Print Report
CEGL004466 Taxodium distichum - Taxodium ascendens / Panicum hemitomon Swamp Woodland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Bald-cypress - Pond-cypress / Maidencane Swamp Woodland
Colloquial Name: Atlantic Coastal Plain Lakeshore Woodland
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This association represents narrow wooded shorelines of natural Mid-Atlantic Coastal Plain acidic/blackwater lakes (peatlands lakes and Carolina bays). This type is found on nearly all natural lakes in the Coastal Plain of North Carolina with the exception of Lake Waccamaw. Vegetation is quite sparse and low in species diversity; the vegetated zone is typically only a few meters in width. Overstory is typified by an open canopy of Taxodium distichum and occasionally Taxodium ascendens. Individual cypress trees tend to be small/stunted, and are likely quite old. Cypress regeneration is noticeably absent in most examples. A sparse shrub layer, consisting of Vaccinium sp. (probably Vaccinium formosum), Cyrilla racemiflora, and Eubotrys racemosa, is often present. These shrubs appear to be distributed in clumps as they are rooted on either hummocks or cypress knees and bases. Beds of Panicum hemitomon may also be present and patchily distributed.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This type occurs between open water and pyrophytic pocosin upland vegetation.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Vegetation is quite sparse and low in species diversity; the vegetated zone is typically only a few meters in width. Overstory is typified by an open canopy of Taxodium distichum and occasionally Taxodium ascendens. Individual cypress trees tend to be small/stunted and are likely quite old. Cypress regeneration is noticeably absent in most examples. A sparse shrub layer, consisting of Vaccinium sp. (probably Vaccinium formosum), Cyrilla racemiflora, and Eubotrys racemosa (= Leucothoe racemosa), is often present. These shrubs appear to be distributed in clumps as they are rooted on either hummocks or cypress knees and bases. Beds of Panicum hemitomon may also be present and patchily distributed (M. Schafale pers. comm.).
Dynamics: The narrow vegetated zone (approximately 2 m wide) is affected by lakeshore fluctuations and wave action. Although this type adjoins pyrophytic vegetation, it rarely burns due to moist soil substrate and the paucity of vegetation to serve as fuel. Very acid conditions appear to contribute to low species richness. Regeneration of cypress is extremely infrequent.
Environmental Description: This woodland type occurs on sandy substrate. Shallow water may be present for much of the year except during droughts. This type is found on nearly all natural lakes in the Coastal Plain of North Carolina with the exception of Lake Waccamaw (M. Schafale pers. comm.).
Geographic Range: This woodland type is found at Jones Lake State Park, North Carolina.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: NC
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.687764
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G3?
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.1 Pond-cypress - Slash Pine Swamp Macrogroup | M161 | 1.B.3.Nb.1 |
| Group | 1.B.3.Nb.1.a Pond-cypress / Holly species Basin Swamp Group | G036 | 1.B.3.Nb.1.a |
| Alliance | A0652 Bald-cypress - Pond-cypress / Maidencane Lakeshore Swamp Forest Alliance | A0652 | 1.B.3.Nb.1.a |
| Association | CEGL004466 Bald-cypress - Pond-cypress / Maidencane Swamp Woodland | CEGL004466 | 1.B.3.Nb.1.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: < Natural Lake Shoreline (Schafale and Weakley 1990)
- 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.
- Schafale, Mike P. Personal communication. Ecologist, North Carolina Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Recreation, Natural Heritage Program, Raleigh.
- Southeastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Durham, NC.