Print Report
A1914 Salix caroliniana - Salix nigra Coastal Plain Swamp Forest Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: The tree canopy of this forest alliance is dominated by some combination of Salix caroliniana and Salix nigra. This vegetation of riverfronts, primary successional bars and well-drained flats, is found in the coastal plains of the southeastern United States from Virginia to Texas, and possibly in the adjacent Piedmont.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Carolina Willow - Black Willow Coastal Plain Swamp Forest Alliance
Colloquial Name: Coastal Plain Depression Willow Swamp Forest
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: Examples of this alliance have canopies that vary from dense to open and are dominated by the small tree Salix caroliniana, sometimes with Salix nigra, or dominated by Salix nigra. Other woody species include Cephalanthus occidentalis, Decodon verticillatus, Fraxinus pennsylvanica, and Hibiscus grandiflorus. This vegetation is found primarily in the southern coastal plains of the southeastern United States in swales between coastal dunes imbedded in maritime forests; along the shores of lakes, ponds, and artificial impoundments; as well as peaty depressional wetlands in Florida. One association is attributed to swamps in the Mississippi River Alluvial Plain of Louisiana, and one broad-ranging association is attributed to riverfronts and lakeshores. Stands are often small and linear. These communities originate from flooding and may be short-lived, succeeding to other forest types and non-forest types that are part of the shifting dune environment.
Diagnostic Characteristics: These are forests of the coastal plains dominated by Salix caroliniana, sometimes with Salix nigra. This combination of floristics and biogeography is diagnostic.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This alliance contains two wide-ranging associations that need to have their ranges critically examined and possibly adjusted or the associations split.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: These seasonally flooded to saturated wetlands have a scattered to open canopy of Salix caroliniana and an herb-dominated understory.
Floristics: These seasonally flooded to saturated wetlands have a scattered to open canopy of Salix caroliniana and an herb-dominated understory. This includes swales in forest-dominated dune fields with scattered Salix caroliniana and some overhanging Quercus virginiana and Sabal palmetto (but not generally rooted in community). Other woody species include Cephalanthus occidentalis, Decodon verticillatus, Fraxinus pennsylvanica, and Hibiscus grandiflorus. Characteristic herbaceous species in these examples include Nekemias arborea (= Ampelopsis arborea), Carex hyalina, Panicum rigidulum var. rigidulum (= Panicum rigidulum var. condensum), and Sacciolepis striata.
Dynamics: Communities of this alliance result from flooding disturbance and are generally short-lived.
Environmental Description: Environments for this alliance include swales in forest-dominated dune fields; swales between coastal dunes imbedded in live oak-dominated maritime forests; swales in herbaceous-dominated coastal dunes and barrier flats; along the shores of lakes, ponds, and artificial impoundments; as well as peaty depressional wetlands in Florida. One association is attributed to swamps in the Mississippi River Alluvial Plain of Louisiana, and one broad-ranging association is attributed to riverfronts and lakeshores. Communities of this alliance result from flooding disturbance and are generally short-lived.
Geographic Range: This alliance is found primarily in the southern coastal plains of the southeastern United States from Virginia to Texas. Two apparently wide-ranging associations have ranges that extend north in the interior to the Ozarks and Ouachita Mountains of Arkansas, the Interior Low Plateau of Tennessee, and the Chesapeake Bay region, as well as west into the Edwards Plateau of Texas.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MD?, MS, NC, SC, TN, TX, VA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.899128
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR
Greasons: No Data Available
Concept Lineage: The eight associations in this alliance come from four old alliances: A/296 (1/1); A.332 (1/2); A.334 (4/7); and A.1914 (2/2). Additional info may be taken from A.1914 & A3422 descriptions in G041 ACR. The linkages to A.1419 is in error, being a transposition of 1914.
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
- Faber-Langendoen, D., J. Drake, M. Hall, G. Kittel, S. Menard, C. Nordman, M. Pyne, M. Reid, M. Russo, K. Schulz, L. Sneddon, K. Snow, and J. Teague. 2013-2019b. Screening alliances for induction into the U.S. National Vegetation Classification: Part 1 - Alliance concept review. NatureServe, Arlington, VA.
- Schafale, M. P., and A. S. Weakley. 1990. Classification of the natural communities of North Carolina. Third approximation. North Carolina Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Recreation, Natural Heritage Program, Raleigh. 325 pp.