Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Ecological site F142XB005VT
Clayplain
Last updated: 10/03/2024
Accessed: 12/22/2024
General information
Provisional. A provisional ecological site description has undergone quality control and quality assurance review. It contains a working state and transition model and enough information to identify the ecological site.
MLRA notes
Major Land Resource Area (MLRA): 142X–St. Lawrence-Champlain Plain
The St. Lawrence-Champlain Plain MLRA is a glaciated area of low relief dominated by broad expanses of nearly level, sandy deltas and shallow lacustrine basins or plains punctuated by low hills of glacial till. Rivers and streams have cut relatively deep but narrow valleys across the plain. Elevation ranges from 80 to 1,000 feet (25 to 305 meters), increasing gradually from the St. Lawrence River southward and from Lake Champlain to the east and west.
LRU notes
Land Resource Unit (LRU): Mesic Soil Temperature Regime
The lower St. Lawrence and Champlain Valleys are characterized with soils in the mesic soil temperature regime (mean annual soil temperature between 46°F and 59°F) at 20 inches below the surface or at a densic, lithic, or paralithic contact, whichever is shallower.
The Mesic Soil Temperature Regime (STR) will have a longer growing season than the upper St. Lawrence and Champlain Valleys which are characterized with soils in the frigid STR. Species more tolerant of milder year round temperatures would also be evident in the mesic LRU.
Classification relationships
USDA-NRCS
LRR: D-Northeastern Forage and Forest Region
MLRA: 142-St. Lawrence-Champlain Plain.
LRU: TBD
EPA (Ecoregions)
Level III: 83-Eastern Great Lakes Lowlands
Level IV: 83b-Champlain Lowlands
USDA-USFS
Province: Laurentian Mixed Forest
Section: 212E--St. Lawrence and Champlain Valley
Sub-section: 212Ec Champlain Glacial Lake and Marine Plains
Ecological site concept
Landform:
The site occurs on within a broad expanse of nearly level to steep glacial lake plains and terraces. The elevation range varies from 25 to 305 meters (80 to 100 feet) with low relief generally less than 10 meters (30 feet). Slopes are typically less than or equal to 15 percent but can range up to 50 percent.
Soils:
The site consists of very deep and moderately well and somewhat poorly drained soils that are clayey throughout their profile. They formed in calcareous estuarine and glaciolacustrine clays. Representative soils are Vergennes, Wilpoint, Kingsbury, Hudson, Cayuga, Chaumont, Churchville, and Rhinebeck.
Vegetation:
Remnant clayplain forests are scarce, characterized by a mixed forest of deciduous and coniferous trees, often with an understory containing invasive shrubs such as bush honeysuckles and common buckthorn. Regularly occurring trees include white pine, red maple, white and red oak, and shagbark hickory. The shrub layer can be diverse, with varying coverage of sapling trees, witchhazel, mapleleaf viburnum, and American hornbeam, all depending on the length of time since agricultural abandonment. Herbaceous associates include barren strawberry, rosy sedge, wild sarsaparilla, Enchanter’s nightshade, shorthusk, and others.
Associated sites
| F142XB007VT |
Wet Clayplain Depression |
|---|
Similar sites
| F142XA018NY |
Rich Till Upland Frigid |
|---|---|
| F142XB019NY |
Shallow Acidic Till Upland |
Table 1. Dominant plant species
| Tree |
(1) Quercus alba |
|---|---|
| Shrub |
(1) Hamamelis virginiana |
| Herbaceous |
(1) Aralia nudicaulis |
Physiographic features
The site occurs on within a broad expanse of nearly level to steep glacial lake plains and terraces. The elevation range varies from 25 to 305 meters (80 to 100 feet) with low relief generally less than 10 meters (30 feet).
