RELATIONSHIPS OF SALT MARSH VEGETATION 



by 



V. J. Chapman 

 University of Auckland 



A. General Distribution. 



The Maritime salt marshes of the world fall into a series of groups based 

 primarily on floristic composition, though, in some cases, type of substrate 

 miay also be involved. In considering these groups it must be remembered that 

 salt marsh vegetation is essentially dynamic, and providing suitable physio- 

 graphic circumstances prevail, there is a transition to fresh water swamp and 

 climax forest. If these conditions do not prevail there is commonly a grass or 

 rush sere -climax. Within each group, successions (seres) can be recognized 

 which show affinities to each other. The following groups can be recognized: 



Group I. Arctic seres. 



These are fragmentary with simple succession. 



Group U. North European seres. 



(a) Scandinavian seres. 



Characterized by a sandy soil and dominance of grasses, es- 

 pecially Puccinellia maritima. 



(b) North Sea seres. 



Characterized by a muddy soil and dominance of nongramina- 

 ceous herbs in certain communities. 



(c) Baltic seres. 



Differ slightly floristically and in frequence of Scirpus as a 

 primary colonist. 



(d) English Channel seres. 



Characterized by dominance of Spartina townsendii. 



Group III. Mediterranean seres. 



These change floristically from W. to E. and could be regarded 

 as comprising two subdivisions. 



Group IV. West Atlantic seres. 



(a) Bay of Pundy seres. 



Formed of mud with soft rock upland. 



(b) New England seres. 



Formed of miud and peat with hard rock upland. 



(c) Coastal Plain seres. 



Formed of mud with soft rock upland. 



Group V. Pacific American seres. 



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