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CEGL005448 Calamagrostis canadensis - Carex spp. Laurentian & Northeast Wet Meadow

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Bluejoint - Sedge species Laurentian & Northeast Wet Meadow

Colloquial Name: Laurentian-Acadian Bluejoint Wet Meadow

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This wet meadow vegetation is widespread in the Laurentian-Acadian and northeast regions of Canada and the United States. Stands occur on the floodplains of small streams, in poorly drained depressions, beaver meadows, levees and lakeshores. Soils are typically mineral soil or well-decomposed peat, with a thick root mat. Water regime varies between temporarily and seasonally flooded. Graminoid cover is typically dense and can form hummocky microtopography. Calamagrostis canadensis is dominant, often occurring in almost pure stands or with tall sedges, such as Carex aquatilis, Carex lacustris, Carex utriculata, and Carex stricta. In fen transitions, Carex lasiocarpa can be present. Agrostis gigantea, Glyceria grandis, Poa palustris, Poa compressa, Scirpus cyperinus, and Typha latifolia are sometimes abundant. Forbs include Campanula aparinoides, Epilobium leptophyllum, Eutrochium maculatum, Eupatorium perfoliatum, Impatiens capensis, Iris versicolor, Polygonum amphibium, and Comarum palustre. Scattered shrubs, such as Viburnum nudum, Viburnum dentatum, Spiraea alba, Cornus amomum, Alnus incana, or Alnus serrulata, may be present. Phalaris arundinacea and/or Lythrum salicaria may be present, especially in disturbed examples.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: This type can grade into sedge meadows. A guideline of <50% sedges may be suggested as a criterion for the definition of this type compared to sedge meadow types. Harris et al. (1996) suggest that the bluejoint meadow type is drier than sedge meadows and less peaty than shore fens.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available

Floristics: Graminoid cover is typically dense and can form hummocky microtopography. Calamagrostis canadensis is dominant, often occurring in almost pure stands or with tall sedges, such as Carex aquatilis, Carex lacustris, Carex rostrata, and Carex stricta. In fen transitions, Carex lasiocarpa can be present. Agrostis gigantea (= Agrostis alba), Glyceria grandis, Poa palustris, Poa compressa, Scirpus cyperinus, and Typha latifolia are sometimes abundant. Forbs include Campanula aparinoides, Epilobium leptophyllum, Eutrochium maculatum (= Eupatorium maculatum), Eupatorium perfoliatum, Iris versicolor, Polygonum amphibium, and Comarum palustre (= Potentilla palustris). Scattered shrubs, such as Viburnum nudum, Viburnum dentatum, Spiraea alba, Cornus amomum, Alnus incana, or Alnus serrulata, may be present. Lythrum salicaria may be present, especially in disturbed examples.

Dynamics:  No Data Available
Environmental Description:  Stands occur on the floodplains of small streams, in poorly drained depressions, beaver meadows, levees and lakeshores. Soils are typically mineral soil or well-decomposed peat or peat silt loam with a thick root mat. Water regime varies between temporarily and seasonally flooded.
Geographic Range: This wet meadow vegetation is widely distributed in the Laurentian-Acadian and northeast regions of northeastern and midwestern U.S. and adjacent Canada.

Nations: CA,US

States/Provinces:  CT, DE, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, NH, NJ, NY, PA, QC, RI, VT, WI, WV


Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G4G5

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.4 Temperate to Polar Freshwater Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Formation F013 2.C.4
Division 2.C.4.Nd Eastern North American Temperate Freshwater Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Division D323 2.C.4.Nd
Macrogroup 2.C.4.Nd.2 Broadleaf Cattail - White Snakeroot - Rush species Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Macrogroup M069 2.C.4.Nd.2
Group 2.C.4.Nd.2.g Laurentian-Acadian Wet Meadow & Shrub Swamp G904 2.C.4.Nd.2.g
Alliance A4107 <i>Carex spp. - Calamagrostis canadensis</i> Northern Wet Meadow Alliance A4107 2.C.4.Nd.2.g
Association CEGL005448 Bluejoint - Sedge species Laurentian & Northeast Wet Meadow CEGL005448 2.C.4.Nd.2.g
Concept Lineage: CEGL005174 split into 2 new types (CEGL005448, CEGL005449) (DFL 7-13).

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: < Calamagrostis canadensis - Phalaris arundinacea Herbaceous Vegetation (Faber-Langendoen 2001) [Bluejoint Meadow]
= Calamagrostis canadensis herbaceous community (Walbridge and Lang 1982)
= Calamagrostis canadensis meadow (Walbridge 1982)
= Calamagrostis canadensis wet meadow (Fortney 1975)
? Canada bluejoint-tussock sedge meadow (CAP pers. comm. 1998)
? SNE low-energy riverbank community (Rawinski 1984a)
Concept Author(s): Northern Appalachian Planning Team

Author of Description: D. Faber-Langendoen

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 07-04-13
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