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A4337 Arctic Acidic Low Willow Tundra Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: This low-shrub tundra group is found on mesic to moist sites throughout arctic and subarctic alpine regions of Alaska. Vegetation is dominated by low willows, including Salix richardsonii, Salix pulchra, and Salix glauca.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Arctic Acidic Low Willow Tundra Alliance
Colloquial Name: Arctic Acidic Low Willow Tundra
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: This shrub tundra group is common throughout arctic and subarctic Alaska on mesic to moist sideslopes and ridges in the Brooks Range foothills and also high-centered polygonal tundra of the Arctic Coastal Plain. Vegetation is dominated by low-shrub willows, including Salix richardsonii, Salix pulchra, and Salix glauca. Associated shrubs that occur frequently at low cover include Salix reticulata, Betula nana, and Vaccinium uliginosum. Understory herbaceous species typically have low cover and may include Equisetum arvense, Petasites frigidus, Arctagrostis latifolia, Carex bigelowii, and Poa arctica. Hylocomium splendens is the most common moss; lichens are uncommon.
Diagnostic Characteristics: This shrubland group is defined by its occurrence on moist to mesic sites and the dominance of low-shrub willows (generally 40-150 cm tall with 25-90% canopy closure), including Salix richardsonii, Salix pulchra, and Salix glauca. Additional differential species include Salix reticulata, Equisetum arvense, and Petasites frigidus.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Former North American Arctic & Subarctic Low Shrub Tundra Group (G369) has been split into ~North American Arctic & Subarctic Low Willow Tundra Group (G827)$$ and ~North American Arctic & Subarctic Dwarf Birch Tundra Group (G828)$$. This group has some overlap with ~Western Boreal Mesic Alder - Willow Shrubland Group (G357)$$ which also includes Salix pulchra types in its distribution. A review of alliances and associations for both groups will help to refine the distinctions between these two groups.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: This group is represented by broad-leaved deciduous low shrubs generally 40 to 150 cm tall.
Floristics: The shrub canopy is dominated by the low willows Salix richardsonii, Salix pulchra, and Salix glauca. Associated shrubs that occur frequently at low cover include Salix reticulata, Betula nana, and Vaccinium uliginosum. Understory herbaceous species typically have low cover and may include Equisetum arvense, Petasites frigidus, Arctagrostis latifolia, Carex bigelowii, and Poa arctica. Hylocomium splendens is the most common moss; lichens are uncommon.
Dynamics: This group appears to be fairly stable. Change in site hydrology is the most likely driver of successional change with drying promoting the development of tussocks and wetting promoting the development of a wet sedge understory.
Environmental Description: This shrub tundra group is common throughout arctic and subarctic Alaska on mesic to moist sideslopes and ridges in the Brooks Range foothills and also high-centered polygonal tundra of the Arctic Coastal Plain. Patch size is small to matrix-forming. Permafrost is typically present.
Geographic Range: This group occurs throughout arctic and subarctic regions of Alaska. Its distribution in Canada needs to be determined.
Nations: CA,GL,IS,NO,RU,US
States/Provinces: AK, LB, MB, NT, NU, QC, YT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.1042115
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 4 Polar & High Montane Scrub, Grassland & Barrens Class | C04 | 4 |
| Subclass | 4.B Temperate to Polar Alpine & Tundra Vegetation Subclass | S12 | 4.B |
| Formation | 4.B.2 Polar Tundra & Barrens Formation | F031 | 4.B.2 |
| Division | 4.B.2.Xa Arctic Tundra & Barrens Division | D044 | 4.B.2.Xa |
| Macrogroup | 4.B.2.Xa.2 Feltleaf Willow - Eight-petal Mountain-avens - Tussock Cottongrass Tundra Macrogroup | M173 | 4.B.2.Xa.2 |
| Group | 4.B.2.Xa.2.a Arctic Low Shrub Tundra Group | G897 | 4.B.2.Xa.2.a |
| Alliance | A4337 Arctic Acidic Low Willow Tundra Alliance | A4337 | 4.B.2.Xa.2.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: > .C.2.h - Willow-sedge shrub tundra (open) low (Viereck et al. 1992)
> II.C.1.b - Low willow (closed) (Viereck et al. 1992)
> II.C.2.g - Willow low (open) low (Viereck et al. 1992)
< S2. Low-shrub tundra (Raynolds et al. 2006a) [These types also include G368 - tall shrubs, as they occur in narrow bands along streams or in alpine treeline that are too small to map at this scale. Additional references for this type are found in this publication.]
> S2. Low-shrub tundra (CAVM Team 2003)
> II.C.1.b - Low willow (closed) (Viereck et al. 1992)
> II.C.2.g - Willow low (open) low (Viereck et al. 1992)
< S2. Low-shrub tundra (Raynolds et al. 2006a) [These types also include G368 - tall shrubs, as they occur in narrow bands along streams or in alpine treeline that are too small to map at this scale. Additional references for this type are found in this publication.]
> S2. Low-shrub tundra (CAVM Team 2003)
- Boggs, K., A. Garibaldi, J. L. Stephens, and T. Helt. 1999. Landsat derived map and landcover descriptions for Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/GAAR/NRTR--1999/001. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO.
- CAVM Team. 2003. Circumpolar arctic vegetation map (Scale 1:7 500 000). Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna (CAFF) Map No. 1, USDI Fish and Wildlife Service, Anchorage, AK.
- Faber-Langendoen, D., J. Drake, M. Hall, G. Kittel, S. Menard, C. Nordman, M. Pyne, M. Reid, M. Russo, K. Schulz, L. Sneddon, K. Snow, and J. Teague. 2013-2019b. Screening alliances for induction into the U.S. National Vegetation Classification: Part 1 - Alliance concept review. NatureServe, Arlington, VA.
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- Nowacki, G., P. Spencer, M. Fleming, T. Brock, and T. Jorgenson. 2001a. Unified ecoregions of Alaska. Open file-report 02-297. USDI U.S. Geological Survey. 2 pp. plus map.
- Raynolds, M. K., D. A. Walker, and H. A. Maier. 2006a. Alaska Arctic Tundra Vegetation Map. Scale 1:4,000,000. Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna Map No. 2. U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Anchorage, AK.
- Ritchie, R., J. Curatolo, and A. Batten. 1981. Knik Arm wetland study. Final report. Alaska Biological Research, Fairbanks. 195 pp.
- Viereck, L. A., C. T. Dyrness, A. R. Batten, and K. J. Wenzlick. 1992. The Alaska vegetation classification. General Technical Report PNW-GTR286. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station, Portland, OR. 278 pp.
- Walker, D. A., P. Kuss, H. E. Epstein, An. N. Kade, C. M. Vonlanteh, M. K. Raynolds, and F. J. A. Daniëls. 2011. Vegetation of zonal patterned-ground ecosystem along the North America Arctic bioclimate gradient. Applied Vegetation Science 14:440-463.