Print Report

CEGL002229 Typha spp. - Schoenoplectus acutus - Mixed Herbs Midwest Marsh

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Cattail species - Hardstem Bulrush - Mixed Herbs Midwest Marsh

Colloquial Name: Midwest Mixed Emergent Deep Marsh

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This deep freshwater marsh community is found in glacial potholes, river valleys, ponds, and on lake plains throughout the midwestern and parts of the eastern United States. These marshes have hydric soils and are flooded with water levels ranging from several centimeters to more than 1 m for a significant part of the growing season. Soils that support this community can be mineral or organic but are saturated, flooded, or ponded long enough during the growing season to develop anaerobic conditions in the upper part. This deepwater emergent marsh community is dominated by perennial, coarse-leaved graminoid vegetation. A typical example of this marsh contains a mosaic of emergents, submergents, and floating-leaved plants interspersed with areas of open water. Occurrences may contain extensive areas of open water, but the vegetation covers at least 3% of the surface. Typha latifolia, Typha angustifolia, and Schoenoplectus acutus dominate this dynamic ecosystem. Sedges are also common (e.g., Carex lupuliformis and Carex hyalinolepis in the eastern part of the range), and a diverse assemblage of grasses, floating-leaved aquatics, and submerged aquatics are present. Vegetative diversity and density are highly variable in response to water depth, water chemistry, and natural forces.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: This community type is very broadly defined. It can be highly dynamic from one season to the next, and species composition and density are very dependent on water regime and sometimes the mineral content of water and soil (Niering 1985). Deep marsh is defined as having water depths of 15 cm to over 1 m throughout all or most of the growing season (Shaw and Fredine 1971, in Eggers and Reed 1987). The concept and distribution of this community in the Southeast needs reassessment; it should be compared to ~Typha latifolia Southern Ruderal Marsh (CEGL004150)$$, particularly in the Mississippi alluvial plain of Missouri (M. Leahy pers. comm. 1999). Many of the presettlement occurrences of this community have been drained and converted to cropland or destroyed by siltation, which greatly accelerates the natural successional process from shallow inundation to moist soil. Lythrum salicaria is an aggressive exotic species that threatens this community in Canada, the Northeast, and more recently in the Midwest. Stands in Province 212 may deserve to be recognized as a separate northern type, but further data are needed.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: This community occurs in a variety of wetland habitats including marshes, ditches, ponds, lakes, rivers, streams, shorelines, and streambanks. The commonality among these is water depth and permanent inundation. The degree of substrate aggradation affects the continuity of vegetation coverage (complete or patchy).

Floristics: This deepwater emergent marsh community is dominated by perennial herbaceous vegetation with graminoid leaves. A typical example of this marsh contains a mosaic of emergents, submergents, and floating-leaved plants interspersed with areas of open water (Harris et al. 1996). Various kinds of emergents may dominate a marsh depending on the water depth. Quite often the vegetation arranges itself in belts (wetland zonation), with a particular species or range of species occupying specific depths from the shoreline to deep open water. Marshes may display areas of open water, but vegetation dominates (>30% cover). Typha latifolia, Typha angustifolia, and Schoenoplectus acutus (= Scirpus acutus) dominate this dynamic ecosystem. Sedges are also common (e.g., Carex lupuliformis and Carex hyalinolepis in the eastern part of the range). A diverse assemblage of grasses, floating-leaved aquatics, and submerged aquatics are present (TNC 1995a). Emergent marshes exhibit differences in vegetative composition and physiognomy in response to water depth and substrate aggradation. In Ohio, Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani is most common and Schoenoplectus acutus is rare (it is more common in Ohio fens).

Dynamics:  Seasonal and excessive flooding (winter and spring) and heavy rains influence vegetative growth, aquatic animals, and nutrient cycling, contributing nutrients, sediments, and organic debris to this community. Excessive inputs of any of these can greatly accelerate natural successional processes which are responsible for the conversion of wetlands to terrestrial habitats.
Environmental Description:  These highly productive wetlands are found in glacial potholes, river valleys, ponds, and on lakeplains. They are characterized by continuous inundation and are considered a deep marsh. Water depth averages 0.3-0.6 m, ranging from several centimeters to more than one meter for a significant part of the growing season. Seasonal flooding during winter and spring or flooding during heavy rains help maintain these marshes by causing water exchange which replenishes freshwater and circulates nutrients and organic debris. Soils can be mineral or organic but are saturated, flooded, or ponded long enough during the growing season to develop anaerobic conditions in the upper part. Vegetative diversity and density are highly variable in response to water depth, water chemistry, and natural forces. This community is characterized by continuous inundation and is considered a deep marsh. Water levels may reach 2 m, and there may be large areas of open water (Niering 1985).

