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CEGL004087 Taxodium ascendens / Carex striata - Iris tridentata - (Woodwardia virginica) Swamp Woodland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Pond-cypress / Walter''s Sedge - Savanna Iris - (Virginia Chainfern) Swamp Woodland
Colloquial Name: Atlantic Coastal Plain Pond-cypress Depression (Peatland Sedge Type)
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This pond-cypress depression association is found in coastal South Carolina and possibly in coastal Georgia and North Carolina. Taxodium ascendens dominates this primarily open-canopy wetland depression that may occur as a savanna or meadow with few trees. The herbaceous layer is typically overrun by mats of rhizomatous Carex striata. Zones of Woodwardia virginica (or occasionally Panicum hemitomon) are found in larger depressions. A variety of bay species occur intermixed among the Carex striata, with Iris tridentata, Paspalum praecox, Eriocaulon compressum, Rhexia aristosa, Lobelia boykinii, Xyris spp., and Rhynchospora spp. being most common. In the outer edges or drawdown zones, Sarracenia flava may be in abundance. This association is highly variable in composition depending upon the fire frequency, recent rainfall, and anthropogenic alterations to hydrology.
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: Taxodium ascendens dominates the canopy with Nyssa biflora and Pinus serotina being fairly common. Acer rubrum and Liquidambar styraciflua may reach the canopy if fire has been suppressed. A well-developed shrub layer is not common, but under conditions of fire suppression Lyonia lucida, Persea palustris, Magnolia virginiana, Clethra alnifolia, and/or Smilax spp. (e.g., Smilax laurifolia, Smilax walteri) will be found. More commonly Hypericum fasciculatum will occur as a low shrub even under a frequent burn regime. The most common herbaceous species are Carex striata, Woodwardia virginica, and Iris tridentata. Other prominent herbs may include Panicum hemitomon, Paspalum praecox, Eriocaulon compressum, Rhexia aristosa, Lobelia boykinii, Lachnanthes caroliana, Xyris spp. (Xyris brevifolia, Xyris fimbriata, Xyris smalliana), Rhynchospora spp. (Rhynchospora careyana, Rhynchospora cephalantha, Rhynchospora filifolia), and Saccharum spp. (Saccharum brevibarbe var. contortum, Saccharum giganteum).
Dynamics: The maintenance of this vegetation type depends on frequent low-intensity fires that limit competition from hardwood trees and shrubs and help to maintain the high diversity of herbaceous vegetation. Similarly, drought cycles will result in temporary shifts in species composition or the temporary absence of otherwise common species.
Environmental Description: No Data Available
Geographic Range: This association is found in coastal South Carolina and possibly in coastal Georgia.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: GA?, SC
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.732800
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G3
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.1 Pond-cypress - Slash Pine Swamp Macrogroup | M161 | 1.B.3.Nb.1 |
| Group | 1.B.3.Nb.1.a Pond-cypress / Holly species Basin Swamp Group | G036 | 1.B.3.Nb.1.a |
| Alliance | A3341 Pond-cypress / Walter''s Sedge Swamp Forest Alliance | A3341 | 1.B.3.Nb.1.a |
| Association | CEGL004087 Pond-cypress / Walter''s Sedge - Savanna Iris - (Virginia Chainfern) Swamp Woodland | CEGL004087 | 1.B.3.Nb.1.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Taxodium ascendens-Carex striata-Iris tridentata-(Woodwardia virginica) Depression Woodland (Glitzenstein and Streng 2004)
- Glitzenstein, J. S., and D. R. Streng. 2004. Evaluating the NatureServe preliminary plant community classification for Francis Marion National Forest. Tall Timbers Research Station, Tallahassee, FL. Plus appendices and data.
- 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.
- Southeastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Durham, NC.