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CEGL005238 Populus tremuloides - Abies balsamea Wet-Mesic Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Quaking Aspen - Balsam Fir Wet-Mesic Forest
Colloquial Name: Subboreal Aspen - Fir Wet-Mesic Forest
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This aspen - balsam fir wet-mesic subboreal forest type is found in the northern Great Lakes region of the United States and Canada and elsewhere in central Canada. Stands occur on deep, moist to mesic, mineral soils, usually loams. It can be on flat to moderate slopes and, in northern Minnesota, tends to be near water. Canopy is either pure evergreen or mixed evergreen-deciduous. The overstory is usually dominated by Abies balsamea or Picea glauca and Populus tremuloides. Other common trees include Populus grandidentata, Fraxinus nigra, and Thuja occidentalis. Abies balsamea and Fraxinus nigra are the most common subcanopy species. In the sapling/shrub stratum, Acer spicatum, Diervilla lonicera, Corylus cornuta, Linnaea borealis, Rubus pubescens, and Sorbus americana may be found. Herbaceous species found in this community include Anemone quinquefolia, Aralia nudicaulis, Eurybia macrophylla, Clintonia borealis, Coptis trifolia, Cornus canadensis, Maianthemum canadense, Mitella nuda, Streptopus lanceolatus var. longipes, Symphyotrichum puniceum, and Trientalis borealis.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This type (CEGL005238) may represent the very moist end of spruce-fir stands in the subboreal region. Thus, it should be carefully compared against moist stands of ~Picea glauca - Abies balsamea - Populus tremuloides / Mixed Herbs Forest (CEGL002475)$$ and ~Picea glauca - Abies balsamea / Acer spicatum / Rubus pubescens Forest (CEGL002446)$$. Wet-mesic stands are placed here and include the very moist end of spruce-fir stands in the hemi-boreal region, sufficiently fire-risk free to have both wetter and northern hardwood tree species establish.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Canopy is either pure evergreen or mixed evergreen-deciduous. The overstory is usually dominated by Abies balsamea or Picea glauca and Populus tremuloides. Other common trees include Populus grandidentata, Fraxinus nigra, and Thuja occidentalis. In wet-mesic stands, Abies balsamea and Fraxinus nigra are the most common subcanopy species; whereas in more mesic stands, Tilia americana, Acer saccharum, Quercus macrocarpa, and Ulmus americana are present. In the sapling/shrub stratum, Acer spicatum, Diervilla lonicera, Corylus cornuta, Linnaea borealis, Rubus pubescens, and Sorbus americana may be found. Herbaceous species found in this community include Anemone quinquefolia, Aralia nudicaulis, Eurybia macrophylla (= Aster macrophyllus), Clintonia borealis, Coptis trifolia, Cornus canadensis, Maianthemum canadense, Mitella nuda, Streptopus lanceolatus var. longipes (= Streptopus roseus), Symphyotrichum puniceum, and Trientalis borealis (Minnesota DNR 2005a).
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This community is found on deep, moist to wet-mesic, mineral soils, usually loams (Sims et al. 1989). It can be on flat to moderate slopes (5-30%) and, in northern Minnesota, tends to be near water (Ohmann and Ream 1971).
Geographic Range: This aspen - balsam fir wet-mesic sub-boreal forest type is found in the northern Great Lakes region of the United States and Canada and elsewhere in central Canada.
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: MN
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.890146
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 | CEGL005238 Quaking Aspen - Balsam Fir Wet-Mesic Forest | CEGL005238 | 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 2005a)
>< Aspen - Fir Forest Type [MHn44c] (Minnesota DNR 2005a)
>< Aspen - Fir Forest Type [MHn44c] (Minnesota DNR 2005a)
- 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.
- Ohmann, L. F., and P. R. Ream. 1971. Wilderness ecology: Virgin plant communities of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. Research Paper NC-63. USDA Forest Service, North Central Forest Experiment Station, St. Paul, MN. 35 pp.
- Sims, R. A., W. D. Towill, K. A. Baldwin, and G. M. Wickware. 1989. Field guide to the forest ecosystem classification for northwestern Ontario. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Toronto. 191 pp.