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M300 North American Boreal Flooded & Rich Swamp Forest Macrogroup
Type Concept Sentence: This type is found across the North American boreal region, from Alaska to Newfoundland, including rich floodplain and rich swamp forests.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: North American Boreal Flooded & Rich Swamp Forest Macrogroup
Colloquial Name: North American Boreal Flooded & Rich Swamp Forest
Hierarchy Level: Macrogroup
Type Concept: Boreal rich swamp and floodplain forests develop on wet soils where the interaction of climate and landscape results in permanent or semipermanent water tables at or near to the soil surface, but where water, nutrient and temperature regimes lie within the range required for tree establishment and growth. These wet forests are of two main types in boreal North America: (1) forests and woodlands that are strongly influenced by permanently high water tables where the flow rate, subsurface depth and alkaline chemistry of groundwater determine site moisture and nutrient characteristics, and (2) forests and woodlands on sites that do not have permanent water tables at or near the soil surface, but that may be seasonally flooded for short periods during the growing season; soils are freely drained such that anoxic conditions are quickly relieved after subsidence of floodwaters. The first case describes rich swamps. In the second case, flood ecosystems develop alongside waterbodies that periodically overflow their banks or where subsurface water tables are within the rooting zone for part of the growing season. These conditions do not usually cover extensive areas and typically occur on fine-textured mineral soils beside flood-prone rivers or lakes.
Across all regions of the North American boreal, Larix laricina occurs with Picea mariana across all regions in treed wetlands that are moderately well-supplied with nutrients (intermediate to rich). In eastern Canada, Abies balsamea and Betula papyrifera also occur in intermediate wetlands; in western Canada, Picea glauca can be present. On nutrient-rich sites (rich swamps or flooded sites) with primarily mineral soils and where water tables draw down during the growing season, broad-leaved deciduous trees often dominate. Populus balsamifera, Populus tremuloides, Betula papyrifera, and Picea glauca are common across all regions. In Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, Acer negundo may also be an important constituent. East of the Manitoba-Ontario border, Fraxinus nigra, Thuja occidentalis, and Abies balsamea are prevalent. In Alaska, Populus balsamifera ssp. balsamifera is the dominant deciduous tree in floodplains in the continental boreal region, while Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa is dominant in the subboreal region. Picea glauca may be codominant in mid-seral stages and becomes dominant in late-seral stages. Picea x lutzii replaces Picea glauca in the transitional region between the subboreal and temperate biomes.
The moss flora of rich swamps (rich wooded fens) is dominated by brown mosses (e.g., Tomentypnum nitens, Aulacomnium palustre). Rich swamps with standing and flowing water and higher nutrient status support Salix spp. and Betula spp. shrubs as well as a higher diversity of sedges (especially Carex spp.) and grasses (especially Calamagrostis canadensis). Cornus sericea and, especially in eastern Canada, Alnus incana are important shrub species on nutrient-rich sites. The understories of hardwood swamps on moist, rich sites are typically vigorous and species-rich because of high light levels beneath the transmissive canopies of these small-leaved broadleaf trees. In Alaska, Alnus viridis ssp. sinuata occurs more commonly in the subboreal, while Alnus viridis ssp. fruticosa is more common to the north in the continental boreal. Alnus incana ssp. tenuifolia occurs on poorly drained floodplain terraces in both boreal regions. Salix alaxensis is the most common willow across both the subboreal and boreal regions. Other common willows include Salix pulchra and Salix barclayi (subboreal only).
Across all regions of the North American boreal, Larix laricina occurs with Picea mariana across all regions in treed wetlands that are moderately well-supplied with nutrients (intermediate to rich). In eastern Canada, Abies balsamea and Betula papyrifera also occur in intermediate wetlands; in western Canada, Picea glauca can be present. On nutrient-rich sites (rich swamps or flooded sites) with primarily mineral soils and where water tables draw down during the growing season, broad-leaved deciduous trees often dominate. Populus balsamifera, Populus tremuloides, Betula papyrifera, and Picea glauca are common across all regions. In Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, Acer negundo may also be an important constituent. East of the Manitoba-Ontario border, Fraxinus nigra, Thuja occidentalis, and Abies balsamea are prevalent. In Alaska, Populus balsamifera ssp. balsamifera is the dominant deciduous tree in floodplains in the continental boreal region, while Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa is dominant in the subboreal region. Picea glauca may be codominant in mid-seral stages and becomes dominant in late-seral stages. Picea x lutzii replaces Picea glauca in the transitional region between the subboreal and temperate biomes.