Soils can be mineral or organic but are saturated, flooded, or ponded long enough during the growing season to develop anaerobic conditions in the upper part (Mitsch and Gosselink 1993). Soil types listed are those which could support this community in Illinois. They include Lawson - Sawmill - Darwin, Haymond - Petrolia - Karnak, Martinsville - Sciotoville, Alford - Wellston, Hosmer - Zanesville - Berks, Grantsburg - Zanesville - Wellston, Houghton - Palms - Muskego; fine-fine/silty-coarse-silty (some evic-coprogenous), mixed montmorillonitic, mesic; Cumulic Hapludolls, Cumulic Haplaquolls, Typic Hapladalfs, Aquic Fragiudalfs, Ultic Hapludalfs, Typic Fragiudalfs, Typic Dystrochrepts, Terrice Medisaprists, Typic Medisaprists, Limnic Medisaprists; Alfisols, Mollisols, Inceptisols, Entisols (Fehrenbacher et al. 1982). The geologic substrate is Paleozoic rock deeply buried by alluvium.
Geographic Range: This community is found in glacial potholes, river valleys, ponds, and on lakeplains throughout the midwestern and parts of the eastern United States, ranging from Ohio and Ontario west to North Dakota, south to Nebraska and east to Alabama.

Nations: CA,US

States/Provinces:  AL, IA, IL, IN, KY, MI, MN, MO, ND, NE, OH, ON, SD, TN, WI


Confidence Level: Low

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G4?

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.Nd Eastern North American Temperate Freshwater Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Division D323 2.C.4.Nd
Macrogroup 2.C.4.Nd.2 Broadleaf Cattail - White Snakeroot - Rush species Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Macrogroup M069 2.C.4.Nd.2
Group 2.C.4.Nd.2.a Bulrush species - Cattail species Freshwater Marsh Group G125 2.C.4.Nd.2.a
Alliance A1436 Narrowleaf Cattail - Broadleaf Cattail - Bulrush species Deep Marsh Alliance A1436 2.C.4.Nd.2.a
Association CEGL002229 Cattail species - Hardstem Bulrush - Mixed Herbs Midwest Marsh CEGL002229 2.C.4.Nd.2.a
Concept Lineage: merged

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Typha spp. - Schoenoplectus acutus - Mixed Herbs Midwest Herbaceous Vegetation (Faber-Langendoen 2001) [Deep Marsh Mixed Emergent Subtype]
= Freshwater Marsh (Steinauer and Rolfsmeier 2003)
Concept Author(s): D. Faber-Langendoen (2001)

