Print Report
A3664 Schoenoplectus acutus - Bolboschoenus fluviatilis - Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani Marsh Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: This alliance comprises permanently or semipermanently flooded wetlands dominated by Schoenoplectus acutus, Bolboschoenus fluviatilis, and Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani. It is found in the northeastern United States and Great Lakes area and adjacent southern Canada.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Hardstem Bulrush - River Bulrush - Softstem Bulrush Marsh Alliance
Colloquial Name: Eastern Bulrush Deep Marsh
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: This alliance is found in the northeastern United States and adjacent southern Canada. Vegetation is characterized by medium to tall graminoids which typically range from 1 to over 2 m. The vegetation is moderately dense to dense. Some stands are heavily dominated by one or two Schoenoplectus spp., while others have several graminoids common throughout the stand. The most abundant species are typically Schoenoplectus acutus, Bolboschoenus fluviatilis, and Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani . Species composition and abundance can vary from year to year depending mostly on water level fluctuations. In most years, typical species include Lemna spp., Phragmites australis, Schoenoplectus americanus (in alkaline stands), Triglochin maritima (in alkaline stands), Typha latifolia, and Utricularia macrorhiza. Potamogeton spp. often occur in the deeper parts of stands of this alliance and where emergent species are not densely packed. Shrubs, such as Salix spp., are not common but may become established in shallow water areas. During droughts, species more tolerant of low water, such as Polygonum amphibium, may invade and alter the species composition of stands. Stands of this alliance are flooded for most or all of the growing season and can range from having no water (exposed soil) to water approximately 1.5 m deep, but usually it is less than 1 m. Within a stand, water levels can vary by up to 1 m during the year. The water can be fresh to mildly saline throughout most of this alliance''s range. Across its range, soils are deep, poorly drained, muck, peat, or mineral.
Diagnostic Characteristics: This alliance is characterized by permanently or near-permanently flooded herbaceous wetlands in the Northeast and northern Great Lakes areas dominated by Schoenoplectus acutus, Bolboschoenus fluviatilis, and Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This alliance shares dominant species with other Schoenoplectus-dominated alliances, particularly the closely related ~Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani - Bolboschoenus fluviatilis - Typha spp. Shallow Marsh Alliance (A3666)$$. This alliance has a greater proportion of floating-leaved and submergent plants but the distinction is fuzzy.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: Vegetation in this alliance is characterized by medium to tall graminoids which typically range from 1 to over 2 m. The vegetation is moderately dense to dense. There is often a significant component of floating-leaved aquatic species, especially where the emergent canopy is scattered.
Floristics: Some stands are heavily dominated by one or two Schoenoplectus spp., while others have several graminoids common throughout the stand. The most abundant species are typically Schoenoplectus acutus (= Scirpus acutus), Bolboschoenus fluviatilis (= Scirpus fluviatilis), and Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani (= Scirpus tabernaemontani). Species composition and abundance can vary from year to year depending mostly on water level fluctuations. In most years, typical species include Lemna spp., Phragmites australis, Schoenoplectus americanus (= Scirpus americanus) (in alkaline stands), Triglochin maritima (in alkaline stands), Typha latifolia, and Utricularia macrorhiza. Potamogeton spp. often occur in the deeper parts of stands of this alliance and where emergent species are not densely packed. Shrubs, such as Salix spp., are not common but may become established in shallow water areas. During droughts, species more tolerant of low water, such as Polygonum amphibium, may invade and alter the species composition of stands of this alliance.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: Stands of this alliance are flooded for most or all of the growing season and can range from having no water (exposed soil) to water approximately 1.5 m deep, but usually it is less than 1 m. Within a stand, water levels can vary by up to 1 m during the year. The water can be fresh to mildly saline throughout most of this alliance''s range. Across the range of this alliance, soils are deep, poorly drained, muck, peat, or mineral.
Geographic Range: This alliance is found throughout the northeastern and Great Lakes areas of the United States and southeastern Canada from Maryland and West Virginia north to southern Ontario and Quebec.
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: CT, DE, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, NH, NJ, NY, ON, PA, QC, RI, VT, WI, WV
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.899716
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR
Greasons: No Data Available
Concept Lineage: This alliance is made up of the three associations from the northeastern United States from old A.1443.
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
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