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CEGL005224 Pinus strobus - Picea glauca - Betula papyrifera Subboreal Forest
Type Concept Sentence: This type represents the subboreal conifer - northern hardwoods of the eastern cool temperate forests ranging from the north-central Great Lakes states through central Ontario to eastern Canada and dominated by Pinus strobus and Picea glauca or with a mix of northern hardwoods, such as Acer rubrum, Acer saccharum, Populus grandidentata, and Prunus serotina.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Eastern White Pine - White Spruce - Paper Birch Subboreal Forest
Colloquial Name: Subboreal Mesic Spruce - Fir - Northern Hardwood Forest
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: These subboreal conifer - northern hardwood forests are found in the eastern cool temperate forest region, ranging from north-central Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan through central Ontario to eastern Canada. Stands are dominated by Pinus strobus and Picea glauca, often with Betula papyrifera, and with a prominent mix of northern hardwoods, such as Acer rubrum, Acer saccharum, Populus grandidentata, and Prunus serotina, along with the boreal hardwoods Populus tremuloides and Betula papyrifera. Other conifers include Thuja occidentalis. The shrub and herb layers are variable, decreasing as the percent conifer cover increases. Common shrub species include Acer spicatum, Amelanchier spp., Corylus cornuta, Diervilla lonicera, Lonicera canadensis, and Prunus virginiana. The moss layer ranges from discontinuous to continuous. These upland forests typically occur on mesic to wet-mesic (moist) sites, most commonly level, clayey sites, and sites with high local water tables on glacial lake deposits, stagnation moraines and tillplains. Wetter sites may contain Alnus incana ssp. rugosa, Calamagrostis canadensis, and Equisetum spp.
Diagnostic Characteristics: Conifers either at least 25% cover (?).Abies balsamea and/or Picea glauca (rather than Picea rubens) are the dominant conifers, mixed with temperate northern hardwoods, including Betula alleghaniensis, Tilia americana, Acer rubrum, and Acer saccharum, and early-successional hardwoods such as Populus tremuloides and Betula papyrifera. If present, Acer saccharum is a minor component.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: The transition zone from the hemi- or southern boreal region to the cool temperate forest (where Acer saccharum is the dominant tree species) is diffuse, and relates to the increasing abundance of northern hardwood tree species and more cool temperate shrubs and herbs. Where the boreal conifers occur with a strong representation of northern hardwood species, as with this type, they are placed in 1.B.2 ~Cool Temperate Forest Formation (F008)$$. In Minnesota, this type is best crosswalked to MHn44: Northern Wet-Mesic Boreal Hardwood-Conifer Forest, especially MHn44b: White Pine-White Spruce - Paper Birch, MHn44c: Aspen-Fir Forest, and MHn44d: Aspen-Birch - Fir Forest (Minnesota DNR 2003, 2005a). A stand summary table is available for Minnesota in Minnesota DNR (2005a). In Quebec, this type may most strongly be found in the "Balsam Fir-Yellow Birch domain," which also includes red spruce. Review across eastern Canada is needed to resolve hierarchy level issues.
Betula alleghaniensis is uncommon or absent in the Minnesota stands. A separate balsam fir - yellow birch association may be needed to cover the eastern range of these subboreal stands.
Betula alleghaniensis is uncommon or absent in the Minnesota stands. A separate balsam fir - yellow birch association may be needed to cover the eastern range of these subboreal stands.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: These forests are mostly closed-canopy but may have patchy openings due to gap dynamics. Canopy cover may be mixed hardwood-conifer or primarily evergreen. Early-successional stages after catastrophic disturbance may be more strongly deciduous [but see CEGL002467]. Herbs are well-distributed but variable in the amount of cover depending on latitude and soil moisture.
