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CEGL004484 Nyssa biflora - (Taxodium distichum, Nyssa aquatica) / Morella cerifera - Rosa palustris Tidal Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Swamp Tupelo - (Bald-cypress, Water Tupelo) / Wax-myrtle - Swamp Rose Tidal Forest
Colloquial Name: Hardwood Tidal Swamp Forest
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This broadly defined association accommodates tidally flooded forests in lower, estuarine reaches of brownwater and blackwater rivers in the Outer Coastal Plain (tidewater), and also along estuarine shores. It may require subdivision as more information becomes available. Flooding of these environments can be either lunar-tidal or wind-tidal, and can be affected as well by riverine flooding events. The trees often have a stressed appearance, and the herbaceous layer usually is well-developed and more species-rich than in most non-tidal swamps, possibly as a result of the tidal nutrient input. Various combinations of Nyssa biflora, Taxodium distichum, and Nyssa aquatica usually dominate the canopy. In addition, Liquidambar styraciflua may be present. On blackwater rivers, Nyssa aquatica is often an indicator of tidal conditions, presumably because it requires the higher nutrients provided by tidal flooding. Other species common in tidal situations, such as Morella cerifera, Lilaeopsis carolinensis, Peltandra virginica, Thelypteris palustris var. pubescens, Osmunda regalis var. spectabilis, and Rosa palustris, are often common. Typical species of non-tidal swamps, such as Quercus lyrata, Carya aquatica, Quercus phellos, Smilax laurifolia, Ilex glabra, Lyonia lucida, Woodwardia virginica, Sphagnum spp., Chamaecyparis thyoides, Cyrilla racemiflora, and others, are absent.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: There may be a necessity to recognize brownwater and blackwater variants in the Atlantic Coastal Plain, as well as distinct type(s) along the Gulf Coast.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: The canopy of stands of this vegetation type are usually dominated by various combinations of Nyssa biflora, Taxodium distichum, and Nyssa aquatica. In addition, Liquidambar styraciflua may be present (Wharton 1978). On blackwater rivers, Nyssa aquatica is often an indicator of tidal conditions, presumably because it requires the higher nutrients provided by tidal flooding. Wharton (1978) cites Persea palustris, Forestiera acuminata, Sabal minor, Salix nigra, Cornus amomum, Planera aquatica, Alnus serrulata, and Viburnum obovatum as additional woody components. Other species common in tidal situations, such as Morella cerifera (= Myrica cerifera), Lilaeopsis carolinensis, Peltandra virginica, Thelypteris palustris var. pubescens, Osmunda regalis var. spectabilis, and Rosa palustris, are often common (Schafale and Weakley 1990). Some additional low woody and herbaceous species cited by Wharton (1978) include Aletris aurea, Decumaria barbara, Onoclea sensibilis, Arisaema dracontium, Justicia ovata, Clematis crispa, Ipomoea pandurata, Physostegia sp., and Leersia sp. Typical species of non-tidal swamps, such as Quercus lyrata, Carya aquatica, Quercus phellos, Smilax laurifolia, Ilex glabra, Lyonia lucida, Woodwardia virginica, Sphagnum spp., Chamaecyparis thyoides, Cyrilla racemiflora, and others, are absent.
Dynamics: The trees in stands of this community often have a stressed appearance, and the herbaceous layer usually is well-developed and more species-rich than in related non-tidal swamps, possibly as a result of the tidal nutrient input.
Environmental Description: These tidally flooded forests are found in lower, estuarine reaches of brownwater and blackwater rivers in the Outer Coastal Plain (tidewater), and also along estuarine shores. Flooding can be either lunar-tidal or wind-tidal, and can be affected as well by riverine flooding events.
Geographic Range: This vegetation is found along the Atlantic and Gulf coastal plains from Mississippi and possibly Alabama north to the Carolinas.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AL?, FL, GA, MS, NC, SC
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.685099
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G3G4
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.4 Swamp Chestnut Oak - Bald-cypress - Pecan Southern Floodplain Forest Macrogroup | M031 | 1.B.3.Nb.4 |
| Group | 1.B.3.Nb.4.c Bald-cypress - Water Tupelo Floodplain Forest Group | G033 | 1.B.3.Nb.4.c |
| Alliance | A3595 Bald-cypress - Swamp Tupelo Tidal Swamp Forest Alliance | A3595 | 1.B.3.Nb.4.c |
| Association | CEGL004484 Swamp Tupelo - (Bald-cypress, Water Tupelo) / Wax-myrtle - Swamp Rose Tidal Forest | CEGL004484 | 1.B.3.Nb.4.c |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
- 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.
- Nelson, J. B. 1986. The natural communities of South Carolina: Initial classification and description. South Carolina Wildlife and Marine Resources Department, Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, Columbia, SC. 55 pp.
- Peet, R. K., T. R. Wentworth, M. P. Schafale, and A.S. Weakley. No date. Unpublished data of the North Carolina Vegetation Survey. University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill.
- Schafale, M. P. 2012. Classification of the natural communities of North Carolina, 4th Approximation. North Carolina Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Recreation, Natural Heritage Program, Raleigh.
- Schafale, M. P., and A. S. Weakley. 1990. Classification of the natural communities of North Carolina. Third approximation. North Carolina Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Recreation, Natural Heritage Program, Raleigh. 325 pp.
- Southeastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Durham, NC.
- Wharton, C. H. 1978. The natural environments of Georgia. Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Atlanta. 227 pp.