Print Report
G377 Halodule wrightii - Halophila spp. Seagrass Bed Group
Type Concept Sentence: Shoalweed seagrass occurs in tropical and warm-temperate estuarine waters, including waters of Florida, North Carolina, and Texas, and in lesser amounts in other states. Halodule wrightii tolerates exposure to the atmosphere at low tide and occurs in water <1 m deep; Halophila engelmannii dominates at greater depths and primarily in areas of low wave energy.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Shoalweed - Seagrass species Seagrass Bed Group
Colloquial Name: Shoalweed Seagrass Bed
Hierarchy Level: Group
Type Concept: This group occurs in tropical and warm-temperate estuarine waters. In the western Atlantic Ocean, it is widespread in waters of Florida and Texas, North Carolina, and present in lesser amounts in other coastal southeastern states. About 80,000 hectares are dominated by Halodule wrightii in Core and Pamlico sounds in North Carolina. These seagrasses are not capable of growing in freshwater and are not found in the oligohaline upper reaches of estuaries and lower reaches of tidal creeks, bayous and rivers. However, Halodule wrightii tolerates exposure to the atmosphere at low tide and occurs in water <1 m deep. Halophila engelmannii dominates at greater depths, primarily in low wave energy situations, and typically occurs at depths of from 6-20 m. The large seagrass beds of Florida''s Big Bend contain examples of this group.
Diagnostic Characteristics: These are seagrass beds with Halodule wrightii or Halophila engelmannii. They do not occur in oligohaline (slightly brackish) waters, but in polyhaline, euhaline, or hyperhaline waters (i.e., >18 psu). The vegetation of this group can occur in waters from <1 m deep (Halodule wrightii) to as deep as 20 m in clear water (Halophila engelmannii).
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: Submerged aquatic vegetation, herbaceous plants which are rhizomatous and can form extensive beds.
Floristics: These are seagrass beds of Halodule wrightii or Halophila engelmannii.
Dynamics: As a result of natural climatic perturbations, such as tropical storms, hurricanes and human-induced disturbances, seagrass beds are often dynamic in their composition and size. Halodule wrightii is an early-successional species and may colonize recently disturbed areas. Halophila engelmannii typically occurs in deep coastal waters with low wave energy, such as Florida''s Big Bend area.
Environmental Description: These seagrasses occur in tropical and warm-temperate estuarine waters; they are not capable of growing in freshwater and are not found in the oligohaline upper reaches of estuaries and lower reaches of tidal creeks, bayous and rivers. However, Halodule wrightii tolerates exposure to the atmosphere at low tide and occurs in water <1 m deep. Halophila engelmannii dominates at greater depths, primarily in areas of low wave energy, and typically occurs at depths of from 6-20 m.
Geographic Range: This seagrass vegetation occurs in tropical and warm-temperate estuarine waters, in the western Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico. It is widespread in waters of Florida, North Carolina, and Texas and present in lesser amounts in other coastal southeastern states.
Nations: BS,CU,MX?,PR,US
States/Provinces: AL?, FL, LA, MS, NC, SC?, TX
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.837473
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 5 Aquatic Vegetation Class | C05 | 5 |
| Subclass | 5.A Saltwater Aquatic Vegetation Subclass | S09 | 5.A |
| Formation | 5.A.3 Benthic Vascular Saltwater Vegetation Formation | F054 | 5.A.3 |
| Division | 5.A.3.Xd Tropical Saltwater Vegetation Division | D063 | 5.A.3.Xd |
| Macrogroup | 5.A.3.Xd.3 Indo-Pacific & Caribbean Seagrass Vegetation Macrogroup | M180 | 5.A.3.Xd.3 |
| Group | 5.A.3.Xd.3.c Shoalweed - Seagrass species Seagrass Bed Group | G377 | 5.A.3.Xd.3.c |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: ? Halodulo-Ruppietum maritimae Association (Borhidi 1991)
? Ruppion maritimae Alliance (Borhidi 1991)
? Class 2 Halodulo-Thalassietea Den Hartog 1976, Order A Haloduletalia Den Hartog 1977, Alliance 2 Halodulion atlanto-pacificum Den Hartog 1977 (Den Hartog 2003)
? Ruppion maritimae Alliance (Borhidi 1991)
? Class 2 Halodulo-Thalassietea Den Hartog 1976, Order A Haloduletalia Den Hartog 1977, Alliance 2 Halodulion atlanto-pacificum Den Hartog 1977 (Den Hartog 2003)
- Borhidi, A. 1991. Phytogeography and vegetation ecology of Cuba. Akademiai Kiado. Budapest, Hungary. 858 pp. plus color plates and map by A. Borhidi and O. Muniz (1970) inside of back cover.
- Den Hartog, C. 2003. Phytosociological classification of seagrass communities. Phytocoenologia 33(2-3):203-229.
- Faber-Langendoen, D., J. Drake, S. Gawler, M. Hall, C. Josse, G. Kittel, S. Menard, C. Nordman, M. Pyne, M. Reid, L. Sneddon, K. Schulz, J. Teague, M. Russo, K. Snow, and P. Comer, editors. 2010-2019a. Divisions, Macrogroups and Groups for the Revised U.S. National Vegetation Classification. NatureServe, Arlington, VA. plus appendices. [in preparation]
- 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.
- Wieland, R. G. 1994a. Marine and estuarine habitat types and associated ecological communities of the Mississippi Coast. Museum Technical Report 25. Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks, Museum of Natural Science, Jackson, MS. 270 pp.