Estuarine Herbaceous Dry Sand

Description

The reference state consists of three plant communities differentiated by either grass, forb, or shrub dominance. American dunegrass dominates in relatively dry areas and beach strawberry, little yellow rattle, and beach pea dominate in relatively wet areas. Sitka alder dominates in areas that are relatively protected from salt spray, particularly on the upper reaches of this site farthest from the ocean. Changes in hydrology due culverts, other human disturbance, or natural events may shift the relative dominance of grasses compared to forbs. Isostatic rebound may be one process by which alder is able to expand into herbaceous communities as the landmass rises following deglaciation.

Submodel