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A3933 Eastern North American Coastal Cliff & Outcrop Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: This alliance encompasses sparsely vegetated cliffs and shoreline outcrops along the North Atlantic Coast, primarily northeast of Penobscot Bay (Maine). Common species include Achillea millefolium, Campanula rotundifolia, Festuca rubra, Plantago maritima, Prenanthes trifoliolata, and Solidago sempervirens.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Eastern North American Coastal Cliff & Outcrop Alliance
Colloquial Name: Eastern North American Coastal Cliff & Outcrop
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: This alliance encompasses sparsely vegetated cliffs and shoreline outcrops along the North Atlantic Coast, primarily northeast of Penobscot Bay (Maine). Common species include Achillea millefolium, Campanula rotundifolia, Festuca rubra, Plantago maritima, Prenanthes trifoliolata, and Solidago sempervirens. Juniperus horizontalis occurs in some locations and is indicative of the exposed coastal environment. Morella pensylvanica also occurs, and Empetrum nigrum may form mats where bedrock is more level. In many locations, subarctic lithophilic plant species occur; these include Euphrasia randii, Iris setosa, Lomatogonium rotatum, Rhodiola rosea, and Sagina nodosa ssp. borealis. From Cobscook Bay east, Dasiphora fruticosa ssp. floribunda is also characteristic. Settings range from steep cliffs to nearly flat expanses of bedrock, all influenced by salt spray.
Diagnostic Characteristics: Cliffs and shoreline outcrops of the North Atlantic.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: The current description is from Gawler and Cutko (2010); additional data are needed from the Canadian Maritime Provinces.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: This alliance is generally sparsely vegetated, characterized by forbs and dwarf-shrubs.
Floristics: Common species include Achillea millefolium, Campanula rotundifolia, Festuca rubra, Plantago maritima, Prenanthes trifoliolata, and Solidago sempervirens. Juniperus horizontalis occurs in some locations and is indicative of the exposed coastal environment. In many locations, subarctic lithophilic plant species occur; these include Euphrasia randii, Iris setosa, Lomatogonium rotatum, Rhodiola rosea, and Sagina nodosa ssp. borealis. From Cobscook Bay east, Dasiphora fruticosa ssp. floribunda is also characteristic.
Dynamics: High winds and salt spray prevent establishment of taller shrubs or trees.
Environmental Description: Settings range from steep cliffs to nearly flat expanses of bedrock, all influenced by salt spray.
Geographic Range: This alliance encompasses sparsely vegetated cliffs and shoreline outcrops along the North Atlantic Coast, primarily northeast of Penobscot Bay (Maine).
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: ME, NS, QC
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.899984
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.2 American Beachgrass - Sea-oats - Seaside Goldenrod Dune & Grassland Macrogroup | M057 | 2.B.4.Na.2 |
| Group | 2.B.4.Na.2.b Seaside Goldenrod - Creeping Juniper - Roseroot Stonecrop Coastal Rocky Headland Group | G582 | 2.B.4.Na.2.b |
| Alliance | A3933 Eastern North American Coastal Cliff & Outcrop Alliance | A3933 | 2.B.4.Na.2.b |
| Association | CEGL006510 Northern Bayberry - Black Crowberry Dwarf-shrubland | CEGL006510 | 2.B.4.Na.2.b |
| Association | CEGL006529 Seaside Goldenrod - (Roseroot Stonecrop) - Creeping Juniper Sparse Vegetation | CEGL006529 | 2.B.4.Na.2.b |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: ? Open Headland (Gawler and Cutko 2010)
- 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.
- Gawler, S. C., and A. Cutko. 2010. Natural landscapes of Maine: A classification of vegetated natural communities and ecosystems. Maine Natural Areas Program, Department of Conservation, Augusta.