Print Report

CEGL006098 Picea mariana / (Vaccinium corymbosum, Gaylussacia baccata) / Sphagnum sp. Swamp Woodland

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Black Spruce / (Highbush Blueberry, Black Huckleberry) / Peatmoss species Swamp Woodland

Colloquial Name: Subboreal Black Spruce Semi-treed Bog

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This black spruce bog association represents the southern range limit of the alliance, ranging from central New England to just south of the glacial border. This vegetation generally occurs in kettlehole basins and other well-defined topographic depressions and is characterized by relatively deep peat accumulation, indicating acidic, nutrient-poor conditions. The tree canopy ranges widely in closure. The dominant tree is Picea mariana, with associates including Larix laricina and Abies balsamea. The shrubs Vaccinium corymbosum and Ilex mucronata form a patchy tall-shrub layer. The dwarf-shrub layer is well-developed and characterized by a number of heaths including Chamaedaphne calyculata, Gaylussacia baccata, Kalmia angustifolia, and Vaccinium angustifolium. Common herbs may include Carex trisperma, Rhynchospora alba, Drosera rotundifolia, Sarracenia purpurea, Eriophorum virginicum, Coptis trifolia, and Maianthemum trifolium. The well-developed bryophyte layer is dominated by Sphagnum magellanicum, Sphagnum girgensohnii, Bazzania trilobata, Aulacomnium palustre, and Pleurozium schreberi. This association is further characterized by the presence of one or more tree or shrub species of more southern distribution, including Betula populifolia, Tsuga canadensis, Pinus rigida, Alnus incana, Rhododendron viscosum, Aronia spp., or Lyonia ligustrina. Additional species that further indicate southern range affinity or the influence of slightly higher nutrient levels from adjacent uplands may be present, including Carex folliculata, Carex crinita, Carex stricta, Osmunda cinnamomea, Symplocarpus foetidus, Iris versicolor, or Calla palustris. Northern species, such as Rhododendron canadense or Eriophorum vaginatum var. spissum, are generally lacking.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: This association is similar to ~Picea mariana / Alnus incana / Sphagnum spp. Swamp Forest (CEGL002452)$$.

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

Floristics: The dominant tree is Picea mariana, with associates including Larix laricina and Abies balsamea. The shrubs Vaccinium corymbosum and Ilex mucronata (= Nemopanthus mucronatus) form a patchy tall-shrub layer. The dwarf-shrub layer is well-developed and characterized by a number of heaths including Chamaedaphne calyculata, Gaylussacia baccata, Kalmia angustifolia, and Vaccinium angustifolium. Common herbs may include Carex trisperma, Rhynchospora alba, Drosera rotundifolia, Sarracenia purpurea, Eriophorum virginicum, Coptis trifolia, and Maianthemum trifolium. The well-developed bryophyte layer is dominated by Sphagnum magellanicum, Sphagnum girgensohnii, Bazzania trilobata, Aulacomnium palustre, and Pleurozium schreberi. This association is further characterized by the presence of one or more tree or shrub species of more southern distribution, including Betula populifolia, Tsuga canadensis, Pinus rigida, Alnus incana, Rhododendron viscosum, Aronia spp., or Lyonia ligustrina. Additional species that further indicate southern range affinity or the influence of slightly higher nutrient levels from adjacent uplands may be present, including Carex folliculata, Carex crinita, Carex stricta, Osmunda cinnamomea, Symplocarpus foetidus, Iris versicolor, or Calla palustris. Northern species, such as Rhododendron canadense or Eriophorum vaginatum var. spissum (= Eriophorum spissum), are generally lacking.

Dynamics:  No Data Available
Environmental Description:  This vegetation generally occurs in kettlehole basins and other well-defined topographic depressions and is characterized by relatively deep peat accumulation, indicating acidic, nutrient-poor conditions. The tree canopy ranges widely in closure.
Geographic Range: This black spruce bog association ranges from New England to just south of the glacial border.

Nations: CA,US

States/Provinces:  CT, MA, ME, NB, NH, NJ, NY, PA, QC?, RI, VT


Confidence Level: Low

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G3G5

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 CEGL006098 Black Spruce / (Highbush Blueberry, Black Huckleberry) / Peatmoss species Swamp Woodland CEGL006098 2.C.2.Na.1.a
Concept Lineage: subsumed into this type

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Carex trisperma - Black spruce forest (Damman and French 1987)
< Black Spruce (eastern type): 12 (Eyre 1980)
? NNE Acidic Seepage Swamp (Rawinski 1984a)
< Northern New England level bog (Rawinski 1984a)
= Type 18: Gymnosperm wooded fen-open gymnosperm wooded fen / shrub thicket (Larix laricina - Nemopanthus mucronatus - Rhododendron canadense) (Engstrom 1998) [Picea may be more prominent in the canopy than in the description.]
= Type 18: Gymnosperm wooded fen-open gymnosperm wooded fen/shrub thicket (Larix laricina/Nemopanthus mucronatus/Rhododendron canadense) (Anderson and Davis 1998)
Concept Author(s): Northern Appalachian Planning Team and L.A. Sneddon

Author of Description: L.A. Sneddon

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 11-26-97
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