Fourth approximation guide

FOURTH APPROXIMATION GUIDE

March 2003 version (covers almost all known natural communities in the Coastal Plain of North Carolina. Predominantly Piedmont types only peripherally present, plus a few miscellaneous others are missing. Synonyms updated at least to late 2002 version of EcoArt).

Organized like the Third Approximation
low elevation mesic forests

MESIC MIXED HARDWOOD FOREST (COASTAL PLAIN SUBTYPE)

Synonyms: Fagus grandifolia-Quercus nigra Forest (7211). Fagus grandifolia _ Quercus alba _ Quercus laurifolia / Galax urceolata Forest (7863)

Concept: Type covers mesic hardwood forests of acidic bluffs and other fire-sheltered sites in the Piedmont and Coastal Plain, dominated by combinations of Fagus grandifolia, Quercus nigra, Liriodendron tulipifera, Quercus rubra, or species of similar moisture tolerance but lacking the more diverse components of Rich Cove Forest or Acidic Cove Forest. Some component of Quercus alba, Quercus michauxii, or other species of more dry or more wet sites may be intermixed.

Subtype covers Coastal Plain examples, where Quercus rubra is generally absent and Quercus nigra or Quercus alba are frequently components. They may occur on steep north-facing bluffs, on moist upland flats associated with nonriverine wetlands, or on mesic ridges within river floodplains. A few examples with more Piedmont-like flora may occur in the northern Coastal Plain.

Distinguishing Features: The Mesic Mixed Hardwood Forest type is distinguished by a canopy dominated by mesic hardwoods while lacking indicators of higher pH soils and of flooding and lacking significant montane flora. Fagus grandifolia is nearly always present and distinguishes it from all related communities except Basic Mesic Forest, Beech Bottoms, Acidic Cove Forest, and Rich Cove Forest. Mesic Mixed Hardwood Forest may be distinguished from [Beech Bottoms] by lacking any significant component of floodplain species or indicators of flooding. It may be distinguished from Basic Mesic Forest by lower species richness and by lacking the species that in the Piedmont and Coastal Plain are indicators of higher pH soils. Such indicators are primarily herbs. Species include Cimicifuga racemosa, Asarum canadense, Adiantum pedatum, Sanguinaria canadensis, Hybanthus concolor, and Actaea pachypoda. Ostrya virginiana, Carpinus caroliniana, Fraxinus americana, Aesculus sylvatica, and Aesculus pavia tend to be common in Basic Mesic Forest and scarce in Mesic Mixed Hardwood Forest.
The Coastal Plain Subtype is distinguished from the Piedmont Subtype by flora, which includes a predominance of species typical of the Coastal Plain over those typical of the Piedmont, though many species are shared and some Piedmont species occur as disjuncts within the Coastal Plain. Coastal Plain indicators include Quercus nigra, Stewartia malacodentron, Symplocos tinctoria, Gaylussacia frondosa, .... Piedmont indicators include Quercus rubra, ....
Comments: Three variants are distinguished, which may warrant treatment as separate associations: bluff/slope, swamp island, and upland flat. Fagus grandifolia-Quercus alba-Quercus laurifolia/Galax urceolata Forest (7863) has been described for Virginia and could possibly occur in NC. It presumably is a strongly acidic community. Fagus grandifolia-Liquidambar styraciflua-Quercus (michauxii, nigra) forest (7866) is a Coastal Plain small stream bottom association of South Carolina and Georgia. Peet has assigned plots from the Roanoke River floodplain to it. Fagus grandifolia-Quercus alba-Liriodendron tulipifera-Carya spp. Forest (6075) is a Coastal Plain mesic forest of northern Virginia and northward, but is not expected to occur in North Carolina.
BASIC MESIC FOREST (COASTAL PLAIN SUBTYPE)

Synonyms: Fagus grandifolia-Quercus alba-(Acer barbatum)/Mixed Herbs Forest (7206).

Concept: Type covers mesic forests of circumneutral or higher pH soils in the Piedmont and Coastal Plain, occurring on bluffs or other fire-sheltered sites, and dominated by combinations of Fagus grandifolia, Quercus nigra, Liriodendron tulipifera, Quercus rubra, and species of similar moisture tolerance. Subtype covers examples in the Coastal Plain, occurring on rich, well-drained alluvium or around limestone outcrops.
Distinguishing Features: The Basic Mesic Forest type is distinguished by the combination of a canopy of mesic hardwoods and the presence of indicators of higher pH soils, along with the absence of montane species that would indicate Rich Cove Forest. The Coastal Plain Subtype is distinguished by occurring on Coastal Plain sediments, either rich alluvium or soils derived from limestone, and by floristic differences. Plants present in the Coastal Plain Subtype and lacking in the Piedmont Subtype include....
Comments: There are two distinct variants of this subtype, on soils around limestone outcrops and on rich alluvial terrace slopes. These may warrant separate associations.

