Print Report

A4014 Spartina patens Gulf Coast Oligohaline Tidal Marsh Alliance

Type Concept Sentence: This alliance comprises oligohaline tidal marshes of Louisiana and adjacent Texas dominated or codominated by Spartina patens.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Saltmeadow Cordgrass Gulf Coast Oligohaline Tidal Marsh Alliance

Colloquial Name: Gulf Coast Cordgrass Oligohaline Tidal Marsh

Hierarchy Level:  Alliance

Type Concept: This alliance comprises oligohaline tidal marshes of Louisiana and adjacent Texas in which Spartina patens is dominant or present in quantity. Associated species may include Schoenoplectus americanus as well as species of Eleocharis, Ludwigia, Typha, and others.

Diagnostic Characteristics: These are oligohaline tidal marshes of the Gulf Coastal Plain, with Spartina patens as a characteristic species.

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: This alliance needs additional review.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: This alliance comprises graminoid-dominated vegetation.

Floristics: In these oligohaline marshes of the Gulf Coast of Texas and Louisiana, Spartina patens may strongly dominate, and Spartina alterniflora may codominate, Paspalum vaginatum may strongly dominate, or Spartina patens and Vigna luteola may codominate. Other characteristic species include Eragrostis spp., Phragmites australis, Sagittaria lancifolia, Schoenoplectus americanus, Bolboschoenus robustus (= Schoenoplectus robustus), Spartina cynosuroides (within its range), and Spartina spartinae. This vegetation may form mosaics with Spartina alterniflora and Spartina spartinae marshes and more saline herbaceous vegetation. Also included here are oligohaline tidal marshes dominated by Eleocharis rostellata and Sagittaria lancifolia.

Dynamics:  Dominance patterns are likely related to gradients in salinity and hydrology and are not well understood.
Environmental Description:  These are oligohaline tidal marshes of the Gulf Coast of Texas and Louisiana.
Geographic Range: This alliance occurs in the Deltaic and Chenier Plains of Louisiana and Texas.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  LA, TX


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.4 Temperate to Polar Freshwater Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Formation F013 2.C.4
Division 2.C.4.Ne Atlantic & Gulf Coastal Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Division D322 2.C.4.Ne
Macrogroup 2.C.4.Ne.1 Annual Wild Rice - Saltmeadow Cordgrass - Pickerelweed Fresh-Oligohaline Tidal Marsh Macrogroup M066 2.C.4.Ne.1
Group 2.C.4.Ne.1.b <i>Zizaniopsis milacea - Spartina patens - Panicum hemotimon</i> Freshwater Tidal Marsh Group G913 2.C.4.Ne.1.b
Alliance A4014 Saltmeadow Cordgrass Gulf Coast Oligohaline Tidal Marsh Alliance A4014 2.C.4.Ne.1.b
Association CEGL007885 Seashore Crowngrass - Saltmeadow Cordgrass Oligohaline Tidal Marsh CEGL007885 2.C.4.Ne.1.b
Association CEGL007887 Saltmeadow Cordgrass - Cattail species Chenier Plain Oligohaline Tidal Marsh CEGL007887 2.C.4.Ne.1.b
Concept Lineage: The four associations placed here come from old alliances A.1474 (1/4) and A.1481 (3/12).

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
Concept Author(s): L. Sneddon, in Faber-Langendoen et al. (2013)

Author of Description: L. Sneddon and M. Pyne

Acknowledgements: We have incorporated significant information developed and compiled by A.S. Weakley and J. Teague.

Version Date: 12-18-14
  • Diamond, D. D. 1993. Classification of the plant communities of Texas (series level). Unpublished document. Texas Natural Heritage Program, Austin. 25 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.
  • LNHP [Louisiana Natural Heritage Program]. 2009. Natural communities of Louisiana. Louisiana Natural Heritage Program, Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries, Baton Rouge. 46 pp. [http://www.wlf.louisiana.gov/sites/default/files/pdf/page_wildlife/6776-Rare%20Natural%20Communities/LA_NAT_COM.pdf]
  • Odum, W. E. 1988. Comparative ecology of tidal freshwater and salt marshes. Annual Review of Ecological Systems 19:147-176.
  • Odum, W. E., and T. J. Smith. 1981. Ecology of tidal, low salinity ecosystems. Pages 36-44 in: R. C. Carey, P. S. Markovits, and J. B. Kirkwood, editors. Proceedings of the workshop on coastal ecosystems of the southeastern United States. FWS/OBS-80/59. USDI Fish & Wildlife Service, Office of Biological Services, Washington, DC.
  • Penfound, W. T. 1952. Southern swamps and marshes. Botanical Review 7:413-446.