Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Ecological site R220XK434AK
Maritime Scrubland Peat Plain Depression
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 forest community.
Classification relationships
USNVC
2.C.4.Nb.M894.G528 - Western Boreal Wet Meadow and Marsh
Viereck:
Level III - II.C.2 - Open low scrub
Level IV - II.C.2.i - Willow-graminoid shrub bog
(Viereck et al., 1992)
Landfire Biophysical Settings:
7617230 - Aleutian Wet Meadow and Herbaceous Peatland Complex
(Landfire, 2009)Ecological site concept
This site occurs in organic soils on muskegs of glaciated plains and mountain slopes. A shallow water table persists throughout much of the growing season and influences plant community dynamics. Soils are very poorly drained and comprised of peat or mucky peat overlaying till.
The site supports a reference state comprised of three community phases driven by hydrology, with wetter soils at the center of the wetland and drier soils toward the edges. The major community in the center is a willow-sedge meadow, surrounded by a ring of taller shrubs, and finally a ring of stunted Sitka spruce. Sitka spruce is stunted and has limited cover. Other common species include crowberry, dwarf birch, Sitka alder, willows, various sedges, and sphagnum.Associated sites
F220XK200AK Subalpine Forest Gravelly Dry Slopes 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.
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.
Similar sites
F220XY439AK Maritime Stunted Woodland Shallow Organic Slopes
Ecological site F220XY439AK is similar to ecological site R220XK434AK with potential for both sites to occur in close proximity. F220XY439AK (Maritime Forest Shallow Organic Slopes) is characterized by well-drained soils with bedrock occurring within the first 20 inches and a shallow, seasonal water table. F220XY439AK occurs on topographic, micro-high positions while R220XK434AK occurs on micro-low depressions, where soils are poorly to very-poorly drained with a persistent shallow water table.
Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree Not specified
Shrub (1) Salix pulchra
(2) Betula nanaHerbaceous (1) Carex
(2) SphagnumPhysiographic features
This ecological site occurs on muskegs on glaciated coastal plains and mountain slopes. Flooding does not occur and a water table persists at or above the soil surface for much of the growing season. This site commonly occurs between 20 and 1150 feet above sea level on slopes ranging from 0 to 5 percent. Aquic soil moisture conditions associated with a shallow water table are a driving force of plant community dynamics on this ecological site.
Figure 1. Overview of the lower slopes with muskegs
Table 2. Representative physiographic features
Slope shape across (1) Concave
(2) Linear
Slope shape up-down (1) Linear
(2) Concave
Landforms (1) Island > Plain > Closed depression
(2) Hills > Drainageway
(3) Island > Hill
Flooding frequency None Ponding duration Long (7 to 30 days) Ponding frequency Frequent Elevation 20 – 1150 ft Slope 0 – 5 % Ponding depth 0 – 24 in Aspect Aspect is not a significant factor Table 3. Representative physiographic features (actual ranges)
Flooding frequency Not specified Ponding duration Not specified Ponding frequency Not specified Elevation 0 – 1310 ft Slope 0 % Ponding depth 0 in 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 70 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) 140-160 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) KODIAK AP [USW00025501], Kodiak, AK
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(2) KODIAK WWTP [USC00504991], Kodiak, AK
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(3) KITOI BAY [USC00504812], Kodiak, AK
">Influencing water features
This site has very poorly drained soils and a water table that occurs near the surface during much of the growing season. This high water table influences plant community dynamics in the reference state. This site is associated more with muskegs or wetland situations, however, there are low areas or slow areas within drainages that are included in this ecological site.
Wetland description
This site or portions of this ecological site would classify as a wetland. Type and level of classification will need to be confirmed by locations specifically. The site is associated with muskegs in this concept
Soil features
The soils of this site are formed in organic material over volcanic ash over glacial till. Soil textures are muck to mucky peat and soils are poorly to very poorly drained. A shallow water table persists for long periods of time during the growing season. The soil moisture regime is aquic. Soil temperature is cryic.
The series correlated to this ecological site are Luchek, Missak, Olds, Sa, Sulua, Tonki, and Yukuk.
Figure 8. Wet, saturated, soils on the edge of ponded areas.
Figure 9. Wet soils as transition out from ponded areas.
Figure 10. The outer extent of the ecological site has a drier profile, although there is still moisture present, and driving the community.
