State 1
Reference State (minimally-managed)

This occurs next to small rivers and streams and includes a complex of plant communities and soils occurring together on floodplains and associated landforms. The variability in microtopography on this site results in a patchy mosaic of plant communities that may include trees, shrubs, and herbs. Graminoids and herbs dominate on streambanks, with patches of tall forbs and shrubs interspersed with patches of floodplain forests further from the channel. The relative amount of these communities varies greatly, and more work is needed to determine how many distinct floodplain ecological sites occur in this MLRA.

Characteristics and indicators. Due to the complex of floodplains associated within this ecological site and the variability in microtopography, characteristics and indicators may vary by floodplain and cannot be ascertained.

Resilience management. This site is subject to flooding and ice scour, which periodically removes woody species, maintaining the herbaceous component of the plant community. Spring and summer flooding brings large amounts of sediment carried from tributaries, as well as other debris that is deposited on the floodplain as flood waters recede. Beaver activity can alter reaches of this site by slowing the flow, which results in less flooding and scour. Much of this site occurs upstream of dams, though altered flow regimes below dams may have significant impact on this site. Floodplain canopy trees often topple as a result of prolonged saturation of sediments; vegetation structure is highly variable and dynamic as a result. Dynamic disturbance regime and high fertility make this system highly susceptible to invasions of non-native plants. Depositional and erosional features may both be present depending on the particular floodplain. (Edinger et al. 2014; NatureServe, 2022)

Community 1.1
Floodplain Forest

Typically, a hardwood forest that occurs on mineral soils on low terraces of river floodplains and river deltas. These sites are characterized by their flood regime; low areas are annually flooded in spring and high areas are flooded irregularly. Some sites may be quite dry by late summer whereas other sites may be flooded again in late summer or early autumn (these floods are caused by heavy precipitation associated with tropical storms). This is a broadly defined community; floodplain forests are quite variable and may be very diverse. (Edinger et al. 2014; NatureServe, 2022)

Resilience management. New York Natural Heritage Program State Rank: S2/S3 S2- Typically 6 to 20 occurrences, few remaining individuals (for species), acres, or miles of stream, or factors demonstrably making it very vulnerable in New York State. S3- Typically 21 to 100 occurrences, limited acreage, or miles of stream in New York State. The composition of the forest apparently changes in relation to flood frequency and elevation of floodplain terraces along larger rivers. The composition of floodplain forests in New York State has not been studied in sufficient detail to characterize compositional variations and how they correlate with flood regime and terrace elevation. Data on characteristic fauna are needed. (Edinger et al. 2014)

Community 1.2
Eastern Boreal Floodplain

This site consist of floodplains along medium-sized northern rivers on fine-textured mineral soils, in areas not strongly influenced by ice-scour, where topography has resulted in a complex of upland and wetland alluvial vegetation. Boreal rich swamp and floodplain forests develop on wet soils where the interaction of climate and landscape results in permanent or semi-permanent water tables at or near to the soil surface, but where water, nutrient and temperature regimes lie within the range required for tree establishment and growth. Most areas are underwater each spring; microtopography determines how long the various habitats are inundated. This floodplain type is represented by a mixed mosaic of forest and woodland vegetation composed of needle-leaved evergreen trees and broad-leaved deciduous trees. (NatureServe, 2022) NatureServe Element Code: CES103.588

Community 1.3
Central Appalachian River Floodplain

This system encompasses floodplains forms on floodplains along medium-sized to large rivers and can include a complex of wetland and upland vegetation. Sites occur on deep alluvial deposits and scoured vegetation on depositional bars and on bedrock where rivers cut through resistant geology. Soils range from sandy and silty on point bars to deep muck. This complex of floodplains includes floodplain forests, as well as herbaceous sloughs, shrub wetlands, riverside prairies and woodlands. Microtopography and soil texture determine how long the various habitats are inundated. Depositional and erosional features may both be present depending on the particular floodplain. (NatureServe, 2022) NatureServe Element Code: CES202.608

