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BLUE RIDGE COVE FORESTS – FERTILE VARIANTRich cove forests occur throughout Georgia’s Blue Ridge between 1,800 and 3,500 feet, in cool,north-facing (occasionally east-facing) coves and on moist, lower slopes. Soils in rich coveforests are moist and rich in nutrients and organic matter, supporting one of the most biologicallydiverse environments in North America. These forests are distinguished from acidic coves by thepresence of many nutrient-loving canopy species, such as yellow buckeye, basswood, white ash,black cherry, bitternut hickory, cucumber magnolia, yellowwood, northern red oak, and sugarmaple. Coves that were logged in the last two centuries are dominated by tulip tree, yellowbuckeye, red maple, and silverbell, with other tree species filling the gaps created when trees die.Spectacular displays of wildflowers appear in rich cove forests in the early spring before thecanopy leaf outs. These include blue cohosh, doll’s eyes, Clinton’s bead lily, trout lily, Canadawild ginger, yellow mandarin, spotted mandarin, and numerous trilliums, orchids, violets, andbellworts; mid- to late-summer displays include turk’s cap lily, Carolina lily, bellflower, blackcohosh, and bunchflower. Few examples of old-growth rich cove forest remain in Georgia; theseforests, as well as second-growth stands, should be protected from logging, clearing, roadbuilding, fire, and development.Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy High Priority Habitat: Rich MesicHardwood Forests (Cove Hardwoods).Special Concern Plant Species Associated with Blue Ridge Cove Forests–Fertile Variant:American fly-honeysuckle, Lonicera canadensis Large-leaved waterleaf, Hydrophyllum macrophyllumBroad-leaved bunchflower, Veratrum latifolium Leatherleaf meadowrue, Thalictrum coriaceumLongstalk sedge, Carex pedunculata(syn. Melanthium latifolium)Manhart's sedge, Carex manhartiiBroad-leaved phlox, Phlox amplifoliaNorthern shorthusk grass, BrachyelytrumBroad-leaved sedge, Carex platyphyllaseptentrionaleBroad-leaved tickseed, Coreopsis latifoliaOvate catchfly, Silene ovataBroad-toothed hedge-nettle, Stachys latidensPhlox-leaved aster, Symphyotrichum phlogifoliumBrock sweetshrub, Calycanthus brockiana(syn. Aster phlogifolius)Butternut, Juglans cinereaRadford’s sedge, Carex radfordiiDivided toothwort, Cardamine dissectaShowy skullcap, Scutellaria serrataDwarf ginseng, Panax trifoliusFiliform hypnum moss, Hypnum cupressiforme Small purple fringed orchid, Platanthera psycodesSquirrel-corn, Dicentra canadensisvar. filiformeSweet white trillium, Trillium simileFraser’s sedge, Cymophyllus fraserianusToccoa Falls moss, Herpetineuron toccoaeGinseng, Panax quinquefoliusWhite Bear Lake sedge, Carex albursinaGoldenseal, Hydrastis canadensisYellow lady’s slipper, Cypripedium parviflorumHooked harvest-lice, Agrimonia gryposepalaSpecial Concern Animal Species Associated with Blue Ridge Cove Forests–Fertile Variant:AmphibiansGreen salamander, Aneides aeneusRed-legged salamander, Plethodon shermaniSouthern Appalachian salamander, Plethodon teyahaleeSouthern gray-cheeked salamander, Plethodon metcalfi

Blue Ridge Cove Forests–Fertile Variant, continuedBirdsCerulean warbler, Dendroica ceruleaMammalsHairy-tailed mole, Parascalops breweriMasked shrew, Sorex cinereusRafinesque's big-eared bat, Corynorhinus rafinesquiiRed squirrel, Tamiasciurus hudsonicusSouthern red-back vole, Clethrionomys gapperiStar-nosed mole, Condylura cristataReptilesNorthern coal skink, Eumeces anthracinus anthracinus