PIEDMONT/COASTAL PLAIN HEATH BLUFF G 2?/G2G3

Synonyms: Fagus grandifolia-Quercus prinus-Quercus alba/Kalmia latifolia-(Rhododendron catawbiense) Forest (4539). Quercus prinus _ Quercus alba / Oxydendrum arboreum / Kalmia latifolia Forest (4415)?

Concept: Type covers communities of cool microsites in the Piedmont and Coastal Plain, generally north-facing bluffs, with dense shrub layers dominated by Kalmia latifolia or Rhododendron catawbiense under a variable, usually open canopy.
Distinguishing Features: Piedmont/Coastal Plain Heath Bluff is distinguished from Mesic Mixed Hardwood Forest by having a dense shrub layer dominated by Kalmia latifolia or Rhododendron sp. The species diversity is generally very low. These communities may grade conceptually into Acidic Cove Forests in the upper Piedmont, with Rhododendron maximum becoming a more prominent component and more montane flora being present. Substantial presence of Tsuga canadensis, Betula lenta, Halesia tetraptera, or Liriodendron tulipifera, predominating over Quercus montana, Quercus alba, or Fagus grandifolia, indicates Acidic Cove Forest.
Comments: Fagus grandifolia-(Liquidambar styraciflua)/Oxydendrum arboreum/Kalmia latifolia Forest (4636) is a non-standard entity in the NVC, based on Rice and Peet’s Roanoke River study. It is not clear that Roanoke River examples or most Coastal Plain examples are distinct from those in the Piedmont. However, some Coastal Plain examples contain a larger component of characteristic Coastal Plain species, usually including some wetland that apparently are associated with seepage from the steep bluffs.
These communities occur in Virginia, but in much of Virginia Piedmont Kalmia latifolia is more widespread, is not confined to cool microsites, and this community loses its distinctness. The same thing may happen in the westernmost Piedmont in North Carolina, and possibly in the Uwharrie Mountains. 4415 may represent this.

Low elevation dry and dry-mesic forests and woodlands

DRY OAK–HICKORY FOREST (COASTAL PLAIN SUBTYPE)

Synonyms: Quercus stellata-Quercus falcata-Carya alba/Vaccinium spp. Coastal Plain Forest (7246).

Concept: Type covers upland hardwood forests of acidic soils in the driest typical topographic positions, on south slopes and ridge tops; where Quercus alba, Q. stellata, and Q. falcata predominate in the canopy. They are less xeric in composition than the Quercus stellata-Q. marilandica forests that occur in specialized edaphic conditions such clay hardpans, shallow rock, or very sandy soils. They contain acid-tolerant flora such as Oxydendrum arboreum, Nyssa sylvatica, Vaccinium stamineum, Vaccinium pallidum, and Vaccinium arboreum, and lack more base-loving plants. Subtype covers Coastal Plain examples with different floristic composition.
Distinguishing Features: Dry Oak–Hickory Forests are distinguished from Basic Oak–Hickory Forests by having acid-tolerant plants predominating and lacking more base-loving plants. This is most apparent in the lower strata, but the number of distinguishing species is less than in more mesic communities because of the limited number of species present. Oxydendrum arboreum, Vaccinium pallidum, Vaccinium tenellum, and Chimaphila maculata are generally absent in Basic Oak–Hickory Forest. Cercis canadensis, Fraxinus americana, and Viburnum spp. are generally abundant in Basic Oak–Hickory Forest and scarce in Dry Oak–Hickory Forest. Dry Oak–Hickory Forests are distinguished from Dry-Mesic Oak–Hickory Forests by canopy composition, which has Quercus stellata, Q. falcata, and other trees more drought-tolerant than Quercus alba predominating over Quercus rubra and other trees less drought-tolerant than Quercus alba. It is distinguished from Xeric Hardpan Forest by a canopy which contains significant Quercus alba and other trees that are less xerophytic than Quercus stellata and Q. marilandica.
Comments: A northern Coastal Plain association, Quercus (falcata, alba, velutina)/Gaylussacia baccata-Vaccinium pallidum Forest (6269), is attributed to North Carolina and may occur in the northernmost Coastal Plain. This needs to be clarified.
DRY-MESIC OAK--HICKORY FOREST (COASTAL PLAIN SUBTYPE)

Synonyms: Quercus alba-Carya alba/Vaccinium elliottii Forest (7224). Quercus alba-Carya glabra/Mixed Herbs Coastal Plain Forest (7226). Quercus alba-Quercus nigra-Quercus falcata/Ilex opaca/Clethra alnifolia-Arundinaria gigantea var. tecta Forest (7862).

