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Ecological site RX143X00Y220

Semi-Acidic Peat Wetland Complex

Last updated: 5/20/2025
Accessed: 10/19/2025

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General information

Provisional. A provisional ecological site description has undergone quality control and quality assurance review. It contains a working state and transition model and enough information to identify the ecological site.

MLRA notes

Major Land Resource Area (MLRA): 143X–Northeastern Mountains

MLRA 143 is in Maine (51 percent), New York (27 percent), Vermont (13 percent), New Hampshire (7 percent), and Massachusetts (2 percent). It makes up about 34,409 square miles (89,118 square kilometers). The MLRA consists of rolling hills and mountains covered by Wisconsin till. It is in three parts separated by other MLRAs. The western part is in New York (primarily the Adirondack Mountains). The central part is mainly in the Green Mountains in Vermont and the Berkshires in Massachusetts. The eastern part is in New Hampshire and most of northern Maine. The MLRA is used mainly for forestry and recreational purposes. The western part of MLRA 143 in the Adirondack Mountains has a distinct boundary with the physiographical dissimilar Saint Lawrence-Champlain Plain. The middle part that encompasses the Green Mountains has a diffuse boundary as it blends into the northern part of the New England and Eastern New York Uplands on the foothills of the Green Mountains. The southern boundary of the easternmost part of MLRA 143 has the same diffuse boundary. The northern boundary of the MLRA is the Canadian border.

The westernmost part of this MLRA is primarily in the Adirondack province of the Appalachian Highlands. A small area in the southern end of the western part is in the Mohawk section of the Appalachian Plateaus province of the same division. The easternmost part, primarily in northern Maine, is in the New England Upland section of the New England province of the Appalachian Highlands. The southwestern half of this part is in the White Mountain section of the same province and division, and the middle part of the MLRA is in the Green Mountain section. The mountains and foothills in this MLRA are commonly rounded. They are underlain by bedrock and typically covered with thin deposits of till. The more rugged mountain areas are separated by high-gradient streams coursing through steep areas of colluvium or talus-laden valleys. Many glacially broadened valleys are filled with glacial outwash and have numerous swamps and lakes. The mountains and foothills are moderately steep to very steep, and the valleys are nearly level to sloping.

As the northernmost MLRA in the region with the coldest temperatures and shortest growing season, the Northeastern Mountains have less overall tree diversity, fewer pine and oak trees, and more abundant spruce and fir trees than neighboring MLRAs. The variability in microtopography on this site results in a patchy mosaic of plant communities. Silver maple is the most common overstory species, with diverse grasses and herbs indicating differences in soil wetness throughout the site due to slight variability in elevation above the water table. This site is subject to ice scour and flooding, but the most extensive disturbance is cultivation. These broad, flat landforms are nutrient rich with high water-holding capacity. These factors along with their adjacency to rivers made them ideal farming locations for early settlers, much of which continues today. The effects of altered flow regimes from modern dams may also be significant but require further study.

Classification relationships

This site occurs in Ecological Site Group 2 (Open Wetlands) of MLRA 143 (The Northeastern Mountains), in the Northeastern Forage and Forest Region (Land Resource Region R).

The Northeastern Forage and Forest LRR includes all of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, and Connecticut, as well as large portions of Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Ohio. Its southern boundary marks the extent of the Wisconsin ice sheet, which engulfed the entire LRR as recently as 10,000 to 15,000 years ago. Erosional and depositional processes associated with glaciation created many of the topographic patterns that distinguish MLRAs within the Northeastern region. Harder granitic and metamorphic bedrock to the north were more resistant to glacial erosion, resulting in the relatively nutrient poor mountains of MLRA 143; whereas nutrient-rich sedimentary bedrock of MLRAs 139, 140, and 146 resulted in relatively flat, fertile landscapes ideal for cultivation. Other areas were depressed below sea-level by the sheer mass of the glacier, resulting in pockets of marine sediments which distinguish MLRAs 142, 144A, 144B, and 145.

