Plant Association Information
Salix planifolia, Vaccinium uliginosum, Salix reticulata, Carex podocarpa, Hylocomium splendens
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The dominant species of the shrub overstory in this type is Salix planifolia ssp. pulchra (65% cover, 1.5 meters height). Vaccinium uliginosum (25% cover) is the major species of the shrub understory. Occasional associates are Potentilla fruticosa (50% cover) and Salix barclayi (10% cover). The major species of the herbaceous layer are Salix reticulata (25% cover), Carex podocarpa (35% cover), Equisetum arvense (10% cover), Vaccinium vitis-idaea (10% cover), Poa arctica (10% cover), Sedum rosea (5% cover) and Polemonium acutiflorum (5% cover). The major species of the nonvascular layer are Hylocomium splendens (15% cover) and Pleurozium schreberi (5% cover). Occasional associates are Stereocaulon species, Cladonia species, Cetraria cucullata, Aulacomnium palustre and Drepanocladus uncinatus.
This type is found at an average altitude of 852 meters and is on the lower half of the slope. The range in elevation is 754 to 1,052 meters. The bedrock geology is 60% sedimentary, 20% volcanic and 20% schist/gneiss. The surficial geology in 40% of the plots is alluvial deposits, in 40% of the plots is glacial moraines, and in 20% of the plots is bedrock. Other important characteristics of this type are the hummocks and uneven ground which caused differential moisture regimes within the plots of this type. The percentage of ground surface unvegetated varied from 0% to 40%.
Associated Plant Species: Aulocomnium palustre,
Dasiphora fruticosa,
Equisetum arvense,
Flavocetraria cucullata,
Hylocomium splendens,
Pleurozium schreberi,
Poa arctica,
Polemonium acutiflorum,
Rhodiola integrifolia,
Salix barclayi,
Salix pulchra,
Vaccinium uliginosum,
Vaccinium vitis-idaea