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Ecological site F088XY001MN

Floodplain Peatland

Last updated: 8/12/2024
Accessed: 11/13/2024

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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): 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.

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.

F088XY002MN

Marsh

F088XY004MN

Acid Peatland

F088XY003MN

Open Peatland

Table 1. Dominant plant species

Tree	(1) Thuja occidentalis (2) Picea mariana
Shrub	(1) Ledum groenlandicum (2) Alnus incana ssp. rugosa
Herbaceous	(1) Carex (2) Sphagnum

Download full description

Physiographic features

This peatland site is characterized by rare to frequent flooding, and occurs in flood plains, depressions, bogs, and flats.

Table 2. Representative physiographic features

Slope shape across	(1) Linear
Slope shape up-down	(1) Concave
Landforms	(1) Flood plain (2) Depression (3) Flat (4) Bog
Runoff class	Very low
Flooding duration	Long (7 to 30 days) to very long (more than 30 days)
Flooding frequency	Occasional to very frequent
Ponding duration	Very brief (4 to 48 hours) to very long (more than 30 days)
Ponding frequency	None to frequent
Elevation	700 – 1,600 ft
Slope	2%
Ponding depth	12 in
Water table depth	Not specified
Aspect	Aspect is not a significant factor

Climatic features

The average annual precipitation is 24 to 28 inches (610 to 711 millimeters). Most of the rainfall comes from convective thunderstorms during the growing season. Snowfall generally occurs from October through April. The average annual temperature is 43 to 46 degrees F (6 to 8 degrees C).

Table 3. Representative climatic features

Frost-free period (characteristic range)	85-110 days
Freeze-free period (characteristic range)	116-134 days
Precipitation total (characteristic range)	25-28 in
Frost-free period (actual range)	75-112 days
Freeze-free period (actual range)	113-139 days
Precipitation total (actual range)	24-28 in
Frost-free period (average)	97 days
Freeze-free period (average)	128 days
Precipitation total (average)	26 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) SANDY LAKE DAM LIBBY [USC00217460], McGregor, MN
(2) FLOODWOOD 3 NE [USC00212842], Floodwood, MN
(3) HIBBING CHISHOLM HIBBING AP [USW00094931], Hibbing, MN
(4) EVELETH WWTP [USC00212645], Eveleth, MN
(5) LEECH LAKE [USC00214652], Bena, MN
(6) BIG FALLS [USC00210746], Big Falls, MN
(7) RED LAKE INDIAN AGCY [USC00216795], Ponemah, MN
(8) WASKISH 4NE [USC00218700], Big Falls, MN
(9) CAMP NORRIS DNR [USC00211250], Beltrami Isl State for, MN
(10) WARROAD [USC00218679], Warroad, MN
(11) BAUDETTE INTL AP [USW00094961], Baudette, MN

Influencing water features

This site receives water through precipitation, runoff from uplands, and subsurface flow including direct flooding from riparian features. Flooding occurs rarely to frequently and variations in flooding regimes will directly affect the plant community composition.

Wetland description

Under the Cowardin System of Wetland Classification, or National
Wetlands Inventory (NWI), the wetlands can be classified as:
1) Palustrine, forested, needle-leaved evergreen, saturated, or
2) Palustrine, scrub-shrub, broad-leaved deciduous, saturated, or
3) Palustrine, scrub-shrub, broad-leaved evergreen, saturated, or
4) Palustrine, emergent, persistent, saturated
Under the Hydrogeomorphic Classification System (HGM), these sites could be classified as: Depressional, forested/organic or Depressional, scrub-shrub/organic.

Soil features

All soils in the Floodplain Peatland ecological site are Histosols. Soils for this site can be further described as Typic Borosaprists, Fluvaquentic Haplosaprists, and Typic Haplosaprists. The soil series included in the Floodplain Peatland ecological site include Borosaprists, Bowstring, and Seelyeville.

Floodplain Peatland soils developed as organic materials over alluvium. They are very poorly drained, deep, and have relatively high available water capacity (13.4 to 17.7).

