Print Report
M876 Chamaedaphne calyculata - Vaccinium oxycoccos - Carex oligosperma Bog & Acidic Fen Macrogroup
Type Concept Sentence: This boreal acidic bog and fen macrogroup extends across the boreal regions of North America, extending south into subboreal regions of the Pacific Maritimes and Rocky Mountains, the Great Lakes region and northeastern U.S. It is dominated by a continuous layer of Sphagnum mosses (sometimes submerged in bog pools), typically to depths exceeding 40 cm, as well as ericaceous dwarf-shrubs and thin-leaved graminoids. Scrub trees may be common, but trees are otherwise sparse.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Leatherleaf - Small Cranberry - Few-seed Sedge Bog & Acidic Fen Macrogroup
Colloquial Name: North American Boreal & Subboreal Bog & Acidic Fen
Hierarchy Level: Macrogroup
Type Concept: This macrogroup extends across the boreal regions of North America, extending south into subboreal regions of the Pacific Maritime and Rocky Mountain divisions, Great Lakes region and northeastern U.S. It occurs where sufficiently cold climatic conditions allow the rate of peat accumulation to exceed its decomposition, resulting in ombrotrophic and acidic peatlands in which the bog surface is raised above the water table. Stands are dominated by a continuous layer of Sphagnum mosses (sometimes submerged in bog pools) and ericaceous dwarf-shrubs and thin-leaved graminoids. Scrub trees <2 m may be common, but trees >5 m are <10% cover. Dominant shrubs include Andromeda polifolia, Betula nana, Chamaedaphne calyculata, Empetrum nigrum, Gaultheria hispidula, Kalmia polifolia, Ledum palustre ssp. decumbens, Ledum groenlandicum, Rubus chamaemorus, Vaccinium macrocarpon (east), Vaccinium oxycoccos, Vaccinium vitis-idaea, and Vaccinium uliginosum. The herbaceous layer is typically graminoid-dominated. Species include Carex aquatilis, Carex lasiocarpa, Carex livida, Carex membranacea, Carex microglochin, Carex oligosperma (more eastern), Carex pauciflora, Carex pluriflora, Carex rariflora (more eastern), Carex rotundata (more eastern), Carex stylosa, Eriophorum angustifolium, Eriophorum brachyantherum, and Eriophorum virginicum. Graminoids common to both poorer and richer fens include Carex chordorrhiza, Carex lasiocarpa, and Carex limosa Insectivorous plants are common features of bogs and may include Drosera intermedia, Drosera rotundifolia, Sarracenia purpurea, and Utricularia intermedia. Trees include Picea mariana, Picea glauca, and Larix laricina.
Acidic peatlands range from strictly ombrotrophic bog (isolated from groundwater, precipitation-fed) to weakly minerotrophic poor fen. The surface morphology of a bog may be more-or-less level, domed, or eccentric, but typically is above the water table. As peat accumulates, ridges may form, which can be relatively dry compared to the flat areas. Secondary bog pools (schlenke) may be present in the raised portions of the peatlands. Peat deposits are composed primarily of partially decomposed Sphagnum mosses, and depth of peat exceeds 40 cm, separating this from similar wetlands that are non-peatlands. The water table is at or just above the surface, although the surface of some bogs is raised above the surrounding terrain.
In the eastern U.S., acidic peatlands extend southward through the Great Lakes and Northeast. Here Sphagnum and shrub peatlands occur in basins south through the Laurentian-Acadian region down to near the glacial boundary in the northeastern and north-central U.S. Unlike the true raised bogs of boreal regions, the vegetation is not raised above the groundwater level. The nutrient-poor substrate and the reduced throughflow of water create oligotrophic conditions fostering the development of Sphagnum peat and the growth of peatland vegetation. Although these peatlands are often called bogs, in most cases they are technically "poor fens," as the vegetation remains in contact with the weakly minerotrophic (nutrient-poor) groundwater.
