Name:
Betula alleghaniensis - Fagus grandifolia - Aesculus flava Forest Alliance
Reference:
Southeastern Ecology Working Gro...
Description:
This alliance includes montane forests, mainly of the southern and central Appalachians, dominated by Fagus grandifolia, Betula alleghaniensis, and Aesculus flava, occurring in combination or with strong dominance by one of these species. Other species that may form a typically minor canopy component include Acer saccharum, Betula lenta, Halesia tetraptera var. monticola, Picea rubens, Prunus serotina var. serotina, Quercus rubra, and Tilia americana var. heterophylla. Subcanopy species can include small stems of canopy species as well as Acer spicatum, Acer pensylvanicum, Amelanchier laevis, and Sorbus americana. Shrub density varies between associations, ranging from very high to entirely lacking. Common species in the shrub and sapling strata include Acer pensylvanicum, Acer spicatum, Amelanchier arborea var. austromontana, Aristolochia macrophylla, Cornus alternifolia, Crataegus punctata, Hydrangea arborescens, Ilex montana, Ribes cynosbati, Ribes rotundifolium, Ribes glandulosum, Rubus allegheniensis, Rubus canadensis, Vaccinium erythrocarpum, and Viburnum lantanoides. The composition of herbaceous strata varies between associations. Variability in the herbaceous stratum may be related to aspect, elevation, and soil-nutrient status. Forests on drier, south-facing sites (often open convex slopes) typically have dense herbaceous cover, often approaching 100% coverage, and dominated by species of Carex (Carex aestivalis, Carex brunnescens ssp. sphaerostachya, Carex debilis var. rudgei, Carex intumescens, Carex pensylvanica), while more mesic sites have herbaceous strata dominated by large forbs and patches of ferns, with lesser amounts of sedges. In some forests, seepage areas are common, producing wet microhabitats with unique species assemblages (Chelone lyonii, Circaea alpina, Rudbeckia laciniata, Impatiens pallida, and Monarda didyma). Woody vines, and vining shrubs, may be common, especially in boulderfield associations. Other typical herbaceous species for this alliance include Ageratina altissima var. roanensis, Anemone quinquefolia, Angelica triquinata, Arisaema triphyllum, Eurybia chlorolepis (= Aster chlorolepis), Athyrium filix-femina ssp. asplenioides, Cardamine clematitis, Actaea podocarpa (= Cimicifuga americana), Actaea racemosa (= Cimicifuga racemosa), Circaea alpina, Claytonia caroliniana, Clintonia borealis, Prosartes lanuginosa (= Disporum lanuginosum), Dryopteris campyloptera, Dryopteris intermedia, Dryopteris marginalis, Erythronium umbilicatum ssp. monostolum, Hylocomium splendens, Luzula acuminata, Maianthemum canadense, Medeola virginiana, Oxalis montana, Phacelia bipinnatifida, Phacelia fimbriata, Poa alsodes, Prenanthes altissima, Prenanthes roanensis, Rugelia nudicaulis, Saxifraga micranthidifolia, Solidago curtisii (= Solidago caesia var. curtisii), Solidago glomerata, Stellaria corei, Stellaria pubera, Streptopus lanceolatus var. roseus (= Streptopus roseus), Tiarella cordifolia, Thelypteris noveboracensis, and Trillium erectum. These forests occur in a cool, humid climate, typically at high elevations (3500-6000 feet; 1066-1828 m) on a variety of sites, from upper concave slopes and steep, periglacial boulderfields and talus slopes, to flat ridgetops and saddles between ridges. Associations will vary with elevation, latitude, and geology and occur as small to large patches surrounded by other forest types, montane grasslands, or shrublands.
Accession Code:
VB.CC.19299.BETULAALLEGHANI
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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