Figure 1. Block diagram of Clayplain ES (Vergennes soils)
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
| Landforms |
(1)
Lake plain
> Lake plain
(2) Lake terrace (3) Drumlinoid ridge (4) Flat (5) Hill (6) Knoll (7) Ridge (8) Till plain (9) Terrace |
|---|---|
| Runoff class | Low to very high |
| Flooding frequency | None to occasional |
| Ponding frequency | None |
| Elevation | 15 – 549 m |
| Slope | 0 – 60% |
| Water table depth |
Not specified |
| Aspect | Aspect is not a significant factor |
Climatic features
The Koppen-Geiger climate classification of the area in which this MLRA occurs is Dfb, Warm-summer humid continental. The Lake Champlain Valley has a humid climate with cold winters and warm summers. Rainfall occurs as high-intensity, convective thunderstorms in the summer, and snowfall is heavy from late in Autumn to early Spring. The frost-free period in this area is longest in a narrow belt around Lake Champlain. The area falls within USDA Hardiness zones 5a (and to a small extent, 5b). The Lake influences the climate of the Valley by moderating temperatures enough with offshore winds to delay the onset of fall, and similarly, to delay the advance of spring. Climate change scenarios for the Northeastern US predict an overall increase in temperature, particularly in the winter and predict a slight increase in annual precipitation.
Table 3. Representative climatic features
| Frost-free period (characteristic range) | 115-136 days |
|---|---|
| Freeze-free period (characteristic range) | 145-172 days |
| Precipitation total (characteristic range) | 914-1,041 mm |
| Frost-free period (actual range) | 104-141 days |
| Freeze-free period (actual range) | 132-180 days |
| Precipitation total (actual range) | 864-1,067 mm |
| Frost-free period (average) | 125 days |
| Freeze-free period (average) | 158 days |
| Precipitation total (average) | 965 mm |
Figure 2. Monthly precipitation range
Figure 3. Monthly minimum temperature range
Figure 4. Monthly maximum temperature range
Figure 5. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature
Figure 6. Annual precipitation pattern
Figure 7. Annual average temperature pattern
Climate stations used
-
(1) BURLINGTON INTL AP [USW00014742], South Burlington, VT
-
(2) SOUTH HERO [USC00437607], South Hero, VT
-
(3) WHITEHALL [USC00309389], Whitehall, NY
-
(4) SALISBURY 2 N [USC00437098], Salisbury, VT
Influencing water features
NONE
Wetland description
NONE
Soil features
The site consists of very deep and moderately well and somewhat poorly drained soils that are clayey throughout their profile. They formed in calcareous estuarine and glaciolacustrine clays. Representative soils are Vergennes, Wilpoint, Kingsbury, Hudson, Cayuga, Chaumont, Churchville, and Rhinebeck.
The soils have very high natural fertility and a moderately high available moisture capacity. Their permeability is very slow. These soils have only faint mottles in the lower part of the subsoil, but mottles are more distinct as depth increases. This pattern of mottling indicates that the upper part of the subsoil is not frequently wet but that the lower part is saturated for significant periods. From late in fall to early in spring, water is less than 2 feet below the soil surface. It recedes to a depth of 2 feet or more during drier periods. These soils puddle if worked when wet, and they crust and become cloddy when they dry. The dry clods are very hard and are very difficult to crush. These soils are slow to warm in the spring. These soils have a moderate or high shrink-swell potential.
