Name:
Pinus strobus Ruderal Forest
Reference:
NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description:
This is an early-successional forest dominated by <i>Pinus strobus</i>, typically with a very dense canopy and little understory. It is considered ruderal because it is commonly associated with anthropogenic disturbance (e.g., former old fields and formerly cleared flats along streams) that have caused a mix of species not found with natural disturbances. Associated woody and herbaceous species vary with geography. In the northeastern states, the tree canopy is often monotypic and even-aged, with occasional associates including <i>Acer rubrum, Juniperus virginiana, Liriodendron tulipifera</i> (within its range), or scattered <i>Quercus rubra</i> or <i>Quercus velutina</i>. In regions where northern hardwoods are more prevalent, canopy associates include <i>Fraxinus americana</i> and <i>Acer saccharum</i>. In the Southern Blue Ridge and nearby areas, typical canopy and subcanopy associates include <i>Liriodendron tulipifera, Acer rubrum, Pinus rigida</i>, and <i>Liquidambar styraciflua</i>, with <i>Tsuga canadensis</i> often forming a dense shrub stratum. The understory is typically poorly developed or characterized by scattered individuals found in the canopy. The herbaceous cover is variable depending on the density of tree and shrub cover, and may be characterized by ruderal or exotic species that favor openings or disturbance. In more open stands, typical species are those associated with old fields, including <i>Solidago rugosa, Solidago gigantea, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Poa pratensis, Schizachyrium scoparium, Elymus repens, Bromus inermis, Agrostis gigantea, Euthamia graminifolia, Achillea millefolium</i>, and <i>Daucus carota</i>. In stands that are more heavily forested, typical herbs include <i>Aralia nudicaulis, Ageratina altissima, Galium triflorum, Maianthemum canadense, Trientalis borealis, Mitchella repens, Polystichum acrostichoides</i>, and <i>Lycopodium</i> species. The particular composition of the herb layer will vary with geography. The substrate is usually covered by a thick layer of pine needle duff. In the Daniel Boone National Forest of Kentucky, <i>Pinus strobus</i> is spreading from plantings, especially in the Red River Gorge.
Accession Code:
urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:36113-{BBBD2C1C-30D7-4DEC-B73E-3EBFBA556410}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
25
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