Print Report

CEGL002471 Larix laricina / Alnus incana Swamp Forest

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Tamarack / Gray Alder Swamp Forest

Colloquial Name: Northern Tamarack Rich Swamp

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This rich tamarack swamp community is found in the northern Great Lakes region of the United States and Canada. Stands are found on the shores of lakes and rivers above the flooding level, as well as margins of flowage areas of peatland complexes. The substrate is primarily a well-decomposed woody peat in wet, saturated soils, but can also be a moist mineral soil. The canopy layer varies from closed (60-100% cover) to open (25-60% cover), and varies from 3-10 m in height. Larix laricina is the dominant tree species, with frequent associates of Picea mariana and Thuja occidentalis and minor associates of Acer rubrum, Betula alleghaniensis, and Fraxinus nigra. The shrub, herb and moss layers can be very rich to somewhat poor in diversity. The shrub layer typically contains Alnus incana, along with Abies balsamea, Cornus sericea, Rhamnus alnifolia, and Picea mariana. The dwarf-shrub layer is strongly ericaceous, including Ledum groenlandicum and Gaultheria hispidula. Other dwarf-shrubs include Cornus canadensis, Linnaea borealis, Lonicera villosa, Ribes triste, Rosa acicularis, and Rubus pubescens. Herbaceous species include Carex disperma, Carex aquatilis, Coptis trifolia, Equisetum sylvaticum, Galium triflorum, Maianthemum canadense, Maianthemum trifolium, Mitella nuda, Trientalis borealis, and Viola renifolia. The moss layer, which is sometimes patchy, includes Dicranum polysetum, Hylocomium splendens, Pleurozium schreberi, Ptilium crista-castrensis, Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus, Sphagnum capillifolium, and Sphagnum girgensohnii. Diagnostic characteristics include the dominance of Larix laricina, presence of both minerotrophic shrubs (Alnus incana, Cornus sericea) and some ericaceous shrubs (e.g., Ledum groenlandicum), and the incomplete moss layer.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: This type in concept is found in the boreal/mixed conifer-hardwood region (Province 212). It varies from having a tall-shrub layer and more minerotrophic indicators to a more patchy layer with dwarf-shrub/sphagnum mat and fewer minerotrophic indicators. This type often lacks the more southern species found in central tamarack minerotrophic swamps, such as ~Larix laricina / Aronia melanocarpa / Sphagnum spp. Swamp Forest (CEGL002472)$$, which is found in the hardwood and prairie-forest border regions. That said, Minnesota DNR (2003) suggests that FPn72a may be most related to stands in Wisconsin and Michigan, and FPn82a and 82b are most related to northern Ontario. But all may still fit best within a Laurentian-Acadian group until more formal comparisons are completed with Ontario data.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available

Floristics: The canopy layer varies from closed (60-100% cover) to open (25-60% cover), and may also range from 3-10 m in height. Larix laricina is the dominant tree species, with frequent associates of Picea mariana and Thuja occidentalis, and minor associates of Acer rubrum, Betula alleghaniensis, and Fraxinus nigra. The shrub, herb and moss layers can be very rich to somewhat poor. The shrub layer typically contains Alnus incana, along with Abies balsamea, Cornus sericea, Rhamnus alnifolia, and Picea mariana. The dwarf-shrub layer is strongly ericaceous, including Ledum groenlandicum and Gaultheria hispidula. Other dwarf-shrubs include Cornus canadensis, Linnaea borealis, Lonicera villosa, Ribes triste, Rosa acicularis, and Rubus pubescens. Herbaceous species include Carex disperma, Coptis trifolia, Equisetum sylvaticum, Galium triflorum, Maianthemum canadense, Maianthemum trifolium, Mitella nuda, Trientalis borealis, and Viola renifolia. The moss layer, which is sometimes patchy, includes Dicranum polysetum, Hylocomium splendens, Pleurozium schreberi, Ptilium crista-castrensis, Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus, Sphagnum capillifolium, Sphagnum girgensohnii, and Sphagnum capillifolium (= Sphagnum nemoreum). (Sims et al. 1989, MNNHP 1993, Harris et al. 1996).