In the Atlantic region, from Labrador to Downeast Maine, acidic peatlands take a somewhat different form. In basins, they develop raised plateaus with undulating sedge and dwarf-shrub vegetation. Trichophorum cespitosum may form sedge lawns on the raised plateau. The system may also occur as "blanket bogs" over a sloping rocky substrate in extreme maritime settings; here, dwarf-shrubs and Sphagnum are the dominant cover. Species characteristic of this maritime setting include Empetrum nigrum and Rubus chamaemorus. Typical bog heaths such as Gaylussacia dumosa, Gaylussacia baccata, Kalmia angustifolia, Kalmia polifolia, and Ledum groenlandicum are also present. Morphological characteristics and certain coastal species distinguish these from more inland acidic peatlands.
Acidic peatlands range from strictly ombrotrophic bog (isolated from groundwater, precipitation-fed) to weakly minerotrophic poor fen. The surface morphology of a bog may be more-or-less level, domed, or eccentric, but typically is above the water table. As peat accumulates, ridges may form, which can be relatively dry compared to the flat areas. Secondary bog pools (schlenke) may be present in the raised portions of the peatlands. Peat deposits are composed primarily of partially decomposed Sphagnum mosses, and depth of peat exceeds 40 cm, separating this from similar wetlands that are non-peatlands. The water table is at or just above the surface, although the surface of some bogs is raised above the surrounding terrain.
In the eastern U.S., acidic peatlands extend southward through the Great Lakes and Northeast. Here Sphagnum and shrub peatlands occur in basins south through the Laurentian-Acadian region down to near the glacial boundary in the northeastern and north-central U.S. Unlike the true raised bogs of boreal regions, the vegetation is not raised above the groundwater level. The nutrient-poor substrate and the reduced throughflow of water create oligotrophic conditions fostering the development of Sphagnum peat and the growth of peatland vegetation. Although these peatlands are often called bogs, in most cases they are technically "poor fens," as the vegetation remains in contact with the weakly minerotrophic (nutrient-poor) groundwater.
In the Atlantic region, from Labrador to Downeast Maine, acidic peatlands take a somewhat different form. In basins, they develop raised plateaus with undulating sedge and dwarf-shrub vegetation. Trichophorum cespitosum may form sedge lawns on the raised plateau. The system may also occur as "blanket bogs" over a sloping rocky substrate in extreme maritime settings; here, dwarf-shrubs and Sphagnum are the dominant cover. Species characteristic of this maritime setting include Empetrum nigrum and Rubus chamaemorus. Typical bog heaths such as Gaylussacia dumosa, Gaylussacia baccata, Kalmia angustifolia, Kalmia polifolia, and Ledum groenlandicum are also present. Morphological characteristics and certain coastal species distinguish these from more inland acidic peatlands.
Diagnostic Characteristics: This macrogroup contains a continuous (>80% cover) layer of Sphagnum peatmoss (sometimes submerged in bog pools), to depths exceeding 40 cm, with ericaceous dwarf-shrubs and thin-leaved graminoids >25% cover. Scrub trees <2 m may be common, but trees >5 m are <10% cover. Diagnostic species include low ericaceous shrubs, including Andromeda polifolia, Betula nana, Chamaedaphne calyculata, Empetrum nigrum, Gaultheria hispidula, Kalmia angustifolia (east), Kalmia polifolia, Ledum palustre ssp. decumbens, Ledum groenlandicum, Rubus chamaemorus, Vaccinium macrocarpon (east), Vaccinium oxycoccos, Vaccinium vitis-idaea, and Vaccinium uliginosum. Ericaceous shrubs are typically >75% of total shrub cover. Trees, if present, include Picea mariana and Larix laricina. Graminoids such as Carex oligosperma (more east), Carex magellanica ssp. irrigua, Carex pauciflora, Eriophorum vaginatum, and Eriophorum virginicum are common in the herb layer, and together these graminoids have greater cover than medium to rich fen graminoid indicators (Carex lasiocarpa, Carex livida, Carex interior, Carex limosa, Eriophorum viridicarinatum, Muhlenbergia glomerata, Trichophorum alpinum). Species diversity is low.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: North American arctic bog was moved under this macrogroup, based on the view from Alaskan ecologists that arctic bogs (which are uncommon) are not that different from boreal bogs. Strong diagnostic species that separate eastern from western acidic peatlands are not currently known. Clarification of the limits of this type with respect to Vancouverian (North Pacific) and Rocky Mountain acidic fens is also needed. Forested acidic bogs and fens (poor swamps) are not included here [see ~North American Boreal Conifer Poor Swamp Macrogroup (M299)$$, but that concept is under review (as of May 2014)]. There is a shift in composition and physiognomy from north to south, including from evergreen conifers and shrubs to deciduous shrub and hardwood species.
