Vegetation Environmental

Picea mariana and Larix laricina are codominant in the overstory of this community with a cumulative cover of 20%. The seedlings are predominantly Picea mariana and the average age is 186 years. The 65% shrub layer cover is contributed by Ledum palustre ssp. groenlandicum (30%), Vaccinium uliginosum (25%), Salix planifolia ssp. pulchra (5%), Salix lanata ssp. richardsonii (5%), and Betula glandulosa (5%). The herbaceous layer is composed of Rubus chamaemorus, Vaccinium vitis-idaea, Empetrum nigrum, Arctagrostis latifolia var. arundinacea , Carex bigelowii, Equisetum arvense, Arctostaphylos alpina, Eriophorum vaginatum and Oxycoccus microcarpus. The first three species each contribute 10% to the herbaceous cover. The remaining species contribute 5% to the cover value. The feathermosses Pleurozium schreberi, Hylocomium splendens and Aulacomnium ssp. contribute 45% to the nonvascular cover and Sphagnum species contribute 5%. Cladonia rangiferina (30%), Cladonia multiformis, Cladonia species and Peltigera aphthosa var. leucophlebia are also contributing nonvascular species.

This type is found in the Tanana lowland at an average altitude of 261 meters on alluvial/colluvial deposits. The range in elevation is 198 to 317 meters. Sphagnum species have less cover value, and the Larix seedlings and Alnus crispa are absent as compared to C4.