Plant Association Information
Populus balsamifera, Larix laricina, Picea glauca, Salix alaxensis, Hedysarum alpinum, Epilobium angustifolium
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The overstory of this community is dominated by Populus balsamifera with a cover value of 35%. Larix laricina and Picea glauca occur in the subdominant strata both with cover values of 5%. Populus balsamifera is the oldest species with an average age of 80 years. The average age of Larix laricina is 50 years while Picea glauca is 38 years. Both Picea glauca and Populus balsamifera regeneration is evident. Alnus crispa (10% cover) and Salix alaxensis (10% cover) are important to the shrub overstory. Major species of the shorter shrub layer are Shepherdia canadensis (5% cover), Rosa acicularis (3% cover), Vaccinium uliginosum (3% cover) and Potentilla fruticosa (2% cover). Major species of the herbaceous layer are Epilobium angustifolium, Hedysarum alpinum, Aster sibiricus and Arctostaphylos rubra, all of 5% cover. The major species of the nonvascular layer is Hylocomium splendens with 5% cover.
This type is found at an average altitude of 457 meters on alluvial/colluvial deposits (80% of plots) and glacial/fluvial deposits (20% of plots). The range in elevation was 227 to 640 meters. The soil was sandy, and this is a flood plain successional type.
Associated Plant Species: Alnus viridis,
Arctostaphylos rubra,
Chamerion angustifolium,
Dasiphora fruticosa,
Eurybia sibirica,
Hedysarum alpinum,
Hylocomium splendens,
Larix laricina,
Picea glauca,
Populus balsamifera,
Rosa acicularis,
Salix alaxensis,
Sibbaldia procumbens,
Vaccinium uliginosum