Inclusion of "northern temperate" (subboreal) acidic peatlands and Atlantic maritime peatlands needs review; they may need to be separated out into distinct macrogroups (K. Baldwin pers. comm. 2014).
Both this macrogroup (M876) and ~North American Boreal & Subboreal Alkaline Fen Macrogroup (M877)$$ are organic wetlands or peatlands in the Canadian wetland classification system. The Canadian system separates bogs from fens based on the influence of nutrient-rich groundwater in fens, which is missing in bogs. However, here we include poor fens with bogs because both bogs and poor fens tend to be acidic, are similar in vascular species composition, and are dominated by Sphagnum spp. in the bryophyte layer.
Inclusion of "northern temperate" (subboreal) acidic peatlands and Atlantic maritime peatlands needs review; they may need to be separated out into distinct macrogroups (K. Baldwin pers. comm. 2014).
Both this macrogroup (M876) and ~North American Boreal & Subboreal Alkaline Fen Macrogroup (M877)$$ are organic wetlands or peatlands in the Canadian wetland classification system. The Canadian system separates bogs from fens based on the influence of nutrient-rich groundwater in fens, which is missing in bogs. However, here we include poor fens with bogs because both bogs and poor fens tend to be acidic, are similar in vascular species composition, and are dominated by Sphagnum spp. in the bryophyte layer.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: This macrogroup contains a continuous (>80% cover) layer of Sphagnum moss (sometimes submerged in bog pools). The vegetation is otherwise dominated by low ericaceous shrubs with patches of conifers, graminoids and bryophyte lawns. Stunted trees may form a partial to moderate cover over parts of the peatland, but the tree layer is <10% cover (Damman and French 1987). The overall topography of acidic peatlands is flat to gently undulating with microtopography characterized by hummocks and hollows (Heinselman 1963, Vitt and Slack 1975, Wheeler et al. 1983, Glaser et al. 1990). The pronounced microtopography in these systems leads to extreme and fine-scale gradients in soil moisture and pH (Bridgham et al. 1996).
The landscape morphology of acidic peatlands is often very striking. A variety of approaches has been taken to describe these forms: in Maine, see Davis and Anderson (2001); in Canada, see National Wetlands Working Group (1988); and in Minnesota see Glaser (1992a). In Canada, bog and fen peatlands each have their own set of forms. In Minnesota, Glaser treats bogs and fens together as part of larger patterned peatland complexes (mire complexes). Particularly distinctive are the ribbed bogs or fens in which a pattern of narrow (2- to 3-m wide), low (less than 1 m deep) ridges are oriented at right angles to the direction of the drainage (National Wetlands Working Group 1988). Wet pools or depressions occur between the ridges. These patterned peatlands may include string bog, Atlantic ribbed fen, or northern ribbed fen (National Wetlands Working Group 1988). They develop almost entirely north of 46°N latitude in east-central Canada and the adjacent U.S. They are minerotrophic peatlands in which the vegetation has developed into a pattern of strings (raised, usually linear features, and often more acidic) and flarks (wet depressions separating the strings, often less acidic). These patterned peatlands usually develop in open basins and flat plains, and the patterned portion may occupy only a fraction of the entire peatland. The edge of the basin may be shallow to deep peat over a sloping substrate, where seepage waters provide nutrients.
The landscape morphology of acidic peatlands is often very striking. A variety of approaches has been taken to describe these forms: in Maine, see Davis and Anderson (2001); in Canada, see National Wetlands Working Group (1988); and in Minnesota see Glaser (1992a). In Canada, bog and fen peatlands each have their own set of forms. In Minnesota, Glaser treats bogs and fens together as part of larger patterned peatland complexes (mire complexes). Particularly distinctive are the ribbed bogs or fens in which a pattern of narrow (2- to 3-m wide), low (less than 1 m deep) ridges are oriented at right angles to the direction of the drainage (National Wetlands Working Group 1988). Wet pools or depressions occur between the ridges. These patterned peatlands may include string bog, Atlantic ribbed fen, or northern ribbed fen (National Wetlands Working Group 1988). They develop almost entirely north of 46°N latitude in east-central Canada and the adjacent U.S. They are minerotrophic peatlands in which the vegetation has developed into a pattern of strings (raised, usually linear features, and often more acidic) and flarks (wet depressions separating the strings, often less acidic). These patterned peatlands usually develop in open basins and flat plains, and the patterned portion may occupy only a fraction of the entire peatland. The edge of the basin may be shallow to deep peat over a sloping substrate, where seepage waters provide nutrients.
