Great Lakes Northern Hardwood Forest

EVT 7302Laurentian-Acadian Northern Hardwoods Forest
CES201.564GNRTreeHardwood
Summary
These northern hardwood forests range across New England and adjacent Canada, south to New York and possibly northern Pennsylvania and west to Minnesota. They occur in various dry-mesic to wet-mesic settings at low to moderate elevations, generally less than 610 m (2000 feet), throughout the Laurentian-Acadian Division. Acer saccharum, Betula alleghaniensis, and Fagus grandifolia are the dominant trees (the latter only east of northern Wisconsin). Tsuga canadensis or, in the Northeast, Picea rubens are common minor canopy associates. Ostrya virginiana is frequent but not dominant. Oak is a minor component and absent from northern regions. Successional stands may be dominated by Populus tremuloides, Betula papyrifera, Acer rubrum, Fraxinus americana, Prunus serotina, sometimes with scattered Pinus strobus. Soils range from moderately nutrient-poor to quite enriched, with associated shifts in the herb flora. This system can include large expanses of rich forest in areas of limestone or similar bedrock, as well as forests that are relatively poor floristically in areas of granitic (or similar) bedrock or acidic till. Blowdowns or snow and ice loading, with subsequent gap regeneration, are the most frequent form of natural disturbance.
Source: NatureServe Explorer
Distribution
This system occurs in northern New England and northern New York west across the upper Great Lakes to northern Minnesota, and adjacent Canada; occasional southwards.
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

Acer rubrum, Acer saccharum, Betula alleghaniensis, Betula papyrifera, Fagus grandifolia, Fraxinus americana, Ostrya virginiana, Picea rubens, Pinus strobus, Populus tremuloides, Prunus serotina, Tilia americana, Tsuga canadensis

Shrub/sapling (tall & short)

Corylus cornuta, Viburnum lantanoides

Short shrub/sapling

Rubus variispinus

Herb (field)

Botrychium lineare, Botrychium michiganense, Dryopteris carthusiana, Erythranthe michiganensis, Schoenoplectiella hallii

Nonvascular

Frullania selwyniana
Source: NatureServe Ecological System assessment
Ecologically Associated Animals (11)

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 (4)

Common NameScientific NameG-Rank
Southern Red-backed VoleClethrionomys gapperiG5
Indiana MyotisMyotis sodalisG2
Eastern Gray SquirrelSciurus carolinensisG5
Smoky ShrewSorex fumeusG5

Birds (1)

Common NameScientific NameG-Rank
Ruffed GrouseBonasa umbellusG5

Amphibians (1)

Common NameScientific NameG-Rank
Eastern Red-Backed SalamanderPlethodon cinereusG5

Butterflies & Moths (1)

Common NameScientific NameG-Rank
Early HairstreakErora laetaG2G3

Insects (3)

Common NameScientific NameG-Rank
American Burying BeetleNicrophorus americanusG3
Sioux SnaketailOphiogomphus smithiG2G3
Douglas Stenelmis Riffle BeetleStenelmis douglasensisG1G3

Molluscs (1)

Common NameScientific NameG-Rank
Frigid AmbersnailMediappendix gelidaG1Q
Source: NatureServe Ecological System assessment
At-Risk Species Associated with this Ecosystem (12)

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
Narrowleaf GrapefernBotrychium lineareG3--
Michigan MoonwortBotrychium michiganenseG3--
Early HairstreakErora laetaG2G3--
Michigan MonkeyflowerErythranthe michiganensisG1Endangered
Selwyn's ScalewortFrullania selwynianaG3--
Frigid AmbersnailMediappendix gelidaG1Q--
Indiana MyotisMyotis sodalisG2Endangered
American Burying BeetleNicrophorus americanusG3Threatened; Experimental population, non-essential
Sioux SnaketailOphiogomphus smithiG2G3--
Vicksburg BlackberryRubus variispinusG1?Q--
Hall's BulrushSchoenoplectiella halliiG3--
Douglas Stenelmis Riffle BeetleStenelmis douglasensisG1G3--
Source: NatureServe Ecological System assessment
Component Associations (16)

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
Acer saccharum - Betula alleghaniensis - Fagus grandifolia / Viburnum lantanoides ForestG5 NatureServe
Acer saccharum - Betula alleghaniensis - Tilia americana ForestG3 NatureServe
Acer saccharum - Fagus grandifolia - Betula spp. / Maianthemum canadense ForestG4 NatureServe
Acer saccharum - Fagus grandifolia - Fraxinus americana / Arisaema triphyllum ForestG5 NatureServe
Acer saccharum - Fraxinus americana / Acer spicatum / Caulophyllum thalictroides ForestG4 NatureServe
Acer saccharum - (Fraxinus americana) / Arisaema triphyllum ForestG4 NatureServe
Acer saccharum - Tilia americana / Acer pensylvanicum / Caulophyllum thalictroides ForestG4 NatureServe
Acer saccharum - Tilia americana / Ostrya virginiana / Lonicera canadensis ForestG3 NatureServe
Betula papyrifera - Acer saccharum / Mixed Hardwoods ForestG4 NatureServe
Onoclea sensibilis - (Adiantum pedatum) - Impatiens capensis - Carex plantaginea Seepage MeadowG4 NatureServe
Populus tremuloides - Betula papyrifera - (Acer rubrum, Fraxinus nigra) ForestG5 NatureServe
Subboreal Glacier TalusG2 NatureServe
Symplocarpus foetidus - Mixed Forbs SeepG4 NatureServe
Thuja occidentalis / Abies balsamea - Acer spicatum ForestG4 NatureServe
Thuja occidentalis - Betula alleghaniensis ForestG2 NatureServe
Tsuga canadensis - (Betula alleghaniensis) - Picea rubens / Cornus canadensis ForestGNR NatureServe
State Conservation Ranks (8)

