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G764 Great Lakes Sand Beach Group
Type Concept Sentence: These sand beaches occur along the shores of the Great Lakes where waves and ice-scour maintain open, nearly barren sand. Vegetation cover is sparse.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Great Lakes Sand Beach Group
Colloquial Name: Great Lakes Sand Beach
Hierarchy Level: Group
Type Concept: This group is found along the shores of the Great Lakes, particularly along Lake Michigan. It is found on sandy substrates with little or no soil development within a few meters elevation of the water. The sandy substrate is not stabilized by significant vegetation and is easily moved. Stands of this group are subject to frequent disturbance by wind, waves, and ice-scour. Stands are typically narrow and linear but may extend for miles along the lakeshore. Vegetation is absent to sparse; that which is present is short and dominated by herbaceous species. Cakile edentula is the most common species. Chamaesyce polygonifolia, Juncus arcticus ssp. littoralis, Lathyrus japonicus, and Argentina anserina can be found, as well. Ammophila breviligulata may be present where dunes are associated with the beach.
Diagnostic Characteristics: Cakile edentula is the most common species.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: There may be small dunes within this group, but areas where dunes are more extensive should be placed within ~Great Lakes Dune Group (G089)$$. Cobble beaches are not included in this group but are in ~Eastern North American Inland Beach & Rocky Shore Group (G342)$$.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: Vegetation is absent to sparse; that which is present is short and dominated by herbaceous species or sometimes short shrubs and vines.
Floristics: Cakile edentula is common. Chamaesyce polygonifolia (= Euphorbia polygonifolia), Juncus arcticus ssp. littoralis (= Juncus balticus), Lathyrus japonicus, and Argentina anserina (= Potentilla anserina) can be found, as well. Ammophila breviligulata may be present where dunes are associated with the beach. Areas that have avoided significant wave or ice-scour action for a few years can have greater cover of vegetation, often from nearby dune communities. Shrubs that may be found in these areas include Juniperus communis, Juniperus horizontalis, Prunus pumila, Salix spp., and Toxicodendron rydbergii. Tree seedlings can establish in times of limited disturbance but are usually killed by subsequent wave or ice-scour.
Dynamics: Stands are subject to frequent disturbance by wind, waves (with storm surges), and ice-scour. This leads to erosion or deposition of the sandy substrate by wind or water. The disturbances keep the beaches nearly free of vegetation.
Environmental Description: This type is found on sandy substrates with little or no soil development within a few meters elevation of the water. It rarely extends more than 30-50 m from the water. The sandy substrate is not stabilized by significant vegetation and is easily moved. Stands are subject to frequent disturbance by wind, waves, and ice-scour. In areas with abundant sand, such as Lake Michigan, this group can be found on long stretches of the shoreline, sometimes next to more vegetated dunes. In areas with less sand, this group is limited to protected bays or near river mouths where sand can accumulate.
Geographic Range: This group is found in along the margins of the Great Lakes from western Lake Superior to Lake Erie and possibly into Lake Ontario. It is most common along Lake Michigan and widely scattered or absent in other areas, such as the Minnesota shore and northern Lake Superior. In Minnesota it is largely confined to Minnesota Point in the estuary of the St. Louis River.
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: IL?, IN, MB, MI, MN, NY, OH, ON, PA, VT, WI
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.889709
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.B Temperate & Boreal Grassland & Shrubland Subclass | S18 | 2.B |
| Formation | 2.B.4 Temperate to Polar Scrub & Herb Coastal Vegetation Formation | F005 | 2.B.4 |
| Division | 2.B.4.Na Eastern North American Coastal Scrub & Herb Vegetation Division | D026 | 2.B.4.Na |
| Macrogroup | 2.B.4.Na.1 Eastern North American Coastal Beach & Rocky Shore Macrogroup | M060 | 2.B.4.Na.1 |
| Group | 2.B.4.Na.1.d Great Lakes Sand Beach Group | G764 | 2.B.4.Na.1.d |
| Alliance | A4008 American Searocket Great Lakes Beach Alliance | A4008 | 2.B.4.Na.1.d |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Great Lakes Beach (Epstein et al. 2002)
= Sand Beach (Lake Superior) Type [LKu32c] (Minnesota DNR 2010b)
< Sand and Gravel Beach (Kost et al. 2007)
= Sand Beach (Lake Superior) Type [LKu32c] (Minnesota DNR 2010b)
< Sand and Gravel Beach (Kost et al. 2007)
- Epstein, E. J., E. J. Judziewicz, and E. A. Spencer. 2002. Wisconsin natural community abstracts. Department of Natural Resources, Bureau of Endangered Resources, Madison, WI. [http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/EndangeredResources/Communities.asp?mode=detail&Code=CTGEO092WI]
- 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]
- Kost, M. A., D. A. Albert, J. G. Cohen, B. S. Slaughter, R. K. Schillo, C. R. Weber, and K. A. Chapman. 2007. Natural communities of Michigan: Classification and description. Report No. 2007-21, Michigan Natural Features Inventory, Lansing. 314 pp. [http://web4.msue.msu.edu/mnfi/reports/2007-21_Natural_Communites_of_Michigan_Classification_and_Description.pdf]
- Minnesota DNR [Minnesota Department of Natural Resources]. 2010b. Native plant communities of Minnesota. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, St. Paul. [http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/npc/index.html]