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A3908 Juniperus communis - Mixed Scrub / Danthonia spicata Acidic Bedrock Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: This alliance is characterized by abundant acidic bedrock outcrops with patchy vegetation with sparsely distributed trees, shrubs, graminoids, and lichens. A northern but subboreal flora consisting of Pinus banksiana, Pinus strobus, Pinus resinosa, Quercus rubra, Juniperus communis, Sibbaldiopsis tridentata, Danthonia spicata, and Poa compressa is most frequently found in this alliance.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Common Juniper - Mixed Scrub / Poverty Oatgrass Acidic Bedrock Alliance
Colloquial Name: Laurentian Acidic Rocky Outcrop & Barrens
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: This alliance is characterized by abundant acidic bedrock outcrops with patchy vegetation characterized by sparsely distributed trees, shrubs, graminoids, and lichens. A northern but subboreal flora consisting of Pinus banksiana, Pinus strobus, Pinus resinosa, Quercus rubra, Juniperus communis, Sibbaldiopsis tridentata, Danthonia spicata, and Poa compressa is most frequently found in this alliance. This alliance ranges from the upper Midwest and Canada east to Quebec and Ontario and south to northern New York. Stands of this alliance occur on rock outcrops on ridgetops and upper slopes. The sandy and coarse loamy soils are found only in cracks and depressions in the bedrock. Aspect and slope are variable, although this alliance does not occur on steep slopes.
Diagnostic Characteristics: Open bedrock outcrops with thin soils supporting a northern but subboreal flora, including scattered trees, ranging from central and eastern Canada south to northern New York.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This vegetation is widely variable in composition and structure. No descriptive information is available for several associations, and their reclassification may be justified pending further data.
~Adiantum aleuticum - Asplenium spp. - Cerastium arvense Sparse Vegetation (CEGL006104)$$ in this alliance is characterized by slightly higher base status but is nutrient-poor. An argument can be made for recognizing a separate, single-association alliance pending further information. This association is related to serpentine vegetation in the Gaspe peninsula of Quebec and western Newfoundland, but the Canadian vegetation is decidedly more arctic-alpine in nature (Bouchard et al. 1978, Dearden 1979).
~Adiantum aleuticum - Asplenium spp. - Cerastium arvense Sparse Vegetation (CEGL006104)$$ in this alliance is characterized by slightly higher base status but is nutrient-poor. An argument can be made for recognizing a separate, single-association alliance pending further information. This association is related to serpentine vegetation in the Gaspe peninsula of Quebec and western Newfoundland, but the Canadian vegetation is decidedly more arctic-alpine in nature (Bouchard et al. 1978, Dearden 1979).
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: Mosses and lichens comprise much of the cover on exposed bedrock. Short trees, shrubs, and graminoids are scattered throughout the stands. Vascular species can be found where soil has collected in cracks and depressions in the bedrock and on the edges of stands.
Floristics: A northern but subboreal flora characterizes the vegetation. Most frequent species include Pinus banksiana, Pinus strobus, Pinus resinosa, Quercus rubra, Juniperus communis, Sibbaldiopsis tridentata, Danthonia spicata, and Poa compressa. Other associates may include Abies balsamea, Acer rubrum, Amelanchier spp., Aralia hispida, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, Betula papyrifera, Corydalis sempervirens, Corylus cornuta, Diervilla lonicera, Picea glauca, Picea mariana, Populus tremuloides, Prunus virginiana, Rubus hispidus, Salix bebbiana, and Vaccinium angustifolium. Cladonia spp. and Polytrichum spp. are two abundant nonvascular taxa.
Dynamics: Exposure, temperature, and thin soils maintain occurrences in an open condition. Some stands may have arisen as a result of previous logging.
Environmental Description: Stands of this alliance occur on dry, thin-soiled rock outcrops on ridgetops and upper slopes (Grigal and Ohmann 1975). The sandy and coarse loamy soils are found in cracks and depressions in the bedrock (Sims et al. 1989). Aspect is variable, generally gentle to moderately slopes; this alliance generally does not occur on steep slopes.
Geographic Range: This alliance ranges from the upper Midwest and Canada east to Quebec and Ontario and south to northern New York.
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: MA, MB, ME?, MI, MN, NF, NH?, NY, ON, QC, VT, WI
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.899959
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR
Greasons: No Data Available
Concept Lineage: A.898, A.808, A.1843 A.1828
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: >< Lichen type (Grigal and Ohmann 1975)
- 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.
- Faber-Langendoen, D., and Midwest State Natural Heritage Program Ecologists. 1996. Terrestrial vegetation of the midwest United States. International classification of ecological communities: Terrestrial vegetation of the United States. The Nature Conservancy, Arlington, VA.
- Grigal, D. F., and L. F. Ohmann. 1975. Classification, description, and dynamics of upland plant communities within a Minnesota wilderness area. Ecological Monographs 45:389-407.
- MNNHP [Minnesota Natural Heritage Program]. 1993. Minnesota''s native vegetation: A key to natural communities. Version 1.5. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Natural Heritage Program, St. Paul, MN. 110 pp.
- Midwestern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Minneapolis, MN.
- Sims, R. A., W. D. Towill, K. A. Baldwin, and G. M. Wickware. 1989. Field guide to the forest ecosystem classification for northwestern Ontario. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Toronto. 191 pp.