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Conservation Service
Ecological site R241XY112AK
Arctic Scrub Frozen Alkaline Loamy Slopes
Last updated: 5/29/2025
Accessed: 09/23/2026
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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): 241X–Seward Peninsula Highlands
The Seward Peninsula Highlands (MLRA 241X) occurs in Western Alaska, along the southernmost reaches of Land Resource Region Y, which has an arctic climate and occurs in the zone of continuous permafrost. This MLRA is approximately 13,700 square miles across the central Seward Peninsula. The terrain is defined by broad and extensive rolling hills and plains and solitary groups of rugged mountains expanding from sea level to a high point of 4,714 feet on Mount Osborn. Flood plains systems are common but generally narrow. The MLRA 241X watershed drains into Kotzebue Sound and the Chukchi Sea to the north and the Bering Sea to the West. Major rivers include the Buckland, Kiwalik, Serpentine, Agiapuk-American, Kougarok, and Kuzitrin Rivers. The area is mostly undeveloped wild land that is sparsely populated. Residents use this remote area primarily for subsistence hunting, fishing, and gathering. The largest communities in this predominantly inland MLRA are along the coast and include Teller and Brevig Mission. Reindeer herding is a profitable enterprise and many areas of this MRLA are used for reindeer graze and subsistence activities. Parts of this MLRA were mined for gold during the Nome gold rush. Several mines still operate within this boundary (USDA, 2022). Federally managed lands in this MLRA include parts of the Selawik National Wildlife Refuge and parts of Bering Land Bridge National Preserve.
Geology and Soils
MLRA 241X was mostly unglaciated during the late Pleistocene. Glaciers were present during the middle and early Pleistocene in scattered areas such as the York Mountains in the west, the Kiglauik Mountains to the south, and the Upper Kiwalik River drainage. The present-day landscape is mantled with loess, colluvium, and slope alluvium (USDA, 2022). Modified glacial moraines are evident in areas of past glacial activity. Bedrock material is a mix of rock types, with areas of sedimentary, volcanic and igneous throughout the MLRA. Bedrock is at or near the surface in most upland areas of this MLRA, which is reflected in soil development and vegetative patterns.
This MLRA is in the zone of continuous permafrost. Frozen soils are common across the landscape, though may be absent from high energy systems on floodplains, around lakes and on gravelly, well drained soils. Permafrost is generally shallow to moderately deep (10 to 40 inches) that results in a restrictive layer that perches water and creates poorly to very poorly drained soils. Alongside these permafrost soils (Gelisols), other common soil orders include soils with little to no development in the Entisol and Inceptisol orders. Periglacial features are common and include solifluction lobes, polygonal ground, and thermokarst pits (USDA, 2022). Non-soil areas (rock outcrop, riverwash, and surface water) make up approximated five percent of the MLRA surface.
Climate
Climate is predominantly continental arctic, with brief, cool summers and long, cold winters. Maritime conditions, where summer temperatures are moderated by the proximity to open water, persist through the summer along the Bering Sea coast. Mean annual precipitation is 10 to 15 inches in the north and west, increasing to 20 to 40 inches in the mountainous areas in the south and east (USDA, 2022). Mean annual temperatures ranges from 20 to 26 degrees Fahrenheit (PRISM, 2018; SNAP, 2014).
Vegetation
Vegetation is mainly influenced by climate, site, and soil characteristics such as temperature-degree days, elevation, exposure to wind, soil depth, and soil hydrology. Dwarf scrublands are present across most of the upland, with vegetation further restricted on shallow soils. Lower elevations generally support more developed soils, and host willow-sedge scrublands, mixed ericaceous shrub scrublands, and herbaceous graminoid meadows. Tussock tundra is ubiquitous across much of the poorly drained, low-sloped landforms across the MRLA. Wetland communities dominate in closed depressions and drainages (USDA, 2022).LRU notes
There are currently no Land Resource Areas (LRUs) delineated or described in MLRA 241X. There is potential for two or more LRUs along a climatic break between the lowlands and low-elevation hills of the north and west, and the higher, mountainous regions more prevalent in the south and east. However, vegetation and land management may not differ between these areas, as soils and vegetation are already restricted by cold annual temperatures even at low elevations.
