Vegetation Classification and Mapping Project Report - USGS

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USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program Colonial National Historical Park Classification Comments: Tidal Bald Cypress Forest / Woodland is distinguished from most mapping units in Colonial National Historical Park by being dominated by Taxodium distichum (bald cypress). However, examples of Coastal Plain Calcareous Seepage Swamp at Swanns Point are also dominated by Taxodium distichum (bald cypress) and can have high coverage of Carex hyalinolepis (shoreline sedge) in areas ecotonal to tidal swamp. Stands of Coastal Plain Calcareous Seepage Swamp with Taxodium distichum (bald cypress) are distinguished from Tidal Bald Cypress Forest / Woodland by their non-tidal hydrology and having more species diversity in all strata, with high cover of species such as Asimina triloba (pawpaw), Ilex opaca var. opaca (American holly), Carex bromoides (bromelike sedge), Lindera benzoin (northern spicebush), and Saururus cernuus (lizard's tail). Other Comments: Small areas within the map class Disturbed Tidal Hardwood Swamp may represent disturbed examples of Tidal Bald Cypress Forest / Woodland. Tidal Bald Cypress Forest / Woodland is a globally rare community with a restricted range. The example of this association at Swanns Point meets the criteria to be considered a Natural Heritage exemplary natural community occurrence. Local Description Authors: K. D. Patterson. Plots: COLO.26, COLO.27, COLO.103. Colonial National Historical Park Inventory Notes: Information not available. GLOBAL INFORMATION USNVC CLASSIFICATION Physiognomic Class Woodland (II) Physiognomic Subclass Deciduous woodland (II.B.) Physiognomic Group Cold-deciduous woodland (II.B.2.) Physiognomic Subgroup Natural/Semi-natural cold-deciduous woodland (II.B.2.N.) Formation Tidal cold-deciduous woodland (II.B.2.N.f.) Alliance Taxodium distichum Tidal Woodland Alliance (A.659) Alliance (English name) Bald-cypress Tidal Woodland Alliance Association Taxodium distichum / Carex hyalinolepis Woodland Association (English name) Bald-cypress / Shoreline Sedge Woodland Ecological System(s): Northern Atlantic Coastal Plain Tidal Swamp (CES203.282). Southern Atlantic Coastal Plain Tidal Wooded Swamp (CES203.240). GLOBAL DESCRIPTION Concept Summary: This community occurs in narrow bands along the fringes of wind-tidal marshes on the Northwest River and North Landing River in southeastern Virginia, and likely occurs in northeastern North Carolina as well. It also occurs on the Pocomoke River of Maryland, where it is influenced by lunar, rather than wind tides. Substrates are poorly decomposed to moderately decomposed, root-rich peats. These sites are frequently flooded by wind tides or lunar tides and have some standing water throughout the growing season. This community usually develops in narrow ecotones between water-fringing marshes and tidal swamp forests, but may also occur between marshes and upland forests. Taxodium distichum (bald cypress) dominates the open to sparse canopy. Other less common tree species may include Nyssa biflora (swamp tupelo), Liquidambar styraciflua (sweetgum), and Acer rubrum (red maple). Fraxinus profunda (pumpkin ash) and occasional Chamaecyparis thyoides (Atlantic white cedar) also occur in Maryland examples. The sparse to moderately dense shrub layer is dominated by Morella cerifera (wax myrtle), Clethra alnifolia (coastal sweetpepperbush), Rosa palustris (swamp rose), and Toxicodendron radicans ssp. radicans (eastern poison ivy). The 268
USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program Colonial National Historical Park herbaceous layer is very well-developed and is dominated by swards of Carex hyalinolepis (shoreline sedge). Despite the dense growth of this rhizomatous sedge, the herb layer is diverse. Herbaceous species include those more typical of forested swamps, such as Saururus cernuus (lizard's tail), Triadenum walteri (greater marsh St. Johnswort), and Woodwardia areolata (netted chainfern), and those typical of marshes, such as Eleocharis fallax (creeping spikerush), Typha angustifolia (narrowleaf cattail), Panicum virgatum (switchgrass), Leersia oryzoides (rice cutgrass), Polygonum arifolium (halberdleaf tearthumb), Polygonum punctatum (dotted smartweed), Osmunda cinnamomea (cinnamon fern), and Schoenoplectus americanus (chairmaker's bulrush). Some species, including the dominant Carex hyalinolepis (shoreline sedge), reach their nodal abundance in the landscape in this community. Environmental Description: This association occurs on the slightly elevated alluvial floodplains on the oligohaline to freshwater tidal portions of tidal rivers. It forms a narrow band that is transitional to non-tidal wetlands or to uplands. In Virginia, wind tides are the prevalent dynamic, and in Maryland the tidal regime is lunar. The substrate is relatively firm, exhibiting slight to moderate hummock-and hollow-microtopography. In Maryland examples, salinity is typically less than 0.5 ppt but may be greater with storm tide salinity pulses or with lower river flow (Harrison et al. 2004). Vegetation Description: The open canopy is dominated by Taxodium distichum (bald cypress), with less common associates including Nyssa biflora (swamp tupelo), Liquidambar styraciflua (sweetgum), Acer rubrum (red maple), and in Maryland, Fraxinus profunda (pumpkin ash) and Chamaecyparis thyoides (Atlantic white cedar). The sparse to moderately dense shrub layer is dominated by Morella cerifera (wax myrtle), Clethra alnifolia (coastal sweetpepperbush), Rosa palustris (swamp rose), and Toxicodendron radicans ssp. radicans (eastern poison ivy). The herbaceous layer is very well-developed and is dominated by swards of Carex hyalinolepis (shoreline sedge). Despite the dense growth of this rhizomatous sedge, the herb layer is diverse. Herbaceous species include those more typical of forested swamps, such as Saururus cernuus (lizard's tail), Triadenum walteri (greater marsh St. Johnswort), and Woodwardia areolata (netted chainfern), and those typical of marshes, such as Eleocharis fallax (creeping spikerush), Typha angustifolia (narrowleaf cattail), Panicum virgatum (switchgrass), Leersia oryzoides (rice cutgrass), Polygonum arifolium (halberdleaf tearthumb), Polygonum punctatum (dotted smartweed), Osmunda cinnamomea (cinnamon fern), and Schoenoplectus americanus (chairmaker's bulrush). Some species, including the dominant Carex hyalinolepis (shoreline sedge), reach their nodal abundance in the landscape in this community. Carex hyalinolepis (shoreline sedge) often forms dense patches reaching 80% cover, although the herbaceous layer can achieve high species diversity overall. Exotic species Lonicera japonica (Japanese honeysuckle) and Microstegium vimineum (Nepalese browntop) are reported from some stands (Harrison et al. 2004). Most Abundant Species: Stratum Lifeform Species Tree canopy Needle-leaved tree Taxodium distichum (bald cypress) Herb (field) Graminoid Carex hyalinolepis (shoreline sedge) Characteristic Species: Carex hyalinolepis (shoreline sedge), Cinna arundinacea (sweet woodreed), Clethra alnifolia (coastal sweetpepperbush), Hibiscus moscheutos ssp. moscheutos (crimsoneyed rosemallow), Morella cerifera (wax myrtle), Panicum virgatum var. virgatum (switchgrass), Peltandra virginica (green arrow arum), Polygonum punctatum (dotted smartweed), Rosa palustris (swamp rose), Rumex verticillatus (swamp dock), Saururus cernuus 269
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