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CEGL006176 Acer saccharinum / Onoclea sensibilis - Boehmeria cylindrica Floodplain Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Silver Maple / Sensitive Fern - Small-spike False Nettle Floodplain Forest
Colloquial Name: Silver Maple Floodplain Bottom Forest (Sensitive Fern Type)
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: These silver maple floodplain forests of the northeastern United States are typical of riverbottoms, lakeplains, and the inner floodplain of medium to large rivers, mostly at less than 245 m (800 feet) elevation. They are most typical of third- and fourth-order rivers. They are subjected to spring flooding of high frequency and duration; their soils are poorly drained and deep. They are generally associated with calcareous or sedimentary bedrock and with fine-grained surficial deposits but may occur in coarser soils or tills. The canopy ranges from closed to somewhat open (in small inclusions, it may be quite sparse) and is high and arching. Shrubs are few; the herb layer is very well-developed. Bryoids are minor. The overall effect is of tall, well-spaced trees over a lush carpet of herbs. The canopy is strongly dominated by Acer saccharinum. Associated trees include Fraxinus pennsylvanica, Ulmus americana, and occasionally Quercus bicolor or Quercus macrocarpa. Prunus serotina, Picea glauca, and Acer rubrum have been occasionally noted northward. The herb layer is seasonally variable, with spring ephemerals succeeded by dense cover of mixed ferns, forbs and graminoids. Summer-dominant herbs include Onoclea sensibilis and Boehmeria cylindrica. This type differs from ~Acer saccharinum - (Populus deltoides) / Matteuccia struthiopteris - Laportea canadensis Floodplain Forest (CEGL006147)$$ in its somewhat more poorly drained soils, longer flood duration, and the reduced importance of Matteuccia struthiopteris relative to Onoclea sensibilis along with generally higher herb layer richness. It generally lacks Populus deltoides and Salix nigra in the canopy. It may be bordered on its upland edge by terrace forests dominated by Acer saccharum.
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: The canopy ranges from closed to somewhat open and is high and arching. Shrubs are few; the herb layer is very well-developed. Bryoids are minor. The overall effect is of tall, well-spaced trees over a lush carpet of herbs. The canopy is strongly dominated by Acer saccharinum. Associated trees include Fraxinus pennsylvanica, Ulmus americana, and occasionally Quercus bicolor or Quercus macrocarpa. Prunus serotina, Picea glauca, and Acer rubrum have been occasionally noted northward. The herb layer is seasonally variable, with spring ephemerals, including Erythronium americanum, Sanguinaria canadensis, and Arisaema triphyllum, succeeded by dense cover of mixed ferns, forbs and graminoids. Summer-dominant herbs include Onoclea sensibilis and Boehmeria cylindrica. Matteuccia struthiopteris and Laportea canadensis may be present but are not abundant; other typical species include Pilea pumila, Lycopus uniflorus, Scutellaria lateriflora, Thelypteris palustris, Osmunda regalis, Thalictrum pubescens, Bidens tripartita, Ludwigia palustris, Calamagrostis canadensis, and Cinna spp. In more disturbed sites, non-native herbs such as Lysimachia nummularia and Lythrum salicaria may be common.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: These silver maple floodplain forests of the northeastern United States are typical of riverbottoms, lakeplains, and the inner floodplain of medium to large rivers, mostly at less than 245 m (800 feet) elevation. They are most typical of third- and fourth-order rivers. They are subjected to spring flooding of high frequency and duration; their soils are poorly drained and deep. They are generally associated with calcareous or sedimentary bedrock and with fine-grained surficial deposits, but may occur in coarser soils or tills.
Geographic Range: This silver maple floodplain forest of the northeastern United States and adjacent Canada occurs from New Brunswick to New York.
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: CT, MA, ME, NB, NH, NJ?, NY, PA, QC?, VT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.687000
Confidence Level: Moderate
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.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.3 <i>Tsuga canadensis - Fraxinus nigra - Larix laricina</i> Flooded & Swamp Forest Macrogroup | M504 | 1.B.3.Na.3 |
| Group | 1.B.3.Na.3.a Silver Maple - Green Ash - Black Ash Floodplain Forest Group | G653 | 1.B.3.Na.3.a |
| Alliance | A3715 Silver Maple - Red Maple - American Elm Floodplain Forest Alliance | A3715 | 1.B.3.Na.3.a |
| Association | CEGL006176 Silver Maple / Sensitive Fern - Small-spike False Nettle Floodplain Forest | CEGL006176 | 1.B.3.Na.3.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Acer saccharinum / Boehmeria - Onoclea (Type 3) (Sperduto and Crowley 2002a)
? Lakeside/large riverbottom floodplain forest (NAP pers. comm. 1998)
< Silver Maple - American Elm: 62 (Eyre 1980)
? Southern New England floodplain forest (Rawinski 1984a)
? Lakeside/large riverbottom floodplain forest (NAP pers. comm. 1998)
< Silver Maple - American Elm: 62 (Eyre 1980)
? Southern New England floodplain forest (Rawinski 1984a)
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