Classification relationships
Alaska Vegetation Classification:
Dwarf shrub (II.C.2 - level III) / Dwarf birch willow scrub (II.C.2.c – level IV)
(Viereck et al., 1992)
BioPhysical Settings: 6816902 – Alaska Arctic Dwarf Shrubland
(LANDFIRE, 2009)
Seward Rangesites
41 – Shrub meadow (mountain)
(SCS, 1984; Swanson et al., 1985)Ecological site concept
Ecological Site characteristics:
• Associated with a low scrubland on mountainous, arctic slopes.
• Soils are
• Major vegetative drivers on this site are aquic soil conditions and alkaline soil pH
• Fire is the major disturbance on this site and results in one unique post-fire plant community
• The reference plant community is comprised of low shrub with hydrophytic graminoids, an often-diverse group of forbs, and a mix of insulating mosses and lichens as ground cover
• Solifluction lobes are common periglacial features on the described landform. These are represented by an alternate state.Associated sites
R241XY111AK Alpine Sedge-Scrub Frozen Loamy Slopes
R241XY111AK describes a sedge-scrubland on alpine footslopes and toeslopes. Soils are acidic.
Similar sites
R241XY111AK Alpine Sedge-Scrub Frozen Loamy Slopes
R241XY111AK describes a sedge-scrubland on alpine footslopes and toeslopes. Soils are acidic, unlike the soils of this site that are derived from limestone. The resulting vegetation is different.
Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree Not specified
Shrub (1) Betula nana
(2) Vaccinium uliginosumHerbaceous (1) Carex bigelowii
(2) Carex aquatilisPhysiographic features
This ecological site occurs on arctic mountain backslopes. Elevation ranges from 500 to 1,000 feet above sea level, though it may extend higher on warm slopes. Slope gradients are nearly level to strongly sloped (0 to 15 percent). This ecological site occurs on all aspects. Ponding occurs on gentle slopes. A shallow to moderately deep water table is present during the growing season.
Solifluction lobes are common periglacial features. These features develop perpendicular to the slope. They may mound several feet along the leading edge. Solifluction lobes have unique site and soil properties that result in a mosaic of vegetation.Table 2. Representative physiographic features
Slope shape across (1) Linear
Slope shape up-down (1) Linear
Hillslope profile (1) Backslope
Landforms (1) Mountains > Mountain slope
(2) Mountains > Mountain
(3) Mountains > Mountain slope > Solifluction lobe
Runoff class Negligible to medium Flooding frequency None Ponding duration Brief (2 to 7 days) Ponding frequency Occasional Elevation 500 – 1000 ft Slope 0 – 15 % Ponding depth 0 – 12 in Water table depth 0 – 10 in 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 duration Not specified Ponding frequency Not specified Elevation 100 – 2000 ft Slope 0 – 20 % Ponding depth 0 in Water table depth 0 in Climatic features
The Arctic climate of this ecological site includes short, cool growing seasons and long, cold winters. Mean annual temperature at sea level is about 22 degrees Fahrenheit in the coastal village of Wales. Approximately 35 percent of total precipitation occurs during the growing season months of June through August. Across the MLRA, snowfall ranges from 40 to 100 inches (USDA-NRCS, 2022).
Table 4 Representative climatic features
Frost-free period (characteristic range) 60-90 days Freeze-free period (characteristic range) 50-80 days Precipitation total (characteristic range) 10-20 in Frost-free period (actual range) 50-90 days Freeze-free period (actual range) 40-80 days Precipitation total (actual range) 10-20 in Frost-free period (average) 80 days Freeze-free period (average) 70 days Precipitation total (average) 20 in Characteristic rangeActual rangeBarLineFigure 1. Monthly precipitation range
Characteristic rangeActual rangeBarLineFigure 2. Monthly minimum temperature range
Characteristic rangeActual rangeBarLineFigure 3. Monthly maximum temperature range
BarLineFigure 4. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature
Figure 5. Annual precipitation pattern
Figure 6 Annual average temperature pattern
">Influencing water features
This ecological site is influenced by slope discharge. Surface drainages are rare. Water inflow is from upslope precipitation and snow melt, as well as seasonal frost melt during the growing season.
