Name:
NY Heritage: Highbush blueberry bog thicket
Reference:
Ecological Communities of New York, 2nd Ed.
Description:
An ombrotrophic or weakly minerotrophic peatland dominated by tall, deciduous, ericaceous shrubs and peat mosses (Sphagnum spp.); the water is usually nutrient-poor and acidic.
The dominant shrub is usually highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum). At least three regional variants are recognized in New York. The first is found throughout central and western New York, the second is primarily a northern variant, and the third is a southern variant with coastal plain species.
Species characteristic of all three varieties, and typical of the central and western New York examples, include highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum), winterberry (Ilex verticillata), cinnamon fern (Osmunda cinnamomea), marsh fern (Thelypteris palustris), and Sphagnum spp. Stunted trees may be present at a low density and with less than 50% cover; red maple (Acer rubrum) occurs in many bog thickets. Other characteristic shrubs and herbs include black huckleberry (Gaylussacia baccata), false Solomon's-seal (Smilacina trifolia), and pitcher plant (Sarracenia purpurea).
Additional characteristic species in northern examples include mountain holly (Nemopanthus mucronatus) which may be codominant, sedge (Carex trisperma), and calla (Calla palustris). Scattered small small trees include tamarack (Larix laricina), black spruce (Picea mariana), and white pine (Pinus strobus).
The southern New York variant of this community contains substantially fewer northern taxa and numerous coastal indicator species such as swamp azalea (Rhododendron viscosum) which may become codominant, red chokeberry (Aronia arbutifolia), male-berry (Lyonia ligustrina), fetterbush (Leucothoe racemosa), sweet pepperbush (Clethra alnifolia), water willow (Decodon verticillatus), buttonbush (Cephalanthus occidentalis), marsh St. John's-wort (Triadenum virginicum), sedges (Carex trisperma, C. striata), three way sedge (Dulichium arundinaceum), and Virginia chain fern (Woodwardia virginica). Scattered small trees may include pitch pine (Pinus rigida) or Atlantic white cedar (Chamaecyparis thyoides) (MacDonald and Edinger 2000; Damman and French 1987).
Communities on Long Island with similar vegetation (i.e., dominated by tall shrubs such as Vaccinium corymbosum, Leucothoe racemosa, Clethra alnifolia, and Chamaedaphne calyculata) with shallow peat deposits (<20 cm) are treated as pine barrens shrub swamps. The two natural communities are separated by the fact that highbush blueberry bog thicket maintains a persistent hydrological regime, supports peat development, and often lacks "edge species" that are found in pine barrens shrub swamp, such as Lyonia mariana, Ilex glabra, and Myrica pensylvanica.
Characteristic peat mosses for all variants include Sphagnum magellanicum, S. centrale, S. capillifolium, and S. fimbriatum. Characteristic animals include common yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas), swamp sparrow (Melospiza georgiana), song sparrow (Melospiza melodia), meadow jumping mouse (Zapus hudsonius), masked shrew (Sorex cinereus), southern red-backed vole (Clethrionomys gapperi), and green frog (Rana clamitans).
Accession Code:
VB.CC.28839.NYHERITAGEHIGHB
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
3
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