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A3382 Carex gynandra - Glyceria melicaria - Glyceria striata Seep Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: These are Southern Appalachian, primarily high-elevation seeps and other non-alluvial wetlands found near streams, in flats away from the immediate streambed, along wetland margins, and in seepage-fed oxbow fens. Examples are generally graminoid-dominated but may have significant coverage by trees or shrubs, especially around their edges.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Nodding Sedge - Melic Mannagrass - Fowl Mannagrass Seep Alliance
Colloquial Name: Southern Appalachian Herbaceous Seep
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: These are Southern Appalachian, primarily high-elevation seeps and other non-alluvial wetlands found on a variety of sites associated with groundwater seepage. Some characteristic herbaceous species include Calopogon sp., Carex atlantica, Carex gynandra, Carex leptalea ssp. harperi, Carex lurida, Carex scoparia var. scoparia, Carex stipata, Chelone glabra, Doellingeria umbellata, Dryopteris cristata, Eriophorum virginicum, Glyceria melicaria, Glyceria striata, Impatiens capensis, Lycopus virginicus, Lygodium palmatum, Platanthera clavellata, Platanthera flava var. flava, Pogonia ophioglossoides, Osmunda cinnamomea, Osmunda regalis var. spectabilis, Oxypolis rigidior, Polygonum sagittatum, Solidago patula var. patula, Solidago rugosa, and Solidago uliginosa. Sphagnum spp. may occur in mats and include Sphagnum palustre and Sphagnum recurvum. Shrubs can occur as scattered clumps or zones and include Hypericum densiflorum, Ilex opaca, Kalmia latifolia, Aronia arbutifolia, Rhododendron maximum, Salix sericea, and Viburnum nudum var. cassinoides. At higher elevations, component species may include Calamagrostis cainii, Carex debilis, Carex misera, Carex ruthii, Dennstaedtia punctilobula, Gentiana linearis, Glyceria nubigena, Hypericum graveolens, Krigia montana, Parnassia asarifolia, and Solidago glomerata. Woody species in these examples include Abies fraseri, Picea rubens, Prunus pensylvanica, Rhododendron catawbiense, Rubus canadensis, and Vaccinium erythrocarpum. Sites are influenced by high rainfall and low evaporation rates in the mountainous landscapes. Examples may be small-scale patches. These non-alluvial wetlands are generally graminoid-dominated but may have significant coverage by trees or shrubs, especially around their edges. Particularly small examples may be completely shaded by trees within the community occurrence and in the adjacent forests. Examples of this alliance may occur on a variety of sites associated with groundwater seepage. These include areas of flat to very gently sloping topography (0-2°) located near streams, in flats away from the immediate streambed, along wetland margins, and in seepage-fed oxbow fens. These small palustrine, open seeps generally occur at higher elevations, greater than 1200 m [4000 feet]), on upper slopes and ridgetops. Some associations occur on pronounced slopes at elevations over 1525 m (5000 feet).
Diagnostic Characteristics: These are Southern Appalachian herbaceous seeps. This group of associations is not very "boggy" (i.e., they do not have a particularly organic or mucky soil, and are not "rich" or mafic in their soil and water chemistry). They are primarily graminoid-dominated but one distinctive association (CEGL004293) is forb-dominated.
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: Examples may be small-scale patches. Examples are generally graminoid-dominated but may have significant coverage by trees or shrubs, especially around their edges. Shrubs can occur as scattered clumps or zones. One distinctive association (CEGL004293) is forb-dominated. Particularly small examples may be completely shaded by trees within the community occurrence and in the adjacent forests. Some component associations have well-developed Sphagnum mats.
