Vegetation Classification and Mapping Project Report - USGS
Vegetation Classification and Mapping Project Report - USGS
Vegetation Classification and Mapping Project Report - USGS
Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
<strong>USGS</strong>-NPS <strong>Vegetation</strong> <strong>Mapping</strong> Program<br />
Colonial National Historical Park<br />
GLOBAL INFORMATION<br />
USNVC CLASSIFICATION<br />
Physiognomic Class Herbaceous <strong>Vegetation</strong> (V)<br />
Physiognomic Subclass Perennial graminoid vegetation (V.A.)<br />
Physiognomic Group Temperate or subpolar grassl<strong>and</strong> (V.A.5.)<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 cynosuroides Tidal Herbaceous Alliance (A.1480)<br />
Alliance (English name) Giant Cordgrass Tidal Herbaceous Alliance<br />
Association Spartina cynosuroides Herbaceous <strong>Vegetation</strong><br />
Association (English name) Giant Cordgrass Herbaceous <strong>Vegetation</strong><br />
Ecological System(s): Northern Atlantic Coastal Plain Brackish Tidal Marsh (CES203.894)<br />
Central Atlantic Coastal Plain Fresh <strong>and</strong> Oligohaline Tidal Marsh<br />
(CES203.376).<br />
Atlantic Coastal Plain Embayed Region Tidal Freshwater Marsh (CES203.259).<br />
GLOBAL DESCRIPTION<br />
Concept Summary: This community includes narrow, almost pure st<strong>and</strong>s of Spartina<br />
cynosuroides (big cordgrass) along tidal creeks <strong>and</strong> sloughs or on levees of oligohaline tidal<br />
marshes along the central Atlantic Coast. Some occurrences are nearly monospecific, while<br />
others have a diverse component of other graminoids <strong>and</strong> forbs. Where mixed, associated plants<br />
include Schoenoplectus pungens (common threesquare), Schoenoplectus robustus (sturdy<br />
bulrush), Schoenoplectus americanus (chairmaker's bulrush), Kosteletzkya virginica (Virginia<br />
saltmarsh mallow), Hibiscus moscheutos ssp. moscheutos (crimsoneyed rosemallow),<br />
Amaranthus cannabinus (tidalmarsh amaranth), Panicum virgatum (switchgrass), Pelt<strong>and</strong>ra<br />
virginica (green arrow arum), <strong>and</strong> Polygonum punctatum (dotted smartweed). Where more<br />
saline, Spartina alterniflora (smooth cordgrass) <strong>and</strong> Iva frutescens (Jesuit's bark) can become<br />
more frequent. Where less saline, associates can include Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani<br />
(softstem bulrush), Pontederia cordata (pickerelweed), Pelt<strong>and</strong>ra virginica (green arrow arum),<br />
Leersia oryzoides (rice cutgrass), Mikania sc<strong>and</strong>ens (climbing hempvine), Rumex verticillatus<br />
(swamp dock), Echinochloa walteri (coast cockspur grass), Polygonum hydropiperoides (swamp<br />
smartweed), <strong>and</strong> Typha angustifolia (narrowleaf cattail) (or Typha domingensis (southern cattail)<br />
in the south), among others. In more disturbed areas, this association can be displaced by<br />
Phragmites australis (common reed).<br />
Environmental Description: This association occurs along tidal creeks, guts, <strong>and</strong> levees of<br />
oligohaline to mesohaline marshes in irregularly flooded high marsh situations, but in areas that<br />
are well-drained.<br />
<strong>Vegetation</strong> Description: Spartina cynosuroides (big cordgrass) is strongly dominant in this<br />
community, often occurring in pure st<strong>and</strong>s. Where st<strong>and</strong>s are mixed, common associates can<br />
include Schoenoplectus robustus (sturdy bulrush), Schoenoplectus pungens (common<br />
threesquare), Schoenoplectus americanus (chairmaker's bulrush), Pelt<strong>and</strong>ra virginica (green<br />
arrow arum), Kosteletzkya virginica (Virginia saltmarsh mallow), Amaranthus cannabinus<br />
(tidalmarsh amaranth), Panicum virgatum (switchgrass), Pelt<strong>and</strong>ra virginica (green arrow arum),<br />
<strong>and</strong> Polygonum punctatum (dotted smartweed). Where more saline, Spartina alterniflora<br />
(smooth cordgrass) <strong>and</strong> Iva frutescens (Jesuit's bark) can become more frequent. Where less<br />
saline, Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani (softstem bulrush), Polygonum hydropiperoides (swamp<br />
smartweed), Pontederia cordata (pickerelweed), Pelt<strong>and</strong>ra virginica (green arrow arum),<br />
Leersia oryzoides (rice cutgrass), Mikania sc<strong>and</strong>ens (climbing hempvine), Rumex verticillatus<br />
(swamp dock), Echinochloa walteri (coast cockspur grass), <strong>and</strong> Typha angustifolia (narrowleaf<br />
302