Wetlands of Face Rock Heights (outline):
- Maps (3): arcGIS with Topographical overlay, City of Bandon Wetlands, National Wetlands Inventory
- WCS (Wetlands Classification Standards), Excerpts from Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC), FGDC-STD-004-2013, 2nd edition, August 2013.
https://www.fws.gov/wetlands/documents/Classification-of-Wetlands-and-Deepwater-Habitats-of-the-United-States-2013.pdf - Wetlands’ coastal native plants (18) . . . Searchable table and photo gallery.
NOTE: All wetlands within the Face Rock Heights area are considered “Locally Significant Wetlands” according to the National Wetlands Inventory. The last inventory was conducted in the early 2000’s . . . other than the noted wetland boundaries (i.e. GRO-3, JOH-2) which were documented first-hand by NWI folks in the field, there are “Possible Wetland” (PW) areas predicted, however; access to some areas was not granted (either by owner at the time or gorse-infestation) for confirmation.
Determine if your property contains wetlands designated by either the City of Bandon or Coos County (National Wetlands Inventory). According to the Wetlands Classification Standards (WCS), wetlands in Face Rock Heights area are one of three classes: Emergent, Forested, or Scrub-Shrub all within a Palustrine system.
Use Coos County mapping tools including: Zoning/Hazard, Coastal atlas, Assessor’s map tool, Google Earth, Wetlands, Current floodplain map tool
1. Maps
NWI Map terminology:
PSSC (PSS1C) = Palustrine, Scrub-Shrub, seasonally flooded
A PSSC wetland is dominated with woody vegetation less than 20 feet tall and has surface water present during extended periods early in the growing season. PSSC wetlands provide winter cover and food sources for many resident species. They are a critical component of the habitats identified as riparian occurring throughout the West. Species include Salix spp .. Betula spp .. and Alnus spp.
PFOA (PFO1A) = Palustrine. forested. temporarily flooded
A PFOA wetland is dominated with woody vegetation greater than 20 feet tall and has water present for brief periods during the growing season. PFOA wetlands are found only in the Palustrine and Estuarine systems. They are most common in the eastern United States such as the bottomland hardwoods . but also are critical habitat in the West. especially along river systems. Species include Pooulus spp .. Nyssa spp .. and Taxodium distichum.
PEMC (PEM1C) = Palustrine. emergent . seasonally flooded.
A PEMC wetland is at least 30 percent vegetated with emergent. herbaceous vegetation and has surface water present for extended periods especially earl y in the growing season. In early spring the PEMC may be open water because vegetative growth has not yet occurred.
PEMC wetlands provide food sources for a variety of water birds and other animal life for higher food chain predators. They may serve as groundwater recharge sites. sources of hay. and aid in floodwater retention. Characteristic vegetation includes Carex spp .. Beckmannia syziqachne. Eleocharis spp .. Saqittaria cuneata. Alisma triviale. and Schlochloa festucacea.
2. WCS
Face Rock Heights is defined as predominantly “Palustrine” (outlined in RED in classification chart).
WETLANDS are lands transitional between terrestrial and aquatic systems where the water table is usually at or near the surface or the land is covered by shallow water. For purposes of this classification wetlands must have one or more of the following three attributes: (1) at least periodically, the land supports predominantly hydrophytes1 ; (2) the substrate is predominantly undrained hydric soil2 ; and (3) the substrate is nonsoil and is saturated with water or covered by shallow water at some time during the growing season of each year.
