Natural Communities at the Preserve
Defined by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Natural Communities are recurring groups of plants, animals, and other organisms shaped by environmental conditions. You can find in-depth information about Virginia’s Natural Communities on DCR’s website here.
At Bull Run Mountains Natural Area Preserve, these communities form distinct Systems and Ecological Classes. The preserve includes examples from two major systems—Terrestrial (uplands) and Palustrine (non‑tidal wetlands)—and we currently track eight Ecological Community Groups that guide conservation and management. Select a group to learn more about it and see images of key species found at the preserve.
Basic Oak – Hickory Forests
- System: Terrestrial
- Class: Low-Elevation Dry and Dry-Mesic Forests
Type(s) found at Bull Run Mountains NAP
- Inner Piedmont / Lower Blue Ridge Basic Oak – Hickory Forest
Key Species (Click an image to see the species name)
Acidic Oak – Hickory Forests
- System: Terrestrial
- Class: Low-Elevation Dry and Dry-Mesic Forests
Type(s) found at Bull Run Mountains NAP
- Piedmont Acidic Oak – Hickory Forest