Name:
Pinus taeda - Nyssa biflora - Taxodium distichum Tidal Forest Alliance
Reference:
Southeastern Ecology Working Gro...
Description:
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 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.
Accession Code:
VB.CC.24137.PINUSTAEDANYSSA
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
|
