Northeastern Rocky Heath Outcrop

EVT 9186Northern Appalachian-Acadian Rocky Heath Outcrop Woodland
CES201.571GNRTreeConifer
Summary
This outcrop ecological system ranges across New England and adjacent Canada, and southward at higher elevations to northern Pennsylvania, on ridges or summits of resistant acidic bedrock. Throughout most of its range, it occurs at low to mid elevations (600-1000 m, lower on the coast of eastern Maine and the Maritimes). The vegetation is patchy, often a mosaic of woodlands and open glades. Quercus rubra and various conifers, including Pinus strobus and Picea rubens, or (especially near the coast) Picea mariana, are characteristic trees. Low heath shrubs, including Kalmia angustifolia, Vaccinium angustifolium, Gaylussacia baccata, and Aronia melanocarpa (= Photinia melanocarpa), are typically present. Exposure and occasional fire are the major factors in keeping the vegetation relatively open.
Source: NatureServe Explorer
Distribution
This system is found in New England and adjacent Canada west to the Adirondacks and south to northern Pennsylvania.
Source: NatureServe Explorer
Ecologically Associated Plant Species

Plant species that characterize this ecosystem type, organized by vegetation stratum. These are species ecologically associated with the ecosystem, not confirmed present in any specific area.

Tree canopy

Picea mariana, Picea rubens, Pinus strobus, Quercus rubra

Shrub/sapling (tall & short)

Aronia melanocarpa, Gaylussacia baccata, Kalmia angustifolia

Short shrub/sapling

Vaccinium angustifolium

Herb (field)

Avenella flexuosa, Capnoides sempervirens, Sibbaldiopsis tridentata
Source: NatureServe Ecological System assessment
Ecologically Associated Animals (8)

Animal species ecologically associated with this ecosystem type based on NatureServe assessment. These are species whose habitat requirements overlap with this ecosystem, not confirmed present in any specific roadless area.

Reptiles (3)

Common NameScientific NameG-Rank
Ring-necked SnakeDiadophis punctatusG5
Eastern MilksnakeLampropeltis triangulumG5
Common GartersnakeThamnophis sirtalisG5

Butterflies & Moths (5)

Common NameScientific NameG-Rank
Brown ElfinCallophrys augustinusG5
Hoary ElfinCallophrys poliosG5
Pointed SallowEpiglaea apiataG5
Blueberry Sallow MothSympistis dentataG5
Narrow Silver Y MothSyngrapha epigaeaG5
Source: NatureServe Ecological System assessment
Component Associations (6)

Plant community associations that occur within this ecological system. Associations are the finest level of the U.S. National Vegetation Classification (USNVC) and describe specific, repeating assemblages of plant species. Each association represents a distinct community type that may be found where this ecosystem occurs.

NameG-Rank
Picea mariana / Kalmia angustifolia WoodlandG4 NatureServe
Picea rubens / Vaccinium angustifolium / Sibbaldiopsis tridentata WoodlandG4 NatureServe
Pinus banksiana / Kalmia angustifolia - Vaccinium spp. Woodland NatureServe
Pinus resinosa / Gaylussacia baccata - Vaccinium angustifolium Woodland NatureServe
Quercus rubra - (Quercus montana) / Vaccinium spp. / Deschampsia flexuosa WoodlandG4 NatureServe
Vaccinium angustifolium - Sorbus americana / Sibbaldiopsis tridentata Dwarf-shrublandGNR NatureServe
State Conservation Ranks (6)

Subnational conservation status ranks (S-ranks) assigned by Natural Heritage Programs in each state where this ecosystem occurs. S1 indicates critically imperiled at the state level, S2 imperiled, S3 vulnerable, S4 apparently secure, and S5 secure. An ecosystem may be globally secure but imperiled in specific states at the edge of its range.

StateS-Rank
MASNR
MESNR
NHSNR
NYSNR
PASNR
VTSNR
Roadless Areas (1)

Inventoried Roadless Areas where this ecosystem is present, identified from LANDFIRE 2024 Existing Vegetation Type spatial analysis. Coverage indicates the proportion of each area occupied by this ecosystem type.

New Hampshire (1)

AreaForestCoverageHectares
WatervilleWhite Mountain National Forest1.7%29.88
Methodology and Data Sources

Ecosystem classification: Ecosystems are classified using the LANDFIRE 2024 Existing Vegetation Type (EVT) layer, mapped to NatureServe Terrestrial Ecological Systems via a curated crosswalk. Each EVT is linked to the USNVC (U.S. National Vegetation Classification) hierarchy through pixel-level co-occurrence analysis of LANDFIRE EVT and NatureServe IVC Group rasters across all roadless areas.

Vegetation coverage: Coverage percentages and hectares are derived from zonal statistics of the LANDFIRE 2024 EVT raster intersected with roadless area boundaries.

Ecosystem narratives and community species: Sourced from the NatureServe Explorer API, representing professional ecological assessments of vegetation composition, environmental setting, dynamics, threats, and characteristic species assemblages.

IVC hierarchy: The International Vegetation Classification hierarchy is sourced from the USNVC v3.0 Catalog, providing the full classification from Biome through Association levels.

Component associations: Plant community associations listed as components of each NatureServe Ecological System. Association data from the NatureServe Explorer API.

State ranks: Conservation status ranks assigned by NatureServe member programs in each state where the ecosystem occurs.