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G579 Picea glauca - Betula neoalaskana Forest Group

Type Concept Sentence: This group is common throughout interior Alaska and Yukon. Forest canopies may be dominated by Picea glauca, Betula neoalaskana, and Populus tremuloides or a mixture of one or more of these species.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: White Spruce - Resin Birch Forest Group

Colloquial Name: Central Alaskan-Yukon Boreal Mesic Forest

Hierarchy Level:  Group

Type Concept: This group is common throughout interior Alaska and extends eastward into Yukon. It occurs on well-drained soils derived from glacial deposits, hillside colluvium, residual soils, or loess. Forests contain all post-fire seral stages including needle-leaved evergreen, broad-leaved deciduous or mixed. Dominant canopy species include Picea glauca, Betula neoalaskana, and Populus tremuloides. Common shrubs include Alnus viridis ssp. fruticosa, Betula nana, Betula glandulosa, Rosa acicularis, Ledum palustre ssp. decumbens, Ledum groenlandicum, Salix glauca, Vaccinium vitis-idaea, Vaccinium uliginosum, Empetrum nigrum, and Linnaea borealis. The herbaceous layer is sparse and often species-poor and may include Calamagrostis canadensis, Equisetum arvense, Equisetum sylvaticum, Gymnocarpium dryopteris, or Geocaulon lividum. The most common moss is Hylocomium splendens.

Diagnostic Characteristics: This group is defined by canopy dominance by Picea glauca, Betula neoalaskana, and Populus tremuloides or a mixture of one or more of these species. Indicator species in mid- to late-seral stages are the ericaceous low and dwarf-shrubs Ledum palustre ssp. decumbens, Ledum groenlandicum, Vaccinium vitis-idaea, Vaccinium uliginosum, and Empetrum nigrum.

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: The CBVM Vegetation Level II class "Yukon Mixed Spruce-Birch-Aspen Forests" is an equivalent concept (Jorgenson and Meidinger 2015). This group is found throughout interior Alaska and extends eastward into Yukon. Within Alaska the distribution extends into the subboreal (Southern Alaska Geographic Sector of the Circumboreal Vegetation Map), but only on specific substrates. ~Southern Alaskan Boreal Mesic Forest Group (G627)$$ replaces this group as the dominant spruce-hardwood forest type south of the Alaska Range and in southwest Alaska.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: This group is represented by open to closed forests with needle-leaved evergreen, broad-leaved deciduous or mixed canopies.

Floristics: This mixed evergreen and deciduous forest group has open to closed canopies ranging from 25-90% cover. The overstory canopy is dominated by combinations of Picea glauca, Betula neoalaskana, and Populus tremuloides, with occasional occurrence of Populus balsamifera. The understory is typically shrub-dominated with a diagnostic suite of ericaceous species. The most common shrubs are Vaccinium vitis-idaea, Vaccinium uliginosum, Ledum palustre ssp. decumbens, Ledum groenlandicum, and Empetrum nigrum. Other common shrubs include Alnus viridis ssp. fruticosa, Betula glandulosa, Betula nana, Rosa acicularis, Linnaea borealis, and Spiraea stevenii. The herbaceous layer is sparse and often species-poor and may include Calamagrostis canadensis, Chamerion angustifolium ssp. angustifolium, Gymnocarpium dryopteris, Geocaulon lividum, Equisetum sylvaticum, and Equisetum arvense. The most common moss is Hylocomium splendens.

Dynamics:  The major disturbance processes are fire, logging, blowdown, and insect infestations. Wildfire plays an important role in the disturbance regime of this group as some deciduous associations are dependent on fires for their origin. Leaf-mining insects represent the most important disturbance factor for this group; spruce beetle (Dendroctonus rufipennis) infestations are less common.
Environmental Description:  This group occurs on hillslopes, sideslopes, toeslopes, and inactive terraces on well-drained soils derived from glacial deposits, loess, colluvium, or residual soils. Permafrost is discontinuous and the climate is continental-cold boreal.
Geographic Range: This group is found throughout interior Alaska and extends eastward into Yukon. Within Alaska the distribution extends into the sub-boreal only on specific substrates.

Nations: CA,US

States/Provinces:  AK, YT?


Confidence Level: High

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR

Greasons: No Data Available
Type Name Database Code Classification Code
Class 1 Forest & Woodland Class C01 1
Subclass 1.B Temperate & Boreal Forest & Woodland Subclass S15 1.B
Formation 1.B.4 Boreal Forest & Woodland Formation F001 1.B.4
Division 1.B.4.Na North American Boreal Forest & Woodland Division D014 1.B.4.Na
Macrogroup 1.B.4.Na.3 White Spruce - Black Spruce - Kenai Birch Forest Macrogroup M156 1.B.4.Na.3
Group 1.B.4.Na.3.d White Spruce - Resin Birch Forest Group G579 1.B.4.Na.3.d
Alliance A4257 Black Spruce / Bog Labrador-tea Central Forest Alliance A4257 1.B.4.Na.3.d
Alliance A4258 White Spruce - Paper Birch Central Forest Alliance A4258 1.B.4.Na.3.d
Alliance A4259 Paper Birch - Quaking Aspen Central Alliance A4259 1.B.4.Na.3.d
Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
Concept Author(s): K.A. Baldwin et al. (2009)

Author of Description: T. Boucher

Acknowledgements: M. Hall and B. Schulz

Version Date: 01-19-16
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