Natural communities of Orange County
Our terrain consists mainly of broad upland ridges on gently rolling hills, with low-energy streams cutting narrow floodplains. Soils are typically acidic, but rare areas of more neutral soil are found at scattered locations.
Soil moisture can be used to group our natural communities into four broad themes:
Floodplain | Alluvial Bottomland |
---|---|
Non-alluvial | Upland Depression Swamp Low Elevation Seep |
Mesic | Mesic Mixed Hardwood Piedmont Heath Bluff |
Dry-mesic to dry | Dry-Mesic Oak-Hickory Dry Oak-Hickory Monadnock Xeric Hardpan |
Floodplains
There are several types of floodplain communities in Orange County. The most common, the Alluvial Forest and the Bottomland Forest, are found in stream valleys of various sizes. Standing water is absent most of the time, but regular seasonal inundation and deposition of sediments are characteristic. They usually are lushly vegetated, with an abundance and high diversity of vines, shrubs, and herbs beneath a varied canopy.
Community abundance in Orange County
Alluvial •••••
Bottomland •••••
Non-alluvial forests
Non-alluvial Forests are isolated wetlands surrounded by terrestrial communities. They are not associated with river floodplains though they may share some wetland species.
Community abundance in Orange County
Upland Depression Swamp ••
Low Elevation Seep ••
Mesic forests
Mesic, or moist, hardwood forests occur on sheltered ravines and bluffs that face north or east. Locations on lower slopes catch water seeping in from above and, receiving less intense sunlight, allow moisture to last longer in the soil. Common in the piedmont, these communities usually occur a few acres at a time rather than in large expanses.
Community abundance in Orange County
Mesic Mixed Hardwood
acidic ••••
basic ••
Heath Bluff ••
Dry-mesic to dry forests and woodlands
Dry-mesic to dry forests and woodlands generally occur in drier, well-drained habitats, but can also be found on relatively moist lower slopes or upland flats. Most commonly associated with acidic soils, these forests infrequently occur on soils that are more basic. Differences among sites in their soil types, moisture levels, and disturbance histories result in vegetation that is both complex and variable.
Community abundance in Orange County
Dry-Mesic Oak-Hickory
acidic •••••
basic ••
Dry Oak-Hickory
acidic ••••
basic ••