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D042 Vaccinium uliginosum - Vaccinium vitis-idaea - Diapensia lapponica Alpine Tundra Division
Type Concept Sentence: This alpine vegetation occurs near or above treeline extending into subalpine, on mountain ridges and summits within the northern temperate and boreal areas of eastern North America, south of the continental (arctic) treeline, where wind, low mean annual temperatures or limited growing days, and cloud cover limit the length of the growing season for plants.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Bog Blueberry - Lingonberry - Pincushion Plant Alpine Tundra Division
Colloquial Name: Eastern North American Alpine Tundra
Hierarchy Level: Division
Type Concept: This alpine vegetation occurs near or above treeline, extending into subalpine, on mountain ridges and summits within the northern temperate and boreal areas of eastern North America, south of the continental (arctic) treeline, where wind, low mean annual temperatures or limited growing days, and cloud cover limit the length of the growing season for plants. Physiognomy is variable and is limited to growth forms that are well-adapted to conditions of a short growing season, high and/or constant winds, and extreme winter cold. These include dwarf-shrublands, saxicolous lichens, subalpine krummholz (dwarfed trees and taller shrubs), alpine cushion plants, and alpine graminoid meadows. Diagnostic species include Agrostis mertensii, Arctostaphylos alpina, Arnica lanceolata, Betula glandulosa, Carex bigelowii, Castilleja septentrionalis, Diapensia lapponica , Euphrasia oakesii, Geum peckii, Harrimanella hypnoides, Anthoxanthum monticola, Huperzia appalachiana, Juncus trifidus, Loiseleuria procumbens, Minuartia groenlandica, Omalotheca supina, Oxyria digyna, Phleum alpinum, Phyllodoce caerulea, Polygonum viviparum, Prenanthes boottii, Rhododendron lapponicum, Salix herbacea, Salix uva-ursi, Saxifraga foliolosa, Sibbaldia procumbens, Silene acaulis, Solidago cutleri, Trichophorum cespitosum, Vaccinium uliginosum, Vaccinium vitis-idaea, Veronica wormskjoldii and/or with Abies balsamea or Picea mariana in krummholz form. This type occurs (1) in isolated regions of the Laurentian (Canadian) Shield, including the Adirondack Mountains, (2) in the northern Appalachian Mountains, including the Green and White mountains, the Monts Chic-Chocs and McGerrigle, and the Long Range, and (3) on isolated lower elevation coastal and inland summits, from southern New Hampshire to northern Quebec and Labrador.
Diagnostic Characteristics: Shrub, dwarf-shrub, herbaceous, or lichen vegetation growing near or above treeline elevations, in boreal or temperate eastern North America, usually with one or more of these diagnostic species: Agrostis mertensii, Arctostaphylos alpina, Arnica lanceolata, Betula glandulosa, Carex bigelowii, Castilleja septentrionalis, Diapensia lapponica , Euphrasia oakesii, Geum peckii, Harrimanella hypnoides, Anthoxanthum monticola ssp. monticola, Huperzia appalachiana, Juncus trifidus, Loiseleuria procumbens, Minuartia groenlandica, Omalotheca supina, Oxyria digyna, Phleum alpinum, Phyllodoce caerulea, Polygonum viviparum, Prenanthes boottii, Rhododendron lapponicum, Salix herbacea, Salix uva-ursi, Saxifraga foliolosa, Sibbaldia procumbens, Silene acaulis, Solidago cutleri, Trichophorum cespitosum, Vaccinium uliginosum, Vaccinium vitis-idaea, Veronica wormskjoldii and/or with Abies balsamea or Picea mariana in krummholz form.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This division includes both true alpine areas (i.e., those that have species and growth forms that are also characteristic of arctic tundra), and subalpine areas (i.e., areas of lower elevations that support dwarf or krummholz trees and exposure-induced heath shrublands). The subalpine areas have a more limited subset of the arctic species, and these often are mixed with low-elevation boreal or subboreal species.
