Print Report
A1120 Diapensia lapponica - Mixed Alpine Dwarf-shrubland Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: Alpine tundra community of exposed wind-blown areas, often summits, where snow accumulation is slight or absent; sites are dominated by Diapensia lapponica, along with Juncus trifidus, Rhododendron lapponicum, Loiseleuria procumbens, and Vaccinium uliginosum.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Pincushion Plant - Mixed Alpine Dwarf-shrubland Alliance
Colloquial Name: Eastern Pincushion Plant Alpine Dwarf-shrubland
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: Alpine tundra community of exposed wind-blown areas where snow cover is slight or absent. Sites are dominated by Diapensia lapponica, along with Juncus trifidus, Rhododendron lapponicum, Loiseleuria procumbens, and Vaccinium uliginosum. Herbs include Agrostis mertensii, Carex bigelowii, Juncus trifidus, Minuartia groenlandica, and Solidago multiradiata.
Diagnostic Characteristics: Sites are exposed, wind-blown areas dominated by cushion plants and dwarf-shrubs Diapensia lapponica, along with Juncus trifidus, Rhododendron lapponicum, Loiseleuria procumbens, and Vaccinium uliginosum.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: The single association ~Diapensia lapponica Dwarf-shrubland (CEGL006322)$$ provides additional information for this alliance. The description of this alliance should be improved by consulting Jones et al. (2012). See also references therein. Role of Juncus trifidus in the Carex bigelowii alliance versus the Diapensia lapponica alliance needs review, as Jones et al. (2012) suggest that Juncus trifidus is more often associated with Diapensia. Presence of other heath dwarf-shrubs led Jones et al. (2012) to suggest that the common name for this type may better be "Cushion-tussock community."
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: Low, compact cushion-forming dwarf-shrubs with small leaves that minimize desiccation dominate the vegetation structure. Graminoids and forbs may be present, but at much lower cover.
Floristics: Sites are dominated by Diapensia lapponica, along with Juncus trifidus, Rhododendron lapponicum, Loiseleuria procumbens, and Vaccinium uliginosum. Herbs include Agrostis mertensii, Carex bigelowii, Juncus trifidus, Minuartia groenlandica, and Solidago multiradiata. Other associates may include Arctostaphylos alpina, Empetrum nigrum, Huperzia selago, Sibbaldiopsis tridentata (= Potentilla tridentata), and Solidago cutleri.
Dynamics: Sites are characterized by their exposure to high winds on summits and ridgetops. Extreme cold freezes the soils to bedrock in winter, and frost-heave action is evident. In New England, this vegetation does not generally occur below 1220 m (4000 feet).
Environmental Description: Alpine tundra community of exposed wind-blown areas where snow cover is slight or absent. Soils are well-drained gravel that experience deep freezing in winter, and frost-heaves are evident in the substrate.
Geographic Range: Vegetation of this alliance is found in alpine areas of New York, New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine, and into Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador. It may be relatively uncommon in the Canadian portion of the range.
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: ME, NH, NY, QC, VT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.899078
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
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 |
| Group | 4.B.1.Na.1.d <i>Vaccinium uliginosum - Diapensia lapponica - Carex bigelowii</i> Temperate Alpine Tundra Group | G909 | 4.B.1.Na.1.d |
| Alliance | A1120 Pincushion Plant - Mixed Alpine Dwarf-shrubland Alliance | A1120 | 4.B.1.Na.1.d |
| Association | CEGL006322 Pincushion Plant Dwarf-shrubland | CEGL006322 | 4.B.1.Na.1.d |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Diapensia (Bliss 1963)
= Diapensia habitat (Tiffney 1972)
= Cushion-tussock community (Jones et al. 2012a)
= Diapensia habitat (Tiffney 1972)
= Cushion-tussock community (Jones et al. 2012a)
- Bliss, L. C. 1963. Alpine plant communities of the Presidential Range, New Hampshire. Ecology 44:678-697.
- 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.
- 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.
- Sperduto, D. D., and C. V. Cogbill. 1999. Alpine and subalpine vegetation of the White Mountains, New Hampshire. New Hampshire Natural Heritage Inventory, Concord, NH. 25 pp. plus figures.
- Sperduto, D. D., and W. F. Nichols. 2004. Natural communities of New Hampshire: A guide and classification. New Hampshire Natural Heritage Bureau, DRED Division of Forests and Lands, Concord. 242 pp.
- Tiffney, W. N. 1972. Snow cover and the Diapensia lapponica habitat in the White Mountains, New Hampshire. Rhodora 74:358-377.