Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Ecological site F088XY001MN
Floodplain Peatland
Last updated: 8/12/2024
Accessed: 12/22/2024
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): 088X–Northern Minnesota Glacial Lake Basins
MLRA 88 consists of the lake beds of glacial Lakes Agassiz, Upham, and Aitkin. These vast glacial lake beds were formed by meltwaters associated with the last glaciation of the Wisconsin age. The large, flat, wet landscapes are filled with lacustrine lake sediments, wave-washed glacial till, and vast expanses of organic soils. This area is entirely in Minnesota and makes up about 11,590 square miles (30,019 square kilometers).
The western boundary of MLRA 88 with MLRA 56B is gradual. MLRA 56B is a portion of the Red River Valley that was formed by glacial Lake Agassiz and is dominantly prairie. The southern boundary of MLRA 88 with MLRA 57 consists of distinct moraines that formed from the glacial drift sediments of Late Wisconsin age. The eastern and southeastern boundaries are with portions of MLRAs 90A and 93A. These MLRAs are in a distinct glaciated region of sediments of the Rainy and Superior Lobes, and much of MLRA 93A is bedrock controlled (USDA-Ag Handbook 296, 2022).
Classification relationships
MLRA 88- Northern Minnesota Glacial Lake
Basins(USDA Agricultural Handbook 296, 2022)
USFS / MN DNR Sub-regions: 212Mb Agassiz Lowlands, 212Ma Littlefork Vermillion, 212nd Tamarack Lowlands , and 212Nb St Luis Moraines (Cleland et al, 2007)
Ecological site concept
The Floodplain Peatland ecological site is a conifer-dominated swamp on very poorly drained peat soils. Soils are saturated, very deep, very poorly drained and flooding occurs rarely to frequently . No ponding occurs on this site. Typical site settings include margin of streams and river channels plus lake basins and margins of large peatlands. The canopy is often dominated by northern white cedar, black spruce, and balsam fir. The understory includes ericaceous shrubs, multiple species of sedge, and sphagnum. The plant community structure and composition will vary depending on microtopography and the depth and frequency of flooding.
Associated sites
| F088XY003MN |
Open Peatland Open Peatland occurs on level to gently sloping surfaces. Soils have greater than 16” of organic material and soil pH values are greater than 4.5. This site has a high water table that remain near the surface throughout the growing season, preventing the establishment of significant tree cover. |
|---|---|
| F088XY002MN |
Marsh Marsh occurs on level or slightly concave landscape positions in closed depressions, shallow wetland basins, drainage ways, and adjacent to open water. They are very poorly drained soils and are frequently inundated with water for long durations. Soil surface textures are typically muck or mucky-modified surface layers over variable parent materials. |
| F088XY004MN |
Acid Peatland Acid Peatland occurs in shallow wetland basins, closed depressions, and along drainage ways. Soils and water content have lower pH than the open peatland sites, lending to different vegetation. Soils are occasionally ponded with standing water in spring but tend to recede by late summer. Soil surface layers are typically muck 8 to 16” thick over variable parent materials. |
Similar sites
| F088XY002MN |
Marsh Marsh occurs on level or slightly concave landscape positions in closed depressions, shallow wetland basins, drainage ways, and adjacent to open water. They are very poorly drained soils and are frequently inundated with water for long durations. Soil surface textures are typically muck or mucky-modified surface layers over variable parent materials. |
|---|---|
| F088XY004MN |
Acid Peatland Acid Peatland occurs in shallow wetland basins, closed depressions, and along drainage ways. Soils and water content have lower pH than the open peatland sites, lending to different vegetation. Soils are occasionally ponded with standing water in spring but tend to recede by late summer. Soil surface layers are typically muck 8 to 16” thick over variable parent materials. |
| F088XY003MN |
Open Peatland Open Peatland occurs on level to gently sloping surfaces. Soils have greater than 16” of organic material and soil pH values are greater than 4.5. This site has a high water table that remain near the surface throughout the growing season, preventing the establishment of significant tree cover. |
Table 1. Dominant plant species
| Tree |
(1) Thuja occidentalis |
|---|---|
| Shrub |
(1) Ledum groenlandicum |
| Herbaceous |
(1) Carex |
Click on box and path labels to scroll to the respective text.
Ecosystem states
| T1A | - | Disturbances that impound water, both natural and human made. |
|---|---|---|
| T2A | - | Restoration of natural hydrology |
State 1 submodel, plant communities
| 1.1B | - | Stand-replacing disturbance; canopy removal |
|---|---|---|
| 1.2A | - | No severe site disturbances 70+ years |
| 1.2B | - | Large-scale disturbance |
| 1.3A | - | No major disturbance (35-75 years) |
State 2 submodel, plant communities
| 2.1A | - | Increase in flooding/ponding length |
|---|---|---|
| 2.1B | - | Beaver dam off-site restricts water flow or contributes to ponding on-site. |
| 2.2A | - | Reduced flooding/ponding length. |
| 2.2B | - | Increase in long-term flooding/ponding. |
| 2.3A | - | Reduction of flooding/ponding occurrence and length. |