Natural Communities

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What is a Natural Community?

Why Don't All Communities Show Up on the Map?

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Harpers Ferry National Historical Park

Ecologists recognize 28 distinct natural communities that you can find along the trails at Harpers Ferry National Historical Park (NHP)—some in the hills, some in the valleys. What parts of the landscape does each inhabit and why? Explore each one below.

Sometimes the vegetation you see in Harpers Ferry NHP will not look like any of the natural communities described below. Perhaps you are in a semi-natural community, a not-so-natural community, or a transition between communities. Find out more! Ecobit: Natural Community Misfits

Floodplain / Wetland Natural Communities (Growing along streams or pools and regularly to occasionally flooded)

Upland Natural Communities (not in a floodplain)

Explore All Natural Communities at This Location

Acidic Boulderfield in Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
Acidic Oak - Hickory Forest in Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
Basic Oak - Hickory Forest in Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
Basic Woodland in Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
Bedrock Floodplain Forest in Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
Chestnut Oak - Virginia Pine Woodland in Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
Chestnut Oak Forest in Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
Dry Chestnut Oak - Northern Red Oak / Heath Forest in Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
Dry-Mesic Chestnut Oak - Northern Red Oak Forest in Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
Eastern Hemlock - Hardwood Forest in Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
Limestone Oak - Hickory Forest in Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
Maple - Ash Swamp Forest in Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
Orange Jewelweed Herbaceous Vegetation in Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
Red-cedar Limestone Glade in Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
Rich Boulderfield Forest in Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
Rich Cove / Mesic Slope Forest in Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
Rich Cove Forest in Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
Rich Floodplain Forest in Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
Riverbar Drawdown Shore in Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
Riverbar Tall Wet Meadow in Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
Riverwash Bedrock Prairie in Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
Rocky Bar and Shore – Water-willow Type in Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
Scour Bar Wet Meadow in Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
Silver Maple Floodplain Forest in Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
Subcalcareous Cliff & Rock Outcrop in Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
Sweet Birch - Chestnut Oak Talus Woodland in Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
Sycamore - River Birch Floodplain Forest in Harpers Ferry National Historical Park