Print Report

CEGL006337 Alnus (incana ssp. rugosa, serrulata) - Cornus amomum Tidal Shrub Swamp

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: (Speckled Alder, Hazel Alder) - Silky Dogwood Tidal Shrub Swamp

Colloquial Name: North Atlantic Fresh Tidal Shrub Swamp

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This type comprises tidal freshwater, or perhaps also oligohaline, shrublands dominated by Alnus serrulata and/or Alnus incana ssp. rugosa. It is found in coastal areas with tidally-influenced river systems in the North Atlantic. Floodwaters are typically slightly acidic (pH less than 5) and soils are usually mineral without significant peat deposits. In some examples one or both of these may be characteristically dominant or nearly so. Other examples may be more semi-open with a mixed canopy of Alnus with other shrubs such as Cornus amomum, Rosa palustris, Ilex verticillata, Viburnum dentatum, Clethra alnifolia, and Lindera benzoin. Other woody plants which may be present include Sambucus nigra ssp. canadensis, Salix spp., Amorpha fruticosa, Cephalanthus occidentalis, Decodon verticillatus, Toxicodendron vernix, and Toxicodendron radicans. More northern examples may contain Viburnum recognitum and Spiraea alba var. latifolia. Some shrub associates include Decodon verticillatus and Toxicodendron vernix; some herbaceous associates are Osmunda regalis var. spectabilis, Thelypteris palustris var. pubescens, Galium spp., Onoclea sensibilis, Polygonum punctatum, Apios americana, Typha latifolia, Peltandra virginica, Pontederia cordata, Mikania scandens, Symphyotrichum novi-belgii, Boehmeria cylindrica, Impatiens capensis, Triadenum walteri, Asclepias incarnata, Carex atlantica ssp. atlantica, Platanthera clavellata, and Xyris torta. Carex stricta may also be present, and there is a great deal of micro-relief (tussocks and furrows) leading to high species diversity.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: This type does not extend into the embayed coastal area of Virginia (G. Fleming pers. comm.) and as currently defined is not believed to be present in the Chesapeake Bay region of either VA or MD (P. Coulling pers. comm.). Tidal freshwater shrublands of VA are treated in ~Alnus serrulata - Salix nigra / Pilea (fontana, pumila) Tidal Shrub Swamp (CEGL006843)$$.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available

Floristics: This shrubland is dominated by Alnus serrulata at the southern end of the range and/or Alnus incana ssp. rugosa in more northerly examples, where one or both of these may be characteristically dominant or nearly so. Other examples may be more semi-open with a mixed canopy of Alnus with other shrubs such as Cornus amomum, Rosa palustris, Ilex verticillata, Viburnum dentatum, Clethra alnifolia, and Lindera benzoin. Other woody plants which may be present include Sambucus nigra ssp. canadensis (= Sambucus canadensis), Salix spp., Amorpha fruticosa, Cephalanthus occidentalis, Decodon verticillatus, Toxicodendron vernix, and Toxicodendron radicans. More northern examples may contain Viburnum recognitum and Spiraea alba var. latifolia (= Spiraea latifolia). Carex stricta may also be present, and there is a great deal of micro-relief (tussocks and furrows) leading to high species diversity. Some herbaceous associates are Osmunda regalis var. spectabilis, Thelypteris palustris var. pubescens, Galium spp., Onoclea sensibilis, Pilea fontana, Polygonum punctatum, Apios americana, Typha latifolia, Peltandra virginica, Pontederia cordata, Mikania scandens, Symphyotrichum novi-belgii (= Aster novi-belgii), Boehmeria cylindrica, Impatiens capensis, Triadenum walteri, Asclepias incarnata, Carex atlantica ssp. atlantica (= Carex incomperta), Platanthera clavellata, and Xyris torta.

Dynamics:  No Data Available
Environmental Description:  This association occurs in freshwater tidal systems in fresh to brackish reaches of tidal rivers along the marsh-upland transition. This shrubland is best developed along major tidal river systems that have a gradual elevation gradient, and it generally occurs between mean high tide level and mean high water level of annual river flooding in the spring; it is generally flooded irregularly by spring tides. Substrate is alluvial and fine silty loam, loamy sand, or fine- or medium-grained sand without significant peat deposits. There is distinct hummock-and-hollow micro-relief.
Geographic Range: This association is found in coastal areas with tidally influenced river systems from Maine to Maryland in the North Atlantic.

Nations: CA?,US

States/Provinces:  CT, DE, MA, MD, ME, NJ, NY, PA, QC?


Confidence Level: Low

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR

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.1 Annual Wild Rice - Saltmeadow Cordgrass - Pickerelweed Fresh-Oligohaline Tidal Marsh Macrogroup M066 2.C.4.Ne.1
Group 2.C.4.Ne.1.c <i>Zizania aquatica - Spartina patens - Amaranthus cannabinus</i> Freshwater Tidal Marsh Group G914 2.C.4.Ne.1.c
Alliance A4376 Gray Alder - Silky Dogwood Tidal Shrub Swamp Alliance A4376 2.C.4.Ne.1.c
Association CEGL006337 (Speckled Alder, Hazel Alder) - Silky Dogwood Tidal Shrub Swamp CEGL006337 2.C.4.Ne.1.c
Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Alnus incana ssp. rugosa - Cornus amomum - Ilex verticillata tidally-flooded shrublands (Metzler and Barrett 2006)
= Alnus serrulata - Cornus amomum Shrubland (Clancy 1996)
= Alnus serrulata - Viburnum recognitum / Impatiens capensis Tidal Shrubland (Harrison and Stango 2003)
< Freshwater tidal marsh (Collins and Anderson 1994)
< Southern New England / Gulf of Maine Fresh/ Brackish Tidal Swamp (Rawinski 1984a)
Concept Author(s): L.A. Sneddon

Author of Description: S.L. Neid

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 01-02-13
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