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G809 Ontario-Québec Boreal Flooded & Rich Swamp Forest Group
Type Concept Sentence: These floodplain forests are found in parts of the eastern boreal regions of Canada, extending to the extreme northern portions of the eastern U.S.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Ontario-Québec Boreal Flooded & Rich Swamp Forest Group
Colloquial Name: Ontario-Québec Boreal Flooded & Rich Swamp Forest
Hierarchy Level: Group
Type Concept: This is a moderately to richly minerotrophic forested peatland or floodplain type found across the eastern boreal regions of Canada, extending southward to the most northern Great Lakes region and most northern parts of the glaciated northeastern United States. Stands are typically found in glacial lakeplains, poorly drained basins, and kettleholes, with level, wet, poorly drained organic soils, and a shallow to thick layer of moderately decomposed peat. The pH typically exceeds 5.5. Trees form a partial to full cover over most or all of the peatland. Dominant trees include Picea mariana, Abies balsamea, Larix laricina, Betula papyrifera, and, less commonly, Picea glauca and Thuja occidentalis, either solely or in combination. On nutrient-rich flooded sites with primarily mineral soils and where water tables draw down during the growing season, broad-leaved deciduous trees often dominate. Populus balsamifera, Populus tremuloides, Betula papyrifera, and Picea glauca are common across all regions. In Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, Acer negundo may also be an important constituent. East of the Manitoba-Ontario border, Fraxinus nigra, Thuja occidentalis, and Abies balsamea are prevalent. Tall shrubs, especially Alnus incana and regenerating tree species, may form an open to dense, almost impenetrable layer. Other tall shrubs include Acer spicatum, Cornus sericea, Sorbus americana, Sorbus decora, Salix spp., Ilex mucronata, and Viburnum nudum var. cassinoides (in Quebec). Low shrubs and herbs are common in the understory. A sparse to moderately well-developed low-shrub layer contains ericaceous species such as Ledum groenlandicum, Gaultheria hispidula, Vaccinium angustifolium, and Vaccinium myrtilloides, but also includes minerotrophic species, such as Lonicera canadensis and Ribes spp., as well as Linnaea borealis. The diverse herb layer includes the sedges Carex disperma, Carex leptalea, Carex trisperma, and the forbs Clintonia borealis, Coptis trifolia, Cornus canadensis, Equisetum spp., Lycopodium annotinum, Maianthemum canadense, Maianthemum trifolium, Oxalis montana, Rubus pubescens, and Trientalis borealis. Fern species, including Osmunda cinnamomea, Osmunda claytoniana, Gymnocarpium dryopteris, and Dryopteris spp., can be abundant in richer stands. Mosses range from partial mats of sphagnum (especially Sphagnum fuscum, Sphagnum girgensohnii, Sphagnum magellanicum) and feathermosses (Hylocomium splendens, Pleurozium schreberi, and Ptilium crista-castrensis), especially on hummocks, to brown moss species, especially in hollows.
Diagnostic Characteristics: This type is distinguished by the poorly drained, more alkaline (intermediate to rich) conditions with a shallow to deep layer of peat (20+ cm) in combination with a mix of sphagnum, feathermosses and brown mosses, occasional dense thickets of Alnus incana, and partial to closed canopy dominated by Picea mariana, Abies balsamea, Larix laricina, and Betula papyrifera. The role of Thuja occidentalis is under review. On nutrient-rich flooded sites, Populus balsamifera, Populus tremuloides, Betula papyrifera, and Picea glauca are common across all regions. In Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, Acer negundo may also be an important constituent. East of the Manitoba-Ontario border, Fraxinus nigra, Thuja occidentalis, and Abies balsamea are prevalent.
