Name:
Picea mariana - Picea rubens / Pleurozium schreberi Forest
Reference:
Eastern Ecology Working Group of...
Description:
This closed-canopy spruce-fir forest occurs in northern New England on imperfectly drained flats or stream drainages, often where cold air accumulates. This association is typically found along streams, swamp borders, low flats alongside lakes, or adjacent to boreal heathlands. Soils are acidic silts, loams, or sandy loams and imperfectly drained. In most settings they are seasonally wet; some may remain saturated. Only rarely are they peaty. The canopy is generally closed, but blowdown gaps are common. The dominant understory feature is the extensive bryoid layer. Shrubs are sparse, except in gaps. Herbs are well represented although rarely dense. The canopy is dominated by some combination of Picea rubens, Picea mariana, and Abies balsamea. Associates include Betula alleghaniensis, Abies balsamea, Acer rubrum, or Thuja occidentalis. In the southern portion of this type's range, Tsuga canadensis and Prunus serotina may be present in the canopy. Characteristic shrubs include Viburnum nudum var. cassinoides (= Viburnum cassinoides), Kalmia angustifolia, Amelanchier bartramiana, Vaccinium angustifolium, and Vaccinium myrtilloides. The herbaceous layer is characterized by Osmunda cinnamomea, Osmunda claytoniana, Gaultheria hispidula, Maianthemum canadense, Cornus canadensis, Coptis trifolia, Clintonia borealis, and Dalibarda repens. A well-developed bryophyte layer is characteristic of this association and includes Pleurozium schreberi, Hylocomium splendens, Ptilium crista-castrensis, Bazzania trilobata, and species of Sphagnum.
Accession Code:
VB.CC.25086.PICEAMARIANAPIC
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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