Vegetation Classification and Mapping Project Report - USGS
Vegetation Classification and Mapping Project Report - USGS
Vegetation Classification and Mapping Project Report - USGS
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<strong>USGS</strong>-NPS <strong>Vegetation</strong> <strong>Mapping</strong> Program<br />
Colonial National Historical Park<br />
Most Abundant Species:<br />
Stratum Lifeform Species<br />
Tree canopy Broad-leaved deciduous tree Quercus muehlenbergii (chinkapin oak)<br />
Characteristic Species: Cercis canadensis var. canadensis (eastern redbud), Dichanthelium<br />
boscii (Bosc's panicgrass), Juniperus virginiana var. virginiana (eastern redcedar), Quercus<br />
muehlenbergii (chinkapin oak).<br />
Other Noteworthy Species:<br />
Species GRank Type Note<br />
Fleischmannia incarnata (pink thoroughwort)<br />
- plant VA imperiled (S2)<br />
Ponthieva racemosa (hairy shadow witch) - plant VA watchlist (S3)<br />
Verbena scabra (s<strong>and</strong>paper vervain)<br />
- plant VA imperiled (S2)<br />
Verbesina virginica var. virginica (white crownbeard) - plant VA watchlist (S3)<br />
Viburnum rufidulum (rusty blackhaw)<br />
Subnational Distribution with Crosswalk Data:<br />
- plant VA watchlist (S3S4)<br />
State SRank Rel Conf SName<br />
Reference<br />
VA S1 = 1 Coastal Plain Dry Calcareous Fleming et al. 2006<br />
Forest / Woodl<strong>and</strong><br />
Local Range: This association is mapped in the vicinity of Yorktown Battlefield on the ravine<br />
slopes of Ballard Creek, a tributary of Yorktown Creek, <strong>and</strong> around Wormley Pond. It is also<br />
found at King Creek / Ringfield. Coastal Plain Dry Calcareous Forest is mapped as nine<br />
polygons in Colonial National Historical Park, covering a total of 5.8 hectares (14.9 acres).<br />
<strong>Classification</strong> Comments: This forest is distinguished from Coastal Plain Mesic Calcareous<br />
Ravine Forest by its more open canopy structure, more graminoid species cover, the occurrence<br />
of Juniperus virginiana var. virginiana (eastern redcedar), <strong>and</strong> general absence of the mesic<br />
species that characterize Coastal Plain Mesic Calcareous Ravine Forest like Asimina triloba<br />
(pawpaw), Lindera benzoin (northern spicebush), Sanguinaria canadensis (bloodroot), Adiantum<br />
pedatum (northern maidenhair), <strong>and</strong> Actaea racemosa (=Cimicifuga racemosa, black bugbane).<br />
Also, Coastal Plain Mesic Calcareous Ravine Forest tends to have a more lush <strong>and</strong> better<br />
developed herbaceous strata with upwards of 50-75% coverage.<br />
Other Comments: This community is restricted to dry, calcium-rich, shell-containing soils of<br />
the eastern Virginia <strong>and</strong> Maryl<strong>and</strong> Coastal Plain. This community is naturally rare <strong>and</strong> restricted<br />
to a specialized edaphic situation that is regionally restricted <strong>and</strong> extremely rare within this<br />
region. All examples of this native plant association in Colonial National Historical Park meet<br />
the criteria to be considered Natural Heritage exemplary natural community occurrences <strong>and</strong><br />
should be targets for conservation <strong>and</strong> management. All examples are subject to encroachment<br />
by invasive weeds. St<strong>and</strong>s are also subject to blowdowns <strong>and</strong> downfalls caused by soil slumping,<br />
especially where trees are rooted on very steep, erosive slopes.<br />
Local Description Authors: K. D. Patterson.<br />
Plots: COLO.1, COLO.3, COLO.13, COLO.14, COLO.15, COLO.16.<br />
Colonial National Historical Park Inventory Notes: Information not available.<br />
GLOBAL INFORMATION<br />
USNVC CLASSIFICATION<br />
Physiognomic Class Forest (I)<br />
Physiognomic Subclass Deciduous forest (I.B.)<br />
Physiognomic Group Cold-deciduous forest (I.B.2.)<br />
Physiognomic Subgroup Natural/Semi-natural cold-deciduous forest (I.B.2.N.)<br />
Formation Lowl<strong>and</strong> or submontane cold-deciduous forest (I.B.2.N.a.)<br />
Alliance Quercus muehlenbergii - (Acer saccharum) Forest Alliance (A.1912)<br />
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