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Conservation Service
Ecological site F142XB007VT
Wet Clayplain Depression
Last updated: 10/03/2024
Accessed: 04/17/2026
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Provisional. A provisional ecological site description has undergone quality control and quality assurance review. It contains a working state and transition model and enough information to identify the ecological site.
MLRA notes
Major Land Resource Area (MLRA): 142X–St. Lawrence-Champlain Plain
The St. Lawrence-Champlain Plain MLRA is a glaciated area of low relief dominated by broad expanses of nearly level, sandy deltas and shallow lacustrine basins or plains punctuated by low hills of glacial till. Rivers and streams have cut relatively deep but narrow valleys across the plain. Elevation ranges from 80 to 1,000 feet (25 to 305 meters), increasing gradually from the St. Lawrence River southward and from Lake Champlain to the east and west. Local relief generally is less than 30 feet (10 meters), but glacial till ridges, till plains, and some outwash terraces rise 15 to 80 feet (5 to 25 meters) above the adjacent plains.
LRU notes
Land Resource Unit (LRU): Frigid Soil Temperature Regime
The upper St. Lawrence and Champlain Valleys are characterized with soils in the frigid soil temperature regime (mean annual soil temperature greater than 32°F but less than 46°F and with a difference between mean summer and mean winter soil temperatures greater than 41°F at 20 inches below the surface or at a densic, lithic, or paralithic contact, whichever is shallower).
The Frigid Soil Temperature Regime (STR) will have shorter growing season than the lower St. Lawrence and Champlain Valleys which are characterized with soils in the mesic STR. Species more tolerant of colder year round temperatures would also be evident in the Frigid LRU.Classification relationships
USDA-NRCS
LRR: D-Northeastern Forage and Forest Region
MLRA: 142-St. Lawrence-Champlain Plain.
LRU: TBD
EPA (Ecoregions)
Level III: 83-Eastern Great Lakes Lowlands
Level IV: 83b-Champlain Lowlands
USDA-USFS
Province: Laurentian Mixed Forest
Section: 212E--St. Lawrence and Champlain Valley
Sub-section: 212Ec Champlain Glacial Lake and Marine PlainsEcological site concept
Wet clayplain forests occur throughout the MLRA on poorly and very poorly drained glacial lake plains. Much of this Ecological Site has been cleared of forest vegetation and is currently used as hayfield and pasture. This Ecological Site is often adjacent to or embedded within Mesic Clayplain sites. These sites have poor surface drainage; creating shallow rooted trees that are often uprooted by heavy winds. The resultant microtopography of tip-up mounds and depressions is characteristic. Regularly occurring trees include green ash, Eastern hemlock, American elm, red maple, and on some sites, northern white cedar. Invasive shrubs are often common including bush honeysuckles, European buckthorn, common buckthorn, and Japanese barberry. Other shrubs and sapling trees such as arrowwood, American hornbeam, green ash and slippery elm also occur. Herbaceous cover can be variable in composition, reflecting the wetness of individual sites. These include sensitive fern, New York fern, graceful sedge, barren strawberry, white avens, jewelweed, and others.
Associated sites
RX142X00B005 Clayplain
Similar sites
F142XB014NY Rich Wet Till Depression
Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree (1) Fraxinus pennsylvanica
(2) Tsuga canadensisShrub (1) Viburnum dentatum
Herbaceous (1) Onoclea sensibilis
(2) Carex gracillimaPhysiographic features
The site occurs on level to gently sloping glacial lake plains, depressions, and terraces.
Figure 1. Wet Clayplain ES (Covington soils)
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
Landforms (1) Lake plain > Depression
(2) River valley > Lake terrace
(3) Lake plain
(4) Terrace
(5) Flat
(6) Flood plain
Runoff class Negligible to very high Flooding frequency None to frequent Ponding frequency None to occasional Elevation 49 – 1738 ft Slope 0 – 8 % Water table depth 0 – 15 in Aspect Aspect is not a significant factor Climatic features
The Lake Champlain Valley has a humid climate with cold winters and warm summers. The Koppen-Geiger climate classification of the area in which this MLRA occurs is Dfb, Warm-summer humid continental. Rainfall occurs as high-intensity, convective thunderstorms in the summer, and snowfall is heavy from late in Autumn to early Spring. The frost-free period in this area is longest in a narrow belt around Lake Champlain. The area falls within USDA Hardiness zones 5a (and to a small extent, 5b). The Lake influences the climate of the Valley by moderating temperatures enough with offshore winds to delay the onset of fall, and conversely, the advance of spring. Climate change scenarios for the Northeastern US predict an overall increase in temperature, particularly in the winter and predict a slight increase in annual precipitation.
