* 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:

Wiregrass Sedge Shore Fen (CEGL005229)

NatureServe Ecological Systems:

Laurentian-Acadian Alkaline Fen (CES201.585)

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*

HU : Many Fruited Sedge – Bladderwort Peatland

*(DCNR 1999, Stone 2006)

Similar Ecological Communities

Many-Fruited Sedge – Bladderwort Poor Fen differs from the Sphagnum – Beak-rush Peatland in that this community is characterized by a lack of leatherleaf (Chamaedaphne calyculata) and many-fruited sedge (Carex lasiocarpa) and the Sphagnum – Beak-rush Peatland lacks the groundwater enrichment that characterizes this type. This type lacks the heavy sphagnum layer that characterizes the Sphagnum – Beak-rush Peatland.

Fike Crosswalk

Many fruited sedge - bladderwort peatland

Conservation Value

Several rare plants are known to occur in this community type including many-fruited sedge (Carex lasiocarpa) and flat-leaved bladderwort (Utricularia intermedia). This community serves as foraging habitat for waterfowl, swallows, rails, and bats, as well as habitat for many species of dragonflies and damselflies.

Threats

Beaver are likely the greatest threat to this type and ironically may be the cause of some of the occurrences as well. Exotic invasive plants such as common reed (Phragmites australis ssp. australis) and purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) may become established as well as aggressive native species like common cat-tail (Typha latifolia).

Management

Where disturbances are unavoidable, the wetland should be monitored for changes in vegetation, especially invasive species.

Range Map

Pennsylvania Range

Glaciated Northeast, Glaciated Northwest, Pocono Plateau, Unglaciated Allegheny Plateau.

Global Distribution

Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, and Vermont. This community also extends into Quebec.

Cowardin, L.M., V. Carter, F.C. Golet, and E.T. La Roe. 1979. Classification of wetlands and deepwater habitats of the United States. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Washington, D.C. 131 pp.

Edinger, Gregory J., D.J. Evans, Shane Gebauer, Timothy G. Howard, David M. Hunt, and Adele M. Olivero. 2002. Ecological Communities of New York State. Second Edition. A revised and expanded edition of Carol Reschke's Ecological Communities of New York State. New York Natural Heritage Program, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation. Albany, NY. 136 pp.

Fike, J. 1999. Terrestrial and palustrine plant communities of Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania Natural Diversity Inventory. Harrisburg, PA. 79 pp.

Johnson, C.W. 1985. Bogs of the Northeast. University Press of New England.

Larsen, J.A. 1982. Ecology of Northern Lowland Bogs and Conifer Forests. Academic Press, New York.

NatureServe. 2009. NatureServe Central Databases. Arlington, Virginia. USA

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.

Rhoads, A.F. and T.A. Block. 2007. The Plants of Pennsylvania, 2nd ed. University of Pennsylvania Press.

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.

Thompson, E. 1996. Natural communities of Vermont uplands and wetland. Nongame and Natural Heritage Program, Department of Fish and Wildlife in cooperation with The Nature Conservancy, Vermont chapter.

Wenger, S. 1999. A Review of the Scientific Literature on Riparian Buffer Width, Extent and Vegetation. Office of Public Outreach, Institute of Ecology, Univ. of Georgia, Athens.