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A2032 Quercus velutina - Fagus grandifolia - Ilex opaca Maritime Forest Alliance

Type Concept Sentence: This alliance includes maritime and coastal forests of the Northeast characterized by Quercus velutina and Quercus alba, and others.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Black Oak - American Beech - American Holly Maritime Forest Alliance

Colloquial Name: North Atlantic Maritime Oak - Beech - Holly Forest

Hierarchy Level:  Alliance

Type Concept: This alliance includes maritime and coastal forests of the Northeast. It ranges from scrub to forest in physiognomy and is generally deciduous, but one association in this alliance is dominated by Ilex opaca. Oaks, especially Quercus velutina and Quercus alba, Fagus grandifolia, and the shrub Morella pensylvanica are characteristic. Quercus stellata, although infrequent, is diagnostic when occurring in the maritime zone. Vines are particularly abundant and include Toxicodendron radicans, Smilax rotundifolia, Parthenocissus quinquefolia, and Vitis spp. The herbaceous layer is sparsely to moderately developed and includes Aralia nudicaulis, Carex pensylvanica, Maianthemum canadense, Maianthemum stellatum, and Panicum virgatum.

Diagnostic Characteristics: Oak- or holly-dominated maritime forests on protected backdunes.

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: No Data Available

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: In general, these forests are dominated by broad-leaved deciduous trees forming a closed canopy and occur in maritime situations that are exposed to wind-shear, salt spray, and coastal storms, and as a result, trees may be dwarfed and gnarled. The shrub layer is variable, characterized by either deciduous or broad-leaved evergreen species. The herbaceous layer is usually poorly developed and depauperate. Vines may form a shrub layer, or sometimes climb into the canopy and contribute shade.

Floristics: Oaks, especially Quercus velutina and Quercus alba, Fagus grandifolia and the shrub Morella pensylvanica are characteristic. Quercus stellata, although infrequent, is diagnostic when occurring in the maritime zone. One association is dominated by Ilex opaca. Vines are particularly abundant and include Toxicodendron radicans, Smilax rotundifolia, Parthenocissus quinquefolia, and Vitis spp. Shrubs may include Clethra alnifolia, Gaylussacia baccata, Gaylussacia frondosa, Ilex verticillata, Morella pensylvanica (= Myrica pensylvanica), Rhus copallinum, and Vaccinium corymbosum. The herbaceous layer is sparsely to moderately developed and includes Aralia nudicaulis, Carex pensylvanica, Maianthemum canadense, Maianthemum stellatum (= Smilacina stellata), Panicum virgatum, and Pteridium aquilinum.

Dynamics:  This alliance forms in sheltered backdunes that are not fully exposed to maritime winds and salt spray, but the upper canopy may be wind-sheared where it rises above the level of the dune. Deer browsing affects the shrub and herb layers.
Environmental Description:  This forest alliance occurs on nutrient-poor, well-drained acidic soils at low elevations. Topography may be undulating, and these forests may occur on steep bluffs. In maritime habitats, these forests occur on sand dunes or moraines.
Geographic Range: This alliance occurs on the coast from southern New Hampshire to Maryland, and perhaps farther south to Virginia.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  CT, DC, DE, MA, MD, NJ, NY, RI, VA?


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.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.9 Pitch Pine - oak spp. - American Holly North Atlantic Forest Macrogroup M525 1.B.2.Na.9
Group 1.B.2.Na.9.c Pitch Pine - American Beech / Northern Bayberry Maritime Forest Group G893 1.B.2.Na.9.c
Alliance A2032 Black Oak - American Beech - American Holly Maritime Forest Alliance A2032 1.B.2.Na.9.c
Association CEGL006043 American Beech / Roundleaf Greenbrier Forest CEGL006043 1.B.2.Na.9.c
Association CEGL006372 Post Oak - Sassafras / Cat Greenbrier Woodland CEGL006372 1.B.2.Na.9.c
Association CEGL006373 Post Oak - Black Oak / Northern Bayberry / Wavy Hairgrass Forest CEGL006373 1.B.2.Na.9.c
Association CEGL006376 American Holly / Northern Bayberry Forest CEGL006376 1.B.2.Na.9.c
Association CEGL006929 Southern Red Oak - Pitch Pine - Shortleaf Pine / American Holly Woodland CEGL006929 1.B.2.Na.9.c
Concept Lineage: Revision of protoalliance A2032 now confined to coastal and maritime settings. 2 associations formerly tagged to this alliance, 6919 and 6921, should get a new alliance and remain in G650. A.229 in part.

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: < Coastal Oak-Beech Forest (NYNHP 2013p)
< Maritime Oak - Holly Forest / Woodland (Swain and Kearsley 2001)
< Maritime Post Oak Forest (NYNHP 2013q)
< Sunken Forest (Art 1976)
Concept Author(s): H.W. Art (1976); D. Hunt (1997a)

Author of Description: L. Sneddon

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 12-18-14
  • Art, H. W. 1976. Ecological studies of the Sunken Forest, Fire Island National Seashore, New York. National Park Service Scientific Monograph Series No. 7, Publication No. NPS 123. 237 pp.
  • Art, H. W. 1987. Patterns of community dynamics in the Sunken Forest: 1967 to 1985 and 1985 to 1986. National Park Service, North Atlantic Regional Office. 66 pp.
  • Faber-Langendoen, D., J. Drake, M. Hall, G. Kittel, S. Menard, C. Nordman, M. Pyne, M. Reid, M. Russo, K. Schulz, L. Sneddon, K. Snow, and J. Teague. 2013-2019b. Screening alliances for induction into the U.S. National Vegetation Classification: Part 1 - Alliance concept review. NatureServe, Arlington, VA.
  • Godfrey, P. J., M. Benedict, and M. Soukup. 1978. A guide to the ecology of Cape Cod National Seashore (Mary 1978 draft). National Park Service Cooperative Research Unit, Institute for Man and Environment, University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
  • Good, R. E., and N. F. Good. 1970. Vegetation of the sea cliffs and adjacent uplands on the north shore of Long Island, New York. Bulletin of the Torrey Botanical Club 97:204-208.
  • Greller, A. M. 1977. A classification of mature forests on Long Island, New York. Bulletin of the Torrey Botanical Club 104:376-382.
  • Hunt, D. 1997a. Long Island oak forest project: Classification justification. Unpublished materials. New York Natural Heritage Program, Latham, NY.
  • NYNHP [New York Natural Heritage Program]. 2013p. Online conservation guide for Coastal Oak-Beech Forest. New York Natural Heritage Program, Albany, NY. [http://www.acris.nynhp.org/guide.php?id=9989]
  • NYNHP [New York Natural Heritage Program]. 2013q. Online conservation guide for Maritime Post Oak Forest. New York Natural Heritage Program, Albany, NY. [http://www.acris.nynhp.org/guide.php?id=9974]
  • Sneddon, L., and J. Lundgren. 2001. Vegetation classification of Fire Island National Seashore and William Floyd Estate. Final Draft. TNC/ABI Vegetation Mapping Program. 87 pp.
  • Swain, P. C., and J. B. Kearsley. 2001. Classification of natural communities of Massachusetts. September 2001 draft. Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program, Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, Westborough, MA.
  • Swain, P. C., and J. B. Kearsley. 2011. Classification of the natural communities of Massachusetts. Version 1.4. Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program, Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, Westborough, MA. [http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dfg/dfw/natural-heritage/natural-communities/classification-of-natural-communities.html]