Ecological community groups with distributions centered between sea level and 1,070 m (3,500 ft) elevation (975 m or 3,200 ft. on the Northern Blue Ridge) and representing mesophytic to submesophytic forest vegetation. A few community types of the Rich Cove Forests, Acidic Cove Forests, and Eastern Hemlock - Hardwood Forests occasionally extend into the high-elevation zone (> 1,070 m, 3,500 ft).