Vegetation Environmental

The major species of the shrub layer are Salix alaxensis (1.5 meters tall, 5% cover), Salix glauca (1 meter tall, 15% cover), Salix barclayi (0.8 meters tall, 15% cover) and Shepherdia canadensis (0.6 meters tall, 10% cover). The major species of the herbaceous layer are Dryas integrifolia (25% cover), Artemisia frigida (20% cover), Solidago multiradiata (10% cover), Festuca rubra (10% cover) and Poa glauca (3% cover). Species that occur occasionally in this type were Potentilla fruticosa, Agropyron violaceum, Minuartia macrocarpa, Pyrola secunda and Parnassia kotzebui. The nonvascular layer is composed of Rhacomitrium canescens (5% cover), Polytrichium juniperinum (5% cover), Cladonia pyxidata (2% cover), Peltigera aphthosa (2% cover), Cetraria cucullata (2% cover) and Cladonia species (2% cover).

This type is found at an altitude of 953 meters with a 17% slope and an average aspect of 226 degrees. The elevation ranges from 945 to 960 meters, the slope ranges from 6% to 28%, and the aspect ranges from 116 to 336 degrees. It is found on older glacial moraines. The ground surface is 45% unvegetated. Of the unvegetated surface, 35% is rocky glacial debris and 10% is humus.