A Natural Resource Management Guide for the County of Morris A ...

Great Swamp
Vegetation
Introduction
While our natural world appears to be a constant, resilient, backdrop for our human existence, in reality it is
a dynamic, ever-changing organism that responds to the participation of all its members. This mutuality is
exemplified within the plant community. Vegetation reflects the interactions of geology, topography, soil type,
hydrology, light, temperature, wind and atmospheric composition. Variations in these factors affect plant
diversity and the rate of succession, both of which contribute ultimately to the end product of land cover.
Our Green Community
The New Jersey Natural Heritage Program, dedicated to preserving the full array of natural diversity in the
state, has identified individual natural communities. A natural community is defined as a "distinct and
recurring assemblage of populations of plants, animals, bacteria and fungi naturally
1
associated with each other and their physical environment." An inventory of common,
as well as "special" species, and a glossary are located in the back of the chapter.
Listings and rankings of endangered and threatened species monitored by the Natural
Heritage Program, can be found in Appendix A.
Two broad categories have been established: Palustrine and Terrestrial, with
subcategories following accordingly. The Palustrine System includes various vegetated
wetlands and associated open waters such as floodplains, marsh, swamp, bog, ponds,
lakes, and river channels. Terrestrial Systems correspond to drier, land-based areas
such as uplands and mountains.
* Downy Phlox
1
Thomas F. Breden, "A Preliminary Natural Community Classification for New Jersey, " New Jersey's
Rare and Endangered Plants and Animals, Institute for Environmental Studies, 1989, 157.
123
Vegetation