Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Ecological site F088XY005MN
Forestland Peatland
Last updated: 8/12/2024
Accessed: 07/08/2026
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Provisional. A provisional ecological site description has undergone quality control and quality assurance review. It contains a working state and transition model and enough information to identify the ecological site.
MLRA notes
Major Land Resource Area (MLRA): 088X–Northern Minnesota Glacial Lake Basins
MLRA 88 consists of the lake beds of glacial Lakes Agassiz, Upham, and Aitkin. These vast glacial lake beds were formed by meltwaters associated with the last glaciation of the Wisconsin age. The large, flat, wet landscapes are filled with lacustrine lake sediments, wave-washed glacial till, and vast expanses of organic soils. This area is entirely in Minnesota and makes up about 11,590 square miles (30,019 square kilometers).
The western boundary of MLRA 88 with MLRA 56B is gradual. MLRA 56B is a portion of the Red River Valley that was formed by glacial Lake Agassiz and is dominantly prairie. The southern boundary of MLRA 88 with MLRA 57 consists of distinct moraines that formed from the glacial drift sediments of Late Wisconsin age. The eastern and southeastern boundaries are with portions of MLRAs 90A and 93A. These MLRAs are in a distinct glaciated region of sediments of the Rainy and Superior Lobes, and much of MLRA 93A is bedrock controlled (USDA-Ag Handbook 296, 2022).Classification relationships
Relationship to Other Established Classifications:
MN DNR Native Plant Community (MN DNR, 2003); the reference community of this Provisional Ecological Site is most similar to:
FPn63 White Cedar Swamp
FPn73 Northern Alder Swamp
FPn82 Northern Rich Tamarack Swamp (Western Basin)
WFn53 Northern Wet Cedar ForestEcological site concept
Forested Peatland sites typically occur on level to gently sloping surfaces on all landforms through the area. Soils have greater than 16” of organic material and soil pH values are greater than 4.5.
Associated sites
F088XY003MN Open Peatland
Open Peatland occurs on level to gently sloping surfaces. Soils have greater than 16” of organic material and soil pH values are greater than 4.5. This site has a high water table that remain near the surface throughout the growing season, preventing the establishment of significant tree cover.
F088XY004MN Acid Peatland
Acid Peatland occurs in shallow wetland basins, closed depressions, and along drainage ways. Soils and water content have a pH lower than 4.5. Soils are occasionally ponded with standing water in spring but tend to recede by late summer. Soil surface layers are typically muck 8 to 16” thick over variable parent materials.
Similar sites
F088XY004MN Acid Peatland
Acid Peatland occurs in shallow wetland basins, closed depressions, and along drainage ways. Soils and water content have a pH lower than 4.5. Soils are occasionally ponded with standing water in spring but tend to recede by late summer. Soil surface layers are typically muck 8 to 16” thick over variable parent materials.
Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree (1) Thuja occidentalis
(2) Picea marianaShrub (1) Rhamnus alnifolia
(2) Alnus incanaHerbaceous (1) Caltha palustris
(2) Rubus pubescensPhysiographic features
Forested Peatland sites typically occur on level to gently sloping surfaces on all landforms through the area. Soils have greater than 16” of organic material and soil pH values are greater than 4.5.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
Slope shape across (1) Linear
Slope shape up-down (1) Linear
Landforms (1) Depression
(2) Lake plain > Bog
(3) Lake plain > Depression
Runoff class Negligible Flooding frequency None Ponding duration Long (7 to 30 days) Ponding frequency None to frequent Elevation 590 – 2030 ft Slope 0 – 1 % Ponding depth 0 – 12 in Water table depth 0 in Aspect Aspect is not a significant factor Climatic features
The average annual precipitation is 25 to 27 inches (635 to 711 millimeters). Most of the rainfall comes from convective thunderstorms during the growing season. Snowfall generally occurs from October through April. The average annual temperature is 43 to 46 degrees F (6 to 8 degrees C). The mean frost free period ranges from 82 to 109 days, with the mean freeze-free period ranging from 116 to 134 days.
