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M735 Spartina alterniflora - Batis maritima - Sesuvium portulacastrum Salt Marsh Macrogroup
Type Concept Sentence: This macrogroup comprises all regularly and irregularly flooded tidal marshes of the tropical western Atlantic and Caribbean coasts, ranging from polyhaline (salt) marshes to mesohaline (brackish) marshes, dominated or characterized by an abundance of halophytic species, typically including dwarf evergreen shrubs Batis maritima, Cryptocarpus pyriformis, Rachicallis americana, and graminoids Cyperus laevigatus, Distichlis spicata, Paspalum vaginatum, Sporobolus virginicus, and Spartina alterniflora.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Smooth Cordgrass - Turtleweed - Shoreline Sea-purslane Salt Marsh Macrogroup
Colloquial Name: Tropical Western Atlantic-Caribbean Salt Marsh
Hierarchy Level: Macrogroup
Type Concept: This macrogroup comprises all regularly and irregularly flooded tidal marshes of the tropical western Atlantic and Caribbean coasts, ranging from polyhaline (salt) marshes to mesohaline (brackish) marshes, often associated with mangroves. The macrogroup also includes communities found in semipermanently flooded coastal ponds or lagoons, or tidally flooded salt flats, as well as sand and mudflats behind barrier beaches. The vegetation is dominated or characterized by an abundance of halophytic species, including grasses, sedges, low shrubs or succulents. Dominant graminoids include Cyperus laevigatus, Cyperus ligularis, Distichlis spicata, Paspalum vaginatum, Sporobolus virginicus, Juncus roemerianus, and Spartina alterniflora. Succulent herbs include Alternanthera maritima, Blutaparon portulacoides, Blutaparon vermiculare, and Sesuvium portulacastrum. Halophytic shrubs include Atriplex cristata, Batis maritima, Cryptocarpus pyriformis, and Salicornia "virginica" s.l. (Salicornia "fruticosa" s.l.). Salt marsh shrub thickets are dominated by Hibiscus tiliaceus, forming an often dense belt of thickets immediately inland from mangrove formations of the Brazilian and Guianan coasts. Essentially monospecific communities of mud and salt flats dominated by Batis maritima are also included in this macrogroup.
Diagnostic Characteristics: This macrogroup is dominated by halophytic, succulent dwarf evergreen shrubs Batis maritima, Cryptocarpus pyriformis, Rachicallis americana, annual or perennial succulents, and by graminoids Cyperus laevigatus, Distichlis spicata, Paspalum vaginatum, Sporobolus virginicus, and Spartina alterniflora. Further review is needed to determine whether distinctive tropical species can be listed that separate this type from the temperate salt marshes.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: It is unclear if tropical salt marshes occur in south Florida, but if they are associated with mangrove habitats, they would be included here.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: This macrogroup is characterized by halophytic succulent dwarf-shrubs and herbs, and graminoids, with a notably simple structure, often forming large, even-height monotypic patches, especially where tidal flooding is regular. Marshes of mixed height, comprising graminoids and forbs, are often more characteristic in brackish settings. Shrubs may be interspersed, especially near the transition to upland or non-tidal vegetation, with graminoid cover remaining extensive below. Where present, shrub cover can range widely. Vegetation may also be very sparse on immediate shorelines and tidal flats.
Floristics: The vegetation is dominated or characterized by an abundance of halophytic species, including grasses, sedges, low shrubs or succulents. Dominant graminoids include Cyperus laevigatus, Distichlis spicata, Paspalum vaginatum, Sporobolus virginicus, and Spartina alterniflora (= Spartina brasiliensis). Succulent herbs include Alternanthera maritima, Blutaparon vermiculare (= Philoxerus vermicularis), Philoxerus portulacoides, and Sesuvium portulacastrum. Halophytic shrubs include Atriplex cristata, Batis maritima, Cryptocarpus pyriformis, and Salicornia "virginica" s.l. (Salicornia "fruticosa" s.l.). Salt marsh shrub thickets are dominated by Hibiscus tiliaceus, forming an often dense belt of thickets immediately inland from mangrove formations of the Brazilian and Guianan coasts (Institute of Terrestrial Ecology 1996).
