The Natural Communities of Virginia
Classification of Ecological Community Groups
SECOND APPROXIMATION (Version 2.4)
Information current as of June, 2011
Maritime Shrub Swamps
This group contains seasonally flooded shrublands of sheltered, maritime dune hollows where surface water is present throughout most of the year. Perched water tables and intermittent to seasonal flooding characterize the hydrology. Both groundwater and surface water are typically fresh (< 0.5 ppt), although salt water may pool in these areas after episodic storm surges during events such as hurricanes. Soils are stratified, with a thin layer of muck up to 10 cm (4 in) thick over wet sand. Species composition of these communities changes rapidly from the southeastern coast (City of Virginia Beach) to the Eastern Shore (Accomack and Northampton Counties). Southern areas characteristically contain southern bayberry (Myrica cerifera var. cerifera), along with inkberry (Ilex glabra), and highbush blueberries (Vaccinium spp.). Inkberry and highbush blueberries are less important in this group northward on the Eastern Shore. Climbing vines of poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans ssp. radicans) are abundantly intertwined with the shrubs in most occurrences of these swamps. Herb layers are rich in ferns, including royal fern (Osmunda regalis var. spectabilis), marsh fern (Thelypteris palustris var. pubescens), netted chain fern (Woodwardia areolata) and Virginia chain fern (Woodwardia virginica), but also include a variety of forbs such as whorled water-pennywort (Hydrocotyle verticillata var. verticillata). The geographic distribution and conservation status of communities in this group are currently somewhat uncertain and need intensive study. Reference: The Nature Conservancy (1997).
Click on the images below to open a larger image in a separate window.
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Seasonally flooded dune hollow supporting a maritime shrub swamp dominated by southern bayberry (Myrica cerifera var. cerifera ) and saltmeadow cordgrass (Spartina patens). Southern part of Assateague Island, Accomack County (Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge). Gary P. Fleming / © DCR Natural Heritage. |
REPRESENTATIVE COMMUNITY TYPES:
Very limited data (11 plots, map) have been collected from examples of this ecological group and none have been analyzed by DCR-DNH ecologists. Plots sampled at Chincoteague National Wildlife were used by NatureServe ecologists to classify the USNVC association listed below. Click on any highlighted CEGL code below to view the global USNVC description provided by NatureServe Explorer.
- Myrica cerifera / Hydrocotyle verticillata Shrubland
Southern Bayberry Maritime Shrub Swamp
USNVC: CEGL003840
Global/State Ranks: G2G3/S2
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