Low Elevation Seep

Sites

Seepages and springs at bases of slopes or edges of floodplains.

Soils

Saturated, usually mucky, soils. Occurrences are too small to be distinguished in soil surveys.

Hydrology

Palustrine, permanently saturated.

Vegetation

Canopy

Areas are generally small enough to be partially shaded by canopies of trees rooted in adjacent communities. Occasional wetland trees such as Acer rubrum (Eastern Red Maple) and Quercus phellos (Willow Oak) may be rooted in the seep.

Understory

Shrubs may include Lindera benzoin (Northern Spicebush), Viburnum cassinoides (Northern Wild Raisin), and V. nudum (Southern Wild Raisin).

Herb Layer

A variety of wetland herbs occur, including Saururus cernuus (Lizard’s-tail), Impatiens capensis (Orange Jewelweed), Osmundastrum cinnamomeum (Cinnamon Fern), Osmunda regalis (Royal Fern), Boehmeria cylindrica (False-nettle), Ranunculus recurvatus (Hooked Buttercup), Chelone glabra (White Turtlehead), Carex spp. (Sedge), Lycopus virginicus (Virginia Bugleweed) and Woodwardia areolata (Netted Chain Fern).

Dynamics

Not known. Probably stable over long periods, but respond to changes in groundwater levels resulting from drought.

Associations

Grades into floodplain communities such as Alluvial and Bottomland Forest, or into slope forests such as Mesic Mixed Hardwood Forest.

Comments

Well-developed Low Elevation Seeps contrast sharply with adjacent floodplain or upland communities in their vegetation and soils. The communities are fairly common and tend to be small, often being shaded by the canopy of the adjacent communities. Despite a lack of much standing water, these communities are important breeding, as well as, foraging sites for amphibians.