* limited to sites with higher soil calcium
Vascular plant nomenclature follows Rhoads and Block (2007). Bryophyte nomenclature follows Crum and Anderson (1981).

International Vegetation Classification Associations:

USNVC Crosswalk:

None

Representative Community Types:

Black Spruce Woodland Bog (CEGL006098)

NatureServe Ecological Systems:

North-Central Interior and Appalachian Acidic Peatland (CES202.606)

NatureServe Group Level:

None

Origin of Concept

Fike, J. 1999. Terrestrial and palustrine plant communities of Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania Natural Diversity Inventory. Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Recreation, Bureau of Forestry, Harrisburg, PA. 86 pp.

Pennsylvania Community Code*

WB : Black Spruce – Tamarack Palustrine Woodland

*(DCNR 1999, Stone 2006)

Similar Ecological Communities

Black Spruce – Tamarack Woodland is closely related to the Black Spruce – Tamarack Peatland Forest plant community type, which may occur adjacent to the woodland type. The distinction between the two is the percent canopy cover; the forested type typically has greater than 60% cover by trees, the woodland type is less than 60% cover.

Red Spruce Mixed Hardwood Palustrine Woodland and Black Spruce – Tamarack Woodland are similar in species composition but Red Spruce Mixed Hardwood Palustrine Woodland differs from this community type in that the Red Spruce Mixed Hardwood Palustrine Woodland is dominated by red spruce (Picea rubra).

Fike Crosswalk

Black Spruce – Tamarack Palustrine Woodland

Conservation Value

This is a rare plant community in Pennsylvania that has an unusual array of species and is habitat for both rare and common species of plants and animals that reside nowhere else in Pennsylvania including pitcher-plant (Sarracenia purpurea), sundews (Drosera spp.), and the white-throated sparrow (Zonotrichia albicollis). This community provides wintering habitat for northern bird species of spruce forests and woodlands that migrate south during severe winters. Some rare species found in this community include heartleaf twayblade (Listera cordata), dwarf mistletoe (Arceuthobium pusillum), Labrador-tea (Rhododendron groenlandicum), bog sedge (Carex paupercula), few-flowered sedge (Carex pauciflora), Collin’s sedge (Carex collinsii), few-seeded sedge (Carex oligosperma), blackpoll warbler (Dendroica striata), bog copper butterfly (Lycaena epixanthe), and snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus). This community can provide archaeological/historical data on past climates and species as the acidic conditions prevent breakdown of pollen and plant residue in peat.

Threats

Black Spruce – Tamarack Woodlands are threatened by habitat alteration in the small watersheds they occupy, nutrient input from surrounding uplands, and alterations to the hydrologic regime (beaver dams, lowering or raising of water tables). Clearing and development of adjacent land can lead to an accumulation of run-off, pollution, and sedimentation. As global climate change progresses, many boreal characteristic species within this community type may be intolerable of increasing temperatures. Invasive exotic plant species are not likely to be a threat unless there is nutrient input from surrounding uplands. Spruce budworm (Choristoneura fumiferana) and exotic invasive insects that feed on conifers may be a threat. Where disturbances are unavoidable, the wetland should be monitored for changes in vegetation, especially invasive species.

Management

In Pennsylvania, this community type is found in small watersheds on glacial deposits derived from sandstone and conglomerate as well as high-elevation wetlands of the Unglaciated Allegheny Plateau. These wetland communities depend on low availability of nutrients, minimal surface water and ground water inputs, and potentially cold temperatures. Development should be restricted to prevent alterations to the hydrologic and nutrient processes that drive this community.

A natural buffer around the wetland should be maintained in order to minimize nutrient runoff, pollution, and sedimentation. Since this community type is easily impacted by nutrient inputs, we would suggest a significant buffer between any logging operations or development and the wetland. Issues include the potential for soil erosion based on soil texture, condition of the adjacent vegetation (mature forests vs. early successional forests), and slope. As slope steepness increases the buffer should be extended. Impervious surfaces and compacted soils surrounding the wetland should be minimized to prevent surface runoff. Direct impacts and habitat alteration in the wetland should be avoided (e.g., roads, trails, filling of wetlands). Where impacts are necessary low-impact alternatives (e.g., elevated footpaths, boardwalks, bridges) are encouraged. Multiple high-quality examples of this type should come under conservation protection.

Range Map

Pennsylvania Range

Glaciated Northeast, Glaciated Northwest, Pocono Plateau, Unglaciated Allegheny Plateau

Global Distribution

New Brunswick south to Pennsylvania and New Jersey

Cowardin, L.M., V. Carter, F.C. Golet, and E.T. La Roe. 1979. Classification of wetlands and deepwater habitats of the United States. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Washington, D.C. 131 pp.

Edinger, Gregory J., D.J. Evans, Shane Gebauer, Timothy G. Howard, David M. Hunt, and Adele M. Olivero. 2002. Ecological Communities of New York State. Second Edition. A revised and expanded edition of Carol Reschke's Ecological Communities of New York State. New York Natural Heritage Program, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Albany, NY. 136 pp.

Fike, J. 1999. Terrestrial and palustrine plant communities of Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania Natural Diversity Inventory. Harrisburg, PA. 79 pp.

Johnson, C.W. 1985. Bogs of the Northeast. University Press of New England.

Larsen, J.A. 1982. Ecology of Northern Lowland Bogs and Conifer Forests. Academic Press, New York.

Merritt, J.F. 1987. Guide to the Mammals of Pennsylvania. University of Pittsburgh Press.

NatureServe. 2009. NatureServe Central Databases. Arlington, Virginia. USA

Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR). 1999. Inventory Manual of Procedure. For the Fourth State Forest Management Plan. Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry, Division of Forest Advisory Service.  Harrisburg, PA. 51 ppg.

Rhoads, A.F. and T.A. Block. 2007. The Plants of Pennsylvania, 2nd ed. University of Pennsylvania Press.

Stone, B., D. Gustafson, and B. Jones. 2006 (revised). Manual of Procedure for State Game Land Cover Typing.  Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Game Commission, Bureau of Wildlife Habitat Management, Forest Inventory and Analysis Section, Forestry Division.  Harrisburg, PA. 79 ppg.

Thompson, E. 1996. Natural communities of Vermont uplands and wetland. Nongame and Natural Heritage Program, Department of Fish and Wildlife in cooperation with The Nature Conservancy, Vermont chapter.

Wenger, S. 1999. A Review of the Scientific Literature on Riparian Buffer Width, Extent and Vegetation. Office of Public Outreach, Institute of Ecology, Univ. of Georgia, Athens.