Name:
NY Heritage: Dwarf shrub bog
Reference:
Ecological Communities of New York, 2nd Ed.
Description:
An ombrotrophic or weakly minerotrophic peatland dominated by low-growing, evergreen, ericaceous shrubs and peat mosses (Sphagnum spp.). The surface of the peatland is typically a mosaic of hummock/hollow microtopography. The hummocks tend to have a higher abundance of shrubs than the hollows; however, these bogs have more than 50% cover of low-growing shrubs. Water is usually nutrient-poor and acidic.
The dominant shrub is often leatherleaf (Chamaedaphne calyculata), which may have more than 50% cover. Shrubs are typically taller than the herb layer which is usually graminoid, and generally the shrub heights are 1 m or less. Other prominent shrubs and herbs are sheep laurel (Kalmia angustifolia), bog laurel (K. polifolia), Labrador tea (Rhododendron groenlandicum), cranberry (Vaccinium oxycoccos, V. macrocarpon), the sedge Carex trisperma, and tawny cottongrass (Eriophorum virginicum).
Other characteristic, but less common plants are round-leaf sundew (Drosera rotundifolia), pitcher plant (Sarracenia purpurea), bog rosemary (Andromeda glaucophylla), huckleberry (Gaylussacia baccata), black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa), highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum), water-willow (Decodon verticillatus), meadow sweet (Spiraea alba var. latifolia, S. tomentosa), marsh St. John's-wort (Triadenum virginicum), and the sedges Carex canescens, C. pauciflora, and Rhynchospora alba. Scattered stunted trees may be present, including black spruce (Picea mariana), tamarack (Larix laricina), and red maple (Acer rubrum).
Characteristic peat mosses that form a nearly continuous carpet under the shrubs include Sphagnum magellanicum, S. rubellum, S. fallax, S. fuscum, S. papillosum, and S. angustifolium.
Characteristic animals include common yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas), song sparrow (Melospiza melodia), savannah sparrow (Passerculus sandwichensis), masked shrew (Sorex cinereus), meadow jumping mouse (Zapus hudsonius), southern bog lemming (Synaptomys cooperi), and wood frog (Rana sylvatica).
A dwarf shrub bog may form a floating mat around a bog lake or along the banks of an oligotrophic stream; it may also occur as a large or small mat completely filling a basin. A dwarf shrub bog may grade into a highbush blueberry bog thicket, inland poor fen, or a black spruce-tamarack bog.
Accession Code:
VB.CC.28603.NYHERITAGEDWARF
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
10
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