Print Report
A0197 Picea mariana - Larix laricina / Sphagnum spp. Poor Swamp Forest Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: This poor (acidic) conifer swamp alliance dominated by Picea mariana is found in the boreal and subboreal region of eastern Canada, (excluding the Atlantic boreal region), southward into the northern Great Lakes region and northeastern United States, on poorly drained mineral soils or deep peats and minerotrophic peatland margins.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Black Spruce - Tamarack / Peatmoss species Poor Swamp Forest Alliance
Colloquial Name: Eastern Boreal Black Spruce Poor Swamp Forest
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: This poor (acidic) conifer swamp is found in the boreal region of eastern Canada, excluding the Atlantic boreal region, southward into the subboreal regions of northern Great Lakes region and northeastern United States. The vegetation is dominated by Picea mariana with other canopy associates including Abies balsamea, Larix laricina, and Betula papyrifera. Most stands have a well-developed shrub layer. Shrubs are typically ericaceous species such as Chamaedaphne calyculata, Gaylussacia baccata (in the east), Kalmia angustifolia (in Quebec), Ledum groenlandicum, Linnaea borealis, Rhododendron canadense (in the east), Vaccinium angustifolium, and Vaccinium myrtilloides. Herbs include Carex trisperma, Drosera spp., Eriophorum spp., and Sarracenia purpurea. There is a continuous and often deep sphagnum layer, including especially Sphagnum capillifolium, but also Sphagnum fuscum, Sphagnum girgensohnii, and Sphagnum magellanicum. The habitat is characterized by poorly drained mineral soils or deep peats and minerotrophic peatland margins. The peats and groundwater are acidic and are most typically nutrient-poor. Most stands are on level ground, but some are on gentle lower slopes adjacent to wetlands.
Diagnostic Characteristics: Tree canopy cover is variable but generally exceeds 10%. The vegetation is dominated by Picea mariana, typically <10 m, but occasionally taller, with other canopy associates, including Abies balsamea, Larix laricina, and Betula papyrifera. Most stands have a well-developed shrub layer. Shrubs are typically ericaceous species such as Chamaedaphne calyculata, Gaylussacia baccata (in the east), Kalmia angustifolia (in Quebec), Ledum groenlandicum, Linnaea borealis, Rhododendron canadense (in the east), Vaccinium angustifolium, and Vaccinium myrtilloides. Herbs include Carex trisperma, Drosera spp., Eriophorum spp., and Sarracenia purpurea. There is a strong sphagnum layer, including especially Sphagnum capillifolium, but also Sphagnum fuscum, Sphagnum girgensohnii, and Sphagnum magellanicum. This alliance is difficult to distinguish from ~Picea mariana / Sphagnum spp. Eastern Boreal Bog Woodland Alliance (A3836)$$, but often contains some minerotrophic indicators (Abies balsamea, Betula papyrifera, Linnaea borealis, Rhododendron canadense) and does not occur on raised peat mats that are truly ombrotrophic.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: A separate Atlantic boreal poor swamp alliance has been developed.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: Tree canopy cover is variable but generally exceeds 10%. The vegetation is dominated by conifers, typically <10 m, but occasionally taller. Most stands have a well-developed, ericaceous shrub layer, and a continuous, often deep (>0.5 m) sphagnum layer.
Floristics: The vegetation is dominated by Picea mariana with other canopy associates including Abies balsamea, Larix laricina, and Betula papyrifera. Most stands have a well-developed shrub layer. Shrubs are typically ericaceous species such as Chamaedaphne calyculata, Gaylussacia baccata (in the east), Kalmia angustifolia (in Quebec), Ledum groenlandicum, Linnaea borealis, Rhododendron canadense (in the east), Vaccinium angustifolium, and Vaccinium myrtilloides. Herbs include Drosera spp., Sarracenia purpurea, Eriophorum spp., and Carex trisperma. There is a strong sphagnum layer, including especially Sphagnum capillifolium, but also Sphagnum fuscum, Sphagnum girgensohnii, and Sphagnum magellanicum. The habitat is characterized by poorly drained mineral soils or deep peats and minerotrophic peatland margins. The peats and groundwater are acidic and are most typically nutrient-poor. Most stands are on level ground, but some are on gentle lower slopes adjacent to wetlands.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: The habitat is characterized by poorly drained mineral soils or deep peats and minerotrophic peatland margins. The peats and groundwater are acidic and are most typically nutrient-poor, but with at least a weak minerotrophic influence. Most stands are on level ground, but some are on gentle lower slopes adjacent to wetlands.
Geographic Range: This type is found in eastern Canada, excluding the Atlantic boreal region, and adjacent northern regions of the northeastern United States from the western Great Lakes to northern New England.
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: MB, ME, MI, MN, NB, NH, NS?, NY, ON, QC, VT, WI
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.898972
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.5 Boreal Flooded & Swamp Forest Formation | F036 | 1.B.5 |
| Division | 1.B.5.Na North American Boreal Flooded & Swamp Forest Division | D016 | 1.B.5.Na |
| Macrogroup | 1.B.5.Na.1 North American Boreal Conifer Poor Swamp Macrogroup | M299 | 1.B.5.Na.1 |
| Group | 1.B.5.Na.1.c Black Spruce Ontario-Québec Boreal Poor Swamp Group | G806 | 1.B.5.Na.1.c |
| Alliance | A0197 Black Spruce - Tamarack / Peatmoss species Poor Swamp Forest Alliance | A0197 | 1.B.5.Na.1.c |
| Association | CEGL005166 Jack Pine - (Black Spruce) - Mixed Hardwoods / Peatmoss species Swamp Forest | CEGL005166 | 1.B.5.Na.1.c |
| Association | CEGL005271 Black Spruce - (Tamarack) / Bog Labrador-tea / Peatmoss species Swamp Forest | CEGL005271 | 1.B.5.Na.1.c |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: ? "inverted flats" (Cogbill 1987)
>< Black Spruce: 12 (Eyre 1980)
? Tamarack: 38 (Eyre 1980)
>< Black Spruce: 12 (Eyre 1980)
? Tamarack: 38 (Eyre 1980)
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