Precipitation is sufficient to support productive forestland throughout the Northeastern region. Still, a latitudinal temperature gradient from mesic to frigid soil temperatures results in a general transition from central hardwoods and pine in the southern MLRAs to northern hardwoods and spruce-fir forests farther north (no true boreal forests exist in the region). Elevations are generally low throughout the Northeastern region, with the exception of MLRA 143 which has many high mountain ecosystems with cryic temperature regimes and alpine vegetation above the tree line.

Ecological site concept

This site occurs in flat, low-lying bogs and marshes on footslopes and toeslopes where large amounts of water accumulates for much of the year. Poorly-decomposed organic deposits (peats) are dominant with at least 40 inches (100 centimeters) of organics underlain by bedrock or mineral soils. These are typically very deep and very poorly drained peat soils where the pH is typically between 4.5 and 6.0 throughout (euic reaction class).

The reference vegetation of this site is composed of variable natural communities of graminoids, forbs, heath shrubs, and mosses (dominantly Sphagnum spp.) that grow along slight changes in soil wetness. Changes in community structure and composition are based on changes in immediate and long-term shifts in hydrology and nutrient dynamics. Further study is required of this site in regards to the influence of hydrology on changes in soil and plant dynamics.

Associated sites

RX143X00Y230	Acidic Peat Wetland Complex The Semi-Acidic Peat Wetland Complex site may grade into the Acidic Peat Wetland Complex, usually with the latter being toward the center of the bog and grading outward to be less acidic toward the surrounding forested land.

RX143X00Y230

Acidic Peat Wetland Complex

The Semi-Acidic Peat Wetland Complex site may grade into the Acidic Peat Wetland Complex, usually with the latter being toward the center of the bog and grading outward to be less acidic toward the surrounding forested land.

Similar sites

RX143X00Y230	Acidic Peat Wetland Complex The Acidic Peat Wetland Complex has pH less than 4.5 throughout the profile, compared to pH of greater than 4.5 in at least part of the profile for the Semi-Acidic Peat Wetland Complex site. The lower pH result in the most acid bog vegetation indicators, such as pitcher plant and sundew.
F143XY210ME	Marsh Wetland Complex The Marsh Wetland Complex occurs in a similar landscape position, but has more nutrient and oxygen-rich soil water conditions, resulting in the decomposition of organic matter into muck, rather than the peat accumulation characteristic of the Semi-Acidic Peat Wetland Complex.

RX143X00Y230

Acidic Peat Wetland Complex

The Acidic Peat Wetland Complex has pH less than 4.5 throughout the profile, compared to pH of greater than 4.5 in at least part of the profile for the Semi-Acidic Peat Wetland Complex site. The lower pH result in the most acid bog vegetation indicators, such as pitcher plant and sundew.

F143XY210ME

Marsh Wetland Complex

The Marsh Wetland Complex occurs in a similar landscape position, but has more nutrient and oxygen-rich soil water conditions, resulting in the decomposition of organic matter into muck, rather than the peat accumulation characteristic of the Semi-Acidic Peat Wetland Complex.

Table 1. Dominant plant species

Tree	Not specified
Shrub	(1) Myrica gale (2) Dasiphora fruticosa ssp. floribunda
Herbaceous	(1) Carex (2) Sphagnum

Legacy ID

F143XY220ME

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Physiographic features

This ecological site and its associated plant communities occur in freshwater bogs, marshes, and swamps on footslopes and toeslopes of mountains, where large amounts of water collect, creating hydric conditions and supporting organic matter accumulation. Slope shape will often range from concave to linear, depending on localized landform, all sites reflecting a seasonal high-water table of 0 to 6 inches (0 to 15 centimeters). These sites are commonly found in former lake or pond basins that have been filled by peat deposits.

Table 2. Representative physiographic features

Hillslope profile	(1) Footslope (2) Toeslope
Slope shape across	(1) Concave (2) Linear
Slope shape up-down	(1) Concave (2) Linear
Landforms	(1) Bog (2) Marsh (3) Swamp
Flooding frequency	None
Ponding duration	Long (7 to 30 days) to very long (more than 30 days)
Ponding frequency	Occasional to frequent
Elevation	10 – 2,100 ft
Slope	2%
Ponding depth	15 in
Water table depth	6 in
Aspect	Aspect is not a significant factor

Climatic features

As the northernmost MLRA in the region, this site experiences frigid and snowy winters, warm rainy summers, and a relatively short five to six month growing season. Precipitation is considerably constant from month to month; however, areas of higher elevations may receive up to double the annual precipitation of the lower elevations and have a three to four month growing season with extremely cold winters.

