Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available

Floristics: The vegetation is a fine mosaic of shrub-dominated hummocks and herb-dominated hollows. It may include a sparse canopy of Nyssa biflora and Acer rubrum, consisting of young and stressed trees that have survived the impoundment. The shrub layer generally has 30-60% cover and is most often dominated by Alnus serrulata and tree saplings. Other common shrubs include Viburnum nudum, Arundinaria tecta, Vaccinium formosum, and less abundantly, Cyrilla racemiflora, Lyonia lucida, or Clethra alnifolia. The herb layer is moderate to dense. Sphagnum is often abundant and extensive. Dominants in patches or in some sites include Carex mitchelliana, Carex atlantica ssp. capillacea (= Carex howei), Carex stricta, Glyceria obtusa, Leersia oryzoides, Dichanthelium scabriusculum, Peltandra virginica, and Orontium aquaticum. Other frequent herbs include Dichanthelium dichotomum, Dulichium arundinaceum, Triadenum virginicum, Lycopus cokeri, Eupatorium resinosum, Carex atlantica, and Woodwardia areolata.

Dynamics:  This is a successional community of moderate to long duration, occurring after the drainage of beaver ponds or similar small artificial impoundments on small streams. Stands probably start as open water (~Nuphar advena - Nymphaea odorata Aquatic Vegetation (CEGL002386)$$) or marsh (~Orontium aquaticum - Schoenoplectus (etuberculatus, subterminalis) - Eriocaulon decangulare - Juncus trigonocarpus Marsh (CEGL007860)$$). If a pond drains abruptly, a brief stage of dominance by relict pond species, such as Sparganium americanum, and short-lived opportunistic species, such as Rhynchospora spp. and Erechtites hieraciifolius, may be followed by establishment of this vegetation. If a pond is abandoned and the dam deteriorates gradually, this community may develop slowly from the open-water pond. Trees gradually invade and grow in this community, gradually forming a closed canopy that eliminates much of the distinctive herb layer. These communities eventually succeed to ~Nyssa biflora - Liriodendron tulipifera - Pinus (serotina, taeda) / Lyonia lucida Swamp Forest (CEGL004734)$$. The length of their persistence is not known, but it appears to be long enough to warrant recognition as an association and as a target for conservation action. While all beaver ponds must go through some form of herbaceous successional vegetation, the distinctive vegetation and perhaps the persistence of this community appears to be confined to the Sandhills region and to depend on the distinctive conditions there.