Print Report
CEGL006514 Rhododendron canadense - Chamaedaphne calyculata Acidic Peatland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Rhodora - Leatherleaf Acidic Peatland
Colloquial Name: Eastern Subboreal Dwarf-shrub Bog
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: These open dwarf-shrub bogs are associated with peatlands in the northeastern U.S. and adjacent Canada. Though highly acidic (pH usually in the range of 3.8-4.6), they occur in oligotrophic to weakly minerotrophic conditions, such as on the sideslopes of a raised bog formation or along the margins of water tracks. The somewhat higher nutrient status compared to ombrotrophic bog communities is reflected in the abundance of Rhododendron canadense; in some areas, Myrica gale is also present, also indicating weak minerotrophy. The structure of this association is primarily dwarf-shrubs of 0.5-0.8 m tall forming a fairly uniform layer. Graminoids and forbs are sparse. The bryoid layer is essentially continuous, with some development of hummocks and hollows. Chamaedaphne calyculata and Rhododendron canadense are the dominant shrubs, with lesser contributions from Myrica gale, Kalmia angustifolia, Kalmia polifolia, and Ledum groenlandicum. Eriophorum virginicum is a characteristic sedge; others include Eriophorum vaginatum var. spissum and Carex pauciflora. Drosera rotundifolia is often present on the surface of the bryophyte layer. Prominent Sphagnum spp. are Sphagnum magellanicum, Sphagnum recurvum, and Sphagnum capillifolium; Sphagnum fuscum may be present but is less abundant than in more ombrotrophic associations (cf. CEGL006225). This association is intermediate in nutrient status and wetness between the drier ombrotrophic dwarf-shrub bog type ~Kalmia angustifolia - Chamaedaphne calyculata - (Picea mariana) / Cladonia spp. Acidic Peatland (CEGL006225)$$ and the wetter poor fen type ~Chamaedaphne calyculata / Eriophorum virginicum / Sphagnum rubellum Acidic Peatland (CEGL006513)$$. The presence of Rhododendron canadense (and sometimes Myrica gale or Carex stricta) in an otherwise typical raised dwarf-shrub bog community is diagnostic.
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 structure of this association is primarily dwarf-shrubs of 0.5-0.8 m tall forming a fairly uniform layer. Graminoids and forbs are sparse. The bryoid layer is essentially continuous, with some development of hummocks and hollows. Chamaedaphne calyculata and Rhododendron canadense are the dominant shrubs, with lesser contributions from Myrica gale, Kalmia angustifolia, Kalmia polifolia, and Ledum groenlandicum. Eriophorum virginicum is a characteristic sedge; others include Eriophorum vaginatum var. spissum and Carex pauciflora. Drosera rotundifolia is often present on the surface of the bryophyte layer. Prominent Sphagnum are Sphagnum magellanicum, Sphagnum recurvum, and Sphagnum capillifolium; Sphagnum fuscum may be present but is less abundant than in more ombrotrophic associations (cf. CEGL006225).
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: These open dwarf-shrub bogs are associated with peatlands in the northeastern U.S. and adjacent Canada. Though highly acidic (pH usually in the range 3.8-4.6), they occur in slightly minerotrophic conditions, such as on the sideslopes of a raised bog formation or along the margins of water tracks. The somewhat higher nutrient status compared to ombrotrophic bog communities is reflected in the abundance of Rhododendron canadense; in some areas, Myrica gale is also present, also indicating weak minerotrophy.
Geographic Range: This dwarf-shrubland occurs in peatlands in the northeastern U.S. and adjacent Canada.
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: ME, NH, NY, QC?, VT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.688461
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR
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 | A4399 Leatherleaf / Few-seed Sedge Bog Alliance | A4399 | 2.C.2.Na.1.a |
| Association | CEGL006514 Rhodora - Leatherleaf Acidic Peatland | CEGL006514 | 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: = Type 15: Shrub heath (Chamaedaphne calyculata - Rhododendron canadense - Myrica gale - Kalmia angustifolia) (Engstrom 1998)
= Type 15: Shrub heath (Chamaedaphne calyculata-Rhododendron canadense-Myrica gale-Kalmia angustifolia) (Anderson and Davis 1998)
= Type 15: Shrub heath (Chamaedaphne calyculata-Rhododendron canadense-Myrica gale-Kalmia angustifolia) (Anderson and Davis 1998)
- Anderson, D. S., and R. B. Davis. 1997. The vegetation and its environment in Maine peatlands. Canadian Journal of Botany 75:1785-1805.
- Anderson, D. S., and R. B. Davis. 1998. The flora and vegetation of Maine peatlands. Maine Agriculture and Forest Experiment Station Technical Bulletin 170. Orono, ME. 98 pp.
- CDPNQ [Centre de données sur le patrimoine naturel du Québec]. No date. Unpublished data. Centre de données sur le patrimoine naturel du Québec, Québec.
- Damman, A. W. H., and T. W. French. 1987. The ecology of peat bogs of the glaciated northeastern United States: A community profile. USDI Fish & Wildlife Service Biological Report 85(7.16). 100 pp.
- 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.
- Engstrom, B. 1998. Inventory and classification of natural communities along the Upper Saco River, New Hampshire. New Hampshire Natural Heritage Inventory, Concord, NH. 26 pp. plus appendices.
- Gawler, S. C. 1998. Priorities and tools for protecting peatlands in Maine. A report submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Natural Areas Program, Department of Conservation, Augusta, ME. 135 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.
- 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.