Biology - Biological Informatics Program - Vegetation Characterization Program
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USGS:Biology
Biological Informatics Program
Vegetation Characterization Program
Standardized National Vegetation Classification System
11.0 Appendices
11.0 Appendices11.1 List of Documented Alliances Organized Under the Hierarchy - August, 1984In the classification hierarchy, each unit is distinguished by a unique code. The components of the code represent each level in the hierarchy. Alliances are not currently coded but are listed under the appropriate formation by region of occurrence. A "*" indicates formations which have not officially been incorporated into the hierarchy, but are under review for future inclusion. All formations in the hierarchy are listed whether or not alliances have been identified.
I. FOREST
I.A. EVERGREEN FOREST
I.A.1. TROPICAL RAIN FOREST (mainly broad-leaved evergreen trees, neither cold-nor drought -resistant)
I.A.1.a Tropical lowland rain forest
I.A.1.b Tropical submontane rain forest
I.A.1.c Tropical montane rain forest
I.A.1.d Tropical "subalpine" rain forest
I.A.1.e Tropical cloud forest
I.A.1.f Tropical seasonally flooded rain forest
I.A.1.g Tropical semipermanently flooded rain forest
I.A.1.h Tropical evergreen saturated forest
I.A.1.i Tropical brackish semipermanently flooded rain forest
I.A.2 TROPICAL AND SUBTROPICAL SEASONAL EVERGREEN FOREST
(mainly broad-leaved evergreen trees with some foliage reduction in dry season)
I.A.2.a Tropical or subtropical seasonal lowland evergreen forest
SOUTHEAST
Casuarina (equisetifolia, cunninghamiana, glauca) Forest Alliance
Metopium toxiferum-Eugenia foetida Forest Alliance
Pithecellobium ebano Forest Alliance
Sabal palmetto Upland Forest Alliance
I.A.2.b Tropical or subtropical seasonal submontane evergreen forest
I.A.2.c Tropical or subtropical seasonal montane evergreen forest
I.A.2.d Tropical or subtropical dry "subalpine" evergreen forest
I.A.2.e Tropical or subtropical seasonal evergreen semipermanently flooded forest
SOUTHEAST
Casuarina (cunninghamiana, glauca) Wetland Forest Alliance
Magnolia virginiana-Chrysobalanus icaco Subtropical Forest Alliance
Melaleuca quinquenervia Forest Alliance
Schinus terebinthifolius Wetland Forest Alliance
I.A.2.*. Tropical or subtropical seasonal evergreen seasonally/temporarily flooded forest
SOUTHEAST
Sabal mexicana Wetland Forest Alliance
I.A.3 SUBTROPICAL RAIN FOREST
I.A.3.a Subtropical lowland rain forest
I.A.3.b Subtropical submontane rain forest
I.A.3.c Subtropical montane rain forest
I.A.3.d Subtropical "subalpine" rain forest
I.A.3.e Subtropical cloud forest
I.A.3.f Subtropical seasonally flooded rain forest
I.A.3.g Subtropical semipermanently flooded rain forest
I.A.3.h Subtropical evergreen saturated rain forest
I.A.4 MANGROVE FOREST
I.A.4.a Tropical or subtropical saltwater-tidal semipermanently flooded forest
(e.g. mangroves of Florida)
SOUTHEAST
Avicennia germinans Forest Alliance
Rhizophora mangle Forest Alliance
Laguncularia racemosa Forest Alliance
I.A.5 TEMPERATE AND SUBPOLAR EVERGREEN RAIN FOREST (restricted to southern hemisphere)
I.A.5.a Temperate evergreen rain forest
I.A.5.b Temperate evergreen seasonally flooded rain forest
I.A.5.c Temperate evergreen semipermanently flooded rain forest
I.A.5.d Subpolar evergreen rain forest
I.A.6 TEMPERATE SEASONAL EVERGREEN FOREST
(mainly broad-leaved evergreen or mixed broad-leaved/needle-leaved forest with some foliage reduction in the dry season)
I.A.6.a Temperate seasonal lowland evergreen forest
SOUTHEAST
Quercus virginiana Upland Forest Alliance
Quercus virginiana-Sabal palmetto Upland Forest Alliance
WEST
Washingtonia filifera Forest Alliance
I.A.6.b Temperate seasonal submontane evergreen forest
I.A.6.c Temperate seasonal montane evergreen forest
I.A.6.d Temperate dry "subalpine" evergreen forest
I.A.6.e Temperate seasonal evergreen (wetland) forest
SOUTHEAST
Gordonia lasianthus Forest Alliance
Gordonia lasianthus-Pinus serotina Forest Alliance
Persea palustris Forest Alliance
Quercus virginiana Wetland Forest Alliance
Sabal palmetto-Quercus virginiana Wetland Forest Alliance
I.A.7 WINTER-RAIN, EVERGREEN BROAD-LEAVED SCLEROPHYLLOUS FOREST
(stiff, leathery-leaved trees)
I.A.7.a Winter rain lowland and submontane evergreen sclerophyllous forest over 50 m tall
(e.g. Eucalyptus in California)
I.A.7.b Winter rain lowland and submontane evergreen sclreophyllous forest under 50 m tall
(e.g., Live oak in California)
I.A.8 TROPICAL AND SUBTROPICAL NEEDLE-LEAVED EVERGREEN FOREST
I.A.8.a Tropical and subtropical lowland and submontane needle-leaved evergreen forest
I.A.8.b Tropical and subtropical montane and subalpine needle-leaved evergreen forest
I.A.9 TEMPERATE AND SUBPOLAR NEEDLE-LEAVED EVERGREEN FOREST
(mostly needle-leaved and scale-leaved trees)
I.A.9.a Needle-leaved evergreen giant forest
(e.g., redwood and Douglas fir)
WEST
Abies amabilis Giant Forest Alliance
Abies concolor Giant Forest Alliance
Abies concolor-Abies magnifica Giant Forest Alliance
Abies grandis Giant Forest Alliance
Chamaecyparis lawsoniana Giant Forest Alliance
Picea breweriana Giant Forest Alliance
Picea sitchensis Giant Forest Alliance
Pinus ponderosa Giant Forest Alliance
Pseudotsuga menziesii Giant Forest Alliance
Pseudotsuga menziesii/Lithocarpus densiflorus Giant Forest Alliance
Pseudotsuga menziesii-Sequoia sempervirens Giant Forest Alliance
Pseudotsuga menziesii-Tsuga heterophylla Giant Forest Alliance
Thuja plicata Giant Forest Alliance
Tsuga heterophylla Giant Forest Alliance
Tsuga mertensiana Giant Forest Alliance
I.A.9.b Needle-leaved evergreen forest with rounded crowns
(e.g., pines, western juniper)
EAST
Tsuga canadensis-Pinus strobus Forest Alliance*
Pinus strobus-Pinus resinosa Forest Alliance
SOUTHEAST
Pinus clausa Forest Alliance
Pinus echinata Forest Alliance
Pinus echinata-Pinus rigida Forest Alliance
Pinus echinata-Pinus rigida-Pinus virginiana Forest Alliance
Pinus echinata-Pinus virginiana Forest Alliance
Pinus echinata-Pinus taeda-Pinus virginiana Forest Alliance
Pinus elliottii Upland Forest Alliance
Pinus elliottii-Pinus taeda Upland Forest Alliance
Pinus glabra Upland Forest Alliance
Pinus palustris Upland Forest Alliance
Pinus palustris-Pinus echinata Forest Alliance
Pinus palustris-Pinus elliottii Upland Forest Alliance
Pinus palustris-Pinus taeda Forest Alliance
Pinus palustris-Pinus taeda-Pinus echinata Forest Alliance
Pinus ponderosa Forest Alliance
Pinus ponderosa-Pseudotsuga menziesii Forest Alliance
Pinus pungens Forest Alliance
Pinus pungens-Pinus (rigida, virginiana) Forest Alliance
Pinus resinosa Forest Alliance
Pinus rigida Upland Forest Alliance
Pinus rigida-Pinus virginiana Forest Alliance
Pinus rigida-Tsuga caroliniana Forest Alliance
Pinus strobus Forest Alliance
Pinus strobus-Pinus echinata Forest Alliance
Pinus strobus-Pinus virginiana Forest Alliance
Pinus strobus-Tsuga canadensis Forest Alliance
Pinus taeda Upland Forest Alliance
Pinus taeda-Pinus echinata-(Juniperus virginiana) Forest Alliance
Pinus taeda-Pinus virginiana Forest Alliance
Pinus virginiana Forest Alliance
MIDWEST
Pinus banksiana Forest Alliance
Pinus contorta Forest Alliance
Pinus echinata Forest Alliance
Pinus ponderosa Forest Alliance
Pinus strobus-(P. resinosa) Forest Alliance
Pinus virginiana Forest Alliance
WEST
Pinus albicaulis Forest Alliance
Pinus contorta Forest Alliance
Pinus monticola Forest Alliance
Pinus ponderosa Forest Alliance
Pinus ponderosa-Pseudotsuga menziesii Forest Alliance
I.A.9.c Needle-leaved evergreen forest with conical crowns
(e.g., spruce, eastern juniper, cedar)
EAST
Juniperus virginiana Forest Alliance*
Picea rubens-Abies (balsamea, fraseri) Forest Alliance*
Picea mariana Forest Alliance*
Thuja occidentalis Forest Alliance
SOUTHEAST
Abies fraseri Forest Alliance
Juniperus ashei Forest Alliance
Juniperus virginiana var. virginiana Forest Alliance
Picea abies Forest Alliance
Picea rubens Upland Forest Alliance
Picea rubens-Abies fraseri Forest Alliance
Picea rubens-Tsuga canadensis Forest Alliance
Tsuga canadensis Upland Forest Alliance
Tsuga caroliniana-(Tsuga canadensis) Forest Alliance
MIDWEST
Juniperus ashei Forest Alliance
Juniperus virginiana Forest Alliance
Picea glauca Forest Alliance
Picea glauca-abies balsamea Forest Alliance
Picea mariana Forest Alliance
Thuja occidentalis Forest Alliance
WEST
Abies amabilis Forest Alliance
Abies concolor Forest Alliance
Abies grandis Forest Alliance
Abies lasiocarpa Forest Alliance
Abies magnifica Forest Alliance
Chamaecyparis nootkatensis Forest Alliance
Cupressus arizonica Forest Alliance
Picea engelmannii Forest Alliance
Picea glauca Forest Alliance
Picea pungens Forest Alliance
Picea sitchensis Forest Alliance
Picea spp. Forest Alliance
Pseudotsuga menziesii Forest Alliance
Thuja plicata Forest Alliance
Tsuga heterophylla Forest Alliance
Tsuga mertensiana Forest Alliance
I.A.9.d Needle-leaved evergreen forest with cylindrical crowns (boreal)
(e.g., spruce forests of Alaska)
I.A.9.e Needle-leaved evergreen seasonally flooded/saturated forest with rounded crowns
MIDWEST
Picea glauca Wetland Forest Alliance
Pinus banksiana Wetland Forest Alliance
Pinus strobus Wetland Forest Alliance
Tsuga canadensis Wetland Forest Alliance
WEST
Pinus contorta Wetland Forest Alliance
I.A.9.f Needle-leaved evergreen seasonally flooded/saturated forest with conical crowns
EAST
Tsuga canadensis Wetland Forest Alliance
Picea rubens-Abies balsamea Wetland Forest Alliance
Picea mariana Wetland Forest Alliance
Thuja occidentalis Wetland Forest Alliance
MIDWEST
Picea mariana Wetland Forest Alliance
Thuja occidentalis Wetland Forest Alliance
WEST
Abies amabilis Wetland Forest Alliance
Thuja plicata Wetland Forest Alliance
Tsuga heterophylla Wetland Forest Alliance
Tsuga mertensiana Wetland Forest Alliance
I.A.9.g Needle-leaved evergreen seasonally flooded/saturated forest with cylindrical crowns
I.A.9.* Needle-leaved evergreen seasonally/temporarily flooded forest with rounded crowns
SOUTHEAST
Pinus echinata Wetland Forest Alliance
Pinus elliottii Wetland Forest Alliance
Pinus elliottii-Pinus palustris Wetland Forest Alliance
Pinus elliottii-Pinus serotina Forest Alliance
Pinus glabra Wetland Forest Alliance
Pinus palustris Wetland Forest Alliance
Pinus palustris-Pinus taeda Wetland Forest Alliance
Pinus serotina-Pinus taeda Forest Alliance
Pinus strobus Wetland Forest Alliance
Pinus taeda Wetland Forest Alliance
Pinus taeda-Pinus palustris-Pinus serotina Forest Alliance
WEST
Pinus ponderosa Wetland Forest Alliance
I.A.9.* Needle-leaved evergreen saturated forest with conical crowns
SOUTHEAST
Chamaecyparis thyoides Saturated Forest Alliance
Picea rubens Wetland Forest Alliance
Picea rubens-Tsuga canadensis Wetland Forest Alliance
Thuja occidentalis Wetland Forest Alliance
Tsuga canadensis-(Pinus strobus) Wetland Forest Alliance
I.A.9.* Needle-leaved evergreen seasonally/temporarily flooded forest with conical crowns
SOUTHEAST
Chamaecyparis thyoides Seasonally/Temporarily Flooded Forest Alliance
Chamaecyparis thyoides-Pinus serotina Forest Alliance
WEST
Abies concolor Wetland Forest Alliance
Abies lasiocarpa Wetland Forest Alliance
Picea engelmannii Wetland Forest Alliance
Picea pungens Wetland Forest Alliance
I.A.9.* Needle-leaved evergreen seasonally flooded/saturated Giant forest
WEST
Abies amabilis Wetland Forest Alliance
Picea sitchensis Wetland Forest Alliance
I.A.10 EXTREMELY XEROMORPHIC EVERGREEN FOREST
I.A.10.a Evergreen sclerophyllous dominated forest
I.A.10.b Evergreen succulent forest (assumed evergreen)
I.B. DECIDUOUS FOREST
I.B.1. TROPICAL AND SUBTROPICAL DROUGHT-DECIDUOUS FOREST
I.B.1.a Lowland and submontane broadleaved drought-deciduous forest
I.B.1.b Montane and cloud drought-deciduous forest
I.B.2. COLD-DECIDUOUS FOREST
I.B.2.a Lowland and submontane broad-leaved cold-deciduous forest
(e.g., broadleaf forests of midwest)
EAST
Acer saccharum-Betula allegheniensis-Fagus grandifolia Forest Alliance
Acer saccharum-Fraxinus americana-Tilia americana Forest Alliance
Tilia heterophylla-Aesculus octandra Forest Alliance
Acer saccharum-Quercus muehlenbergii Forest Alliance
Quercus rubra-Acer saccharum Forest Alliance
Carya-Fraxinus americana-Quercus Forest Alliance
(Northeastern Upland) Quercus/Ericaceae Forest Alliance
Quercus-Fagus grandifolia/Ilex opaca Forest Alliance
Prunus serotina-Amelanchier canadensis Forest Alliance
Populus tremuloides Forest Alliance
Prunus pensylvanica Forest Alliance
SOUTHEAST
Acer grandidentatum Forest Alliance
Acer saccharum-Fagus grandifolia-Liriodendron tulipifera-(Aesculus flava, Magnolia fraseri) Forest Alliance
Acer saccharum-Quercus muehlenbergii Upland Forest Alliance
Acer saccharum-Quercus rubra-Carya cordiformis Upland Forest Alliance
Acer saccharum-Quercus rubra-Quercus (alba, montana) Forest Alliance
Betula alleghaniensis Forest Alliance
Betula alleghaniensis-(Tilia americana var. heterophylla, Aesculus flava) Forest Alliance
Betula alleghaniensis-Fagus grandifolia-Aesculus flava-(Acer saccharum) Forest Alliance
Fagus grandifolia Upland Forest Alliance
Fagus grandifolia-Acer saccharum-(Liriodendron tulipifera) Forest Alliance
Fagus grandifolia-Quercus alba-Acer (barbatum, leucoderme) Upland Forest Alliance
Fagus grandifolia-Quercus alba-Liquidambar styraciflua-(Liriodendron tulipifera) Forest Alliance
Fagus grandifolia-Quercus alba-Liquidambar styraciflua-Magnolia grandiflora Forest Alliance
Fagus grandifolia-Quercus nigra Forest Alliance
Fagus grandifolia-Quercus rubra Forest Alliance
Juglans nigra-Liquidambar styraciflua-Liriodendron tulipifera Upland Forest Alliance
Juglans nigra-Quercus muehlenbergii Forest Alliance
Liquidambar styraciflua Forest Alliance
Liriodendron tulipifera Upland Forest Alliance
Liriodendron tulipifera-Betula lenta Forest Alliance
Prunus pensylvanica Forest Alliance
Prunus serotina-Liriodendron tulipifera-Fraxinus americana-(Acer saccharum) Forest Alliance
Quercus alba Forest Alliance
Quercus alba-Carya alba-(Carya glabra) Coastal Plain Forest Alliance
Quercus alba-Carya glabra Coastal Plain Forest Alliance
Quercus alba-Quercus (coccinea, velutina)-Carya (alba, glabra) Forest Alliance
Quercus alba-Quercus rubra-(Carya ovata) Forest Alliance
Quercus coccinea Forest Alliance
Quercus falcata-Quercus alba-(Quercus stellata)-Carya (glabra, alba, pallida) Forest Alliance
Quercus falcata-Quercus alba-(Quercus stellata)-Carya texana Forest Alliance
Quercus hemisphaerica-Liquidambar styraciflua Forest Alliance
Quercus hemisphaerica-Quercus margaretta Forest Alliance
Quercus laevis Forest Alliance
Quercus muehlenbergii Forest Alliance
Quercus prinus Forest Alliance
Quercus prinus-Quercus (alba, falcata, velutina)-Carya (alba, glabra) Forest Alliance
Quercus prinus-Quercus coccinea-(Quercus velutina) Forest Alliance
Quercus prinus-Quercus rubra-Carya (alba, glabra, ovata) Forest Alliance
Quercus prinus-Quercus rubra-Liriodendron tulipifera-(Carya alba, glabra) Quercus rubra Forest Alliance
Quercus rubra var. ambigua-Betula alleghaniensis-(Acer rubrum, Fagus grandifolia) Forest Alliance
Quercus stellata-Carya carolinae-septentrionalis Forest Alliance
Quercus stellata-Quercus marilandica Forest Alliance
Robinia pseudo-acacia Forest Alliance
Tilia americana var. caroliniana-Celtis occidentalis Forest Alliance
MIDWEST
Acer saccharum-Betula spp.- (Fagus grandifolia, Tilia americana) Forest Alliance
Acer saccharum-Fagus grandifolia-Tilia spp.- Aesculus octandraForest Alliance
Acer saccharum-Fraxinus americana-Quercus spp. Forest Alliance
Acer saccharum-Quercus rubra-Carya cordiformis Forest Alliance
Acer saccharum-Tilia americana-(Quercus rubra) Forest Alliance
Acer spicatum Forest Alliance?
