Print Report
F054 Benthic Vascular Saltwater Vegetation Formation
Type Concept Sentence: The vegetation includes subtidal or intertidal bottoms of rooted vascular vegetation beds commonly dominated by any number of seagrass or eelgrass species, including species of Cymodocea, Halodule, Thalassia, Halophila, Vallisneria, Ruppia, Phyllospadix, and Zostera, and which are usually submersed in the water column or floating on the surface, or exposed during low tides.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Benthic Vascular Saltwater Vegetation Formation
Colloquial Name: Benthic Vascular Saltwater Vegetation
Hierarchy Level: Formation
Type Concept: Benthic Vascular Saltwater Vegetation includes subtidal or intertidal bottoms and any other areas characterized by a dominant cover of rooted vascular plants which are usually submersed in the water column or floating on the surface. They may be exposed during low tides. The vascular vegetation beds are commonly dominated by any number of seagrass or eelgrass species, including Cymodocea, Halodule, Thalassia, Halophila, Vallisneria, Ruppia, Phyllospadix, and Zostera. Seagrass beds may occur in true marine salinities, and they may extend into the lower salinity zones of estuaries. Seagrass beds are complex structural habitats that provide refuge and foraging opportunities for abundant and diverse faunal communities in shallow waters. Seagrass beds require a specific set of ecological conditions for success, and they are generally perceived as areas of high environmental quality.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Non-rooted floating vascular plants are not known to occur in marine environments, and free-floating macroalgae are included under 5.A.1 ~Floating & Suspended Macroalgae Saltwater Vegetation Formation (F052)$$.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: The vegetation includes subtidal or intertidal bottoms and any other areas characterized by a dominant cover of rooted vascular plants that are usually submersed in the water column or floating on the surface. They may be exposed during low tides. The vascular vegetation beds are commonly dominated by any number of seagrass or eelgrass species, including Cymodocea, Halodule, Thalassia, Halophila, Vallisneria, Ruppia, Phyllospadix, and Zostera.
Floristics: No Data Available
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: Seagrass beds may occur in true marine salinities, and they may extend into the lower salinity zones of estuaries. Seagrass beds are complex structural habitats that provide refuge and foraging opportunities for abundant and diverse faunal communities in shallow waters. Seagrass beds require a specific set of ecological conditions for success, and they are generally perceived as areas of high environmental quality.
Geographic Range: This type is found throughout the world''s oceans.
Nations: AU,CA,MX,NZ,US
States/Provinces: No Data Available
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.877228
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 |
| Division | 5.A.3.Wf Temperate Estuarine & Inland Brackish Aquatic Vegetation Division | D065 | 5.A.3.Wf |
| Division | 5.A.3.Xd Tropical Saltwater Vegetation Division | D063 | 5.A.3.Xd |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Biotic Subclass: Aquatic Vascular Vegetation (FGDC 2012)
- FGDC [Federal Geographic Data Committee]. 2012. Coastal and Marine Ecological Classification Standard (Version 4.0). FGDC-STD-018-2012. Federal Geographic Data Committee, FGDC Secretariat, U.S. Geological Survey. Reston, VA. 246 pp. plus appendices.