Table 5 (cont'd).
Class
Description
Open Low Mesic
Betula nana dominates the open shrub canopy and scattered, dwarf black spruce may be present. Other important
Shrub Birch
species include Ledum decumbens, Vaccinium spp., Carex Bigelowii and lichens.
Ericaceous Shrub
Open Low Shrub Birch
This type is similar to Closed Low Shrub BirchEricaceous Shrub, but there are fewer shrubs (<75% cover), while
Ericaceous Shrub Bog
sedges and Sphagnum spp. are more abundant.
Open Low Scrub
A post-fire, early successional stage of open Salix spp., Ledum groenlandicum, Linnaea borealis, and Vaccinium uliginosum,
with Calamagrostis canadensis, Ceratodon purpureus, and Polytrichum sp.
Open Low Willow
Salix planifolia, other willows, and occasional Alder occupy drier microsites, while Carex rostrata, Carex magellanica,
Graminoid Shrub Bog
Carex aquatilis, and other sedges are common in wetter areas.
Open Low Sweetgale
The open canopy is dominated by Myrica gale. Other common species include Chamaedaphne calyculata, Betula nana,
Graminoid Bog
Alnus tenuifolia, Carex aquatilis, and Eriophorum angustifolium.
DryasLichen Dwarf
Dominated by an open canopy of the dwarf (<0.2-m) shrub Dryas octopetala, and crustose and fruticose lichens. Betula
Shrub Tundra
nana, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, and Empetrum nigrum are common.
Dry MidgrassShrub
Found on steep south-facing bluffs, this type includes include Elymus innovatus, Poa spp., Rosa acicularis, Artemisia
frigida, Pulsatilla patens, and Selaginella siberica.
Bluejoint Meadow
Moist meadows dominated by bluejoint reedgrass (Calamagrostis canadensis). Associated species include Carex
rostrata, Eriophorum angustifolium, and Potentilla spp.
Fresh Sedge Marsh
These uncommon communities of emergent sedges, dominated by Scirpus validus, are found along the edges of
lakes or in the center of in-filling lakes. Small patches of Typha latifolia are common.
Subarctic Lowland
This class is found in small thermokarst depressions or in-filling lakes. The vegetation is dominated by coarse sedges
SedgeHerb Bog Meadow
(e.g. Carex aquatilis), Potamogeton spp., and Equisetum fluviatile.
Subarctic Lowland
Wet meadows are dominated by coarse sedges (Carex aquatilis, C. rostrata, and Eriophorum angustifolium). Associ-
Sedge Wet Meadow
ated species include Potentilla palustris and Equisetum fluviatile.
Subarctic Lowland
This wet type is dominated by fine sedges (e.g. Carex canescens, C. limosa, and Eriophorum russeolum) but often
SedgeBog Meadow
includes some shrubs (Chamaedaphne calyculata, Salix sp.) and mosses (Sphagnum spp.).
Subarctic Lowland
This class is characterized by Sphagnum mosses on thick accumulations of peat. Associated plants include Eriophorum
SedgeMoss Bog Meadow
scheuchzeri, Carex rariflora, Andromeda polifolia, and Oxycoccus microcarpus.
Fresh Herb Marsh
Areas of deep water dominated by Equisetum fluviatile, Menyanthes trifoliata, and Calla palustris.
Subarctic Lowland
Minerotrophic fens dominated by Menyanthes trifoliata, Potentilla palustris, Carex rostrata, and Equisetum fluviatile.
Herb Bog Meadow
Fresh Pondweed
Some ponds support plant communities dominated by Potamogeton spp. Associated species can include Lemna
minor, Hippuris vulgaris, and Myriophyllum verticillatum.
Lowland Eolian
Complex mosaic of terrain unit types (lowland eolian deposits, organic bogs and isolated sand dunes) that support
Complex
Open Black Spruce Forest, Closed Paper Birch Forest, Open Low Shrub BirchEricaceous Shrub Bog, Open Low
Mixed ShrubSedge Tussock Bog, and Bluejoint Meadows.
Riverine Complex
Mosaic of small communities on river floodplains that can include closed tall shrub types, Closed Balsam Poplar
Forest, Closed Balsam PoplarWhite Spruce Forest, and Closed White Spruce Forests.
Slope Drainage
Complex mosaic of vegetation types caused by variable drainage conditions on lower slopes. Open Black Spruce
Complex
Forests are interrupted by linear features of Closed Tall Alder Shrub and Closed Paper Birch Forests on slopes and
Open Low Shrub BirchEricaceous Shrub Bogs on flats.
Paludification
This class is found in slow, diffuse drainages on the Tanana Flats. Vegetation is composed of several types domi-
Complex
nated by wet sedge (Carex aquatilis, Carex rostrata), forbs (Equisetum fluviatile, Typha latifolia, Caltha palustris) and
patches of floating fen (Menyanthes trifoliata, Potentilla palustris).
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