Name:
Pinus rigida - Quercus montana / Gaylussacia baccata / Carex pensylvanica Woodland
Reference:
NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description:
This association grows on massive, gently to steeply sloping pavements of Silurian, Devonian, and Pennsylvanian sandstones that occur locally on the middle to upper sideslopes of ridges in the Ridge and Valley and Cumberland Mountains of Virginia and possibly West Virginia. It also occurs on the Allegheny Plateau and Ridge and Valley physiographic provinces in Maryland. Most stands occur in the elevational range of 760 to 1100 m (2500-3600 feet); Maryland stands are much lower in elevation at 245 to 305 m (800-1000 feet) than stands documented in Virginia and West Virginia. Aspect varies from east to northwest, and moisture conditions are generally xeric. Surface substrate cover of exposed bedrock averages 75 to 80%. Soil development in these habitats is negligible, consisting of shallow organic-rich accumulations in cracks, crevices, and shallow depressions. Occasional ledges support very thin veneers of soil material, which is extremely acidic and nutrient-poor. Summer drought and strong winter winds and ice are major stressors of this community type. Vegetation is characterized by a sparse, stunted woodland of short (often <6 m tall), widely spaced <i>Pinus rigida</i>, often in association with <i>Quercus montana</i>. Occasional canopy associates include <i>Quercus rubra, Pinus virginiana</i>, and <i>Pinus echinata</i>. Total canopy cover is usually <25% and often <10%, with trees rooted in larger cracks and crevices. Total shrub cover is typically 10-15%, with <i>Betula lenta, Smilax glauca, Gaylussacia baccata, Kalmia latifolia, Amelanchier arborea, Acer rubrum, Sassafras albidum</i>, and <i>Vaccinium pallidum</i> the most frequent species. The herb layer is sparse (generally <5% total cover), with only occasional, continuous patches of <i>Carex pensylvanica, Danthonia spicata</i>, or <i>Deschampsia flexuosa</i> covering a few square meters. Lithophytic species such as <i>Corydalis sempervirens, Dicentra eximia, Polypodium appalachianum</i>, and <i>Saxifraga michauxii</i> are characteristic but occur at very low cover. Lichens and bryophytes usually cover much of the exposed pavement surfaces. The glades over Pottsville in the Ridge and Valley of Maryland are characterized as sparse woodlands with a strong dominance of <i>Pinus virginiana</i> and/or <i>Pinus rigida</i> in variable proportions. Oaks such as <i>Quercus montana</i> and <i>Quercus velutina</i> are also present but minor.
Accession Code:
urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:33597-{8411147B-4F88-4B00-BB91-6AB6C7CD5131}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
8
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