Abstract for CNVC00334

Wetland
Wetland

Abies balsamea / Osmundastrum cinnamomeum – Carex trisperma / Sphagnum spp.

Balsam Fir / Cinnamon Fern – Three-seeded Sedge / Peat Mosses
Sapin baumier / Osmonde cannelle – Carex trisperme / Sphaignes

---

CNVC00334 is a boreal, wetland, coniferous, forest Association that occurs on the Cape Breton plateau of Nova Scotia and in insular Newfoundland. It has a moderately closed to closed tree layer dominated by balsam fir (Abies balsamea), with a minor component of black spruce (Picea mariana). Regeneration of these species dominates the moderately developed to dense shrub layer, but Canada yew (Taxus canadensis) and early lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium angustifolium) are often present. Bartram’s serviceberry (Amelanchier bartramiana) and speckled alder (Alnus incana) are less common, but can be abundant where present. The herb layer is usually dense and dominated by ferns, cinnamon fern (Osmundastrum cinnamomeum) or spinulose wood fern (Dryopteris carthusiana), and/or three-seeded sedge (Carex trisperma). Yellow clintonia (Clintonia borealis) can also be abundant amidst the other common species in this layer, twinflower (Linnaea borealis), creeping snowberry (Gaultheria hispidula), northern starflower (Lysimachia borealis), large-leaved goldenrod (Solidago macrophylla), goldthread (Coptis trifolia), bunchberry (Cornus canadensis) and wild lily-of-the-valley (Maianthemum canadense). Peat mosses (Sphagnum spp.) dominate the moderately developed to continuous moss layer, but feathermosses (Pleurozium schreberi, Ptilium crista-castrensis) are also present. CNVC00334 occurs on moist to wet, nutrient-medium sites in a region with a very humid, maritime boreal climate. Substrates are organic soils formed from slowly decomposing sedges and peat mosses. Fire is uncommon; this is a late successional, stable condition in which local hydrology, wind and insect outbreaks are the primary drivers of vegetation dynamics. Three subassociations are distinguished, Osmundastrum cinnamomeum, Cornus stolonifera and Sorbus decora.

 Factsheet