Wetland description
This ecological site may be broadly classified as a slope wetland and further characterized as a rich fen extensive peatland under the Hydrogeomorphic (HGM) classification system (Brinson, 1993; USDA-NRCS, 2008). Soil pH is neutral or alkaline. Subsurface water flow and seasonal melt contribute to soil saturation (Brinson, 1993).
Soil features
Soils are wet Gelisols (Soil Survey Staff, 2013). Permafrost is moderately deep. There is a six-inch organic cap. Permafrost perches water, creating aquic conditions in the soil. Surface rock fragments are absent. Soil pH is slightly to moderately alkaline.
Soils in the alternate state are a mix of Gelisols and Mollisols. Solifluction lobes have unique soil properties distinct from the reference state. Mollisols are common where organics have been pushed together built up along the leading lobe edge. The top and leading edges of lobes can be well drained, while the soil at the base of the leading edge is wet.Table 5. Representative soil features
Parent material (1) Colluvium – limestone
(2) Organic material
Surface texture (1) Peat
Drainage class Poorly drained Permeability class Moderate Depth to restrictive layer 20 – 33 in Soil depth 60 – 0 in Surface fragment cover <=3" Not specified Surface fragment cover >3" Not specified Available water capacity
(0-40in)4.1 – 7.2 in Soil reaction (1:1 water)
(0-10in)7.4 – 8.4 Subsurface fragment volume <=3"
(0-60in)6 – 14 % Subsurface fragment volume >3"
(0-60in)8 – 20 % Ecological dynamics
The Seward Peninsula Highlands (MLRA 241X) is in the arctic where the harsh climate limits the composition and structure of plant communities. This area has cool, short summers and long, cold winters. Limited warmth during the short growing season inhibits trees from occurring. Ordinarily, cold temperatures limit the vertical structure of shrubs and other functional groups (Raynolds et al., 2006).
The low scrub reference plant community is shaped by factors including mean annual air temperature and alkaline soil.
Site and soil conditions support a low scrubland in the reference plant community (Viereck et al., 1992). Cool temperatures and a short growing season support slow growing, often evergreen shrubs. Average shrub height is taller here than in shrubs in more exposed, convex slopes. Limestone colluvial parent material causes soil pH to be slightly to moderately alkaline. Plant diversity, particularly among forbs, is higher here than in similar communities associated with acidic soils (Landfire, 2009).
Fire
Post-fire studies in the Arctic are lacking (Landfire, 2009). However, this community likely burns. Soils are generally wet. However, like tussock tundra, this ecological site produces an adequate fuel load on steeper slopes to be susceptible to lightning strikes during the dry months. It may also burn if neighboring vegetation catches fire first.
The post-fire community depends on fire severity and frequency. Burned locations generally support a mix of fast-growing herbaceous species along with extant shrubs. A severe burn may lower permafrost, allowing deeper-rooting shrubs such as willow to colonize. As a site stabilizes and the organic horizon redevelops, permafrost returns, and the vegetative composition will return to that of the reference plant community.
Alternate State
One alternate state is recognized in this ecological site. Solifluction lobes are a type of patterned ground. These linear features develop perpendicular to the slope direction. Solifluction formation leads to a distinct mosaic of vegetation.
Solifluction lobes have distinct plant communities associated with different positions. The first plant community (2.1) occurs on the top and leading edge of the lobe. Soils are drier and have more organic in the subsurface horizons. This community contains less hydrophytic species than community 1.1. The second community is at the base of the leading edge. This area is typically concave and ponds water. Hydrophytic species are the dominant plant type.
The information in this Ecological Dynamics section, including the state-and-transition model (STM), was developed based on professional experience and a review of available 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.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
T1A - Solifluction lobe formation R2A - Solifluction lobe degradation State 1 submodel, plant communities
1.1A - Fire 1.2A - Fire recovery State 2 submodel, plant communities
2.1A - Solifluction lobe movement 2.2A - Solifluction lobe movement State 1
Reference StateThis reference state is developed and characterized using available vegetation models, most notably United States Department of Agriculture - Soil Conservation Service range surveys from the 1980s (SCS, 1984; Swanson et al., 1985).
