Floodplain Marsh

Description

Because the Floodplain Marsh ecological site occurs along rivers and drainageways, the plant community is constantly influenced by flooding and soil moisture variations. Flooding and ponding can be frequent during the wetter seasons of the year. This state consists of wet-tolerant native grasses and forbs along with scattered hardwood trees. Plant community structure and composition will vary depending on the depth and duration of flooding. Severe flooding has the potential to modify plant community composition. In the early successional stage, grasses and shrubs will dominant. As the plant community ages, trees will increase in number and density.

Dominant plant species

1. silver maple (Acer saccharinum), tree

2. elm (Ulmus), tree

3. grape (Vitis), shrub

4. cattail sedge (Carex typhina), grass

5. softstem bulrush (Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani), grass

6. rice cutgrass (Leersia oryzoides), grass

Submodel

Description

This State is characterized by a disturbed and degraded plant community condition with mixed hardwoods and non-native species. A key characteristics of this state includes the presence, and often dominance, of non-native species. The structure and composition of the natural plant community has been altered from the reference condition.

Dominant plant species

1. silver maple (Acer saccharinum), tree

2. elm (Ulmus), tree

3. reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea), grass

4. garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata), grass

Submodel