System: Palustrine
Definition. The Palustrine System (Figure 6) includes all nontidal wetlands dominated by trees, shrubs, persistent emergents, emergent mosses or lichens, and all such wetlands that occur in tidal areas where salinity due to ocean-derived salts is below 0.5 ppt. It also includes wetlands lacking such vegetation, but with all of the following four characteristics: (1) area less than 8 ha (20 acres); (2) active wave-formed or bedrock shoreline features lacking; (3) water depth in the deepest part of basin less than 2.5 m (8.2 ft) at low water; and (4) salinity due to ocean-derived salts less than 0.5 ppt. Limits. The Palustrine System is bounded by upland or by any of the other four Systems
Description. The Palustrine System was developed to group the vegetated wetlands traditionally called by such names as marsh, swamp, bog, fen, and prairie, which are found throughout the U.S. It also includes the small, shallow, permanent or intermittent water bodies often called ponds. Palustrine wetlands may be situated shoreward of lakes, river channels, or estuaries; on river floodplains; in isolated catchments; or on slopes. They may also occur as islands in lakes or rivers. The erosive forces of wind and water are of minor importance except during severe floods.
The emergent vegetation adjacent to rivers and lakes is often referred to as “the shore zone” or the “zone of emergent vegetation” (Reid and Wood 1976), and is generally considered separately from the river or lake. As an example, Hynes (1970:85) wrote in reference to riverine habitats, “We will not here consider the long list of emergent plants which may occur along the banks out of the current, as they do not belong, strictly speaking, to the running water habitat.” There are often great similarities between wetlands lying adjacent to lakes or rivers and isolated wetlands of the same Class in basins without open water.
Classes: Emergent, Scrub-Shrub, and Forested Wetlands
Emergent Wetland
Definition. In this wetland Class, emergent plants—i.e., erect, rooted, herbaceous hydrophytes, excluding mosses and lichens—are the tallest life form with at least 30% areal coverage. This vegetation is present for most of the growing season in most years. These wetlands are usually dominated by perennial plants. All Water Regimes are included except Subtidal and Irregularly Exposed. Not all Water Regimes apply to all subclasses.
Description. In areas with relatively stable climatic conditions, Emergent Wetlands maintain the same appearance year after year. In other areas, such as the prairies of the central U.S., violent climatic fluctuations cause them to revert to an open water phase in some years (Stewart and Kantrud 1972). Emergent Wetlands are found throughout the U.S. and occur in all Systems except the Marine. Emergent Wetlands are known by many names, including marsh, wet meadow, fen, prairie pothole, and slough. Areas that are dominated by pioneer plants, which become established during periods of low water, are not Emergent Wetlands and should be classified as Vegetated Unconsolidated Shores or Vegetated Streambeds.
Subclasses and Dominance Types.
Persistent.
In this Subclass, the areal coverage of persistent emergents exceeds that of nonpersistent emergents. Persistent emergents are emergent hydrophytes whose stems and leaves are evident all year above the surface of the water, or above the soil surface if water is absent. Persistent Emergent Wetlands occur only in the Estuarine and Palustrine Systems.
Persistent Emergent Wetlands dominated by saltmarsh cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora), saltmeadow cordgrass (S. patens), big cordgrass (S. cynosuroides), Roemer’s rush (Juncus roemerianus), narrow-leaved cattail (Typha angustifolia), and mash-millet (Zizaniopsis miliacea) are major components of the Estuarine Systems of the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts of the U.S. On the Pacific Coast, woody saltwort (Salicornia virginica), broom seepweed (Suaeda californica), seaside arrow-grass (Triglochin maritimum), and California cordgrass (Spartina foliosa) are common dominants.
Palustrine Persistent Emergent Wetlands contain a vast array of grasslike plants such as cattails (Typha spp.), bulrushes (Scirpus spp.), saw grass (Cladium jamaicense), sedges (Carex spp.); and true grasses such as manna grasses (Glyceria spp.), slough grass (Beckmannia syzigachne), and common river grass (Scolochloa festucacea). There is also a variety of broad-leaved persistent emergents such as purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria), Mexican dock (Rumex mexicanus), swamp loosestrife (Decodon verticillatus), and some species of smartweeds (Polygonum).
Nonpersistent.