Table 3. Representative climatic features

Frost-free period (characteristic range)	106-129 days
Freeze-free period (characteristic range)	139-159 days
Precipitation total (characteristic range)	43-49 in
Frost-free period (actual range)	101-134 days
Freeze-free period (actual range)	134-164 days
Precipitation total (actual range)	41-50 in
Frost-free period (average)	118 days
Freeze-free period (average)	149 days
Precipitation total (average)	46 in

Characteristic range

Actual range

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Figure 1. Monthly precipitation range

Characteristic range

Actual range

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Figure 2. Monthly minimum temperature range

Characteristic range

Actual range

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Figure 3. Monthly maximum temperature range

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Figure 4. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature

Figure 5. Annual precipitation pattern

Figure 6. Annual average temperature pattern

Climate stations used

(1) INDIAN LAKE 2SW [USC00304102], Indian Lake, NY
(2) WESLEY [USC00179294], Machias, ME

Influencing water features

Large amounts of water saturate the soils of this site throughout much of the year and will be occasional to frequently ponded, with depths ranging up to 15 inches (38 centimeters). The acidic to circumneutral pH of these Sphagnum dominant bogs is an intrinsic feature of this site, occurring through Sphagnum’s ability to acidify the bog habitat by taking up cations and releasing hydrogen ions into the surrounding water (Johnson 1985; Gotelli et al. 2008). The extended hydroperiods and acidic pH of these sites will often limit tree growth to a few scattered, stunted individuals and instead favor the growth of sphagnum mosses, heath shrubs, and other bog vegetation.

Wetland description

Classification System: Cowardin
System: Palustrine
Subsystem: NA
Class: Moss-Lichen Wetland
Subclass: Moss

Soil features

Soils are dominantly very poorly drained organic peat soils. Typical soils will be very deep with at least 40 inches (100 centimeters) of organic deposits and may be underlain by mineral soils with textures ranging from loamy to sandy. Soil pH of the particle control section is expected to be between 4.5 and 6.5, classifying all peaty soil series associated to this site with a euic reaction. These soils will be close to permanently saturated, with the absence of water table fluctuation inhibiting organic matter decomposition, resulting in peat accumulation.

Representative soils include the Rifle (Typic Haplohemists) series. Other soils may be present that support this type of vegetation, but vegetation community dynamics can also be driven by abiotic influences (groundwater seepage, landscape position, etc.) rather than soils.

Table 4. Representative soil features

Parent material	(1) Herbaceous organic material (2) Woody organic material
Surface texture	(1) Peat
Drainage class	Very poorly drained
Permeability class	Moderate to rapid
Soil depth	40 – 80 in
Surface fragment cover <=3"	Not specified
Surface fragment cover >3"	Not specified
Available water capacity (0-40in)	13.8 – 21.1 in
Soil reaction (1:1 water) (0-40in)	4.5 – 6.5
Subsurface fragment volume <=3" (0-40in)	Not specified
Subsurface fragment volume >3" (0-40in)	Not specified

Table 5. Representative soil features (actual values)

Drainage class	Not specified
Permeability class	Not specified
Soil depth	Not specified
Surface fragment cover <=3"	Not specified
Surface fragment cover >3"	Not specified
Available water capacity (0-40in)	12 – 24 in
Soil reaction (1:1 water) (0-40in)	4.4 – 7.3
Subsurface fragment volume <=3" (0-40in)	10%
Subsurface fragment volume >3" (0-40in)	Not specified

Ecological dynamics

[Caveat: The vegetation information contained in this section and is only provisional, based on concepts, and future projects support validation through field work. *] The vegetation groupings described in this section are based on the terrestrial ecological system classification and vegetation associations developed by NatureServe (Comer et al., 2003) and localized associations provided by the New York Natural Heritage Program (Edinger et al., 2014), Maine Natural Areas Program (Gawler and Cutko, 2010), New Hampshire Natural Heritage Program (Sperduto and Nichols, 2011), and Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (Swain, 2020).

