Abstract for CNVC00103

Forest
Forêt

Picea glauca – Abies balsamea / Rosa acicularis / Aralia nudicaulis

White Spruce – Balsam Fir / Prickly Rose / Wild Sarsaparilla
Épinette blanche – Sapin baumier / Rosier aciculaire / Aralie à tige nue

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CNVC00103 is a boreal coniferous forest Association that ranges from Alberta to Ontario. It has a moderately closed to closed canopy dominated by white spruce (Picea glauca) and/or balsam fir (Abies balsamea). The shrub layer is usually moderately developed but varies depending on the patchiness of shrubs. Regenerating balsam fir is typically dominant, with lower abundance of squashberry (Viburnum edule) and prickly rose (Rosa acicularis). The sparse to well-developed herb layer commonly includes twinflower (Linnaea borealis), bunchberry (Cornus canadensis), naked mitrewort (Mitella nuda), wild sarsaparilla (Aralia nudicaulis), dwarf raspberry (Rubus pubescens) and wild lily-of-the-valley (Maianthemum canadense). The moss and lichen layer varies from poorly to well developed, depending on subassociation. Stairstep moss (Hylocomium splendens) usually dominates, with lower abundance of red-stemmed feathermoss (Pleurozium schreberi) and knight’s plume moss (Ptilium crista-castrensis). CNVC00103 occurs in a region with a subhumid continental boreal climate. It is most common on mesic to moist, nutrient-medium to rich sites. It is a late seral condition that tends to occur as small patches in areas that have escaped fire for a long period. Insect outbreaks and windthrow are the primary natural disturbances. The canopy gaps or large patches that result from these disturbances can promote self-replacement of this Association by the release of balsam fir regeneration. Three subassociations are distinguished: typic, Viburnum edule and inops.

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