Element Identifiers
NVCS association: Sagittaria kurziana - Potamogeton illinoensis - Vallisneria americana Herbaceous Vegetation
Database Code: CEGL004332
Formation: Permanently flooded temperate or subpolar hydromorphic rooted vegetation
Alliance: VALLISNERIA AMERICANA PERMANENTLY FLOODED TEMPERATE HERBACEOUS ALLIANCE (V.C.2.N.a.17)
Element Concept
Summary: This association occupies large, clear water, spring-fed streams in the Florida Panhandle, forming vast beds in freshwater 'spring runs,' sometimes extending downstream into brackish water. These dense beds are dominated by a combination of Sagittaria kurziana, Potamogeton illinoensis, and/or Vallisneria americana. Other characteristic species include Cabomba caroliniana, Ceratophyllum demersum, Zizania aquatica (submersed forms), Egeria densa (exotic), and Hydrilla verticillata (exotic). The large and distinctive plants of Vallisneria have sometimes been considered a distinct species, Vallisneria neotropicalis (this now regarded as a synonym of Vallisneria americana). This vegetation could extend from the East Gulf Coastal Plain into the adjacent Florida peninsula.
Environment: This association occupies large, clear water, spring-fed streams in the Florida Panhandle, forming vast beds in freshwater 'spring runs,' sometimes extending downstream into brackish water. This vegetation could extend from the East Gulf Coastal Plain into the adjacent Florida peninsula.
Vegetation: The dense aquatic beds that comprise stands of this association are dominated by a combination of Sagittaria kurziana, Potamogeton illinoensis, and/or Vallisneria americana. Other characteristic species include Cabomba caroliniana, Ceratophyllum demersum, Zizania aquatica (submersed forms), Egeria densa (exotic), and Hydrilla verticillata (exotic). The large plants of Vallisneria have sometimes been considered a distinct species, Vallisneria americana (= Vallisneria neotropicalis).
Dynamics: See Summary
Similar Associations:
Stuckenia pectinata - Vallisneria americana Herbaceous Vegetation (CEGL008590)--of the Florida peninsula.
Synonymy: No information
Comments: None
Conservation Ranking & Rare Species
GRank: G2 (01-01-31): This association is limited to spring runs in the Florida panhandle. This community is naturally rare, and geographically limited to spring-run streams of the karst portions of the Florida panhandle. Exotic aquatics (e.g., Egeria densa and Hydrilla verticillata) degrade all known examples.
High-ranked species: No information
Element Distribution
Range: This vegetation could extend from the East Gulf Coastal Plain of the United States into the adjacent Florida peninsula.
States: FL
Crosswalk to State Classifications:
FL: Spring-run Stream, in part (FL 1992)
TNC Ecoregions: 53:C
USFS Ecoregions: 232Db:CCP, 232Dc:CCC
Federal Lands: USFS (Apalachicola)
Element Sources
References: FNAI 1990, FNAI 1992b
Riverine Aquatic Vegetation
Element Identifiers
NVCS association: Stuckenia pectinata - Vallisneria americana Herbaceous Vegetation
Database Code: CEGL008590
Formation: Permanently flooded temperate or subpolar hydromorphic rooted vegetation
Alliance: VALLISNERIA AMERICANA PERMANENTLY FLOODED TEMPERATE HERBACEOUS ALLIANCE (V.C.2.N.a.17)
Element Concept
Summary: This association represents freshwater aquatic vegetation of the Florida peninsula, documented from the Ocala National Forest. It occupies large, clear water, spring-fed streams, forming beds in freshwater 'spring runs.' Stands are dominated or codominated by Stuckenia pectinata (= Potamogeton pectinatus), with Vallisneria americana. Other characteristic species include Najas guadalupensis. The precise geographical and conceptual boundary between this and the equivalent Florida Panhandle type, Sagittaria kurziana - Potamogeton illinoensis - Vallisneria americana Herbaceous Vegetation (CEGL004332), is not entirely clear.
Environment: This vegetation forms beds in freshwater 'spring runs' (spring-fed rivers and streams) on the Florida peninsula, with near constant water level, chemistry, and temperature. Alluvium is virtually absent.
Vegetation: The dominant species in stands of this type is Stuckenia pectinata (= Potamogeton pectinatus), with Vallisneria americana. Other characteristic species include Najas guadalupensis. The large and distinctive plants of Vallisneria have sometimes been considered a distinct species, Vallisneria neotropicalis (this now regarded as a synonym of Vallisneria americana).
Dynamics: This vegetation is found in an aquatic habitat with extremely clear water with near constant water level, chemistry, and temperature.
Similar Associations:
Sagittaria kurziana - Potamogeton illinoensis - Vallisneria americana Herbaceous Vegetation (CEGL004332)--of the Florida panhandle.
Synonymy: No information
Comments: None
Conservation Ranking & Rare Species
GRank: G2G3 (02-05-06): This association is limited to spring runs in the Florida peninsula. This community is naturally rare and geographically limited to spring-run streams in this ecoregion. Aquatic exotics (e.g., Egeria densa and Hydrilla verticillata) could degrade examples.
High-ranked species: No information
Element Distribution
Range: This association is limited to spring runs in the Florida peninsula of the United States.
States: FL
Crosswalk to State Classifications:
FL: Spring-run Stream, in part (FL 1992)
TNC Ecoregions: 55:C
USFS Ecoregions: 232Bf:CCC
Federal Lands: USFS (Ocala)
Element Sources
References: FNAI 1990, FNAI 1992b, NatureServe Ecology - Southeast U.S. unpubl. data
Rivershore Emergent Vegetation
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