Print Report
CEGL006584 Betula alleghaniensis - Quercus rubra / Polypodium virginianum Talus Woodland
Type Concept Sentence: This acidic, large-boulder talus slope woodland occurs in the northern Appalachian Mountains and northern New England north into eastern Canada.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Yellow Birch - Northern Red Oak / Rock Polypody Talus Woodland
Colloquial Name: Northern Hardwood - Oak Talus Slope Woodland
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This acidic, large-boulder talus slope woodland occurs in the northern Appalachian Mountains and northern New England north into eastern Canada. The substrate is large boulders, with vascular plants confined to coarse-textured soils in crevices. Sites are at low to mid elevations, from near sea level to about 520 m (1700 feet). Soils are thin, patchy, and nutrient-poor. The hardwood canopy is very patchy, with open talus interspersed with wooded areas. Canopy closure overall is usually less than 50%. Shrubs are patchy and may form thickets in openings. The herb layer is sparse overall, although dense patches may occur where some soil is available; bryophytes are likewise sparse. The ground cover is exposed talus, moss-covered boulders, and deciduous litter. The tree canopy is dominated by a variable mixture of oak and birch species, including Quercus rubra and Betula alleghaniensis. In the northern portion of this community''s range, Quercus rubra may drop out entirely, with Betula spp. and Acer spp. dominant. Other canopy associates include Acer saccharum, Betula papyrifera, Betula populifolia, Fagus grandifolia, Acer rubrum, Prunus pensylvanica, Populus grandidentata, Tsuga canadensis, and Pinus strobus. At the northern end of the range, Betula x caerulea and Betula papyrifera are also associated. The understory is composed of scattered and clumped tall shrubs and small trees, including Acer spicatum, Acer pensylvanicum, Rubus spp., Viburnum acerifolium, and Ribes spp. Ericaceous shrubs are not generally prevalent, but when present may include Vaccinium angustifolium, Gaylussacia baccata, or Kalmia angustifolia. Vines are particularly characteristic, and include Parthenocissus quinquefolia, Parthenocissus vitacea, Toxicodendron radicans, Toxicodendron rydbergii, Celastrus scandens, and Polygonum cilinode. Scattered ferns and herbs are Dryopteris marginalis, Polypodium virginianum, Pteridium aquilinum, Maianthemum racemosum, Eurybia macrophylla, Deschampsia flexuosa, Carex pensylvanica, Carex lucorum, Corydalis sempervirens, Solidago bicolor, Solidago caesia, and Aralia nudicaulis. Bryophytes include Polytrichum commune, Leucobryum glaucum, Umbilicaria spp., and Cladonia spp. This association is characterized by the patchy deciduous canopy, with Betula spp. common and Ostrya virginiana sparse or absent, and by the lack of rich-site indicator herbs.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Intermediates between this type and the circumneutral/calcareous talus woodland ~Acer saccharum - Tilia americana - Fraxinus americana / Ostrya virginiana / Geranium robertianum Woodland (CEGL005058)$$ do occur. See also a similar type, ~Quercus rubra - Betula lenta / Polypodium virginianum Woodland (CEGL006585)$$, which was split from this type because it contains a greater mix of central hardwood oak and hardwood species, e.g., as shown by the distinction between the two Vermont talus types, the Transition Hardwood Talus Woodland and the Northern Hardwoods Talus Woodland (Sorenson and Thompson 2000).
