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Classification of Natural Communities (Fourth Approximation)

Draft descriptions for the 4th approximation communities are offered for use and feedback. We welcome feedback on the 4th approximation, including on the draft descriptions and the classified communities. 

Detailed descriptions are available at two levels of the classification. Subtypes, the finest level, are the units tracked by the Natural Heritage Program, and are generally equivalent to associations in the National Vegetation Classification. Four-digit codes next to the names are the “CEGL codes” (NVC Codes) that identify the most equivalent association. Descriptions are also being written for themes, the coarsest level in the 4th approximation. Themes are broad ecological groupings containing several community types and subtypes. Theme descriptions contain material that is common to all or most of the types and subtypes they contain, to avoid repeating this material in multiple subtype descriptions. 

To contribute input, please note the subtype and NVC code. Send all comments to michael.schafale@ncdcr.gov.

Key to 4th Approximation Themes

Title Community Theme Taxonomic Code NVC Code Last updated
Coastal Plain Semipermanent Impoundment (Sandhills Marsh Subtype) Coastal Plain Floodplains 555  7860  3/31/2020
Brownwater Levee Forest (Medium Levee Subtype) Coastal Plain Floodplains 503  7806  3/31/2020
Brownwater Bottomland Hardwoods (Swamp Transition Subtype) Coastal Plain Floodplains 515  7719  3/31/2020
Blackwater Bottomland Hardwoods (Evergreen Subtype) Coastal Plain Floodplains 521  7548  3/31/2020
Cypress--Gum Swamp (Intermediate Subtype) Coastal Plain Floodplains 527  7432  3/31/2020
Cypress--Gum Swamp (Brownwater Subtype) Coastal Plain Floodplains 525  7431  3/31/2020
Brownwater Bottomland Hardwoods (Low Subtype) Coastal Plain Floodplains 513  7397  3/31/2020
Brownwater Levee Forest (Bar Subtype) Coastal Plain Floodplains 507  7312  3/31/2020
Coastal Plain Semipermanent Impoundment (Sandhills Mire Subtype) Coastal Plain Floodplains 557  4800  3/31/2020
Brownwater Levee Forest (High Levee Subtype) Coastal Plain Floodplains 501  4740  3/31/2020
Blackwater Bottomland Hardwoods (Low Subtype) Coastal Plain Floodplains 519  4737  3/31/2020
Blackwater Bottomland Hardwoods (High Subtype) Coastal Plain Floodplains 517  4736  3/31/2020
Blackwater Bottomland Hardwoods (Swamp Transition Subtype) Coastal Plain Floodplains 523  4735  3/31/2020
Coastal Plain Semipermanent Impoundment (Typic Marsh Subtype) Coastal Plain Floodplains 553  4290  3/31/2020
Blackwater Levee/Bar Forest Coastal Plain Floodplains 509  4282  3/31/2020
Coastal Plain Semipermanent Impoundment (Cypress-Gum Subtype) Coastal Plain Floodplains 559  2420  3/31/2020
Coastal Plain Semipermanent Impoundment (Open Water Subtype) Coastal Plain Floodplains 551  2386  3/31/2020
Piedmont Acidic Glade Piedmont and Mountain Glades and Barrens 341  4910  3/31/2020
Piedmont Basic Glade (Falls Dam Slope Subtype) Piedmont and Mountain Glades and Barrens 345  4447  3/31/2020
