Print Report

A3391 Alnus serrulata Southern Interior Seep Alliance

Type Concept Sentence: This is saturated shrub-dominated vegetation dominated by Alnus serrulata from the Interior Low Plateau and Upper East Gulf Coastal Plain ecoregions of the southeastern United States.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Hazel Alder Southern Interior Seep Alliance

Colloquial Name: Southern Interior Hazel Alder Seep

Hierarchy Level:  Alliance

Type Concept: This alliance accommodates saturated non-alluvial shrub-dominated vegetation dominated by Alnus serrulata from the Interior Low Plateau and Upper East Gulf Coastal Plain ecoregions of the southeastern United States. Alnus serrulata is a strong dominant component, but other wetland shrub species may be present, including Aronia melanocarpa and Physocarpus opulifolius. Examples may occur as stands adjacent to streamside or hillside herbaceous seepages, or as shrub-dominated inclusions in various types of saturated forest. It also may be found as small patches in wetlands which are influenced by beaver activity. These sites may occur on the edges of floodplains along low-gradient streams.

Diagnostic Characteristics: These are saturated non-alluvial shrub areas dominated by Alnus serrulata from the Interior Low Plateau and Upper East Gulf Coastal Plains of the southeastern United States.

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: Vegetation at Fort Benning, Georgia (East Gulf Coastal Plain - Upper East Gulf Coastal Plain transition region), on the upper ends of beaver ponds which are inclusions in a Nyssa biflora saturated forest, apparently belongs here.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: Communities in this alliance are saturated shrublands strongly dominated by Alnus serrulata and often, but not always, with substantial Sphagnum cover. Occurrences can have small to moderately large herbaceous openings.

Floristics: Examples are dominated by Alnus serrulata, which is a strong dominant component. Other wetland shrub species may be present, including Aronia melanocarpa and Physocarpus opulifolius. Some examples may have substantial Sphagnum cover.

Dynamics:  No Data Available
Environmental Description:  Examples may occur as stands adjacent to streamside or hillside herbaceous seepages, or as shrub-dominated inclusions in various types of saturated forest. It also may be found as small patches in wetlands which are influenced by beaver activity. These sites may occur on the edges of floodplains along low-gradient streams.
Geographic Range: This vegetation is found in the Interior Low Plateau and Upper East Gulf Coastal Plain ecoregions of the southeastern United States, from Alabama and Georgia north to Tennessee and Kentucky.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  AL, GA, KY, TN


Confidence Level: Low

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR

Greasons: No Data Available
Type Name Database Code Classification Code
Class 2 Shrub & Herb Vegetation Class C02 2
Subclass 2.C Shrub & Herb Wetland Subclass S44 2.C
Formation 2.C.4 Temperate to Polar Freshwater Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Formation F013 2.C.4
Division 2.C.4.Nd Eastern North American Temperate Freshwater Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Division D323 2.C.4.Nd
Macrogroup 2.C.4.Nd.1 Shrubby-cinquefoil - Canadian Burnet / Inland Sedge Seep Macrogroup M061 2.C.4.Nd.1
Group 2.C.4.Nd.1.b Inland Sedge - Shallow Sedge - Largeleaf Grass-of-Parnassus Seepage Fen Group G182 2.C.4.Nd.1.b
Alliance A3391 Hazel Alder Southern Interior Seep Alliance A3391 2.C.4.Nd.1.b
Association CEGL007059 Hazel Alder Southern Interior Seepage Shrubland CEGL007059 2.C.4.Nd.1.b
Concept Lineage: A new association (CEGL007059) created as a split of CEGL003912 is the only member of this alliance (old A.1014).

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
Concept Author(s): M. Pyne, in Faber-Langendoen et al. (2013)

Author of Description: M. Pyne

Acknowledgements: We have incorporated significant descriptive information previously compiled by A.S. Weakley.

Version Date: 03-14-14
  • 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.