Figure 8. Profile of Vergennes Clay
Table 4. Representative soil features
| Parent material |
(1)
Glaciolacustrine deposits
–
limestone
(2) Till – igneous and sedimentary rock (3) Glaciomarine deposits (4) Estuarine deposits |
|---|---|
| Surface texture |
(1) Clay (2) Sandy clay (3) Silty clay loam (4) Silty clay (5) Loam (6) Silt loam |
| Family particle size |
(1) Very-fine (2) Fine |
| Drainage class | Somewhat poorly drained to moderately well drained |
| Permeability class | Very slow |
| Depth to restrictive layer | 56 – 183 cm |
| Soil depth | 152 cm |
| Surface fragment cover <=3" | 0% |
| Surface fragment cover >3" | 0% |
| Available water capacity (0-101.6cm) |
7.62 – 15.24 cm |
| Calcium carbonate equivalent (0-101.6cm) |
0 – 25% |
| Electrical conductivity (0-101.6cm) |
0 mmhos/cm |
| Sodium adsorption ratio (0-101.6cm) |
0 |
| Soil reaction (1:1 water) (0-101.6cm) |
4.5 – 9 |
| Subsurface fragment volume <=3" (Depth not specified) |
0 – 13% |
| Subsurface fragment volume >3" (Depth not specified) |
3 – 9% |
Ecological dynamics
In the reference condition, this site is characterized by mature trees, well-developed strata, and high species diversity. Because soils are fertile, much of this site has been lost to agriculture, and only a few small patches of mature forest remain in the US. More research is needed to determine the extent in the nearby eastern Ontario Plain and adjacent Canada. Complete removal of all vegetation and tilling of soils converts the site for agricultural crops, usually corn. Cessation of agriculture allows for the establishment of fallow meadow, often characterized by non-native grasses and forbs, as wells as scattered shrubs. This state is short-lived unless mowed or burned at least annually, in which case, the state can persist indefinitely. If unmanaged, early successional native and non-native trees and shrubs become established. These are characterized by wind- or bird-dispersed seeds. If no active management is employed, the site converts gradually to early successional forest comprising young trees, shrubs, and herbs in a patchy mosaic, and is highly variable among locations. If invasive species are present, and in most cases they are, only manual removal, close monitoring for newly established invasive plants, and judicious planting of native trees and shrubs can convert the site to a semblance of the reference state.
State and transition model
Figure 9. F142XY001VT Mesic clayplains
Figure 10. F142XY001VT; Mesic clayplains
More interactive model formats are also available.
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More interactive model formats are also available.
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Click on state and transition labels to scroll to the respective text
Ecosystem states
State 1
Reference
This state represents the mesic clayplain forest, characterized by green ash and slippery elm. Associated trees may include northern white cedar, basswood, eastern hemlock, red maple, shagbark hickory, and white pine. The tree canopy is generally closed to partially open. Shrub and herb layers are of variable cover; American hornbeam and southern arrowwood form an open shrub layer. Common herbaceous species include sensitive fern, jack-in-the-pulpit, jewelweed, slender sedge, enchanter’s nightshade, and parasol whitetop aster.
Community 1.1
Green ash – Swamp white oak / Graceful sedge Wet Clayplain Forest (Fraxinus pennsylvanica – Quercus
Figure 11. Mature Mesic Clayplain Forest
This wet, deciduous forest occurs in wet, fertile clay and silt plains. The closed canopy is typically green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica) and swamp white oak (Quercus bicolor. The shrub layer is quite variable and dominated by musclewood aka American hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana). several wetland plants are found in the understory including the graceful sedge (Carex gracillima, Inland sedge (Carex interior), and jewelweed (Impatiens capensis).
Forest overstory. The closed canopy is Green ash, and Swamp wite oak admixed with slippery elm and red maple. Occasional trees include white pine and eastern hemlock. Northern white cedar is sometimes present.
Forest understory. Forest understory includes a variously developed shrub layer of musclewood aka American hornbeam.
The herb layer is rich with ferns, sedges, and herbs - characteristically the graceful sedge, interior sedge, and jewelweed.
Table 5. Soil surface cover
| Tree basal cover | 2% |
|---|---|
| Shrub/vine/liana basal cover | 1% |
| Grass/grasslike basal cover | 0-1% |
| Forb basal cover | 1-3% |
| Non-vascular plants | 0-5% |
| Biological crusts | 0% |
| Litter | 87-96% |
| Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3" | 0% |
| Surface fragments >3" | 0% |
| Bedrock | 0% |
| Water | 0% |
| Bare ground | 0% |
Table 6. Woody ground cover
| Downed wood, fine-small (<0.40" diameter; 1-hour fuels) | 5-36% |
|---|---|
| Downed wood, fine-medium (0.40-0.99" diameter; 10-hour fuels) | 2-10% |
| Downed wood, fine-large (1.00-2.99" diameter; 100-hour fuels) | 2-5% |
| Downed wood, coarse-small (3.00-8.99" diameter; 1,000-hour fuels) | 1-3% |
| Downed wood, coarse-large (>9.00" diameter; 10,000-hour fuels) | 1-2% |
| Tree snags** (hard***) | – |
| Tree snags** (soft***) | – |
| Tree snag count** (hard***) | |
| Tree snag count** (hard***) |
* Decomposition Classes: N - no or little integration with the soil surface; I - partial to nearly full integration with the soil surface.
