Name:
Picea rubens - Abies balsamea / Sorbus americana Forest
Reference:
Eastern Ecology Working Group of...
Description:
These are red spruce - balsam fir forests in moist upland environments of the northern Appalachian Mountains, northern Maine, and adjacent Canada, forming the matrix forest of elevations between 2200 and 3500 feet, patchy at lower and higher elevations. They occur on well-drained, strongly podzolized, nutrient-poor, usually shallow soils in areas where high-elevation clouds and fog or other microsite conditions provide a continuously moist environment. Through much of its range in the Northeast, this forest is strictly montane; however, north of the 45th parallel it occurs in cool lower-elevation settings as well. It occurs on gentle to steep slopes, north-, east- or west-facing. These forests have mostly closed canopies, but gaps from windthrow are common and are rapidly colonized by regenerating tree species. The shrub and herb layers are variable in cover, generally sparse under closed canopies and better developed in gaps. The bryoid layer is well developed: one of the characteristic features of these forests is the lush carpet of mosses and liverworts. The moderate to low light levels, persistent snow pack and high moisture availability create favorable conditions for mosses and ferns. The canopy is dominated by Picea rubens and Abies balsamea with associates including Betula papyrifera var. cordifolia, Betula alleghaniensis, and Picea mariana. Scattered shrubs include Sorbus americana, Sorbus decora, Amelanchier bartramiana, Nemopanthus mucronatus, and Vaccinium myrtilloides. Particularly characteristic herbs are boreal/montane species such as Oxalis montana (= Oxalis acetosella), Clintonia borealis, Linnaea borealis, Coptis trifolia (= Coptis groenlandica), Huperzia lucidula, Dryopteris campyloptera, and Gaultheria hispidula. More widespread associated herbs include Trientalis borealis, Maianthemum canadense, Cornus canadensis, and the ferns Dryopteris intermedia and Phegopteris connectilis (= Thelypteris phegopteris). Bryophytes include Pleurozium schreberi, Hylocomium splendens, Bazzania trilobata, Dicranum scoparium, Hypnum curvifolium, and Ptilium crista-castrensis. These spruce-fir forests are distinguished from similar types by their montane or higher-latitude upland setting, prevalence of both red spruce and balsam fir in the canopy, and boreal herbs scattered in the lush bryoid layer.
Accession Code:
VB.CC.27628.PICEARUBENSABIE
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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