Vegetation Environmental

The shrub layer is dominated by Salix barrattiana (0.8 meters height, 50% cover). Betula nana (25% cover) and occasionally Shepherdia canadensis and Salix brachycarpa ssp. niphoclada (10% cover) also contribute to the shrub layer. The major species of the herbaceous layer are Festuca altaica (10% cover), Gentiana propinqua (10% cover), Aconitum delphinifolium (5% cover), Dryas integrifolia (25% cover), Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (6% cover), Elymus innovatus (5% cover), Astragalus nutzotinensis (5% cover), Carex sciropoidea (10% cover), Pedicularis verticillata (8% cover), Pyrola grandiflora (5% cover) and Zigadenus elegans (10% cover). The major species of the nonvascular layer are Pleurozium schreberi (25% cover), Dicranum species (5% cover), Stereocaulon species (2% cover), Peltigera canina var. rufescens, Peltigera aphthosa var. leucophlebia, Cladonia chlorophaea, Cladonia pyxidata, Cladonia cyanipes/bacilliformis, Cladonia coccifera, Cetraria cucullata, Cetraria islandica, Ceratodon purpureus, and Drepanocladus uncinatus.

This type is found at an average altitude of 735 meters, and this type is found on alluvial deposits. The range in elevation is 725 to 754 meters. It is a valley association with very sandy soils. The depth of sandy penetrable soil was 6 centimeters average. The ground surface is 20% unvegetated covered with 10% humus and 10% mineral soil.