Print Report
A3451 Sphagnum rubellum - Rhynchospora alba Moss Fen Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: This open sphagnum moss lawn occurs in the northeastern and upper midwestern United States and adjacent Canada within floating or grounded peat mats in very acidic portions of open peatlands (pH <4) isolated from upland runoff or lakewater. Sphagnum rubellum is strongly dominant; Vaccinium oxycoccos is prominent, despite its diminutive stature, and stunted Chamaedaphne calyculata is always present with variable cover.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Sphagnum rubellum - Rhynchospora alba Moss Fen Alliance
Colloquial Name: Subboreal Graminoid-Moss Lawn Fen
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: This open sphagnum moss lawn occurs within floating or grounded peat mats in very acidic portions of open peatlands (pH <4) isolated from upland runoff or lakewater. Sphagnum rubellum is strongly dominant. Vaccinium oxycoccos is prominent, despite its diminutive stature. Stunted Chamaedaphne calyculata is always present with variable cover. Additional dwarf-shrubs can include Andromeda polifolia var. glaucophylla, Kalmia angustifolia, Kalmia polifolia, Vaccinium macrocarpon, and occasionally Gaylussacia dumosa near the coast. Herbaceous species often include Drosera intermedia, Drosera rotundifolia, Eriophorum virginicum, Juncus pelocarpus, Rhynchospora alba, Sarracenia purpurea, Utricularia cornuta, Xyris montana, and occasionally Eriophorum vaginatum var. spissum.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This alliance is based strongly on information from ~Sphagnum rubellum - Vaccinium oxycoccos Fen (CEGL006135)$$. This alliance is the subboreal version of the more northern/boreal sphagnum lawn found in ~Eastern North American Boreal Bog & Acidic Fen Group (G748)$$. Its full distribution could be the subboreal regions of the midwestern and northeastern United States as well as adjacent temperate regions of eastern Canada. Illinois Graminoid Bog may also fit here?
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: The vegetation is dominated by an open sphagnum moss lawn, with varying levels of dwarf-shrubs (but < 25%).
Floristics: Sphagnum rubellum is strongly dominant. Vaccinium oxycoccos is prominent, despite its diminutive stature. Stunted Chamaedaphne calyculata is always present with variable cover. Additional dwarf-shrubs can include Andromeda polifolia var. glaucophylla (= Andromeda glaucophylla), Kalmia angustifolia, Kalmia polifolia, Vaccinium macrocarpon, and occasionally Gaylussacia dumosa near the coast. Herbaceous species often include Drosera intermedia, Drosera rotundifolia, Eriophorum virginicum, Juncus pelocarpus, Rhynchospora alba, Sarracenia purpurea, Utricularia cornuta, Xyris montana, and occasionally Eriophorum vaginatum var. spissum.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This moss lawn occurs in oligotrophic kettleholes and other peatland basins that are isolated from upland runoff or open water. The pH is usually <4.0. Peat is poorly decomposed in the upper 0.5 m.
Geographic Range: This alliance occurs in the northeastern U.S. and is possible in the Midwest and adjacent eastern temperate Canada. It ranges from southern Maine to Virginia.
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: CT, DE, MA, ME, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.899574
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR
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.2 Temperate to Polar Bog & Fen Formation | F016 | 2.C.2 |
| Division | 2.C.2.Na North American Bog & Fen Division | D029 | 2.C.2.Na |
| Macrogroup | 2.C.2.Na.1 Leatherleaf - Small Cranberry - Few-seed Sedge Bog & Acidic Fen Macrogroup | M876 | 2.C.2.Na.1 |
| Group | 2.C.2.Na.1.a Leatherleaf - Few-seed Sedge - Bog Laurel Boreal Bog & Acidic Fen Group | G748 | 2.C.2.Na.1.a |
| Alliance | A3451 <i>Sphagnum rubellum - Rhynchospora alba</i> Moss Fen Alliance | A3451 | 2.C.2.Na.1.a |
| Association | CEGL006135 Red Peatmoss - Small Cranberry Fen | CEGL006135 | 2.C.2.Na.1.a |
| Association | CEGL006394 (Toothed Peatmoss, Giant Peatmoss) - Cranberry Fen | CEGL006394 | 2.C.2.Na.1.a |
Concept Lineage: Sphagnum cuspidatum - Cladopodiella fluitans Saturated Nonvascular Alliance (A.3006). This alliance currently equals CEGL006135.
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
- Faber-Langendoen, D., J. Drake, M. Hall, G. Kittel, S. Menard, C. Nordman, M. Pyne, M. Reid, M. Russo, K. Schulz, L. Sneddon, K. Snow, and J. Teague. 2013-2019b. Screening alliances for induction into the U.S. National Vegetation Classification: Part 1 - Alliance concept review. NatureServe, Arlington, VA.