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Picea mariana / Ledum groenlandicum - Empetrum nigrum / Cladina spp. Dwarf-shrubland | Eastern Ecology Working Group of...
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Name: Picea mariana / Ledum groenlandicum - Empetrum nigrum / Cladina spp. Dwarf-shrubland Reference: Eastern Ecology Working Group of... Description: This boreal heathland community develops at the base of some talus slopes in the northeastern United States and (possibly) adjacent Canada. Cold air draining to the base of the slope allows ice to persist in crevices through most of the growing season, even at these moderate elevations (700-2200 feet). This creates a cold microclimate, and the vegetation features many species with affinities to boreal or higher-elevation settings. As with talus slopes in general, soil development is extremely limited, although in this type there may be some patches of peaty soils developing among the boulders. The vegetation is predominantly dwarf-shrubs and stunted shrub-like conifers, in patches among the talus, with a scattered and broken tree canopy. Herbs are sparse. The bryoid layer is typically very well-developed, with mats of reindeer lichens undulating across the talus and higher bryophyte cover than in other talus settings. The scattered trees are typically Picea mariana, Picea rubens, and Betula papyrifera. Abies balsamea and (in relatively southern examples) Tsuga canadensis are occasional. Sorbus americana or Sorbus decora may occur as scattered shrubs. Dwarf-shrubs characteristically include Ledum groenlandicum, Gaultheria hispidula, Vaccinium angustifolium, Vaccinium myrtilloides, Vaccinium vitis-idaea, Kalmia angustifolia, and, in the more northerly occurrences, Vaccinium uliginosum and Empetrum nigrum. Herbs may include Polypodium virginianum and/or Polypodium appalachianum and Mitella nuda. Typical bryoids are Cladina spp., Cladonia spp., Hylocomium splendens, Pleurozium schreberi, Sphagnum capillifolium, Polytrichum strictum, and Bazzania trilobata. The combination of setting and flora make this type distinctive.  Accession Code: VB.CC.24102.PICEAMARIANALED Plot-observations of this Community Concept: 0
	Party Perspective according to: NatureServe (organization) Perspective from: 26-Nov-1997 to: 17-Nov-2014
	status: accepted Community's Parent: Kalmia angustifolia - Ledum groenlandicum Dwarf-shrubland Alliance This Community's Level: Association This Community's Children: [none]		Names:   Translated: Black Spruce / Labrador-tea - Black Crowberry / Reindeer Lichen species Dwarf-shrubland   UID: ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.688259 NatureServe Explorer   Code: CEGL006268   Scientific: Picea mariana / Ledum groenlandicum - Empetrum nigrum / Cladina spp. Dwarf-shrubland   Common: Cold Air Talus Heathland (convergence) and Synonyms: (undetermined) Picea mariana / Ledum groenlandicum - Empetrum nigrum / Cladina spp. Dwarf-shrubland