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Conservation Service
Ecological site F220XK200AK
Subalpine Forest Gravelly Dry Slopes
Kodiak
Last updated: 9/30/2026
Accessed: 10/07/2026
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Provisional. A provisional ecological site description has undergone quality control and quality assurance review. It contains a working state and transition model and enough information to identify the ecological site.
MLRA notes
Major Land Resource Area (MLRA): 220X–Alexander Archipelago-Gulf of Alaska Coast
The Alexander Archipelago-Gulf of Alaska Coast area consists of a narrow arc of islands and lower elevation coastal mountains in the Southern Alaska Region. This area spans from the Alexander Archipelago in southeastern Alaska, north and west along the coast of the Gulf of Alaska and Prince William Sound, and further west to the southern tip of the Kenai Peninsula and the northeastern islands of the Kodiak Archipelago. The area makes up about 27,435 square miles (USDA 2006). The terrain primarily consists of low to moderate relief mountains that are deeply incised. Rocky headlands, sea cliffs, estuaries, and beaches are common along the coast.
During the late Pleistocene epoch, the entire area was covered with glacial ice, which have shaped this MLRA. Most glacial deposits have been eroded away or buried by mountain colluvium and alluvium, which cover about 90 percent of the present landscape. During the Holocene epoch, volcanic activity deposited volcanic ash layers of varying thickness on much of the area. Paleozoic, Mesozoic, and Lower Tertiary stratified sedimentary rocks and Cretaceous and Tertiary intrusive rocks underlie much of the area and are exposed on steep mountain slopes and ridges (USDA 2006).
The dominant soil orders in this MLRA are Spodosols, Histosols, and Entisols. Typically, soils classify with a cryic soil temperature regime, an udic moisture regime, and have mixed minerology. Spodosols are common on mountains and hills, formed in gravelly or cobbly colluvium, glacial till, and silty volcanic ash. Spodosols identified range from shallow to deep, are well to somewhat poorly drained, and typically classify as Humicryods or Haplocryods. Histosols that are poorly to very poorly drained occur on footslopes, discharge slopes, and valley floors, and commonly classify as Cryosaprists, Cryohemists, and Cryofibrists. Well drained Histosols occur on steep mountainsides, commonly classify as Cryofolists. Flood plains, stream terraces, and outwash plains formed in silty, sandy, and gravelly to cobbly alluvium classify as Entisols. These Entisols are generally deep, range from well to somewhat poorly drained, and commonly classify as Cryaquents and Cryofluvents. Miscellaneous (nonsoil) areas make up about 23 percent of this MLRA including chutes, rock outcrop, rubble land, beaches, riverwash, and water.
This area represents the northern extent of the Pacific temperate rainforest and is characterized by productive stands of conifers. Western hemlock and Sitka spruce are the dominant trees on mountains and hills at the lower elevations. Due to warmer temperatures, western red cedar and Alaska cedar are more prevalent in the southern part of the area. Black cottonwood and mixed forest types occur on flood plains. Areas of peat and other sites that are too wet for forest growth support sedge-grass meadows and low scrub. The transition to subalpine and alpine communities typically occurs at elevations between 1500 to 3000 feet (Boggs et al. 2010, Carstensen 2007, Martin et al. 1995), which characterize the vegetation of the Southern Alaska Coastal Mountains area.
Logging, commercial fishing, and mining have been the primary industry for many decades. Although logging has declined due to changes in public interests, policies, and economics, commercial fishing continues to be an important industry. Tourism and wildland recreation are increasingly important, but local residents and remote villages still survive on subsistence hunting, fishing, and gathering resources.LRU notes
The Kodiak Island Archipelago are a group of islands with small straits connecting them. Kodiak is the largest of the islands. The islands are unconnected extension of the Kenai Peninsula with predominately metamorphic geology, which differs significantly from the volcanic geology of the Alaska Peninsula. Much of the soil in the northeastern extent of the archipelago are influenced by the ash fall of 1912. The Kodiak islands are the western most extent of MLRA 220. The Aleutian influence and change in maritime storms from west to east creates a Sitka Spruce dominated forested community.
Classification relationships
USNVC
Classification Code Level Name Database Code
TT2 - B02 Temperate-Boreal Forest & Woodland Biome
TT2.b - S92 Cool Temperate Forest & Woodland Subbiome
TT2.b2 - Oceanic Cool Temperate Rainforest Ecobiome
TT2.b2.Na - D338 North American Pacific Coast Temperate Rainforest Division
TT2.b2.Na.1 - M024 North Pacific Coastal Rainforest Macrogroup
TT2.b2.Na.1.g - G750 Coastal Alaskan Western Hemlock - Sitka Spruce Rainforest Group
TT2.b2.Na.1.g - A3601 Western Hemlock - Sitka Spruce / Alaska Blueberry Forest Alliance
TT2.b2.Na.1.g - CEGL003268 Association
Viereck:
I.A.2.a - I. Forest A. Needleleaf forest (2) Open needleleaf forest (canopy 25-60%) a. Picea sitchensis/Alnus sinuata/Calamagrostis canadensis (Viereck 1970, Worley 1977); Picea sitchensis/Alnus spp. (Martin and others 1985).