The Semi-Acidic Peat Wetland Complex ecological site includes many different wetland communities dominated by complex community mosaics in which diverse sphagnum mosses, heath shrubs, grasses, and other bog species grow differently along slight changes in soil wetness and pH. Sphagnum mosses will be the dominant foundation and groundcover of these systems, becoming the main component of the peat soil when it dies, with new sphagnum growing on top of it building up the soil surface (Hemond 1977). Sedges, heath shrubs, and other forbs will often grow in conjunction with the sphagnum, adding herbaceous and woody litter to the ground surface. Trees will often be absent from this site due to the duration of soil saturation, and if present will occur as stunted individuals. The following State and Transition Model (STM) is broken into separate states and phases based on dominant functional groups, correlating closely with associated hydrology and soil pH of a site. These communities will often form a complex mosaic not only with other states or phases within this ESD, but with other open and wooded wetland ESDs as well. Further study of the relationship between specific soils and plant communities is required.

These peatlands are fed by ground or surface water that is moderately enriched with dissolved minerals, resulting in localized pH being semi-acidic to slightly neutral. The consistently wet soils which commonly have water at or slightly above the soil surface perpetuate the accumulation of organic matter, resulting in the deep organic mats. The absence of organic matter decomposition, a result of extremely waterlogged conditions, will often make the relative density of these bogs more buoyant than the water, forming floating mats of vegetation.

These areas have very slow growth rates due to the nutrient poor environment, which can result in slow recovery from physical disturbances. This vegetation is highly sensitive and extremely susceptible to trampling, which can result in localized areas of ponding and degraded land. If traversing these areas is necessary, boardwalks or utilization during the winter months is recommended.

These fens are developed and maintained under the influence of mineral-rich groundwater seepage or discharge and are threatened by alterations in the quantity and quality of the associated groundwater. Impoundment or drainage of these areas has yet to be observed but would likely have negative impacts on hydrology and vegetation.

Fire is not a known disturbance in these communities due to the consistent saturation of the soils.

State and transition model

More interactive model formats are also available. View Interactive Models
Click on state and transition labels to scroll to the respective text

Ecosystem states

1. Intermediate Fens and Bogs

2. Increased Long-Term Hydrology

3. Decreased Long-Term Hydrology

T1A	-	Lowering of soil surface below permanent water surface (trampling, etc.)
T1B	-	Decrease in long term hydroperiod, shrub or tree dominance
T2A	-	Organic matter accumulation over time, colonization of native graminoids, mosses, and shrubs (decadal)

State 1 submodel, plant communities

1.1. Intermediate Graminoid Fen

1.2. Intermediate Rich Shrubby Fen

1.1A	-	Site enrichment via long term changes through surface or subsurface water quality

State 2 submodel, plant communities

2.1. Open Water

State 3 submodel, plant communities

3.1. Marsh Wetland Complex OR Wooded Wetland Complex

State 1
Intermediate Fens and Bogs

These are open peatlands dominated by tall rhizomatous sedges, a variable cover sphagnum and other diverse mosses, and a moderate cover of relatively short shrubs. Tall hammocks may be occasional and provide habitat for various floral and faunal species. Low hummocks and wet hollows will also be present, each with their own microhabitats present. Changes in dominant community type will often be the result of site enrichment, which can be seen through richness indicator species.

Dominant plant species

sweetgale (Myrica gale), shrub
shrubby cinquefoil (Dasiphora fruticosa ssp. floribunda), shrub
leatherleaf (Chamaedaphne calyculata), shrub
alder (Alnus), shrub
woollyfruit sedge (Carex lasiocarpa), grass
Northwest Territory sedge (Carex utriculata), grass
tall cottongrass (Eriophorum angustifolium), grass
tawny cottongrass (Eriophorum virginicum), grass
three-way sedge (Dulichium arundinaceum), grass
smooth sawgrass (Cladium mariscoides), grass
sphagnum (Sphagnum), other herbaceous
common green bryum moss (Bryum pseudotriquetrum), other herbaceous
giant calliergon moss (Calliergon giganteum), other herbaceous
star campylium moss (Campylium stellatum), other herbaceous
aulacomnium moss (Aulacomnium palustre), other herbaceous
calliergonella moss (Calliergonella cuspidata), other herbaceous