In this Subclass, the areal coverage of nonpersistent emergents exceeds that of persistent emergents. Nonpersistent emergents are emergent hydrophytes whose stems and leaves are evident above the water surface, or above the soil surface if surface water is absent, only during the growing season or shortly thereafter. During the dormant season, there is no obvious sign of emergent vegetation. Nonpersistent Emergent Wetlands occur in all Systems except the Marine. Nonpersistent emergents also include species such as green arrow-arum (Peltandra virginica), pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata), and arrowheads (Sagittaria spp.). Movement of ice in Estuarine, Riverine, or Lacustrine Systems often removes all traces of emergent vegetation during the winter. Where this occurs, the area should be classified as Nonpersistent Emergent Wetland.
Scrub-Shrub Wetland
Definition. In Scrub-Shrub Wetlands, woody plants less than 6 m (20 ft) tall are the dominant life form—i.e., the tallest life form with at least 30 percent areal coverage. The “shrub” life form actually includes true shrubs, young specimens of tree species that have not yet reached 6 m in height, and woody plants (including tree species) that are stunted because of adverse environmental conditions. All Water Regimes except Subtidal and Regularly Flooded-Tidal Fresh are included. Not all Water Regimes apply to all subclasses.
Description. Scrub-Shrub Wetlands may represent a successional stage leading to Forested Wetland, or they may be relatively stable communities. They occur only in the Estuarine and Palustrine Systems, but are one of the most widespread Classes in the U.S. (Shaw and Fredine 1956). Scrub-Shrub Wetlands are known by many names, such as shrub swamp (Shaw and Fredine 1956), shrub carr (Curtis 1959), bog (Heinselman 1970), fen (Jeglum 1974), and pocosin (Kologiski 1977). For practical reasons we have also included stands of young trees less than 6 m tall.
Subclasses and Dominance Types.
Broad-leaved Deciduous. In this Subclass, broad-leaved deciduous species have the greatest areal coverage within the shrub layer. In the Estuarine System, Dominance Types include species such as sea-myrtle (Baccharis halimifolia) and high-tide bush (Iva frutescens). In the Palustrine System, typical Dominance Types are alders (Alnus spp.), willows (Salix spp.), buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis), red osier dogwood (Cornus stolonifera), honeycup (Zenobia pulverulenta), Douglas’ meadowsweet (Spiraea douglasii), bog birch (Betula pumila), and young red maple (Acer rubrum).
Needle-leaved Deciduous. In this Subclass, needle-leaved deciduous species have the greatest areal coverage within the shrub layer. Dominance Types include young or stunted tamarack and southern bald-cypress (Taxodium distichum).
Broad-leaved Evergreen. In this Subclass, broad-leaved evergreen species have the greatest areal coverage within the shrub layer. In the Estuarine System, vast wetland acreages are dominated by mangroves (Rhizophora mangle, Languncularia racemosa, Conocarpus erectus, and Avicennia germinans). In the Palustrine System, the broadleaved evergreen species are typically found on organic soils. Northern representatives are labrador tea (Ledum groenlandicum), bog rosemary (Andromeda polifolia L.), bog laurel (Kalmia polifolia), and the semi-evergreen, leatherleaf (Chamaedaphne calyculata). In the South, shinyleaf (Lyonia lucida), coastal dogbobble (Leucothoe axillaris), inkberry (Ilex glabra), and the semi-evergreen, swamp titi (Cyrilla racemiflora), are characteristic broad-leaved evergreen species.
Needle-leaved Evergreen. In this Subclass, needle-leaved evergreen species have the greatest areal coverage within the shrub layer. Examples of Dominance Types include young or stunted black spruce (Picea mariana) and pond pine (Pinus serotina). Dead. This Subclass includes stands of dead woody plants less than 6 m tall, regardless of their density, with less than 30 percent cover of living vegetation. If living vegetation equals or exceeds 30 percent in such stands, the Class and Subclass are based on the dominant life form of the living plants. Dead Scrub-Shrub Wetlands usually are produced by a prolonged rise in the water level resulting from impoundment by humans or beavers. In tidal areas, hurricanes, coastal subsidence, and sea level rise also may be responsible.
