Print Report
A4211 Pinus rigida Scrub Swamp Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: Hydric pine plains, restricted to the New Jersey pine barrens, are characterized by a dwarf and serotinous form of Pinus rigida forming an open to closed-canopy coppice shrubland 1.5 to 4.5 m (5-15 feet) tall.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Pitch Pine Scrub Swamp Alliance
Colloquial Name: Pitch Pine Scrub Swamp
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: Hydric pine plains, restricted to the New Jersey Pine Barrens, are characterized by a dwarf and serotinous form of Pinus rigida forming an open to closed-canopy coppice shrubland 1.5 to 4.5 m (5-15 feet) tall. They are floristically similar to, and are mostly found within, a matrix of pitch pine lowlands [see ~Pinus rigida Swamp Woodland Alliance (A0580)$$] within the plains/barrens subregion. Pitch pine cover is typically 50-100%, although some types with a grass understory are more open.
Diagnostic Characteristics: Dwarfed Pinus rigida shrubland in a wetland setting, supporting facultative or obligate wetland shrubs such as Gaylussacia baccata, Gaylussacia frondosa, Kalmia angustifolia, Lyonia mariana, Vaccinium corymbosum, Ilex glabra, Gaylussacia dumosa, and/or Chamaedaphne calyculata.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Variants of hydric pine plains include dwarf pitch pine-inkberry hydric pine plains (HPP3), dwarf pitch pine-highbush blueberry hydric pine plains (HPP2), and dwarf pitch pine-leatherleaf hydric pine plains (HPP1) where the dominant heath shrubs are typically Vaccinium corymbosum, Ilex glabra, Gaylussacia dumosa, and/or Chamaedaphne calyculata. Dominant herbs can include Sphagnum spp., Panicum virgatum, Panicum spp., and Calamovilfa brevipilis.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: This alliance is characterized by high densities of dwarf serotinous Pinus rigida forming an open to closed-canopy coppice shrubland 1.5 to 4.5 m (5-15 feet) tall. Pitch pine cover is typically 50-100%, although some types with a grass understory are more open.
Floristics: Dwarfed Pinus rigida is associated with a number of obligate or facultative wetland heath shrubs, including Chamaedaphne calyculata, Gaylussacia baccata, Gaylussacia dumosa, Gaylussacia frondosa, Ilex glabra, Kalmia angustifolia, Lyonia mariana, and/or Vaccinium corymbosum, as well as Leiophyllum buxifolium. Dominant herbs can include Pyxidanthera barbulata, Xerophyllum asphodeloides, and Gaultheria procumbens, with smaller amounts of many others. Dominant graminoids may include Panicum virgatum, Panicum spp., and Calamovilfa brevipilis.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This alliance usually occurs adjacent to upland pine plains in ~Pinus rigida Dwarf-scrub Alliance (A0809)$$, where it is influenced by frequent severe fires that typify the upland pine plains.
Geographic Range: This alliance is restricted to the New Jersey Pine Barrens.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: NJ
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.950182
Confidence Level: Low
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.3 Temperate Flooded & Swamp Forest Formation | F026 | 1.B.3 |
| Division | 1.B.3.Nb Southeastern North American Flooded & Swamp Forest Division | D062 | 1.B.3.Nb |
| Macrogroup | 1.B.3.Nb.3 Sweetbay - Swamp Bay - Pond Pine Swamp Forest Macrogroup | M032 | 1.B.3.Nb.3 |
| Group | 1.B.3.Nb.3.b Atlantic White-cedar - Pitch Pine Swamp Group | G039 | 1.B.3.Nb.3.b |
| Alliance | A4211 Pitch Pine Scrub Swamp Alliance | A4211 | 1.B.3.Nb.3.b |
| Association | CEGL006769 Pitch Pine / Pine Barren Sandreed Wet Scrub | CEGL006769 | 1.B.3.Nb.3.b |
| Association | CEGL006963 Pitch Pine - (Blackjack Oak, Bear Oak) / Sheep Laurel / Pine Barren Sandreed Wet Scrub | CEGL006963 | 1.B.3.Nb.3.b |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
- 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.
- Harshberger, J. W. 1916. The vegetation of the New Jersey Pine Barrens. Reprinted 1970. Dover Publications, Inc., New York. 329 pp.