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G777 Fimbristylis castanea - Eleocharis spp. - Fuirena scirpoidea Coastal Interdunal Marsh & Prairie Group

Type Concept Sentence: This graminoid marsh occurs in coastal interdunal wetlands and coastal prairies, which are not tidal and are dominated by graminoids such as Andropogon glomeratus, Cladium mariscus ssp. jamaicense, Cyperus spp., Eleocharis spp., Fimbristylis castanea, Fuirena scirpoidea, Muhlenbergia filipes, Panicum spp., Rhynchospora colorata, Sagittaria lancifolia, Schoenoplectus pungens, Setaria magna, Spartina bakeri, and Typha domingensis.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Marsh Fimbry - Spikerush species - Southern Umbrella-sedge Coastal Interdunal Marsh & Prairie Group

Colloquial Name: Atlantic & Gulf Coastal Interdunal Marsh & Prairie

Hierarchy Level:  Group

Type Concept: This group occurs in coastal interdunal swales, interdunal depressions or poorly drained wet coastal flats. These are graminoid-dominated wetlands; dominant graminoid species can include Andropogon brachystachyus, Carex hyalinolepis, Cladium mariscus ssp. jamaicense, Eleocharis elongata, Eleocharis equisetoides, Eleocharis quadrangulata, Fimbristylis caroliniana, Fimbristylis castanea, Fuirena scirpoidea, Leptochloa fusca ssp. fascicularis, Muhlenbergia filipes, Panicum hemitomon, Panicum tenerum, Paspalum vaginatum, Rhynchospora spp., Spartina patens, Schoenoplectus pungens, and Typha domingensis. These are not tidally influenced, but may be subject to salt or brackish water from storm surge events. The vegetation may range from open water or floating-leaved aquatics in the center of the deepest interdunal depressions, to emergent marsh zones in semipermanent water, to shallower drawdown zones with diverse graminoid and forb vegetation. Wet coastal prairie vegetation is found on wet coastal flats and consists of primarily herbaceous wetland vegetation with a relatively thick cover of graminoid herbs.

Diagnostic Characteristics: This group occurs in coastal interdunal swales, interdunal depressions or poorly drained wet coastal flats. These are graminoid-dominated wetlands. These are not tidally influenced, but may be subject to salt or brackish water from storm surge events.

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: These are graminoid-dominated wetlands, but the vegetation may range from open water or floating-leaved aquatics in the center of the deepest interdunal depressions, to emergent marsh zones in semipermanent water, to shallower drawdown zones with diverse graminoid and forb vegetation.

Floristics: These are graminoid-dominated wetlands; dominant graminoid species can include Andropogon brachystachyus, Carex hyalinolepis, Cladium mariscus ssp. jamaicense, Eleocharis elongata, Eleocharis equisetoides, Eleocharis quadrangulata, Fimbristylis caroliniana, Fimbristylis castanea, Fuirena scirpoidea, Leptochloa fusca ssp. fascicularis, Muhlenbergia filipes, Panicum hemitomon, Panicum tenerum, Paspalum vaginatum, Rhynchospora spp., Spartina patens, Schoenoplectus pungens, and Typha domingensis.

Dynamics:  These wetlands are not tidally influenced, but may be subject to salt or brackish water from storm surge events. These wetlands are prone to landscape level disturbance from major tropical storms such as hurricanes which cause dune movement, coastal erosion and accretion. In areas where these wetlands are within a developed rather than natural coastal landscape, hurricane-related disturbance is a greater threat (Feagin et al. 2010).
Environmental Description:  This group occurs in coastal interdunal swales, interdunal depressions or poorly drained wet coastal flats. These are not tidally influenced, but may be subject to salt or brackish water from storm surge events.
Geographic Range: This group is found in Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coastal areas from Maryland and Virginia south to Florida and west to Texas and perhaps Tamaulipas, Mexico.

Nations: MX?,US

States/Provinces:  AL, FL, GA, LA, MD, MS, MXTAM?, NC, SC, TX, VA


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.2 Beaksedge species - Spikerush species - Panicgrass species Atlantic & Gulf Coastal Plain Wet Prairie & Marsh Macrogroup M067 2.C.4.Ne.2
Group 2.C.4.Ne.2.c Marsh Fimbry - Spikerush species - Southern Umbrella-sedge Coastal Interdunal Marsh & Prairie Group G777 2.C.4.Ne.2.c
Alliance A1372 Marsh Fimbry - Common Threesquare Coastal Marsh Alliance A1372 2.C.4.Ne.2.c
Alliance A1389 Sand Cordgrass Coastal Marsh Alliance A1389 2.C.4.Ne.2.c
Alliance A3399 Southern Cattail Coastal Marsh Alliance A3399 2.C.4.Ne.2.c
Alliance A3401 Slim Spikerush - Horsetail Spikerush - Southern Umbrella-sedge Interdunal Marsh Alliance A3401 2.C.4.Ne.2.c
Alliance A3692 Saltmeadow Cordgrass - Common Threesquare Coastal Marsh Alliance A3692 2.C.4.Ne.2.c
Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

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

Author of Description: C.W. Nordman

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 05-13-15
  • Faber-Langendoen, D., J. Drake, S. Gawler, M. Hall, C. Josse, G. Kittel, S. Menard, C. Nordman, M. Pyne, M. Reid, L. Sneddon, K. Schulz, J. Teague, M. Russo, K. Snow, and P. Comer, editors. 2010-2019a. Divisions, Macrogroups and Groups for the Revised U.S. National Vegetation Classification. NatureServe, Arlington, VA. plus appendices. [in preparation]
  • Feagin, R. A., W. K. Smith, N. P. Psuty, D. R. Young, M. L. Martinez, G. A. Carter, K. L. Lucas, J. C. Gibeat, J. N. Gemma, and R. E. Koske. 2010. Barrier islands: Coupling anthropogenic stability with ecological sustainability. Journal of Coastal Research 26:987-992.