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 />
forms narrow b<strong>and</strong>s under freshwater conditions, Schoenoplectus pungens (common threesquare)<br />
or Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani (softstem bulrush) typically attains high cover <strong>and</strong> density.<br />
Eleocharis quadrangulata (squarestem spikerush) <strong>and</strong> Pontederia cordata (pickerelweed) are<br />
codominant; common associates include Leersia oryzoides (rice cutgrass), Polygonum punctatum<br />
(dotted smartweed), Polygonum arifolium (halberdleaf tearthumb), Zizania aquatica (annual<br />
wildrice), Bidens laevis (smooth beggartick), Asclepias incarnata (swamp milkweed),<br />
Amaranthus cannabinus (tidalmarsh amaranth), Impatiens capensis (jewelweed), Nuphar lutea<br />
ssp. advena (yellow pond-lily), Dulichium arundinaceum (threeway sedge), Sagittaria latifolia<br />
(broadleaf arrowhead), Galium obtusum (bluntleaf bedstraw), <strong>and</strong> the exotic Murdannia keisak<br />
(wartremoving herb). In rare instances Schoenoplectus fluviatilis (river bulrush) or<br />
Schoenoplectus americanus (chairmaker's bulrush) may share dominance. Oligohaline variants<br />
are typically less diverse <strong>and</strong> more sparsely vegetated, although Schoenoplectus pungens<br />
(common threesquare) or Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani (softstem bulrush) may attain high<br />
cover. Characteristic associates include Polygonum punctatum (dotted smartweed), Zizania<br />
aquatica (annual wildrice), Echinochloa walteri (coast cockspur grass), Hibiscus moscheutos<br />
ssp. moscheutos (crimsoneyed rosemallow), Leersia oryzoides (rice cutgrass), Pluchea odorata<br />
(sweetscent), Amaranthus cannabinus (tidalmarsh amaranth), Rumex verticillatus (swamp dock),<br />
<strong>and</strong> Pontederia cordata (pickerelweed).<br />
Most Abundant Species:<br />
Stratum Lifeform<br />
Species<br />
Herb (field) Forb<br />
Pelt<strong>and</strong>ra virginica (green arrow arum)<br />
Characteristic Species: Pelt<strong>and</strong>ra virginica (green arrow arum), Schoenoplectus pungens<br />
(common threesquare), Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani (softstem bulrush).<br />
Other Noteworthy Species: Information not available.<br />
USFWS Wetl<strong>and</strong> System: Estuarine.<br />
DISTRIBUTION<br />
Range: This association has been documented from several tidal river systems in Virginia. Its<br />
potential occurrence outside Virginia has not been evaluated.<br />
States/Provinces: VA.<br />
Federal L<strong>and</strong>s: NPS (Colonial).<br />
CONSERVATION STATUS<br />
Rank: GNR (2-Jun-2007).<br />
Reasons: Information not available.<br />
CLASSIFICATION INFORMATION<br />
Status: Provisional.<br />
Confidence: 3 - Weak.<br />
Comments: This community exhibits considerable variation in composition <strong>and</strong> structure,<br />
largely as functions of prevailing salinity <strong>and</strong> hydroperiod. Schoenoplectus pungens (common<br />
threesquare) Tidal Herbaceous <strong>Vegetation</strong> (CEGL004188) forms similarly narrow patches <strong>and</strong><br />
occupies similar habitats along channel margins, as do freshwater variants of this association, but<br />
is typically much less diverse <strong>and</strong> is restricted to gravelly or otherwise coarse-textured substrates<br />
on shorelines frequently subject to ice-scour. Pelt<strong>and</strong>ra virginica - Pontederia cordata Tidal<br />
Herbaceous <strong>Vegetation</strong> (CEGL004706) occurs in similarly low l<strong>and</strong>scape positions, often<br />
adjacent to open water, but generally lacks emergent graminoids (Schoenoplectus spp.<br />
(bulrushs), Eleocharis quadrangulata (squarestem spikerush)) as important associates, <strong>and</strong><br />
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