Table 3 Representative climatic features
Frost-free period (characteristic range) 120-140 days Freeze-free period (characteristic range) 150-170 days Precipitation total (characteristic range) 40-40 in Frost-free period (actual range) 100-140 days Freeze-free period (actual range) 130-180 days Precipitation total (actual range) 30-40 in Frost-free period (average) 130 days Freeze-free period (average) 160 days Precipitation total (average) 40 in Characteristic rangeActual rangeBarLineFigure 2. Monthly precipitation range
Characteristic rangeActual rangeBarLineFigure 3. Monthly minimum temperature range
Characteristic rangeActual rangeBarLineFigure 4. Monthly maximum temperature range
BarLineFigure 5. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature
Figure 6. Annual precipitation pattern
Figure 7 Annual average temperature pattern
Climate stations used
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(1) SOUTH HERO [USC00437607], South Hero, VT
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(2) BURLINGTON INTL AP [USW00014742], South Burlington, VT
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(3) WHITEHALL [USC00309389], Whitehall, NY
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(4) SALISBURY 2 N [USC00437098], Salisbury, VT
">Influencing water features
Poorly drained<br />
Water is removed so slowly that the soil is wet at shallow depths periodically during the growing season or remains wet for long periods. Internal free water occurrence is shallow or very shallow and common or persistent. Free water is commonly at or near the surface long enough during the growing season that most mesophytic crops cannot be grown, unless the soil is artificially drained. The soil, however, is not continuously wet directly below plow depth. Free water at shallow depth is common. The water table is commonly the result of low or very low saturated hydraulic conductivity, nearly continuous rainfall, or a combination of these.Wetland description
Cowardin System of Wetland Classification:<br />
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Palustrine, Forested, Broad-Leaved Deciduous, Seasonally Saturated, Fresh, Circumneutral to AlkalineSoil features
The site consists of very deep, poorly and very poorly drained soils that formed in calcareous glacio-lacustrine clays on glacial lake plains. Saturated hydraulic conductivity is low to moderately high in the mineral surface layer and the subsoil, and moderately low to very low in the substratum.
Soil pH increases with soil depth. The surface horizon is considered neutral while the substratum ranges from slightly alkaline to moderately alkaline. With the exception of phosphorous, soil macronutrients such as nitrogen, calcium, potassium, magnesium, and sulfur are increased in moderately alkaline soils, such as the Covington soil component. Other representative soils are Livingston, Madalin, Panton, Guffin, Binghamville, Wallington, Scantic, and Swanton.
Figure 8. Covington soil, Pedon 2015VT013001
Table 4. Representative soil features
Parent material (1) Glaciolacustrine deposits – limestone
(2) Glaciomarine deposits – igneous and sedimentary rock
(3) Eolian deposits
(4) Estuarine deposits
Surface texture (1) Clay
(2) Silty clay
(3) Stony clay loam
(4) Silty clay loam
(5) Silt loam
(6) Mucky silty clay
(7) Mucky silty clay loam
(8) Very stony clay loam
(9) Stony silt loam
(10) Stony very fine sandy loam
(11) Very fine sandy loam
(12) Fine sandy loam
Family particle size (1) Coarse-silty
(2) Coarse-loamy over clayey
(3) Fine
(4) Very-fine
Drainage class Poorly drained to very poorly drained Permeability class Very slow to slow Depth to restrictive layer 14 – 72 in Soil depth 72 – 0 in Surface fragment cover <=3" Not specified Surface fragment cover >3" 0 – 2 % Available water capacity
(0-40in)3 – 8 in Calcium carbonate equivalent
(0-40in)0 – 15 % Electrical conductivity
(0-40in)Not specified Sodium adsorption ratio
(0-40in)Not specified Soil reaction (1:1 water)
(Depth not specified)4.5 – 8.4 Subsurface fragment volume <=3"
(Depth not specified)0 – 15 % Subsurface fragment volume >3"
(Depth not specified)0 – 4 % Ecological dynamics
In the reference condition, this site is characterized by mature trees, well-developed strata, and relatively high species diversity owing to the high fertility of the soils. In spite of being wet, because soils are fertile, parts of this site has been drained and lost to agriculture. More research is needed to determine the extent in the nearby eastern Ontario plain and adjacent Canada. Drainage and complete removal of all vegetation and tilling of soils converts the site for agricultural crops, usually corn. Cessation of agriculture allows for the establishment of a sedge – bulrush wet meadow, characterized by sedges, bulrushes, and other graminoids and scattered forbs. Invasion by non-native grasses and forbs, as wells as scattered shrubs also occurs. If unmanaged, early successional native and non-native trees and shrubs become established. These are characterized by wind- or bird-dispersed seeds. If no active management is employed, the site converts gradually to early successional forest comprising young trees, shrubs, and herbs in a patchy mosaic, and is highly variable among locations. If invasive species are present - and in most cases they are - only manual removal, followed by close monitoring for newly established invasive plants, and judicious planting of native trees and shrubs can convert the site to a semblance of the reference state.
