Name:
Picea mariana Krummholz Alliance
Reference:
NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description:
This alliance is composed of severely wind-pruned, stunted <i>Picea mariana, Abies balsamea</i>, and boreal heathland thickets bordering the treeline and true alpine vegetation. The vegetation ranges from dense thickets to patches interspersed with deciduous dwarf-shrubs, forbs, mosses, and lichens. The canopy is characterized by stunted <i>Picea mariana</i> and <i>Abies balsamea</i>, sometimes in association with <i>Picea rubens, Betula papyrifera var. cordifolia</i>, and <i>Sorbus americana</i>. Shrubs may form a distinct layer where stunted trees are scattered, or as distinct patches in association. Characteristic shrubs are ericaceous species such as <i>Ledum groenlandicum, Kalmia angustifolia, Vaccinium vitis-idaea, Vaccinium uliginosum, Rhododendron canadense</i>, as well as <i>Empetrum nigrum</i> and <i>Sibbaldiopsis tridentata</i>, and are of variable closure, but may be patchy and interspersed with expanses of bare or lichen-covered bedrock. Herbaceous species, such as <i>Paronychia argyrocoma</i> and <i>Juncus trifidus</i>, are usually confined to crevices. <i>Pleurozium schreberi</i> and <i>Dicranum scoparium</i> are characteristic mosses. This alliance occurs at high elevations, usually just above tree line, where cool temperatures and high winds prevail. Snow tends to accumulate in and around the stunted trees creating a protected environment. This alliance occurs in Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and New York. It is also likely to occur in Canada.
Accession Code:
urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:38647-{60F0F584-3645-427C-815E-C803CC423EE8}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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