Print Report
A3285 Betula papyrifera var. cordifolia - Betula glandulosa - Alnus viridis Alpine Shrubland Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: The birch-alder alpine shrubland alliance is found on mid-elevation slopes and ravines of many of the northern ranges. Thickets are dominated by Betula papyrifera var. cordifolia, Betula glandulosa, and Alnus viridis. These birch-alder communities can cover hundreds of hectares in the alpine areas of the Canadian Shield. Other shrub associates include Amelanchier bartramiana and Viburnum edule.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Mountain Paper Birch - Resin Birch - Green Alder Alpine Shrubland Alliance
Colloquial Name: Northern Birch - Alder Alpine Shrubland
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: Thickets are dominated by Betula papyrifera var. cordifolia, Betula glandulosa, and Alnus viridis. Other shrub associates include Amelanchier bartramiana and Viburnum edule. The birch-alder alpine shrubland is found on mid-elevation slopes and ravines of many of the northern ranges. These communities can cover hundreds of hectares in the alpine areas of the Canadian Shield, and are abundant on north-facing slopes of Tuckerman Ravine in the Presidential Range of New Hampshire.
Diagnostic Characteristics: High-elevation thickets are dominated by Betula papyrifera var. cordifolia, Betula glandulosa, and Alnus viridis.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: The description of this alliance is based largely on Jones et al. (2012). See also references therein.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: The vegetation is dominated by shrubs.
Floristics: The vegetation is shrub-dominated, characterized by Alnus viridis and northern / alpine birches Betula papyrifera var. cordifolia (= Betula cordifolia) and Betula glandulosa. Associated shrubs include Amelanchier bartramiana, Ribes glandulosum, Salix argyrocarpa, Salix planifolia. Common herbs are Alchemilla glomerulans, Athyrium filix-femina, Deschampsia flexuosa, Dryopteris intermedia, Dryopteris campyloptera, Petasites frigidus, Solidago macrophylla, and Symphyotrichum puniceum (= Aster puniceus).
Dynamics: The dynamics of this alliance have not been well-studied; high snowpack in ravines contributes to the mesic to wet-mesic moisture regime.
Environmental Description: The vegetation occurs at high elevations (above 1220 m [4000 feet] in northern New England) on steep slopes and ravines to nearly level rock, talus, and cobble. High winter snowpack is common, and the moisture regime ranges from mesic to wet-mesic.
Geographic Range: This alliance is found in Quebec, Newfoundland, Labrador, Maine and New Hampshire.
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: ME, NF, NH, QC
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.899409
Confidence Level: Low
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 | A3285 Mountain Paper Birch - Resin Birch - Green Alder Alpine Shrubland Alliance | A3285 | 4.B.1.Na.1.d |
| Association | CEGL006064 Mountain Alder - White Meadowsweet / Largeleaf Goldenrod Shrubland | CEGL006064 | 4.B.1.Na.1.d |
Concept Lineage: A.929 Alnus viridis ssp. crispa Shrubland Alliance, in part
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Birch-Alder (Jones et al. 2012a)
- 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.
- Kimball, K. D., and D. M. Weihrauch. 2000. Alpine vegetation communities and the alpine-treeline ecotone boundary in New England as biomonitors for climate change. USDA Forest Service, Proceedings RMRS-P-15 3:93-101.
- 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.