This community phase is best described as a poor fen. Sites in this ES are almost universally in the reference state owing to its wetness and low overall productivity. Due to wetness and low productivity this ES has almost exclusively been overlooked for logging and land use conversion or changes. This ES usually has a complete or near complete sphagnum ground cover with some woody low shrubs present, including leatherleaf, Labrador tea, and Bog Rosemary. Sedges and Blue bead lily may also be present in this ES. The dominant tree species in this ES are Black spruce and Tamarack. Other trees may be present but are unlikely to be successfully regenerating. Sporadic trees may include White pine, red maple, and others depending on seed dispersal by squirrels and other animals. Black spruce and tamarack present on these sites are likely to be stunted or partially stunted depending on available nutrient status and location within the site. If the site is very old it may have characteristics of (or be) a true bog. In this case most of the trees will be gone and the sphagnum will be the most dominant plant with the previously mentioned low woody shrubs still being present.
The reference state includes three community phases that are part of the mosaic of northern acid peatlands. We chose three distinct community phases to represent the Reference state: 1, a forested phase, 2, shrub phase, and 3, open bog phase. Other communities may exist within this ecological site if they lack similar hydrology. In addition, many sites may exhibit characteristics of multiple community phases. These community phases are not necessarily linear success but may develop in that fashion.
While not always present this ES may at times contain some uncommon plants such as pitcher plants, sundews, and lady slippers.
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The Ecosystem Dynamics Interpretive Tool is an information system framework developed by the USDA-ARS Jornada Experimental Range, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and New Mexico State University.
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