Floristics: In the western part of the range, the stunted and sparse tree layer includes Picea mariana and Larix laricina (Picea glauca is occasionally present). Dominant shrubs include Andromeda polifolia, Betula nana, Chamaedaphne calyculata, Empetrum nigrum, Kalmia polifolia, Ledum groenlandicum, Ledum palustre ssp. decumbens, Rubus chamaemorus, Vaccinium oxycoccos, Vaccinium uliginosum, and Vaccinium vitis-idaea. The herbaceous layer is typically graminoid-dominated. Species include Carex chordorrhiza, Carex lasiocarpa, Carex limosa, Carex livida, Carex membranacea, Carex microglochin, Carex pauciflora, Carex pluriflora, Carex rariflora (more eastern), Carex rotundata (more eastern), Carex stylosa, Eriophorum brachyantherum, and Eriophorum angustifolium. Dominant mosses include, among others, Sphagnum fuscum and Sphagnum capillifolium (= Sphagnum nemoreum) (Horton et al. 1979). In the Rocky Mountains, acidic fens associated with peatlands more closely resemble the vegetation of bogs, with sphagnum mosses and ericaceous shrubs. Dominant species include Carex aquatilis, Carex livida, Carex lasiocarpa, Dulichium arundinaceum, Ledum glandulosum, and Trichophorum cespitosum (Cooper 1986b, Windell et al. 1986, Steen and Coupé 1997).
In the east, tree species include Picea mariana, Picea glauca, and Larix laricina (less commonly Picea glauca, Abies balsamea and Thuja occidentalis). Dwarf-shrubs include Andromeda polifolia, Chamaedaphne calyculata, Kalmia polifolia, Ledum groenlandicum, Vaccinium macrocarpon, Vaccinium oxycoccos, and occasionally Gaultheria hispidula or Betula pumila. Rarely, tall ericaceous shrubs such as Vaccinium corymbosum (northeast temperate peatlands) are dominant. Common sedges include Carex magellanica ssp. irrigua (= Carex paupercula) and Carex oligosperma. Graminoids common to both poorer and richer fens include Carex chordorrhiza, Carex lasiocarpa, and Carex limosa. Other herbs include Eriophorum vaginatum, Eriophorum virginicum, Menyanthes trifoliata, and Scheuchzeria palustris. Dominant mosses include Sphagnum fuscum and Sphagnum magellanicum, and less commonly Sphagnum angustifolium. Pleurozium schreberi can be common on raised mats (Harris et al. 1996, Minnesota DNR 2003). Insectivorous plants are common features of acidic peatlands and may include Drosera rotundifolia, Drosera intermedia, Sarracenia purpurea, and Utricularia intermedia. Rhynchospora alba, Xyris montana, and Xyris torta can be especially common on floating mats (Kost et al. 2007).
In the Atlantic region, from Labrador to Downeast Maine, acidic peatlands develop raised plateaus with undulating sedge and dwarf-shrub vegetation. Trichophorum cespitosum may form sedge lawns on the raised plateau. The system may also occur as "blanket bogs" over a sloping rocky substrate in extreme maritime settings; here, dwarf-shrubs and Sphagnum are the dominant cover. Species characteristic of this maritime setting include Empetrum nigrum and Rubus chamaemorus. Typical bog heaths such as Gaylussacia dumosa, Gaylussacia baccata, Kalmia angustifolia, Kalmia polifolia, and Ledum groenlandicum are also present. Betula michauxii may also be common. Morphological characteristics and certain coastal species distinguish these from more inland acidic peatlands.
