Print Report
A4007 Laurentian-Acadian-Great Lakes Acidic Cliff Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: This structurally and floristically variable alliance is found in the Great Lakes region of the U.S. and Canada, and northern New England on cliffs of acidic igneous, metamorphic, or sedimentary rock.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Laurentian-Acadian-Great Lakes Acidic Cliff Alliance
Colloquial Name: Laurentian-Acadian-Great Lakes Acidic Cliff
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: This acidic cliff alliance of the Great Lakes and New England portion of the U.S. and adjacent Canada occurs on acidic igneous, metamorphic, or sedimentary rock. Vegetation varies from sparse nonvascular vegetation to open-treed or shrubby communities. Vascular vegetation is sparse and largely confined to crevices. Woody species may include Juniperus communis, Amelanchier spp., stunted individuals of Betula papyrifera, Picea rubens, Pinus banksiana, Pinus resinosa, Pinus strobus, and Quercus rubra. Shrubs may include Alnus viridis ssp. crispa, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, Diervilla lonicera, Juniperus communis, Physocarpus opulifolius, and Vaccinium angustifolium. Common herbs include Athyrium filix-femina, Campanula rotundifolia, Cystopteris fragilis, Danthonia spicata, Deschampsia cespitosa, Dryopteris carthusiana, Dryopteris fragrans, Dryopteris marginalis, Euthamia graminifolia, Fragaria virginiana, Phegopteris connectilis, Poa compressa, Polypodium appalachianum, Rubus pubescens, and Sibbaldiopsis tridentata.
Diagnostic Characteristics: Sparsely vegetated vertical or near-vertical acidic rock (granite, sandstone) cliff faces in the Great Lakes region, northern New England, and adjacent Canada.
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: Vascular vegetation is sparse and largely confined to crevices. The vegetation is largely a mix of sparsely distributed trees, shrubs, and herbs, with a bryophyte layer that is better developed in shaded areas or where moisture persists as a result of seepage or fog saturation.
Floristics: Vascular vegetation is sparse and largely confined to crevices. Woody species may include Juniperus communis, Amelanchier spp., stunted individuals of Betula papyrifera, Picea rubens, Pinus banksiana, Pinus resinosa, Pinus strobus, and Quercus rubra. Shrubs may include Alnus viridis ssp. crispa (= Alnus crispa), Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, Diervilla lonicera, Juniperus communis, Physocarpus opulifolius, and Vaccinium angustifolium. Common herbs include Athyrium filix-femina, Campanula rotundifolia, Cystopteris fragilis, Danthonia spicata, Deschampsia cespitosa, Dryopteris carthusiana, Dryopteris fragrans, Dryopteris marginalis, Euthamia graminifolia, Fragaria virginiana, Phegopteris connectilis (= Thelypteris phegopteris), Poa compressa, Polypodium appalachianum, Rubus pubescens, and Sibbaldiopsis tridentata (= Potentilla tridentata).
Dynamics: Cliffs are exposed to near-constant erosion, caused by strong winds and ice, as well as strong wave action where they front lakes, fracturing rock that forms talus slopes at their bases. The vertical structure prevents soil development and limits vascular plant growth. Areas of seepage are common.
Environmental Description: These cliff faces occupy acidic igneous or metamorphic rock (gneiss, schist, granite, and quartzite). Soils are largely absent, confined to cracks and crevices. Extensive cliff formations occur on the shores of the Great Lakes and other large waterbodies; inland locations often support extensive talus slopes at their bases as a result of weathering and rockslides.
Geographic Range: This alliance is found in the Great Lakes and northern New England region of the U.S. and Canada.
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: ME, MI, MN, NH, NY, OH, ON, QC, VT, WI
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.900058
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR
Greasons: No Data Available
Concept Lineage: This alliance was merged with the Laurentian-Acadian portion of A3997 Midwest-Laurentian-Acadian Acidic Cliff Alliance
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: >< Boreal Acidic Cliff (Thompson and Sorenson 2000)
>< Granite Cliff (Kost et al. 2007)
< Granite Lakeshore Cliff (Kost et al. 2007)
>< Sandstone Cliff (Kost et al. 2007)
< Sandstone Lakeshore Cliff (Kost et al. 2007)
>< Temperate Acidic Cliff (Thompson and Sorenson 2000)
>< Granite Cliff (Kost et al. 2007)
< Granite Lakeshore Cliff (Kost et al. 2007)
>< Sandstone Cliff (Kost et al. 2007)
< Sandstone Lakeshore Cliff (Kost et al. 2007)
>< Temperate Acidic Cliff (Thompson and Sorenson 2000)
- 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.
- Kost, M. A., D. A. Albert, J. G. Cohen, B. S. Slaughter, R. K. Schillo, C. R. Weber, and K. A. Chapman. 2007. Natural communities of Michigan: Classification and description. Report No. 2007-21, Michigan Natural Features Inventory, Lansing. 314 pp. [http://web4.msue.msu.edu/mnfi/reports/2007-21_Natural_Communites_of_Michigan_Classification_and_Description.pdf]
- 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.