Print Report

CEGL006612 Schoenoplectus americanus - Spartina patens Salt Marsh

Type Concept Sentence: This brackish marsh, dominated by colonies of Schoenoplectus americanus, occurs in wet depressions at the upper reaches of irregularly flooded tidal marshes of the mid-Atlantic Coast of the United States.

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

Colloquial Name: Transitional Tidal Marsh

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This brackish marsh occurs in wet depressions at the upper reaches of irregularly flooded tidal marshes of the mid-Atlantic Coast. It occurs at the ecotone between low and high salt marsh zones. It is irregularly flooded, occurring just above the zone of regular tidal flooding, but is more frequently flooded than Spartina patens-dominated high marsh. This community is dominated by colonies of Schoenoplectus americanus, which often accounts for 40-75% of the total vegetation cover or codominant with Spartina patens at some sites. Associated species can include Pluchea odorata, Juncus roemerianus, Spartina alterniflora, Spartina cynosuroides, Distichlis spicata, and Limonium carolinianum plus Typha spp. and Phragmites australis. This community often grades into Spartina patens- or Juncus roemerianus-dominated high marsh landward or Spartina alterniflora- or Spartina cynosuroides-dominated low marsh seaward. This association is best developed where the elevation gradient across the marsh is more gradual, allowing for greater diversity of physical conditions of duration and frequency of flooding.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: The halinity range of this vegetation is uncertain, but the relatively higher species diversity suggests lower halinity than that characteristic of ~Spartina patens - Distichlis spicata - (Juncus gerardii) Salt Marsh (CEGL006006)$$. It is unclear whether stands attributed to this type at North Landing River and Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge represent the same vegetation. The prevailing tidal influence in these areas is generally wind-generated rather than strictly lunar (Coulling 2002).

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

Floristics: This community is dominated by colonies of Schoenoplectus americanus, which often accounts for 40-75% of the total vegetation cover or codominant with Spartina patens at some sites. Associated species can include Pluchea odorata, Juncus roemerianus, Hibiscus moscheutos, Spartina alterniflora, Spartina cynosuroides, Distichlis spicata, Limonium carolinianum, and Typha spp. Phragmites australis also occurs in this vegetation. This community often grades into vegetation dominated by Spartina patens or Juncus roemerianus in high marsh landward and by vegetation dominated by Spartina alterniflora or Spartina cynosuroides in low marsh seaward. This vegetation does not typically occur along the edge of tidal channels.

Dynamics:  The species compositions of brackish marsh associations are likely related to gradients in salinity and duration of tidal flooding. Schoenoplectus americanus may dominate in areas with higher average water levels, lower salinities, and lower frequency of flooding than areas typically dominated by Spartina patens.
Environmental Description:  This association occurs in wet depressions of high salt marshes and in the ecotone between low and high salt marsh zones. It is irregularly flooded, occurring just above the zone of regular tidal flooding, but is more frequently flooded than Spartina patens-dominated high marsh. This association is best developed where the elevation gradient across the marsh is more gradual, allowing for greater diversity of physical conditions of duration and frequency of flooding.
Geographic Range: This association has been reported from the Atlantic Coast of the United States sporadically from Massachusetts south to Georgia. Its full distribution is incomplete.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  DE?, GA, MA, MD, NC?, NJ, SC?, VA


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.c Saltmeadow Cordgrass - Jesuit''s-bark High Salt Marsh Group G121 2.C.5.Nb.1.c
Alliance A4491 <i>Spartina patens - Juncus gerardii</i> High Salt Marsh Alliance A4491 2.C.5.Nb.1.c
Association CEGL006612 Chairmaker''s Bulrush - Saltmeadow Cordgrass Salt Marsh CEGL006612 2.C.5.Nb.1.c
Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Schoenoplectus americanus - Spartina patens Herbaceous Vegetation (Fleming et al. 2007b)
= Schoenoplectus americanus - Spartina patens Tidal Herbaceous Vegetation (Bartgis 1986)
= Spartina patens - Schoenoplectus americanus Tidal Herbaceous Vegetation (Coulling 2002)
Concept Author(s): P. Bowman and L.A. Sneddon

Author of Description: S.L. Neid and L.A. Sneddon

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 06-28-18
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