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G373 Zostera spp. - Phyllospadix spp. Temperate Pacific Seagrass Bed Group
Type Concept Sentence: This group consists of marine near-shore beds dominated by macrophytic algae and marine aquatic angiosperms such as Zostera marina found throughout intertidal zones with clear water in bays, inlets and lagoons in the coastal areas of the North Pacific Coast, from California north through Oregon, Washington, British Columbia and north into the Gulf of Alaska, Cook Inlet, and Bristol Bay coasts.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Eelgrass species - Surf-grass species Temperate Pacific Seagrass Bed Group
Colloquial Name: Temperate Pacific Seagrass Bed
Hierarchy Level: Group
Type Concept: This group consists of marine near-shore beds dominated by macrophytic algae and marine aquatic angiosperms. They are found throughout intertidal zones with clear water in bays, inlets and lagoons in the coastal areas of the North Pacific Coast, from California north through Oregon, Washington, British Columbia and north into the Gulf of Alaska, Cook Inlet, and Bristol Bay coasts. Subtidal portions are never exposed, while intertidal areas support species that can tolerate exposure to the air. Common substrates include marine silts, but may also include exposed bedrock and cobble, where many algal species become attached with holdfasts. Stands occur in the subtidal/lower intertidal where the water is clear most of the time to allow for photosynthesis. Substrate is usually marine silts but may be cobble. Beds are dominated by Zostera marina, Phyllospadix scouleri, Fucus distichus, Postelsia palmiformis, and a host of green and brown algae. Adjacent subtidal zones, where rocky substrates are common, support undersea kelp "forest."
Diagnostic Characteristics: North American Pacific near-shore marine aquatic herbaceous vegetation.
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: Saltwater aquatic herbs (angiosperms and algae) in the near-shore shallow environment.
Floristics: Beds are dominated by Zostera marina (= Zostera pacifica), Phyllospadix scouleri, Fucus distichus, Postelsia palmiformis, and a host of green and brown algae. Adjacent subtidal zones, where rocky substrates are common, support undersea kelp "forest." Description combined from Barbour and Major (1988), Viereck et al. (1992), Holland and Keil (1995), and Boggs (2002).
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: Soil/substrate/hydrology: This group is found in intertidal zones with clear water in bays, inlets and lagoons. Subtidal portions are never exposed, while intertidal areas support species that can tolerate exposure to the air. Common substrates include marine silts, but may also include exposed bedrock and cobble, where many algal species become attached with holdfasts. Stands occur in the subtidal/lower intertidal where the water is clear most of the time to allow for photosynthesis. Description combined from Barbour and Major (1988), Viereck et al. (1992), Holland and Keil (1995), and Boggs (2002).
Geographic Range: This group is found throughout intertidal zones with clear water in bays, inlets and lagoons in the coastal areas of the North Pacific Coast, from California north through Oregon, Washington, British Columbia and north into the Gulf of Alaska, Cook Inlet, and Bristol Bay coasts.
Nations: CA,MX,US
States/Provinces: AK, BC, CA, MXBCN, OR, WA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.849088
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.We Temperate Seagrass Aquatic Vegetation Division | D064 | 5.A.3.We |
| Macrogroup | 5.A.3.We.2 Temperate Pacific Seagrass Intertidal Vegetation Macrogroup | M184 | 5.A.3.We.2 |
| Group | 5.A.3.We.2.a Eelgrass species - Surf-grass species Temperate Pacific Seagrass Bed Group | G373 | 5.A.3.We.2.a |
| Alliance | A4364 Seawrack Temperate Pacific Eelgrass Bed Alliance | A4364 | 5.A.3.We.2.a |
| Alliance | A4365 Scouler''s Surf-grass - Torrey''s Surf-grass Temperate Pacific Seagrass Bed Alliance | A4365 | 5.A.3.We.2.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = III.D.3.a - Eelgrass (Viereck et al. 1992)
- Barbour, M. G., and J. Major, editors. 1988. Terrestrial vegetation of California: New expanded edition. California Native Plant Society, Special Publication 9, Sacramento. 1030 pp.
- Boggs, K. 2002. Terrestrial ecological systems for the Cook Inlet, Bristol Bay, and Alaska Peninsula ecoregions. The Nature Conservancy, Anchorage, AK.
- 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]
- 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.