Print Report
CEGL002472 Larix laricina / Aronia melanocarpa / Sphagnum spp. Swamp Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Tamarack / Black Chokeberry / Peatmoss species Swamp Forest
Colloquial Name: Southern Tamarack Swamp
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This community is found in the upper midwestern United States and adjacent Canada, with an outlier in the central Appalachian Mountains. Stands contain shallow peats in sites along rivers and in shallow lake basins, and may form a zone in a larger peatland site. The tree canopy is variable, with stands containing 25-100% cover. Larix laricina is either the sole dominant, or often mixed with Acer rubrum, Betula alleghaniensis, Pinus strobus, Fraxinus nigra, and occasional Picea mariana in the west and Nyssa sylvatica in the east. The shrub layer may contain Betula pumila and Chamaedaphne calyculata, as well as other more minerotrophic species, such as Alnus incana, Aronia melanocarpa, Ilex verticillata, Toxicodendron vernix, Vaccinium corymbosum (in the eastern part of its range), and Rhododendron maximum (in the Central Appalachians). The dwarf-shrub Vaccinium macrocarpon may also be present. The herbaceous layer contains a diverse mix of species, including Carex lasiocarpa, Caltha palustris, Coptis trifolia, Drosera rotundifolia, Impatiens capensis, Osmunda cinnamomea, Sarracenia purpurea, and, in the Central Appalachians, Symplocarpus foetidus. A nearly complete Sphagnum spp. mat covers the ground. Diagnostic features may include dominance by Larix laricina and the presence of Toxicodendron vernix.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This type occurs south of the tension zone in the Great Lakes states and Ontario and has a few, isolated stands in Ohio and West Virginia. The more southern occurrences contain little or no Picea mariana. Toxicodendron vernix may be typical, but it may not be very constant. Note also that the canopy can have a woodland character. Stands of this type are sometimes referred to as conifer bog "relicts," being south of the main distribution of conifer bogs following the most recent glaciation, but their origin may actually be more recent. Their classification needs additional study to determine whether a distinct type in the southeastern portion of the range is warranted. The absence of Picea mariana is a possible means to separate it from vegetation in the northern range. Currently this type is not known to occur in southern Minnesota, where the most similar type is a rich tamarack swamp (FPs63a) ( Minnesota DNR 2005a).
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: The tree canopy is variable, with stands containing 25-100% cover. Larix laricina is either the sole dominant, or often mixed with Acer rubrum, Betula alleghaniensis, Pinus strobus, Fraxinus nigra, and occasional Picea mariana in the west and Nyssa sylvatica in the east. The shrub layer may contain Betula pumila and Chamaedaphne calyculata, as well as other more minerotrophic species, such as Alnus incana, Aronia melanocarpa, Ilex verticillata, Toxicodendron vernix, Vaccinium corymbosum (in the eastern part of its range), and Rhododendron maximum (in the Central Appalachians). The dwarf-shrub Vaccinium macrocarpon may also be present. The herbaceous layer contains a diverse mix of species, including Carex lasiocarpa, Caltha palustris, Coptis trifolia (= Coptis groenlandica), Drosera rotundifolia, Impatiens capensis, Osmunda cinnamomea, Sarracenia purpurea, and, in the Central Appalachians, Symplocarpus foetidus. A nearly complete Sphagnum spp. mat covers the ground (Brewer 1966, Catana 1967, Anderson 1982, MNNHP 1993, Byers et al. 2007).
Dynamics: Windthrows can be common because of the shallow-rooted trees (Anderson 1982). In kettle lake basins, this community may invade poor fen mats or poor shrub fens. In turn, as the peat compacts, this type may be replaced by hardwood swamp types.
Environmental Description: Stands contain shallow peats in sites along poorly drained river systems and in shallow kettle lake basins, and may form a zone in a larger peatland site.
Geographic Range: This community is found in the midwestern United States and adjacent Canada, ranging from Wisconsin east to southern Ontario, with disjunct occurrences to the southeast in Ohio and West Virginia.
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: IL, IN, MI, OH, ON, WI, WV
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.685366
Confidence Level: Moderate
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.2 Pin Oak - Green Ash - Blackgum Swamp Forest Macrogroup | M503 | 1.B.3.Na.2 |
| Group | 1.B.3.Na.2.h <i>Quercus bicolor - Fagus grandifolia - Acer rubrum</i> Swamp Forest Group | G918 | 1.B.3.Na.2.h |
| Alliance | A4397 Tamarack - White Pine - Red Maple Midwest Swamp Alliance | A4397 | 1.B.3.Na.2.h |
| Association | CEGL002472 Tamarack / Black Chokeberry / Peatmoss species Swamp Forest | CEGL002472 | 1.B.3.Na.2.h |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Larix laricina / Ilex verticillata / Symplocarpus foetidus - Osmunda cinnamomea / Sphagnum spp. Woodland Swamp (Byers et al. 2007)
= Larix laricina / Photinia melanocarpa / Sphagnum spp. Forest (Faber-Langendoen 2001)
? Stand 7 (Catana 1967)
? Tamarack Forest (Brewer 1966)
= WV larch - sedge meadow (Robinette 1966)
= Larix laricina / Photinia melanocarpa / Sphagnum spp. Forest (Faber-Langendoen 2001)
? Stand 7 (Catana 1967)
? Tamarack Forest (Brewer 1966)
= WV larch - sedge meadow (Robinette 1966)
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