Anoka Ecosystems:
White Cedar Swamp
This type of ecosystem is typically found on wet mineral soils, on decomposed peat soils just above peatlands, or within a shallow depression. These swamps are found primarily in the conifer hardwood forest zone, but can be found in the deciduous forest woodland zone as well. White cedar is fire-sensitive, so it grows in moist habitats where fire is very rare. Also, white cedar coloizes recently disturbed sites, but also acts as a late successional species, as it is very long-lived and regenerates older stands by layering, thus being able to form mature and old-growth stands.
White cedar swamps are often very distinguishable by a nearly pure, very dense canopy of white cedars. However, the canopy may also include a mixture of black spruces, white spruces, balsam poplars, balsam firs and black ash. The shrub layer is composed primarily of species like speckled alder, nad the ground cover layer, though dependant on the density of the canopy, typically has a layer of mosses.
This community is very rare in Anoka County and exists in two relatively small patches within the county. One is in the northwestern part of the the county, and the other is a protected site in Cedar Creek Natural History Area.
Sources:
"Minnesota Land Cover Classification System: User Manual." Version 5.3 Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Central Region, 2004.
"Minnesota's Native Vegetation: A Key to Natural Communities" Version 1.5 Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Natural Heritage Program, 1993.
Wovcha, D, Delaney, B, Nordquist, G. Minnesota's St. Croix River Valley and Anoka Sandplain: A Guide to Native Habitats Minneapolis: University of Minnesota, 1995.