Betula papyrifera Forest Alliance
Fagus grandifolia-Acer saccharum-(Liriodendron tulipifera) Forest Alliance
Fagus grandifolia-Quercus spp.- Acer spp. Forest Alliance
Populus tremuloides Forest Alliance
Populus tremuloides-Betula papyrifera Forest Alliance
Quercus alba Forest Alliance
Quercus alba-Q. rubra-(Carya ovata) Forest Alliance
Quercus alba-Q. rubra-Q. mcrocarpa Forest Alliance
Quercus falcata-Q. alba-Carya spp. (texana, alba) Forest Alliance
Quercus macrocarpa Forest Alliance
Quercus muehlenbergii-(Q. shumardii-Fraxinus quadrangulata) Forest Alliance
Quercus prinus-Q. coccinea-Q. velutina Forest Alliance
Quercus rubra Forest Alliance
Quercus stellata-Q. marilandica Forest Alliance
Quercus velutina-Q. alba-Caryaspp. (glabra, texana) Forest Alliance
Quercus velutina-Q. ellipsoidalis Forest Alliance
WEST
Quercus macrocarpa Forest Alliance
Sapindus saponaria Forest Alliance
I.B.2.b Montane or boreal cold-deciduous forest
(e.g., broadleaf forests of the mountains)
WEST
Acer grandidentatum Forest Alliance
Acer macrophyllum Forest Alliance
Populus tremuloides Forest Alliance
I.B.2.c Subalpine or subpolar cold-deciduous forest
WEST
Larix lyallii Forest Alliance
Larix occidentalis Forest Alliance
I.B.2.d Cold-deciduous intermittently flooded forest
(e.g., woody draws)
MIDWEST
Fraxinus pennsylvanica-Ulmus americana Forest Alliance
WEST
Fraxinus pennsylvanica Forest Alliance
I.B.2.e Cold-deciduous seasonally/temporarily flooded forest
(e.g., alluvial bottomland hardwoods)
EAST
Quercus (palustris, bicolor) Wetland Forest Alliance
Acer saccharinum-(Populus deltoides) Wetland Forest Alliance
Platanus occidentalis-Betula nigra-Acer negundo Wetland Forest Alliance
SOUTHEAST
Acer negundo Forest Alliance
Acer negundo-Salix nigra Forest Alliance
Acer saccharinum Forest Alliance
Acer saccharum-Carya cordiformis Forest Alliance
Betula nigra-(Platanus occidentalis) Forest Alliance
Carpinus caroliniana Forest Alliance
Carya myristiciformis-Carya aquatica Forest Alliance
Fagus grandifolia Wetland Forest Alliance
Liquidambar styraciflua-(Liriodendron tulipifera, Acer rubrum) Wetland Forest Alliance
Liriodendron tulipifera Wetland Forest Alliance
Nyssa sylvatica Wetland Forest Alliance
Platanus occidentalis-(Fraxinus pennsylvanica, Celtis laevigata, Acer saccharinum) Forest Alliance
Platanus occidentalis-(Liquidambar styraciflua,Liriodendron tulipifera) Forest Alliance
Populus deltoides Forest Alliance
Populus deltoides-Salix (caroliniana, nigra) Forest Alliance
Quercus laurifolia Wetland Forest Alliance
Quercus (lyrata, palustris)-Liquidambar styraciflua Forest Alliance
Quercus macrocarpa-Quercus bicolor-Carya laciniosa Forest Alliance
Quercus (michauxii, pagoda, shumardii)-Liquidambar styraciflua Forest Alliance
Quercus (michauxii, pagoda, shumardii) Forest Alliance
Quercus pagoda-Carya (glabra, ovata) Forest Alliance
Quercus palustris-(Quercus bicolor) Forest Alliance
Quercus phellos Forest Alliance
Quercus (phellos, nigra, laurifolia)-Liquidambar styraciflua Forest Alliance
Quercus phellos-Quercus lyrata Forest Alliance
Quercus stellata-(Quercus palustris) Forest Alliance
Salix (nigra, caroliniana, sericea) Forest Alliance
Taxodium distichum-Platanus occidentalis Forest Alliance
MIDWEST
Acer negundo Forest Alliance
Acer rubrum-Fraxinus spp. (pennsylvanica, nigra) Forest Alliance
Acer saccharinum Forest Alliance
Acer saccharum-Carya cordiformis Forest Alliance
Betula nigra-(Platanus occidentalis) Forest Alliance
Fraxinus pennsylvanica-(Ulmus americana)-Celtis spp. (occidentalis, laevigata) Forest Alliance
Liquidambar styraciflua-Quercus spp. (lyrata, palustris) Forest Alliance
Liquidambar styraciflua-Quercus spp. (michauxii, pagoda, shumardii) Forest Alliance
Populus deltoides Forest Alliance
Populus deltoides-Salix nigra Forest Alliance
Quercus lyrata-Carya aquatica Forest Alliance
Quercus macrocarpa-Q. bicolor-(Carya laciniosa) Forest Alliance
Quercus palustris-(Q. bicolor) Forest Alliance
Quercus phellos-Quercus lyrata Forest Alliance
Quercus stellata-(Q. palustris) Forest Alliance
WEST
Acer negundo Forest Alliance
Aluns rhombifolia Forest Alliance
Alnus rubra Forest Alliance
Fraxinus latifolia Forest Alliance
Platanus wrightii Forest Alliance
Populus angustifolia Forest Alliance
Populus deltoides Forest Alliance
Populus fremontii Forest Alliance
Populus tremuloides Wetland Forest Alliance
Populus trichocarpa Forest Alliance
Populus wislizeni Forest Alliance
Salix bonplandiana Forest Alliance
I.B.2.f Cold-deciduous seasonally flooded/saturated forest
(e.g., deciduous forest in Alaska, Peat forests)
EAST
Acer rubrum-Fraxinus pennsylvanica Wetland Forest Alliance
Acer rubrum-Fraxinus nigra Wetland Forest Alliance
Acer rubrum-Nyssa sylvatica Wetland Forest Alliance
Acer rubrum-Liquidambar styraciflua Wetland Forest Alliance
SOUTHEAST
Fraxinus pennsylvanica-(Ulmus americana)-Celtis (occidentalis, laevigata) Forest Alliance
Nyssa biflora-(Taxodium distichum, ascendens) Forest Alliance
Nyssa ogeche Forest Alliance
Quercus (lyrata, nuttallii)-Carya aquatica Forest Alliance
Taxodium ascendens Forest Alliance
MIDWEST
Acer rubrum-(Fraxinus spp.) Forest Alliance
Fraxinus nigra Forest Alliance
Larix laricina Forest Alliance
I.B.2.g Cold-deciduous semipermanently flooded forest
(e.g., cypress swamp)
EAST
Taxodium distichum-Nyssa biflora Forest Alliance
SOUTHEAST
Acer rubrum-Gleditsia aquatica-(Planera aquatica) Forest Alliance
Gleditsia aquatica-Carya aquatica Forest Alliance
Nyssa aquatica-(Taxodium distichum) Forest Alliance
Taxodium distichum Forest Alliance
MIDWEST
Acer rubrum-Gleditsia aquatica-(planera aquatica) Forest Alliance
Nyssa aquatica-(taxodium distichum) Forest Alliance
Taxodium distichum Forest Alliance
I.B.3. EXTREMELY XEROMORPHIC DECIDUOUS FOREST
I.B.3.a Deciduous thorn forest (other formation may be added)
I.C. MIXED EVERGREEN-DECIDUOUS FOREST
I.C.1. TROPICAL AND SUBTROPICAL SEMI-DECIDUOUS FOREST
I.C.1.a Tropical or subtropical lowland semi-deciduous forest
I.C.1.b Tropical or subtropical montane or cloud semi-deciduous forest
I.C.2. MIXED BROAD LEAVED EVERGREEN - COLD-DECIDUOUS FOREST
I.C.2.* Cold-deciduous forest with evergreen broad-leaved trees
SOUTHEAST
Fagus grandifolia-Magnolia grandiflora Upland Forest Alliance
Quercus hemisphaerica-Carya glabra-(Fagus grandifolia) Forest Alliance
Tilia americana var. caroliniana-Magnolia grandiflora Forest Alliance
I.C.2.* Mixed broad-leaved evergreen - cold-deciduous seasonally flooded/saturated forest
SOUTHEAST
Magnolia virginiana-Nyssa biflora Wetland Forest Alliance
I.C.3. MIXED NEEDLE-LEAVED EVERGREEN - COLD-DECIDUOUS FOREST
I.C.3.a Mixed needle-leaved evergreen - cold-deciduous forest
EAST
Quercus-Pinus (rigida, echinata) Forest Alliance
Pinus virginiana-Pinus taeda-Quercus falcata Forest Alliance
Pinus virginiana/Quercus marilandica Forest Alliance
Pinus taeda-Quercus (nigra, falcata) Forest Alliance
Pinus strobus-Quercus (rubra, velutina) Forest Alliance
Tsuga canadensis-Acer saccharum-Betula allegheniensis Forest Alliance
Betula allegheniensis-Picea rubens Forest Alliance
SOUTHEAST
Betula alleghaniensis-(Abies fraseri, Picea rubens) Forest Alliance
Juniperus virginiana var. virginiana-Fraxinus americana-Quercus shumardii Forest Alliance
Juniperus virginiana var. virginiana-Quercus stellata-Quercus muehlenbergii Forest Alliance
Pinus echinata-Quercus (alba, stellata, falcata, velutina) Forest Alliance
Pinus echinata-Quercus stellata-Quercus marilandica Forest Alliance
Pinus (echinata, rigida, pungens)-Quercus (prinus, coccinea) Forest Alliance
Pinus (echinata, taeda, virginiana)-Quercus (alba, rubra)-Liriodendron tulipifera Forest Alliance
Pinus (echinata, virginiana)-Liriodendron tulipifera Forest Alliance
Pinus (glabra, taeda)-Fagus grandifolia-Quercus alba-Magnolia grandiflora Forest Alliance
Pinus palustris-Pinus echinata-Quercus (stellata, falcata) Forest Alliance
Pinus palustris-Pinus echinata-Pinus taeda-Quercus (stellata, falcata) Forest Alliance
Pinus palustris-Pinus taeda-Quercus incana Forest Alliance
Pinus (palustris, taeda)-Quercus (margaretta, falcata, laevis) Forest Alliance
Pinus strobus-Acer saccharum-Fagus grandifolia-Betula (alleghaniensis, lenta) Forest Alliance
Pinus taeda-Liquidambar styraciflua Upland Forest Alliance
Pinus taeda-Quercus (alba, falcata, stellata) Forest Alliance
Pinus taeda-Quercus (marilandica, falcata, stellata) Forest Alliance
Pinus taeda-Quercus nigra Barrier Island Forest Alliance
Pinus virginiana-Liquidambar styraciflua-Liriodendron tulipifera Forest Alliance
Pinus virginiana-Quercus (alba, stellata, falcata, velutina) Forest Alliance
Pinus virginiana-Quercus (coccinea, prinus) Forest Alliance
Quercus falcata-Fagus grandifolia-Pinus taeda Forest Alliance
Sorbus americana-(Abies fraseri, Picea rubens) Forest Alliance
Tsuga canadensis-Liriodendron tulipifera Upland Forest Alliance
Tsuga canadensis-Acer saccharum-Fagus grandifolia-Betula (alleghaniensis, lenta, papyrifera) Forest Alliance
MIDWEST
Juniperus virginiana-Quercus spp. (muehlenbergii, stellata) Forest Alliance
Picea glauca-Abies balsamea-Populus spp. Forest Alliance
Picea mariana-Populus tremuloides Forest Alliance
Pinus banksiana-Populus tremuloides-Betula Papyrifera Forest Alliance
Pinus banksiana-Quercus spp. Forest Alliance
Pinus echinata-Quercus spp. (alba, stellata, velutina) Forest Alliance
Pinus strobus-(P. resinosa)-Populus tremuloides Forest Alliance
Pinus strobus-(P. resinosa)-Quercus spp. (alba, rubra, velutina) Forest Alliance
Pinus virginiana-Quercus spp. (coccinea, prinus) Forest Alliance
Tsuga canadensis-Fagus grandifolia-Acer Saccharum Betula spp. Forest Alliance
WEST
Acer macrophyllum Forest Alliance
Betula papyrifera Forest Alliance
Laris lyallii Forest Alliance
Populus tremuloides Forest Alliance
Quercus garryana Forest Alliance
I.C.3.b Mixed needle-leaved evergreen - cold-deciduous seasonally flooded/saturated forest
EAST
Chamaecyparis thyoides-Acer rubrum Forest Alliance
Acer rubrum-Picea rubensWetland Forest Alliance
Thuja occidentalis-Acer rubrum Wetland Forest Alliance
Quercus phellos-Pinus taeda Wetland Forest Alliance
SOUTHEAST
Pinus taeda-Liquidambar styraciflua-Acer rubrum Wetland Forest Alliance
MIDWEST
Pinus spp.- Acer rubrum swamp Forest Alliance
I.C.3.* Mixed needle-leaved evergreen - cold-deciduous seasonally/temporarily flooded forest
SOUTHEAST
Pinus elliottii-Magnolia virginiana-Taxodium ascendens-Nyssa biflora Forest Alliance
Pinus glabra-Pinus taeda-Liquidambar styraciflua-Quercus phellos Wetland Forest Alliance
Pinus serotina-Chamaecyparis thyoides-Acer rubrum-Nyssa biflora Forest Alliance
Pinus taeda-Liquidambar styraciflua-Liriodendron tulipifera Wetland Forest Alliance
Pinus taeda-Fraxinus pennsylvanica-Ulmus americana-Celtis laevigata Forest Alliance
Pinus taeda-Quercus laurifolia-Chamaecyparis thyoides Forest Alliance
Pinus taeda-Quercus lyrata Forest Alliance
Pinus taeda-Quercus (pagoda, michauxii, shumardii) Wetland Forest Alliance
Pinus taeda-Quercus (phellos, nigra, laurifolia) Forest Alliance
Pinus virginiana-Liriodendron tulipifera-Platanus occidentalis Forest Alliance
Tsuga canadensis-Magnolia tripetala Wetland Forest Alliance
WEST
Quercus garryana Wetland Forest Alliance
I.C.3.* Mixed needle-leaved evergreen - cold-deciduous saturated forest
SOUTHEAST
Chamaecyparis thyoides-Liriodendron tulipifera Forest Alliance
Pinus strobus-Pinus rigida-Tsuga canadensis-Liriodendron tulipifera-Acer rubrum Forest Alliance
I.C.4. EXTREMELY XEROMORPHIC MIXED EVERGREEN - DECIDUOUS FOREST
I.C.4.a Mixed evergreen - deciduous thorn forest
II. WOODLAND
II.A. EVERGREEN WOODLAND
II.A.1. BROAD-LEAVED EVERGREEN WOODLAND
II.A.1.a Broad-leaved evergreen woodland
SOUTHEAST
Quercus laceyi Woodland Alliance
Quercus virginiana Upland Woodland Alliance
Quercus virginiana-Sabal palmetto Upland Woodland Alliance
Sabal palmetto Upland Woodland Alliance
WEST
Quercus arizonica Woodland Alliance
Quercus emoryi Woodland Alliance
Quercus grisea Woodland Alliance
II.A.1.b Broad-leaved evergreen (wetland) woodland
SOUTHEAST
Sabal palmetto Wetland Woodland Alliance
Gordonia lasianthus-Pinus serotina Woodland alliance
II.A.2 NEEDLE-LEAVED EVERGREEN WOODLAND
II.A.2.a Needle-leaved evergreen woodland with rounded crowns
(e.g., pine, western juniper)
EAST
Pinus rigida/Quercus ilicifolia Woodland Alliance
Pinus palustris/Quercus laevis Woodland Alliance
Pinus (banksiana, resinosa, rigida) Woodland Alliance
SOUTHEAST
Pinus clausa Woodland Alliance
Pinus echinata Upland Woodland Alliance
Pinus echinata-Pinus rigida Woodland Alliance
Pinus echinata-Pinus virginiana Woodland Alliance
Pinus echinata-Pinus taeda-Pinus virginiana Woodland Alliance
Pinus echinata-Pinus taeda-Pinus palustris-Pinus virginiana Woodland Alliance
Pinus elliottii-Pinus (taeda, palustris, echinata) Upland Woodland Alliance
Pinus elliottii var. densa Upland Woodland Alliance
Pinus palustris Upland Woodland Alliance
Pinus palustris-Pinus clausa Woodland Alliance
Pinus palustris-Pinus echinata Woodland Alliance
Pinus palustris-Pinus taeda Upland Woodland Alliance
Pinus palustris-Pinus taeda-Pinus echinata Woodland Alliance
Pinus pungens Woodland Alliance
Pinus rigida Woodland Alliance
Pinus rigida-Pinus pungens Woodland Alliance
Pinus taeda Upland Woodland Alliance
Pinus taeda-Pinus echinata Woodland Alliance
Pinus virginiana Woodland Alliance
Pinus virginiana-Pinus rigida Woodland Alliance
MIDWEST
Juniperus ashei Woodland Alliance
Juniperus scopulorum Woodland Alliance
Juniperus virginiana Woodland Alliance
Pinus banksiana Woodland Alliance
Pinus echinata Woodland Alliance
Pinus flexilis Woodland Alliance
Pinus ponderosa Woodland Alliance
Pinus strobus-Pinus resinosa Woodland Alliance
WEST
Juniperus deppeana Woodland Alliance
Juniperus erythrocarpa Woodland Alliance
Juniperus monosperma Woodland Alliance
Juniperus occidentalis Woodland Alliance
Juniperus osteosperma Woodland Alliance
Juniperus scopulorum Woodland Alliance
Pinus albicaulis Woodland Alliance
Pinus aristata Woodland Alliance
Pinus attenuata Woodland Alliance
Pinus contorta Woodland Alliance
Pinus discolor Woodland Alliance
Pinus edulis Woodland Alliance
Pinus engelmannii Woodland Alliance
Pinus flexilis Woodland Alliance
Pinus jeffreyi Woodland Alliance
Pinus leiophylla Woodland Alliance
Pinus monophylla Woodland Alliance
Pinus ponderosa Woodland Alliance
Pinus ponderosa-Quercus garryana Woodland Alliance
II.A.2.b Needle-leaved evergreen woodland with conical crowns e.g., spruce in the west)
EAST
Picea rubens Woodland Alliance
Thuja occidentalis Woodland Alliance
SOUTHEAST
Juniperus ashei Woodland Alliance
Juniperus virginiana Woodland Alliance
Thuja occidentalis Upland Woodland Alliance
Tsuga caroliniana Woodland Alliance
MIDWEST
Thuja occidentalis Woodland Alliance
WEST
Abies concolor Woodland Alliance
Picea engelmannii Woodland Alliance
Picea pungens Woodland Alliance
Pseudotsuga menziesii Woodland Alliance
Tsuga heterophylla Woodland Alliance
Tsuga mertensiana Woodland Alliance
II.A.2.c Needle-leaved evergreen woodland with very narrow cylindro-conical crowns
(e.g., some spruce in Alaska)
II.A.2.d Needle-leaved evergreen seasonally flooded/saturated woodland with rounded crowns
EAST
Pinus rigida Wetland Woodland Alliance
Pinus strobus Wetland Woodland Alliance
SOUTHEAST
Pinus elliottii var. densa Wetland Woodland Alliance
Pinus serotina Woodland Alliance
Pinus serotina-Pinus elliottii Woodland Alliance
Pinus serotina-Pinus taeda Wetland Woodland Alliance
WEST
Abies grandis Woodland Alliance
Abies lasiocarpa Woodland Alliance
II.A.2.e Needle-leaved evergreen seasonally flooded/temporarily flooded woodland with rounded crowns
EAST
Pinus serotina Wetland Woodland Alliance
SOUTHEAST
Pinus echinata Wetland Woodland Alliance
Pinus elliottii Wetland Woodland Alliance
Pinus palustris Wetland Woodland Alliance
Pinus palustris-Pinus elliottii Woodland Alliance
Pinus palustris-Pinus serotina Woodland Alliance
Pinus palustris-Pinus taeda Wetland Woodland Alliance
WEST
Pinus ponderosa Wetland Woodland Alliance
II.A.2.f Needle-leaved evergreen seasonally flooded/saturated woodland with conical crowns
EAST
Chamaecyparis thyoides Wetland Woodland Alliance
Picea rubens Wetland Woodland Alliance
Picea mariana Wetland Woodland Alliance
II.A.2.g Needle-leaved evergreen saturated woodland with conical crowns
(e.g., black spruce bogs)
SOUTHEAST
Picea rubens Wetland Woodland Alliance
Thuja occidentalis Wetland Woodland Alliance
MIDWEST
Picea mariana Woodland Alliance
II.A.2.h Needle-leaved evergreen seasonally flooded/saturated woodland with cylindro-conical crowns
II.A.2.* Needle-leaved evergreen seasonally/temporarily flooded woodland
WEST
Abies concolor Wetland Woodland Alliance
Picea pungens Wetland Woodland Alliance
II.A.3. EXTREMELY XEROMORPHIC EVERGREEN WOODLAND
II.A.3.a Evergreen sclerophyllous woodland
II.A.3.b Evergreen succulent woodland (assumed evergreen)
II.B. DECIDUOUS WOODLAND
II.B.1. TROPICAL AND SUBTROPICAL DROUGHT-DECIDUOUS WOODLAND
II.B.1.a Lowland and submontane broad-leaved drought-deciduous woodland
II.B.1.b Montane (and cloud) drought-deciduous woodland
II.B.2. COLD-DECIDUOUS WOODLAND
II.B.2.a Cold-deciduous woodland
EAST
Quercus muehlenbergii Woodland Alliance
Tilia americana-Fraxinus americana Woodland Alliance
Quercus rubra Woodland Alliance
Quercus velutina-Quercus alba Woodland Alliance
SOUTHEAST
Acer saccharum-Quercus muehlenbergii Woodland Alliance
Populus fremontii Woodland Alliance
Quercus arkansana Woodland Alliance
Quercus hemisphaerica-Quercus margaretta Woodland Alliance
Quercus incana Woodland Alliance
Quercus laevis Woodland Alliance
Quercus muehlenbergii-(Quercus macrocarpa) Woodland Alliance
Quercus prinus Woodland Alliance
Quercus prinus-Quercus coccineaWoodland Alliance
Quercus stellata Woodland Alliance
Quercus stellata-Quercus marilandica Woodland Alliance
Quercus stellata-Quercus velutina-Quercus alba-(Quercus falcata) Woodland Alliance
Quercus velutina-Quercus alba-Carya (texana, glabra) Woodland Alliance
Robinia pseudo-acacia Woodland Alliance
MIDWEST
Betual papyrifera Woodland Alliance
Fraxinus pennsylvanica-(Ulmus americana) Woodland Alliance
Populus Tremuloides Woodland Alliance
Quercus alba Woodland Alliance
Quercus macrocarpa Woodland Alliance
Quercus macrocarpa-Quercus spp. (alba, velutina) Woodland Alliance
Quercus muehlenbergii Woodland Alliance
Quercus stellata-Q. marilandica Woodland Alliance
Quercus stellata-Q. velutina-Q. alba-(Q. falcata) Woodland Alliance
Quercus velutina-Q. ellipsoidalis Woodland Alliance
WEST
Populus angustifolia Woodland Alliance
Populus fremontii Woodland Alliance
Populus tremuloides Woodland Alliance
Salix amygdaloides Woodland Alliance
Salix laevigata Woodland Alliance
Larix lyallii Woodland Alliance
II.B.2.b Cold-deciduous intermittently flooded woodland
II.B.2.c Cold-deciduous seasonally/temporarily flooded woodland
SOUTHEAST
Acer negundo Woodland Alliance
Acer negundo-Salix nigra Woodland Alliance
Salix gooddingii Wetland Woodland Alliance
Salix (nigra, caroliniana) Woodland Alliance
MIDWEST
Populus deltoides Woodland Alliance
WEST
Acer negundo Woodland Alliance
Platanus wrightii Woodland Alliance
Populus deltoides Woodland Alliance
II.B.2.d Cold-deciduous seasonally flooded/saturated woodland
II.B.3. EXTREMELY XEROMORPHIC DECIDUOUS WOODLAND
II.B.3.a Deciduous thorn woodland
(may not be represented in the U.S.)
