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Arctic Alaska Plant Community List

Plant Community Table - Plant Community Description - Detailed map description

Plant communities, ordered by: Bioclimate subzone || Floristic subprovince || Toposequence || Substrate chemistry

Edie's list of ALL the communities

Photos Community
Number		 Community
Name		 Habitat
Summary		 Bioclimate
Subzone		 Floristic
Province		 Mesotopic
Gradient
Position		 Substrate
Chemistry		 Described From Plant
Functional
Types		 General
Comments		 Other names
from Alaska
Literature		 Braun-
Blanquet Name
1 Luzula confusa-Sphaerophorus globosus Dry to moist acidic gravelly or sandy coastal tundra in subzone C C Northern Alaska Dry exposed site Acidic Barrow (Webber 1978, Elias et al. 1996), Prudhoe Bay (Walker et al. 1977)
  • None
2 Carex aquatilis-Saxifraga cernua Moist acidic coastal tundra in subzone C C Northern Alaska Moist site Acidic Barrow (Webber 1978, Elias et al. 1996), Prudhoe Bay (Walker et al. 1977, Kade et al. 2005)
  • This is a common type in mesic acidic meadows and flat-centered polygons in coastal tundra areas of subzone C (photos a and b). It is dominated by graminoids (Carex aquatilis, Eriophorum angustifolium, Poa arctica, Dupontia fisheri, Luzula arctica), prostrate dwarf shrubs (Salix rotundifolia, S. pulchra), mosses and a variety of small forbs (especially Saxifraga cernua and S. foliolosa), and has the highest lichen diversity of any of the types studied by Webber (1978). It corresponds to the Nodum III (Mesic Carex aquatilis-Poa arctica) at Barrow (Webber 1978) and is the most extensive type within the International Biological Program (IBP) Tundra Biome study site at Barrow, covering about 41% of the area (Walker and Webber 1974). A more or less equivalent type has been described using the Braun-Blanquet protocols at Prudhoe Bay: Salici rotundifoliae-Caricetum aquatilis (Kade et al. 2005). It is common but is not a separable map unit at the scale of the Alaska Arctic Vegetation Map (Raynolds et al. 2006). Somewhat moister habitats can have abundant Dupontia fisheri and few lichens (Nodum IV, Moist Carex aquatilis-Oncophorus wahlenbergii meadow, (Webber 1978)). A nonacidic equivalent has been described for Barter Island (See Community 9) (Elias et al. 1996).
  • Salici rotundifoliae-Caricetum aquatilis (Kade et al. 2005)
3 Luzula confusa-Poa arctica Mesic organic-rich acidic coastal tundra in subzone C C Northern Alaska Moist site Acidic Barrow (Webber 1978, Elias et al. 1996), Prudhoe Bay (Walker et al. 1977)
  • This may be the zonal vegetation for subzone C in coastal habitats of northern Alaska, but it does not occur widely and is poorly characterized at present due to lack of relevés from large homogenous stands. The type occurs on mesic organic-rich soils. It is characterized by an abundance of rushes (Luzula confusa and Luzula arctica), grasses (Poa arctica, Dupontia fisheri, Hierochloe alpina) and lichens (photo a).
  • This type is distinguished from Community 1 by its greater abundance of graminoids, particularly rushes (Luzula confusa, Luzula arctica), and grasses (Poa arctica, Dupontia fisheri), and somewhat moister more organic-rich soils. It is distinguished from Community 2 by the abundance of rushes (Luzula confusa and Luzula arctica). It occupies only a small portion of the larger region in subzone C and is not distinguishable as a separate map unit on the Arctic Alaska Vegetation Map (Raynolds et al. 2006). Subtype Ochrolechia frigida occurs mainly on organic-rich high-centered polygons, low-centered polygon rims, and other somewhat elevated microsites in ice-wedge polygon complexes (photos b and c). The soil has a white lumpy appearance due to moss polsters of Dicranum elongatum covered by the white lichen Ochrolechia spp. At Prudhoe Bay and Barter Island this subtype is replaced by a similar community that has abundant Dryas integrifolia and Ochrolechia frigida.
  • Undescribed as an association in Alaska. May fit within the Alliance Luzulion nivalis (Nordh, 1936).
4 Eriophorum angustifolium-Carex aquatilis subtype Dupontia fisheri Wet coastal tundra in subzone C C Northern Alaska Wet site Acidic Barrow (Webber 1978, Elias et al. 1996)
  • Several poorly differentiated wet tundra communities within subzone C are grouped into this unit. The more or less acidic wet coastal tundra communities at Barrow were distinguished from the calcareous landscapes at Barter Island and Prudhoe Bay based on dominant mosses (Elias et al. 1996), but until more information is available, they are all grouped under one name with two codes: Community 4 (acidic) and Community 10 (nonacidic). Somewhat richer communities are found inland in bioclimate subzone D and are grouped in Community 29.
    The sedges Carex aquatilis and/or Eriophorum angustifolium, are often the dominant vascular plant species in subzone C. The grass Dupontia fisheri is often present in wet communities near the coast and is used here to designate the wet subtype of subzone C within northern Alaska. A few forbs such as Pedicularis sudetica and Saxifraga foliolosa are usually present. Sphagnum can be locally common in acidic wet tundra. Woody plants are uncommon. Somewhat wetter areas with deeper standing water with the grass Arctophila fulva and/or a few typical aquatic forbs (e.g. Ranunculus palasii, Comarum palustre) are not included in this unit.