Table 4. Representative soil features

Parent material	(1) Organic material (2) Alluvium
Surface texture	(1) Muck
Drainage class	Very poorly drained
Permeability class	Moderately rapid
Depth to restrictive layer	Not specified
Soil depth	60 – 80 in
Surface fragment cover <=3"	Not specified
Surface fragment cover >3"	Not specified
Available water capacity (0-40in)	13.4 – 17.7 in
Subsurface fragment volume <=3" (0-40in)	Not specified
Subsurface fragment volume >3" (0-40in)	Not specified

Ecological dynamics

This site is a wooded swamp on saturated, organic substrate of muck or mucky peat. This site is influenced by periodic flooding. Flooding intensity and frequency will result in variability in the plant community composition.

Historically, catastrophic disturbances were quite rare within this community. Stand replacing catastrophic storms occurred every 575 to 600 years. Catastrophic fires rarely occur, with an estimated occurrence every 920 years approximately (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, 2005). Due to the saturated soils and shallow tree rooting systems, windthrow did cause smaller canopy-opening disturbances to occur at a shorter time interval. Hence, downed trees, displaced stumps, and sphagnum hummocks are characteristic for this site.

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. Reference State

2. Disturbed-Impounded State

T1A	-	Disturbances that impound water, both natural and human made.
T2A	-	Restoration of natural hydrology

State 1 submodel, plant communities

1.1. Mature Forest Community

1.2. Mid-Successional Forest Community

1.3. Young Forest Community

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

2.1. Shrub Peat Swamp Community

2.2. Open Peatland Community

2.3. Wetland Community

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.

State 1
Reference State

This state is a conifer-dominated swamp forest on very poorly drained peat soils. Species variability will occur depending on the depth, seasonality, and frequency of flooding/ponding. Catastrophic events are rare with fires occurring approximately every 920 years, stand-regenerating windthrow approximately every 600 years, and windthrow of small patches of canopy trees approximately every 380 years (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. 2005.).

Dominant plant species

balsam fir (Abies balsamea), tree
arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis), tree
black spruce (Picea mariana), tree
paper birch (Betula papyrifera), tree
tamarack (Larix laricina), tree
black ash (Fraxinus nigra), tree
gray alder (Alnus incana), shrub
bog Labrador tea (Ledum groenlandicum), shrub
alderleaf buckthorn (Rhamnus alnifolia), shrub
softleaf sedge (Carex disperma), grass
bristlystalked sedge (Carex leptalea), grass
threeleaf goldthread (Coptis trifolia), other herbaceous
sphagnum (Sphagnum), other herbaceous

Community 1.1
Mature Forest Community

This community is a mature, wet forest with a canopy cover generally between 50-80 percent. Trees on site include white cedar, black spruce, balsam fir, tamarack, birch, and black ash. Locally arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis) is commonly known as white cedar. Differences in flooding frequency and duration will influence the plant community. Understory plant diversity is often robust with numerous unique species such as showy lady's slipper (Cypripedium, reginae), small northern bog orchid (Platanthera obtusata), and tall northern bog orchid (Platanthera hyperborea).

Dominant plant species

black spruce (Picea mariana), tree
arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis), tree
balsam fir (Abies balsamea), tree
paper birch (Betula papyrifera), tree
tamarack (Larix laricina), tree
black ash (Fraxinus nigra), tree
speckled alder (Alnus incana ssp. rugosa), shrub
alderleaf buckthorn (Rhamnus alnifolia), shrub
bog Labrador tea (Ledum groenlandicum), shrub
softleaf sedge (Carex disperma), grass
bristlystalked sedge (Carex leptalea), grass
threeleaf goldthread (Coptis trifolia), other herbaceous
sphagnum (Sphagnum), other herbaceous

Community 1.2
Mid-Successional Forest Community

A transition period marked with an increase in canopy cover of Thuja occidentalis and intermediate patches of Picea mariana/Abies balsamea. The increase in canopy shading will benefit shade-tolerant ground layer species (Rubus pubescens and Cornus canadensis) and eventually reduce shrub density such as Cornus sericea.

Dominant plant species

arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis), tree
balsam fir (Abies balsamea), tree
paper birch (Betula papyrifera), tree
black spruce (Picea mariana), tree
alder (Alnus), shrub
bluejoint (Calamagrostis canadensis), grass
sedge (Carex), grass
dwarf red blackberry (Rubus pubescens), other herbaceous
bunchberry dogwood (Cornus canadensis), other herbaceous

Community 1.3
Young Forest Community

A severe canopy-level disturbance such as fire or wind-throw alters the plant community in multiple ways. Sunlight to the forest floor increases dramatically and benefits plant species that prefer a higher level of light. Shrub density increases. Existing seed sources will determine the dominant tree seedlings and saplings initially on site.

