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CEGL006849 Pinus taeda / Morella cerifera / Spartina patens Tidal Woodland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Loblolly Pine / Wax-myrtle / Saltmeadow Cordgrass Tidal Woodland
Colloquial Name: Loblolly Pine / Wax-myrtle / Saltmeadow Cordgrass Tidal Woodland
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This loblolly pine tidal woodland occurs in narrow fringes on the mid-Atlantic Coastal Plain along tidal rivers and creeks, and occasionally upland of high salt marshes in nonriverine habitats. These open woodlands experience varying frequencies of tidal flooding and lack significant microtopographic features. The monospecific overstory is composed of Pinus taeda, which also dominates the subcanopy, although successional hardwoods may be present. Scattered patches of Morella cerifera dominate the shrub layer, and the herbaceous layer is composed of halophytic vegetation, including Spartina patens, Panicum virgatum, and Distichlis spicata. Many loblolly pines may be dead or dying in some stands due to tidal encroachment.
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: These tidal woodlands are species-poor, structurally open and dominated by Pinus taeda in the canopy and subcanopy. Occasionally, Juniperus virginiana, Acer rubrum, Diospyros virginiana, Quercus phellos, and/or Liquidambar styraciflua may occur in the subcanopy. Scattered patches of Morella cerifera dominate the shrub stratum, along with occasional individuals of Iva frutescens, Baccharis halimifolia, Ilex opaca, Prunus serotina, Acer rubrum, and Juniperus virginiana. Toxicodendron radicans is the predominant vine in these woodlands. The herbaceous community is low in species diversity and primarily composed of Spartina patens, Panicum virgatum, and Distichlis spicata. Phragmites australis can be abundant in some stands.
Dynamics: This type is the result of the tidally influenced conversion of an upland pine community to a marshland. Stands experience variable levels of flooding, often less than daily, due to fluctuations in groundwater levels and landscape position. It is a short-lived community that is an artifact of sea level rise and marsh subsidence (or lack of vertical accretion) which subsequently allows for a higher frequency of tidal encroachment to the exposed, surrounding upland pine-dominated communities. Increased frequency and duration of tidal flooding can stunt the growth of the pines, thin crowns, and/or induce mortality.
Environmental Description: These are fringing tidal woodlands characteristic of diurnal to irregularly flooded mesohaline (5.0-18.0 ppt) systems. This community occurs along tidal rivers and creeks but can also occupy narrow ecotones between "high salt marshes" and adjacent uplands and islands in brackish nonriverine habitats. Soils consist of a mixture of silt, fine sands and decomposed organic peat underlain by dark gray, black or greenish-gray silty clayey fine sands and carbonaceous clays.
Geographic Range: This community occurs within mesohaline systems along the shoreline of Maryland''s Coastal Plain and possibly Delaware.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: DE, MD
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.787718
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR
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.2 Cool Temperate Forest & Woodland Formation | F008 | 1.B.2 |
| Division | 1.B.2.Na Eastern North American Forest & Woodland Division | D008 | 1.B.2.Na |
| Macrogroup | 1.B.2.Na.9 Pitch Pine - oak spp. - American Holly North Atlantic Forest Macrogroup | M525 | 1.B.2.Na.9 |
| Group | 1.B.2.Na.9.c Pitch Pine - American Beech / Northern Bayberry Maritime Forest Group | G893 | 1.B.2.Na.9.c |
| Alliance | A3105 Pitch Pine - Loblolly Pine Maritime Forest & Woodland Alliance | A3105 | 1.B.2.Na.9.c |
| Association | CEGL006849 Loblolly Pine / Wax-myrtle / Saltmeadow Cordgrass Tidal Woodland | CEGL006849 | 1.B.2.Na.9.c |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Pinus taeda / Morella cerifera / Spartina patens Tidal Woodland (Harrison et al. 2004)
- Coxe, R. 2009. Guide to Delaware vegetation communities. Spring 2009 edition. State of Delaware, Division of Fish and Wildlife, Delaware Natural Heritage Program, Smyrna.
- 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., P. Stango, III, and M. C. Aguirre. 2004. Forested tidal wetland communities of Maryland''s eastern shore: Identification, assessment, and monitoring. Unpublished report submitted to the Environmental Protection Agency. Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Natural Heritage Program, Annapolis. 96 pp.
- Sneddon, L., J. Menke, A. Berdine, E. Largay, and S. Gawler. 2017. Vegetation classification and mapping of Assateague Island National Seashore. Natural Resource Report NPS/ASIS/NRR--2017/1422. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 512 pp.