The Alaska Vegetation Classification - Alaska Geobotany Center ...

Koppen 1977; del Moral and Watson 1978; Friedman 1982; Frohne 1953; Hanson1951; Klein 1965; McCormick and Pichon 1978; Neiland 1971b; Racine and Anderson1979; Ritchie and others 1981; Rosenberg 1986; Stephens and Billings 1967;Streveler and others 1973; Vince and Snow 1984; Wibbenmeyer and others 1982).carex lyngbyaei-Poa eminens-Pofenfilla egsdii (Rosenberg 1986). Carex lyngbyaei-Triglochin maritimum (Crow 1968, Crow and Koppen 1977, Ritchie and others 1981).Carex lyngbyaei-fotenfilla egedii (Crow 1977b). Carex lyngbyaei-Heocharis palustris(Crow 1968, 1977b). Carex lyngbyaei-Hippuris tef~~ph~lla (Crow 1968). Carexlyngbyaei-Polygonumamphibium (Thomas 1957). CareXp/urif/ora (Vince and Snow1984). Carex pluriflora-c. lyngbyaei (Hanson 1951, Ritchie and others 1981,Rosenberg 1986). Carex pluriflora-Triglochin palusfris (Crow 1977b). Carex pluriflora-Deschampsia beringensis (Crow 1977b). Carex rarif/ora-Sa/ix ovalifolia-Empetrumnigrurn (Byrd and Rome 1983, Hanson 1951). Eleocharispalustris (Crow 1977b.del Moral and Watson 1978). Scirpus paludosus (McCormick and Pichon 1978,Neiland 1971b, Quimby 1972).llLA.3.j. Subarctic Lowlandsedge-Bog MeadowDescriptlon-These communities are dominated by low peat-forming sedgesgrowing on bog peats. Common sedges include Eriophorum russeolum, Carexlimosa, C. pluriflora, C. chofu'orrhiza. C. livida, C. magellanica, and Trichophorurncaespifosum. These species are much smaller and more delicate than the coarserobust species that dominate sedge wet meadows. Shrubs, mosses (includingsphagnum), and lichens may be common or absent but are not dominant. Andromedapolifolia is commonly present in minor quantities. Plant cover is complete or nearly so.Dlstrlbution and site Characteristics-Sedge-bog meadows are found throughoutthe nonarctic part of the State, (including the Aleutian Islands) in filled-in sloughs,boggy pond margins, and other topographic depressions. These are among thewettest bog communities with saturated peaty soils often forming quaking mats.The peat, composed primarily of sedge material, is generally at least 30 centimeters(12 in) thick and usually much thicker. It often is marked with small pools or sometimesmay be shallowly flooded. Permafrost is generally absent, though isolatedpockets of ice may occur under hummocks in interior Alaska. Reported soil reactionsrange from pH 5.4 to 6.4.Successional status-Floating mats of these communities may actively extendinto shallow lakes and replace marsh or aquatic communities there. Likewise, peataccumulation in wet meadows can lead to their gradual transformation into sedgebogmeadows. Continued bog development may cause these communities to bereplaced by mossier and shrubbier bog communities.Closely related types-Sedge-bog meadows are similar to sedge wet meadows, butthe former are dominated by low slender sedges and occur on well-preserved peats.They are also similar to sedge-moss bogs but lack a dominant moss component. Asbroad-leaved herbs increase at the expense of sedges, these communities grade intosubarctic lowland herb bog meadows.Photographs-Calmes 1976, figures 2, 8, 9, and 17.Primary references-calmes 1976, Drury 1956, Shacklette 1961.187