Print Report

CEGL006082 Picea mariana / Rubus chamaemorus / Sphagnum spp. Swamp Woodland

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Black Spruce / Cloudberry / Peatmoss species Swamp Woodland

Colloquial Name: Coastal Black Spruce Woodland Bog

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This black spruce bog forest is limited in range to the coastal areas of northern New England and the adjacent maritime provinces in Canada. It occurs on shallow to deep peats in poorly drained basins, over acidic bedrock. The canopy is patchy, and may approach a closed canopy in places and be quite open in others. The-tall shrub and dwarf-shrub layers are likewise patchy. Herbs are sparse. The bryoid layer is well-developed, forming an almost continuous carpet. The dominant tree is Picea mariana. Common associates are Larix laricina and Pinus banksiana. The shrub layer is dominated by Alnus viridis ssp. crispa, Ilex mucronata, and Myrica gale. The dwarf-shrub layer is composed of Ledum groenlandicum, Rhododendron canadense, Kalmia angustifolia, Chamaedaphne calyculata, and Kalmia polifolia. Herbaceous species include Sarracenia purpurea, Drosera intermedia, Drosera rotundifolia, Carex trisperma, and Maianthemum trifolium. Sphagnum spp. dominate the bryophyte layer. Species that are particularly characteristic, although not necessarily abundant, are Pinus banksiana, Empetrum nigrum, Rubus chamaemorus, Trichophorum cespitosum, and Gaylussacia dumosa. The greater tree cover and the presence of tall shrubs Alnus viridis ssp. crispa, Ilex mucronata, and Myrica gale differentiate this type from ~Empetrum nigrum - Gaylussacia dumosa - Rubus chamaemorus / Sphagnum spp. Acidic Peatland (CEGL006248)$$. The presence of boreal characteristic species listed above differentiates this type from the physiognomically similar ~Picea mariana / (Vaccinium corymbosum, Gaylussacia baccata) / Sphagnum sp. Swamp Woodland (CEGL006098)$$.

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 is patchy, and may approach a closed canopy in places and be quite open in others. The-tall shrub and dwarf-shrub layers are likewise patchy. Herbs are sparse. The bryoid layer is well-developed, forming an almost continuous carpet. The dominant tree is Picea mariana. Common associates are Larix laricina and Pinus banksiana. The shrub layer is dominated by Alnus viridis ssp. crispa, Ilex mucronata (= Nemopanthus mucronatus), and Myrica gale. The dwarf-shrub layer is composed of Ledum groenlandicum, Rhododendron canadense, Kalmia angustifolia, Chamaedaphne calyculata, and Kalmia polifolia. Herbaceous species include Sarracenia purpurea, Drosera intermedia, Drosera rotundifolia, Carex trisperma, and Maianthemum trifolium. Sphagnum spp. dominate the bryophyte layer. Species that are particularly characteristic, although not necessarily abundant, are Pinus banksiana, Empetrum nigrum, Rubus chamaemorus, Trichophorum cespitosum (= Scirpus cespitosus), and Gaylussacia dumosa.

Dynamics:  No Data Available
Environmental Description:  It occurs on shallow to deep peats in poorly drained basins, over acidic bedrock.
Geographic Range: This black spruce bog forest is limited in range to the coastal areas of northern New England and the adjacent maritime provinces in Canada.

Nations: CA,US

States/Provinces:  LB?, ME, NB, NF?, NS?, QC?


Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented

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 CEGL006082 Black Spruce / Cloudberry / Peatmoss species Swamp Woodland CEGL006082 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: No Data Available
Concept Author(s): Northern Appalachian Planning Team and L.A. Sneddon

Author of Description: S.C. Gawler

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 01-27-03
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • Thompson, E. H. 1979. A vegetational history of Great Wass Island, Maine. Unpublished report. The Nature Conservancy, Maine chapter. 46 pp.