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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 />

in high marsh l<strong>and</strong>ward <strong>and</strong> by vegetation dominated by Spartina alterniflora (smooth<br />

cordgrass) or Spartina cynosuroides (big cordgrass) in low marsh seaward. This vegetation does<br />

not typically occur along the edge of tidal channels.<br />

Most Abundant Species:<br />

Stratum Lifeform Species<br />

Herb (field) Graminoid Schoenoplectus americanus (chairmaker's<br />

bulrush)<br />

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

(saltmeadow cordgrass).<br />

Other Noteworthy Species: Information not available.<br />

USFWS Wetl<strong>and</strong> System: Estuarine.<br />

DISTRIBUTION<br />

Range: This association is currently described from mid-Atlantic states of Delaware, Maryl<strong>and</strong><br />

<strong>and</strong> Virginia. It possibly extends south to Georgia.<br />

States/Provinces: DE, GA?, MD:S4, NC?, NJ, SC?, VA.<br />

Federal L<strong>and</strong>s: NPS (Colonial); USFWS (Back Bay, Chesapeake Marshl<strong>and</strong>s).<br />

CONSERVATION STATUS<br />

Rank: GNR (17-Apr-2000).<br />

Reasons: Information not available.<br />

CLASSIFICATION INFORMATION<br />

Status: St<strong>and</strong>ard.<br />

Confidence: 2 - Moderate.<br />

Comments: The halinity range of this vegetation is uncertain, but the relatively higher species<br />

diversity suggests lower halinity than that characteristic of Spartina patens - Distichlis spicata -<br />

(Juncus gerardii) Herbaceous <strong>Vegetation</strong> (CEGL006006). It is unclear whether st<strong>and</strong>s attributed<br />

to this type at North L<strong>and</strong>ing River <strong>and</strong> Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge represent the same<br />

vegetation. The prevailing tidal influence in these areas is generally wind-generated rather than<br />

strictly lunar (Coulling 2002).<br />

Similar Associations:<br />

• Schoenoplectus americanus - (Spartina patens) - Typha spp. Herbaceous <strong>Vegetation</strong> (CEGL008476)<br />

• Schoenoplectus pungens Tidal Herbaceous <strong>Vegetation</strong> (CEGL004188)<br />

Related Concepts:<br />

• Schoenoplectus americanus - Spartina patens Tidal Herbaceous <strong>Vegetation</strong> (Bartgis 1986) =<br />

• Spartina patens - Schoenoplectus americanus Tidal Herbaceous <strong>Vegetation</strong> (VDNH 2003) =<br />

SOURCES<br />

Description Authors: S.L. Neid, mod. L.A. Sneddon.<br />

References: Bartgis 1986, Bowman 2000, Coulling 2002, Eastern Ecology Working Group n.d.,<br />

Fleming 2001, Fleming et al. 2001, Harrison 2001, Harrison 2004, VDNH 2003.<br />

292

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