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A.585 | EcoArt 2002
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Name: A.585
Reference: EcoArt 2002
Description: This alliance is found in the Great Lakes and northeastern parts of the United States and throughout the boreal region in Canada. Tree canopy cover is variable but generally exceeds 25%. Stunted ~Picea mariana$ trees (<10 m tall) dominate the canopy, which may also include scattered ~Larix laricina$. The dwarf-shrub layer is dominated by ericaceous species, such as ~Ledum groenlandicum, Chamaedaphne calyculata, Andromeda polifolia var. glaucophylla (= Andromeda glaucophylla)$, and ~Kalmia polifolia$. Herbaceous species include ~Carex trisperma$ and ~Eriophorum vaginatum$. ~Sphagnum$ mosses (usually ~Sphagnum fuscum, Sphagnum angustifolium$, and ~Sphagnum magellanicum$) cover the ground layer, with scattered feathermosses ~Pleurozium schreberi, Dicranum undulatum$, and ~Polytrichum strictum$. Species considered diagnostic for this alliance in northern Minnesota and Ontario, when compared to the ~~Chamaedaphne calyculata$ Saturated Dwarf-shrubland Alliance (A.1092)$$, include ~Vaccinium vitis-idaea, Gaultheria hispidula, Maianthemum trifolium$, and ~Carex trisperma$, but this needs rangewide review. ^This alliance is best developed on the crests and upper slopes of raised bogs within bog complexes, but is also found in basin bogs and occasionally on shores (but isolated from groundwater contact). Here, sphagnum mosses can prevent most tree reproduction except that of ~Picea mariana$ and ~Larix laricina$, which can reproduce by layering. The substrate consists of deep, fibric peat. 
Accession Code: VB.CC.2229.A585
Plot-observations of this Community Concept: 0
      Party Perspective according to: NatureServe (organization)
Perspective from: 26-Nov-1997 to: 17-Mar-2005
     
  • status: accepted
  • Community's Parent: II.A.4.N.f
  • This Community's Level: Alliance
  • This Community's Children: [none]
Names:   Scientific: PICEA MARIANA SATURATED WOODLAND ALLIANCE
  Code: A.585
  Common: Black Spruce Saturated Woodland Alliance
(convergence) and Synonyms:
(undetermined) Picea mariana Saturated Woodland Alliance