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). The concept of this group includes boreal conifer swamps that may occur in limited parts of the Laurentian-Acadian region, especially in Minnesota and Maine. Although this is a rich swamp and floodplain type, its boreal characteristics appear to make it more acidic than ~Laurentian-Acadian Alkaline Swamp Group (G046)$$, and thus somewhat similar to ~Laurentian-Acadian Acidic Swamp Group (G045)$$. It is not clear whether northern examples of Thuja occidentalis swamps belong here (especially ~Thuja occidentalis - (Picea mariana, Abies balsamea) / Alnus incana Swamp Forest (CEGL002456)$$), but for now they are placed in ~Laurentian-Acadian Alkaline Swamp Group (G046)$$. That type is found in the central and southern parts of the Laurentian-Acadian region and may overlap this group, including in northern and central Minnesota, central and southern Ontario, and southern Quebec. That group more often contains northern hardwood and conifer species, such as Acer rubrum, Betula alleghaniensis, Fraxinus nigra, and Tsuga canadensis, along with diagnostic shrubs, such as Ilex verticillata, Vaccinium corymbosum, and Aronia melanocarpa. Thuja occidentalis and, more rarely, Larix laricina may also be found, along with Picea rubens. ~Ontario-Québec Boreal Black Spruce Poor Swamp Group (G806)$$ overlaps in concept with this type, but lacks the minerotrophic indicators and often has a very continuous layer of sphagnum.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: Trees form partial to full cover over most or all of the peatland. Tall shrubs may form an open to thick, almost impenetrable layer. A sparse to moderately well-developed low-shrub layer contains both ericaceous and non-ericaceous shrubs. A wide diversity of herbs are present. Mosses range from partial mats of Sphagnum spp. and feathermosses (especially Pleurozium schreberi), particularly on hummocks, to brown moss species, especially in hollows.
Floristics: Trees form a partial to full cover over most or all of the peatland. Dominant trees include Abies balsamea, Picea mariana, Larix laricina, Betula papyrifera, and, less commonly, Picea glauca, either solely or in combination. On nutrient-rich flooded sites with primarily mineral soils and where water tables draw down during the growing season, broad-leaved deciduous trees often dominate. Populus balsamifera, Populus tremuloides, Betula papyrifera, and Picea glauca are common across all regions. In Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, Acer negundo may also be an important constituent. East of the Manitoba-Ontario border, Fraxinus nigra, Thuja occidentalis, and Abies balsamea are prevalent. Tall shrubs, especially Alnus incana, may form an open to thick, almost impenetrable layer. Other tall shrubs include Acer spicatum, Cornus sericea, Sorbus americana, Sorbus decora, Salix spp., Ilex mucronata (= Nemopanthus mucronatus), and Viburnum nudum var. cassinoides. Low shrubs and herbs are common in the understory. A sparse to moderately well-developed low-shrub layer contains ericaceous species such as Ledum groenlandicum, Gaultheria hispidula, Vaccinium angustifolium, and Vaccinium myrtilloides, but also includes minerotrophic species, such as Lonicera canadensis and Ribes spp., as well as Linnaea borealis. The diverse herb layer includes the sedges Carex disperma, Carex leptalea, Carex trisperma, and the forbs Clintonia borealis, Cornus canadensis, Equisetum spp., Coptis trifolia, Lycopodium annotinum, Maianthemum canadense, Maianthemum trifolium, Oxalis montana, Rubus pubescens, and Trientalis borealis. Fern species can be abundant in richer stands. Mosses range from partial mats of sphagnum (especially Sphagnum fuscum, Sphagnum girgensohnii, Sphagnum magellanicum) and feathermosses (Hylocomium splendens, Pleurozium schreberi, and Ptilium crista-castrensis), especially on hummocks, to brown moss species, especially in hollows.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: Stands are intermediate to rich in minerals and moderate to high pH. The pH typically exceeds 5.5 (Minnesota DNR 2003). Stands are typically found in glacial lakeplains, poorly drained basins, and kettleholes, with level, wet, poorly drained organic soils, and a shallow to thick layer of peat. The peat is moderately decomposed (hemic). During high water levels, pools may form on the peat surface, but undulating topography and low hummocks at the base of trees provide substrates that remain dry and aerated enough to support trees and shrubs (Minnesota DNR 2003).
Geographic Range: This group is found in eastern Canada (excluding Atlantic 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, Wisconsin and Michigan). Separation of an Atlantic boreal region type is under review.
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: LB, MB, ME, MI, MN, NB, NF, NH, NS, NY, ON, PE?, QC, VT, WI
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.948696
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.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 | A3828 Black Spruce - Tamarack / Gray Alder Swamp Forest Alliance | A3828 | 1.B.5.Na.2.b |
| Alliance | A3829 Black Spruce - Balsam Fir / Cinnamon Fern Swamp Forest Alliance | A3829 | 1.B.5.Na.2.b |
| Alliance | A3888 Balsam Poplar - Black Ash Boreal Floodplain Forest Alliance | A3888 | 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: = Fpn Northern Forest Rich Peatland System (Minnesota DNR 2003)
- 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]
- 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.