Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Ecological site R144AY049RI
Subaqueous Haline Slopes
Accessed: 04/24/2024
General information
Provisional. A provisional ecological site description has undergone quality control and quality assurance review. It contains a working state and transition model and enough information to identify the ecological site.
Ecological site concept
The site consists of very deep, subaqueous soils permanently submerged beneath 100 through 250 cm of tidal estuarine water on flood tidal delta slopes and slopes in coastal lagoons and bays. Slope ranges from 2 through 15 percent. Representative soils are Marshneck and Nagunt sloping phase.
Marshneck soils are formed in coarse loamy marine and estuarine sediments transported by flood tidal currents and estuarine silts. Nagunt soils are formed in sandy marine deposits as a result of washover events, eolian deposition, and tidal flooding. Buried surface horizons and stratification are often identified.
Areas of this soil are used for recreational fishing and swimming. Commercial uses include shell fishing and aquaculture. Benthic fauna such as tubeworms, clams, juvenile blue crabs, scallops and juvenile finfish are associated with this soil. Native vegetation includes eelgrass (Zostera marina) and widgeon grass (Ruppia maritma). Vegetation cover ranges from 0 in shallow and intertidal flats through 80 percent on sloping units of this soil.
Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree |
Not specified |
---|---|
Shrub |
Not specified |
Herbaceous |
(1) Zostera marina |
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