** >10.16cm diameter at 1.3716m above ground and >1.8288m height--if less diameter OR height use applicable down wood type; for pinyon and juniper, use 0.3048m above ground.
*** Hard - tree is dead with most or all of bark intact; Soft - most of bark has sloughed off.
Table 7. Canopy structure (% cover)
| Height Above Ground (m) | Tree | Shrub/Vine | Grass/ Grasslike |
Forb |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| <0.15 | – | – | – | – |
| >0.15 <= 0.3 | – | – | – | – |
| >0.3 <= 0.6 | – | – | – | – |
| >0.6 <= 1.4 | – | – | 0-15% | 25-60% |
| >1.4 <= 4 | – | 15-15% | – | – |
| >4 <= 12 | 0-5% | – | – | – |
| >12 <= 24 | 60-80% | – | – | – |
| >24 <= 37 | – | – | – | – |
| >37 | – | – | – | – |
Community 1.2
White pine - sugar maple / Morrow honeysuckle Successional Mesic
This phase is variable in structure and composition. It is often dominated by white pine, but also supports species characteristic of the mature state in the understory. Other early successional trees include trembling aspen and eastern red-cedar. Invasive species are often present in quantity, including autumn olive, multiflora rose, honeysuckle, and common buckthorn.
Pathway 1.1A
Community 1.1 to 1.2
This pathway results from tree removal and soil disturbance.
Conservation practices
| Brush Management | |
|---|---|
| Upland Wildlife Habitat Management |
Pathway 1.2A
Community 1.2 to 1.1
Natural succession.
Conservation practices
| Upland Wildlife Habitat Management |
|---|
State 2
Converted to Agriculture
This state bears no resemblance to the reference state or earlier successional states. All native vegetation has been removed, and soils have been severely disturbed by tilling. Corn is a typical agricultural crop on this site.
State 3
Fallow / Invaded State
This state is short-lived without active management, and arises from natural succession following cessation of agriculture. Early successional species, including exotic invasives, become established on bare soil.
Community 3.1
Orchardgrass - smooth brome - common milkweed early successional meadow
Figure 12. open, succesional old field
This phase becomes established on bare soil after cessation of agriculture, and is short-lived without annual mowing, but persists indefinitely when actively managed. The dominant plants are orcvhardgrass (Dactylis glomerulata), smooth brome (Bromuns inermis), and common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) as well as a few incursive shrubs like silky dogwood (Cornus amomum).
Table 8. Canopy structure (% cover)
| Height Above Ground (m) | Tree | Shrub/Vine | Grass/ Grasslike |
Forb |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| <0.15 | – | – | – | – |
| >0.15 <= 0.3 | – | – | – | – |
| >0.3 <= 0.6 | – | 0-5% | 0-100% | 0-50% |
| >0.6 <= 1.4 | – | – | – | – |
| >1.4 <= 4 | – | – | – | – |
| >4 <= 12 | – | – | – | – |
| >12 <= 24 | – | – | – | – |
| >24 <= 37 | – | – | – | – |
| >37 | – | – | – | – |
Community 3.2
Common buckthorn - silky dogwood - autumn olive ruderal shrubland
This vegetation comprises shrubby old fields dominated by thickets. Variable amounts of invasive plants are present. Notable shrubs include: Elaeagnus angustifolia, Cornus racemosa, Viburnum prunifolium, Lonicera japonica, Lonicera morrowii, Ligustrum vulgare, Euonymus alatus, Rosa multiflora, Rhus glabra, and Rhus typhina, with patches of herbaceous vegetation among the shrubs. Shorter shrubs include Berberis thunbergii and Rubus spp. Small trees are often present but form <25% cover; they include Juniperus virginiana, Betula populifolia, Prunus virginiana, Acer rubrum, Prunus serotina, and Fraxinus americana. The herbaceous layer is variable depending on the density of shrub cover. Typical species are those associated with old fields, grasslands, and agricultural sites. Common species include Solidago rugosa, Solidago gigantea, Solidago nemoralis, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Poa pratensis, Oxalis stricta, Viola sororia, Euthamia graminifolia, Festuca rubra, Schizachyrium scoparium, Pycnanthemum virginianum, Alliaria petiolata, Galium mollugo, Potentilla simplex, Achillea millefolium, Daucus carota, Trifolium repens, Bromus inermis, Agrostis gigantea, and Elymus repens (= Elytrigia repens), among many others. Vines can be absent or dominant, sometimes covering the tall and short shrubs. Common vines are Vitis aestivalis, Vitis labrusca, Toxicodendron radicans, Celastrus orbiculata, Parthenocissus quinquefolia, and Lonicera japonica (NatureServe 2015). This phase is characterized by an abundance of fleshy fruited shrubs, both native and non-native, that become established by bird and small mammal dispersal. Many of the successional meadow species remain in openings, usually forming a patchy mosaic (NatureServe 2015).
