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CEGL006038 Picea mariana - Abies balsamea / Sibbaldiopsis tridentata Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Black Spruce - Balsam Fir / Shrubby Fivefingers Shrubland
Colloquial Name: Black Spruce Krummholz
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This shrubby alpine krummholz occurs at high elevations in the Northern Appalachians of the northeastern United States and adjacent Canada. The setting is high, wind-exposed alpine peaks and exposed high-elevation summits, usually from 1067-1494 m (3500-4900 feet) elevation. Soils are thin organic Histosols or peat. The stunted trees form matted, wind-pruned alpine conifer thickets, usually of 60-100% cover. Dwarf-shrubs and herbs are occasional in openings among the shrubby trees. Bryoids, also in the openings, are sparse; decomposing organic litter makes up the remainder of the ground cover. The krummholz is dominated by a variable mixture of Picea mariana, Abies balsamea, and Betula papyrifera var. cordifolia. Dwarf-shrubs and herbs include Ledum groenlandicum, Vaccinium uliginosum, Empetrum nigrum, Vaccinium vitis-idaea, Clintonia borealis, Cornus canadensis, Sibbaldiopsis tridentata, Trientalis borealis, Gaultheria hispidula, and Solidago macrophylla. This association shares many species with subalpine spruce-fir forests (e.g., ~Abies balsamea - (Betula papyrifera var. cordifolia) Forest (CEGL006112)$$), but the low stature and matted form of the trees is distinctive.
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 stunted trees form matted, wind-pruned alpine conifer thickets, usually of 60-100% cover. Dwarf-shrubs and herbs are occasional in openings among the shrubby trees. Bryoids, also in the openings, are sparse; decomposing organic litter makes up the remainder of the ground cover. The krummholz is dominated by a variable mixture of Picea mariana, Abies balsamea, and Betula papyrifera var. cordifolia. Dwarf-shrubs and herbs include Ledum groenlandicum, Vaccinium uliginosum, Empetrum nigrum, Vaccinium vitis-idaea, Clintonia borealis, Cornus canadensis, Sibbaldiopsis tridentata, Trientalis borealis, Gaultheria hispidula, and Solidago macrophylla.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This shrubby alpine krummholz occurs at high elevations in the Northern Appalachians of the northeastern United States and adjacent Canada. The setting is high, wind-exposed alpine peaks and exposed high-elevation summits, usually from 1067-1494 m (3500-4900 feet) elevation. Soils are thin organic Histosols or peat.
Geographic Range: No Data Available
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: ME, NB, NH, NY, QC?, VT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.687709
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 4 Polar & High Montane Scrub, Grassland & Barrens Class | C04 | 4 |
| Subclass | 4.B Temperate to Polar Alpine & Tundra Vegetation Subclass | S12 | 4.B |
| Formation | 4.B.1 Temperate & Boreal Alpine Tundra Formation | F037 | 4.B.1 |
| Division | 4.B.1.Na Eastern North American Alpine Tundra Division | D042 | 4.B.1.Na |
| Macrogroup | 4.B.1.Na.1 Eastern North American Alpine Tundra Macrogroup | M131 | 4.B.1.Na.1 |
| Group | 4.B.1.Na.1.d <i>Vaccinium uliginosum - Diapensia lapponica - Carex bigelowii</i> Temperate Alpine Tundra Group | G909 | 4.B.1.Na.1.d |
| Alliance | A3360 Black Spruce Krummholz Alliance | A3360 | 4.B.1.Na.1.d |
| Association | CEGL006038 Black Spruce - Balsam Fir / Shrubby Fivefingers Shrubland | CEGL006038 | 4.B.1.Na.1.d |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: < Balsam Fir: 5 (Eyre 1980)
< Black Spruce (eastern type): 12 (Eyre 1980)
= Krummholz (Kimball and Weihrauch 2000)
= Krummholz (Bliss 1963)
< Black Spruce (eastern type): 12 (Eyre 1980)
= Krummholz (Kimball and Weihrauch 2000)
= Krummholz (Bliss 1963)
- Bliss, L. C. 1963. Alpine plant communities of the Presidential Range, New Hampshire. Ecology 44:678-697.
- CDPNQ [Centre de données sur le patrimoine naturel du Québec]. No date. Unpublished data. Centre de données sur le patrimoine naturel du Québec, Québec.
- Eastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boston, MA.
- Edinger, G. J., D. J. Evans, S. Gebauer, T. G. Howard, D. M. Hunt, and A. M. Olivero, editors. 2014a. Ecological communities of New York state. Second edition. A revised and expanded edition of Carol Reschke''s ecological communities of New York state. New York Natural Heritage Program, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Albany, NY.
- Eyre, F. H., editor. 1980. Forest cover types of the United States and Canada. Society of American Foresters, Washington, DC. 148 pp.
- Gawler, S. C. 2002. Natural landscapes of Maine: A guide to vegetated natural communities and ecosystems. Maine Natural Areas Program, Department of Conservation, Augusta, ME.
- Gawler, S. C., and A. Cutko. 2010. Natural landscapes of Maine: A classification of vegetated natural communities and ecosystems. Maine Natural Areas Program, Department of Conservation, Augusta.
- Kimball, K. D., and D. M. Weihrauch. 2000. Alpine vegetation communities and the alpine-treeline ecotone boundary in New England as biomonitors for climate change. USDA Forest Service, Proceedings RMRS-P-15 3:93-101.
- Sperduto, D. D., and C. V. Cogbill. 1999. Alpine and subalpine vegetation of the White Mountains, New Hampshire. New Hampshire Natural Heritage Inventory, Concord, NH. 25 pp. plus figures.
- Sperduto, D. D., and W. F. Nichols. 2004. Natural communities of New Hampshire: A guide and classification. New Hampshire Natural Heritage Bureau, DRED Division of Forests and Lands, Concord. 242 pp.
- Thompson, E. H., and E. R. Sorenson. 2005. Wetland, woodland, wildland: A guide to the natural communities of Vermont. The Nature Conservancy and the Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife. University Press of New England, Hanover, NH. 456 pp.