Name:
Ammophila breviligulata Dune Grassland Alliance
Reference:
NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description:
This northern Atlantic dune grassland alliance occurs almost exclusively on sandy, unstable, droughty substrates with no soil profile development. Eolian processes cause active sand deposition and erosion. The sand substrate is usually visible, and litter accumulation from plant debris is nearly absent. This alliance generally occurs on foredunes that receive the force of wind and salt spray but is beyond the influence of most storm tides. It includes maritime dune grasslands dominated by <i>Ammophila breviligulata</i> and/or <i>Panicum amarum</i>, which may be the only species present. Plant cover is variable, ranging from 10-75%, but is usually low. Other associates may include <i>Leymus mollis ssp. mollis, Lathyrus japonicus</i> in the northern portion of the range, and in the southern portion may include <i>Cakile edentula ssp. edentula, Cenchrus tribuloides, Chamaesyce polygonifolia, Diodia teres, Lechea maritima, Nuttallanthus canadensis, Oenothera humifusa, Panicum amarum var. amarulum, Panicum amarum var. amarum, Polygonella articulata, Salsola kali ssp. kali, Schizachyrium littorale, Solidago sempervirens, Spartina patens, Strophostyles helvola, Triplasis purpurea</i>, and <i>Vitis rotundifolia</i>. Sparse individuals of stunted <i>Morella pensylvanica</i> shrubs and seedlings may occur, but make up less than 2% of the total vegetation cover. Diagnostic species are <i>Ammophila breviligulata, Panicum amarum, Solidago sempervirens</i>, and <i>Chamaesyce polygonifolia</i>.
Accession Code:
urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:38180-{7F5CC826-ED42-4DAE-866E-0B1EE5F8619C}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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