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G611 Arctic Coastal Rocky Shore Group
Type Concept Sentence: This group is characterized by a mixture of stunted trees, shrubs and herbaceous species that inhabit sea cliffs, rocky headlands, and cobble beaches of the Arctic coastline.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Arctic Coastal Rocky Shore Group
Colloquial Name: Arctic Coastal Rocky Shore
Hierarchy Level: Group
Type Concept: Sea cliffs, rocky headlands, and cobble beaches occur commonly along the North American Arctic coastline. Cobble beaches are associated with cliff and bluff systems or coarse-textured glacial deposits (i.e., coastal moraines). Beaches are often steep and feature distinct storm berms. These are typically high-energy environments exposed to wave action, wind, salt spray and storm swell. Cobble beaches may have a mixture of silts and sands below the surface (particularly in outwash plains), but the fine material is buried and not subjected to wind and water transport. Forbs, grasses, shrubs, and stunted trees establish on ledges and in cracks. Vegetation typically includes herbaceous species with varying degrees of tolerance for salt spray and wind abrasion.
Diagnostic Characteristics: This group represents vegetation of sea cliffs, rocky headlands, and cobble beaches of the Arctic region.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This group will require further study as there are no associations currently described for this type of vegetation. This description was not updated by AKNHP during the 2015 re-write, because this is an extremely uncommon type in arctic and boreal Alaska (to the point where its existence is debatable - unless Aleutians are included). If the group is kept, the description would benefit from revision (L. Flagstad pers. comm. 2015).
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: This group is defined by a highly variable mixture of forbs, grasses, shrubs, and stunted trees.
Floristics: Forbs, grasses, shrubs, and stunted trees establish on ledges and in cracks. A variety of species may occur depending on the level of salt exposure, steepness, aspect, and available microsites. Shrubs such as Alnus viridis ssp. sinuata or Rubus spectabilis may be present but usually account for less than 5% of the total vascular plant cover. Herbaceous cover is diverse and may include many of the following species: Aruncus dioicus var. acuminatus, Heuchera glabra, Potentilla villosa, Phegopteris connectilis, Carex macrochaeta, Deschampsia spp., Lupinus nootkatensis, Campanula spp., Prenanthes alata, Rhodiola rosea, and Chamerion latifolium (Boggs et al. 2008b). Picea sitchensis may also occupy these rocky headlands and often does. They are characterized by somewhat stunted growth, usually with branches from top to bottom of bole. Epiphytic lichens are abundant in this group.
Dynamics: The primary disturbance is exposure to high wind, storm swells and salt spray.
Environmental Description: Sea cliffs, rocky headlands, and cobble beaches occur commonly along the Arctic coastline. Cobble beaches are associated with cliff and bluff systems or coarse-textured glacial deposits (i.e., coastal moraines). Beaches are often steep and feature distinct storm berms. These are typically high-energy environments exposed to wave action and storm swell. Cobble beaches may have a mixture of silts and sands below the surface (particularly in outwash plains), but the fine material is buried and not subjected to wind and water transport. Beach meadows may occupy well-drained stable portions of the upper beach.
Geographic Range: This group occurs along the coast line of the Arctic region.
Nations: CA,GL,US
States/Provinces: AK, NT, NU, YT
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.860789
Confidence Level: Low
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.4 Temperate to Polar Scrub & Herb Coastal Vegetation Formation | F005 | 2.B.4 |
| Division | 2.B.4.Nd Arctic Coastal Scrub & Herb Vegetation Division | D146 | 2.B.4.Nd |
| Macrogroup | 2.B.4.Nd.1 American Dunegrass - Seaside Sandplant - Nootka Lupine Coastal Shore Macrogroup | M402 | 2.B.4.Nd.1 |
| Group | 2.B.4.Nd.1.b Arctic Coastal Rocky Shore Group | G611 | 2.B.4.Nd.1.b |
| Alliance | A4353 Arctic Coastal Rocky Shore Alliance | A4353 | 2.B.4.Nd.1.b |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
- Boggs, K., S. C. Klein, L. Flagstad, T. Boucher, J. Grunblatt, and B. Koltun. 2008b. Landcover classes, ecosystems and plant associations of Kenai Fjords National Park. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/KEFJ/NRTR-2008/136. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO.
- Faber-Langendoen, D., J. Drake, S. Gawler, M. Hall, C. Josse, G. Kittel, S. Menard, C. Nordman, M. Pyne, M. Reid, L. Sneddon, K. Schulz, J. Teague, M. Russo, K. Snow, and P. Comer, editors. 2010-2019a. Divisions, Macrogroups and Groups for the Revised U.S. National Vegetation Classification. NatureServe, Arlington, VA. plus appendices. [in preparation]