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A4344 Arctic Rush/Grass, Forb, Cryptogam Tundra Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: This alliance consists of moist tundra in the high and low Arctic, dominated by sedges with scattered prostrate and dwarf-shrubs. Dominant sedges include Carex aquatilis var. stans, Eriophorum angustifolium, and Luzula arctica; shrub species include Betula nana, Cassiope tetragona, Dryas integrifolia, Ledum palustre, Salix pulchra, and Vaccinium vitis-idaea.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Arctic Rush/Grass, Forb, Cryptogam Tundra Alliance
Colloquial Name: Arctic Rush/Grass, Forb, Cryptogam Tundra
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: This alliance is most common in the high arctic but also occurs in the low arctic. Moist tundra types are associated with mesotopographic highs such as raised areas along drainages, the centers of high-centered polygons and the ridges of low-centered polygons. Sites are underlain by permafrost and patch size is small. Shrubs are prostrate (low) to dwarf. Low-shrub cover does not exceed 25% and dwarf-shrub cover is variable. Common low-shrub species are Salix pulchra, Betula nana, and Ledum palustre ssp. decumbens with the occurrence of Betula nana decreasing in the high arctic. Common dwarf-shrub species are Vaccinium vitis-idaea, Cassiope tetragona, and Dryas integrifolia. Vegetation is dominated by sedges such as Eriophorum angustifolium, Carex aquatilis var. stans, and Luzula arctica and may include Eriophorum vaginatum, but sites are not tussocked, Moist- to dry-site mosses and lichens are abundant, with notable presence of crustose lichens.
Diagnostic Characteristics: This alliance is defined by tundra vegetation with less than 25% cover of prostrate (<40 cm) shrubs, most commonly Salix pulchra, and high constancy and abundance of sedges; sites have a moist hydrologic regime and are not tussocked.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: While this is a recognized type in the Arctic (e.g., the Moist Shrub Tundra on High-centered Polygons type of Jorgenson et al. 1994 and communities 2 and 9 of Raynolds et al. 2005), the paucity of plot data in our dataset precluded analysis. Conference with Canadian ecologists is recommended to further refine this alliance.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Shrubs are prostrate (low) to dwarf. Low-shrub cover does not exceed 25% and dwarf-shrub cover is variable. Common low-shrub species are Salix pulchra, Betula nana, and Ledum palustre ssp. decumbens (= Ledum decumbens) with the occurrence of Betula nana decreasing in the high arctic. Common dwarf-shrub species are Vaccinium vitis-idaea, Cassiope tetragona, and Dryas integrifolia. Vegetation is dominated by sedges such as Eriophorum angustifolium, Carex aquatilis var. stans, and Luzula arctica and may include Eriophorum vaginatum, but sites are not tussocked, Moist- to dry-site mosses and lichens are abundant, with notable presence of crustose lichens.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This alliance is most common in the high arctic but also occurs in the low arctic. Moist tundra types are associated with mesotopographic highs such as raised areas along drainages, the centers of high-centered polygons and the ridges of low-centered polygons. Sites are underlain by permafrost and patch size is small.
Geographic Range: No Data Available
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.2.1042190
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.c Arctic Herbaceous Tundra Group | G898 | 4.B.2.Xa.2.c |
| Alliance | A4344 Arctic Rush/Grass, Forb, Cryptogam Tundra Alliance | A4344 | 4.B.2.Xa.2.c |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
- 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.