Print Report
G362 Empetrum nigrum - Phyllodoce aleutica Aleutian Dwarf-shrubland Group
Type Concept Sentence: This macrogroup consists of dwarf-shrub heathlands on rocky outcrops and other exposed sites of the Alaska Peninsula, Aleutian Islands and Kodiak Island. Various dwarf-shrub species dominate or codominate, including Arctostaphylos alpina, Cassiope lycopodioides, Empetrum nigrum, and others.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Black Crowberry - Aleutian Mountain-heath Aleutian Dwarf-shrubland Group
Colloquial Name: Aleutian Ericaceous Dwarf-shrubland
Hierarchy Level: Group
Type Concept: This group is common on cliffs, rocky outcrops, exposed summits, windswept ridges, fell-fields, valley bottoms, sideslopes, stabilized dunes, terraces, moraines and fans of the Alaska Peninsula, Aleutian Islands and Kodiak Island. Slopes vary from flat to steep. Patch size is small to matrix-forming. The continuous dwarf-shrub heaths often fragment into strips that alternate with almost bare ground, possibly due to wind erosion and frost action. Total vascular plant cover varies from sparse to open and is typically dwarf-shrub-dominated, but herbaceous cover may range up to 75%. Various dwarf-shrub species dominate or codominate, including Arctostaphylos alpina, Cassiope lycopodioides, Empetrum nigrum, Harrimanella stelleriana, Loiseleuria procumbens, Phyllodoce aleutica, Salix arctica, Salix rotundifolia, Vaccinium uliginosum, and Vaccinium vitis-idaea. Common herbaceous species include Agrostis mertensii, Carex circinata, Carex macrochaeta, Chamerion angustifolium, Deschampsia cespitosa, Festuca rubra, Geum calthifolium, Leymus mollis, Lupinus nootkatensis, Polygonum viviparum, Potentilla villosa, Saxifraga bronchialis, Saxifraga oppositifolia, and Veronica wormskjoldii var. stelleri. Bryophyte cover is often high.
Diagnostic Characteristics: This group represents sparse to open dwarf-shrub vegetation which occupies cliffs, rocky outcrops, exposed summits, windswept ridges, fell-fields, valley bottoms, sideslopes, stabilized dunes, terraces, moraines and fans on the Alaska Peninsula, Aleutian Islands and Kodiak Island of Alaska.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: No Data Available
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: This group is defined by dwarf broad-leaved deciduous shrubs. Cover is sparse to open and graminoid vegetation may range up to 75% in some stands.
Floristics: Total vascular plant cover is sparse to open and dominated by dwarf-shrubs, particularly heaths. Sites typically support vegetation similar to the adjacent groups. Various dwarf-shrub species dominate or codominate, including Arctostaphylos alpina, Cassiope lycopodioides, Empetrum nigrum, Harrimanella stelleriana, Loiseleuria procumbens, Phyllodoce aleutica, Salix arctica, Salix rotundifolia, Vaccinium uliginosum, and Vaccinium vitis-idaea. Common herbaceous species include Agrostis mertensii, Carex circinata, Carex macrochaeta, Chamerion angustifolium, Deschampsia cespitosa, Festuca rubra, Geum calthifolium, Leymus mollis, Lupinus nootkatensis, Polygonum viviparum, Potentilla villosa, Saxifraga bronchialis, Saxifraga oppositifolia, and Veronica wormskjoldii var. stelleri. Bryophyte cover is often high.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This group typically occurs at mid to high elevations on cliffs, rocky outcrops, exposed summits, windswept ridges, and fell-fields characterized by harsh environmental conditions. Slopes vary from flat to steep.
Geographic Range: This group occurs on the Alaska Peninsula, Aleutian Islands and Kodiak Island.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AK
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.860754
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 2 Shrub & Herb Vegetation Class | C02 | 2 |
| Subclass | 2.B Temperate & Boreal Grassland & Shrubland Subclass | S18 | 2.B |
| Formation | 2.B.3 Boreal Grassland & Shrubland Formation | F028 | 2.B.3 |
| Division | 2.B.3.Na North American Boreal Grassland & Shrubland Division | D025 | 2.B.3.Na |
| Macrogroup | 2.B.3.Na.1 North American Boreal Shrubland & Grassland Macrogroup | M055 | 2.B.3.Na.1 |
| Group | 2.B.3.Na.1.l Black Crowberry - Aleutian Mountain-heath Aleutian Dwarf-shrubland Group | G362 | 2.B.3.Na.1.l |
| Alliance | A4347 Black Crowberry - Mixed Ericaceous Aleutian Dwarf Shrubland Alliance | A4347 | 2.B.3.Na.1.l |
| Alliance | A4348 Aleutian Mountain-heath Aleutian Ericaceous Dwarf-shrubland Alliance | A4348 | 2.B.3.Na.1.l |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
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