Xeric Piedmont Slope Woodland Piedmont and Mountain Glades and Barrens 361  4446  3/31/2020
Piedmont Basic Glade (Typic Subtype) Piedmont and Mountain Glades and Barrens 343  4443  3/31/2020
Xeric Hardpan Forest (Acidic Hardpan Subtype) Piedmont and Mountain Glades and Barrens 357  4413  3/31/2020
Diabase Glade Piedmont and Mountain Glades and Barrens 349  4276  3/31/2020
High Elevation Mafic Glade Piedmont and Mountain Glades and Barrens 301  4238  3/31/2020
Xeric Hardpan Forest (Basic Hardpan Subtype) Piedmont and Mountain Glades and Barrens 351  3714  3/31/2020
Xeric Hardpan Forest (Basic Rocky Subtype) Piedmont and Mountain Glades and Barrens 359  3713  3/31/2020
Xeric Hardpan Forest (Southern Prairie Barren Subtype) Piedmont and Mountain Glades and Barrens 355  3711  3/31/2020
Xeric Hardpan Forest (Northern Prairie Barren Subtype) Piedmont and Mountain Glades and Barrens 353  3558  3/31/2020
*Piedmont and Mountain Glades and Barrens Piedmont and Mountain Glades and Barrens 3/31/2020
Coastal Plain Small Stream Swamp Coastal Plain Floodplains 535  7350  3/13/2020
Sandhill Streamhead Swamp Coastal Plain Floodplains 533  4734  3/13/2020
Cypress--Gum Swamp (Blackwater Subtype) Coastal Plain Floodplains 529  4733  3/13/2020
Brownwater Levee Forest (Low Levee Subtype) Coastal Plain Floodplains 505  4695  3/13/2020
Brownwater Bottomland Hardwoods (High Subtype) Coastal Plain Floodplains 511  4678  3/13/2020
Sand and Mud Bar (Blackwater Drawdown Bar Subtype) Coastal Plain Floodplains 545  4341  3/13/2020
Sand and Mud Bar (Narrowleaf Pond-Lily Subtype) Coastal Plain Floodplains 547  4328  3/13/2020
Riverine Floating Mat Coastal Plain Floodplains 549  4305  3/13/2020
Cypress--Gum Swamp (Blackwater Cove Subtype) Coastal Plain Floodplains 531  4289  3/13/2020
Sand and Mud Bar (Blackwater Sand Bar Subtype) Coastal Plain Floodplains 543  4273  3/13/2020
Oxbow Lake (Blackwater Subtype) Coastal Plain Floodplains 539  0000  3/13/2020
Sand and Mud Bar (Brownwater Subtype) Coastal Plain Floodplains 541  0000  3/13/2020
Oxbow Lake (Brownwater Subtype) Coastal Plain Floodplains 537  0000  3/13/2020
*Coastal Plain Floodplains Description Coastal Plain Floodplains 3/13/2020
Coastal Plain Depression Swamp (Mixed Subtype) Coastal Plain Depression Communities 807  7420  3/13/2020
Coastal Plain Depression Swamp (Cypress Dome Subtype) Coastal Plain Depression Communities 811  7418  3/13/2020
Small Depression Drawdown Meadow (Boggy Pool Subtype) Coastal Plain Depression Communities 827  4475  3/13/2020
Floating Bog Coastal Plain Depression Communities 839  4463  3/13/2020
Cypress Savanna (Acidic Subtype) Coastal Plain Depression Communities 823  4441  3/13/2020
Small Depression Pond (Open Lily Pond Subtype) Coastal Plain Depression Communities 837  4326  3/13/2020
Small Depression Pond (Typic Marsh Subtype) Coastal Plain Depression Communities 833  4127  3/13/2020
Small Depression Drawdown Meadow (Typic Subtype) Coastal Plain Depression Communities 825  4105  3/13/2020
Vernal Pool (Typic Subtype) Coastal Plain Depression Communities 815  4100  3/13/2020
