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CEGL007062 Alnus serrulata Appalachian Seepage Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Hazel Alder Appalachian Seepage Shrubland
Colloquial Name: Appalachian-Piedmont Alder Seepage Thicket
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This type represents saturated vegetation dominated by Alnus serrulata from the Appalachian ecoregion of the southeastern United States. Stands are dominated by Alnus serrulata. In West Virginia, additional shrubs with less cover include Cornus amomum, Rosa palustris, Ilex verticillata, and Spiraea alba. There is usually high cover in the herb layer dominated by wetland indicators, including Leersia oryzoides, Boehmeria cylindrica, Onoclea sensibilis, Scutellaria lateriflora, Glyceria striata, Polygonum sagittatum, Chelone glabra, Cinna arundinacea, Galium tinctorium, Impatiens capensis, Symplocarpus foetidus, Carex stricta, Carex gynandra, Osmunda regalis, Sagittaria latifolia, and Scirpus cyperinus.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This association accommodates saturated stands of Alnus serrulata from the Appalachian ecoregion of the southeastern United States. In New River Gorge, West Virginia, Vanderhorst (2001b) combined this association with ~Hypericum densiflorum / Rubus hispidus Scrub (CEGL006464)$$ based on data from Kate''s Branch wetland due to the close proximity of patches dominated by Alnus serrulata and Hypericum densiflorum and co-occurrence of both species in patches dominated by either. However, this interpretation was revised (Vanderhorst et al. 2007) based on observations from other areas of the park and elsewhere in West Virginia, where either species can dominate stands where the other is lacking. For this reason, we recognize two associations and distinguish between the two using relative cover of the two dominant shrubs. Shrub swamps in West Virginia dominated by Alnus serrulata have also been described from wetlands along the Meadow River (Putnam 1995) and the Ohio River (Walton et al. 1996). High-elevation (>730 m) alder swamps in West Virginia are dominated by Alnus incana ssp. rugosa.
In North Carolina, related seepage communities on floodplain edges, which may have abundant Alnus, are classified as ~Acer rubrum / Alnus serrulata - Lindera benzoin / Glyceria striata - Impatiens capensis Seep Forest (CEGL007031)$$ (the tree cover being variable and often rooted outside of these small-patch communities). Also in North Carolina, Alnus serrulata stands without seepage hydrology may also occur around the edges of beaver ponds or in drained beaver ponds, and are classified as ~Alnus serrulata Southeastern Shrub Swamp (CEGL008474)$$.
In North Carolina, related seepage communities on floodplain edges, which may have abundant Alnus, are classified as ~Acer rubrum / Alnus serrulata - Lindera benzoin / Glyceria striata - Impatiens capensis Seep Forest (CEGL007031)$$ (the tree cover being variable and often rooted outside of these small-patch communities). Also in North Carolina, Alnus serrulata stands without seepage hydrology may also occur around the edges of beaver ponds or in drained beaver ponds, and are classified as ~Alnus serrulata Southeastern Shrub Swamp (CEGL008474)$$.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: Stands are dominated by woody shrubs.
Floristics: In West Virginia, cover by Alnus serrulata in 44 plots statewide averages 44% in the tall-shrub layer and 13% in the short-shrub layer. Additional shrubs with less cover include Cornus amomum, Rosa palustris, Ilex verticillata, and Spiraea alba. There is usually high cover in the herb layer (average of 64% cover in 44 West Virginia plots) dominated by wetland indicators; species with highest cover in plots include Leersia oryzoides, Boehmeria cylindrica, Onoclea sensibilis, Scutellaria lateriflora, Glyceria striata, Polygonum sagittatum, Chelone glabra, Cinna arundinacea, Galium tinctorium, Impatiens capensis, Symplocarpus foetidus, Carex stricta, Carex gynandra, Osmunda regalis, Sagittaria latifolia, and Scirpus cyperinus.
