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Betula alleghaniensis / Sorbus americana - Acer spicatum / Polypodium appalachianum Forest | NatureServe Biotics 2019
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Name: Betula alleghaniensis / Sorbus americana - Acer spicatum / Polypodium appalachianum Forest
Reference: NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description: This community is known from high elevations of the Northern Blue Ridge, Ridge and Valley, and Allegheny Mountains in Virginia and West Virginia. It occupies steep, boulder-strewn slopes at elevations from 975 m (3200 feet) to over 1250 m (4100 feet). The type is most frequent and extensive on straight or concave, middle to upper slopes with northerly aspects, but is found occasionally on slopes with other aspects. Surface substrate is characterized by a surface cover of angular boulders weathered from granite, metabasalt (greenstone), quartzite, or sandstone. This vegetation type has a partly closed to very open canopy overwhelmingly dominated by <i>Betula alleghaniensis</i>. The canopy trees are usually stunted and gnarled, exhibiting the effects of frequent ice and wind damage. Tree density is typically less than that of the surrounding forests. <i>Sorbus americana</i> and <i>Prunus pensylvanica</i> are minor canopy associates. Small tree and shrub densities are variable; <i>Sorbus americana</i> and <i>Acer spicatum</i> often have high cover in these layers. <i>Menziesia pilosa, Sambucus racemosa, Rubus idaeus ssp. strigosus</i>, and <i>Ribes cynosbati</i> are frequent shrubs. Herbaceous cover is often limited by the rocky substrate. 
Accession Code: urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:36565-{6C59DFB2-ECAE-455B-B1DA-88CA1EADEAE8}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept: 23
      Party Perspective according to: NatureServe (organization)
Perspective from: 19-Feb-2010 to: ongoing
      Names:   UID: ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.689218 NatureServe ExplorerNatureServe Explorer logo
  Code: CEGL008504
  Translated: Yellow Birch / American Mountain-ash - Mountain Maple / Appalachian Polypody Forest
  Common: Central Appalachian High-Elevation Boulderfield Forest
  Scientific: Betula alleghaniensis / Sorbus americana - Acer spicatum / Polypodium appalachianum Forest
(convergence) and Synonyms:
(similar) CEGL008504
(similar) Betula alleghaniensis / Sorbus americana - Acer spicatum / Polypodium appalachianum Forest
(similar) Betula alleghaniensis / Sorbus americana - Acer spicatum / Polypodium appalachianum Forest