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CEGL006268 Picea mariana / Ledum groenlandicum - Empetrum nigrum / Cladonia spp. Talus Scrub
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Black Spruce / Ledum groenlandicum - Empetrum nigrum / cup lichen spp. Talus Scrub
Colloquial Name: Cold Air Talus Heathland
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This boreal heathland community develops at the base of some talus slopes in the northeastern United States and (possibly) adjacent Canada. Cold air draining to the base of the slope allows ice to persist in crevices through most of the growing season, even at these moderate elevations (215-670 m [700-2200 feet]). This creates a cold microclimate, and the vegetation features many species with affinities to boreal or higher-elevation settings. As with talus slopes in general, soil development is extremely limited, although in this type there may be some patches of peaty soils developing among the boulders. The vegetation is predominantly dwarf-shrubs and stunted shrub-like conifers, in patches among the talus, with a scattered and broken tree canopy. Herbs are sparse. The bryoid layer is typically very well-developed, with mats of reindeer lichens undulating across the talus and higher bryophyte cover than in other talus settings. The scattered trees are typically Picea mariana, Picea rubens, and Betula papyrifera. Abies balsamea and (in relatively southern examples) Tsuga canadensis are occasional. Sorbus americana or Sorbus decora may occur as scattered shrubs. Dwarf-shrubs characteristically include Ledum groenlandicum, Gaultheria hispidula, Vaccinium angustifolium, Vaccinium myrtilloides, Vaccinium vitis-idaea, Kalmia angustifolia, and, in the more northerly occurrences, Vaccinium uliginosum and Empetrum nigrum. Herbs may include Polypodium virginianum and/or Polypodium appalachianum and Mitella nuda. Typical bryoids are Cladonia spp., Hylocomium splendens, Pleurozium schreberi, Sphagnum capillifolium, Polytrichum strictum, and Bazzania trilobata. The combination of setting and flora make this type 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 vegetation is predominantly dwarf-shrubs and stunted shrub-like conifers, in patches among the talus, with a scattered and broken tree canopy. Herbs are sparse. The bryoid layer is typically very well-developed, with mats of reindeer lichens undulating across the talus and higher bryophyte cover than in other talus settings. The scattered trees are typically Picea mariana, Picea rubens, and Betula papyrifera. Abies balsamea and (in relatively southern examples) Tsuga canadensis are occasional. Sorbus americana or Sorbus decora may occur as scattered shrubs. Dwarf-shrubs characteristically include Ledum groenlandicum, Gaultheria hispidula, Vaccinium angustifolium, Vaccinium myrtilloides, Vaccinium vitis-idaea, Kalmia angustifolia, and, in the more northerly occurrences, Vaccinium uliginosum and Empetrum nigrum. Herbs may include Polypodium virginianum and/or Polypodium appalachianum and Mitella nuda. Typical bryoids are Cladonia spp., Hylocomium splendens, Pleurozium schreberi, Sphagnum capillifolium, Polytrichum strictum, and Bazzania trilobata.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This boreal heathland community develops at the base of some talus slopes in the northeastern United States and (possibly) adjacent Canada. Cold air draining to the base of the slope allows ice to persist in crevices through most of the growing season, even at these moderate elevations (215-670 m [700-2200 feet]). This creates a cold microclimate, and the vegetation features many species with affinities to boreal or higher-elevation settings. As with talus slopes in general, soil development is extremely limited, although in this type there may be some patches of peaty soils developing among the boulders.
Geographic Range: This boreal heathland community occurs in the northeastern United States and possibly adjacent Canada.
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: ME, NB?, NH, NS?, NY, QC?, VT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.688259
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G3G5
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 | A3314 Red Spruce / Lowbush Blueberry Rocky Woodland Alliance | A3314 | 1.B.2.Na.7.d |
| Association | CEGL006268 Black Spruce / <i>Ledum groenlandicum - Empetrum nigrum</i> / cup lichen spp. Talus Scrub | CEGL006268 | 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)
- 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.
- Hunt, D. M. 1999. Natural community descriptions and specifications: Communities known or suspected from Adirondack Nature Conservancy. Unpublished report. New York Natural Heritage Program, Albany, NY. 272 pp.
- 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.