Conservation Status and Classification

How vulnerable is a natural community to being eliminated? How similar or dissimilar is it to other natural communities? These questions are answered by naming and classifying natural communities, which helps us identify them and understand where each is found.

The U.S. National Vegetation Classification is the standard often used to classify natural communities.

Conservation Status

Conservation status indicates how vulnerable a natural community is. Learn more about conservation status, which can be measured globally and regionally.

Global Conservation Status: G3? – Vulnerable? (Status uncertain)

Subnational Conservation Status:

MD: SNR – Not yet assessed

;

VA: S3 – Vulnerable

;

WV: S2 – Imperiled

Classification

Official names reduce the confusion by providing a common language for talking about natural communities. Why so many names?

Abbreviated Common Name: Chestnut Oak - Virginia Pine Woodland

Common Name: Chestnut Oak - Virginia Pine Woodland (Central Appalachian)

Scientific Name: Quercus montana - Pinus virginiana - (Pinus pungens) / Schizachyrium scoparium - Dichanthelium depauperatum Woodland

Scientific Name Translated: Chestnut Oak - Virginia Pine - (Table Mountain Pine) / Little Bluestem - Starved Witchgrass Woodland

Classification Code: CEGL008540

Associated Ecological System: Pine - Oak Rocky Woodlands Ecological System in Harpers Ferry National Historical Park