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A3900 Distichlis spicata Salt Marsh Alliance

Type Concept Sentence: This alliance consists of tidally flooded salt marshes dominated by Distichlis spicata. It occurs in large and small estuaries on sand/or mud in slight depressions, along the Pacific Coast of North America.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Saltgrass Salt Marsh Alliance

Colloquial Name: Western Saltgrass Salt Marsh

Hierarchy Level:  Alliance

Type Concept: This alliance covers tidally flooded salt marshes dominated by Distichlis spicata and other species such as Ambrosia chamissonis, Argentina egedii, Atriplex lentiformis, Atriplex watsonii, Carex lyngbyei, Schoenoplectus americanus, and Suaeda californica. Due to microtopography and changing degrees of salinity, the community structure can be spatially heterogeneous. Examples occur along the Pacific Coast from southern California well into British Columbia.

Diagnostic Characteristics: This alliance covers tidally influenced salt marshes dominated by Distichlis spicata.

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: Vegetation of this alliance is a sparse to moderately dense graminoid layer dominated by rhizomatous midgrasses less than 0.5 m tall.

Floristics: Stands are dominated by Distichlis spicata forming pure stands but often with other species such as Ambrosia chamissonis, Argentina egedii, Atriplex lentiformis, Atriplex watsonii, Carex lyngbyei, Schoenoplectus americanus, and Suaeda californica.

Dynamics:  Occasional storm surges flood this alliance with seawater, redistributing sediments and depositing large driftwood logs. Associations within this alliance are considered early-seral and one of the first to appear on freshly exposed mud or sand with or without algae. When dry, stands may be vulnerable to damage by off-road vehicles. Wind can shift sands such that how tides flood areas becomes unpredictable (Christy et al. 1998).
Environmental Description:  It occurs in large estuaries on sand/or mud in slight depressions in deflation plains, usually cut with channels of tidal creeks. The soil surface can have variable microtopography and changing degrees of salinity, so the community structure can be spatially heterogeneous. This alliance is very salt-tolerant.
Geographic Range: This alliance occurs along the Pacific Coast from British Columbia to California.

Nations: CA?,US

States/Provinces:  BC?, CA, OR, WA


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.C Shrub & Herb Wetland Subclass S44 2.C
Formation 2.C.5 Salt Marsh Formation F035 2.C.5
Division 2.C.5.Nc Temperate & Boreal Pacific Coastal Salt Marsh Division D035 2.C.5.Nc
Macrogroup 2.C.5.Nc.1 North American Pacific Coastal Salt Marsh Macrogroup M081 2.C.5.Nc.1
Group 2.C.5.Nc.1.a Lyngbye''s Sedge - Cosmopolitan Bulrush - Sea-milkwort Salt Marsh Group G499 2.C.5.Nc.1.a
Alliance A3900 Saltgrass Salt Marsh Alliance A3900 2.C.5.Nc.1.a
Association CEGL002882 Saltgrass - Silver Bur-ragweed Salt Marsh CEGL002882 2.C.5.Nc.1.a
Association CEGL003356 Saltgrass - (Virginia Glasswort) Salt Marsh CEGL003356 2.C.5.Nc.1.a
Concept Lineage: A.2666 & A.1332

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: < Distichlis spicata (Salt grass flats) Alliance (Sawyer et al. 2009) [41.200.00]
? Distichlis spicata Series (Johnston 1987)
< Distichlis spicata Herbaceous Alliance (CNPS 2017) [41.200.00]
? Overland Flow # 36 (Soil Conservation Service n.d.)
? Salt Flat # 34 (Soil Conservation Service n.d.)
? Wet Meadow # 38 (Soil Conservation Service n.d.)
Concept Author(s): G. Kittel, in Faber-Langendoen et al. (2013)

Author of Description: G. Kittel

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 09-26-14
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  • Christy, J. A., J. S. Kagan, and A. M. Wiedemann. 1998. Plant associations of the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area - Siuslaw National Forest, Oregon. Technical Paper R6-NR-ECOL-TP-09-98. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region, Portland, OR. 196 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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