Floristics: Stands are dominated by Pinus strobus and Picea glauca, often with Betula papyrifera, and with a mix of northern hardwoods, such as Acer rubrum, Acer saccharum, Populus grandidentata, and Prunus serotina. Fraxinus nigra may also be present. Other conifers include Thuja occidentalis. Much less common tree species include Tilia americana and Tsuga canadensis. The shrub and herb layers are variable, decreasing as the percent conifer cover increases. Common shrub species include Acer spicatum, Amelanchier spp., Corylus cornuta, Diervilla lonicera, Lonicera canadensis, Acer pensylvanicum, and Prunus virginiana. Herb species include Rubus parviflorus, Moneses uniflora, Cynoglossum virginianum, Hieracium umbellatum, Pyrola chlorantha, and Actaea pachypoda. The moss layer ranges from discontinuous to continuous (Minnesota DNR 2003, 2005a).
Dynamics: These forests are affected by windthrow, insect defoliation, and infrequent fires. The rotation of catastrophic fires in northern Minnesota was 430 years, and the rotation of catastrophic windthrow was about 960 years. Events that result in partial loss of trees, such as light surface fires and patchy windthrow, were much more common, with an estimated rotation of about 160 years (Minnesota DNR 2005a). Mammalian herbivory also can impact forest stands. Selective herbivory by white-tailed deer can alter the composition and structure and favor browse-tolerant species such as Picea glauca. These forests typically regenerate from gap-phase dynamics.
Environmental Description: Climate: Climate is characterized by cool, even temperatures, shorter growing season than other temperate types, and deep and sometimes severe winter snowfall. Soil/substrate/hydrology: These upland forests typically occur on mesic to wet-mesic (moist) sites, including slopes (>10%) that may be affected by groundwater seepage, and level terrain (Minnesota DNR 2005a).
Geographic Range: This type represents the sub-boreal conifer - northern hardwoods of the eastern cool temperate forests ranging from north-central Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan through central Ontario and possibly to eastern Canada. This type does not occur in northern New England, where red spruce types predominate.
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: MI, MN, NB?, NS?, ON, QC?, WI
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.890136
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
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.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 | CEGL005224 Eastern White Pine - White Spruce - Paper Birch Subboreal Forest | CEGL005224 | 1.B.2.Na.7.c |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: > Aspen - Birch - Fir Forest Type [MHn44d] (Minnesota DNR 2003)
> Aspen - Fir Forest Type [MHn44c] (Minnesota DNR 2003)
< Boreal Forest (Curtis 1959) [The bulk of Curtis''s concept probably fits best with associations in ~Eastern Hemi-Boreal Mesic Conifer - Hardwood Forest (G048)$$, but he also included stands further inland in Wisconsin that appear to contain a large abundance of northern hardwoods, and those stands could belong to this association or others within G629.]
< Boreal Forest (Wisconsin DNR 2009a)
> Aspen - Fir Forest Type [MHn44c] (Minnesota DNR 2003)
< Boreal Forest (Curtis 1959) [The bulk of Curtis''s concept probably fits best with associations in ~Eastern Hemi-Boreal Mesic Conifer - Hardwood Forest (G048)$$, but he also included stands further inland in Wisconsin that appear to contain a large abundance of northern hardwoods, and those stands could belong to this association or others within G629.]
< Boreal Forest (Wisconsin DNR 2009a)
- Albert, D. A., and P. J. Comer. 2008. Atlas of early Michigan''s forests, grasslands, and wetlands, an interpretation of the 1810-1856 General Land Office surveys. Michigan State University Press, East Lansing.
- Curtis, J. T. 1959. The vegetation of Wisconsin: An ordination of plant communities. Reprinted in 1987. University of Wisconsin Press, Madison. 657 pp.
- Heinselman, M. 1996. The Boundary Waters Wilderness Ecosystem. University of Minnesota Press, Minneapolis, MN. 334 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]
- 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.
- Minnesota DNR [Minnesota Department of Natural Resources]. 2003. Field guide to the native plant communities of Minnesota: The Laurentian Mixed Forest Province. Ecological Land Classification Program, Minnesota County Biological Survey, and Natural Heritage and Nongame Research Program. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, St. Paul.
- 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]
- Wisconsin DNR [Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources]. 2009a. Natural communities of Wisconsin. Boreal Forests. Overview. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Madison. [http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/land/er/communities/index.asp?mode=detail&Code=CTFOR040WI&Section=overview)] (accessed October 2009)