II.C. MIXED EVERGREEN-DECIDUOUS WOODLAND
II.C.1. TROPICAL AND SUBTROPICAL SEMI-DECIDUOUS WOODLAND
II.C.2. MIXED BROAD-LEAVED EVERGREEN - COLD DECIDUOUS WOODLAND
WEST
Quercus chrysolepsis Woodland Alliance
Quercus garryana Woodland Alliance
II.C.3. MIXED NEEDLE-LEAVED EVERGREEN - COLD-DECIDUOUS WOODLAND
II.C.3.a Mixed needle-leaved evergreen - cold-deciduous woodland
EAST
Juniperus virginiana-Fraxinus americana Woodland Alliance
Quercus (coccinea, velutina)-Pinus rigida Woodland Alliance
SOUTHEAST
Juniperus virginiana var. virginiana-Quercus muehlenbergii Woodland Alliance
Pinus echinata/Quercus incana Woodland Alliance
Pinus echinata-Pinus rigida-Quercus prinus Woodland Alliance
Pinus echinata-Quercus (alba, stellata, falcata, velutina) Woodland Alliance
Pinus echinata-Quercus (prinus, coccinea) Woodland Alliance
Pinus echinata-Quercus stellata-Quercus marilandica Woodland Alliance
Pinus palustris/Quercus falcata-Carya texana Woodland Alliance
Pinus palustris/Quercus incana Woodland Alliance
Pinus (rigida, pungens, virginiana) Quercus (prinus, coccinea) Woodland Alliance
MIDWEST
Pinus banksiana-Quercus spp. (Q. velutina-Q. ellipsoidalis) Woodland Alliance
Pinus echinata-Quercus spp. (alba, stellata, velutina) Woodland Alliance
Pinus echinata-Quercus spp. (coccinea, prinus) Woodland Alliance
Pinus strobus-Quercus alba Woodland Alliance
WEST
Populus angustifolia Woodland Alliance
II.C.3.b Mixed needle-leaved evergreen - cold-deciduous seasonally flooded/saturated woodland
II.C.3.* Mixed needle-leaved evergreen - cold-deciduous saturated woodland
EAST
Fraxinus nigra-Abies balsamea Wetland Woodland Alliance
II.C.4. EXTREMELY XEROMORPHIC MIXED EVERGREEN - DECIDUOUS WOODLAND
II.C.4.a Mixed evergreen-deciduous thorn woodland
SOUTHEAST
Pinus strobus-Acer rubrum Wetland Woodland Alliance
II.B.4.* Cold-deciduous freshwater tidal regularly flooded woodland
EAST
Acer rubrum - Fraxinus pennsylvanica Wetland Woodland Alliance
II.B.4.* Cold-deciduous saturated woodland
EAST
Acer rubrum Wetland Woodland Alliance
III. SPARSE WOODLAND
III.A. EVERGREEN SPARSE WOODLAND
III.A.1. BROAD-LEAVED EVERGREEN SPARSE WOODLAND WITH A DOMINANT HERBACEOUS STRATUM
III.A.1.a Broad-leaved evergreen sparse woodland with tall graminoids (includes tuft plants)
SOUTHEAST
Sabal palmetto/Muhlenbergia capillaris Upland Sparse Woodland Alliance
III.A.1.b Broad-leaved evergreen sparse wooldand with medium tall graminoids
(includes tuft plants)
III.A.1.c Broad-leaved evergreen sparse woodland with short graminoids
(includes tuft plants)
III.A.1.d Broad-leaved evergreen seasonally flooded sparse wooldand with tall graminoids
(includes tuft plants)
III.A.1.e Broad-leaved evergreen seasonally flooded sparse wooldand with medium tall
graminoids (includes tuft plants)
III.A.1.f Broad-leaved evergreen seasonally flooded sparse wooldand with short graminoids
(includes tuft plants)
III.A.2. NEEDLE-LEAVED EVERGREEN SPARSE WOODLAND WITH A DOMINANT SHRUB STRATUM
III.A.2.a Needle-leaved evergreen sparse woodland with deciduous or mixed shrubs
(e.g., pitch pine-scrub oak)
EAST
Pinus rigida/Quercus ilicifolia-Rhododendron canadense Sparse Woodland Alliance
III.A.2.b Needle-leaved evergreen saturated sparse woodland with evergreen shrubs
(e.g., pocosins)
III.A.2.c Needle-leaved evergreen saturated sparse woodland with deciduous or mixed evergreen shrubs
(e.g., pocosins)
SOUTHEAST
Picea rubens/Ilex collina Sparse Wetland Woodland Alliance
Picea rubens/Kalmia carolina Sparse Wetland Woodland Alliance
III.A.3. NEEDLE-LEAVED EVERGREEN SPARSE WOODLAND WITH DOMINANT DWARF SHRUB STRATUM
III.A.3.a Needle-leaved evergreen sparse woodland with microphyllous dwarf shrubs
III.A.3.b Needle-leaved evergreen sparse woodland with evergreen dwarf shrubs
III.A.3.c Needle-leaved evergreen saturated sparse woodland with evergreen dwarf shrubs
III.A.3.* Needle-leaved evergreen sparse woodland with broad-leaved dwarf shrubs
EAST
Picea mariana/Kalmia-Ledum Sparse Woodland Alliance
III.A.4. NEEDLE-LEAVED EVERGREEN SPARSE WOODLAND WITH A DOMINANT HERBACEOUS STRATUM
III.A.4.a Needle-leaved evergreen sparse woodland with medium tall graminoids
(e.g., serpentine barrens, jack pine barrens)
EAST
Pinus (virginiana, rigida)/Schizachyrium scoparium Sparse Woodland Alliance
SOUTHEAST
Juniperus virginiana var. virginiana/Schizachyrium scoparium Sparse Woodland Alliance
Pinus echinata-Pinus taeda/Schizachyrium scoparium Sparse Woodland Alliance
Pinus echinata-(Pinus virginiana)/Schizachyrium scoparium Sparse Woodland Alliance
Pinus elliottii var. densa/Sparse Woodland Alliance
Pinus palustris/medium-tall grass Sparse Upland Woodland Alliance
Pinus virginiana-(Pinus rigida)/Schizachyrium scoparium Sparse Woodland Alliance
MIDWEST
Pinus banksiana-(Pinus resinosa) Sparse Woodland Alliance
Pinus ponderosa Sparse Woodland Alliance?
III.A.4.b Needle-leaved evergreen (wetland) sparse woodland with tall graminoids
SOUTHEAST
Pinus elliottii/Ctenium aromaticum Sparse Woodland Alliance
Pinus elliottii-Pinus palustris/tallgrass Sparse Woodland Alliance
Pinus palustris/Ctenium aromaticum Sparse Woodland Alliance
Pinus palustris-Pinus serotina/tallgrass Sparse Woodland Alliance
Pinus serotina/Arundinaria gigantea Sparse Woodland Alliance
III.A.4.c Needle-leaved evergreen (wetland) sparse woodland with medium tall graminoids
SOUTHEAST
Pinus elliottii var. densa/?? Sparse Wetland Woodland Alliance
III.A.5. NEEDLE-LEAVED EVERGREEN SPARSE WOODLAND WITH A DOMINANT NON-VASCULAR STRATUM
III.A.5.a Needle-leaved evergreen sparse woodland with lichen cover
MIDWEST
Pinus banksiana Sparse Woodland Alliance
III.A.5.b Needle-leaved evergreen saturated sparse woodland with moss cover
III.A.6. NEEDLE-LEAVED EVERGREEN SPARSE WOODLAND WITH A SPARSELY-VEGETATED GROUND LAYER
III.A.6.a Needle-leaved evergreen sparse (wetland) woodland on mudflats
III.A.6.* Needle-leaved evergreen sparse woodland on rocky substrates
SOUTHEAST
Juniperus virginiana var. virginiana/Limestone Sparse Woodland Alliance
III.A.7. EXTREMELY XEROMORPHIC EVERGREEN SPARSE WOODLAND
(lower strata undefined)
III.B. DECIDUOUS SPARSE WOODLAND
III.B.1. TROPICAL AND SUBTROPICAL DROUGHT-DECIDUOUS SPARSE WOODLAND
(lower strata undefined)
III.B.2. COLD-DECIDUOUS SPARSE WOODLAND WITH A DOMINANT HERBACEOUS STRATUM
III.B.2.a Cold-deciduous sparse woodland with tall graminoids
SOUTHEAST
Fraxinus quadrangulata-Quercus macrocarpa Sparse Woodland Alliance
Populus deltoides/tallgrass Sparse Upland Woodland Alliance
Quercus muehlenbergii/tallgrass Sparse Woodland Alliance
MIDWEST
Populus deltoides Sparse Woodland Alliance
Populus tremuloides tallgrass Sparse Woodland Alliance
Quercus alba-Q. palustris Sparse Woodland Alliance
Quercus macrocarpa-Quercus spp. (alba, velutina, stellata) Sparse Woodland Alliance
Quercus velutina-Q. ellipsoidalis Sparse Woodland Alliance
III.B.2.b Cold-deciduous sparse woodland with medium tall graminoids
SOUTHEAST
Quercus alba-Quercus coccinea-Quercus velutina/Schizachyrium scoparium Sparse Woodland Alliance
Quercus stellata-Quercus marilandica Sparse Woodland Alliance
Quercus stellata-Quercus velutina-Quercus alba-(Quercus falcata) Sparse Woodland Alliance
MIDWEST
Populus tremuloides Sparse Woodland Alliance
Quercus macrocarpa Sparse Woodland Alliance
Quercus stellata-Q. marilandica Sparse Woodland Alliance
Quercus stellata-Q. velutina-Q. alba-(Q. falcata) Sparse Woodland Alliance
III.B.2.c Cold-deciduous sparse woodland with short graminoids
III.B.2.d Cold-deciduous seasonally flooded sparse woodland with tall graminoids.
WEST
Populus deltoides Sparse Woodland Alliance
Populus fremontii Sparse Woodland Alliance
III.B.2.* Cold-deciduous seasonally flooded/saturated sparse woodland with tall graminoids
SOUTHEAST
Taxodium ascendens Sparse Woodland Alliance
III.B.3. COLD-DECIDUOUS SPARSE WOODLAND WITH A SPARSELY-VEGETATED GROUND LAYER
III.B.3.a Cold-deciduous sparse woodland on rocky substrate
SOUTHEAST
Quercus coccinea-Quercus prinus/(Sandstone, Shale) Sparse Woodland Alliance
Quercus muehlenbergii-Fraxinus quadrangulata-Acer saccharum/Limestone Sparse Woodland Alliance
III.B.4. EXTREMELY XEROMORPHIC DECIDUOUS SPARSE WOODLAND (lower strata undefined)
III.B.* Cold-deciduous sparse woodland with a dominant shrub stratum
III.B.* Cold-deciduous saturated sparse woodland with evergreen shrubs
SOUTHEAST
Liriodendron tulipifera/Rhododendron maximum Sparse
Wetland Woodland Alliance
III.C. MIXED EVERGREEN-DECIDUOUS SPARSE WOODLAND
III.C.1. BROAD-LEAVED SEMI-EVERGREEN SPARSE WOODLAND WITH A DOMINANT HERBACEOUS STRATUM
III.C.1.a Broad-leaved semi-evergreen sparse woodland with tall graminoids
III.C.1.b Broad-leaved semi-evergreen sparse woodland with medium tall graminoids
III.C.1.c Broad-leaved semi-evergreen sparse woodland with short graminoids
III.C.2. MIXED NEEDLE-LEAVED EVERGREEN - COLD-DECIDUOUS SPARSE WOODLAND
III.C.2.a Mixed needle-leaved evergreen - cold-deciduous saturated sparse woodland with evergreen shrubs
(e.g., pocosins)
III.C.3. MIXED NEEDLE-LEAVED EVERGREEN - COLD-DECIDUOUS SPARSE WOODLAND WITH A DOMINANT HERBACEOUS STRATUM
III.C.3.a Mixed needle-leaved evergreen - cold-deciduous sparse woodland with tall graminoids
III.C.3.b Mixed needle-leaved evergreen - cold-deciduous sparse woodland with medium tall graminoids
SOUTHEAST
Pinus (virginiana, echinata)-Quercus (coccinea, alba, velutina)/Schizachyrium scoparium Sparse Woodland Alliance
MIDWEST
Pinus banksiana-Quercus spp. (velutina, ellipsoidalis) Sparse Woodland Alliance
Pinus ponderosa-Quercus macrocarpa Sparse Woodland Alliance
Pinus strobus-Quercus alba Sparse Woodland Alliance
III.C.3.c Mixed needle-leaved evergreen - cold-deciduous (wetland) sparse woodland with forbs
SOUTHEAST
Pinus rigida-Nyssa sylvatica Sparse Wetland Woodland Alliance
III.C.4 MIXED EVERGREEN - DECIDUOUS EXTREMELY XEROMORPHIC SPARSE WOODLAND
(lower strata undefined)
III.C.* Mixed needle-leaved evergreen - cold-deciduous sparse woodland with a sparsely vegetated ground layer
III.C.* Mixed needle-leaved evergreen - cold-deciduous sparse woodland on rocky substrates
SOUTHEAST
Juniperus virginiana-(Quercus muehlenbergii, Fraxinus quadrangulata, Acer saccharum) Limestone Sparse Woodland Alliance
IV. SHRUBLAND (SCRUB)
IV.A. EVERGREEN SHRUBLAND
IV.A.1. BROAD-LEAVED EVERGREEN SHRUBLAND
IV.A.1.a Evergreen low bamboo shrubland
IV.A.1.b Evergreen tuft-tree shrubland
SOUTHEAST
Serenoa repens Upland Shrubland Alliance
IV.A.1.c Broad-leaved evergreen hemisclerophyllous shrubland
SOUTHEAST
Baccharis halimifolia Shrubland Alliance
Quercus chapmanii Shrubland Alliance
Quercus havardii Shrubland Alliance
Ilex vomitoria-Myrica cerifera Upland Shrubland Alliance
IV.A.1.d Broad-leaved evergreen sclerophyllous shrubland
SOUTHEAST
Ceratiola ericoides Shrubland Alliance
Pithecellobium ebano-Phaulothamnus spinescens Shrubland Alliance
Quercus myrtifolia-Serenoa repens Shrubland Alliance
Rhododendron catawbiense Shrubland Alliance
Rhododendron maximum Shrubland Alliance
Rhododendron maximum-Kalmia latifolia Shrubland Alliance
MIDWEST
Ceanothus velutinous Shrubland Alliance?
WEST
Ambrosia deltoidea Shrubland Alliance
Arctostaphylos patula Shrubland Alliance
Arctostaphylos pungens Shrubland Alliance
Arctostaphylos viscida Shrubland Alliance
Cercocarpus ledifolius Shrubland Alliance
Gaultheria shallon Shrubland Alliance
Quercus oblongifolia Shrubland Alliance
Quercus toumeyi Shrubland Alliance
Quercus turbinella Shrubland Alliance
Simmondsia chinensis Shrubland Alliance
IV.A.1.e Evergreen suffruticose shrubland
IV.A.1.f Broad-leaved evergreen (wetland) shrubland
SOUTHEAST
Cyrilla racemiflora Shrubland Alliance
Hypericum fasciculatum Shrubland Alliance
IV.A.2. NEEDLE-LEAVED EVERGREEN SHRUBLAND
IV.A.2.a Needle-leaved evergreen shrubland
(e.g., krumholtz)
EAST
Picea mariana-Abies balsamea Shrubland Alliance
SOUTHEAST
Juniperus communis Shrubland Alliance
Juniperus virginiana var. virginiana Shrubland Alliance
Pinus taeda Upland Shrubland Alliance
MIDWEST
Juniperus communis Shrubland Alliance
WEST
Abies lasiocarpa Shrubland Alliance
IV.A.2.b Needle-leaved evergreen shrubland
(e.g., scrub bog)
IV.A.3. MICROPHYLLOUS EVERGREEN SHRUBLAND
(e.g., sagebrush)
MIDWEST
Aretmisia cana ssp. cana Shrubland Alliance
Artemisia longifolia Shrubland Alliance
Artemisia tridentata Shrubland Alliance
WEST
Artemisia bigelovii Shrubland Alliance
Artemisia tridentata Shrubland Alliance
Artemisia tridentata ssp. tridentata Shrubland Alliance
Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana Shrubland Alliance
Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis Shrubland Alliance
Cowania mexicana Shrubland Alliance
Purshia tridentata Shrubland Alliance
IV.A.3.* Microphyllous evergreen seasonally/temporarily flooded Shrubland
WEST
Allenrolfea occidentalis Shrubland Alliance
IV.A.4. EXTREMELY XEROMORPHIC EVERGREEN SHRUBLAND
IV.A.4.a Evergreen subdesert shrubland
(e.g., cresote bush)
WEST
Encelia farinosa Shrubland Alliance
Ephedra nevadensis Shrubland Alliance
Ephedra nevadensis-Ephedra viridis Shrubland Alliance
Ephedra viridis Shrubland Alliance
Eriogonum fasciculatum Shrubland Alliance
Larrea tridentata Shrubland Alliance
Mortonia scabrella Shrubland Alliance
IV.B. DECIDUOUS SHRUBLAND (SCRUB)
IV.B.1. DROUGHT-DECIDUOUS SHRUBLAND
IV.B.2. COLD-DECIDUOUS SHRUBLAND
IV.B.2.a Temperate deciduous shrubland
(e.g., serviceberry, some oaks)
EAST
Myrica pensylvanica-Prunus maritima Shrubland Alliance
SOUTHEAST
Quercus alba Shrubland Alliance
Quercus ilicifolia Shrubland Alliance
Quercus stellata Shrubland Alliance
Vaccinium vacillans Shrubland Alliance
MIDWEST
Amelanchier alnifolia Shrubland Alliance
Artemisia filifolia Shrubland Alliance
Atriplex confertifolia-(Sarcobatis vermiculatus) Shrubland Alliance
Betula occidentalis Shrubland Alliance
Cercocarpus montanus Shrubland Alliance
Cornus racemosa-C. drummondii-Rhus glabra Shrubland Alliance?
Corylus americana-Rhus spp.- Salix humilis Shrubland Alliance
Malus ioensis-Crataegus spp. Shrubland Alliance?
Pentaphylloides floribunda Shrubland Alliance
Populus tremuloides-Quercus spp.- Salix spp. Shrubland Alliance
Prunus americana Shrubland Alliance?
