Northeastern Acidic Conifer-Hardwood Swamp

EVT 9185Northern Appalachian-Acadian Conifer-Hardwood Acidic Swamp
CES201.574GNRTreeRiparian
Summary
These forested wetlands are found in temperate northeastern and north-central U.S., primarily in glaciated regions in the eastern Laurentian-Acadian region. They occur on mineral soils that are nutrient-poor; there may be an organic epipedon, but the substrate is generally not deep peat. These basin wetlands remain saturated for all or nearly all of the growing season, and may have standing water seasonally. There may be some seepage influence, especially near the periphery. Acer rubrum, Fraxinus spp., Picea rubens (rarely Picea mariana), and Abies balsamea are the most typical trees. The herbaceous and shrub layers tend to be fairly species-poor. Ilex mucronata (= Nemopanthus mucronatus) and Osmunda spp. are typical shrub and herb species.
Source: NatureServe Explorer
Distribution
This system occurs in New England and adjacent Canada west through New York. Occurrences in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania are at higher elevations and peripheral to the range.
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, Picea mariana, Picea rubens

Shrub/sapling (tall & short)

Ilex verticillata, Nemopanthus mucronatus, Viburnum nudum var. cassinoides

Herb (field)

Carex wiegandii, Dryopteris cristata, Onoclea sensibilis, Osmundastrum cinnamomeum, Poa paludigena
Source: NatureServe Ecological System assessment
Ecologically Associated Animals (7)

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 (2)

Common NameScientific NameG-Rank
Star-nosed MoleCondylura cristataG5
Cinereus ShrewSorex cinereusG5

Amphibians (1)

Common NameScientific NameG-Rank
Wood FrogLithobates sylvaticusG5

Butterflies & Moths (3)

Common NameScientific NameG-Rank
Comstock's Sallow MothFeralia comstockiG5
Jocose Sallow MothFeralia jocosaG5
Osmunda Borer MothPapaipema speciosissimaG3G4

Other (1)

Common NameScientific NameG-Rank
Sensitive Fern Borer MothPapaipema inquaesitaG5
Source: NatureServe Ecological System assessment
At-Risk Species Associated with this Ecosystem (2)

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
Osmunda Borer MothPapaipema speciosissimaG3G4--
Bog BluegrassPoa paludigenaG3G4--
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.

NameG-Rank
Acer rubrum / Carex stricta - Onoclea sensibilis Wet Woodland NatureServe
Acer rubrum / Ilex mucronata - Vaccinium corymbosum Swamp NatureServe
Betula alleghaniensis - Acer rubrum - (Tsuga canadensis, Abies balsamea) / Osmunda cinnamomea SwampG4 NatureServe
Picea rubens - Abies balsamea / Gaultheria hispidula / Osmunda cinnamomea / Sphagnum spp. Swamp NatureServe
Picea rubens - Acer rubrum / Ilex mucronata Swamp NatureServe
State Conservation Ranks (7)

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
CTSNR
MASNR
MESNR
NHSNR
NYSNR
PASNR
VTSNR
Roadless Areas (7)

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.

New Hampshire (2)

AreaForestCoverageHectares
Mt. Wolf - Gordon PondWhite Mountain National Forest1.0%47.88
Carr MountainWhite Mountain National Forest0.7%48.15

Vermont (5)

AreaForestCoverageHectares
Woodford 09086Green Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests11.2%110.79
Lye Brook Addition 09085Green Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests10.8%48.51
Griffith Lake 09084Green Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests8.5%62.73
Wilder Mountain 09082Green Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests6.0%212.67
Devil's Den 09083Green Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests4.3%160.92
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.