Print Report

CEGL002485 Picea mariana / Ledum groenlandicum / Carex trisperma / Sphagnum spp. Open Bog Woodland

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Black Spruce / Bog Labrador-tea / Three-seeded Sedge / Peatmoss species Open Bog Woodland

Colloquial Name: Black Spruce Open Bog

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This black spruce-dominated raised bog community type is found in the subboreal to boreal regions of the Great Lakes, elsewhere in the boreal region of central Canada, and across to Maine. Stands are typically on the crests of raised bog landforms in large peatland complexes, as well as in basin bogs. Sites are poorly drained, with wet organic substrates. Tree cover forms at least 25% canopy (and may be very dense), varying in height from 3 m to over 10 m. Picea mariana is often the sole species in the canopy. Larix laricina may occasionally occur. The dwarf-shrub layer is dominated by Ledum groenlandicum and other ericaceous shrubs, such as Chamaedaphne calyculata, Vaccinium myrtilloides, Vaccinium oxycoccos, Kalmia polifolia, Kalmia angustifolia, Gaultheria hispidula, and Andromeda polifolia. Picea mariana may also be found in scrub form in this layer. Ground cover consists of a species-poor herb layer, with Carex trisperma, Eriophorum vaginatum, and Maianthemum trifolium most prevalent. Moss cover is a Sphagnum carpet with patches of feathermoss (especially Pleurozium schreberi) and conifer litter beneath the trees. Dominant sphagnum species include Sphagnum magellanicum, Sphagnum fuscum, Sphagnum recurvum, and Sphagnum angustifolium, and less commonly, Sphagnum capillifolium and Sphagnum girgensohnii. Minerotrophic indicators, such as Betula pumila, Carex stricta, and Carex aquatilis, are absent.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: This type is conceptually a raised bog in a large peatland complex, with a more open-treed canopy. It includes both raised and intermediate bogs as described by the MNNHP (1993); however, Minnesota''s intermediate bog may also overlap in part with ~Picea mariana - (Larix laricina) / Ledum groenlandicum / Sphagnum spp. Swamp Forest (CEGL005271)$$, a black spruce poor swamp type). Based on work at Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota, and work in Ontario, closed stands of black spruce bog may key here or to CEGL005271, a black spruce poor swamp type more typically found in basins. It may be that, apart from peatland setting (i.e., open peatland complex vs. closed basin), these two types are vegetationally indistinguishable. This type is not expected in Wisconsin (E. Epstein pers. comm. 1999). This type extends to the Northern Appalachians in the larger peatland complexes.

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

Floristics: Trees cover at least 25% of the canopy (and may be very dense), varying in height from 3 m to over 10 m. Picea mariana is often the sole species in the canopy. Larix laricina may occasionally occur. The dwarf-shrub layer is dominated by Ledum groenlandicum and other ericaceous shrubs, such as Chamaedaphne calyculata, Vaccinium myrtilloides, Vaccinium oxycoccos, Kalmia polifolia, Gaultheria hispidula, and Andromeda polifolia. Picea mariana may also be found in scrub form in this layer. Ground cover consists of a species-poor herb layer, with Carex trisperma, Eriophorum vaginatum, and Maianthemum trifolium most prevalent. Moss cover is a Sphagnum carpet with patches of feathermoss (especially Pleurozium schreberi) and conifer litter beneath the trees. Dominant Sphagnum species include Sphagnum magellanicum, Sphagnum fuscum, and Sphagnum angustifolium, and less commonly, Sphagnum capillifolium (= Sphagnum nemoreum) and Sphagnum girgensohnii. Minerotrophic indicators, such as Betula pumila, Carex stricta, and Carex aquatilis, are absent (Sims et al. 1989, MNNHP 1993, McCarthy et al. 1994, Harris et al. 1996).

Dynamics:  No Data Available
Environmental Description:  Stands are typically on the crests of raised bog landforms in large peatland complexes, as well as in basin bogs. Sites are poorly drained, with wet organic substrates (Sims et al. 1989, MNNHP 1993, McCarthy et al. 1994, Harris et al. 1996).
Geographic Range: This black spruce-dominated bog community type is found in the sub-boreal to boreal regions of the Great Lakes and elsewhere in the boreal region of central Canada, ranging from inland areas of Maine to northern Minnesota and northward into central Canada, including Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec.

Nations: CA,US

States/Provinces:  MB, ME, MI, MN, NB, NH, NY, ON, QC, VT, WI


Confidence Level: Moderate

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.2 Temperate to Polar Bog & Fen Formation F016 2.C.2
Division 2.C.2.Na North American Bog & Fen Division D029 2.C.2.Na
Macrogroup 2.C.2.Na.1 Leatherleaf - Small Cranberry - Few-seed Sedge Bog & Acidic Fen Macrogroup M876 2.C.2.Na.1
Group 2.C.2.Na.1.a Leatherleaf - Few-seed Sedge - Bog Laurel Boreal Bog & Acidic Fen Group G748 2.C.2.Na.1.a
Alliance A3836 Black Spruce / Peatmoss species Eastern Boreal Treed Bog Alliance A3836 2.C.2.Na.1.a
Association CEGL002485 Black Spruce / Bog Labrador-tea / Three-seeded Sedge / Peatmoss species Open Bog Woodland CEGL002485 2.C.2.Na.1.a
Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Picea mariana / Ledum groenlandicum / Carex trisperma / Sphagnum spp. Forest (Faber-Langendoen 2001) [Northern Wet Forest Black Spruce Bog Subtype]
= Black Spruce / Labrador-tea - Sphagnum (V25) (McCarthy et al. 1994)
> Black Spruce Bog Raised Subtype (MNNHP 1993)
> Black Spruce Bog, Intermediate Subtype (MNNHP 1993)
= Radiating bog forest (Glaser 1992b)
Concept Author(s): Minnesota NHP (1993)

Author of Description: D. Faber-Langendoen

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 10-30-98
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