NatureServe Explorer logo.An Online Encyclopedia of Life
Search
Ecological Association Comprehensive Report: Record 1 of 1 selected.
See All Search Results    View Glossary
<< Previous | Next >>
Thuja occidentalis - Fraxinus pennsylvanica / Acer pensylvanicum Woodland
Translated Name: Northern White-cedar - Green Ash / Striped Maple Woodland
 Common Name: Northern White-cedar Mesic Rocky Woodland
 Unique Identifier: CEGL006508
 Classification Approach: International Vegetation Classification (IVC)
 Summary: This association is a northern white-cedar open-canopy woodland known only from scattered locations in northern New England. It occurs on gentle to moderately steep slopes over talus, glacial till, or bedrock, in settings that are not xeric and that may have areas where seepage emerges. Where the underlying bedrock is granitic, the near-coastal location may ameliorate the effects of the acidic substrate to some degree; substrates in other locations appear to have a circumneutral tendency. Canopy closure is variable from closed to quite open. The lower layers are typically sparse, although the herb layer may be locally extensive. The canopy is strongly dominated by Thuja occidentalis. Associated canopy trees include Betula papyrifera, Betula alleghaniensis, Fraxinus pennsylvanica, Picea rubens, Pinus strobus, Tsuga canadensis, Abies balsamea, or Acer saccharum. The shrub layer may include Abies balsamea, Acer pensylvanicum, Diervilla lonicera, or Amelanchier spp. The herbaceous layer includes Eurybia macrophylla, Oclemena acuminata, Dryopteris marginalis, Maianthemum canadense, Trientalis borealis, Danthonia spicata, Carex pedunculata, Carex gracillima, and Carex laxiflora. Typical bryophytes include Dicranum spp., Leucobryum glaucum, Pleurozium schreberi, and Hylocomium splendens. This cedar woodland overstory of the association resembles that of Thuja occidentalis / Gaylussacia baccata - Vaccinium angustifolium Woodland (CEGL006411), but the mesic conditions, presence of Fraxinus spp. or Betula alleghaniensis, and lack of a heath layer distinguish this community.
Classification

Classification Confidence: Low - Poorly Documented
 Classification Comments: This association appears distinctive, but is known from only one limited area of the Maine coast and a few poorly documented locations in New Hampshire. More information on upland cedar-dominated woodlands across the species' northeastern and midwestern range might help put this in context, and help determine whether it is a valid separate type or an odd variant of some other conifer woodland.

Vegetation Hierarchy
Class 1 - Forest & Woodland
Subclass 1.B - Temperate & Boreal Forest & Woodland
Formation 1.B.2 - Cool Temperate Forest & Woodland
Division 1.B.2.Na - Eastern North American Forest & Woodland
Macrogroup Laurentian-Acadian Mesic Hardwood - Conifer Forest
Group Laurentian-Acadian Hemlock - White Pine - Hardwood Forest
Alliance Northern White-cedar Acidic Forest

This is the revised vegetation hierarchy. For more information see Classification Sources and usnvc.org.

Similar Associations
Unique Identifier Name
CEGL002451 Thuja occidentalis Cliff Woodland
CEGL006411 Thuja occidentalis / Gaylussacia baccata - Vaccinium angustifolium Woodland


Related Concepts from Other Classifications

Related Subnational Community Units
These data are subject to substantial ongoing revision and may be out of date for some states.
In the U.S., contact the state Heritage Program for the most complete and up-to-date information at: http://www.natureserve.org/natureserve-network.
Information from programs in other jurisdictions will be posted when they are made available.
Subnation Concept Name Relationship to Standard Confidence Reference
Maine White cedar woodland Broader   Gawler 2002
New York Calcareous talus slope woodland Intersects   Edinger et al. 2002


Ecological Systems Placement

Ecological Systems Placement
Ecological System Unique ID Ecological System Name
CES201.572 Laurentian-Acadian Calcareous Rocky Outcrop

NatureServe Conservation Status
Global Status: GNR (02Jul1999)
Rounded Global Status: GNR - Not Yet Ranked
Distribution
Color legend for Distribution Map
United States Distribution: ME, NH, NY, VTpotentially occurs
Canadian Province Distribution: NB
Global Distribution: Canada, United States
Global Range: This association is found in northern New England and adjacent Canada.

