Identifying Natural Communities

Natural Community Misfits

Sometimes what you're seeing doesn't look like any of the natural communities that should be present locally. Why?

1. Transitions (Ecotones). Usually, there’s not a sharp and obvious boundary between one natural community and another, even though a vegetation map makes it look like there is. The area of transition between two natural communities is called an ecotone, and it’s an area that may contain a combination of features from more than one natural community. Don't be surprised to find yourself in one of these transitional areas quite often as you hike up and down hills.

2. Forest Edges. Edge communities at the edge of a forest typically have many species not found in the interior. These communities on the edges are diverse and have not been the focus of the Natural Community work. Unfortunately, given the fragmentation of land around urban areas, edge habitats are quite prevalent and are great at attracting damaging invasives. Research and guidance is sparse in addressing edge habitats and is desperately needed. In the meantime, eliminating the invasives at the edges will slow spread into the interior of the area and is generally difficult but highly productive overall.

3. Successional Communities. Some areas are still growing back from historic land disturbances (say, farming, intense fire, or unusually heavy storm damage). these areas are called "Successional Forests". For purposes of ecological restoration, a challenge is to identify which true Natural Community is the later stage of succession so as to assist in the process going forward.

4. Mapping limits. Rules limit how detailed maps are. Most maps don't show tiny patches of unique vegetation (say, under 1 acre or 1/2 hectare).