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CEGL002463 Betula papyrifera / Diervilla lonicera - (Abies balsamea) Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Paper Birch / Northern Bush-honeysuckle - (Balsam Fir) Forest
Colloquial Name: Paper Birch / Balsam Fir Forest
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This paper birch forest is found in the subboreal region of the northern Great Lakes region of the United States and perhaps more widely in Canada. Stands occur on fresh to moist soils, coarse-textured, non-calcareous mineral soils. The soil texture is typically coarse loam. The canopy of this forested community is closed to moderately open. Betula papyrifera is the dominant canopy tree and can form nearly pure stands. Populus tremuloides, Abies balsamea, Picea glauca, and, especially in Canada, Pinus banksiana can also be found. Tree density can be high, but the growth form and size of the canopy dominants allow significant light to pass through. Abies balsamea is common to dense in the understory as are shrubs such as Corylus cornuta, Diervilla lonicera, Rosa acicularis, and Taxus canadensis. The herbaceous layer is similar to other dry-mesic to mesic northern communities. Species found in this layer include Aralia nudicaulis, Eurybia macrophylla, Clintonia borealis, Cornus canadensis, Maianthemum canadense, and Trientalis borealis.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Stands should usually have >90% of their deciduous canopy composed of Betula papyrifera to be included in this community. Some authors treat this type as synonymous with the aspen-paper birch type ~Populus tremuloides - Betula papyrifera / (Abies balsamea, Picea glauca) Forest (CEGL002466)$$ (K. Rusterholz pers. comm. 2000). Review with Canadian partners to determine status in the subboreal region. Clintonia borealis, Lycopodium annotinum, and mosses may be more common in this community, while Eurybia macrophylla may be more common in other early-successional community types dominated by Populus tremuloides (MNNHP 1993). Manitoba is not sure this type forms significant stands in that province (J. Greenall pers. comm. 1999).
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: The canopy of this forested community is closed to moderately open. Betula papyrifera is the dominant canopy tree and can form nearly pure stands. Populus tremuloides, Abies balsamea, Picea glauca, and, especially in Canada, Pinus banksiana can be found in minor amounts, as well. Tree density can be high, but the growth form and size of the canopy dominants allow significant light to pass through. Abies balsamea is common to dense in the understory (Hansen et al. 1973) along with shrubs such as Corylus cornuta, Diervilla lonicera, Rosa acicularis, and Taxus canadensis. The herbaceous layer is similar to other dry-mesic to mesic northern communities. Species found in this layer include Aralia nudicaulis, Eurybia macrophylla (= Aster macrophyllus), Clintonia borealis, Cornus canadensis, Maianthemum canadense, and Trientalis borealis.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This community is found on fresh to moist soils (Hansen et al. 1973, Sims et al. 1989). In Ontario, it occurs on coarse-textured, non-calcareous mineral soils. The soil texture is typically coarse loam (Sims et al. 1989).
Geographic Range: This paper birch forest type is found in the northern Great Lakes region of the United States and perhaps more widely in Canada, ranging from Minnesota and Manitoba east to Ontario and possibly Quebec.
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: MB, MI, MN, ON, QC?, WI
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.683095
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G4?
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 1 Forest & Woodland Class | C01 | 1 |
| Subclass | 1.B Temperate & Boreal Forest & Woodland Subclass | S15 | 1.B |
| Formation | 1.B.2 Cool Temperate Forest & Woodland Formation | F008 | 1.B.2 |
| Division | 1.B.2.Na Eastern North American Forest & Woodland Division | D008 | 1.B.2.Na |
| Macrogroup | 1.B.2.Na.7 Sugar Maple - Yellow Birch - Eastern Hemlock Forest Macrogroup | M014 | 1.B.2.Na.7 |
| Group | 1.B.2.Na.7.c Balsam Fir - White Spruce - Mountain Maple Subboreal Forest Group | G048 | 1.B.2.Na.7.c |
| Alliance | A3844 Quaking Aspen - Paper Birch Subboreal Forest Alliance | A3844 | 1.B.2.Na.7.c |
| Association | CEGL002463 Paper Birch / Northern Bush-honeysuckle - (Balsam Fir) Forest | CEGL002463 | 1.B.2.Na.7.c |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Betula papyrifera / Diervilla lonicera - (Abies balsamea) Forest (Faber-Langendoen 2001)
= Paper Birch - Aspen - White Spruce (1936) (Hansen et al. 1973)
= Paper Birch Forest Spruce - Fir Subtype (MNNHP 1993)
= Paper Birch - Aspen - White Spruce (1936) (Hansen et al. 1973)
= Paper Birch Forest Spruce - Fir Subtype (MNNHP 1993)
- CDPNQ [Centre de données sur le patrimoine naturel du Québec]. No date. Unpublished data. Centre de données sur le patrimoine naturel du Québec, Québec.
