Print Report

CEGL002446 Picea glauca - Abies balsamea / Acer spicatum / Rubus pubescens Forest

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: White Spruce - Balsam Fir / Mountain Maple / Dwarf Red Blackberry Forest

Colloquial Name: Spruce - Fir / Mountain Maple Forest

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This white spruce - balsam fir conifer forest is found in the subboreal region of the Great Lakes in the United States and elsewhere in central Canada. Stands are found primarily on dry-mesic to mesic sites with well-drained, deep (>60 cm), loam, sand, or silt soils. Less commonly, it may be found on wetter sites. The soils have little organic content, and the topography is flat to gently sloping. This community is a closed-canopy forest dominated by a combination of Picea glauca and Abies balsamea. Common associates include Acer rubrum, Betula papyrifera, Picea mariana, Pinus banksiana, Populus tremuloides, and Populus balsamifera. There is usually a prominent shrub/sapling layer containing Abies balsamea, Acer spicatum, Corylus cornuta, Diervilla lonicera, Lonicera canadensis, Picea glauca, Rosa acicularis, Rubus pubescens, Sorbus americana, Vaccinium myrtilloides, and (eastward) Viburnum nudum var. cassinoides. The herbaceous layer is often moderately sparse, with species such as Anemone quinquefolia, Aralia nudicaulis, Eurybia macrophylla, Clintonia borealis, Coptis trifolia, Cornus canadensis, Dryopteris carthusiana, Maianthemum canadense, Mitella nuda, and Trientalis borealis. Mosses include Dicranum polysetum, Pleurozium schreberi, Ptilium crista-castrensis, and Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: This type (CEGL002446) occurs in a variety of sites, including sites that are fairly wet [but see ~Populus tremuloides - Abies balsamea Wet-Mesic Forest (CEGL005238)$$, which may include the moist end of spruce-fir stands in the subboreal region], and occurs both after disturbances and as a late-successional type. It is difficult to separate from the mixed spruce-fir-hardwood types, ~Picea glauca - Abies balsamea - Populus tremuloides / Mixed Herbs Forest (CEGL002475)$$, from which it may only differ in the degree of conifer dominance. Treefalls in this type can create a very open canopy. Inclusions of Spruce-Fir/Feathermoss, ~Picea glauca - Abies balsamea / Pleurozium schreberi Forest (CEGL002509)$$, may occur in this type in the Great Lake states. Conversely, CEGL002509 appears to be the common type in Manitoba, and this type is not expected (J. Greenall pers. comm. 1999). In northern Wisconsin this type has been documented only in ravines or on stable clay bluffs and is not known from the extensive Lake Superior clayplains [see ~Picea glauca - Abies balsamea - Populus tremuloides / Mixed Herbs Forest (CEGL002475)$$]. Stands of Picea glauca or Abies balsamea south of the subboreal region (i.e., north-central Minnesota, northern Wisconsin, Upper Peninsula and northern Lower Peninsula, central Ontario, and perhaps Quebec), are placed in either ~Pinus strobus - Picea glauca - Betula papyrifera Subboreal Forest (CEGL005224)$$ or CEGL005238 (both within ~Abies balsamea - Betula alleghaniensis - Populus tremuloides Subboreal Forest Alliance (A3267)$$) and typically have a northern hardwoods ground layer and a variable mix of northern hardwoods tree species (Acer saccharum, Fagus grandifolia, Fraxinus americana, Quercus rubra, Tilia americana), as well as boreal hardwoods Betula papyrifera, Populus grandidentata, Populus tremuloides, and occasional conifers Pinus strobus, Tsuga canadensis, or Thuja occidentalis.

