Plant Association Information
Picea mariana ? Larix laricina, Ledum palustre, Empetrum nigrum, Sphagnum species
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This community has an overstory closure of 20% codominated by Picea mariana and Larix laricina with an average age of 145 years. The shrub layer, with an average cover of 60%, is composed of Ledum palustre, Betula nana, and Vaccinium uliginosum with covers of 30%, 10%, and 20% respectively. Salix glauca and S. planifolia spp. pulchra occur occasionally. The herbaceous cover is 75%. Empetrum nigrum (60% cover) is the most abundant herb. Rubus chamaemourus, Oxycoccus microcarpus, Vaccinium vitis-idaea, Carex bigelowii each have 15% cover. Sphagnum species is dominant in the nonvascular layer with 70% cover. Cladonia rangiferina (20% cover), Cladonia alpestris, Cladonia species, Cetraria species, and Polytrichium strictum also add to the nonvascular layer.
This type is found on a glacial/fluvial or alluvial/colluvial substrate at an average altitude of 460 meters in the Tanana lowland (elevation range is 329 to 506 meters).
Associated Plant Species: Betula nana,
Carex bigelowii,
Cladonia rangiferina,
Cladonia stellaris,
Empetrum nigrum,
Larix laricina,
Oxycoccus microcarpus,
Picea mariana,
Polytrichum strictum,
Rhododendron tomentosum ssp. decumbens,
Rubus chamaemorus,
Salix glauca,
Salix pulchra,
Sphagnum spp.,
Vaccinium uliginosum,
Vaccinium vitis-idaea