Community 1.1
Intermediate Graminoid Fen

These fens will be dominated by tall, rhizomatous sedges and low shrubs, which will often be shorter than the graminoids. Shrubs are usually less than 50 percent cover and always less abundant than the herbs. Bryophyte cover is variable depending on the amount of standing water present. This site is distinguished by the dominance of wiregrass sedge (Carex lasiocarpa) and the absence of any richness indicator species such as shrubby cinquefoil (Dasiphora fruitcosa ssp. floribunda). Within the Northeast US, this community type correlates to Maine’s “Tall Sedge Fen” concept (Gawler and Cutko 2010), New Hampshire’s “Hairy-fruited Sedge – Sweet Gale Fern” concept (Sperduto and Nichols 2012), New York’s “Medium Fen” concept (Edinger et al. 2014) and Vermont’s “Intermediate Fen” concept (Thompson, Sorenson, and Zaino 2019). This correlates with NatureServes ‘Myrica gale - Chamaedaphne calyculata / Carex (lasiocarpa, utriculata) - Utricularia spp. Fen' Association (CEGL006302).

Dominant plant species

gray alder (Alnus incana), shrub
white meadowsweet (Spiraea alba), shrub
sweetgale (Myrica gale), shrub
bog rosemary (Andromeda polifolia var. glaucophylla), shrub
cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon), shrub
leatherleaf (Chamaedaphne calyculata), shrub
woollyfruit sedge (Carex lasiocarpa), grass
Northwest Territory sedge (Carex utriculata), grass
sedge (Carex), grass
white beaksedge (Rhynchospora alba), grass
smooth sawgrass (Cladium mariscoides), grass
tall cottongrass (Eriophorum angustifolium), grass
tawny cottongrass (Eriophorum virginicum), grass
three-way sedge (Dulichium arundinaceum), grass
bluejoint (Calamagrostis canadensis), grass
earth loosestrife (Lysimachia terrestris), other herbaceous
Virginia marsh St. Johnswort (Triadenum virginicum), other herbaceous
royal fern (Osmunda regalis), other herbaceous
purple marshlocks (Comarum palustre), other herbaceous
spoonleaf sundew (Drosera intermedia), other herbaceous
flatleaf bladderwort (Utricularia intermedia), other herbaceous
snakemouth orchid (Pogonia ophioglossoides), other herbaceous
sphagnum (Sphagnum fallax), other herbaceous
papillose sphagnum (Sphagnum papillosum), other herbaceous
toothed sphagnum (Sphagnum cuspidatum), other herbaceous
sphagnum (Sphagnum fimbriatum), other herbaceous
sphagnum (Sphagnum centrale), other herbaceous
Lescur's sphagnum (Sphagnum lescurii), other herbaceous
common green bryum moss (Bryum pseudotriquetrum), other herbaceous
giant calliergon moss (Calliergon giganteum), other herbaceous
star campylium moss (Campylium stellatum), other herbaceous
aulacomnium moss (Aulacomnium palustre), other herbaceous
calliergonella moss (Calliergonella cuspidata), other herbaceous

Community 1.2
Intermediate Rich Shrubby Fen

These fens will be dominated by tall, rhizomatous sedges and low shrubs, which are generally confined to hammocks but can exceed 25 percent cover. Bryophyte cover is variable. This site is distinguished by the dominance of shrubby cinquefoil (Dasiphora fruitcosa ssp. floribunda) and sweetgale (Myrica gale) and the mixture of brown mosses and minerotropic sphagnum mosses. Within the Northeast US, this community type correlates to Massachusetts “Calcareous Basin Fen” concept (Swain and Kearsley 2001), New York’s “Medium Fen” concept (Edinger et al. 2014) and Vermont’s “Intermediate Fen” concept (Thompson, Sorenson, and Zaino 2019). This correlates with NatureServes ‘Myrica gale - Dasiphora fruticosa / Carex lasiocarpa - Cladium mariscoides Fen' Association (CEGL006068).

