Abstract for CNVC00293

Wetland
Wetland

Picea mariana / Sanguisorba canadensis / Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus

Black Spruce / Canada Burnet / Electrified Cat's-tail Moss
Épinette noire / Sanguisorbe du Canada / Ébouriffe triangulaire

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CNVC00293 is a boreal, wetland, coniferous, forest Association that occurs on the island of Newfoundland. It has an open tree layer dominated by black spruce (Picea mariana), often with a minor component of balsam fir (Abies balsamea). The moderately developed shrub layer is dominated by black spruce of varying ages intermixed with sporadic occurrences of various shrub species. The herb and moss layers are diverse and luxuriant; this is among the most species-rich Associations from Newfoundland. The herb layer is dense and includes many nutrient-demanding species. Canada burnet (Sanguisorba canadensis) and sedges, especially sheathed sedge (Carex vaginata) and bristly-stalked sedge (C. leptalea) dominate, but many other species commonly occur, including bunchberry (Cornus canadensis), dwarf raspberry (Rubus pubescens), twinflower (Linnaea borealis) and naked mitrewort (Mitella nuda) and creeping snowberry (Gaultheria hispidula). Almost equal cover of stairstep moss (Hylocomium splendens), electrified cat’s-tail moss (Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus), red-stemmed feathermoss (Pleurozium schreberi) and hook-leaved fern moss (Thuidium recognitum) characterize the well-developed moss layer. CNVC00293 occurs on wet, nutrient-rich sites in a region with a humid, maritime climate. Substrates are usually deep (>40cm) organic soils formed from slowly decomposing sedges. Fire is uncommon; instead wind is the primary agent of disturbance. This is a self-perpetuating Association that can readily regenerate by black spruce layering if disturbed. Two subassociations are distinguished, typic and Taxus canadensis.

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