Further south in the sub-boreal region, two major physiognomic types occur: first, the ericaceous dwarf-shrub bog, often dominated by Chamaedaphne calyculata, sometimes with distinctive southern and coastal elements such as Gaylussacia dumosa, Ilex glabra, and Morella pensylvanica, and with other constant and dominant species, including Kalmia angustifolia (east), Kalmia polifolia (north),and Ledum groenlandicum (north); and second, a tall-shrub peat thicket dominated by deciduous ericaceous shrubs, especially Vaccinium corymbosum (Ilex verticillata and Cephalanthus occidentalis can dominate on shallower peat and the moat along the bog border), and wet peatland margins. Graminoids such as Carex oligosperma, Carex magellanica ssp. irrigua (= Carex paupercula), Eriophorum angustifolium (north and midwest), Eriophorum virginicum (throughout and southward), and Eriophorum vaginatum are common in the herb layer. Some peatlands may have a sparse tree layer (<10% cover) or stunted (<2 m) stems of Larix laricina, Picea mariana, or Acer rubrum. Somewhat richer sites may include Myrica gale and Dulichium arundinaceum (Damman and French 1987). Distinctive southern shrubs present include Alnus serrulata, Clethra alnifolia, Gaylussacia frondosa, Lyonia ligustrina, Rhododendron periclymenoides (= Rhododendron nudiflorum), Rhododendron viscosum, and Toxicodendron vernix (= Rhus vernix). Diagnostic southern herbs include Woodwardia virginica. More northern (but not boreal) shrubs include Alnus incana ssp. rugosa (= Alnus rugosa), Alnus viridis (along coast), Ilex mucronata (= Nemopanthus mucronatus), and Viburnum nudum var. cassinoides (Damman and French 1987).
In the east, tree species include Picea mariana, Picea glauca, and Larix laricina (less commonly Picea glauca, Abies balsamea and Thuja occidentalis). Dwarf-shrubs include Andromeda polifolia, Chamaedaphne calyculata, Kalmia polifolia, Ledum groenlandicum, Vaccinium macrocarpon, Vaccinium oxycoccos, and occasionally Gaultheria hispidula or Betula pumila. Rarely, tall ericaceous shrubs such as Vaccinium corymbosum (northeast temperate peatlands) are dominant. Common sedges include Carex magellanica ssp. irrigua (= Carex paupercula) and Carex oligosperma. Graminoids common to both poorer and richer fens include Carex chordorrhiza, Carex lasiocarpa, and Carex limosa. Other herbs include Eriophorum vaginatum, Eriophorum virginicum, Menyanthes trifoliata, and Scheuchzeria palustris. Dominant mosses include Sphagnum fuscum and Sphagnum magellanicum, and less commonly Sphagnum angustifolium. Pleurozium schreberi can be common on raised mats (Harris et al. 1996, Minnesota DNR 2003). Insectivorous plants are common features of acidic peatlands and may include Drosera rotundifolia, Drosera intermedia, Sarracenia purpurea, and Utricularia intermedia. Rhynchospora alba, Xyris montana, and Xyris torta can be especially common on floating mats (Kost et al. 2007).
In the Atlantic region, from Labrador to Downeast Maine, acidic peatlands develop raised plateaus with undulating sedge and dwarf-shrub vegetation. Trichophorum cespitosum may form sedge lawns on the raised plateau. The system may also occur as "blanket bogs" over a sloping rocky substrate in extreme maritime settings; here, dwarf-shrubs and Sphagnum are the dominant cover. Species characteristic of this maritime setting include Empetrum nigrum and Rubus chamaemorus. Typical bog heaths such as Gaylussacia dumosa, Gaylussacia baccata, Kalmia angustifolia, Kalmia polifolia, and Ledum groenlandicum are also present. Betula michauxii may also be common. Morphological characteristics and certain coastal species distinguish these from more inland acidic peatlands.