or
II.A.1.a - II. Scrub A. Dwarf Tree Scrub 1. Closed Dwarf Tree Scrub a. Closed Mountain Hemlock Dwarf Tree Scrub.
or
II.C.2.f - II. Shrub C. Low Shrub 2. Open Low Shrub f. Shrub birch-willow
National Vegetation Classification – Ecological Systems: Alaskan Pacific Maritime Subalpine Mountain Hemlock Woodland (CES204.143) (NatureServe 2015)
Landfire Biophysical Settings communities:
7616440 - Alaskan Pacific Maritime Sitka Spruce Forest
7617180 - Aleutian Mesic Alder-Salmonberry Shrubland
(Biophysical Settings, Landfire 2009)Ecological site concept
This subalpine site occurs on mountain slopes at the lowest subalpine bands of elevation and represents a transition from warmer coastal rainforests to colder subalpine forests. The soils are dry for much of the growing season and are well to moderately well drained. These dry soils are gravelly Spodosols typically formed in colluvium and/or weathered residuum. Bedrock typically occurs within 20 inches.
The reference plant community is an open forest (25 to 60 percent cover) dominated by coniferous trees and ericaceous shrubs. Spruce trees can grow to medium heights (15 - 40 feet), but Krummholz spruce may be present. The primary disturbance processes that maintain this plant community are exposure to cold temperatures, wind, blowdown, and avalanches (NatureServe 2018).Associated sites
F220XK433AK Maritime Forest Loamy Slopes Kodiak
This site occurs on glacial moraines and mountain slopes of upland mountains. Soils are similar but are moderately deep to deep. These two ecological sites will occur together in the undulating topology of the sideslopes.
R220XK434AK Maritime Scrubland Peat Plain Depression Kodiak
The shallow slopes that support F220XK200AK will flow down into or will be abutted by lower lying depressions on plains and along the lower mountain slopes.
Similar sites
F220XY200AK Subalpine Forest Gravelly Dry Slopes
Same concept and characteristics, but there is no western hemlock and is a dwarf scrub understory with interspersed dwarf scrub open communities.
F220XY338AK Subalpine Forests Dry Organic Slopes
Both sites occur in a similar band of elevation and have similar overstory and understory species. However, site 338 has organic soil and less productive stands of trees.
Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree (1) Picea sitchensis
Shrub (1) Cornus suecica
(2) Empetrum nigrumHerbaceous (1) Calamagrostis canadensis
(2) Pleurozium schreberiPhysiographic features
This ecological site occurs on mountain backslopes and shoulders at the lowest subalpine bands of elevation, which typically occur at 150 to 1650 feet depending on slope and aspect. This site likely occurs at much higher elevations on warm southerly slopes and at much lower elevations on cold northernly slopes. Slopes are moderately steep to very steep ranging from 15 to 50 percent. This site does not experience flooding or ponding, but rather generates runoff to adjacent, downslope ecological sites.
Figure 1. Landform view for the subalpine slopes captured in this ecological site.
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
Geomorphic position, hills (1) Side Slope
(2) Crest
Hillslope profile (1) Backslope
(2) Footslope
Slope shape across (1) Linear
Slope shape up-down (1) Linear
(2) Convex
Landforms (1) Island > Hill
(2) Island > Plain
Runoff class Medium to high Flooding frequency None Ponding frequency None Elevation 150 – 1650 ft Slope 15 – 50 % Aspect W, NW, N, NE, E, SE, S, SW Table 3. Representative physiographic features (actual ranges)
Runoff class Not specified Flooding frequency Not specified Ponding frequency Not specified Elevation 0 – 1650 ft Slope 0 – 55 % Climatic features
Moderate temperatures, and abundant rainfall characterize the temperate maritime climate of this area. Winter storms, accompanied by snow and rain at lower elevations and snow at higher elevations, are frequent. Moderate to strong, westerly winds are common before and during storms. The average annual precipitation is approximately 60 inches. The average annual snowfall is about 65 inches, snow does not persist in great depth along coast and lower elevations, but is persistent through the winter at high elevations. The average annual temperature is about 40 degrees Fahrenheit (4.4 degrees Celsius) (USDA 1956). The average annual temperatures associated with lower elevation maritime vegetation is considerably warmer compared to higher elevation subalpine vegetation. The average frost-free period is about 115 to 120 days.
Table 4 Representative climatic features
Frost-free period (characteristic range) 120-120 days Freeze-free period (characteristic range) 140-160 days Precipitation total (characteristic range) 70-70 in Frost-free period (actual range) 110-120 days Freeze-free period (actual range) 90-200 days Precipitation total (actual range) 70-80 in Frost-free period (average) 120 days Freeze-free period (average) 150 days Precipitation total (average) 70 in Characteristic rangeActual rangeBarLineFigure 2. Monthly precipitation range
Characteristic rangeActual rangeBarLineFigure 3. Monthly minimum temperature range
Characteristic rangeActual rangeBarLineFigure 4. Monthly maximum temperature range
BarLineFigure 5. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature
Figure 6. Annual precipitation pattern
Figure 7 Annual average temperature pattern
Climate stations used
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(1) KITOI BAY [USC00504812], Kodiak, AK
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(2) KODIAK WWTP [USC00504991], Kodiak, AK
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(3) KODIAK AP [USW00025501], Kodiak, AK
">Influencing water features
Due to its landscape position, this site has dry soil. This site is neither associated with or influenced by streams or wetlands. Precipitation is the main source of water for this ecological site. Infiltration is very slow, and surface runoff is high. Surface runoff contributes some water to downslope ecological sites.