The floristic and a more precise environmental/geographic distinction between this division and 4.B.2.Xa ~Arctic Tundra & Barrens Division (D044)$$ is also needed. For lack of comprehensive floristic information across the gradients of the two divisions, the current geographic boundary is placed at the continental treeline in northern Quebec and Labrador. While somewhat imprecise geographically, this distinction has some conceptual logic, as stands of arctic/alpine vegetation become progressively more insular and isolated from continental tundra to the south, beginning at this location. Presumably, arctic species would progressively be lost from the flora and endemic high-montane alpine species and occasional northern temperate zone species would be progressively more likely to be components of the vegetation.
The potentially high overlap in species composition between this division and 4.B.2.Xa ~Arctic Tundra & Barrens Division (D044)$$, as intimated by the 70% overlap in species between arctic species and alpine regions of the Presidential Range in New Hampshire (Billings 1988), may suggest that North American temperate and boreal alpine vegetation should not be distinguished from arctic vegetation at the formation and division levels. This issue will need further review after all divisions are characterized across North America.
This division presently includes alpine saxicolous lichen and sparse vascular plant communities within ~Eastern Alpine Cliff, Scree & Rock Vegetation Group (G108)$$, including on cliffs and boulderfields (felsenmeer).
The floristic and a more precise environmental/geographic distinction between this division and 4.B.2.Xa ~Arctic Tundra & Barrens Division (D044)$$ is also needed. For lack of comprehensive floristic information across the gradients of the two divisions, the current geographic boundary is placed at the continental treeline in northern Quebec and Labrador. While somewhat imprecise geographically, this distinction has some conceptual logic, as stands of arctic/alpine vegetation become progressively more insular and isolated from continental tundra to the south, beginning at this location. Presumably, arctic species would progressively be lost from the flora and endemic high-montane alpine species and occasional northern temperate zone species would be progressively more likely to be components of the vegetation.
The potentially high overlap in species composition between this division and 4.B.2.Xa ~Arctic Tundra & Barrens Division (D044)$$, as intimated by the 70% overlap in species between arctic species and alpine regions of the Presidential Range in New Hampshire (Billings 1988), may suggest that North American temperate and boreal alpine vegetation should not be distinguished from arctic vegetation at the formation and division levels. This issue will need further review after all divisions are characterized across North America.
This division presently includes alpine saxicolous lichen and sparse vascular plant communities within ~Eastern Alpine Cliff, Scree & Rock Vegetation Group (G108)$$, including on cliffs and boulderfields (felsenmeer).
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: This vegetation includes physiognomically variable vegetation, including shrublands of wind-stunted (krummholz) coniferous and, hardwood trees and heaths to tundra-like dwarf-shrublands, graminoid meadows, and cushion plant communities to lichen-dominated lithomorphic communities with sparse vascular plants.
Floristics: Subalpine krummholz communities are dominated mostly by the conifers Abies balsamea and/or Picea mariana, and, less frequently, by deciduous species such as Alnus viridis, Betula papyrifera var. cordifolia (= Betula cordifolia), and Betula glandulosa. At lower elevations, Amelanchier bartramiana, Kalmia angustifolia, Ledum groenlandicum (= Rhododendron groenlandicum), Ilex mucronata (= Nemopanthus mucronatus), Rhododendron canadense, Vaccinium angustifolium, and/or dwarfed Picea rubens may be important. Larix laricina (mostly on serpentine) and Picea glauca can be krummholz components, mostly in the Canadian part of the range. Frequent and widespread species across both the alpine and subalpine zones include the dwarf-shrubs Empetrum nigrum, Sibbaldiopsis tridentata, Vaccinium uliginosum, and Vaccinium vitis-idaea and the herbs Carex brunnescens, Huperzia appalachiana (= Huperzia appressa), Juncus trifidus, Minuartia groenlandica, and Trichophorum cespitosum. Dwarf-shrubs that are more-or-less restricted to the true alpine zones include Arctostaphylos alpina (= Arctous alpina), Betula minor, Diapensia lapponica, Harrimanella hypnoides (= Cassiope hypnoides), Loiseleuria procumbens, Phyllodoce caerulea, Rhododendron lapponicum, Salix argyrocarpa, Salix herbacea, and Salix uva-ursi. Typical alpine herbs include Agrostis mertensii, Arnica lanceolata, Carex bigelowii, Castilleja septentrionalis, Euphrasia oakesii, Geum peckii, Anthoxanthum monticola, Phleum alpinum, Polygonum viviparum (= Bistorta vivipara), Prenanthes boottii (= Nabalus boottii), Saxifraga foliolosa (= Micranthes foliolosa), and Solidago cutleri (= Solidago leiophylla). Species such as Cardamine bellidifolia, Omalotheca supina, Oxyria digyna, Salix arctophila, Sibbaldia procumbens, Silene acaulis, and Veronica wormskjoldii are infrequent to rare in the U.S. part of the range, but more frequent in Canadian stands. Empetrum eamesii, Epilobium hornemannii, and Paronychia argyrocoma are, more-or-less, restricted to subalpine areas. Some herbs that are common at lower elevations that also range into the alpine zone include Calamagrostis canadensis, Clintonia borealis, Cornus canadensis, Coptis trifolia, Deschampsia flexuosa, Geocaulon lividum, Solidago macrophylla, Trientalis borealis, and Veratrum viride. The fruticose lichens Alectoria ochroleuca, Cetraria spp., Cladonia spp., and Thamnolia vermicularis and the moss Polytrichum juniperinum are typical of alpine areas.