Dominant plant species

balsam fir (Abies balsamea), tree
arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis), tree
dogwood (Cornus), shrub
blackberry (Rubus), shrub
alder (Alnus), shrub
sedge (Carex), grass
bluejoint (Calamagrostis canadensis), grass
fowl mannagrass (Glyceria striata), grass
sphagnum (Sphagnum), other herbaceous

Pathway 1.1B
Community 1.1 to 1.3

Stand-replacing disturbance. Canopy layer removed.

Pathway 1.2A
Community 1.2 to 1.1

The successional community transition through time (70 + years) to a mature forest community.

Pathway 1.2B
Community 1.2 to 1.3

A large-scale disturbance can transition the community back to an earlier successional state.

Pathway 1.3A
Community 1.3 to 1.2

No major disturbances for multiple decades will allow for the increase in forest stand density and canopy cover.

State 2
Disturbed-Impounded State

This state is characterized by a long-term pattern of flooding/ponding extending beyond the spring season. This alteration can be caused by anthropogenic (road construction) activities, or natural impoundments can be caused by beaver dams. Tree mortality occurs when flooding/ponding depth and duration increase. Water impoundment of varying depths and extended durations results in substantial variations in plant community composition. Due to increased flooding/ponding duration a reduction in tree species diversity occurs and an increased wetland plant composition takes hold.

Dominant plant species

arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis), tree
black spruce (Picea mariana), tree
balsam fir (Abies balsamea), tree
speckled alder (Alnus incana ssp. rugosa), shrub
redosier dogwood (Cornus sericea), shrub
currant (Ribes), shrub
willow (Salix), shrub
sedge (Carex), grass
bluejoint (Calamagrostis canadensis), grass

Community 2.1
Shrub Peat Swamp Community

This community is characterized by a dominant shrub layer that includes speckled alder, redosier dogwood, and willows. Sedges and other graminoids tend to dominant the ground layer. Sun tolerant wetland forb species are common. Trees may be scattered but do not constitute a significant canopy cover.

Dominant plant species

arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis), tree
black spruce (Picea mariana), tree
balsam fir (Abies balsamea), tree
speckled alder (Alnus incana ssp. rugosa), shrub
redosier dogwood (Cornus sericea), shrub
willow (Salix), shrub
currant (Ribes), shrub
bluejoint (Calamagrostis canadensis), grass
softleaf sedge (Carex disperma), grass
bristlystalked sedge (Carex leptalea), grass
hairy sedge (Carex lacustris), grass
marsh marigold (Caltha), other herbaceous
eastern marsh fern (Thelypteris palustris), other herbaceous

Community 2.2
Open Peatland Community

This site is characterized by a variable shrub layer and an increase in graminoid cover. Tree cover is sparse or absent.

Dominant plant species

bog birch (Betula pumila), tree
arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis), tree
speckled alder (Alnus incana ssp. rugosa), shrub
willow (Salix), shrub
bluejoint (Calamagrostis canadensis), grass
hairy sedge (Carex lacustris), grass

Community 2.3
Wetland Community

The wetland community is characterized by long term flooding/ponding. Depending on depth of water, there will be areas with emergent and submergent aquatic vegetation, as well as scattered remnants of downed trees such as black spruce (Picea mariana) or arborvitae (Thuja occidentalis).

Dominant plant species

hairy sedge (Carex lacustris), grass
cattail (Typha), grass
softstem bulrush (Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani), grass
hardstem bulrush (Schoenoplectus acutus), grass
shortspike watermilfoil (Myriophyllum sibiricum), other herbaceous
broadleaf cattail (Typha latifolia), other herbaceous
narrowleaf cattail (Typha angustifolia), other herbaceous
northern wildrice (Zizania palustris), other herbaceous

Pathway 2.1A
Community 2.1 to 2.2

An increase in ponding/flooding length on the site continuing throughout much of the year will transition the plant community. Human activities, such as road building, or natural blockages, such as beaver dam construction, may be the causal mechanism.