  • None
5 Salix rotundifolia-Cetrariella delisei Moist acidic early-melting snowbeds in subzone C C Northern Alaska Snowbed, early-melting Acidic Barrow (Elias et al. 1996)
  • Little information is available from shallow snowbeds in acidic parts of bioclimate subzone C. This type is based on a small amount of transect data from Barrow (Elias et al. 1996). This unit is characterized by high cover of prostrate dwarf shrubs (Salix rotundifolia), and a wide variety of lichens that thrive in the moist coastal atmosphere.
  • Salix rotundifolia-Cetraria delesei, based on information from transect in 176-194m, Barrow, Elias et al. (1996).
  • None
6 Phippsia algida-Saxifraga rivularis Wet acidic late-melting snow beds in coastal areas in subzone C C Northern Alaska Snowbed, late-melting Acidic Barrow (Webber 1978), Prudhoe Bay (Walker et al. 1977)
  • Within subzone C of northern Alaska, late-lying snowbeds occur mostly along streams and coastal bluffs. At Barrow, many of these areas are occasionally flooded by sea water during storm surges. These habitats consequently contain a mix of species that are associated with wet late-melting snowbeds (e.g., Phippsia algida, Ranunculus pygmaeus ssp. sabinei, Saxifraga rivularis), and saline areas (e.g. Dupontia fisheri, Stellaria humifusa, Cochlearia groenlandica) (Stand Type 15, of Walker 1977). The plant communities of snowbeds grade with those that occur along streams. They contain a mix of forbs and grasses — often rich in species, but are highly variable in species composition. Cochlearia groenlandica, Alopecurus alpinus, Phippsia algida, Ranunculus pygmaeus, and Stellaria humifusa are common species found in these sites. This type is a coastal version of Stand Type Phippsia algida-Saxifraga rivularis described from deep snowbeds of pingos in the central Arctic Coastal Plain (M.D. Walker 1990). It also resembles Phippsia algida-Alopecurus alpinus communities sampled in early melting snowbeds of the extreme High Arctic on Amund Ringnes Island and Ellesmere Island (Gonzalez et al. 2000, Relevés AR-S-1, E-AHR-1, 2).
  • None
7 Equisetum arvense-Cochlearia groenlandica Sandy riparian areas areas in subzone C C Northern Alaska Riparian site, active Acidic Barrow (Webber 1978), Prudhoe Bay (Walker et al. 1977)
  • Streams in the coastal area near Barrow and along the northern coast of Alaska are incised into low marine terraces and often have deep snow in them during the winter. Slumping peat bluffs, constantly shifting stream channels, and occasional flooding by storm surges creates a mix of rudimentary plant species that are associated with a combination of riparian habitats, deep snowbeds, and saline coastal areas. The sites are often rich in species, but are highly variable in species composition. Equisetum arvense, Cochlearia officinalis, Alopecurus alpinus, Phippsia algida, Ranunuculus pygmaeus, and Stellaria humifusa are common species found in these sites.
  • None
8 Dryas integrifolia-Ochrolechia frigida Dry moderately exposed nonacidic cryoturbated soils in subzone C C Northern Alaska Dry exposed site Nonacidic Barter Island (Elias et al. 1996), Prudhoe Bay (Walker 1985)
  • This type occurs on dry to moist nonacidic cryoturbated mineral soils near the coast in Subzone C of northern Alaska. It is a nonacidic counterpart to Community 1, which occurs on dry acidic sites. It is closely related to "Dry Dryas integrifolia, Saxifraga oppositifolia, Lecanora epibryon dwarf shrub, crustose lichen tundra" described from cryoturbated soils at Prudhoe Bay (Walker 1985). This type occurs on somewhat moister, more organic rich soils with more evidence of frost heaving than Dryas integrifolia-Carex rupestris subtype Oxytropis nigrescens, which also occurs in subzone C of northern Alaska on gravelly soils. It is not well characterized and could be grouped with Community 24, but the dry sedge Carex rupestris is usually absent and replaced by the more mesic sedge species Carex bigelowii and Eriophorum angustifolium ssp. triste.
  • None
9 Carex aquatilis-Dryas integrifolia Moist nonacidic coastal meadows in subzone C C Northern Alaska Moist site Nonacidic Barter Island (Elias et al. 1996), Prudhoe Bay (Walker 1985)
  • Dryas integrifolia-Carex aquatilis, 5 relevés (BI-4, 5B, 10, 15 and 19), Elias et al. (1996)
  • Included within III.A.2.j., Sedge-Dryas tundra, Viereck et al. (1992).
  • None
10 Eriophorum angustifolium-Carex aquatilis subtype Dupontia fisheri Wet nonacidic coastal tundra in subzone C C Northern Alaska Wet site Nonacidic Prudhoe Bay (Walker 1985)
  • Several poorly differentiated wet tundra communities within subzone C are grouped into this unit. The more or less acidic wet coastal tundra communities at Barrow were distinguished from the calcareous landscapes at Barter Island and Prudhoe Bay based on dominant mosses (Elias et al. 1996), but until more information is available, they are all grouped under one name with two codes: Community 4 (acidic) and Community 10 (nonacidic). Somewhat richer communities are found inland in bioclimate subzone D and are grouped in Community 29.
    The sedges Carex aquatilis and/or Eriophorum angustifolium, are often the dominant vascular plant species in subzone C. The grass Dupontia fisheri is often present in wet communities near the coast and is used here to designate the wet subtype of subzone C within northern Alaska. A few forbs such as Pedicularis sudetica and Saxifraga foliolosa are usually present. Sphagnum can be locally common in acidic wet tundra. Woody plants are uncommon. Somewhat wetter areas with deeper standing water with the grass Arctophila fulva and/or a few typical aquatic forbs (e.g. Ranunculus palasii, Comarum palustre) are not included in this unit.
