Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Aleutian Rolling Meadow Lowlands
Scenario model
Current ecosystem state
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Management practices/drivers
Select a transition or restoration pathway
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Transition T1A
Military Operations historically, and Human development
More details -
No transition or restoration pathway between the selected states has been described
Target ecosystem state
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Description
The Aleutian Herbaceous Meadow Sedimentary Slopes ecological site is characterized by sedimentary soils intermixed with rock outcrop. Although the area is windswept and unprotected, compared to other similar communities, the slopes support a thick herbaceous meadow community. Without the deep root system of the woody vegetation, the ecological site is prone to landslides, especially following fire and continuous grazing. With the moisture and time, the herbaceous community recovers quickly.
The Landfire BpS Model described this vegetation type having four main communities. Knowing that the specific community drivers are not described and limited other information, the vegetation will be described but the transitional pathways will not be drawn. Sources referenced grazing by caribou, reindeer and small groups of cattle; however, no specific data was located on grazing effects on these communities.
Dominant plant species
black crowberry (Empetrum nigrum), shrub
bluejoint (Calamagrostis canadensis), grass
sedge (Carex), grass
red fescue (Festuca rubra), grass
bentgrass (Agrostis), grass
Bering's tufted hairgrass (Deschampsia beringensis), grass
fireweed (Chamerion angustifolium), grass
common ladyfern (Athyrium filix-femina), grass
common cowparsnip (Heracleum maximum), grass
reindeer lichen (Cladina), grass
Submodel
Description
The events of World War II impacted much of the Alaska Coastline, including the Aleutian Islands and the villages. The establishment of Military installations, the roads and other infrastructure installed, and the equipment movement around these instillations had a significant impact. Although this ecological site is not in the desired construction location, a few roads and other trails have extended into some of these communities, having an impact of site stability.
Dominant plant species
Pacific reedgrass (Calamagrostis nutkaensis), grass
smallflowered woodrush (Luzula parviflora), grass
tufted hairgrass (Deschampsia cespitosa), grass
alpine bluegrass (Poa alpina), grass
largeglume bluegrass (Poa macrocalyx), grass
Nootka lupine (Lupinus nootkatensis), grass
Alaska arnica (Arnica unalaschcensis), grass
field horsetail (Equisetum arvense), grass
western pearlwort (Sagina decumbens ssp. occidentalis), grass
ceratodon moss (Ceratodon purpureus), grass
Submodel
Mechanism
Extensive military operations occurred several of the islands leading to significant disturbance. Road systems, base developments, housing, and military equipment movement removed vast areas of cover and altered the landscape. Most of these areas were left to recover naturally. Current development around villages and port access on the islands are expanding to a minor degree on these remote islands, providing a source for further disturbance.
Model keys
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Ecological sites
Major Land Resource Areas
The 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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