Dynamics: The main natural factors that are responsible for the vegetation composition and processes in the estuarine and coastal wetland habitats where these marshes develop are freshwater flow, seasonal freshwater pulsing, estuarine salinity, tidal flushing, coastal geomorphology, and depositional area for sediment and nutrient input. Adams (1990) states that there may be a dynamic relationship between mangroves and salt marsh; as the salt marsh advances seaward, so the upper part of the marsh is invaded and replaced by mangrove.
Environmental Description: Where hypersaline conditions develop in the upper intertidal zone, extensive salt flats may occur above the level of mangrove (Adams 1990). West (1977) states that extensive salt marshes can occur as (1) a pioneer community on the ocean side of mangroves, (2) as a zone on the inner edge or within a mangrove stand, or (3) as a secondary or disturbance type on disturbed or degraded mangrove stands. These disturbed types may be dominated by Spartina alterniflora or the fern Acrostichum aureum. Salt marshes and salt flats are regularly to irregularly flooded by shallow polyhaline waters as a result of lunar, wind and storm tides. Brackish tidal marshes develop along estuaries where freshwater mixes with ocean saltwater moving up the estuary from the tidal force. They also occur near uplands where freshwater inputs reduce the salinity of the salt marsh. Waters in brackish marshes are generally in the salinity range of 0.5-18 ppt, and the vegetation is subject to flooding from the twice-daily tides. Salt marsh soils range from deep mucks with high clay and organic content in the deeper portions to silts and fine sands in higher areas. The organic soils have a high salinity, neutral reaction, and high sulfur content (FNAI 2010a).
Geographic Range: This macrogroup is found in the Antilles and the Caribbean and Atlantic coasts of South America south to southern Brazil.
Nations: BR,BS,CO,CU,DO,GY,JM,KY,MQ,PR,SR,US,VE,VI,XC
States/Provinces: FL
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.885064
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.Ue Tropical Atlantic Coastal Salt Marsh Division | D037 | 2.C.5.Ue |
| Macrogroup | 2.C.5.Ue.1 Smooth Cordgrass - Turtleweed - Shoreline Sea-purslane Salt Marsh Macrogroup | M735 | 2.C.5.Ue.1 |
| Group | 2.C.5.Ue.1.a Turtleweed Caribbean Salt Flat & Pond Group | G486 | 2.C.5.Ue.1.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Batidi-Salicornietea (Borhidi 1991)
< Tropical coastal salt marshes (Institute of Terrestrial Ecology 1996) [The authors include in this type all Caribbean and South American salt marshes. We include only the Atlantic and Caribbean salt marsh.]
< Tropical coastal salt marshes (Institute of Terrestrial Ecology 1996) [The authors include in this type all Caribbean and South American salt marshes. We include only the Atlantic and Caribbean salt marsh.]
- Adam, P. 1990. Saltmarsh Ecology. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. 461 pp.
- Borhidi, A. 1991. Phytogeography and vegetation ecology of Cuba. Akademiai Kiado. Budapest, Hungary. 858 pp. plus color plates and map by A. Borhidi and O. Muniz (1970) inside of back cover.
- FNAI [Florida Natural Areas Inventory]. 2010a. Guide to the natural communities of Florida: 2010 edition. Florida Natural Areas Inventory, Tallahassee, FL. 228 pp. [https://fnai.org/naturalcommguide.cfm]
- 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]
- Institute of Terrestrial Ecology. 1996. Habitats of South America. Report May 1996. Institute of Terrestrial Ecology and Institut Royal des Sciences Naturelles de Belgique. 417 pp.
- West, R. C. 1977. Tidal salt-marsh and mangal formations of Middle and South America. Pages 193-213 in: V. J. Chapmann, editor. Ecosystems of the world. 1. Wet coastal ecosystems. Elsevier, Amsterdam.