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CEGL007156 Nyssa biflora - Magnolia virginiana - (Pinus elliottii) / Morella (caroliniensis, inodora) Swamp Forest
Type Concept Sentence: This mixed canopy saturated "bay forest" of the East Gulf Coastal Plain is dominated by Nyssa biflora and Magnolia virginiana, with Pinus elliottii var. elliottii present in many examples, receiving moisture from groundwater seepage as well as from rainfall events.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Swamp Tupelo - Sweetbay - (Slash Pine) / (Southern Bayberry, Scentless Bayberry) Swamp Forest
Colloquial Name: Swamp Tupelo Bayhead Forest
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This mixed canopy "bay forest" is dominated by species such as Nyssa biflora and Magnolia virginiana, with Pinus elliottii var. elliottii present in many examples. This is a saturated forest receiving input from groundwater seepage as well as from rainfall events. It often contains small, braided seepage-fed streams, and extends along shallow, fairly narrow drainages; it only occasionally forms broad swamps. The highly organic sandy soils are topped with a thick peat layer. During drought periods, no water may be visible in the headwaters. Pinus elliottii may be a prominent feature of the community, rising above the canopy as large emergents, or it may have been removed by logging. The canopy may also contain Acer rubrum var. trilobum, Liquidambar styraciflua, Liriodendron tulipifera, and Pinus taeda. Along with the nominals, shrubs include Lyonia lucida, Cyrilla racemiflora, Viburnum nudum, Itea virginica, Persea palustris, Ilex opaca, Clethra alnifolia, and Smilax laurifolia. The very scattered herbaceous layer contains Osmunda regalis var. spectabilis and Woodwardia areolata. Sphagnum is more common near the edges where the degree of light penetration is higher. This forest occurs in the East Gulf Coastal Plain of Florida, Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia.
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 mixed canopy "bay forest" is dominated by species such as Nyssa biflora and Magnolia virginiana, with Pinus elliottii var. elliottii present in many examples. This forest is typically extremely dense; the proportion of Nyssa biflora increases with the volume of water carried by the creek. Pinus elliottii may be a prominent feature of the community, rising above the canopy as large emergents, or it may have been removed by logging. The canopy may also contain Acer rubrum var. trilobum, Liquidambar styraciflua, Liriodendron tulipifera, Gordonia lasianthus, Taxodium ascendens, and Pinus taeda. Along with Morella inodora and Morella caroliniensis, shrubs include Lyonia lucida, Cyrilla racemiflora, Viburnum nudum, Itea virginica, Persea palustris, Eubotrys racemosa (= Leucothoe racemosa), Ilex glabra, Ilex opaca, and Clethra alnifolia. Vines are mainly Smilax laurifolia. Smilax walteri, Toxicodendron radicans, and Vitis rotundifolia can also be present. Examples from northeast Florida lack Morella inodora, and Morella cerifera can have low cover values. The very scattered herbaceous layer contains Osmunda regalis var. spectabilis and Woodwardia areolata. Other herbaceous species may include Woodwardia virginica, Osmunda cinnamomea, Mayaca fluviatilis, Viola x primulifolia, Carex glaucescens, Triadenum virginicum, Carex leptalea ssp. harperi, Rhynchospora gracilenta, Rhynchospora leptocarpa, and Saururus cernuus. In southern Mississippi, Eriocaulon decangulare var. latifolium and Pinguicula primuliflora are characteristic, and examples may contain Veratrum virginicum (= Melanthium virginicum), Isoetes louisianensis, Peltandra sagittifolia, and Macranthera flammea. Sphagnum is more common near the edges where the degree of light penetration is higher.
Dynamics: This association is subject to heavy flooding following hurricanes.
Environmental Description: This is a saturated forest receiving input from groundwater seepage as well as from rainfall events. It often contains small, braided seepage-fed streams, and extends along shallow, fairly narrow drainages; it only occasionally forms broad swamps. The highly organic sandy soils are topped with a thick peat layer. During drought periods, no water may be visible in the headwaters. This forest is typically extremely dense; the proportion of Nyssa biflora increases with the volume of water carried by the creek. Soils on which this association is found include poorly drained silt loams (Bibb and Trebloc) as well as very poorly drained ''mucky'' organics (Pamlico-Dorovan association).
Geographic Range: This bay swamp community type is common in the East Gulf Coastal Plain of Florida, Mississippi, Alabama and extends into Georgia. It has also been documented in northeast Florida.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AL, FL, GA, MS
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.684834
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G4?
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 1 Forest & Woodland Class | C01 | 1 |
| Subclass | 1.B Temperate & Boreal Forest & Woodland Subclass | S15 | 1.B |
| Formation | 1.B.3 Temperate Flooded & Swamp Forest Formation | F026 | 1.B.3 |
| Division | 1.B.3.Nb Southeastern North American Flooded & Swamp Forest Division | D062 | 1.B.3.Nb |
| Macrogroup | 1.B.3.Nb.3 Sweetbay - Swamp Bay - Pond Pine Swamp Forest Macrogroup | M032 | 1.B.3.Nb.3 |
| Group | 1.B.3.Nb.3.a Sweetbay - Loblolly-bay - Pond Pine Swamp Forest Group | G037 | 1.B.3.Nb.3.a |
| Alliance | A0378 <i>Magnolia virginiana - Nyssa biflora - Quercus laurifolia</i> Southeast Swamp Forest Alliance | A0378 | 1.B.3.Nb.3.a |
| Association | CEGL007156 Swamp Tupelo - Sweetbay - (Slash Pine) / (Southern Bayberry, Scentless Bayberry) Swamp Forest | CEGL007156 | 1.B.3.Nb.3.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: ? Black Gum-Bay-Pine Swamp (Moore pers. comm.)
- ALNHP [Alabama Natural Heritage Program]. 2018. Unpublished data on file. Alabama Natural Heritage Program, Auburn University.
- FNAI [Florida Natural Areas Inventory]. 2010a. Guide to the natural communities of Florida: 2010 edition. Florida Natural Areas Inventory, Tallahassee, FL. 228 pp. [https://fnai.org/naturalcommguide.cfm]
- GNHP [Georgia Natural Heritage Program]. 2018. Unpublished data. Georgia Natural Heritage Program, Wildlife Resources Division, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Social Circle.
- MSNHP [Mississippi Natural Heritage Program]. 2006. Ecological communities of Mississippi. Museum of Natural Science, Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks, Jackson, MS. 9 pp.
- Moore, Julie H. Personal communication. Ecologist, Mississippi Natural Heritage Program, Camp Shelby, MS.
- Southeastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Durham, NC.
- USFS [U.S. Forest Service]. 1984a. Soils and vegetation of the Apalachicola National Forest. USDA Forest Service, Southern Region.