I. FOREST
I.C.3.N.e. Tidal mixed
needle-leaved evergreen - cold-deciduous
forest
I.C.3.N.e.100. PINUS TAEDA - NYSSA BIFLORA - TAXODIUM DISTICHUM
TIDAL FOREST ALLIANCE
Loblolly Pine - Swamp Blackgum - Bald-cypress Tidal Forest
Alliance
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 |