Author of Description: M. Guetersloh and D. Faber-Langendoen

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 09-26-95
  • Benyus, J. M. 1989. The field guide to wildlife habitats of the eastern United States. A Fireside Book. Simon and Schuster, Inc. 336 pp.
  • Duncan, W. H., and M. B. Duncan. 1988. Trees of the southeastern United States. The University of Georgia Press. 322 pp.
  • Eggers, S. D., and D. M. Reed. 1987. Wetland plants and plant communities of Minnesota and Wisconsin. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District, St. Paul, MN. 201 pp.
  • Faber-Langendoen, D., editor. 2001. Plant communities of the Midwest: Classification in an ecological context. Association for Biodiversity Information, Arlington, VA. 61 pp. plus appendix (705 pp.).
  • Faircloth, W. 1971. The vascular flora of central south Georgia. University microfilms. Ph.D. dissertation, University of Georgia, Athens.
  • Fehrenbacher, J. B., J. D. Alexander, I. J. Jansen, R. A. Pope, M. A. Flock, W. F. Andrews, L. J. Bushue, J. W. Scott, and E. E. Voss. 1982. General soil map of Illinois, 1:500,000 scale. University of Illinois, College of Agriculture, Agricultural Experiment Station, and USDA Soil Conservation Service, Champaign, IL.
  • Harris, A. G., S. C. McMurray, P. W. C. Uhlig, J. K. Jeglum, R. F. Foster, and G. D. Racey. 1996. Field guide to the wetland ecosystem classification for northwestern Ontario. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Northwest Science and Technology, Thunder Bay, Ontario. Field guide FG-01. 74 pp. plus appendix.
  • Hop, K., S. Menard, J. Drake, S. Lubinski, and J. Dieck. 2010c. National Park Service Vegetation Inventory Program: Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Michigan. Natural Resource Report NPS/GLKN/NRR-2010/201. National Park Service, Fort Collins, Colorado. 358 pp.
  • INAI [Iowa Natural Areas Inventory]. 2017. Vegetation classification of Iowa. Iowa Natural Areas Inventory, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Des Moines.
  • Illinois Nature Preserve Commission. 1973. Comprehensive plan for the Illinois nature preserves system, part 2: The natural divisions of Illinois, J. E. Schwegman, principal author. 32 pp.
  • Kost, M. A., D. A. Albert, J. G. Cohen, B. S. Slaughter, R. K. Schillo, C. R. Weber, and K. A. Chapman. 2007. Natural communities of Michigan: Classification and description. Report No. 2007-21, Michigan Natural Features Inventory, Lansing. 314 pp. [http://web4.msue.msu.edu/mnfi/reports/2007-21_Natural_Communites_of_Michigan_Classification_and_Description.pdf]
  • MNNHP [Minnesota Natural Heritage Program]. 1993. Minnesota''s native vegetation: A key to natural communities. Version 1.5. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Natural Heritage Program, St. Paul, MN. 110 pp.
  • Midwestern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Minneapolis, MN.
  • Minnesota DNR [Minnesota Department of Natural Resources]. 2003-2005a. Field guide to the native plant communities of Minnesota. Three volumes: The Laurentian Mixed Forest Province (2003), The Eastern Broadleaf Forest Province (2005c), The Prairie Parkland and Tallgrass Aspen Parklands provinces (2005b). Ecological Land Classification Program, Minnesota County Biological Survey, and Natural Heritage and Nongame Research Program. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, St. Paul.
  • Minnesota DNR [Minnesota Department of Natural Resources]. 2005b. Field guide to the native plant communities of Minnesota: The Prairie Parkland and Tallgrass Aspen Parklands provinces. Ecological Land Classification Program, Minnesota County Biological Survey, and Natural Heritage and Nongame Research Program. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, St. Paul.
  • Mitsch, W. J., and J. G. Gosselink. 1993. Wetlands. Second edition. Van Nostrand Reinhold Company, New York. 722 pp.
  • Mohlenbrock, R. H. 1959. A floristic study of a southern Illinois swampy area. Ohio Journal of Science 59:89-100.
  • NDNHI [North Dakota Natural Heritage Inventory]. 2018. Unpublished data. Vegetation classification of North Dakota. North Dakota Natural Heritage Inventory, North Dakota Parks & Recreation Department, Bismarck.
  • Nelson, P. 2010. The terrestrial natural communities of Missouri. Revised edition. Missouri Natural Areas Committee, Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Conservation, Jefferson City.
  • Nelson, P. W. 1985. The terrestrial natural communities of Missouri. Missouri Natural Areas Committee, Jefferson City. 197 pp. Revised edition, 1987.
  • Niering, N. A. 1985. Wetlands. The Audubon Society Nature Guides. Chanticleer Press, Inc. 638 pp.
  • ONHD [Ohio Natural Heritage Database]. No date. Vegetation classification of Ohio and unpublished data. Ohio Natural Heritage Database, Division of Natural Areas and Preserves, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Columbus.
  • ONHIC [Ontario Natural Heritage Information Centre]. 2018. Unpublished data. Ontario Natural Heritage Information Centre, Ministry of Natural Resources, Ontario, Canada.
  • Rolfsmeier, S. B., and G. Steinauer. 2010. Terrestrial ecological systems and natural communities of Nebraska (Version IV - March 9, 2010). Nebraska Natural Heritage Program, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission. Lincoln, NE. 228 pp.
  • Shaw, S., and C. G. Fredine. 1971. Wetlands of the United States. Circular 39. U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington, DC. 67 pp.
  • Steinauer, G., and S. Rolfsmeier. 2003. Terrestrial natural communities of Nebraska. (Version III - June 30, 2003). Nebraska Natural Heritage Program, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Lincoln. 163 pp.
  • TNC [The Nature Conservancy]. 1995a. A classification and description of plant communities in southern Illinois. Report by the Southern Illinois Field Office, Ullin, IL, and the Midwest Regional Office, Minneapolis, MN.
  • TNC [The Nature Conservancy]. 1999b. USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program: Classification of the vegetation of Isle Royale National Park. The Nature Conservancy, Midwest Regional Office, Minneapolis, MN, and International Headquarters, Arlington, VA. 143 pp.
  • WDNR [Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources]. 2015. The ecological landscapes of Wisconsin: An assessment of ecological resources and a guide to planning sustainable management. PUB-SS-1131 2015. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Madison. [http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/landscapes/Book.html]
  • Wharton, C. H. 1978. The natural environments of Georgia. Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Atlanta. 227 pp.
  • Wharton, C. H. 1989. The natural environments of Georgia. Georgia Dep. of Natural Resources. Bulletin 114:75-80.
  • White, J., and M. Madany. 1978. Classification of natural communities in Illinois. Pages 311-405 in: Natural Areas Inventory technical report: Volume I, survey methods and results. Illinois Natural Areas Inventory, Urbana, IL.
  • Whitley, J. R., B. Bassett, J. G. Dillard, and R. A. Haefner. 1990. Water plants for Missouri ponds. Missouri Department of Conservation. 151 pp.