Floristics: Some characteristic herbaceous species include Calopogon sp., Carex atlantica, Carex gynandra, Carex leptalea ssp. harperi, Carex lurida, Carex scoparia var. scoparia, Carex stipata, Chelone glabra, Doellingeria umbellata (= Aster umbellatus), Dryopteris cristata, Eriophorum virginicum, Glyceria melicaria, Glyceria striata, Impatiens capensis, Lycopus virginicus, Lygodium palmatum, Platanthera clavellata, Platanthera flava var. flava, Pogonia ophioglossoides, Osmunda cinnamomea, Osmunda regalis var. spectabilis, Oxypolis rigidior, Polygonum sagittatum, Solidago patula var. patula, Solidago rugosa, and Solidago uliginosa. Sphagnum spp. may occur in mats and include Sphagnum palustre and Sphagnum recurvum. One distinctive association is forb-dominated. Its stands may lack extensive Sphagnum and include Aconitum reclinatum, Cardamine clematitis, Carex debilis var. rudgei (= Carex flexuosa), Carex leptonervia, Carex ruthii, Chelone lyonii, Cicuta maculata, Claytonia caroliniana, Conioselinum chinense, Euonymus obovatus, Geum geniculatum, Helenium autumnale, Houstonia serpyllifolia, Lilium superbum, Lilium grayi, Packera aurea (= Senecio aureus), Solidago patula, Thalictrum clavatum, Trautvetteria caroliniensis, Veratrum viride, Viola cucullata, and Viola macloskeyi ssp. pallens. Shrubs can occur as scattered clumps or zones and include Hypericum densiflorum, Ilex opaca, Kalmia latifolia, Aronia arbutifolia, Rhododendron maximum, Salix sericea, and Viburnum nudum var. cassinoides. At higher elevations, component species may include Calamagrostis cainii, Carex debilis, Carex misera, Carex ruthii, Dennstaedtia punctilobula, Gentiana linearis, Glyceria nubigena, Hypericum graveolens, Krigia montana, Parnassia asarifolia, and Solidago glomerata. Woody species in these examples include Abies fraseri, Picea rubens, Prunus pensylvanica, Rhododendron catawbiense, Rubus canadensis, and Vaccinium erythrocarpum.
Dynamics: Sites are influenced by the high rainfall and low evaporation rates in the mountainous landscapes. Some areas can be modified by beaver activity, though they do not appear to be formed by beavers.
Environmental Description: Examples of this alliance may occur on a variety of sites associated with groundwater seepage. These include areas of flat to very gently sloping topography (0-2°) located near streams, in flats away from the immediate streambed, along wetland margins, and in seepage-fed oxbow fens. These small palustrine, open seeps generally occur at higher elevations, greater than 1200 m [4000 feet]), on upper slopes and ridgetops. Some associations occur on pronounced slopes at elevations over 1525 m (5000 feet).
Geographic Range: This vegetation occurs at moderate to high elevations in the southern Blue Ridge Mountains and adjacent ecoregions of West Virginia, eastern Kentucky, southwestern Virginia, western North Carolina, northwestern South Carolina, eastern Tennessee, and northern Georgia. It may be found in northern Alabama as well.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AL?, GA, KY, NC, SC, TN, VA, WV
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.899506
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR
Greasons: No Data Available
Concept Lineage: This alliance integrates members from the old alliances A.1451 (1/5), A.1690 (1/1), A.1898 (2/2), A.2016 (1/1); one association placed here (CEGL007043) was not part of any old alliance.
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: ? Carex gynandra Wetland (Newell and Peet 1996a)
? Carex ruthii Wetland (Newell and Peet 1996a)
>< IID3a. Herbaceous High Elevation Seepage Slope (Allard 1990)
? Carex ruthii Wetland (Newell and Peet 1996a)
>< IID3a. Herbaceous High Elevation Seepage Slope (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.
- 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.
- Feldcamp, S. M. 1984. Revegetation of upper elevation debris slide scars on Mt. LeConte in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. M.S. thesis, University of Tennessee, Knoxville. 106 pp.
- 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.
- Newell, C. L., and R. K. Peet. 1996a. Vegetation of Shining Rock Wilderness, North Carolina. Unpublished report to USDA Forest Service. University of North Carolina, Department of Biological Science, Chapel Hill, NC. 253 pp. plus map.
- Schafale, M. P., and A. S. Weakley. 1990. Classification of the natural communities of North Carolina. Third approximation. North Carolina Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Recreation, Natural Heritage Program, Raleigh. 325 pp.
- Schafale, Mike P. Personal communication. Ecologist, North Carolina Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Recreation, Natural Heritage Program, Raleigh.
- Southeastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Durham, NC.
- Weakley, A. S. 1980. Natural areas inventory and management recommendations for Big Yellow Mountain, Avery County, North Carolina. Unpublished document. The Nature Conservancy, North Carolina Field Office. Carrboro, NC. 100 pp.