  • None
11 Cassiope tetragona-Dryas integrifolia subtype Depauperate Moist nonacidic early-melting snowbeds in subzone C C Northern Alaska Snowbed, early-melting Nonacidic Prudhoe Bay (Walker 1985)
  • Stand Type U6, Moist Dryas integrifolia, Cassiope, Cetraria nivalis dwarf shrub, fruticose lichen tundra, Prudhoe Bay, 3 relevés, Walker (1985).
  • Stand Type Cassiope tetragona-Dryas integrifolia, facies Cassiope tetragona-Dryas integrifolia, Prudhoe Bay, 21 relevés, M.D. Walker (1990).
  • Included in II.D.2.e., Cassiope tundra, Viereck et al. (1992).
  • None
12 Chamerion latifolium-Artemisia arctica Sand and gravel river bars in subzones C and D C Northern Alaska Riparian site, active Nonacidic Prudhoe Bay (Walker 1985), Sagavanirktok River (Schickhoff et al. 2002)
  • Cold temperatures limit the growth of shrubs and the number of species that can colonize the riparian habitats in Subzone C. Generally there are no riparian shrublands. Woody plants on the river bars are limited to prostrate growth forms of species such as Salix alaxensis and Salix ovalifolia. The early colonizers of the gravels in the farthest north sites are a mix of a few forbs and grasses, most notably the River Beauty Epilobium latifolium. As one travels away from the coast the changes in the abundance of forbs is dramatic. For example, one river bar along the Kuparuk River, only about 10 km inland, had 66 species, nearly a third of the total flora for the Prudhoe Bay region (Walker, 1985).
  • Revegetation of abandoned gravel pads in the Prudhoe Bay oil field is dependent on species involved in the early-succession phases of gravel bars (McKendrick 1991).
  • Stand Type B4, Dry Epilobium latifolium, Artemisia arctica forb barren, Prudhoe Bay, 1 study plot on the Kuparuk River and species list from Putuligayuk River gravels, Walker (1985).
  • Riverine Barrens, sands, Colville River, 4 study plots, Jorgenson et al. (1997).
  • None
13 Dryas integrifolia-Diapensia lapponica Stable dry to moist acidic sandy ridge crests in Northern Alaska D Northern Alaska Dry exposed site Acidic Atqasuk (Komarkova & Webber 1980)
  • This type is common on dry acidic stabilized dune crests in the sand region of northern Alaska. It covers 3% of Komarková’s Map 2 at Atkasuk. However, it is poorly described at present, with no good relevés. The only characterization is from Atqasuk where a summary table presents the range of cover values from an unknown number of relevés (Komárková and Webber 1980). Characteristic species are abundant Cassiope tetragona, Salix phlebophylla, Diapensia lapponica and abundant acidiphilous lichens.
  • None
14 Salix phlebophylla-Arctous alpina (?) Dry acidic alpine areas and fell- fields in Northern Beringian Islands D Northern Beringian Islands Dry exposed site Acidic St. Lawrence Island (Young 1971)
  • None
15 Cladina stellaris-Salix arctica Dry acidic terraces in Northern Beringian Islands D Northern Beringian Islands Dry exposed site Acidic St. Matthew Island (Klein 1959)
  • None
16 Eriophorum vaginatum-Sphagnum spp. subtype Sphagnum compactum Mesic stabilized sandy soils of Northern Alaska D Northern Alaska Moist site Acidic Atqasuk (Komarkova & Webber 1980, Edwards et al. 2000)
  • This tussock tundra subtype occurs in the sand region in northern Alaska. It is common on stable flat to residual surfaces that are unaffected by thaw-lake processes or frost processes. The sites for this type are notable for their lack of nonsorted circles, which apparently do not form in the sandy soils. It is dominated by small short (<15 cm tall) tussocks (Eriophorum vaginatum). Dwarf shrubs generally do not extend above the top of the tussocks. Ledum palustre ssp. decumbens is relatively common. Deciduous shrubs such as Betula nana and Salix pulchra, which are usually common in tussock tundra, are much less common in this sandy subtype. It is extremely poor in species; the area sampled for the ATLAS studies (Edwards 2000) contained only 6 vascular plant species. The moss Sphagnum compactum appears to be characteristic. Atqasuk vegetation was also studied and mapped as part of the Research on Arctic Tundra Environments (RATE) program (Batzli 1980, Komárková and Webber 1980).
  • Map 2 Unit 8, Eriophorum vaginatum seasonal short grass upland, Atqasuk, summary from an unknown number of relevés, Komarkova and Webber (1980).
  • Relevé A-1, Ledum palustre ssp. decumbens-Eriophorum vaginatum, Atqasuk, 1 study plot, Edwards (2000).