Table 5. Representative soil features
Parent material (1) Organic material
(2) Volcanic ash
(3) Till
Surface texture (1) Mucky peat
(2) Muck
Family particle size (1) Medial over loamy-skeletal
(2) Loamy-skeletal
(3) Medial over sandy or sandy-skeletal
Drainage class Poorly drained to very poorly drained Permeability class Slow to moderate Soil depth 80 – 0 in Surface fragment cover <=3" Not specified Surface fragment cover >3" Not specified Available water capacity
(0-10in)1.8 – 3.3 in Clay content
(0-20in)8 – 10 % Electrical conductivity
(0-40in)0 – 2 mmhos/cm Soil reaction (1:1 water)
(0-40in)3.5 – 6.5 Subsurface fragment volume <=3"
(10in)24 – 44 % Subsurface fragment volume >3"
(10in)2 – 5 % Table 6. Representative soil features (actual values)
Drainage class Not specified Permeability class Not specified Soil depth 0 in Surface fragment cover <=3" 0 % Surface fragment cover >3" 0 % Available water capacity
(0-10in)0.8 – 4.4 in Clay content
(0-20in)1 – 30 % Electrical conductivity
(0-40in)0 mmhos/cm Soil reaction (1:1 water)
(0-40in)0 Subsurface fragment volume <=3"
(10in)0 – 44 % Subsurface fragment volume >3"
(10in)0 – 5 % 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 site occurs in organic soils on muskegs of glaciated plains and mountain slopes. A shallow water table persists throughout much of the growing season and influences plant community dynamics. Soils are poorly to very poorly drained, and textures are generally peat overlaying till.
The site supports a reference state comprised of three plant community phases. The largest and most common community is a willow-sedge open scrubland. A more closed scrubland and a stunted spruce woodland ring the central community of the muskeg. Sitka spruce is stunted and has limited cover. Other common species include crowberry, dwarf birch, Sitka alder, willows, various sedges, and sphagnum. The ground cover is dominantly herbaceous litter and moss. Some areas are covered with standing water. No alternative states have been observed on this site.
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
SWAPAEHState 1 submodel, plant communities
1.1a - Altered hydrology 1.1b - Altered hydrology, mechanical disturbance 1.2a - Extended alteration to hydrology 1.3a - Decreased hydrologic influence State 1
Reference StateThe concave positions on the slopes and plains hold runoff from upslope and are a catchment of snowpack. The ground water that is near the surface for much of the growing season supports a hydrophilic community of vegetation. The bull's eye or transitional pattern formed from the lower curve of the bowl where water tends to pond, moving up and out from the bowl creates gradient of vegetation in response to the wetness of the soil.
Characteristics and indicators. The communities blend together with the drier edges supporting a stunted spruce community. Alders colonize the transition towards the central areas of the muskeg and the spruce drop out. The wettest community is willows, sedges and other hydrophytic grasses, forbs and shrubs.
Resilience management. The varied vegetation dynamics and mix of species creates a resilient community, able to respond to fluctuating water levels. However, degradation of the soil from traffic or removal of the hydrologic inputs will have a significant impact. At this time, no documentation was available to detail this type of disturbance within the specified soils within this ecological site.
Dominant plant species
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Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis), tree
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Sitka alder (Alnus viridis ssp. sinuata), shrub
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dwarf birch (Betula nana), shrub
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bog blueberry (Vaccinium uliginosum), shrub
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tealeaf willow (Salix pulchra), shrub
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black crowberry (Empetrum nigrum), shrub
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bluejoint (Calamagrostis canadensis), grass
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water sedge (Carex aquatilis), grass
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boreal bog sedge (Carex magellanica), grass
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looseflower alpine sedge (Carex rariflora), grass
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tall cottongrass (Eriophorum angustifolium), grass
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red cottongrass (Eriophorum russeolum), grass
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sphagnum (Sphagnum), other herbaceous
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splendid feather moss (Hylocomium splendens), other herbaceous
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heartleaf saxifrage (Saxifraga nelsoniana ssp. insularis), other herbaceous
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beachhead iris (Iris setosa), other herbaceous
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dwarf marsh violet (Viola epipsila ssp. repens), other herbaceous
Community 1.1
Sitka spruce/Moss/Graminoids
Figure 11. Dwarf Sitka spruce are a component of the outer edge of this complex community, occupying the drier rims.
Figure 12. In a more dynamic landscape, the muskeg is more broken and scattered, and so is the drier areas around the muskegs.
The drier edges of depressions support stunted Sitka spruce and a moss/graminoid community. Bog blueberry and willows are frequently present. Forbs are less prominent but do comprise part of the community. Water on the surface occurs periodically and will create micro-pockets of varied vegetation.
Resilience management. The stunted nature of the Sitka spruce protects the site from major fire pressure. Conditions are not great for the rejuvenation of spruce if they are removed from the community by disease, insects, or human activities. However, seedlings are noticed in images captured during soil and vegetation inventory.
