Print Report
CEGL002475 Picea glauca - Abies balsamea - Populus tremuloides / Mixed Herbs Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: White Spruce - Balsam Fir - Quaking Aspen / Mixed Herbs Forest
Colloquial Name: White Spruce - Balsam Fir - Aspen Forest
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This spruce - fir - aspen forest is found in the subboreal region of the western Great Lakes area of the United States and Canada and elsewhere in parts of central Canada. Stands occur on deep, well-drained to rapidly drained, moist, fine-textured mineral soils. Loams are the most common, but silts and clays are also possible. The overstory is a mixture of coniferous and deciduous trees. Species composition is varied. The most abundant tree species are Abies balsamea, Acer rubrum, Picea glauca, Pinus strobus, Populus tremuloides, and Populus balsamifera. The sapling/shrub layer is usually moderately well-developed. Acer spicatum, Corylus cornuta, Rosa acicularis, Rubus pubescens, and saplings of Abies balsamea are the most commonly encountered in this stratum. Herb diversity is usually high. Aralia nudicaulis, Symphyotrichum ciliolatum, Eurybia macrophylla, Clintonia borealis, Cornus canadensis, Galium triflorum, Maianthemum canadense, Mitella nuda, and Trientalis borealis are typical of this community. A Lake Superior clayplain variant may occur in northern Wisconsin.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: The Lake Superior clayplain variant should be reviewed rangewide to see if it may represent a distinct association. Stands of Picea glauca or Abies balsamea south of the subboreal region (i.e., north-central Minnesota, northern Wisconsin, Upper Peninsula and northern Lower Peninsula, central Ontario, and perhaps Quebec), are placed in ~Populus tremuloides - Abies balsamea Wet-Mesic Forest (CEGL005238)$$ (within ~Abies balsamea - Betula alleghaniensis - Populus tremuloides Subboreal Forest Alliance (A3267)$$) or ~Pinus strobus - Picea glauca - Betula papyrifera Subboreal Forest (CEGL005224)$$ and typically have a northern hardwoods ground layer and a variable mix of northern hardwoods tree species (Acer saccharum, Fagus grandifolia, Fraxinus americana, Quercus rubra, Tilia americana), as well as boreal hardwoods Betula papyrifera, Populus grandidentata, Populus tremuloides, and occasional conifers Pinus strobus, Tsuga canadensis, or Thuja occidentalis.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: The overstory composition is varied. The most abundant tree species typically are Abies balsamea, Acer rubrum, Picea glauca, Pinus strobus, Populus tremuloides, and Populus balsamifera. The sapling/shrub layer is usually moderately well-developed. Acer spicatum, Corylus cornuta, Rosa acicularis, Rubus pubescens, and saplings of Abies balsamea are the most commonly encountered in this stratum. Herb diversity is usually high. Aralia nudicaulis, Symphyotrichum ciliolatum (= Aster ciliolatus), Eurybia macrophylla (= Aster macrophyllus), Clintonia borealis, Cornus canadensis, Galium triflorum, Maianthemum canadense, Mitella nuda, and Trientalis borealis are typical of this community (Sims et al. 1989, MNNHP 1993). A Lake Superior clayplain variant may occur in northern Wisconsin. Leading canopy dominants include Picea glauca, Pinus strobus, and Betula papyrifera. Common associates include Abies balsamea, Populus tremuloides, Populus balsamifera, Thuja occidentalis, and Acer rubrum. Shrubs include Cornus sericea, Corylus cornuta, Diervilla lonicera, Lonicera hirsuta, Rubus parviflorus, Rubus pubescens, Sorbus decora, and Viburnum opulus var. americanum (= Viburnum trilobum). Typical herbaceous species include Anemone quinquefolia, Eurybia macrophylla, Aralia nudicaulis, Calamagrostis canadensis, Carex arctata, Fragaria virginiana, Luzula acuminata, Maianthemum canadense, Petasites frigidus, and Pteridium aquilinum (E. Epstein pers. comm. 1999).
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This upland community is found on deep, well-drained to rapidly drained, moist, fine-textured mineral soils. Loams are the most common, but silts and clays are not rare (Sims et al. 1989, Zoladeski et al. 1995).
Geographic Range: This spruce - fir - aspen forest type is found in the western Great Lakes area of the United States and Canada and elsewhere in parts of central Canada, ranging from northern Minnesota and Manitoba east to Michigan and possibly Quebec.
