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A.144 | EcoArt 2002
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Name: A.144
Reference: EcoArt 2002
Description: Stands of this alliance are forests with dense to open canopies dominated by ~Tsuga caroliniana$. Trees may be wind-shorn, gnarled and twisted in exposed situations. Occurrences in gorges sometimes have a substantial admixture of ~Tsuga canadensis$. Other associated species may include ~Quercus prinus, Quercus rubra, Pinus rigida, Pinus virginiana$, and ~Pinus pungens$. The shrub stratum is dense and dominated by ericaceous species, such as ~Rhododendron maximum, Rhododendron catawbiense, Rhododendron carolinianum, Kalmia latifolia, Gaylussacia$ spp., and ~Vaccinium$ spp. The herbaceous stratum is sparse, with typical species including ~Gaultheria procumbens, Mitchella repens, Chimaphila maculata, Galax urceolata$, and ~Xerophyllum asphodeloides$. Lichens, including ~Cladina rangiferina$ and ~Cladina subtenuis$, can be abundant. Forests in this alliance occur mostly on cliffs, rocky slopes and ridges, and less commonly on more gentle slopes and flat areas in valleys. Soils are usually nutrient-poor and rocky, with much exposed rock surface. Occurrences of these forests tend to be small and have distinct boundaries. ~Tsuga caroliniana$ is an Appalachian endemic with a very limited range, scattered in the Southern Blue Ridge and occasional in the Piedmont and Ridge and Valley. 
Accession Code: VB.CC.1216.A144
Plot-observations of this Community Concept: 0
      Party Perspective according to: NatureServe (organization)
Perspective from: 26-Nov-1997 to: 17-Mar-2005
     
  • status: accepted
  • Community's Parent: I.A.8.N.c
  • This Community's Level: Alliance
  • This Community's Children: [none]
Names:   Code: A.144
  Scientific: TSUGA CAROLINIANA FOREST ALLIANCE
  Common: Carolina Hemlock Forest Alliance
(convergence) and Synonyms:
(undetermined) Tsuga caroliniana Forest Alliance