The moss flora of rich swamps (rich wooded fens) is dominated by brown mosses (e.g., Tomentypnum nitens, Aulacomnium palustre). Rich swamps with standing and flowing water and higher nutrient status support Salix spp. and Betula spp. shrubs as well as a higher diversity of sedges (especially Carex spp.) and grasses (especially Calamagrostis canadensis). Cornus sericea and, especially in eastern Canada, Alnus incana are important shrub species on nutrient-rich sites. The understories of hardwood swamps on moist, rich sites are typically vigorous and species-rich because of high light levels beneath the transmissive canopies of these small-leaved broadleaf trees. In Alaska, Alnus viridis ssp. sinuata occurs more commonly in the subboreal, while Alnus viridis ssp. fruticosa is more common to the north in the continental boreal. Alnus incana ssp. tenuifolia occurs on poorly drained floodplain terraces in both boreal regions. Salix alaxensis is the most common willow across both the subboreal and boreal regions. Other common willows include Salix pulchra and Salix barclayi (subboreal only).
Diagnostic Characteristics: Tall trees often with tall shrubs and a strong bryophyte layer along with flooded or saturated soils rich in nutrients.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: The concept for this macrogroup was developed by the CNVC Technical Committee (Ken Baldwin, chair), and a full description of the type is available on their website (cnvc-cnvc.ca).
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: This group is represented by a mixed mosaic of forest and woodland vegetation composed of needle-leaved evergreen trees and broad-leaved deciduous trees.
Floristics: Canadian National Vegetation Classification (CNVC) recognizes regional west to east differences. Across all regions of the North American boreal, Larix laricina occurs with Picea mariana across all regions in treed wetlands that are moderately well-supplied with nutrients (intermediate to rich). In eastern Canada, Abies balsamea and Betula papyrifera also occur in intermediate wetlands; in western Canada and Alaska, Picea glauca can be present. On nutrient-rich sites (rich swamps or flooded sites) with primarily mineral soils and where water tables draw down during the growing season, broad-leaved deciduous trees often dominate. Populus balsamifera, Populus tremuloides, Betula papyrifera, and Picea glauca are common across all regions. In Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, Acer negundo may also be an important constituent. East of the Manitoba-Ontario border, Fraxinus nigra, Thuja occidentalis, and Abies balsamea are prevalent. In Alaska, Populus balsamifera ssp. balsamifera is the dominant deciduous tree in floodplains in the continental boreal region, while Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa is dominant in the subboreal region. Picea glauca may be codominant in mid-seral stages and becomes dominant in late-seral stages. Picea x lutzii replaces Picea glauca in the transitional region between the subboreal and temperate biomes.
Several understory shrub, herb, moss and lichen species are indicative of relative moisture and nutrient status in these forests and woodlands. The moss flora of rich swamps (rich wooded fens) is dominated by brown mosses (e.g., Tomentypnum nitens, Aulacomnium palustre). Rich swamps with standing and flowing water and higher nutrient status support Salix spp. and Betula spp. shrubs as well as a higher diversity of sedges (especially Carex spp.) and grasses (especially Calamagrostis canadensis). Cornus sericea (= Cornus stolonifera) and, especially in eastern Canada, Alnus incana are important shrub species on nutrient-rich sites. The understories of hardwood swamps on moist, rich sites are typically vigorous and species-rich because of high light levels beneath the transmissive canopies of these small-leaved broadleaf trees. In Alaska, Alnus viridis ssp. sinuata occurs more commonly in the subboreal, while Alnus viridis ssp. fruticosa is more common to the north in the continental boreal. Alnus incana ssp. tenuifolia occurs on poorly drained floodplain terraces in both boreal regions. Salix alaxensis is the most common willow across both the subboreal and boreal regions. Other common willows include Salix pulchra and Salix barclayi (subboreal only). The composition of the herbaceous layer is diverse and varies by substrate type. Common herbaceous species may include Calamagrostis canadensis, Equisetum arvense, Chamerion angustifolium, Aconitum delphiniifolium, Hedysarum alpinum, and Rubus arcticus. Hylocomium splendens is the dominant moss in late-seral stands.