Dominant plant species

sweetgale (Myrica gale), shrub
shrubby cinquefoil (Dasiphora fruticosa ssp. floribunda), shrub
bog birch (Betula pumila), shrub
sageleaf willow (Salix candida), shrub
alderleaf buckthorn (Rhamnus alnifolia), shrub
alder (Alnus), shrub
redosier dogwood (Cornus sericea), shrub
cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon), shrub
small cranberry (Vaccinium oxycoccos), shrub
woollyfruit sedge (Carex lasiocarpa), grass
prairie sedge (Carex prairea), grass
bristlystalked sedge (Carex leptalea), grass
upright sedge (Carex stricta), grass
Buxbaum's sedge (Carex buxbaumii), grass
yellow sedge (Carex flava), grass
northeastern sedge (Carex cryptolepis), grass
hairy sedge (Carex lacustris), grass
alpine bulrush (Trichophorum alpinum), grass
elliptic spikerush (Eleocharis elliptica), grass
beaked spikerush (Eleocharis rostellata), grass
spiked muhly (Muhlenbergia glomerata), grass
white beaksedge (Rhynchospora alba), grass
flatleaf bladderwort (Utricularia intermedia), other herbaceous
humped bladderwort (Utricularia gibba), other herbaceous
buckbean (Menyanthes trifoliata), other herbaceous
Ontario lobelia (Lobelia kalmii), other herbaceous
northern bog aster (Symphyotrichum boreale), other herbaceous
purple pitcherplant (Sarracenia purpurea), other herbaceous
star campylium moss (Campylium stellatum), other herbaceous
limprichtia moss (Limprichtia revolvens), other herbaceous
scorpidium moss (Scorpidium scorpioides), other herbaceous
tomentypnum moss (Tomentypnum nitens), other herbaceous
contorted sphagnum (Sphagnum contortum), other herbaceous
Warnstorf's sphagnum (Sphagnum warnstorfii), other herbaceous
sphagnum (Sphagnum teres), other herbaceous

Pathway 1.1A
Community 1.1 to 1.2

This transition may occur via site enrichment over long periods of time as water quality (subsurface, surface) changes. This may be naturally occurring (acid rain) or due to anthropogenic impacts (excess nutrient runoff).

State 2
Increased Long-Term Hydrology

This phase describes the impact of increased hydroperiods the results in a permanently inundated condition. These sites are slow to recovery when physically altered and can persist for extended periods of time.

Community 2.1
Open Water

This phase describes the impact of increased hydroperiods the results in a permanently inundated condition in which rooted floating or emergent species cannot persist.

State 3
Decreased Long-Term Hydrology

This state describes an open peat wetland that has been subject to long-term decreases in localized hydrology. More study is needed to assess the impact of decreased hydrology on these sites but is hypothesized that drainage of these sites will shift the soils and species composition to another ecological site complex.

Community 3.1
Marsh Wetland Complex OR Wooded Wetland Complex

This community “phase” should be addressed through other ecological site descriptions within this MLRA, suggesting the Marsh Wetland Complex (F143XY210ME) in drained areas which now support diverse graminoids and shrubs, or the Mucky Swamp (F143XY302ME) in drained areas which now support forested communities.

Transition T1A
State 1 to 2

This can be the result of physical alterations to the soil surface, such as physical trampling or excavation, that can compress the low-density peat lower than the surrounding water table, reflecting an area of open water. This can also be the result of anthropogenic or natural damming of a surrounding system, in which water inflow is increased.

Transition T1B
State 1 to 3

Decreases in long-term hydroperiods, whether through anthropogenic or natural drainage, may convert this site into several other community types. A lowered water table will allow decomposition of peat to occur, turning the soil surface into muck (through oxidation and disintegration of the original peat fibers) and allowing for various grasses, forbs, shrubs, and possibly trees to become dominant (depending on the level of alteration).

Transition T2A
State 2 to 1

This can be the result of organic matter accumulation over time, which can occur on the decadal scale. Colonization of native mosses, graminoids, and shrubs will attribute to the buildup of the peatland soil surface and can reflect the native community types over time. As Sphagnum mosses establish themselves and become dominant, through the release of organic acids it will acidify the surrounding environment and create conditions less favorable to other plats and promote its own growth. Timing of natural succession of these peatlands will vary across many environmental factors including pH, localized and climatic hydrologic inputs, nutrient status, and remaining vegetative cover.

