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A1868 Sesuvium portulacastrum - Atriplex patula - Suaeda linearis Salt Flat Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: This irregularly flooded beach and salt flat vegetation is dominated by Atriplex patula, Sesuvium portulacastrum, and Suaeda linearis, and is found along the Atlantic and northern Gulf of Mexico coasts on the backside of the ends of barrier islands, where examples are only irregularly flooded.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Shoreline Sea-purslane - Spear Saltbush - Annual Seepweed Salt Flat Alliance
Colloquial Name: Southern Succulent Sand Salt Flat
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: This irregularly flooded beach and salt flat vegetation is dominated by Atriplex patula, Sesuvium portulacastrum, and Suaeda linearis. It is found along the Atlantic and northern Gulf of Mexico coasts on the backside of the ends of barrier islands, where examples are only irregularly flooded. In contrast to Salicornia- or Distichlis-dominated areas, they apparently accumulate less salt. The physiognomy tends to be of scattered mound-like clumps of vegetation (mostly Sesuvium portulacastrum) in a wet sand flat.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: A distinct vegetation type with several species in common, ~(Iva imbricata) / Sporobolus virginicus - Spartina patens - (Paspalum distichum, Sesuvium portulacastrum) Marsh (CEGL007839)$$, is a low dune community, known from the western peninsular and panhandle coasts of Florida. It occupies low, newly colonized beaches with low dunes, along the outer shore side of barrier islands and also occurs as a narrow ridge along inner bayshores with little wave action. It occurs along the western coast of Florida from at least Sarasota County north to Bay County.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: This vegetation consists of widely scattered to fairly continuous mats of various succulent species. The physiognomy tends to be of scattered mound-like clumps of vegetation (mostly Sesuvium portulacastrum) in a wet sand flat.
Floristics: This vegetation consists of widely scattered to fairly continuous mats of various succulent species, including most characteristically Atriplex patula, Sesuvium maritimum, Sesuvium portulacastrum, and Suaeda linearis. Other species which may occur include Ipomoea imperati, Ipomoea sagittata, Panicum amarum, Spartina patens, Sporobolus virginicus, and Vigna luteola.
Dynamics: The vegetation of this alliance does not accumulate salt such as Salicornia- or Distichlis-dominated areas. This community develops on low-energy shores protected from strong wave action. It is, however, occasionally flooded by wind and storm tides, and strong storms destroy the vegetation, "resetting the clock."
Environmental Description: The vegetation of this alliance tends to occur on the backside of the ends of barrier islands and is irregularly flooded.
Geographic Range: The vegetation of this alliance occurs along the Atlantic and portions of the northern Gulf of Mexico coasts, from Delaware to Mississippi, but it is not verified from all states in this potential range.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AL, DE, FL, GA?, MD, MS?, NC, SC, VA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.899179
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.a South Atlantic & Gulf Coastal Beach Group | G661 | 2.B.4.Na.1.a |
| Alliance | A1868 Shoreline Sea-purslane - Spear Saltbush - Annual Seepweed Salt Flat Alliance | A1868 | 2.B.4.Na.1.a |
| Association | CEGL004406 Shoreline Sea-purslane - Saltbush species - Sea-blite species Sparse Beach Vegetation | CEGL004406 | 2.B.4.Na.1.a |
Concept Lineage: This new alliance contains the only member of and is equivalent to old alliance A.1868 (1/1).
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.
- Nelson, J. B. 1986. The natural communities of South Carolina: Initial classification and description. South Carolina Wildlife and Marine Resources Department, Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries, Columbia, SC. 55 pp.
- 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.