Print Report
A0345 Nyssa aquatica Swamp Forest Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: These semipermanently flooded forested riverine swamps are dominated by Nyssa aquatica, with Carya aquatica, Fraxinus caroliniana, Fraxinus profunda, Nyssa biflora, Planera aquatica, Populus heterophylla, and Quercus lyrata.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Water Tupelo Swamp Forest Alliance
Colloquial Name: Water Tupelo Swamp Forest
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: This alliance encompasses semipermanently flooded forested riverine swamps dominated by Nyssa aquatica. Other canopy and subcanopy species may include Carya aquatica, Fraxinus caroliniana, Fraxinus profunda, Nyssa biflora, Planera aquatica, Populus heterophylla, and Quercus lyrata. Shrubs and herbs are typically limited to tree bases, fallen logs, and other elevated places in the stand. Itea virginica is often the only shrub present. Herbaceous species may be absent and often are sparse. Species present can include Asclepias perennis, Boehmeria cylindrica, Carex glaucescens, Carex joorii, Justicia ovata, Leersia lenticularis, Onoclea sensibilis, Phanopyrum gymnocarpon, Pluchea camphorata, Proserpinaca pectinata, Rudbeckia laciniata, Sagittaria latifolia, Saururus cernuus, Triadenum walteri, and others. Associations in this alliance occur in backwater sloughs, low wet flats, swales and backswamps, and along blackwater streams and other alluvial settings. Surface water is present throughout the growing season in most years. Forests in this alliance occur virtually throughout the Atlantic and Gulf coastal plains and the Mississippi River Alluvial Plain within the range of Nyssa aquatica, and in the Arkansas River Valley; also reported from the Mobile and Tensaw rivers in Alabama.
Diagnostic Characteristics: These are semipermanently flooded forested riverine swamps dominated by Nyssa aquatica.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This alliance differs from the old alliance Nyssa aquatica - (Taxodium distichum) Semipermanently Flooded Forest Alliance (A.345) in that it more strictly separates the Nyssa aquatica-dominated forests from mixed Nyssa aquatica - Taxodium distichum forests. Associations in this alliance retain the semipermanent hydrologic status of the old A.345.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Examples are dominated by Nyssa aquatica. Other canopy and subcanopy species may include Carya aquatica, Fraxinus caroliniana, Fraxinus profunda, Nyssa biflora, Planera aquatica, Populus heterophylla, and Quercus lyrata. Shrubs and herbs are typically limited to tree bases, fallen logs, and other elevated places in the stand. Itea virginica is often the only shrub present. Herbaceous species may be absent and often are sparse. Species present can include Asclepias perennis, Boehmeria cylindrica, Carex glaucescens, Carex joorii, Justicia ovata, Leersia lenticularis, Onoclea sensibilis, Phanopyrum gymnocarpon (= Panicum gymnocarpon), Pluchea camphorata, Proserpinaca pectinata, Rudbeckia laciniata, Sagittaria latifolia, Saururus cernuus, Triadenum walteri, and others.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: Associations in this alliance occur in backwater sloughs, low wet flats, swales and backswamps, and along blackwater streams and other alluvial settings. Examples may occur in artificial lakes and millponds and other situations with altered or enhanced hydrology. Surface water is present throughout the growing season in most years.
Geographic Range: Vegetation of this alliance is found in the Atlantic and Gulf coastal plains from Virginia to Texas, and the Mississippi River Alluvial Plain north to Missouri, in the Arkansas River Valley, and the Mobile and Tensaw rivers in Alabama.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AL, AR, FL, GA, IL, KY, LA, MO, MS, NC?, SC, TN, TX, VA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.898983
Confidence Level: Low
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.B Temperate & Boreal Forest & Woodland Subclass | S15 | 1.B |
| Formation | 1.B.3 Temperate Flooded & Swamp Forest Formation | F026 | 1.B.3 |
| Division | 1.B.3.Nb Southeastern North American Flooded & Swamp Forest Division | D062 | 1.B.3.Nb |
| Macrogroup | 1.B.3.Nb.4 Swamp Chestnut Oak - Bald-cypress - Pecan Southern Floodplain Forest Macrogroup | M031 | 1.B.3.Nb.4 |
| Group | 1.B.3.Nb.4.c Bald-cypress - Water Tupelo Floodplain Forest Group | G033 | 1.B.3.Nb.4.c |
| Alliance | A0345 Water Tupelo Swamp Forest Alliance | A0345 | 1.B.3.Nb.4.c |
| Association | CEGL002419 Water Tupelo Swamp Forest | CEGL002419 | 1.B.3.Nb.4.c |
| Association | CEGL007429 Water Tupelo - Swamp Tupelo Swamp Forest | CEGL007429 | 1.B.3.Nb.4.c |
Concept Lineage: Two members of the old A.345 (2/5)
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: >< Baldcypress / Ceratophyllum Semi-Permanently Flooded Swamps (Turner et al. 1999)
>< IIA4b. Bald Cypress - Water Tupelo Swamp (Allard 1990)
>< IIA4c. Bald Cypress - Swamp Black Gum Swamp (Allard 1990)
>< IIA4d. Tupelo Swamp (Allard 1990)
? P1B3dI1a. Taxodium distichum (Foti et al. 1994)
? P1B3dI1b. Taxodium distichum - Nyssa aquatica (Foti et al. 1994)
? P1B3dII3a. Nyssa aquatica (Foti et al. 1994)
>< IIA4b. Bald Cypress - Water Tupelo Swamp (Allard 1990)
>< IIA4c. Bald Cypress - Swamp Black Gum Swamp (Allard 1990)
>< IIA4d. Tupelo Swamp (Allard 1990)
? P1B3dI1a. Taxodium distichum (Foti et al. 1994)
? P1B3dI1b. Taxodium distichum - Nyssa aquatica (Foti et al. 1994)
? P1B3dII3a. Nyssa aquatica (Foti et al. 1994)
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