Print Report
A0809 Pinus rigida Dwarf-scrub Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: This alliance is characterized by dwarfed Pinus rigida forming a dense to patchy shrubland in northeastern pine barrens of New Jersey and Long Island, New York.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Pitch Pine Dwarf-scrub Alliance
Colloquial Name: New Jersey Dwarf Pitch Pine Plains
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: This alliance is characterized by dwarfed Pinus rigida forming a dense to patchy shrubland in northeastern pine barrens of New Jersey and Long Island, New York. Also known as pine plains, it is maintained in this form by frequent and intense fire, and occurs as a component within tree-form pine barrens. Associates include heath shrubs such as Vaccinium angustifolium, and other dwarf-shrubs such as Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, Hudsonia ericoides, Corema conradii, and others.
Diagnostic Characteristics: Short (<1 m) shrublands dominated by Pinus rigida with other dwarf-shrubs, such as Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, Corema conradii, Hudsonia ericoides, and others.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Pitch pines comprising the alliance appear to be genetically distinct.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: Dwarfed, multi-stemmed serotinous Pinus rigida is the most distinct aspect of this vegetation, the trees rarely achieving any height. Quercus ilicifolia and /or Quercus marilandica are usually present, and can be codominant. Dwarf-shrubs, forbs, grasses and lichens are common in the understory. Dwarf Pinus rigida has several traits selected for by frequent top-killing fire, including near 100% serotiny, prolific basal sprouting, early loss of apical dominance and shrubby multiple-stem growth forms. Associated species in New Jersey include fire-tolerant shrubs such as Quercus ilicifolia, Quercus marilandica, Kalmia latifolia, Gaylussacia baccata, Vaccinium pallidum, and a very diverse ground cover.
Floristics: Dwarfed Pinus rigida is dominant or codominant with Quercus ilicifolia, as well as Quercus marilandica in the New Jersey Pine Barrens. Other shrub associates can include heath shrubs such as Gaylussacia baccata, Kalmia latifolia, Kalmia angustifolia, and Vaccinium pallidum, as well as Comptonia peregrina, and in New Jersey, Leiophyllum buxifolium. Dwarf-shrubs Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, Gaultheria procumbens, and Hudsonia ericoides are common, with Pyxidanthera barbulata and Corema conradii common in New Jersey examples. Typical forbs and graminoids include Andropogon virginicus, Carex pensylvanica, Danthonia spicata, Epigaea repens, Hypericum gentianoides, Pteridium aquilinum, Polygonella articulata, and Schizachyrium scoparium. Lichens of the genus Cladonia are common.
Dynamics: This vegetation has a very high fire frequency, fostered by the relative paucity of wetlands that act as natural firebreaks.
Environmental Description: This vegetation occurs on flat plains or gently rolling terrain on coarse, well-drained sands and sandy loams.
Geographic Range: This alliance is restricted to Long Island, New York, and the New Jersey Pine Barrens.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: NJ, NY
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.899025
Confidence Level: Moderate
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.a Pitch Pine Barrens Group | G161 | 1.B.2.Na.9.a |
| Alliance | A0809 Pitch Pine Dwarf-scrub Alliance | A0809 | 1.B.2.Na.9.a |
| Association | CEGL006097 Pitch Pine - Bear Oak / Bearberry Scrub | CEGL006097 | 1.B.2.Na.9.a |
| Association | CEGL006148 Pitch Pine / Blackjack Oak / Broom Crowberry Scrub | CEGL006148 | 1.B.2.Na.9.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = New Jersey pine plains (Windisch 1986)
= Pine Plains (PP) (Windisch 2014a)
= Pine barren plains (Good et al. 1979)
= Pitch pine plains (Lutz 1934)
= Pine Plains (PP) (Windisch 2014a)
= Pine barren plains (Good et al. 1979)
= Pitch pine plains (Lutz 1934)
- 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.
- Good, R. E., N. F. Good, and J. W. Andresen. 1979. The pine barren plains. Pages 283-295 in: R. T. Formann, editor. Pine barrens: Ecosystem and landscape. Academic Press, Inc., Orlando, FL.
- Lutz, H. L. 1934. Ecological relations in the pitch pine plains of southern New Jersey. Yale University School of Forestry Bulletin 38:1-80.
- Windisch, A .G. 2014a. Pinelands ecological communities and higher level groups with crosswalk / proposed 2008 revisions to NVC. November 16, 2014 draft. New Jersey Natural Heritage Program, Trenton.
- Windisch, A. G. 1986. Delination of the New Jersey pine plains and associated communities. Skenectada 3:1-16.