Print Report

CEGL005038 Acer (rubrum, saccharinum) - Fraxinus spp. - Ulmus americana Swamp Forest

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: (Red Maple, Silver Maple) - Ash species - American Elm Swamp Forest

Colloquial Name: Maple - Ash - Elm Swamp

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This silver and red maple forest swamp community type occurs in the east-central United States and adjacent Canada. Stands occur in moist, deep (>100 cm), hydric soils associated with wetland depressions on level plains and floodplain backswamps. Soils are saturated for a few months of the growing season, but often are dry by late summer. Canopy cover is complete and dominated by Acer rubrum, Acer saccharinum (in parts of the range), Fraxinus pennsylvanica, and Ulmus americana. Ulmus americana was probably the dominant species in the type prior to the introduction of Dutch elm disease (Ceratostomella ulmi). Quercus palustris and Nyssa sylvatica are also commonly encountered. The subcanopy consists primarily of Acer rubrum and Ulmus americana underlain by a shrub layer which may contain a mixture of Carpinus caroliniana, Ilex verticillata, Lindera benzoin, Sambucus nigra ssp. canadensis, Toxicodendron radicans, Viburnum recognitum, and Alnus incana (ssp. rugosa in parts of its range). The depth and duration of flooding and light penetrating the forest canopy regulate density and diversity found in the herbaceous layer. Impatiens capensis, Arisaema triphyllum, Glyceria striata, and a variety of Juncus spp. and Carex spp. are among the most common species encountered. Arundinaria gigantea can form dense thickets within this forest in the southern parts of the range.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: Anderson (1996) summarizes the many taxonomic problems that can occur between major dominant tree species in this type, including hybrids between Acer rubrum and Acer saccharinum, between Fraxinus americana and Fraxinus pennsylvanica, between Ulmus americana and Ulmus rubra, and between Quercus macrocarpa and Quercus alba.

Golet et al. (1993) describe regional variation in northeastern United States red maple swamps. Subtypes or separate types may need to be recognized. Ulmus americana is no longer a dominant canopy component of this natural community due to the ravages of Dutch elm disease. Phalaris arundinacea can become a serious problem in this type, due to grazing, ditching, and the open canopy caused by Dutch elm disease. This type is primarily found in the glaciated portions of the northeastern United States. The distribution limits toward the south are not yet well defined, but it does not occur in southern Illinois or Indiana. Concept and distribution of this association in the Southeast needs assessment.

This type currently includes alluvial floodplain swamps in addition to lake swamps. Further exploration of splitting the two should be explored. The relationship to Vermont''s Wet Clayplain Forest should also be explored.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: Structural variation depends on the timing, duration, and depth of flooding. Slight ridges and swales contribute to patchiness within this community type. Subcanopy 2-10 m tall, vine/liana 0-2 m and herbaceous 0-2 m.

Floristics: This community is a wet bottomland deciduous hardwood forest. Canopy cover is complete and dominated by Acer rubrum, Acer saccharinum (in parts of the range), Fraxinus pennsylvanica, and Ulmus americana. Ulmus americana was probably the dominant species in the type prior to the introduction of Dutch elm disease (Ceratostomella ulmi) around 1930. Quercus palustris, Quercus bicolor, Quercus macrocarpa, and Nyssa sylvatica are also commonly encountered. The subcanopy consists primarily of Acer rubrum and Ulmus americana underlain by a shrub layer which may contain a mixture of Carpinus caroliniana, Ilex verticillata, Lindera benzoin, Sambucus nigra ssp. canadensis, Viburnum recognitum (= Viburnum dentatum var. lucidum), and Alnus incana ssp. rugosa (= Alnus rugosa) (in the northern parts of its range). Vines often dominate the forest understory, including Parthenocissus quinquefolia and Toxicodendron radicans. The depth and duration of flooding and light penetrating the forest canopy regulate density and diversity found in the herbaceous layer. Impatiens capensis, Arisaema triphyllum, Glyceria striata, and a variety of Juncus spp. and Carex spp. are among the most common species encountered [see Anderson (1996) for a more comprehensive list]. Arundinaria gigantea can form dense thickets within this forest at its southern limits (TNC 1995a).

