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A0075 Avicennia germinans - Laguncularia racemosa Basin Mangrove Alliance

Type Concept Sentence: This alliance consists of non-tidal mangrove forests of Avicennia germinans, Conocarpus erectus, Laguncularia racemosa, and Rhizophora mangle on seasonally flooded peats in depressions on islands in the Caribbean, the Florida Keys and southern peninsular Florida.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Black Mangrove - White Mangrove Basin Mangrove Alliance

Colloquial Name: Black & White Basin Mangrove

Hierarchy Level:  Alliance

Type Concept: This alliance consists of short, tidal and non-tidal mangrove forests on seasonally flooded peats in interior depressions of islands in the Caribbean, including the Florida Keys and on the mainland of southern peninsular Florida. These communities are often referred to as basin mangrove communities. The mangrove canopy is usually 3-12 m (10-39 feet) high, closed, and consists of a variable mixture of Avicennia germinans, Conocarpus erectus, Laguncularia racemosa, and Rhizophora mangle. Ficus aurea may be present, as well. The subcanopy and shrub strata can be well-developed. Epiphytes in some associations are abundant and diverse, and include a number of Tillandsia spp., among others.

Diagnostic Characteristics: These communities are often referred to as basin mangrove communities and occur in depressions. The mangrove canopy is usually 3-12 m high, closed, and consists of a variable mixture of Avicennia germinans, Conocarpus erectus, Laguncularia racemosa, and Rhizophora mangle.

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: Basin forest is one of the five major mangrove community types widely recognized (Lugo and Snedaker 1974, Odum et al. 1982). It has also been called Basin Mangrove Forest (Gilmore and Snedaker 1993). This alliance should be further crosswalked to the Caribbean (Borhidi 1991) classification units, some of the old basin mangrove alliances have been. Some of the included associations are not strictly basin mangroves, but are in areas above the normal high tide line. This is the one alliance in ~Caribbean Basin Mangrove Group (G003)$$ and includes all associations in that group.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: These are evergreen wetland forests, the mangrove canopy is usually 3-12 m (10-39 feet) high and closed.

Floristics: The canopy consists of a variable mixture of Avicennia germinans, Conocarpus erectus, Laguncularia racemosa, and Rhizophora mangle. Ficus aurea may be present, as well. The subcanopy and shrub strata can be well-developed, and in some associations include species such as Jacquinia keyensis, Sideroxylon celastrinum, Lycium carolinianum, Rhabdadenia biflora, and Batis maritima. Herbs can include Cladium mariscus ssp. jamaicense, Ipomoea violacea, and Acrostichum spp. Epiphytes in some associations are abundant and diverse, and include Encyclia tampensis, Tillandsia flexuosa, Tillandsia paucifolia, Tillandsia fasciculata, Tillandsia balbisiana, Tillandsia bartramii x fasciculata (= Tillandsia x smalliana), Tillandsia utriculata, and Vanilla barbellata.

Dynamics:  Basin mangrove is subject to flooding, from rainfall and from storm surge associated with tropical storms. High wind and freezing temperatures are also part of the natural dynamics, which open the forest canopy. Hurricanes can deposit sand in low coastal areas, altering the pattern of coastal depressions.
Environmental Description:  This alliance occurs on tidal and non-tidal seasonally flooded peats in interior depressions on islands in the Caribbean and Florida Keys and on the mainland of south Florida.
Geographic Range: This alliance is found in tropical and subtropical Florida, and in coastal areas of the Caribbean.

Nations: CU,PR,US

States/Provinces:  FL


Confidence Level: Moderate

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR

Greasons: No Data Available
Type Name Database Code Classification Code
Class 1 Forest & Woodland Class C01 1
Subclass 1.A Tropical Forest & Woodland Subclass S17 1.A
Formation 1.A.5 Mangrove Formation F006 1.A.5
Division 1.A.5.Ua Atlantic-Caribbean & East Pacific Mangrove Division D004 1.A.5.Ua
Macrogroup 1.A.5.Ua.3 Black Mangrove - White Mangrove - Red Mangrove Macrogroup M005 1.A.5.Ua.3
Group 1.A.5.Ua.3.a Black Mangrove - White Mangrove Forest Group G003 1.A.5.Ua.3.a
Alliance A0075 Black Mangrove - White Mangrove Basin Mangrove Alliance A0075 1.A.5.Ua.3.a
Association CEGL003798 Button Mangrove - (White Mangrove) / Swamp Sawgrass Scrub CEGL003798 1.A.5.Ua.3.a
Association CEGL003806 Button Mangrove - (White Mangrove) / Turtleweed - Bushy Seaside-tansy / Annual Seepweed Scrub CEGL003806 1.A.5.Ua.3.a
Association CEGL007053 Red Mangrove - White Mangrove - Black Mangrove - Button Mangrove / Joewood Forest CEGL007053 1.A.5.Ua.3.a
Association CEGL007061 Black Mangrove - (Red Mangrove) / Turtleweed Basin Forest CEGL007061 1.A.5.Ua.3.a
Association CEGL007063 White Mangrove Basin Forest CEGL007063 1.A.5.Ua.3.a
Association CEGL007067 Red Mangrove - (Black Mangrove, White Mangrove) / Leatherfern species Forest CEGL007067 1.A.5.Ua.3.a
Concept Lineage: (description from old Alliance A.75, the text seems to fit this new alliance)

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: ? Conocarpo-Laguncularion Alliance (Borhidi 1991)
> Basin Avicennia (Bacon 1993)
> Basin Laguncularia (Bacon 1993)
> Basin Rhizophora (Bacon 1993)
= Basin Forest (Lugo and Snedaker 1974)
= Basin Mangrove Forest (Gilmore and Snedaker 1993)
> Basin Mixed Mangrove (Bacon 1993)
< Mangrove: 106 (Eyre 1980)
Concept Author(s): A.E. Lugo and S.C. Snedaker (1974)

Author of Description: C. Nordman and A.S. Weakley

Acknowledgements: We have incorporated significant descriptive information previously compiled by Eileen Helmer.

Version Date: 01-08-14
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  • 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.
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  • Odum, W. E., and C. C. McIvor. 1990. Mangroves. Pages 517-548 in: R. L. Myers and J. J. Ewel, editors. Ecosystems of Florida. University of Central Florida Press, Orlando.
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  • Tomlinson, P. B. 1986b. The botany of mangroves. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge. 419 pp.