Print Report
A3595 Taxodium distichum - Nyssa biflora Tidal Swamp Forest Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: These are tidally flooded forests in lower, estuarine reaches of brownwater and blackwater rivers in the Outer Coastal Plain (tidewater) and also along estuarine shores, dominated by various combinations of Nyssa biflora and Taxodium distichum with Magnolia virginiana, Nyssa aquatica, and/or Pinus taeda in the overstory.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Bald-cypress - Swamp Tupelo Tidal Swamp Forest Alliance
Colloquial Name: Southern Bald-cypress - Swamp Blackgum Tidal Swamp Forest
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: This alliance accommodates tidally flooded forests in lower, estuarine reaches of brownwater and blackwater rivers in the Outer Coastal Plain (tidewater) and also along estuarine shores. Flooding can be either lunar-tidal or wind-tidal and can be affected as well by riverine flooding events. The trees often have a stressed appearance, and the herbaceous layer usually is well-developed and more species-rich than in most non-tidal swamps, possibly as a result of the tidal nutrient input. Various combinations of Nyssa biflora and Taxodium distichum usually dominate the canopy. Some associations may also contain Nyssa aquatica, Magnolia virginiana, and/or Pinus taeda in the overstory. On blackwater rivers, Nyssa aquatica is often an indicator of a tidal condition, presumably because it requires the higher nutrients provided by tidal flooding. Other species common in tidal situations, such as Lilaeopsis carolinensis, Morella cerifera, Osmunda cinnamomea, Osmunda regalis var. spectabilis, Peltandra virginica, Rosa palustris, and Thelypteris palustris var. pubescens, are often common.
Diagnostic Characteristics: These are tidal forests dominated by Taxodium distichum and Nyssa biflora.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: No Data Available
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: The trees often have a stressed appearance, and the herbaceous layer usually is well-developed and more species-rich than in most non-tidal swamps, possibly as a result of the tidal nutrient input.
Floristics: Various combinations of Nyssa biflora, and Taxodium distichum usually dominate the canopy. Some associations may also contain Nyssa aquatica, Magnolia virginiana, and/or Pinus taeda in the overstory. Because of the tidal influence in these woodlands, they are very productive and the herbaceous layer is diverse and dense. Other species common in tidal situations, such as Lilaeopsis carolinensis, Morella cerifera (= Myrica cerifera), Osmunda cinnamomea, Osmunda regalis var. spectabilis, Peltandra virginica, Rosa palustris, and Thelypteris palustris var. pubescens, are often common. Other species that may be present include Asclepias lanceolata, Carex hyalinolepis, Centella asiatica, Cladium mariscoides, Coreopsis falcata, Eleocharis fallax, Eriocaulon decangulare var. decangulare, Nymphaea odorata, Osmunda regalis var. spectabilis, Panicum virgatum, Peltandra virginica, Physostegia leptophylla, Pogonia ophioglossoides, Pontederia cordata, Rhynchospora glomerata, Saururus cernuus, Schoenoplectus americanus (= Scirpus americanus), Triadenum walteri, Typha angustifolia, Typha latifolia, and Woodwardia areolata. Typical species of non-tidal swamps, such as Carya aquatica, Chamaecyparis thyoides, Cyrilla racemiflora, Ilex glabra, Lyonia lucida, Quercus lyrata, Quercus phellos, Smilax laurifolia, Sphagnum spp., and Woodwardia virginica, and others, are absent.
Dynamics: Flooding can be either lunar-tidal or wind-tidal, and can be affected as well by riverine flooding events.
Environmental Description: These tidally flooded forests are found in lower, estuarine reaches of brownwater and blackwater rivers in the Outer Coastal Plain (tidewater), and also along estuarine shores. Flooding can be either lunar-tidal or wind-tidal, and can be affected as well by riverine flooding events.
Geographic Range: These forests are found in the Atlantic and Gulf coastal plains from Delaware south and west to Florida and Mississippi.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AL, DE, FL, GA, LA, MD, MS, NC, SC, VA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.899653
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR
Greasons: No Data Available
Concept Lineage: Description information is primarily from the old alliance Nyssa biflora - (Nyssa aquatica, Taxodium distichum) Tidal Forest Alliance (A.357).
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: ? Bald Cypress/Black Gum Community Type (Odum et al. 1984)
? Tidewater River and Swamp System (Wharton 1978)
? Tidewater River and Swamp System (Wharton 1978)
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- Bowman, P. 1999. Great Cypress Swamp communities. Unpublished report. Delaware Natural Heritage Program, Smyrna, DE. 5 pp.
- 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.
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- 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.
- Wharton, C. H. 1978. The natural environments of Georgia. Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Atlanta. 227 pp.