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 />
Physiognomic Subgroup Natural/Semi-natural temperate or subpolar grassl<strong>and</strong> (V.A.5.N.)<br />
Formation Tidal temperate or subpolar grassl<strong>and</strong> (V.A.5.N.n.)<br />
Alliance Spartina alterniflora Tidal Herbaceous Alliance (A.1471)<br />
Alliance (English name) Saltmarsh Cordgrass Tidal Herbaceous Alliance<br />
Association Spartina alterniflora - Polygonum punctatum - Amaranthus cannabinus<br />
Herbaceous <strong>Vegetation</strong><br />
Association (English name) Saltmarsh Cordgrass - Dotted Smartweed - Water-hemp Herbaceous <strong>Vegetation</strong><br />
Ecological System(s): Northern Atlantic Coastal Plain Brackish Tidal Marsh (CES203.894).<br />
GLOBAL DESCRIPTION<br />
Concept Summary: This oligohaline to mesohaline marsh of the mid-Atlantic occurs in silty<br />
mud along me<strong>and</strong>ers in tidal rivers <strong>and</strong> guts in the interiors of extensive marshes where there is<br />
significant freshwater input. The vegetation is diverse <strong>and</strong> variable but is characterized by the<br />
consistent presence of Spartina alterniflora (smooth cordgrass), Schoenoplectus robustus (sturdy<br />
bulrush), <strong>and</strong> Polygonum punctatum (dotted smartweed). Other associates include Amaranthus<br />
cannabinus (tidalmarsh amaranth), Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani (softstem bulrush),<br />
Pelt<strong>and</strong>ra virginica (green arrow arum), Pluchea odorata (sweetscent), Bidens coronata<br />
(crowned beggarticks), Kosteletzkya virginica (Virginia saltmarsh mallow), Eleocharis palustris<br />
(common spikerush), Asclepias incarnata (swamp milkweed), Schoenoplectus americanus<br />
(chairmaker's bulrush), Ptilimnium capillaceum (herbwilliam), <strong>and</strong> Echinochloa walteri (coast<br />
cockspur grass). Spartina cynosuroides (big cordgrass) is a common associate in Virginia<br />
examples <strong>and</strong> in some areas of Maryl<strong>and</strong>.<br />
Environmental Description: This oligohaline to mesohaline marsh of the mid-Atlantic occurs<br />
in silty mud along me<strong>and</strong>ers in tidal rivers <strong>and</strong> guts in the interiors of extensive marshes where<br />
there is significant freshwater input.<br />
<strong>Vegetation</strong> Description: The vegetation is diverse <strong>and</strong> variable but is characterized by the<br />
consistent presence of Spartina alterniflora (smooth cordgrass), Schoenoplectus robustus (sturdy<br />
bulrush), <strong>and</strong> Polygonum punctatum (dotted smartweed). Other associates include Amaranthus<br />
cannabinus (tidalmarsh amaranth), Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani (softstem bulrush),<br />
Pelt<strong>and</strong>ra virginica (green arrow arum), Pluchea odorata (sweetscent), Bidens coronata<br />
(crowned beggarticks), Kosteletzkya virginica (Virginia saltmarsh mallow), Eleocharis palustris<br />
(common spikerush), Asclepias incarnata (swamp milkweed), Schoenoplectus americanus<br />
(chairmaker's bulrush), Ptilimnium capillaceum (herbwilliam), <strong>and</strong> Echinochloa walteri (coast<br />
cockspur grass). Spartina cynosuroides (big cordgrass) is a common associate in Virginia<br />
examples <strong>and</strong> in some areas of Maryl<strong>and</strong>. An unusually diverse example of this vegetation in<br />
Delaware occurs on Blackbird Creek <strong>and</strong> supports the additional species Eleocharis parvula<br />
(dwarf spikerush), Cyperus filicinus (fern flatsedge), Sium suave (hemlock waterparsnip), Typha<br />
latifolia (broadleaf cattail), Hibiscus moscheutos ssp. moscheutos (crimsoneyed rosemallow) <strong>and</strong><br />
Sagittaria latifolia (broadleaf arrowhead).<br />
Most Abundant Species: Information not available.<br />
Characteristic Species: Polygonum punctatum (dotted smartweed), Schoenoplectus robustus<br />
(sturdy bulrush), Spartina alterniflora (smooth cordgrass).<br />
Other Noteworthy Species:<br />
Species GRank Type Note<br />
Aeschynomene virginica (Virginia jointvetch)<br />
G2 plant<br />
USFWS Wetl<strong>and</strong> System: Estuarine.<br />
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