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Classification of Vegetation Communities of Maryland: First Iteration
A Subset of the International Classification of Ecological
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V. HERBACEOUS VEGETATION Concept: Dune grasslands dominated by Schizachyrium littorale (= Schizachyrium scoparium ssp. littorale). This alliance occurs on deep well-drained sands of old leveled interdunes. It usually occurs within the influence of offshore winds and salt spray. Although highly variable in species composition, the typical expression of this alliance is characterized by a predominance (25-50% cover) of bunch grasses including Schizachyrium littorale, Andropogon virginicus, Panicum amarum var. amarulum, Ammophila breviligulata, Dichanthelium scoparium, and Dichanthelium acuminatum. Generally one or two of these species will dominate while the others occur as more infrequent, scattered clumps. Occasionally Spartina patens, growing in a dry 'wispy' condition, will form the dominant graminoid cover. Shrubs of Morella pensylvanica (= Myrica pensylvanica) are sparse, and stunted Baccharis halimifolia and Diospyros virginiana are even less frequent. Dense tangles of Toxicodendron radicans are very characteristic of this alliance as they sprawl over the bareground and sparse vegetation. Rubus argutus is also scattered throughout. Much of the remaining dry sands are exposed with sparsely distributed herbs. Characteristic herb species include Cirsium horridulum, Solidago sempervirens, Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium (= Gnaphalium obtusifolium), Nuttallanthus canadensis, Euthamia caroliniana (= Euthamia tenuifolia), Oenothera humifusa, and Diodia teres. This vegetation is related to maritime grasslands of New England and New York. Further analysis is required to determine the classification, and thus the range, with confidence. Range: This vegetation is related to maritime grasslands of New England and New York. This alliance is found in North Carolina, Maryland, New Jersey, and Virginia, and elsewhere. States/Provinces: CT DE MA MD ME NC? NJ NY RI VA TNC Ecoregions: 57:C, 58:C, 62:C USFS Ecoregions: 221Aa:CCP, 221Ab:CCC, 221Ac:CCP, 221Ad:CCC, 221Ak:CCC, 232Aa:CCC, 232Ab:CCC, 232Bb:CC?, 232Bc:CCP, 232Bd:CCP, 232Bx:CCP, 232Bz:CCC, 232Ch:CCP, 232Ci:CCC, 255:P Federal Lands: NPS (Assateague Island, Fire Island) Synonymy: Sandplain Grassland (Swain and Kearsley 2001) References: Higgins et al. 1971, Hill 1986, Sneddon et al. 1996, Swain and Kearsley 2001 Authors: A.S. WEAKLEY, JT, East Identifier: A.1533 MORELLA (PENSYLVANICA, CERIFERA) / SCHIZACHYRIUM LITTORALE - EUPATORIUM HYSSOPIFOLIUM SHRUB HERBACEOUS VEGETATION (Northern Bayberry, Wax-myrtle) / Seaside Bluestem - Hyssopleaf Thoroughwort Shrub Herbaceous Vegetation Mid-Atlantic Coast Backdune Grassland G2 (98-12-02) Ecological Group (SCS;MCS): Atlantic and Gulf Coast Dune and Coastal Grasslands (240-25; n/a) Concept: These mid-Atlantic maritime grasslands occurs on deep well-drained sands of old leveled interdunes and backdunes. They usually occur within the influence of offshore winds and salt spray. Although highly variable in species composition, the typical expression of this community is characterized by a predominance (25-50% cover) of bunch grasses including Schizachyrium littorale (= Schizachyrium scoparium ssp. littorale), Andropogon virginicus, Panicum amarum var. amarulum, Ammophila breviligulata, Dichanthelium scoparium, and Dichanthelium acuminatum. Generally one or two of these species will dominate while the others occur as more infrequent, scattered clumps. Occasionally Spartina patens, growing in a dry 'wispy' condition, will form the dominant graminoid cover. Shrubs of Morella pensylvanica (= Myrica pensylvanica) and/or Morella cerifera (= Myrica cerifera) are sparse and stunted Baccharis halimifolia, Prunus maritima, and Diospyros virginiana are even less frequent. Dense tangles of Toxicodendron radicans are very characteristic of this community as they sprawl over the bare ground and sparse vegetation. Rubus argutus and Rhus copallinum are also scattered throughout. Much of the remaining dry sands are exposed with sparsely distributed herbs. Characteristic herb species include Cirsium horridulum, Solidago sempervirens, Pseudognaphalium obtusifolium (= Gnaphalium obtusifolium), Nuttallanthus canadensis, Euthamia caroliniana (= Euthamia tenuifolia), Oenothera humifusa, Oenothera oakesiana, Pityopsis falcata, Opuntia humifusa, and Diodia teres. The range of this community is not well known; North Carolina is likely the southern extent. This community is related to maritime grasslands of New England and New York. Further analysis is required to determine the classification, and thus the range, with confidence. Diagnostic species are Morella pensylvanica, Schizachyrium littorale, Eupatorium hyssopifolium, and Eupatorium rotundifolium. Range: This community ranges from New Jersey to Virginia and possibly North Carolina on coastal dunes. States/Provinces: DE:S?, MD:S?, NC?, NJ:S2?, VA:S? TNC Ecoregions: 57:C, 58:C, 62:C USFS Ecoregions: 232Ab:CCC, 232Bz:CCC, 232Ci:CCC Federal Lands: NPS (Assateague Island) Synonymy: Maritime Dry Grassland (Northern Bayberry Subtype) (Schafale 2000), Shrub succession community (Hill 1986) B. Assateague Island., Xeric shrub community (Higgins et al. 1971) B. Assateague Island (particularly at lower elevations)., Sandplain grassland (Dunwiddie et al. 1993) ?, Maritime grassland (Reschke 1990) ?. New York. References: Berdine 1998, Blizzard 1931, Breden et al. 2001, Dunwiddie et al. 1993, Fleming 2001, Fleming et al. 2001, Higgins et al. 1971, Hill 1986, Reschke 1990, Schafale 2000, Sneddon et al. 1996, TNC 1995c Authors: A. Berdine, mod. S.L. Neid, ECS Confidence: 2 Identifier: CEGL004240 - Maryland Vegetation Classification Subset Report V.A. Perennial graminoid vegetation |
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This Page Up-dated on April 27, 2010