Circumpolar Arctic Vegetation Map
Vegetation Units
Introduction -
Barrens:
B1B1. Cryptogam, herb barren -
B2B2. Cryptogam barren complex (bedrock) -
B3B3. Noncarbonate mountain complex -
B4B4. Carbonate mountain complex ||
Graminoid Tundras:
G1G1. Rush/grass, forb, cryptogam tundra -
G2G2. Graminoid, prostrate dwarf-shrub, forb tundra -
G3G3. Non-tussock sedge, dwarf-shrub, moss tundra -
G4G4. Tussock-sedge, dwarf-shrub, moss tundra
Prostrate-shrub Tundras:
P1P1. Prostrate dwarf-shrub, herb tundra -
P2P2. Prostrate/hemiprostrate dwarf-shrub tundra ||
Erect-shrub Tundras:
S1S1. Erect dwarf-shrub tundra -
S2S2. Low-shrub tundra ||
Wetlands:
W1W1. Sedge/grass, moss wetland -
W2W2. Sedge, moss, dwarf-shrub wetland -
W3W3. Sedge, moss, low-shrub wetland
North Slope coastal plain, Alaska (Photo: D.A. Walker).
Select image to enlarge
W2. Sedge, moss, dwarf-shrub wetland
Wetland complexes in the milder areas of the Arctic, dominated by sedges, grasses, and mosses, but including dwarf shrubs <40 cm tall. Subzone D.
Detailed Description
Wetland complexes of Subzone D, primarily fens with slightly acidic to circumneutral soil pH. Large components of moist nontussock sedge, dwarf-shrub, moss tundra (see Unit G3) are usually present in slightly elevated microsites such as hummocks and rims of low-centered ice-wedge polygons.
Representative syntaxa
Communities of the class Scheuchzerio-Caricetea.
Dominant plants
Sedges, grasses, and mosses. Prostrate dwarf-shrubs and forbs are often present. Acidic variants on raised microsites have hypoarctic, oligotrophic dwarf shrubs (see also Unit G4 and Unit S1).
- Sedges
- Grasses
- Mosses
- Prostrate dwarf-shrubs
- Forbs
- Oligotrophic dwarf shrubs
a=acidic, n=non-acidic