Print Report
A4017 Peltandra virginica - Pontederia cordata - Sagittaria spp. Oligohaline Tidal Marsh Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: This alliance comprises vegetation of oligohaline marshes occurring on tidal rivers beyond significant influence by saline waters. The vegetation is widely variable and characterized by small to large leafy forbs and graminoids, including Acorus calamus, Amaranthus cannabinus, Peltandra virginica, Pontederia cordata, Hibiscus moscheutos, Impatiens capensis, and Thelypteris palustris. This alliance occurs in coastal areas from Maine to Virginia and may occur in Quebec and maritime Canada.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Green Arrow-arum - Pickerelweed - Arrowhead species Oligohaline Tidal Marsh Alliance
Colloquial Name: Mixed Forb Oligohaline Tidal Marsh
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: This alliance comprises vegetation of oligohaline marshes occurring on tidal rivers beyond significant influence by saline waters, as evidenced by the absence of halophytic species. The vegetation is widely variable and characterized by small to large leafy forbs and graminoids. Associations occur at various microtopographic positions, ranging from high marsh to low marsh and tidal flats. Peltandra virginica, Pontederia cordata, and Sagittaria spp. are characteristic and dominant to codominant. Other characteristic species are diverse and numerous, and may include Acorus calamus, Amaranthus cannabinus, Hibiscus moscheutos, Impatiens capensis, and Thelypteris palustris, as well as species of Carex, Polygonum, Sagittaria, and Schoenoplectus. This alliance occurs in coastal areas from Maine to Virginia and may occur in Quebec and maritime Canada.
Diagnostic Characteristics: This alliance is characterized by the absence of Iva frutescens, Juncus roemerianus, Spartina alterniflora, and Spartina patens, and presence on tidal rivers; presence of leafy forbs and graminoids that often include species of Carex, Polygonum, Sagittaria, and Schoenoplectus.
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: Stands are dominated by leafy forbs and graminoids.
Floristics: Peltandra virginica, Pontederia cordata, and Sagittaria spp. are characteristic and dominant to codominant. Other characteristic species are diverse and numerous, and may include Acorus calamus, Amaranthus cannabinus, Hibiscus moscheutos, Impatiens capensis, and Thelypteris palustris, as well as species of Carex, Polygonum, Sagittaria, and Schoenoplectus. In addition, this alliance is characterized by the absence of more salt-tolerant species such as Iva frutescens, Juncus roemerianus, Spartina alterniflora, and Spartina patens.
Dynamics: Freshwater tidal marshes are naturally dynamic systems that are best developed where there is a major input of freshwater, a daily tidal range of at least 0.5 m, and a geomorphology that tends to constrict and magnify tidal influence in the upper reaches of the estuary (Odum et al. 1984). They are subject to diurnal flooding by tides and seasonal and episodic flooding from river discharge. Plant composition of freshwater tidal marshes generally occurs as a mosaic of patches dominated by a few or a single species. Species composition is determined by species life history characteristics, especially lifeform, phenology and mode of regeneration in response to microhabitat conditions and the frequency and duration of flooding. Plant composition has seasonal variation.
Environmental Description: These are oligohaline marshes occurring on tidal rivers beyond significant influence by saline waters.
Geographic Range: This alliance occurs in coastal areas from Maine to Virginia and may occur in Quebec and maritime Canada.
Nations: CA?,US
States/Provinces: CT, DC, DE, LB?, MA, MD, ME, NB?, NF?, NH, NJ, NS?, NY, PA, PE?, QC?, RI, VA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.900068
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR
Greasons: No Data Available
Concept Lineage: Moved from G120 to G110. This alliance includes associations from the old alliances A.1703 (5/9), A.1706 (1/2), A.1710 (1/1), and A.3018 (1/1). "A1703 contained two of the current associations, so should not be used here" [mp - I am not sure what this comment means]
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
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- Barrett, N. E. 1994. Vegetation patch dynamics in freshwater tidal wetlands. Ph.D. dissertation, University of Connecticut. 277 pp.
- Caldwell, F. A. 1990. A floristic and vegetation analysis of a freshwater-tidal marsh on the Merrimack River, West Newbury, Massachusetts. Master''s thesis, University of New Hampshire. 96 pp.
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- Odum, W. E., T. J. Smith, III, J. K. Hoover, and C. C. McIvor. 1984. The ecology of tidal freshwater marshes of the United States east coast: A community profile. FWS/OBS-83/17. USDI Fish & Wildlife Service, Office of Biological Services, Washington, DC. 176 pp.
- Swain, P. C., and J. B. Kearsley. 2001. Classification of natural communities of Massachusetts. September 2001 draft. Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program, Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, Westborough, MA.
- Whitlatch, R. B. 1982. The ecology of New England tidal flats: A community profile. FWS/OBS-81/01. USDI Fish and Wildlife Service, Biological Services Program, Washington, DC. 125 pp.