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CEGL004608 Spartina spartinae Grassland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Gulf Cordgrass Grassland
Colloquial Name: Salty Prairie
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This community occurs on upland flats just above normal tidal reach. Spartina spartinae is typically monodominant, but Setaria parviflora is common and typical and Spartina patens may be locally codominant. Other species include Andropogon glomeratus var. pumilus, Paspalum vaginatum, Spartina patens, Cyperus spp., Lythrum alatum var. lanceolatum, Solidago sempervirens, and Palafoxia texana var. ambigua. Scattered shrubs, such as Iva frutescens, Prosopis glandulosa var. glandulosa, and Baccharis halimifolia, can occur, especially as invaders as the result of grazing and/or fire suppression. In parts of its range, this community covers large expanses, but it also can form a linear fringe above tidal flats and marshes.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: No Data Available
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Spartina spartinae is monodominant, but Setaria parviflora is common and typical. Other species include Andropogon glomeratus var. pumilus, Paspalum vaginatum, Spartina patens, Cyperus spp., Lythrum alatum var. lanceolatum, Solidago sempervirens, and Palafoxia texana var. ambigua. Scattered shrubs, such as Iva frutescens, Prosopis glandulosa var. glandulosa and Baccharis halimifolia, can occur, especially as invaders as the result of grazing and/or fire suppression. Spartina patens may be locally codominant.
Dynamics: This association is maintained as a grassland by periodic fires. In the absence of fire, woody encroachment can convert these grasslands into a Baccharis halimifolia-dominated shrubland.
Environmental Description: This association is found on mainland shores in heavy saline soils (Natraqualfs) along the upland edges of coastal marshes and bays of the Gulf Coast of Texas. This or similar vegetation has also been identified from barrier islands along the south Texas coast. It may be saturated for much of the growing season.
Geographic Range: This association occurs in near-coastal areas along the Gulf Coast of Texas and possibly Louisiana and the Mexican state of Tamaulipas.
Nations: MX?,US
States/Provinces: LA?, MXTAM?, TX
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.689941
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
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.B Temperate & Boreal Grassland & Shrubland Subclass | S18 | 2.B |
| Formation | 2.B.4 Temperate to Polar Scrub & Herb Coastal Vegetation Formation | F005 | 2.B.4 |
| Division | 2.B.4.Na Eastern North American Coastal Scrub & Herb Vegetation Division | D026 | 2.B.4.Na |
| Macrogroup | 2.B.4.Na.2 American Beachgrass - Sea-oats - Seaside Goldenrod Dune & Grassland Macrogroup | M057 | 2.B.4.Na.2 |
| Group | 2.B.4.Na.2.a Wax-myrtle - Sea-oats - Shore Little Bluestem Dune & Grassland Group | G494 | 2.B.4.Na.2.a |
| Alliance | A4061 Gulf Cordgrass - Little Bluestem - Bracted Blazingstar Saline Coastal Prairie Alliance | A4061 | 2.B.4.Na.2.a |
| Association | CEGL004608 Gulf Cordgrass Grassland | CEGL004608 | 2.B.4.Na.2.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Gulf Coast Cordgrass Zone (McAlister and McAlister 1993)
- Diamond, D. D. 1993. Classification of the plant communities of Texas (series level). Unpublished document. Texas Natural Heritage Program, Austin. 25 pp.
- McAlister, W. H., and M. K. McAlister. 1993. A naturalist''s guide: Matagorda Island. University of Texas Press, Austin. 354 pp.
- Southeastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Durham, NC.