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CEGL006348 Salix nigra / Polygonum punctatum - Boehmeria cylindrica Scrub Swamp
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Black Willow / Polygonum punctatum - Boehmeria cylindrica Scrub Swamp
Colloquial Name: Mid-Atlantic Maritime Shrub Swamp (Black Willow Type)
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This association comprises a late-successional stage of interdunal swale wetland vegetation occurring on larger barrier island systems along the Atlantic Coast of Virginia and possibly North Carolina. Interdunal swale wetlands form when the freshwater aquifer intersects the dune surface and substrate is saturated for durations of time that are long enough to support peat development and accumulation. Substrate is peat over sand. This later successional phase results when the length of soil saturation is shorter, favoring the invasion of woody species. This phase is dominated by Salix nigra, growing in association with Acer rubrum in a short-statured canopy. The shrub layer is characterized by Morella cerifera, and can be well-developed or sparse depending on the degree of peat development and variability in microtopography. The herb layer is characterized by Hydrocotyle umbellata, Polygonum punctatum, and Bidens laevis. Other herbaceous associates include Thelypteris palustris var. pubescens, Boehmeria cylindrica, Triadenum virginicum, Peltandra virginica, Leersia oryzoides, and others. Changes in the duration of soil saturation can invoke successional shifts in vegetation; decreased duration of soil saturation tends to maintain woody vegetation, whereas increased duration reverses succession and favors emergent herbaceous vegetation.
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 interdunal swale wetland association is strongly dominated by Salix nigra. Associated shrubs occur with low cover and include Morella cerifera (= Myrica cerifera) and Acer rubrum. Herbaceous species commonly include Hydrocotyle umbellata, Polygonum punctatum, and Bidens laevis. Other herbaceous associates include Thelypteris palustris var. pubescens, Boehmeria cylindrica, Triadenum virginicum, Peltandra virginica, Leersia oryzoides, and others. This is a later successional phase of interdunal swale wetland vegetation. If drawdown conditions continue and the duration of soil saturation decreases, additional shrub species may invade and eventually displace Salix spp. If the duration of soil saturation increases, shrubs would tend to die back and emergent herbaceous vegetation prevail. Vegetation composition in these swales can vary considerably.
Dynamics: Freshwater interdunal swale wetlands occur in large dune systems that develop freshwater aquifers. Interdunal swale wetlands develop where the freshwater lens intersects the dune surface. The water table is a balance between input from precipitation and output from evapotranspiration or from drainage outlets. Perpetual drawdown tends to invoke successional shifts in vegetation from open water with or without submerged or floating aquatic plants, to emergent herbaceous vegetation to series of shrubland associations as the duration of soil saturation decreases. Salix spp. are early pioneer shrubs, which can be displaced by other shrub species like Morella spp. as peat and or sediments accumulate.
Environmental Description: Interdunal swale wetlands are best developed on barrier island systems that are wide enough to support freshwater aquifers. Narrow islands will have saltwater input from salt spray or overwash. Interdunal swale wetlands form when the freshwater aquifer intersects the dune surface and substrate is saturated for durations of time that are long enough to support peat development and accumulation. Substrate is peat over sand.
The successional phase comprised in this association results when the length of soil saturation is the shortest; under more saturated conditions, open water or emergent herbaceous vegetation tends to prevail.
The successional phase comprised in this association results when the length of soil saturation is the shortest; under more saturated conditions, open water or emergent herbaceous vegetation tends to prevail.
Geographic Range: This association is currently described from the mid-Atlantic Coast, although its full geographic extent is not currently known.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: NC?, VA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.685852
Confidence Level: Low
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.f Northern & Mid-Atlantic Coastal Wetland Group | G752 | 2.C.4.Ne.2.f |
| Alliance | A3649 <i>Morella cerifera - Persea palustris - Salix caroliniana</i> Maritime Scrub Swamp Alliance | A3649 | 2.C.4.Ne.2.f |
| Association | CEGL006348 Black Willow / <i>Polygonum punctatum - Boehmeria cylindrica</i> Scrub Swamp | CEGL006348 | 2.C.4.Ne.2.f |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Salix nigra Seasonally Flooded Forest (TNC 1997a)
- Eastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boston, MA.
- Fleming, G. P., K. D. Patterson, and K. Taverna. 2017. The natural communities of Virginia: A classification of ecological community groups and community types. Third approximation. Version 3.0. Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage, Richmond, VA. [http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/natural-heritage/natural-communities/]
- Fleming, Gary P. Personal communication. Ecologist, Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage, Richmond, VA.
- Rheinhardt, R .D., and M. M. Brinson. 1997. Impact of water withdrawals on the vegetation of dune and swale communities of Cape Hatteras National Seashore, North Carolina. Final report for Water Resources Division, Water Rights Branch, U.S. Department of the Interior. December 1997. 70 pp. + appendices.
- Rheinhardt, R. D., and K. Faser. 2001. Relationship between hydrology and zonation of freshwater swale wetlands on lower Hatteras Island, North Carolina, USA. Wetlands 21:265-273.
- TNC [The Nature Conservancy]. 1997a. Vegetation classification of Assateague Island National Seashore and Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. Report to the NBS/NPS Vegetation Mapping Program. The Nature Conservancy. Eastern Regional Office, Boston, MA.