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Chamaedaphne calyculata / Carex oligosperma / Sphagnum spp. Poor Fen | NatureServe Biotics 2019
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Name: Chamaedaphne calyculata / Carex oligosperma / Sphagnum spp. Poor Fen
Reference: NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description: This dwarf-shrub poor fen community is found in the northern Great Lakes region and across much of central Canada. Sites are found on peatlands with low exposure to mineral-rich groundwater, including basin fens, shores above the level of seasonal flooding, and margins of larger peatlands. Stands have a saturated hydrology with a fibric <i>Sphagnum</i> spp. peat soil and a pH usually &lt;4.5. Vegetation is dominated by an open dwarf-shrub/scrub conifer layer with very scattered trees (&lt;10% cover). Microtopography is high to intermediate hummocks with hollows or a flat lawn of <i>Sphagnum</i> spp. Ericaceous dwarf-shrubs are dominant, including <i>Chamaedaphne calyculata, Kalmia polifolia</i>, and <i>Ledum groenlandicum</i>, and the creeping dwarf-shrubs <i>Andromeda polifolia</i> and <i>Vaccinium oxycoccos</i>. <i>Betula pumila</i> has low cover but is fairly constant. Scrub conifers include <i>Larix laricina</i> and <i>Picea mariana</i>. They also occur as scattered trees (&gt;3 m). The herb layer is species-poor, containing <i>Carex oligosperma, Carex limosa, Equisetum fluviatile, Menyanthes trifoliata, Sarracenia purpurea</i>, and <i>Scheuchzeria palustris</i>. The moss layer forms a continuous hummocky mat dominated by <i>Sphagnum angustifolium, Sphagnum fuscum</i>, and <i>Sphagnum magellanicum</i>. Diagnostic features include the dominance of a dwarf-shrub ericaceous layer, absence of a tree layer (&lt;10%), species-poor herbaceous layer, and a low abundance of minerotrophic indicators, such as <i>Betula pumila, Carex aquatilis</i> and <i>Carex stricta</i>. 
Accession Code: urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:34040-{30896824-2D06-46A3-AD75-B65B04B371E5}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept: 1
      Party Perspective according to: NatureServe (organization)
Perspective from: 29-Mar-2000 to: ongoing
      Names:   UID: ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.689513 NatureServe ExplorerNatureServe Explorer logo
  Code: CEGL005277
  Translated: Leatherleaf / Few-seed Sedge / Peatmoss species Poor Fen
  Common: Leatherleaf Poor Fen
  Scientific: Chamaedaphne calyculata / Carex oligosperma / Sphagnum spp. Poor Fen
(convergence) and Synonyms:
(similar) Chamaedaphne calyculata / Carex oligosperma / Sphagnum spp. Poor Fen Dwarf-shrubland
(similar) CEGL005277
(similar) Chamaedaphne calyculata / Carex oligosperma / Sphagnum spp. Poor Fen Dwarf-shrubland