Quercus marilandica scrub Alliance
Shepherdia argentea Shrubland Alliance
Symphoricarpos occidentalis Shrubland Alliance
WEST
Acer glabrum Shrubland Alliance
Amelanchier alnifolia Shrubland Alliance
Amelanchier utahensis Shrubland Alliance
Artemisia cana Shrubland Alliance
Artemisia cana ssp. viscidula Shrubland Alliance
Artemisia filifolia Shrubland Alliance
Betula glandulosa Shrubland Alliance
Celtis reticulata Shrubland Alliance
Cercocarpus montanus Shrubland Alliance
Crataegus douglasii Shrubland Alliance
Elaeagnus commutata Shrubland Alliance
Glossopetalon nevadense Shrubland Alliance
Juglans major Shrubland Alliance
Juglans microcarpa Shrubland Alliance
Physocarpus malvaceus Shrubland Alliance
Potentilla fruticosa Shrubland Alliance
Quercus gambelii Shrubland Alliance
Quercus undulata Shrubland Alliance
Rhus aromatica Shrubland Alliance
Rhus glabra Shrubland Alliance
Rhus virens var. choriophylla Shrubland Alliance
Ribes cereum Shrubland Alliance
Robinia neomexicana Shrubland Alliance
Rubus parviflorus Shrubland Alliance
Spiraea douglasii Shrubland Alliance
Symphoricarpos albus Shrubland Alliance
IV.B.2.b Subalpine or subpolar deciduous shrubland
(e.g., willow, alder)
WEST
Rhamnus alnifolia Shrubland Alliance
Salix brachycarpa Shrubland Alliance
Salix glauca Shrubland Alliance
Salix pseudomonticola Shrubland Alliance
Vaccinium spp. caespitosum-scoparium Shrubland Alliance
IV.B.2.c Deciduous seasonally/temporarily flooded shrubland
EAST
Alnus (incana, serrulata) Shrubland Alliance
Betula nigra Shrubland Alliance
Salix nigra Shrubland Alliance
SOUTHEAST
Alnus serrulata Seasonally/temporarily Flooded Shrubland Alliance
Salix caroliniana Shrubland Alliance
MIDWEST
Salix spp. (S. exigua) Shrubland Alliance
Salix spp. Shrubland Alliance Shrub Prairie
WEST
Alnus incana Shrubland Alliance
Alnus oblongifolia Shrubland Alliance
Alnus sinuata Shrubland Alliance
Alnus spp. Shrubland Alliance
Baccharis sarothroides Shrubland Alliance
Betula occidentalis Shrubland Alliance
Celtis reticulata Shrubland Alliance
Chilopsis linearis Shrubland Alliance
Cornus sericea Shrubland Alliance
Crataegus succulenta Shrubland Alliance
Forestiera pubescens Shrubland Alliance
Hymenoclea monogyra Shrubland Alliance
Philadelphus lewisii Shrubland Alliance
Physocarpus malvaceus Shrubland Alliance
Prunus virginiana Shrubland Alliance
Ribes lacustre Shrubland Alliance
Rosa woodsii Shrubland Alliance
Salix bebbiana Shrubland Alliance
Salix boothii Shrubland Alliance
Salix candida Shrubland Alliance
Salix commutata Shrubland Alliance
Salix drummondiana Shrubland Alliance
Salix eastwoodiae Shrubland Alliance
Salix exigua Shrubland Alliance
Salix geyeriana Shrubland Alliance
Salix hookeriana Shrubland Alliance
Salix irrorata Shrubland Alliance
Salix lasiandra Shrubland Alliance
Salix lasiolepis Shrubland Alliance
Salix ligulifolia Shrubland Alliance
Salix lutea Shrubland Alliance
Salix monticola Shrubland Alliance
Salix planifolia Shrubland Alliance
Salix rigida Shrubland Alliance
Shepherdia argentea Shrubland Alliance
Symphoricarpos occidentalis Shrubland Alliance
IV.B.2.d Deciduous seasonally flooded/saturated shrubland
(e.g., blueberry-azalea thickets)
MIDWEST
Alnus incana Shrubland Alliance
Alnus serrulata Shrubland Alliance
Salix bebbiana Shrubland Alliance
Salix spp. -Cornus sericea Shrubland Alliance
WEST
Betula occidentalis Shrubland Alliance
Salix wolfii Shrubland Alliance
IV.B.2.e Deciduous saturated shrubland
(e.g. on peat)
SOUTHEAST
Alnus serrulata Saturated Shrubland Alliance
Asimina triloba Shrubland Alliance
MIDWEST
Cornus spp.- Rhus spp.- Vaccinium spp. Saturated Shrubland Alliance
Cornus spp.- Salix spp. Saturated Shrubland Alliance
Salix spp.- Betula pumila Shrubland Alliance
WEST
Salix brachycarpa Shrubland Alliance
Salix geyeriana Shrubland Alliance
Vaccinium occidentale Shrubland Alliance
Vaccinium uliginosum Shrubland Alliance
IV.B.2.f Deciduous semipermanently flooded shrubland (e.g., butonbush thickets)
EAST
Cephalanthus occidentalis Shrubland Alliance
Cornus (sericea/amomum)-Pentaphylloides floribunda Shrublands (Shrub fens):
see Pentaphylloides floribunda-Carex spp. Sparse Shrubland Alliance
Decodon verticillatus Shrubland Alliance
Vaccinium corymbosum Shrubland Alliance
SOUTHEAST
Cephalanthus occidentalis Shrubland Alliance
MIDWEST
Cephalanthus occidentalis Shrubland Alliance
IV.B.2.g Saltwater-tidal irregularly flooded shrubland (e.g., high tide bush)
EAST
Baccharis halimifolia-Iva frutescens Shrubland Alliance
IV.B.3.* Freshwater-tidal irregularly flooded shrubland
EAST
Alnus (incana, serrulata)-Cornus amomum Shrubland Alliance
IV.B.3. EXTREMELY XEROMORPHIC DECIDUOUS SHRUBLAND
IV.B.3.a Deciduous subdesert shrubland without succulents
WEST
Acacia neovernicosa Shrubland Alliance
Eriogonum corymbosum Shrubland Alliance
Grayia spinosa Shrubland Alliance
Psorothamnus polydenius var. polydenius Shrubland Alliance
Rhus microphylla Shrubland Alliance
Sarcobatus vermiculatus Shrubland Alliance
Sarcobatus vermiculatus var. baileyi Shrubland Alliance
IV.B.3.* Deciduous seasonally/temporarily flooded subdesert Shrubland
WEST
Acacia greggii Shrubland Alliance
Sarcobatus vermiculatus Wetland Shrubland Alliance
IV.C. MIXED EVERGREEN-DECIDUOUS SHRUBLAND (SCRUB)
IV.C.1. MIXED EVERGREEN - DROUGHT-DECIDUOUS SHRUBLAND
IV.C.2. MIXED EVERGREEN - COLD-DECIDUOUS SHRUBLAND
IV.C.2.* Mixed evergreen - cold-deciduous shrubland
SOUTHEAST
Gaylussacia brachycera-Vaccinium arboreum Shrubland Alliance
IV.C.3. EXTREMELY XEROMORPHIC MIXED EVERGREEN - DECIDUOUS SHRUBLAND
IV.C.3.a Deciduous subdesert shrubland with succulents
(e.g., palo verde)
WEST
Cercidium floridum Shrubland Alliance
Cercidium microphyllum Shrubland Alliance
Fouquieria splendens Shrubland Alliance
Lycium berlandieri Shrubland Alliance
Prosopis glandulosa Shrubland Alliance
Prosopis pubescens Shrubland Alliance
Prosopis velutina Shrubland Alliance
IV.C.3.b Facultatively deciduous subdesert shrubland
(e.g., saltbush)
WEST
Aloysia wrightii Shrubland Alliance
Atriplex canescens Shrubland Alliance
Atriplex confertifolia Shrubland Alliance
Atriplex cuneata Shrubland Alliance
Atriplex hymenelytra Shrubland Alliance
Atriplex polycarpa Shrubland Alliance
Ceratoides lanata Shrubland Alliance
Chrysothamnus albidus Shrubland Alliance
Chrysothamnus nauseosus Shrubland Alliance
Chrysothamnys parryi Shrubland Alliance
Coleogyne ramosissima Shrubland Alliance
Encelia virginensis Shrubland Alliance
Flourensia cernua Shrubland Alliance
Poliomintha incana Shrubland Alliance
IV.C.3.c Mixed evergreen - deciduous subdesert shrubland
V. SPARSE SHRUBLAND (SCRUB)
V.A. EVERGREEN SPARSE SHRUBLAND (SCRUB)
V.A.1. BROAD-LEAVED EVERGREEN SPARSE SHRUBLAND WITH A DOMINANT HERBACEOUS STRATUM
V.A.1.a Broad-leaved evergreen sparse shrubland with tall graminoids
WEST
Yucca glauca Sparse Shrubland Alliance
V.A.1.b Broad-leaved evergreen sparse shrubland with medium tall graminoids
(including tuft shrubs)
WEST
Purshia tridentata Sparse Shrubland Alliance
Yucca glauca Sparse Shrubland Alliance
SOUTHEAST
Kalmia latifolia/Schizachyrium scoparium Sparse Shrubland Alliance
Serenoa repens Upland Sparse Shrubland Alliance
V.A.1.c Broad-leaved evergreen sparse shrubland with short graminoids
WEST
Bouteloua eriopoda Sparse Shrubland Alliance
Carex Stenophylla Sparse Shrubland Alliance
Eriogonum spp. Sparse Shrubland Alliance
V.A.1.d Broad-leaved evergreen saturated sparse shrubland with tall graminoids
V.A.1.e Broad-leaved evergreen saturated sparse shrubland with medium tall graminoids
SOUTHEAST
Ilex (glabra, coriacea) Sparse Shrubland Alliance
V.A.2. NEEDLE-LEAVED EVERGREEN SPARSE SHRUBLAND WITH A DOMINANT HERBACEOUS STRATUM
V.A.2.a Needle-leaved evergreen sparse shrubland with medium tall graminoids
WEST
Muhlenbergia Setifolia Sparse Shrubland Alliance
Sporobolus Cryptandrus Sparse Shrubland Alliance
Sporobolus nealleyi Sparse Shrubland Alliance
V.A.2.* Cold-deciduous Sparse Shrubland with Tall Graminoids
WEST
Leymus cinereus Sparse Shrubland Alliance
V.A.3. MICROPHYLLOUS EVERGREEN SPARSE SHRUBLAND WITH A DOMINANT HERBACEOUS STRATUM
V.A.3.a Microphyllous evergreen sparse shrubland with tall graminoids
WEST
Artemisia tridentata Sparse Shrubland Alliance
V.A.3.b Microphyllous evergreen sparse shrubland with medium tall graminoids
WEST
Artemisia longifolia Sparse Shrubland Alliance
Artemisia tridentata Sparse Shrubland Alliance
Artemisia tridentata ssp. vaseyana Sparse Shrubland Alliance
Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis Sparse Shrubland Alliance
Artemisia tripartita Sparse Shrubland Alliance
Artemisia tripartita ssp. rupicola Sparse Shrubland Alliance
Hilaria mutica Sparse Shrubland Alliance
Hilaria rigida Sparse Shrubland Alliance
Muhlenbergia setfolia Sparse Shrubland Alliance
Sporobolus cryptandrus Sparse Shrubland Alliance
Sporobolus nealleyi Sparse Shrubland Alliance
V.A.3.c Microphyllous evergreen sparse shrubland with short graminoids
WEST
Artemisia tridentata ssp. wyomingensis Sparse Shrubland Alliance
Bouteloua eriopoda Sparse Shrubland Alliance
Bouteloua gracilis Sparse Shrubland Alliance
V.A.3.d Tropical alpine evergreen tuft plant sparse shrubland with short bunch graminoids
(e.g., Paramo)
V.A.3.e Tropical or subtropical alpine evergreen sparse shrubland with short bunch graminoids
(e.g., Puna)
V.A.4. EXTREMELY XEROMORPHIC EVERGREEN SPARSE SHRUBLAND WITH A DOMINANT HERBACEOUS STRATUM
V.A.4.a Evergreen sparse shrubland with medium tall graminoids (e.g. Larrea
tridentata/Hilaria mutica)
V.B. DECIDUOUS SPARSE SHRUBLAND (scrub)
V.B.1. DROUGHT-DECIDUOUS SPARSE SHRUBLAND WITH A DOMINANT HERBACEOUS STRATUM
V.B.1.a Drought-deciduous thorny sparse shrubland with medium tall graminoids
(grasses may be 1>m - needs review)
EAST
Myrica pensylvanica-Schizachyrium scoparium Sparse Shrubland
WEST
Prosopis glandulosa Sparse Shrubland Alliance
V.B.1.b Drought-deciduous thorny sparse shrubland with short graminoids
V.B.2. COLD-DECIDUOUS SPARSE SHRUBLAND WITH A DOMINANT HERBACEOUS STRATUM
V.B.2.a Cold-deciduous sparse shrubland with tall graminoids
MIDWEST
Corylus americana-(Rubus spp.) Sparse Shrubland Alliance
Populus tremuloides-Quercus spp. Sparse Shrubland Alliance
WEST
Artemisia filifolia Sparse Shrubland Alliance
Rhus aromatica Sparse Shrubland Alliance
V.B.2.b Cold-deciduous sparse shrubland with medium tall graminoids
MIDWEST
Rhus aromatica Sparse Shrubland Alliance?
Sarcobatus vermiculatus Sparse Shrubland Alliance
Yucca glauca Sparse Shrubland Alliance
WEST
Artemisia cana Sparse Shrubland Alliance
Artemisia cana ssp. cana Sparse Shrubland Alliance
Artemisia filifolia Sparse Shrubland Alliance
Cercocarpus montanus Sparse Shrubland Alliance
Chrysothamnus viscidiflorus Sparse Shrubland Alliance
Festuca idahoensis Sparse Shrubland Alliance
Potentilla fruticosa Sparse Shrubland Alliance
Rhus aromatica Sparse Shrubland Alliance
Rhus glabra Sparse Shrubland Alliance
Sarcobatus vermiculatus Sparse Shrubland Alliance
V.B.2.c Cold-deciduous sparse shrubland with short graminoids
WEST
Artemisia cana Sparse Shrubland Alliance
V.B.2.d Cold-deciduous saturated sparse shrubland with medium tall graminoids
(e.g., shrub/herb fen)
EAST
Alnus serrulata/Sanguisorba canadense Sparse Shrubland Alliance
Chamaedaphne calyculata-Carex lasiocarpa Sparse shrubland Alliance
Pentaphylloides floribunda-Carex (flava, interior, sterilis, lasiocarpa) Sparse Shrubland Alliance
Physocarpus opulifolius-Calamagrostis canadensis Sparse Shrubland Alliance
SOUTHEAST
Alnus serrulata/Carex crinita Sparse Shrubland Alliance
MIDWEST
Alnus serrulata/Carex crinita Sparse Shrubland Alliance
Pentaphylloides floribunda-Carex spp. Sparse Shrubland Alliance
Salix petiolaris-Carex spp. Sparse Shrubland Alliance
V.B.2.* Cold-deciduous saturated sparse shrubland with tall graminoids
SOUTHEAST
Myrica cerifera Sparse Wetland Shrubland Alliance
Physocarpus opulifolius/Calamagrostis canadensis Sparse Shrubland Alliance
V.B.3. COLD-DECIDUOUS SPARSE SHRUBLAND WITH A SPARSELY VEGETATED GROUND LAYER
V.B.3.a Cold-deciduous sparse shrubland on rocky substrate
EAST
Kalmia latifolia-Schizachyrium scoparium-Helianthemum bicknellii Sparse Shrubland Alliance
V.B.4. EXTREMELY XEROMOROPHIC EVERGREEN SPARSE SHRUBLAND
(LOWER STRATA UNDEFINED)
V.C. MIXED EVERGREEN-DECIDUOUS SPARSE SHRUBLAND (SCRUB)
V.C.1. MIXED EVERGREEN - DROUGHT-DECIDUOUS SPARSE SHRUBLAND WITH A DOMINANT HERBACEOUS STRATUM
V.C.2. BROAD-LEAVED SEMI-EVERGREEN SPARSE SHRUBLAND WITH A DOMINANT HERBACEOUS STRATUM
V.C.2.a Broad-leaved semi-evergreen sparse shrubland with tall graminoids
V.C.2.b Broad-leaved semi-evergreen sparse shrubland with medium tall graminoids
V.C.2.c Broad-leaved semi-evergreen sparse shrubland with short graminoids
WEST
Chrysothamnus nauseosus Sparse Shrubland Alliance
V.C.3. EXTREMELY XEROMORPHIC MIXED EVERGREEN - DECIDUOUS SPARSE SHRUBLAND
VI. DWARF SHRUBLAND (DWARF-SCRUB)
VI.A. EVERGREEN DWARF SHRUBLAND (DWARF-SCRUB)
VI.A.1. NEEDLE-LEAVED AND MICROPHYLLOUS EVERGREEN DWARF-SHRUBLAND
VI.A.1.a Needle-leaved and microphyllous evergreen caespitose dwarf-shrubland
(e.g., alpine azalea)
WEST
Ambrosia dumosa Dwarf-Shrubland Alliance
VI.A.1.b Needle-leaved and microphyllous evergreen creeping or matted dwarf-shrubland
EAST
Hudsonia (tomentosa, ericoides) Dwarf Shrubland Alliance
MIDWEST
Juniperus horizontalis Dwarf-Shrubland Alliance
WEST
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi Dwarf-Shrubland Alliance
Juniperus horizontalis Dwarf-Shrubland Alliance
VI.A.1.c Needle-leaved and microphyllous evergreen cushion dwarf-shrubland
WEST
Cassiope mertensiana Dwarf-Shrubland Alliance
Empetrum nigrum Dwarf-Shrubland Alliance
Eriogonum ovalifolium var. depressum Dwarf-Shrubland Alliance
Phyllodoce empetriformis Dwarf-Shrubland Alliance
Phyllodoce glanduliflora Dwarf-Shrubland Alliance
VI.A.1.d Needle-leaved and microphyllous evergreen caespitose saturated dwarf-shrubland
(e.g., dwarf shrub bogs)
MIDWEST
Chamaedaphne calyculata-Andromeda glaucophylla Dwarf-Shrubland Alliance
VI.A.1.e Needle-leaved and microphyllous evergreen creeping or matted saturated dwarf-shrubland
VI.A.1.* Needle-leaved and microphyllous evergreen cushion saturated dwarf-shrubland
WEST
Kalmia microphylla Dwarf-Shrubland Alliance
VI.A.1.* Broad-leaved evergreen dwarf shrubland
VI.A.1.* Broad-leaved evergreen saturated dwarf shrubland
EAST
Chamaedaphne calyculata Dwarf Shrub Alliance
VI.A.2. EXTREMELY XEROMORPHIC EVERGREEN DWARF-SHRUBLAND
VI.A.2.a Evergreen subdesert dwarf-shrubland
WEST
Artemisia pygmaea Dwarf-Shrubland Alliance
VI.B. DECIDUOUS DWARF-SHRUBLAND
VI.B.1. DROUGHT-DECIDUOUS DWARF-SHRUBLAND
VI.B.1.a Drought-deciduous caespitose dwarf-shrubland
VI.B.1.b Drought-deciduous creeping or matted dwarf-shrubland
VI.B.1.c Drought-deciduous cushion dwarf-shrubland
VI.B.2. COLD-DECIDUOUS DWARF-SHRUBLAND
VI.B.2.a Cold-deciduous caespitose dwarf-shrubland
(Diapensia lapponica dwarf-shrubland see Carex bigelowii-Juncus trifidus Herbaceous Alliance)
Vaccinium (myrtilloides, vacillans, angustifolium) Dwarf-Shrubland Alliance
WEST
Baccharis pilularis Dwarf-Shrubland Alliance
Vaccinium deliciosum Dwarf-Shrubland Alliance
Vaccinium membranaceum Dwarf-Shrubland Alliance
VI.B.2.b Cold-deciduous creeping or matted dwarf-shrubland
WEST
Salix arctica Dwarf-Shrubland Alliance
Salix cascadensis Dwarf-Shrubland Alliance
Salix nivalis Dwarf-Shrubland Alliance
Salix reticulata Dwarf-Shrubland Alliance
VI.B.2.c Cold-deciduous cushion dwarf-shrubland
VI.B.2.d Cold-deciduous saturated dwarf-shrubland
EAST
Gaylussacia baccata (dumosa) Dwarf-Shrubland Alliance
Vaccinium macrocarpon Dwarf-Shrubland Alliance
Vaccinium uliginosum Dwarf-Shrubland Alliance
VI.B.3. EXTREMELY XEROMORPHIC DECIDUOUS DWARF-SHRUBLAND
VI.B.3.a Deciduous subdesert dwarf-shrubland without succulents
WEST
Artemisia pedatifida Dwarf-Shrubland Alliance
Artemisia spinescens Dwarf-Shrubland Alliance
Salvia dorrii Dwarf-Shrubland Alliance
VI.C. MIXED EVERGREEN-DECIDUOUS DWARF-SHRUBLAND (DWARF SCRUB)
VI.C.1. MIXED EVERGREEN - DROUGHT-DECIDUOUS DWARF-SHRUBLAND
VI.C.1.a Facultatively drought-deciduous dwarf-shrubland
VI.C.1.b Mixed evergreen - cold-deciduous dwarf-shrubland
VI.C.2. MIXED EVERGREEN- COLD-DECIDUOUS DWARF-SHRUBLAND
VI.C.2.a Mixed evergreen - cold-deciduous dwarf-shrubland
VI.C.3. EXTREMELY XEROMORPHIC MIXED EVERGREEN - DECIDUOUS DWARF-SHRUBLAND
VI.C.3.a Deciduous subdesert dwarf-shrubland with succulents
VI.C.3.b Facultatively deciduous subdesert dwarf-shrubland
WEST
Atriplex corrugata Dwarf-Shrubland Alliance
Atriplex gardneri Dwarf-Shrubland Alliance
Atriplex obovata Dwarf-Shrubland Alliance
Eriogonum sphaerocephalum Dwarf-Shrubland Alliance
Eriogonum thymoides Dwarf-Shrubland Alliance
VI.C.3.c Mixed evergreen - deciduous subdesert shrubland
VI.A.3.* Microphyllous evergreen saturated dwarf-shrubland
EAST
Empetrum nigrum Dwarf Shrub Alliance
VII. SPARSE DWARF-SHRUBLAND (SPARSE DWARF-SCRUB)
VII.A. EVERGREEN SPARSE DWARF-SHRUBLAND (SPARSE DWARF-SHRUB)
VII.A.1. NEEDLE-LEAVED AND MICROPHYLLOUS EVERGREEN SPARSE DWARF-SHRUBLAND WITH A DOMINANT HERBACEOUS STRATUM
VII.A.1.a Needle-leaved or microphyllous evergreen sparse dwarf-shrubland with medium tall graminoids
WEST
Artemisia arbuscula Sparse Dwarf-Shrubland Alliance
Artemisia longiloba Sparse Dwarf-Shrubland Alliance
Artemisia nova Sparse Dwarf-Shrubland Alliance
Artemisia pedatifida Sparse Dwarf-Shrubland Alliance
Artemisia rigida Sparse Dwarf-Shrubland Alliance
VII.A.1.b Needle-leaved or microphyllous evergreen sparse dwarf-shrubland with short bunch graminoids
(e.g., Puna of Oruru Bolivia)
VII.A.1.c Temperate or subpolar alpine and subalpine needle-leaved or microphyllous evergreen sparse dwarf-shrub meadows
VII.A.1.d Needle-leaved or microphyllous evergreen seasonally flooded/saturated sparse dwarf-shrubland with short bunch graminoids
(e.g., mixed shrub/sedge tussock tundra)
VII.A.2 NEEDLE-LEAVED AND MICROPHYLLOUS EVERGREEN SPARSEDWARF-SHRUBLAND WITH A DOMINANT NON-VASCULAR STRATUM
VII.A.2.a Needle-leaved or microphyllous evergreen caespitose saturated sparse dwarf-shrubland
VII.A.2.b Needle-leaved or microphyllous evergreen creeping or matted saturated sparse dwarf-shrubland
VII.A.2.c Needle-leaved or microphyllous sparse dwarf-shrubland with lichens (wetland?)
VII.A.3 NEEDLE-LEAVED AND MICROPHYLLOUS EVERGREEN SPARSE DWARF-SHRUBLAND WITH A SPARSELY VEGETATED STRATUM
VII.A.3.a Needle-leaved or microphyllous evergreen sparse dwarf-shrubland with rocky cover
(e.g., alpine)
VII.A.3.b Needle-leaved or microphyllous evergreen intermittently flooded sparse dwarf-shrubland on semi-arid alluvial substrate
VII.A.* Broad-leaved evergreen sparse dwarf-shrubland with a dominant herbaceous stratum
VII.A.*. Broad-leaved evergreen sparse dwarf shrubland with medium-tall graminoids
SOUTHEAST
Sibbaldiopsis tridentata/Danthonia compressa Sparse Dwarf Shrubland Alliance
VII.B. DECIDUOUS SPARSE DWARF-SHRUBLAND (SPARSE DWARF-SCRUB)
VII.B.1. DROUGHT-DECIDUOUS SPARSE DWARF-SHRUBLAND WITH A DOMINANT HERBACEOUS STRATUM
VII.B.1.a Drought deciduous sparse dwarf-shrubland with medium tall graminoids
(e.g., Artemisia pedatafida)
VII.B.2. COLD-DECIDUOUS SPARSE DWARF-SHRUBLAND WITH A DOMINANT HERBACEOUS STRATUM
VII.B.2.a Cold-deciduous seasonally flooded/saturated sparse dwarf-shrubland with graminoids (height?)
(e.g., sedge tundra)
VII.B.3. EXTREMELY XEROMORPHIC DECIDUOUS SPARSE DWARF-SHRUBLAND (LOWER STRATA UNDEFINED)
VII.C. MIXED EVERGREEN - DECIDUOUS SPARSE DWARF-SHRUBLAND (SCRUB)
VII.C.1 MIXED EVERGREEN - DROUGHT-DECIDUOUS SPARSE DWARF-SHRUBLAND WITH A DOMINANT HERBACEOUS STRATUM
VII.C.1.a Facultatively drought-deciduous sparse dwarf-shrubland
(herbaceous strata undefined)
VII.C.2 MIXED EVERGREEN - COLD-DECIDUOUS SPARSE DWARF-SHRUBLAND WITH A DOMINANT HERBACEOUS STRATUM
VIII. HERBACEOUS
VIII.A. TALL GRASSLAND (GRAMINOIDS)
VIII.A.1. TROPICAL AND SUBTROPICAL TALL GRASSLAND
(graminoids can be >2m)
VIII.A.1.a Tropical and subtropical tall grassland
VIII.A.1.b Tropical and subtropical seasonally flooded tall grassland
VIII.A.1.c Tropical and subtropical semipermanently flooded tall grassland
(e.g., Everglades)
SOUTHEAST
Cladium mariscus ssp. jamaicense Herbaceous Alliance
VIII.A.2. TEMPERATE (AND SUBPOLAR?) TALL GRASSLAND
VIII.A.2.a Dense tall grassland (>60% cover)
(including sod or mixed sod-bunch graminoids; e.g., tallgrass prairie)
EAST
Andropogon geradii-Sorgastrum nutans Herbaceous Alliance
SOUTHEAST
Andropogon gerardii-Sorghastrum nutans Herbaceous Alliance
Andropogon gerardii-Panicum virgatum Herbaceous Alliance
Schizachyrium scoparium-Andropogon glomeratus Herbaceous Alliance
Schizachyrium scoparium-Sorghastrum nutans Herbaceous Alliance
Sporobolus silveanus Herbaceous Alliance
Tripsacum dactyloides-Panicum virgatum Upland Herbaceous Alliance
MIDWEST
Andropogon gerardii-Panicum virgatum Herbaceous Alliance
Andropogon gerardii-(Sorghastrum nutans) Herbaceous Alliance
Andropogon hallii Herbaceous Alliance
Calamovilfa longifolia Herbaceous Alliance
Schizachyrium scoparium-Sorghastrum nutans Herbaceous Alliance
WEST
Andropogon gerardii-(Sorghastrum nutans) Herbaceous Alliance
Andropogon hallii Herbaceous Alliance
Calamovilfa longifolia Herbaceous Alliance
VIII.A.2.b Open tall grassland (< 60% cover)
(including sod or mixed sod-bunch graminoids)
VIII.A.2.c Tall bunch grassland
WEST
Leymus cinereus Herbaceous Alliance
Panicum virgatum Herbaceous Alliance
Sporobolus wrightii Herbaceous Alliance
VIII.A.2.d Seasonally/temporarily flooded tall grassland
(e.g., low prairie, meadow)
EAST
Calamagrostis canadensis-Phalaris arundinacea Herbaceous Alliance
Juncus balticus Herbaceous Alliance
SOUTHEAST
Carex trichocarpa-Lysimachia quadriflora-Lythrum alatum Herbaceous Alliance
Carex walteriana Seasonally/temporarily Flooded Herbaceous Alliance
Panicum hemitomon Herbaceous Alliance
Spartina pectinata Herbaceous Alliance
MIDWEST
Calamagrostis spp.- Carex spp. Herbaceous Alliance
Carex lacustris-Carex atherodes Herbaceous Alliance
Cyperus spp. Herbaceous Alliance?
