Tufted bulrush – Fewflower sedge
	Trichophorum caespitosum – Carex pauciflora
	n = 16
	III.A.3.k. Subarctic Lowland Sedge-Moss Bog Meadow
	Ecosystem: Relict Lakebed / Drainageway, Depression, Kettle

DeVelice, et. al. (1999) describe a very similar fewflower sedge (Carex pauciflora) type for Chugach National Forest (CARPAU).  It has a significant tufted bulrush (Trichophorum caespitosum) component. Otherwise this type is not described for Alaska.

On the Kenai Lowlands, most tufted bulrush - fewflower sedge communities are found on relict glacial lakebeds south of Clam Gulch.  However, one plot was in a depressional feature on an older recessional moraine on the west slope of the Caribou Hills; a second on the edge of a relict drainageway nearby; and a third disjunct plot was located on the isostatically rebounded marine terrace along Kalifonsky Beach road west of Kasilof.  

Tufted bulrush is slightly more abundant than fewflower sedge, both occupying a near continuous to broken moss mat, often with surface water cover.  Dwarf birch (Betula nanacan be common, and bog rosemary (Andromeda polifoliaand bog cranberry (Vaccinium oxycoccosare present in trace amounts.  

The organic mat is well developed, over one meter (40”) thick, and the water table is frequently at or just below the surface, although at one site it was over a meter deep.  The pH was only recorded at one site, where it was very strongly acid (4.9).  All 16 sites measured qualify as jurisdictional wetlands.   

Table 1. Frequency of soil series occurrence and hydric status 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.

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