The reference state describes two distinct vegetative communities. One post-burn community is recognized. Exposure to wind and low annual temperatures restrict vegetation height.
There is no indication of an alternate grazing state on this site. Targeted data collection may be able to address whether grazing or browsing in the reference state result in an alternate state.Dominant plant species
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dwarf birch (Betula nana), shrub
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bog blueberry (Vaccinium uliginosum), shrub
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entireleaf mountain-avens (Dryas integrifolia), shrub
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tealeaf willow (Salix pulchra), shrub
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netleaf willow (Salix reticulata), shrub
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sedge (Carex), grass
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field horsetail (Equisetum arvense), other herbaceous
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arctic sweet coltsfoot (Petasites frigidus), other herbaceous
Community 1.1
Betula nana - Vaccinium uliginosum / Carex bigelowii - Carex aquatilisThis community is an open low scrubland (Viereck et al., 1992). The major plant groups are low shrubs, dwarf shrubs, and medium graminoids (Swanson et al., 1985). Plant height is restricted by wind exposure. This community is primarily comprised of ericaceous shrubs, though some alpine indicator species (Dryas spp., Loiseleuria procumbens) may be present. Open areas support mostly mosses. Ground cover often also contains lichens, herbaceous litter, and some surface rock fragments.
Tabular data for this community is from the 1984 Seward range site publication (SCS, 1984), with supplemental information from Swanson et al. (1985).
Forest understory. Live lichen and moss annual production cannot be measured accurately due to a lack of information on growth rates and/or slow annual growth rates. Lichen and moss biomass data below refers to total biomass, while vascular plants biomass refers to annual production.
Dominant plant species
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dwarf birch (Betula nana), shrub
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bog blueberry (Vaccinium uliginosum), shrub
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entireleaf mountain-avens (Dryas integrifolia), shrub
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tealeaf willow (Salix pulchra), shrub
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netleaf willow (Salix reticulata), shrub
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black crowberry (Empetrum nigrum), shrub
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marsh Labrador tea (Ledum palustre ssp. decumbens), shrub
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Bigelow's sedge (Carex bigelowii), grass
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water sedge (Carex aquatilis), grass
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field horsetail (Equisetum arvense), other herbaceous
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arctic sweet coltsfoot (Petasites frigidus), other herbaceous
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cloudberry (Rubus chamaemorus), other herbaceous
Figure 7. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)
Table 6. Annual production by plant type
Plant type Low
(lb/acre)Representative value
(lb/acre)High
(lb/acre)Moss 800 2040 4000 Shrub/Vine 315 340 360 Grass/Grasslike 200 215 230 Lichen 100 150 200 Forb 55 60 65 Total 1470 2805 4855 Table 7. Ground cover
Tree foliar cover 0% Shrub/vine/liana foliar cover 30-50% Grass/grasslike foliar cover 10-30% Forb foliar cover 10-10% Non-vascular plants 40-80% Biological crusts 0% Litter 10-30% Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3" 0% Surface fragments >3" 0-10% Bedrock 0% Water 0-10% Bare ground 0-10% Community 1.2
Carex spp. / Chamerion angustifoliumThis community is a mesic forb herbaceous meadow (Viereck et al., 1992). The major plant groups are medium graminoids, medium forbs, and mosses (Landfire, 2009). Species composition of this post-fire community will vary based on pre-fire site conditions and fire severity. Generally, the community will support sedges and mosses, as well as fast-growing colonizing species such as fireweed. Surviving individuals of extant shrubs may be present.
Dominant plant species
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sedge (Carex), grass
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bluejoint (Calamagrostis canadensis), grass
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fireweed (Chamerion angustifolium), other herbaceous
Pathway 1.1A
Community 1.1 to 1.2Fire dynamics on this ecological site are poorly understood (Landfire, 2009). Fire severity and frequency have a direct impact on post-fire vegetative composition. A low severity fire may only burn susceptible above ground plant biomass. A severe fire will destroy above surface biomass and part or all of the organic horizon as well as rootstock. The fire return interval is unknown, but may match that of similarly located tussock tundra, at between 30 - 600+ years.
