* 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:

Smooth Alder Swamp (CEGL005082)

NatureServe Ecological Systems:

Laurentian-Acadian Wet Meadow-Shrub Swamp (CES201.582)

NatureServe Group Level:

None

Origin of Concept

Zimmerman, E., and G. Podniesinski. 2008. Classification, Assessment and Protection of Floodplain Wetlands of the Ohio Drainage. Pennsylvania Natural Heritage Program, Western Pennsylvania Conservancy, Pittsburgh, PA. Report to: The United States Environmental Protection Agency and the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Office of Conservation Science. US EPA Wetlands Protection State Development Grant no. CD-973081-01-0.

Pennsylvania Community Code*

SN : Alder – Ninebark Wetland

*(DCNR 1999, Stone 2006)

Similar Ecological Communities

Circumneutral Mixed Shrub Wetland differs from Buttonbush Wetland in that buttonbush may be a component of the Circumneutral Mixed Shrub Wetland but is not the dominant shrub type. If buttonbush is the dominant shrub species, the community is classified as Buttonbush Wetland.

Circumneutral Mixed Shrub Wetland differs from Acidic Mixed Shrub – Sphagnum Wetland in that the pH of Circumneutral Mixed Shrub Wetland is circumneutral to somewhat calcareous while the latter occupies the lower end of the pH spectrum. The associate species reflect this shift, with shrubs like ninebark and silky dogwood occurring in a circumneutral environment, while [acid-loving] heaths like highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) and maleberry (Lyonia ligustrina) are more typical under acidic conditions. The presence of a substantial sphagnum layer is a distinguishing characteristic that differentiates the two community types.

Fike Crosswalk

Alder - Ninebark Wetland

Conservation Value

This community may serve as important habitat for breeding birds, including woodcocks (Scolopax minor). Plant species of conservation concern may include screwstem (Bartonia paniculata), broad-winged sedge (Carex alata), Bebb’s sedge (Carex bebbii), lesser panicled sedge (Carex diandra), cloud sedge (Carex haydenii), many-fruited sedge (Carex lasiocarpa), Wood’s sedge (Carex tetanica), Indian paintbrush (Castilleja coccinea), marsh willow-herb (Epilobium palustre), downy willow-herb (Epilobium strictum), slender cotton-grass (Eriophorum gracile), cleavers (Galium trifidum), small-headed rush (Juncus brachycephalus), marsh pea (Lathyrus palustris), swamp lousewort (Pedicularis lanceolata), broad-leaved willow (Salix myricoides), autumn willow (Salix serissima), bog goldenrod (Solidago uliginosa), shining ladies’-tresses (Spiranthes lucida), and highbush-cranberry (Viburnum trilobum).

Threats

Circumneutral Mixed Shrub Wetlands are threatened by habitat alteration (e.g., conversion to agricultural land, logging in adjacent uplands), deposition (e.g., sedimentation, nutrient loading), and alterations to the hydrological regime (e.g., removal of beaver dams or other impoundments, lowering of the water table, changes in streamflow). Invasive species such as reed canary-grass (Phalaris arundinacea), Morrow’s honeysuckle (Lonicera morrowii), and multiflora rose (Rosa multiflora) may alter the species composition of this community type.

Management

A natural buffer around the wetland should be maintained in order to minimize nutrient runoff, pollution, and sedimentation. Soil erodibility in terms of the 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. Impervious surfaces surrounding the wetland should be minimized to prevent thermal pollution. Direct impacts and habitat alteration should be avoided (e.g., roads, trails, filling of wetland) and low impact alternatives (e.g., elevated footpaths, boardwalks, bridges) should be utilized in situations where accessing the wetland cannot be avoided. Care should also be taken to control and prevent the spread of invasive species within the wetland. Alterations to groundwater sources should be minimized. If the community is found streamside, streambed alteration could affect community longevity.

Circumneutral Mixed Shrub Wetland is one example of declining shrubland habitat found in Pennsylvania. Shrubland habitats are early successional plant communities, often formed by disturbance event(s), which represent a short-lived transitional stage between more stable community types. Repeated disturbance events over time (either natural or anthropogenic) are needed to reset the community back to its earlier successional state. In the absence of disturbance, shrubland habitats may only remain a component of the landscape for 15-20 years before reverting to young forests. Shrublands provide habitat for many early successional-dependent species such as birds. Management activities such as removal of tree species, assisted disturbance, and invasive species control may be needed to maintain this community type.

Range Map

Pennsylvania Range

Glaciated Northwest, Pittsburgh Plateau, and Ridge and Valley

Global Distribution

Connecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, and extends into eastern Canada.

Edinger, G.J., D.J. Evans, S. Gebauer, T.G. Howard, D.M. Hunt, and A. M. Olivero (editors). 2002. Ecological Communities of New York. 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. 136pp.

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

NatureServe. 2005. 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.

Perles, S.J., G.S. Podniesinski, E. Eastman, L.A. Sneddon, and S.C. Gawler. 2007. Classification and mapping of vegetation and fire fuel models at Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area: Volume 2 of 2 – Appendix G. Technical Report NPS/NER/NRTR – 2007/076. National Park Service. Philadelphia, PA.

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.