Table 3 Representative climatic features
Frost-free period (characteristic range) 80-110 days Freeze-free period (characteristic range) 120-130 days Precipitation total (characteristic range) 30-30 in Frost-free period (actual range) 80-110 days Freeze-free period (actual range) 110-140 days Precipitation total (actual range) 20-30 in Frost-free period (average) 100 days Freeze-free period (average) 130 days Precipitation total (average) 30 in Characteristic rangeActual rangeBarLineFigure 1. Monthly precipitation range
Characteristic rangeActual rangeBarLineFigure 2. Monthly minimum temperature range
Characteristic rangeActual rangeBarLineFigure 3. Monthly maximum temperature range
BarLineFigure 4. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature
Figure 5. Annual precipitation pattern
Figure 6 Annual average temperature pattern
Climate stations used
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(1) INTL FALLS INTL AP [USW00014918], International Falls, MN
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(2) LEECH LAKE [USC00214652], Bena, MN
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(3) CAMP NORRIS DNR [USC00211250], Beltrami Isl State for, MN
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(4) BAUDETTE INTL AP [USW00094961], Baudette, MN
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(5) RED LAKE INDIAN AGCY [USC00216795], Ponemah, MN
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(6) WASKISH 4NE [USC00218700], Big Falls, MN
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(7) BIG FALLS [USC00210746], Big Falls, MN
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(8) LITTLEFORK 10 SW [USC00214809], Big Falls, MN
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(9) WARROAD [USC00218679], Warroad, MN
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(10) POKEGAMA DAM [USC00216612], Cohasset, MN
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(11) SANDY LAKE DAM LIBBY [USC00217460], McGregor, MN
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(12) FLOODWOOD 3 NE [USC00212842], Floodwood, MN
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(13) HIBBING CHISHOLM HIBBING AP [USW00094931], Hibbing, MN
">Influencing water features
Water is received through precipitation, runoff from adjacent uplands, and subsurface flow. Seasonal variation in water table is the most important site factor defining Forested Peatlands. Water levels are greatly influenced by ground water, precipitation rates and runoff from upland sites. Water tables limit the amount of oxygen available to plant roots. Oxygen levels determine the extent to which root respiration can take place, the level of organic litter decomposition, and the release of important nutrients for uptake by plants (MN DNR, 2011). Forested Peatlands are wetter, less hydrologically variable ecosystems when compared to the Wet Depressional ecological site which has a greater variety of species adapted to its variation in water saturation.
Wetland description
Under the Cowardin System of Wetland Classification, or National Wetlands Inventory (NWI), these sites could be classified as:<br />
1) Palustrine, scrub-shrub, broad-leaved deciduous, saturated, or<br />
2) Palustrine, moss-lichen, saturated, or<br />
3) Palustrine, scrub-shrub, broad-leaved evergreen, saturated, or<br />
4) Palustrine emergent, persistent, saturated<br />
5) Palustrine, forested, needle-leaved evergreen, saturated, or<br />
<br />
Under the Hydrogeomorphic Classification System (HGM), these sites could be classified as:<br />
1) Depressional, forested/organic, or<br />
2) Depressional, scrub-shrub/organic<br />
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Permeability of the soil is moderately slow to slow<br />
Hydrologic Group: A/D, B/D, C/DSoil features
Parent material is fibric and/or herbaceous organic material more than 40 centimeters thick. Where underlying impermeable layers minimize groundwater movement through the peat. The main source of water to the site is precipitation, since the site formed through a buildup of peat over thousands of years, causing the soil surface to develop a crest shape with sloping concave sides.
All soils in the Forestland Peatland ecological site are Histosols. The soils for this site can be further classified as Terric Haplohemists, Terric Haplosaprists, Typic Borohemists, Typic Haplohemists, and Typic Haplosaprists.
Soil series within this site include: Tacoosh, Cathro, Rifle, Dora, Daisybay, Lupton, Markey, Mooselake, Berner, Bullwinkle, Tawas, Borohemists, and Lougee.Table 4. Representative soil features
Parent material (1) Organic material
(2) Till
Surface texture (1) Muck
(2) Mucky peat
(3) Peat
Drainage class Very poorly drained Permeability class Moderately rapid Depth to restrictive layer Not specified Soil depth 80 – 0 in Surface fragment cover <=3" Not specified Surface fragment cover >3" Not specified Available water capacity
(0-40in)13.8 – 18.9 in Soil reaction (1:1 water)
(10-40in)5.6 – 8.4 Subsurface fragment volume <=3"
(0-80in)0 – 6 % Subsurface fragment volume >3"
(0-80in)Not specified Ecological dynamics
Forested Peatland sites typically occur on level to gently sloping surfaces on all landforms through the area. Soils have greater than 16” of organic material and soil pH values are greater than 4.5. The organic material ranges in decomposition from muck, mucky peat to peat textures underlain by variable parent material. These sites are typically groundwater recharged.
