Vegetation Environmental

The Alnus crispa/Ericaceous shrub plant association is comprised of patches of thick Alnus crispa interspersed within a matrix of ericaceous shrubs. The Alnus crispa patches typically occupy 30% to 50% of the matrix and ericaceous shrubs the remainder. Betula glandulosa and Vaccinium uliginosum typically dominate the ericaceous patches. Empetrum nigrum, Vaccinium vitis-idaea and Ledum decumbens also occur. Other tall shrubs within the alder patches include Salix lanata and Salix glauca. The average height of Alnus crispa is 1.8 meters. Moss cover ranges from 10% to 80%.

This association occurs on mountain sideslopes and river cut sideslopes extending from the boreal forest zone up through subalpine and, occasionally, the alpine zone. Adjacent types found up slope are typically low or dwarf shrub map classes. On sampled sites, the slope ranges from 15% to 30% and the elevation ranges up to over 900 meters. The soils are typically mesic with litter over mineral soil.