Name:
NY Heritage: Rich graminoid fen
Reference:
Ecological Communities of New York, 2nd Ed.
Description:
A strongly minerotrophic peatland in which the substrate is a predominantly graminoid peat that may or may not be underlain by marl. Rich fens are fed by waters that have high concentrations of minerals and high pH values, generally from 6.0 to 7.8. Rich graminoid fens are usually fed by water from highly calcareous springs or seepage.
The dominant species in rich graminoid fens are sedges, although grasses and rushes may be common. Shrubs may be present, but collectively they have less than 50% cover. Sphagnum is either absent or a minor component, with only the most minerotrophic species present. Other mosses, especially those requiring highly minerotrophic conditions, may be common.
Characteristic herbs include spike muhly (Muhlenbergia glomerata), swamp goldenrod (Solidago uliginosa), the sedges Carex flava, C. lasiocarpa, C. sterilis, C. aquatilis, C. prairea, and C. hystericina, bog-rush (Cladium mariscoides), grass-of-parnassus (Parnassia glauca), sundew (Drosera rotundifolia), marsh fern (Thelypteris palustris), white beakrush (Rhynchospora alba), common cat-tail (Typha latifolia), spikerush (Eleocharis rostellata), royal fern (Osmunda regalis), blue flag (Iris versicolor), and hard-stem bulrush (Scirpus acutus). Other herbs found in rich graminoid fens include alpine bulrush (Scirpus hudsonianus), flat-top white aster (Aster umbellatus), cotton-grass (Eriophorum viridi-carinatum), thoroughwort (Eupatorium perfoliatum), spotted joe-pye-weed (Eupatorium maculatum), buckbean (Menyanthes trifoliata), Ohio goldenrod (Solidago ohioensis), the sedges Carex stricta, C. buxbaumii, C. pellita, and C. leptalea, spreading goldenrod (Solidago patula), fringed brome (Bromus ciliatus), marsh St. John's wort (Triadenum virginicum), common horsetail (Equisetum arvense), marsh cinquefoil (Potentilla palustris), field mint (Mentha arvensis), arrow-grass (Triglochin maritimum), milfoil bladderwort (Utricularia intermedia), grass pink (Calopogon tuberosus), water-horehound (Lycopus uniflorus), rose pogonia (Pogonia ophioglossoides), golden ragwort (Senecio aureus), and Kalm's lobelia (Lobelia kalmii).
Characteristic shrubs include shrubby cinquefoil (Potentilla fruticosa), bayberry (Myrica pensylvanica), speckled alder (Alnus incana ssp. rugosa), poison sumac (Toxicodendron vernix), red maple (Acer rubrum), alder-leaf buckthorn (Rhamnus alnifolia), red osier dogwood (Cornus sericea), and hoary willow (Salix candida). Other shrubs found in rich graminoid fens include northern white cedar (Thuja occidentalis), dwarf raspberry (Rubus pubescens), tamarack (Larix laricina), sweet-gale (Myrica gale), and swamp fly honeysuckle (Lonicera oblongifolia).
Characteristic non-vascular species include the mosses Campylium stellatum and Drepanocladus revolvens, and the liverwort Aneura pinguis. Other non-vascular plants found in rich graminoid fens include the mosses Bryum pseudotriquetrum, Sphagnum warnstorfii, Fissidens adianthoides, Sphagnum teres, Scorpidium scorpioides, and Aulacomnium palustre.
A rare animal of some rich graminoid fens is bog turtle (Clemmys muhlenbergii). Data on characteristic animals are needed.
Accession Code:
VB.CC.28609.NYHERITAGERICHG
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
6
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