BLUE RIDGE COVE FORESTS – ACIDIC VARIANTAcidic cove forests occur in cool, north-facing (occasionally east-facing) coves and ravines andalong streams throughout Georgia’s Blue Ridge, usually between 1,800 and 3,500 feet. Easternhemlock is the most conspicuous tree, but black birch, tulip tree, red maple, Fraser magnolia,sourwood, and white pine are also important. Rhododendron and mountain laurel often formdense thickets beneath the trees; blueberries and huckleberries are also common shrubs. Herbsare typically sparse with only a few species – such as pipsissewa, rattlesnake plantain, Indiancucumber-root, galax, trailing arbutus, partridge-berry, and round-leaved violet – thriving in thedeep shade and acid soils of these communities. Acid cove forests are under severe threat as thehemlock woolly adelgid, an exotic pest insect, is rapidly infesting and killing the hemlocks;every effort should be made to support hemlock woolly adelgid eradication efforts. Fewexamples of old-growth acidic cove forest remain in Georgia; these, as well as second-growthstands, should be protected from logging, clearing, road-building, fire, and development.Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy High Priority Habitats: HemlockHardwood-White Pine ForestsSpecial Concern Plant Species Associated with Blue Ridge Cove Forests–Acidic Variant:Oconee bells, Shortia galacifoliaCarolina hemlock, Tsuga carolinianaSmall whorled pogonia, Isotria medeoloidesClimbing fern, Lygodium palmatumSmall’s twayblade, Listera smalliiDwarf ginseng, Panax trifoliusThree birds orchids, Triphora trianthophoraEdna’s trillium, Trillium persistensFraser’s sedge, Cymophyllus fraserianusSpecial Concern Animal Species Associated with Blue Ridge Cove Forests–Acidic Variant:AmphibiansGreen salamander, Aneides aeneusMountain chorus frog, Pseudacris brachyphonaRed-legged salamander, Plethodon shermaniSouthern Appalachian salamander, Plethodon teyahaleeSouthern gray-cheeked salamander, Plethodon metcalfiBirdsCerulean warbler, Dendroica ceruleaMammalsHairy-tailed mole, Parascalops breweriMasked shrew, Sorex cinereusRed squirrel, Tamiasciurus hudsonicusSouthern red-back vole, Clethrionomys gapperiStar-nosed mole, Condylura cristataReptilesNorthern coal skink, Eumeces anthracinus anthracinus

BLUE RIDGE LOW TO MID-ELEVATION OAK FORESTSOak forests are the most extensive forest type in Georgia’s Blue Ridge, covering slopes, ridges,and ravines between 1,800 and 3,500 feet. Dry, exposed, and west- and south-facing slopes andridgelines are usually dominated by chestnut, scarlet, and southern red oaks, often with a largenumber of Virginia, pitch, or shortleaf pines present. Heath shrubs such as rhododendron,mountain laurel, blueberry, and huckleberry are usually abundant in dry oak forests, and herbsare usually sparse. Cooler, moister sites on protected or north- and east-facing slopes support anoak-dominated forest that includes northern red, black, and white oaks often with an abundanceof hickories and tulip trees, making it difficult to distinguish some moist oak forests from coveforests. Moister oak forests have more species-rich shrub and herb layers than do the dry oakforest type and are not likely to have burned. Gypsy moths are a serious threat to oak forests, asis oak decline, which especially affects oaks in the dry forest type. Feral hogs, which severelydisturb the soil and herb layer, degrade the forest and should be eradicated. Few examples of oldgrowth oak forest remain in Georgia; these forests, as well as second-growth stands, should beprotected from logging, clearing, road-building, and development. Dry sites only should beburned periodically.Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy High Priority Habitat: Oak Forests andWoodlands, Mixed Pine-Hardwood ForestsSpecial Concern Plant Species Associated with Low to Mid-Elevation Blue Ridge OakForests:American lily-of-the-valley, ConvallariaMasterwort, Heracleum lanatummajusculaMountain witch-alder, Fothergilla majorAppalachian sedge, Carex appalachicaOvate catchfly, Silene ovataAsh-leaf golden-banner, Thermopsis fraxinifoliaPink ladyslipper, Cypripedium acauleBeadle's mountain-mint, Pycnanthemum beadleiScarlet Indian-paintbrush, Castilleja coccineaBittersweet, Celastrus scandensSedge, Carex aestivaliformisBroad-leaved tickseed, Coreopsis latifoliaSilky bindweed, Calystegia catesbiana ssp.Brock sweetshrub, Calycanthus brockianasericataDowny bush-pea, Thermopsis mollisSmith’s sunflower, Helianthus smithiiGinseng, Panax quinquefoliusStaghorn sumac, Rhus typhinaGround cedar, Diphasiastrum tristachyumSweet fern, Comptonia peregrinaGround pine, Lycopodium clavatumYellow giant hyssop, Agastache nepetoidesManhart's sedge, Carex manhartiiSpecial Concern Animal Species Associated with Blue Ridge Low to Mid-Elevation Blue RidgeOak Forests:AmphibiansMountain chorus frog, Pseudacris brachyphonaBirdsBewick's wren, Thryomanes bewickii

