Rich Montane Seep (High-Elevation Type) - Ecological Community of Great Smoky Mountains National Park

NatureServe Unique Identifier: CEGL004293: Impatiens (capensis, pallida) - Monarda didyma - Rudbeckia laciniata var. humilis Herbaceous Vegetation

Park Vegetation Plot Summary

Tree Canopy: N/A

Tree subcanopy: N/A

Tall Shrubs and Saplings: N/A

Herbs (field): Monarda didyma, Rudbeckia laciniata var. humilis

Nonvascular: N/A

Click photo to enlarge.
Photo provided by NatureServe.

GLOBAL COMMUNITY CONCEPT

This association covers forb-dominated palustrine vegetation occurring as small wetlands at high elevations (greater than 1,200 m or 4,000 feet), on upper slopes and ridgetops in the Southern Blue Ridge ecoregion.
- These areas lack extensive Sphagnum and are typically open, without shading from a forest canopy.
- This vegetation is often associated with boulderfield forests or other northern hardwood forests [see ~Betula alleghaniensis - Fagus grandifolia - Aesculus flava Forest Alliance (A.266)].
Typical dominant species include Impatiens capensis, Impatiens pallida, Monarda didyma, and Rudbeckia laciniata var. humilis.
- Other characteristic species include ~~Aconitum reclinatum~~, Cardamine clematitis, Carex leptonervia, Carex debilis var. rudgei, Carex ruthii, Chelone lyonii, Cicuta maculata, Claytonia caroliniana, ~~Conioselinum chinense~~, Euonymus obovatus, ~~Geum geniculatum~~, Helenium autumnale, Houstonia serpyllifolia, Lilium superbum, Lilium grayi, ~~Packera aurea (= Senecio aureus)~~, Solidago patula var. patula, Thalictrum clavatum, Trautvetteria caroliniensis, Veratrum viride, Viola cucullata, and Viola macloskeyi ssp. pallens.

PARK VEGETATION PLOT SUMMARY

Typical dominant species in the Great Smoky Mountains include Rudbeckia laciniata var. humilis, Symphyotrichum puniceum, Monarda didyma, Carex lurida, and other Carex spp. In some patches Angelica triquinata, Stachys latidens, Impatiens sp., and Juncus effusus were dominant .
- This community is best picked out from the matrix in late July when the Rudbeckia laciniata and Monarda didyma are both in full bloom.

DISTRIBUTION

North America:
This community occurs at moderate to high elevations in the southern Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina, eastern Tennessee, southwestern Virginia, northern Georgia, and northwestern South Carolina.

In the Park:
This community was not sampled on the Cades Cove or Mount Le Conte quadrangle but was sampled near the Heintooga Spur in the Bunche's Bald quadrangle. It is likely on the Mount Le Conte quadrangle, as well as in most other high-elevation areas of the park.

CONSERVATION STATUS

Global Status:

Global Conservation Status Rank: G3 (Last reviewed: 12 14 1998).
This community occurs at moderate to high elevations of the southern Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina, eastern Tennessee, southwestern Virginia, northern Georgia, and probably northwestern South Carolina.
- It occurs as a small patch community, embedded in a variety of regional forest types.
- While restricted in range and of small size, the community is relatively frequent within its range, many examples are protected, and threats are relatively few and minor.

Park Status:

Picking, digging, or otherwise damaging plants is prohibited in the Park. Collection is allowed only by special permit for research or educational purposes.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Field Work:

NatureServe

Supporting Institutions:

N/A

Forest Association Described By:

K.D. Patterson, MOD. R. White

Web Page:

Charles Wilder.

Photographs:

NatureServe

Maps:

N/A

REFERENCES

Allard, D. J. 1990. Southeastern United States ecological community classification. Interim report, Version 1.2. The Nature Conservancy, Southeast Regional Office, Chapel Hill, NC. 96 pp.

CAP [Central Appalachian Forest Working Group]. 1998. Central Appalachian Working group discussions. The Nature Conservancy, Boston, MA.

Fleming, G. P., P. P. Coulling, D. P. Walton, K. M. McCoy, and M. R. Parrish. 2001. The natural communities of Virginia: Classification of ecological community groups. First approximation. Natural Heritage Technical Report 01-1. Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage, Richmond, VA. Unpublished report. January 2001. 76 pp.

NatureServe Ecology - Southeastern United States. No date. Unpublished data. NatureServe, Durham, NC.

Nelson, J. B. 1986. The natural communities of South Carolina: Initial classification and description. South Carolina Wildlife and Marine Resources Department, Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, Columbia, SC. 55 pp.

Peet, R. K., T. R. Wentworth, M. P. Schafale, and A.S. Weakley. 2002. Unpublished data of the North Carolina Vegetation Survey. University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.

Schafale, M. 1998b. Fourth approximation guide. High mountain communities. March 1998 draft. North Carolina Natural Heritage Program, Raleigh.

Schafale, M. P., and A. S. Weakley. 1990. Classification of the natural communities of North Carolina. Third approximation. North Carolina Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Recreation, Natural Heritage Program, Raleigh. 325 pp.

Southeastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Durham, NC.

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