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
MASNR
MESNR
MISNR
MNSNR
NHSNR
NYSNR
VTSNR
WISNR
Roadless Areas (51)

Inventoried Roadless Areas where this ecosystem is present, identified from LANDFIRE 2024 Existing Vegetation Type spatial analysis. Coverage indicates the proportion of each area occupied by this ecosystem type.

Maine (1)

AreaForestCoverageHectares
Caribou - Speckled ExtWhite Mountain National Forest61.1%1,481.22

Michigan (4)

AreaForestCoverageHectares
Norwich Plains Revised Roadless AreaOttawa National Forest35.3%622.62
DeliriumHiawatha National Forest7.8%6.03
Bear SwampHuron-Manistee National Forest6.9%108.9
FibreHiawatha National Forest1.0%29.25

Minnesota (11)

AreaForestCoverageHectares
Elmwood IslandChippewa National Forest40.4%6.66
Big IslandChippewa National Forest28.6%2.88
Cabin CreekSuperior National Forest11.8%288.9
Phantom LakeSuperior National Forest9.2%242.01
Little Indian SiouxSuperior National Forest6.8%27.45
Tait LakeSuperior National Forest6.2%158.22
Hegman LakesSuperior National Forest5.1%13.95
Kawishiwi Lake To SawbillSuperior National Forest4.8%299.61
Wood LakeSuperior National Forest3.5%8.37
Mississippi CreekSuperior National Forest1.8%42.3
Brule Lake - Eagle MountainSuperior National Forest1.0%50.94

New Hampshire (15)

AreaForestCoverageHectares
Carr MountainWhite Mountain National Forest62.1%4,301.01
Cherry MountainWhite Mountain National Forest57.9%2,054.25
Mt. Wolf - Gordon PondWhite Mountain National Forest53.4%2,560.77
KearsargeWhite Mountain National Forest44.9%827.1
Dartmouth RangeWhite Mountain National Forest39.1%1,460.7
KilkennyWhite Mountain National Forest37.0%4,305.33
Wild RiverWhite Mountain National Forest33.1%6,275.7
Sandwich RangeWhite Mountain National Forest26.3%1,791.18
Presidential - Dry River ExtWhite Mountain National Forest25.9%1,105.47
Great Gulf Ext.White Mountain National Forest23.6%1,440.81
Pemigewasset ExtWhite Mountain National Forest22.7%1,454.76
Kinsman MountainWhite Mountain National Forest21.7%788.49
PemigewassetWhite Mountain National Forest16.9%2,200.59
WatervilleWhite Mountain National Forest15.2%265.14
JobildunkWhite Mountain National Forest6.6%98.1

Vermont (6)

AreaForestCoverageHectares
Bread LoafGreen Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests87.3%624.78
Woodford 09086Green Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests74.8%743.49
Devil's Den 09083Green Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests70.2%2,606.04
Wilder Mountain 09082Green Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests69.3%2,458.26
Lye Brook Addition 09085Green Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests55.5%249.75
Griffith Lake 09084Green Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests41.5%307.44

Wisconsin (14)

AreaForestCoverageHectares
09154 - St. Peters DomeChequamegon-Nicolet National Forest92.3%1,494.54
09011 - Flynn Lake Study AreaChequamegon-Nicolet National Forest73.5%1,769.49
09182 - Pentoga RoadChequamegon-Nicolet National Forest72.8%1,474.38
09177 - Le Roy CreekChequamegon-Nicolet National Forest58.2%1,917
09181 - FoursectionChequamegon-Nicolet National Forest54.6%450.09
09180 - Perch LakeChequamegon-Nicolet National Forest54.4%525.6
09159 - ThornappleChequamegon-Nicolet National Forest53.9%2,123.91
09164 - Tea LakeChequamegon-Nicolet National Forest48.5%1,080.9
09157 - Chase CreekChequamegon-Nicolet National Forest34.2%850.68
09166 - East TorchChequamegon-Nicolet National Forest33.8%636.3
09161 - Gates LakeChequamegon-Nicolet National Forest32.7%696.24
09162 - MooseChequamegon-Nicolet National Forest32.6%812.7
09012 - Round Lake Study AreaChequamegon-Nicolet National Forest29.8%447.84
09186 - Shelp LakeChequamegon-Nicolet National Forest19.8%22.68
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.