Print Report
G360 Picea mariana / Ledum groenlandicum / Eriophorum brachyantherum Boreal Bog & Acidic Fen Group
Type Concept Sentence: This group extends across the western boreal regions of North America, extending south into the Pacific Maritime and Rocky Mountain divisions on wet organic soils (bogs) with tree- or shrub-dominated or dwarf-shrub/herbaceous vegetation.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Black Spruce / Bog Labrador-tea / Northland Cottonsedge Boreal Bog & Acidic Fen Group
Colloquial Name: Western North American Boreal Bog & Acidic Fen
Hierarchy Level: Group
Type Concept: This group extends across the western boreal regions of North America, extending south into subboreal regions of the Pacific Maritime and Rocky Mountain divisions. It occurs in wet depressions and old lake basins. Occurrences form where the rate of peat accumulation exceeds its decomposition, resulting in ombrotrophic and acidic peatlands in which the bog surface is raised above the water table. Patch size is small to large. These are primarily depressional wetlands, and secondary bog pools may also be present. This group may be tree- or shrub-dominated or dwarf-shrub/herbaceous. Trees may be stunted and dwarfed. Trees are dense or scattered, with common species including Picea mariana, Picea glauca, and Larix laricina. Dominant shrubs include Betula nana, Ledum palustre ssp. decumbens, Ledum groenlandicum, Andromeda polifolia, Kalmia polifolia, Chamaedaphne calyculata, Empetrum nigrum, Rubus chamaemorus, Vaccinium oxycoccos, Vaccinium vitis-idaea, and Vaccinium uliginosum. The herbaceous layer is typically graminoid-dominated. Species include Carex chordorrhiza, Carex lasiocarpa, Carex limosa, Carex livida, Carex membranacea, Carex microglochin, Carex pauciflora, Carex pluriflora, Carex rariflora (more eastern), Carex rotundata (more eastern), Carex stylosa, Eriophorum brachyantherum, and Eriophorum angustifolium.
Diagnostic Characteristics: This group represents tree, shrub or dwarf-shrub/herbaceous vegetation that occupies acidic peatlands in western North America. Strong diagnostic species that separate eastern from western acidic peatlands are not currently known. Stronger diagnostic species that are found across both eastern and western more northern boreal acidic peatlands, but are uncommon to absent further south, may include Carex membranacea, Carex microglochin, Carex rotundata, and Eriophorum brachyantherum. Two Carices, Carex rariflora and Carex rotundata, may be absent from the western peatland.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: North American Arctic Bog & Fen was moved under this group, based on the opinion that arctic bogs (which are uncommon) are not that different from boreal bogs. Strong diagnostic species that separate eastern from western acidic peatlands are not currently known. Clarification of the limits of this type with respect to Vancouverian (North Pacific) and Rocky Mountain acidic fens is also needed. Joe Rocchio (pers. comm. 2015) suggests that for a fen to be boreal, it needs boreal indicator species to be dominant/characteristic. Those fens in Washington (and presumably Oregon) may have boreal relict rare plants in them, but the overall floristics are more akin to the Rocky Mountain group for acidic fens.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: This group is defined by a mixed physiognomy which may be characterized by needle-leaved evergreen trees, broad-leaved deciduous shrubs or hydrophytic graminoids, particularly sedges. Trees, when present, are often dwarfed.
Floristics: This group may be tree- or shrub-dominated or dwarf-shrub/herbaceous. Trees may be stunted and dwarfed. Trees are dense or scattered, with common species including Picea mariana, Picea glauca, and Larix laricina. Dominant shrubs include Betula nana, Ledum palustre ssp. decumbens, Ledum groenlandicum, Andromeda polifolia, Kalmia polifolia, Chamaedaphne calyculata, Empetrum nigrum, Rubus chamaemorus, Vaccinium oxycoccos, Vaccinium vitis-idaea, and Vaccinium uliginosum. The herbaceous layer is typically graminoid-dominated. Species include Carex chordorrhiza, Carex lasiocarpa, Carex limosa, Carex livida, Carex membranacea, Carex microglochin, Carex pauciflora, Carex pluriflora, Carex rariflora (more eastern), Carex rotundata (more eastern), Carex stylosa, Eriophorum brachyantherum, and Eriophorum angustifolium.