Additional community tables

Supporting information

Inventory data references

Future work is needed, as described in a future project plan, to validate the information presented in this provisional ecological site description. Future work includes field sampling, data collection and analysis by qualified ecologists and soil scientists. As warranted, annual reviews of the project plan can be conducted by the Ecological Site Technical Team. A final field review, peer review, quality control, and quality assurance reviews of the ESD are necessary to approve a final document.

Other references

Comer, P., D. Faber-Langendoen, R. Evans, S. Grawler, C. Josse, G. Kittel, S. Menard, M. Pyne, M. Reid, K. Schultz, K. Snow, and J. Teague. 2003. Ecological Systems of the United States: A Working Classification of U.S. Terrestrial Systems. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia

Davis, R. B., & Anderson, D. S. (2001). Classification and distribution of freshwater peatlands in Maine. Northeastern Naturalist, 8(1), 1-50.

Edinger, G. J., D. J. Evans, S. Gebauer, T. G. Howard, D. M. Hunt, and A. M. Olivero (editors). 2014. Ecological Communities of New York State. Second Edition. A revised and expanded edition of Carol Reschke’s Ecological Communities of New York State. New York Natural Heritage Program, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Albany, NY.

Gawler, S. and A. Cutko. 2010. Natural Landscapes of Maine: A Guide to Natural Communities and Ecosystems. Maine Natural Areas Program, Maine Department of Conservation, Augusta, Maine.

Gotelli, N. J., Mouser, P. J., Hudman, S. P., Morales, S. E., Ross, D. S., & Ellison, A. M. (2008). Geographic variation in nutrient availability, stoichiometry, and metal concentrations of plants and pore-water in ombrotrophic bogs in New England, USA. Wetlands, 28, 827-840.

Hemond, H. F. (1977). Biogeochemistry of a New England Sphagnum bog (Doctoral dissertation, Massachusetts Institute of Technology).

Johnson, C. W. (1985). Bogs of the Northeast. UPNE.

Mehner, T. (2009). Encyclopedia of inland waters. Academic Press.

NatureServe. 2021. NatureServe Explorer: An online encyclopedia of life [web application]. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. https://explorer.natureserve.org/. (accessed 10 July. 2021).

Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, United States Department of Agriculture. 2006. Land Resource Regions and Major Land Resource Areas of the United States, the Caribbean, and the Pacific Basin. Agricultural Handbook 296

Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Official Soil Series Descriptions. Available online. (accessed 11 Aug. 2021).

Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Soil Climate Research Station Data. Available online. (accessed 23 June. 2021).

Soil Survey Staff, Natural Resources Conservation Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Soil Survey Geographic (SSURGO) Database for [MLRA 141, Maine]. Available online. (accessed 14 Oct. 2021).

Sperduto, D.D. and William F. Nichols. 2011. Natural Communities of New Hampshire. 2nd Ed. NH Natural Heritage Bureau, Concord, NH. Pub. UNH Cooperative Extension, Durham, NH.

Swain, P. C. 2020. Classification of the Natural Communities of Massachusetts. Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, Westborough, MA

USNVC [United States National Vegetation Classification]. 2017. United States National Vegetation Classification Database V2.01. Federal Geographic Data Committee, Vegetation Subcommittee, Washington DC. Available The U.S. National Vegetation Classification (usnvc.org) (accessed 2 July. 2021).

Contributors

Jack Ferrara, Revisions 2025
Christopher Mann, Revisions 2022
Jamin Johanson, Original Author 2016

Approval

Greg Schmidt, 5/20/2025

Acknowledgments

Nels Barrett, Nick Butler, and Carl Bickford provided considerable review of this ecological site concept.

Rangeland health reference sheet

Interpreting Indicators of Rangeland Health is a qualitative assessment protocol used to determine ecosystem condition based on benchmark characteristics described in the Reference Sheet. A suite of 17 (or more) indicators are typically considered in an assessment. The ecological site(s) representative of an assessment location must be known prior to applying the protocol and must be verified based on soils and climate. Current plant community cannot be used to identify the ecological site.

Author(s)/participant(s)
Contact for lead author
Date	04/03/2025
Approved by	Greg Schmidt
Approval date
Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on	Annual Production