* limited to sites with higher soil calcium
Vascular plant nomenclature follows Rhoads and Block (2007). Bryophyte nomenclature follows Crum and Anderson (1981).

International Vegetation Classification Associations:

USNVC Crosswalk:

None

Representative Community Types:

Northeastern Leafy Forb Marsh (CEGL006191)

NatureServe Ecological Systems:

Laurentian-Acadian Freshwater Marsh (CES201.594)

NatureServe Group Level:

None

Origin of Concept

Fike, J. 1999. Terrestrial and palustrine plant communities of Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania Natural Diversity Inventory. Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Recreation, Bureau of Forestry, Harrisburg, PA. 86 pp.

Pennsylvania Community Code*

HA : Pickerel-Weed – Arrow-Arum – Arrowhead Wetland

*(DCNR 1999, Stone 2006)

Similar Ecological Communities

Some examples of the Wool-grass – Mannagrass – Mixed Shrub Vernal Pool community type may resemble this floristically. The two differ in their hydrologic regime; the vernal pool type occurs in small upland depressions that are seasonally flooded, but experience substantial or complete annual draw-down. Pickerel-weed – Arrow-arum – Arrowhead Emergent Wetland is usually permanently to semi-permanently flooded. Spatterdock – Water-lily Emergent Wetland may occur intermingled with or surrounded by the Pickerel-weed – Arrow-arum – Arrowhead Emergent Wetland. These two types may intergrade but the Spatterdock – Water-lily Emergent Wetland represents a wetland comprised of floating aquatic vegetation dominated by spatterdock (Nuphar advena/ N. variegata) and fragrant water-lily (Nymphaea odorata)), where as the Pickerel-weed – Arrow-arum – Arrowhead Emergent Wetland is often classified as a broad-leaved emergent wetland.

Fike Crosswalk

Pickerel-weed - arrow-arum - arrowhead wetland

Conservation Value

Pickerel-weed – Arrow-arum – Arrowhead Emergent Wetland can serve as habitat for rare marsh birds and odonates as well as provide cover for small fish, reptiles, and amphibians. Rare plant species such as hard-stem bulrush (Schoenoplectus acutus), river bulrush (Schoenoplectus fluviatilis), and water bulrush (Schoenoplectus subterminalis) may be present within this community. This community also serves as a buffer for sediment and pollution runoff from adjacent developed lands by slowing the flow of surficial water causing sediment to settle within this wetland.

Threats

Alteration to the hydrological regime is a major threat to this community (e.g., impoundments, beaver dams) and can lead to habitat destruction and/or shifts in community function and dynamics. Clearing and development of adjacent land can lead to an accumulation of agricultural run-off and pollution, sedimentation, and insolation/thermal pollution. Purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) can be an exotic plant species that invades this community and displaces native species.

Management

A natural buffer around the wetland should be maintained in order to minimize nutrient runoff, pollution, and sedimentation. The potential for soil erosion based on soil texture, condition of the adjacent vegetation (mature forests vs. clearcuts), and the topography of the surrounding area (i.e., degree of slope) should be considered when establishing buffers. The buffer size should be increased if soils are erodible, adjacent vegetation has been logged, and the topography is steep, as such factors could contribute to increased sedimentation and nutrient pollution. Direct impacts and habitat alteration should be avoided (e.g., roads, trails, filling of wetlands) and low impact alternatives (e.g., elevated footpaths, boardwalks, bridges) should be utilized in situations where accessing the wetland can not be avoided. Care should also be taken to control and prevent the spread of invasive species within the wetland.

Range Map

Pennsylvania Range

Glaciated NE, Glaciated NW, Ridge and Valley, Piedmont.

Global Distribution

Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont.

Cowardin, L. M., V. Carter, F. C. Golet, and E. T. LaRoe. 1979. Classification of wetlands and deepwater habitats of the United States. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Biological Service Program. FWS/OBS-79/31. Washington, DC. 103 pp.

Eastern Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boston, MA.

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Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR). 1999. Inventory Manual of Procedure. For the Fourth State Forest Management Plan. Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry, Division of Forest Advisory Service.  Harrisburg, PA. 51 ppg.

Rawinski, T. 1984. Natural community description abstract - southern New England calcareous seepage swamp. Unpublished report. The Nature Conservancy, Boston, MA. 6 pp.

Rhoads, Ann F. and Timothy A. Block. 1999. Natural Areas Inventory of Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Bucks County Commissioners, Doylestown, PA.

Sperduto, D. D. 2000a. Natural communities of New Hampshire: A guide and classification. Near final unformatted draft without pictures and illustrations; includes upland classification. New Hampshire Natural Heritage Inventory, DRED Division of Forests and Lands, Concord, NH. 127 pp.

Stone, B., D. Gustafson, and B. Jones. 2006 (revised). Manual of Procedure for State Game Land Cover Typing.  Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Game Commission, Bureau of Wildlife Habitat Management, Forest Inventory and Analysis Section, Forestry Division.  Harrisburg, PA. 79 ppg.

Swain, P. C., and J. B. Kearsley. 2000. Classification of natural communities of Massachusetts. July 2000 draft. Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program, Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife. Westborough, MA.

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Thompson, E. H., and E. R. Sorenson. 2000. Wetland, woodland, wildland: A guide to the natural communities of Vermont. The Nature Conservancy and the Vermont Department of Fish and Wildlife. University Press of New England, Hanover, NH. 456 pp.