Small Depression Pond (Cutgrass Prairie Subtype) Coastal Plain Depression Communities 835  4047  3/13/2020
Small Depression Pocosin (Blueberry Subtype) Coastal Plain Depression Communities 803  3907  3/13/2020
Small Depression Shrub Border Coastal Plain Depression Communities 805  3844  3/13/2020
Coastal Plain Depression Swamp (Pocosin Subtype) Coastal Plain Depression Communities 809  3734  3/13/2020
Coastal Plain Depression Swamp (Pocosin Subtype) Coastal Plain Depression Communities 809  3734  3/13/2020
Cypress Savanna (Typic Subtype) Coastal Plain Depression Communities 821  3733  3/13/2020
*Coastal Plain Depression Communities Coastal Plain Depression Communities 3/13/2020
Swamp Island Evergreen Forest Piedmont and Coastal Plain Oak Forests 199  7022  5/14/2019
Piedmont Monadnock Forest (Typic Subtype) Piedmont and Coastal Plain Oak Forests 193  6281  5/14/2019
Piedmont Monadnock Forest (Heath Subtype) Piedmont and Coastal Plain Oak Forests 195  4415  5/14/2019
Piedmont Monadnock Forest (Pine Subtype) Piedmont and Coastal Plain Oak Forests 193  4148  5/14/2019
Mixed Moisture Hardpan Forest Piedmont and Coastal Plain Oak Forests 197  4037  5/14/2019
Basic Mesic Forest (Piedmont Subtype) Piedmont and Coastal Plain Mesic Forests 085  8466  5/14/2019
Mesic Mixed Hardwood Forest (Piedmont Subtype) Piedmont and Coastal Plain Mesic Forests 081  8465  5/14/2019
Mesic Mixed Hardwood Forest (Coastal Plain Subtype) Piedmont and Coastal Plain Mesic Forests 083  7211  5/14/2019
Basic Mesic Forest (Coastal Plain Subtype) Piedmont and Coastal Plain Mesic Forests 087  7206  5/14/2019
Piedmont/Coastal Plain Heath Bluff Piedmont and Coastal Plain Mesic Forests 089  4539  5/14/2019
Cape Fear Valley Mixed Bluff Forest Piedmont and Coastal Plain Mesic Forests 091  4304  5/14/2019
*Piedmont and Coastal Plain Mesic Forests Description Piedmont and Coastal Plain Mesic Forests 5/14/2019
Rich Cove Forest (Red Oak Subtype) Mountain Cove Forests 059  7878  5/14/2019
Acidic Cove Forest (High Elevation Subtype) Mountain Cove Forests 073  7861  5/14/2019
Rich Cove Forest (Foothills Rich Subtype) Mountain Cove Forests 057  7711  5/14/2019
Rich Cove Forest (Montane Intermediate Subtype) Mountain Cove Forests 051  7710  5/14/2019
Rich Cove Forest (Montane Rich Subtype) Mountain Cove Forests 053  7695  5/14/2019
Acidic Cove Forest (Silverbell Subtype) Mountain Cove Forests 075  7693  5/14/2019
Acidic Cove Forest (Typic Subtype) Mountain Cove Forests 071  7543  5/14/2019
Rich Cove Forest (Foothills Intermediate Subtype) Mountain Cove Forests 055  7291  5/14/2019
Canada Hemlock Forest (Typic Subtype) Mountain Cove Forests 077  7136  5/14/2019
Canada Hemlock Forest (White Pine Subtype) Mountain Cove Forests 079  7102  5/14/2019
Rich Cove Forest (Boulderfield Subtype) Mountain Cove Forests 061  4982  5/14/2019
*Mountain Cove Forests Description Mountain Cove Forests 5/14/2019
Heath Bald (Slate Subtype) Grass and Heath Balds 033  7876  5/3/2019
Heath Bald (Southern Mixed Subtype) Grass and Heath Balds 031  4516  5/3/2019
Grassy Bald (Grass Subtype) Grass and Heath Balds 021  4242  5/3/2019
