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CEGL003270 Picea sitchensis / Sphagnum spp. Treed Bog
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Sitka Spruce / Peatmoss species Treed Bog
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This plant association is found primarily on peatlands occurring on distal outwash, uplifted tidal flats, and moraines in the rainforests of south-central Alaska and extending into southeastern Alaska. It is a late-seral association that appears relatively stable. Stands are dominated by Picea sitchensis or Tsuga mertensiana and regeneration is common for both conifer species. Trees are typically less than 6 m (20 feet) tall and 13-40 cm (5-16 inches) in diameter. Downed logs are uncommon. The shrub layer is dominated by Myrica gale and Vaccinium species. Common dwarf-shrubs are Empetrum nigrum and Vaccinium oxycoccos. Common forbs are Cornus canadensis and Rubus arcticus. The two most common sedges are Carex aquatilis var. dives and Eriophorum angustifolium.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: The first published account for this type occurs in the Yakutat Foreland (Shephard 1995). Boggs (2000) also described the same type for the Copper River Delta, Alaska. It is similar to another peatland type, the Myrica gale / Carex sitchensis plant association described by Boggs (2000). This type also is reported from Dixon Harbor in Glacier Bay National Park (Worley 1977).
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: [From Boggs (2000)]: One site was sampled at Cooper River Delta. Vegetation is composed of dwarf Picea sitchensis and Tsuga heterophylla, with a cover of less than 25%. Limited regeneration is common for both conifer species. Downed logs are uncommon. The shrub layer is dominated by Myrica gale, Empetrum nigrum, and Vaccinium oxycoccos (= Oxycoccus microcarpos). Typical forbs are Cornus canadensis and Rubus arcticus. The two most common graminoids are Carex aquatilis var. dives (= Carex sitchensis) and Eriophorum angustifolium. Bryophytes, including Sphagnum species, blanket the ground.
Dynamics: From Boggs (2000): This is a mid- to late-successional type that follows the Picea sitchensis / Alnus crispa or Populus trichocarpa / young community types. On all landscapes, this community may be seral to other Picea sitchensis types and, eventually, Tsuga heterophylla communities.
Environmental Description: From Boggs (2000): This minor type occupies old undisturbed sites of distal outwash plains, floodplains, and uplifted marshes. These are ombrotrophic fens, or bogs, typically dominated by Sphagnum species. The water table is close to the surface most of the year, and the surface topography is level with minor hummock formation. Shephard (1995) states the soils usually are classified as Histic Cryaquepts and Terric Cryofibrists and have an average organic matter depth of 16 inches over the mineral horizon (fine gravel to silt).
Geographic Range: The plant association is restricted to southeastern and south-central Alaska.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AK
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.688232
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G3
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.3 Beach Pine / Bog Labrador-tea / Cusick''s Sedge North Pacific Bog & Fen Macrogroup | M063 | 2.C.2.Na.3 |
| Group | 2.C.2.Na.3.c Beach Pine / Bog Labrador-tea / Peatmoss species Wooded Bog & Poor Fen Group | G610 | 2.C.2.Na.3.c |
| Alliance | A3764 Lodgepole Pine - Sitka Spruce Alaskan Wooded Bog Alliance | A3764 | 2.C.2.Na.3.c |
| Association | CEGL003270 Sitka Spruce / Peatmoss species Treed Bog | CEGL003270 | 2.C.2.Na.3.c |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Picea sitchensis / Sphagnum Community Type (Boggs 2000)
- Boggs, K. 1996. Forested plant communities of maritime southcentral and southeast Alaska. Unpublished report of the Alaska Natural Heritage Program, University of Alaska, Anchorage.
- Boggs, K. 2000. Classification of community types, successional sequences and landscapes of the Copper River Delta, Alaska. General Technical Report PNW-GTR-469. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station, Portland, OR. March 2000. 244 pp.
- Bourgeron, P. S., and L. D. Engelking, editors. 1994. A preliminary vegetation classification of the western United States. Unpublished report. The Nature Conservancy, Western Heritage Task Force, Boulder, CO. 175 pp. plus appendix.
- Shephard, M. E. 1995. Plant community ecology and classification of the Yakutat Foreland, Alaska. R10-TP-56. USDA Forest Service, Alaska Region. 213 pp. plus appendices.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.
- Worley, I. A. 1977. Plant community analysis. Pages 126-239 in: G. P. Streveler and I. A. Worley, editors. Dixon Harbor biological survey. Final report on the summer phase of 1975 field work. U.S. National Park Service, Juneau, AK.