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CEGL002455 Larix laricina - Thuja occidentalis Swamp Forest

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available


Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Tamarack - Northern White-cedar Swamp Forest

Colloquial Name: Midwest Northern White-cedar Swamp

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This lowland white-cedar - tamarack swamp forest is found in the central and upper midwestern United States and Canada (Great Lakes region). Stands occur where water seeps from the ground. The water is moderately to highly mineralized with circumneutral pH. Soils are usually organic but may be mineral. The canopy is heavily dominated by Thuja occidentalis, sometimes to the exclusion of other trees, but can also be dominated by Larix laricina. Other tree species that may be present include Acer rubrum and Betula alleghaniensis. The ground layer may be dominated by mosses.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: Globally the type is conceptually restricted to the southern-central parts of Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Ontario, with scattered occurrences in northern parts of Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio. There is only one site in Indiana. In Minnesota, this type (CEGL002455) was based initially on the Minnesota DNR (2005a) state type White Cedar Swamp, Seepage Subtype, but the concept is now shifted towards the southern tamarack swamp in that state. Minnesota now treats the central Minnesota wet cedar forests, including those on the Anoka sandplain, as part of Lowland White Cedar Forest (Northern) Type [WFn53b]. The most closely related Minnesota type to this type is Tamarack Swamp (Southern) Type [FPs63a], which generally is southward of WFn53b, but overlaps on the Anoka sandplain. However, the demarcation between this type and ~Thuja occidentalis - (Picea mariana, Abies balsamea) / Alnus incana Swamp Forest (CEGL002456)$$ or other more northern white-cedar swamps is not entirely clear.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available

Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available

Floristics: The canopy is heavily dominated by Thuja occidentalis, sometimes to the exclusion of other trees. Other tree species that may be present are Acer rubrum, Betula alleghaniensis, and Larix laricina. The ground layer may be dominated by mosses (MNNHP 1993).

Dynamics:  No Data Available

Environmental Description:  This community is found where water seeps from the ground. The water is moderately to highly mineralized with circumneutral pH (Wilcox et al. 1986). Soils are usually organic but may be mineral (MNNHP 1993).

Geographic Range: This lowland conifer forest is found in the upper and central midwestern United States and Canada (Great Lakes region), ranging from southern Minnesota east to Ohio and southern Ontario.

Nations: CA,US

States/Provinces:  IL, IN, MI, MN, OH, ON, WI




Confidence Level: Moderate

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available

Grank: G3G4

Greasons: No Data Available


Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available

Synonomy: = Thuja occidentalis - (Larix laricina) Seepage Forest (Faber-Langendoen 2001) [White Cedar Swamp Southern Subtype]
= Thuja occidentalis swamp (Wilcox et al. 1986)
= Arbor Vitae Association (Frederick 1974)
= White Cedar Swamp Seepage Subtype (MNNHP 1993)

Concept Author(s): D. Faber-Langendoen (2001)

Author of Description: J. Drake and D. Faber-Langendoen

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 06-24-13

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