Home/Ecosystems/ New England Low-Elevation Spruce-Fir Forest

New England Low-Elevation Spruce-Fir Forest

EVT 7554Acadian Low-Elevation Hardwood Forest

CES201.565GNRTreeHardwood

Summary

This system represents the Acadian and northern Appalachian red spruce-fir forest that extends to the southern boreal region of southeastern Canada. The low- to mid-elevation forests are dominated by Picea rubens and Abies balsamea. Picea mariana and Picea glauca may be present. Betula alleghaniensis is the most common codominant, and Acer rubrum, Acer saccharum, and Fagus grandifolia are sometimes present. The upland soils are acidic and usually rocky, mostly well- to moderately well-drained but with some somewhat poorly drained patches at the slope bottoms. This is the matrix forest type in the lower-elevation northern portions of this division. This system may include earlier successional patches in which Populus spp. and Betula spp. are dominant or mixed with Picea and Abies that will develop into spruce-fir forests. Blowdowns with subsequent gap regeneration are the most frequent form of natural disturbance, with large-scale fires important at longer return intervals.

Source: NatureServe Explorer

Distribution

This system is found in northern New England, northern New York and adjacent Canada and is 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

Abies balsamea, Acer rubrum, Acer saccharum, Betula alleghaniensis, Betula papyrifera, Fagus grandifolia, Picea glauca, Picea mariana, Picea rubens, Tsuga canadensis

Shrub/sapling (tall & short)

Corylus cornuta

Herb (field)

Maianthemum canadense, Oclemena acuminata

Source: NatureServe Ecological System assessment

Ecologically Associated Animals (10)

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 (3)

Common Name	Scientific Name	G-Rank
Southern Red-backed Vole	Clethrionomys gapperi	G5
Smoky Shrew	Sorex fumeus	G5
North American Red Squirrel	Tamiasciurus hudsonicus	G5

Butterflies & Moths (6)

Common Name	Scientific Name	G-Rank
Comstock's Sallow Moth	Feralia comstocki	G5
Jocose Sallow Moth	Feralia jocosa	G5
Pale-marked Angle Moth	Macaria signaria	G5
Hoary Comma	Polygonia gracilis	G5
Gray Comma	Polygonia progne	G5
Boomerang Dart Moth	Xestia perquiritata	G5

Other (1)

Common Name	Scientific Name	G-Rank
Spruce Budworm	Choristoneura fumiferana	G5

Source: NatureServe Ecological System assessment

Component Associations (5)

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.

Name	G-Rank
Picea mariana / Kalmia angustifolia Woodland	G4	NatureServe
Picea mariana - Picea rubens / Pleurozium schreberi Forest	GNR	NatureServe
Picea rubens - Abies balsamea - Betula papyrifera Forest	GNR	NatureServe
Picea rubens - Abies balsamea - Betula spp. - Acer rubrum Forest	GNR	NatureServe
Picea rubens - Picea glauca Forest	G4	NatureServe

State Conservation Ranks (5)

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.

State	S-Rank
ME	SNR
NH	SNR
NY	SNR
PA	SNR
VT	SNR

Roadless Areas (4)

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)

Area	Forest	Coverage	Hectares
Caribou - Speckled Ext	White Mountain National Forest	1.1%	27

New Hampshire (3)

Area	Forest	Coverage	Hectares
Cherry Mountain	White Mountain National Forest	1.5%	54
Mt. Wolf - Gordon Pond	White Mountain National Forest	1.0%	46.98
Wild River	White Mountain National Forest	0.5%	96.66

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.