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G806 Picea mariana Ontario-Québec Boreal Poor Swamp Group
Type Concept Sentence: This is a forested acidic (poor to intermediate swamp) peatland found across the eastern boreal (and subboreal) regions of Canada, extending southward to the northern Great Lakes region and parts of the northeastern United States.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Black Spruce Ontario-Québec Boreal Poor Swamp Group
Colloquial Name: Ontario-Québec Boreal Black Spruce Poor Swamp
Hierarchy Level: Group
Type Concept: This is a poor acidic forested peatland (poor to intermediate swamp) found across the eastern boreal and subboreal regions of Canada, extending southward to the northern Great Lakes region and parts of the northeastern United States. The group is primarily moderately to weakly minerotrophic (similar to poor fen), and even approaching ombrotrophic (bog) conditions. They are typically found in poorly drained basins or kettleholes, with level, wet, poorly drained organic soils, and a shallow to thick layer of peat that reduces contact with groundwater. Trees form a partial to full cover over most or all of the peatland. Stunted to well-developed Picea mariana is the dominant canopy species. Other common trees include Larix laricina, Abies balsamea, and Pinus banksiana. Heaths and sedges are common in the understory. A sparse to moderately well-developed low-shrub layer contains mostly ericaceous species such as Chamaedaphne calyculata, Ledum groenlandicum, Gaultheria hispidula, Vaccinium spp., and Kalmia spp. Mosses commonly include Sphagnum spp., Pleurozium schreberi, and Dicranum polysetum.
Diagnostic Characteristics: This type is distinguished by the poorly drained, acidic environmental conditions with a shallow to deep layer of peat (20+ cm) in combination with a dense sphagnum mat, an open to dense ericaceous shrub layer, and partial to closed canopy dominated by tree-size (>6 m height) Picea mariana.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: The concept for this group was developed by the CNVC Technical Committee (Ken Baldwin, chair), and a full description of the type is available on their website (cnvc-cnvc.ca). ~Eastern North American Boreal Bog & Acidic Fen Group (G748)$$ with tree and open bogs and poor fens) is associated with this group in peatland areas where flat to raised peats create stronger ombrotrophic conditions, but has trees >5-10 height m with <10% cover. ~Ontario-Québec Boreal Flooded & Rich Swamp Forest Group (G809)$$ has stronger minerotrophic influence, with pH typically >5.5. ~Laurentian-Acadian Alkaline Swamp Group (G046)$$ is found in the Laurentian-Acadian region and may overlap this group, including in northern Minnesota, central Ontario, and Quebec, but it is distinguished by a suite of northern temperate species, including Acer rubrum, Betula alleghaniensis, and Tsuga canadensis, along with diagnostic shrubs, such as Ilex verticillata, Ilex mucronata, Viburnum nudum var. cassinoides, Vaccinium corymbosum, and Aronia melanocarpa. Thuja occidentalis and Picea rubens are other more typical northern temperate conifers.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: Partially to closed-canopy forests typify this group. Subcanopy, shrub, and herb layers vary in density and species richness, but a moderately well- to well-developed heath layer and dense sphagnum mat is common. Shallow to deep peat occurs on the majority of sites.
Floristics: Stunted to well-developed Picea mariana is the dominant canopy species. Other common trees include Larix laricina, Abies balsamea, and Pinus banksiana. The tall-shrub layer is typically sparse to absent, and where present may include Alnus incana, in addition to saplings of the dominant tree species. Heaths and sedges are common in the understory. A sparse to moderately well-developed low-shrub layer contains mostly ericaceous species such as Chamaedaphne calyculata, Ledum groenlandicum, Gaultheria hispidula, Vaccinium angustifolium, Vaccinium myrtilloides, Vaccinium oxycoccos, Kalmia angustifolia, and Kalmia polifolia. Herbs are typically sparse but can be dense in some examples. Common herbaceous species include Maianthemum trifolium, Cornus canadensis, Carex trisperma, Carex disperma, and Rubus chamaemorus. There is a strong sphagnum layer, including Sphagnum angustifolium, Sphagnum capillifolium, Sphagnum fuscum, Sphagnum girgensohnii, and Sphagnum magellanicum. Other mosses include Pleurozium schreberi and Dicranum polysetum. The lichen Cladonia rangiferina (= Cladina rangiferina) can also be common on the upper dry part of the sphagnum mat.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This group occurs on level, wet sites with organic soils or in kettlehole basins and other types of depressions. Sites are intermediate to acidic and typically poorly to very poorly drained. Peat accumulation ranges from shallow to very deep. Climate: Boreal to cool temperate(hemi-boreal). Soil/substrate/hydrology: Poorly to very poorly drained organic, acidic to intermediate soils typify this group.
Geographic Range: This boreal poor swamp peatland group is found in eastern Canada, extending into the most northern parts of northern New England (Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and parts of New York) and the Great Lakes region (particularly in northern Minnesota and possibly Wisconsin and Michigan).
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: MB, ME, MI, MN, NB, NF, NH, NS, NY, ON, PE?, QC, VT, WI
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.948589
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.1 North American Boreal Conifer Poor Swamp Macrogroup | M299 | 1.B.5.Na.1 |
| Group | 1.B.5.Na.1.c Black Spruce Ontario-Québec Boreal Poor Swamp Group | G806 | 1.B.5.Na.1.c |
| Alliance | A0197 Black Spruce - Tamarack / Peatmoss species Poor Swamp Forest Alliance | A0197 | 1.B.5.Na.1.c |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: > Black Spruce Bog Type [APn80a] (Minnesota DNR 2003)
>< Muskeg (Kost et al. 2007)
> Northern Poor Conifer Swamp Class [APn81] (Minnesota DNR 2003)
>< Poor Conifer Swamp (Kost et al. 2007)
>< Muskeg (Kost et al. 2007)
> Northern Poor Conifer Swamp Class [APn81] (Minnesota DNR 2003)
>< Poor Conifer Swamp (Kost et al. 2007)
- 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]
- Glaser, P., and J. A. Janssens. 1986. Raised bogs in eastern North America; transitions in surface patterns and stratigraphy. Canadian Journal of Botany 64:395-415.
- Harris, A. G., S. C. McMurray, P. W. C. Uhlig, J. K. Jeglum, R. F. Foster, and G. D. Racey. 1996. Field guide to the wetland ecosystem classification for northwestern Ontario. Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, Northwest Science and Technology, Thunder Bay, Ontario. Field guide FG-01. 74 pp. plus appendix.
- Kost, M. A., D. A. Albert, J. G. Cohen, B. S. Slaughter, R. K. Schillo, C. R. Weber, and K. A. Chapman. 2007. Natural communities of Michigan: Classification and description. Report No. 2007-21, Michigan Natural Features Inventory, Lansing. 314 pp. [http://web4.msue.msu.edu/mnfi/reports/2007-21_Natural_Communites_of_Michigan_Classification_and_Description.pdf]
- Minnesota DNR [Minnesota Department of Natural Resources]. 2003. Field guide to the native plant communities of Minnesota: The Laurentian Mixed Forest Province. Ecological Land Classification Program, Minnesota County Biological Survey, and Natural Heritage and Nongame Research Program. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, St. Paul.