6. Available Soil Moisture- the over riding environmental factor determining the
disposition of plant communities
Shade Tolerance- All plants require light, shade is a limiting factor to growth.
Hightshoe provides an index for shade tolerance (very tolerant- tolerantintermediate)
Mesic- a habitat with moderate soil water content and well drained
Xeric- a habitat with low soil water content and high evaporation rate
Moisture and Topographic Gradients- various habitats that range in conditions from
lowland to upland, wet to drier conditions
(see next 5 habitat designations lowland wet to upland dry)
7. Lowland Wet- river margins, streamside floodplain depression, subject to frequent
inundation (seasonal flooding), high water table, poor drainage area
(OBL – FACW)
Lowland Wet-Mesic- alluvial bottomlands, elevated terraces of major streams, areas
of intermittent flooding but of short duration, excess moisture in winter or spring,
nearly xeric conditions during midsummer
(FACW-FAC)
Upland Mesic- ravines, sheltered coves, moist but well drained slopes and uplands,
generally north and east facing slopes, protected from sun exposure and prevailing
dry winds, less dry conditions
(FACU)
Upland Mesic-Dry- dry slopes, upland flats, generally warmer south and west facing
slopes, direct sun exposure created drier conditions
(FACU)
Upland Dry-high banks, cliffs, steep rocky land, excessively drained sandy soil or
shallow stoney soil over rock outcrop
(UPL)
8. •
OBL = Obligate Wetland Plants
Almost always occur in wetlands
•
FACW = Facultative Wetland Plants
Usually occur in wetlands, but may occur in non-wetlands
•
FAC = Facultative Wetland Plants
Occur in wetlands and non-wetlands
•
FACU = Facultative Upland Plants
Usually occur in non-wetlands, but may occur in wetlands
•
UPL= Upland Plants
Almost never occur in wetlands