Pathway 3.1A
Community 3.1 to 3.2
succession to predominately invasive and incursive shrubs
Pathway 3.2A
Community 3.2 to 3.1
Cutting and removal of invasive and incursive shrubs.
Conservation practices
| Brush Management | |
|---|---|
| Invasive Plant Species Control |
Transition T1A
State 1 to 2
This transition occurs as a result of agriculture. All native vegetation is removed, and soils are tilled and planted with crops, usually corn.
Transition R2A
State 2 to 3
Cessation of agriculture; natural succession.
Restoration pathway R3A
State 3 to 1
This transition requires the manual removal of invasive species and possibly planting, followed by natural succession to the reference state.
Conservation practices
| Tree/Shrub Establishment | |
|---|---|
| Upland Wildlife Habitat Management | |
| Native Plant Community Restoration and Management | |
| Herbaceous Weed Control |
Transition T3A
State 3 to 2
This transition occurs as a result of agriculture. All native vegetation is removed, and soils are tilled and planted with crops, usually corn.
Additional community tables
Table 9. Community 1.1 forest overstory composition
| Common name | Symbol | Scientific name | Nativity | Height (m) | Canopy cover (%) | Diameter (cm) | Basal area (square m/hectare) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Tree
|
|||||||
| eastern white pine | PIST | Pinus strobus | Native | 10.1–20.1 | 10–25 | – | – |
| eastern hemlock | TSCA | Tsuga canadensis | Native | 10.1–20.1 | 10–25 | – | – |
| white ash | FRAM2 | Fraxinus americana | Native | 10.1–20.1 | 5–10 | – | – |
| northern red oak | QURU | Quercus rubra | Native | 10.1–20.1 | 5–10 | – | – |
| bigtooth aspen | POGR4 | Populus grandidentata | Native | 10.1–20.1 | 5–10 | – | – |
| white oak | QUAL | Quercus alba | Native | 10.1–20.1 | 2–5 | – | – |
| hophornbeam | OSVI | Ostrya virginiana | Native | – | – | – | – |
| shagbark hickory | CAOV2 | Carya ovata | Native | – | – | – | – |
| red maple | ACRU | Acer rubrum | Native | – | – | – | – |
| bitternut hickory | CACO15 | Carya cordiformis | Native | – | – | – | – |
| American beech | FAGR | Fagus grandifolia | Native | – | – | – | – |
| American basswood | TIAM | Tilia americana | Native | – | – | – | – |
| quaking aspen | POTR5 | Populus tremuloides | Native | – | – | – | – |
| shagbark hickory | CAOV2 | Carya ovata | – | – | – | – | – |
Table 10. Community 1.1 forest understory composition
| Common name | Symbol | Scientific name | Nativity | Height (m) | Canopy cover (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Grass/grass-like (Graminoids)
|
||||||
| longstalk sedge | CAPE4 | Carex pedunculata | Native | 0.1–0.5 | 0.5–1 | |
| handsome sedge | CAFO4 | Carex formosa | Native | – | – | |
| plantainleaf sedge | CAPL4 | Carex plantaginea | Native | – | – | |
| rosy sedge | CARO22 | Carex rosea | Native | – | – | |
| whitegrass | LEVI2 | Leersia virginica | Native | – | – | |
| Pennsylvania sedge | CAPE6 | Carex pensylvanica | Native | – | – | |
|
Forb/Herb
|
||||||
| wild sarsaparilla | ARNU2 | Aralia nudicaulis | Native | 0.1–0.5 | 0.5–1 | |
| Appalachian barren strawberry | WAFR | Waldsteinia fragarioides | Native | 0.1–0.5 | 0.5–1 | |
| pointedleaf ticktrefoil | DEGL5 | Desmodium glutinosum | Native | 0.1–0.5 | 0.5–1 | |
| broadleaf helleborine | EPHE | Epipactis helleborine | Introduced | 0.1–0.5 | 0.5–1 | |
| longstyle sweetroot | OSLO | Osmorhiza longistylis | Native | 0.1–0.5 | 0.5–1 | |
| broadleaf enchanter's nightshade | CILUC | Circaea lutetiana ssp. canadensis | Native | – | – | |
