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CEGL004082 Acer rubrum - Nyssa biflora - (Liquidambar styraciflua, Fraxinus sp.) Maritime Swamp Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Red Maple - Swamp Tupelo - (Sweetgum, Ash species) Maritime Swamp Forest
Colloquial Name: Red Maple - Tupelo Maritime Swamp Forest
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: These are forested basin swamps of dune swales on barrier islands of North Carolina, Georgia, and possibly other mid-Atlantic coastal states. Stands are dominated by Acer rubrum, Nyssa biflora, or sometimes Liquidambar styraciflua or Fraxinus sp. Lower vegetational strata are variable but generally fairly low in diversity, consisting of characteristic wetland species tolerant of sheltered maritime conditions and long hydroperiods.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This community type is somewhat heterogeneous, in that the dominant trees can vary substantially among examples. They are unified by their flora that, though mostly of widespread wetland species, includes characteristic maritime species and lacks species not found in maritime settings. The most distinct examples, which could perhaps be justified as a different association, are those dominated by Fraxinus. However, the overall flora of this example has substantial overlap with other examples and the environment seems to be similar.
Wentworth et al. (1993) divided associations more finely, based on Twinspan analysis of North Carolina Vegetation Survey data. The Taxodium type, recognized as a separate association, was the most distinct of the group. The Fraxinus type was the most distinct of the plots included here. Some of the other distinctions appear to be based on varying admixture of upland species in the plots.
Wentworth et al. (1993) divided associations more finely, based on Twinspan analysis of North Carolina Vegetation Survey data. The Taxodium type, recognized as a separate association, was the most distinct of the group. The Fraxinus type was the most distinct of the plots included here. Some of the other distinctions appear to be based on varying admixture of upland species in the plots.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: These are closed or nearly closed forests dominated by varying mixtures of Acer rubrum, Nyssa biflora, and occasionally Liquidambar styraciflua or Fraxinus sp. Other canopy species may occasionally include Salix nigra, Quercus nigra, Quercus phellos, Pinus taeda, and Taxodium distichum. The understory is generally very open, or confined to the shallower edges of the basins. Persea palustris , Carpinus caroliniana, or canopy species generally dominate. The shrub layer is variable, of low to fairly high cover, depending on local water depth. Morella cerifera (= Myrica cerifera), Cornus foemina, or occasionally Arundinaria tecta (= Arundinaria gigantea ssp. tecta)? may dominate. Other shrubs may include Lyonia lucida, Ilex vomitoria, Vaccinium fuscatum, Vaccinium formosum, and Rosa palustris. Woody vines, including Berchemia scandens, Toxicodendron radicans, Parthenocissus quinquefolia, Smilax spp., and Vitis rotundifolia, are usually present and may be fairly abundant. Herbs are usually sparse, but may be fairly dense locally in shallow water. Species most often most abundant are Woodwardia virginica and Saururus cernuus. Species with fairly high constancy (50-60% in 10 plots) include these species plus Osmunda regalis and Woodwardia areolata. Other herbs fairly abundant locally include Osmunda cinnamomea, Centella erecta, Leersia virginica, and Dryopteris ludoviciana.
Dynamics: Sea water overwash is probably rare or absent, but severe salt spray and wind damage occur in storms. Vegetation likely varies substantially with time since last disturbance and also with variations on water level from year to year. As in all barrier island environments, these sites are geologically young and potentially short-lived, however, they are among the most stable portions of barrier islands and most have existed since prehistoric times.
Environmental Description: This association occurs in dune swales or depressions on barrier islands (and potentially other similar maritime settings), flooded for much of the growing season. Water levels presumably reflect the local water table. Settings are on more sheltered portions of the barrier islands, generally surrounded by other maritime forests, with light but not severe salt spray. Sea water overwash occurs seldom or never.
Geographic Range: This maritime swamp forest is currently known from the Outer Banks of North Carolina and Cumberland Island, Georgia. It could potentially occur in other mid-Atlantic coastal states.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: GA, NC, SC?, VA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.731101
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G2
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 1 Forest & Woodland Class | C01 | 1 |
| Subclass | 1.B Temperate & Boreal Forest & Woodland Subclass | S15 | 1.B |
| Formation | 1.B.3 Temperate Flooded & Swamp Forest Formation | F026 | 1.B.3 |
| Division | 1.B.3.Nb Southeastern North American Flooded & Swamp Forest Division | D062 | 1.B.3.Nb |
| Macrogroup | 1.B.3.Nb.4 Swamp Chestnut Oak - Bald-cypress - Pecan Southern Floodplain Forest Macrogroup | M031 | 1.B.3.Nb.4 |
| Group | 1.B.3.Nb.4.a Swamp Chestnut Oak - Laurel Oak - Sweetgum Floodplain Forest Group | G034 | 1.B.3.Nb.4.a |
| Alliance | A3625 Sweetgum - Green Ash - Red Maple Flooded & Swamp Forest Alliance | A3625 | 1.B.3.Nb.4.a |
| Association | CEGL004082 Red Maple - Swamp Tupelo - (Sweetgum, Ash species) Maritime Swamp Forest | CEGL004082 | 1.B.3.Nb.4.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Maritime Swamp Forest (Typic Subtype) (Schafale 2012)
- Fleming, G. P., K. D. Patterson, and K. Taverna. 2017. The natural communities of Virginia: A classification of ecological community groups and community types. Third approximation. Version 3.0. Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, Division of Natural Heritage, Richmond, VA. [http://www.dcr.virginia.gov/natural-heritage/natural-communities/]
- GNHP [Georgia Natural Heritage Program]. 2018. Unpublished data. Georgia Natural Heritage Program, Wildlife Resources Division, Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Social Circle.
- McManamay, R. H. 2017a. Vegetation mapping at Cumberland Island National Seashore. Natural Resource Report NPS/SECN/NRR--2017/1511. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 422 pp.
- Nelson, J. B. 1986. The natural communities of South Carolina: Initial classification and description. South Carolina Wildlife and Marine Resources Department, Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, Columbia, SC. 55 pp.
- Schafale, M. P. 2012. Classification of the natural communities of North Carolina, 4th Approximation. North Carolina Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Recreation, Natural Heritage Program, Raleigh.
- Schafale, M. P., and A. S. Weakley. 1990. Classification of the natural communities of North Carolina. Third approximation. North Carolina Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Recreation, Natural Heritage Program, Raleigh. 325 pp.
- Southeastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Durham, NC.
- TNC [The Nature Conservancy]. 1997a. Vegetation classification of Assateague Island National Seashore and Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge. Report to the NBS/NPS Vegetation Mapping Program. The Nature Conservancy. Eastern Regional Office, Boston, MA.