Tulula Wetlands - Plant Communities

Tulula Vegetation Communities

Using GIS analysis, aerial photography interpretation, and ground survey, Stephanie Wilds has delineated 13 vegetation communities at the site. Because of the heterogeneous nature of the site, and because of the fine-scaled research projects being carried out at Tulula, the community nomenclature used here is unique to the site. As much as possible, we have identified synonymy with the following standard community classification references:

Schafale, M. P., and A. S. Weakley. 1990. Classification of the natural communities of North Carolina. Third approximation. N. C. Dep. Environ., Health, Nat. Resour., Div. Parks and Recreation, Nat. Heritage Prog. Raleigh. 325 p. (SW90)

Weakley, A. S., K. D. Patterson, S. Landaal, M. Pyne, and others (compilers). 1998. International classification of ecological communities: Terrestrial vegetation of the Southeastern United States. Working Draft of March 1998. The Nature Conservancy, Southeast Regional Office, Southern Conservation Science Department, Community Ecology Group. Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (WPLP98)

Pine - Oak/Heath (1.2 hectares, 1.4% of the site) - This community type is found at the highest, driest portion of the site, located on the Forest Service Knoll. It is dominated by pines (Pinus rigida, P. strobus, and P. virginiana) in the canopy, sourwood (Oxydendrum arboreum) and dogwood (Cornus florida) in the subcanopy, and various ericaceous species (Vaccinium sp., Kalmia latifolia) in the shrub layer.

SW90: Pine - Oak/Heath (Virginia pine forest; Pitch pine heath; Table mountain pine heath)

WPLP98: I.A.8.N.b.190. Pinus virginiana Forest Alliance - Virginia Pine Forest Alliance

Montane Oak - Hickory Forest (7.3 hectares, 8.8% of the site) - Oak/hickory forests dominate the higher, south-facing slope positions, and the portion of the Forest Service Knoll just below the pine-oak/heath-dominated sites. Representative species include several oak species (Quercus alba, Q. coccinea, Q. rubra, and Q. velutina), mockernut hickory (Carya alba or tomentosa), red maple (Acer rubrum), tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera), black locust (Robinia pseudo-acacia), black gum (Nyssa sylvatica), sourwood and dogwood, with sparse ericaceous shrubs in the understory. The sparse shrub/herb layer is dominated by buffalo nut (Pyrularia pubera), wild yam (Dioscorea villosa), Christmas fern (Polystichum acrostichoides), and poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans).

SW90: Montane Oak - Hickory Forest (Mixed oak, yellow poplar, hickory forest; White oak forest; Mixed oak slope)

WPLP98: I.B.2.N.a.260. Quercus alba - Quercus (coccinea, rubra, velutina) Forest Alliance - White Oak - (Scarlet Oak, Red Oak, Black Oak) Forest Alliance

Rich Cove Forest (depauperate) (7.2 hectares, 8.7% of the site) - This community type is found primarily on the north facing slope at the southeast corner of the site, and as a remnant patch near the center of the site. Much compromised by fragmentation and nearby disturbances, this community type still exhibits many features of the rich cove hardwood forests that once dominated these sites. The canopy layer includes tulip poplar, red maple, white oak, sweet birch (Betula lenta), and hickories; the subcanopy is dominated by sourwood, dogwood and spicebush (Lindera benzoin). The herb layer is dense and relatively rich compared to the rest of the site, but is not as diverse as more typical cove hardwood forests.

SW90: Rich Cove Forest (Mixed Mesophytic Forest)

WPLP98: I.B.2.N.a.235. Liriodendron tulipifera - Tilia americana var. heterophylla -Aesculus flava - Acer saccharum Forest Alliance - Tuliptree - Appalachian Basswood - Yellow Buckeye - Sugar Maple Forest Alliance

Acidic Cove Forest (3.2 hectares, 3.9% of the site) - This community type is found in isolated areas at the wet base of north-facing slopes, and is entirely dominated by dense rosebay rhododendron (Rhododendron maximum) thickets. The canopy consists mostly of white oak with some tulip poplar; there is little subcanopy and almost no herb layer development

SW90: Acidic Cove Forest (Mixed Mesophytic Forest)

