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A3923 Ceratophyllum demersum Aquatic Vegetation Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: This fully aquatic herbaceous perennial alliance is dominated by Ceratophyllum demersum which forms dense, monotypic submerged beds that do not emerge above the surface of the water. Habitat is low-elevation, low-gradient, eutrophic streams and rivers, ponds, lakes, and sloughs.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Coon''s-tail Aquatic Vegetation Alliance
Colloquial Name: Pacific Northwest Coon''s-tail Aquatic Vegetation
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: This fully aquatic herbaceous alliance is dominated by Ceratophyllum demersum which forms dense, monotypic submerged beds that do not emerge above the surface of the water. Habitat is low-elevation, low-gradient, eutrophic streams and rivers, ponds, lakes, and sloughs. It is widespread in Oregon, Washington, California, British Columbia, and indeed is a worldwide species. However, it has not been well-sampled as a vegetation type and little information is available.
Diagnostic Characteristics: Ceratophyllum demersum-dominated dense, monotypic submerged beds of the Pacific Northwest.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: It has not been well-sampled and little information is available. More information is needed on the ecology and distribution of this community.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: Completely submerged herbaceous aquatic vegetation.
Floristics: Individual stands may be dominated by a single species, but several species may be present depending on water hardness and nutrient levels. These include Elodea spp., Myriophyllum spp., Potamogeton richardsonii, Potamogeton zosteriformis, other Potamogeton spp., and Stuckenia pectinata (= Potamogeton pectinatus). Other associated species include emergents such as Chara spp., Lemna spp., Nuphar spp., Ranunculus longirostris, Spirodela polyrrhiza, Utricularia macrorhiza, Vallisneria americana, and Zizania palustris (Curtis 1959, Harris et al. 1996).
Dynamics: Eutrophic conditions favored by this alliance may be enhanced by enriched runoff in agricultural or urban landscapes. Though a native species, Ceratophyllum demersum is a well-known pest in many lakes where rank aquatic vegetation interferes with recreation (Christy 2004).
Environmental Description: Habitat is low-elevation, low-gradient, sheltered eutrophic streams and rivers, ponds, lakes, and sloughs. Ponds are generally less than 2 m deep.
Geographic Range: This alliance occurs in the western U.S. and western Canada.
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: BC, CA, ID, OR, WA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.899974
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 5 Aquatic Vegetation Class | C05 | 5 |
| Subclass | 5.B Freshwater Aquatic Vegetation Subclass | S13 | 5.B |
| Formation | 5.B.2 Temperate to Polar Freshwater Aquatic Vegetation Formation | F057 | 5.B.2 |
| Division | 5.B.2.Na North American Freshwater Aquatic Vegetation Division | D049 | 5.B.2.Na |
| Macrogroup | 5.B.2.Na.2 Rocky Mountain Pond-lily - Pacific Mosquito Fern - Western Waterweed Western North American Freshwater Aquatic Vegetation Macrogroup | M109 | 5.B.2.Na.2 |
| Group | 5.B.2.Na.2.a Pond-lily species - Pondweed species - Duckweed species Freshwater Aquatic Vegetation Group | G544 | 5.B.2.Na.2.a |
| Alliance | A3923 Coon''s-tail Aquatic Vegetation Alliance | A3923 | 5.B.2.Na.2.a |
| Association | CEGL004017 Coon''s-tail Western Aquatic Vegetation | CEGL004017 | 5.B.2.Na.2.a |
Concept Lineage: [CEGL004017]
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Ceratophyllum demersum Provisional Association (Buck-Diaz et al. 2012)
- Buck-Diaz, J., S. Batiuk, and J. M. Evens. 2012. Vegetation alliances and associations of the Great Valley ecoregion, California. California Native Society, Sacramento, CA. [http://cnps.org/cnps/vegetation/pdf/great_valley_eco-vegclass2012.pdf]
- Christy, J. A. 2004. Native freshwater wetland plant associations of northwestern Oregon. Oregon Natural Heritage Information Center, Oregon State University, Portland, OR.
- Crowe, E. A., B. L. Kovalchik, and M. J. Kerr. 2004. Riparian and wetland vegetation of central and eastern Oregon. Oregon Natural Heritage Information Center, Institute for Natural Resources, Oregon State University, Portland. 473 pp. [http://oregonstate.edu/ornhic/ publications.html]
- Curtis, J. T. 1959. The vegetation of Wisconsin: An ordination of plant communities. Reprinted in 1987. University of Wisconsin Press, Madison. 657 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.
- Fleetwood, R. J. 1973. Plants of Brazoria/San Bernard National Wildlife Refuges. Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Angleton, TX. 61 pp.
- Harris, A. G., S. C. McMurray, P. W. C. Uhlig, J. K. Jeglum, R. F. Foster, and G. D. Racey. 1996. Field guide to the wetland ecosystem classification for northwestern Ontario. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Northwest Science and Technology, Thunder Bay, Ontario. Field guide FG-01. 74 pp. plus appendix.