Dynamics: In boreal wetlands the general successional trend is from marsh to fen to treed bog; however, succession is not necessarily directional, and environmental conditions, such as nutrient content and abundance of groundwater, may prevent fens from developing into bogs (Zoltai et al. 1988). Succession begins in shallow ponds or low-lying wetlands formed by processes such as glacial recession and floodplain dynamics (oxbows) or thermokarst. An organic root mat typically develops and is either anchored to the mineral soil or floating on water such as a pond''s edge. Over time, peat-forming mosses and sedges may fill in the basin. As the peat layer develops, low and/or dwarf-shrubs become established. Dwarf-trees may establish on the well-developed peat and also around the margin of the peatland.
Many peatlands on the Kenai Lowland formed in kettles after remnant glacial ice melted. In this region there is a trend toward peatlands drying and ponds shrinking and filling in.
Permafrost degradation leading to collapse scars and thaw ponds is common in boreal Alaska, and studies from the Tanana Flats show areas of widespread degradation. Thaw ponds form when ice-rich permafrost degrades and collapses forming a basin. Aquatic plants rapidly colonize the pond. Over time, marsh plants and sphagnum moss invade creating peatland conditions. This trend is leading to widespread ecosystem conversion in the Tanana Flats (Jorgenson et al. 2001b). If a collapse scar is isolated, succession follows a bog development model, whereas in an open hydrologic setting, succession follows a fen development model. Pond systems may become connected as adjacent permafrost thaws.
Many peatlands on the Kenai Lowland formed in kettles after remnant glacial ice melted. In this region there is a trend toward peatlands drying and ponds shrinking and filling in.
Permafrost degradation leading to collapse scars and thaw ponds is common in boreal Alaska, and studies from the Tanana Flats show areas of widespread degradation. Thaw ponds form when ice-rich permafrost degrades and collapses forming a basin. Aquatic plants rapidly colonize the pond. Over time, marsh plants and sphagnum moss invade creating peatland conditions. This trend is leading to widespread ecosystem conversion in the Tanana Flats (Jorgenson et al. 2001b). If a collapse scar is isolated, succession follows a bog development model, whereas in an open hydrologic setting, succession follows a fen development model. Pond systems may become connected as adjacent permafrost thaws.
Environmental Description: This group extends across the western boreal regions of North America, extending south into sub-boreal regions of the Pacific Maritime and Rocky Mountain divisions. Sites are generally flat to gently sloping terrain, on slopes up to 8°. Occurrences form where the rate of peat accumulation exceeds its decomposition, resulting in ombrotrophic and acidic peatlands in which the bog surface is raised above the water table. Patch size is small to large. These are primarily depressional wetlands, and secondary bog pools may also be present. Soils are poorly-drained and acidic, often with a well-developed peat layer. Permafrost is generally present and may form permafrost plateaus supporting the system in boreal Alaska but is generally absent in the boreal transition region.
Geographic Range: This group extends across the western boreal regions of North America, extending south into sub-boreal regions of the Pacific Maritime and Rocky Mountain divisions.
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: AB, AK, BC, ID, MB, MT, NT, NU, SK, YT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.860841
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 2 Shrub & Herb Vegetation Class | C02 | 2 |
| Subclass | 2.C Shrub & Herb Wetland Subclass | S44 | 2.C |
| Formation | 2.C.2 Temperate to Polar Bog & Fen Formation | F016 | 2.C.2 |
| Division | 2.C.2.Na North American Bog & Fen Division | D029 | 2.C.2.Na |
| Macrogroup | 2.C.2.Na.1 Leatherleaf - Small Cranberry - Few-seed Sedge Bog & Acidic Fen Macrogroup | M876 | 2.C.2.Na.1 |
| Group | 2.C.2.Na.1.d Black Spruce / Bog Labrador-tea / Northland Cottonsedge Boreal Bog & Acidic Fen Group | G360 | 2.C.2.Na.1.d |
| Alliance | A3448 Small Cranberry - Bog-rosemary / Peatmoss species Shrub Bog Alliance | A3448 | 2.C.2.Na.1.d |
| Alliance | A4298 Black Spruce / Peatmoss species Western Boreal Scrub Bog Alliance | A4298 | 2.C.2.Na.1.d |
| Alliance | A4299 Creeping Sedge - Water Sedge - Mud Sedge Poor Fen Alliance | A4299 | 2.C.2.Na.1.d |
| Alliance | A4300 Dwarf Birch Poor Fen Alliance | A4300 | 2.C.2.Na.1.d |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: > I.A.3.d - Black spruce (Viereck et al. 1992)
> II.C.2.d - Shrub birch-ericaceous shrub bog (Viereck et al. 1992)
> II.C.2.d - Shrub birch-ericaceous shrub bog (Viereck et al. 1992)
- Banner, A., W. MacKenzie, S. Haeussler, S. Thomson, J. Pojar, and R. Trowbridge. 1993. A field guide to site identification and interpretation for the Prince Rupert Forest Region. Ministry of Forests Research Program. Victoria, BC. Parts 1 and 2. Land Management Handbook Number 26.
