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D049 Potamogeton spp. - Nuphar spp. - Myriophyllum spp. North American Freshwater Aquatic Vegetation Division
Type Concept Sentence: Floating-leaved and submergent aquatic vegetation found in permanently flooded but shallow freshwater sites across North America.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Pondweed species - Pond-lily species - Water-milfoil species North American Freshwater Aquatic Vegetation Division
Colloquial Name: North American Freshwater Aquatic Vegetation
Hierarchy Level: Division
Type Concept: This division comprises floating-leaved and submergent freshwater herbaceous vegetation found across North America from northern Canada to northern Mexico. Dominant plants are floating-leaved and submergent herbaceous species. Total aquatic vegetation cover can range from moderate to complete. Emergent plants are scattered to absent, with emergent cover <10%. Cosmopolitan species are often dominant in this division, though regional variants occur. Dominant floating-leaved species include Azolla filiculoides, Brasenia schreberi, Nuphar spp., Polygonum amphibium, Potamogeton spp., Ranunculus aquatilis, Ranunculus trichophyllus, Wolffia spp., and Zannichellia palustris. Submerged vegetation such as Ceratophyllum spp., Elodea nuttallii, Elodea canadensis, and Myriophyllum spp. are also common. Non-rooted floating-leaved plants, particularly Lemna spp. and Spirodela polyrrhiza, can be common though their dynamic nature means they may move depending on wind and currents. The division crosses temperate, boreal, and cool semi-desert climates across North America from northern Canada to northern Mexico. Freezing temperatures occur throughout these regions. Hydrologic conditions are relatively stable at these sites with permanent flooding in the growing season and water that moves at moderate speeds or less, except possibly during flood events. Thus, most stands in this division are in the shallower portions of ponds, lakes, and slow-moving edges or backwaters of permanent rivers and streams. Average water depth is often 1 m or more since shallower water is usually dominated by emergent species. The maximum depth in which this division can occur varies with water clarity but it can often be in water 1-3 m deep. Water chemistry is fresh to mildly saline.
Diagnostic Characteristics: Diagnostic criteria include permanently flooded freshwater wetlands with sparse to absent emergent plants and dominated by floating-leaved or submergent herbaceous plants. Dominant floating-leaved species include Azolla filiculoides, Brasenia schreberi, Nuphar spp., Polygonum amphibium, Potamogeton spp., Ranunculus aquatilis, Ranunculus trichophyllus, Wolffia spp., and Zannichellia palustris. Submerged vegetation such as Ceratophyllum spp., Elodea nuttallii, Elodea canadensis, and Myriophyllum spp. are also common. Non-rooted floating-leaved plants include Lemna spp. and Spirodela polyrrhiza.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Stands of this division occur between shallow, emergent marshes or the upland boundary of a wetland and deeper water that does not support rooted vegetation. Stands of this division (D049) often occur adjacent to emergent marshes (2.C.4.Ne ~Atlantic & Gulf Coastal Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Division (D322)$$, 2.C.4.Nd ~Eastern North American Temperate & Boreal Freshwater Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Division (D323)$$, 2.C.4.Nb ~Western North American Temperate & Boreal Freshwater Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Division (D031)$$, or 2.C.4.Nc~Southwestern North American Warm Desert Freshwater Marsh & Bosque Division (D032)$$), but differences in physiognomy and floristics make differentiation relatively easy.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: Dominant plants are floating-leaved and submergent herbaceous species. Total aquatic vegetation cover can range from sparse to dense. Emergent plants are scattered to absent, with <10% cover.
Floristics: Cosmopolitan species are often dominant in this division, though regional variants occur. Dominant floating-leaved species include Azolla filiculoides, Brasenia schreberi, Nuphar spp., Polygonum amphibium, Potamogeton spp., Ranunculus aquatilis, Ranunculus trichophyllus, Wolffia spp., and Zannichellia palustris. Submerged vegetation such as Ceratophyllum spp., Elodea nuttallii, Elodea canadensis, and Myriophyllum spp. are also common. Non-rooted floating-leaved plants, particularly Lemna spp. and Spirodela polyrrhiza, can be common, though their dynamic nature means they may move depending on wind and currents.
Dynamics: Non-rooted floating-leaved plants may move over waterbodies depending on wind and currents. Where water levels fluctuate, or decline due to hydrological changes to a waterbody, emergent vegetation may establish, and this type may succeed to emergent wetland types.
