Plant Association Information
Populus balsamifera, Salix alaxensis, Salix planifolia, Shepherdia canadensis, Arctostaphylos rubra, Senecio lugens, Hylocomium splendens
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The overstory of this plant association is Populus balsamifera and has a cover value of 25%. The shrub layer is made up of Salix alaxensis (10% cover), Salix barrattiana (5% cover), Salix barclayi (5% cover), Salix brachycarpa ssp. niphoclada (5% cover), Salix planifolia ssp. pulchra (10% cover), Shepherdia canadensis (25% cover), Betula nana (10% cover), Festuca altaica (25% cover), Arctostaphylos rubra (20% cover), Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (20% cover), Senecio lugens (20% cover), Parnassia palustris (20% cover), Pedicularis verticillata (10% cover), Pyrola secunda (10% cover), Empetrum nigrum (10% cover), Salix reticulata (10% cover), Carex scirpoidea (10% cover), Epilobium latifolium (5% cover) and Hedysarum alpinum (5% cover). The major species of the nonvascular layer are the feathermosses (75% cover), Hylocomium splendens and Pleurozium schreberi. The lichens Cladonia rangiferina, Cladonia pyxidata, Cladonia chlorophaea, Peltigera aphthosa, Peltigera canina var. rufescens, Cetraria ericetorum and Stereocaulon species also occur. The average age of this type is 86 years with Populus balsamifera regeneration occurring.
The communities are found at an altitude of 741 meters on alluvial deposits.
Associated Plant Species: Arctostaphylos rubra,
Arctostaphylos uva-ursi,
Betula nana,
Carex scirpoidea,
Chamerion latifolium,
Cladonia rangiferina,
Empetrum nigrum,
Festuca altaica,
Hedysarum alpinum,
Hylocomium splendens,
Orthilia secunda,
Parnassia palustris,
Pedicularis verticillata,
Peltigera aphthosa,
Pleurozium schreberi,
Populus balsamifera,
Salix alaxensis,
Salix barclayi,
Salix barrattiana,
Salix niphoclada,
Salix pulchra,
Salix reticulata,
Senecio lugens,
Shepherdia canadensis