Print Report
CEGL006361 Picea mariana - Picea rubens / Pleurozium schreberi Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Black Spruce - Red Spruce / Schreber''s Big Red-stem Moss Forest
Colloquial Name: Northern Spruce - Fir Flats
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This closed-canopy spruce-fir forest occurs in northern New England on imperfectly drained flats or stream drainages, often where cold air accumulates. This association is typically found along streams, swamp borders, low flats alongside lakes, or adjacent to boreal heathlands. Soils are acidic silts, loams, or sandy loams and imperfectly drained. In most settings they are seasonally wet; some may remain saturated. Only rarely are they peaty. The canopy is generally closed, but blowdown gaps are common. The dominant understory feature is the extensive bryoid layer. Shrubs are sparse, except in gaps. Herbs are well represented although rarely dense. The canopy is dominated by some combination of Picea rubens, Picea mariana, and Abies balsamea. Associates include Betula alleghaniensis, Abies balsamea, Acer rubrum, or Thuja occidentalis. In the southern portion of this type''s range, Tsuga canadensis and Prunus serotina may be present in the canopy. Characteristic shrubs include Viburnum nudum var. cassinoides, Kalmia angustifolia, Amelanchier bartramiana, Vaccinium angustifolium, and Vaccinium myrtilloides. The herbaceous layer is characterized by Osmunda cinnamomea, Osmunda claytoniana, Gaultheria hispidula, Maianthemum canadense, Cornus canadensis, Coptis trifolia, Clintonia borealis, and Dalibarda repens. A well-developed bryophyte layer is characteristic of this association and includes Pleurozium schreberi, Hylocomium splendens, Ptilium crista-castrensis, Bazzania trilobata, and species of Sphagnum.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This association is differentiated by the characteristic presence of Picea rubens, Amelanchier bartramiana, and Dalibarda repens. Black spruce - red spruce flats with a woodland canopy and a well-developed heath shrub layer are differentiated as spruce - heath barrens, ~Picea mariana - Picea rubens / Rhododendron canadense / Cladonia spp. Swamp Woodland (CEGL006421)$$.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: The canopy is generally closed, but blowdown gaps are common. The dominant understory feature is the extensive bryoid layer. Shrubs are sparse, except in gaps. Herbs are well-represented although rarely dense. The canopy is dominated by some combination of Picea rubens, Picea mariana, and Abies balsamea. Associates include Betula alleghaniensis, Abies balsamea, Acer rubrum, or Thuja occidentalis. In the southern portion of this type''s range, Tsuga canadensis and Prunus serotina may be present in the canopy. Characteristic shrubs include Viburnum nudum var. cassinoides (= Viburnum cassinoides), Kalmia angustifolia, Amelanchier bartramiana, Vaccinium angustifolium, and Vaccinium myrtilloides. The herbaceous layer is characterized by Osmunda cinnamomea, Osmunda claytoniana, Gaultheria hispidula, Maianthemum canadense, Cornus canadensis, Coptis trifolia, Clintonia borealis, and Dalibarda repens. A well-developed bryophyte layer is characteristic of this association and includes Pleurozium schreberi, Hylocomium splendens, Ptilium crista-castrensis, Bazzania trilobata, and species of Sphagnum.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This closed-canopy spruce-fir forest occurs in northern New England on imperfectly drained flats or stream drainages, often where cold air accumulates. This association is typically found along streams, swamp borders, low flats alongside lakes, or adjacent to boreal heathlands. Soils are acidic silts, loams, or sandy loams and imperfectly drained. In most settings they are seasonally wet; some may remain saturated. Only rarely are they peaty.
Geographic Range: This spruce forest occurs in northern New England.
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: ME, NB, NH, NY, ON, QC?, VT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.687548
Confidence Level: Low
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.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.d Red Spruce - Balsam Fir - Paper Birch Forest Group | G744 | 1.B.2.Na.7.d |
| Alliance | A4442 Red Spruce - Yellow Birch - Sugar Maple Forest Alliance | A4442 | 1.B.2.Na.7.d |
| Association | CEGL006361 Black Spruce - Red Spruce / Schreber''s Big Red-stem Moss Forest | CEGL006361 | 1.B.2.Na.7.d |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: ? Black Spruce (eastern type): 12 (Eyre 1980) [subtype a]
= Spruce Flat (Oosting and Reed 1944)
= Spruce Flat (Oosting and Reed 1944)
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