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CEGL004336 Zostera marina Atlantic Aquatic Vegetation
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Seawrack Atlantic Aquatic Vegetation
Colloquial Name: North Atlantic Seawrack Bed
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: These aquatic beds occur in the subtidal zone along the north Atlantic Coast, south to North Carolina. Zostera marina is dominant and occurs most often in nearly pure stands. Ruppia maritima can occur sporadically in this association, especially as waters become less saline. Additional associated species include macroalgae, especially Ulva lactuca, Enteromorpha spp., Cladophora spp., and Polysiphonia spp. Where water is less saline, Enteromorpha, Chaetomorpha, Gracilaria, Agardhiella, Ectocarpus, and Pilayella can occur. Elevation/depth of the beds is determined by low tide level at the upper end and light penetration at the lower end, the latter being a function of water depth and turbidity. The beds generally occur in areas with only moderate wave action where salinity fluctuations are minor. Eel-grass beds tend to stabilize and enrich substrate and provide habitat for epiphytes and other marine organisms.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This association''s placement in the hierarchy is under review. Current group placement is 5.A.3.We. North Atlantic Seagrass Bed (G380). According to Thayer et al. (1984) Zostera marina has a range of approximately 3090 km along the North American Atlantic Coast which may be represented as 4 smaller subregions. The bulk of the southern range corresponds with the Virginian Zone of Cowardin et al. (1979). Zostera marina is extirpated from Delaware.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Zostera marina is dominant and occurs in nearly pure stands. Ruppia maritima can occur sporadically in this association, especially as waters become less saline. Additional associated species are macroalgae, especially Ulva lactuca, Enteromorpha spp., Cladophora spp., and Polysiphonia spp. Where water is less saline, Enteromorpha, Chaetomorpha, Gracilaria, Agardhiella, Ectocarpus, and Pilayella can occur.
Dynamics: Eel-grass beds tend to stabilize and enrich substrate and provide habitat for epiphytes and other marine organisms.
Environmental Description: These aquatic beds occur in the subtidal zone of coastal habitats on substrate ranging from soft mud to coarse sand. Elevation/depth of the beds is determined by low tide level at the upper end and light penetration at the lower end, the latter being a function of water depth and turbidity. The beds generally occur in areas with only moderate wave action where salinity fluctuations are minor, and salinity levels are in the mid to high range (Thayer et al. 1984).
Geographic Range: This community occurs in subtidal habitat along the north and mid-Atlantic Coast.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CT, MA, MD, ME, NC, NH, NJ, NY, RI, VA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.687141
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G4G5
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 5 Aquatic Vegetation Class | C05 | 5 |
| Subclass | 5.A Saltwater Aquatic Vegetation Subclass | S09 | 5.A |
| Formation | 5.A.3 Benthic Vascular Saltwater Vegetation Formation | F054 | 5.A.3 |
| Division | 5.A.3.We Temperate Seagrass Aquatic Vegetation Division | D064 | 5.A.3.We |
| Macrogroup | 5.A.3.We.3 Seawrack Submersed Temperate Vegetation Macrogroup | M183 | 5.A.3.We.3 |
| Group | 5.A.3.We.3.a North Atlantic Seagrass Bed Group | G380 | 5.A.3.We.3.a |
| Alliance | A4678 Seawrack Atlantic Aquatic Vegetation Alliance | A4678 | 5.A.3.We.3.a |
| Association | CEGL004336 Seawrack Atlantic Aquatic Vegetation | CEGL004336 | 5.A.3.We.3.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Zostera marina permanently flooded vegetation (Metzler and Barrett 2006)
? Zostera Community (Moore et al. 2000)
? Coastal Salt Pond (Rawinski 1984a)
? Southern New England & Gulf of Maine Saline/ Brackish Subtidal Estuarine Community (Rawinski 1984a)
? Zostera Community (Moore et al. 2000)
? Coastal Salt Pond (Rawinski 1984a)
? Southern New England & Gulf of Maine Saline/ Brackish Subtidal Estuarine Community (Rawinski 1984a)
- Breden, T. F. 1989. A preliminary natural community classification for New Jersey. Pages 157-191 in: E. F. Karlin, editor. New Jersey''s rare and endangered plants and animals. Institute for Environmental Studies, Ramapo College, Mahwah, NJ. 280 pp.
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- Eastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boston, MA.
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