State and transition model
Custom diagramStandard diagram
Figure 9. 142XY002 - Wet Clayplain
Figure 10. 142XY002 - Weta Clayplain
More interactive model formats are also available. View Interactive Models
More interactive model formats are also available. View Interactive Models
Click on state and transition labels to scroll to the respective textEcosystem states
State 2 submodel, plant communities
State 3 submodel, plant communities
State 4 submodel, plant communities
State 1
ReferenceThis state is characterized by a mature forest characterized by green ash and swamp white oak. Associated trees may include slippery elm, basswood, eastern hemlock, red maple, shagbark hickory, and white pine. Northern white cedar is sometimes present. The tree canopy is generally closed to partially open. Shrub and herb layers are of variable cover; American hornbeam and southern arrowwood form an open shrub layer. Common herbaceous species include sensitive fern, jack-in-the-pulpit, jewelweed, slender sedge, enchanter’s nightshade, and parasol whitetop aster.
Community 1.1
Green ash – Swamp white oak / Graceful sedge Wet Clayplain Forest (Fraxinus pennsylvanica – Quercus
Figure 11. Wet clayplain, Robinsons Point 2015VT013001
This wet, deciduous forest occurs in wet, fertile clay and silt plains. The closed canopy is typically green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica) and swamp white oak (Quercus bicolor. The shrub layer is quite variable and dominated by musclewood aka American hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana). several wetland plants are found in the understory including the graceful sedge (Carex gracillima, Inland sedge (Carex interior), and jewelweed (Impatiens capensis).
Forest overstory.The closed canopy is Green ash, and Swamp white oak admixed with slippery elm and red maple. Occasional trees include white pine and eastern hemlock. Northern white cedar is sometimes present.
Forest understory. Forest understory includes a variously developed shrub layer of musclewood aka American hornbeam.<br /> The herb layer is rich with ferns, sedges, and herbs - characteristically the graceful sedge, interior sedge, and jewelweed.
Table 5. Soil surface cover
Tree basal cover 0% Shrub/vine/liana basal cover 0-0% Grass/grasslike basal cover 0-10% Forb basal cover 0-10% Non-vascular plants 0-20% Biological crusts 0% Litter 60-90% Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3" 0% Surface fragments >3" 0-0% Bedrock 0% Water 0-0% Bare ground 0% Table 6. Woody ground cover
Downed wood, fine-small (<0.40" diameter; 1-hour fuels) 4-30% Downed wood, fine-medium (0.40-0.99" diameter; 10-hour fuels) 20-30% Downed wood, fine-large (1.00-2.99" diameter; 100-hour fuels) 13-22% Downed wood, coarse-small (3.00-8.99" diameter; 1,000-hour fuels) 1-6% Downed wood, coarse-large (>9.00" diameter; 10,000-hour fuels) – Tree snags** (hard***) – Tree snags** (soft***) – Tree snag count** (hard***) Tree snag count** (hard***) * Decomposition Classes: N - no or little integration with the soil surface; I - partial to nearly full integration with the soil surface.
