Vegetation Classification and Mapping Project Report - USGS
Vegetation Classification and Mapping Project Report - USGS
Vegetation Classification and Mapping Project Report - USGS
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
<strong>USGS</strong>-NPS <strong>Vegetation</strong> <strong>Mapping</strong> Program<br />
Colonial National Historical Park<br />
COMMON NAME (PARK-SPECIFIC): COASTAL PLAIN DEPRESSION WETLAND<br />
(SWAMP TUPELO TYPE)<br />
SYNONYMS<br />
USNVC English Name: Sweetgum - Red Maple - Swamp Blackgum / Cypress Swamp<br />
Sedge Forest<br />
USNVC Scientific Name: Liquidambar styraciflua - Acer rubrum - Nyssa biflora / Carex<br />
joorii Forest<br />
USNVC Identifier: CEGL006223<br />
LOCAL INFORMATION<br />
Environmental Description: Coastal Plain Depression Wetl<strong>and</strong> (Swamp Tupelo Type) occurs<br />
as a seasonally flooded deciduous forest in an otherwise upl<strong>and</strong> l<strong>and</strong>scape. It includes poorly<br />
drained basin wetl<strong>and</strong>s occurring on nearly flat Coastal Plain terraces with fluctuating,<br />
seasonally perched water tables. Most of these wetl<strong>and</strong>s are seasonally flooded <strong>and</strong> are believed<br />
to be sinkhole features that formed through dissolution of underlying carbonate-rich, shell marl<br />
deposits. The marl deposits are too deep to influence soil or water chemistry of the depressions,<br />
which are strongly acidic in most examples. This association typically occupies the more deeply<br />
flooded ponds or pond centers that are flooded to depths > 50 cm (2 ft).<br />
<strong>Vegetation</strong> Description: In Colonial National Historical Park, Coastal Plain Depression<br />
Wetl<strong>and</strong> (Swamp Tupelo Type) includes forested ponds with Acer rubrum (red maple),<br />
Liquidambar styraciflua (sweetgum), <strong>and</strong> Nyssa biflora (swamp tupelo). Shrubs include<br />
Leucothoe racemosa (swamp doghobble) <strong>and</strong> Cephalanthus occidentalis (common buttonbush).<br />
During the winter <strong>and</strong> spring these ponds are often filled with water. When drawn down, these<br />
communities have very sparse herb strata with the ground covered in litter <strong>and</strong> bare soil. Herb<br />
species vary from site to site, but in general, herbs characteristic of these communities are welladapted<br />
to long periods of submersion. Some typical herbaceous species in park examples<br />
include Carex joorii (cypress swamp sedge) <strong>and</strong> Carex striata var. brevis (Walter's sedge).<br />
Most Abundant Species:<br />
Stratum Lifeform Species<br />
Tree canopy Broad-leaved deciduous tree Acer rubrum (red maple),<br />
Liquidambar styraciflua (sweetgum)<br />
Characteristic Species: Acer rubrum (red maple), Carex joorii (cypress swamp sedge),<br />
Liquidambar styraciflua (sweetgum), Nyssa biflora (swamp tupelo).<br />
Other Noteworthy Species: Information not available.<br />
Subnational Distribution with Crosswalk Data:<br />
State SRank Rel Conf SName<br />
Reference<br />
VA<br />
SNR*<br />
B .<br />
Coastal Plain Depression Pond<br />
Fleming et al. 2001<br />
Local Range: This association is mapped as a single polygon in the vicinity of Yorktown<br />
Battlefield.<br />
<strong>Classification</strong> Comments: This community is distinguished by occurring as small, isolated<br />
wetl<strong>and</strong>s in an otherwise upl<strong>and</strong> l<strong>and</strong>scape <strong>and</strong> by the presence of Nyssa biflora (swamp tupelo).<br />
It has a longer hydroperiod than Coastal Plain Depression Wetl<strong>and</strong> (Red Maple - Sweetgum -<br />
WIllow Oak Type).<br />
Other Comments: No information.<br />
Local Description Authors: K. D. Patterson.<br />
243
Change language