On limestone substrates (all in the Canadian part of the range), Arabis alpina, Draba spp., Dryas drummondii, Dryas integrifolia, Saxifraga aizoides, Saxifraga caespitosa, Saxifraga paniculata, and/or Silene acaulis may occur (Jones and Willey 2012a). On ophiolite (serpentine) substrates (all in the Canadian part of the range), Arenaria humifusa, Armeria maritima, Cirsium muticum, Juniperus communis, Minuartia marcescens, Minuartia rubella, Salix glauca, Silene acaulis, and/or Silene suecica may be present (Jones and Willey 2012a).
On rock outcrops or boulderfields (felsenmeer), saxicolous lichens dominate. Typical species include Arctoparmelia centrifuga, Ochrolechia frigida, Rhizocarpon geographicum, and Umbilicaria hyperborea.
On limestone substrates (all in the Canadian part of the range), Arabis alpina, Draba spp., Dryas drummondii, Dryas integrifolia, Saxifraga aizoides, Saxifraga caespitosa, Saxifraga paniculata, and/or Silene acaulis may occur (Jones and Willey 2012a). On ophiolite (serpentine) substrates (all in the Canadian part of the range), Arenaria humifusa, Armeria maritima, Cirsium muticum, Juniperus communis, Minuartia marcescens, Minuartia rubella, Salix glauca, Silene acaulis, and/or Silene suecica may be present (Jones and Willey 2012a).
On rock outcrops or boulderfields (felsenmeer), saxicolous lichens dominate. Typical species include Arctoparmelia centrifuga, Ochrolechia frigida, Rhizocarpon geographicum, and Umbilicaria hyperborea.
Dynamics: Communities tend to remain spatially stable over time, with weather and climate conditions imposing uniformly limiting conditions on plant growth. Within this climate, relatively small topographic variation produces variation in snow depth, which is negatively associated with wind exposure. In turn, this environmental gradient produces variation in plant communities from cushion plant communities on the most exposed sites to graminoid meadows and dwarf-shrublands in sites of intermediate exposure to snowbank shrub- and forb-dominated communities or krummholz in the most protected areas with deeper snow cover.
Environmental Description: This vegetation is restricted to exposed areas on summits or ridges near or above treeline. Elevation varies with relative exposure and tends to be lower on isolated summits and nearer the Atlantic Coast. This may be because clouds or fog favor the development of this vegetation over drier stands, such as those of ~Laurentian-Acadian Acidic Rocky Scrub & Grassland Macrogroup (M505)$$ within 2.B.2.Nc ~Eastern North American Grassland & Shrubland Division (D024)$$. At the lowest latitudes in the range of the division, the lower elevation of inland stands can be as low as about 830 m (2700 feet) on individual summits (e.g., Mount Monadnock, New Hampshire) to about 1510 m (4900 feet) on more extensive ridges (e.g., Presidential Range, New Hampshire). The lower elevation can be at least as low as 466 m in coastal areas of Maine and Nova Scotia (Jones and Willey 2012a). The lower range of the elevation decreases with increasing latitude and may be as low as 100 m in coastal Labrador (Jones et al. 2012b). The highest elevation reached by this vegetation is 1935 m (6288 feet).