Resilience management. Spring and summer flooding brings large amounts of sediment carried from tributaries, as well as other debris that is deposited on the floodplain as flood waters recede. Floodplain canopy trees often topple as a result of prolonged saturation of sediments; vegetation structure is highly variable and dynamic as a result. Dynamic disturbance regime and high fertility make this system highly susceptible to invasions of non-native plants and are easily spread by waterflow, inhibiting growth of native plants. The high nutrient content of soils and the level topography of the floodplain have attracted a high degree of conversion to agriculture. Pesticides from crops and nutrients from fertilizer and farm animals often flow unimpeded into rivers, altering water quality and increasing the presence and spread of invasive species. Historic use of rivers as dumping areas of industrial waste leads to concentrations of toxic chemicals in the sediments. Dams convert natural flooding regimes, diminishing the dynamic quality of these systems as a result of controlled water releases. Dams also inhibit fish movement, altering movement of invertebrates. Riprap or hardening of shorelines changes the flow regime. (NatureServe, 2022)

Community 1.4
Laurentian-Acadian Floodplain Forest

This system encompasses north-temperate floodplains that occur along medium to large rivers where topography and process have resulted in the development of a complex of upland and wetland temperate alluvial vegetation on generally flat topography. This complex includes floodplain forests, with Acer saccharinum characteristic, as well as herbaceous sloughs and shrub wetlands. In areas subject to more scour, sparse non-wetland vegetation may develop on sandbars or rivershore rock outcrops. Most areas are underwater each spring; microtopography determines how long the various habitats are inundated. The herb layer in the forested portions often features abundant spring ephemerals, giving way to a fern-dominated understory in many areas by mid-summer. Non-forested wetlands associated with these systems include shrub-dominated and graminoid-herbaceous vegetation. (NatureServe, 2022) NatureServe Element Code: CES201.587

Community 1.5
Vernal Pool

In this classification, vernal pools are treated as embedded microhabitats or microsites within floodplains systems. An aquatic community of small, shallow depressions that are intermittently to ephemerally flooded. These small depressions typically occur within an upland forest, but may be surrounded by a narrow fringe of red maple-hardwood swamp that quickly transitions to upland forest. The pools generally lack trees, species composition is variable among sites, as well as annually and seasonally. Many smaller, shaded vernal ponds are unvegetated, their bottoms consisting of dead leaves and algae. Plants are predominantly hydrophytic, typically with a combination of obligate and facultative wetland species. Floating and submerged plants may be common, but emergent plants should be sparse or lacking. The uppermost substrate is typically dense leaf litter over hydric soils. The leaf litter is the predominant source of food energy and organic matter in the pool, and derived from the surrounding forest. The substrate under the leaf litter is known to vary from mineral soil with or without a layer of muck, deep sands, loam, or sandstone pavement. Vernal pools typically occupy a confined basin, but may have an intermittent stream flowing out of it during high water. This community experiences seasonally fluctuating water levels; it may dry out completely in the summer. Hydrology may be affected by impermeable soils, seasonally high water tables, seasonal flooding in nearby streams and drainages, and/or impervious bedrock at or near the surface. (Edinger et al. 2014; NatureServe, 2022) NatureServe Element Code: CEGL006453

Resilience management. New York Natural Heritage Program State Rank: S3/S4 S3- Typically 21 to 100 occurrences, limited acreage, or miles of stream in New York State. S4- Apparently secure in New York State. Despite their large numbers, vernal pools are vulnerable to a number of threats. Many are too small to be protected by Section 404 of the Clean Water Act as a result of a Supreme Court ruling in 2001 and a subsequent decision by the EPA against protection of isolated wetlands. Vernal pools are vulnerable to a host of threats, including outright destruction, as well as impacts of logging, development, overuse of ATVs, altered hydrology such as ditching, filling or impoundments, and pollution as a result of runoff from agriculture, development, road construction, etc. (Edinger et al. 2014; NatureServe, 2022)

Community 1.6
Riverside Sand/Gravel Bar

A meadow community that occurs on sand and gravel bars deposited within, or adjacent to, a river channel. The community may be very sparsely vegetated, depending on the rates of deposition and erosion of the sand or gravel. Flood events may remove sand and gravel layers converting patches to cobble shore. More data on this community is needed. (Edinger et al. 2014)

Resilience management. New York Natural Heritage Program State Rank: S3/S4 S3- Typically 21 to 100 occurrences, limited acreage, or miles of stream in New York State. S4- Apparently secure in New York State. Sites are highly susceptible to flooding events, erosion, and invasiveness (Edinger et al. 2014)

State 2
Semi-natural State

Shifts in ecological site composition, functionality, and dynamics driven by natural disturbances, processes, and pressures (may have some anthropogenic influences). More research is needed to determine the extent of the Semi-natural state associated with this ecological site.