Wetland description
No wetlands associated with this site.
Soil features
This ecological site almost always occurs on bedrock-controlled soils but does seldomly occur on deeper ash-influenced soils. Bedrock controlled soils typically formed in gravelly colluvium and/or weathered residuum. The bedrock typically occurs within 20 inches but may be as deep as 55 inches when formed in volcanic ash. Rock fragments do not typically occur on the soil surface. Rock fragments in the soil subsurface are variable, typically ranging between 30 and 60 percent of the soil profile by volume.
The soil moisture regime for these dry soils is udic. The temperature regime for this site is cryic, where the mean annual soil temperature is between 32 and 46 degrees Fahrenheit (USDA-NRCS 2006).
Marka and Pyramid are the major series correlated to this ecological site.
Figure 8. Profile common with State 2.1
Figure 9. Profile common with State 2.2
Figure 10. Modal Soil Profile
Figure 11. Ash influence is present in some soils.
Figure 12. Modal Soil Profile
Table 5. Representative soil features
Parent material (1) Residuum – graywacke
(2) Till
(3) Volcanic ash
(4) Herbaceous organic material
Surface texture (1) Ashy silt loam
Family particle size (1) Medial over loamy-skeletal
Drainage class Well drained Permeability class Moderate Depth to restrictive layer 15 – 55 in Soil depth 20 – 55 in Available water capacity
(0-40in)4.1 – 7.9 in Clay content
(0-20in)10 – 15 % Electrical conductivity
(0-40in)0 – 2 mmhos/cm Soil reaction (1:1 water)
(0-40in)3.5 – 6 Subsurface fragment volume <=3"
(0-40in)15 – 30 % Subsurface fragment volume >3"
(0-40in)1 – 5 % Table 6. Representative soil features (actual values)
Drainage class Not specified Permeability class Not specified Depth to restrictive layer 8 – 56 in Soil depth 17 – 56 in Available water capacity
(0-40in)0 in Clay content
(0-20in)1 – 15 % Electrical conductivity
(0-40in)0 mmhos/cm Soil reaction (1:1 water)
(0-40in)0 Subsurface fragment volume <=3"
(0-40in)12 – 39 % Subsurface fragment volume >3"
(0-40in)0 % Ecological dynamics
The information in this Ecological Dynamics section, including the state-and-transition model (STM), was developed based on historical data, current field data, professional experience, and a review of the scientific literature. As a result, all possible scenarios or plant species may not be included. Key indicator plant species, disturbances, and ecological processes are described to inform land management decisions.
This ecological site occurs on mountain slopes on dry soils at the lowest subalpine bands of elevation. Sitka spruce is the tree species best adapted to the cold temperatures, bitter wind, and deep snowpack associated with the subalpine in this MLRA. Avalanches, creeping snowpack that crushes woody vegetation, fungal pathogens, and blowdown are small-patch disturbances that typically result in mortality of individual or small groups of trees in this site (Viereck et al. 1992; NatureServe 2018). These small-patch disturbances, combined with important site factors like elevation and drainage class, maintain vegetation within this subalpine forest subzone.
The state-and-transition model that follows provides a detailed description of each known state, community phase, pathway, and transition. This model is based on available experimental research, field observations, literature reviews, professional consensus, and interpretations.State and transition model
More interactive model formats are also available. View Interactive Models
Click on state and transition labels to scroll to the respective textEcosystem states
SWAPAEHSWAPAEHT1A - Disease, Insects, land movement; otherwise transition unwarranted - naturally occurring. R2A - Extensive time for recovery, tree plantings, forest stand management practices State 1 submodel, plant communities
1.1a - Thinning of trees due to small scale disturbances or site limitations. 1.2a - Time for recovery, following removal/treatment of disturbance. State 2 submodel, plant communities
SWAPAEHSWAPAEHState 1
Reference StateThese subalpine open forests are stunted and have a moderate understory cover of dwarf shrubs and graminoids.
Characteristics and indicators. The trees are Sitka spruce, ranging from medium heights (below 40 feet tall) to stunted, krummholz forms. The high elevation, with shallower, gravelly soils and a thin organic mat, site conditions allow only stunted trees and low shrubs. Soil development is slow under the cool, moist conditions.
Resilience management. Sites of intermixed stunted open forest and low scrublands show no history of fire and no grazing by livestock in this area. Outside of the natural erosional processes, the site is resistant to change and shows resilience to natural disturbances.
