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G385 Vaucheria longicaulis - Enteromorpha spp. North American Intertidal Algal Flat Group
Type Concept Sentence: This group consists of algal communities on coastal tidal flats on the north Pacific Coast from Alaska to central California where characteristic species include Vaucheria longicaulis and species of Enteromorpha.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Vaucheria Marine Alga - Sea-lettuce species North American Intertidal Algal Flat Group
Colloquial Name: North American Pacific Intertidal Algal Flat
Hierarchy Level: Group
Type Concept: This group consists of algal communities on coastal flats found along the north Pacific Coast from Kodiak Island and Cook Inlet, Alaska, south to central California. Tidal flats form a narrow band along oceanic inlets and are more extensive at the mouths of larger rivers. Algae are the dominant vegetation on mud or gravel flats where little vascular vegetation is present due to the daily (in some cases twice daily) tidal flooding of salt or brackish water. Characteristic species include Vaucheria longicaulis and Enteromorpha spp. Vascular species are sparse, if present, and may include salt-tolerant species such as Eleocharis palustris, Salicornia spp., Plantago maritima, Glaux maritima, and other plants common to lower salt marshes; cover is less than 10%. The dominant processes are tectonic uplift or subsidence, isostatic rebound, and sediment deposition.
Diagnostic Characteristics: Tidal mudflats with algal communities exposed daily at low tide along the northern Pacific Coast.
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: Low nonvascular vegetation forming algae flats on mud or gravel of the intertidal saltwater zone.
Floristics: Characteristic species include Vaucheria longicaulis and Enteromorpha spp. Vascular species are sparse, if present, and may include salt-tolerant species such as Eleocharis palustris, Salicornia spp., Plantago maritima, Glaux maritima, and other plants common to lower salt marshes; cover is less than 10%. Floristic information compiled in part from Viereck et al. (1992), Holland and Keil (1995), and Boggs (2002).
Dynamics: Exposed daily at low tide.
Environmental Description: Soil/substrate/hydrology: Tidal flats form a narrow band along oceanic inlets and are more extensive at the mouths of larger rivers. Algae are the dominant vegetation on mud or gravel flats where little vascular vegetation is present due to the daily (in some cases twice daily) tidal flooding of salt or brackish water. Environmental information compiled in part from Viereck et al. (1992), Holland and Keil (1995), and Boggs (2002).
Geographic Range: This group is found along the north Pacific Coast from Kodiak Island and Cook Inlet, Alaska, south to central California.
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: AK, BC, CA, OR, WA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.849080
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.2 Benthic Macroalgae Saltwater Vegetation Formation | F053 | 5.A.2 |
| Division | 5.A.2.Wb Temperate Intertidal Shore Division | D047 | 5.A.2.Wb |
| Macrogroup | 5.A.2.Wb.2 Temperate Pacific Seaweed Intertidal Vegetation Macrogroup | M106 | 5.A.2.Wb.2 |
| Group | 5.A.2.Wb.2.a Vaucheria Marine Alga - Sea-lettuce species North American Intertidal Algal Flat Group | G385 | 5.A.2.Wb.2.a |
| Alliance | A4363 North American Pacific Mixed Algal Flat Alliance | A4363 | 5.A.2.Wb.2.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: >< III.B.3.d - Halophytic herb wet meadow (Viereck et al. 1992)
>< III.D.2.a - Four-leaf marestail (Viereck et al. 1992)
>< III.D.2.a - Four-leaf marestail (Viereck et al. 1992)
- Boggs, K. 2002. Terrestrial ecological systems for the Cook Inlet, Bristol Bay, and Alaska Peninsula ecoregions. The Nature Conservancy, Anchorage, AK.
- Comer, P., D. Faber-Langendoen, R. Evans, S. Gawler, C. Josse, G. Kittel, S. Menard, C. Nordman, M. Pyne, M. Reid, M. Russo, K. Schulz, K. Snow, J. Teague, and R. White. 2003-present. Ecological systems of the United States: A working classification of U.S. terrestrial systems. NatureServe, Arlington, VA.
- 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]
- Holland, V. L., and D. J. Keil. 1995. California vegetation. Kendall/Hunt Publishing Company, Dubuque, IA. 516 pp.
- Viereck, L. A., C. T. Dyrness, A. R. Batten, and K. J. Wenzlick. 1992. The Alaska vegetation classification. General Technical Report PNW-GTR286. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station, Portland, OR. 278 pp.