Classification of Vegetation Communities of Maryland: First Iteration

V. HERBACEOUS VEGETATION
V.A.5.N.k. Seasonally flooded temperate or subpolar grassland
V.A.5.N.k.66. JUNCUS DICHOTOMUS SEASONALLY FLOODED HERBACEOUS ALLIANCE
Forked Rush Seasonally Flooded Herbaceous Alliance

Concept: This alliance encompasses rush-dominated vegetation of small, interdunal, very shallow, seasonally flooded basins. The 'dune swales' of the related Vaccinium macrocarpon Saturated Dwarf-shrubland Alliance (A.1094) (Sneddon et al. 1994) share some species with this alliance, such as Lycopodiella appressa, Utricularia subulata, and Drosera intermedia. However, sedges and rushes rather than Vaccinium macrocarpon are more characteristic of the Juncus dichotomus Seasonally Flooded Herbaceous Alliance (A.1427). Associates include Andropogon virginicus, Juncus dichotomus, Juncus canadensis, Juncus biflorus, Juncus scirpoides, Drosera intermedia, Fimbristylis autumnalis, Linum medium, Schoenoplectus pungens (= Scirpus pungens), and Solidago sempervirens. Soils are characterized by a shallow organic layer overlying sands. The water table is generally high (from 10-50 cm from the surface). This alliance occurs in close association, and often as part of a finely textured mosaic, with the III.A.2.N.i Morella cerifera Saturated Shrubland Alliance (A.1906) and the Morella (cerifera, pensylvanica) - Vaccinium formosum Seasonally Flooded Shrubland Alliance (A.1010) (which is not known from south of Maryland). Further data analysis will be required to establish the status and range of this alliance with greater confidence.

Range: This alliance is found in Maryland, New Jersey, and Virginia, and possibly Delaware (?).

States/Provinces: DE MD NJ VA

TNC Ecoregions: 57:P, 58:C, 62:C

USFS Ecoregions: 232A:C?, 232Bz:CCC, 232Ch:C??, 232Ci:C??

Federal Lands: NPS (Assateague Island)

References: Hill 1986, Jones 1992a, Sneddon et al. 1994, Sneddon et al. 1996, Tyndall and Levy 1978

Authors: ECS, MP, East Identifier: A.1427

Concept: This interdunal swale community of the Atlantic coast (Chesapeake Bay and Delaware Bay drainages) occurs in small, shallow, seasonally flooded depressions. Soils are characterized by a shallow organic layer overlying sands. Sedges and rushes are strongly dominant, including species such as Juncus dichotomus, Juncus canadensis, Juncus biflorus, Juncus scirpoides, Juncus acuminatus, Juncus megacephalus, Juncus canadensis, Cyperus odoratus, Scleria verticillata, Rhynchospora colorata, and Fimbristylis castanea. Common associates include Drosera intermedia, Linum medium, Lycopodiella appressa, Utricularia subulata, Utricularia juncea, Triadenum virginicum, Fuirena pumila, Xyris jupicai, Xyris caroliniana, Andropogon virginicus, and Solidago sempervirens.

Comments: This community occurs in close association, and often as part of a finely textured mosaic, with Morella cerifera - Vaccinium corymbosum Shrubland (CEGL003906) and Morella cerifera / Hydrocotyle verticillata Shrubland (CEGL003840). It is similar to Schoenoplectus pungens - Fimbristylis (castanea, caroliniana) Herbaceous Vegetation (CEGL004117) and may represent a successional phase.

Range: This community occurs from New Jersey south to Virginia.

States/Provinces: DE:S2, MD:S?, NJ:S?, VA:S?

TNC Ecoregions: 57:P, 58:C, 62:C

USFS Ecoregions: 232A:C?, 232Bz:CCC, 232C:C?

Federal Lands: NPS (Assateague Island)

Synonymy: Bog community (Hill 1986) =. Assateague Island., Andropogon community (Tyndall and Levy 1978) ?. Virginia., Interdunal wetlands (Jones 1992a) ?. Virginia.

References: Berdine 1998, Bowman 2000, Breden et al. 2001, Fleming 2001, Fleming et al. 2001, Hill 1986, Jones 1992a, Sneddon et al. 1994, Sneddon et al. 1996, TNC 1995c, Tyndall and Levy 1978

Authors: ECS Confidence: 2 Identifier: CEGL004111

- Maryland Vegetation Classification Subset Report V.A. Perennial graminoid vegetation

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