Dominant plant species
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Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis), tree
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Lapland cornel (Cornus suecica), shrub
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black crowberry (Empetrum nigrum), shrub
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bluejoint (Calamagrostis canadensis), grass
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Schreber's big red stem moss (Pleurozium schreberi), other herbaceous
Community 1.1
Sitka Spruce/Dwarf Scrub/Moss Forest Community
Figure 13. Looking through the canopy at surrounding area shows the density of canopy for this community.
Figure 14. The stunted or krummholz spruce are difficult to judge cover, but the moss understory is key in this community.
Sitka spruce provide the overstory for this site, accounting for over 45 percent overstory cover. The trees are generally stunted and krummholz, so low in productivity and limited in timber value. They do provide cover and stability for the site with a dense understory of dwarf shrubs and moss. Ferns, sedge, grass, and a variety of forbs do inhabit the understory with the shrubs and mosses. Crowberry and salmonberry are common dwarf shrubs found in the understory.
Resilience management. Resiliency of this site is high, as the cover is highly adapted to the climate and microclimates of the ecological site. Movement through or across slopes, where accessible, by livestock and wildlife are potential risks to destabilizing the soils and site integrity.
Forest overstory.Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis) is the dominant overstory for this community. Trees are shorter in stature and are krummholz. Understory and open areas within the canopy are dominated by dwarf shrubs.
Forest understory. The dwarf scrub understory is a mixture of black crowberry (Empetrum nigrum) and salmonberry. These dwarf shrubs are prominent in the understory, but mosses are also a prominent understory cover. Ferns, a variety of forbs, and grasses including sedges, are common in the understory cover.
Dominant plant species
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Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis), tree
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black crowberry (Empetrum nigrum), shrub
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salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis), shrub
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bluejoint (Calamagrostis canadensis), grass
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smallawned sedge (Carex microchaeta), grass
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seacoast angelica (Angelica lucida), other herbaceous
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Nootka lupine (Lupinus nootkatensis), other herbaceous
Table 7. Soil surface cover
Tree basal cover 20-50% Shrub/vine/liana basal cover 10-20% Grass/grasslike basal cover 0-10% Forb basal cover 0-10% Non-vascular plants 20-30% Biological crusts 0% Litter 50-70% Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3" 0-10% Surface fragments >3" 0-10% Bedrock 0-0% Water 0% Bare ground 0-0% Table 8. Canopy structure (% cover)
Height Above Ground (ft) Tree Shrub/Vine Grass/
GrasslikeForb <0.5 – 1-10% 0-5% 0-5% >0.5 <= 1 – 0-2% 0-20% 1-5% >1 <= 2 – 0-2% 0-5% 0-5% >2 <= 4.5 – 0-2% – 0-5% >4.5 <= 13 – 0-1% – – >13 <= 40 30-50% – – – >40 <= 80 – – – – >80 <= 120 – – – – >120 – – – – Figure 15. Plant community growth curve (percent production by month). AK0226 , Aleutians. Growing days 115 to 140.
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec J F M A M J J A S O N D 0 0 0 5 15 30 30 10 10 0 0 0 Community 1.2
Sitka Spruce/Dwarf Shrub/Herbaceous Woodland Community
Figure 16. The forbs and grasses increase as the canopy thins to a woodland structure.
Figure 17. As the Canopy thins from State 1.1, the shift in the understory is easy to observe.
Figure 18. When the community is at-risk of transitioning into a non-forested State, the trees become very scattered, and alder or low/dwarf shrubs begin to dominate the site.
Sitka spruce are the overstory for this woodland community, providing 15 to 30 percent overstory cover. The spruce are stunted and krummholz, and are generally spotty across the community, so timber value has declined further from the reference community (1.1). They do provide cover and stability for the site with a dense understory of low shrubs, increasing grasses and forbs, and moss. Ferns, bluejoint and a variety of grasses and sedges, as well as a variety of forbs provide a diverse cover. Crowberry and salmonberry are still the common shrubs found in the understory.
Resilience management. Resiliency of this site is slightly reduced, but would still be considered high because the overall cover is still similar to reference, if not improved in diversity. Increased diversity, and the open canopy and understory shift with increasing grasses and forbs provides improved habitat for wildlife. Increased movement across slopes increase risk of destabilizing the slope. Increased snow pack and lack of deep root systems may expose the site to soil movement. This at-risk community phase is the result of shift in cover.
Forest overstory.Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis) is the overstory for this woodland community. The spruce trees remain stunted and krummholz, even with a more open canopy. The understory and open areas within the canopy have increased in herbaceous cover.
Forest understory. With the increased open canopy, sedges, grasses, and forbs increase in cover. However, the mosses and dwarf shrubs are a major component of the understory.