Grassy Bald (Sedge Subtype) Grass and Heath Balds 023  4094  5/3/2019
Heath Bald (Sand Myrtle Subtype) Grass and Heath Balds 035  3951  5/3/2019
Grassy Bald (Alder Subtype) Grass and Heath Balds 025  3891  5/3/2019
Heath Bald (Catawba Rhododendron Subtype) Grass and Heath Balds 027  3818  5/3/2019
Heath Bald (Carolina Rhododendron Subtype) Grass and Heath Balds 029  3816  5/3/2019
Heath Bald (Low Elevation Subtype) Grass and Heath Balds 037  3814  5/3/2019
*Grass and Heath Balds Description Grass and Heath Balds 5/3/2019
Montane Oak--Hickory Forest (Basic Subtype) Mountain Oak Forests 153  7692  5/3/2019
Montane Oak--Hickory Forest (Low Dry Basic Subtype) Mountain Oak Forests 155  7691  5/3/2019
Chestnut Oak Forest (White Pine Subtype) Mountain Oak Forests 157  7517  5/3/2019
Montane Oak--Hickory Forest (White Pine Subtype) Mountain Oak Forests 157  7517  5/3/2019
High Elevation Red Oak Forest (Typic Herb Subtype) Mountain Oak Forests 121  7300  5/3/2019
High Elevation Red Oak Forest (Heath Subtype) Mountain Oak Forests 125  7299  5/3/2019
High Elevation Red Oak Forest (Orchard Forest Subtype) Mountain Oak Forests 127  7298  5/3/2019
High Elevation White Oak Forest Mountain Oak Forests 131  7295  5/3/2019
Chestnut Oak Forest (Herb Subtype) Mountain Oak Forests 143  7267  5/3/2019
Montane Oak--Hickory Forest (Acidic Subtype) Mountain Oak Forests 151  7230  5/3/2019
Calcareous Oak-Walnut Forest Mountain Oak Forests 163  7215  5/3/2019
Chestnut Oak Forest (Mesic Subtype) Mountain Oak Forests 147  6286  5/3/2019
Chestnut Oak Forest (Dry Heath Subtype) Mountain Oak Forests 141  6271  5/3/2019
Low Montane Red Oak Forest Mountain Oak Forests 161  6192  5/3/2019
High Elevation Red Oak Forest (Stunted Woodland Subtype) Mountain Oak Forests 129  4503  5/3/2019
High Elevation Red Oak Forest (Rich Subtype) Mountain Oak Forests 123  4256  5/3/2019
*Mountain Oak Forests Description Mountain Oak Forests 5/3/2019
Northern Hardwood Forest (Typic Subtype) Northern Hardwood Forests 041  7285  5/3/2019
Northern Hardwood Forest (Beech Gap Subtype) Northern Hardwood Forests 045  6130  5/3/2019
High Elevation Birch Boulderfield Forest Northern Hardwood Forests 047  6124  5/3/2019
Northern Hardwood Forest (Rich Subtype) Northern Hardwood Forests 043  4973  5/3/2019
*Northern Hardwood Forests Description Northern Hardwood Forests 5/3/2019
Maritime Shrub Swamp (Dogwood Subtype) Maritime Wetlands 875  7384  2/1/2019
Maritime Shrub Swamp (Red Bay Subtype) Maritime Wetlands 877  4635  2/1/2019
Maritime Shrub Swamp (Willow Subtype) Maritime Wetlands 879  4222  2/1/2019
Marsh Hammock Maritime Upland Forests 445  7813  1/31/2019
Maritime Deciduous Forest Maritime Upland Forests 435  7450  1/31/2019
Maritime Evergreen Forest (Mid Atlantic Subtype) Maritime Upland Forests 431  7047  1/31/2019
Maritime Evergreen Forest (South Atlantic Subtype) Maritime Upland Forests 431  7032  1/31/2019
Maritime Shrub (Stunted Tree Subtype) Maritime Upland Forests 425  3833  1/31/2019
Maritime Swamp Forest (Typic Subtype) Maritime Wetlands 871  4082  1/31/2019
