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A2058 Acer rubrum - Nyssa sylvatica Swamp Forest Alliance

Type Concept Sentence: This alliance covers nutrient-poor deciduous forested swamps and "basin swamps" characterized by Nyssa sylvatica, of the northeastern United States ranging from southern Vermont to the Coastal Plain of Virginia.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Red Maple - Blackgum Swamp Forest Alliance

Colloquial Name: Red Maple - Blackgum Coastal Swamp Forest

Hierarchy Level:  Alliance

Type Concept: Forests in this alliance have variable canopy composition, but typical canopy species across the range of this alliance include Acer rubrum var. trilobum and Nyssa sylvatica; associated trees in the northern portion of the range may include Picea rubens, Betula alleghaniensis, Tsuga canadensis, and Pinus strobus. Liquidambar styraciflua and Magnolia virginiana are characteristic in the southern portions of the range. These forests are nutrient-poor and generally acidic, and occur in basins and seepage areas. The alliance ranges from southern Vermont to the northern Coastal Plain of Virginia.

Diagnostic Characteristics: Swamps of poorly drained topographic basins characterized by Nyssa sylvatica in addition to Acer rubrum. Nutrient regime is oligotrophic, with sphagnum peat forming the substrate.

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: Although Nyssa sylvatica may also occur in other more eutrophic swamps, it is characteristic of this alliance and often occurs in abundance.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: This is a deciduous swamp forest, with scattered conifers in some occurrences at the northern range limit. Conifers are all but lacking in the southern and central portions of the range. The shrub layer is usually well-developed, and the herbaceous layer is of variable cover. There is usually pronounced hummock-and-hollow microtopography and pools of standing water. Substrate is usually peat overlying mineral soils.

Floristics: Forests in this alliance have variable canopy composition, but typical canopy species across the range of this alliance include Acer rubrum var. trilobum and Nyssa sylvatica; associated trees in the northern portion of the range may include Picea rubens, Betula alleghaniensis, Tsuga canadensis, and Pinus strobus. Liquidambar styraciflua and Magnolia virginiana are characteristic in the southern portions of the range. Understory and shrub species include Clethra alnifolia, Ilex verticillata, Lindera benzoin, Ilex mucronata (= Nemopanthus mucronatus), Rhododendron viscosum, Vaccinium corymbosum, and Viburnum nudum var. cassinoides. Characteristic herbaceous species are Carex folliculata, Carex intumescens, Coptis trifolia, Osmunda cinnamomea, Osmunda regalis, and Symplocarpus foetidus. Sphagnum spp. are typical.

Dynamics:  Groundwater is the primary water source, with minimal overland flow, limiting nutrient inputs. The peaty substrate is usually saturated, contributing to frequent treefalls with canopy openings.
Environmental Description:  These wetland forests include forested acidic seeps on hillsides or streamheads, and in poorly drained depressions. Hummock-and-hollow microtopography is usually evident, with pools of standing water present in the spring. These wetland forests occur where surface water is seldom present, but the substrate is saturated to the surface for extended periods during the growing season, and include forested acidic seeps on hillsides or streamheads, and other poorly drained depressions. Individual occurrences of these forests tend to be small in extent and can provide habitat for rare plant species.
Geographic Range: This alliance ranges from New England south to the Coastal Plain of Virginia.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  CT, DC, DE, MA, MD, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VA


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.3 Temperate Flooded & Swamp Forest Formation F026 1.B.3
Division 1.B.3.Nb Southeastern North American Flooded & Swamp Forest Division D062 1.B.3.Nb
Macrogroup 1.B.3.Nb.3 Sweetbay - Swamp Bay - Pond Pine Swamp Forest Macrogroup M032 1.B.3.Nb.3
Group 1.B.3.Nb.3.b Atlantic White-cedar - Pitch Pine Swamp Group G039 1.B.3.Nb.3.b
Alliance A2058 Red Maple - Blackgum Swamp Forest Alliance A2058 1.B.3.Nb.3.b
Association CEGL006013 Red Maple - Blackgum - Sweetgum - Swamp Cottonwood Swamp Forest CEGL006013 1.B.3.Nb.3.b
Association CEGL006156 Red Maple / Swamp Azalea - Coastal Sweet-pepperbush Swamp Forest CEGL006156 1.B.3.Nb.3.b
Association CEGL006165 Red Maple - Green Ash / Smartweed species Floodplain Forest CEGL006165 1.B.3.Nb.3.b
Association CEGL006219 Blackgum - Sweetbay / Swamp Azalea - Poison-sumac / Bamboovine Swamp Woodland CEGL006219 1.B.3.Nb.3.b
Association CEGL006238 Red Maple - Blackgum - Sweetbay / Possumhaw / Cinnamon Fern Swamp Forest CEGL006238 1.B.3.Nb.3.b
Association CEGL006396 Red Maple / Great Laurel Swamp Forest CEGL006396 1.B.3.Nb.3.b
Concept Lineage: This represents a split of A.348; AL, AR, GA, IL?, NC, OK, SC, TN removed from original distribution (LAS 2-12).

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: ? Red Maple - Black Gum Swamp (Undifferentiated) Alliance (AN) (Windisch 2014a)
Concept Author(s): H.W. Vogelmann (1976)

Author of Description: L.A. Sneddon

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 01-08-14
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