Phalaris arundinacea Herbaceous Alliance
Polygonus spp.- Echinochloa spp.- Distichlis stricta Herbaceous Alliance
Scirpus spp.- Typha spp.- Juncus spp. Herbaceous Alliance
Spartina pectinata-Carex spp.-Calamagrostis spp. Herbaceous Alliance
WEST
Phalaris arundinacea Herbaceous Alliance
Phragmites australis Herbaceous Alliance
Spartina pectinata Herbaceous Alliance
VIII.A.2.e Semipermanently flooded tall grassland (e.g., cattail marsh)
EAST
Typha latifolia Herbaceous Alliance
Scirpus spp. Herbaceous Alliance
Scirpus (robustus/maritimus) Herbaceous Alliance
SOUTHEAST
Phragmites australis Herbaceous Alliance
Scirpus spp.- Typha spp.- Sparganium spp.- Juncus spp. Herbaceous Alliance
Typha latifolia Herbaceous Alliance
MIDWEST
Phragmites australis Herbaceous Alliance
Scirpus acutus-S. validus Herbaceous Alliance
Scirpus maritimus-S. acutus-S. fluviatilis Herbaceous Alliance
Scirpus spp.- Typha spp.- Sparganium spp.- Juncus spp. Herbaceous Alliance
Typha spp. Herbaceous Alliance
Zizania spp. (aquatica, palustris) Herbaceous Alliance
VIII.A.2.f Saturated tall grassland
SOUTHEAST
Carex interior-Carex lurida Herbaceous Alliance
Carex walteriana Saturated Herbaceous Alliance
Ctenium aromaticum-Muhlenbergia capillaris var. trichopodes Herbaceous Alliance
MIDWEST
Andropogon gerardii-Carex spp. Herbaceous Alliance
Calamagrostis canadensis-Carex Wide-Leaved spp. (lacustris-stricta) Herbaceous Alliance
Typha spp. Herbaceous Alliance
VIII.A.2 g Brackish-tidal regularly flooded tall grassland
EAST
Typha angustifolia-Hibiscus palustris Herbaceous Alliance
Spartina cynosuroides Herbaceous Alliance
Phragmites australis Herbaceous Alliance
Spartina alterniflora-Lilaeopsis chinensis Herbaceous Alliance
VIII.A.2.h Freshwater-tidal regularly flooded tall grassland
EAST
Zizania aquatica Herbaceous Alliance
VIII.A.2.i Saltwater-tidal regularly flooded tall grassland
(e.g., big cordgrass marsh)
EAST
Spartina alterniflora Herbaceous Alliance
SOUTHEAST
Juncus roemerianus Saline Herbaceous Alliance
Spartina alterniflora Herbaceous Alliance
VIII.A.2.* Brackish-tidal irregularly flooded tall grassland
SOUTHEAST
Juncus roemerianus Brackish/Intermediate Herbaceous Alliance
Spartina patens-Juncus roemerianus Brackish Herbaceous Alliance
VIII.B. MEDIUM TALL GRASSLAND (graminoids)
VIII.B.1. TROPICAL AND SUBTROPICAL MEDIUM TALL GRASSLAND
VIII.B.2. TEMPERATE AND SUBPOLAR MEDIUM TALL GRASSLAND
VIII.B.2.a Dense medium tall grassland (>60% cover)
(including sod or mixed sod-bunch graminoids; e.g., mixed grass prairie)
MIDWEST
Elymus lanceolatus (Agropyron dasystachyum)-Koeleria macrantha Herbaceous Alliance
Festuca scabrella Herbaceous Alliance
Muhlenbergia cuspidata Herbaceous Alliance?
Pascopyrum (Agropyron) Smithii-Stipa comata Herbaceous Alliance
Poa spp.- Sporobolus spp. Montane Herbaceous Alliance?
Schizachyrium scoparium-Boutelous curtipendula Herbaceous Alliance
Schizachyrium scoparium-Sporobolus cryptandrus-Cyperus schweinitzii Herbaceous Alliance
Sporobolus heterolepis Herbaceous Alliance
Stipa comata-Bouteloua gracilis Herbaceous Alliance
Stipa curtiseta-Elymus lanceolatus (Agropyron dasystachyum) Herbaceous Alliance
VIII.B.2.b Open medium tall grassland (< 60% cover)
(including sod or mixed sod-bunch graminoids; e.g., glades and dune grasslands)
EAST
Dactylis glomerata-Rumex acetosella Herbaceous Alliance
Danthonia compressa Herbaceous Alliance
Ammophila breviligulata Herbaceous Alliance
SOUTHEAST
Schizachyrium scoparium-(Aristida spp.) Herbaceous Alliance
Schizachyrium scoparium-Bouteloua curtipendula Herbaceous Alliance
Schizachyrium scoparium-Sporobolus (asper-heterolepis) Herbaceous Alliance
Sporobolus flexuosus Herbaceous Alliance
MIDWEST
Schizachurium scoparium-(Aristida spp.) Herbaceous Alliance
Schizachyrium scoparium-Bouteloua curtipendula-(Ophioglossum engelmannii) Herbaceous Alliance
WEST
Agrostis stolonifera Herbaceous Alliance
Calamagrostis canadensis Herbaceous Alliance
Elymus glaucus Herbaceous Alliance
Elymus hirsutus Herbaceous Alliance
Festuca rubra Herbaceous Alliance
Glyceria borealis Herbaceous Alliance
Panicum obtusum Herbaceous Alliance
Pascopyrum smithii Herbaceous Alliance
VIII.B.2.c Medium tall bunch grassland
WEST
Aristida longiseta Herbaceous Alliance
Bouteloua curtipendula Herbaceous Alliance
Carex hoodii Herbaceous Alliance
Danthonia californica Herbaceous Alliance
Festuca arizonica Herbaceous Alliance
Festuca idahoensis Herbaceous Alliance
Festuca scabrella Herbaceous Alliance
Festuca thurberi Herbaceous Alliance
Festuca viridula Herbaceous Alliance
Hilaria mutica Herbaceous Alliance
Leymus ambiguus Herbaceous Alliance
Muhlenbergia emersleyi Herbaceous Alliance
Muhlenbergia montana Herbaceous Alliance
Oryzopsis hymenoides Herbaceous Alliance
Panicum bulbosum Herbaceous Alliance
Poa cusickii Herbaceous Alliance
Poa nervosa Herbaceous Alliance
Poa nevadensis Herbaceous Alliance
Poa palustris Herbaceous Alliance
Pseudoroegneria spicata Herbaceous Alliance
Schizachurium scoparium Herbaceous Alliance
Sporobolus airoides Herbaceous Alliance
Sporobolus flexuosus Herbaceous Alliance
Sporobolus nealleyi Herbaceous Alliance
Stipa comata Herbaceous Alliance
Stipa nelsonii Herbaceous Alliance
Stipa neomexicana Herbaceous Alliance
Stipa richardsonii Herbaceous Alliance
Stipa viridula Herbaceous Alliance
VIII.B.2.d Seasonally/temporarily flooded medium tall grassland
EAST
Carex striata Herbaceous Alliance
Carex stricta Herbaceous Alliance
Cladium mariscoides Herbaceous Alliance
Deschampsia cespitosa Herbaceous Alliance
Dulichium arundinaceum Herbaceous Alliance
Rhynchospora macrostachya Herbaceous Alliance
Sporobolus heterolepis-Eleocharis compressa Herbaceous Alliance
SOUTHEAST
Carex torta Herbaceous Alliance
MIDWEST
Carex stricta-Carex spp. (aquatilis, rostrata) Herbaceous Alliance
Eleocharis melanocarpa-Rhynchospora macrostachya Herbaceous Alliance
Distichlis spicata-(Hordeum jubatum) Herbaceous Alliance
Salicornia rubra Herbaceous Alliance
Scirpus maritimus Herbaceous Alliance
WEST
Agrostis scabra Herbaceous Alliance
Deschampsia cespitosa Herbaceous Alliance
Leymus triticoides Herbaceous Alliance
Panicum bulbosum Herbaceous Wetland Alliance
Spartina gracilis Herbaceous Alliance
Sporobolus airoides Wetland Herbaceous Alliance
Sporobolus flexuosus Wetland Herbaceous Alliance
VIII.B.2.e Semipermanently flooded medium tall grassland (e.g., sedge meadows)
MIDWEST
Carex crinita-Osmunda spp.- Sphagnum spp. Herbaceous Alliance
Carex interior-Carex lurida Herbaceous Alliance?
Carex lanuginosa-(C. nebrascensis)-Scirpus spp. Herbaceous Alliance
Carex oligosperma-C. lasiocarpa Herbaceous Alliance
WEST
Carex rostrata Herbaceous Alliance
Scirpus americanus Herbaceous Alliance
Scirpus pungens Herbaceous Alliance
VIII.B.2.f Saturated medium tall grassland (e.g., fens, seeps)
SOUTHEAST
Cladium mariscoides Herbaceous Alliance
Rhynchospora gracilenta Herbaceous Alliance
VIII.B.2.g Saltwater-tidal regularly flooded medium tall grasslands
(e.g., saltwater cordgrass)
EAST
Panicum virgatum Herbaceous Alliance
VIII.B.2.h Brackish-tidal regularly flooded medium tall grassland
(e.g., black needle rush)
VIII.B.3. POLAR MEDIUM TALL GRASSLAND
VIII.B.3.a Saturated medium tall grassland with non-vascular plants
(e.g., sedge/moss tundra)
VIII.C. SHORT GRASSLAND (GRAMINOIDS)
VIII.C.1. TROPICAL AND SUBTROPICAL SHORT GRASSLAND
VIII.C.1.a Tropical alpine short bunch grassland
(e.g., Super-paramo)
VIII.C.1.b Tropical or subtropical (wetland) short grassland
VIII.C.2. TEMPERATE AND SUBPOLAR SHORT GRASSLAND
VIII.C.2.a Dense short grassland (>60% cover)
(including sod or mixed sod-bunch graminoids, e.g., short grass prairie)
MIDWEST
Bouteloua gracilis-Buchloe dactyloides Herbaceous Alliance
VIII.C.2.b Open short grassland (< 60% cover)
(including sod or mixed sod-bunch graminoids)
WEST
(Agropyron caninum)-Festuca rubra-(Koeleria macrantha) Herbaceous Alliance
Agropyron dasystachyum Herbaceous Alliance
Bouteloua eriopoda Herbaceous Alliance
Bouteloua gracilis Herbaceous Alliance
Bouteloua hirsuta Herbaceous Alliance
Carex douglasii Herbaceous Alliance
Hilaria jamesii Herbaceous Alliance
Muhlenbergia filiculmis Herbaceous Alliance
Poa secunda Herbaceous Alliance
VIII.C.2.c Short bunch grassland
WEST
Carex straminiformis Herbaceous Alliance
Danthonia intermedia Herbaceous Alliance
Danthonia parryi Herbaceous Alliance
Puccinellia nuttalliana Herbaceous Alliance
Stipa lemmonii Herbaceous Alliance
VIII.C.2.d Alpine and subalpine meadows rich in forbs
WEST
Carex aperta Herbaceous Alliance
Carex aquatilis Herbaceous Alliance
Carex breweri Herbaceous Alliance
Carex buxbaumii Herbaceous Alliance
Carex capitata Herbaceous Alliance
Festuca ovina Herbaceous Alliance
VIII.C.2.e Saltwater-tidal irregularly flooded short grassland
(e.g., salt meadows)
EAST
Spartina patens Herbaceous Alliance
VIII.C.2.* Alpine and subalpine short grassland
EAST
Carex bigelowii-Juncus trifidus Alliance
Scirpus cespitosus Herbaceous Alliance
VIII.C.2.* Saturated short grassland
WEST
Carex microptera Herbaceous Alliance
Carex saxatilis Herbaceous Alliance
Distichlis spicata var. stricta-(Hordeum jubatum) Herbaceous Alliance
Hordeum jubatum Herbaceous Alliance
Muhlenbergia asperifolia Herbaceous Alliance
VIII.C.3. POLAR SHORT GRASSLAND
VIII.C.3.a Polar dense short grassland (>60% cover)
(including sod or mixed sod-bunch grassland; e.g., spd grass tundra)
VIII.C.3.b Polar short bunch grassland
(e.g. Eriophorum tussok tundra)
VIII.C.3.c Polar seasonally flooded/saturated dense short grassland
VIII.C.3.d Polar seasonally flooded/saturated short bunch grassland
VIII.D. TALL FORB VEGETATION
VIII.D.1. PERENNIAL TALL FORB VEGETATION
(dominated by perennial plants)
VIII.D.1.a Perennial tall forb vegetation
(e.g., tall forb meadows, Utah mountains)
MIDWEST
Pteridiub aquilinum-Bromus kalmii Herbaceous Alliance
VIII.D.1.b Tall fern thickets
VIII.D.1.c Semipermanently flooded perennial tall forb vegetation
MIDWEST
Justicia americana Herbaceous Alliance?? Temporary Pond
VIII.D.1.d Saturated perennial tall forb vegetation
MIDWEST
Symplocarpus foetidus-Caltha palustris Herbaceous Alliance
VIII.D.1.e Saltwater-tidal semipermanently flooded perennial tall forb vegetation
VIII.D.2. ANNUAL TALL FORB VEGETATION
(DOMINATED BY ANNUAL SPECIES)
VIII.E. LOW FORB VEGETATION
VIII.E.1. PERENNIAL LOW FORB VEGETATION
(dominated by perennial plans)
VIII.E.1.a Perennial low forb vegetation
(e.g., Aleutian forb meadows)
EAST
Phlox subulata-Solidago simplex Herbaceous Alliance
SOUTHEAST
Bigelowia nuttallii Herbaceous Alliance
VIII.E.1.b Saltwater-tidal semipermanently flooded perennial low forb vegetation
(e.g., Salicornia saltpan)
VIII.E.1.c Seasonally flooded perennial low forb vegetation
(e.g., pond shores)
VIII.E.1.* Freshwater tidal regularly flooded perennial forb vegetation
EAST
Pontederia cordata-Peltandra virginica Herbaceous Alliance
Eriocaulon parkeri Herbaceous Alliance
VIII.E.1.* Saltwater tidal regularly/irregularly flooded low perennial forb vegetation
EAST
Salicornia-Spartina alterniflora (short form) Herbaceous Alliance
Cakile edentula Herbaceous Alliance
VIII.E.1.* Brackish tidal regularly/irregularly flooded low perennial forb vegetation
EAST
Amaranthus cannabinus Herbaceous Alliance
VIII.E.1.* Saturated perennial short forb vegetation
SOUTHEAST
Vittaria appalachiana Herbaceous Alliance
VIII.E.2. ANNUAL LOW FORB VEGETATION (dominated by annual species)
VIII.E.2.a Tropical and subtropical ephemeral annual low forb vegetation
VIII.E.2.b Desert or subdesert ephemeral or episodic annual low forb vegetation
VIII.E.2.c Intermittently exposed annual low forb vegetation
VIII.E.2.* Seasonally flooded annual low forb vegetation
EAST
Gratiola aurea-Rhexia virginica Herbaceous Alliance
Eleocharis robbinsii-Proserpinaca pectinata Herbaceous Alliance
Tofieldia glutinosa-Spiranthes spp. Herbaceous Alliance
Chysosplenium americanum-Nasturtium officinale Herbaceous Alliance
VIII.F. HYDROMORPHIC ROOTED VEGETATION
VIII.F.1. TROPICAL AND SUBTROPICAL HYDROMORPHIC ROOTED VEGETATION WITHOUT SEASONAL CONTRASTS
VIII.F.2.* Freshwater hydromorphic rooted vegetation
EAST
Nuphar lutea Herbaceous Alliance
Potamogeton perfoliatus-Vallisneria americana Herbaceous Alliance
VIII.F.2.* Tidal saltwater (polyhaline) permanently flooded hydromorphic vegetation
EAST
Zostera marina Herbaceous Alliance
Ruppia maritima Herbaceous Alliance
Potamogeton pectinatus-Zannichellia palustris Herbaceous Alliance
VIII.F.2. TEMPERATE, SUBPOLAR AND POLAR HYDROMORPHIC ROOTED VEGETATION WITH SEASONAL CONTRASTS
MIDWEST
Nelumbo spp.- Nymphaea spp. Herbaceous Alliance
Potamoegton spp.- Ceratophyllum spp.- Elodea spp. Herbaceous Alliance
Ruppia maritima Herbaceous Alliance
Vallisneria americana Herbaceous Alliance?
VIII.F.2.x Temperate hydromorphic rooted vegetation with seasonal contrasts
SOUTHEAST
Eichhornia crasipes Herbaceous Alliance
IX. SPARSELY VEGETATED/NON-VASCULAR
IX.A. SPARSELY VEGETATED CONSOLIDATED ROCKS (cliff and pavement)
IX.A.1. SPARSELY VEGETATED CLIFFS
IX.A.1.a Cliffs with chasmophytic vegetation. Plant rooting in fissures of rocks or walls
IX.A.1.b Cliffs with adnate Bromeliaceae (neotropical)
IX.A.1.c Cliffs with sparse to dense non-vascular mats
MIDWEST
Open Bluff/Cliff
Rock Outcrop
Shaded Inland Bluff/Cliff
Wet Cliff
IX.A.2. SPARSELY VEGETATED PAVEMENT
IX.A.2.a Pavement with chasmophytic vegetation in fissures of rock
IX.A.2.b Pavement with sparse to dense non-vascular mats
MIDWEST
Open Pavement
IX.B. SPARSELY VEGETATED GRAVEL, COBBLE, ROCKS
IX.B.1. COBBLE/GRAVEL ROCKS
IX.B.1.a Cobble/gravel beach
MIDWEST
Cobble/Gravel Shore
Gravel Wash
IX.B.1.b Cobble/gravel pavement
IX.C. SPARSELY VEGETATED SCREES AND TALUS
IX.C.1. SPARSELY VEGETATED SCREES
IX.C.1.a Lowland and submontane scree
WEST
Artemisia tridentata Sparsely Vegetated Alliance
IX.C.1.b Montane scree
WEST
Abies concolor Sparsely Vegetated Alliance
Pinus contorta Sparsely Vegetated Alliance
Pinus flexilis Sparsely Vegetated Alliance
Pinus ponderosa Sparsely Vegetated Alliance
Populus tremuloides Sparsely Vegetated Alliance
Pseudotsuga menziesii Sparsely Vegetated Alliance
IX.C.1.c High mountain scree
WEST
Abies lasiocarpa Sparsely Vegetated Alliance
Picea engelmannii Sparsely Vegetated Alliance
Pinus aristata Sparsely Vegetated Alliance
Rubus idaeus var. sachalinensis Sparsely Vegetated Alliance
IX.C.2. SPARSELY VEGETATED TALUS
IX.C.2.a Lowland and submontane talus
IX.C.2.b Mountain talus
WEST
Carex foenea Sparsely Vegetated Alliance
Ribes montigenum Sparsely Vegetated Alliance
IX.D. SPARSELY VEGETATED SAND ACCUMULATIONS
IX.D.1. SPARSELY VEGETATED SAND DUNES
IX.D.1.a Tall-grass dune
MIDWEST
Ammophila breviligulata Sparsely Vegetated Alliance
IX.D.1.b Short-grass dune
WEST
Elymus mollis-Poa macrantha Sparsely Vegetated Alliance
Festuca rubra Sparsely Vegetated Alliance
IX.D.1.c Forb dune
(possibily existing)
MIDWEST
Cakile Edentula Sparsely Vegetated Alliance
Inland Strand Beach
IX.D.1.d Shrub dune
WEST
Ambrosia dumosa Sparsely Vegetated Alliance
Sarcobatus vermiculatus Sparsely Vegetated Alliance
IX.D.1.* Medium tall grass dune
WEST
Elymus flavescens Sparsely Vegetated Alliance
Juncus falcatus Sparsely Vegetated Alliance
Oryzopsis hymenoides Sparsely Vegetated Dune Alliance
Schizachurium scoparium var. neomexicanum Sparsely Vegetated Alliance
IX.D.2. BARE SAND DUNES
IX.D.2.a Shifting dunes in desert climate
IX.D.2.b Shifting dunes in forest climate
IX.D.3. SAND FLATS
MIDWEST
Sand Flat
IX.E. TRUE DESERTS
(vegetation largely absent)
IX.F. SPARSELY VEGETATED MUD FLATS AND ERODING SLOPES
IX.F.1. SPARSELY VEGETATED MUD FLATS
IX.F.1.a (wetland, non-tidal) mud flat
MIDWEST
Mud Flat
IX.F.1.b Saltwater-tidal regularly flooded mud flat
IX.F.1.c Brackish-tidal regularly flooded mud flat
IX.F.1.d Freshwater-tidal regularly flooded mud flat
IX.F.2. ERODING SLOPES
IX.F.2.a Lake/river bluff eroding slope
MIDWEST
Small Eroding Cliffs/Banks
Eroding Clay Slopes
IX.F.2.b Large eroding slope
(e.g., Badlands)
MIDWEST
Large Eroding Cliffs
WEST
Oryzopsis hymenoides Sparsely Vegetated Alliance
X.A.1.* Cliffs with chasmophytic vegetation--Plants rooting in fissures of rocks or walls
SOUTHEAST
Celtis tenuifolia-Rhus aromatica Sparsely Vegetated/Nonvascular Alliance
Sedum nuttallianum Sparsely Vegetated/Nonvascular Alliance
X.D.3.* Saltwater tidal irregularly flooded sand flats
SOUTHEAST
Salicornia bigelovii-Salicornia virginica Sparsely Vegetated/Nonvascular Alliance
11.2 Examples of Community Descriptions
Quercus alba-Carya ovata/(Ostrya virginiana) Forest
COMMON NAME White oak-Shagbark hickory/(Ironwood) Forest
SYNONYM White oak-Hickory Forest
TNC SYSTEM Terrestrial
PHYSIOGNOMIC CLASS Forest
PHYSIOGNOMIC SUBCLASS Deciduous forest
FORMATION GROUP Cold-deciduous forest
FORMATION Lowland and submontane broad-leaved cold-deciduous forest
ALLIANCE Quercus alba-Quercus rubra-(Carya ovata) Forest
CLASSIFICATION CONFIDENCE LEVEL 2
RANGE
This community is found in E Kansas, SE Nebraska, W Iowa, and N Missouri. In Nebraska, it is
most abundant on the bluffs of the Missouri River as far north as Omaha. It occurs on flat
uplands in central Iowa and along the lower courses of tributaries of the Missouri River, such
as the Nemaha River, Platte River, and Weeping Water Creek. In the extreme SE corner of the
state, it may extend as far as 35 km west of the Missouri River on uplands; this distance
gradually decreases as one moves north.
