Vegetation Classification and Mapping Project Report - USGS

USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program
Colonial National Historical Park
COMMON NAME (PARK-SPECIFIC): TIDAL OLIGOHALINE MARSH (COMMON
REED TIDAL MARSH)
SYNONYMS
USNVC English Name: Common Reed Tidal Herbaceous Vegetation
USNVC Scientific Name: Phragmites australis Tidal Herbaceous Vegetation
USNVC Identifier: CEGL004187
LOCAL INFORMATION
Environmental Description: This association is a dense, tall grassland indicative of
disturbance. It occurs on dredge spoils and other disturbed areas, generally in areas that are
regularly flooded with tidal water. Species within and adjacent to this community are typical of
oligohaline conditions where salt concentrations are between 0.5 and 5 ppt. Substrates range
from muck or peat to sand.
Vegetation Description: This vegetation is characterized by dense stands of the invasive,
nonnative grass Phragmites australis (common reed), typically to the exclusion of all other
vascular plant species. Other species typical of oligohaline marsh may occur with low cover,
such as Peltandra virginica (green arrow arum), Typha angustifolia (narrowleaf cattail), Spartina
cynosuroides (big cordgrass), and Polygonum punctatum (dotted smartweed).
Most Abundant Species:
Stratum Lifeform
Species
Herb (field)
Graminoid Phragmites australis (common reed)
Characteristic Species: Phragmites australis (common reed).
Other Noteworthy Species: Information not available.
Subnational Distribution with Crosswalk Data:
State SRank Rel Conf SName
Reference
VA SNR* B 1 Tidal Oligohaline Marsh
Fleming et al. 2006
Local Range: Tidal Oligohaline Marsh (Common Reed Tidal Marsh) was noted at College
Creek / Kingsmill, Jamestown Island, and in other areas as small patches. It is one of five
associations included in the map class Tidal Oligohaline Marsh. The five associations cannot be
mapped separately based on photo signatures, and a combined map class was used the vegetation
map. Polygons of Tidal Oligohaline Marsh may, in some cases, include several associations.
Classification Comments: Tidal Oligohaline Marsh (Common Reed Tidal Marsh) is
distinguished by being dominated by Phragmites australis (common reed).
Other Comments: Information not available.
Local Description Authors: K. D. Patterson.
Plots: None.
Colonial National Historical Park Inventory Notes: Information not available.
GLOBAL INFORMATION
USNVC CLASSIFICATION
Physiognomic Class Herbaceous Vegetation (V)
Physiognomic Subclass Perennial graminoid vegetation (V.A.)
Physiognomic Group Temperate or subpolar grassland (V.A.5.)
Physiognomic Subgroup Natural/Semi-natural temperate or subpolar grassland (V.A.5.N.)
Formation Tidal temperate or subpolar grassland (V.A.5.N.n.)
Alliance Phragmites australis Tidal Herbaceous Alliance (A.1477)
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