Photo by Loren Ayers
- WDNR
State Rank: S3? Global Rank: G5 what are these ranks?
Black spruce swamp is an acidic conifer swamp forest characterized by a relatively closed canopy of black spruce (Picea mariana) and an open understory in which Labrador-tea (Rhododendron groenlandicum) and Sphagnum mosses are often prominent, along with three-leaved false Solomon's-seal (Maianthemum trifolium), creeping snowberry (Gaultheria hispidula), and three-seeded sedge (Carex trisperma). The herbaceous understory is otherwise relatively depauperate. This community is closely related to open bogs and muskegs, sometimes referred to as forested or treed bogs.
Defining Characteristics and Similar Communities
Black spruce swamps are characterized by their strongly acidic peat soils, canopy dominated by black spruce and tamarack, and near-continuous layer of Sphagnum mosses. They are similar to northern tamarack swamps, which are also dominated by tamarack, but tamarack swamps tend to be more minerotrophic, often have a more discontinuous layer of Sphagnum, and have a higher prevalence of tall shrubs, usually at least 5% cover, and often up to 25% cover or more. Black spruce swamps often grade into muskegs, which are differentiated by having stunted trees with a lower canopy cover (generally 10-25%). They also often co-occur with and grade into open bogs and poor fens, which are distinguished by having even more stunted, sparser trees (generally less than 10% canopy).
The following Species of Greatest Conservation Need are listed according to their level of association with the Black Spruce Swamp natural community type, based on the findings in Wisconsin's 2015 Wildlife Action Plan.
Scores: 3 = high association, 2 = moderate association, and 1 = low association. See the key to association scores for complete definitions.
| Amphibians | Score | |
|---|---|---|
| Four-toed Salamander | Hemidactylium scutatum | 2 |
| Mink Frog | Lithobates septentrionalis | 1 |
| Pickerel Frog | Lithobates palustris | 1 |
| Aquatic and terrestrial snails | Score | |
|---|---|---|
| Boreal Top | Zoogenetes harpa | 1 |
| Beetles | Score | |
|---|---|---|
| A Predaceous Diving Beetle | Agabus discolor | 3 |
| A Predaceous Diving Beetle | Hydroporus morio | 2 |
| A Predaceous Diving Beetle | Hydrocolus persimilis | 2 |
| Birds | Score | |
|---|---|---|
| Black-backed Woodpecker | Picoides arcticus | 3 |
| Boreal Chickadee | Poecile hudsonicus | 3 |
| Connecticut Warbler | Oporornis agilis | 3 |
| Gray Jay | Perisoreus canadensis | 3 |
| Olive-sided Flycatcher | Contopus cooperi | 3 |
| Ruby-crowned Kinglet | Regulus calendula | 3 |
| Spruce Grouse | Falcipennis canadensis | 3 |
| Swainson's Thrush | Catharus ustulatus | 2 |
| American Woodcock | Scolopax minor | 1 |
| Golden-winged Warbler | Vermivora chrysoptera | 1 |
| Long-eared Owl | Asio otus | 1 |
| Northern Goshawk | Accipiter gentilis | 1 |
| Rusty Blackbird | Euphagus carolinus | 1 |
| Butterflies and moths | Score | |
|---|---|---|
| Arctic Fritillary | Boloria chariclea | 2 |
| Dragonflies and damselflies | Score | |
|---|---|---|
| Forcipate Emerald | Somatochlora forcipata | 2 |
| Zigzag Darner | Aeshna sitchensis | 2 |
| Sphagnum Sprite | Nehalennia gracilis | 1 |
| Subarctic Darner | Aeshna subarctica | 1 |
| Grasshoppers and allies | Score | |
|---|---|---|
| Crackling Forest Grasshopper | Trimerotropis verruculata | 1 |
| Huckleberry Spur-throat Grasshopper | Melanoplus fasciatus | 1 |
| Spotted-winged Grasshopper | Orphulella pelidna | 1 |
| Leafhoppers and true bugs | Score | |
|---|---|---|
| A Broad-shouldered Water Strider | Microvelia albonotata | 2 |
| Mammals | Score | |
|---|---|---|
| Little Brown Bat | Myotis lucifugus | 3 |
| Northern Flying Squirrel | Glaucomys sabrinus | 3 |
| Water Shrew | Sorex palustris | 3 |
| Silver-haired Bat | Lasionycteris noctivagans | 2 |
| Woodland Jumping Mouse | Napaeozapus insignis | 2 |
| American Marten | Martes americana | 1 |
| Northern Long-eared Bat | Myotis septentrionalis | 1 |
| Reptiles | Score | |
|---|---|---|
| Wood Turtle | Glyptemys insculpta | 2 |
Please see Section 2. Approach and Methods of the Wildlife Action Plan to learn how this information was developed.