| spotted geranium | GEMA | Geranium maculatum | Native | – | – | |
| white snakeroot | AGAL5 | Ageratina altissima | Native | – | – | |
| American hogpeanut | AMBR2 | Amphicarpaea bracteata | Native | – | – | |
| Canadian woodnettle | LACA3 | Laportea canadensis | Native | – | – | |
| woodland sunflower | HEDI2 | Helianthus divaricatus | Native | – | – | |
| gaywings | POPA5 | Polygala paucifolia | Native | – | – | |
| white baneberry | ACPA | Actaea pachypoda | Native | – | – | |
| largefruit blacksnakeroot | SATR4 | Sanicula trifoliata | Native | – | – | |
| wreath goldenrod | SOCA4 | Solidago caesia | Native | – | – | |
|
Fern/fern ally
|
||||||
| intermediate woodfern | DRIN5 | Dryopteris intermedia | Native | 0.1–0.5 | 0.5–1 | |
| Christmas fern | POAC4 | Polystichum acrostichoides | Native | 0.1–0.5 | 0.5–1 | |
| northern maidenhair | ADPE | Adiantum pedatum | Native | – | – | |
|
Shrub/Subshrub
|
||||||
| American witchhazel | HAVI4 | Hamamelis virginiana | Native | 2.1–4.9 | 5–10 | |
| American hornbeam | CACA18 | Carpinus caroliniana | Native | 0.9–4.9 | 2–5 | |
| mapleleaf viburnum | VIAC | Viburnum acerifolium | Native | – | – | |
| eastern leatherwood | DIPA9 | Dirca palustris | Native | – | – | |
| alternateleaf dogwood | COAL2 | Cornus alternifolia | Native | – | – | |
| American witchhazel | HAVI4 | Hamamelis virginiana | Native | – | – | |
|
Tree
|
||||||
| striped maple | ACPE | Acer pensylvanicum | Native | 2.1–4.9 | 5–10 | |
| American beech | FAGR | Fagus grandifolia | Native | 2.1–4.9 | 1–2 | |
| white ash | FRAM2 | Fraxinus americana | Native | 0.9–4.9 | 1–2 | |
| quaking aspen | POTR5 | Populus tremuloides | Native | – | – | |
| sweet birch | BELE | Betula lenta | Native | – | – | |
|
Vine/Liana
|
||||||
| eastern poison ivy | TORA2 | Toxicodendron radicans | Native | 0.1–0.5 | 0.5–1 | |
| Virginia creeper | PAQU2 | Parthenocissus quinquefolia | Native | 0.1–0.5 | 0.5–1 | |
Table 11. Community 3.1 forest understory composition
| Common name | Symbol | Scientific name | Nativity | Height (m) | Canopy cover (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Grass/grass-like (Graminoids)
|
||||||
| orchardgrass | DAGL | Dactylis glomerata | Introduced | 0–0.9 | 0–100 | |
| smooth brome | BRIN2 | Bromus inermis | Introduced | 0–0.9 | 0–50 | |
|
Forb/Herb
|
||||||
| common milkweed | ASSY | Asclepias syriaca | Native | 0–0.9 | 0–10 | |
| wrinkleleaf goldenrod | SORU2 | Solidago rugosa | Native | 0–0.9 | 0–10 | |
| oxeye daisy | LEVU | Leucanthemum vulgare | Introduced | 0–0.9 | 0–10 | |
| Canada goldenrod | SOAL6 | Solidago altissima | Native | 0–0.9 | 0–10 | |
|
Shrub/Subshrub
|
||||||
| Morrow's honeysuckle | LOMO2 | Lonicera morrowii | Introduced | 0–0.9 | 0–1 | |
| silky dogwood | COAM2 | Cornus amomum | Native | 0–0.9 | 0–1 | |
| nannyberry | VILE | Viburnum lentago | – | 0–0.9 | 0–1 | |
| gray dogwood | CORA6 | Cornus racemosa | Native | 0–0.9 | 0–1 | |
|
Tree
|
||||||
| eastern white pine | PIST | Pinus strobus | Native | 0–0.9 | 0–1 | |
| swamp white oak | QUBI | Quercus bicolor | Native | 0–0.9 | 0–1 | |
Table 12. Community 3.2 forest understory composition
| Common name | Symbol | Scientific name | Nativity | Height (m) | Canopy cover (%) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Grass/grass-like (Graminoids)
|
||||||
| Kentucky bluegrass | POPR | Poa pratensis | Introduced | – | – | |
| redtop | AGGI2 | Agrostis gigantea | Unknown | – | – | |
| quackgrass | ELRE4 | Elymus repens | Introduced | – | – | |
| red fescue | FERU2 | Festuca rubra | Native | – | – | |