U.S. Forest Service Ecoregions
Domain Name: Humid Temperate Domain
Division Name: Warm Continental Division
Province Name: Laurentian Mixed Forest Province
Province Code: 212 Occurrence Status: Confident or certain
Section Name: Fundy Coastal and Interior Section
Section Code: 212C Occurrence Status: Confident or certain
Division Name: Warm Continental Regime Mountains
Province Name: Adirondack-New England Mixed Forest - Coniferous Forest - Alpine Meadow Province
Province Code: M212 Occurrence Status: Confident or certain
Section Name: White Mountain Section
Section Code: M212A Occurrence Status: Confident or certain
Section Name: Vermont-New Hampshire Upland Section
Section Code: M212B Occurrence Status: Confident or certain

Vegetation

Vegetation Summary: Canopy closure is variable from closed to quite open. The lower layers are typically sparse, although the herb layer may be locally extensive. The canopy is strongly dominated by Thuja occidentalis. Associated canopy trees include Betula papyrifera, Fraxinus pennsylvanica, Picea rubens, Pinus strobus, Tsuga canadensis, Abies balsamea, or Acer saccharum. The shrub layer may include Abies balsamea, Acer pensylvanicum, Diervilla lonicera, or Amelanchier spp. The herbaceous layer includes Eurybia macrophylla (= Aster macrophyllus), Dryopteris marginalis, Maianthemum canadense, Trientalis borealis, Danthonia spicata, Carex pedunculata, Carex gracillima, and Carex laxiflora. Typical bryophytes include Dicranum spp., Leucobryum glaucum, Pleurozium schreberi, and Hylocomium splendens.

Vegetation Composition (incomplete)
Species Name Rounded Global Status Growth Form Stratum Charact-
eristic		 Dominant Constant
Cover Class %
Con-
stancy
%
Fraxinus pennsylvanica GNR Broad-leaved deciduous tree Tree canopy    
 
 
Thuja occidentalis GNR Needle-leaved tree Tree canopy  
 
 
Acer pensylvanicum GNR Broad-leaved deciduous tree Tall shrub/sapling    
 
 

Environmental Setting

Wetland Indicator: N
Environmental Summary: This association is a northern white-cedar open-canopy woodland known only from scattered locations in northern New England. It occurs on gentle to moderately steep slopes over talus, glacial till, or occasionally bedrock where seepage emerges. Where the underlying bedrock is granitic, the near-coastal location may ameliorate the effects of the acidic substrate to some degree; substrates in other locations appear to have a circumneutral tendency.

Dynamic Processes

Plot Sampling & Classification Analysis

Plots stored in VegBank

Authors/Contributors
Concept Author(s): Northern Appalachian Planning Team and L.A. Sneddon
 Element Description Edition Date: 27Jan2003
 Element Description Author(s): S.C. Gawler

Ecological data developed by NatureServe and its network of natural heritage programs (see Local Programs) and other contributors and cooperators (see Sources).

References
  • Eastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boston, MA.

  • Edinger, G. J., D. J. Evans, S. Gebauer, T. G. Howard, D. M. Hunt, and A. M. Olivero, editors. 2014a. Ecological communities of New York state. Second edition. A revised and expanded edition of Carol Reschke's ecological communities of New York state. New York Natural Heritage Program, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Albany, NY.

  • Gawler, S. C. 2002. Natural landscapes of Maine: A guide to vegetated natural communities and ecosystems. Maine Natural Areas Program, Department of Conservation, Augusta, ME.

  • Gawler, S. C., and A. Cutko. 2010. Natural landscapes of Maine: A classification of vegetated natural communities and ecosystems. Maine Natural Areas Program, Department of Conservation, Augusta.

  • Küchler, A. W. 1956. Notes on the vegetation of southeastern Mount Desert Island, Maine. University of Kansas Science Bulletin 38:335-392.

  • Lubinski, S., K. Hop, and S. Gawler. 2003. Vegetation Mapping Program: Acadia National Park, Maine. Report produced by U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Geological Survey, Upper Midwest Environmental Sciences Center, and Maine Natural Areas Program in conjunction with M. Story (NPS Vegetation Mapping Coordinator) NPS, Natural Resources Information Division, Inventory and Monitoring Program, and K. Brown (USGS Vegetation Mapping Coordinator), USGS, Center for Biological Informatics and NatureServe. [http://biology.usgs.gov/npsveg/ftp/vegmapping/acad/reports/acadrpt.pdf]

Use Guidelines and Citation

The Small Print: Trademark, Copyright, Citation Guidelines, Restrictions on Use, and Information Disclaimer.

Note: All species and ecological community data presented in NatureServe Explorer at http://explorer.natureserve.org were updated to be current with NatureServe's central databases as of March 2019.
Note: This report was printed on

Trademark Notice: "NatureServe", NatureServe Explorer, The NatureServe logo, and all other names of NatureServe programs referenced herein are trademarks of NatureServe. Any other product or company names mentioned herein are the trademarks of their respective owners.

Copyright Notice: Copyright © 2019 NatureServe, 2511 Richmond (Jefferson Davis) Highway, Suite 930, Arlington, VA 22202, U.S.A. All Rights Reserved. Each document delivered from this server or web site may contain other proprietary notices and copyright information relating to that document. The following citation should be used in any published materials which reference the web site.

