Print Report
CEGL006841 Alnus maritima ssp. maritima / Acorus calamus Tidal Shrub Swamp
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Seaside Alder / European Sweetflag Tidal Shrub Swamp
Colloquial Name: Seaside Alder Tidal Shrub Swamp
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This tidal shrubland of the Maryland portion of the Delmarva peninsula on the central Atlantic Coast occurs on freshwater tidal rivers and tributaries. Waters are generally oligohaline, but may receive pulses of higher salinities during spring high tides or low river discharge. The vegetation occurs on the ecotones between freshwater tidal marshes and tidal swamps. Hummocks and hollows are characteristic, and the substrate is poorly drained, slightly acidic tidal muck with silts, fine sands and partially decomposed peat admixed. The shrub canopy is well-developed, often dense, and dominated by Alnus maritima. Associated shrub species are few and at low cover, but may include Viburnum dentatum, Cornus amomum, or Rosa palustris. Vines may include Toxicodendron radicans, Apios americana, and Mikania scandens. The herbaceous layer is dominated by Acorus calamus, with other associates including Impatiens capensis, Peltandra virginica, Polygonum sagittatum, Polygonum punctatum, Cicuta maculata, Cuscuta gronovii, Cinna arundinacea, Polygonum arifolium, Galium obtusum, and Thalictrum pubescens.
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: Stands are dominated by Alnus maritima ssp. maritima. Associated shrub species are few and at low cover, but may include Viburnum dentatum, Cornus amomum, or Rosa palustris. Vines may include Toxicodendron radicans, Apios americana, and Mikania scandens. The herbaceous layer is dominated by Acorus calamus, with other associates including Impatiens capensis, Peltandra virginica, Polygonum sagittatum, Polygonum punctatum, Cicuta maculata, Cuscuta gronovii, Cinna arundinacea, Polygonum arifolium, Galium obtusum, and Thalictrum pubescens (= Thalictrum polygamum).
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This shrubland occurs on freshwater tidal rivers and tributaries. Waters are generally oligohaline, but may receive pulses of higher salinities during spring high tides or low river discharge. The vegetation occurs on the ecotones between freshwater tidal marshes and tidal swamps. Hummocks and hollows are characteristic, and the substrate is poorly drained, slightly acidic tidal muck with silts, fine sands and partially decomposed peat admixed.
Geographic Range: This vegetation occurs on the Delmarva peninsula of the central Atlantic Coast.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: MD
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.721917
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR
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.1 Annual Wild Rice - Saltmeadow Cordgrass - Pickerelweed Fresh-Oligohaline Tidal Marsh Macrogroup | M066 | 2.C.4.Ne.1 |
| Group | 2.C.4.Ne.1.c <i>Zizania aquatica - Spartina patens - Amaranthus cannabinus</i> Freshwater Tidal Marsh Group | G914 | 2.C.4.Ne.1.c |
| Alliance | A4376 Gray Alder - Silky Dogwood Tidal Shrub Swamp Alliance | A4376 | 2.C.4.Ne.1.c |
| Association | CEGL006841 Seaside Alder / European Sweetflag Tidal Shrub Swamp | CEGL006841 | 2.C.4.Ne.1.c |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Alnus maritima / Acorus calamus Tidal Shrubland (Harrison and Stango 2003)
- Eastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boston, MA.
- Harrison, J. W. 2011. The natural communities of Maryland: 2011 working list of ecological community groups and community types. Unpublished report. Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Wildlife and Heritage Service, Natural Heritage Program, Annapolis. 33 pp.
- Harrison, J. W., and P. Stango, III. 2003. Shrubland tidal wetland communities of Maryland''s Eastern Shore: Identification, assessment and monitoring. Maryland Natural Heritage Program, Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Annapolis. 118 pp.
- Harrison, J. W., compiler. 2004. Classification of vegetation communities of Maryland: First iteration. A subset of the International Classification of Ecological Communities: Terrestrial Vegetation of the United States, NatureServe. Maryland Natural Heritage Program, Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Annapolis. 243 pp.
- Schrader, J. A., and W. R. Graves. 2002. Infraspecific systematics of Alnus maritima (Betulaceae) from three widely disjunct provenances. Castanea 67:380-401.