Forested Wetland
Definition. In Forested Wetlands, trees are the dominant life form—i.e., the tallest life form with at least 30 percent areal coverage. Trees are defined as woody plants at least 6 m (20 ft) in height. All Water Regimes except Subtidal and Regularly Flooded-Tidal Fresh are included. Not all Water Regimes apply to all subclasses.
Description. Forested Wetlands are most common in the eastern U.S. and in those sections of the West where moisture is relatively abundant, particularly along rivers and in the mountains. They occur only in the Palustrine and Estuarine Systems and normally possess an overstory of trees, an understory of young trees or shrubs, and an herbaceous layer. Forested Wetlands in the Estuarine System, which include the mangrove forests of Florida, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands, are known by such names as swamps, hammocks, heads, and bottoms. Such common names are often applied, in combination with species names or plant association names, in Palustrine forests as well (e.g., cedar swamp, bottomland hardwoods).
Subclasses and Dominance Types.
Broad-leaved Deciduous. In this Subclass, broad-leaved deciduous species have the greatest areal coverage in the tree layer. Broad-leaved Deciduous Forested Wetlands, which are represented throughout the United States, are most common in the South and East. Common Dominance Types include red maple, American elm (Ulmus americana), ashes (Fraxinus pennsylvanica and F. nigra), black gum (Nyssa sylvatica), tupelo gum (N. aquatica), swamp white oak (Quercus bicolor), overcup oak (Q. lyrata), and swamp chestnut oak (Q. michauxii). Wetlands in this Subclass generally occur on mineral soils or highly decomposed organic soils.
Needle-leaved Deciduous. In this Subclass, needle-leaved deciduous species have the greatest areal coverage in the tree layer. The southern representative of the Needle-leaved Deciduous Subclass is bald cypress, which is noted for its ability to tolerate long periods of surface inundation. Tamarack is characteristic of the Boreal Forest Region, where it occurs as a dominant on organic soils. Relatively few other species are included in this Subclass.
Broad-Leaved Evergreen. In this Subclass, broad-leaved evergreen species have the greatest areal coverage in the tree layer. In the Southeast, Broad-leaved Evergreen Forested Wetlands reach their greatest development. Red bay (Persea borbonia), loblolly bay (Gordonia lasianthus), and sweet bay (Magnolia virginiana) are prevalent, especially on organic soils. Other Dominance Types include red mangrove (Rhizophora mangle), black mangrove (Avicennia germinans), and white mangrove (Languncularia racemosa), which are adapted to varying levels of salinity.
Needle-leaved Evergreen. In this Subclass, needle-leaved evergreen species have the greatest areal coverage in the tree layer. Black spruce, growing on nutrient-poor organic soils, represents a major dominant of the Needle-leaved Evergreen Subclass in the North. Eastern arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis) dominates northern wetlands on more nutrientrich sites. Along the Atlantic Coast, Atlantic white cedar (Chamaecyparis thyoides) is one of the most common dominants on organic soils. Pond pine is a common needleleaved evergreen found in the Southeast in association with dense stands of broad-leaved evergreen and deciduous shrubs.
Dead. This Subclass includes stands of dead woody plants at least 6 m tall, regardless of their density, with less than 30 percent cover of living vegetation. If living vegetation equals or exceeds 30 percent in such stands, the Class and Subclass are based on the dominant life form of the living plants. Dead Forested Wetlands usually are produced by a prolonged rise in the water level resulting from impoundment by humans or beavers. In tidal areas, hurricanes, coastal subsidence, and sea level rise also may be responsible.
WATER REGIME MODIFIERS
Seasonally Flooded. Surface water is present for extended periods (generally for more than a month) during the growing season, but is absent by the end of the season in most years. When surface water is absent, the depth to substrate saturation may vary considerably among sites and among years.
