Name:
Quercus rubra - Quercus alba Montane Forest Alliance
Reference:
NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description:
This alliance includes <i>Quercus rubra</i>-dominated forest vegetation of high elevations (over 1070 m [3500 feet]), as well as more restricted vegetation of montane landscapes dominated by <i>Quercus alba</i>, in the Central and Southern Appalachians. A closed to very open canopy has trees that are often gnarled and stunted, especially on ridge crests. <i>Quercus rubra</i> is often the only canopy tree, but other species may have minor importance, including <i>Acer rubrum, Betula alleghaniensis, Betula lenta, Crataegus flabellata</i>, and <i>Crataegus punctata</i>. <i>Quercus alba</i> is a significant component of forests at high elevations in Virginia's Ridge and Valley and at the lower elevations of associations in the Southern Blue Ridge. Forests in this alliance have variable physiognomies, ranging from open herb-dominated understories to understories dominated by dense ericaceous shrubs. If a subcanopy is present, typical species include canopy species plus <i>Acer pensylvanicum, Amelanchier arborea, Halesia tetraptera, Hamamelis virginiana</i>, and <i>Ilex montana</i>. The shrub stratum is dominated by <i>Kalmia latifolia</i>, occurring as patches or with continuous cover (>25%). In some parts of this forest's range, <i>Gaylussacia ursina</i> is dominant in the often dense low-shrub stratum. In forests with little or no shrub cover, herbaceous cover is dense and diverse, composed of sedges, ferns, and tall herbs, with dominance varying within and among occurrences. Where shrub cover is dense, the herbaceous stratum is not diverse and is typically very sparse with scattered forbs. Forests typically occur over well-drained, loamy soils underlain by Precambrian gneisses, schists, and granites. Soils supporting these forests tend to have relatively high base status. Forests occur on most of the major mountain ranges of the Southern Appalachians at elevations of 1070-1525 m (3500-5000 feet) on broad ridges, mid to upper slope positions, and on steep rocky slopes at the heads of coves. Forests are also known from the central (on granitic crests) and Northern Blue Ridge (on middle to upper convex slopes) and in the northern Ridge and Valley. Damage by ice storms is probably the most common form of natural disturbance in these montane forests.
Accession Code:
urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:38408-{368CC05C-CD2F-4D19-955B-172F14C0D910}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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