Print Report

G830 Salix pulchra - Eriophorum angustifolium Arctic Wet Shrubland Group

Type Concept Sentence: Low-shrub wetlands dominated by Salix pulchra in arctic and subarctic regions that occur along water tracks, which are linear features where groundwater flow forms subsurface channels that are confined by permafrost.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Tealeaf Willow - Tall Cottongrass Arctic Wet Shrubland Group

Colloquial Name: North American Arctic Wet Shrubland

Hierarchy Level:  Group

Type Concept: This concept describes gently sloping water tracks that form linear drainage networks in the foothills of northern Alaska. Water track wetlands conduct surface water from seasonal thaw and summer rainfall events. In these wetland features, runoff is confined to near surface due to shallow permafrost. Low-shrub wetlands characterize vegetation in well-developed water tracks. The dominant vegetation community is Salix pulchra / Eriophorum angustifolium. Important wetland sedges include Carex aquatilis and Eriophorum russeolum. Important mosses include Calliergon stramineum, Sphagnum girgensohnii, and Sphagnum warnstorfii.

Diagnostic Characteristics: This wet shrubland group occurs in the foothills of northern Alaska along gently sloping water track drainage networks. Important species include Salix pulchra, Carex aquatilis, and Eriophorum angustifolium.

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: Needs further review. Plots with provisional membership to this group have been isolated but were not analyzed for similarity to other groups or indicator species.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: Low-statured (<1 m) shrublands that follow linear subsurface channels or water tracks in permafrost landscapes.

Floristics: The dominant vegetation community is Salix pulchra / Eriophorum angustifolium. Important wetland sedges include Carex aquatilis and Eriophorum russeolum. Important mosses include Calliergon stramineum, Sphagnum girgensohnii, and Sphagnum warnstorfii.

Dynamics:  No Data Available
Environmental Description:  Freshwater Arctic shrublands follow water tracks, subsurface channels in landscapes with permafrost, and are curvilinear shallow depressions associated with groundwater movement above the permafrost but below the ground surface (Trochim et al. 2016). They are "characterized by deeper seasonal thaw depth, warmer soil temperatures, and higher soil moisture and nutrient content relative to adjacent tundra. Consequently, enhanced vegetation productivity, and dominance by tall deciduous shrubs, are typical in water tracks" (Salvatore et al. 2016). These are found in the foothills of northern Alaska, and are gently sloping water track drainage networks.
Geographic Range: This wet shrubland group occurs in the foothills of northern Alaska along gently sloping water track drainage networks.

Nations: CA?,US

States/Provinces:  AK, YT?


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.C Shrub & Herb Wetland Subclass S44 2.C
Formation 2.C.4 Temperate to Polar Freshwater Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Formation F013 2.C.4
Division 2.C.4.Np Arctic & Boreal Freshwater Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Division D320 2.C.4.Np
Macrogroup 2.C.4.Np.1 Pendantgrass - Water Sedge - Tall Cottongrass Arctic Marsh, Wet Meadow & Shrubland Macrogroup M870 2.C.4.Np.1
Group 2.C.4.Np.1.c Tealeaf Willow - Tall Cottongrass Arctic Wet Shrubland Group G830 2.C.4.Np.1.c
Alliance A4358 Arctic Willow Wet Shrubland Alliance A4358 2.C.4.Np.1.c
Alliance A4359 Dwarf Birch - Ericaceous Arctic Wet Shrubland Alliance A4359 2.C.4.Np.1.c
Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Salix pulchra / Eriophorum angustifolium (Walker et al. 1994a)
Concept Author(s): Alaska Natural Heritage Program, in Faber-Langendoen et al. (2016)

Author of Description: L. Flagstad and G. Kittel

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 03-29-17
  • 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]
  • Salvatore, R. C., M. L. Michael and M. N. Susan. 2016. Water track distribution and effects on carbon dioxide flux in an eastern Siberian upland tundra landscape. Environmental Research Letters 11(4):045002.
  • Trochim, E. D., M. T. Jorgenson, A. Prakash, and D. L. Kane. 2016. Geomorphic and biophysical factors affecting water tracks in northern Alaska. Earth and Space Science 3:123-141. [doi:10.1002/2015EA000111]
  • Walker, M. D., D. A. Walker, and N. A. Auerbach. 1994a. Plant communities of a tussock tundra landscape in the Brooks Range Foothills, Alaska. Journal of Vegetation Science 5:843-866.