The Natural Communities of Virginia
Classification of Ecological Community Groups
SECOND APPROXIMATION (Version 2.2)
High-Elevation Seepage Swamps
This group contains saturated, coniferous or mixed forests of gently sloping stream headwaters, large spring seeps, and ravine bottoms at elevations above 900 m (3,000 ft). These communities are locally scattered in the higher mountains of western Virginia on various geologic substrates and soils, almost all of which are strongly to extremely acidic. Habitats feature pronounced hummock-and-hollow microtopography, with braided streams, muck-filled depressions, and lush bryophyte cover. Eastern hemlock (
Tsuga canadensis), yellow birch (
Betula alleghaniensis), and red maple (
Acer rubrum) are the most common trees. Locally, red spruce
(
Picea rubens) or eastern white pine (
Pinus strobus) may be co-dominants. Shrub layer composition and density is variable; deciduous hollies (
Ilex verticillata and
Ilex montana), several blueberries (particularly
Vaccinium corymbosum,
Vaccinium simulatum , and
Vaccinium angustifolium), great-laurel (
Rhododendron maximum), mountain-laurel (
Kalmia latifolia), speckled alder (
Alnus incana ssp. rugosa), and witch-hazel (
Hamamelis virginiana) may be abundant. Characteristic herbs of these swamps include marsh-marigold (
Caltha palustris), little prickly sedge (
Carex echinata), finely-nerved sedge (
Carex leptonervia), rough sedge (
Carex scabrata), three-seed sedge (
Carex trisperma), slender wood reed-grass (
Cinna latifolia), flat-top white aster (
Doellingeria umbellata, =
Aster umbellatus),
spinulose wood-fern (
Dryopteris carthusiana), slender mannagrass (
Glyceria melicaria), whorled aster (
Oclemena acuminata = Aster acuminatus), cinnamon fern (
Osmunda cinnamomea var. cinnamomea), American false-hellebore (
Veratrum viride), and smooth white violet (
Viola macloskeyi ssp.
pallens). Communities in this group are naturally rare due to the scarcity of flat or gentle, wet habitats in the higher Appalachians. Beavers have partially destroyed fine examples of these swamps at several sites.
References: Fleming and Coulling (2001), Rawinski et al . (1994), Rawinski et al . (1996).
Click on the images below to open a larger image in a separate window.>
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High-elevation seepage swamp dominated by red spruce (Picea rubens) at the headwaters of Slabcamp Run on Allegheny Mountain, Highland County (George Washington and Jefferson National Forests). Photo: Gary P. Fleming. |
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Lush bryophyte cover and dense patches of slender mannagrass (Glyceria melicaria) in a Central Appalachian
hemlock – yellow birch seepage swamp. The Limberlost, headwaters of White Oak Canyon, Madison County (Shenandoah National Park). Photo: Gary P. Fleming. |
REPRESENTATIVE COMMUNITY TYPES:
Three community types, supported by three, five, and thirteen plots respectively, have been classified in this group. Although these units are conceptually sound, additional quantitative data, particularly for the first two types, would be desirable. Because of the natural scarcity of stands, however, it may not be possible to collect substantial additional data in Virginia.
Click on any highlighted CEGL code below to view the global USNVC description provided by NatureServe Explorer.
- Acer rubrum – Betula alleghaniensis / Rhododendron maximum / Osmunda cinnamomea – Carex trisperma Forest
Southern Appalachian Swamp Forest-Bog Complex (Typic Type)
USNVC:= CEGL007565
Global/State Ranks: G2/S1
- Picea rubens – Tsuga canadensis – Acer rubrum / Glyceria melicaria Forest
Central Appalachian Red Spruce Swamp
USNVC:
= CEGL006556 (PROVISIONAL)
Global/State Ranks:
GNR/S1
- Tsuga canadensis – Betula alleghaniensis / Veratrum viride – Carex scabrata – Oclemena acuminata Forest
Central Appalachian Hemlock – Yellow Birch Seepage Swamp
USNVC:
= CEGL008533
Global/State Ranks: G2/S1
