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A4209 Quercus velutina - Quercus falcata - Pinus rigida Coastal Plain Forest Alliance

Type Concept Sentence: This alliance includes coastal oak forests of the glaciated Northeast, as well as forests of the Coastal Plain characterized by Quercus velutina and / or Quercus falcata, and others.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Black Oak - Southern Red Oak - Pitch Pine Coastal Plain Forest Alliance

Colloquial Name: Coastal Plain Oak - Pine Forest

Hierarchy Level:  Alliance

Type Concept: This alliance includes coastal forests of the glaciated Northeast, ranging south to the coastal plain of Virginia. It ranges from forest to woodland in physiognomy and is generally deciduous. Quercus velutina and Quercus alba dominate in the north, with Quercus falcata codominant in the south. A dwarf-shrub heath layer is characteristic, and includes Gaylussacia baccata, Gaylussacia frondosa, Vaccinium pallidum, and in the north, Vaccinium angustifolium. The herbaceous layer is sparsely to moderately developed and includes Aralia nudicaulis, Carex pensylvanica, Maianthemum canadense, Maianthemum stellatum, and Panicum virgatum.

Diagnostic Characteristics: Oak-dominated forests with a heath layer in the glaciated northeastern coastal zone, ranging to the coastal plain.

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: In general, these forests are dominated by broad-leaved deciduous trees forming a closed canopy. A tall-shrub layer may be dominated by Kalmia latifolia, or if deciduous, is poorly developed. A dwarf-shrub heath layer is characteristic. An herbaceous layer is generally lacking, with scattered herbs present in the dwarf-shrub layer.

Floristics: Oaks, especially Quercus velutina and Quercus alba, Fagus grandifolia, and the shrub Morella pensylvanica are characteristic. Quercus stellata, although infrequent, is diagnostic when occurring in the maritime zone. One association is dominated by Ilex opaca. Vines are particularly abundant and include Toxicodendron radicans, Smilax rotundifolia, Parthenocissus quinquefolia, and Vitis spp. Shrubs may include Clethra alnifolia, Gaylussacia baccata, Gaylussacia frondosa, Ilex verticillata, Morella pensylvanica (= Myrica pensylvanica), Rhus copallinum, and Vaccinium corymbosum. The herbaceous layer is sparsely to moderately developed and includes Aralia nudicaulis, Carex pensylvanica, Maianthemum canadense, Maianthemum stellatum (= Smilacina stellata), Panicum virgatum, and Pteridium aquilinum.

Dynamics:  This alliance forms in sheltered backdunes that are not fully exposed to maritime winds and salt spray, but the upper canopy may be wind-sheared where it rises above the level of the dune. Deer browsing affects the shrub and herb layers.
Environmental Description:  This forest alliance occurs on nutrient-poor, well-drained acidic soils at low elevations. Topography may be undulating, and these forests may occur on steep bluffs. In maritime habitats, these forests occur on sand dunes or moraines.
Geographic Range: This alliance occurs on the coast from southern New Hampshire to Maryland, and perhaps farther south to Virginia.

Nations: CA,US

States/Provinces:  CT, DC, DE, MA, MD, ME, NC?, NH, NJ, NY, ON, PA?, RI, VA, VT


Confidence Level: Moderate

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR

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.9 Pitch Pine - oak spp. - American Holly North Atlantic Forest Macrogroup M525 1.B.2.Na.9
Group 1.B.2.Na.9.b Black Oak - American Beech - Pitch Pine Coastal Plain Forest Group G894 1.B.2.Na.9.b
Alliance A4209 Black Oak - Southern Red Oak - Pitch Pine Coastal Plain Forest Alliance A4209 1.B.2.Na.9.b
Association CEGL006269 White Oak - Southern Red Oak - (Sand Hickory) / Blue Huckleberry Forest CEGL006269 1.B.2.Na.9.b
Association CEGL006329 Pitch Pine - Scarlet Oak - Southern Red Oak / (Blackjack Oak) / Blue Huckleberry Woodland CEGL006329 1.B.2.Na.9.b
Association CEGL006374 Black Oak - Scarlet Oak - Chestnut Oak / Mountain Laurel Forest CEGL006374 1.B.2.Na.9.b
Association CEGL006375 Scarlet Oak - Black Oak / Sassafras / Blue Ridge Blueberry Forest CEGL006375 1.B.2.Na.9.b
Association CEGL006378 Black Oak / American Holly Forest CEGL006378 1.B.2.Na.9.b
Association CEGL006382 Eastern White Pine - White Oak / Inkberry Forest CEGL006382 1.B.2.Na.9.b
Association CEGL006383 Pitch Pine - (Shortleaf Pine) - Post Oak / (Blackjack Oak, Bear Oak) Woodland CEGL006383 1.B.2.Na.9.b
Association CEGL006390 Southern Red Oak - Swamp Chestnut Oak / American Holly Forest CEGL006390 1.B.2.Na.9.b
Association CEGL006490 Chestnut Oak / Wavy Hairgrass - White Goldenrod Forest CEGL006490 1.B.2.Na.9.b
Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: < Coastal Oak-Beech Forest (NYNHP 2013p)
< Maritime Oak - Holly Forest / Woodland (Swain and Kearsley 2001)
< Maritime Post Oak Forest (NYNHP 2013q)
? Oak - Pine Forest (undifferentiated) (OP) (Windisch 2014a)
< Sunken Forest (Art 1976)
Concept Author(s): L.A. Sneddon, in Faber-Langendoen et al. (2015)

Author of Description: L.A. Sneddon

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 07-31-15
  • Art, H. W. 1976. Ecological studies of the Sunken Forest, Fire Island National Seashore, New York. National Park Service Scientific Monograph Series No. 7, Publication No. NPS 123. 237 pp.
  • 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.
  • NYNHP [New York Natural Heritage Program]. 2013p. Online conservation guide for Coastal Oak-Beech Forest. New York Natural Heritage Program, Albany, NY. [http://www.acris.nynhp.org/guide.php?id=9989]
  • NYNHP [New York Natural Heritage Program]. 2013q. Online conservation guide for Maritime Post Oak Forest. New York Natural Heritage Program, Albany, NY. [http://www.acris.nynhp.org/guide.php?id=9974]
  • Swain, P. C., and J. B. Kearsley. 2001. Classification of natural communities of Massachusetts. September 2001 draft. Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program, Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, Westborough, MA.
  • Windisch, A .G. 2014a. Pinelands ecological communities and higher level groups with crosswalk / proposed 2008 revisions to NVC. November 16, 2014 draft. New Jersey Natural Heritage Program, Trenton.