Maritime Swamp Forest (Cypress Subtype) Maritime Wetlands 873  4079  1/31/2019
Pond Pine Woodland (Canebrake Subtype) Peatland Pocosins 755  4433  1/31/2019
Peatland Canebrake Peatland Pocosins 757  3843  1/31/2019
Streamhead Pocosin Streamhead Pocosins 761  4435  1/31/2019
Streamhead Canebrake Streamhead Pocosins 765  3843  1/31/2019
*Mountain Oak Forests Key Mountain Oak Forests 5/14/2018
Bay Forest Peatland Pocosins 759  7044  5/14/2018
Pond Pine Woodland (Northern Subtype) Peatland Pocosins 753  4652  5/14/2018
High Pocosin (Deciduous Subtype) Peatland Pocosins 743  4458  5/14/2018
Pocosin Opening (Cranberry Subtype) Peatland Pocosins 739  4165  5/14/2018
Pocosin Opening (Pitcher Plant Subtype) Peatland Pocosins 737  4164  5/14/2018
Pocosin Opening (Sedge-Fern Subtype) Peatland Pocosins 735  4163  5/14/2018
Low Pocosin (Gallberry-Fetterbush Subtype) Peatland Pocosins 731  3944  5/14/2018
Low Pocosin (Titi Subtype) Peatland Pocosins 733  3943  5/14/2018
High Pocosin (Evergreen Subtype) Peatland Pocosins 741  3846  5/14/2018
Pond Pine Woodland (Typic Subtype) Peatland Pocosins 751  3671  5/14/2018
*Peatland Pocosins Key Peatland Pocosins 5/14/2018
*Peatland Pocosins Description Peatland Pocosins 5/14/2018
Low Mountain Seepage Bog Mountain Bogs and Fens 643  3914  5/14/2018
Sandy Pine Savanna (Rush Featherling Subtype) Wet Pine Savannas 783  3661  5/14/2018
Sandy Pine Savanna (Typic Subtype) Wet Pine Savannas 781  3658  5/14/2018
Pine/Scrub Oak Sandhill (Blackjack Subtype) Dry Longleaf Pine Communities 471  3595  5/14/2018
Xeric Sandhill Scrub (Coastal Fringe subtype) Dry Longleaf Pine Communities 467  3589  5/14/2018
Xeric Sandhill Scrub (Typic Subtype) Dry Longleaf Pine Communities 465  3586  3/23/2018
Sand Barren (Typic Subtype) Dry Longleaf Pine Communities 461  3584  3/23/2018
*Dry Longleaf Pine Description Dry Longleaf Pine Communities 3/23/2018
Dry-Mesic Oak-Hickory Forest (Piedmont Subtype) Piedmont and Coastal Plain Oak Forests 175  8475  3/22/2018
Dry Oak-Hickory Forest (Coastal Plain Subtype) Piedmont and Coastal Plain Oak Forests 177  7246  3/22/2018
Dry Oak-Hickory Forest (Piedmont Subtype) Piedmont and Coastal Plain Oak Forests 175  7244  3/22/2018
Dry-Mesic Basic Oak-Hickory Forest (Piedmont Subtype) Piedmont and Coastal Plain Oak Forests 189  7232  3/22/2018
Piedmont/Mountain Semipermanent Impoundment (Shrub Subtype) Piedmont and Mountain Floodplains 595  8474  3/22/2018
Piedmont/Mountain Semipermanent Impoundment (Montane Marsh Subtype) Piedmont and Mountain Floodplains 591  8433  3/22/2018
Rocky Bar and Shore (Yadkin Falls Bedrock Scour Subtype) Piedmont and Mountain Floodplains 611  4459  3/22/2018
Piedmont/Mountain Semipermanent Impoundment (Piedmont Marsh Subtype) Piedmont and Mountain Floodplains 593  4290  3/22/2018
Piedmont/Mountain Semipermanent Impoundment (Open Water Subtype) Piedmont and Mountain Floodplains 589  3286  3/22/2018
Coastal Plain Semipermanent Impoundment (Sandhills Marsh Subtype) Coastal Plain Floodplains 555  7860  3/22/2018
Coastal Plain Semipermanent Impoundment (Sandhills Mire Subtype) Coastal Plain Floodplains 557  4800  3/22/2018