Blue Ridge Low to Mid-Elevation Blue Ridge Oak Forests, continuedBirdsGolden-winged warbler, Vermivora chrysopteraLeast flycatcher, Empidonax minimusMammalsAppalachian cottontail, Sylvilagus obscurusLeast weasel, Mustela nivalisRafinesque's big-eared bat, Corynorhinus rafinesquiiRed squirrel, Tamiasciurus hudsonicus

BLUE RIDGE PINE-OAK WOODLANDMany of the dry, rocky ridges and steep, west- and south-facing slopes of Georgia’s Blue Ridgesupport woodlands with less than 60% tree cover dominated by a mix of pines – shortleaf,Virginia, white, Table Mountain, or pitch pine – and oaks, including chestnut, scarlet, black,southern red, post, and blackjack oaks. Sourwood, black gum, and red maple may also bepresent. The understory of pine-oak forests and woodlands may consist of extensive thickets ofheath shrubs such as rhododendron, mountain laurel, blueberry, and huckleberry, or it may beopen, with a species-rich ground cover of grasses and other herbs. These are relatively harshcommunities, vulnerable to storm and lightning damage and with thin, acidic soils. They areprone to periodic infestations by southern pine beetles, which are a natural part of a pinedominated ecosystem. Prescribed burning is the most important management tool in pine-oakwoodlands, which will develop into mixed hardwood forests without fire. These communitieswere once extensive but are now uncommon, and all examples should be protected fromclearing, development, and road building.Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy High Priority Habitat: Mixed PineHardwood Forests, Xeric Pine Woodlands, Pine-Oak Woodlands and ForestSpecial Concern Plant Species Associated with Blue Ridge Pine-Oak Woodlands:Alabama grape fern, Botrychium jenmaniiAsh-leaf golden-banner, Thermopsis fraxinifoliaCarolina hemlock, Tsuga carolinianaHoary frostweed, Helianthemum bicknellii (syn. Crocanthemum bicknellii)Downy bush-pea, Thermopsis mollisEastern turkeybeard, Xerophyllum asphodeloidesEdna’s trillium, Trillium persistensPink lady’s-slipper, Cypripedium acauleRough hawkweed, Hieracium scabrumSilky bindweed, Calystegia catesbiana ssp. sericataSmall whorled pogonia, Isotria medeoloidesSpreading pogonia, Cleistes bifariaSweet pinesap, Monotropsis odorataSweet-fern, Comptonia peregrinaSpecial Concern Animal Species Associated with Blue Ridge Pine-Oak Woodlands:BirdsRed crossbill, Loxia curvirostraMammalsRafinesque's big-eared bat, Corynorhinus rafinesquiiRed squirrel, Tamiasciurus hudsonicusReptilesNorthern pine snake, Pituophis melanoleucus melanoleucus

