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CEGL006457 Morella pensylvanica / Panicum virgatum Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Northern Bayberry / Switchgrass Shrubland
Colloquial Name: Maritime Morainal Shrubland
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This maritime shrubland of southern New England occurs on well-drained soils of morainal landscapes. It is currently documented from Nomans Land Island National Wildlife Refuge, Massachusetts, where it occupies much of the landscape matrix, and Block Island, Rhode Island. It may also occur on the Elizabeth Islands in Massachusetts, eastern Long Island, New York, and other terminal moraines. It is of variable structure and composition, ranging from dense low shrubland to a complex of patchy shrubs and grasses, most characteristically Morella pensylvanica and Panicum virgatum. In general, this is a low to medium-height shrubland ranging from 1-2 m tall. Associated shrubs may include Rhus typhina, Rhus copallinum, Toxicodendron radicans, Rubus hispidus, Rosa virginiana, and Viburnum dentatum. Associated herbs may include Dichanthelium clandestinum, Andropogon virginicus, Andropogon glomeratus, Euthamia graminifolia, Solidago rugosa, and Solidago sempervirens. Exotic species are often present, including Rosa rugosa and pasture grasses and forbs such as Elymus repens, Dactylis glomerata, Bromus hordeaceus, Phleum pratense, Daucus carota, Achillea millefolium, and the like. This vegetation is likely of natural origin on the immediate coastline where it is maintained by strong winds and salt spray, but further inland is often of anthropogenic origin as a result of forest clearing and grazing.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This association is considered provisional until additional data are collected and analyzed.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Vegetation is of variable structure and composition, ranging from dense low shrubland to a complex of patchy shrubs and grasses, most characteristically Morella pensylvanica and Panicum virgatum. In general, this is a low to medium-height shrubland ranging from 1-2 m tall. Associated shrubs may include Rhus typhina, Rhus copallinum, Toxicodendron radicans, Rubus hispidus, Rosa virginiana, and Viburnum dentatum. Associated herbs may include Dichanthelium clandestinum, Andropogon virginicus, Andropogon glomeratus, Euthamia graminifolia, Solidago rugosa, and Solidago sempervirens. Exotic and/or invasive species are often present, including Rosa rugosa and pasture grasses and forbs such as Elymus repens (= Agropyron repens), Dactylis glomerata, Bromus hordeaceus (= Bromus mollis), Phleum pratense, Daucus carota, Achillea millefolium, and the like.
Dynamics: This vegetation is likely of natural origin on the immediate coastline where it is maintained by strong winds and salt spray, but further inland is often of anthropogenic origin as a result of forest clearing and grazing.
Environmental Description: This maritime shrubland of southern New England occurs on well-drained soils of morainal landscapes.
Geographic Range: This association is currently documented from Nomans Land Island National Wildlife Refuge in Massachusetts and Block Island, Rhode Island. It may also occur on eastern Long Island, New York and on the Elizabeth Islands in Massachusetts, as well as other morainal landforms.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: MA, NY, RI
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.858379
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
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.c Northern Bayberry - American Beachgrass - Shore Little Bluestem Dune & Grassland Group | G493 | 2.B.4.Na.2.c |
| Alliance | A0902 Northern Bayberry Dune Shrubland Alliance | A0902 | 2.B.4.Na.2.c |
| Association | CEGL006457 Northern Bayberry / Switchgrass Shrubland | CEGL006457 | 2.B.4.Na.2.c |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: ? Grassland (Fogg 1930)
? Grassland Community (O''Neill 1981)
? Grassland Community (O''Neill 1981)
- Eastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boston, MA.
- Enser, R. W., and J. A. Lundgren. 2006. Natural communities of Rhode Island. A joint project of the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management Natural Heritage Program and The Nature Conservancy of Rhode Island. Rhode Island Natural History Survey, Kingston. 40 pp. [www.rinhs.org]
- Fogg, J. M. 1930. The flora of the Elizabeth Islands, Massachusetts. Rhodora 32:119-132, 147-161, 167-180, 208-221, 226-258, 263-281.
- Hadjian, J. 1995. Unpublished field forms of Block Island. October 1995. The Nature Conservancy, Eastern Regional Office, Boston, MA.
- O''Neill, S. D. 1981. The flora of Cuttyhunk Island, Massachusetts: With an analysis of vegetational changes over the past half century. Rhodora 83:25-57.
- Sneddon, L. A. 2010. Unpublished field notes of Nomans Land Island and Monomoy National Wildlife Refuges. July 2010. NatureServe, Boston, MA.
- Swain, P. C., and J. B. Kearsley. 2014. Classification of the natural communities of Massachusetts. Version 2.0. Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program, Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife. Westborough, MA. [http://www.mass.gov/nhesp/http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dfg/dfw/natural-heritage/natural-communities/classification-of-natural-communities.html]