Name:
Ontario-Québec Boreal Flooded & Rich Swamp Forest Group
Reference:
NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description:
This is a moderately to richly minerotrophic forested peatland or floodplain type found across the eastern boreal regions of Canada, extending southward to the most northern Great Lakes region and most northern parts of the glaciated northeastern United States. Stands are typically found in glacial lakeplains, poorly drained basins, and kettleholes, with level, wet, poorly drained organic soils, and a shallow to thick layer of moderately decomposed peat. The pH typically exceeds 5.5. Trees form a partial to full cover over most or all of the peatland. Dominant trees include <i>Picea mariana, Abies balsamea, Larix laricina, Betula papyrifera</i>, and, less commonly, <i>Picea glauca</i> and <i>Thuja occidentalis</i>, either solely or in combination. On nutrient-rich flooded sites with primarily mineral soils and where water tables draw down during the growing season, broad-leaved deciduous trees often dominate. <i>Populus balsamifera, Populus tremuloides, Betula papyrifera</i>, and <i>Picea glauca</i> are common across all regions. In Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, <i>Acer negundo</i> may also be an important constituent. East of the Manitoba-Ontario border, <i>Fraxinus nigra, Thuja occidentalis</i>, and <i>Abies balsamea</i> are prevalent. Tall shrubs, especially <i>Alnus incana</i> and regenerating tree species, may form an open to dense, almost impenetrable layer. Other tall shrubs include <i>Acer spicatum, Cornus sericea, Sorbus americana, Sorbus decora, Salix</i> spp., <i>Ilex mucronata</i>, and <i>Viburnum nudum var. cassinoides</i> (in Quebec). Low shrubs and herbs are common in the understory. A sparse to moderately well-developed low-shrub layer contains ericaceous species such as <i>Ledum groenlandicum, Gaultheria hispidula, Vaccinium angustifolium</i>, and <i>Vaccinium myrtilloides</i>, but also includes minerotrophic species, such as <i>Lonicera canadensis</i> and <i>Ribes</i> spp., as well as <i>Linnaea borealis</i>. The diverse herb layer includes the sedges <i>Carex disperma, Carex leptalea, Carex trisperma</i>, and the forbs <i>Clintonia borealis, Coptis trifolia, Cornus canadensis, Equisetum</i> spp., <i>Lycopodium annotinum, Maianthemum canadense, Maianthemum trifolium, Oxalis montana, Rubus pubescens</i>, and <i>Trientalis borealis</i>. Fern species, including <i>Osmunda cinnamomea, Osmunda claytoniana, Gymnocarpium dryopteris</i>, and <i>Dryopteris</i> spp., can be abundant in richer stands. Mosses range from partial mats of sphagnum (especially <i>Sphagnum fuscum, Sphagnum girgensohnii, Sphagnum magellanicum</i>) and feathermosses (<i>Hylocomium splendens, Pleurozium schreberi</i>, and <i>Ptilium crista-castrensis</i>), especially on hummocks, to brown moss species, especially in hollows.
Accession Code:
urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:40377-{ED42A62B-8B41-4F57-B220-05546E3FBED9}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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