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CEGL008476 Schoenoplectus americanus - (Spartina patens) - Typha spp. Salt Marsh

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Chairmaker''s Bulrush - (Saltmeadow Cordgrass) - Cattail species Salt Marsh

Colloquial Name: Gulf Coast Bulrush - Cordgrass - Cattail Salt Marsh

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This association includes tidal, mesohaline to oligohaline marshes dominated or codominated by Schoenoplectus americanus. Other associated species can include Spartina patens, Juncus roemerianus, and Typha domingensis. The general aspect and species composition of this vegetation are variable, not only among occurrences, but also over the course of the growing season. Dominance patterns are not well understood but are likely related to gradients in salinity and hydrology. This association is known from the Gulf Coast of Texas and Louisiana; it may also occur along the Gulf Coast of Mississippi and Alabama. This vegetation may grade down into vegetation dominated by Spartina patens, Distichlis spicata, Juncus roemerianus or Spartina alterniflora, and up into shrub-dominated zones or saline prairie. The woody shrub component of this zone is diminished by storm tides, as well as the effects of fire. More information is needed on this vegetation type. This vegetation is found in the marshes of the Chenier Plain of Louisiana and upper and mid Texas coast where it may be interspersed with ~Spartina patens - Schoenoplectus (americanus, pungens) - (Distichlis spicata) Salt Marsh (CEGL004755)$$ and ~Spartina alterniflora - Distichlis spicata - Spartina patens Mesohaline Salt Marsh (CEGL002230)$$. It differs from ~Spartina patens - Schoenoplectus (americanus, pungens) - (Distichlis spicata) Salt Marsh (CEGL004755)$$ by the dominance or codominance of Schoenoplectus americanus.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: The use of prescribed fire by land managers in this community affects the relative abundance of Schoenoplectus americanus; this relationship needs to be further explored and described.

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

Floristics: Stands are dominated or codominated by Schoenoplectus americanus (= Scirpus olneyi). Other associated species can include Spartina patens, Juncus roemerianus, and Typha domingensis.

Dynamics:  The general aspect and species composition of this vegetation are variable, not only among occurrences, but also over the course of the growing season. Dominance patterns are not well understood but are likely related to gradients in salinity and hydrology.
Environmental Description:  These are tidal, mesohaline to oligohaline marshes.
Geographic Range: This association is currently only known from the Gulf Coast of Texas and Louisiana, but it may range throughout the Gulf Coast of the United States.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  AL?, GA?, LA, MS?, TX


Confidence Level: Low

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G3?

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.5 Salt Marsh Formation F035 2.C.5
Division 2.C.5.Nb North American Atlantic & Gulf Coastal Salt Marsh Division D034 2.C.5.Nb
Macrogroup 2.C.5.Nb.1 North American Atlantic & Gulf Coastal Salt Marsh Macrogroup M079 2.C.5.Nb.1
Group 2.C.5.Nb.1.d Southern Cattail - Bulrush species - Awl-leaf Arrowhead Tidal Salt Marsh Group G120 2.C.5.Nb.1.d
Alliance A4492 <i>Spartina alterniflora - Spartina cynosuroides - Cladium mariscus</i> Brackish Tidal Marsh Alliance A4492 2.C.5.Nb.1.d
Association CEGL008476 Chairmaker''s Bulrush - (Saltmeadow Cordgrass) - Cattail species Salt Marsh CEGL008476 2.C.5.Nb.1.d
Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: < Mesohaline Wiregrass Marsh (Visser et al. 1998)
< Mesohaline Wiregrass Marsh (Visser and Sasser 1998)
< Saline Marsh (Wieland 1994a)
Concept Author(s): J.M. Visser and C.E. Sasser (1998)

Author of Description: J. Teague

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 10-06-15
  • Diamond, D. D. 1993. Classification of the plant communities of Texas (series level). Unpublished document. Texas Natural Heritage Program, Austin. 25 pp.
  • LNHP [Louisiana Natural Heritage Program]. 2009. Natural communities of Louisiana. Louisiana Natural Heritage Program, Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries, Baton Rouge. 46 pp. [http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/sites/default/files/pdf/page_wildlife/6776-Rare%20Natural%20Communities/LA_NAT_COM.pdf]
  • MSNHP [Mississippi Natural Heritage Program]. 2006. Ecological communities of Mississippi. Museum of Natural Science, Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks, Jackson, MS. 9 pp.
  • Southeastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Durham, NC.
  • Visser, J. M., C. E. Sasser, R. H. Chabreck, and R. G. Linscombe. 1998. Marsh vegetation types of the Mississippi River Deltaic Plain. Estuaries 21(48):818-828.
  • Visser, J. M., and C. E. Sasser. 1998. 1997 Coastal vegetation analysis. Unpublished report to Greg Steyer, Louisiana Department of Natural Resources, Baton Rouge, LA. Draft report November 20, 1998. 47 pp.
  • Wieland, R. G. 1994a. Marine and estuarine habitat types and associated ecological communities of the Mississippi Coast. Museum Technical Report 25. Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks, Museum of Natural Science, Jackson, MS. 270 pp.