BLUE RIDGE ULTRAMAFIC BARRENS AND WOODLANDSUltramafic barrens and woodlands occur as a mosaic of openings and wooded areas overultramafic bedrock, an unusual type of rock that is high in magnesium and iron. Soils thatdevelop over ultramafic bedrock are thin and dry with a relatively high pH and low levels ofphosphorus, potassium, nitrogen, and calcium. These soils support a sparse forest of pines,primarily pitch pine, and dry-site oaks, such as post, scarlet, and southern red oaks, with only afew shrubs and a dense ground layer of grasses and other sun-loving, flowering plants. Althoughmost plant species in ultramafic forests are typical of Georgia’s dry uplands, there are a numberof midwestern prairie, Coastal Plain, and Special Concern species. Prescribed fire is the mostimportant tool for the management and restoration of ultramafic woodlands. Frequent fire canincrease the extent of grass- and herb-dominated groundcover and encourage characteristicwoodland species such as post oak and pitch pine, while reducing weedy tree species such asVirginia pine.Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy High Priority Habitat: Pine-OakWoodlands and ForestSpecial Concern Plant Species Associated with Blue Ridge Ultramafic Barrens andWoodlands:Alabama grape fern, Botrychium jenmaniiCanada burnet, Sanguisorba canadensisFringed gentian, Gentianopsis crinitaPurple sedge, Carex purpuriferaWoodland muhly, Muhlenbergia sylvaticaVirginia mountain mint, Pycnanthemum virginianumSpecial Concern Animal Species Associated with Blue Ridge Ultramafic Barrens andWoodlands:No Special Concern animals have been recorded from this environment.

GLADES, BARRENS, AND ROCK OUTCROPS OF THE BLUE RIDGEECOREGIONBLUE RIDGE ROCKY SUMMITSRocky summits are large expanses of vertical or horizontal rock outcroppings found on a fewpeaks and upper slopes above 4,000 feet in Georgia’s Blue Ridge. They are among the raresthabitats in Georgia and harbor many rare plant species. These high outcrops are subject toextremes of wind, temperature, and moisture. Plants grow primarily in hollows and crevices inthe rock where moisture and organic material accumulate, while lichens expand across thesurface of the outcrops. Trees are short and twisted, shrubs are typically evergreen, and herbsexhibit a number of harsh-weather survival tactics including low growth form, hairiness, andleathery leaf textures. Rocky summits are threatened by overuse from hikers and climbers; theyshould be protected from development, trail construction, and recreational overuse.Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy High Priority Habitat: High ElevationRocky Summits and Shrub Balds, High Elevation Forested Heath Thickets; Caves, RockShelters, Talus SlopesSpecial Concern Plant and Lichen Species Associated with Blue Ridge Rocky Summits:Pale corydalis, Corydalis sempervirens (syn.American mountain-ash, Sorbus americanaCapnoides sempervirens)Bearberry, Vaccinium erythrocarpumRecurved dog-hobble, Leucothoe recurvaBiltmore’s sedge, Carex biltmoreana(syn. Eubotrys recurva)Bleeding heart, Dicentra eximiaRed elderberry, Sambucus racemosa ssp.Blue Ridge golden ragwort, Packera millefoliapubensBlue Ridge St. John’s-wort, Hypericum buckleyiRock gnome lichen, Cetradonia linearisCliffside goldenrod, Solidago simulans(syn. Gymnoderma lineare)Fir clubmoss, Huperzia appalachianaSand myrtle, Leiophyllum buxifoliumFire cherry, Prunus pensylvanicaSilverling, Paronychia argyrocomaMinniebush, Menziesia pilosaSpinulose shield fern, Dryopteris carthusianaMountain cinquefoil, Sibbaldiopsis tridentataTaylor’s filmy fern, Hymenophyllum tayloriaeNorthern bush-honeysuckle, Diervilla loniceraWretched sedge, Carex miseraSpecial Concern Animal Species Associated with Blue Ridge Rocky Summits:BirdsCommon raven, Corvus coraxMammalsEastern small-footed myotis, Myotis leibii