Comments: The NVC contains 3 associations comparable to this subtype. It is unclear how they differ, which actually occur in North Carolina, whether they are even all distinct from each other, and whether the Coastal Plain examples in North Carolina are different enough from the Piedmont examples to warrant a separate subtype.
DRY-MESIC BASIC OAK–HICKORY FOREST (COASTAL PLAIN SUBTYPE)

Synonyms: Quercus alba-Carya glabra-Carya alba/Aesculus pavia Forest (7225).

Concept: Subtype covers the rare Coastal Plain examples.
Comments: This NVC association is unclearly defined, and it may not fit our examples well.


SWAMP ISLAND EVERGREEN FOREST G2G3

Synonyms: Quercus hemisphaerica-Pinus taeda-(Quercus nigra)/Osmanthus americanus var. americanus/Ilex glabra Forest (7022)

Concept: Type covers predominantly evergreen forests of sandy upland islands surrounded by swamps, dominated by Quercus hemisphaerica and Pinus taeda and containing several species otherwise found in North Carolina only in maritime and coastal zone communities. Natural isolation from fire is thought to be an important determinant of these communities.
Distinguishing Features: Swamp Island Evergreen Forest is distinguished from the various oak-hickory forest types by the abundant presence of evergreen hardwoods more typical of the coastal zone, most commonly Quercus hemisphaerica and Osmanthus americanus, but sometimes including Quercus virginiana, Quercus geminata, and other species. It is distinguished from Coastal Fringe Evergreen Forest and Maritime Evergreen Forest by its inland location, but also by the lack of certain characteristic species, such as Ilex vomitoria. Swamp Island Evergreen Forest sometimes grades into Pine/Scrub Oak Sandhill, from which it is distinguished by a denser canopy, lack of evidence of present or past abundance of Pinus palustris, and scarcity of shade-intolerant species.
COASTAL FRINGE EVERGREEN FOREST G2

Synonyms: Quercus virginiana-Quercus hemisphaerica-Pinus taeda-Quercus falcata/Ilex vomitoria Forest (7026).

Concept: Type covers evergreen hardwood-pine forests dominated by the characteristic species of maritime forests but which are not subject to salt spray or other disturbance processes of the immediate coast and therefore have a broader range of flora and more typical forest structure. They occur within a short distance of the coast, and contain many plants that are absent or scarce further inland.
Distinguishing Features: Coastal Fringe Evergreen Forest is readily distinguished from Maritime Evergreen Forest by occurring on the mainland and well inland of any communities of the coast line (Dune Grass, Maritime Dry Grassland, or Maritime Shrub). They lack streamlined canopies produced by salt spray. They generally contain more deciduous species in all strata, including Quercus falcata and Carya glabra in the canopy. Quercus hemisphaerica is generally more dominant, and Quercus virginiana less abundant than in Maritime Evergreen Forest.

Coastal Fringe Evergreen Forest is distinguished from Swamp Island Evergreen Forest by occurring near the coast, and by a greater diversity and abundance of maritime forest plants. Ilex vomitoria, Prunus caroliniana, ... are usually found in Coastal Fringe Evergreen Forests but are generally absent in Swamp Island Evergreen Forest.

Comments: The global range of this community type is uncertain. The characteristic species reach their northern range limits in North Carolina’s maritime forests, and are not confined to the coastal fringe farther south. This community may represent the attenuated extreme of a more diverse southern type.
LeBlond (2002) described a distinctive “tidal levee forest”, occurring on newly deposited sand spits on the estuarine Cape Fear River. Its composition and environment includes elements of Coastal Fringe Evergreen Forest, Coastal Fringe Sandhill, Marsh Hammock, and Estuarine Beach Forest. It may represent a distinct subtype, but it is unclear at present which type it is most closely related to.

Rock outcrop communities

PIEDMONT CLIFF (ACIDIC SUBTYPE) See Piedmont guide.

COASTAL PLAIN MARL OUTCROP G1?

Synonyms: Aquilegia canadensis _ Asplenium X heteroresiliens Herbaceous Vegetation (4269).