WPLP98: I.C.3.N.a.260. Tsuga canadensis - Liriodendron tulipifera Forest Alliance -Eastern Hemlock - Tuliptree Forest Alliance

Mixed Mesophytic Hardwoods (5.1 hectares, 6.1% of the site) - Remnant patches of mesophytic hardwood forests are found throughout the site on low slopes and flat areas in the upper floodplain of Tulula Creek. Similar to Cove Hardwood and Montane Oak-Hickory forests, the canopy is dominated by red maple, white oak, and tulip poplar, with some white pine, sourwood, and sweet birch. The well-developed subcanopy layer includes tag alder (Alnus serrulata), American holly (Ilex opaca), sourwood, spicebush, rosebay Rhododendron, dogwood, and pignut hickory (Carya glabra). It is distinguished from the other two by being substantially wetter, supporting a diverse herb layer dominated by New York fern (Thelypteris noveboracensis), Cinnamon fern (Osmunda cinnamomea), Christmas fern, yellowroot (Xanthorhiza simplicissima), clubmoss (Lycopodium obscurum), and Virgin's bower (Clematis virginiana).

SW90: Rich Cove Forest (Mixed Mesophytic Forest)

WPLP98: I.B.2.N.a.235. Liriodendron tulipifera - Tilia americana var. heterophylla -Aesculus flava - Acer saccharum Forest Alliance - Tuliptree - Appalachian Basswood - Yellow Buckeye - Sugar Maple Forest Alliance

Red Maple-dominated Alluvial Forest (5.0 hectares, 6.0% of the site) - Located at the west end of the site adjacent to Tulula Creek, this community type is similar to the Mesophytic Hardwood Forest but is distinguished from it by having a red maple-dominant canopy, fairly open subcanopy and understory layers, and groundcover dominated largely by ferns, jewelweed (Impatiens capensis), swamp dewberry (Rubus hispidus), and doghobble (Leucothoe fontanesiana).

SW90: Swamp Forest-Bog Complex (Mixed Mesophytic Forest)

WPLP98: I.C.3.N.d.020. Tsuga canadensis - Acer rubrum Saturated Forest Alliance - Eastern Hemlock - Red Maple Saturated Forest Alliance

Rosebay Rhododendron-dominated Alluvial Forest (8.9 hectares, 10.7% of the site) - Representing another facet of the swamp forest-bog/fen complex vegetation found throughout the site, Rhododendron-dominated alluvial forests are located close to Highway 129, along the southwestern third of the site. This community type differs from both the Red Maple-dominated Alluvial Forest and the Mesophytic Hardwood Forest by having an understory dominated by rosebay Rhododendron and an extremely sparse herb layer. It differs from the Acidic Cove Forest in two respects: its canopy is dominated by red maple, tulip poplar, white pine, and some sweet birch, with almost no white oak is present, and soils here are much wetter, with numerous small boggy depressions.

SW90: Acidic Cove Forest (Mixed Mesophytic Forest)

WPLP98: I.C.3.N.a.260. Tsuga canadensis - Liriodendron tulipifera Forest Alliance -Eastern Hemlock - Tuliptree Forest Alliance

Poor Fen, Forested (0.6 hectares, 0.7% of the site) - Located just west of the main fen and in an isolated pocket at the far west end of the site, this community type represents an overlap between the various alluvial forest types and the open-canopy, herbaceously-dominated true fen. The canopy is dominated by red maple and black gum, and the patchy shrub layer includes tag alder, chokeberry (Aronia arbutifolia), and deciduous holly (Ilex verticillata). The herb layer is dominated by sphagnum moss, cinnamon fern, and herbaceous wetland species.

SW90: Swamp Forest-Bog Complex (Mixed Mesophytic Forest)

WPLP98: I.C.3.N.d.020. Tsuga canadensis - Acer rubrum Saturated Forest Alliance -Eastern Hemlock - Red Maple Saturated Forest Alliance

Poor Fen, Early Successional (2.3 hectares, 2.8% of the site) - Poor fens, or Southern Appalachian mountain bogs, as they have been known in the past, are found in four widely spaced areas of the site, generally close to Tulula Creek. These areas have no canopy, scattered shrubs, and a lush, diverse herbaceous flora that includes sedges (Carex folliculata, C. sp.), bulrush (Scirpus cyperinus), beakrush (Rhynchospora sp.), stiff gentian (Gentiana clausa?), red turtlehead (Chelone obliqua), cinnamon fern, royal fern (Osmunda regalis), and sphagnum moss.

