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CEGL006342 Spartina patens - Eleocharis parvula Marsh

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Saltmeadow Cordgrass - Dwarf Spikerush Marsh

Colloquial Name: Northeastern Atlantic Brackish Interdunal Swale

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This brackish, interdunal swale and overwash community of the northeastern Atlantic Coast occurs in low areas behind primary or secondary sand dunes. The substrate is sand with little or no organic accumulation. The water source for this wetland community is variable, including seasonally high groundwater table, salt spray, and sporadic tidal overwash, resulting in widely variable salinity levels. The dominant species is generally Spartina patens, but it can be Eleocharis parvula, Schoenoplectus pungens, Cyperus polystachyos, and/or Juncus articulatus. Associated species depend on salinity and hydrology and can include Leptochloa fusca ssp. fascicularis, Bolboschoenus maritimus, Bolboschoenus robustus, Mikania scandens, Juncus ambiguus, Juncus scirpoides, Ptilimnium capillaceum, Rumex maritimus, Symphyotrichum subulatum, Chenopodium rubrum, Pluchea odorata, Hibiscus moscheutos, Polygonum ramosissimum, Triglochin maritima, Panicum virgatum, Bolboschoenus robustus, and Argentina anserina. Iva frutescens and Baccharis halimifolia may occur on hummocks within the swale. Mats of blue-green and/or brown algae can proliferate across the soil surface.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: This association is similar to coastal salt pond vegetation, ~Schoenoplectus pungens - Eleocharis parvula Salt Marsh (CEGL006398)$$.

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

Floristics: This association is dominated by graminoids, especially Spartina patens, Eleocharis parvula, Schoenoplectus pungens (= Scirpus pungens), Cyperus polystachyos, and Juncus articulatus, although local dominance can change from year to year. Associated species depend on salinity and hydrology and can include Leptochloa fusca ssp. fascicularis (= Diplachne maritima), Bolboschoenus maritimus (= Scirpus maritimus), Bolboschoenus robustus (= Schoenoplectus robustus), Mikania scandens, Juncus ambiguus (= Juncus bufonius var. halophila), Juncus scirpoides, Ptilimnium capillaceum, Rumex maritimus, Symphyotrichum subulatum (= Aster subulatus), Chenopodium rubrum, Pluchea odorata, Hibiscus moscheutos (= Hibiscus palustris), Polygonum ramosissimum, Triglochin maritima, Panicum virgatum, Bolboschoenus robustus, and Argentina anserina (= Potentilla anserina). Iva frutescens and Baccharis halimifolia may occur on hummocks within the swale. Mats of blue-green and/or brown algae can proliferate across the soil surface. Phragmites australis can readily invade in this environmental setting.

Dynamics:  Brackish swale vegetation can be ephemeral or can represent early stages of salt marsh or coastal salt pond development (Reschke 1990). Overwash flats can succeed into dune grasslands with sand accumulation and plant burial.
Environmental Description:  This community occupies brackish interdunal swales and overwash flats between coastal sand dunes. Surface water is oligo- to mesohaline; the dune surface intersects the freshwater lens with salinity input from salt spray and/or storm tide overwash. Substrate is deep sand with or without a layer of surficial peat.
Geographic Range: This association is currently described from Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire. It likely occurs in other states.

Nations: CA,US

States/Provinces:  DE, MA, MD, NJ, NY, QC?, VA


Confidence Level: Low

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G2G4

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 A3653 Common Threesquare - Saltmeadow Cordgrass Interdunal Marsh Alliance A3653 2.C.4.Ne.2.f
Association CEGL006342 Saltmeadow Cordgrass - Dwarf Spikerush Marsh CEGL006342 2.C.4.Ne.2.f
Concept Lineage: NYNHP covers CEGL006904 in CEGL006342 in the joint Sandy Hook (Gateway NRA) study done with NJ (JD 3-27-13)

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Spartina patens - Eleocharis parvula Herbaceous Vegetation (TNC 1997a)
? Coastal interdunal marsh/swale (Rawinski 1984a)
? Overwash Community (Lea 2002b)
Concept Author(s): D. Hunt and L.A. Sneddon

Author of Description: D. Hunt, S.L. Neid and L.A. Sneddon

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 09-06-13
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