  • Subassociation of Sphagno-Eriophoretum vaginati (Walker et al. 1994)
17 Eriophorum vaginatum-Sphagnum spp. subtype Ledum decumbens Late successional stage of moist, acidic, fire-dominated areas of Beringian Alaska D Beringian Alaska Moist site Acidic Seward Peninsula (Swanson and Schuman 1985)
  • Subassociation of Sphagno-Eriophoretum vaginati (Walker et al. 1994)
18 Calamagrostis canadensis-Rubus arcticus (?) Moist acidic tundra of St. Lawrence I. D Northern Beringian Islands Moist site Acidic St. Lawrence Island (Young 1971)
  • None
19 Carex microchaeta-Sphagnum sp. Moist acidic tundra of St. Matthews I. D Northern Beringian Islands Moist site Acidic St. Matthew Island (Klein 1959)
  • None
20 Carex aquatilis-Eriophorum angustifolium subtype Sphagnum sp. Wet acidic tundra and wet portions of low-centered polygons in Northern Alaska D Northern Alaska, Beringian Alaska, Northern Beringian Islands Wet site Acidic Northern Alaska: St. Lawrence Island (Young 1971), Seward Peninsula (Swanson and Schuman 1985), Atqasuk (Komarkova and Webber 1980)
  • None
21 Cassiope tetragona-Dryas integrifolia subtype Tanacetum bipinnatum Moist acidic early melting snowbeds in subzone D D Northern Alaska Snowbed, early-melting Acidic Atqasuk (Komarkova & Webber 1980)
  • None
22 Salix alaxensis-Tanacetum bipinnatum Stable, dry, acidic sandy floodplains in subzone D D Northern Alaska Riparian site, stable Acidic Atqasuk (Komarkova & Webber 1980)
  • None
23 Salix pulchra-Hylocomium splendens Stable, moist, acidic floodplains in subzone D D Beringian Alaska Riparian site, stable Acidic Seward Peninsula (Racine and Anderson 1979, Swanson and Schuman 1985)
  • None
24 Dryas integrifolia-Carex rupestris Dry nonacidic tundra on gravels in subzones C and D D Northern Alaska Dry exposed site Nonacidic Prudhoe Bay (Walker 1985, Walker 1990)
  • This type occurs mainly on dry wind-exposed nonacidic gravelly sites. The plant canopy consists of a discontinuous mat of Dryas integrifolia, an abundance of lichens, a few cushion forbs such as Oxytropis nigrescens and Saxifraga oppositifolia and several other erect forbs. A high percentage of the soil is unvegetated or covered in white crustose lichens (e.g., Lecanora epibryon). The sedge Carex rupestris is constant.
  • The community Dryas integrifolia-Carex rupestris embraces all of the diversity within the non-riparian nonacidic Dryas integrifolia group of communities. It excludes the Dryas communities on river terraces that have higher diversity of forbs and erect shrubs (Community 34 and Community 83), and the communities on cryoturbated moister soils that lack Carex rupestris (Community 8). Similar Dryas communities occur within bioclimate subzones C and D of the Canadian archipelago (e.g., Dryas integrifolia-Carex rupestris comm. described from several studies in Arctic Canada and Greenland (e.g., Vonlanthen et al. 2008 (10 relevés); Schweingruber 1997; Thannheiser 1988; Thannheiser and Geesink 1990; Gonzalez et al. 2000, Victoria Island, Mount Pelly, V-CB-01, 05; Carici-Dryadetum integrifoliae (Daniëls 1982) described from Greenland). It is a nonacidic counterpart to Luzula confusa-Sphaerophorus globosus which occurs on dry acidic sites (Community 13).
  • M.D. Walker (1990) sampled 77 stands on exposed north and ENE slopes of 41 pingos of the central Arctic coastal plain. 72 of these were nonacidic. Within the broad nonacidic group that she called Dryas integrifolia-Lecanora epibryon, she identified 3 distinct stand types: (1) Stand Type Cerastium beeringianum-Minuartia rubellum (5 relevés) occurred in very exposed sites near the coast; (2) Stand Type Dryas integrifolia-Oxytropis nigrescens (37 relevés) was the most common type — occurring mostly on north-facing exposed sites and best drained sites in and around Prudhoe Bay; (3) Stand Type Dryas integrifolia-Astragalus umbellatus (31 relevés) occurred on somewhat warmer less exposed sites with moister soils and higher diversity of herbs (e.g., Astragalus umbellatus, Papaver macounii, Parrya nudicaulis, Oxytropis jordalii, Carex scirpoidea).
  • The Dryas integrifolia-Carex rupestris community is more or less equivalent to Association Carici-Dryadetum integrifoliae (Daniëls 1982) described from Greenland. The Oxtropis nigrescens subtype would likely be defined as a subassociation.
25 Dryas integrifolia-Oxytropis nigrescens (?) Dry nonacidic tundra, Beringian Alaska D Beringian Alaska Dry exposed site Nonacidic Devil's Upland, Seward Peninsula (Jorgenson 2001)
  • None
26 Dryas octopetala-Rhododendron camtschaticum Dry nonacidic tundra, limestone mountains, Beringian Alaska D Beringian Alaska Dry exposed site Nonacidic York Mountains, Seward Peninsula (no description) No data – probably similar to Community 73
  • None
27 Carex bigelowii-Dryas integrifolia subtype. Carex membranacea Moist nonacidic tundra on loess, Northern Alaska D Northern Alaska, Beringian Alaska Moist site Nonacidic Prudhoe Bay (Walker 1985), Seward Peninsula (Swanson and Schuman 1985)
  • None
28 Salix phlebophylla-Luzula confusa (?) Moist nonacidic tundra, Northern Beringian Islands D Northern Beringian Islands Moist site Nonacidic St. Lawrence Island (Young 1971)
  • None
29 Carex aquatilis-Eriophorum angustifolium subtype Drepanocladus brevifolius Wet nonacidic tundra, centers of low-centered polygons, lake margins in Subzone D D Northern Alaska Wet site Nonacidic Prudhoe Bay (Walker 1985)
  • This is the nonacidic version of Carex aquatilis-Eriophorum angustifolium subtype Sphagnum sp. (Community 20). The sedge species are the same, but the mosses differ.
  • Stand Type M2, wet calcareous meadows, ice-wedge polygon centers, lake margins, Walker (1985).
