Name:
Thuja occidentalis - Abies balsamea / Ledum groenlandicum / Carex trisperma Woodland
Reference:
Eastern Ecology Working Group of...
Description:
These are northern white-cedar bog woodlands of basin peatlands in the northern Appalachian Mountains. They occur on shallow to deep peat in depressional wetlands in glacial till. The open canopy, usually under 60% closure, allows for development of fairly extensive dwarf-shrub and/or herbaceous layers. Tall shrubs are generally sparse, although they may be locally abundant. The bryoid layer is continuous. The partial canopy is dominated by Thuja occidentalis, in association with Picea mariana, Larix laricina, Abies balsamea, and Acer rubrum. The subcanopy contains a similar species array. The tall-shrub layer is characterized by Alnus incana, Ilex verticillata, and Viburnum nudum. Dwarf-shrubs typically include Vaccinium angustifolium, Kalmia angustifolia, and Gaylussacia baccata. Morella pensylvanica (= Myrica pensylvanica) is an associate at some coastal sites. The herbaceous layer includes Maianthemum trifolium, Carex trisperma, Carex stricta, Calamagrostis canadensis, Osmunda cinnamomea, Coptis trifolia, Onoclea sensibilis, and Osmunda regalis. The bryophyte layer is well-developed and characterized by Sphagnum magellanicum, Sphagnum girgensohnii, Sphagnum papillosum, Sphagnum wulfianum, Sphagnum capillifolium, Sphagnum recurvum, Sphagnum compactum, Sphagnum flavicomans, and Pleurozium schreberi. This association differs from northern white-cedar swamps, e.g., Thuja occidentalis / Sphagnum (girgensohnii, warnstorfii) Forest (CEGL006007), in its more open canopy and (typically) association with open peatlands; it also usually occurs on deeper peats than do the closed-canopy northern white-cedar swamps. These woodlands can grade into open fen vegetation with widely scattered Thuja.
Accession Code:
VB.CC.24222.THUJAOCCIDENTAL
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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