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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tealeaf willow (Salix pulchra), shrub
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bluejoint (Calamagrostis canadensis), grass
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rush (Juncus), grass
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boreal bog sedge (Carex magellanica), grass
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sedge (Carex), grass
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Graminoid (grass or grass-like) (Graminoid (grass or grass-like)), grass
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sphagnum (Sphagnum), other herbaceous
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Moss (Moss), other herbaceous
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polytrichum moss (Polytrichum), other herbaceous
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Schreber's big red stem moss (Pleurozium schreberi), other herbaceous
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splendid feather moss (Hylocomium splendens), other herbaceous
Figure 13. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)
Community 1.2
Alder/Dwarf shrubs/Graminoids/Moss
Figure 14. Crowberry, blueberry, and alders provide soil stability and hinder movement through these wetter areas.
Figure 15. Growth within the depressions is complex with pockets of standing water occurring in small areas across the site.
The soils are more saturated and water fluctuates to the surface more frequently in this community. The spruce drop out of the community and alders and willow increase. Sedges become more prominent over grasses, and forbs are increasing in this community.
Resilience management. The increased diversity and structural variability in this community provides for adaptation to the fluctuating water table. The shift in root structures of the sedges and lower shrubs helps prevent damage from blow down. Low fire risk due to no major fuels and the wet nature of the soils. However, this band is potentially at risk from wildlife browse impacts. Livestock grazing occurs across this state and is a potential source of disturbance on this community.
Dominant plant species
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Sitka alder (Alnus viridis ssp. sinuata), shrub
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tealeaf willow (Salix pulchra), shrub
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black crowberry (Empetrum nigrum), shrub
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bog blueberry (Vaccinium uliginosum), shrub
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looseflower alpine sedge (Carex rariflora), grass
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water sedge (Carex aquatilis), grass
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red cottongrass (Eriophorum russeolum), grass
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tall cottongrass (Eriophorum angustifolium), grass
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heartleaf saxifrage (Saxifraga nelsoniana ssp. insularis), other herbaceous
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purple marshlocks (Comarum palustre), other herbaceous
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beachhead iris (Iris setosa), other herbaceous
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Lapland cornel (Cornus suecica), other herbaceous
Dominant resource concerns
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Compaction
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Seasonal high water table
Figure 16. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)
Community 1.3
Graminoids/Shrubs/Moss
The saturated soils and surface water table for most of the growing season limits the species that thrive in this community. The shrubs become less prominent in the community and grass-like (sedges, rushes) species are dominant with mosses and sphagnum.
Resilience management. The community lacks the diversity of other portions of the ecological site. However, the herbaceous component of this community is quick to respond with the fluctuating water table and are tolerant of long wet periods. The herbaceous cover provides forage, especially when water levels drop in the fall or before they rise in the spring.
Dominant plant species
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tealeaf willow (Salix pulchra), shrub
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dwarf birch (Betula nana), shrub
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Graminoid (grass or grass-like) (Graminoid (grass or grass-like)), grass
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sedge (Carex), grass
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dwarf marsh violet (Viola epipsila ssp. repens), other herbaceous
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sphagnum (Sphagnum), other herbaceous
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splendid feather moss (Hylocomium splendens), other herbaceous
Dominant resource concerns
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Aggregate instability
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Ponding and flooding
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Seasonal high water table
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Plant structure and composition
Figure 17. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)
Pathway 1.1a
Community 1.1 to 1.2
Sitka spruce/Moss/Graminoids
Alder/Dwarf shrubs/Graminoids/MossA shift in extent of time and/or depth of the seasonal water table will quickly impact the ability of the tree cover to persist. Increasing depth and time of inundation (standing water) will restricts tree cover, shifting community to a shrub and herbaceous cover on this site.
Context dependence.Hydrology changes are a result of multiple disturbances. Fluctuating annual snowpack, up slope runoff changes, as well as shifting timing of precipitation and freeze/thaw cycles will affect the timing of water table rise, depth of water table, and duration of the water table. Influences from the wildlife in the area including beaver will also impact water flow into the site from up drainage. Changes created by road systems and culverts diverging natural water movement as well as offroad vehicle and foot traffic through this wet soils will impact the hydrologic recharge, discharge, and flow through this site. Changes in herbivory and browse intensity, timing, or duration by wildlife and cattle may lead to compaction or hummocks that will further alter the hydrologic flow on this site.
