Class: Spartina patens - Eleocharis parvula Herbaceous Vegetation (Brackish Interdunal Swale) TNC Alliance Code: V.A.5.N.k.29.  6342 CMI Code: 6342 Type Locator: Restricted to Fire Island Cross-Section:

TNC Alliance Description: This community occurs in brackish, interdunal swales behind primary and secondary dunes.  Standing, oligohaline (salinity = 2 ppt) water pools to approximately 4 cm.  The substrate is characterized by 10-55 cm of peat over sand. This community is generally dominated by Scirpus pungens, Eleocharis parvula, or Spartina patens.  Associated species include Pluchea odorata, Scirpus robustus, Phragmites australis, Distichlis spicata, Scirpus americana, and Cyperus polystachyos, all of which occur sporadically and with low percent cover.  There is often a sparse shrub layer comprised of Baccharis halimifolia that forms hummocks within the standing pools of water.
 

Photo Interpretation: This type is found behind primary and secondary dunes where saline surface water is found. When these wetlands are not dominated by Phragmites they appear dark and closely match open water. The vegetation is emergent and is difficult to identify specifically from the photography.
 

Aerial Photo Samples:

 

Field Notes:  Standing water located in the interdunal area.  Characterized by Spartina patens, Eleocharis parvula, and Scirpus pungens.
 

Ground Photos:

Similar Alliances:  None