Plant communities typical with Forested Peatland tend to be dominated by black spruce, tamarack, northern white cedar, and balsam fir; ericaceous shrubs such as Labrador tea, creeping snowberry, Speckled alder, and significant amounts of brown moss or minerotrophic Sphagnum cover.State and transition model
More interactive model formats are also available. View Interactive Models
Click on state and transition labels to scroll to the respective textEcosystem states
T1A - Beaver activity, roads, drainage, and other alterations in hydrology. R2A - Draining or maintenance of water on-site causing alterations in hydrology. State 1 submodel, plant communities
1.1A - A group or individual tree mortality 1.1B - Stand-replacing windthrow, disease, or pest outbreak. 1.2A - Succession/Time without major disturbance. 1.2B - Stand-replacing windthrow, disease, or pest outbreak. 1.3A - Succession/Time without major disturbance. State 2 submodel, plant communities
2.1A - Beaver dam off-site restricts water flow or contributes to ponding on-site. State 1
Reference StateCommunity phases within the Reference State are related to scattered small and moderate sized canopy openings from dead and/or windthrown trees. Windthrown trees were primarily dominant, above the canopy, and more exposed to wind events.
Dominant plant species
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black spruce (Picea mariana), tree
Community 1.1
Mature PhaseMature trees in the canopy story with 25-75% cover.
Community 1.2
Successional PhaseA transition period marked with an increase in canopy cover and reduction in graminoid/forb layers. Tree growth increased for some species as the dominant species start to outcompete the subcanopy species.
Community 1.3
Young ForestRecovering from severe disturbance such as windthrow where new growth occurs. Moss, graminoid, and forb layers dominate with shrubby layer emerging. Generally, in forested peatlands, the groundlayer doesn't look appreciably different than later successional phases. A lot of the same species occur. Total stand replacement is uncommon, but individual tree gaps are more common.
Pathway 1.1A
Community 1.1 to 1.2A group or individual tree mortality causing moderate to small canopy gaps that favor shrubby openings and greater vertical structural diversity.
Pathway 1.1B
Community 1.1 to 1.3Stand-replacing windthrow, disease, or pest outbreak.
Pathway 1.2A
Community 1.2 to 1.1Succession/Time without major disturbance.
Pathway 1.2B
Community 1.2 to 1.3Stand-replacing windthrow, disease, or pest outbreak.
Pathway 1.3A
Community 1.3 to 1.2Succession/Time without major disturbance.
State 2
Ponded StateSites can transition to this state by relatively sudden and complete loss of the tree canopy. This can happen as a result of intensive logging, forest pests, or general forest decline.
Dominant plant species
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hairy sedge (Carex lacustris), grass
Community 2.1
Shrub PhaseThis plant community results following disturbances that cause elimination of trees in forested swamps, enabling alder to become dominant. Potential disturbance are often logging, windthrow, or temporary changes in hydrology caused by beaver activity." Dominant shrub specie is speckled alder. Bluejoint and a variety of sedges are also dominant, along with a myriad of sun-loving wetland forb species. There may be scattered trees as well, but they comprise low cover and are not significant to the overall structure of the plant community. But even scattered trees have ecological value as nest trees and perches for birds or den trees for small mammals. With a continued lowering of the water table, it is possible for this phase to succeed to the Reference State if black ash and other trees can successfully establish.
Community 2.2
Open Water WetlandThe wetland community phase in this state is characterized as having dead or dying overstory trees, and being flooded and subsequently ponded by up to several feet of essentially permanent water (Figure 3). Depending on depth of water, there will be areas with emergent and submergent aquatic vegetation, as well as scattered remnants of the former vegetation.
Pathway 2.1A
Community 2.1 to 2.2Beaver dam off-site restricts water flow or contributes to ponding on-site.
