Vegetation Environmental

The overstory of this community is Populus balsamifera with a closure of 25%. The age of this community is 62 years and Populus balsamifera regeneration is evident. The major species of the shrub layer are Salix species. Salix alaxensis has a cover value of 30%. Salix arbusculoides, Salix glauca, and Salix barclayi have cumulative cover of 60%. Shpherdia canadensis (15% cover) and Betula nana (5% cover) are common associates. The major species in the herbaceous layer are Senecio lugens (60% cover), Solidago multiradiata (15% cover), Delphinium glaucum (20% cover), Aster sibiricus (30% cover), Hedysarum alpinum (10% cover), Pedicularis verticillata (5% cover), Elymus innovatus (5% cover), Festuca altaica (5% cover), Epilobium latifolium (5% cover) and Poa glauca (5% cover). The nonvascular layer has a 10% cover value with major species being Hylocomium splendens and Stereocaulon species.

The soils of this type are sandy, and 40% of the ground surface is unvegetated. The altitude is 649 meters, and the type is found on alluvial deposits. This type is a younger gravel bar successional type than M1. There is a higher percentage of unvegetated mineral soil and decaying wood in the plots of this type.