Print Report
A3685 Alnus spp. - Salix spp. - Cornus sericea Shrub Swamp Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: This alliance contains tall-shrub swamps in the northeastern and north-central United States and eastern temperate Canada in a variety of non-alluvial topographic depressions, and dominated by Alnus incana, Alnus serrulata, Salix sericea, or Hypericum densiflorum. Associates may include Cornus sericea, Rosa palustris, Spiraea alba var. latifolia, Spiraea alba, Viburnum nudum var. cassinoides, and others.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Alder species - Willow species - Red-osier Dogwood Shrub Swamp Alliance
Colloquial Name: Appalachian-Northeast Alder - Willow - Dogwood Shrub Swamp
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: This alliance contains tall-shrub swamps in the northeastern and north-central United States and eastern temperate Canada in a variety of non-alluvial topographic depressions. The vegetation is dominated by Alnus incana, Alnus serrulata, Salix sericea, or Hypericum densiflorum. Associates may include Cornus sericea, Rosa palustris, Spiraea alba var. alba, Spiraea alba var. latifolia, Viburnum nudum var. cassinoides, and others. These wetlands are often successional following disturbance. They are found in beaver meadows, lakeshores, headwater wetlands, and basin wetlands, as well as backwater floodplains of streams and rivers. Soils vary from deep organic mucks to mineral soils with high organic content (muck), and are saturated for much of the year.
Diagnostic Characteristics: Tall-shrub wetlands in non-alluvial settings characterized by Alnus incana, Alnus serrulata, Salix sericea, or Hypericum densiflorum.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This is a broadly defined alliance, based more on hydrologic and topographic setting than on floristics. Additional data are required to define this alliance with confidence. This alliance is distinguished from the alluvial shrubland alliance ~Alnus incana Shrub Swamp Alliance (A4377)$$, at least in the northeastern United States [see Sperduto and Nichols (2004)], and when it is, it is restricted to mucky or peat shrublands in depressions or backwaters of floodplains (Thompson and Sorenson 2000). Care is needed in how to distinguish these two types. More information is needed on herbs and mosses.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: The vegetation is dominated by Alnus incana, Alnus serrulata, Salix sericea, or Hypericum densiflorum. Associates may include Cornus sericea, Rosa palustris, Spiraea alba var. alba, Spiraea alba var. latifolia (= Spiraea latifolia), Viburnum nudum var. cassinoides, and others.
Dynamics: These wetlands are often successional following disturbance, including hydrological disturbances caused by beaver.
Environmental Description: Stands are found in beaver meadows, lakeshores, headwater wetlands, and basin wetlands, as well as backwater floodplains of streams and rivers. Soils vary from deep organic mucks to mineral soils with high organic content (muck), and are saturated for much of the year.
Geographic Range: This alliance contains tall-shrub swamps in the northeastern and north-central United States and eastern temperate Canada.
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: CT, DE, IA, IL, IN?, KY, MA, MB?, MD, ME, MI, MN, NH, NJ, NY, OH, ON, PA, QC, RI, TN, VA, VT, WI, WV
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.899737
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR
Greasons: No Data Available
Concept Lineage: originated in five different alliances
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: > Alder swamp (Thompson and Sorenson 2000)
- Eastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boston, MA.
- Egler, F. E., and W. A. Niering. 1976. The natural areas of the White Memorial Foundation. The vegetation of Connecticut natural areas. Friends of the Litchfield Nature Center and Museum, Inc. 34 pp.
- 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.
- Gordon, R. B. 1937b. A botanical survey of the southwestern section of the Allegheny State Park. New York State Museum Handbook 17:199-247. State University of New York, Albany.
- Niering, W. A. 1953. The past and present vegetation of High Point State Park, New Jersey. Ecological Monographs 23:127-148.
- Sperduto, D. D., and W. F. Nichols. 2004. Natural communities of New Hampshire: A guide and classification. New Hampshire Natural Heritage Bureau, DRED Division of Forests and Lands, Concord. 242 pp.
- Thompson, E. H., and E. R. Sorenson. 2000. Wetland, woodland, wildland: A guide to the natural communities of Vermont. The Nature Conservancy and the Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife. University Press of New England, Hanover, NH. 456 pp.
- Walbridge, M. R., and G. E. Lang. 1982. Major plant communities and patterns of community distribution in four wetlands of the unglaciated Appalachian region. In: R. B. MacDonald, editor. Proceedings of the Symposium on Wetlands of the Unglaciated Appalachian Region. West Virginia University, Morgantown.