The Alaska Vegetation Classification - Alaska Geobotany Center ...

Communities-Picea mariana-P. glauca/leathermosses (Foote 1983; La Roi 1967;Neiland and Viereck 1977; Viereck 1970a, 1975). Picea glauca-P. mariandSalixspp./Arctostapbylos spp. (Yarie 1983). Picea glauca-P. mariandSalix spp./Vacciniumvitis-idaea/Hylocomium splendens (Yarie 1983). Picea glauca-P. mariandSalix spp./Vaccinium vitis-idaeallichens (Yarie 1983). Picea mariana-P. glaucdSalix spp./LedumdecumbensEmpetrum nigrum (Yarie 1983). Picea mariana-P. glaucdsalix spp./Potentilla fruficosdRubus arcticus-Arctostapbylos spp. (Yarie 1983).l.A.2. Open Needleleaf ForestOpen needleleaf forest communities have from 25 to 60 percent tree crown canopycover. When mixed with broadleaf tree species, needleleaf (coniferous) trees contributeat least 75 percent of total tree cover (fig. 10, A and B).I.A.2.a. Open Sitka Spruce ForestDescrlption-Large Sitka spruce dominate the overstory and provide 35 to 55 percentcover (fig. 11). Small amounts of western hemlock may occur, but other coniferspecies are rare. Mature spruce range in height from 29 to 49 meters (95 to 160 ft)and from 51 to 102 centimeters (20 to 40 in) in d.b.h. Seedlings of both westernhemlock and Sitka spruce may occur, but survival is limited. Alms rubra or A.sinuata usually dominate a tall shrub layer 3 to 12 meters (10 to 40 ft) in height andprovide 15 to 40 percent cover.Figure l&A. Aerial photograph of open needleleaf forest of black spruce in interior Alaska. 8. Groundview of open needleleaf forest of black spruce shown in A.Figure 1 lapen needleleaf forest of Sitka spruce with anunderstory of Oploplanax horridus from Baranof Island insoulheastern Alaska. (Photograph mumy J ~ ~~rti".)O