D3: Northeast European open hygrophilous birch-spruce forests (Picea obovata, Betula pubescens, Betula pubescens subsp. czerepanovii) with dwarf shrubs, sedges and mosses (Ledum palustre, Carex globularis, Polytrichum commune, Sphagnum spp.)

Title

Northeast European open hygrophilous birch-spruce forests (Picea obovata, Betula pubescens, Betula pubescens subsp. czerepanovii) with dwarf shrubs, sedges and mosses (Ledum palustre, Carex globularis, Polytrichum commune, Sphagnum spp.)

Geographical distribution

Scientific names of main plant communities and their most common synonyms (with author citation)

Chamaemoro-Piceetum Kielland-Lund 1962; Finland: Hylocomium-Myrtillus-type, tjockmosstyp (Arnborg 1942), Eu-Piceetum myrtilletosum Kielland-Lund 1962.

Structural feature of the main community(ies) (layers, life-forms, etc.)

Due to the severe soil water-logging, moss and peat-moss spruce forests are widespread. These forest types are specific for the northern taiga. Canopy closure 30-40%, spruce stand quality is usually V.a. Tree layer with a high proportion of Betula pubescens (30-40%). On seeping water soils with better nutrient supply, horsetail-peat-moss spruce forests with dominant Equisetum sylvaticum and a high proportion of Rubus chamaemorus. peat-moss spruce forests often with Carex globularis. Dwarf birch-peat-moss spruce forests with dominating Betula nana in the shrub layer.

Dominant and most frequent species in different layers

Diagnostically important species

Picea obovata, Betula pubescens subsp. czerepanovii; Ledum palustre, Rubus chamaemorus, Carex globularis, Cornus suecica; Sphagnum spp.

Ecological variants

peat-moss, horsetail and dwarf-birch-rich formation types.

Geographical variants (geogr. differential species)

Russia: occurrence of euro-Siberian species increases in the east.

Natural accompanying vegetation (most important units in complex with the name giving mapping unit, scientific names)

Russia: wet pine forests, tall herb communities, small areas of larch forests (Larix sibirica) in valleys of the Timan hills with Picea obovata, dwarf shrubs and herbs (Astragalus frigidus, Potentilla nivea); small areas of aapa mire complexes.

Adjoining climax and permanent vegetation (with numbers of mapping units)

arctic shrub tundra (B27, B28), alpine vegetation (B42), brich and spruce open woodlands (C2, C3, C5, C6), spruce forests (D1, D2, D3, D4, D5), pine-spruce forests (D9, D13), pine forests (D42, D43, D44, D45, D47), raised bogs (S3, S4), palsa mires (S14), aapa mires (S15, S16), transition bogs (S18/19), alluvial forests and scrubs (U1, U2, U3).

Land use, substitute communities

Site conditions of the mapping unit

Importance for nature protection

Localities of representative stands (loci typici) with state of protection

Most important references (author, year)

Cajander & Ilvessalo 1921; Gribova, Isačenko & Lavrenko (Red.) 1980; Jakovlev & Voronova 1959; Kalela 1961; Kalela & Kaliola (Ed.) 1973; Keltikangas 1959; Kielland-Lund 1962; Kielland-Lund 1973; Kujala 1921; Sirén 1955; Söyrinki, Salmela & Suvanto 1977; Teivainen 1952; Vasilevič 1983; Zinserling 1932

Compiled by

Z. Neuhäuslová based on documents by V. I. Vasilevič, Hähmet-Ahti and Karttunen