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CEGL006128 Picea rubens - Abies balsamea / Sorbus americana Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Red Spruce - Balsam Fir / American Mountain-ash Forest
Colloquial Name: Montane Red Spruce - Fir Forest
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: These are red spruce - balsam fir forests in moist upland environments of the northern Appalachian Mountains, northern Maine, and adjacent Canada, forming the matrix forest of elevations between 670 and 1070 m (2200-3500 feet), patchy at lower and higher elevations. They occur on well-drained, strongly podzolized, nutrient-poor, usually shallow soils in areas where high-elevation clouds and fog or other microsite conditions provide a continuously moist environment. Through much of its range in the Northeast, this forest is strictly montane; however, north of the 45th parallel it occurs in cool lower-elevation settings as well. It occurs on gentle to steep slopes, north-, east- or west-facing. These forests have mostly closed canopies, but gaps from windthrow are common and are rapidly colonized by regenerating tree species. The shrub and herb layers are variable in cover, generally sparse under closed canopies and better developed in gaps. The bryoid layer is well-developed: one of the characteristic features of these forests is the lush carpet of mosses and liverworts. The moderate to low light levels, persistent snowpack and high moisture availability create favorable conditions for mosses and ferns. The canopy is dominated by Picea rubens and Abies balsamea with associates including Betula papyrifera var. cordifolia, Betula alleghaniensis, and Picea mariana. Scattered shrubs include Sorbus americana, Sorbus decora, Amelanchier bartramiana, Ilex mucronata, and Vaccinium myrtilloides. Particularly characteristic herbs are boreal/montane species such as Oxalis montana, Clintonia borealis, Linnaea borealis, Coptis trifolia, Huperzia lucidula, Dryopteris campyloptera, and Gaultheria hispidula. More widespread associated herbs include Trientalis borealis, Maianthemum canadense, Cornus canadensis, and the ferns Dryopteris intermedia and Phegopteris connectilis. Bryophytes include Pleurozium schreberi, Hylocomium splendens, Bazzania trilobata, Dicranum scoparium, Hypnum curvifolium, and Ptilium crista-castrensis. These spruce-fir forests are distinguished from similar types by their montane or higher-latitude upland setting, prevalence of both red spruce and balsam fir in the canopy, and boreal herbs scattered in the lush bryoid layer.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: The evergreen habit of the dominant trees increases nutrient retention, limits wind desiccation and allows for a slightly longer photosynthetic season than broad-leaved types.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: These forests have mostly closed canopies, but gaps from windthrow are common and are rapidly colonized by regenerating tree species. The shrub and herb layers are variable in cover, generally sparse under closed canopies and better developed in gaps. The bryoid layer is well-developed: one of the characteristic features of these forests is the lush carpet of mosses and liverworts. The moderate to low light levels, persistent snowpack and high moisture availability create favorable conditions for mosses and ferns. The canopy is dominated by Picea rubens and Abies balsamea with associates including Betula papyrifera var. cordifolia, Betula alleghaniensis, and Picea mariana. Scattered shrubs include Sorbus americana, Sorbus decora, Amelanchier bartramiana, Ilex mucronata (= Nemopanthus mucronatus), and Vaccinium myrtilloides. Particularly characteristic herbs are boreal/montane species such as Oxalis montana (= Oxalis acetosella), Clintonia borealis, Linnaea borealis, Coptis trifolia (= Coptis groenlandica), Huperzia lucidula, Dryopteris campyloptera, and Gaultheria hispidula. More widespread associated herbs include Trientalis borealis, Maianthemum canadense, Cornus canadensis, and the ferns Dryopteris intermedia and Phegopteris connectilis (= Thelypteris phegopteris). Bryophytes include Pleurozium schreberi, Hylocomium splendens, Bazzania trilobata, Dicranum scoparium, Hypnum curvifolium, and Ptilium crista-castrensis.
Dynamics: High winds and associated windthrow are probably the dominant disturbance factors. Over time this creates old-growth stands with mixed age classes and abundant decaying woody material. Associated tree species are generally short-lived, disturbance-adapted species which colonize light gaps created by windthrow, extensive blowdowns, or (in some cases) old logging roads.
Environmental Description: These are red spruce - balsam fir forests in moist upland environments of the northern Appalachian Mountains, northern Maine, and adjacent Canada, forming the matrix forest of elevations between 670 and 1070 m (2200-3500 feet), patchy at lower and higher elevations. They occur on well-drained, strongly podzolized, nutrient-poor, usually shallow soils in areas where high-elevation clouds and fog or other microsite conditions provide a continuously moist environment. Through much of its range in the Northeast, this forest is strictly montane; however, north of the 45th parallel it occurs in cool lower-elevation settings as well. It occurs on gentle to steep slopes, north-, east- or west-facing.
Geographic Range: This red spruce - balsam fir forest occurs in moist upland environments of the northern Appalachian Mountains to northern Maine and adjacent Canada.
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: MA, ME, NB, NH, NY, QC?, VT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.689885
Confidence Level: Moderate
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 | A4443 Red Spruce - Balsam Fir - Yellow Birch Forest Alliance | A4443 | 1.B.2.Na.7.d |
| Association | CEGL006128 Red Spruce - Balsam Fir / American Mountain-ash Forest | CEGL006128 | 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: ? New England high elevation spruce/fir forest (Rawinski 1984a)
< Paper Birch - Red Spruce - Balsam Fir: 35 (Eyre 1980)
< Red Spruce - Balsam Fir: 33 (Eyre 1980)
< Paper Birch - Red Spruce - Balsam Fir: 35 (Eyre 1980)
< Red Spruce - Balsam Fir: 33 (Eyre 1980)
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