Temporarily Flooded. Surface water is present for brief periods (from a few days to a few weeks) during the growing season, but the water table usually lies well below the ground surface for the most of the season.
3. Wetlands’ native coastal plants (18)
Searchable and sortable table
Key | Primary category | Scientific Name | Common Names | Habitat | Description |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
105 | Grasses, Sedges and Rushes | Carex obnupta L.H. Bailey | slough sedge, | Forests, Wetlands | handsome, evergreen grass-like perennial (2 to 6 ft.) for wet meadows, sloughs, shorelines, and wooded wetlands. It grows in clumps, but it can form dense stands in standing water. Slough sedge has long, drooping flower heads (April to July) followed by glossy brown fruit that generally persists through winter. Obligate (usually occurs in wetlands) Sun/part sun |
106 | Grasses, Sedges and Rushes | Deschampsia caespitosa (L.) P. Beauv., orth. var. | Tufted hairgrass | Wetlands | evergreen (with regular water) bunchgrass (1-2 ft.) for wet prairies and moist meadows. Delicate panicles of flowers appear in spring. Tufted hairgrass makes a good groundcover for erosion control. Facultative wetland (usually found in wetlands). Sun/part sun, prefers moist soil, but can tolerate drier sites. |
107 | Grasses, Sedges and Rushes | Eleocharis palustris (L.) Roem. & Schult. | common spikerush, creeping spike-rush | Wetlands | perennial sedge with rounded stems (1-3 ft.) and creeping rhizomes. The seeds form late spring through summer, and provide food for ducks and geese. Spikerush prefers wet sites and is often found in standing water. Obligate (usually occurs in wetlands). Sun, regular-standing water. |
108 | Grasses, Sedges and Rushes | Juncus bolanderi | bolander's rush | Wetlands | |
115 | Ground covers and flowers | Camassia leichtlinii | great camas | Wetlands | bulbous perennial (2-3ft.) with long, narrow leaves and gorgeous creamy white to blue flowers in spring. Camas generally grows in the deep, moist soil of grassy meadows and slopes, but requires a less water after blooming. Sun, winter wet (allow the bulbs to dry out after flowering ), heavy soil ok. |
116 | Ground covers and flowers | Camassia quamash (Pursh) Greene | small camas, common camas | Wetlands | Bulbous perennial (8-24"), smaller than Great Camas (Camassia leichtlinii), with grass-like leaves and brilliant pale blue to deep purple flowers in spring. Common Camas is widespread on both sides of the Cascades, most commonly found in areas that are wet in winter. A large drift of camas is an incredibly beautiful sight! Sun, winter wet (allow the bulbs to dry out after flowering), heavy soil ok. |
129 | Ground covers and flowers | Geum macrophyllum Willd. | largeleaf avens, large-leaved avens | Wetlands | a perennial wildflower (to 30") with small yellow flowers (summer) followed by seed heads that look like tiny pincushions. The terminal leaflet of the pinnately compound leaves is quite large, hence the name large-leaf avens. Sun/part sun, regular water. |
133 | Ground covers and flowers | Lupinus polyphyllus | large-leaved lupine | Grasslands, Wetlands | a large (4 ft. round) perennial with tall spires of fragrant purple flowers and robust, palmate leaves. Good bee & butterfly plant. Nitrogen-fixing nodules on the roots enrich the soil. Big-leaf lupine grows in wet meadows and sandy streambanks. Sun/part sun, low-regular water (will tolerate less), well-drained soil. |
135 | Ground covers and flowers | Mimulus guttatus DC. | seep monkeyflower, yellow monkeyflower | Wetlands | A long-blooming monkeyflower (spring through fall) with brilliant yellow flowers and rounded, green leaves. Its height is variable (3 to 30") and it will spread outward by rhizomes; it also reseeds. It is native to streams and wet, seepy areas from Alaska to Mexico and east to the Great Plains. Good waterside plant. Part sun/sun, regular water. |
