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A3934 Poa compressa - Solidago nemoralis - Centaurea stoebe ssp. micranthos Ruderal Dry Meadow & Shrubland Alliance

Type Concept Sentence: This alliance includes three variants of dry ruderal grasslands in the northeastern and midwestern United States: (1) dry ruderal grasslands found on sandy or rock substrates with both exotic and native species; (2) vegetation dominated by the weedy native Andropogon virginicus var. virginicus that occurs on old fields, pastures, and rocky sites; and (3) invasive grassland dune vegetation, along the central Atlantic U.S. coast.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Canada Bluegrass - Gray Goldenrod - Spotted Knapweed Ruderal Dry Meadow & Shrubland Alliance

Colloquial Name: Northern & Central Ruderal Dry Old-field Meadow & Shrubland

Hierarchy Level:  Alliance

Type Concept: This alliance includes three variants of dry ruderal grasslands: (1) Dry semi-natural grasslands found on sandy or rock substrates and includes weedy native grasses Festuca spp., Poa compressa, and Schizachyrium scoparium, and an assortment of dry invasive forbs such as Centaurea stoebe ssp. micranthos and Solidago nemoralis; (2) Vegetation dominated by the weedy native Andropogon virginicus var. virginicus that occurs on old fields, pastures, and rocky sites. Associated species vary with geography and habitat and include a mix of native and exotic species; and (3) Invasive grass dune vegetation, including stands of the non-native sedge Carex kobomugi that invades and overtakes coastal sand dunes dominated by Ammophila breviligulata and/or Panicum amarum var. amarum. It is reported along the central New Jersey coast and at First Landing/Seashore State Park in Virginia.

Diagnostic Characteristics: This alliance occurs on dry sites (rocky, sandy, or thin loamy soil), and is dominated by weedy native or exotic grasses, including Andropogon virginicus var. virginicus, Schedonorus spp., Poa compressa, Schizachyrium scoparium, and an assortment of dry invasive forbs such as Centaurea stoebe ssp. micranthos, or weedy native forbs such as Solidago nemoralis. Less commonly, it is found on inland or coastal dunes dominated by Carex kobomugi.

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: Coastal semi-natural dune vegetation could warrant its own alliance. Currently dry shrublands are not well-described.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: Open grasslands dominated by grasses, sedges or forbs, often with scattered shrubs (<25%) or trees (<10%).

Floristics: This alliance includes three variants of dry ruderal grasslands: (1) Dry semi-natural grasslands found on sandy or rock substrates that includes weedy native grasses Festuca spp., Poa compressa, and Schizachyrium scoparium, and an assortment of dry invasive forbs such as Centaurea stoebe ssp. micranthos (= Centaurea maculosa) and Solidago nemoralis; (2) Vegetation dominated by the weedy native Andropogon virginicus var. virginicus that occurs on old fields, pastures, and rocky sites. Associated species vary with geography and habitat and include a mix of native and exotic species; and (3) Invasive grass dune vegetation, including stands of the non-native sedge Carex kobomugi that invades and overtakes coastal sand dunes dominated by Ammophila breviligulata and/or Panicum amarum var. amarum. It is reported along the central New Jersey coast and at First Landing/Seashore State Park in Virginia.

Dynamics:  Exposure of inland sands in the primarily forested landscape of the northeastern U.S. is a result of anthropogenic activity (poor farming practices), or in some cases is a result of past alluvial flooding.
Environmental Description:  Stands of this alliance occur on old fields, pastures, and rocky sites, as well as coastal dunes. Stands may also be found on inland dunes, characterized by large expanses of exposed sand formed by anthropogenic activity.
Geographic Range: This alliance is found across the northeastern, midwestern and through many of the southeastern states, and possibly southern Canada.

Nations: CA?,US

States/Provinces:  AL, CT, DE, IL, IN, KY, MA, MD, ME, MN, MO?, MS, NC, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, TN, VA, VT, WV


Confidence Level: Low

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNA

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.2 Temperate Grassland & Shrubland Formation F012 2.B.2
Division 2.B.2.Nc Eastern North American Grassland & Shrubland Division D024 2.B.2.Nc
Macrogroup 2.B.2.Nc.90 Orchardgrass - Canada Goldenrod - Multiflora Rose Eastern North American Ruderal Grassland & Shrubland M123 2.B.2.Nc.90
Group 2.B.2.Nc.90.a Tall goldenrod - Kentucky Bluegrass - Stiff Dogwood Ruderal Meadow & Shrubland Group G059 2.B.2.Nc.90.a
Alliance A3934 Canada Bluegrass - Gray Goldenrod - Spotted Knapweed Ruderal Dry Meadow & Shrubland Alliance A3934 2.B.2.Nc.90.a
Association CEGL005457 Kentucky Bluegrass - Smooth Brome Ruderal Meadow CEGL005457 2.B.2.Nc.90.a
Association CEGL006276 Gray Birch / Little Bluestem - Flaxleaf Whitetop Aster Ruderal Sparse Vegetation CEGL006276 2.B.2.Nc.90.a
Association CEGL006333 Little Bluestem - (Broomsedge Bluestem) - Goldenrod species Ruderal Meadow CEGL006333 2.B.2.Nc.90.a
Association CEGL006616 Switchgrass - (Broomsedge Bluestem) Ruderal Meadow CEGL006616 2.B.2.Nc.90.a
Concept Lineage: Midwest and northern states only in the Old Alliance V.A.5.N.c. Andropogon virginicus Herbaceous Alliance (A.1208). Also Old Alliance (Carex kobomugi Dune Alliance) completely included here.

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: ? Andropogon virginicus herbaceous alliance (Hoagland 1998a)
Concept Author(s): D. Faber-Langendoen, in Faber-Langendoen et al. (2013)

Author of Description: D. Faber-Langendoen

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 09-26-14
  • 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.
  • Hoagland, B. W. 1998a. Classification of Oklahoma vegetation types. Working draft. University of Oklahoma, Oklahoma Natural Heritage Inventory, Norman. 43 pp.