Print Report

CEGL004472 Nuphar advena Tidal Marsh

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Broadleaf Pond-lily Tidal Marsh

Colloquial Name: Broadleaf Pond-lily Tidal Marsh

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This association comprises submerged freshwater tidal mudflats of coastal rivers along the Atlantic coast that are dominated by Nuphar advena. This association occurs at low elevations within freshwater tidal marshes, within tidal range but beyond the influence of salinity. It generally occurs below mean low-water level where water depth is approximately 1-3 m or less. It receives a relatively long duration of flooding and is infrequently exposed at only the lowest tides. The association occurs on unconsolidated tidal mudflats and submerged point bars of large coastal river meanders adjacent to open water of river or tidal creek channels. Substrate is silty alluvial mud that is reported to be high in organic matter content at some sites; soil samples from 10 Virginia sites for this vegetation vary in humic matter content from 2 to 26% (mean = 11.5%). Vegetation of this association is characterized by large clonal stands of dense leafy forbs dominated by Nuphar advena. Associated species tend to occur as scattered individuals and include Peltandra virginica, which can also be locally codominant, Pontederia cordata, Zizania aquatica, Sagittaria latifolia, Bidens laevis, Acorus calamus, and/or Bolboschoenus fluviatilis. Nuphar advena forms nearly monotypic stands early in the growing season. Associated species emerge later in the season and can eventually overtop Nuphar plants, which senesce and tend to become insect-infested in late summer. Submerged aquatic species can occur in this association, including Potamogeton epihydrus, Ceratophyllum demersum, and the invasive exotic Hydrilla verticillata.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: In Virginia, this association is apparently absent from larger tidal rivers such as the Rappahannock and James rivers, where discharge and ebb currents are too great to permit the development of wide estuarine meanders and the deposition of extensive bars of silty clay (Coulling 2002). Taxonomic ambiguity between Nuphar advena and Nuphar variegata in past inventory efforts obscures our current understanding of the range of this type in New England. More data are needed to determine the complete range with greater confidence.

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

Floristics: Vegetation of this association is characterized by large clonal stands of dense leafy forbs dominated by Nuphar advena (= Nuphar lutea ssp. advena). Associated species tend to occur as scattered individuals and include Peltandra virginica, which can also be locally codominant, Pontederia cordata, Zizania aquatica, Sagittaria latifolia, Bidens laevis, Acorus calamus, and/or Bolboschoenus fluviatilis (= Schoenoplectus fluviatilis). Nuphar advena forms nearly monotypic stands early in the growing season. Associated species emerge later in the season and can eventually overtop Nuphar plants, which senesce and tend to become insect-infested in late summer. Submerged aquatic species can occur in this association, including Potamogeton epihydrus, Ceratophyllum demersum, and the invasive exotic Hydrilla verticillata. In shallower waters, additional mudflat species can occur. In Virginia and Maryland stands, submerged aquatics such as Ceratophyllum demersum may have significant cover, but few other emergent species co-occur, even late in the season. The mean species richness of 19 Virginia and Maryland plot samples was 2 taxa per 100 m2.

Dynamics:  Freshwater tidal marshes are naturally dynamic systems that are best developed where there is a major input of freshwater, a daily tidal range of at least 0.5 m, and a geomorphology that tends to constrict and magnify tidal influence in the upper reaches of the estuary (Odum et al. 1984). They are subject to diurnal flooding by tides and seasonal and episodic flooding from river discharge. Plant composition of freshwater tidal marshes generally occurs as a mosaic of patches dominated by a few or a single species. Species composition is determined by species life history characteristics, especially lifeform, phenology and mode of regeneration in response to microhabitat conditions, and the frequency and duration of flooding. Plant composition has seasonal variation.

Landward, this community can grade into other freshwater tidal marsh associations, especially ~Peltandra virginica - Pontederia cordata Tidal Marsh (CEGL004706)$$. Seaward, this association grades into submerged aquatic vegetation.
Environmental Description:  This association occurs at low elevations within freshwater tidal marshes, within tidal range but beyond the influence of salinity. It generally occurs below mean low-water level where water depth is approximately 1-3 m or less. It receives a relatively long duration of flooding and is infrequently exposed at only the lowest tides. The association occurs on unconsolidated tidal mudflats and submerged point bars of large coastal river meanders adjacent to open water of river or tidal creek channels. Substrate is silty alluvial mud that is reported to be high in organic matter content at some sites; soil samples from 10 Virginia sites for this vegetation vary in humic matter content from 2 to 26% (mean = 11.5%).
Geographic Range: This association occurs along tidal rivers from New York to North Carolina.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  DC, DE, MD, ME, NC, NJ, NY, PA, VA


Confidence Level: High

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G4G5

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.1 Annual Wild Rice - Saltmeadow Cordgrass - Pickerelweed Fresh-Oligohaline Tidal Marsh Macrogroup M066 2.C.4.Ne.1
Group 2.C.4.Ne.1.c <i>Zizania aquatica - Spartina patens - Amaranthus cannabinus</i> Freshwater Tidal Marsh Group G914 2.C.4.Ne.1.c
Alliance A1708 Broadleaf Pond-lily - Narrowleaf Pond-lily Tidal Freshwater Marsh Alliance A1708 2.C.4.Ne.1.c
Association CEGL004472 Broadleaf Pond-lily Tidal Marsh CEGL004472 2.C.4.Ne.1.c
Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Ceratophyllum demersum - Nuphar advena Freshwater Tidal Mudflat (Walton et al. 2001)
= Nuphar advena - (Ceratophyllum demersum) Tidal Herbaceous Vegetation (Coulling 2002)
? Nuphar advena - Peltandra virginica Tidal Herbaceous Vegetation (Coulling 2002)
? Nuphar advena - Peltandra virginica Tidally Flooded Herbaceous Vegetation (McCoy and Fleming 2000)
= Nuphar advena (Good and Good 1975b)
= Nuphar advena Tidal Herbaceous Vegetation (Harrison 2001)
? FW Tidal Marsh (Rawinski 1984a) [formerly Southern New England FW Tidal.]
? Freshwater Tidal Marsh: Mud Flat Type (McCoy and Fleming 2000)
Concept Author(s): Eastern Ecology Group/Southeastern Ecology Group

Author of Description: S.L. Neid and G.P. Fleming

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 03-11-08
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