| little bluestem | SCSC | Schizachyrium scoparium | Native | – | – | |
| sweet vernalgrass | ANOD | Anthoxanthum odoratum | Introduced | – | – | |
| smooth brome | BRIN2 | Bromus inermis | Introduced | – | – | |
|
Forb/Herb
|
||||||
| common yellow oxalis | OXST | Oxalis stricta | Native | – | – | |
| common blue violet | VISO | Viola sororia | Native | – | – | |
| flat-top goldentop | EUGR5 | Euthamia graminifolia | Native | – | – | |
| common yarrow | ACMI2 | Achillea millefolium | Native | – | – | |
| common yarrow | ACMI2 | Achillea millefolium | Introduced | – | – | |
| Queen Anne's lace | DACA6 | Daucus carota | Introduced | – | – | |
| white clover | TRRE3 | Trifolium repens | Introduced | – | – | |
| wrinkleleaf goldenrod | SORU2 | Solidago rugosa | Native | – | – | |
| Virginia mountainmint | PYVI | Pycnanthemum virginianum | Native | – | – | |
| garlic mustard | ALPE4 | Alliaria petiolata | Introduced | – | – | |
| false baby's breath | GAMO | Galium mollugo | Introduced | – | – | |
| common cinquefoil | POSI2 | Potentilla simplex | Native | – | – | |
| giant goldenrod | SOGI | Solidago gigantea | Native | – | – | |
| gray goldenrod | SONE | Solidago nemoralis | Native | – | – | |
|
Shrub/Subshrub
|
||||||
| Russian olive | ELAN | Elaeagnus angustifolia | Introduced | – | – | |
| gray dogwood | CORA6 | Cornus racemosa | Native | – | – | |
| blackhaw | VIPR | Viburnum prunifolium | Native | – | – | |
| Morrow's honeysuckle | LOMO2 | Lonicera morrowii | Introduced | – | – | |
| European privet | LIVU | Ligustrum vulgare | Introduced | – | – | |
| burningbush | EUAL13 | Euonymus alatus | Introduced | – | – | |
| multiflora rose | ROMU | Rosa multiflora | Introduced | – | – | |
| smooth sumac | RHGL | Rhus glabra | Native | – | – | |
| staghorn sumac | RHTY | Rhus typhina | Introduced | – | – | |
| Japanese barberry | BETH | Berberis thunbergii | Introduced | – | – | |
| blackberry | RUBUS | Rubus | Native | – | – | |
| common buckthorn | RHCA3 | Rhamnus cathartica | Introduced | – | – | |
| Japanese honeysuckle | LOJA | Lonicera japonica | Introduced | – | – | |
|
Tree
|
||||||
| American elm | ULAM | Ulmus americana | Native | – | – | |
| eastern redcedar | JUVI | Juniperus virginiana | Native | – | – | |
| gray birch | BEPO | Betula populifolia | Native | – | – | |
| chokecherry | PRVI | Prunus virginiana | Native | – | – | |
| red maple | ACRU | Acer rubrum | Native | – | – | |
| black cherry | PRSE2 | Prunus serotina | Native | – | – | |
| white ash | FRAM2 | Fraxinus americana | Native | – | – | |
|
Vine/Liana
|
||||||
| summer grape | VIAE | Vitis aestivalis | Native | – | – | |
| fox grape | VILA8 | Vitis labrusca | Native | – | – | |
| eastern poison ivy | TORA2 | Toxicodendron radicans | Native | – | – | |
| eastern poison ivy | TORA2 | Toxicodendron radicans | Native | – | – | |
| American ginseng | PAQU | Panax quinquefolius | Native | – | – | |
Interpretations
Animal community
(Source: Thompson and Sorenson 2000) Mammals characteristic of this site include gray squirrel, eastern chipmunk, raccoon, and white-tailed deer. Beaver also frequent this site where it is associated with standing water. Common birds include wood thrush, eastern wood peewee, ovenbird, northern oriole, and downy woodpecker. Amphibians associated with this site include blue-spotted salamander, American toad, wood frog, and green treefrog.
Hydrological functions
Surface water can pool in areas where soils are poorly drained, but there are no water features associated with this site.
Recreational uses
This site has limited use for recreation other than occasional hiking.
