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A3881 Acer rubrum - Fraxinus spp. - Quercus bicolor Swamp Forest Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: This swamp forest is found in shallow depressions or seepage areas in the north-central (Midwest) region of the U.S. Stands are dominated by Acer rubrum, Acer saccharinum, Fraxinus pennsylvanica, Fraxinus nigra, Ulmus americana, and Quercus bicolor.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Red Maple - Ash species - Swamp White Oak Swamp Forest Alliance
Colloquial Name: Midwest Red Maple - Ash Rich Swamp
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: This alliance includes shallow depressional or seepage swamp forests in the north-central region of the U.S. Hardwood swamp stands are dominated by Acer rubrum, Acer saccharinum, Fraxinus pennsylvanica, and Ulmus americana. Other swamp tree species that may be present include Fraxinus nigra and Quercus bicolor. Swamps are seasonally wet. Flooding typically occurs during the winter and spring and often extends into the growing season; water may be ponded for most of the year in shallow depressions.
Diagnostic Characteristics: These are shallow swamp or depressional forests of variable composition found in the north-central United States.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: The current set of associations may need to be expanded pending review.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: These are wetland bottomland hardwood forests, with diverse shrub and herb layers of variable diversity.
Floristics: Stands are typically dominated by Acer rubrum, Acer saccharinum (in parts of the range), Fraxinus nigra, and/or Fraxinus pennsylvanica, with Ulmus americana. Other tree species that may be present include Carya ovata, Nyssa sylvatica, Quercus alba, Quercus macrocarpa, Quercus palustris, Tilia americana, and others. Ulmus americana may have been the dominant species in some stands prior to the introduction of Dutch elm disease (Ceratostomella ulmi). Fraxinus spp. are now declining rapidly from emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis). Other species that may be present include Alnus incana (ssp. rugosa in parts of the range), Carpinus caroliniana, Ilex verticillata, Lindera benzoin, Sambucus nigra ssp. canadensis (= Sambucus canadensis), Toxicodendron radicans, and Viburnum recognitum (= Viburnum dentatum var. lucidum). Shrub and vine species are variable and may include Cephalanthus occidentalis, Cornus amomum, Cornus foemina, and Parthenocissus quinquefolia. Herbaceous species also vary widely.
Dynamics: The stress of prolonged saturation may contribute to high tree mortality. Pioneer species are quick to colonize any openings as soon as conditions are favorable. Ulmus americana may have been the dominant species in some stands prior to the introduction of Dutch elm disease (Ceratostomella ulmi). Fraxinus spp. are now declining rapidly from emerald ash borer (Agrilus planipennis).
Environmental Description: Sites include flat poorly drained areas, wet poorly drained depressions, wetland depressions on level or undulating topography, as well as in backwater sloughs. Many stands are seasonally wet, with a seasonally saturated hydrology. Soils are often deep and fine-grained (silt loam, silty clay loam, to clay loam), and of lacustrine origin. This vegetation is primarily, but not exclusively, found in unglaciated terrain.
Geographic Range: This swamp forest alliance is found from southeast Minnesota and southern Wisconsin, south to central Illinois and Indiana and east to southern Ontario, Ohio, Pennsylvania, New York and Vermont.
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: IA?, IL, IN, MI, MN, NY, OH, ON, PA, QC?, VT, WI
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.899932
Confidence Level: Low
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.3 Temperate Flooded & Swamp Forest Formation | F026 | 1.B.3 |
| Division | 1.B.3.Na Eastern North American-Great Plains Flooded & Swamp Forest Division | D011 | 1.B.3.Na |
| Macrogroup | 1.B.3.Na.2 Pin Oak - Green Ash - Blackgum Swamp Forest Macrogroup | M503 | 1.B.3.Na.2 |
| Group | 1.B.3.Na.2.h <i>Quercus bicolor - Fagus grandifolia - Acer rubrum</i> Swamp Forest Group | G918 | 1.B.3.Na.2.h |
| Alliance | A3881 Red Maple - Ash species - Swamp White Oak Swamp Forest Alliance | A3881 | 1.B.3.Na.2.h |
| Association | CEGL005038 (Red Maple, Silver Maple) - Ash species - American Elm Swamp Forest | CEGL005038 | 1.B.3.Na.2.h |
| Association | CEGL005490 Black Ash - Red Maple - Quaking Aspen / Skunk-cabbage Swamp Forest | CEGL005490 | 1.B.3.Na.2.h |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: ? Acer rubrum - Nyssa aquatica forest (Robertson et al. 1984)
>< Pin Oak - Sweetgum: 65 (Eyre 1980)
>< perched swamp white oak swamp (Reschke 1990)
>< Pin Oak - Sweetgum: 65 (Eyre 1980)
>< perched swamp white oak swamp (Reschke 1990)
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