Name:
Vaccinium oxycoccos - Andromeda polifolia / Sphagnum spp. Shrub Bog Alliance
Reference:
NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description:
This bog and poor fen acidic peatland occurs in the boreal and boreal transition regions of western North America. The vegetation is dominated by low ericaceous shrubs, including <i>Betula glandulosa, Chamaedaphne calyculata, Empetrum nigrum, Kalmia polifolia, Ledum groenlandicum, Ledum palustre ssp. decumbens, Rubus chamaemorus, Vaccinium oxycoccos</i>, and <i>Vaccinium uliginosum</i>, along with patches of graminoids and bryophyte lawns. Sedge species include <i>Carex chordorrhiza, Carex lasiocarpa, Carex limosa, Carex livida, Carex membranacea, Carex microglochin, Carex pluriflora, Carex pauciflora, Carex rariflora, Carex rotundata, Carex stylosa, Eriophorum brachyantherum</i>, and <i>Eriophorum angustifolium</i>. <i>Sphagnum</i> species are characteristic, including <i>Sphagnum capillifolium, Sphagnum magellanicum, Sphagnum fuscum, Sphagnum papillosum</i>, and <i>Sphagnum cuspidatum</i>. Conifers sometimes occur (<i>Picea mariana</i> or <i>Larix laricina</i>). In this acidic peatland there is little to no groundwater inputs, and there are thick (>40 cm) peat deposits. Permafrost processes may also occur. This peatland forms where the rate of sphagnum peat accumulation exceeds its decomposition, resulting in ombrotrophic and acidic peatlands in which, under the most acidic conditions, the peat surface is raised above the water table (i.e., a raised bog). These peatlands are typically formed as lake-filled basins or depressions. The surface morphology of the peatland may be more-or-less level, domed, or eccentric. Secondary bog pools may be present. While the raised portion defines these bogs, boreal fen systems may occupy some portion of the same basin, due to localized groundwater input.
Accession Code:
urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:38734-{182090D9-D3A3-4EA0-B014-74F318F0C34D}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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