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G638 Betula papyrifera - Abies balsamea - Populus tremuloides Ontario-Québec Boreal Mesic Forest Group
Type Concept Sentence: Stands of this boreal forest have a closed canopy which is dominated by Picea glauca and Abies balsamea. This alliance is located primarily in the boreal regions of eastern Canada, and possibly in the upper Great Lakes states of the U.S.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Paper Birch - Balsam Fir - Quaking Aspen Ontario-Québec Boreal Mesic Forest Group
Colloquial Name: Ontario-Québec Boreal Mesic Balsam Fir - Hardwood Forest
Hierarchy Level: Group
Type Concept: This boreal forest group has a closed canopy which is dominated by Picea glauca and Abies balsamea. Other associated tree species include Acer rubrum, Betula papyrifera, Picea mariana, Populus balsamifera, Populus tremuloides, and Thuja occidentalis. A significant tall-shrub/sapling layer is also characteristic, with a less extensive, but still present, short-shrub layer. The former is usually dominated by Abies balsamea, Acer spicatum, Amelanchier spp., Corylus cornuta, and Picea mariana, while the most abundant species in the latter are typically Diervilla lonicera, Rosa acicularis, and Rubus pubescens. The herbaceous layer is often quite poor and includes species such as Anemone quinquefolia, Aralia nudicaulis, Eurybia macrophylla, Cornus canadensis, Clintonia borealis, Maianthemum canadense, Mitella nuda, and Trientalis borealis. Feathermosses are common to abundant on the forest floor. This group is located primarily in the boreal regions of eastern Canada, with southern outliers possible in the upper Great Lakes states in the U.S. Stands are found on level to gently sloping dry-mesic to mesic sites. The soils are generally moderately well-drained, deep loams, sands, or silts; organic content is low.
Diagnostic Characteristics: Stands of this boreal forest group have a closed canopy which is dominated by Picea glauca and Abies balsamea. More information is needed to define its distribution in Canada.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: The description provided here is provisional, until the Canadian NVC team completes its description. It is provided for comparisons with ~Abies balsamea - Betula alleghaniensis - Populus tremuloides Subboreal Forest Alliance (A3267)$$ in ~Laurentian Subboreal Mesic Balsam Fir - Spruce - Hardwood Forest Group (G048)$$.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Stands have a closed canopy which is dominated by Picea glauca and Abies balsamea. There are generally other associated tree species such as Acer rubrum, Betula papyrifera, Picea mariana, Populus balsamifera, Populus tremuloides, and Thuja occidentalis (on more mesic sites). A significant tall-shrub/sapling layer is also characteristic, with a less extensive, but still present, short-shrub layer. The former is usually dominated by Abies balsamea, Acer spicatum, Amelanchier spp., Corylus cornuta, and Picea mariana, while the most abundant species in the latter are typically Diervilla lonicera, Rosa acicularis, and Rubus pubescens. The herbaceous layer is often quite poor and includes species such as Anemone quinquefolia, Aralia nudicaulis, Eurybia macrophylla (= Aster macrophyllus), Cornus canadensis, Clintonia borealis, Maianthemum canadense, Mitella nuda, and Trientalis borealis. Feathermosses are common to abundant on the forest floor (Sims et al. 1989, Zoladeski et al. 1995).
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: Stands are found on level to gently sloping dry-mesic to mesic sites. The soils are generally moderately well-drained, deep loams, sands, or silts. Organic content is low (La Roi 1967, Sims et al. 1989).
Geographic Range: This group is found primarily in eastern Canada, but southern outliers may occur in northern Minnesota, northern Wisconsin, and northern Michigan.
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: MB, MI, MN?, ON, QC, WI?
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.899895
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.4 Boreal Forest & Woodland Formation | F001 | 1.B.4 |
| Division | 1.B.4.Na North American Boreal Forest & Woodland Division | D014 | 1.B.4.Na |
| Macrogroup | 1.B.4.Na.1 Eastern North American Boreal Forest Macrogroup | M495 | 1.B.4.Na.1 |
| Group | 1.B.4.Na.1.g Paper Birch - Balsam Fir - Quaking Aspen Ontario-Québec Boreal Mesic Forest Group | G638 | 1.B.4.Na.1.g |
Concept Lineage: Three associations come from A.148 with one from A.418. The majority of the description comes from A.148.
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: ? Balsam Fir: 2 (Eyre 1980) [Balsam Fir - Paper Birch subtype]
? Dry-mesic and Mesic Spruce-Fir Forests (Maycock 1961)
? White Spruce / Balsam Fir Shrub Forest (Zoladeski et al. 1995)
? Dry-mesic and Mesic Spruce-Fir Forests (Maycock 1961)
? White Spruce / Balsam Fir Shrub Forest (Zoladeski et al. 1995)
- 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, S. Gawler, M. Hall, C. Josse, G. Kittel, S. Menard, C. Nordman, M. Pyne, M. Reid, L. Sneddon, K. Schulz, J. Teague, M. Russo, K. Snow, and P. Comer, editors. 2010-2019a. Divisions, Macrogroups and Groups for the Revised U.S. National Vegetation Classification. NatureServe, Arlington, VA. plus appendices. [in preparation]
- Faber-Langendoen, D., and Midwest State Natural Heritage Program Ecologists. 1996. Terrestrial vegetation of the midwest United States. International classification of ecological communities: Terrestrial vegetation of the United States. The Nature Conservancy, Arlington, VA.
- Hansen, H. L., L. W. Krefting, and V. Kurmis. 1973. The forest of Isle Royale in relation to fire history and wildlife. University of Minnesota, Agricultural Experiment Station, Technical Bulletin 294, Forestry Series 13.
- Kurmis, V., S. L. Webb, and L. C. Merriam. 1986. Plant communities of Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota, U.S.A. Canadian Journal of Botany 64:531-540.
- LaRoi, G. H. 1967. Ecological studies in the boreal spruce-fir forests of the North American taiga. I. Analysis of the vascular flora. Ecological Monographs 37(3):229-253.
- 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.
- Maycock, P. F. 1961. The spruce-fir forest of the Keweenaw Peninsula, northern Michigan. Ecology 42(2):357-365.
- Maycock, P. F., and J. T. Curtis. 1960. The phytosociology of boreal conifer-hardwood forests of the Great Lakes Region. Ecological Monographs 30(1):1-35.
- 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.
- Zoladeski, C. A., G. M. Wickware, R. J. Delorme, R. A. Sims, and I. G. W. Corns. 1995. Forest ecosystem classification for Manitoba: Field guide. Special Report 2. Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Forest Service, Northwest Region, Northern Forestry Center, Edmonton, Alberta.