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CEGL006590 Picea rubens / Carex trisperma / Sphagnum spp. - Polytrichum spp. Swamp Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Red Spruce / Three-seeded Sedge / Peatmoss species - Haircap Moss species Swamp Forest
Colloquial Name: High Allegheny Red Spruce Peat Swamp Forest
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This acidic conifer woodland swamp occurs on saturated and temporarily flooded organic soils in headwater basins of the Allegheny Mountains region of West Virginia, at elevations between 1000 and 1430 m. It is a small-patch community that occupies flat to very gently sloping land (0-2° slopes) along the margins of open peatlands, forming narrow "spits," fingers, or islands. It also occurs in peaty depressions within high plateau spruce forests. Microtopography is characterized by a mix of rounded peat hummocks and irregular moss-covered hummocks formed over tree roots, woody stem clusters, tip-up mounds, nurse logs, and decaying wood. Bedrock is typically sandstone or occasionally shale, and may be encountered at less than 20 cm depth. Soils are poorly drained muck, peat, or organic-rich silt/clay loam. Depth of organic soil varies greatly from 5-120 cm. Soil pH averages 3.5. The community is characterized by an open canopy of Picea rubens and fairly sparse shrub layer growing on irregular hummocks, with swales and hollows occupied by Carex trisperma var. trisperma and peat-forming bryophytes. Additional canopy species that occur occasionally include Pinus strobus, Acer rubrum, Amelanchier laevis, Pinus rigida, Sorbus americana, and Betula alleghaniensis var. alleghaniensis. The tall-shrub layer is also dominated by Picea rubens with occasional low cover by Viburnum nudum var. cassinoides, Nemopanthus mucronatus, and Photinia melanocarpa. The short-shrub layer includes Picea rubens, Vaccinium myrtilloides, and Vaccinium angustifolium. The herbaceous layer is dominated by Carex trisperma var. trisperma and may include low cover by Rubus hispidus, Osmunda cinnamomea var. cinnamomea, Gaultheria hispidula, Vaccinium oxycoccos, and Carex debilis. Nonvascular plants are dominated by Sphagnum spp. with lesser amounts of Polytrichum spp., Hypnum imponens, and Leucobryum glaucum. Mean species richness of all vascular plants and any nonvascular plants with cover >1% is 31 taxa per 400 m2, with about 20% of the diversity occurring in the bryophyte layer.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Seven plots (6 occurrences) represent this type, which was classified as part of a 2004-2006 study of high-elevation wetlands in West Virginia''s Allegheny Mountains region (Byers et al. 2007). The type clusters and ordinates well and has been sampled throughout its range in West Virginia. It differs from the more northern ~Picea rubens - Abies balsamea / Gaultheria hispidula / Osmunda cinnamomea / Sphagnum spp. Swamp Forest (CEGL006312)$$ in that it does not contain Abies balsamea, except in very occasional low cover amounts, and it does contain low cover of a number of characteristic central Appalachian shrub swamp species, including Rhododendron maximum, Menziesia pilosa, Vaccinium erythrocarpum, and Hypericum densiflorum. It differs from the similar high-elevation ~Picea rubens / Vaccinium erythrocarpum / Sphagnum spp. - Bazzania trilobata Swamp Forest (CEGL006593)$$ in its more open canopy and acidic peat substrate. It differs from the dwarf peat woodland ~Picea rubens / Rhododendron maximum - Kalmia latifolia / Eriophorum virginicum / Sphagnum spp. Swamp Forest (CEGL006588)$$ in its taller, denser canopy cover and sparse shrub layer.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This conifer woodland swamp occurs in the Allegheny Mountains region of West Virginia. It is characterized by an open or occasionally closed canopy of Picea rubens and fairly sparse shrub layer growing on irregular hummocks, with swales and hollows occupied by Carex trisperma var. trisperma and peat-forming bryophytes. The canopy is dominated by Picea rubens, and one high-quality stand is codominated by Pinus strobus. Canopy species that occur occasionally with low cover include Acer rubrum, Amelanchier laevis, Pinus rigida, Sorbus americana, and Betula alleghaniensis var. alleghaniensis. Mean canopy cover is 35%. The subcanopy averages 15% cover and is dominated by the same set of species, sometimes including low cover of Betula alleghaniensis var. alleghaniensis. The tall-shrub layer averages 10% cover and is also dominated by Picea rubens. Other species that occasionally occur with low cover in the tall-shrub layer include Viburnum nudum var. cassinoides, Nemopanthus mucronatus, and Photinia melanocarpa. The short-shrub layer averages 20% cover. Dominant species are Picea rubens, Vaccinium myrtilloides, and Vaccinium angustifolium, with lower cover by Viburnum nudum var. cassinoides and Photinia melanocarpa. The herbaceous layer, with mean 30% cover, is dominated by Carex trisperma var. trisperma. Species with high constancy but low cover include Rubus hispidus, Osmunda cinnamomea var. cinnamomea, Gaultheria hispidula, Vaccinium oxycoccos, and Carex debilis. Nonvascular plants average 60% cover and are dominated by Sphagnum spp. (Sphagnum rubellum, Sphagnum fallax, Sphagnum capillifolium (= var. capillifolium), Sphagnum papillosum), Polytrichum strictum, Polytrichum commune, Hypnum imponens, and Leucobryum glaucum. Indicator species that help to distinguish this community from others within the forest/woodland physiognomy for high-elevation wetlands of the Allegheny Mountains include Carex trisperma var. trisperma, Photinia melanocarpa, Gaultheria hispidula, Viburnum nudum var. cassinoides, and Rubus hispidus. Mean species richness of all vascular plants and any nonvascular plants with cover >1% is 31 taxa per 400 m2, with about 20% of the diversity occurring in the bryophyte layer (Byers et al. 2007).
