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Shale Cliff and Talus Community |
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System: Terrestrial
SubSystem: Open Uplands State Protection: Not Listed Federal Protection: Not Listed State Rarity Rank: S3 
A State Rarity Rank of S3 means: Typically 21 to 100 occurrences, limited acreage, or miles of stream in New York State. Global Rarity Rank: G4
A Global Rarity Rank of G4 means: Apparently secure globally, though it may be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery. Did you know? What is talus? Talus, or scree, is a steep slope usually found at the base of a mountain. The block size of the talus is strongly influenced by the type of rock forming the cliff face and the rate of erosion; for example, shale or rapidly eroding sandstone forms unstable, small, loose talus. The unstable nature of shale results in uneven slopes and many rock crevices. Other rocky types, such as hard dolostone caprock, produces stable, very large talus that provides habitat for much larger organisms. |
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| State Ranking Justification | [-] |
There are several hundred occurrences statewide. Some documented occurrences have good viability and several are protected on public land or private conservation land. This community is limited to regions of the state with steep shale bedrock and talus outcrops, and there are several large, high quality examples. The current trend of this community is probably stable for occurrences on public land, or declining slightly elsewhere due to moderate threats that include development, trampling by visitors, and invasive species.
| Short-term Trends | [-] |
The number and acreage of shale cliff and talus communities in New York have probably declined slightly in recent decades as a result of development, trampling by visitors, and invasive species.
| Long-term Trends | [-] |
The number and acreage of shale cliff and talus communities in New York have probably declined moderately from historical numbers likely correlated with past development, trampling by visitors, and invasive species.
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New York Natural Heritage Program. 2013. Online Conservation Guide for Shale Cliff and Talus Community. Available from: http://acris.nynhp.org/guide.php?id=10018. Accessed May 22nd, 2013. 
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