Citation for data on website including State Distribution, Watershed, and Reptile Range maps:
NatureServe. 2019. NatureServe Explorer: An online encyclopedia of life [web application]. Version 7.1. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. Available http://explorer.natureserve.org. (Accessed:

Citation for Bird Range Maps of North America:
Ridgely, R.S., T.F. Allnutt, T. Brooks, D.K. McNicol, D.W. Mehlman, B.E. Young, and J.R. Zook. 2003. Digital Distribution Maps of the Birds of the Western Hemisphere, version 1.0. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia, USA.

Acknowledgement Statement for Bird Range Maps of North America:
"Data provided by NatureServe in collaboration with Robert Ridgely, James Zook, The Nature Conservancy - Migratory Bird Program, Conservation International - CABS, World Wildlife Fund - US, and Environment Canada - WILDSPACE."

Citation for Mammal Range Maps of North America:
Patterson, B.D., G. Ceballos, W. Sechrest, M.F. Tognelli, T. Brooks, L. Luna, P. Ortega, I. Salazar, and B.E. Young. 2003. Digital Distribution Maps of the Mammals of the Western Hemisphere, version 1.0. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia, USA.

Acknowledgement Statement for Mammal Range Maps of North America:
"Data provided by NatureServe in collaboration with Bruce Patterson, Wes Sechrest, Marcelo Tognelli, Gerardo Ceballos, The Nature Conservancy-Migratory Bird Program, Conservation International-CABS, World Wildlife Fund-US, and Environment Canada-WILDSPACE."

Citation for Amphibian Range Maps of the Western Hemisphere:
IUCN, Conservation International, and NatureServe. 2004. Global Amphibian Assessment. IUCN, Conservation International, and NatureServe, Washington, DC and Arlington, Virginia, USA.

Acknowledgement Statement for Amphibian Range Maps of the Western Hemisphere:
"Data developed as part of the Global Amphibian Assessment and provided by IUCN-World Conservation Union, Conservation International and NatureServe."

NOTE: Full metadata for the Bird Range Maps of North America is available at:
http://www.natureserve.org/library/birdDistributionmapsmetadatav1.pdf.

Full metadata for the Mammal Range Maps of North America is available at:
http://www.natureserve.org/library/mammalsDistributionmetadatav1.pdf.

Restrictions on Use: Permission to use, copy and distribute documents delivered from this server is hereby granted under the following conditions:
  1. The above copyright notice must appear in all copies;
  2. Any use of the documents available from this server must be for informational purposes only and in no instance for commercial purposes;
  3. Some data may be downloaded to files and altered in format for analytical purposes, however the data should still be referenced using the citation above;
  4. No graphics available from this server can be used, copied or distributed separate from the accompanying text. Any rights not expressly granted herein are reserved by NatureServe. Nothing contained herein shall be construed as conferring by implication, estoppel, or otherwise any license or right under any trademark of NatureServe. No trademark owned by NatureServe may be used in advertising or promotion pertaining to the distribution of documents delivered from this server without specific advance permission from NatureServe. Except as expressly provided above, nothing contained herein shall be construed as conferring any license or right under any NatureServe copyright.
Information Warranty Disclaimer: All documents and related graphics provided by this server and any other documents which are referenced by or linked to this server are provided "as is" without warranty as to the currentness, completeness, or accuracy of any specific data. NatureServe hereby disclaims all warranties and conditions with regard to any documents provided by this server or any other documents which are referenced by or linked to this server, including but not limited to all implied warranties and conditions of merchantibility, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement. NatureServe makes no representations about the suitability of the information delivered from this server or any other documents that are referenced to or linked to this server. In no event shall NatureServe be liable for any special, indirect, incidental, consequential damages, or for damages of any kind arising out of or in connection with the use or performance of information contained in any documents provided by this server or in any other documents which are referenced by or linked to this server, under any theory of liability used. NatureServe may update or make changes to the documents provided by this server at any time without notice; however, NatureServe makes no commitment to update the information contained herein. Since the data in the central databases are continually being updated, it is advisable to refresh data retrieved at least once a year after its receipt. The data provided is for planning, assessment, and informational purposes. Site specific projects or activities should be reviewed for potential environmental impacts with appropriate regulatory agencies. If ground-disturbing activities are proposed on a site, the appropriate state natural heritage program(s) or conservation data center can be contacted for a site-specific review of the project area (see Visit Local Programs).

Feedback Request: NatureServe encourages users to let us know of any errors or significant omissions that you find in the data through (see Contact Us). Your comments will be very valuable in improving the overall quality of our databases for the benefit of all users.
Copyright 2019
NatureServe
Version 7.1 (2 February 2009)
Data last updated: March 2019