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A4004 Northern Appalachian Alpine Cliff Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: This alliance comprises associations that encompass sparse vegetation of Northern Appalachian cliffs, ranging from acidic to calcareous and from dry to seepage-influenced.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Northern Appalachian Alpine Cliff Alliance
Colloquial Name: Northern Appalachian Alpine Cliff
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: This alliance comprises associations that encompass sparse vegetation of Northern Appalachian cliffs, ranging from acidic to calcareous and from dry to seepage-influenced. Characteristic species include Carex scirpoidea, Saxifraga aizoides, Saxifraga oppositifolia, Saxifraga paniculata, and Trichophorum cespitosum. A number of forbs, ferns, and graminoids characteristic of cold climates may be found here, including Pinguicula vulgaris, Primula laurentiana, Primula mistassinica, Saxifraga paniculata, and others. Scattered dwarf-shrubs and stunted trees such as Acer spicatum, Betula papyrifera, Dasiphora fruticosa ssp. floribunda, Picea rubens, Thuja occidentalis, and Vaccinium uliginosum may also occur.
Diagnostic Characteristics: Cliff faces of alpine areas of eastern North America.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: More data are needed to further characterize this alliance.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: Physiognomy is widely variable, with sparse vegetation, including dwarf-shrubs, stunted trees, forbs, graminoids, and ferns. Nonvascular plants include mosses and lichens.
Floristics: Species composition varies among occurrences, and no single species is generally dominant. Frequently occurring species include Arnica lanceolata, Campanula rotundifolia, Cardamine bellidifolia, Carex scirpoidea, Castilleja septentrionalis, Diapensia lapponica, Juncus trifidus, Minuartia groenlandica, Oxyria digyna, Phleum alpinum, Pinguicula vulgaris, Polygonum viviparum, Primula mistassinica, Primula laurentiana, Saxifraga foliolosa, Saxifraga paniculata (= Saxifraga aizoon), Saxifraga rivularis, and Trichophorum cespitosum. Scattered dwarf-shrubs and stunted trees such as Acer spicatum, Betula papyrifera, Dasiphora fruticosa ssp. floribunda, Picea rubens, Thuja occidentalis, and Vaccinium uliginosum may also occur.
Dynamics: Moisture enters crevices, where it is exposed to alternate freezing and thawing. This cycle results in fracturing of the rock face, and eventually leads to landslides. Newly exposed rock faces provide habitat for recolonization.
Environmental Description: Steep to nearly vertical rock faces with sparse vegetation are common to all occurrences. Bedrock pH varies from acidic (quartzite and granite) to alkaline (limestone, marble, calcareous schist), and moisture regime usually includes dry substrates to those influenced by constant seepage, often on the same cliff face. Soils are confined to crevices and vulnerable to erosion.
Geographic Range: This alliance occurs at high elevations in northern New England, ranging to Newfoundland and Labrador, and Quebec.
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: LB, ME, NF, NH, NY?, QC, VT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.900055
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 | A4004 Northern Appalachian Alpine Cliff Alliance | A4004 | 4.B.1.Na.1.f |
| Association | CEGL006428 Tufted Bulrush - (Leafy-stem Saxifrage, White Mountain Saxifrage, Weak Saxifrage) Alpine Cliff | CEGL006428 | 4.B.1.Na.1.f |
Concept Lineage: A.1836, in part
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: < Boreal acidic cliff (Thompson and Sorenson 2000)
< Boreal calcareous cliff (Thompson and Sorenson 2000)
> Cliff communities (Jones and Willey 2012a)
< Boreal calcareous cliff (Thompson and Sorenson 2000)
> Cliff communities (Jones and Willey 2012a)
- Bliss, L. C. 1963. Alpine plant communities of the Presidential Range, New Hampshire. Ecology 44:678-697.
- 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.
- 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.
- Jones, M., and L. Willey, editors. 2012a. 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.
- Thompson, E. H., and E. R. Sorenson. 2000. Wetland, woodland, wildland: A guide to the natural communities of Vermont. The Nature Conservancy and the Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife. University Press of New England, Hanover, NH. 456 pp.