Print Report
A4003 Rhizocarpon geographicum - Umbilicaria hyperborea Eastern Alpine Fell-field Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: This alliance comprising extensive fell-fields (also called felsenmeer) occurs at high elevations on Northern Appalachian and eastern Canadian summits.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: World Map Lichen - Blistered Rocktripe Lichen Eastern Alpine Fell-field Alliance
Colloquial Name: Eastern Alpine Fell-field
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: This alliance occurs at high elevations on Northern Appalachian and eastern Canadian summits. Serpentine mountains often develop fell-fields. Sites are near or above treeline and are generally windswept and exposed to high solar radiation. Lichens are the dominant vegetation; vascular plants may occur in very sparse abundance, confined to sheltered crevices. Typically, the rock surfaces are covered with various lichen species, including Rhizocarpon geographicum, Arctoparmelia centrifuga, and Umbilicaria hyperborea. Various dwarf-shrubs and herbs may occur in sheltered areas, and where soil areas are more extensive, dwarf-shrub heath types may be found. Patterned ground caused by frost action is common, with rocks sorting by size classes in polygons, in flat areas, or in stripes, on slopes.
Diagnostic Characteristics: Rock surfaces are covered with various lichen species, including Rhizocarpon geographicum, Arctoparmelia centrifuga, and Umbilicaria hyperborea and vascular plant cover is <10%.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Information is taken from Jones et al. (2012) and Sperduto and Nichols (2004), but more information is needed.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: Vascular plants are all but absent, not exceeding 10% cover. Lichens are typically abundant.
Floristics: Lichens are usually abundant and include Arctoparmelia centrifuga, Lasallia papulosa, Melanelia hepatizon, Melanelia stygia, Ophioparma ventosa, Racomitrium lanuginosum, Rhizocarpon geographicum, Umbilicaria hyperborea, Umbilicaria proboscidea, and Umbilicaria torrefacta. Vascular plants may include scattered individuals or patches of Carex bigelowii, Diapensia lapponica, Huperzia selago var. densa (= Huperzia appressa), and Phyllodoce caerulea.
Dynamics: Patterned ground caused by frost action is common, with rocks sorting by size classes in polygons, in flat areas, or in stripes, on slopes.
Environmental Description: Fell-fields are made up of large boulders of various rock types, ranging from acidic to alkaline, and also include serpentine in Labrador and Quebec.
Geographic Range: This alliance is currently documented from a few locations in the Presidential Range of New Hampshire and Katahdin in Maine, but is much more widespread in the northern ranges in the Canadian portion of the range.
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: LB, ME, NF, NH, NY, ON?, QC
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.900054
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 4 Polar & High Montane Scrub, Grassland & Barrens Class | C04 | 4 |
| Subclass | 4.B Temperate to Polar Alpine & Tundra Vegetation Subclass | S12 | 4.B |
| Formation | 4.B.1 Temperate & Boreal Alpine Tundra Formation | F037 | 4.B.1 |
| Division | 4.B.1.Na Eastern North American Alpine Tundra Division | D042 | 4.B.1.Na |
| Macrogroup | 4.B.1.Na.1 Eastern North American Alpine Tundra Macrogroup | M131 | 4.B.1.Na.1 |
| Group | 4.B.1.Na.1.f <i>Rhizocarpon geographicum - Carex bigelowii - Carex scirpoidea</i> Temperate Alpine Rock Vegetation Group | G911 | 4.B.1.Na.1.f |
| Alliance | A4003 World Map Lichen - Blistered Rocktripe Lichen Eastern Alpine Fell-field Alliance | A4003 | 4.B.1.Na.1.f |
| Association | CEGL006420 Concentric-ring Lichen - World Map Lichen Nonvascular Vegetation | CEGL006420 | 4.B.1.Na.1.f |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Felsenmeer (Jones et al. 2012a)
= Felsenmeer barren (Sperduto and Nichols 2004)
= Felsenmeer barren (Sperduto and Nichols 2004)
- 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.
- Jones, M., L. Willey, and M. Anions. 2012a. Vegetation. Pages 49-78 in: M. Jones and L. Willey, editors. Eastern alpine guide: Natural history and conservation of mountain tundra east of the Rockies. Beyond Ktaadn, Inc., and Boghaunter Books, New Salem, MA.
- Sperduto, D. D., and W. F. Nichols. 2004. Natural communities of New Hampshire: A guide and classification. New Hampshire Natural Heritage Bureau, DRED Division of Forests and Lands, Concord. 242 pp.