Print Report
A1062 Hudsonia tomentosa Dune Dwarf-shrubland Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: This alliance comprises associations that occur on northern Atlantic coastal dune settings, occasionally on more interior sand flats, usually in the low interdunal areas that do not intersect the water table, characterized by Hudsonia tomentosa.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Woolly Beach-heather Dune Dwarf-shrubland Alliance
Colloquial Name: Woolly Beach-heather Dune Dwarf-shrubland
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: This alliance comprises associations that occur on northern Atlantic coastal dune settings, occasionally on more interior sand flats, usually in the low interdunal areas that do not intersect the water table. Hudsonia tomentosa is dominant, occurring as discrete patches that may coalesce into a dense mat on older, more stabilized dunes. A number of other shrubs, such as Morella pensylvanica, Morella cerifera, Pinus taeda saplings, and Prunus maritima, may occur but are low in abundance and cover. Herbaceous associates may include scattered individuals of Ammophila breviligulata, Artemisia stelleriana, Chamaesyce polygonifolia, Cyperus grayi, Dichanthelium acuminatum, Diodia teres, Lechea maritima, Nuttallanthus canadensis, Oenothera humifusa, Panicum amarum var. amarulum, Panicum amarum var. amarum, Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium, Schizachyrium littorale, and Solidago sempervirens. Toxicodendron radicans is a common vine. Scattered vines of Smilax are occasional. The unstable substrate is influenced by wind-deposited sand and supports no soil development; large patches of sparsely vegetated or unvegetated sand are common.
Diagnostic Characteristics: Coastal dune setting; Hudsonia tomentosa dominant.
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: This alliance is dominated by a low microphyllus dwarf-shrub that forms mounds as sand is trapped beneath the stems, with patchy grasses and forbs generally overtopping the dwarf-shrubs in height. There is usually significant cover of bare sand, with little litter accumulation.
Floristics: Hudsonia tomentosa is dominant, occurring as discrete patches that may coalesce into a dense mat on older, more stabilized dunes. A number of other shrubs, such as Morella pensylvanica (= Myrica pensylvanica), Morella cerifera (= Myrica cerifera), Pinus taeda saplings, and Prunus maritima, may occur as scattered individuals with low cover. Herbaceous vegetation is also quite sparse (<5% cover) but may include scattered individuals of Ammophila breviligulata, Artemisia stelleriana, Chamaesyce polygonifolia, Cyperus grayi, Dichanthelium acuminatum, Diodia teres, Lechea maritima, Nuttallanthus canadensis, Oenothera humifusa, Panicum amarum var. amarulum, Panicum amarum var. amarum, Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium (= Gnaphalium obtusifolium), Schizachyrium littorale (= Schizachyrium scoparium ssp. littorale), and Solidago sempervirens. Toxicodendron radicans is a common vine. Scattered vines of Smilax rotundifolia and canes of Rubus argutus are occasional.
Dynamics: The unstable substrate is influenced by wind-deposited sand, preventing accumulation of litter and subsequent soil development; large patches of sparsely vegetated or unvegetated sand are common. Sand burial stimulates new growth in Hudsonia tomentosa.
Environmental Description: This alliance is largely confined to maritime interdunes. This alliance occurs on well-drained sands of backdunes and interdunes.
Geographic Range: This alliance occurs on the coast from Maine (possibly Quebec) to North Carolina.
Nations: CA?,US
States/Provinces: CT, DE, MA, MD, ME, NH, NJ, NY, RI, VA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.899069
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR
Greasons: No Data Available
Concept Lineage: A.1062 (with edits)
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Hudsonia tomentosa - Ammophila breviligulata dune scrub association (Clancy 1993b) [DE]
= Hudsonia tomentosa dwarf shrub vegetation (Metzler and Barrett 2006) [CT]
= Hudsonia dune community (Hill 1986)
= Hudsonia dunes (Higgins et al. 1971)
>< Dunegrass - beach heather - low thicket mixture (Martin 1959b) [NJ]
>< Maritime heathland (Reschke 1990) [NY]
= beach heather community (Collins and Anderson 1994) [NJ]
< dune crest community (Clampitt 1991)
< dune heath (Johnson 1985b) [NY]
= Hudsonia tomentosa dwarf shrub vegetation (Metzler and Barrett 2006) [CT]
= Hudsonia dune community (Hill 1986)
= Hudsonia dunes (Higgins et al. 1971)
>< Dunegrass - beach heather - low thicket mixture (Martin 1959b) [NJ]
>< Maritime heathland (Reschke 1990) [NY]
= beach heather community (Collins and Anderson 1994) [NJ]
< dune crest community (Clampitt 1991)
< dune heath (Johnson 1985b) [NY]
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