** >10.16cm diameter at 1.3716m above ground and >1.8288m height--if less diameter OR height use applicable down wood type; for pinyon and juniper, use 0.3048m above ground.
*** Hard - tree is dead with most or all of bark intact; Soft - most of bark has sloughed off.
Table 7. Canopy structure (% cover)
Height Above Ground (ft) Tree Shrub/Vine Grass/
GrasslikeForb <0.5 – – – – >0.5 <= 1 – – – – >1 <= 2 – – – – >2 <= 4.5 – 1-1% 5-20% 20-65% >4.5 <= 13 – 20-50% – – >13 <= 40 5-10% – – – >40 <= 80 65-70% – – – >80 <= 120 – – – – >120 – – – – Community 1.2
White pine - green ash - swamp white oak Wet Clayplain ForestThis phase is characterized by patches of younger forest, often characterized by greater cover of white pine or other early successional trees such as trembling aspen or big-tooth aspen. Species composition of shrub and herbaceous layers is similar to Community Phase 1.1.
Forest overstory.The closed canopy is Green ash, and Swamp white oak admixed with slippery elm and red maple. Occasional trees include white pine and eastern hemlock. Northern white cedar is sometimes present.
Forest understory. Forest understory includes a variously developed shrub layer of musclewood aka American hornbeam.<br /> The herb layer is rich with ferns, sedges, and herbs - characteristically the graceful sedge, interior sedge, and jewelweed.
Pathway 1.1A
Community 1.1 to 1.2This transition results from minor disturbances such as windthrows, ice storms, soil disturbance, light tree harvest, and plant replacements.
Conservation practices
Brush Management Forage Harvest Management Tree/Shrub Establishment Forest Management Plan - Applied Pathway 1.2A
Community 1.2 to 1.1Natural replacement (succession) or native planting
Conservation practices
Tree/Shrub Establishment State 2
Converted Agricultural StateThis state bears no resemblance to the reference state or earlier successional states. All native vegetation is removed and soils are severely disturbed by tilling. Corn is a typical agricultural crop on this converted site.
Community 2.1
CornCorn in a typical agricultural crop on this converted site.
State 3
Fallow / Abandoned StateThis states exists after agricultural abandonment. Dominated by graminoids (sedges, rushes, and grasses), this state can persist indefinitely if actively managed.
Community 3.1
Sedge - bulrush wet meadowThis phase is characterized by a treeless wet meadow that may occur after the immediate cessation of agriculture. Dominated by Bulrushes (Scirpus spp.) and other graminoids.
Kiviat and Stevens (2001) describe a Wet Clay Meadow type associated with the Hudson – Vergennes complex of the Hudson River Estuary Corridor in eastern New York. The vegetation is characterized by goldenrods, false foxglove, fox sedge, Bush’s sedge, as well as the shrubs gray dogwood, silky dogwood, northern arrowwood, meadowsweet, and alder. Additional sedges include Carex lasiocarpa, C. granularis, C. annectens, C. cristatella, C. hirsutella, and C. scoparia.Table 8. Canopy structure (% cover)
Height Above Ground (ft) Tree Shrub/Vine Grass/
GrasslikeForb <0.5 – – – – >0.5 <= 1 – – – – >1 <= 2 – – – – >2 <= 4.5 – – – – >4.5 <= 13 – – 100-100% – >13 <= 40 – – – – >40 <= 80 – – – – >80 <= 120 – – – – >120 – – – – State 4
Invaded StateThe tree canopy is very open, characterized by young trees, and an absence of late-successional species such as swamp white oak, hickories, basswood, or eastern hemlock that otherwise characterize the reference state.
Community 4.1
Green ash – Slippery elm / Common buckthorn Wet Clayplain ForestThis phase is highly variable in composition, but is characterized by a high cover of exotic invasive species. Common plants include common buckthorn, Morrow’s honeysuckle, Tartarian honeysuckle, European cranberry-bush, common barberry, and creeping Jenny. Early successional native trees are often high in cover, including big-tooth aspen, trembling aspen, and eastern red-cedar.
Forest overstory.This ecological site can be highly variable in composition. The open canopy is green ash and slippery elm occur sporadically in the open canopy with smaller early successional trees like bigtooth aspen trembling aspen and red cedar in more abundance.
