Name:
Picea rubens - Abies balsamea - Betula papyrifera Forest Group
Reference:
NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description:
The vegetation comprises spruce-fir-hardwood forests and woodlands of northeastern North America within the range of <i>Picea rubens</i>, from the Acadian forests of southeastern Canada across northern New England and the Adirondacks and adjacent areas of New York and western Pennsylvania. Sites of this group occur in cool, mostly mesic settings on various glaciated landforms. Substrate geology also varies, although soils are generally acidic. They form the forest matrix in the coolest parts of this region, and they occur from sea level to treeline (below about 1370 m [4500 feet]). <i>Picea rubens</i> is generally present and often dominant. Following heavy disturbance from fire or timber harvesting, the canopy may be dominated by <i>Abies balsamea, Betula papyrifera</i>, or <i>Populus</i> spp. Typical canopy associates include <i>Betula alleghaniensis, Betula papyrifera, Thuja occidentalis</i>, and <i>Acer rubrum</i>. On less exposed sites in the southern part of this group's range, <i>Tsuga canadensis</i> may be an important canopy associate. Characteristic shrubs include <i>Vaccinium angustifolium</i> and/or <i>Vaccinium myrtilloides, Viburnum lantanoides</i>, and <i>Viburnum nudum var. cassinoides</i>. Characteristic herbs include <i>Clintonia borealis, Cornus canadensis, Mitchella repens, Oxalis montana, Trientalis borealis</i>, and <i>Trillium undulatum</i>. Ferns include <i>Dryopteris campyloptera, Dryopteris carthusiana</i>, and <i>Dryopteris intermedia</i>, among others. The bryophyte layer is generally very well-developed, characterized by <i>Bazzania trilobata, Pleurozium schreberi, Dicranum</i> spp., and many others. Moist sites may support <i>Sphagnum</i> spp. Mosses and liverworts grow densely on fallen logs, tree trunks, and the forest floor, giving these forests a distinctive carpeted appearance.
Accession Code:
urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:40328-{D4938999-66C2-4E9D-9917-D34B91505DDC}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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