Print Report
CEGL005091 Chamaedaphne calyculata / Carex oligosperma / Sphagnum spp. Acidic Peatland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Leatherleaf / Few-seed Sedge / Peatmoss species Acidic Peatland
Colloquial Name: Great Lakes Leatherleaf Intermittent Wetland
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This intermittent wetland shrub community is found near the western and central Great Lakes along lakeshores or in depressions. It usually occurs on sandy glacial lakeplains and outwash plains. Soils range from loamy sand and peaty sand to peaty muck and are strongly acidic to very strongly acidic. The water level fluctuates seasonally and from year to year. This wetland is dominated by herbs, or by herbs and shrubs. Chamaedaphne calyculata is a short shrub which is present in this community. Herbaceous species present include Carex oligosperma and Juncus spp., and in some places, Calamagrostis canadensis, Calamagrostis stricta, Eleocharis olivacea, Eleocharis robbinsii, and Phalaris arundinacea. The nonvascular layer contains some Sphagnum spp.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This type is taken from the Michigan state classification''s Intermittent Wetland, Boggy Seepage Wetland (Chapman et al. 1989). There it occurs on poorly drained portions of outwash, seepage with water table fluctuations. Rangewide characteristics of this type are not clear, but similar stands in "burned out" bogs in Wisconsin have been observed. It is possible that this type may be equivalent to the Leatherleaf Poor Fen type, ~Chamaedaphne calyculata / Carex oligosperma / Sphagnum spp. Poor Fen (CEGL005277)$$.
A similar kind of vegetation dominated by Carex oligosperma and Carex utriculata may exist in the central sandplains of Minnesota and Wisconsin; other characteristic species include Spiraea tomentosa, Lysimachia terrestris, Sphagnum spp., and Hypericum kalmianum. These stands may correspond to what Michigan calls "Great Lakes Intermittent Wetland," which is an acidic sedge- and herb-dominated wet meadow [see this type (CEGL005091). They usually have low ericad cover (Chamaedaphne calyculata, Vaccinium oxycoccos) (E. Epstein pers. comm. 1999). They do resemble poor fens, in some respects. See ~Carex lasiocarpa - Carex oligosperma / Sphagnum spp. Acidic Peatland (CEGL002265)$$ but are more like "acidic wet meadow".
A similar kind of vegetation dominated by Carex oligosperma and Carex utriculata may exist in the central sandplains of Minnesota and Wisconsin; other characteristic species include Spiraea tomentosa, Lysimachia terrestris, Sphagnum spp., and Hypericum kalmianum. These stands may correspond to what Michigan calls "Great Lakes Intermittent Wetland," which is an acidic sedge- and herb-dominated wet meadow [see this type (CEGL005091). They usually have low ericad cover (Chamaedaphne calyculata, Vaccinium oxycoccos) (E. Epstein pers. comm. 1999). They do resemble poor fens, in some respects. See ~Carex lasiocarpa - Carex oligosperma / Sphagnum spp. Acidic Peatland (CEGL002265)$$ but are more like "acidic wet meadow".
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This wetland is dominated by herbs or by herbs and shrubs. Chamaedaphne calyculata is a short shrub which is present in this community. Herbaceous species present include Carex oligosperma and Juncus spp., and in some places, Calamagrostis canadensis, Calamagrostis stricta, Eleocharis olivacea, Eleocharis robbinsii, and Phalaris arundinacea. The nonvascular layer contains some Sphagnum spp. (Chapman et al. 1989). Often species with Coastal Plain affinities are present in this community, especially south of the tension zone. Species of very acidic bogs and slightly acidic marshes are present.
Dynamics: Sites may occur where bogs have been "burned out" (Chapman et al. 1989).
Environmental Description: This community is located along lakeshores or in depressions. It occurs on sandy glacial lakeplains and outwash plains. Soils range from loamy sand and peaty sand to peaty muck and are strongly acidic to very strongly acidic. The water level fluctuates seasonally and from year to year.
Geographic Range: This community is found in Michigan, Wisconsin, Ontario, and New York in the Great Lakes basin.
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: MI, ON?, QC?
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.684360
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G3Q
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 2 Shrub & Herb Vegetation Class | C02 | 2 |
| Subclass | 2.C Shrub & Herb Wetland Subclass | S44 | 2.C |
| Formation | 2.C.4 Temperate to Polar Freshwater Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Formation | F013 | 2.C.4 |
| Division | 2.C.4.Ne Atlantic & Gulf Coastal Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Division | D322 | 2.C.4.Ne |
| Macrogroup | 2.C.4.Ne.2 Beaksedge species - Spikerush species - Panicgrass species Atlantic & Gulf Coastal Plain Wet Prairie & Marsh Macrogroup | M067 | 2.C.4.Ne.2 |
| Group | 2.C.4.Ne.2.h beaksedge spp. - spikerush spp. - meadowbeauty spp. Pondshore Group | G916 | 2.C.4.Ne.2.h |
| Alliance | A4404 Tall Horned Beaksedge - Smooth Sawgrass - Virginia Meadowbeauty Marsh Alliance | A4404 | 2.C.4.Ne.2.h |
| Association | CEGL005091 Leatherleaf / Few-seed Sedge / Peatmoss species Acidic Peatland | CEGL005091 | 2.C.4.Ne.2.h |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Chamaedaphne calyculata / Carex oligosperma / Sphagnum spp. Dwarf-shrubland (Faber-Langendoen 2001) [Boggy Intermittent Wetland Great Lakes Subtype]
= Intermittent Wetland, Boggy Seepage Wetland (Chapman et al. 1989)
= Intermittent Wetland, Boggy Seepage Wetland (Chapman et al. 1989)
- CDPNQ [Centre de données sur le patrimoine naturel du Québec]. No date. Unpublished data. Centre de données sur le patrimoine naturel du Québec, Québec.
- Chapman, K. A., D. A. Albert, and G. A. Reese. 1989. Draft descriptions of Michigan''s natural community types. Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Lansing, MI. 35 pp.
- Epstein, Eric. Personal communication. Community Ecologist, Wisconsin Natural Heritage Program, Madison, WI.
- 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.).
- 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]
- Midwestern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Minneapolis, MN.
- 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]