Vegetation Environmental

Picea mariana (greater than 40% cover and 3 to 5 meters in height) is the only tree species in the association (Appendix 4). Vaccinium uliginosum (average 30% cover) dominates the shrub layer. Other associated species include Ledum decumbens, Alnus crispa, Betula glandulosa, Betula nana, and Vaccinium vitis-idaea. Moss (25% to 90% cover) includes Hylocomium splendens, Sphagnum species, and Pleurozium species.

This plant association is a component of the boreal forest north of the Alaska Range in Denali National Park and Preserve. It most frequently occurs on rounded ridgetops and gentle sideslopes (<10 degree slope) of rolling hills. The soils are mesic and well drained often with a thin layer of organic matter (20 centimeters) overlaying mineral soil and bedrock.