BLUE RIDGE CLIFFSCliffs and large rock outcrops are steep or vertical expanses of non-mafic rock below 4,000 feetthat often form the walls of gorges or bluffs of river valleys. Overhanging rock outcrops are alsoincluded. Vegetation in this natural community is highly variable because conditions can be hotand dry at upper levels and on south- and west-facing outcrops and walls, and cool and dampnear the bottom of gorges and on north- and east-facing outcrops and walls. Plants are mainlylimited to species that can root in crevices or in soil accumulation on narrow ledges. Species thatlive directly on bare rock, such as lichens, mosses, and liverworts, are also common. Cliffsprovide nesting sites for numerous birds. Because of the generally harsh conditions, this naturalcommunity is slow to recover from disturbance. Threats include overuse by climbers, invasionby exotic plant species, and loss of hemlock trees to hemlock woolly adelgid, an alien insect.Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy High Priority Habitat: Rocky Bluffs andStreambanks (in part)Special Concern Plant and Lichen Species Associated with Blue Ridge Cliffs:Biltmore’s sedge, Carex biltmoreanaPale corydalis, Corydalis (Capnoides)Bleeding heart, Dicentra eximiasempervirensBrown sedge, Carex brunnescensRoan Mountain sedge, Carex roanensisCanada burnet, Sanguisorba canadensisRock gnome lichen, Cetradonia linearis (syn.Carey’s saxifrage, Micranthes (Saxifraga)Gymnoderma linearis)careyanaSand myrtle, Leiophyllum buxifoliumCarolina hemlock, Tsuga carolinianaScarlet Indian-paintbrush, Castilleja coccineaDwarf filmy fern, Trichomanes petersiiSouthern fibrous-root sedge, Carex lucorumSpinulose shield fern, Dryopteris carthusianaFir clubmoss, Huperzia appalachianaSullivant’s leafy liverwort, PlagiochilaGorge leafy liverwort, Plagiochila caducilobasullivantiiGround cedar, Diphasiastrum tristachyumNorthern bush-honeysuckle, Diervilla lonicera Tufted club-rush, Trichophorum caespitosum(syn. Scirpus cespitosus)Northern shorthusk grass, BrachyelytrumWretched sedge, Carex miseraseptentrionaleSpecial Concern Animal Species Associated with Blue Ridge Cliffs:AmphibiansGreen salamander, Aneides aeneusBirdsCommon raven, Corvus coraxPeregrine falcon, Falco peregrinusMammalsEastern small-footed myotis, Myotis leibiiEastern woodrat, Neotoma floridana illinoensisSouthern Appalachian woodrat, Neotoma floridana haematoreia

BLUE RIDGE MAFIC DOMES, GLADES, AND BARRENSMafic domes, glades, and barrens develop where mafic bedrock – with its high levels ofmagnesium, iron, calcium, and silica – is at or close to the surface, producing soils that are thinand droughty. Due to these soil conditions, trees are sparse (glades) or nearly absent (barrens anddomes). The ground layer includes an interesting mix of dry-site plants (such as Appalachianrock-pink and pineweed) and seepage plants (such as sphagnum moss and Michaux’s saxifrage)where water seeps across the rock surface. Because of the unusual combination of minerals inmafic rocks, these high pH sites also support plant species such as red cedar, white ash,coralberry, and American columbo. Several Southern Appalachian endemics such as creepingaster, dwarf mountain dandelion, and twisted-hair spike moss also occur on mafic sites. Maficdomes, glades, and barrens should be protected from clearing, development, and overuse byhikers and climbers.Comprehensive Wildlife Conservation Strategy High Priority Habitat: High ElevationRocky Summits and Shrub Balds, Pine-Oak Woodlands (in part), Oak Forests and Woodlands(in part), and Xeric Pine Woodland (in part)Special Concern Plant and Lichen Species Associated with Blue Ridge Mafic Domes,Glades, and Barrens:American barberry, Berberis canadensisBeadle's mountain-mint, Pycnanthemum beadleiBiltmore’s sedge, Carex biltmoreanaBittersweet, Celastrus scandensBlue Ridge ragwort, Packera millefoliumBroad-leaved bunchflower, Veratrum latifolium (syn. Melanthium latifolium)Ground cedar, Diphasiastrum tristachyumPale corydalis, Corydalis sempervirens (syn. Capnoides sempervirens)Porter's reed-grass, Calamagrostis porteri ssp. porteriRock muhly, Muhlenbergia soboliferaRough sedge, Carex scabrataRoundleaf serviceberry, Amelanchier sanguineaSmall's beardtongue, Penstemon smalliiSpreading rockcress, Arabis patensStaghorn sumac, Rhus typhinaStone Mountain mountain-mint, Pycnanthemum curvipesTufted club-rush, Trichophorum caespitosum (syn. Scirpus cespitosus)Wretched sedge, Carex miseraSp

Blue Ridge mountain bogs Blue Ridge seepage wetlands Blue Ridge spray cliffs Blue Ridge floodplains and bottomlands Aquatic Environments of the Blue Ridge Ecoregion Blue Ridge springs, spring runs, and seeps Blue Ridge small s