Name:
Thuja occidentalis - Abies balsamea / Ledum groenlandicum / Carex trisperma Swamp Woodland
Reference:
NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description:
These are northern white-cedar bog woodlands of basin peatlands in the northern Appalachian Mountains. They occur on shallow to deep peat in depressional wetlands in glacial till. The open canopy, usually under 60% closure, allows for development of fairly extensive dwarf-shrub and/or herbaceous layers. Tall shrubs are generally sparse, although they may be locally abundant. The bryoid layer is continuous. The partial canopy is dominated by <i>Thuja occidentalis</i>, in association with <i>Picea mariana, Larix laricina, Abies balsamea</i>, and <i>Acer rubrum</i>. The subcanopy contains a similar species array. The tall-shrub layer is characterized by <i>Alnus incana, Ilex verticillata</i>, and <i>Viburnum nudum</i>. Dwarf-shrubs typically include <i>Vaccinium angustifolium, Kalmia angustifolia</i>, and <i>Gaylussacia baccata</i>. <i>Morella pensylvanica</i> is an associate at some coastal sites. The herbaceous layer includes <i>Maianthemum trifolium, Carex trisperma, Carex stricta, Calamagrostis canadensis, Osmunda cinnamomea, Coptis trifolia, Onoclea sensibilis</i>, and <i>Osmunda regalis</i>. The bryophyte layer is well-developed and characterized by <i>Sphagnum magellanicum, Sphagnum girgensohnii, Sphagnum papillosum, Sphagnum wulfianum, Sphagnum capillifolium, Sphagnum recurvum, Sphagnum compactum, Sphagnum flavicomans</i>, and <i>Pleurozium schreberi</i>. This association differs from northern white-cedar swamps, e.g., ~<i>Thuja occidentalis / Sphagnum (girgensohnii, warnstorfii)</i> Swamp Forest (CEGL006007)$$, in its more open canopy and (typically) association with open peatlands; it also usually occurs on deeper peats than do the closed-canopy northern white-cedar swamps. These woodlands can grade into open fen vegetation with widely scattered <i>Thuja</i>.
Accession Code:
urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:35138-{31B8DA98-815A-4955-9087-5E42CB34BAC0}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
6
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