tidal hardwood swamps - Maryland Department of Natural Resources
tidal hardwood swamps - Maryland Department of Natural Resources
tidal hardwood swamps - Maryland Department of Natural Resources
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ordering the water’s edge. An exceptionally diverse herb layer is characteristic <strong>of</strong> this type and<br />
can be contributed to several factors including; hummock-and-hollow microtopography, species<br />
recruitment from adjacent habitats, <strong>tidal</strong> frequency and duration. Regularly flooded hollows<br />
typically support flood-tolerant swamp species such as Impatiens capensis, Peltandra virginica,<br />
Polygonum arifolium, Iris versicolor and Saururus cernuus. Hummocks, which are slightly<br />
elevated above normal high tides, provide habitat for less flood tolerant species such as<br />
Arisaema triphyllum, Thalictrum polygamum, Viola cucullata, Cinna arundinacea, Cicuta<br />
maculata, Boehmeria cylindrica, Carex seorsa, Carex bromoides, Carex stricta and ferns such as<br />
Osmunda regalis var. spectabilis, Osmunda cinnamomea, Woodwardia areolata and Thelypteris<br />
palustris.<br />
SUMMARY STATISTICS<br />
Relative Basal Area: Nyssa biflora (37.7 m 2 /ha), Taxodium distichum (21.7% m 2 /ha), Fraxinus<br />
pr<strong>of</strong>unda (21.2% m 2 /ha), Acer rubrum (11.4% m 2 /ha)<br />
Range <strong>of</strong> species richness <strong>of</strong> 9 sample plots is 36-57 species • 400 m 2 .<br />
Mean species richness <strong>of</strong> 9 sample plots is 46 species • 400 m 2 .<br />
Homoteneity = 0.775<br />
DIAGNOSTIC SPECIES<br />
Taxodium distichum, Carpinus caroliniana, Carex seorsa, Bignonia capreolata<br />
MOST ABUNDANT SPECIES<br />
Stratum Species<br />
Tree Nyssa biflora, Taxodium distichum, Fraxinus pr<strong>of</strong>unda,<br />
Acer rubrum<br />
Shrub Ilex verticillata, Ilex opaca, Vaccinium corymbosum<br />
Vine Toxicodendron radicans, Smilax rotundifolia,<br />
Herbaceous Polygonum arifolium, Impatiens capensis, Thelypteris<br />
palustris<br />
NOTEWORTHY SPECIES<br />
State rare (S2 to S3.1) plant species that may or are known to occur within this community<br />
include Trillium pusillum (G2T3, S2), Fraxinus pr<strong>of</strong>unda, Smilax<br />
pseudochina, Chamaecyparis thyoides and Carex hyalinolepis.<br />
DISTRIBUTION<br />
In <strong>Maryland</strong>, Taxodium distichum – Nyssa biflora / Bignonia capreolata <strong>tidal</strong><br />
forests are supported by data from nine vegetation sample plots, which are<br />
located along the Pocomoke (Hickory Point, Dividing Creek and<br />
Nassawango Creek) River drainage. Although not sampled, similar<br />
vegetation may occur along Battle Creek, a tributary <strong>of</strong> the Patuxent River.<br />
CONSERVATION RANK<br />
S2<br />
30