Dynamics: Low-energy stream overflow and high water tables maintain this association as a shrubland rather than a forested wetland in some areas. It can also occur as a mid-successional stage following disturbance, on a trajectory toward forested wetland.
Environmental Description: These sites occur on floodplains along low-gradient streams. Soils are temporarily flooded, saturated or semipermanently flooded and very poorly to moderately poorly drained with textures described as silty clay loam, silt loam, and muck. There are patches of standing water at most times of the year. Soil chemistry analyzed from 20 plots in West Virginia indicates very strongly acidic soils (average pH = 4.7) with relatively high levels of organic matter, estimated N release, S, Fe, Mg, Na, and Al, and average or below average levels of other nutrients. Slopes range from level to moderate but are typically gentle.
Geographic Range: This association is known from the Appalachian ecoregion of the southeastern United States, possibly ranging from Alabama and Georgia north to West Virginia. It is best documented in West Virginia.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AL, GA, KY, SC?, TN, WV
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.885459
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.1 Shrubby-cinquefoil - Canadian Burnet / Inland Sedge Seep Macrogroup | M061 | 2.C.4.Nd.1 |
| Group | 2.C.4.Nd.1.a Catawba Rosebay / Tawny Cottongrass / Peatmoss species Shrub & Herb Seep Group | G184 | 2.C.4.Nd.1.a |
| Alliance | A3384 Canadian Burnet - Largeleaf Grass-of-Parnassus Seep Alliance | A3384 | 2.C.4.Nd.1.a |
| Association | CEGL007062 Hazel Alder Appalachian Seepage Shrubland | CEGL007062 | 2.C.4.Nd.1.a |
Concept Lineage: CEGL003912 split into two associations (CEGL007059 & CEGL007062), one from the Appalachian and Piedmont regions (including West Virginia) and one from the Interior Low Plateau and Upper East Gulf Coastal Plain.
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: < Alnus serrulata - Hypericum densiflorum shrub wetland (Vanderhorst 2001b)
< IIE1a. Southern Appalachian Bog Complex (Allard 1990)
< IIE1a. Southern Appalachian Bog Complex (Allard 1990)
- Allard, D. J. 1990. Southeastern United States ecological community classification. Interim report, Version 1.2. The Nature Conservancy, Southeast Regional Office, Chapel Hill, NC. 96 pp.
- NatureServe Ecology - Southeastern United States. No date. Unpublished data. NatureServe, Durham, NC.
- Nelson, J. B. 1986. The natural communities of South Carolina: Initial classification and description. South Carolina Wildlife and Marine Resources Department, Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, Columbia, SC. 55 pp.
- Putnam, N. 1995. Plant communities of the Meadow River wetlands. Final report submitted to the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. West Virginia Natural Heritage Program, Elkins, WV.
- Southeastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Durham, NC.
- Vanderhorst, J. 2001b. Plant communities of the New River Gorge National River, West Virginia: Northern and southern thirds. Non-game Wildlife and Natural Heritage Program, West Virginia Division of Natural Resources. Elkins. 146 pp.
- Vanderhorst, J. P., J. Jeuck, and S. C. Gawler. 2007. Vegetation classification and mapping of New River Gorge National River, West Virginia. Technical Report NPS/NER/NRTR-2007/092. National Park Service, Philadelphia, PA. 396 pp.
- WVNHP [West Virginia Natural Heritage Program]. No date. Unpublished data. West Virginia Natural Heritage Program, Elkins.
- Walton, D. P., C. M. Jesse, and N. J. Putnam. 1996. Plant communities of the Ohio River riparian zone. Natural Heritage Program, West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, Elkins.
- White, Jr., R. D., and T. Govus. 2005. Vascular plant inventory and plant community classification for Kings Mountain National Military Park. NatureServe, Durham, NC. 178 pp.
- White, R. D., Jr. 2006. Vascular plant inventory and ecological community classification for Cumberland Gap National Historical Park. NatureServe, Durham, NC. 246 pp.