Dominant plant species
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Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis), tree
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bog blueberry (Vaccinium uliginosum), shrub
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partridgefoot (Luetkea pectinata), shrub
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black crowberry (Empetrum nigrum), shrub
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salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis), shrub
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tealeaf willow (Salix pulchra), shrub
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bluejoint (Calamagrostis canadensis), grass
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smallawned sedge (Carex microchaeta), grass
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bluegrass (Poa), grass
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sedge (Carex), grass
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Nootka lupine (Lupinus nootkatensis), other herbaceous
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seacoast angelica (Angelica lucida), other herbaceous
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common ladyfern (Athyrium filix-femina), other herbaceous
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spreading woodfern (Dryopteris expansa), other herbaceous
Dominant resource concerns
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Aggregate instability
Figure 19. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)
Pathway 1.1a
Community 1.1 to 1.2
Sitka Spruce/Dwarf Scrub/Moss Forest Community
Sitka Spruce/Dwarf Shrub/Herbaceous Woodland CommunityReduced cover of Sitka spruce and other overstory cover provides increased sunlight and nutrient availability, allowing grasses and forbs to increase in the understory. This can be a result of disease or insects in the Sitka spruce, windthrow, or potentially from aging stands, and limiting microhabitats that do not support spruce, promoting a more open woodland canopy.
Conservation practices
Upland Wildlife Habitat Management Forest Stand Improvement Key drivers
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Fire
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Nonnative disease presence and/or establishment
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Timber management
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Fire frequency
Key ecosystem services affected
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Fuel
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Nutrient cycling
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Primary production
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Wildlife forage
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Wildlife habitat
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Plant biodiversity
Pathway 1.2a
Community 1.2 to 1.1
Sitka Spruce/Dwarf Shrub/Herbaceous Woodland Community
Sitka Spruce/Dwarf Scrub/Moss Forest CommunityGiven time to recover from disease or insect damage, or for seedlings to establish and grow, a woodland site may transition back to a forested condition (increased cover). However, the site specific conditions that are not supporting spruce, may not have the potential for a forested canopy density. The time to recover or for conditions to adapt for seedling growth may also be extremely slow, or may not occur within a management time frame (over 50 years).
Conservation practices
Prescribed Burning Upland Wildlife Habitat Management Forest Stand Improvement Key drivers
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Fire
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Nonnative pest presence and/or establishment
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Nonnative disease presence and/or establishment
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Timber management
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Fire frequency
Key ecosystem services affected
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Fuel
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Food and fiber: wood products
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Wildlife forage
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Wildlife habitat
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Plant biodiversity
State 2
Unforested StateUnforested or non-treed areas within this site are naturally occurring as well as may occur with disturbance within the treed areas. The unforested state is a mixture of dwarf scrubs and an alder/salmonberry community. The convex areas of these slopes are predominantly Sitka spruce. Aging of spruce stands, cover impacted by snowpack, wind, soil movement, or other erosional impacts, reduces the tree cover and the community will transition to a shrub and moss cover typical of this Unforested State.
Characteristics and indicators. The absence or significant lack of cover by trees (less than 15 percent cover) and the prominence of crowberry and other dwarf shrubs or alder and salmonberry indicates the transition to this state.
Resilience management. Due to the soil conditions and slope, this State is slow to recover, and if naturally occurring, many not have the potential to recover to a forested or woodland cover.
Dominant plant species
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Sitka alder (Alnus viridis ssp. sinuata), shrub
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salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis), shrub
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black crowberry (Empetrum nigrum), shrub
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bluejoint (Calamagrostis canadensis), grass
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fescue (Festuca), grass
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bluegrass (Poa), grass
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fireweed (Chamerion angustifolium), other herbaceous
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common ladyfern (Athyrium filix-femina), other herbaceous
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Schreber's big red stem moss (Pleurozium schreberi), other herbaceous
Dominant resource concerns
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Organic matter depletion
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Drifted Snow
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Plant structure and composition
Community 2.1
Dwarf Scrub - Crowberry
Figure 20. The crest or summit of the landform shows the harshest environment and most restricted plant community.
Figure 21. The dwarf shrub community phase is interspersed with forested sites across the landform, and is easily distinguishable.
Figure 22. As soils transition and salmonberry and grass/forbs increase in the community composition, Community 2.1 can be very similar to 2.2.
Figure 23. The moss and lichen ground cover and low or dwarf shrubs provide a dense cover.
This community occurs on soils within this site that are more exposed or scoured with higher rock cover and shallower soils.
Resilience management. Crowberry and the other scrub or ericaceous shrubs that thrive in these rockier, more exposed soils are highly resilient and will not naturally shift to Community 2.2, without a significant deposition event such as a land slide, avalanche, or other erosional process that creates more soil development within the community. For this reason, this community is considered a stand alone community within this Site.
Dominant plant species
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black crowberry (Empetrum nigrum), shrub
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bog blueberry (Vaccinium uliginosum), shrub
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tealeaf willow (Salix pulchra), shrub
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bluejoint (Calamagrostis canadensis), grass
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woodrush (Luzula), grass
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smallawned sedge (Carex microchaeta), grass
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seacoast angelica (Angelica lucida), other herbaceous
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Nootka lupine (Lupinus nootkatensis), other herbaceous
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Schreber's big red stem moss (Pleurozium schreberi), other herbaceous
Dominant resource concerns
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Organic matter depletion
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Aggregate instability
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Drifted Snow
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Terrestrial habitat for wildlife and invertebrates
Figure 24. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)
Community 2.2
Sitka alder/Salmonberry
Alder and salmonberry create a more robust and productive site and are found on the less exposed, more developed soils of this ecological site.
