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M106 Temperate Pacific Seaweed Intertidal Vegetation Macrogroup
Type Concept Sentence: This macrogroup is of marine algae living on tidal flats and rocky areas in the near-shore intertidal zone of the temperate North America Pacific coast. Some dominant species include Enteromorpha spp., Fucus distichus, Postelsia palmiformis, and Vaucheria longicaulis.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Temperate Pacific Seaweed Intertidal Vegetation Macrogroup
Colloquial Name: Temperate Pacific Seaweed Intertidal Vegetation
Hierarchy Level: Macrogroup
Type Concept: This macrogroup consists of algal communities on coastal flats and intertidal rocky zones found along the north Pacific coast from Kodiak Island and Cook Inlet, Alaska, south to central California. 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. Dominant species include Enteromorpha spp., Fucus distichus, Postelsia palmiformis, and Vaucheria longicaulis. Habitats are tidal flats of mud or gravel, rocky intertidal pools and reefs. These habitats are exposed and inundated daily and sometimes twice daily.
Diagnostic Characteristics: Tidal surfaces with algal communities exposed daily at low tide.
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-statured (<0.5 m) herbaceous submerged and exposed saltwater algae-dominated areas within the intertidal zone.
Floristics: Characteristic species include Enteromorpha spp., Fucus distichus, Postelsia palmiformis, and Vaucheria longicaulis. Floristic information compiled in part from Viereck et al. (1992), Holland and Keil (1995), and Boggs (2002).
Dynamics: The near-shore intertidal zone is exposed daily (and sometimes twice daily) at low tide. Depth and extent of inundation may change due to tectonic uplift or subsidence, or by significant sedimentation.
Environmental Description: Soil/substrate/hydrology: Tidal flats of mud and gravel or rocky substrates. Tidal flats form a narrow band along oceanic inlets and are more extensive at the mouths of larger rivers. Tidal inundation of salt or brackish water and exposure occurs daily (in some cases twice daily). Environmental information compiled in part from Viereck et al. (1992), Holland and Keil (1995), and Boggs (2002).
Geographic Range: This macrogroup 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.2.860669
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 |
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.