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NY Heritage: Shale cliff and talus community | Ecological Communities of New York, 2nd Ed.
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Name: NY Heritage: Shale cliff and talus community
Reference: Ecological Communities of New York, 2nd Ed.
Description: A community that occurs on nearly vertical exposures of shale bedrock and includes ledges and small areas of talus. Talus areas are composed of small fragments that are unstable and steeply sloping; the unstable nature of the shale results in uneven slopes and many rock crevices. There is minimal soil development, and vegetation is usually sparse. Different types of shale cliffs may be distinguished based on exposure and moisture; these variations are not well-documented in New York, therefore the assemblages associated with these variations (sunny, shaded, moist, or dry areas) are combined in one community. Characteristic species include blunt-lobed woodsia (Woodsia obtusa), rusty woodsia (W. ilvensis), penstemon (Penstemon hirsutus), herb robert (Geranium robertianum), cyperus (Cyperus filiculmis), little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), panic grass (Panicum linearifolium), Pennsylvania sedge (Carex pensylvanica), golden sedge (C. aurea), ox-tongue (Picris spp.), and eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana). A characteristic invertebrate is the silvery blue butterfly (Glaucopsyche lygdamus lygdamus), which feeds on wood-vetch (Vicia caroliniana). More data on this community are needed. 
Accession Code: VB.CC.28661.NYHERITAGESHALE
Plot-observations of this Community Concept: 1
      Party Perspective according to: Howard, Timothy
Perspective from: 03-Dec-2004 to: ongoing
      Names:   Other: NY Heritage: Shale cliff and talus community