The Natural Communities of Virginia
Classification of Ecological Community Groups
SECOND APPROXIMATION (Version 2.2)
Spruce and Fir Forests
Communities of this group are characterized by coniferous and mixed forests with overstory dominance by red spruce (Picea rubens) or Fraser fir
(Abies fraseri). Similar forests occur in the Appalachians from West Virginia south to western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee. Fraser fir
forests reach their northern range limit in southwestern Virginia, where they are confined to elevations above 1,700 m (5,400 ft) on Mount Rogers in
Grayson and Smyth Counties. Habitats are characterized by extremely acidic, organic-rich soils; cold microclimates; high rainfall; frequent fogs; and
lush bryophyte cover. Understory layers are sparse, while mountain wood-fern (Dryopteris campyloptera) and mountain wood-sorrel (Oxalis montana)
dominate a relatively dense herb layer. Near the lower elevation limits, mixtures of Fraser fir and red spruce are characteristic. Fraser fir-dominated
vegetation is seriously threatened by air pollution and destruction of fir stands by the balsam woolly adelgid (Adelges piceae), an introduced insect pest.
Red spruce (Picea rubens) forests similar in composition to those of the North Carolina and Tennessee high mountains are restricted to high-elevation slopes
and summits of the Blue Ridge (> 1,300 m [4,300 ft]) in Grayson, Smyth, and Washington Counties and Clinch Mountain (> 1,400 m [4,600 ft]) in Russell and
Tazewell Counties. Environmental conditions are similar to those of the Fraser fir forests. Southern mountain-cranberry (Vaccinium erythrocarpum) and
hobblebush (Viburnum lantanoides) are often prevalent shrubs in these communities. Yellow blue-bead lily (Clintonia borealis), mountain wood-fern
(Dryopteris campyloptera), mountain wood-sorrel (Oxalis montana), shining clubmoss (Huperzia lucidula), and Canada mayflower (Maianthemum canadense) are
abundant herbs rooting in the thick moss cover. As lower elevation limits are approached, co-dominance by hardwoods, particularly yellow birch
(Betula alleghaniensis), increases.
Red spruce forests and spruce-hardwood mixtures also occur locally at high elevations of Allegheny Mountain (above 1,100 m [3,600 ft]) and Jack Mountain
(above 1,280 m [4,200 ft]) in Highland County, but differ considerably from the Blue Ridge and Clinch Mountain stands. At least two compositional variants,
associated with submesic ridge crests and mesic stream-head valleys, are present on Allegheny Mountain. Distinctly southern species are nearly lacking from
these forests, while northern species such as late lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium), stiff ground-pine (Lycopodium annotinum), tree clubmoss (Lycopodium dendroideum), and staghorn clubmoss (Lycopodium clavatum), are abundant.
Due to their restricted geographic and elevation ranges, all community types in this ecological group are considered globally rare. Red spruce forests
provide Virginia's only viable habitats for the northern flying squirrel (Glaucomys sabrinus fuscus), a federally and state-listed endangered species.
Other animals of global or state significance associated with spruce and fir forests include pigmy salamander (Desmognathus wrighti), Weller’s salamander
(Plethodon welleri), and the state-endangered snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus virginianus). A number of northern birds, including the northern saw-whet owl
(Aegolius acadicus), hermit thrush (Catharus guttatus), magnolia warbler (Dendroica magnolia), golden-crowned kinglet (Regulus satrapa), red-breasted nuthatch
(Sitta canadensis), and winter wren (Troglodytes troglodytes), rely on high-elevation coniferous forests for breeding in Virginia.
References: Adams (1991), Bailey and Ware (1990), Fleming and Coulling (2001), Fleming and Moorhead (1996), McLaughlin et al. (1987), Pielke (1981), Rawinski et al. (1994), Rheinhardt and Ware (1984), Smith and Nicholas (1999), Stephenson and Adams (1984), Stevens (1969).
Click on the images below to open a larger image in a separate window.
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Lush bryophyte cover in a red spruce forest on the north slope of Whitetop in the Balsam Mountains (George Washington and Jefferson National Forests). Photo: Gary Fleming. |
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Red spruce forest surrounding beaver ponds in the Allegheny Mountains. Head of Buck Run, Laurel Fork area,
Highland County (George Washington and Jefferson National Forests).
Photo © Gary P. Fleming
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Mountain woodfern (Dryopteris campyloptera) dominates the herb layer of a nearly pure Fraser Fir (Abies fraseri) forest near
the summit of Mount Rogers in the Balsam Mountains (George Washington and Jefferson National Forests).Photo: Gary Fleming. |
REPRESENTATIVE COMMUNITY TYPES:
Although the largest and most representative stands in this group have been plot-sampled, a number of
important outlying stands have not. Classification of the Central Appalachian Red Spruce Forest must be considered somewhat
tentative.
Click on any highlighted CEGL code below to view the global USNVC description provided by
NatureServe Explorer.
- Abies fraseri / Dryopteris campyloptera – Oxalis montana Forest
Fraser Fir Forest
USNVC: = CEGL006049
Global/State Ranks: G1/S1
- Picea rubens / Viburnum lantanoides – Vaccinium erythrocarpum / Huperzia lucidula – Clintonia borealis Forest
Southern Appalachian Red Spruce Forest
USNVC: = CEGL007131
Global/State Ranks: G2/S1
- Picea rubens / Acer rubrum / Maianthemum canadense – (Lycopodium clavatum, Lycopodium dendroideum) Forest
Central Appalachian Red Spruce Forest
USNVC: = CEGL008501
Global/State Ranks: G2/S1
