Sweetgale – Shrubby cinquefoil
	Myrica gale – Dasiphora floribunda
	n = 27
	II.C.2.d. Open Low Shrub Birch - Ericaceous Shrub Bog.
	Ecosystem: Relict Lakebed

This type has been described on the Kenai lowlands (Rosenberg, 1986) and elsewhere in Alaska, although shrubby cinquefoil (Dasiphora floribunda) is uncommon as a co-dominant. It is not present on the Chugach National Forest (DeVelice, et. al., 1999) or Copper River (Boggs, 2000) species lists.

Sweetgale (Myrica gale) - shrubby cinquefoil is a widespread and common plant community, especially on slightly elevated strangs on relict glacial lakebeds.  Strangs are linear ridges 1-2 m high oriented perpendicular to groundwater flow.  For more information on patterned fens, see the relict glacial lakebed ecosystem description.   

Sweetgale dominates a low shrubby community, with lower amounts of shrubby cinquefoil and dwarf birch (Betula nana).  Bog blueberry (Vaccinium uliginosum) is frequently present, along with trace amounts of bog rosemary (Andromeda polifolia).  Tall cottongrass (Eriophorum angustifolium) can be common.  Where strangs are absent this community can be present as a broad, homogeneous stand with open water in micro-topographic low-spots. 

Peat is usually over a meter deep, and the water table is typically within 20 cm of the surface, although at two sites it was encountered at almost a meter deep.  At the three sites where it was measured, pH is moderately acid (5.8).  All the plots visited qualify as jurisdictional wetlands.   

Table 1. Frequency of occurrence and hydric status of soil series named at NRCS holes.  Bold type indicates soils on the NRCS Alaska hydric soils list. 

Table 2.  Summary of plant frequency and average cover for plants occurring in more than 50% of plots.

Introduction and Key to Plant Communities   Introduction and Key to Ecosystems     Kenai Hydric Soils    Map Unit Summary    Methods    Glossary