  • None
30 Cassiope tetragona-Dryas integrifolia subtype typical Moist nonacidic early-melting snowbeds in subzone D D Northern Alaska Snowbed, early-melting Nonacidic Prudhoe Bay (Walker 1985, Walker 1990)
  • Snowbed sites within nonacidic portions of subzone D on the Arctic Coastal Plain were well characterized by M.D. Walker (1990) in her study of pingo vegetation on the central Arctic Coastal Plain. She divided the snowbeds into four stand types: (1) Phippsia algida-Saxifraga rivularis (very late-melting, wet snowbed sites, 4 relevés); (2) Salix rotundifolia-Dryas integrifolia (well drained snowbeds with deep late-melting snow, 36 relevés), (3) Cassiope tetragona-Dryas integrifolia (well-drained nonacidic early-melting snowbeds, 57 relevés); (4) Dryas integrifolia-Astragalus umbellatus. She further subdivided the Cassiope tetragona-Dryas integrifolia stand type into two subtypes: Vaccinium uliginosum-Salix glauca (28 relevés) which occurs in warm south-facing snowbeds of subzones D and E (and are not included in the Cassiope-Dryas vegetation type described here), and Cassiope tetragona-Dryas integrifolia (21 relevés), which occurs in colder microsites and is the type described here.
  • Stand Type U6, Moist Dryas integrifolia, Cassiope, Cetraria nivalis dwarf shrub, fruticose lichen tundra, 3 relevés (0901, 1416, 1509); Stand Type Cassiope tetragona-Dryas integrifolia, facies Cassiope tetragona-Dryas integrifolia, Prudhoe Bay, 21 relevés, M.D. Walker (1990).
  • None
31 Salix rotundifolia-Sanionia uncinatus subtype Cardamine digitata Moist nonacidic late-melting snowbeds in subzone D D Northern Alaska Snowbed, late-melting Nonacidic Prudhoe Bay (Walker 1985, Walker 1990)
  • Snowbed sites within nonacidic portions of subzone D (Community 30) on the Arctic Coastal Plain were well characterized by M.D. Walker (1990) in her study of pingo vegetation on the central Arctic Coastal Plain. She divided the snowbeds into four stand types: (1) Phippsia algida-Saxifraga rivularis (very late-melting, wet snowbed sites, 4 relevés); (2) Salix rotundifolia-Dryas integrifolia (well drained snowbeds with deep late-melting snow, 36 relevés) which is the type described here, (3) Cassiope tetragona-Dryas integrifolia (well-drained nonacidic early-melting snowbeds, 57 relevés; (4) Dryas integrifolia-Astragalus umbellatus.
  • Stand Type U7, Walker (1985).
  • Facies Salix rotundifolia-Eriophorum triste, late-melting nonacidic snowbeds, 36 relevés, Walker (1990).
  • None
32 Chamerion latifolium-Artemisia arctica Sand and gravel river bars in subzones C and D D Northern Alaska Riparian site, active Nonacidic Prudhoe Bay (Walker 1985), Sagavanirktok River (Schickhoff et al. 2002)
  • This is the same type as Community 12 in Subzone C, though there are more forb species in Subzone D than in Subzone C. It is also the same community as Community 82 in Subzone E.
  • None
33 Salix richardsonii-Anemone parviflora subtype Salix richardsonii Moist, nonacidic, stablized floodplain terraces with fine-grained soils, subzone D D Northern Alaska Riparian site, stable Nonacidic Prudhoe Bay (Walker 1985), Sagavanirktok River (Schickhoff et al. 2002)
  • Anemono-Salicetum richardsonii lupinetosum arctici (Schickhoff et al. 2002) shrub rich facies
34 Dryas integrifolia-Lupinus arcticus Moist, nonacidic, stablized floodplain terraces with gravelly soils, subzone D D Northern Alaska Riparian site, stable Nonacidic Happy Valley (Walker et al. 1997), Arctic NWR (Jorgenson 2003 pers. comm.)
  • Dryas integrifolia-Lupinus arcticus comm., dry river terraces, Walker et al. (1997).
  • Dryas terrace comm., Jorgenson (2003 pers. comm.).
  • Anemono-Salicetum richardsonii lupinetosum arctici (Schickhoff et al. 2002) shrub-poor facies, dominated by Dryas
35 Salix phlebophylla-Vaccinium uliginosum Dry, acidic, rocky alpine areas in subzone E, Northern Alaska E Northern Alaska Dry exposed site Acidic Arrigetch Mountains (Cooper 1986)
  • Vaccinio uliginosi-Salicetum phlebophyllae Assoc. 43, prostrate vegetation of ridgetops on acidic soils, Cooper (1986).
  • Vaccinio uliginosi-Salicetum phlebophyllae (Cooper 1986)
36 Dryas octopetala-Carex scirpoidea Dry, acidic, gravelly, alpine areas in subzone E, Northern Alaska E Northern Alaska Dry exposed site Acidic Arrigetch Mountains (Cooper 1986)
  • Carici scirpoideae-Vaccinietum uliginosi, Assoc. 18, (Cooper (1986).
