Print Report
CEGL006158 Alnus incana ssp. rugosa - Ilex mucronata / Sphagnum spp. Acidic Peatland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Speckled Alder - Catberry / Peatmoss species Acidic Peatland
Colloquial Name: Northern Peatland Shrub Swamp
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This alder-dominated community is associated with peatlands across northern New England and adjacent Canada. It is most often found at the landward edge of acidic peat mats (i.e., the lagg), where it receives slightly more enriched waters than those of the adjacent oligotrophic or ombrotrophic peatland. Nitrogen levels are higher than in other peatland communities, presumably as a result of nitrogen fixing by the alders. Occasionally, it occurs in a montane setting (>730 m [2400 feet]) on thin organic soils over coarse cryic soils. Tall shrubs are the dominant physiognomy, with at least 50% cover; trees may be present but are sparse. Herb cover varies from sparse to extensive depending on the shrub cover. The bryophyte layer is well-developed, usually with at least 50% cover. Alnus incana ssp. rugosa is the dominant or characteristic tall shrub; Ilex verticillata or Ilex mucronata are often present and sometimes abundant. Other shrubs include Alnus viridis, Viburnum nudum var. cassinoides, Vaccinium corymbosum, or Spiraea tomentosa. A tree canopy is lacking, but there may be scattered trees of Acer rubrum, Picea mariana, Thuja occidentalis, or Abies balsamea. Dwarf-shrub cover is variable, with Rhododendron canadense and Chamaedaphne calyculata the most typical, and Kalmia angustifolia, Gaylussacia baccata, and Ledum groenlandicum often also present. (Ilex mucronata, Picea mariana, Thuja occidentalis, Abies balsamea, and Ledum groenlandicum drop out at the southern extent of the range.) The most characteristic herbs are Carex trisperma, Calla palustris, and Osmunda cinnamomea; other species include Triadenum virginicum, Carex intumescens, Carex magellanica ssp. irrigua, Doellingeria umbellata, Iris versicolor, Gaultheria hispidula, Lysimachia terrestris, Maianthemum trifolium, Onoclea sensibilis, Sarracenia purpurea, Thalictrum pubescens, and Trientalis borealis. The bryoid layer consists of Sphagnum spp., including Sphagnum recurvum, Sphagnum palustre, Sphagnum fallax, and Sphagnum magellanicum. The combination of Alnus incana dominance with Ilex mucronata and understory plants characteristic of peatlands is diagnostic.
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: Tall shrubs are the dominant physiognomy, with at least 50% cover; trees may be present but are sparse. Herb cover varies from sparse to extensive depending on the shrub cover. The bryophyte layer is well-developed, usually with at least 50% cover. Alnus incana ssp. rugosa (= Alnus rugosa) is the dominant or characteristic tall shrub; Ilex verticillata or Ilex mucronata (= Nemopanthus mucronatus) are often present and sometimes abundant. Other shrubs include Alnus viridis, Viburnum nudum var. cassinoides (= Viburnum cassinoides), Vaccinium corymbosum, or Spiraea tomentosa. A tree canopy is lacking, but there may be scattered trees of Acer rubrum, Picea mariana, Thuja occidentalis, or Abies balsamea. Dwarf-shrub cover is variable, with Rhododendron canadense and Chamaedaphne calyculata the most typical, and Kalmia angustifolia, Gaylussacia baccata, and Ledum groenlandicum often also present. The most characteristic herbs are Carex trisperma, Calla palustris, and Osmunda cinnamomea; other species include Triadenum virginicum, Carex intumescens, Carex magellanica ssp. irrigua (= Carex paupercula), Doellingeria umbellata (= Aster umbellatus), Iris versicolor, Gaultheria hispidula, Lysimachia terrestris, Maianthemum trifolium, Onoclea sensibilis, Sarracenia purpurea, Thalictrum pubescens, and Trientalis borealis. The bryoid layer consists of Sphagnum spp., including Sphagnum recurvum, Sphagnum palustre, Sphagnum fallax, and Sphagnum magellanicum.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This alder-dominated community is associated with peatlands across northern New England and adjacent Canada. It is most often at the landward edge of acidic peat mats (i.e., the lagg), where it receives slightly more enriched waters than those of the adjacent oligotrophic or ombrotrophic peatland. Nitrogen levels are higher than in other peatland communities, presumably as a result of nitrogen fixing by the alders. Occasionally, it occurs in a montane setting (>730 m [2400 feet]) on thin organic soils over coarse cryic soils.
Geographic Range: This peatland lagg community occurs in northern New England and adjacent Canada.
Nations: CA?,US
States/Provinces: ME, NB?, NH, NS?, NY, PA, PE?, QC?, VT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.686220
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G5
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.Nd Eastern North American Temperate Freshwater Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Division | D323 | 2.C.4.Nd |
| Macrogroup | 2.C.4.Nd.2 Broadleaf Cattail - White Snakeroot - Rush species Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Macrogroup | M069 | 2.C.4.Nd.2 |
| Group | 2.C.4.Nd.2.g Laurentian-Acadian Wet Meadow & Shrub Swamp | G904 | 2.C.4.Nd.2.g |
| Alliance | A4377 Gray Alder Shrub Swamp Alliance | A4377 | 2.C.4.Nd.2.g |
| Association | CEGL006158 Speckled Alder - Catberry / Peatmoss species Acidic Peatland | CEGL006158 | 2.C.4.Nd.2.g |
Concept Lineage: CEGL006164 merged into CEGL006158.
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: ? Lagg (Sorenson 1986)
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- Eastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boston, MA.
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