Class: Baccharis halimifolia - Iva frutescens / Panicum virgatum Shrubland (Northern Salt Shrub) TNC Alliance Code: III.B.2.N.h.1.   6063 CMI Code: 6063 Type Locator: Fire Island and the Floyd Estate Cross-Section:

TNC Alliance Description:  This association occurs within the ecotone between high salt marsh and transitional maritime forest.  The substrate is moist loam over sand that receives periodic tidal flooding. This salt shrubland community is dominated by Baccharis halimifolia, which forms dense cover.  The herbaceous layer is variable in species composition and cover and contains Teucrium canadense and Phragmites australis.
 

Photo Interpretation: This type is often found between the more obvious, taller shrub types on and around the backdune. It is always near wetlands. Baccharis halimifolia has a uniform gray color lighter than the surrounding wetter areas and very fine speckling can be seen. Individual plants are impossible to discern.
 

Aerial Photo Samples:

 

Field Notes:  The dominant species is Baccharis halimifolia.  It is primarily located between High Salt Marsh and Maritime Decidious Scrub Forest.
 

Ground Photos:

Baccharis halimifolia	Baccharis halimifolia in bloom and Phragmites australis

Similar Alliances:

Vaccinium corymbosum - Rhododendron viscosum - Clethra alnifolia Shrubland (Highbush Blueberry Shrub Forest): Dominated by Vaccinium corymbosum rather than Baccharis halimifolia.

Phragmites australis Tidal Herbaceous Vegetation (Reedgrass Marsh): Dominated by Phragmites australis rather than Baccharis halimifolia.