Resilience management. The developed soils for this community and the associated alder/salmonberry cover is highly resilient and will not naturally shift to Community 2.1. A catastrophic event such as a rock slide, avalanche, or other drastic shift to the soils may force this shift. For this reason, this community is considered a stand alone community within this State.
Dominant plant species
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Sitka alder (Alnus viridis ssp. sinuata), shrub
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salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis), shrub
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tealeaf willow (Salix pulchra), shrub
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red elderberry (Sambucus racemosa), shrub
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bluejoint (Calamagrostis canadensis), grass
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bluegrass (Poa), grass
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smallawned sedge (Carex microchaeta), grass
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red fescue (Festuca rubra), grass
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Nootka lupine (Lupinus nootkatensis), other herbaceous
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seacoast angelica (Angelica lucida), other herbaceous
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common ladyfern (Athyrium filix-femina), other herbaceous
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green false hellebore (Veratrum viride), other herbaceous
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spreading woodfern (Dryopteris expansa), other herbaceous
Dominant resource concerns
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Organic matter depletion
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Aggregate instability
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Plant structure and composition
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Terrestrial habitat for wildlife and invertebrates
Figure 25. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)
Table 9. Canopy structure (% cover)
Height Above Ground (ft) Tree Shrub/Vine Grass/
GrasslikeForb <0.5 – 1-10% 0-5% 0-5% >0.5 <= 1 – 0-20% 5-30% 1-10% >1 <= 2 – 0-10% 0-10% 0-10% >2 <= 4.5 – 1-20% 5-40% 0-5% >4.5 <= 13 – 10-50% – 0-5% >13 <= 40 0-15% – – – >40 <= 80 – – – – >80 <= 120 – – – – >120 – – – – Transition T1A
State 1 to 2Most frequently, State 2 is naturally occurring as a mosaic or patchwork of the forested State. However, the driving factor of spruce decline and loss is root rot or other diseases, insect infestation, soil movement, blow down and other climatic factors.
Constraints to recovery.The colder temperatures, harsh weather and snowfall, as well as steeper slopes restricts the ability and speed with which spruce are able to re-establish on this ecological site.
Context dependence.If naturally occurring, the transitional pathways do not apply. This can be difficult to determine. The lack of land movement, root rot, insect damage or down timber is the best indicator the community is naturally occurring.
Conservation practices
Forest Stand Improvement Key drivers
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Fire
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Climate
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Mechanical soil disturbance
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Nonnative pest presence and/or establishment
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Nonnative disease presence and/or establishment
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Timber management
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Fire frequency
Key ecosystem services affected
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Nutrient cycling
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Food and fiber: wood products
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Wildlife forage
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Wildlife habitat
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Plant biodiversity
Restoration pathway R2A
State 2 to 1Extensive time for Sitka spruce to establish and grow is needed for this site to recover. When the site is naturally non-forested, then the site will not support a tree canopy without manipulation and potential seeding of trees into the location. Seedling establishment is slow, especially when grasses and other surface cover is thick. Climate and microsite conditions are not conducive for tree germination and growth, especially in crowberry moss cover.
Conservation practices
Brush Management Prescribed Burning Forest Stand Improvement Additional community tables
Table 10. Community 1.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 11. Community 1.1 forest overstory composition
Common name Symbol Scientific name Nativity Height ft Canopy cover (%) Diameter in Basal area (square ft/acre) TreeSitka spruce PISI Picea sitchensis Native 14-30 30-60 4-15 0 Table 12. Community 1.1 forest understory composition
