Name:
Appalachian - Alleghenian Sandstone Dry Cliff Sparse Vegetation
Reference:
Eastern Ecology Working Group of...
Description:
This dry sandstone cliff community occurs in the Western Allegheny Plateau and central Appalachian Mountains of the United States. Stands occur as steep to vertical rock exposures of sandstone bedrock. Aspect is variable, but stands are best developed on south- and west-facing slopes. Vascular plants are restricted to shelves, cracks and crevices in the rock, generally averaging less than 20% cover. Mosses and lichens are common, including crustose lichens. The sparse woody species include <i>Tsuga canadensis, Betula alleghaniensis (= Betula lutea), Betula lenta, Rhododendron maximum, Rhododendron periclymenoides (= Rhododendron nudiflorum), Kalmia latifolia, Toxicodendron radicans</i>, and rarely <i>Hydrangea arborescens</i>. Herbs are sparse but may include the forbs <i>Agrostis perennans, Aquilegia canadensis, Eurybia divaricata, Mitchella repens, Sedum ternatum</i>, and <i>Viola blanda</i>. <i>Silene rotundifolia</i> often occurs at the drip line. Ferns such as <i>Asplenium montanum, Asplenium pinnatifidum, Asplenium rhizophyllum, Asplenium trichomanes, Cystopteris tenuis, Dennstaedtia punctilobula, Dryopteris intermedia, Dryopteris marginalis, Polypodium virginianum, Polypodium appalachianum, Woodsia obtusa</i>, and the rare <i>Asplenium bradleyi</i> also occur. Massive cliffs in the gorges of the Gauley and Meadow rivers (West Virginia) can have dramatic overhangs which create unique dry habitats utilized by Allegheny wood rats (<i>Neotoma magister</i>) and antlions (larvae of insects in the family Myrmeleontidae).
Accession Code:
VB.CC.30974.CEGL006435
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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