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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): TIDAL OLIGOHALINE MARSH<br />

(SALTMEADOW CORDGRASS - OLNEY<br />

THREE-SQUARE LOW INTERIOR MARSH<br />

TYPE)<br />

SYNONYMS<br />

USNVC English Name: Chairmaker's Bulrush - Saltmeadow Cordgrass Herbaceous<br />

<strong>Vegetation</strong><br />

USNVC Scientific Name: Schoenoplectus americanus - Spartina patens Herbaceous<br />

<strong>Vegetation</strong><br />

USNVC Identifier: CEGL006612<br />

LOCAL INFORMATION<br />

Environmental Description: This oligohaline marsh association is found on the upper reaches<br />

of tidal creeks where the hydrologic regime is primarily lunar tidal. The substrate is<br />

characterized by an unusual floating mat of partially decomposed organic matter, fine roots, <strong>and</strong><br />

Schoenoplectus (bulrush) rhizomes to a depth of >40 cm. This vegetation may form extensive<br />

(>1000-square-meter) patches in the interior of marshes <strong>and</strong> is typically absent from a 20- to 50m<br />

edge zone along tidal channels.<br />

<strong>Vegetation</strong> Description: This species-diverse, relatively short-statured marsh contains a<br />

mixture of characteristically oligohaline <strong>and</strong> mesohaline species. This association is dominated<br />

by Schoenoplectus americanus (chairmaker's bulrush), occurring with Spartina patens<br />

(saltmeadow cordgrass). Other typical associates include Amaranthus cannabinus (tidalmarsh<br />

amaranth), Cyperus odoratus (fragrant flatsedge), Distichlis spicata (inl<strong>and</strong> saltgrass), Hibiscus<br />

moscheutos ssp. moscheutos (crimsoneyed rosemallow), Kosteletzkya virginica (Virginia<br />

saltmarsh mallow), Panicum virgatum var. virgatum (switchgrass), Polygonum punctatum<br />

(dotted smartweed), <strong>and</strong> Typha angustifolia (narrowleaf cattail).<br />

Most Abundant Species:<br />

Stratum Lifeform<br />

Species<br />

Herb (field)<br />

Graminoid Schoenoplectus americanus (chairmaker's<br />

bulrush)<br />

Characteristic Species: Schoenoplectus americanus (chairmaker's bulrush), Spartina patens<br />

(saltmeadow cordgrass).<br />

Other Noteworthy Species:<br />

Species GRank Type Note<br />

Eleocharis rostellata (beaked spikerush) - plant VA watchlist (S3)<br />

Subnational Distribution with Crosswalk Data:<br />

State SRank Rel Conf SName<br />

Reference<br />

VA SNR* B . Tidal Oligohaline Marsh<br />

Fleming et al. 2006<br />

Local Range: Tidal Oligohaline Marsh (Saltmeadow Cordgrass - Olney Three-Square Low<br />

Interior Marsh Type) is found at Jamestown Isl<strong>and</strong>. It is one of five associations included in the<br />

map class Tidal Oligohaline Marsh. The five associations cannot be mapped separately based on<br />

photo signatures, <strong>and</strong> a combined map class was used for the vegetation map. Polygons of Tidal<br />

Oligohaline Marsh may, in some cases, include several associations.<br />

<strong>Classification</strong> Comments: This association is distinguished by being dominated by<br />

Schoenoplectus americanus (chairmaker's bulrush) <strong>and</strong> occurring in the interior of marshes.<br />

Other Comments: Information not available.<br />

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