Plant Association Information
Picea mariana/Betula glandulosa plant association (Black spruce/resin birch)
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Picea mariana (20% cover) is the only tree species in the association, and Betula glandulosa dominates the understory with 40% cover (Appendix 4). Black spruce and resin birch reach 3.7 meters and 0.9 meters in height, respectfully. Additional species with greater than 10% cover include Sphagnum species, Hylocomium splendens, Carex bigelowii, Eriophorum brachyantherum, and Vaccinium uliginosum. Carex bigelowii and Eriophorum brachyantherum increase in cover on wet microsites, and Ledum decumbens and Vaccinium uliginosum increase on the drier sites.
This association occurs on floodplains within the boreal forest zone of the park. The one site sampled occurs on a floodplain with a 2-degree slope and mesic soil.
Associated Plant Species: Betula nana,
Carex bigelowii,
Eriophorum brachyantherum,
Hylocomium splendens,
Picea mariana,
Rhododendron tomentosum ssp. decumbens,
Sphagnum spp.,
Vaccinium uliginosum