Forest understory. Forest understory includes a variously developed shrub layer of mainly invasive plants, including the common buckthorn, honeysuckles.
Table 9. Canopy structure (% cover)
Height Above Ground (ft) Tree Shrub/Vine Grass/
GrasslikeForb <0.5 – – – – >0.5 <= 1 – – – – >1 <= 2 – – – – >2 <= 4.5 – – – 60-60% >4.5 <= 13 – 70-70% – – >13 <= 40 – – – – >40 <= 80 20-40% – – – >80 <= 120 – – – – >120 – – – – Transition T1A
State 1 to 2Removal of all vegetation, soil disturbance, and planting of crops
Transition T1A
State 1 to 2Complete removal of all vegetation, soil disturbance, and planting of crops.
Transition T1B
State 1 to 4Disturbances leading to the establishment of invaded plants
Restoration pathway R2A
State 2 to 3Restoration occurs following cessation of active agriculture, when natural succession or active planting allows establishment of early successional trees shrubs, and herbs.
Conservation practices
Tree/Shrub Establishment Native Plant Community Restoration and Management Restoration pathway R3A
State 3 to 1Natural replacement (succession), selective plantings
Conservation practices
Tree/Shrub Establishment Native Plant Community Restoration and Management Transition T3A
State 3 to 2Removal of all vegetation, soil disturbance, planting of crops
Transition T3B
State 3 to 4This transition occurs when minor disturbance allow for the establishment of invasive plants.
Restoration pathway R4A
State 4 to 1Active management to removeinvasive plants and plant native plants.
Conservation practices
Brush Management Native Plant Community Restoration and Management Invasive Plant Species Control Transition T4A
State 4 to 2Complete removal of all vegetation , soil disturbance, and planting of crops.
Additional community tables
Table 10. Community 1.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 11. Community 1.1 forest overstory composition
Common name Symbol Scientific name Nativity Height ft Canopy cover (%) Diameter in Basal area (square ft/acre) Treered maple ACRU Acer rubrum Native 33-66 10-25 – 0 green ash FRPE Fraxinus pennsylvanica Native 33-82 10-25 – 0 arborvitae THOC2 Thuja occidentalis Native 33-66 0-25 – 0 eastern hemlock TSCA Tsuga canadensis Native 33-66 5-10 – 0 American elm ULAM Ulmus americana Native 33-66 5-10 – 0 American basswood TIAM Tilia americana Native 33-66 2-5 – 0 eastern white pine PIST Pinus strobus Native 33-66 2-5 – 0 American beech FAGR Fagus grandifolia Native 33-66 2-5 – 0 hophornbeam OSVI Ostrya virginiana Native – 2-5 – 0 shagbark hickory CAOV2 Carya ovata Native 33-66 2-5 – 0 slippery elm ULRU Ulmus rubra Native 33-66 2-5 – 0 Table 12. Community 1.1 forest understory composition
Common name Symbol Scientific name Nativity Height (ft) Canopy cover (%) Grass/grass-like (Graminoids)inland sedge CAIN11 Carex interior Native 0.3–1.6 2–5 graceful sedge CAGR2 Carex gracillima Native 0.3–1.6 2–5 New England sedge CANO4 Carex novae-angliae Native 0.3–1.6 1–2 whitegrass LEVI2 Leersia virginica Native – – Forb/Herbjewelweed IMCA Impatiens capensis Native 0.3–1.6 2–5 eastern poison ivy TORA2 Toxicodendron radicans Native 0.3–1.6 1–2 white avens GECA7 Geum canadense Native 0.3–1.6 1–2 Appalachian barren strawberry WAFR Waldsteinia fragarioides Native 0.3–1.6 1–2 waxflower shinleaf PYEL Pyrola elliptica Native 0.3–1.6 1–2 broadleaf enchanter's nightshade CILUC Circaea lutetiana ssp. canadensis Native 0.3–1.6 0.5–1 Jack in the pulpit ARTR Arisaema triphyllum Native 0.3–1.6 0.5–1 parasol whitetop DOUM2 Doellingeria umbellata Native 0.3–1.6 0.5–1 littleleaf buttercup RAAB Ranunculus abortivus Native 0.3–1.6 0.5–1 calico aster SYLA4 Symphyotrichum lateriflorum Native 0.3–1.6 0.5–1 white trillium TRGR4 Trillium grandiflorum Native 0.3–1.6 0.5–1 alpine violet VILA10 Viola labradorica Native 0.3–1.6 0.5–1 blisterwort RARE2 Ranunculus recurvatus Native – – wild sarsaparilla ARNU2 Aralia nudicaulis Native – – wrinkleleaf goldenrod SORU2 Solidago rugosa Native – – Fern/fern allysensitive fern ONSE Onoclea sensibilis