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: MB, MI, MN, ON, QC?, WI
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.690025
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G5
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.c Balsam Fir - White Spruce - Mountain Maple Subboreal Forest Group | G048 | 1.B.2.Na.7.c |
| Alliance | A3267 Balsam Fir - Yellow Birch - Quaking Aspen Subboreal Forest Alliance | A3267 | 1.B.2.Na.7.c |
| Association | CEGL002475 White Spruce - Balsam Fir - Quaking Aspen / Mixed Herbs Forest | CEGL002475 | 1.B.2.Na.7.c |
Concept Lineage: merged into existing 2475
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Picea glauca - Abies balsamea - Populus tremuloides / Mixed Herbs Forest (Faber-Langendoen 2001) [Boreal Forest Spruce-Fir-Hardwoods Subtype]
= White Spruce Mixedwood (V13) (Zoladeski et al. 1995)
= White Spruce Mixedwood (V13) (Zoladeski et al. 1995)
- CDPNQ [Centre de données sur le patrimoine naturel du Québec]. No date. Unpublished data. Centre de données sur le patrimoine naturel du Québec, Québec.
- Epstein, Eric. Personal communication. Community Ecologist, Wisconsin Natural Heritage Program, Madison, WI.
- Faber-Langendoen, D., editor. 2001. Plant communities of the Midwest: Classification in an ecological context. Association for Biodiversity Information, Arlington, VA. 61 pp. plus appendix (705 pp.).
- Greenall, J. A. 1996. Manitoba''s terrestrial plant communities. MS Report 96-02. Manitoba Conservation Data Centre, Winnipeg.
- Hop, K., D. Faber-Langendoen, M. Lew-Smith, N. Aaseng, and S. Lubinski. [1999]. USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program: Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota. USDI U.S. Geological Survey, La Crosse, WI. 210 pp.
- Hop, K., S. Menard, J. Drake, S. Lubinski, D. Faber-Langendoen, and J. Dieck. 2010b. National Park Service Vegetation Inventory Program: Grand Portage National Monument, Minnesota. Natural Resource Report NPS/GLKN/NRR-2010/200. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 202 pp.
- Hop, K., S. Menard, J. Drake, S. Lubinski, and J. Dieck. 2010c. National Park Service Vegetation Inventory Program: Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Michigan. Natural Resource Report NPS/GLKN/NRR-2010/201. National Park Service, Fort Collins, Colorado. 358 pp.
- Kost, M. A., D. A. Albert, J. G. Cohen, B. S. Slaughter, R. K. Schillo, C. R. Weber, and K. A. Chapman. 2007. Natural communities of Michigan: Classification and description. Report No. 2007-21, Michigan Natural Features Inventory, Lansing. 314 pp. [http://web4.msue.msu.edu/mnfi/reports/2007-21_Natural_Communites_of_Michigan_Classification_and_Description.pdf]
- Lee, H., W. Bakowsky, J. Riley, J. Bowles, M. Puddister, P. Uhlig, and S. McMurray. 1998. Ecological land classification for southern Ontario: First approximation and its application. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Southcentral Science Section, Science Development and Transfer Branch. SCSS Field Guide FG-02.
- MNNHP [Minnesota Natural Heritage Program]. 1993. Minnesota''s native vegetation: A key to natural communities. Version 1.5. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Natural Heritage Program, St. Paul, MN. 110 pp.
- Midwestern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Minneapolis, MN.
- Minnesota DNR [Minnesota Department of Natural Resources]. 2003-2005a. Field guide to the native plant communities of Minnesota. Three volumes: The Laurentian Mixed Forest Province (2003), The Eastern Broadleaf Forest Province (2005c), The Prairie Parkland and Tallgrass Aspen Parklands provinces (2005b). Ecological Land Classification Program, Minnesota County Biological Survey, and Natural Heritage and Nongame Research Program. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, St. Paul.
- ONHIC [Ontario Natural Heritage Information Centre]. 2018. Unpublished data. Ontario Natural Heritage Information Centre, Ministry of Natural Resources, Ontario, Canada.
- Sims, R. A., W. D. Towill, K. A. Baldwin, and G. M. Wickware. 1989. Field guide to the forest ecosystem classification for northwestern Ontario. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Toronto. 191 pp.
- TNC [The Nature Conservancy]. 1999b. USGS-NPS Vegetation Mapping Program: Classification of the vegetation of Isle Royale National Park. The Nature Conservancy, Midwest Regional Office, Minneapolis, MN, and International Headquarters, Arlington, VA. 143 pp.
- WDNR [Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources]. 2015. The ecological landscapes of Wisconsin: An assessment of ecological resources and a guide to planning sustainable management. PUB-SS-1131 2015. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Madison. [http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/landscapes/Book.html]
- Zoladeski, C. A., G. M. Wickware, R. J. Delorme, R. A. Sims, and I. G. W. Corns. 1995. Forest ecosystem classification for Manitoba: Field guide. Special Report 2. Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Forest Service, Northwest Region, Northern Forestry Center, Edmonton, Alberta.