- Boggs, K., and M. Sturdy. 2005. Plant associations and post-fire vegetation succession in Yukon-Charley Rivers National Preserve. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/YUCH/NRTR--2005/001. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 204 pp.
- Bursik, R. J., and R. K. Moseley. 1995. Ecosystem conservation strategy for Idaho Panhandle peatlands. Cooperative project between Idaho Panhandle National Forests and Idaho Department of Fish and Game, Conservation Data Center, Boise. 28 pp. plus appendix.
- Comer, P., D. Faber-Langendoen, R. Evans, S. Gawler, C. Josse, G. Kittel, S. Menard, C. Nordman, M. Pyne, M. Reid, M. Russo, K. Schulz, K. Snow, J. Teague, and R. White. 2003-present. Ecological systems of the United States: A working classification of U.S. terrestrial systems. NatureServe, Arlington, VA.
- Crum, H. 1992. A focus on peatlands and peat mosses. The University of Michigan Press, Ann Arbor. 306 pp.
- DeLong, C. 2003. A field guide to site identification and interpretation for the southeast portion of the Prince George Forest Region. Land Manage. Handbook No. 51. Province of British Columbia, Research Branch, Ministry of Forestry, Victoria, BC. [http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hfd/pubs/Docs/Lmh/Lmh51.htm]
- DeLong, C., D. Tanner, and M. J. Jull. 1993. A field guide for site identification and interpretation for the southwest portion of the Prince George Forest Region. Land Management Handbook No. 24. British Columbia Ministry of Forests Research Branch, Victoria, British Columbia.
- DeVelice, R. L., C. J. Hubbard, K. Boggs, S. Boudreau, M. Potkin, T. Boucher, and C. Wertheim. 1999. Plant community types of the Chugach National Forest: South-central Alaska. Technical Publication R10-TP-76. USDA Forest Service, Chugach National Forest, Alaska Region. 375 pp.
- Eyre, F. H., editor. 1980. Forest cover types of the United States and Canada. Society of American Foresters, Washington, DC. 148 pp.
- 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]
- Gracz, M., K. Noyes, P. North, and G. Tande. 2005. Wetland mapping and classification of the Kenai Lowland, Alaska. [http://www.kenaiwetlands.net/]
- Green, R. N., and K. Klinka. 1994. A field guide to site interpretation for the Vancouver Forest Region. British Columbia Ministry of Forests. ISSN 0229-1622 Land Management Handbook 28. 285 pp.
- Jorgenson, M. T., C. H. Racine, J. C. Walters, and T. E. Osterkamp. 2001b. Permafrost degradation and ecological changes associated with a warming climate in central Alaska. Climatic Change 48:551-579.
- Jorgenson, M. T., J. E. Roth, M. D. Smith, S. Schlentner, W. Lentz, and E. R. Pullman. 2001a. An ecological land survey for Fort Greely, Alaska. ERDC/CRREL TR-01-04. U.S. Army Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory, Hanover, NH. 85 pp.
- Jorgenson, M. T., J. E. Roth, S. F. Schlentner, E. R. Pullman, and M. Macander. 2003. An ecological land survey for Fort Richardson, Alaska. ERDC/CRREL TR-03019. U.S. Army Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory, Hanover, NH.
