Vegetation Environmental

The tree strata of this type has a cover value of 20% to 30%. The overstory is dominated by Picea glauca (10% to 20% cover). Betula papyrifera (20% cover) or Populus balsamifera (1% cover) are complimentary associates. The average age of the type is 39 years, and the regeneration is Picea glauca. The plant association is similar to M9. The under stories are similar, but the overstories appear to be subtypes dominated by Picea glauca. The Picea glauca-Populus balsamifera subtype is found at an altitude of 930 meters on a 22% slope and southwest exposure. The Picea glauca-Betula papyrifera subtype is found at an altitude of 325 meters and was disturbed by a 1969 fire. The Betula papyrifera and Picea glauca are generating in this subtype. The major species of the shrub layer are Betula nana (10% cover), Vaccinium uliginosum (10% cover), Ledum palustre (5% cover) and Rosa acicularis (5% cover), Spiraea beauverdiana, Salix glauca and Salix planifolia ssp. pulchra are occasional associates. The major species of the herbaceous layer are Carex nesophila (5% cover) and Calamagrostis lapponica, (5% cover). The Picea -Betula subtype contains Epilobium latifolium in the herbaceous layer with 10% cover. The Picea -Populus subtype contains Vaccinium vitis-idaea (25% cover), Empetrum nigrum (25% cover) and Poa arctica (20% cover).The major species of the nonvascular layer are Peltigera aphthosa (10% cover), Cladonia species (5% cover) and Stereocaulon species (5% cover). Polytrichium species (35% cover) is associated with the fire-charred subtype whereas Hylocomium splendens (35% cover) is important in the Picea -Populus slope subtype.

The community has a mean altitude of 628 meters with a range from 325 to 930 meters. The average slope is 12% ranging from 1 to 22%. The exposure is south, and the type is found on sedimentary bedrock and alluvial/colluvial surficial deposits.