The Alaska Vegetation Classification - Alaska Geobotany Center ...

I.A.3.a. Lodgepole Pine WoodlandDescrlption-The overstory of these communities is dominated by lodgepole pine(fig. 19). Total tree cover ranges from 10 to 25 percent. Scattered Alaska-cedar,western redcedar, and mountain hemlock also may be present in the overstory. Themaximum size of lodgepole pine is about 25 to 40 centimeters (10 to 15 in) d.b.h.and 8 to 11 meters (25 to 35 ft) tall. A discontinuous layer of shrubs 1 to 2 meters(3 to 6 ft) tall is usually present but provides little cover. Important species includeMenziesia fernfginea, Vaccinium alaskaense, and V. ovalifolium. Shrubs usually arerooted on mounds at bases of trees. Dwarf shrubs are more important and provide15 percent cover or more. Primary low shrub species are Empetrum njgrum,Vaccinium caespifosum, V. uliginosum, V. vifis-idaea, Kalmia polifolia, Andromedapolifolia, Ledumgroenlandicum, and Vaccinium oxycoccos. Common herbs includeFauria crisfa-galli, Trichophorum caespifosum, Carex canadensis, Eriophorumangustifolium, and Cornus canadensis. Mosses, including Sphagnum spp., areabundant.Distribution and site characteristlcs-Lodgepole pine woodlands are common onpoorly drained sites at all elevations below the subalpine zone in southeast Alaska.These sites are either level or gently sloping and most commonly occur on lowlandplateaus with compact till. Soils are deep, organic, and poorly drained.Successlonal status-Lodgepole pine woodlands are climax communities; theychange to bogs only slowly as paludification leads to tree death and bog expansion,or as increased drainage enables spruce and hemlock to invade in quantity.ClOSely related types-Lodgepole pine woodlands are closely related to open lowericaceous shrub bog communities but have more than 10-percent tree cover. TheyalSO are related to some poorly drained open forest types such as open mixedconifer forest.Photographs-Figure 19, this publication.Primary referenceSMartin and others 1985, Neiland 1971,CommunitlecPinus confortaEmpetrurn nigrum (Martin and others 1985, Neiland1971a).Figure 19-Needleleaf woodlandof lodgepole pine with a shrublayer of Menziesia fsrruginea andVaccinium spp: a harf shNb layerof Emperrum nigrum. Vacciniumcaespirosum. V. uliginosum.V. viris-idaea, Kalmia polifoliaa, andAndromsdapolilolia; and an herblayer of Fauria crisra-galliandEriophorum angusrifolium insouheastern Alaska.78