- Faber-Langendoen, D., editor. 2001. Plant communities of the Midwest: Classification in an ecological context. Association for Biodiversity Information, Arlington, VA. 61 pp. plus appendix (705 pp.).
- Greenall, J. A. 1996. Manitoba''s terrestrial plant communities. MS Report 96-02. Manitoba Conservation Data Centre, Winnipeg.
- Greenall, Jason. Personal communication. Botanist/Ecologist, Manitoba Conservation Data Centre, Department of Natural Resources, Winnipeg, Manitoba.
- Hansen, H. L., L. W. Krefting, and V. Kurmis. 1973. The forest of Isle Royale in relation to fire history and wildlife. University of Minnesota, Agricultural Experiment Station, Technical Bulletin 294, Forestry Series 13.
- Heinselman, M. 1996. The Boundary Waters Wilderness Ecosystem. University of Minnesota Press, Minneapolis, MN. 334 pp.
- Hop, K., D. Faber-Langendoen, M. Lew-Smith, N. Aaseng, and S. Lubinski. [1999]. USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program: Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota. USDI U.S. Geological Survey, La Crosse, WI. 210 pp.
- Hop, K., S. Menard, J. Drake, S. Lubinski, and J. Dieck. 2010a. National Park Service Vegetation Inventory Program: Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, Wisconsin. Natural Resource Report NPS/GLKN/NRR-2010/199. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 310 pp.
- Hop, K., S. Menard, J. Drake, S. Lubinski, and J. Dieck. 2010c. National Park Service Vegetation Inventory Program: Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Michigan. Natural Resource Report NPS/GLKN/NRR-2010/201. National Park Service, Fort Collins, Colorado. 358 pp.
- Kost, M. A., D. A. Albert, J. G. Cohen, B. S. Slaughter, R. K. Schillo, C. R. Weber, and K. A. Chapman. 2007. Natural communities of Michigan: Classification and description. Report No. 2007-21, Michigan Natural Features Inventory, Lansing. 314 pp. [http://web4.msue.msu.edu/mnfi/reports/2007-21_Natural_Communites_of_Michigan_Classification_and_Description.pdf]
- MNNHP [Minnesota Natural Heritage Program]. 1993. Minnesota''s native vegetation: A key to natural communities. Version 1.5. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Natural Heritage Program, St. Paul, MN. 110 pp.
- Midwestern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Minneapolis, MN.
- Minnesota DNR [Minnesota Department of Natural Resources]. 2003-2005a. Field guide to the native plant communities of Minnesota. Three volumes: The Laurentian Mixed Forest Province (2003), The Eastern Broadleaf Forest Province (2005c), The Prairie Parkland and Tallgrass Aspen Parklands provinces (2005b). Ecological Land Classification Program, Minnesota County Biological Survey, and Natural Heritage and Nongame Research Program. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, St. Paul.
- ONHIC [Ontario Natural Heritage Information Centre]. 2018. Unpublished data. Ontario Natural Heritage Information Centre, Ministry of Natural Resources, Ontario, Canada.
- Sims, R. A., W. D. Towill, K. A. Baldwin, and G. M. Wickware. 1989. Field guide to the forest ecosystem classification for northwestern Ontario. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Toronto. 191 pp.
- TNC [The Nature Conservancy]. 1999b. USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program: Classification of the vegetation of Isle Royale National Park. The Nature Conservancy, Midwest Regional Office, Minneapolis, MN, and International Headquarters, Arlington, VA. 143 pp.
- WDNR [Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources]. 2015. The ecological landscapes of Wisconsin: An assessment of ecological resources and a guide to planning sustainable management. PUB-SS-1131 2015. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Madison. [http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/landscapes/Book.html]