  • Caricetum scirpoidea-Vaccinietum uliginosi (Cooper 1986)
37 Dryas octopetala-Selaginella sibirica Dry, acidic, gravelly soils and glacial till in subzone E, Northern Alaska E Northern Alaska Dry exposed site Acidic Imnavait Creek (Walker et al. 1994)
  • Selaginello sibiricae-Dryadetum octopetalae (Walker et al. 1994)
38 Salix phlebophylla-Arctous alpina Dry acidic tundra on fine grained soils in subzone E, Northern Alaska E Northern Alaska Dry exposed site Acidic Imnavait Creek (Walker et al. 1994)
  • Salici phlebophyllae-Arctoetum alpinae (Walker et al. 1994)
39 Loiseleuria procumbens-Rhododendron camtschaticum Dry acidic tundra on granite slopes, subzone E, Seward Peninsula E Beringian Alaska Dry exposed site Acidic Seward Peninsula (Swanson and Schuman 1985, Racine and Anderson 1979, Raynolds et al. 2002)
  • None
40 Dryas integrifolia-Empetrum nigrum (?) Dry/moist acidic tundra, Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta E Beringian Alaska Dry exposed site Acidic Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta (Talbot et al. 1985, McCaffery and Harwood 1997, Tande and Jennings 1986, Jorgenson 2000)
  • None
41 Eriophorum vaginatum-Sphagnum spp. subtype Eriophorum vaginatum Moist acidic tussock tundra on fine-grained soils in subzone E E Northern Alaska, Beringian Alaska Moist site Acidic Imnavait Creek (Walker et al. 1994), Seward Peninsula (Hanson 1953, Racine and Anderson 1979, Swanson and Schuman 1985, Raynolds et al. 2002), Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta (Tande and Jennings 1986, Jorgenson 2000, Talbot 1983)
  • Sphagno-Eriophoretum vaginati (Walker et al. 1994)
42 Eriophorum vaginatum-Sphagnum spp. subtypes Betula nana and Salix pulchra Moist acidic shrub-dominated tussock tundra, subzone E E Northern Alaska Moist site Acidic Imnavait Creek (Walker et al. 1994)
  • Sphagno-Eriophoretum vaginati var. Betula nana and Salix pulchra (Walker et al. 1994)
43 Ledum decumbens-Rubus chamaemorus Moist acidic tundra on palsas and high-centered polygons, subzone E E Northern Alaska Moist site Acidic Imnavait Creek (Walker et al. 1994)
  • Sphagno-Eriophoretum vaginati betuletosum nanae (Walker et al. 1994)
44 Betula nana-Salix pulchra Moist acidic shrublands, subzone E E Northern Alaska, Beringian Alaska Moist site Acidic Imnavait Creek (Walker et al. 1994), Seward Peninsula (Racine and Anderson 1979, Swanson and Schuman 1985, Raynolds et al. 2002), Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta (Talbot et al. 1985, Tande and Jennings 1986)
  • Sphagno-Eriophoretum vaginati betuletosum nanae (Walker et al. 1994)
45 Alnus viridis-Boschniakia rossica subtype Carex bigelowii (alder savannas) Slopes near treeline and warm foothill oases on North Slope E Northern Alaska Moist site Acidic Happy Valley (Walker et al. 1997)
  • This type includes closed alder thickets on slopes, open alder with grass-forb communities between shrubs, and alder savannahs consisting of moist graminoid tundra (Community 41 or Community 75) with patches of alders.
  • Climacium dendroides-Alnus viridis comm., (Walker et al. 1997).
  • None
46 Eriophorum vaginatum-Sphagnum spp. subtype Chamerion angustifolium Burned moist acidic tussock tundra, Seward Peninsula E Beringian Alaska Moist site Acidic Seward Peninsula (Racine 1987)
  • This type is the early successional stage after tussock tundra fires. Tundra fires are more common on the Seward Peninsula than in other parts of the Alaska Arctic.
  • Sphagno-Eriophoretum vaginati (Walker et al. 1994)
47 Eriophorum vaginatum-Sphagnum spp. subtype Cladina rangiferina Moist acidic tundra, mainly Seward Peninsula and Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta E Beringian Alaska Moist site Acidic Seward Peninsula (Swanson and Schuman 1985)
  • Sphagno-Eriophoretum vaginati (Walker et al. 1994)
48 Betula nana-Cladina rangiferina subtype Ledum decumbens Moist acidic tundra, mainly Seward Peninsula and Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta E Beringian Alaska Moist site Acidic Seward Peninsula (Hanson 1953, Racine and Anderson 1979, Swanson and Schuman 1985, Raynolds et al. 2002), Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta (Tande and Jennings 1986, Jorgenson 2000)
  • None
49 Betula nana-Cladina rangiferina subtype Salix fuscescens Moist acidic tundra, Nunivak Island E Beringian Alaska Moist site Acidic Nunivak Island (Swanson et al. 1986)
  • None
50 Betula nana-Eriophorum vaginatum Moist acidic tundra, Kuskokwim Mtns. E Beringian Alaska Moist site Acidic Kuskokwim Mtns (Talbot et al. 1985, Tande and Jennings 1986, Wibbenmeyer et al. 1982)
  • Similar in species composition to Community 42 in Northern Alaska, but shrubs here are taller.
  • None
51 Alnus viridis-Boschniakia rossica subtype Dryopteris expansa (?) Moist hillsides, Seward Peninsula, Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta E Beringian Alaska Moist site Acidic Seward Peninsula (Hanson 1953, Racine and Anderson 1979, Raynolds et al. 2002), Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta (Talbot et al. 1985, Wibbenmeyer et al. 1982)
  • None
52 Carex rotundata-Sphagnum orientale Wet acidic tundra on old landscapes, low microsites, Subzone E E Northern Alaska Wet site Acidic Imnavait Creek (Walker and Walker 1996)
  • None
53 Carex rotundata-Salix fuscescens subtype Sphagnum lenense Wet acidic tundra, raised microsites slightly above water table, Subzone E E Northern Alaska Wet site Acidic Imnavait Creek (Walker and Walker 1996)
  • None
54 Carex aquatilis-Eriophorum scheuchzeri / Ledum decumbens-Sphagnum spp. complex Wet low-centered polygon complex, Seward Peninsula E Beringian Alaska Wet site Acidic Seward Peninsula (Swanson and Schuman 1985)
  • None
55 Carex ramenskii-C. lyngbyaei Sightly brackish wet meadows, Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta E Beringian Alaska Wet site Acidic Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta (Tande and Jennings 1986, Jorgenson 2000)
  • This is the community found in wet coastal areas with tidal influence. It is slightly saline, with few higher microsites.
