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CEGL005256 Carex oligosperma - Carex pauciflora - Eriophorum vaginatum / Sphagnum spp. Acidic Peatland

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Few-seed Sedge - Few-flower Sedge - Tussock Cottongrass / Peatmoss species Acidic Peatland

Colloquial Name: Open Graminoid / Sphagnum Bog

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This open sedge/sphagnum bog type is found widely in the boreal/subboreal regions of the Great Lakes, and more widely in Canada. Stands occur in drainageways at margins of raised bogs in large peatland complexes, or occasionally on shores, but they are isolated from groundwater influence. The substrate is a saturated, fibric peat. The vegetation is either dominated by sedges, especially Carex oligosperma, or by Sphagnum spp. (sphagnum lawns). Shrub cover is less than 25%, and tree cover is less than 10%. Microtopography in more northern stands is high hummocks and weakly developed hollows, but some stands can be flat. The ground cover is a continuous layer of Sphagnum spp., including Sphagnum angustifolium, Sphagnum fuscum, and Sphagnum magellanicum. Graminoid-dominated examples contain Carex oligosperma and Carex pauciflora, as well as Eriophorum vaginatum and Eriophorum virginicum. Herbs include Sarracenia purpurea and Scheuchzeria palustris. Scattered low shrubs may occur, such as Andromeda polifolia, Chamaedaphne calyculata, Kalmia polifolia, Ledum groenlandicum, and Vaccinium oxycoccos. Minerotrophic indicators may be present at low cover when rooted in minerotrophic peat beneath the mat, such as Betula pumila, Carex aquatilis and Carex stricta.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: Type may occur as small patches within low-shrub bog types, ~Chamaedaphne calyculata / Carex oligosperma - Eriophorum virginicum Acidic Peatland (CEGL005092)$$, ~Chamaedaphne calyculata / Carex oligosperma / Sphagnum spp. Poor Fen (CEGL005277)$$, and ~Chamaedaphne calyculata - Ledum groenlandicum - Kalmia polifolia Bog (CEGL005278)$$. Tracking occurrences of these sphagnum mats in Ontario and Michigan should be checked.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available

Floristics: The vegetation is either dominated by sedges, especially Carex oligosperma, or by Sphagnum spp. (sphagnum lawns). Shrub cover is less than 25%, and tree cover is less than 10%. Microtopography in more northern stands is high hummocks and weakly developed hollows, but some stands can be flat. The ground cover is a continuous layer of Sphagnum spp., including Sphagnum angustifolium, Sphagnum fuscum, and Sphagnum magellanicum. Graminoid-dominated examples contain Carex oligosperma and Carex pauciflora, as well as Eriophorum vaginatum and Eriophorum virginicum. Herbs include Sarracenia purpurea and Scheuchzeria palustris. Scattered low shrubs may occur, such as Andromeda polifolia, Chamaedaphne calyculata, Kalmia polifolia, Ledum groenlandicum, and Vaccinium oxycoccos. Minerotrophic indicators may be present at low cover when rooted in minerotrophic peat beneath the mat. Species include Betula pumila, Carex aquatilis, and Carex stricta. (MNNHP 1993, Harris et al. 1996)

Dynamics:  No Data Available
Environmental Description:  Stands occur in drainageways at margins of raised bogs in large peatland complexes, or occasionally on shores, but they are isolated from groundwater influence. The substrate is a saturated, fibric peat (Harris et al. 1996).
Geographic Range: This open sedge/sphagnum bog type is found widely in the boreal/sub-boreal regions of the Great Lakes, and more widely in Canada. It ranges from Minnesota to possibly Michigan, and northward in Canada from Quebec to Manitoba and possibly elsewhere.

Nations: CA,US

States/Provinces:  ME, MI, MN, ON, QC, WI


Confidence Level: Low

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G4G5

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 CEGL005256 Few-seed Sedge - Few-flower Sedge - Tussock Cottongrass / Peatmoss species Acidic Peatland CEGL005256 2.C.2.Na.1.a
Concept Lineage: Merged with the existing 5256

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Carex oligosperma - Carex pauciflora - Eriophorum vaginatum / Sphagnum spp. Herbaceous Vegetation (Faber-Langendoen 2001) [Open Bog Graminoid Subtype]
< Nonforested bog (Glaser 1992b)
= Open Sphagnum Bog (MNNHP 1993)
Concept Author(s): D. Faber-Langendoen (2001)

Author of Description: D. Faber-Langendoen

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 12-01-99
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