State 1
Reference State (minimally-managed)

This site occurs in relatively flat areas (0-2% slopes) near the bottom of watersheds where water saturates deep organic muck deposits for most of the growing season. These organic soils are very poorly-drained and often underlain by mineral deposits at depths greater than 16 inches. The water table is within a few inches of the surface. This site often has pit and mound topography, with ponding typical in the pits, and slightly drier soil conditions on the mounds where most trees are rooted. This site is dominated by northern white cedar, often with black spruce, balsam fir, red maple, yellow birch, white pine, and/or brown ash present in small amounts. Most trees are rooted in the poorly-drained soil mounds rather than the very poorly-drained soil depressions. The understory is diverse with sphagnum moss, creeping snowberry, and three-seed sedge common.

Resilience management. Treethrow and altered hydrology are common disturbances on this site. Small openings created by treethrow, which is very common on these unstable soils, are typically colonized by species already present in the community and may persist as canopy openings dominated by herbaceous species for a long time. Persistent ponding caused by beavers, man-made structures (such as roads, dams, etc.), or increased runoff in the watershed above can cause water levels to rise and kill cedar trees, resulting in an open ponded or marsh condition. If hydrology is restored to reference conditions, the site is likely to transition through a marsh and/or early seral forest phase before eventually returning to cedar dominance. Logging is limited on this site and requires winter harvest methods when the ground is frozen. Cedar removal may result in an early seral phase dominated by balsam fir, grey birch, red maple, and other colonizers before eventually reverting to cedar dominance. This may take a very long time to occur.

Community 1.1
Northern White Cedar Swamp

This site is a conifer or mixed swamp that occurs on organic soils in cool, poorly drained depressions in central and northern New York, and along lakes and streams in the northern half of the state. These swamps are often spring fed or enriched by seepage of cold, minerotrophic groundwater, resulting in a stable water table and continually saturated soils. Soils are often rich in calcium. At some sites these soils have developed above a marl substrate. The dominant tree is northern white cedar (Thuja occidentalis), which makes up more than 30% of the canopy cover. Thuja may form nearly pure stands, or it may be mixed with other conifers and hardwoods, including red maple (Acer rubrum), eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis), balsam fir (Abies balsamea), tamarack (Larix laricina), yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis), white pine (Pinus strobus), spruces (Picea mariana, P. rubens, P. glauca), and black ash (Fraxinus nigra) which is a good indicator for this community when present. The shrub layer is usually sparse; characteristic species are northern white cedar (Thuja occidentalis), dwarf raspberry (Rubus pubescens), red osier dogwood (Cornus sericea), swamp fly honeysuckle (Lonicera oblongifolia), speckled alder (Alnus incana ssp. rugosa), and highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum). The groundlayer is typically diverse, with many bryophytes and boreal herbs. There are typically many hummocks formed by decaying downed trees or tip-up mounds. Characteristic herbs on the hummocks include sedges (Carex leptalea, C. eburnea), oak fern (Gymnocarpium dryopteris), goldthread (Coptis trifolia), starflower (Trientalis borealis), bunchberry (Cornus canadensis), miterwort (Mitella nuda), Canada mayflower (Maianthemum canadense), blue bead lily (Clintonia borealis), snowberry (Gaultheria hispidula), partridge berry (Mitchella repens), and dwarf scouring rush (Equisetum scirpoides) which is a good indicator for this community when present. Characteristic herbs of hollows between the hummocks are the sedge Carex intumescens, sensitive fern (Onoclea sensibilis), marsh fern (Thelypteris palustris), cinnamon fern (Osmunda cinnamomea), royal fern (O. regalis), crested wood fern (Dryopteris cristata), showy lady's-slipper (Cypripedium reginae), yellow lady's-slipper (Cypripedium parviflorum var. pubescens), and golden ragwort (Packera aurea). Characteristic bryophytes are several peat mosses (Sphagnum spp.), feather mosses such as stair-step moss (Hylocomium splendens) and knight’s plume moss (Ptilium crista-castrensis), and leafy liverworts such as Bazzania trilobata and Trichocolea tomentella. (Edinger et al. 2014)

Resilience management. New York Natural Heritage Program State Rank: S2/S3 S2- Typically 6 to 20 occurrences, few remaining individuals (for species), acres, or miles of stream, or factors demonstrably making it very vulnerable in New York State. S3- Typically 21 to 100 occurrences, limited acreage, or miles of stream in New York State. Flooding by beaver is common and the community may oscillate between a tall shrubland and forest over long cycles of beaver flooding and abandonment