Other products
This site has deep, fertile soils that are heavily used for agriculture.
Supporting information
Inventory data references
K. Metzler, N. Barrett; 2015VT021003, 20151004; Rutland VT
Other references
South Burlington Natural Resources Committee. 2011. Wheeler Nature Park, South Burlington, Vermont, management plan. Draft prepared for the City of South Burlington.
Thompson, E. H., and E. R. Sorenson. 2000. Wetland, woodland, wildland: A guide to the natural communities of Vermont. The Nature Conservancy and the Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife. University Press of New England, Hanover, NH. 456 pp.
Vermont Nongame and Natural Heritage Program, Barre, VT.
Contributors
Joshua Hibit
Approval
Greg Schmidt, 10/03/2024
Acknowledgments
Jerry Smith (NRCS 12-PAS)
Janella Cruz (NRCS 12-PAS)
Rebecca Fox (NRCS 12_PAS)
Caroline Alves (NRCS VT)
Rangeland health reference sheet
Interpreting Indicators of Rangeland Health is a qualitative assessment protocol used to determine ecosystem condition based on benchmark characteristics described in the Reference Sheet. A suite of 17 (or more) indicators are typically considered in an assessment. The ecological site(s) representative of an assessment location must be known prior to applying the protocol and must be verified based on soils and climate. Current plant community cannot be used to identify the ecological site.
| Author(s)/participant(s) | |
|---|---|
| Contact for lead author | |
| Date | 12/22/2024 |
| Approved by | Nels Barrett |
| Approval date | |
| Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on | Annual Production |
Indicators
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Number and extent of rills:
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Presence of water flow patterns:
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Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
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Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
-
Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
-
Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
-
Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel):
-
Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):
-
Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
-
Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
-
Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):
-
Functional/Structural Groups (list in order of descending dominance by above-ground annual-production or live foliar cover using symbols: >>, >, = to indicate much greater than, greater than, and equal to):
Dominant:
Sub-dominant:
Other:
Additional:
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Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
-
Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
-
Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
-
Potential invasive (including noxious) species (native and non-native). List species which BOTH characterize degraded states and have the potential to become a dominant or co-dominant species on the ecological site if their future establishment and growth is not actively controlled by management interventions. Species that become dominant for only one to several years (e.g., short-term response to drought or wildfire) are not invasive plants. Note that unlike other indicators, we are describing what is NOT expected in the reference state for the ecological site:
-
Perennial plant reproductive capability:
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