Anoka Ecosystems:
Black Ash Swamp
Black ash swamps are forested wetlands which have black ash trees as 50% or more of the tree cover. Sometimes the black ash occurs in pure stands and other times it is mixed with other hardwood species. On the Anoka County Sandplain, black ash swamps usually exist in narrow bands which are included in larger wetland complexes.
Though the black ash dominates this ecosystem, other species common to these swamps in Anoka County are paper birches, yellow birches, green ashes and red maples. More open sites contain vegetation often found in wet meadow communities including winterberry, alder and others. Sites having more closed or dense canopies have more herbs and shade tolerant species including lady fern, cinnamon fern, clearweed, bryophytes and others.
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.
