Name:
Betula alleghaniensis - (Tsuga canadensis) / Rhododendron maximum / Leucothoe fontanesiana Forest
Reference:
Southeastern Ecology Working Gro...
Description:
This association was described from high elevations in Great Smoky Mountains National Park and needs further regional and national assessment. It is likely that is also occurs in the high mountain areas of western North Carolina. This mixed forest type has an open to closed canopy dominated by Betula alleghaniensis and/or Tsuga canadensis, although either of these species may be locally dominant at a small scale. Other minor canopy and subcanopy species may include Aesculus flava, Halesia tetraptera var. monticola, Picea rubens, Prunus pensylvanica, Betula lenta, and Tilia americana var. heterophylla. The tall-shrub stratum is over 2 m in height, very dense (50-100% coverage) and dominated by Rhododendron maximum. The dense low-shrub stratum is dominated by Leucothoe fontanesiana if gaps exist in the Rhododendron maximum shrub layer. Other minor shrubs can include Acer pensylvanicum, Ilex montana, Kalmia latifolia, Rubus allegheniensis, Sambucus racemosa var. racemosa (= Sambucus racemosa var. pubens), Tsuga canadensis, and Vaccinium erythrocarpum. The ground layer is dominated by leaf litter, fallen trees, and rocks. Herbaceous cover is sparse (0-5%) and is composed of scattered plants typical of middle to high elevation acid forests. Some of the more characteristic species include Dryopteris intermedia, Medeola virginiana, Mitchella repens, Tiarella cordifolia, Oxalis montana, Polypodium appalachianum, and Smilax rotundifolia. Additional herb species found in this community include Arisaema dracontium, Arisaema triphyllum, Aristolochia macrophylla, Oclemena acuminata (= Aster acuminatus), Eurybia divaricata (= Aster divaricatus), Circaea alpina, Goodyera pubescens, Goodyera repens, Huperzia lucidula, Laportea canadensis, Monotropa uniflora, Polygonatum pubescens, Prenanthes altissima, and Viola blanda. This community was found on steep, mostly north-facing slopes, and on slopes and flats along and above streams. These forests occur on middle slope or toe slope positions, protected by higher landforms. The elevations of samples ranged from as low as 3400 feet elevation to around 4400 feet, but the community can probably occur as high as 5000 feet or until Picea rubens begins to dominate. Sites are rocky, often with many large boulders and talus. Soils are stony with heavy litter layers. This forest is affected by occasional disturbance by ice, wind, and landslides. It grades into forests dominated by Picea rubens or Tsuga canadensis at higher elevations.
Accession Code:
VB.CC.26210.BETULAALLEGHANI
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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