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G535 Carex subspathacea - Dupontia fisheri Salt Marsh Group

Type Concept Sentence: This group is defined as sparse to closed growth of halophytic, clonal graminoids such as Puccinellia phryganodes, Carex subspathacea, and Dupontia fisheri and the succulent forbs Stellaria humifusa and Cochlearia groenlandica occupying the intertidal zone of the Bering Sea and Arctic Ocean coastlines.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Hoppner''s Sedge - Fisher''s Tundragrass Salt Marsh Group

Colloquial Name: Arctic & Subarctic Coastal Salt Marsh

Hierarchy Level:  Group

Type Concept: This group is defined as sparse to closed assemblages of forbs and graminoids that are highly adapted to saturation and saline conditions that occupy the intertidal zone of the Bering Sea and Arctic Ocean coastlines. Characteristic species include the halophytic graminoids Puccinellia phryganodes, Carex subspathacea, and Dupontia fisheri and the succulent forbs Stellaria humifusa and Cochlearia groenlandica. Arctic salt marshes develop in protected coastal areas where relatively flat land receives periodic input of tidal waters. Depending on local topography and exposure, marshes may be small patch to matrix-forming. Dynamics are chiefly driven by the inundation of tidal waters, which erode and redeposit salt marsh sediment. The severity and magnitude of these effects are compounded by storm events, ice rafting and thermal degradation of ice-rich coastal permafrost (where present).

Diagnostic Characteristics: This group is defined as sparse to closed assemblages of forbs and graminoids that are highly adapted to saturation and saline conditions occupying the intertidal zone of the Bering Sea and Arctic Ocean coastlines. Woody and nonvascular species are generally absent.

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: The concept for this group is tentative. Possible bases for distinction include (a) Low Arctic Region versus High Arctic Region Salt marsh, (b) Western North American vs. Eastern North American Coastal Salt Marsh, or (c) Arctic Low Salt Marsh (i.e., outer tidal) versus Arctic High Salt Marsh (inner tidal).

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: This group is represented by halophytic vegetation largely composed of succulent forbs and clonal graminoids. Woody and nonvascular species are generally absent.

Floristics: This dynamic environment supports plants highly adapted to saturation and saline conditions. At the seaward edge barren mudflats are pioneered by clonal growth of the halophytic grass Puccinellia phryganodes and the sedge Carex subspathacea. This type is subsequently colonized by the halophytic, succulent forbs Stellaria humifusa and Cochlearia groenlandica. A more diverse assemblage of salt-tolerant grasses and forbs develops landward. Characteristic species of the high marsh are the sedges Carex ramenskii and Carex glareosa, the grasses Dupontia fisheri and Calamagrostis deschampsioides, and the forbs Chrysanthemum arcticum and Hippuris tetraphylla. When present the dwarf willow Salix ovalifolia occupies land that receives salt spray but is not regularly inundated by tidal waters. Arctic Ocean tidal marshes support several species that are uncommon along the Bering Sea coast, including Carex ursina, Dupontia fisheri, Puccinellia andersonii, and Puccinellia arctica. Conversely, Carex lyngbyei begins to replace Carex ramenskii south of the Seward Peninsula and Argentina egedii and Triglochin palustris are more common along the Bering Sea coast.

Dynamics:  Wind and water (in its many forms) are the driving forces along northern coastlines. Meteorological tides coupled with storm events create tidal surges that reach well above and beyond normal elevations and inland extents of seasonal high tides. Such high-energy events cause the rapid erosion and redeposition of coastal sediment. To a lesser, more localized extent, rafted ice may scour coastlines and push gravel to form beach ridges. Unique to permafrost regions is the thermal degradation of permanently and perennially frozen sediment. Here, the thawing of ice-rich permafrost and/or the melting of massive ice results in the consolidation and deformation of the soil surface, which in turn promotes the further inundation and erosion of coastal tundra. Across longer timescales the coupled effects of isostatic rebound, tectonic uplift or subsidence and eustatic sea level change are important drivers. On the Beaufort seacoast and in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta the boundaries of the Puccinellia phryganodes, Carex subspathacea, and Carex ramenskii communities are maintained in part by grazing geese such as Black Brant (Branta bernicla nigricans).
Environmental Description:  As an interface between the ocean and land, tidal marshes combine aquatic and terrestrial habitats, anoxic and oxic conditions, as well as saline and fresh waters. Tidal marshes develop in protected coastal areas where relatively flat land receives periodic input of tidal waters. Along the Arctic seacoast tidal marshes form a narrow fringe along tidal river channels, inlets and deltas and within tidal lagoons, estuaries and across inundated tundra. By comparison, along the Bering seacoast tidal marshes range from small patches forming in protected topographic pockets of the harsh Aleutian coast, to large lagoonal systems forming behind barrier beaches, to extensive inland complexes lining the tidally-influenced waters of the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta. Silts and fine-grained sands are imported from large river deltas or from adjacent coastlines via longshore drift. Permafrost is present in most arctic tidal marshes where it promotes inundation of surface waters by restricting drainage. Permafrost becomes discontinuous in western Alaska and is absent in the Aleutian Islands.
Geographic Range: This group occurs along Alaska''s Aleutian and Arctic coastlines, from the Alaska Peninsula and Bristol Bay lowlands in southwestern Alaska to the North Slope on the Arctic Ocean.

Nations: CA,GL?,IS,NO,RU,US

States/Provinces:  AK, LB, MB, NT, NU, QC, YT


Confidence Level: Moderate

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR

Greasons: No Data Available
Type Name Database Code Classification Code
Class 2 Shrub & Herb Vegetation Class C02 2
Subclass 2.C Shrub & Herb Wetland Subclass S44 2.C
Formation 2.C.5 Salt Marsh Formation F035 2.C.5
Division 2.C.5.Nk Arctic Coastal Salt Marsh Division D187 2.C.5.Nk
Macrogroup 2.C.5.Nk.1 Arctic Tidal Salt Marsh Macrogroup M403 2.C.5.Nk.1
Group 2.C.5.Nk.1.a Hoppner''s Sedge - Fisher''s Tundragrass Salt Marsh Group G535 2.C.5.Nk.1.a
Alliance A4311 Cosmopolitan Bulrush Low Salt Marsh Alliance A4311 2.C.5.Nk.1.a
Alliance A4312 Oval-leaf Willow - Mackenzie''s Sedge Salt Marsh Alliance A4312 2.C.5.Nk.1.a
Alliance A4313 Ramensk''s Sedge - Seaside Arrow-grass High Salt Marsh Alliance A4313 2.C.5.Nk.1.a
Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: < III.A.3.i - Halophytic wet sedge meadow (Viereck et al. 1992)
Concept Author(s): Western Ecology Group and Alaska Natural Heritage Program

Author of Description: L. Flagstad

Acknowledgements: M.E. Hall and G. Kittel

Version Date: 01-19-16
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