SW90: Southern Appalachian Bog (Southern Subtype) (Poor Fen)

WPLP98: V.A.5.N.m.020. Carex (atlantica, echinata) - Eriophorum virginicum - Rhynchospora capitellata - Solidago patula Saturated Herbaceous Alliance - (Prickly Bog Sedge, Star Sedge) - Tawny Cottongrass - Northern Beaksedge - Roughleaf Goldenrod Saturated Herbaceous Alliance

Cleared Areas: Dry, Herbaceous (13.4 hectares, 16.1% of the site) - These areas are found on exposed, south-facing slopes and in any location raised above the natural water table by grading. Before golf course construction, these areas likely supported Montane Oak-Hickory Forests. At this time, however, they are dominated by early successional forbs and grasses.

No synonymy

Cleared Areas: Wet, Herbaceous (14.6 hectares, 17.6% of the site) - These areas are found throughout the site, located within the Tulula Creek floodplain. They likely supported a combination of all the wetter community types still represented at the site. At this time they are dominated by herbaceous wetland species (rushes, sedges), blackberries, and are succeeding to red maple and tag alder.

No synonymy

Cleared Areas: Shrubs (11.8 hectares, 14.2% of the site) - These areas exist alongside and comingled with the wet, herb-dominated, cleared sites, and represent a more advanced state of succession. In these areas, tag alder, chokeberry, blackberries, and other shrub species dominate in a mixed grass and grass-like plant matrix. While these areas may be succeeding to one of the alluvial forest types or poor fen, their shrub dominance represents a clear distinction in community type.

SW90: No synonymy

Planted White Pine Forest (2.5 hectares, 3.0% of the site) - A remnant of a planted white pine plantation exists in the northwestern portion of the site. In this gently sloping, south-facing area, white pine-dominated strips, with sparse understory and fern-dominated herb layer, are separated by cleared areas.

SW90: No synonymy

WPLP98: I.A.8.N.b.140. Pinus strobus Forest Alliance - Eastern White Pine Forest Alliance


	Tulula Vegetation Communities
		Using GIS analysis, aerial photography interpretation, and ground survey, Stephanie Wilds has delineated 13 vegetation communities at the site. Because of the heterogeneous nature of the site, and because of the fine-scaled research projects being carried out at Tulula, the community nomenclature used here is unique to the site. As much as possible, we have identified synonymy with the following standard community classification references: Schafale, M. P., and A. S. Weakley. 1990. Classification of the natural communities of North Carolina. Third approximation. N. C. Dep. Environ., Health, Nat. Resour., Div. Parks and Recreation, Nat. Heritage Prog. Raleigh. 325 p. (SW90) Weakley, A. S., K. D. Patterson, S. Landaal, M. Pyne, and others (compilers). 1998. International classification of ecological communities: Terrestrial vegetation of the Southeastern United States. Working Draft of March 1998. The Nature Conservancy, Southeast Regional Office, Southern Conservation Science Department, Community Ecology Group. Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (WPLP98)

