Print Report
A0898 Corylus cornuta - Amelanchier spp. / Poa pratensis Ruderal Scrub & Grassland Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: This alliance is the result of canopy clearing disturbances in the northern Great Lakes region, usually logging but possibly natural events, removing forest cover with subsequent domination of a site by medium-tall shrubs and tree regeneration. These typically include Corylus americana and Corylus cornuta with lesser amounts of Amelanchier spp., Diervilla lonicera, and Populus tremuloides.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Beaked Hazelnut - Serviceberry species / Kentucky Bluegrass Ruderal Scrub & Grassland Alliance
Colloquial Name: Ruderal Hazelnut - Serviceberry Scrub & Grassland
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: This upland shrubland is found in the northern Great Lakes states where logging or other severe disturbances have removed the forest canopy. Sites are characterized by a moderate to dense shrub layer dominated by Corylus americana or Corylus cornuta; additional shrubs and small trees include Amelanchier spp., Betula papyrifera, Crataegus spp., Diervilla lonicera, Populus tremuloides, Prunus serotina, Rubus allegheniensis, Toxicodendron radicans ssp. radicans, Zanthoxylum americanum, and others. The herbaceous stratum is usually sparse to moderate and can contain a variety of species depending on site conditions and time since disturbance.
Diagnostic Characteristics: This alliance is characterized by upland stands on moderate to deep soils and with moderate to dense shrub cover dominated by Corylus americana and Corylus cornuta.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This alliance has very little field data supporting it but is likely to occur across the northern part of the Great Lakes states of Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. The dominant species are important components of other more natural vegetation types but the origin of the stands and the presence on deeper soils help to differentiate this alliance from~Corylus cornuta - Amelanchier spp. - Prunus virginiana Rocky Shrubland (CEGL005197)$$ (edaphically limited sites). Characteristics that separate this alliance from more naturally-occurring alliances with sparse to open tree canopies and moderate to dense shrub canopies near the prairie-forest border in central and northwestern Minnesota are not well understood.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: The moderate to dense (typically 35-80% cover) short-shrub layer (0.5-1.5 m tall) of Corylus americana or Corylus cornuta is the dominant stratum; additional shrubs and small trees include Amelanchier spp., Betula papyrifera, Crataegus chrysocarpa, Diervilla lonicera, Populus tremuloides, Prunus serotina, Rubus allegheniensis, Toxicodendron radicans ssp. radicans, Zanthoxylum americanum, and others. Depending on the local seed sources and site conditions, small Pinus banksiana, Pinus resinosa, and Pinus strobus can also be present but Pinus strobus recruitment, in particular, is better on burned sites rather than logged sites (Weyenberg et al. 2004). Some examples have sparse tree canopies, generally of Populus tremuloides, Prunus serotina, and Quercus rubra. Vaccinium angustifolium and Vaccinium myrtilloides may form a very sparse dwarf-shrub layer. The sparse to moderate herbaceous layer may include Achillea millefolium, Andropogon gerardii, Anemone quinquefolia, Carex siccata, Carex pensylvanica, Danthonia spicata, Eurybia macrophylla, Fragaria vesca, Galium circaezans, Lysimachia quadriflora, Maianthemum canadense, Monarda fistulosa, Oryzopsis asperifolia, Polygonatum pubescens, Pteridium aquilinum, and others.
Dynamics: Few examples of this type have been sampled. Based on the few that have, this alliance results from high-intensity disturbance of a formerly forested area. Usually this disturbance is from logging but it could also be more natural in origin, such as windthrow or possibly stand-clearing fires.
Environmental Description: Sites are flat to gently sloping uplands with well-drained sand and loamy sand soils. Soils are generally moderate to deep. The unvegetated surface is dominated by leaf litter with some wood. Evidence of disturbance includes recent logging and the presence of exotic plants.
Geographic Range: This alliance is known from northwestern Wisconsin but is almost certainly found in the Laurentian-Acadian region in Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota. It may occur further south in those states.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: MI, MN, WI
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.952013
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNA
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 2 Shrub & Herb Vegetation Class | C02 | 2 |
| Subclass | 2.B Temperate & Boreal Grassland & Shrubland Subclass | S18 | 2.B |
| Formation | 2.B.2 Temperate Grassland & Shrubland Formation | F012 | 2.B.2 |
| Division | 2.B.2.Nc Eastern North American Grassland & Shrubland Division | D024 | 2.B.2.Nc |
| Macrogroup | 2.B.2.Nc.90 Orchardgrass - Canada Goldenrod - Multiflora Rose Eastern North American Ruderal Grassland & Shrubland | M123 | 2.B.2.Nc.90 |
| Group | 2.B.2.Nc.90.a Tall goldenrod - Kentucky Bluegrass - Stiff Dogwood Ruderal Meadow & Shrubland Group | G059 | 2.B.2.Nc.90.a |
| Alliance | A0898 Beaked Hazelnut - Serviceberry species / Kentucky Bluegrass Ruderal Scrub & Grassland Alliance | A0898 | 2.B.2.Nc.90.a |
| Association | CEGL005562 Beaked Hazelnut - Serviceberry species Ruderal Shrubland | CEGL005562 | 2.B.2.Nc.90.a |
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.
- Weyenberg, S. A., L. E. Frelich, and P. B. Reich. 2004. Logging versus fire: How does disturbance type influence the abundance of Pinus strobus regeneration? Silva Fennica 38(2):179-194.