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DCR - Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation
NATURAL HERITAGE

The Natural Communities of Virginia
Classification of Ecological Community Groups
SECOND APPROXIMATION (Version 2.5)

Information current as of February, 2012


 

HIGH-ELEVATION MOUNTAIN COMMUNITIES

Ecological community groups with distributions centered above 1,070 m (3,500 ft) elevation and representing structurally and compositionally diverse vegetation rich in northern species.

Spruce and Fir Forests

Southern Appalachian Shrub and Grass Balds

Northern Hardwood Forests

High-Elevation Boulderfield Forests and Woodlands

High-Elevation Cove Forests

Northern Red Oak Forests

High-Elevation Outcrop Barrens

photo of yellow birch and evergreen woodfern (c) Gary P. Fleming
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Table of Contents

Introduction

Overview of VA Physiography & Vegetation

Glossary

Literature

Format of Descriptions

Terrestrial System: HIGH-ELEVATION MOUNTAIN COMMUNITIES
   - Spruce and Fir Forests
   - Southern Appalachian Shrub and Grass Balds
   - Northern Hardwood Forests
   - High-Elevation Boulderfield Forests and Woodlands
   - High-Elevation Cove Forests
   - Northern Red Oak Forests
   - High-Elevation Outcrop Barrens

Palustrine System

Riverine System

Estuarine System

Marine System