* limited to sites with higher soil calcium
Vascular plant nomenclature follows Rhoads and Block (2007). Bryophyte nomenclature follows Crum and Anderson (1981).

International Vegetation Classification Associations:

USNVC Crosswalk:

None

Representative Community Types:

Swamp-loosestrife Shrub Swamp (CEGL005089)

NatureServe Ecological Systems:

Northern Atlantic Coastal Plain Stream and River (CES203.070)
Northern Atlantic Coastal Plain Fresh and Oligohaline Tidal Marsh (CES203.516)
Northern Atlantic Coastal Plain Pond (CES203.518)

NatureServe Group Level:

None

Origin of Concept

Fike, J. 1999. Terrestrial and palustrine plant communities of Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania Natural Diversity Inventory. Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Recreation, Bureau of Forestry, Harrisburg, PA. 86 pp.

Pennsylvania Community Code*

SW : Water-Willow (Decodon Verticillatus) Shrub Wetland

*(DCNR 1999, Stone 2006)

Similar Ecological Communities

Buttonbush Wetland and Water-willow Shrub Wetland occur in similar environmental settings and both contain buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis), but unlike the Buttonbush Wetland, it is not the clear dominant shrub species.

Fike Crosswalk

Water-willow (Decodon verticillatus) Shrub Wetland

Conservation Value

This community serves as a buffer for sediment and pollution runoff from adjacent developed lands by slowing the flow of surficial water causing sediment to settle within this wetland. Water-willow (Decodon verticillatus) can also be an aggressive competitor and can degrade peatland habitats, especially where bog pools and ponds are present.

Threats

While impoundments and hydrological alteration of free flowing streams often facilitated development of this community in many areas, continued changes to site hydrology may impact this community (e.g., impoundments, beaver dams) and lead to shifts in community function and dynamics. Clearing and development of adjacent land can lead to an accumulation of agricultural run-off and pollution, sedimentation, and insolation/thermal pollution. Invasive plant species such as purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) and common reed (Phragmites australis ssp. australis) can dominate this community.

Management

A natural buffer around the wetland should be maintained in order to minimize nutrient runoff, pollution, and sedimentation. The potential for soil erosion based on soil texture, condition of the adjacent vegetation (mature forests vs. clearcuts), and the topography of the surrounding area (i.e., degree of slope) should be considered when establishing buffers. The buffer size should be increased if soils are erodible, adjacent vegetation has been logged, and the topography is steep as such factors could contribute to increased sedimentation and nutrient pollution. Direct impacts and habitat alteration should be avoided (e.g., roads, trails, filling of wetlands) and low impact alternatives (e.g., elevated footpaths, boardwalks, bridges) should be utilized in situations where accessing the wetland can not be avoided. Care should also be taken to control and prevent the spread of invasive species within the wetland.

Range Map

Pennsylvania Range

Glaciated Northeast, Glaciated Northwest, Great Lakes Region, Pocono Plateau, Ridge and Valley, and the Pittsburgh Plateau.

Global Distribution

Connecticut, Delaware, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and West Virginia. The community also occurs in Canada in Ontario and Quebec.

Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR). 1999. Inventory Manual of Procedure. For the Fourth State Forest Management Plan. Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry, Division of Forest Advisory Service.  Harrisburg, PA. 51 ppg.

Stone, B., D. Gustafson, and B. Jones. 2006 (revised). Manual of Procedure for State Game Land Cover Typing.  Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Game Commission, Bureau of Wildlife Habitat Management, Forest Inventory and Analysis Section, Forestry Division.  Harrisburg, PA. 79 ppg.