Name:
Prunus virginiana - Acer spicatum - Ribes triste / Angelica atropurpurea - Heracleum maximum Seepage Shrubland
Reference:
NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description:
These shrubby to herbaceous seepage swamps are currently known only from high elevations (>915 m [3000 feet]) in the northern Appalachian Mountains of Vermont, possibly New Hampshire and Maine. More specifically it occurs in the Coolidge Range of the Green Mountains in central Vermont. They occupy small openings ranging from several hundred square meters to several hectares on moderate to somewhat steep slopes within a matrix of <i>Abies balsamea</i>-dominated forest, i.e., ~<i>Abies balsamea - (Betula papyrifera var. cordifolia)</i> Forest (CEGL006112)$$. They are most likely maintained by groundwater seepage. The ground surface is mostly mineral soil, with little to no peat accumulation. The shrub- and herb-dominance and relatively high species richness contrast with the surrounding conifer-dominated forest. Many species are nutrient-demanding and are unusual at high elevations. The shrub layer is somewhat open to relatively dense and up to 5 m in height. <i>Prunus virginiana, Acer spicatum</i>, and <i>Sambucus racemosa</i> are relatively constant to codominant medium to tall shrubs. <i>Cornus sericea</i> is important in one sampled plot. <i>Ribes triste</i> is a relatively constant short shrub. Other shrubs may include <i>Viburnum opulus var. americanum</i> and <i>Ribes lacustre</i>, along with saplings of upland species which are common in the surrounding forest, such as <i>Abies balsamea</i> and <i>Betula papyrifera var. cordifolia</i>. The herb layer is moderately dense to dense under the shrubs or in openings. <i>Angelica atropurpurea, Heracleum maximum, Hydrophyllum virginianum, Impatiens capensis, Thalictrum pubescens, Tiarella cordifolia</i>, and <i>Veratrum viride</i> are constant to codominant herbs. Relatively constant herbs present at lower cover include <i>Laportea canadensis, Solidago macrophylla, Symphyotrichum puniceum, Dryopteris campyloptera, Milium effusum, Rubus pubescens, Trillium erectum, Actaea pachypoda, Carex leptonervia, Dicentra cucullaria, Erythronium americanum</i>, and <i>Phegopteris connectilis</i>. In addition to these species, <i>Cornus amomum, Amelanchier bartramiana, Sorbus americana, Sorbus decora, Chamerion angustifolium, Platanthera dilatata, Rubus idaeus</i>, and <i>Saxifraga pensylvanica</i> are characteristic of the largest known stand. Some of these seeps are enhanced by natural disturbance (blowdowns) and others by timber harvest.
Accession Code:
urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:35204-{B6D621D0-36B0-4AD7-BC9E-478A581533A6}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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