- Klein, E., E. E. Berg, and R. Dial. 2005. Wetland drying and succession across the Kenai Peninsula lowlands, south-central Alaska. Canadian Journal of Forest Research 35:1931-1941.
- Lawrence, D., C. T. Lane, M. G. Willoughby, C. Hincz, D. Moisey, and C. Stone. 2005. Range plant community types and carrying capacity for the Lower Foothills subregion of Alberta: Fourth approximation. Alberta Sustainable Resource Development, Public Lands and Forests Division, Edmonton. 244 pp. ISBN. No. 0-7785-4098-7 [online edition].
- MacKinnon, A., C. DeLong, and D. Meidinger. 1990. A field guide for identification and interpretation of ecosystems of the northwest portion of the Prince George Forest Region. Land Management Handbook No. 21. Province of British Columbia, Research Branch, Ministry of Forests, Victoria, BC.
- Meidinger, D., A. McLeod, A. MacKinnon, C. DeLong, and G. Hope. 1988. A field guide for identification and interpretation of ecosystems of the Rocky Mountain Trench, Prince George Forest Region. Land Management Handbook No. 15. Province of British Columbia, Research Branch, Ministry of Forests and Lands, Victoria, BC.
- NCC [The Nature Conservancy of Canada]. 2002. Canadian Rockies ecoregional plan. The Nature Conservancy of Canada, Victoria, BC.
- Racine, C. H., M. T. Jorgenson, and J. C. Walters. 1998. Thermokarst vegetation in lowland birch forests on the Tanana Flats, Interior Alaska, USA. In: Proceedings of the 7th International Conference on Permafrost, June 23-27, 1998. Universite Laval, Sainte-Foy, Quebec. Collection Nordicana 57:927-934.
- Shiflet, T. N., editor. 1994. Rangeland cover types of the United States. Society for Range Management. Denver, CO. 152 pp.
- Smith, K. B., C. E. Smith, S. F. Forest, and A. J. Richard. 2007. A field guide to the wetlands of the Boreal Plains Ecozone of Canada. Ducks Unlimited Canada, Western Boreal Office, Edmonton, Alberta. 98 pp.
- Steen, O. A., and R. A. Coupé. 1997. A field guide to forest site identification and interpretation for the Cariboo Forest Region. Land Management Handbook No. 39. Parts 1 and 2. British Columbia Ministry of Forests Research Program, Victoria, BC.
- Stone, C., M. G. Willoughby, and A. Rosendal. 2007. Guide to range plant community types and carrying capacity for the Peace River Parkland subregion in Alberta: First approximation. Publication No. T/143. Sustainable Resource Development, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Edmonton. 143 pp. ISBN: 978-0-7785-6500 [online edition].
- Viereck, L. A., C. T. Dyrness, A. R. Batten, and K. J. Wenzlick. 1992. The Alaska vegetation classification. General Technical Report PNW-GTR286. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station, Portland, OR. 278 pp.
- Willoughby, M. G. 2007. Range plant communities and carrying capacity for the Upper Foothills subregion: Sixth Approximation (a revision of the fourth and fifth approximations: Publication Nos. T/003 and T/068). Publication No. T/138. Sustainable Resource Development, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Edmonton. 182 pp. ISBN:978-0-7785-6484 [online edition].
- Willoughby, M. G., C. Stone, C. Hincz, D. Moisey, G. Ehlert, and D. Lawrence. 2006. Guide to range plant community types and carrying capacity for the Dry and Central Mixedwood subregions in Alberta: Sixth approximation (a revision of the fifth approximation, Publication No. T/074). Alberta Sustainable Resource Development, Public Lands and Forests Division, Edmonton. 254 pp. ISBN No. 0-7785-4539-3 [online edition].
- Zoltai, S. C., S. Taylor, J. K. Jeglum, G. F. Mills, and J. D. Johnson. 1988. Wetlands of Boreal Canada. Pages 99-154 in: C. D. A. Rubec, editor. Wetlands of Canada. Ecological Land Classification Series No. 24. Environment Canada, Ottawa, and Polyscience Publications Inc., Montreal. 452 pp.