Common name Symbol Scientific name Nativity Height (ft) Canopy cover (%) Grass/grass-like (Graminoids)smallawned sedge CAMI4 Carex microchaeta Native – 5–10 bluejoint CACA4 Calamagrostis canadensis Native – 5–10 bluegrass POA Poa Native – 1–5 Forb/HerbNootka lupine LUNO Lupinus nootkatensis Native – 1–5 Fern/fern allycommon ladyfern ATFI Athyrium filix-femina Native – 1–5 Shrub/Subshrubblack crowberry EMNI Empetrum nigrum Native – 5–20 salmonberry RUSP Rubus spectabilis Native – 1–5 NonvascularMoss 2MOSS Moss Native – 5–30 Lichen 2LICHN Lichen Native – 1–20 Schreber's big red stem moss PLSC70 Pleurozium schreberi Native – 5–10 Table 13. Community 1.2 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Shrub/Vine1 Dwarf Shrub 50–70 alpine azalea LOPR Loiseleuria procumbens – 25–40 black crowberry EMNI Empetrum nigrum – 10–30 bog blueberry VAUL Vaccinium uliginosum – 5–20 Table 14. Community 1.2 forest overstory composition
Common name Symbol Scientific name Nativity Height ft Canopy cover (%) Diameter in Basal area (square ft/acre) TreeSitka spruce PISI Picea sitchensis Native 14-30 15-30 4-20 0 Table 15. Community 1.2 forest understory composition
Common name Symbol Scientific name Nativity Height (ft) Canopy cover (%) Grass/grass-like (Graminoids)bluejoint CACA4 Calamagrostis canadensis Native – 5–25 bluegrass POA Poa Native – 0–15 smallawned sedge CAMI4 Carex microchaeta Native – 5–10 sedge CAREX Carex Native – 5–10 woodrush LUZUL Luzula Native – 0–5 fescue FESTU Festuca Native – 0–5 Forb/HerbNootka lupine LUNO Lupinus nootkatensis Native – 0–5 red elderberry SARA2 Sambucus racemosa Native – 0–5 green false hellebore VEVI Veratrum viride Native – 0–2 seacoast angelica ANLU Angelica lucida Native – 0–2 Fern/fern allyspreading woodfern DREX2 Dryopteris expansa Native – 1–10 common ladyfern ATFI Athyrium filix-femina Native – 1–5 Shrub/Subshrubblack crowberry EMNI Empetrum nigrum Native – 5–15 salmonberry RUSP Rubus spectabilis Native – 1–10 partridgefoot LUPE Luetkea pectinata Native – 0–10 tealeaf willow SAPU15 Salix pulchra Native – 0–5 Sitka alder ALVIS Alnus viridis ssp. sinuata Native – 0–5 bog blueberry VAUL Vaccinium uliginosum Native – 0–5 NonvascularSchreber's big red stem moss PLSC70 Pleurozium schreberi Native – 5–20 Lichen 2LICHN Lichen Native – 1–20 Moss 2MOSS Moss Native – 5–20 Table 16. Community 2.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Shrub/Vine1 Dwarf Shrubs and Shrubs – black crowberry EMNI Empetrum nigrum – 20–60 salmonberry RUSP Rubus spectabilis – 10–40 bog blueberry VAUL Vaccinium uliginosum – 1–5 tealeaf willow SAPU15 Salix pulchra – 0–5 partridgefoot LUPE Luetkea pectinata – 0–5 Sitka alder ALVIS Alnus viridis ssp. sinuata – 0–2 Moss2 Mosses – Schreber's big red stem moss PLSC70 Pleurozium schreberi – 5–30 Moss 2MOSS Moss – 10–30 goose neck moss RHLO70 Rhytidiadelphus loreus – 0–10 rhizomnium moss RHIZO2 Rhizomnium – 0–10 goose neck moss RHYTI2 Rhytidiadelphus – 0–10 polytrichum moss POLYT5 Polytrichum – 0–10 Lichen3 Lichen and other Bryophytes – Lichen 2LICHN Lichen – 5–30 reindeer lichen CLADI3 Cladina – 0–25 cup lichen CLADO3 Cladonia – 0–25 greygreen reindeer lichen CLRA60 Cladina rangiferina – 0–25 felt lichen PELTI2 Peltigera – 0–25 ragged lichen PLATI2 Platismatia – 0–25 Grass/Grasslike4 Grasses and Grasslikes – bluejoint CACA4 Calamagrostis canadensis – 5–40 smallawned sedge CAMI4 Carex microchaeta – 5–30 Graminoid (grass or grass-like) 2GRAM Graminoid (grass or grass-like) – 0–25 bluegrass POA Poa – 1–5 fescue FESTU Festuca – 0–5 woodrush LUZUL Luzula – 0–5 sedge CAREX Carex – 0–5 Forb5 Forbs – Forb (herbaceous, not grass nor grass-like) 2FORB Forb (herbaceous, not grass nor grass-like) – 0–10 seacoast angelica ANLU Angelica lucida – 0–5 Nootka lupine LUNO Lupinus nootkatensis – 0–5 saxifrage SAXIF Saxifraga – 0–5 Table 17. Community 2.2 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Shrub/Vine1 Tall/Medium Shrubs – Sitka alder ALVIS Alnus viridis ssp. sinuata – 5–30 tealeaf willow SAPU15 Salix pulchra – 1–10 red elderberry SARA2 Sambucus racemosa – 1–5 Shrub (>.5m) 2SHRUB Shrub (>.5m) – 0–5 2 Low or Dwarf Shrubs – salmonberry RUSP Rubus spectabilis – 10–30 black crowberry EMNI Empetrum nigrum – 0–10 Shrub, other 2S Shrub, other – 0–5 Grass/Grasslike3 Grasses and Grasslikes – bluejoint CACA4 Calamagrostis canadensis – 10–40 sedge CAREX Carex – 0–15 Graminoid (grass or grass-like) 2GRAM Graminoid (grass or grass-like) – 0–15 bluegrass POA Poa – 1–10 red fescue FERU2 Festuca rubra – 0–5 smallawned sedge CAMI4 Carex microchaeta – 0–5 woodrush LUZUL Luzula – 0–5 Forb4 Forbs and Ferns – Forb (herbaceous, not grass nor grass-like) 2FORB Forb (herbaceous, not grass nor grass-like) – 0–15 common ladyfern ATFI Athyrium filix-femina – 1–10 spreading woodfern DREX2 Dryopteris expansa – 1–10 seacoast angelica ANLU Angelica lucida – 1–5 Nootka lupine LUNO Lupinus nootkatensis – 1–5 green false hellebore VEVI Veratrum viride – 1–5 Moss5 Mosses – Schreber's big red stem moss PLSC70 Pleurozium schreberi – 5–30 Moss 2MOSS Moss – 0–30 Lichen6 Lichen and other Bryophytes – Lichen 2LICHN Lichen – 0–20 Tree7 Incidental Trees – Sitka spruce PISI Picea sitchensis – 0–15 Interpretations
Animal community
Elk and the Sitka black-tailed deer are common across the Kodiak Islands. The stunted spruce and understory provide excellent forage and cover. In some regions, goats will utilize the steep slopes and browse on the low shrubs. Kodiak brown bear and black bears will feed on the berries in the open areas, and will use the short thermal cover in the denser stands of Sitka spruce. Competition with livestock is limited due to the steeper slopes making access for most livestock less desirable, and the forage areas for livestock are dispersed and harder to access. However, some livestock grazing does occur within this ecological site.