Several understory shrub, herb, moss and lichen species are indicative of relative moisture and nutrient status in these forests and woodlands. The moss flora of rich swamps (rich wooded fens) is dominated by brown mosses (e.g., Tomentypnum nitens, Aulacomnium palustre). Rich swamps with standing and flowing water and higher nutrient status support Salix spp. and Betula spp. shrubs as well as a higher diversity of sedges (especially Carex spp.) and grasses (especially Calamagrostis canadensis). Cornus sericea (= Cornus stolonifera) and, especially in eastern Canada, Alnus incana are important shrub species on nutrient-rich sites. The understories of hardwood swamps on moist, rich sites are typically vigorous and species-rich because of high light levels beneath the transmissive canopies of these small-leaved broadleaf trees. In Alaska, Alnus viridis ssp. sinuata occurs more commonly in the subboreal, while Alnus viridis ssp. fruticosa is more common to the north in the continental boreal. Alnus incana ssp. tenuifolia occurs on poorly drained floodplain terraces in both boreal regions. Salix alaxensis is the most common willow across both the subboreal and boreal regions. Other common willows include Salix pulchra and Salix barclayi (subboreal only). The composition of the herbaceous layer is diverse and varies by substrate type. Common herbaceous species may include Calamagrostis canadensis, Equisetum arvense, Chamerion angustifolium, Aconitum delphiniifolium, Hedysarum alpinum, and Rubus arcticus. Hylocomium splendens is the dominant moss in late-seral stands.
Dynamics: High water table or seasonal flooding determines and maintains these swamps.
Environmental Description: These wet forests are of two main types in boreal North America: (1) forests and woodlands that are strongly influenced by permanently high water tables where the flow rate, subsurface depth and alkaline chemistry of groundwater determine site moisture and nutrient characteristics, and (2) forests and woodlands on sites that do not have permanent water tables at or near the soil surface, but that may be seasonally flooded for short periods during the growing season; soils are freely drained such that anoxic conditions are quickly relieved after subsidence of floodwaters. The first case describes rich swamps.
Geographic Range: This type is found across the North American boreal region, from Alaska to Newfoundland.
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: AB, AK, BC?, LB, MB, NF, ON, QC, SK, YT?
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.860509
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR
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.5 Boreal Flooded & Swamp Forest Formation | F036 | 1.B.5 |
| Division | 1.B.5.Na North American Boreal Flooded & Swamp Forest Division | D016 | 1.B.5.Na |
| Macrogroup | 1.B.5.Na.2 North American Boreal Flooded & Rich Swamp Forest Macrogroup | M300 | 1.B.5.Na.2 |
| Group | 1.B.5.Na.2.a Atlantic Boreal Flooded & Rich Swamp Forest Group | G810 | 1.B.5.Na.2.a |
| Group | 1.B.5.Na.2.b Ontario-Québec Boreal Flooded & Rich Swamp Forest Group | G809 | 1.B.5.Na.2.b |
| Group | 1.B.5.Na.2.d Balsam Poplar / Willow species - Green Alder Flooded & Rich Swamp Forest Group | G548 | 1.B.5.Na.2.d |
Concept Lineage: M038 split into M299 & M300 (DFL)
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
- Faber-Langendoen, D., J. Drake, S. Gawler, M. Hall, C. Josse, G. Kittel, S. Menard, C. Nordman, M. Pyne, M. Reid, L. Sneddon, K. Schulz, J. Teague, M. Russo, K. Snow, and P. Comer, editors. 2010-2019a. Divisions, Macrogroups and Groups for the Revised U.S. National Vegetation Classification. NatureServe, Arlington, VA. plus appendices. [in preparation]