Key drivers
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Fire
Pathway 1.2A
Community 1.2 to 1.1Fire dynamics on this ecological site are poorly understood (Landfire, 2009). This community is generally short-lived (1 to 19 years) (Landfire, 2009). Community 1.2 is quickly colonized by shrubs from the seedstock or from nearby seed sources.
State 2
Solifluction LobesThe reference state describes solifluction lobe features. There are two distinct vegetative communities on this feature. Exposure to wind and low annual temperatures restrict vegetation height.
Dominant plant species
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dwarf birch (Betula nana), shrub
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bog blueberry (Vaccinium uliginosum), shrub
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black crowberry (Empetrum nigrum), shrub
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sedge (Carex), grass
Community 2.1
Betula nana - Vaccinium uliginosum / Carex bigelowiiThis community is a closed low scrubland (Viereck et al., 1992). The major plant groups are low shrubs, dwarf shrubs, and medium graminoids (Swanson et al., 1985). Plant height is restricted by wind exposure.
Dominant plant species
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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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marsh Labrador tea (Ledum palustre ssp. decumbens), shrub
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Bigelow's sedge (Carex bigelowii), grass
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field horsetail (Equisetum arvense), other herbaceous
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cloudberry (Rubus chamaemorus), other herbaceous
Community 2.2
Salix pulchra / Carex bigelowii - Carex aquatilisThis community is in the concavity beneath the leading edge of the solifluction lobe. Soils are wet and ponded, which is reflected in the hydrophytic vegetation. Common plant groups include low shrubs, medium graminoids, and medium forbs. Ground cover may be comprised of a mix of Sphagnum mosses and water.
Dominant plant species
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tealeaf willow (Salix pulchra), shrub
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water sedge (Carex aquatilis), grass
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arctic sweet coltsfoot (Petasites frigidus), other herbaceous
Pathway 2.1A
Community 2.1 to 2.2Solifluction lobe movement
Pathway 2.2A
Community 2.2 to 2.1Solifluction lobe movement
Transition T1A
State 1 to 2Solifluction lobes are created by the downward slide of soil and overlying vegetation atop a substrate of permafrost and seasonal melt.
Restoration pathway R2A
State 2 to 1Solifluction lobe degradation occurs with the natural movement that creates the solifluction lobe.
Additional community tables
Table 8. Community 1.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Undefined1 Vascular plants 570–660 Shrub/Vine2 Shrubs 315–360 dwarf birch BENA Betula nana 55–60 – bog blueberry VAUL Vaccinium uliginosum 50–60 – entireleaf mountain-avens DRIN4 Dryas integrifolia 45–50 – tealeaf willow SAPU15 Salix pulchra 35–40 – netleaf willow SARE2 Salix reticulata 30–40 – Alaska bog willow SAFU Salix fuscescens 15–20 – black crowberry EMNI Empetrum nigrum 15–20 – marsh Labrador tea LEPAD Ledum palustre ssp. decumbens 15 – alpine azalea LOPR Loiseleuria procumbens 15 – lingonberry VAVI Vaccinium vitis-idaea 15 – arctic willow SAAR27 Salix arctica 10 – red fruit bearberry ARRU Arctostaphylos rubra 6–7 – Chamisso's willow SACH Salix chamissonis 4–5 – eightpetal mountain-avens DROC Dryas octopetala 2–3 – grayleaf willow SAGL Salix glauca 2 – white arctic mountain heather CATE11 Cassiope tetragona 2 – alpine bearberry ARAL2 Arctostaphylos alpina 1 – Grass/Grasslike3 Grass/Grasslike 200–230 Bigelow's sedge CABI5 Carex bigelowii 150–175 – water sedge CAAQ Carex aquatilis 30–40 – bluegrass POA Poa 5 – wideleaf polargrass ARLA2 Arctagrostis latifolia 3–4 – sheathed sedge CAVA2 Carex vaginata 3–4 – spike sedge CANA2 Carex nardina 2 – round sedge