Print Report

A3695 Deschampsia cespitosa - Campanula rotundifolia Lakeshore Alliance

Type Concept Sentence: This alliance is characterized by sparsely vegetated, or sometimes unvegetated, lakeshores composed of noncalcareous bedrock, cobble, or gravel. Vegetation is sparse and patchy, and includes scattered shrubs and trees. Characteristic subshrubs, forbs and graminoids include Sibbaldiopsis tridentata, Campanula rotundifolia, Danthonia spicata, and Deschampsia cespitosa. Characteristic shrubs and trees include Juniperus communis, Picea glauca, Betula papyrifera, and Physocarpus opulifolius.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Tufted Hairgrass - Bluebell Bellflower Lakeshore Alliance

Colloquial Name: Great Lakes Non-calcareous Rocky Shore

Hierarchy Level:  Alliance

Type Concept: This alliance is characterized by sparsely vegetated, or sometimes unvegetated, lakeshores composed of noncalcareous bedrock, cobble, or gravel. Vegetation is sparse and patchy, and includes scattered shrubs and trees. Characteristic subshrubs, forbs and graminoids include Sibbaldiopsis tridentata, Campanula rotundifolia, Danthonia spicata, and Deschampsia cespitosa. Characteristic shrubs and trees include Juniperus communis, Picea glauca, Betula papyrifera, and Physocarpus opulifolius.

Diagnostic Characteristics: Noncalcareous metamorphic bedrock, cobble, or gravel lakeshores supporting species of northern affinity, such as Sibbaldiopsis tridentata, Juniperus communis, Picea glauca, and Betula papyrifera.

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: This alliance is variable in structure and composition, and occurs on metamorphic bedrock, sandstone, cobble, or gravel.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: Vegetation is sparse and patchy, and includes scattered shrubs and trees.

Floristics: Characteristic subshrubs, forbs and graminoids include Sibbaldiopsis tridentata, Campanula rotundifolia, Danthonia spicata, and Deschampsia cespitosa. Characteristic shrubs and trees include Juniperus communis, Picea glauca, Betula papyrifera, and Physocarpus opulifolius. Other associates may include Danthonia spicata, Euthamia graminifolia, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, Diervilla lonicera, and Sorbus decora.

Dynamics:  Wave action and ice-scour prevent soil development.
Environmental Description:  Acidic bedrock of lakeshores, including sandstone, granite, and others.
Geographic Range: This alliance occurs on the shores of the Great Lakes in the U.S. and Canada.

Nations: CA,US

States/Provinces:  MB, MI, MN, ON, WI


Confidence Level: Moderate

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.B Temperate & Boreal Grassland & Shrubland Subclass S18 2.B
Formation 2.B.4 Temperate to Polar Scrub & Herb Coastal Vegetation Formation F005 2.B.4
Division 2.B.4.Na Eastern North American Coastal Scrub & Herb Vegetation Division D026 2.B.4.Na
Macrogroup 2.B.4.Na.1 Eastern North American Coastal Beach & Rocky Shore Macrogroup M060 2.B.4.Na.1
Group 2.B.4.Na.1.c Great Lakes Coastal Rocky Shore Group G793 2.B.4.Na.1.c
Alliance A3695 Tufted Hairgrass - Bluebell Bellflower Lakeshore Alliance A3695 2.B.4.Na.1.c
Association CEGL002507 Sandstone Bedrock Great Lakes Shore Sparse Vegetation CEGL002507 2.B.4.Na.1.c
Association CEGL002508 Non-alkaline Cobble - Gravel Great Lakes Shore Sparse Vegetation CEGL002508 2.B.4.Na.1.c
Association CEGL005215 Basalt - Conglomerate Bedrock Great Lakes Shore Sparse Vegetation CEGL005215 2.B.4.Na.1.c
Association CEGL005216 Granite - Metamorphic Bedrock Great Lakes Shore Sparse Vegetation CEGL005216 2.B.4.Na.1.c
Association CEGL005250 Basalt - Diabase Cobble - Gravel Great Lakes Shore Sparse Vegetation CEGL005250 2.B.4.Na.1.c
Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: < Granite Bedrock Lakeshore (Kost et al. 2007)
< Sandstone Bedrock Lakeshore (Kost et al. 2007)
Concept Author(s): M.A. Kost et al. (2007)

Author of Description: L.A. Sneddon

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 12-18-14
  • 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.
  • Kost, M. A., D. A. Albert, J. G. Cohen, B. S. Slaughter, R. K. Schillo, C. R. Weber, and K. A. Chapman. 2007. Natural communities of Michigan: Classification and description. Report No. 2007-21, Michigan Natural Features Inventory, Lansing. 314 pp. [http://web4.msue.msu.edu/mnfi/reports/2007-21_Natural_Communites_of_Michigan_Classification_and_Description.pdf]