Conservation practices
Prescribed Grazing Heavy Use Area Protection Recreation Area Improvement Wetland Wildlife Habitat Management Key drivers
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Precipitation (monthly scale)
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Precipitation (decadal scale)
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Wildlife grazing or browsing
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Temperature (monthly scale)
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Temperature (decadal scale)
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Livestock grazing or browsing
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Climate
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Precipitation event
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Precipitation (annual scale)
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Mechanical soil disturbance
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Temperature (annual scale)
Key ecosystem services affected
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Erosion control
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Aesthetic values
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Nutrient cycling
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Recreation
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Wildlife forage
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Wildlife habitat
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Plant biodiversity
Pathway 1.1b
Community 1.1 to 1.3
Sitka spruce/Moss/Graminoids
Graminoids/Shrubs/MossA shift in extent of time and/or depth of the seasonal water table will quickly impact the ability of the tree cover to persist. Increasing time of inundation or increased depth of standing water will remove the tree cover and shift the species of herbaceous cover present on this site.
Context dependence.Hydrology changes can be the result of multiple disturbances. The extent of change and how rapid will affect the shrub cover as well as the tree cover. To shift to a grass dominated community, the water depth or ponding depth change is significant and generally abrupt. Mechanical disturbance will also prompt a herbaceous response.
Conservation practices
Recreation Area Improvement Wetland Restoration Key drivers
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Precipitation event
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Mechanical soil disturbance
Key ecosystem services affected
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Erosion control
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Soil formation
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Plant biodiversity
Pathway 1.2a
Community 1.2 to 1.3
Alder/Dwarf shrubs/Graminoids/Moss
Graminoids/Shrubs/MossA shift in extent of time and/or depth of the seasonal water table will quickly impact the ability of the tree cover to persist. Increasing time of inundation or increased depth of standing water will remove the taller shrub cover and shift the species of herbaceous cover present on this site.
Context dependence.Hydrology changes can be the result of multiple disturbances. The extent of change and how rapid will affect the shrub cover as well as the tree cover. To shift to a grass dominated community, the water depth or ponding depth change is significant and generally abrupt. Mechanical disturbance will also prompt a herbaceous response.
Conservation practices
Prescribed Grazing Recreation Area Improvement Wetland Wildlife Habitat Management Wetland Enhancement Key drivers
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Precipitation (decadal scale)
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Wildlife grazing or browsing
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Livestock grazing or browsing
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Precipitation (annual scale)
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Mechanical soil disturbance
Key ecosystem services affected
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Erosion control
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Aesthetic values
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Nutrient cycling
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Recreation
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Primary production
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Wildlife habitat
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Soil formation
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Plant biodiversity
Pathway 1.3a
Community 1.3 to 1.2
Graminoids/Shrubs/Moss
Alder/Dwarf shrubs/Graminoids/MossAn increase in water table depth allows slower growing, less hydrophytic shrub species to colonize and spread. Colonization is via vegetative and sexual reproduction.
Context dependence.Recovery of natural hydrologic processes is hard to quantify and more research is needed in this environment. Time without disturbances and with freeze/thaw cycles, it is recognized that the system will begin to heal. Many times, the land is forever scarred by the prior events, but vegetation will shift in response to the recovery of hydrology on a site..
Conservation practices
Recreation Area Improvement Wetland Wildlife Habitat Management Shallow Water Development and Management Wetland Restoration Wetland Enhancement Key drivers
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Precipitation (decadal scale)
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Precipitation (annual scale)
Key ecosystem services affected
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Nutrient cycling
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Primary production
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Soil formation
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Plant biodiversity
