Literature-based latitudinal distribution and possible range shifts of two US east coast dune grass species (Uniola paniculataandAmmophila breviligulata)

Abstract

Previous work on the US Atlantic coast has generally shown that coastal foredunes are dominated by two dune grass species, Ammophila breviligulata (American beachgrass) and Uniola paniculata (sea oats). From Virginia northward, A. breviligulata dominates, while U. paniculata is the dominant grass south of Virginia. Previous work suggests that these grasses influence the shape of coastal foredunes in species-specific ways, and that they respond differently to environmental stressors; thus, it is important to know which species dominates a given dune system. The range boundaries of these two species remains unclear given the lack of comprehensive surveys. In an attempt to determine these boundaries, we conducted a literature survey of 98 studies that either stated the range limits and/or included field-based studies/observations of the two grass species. We then produced an interactive map that summarizes the locations of the surveyed papers and books. The literature review suggests that the current southern range limit for A. breviligulata is Cape Fear, NC, and the northern range limit for U. paniculata is Assateague Island, on the Maryland and Virginia border. Our data suggest a northward expansion of U. paniculata, possibly associated with warming trends observed near the northern range limit in Painter, VA. In contrast, the data regarding a range shift for A. breviligulata remain inconclusive. We also compare our literature-based map with geolocated records from the Global Biodiversity Information Facility and iNaturalist research grade crowd-sourced observations. We intend for our literature-based map to aid coastal researchers who are interested in the dynamics of these two species and the potential for their ranges to shift as a result of climate change.

Investigating dune‐building feedback at the plant level: Insights from a multispecies field experiment

“…Ammophila breviligulata, also known as American beach grass, dominates many of the dunes from Hog Island northward and grows (and is planted) as far south as Cape Fear, NC (Woodhouse et al, 1977;Goldstein et al, 2018). Ammophila breviligulata, also known as American beach grass, dominates many of the dunes from Hog Island northward and grows (and is planted) as far south as Cape Fear, NC (Woodhouse et al, 1977;Goldstein et al, 2018).…”

“…A C 3 (cool season) grass, A. breviligulata propagates using rhizomes and thrives in depositional environments (Disraeli, 1984;Ehrenfeld, 1990;Selisker, 1994). ) and as far north as Assateague Island, Maryland (Stalter and Lamont, 1990;Goldstein et al, 2018). ) and as far north as Assateague Island, Maryland (Stalter and Lamont, 1990;Goldstein et al, 2018).…”

“…Hog Island lies in the habitat range of several important dune grasses, making it an ideal place for a multi-species transplant experiment. Ammophila breviligulata, also known as American beach grass, dominates many of the dunes from Hog Island northward and grows (and is planted) as far south as Cape Fear, NC (Woodhouse et al, 1977;Goldstein et al, 2018). A C 3 (cool season) grass, A. breviligulata propagates using rhizomes and thrives in depositional environments (Disraeli, 1984;Ehrenfeld, 1990;Selisker, 1994).…”

“…Uniola paniculata (sea oats) dominates dunes south of Cape Hatteras and has been found growing on the Virginia Barrier Islands (Tatnall, 1946;Harris et al, 2017;Mullins and Moore, 2017. ) and as far north as Assateague Island, Maryland (Stalter and Lamont, 1990;Goldstein et al, 2018). U.paniculata also propagates via rhizomes but is a C 4 (warm season) grass (Wagner, 1964;Lonard et al, 2011).…”

Seasonal facilitative and competitive trade‐offs between shrub seedlings and coastal grasses

“…From year to year, average winter minimum temperatures have increased at the VCR (Goldstein et al. ). Temperature events colder than −11°C, a conservative estimate of the seedling freeze threshold, have occurred 44 times since 1985 at the Painter, Virginia, meteorological station.…”