* 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:

Pitch Pine Bog (CEGL006194)

NatureServe Ecological Systems:

North-Central Interior and Appalachian Acidic Peatland (CES202.606)

NatureServe Group Level:

None

Origin of Concept

Pennsylvania Community Code*

WP : Pitch pine – Leatherleaf Palustrine Woodland

*(DCNR 1999, Stone 2006)

Similar Ecological Communities

The dominance of pitch pine (Pinus rigida) along with leatherleaf (Chamaedaphne calyculata) distinguish Pitch Pine – Leatherleaf Palustrine Woodland from the other leatherleaf dominated community types such as Leatherleaf – Bog-rosemary Bog, Leatherleaf – Cranberry Bog, and Leatherleaf – Sedge Wetland.

Fike Crosswalk

Pitch Pine - Leatherleaf Palustrine Woodland

Conservation Value

This community is often found as part of the Ridgetop Acidic Barrens complex, which is a rare ecosystem in Pennsylvania supporting rare species. Rare plant species found in this community may include Labrador-tea (Rhododendron groenlandicum) and thread rush (Juncus filiformis). Pitch Pine – Leatherleaf Palustrine Woodlands may serve as habitat for birds of open low scrub habitats, such as white-throated sparrows (Zonotrichia albicollis).

Threats

Development and fire suppression are probably the greatest threats since the type appears to need fire to maintain its species composition and open canopy. Clearing and development of adjacent land can lead to an accumulation of run-off, pollution, and sedimentation.

Management

Development should be restricted to prevent encroachment. This community is found in fire-maintained landscapes and controlled fires need to be allowed to sweep through the system on occasion. This community is probably not connected to the regional aquifer as it is perched above it for most of the year and is subject to drought. It depends on precipitation and run-off from surrounding uplands for surface water input. Where disturbances are unavoidable, the wetland should be monitored for changes in vegetation, especially invasive species.

Range Map

Pennsylvania Range

Pocono Plateau

Global Distribution

Connecticut, Maine, Massachuestts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, as well as Quebec, Canada

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.

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.