	Pine - Oak/Heath (1.2 hectares, 1.4% of the site) - This community type is found at the highest, driest portion of the site, located on the Forest Service Knoll. It is dominated by pines (Pinus rigida, P. strobus, and P. virginiana) in the canopy, sourwood (Oxydendrum arboreum) and dogwood (Cornus florida) in the subcanopy, and various ericaceous species (Vaccinium sp., Kalmia latifolia) in the shrub layer. SW90: Pine - Oak/Heath (Virginia pine forest; Pitch pine heath; Table mountain pine heath) WPLP98: I.A.8.N.b.190. Pinus virginiana Forest Alliance - Virginia Pine Forest Alliance Montane Oak - Hickory Forest (7.3 hectares, 8.8% of the site) - Oak/hickory forests dominate the higher, south-facing slope positions, and the portion of the Forest Service Knoll just below the pine-oak/heath-dominated sites. Representative species include several oak species (Quercus alba, Q. coccinea, Q. rubra, and Q. velutina), mockernut hickory (Carya alba or tomentosa), red maple (Acer rubrum), tulip poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera), black locust (Robinia pseudo-acacia), black gum (Nyssa sylvatica), sourwood and dogwood, with sparse ericaceous shrubs in the understory. The sparse shrub/herb layer is dominated by buffalo nut (Pyrularia pubera), wild yam (Dioscorea villosa), Christmas fern (Polystichum acrostichoides), and poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans). SW90: Montane Oak - Hickory Forest (Mixed oak, yellow poplar, hickory forest; White oak forest; Mixed oak slope) WPLP98: I.B.2.N.a.260. Quercus alba - Quercus (coccinea, rubra, velutina) Forest Alliance - White Oak - (Scarlet Oak, Red Oak, Black Oak) Forest Alliance Rich Cove Forest (depauperate) (7.2 hectares, 8.7% of the site) - This community type is found primarily on the north facing slope at the southeast corner of the site, and as a remnant patch near the center of the site. Much compromised by fragmentation and nearby disturbances, this community type still exhibits many features of the rich cove hardwood forests that once dominated these sites. The canopy layer includes tulip poplar, red maple, white oak, sweet birch (Betula lenta), and hickories; the subcanopy is dominated by sourwood, dogwood and spicebush (Lindera benzoin). The herb layer is dense and relatively rich compared to the rest of the site, but is not as diverse as more typical cove hardwood forests. SW90: Rich Cove Forest (Mixed Mesophytic Forest) WPLP98: I.B.2.N.a.235. Liriodendron tulipifera - Tilia americana var. heterophylla -Aesculus flava - Acer saccharum Forest Alliance - Tuliptree - Appalachian Basswood - Yellow Buckeye - Sugar Maple Forest Alliance Acidic Cove Forest (3.2 hectares, 3.9% of the site) - This community type is found in isolated areas at the wet base of north-facing slopes, and is entirely dominated by dense rosebay rhododendron (Rhododendron maximum) thickets. The canopy consists mostly of white oak with some tulip poplar; there is little subcanopy and almost no herb layer development SW90: Acidic Cove Forest (Mixed Mesophytic Forest) WPLP98: I.C.3.N.a.260. Tsuga canadensis - Liriodendron tulipifera Forest Alliance -Eastern Hemlock - Tuliptree Forest Alliance Mixed Mesophytic Hardwoods (5.1 hectares, 6.1% of the site) - Remnant patches of mesophytic hardwood forests are found throughout the site on low slopes and flat areas in the upper floodplain of Tulula Creek. Similar to Cove Hardwood and Montane Oak-Hickory forests, the canopy is dominated by red maple, white oak, and tulip poplar, with some white pine, sourwood, and sweet birch. The well-developed subcanopy layer includes tag alder (Alnus serrulata), American holly (Ilex opaca), sourwood, spicebush, rosebay Rhododendron, dogwood, and pignut hickory (Carya glabra). It is distinguished from the other two by being substantially wetter, supporting a diverse herb layer dominated by New York fern (Thelypteris noveboracensis), Cinnamon fern (Osmunda cinnamomea), Christmas fern, yellowroot (Xanthorhiza simplicissima), clubmoss (Lycopodium obscurum), and Virgin's bower (Clematis virginiana). SW90: Rich Cove Forest (Mixed Mesophytic Forest) WPLP98: I.B.2.N.a.235. Liriodendron tulipifera - Tilia americana var. heterophylla -Aesculus flava - Acer saccharum Forest Alliance - Tuliptree - Appalachian Basswood - Yellow Buckeye - Sugar Maple Forest Alliance Red Maple-dominated Alluvial Forest (5.0 hectares, 6.0% of the site) - Located at the west end of the site adjacent to Tulula Creek, this community type is similar to the Mesophytic Hardwood Forest but is distinguished from it by having a red maple-dominant canopy, fairly open subcanopy