New England Sub-boreal Spruce Flat

EVT 7465Acadian Sub-Boreal Spruce Flat
CES201.562GNRTreeConifer
Summary
These spruce-fir forests are found in the colder regions of the northern Appalachians-Acadian region, in areas of imperfectly drained soils where they often form extensive flats along valley bottoms. The nutrient-poor acidic soils are typically saturated at snowmelt but are moderately well-drained for much of the growing season and may be reasonably dry at the soil surface. The mostly closed-canopy forests have Picea rubens, Picea mariana, and Abies balsamea as the dominant trees; other conifers are often present. Bryophytes are abundant in the ground layer; other layers are typically rather sparse. Many occurrences may be jurisdictional wetlands due to seasonal saturation, but the vegetation is primarily made up of upland or facultative species. The distribution in the Laurentian-Acadian Division is mostly Canadian.
Source: NatureServe Explorer
Distribution
This system is found in the northernmost parts of New England, north and east into 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

Abies balsamea, Larix laricina, Picea glauca, Picea mariana, Picea rubens, Thuja occidentalis

Shrub/sapling (tall & short)

Rubus pubescens

Herb (field)

Carex trisperma, Mitella nuda
Source: NatureServe Ecological System assessment
Ecologically Associated Animals (6)

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
North American Red SquirrelTamiasciurus hudsonicusG5

Birds (2)

Common NameScientific NameG-Rank
Canada JayPerisoreus canadensisG5
Boreal ChickadeePoecile hudsonicusG5

Insects (2)

Common NameScientific NameG-Rank
Tomah MayflySiphlonisca aerodromiaG3G4
Wild Primitive Minnow MayflySiphlonurus barbaroidesG3G4
Source: NatureServe Ecological System assessment
At-Risk Species Associated with this Ecosystem (2)

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
Tomah MayflySiphlonisca aerodromiaG3G4--
Wild Primitive Minnow MayflySiphlonurus barbaroidesG3G4--
Source: NatureServe Ecological System assessment
Component Associations (1)

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 / Pleurozium schreberi ForestGNR NatureServe
State Conservation Ranks (4)

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
NYSNR
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.