CARO7 Carex rotundata 1 – red cottongrass ERRU2 Eriophorum russeolum 1 – tussock cottongrass ERVA4 Eriophorum vaginatum 1 – bluejoint CACA4 Calamagrostis canadensis 1 – sedge CAREX Carex 1 – threadleaf sedge CAFI Carex filifolia 1 – Forb4 Forb 55–65 cloudberry RUCH Rubus chamaemorus 15–20 – field horsetail EQAR Equisetum arvense 7–9 – wintergreen PYROL Pyrola 5–6 – tall Jacob's-ladder POAC Polemonium acutiflorum 3–4 – arctic sweet coltsfoot PEFR5 Petasites frigidus 3 – twoflower cinquefoil POBI8 Potentilla biflora 2 – marsh horsetail EQPA Equisetum palustre 2 – tall bluebells MEPA Mertensia paniculata 0–1 – lousewort PEDIC Pedicularis 1 – capitate lousewort PECA2 Pedicularis capitata 1 – Labrador lousewort PELA Pedicularis labradorica 0–1 – larkspurleaf monkshood ACDE2 Aconitum delphiniifolium 1 – nodding arnica ARLE2 Arnica lessingii 0–1 – boreal sagebrush ARAR9 Artemisia arctica 1 – draba DRABA Draba 0–1 – alpine bistort POVI3 Polygonum viviparum 1 – liverleaf wintergreen PYAS Pyrola asarifolia 1 – sidebells wintergreen ORSE Orthilia secunda 0–1 – buttercup RANUN Ranunculus 1 – arctic raspberry RUAR Rubus arcticus 0–1 – narrowleaf saw-wort SAAN3 Saussurea angustifolia 1 – nutty saw-wort SANU Saussurea nuda 1 – heartleaf saxifrage SANEN Saxifraga nelsoniana ssp. nelsoniana 1 – captiate valerian VACA3 Valeriana capitata 1 – Forb (herbaceous, not grass nor grass-like) 2FORB Forb (herbaceous, not grass nor grass-like) 1 – Lichen5 Live lichen biomass 100–200 FLCU Flavocetraria cucullata 40–80 – island cetraria lichen CEIS60 Cetraria islandica 30–60 – greygreen reindeer lichen CLRA60 Cladina rangiferina 15–25 – reindeer lichen CLAR60 Cladina arbuscula 9–19 – cup lichen CLADO3 Cladonia 3–7 – cup lichen CLGR13 Cladonia gracilis 3–6 – Lichen 2LICHN Lichen 0–1 – witch's hair lichen ALOC60 Alectoria ochroleuca 1 – Moss6 Moss / Clubmoss biomass 800–4000 Table 9. Community 1.2 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 10. Community 2.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 11. Community 2.2 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Interpretations
Animal community
This site supports a variety of wildlife species adapted to take advantage of foods that
appear only briefly, but often in great abundance. Grizzly bear, and to a lesser extent
black bear, arrive first in spring to feed on emerging sedges, grasses, and forbs, and
return again in fall to gorge themselves on ripening berries. In spring, arctic ground
squirrels and, near rocky cover, hoary marmots end their hibernations and begin their
brief season of breeding, raising young, and putting on fat for the winter. Voles, and
other small mammals active all winter in the relative warmth of underground burrows,
nests, and runways, emerge to feed, breed and store "hay" for the winter. They provide
prey for the raptors, foxes, wolverines, and other predators that arrive to take advantage
of the seasonal flurry of small mammal activity. Migratory birds adapted to breed here,
hardy species like the seed-eating common redpoll and the insectivorous water pipit and
lapland longspur, arrive for their brief nesting season. During the summer, these high
shrub meadows are also favored by moose, who feed particularly on the abundant dwarf
arctic birch and willows, as well as sedges and forbs. As winter approaches, many of
these birds and mammals move to lower elevations or latitudes to escape the harsh
mountain winter, or like the ground squirrel and marmot, withdraw to winter dens to
hibernate. Then only a few small mammals remain active beneath the snow, feeding on
stored plant matter and buried parts of herbs and shrubs.Recreational uses
Aesthetically this site provides the photographer or sightseer with a picturesque
landscape. This site can be used for snowmobiling, dogsledding, hunting (ptarmigan,
caribou, and bear), trapping (red fox), and fishing in nearby streams. This site can
produce an ample supply of blueberries for the berry picker and if near streams, gold
panning for the enthusiast. Hot mineral springs may also be found on this site.Wood products
No wood products available from this site.