  • None
56 Carex aquatilis-C. rariflora / Empetrum nigrum-Sphagnum spp. complex Wet low-centered polygon complex, Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta E Beringian Alaska Wet site Acidic Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta (Tande and Jennings 1986)
  • This community is similar to Community 20 in Subzone D. It is found just inland from the tidally-affected areas of the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta. These are the lowest elevation non-saline areas. Parts of this landscape that are slightly higher and better drained will have moist vegetation (Community 48).
  • None
57 Carex aquatilis-Eriophorum angustifolium subtype Carex rostrata Wet, acidic meadows,Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta E Beringian Alaska Wet site Acidic Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta (Talbot 1983, Jorgenson 2000, Tande and Jennings 1986, Talbot et al. 1985)
  • This is the community found in wet areas at slightly higher elevations than Community 56, along the branches of the Yukon River as it divides into smaller channels in the delta area. The banks along the channels are higher and have more shrubby vegetation (Community 70).
  • None
58 Carex aquatilis-Eriophorum angustifolium subtype Sphagnum spp. Wet, acidic meadows,Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta E Beringian Alaska Wet site Acidic Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta (Talbot et al. 1985, Tande and Jennings 1986)
  • None
59 Carex aquatilis-Betula nana Wet, acidic meadows,Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta E Beringian Alaska Wet site Acidic Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta (Talbot et al. 1985, Tande and Jennings 1986)
  • This community is found in the wet portions of the oldest and highest-elevation landscapes of the Yukon-Kuskowim Delta. These landscapes are generally the farthest inland in the Delta. Shrubs and lichens are better established on moist microsites than in Community 57 or Community 58.
  • None
60 Andromeda polifolia-Sphagnum balticum Wet, acidic meadows,higher microsites, Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta E Beringian Alaska Wet site Acidic Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta (Talbot et al. 1985)
  • None
61 Carex aquatilis-C. glareosa / Salix fuscescens-Sphagnum balticum complex Wet / moist acidic tundra complex, Nunivak Island E Beringian Alaska Wet site Acidic Nunivak Island (Swanson et al. 1986)
  • None
62 Cassiope tetragona-Carex microchaeta Moist acidic early-melting snowbeds, Northern Alaska E Northern Alaska Snowbed, early-melting Acidic Imnavait Creek (Walker et al. 1994)
  • None
63 Salix rotundifolia subtype Ranunculus nivalis Moist acidic late-melting snowbeds, Northern Alaska E Northern Alaska Snowbed, late-melting Acidic Imnavait Creek (Walker et al. 1989)
  • Similar to Community 31 in Subzone D, but with greater species diversity.
  • None
64 Cassiope tetragona-Loiseleuria procumbens Moist acidic early-melting snowbeds, Beringian Alaska E Beringian Alaska Snowbed, early-melting Acidic Seward Peninsula (Hanson 1953, Raynolds et al. 2002)
  • None
65 Salix pulchra-Valeriana capitata Wet water tracks with flowing water, and streamsides E Northern Alaska Riparian site, stable Acidic Sagavanirktok River (Schickhoff et al. 2002), Imnavait Creek (Walker et al. 1994)
  • Valeriano-Salicetum planifoliae ass. nov., (Schickhoff et al. 2002).
  • Eriophorum angustifolium-Salix pulchra comm., (Walker et al. 2004).
  • Valeriano-Salicetum planifoliae (Schickhoff et al. 2002)
66 Salix alaxensis-Chamerion latifolium subtype Parnassia kotzebui Moist acidic stable shrublands on floodplains, Northern Alaska E Northern Alaska Riparian site, stable Acidic Sagavanirktok River (Schickhoff et al. 2002)
  • Epilobio-Salicetum alaxensis parnassietosum kotzebuei (Schickhoff et al. 2002)
67 Alnus viridis-Boschniakia rossica subtype Salix richardsonii (?) Moist acidic shrublands on stable floodplains, Northern Alaska E Northern Alaska Riparian site, stable Acidic Happy Valley (Walker et al. 1997)
  • Climacium dendroides-Alnus viridis comm., (Walker et al. 1997).
  • None
68 Salix pulchra-Hylocomium splendens Moist acidic floodplains willow shrublands, Beringian Alaska E Beringian Alaska Riparian site, stable Acidic Seward Peninsula (Swanson and Schuman 1985)
  • Similar to Community 65, but with more Beringian forb species. Similar to Community 23 in Subzone C, but with more species diversity.
  • None
69 Salix alaxensis-Chamerion latifolium subtype Parnassia kotzebui Moist shrublands on floodplains, Beringian Alaska E Beringian Alaska Riparian site, stable Acidic Seward Peninsula (Racine and Anderson 1979, Swanson and Schuman 1985)
  • Similar to Community 66, but with more Beringian forb species.