and understory layers, and groundcover dominated largely by ferns, jewelweed (Impatiens capensis), swamp dewberry (Rubus hispidus), and doghobble (Leucothoe fontanesiana). SW90: Swamp Forest-Bog Complex (Mixed Mesophytic Forest) WPLP98: I.C.3.N.d.020. Tsuga canadensis - Acer rubrum Saturated Forest Alliance - Eastern Hemlock - Red Maple Saturated Forest Alliance Rosebay Rhododendron-dominated Alluvial Forest (8.9 hectares, 10.7% of the site) - Representing another facet of the swamp forest-bog/fen complex vegetation found throughout the site, Rhododendron-dominated alluvial forests are located close to Highway 129, along the southwestern third of the site. This community type differs from both the Red Maple-dominated Alluvial Forest and the Mesophytic Hardwood Forest by having an understory dominated by rosebay Rhododendron and an extremely sparse herb layer. It differs from the Acidic Cove Forest in two respects: its canopy is dominated by red maple, tulip poplar, white pine, and some sweet birch, with almost no white oak is present, and soils here are much wetter, with numerous small boggy depressions. SW90: Acidic Cove Forest (Mixed Mesophytic Forest) WPLP98: I.C.3.N.a.260. Tsuga canadensis - Liriodendron tulipifera Forest Alliance -Eastern Hemlock - Tuliptree Forest Alliance Poor Fen, Forested (0.6 hectares, 0.7% of the site) - Located just west of the main fen and in an isolated pocket at the far west end of the site, this community type represents an overlap between the various alluvial forest types and the open-canopy, herbaceously-dominated true fen. The canopy is dominated by red maple and black gum, and the patchy shrub layer includes tag alder, chokeberry (Aronia arbutifolia), and deciduous holly (Ilex verticillata). The herb layer is dominated by sphagnum moss, cinnamon fern, and herbaceous wetland species. SW90: Swamp Forest-Bog Complex (Mixed Mesophytic Forest) WPLP98: I.C.3.N.d.020. Tsuga canadensis - Acer rubrum Saturated Forest Alliance -Eastern Hemlock - Red Maple Saturated Forest Alliance Poor Fen, Early Successional (2.3 hectares, 2.8% of the site) - Poor fens, or Southern Appalachian mountain bogs, as they have been known in the past, are found in four widely spaced areas of the site, generally close to Tulula Creek. These areas have no canopy, scattered shrubs, and a lush, diverse herbaceous flora that includes sedges (Carex folliculata, C. sp.), bulrush (Scirpus cyperinus), beakrush (Rhynchospora sp.), stiff gentian (Gentiana clausa?), red turtlehead (Chelone obliqua), cinnamon fern, royal fern (Osmunda regalis), and sphagnum moss. SW90: Southern Appalachian Bog (Southern Subtype) (Poor Fen) WPLP98: V.A.5.N.m.020. Carex (atlantica, echinata) - Eriophorum virginicum - Rhynchospora capitellata - Solidago patula Saturated Herbaceous Alliance - (Prickly Bog Sedge, Star Sedge) - Tawny Cottongrass - Northern Beaksedge - Roughleaf Goldenrod Saturated Herbaceous Alliance Cleared Areas: Dry, Herbaceous (13.4 hectares, 16.1% of the site) - These areas are found on exposed, south-facing slopes and in any location raised above the natural water table by grading. Before golf course construction, these areas likely supported Montane Oak-Hickory Forests. At this time, however, they are dominated by early successional forbs and grasses. No synonymy Cleared Areas: Wet, Herbaceous (14.6 hectares, 17.6% of the site) - These areas are found throughout the site, located within the Tulula Creek floodplain. They likely supported a combination of all the wetter community types still represented at the site. At this time they are dominated by herbaceous wetland species (rushes, sedges), blackberries, and are succeeding to red maple and tag alder. No synonymy Cleared Areas: Shrubs (11.8 hectares, 14.2% of the site) - These areas exist alongside and comingled with the wet, herb-dominated, cleared sites, and represent a more advanced state of succession. In these areas, tag alder, chokeberry, blackberries, and other shrub species dominate in a mixed grass and grass-like plant matrix. While these areas may be succeeding to one of the alluvial forest types or poor fen, their shrub dominance represents a clear distinction in community type. SW90: No synonymy Planted White Pine Forest (2.5 hectares, 3.0% of the site) - A remnant of a planted white pine plantation exists in the northwestern portion of the site. In this gently sloping, south-facing area, white pine-dominated strips, with sparse understory and fern-dominated herb layer, are separated by cleared areas. SW90: No synonymy WPLP98: I.A.8.N.b.140. Pinus strobus Forest Alliance - Eastern White Pine Forest Alliance