Print Report

CEGL006398 Schoenoplectus pungens - Eleocharis parvula Salt Marsh

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Common Threesquare - Dwarf Spikerush Salt Marsh

Colloquial Name: Coastal Salt Pond Marsh

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This association encompasses the brackish marshes of coastal salt ponds of the northeastern Atlantic Coast. Coastal salt ponds are ponds separated from the ocean by a barrier beach. They generally form when a lagoon or bay is closed off from regular tidal flooding by a sand spit or other barrier. Salinity depends on the length of time since enclosure of the lake/pond; freshwater input from precipitation and overland flow dilutes the enclosed seawater resulting in meso- to oligohaline conditions. Depending on the distance from the ocean, saltwater input is infrequent and a result of tidal breaches or storm overwash, although there can be some saltwater seepage across the barrier beach. Shorelines usually have gentle slopes that magnify gradients of salinity and saturation. Depending on local water balance, ponds can draw down to a certain degree exposing mud or sand flats. Substrate ranges from sand to mud to peat. Vegetation of coastal salt ponds is highly variable both spatially and temporally given the variable nature of the habitat and processes affecting it. Although not constant, vegetation zonation often occurs along shores of coastal salt ponds along gradients of salinity and flooding or saturation. Dominant species can be variable depending on local conditions but are generally characterized by Schoenoplectus pungens, Eleocharis parvula, and/or Spartina patens, Spartina pectinata, or Panicum virgatum. Where salinity is less Typha angustifolia can be common. Mudflat habitat can develop in lower areas that tend to be exposed later in the season with Eleocharis parvula, Eleocharis halophila, Eleocharis flavescens, Schoenoplectus maritimus, Crassula aquatica, Spergularia salina, Cyperus filicinus, or others. In higher zones, vegetation can be similar to high salt marsh habitat; Panicum virgatum, Spartina patens, or Spartina pectinata can be characteristic, plus Schoenoplectiella smithii, Echinochloa walteri, Cladium mariscoides, Distichlis spicata, or Chenopodium spp. Species found farther south include Ptilimnium capillaceum, Pluchea odorata, Schoenoplectus americanus, Hibiscus moscheutos, plus scattered individuals of Iva frutescens or Baccharis halimifolia. Ponds often support aquatic plants that are tolerant of brackish/saline conditions, such as Ruppia maritima, Stuckenia pectinata, Potamogeton perfoliatus, or Zannichellia palustris, plus some marine algal species. Several associations may be warranted in these highly variable systems; collection of further data will likely support the division of more associations.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: This association encompasses a highly variable and shifting vegetation mosaic in a variable and dynamic habitat. Several associations may be warranted; collection of further data will likely support the division of this type into more associations.

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

Floristics: Vegetation of coastal salt ponds is highly variable both spatially and temporally given the variable nature of the habitat and processes affecting it. Although not constant, vegetation zonation often occurs along shores of coastal salt ponds along gradients of salinity and flooding or saturation. Dominant species can be variable depending on local conditions but are generally characterized by Schoenoplectus pungens, Eleocharis parvula, and/or Spartina patens, Spartina pectinata, or Panicum virgatum. Where salinity is less Typha angustifolia can be common. Mud flat habitat can develop in lower areas that tend to be exposed later in the season with Eleocharis parvula, Eleocharis halophila, Eleocharis flavescens, Schoenoplectus maritimus, Crassula aquatica, Spergularia salina (= Spergularia marina), or others. In higher zones, vegetation can be similar to high salt marsh habitat; Panicum virgatum, Spartina patens, or Spartina pectinata can be characteristic, plus Schoenoplectiella smithii (= Schoenoplectus smithii), Echinochloa walteri, Cladium mariscoides, Distichlis spicata, and Chenopodium spp. Species found farther south include Ptilimnium capillaceum, Pluchea odorata, Schoenoplectus americanus, Hibiscus moscheutos, plus scattered individuals of Iva frutescens or Baccharis halimifolia. Ponds often support aquatic plants that are tolerant of brackish/saline conditions, such as Ruppia maritima, Stuckenia pectinata (= Potamogeton pectinatus), Potamogeton perfoliatus, or Zannichellia palustris, plus some marine algal species.

Dynamics:  Coastal salt ponds are adjacent to ocean shores and result from the enclosure of a lagoon or bay by a sand spit or barrier. Salinity fluctuates relative to the proportion of freshwater input from precipitation and overland flow and saltwater input from tidal breaches and storm overwash. Fluctuations can be a gradual lessening of salinity with time since enclosure where there is sufficient and continual freshwater influence or a gradual increase in salinity following evaporative concentration. Rapid changes in salinity can result from storm breaches or overwash.
Environmental Description:  Coastal salt ponds are ponds separated from the ocean by a barrier beach. They generally form when a lagoon or bay is closed off from regular tidal flooding by a sand spit or other barrier. However, some ponds have a permanent, often artificially maintained, inlet/outlet and thus have regular saltwater exchange. Salinity depends on the length of time since enclosure of the lake/pond; freshwater input from precipitation and overland flow dilutes the enclosed seawater resulting in meso- to oligohaline conditions. Depending on the distance from the ocean, saltwater input is infrequent and a result of tidal breaches or storm overwash, although there can be some saltwater seepage across the barrier beach. Shorelines usually have gentle slopes that magnify gradients of salinity and saturation. Depending on local water balance, ponds can draw down to a certain degree exposing mud or sand flats. Substrate ranges from sand to mud to peat. These ponds occur in glaciated areas in moraine or outwash deposits.
Geographic Range: Coastal salt ponds occur in a limited geomorphological setting in New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Long Island, New York.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  MA, ME, NH, NJ?, NY, RI


Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented

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.5 Salt Marsh Formation F035 2.C.5
Division 2.C.5.Nb North American Atlantic & Gulf Coastal Salt Marsh Division D034 2.C.5.Nb
Macrogroup 2.C.5.Nb.1 North American Atlantic & Gulf Coastal Salt Marsh Macrogroup M079 2.C.5.Nb.1
Group 2.C.5.Nb.1.c Saltmeadow Cordgrass - Jesuit''s-bark High Salt Marsh Group G121 2.C.5.Nb.1.c
Alliance A4491 <i>Spartina patens - Juncus gerardii</i> High Salt Marsh Alliance A4491 2.C.5.Nb.1.c
Association CEGL006398 Common Threesquare - Dwarf Spikerush Salt Marsh CEGL006398 2.C.5.Nb.1.c
Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: ? Coastal Salt Pond (Rawinski 1984a)
? Coastal Salt Pond Marsh (Rawinski 1984a)
Concept Author(s): L.A. Sneddon

Author of Description: S.L. Neid

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 01-13-09
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