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A3888 Populus balsamifera - Fraxinus nigra Boreal Floodplain Forest Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: This boreal floodplain forest is found in eastern Canada, and possibly the adjacent U.S., and is characterized by Populus balsamifera and Fraxinus nigra.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Balsam Poplar - Black Ash Boreal Floodplain Forest Alliance
Colloquial Name: Eastern Boreal Floodplain Forest
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: This boreal floodplain forest is found in eastern Canada, and the adjacent U.S. The tree layer is characterized by Populus balsamifera and Fraxinus nigra. The shrub layer is characterized by Alnus incana and Cornus sericea. The herbaceous layer is often dominated by the ferns Onoclea sensibilis and Matteuccia struthiopteris. Other associates of the herbaceous layer include Athyrium filix-femina, Calamagrostis canadensis, Carex vesicaria, Clematis virginiana, Laportea canadensis, Rubus pubescens, and Solidago flexicaulis. This vegetation occupies the silty floodplains of mid-sized rivers in parts of Quebec, Ontario and the Canadian Maritime Provinces, and possibly northern Maine. Flooding frequency and duration are usually less than that of more southern floodplains characterized by Acer saccharinum.
Diagnostic Characteristics: Presence of Populus balsamifera on the floodplain of boreal rivers of eastern Canada, and possibly adjacent regions of the U.S., especially Maine and Minnesota.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This description is based on that of Balsam Poplar Floodplain Forest of Gawler and Cutko (2010), but that type is a southern outlier. The Canadian NVC Technical Committee is producing a description of this and other alliances of the eastern boreal region. When those descriptions are available, they will be used to update this description.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: The canopy is usually closed but can have large canopy gaps. The shrub layer ranges in density, and the herbaceous layer is often well-developed.
Floristics: The tree canopy is dominated or characterized by Populus balsamifera and Fraxinus nigra. The shrub layer is characterized by Alnus incana and Cornus sericea. The herbaceous layer is often dominated by the ferns Onoclea sensibilis and Matteuccia struthiopteris. Other associates of the herbaceous layer include Athyrium filix-femina, Calamagrostis canadensis, Carex vesicaria, Clematis virginiana, Laportea canadensis, Rubus pubescens, and Solidago flexicaulis.
Dynamics: Flooding frequency and duration are usually less than that of more southern floodplains characterized by Acer saccharinum.
Environmental Description: This vegetation occupies the silty floodplains of mid-sized rivers of parts of Quebec, Ontario and the Canadian Maritime Provinces, and northern Maine. Flooding frequency and duration are usually less than that of more southern floodplains characterized by Acer saccharinum.
Geographic Range: This alliance ranges across boreal parts of eastern Canada, from Ontario east to the Maritimes, and adjacent U.S.
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: LB, MB?, ME, MN?, NB, NF, NH?, ON, QC, VT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.899939
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.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 | A3888 Balsam Poplar - Black Ash Boreal Floodplain Forest Alliance | A3888 | 1.B.5.Na.2.b |
| Association | CEGL006432 Balsam Poplar - Black Ash / Ostrich Fern Forest | CEGL006432 | 1.B.5.Na.2.b |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: ? Balsam poplar floodplain forest (Gawler and Cutko 2010)
- 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.
- Gawler, S. C., and A. Cutko. 2010. Natural landscapes of Maine: A classification of vegetated natural communities and ecosystems. Maine Natural Areas Program, Department of Conservation, Augusta.