Community 2.1
Invasiveness and Biological Introductions

Introduction of invasive species, pathogens, and/or pests resulting in shifts in ecological site composition, functionality, and dynamics. More research is needed to determine the extent of these effects on the semi-natural state associated with this ecological site.

Resilience management. Dynamic disturbance regime and high fertility make this system highly susceptible to invasions of non-native plants. Invasive plant species, easily spread by waterflow, inhibit growth of native plants. (NatureServe, 2022)

Community 2.2
Transitional Marsh

Frequent flooding events or hydrological alteration of sites that can include the removal or addition of dams, barriers, structures, or actions that temporarily or permanently alter watersheds or the fluvial geomorphology of rivers and streams. These actions strongly influence site functions, dynamics, and composition that promote a semi-natural state as opposed to either extremes of hydrological alteration within the reference state and cultural state.

Community 2.3
Ponded

Frequent flooding events or hydrological alteration of sites that can include the removal or addition of dams, barriers, structures, or actions that temporarily or permanently alter watersheds or the fluvial geomorphology of rivers and streams. These actions strongly influence site functions, dynamics, and composition that promote a semi-natural state as opposed to either extremes of hydrological alteration within the reference state and cultural state.

Pathway 2.1a
Community 2.1 to 2.2

introduction of invasive species, pests, and pathogens as a result of shifts between states or communities, highly influenced by pressures from disturbance and climate change

Pathway 2.1b
Community 2.1 to 2.3

introduction of invasive species, pests, and pathogens as a result of shifts between states or communities, highly influenced by pressures from disturbance and climate change

Pathway 2.2a
Community 2.2 to 2.3

hydrologic alteration (beaver, road construction, drainage blockage), increase in significant flooding events and annual precipitation

Pathway 2.3a
Community 2.3 to 2.2

hydrologic alteration (beaver, road construction, drainage blockage), increase in significant flooding events and annual precipitation

State 3
Cultural State

The high nutrient content of soils and the level topography of the floodplain have attracted a high degree of conversion to agriculture. Shifts in ecological site composition, functionality, and dynamics that are primary driven by anthropogenic disturbances and pressures (may have some associated natural influences). More research is needed to determine the extent of the cultural state associated with this ecological site.

Resilience management. Pesticides from crops and nutrients from fertilizer and farm animals often flow unimpeded into rivers, altering water quality and increasing the incidence of invasive species. Historic use of rivers as dumping areas of industrial waste leads to concentrations of toxic chemicals in the sediments. Dams convert natural flooding regimes, diminishing the dynamic quality of these systems as a result of controlled water releases. Dams also inhibit fish movement and altering movement of invertebrates. (NatureServe, 2022)

Community 3.1
Cropland

Cultural state used for plantations or cultivated cropland, primarily formed by hydrological alteration and mechanical landscape alteration.

Community 3.2
Pasture and/or Hayland

Cultural state used for pasture or hayland, primarily formed by hydrological alteration and mechanical landscape alteration.

Pathway 3.1a
Community 3.1 to 3.2

mechanical soil disturbance, seeded, irrigated, planted

Pathway 3.2a
Community 3.2 to 3.1

mechanical soil disturbance, seeded, irrigated, planted

Transition T1A
State 1 to 2

wind erosion, streambank erosion, climate change, hydrological alteration (beaver activity), significant increase in flooding events and annual precipitation, introduction of invasive species, pests, and pathogens

Transition T1B
State 1 to 3

hydrologic alteration (anthropogenic), timber harvesting, mechanical soil disturbance, landscape alteration

Restoration pathway R2A
State 2 to 1

remediation of hydrologic alteration, management of invasive species, pests, and pathogens, restoration of key plant species

Transition T2A
State 2 to 3

hydrologic alteration (barrier, obstruction, dam), landscape alteration, mechanical soil disturbance, seeding, planting

Restoration pathway R3B
State 3 to 1

remediation of hydrologic alteration, seeding, planting, significant flooding events and increase in annual precipitation, compacted soil, establishment of key native plant species

Restoration pathway R3A
State 3 to 2

remediation of hydrologic alteration, seeding, planting, significant flooding events and increase in annual precipitation, compacted soil, establishment of key native plant species