Print Report
A3829 Picea mariana - Abies balsamea / Osmunda cinnamomea Swamp Forest Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: This intermediate black spruce - balsam fir swamp alliance is dominated by a mix of boreal conifers, and northern hardwood and conifer species are essentially absent. It 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.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Black Spruce - Balsam Fir / Cinnamon Fern Swamp Forest Alliance
Colloquial Name: Black Spruce - Balsam Fir Intermediate-Rich Swamp Forest
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: This intermediate-rich black spruce - balsam fir swamp alliance 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. It is dominated by Picea mariana, with Abies balsamea, Betula papyrifera, Larix laricina, or Picea glauca occasional to codominant. Northern hardwood and conifer species such as Acer rubrum, Betula alleghaniensis, and Tsuga canadensis are essentially absent. The sphagnum layer is well-developed. Ericaceous shrubs are mixed with more minerotrophic shrubs, such as Alnus incana, Acer spicatum, Ilex mucronata, Viburnum nudum var. cassinoides, and Ribes spp. Minerotrophic herbs, such as Mitella nuda, fern species (Dryopteris spp., Osmunda claytoniana, Osmunda cinnamomea, Gymnocarpium dryopteris), and Rubus pubescens are usually present.
Diagnostic Characteristics: Stands are dominated by Picea mariana, often with other minerotrophic indicators, such as Abies balsamea, with Larix laricina, Betula papyrifera, or Picea glauca. Northern hardwood and conifer species such as Acer rubrum, Betula alleghaniensis, and Tsuga canadensis are essentially absent. The role of Thuja occidentalis needs review. The sphagnum layer is well-developed. Ericaceous shrubs are mixed with more minerotrophic shrubs, such as Alnus incana, Acer spicatum, Ilex mucronata, Viburnum nudum var. cassinoides, and Ribes spp. Minerotrophic herbs such as Mitella nuda, fern species (Dryopteris spp., Osmunda claytoniana, Osmunda cinnamomea, Gymnocarpium dryopteris), and Rubus pubescens are usually present.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: The role of Thuja occidentalis in this alliance needs review. Canadian review suggests that Thuja-dominated stands should be placed elsewhere, but no other appropriate alliance currently exists, unless they are placed in ~Laurentian-Acadian Alkaline Swamp Group (G046)$$, a northern temperate swamp group. See especially ~Thuja occidentalis - (Picea mariana, Abies balsamea) / Alnus incana Swamp Forest (CEGL002456)$$, which is tentatively placed here. It is noted as a minor component in some Canadian eastern boreal swamp plots. Atlantic region intermediate-rich swamps are placed in their own alliance and are also rich in Osmunda cinnamomea.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: Tree canopy is typically >10 m and moderately open to closed. The sphagnum layer varies from 50-100%. Ericaceous shrubs are mixed with broad-leaved shrubs. The herb layer varies from open to dense.
Floristics: Stands are dominated by Picea mariana, with Abies balsamea, Betula papyrifera, Larix laricina, or Picea glauca occasional to codominant. Thuja occidentalis may be present, but northern hardwood and conifer species, such as Acer rubrum, Betula alleghaniensis, Thuja occidentalis and Tsuga canadensis, are essentially absent. The sphagnum layer is well-developed. Ericaceous shrubs are mixed with more minerotrophic shrubs, such as Alnus incana, Acer spicatum, Ilex mucronata (= Nemopanthus mucronatus), Viburnum nudum var. cassinoides, and Ribes spp. Minerotrophic herbs such as Mitella nuda, fern species (Dryopteris spp., Osmunda claytoniana, Osmunda cinnamomea, Gymnocarpium dryopteris), and Rubus pubescens are usually present (Harris et al. 1996).
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This vegetation is commonly associated with wetlands influenced by moderately minerotrophic groundwater, in poorly drained depressions with substantial peat accumulation, along streams, or on slopes with emergent groundwater seepage evident as rivulets at the surface. Soils range from organic to mineral (Sims et al. 1989, MNNHP 1993). The groundwater is usually moderately minerotrophic and has circumneutral pH (Schwintzer and Tomberlin 1982, Wilcox et al. 1986).
Geographic Range: This type is found in eastern Canada and adjacent northern regions of the northeastern United States from the western Great Lakes to possibly northern New England.
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: MB, ME?, MI, MN, NB, NF, NH?, NS, NY?, ON, QC, VT?, WI
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.899881
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.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.2 North American Boreal Flooded & Rich Swamp Forest Macrogroup | M300 | 1.B.5.Na.2 |
| Group | 1.B.5.Na.2.b Ontario-Québec Boreal Flooded & Rich Swamp Forest Group | G809 | 1.B.5.Na.2.b |
| Alliance | A3829 Black Spruce - Balsam Fir / Cinnamon Fern Swamp Forest Alliance | A3829 | 1.B.5.Na.2.b |
| Association | CEGL002452 Black Spruce / Gray Alder / Peatmoss species Swamp Forest | CEGL002452 | 1.B.5.Na.2.b |
Concept Lineage: Thuja occidentalis Saturated Forest Alliance (A.200) may partly be in this new alliance, but only if CEGL002456 remains in this alliance.
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
- Eyre, F. H., editor. 1980. Forest cover types of the United States and Canada. Society of American Foresters, Washington, DC. 148 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.
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- MNNHP [Minnesota Natural Heritage Program]. 1993. Minnesota''s native vegetation: A key to natural communities. Version 1.5. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Natural Heritage Program, St. Paul, MN. 110 pp.
- Metcalf, F. P., and L. Griscom. 1917. Notes on rare New York State plants. Rhodora 19:28-37;48-55.
- Schwintzer, C. R., and T. J. Tomberlin. 1982. Chemical and physical characteristics of shallow ground waters in northern Michigan bogs, swamps, and fens. American Journal of Botany 69:1231-1239.
- 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.
- Wherry, E. T. 1920. Soil tests of Ericaceae and other reaction-sensitive families in northern Vermont and New Hampshire. Rhodora 22:33-47.
- Wilcox, D. A., R. J. Shedlock, and W. J. Hendrickson. 1986. Hydrology, water chemistry and ecological relations in the raised mound of Cowles Bog. Journal of Ecology 74:1103-1117.