141 | Ground covers and flowers | Prosartes smithhii | fairybell | Dunes and beaches, Wetlands | |
144 | Ground covers and flowers | Sisyrinchium californicum | yellow-eyed grass | Dunes and beaches, Wetlands | this species has yellow flowers (late spring, summer) and fleshier leaves (10-12"). Re-seeds. Yellow-eyed grass generally grows in wetter areas as well. Sun/part sun, moderate-regular water. |
147 | Ground covers and flowers | Sysichitum americanum | Scientific name could be Lysichitum americanum. skunk cabbage | Wetlands | striking perennial with huge green leaves (2-3 ft, 1 foot wide) that push out from the ground. Its unusual flowers-- upright stalk covered with lots of tiny, greenish flowers (spadex) covered by a yellow hood (spathe)-bloom in early spring. Winter dormant. Skunk cabbage inhabits dark, boggy places and provides food for animals in early spring. Shade/part sun, regular water. |
160 | Shrub | Lonicera involucrata (Richardson) Banks ex Spreng. | twinberry honeysuckle, black twinberry | Forests, Wetlands | deciduous shrub (to 10 ft.). Pale yellow flowers come in pairs as do the shiny black fruit; both are subtended by bracts (involucre) that eventually turn red. Attractive waterside plant. Good source of food for wildlife. Part sun, regular water best. |
163 | Shrub | Morella californica (Cham.) Wilbur | California wax myrtle, Pacific wax myrtle | Dunes and beaches, Wetlands | Scientific name could be Myrica californica. aromatic evergreen shrub (10-12 (30) ft.). Regular pruning and less water will control the size somewhat. Dark blue berries attract birds. Sun/part sun, regular water best (can tolerate drought), well-drained soil best (but heavier soils ok). |
167 | Shrub | Rhododendron occidentale (Torr. & A. Gray) A. Gray | western azalea, | Brushfields, Wetlands | evergreen shrub (to 12 ft.). The funnel-shaped flowers are rose-purple. The leaves are dark green and large. Filtered shade, regular water, rich, acidic soil. |
171 | Shrub | Salix hookeriana Barratt ex Hook. | dune willow, coast willow | Forests, Wetlands | Deciduous shrub or small tree 10 to 30 feet tall. Leaves are long and narrow - as much as 4 times as long as wide, with glossy upper surfaces. Catkins appear March to April, on short stalks; male catkins are stout, to 4 cm long, female catkins to 4-12 cm long with dense, cottony seeds. Hooker's willow is common in coastal habitats, and makes a wonderful landscape plant for coastal gardens. It is also found inland in swamps, on streambanks and along moist roadsides. It is widespread in valleys west of the Cascades, and as far north as Mt. Rainier, where it can be found growing at moderate elevations. The native plant gardener will appreciate its tolerance for wet and dry conditions, as well as its wildlife values. As with many other willows, it helps control erosion and shades fish habitat when planted near water, its stems and foliage are enjoyed by deer and rabbits, small game-birds and songbirds eat the catkins and buds and the insects that live among the leaves and branches, butterflies and bees enjoy its nectar, and some native butterfly larvae use willows as their host plant. |
173 | Shrub | Spiraea douglasii Hook. | rose spirea, western spirea | Wetlands | suckering, deciduous shrub (6-12 ft.). In summer, western spirea has showy plumes of pink flowers. Sun, regular water, boggy soil ok. |
182 | Tree | Fraxinus latifolia Benth. | Oregon ash, | Forests, Wetlands | deciduous, broadleaved tree (40-80 ft.) with pinnately compound leaves. Yellow fall color! Fast growth rate. Oregon ash usually grows in moist areas at low elevations (sea level to 2500 ft.). Sun/part sun, regular water. |
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