Dynamics:  Fires may move through this community in dry years (MNNHP 1993).
Environmental Description:  Stands are found on the shores of lakes and rivers above the flooding level, as well as margins of flowage areas of peatland complexes. The substrate is primarily a well-decomposed woody peat in wet, saturated soils, but can also be a moist mineral soil (Sims et al. 1989, MNNHP 1993, Harris et al. 1996).
Geographic Range: This rich to very rich tamarack swamp community is found in the northern Great Lakes region of the United States and Canada, ranging from the northern and central parts of Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan to Ontario, Manitoba, and probably elsewhere.

Nations: CA,US

States/Provinces:  MB, MI, MN, ON, QC?, WI


Confidence Level: High

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.3 Temperate Flooded & Swamp Forest Formation F026 1.B.3
Division 1.B.3.Na Eastern North American-Great Plains Flooded & Swamp Forest Division D011 1.B.3.Na
Macrogroup 1.B.3.Na.3 <i>Tsuga canadensis - Fraxinus nigra - Larix laricina</i> Flooded & Swamp Forest Macrogroup M504 1.B.3.Na.3
Group 1.B.3.Na.3.d Northern White-cedar - Black Ash - Red Maple Swamp Forest Group G046 1.B.3.Na.3.d
Alliance A4464 <i>Thuja occidentalis - Acer rubrum - Larix laricina</i> Laurentian Swamp Forest Alliance A4464 1.B.3.Na.3.d
Association CEGL002471 Tamarack / Gray Alder Swamp Forest CEGL002471 1.B.3.Na.3.d
Concept Lineage: Merged into existing 2471

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Larix laricina / Alnus incana Forest (Faber-Langendoen 2001) [Northern Wet Forest Tamarack Rich Subtype and Tamarack Fen (Northern)]
= Forested fingers (Glaser 1992b)
Concept Author(s): D. Faber-Langendoen (2001)

Author of Description: J. Drake and D. Faber-Langendoen

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 06-10-15
  • Brewer, R. 1966. Vegetation of two bogs in southwestern Michigan. The Michigan Botanist 5(1):36-46.
  • CDPNQ [Centre de données sur le patrimoine naturel du Québec]. No date. Unpublished data. Centre de données sur le patrimoine naturel du Québec, Québec.
  • Catana, A. J. 1967. Forests of the Harvey N. Ott Preserve. The American Midland Naturalist 78(2):496-507.
  • 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.).
  • Glaser, P. H. 1992b. Vegetation and water chemistry. Pages 15-26 in: H. E. Wright, Jr., B. A. Coffin, and N. E. Aaseng, editors. The patterned peatlands of Minnesota. University of Minnesota Press, Minneapolis, MN.
  • Greenall, J. A. 1996. Manitoba''s terrestrial plant communities. MS Report 96-02. Manitoba Conservation Data Centre, Winnipeg.
  • Harris, A. G., S. C. McMurray, P. W. C. Uhlig, J. K. Jeglum, R. F. Foster, and G. D. Racey. 1996. Field guide to the wetland ecosystem classification for northwestern Ontario. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Northwest Science and Technology, Thunder Bay, Ontario. Field guide FG-01. 74 pp. plus appendix.
  • 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.
  • 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]
  • Lee, H., W. Bakowsky, J. Riley, J. Bowles, M. Puddister, P. Uhlig, and S. McMurray. 1998. Ecological land classification for southern Ontario: First approximation and its application. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Southcentral Science Section, Science Development and Transfer Branch. SCSS Field Guide FG-02.
  • 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.
  • Minnesota DNR [Minnesota Department of Natural Resources]. 2003. Field guide to the native plant communities of Minnesota: The Laurentian Mixed Forest Province. Ecological Land Classification Program, Minnesota County Biological Survey, and Natural Heritage and Nongame Research Program. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, St. Paul.
  • Minnesota DNR [Minnesota Department of Natural Resources]. 2005c. Field guide to the native plant communities of Minnesota: The Eastern Broadleaf Forest Province. 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.
  • Sytsma, K. J., and R. W. Pippen. 1981a. The Hampton Creek wetland complex in southwestern Michigan. II. Community classification. The Michigan Botanist 20:147-156.
  • Sytsma, K. J., and R. W. Pippen. 1981b. The Hampton Creek wetland complex in southwestern Michigan. I. History and physical features. The Michigan Botanist 20:137-142.
  • 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]