Environmental Description: Climate: The division crosses temperate, boreal, and cool semi-desert climates across North America from northern Canada to northern Mexico. Freezing temperatures occur throughout these regions.
Soils/substrate: Hydrologic conditions are relatively stable at these sites with permanent flooding in the growing season and water that moves at moderate speeds or less, except possibly during flood events. Thus, most stands in this division are in the shallower portions of ponds, lakes, and slow-moving edges or backwaters of permanent rivers and streams. Average water depth is often 1 m or more since shallower water is usually dominated by emergent species. The maximum depth in which this division can occur varies with water clarity but it can often be in water 1-3 m deep. Water chemistry is fresh to mildly saline.
Biogeography: This division extends across all of temperate, boreal and cool semi-desert regions of North America, driven largely by the presence of available permanent waterbodies that are deep enough to exclude emergent vegetation.
Soils/substrate: Hydrologic conditions are relatively stable at these sites with permanent flooding in the growing season and water that moves at moderate speeds or less, except possibly during flood events. Thus, most stands in this division are in the shallower portions of ponds, lakes, and slow-moving edges or backwaters of permanent rivers and streams. Average water depth is often 1 m or more since shallower water is usually dominated by emergent species. The maximum depth in which this division can occur varies with water clarity but it can often be in water 1-3 m deep. Water chemistry is fresh to mildly saline.
Biogeography: This division extends across all of temperate, boreal and cool semi-desert regions of North America, driven largely by the presence of available permanent waterbodies that are deep enough to exclude emergent vegetation.
Geographic Range: This division occurs throughout North America from northern Canada to northern Mexico and from coastal areas (though not ocean-influenced waters) to montane sites.
Nations: CA,GL,MX,US
States/Provinces: AB, AK, AL, AR, BC, CA, CO, CT, DE, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MB, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MS, MT, NB, NC, ND, NE, NF, NH, NJ, NM, NS, NV, NY, OH, OK, ON, OR, PA, PE, QC, RI, SC, SD, SK, TN, TX, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.860357
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.B Freshwater Aquatic Vegetation Subclass | S13 | 5.B |
| Formation | 5.B.2 Temperate to Polar Freshwater Aquatic Vegetation Formation | F057 | 5.B.2 |
| Division | 5.B.2.Na North American Freshwater Aquatic Vegetation Division | D049 | 5.B.2.Na |
| Macrogroup | 5.B.2.Na.1 Hornwort species - Pond-lily species - Pondweed species Eastern North American Freshwater Aquatic Vegetation Macrogroup | M108 | 5.B.2.Na.1 |
| Macrogroup | 5.B.2.Na.2 Rocky Mountain Pond-lily - Pacific Mosquito Fern - Western Waterweed Western North American Freshwater Aquatic Vegetation Macrogroup | M109 | 5.B.2.Na.2 |
| Macrogroup | 5.B.2.Na.3 Common Mare''s-tail - Mixed Boreal Aquatic Vegetation Macrogroup | M871 | 5.B.2.Na.3 |
| Macrogroup | 5.B.2.Na.90 Common Water-hyacinth - Brazilian Waterweed - Alligator-weed Ruderal Aquatic Vegetation Macrogroup | M401 | 5.B.2.Na.90 |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: > Lacustrine, Aquatic Beds, Rooted Vascular (Cowardin et al. 1979)
> Palustrine, Aquatic Beds, Rooted Vascular (Cowardin et al. 1979)
> Riverine, Aquatic Beds, Rooted Vascular (Cowardin et al. 1979)
> Palustrine, Aquatic Beds, Rooted Vascular (Cowardin et al. 1979)
> Riverine, Aquatic Beds, Rooted Vascular (Cowardin et al. 1979)
- Barbour, M. G., and W. D. Billings, editors. 2000. North American terrestrial vegetation. Second edition. Cambridge University Press, New York. 434 pp.
- Cowardin, L. M., V. Carter, F. C. Golet, and E. T. LaRoe. 1979. Classification of wetlands and deepwater habitats of the United States. FWS/OBS-79/31. USDI Fish & Wildlife Service, Office of Biological Services, Washington, DC. 103 pp.
- 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]
- Mitsch, W. J., and J. G. Gosselink. 2000. Wetlands. Third edition. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York. 920 pp.