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: The hardwood canopy is very patchy, with open talus interspersed with wooded areas. Canopy closure overall is usually less than 50%. Shrubs are patchy and may form thickets in openings. The herb layer is sparse overall, although dense patches may occur where some soil is available; bryophytes are likewise sparse. The ground cover is exposed talus, moss-covered boulders, and deciduous litter. The tree canopy is dominated by a variable mixture of oak and birch species, including Quercus rubra and Betula alleghaniensis. In the northern portion of this community''s range, Quercus rubra may drop out entirely, with Betula spp. and Acer spp. dominant. Other canopy associates include Acer saccharum, Betula papyrifera, Betula populifolia, Fagus grandifolia, Acer rubrum, Prunus pensylvanica, Populus grandidentata, Tsuga canadensis, and Pinus strobus. At the northern end of the range, Betula x caerulea and Betula papyrifera are also associated. The understory is composed of scattered and clumped tall shrubs and small trees, including Acer spicatum, Acer pensylvanicum, Rubus spp., Viburnum acerifolium, and Ribes spp. Ericaceous shrubs are not generally prevalent, but when present may include Vaccinium angustifolium, Gaylussacia baccata, or Kalmia angustifolia. Vines are particularly characteristic, and include Parthenocissus quinquefolia, Parthenocissus vitacea, Toxicodendron radicans, Toxicodendron rydbergii, Celastrus scandens, and Polygonum cilinode. Scattered ferns and herbs are Dryopteris marginalis, Polypodium virginianum, Pteridium aquilinum, Maianthemum racemosum, Eurybia macrophylla (= Aster macrophyllus), Deschampsia flexuosa, Carex pensylvanica, Carex lucorum, Corydalis sempervirens, Solidago bicolor, Solidago caesia, and Aralia nudicaulis. Bryophytes include Polytrichum commune, Leucobryum glaucum, Umbilicaria spp., and Cladonia spp. (= Cladina spp.).
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This acidic, large-boulder talus slope woodland occurs in the northern Appalachian Mountains and northern New England, north to eastern Canada. The substrate is large boulders, with vascular plants confined to coarse-textured soils in crevices. Sites are at low to mid elevations, from near sea level to about 520 m (0-1700 feet). Soils are thin, patchy, and nutrient-poor.
Geographic Range: This woodland occurs in the northern Appalachian Mountains, northern New England and eastern maritime Canada and possibly Quebec.
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: MA, ME, NB, QC?, VT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.933779
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G3G5
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 1 Forest & Woodland Class | C01 | 1 |
| Subclass | 1.B Temperate & Boreal Forest & Woodland Subclass | S15 | 1.B |
| Formation | 1.B.2 Cool Temperate Forest & Woodland Formation | F008 | 1.B.2 |
| Division | 1.B.2.Na Eastern North American Forest & Woodland Division | D008 | 1.B.2.Na |
| Macrogroup | 1.B.2.Na.6 Eastern White Pine - Jack Pine - Northern Pin Oak Forest & Woodland Macrogroup | M159 | 1.B.2.Na.6 |
| Group | 1.B.2.Na.6.e Laurentian-Acadian Limestone Woodland Group | G655 | 1.B.2.Na.6.e |
| Alliance | A3297 <i>Acer saccharum - Tilia americana</i> Rocky Woodland Alliance | A3297 | 1.B.2.Na.6.e |
| Association | CEGL006584 Yellow Birch - Northern Red Oak / Rock Polypody Talus Woodland | CEGL006584 | 1.B.2.Na.6.e |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
- Eastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boston, MA.
- Gawler, S. C. 2002. Natural landscapes of Maine: A guide to vegetated natural communities and ecosystems. Maine Natural Areas Program, Department of Conservation, Augusta, ME.
- 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.
- Lubinski, S., K. Hop, and S. Gawler. 2003. Vegetation Mapping Program: Acadia National Park, Maine. Report produced by U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, and Maine Natural Areas Program in conjunction with M. Story (NPS Vegetation Mapping Coordinator) NPS, Natural Resources Information Division, Inventory and Monitoring Program, and K. Brown (USGS Vegetation Mapping Coordinator), USGS, Center for Biological Informatics and NatureServe. [http://biology.usgs.gov/npsveg/ftp/vegmapping/acad/reports/acadrpt.pdf]
- Northern Appalachian Ecology Working Group. 2000. Northern Appalachian / Boreal Ecoregion community classification (Review Draft). The Nature Conservancy, Eastern Conservation Science Center, Boston, MA. 117 pp. plus appendices.
- Swain, P. C., and J. B. Kearsley. 2014. Classification of the natural communities of Massachusetts. Version 2.0. Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program, Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife. Westborough, MA. [http://www.mass.gov/nhesp/http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dfg/dfw/natural-heritage/natural-communities/classification-of-natural-communities.html]
- Thompson, E. H., and E. R. Sorenson. 2005. 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.