Climate: The average annual temperature at the summit of Mount Washington, New Hampshire, is -3°C (27 °F). Average annual precipitation is 38 cm (97 inches) and precipitation is relatively evenly distributed throughout the year. Average annual snowfall is 111 cm (282 inches), with significant snow from October to May. About 30 frost-free days occur each year, and there are about 4-5 months during which the mean temperature is more than 0°C (32°F) (Billings 1988). Winds may be sustained at more than 160 km/hour (100 mph). Subalpine areas within the same latitudinal region as Mount Washington experience somewhat warmer and less windy, but still moderately severe, growing conditions for plants.
Soils/substrate: Soils are usually shallow, very rocky, and susceptible to movement from rapid freeze-thaw cycles. Most would probably be characterized as Inceptisols. They have mostly rapid drainage, with some moderately poor drainage in snowbank areas. Most areas occupied by vegetation of this division, and all areas within the United States are underlain by felsic igneous or metamorphic rocks (e.g., granites, schists, gneisses). Areas of the Monts Chic-Chocs on the Gaspe Peninsula of Quebec and more extensive areas in the western Newfoundland mountains also are underlain by mafic (serpentine) or calcareous (limestone) geology, and the floristic patterns vary from that of the relatively homogeneous patterns of the felsic substrates (Jones and Willey 2012a, Jones et al. 2012c, 2012d).
Biogeography: The division occupies very small, climatically unique areas within the Canadian [floristic] Province and the Labradoran Subprovince of the Cordilleran-Arctic Province of McLaughlin (2007).
Climate: The average annual temperature at the summit of Mount Washington, New Hampshire, is -3°C (27 °F). Average annual precipitation is 38 cm (97 inches) and precipitation is relatively evenly distributed throughout the year. Average annual snowfall is 111 cm (282 inches), with significant snow from October to May. About 30 frost-free days occur each year, and there are about 4-5 months during which the mean temperature is more than 0°C (32°F) (Billings 1988). Winds may be sustained at more than 160 km/hour (100 mph). Subalpine areas within the same latitudinal region as Mount Washington experience somewhat warmer and less windy, but still moderately severe, growing conditions for plants.
Soils/substrate: Soils are usually shallow, very rocky, and susceptible to movement from rapid freeze-thaw cycles. Most would probably be characterized as Inceptisols. They have mostly rapid drainage, with some moderately poor drainage in snowbank areas. Most areas occupied by vegetation of this division, and all areas within the United States are underlain by felsic igneous or metamorphic rocks (e.g., granites, schists, gneisses). Areas of the Monts Chic-Chocs on the Gaspe Peninsula of Quebec and more extensive areas in the western Newfoundland mountains also are underlain by mafic (serpentine) or calcareous (limestone) geology, and the floristic patterns vary from that of the relatively homogeneous patterns of the felsic substrates (Jones and Willey 2012a, Jones et al. 2012c, 2012d).
Biogeography: The division occupies very small, climatically unique areas within the Canadian [floristic] Province and the Labradoran Subprovince of the Cordilleran-Arctic Province of McLaughlin (2007).
Geographic Range: This division is distributed as small patches within a matrix of temperate or boreal forest or woodlands in the northern Appalachian Mountains and the Adirondack and Canadian Shield, from northern New England (e.g., Mount Monadnock, New Hampshire) and New York (Adirondack Mountains) to northern Quebec and Labrador (e.g., the Mealy Mountains). The range includes the Canadian (Laurentian) Shield, the northern Appalachian Mountains, and isolated coastal mountains and hills. Some of the better known areas that support this vegetation, including both subalpine and alpine stands, include the Presidential Range and Franconia Ridge in New Hampshire, Mount Katahdin in Maine, Monts Chic-Chocs (Mont Albert) and McGerrigle (Mont Jacques-Cartier) in Quebec, and the Long Range Mountains of Newfoundland. A number of specific locations are given by Jones and Willey (2012a).
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: LB, ME, NB, NF, NH, NS, NY, QC, VT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.860355
Confidence Level: High
Confidence Level Comments: As defined, this vegetation is restricted to alpine areas within the boreal and temperate zones of eastern North America, where it is relatively disjunct from all similar vegetation; therefore, confidence in the concept itself is high. However, uncertainty remains about the specifics of this conceptual boundary with that of arctic tundra.