Ulmus americana is no longer a dominant canopy component of this natural community due to the ravages of Dutch elm disease, which is caused by a fungus introduced accidentally around 1930 and spread by European and native elm bark beetles (Scolytus spp.). In parts of the range (such as west-central New York), Acer saccharinum may be the major dominant. There is some variability in species composition within and among occurrences of this natural community due to frequency and length of flooding. Dominant floristic species are constant throughout the range of this community. This is due to seasonal inundation and soil moisture. Prolonged soil saturation also reduces vegetative density. Patchiness is common due to slight ridges and swales within this wet bottomland hardwood forest.

Dynamics:  Natural disturbances which can affect this community include prolonged saturation and severe storms (with excessive winds and lightning). Saturation or coverage by still or slow-moving water is prevalent during late winter and well into spring. The stress of prolonged saturation contributes to high vegetative mortality. Pioneer species are quick to colonize any openings as soon as conditions are favorable.
Environmental Description:  Stands occur in wetland depressions on level or undulating topography or in backwater sloughs away from direct flooding on the floodplain. Soils can be deep (>100 cm) silt loam, silty clay loam, to clay loam. The water table is at or near the surface for at least a few months of the year, and ponding is common. During the summer the soils can become quite dry. Saturation regime (timing, duration, depth) greatly influences vegetative composition and density.

These alluvial soils are most often silt loam to silty clay loam. These soils may be seasonally and/or intermittently flooded for short periods and have a high water table. Ponding often occurs. Soils which support this natural community include Aquepts, Aqualfs, Aquents, Udolls, and Udalfs. Haplaquepts, Ochraqualfs, Fluvaquents, Natraqualfs, Ochraqualfs, and Hapludalfs are found in backswamp areas and older natural levees. Dystrochrepts, Udifluvents, and Fluvaquents occur in small areas. These soils have a udic or aquic moisture regime, a thermic temperature regime, and montmorillonitic or mixed mineralogy. Soils formed in alluvium are deep, medium-textured, and have adequate or excessive moisture available for vegetation during the growing season. These soils may be seasonally and/or intermittently flooded for short periods and have a high water table. The hydrologic system is influenced by seasonal/periodic and groundwater movement. Water leaves this community by evapotranspiration and infiltration (Golet et al. 1993), so prolonged shallow flooding and ponding of water often occurs. It may be inundated (shallow water, less than 1 m) for significant periods during the year. Water is always at or near the surface, leading to seasonal flooding and saturated soil moisture. Bedrock is deeply buried Paleozoic rock or Cenozoic stratified alluvium.
Geographic Range: This silver and red maple forest swamp community type occurs in the east-central United States and adjacent Canada, ranging from Wisconsin east to central Pennsylvania, northward to Ontario, and possibly elsewhere in eastern Canada.

Nations: CA,US

States/Provinces:  IL, IN, MI, NY, OH, ON, PA, QC?, VT, WI


Confidence Level: Moderate

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G4?

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.3 Temperate Flooded & Swamp Forest Formation F026 1.B.3
Division 1.B.3.Na Eastern North American-Great Plains Flooded & Swamp Forest Division D011 1.B.3.Na
Macrogroup 1.B.3.Na.2 Pin Oak - Green Ash - Blackgum Swamp Forest Macrogroup M503 1.B.3.Na.2
Group 1.B.3.Na.2.h <i>Quercus bicolor - Fagus grandifolia - Acer rubrum</i> Swamp Forest Group G918 1.B.3.Na.2.h
Alliance A3881 Red Maple - Ash species - Swamp White Oak Swamp Forest Alliance A3881 1.B.3.Na.2.h
Association CEGL005038 (Red Maple, Silver Maple) - Ash species - American Elm Swamp Forest CEGL005038 1.B.3.Na.2.h
Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Acer (rubrum, saccharinum) - Fraxinus spp. - Ulmus americana Forest (Faber-Langendoen 2001) [Southern Hardwood Swamp Red Maple-Ash Subtype]
< Black Ash - American Elm - Red Maple: 39 (Eyre 1980)
< Eastern Broadleaf Forests: 101: Elm-Ash Forest (Ulmus-Fraxinus) (Küchler 1964)
> Great Lakes Region Lakeplain Palustrine Forest (Fike 1999)
= Maple-Ash-Oak Swamps (Anderson 1996)
< Red Maple: 108 (Eyre 1980)
Concept Author(s): D. Faber-Langendoen (2001)

Author of Description: M. Guetersloh

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 01-18-06
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