Community 1.2
Red Maple - Tamarack Peat Swamp

A mixed swamp that occurs on organic soils (peat or muck) in poorly drained depressions. These swamps are often spring fed or enriched by seepage of minerotrophic groundwater resulting in a stable water table and continually saturated soil. Soils are often rich in calcium. The dominant trees are red maple (Acer rubrum) and tamarack (Larix laricina). These species usually form an open canopy (50 to 70% cover) with numerous small openings dominated by shrubs or sedges. Other less frequently occurring trees include black spruce (Picea mariana), white pine (Pinus strobus), black ash (Fraxinus nigra), American hornbeam (Carpinus caroliniana), and northern white cedar (Thuja occidentalis). Characteristic shrubs are alders (Alnus incana ssp. rugosa, A. serrulata), winterberry (Ilex verticillata), various shrubby dogwoods, especially red osier dogwood (Cornus sericea), willows (Salix spp.), highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum), dwarf raspberry (Rubus pubescens), along with many rich shrub fen species such as swamp birch (Betula pumila), alder-leaf buckthorn (Rhamnus alnifolia), poison sumac (Toxicodendron vernix), swamp fly honeysuckle (Lonicera oblongifolia), and shrubby cinquefoil (Dasiphora fruticosa ssp. floribunda). Other less frequently occurring shrubs include black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) and mountain holly (Nemopanthus mucronatus). The herb layer is often very diverse and usually includes calcium-rich indicator species. Characteristic herbs include sedges (Carex trisperma, C. interior, C. stricta, C. lacustris, C. leptalea), royal fern (Osmunda regalis), cinnamon fern (O. cinnamomea), marsh fern (Thelypteris palustris), crested wood fern (Dryopteris cristata), skunk cabbage (Symplocarpus foetidus), purple avens (Geum rivale), marsh marigold (Caltha palustris), and water horehound (Lycopus uniflorus). Other less frequently occurring herbs include cattail (Typha latifolia), goldthread (Coptis trifolia), flat-topped white aster (Doellingeria umbellata var. umbellata), fowl manna grass (Glyceria striata), water horsetail (Equisetum fluviatile), buckbean (Menyanthes trifoliata), starflower (Trientalis borealis), goldenrods (Solidago patula, S. uliginosa), golden ragwort (Packera aurea), and marsh cinquefoil (Comarum palustre). (Edinger et al. 2014)

Resilience management. Data on characteristic fauna are needed. These swamps are closely related to and often grade into rich shrub fens and rich graminoid fens. New York Natural Heritage Program State Rank: S2/S3 S2: Typically 6 to 20 occurrences, few remaining individuals (for species), acres, or miles of stream, or factors demonstrably making it very vulnerable in New York State. S3: Typically 21 to 100 occurrences, limited acreage, or miles of stream in New York State.

Pathway 1.1a
Community 1.1 to 1.2

The absence (removal or loss) of Thuja occidentalis as the dominant tree will result in shifts between reference sites.

Pathway 1.2a
Community 1.2 to 1.1

The presence (addition or increase of Thuja occidentalis as the dominant tree will result in shifts between reference sites.

State 2
Semi-natural State

Shifts in ecological site composition, functionality, and dynamics driven by natural disturbances, processes, and pressures (may have some anthropogenic drivers). More research is needed to determine the extent of the Semi-natural state associated with this ecological site.

Community 2.1
Invasiveness and Biological Introductions

Introduction of invasive species, pathogens, and/or pests resulting in shifts in ecological site composition, functionality, and dynamics. More research is needed to determine the extent of these effects on the semi-natural state associated with this ecological site.