Coastal Plain Semipermanent Impoundment (Typic Marsh Subtype) Coastal Plain Floodplains 553  4290  3/22/2018
Coastal Plain Semipermanent Impoundment (Cypress-Gum Subtype) Coastal Plain Floodplains 559  2420  3/22/2018
Estuarine Beach Forest Maritime Wetlands 897  4698  3/22/2018
Red Spruce-Fraser Fir Forest (Herb Subtype) Spruce-Fir Forests 005  7131  3/22/2018
Red Spruce-Fraser Fir Forest (Rhododendron Subtype) Spruce-Fir Forests 007  7130  3/22/2018
Red Spruce-Fraser Fir Forest (Boulderfield Subtype) Spruce-Fir Forests 009  7128  3/22/2018
Fraser Fir Forest (Rhododendron Subtype) Spruce-Fir Forests 003  6308  3/22/2018
Red Spruce-Fraser Fir Forest (Birch Transition Herb Subtype) Spruce-Fir Forests 011  6256  3/22/2018
Red Spruce-Fraser Fir Forest (Low Rhododendron Subtype) Spruce-Fir Forests 015  6152  3/22/2018
Fraser Fir Forest (Herb Subtype) Spruce-Fir Forests 001  6049  3/22/2018
Red Spruce-Fraser Fir Forest (Birch Transition Shrub Subtype) Spruce-Fir Forests 013  4983  3/22/2018
*Spruce-Fir Forests Description Spruce-Fir Forests 3/22/2018
Tidal Freshwater Marsh (Shoreline Lawn Subtype) Freshwater Tidal Wetlands 919  6352  3/22/2018
Tidal Freshwater Marsh (Narrowleaf Pondlily Subtype) Freshwater Tidal Wetlands 923  6094  3/22/2018
Tidal Freshwater Marsh (Southern Wild Rice Subtype) Freshwater Tidal Wetlands 911  4705  3/22/2018
Freshwater Marsh Pool Freshwater Tidal Wetlands 927  4661  3/22/2018
Tidal Freshwater Marsh (Needlerush Subtype) Freshwater Tidal Wetlands 905  4660  3/22/2018
Tidal Freshwater Marsh (Shrub Subtype) Freshwater Tidal Wetlands 925  4656  3/22/2018
Tidal Freshwater Marsh (Oligohaline Low Marsh Subtype) Freshwater Tidal Wetlands 915  4628  3/22/2018
Tidal Swamp (Cypress-Gum Subtype) Freshwater Tidal Wetlands 931  4484  3/22/2018
Tidal Freshwater Marsh (Broadleaf Pondlily Subtype) Freshwater Tidal Wetlands 921  4472  3/22/2018
Tidal Freshwater Marsh (Mixed Freshwater Subtype) Freshwater Tidal Wetlands 917  4314  3/22/2018
Tidal Freshwater Marsh (Cattail Subtype) Freshwater Tidal Wetlands 909  4201  3/22/2018
Tidal Freshwater Marsh (Giant Cordgrass Subtype) Freshwater Tidal Wetlands 901  4195  3/22/2018
Tidal Freshwater Marsh (Threesquare Subtype) Freshwater Tidal Wetlands 907  4189  3/22/2018
Tidal Freshwater Marsh (Sawgrass Subtype) Freshwater Tidal Wetlands 903  4178  3/22/2018
*Freshwater Tidal Wetlands Description Freshwater Tidal Wetlands 3/22/2018
Natural Lake Shoreline Swamp (Sweetgum Subtype) Natural Lake Communities 841  4481  3/22/2018
Natural Lake Shoreline Swamp (Cypress Subtype) Natural Lake Communities 845  4466  3/22/2018
Natural Lake Shoreline Swamp (Lake Waccamaw Subtype) Natural Lake Communities 847  4465  3/22/2018
Natural Lake Shoreline Swamp (Rich Subtype) Natural Lake Communities 843  4424  3/22/2018
Natural Lake Shoreline Marsh (Typic Subtype) Natural Lake Communities 849  4307  3/22/2018
Southern Appalachian Fen (Glades Subtype) Mountain Bogs and Fens 647  3917  3/22/2018
Export Table Data
100

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