Seward Wetland Mapping Project
Chugach National Forest Plant Community Descriptions
From: R.L. DeVelice, C.J. Hubbard, K. Boggs, S. Boudreau, M. Potkin, T. Boucher and C. Wertheim. 1999. Plant Community Types of the Chugach National Forest: southcentral Alaska. USDA Forest Service, Chugach National Forest, Alaska Region Technical Publication R10-TP-76. Anchorage, AK. 375pp. (download 3.5Mb .pdf)
Tsuga heterophylla-Picea sitchensis/Vaccinium ovalifolium
(western hemlock-Sitka spruce/early blueberry)
(TSUHET-PICSIT/VACOVA; 33 sites)
IA1c. Closed needleleaf forest, Sitka spruce-western hemlock
A western hemlock - Sitka spruce / early blueberry forest in Seward.
Vegetation-
Picea sitchensis (Sitka spruce) and Tsuga heterophylla (westernhemlock) codominate the tree layer.
T. mertensiana (mountain hemlock) isoccasionally also present in this type.
Vaccinium ovalifolium (early blueberry)is abundant and clearly the dominant tall shrub. Other common shrubs are
Menziesia ferruginea
(rusty menziesia), Rubus spectabilis (salmonberry), andEchinopanax horridum
(devil’s club). Low and dwarf shrubs are absent. Noforbs show dominance and occurrence in this type is variable, but the most
consistent herbaceous species are
Rubus pedatus (fiveleaf bramble), Cornuscanadensis
(bunchberry), Streptopus amplexifolius (twistedstalk), andGymnocarpium dryopteris
(oak fern).
Physical setting- Western hemlock-Sitka spruce/early blueberry is one of
the most common types in Prince William Sound. It occurs predominantly on
low relief hills. Other landforms for this type include non-disturbed and
dissected mountain side slopes, foot slopes, flood plains, high relief hills,
marine terraces, and gently sloping hills. Sites sampled are on all aspects, on
slopes up to 85 percent, and at elevations generally below 600 feet.
| Seward Wetland Mapping Project : Contact: Mike Gracz Kenai Watershed Forum Homer Field Office Old Town Professional Center 3430 Main Street Suite B1 Homer, AK 99603 907-235-2218 |
03 October 2006 12:44 |
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