Plant Association Information
Betula nana/Eriophorum vaginatum plant association (Dwarf arctic birch/Hare?s tail grass)
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Betula nana, often in combination with Vaccinium uliginosum, Empetrum nigrum and Ledum decumbens, make up the shrub layer (Appendix 4). Their combined cover ranges from 35% to 65%. Eriophorum vaginatum (40% to 75% cover) dominates the herbaceous layer and other herbaceous species include Carex microchaeta, C. bigelowii and Rubus chamaemorus.
This association occurs in the subalpine and boreal forest zone of the park, often forming a mosaic with various spruce forest associations. It occurs at mid elevations (598 to 770 meters) on slopes of less than 10% on outwash terraces and rounded ridges. Eriophorum vaginatum and other herbaceous species form tussocks that typically dominate the moist sites. The soils are organic often over permafrost.
Associated Plant Species: Betula nana,
Carex bigelowii,
Carex microchaeta,
Empetrum nigrum,
Eriophorum vaginatum,
Rhododendron tomentosum ssp. decumbens,
Rubus chamaemorus,
Vaccinium uliginosum