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A3914 Thuja occidentalis Appalachian Limestone Cliff Woodland Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: This alliance of the Central and Southern Appalachians and Alleghany Plateau contains woodlands (with variable canopy closure) of calcareous bedrock outcrops and limestone cliffs or steep slopes on which Thuja occidentalis is characteristic. The growth form is generally single-stemmed, but trees may be quite stunted. Associated canopy species can include Acer saccharum, Fraxinus americana, Juniperus virginiana, Ostrya virginiana, Quercus muehlenbergii, Quercus rubra, and Tsuga canadensis. Herbaceous species vary with geography and moisture regime, which ranges from dry to seepage-saturated.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Northern White-cedar Appalachian Limestone Cliff Woodland Alliance
Colloquial Name: Appalachian White-cedar Limestone Cliff Woodland
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: This alliance contains woodlands (with variable canopy closure) of calcareous bedrock outcrops and limestone cliffs or steep slopes on which Thuja occidentalis is characteristic. The growth form is generally single-stemmed, but trees may be quite stunted. Associated canopy species can include Acer saccharum, Fraxinus americana, Juniperus virginiana, Ostrya virginiana, Quercus muehlenbergii, Quercus rubra, and Tsuga canadensis. Shrubs and small trees may also include Cercis canadensis, Cornus florida, Dirca palustris, Hydrangea arborescens, Ostrya virginiana, Rhus aromatica, and Viburnum acerifolium. Herbaceous species vary with geography but include species favoring high base-status, such as Asarum canadense, Carex eburnea, Cypripedium reginae, Cystopteris bulbifera, and others, as well as other species tolerant of a wider base status, including Chamaelirium luteum, Collinsonia canadensis, Dioscorea quaternata, Hepatica nobilis var. obtusa, Solidago arguta, Solidago curtisii, Pellaea atropurpurea, and Uvularia perfoliata. This alliance occurs in the Central and Southern Appalachians and Alleghany Plateau on talus, limestone pavement, steep north-facing slopes, or calcareous cliffs, often associated with seepage. Moisture regime varies, with dry cliffs often interspersed with seepage areas.
Diagnostic Characteristics: Thuja occidentalis on steep calcareous cliffs or steep slopes of the Central Appalachians and southward. Other calcareous indicators are usually present and can include Carex eburnea, Cystopteris bulbifera, Dirca palustris, Hepatica nobilis, and others.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Although described as woodland, the vegetation of this alliance is generally sparse and patchy. The northern equivalent is ~Thuja occidentalis Limestone Woodland Alliance (A3296)$$ and its southern boundary with this alliance needs review.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: Structure of this vegetation varies in canopy closure and height, but is generally open to very open.
Floristics: Thuja occidentalis is the characteristic tree; other deciduous trees may include Acer saccharum, Fraxinus americana, Ostrya virginiana, Quercus muehlenbergii, and Quercus rubra; associated conifers may also include Juniperus virginiana and Tsuga canadensis. Shrubs and small trees may include Cercis canadensis, Cornus florida, Dirca palustris, Hydrangea arborescens, Ostrya virginiana, Rhus aromatica, and Viburnum acerifolium. Herbaceous species vary with geography but include species favoring high base-status, such as Asarum canadense, Carex eburnea, Cypripedium reginae, Cystopteris bulbifera and others, as well as other species of broader ecological tolerance such as Arabis laevigata, Arabis hirsuta, Asplenium rhizophyllum, Chamaelirium luteum, Collinsonia canadensis, Dioscorea quaternata, Hepatica nobilis var. obtusa (= Hepatica americana), Heuchera americana, Pachysandra procumbens, Pellaea atropurpurea, Sedum ternatum, Solidago arguta, Solidago curtisii, Solidago flexicaulis, Spiranthes lucida, and Uvularia perfoliata.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: Stands may be found on talus, limestone pavement, steep north-facing slopes, or calcareous cliffs, often associated with seepage.
Geographic Range: This alliance occurs in the Central and Southern Appalachians and Allegheny Plateau from Pennsylvania and Ohio to Tennessee and Kentucky.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: KY, MD, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.899965
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 1 Forest & Woodland Class | C01 | 1 |
| Subclass | 1.B Temperate & Boreal Forest & Woodland Subclass | S15 | 1.B |
| Formation | 1.B.2 Cool Temperate Forest & Woodland Formation | F008 | 1.B.2 |
| Division | 1.B.2.Na Eastern North American Forest & Woodland Division | D008 | 1.B.2.Na |
| Macrogroup | 1.B.2.Na.2 Appalachian-Northeastern Oak - Hardwood - Pine Forest & Woodland Macrogroup | M502 | 1.B.2.Na.2 |
| Group | 1.B.2.Na.2.b Chinquapin Oak - White Ash - Eastern Red-cedar Forest & Woodland Group | G016 | 1.B.2.Na.2.b |
| Alliance | A3914 Northern White-cedar Appalachian Limestone Cliff Woodland Alliance | A3914 | 1.B.2.Na.2.b |
| Association | CEGL002596 Northern White-cedar / Bristleleaf Sedge - Purple Cliffbrake Cliff Woodland | CEGL002596 | 1.B.2.Na.2.b |
| Association | CEGL003675 Northern White-cedar Limestone Cliff Seepage Woodland | CEGL003675 | 1.B.2.Na.2.b |
| Association | CEGL008426 <i>Thuja occidentalis - Pinus strobus - Tsuga canadensis</i> / Bristleleaf Sedge Slope Woodland | CEGL008426 | 1.B.2.Na.2.b |
Concept Lineage: A.1049, A.544
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: < Thuja occidentalis - Pinus strobus - Tsuga canadensis / Carex eburnea Forest (Fleming and Coulling 2001)
>< Northern White-Cedar: 37 (Eyre 1980)
>< Northern White-Cedar: 37 (Eyre 1980)
- Braun, E. L. 1928. The vegetation of the Mineral Springs region of Adams County, Ohio. The Ohio State University Bulletin, Volume 32, No. 30. Ohio Biological Survey, Bulletin 15. 3(5):383-517.
- Eyre, F. H., editor. 1980. Forest cover types of the United States and Canada. Society of American Foresters, Washington, DC. 148 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.
- Fleming, G. P., and P. P. Coulling. 2001. Ecological communities of the George Washington and Jefferson national forests, Virginia. Preliminary classification and description of vegetation types. Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage, Richmond, VA. 317 pp.
- Walker, G. L. 1987. Ecology and population biology of Thuja occidentalis L. in its southern disjunct range. Ph.D. dissertation, University of Tennessee, Knoxville. 160 pp.