New England Sub-boreal Spruce Barrens

EVT 7464Acadian Sub-Boreal Spruce Barrens
CES201.561GNRTreeConifer
Summary
These barrens occur at the southeastern periphery of the boreal forest in northeastern North America. They form on sandplains and coarse outwash that often have undulating topography. Substrate microtopography can result in wetland pockets interspersed with upland areas. North of the range of most pine (except Pinus banksiana), Picea mariana tends to be the dominant tree. Picea rubens and red/black spruce hybrids are also common in the southern part of the range. Dwarf heath shrubs are extensive and diagnostic. Lichens, especially reindeer lichens, are often abundant in the ground layer. Vegetation physiognomy can vary within sites and can range from nearly closed forest to sparse trees over a dense dwarf heath understory. Fire is an important disturbance vector.
Source: NatureServe Explorer
Distribution
This system is found in far-northern New England and is more widely distributed in adjacent eastern Canada.
Source: NatureServe Explorer
Ecologically Associated Plant Species

Plant species that characterize this ecosystem type, organized by vegetation stratum. These are species ecologically associated with the ecosystem, not confirmed present in any specific area.

Tree canopy

Picea glauca, Picea mariana, Picea rubens, Pinus banksiana

Shrub/sapling (tall & short)

Nemopanthus mucronatus, Rhododendron canadense

Short shrub/sapling

Kalmia angustifolia, Vaccinium angustifolium, Vaccinium pallidum
Source: NatureServe Ecological System assessment
Ecologically Associated Animals (5)

Animal species ecologically associated with this ecosystem type based on NatureServe assessment. These are species whose habitat requirements overlap with this ecosystem, not confirmed present in any specific roadless area.

Mammals (2)

Common NameScientific NameG-Rank
Southern Red-backed VoleClethrionomys gapperiG5
Snowshoe HareLepus americanusG5

Birds (1)

Common NameScientific NameG-Rank
Boreal ChickadeePoecile hudsonicusG5

Insects (1)

Common NameScientific NameG-Rank
Brown's Comb Minnow MayflyAmeletus browniG3G4

Other (1)

Common NameScientific NameG-Rank
Fragile Flat-headed MayflyEpeorus fragilisG4?
Source: NatureServe Ecological System assessment
At-Risk Species Associated with this Ecosystem (1)

Species with conservation concern that are ecologically associated with this ecosystem type. G-Rank indicates global conservation status: G1 (critically imperiled) through G5 (secure). ESA status indicates U.S. Endangered Species Act listing.

Common NameScientific NameG-RankESA Status
Brown's Comb Minnow MayflyAmeletus browniG3G4--
Source: NatureServe Ecological System assessment
Component Associations (2)

Plant community associations that occur within this ecological system. Associations are the finest level of the U.S. National Vegetation Classification (USNVC) and describe specific, repeating assemblages of plant species. Each association represents a distinct community type that may be found where this ecosystem occurs.

NameG-Rank
Picea mariana - Picea rubens / Rhododendron canadense / Cladonia spp. Swamp WoodlandGNR NatureServe
Vaccinium (angustifolium, myrtilloides, pallidum) - Cladonia rangiferina Dwarf-shrublandGNR NatureServe
State Conservation Ranks (3)

Subnational conservation status ranks (S-ranks) assigned by Natural Heritage Programs in each state where this ecosystem occurs. S1 indicates critically imperiled at the state level, S2 imperiled, S3 vulnerable, S4 apparently secure, and S5 secure. An ecosystem may be globally secure but imperiled in specific states at the edge of its range.

StateS-Rank
MESNR
NHSNR
VTSNR
Methodology and Data Sources

Ecosystem classification: Ecosystems are classified using the LANDFIRE 2024 Existing Vegetation Type (EVT) layer, mapped to NatureServe Terrestrial Ecological Systems via a curated crosswalk. Each EVT is linked to the USNVC (U.S. National Vegetation Classification) hierarchy through pixel-level co-occurrence analysis of LANDFIRE EVT and NatureServe IVC Group rasters across all roadless areas.

Vegetation coverage: Coverage percentages and hectares are derived from zonal statistics of the LANDFIRE 2024 EVT raster intersected with roadless area boundaries.

Ecosystem narratives and community species: Sourced from the NatureServe Explorer API, representing professional ecological assessments of vegetation composition, environmental setting, dynamics, threats, and characteristic species assemblages.

IVC hierarchy: The International Vegetation Classification hierarchy is sourced from the USNVC v3.0 Catalog, providing the full classification from Biome through Association levels.

Component associations: Plant community associations listed as components of each NatureServe Ecological System. Association data from the NatureServe Explorer API.

State ranks: Conservation status ranks assigned by NatureServe member programs in each state where the ecosystem occurs.