ENVIRONMENTAL DESCRIPTION
Quercus alba-(Carya ovata)/(Ostrya virginiana) Forest occurs on gentle to moderately steep
slopes on uplands and on steep valley sides. In Iowa, this type is typically found on flat
uplands. This community does not flood or have saturated soils. Soils are silt, clay, or loam,
moderately deep to deep, and somewhat poorly drained to well drained. The parent material is
loess, glacial till, limestone, shale, or sandstone.
USFWS WETLAND SYSTEM Not applicable.
STRATA MOST ABUNDANT SPECIES
Tree canopy Carya cordiformis, Carya ovata, Ostrya virginiana, Quercus alba,
Quercus rubra, Quercus velutina, Tilia americana
Short shrub Ribes spp., Symphoricarpos orbiculatus
Herbaceous Information not available.
DIAGNOSTIC SPECIES
Carya ovata, Ostrya virginiana, Quercus alba, Ribes spp., Symphoricarpos orbiculatus
VEGETATION DESCRIPTION
This is a mesic forest community with a tall deciduous tree canopy and a poorly developed sub-
canopy. Short shrub and herbaceous layers are well developed. Short shrub species present in
Nebraska communities include Ribes spp. and Symphoricarpos orbiculatus. Among the
herbaceous species present in Nebraska communities are Aquilegia canadensis, Arnoglossum
atriplicifolium, Caulophyllum thalictroides, Dicentra cucullaria, Laportea canadensis, Smilax
tamnoides, and Verbena urticifolia. Near the more xeric bluff tops this community is more open
with a great abundance of shrubby plants. In Nebraska, this type is dominated by Quercus
velutina and Carya ovata, and Quercus alba is at its western range limit. Weaver (1965)
described this type as a Quercus velutina-Carya ovata community. In Iowa, the absence of
Carpinus caroliniana could be used to separate this type from Quercus alba dominated stands in
e.g. Ledges State Park (Johnson-Groh 1985).
OTHER NOTEWORTHY SPECIES Information not available.
CONSERVATION RANK G2/G3
RANK JUSTIFICATION
Many sites have been cleared or degraded by overgrazing.
COMMENTS
Many eastern oak-hickory forest species reach their northern and western distributional limit
in this community type.
REFERENCES
Clausen, M., M. Fritz, and G. Steinauer. 1989. The Nebraska Natural Heritage Program: Two
Year Progress Report. Nebraska Natural Heritage Program, Lincoln, NE. 154 pp.
Johnson-Groh, C. 1985. Vegetation Communities of Ledges State Park, Boone County, Iowa.
Proceedings of the Iowa Academy of Science 92(4): 129-136.
Lauver, C. L. 1989. Preliminary Classification of the Natural Communities of Kansas. Kansas
Natural Heritage Program, Lawrence, KS. 21 pp.
The Nature Conservancy (TNC). 1991a. Kansas State Community Abstract - Eastern Upland
Forest, Midwest Regional Office, Minneapolis, MN.
The Nature Conservancy (TNC). 1991b. Nebraska State Community Abstract - Southeastern
Upland Forest, Midwest Regional Office, Minneapolis, MN.
Weaver, J. E. 1965. Native Vegetation of Nebraska. University of Nebraska Press, Lincoln,
Nebraska. 185 pp.
Pinus banksiana/Aronia melanocarpa-Xanthoparmelia spp. Woodland
COMMON NAME Jack pine/Black chokeberry/Lichen Woodland
SYNONYM Sandstone pavement barren
TNC SYSTEM Terrestrial
PHYSIOGNOMIC CLASS Woodland
PHYSIOGNOMIC SUBCLASS Evergreen woodland
FORMATION GROUP Needle-leaved evergreen woodland
FORMATION Needle-leaved evergreen woodland with rounded crowns
ALLIANCE Pinus (banksiana, resinosa, ridiga) Woodland
CLASSIFICATION CONFIDENCE LEVEL 2
RANGE
This community type is known only from the northernmost counties of New York and southern
Quebec. Its distribution outside of this range is not well known and similar communities may
occur in Ontario, Minnesota and Iowa.
ENVIRONMENTAL DESCRIPTION
The Pinus banksiana/Aronia melanocarpa-Xanthoparmelia spp. Woodland occurs on very
shallow soils over sandstone bedrock. It is best developed where the bedrock forms a nearly
level pavement.
USFWS WETLAND SYSTEM Not applicable.
STRATA MOST ABUNDANT SPECIES
Tree canopy Pinus banksiana
Shrub Vaccinium angustifolium, Gaylussacia baccata
Herbaceous Pteridium aquilinum
Non-vascular Xanthoparmelia spp., Cladonia spp.
DIAGNOSTIC SPECIES
Pinus banksiana, Aronia melanocarpa, Vaccinium angustifolium, Gaylussacia baccata,
Pteridium aquilinum, Cladonia spp., Xanthoparmelia spp.
VEGETATION DESCRIPTION
The dominant tree is generally Pinus banksiana, although Pinus strobus or Pinus resinosa may be
locally dominant at some sites. Other characteristic trees include Acer rubrum, Betula
papyrifera, Quercus rubra and Quercus coccinea. The shrub layer is dominated by heaths including
Vaccinium angustifolium, Gaylussacia baccata, as well as Aronia melanocarpa and Comptonia
peregrina. The groundcover includes several lichens and mosses which may form a continuous
cover in some areas. Characteristic lichens include Cladonia spp., Cladina spp., Sterocaulon sp.
and Xanthoparmelia sp.; characteristic mosses include Polytrichum spp. and Pleurozium
schreberi. Herbs including Pteridium aquilinum, Gaultheria procumbens, Danthonia spicata and
Deschampsia flexuosa are scattered throughout.
OTHER NOTEWORTHY SPECIES Information not available.
CONSERVATION RANK G2
RANK JUSTIFICATION
This community type is found in a restricted range and has few occurrences.
COMMENTS
This community is related to jack pine woodlands in Maine and New Hampshire and also to acidic
rock outcrop communities throughout New England. Floristically, it is quite depauperate, and its
distinctiveness may be partially a function of the lichen flora. Comparable information is not
yet available for many similar types.
REFERENCES
Coles, J.J. 1990. By fire and ice: the evolution of an unusual landscape. Unpublished MS thesis,
University of Vermont, Burlington.
Franzi, D.A. and K.B. Adams. 1993. The Altona flat rock jack pine barrens: a legacy of fire and
ice. Vermont Geology 7:43-61.
Reschke, C. 1990. Ecological Communities of New York State. New York Natural Heritage
Program. N.Y.S. Department of Environmental Conservation. Latham, N.Y. 96 pp.
Stergas, R.L. and K.B. Adams. 1989. Jack pine barrens in northeastern New York: postfire
macronutriemt concentrations, heat content, and understory biomass. Can. J. Forest Research
19:904-910.
New York Natural Heritage Program field survey forms, Dept. of Environmental Conservation,
Latham, New York.
Pinus serotina/Arundinaria gigantea Sparse Woodland
COMMON NAME Pond Pine/Giant Cane Sparse Woodland
SYNONYM Peatland Canebrake
TNC SYSTEM Terrestrial
PHYSIOGNOMIC CLASS Sparse Woodland
PHYSIOGNOMIC SUBCLASS Evergreen sparse woodland
FORMATION GROUP Needle-leaved evergreen sparse woodland with a dominant herbaceous
stratum
FORMATION Needle-leaved evergreen sparse wetland woodland with tall graminoids
ALLIANCE Pinus serotina/Arundinaria gigantea Sparse Woodland
CLASSIFICATION CONFIDENCE LEVEL 2
RANGE
The potential range of this community is the mid-Atlantic coastal plain from Virginia to South
Carolina. Occurrences are known from the coastal plain of North Carolina and Virginia.
ENVIRONMENTAL DESCRIPTION
This community occurs on shallow organic soils 10 cm to 100 cm deep, in areas burned at a
frequency of every 3-12 years (Frost 1989). Typically this community is found "around the
periphery of deep peat deposits; where peat feathers out onto mineral soil; in peat-filled
depressions and sloughs in pine barrens; and on upland flats where drainage is poor enough to
permit accumulation of an organic layer thick enough to support the cane rhizome mat" (Frost n.
d.). Soils supporting this type are Histosols, especially Terric Medisaprists and shallow Typic
Medisaprists, and other soils with histic epipedons such as Umbraquults, Ochraquults and
Fluvaquents. It is likely that the soil is saturated throughout most of the winter and spring,
and probably dries in the summer and fall. Organic matter depth, fire frequency, and nutrient
availability are the primary factors controlling vegetation structure and composition in this
community (Frost n. d.)
USFWS WETLAND SYSTEM Palustrine
STRATA MOST ABUNDANT SPECIES
Tree canopy Pinus serotina
Herbaceous Arundinaria gigantea
DIAGNOSTIC SPECIES
Pinus serotina, Arundinaria gigantea, Smilax laurifolia, Rubus hispidus
VEGETATION DESCRIPTION
This community is characterized by a dense stand of Arundinaria gigantea occasionally reaching
9 m to 10 m in height with scattered to fairly dense Pinus serotina. Physiognomy and structure
vary with time since last burn. In areas that burn every 3 to 5 years the appearance of the
community will be that of pure Arundinaria gigantea with, perhaps, scattered Pinus serotina
(Frost 1989). Cover of pocosin shrubs (eg. Ilex glabra, Ilex coriacea, Lyonia lucida, Lyonia
ligustrina, Cyrilla racemiflora, Zenobia pulverulenta, Magnolia virginiana, Aronia arbutifolia)
and Acer rubrum increase with lack of fire and, with greater than 15 years of fire suppression,
these species will overtake the cane.
OTHER NOTEWORTHY SPECIES Information not available.
CONSERVATION RANK G1
RANK JUSTIFICATION
This community is thought to have been common in presettlement times, existing as large, open
tracts. Frost (n. d.) estimates that, prior to european settlement, there were no less than 101,
170 ha of canebrake in southeastern Virginia alone, and that, as of 1989, less than 800 ha
remain in Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Most of the presettlement acreage has
succeeded to pocosin vegetation because of fire exclusion or has been drained and cleared for
agriculture.
COMMENTS
This pyrophytic wetland community is dependant on the maintenance of the natural hydrologic
and fire regime. Stand height, density and species composition vary with organic matter depth,
fire frequency and fertility (Frost 1989). This community may grade into woodlands on mineral
soil dominated by Pinus palustris, Pinus serotina, and/or Pinus taeda. On areas of deeper peat,
this community grades into forests dominated by Chamaecyparis thyoides and into pocosin
shrublands.
This community, or one similar to it, may be present in southern Georgia and in Florida (S.
Orzell, pers. comm).
REFERENCES
Frost, C. C. 1989. History and status of remnant pocosin, canebrake and white cedar wetlands in
Virginia. Unpubl. rep. Virg. Dep. Conserv. and Recreation, Div. Nat. Her. Richmond.
Frost, C. C. n. d. Presettlement vegetation of the Albemarle-Pamlico region, North Carolina.
Draft of Ph.D. diss. Univ. of N. C., Chapel Hill.
Heineke, T. E. 1987. The flora and plant communities of the middle Mississippi River Valley.
Ph.D. diss. South. Ill. Univ., Carbondale. 653 pp.
Hughes, R. H. 1966. Fire ecology of canebrakes. Proc. Tall Timbers Fire Ecol. Conf. 5:149-158.
Meanley, B. 1972. Swamps, river bottoms and canebrakes. Barre Publishing, Barre, Mass. 142
pp.
Orzell, S. 1994. Personal communication. Fla. Game and Freshwater Fish Comm., Nongame
Wildl. Prog., Nat. Areas Inv. Tallahassee.
Sanguisorba canadensis-Parnassia grandifolia-Helenium brevifolium Shrubland
COMMON NAME American burnet-Big leaved grass of parnassus-Few headed
sneezeweed Shrubland
SYNONYM Oligotrophic saturated scrub
TNC SYSTEM Terrestrial
PHYSIOGNOMIC CLASS Shrubland
PHYSIOGNOMIC SUBCLASS Deciduous shrubland
FORMATION GROUP Cold-deciduous shrubland
FORMATION Deciduous seasonally/temporarily flooded shrubland
ALLIANCE Alnus serrulata/Sanguisorba canadensis Shrubland
CLASSIFICATION CONFIDENCE LEVEL 2
RANGE
Apparently restricted to western Virginia in Grayson and Carrol counties. A similar type of
vegetation occurs on Bluff Mountain in North Carolina.
ENVIRONMENTAL DESCRIPTION
All known occurrences are in seepage areas underlain by hornblende, gabbro or gniessic bedrock
at elevations ranging from about 2400 ft. to 3500 ft.
USFWS WETLAND SYSTEM Palustrine
STRATA MOST ABUNDANT SPECIES
Tall shrub Alnus serrulata, Rosa palustris
Herbaceous Cladium mariscoides
DIAGNOSTIC SPECIES
Alnus serrulata, Sanguisorba canadensis, Parnassia grandifolia, Carex atlantica, Helenium
brevifolium, Solidago uliginosa, Vaccinium macrocarpon, Ranunculus caroliniana,
Rhynchospora capitellata, Muhlenbergia glomerata, Calopogon tuberosa, Cladium mariscoides.
VEGETATION DESCRIPTION
This community has a mixed physiognomy ranging from shrub thicket to herbaceous. In general it
occurs as a shrubland of Alnus serrulata, Spirea latifolia, Spirea tomentosa and Lyonia
ligustrina. Typically there are a few scattered individuals of Pinus strobus and Acer rubrum but
tree cover rarely reaches 10%. The herbaceous layer is relatively continuous and may be quite
diverse. Herbaceous species include Glyceria striata, Juncus subcaudatus, Osmunda regalis,
Oxypolis rigidior, Viola cucullata, Eleocharis tenuis, Cirsium muticum, Panicum dichotomum,
Hedyotis caerulea, Oenothera perennis, Sanguisorba canadensis, Parnassia grandifolia, Aster
nova-belgii, Carex atlantica, Helenium brevifolium, Solidago uliginosa, Calopogon tuberosus,
Muhlenbergia glomerata, Schizachyrium scoparium, Xyris torta, Panicum virgatum,
Rhynchospora capitellata, Rhynchospora alba, Selaginella apoda.
OTHER NOTEWORTHY SPECIES
The rare species Trillium pusillum and Euphorbia purpurea may occur in this community type.
CONSERVATION RANK G1
RANK JUSTIFICATION
There are very few occurrences in a restricted range.
COMMENTS
This community is floristically related to some of Virginia's mafic woodlands. Generally this
community is less "seepy" and lacks the tree canopy of the woodland types. The species
Calopogon tuberosus, Muhlenbergia glomerata, Schizachyrium scoparium, Xyris torta, Panicum
virgatum, Rhynchospora capitellata, Rhynchospora alba, and Selaginella apoda are probably
differential to this type.
REFERENCES
Virginia Division of Natural Heritage, field survey forms and particularly the draft table
entitled: A classification of seepage wetland vegetation in Virginia based on character-species.
T.J. Rawinski, Virginia Department of Conservation & Recreation, Richmond, VA.
Purshia tridentata/Stipa comata Sparse Shrubland
COMMON NAME Antelope Bitterbrush/Needle-and-Thread Sparse Shrubland
SYNONYM None
TNC SYSTEM Terrestrial
PHYSIOGNOMIC CLASS Sparse Shrubland
PHYSIOGNOMIC SUBCLASS Mixed evergreen-deciduous sparse shrubland
FORMATION GROUP Broad-leaved semi-evergreen sparse shrubland with a
dominant herbaceous stratum
FORMATION Broad-leaved semi-evergreen sparse shrubland with medium
tall grasses
ALLIANCE Purshia tridentata Sparse Shrubland
CONFIDENCE LEVEL 1
RANGE
The Purshia tridentata/Stipa comata sparse shrubland is found in the Columbia Basin and
Okanogan Valley east-central and southeastern Washington, northeastern Oregon and into
western Idaho. Occurrences are known from Douglas, Franklin and Grant Counties, Washington;
Morrow County, Oregon; and Ada and Payette Counties, Idaho.
ENVIRONMENTAL DESCRIPTION
The Purshia tridentata/Stipa comata association occurs in the Columbia Basin, a downwarped,
basalt-floored region. Loess is thick in some portions of the region, and alluvial deposits of
variable parent materials are patchy along streams and rivers. Thick mantles of sands from
periodically glacially-dammed lakes cover some portions of the region. In other areas, valleys
and canyons (coulees) have been deeply scoured into the basalt by glacial flooding.
The climate of the region is characterized by a mix of continental and maritime influences. It
is in the rain shadow of the Cascades, with annual precipitation between 22.8 cm and 50.8 cm.
Between 55% and 75% of the precipitation falls during October through March as snow,
and summers are typically dry. Summer temperatures can be hot and winters are typically cold.
This association occurs on flats to gentle slopes of old sand dunes, from 500 ft. to 1300 ft.
elevation. It often occurs in a patchwork with sand dunes and sandy Palouse grasslands. The
soils are deep, infertile sands.
USFWS WETLAND SYSTEM Not applicable.
STRATA MOST ABUNDANT SPECIES
Short shrub Purshia tridentata
Herbaceous Stipa comata, Poa secunda var. secunda
Non-vascular Information not available.
DIAGNOSTIC SPECIES
Purshia tridentata, Stipa comata
VEGETATION DESCRIPTION
The broad-leaved, semi-evergreen shrub, Purshia tridentata, is scattered (averaging 20% cover)
over an herbaceous layer dominated by the 0.5 m tall perennial bunchgrass Stipa comata
(averaging greater than 50% cover). The evergreen, microphyllous shrubs, Chrysothamnus
nauseosus and C. viscidiflorus are occasionally present, and increase in cover with disturbance.
Another bunchgrass, Poa secunda var. secunda forms a lower graminoid layer, with 20% to 50%
cover. Other locally abundant perennial grasses include Oryzopsis hymenoides, Koeleria
macrantha and Elymus lanceolatus. The most constant perennial forb is Lithophragma glabrum.
A cryptogammic layer is well-developed in the most undisturbed stands.
OTHER NOTEWORTHY SPECIES
The introduced annual grass, Bromus tectorum, and annual forb, Plantago patagonica, are
invaders and increasers in stands of this association disturbed by grazing.
CONSERVATION RANK G2
RANK JUSTIFICATION
This association occurs on an unusual substrate. Additionally, most stands have been converted
to circle irrigation croplands, or to cheatgrass-dominated stands, as this type is very
sensitive to grazing. Most stands in Oregon have been converted to a Bromus tectorum-
dominated vegetation type.
COMMENTS
This association is similar to the Purshia tridentata-Artemisia frigida/Stipa comata association
described for the north-central Colorado by Hess (1981). However, this Pacific Northwest type
occurs on old, stabilized sand dunes and has a differing florisitc component from the Colorado
association.
REFERENCES
Daubenmire, R. 1970. Steppe vegetation of Washington. Washington Agricultural Experiment
Station, Technical Bulletin 62. 131 pp.
Poulton, C.E. 1955. Ecology of the non-forested vegetation in Umatilla and Morrow Counties,
Oregon. Ph.D. Dissertation, Washington State University, Pullman, WA. 166 pp.
Dryas integrifolia/Carex spp. Dwarf Shrubland
COMMON NAME Alpine Avens/Sedge Dwarf Shrubland
SYNONYM None
TNC SYSTEM Terrestrial
PHYSIOGNOMIC CLASS Dwarf-shrubland
PHYSIOGNOMIC SUBCLASS Evergreen dwarf-shrubland
FORMATION GROUP Needle-leaved and microphyllous evergreen dwarf-shrubland
FORMATION Needle-leaved and microphyllous evergreen creeping or
matted dwarf-shrubland
ALLIANCE Dryas integrifolia Dwarf Shrubland
CLASSIFICATION CONFIDENCE LEVEL 1
RANGE
This association is known only from the alpine area of the Big Snowy Mountains of central
Montana.
ENVIRONMENTAL DESCRIPTION
This plant association occurs from 7550 ft. to 8850 ft. elevation in the alpine of an isolated
mountain range (separated from the main crest of the Rockies by 240 km). The climate is unusual
in that there is a distinct summer peak of precipitation and a winter minimum. Summers are cool
and winters cold.
The geologic substrate is Madison limestone, and has formed a gentle topography of low relief.
The limestone is very resistant to chemical erosion but is mechanically fractured and has been
shaped into numerous frost-patterning phenomena.
