Print Report
CEGL006432 Populus balsamifera - Fraxinus nigra / Matteuccia struthiopteris Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Balsam Poplar - Black Ash / Ostrich Fern Forest
Colloquial Name: Balsam Poplar Floodplain Forest
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: Floodplain forests dominated by Populus balsamifera are characteristic of some boreal river setting in eastern Canada and extend into the U.S. in extreme northern Maine. Canopy cover is somewhat open (around 80%) over a spotty shrub layer and a usually dense herb layer. In the canopy and subcanopy, Populus balsamifera is dominant or codominant with Fraxinus nigra or, less commonly, Ulmus americana. Shrubs include Corylus cornuta, Cornus rugosa, and Alnus incana ssp. rugosa. The ferns Onoclea sensibilis and Matteuccia struthiopteris dominate the herb layer; less abundant, but common, are Aralia nudicaulis, Laportea canadensis, Rubus pubescens, Thalictrum pubescens, Carex intumescens, and Carex gynandra. Veratrum viride and Arisaema triphyllum are present at some sites. This association differs from other northeastern floodplain forests in the prevalence of Populus balsamifera.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: No Data Available
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Canopy cover is somewhat open (around 80%) over a spotty shrub layer and a usually dense herb layer. In the canopy and subcanopy, Populus balsamifera is dominant or codominant with Fraxinus nigra or, less commonly, Ulmus americana. Shrubs include Corylus cornuta, Cornus rugosa, and Alnus incana ssp. rugosa. The ferns Onoclea sensibilis and Matteuccia struthiopteris dominate the herb layer; less abundant, but common, are Aralia nudicaulis, Laportea canadensis, Rubus pubescens, Thalictrum pubescens, Carex intumescens, and Carex gynandra. Veratrum viride and Arisaema triphyllum are present at some sites.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: Boreal floodplains on moderate-energy rivers. Sites are flooded in the spring, and may also be subject to ice rafting. Soils are silty alluvium.
Geographic Range: This type is found in eastern Canada, extending south into extreme northern Maine.
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: ME, NB, NH?, QC, VT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.684420
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR
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.5 Boreal Flooded & Swamp Forest Formation | F036 | 1.B.5 |
| Division | 1.B.5.Na North American Boreal Flooded & Swamp Forest Division | D016 | 1.B.5.Na |
| Macrogroup | 1.B.5.Na.2 North American Boreal Flooded & Rich Swamp Forest Macrogroup | M300 | 1.B.5.Na.2 |
| Group | 1.B.5.Na.2.b Ontario-Québec Boreal Flooded & Rich Swamp Forest Group | G809 | 1.B.5.Na.2.b |
| Alliance | A3888 Balsam Poplar - Black Ash Boreal Floodplain Forest Alliance | A3888 | 1.B.5.Na.2.b |
| Association | CEGL006432 Balsam Poplar - Black Ash / Ostrich Fern Forest | CEGL006432 | 1.B.5.Na.2.b |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Balsam Poplar Floodplain Forest (Gawler 2002)
- CDPNQ [Centre de données sur le patrimoine naturel du Québec]. No date. Unpublished data. Centre de données sur le patrimoine naturel du Québec, Québec.
- Eastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boston, MA.
- Gawler, S. C. 2002. Natural landscapes of Maine: A guide to vegetated natural communities and ecosystems. Maine Natural Areas Program, Department of Conservation, Augusta, ME.
- Gawler, S. C., and A. Cutko. 2010. Natural landscapes of Maine: A classification of vegetated natural communities and ecosystems. Maine Natural Areas Program, Department of Conservation, Augusta.
- Sperduto, D. D., and K. F. Crowley. 2002a. Floodplain forests in New England: Analysis and proposed classification. In collaboration with natural heritage programs in Maine, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. New Hampshire Natural Heritage Inventory, DRED Division of Forests and Lands, Concord, NH. 19 pp. plus appendices.
- Thompson, E. H., and E. R. Sorenson. 2005. Wetland, woodland, wildland: A guide to the natural communities of Vermont. The Nature Conservancy and the Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife. University Press of New England, Hanover, NH. 456 pp.