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

Floristics: This community is a closed-canopy forest dominated by a combination of Picea glauca and Abies balsamea. Some stands have a preponderance of one of these species and the other may then be an important associate. In these situations it is typically Picea glauca that is the most abundant (Maycock and Curtis 1960, MNNHP 1993). Common associates include Acer rubrum, Betula papyrifera, Picea mariana, Pinus banksiana, Populus tremuloides, and Populus balsamifera. There is usually a prominent shrub/sapling layer containing Abies balsamea, Acer spicatum, Corylus cornuta, Diervilla lonicera, Lonicera canadensis, Picea glauca, Rosa acicularis, Rubus pubescens, Sorbus americana, Vaccinium myrtilloides, and (eastward) Viburnum nudum var. cassinoides. The herbaceous layer is often moderately sparse, with species such as Anemone quinquefolia, Aralia nudicaulis, Eurybia macrophylla (= Aster macrophyllus), Clintonia borealis, Coptis trifolia, Cornus canadensis, Dryopteris carthusiana, Maianthemum canadense, Mitella nuda and Trientalis borealis. Mosses include Dicranum polysetum, Pleurozium schreberi, Ptilium crista-castrensis, and Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus (Sims et al. 1989, Chambers et al. 1997).

Dynamics:  No Data Available
Environmental Description:  This community is found primarily on dry-mesic to mesic sites with well-drained, deep (>60 cm) loam, sand, or silt soils (Sims et al. 1989, Zoladeski et al. 1995). Less commonly, it may be found on wetter sites that approach seasonally saturated conditions (Maycock 1961). The soils have little organic content and the topography is flat to gently sloping.
Geographic Range: This white spruce - balsam fir conifer forest is found in the southern boreal region of the Great Lakes of the United States and elsewhere in central Canada.

Nations: CA,US

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


Confidence Level: High

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G4G5

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 A3267 Balsam Fir - Yellow Birch - Quaking Aspen Subboreal Forest Alliance A3267 1.B.2.Na.7.c
Association CEGL002446 White Spruce - Balsam Fir / Mountain Maple / Dwarf Red Blackberry Forest CEGL002446 1.B.2.Na.7.c
Concept Lineage: CEGL002474 merged into CEGL002446 (DFL 7-13).

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Abies-Populus/Rosa/Mertensia, Corylus/Diervilla/Aster-Anemone Group (LaRoi 1967)
= Picea glauca - Abies balsamea / Acer spicatum / Rubus pubescens Forest (Faber-Langendoen 2001) [Boreal Forest Spruce-Fir Subtype]
= Aetna Creek Stand (Maycock 1961)
= Delaware Stand (Maycock 1961)
= Dry-mesic Stands (Maycock and Curtis 1960) [uncertain if equivalent]
= Spruce - Fir Forest White Spruce - Balsam Fir Subtype (MNNHP 1993)
= White Spruce - Balsam Fir / Shrub Forest (Zoladeski et al. 1995)
Concept Author(s): D. Faber-Langendoen (2001)

Author of Description: J. Drake

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 03-05-96
  • CDPNQ [Centre de données sur le patrimoine naturel du Québec]. No date. Unpublished data. Centre de données sur le patrimoine naturel du Québec, Québec.
  • Chambers, B. A., B. J. Naylor, J. Nieppola, B. Merchant, and P. Uhlig. 1997. Field guide to forest ecosystems of central Ontario. Southcentral Science Section (SCSS) Field Guide FG-01, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, North Bay, Ontario, Canada. 200 pp.
  • 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.
  • 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, D. Faber-Langendoen, and J. Dieck. 2010b. National Park Service Vegetation Inventory Program: Grand Portage National Monument, Minnesota. Natural Resource Report NPS/GLKN/NRR-2010/200. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 202 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]
  • LaRoi, G. H. 1967. Ecological studies in the boreal spruce-fir forests of the North American taiga. I. Analysis of the vascular flora. Ecological Monographs 37(3):229-253.
  • 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.
  • Maycock, P. F. 1961. The spruce-fir forest of the Keweenaw Peninsula, northern Michigan. Ecology 42(2):357-365.
  • Maycock, P. F., and J. T. Curtis. 1960. The phytosociology of boreal conifer-hardwood forests of the Great Lakes Region. Ecological Monographs 30(1):1-35.
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • 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]
  • Zoladeski, C. A., G. M. Wickware, R. J. Delorme, R. A. Sims, and I. G. W. Corns. 1995. Forest ecosystem classification for Manitoba: Field guide. Special Report 2. Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Forest Service, Northwest Region, Northern Forestry Center, Edmonton, Alberta.