Community 2.2
Ponded

A Shrub Swamp can be an example of a ponded site and is mostly a inland wetland dominated by tall shrubs that occurs along the shore of a lake or river, in a wet depression or valley not associated with lakes, or as a transition zone between a marsh, fen, or bog and a swamp or upland community. The substrate is usually mineral soil or muck. A few examples may have a shallow layer of sphagnous peat. This is a very broadly defined type that includes several distinct communities and many intermediates. Shrub swamps are very common and quite variable. They may be co-dominated by a mixture of species, or have a single dominant shrub species. Characteristic shrubs that are common in these and other types of shrub swamps include meadow-sweet (Spiraea alba var. alba and S. alba var. latifolia), hardhack (Spiraea tomentosa), gray dogwood (Cornus racemosa), swamp azalea (Rhododendron viscosum), highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum), male-berry (Lyonia ligustrina), smooth alder (Alnus serrulata), spicebush (Lindera benzoin), willows (Salix bebbiana, S. discolor, S. lucida, S. petiolaris), wild raisin (Viburnum nudum var. cassinoides), and arrowwood (Viburnum dentatum var. lucidum). Scattered young trees may be present, such as red maple (Acer rubrum), American elm (Ulmus americana), and green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica).(Edinger et al. 2014)

Resilience management. New York Natural Heritage Program State Rank: S5- Demonstrably secure in New York State.

Community 2.3
Transitional Marsh

Shallow emergent marshes typically occur in lake basins and along streams often intergrading with deep emergent marshes, shrub swamps, and sedge meadows, and they may occur together in a complex mosaic in a large wetland. This site occurs on mineral soil or deep muck soils, that are typically permanently saturated and seasonally flooded. Water depths may range from 15 cm to 1 m (6 in to 3.3 ft) during flood stages, but the water level usually drops by mid to late summer and the substrate is exposed during an average year. Shallow emergent marshes are common and variable, and may be dominated by a mixture of herbaceous vegetation or a single species. Shrubs may be scattered throughout marshes, though areas with greater than 50% shrub cover are classified as shrub swamps. The hydroperiod of these sites may determine species composition, with species dependent on differing hydrologic states (permanently saturated, seasonally flooded, or temporarily saturated). (Edinger et al. 2014) Sedge meadows are a wet meadow community that has organic soils (muck or fibrous peat). Soils are permanently saturated and seasonally flooded; there is usually little peat accumulation in the substrate and usually underlain by deep muck. Sparse shrubs may be present and the dominant herbaceous vegetation must be members of the sedge family (Cyperaceae), typically of the genus Carex. Sedge meadows typically occur along streams and near the inlets and outlets of lakes and ponds; they also occur in lake basins as a zone near the upland edge of a shallow emergent marsh. A sedge meadow does not typically form a floating mat, instead it is covered with water during flooding. When water levels are low, there is little or no open water. (Edinger et al. 2014)

Resilience management. New York Natural Heritage Program State Rank (Shallow emergent marsh): S5-Demonstrably secure in New York State. New York Natural Heritage Program State Rank (Sedge meadow): S4-Apparently secure in New York State. Species composition may be strongly influenced by annual and seasonal water levels. These sites may be found on found in agricultural or cleared land that may present issues related to agricultural runoff (pesticide, petroleum, waste, etc.) (Edinger et al. 2014)

Pathway 2.2a
Community 2.2 to 2.3

Remediation of hydrological alteration, decreased annual/decadal precipitation or flooding events.

Pathway 2.3a
Community 2.3 to 2.2

hydrological alteration (beaver or debris), increased annual/decadal precipitation or flooding events

State 3
Cultural State

Shifts in ecological site composition, functionality, and dynamics that are primary driven by anthropogenic disturbances and pressures (may have some associated natural drivers). More research is needed to determine the extent of the cultural state associated with this ecological site.

Community 3.1
Drained

Hydrological alteration of site resulting in depleted or drained surface or ground water

Transition T1A
State 1 to 2

climate change, hydrological alteration, increased nutrients or chemicals (pesticide, herbicide, fertilizer) transported to surface water, significant increase in flooding events and annual precipitation, introduction of invasive species, pests, and pathogens

Transition T1B
State 1 to 3

hydrologic alteration (barrier, obstruction, dam, diversion), landscape alteration, mechanical soil disturbance, landscape alteration

Restoration pathway R2A
State 2 to 1

remediation of hydrologic alteration, management of invasive species, pests, and pathogens, restoration of key native plant species, restoration of terrestrial and aquatic habitat

Transition T2A
State 2 to 3

hydrologic alteration (barrier, obstruction, dam, diversion), landscape alteration, mechanical soil disturbance, landscape alteration

Restoration pathway R3B
State 3 to 1

remediation of hydrologic alteration, seeding, planting, significant flooding events and increase in annual precipitation, compacted soil, establishment of key native plant species

Restoration pathway R3A
State 3 to 2

remediation of hydrologic alteration, seeding, planting, significant flooding events and increase in annual precipitation, compacted soil, establishment of key native plant species