Michigan Forest Communities - Michigan Association of ...

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Southern Relict Tamarack Swamps
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Habitat
These unique forested peatlands can
be found in depressions, stream headwaters,
and drainageways throughout
southern Michigan. Underlying muck
soils are neutral in pH, but surface peat
layers are acidic. Their hydrology is
maintained by calcareous groundwater.
Disturbance agents include windthrow,
fire, beaver flooding, and insect outbreaks.
Never extensive, they contrast
with the pervading deciduous upland
and wetland communities. Ecologically,
these swamps are islands set in a
matrix of urban development, deciduous
woodlands, and agricultural fields.
Signature tree
One deciduous conifer (the only one
native to Michigan) dominates this
forest type:
• Tamarack
Other trees
• Red maple
• Silver maple
• Yellow birch
• Black ash
• American elm
• Quaking aspen
• Swamp white oak
• Ohio buckeye
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