Soils are very shallow, alkaline and cobbly, with carbonate accumulations in the lower horizons
and high clay content. The surface is covered with a 5 cm - 18 cm deep layer of small gravel and
rock fragments, overlying small ridges of soil. The top soil horizon is characterized by organic
enrichment (26% organic matter). The soils are unstable and in a constant state of change due to
the action of frost.
USFWS WETLAND SYSTEM Not applicable.
STRATA MOST ABUNDANT SPECIES
Short shrub Dryas integrifolia
Herbaceous Carex rupestris, Carex pseudoscirpoidea, Bistorta vivipara
DIAGNOSTIC SPECIES
Dryas integrifolia, Aquilegia jonesii
VEGETATION DESCRIPTION
This is an alpine tundra association dominated by the low, mat-forming evergreen shrub Dryas
integrifolia and the perennial sedge Carex rupestris. The mats of Dryas and Carex occur within a
matrix of active frost-patterned bare soil, cobbles and rocks. Most other species occurring in
this association are found within these Dryas mats. In addition to the abundant or constant
species, the perennials Aquilegia jonesii, Physaria didymocarpa, Sedum rosea and Saxifraga
oppositifolia grow scattered in the rock rubble covering the soil. Richness is relatively low
compared to other Rocky Mountain alpine tundras.
OTHER NOTEWORTHY SPECIES Information not available.
CONSERVATION RANK G2
RANK JUSTIFICATION
Known only from a small alpine area of 607 ha, this association is, however, not threatened by
any known development activities.
COMMENTS
Dryas integrifolia occurs primarily in Canada and Alaska, with only a few populations occurring
in the continental US (Montana and reportedly New Hampshire).
REFERENCES
Bamberg, S.A. and J. Major. 1968. Ecology of the vegetation and soils associated with calcareous
parent materials in three alpine regions of Montana. Ecological Monographs 38:127-167.
Atriplex obovata/Sporobolus airoides-Sporobolus cryptandrus Sparse Dwarf Shrubland
COMMON NAME New Mexico Saltbush/Alkali Sacaton-Sand Dropseed
Sparse Dwarf Shrubland
SYNONYM None
TNC SYSTEM Terrestrial
PHYSIOGNOMIC CLASS Sparse Dwarf-Shrubland
PHYSIOGNOMIC SUBCLASS Evergreen sparse dwarf-shrubland
FORMATION GROUP Needle-leaved and microphyllous evergreen sparse dwarf-
shrubland with a sparsely vegetated stratum
FORMATION Needle-leaved or microphylous evergreen intermittently
flooded sparse dwarf-shrubland on semi-arid alluvial
substrate
ALLIANCE Atriplex obovata Sparse Dwarf Shrubland
CONFIDENCE LEVEL 3
RANGE
The Atriplex obovata/Sporobolus airoides-Sporobolus cryptandrus association is known only
from the upper Rio Puerco watershed of northwestern New Mexico, in Sandoval and McKinley
Counties.
ENVIRONMENTAL DESCRIPTION
The Atriplex obovata/Sporobolus airoides-Sporobolus cryptandrus association occurs in a semi-
arid basin of northwestern New Mexico, between 5400 ft. and 6000 ft. elevation. Annual
precipitation is variable, ranging from 21 cm to 33 cm, with a peak during July through
September. These summer rains are convectional, of short duration and high intensity. Summers
are hot.
This association is found on alluvial flats, with 0-2% slopes and fine textured alluvial parent
materials. Soils are calcareous Typic Torrifluvents, with clay, fine sandy loam, or silty clay
loam textures. Soil depths ranged from 25 to 50 cm, and had little to no rock in the profile.
USFWS WETLAND SYSTEM Not applicable.
STRATA MOST ABUNDANT SPECIES
Short shrub Atriplex obovata
Herbaceous Sporobolous airoides, Hilaria jamesii
DIAGNOSTIC SPECIES
Atriplex obovata, Sporobolous airoides, Sporobolus cryptandrus
VEGETATION DESCRIPTION
This is a sparsely vegetated dwarf shrubland, with total plant cover < 20%. The dwarf, evergreen
shrub Atriplex obovata is the dominant species, with cover ranging from 5% to 20%. Other
shrubs with trace cover include the succulents Opuntia imbricata, O. polyacantha, and the
deciduous dwarf shrub Krascheninnikovia lanata. Several perennial grass species may be present;
Sporobolus airoides is the most constant and abundant, with Sporobolus cryptandrus and Hilaria
jamesia typically present. Total herbaceous cover averages 4% to 6%, with forbs contributing
only trace amounts. Species diversity is very low.
OTHER NOTEWORTHY SPECIES Information not available
CONSERVATION RANK G1
RANK JUSTIFICATION
This association has been described from a small area in northwestern New Mexico. Only 2-4
occurrences known. It occurs in a semi-arid region that has been heavily utilized by livestock,
resulting in permanent degradation of many vegetation types there, including this one.
COMMENTS
Other associations dominated by Atriplex obovata have not been described for the western United
States.
REFERENCES
Francis, R.E. 1986. Phyto-edaphic communities of the upper Rio Puerco watershed, New Mexico.
USDA Forest Service Research Paper RM-272. Rocky Mountain Forest and Range Experiment
Station, Fort Collins, CO. 73 pp.
Andropogon gerardii-Panicum virgatum/(Pycnanthemum virginianum-Solidago ohioensis)
Herbaceous Vegetation
COMMON NAME Big bluestem-Switchgrass/(Mountain mint-Ohio goldenrod)
Herbaceous Vegetation
SYNONYM Lakeplain Wet-mesic Tallgrass Prairie
TNC SYSTEM Terrestrial
PHYSIOGNOMIC CLASS Herbaceous
PHYSIOGNOMIC SUBCLASS Tall grassland
FORMATION GROUP Temperate tall grassland
FORMATION Dense tall grassland (> 60% cover) (including sod or mixed
sod-bunch graminoids)
ALLIANCE Andropogon gerardii-Panicum virgatum Herbaceous
Alliance
CLASSIFICATION CONFIDENCE LEVEL 2
RANGE
This community is found on glacial lakeplain areas in extreme SE Wisconsin (Kenosha county), N
Illinois, N Indiana, S Michigan, S Ontario, and N Ohio.
ENVIRONMENTAL DESCRIPTION
Andropogon gerardii-Panicum virgatum/(Pycnanthemum virginianum-Solidago ohioensis)
Herbaceous Vegetation occurs on level, sandy glacial outwash, sandy glacial lakeplains, and
deposits of dune sand in silty/clayey glacial lake plains. The soils are sands, sandy loams,
loams, or silty clays with poor to moderate water retaining capacity. There may be temporary
inundations after heavy rains or in the spring.
USFWS WETLAND SYSTEM Not applicable.
STRATA MOST ABUNDANT SPECIES
Herbaceous Andropogon gerardii, Carex spp., Panicum virgatum, Schizachyrium
scoparium, Sorghastrum nutans
DIAGNOSTIC SPECIES
Andropogon gerardii, Carex spp., Panicum virgatum, Pedicularis lanceolata, Pycnanthemum
virginianum, Schizachyrium scoparium, Sorghastrum nutans, Solidago ohioensis, Vernonia spp.
VEGETATION DESCRIPTION
The vegetation of this community is dominated by tallgrass species typically 1-2 meters high.
Trees and shrubs are very rare. There is very little bare ground. Andropogon gerardii, Carex
spp., Panicum virgatum, Schizachyrium scoparium, and Sorghastrum nutans are the most abundant
species. Solidago ohioensis is found in both fens and Great Lakes interdunal wetlands as well as
this community. Pycnanthemum virginianum is common in this community but may also occur in
woodlands.
OTHER NOTEWORTHY SPECIES
Disturbed sites may contain considerable amounts of Poa compressa and Agrostis gigantea.
CONSERVATION RANK G2
RANK JUSTIFICATION
This community has nearly been eliminated. Most sites have been converted to cropland.
COMMENTS
This community is similar to other wet and wet-mesic grassland types in its range. One feature
of this community that serves to set it apart from other wet grassland types is the presence of
species typical of fens and interdunal wetlands. Solidago ohioensis is one such species (Pringle
1982). In many cases a Lakeplain Wet-mesic Tallgrass Prairie that is even wetter (dominated by
Spartina pectinata, Calamagrostis canadensis, and Carex spp.) forms a relatively narrow zone
between Wet-Mesic Tallgrass Prairie and marsh. Occasionally this variant can cover 0.5 ha or
more.
REFERENCES
Chapman, K. 1984. An Ecological Investigation of Native Grassland in Southern Lower
Michigan. Master's Thesis, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo.
Faber-Langendoen, D. and P. F. Maycock. 1994. A Vegetation Analysis of Tallgrass Prairie in
Southern Ontario. Proceedings of the Thirteenth North American Prairie Conference, August 6-9,
1992 Windsor, Ontario Canada.
Hanson, P. C. 1981. The Presettlement Vegetation of the Plain of Glacial Lake Chicago in Cook
County, Illinois. In R. L. Stuckey and K. J. Reese eds. Proceedings of the Sixth North American
Prairie Conference. The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio.
Pringle, J. S. 1982. The Distribution of Solidago ohioensis. Michigan Botanist 21(2):51-57.
The Nature Conservancy (TNC). 1991a. Michigan State Community Abstract - Lakeplain Wet-
Mesic Prairie. Midwest Regional Office, Minneapolis, MN.
The Nature Conservancy (TNC). 1991b. Michigan State Community Abstract - Mesic Sand
Prairie. Midwest Regional Office, Minneapolis, MN.
Sedum nuttalianum-Selaginella peruviana (Granitic Outcrop) Sparse Vegetation
COMMON NAME Nuttall's Sedum-Peruvian Spikemoss Sparse Vegetation
SYNONYM Western Acidic Rock Outcrop
TNC SYSTEM Terrestrial
PHYSIOGNOMIC CLASS Sparsely Vegetated
PHYSIOGNOMIC SUBCLASS Sparsely vegetated consolidated rocks
FORMATION GROUP Sparsely vegetated cliffs
FORMATION Cliffs with chasmophytic vegetation--Plants rooting in
fissures of rocks or walls
ALLIANCE Sedum nuttallianum Sparsely Vegetated Alliance
CLASSIFICATION CONFIDENCE LEVEL 2
RANGE
This community occurs on outcrops of granite in Texas and Oklahoma. It is known from
southwestern Oklahoma, in the Wichita Mountains and from central Texas, in the Central Mineral
Region of the Edward's Plateau.
ENVIRONMENTAL DESCRIPTION
This community occurs on gently sloping, exposed massifs of late Precambrian granite. The
dominant substrate is medium to coarse grained rock, with patches of coarse gravel and shallow
accumulations of organic material in narrow crevices and depressions. Low moisture and nutrient
availability are the primary limiting factors for vegetation in this habitat. The climate is
characterized by dry winters, and hot-humid summers, with drought and high temperatures
occurring during the growing season.
USFWS WETLAND SYSTEM Not applicable.
STRATA MOST ABUNDANT SPECIES
Not applicable Sedum nuttalianum, Selaginella peruviana, Selaginella riddellii,
Plantago wrightiana, Cheilanthes lindheimeri, Pellaea ternifolia,
Bouteloua spp., lichens, mosses
DIAGNOSTIC SPECIES
Sedum nuttalianum, Selaginella peruviana, Plantago wrightiana
VEGETATION DESCRIPTION
This community contains large expanses of exposed granite surfaces, with scattered soil-filled
depressions, crevices, gravel areas, and shallow pools. The vegetation is dominated by annuals
and species adapted to drought conditions. Bare rock is occupied by scattered patches of
crustose and foliose lichens, mosses, and several ferns and fern allies including Selaginella
peruviana, Selaginella riddellii, Cheilanthes lindheimeri, Cheilanthes tomentosa, Woodsia
obtusa and Pellaea ternifolia. Typical species that occur in areas where shallow sand or gravel
accumulate include Sedum nuttalianum, Plantago wrightiana, Talinum parviflorum, Helenium amarum,
Campanula reverchonii, Aphanostephus skirrhobasis, Hypericum gentianoides. Areas with
deeper soils are dominated by Schizachyrium scoparium occurring with other grasses such as
Bouteloua hirsuta, Bouteloua curtipendula, and Aristida purpurea. Large crevices that contain
sufficient soil accumulation support woody species characteristic of the surrounding woodland,
including Quercus stellata, Quercus marilandica, and, Carya texana. Narrow. shallow crevices
harbor species tolerant of the most xeric conditions including Echinocereus reichenbachii,
Eriogonum tenellum, and Opuntia leptocaulis.
OTHER NOTEWORTHY SPECIES
Isoetes lithophila is endemic to the central Texas granite outcrops (Wyatt and Walters 1982).
CONSERVATION RANK G2
RANK JUSTIFICATION
This community has a restricted distribution and is threatened by overgrazing and mining.
COMMENTS
Vegetation dynamics in this community are strongly related to the development of a complex soil
depth gradient involving changes in temperature, soil depth, and water holding capacity.
This community has similar microhabitats and shares several common genera with granitic
communities in the eastern Gulf and Atlantic coastal plains. Each of these granitic outcrop
regions have their own endemic suite of granite-outcrop plants. In the western granitic
outcrops, mosses are not as important and the surrounding woodlands are more xeric than in the
eastern types (Uno and Collins 1987). The western granitic outcrop communities are typically
surrounded by dry woodlands dominated by Quercus stellata, Quercus marilandica, and Carya
texana.
REFERENCES
Collins, S. L., G. S. Mitchell, and S. C. Klahr. 1989. Vegetation-environment relationships in a
rock outcrop community in southern Oklahoma. Amer. Midl. Nat. 122:339-348.
Uno, G. E., and S. L. Collins. 1987. Primary succession on granite outcrops of southwestern
Oklahoma. Bull. Torrey Bot. Club 114:387-392.
Walters, T. W., and R. Wyatt. 1982. The vascular flora of granite outcrops in the Central
Mineral Region of Texas. Bull. Torrey Bot. Club 109:344-364.
Whitehouse, E. 1933. Plant succession on central Texas granite. Ecol. 14:391-405.
11.3 List of Hydrological Modifiers
Hydrological modifiers used to identify wetland units at the formation level (adapted from Cowardin et al. 1979). _________________________________________________________________ Tidal Irregularly Exposed -- Land surface is exposed by tides less often than daily; the area from mean low tide to extreme low spring tide. The area on NOS charts from seaward edge of light green (mean low water) to depth contour (often in blue tone) approximately extreme low water. (includes some mangrove and/or bald cypress swamps) Regularly Flooded -- Tidal water alternately floods and exposes the land surface daily, from mean low (lower low on West coast) to mean high (higher high on West coast) tide. (includes cordgrass low marshes) Irregularly Flooded -- Tidal water floods land surface less often than daily. The area must flood by tide at least once yearly as a result of extreme high spring tide plus wind plus flow. The area extends from mean high water inland to the maximum extent of tide plus the splash zone. (includes salt hay meadows) Unknown -- The water regime is not known. Unit is described simply as '(wetland).' Non-Tidal Permanently Flooded -- Water covers land surface at all times of year in all years. (includes many rooted emergent and floating aquatics) Semipermanently Flooded -- Surface water persists throughout the growing season in most years. Land surface is normally saturated when water level drops below soil surface. (includes most bald cypress swamps, marshes) Seasonally/Temporarily Flooded -- Surface water is present during the growing season, but is absent by the end of the growing season in most years. The water table after flooding ceases to be very variable, extending from saturated to a water table well below the ground surface. (includes flood plains and wet meadows) Saturated -- Surface water is seldom present, but substrate is saturated to surface for extended periods during the growing season. (includes bogs and fens) Seasonally flooded/saturated -- The water table remains at or near the soil surface following flooding. Standing water can persist in depressions for much of the growing season; the soils are generally saturated when the water table drops below the soil surface. (includes most wooded swamps) Intermittently flooded -- Substrate is usually exposed, but surface water present for variable periods without detectable seasonal periodicity. This modifier was developed for use in arid Western United States to describe water regimes of playa lakes, and will apply to other areas as well. Inundation is not predictable to a given season and is dependent upon highly localized rain storms. Playa lakes, intermittent streams, and dry washes are only considered to be wetland if they support hydrophytes and/or have hydric soils. Unknown -- The water regime of the area is not known. The unit is simply described as '(wetland).' Salinity/Halinity Modifiers Inland Coastal Tidal Saltwater - >30 ppt Saltwater-tidal Brackish - 0.5-30 ppt Brackish No Equivalent < 0.5 ppt Freshwater
11.4 List of Element Occurrence Record Fields with Brief DescriptionsThe purpose of the Element Occurrence Record for Community Elements is to document and describe occurrences of particular community types on the ground.
KEY: Fields with no designated field type are single value
mv = multivalue field
amv = associated multivalue field
txt = text field
IDENTIFIERS
Element Occurrence Code
Record key code.
STATE Community Code
10 byte Element Code that state is using to track the type.
Field Office Number
Code for the Element assigned by the TNC field office for an EO not yet recorded in the Heritage
database.
Identity
Check-off indicating whether taxonomic identity of the Element has been confirmed, refuted, or
is in question (Y,N,?).
Global Name
TNC Global Community Element name based on Latin name of dominant and diagnostic plant
species.
Common Name
TNC Global Community Element name based on common name of dominant and diagnostic plant
species.
Sub-national Name
Sub-national Element scientific name.
SubNational Common Name
Sub-national Element common name.
Global Rank
Global Element rank.
National Rank
National Element rank.
State Rank
Sub-national Element rank.
EO LOCATION AND FILE DATA
Nation
Nation where EO is located.
Site Code
Code for the Site where the EO is located.
Site Name
Name of Site where EO is located.
Survey Site (mv)
Name of the area surveyed.
Precision
Code to identify precision used to map Element Occurrence (S,M,G,U)
County Code (amv)
Code(s) for county(ies) where EO is located.
County Name (amv)
Name(s) for county(ies) where EO is located.
Local Jurisdiction (mv)
Name(s) of town, township, or borough in which EO is located.
Quad Name (amv)
Name(s) of topographic map quadrangle(s) where EO is located.
Quad Code (amv)
Code(s) for topographic map quadrangle(s).
Margin Number (amv)
Map margin number(s) used to reference EO on map.
Dot Number (amv)
Number on dot used to label EO on map.
Ten Ten (amv)
Ten-Ten coordinated used to roughly located EO on map.
Latitude
Latitude of EO centrum
Longitude
Longitude of EO centrum
North
Latitude of northernmost boundary of the EO
East
Longitude of easternmost boundary of the EO
South
Latitude of southernmost boundary
West
Longitude of westernmost boundary
Township and Range (amv)
Code for township and range rectangular survey location of EO.
Section (amv)
Code for legal section number for the EO centrum.
Township Range & Section Note (amv)
Additional township, range and section details (esp description of specific legal section
divisions).
Meridian (amv)
Legal meridian (2 digits) from which rectangular survey location of EO was based.
Directions (txt)
Precise directions to the EO from prominent landmark on or near site.
Physiographic Province (mv)
Code(s) for physiographic province based on Hammond.
Fenneman's Major Division Number (amv)
Code of Fenneman's Major Division in which the EO is located.
Fenneman's Major Division Name (amv)
Name of Fenneman's Major Division in which the EO is located.
Fenneman's Physiographic Province Number (amv)
Code for Fenneman's physiographic province in which the EO is located.
Fenneman's Physiographic Province Name (amv)
Name of Fenneman's physiographic province in which the EO is located.
Ecoregion Author Number (amv)
Code for author(s) whose ecoregionalization was used to locate the EO, (i.e. Bailey, Omernik,
etc.).
Ecoregion Author Name (amv)
Name for author(s) whose ecoregionalization was used to locate the EO.
Ecoregion Primary Number (amv)
Code for the primary level of the ecoregionalization hierarchy in which the Element is located.
Ecoregion Primary Number (amv)
Name for the primary level of the ecoregionalization hierarchy in which the Element is located.
Ecoregion Secondary Number (amv)
Code for the secondary level of the ecoregionalization hierarchy corresponding to the primary
level chosen in the Ecoregion Primary Number field.
Ecoregion Secondary Name (amv)
Name of the secondary level of the ecoregionalization hierarchy.
Other Regions (txt)
Any other global, national, state, or local locators (Eg. State Ecoregions).
Watershed(mv)
Code for watershed (from USGS Hydrologic unit map) where EO centrum is located.
STATUS
Survey Type (mv)
Code indicating the level of detailed data collected on the EO.
Survey Date
Date of most recent field survey.
Last Observance
Date EO was last observed at site (yyyy-mm-dd)
First Observance
Year EO was first observed at site (yyyy-mm-dd)
Element Occurrence Rank
Rank indicating the quality, condition, viability, and defensibility of the Element Occurrence.
Element Occurrence Rank Date
Date of field survey used to rank the EO (yyyy-mm-dd).
Element Occurrence Rank Comments (txt)
Comments justifying the Element Occurrence Rank assigned.
Contact Identifier (amv)
Code(s) from contacts database for person monitoring EO and any other local residents,
neighbors, etc.
Contact Name (amv)
Name of the contact cited in the Contact Identifier field.
Contact Note (amv)
Brief note explaining the relationship of each Contact listed to the Element Occurrence (e.g.
"monitor", "owner", "neighbor").
ENVIRONMENTAL DATA
Latitude Zone (mv)
Latitudinal zone(s) on which EO occurs.
Minimum Elevation
Minimum elevation of EO.
Maximum Elevation
Maximum elevation of EO. .
Landform (mv)
Landform(s) on which Element is located.
Topographic Position (mv)
Topographic position of the EO on the landscape.
Slope (mv)
Range of slope(s) on which EO is located
Aspect (mv)
Aspect(s) of slope(s) on which EO is located.
Geology Comments (txt)
Comments on geologic substrate and other important geologic features on which the Element
generally occurs.
Soil Type (mv)
Soil type(s) based on any level of taxonomy available: Soil survey map unit, series, great
group, etc. as detailed as existing information allows.
Soil Moisture (mv)
The amount of water available to plants. Based on soil drainage, soil structure and texture,
and climate.
Soil Comments (txt)
Comments on soil properties. Include information on how soil information was collected, a
description of soil texture, stoniness, root penetration, notes on horizon depths, mottling, pH
etc. Comment on the level of taxonomy of soil listed in Soil Type field.