Further south in the sub-boreal region, two major physiognomic types occur: first, the ericaceous dwarf-shrub bog, often dominated by Chamaedaphne calyculata, sometimes with distinctive southern and coastal elements such as Gaylussacia dumosa, Ilex glabra, and Morella pensylvanica, and with other constant and dominant species, including Kalmia angustifolia (east), Kalmia polifolia (north),and Ledum groenlandicum (north); and second, a tall-shrub peat thicket dominated by deciduous ericaceous shrubs, especially Vaccinium corymbosum (Ilex verticillata and Cephalanthus occidentalis can dominate on shallower peat and the moat along the bog border), and wet peatland margins. Graminoids such as Carex oligosperma, Carex magellanica ssp. irrigua (= Carex paupercula), Eriophorum angustifolium (north and midwest), Eriophorum virginicum (throughout and southward), and Eriophorum vaginatum are common in the herb layer. Some peatlands may have a sparse tree layer (<10% cover) or stunted (<2 m) stems of Larix laricina, Picea mariana, or Acer rubrum. Somewhat richer sites may include Myrica gale and Dulichium arundinaceum (Damman and French 1987). Distinctive southern shrubs present include Alnus serrulata, Clethra alnifolia, Gaylussacia frondosa, Lyonia ligustrina, Rhododendron periclymenoides (= Rhododendron nudiflorum), Rhododendron viscosum, and Toxicodendron vernix (= Rhus vernix). Diagnostic southern herbs include Woodwardia virginica. More northern (but not boreal) shrubs include Alnus incana ssp. rugosa (= Alnus rugosa), Alnus viridis (along coast), Ilex mucronata (= Nemopanthus mucronatus), and Viburnum nudum var. cassinoides (Damman and French 1987).
Dynamics: In boreal wetlands the general successional trend is sometimes portrayed as proceeding from marsh to fen to treed bog. Although often true (Klinger and Short 1996), succession is not necessarily directional, and environmental conditions, such as nutrient content and abundance of groundwater, may prevent fens from developing into bogs (Zoltai et al. 1988). Succession can begin in shallow ponds or low-lying wetlands formed by processes such as glacial recession and floodplain dynamics (oxbows) or thermokarst. An organic root mat typically develops and is either anchored to the mineral soil or floating on water such as a pond''s edge. Over time, peat-forming mosses and sedges may fill in the basin. As the peat layer develops, low and/or dwarf-shrubs become established. Dwarf-trees may establish on the well-developed peat and also around the margin of the peatland.
Many researchers have reported fire as a significant part of the disturbance regime of bogs (Dean and Coburn 1927, Gates 1942, Curtis 1959). The role of fire disturbance in acidic peatlands needs review.
Beaver, through their dam-building activities, can cause substantial hydrologic change to peatland systems, either causing flooding or the lowering of the water table, depending on the location of the peatland in relation to the dam (Gates 1942, Curtis 1959, Heinselman 1963, Jeglum 1975, Futyma and Miller 1986, cited in Kost et al. 2007).
Many peatlands on the Kenai Lowland formed in kettles after remnant glacial ice melted. In this region there is a trend toward peatlands drying and ponds shrinking and filling in. Permafrost degradation leading to collapse scars and thaw ponds is common in boreal Alaska, and studies from the Tanana Flats show areas of widespread degradation. Thaw ponds form when ice-rich permafrost degrades and collapses forming a basin. Aquatic plants rapidly colonize the pond. Over time, marsh plants and sphagnum mosses invade creating peatland conditions. This trend is leading to widespread ecosystem conversion in the Tanana Flats (Jorgenson et al. 2001b). If a collapse scar is isolated, succession follows a bog development model, whereas in an open hydrologic setting, succession follows a fen development model. Pond systems may become connected as adjacent permafrost thaws.
Many researchers have reported fire as a significant part of the disturbance regime of bogs (Dean and Coburn 1927, Gates 1942, Curtis 1959). The role of fire disturbance in acidic peatlands needs review.
Beaver, through their dam-building activities, can cause substantial hydrologic change to peatland systems, either causing flooding or the lowering of the water table, depending on the location of the peatland in relation to the dam (Gates 1942, Curtis 1959, Heinselman 1963, Jeglum 1975, Futyma and Miller 1986, cited in Kost et al. 2007).
