Vegetation Environmental

The overstory of this community is dominated by Picea mariana with a cover of 20%. Larix laricina is occasionally associated and is generally older than the Picea. No Larix seedlings are present. The average age of this type is 123 years. Ledum palustre is the dominant shrub with a 30% cover. Vaccinium uliginosum, Betula nana, and Andromeda polifolia have cover values of 15%, 10% and 5% respectively. Eriophorum vaginatum forms tussocks 30 centimeters high and has a cover of 70%. Vaccinium vitis-idaea, Empetrum nigrum, Oxycoccus microcarpus and Rubus chamaemorous are also frequent with cover values of 25%, 10%, 10%, and 10% respectively. Sphagnum species dominates the nonvascular layer with a cover of 50%. Cladonia rangiferina (20% cover), Cladonia alpestris (5% cover), Cetraria cucullata, Nephroma arcticum and Pleurozium schreberi (5% cover) and Tomenthypnum nitens also compose the nonvascular layer.

C3 is found at an average altitude of 288 meters in the Tanana lowland with plots at altitudes ranging from 198 to 572 meters. In comparison to C2 this type is of younger age, contains less Larix, more Eriophorum, no Salix species and is of lower altitude. C3 is found most commonly on eolian or lacustrine substrates but also occurs on glacial/fluvial and alluvial/colluvial.