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Classification of Vegetation Communities of Maryland: First Iteration
A Subset of the International Classification of Ecological
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I. FOREST Concept: Freshwater lunar-tidal or wind-tidal forests, associated with tidal marshes of the Atlantic Coastal Plain. The canopy consists of Pinus taeda, Nyssa biflora, Taxodium distichum, Acer rubrum, and Liquidambar styraciflua. Acer rubrum and Liquidambar styraciflua may also be important, especially in the subcanopy stratum. Morella cerifera (= Myrica cerifera var. cerifera) is characteristically dominant in the shrub layer, sometimes reaching subcanopy heights (6-10 m). Other small tree and shrub components include Persea palustris, Itea virginica, Clethra alnifolia, Vaccinium formosum, Rosa palustris, Magnolia virginiana, Rhododendron viscosum, Leucothoe racemosa, Lyonia ligustrina var. foliosiflora, Photinia pyrifolia (= Aronia arbutifolia), and, in more open transitional zones, Salix caroliniana. Smilax laurifolia and Smilax rotundifolia are common vines, and Toxicodendron radicans ssp. radicans and Berchemia scandens also occur. Osmunda regalis var. spectabilis is often the strong dominant of the herbaceous stratum, but also occurs in a more mixed condition with Carex stricta, Carex atlantica ssp. capillacea, Hydrocotyle verticillata, Chasmanthium laxum, Woodwardia areolata, Osmunda cinnamomea, Juncus spp., and Rhynchospora caduca. This alliance is found on relatively firm, poorly decomposed, fibrous and root-rich peat, which usually overlies soupy, well-decomposed peat at depths of about 0.5-1.0 m. Microtopography frequently exhibits a strong hummock-and-hollow pattern, with hollows retaining standing water through much of the year. Flooding by wind tides is frequent, and habitats may be inundated to depths of 0.5 m or more by occasional powerful wind-tide events. This alliance may have complex long-term dynamics, related to inlet closing and opening. Range: This alliance is found in the Atlantic Coastal Plain of Virginia may possibly be found in North Carolina (?). States/Provinces: DE MD? VA TNC Ecoregions: 57:C, 58:C USFS Ecoregions: 232Bx:CCC, 232Ch:CCC Synonymy: Baldcypress - Tupelo: 102, in part (Eyre 1980) References: Eyre 1980, Fleming 1998 Authors: G.P. FLEMING/A.S. WEAKLEY, MP, Southeast Identifier: A.1886 PINUS TAEDA - NYSSA BIFLORA - TAXODIUM DISTICHUM / MORELLA CERIFERA / OSMUNDA REGALIS VAR. SPECTABILIS FOREST Loblolly Pine - Swamp Blackgum - Bald-cypress / Wax-myrtle / Royal Fern Forest G2? (97-06-20) Ecological Group (SCS;MCS): Atlantic and Gulf Coast Tidal Hardwood Swamp Forests (202-90; n/a) Concept: This community occurs on relatively firm, poorly decomposed, fibrous and root-rich peat, which usually overlies soupy, well-decomposed peat at depths of about 0.5-1.0 m. Microtopography frequently exhibits a strong hummock-and-hollow pattern, with hollows retaining standing water through much of the year. Flooding by wind tides is frequent, and habitats may be inundated to depths of 0.5 m or more by occasional powerful wind tide events. This community may have complex long term dynamics, related to inlet closing and opening. Nyssa biflora and Taxodium distichum dominate the canopy in variable proportions. Pinus taeda is also present and is diagnostic of this type in Virginia. Acer rubrum and Liquidambar styraciflua may also be important, especially in the subcanopy stratum. Morella cerifera (= Myrica cerifera var. cerifera) is characteristically dominant in the shrub layer, sometimes reaching subcanopy heights (6-10 m). Other small tree and shrub components include Persea palustris, Itea virginica, Clethra alnifolia, Vaccinium corymbosum, Rosa palustris, and Magnolia virginiana. Smilax laurifolia and Smilax rotundifolia are common vines, and Toxicodendron radicans ssp. radicans also occurs. Osmunda regalis var. spectabilis is often the strong dominant of the herbaceous stratum, but also occurs in a more mixed condition with Carex spp., Osmunda cinnamomea, Polygonum spp., and Thelypteris palustris var. pubescens. In some areas, Carex hyalinolepis forms dense swards in this community. Comments: Excellent and large examples occur along the Northwest River and North Landing River in southeastern Virginia and may occur as well in northeastern North Carolina. An additional occurrence is also known from the Pocomoke River in Delaware. States/Provinces: DE:S?, MD?, VA:S? TNC Ecoregions: 57:C, 58:C USFS Ecoregions: 232Bx:CCC, 232Ch:CCC Synonymy: Taxodium distichum - Nyssa biflora - Pinus taeda / Myrica cerifera / Osmunda regalis var. spectabilis Tidally Flooded Forest (Fleming and Moorhead 1998) References: Bowman 1999, Fleming 1998, Fleming and Moorhead 1998, Fleming et al. 2001 Authors: SCS Confidence: 2 Identifier: CEGL004651 - Maryland Vegetation Classification Subset Report I.C. Mixed evergreen-deciduous forest
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This Page Up-dated on February 09, 2010