Many peatlands on the Kenai Lowland formed in kettles after remnant glacial ice melted. In this region there is a trend toward peatlands drying and ponds shrinking and filling in. Permafrost degradation leading to collapse scars and thaw ponds is common in boreal Alaska, and studies from the Tanana Flats show areas of widespread degradation. Thaw ponds form when ice-rich permafrost degrades and collapses forming a basin. Aquatic plants rapidly colonize the pond. Over time, marsh plants and sphagnum mosses invade creating peatland conditions. This trend is leading to widespread ecosystem conversion in the Tanana Flats (Jorgenson et al. 2001b). If a collapse scar is isolated, succession follows a bog development model, whereas in an open hydrologic setting, succession follows a fen development model. Pond systems may become connected as adjacent permafrost thaws.
Environmental Description: Sites are generally hummocky with gently to more steeply (up to 8°) sloping terrain. Peatlands form where the rate of peat accumulation exceeds its decomposition, resulting in ombrotrophic and acidic peatlands in which the bog surface may be raised above the water table. Sites are found in depressions, on acidic seepage slopes, with either ombrotrophic or weakly minerotrophic groundwater. They occur in a variety of landforms, including peat bog-lake systems (lake-fill bogs, moat bogs, and pond border bogs), perched water-peatland systems in valleys and depressions, peat bog-stream systems, and ombrogenous peatland systems, including raised bogs (Damman and French 1987). Permafrost is only present in boreal Alaska and northern Canada, where it may form permafrost plateaus (Camill 1999). Where permafrost is present, thermokarst pools may result in roughly circular open pools with floating carpets of Sphagnum riparium and Sphagnum jensenii, with low Sphagnum angustifolium mounds in shallow spots (Horton et al. 1979, L. Allen pers. comm. 2014).
Acidic peatlands found in kettle depressions are associated with active or extinct glacial lakes. Within kettle depressions, the "kettle bogs" can occupy the entire basin or frequently occur as a mat (floating or grounded) on the margin of the remaining glacial lake. When bogs and poor fens occur along the edge of large bodies of water, they are found in sheltered bays or coves that are protected from wave and ice action, which can prevent the development of peat or erode existing peat mats. Those occurring on former glacial lakebeds and drainageways tend to be more extensive than kettle bogs, which are limited in area by the size of the glacial ice-block that formed the basin (Kost et al. 2007).
In the northeastern United States, true bogs may reach their core southern limit in Maine and extreme northern New Hampshire and Vermont (Damman and French 1987, figure 3), though isolated occurrences are possible southward, including in New York. Southward poor fens are found in areas where glacial stagnation left coarse deposits and glacial depressions (many are "kettleholes"). The basins are generally closed, i.e., without inlets or outlets of surface water, and typically small in area. The nutrient-poor substrate and the reduced throughflow of water create oligotrophic conditions fostering the development of Sphagnum peat and the growth of peatland vegetation. These acidic peatlands occur in a variety of landforms, including peat bog-lake systems (lake-fill bogs, moat bogs, and pond border bogs), perched water-peatland systems in valleys and depressions, and more rarely peat bog-stream systems.
In the Rocky Mountains, fens are wetlands that develop where a relatively constant supply of groundwater maintains saturated conditions and the water chemistry reflects the mineralogy of the local soils and geological materials (Bedford and Godwin 2003). Organic soil of partially decomposed peat has a minimum depth of 40 cm (although some authors use 30-cm depth criteria). Acidic fens arise either because the groundwater accounts for only a small fraction of the annual water budget or because groundwater inputs move through materials with low solubility and are non-calcareous (e.g., basalt gneiss, granite) or have low buffering capacity (e.g., sand, quartz) (Bedford and Godwin 2003).
Acidic peatlands found in kettle depressions are associated with active or extinct glacial lakes. Within kettle depressions, the "kettle bogs" can occupy the entire basin or frequently occur as a mat (floating or grounded) on the margin of the remaining glacial lake. When bogs and poor fens occur along the edge of large bodies of water, they are found in sheltered bays or coves that are protected from wave and ice action, which can prevent the development of peat or erode existing peat mats. Those occurring on former glacial lakebeds and drainageways tend to be more extensive than kettle bogs, which are limited in area by the size of the glacial ice-block that formed the basin (Kost et al. 2007).