  • Epilobio-Salicetum alaxensis parnassietosum kotzebuei (Schickhoff et al. 2002)
70 Alnus viridis-Boschniakia rossica subtype Dryopteris expansa (?) Moist acidic shrublands, Beringian Alaska E Beringian Alaska Riparian site, stable Acidic Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta (Tande and Jennings 1986, Talbot 1983)
  • None
71 Dryas octopetala-Selaginella sibirica Dry nonacidic gravels in the Northern Alaska E Northern Alaska Dry exposed site Nonacidic Toolik Lake (Walker et al. 1994)
  • Selaginello sibiricae-Dryadetum octopelalae (Walker et al. 1994)
72 Carex rupestris-C. scirpoides Dry limestone slopes, Northern Alaska E Northern Alaska Dry exposed site Nonacidic Arrigetch Mountains (Cooper 1986)
  • Caricetum scirpoideo-rupestris (Cooper 1986)
73 Dryas octopetala-Rhododendron camtschaticum Dry nonacidic tundra and limestone mountains, Beringian Alaska E Beringian Alaska Dry exposed site Nonacidic Seward Peninsula (Hanson 1953, Swanson and Schuman 1985, Racine and Anderson 1979, Raynolds et al. 2002)
  • None
74 Umbilicaria spp.-Rhizocarpon geographicum Dry rocky lava, Beringian Alaska E Beringian Alaska Dry exposed site Nonacidic Seward Peninsula (Raynolds et al. 2002)
  • None
75 Carex bigelowii-Dryas integrifolia subtype Carex membranacea Moist nonacidic tundra on loess, Subzone E E Northern Alaska, Beringian Alaska Moist site Nonacidic Toolik Lake (Walker et al. 1994), Seward Peninsula (Racine and Anderson 1979, Raynolds et al. 2002)
  • Dryado integrifoliae-Caricetum bigelowii subass. caricetosum membranaceae (Walker et al. 1994)
76 Betula nana-Salix pulchra Moist nonacidic shrublands, Subzone E E Beringian Alaska Moist site Nonacidic Seward Peninsula (Swanson and Schuman 1985, Raynolds et al. 2002)
  • Similar to Community 44, but with calciphilic forbs and mosses.
  • None
77 Carex aquatilis-Eriophorum angustifolium subtype Carex chordorrhiza Wet nonacidic tundra, poor fens, Subzone E E Northern Alaska Wet site Nonacidic Toolik Lake (Walker and Barry 1991)
  • This community occurs in low-centered polygons. It is similar to Community 29 in Subzone D, but has more sedge species.
  • None
78 Puccinellia phryganodes-Carex ramenskii Wet brackish coastal marshes, Subzone E E Beringian Alaska Wet site Nonacidic Seward Peninsula (Racine and Anderson 1979, Swanson and Schuman 1985), Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta (Talbot et al. 1985, Tande and Jennings 1986, Jorgenson 2000)
  • Also occurs in Subzone D on Seward Peninsula and even Subzone C in Northern Alaska coast, but covers more extensive areas in Subzone E.
  • None
79 Cassiope tetragona-Dryas integrifolia subtype Novosieversia glaciale Moist nonacidic early-melting snowbeds,Subzone E E Northern Alaska Snowbed, early-melting Nonacidic Toolik Lake (Walker et al. 1994)
  • None
80 Salix rotundifolia subtype Ranunculus nivalis Moist nonacidic late-melting snowbeds, Subzone E E Northern Alaska Snowbed, late-melting Nonacidic Toolik Lake (Walker et al. 1989)
  • None
81 Carex bigelowii-Dryas integrifolia subtype Equisetum arvense Wet nonacidic early melting snowbeds and seeps, Subzone E E Beringian Alaska Snowbed, early-melting Nonacidic Seward Peninsula (Raynolds et al. 2002)
  • Similar to Community 79, but includes drainage areas directly below snowbeds. These moist areas often have high cover of horsetails.
  • Dryado integrifoliae-Caricetum bigelowii subass. Equisetosum arvensis (Walker et al. 1994)
82 Chamerion latifolium-Artemisia arctica Moist nonacidic gravelly active riparian habitats, Subzone E E Northern Alaska Riparian site, active Nonacidic Toolik Lake (Schickhoff et al. 2002)
  • Similar to Community 32 in Subzone D, but with more forb species.
  • Epilobio latifolii-Salicetum alaxensis ass. (Schickhoff et al. 2002)
83 Dryas integrifolia-Lupinus arcticus Dry nonacidic gravelly river terraces, Subzone E E Northern Alaska Riparian site, stable Nonacidic Toolik Lake (Walker et al. 1997), Arctic NWR (Jorgenson 2003 pers. comm.)
  • Similar to Community 34 in Subzone D, but with more forb species.
  • Dryas integrifolia-Lupinus arcticus comm., (Walker et al. 1997).
  • Dryas terrace (Jorgenson 2003 pers. comm.).
  • Anemono-Salicetum richardsonii lupinetosum arctici (Schickhoff et al. 2002) shrub-poor facies, dominated by Dryas
84 Salix alaxensis-Chamerion latifolium subtype Parnassia kotzebui Moist nonacidic shrublands on stable floodplains, subzone E E Northern Alaska Riparian site, stable Nonacidic Toolik Lake (Schickhoff et al. 2002)
  • Salicetum glauco-richardsonii ass. prov. (Schickhoff et al. 2002)
85 Alnus viridis-Boschniakia rossica subtype Salix richardsonii (?) Moist nonacidic shrublands on stable floodplains, Subzone E E Northern Alaska Riparian site, stable Nonacidic Happy Valley (Walker et al. 1997)
  • Climacium dendroides-Alnus viridis comm., (Walker et al. 1997).
  • None

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