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CEGL004748 Eleocharis microcarpa - Juncus repens - Rhynchospora corniculata - (Mecardonia acuminata, Proserpinaca spp.) Marsh
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Small-fruit Spikerush - Lesser Creeping Rush - Short-bristle Horned Beaksedge - (Axil-flower, Mermaidweed species) Marsh
Colloquial Name: Depression Pond (Spikerush - Creeping Rush Type)
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This herbaceous community forms the center of saturated to seasonally flooded wet depression ponds. It has been documented in the southern Eastern Highland Rim of Tennessee, but this or related vegetation could also be found in the southern Coastal Plain. The centers of these ponds are typically dominated by a combination of Eleocharis microcarpa and/or Juncus repens. Rhynchospora corniculata is also typically present in this zone; Mecardonia acuminata and/or Proserpinaca spp. may also be present; in some cases Juncus repens may exhibit heavy dominance. In at least one example, Ludwigia microcarpa exhibits codominance with Eleocharis microcarpa. Additional herbs present are Ludwigia linearis, Proserpinaca palustris, Proserpinaca intermedia, Proserpinaca pectinata, Xyris laxifolia var. iridifolia, and Juncus effusus. This vegetation may grade into that of the surrounding emergent zone, which may include Carex bullata, Panicum verrucosum, Panicum rigidulum var. rigidulum, Rhynchospora glomerata, and Rhynchospora capitellata. This adjoining zone is part of ~Rhynchospora spp. - Panicum rigidulum - Panicum verrucosum Pondshore Marsh Alliance (A1384)$$. The upland depressions where this vegetation occurs typically have a pronounced seasonal fluctuation in water level, filling in the winter and often drying completely in the summer. During some years, the deepest zone in the center of the depression may remain inundated. Examples on Arnold Air Force Base (southern Eastern Highland Rim of Coffee County, Tennessee) occur in isolated upland depressions as well as at the former airfield, where water is ponded by an impermeable substrate (the fragipan of the Guthrie silt loam soils).
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: No Data Available
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This association is typically dominated by a combination of Eleocharis microcarpa and/or Juncus repens. Rhynchospora corniculata is also typically present in this zone; Mecardonia acuminata and/or Proserpinaca spp. may also be present; in some cases Juncus repens may exhibit heavy dominance. In at least one example, Ludwigia microcarpa exhibits codominance with Eleocharis microcarpa. Additional herbs present are Ludwigia linearis, Proserpinaca palustris, Proserpinaca intermedia, Proserpinaca pectinata, Xyris laxifolia var. iridifolia, and Juncus effusus.
Dynamics: During some years, the deepest zone in the center of these isolated upland depressions may remain inundated; in some examples, water is ponded by an impermeable substrate (e.g., the fragipan of the Guthrie silt loam soils in the southern Eastern Highland Rim of Coffee County, Tennessee).
Environmental Description: This herbaceous community forms the center of saturated to seasonally flooded wet depression ponds of the southern Eastern Highland Rim of Tennessee, and presumably parts of the southeastern Coastal Plain.
Geographic Range: Restricted to the Interior Low Plateau of the southern Eastern Highland Rim of Tennessee.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AL, GA?, TN
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.683121
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G2G3
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 2 Shrub & Herb Vegetation Class | C02 | 2 |
| Subclass | 2.C Shrub & Herb Wetland Subclass | S44 | 2.C |
| Formation | 2.C.4 Temperate to Polar Freshwater Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Formation | F013 | 2.C.4 |
| Division | 2.C.4.Ne Atlantic & Gulf Coastal Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Division | D322 | 2.C.4.Ne |
| Macrogroup | 2.C.4.Ne.2 Beaksedge species - Spikerush species - Panicgrass species Atlantic & Gulf Coastal Plain Wet Prairie & Marsh Macrogroup | M067 | 2.C.4.Ne.2 |
| Group | 2.C.4.Ne.2.g Beaksedge species - Spikerush species - Yellow-eyed-grass species Pondshore & Wet Prairie Group | G915 | 2.C.4.Ne.2.g |
| Alliance | A1383 Broad-fruit Horned Beaksedge - Narrow-fruit Horned Beaksedge Pondshore Marsh Alliance | A1383 | 2.C.4.Ne.2.g |
| Association | CEGL004748 Small-fruit Spikerush - Lesser Creeping Rush - Short-bristle Horned Beaksedge - (Axil-flower, Mermaidweed species) Marsh | CEGL004748 | 2.C.4.Ne.2.g |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Eleocharis microcarpa - Juncus repens - Mecardonia acuminata Saturated Herbaceous Vegetation (Russo 1997)
- ALNHP [Alabama Natural Heritage Program]. 2002. Eufaula National Wildlife Refuge: Natural community and rare plant survey. Alabama Natural Heritage Program, The Nature Conservancy, Montgomery.
- Russo, M. J. 1997. Arnold Engineering Development Center preliminary community classification. Appendix to draft report to The Nature Conservancy, Tennessee Field Office, Nashville. 23 pp.
- Southeastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Durham, NC.
- TDNH [Tennessee Division of Natural Heritage]. 2018. Unpublished data. Tennessee Division of Natural Heritage, Nashville, TN.
- TNC [The Nature Conservancy]. 1998a. An investigation and assessment of the vegetation of Arnold Air Force Base. Coffee and Franklin counties, Tennessee. The Nature Conservancy, Tennessee Field Office, Nashville. 37 pp. plus appendices.