Abstract for CNVC00232

Forest
Forêt

Abies balsamea – Betula papyrifera / Pleurozium schreberi

Balsam Fir – Paper Birch / Red-stemmed Feathermoss
Sapin baumier – Bouleau à papier / Pleurozie dorée

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CNVC00232 is a boreal mixedwood forest Association that occurs in Quebec. It has a moderately closed to closed canopy dominated by balsam fir (Abies balsamea) and paper birch (Betula papyrifera), often with a minor component of black spruce (Picea mariana). Regeneration of these tree species, particularly balsam fir, also dominates the well-developed shrub layer. Serviceberries (Amelanchier spp.), velvet-leaved blueberry (Vaccinium myrtilloides) and early lowbush blueberry (V. angustifolium) are often present. The herb layer is poorly to moderately developed, depending on subassociation, but usually includes bunchberry (Cornus canadensis), yellow clintonia (Clintonia borealis), creeping snowberry (Gaultheria hispidula), wild lily-of-the-valley (Maianthemum canadense), twinflower (Linnaea borealis), northern starflower (Lysimachia borealis) and goldthread (Coptis trifolia). A well-developed to continuous moss layer comprising red-stemmed feathermoss (Pleurozium schreberi), broom mosses (Dicranum spp.), knight’s plume moss (Ptilium crista-castrensis) and stairstep moss (Hylocomium splendens) further characterizes this Association. CNVC00232 occurs in a region with a boreal climate that grades from humid continental in the western portion of its range to very humid and maritime in the east. It is most commonly found on mesic, nutrient-medium sites. It is a mid-seral condition that is usually maintained on the landscape by small-scale gap or patch disturbances, such as insect outbreaks and windthrow, in the absence of fire or harvesting. Two subassociations are distinguished, typic and Hylocomium splendens.

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