.Nd.3 |
| Group | 2.C.4.Nd.3.a Eastern North American Riverine Wetland Vegetation Group | G755 | 2.C.4.Nd.3.a |
| Alliance | A0948 Black Willow Sand-Gravel Floodplain Scrub Alliance | A0948 | 2.C.4.Nd.3.a |
| Association | CEGL004033 Southern Appalachian Bedrock Riverscour Vegetation | CEGL004033 | 2.C.4.Nd.3.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Rocky Bar and Shore (Mountain Bedrock Scour Subtype) (Schafale 2012)
- Brown, R. L. 2002. Biodiversity and exotic species invasion in Southern Appalachian riparian plant communities. Ph.D dissertation, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. 156 pp.
- Schafale, M. P. 2012. Classification of the natural communities of North Carolina, 4th Approximation. North Carolina Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Recreation, Natural Heritage Program, Raleigh.
- Schafale, M. P., and A. S. Weakley. 1990. Classification of the natural communities of North Carolina. Third approximation. North Carolina Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Recreation, Natural Heritage Program, Raleigh. 325 pp.
- Schafale, Mike P. Personal communication. Ecologist, North Carolina Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Recreation, Natural Heritage Program, Raleigh.
- Southeastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Durham, NC.