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 mertensiana/Vaccinium ovalifolium-Menziesia ferruginea

(mountain hemlock/early blueberry-rusty menziesia)

(TSUMER/VACOVA-MENFER; 6 sites)

IA1f. Closed needleleaf forest, mountain hemlock

A mountain hemlock / rusty menziesia - early blueberry stand below a sloping peatland on the 800' bench above Fourth of July Creek.

Vegetation- Tsuga mertensiana (mountain hemlock) dominates the tree

layer. Picea X lutzii (Lutz spruce) is an important associated species in the

Kenai Mountains. Vaccinium ovalifolium (early blueberry) and Menziesia

ferruginea (rusty menziesia) are abundant and indicator species in the tall

shrub layer. Low and dwarf shrub composition is variable. Other species

occurring frequently in the undergrowth include Cornus canadensis

(bunchberry) and Rubus pedatus (fiveleaf bramble).

Physical setting- Mountain hemlock/early blueberry-rusty menziesia is a

minor type in the Kenai Mountains. This type occurs on dissected and non90

disturbed mountain side slopes, non-disturbed foot slopes, and low relief

hills. Sites sampled are on all but southerly aspects, on slopes from 30 to 70

percent, and at elevations to 1600 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 13:34