Vegetation Classification and Mapping Project Report - USGS

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USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program Colonial National Historical Park COMMON NAME (PARK-SPECIFIC): TIDAL MESOHALINE AND POLYHALINE MARSH (LOW SALT MARSH) SYNONYMS USNVC English Name: Saltmarsh Cordgrass - Saltgrass Tidal Herbaceous Vegetation USNVC Scientific Name: Spartina alterniflora - Distichlis spicata Tidal Herbaceous Vegetation USNVC Identifier: CEGL006586 LOCAL INFORMATION Environmental Description: Tidal Mesohaline and Polyhaline Marsh (Low Salt Marsh) are salt marshes characterized by very low species diversity and low plant stature. Mesohaline conditions comprise salt concentrations between 5 and 18 ppt, whereas polyhaline conditions range from 18 to 30 ppt. In Colonial National Historical Park, these marshes occur as small riverine marshes fringing the mainland along the York River and in tidal reaches of its tributaries and are subject to regular, diurnal tides. Vegetation Description: These marshes are strongly dominated by short-statured Spartina alterniflora (smooth cordgrass), generally less than 1 meter in height, often in association with Distichlis spicata (inland saltgrass) and Spartina patens (saltmeadow cordgrass). Other common associates include Schoenoplectus robustus (sturdy bulrush), Symphyotrichum tenuifolium (perennial saltmarsh aster), Schoenoplectus americanus (chairmaker's bulrush), and Fimbristylis castanea (marsh fimbry). Most Abundant Species: Stratum Lifeform Species Herb (field) Graminoid Distichlis spicata (inland saltgrass), Spartina alterniflora (smooth cordgrass) Characteristic Species: Distichlis spicata (inland saltgrass), Spartina alterniflora (smooth cordgrass), Spartina patens (saltmeadow cordgrass). Other Noteworthy Species: Information not available. Subnational Distribution with Crosswalk Data: State SRank Rel Conf SName Reference VA SNR . . [not crosswalked] . Local Range: Tidal Mesohaline and Polyhaline Marsh (Low Salt Marsh) was noted along the York River from Ringfield / King Creek to Yorktown Creek. It is one of two associations included in the map class Tidal Mesohaline and Polyhaline Marsh. The two associations cannot be mapped separately based on photo signatures, and a combined map class was used for the vegetation map. Classification Comments: Tidal Mesohaline and Polyhaline Marsh (Low Salt Marsh) is distinguished by the dominance of Spartina alterniflora (smooth cordgrass) occurring with species indicative of mesohaline conditions such as Spartina patens (saltmeadow cordgrass) and Distichlis spicata (inland saltgrass). Other Comments: Near-shore pocket marshes may have a fringe of Oligohaline Marsh dominated by Typha angustifolia (narrowleaf cattail) and Spartina cynosuroides (big cordgrass) next to shore that is too small to map separately. Local Description Authors: K. D. Patterson. Plots: None. Colonial National Historical Park Inventory Notes: Information not available. 294
USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program Colonial National Historical Park 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 Spartina alterniflora Tidal Herbaceous Alliance (A.1471) Alliance (English name) Saltmarsh Cordgrass Tidal Herbaceous Alliance Association Spartina alterniflora - Distichlis spicata Tidal Herbaceous Vegetation Association (English name) Saltmarsh Cordgrass - Saltgrass Tidal Herbaceous Vegetation Ecological System(s): Northern Atlantic Coastal Plain Tidal Salt Marsh (CES203.519). GLOBAL DESCRIPTION Concept Summary: This community represents low salt marsh vegetation dominated by the "short form" of Spartina alterniflora (smooth cordgrass) and Distichlis spicata (inland saltgrass), although the latter species may be somewhat less abundant. Diversity is exceedingly low, but some stands may be codominated by Spartina patens (saltmeadow cordgrass). Most occurrences of this community type are located in non-riverine, mesohaline marshes subject to regular, diurnal tides. Environmental Description: Stands of this vegetation are located in mesohaline (5-18 ppt salinity), chiefly non-riverine marshes subject to regular, diurnal tides. The substrate typically consists of extremely dense, often firm, fibric peat rich in fine roots and rhizomes. This vegetation is documented from large estuaries that are somewhat more sheltered from storm overwash than similar vegetation of barrier island marshes. Vegetation Description: This community is dominated by short-statured Spartina alterniflora (smooth cordgrass), generally much less than 1 m in height; Distichlis spicata (inland saltgrass) is a constant and typically codominant associate. Spartina patens (saltmeadow cordgrass) may attain moderate to high cover in some stands. Infrequent components of this vegetation include Limonium carolinianum (Carolina sealavender), Schoenoplectus pungens (common threesquare), Iva frutescens (Jesuit's bark), Juncus roemerianus (needlegrass rush), Kosteletzkya virginica (Virginia saltmarsh mallow), Pluchea odorata (sweetscent) and Salicornia virginica (Virginia glasswort). Species richness is very low, with an average of five species per 100 square meters. Most Abundant Species: Stratum Lifeform Species Herb (field) Graminoid Distichlis spicata (inland saltgrass), Spartina alterniflora (smooth cordgrass) Characteristic Species: Distichlis spicata (inland saltgrass), Spartina alterniflora (smooth cordgrass). Other Noteworthy Species: Information not available. USFWS Wetland System: Estuarine. DISTRIBUTION Range: This association has been documented from several, chiefly non-riverine sites on the eastern and western shores of the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland and Virginia. States/Provinces: MD, VA. Federal Lands: NPS (Colonial, George Washington Birthplace); USFWS (Chincoteague). 295
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