Concept: Type covers outcrops of limestone (“marl”) on bluffs or non-flooded stream banks in the Coastal Plain. These outcrops are small and generally are substantially shaded by trees rooted in adjacent forests, but have very distinctive flora on the rocks. The rock is usually a mix of dry and wet microhabitats.
Distinguishing Features: Coastal Plain Marl Outcrops are distinguished by the presence of bare or vegetated limestone that is not regularly flooded. Calciphilic vascular plants such as Asplenium X heteroresiliens, Cyptopteris tenneseensis, and Aquilegia canadensis are usually present. Distinctive calciphilic bryophytes are believed to be present but are not well studied.

Communities of the coast line

DUNE GRASS (SOUTHERN SUBTYPE) G3

Synonyms: Uniola paniculata-Schizachyrium littorale-Panicum amarum Herbaceous Vegetation (4039).

Concept: Type covers the grassy communities of the generally stable sand dunes immediately behind the beaches, heavily influenced by salt spray as well as the absence of soil development. These communities are dominated by a small set of specialized plants that includes Ammophila breviligulata, Uniola paniculata, Schizachyrium scoparium ssp. littorale, Panicum amarum Strophstyles helvula, Smilax auriculata, and Solidago sempervirens. Subtype covers examples typical of the southern half of the state in which Schizachyrium littorale is a component in addition to Uniola paniculata and other species.
Distinguishing Features: Dune Grass communities are distinguished from Maritime Dry Grassland and Maritime Wet Grasslands by the dominance by the above set of species rather than Spartina patens or other species. They are distinguished from Live Dune Barren communities by occurring on dunes immediately behind the beach and generally more stabilized rather than the rare, large, unstabilized medano dunes of barrier island interiors. They are distinguished from Upper Beach communities by lying above the effects of high storm tides and generally being more densely vegetated.

The Southern Subtype is distinguished by having Schizachyrium littorale as a significant component, though Uniola paniculata may dominate. Ammophila breviligulata is absent unless planted.

Comments: The concepts of the subtypes need further work. Schizachyrium littorale has a patchy distribution rather than being simply indicative of more southern locations. It is absent from much of South Carolina. It is unclear if its presence or absence correlates with broader aspects of the community.

DUNE GRASS (OUTER BANKS SUBTYPE) G3

Synonyms: Uniola paniculata Herbaceous Vegetation (4038).

Concept: Subtype covers the depauperate examples of the remote Outer Banks, where Schizachyrium scoparium ssp. littorale is absent.
Distinguishing Features: The Outer Banks Subtype is distinguished by the absence of Schizachyrium scoparium ssp. littorale and generally lower species richness. Ammophila ligulata may be present in small amounts in northerly examples, but is not dominant unless planted. It is not clear if similar depauperate communities occur in other places.
Comments: This subtype is accepted only provisionally, and needs more investigation. It is unclear if less diverse flora correlates with the isolation of the Outer Banks. If not, it is unclear if this variation is worthy of recognition as a subtype.
Smilax auriculata/Uniola paniculata-Heterotheca subaxillaris-Strophostyles helvula Shrub Herbaceous Vegetation (4234) is a vine-dominated dune community described from Florida. One example of a vine-dominated patch has been seen on sand flats on Ocracoke Island that may be attributable to this or analogous to it. It is not clear that it warrants recognition as a distinct community however.

DUNE GRASS (NORTHERN SUBTYPE) G2

Synonyms: Ammophila breviligulata-Panicum amarum var. amarum Herbaceous Vegetation (4043).

Concept: Subtype covers examples in the northern part of the state, north of Cape Hatteras, where Ammophila breviligulata rather than Uniola paniculata dominates.
Distinguishing Features: The Northern Subtype is distinguished by the natural dominance of Ammophila breviligulata. Dunes dominated by Ammophila sound of Cape Hatteras should be treated as degraded examples of one of the other subtypes.

LIVE DUNE BARREN G1

Synonyms: Vitis rotundifolia/Triplasis purpurea-Panicum amarum-Schizachyrium littorale Mid-Atlantic Coastal Medano Sparse Vegetation (4397).

Concept: Type covers the sparsely vegetated communities of rare large, unstabilized medano dunes in the interior of barrier islands. In contrast to Dune Grass, the vegetation is affected more strongly by sand movement and less by salt spray. The vegetation consists largely of scattered patches of pioneer herbs and sub-shrubs in sheltered microsites. There is a distinctive invertebrate community.

Distinguishing Features: Live Dune Barrens are distinguished by very sparse vegetation associated with large unstabilized sand dunes. Dune Grass communities have denser vegetation dominated by Uniola paniculata or Ammophila breviligulata.

Comments: As defined, this type is endemic to North Carolina.

MARITIME DRY GRASSLAND (TYPIC SUBTYPE) G2G3

Synonyms: Spartina patens-Schoenoplectus pungens-Solidago sempervirens Herbaceous Vegetation (4097).

