Print Report
M184 Temperate Pacific Seagrass Intertidal Vegetation Macrogroup
Type Concept Sentence: This macrogroup contains the sub-tidal and intertidal zones of temperate North America Pacific Coast dominated by seagrass and surfgrass and other vascular species, including Zostera marina and Phyllospadix scouleri.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Temperate Pacific Seagrass Intertidal Vegetation Macrogroup
Colloquial Name: Temperate Pacific Seagrass Intertidal Vegetation
Hierarchy Level: Macrogroup
Type Concept: This macrogroup consists of marine near-shore intertidal beds dominated by macrophytic algae and marine aquatic angiosperms. Beds are dominated by Zostera marina and Phyllospadix scouleri. Algae consists of Fucus distichus, Postelsia palmiformis, and other green and brown algae species. 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. They occur throughout intertidal zones with clear water along the temperate North American Pacific Coast, from Baja California north to Bristol Bay, Alaska. Stands occur in subtidal zones that are never exposed, as well as intertidal zones exposed to air.
Diagnostic Characteristics: North American Pacific near-shore marine aquatic vascular herbaceous vegetation.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This macrogroup includes only vascular marine plants.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: Saltwater aquatic herbs in the near-shore shallow environment.
Floristics: Beds are dominated by flowering plants such as Zostera marina (= Zostera pacifica) and Phyllospadix scouleri. Algae species include Fucus distichus and Postelsia palmiformis, as well as a host of additional green and brown algae species. Description is based on 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 macrogroup 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. 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 macrogroup is found in along the temperate North America Pacific Coast, from Baja California, Mexico, north through California, 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.2.860421
Confidence Level: High
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 |
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.