Other products
Grazing
This site is a poor spring range and a fair summer and fall range. Diamond leaf willow
(Salix planifolia) dwarf arctic birch (Betula nana), and sedges can provide high value forage during these seasons.Other information
These interpretive narratives were developed for USDA reports of range sites on the Seward Peninsula and appear here as written when originally published (SCS, 1984; Swanson et al., 1985).
Supporting information
Inventory data references
Vegetative communities and transitions are described using existing models and expert knowledge. There are no vegetation inventory data points in NASIS associated with this ecological site. External data sources: The Alaska Vegetation Classification (Viereck et al., 1992) LANDFIRE Biophysical Settings Models (LANDFIRE, 2009) Ecological site descriptions of the Seward Peninsula (SCS, 1984). Range survey of the Seward Peninsula reindeer ranges (Swanson et al., 1985)
References
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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
Brinson, M.M. 1993. A hydrogeomorphic classification for wetlands. Wetlands Research Program, US Army Corp of Engineers. Technical Report WRP-DE-4.
Kautz, D.R., P. Taber, and S. Nield, editors. 2012. Land Resource Regions and Major Land Resource Areas of Alaska. United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA–NRCS).
LANDFIRE Biophysical Settings. 2009. Biophysical Setting 6816902 – Alaska Arctic Dwarf Shrubland. In: LANDFIRE Biophysical Setting Model: Map zone 68, [Online]. In: Vegetation Dynamics Models. In: LANDFIRE. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory; U.S. Geological Survey; Arlington, VA: The Nature Conservancy (Producers). Available: https://www.landfire.gov/national_veg_models_op2.php. Accessed Sept 24, 2024
PRISM Climate Group. 2018. “Alaska – average monthly and annual precipitation and minimum, maximum, and mean temperature for the period 1981-2010.” Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon. https://prism.oregonstate.edu/projects/alaska.php. Accessed Sept 17, 2024.
Raynolds, M.K., D.A. Walker and H.A Maier. 2006. Alaska Arctic Tundra Vegetation Map. Scale 1:4,000,000. Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna (CAFF) Map No. 2, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Anchorage, Alaska.
Scenarios network for Alaska and arctic planning (SNAP). 2014. “Historical Monthly Temperature – 1km, 1901-2009”. http://ckan.snap.uaf.edu/dataset/. Accessed Sept 17, 2024.
Scenarios network for Alaska and arctic planning (SNAP). 2014. “Historical monthly and derived precipitation products downscaled from CRU TS data via the delta methods – 2km, 1901-2009”. http://ckan.snap.uaf.edu/dataset/. Accessed Sept 17, 2024.
SCS (Soil Conservation Service). 1984. Ecological site descriptions, Seward Peninsula. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service, Alaska Field Office, Anchorage.
Soil Survey Staff. 2013. Simplified Guide to Soil Taxonomy. USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service, National Soil Survey Center, Lincoln, NE.
Swanson, J.D., M. Schuman, and P.C. Scorup. 1985. Range survey of the Seward Peninsula reindeer ranges, Alaska. US Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service.
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. U.S. Department of Agriculture Handbook 296.
United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service. 2008. Hydrogeomorphic Wetland Classification System: an overview and modification to better meet the needs of the Natural Resources Conservation Service. Technical Note No 190-8-76.
Western Regional Climate Center. 2021. Climate of Alaska. Retrieved from https://wrcc.dri.edu/Climate/narrative_ak.php. Accessed November 15, 2024.Contributors
Phil Barber
Blaine Spellman
Marji Patz
Steph Schmit
Karin SonnenApproval
Blaine Spellman, 5/29/2025
Acknowledgments
The described soil – ecological site correlations described in this document were reviewed during a February 2024 Provisional Ecological Site workshop in Wasilla, AK. Many thanks are given to the NRCS staff who have provided feedback regarding the MLRA 241X ecological site key and ESDs delivered under the PES national initiative. This ecological site description (ESD) fulfills the requirements of the Provisional Ecological Site (PES) national initiative. This ESD is published to fit current site-soil correlations as they are currently mapped and understood. Further data collection may provide the information to update this ESD from the provisional level to the approved level.
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 09/23/2026 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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