In the northeastern United States, true bogs may reach their core southern limit in Maine and extreme northern New Hampshire and Vermont (Damman and French 1987, figure 3), though isolated occurrences are possible southward, including in New York. Southward poor fens are found in areas where glacial stagnation left coarse deposits and glacial depressions (many are "kettleholes"). The basins are generally closed, i.e., without inlets or outlets of surface water, and typically small in area. The nutrient-poor substrate and the reduced throughflow of water create oligotrophic conditions fostering the development of Sphagnum peat and the growth of peatland vegetation. These acidic peatlands occur in a variety of landforms, including peat bog-lake systems (lake-fill bogs, moat bogs, and pond border bogs), perched water-peatland systems in valleys and depressions, and more rarely peat bog-stream systems.
In the Rocky Mountains, fens are wetlands that develop where a relatively constant supply of groundwater maintains saturated conditions and the water chemistry reflects the mineralogy of the local soils and geological materials (Bedford and Godwin 2003). Organic soil of partially decomposed peat has a minimum depth of 40 cm (although some authors use 30-cm depth criteria). Acidic fens arise either because the groundwater accounts for only a small fraction of the annual water budget or because groundwater inputs move through materials with low solubility and are non-calcareous (e.g., basalt gneiss, granite) or have low buffering capacity (e.g., sand, quartz) (Bedford and Godwin 2003).
Geographic Range: This macrogroup extends across the western boreal regions of North America, extending south into subboreal regions of the Pacific Maritime and Rocky Mountain divisions. In the east, it extends across the boreal regions of central and eastern Canada and southward into adjacent subboreal and cold temperate regions of Canada and northeast and north-central United States. It occurs infrequently throughout the mountains of the Interior West, the Sky Islands of Arizona and high mountains and plateaus of Nevada and Utah, and the Rocky Mountains of Utah, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, and north into interior Canada, where it is known from interior (non-coastal) British Columbia, Alberta and Alaska. It is associated with the glacial terminus or stagnation zones, and interior from the Atlantic Coastal Plain. Maritime examples occur near the coast from eastern Maine (Mount Desert Island) eastward into the Canadian Maritimes and the coast of Labrador. Subboreal acidic peatlands are found in lower New England and southern New York, south to Pennsylvania, New Jersey and high montane regions of West Virginia, and westward to extreme southern Ontario, northern Ohio, northern Indiana and Illinois, Michigan and Wisconsin.
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: AB, AK, BC, CO, CT, ID, IL, IN, MA, MB, ME, MI, MN, MT, NB, NH, NJ, NS, NT, NY, OH, ON, OR, PA, PE?, QC, RI, SK, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY, YT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.907535
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 2 Shrub & Herb Vegetation Class | C02 | 2 |
| Subclass | 2.C Shrub & Herb Wetland Subclass | S44 | 2.C |
| Formation | 2.C.2 Temperate to Polar Bog & Fen Formation | F016 | 2.C.2 |
| Division | 2.C.2.Na North American Bog & Fen Division | D029 | 2.C.2.Na |
| Macrogroup | 2.C.2.Na.1 Leatherleaf - Small Cranberry - Few-seed Sedge Bog & Acidic Fen Macrogroup | M876 | 2.C.2.Na.1 |
| Group | 2.C.2.Na.1.a Leatherleaf - Few-seed Sedge - Bog Laurel Boreal Bog & Acidic Fen Group | G748 | 2.C.2.Na.1.a |
| Group | 2.C.2.Na.1.c Water Sedge - Woolly-fruit Sedge - Peatmoss species Rocky Mountain Acidic Fen Group | G515 | 2.C.2.Na.1.c |
| Group | 2.C.2.Na.1.d Black Spruce / Bog Labrador-tea / Northland Cottonsedge Boreal Bog & Acidic Fen Group | G360 | 2.C.2.Na.1.d |
| Group | 2.C.2.Na.1.e Chamaedaphne - Dwarf Huckleberry / Walter''s Sedge Bog & Fen Group | G1171 | 2.C.2.Na.1.e |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Bog Wetland Class (National Wetlands Working Group 1988)
= Bog and Poor Fen (Kost et al. 2007)
= Bog and Poor Fen (Cohen et al. 2015)
< Peatlands (Mitsch and Gosselink 2000)
= Bog and Poor Fen (Kost et al. 2007)
= Bog and Poor Fen (Cohen et al. 2015)
< Peatlands (Mitsch and Gosselink 2000)
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