Native 0.3–1.6 1–2 eastern marsh fern THPA Thelypteris palustris Native 0.3–1.6 1–2 bulblet bladderfern CYBU3 Cystopteris bulbifera Native 0.3–1.6 1–2 New York fern THNO Thelypteris noveboracensis Native 0.3–1.6 1–2 common ladyfern ATFI Athyrium filix-femina Native 0.3–1.6 1–2 spinulose woodfern DRCA11 Dryopteris carthusiana Native 0.3–1.6 0.5–1 mountain woodfern DRCA3 Dryopteris campyloptera Native – – Shrub/SubshrubMorrow's honeysuckle LOMO2 Lonicera morrowii Introduced 6.5–16 5–10 Tatarian honeysuckle LOTA Lonicera tatarica Introduced 0.3–1.6 2–5 southern arrowwood VIDE Viburnum dentatum Native 0.3–1.6 1–2 European cranberrybush VIOP Viburnum opulus Native 0.3–1.6 0.5–1 common winterberry ILVE Ilex verticillata Native – – TreeAmerican hornbeam CACA18 Carpinus caroliniana Native 6.5–16 10–25 green ash FRPE Fraxinus pennsylvanica Native 6.5–16 2–5 eastern hemlock TSCA Tsuga canadensis Native 6.5–16 1–2 Table 13. Community 1.2 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 14. Community 2.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 15. Community 2.1 forest understory composition
Common name Symbol Scientific name Nativity Height (ft) Canopy cover (%) Grass/grass-like (Graminoids)corn ZEMA Zea mays Introduced – – Table 16. Community 3.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 17. Community 3.1 forest understory composition
Common name Symbol Scientific name Nativity Height (ft) Canopy cover (%) Grass/grass-like (Graminoids)rufous bulrush SCPE4 Scirpus pendulus Native 1.6–5 – blackgirdle bulrush SCAT4 Scirpus atrocinctus Native 1.6–5 – green bulrush SCAT2 Scirpus atrovirens Native 1.6–5 – red clover TRPR2 Trifolium pratense Introduced – – timothy PHPR3 Phleum pratense Introduced 1.6–5 – Table 18. Community 4.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 19. Community 4.1 forest overstory composition
Common name Symbol Scientific name Nativity Height ft Canopy cover (%) Diameter in Basal area (square ft/acre) Treegreen ash FRPE Fraxinus pennsylvanica Native 33-50 20-40 – 0 slippery elm ULRU Ulmus rubra Native 33-50 20-40 – 0 Table 20. Community 4.1 forest understory composition
Common name Symbol Scientific name Nativity Height (ft) Canopy cover (%) Grass/grass-like (Graminoids)graceful sedge CAGR2 Carex gracillima Native 1.6–3.3 – fox sedge CAVU2 Carex vulpinoidea Native 1.6–3.3 – Forb/HerbCanada goldenrod SOCA6 Solidago canadensis Native 1.6–3.3 – Canada goldenrod SOAL6 Solidago altissima Native 1.6–3.3 – candle anemone ANCY Anemone cylindrica – 1.6–3.3 – broadleaf enchanter's nightshade CILUC Circaea lutetiana ssp. canadensis Native 1.6–3.3 – Shrub/SubshrubMorrow's honeysuckle LOMO2 Lonicera morrowii Introduced 3.3–9.8 – European cranberrybush VIOP Viburnum opulus Introduced 3.3–9.8 – common buckthorn RHCA3 Rhamnus cathartica Introduced 3.3–9.8 – Treesugar maple ACSA3 Acer saccharum Native 3.3–9.8 – arborvitae THOC2 Thuja occidentalis Native 3.3–9.8 – eastern redcedar JUVI Juniperus virginiana Native 3.3–9.8 – Vine/LianaVirginia creeper PAQU2 Parthenocissus quinquefolia Native 1.6–3.3 – Interpretations
Animal community
Source: Thompson and Sorenson 2000) Mammals characteristic of this site include gray squirrel, eastern chipmunk, raccoon, and white-tailed deer. Beaver also frequent this site where it is associated with standing water. Common birds include wood thrush, eastern wood peewee, ovenbird, northern oriole, and downy woodpecker. Amphibians associated with this site include blue-spotted salamander, American toad, wood frog, and green treefrog. Where vernal pools occur within this site, invertebrates such as caddis flies, predaceous diving beetles, and horsehair worms can be found. Animals associated with Kiviat and Stevens (2001) Wet Clay Meadow: included amphibians American toad and spotted salamander. Associated birds included Virginia rail, American woodcock, alder flycatcher, sedge wren, vesper sparrow, Henslow’s sparrow, and orchard oriole. The Baltimore checkerspot is a potentially occurring butterfly.