Transition T1A
State 1 to 2Impoundment or maintenance of water on-site, and/or establishment of invasive species. Beaver activity, roads, drainage, and other alterations in hydrology can transition the Forest Peatland site out of Reference to an Ponded State, where water is ponded on site for longer durations from overland surface flow.
Restoration pathway R2A
State 2 to 1Draining or maintenance of water on-site causing alterations in hydrology that can transition the Ponded state back to the Reference State, where water is on site for shorter durations and receives less nutrients from overland surface flow causing increased tree growth. Also, natural succession (albeit slow) where more trees get established and provide the evapotranspiration necessary to draw down the water table.
Additional community tables
Table 5. Community 1.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 6. Community 1.2 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 7. Community 1.3 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 8. Community 2.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 9. Community 2.2 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Interpretations
Supporting information
Inventory data references
Information presented was derived from Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Field Guide to the Native Plant Communities of Minnesota, USDA-NRCS soil survey information, and USDA Plants Database.
Other references
Cleland, D.T.; Freeouf, J.A.; Keys, J.E., Jr.; Nowacki, G.J.; Carpenter, C; McNab, W.H. 2007. Ecological Subregions: Sections and Subsections of the Conterminous United States.[1:3,500,000], Sloan, A.M., cartog. Gen. Tech. Report WO-76. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service.
Eggers, Steve D. and Donald M. Reed. 1997. Wetland Plants and Plant Communities of Minnesota and Wisconsin. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Paul District.
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (2003). Field Guide to the Native Plant Communities of Minnesota: The Laurentian Mixed Forest Province. Ecological Land Classification Program, Minnesota County Biological Survey, and Natural Heritage and Nongame Research Program. MNDNR St. Paul, MN.
Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Official Soil Series Descriptions. Available online. Accessed March 2018.
United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. 2022. Land Resource Regions and Major Land Resource Areas of the United States, the Caribbean, and the Pacific Basin. U.S. Department of Agriculture Handbook 296.
USDA, NRCS. 2018. The PLANTS Database (http://plants.usda.gov, 27 March 2018). National Plant Data Team, Greensboro, NC 27401-4901 USA.
ional Plant Data Team, Greensboro, NC 27401-4901 USA.
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 2013. Level III and IV ecoregions of the continental
United States: Corvallis, Oregon, U.S. EPA, National Health and Environmental Effects Research Laboratory, map scale 1:3,000,000, https://www.epa.gov/eco-research/level-iii-and-iv-ecoregions-continental-united-states.Contributors
Ezra Hoffman, Ecological Site Specialist for North Central Region
Kade Anderson, Ecological Site Specialist for North Central Region
Patty Burns, Soil Scientist, USDA-NRCS-Bemidji, MN.
Stacey Clark, Regional Ecologist, USDA-NRCS-St.Paul, MN.
Landon Wolter, Rangeland Management Specialist for North Central RegionApproval
Suzanne Mayne-Kinney, 8/12/2024
Rangeland health reference sheet
Interpreting Indicators of Rangeland Health is a qualitative assessment protocol used to determine ecosystem condition based on benchmark characteristics described in the Reference Sheet. A suite of 17 (or more) indicators are typically considered in an assessment. The ecological site(s) representative of an assessment location must be known prior to applying the protocol and must be verified based on soils and climate. Current plant community cannot be used to identify the ecological site.
Author(s)/participant(s) Contact for lead author Date 07/08/2026 Approved by Approval date Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on Annual Production Indicators
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Number and extent of rills:
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Presence of water flow patterns:
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Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
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Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
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Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
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Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
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Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel):
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Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):
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Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
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Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
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Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):
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Functional/Structural Groups (list in order of descending dominance by above-ground annual-production or live foliar cover using symbols: >>, >, = to indicate much greater than, greater than, and equal to):
Dominant:
Sub-dominant:
Other:
Additional:
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Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
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Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
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Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
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Potential invasive (including noxious) species (native and non-native). List species which BOTH characterize degraded states and have the potential to become a dominant or co-dominant species on the ecological site if their future establishment and growth is not actively controlled by management interventions. Species that become dominant for only one to several years (e.g., short-term response to drought or wildfire) are not invasive plants. Note that unlike other indicators, we are describing what is NOT expected in the reference state for the ecological site:
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Perennial plant reproductive capability:
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