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A3998 Central Midwest-Interior Alkaline Cliff Alliance

Type Concept Sentence: Alkaline cliffs in the Midwest, including limestone, dolostone, maderate and basic igneous rock substrates. Characteristic nonvascular and fern species need to be described.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Central Midwest-Interior Alkaline Cliff Alliance

Colloquial Name: Central Midwest-Interior Alkaline Cliff

Hierarchy Level:  Alliance

Type Concept: Alkaline cliffs in the central Midwest and Interior Highlands, including limestone, dolostone, maderate and basic igneous rock substrates. Characteristic nonvascular and fern species need to be described. Herbaceous and shrub species from the unglaciated portion of the range include Aquilegia canadensis, Arabis lyrata, Campanula rotundifolia, Cornus canadensis, Cystopteris bulbifera, Dasiphora fruticosa ssp. floribunda, Galium triflorum, Physocarpus opulifolius, Solidago sciaphila, and Zigadenus elegans. This vegetation occurs on near-vertical rockfaces on variable aspects. Moisture conditions are also variable and are affected by the degree of shading, presence of seepage, and other factors.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: No Data Available

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: This vegetation is generally sparse and patchy. Trees and shrubs, if present, are sparsely distributed and generally stunted. The herbaceous layer is also patchy and sparse; lichens and mosses are generally common.

Floristics: Herbaceous and shrub species from the unglaciated portion of the range include Aquilegia canadensis, Arabis lyrata, Campanula rotundifolia, Cornus canadensis, Cystopteris bulbifera, Dasiphora fruticosa ssp. floribunda (= Pentaphylloides floribunda), Galium triflorum, Physocarpus opulifolius, Solidago sciaphila, and Zigadenus elegans. Additional data are required rangewide.

Dynamics:  No Data Available
Environmental Description:  This vegetation occurs on near-vertical rockfaces on variable aspects. Moisture conditions are also variable and are affected by the degree of shading, presence of seepage, and other factors.
Geographic Range: This alliance is found in the central midwestern and Interior Highlands region of the U.S. outside the climatic influence of the Great Lakes. It also occurs in southern Ontario and southern Quebec, Canada.

Nations: CA,US

States/Provinces:  AR, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MI, MN, MO, OH, OK, ON, QC, TN, WI


Confidence Level: Low

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR

Greasons: No Data Available
Type Name Database Code Classification Code
Class 6 Open Rock Vegetation Class C06 6
Subclass 6.B Temperate & Boreal Open Rock Vegetation Subclass S04 6.B
Formation 6.B.1 Temperate & Boreal Cliff, Scree & Other Rock Vegetation Formation F034 6.B.1
Division 6.B.1.Na Eastern North American Temperate Cliff, Scree & Rock Vegetation Division D051 6.B.1.Na
Macrogroup 6.B.1.Na.1 Shrubby Fivefingers - Rock Polypody / Cup Lichen species Eastern North American Cliff & Rock Vegetation Macrogroup M111 6.B.1.Na.1
Group 6.B.1.Na.1.d Central Midwest-Interior Cliff & Rock Vegetation Group G841 6.B.1.Na.1.d
Alliance A3998 Central Midwest-Interior Alkaline Cliff Alliance A3998 6.B.1.Na.1.d
Association CEGL002291 Central Midwest-Interior Limestone - Dolostone Dry Cliff Sparse Vegetation CEGL002291 6.B.1.Na.1.d
Association CEGL002292 Central Midwest-Interior Limestone - Dolostone Moist Cliff Vegetation CEGL002292 6.B.1.Na.1.d
Association CEGL002293 Driftless Area Maderate Cliff Vegetation CEGL002293 6.B.1.Na.1.d
Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
Concept Author(s): D. Faber-Langendoen, in Faber-Langendoen et al. (2013)

Author of Description: S. Menard and L. Sneddon

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 02-27-17
  • 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.