Pathway 2.1B
Community 2.1 to 2.3

An increase in ponding/flooding duration to most of the year or year-round on the site will transition the plant community towards aquatic plant species. Human activities or natural blockages, such as beaver dams, substantially increases ponding depth on the site longer than the open community.

Pathway 2.2A
Community 2.2 to 2.1

Reduction of flooding/ponding length on site outside of the spring season. Due to hydrological changes such as a failing beaver dams, mechanically changing drainageways, or changes to roadways.

Pathway 2.2B
Community 2.2 to 2.3

Flooding/ponding occurrence increases throughout the year due to natural or human caused activities.

Pathway 2.3A
Community 2.3 to 2.2

Reduction of flooding/ponding occurrence and length. Due to hydrological changes such as a failing beaver dams, mechanically changing drainageways, or changes to roadways.

Transition T1A
State 1 to 2

State 2 describes the alteration of natural hydrology causing water impoundment. Multiple causal factors can impound water and result in altered plant communities. Road construction and beaver dams are a common causal mechanism in addition to stream bank degradation.

Transition T2A
State 2 to 1

Restoration of natural hydrology through mechanical removal of beaver dams and hydrology altering roadways. Stream bank and channel restoration to a more natural state.

Additional community tables

Supporting information

Inventory data references

This is a provisional ecological site, and as such no field plots were inventoried for this project. A review of the scientific literature and expert opinion was used to develop the plant communities and ecological dynamics contained within the state and transition model. Future field verification is needed to refine the plant communities and ecological dynamics described in this ecological site description.

References

. 1998. NRCS National Forestry Manual.

Other references

Cleland, D.T.; Avers, P.E.; McNab, W.H.; Jensen, M.E.; Bailey, R.G., King, T.; Russell, W.E. 1997. National Hierarchical Framework of Ecological Units. Published in, Boyce, M. S.; Haney, A., ed. 1997. Ecosystem Management Applications for Sustainable Forest and Wildlife Resources. Yale University Press, New Haven, CT. pp. 181-200.

Cowardin, L. M., V. Carter, F. C. Golet, and E.T. LaRoe. 1979. Classification of Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats of the United States. FWS/OBS-79/31, U.S. Department of Interior-Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington, D.C.

Eggers, S.D. and Reed, D.M. 2013. Wetland plants and plant communities of Minnesota and Wisconsin. Version 3.1.

Faber-Langendoen, D., editor. 2001. Plant communities of the Midwest: Classification in an ecological context. Association for Biodiversity Information, Arlington, VA. 61 pp. + appendix
(705 pp.).

Flaccus, E. and L.F. Ohmann. 1964. Old-growth Northern Hardwood Forests in Northeastern Minnesota. Ecology 45:3, 448-459.

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. 2005. Field Guide to the Native Plant Communities of Minnesota: the Laurentian Mixed Forest Province. Ecological Land Classification Program, Minnesota County Biological Survey, and Natural Heritage and Nongame Research Program. St. Paul, Minnesota.

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. System Summaries & NPC Factsheets. Available online at https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/npc/index.html; last accessed May 2022.

Mitsch, WJ. and J.G. Gosselink. 2007. Wetlands, fourth ed. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. New York, NY.

Ojakangas, R.W. and C.L. Matsch. 1982. Minnesota’s Geology. University of Minnesota Press. Minneapolis, MN.

Smith, W.R. 2008. Trees and Shrubs of Minnesota. University of Minnesota Press. Minneapolis, MN.

United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service.
2022. Land Resource Regions and Major Land Resource Areas of the United States, the
Caribbean, and the Pacific Basin. U.S. Department of Agriculture Handbook 296.

Contributors

Mike Rokus, SSOL, Duluth, MN
Kade Anderson, NRCS Ecologist, Duluth, MN
Ezra Hoffman, Ecological Site Specialist, NRCS
Landon Wolter, Rangeland Management Specialist for North Central Region
Anita Arends, ESI Specialist, Springfield, IL

Approval

Suzanne Mayne-Kinney, 8/12/2024

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	08/12/2024
Approved by	Suzanne Mayne-Kinney
Approval date
Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on	Annual Production