Class: Myrica pennsylvanica - Rosa rugosa Shrubland (Northern Dune Shrubland) TNC Alliance Code: III.B.2.N.a.9.  6295 CMI Code:  6295 Type Locator: Restricted to Fire Island Cross-Section:

TNC Alliance Description:  This shrubland occurs on the leeward side of primary dunes and receives overwash only during storm surge.  This maritime dune shrubland is dominated by Prunus maritima and Myrica pensylvanica with Rosa rugosa common, but with low percent cover.  Overall shrub cover ranges from 55-90% cover. Toxicodendron radicans is a common vine. The herbaceous layer is often sparse and composed of Ammophila breviligulata.  Other herbaceous species that occur at low cover include Panicum columbianum, Juncus greenei, Euthamia tenuifolia, Carex silicea, Polygonella articulata, Gnaphalium obtusifolium, Cyperus grayi, Antennaria plantiginifolia, Lechea maritima, Linaria canadensis, and Panicum sphaerocarpon. In more sheltered areas, species composition is more variable with Pinus rigida and Rubus hispidus prominent in the shrub layer and Panicum virgatum dominant in the herbaceous layer.  Cladonia species are abundant in the non-vascular layer.
 

Photo Interpretation: This type is very common and dominates the interdune areas on Fire Island. It variable in height between 0-1 meter in height. It is often interspersed with lighter colored signatures of Ammophia brevigulata and Hudsonia tomentosa. This type has a dark brownish-red color and is typically uniform in texture throughout the polygon. Little sand shows through.
 

Aerial Photo Samples:

 

Field Notes:  Prunus maritima and Myrica pensylvanica are the dominant cover for this association.  Rosa rugosa and Toxicodendron radicans are often present.  Located on the inter-dune, from directly behind the fore-dune to the taller shrubs and trees on the back-dune.
 

Ground Photos:

Prunus maritima	Prunus maritima fruit

Myrica pensylvanica

Similar Alliances:

Smilax spp. - Toxicodendron radicans Vine-Shrubland (Maritime Vine Dune): Myrica pensylvanica present in both alliances. Vine species have dense total cover of Vine-Shrubland.

Myrica pennsylvanica / Schizachyrium scoparium ssp. littorale - Danthonia spicata Shrub Herbaceous Vegetation (Nothern Sandplain Grassland): A rare alliance idenitified through ground surveys. Schizachyrium scoparium and Myrica pensylvanica codominate this alliance.