Concept: Type covers communities of low dunes and sand flats in the interior and back side of barrier islands, where periodic salt water storm overwash prevents woody vegetation development. Vegetation is typically sparse to moderate density grassland dominated by Spartina patens or other grasses other than those of the Dune Grass type. Subtype covers the typical examples, dominated by Spartina patens.

Distinguishing Features: Maritime Dry Grassland is distinguished from Dune Grass and Live Dune Scrub by the dominance of Spartina patens or of grasses other than Uniola paniculata or Ammophila breviligulata. It may contain smaller numbers of these species and other species from the Dune Grass type. It is distinguished from Maritime Wet Grassland by the absence of wetland species such as Muhlenbergia filipes, Rhynchospora colorata, Fimbristylis castanea, .... It is distinguished from Brackish Marsh, which may be dominated by Spartina patens, by higher location and drier soils, which are flooded with salt water only during overwash events associated with strong storms. In contrast, Brackish Marshes are more frequently flooded by high tides and should show evidence of flooding at all times. Maritime Dry Grasslands lack associated species characteristic of marshes, such as Juncus roemerianus, and Distichlis spicata. The Typic Subtype is distinguished by the dominance of Spartina patens and the absence of Myrica pensylvanica.

MARITIME DRY GRASSLAND (NORTHERN BAYBERRY SUBTYPE) G2

Synonyms: Morella (pensylvanica, cerifera)/Schizachyrium littorale-Eupatorium hyssopifolium Shrub Herbaceous Vegetation (4240).

Concept: Subtype includes more diverse examples which are generally dominated by Schizachyrium scoparium ssp. littorale, Andropogon virginicus, and Panicum amarum var. ammarulum and contains a sparse shrub layer of Myrica pensylvanica. It may be associated with less frequent overwash as well as more northerly latitude. This association was described from Assateague Island in Virginia and may be present on the Currituck Outer Banks.
Distinguishing Features: The Northern Bayberry Subtype is distinguished by dominance by the above species rather than Spartina patens, though the latter may be present. It apparently also possesses a larger number of forbs.

MARITIME VINE TANGLE

Synonyms: Smilax auriculata _ Toxicodendron radicans Vine_Shrubland (3885)

Concept: Type covers vegetation of barrier island sand flats or low dunes, dominated by woody vines. One example of this type of vegetation has been found in North Carolina, but it is unclear if it warrants recognition as a distinct type.
Distinguishing Features: Distinguished from all other types by the dominance of vines in a barrier island or coastal setting.

MARITIME SHRUB (STUNTED TREE SUBTYPE)

Synonyms: Quercus virginiana _ (Ilex vomitoria) Shrubland (3833).

Concept: Type covers naturally shrub-sized vegetation of barrier islands and comparable coast lines. Subtype covers examples that are dominated or codominated by Quercus virginiana, which are kept at shrub size by salt spray. They generally have a dense streamlined canopy.
Distinguishing Features: The Maritime Shrub type is distinguished from Maritime Evergreen Forest (which may have similar flora to this subtype) by the stature of the canopy. Maritime Shrub has a persistent canopy ___ meters tall or shorter. Usually the canopy is streamlined and visibly salt-pruned. Maritime Shrub is distinguished from Salt Shrub by species composition, which does not include any salt-tolerant wetland species other than possibly Morella cerifera.
The Stunted Tree Subtype is distinguished from other subtypes by dominance or codominance by species capable of becoming larger trees, usually Quercus virginiana.
MARITIME SHRUB (SHRUB SUBTYPE) G3G5

Synonyms: Morella cerifera _ Baccharis halimifolia / Spartina patens Shrubland? (3809)? Morella cerifera / Spartina patens _ (Juncus roemerianus) Shrubland (3839)?

Concept: Subtype covers the less diverse examples dominated by shrub species, generally Morella cerifera alone or with Ilex vomitoria, without appreciable numbers of species capable of becoming large trees.
Distinguishing Features: The Shrub Subtype is distinguished from other subtypes by the absence of Quercus virginiana, Pinus taeda, or appreciable numbers of any larger tree species. It is distinguished from the Salt Shrub type by dominance by Morella cerifera or other species of similar or lower salt tolerance.
Comments: The first NVC association synonymized with this subtype has a northerly range and may not really match this type. The second is southerly but appears to be wetter. It is unclear if there is an association intended to cover typical examples of this subtype.

Directory: pubs
pubs -> Asilomar Conference on Circuits, Systems & Computers, Pacific Grove, ca, November 1978, pp. 55 58
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pubs -> The neotectonic setting of Puerto Rico
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