Shallow Peatland

Description

The plants associated with the Shallow Peatland ecological site concept in the reference state are well-adapted to waterlogged conditions, but they cannot tolerate excessively long continuous periods of inundation (water table <20 in [50 cm]). Plant species are also adapted to periods of dessication, by developing root stems or collars that provide access to oxygen when the rest of the root system is submerged, or by having roots that extend very deep into permanently wet or moist substrates, or by having hard-walled cells (sclerenchyma) on the outer surfaces of their root systems which prevent water loss (MNDNR 2005). Although this site may temporarily exhibit floating or submergent vegetation, they typically do not last due to frequent periods of dessication on site. In situations where water levels are higher than average, or beaver impoundment is impacting the amount of water ponding on-site, the vegetation community may resemble more of a marsh. Tussock-forming sedges (i.e. Carex stricta Lam.) and bluejoint (Calamagrostis canadensis (Michx.) P. Beauv.) can form floating mats that elevate rootlets above the water surface. These thick mats also tend to reduce plant diversity and the available habitat on-site for forbs. Shrubs tend to dominate (alder, willow, dogwoods) on sites with more frequent draw-down of water or less frequent histories of fire. The transition of Shallow Peatland to a rich or poor fen is readily reversed by re-establishment of higher or more fluctuating water table or precipitation levels or impoundment, such as that from beaver activity. In reference condition, these sites provide important nesting and food sources for sand-hill cranes, pheasants, snipes, rails, songbirds, raptors, and small mammals.

Dominant plant species

1. red maple (Acer rubrum), tree

2. black ash (Fraxinus nigra), tree

3. American elm (Ulmus americana), tree

4. tamarack (Larix laricina), tree

5. paper birch (Betula papyrifera), tree

6. American red raspberry (Rubus idaeus), shrub

7. meadow willow (Salix petiolaris), shrub

8. pussy willow (Salix discolor), shrub

9. redosier dogwood (Cornus sericea), shrub

10. gray alder (Alnus incana), shrub

11. Bebb willow (Salix bebbiana), shrub

12. bog birch (Betula pumila), shrub

13. white meadowsweet (Spiraea alba), shrub

14. bluejoint (Calamagrostis canadensis), grass

15. hairy sedge (Carex lacustris), grass

16. Northwest Territory sedge (Carex utriculata), grass

17. water sedge (Carex aquatilis), grass

18. woolly sedge (Carex pellita), grass

19. prairie sedge (Carex prairea), grass

20. fowl mannagrass (Glyceria striata), grass

21. prairie cordgrass (Spartina pectinata), grass

22. common spikerush (Eleocharis palustris), grass

Submodel

Description

Many areas that are drained are used for growing crops, hay, and pasture, or are used for grazing. Historically, a lot of these sites may have been ditched, or are adjacent to channels that have been channelized. Salinity can increase in soils that are drained or dried out for prolonged periods of time.

Dominant plant species

1. quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides), tree

2. paper birch (Betula papyrifera), tree

3. green bulrush (Scirpus atrovirens), grass

Submodel

Description

This state describes three various ways in which the reference state changes to an altered state by either water impounding or invasion by reed canary grass or common reed or an increase in sphagnum species.

Dominant plant species

1. narrowleaf cattail (Typha angustifolia), grass

2. hybrid cattail (Typha ×glauca), grass

3. reed canarygrass (Phalaris arundinacea), grass

4. sphagnum (Sphagnum), grass

Submodel

Description

This state is characterized by the production of annual crops using a variety of tillage and cropping systems along with management practices.

Dominant plant species

1. corn (Zea mays), grass

2. common wheat (Triticum aestivum), grass

3. common oat (Avena sativa), grass

4. soybean (Glycine max), grass

Submodel