Additional community tables
Table 7. Community 1.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Tree1 Stunted Trees – Sitka spruce PISI Picea sitchensis – 5–30 Grass/Grasslike2 Grasses – bluejoint CACA4 Calamagrostis canadensis – 15–30 Graminoid (grass or grass-like) 2GRAM Graminoid (grass or grass-like) – 0–15 3 Grasslikes – rush JUNCU Juncus – 5–20 boreal bog sedge CAMA12 Carex magellanica – 5–20 sedge CAREX Carex – 1–10 Moss4 Moss and other Herbaceous – sphagnum SPHAG2 Sphagnum – 5–30 Moss 2MOSS Moss – 0–30 splendid feather moss HYSP70 Hylocomium splendens – 5–20 Schreber's big red stem moss PLSC70 Pleurozium schreberi – 5–20 polytrichum moss POLYT5 Polytrichum – 5–15 Forb (herbaceous, not grass nor grass-like) 2FORB Forb (herbaceous, not grass nor grass-like) – 0–10 Shrub/Vine5 Shrubs – bog blueberry VAUL Vaccinium uliginosum – 1–10 tealeaf willow SAPU15 Salix pulchra – 1–5 Shrub (>.5m) 2SHRUB Shrub (>.5m) – 0–5 Table 8. Community 1.2 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Grass/Grasslike1 Sedges and Graminoids – water sedge CAAQ Carex aquatilis – 5–20 red cottongrass ERRU2 Eriophorum russeolum – 5–15 looseflower alpine sedge CARA5 Carex rariflora – 5–15 tall cottongrass ERAN6 Eriophorum angustifolium – 5–10 sedge CAREX Carex – 0–10 rush JUNCU Juncus – 0–5 Graminoid (grass or grass-like) 2GRAM Graminoid (grass or grass-like) – 0–5 Shrub/Vine2 Shrubs – Sitka alder ALVIS Alnus viridis ssp. sinuata – 5–30 tealeaf willow SAPU15 Salix pulchra – 5–10 black crowberry EMNI Empetrum nigrum – 1–10 bog blueberry VAUL Vaccinium uliginosum – 1–5 Shrub (>.5m) 2SHRUB Shrub (>.5m) – 0–5 Moss3 Mosses – sphagnum SPHAG2 Sphagnum – 10–50 Moss 2MOSS Moss – 1–20 splendid feather moss HYSP70 Hylocomium splendens – 2–10 Forb4 Forbs – Canadian burnet SACA14 Sanguisorba canadensis – 0–10 heartleaf saxifrage SANEI Saxifraga nelsoniana ssp. insularis – 0–10 purple marshlocks COPA28 Comarum palustre – 0–10 beachhead iris IRSE Iris setosa – 0–5 Lapland cornel COSU4 Cornus suecica – 0–5 Forb (herbaceous, not grass nor grass-like) 2FORB Forb (herbaceous, not grass nor grass-like) – 0–5 Table 9. Community 1.3 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Grass/Grasslike1 Hydrophytic Graminoids – Graminoid (grass or grass-like) 2GRAM Graminoid (grass or grass-like) – 40–60 Moss2 Mosses – sphagnum SPHAG2 Sphagnum – – splendid feather moss HYSP70 Hylocomium splendens – – Moss 2MOSS Moss – – Shrub/Vine3 Shrubs – dwarf birch BENA Betula nana – 0–5 tealeaf willow SAPU15 Salix pulchra – 0–5 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. Kodiak brown bear and black bears will feed on the berries along the drier edges. Competition with livestock is a potential concern. The wet soils and the thicker ground cover are great forage areas for livestock but are harder to move through.
Hydrological functions
These muskegs are a point of recharge and discharge of water moving through the system. They provide a source of water for wildlife in upland areas, and a filtering system for sediments and nutrients moving down from upper slopes. A more detailed review of the hydrologic water balance of this system is needed. The plant community is driven by the hydrologic process in play.
Recreational uses
The low scrub and stunted trees are difficult to navigate and the wet soils and ponded water are a challenge to traverse, but are often times enticing for recreational use. ATV and motorized travel is a significant disturbance to the wet soils, and can quickly degrade the community. Bird enthusiasts, wildlife enthusiasts, hunters, and hikers will utilize the area to enjoy the rich diversity of birds and wildlife species that frequent these wet areas.
Wood products
The stunted and krummholz stature of the Sitka spruce is poor in commercial value for timber harvest. Poor access limits the availability of any of the timber or forested overstory for commercial products.
Other products
The salmonberry, crowberry, bog blueberry, and variety of other mushrooms and edible/medicinal plants that thrive in the wet 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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. 2021 (Date accessed). USDA PLANTS Database. http://plants.usda.gov.
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. 2016. United States national vegetation classification database, V2.0.. United States National Vegetation Classification.. Federal Geographic Data Committee, Vegetation Subcommittee., Washington, D.C..
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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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Schoeneberger, P.J. and D.A. Wysocki. 2012. Geomorphic Description System. Natural Resources Conservation Service, 4.2 edition. National Soil Survey Center, Lincoln, NE.
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Soil Science Division Staff. 2017. Soil Survey Manual. USDA Agriculture Handbook No. 18. 603 pages.
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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..
Other references
Landfire. 2009. Biophysical Setting 7617230 – Aleutian Wet Meadow and Herbaceous Peatland - Complex. In: LANDFIRE National Vegetation Dynamics Models. USDA Forest Service and US Department of Interior. Washington, DC.
Contributors
Phil Barber
Marji PatzApproval
Jamin Johanson, 9/30/2026
Acknowledgments
Tyler Annetts Jamin Johanson Blaine Spellman
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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PrintThe Ecosystem Dynamics Interpretive Tool is an information system framework developed by the USDA-ARS Jornada Experimental Range, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and New Mexico State University.
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