Name:
Spartina patens - (Schoenoplectus pungens) Herbaceous Alliance
Reference:
Eastern Ecology Working Group of...
Description:
This alliance includes upland dune grassland of barrier islands of the Mid-Atlantic and Gulf coasts. Spartina patens and Schoenoplectus pungens (= Scirpus pungens) are characteristically dominant, though other graminoids such as Schoenoplectus pungens, Sporobolus virginicus, Cenchrus spinifex (= Cenchrus incertus), Cenchrus tribuloides, and Paspalum distichum may be codominant or prominent within their respective ranges. In parts of the range of this alliance, Spartina patens is dominant and Schoenoplectus pungens may be absent. This community characteristically occupies overwash terraces or low dunes, less well-developed than those dominated by Uniola paniculata (from North Carolina south and west to Texas and Tamaulipas, Mexico) or by Ammophila breviligulata (from North Carolina northwards). Total vegetation cover is variable, ranging from quite sparse (25% cover) to dense. Bare sand is often visible through the vegetation, and there is no soil profile development. Species diversity is variable; although it may be quite low and confined to the nominal species in the northern part of the range, it may be of greater diversity. Other components of this vegetation include Strophostyles helvula, Solidago sempervirens, Cenchrus tribuloides, Setaria parviflora, Distichlis spicata, Sabatia stellaris, Ammophila breviligulata, Suaeda linearis, Bassia hirsuta (an exotic), Atriplex patula, Polygonum glaucum, Spergularia salina (= Spergularia marina), Salicornia bigelovii, Salicornia virginica, Fimbristylis castanea, and Cakile edentula ssp. edentula. Woody species may include scattered individuals of Toxicodendron radicans, Solidago sempervirens, Lythrum lineare, Kosteletzkya virginica, and seedlings of Baccharis halimifolia. The plants of this community are influenced by sand deposited by storm surges. Storm overwash is a prevalent natural disturbance to this community. This community appears to be successional between interdunal herbaceous wetlands and interdunal herbaceous/shrub uplands.
Accession Code:
VB.CC.18577.SPARTINAPATENSS
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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