Name:
Pinus rigida / (Quercus ilicifolia) / Photinia melanocarpa / Deschampsia flexuosa Woodland
Reference:
Eastern Ecology Working Group of...
Description:
This northeastern pitch pine community occurs on dry rocky ridges and summits of low to moderate elevations. Soils are derived from acidic bedrock and are typically shallow, well- to excessively drained, coarse sands or gravels that develop in pockets of the exposed bedrock expanses. The canopy is open and trees are often stunted, usually less than 15 m in height and may be under 10 m. Tall shrubs are scattered and not abundant. The dwarf-shrub layer is moderately to well-developed (>20% cover, often more dense). Herbs are sparse. The bryoid layer is of variable cover, with lichens prominent. The ground cover is bare rock and deciduous and coniferous litter. The canopy is dominated by <i>Pinus rigida</i> with a variable mixture of associates, such as <i>Betula populifolia, Quercus rubra, Quercus prinus, Carya glabra, Pinus strobus, Pinus resinosa, Betula lenta, Acer rubrum</i>, and <i>Prunus serotina</i>. The tall-shrub layer is comprised of scattered <i>Quercus ilicifolia, Quercus prinoides</i>, or less commonly <i>Nemopanthus mucronatus</i>. The shrub layer is dominated by heaths, such as <i>Vaccinium angustifolium, Vaccinium pallidum, Vaccinium myrtilloides</i>, and <i>Gaylussacia baccata</i>, as well as other shrubs, such as <i>Comptonia peregrina</i> and <i>Photinia melanocarpa (= Aronia melanocarpa)</i>. The herbaceous layer typically includes <i>Pteridium aquilinum, Schizachyrium scoparium, Deschampsia flexuosa, Danthonia spicata, Carex pensylvanica</i> and/or <i>Carex lucorum, Maianthemum canadense, Aralia nudicaulis, Melampyrum lineare, Fragaria virginiana, Rumex acetosella, Erechtites hieraciifolia, Corydalis sempervirens, Trientalis borealis</i>, and <i>Cypripedium acaule</i>. In the northern Appalachian Mountains, this community generally occurs at elevations from near sea level to 520 m (1700 feet) and may include species of northern affinity, such as <i>Viburnum nudum, Kalmia angustifolia, Betula papyrifera, Picea rubens</i>, and <i>Rhododendron canadense</i>. Periodic fires are probably necessary for persistence of this type, except at the most extreme sites. This association is differentiated from <i>~Pinus rigida / Corema conradii</i> Woodland (CEGL006154)$$ by the absence of <i>Corema</i>, and from other <i>Pinus rigida</i>-dominated woodlands of rocky habitats by the absence or very low cover of the scrub oak <i>Quercus ilicifolia</i>.
Accession Code:
VB.CC.31058.CEGL006116
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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