Hydrological functions
The poorly drained soils cause surface water to pool in low-lying areas.
Recreational uses
This site has limited use for recreation other than occasional hiking.
Wood products
This site has limited use for wood products except as a by-product of clearing for agriculture.
Other products
This site has deep, fertile soils that are heavily used for agriculture.
Other information
Conservation Status of clayplain forest is high.
Supporting information
Inventory data references
The data contained in this document is derived from the analysis of field inventories (relevé plots and reconnaissance notes collected by NatureServe with the assistance of MLRA Soil Survey Office 12-TOL, 12-PAS, 12-AMH and the VT NRCS State Office. Five high intensity plots were conducted for the reference state. This information was supplemented by plot data from Vermont Natural Heritage Program.
Other references
REFERENCES
Kiviat, E. and G. Stevens. 2001. Biodiversity assessment manual for the Hudson River Estuary Corridor. Hudsonia Ltd. New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Albany, New York. 508 pp.
Thompson, E. H., and E. R. Sorenson. 2000. Wetland, woodland, wildland: A guide to the natural communities of Vermont. The Nature Conservancy and the Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife. University Press of New England, Hanover, NH. 456 pp.
Edinger, G.J., D.J. Evans, S. Gebauer, T.G. Howard, D.M. Hunt, and A.M. Olivero (editors). 2014. Ecological Communities of New York State. Second Edition. A revised and expanded edition of Carol Reschke's Ecological Communities of New York State. New York Natural Heritage Program, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Albany, NY.Contributors
Joshua Hibit
Approval
Greg Schmidt, 10/03/2024
Rangeland health reference sheet
Interpreting Indicators of Rangeland Health is a qualitative assessment protocol used to determine ecosystem condition based on benchmark characteristics described in the Reference Sheet. A suite of 17 (or more) indicators are typically considered in an assessment. The ecological site(s) representative of an assessment location must be known prior to applying the protocol and must be verified based on soils and climate. Current plant community cannot be used to identify the ecological site.
Author(s)/participant(s) Contact for lead author Date 04/17/2026 Approved by Approval date Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on Annual Production Indicators
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Number and extent of rills:
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Presence of water flow patterns:
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Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
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Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
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Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
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Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
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Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel):
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Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):
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Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
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Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
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Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):
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Functional/Structural Groups (list in order of descending dominance by above-ground annual-production or live foliar cover using symbols: >>, >, = to indicate much greater than, greater than, and equal to):
Dominant:
Sub-dominant:
Other:
Additional:
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Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
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Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
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Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
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Potential invasive (including noxious) species (native and non-native). List species which BOTH characterize degraded states and have the potential to become a dominant or co-dominant species on the ecological site if their future establishment and growth is not actively controlled by management interventions. Species that become dominant for only one to several years (e.g., short-term response to drought or wildfire) are not invasive plants. Note that unlike other indicators, we are describing what is NOT expected in the reference state for the ecological site:
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Perennial plant reproductive capability:
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PrintThe Ecosystem Dynamics Interpretive Tool is an information system framework developed by the USDA-ARS Jornada Experimental Range, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and New Mexico State University.
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