Grank: GNR
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 4 Polar & High Montane Scrub, Grassland & Barrens Class | C04 | 4 |
| Subclass | 4.B Temperate to Polar Alpine & Tundra Vegetation Subclass | S12 | 4.B |
| Formation | 4.B.1 Temperate & Boreal Alpine Tundra Formation | F037 | 4.B.1 |
| Division | 4.B.1.Na Eastern North American Alpine Tundra Division | D042 | 4.B.1.Na |
| Macrogroup | 4.B.1.Na.1 Eastern North American Alpine Tundra Macrogroup | M131 | 4.B.1.Na.1 |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Alpine and subalpine communities (Sperduto and Kimball 2011)
- Billings, W. D. 1988. Alpine vegetation. Pages 391-420 in: M. G. Barbour and W. D. Billings, editors. North American terrestrial vegetation. Cambridge University Press, New York. 434 pp.
- Billings, W. D. 2000. Alpine vegetation of North America. Pages 537-572 in: M. G. Barbour and W. D. Billings, editors. North American terrestrial vegetation. Second edition. Cambridge University Press, New York. 434 pp.
- Bliss, L. C. 1963. Alpine plant communities of the Presidential Range, New Hampshire. Ecology 44:678-697.
- Faber-Langendoen, D., J. Drake, S. Gawler, M. Hall, C. Josse, G. Kittel, S. Menard, C. Nordman, M. Pyne, M. Reid, L. Sneddon, K. Schulz, J. Teague, M. Russo, K. Snow, and P. Comer, editors. 2010-2019a. Divisions, Macrogroups and Groups for the Revised U.S. National Vegetation Classification. NatureServe, Arlington, VA. plus appendices. [in preparation]
- Gawler, S. C., and A. Cutko. 2010. Natural landscapes of Maine: A classification of vegetated natural communities and ecosystems. Maine Natural Areas Program, Department of Conservation, Augusta.
- Jones, M., L. Willey, G. de Lafontaine, L. Hermanutz, M. Anions, L. S. Collier, and J. Goren. 2012b. Other alpine sites on the Canadian Shield. Pages 285-302 in: M. Jones and L. Willey, editors. Eastern alpine guide: Natural history and conservation of mountain tundra east of the Rockies. Beyond Ktaadn, Inc., and Boghaunter Books, New Salem, MA.
- Jones, M., L. Willey, P. Wyelzol, C. Hanel, and M. Anions. 2012d. Bay of Islands. Pages 181-198 in: M. Jones and L. Willey, editors. Eastern alpine guide: Natural history and conservation of mountain tundra east of the Rockies. Beyond Ktaadn, Inc., and Boghaunter Books, New Salem, MA.
- Jones, M., L. Willey, and C. Hanel. 2012c. Other alpine sites in Newfoundland. Pages 231-242 in: M. Jones and L. Willey, editors. Eastern alpine guide: Natural history and conservation of mountain tundra east of the Rockies. Beyond Ktaadn, Inc., and Boghaunter Books, New Salem, MA.
- Jones, M., L. Willey, and M. Anions. 2012a. Vegetation. Pages 49-78 in: M. Jones and L. Willey, editors. Eastern alpine guide: Natural history and conservation of mountain tundra east of the Rockies. Beyond Ktaadn, Inc., and Boghaunter Books, New Salem, MA.
- Jones, M., and L. Willey, editors. 2012a. Eastern alpine guide: Natural history and conservation of mountain tundra east of the Rockies. Beyond Ktaadn, Inc., and Boghaunter Books, New Salem, MA.
- Jones, M., and L. Willey. 2012b. Mont Albert and the Monts Chic-Chocs. Pages 131-146 in: M. Jones and L. Willey, editors. Eastern alpine guide: Natural history and conservation of mountain tundra east of the Rockies. Beyond Ktaadn, Inc., and Boghaunter Books, New Salem, MA.
- McLaughlin, S. P. 2007. Tundra to Tropics: The floristic plant geography of North America. Sida Botanical Miscellany Publication 30:1-58.
- Sperduto, D., and B. Kimball. 2011. The nature of New Hampshire. University of New Hampshire Press, Durham.