The Natural Heritage Inventory has developed scores indicating the degree to which each of Wisconsin's rare plant species is associated with a particular natural community or ecological landscape. This information is similar to that found in the Wildlife Action Plan for animals. As this is a work in progress, we welcome your suggestions and feedback.
| Scientific Name | Common Name | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Pseudevernia consocians | Common Antler Lichen | 3 |
| Vaccinium vitis-idaea | Mountain Cranberry | 3 |
The following Ecological Landscapes have the best opportunities to manage for Black Spruce Swamp, based on the Ecological Landscapes of Wisconsin Handbook.
| Ecological Landscape | Opportunity |
|---|---|
| Forest Transition | Major |
| North Central Forest | Major |
| Northern Highland | Major |
| Central Sand Hills | Important |
| Central Sand Plains | Important |
| Northeast Sands | Important |
| Northwest Lowlands | Important |
| Northwest Sands | Important |
| Superior Coastal Plain | Important |
| Central Lake Michigan Coastal | Present |
| Northern Lake Michigan Coastal | Present |
Major (3 on map)
A major opportunity for sustaining the natural community in the Ecological Landscape exists, either because many significant occurrences of the natural community have been recorded in the landscape or major restoration activities are likely to be successful maintaining the community's composition, structure, and ecological function over a longer period of time.
Important (2 on map)
Although the natural community does not occur extensively or commonly in the Ecological Landscape, one to several occurrences do occur and are important in sustaining the community in the state. In some cases, important opportunities may exist because the natural community may be restricted to just one or a few Ecological Landscapes within the state and there may be a lack of opportunities elsewhere.
Present (1 on map)
The natural community occurs in the Ecological Landscape, but better management opportunities appear to exist in other parts of the state.
Conservation actions respond to issues or threats, which adversely affect species of greatest conservation need (SGCN) or their habitats. Besides actions such as restoring wetlands or planting resilient tree species in northern communities, research, surveys and monitoring are also among conservation actions described in the WWAP because lack of information can threaten our ability to successfully preserve and care for natural resources.
Threats/issues and conservations actions for natural communities
Click to view a larger version. Please considering donating your photos to the Natural Heritage Conservation Program for educational uses. Photo use
Dense black spruce swamp with well developed hummock hollow micro-topography in Sphagnum dominated groundlayer. Small ericaeceous shrubs are also present.
Photo by Andrew Galvin.
Mature conifer swamp with a canopy of black spruce and understory of Labrador tea and hummocky Sphagnum mosses-critical habitat for specialized boreal animals, especially birds, invertebrates.
Photo by Loren Ayers.
Black Spruce Forest, Sultz Swamp, Bayfield County.
Photo by Eric Epstein.
Black spruce swamp
Photo by Ryan O'Connor.
Black spruce, occassional white pine, and leatherleaf and Labrador-tea are characteristic species of black spruce swamp.
Photo by Ryan O'Connor.
Note: photos are provided to illustrate various examples of natural community types. A single photograph cannot represent the range of variability inherent in a given community type. Some of these photos explicitly illustrate unusual and distinctive community variants. The community photo galleries are a work in progress that we will expand and improve in the future.