Biology - Biological Informatics Program - Vegetation Characterization Program
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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