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The Alaska Vegetation Classification - Alaska Geobotany Center ...

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Communities-Picea sifchensis/Oplopanax horridus-Rubus spectabi/is/Gornuscanadensis (Alaback 1980b, Neiland 1971a, Martin and others 1985, Stephens andothers 1969). Picea sitchensis/Oplopanax horridus/Lysichiton americanum (Martinand others 1985). Picea sitchensis/Oplopanax horridus/Circaea alpina (Pawuk andKissinger 1989). Picea sifchensis/Calamagrosfis nufkaensis (Martin and others 1985).LA. 1.b. Closed Western Hemlock ForestDescription-<strong>The</strong>se communities are dominated by western hemlock in the overstory(fig. 5). Sitka spruce may be present but provides less than 25 percent (usuallymuch less) of the overstoty cover. Total overstory canopy cover ranges from 60 to100 percent. Other conifer species are uncommon. Mature trees range from 37 to75 centimeters (14 to 30 in) d.b.h. and are about 24 to 36 meters (70 to 110 ft) tall.<strong>The</strong> shrub layer is dominated by some combination of Vaccinium alaskaense/ovalifolium, Oplopanax horridus, and Menziesia ferruginea. <strong>The</strong> shrub layer isgenerally 1 to 1.5 meters (3 to 5 fi) tall. Common ferns and herbs includeGymnocarpium dryopferis, Dryopteris dilafata, Athyrium filix-femina. fiarellafrifoliata, Cornus spp., Sfreptopus spp., and Rubus pedatus.Distribution and site characteristics-Western hemlock communities are widespreadin southeastern <strong>Alaska</strong> where they occur from lowlands to the subalpine onseveral landforms including inactive alluvial fans and flood plains, footslopes, andsteep mountain slopes. Soils usually are deep and well drained with a thin (10 to15 centimeters [4 to 6 in]) forest floor layer.Successional status-<strong>The</strong>se communities are usually stable (climax). Some aremoderately influenced by periodic surface or by subsurface groundwater flows(Martin and others 1985).Closely related types-<strong>The</strong>se communities are similar to closed Sitka sprucewesternhemlock communities but have less spruce.Photographs-Figure 5, this publication.Primary reference-Martin and others 1985.Communities-Tsuga heferophylla/Vacciniuum spp. (Fox 1983, Martin and others1985). Tsuga heferophy//a/vaccinium spp./Dryopteris dilatata (Martin and others1985). Tsuga heterophylla/Vaccinium spp.-Oplopanax horridus (LaBau 1981. Martinand others 1985). Tsuga heterophy/la/Oplopanax horridus (Martin and others 1985).Figure %Closed needleleafforest of western hemlock withan understory of Vaccinium sppand Dryopreris dilatata fromsoutheastern <strong>Alaska</strong>. (Photographmunery Jon Maoin.)57

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