Vegetation Classification and Mapping Project Report - USGS
Vegetation Classification and Mapping Project Report - USGS
Vegetation Classification and Mapping Project Report - USGS
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<strong>USGS</strong>-NPS <strong>Vegetation</strong> <strong>Mapping</strong> Program<br />
Colonial National Historical Park<br />
COMMON NAME (PARK-SPECIFIC): SALT SCRUB<br />
SYNONYMS<br />
USNVC English Name: Groundsel-tree - Maritime Marsh-elder / Switchgrass<br />
Shrubl<strong>and</strong><br />
USNVC Scientific Name: Baccharis halimifolia - Iva frutescens / Panicum virgatum<br />
Shrubl<strong>and</strong><br />
USNVC Identifier: CEGL003921<br />
LOCAL INFORMATION<br />
Environmental Description: Salt Scrub includes halophytic shrubl<strong>and</strong>s that form fringes along<br />
the lower James <strong>and</strong> York rivers. Salt Scrub occurs adjacent to the active river channel. In<br />
Colonial National Historical Park, this mapping unit commonly occupies high, only irregularly<br />
flooded l<strong>and</strong>scape positions in a mosaic with lower, diurnally flooded salt marsh or fringe beach.<br />
<strong>Vegetation</strong> Description: Baccharis halimifolia (eastern baccharis), Iva frutescens (Jesuit's<br />
bark), <strong>and</strong> Morella cerifera (wax myrtle) are the usual woody dominants, occurring singly or in<br />
combination. Other shrub species can include Juniperus virginiana var. virginiana (eastern<br />
redcedar) <strong>and</strong> Pinus taeda (loblolly pine). Tidal herbaceous vegetation <strong>and</strong> areas of bare s<strong>and</strong><br />
beach often form a complex with these shrubl<strong>and</strong>s. Distichlis spicata (inl<strong>and</strong> saltgrass), Panicum<br />
virgatum var. virgatum (switchgrass), Phragmites australis (common reed), Solidago<br />
sempervirens (seaside goldenrod), Spartina alterniflora (smooth cordgrass), Spartina<br />
cynosuroides (big cordgrass), Spartina patens (saltmeadow cordgrass), <strong>and</strong> Typha angustifolia<br />
(narrowleaf cattail) can occur as associates in Salt Scrub <strong>and</strong> even be locally dominant.<br />
Salt Scrub occurs in small, linear patches on the Colonial National Historical Park l<strong>and</strong>scape,<br />
often less than 0.5 ha in size, ranging to about 3 hectares.<br />
Most Abundant Species:<br />
Stratum Lifeform Species<br />
Shrub/sapling (tall & short) Broad-leaved deciduous shrub Baccharis halimifolia (eastern baccharis)<br />
Short shrub/sapling Broad-leaved deciduous shrub Iva frutescens (Jesuit's bark)<br />
Herb (field) Graminoid Spartina alterniflora (smooth cordgrass)<br />
Characteristic Species: Baccharis halimifolia (eastern baccharis), Iva frutescens (Jesuit's bark),<br />
Spartina alterniflora (smooth cordgrass).<br />
Other Noteworthy Species: Information not available.<br />
Subnational Distribution with Crosswalk Data:<br />
State SRank Rel Conf SName<br />
Reference<br />
VA SNR* B 1 Salt Scrub Fleming et al. 2006<br />
Local Range: Salt Scrub occurs along the York River, north of Yorktown <strong>and</strong> along the James<br />
River in the vicinity of Kingsmill.<br />
<strong>Classification</strong> Comments: This association is distinguished by being a tidal shrubl<strong>and</strong><br />
occurring as linear patches along rivers <strong>and</strong> having a complex of s<strong>and</strong>y shrubl<strong>and</strong>s <strong>and</strong> tidal<br />
herbaceous vegetation. A similar mapping unit, Tidal Shrub Swamp (Wax Myrtle Type), which<br />
always occurs adjacent to tidal marsh, is wet <strong>and</strong> mucky, not s<strong>and</strong>y.<br />
Other Comments: Information not available.<br />
Local Description Authors: K. D. Patterson.<br />
Plots: None.<br />
Colonial National Historical Park Inventory Notes: Information not available.<br />
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