Dynamics: This is a small-patch woodland swamp community. It is fed primarily by seepage flow and rainfall. Nutrient cycling occurs from the decay of fallen trees, litter, and herbaceous vegetation.
Environmental Description: This acidic conifer woodland swamp occurs on saturated and temporarily flooded organic soils in headwater basins of the Allegheny Mountains region of West Virginia, at elevations between 1000 and 1430 m. It is a small-patch community that occupies flat to very gently sloping land (0-2° slopes) along the margins of open peatlands, forming narrow "spits," fingers, or islands. It also occurs in peaty depressions within high plateau spruce forests. Seepage from adjacent upland spruce forest and the high water table in the open peatland keep the community wet enough to kill trees during wet years, leaving numerous snags. Microtopography is characterized by a mix of rounded peat hummocks and irregular moss-covered hummocks formed over tree roots, woody stem clusters, tip-up mounds, nurse logs, and decaying wood. Bedrock is typically sandstone or occasionally shale, and may be encountered at less than 20 cm depth. Soils are poorly drained muck, peat, or organic-rich silt/clay loam. Hydric soil indicators include histisol, histic epipedon, black histic, hydrogen sulphide, 2-cm muck, sandy redox, depleted matrix, redox depressions, and thick dark surface. Depth of organic soil varies greatly from 5-120 cm (n=7). Soil pH averages 3.5 (n=6). Mean pore water pH is 4.5 and electrical conductivity averages 67 micromhos/cm (n=4). Soil chemistry is characterized by high Na, P, S, exchangeable nitrogen, total exchange capacity, and organic matter; and low Al, B, Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, and Zn (n=6). The unvegetated surface is predominantly litter, with an average of 3% downed wood and 2% standing water (Byers et al. 2007).
Geographic Range: This community is known from the Allegheny Mountains region of West Virginia, at elevations between 1000 and 1430 m.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: WV
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.800140
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G2
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.3 Temperate Flooded & Swamp Forest Formation | F026 | 1.B.3 |
| Division | 1.B.3.Na Eastern North American-Great Plains Flooded & Swamp Forest Division | D011 | 1.B.3.Na |
| Macrogroup | 1.B.3.Na.2 Pin Oak - Green Ash - Blackgum Swamp Forest Macrogroup | M503 | 1.B.3.Na.2 |
| Group | 1.B.3.Na.2.f Red Maple - Blackgum - Green Ash Swamp Forest Group | G902 | 1.B.3.Na.2.f |
| Alliance | A3417 Red Spruce Central Appalachian Swamp Forest Alliance | A3417 | 1.B.3.Na.2.f |
| Association | CEGL006590 Red Spruce / Three-seeded Sedge / Peatmoss species - Haircap Moss species Swamp Forest | CEGL006590 | 1.B.3.Na.2.f |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Picea rubens / Carex trisperma / Sphagnum spp. - Polytrichum spp. High Elevation Peat Woodland (Byers et al. 2007)
< Bog forest association (Darlington 1943)
< Bog forest association (Darlington 1943)
- Byers, E. A., J. P. Vanderhorst, and B. P. Streets. 2007. Classification and conservation assessment of high elevation wetland communities in the Allegheny Mountains of West Virginia. West Virginia Natural Heritage Program, West Virginia Division of Natural Resources, Elkins.
- Darlington, H. C. 1943. Vegetation and substrate of Cranberry Glades, West Virginia. Botanical Gazette 104:371-393.
- Eastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boston, MA.
- WVNHP [West Virginia Natural Heritage Program]. No date. Unpublished data. West Virginia Natural Heritage Program, Elkins.