Hydrologic Influence (txt)
Comments on hydrologic influences on the community including: zonation reflecting water level
fluctuations, tidally influenced, permanent or temporary, hydrologic seasonality, standing
water, etc.
Environment Comments (txt)
Summary of environmental conditions associated with the EO, and any additional comments on
important environmental factors.
DESCRIPTION
General Description(txt)
General description of area of the EO. Including information on state/health of the landscape
unit; degree of fragmentation and overall disturbance/conversion; any distinguishing features of
the landscape.
Size
Size of EO in acres.
System
Name for TNC System.
Class
Name of physiognomic class.
Subclass
Name of physiognomic subclass.
Group
Name of formation group.
Formation
Name of formation.
Alliance
Name of alliance.
Leaf Type
Leaf morphology of the dominant strata in the Element.
Leaf Phenology
Leaf phenology of the dominant strata in the Element.
Strata and Lifeform (amv)
Layers of vegetation occurring within the Element.
Percent Cover (amv)
Percent cover of each layer.
Height (amv)
Height of each layer.
Most Abundant Species (amv)
Most abundant (in terms of percent cover) plant species in each layer.
Diagnostic Species (amv)
Diagnostic plant species (dominant, differential, characteristic, or indicator) which are
relatively constant among occurrences of the Element and help to classify it.
Unvegetated Surface (amv)
Description of unvegetated substrate.
Unvegetated Surface Cover (amv)
Percent cover of unvegetated substrate.
Other Species Comments (txt)
Other species found in EO. This may include comments on known endemics or exotics.
Fauna (mv)
Animal species sighted in the EO.
Homogeneity (txt)
Comments indicating the degree of homogeneity of the EO. Describe any heterogeneous features.
Spatial Distribution (txt)
Comments on whether this Element Occurrence is patchy, or one continuous patch on the
landscape.
Adjacent Communities (txt)
Name(s) of communities adjacent to the EO. Comment on their spatial relationship to this
Element Occurrence.
Inclusion Communities (txt)
Name(s) of distinct associations included within the EO (i.e. heath bog within an occurrence of
mixed coniferous forest).
Mosaic Comments (txt)
If the Element Occurrence represents a complex mosaic of sub-associations such as Dune/Swale
communities, or zonal coastal plain pond shores, indication of the scale and pattern of the
components.
Succession and Dynamics Comments (txt)
Comments on vegetation successional stage (early, mid, late) and trend or cycle. Notes on
indicators of successional trends (such as the presence of seedlings/saplings or non-canopy
species). If persistent, indicate as such. Comments on the age structure/size structure of the
community occurrence.
DISTURBANCE
Condition
Code for condition of EO which describes the degree of anthropogenic disturbance to the
community.
Disturbance Comments (txt)
Comments on any natural or anthropogenic disturbance to community. Including overstory and
groundcover disturbances, logging, animal use evidence, erosion, disturbance history (if known)
etc.
INVENTORY, SAMPLING, AND ANALYSIS
Image Reference (amv)
Code of imagery used to identify this EO which is referenced in Source Abstract database.
Image Citation (amv)
Citation corresponding to images listed in Image Reference field.
Roll and Frame Note (amv)
Specific roll and frame numbers or flight-lines for the imagery listed in Image Reference Field.
Annotation (amv)
If polygon has been annotated on imagery, code that is annotated on the image.
Imagery Comments (txt)
Comments on imagery used including level of precision, how EO was transferred from image to
maps, image verification procedures, image classification notes, etc.
Quantitative Method
If quantitative methods were used to collect data on the EO, indication of whether plot or
Plotless techniques were used.
Plot Shape (amv)
If plots used to collect information for this EO, plot shape.
X Dimension (amv)
Length of one side of rectangular plots. For circular plots, he length of the radius. If a
transect was used, enter length. Units should be converted to meters.
Y Dimension (amv)
Length of second side of rectangular plots. Blank for circular plots. For transects, enter a 1.
Plot Area (amv)
Plot area calculated from X Dimension and Y Dimension.
Sample Number (amv)
Number of plots used. If transect used, enter the number of sample points.
Subplot (amv)
Check-off indicating whether plots are subplots of a larger plot? (Y/N)?
Permanent (amv)
Check-off indicating whether any of the plots are permanently marked for future study (Y/N)?
Plot Representativeness (txt)
Comments on the relative representativeness of the sample plots. Describe how well they reflect
the EO as a whole.
Sample Location (txt)
Detailed directions to plot(s). Give global positioning system (GPS) coordinates if available.
Include the precision of the GPS coordinates for the sample.
Plotless Comments(txt)
Description of plotless data collection methods used.
Data Location Note (txt)
Storage location of data collected on the occurrence (manual file location, spreadsheet file
name and location, etc.)
Inventory Comments (txt)
Comments on any other important information collected in the ground survey. What were the
objectives for the inventory? Was a species list collected? Was this a result of a plot
remeasurement? Reason for no plot? etc.
PROTECTION
Managed Area Code (amv)
Managed Area code(s) for the Managed Area(s) where the EO is located.
Managed Area Name (amv)
Name(s) of Managed Area(s) where EO is located.
Managed Area Type (amv)
Code indicating the type of Managed Area (e.g. National Park, Wildlife Refuge, etc.).
Contained (amv)
Check-off indicating whether EO is wholly contained in the Managed Areas listed (Y/N/?).
More Land
Check-off indicating whether more land (ie. additional acreage) needs to be protected (ie. at
least registered) in order to adequately protect the EO (Y/N/?).
More Protection
Check-off indicating whether a higher level of protection is needed (on existing Managed Areas
or protected Tracts) in order to adequately protect the EO (Y/N/?).
More Management
Check-off indicating whether more management effort is needed in order to adequately protect
the EO (Y/N/?).
TNC Involvement
Check-off indicating whether TNC was involved in protection of this EO (Y/N).
Management Comments (txt)
Comments concerning the management of the EO. Describe any known or obvious short- or
long-term threats to the EO and any known economic value(s) associated with this EO.
Protection Comments (txt)
Comments concerning the protection of the EO.
Monitoring Needs (txt)
Comments on monitoring needs for EO.
Research Needs (txt)
Comments on research needs for EO.
OWNERSHIP
Owner (mv)
Name(s) of owner(s) on which EO is located.
Owner Information
Check-off indicating whether additional information on the owner is available (Y/N).
Owner Comments (txt)
Comments concerning the owner(s) of the land where the EO is located.
GENERAL COMMENTS
Comments (txt)
Any general comments about the EO that don't need to be specifically tracked which haven't been
entered in other fields.
DOCUMENTATION
Data Sensitivity
Check-off indicating whether security is needed for sensitive data (Y/N).
Boundaries
Check-off indicating whether the EO boundaries have been delineated on a USGS topo map
(Y/N/?).
Photos
Check-off indicating whether a photo (not imagery) of the EO exists (Y/N).
Best Source (txt)
Name of single best source of information on the EO (person or literature).
Source Code (amv)
List of sourcecodes for sources about the Element from the Source Abstract.
Citation (amv)
Citation from source(s) listed in Source Code field.
Transcriber
Date of original EOR transcription, and initials of transcriber (yy-mm-dd abc).
Mapper
Date EO was mapped on the Heritage Program's quad map and initials of the mapper (yy-mm-dd
abc).
County of Distribution Revised
Check-off indicating whether county of distribution map been revised to reflect location of EO
(Y/N).
Quality Control
Check-off indicating whether a full (2 stage) quality control check has been completed for this
record. (Y/N)
ADDITIONAL TOPICS
Additional Topics (txt)
Specific comments on any significant additional topics concerning the Element Occurrence which
need to be tracked that have not been formally addressed by one of the standard fields in the
record.
Topic Keywords (mv)
List of topics considered in the preceding Additional Topics field.
RECORD MAINTENANCE
Lead Responsibility
Abbreviation for name of the office that is responsible for keeping the data in this record
up-to-date.
Edition
Date (yy-mm-dd) of the current edition of this record (either first completed or comprehensively
revised).
Edition Author
Name of author of current edition of this record.
Update
Date and initials of person to make any revisions to the record, either correction of typos or
comprehensive revisions.
11.5 List of Community Characterization Abstract Fields with Brief DescriptionsThe purpose of the Community Characterization Abstract is to summarize classification and descriptive information on a community type.
KEY: Fields with no designated field type are single value
mv = multivalue field
amv = associated multivalue field
txt = text field
IDENTIFIERS
Element Code
Variable length code for the Element.
Summary
A one paragraph abstract for the Community Element described in this record.
Global Name
TNC Global Community Element based on Latin names of dominant and characteristic plant
species. Regional names can be used temporarily while global species complex names are being
developed.
Author
Individual(s) responsible for assigning GNAME.
Common Name
TNC Element common name.
CLASSIFICATION
System
Name for TNC System.
Class
Name of physiognomic class.
Subclass
Name of physiognomic subclass.
Group
Name of formation group.
Formation
Name of formation.
Alliance
Name of alliance.
Crosswalked
Check-off indicating whether the regional classifications been crosswalked to complete this
Record (Y/N).
Confidence Level
Indication of the level of confidence in the type.
Classification Comments (txt)
Comments on any taxonomic problems for the type.
Similar Communities (txt)
List of closely related or apparently similar communities and comments on how they differ from
the global type.
RELATED NOMENCLATURE
Heritage Names (amv)
List of any regional, state or subnational, and CDC names for the Element.
Heritage Name Relationship (amv)
Indication of the relationship of the Heritage Names to the Global Name (>,<,=).
Heritage Name Relationship Note (amv)
Brief description of the relationship to the GNAME.
Habitat Number (amv)
Code for TNC habitats.
Habitat Name (amv)
Name for TNC habitats.
Habitat Modifier Number (amv)
Code for habitat modifier corresponding to the value chosen in Habitat Number field.
Habitat Modifier Name (amv)
Code for habitat modifier.
Society of American Foresters Region Number (amv)
Code for Society of American Foresters Cover Type Region.
Society of American Foresters Region Name (amv)
Name for Society of American Foresters Cover Type Region.
Society of American Foresters Covertype Number (amv)
Code for covertype(s) used by the Society of American Foresters that include this Element
(Popup).
Society of American Foresters Covertype Name (amv)
Name for covertype used by the Society of American Foresters.
Kuchler Lifeform Number (amv)
Code for lifeform of the Element from Kuchler's Potential Vegetation Map of the United States.
Kuchler Lifeform Name (amv)
Name for Kuchler's lifeform.
Kuchler Potential Natural Vegetation Type Number (amv)
Code(s) of Kuchler's potential natural vegetation types that include this Element (Popup).
Kuchler Potential Natural Vegetation Type Name (amv)
Name(s) of Kuchler's potential natural vegetation types that include this Element.
UNESCO Class Number (amv)
Code for UNESCO's physiognomic class which best describes the Element (Popup).
UNESCO Class Name (amv)
Name for UNESCO's physiognomic class which best describes the Element.
UNESCO Formation Number (amv)
Code for UNESCO's formation level classification (Popup).
UNESCO Formation Name (amv)
Name for UNESCO's formation.
USFWS Wetland Type Number (amv)
Code for US. Fish and Wildlife Wetland Type (Popup).
USFWS Wetland Type Name (amv)
Name for US. Fish and Wildlife Wetland Type.
USFWS Wetland Type Relation (amv)
Indication of the relationship of the USFWS Wetland Type Names to the Global Name (>,<,=).
USFWS Wetland Type Relation Note (amv)
Brief description of the relationship to the Global Name
Other Names (amv)
Any other names used by other systems or agencies. Specify the source and provide reference if
available.
Other Names Relation (amv)
Indication of the relationship of the GOTHER.NAMES to the GNAME. The relation will be
designated by the author of the Global Element Name.
Other Names Relation Note (amv)
Brief description of the relationship to the Global Name.
Global Names Comments (txt)
Summary of related names used for the Element. Also comments on the relationship of these
types to the type. Also, any other comments on related nomenclature.
DISTRIBUTION
Fenneman's Major Division Number (amv)
Code of Fenneman's Major Division in which the Element is located.
Fenneman's Major Division Name (amv)
Name of Fenneman's Major Division in which the Element is located.
Fenneman's Physiographic Province Number (amv)
Code for Fenneman's physiographic province in which the Element is located.
Fenneman's Physiographic Province Name (amv)
Name of Fenneman's physiographic province in which the Element is located.
Ecoregion Author Number (amv)
Code for author(s) whose ecoregionalization was used to locate the Element (i.e. Bailey,
Omernik, etc.).
Ecoregion Author Name (amv)
Name for author(s) whose ecoregionalization was used to locate the Element.
Ecoregion Primary Number (amv)
Code for the primary level of the ecoregionalization hierarchy in which the Element is located.
Ecoregion Primary Number (amv)
Name for the primary level of the ecoregionalization hierarchy in which the Element is located.
Ecoregion Secondary Number (amv)
Code for the secondary level of the ecoregionalization hierarchy corresponding to the primary
level chosen in the Ecoregion Primary Number field.
Ecoregion Secondary Name (amv)
Name of the secondary level of the ecoregionalization hierarchy.
Region (mv)
Other geographic regional delimiters where Element is located.
Heritage Task Force Region (mv)
The Nature Conservancy's Heritage Task Force Region(s) where Element occurs.
Other Regions (txt)
Any other regional locators (government agencies etc.) that describe the regions of occurrence
of the Element.
Global Range
Code indicating the estimated present size of the Elements global range.
Global Range Comments (txt)
Description of the Element's present and historic range. Describe the relationship of original
to current range. Comment on shifting boundaries of the range and change of the extent of the
occurrence of the community within the range.
Range Map
Check-off indicating whether a range map exist? (Y/).
Rangemap Location (txt)
Location of range map.
Distribution Comments (txt)
Summary of the distribution of the Element, and any additional comments on its distribution.
ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS
Latitude Zone (mv)
Latitudinal zone(s) over which Element occurs.
Minimum Elevation
Minimum elevation at which Element occurs globally.
Maximum Elevation
Maximum elevation at which Element occurs globally.
Landform (mv)
Landform(s) on which Element is generally located.
Topographic Position (mv)
Topographic position(s) of the Element on the landscape.
Slope (mv)
Range of slopes on which Element occurs.
Aspect (mv)
Range of aspects over which Element occurs.
Geology Comments (txt)
Comments on geologic substrate and other important geologic features on which the Element
generally occurs.
Soil Type (mv)
Soil type(s) based on any level of taxonomy available: Soil survey map unit, series, great
group, etc. as detailed as existing information allows.
Soil Moisture (mv)
The amount of water available to plants. Based on soil drainage, soil structure and texture,
and climate .
Soil Comments (txt)
Comments on soil properties. Include information on how soil information was collected, a
description of soil texture, stoniness, root penetration, notes on horizon depths, mottling, pH
etc. Comment on the level of taxonomy of soil listed in Soil Type field.
Hydrologic Influence (txt)
Comments on hydrologic influences on the community including: zonation reflecting water level
fluctuations, tidally influenced, permanent or temporary, hydrologic seasonality, standing
water, etc.
Seasonal Variation (txt)
Description of important seasonal influences/variations.
Key Environmental Factors (txt)
Comments on important environmental determinants of the biological composition or structure of
this community and/or its subtypes.
Environment Comments (txt)
Summary of environmental conditions associated with the Element, and any additional comments
on important environmental factors.
BIOLOGICAL AND STRUCTURAL DESCRIPTION
Leaf Type
Leaf morphology of the dominant strata in the Element.
Leaf Phenology
Leaf phenology of the dominant strata in the Element.
Strata and Lifeform (amv)
Layers of vegetation occurring within the Element.
Percent Cover (amv)
Percent cover of each layer.
Height (amv)
Height of each layer.
Most Abundant Species (amv)
Most abundant (in terms of percent cover) plant species in each layer.
Diagnostic Species (amv)
Diagnostic plant species (dominant, differential, characteristic, or indicator) which are
Relatively constant among occurrences of the Element and help to classify it.
Unvegetated Surface (amv)
Description of unvegetated substrate.
Unvegetated Surface Cover (amv)
Percent cover of unvegetated substrate.
Constant Species (mv)
Plant species likely to be found in every occurrence of the Element, but that can also be found
in other communities.
Characteristic Species (mv)
Key plant species which generally occur only in this community type, but may not necessarily be
found in every occurrence of the type.
Vegetation Comments (txt)
Summary description of the leaf type and phenology, physiognomy and plant species composition
of the Element and any additional comments on vegetation attributes of the Element.
High Ranking Species (mv)
Names of rare or threatened plant or animal species that are expected to be found within
occurrences of this Element.
Fauna Comments (txt)
Comments on animals commonly associated with this type.
Other Species Comments (txt)
Summary of other noteworthy species associated with the Element and any additional comments
on important species not listed above such as information on endemics or exotics commonly
associated with the type.
Species Composition Variability (txt)
Comments on variability in species composition within and among occurrences.
Physiognomic Variability (txt)
Comments on structural variation and patterns within and among occurrences.
Subtypes (txt)
Comments on subtypes of this Element recognized at the global level.
Variability Comments (txt)
Summary of the variability in species composition and physiognomy within and among
occurrences of the type and any additional comments on variability associated with the type.
DYNAMIC PROCESSES
Natural Disturbance (txt)
Comments on the type and duration of natural disturbances (on any scale) particular to this
Element type.
Successional Status
Successional status of the community (early, middle, late).
Succession and Dynamics Comments (txt)
Summary of successional relationships and temporal dynamics. What are the past and future
successional stages known for this community? Given the disturbance regimes, what successional
dynamics are predicted? Include additional comments on age/size structure, dispersal agents,
old growth forest characteristics, etc.
SPATIAL RELATIONS
Size (txt)
Comments on the common size of Element Occurrences.
Spatial Distribution (txt)
Comments on whether this Element is generally patchy, or often one continuous patch on the
landscape.
Adjacent Communities (txt)
Name(s) of other community types commonly adjacent to this Element. Comment on their spatial
relationships across the landscape
Inclusion Communities (txt)
Name(s) of community types frequently occurring within this Element (ie. heath bog within an
occurrence of mixed coniferous forest).
Mosaic Comments (txt)
If the Element represents a complex mosaic of sub-associations such as Dune/Swale communities,
or zonal coastal plain pond shores, indication of the scale and pattern of the components.
Spatial Comments (txt)
Summary of and additional comments on spatial relationships of this community to others on the
landscape.
STATUS
Global Rank
Global Element rank which characterizes the relative rarity or endangerment of the Element
world-wide.
Rank Reasons (txt)
Reason for assigning the Global Element Rank.
Exemplary Element Occurrence
Element Occurrence Code for the "best" example of an Element Occurrence.
Exemplary Element Occurrence Site Name
Name for site on which the Exemplary Element Occurrence is located.
Element Occurrence Specifications (txt)
Specification criteria for an Element Occurrence.
Status Comments (txt)
Summary of and additional comments on the global conservation status of the Element.
MANAGEMENT
Economic Importance Comments (txt)
Comments on economic uses of this type. ie. timber and forest products usage, recreation, flood
control, groundwater recharge, any other economically important species, etc.
Management Comments (txt)
Summary and additional comments on the management of the community including threats,
management strategies for exotics, animal usage, restrictions to size/shape for stability,
sustainability, strategies for compatible uses, etc.
INVENTORY AND SAMPLING PROCEDURES
Imagery Comments (txt)
Comments on imagery that is useful for identifying the Element - Can the community be easily
distinguished from other communities on imagery, eg. from adjacent communities and from
similar communities; comments on types and scales of useful imagery.
Sample Strategy (txt)
Comments on the best way to sample this community. Describe any unusual sampling procedures
that are specific to the type.
Inventory Comments (txt)
Summary and additional comments on the recommended sampling strategy for the community.
Include information on the best imagery, overflight, and ground survey methods used for the
type.
ANALYSIS PROCEDURES AND DATA MANAGEMENT
Analysis Comments (txt)
Description of the data and analysis procedures that were used to determine this type.
Data Location Note (txt)
Storage location of the numerical data used to determine the type.
Permanent Plot
Checkoff indicating whether a permanent plot exists for this type (Y/N).
Permanent Plot Location (txt)
Location of permanent plot. Include Element Occurrence Numbers and site names, if available.
Analysis and Data Management Comments (txt)
Summary and additional comments on the analysis procedures and data used to determine the
type.
GENERAL COMMENTS
Community Comments (txt)
Any other comments about this community not covered in the fields above.
REFERENCES
Source Code (amv)
List of sourcecodes for sources about the Element from the Source Abstract File.
Citation (amv)
Citation from source(s) listed in Source Code field.
RECORD MAINTENANCE
Edition
Date (yy-mm-dd) of the current edition of this record (either first completed or comprehensively
revised).
Edition Author
Name of author of current edition of this record.
Update
Date and initials of person to make any revisions to the record, either correction of typos or
comprehensive revisions.
11.6 The Nature Conservancy's Conservation Ranking SystemThis table lists the general criteria used by The Nature Conservancy and the Natural Heritage Network to assign global and state (in parentheses) ranks to species and communities. G1(S1) = Critically imperiled globally (statewide) because of extreme rarity (5 or fewer occurrences or very few remaining acres or because of some factor(s) making it particularly vulnerable to extinction). G2(S2) = Imperiled globally (statewide) because of extreme rarity (6 to 20 occurrences or few remaining acres) or because of some factor(s) making it very vulnerable to extinction throughout its range. G3(S3) = Either very rare and local throughout its range or found locally, even abundantly, in a restricted range (e.g., a single western state, a physiographic region in the East) or because specific factors make it vulnerable to extinction throughout its range (21 to 100 occurrences). G4(S4) = Apparently secure globally (statewide), though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery. G5(S5) = Demonstrably secure globally (statewide), though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery. GU(SU) = Possibly in peril range-wide, but status is uncertain. GX(SX) = Believed to be eliminated throughout range with virtually no likelihood that it will be rediscovered (e.g., American Chestnut forest). G?(S?) = Element is not yet ranked. A "Q" qualifier can be added to any rank to denote questionable taxonomy (e.g., G2Q = Known to be imperiled, but questions exist concerning the classification of this type). A "?" qualifier can be added to any rank to denote an inexact numeric rank (e.g., G1? = Believed to be critically imperiled, but some doubt concerning status exists). Ranks can be combined to indicate a range. (e.g., G2/G3 = may be imperiled or rare throughout range, but the exact status is uncertain). Combined ranks indicate a larger margin of error than ranks assigned a "?" qualifier.
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