Recreational uses
The low scrub and stunted trees are difficult to navigate and the steep slopes are a challenge to traverse, but are often enticing for recreational use. ATV and motorized travel are a disturbance to the gravelly soils, and can quickly destabilize the community. Bird enthusiasts, wildlife enthusiasts, hunters, and hikers will utilize the area to enjoy the rich diversity of birds and wildlife species that utilize the vegetation and cover provided by the mixed canopy.
Wood products
The stunted and krummholz stature of the Sitka spruce is poor in commercial value for timber harvest. Further access issues limits the availability of any of the timber or forested overstory for commercial products.
Other products
The salmonberry understory, crowberry, bog blueberry, and variety of other mushrooms and edible/medicinal plants that thrive in the steep rocky slope soils provide a commercial income, but also are the key species for subsistence for the villages.
Supporting information
Inventory data references
Alaska has established Releve′ as the main protocol used for vegetation inventory for soil survey. The protocol is kept updated with appropriate worksheet and guide sheets as needed. A Sampling Operational Plan is in place and is maintained by the Regional Ecologist(s). Forest inventory and rangeland or understory inventory is completed with this method.
References
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1980. USNVC [United States National Vegetation Classification]. 2019. United States National Vegetation Classification Database, V2.03. Federal Geographic Data Committee, Vegetation Subcommittee, Washington DC.. USNVC: http://usnvc.org/.
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Landfire. 2009. Biophysical Setting. LANDFIRE National Vegetation Dynamics Models. USDA Forest Service and US Department of Interior, Washington, DC..
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NatureServe. 2018 (Date accessed). NatureServe Explorer: An online encyclopedia of life [web application]. Version 7.1. NatureServe, Arlington, Virginia. Available http://explorer.natureserve.org.. http://explorer.natureserve.org.
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United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service. 2022. Land Resource Regions and Major Land Resource Areas of the United States, the Caribbean, and the Pacific Basin (Agriculture Handbook 296). United States Department of Agriculture, Washington, DC.
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United States Department of Agriculture, . 2006. Land resource regions and major land resource areas of the United States, the Caribbean, and the Pacific Basin... USDA Handbook 296 1–682.
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Viereck, L.A., C. T. Dyrness, A. R. Batten, and K. J. Wenzlick. 1992. The Alaska vegetation classification. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Forest and Range Experiment Station General Technical Report PNW-GTR-286..
Contributors
Phil Barber, Ecological Site Specialist
Marji Patz, Regional Ecological Site SpecialistApproval
Jamin Johanson, 9/30/2026
Acknowledgments
Lisa Kluesner, Blaine Spellman, Jamin Johanson, Nathan Parry for the initial draft of MLRA 220 concepts.
Rangeland health reference sheet
Interpreting Indicators of Rangeland Health is a qualitative assessment protocol used to determine ecosystem condition based on benchmark characteristics described in the Reference Sheet. A suite of 17 (or more) indicators are typically considered in an assessment. The ecological site(s) representative of an assessment location must be known prior to applying the protocol and must be verified based on soils and climate. Current plant community cannot be used to identify the ecological site.
Author(s)/participant(s) Contact for lead author Date 10/07/2026 Approved by Approval date Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on Annual Production Indicators
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Number and extent of rills:
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Presence of water flow patterns:
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Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
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Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
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Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
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Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
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Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel):
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Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):
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Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
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Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
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Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):
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Functional/Structural Groups (list in order of descending dominance by above-ground annual-production or live foliar cover using symbols: >>, >, = to indicate much greater than, greater than, and equal to):
Dominant:
Sub-dominant:
Other:
Additional:
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Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
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Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
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Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
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Potential invasive (including noxious) species (native and non-native). List species which BOTH characterize degraded states and have the potential to become a dominant or co-dominant species on the ecological site if their future establishment and growth is not actively controlled by management interventions. Species that become dominant for only one to several years (e.g., short-term response to drought or wildfire) are not invasive plants. Note that unlike other indicators, we are describing what is NOT expected in the reference state for the ecological site:
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Perennial plant reproductive capability:
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