Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Ecological site R241XY134AK
Arctic Scrub Loamy Hillslopes
Last updated: 5/29/2025
Accessed: 10/08/2026
-
Search
Major Land Resource Area or ecological site by name and/or ID.
PreviousSectionsNextGeneral information
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:
Open low scrub (II.C.2 - level III) / Open low shrub birch – willow shrub (II.C.2.f – level IV)
(Viereck et al., 1992)
BioPhysical Settings: 6816821 – Alaska Arctic Scrub Birch – Ericaceous Shrubland
(LANDFIRE, 2009)
Seward Rangesites
43A – Low Shrub-Sedge Meadow
(SCS, 1984; Swanson et al., 1985)Ecological site concept
Ecological Site characteristics:
• Associated with an open low shrubland on arctic plains and hill slopes
• Fire is the major disturbance and is responsible for one post-disturbance community
• The reference plant community is a birch-ericaceous shrubland with graminoids throughout
• Soils are cold, wet Gelisols in the reference state
• Ponding does not occur
• Nonsorted circles are common periglacial features on the described landform. These are represented by an alternate state.Associated sites
R241XY130AK Arctic Scrub Loamy Warm Hillslopes
R241XY130AK describes open, low scrublands on valley hills and plains. Soils lack permafrost and plant productivity is predicted to be greater than in R241XY134AK.
R241XY131AK Arctic Tussock Loamy Frozen Slopes
R241XY131AK describes the tussock tundra on plains and hills with very poorly drained, permafrost soils.
Similar sites
R241XY130AK Arctic Scrub Loamy Warm Hillslopes
R241XY130AK describes open, low scrublands on valley hills and plains. Annual temperatures are warmer, permafrost is absent, average shrub height is greater, and community production is expected to be more than that of R241XY134AK.
Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree Not specified
Shrub (1) Ledum palustre ssp. decumbens
(2) Betula nanaHerbaceous (1) Carex bigelowii
(2) Eriophorum vaginatumPhysiographic features
This ecological site occurs on arctic hill slopes and plains. Elevation typically ranges from 100 to 1,000 feet above sea level, though may extend higher on warm slopes. Slope gradients are nearly level to strongly sloping (0 to 12 percent) and this site occurs on all aspects. A shallow water table between 0 and 10 inches is present throughout the year. The reference state ponds briefly and occasionally at depths up to 12 inches.
Non-sorted circles are common periglacial microfeatures. The diameter of nonsorted circles ranges from 1.5 to 10 feet and can be mounded well above the surrounding vegetation. Nonsorted circles have unique site and soil properties that result in a mosaic of vegetation. Nonsorted circles have drier soils compared to the reference state.Table 2. Representative physiographic features
Slope shape across (1) Linear
Slope shape up-down (1) Linear
Hillslope profile (1) Backslope
(2) Footslope
(3) Toeslope
Landforms (1) Plains > Plain
(2) Hills > Hill
(3) Plains > Plain > Nonsorted circle
(4) Hills > Hill > Nonsorted circle
Runoff class Negligible to low Flooding frequency None Ponding duration Brief (2 to 7 days) Ponding frequency Occasional Elevation 100 – 1000 ft Slope 0 – 12 % 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 Brief (2 to 7 days) Ponding frequency None to occasional Elevation 100 – 1500 ft Slope 0 % Ponding depth 0 in Water table depth 0 – 39 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 site is not associated with or influenced by streams or wetlands. Precipitation and throughflow are the main source of water for this ecological site. Surface runoff and throughflow contribute water to downslope ecological sites.
Wetland description
This ecological site may be classified as a slope wetland under the Hydrogeomorphic (HGM) classification system (Smith et al. 1995; USDA-NRCS 2008). A shallow water table is present in the reference state throughout the year.
Soil features
Soils in the reference state are frozen, highly organic Historthels (Soil Survey Staff, 2013). All soils formed in gravelly till or outwash. Rock fragments comprise less than 15 percent of surface area. The organic cap is about 11 inches. Soils are very deep. Permafrost is moderately deep, and strongly contrasting textural stratification is shallow when present. Subsurface rock fragment volume is moderate (15 to 35 percent). Soil pH is extremely to moderately acidic.
Soils in the alternate state are cryoturbated turbels. Nonsorted circles have unique soil properties distinct from the reference state. Soils are drier and cryoturbated with high surface fragment cover. Subsurface rock volume can exceed 70 percent.Table 5. Representative soil features
Parent material (1) Till
(2) Eolian deposits
(3) Outwash
Surface texture (1) Peat
(2) Silt loam
Drainage class Poorly drained Permeability class Moderate Depth to restrictive layer 13 – 25 in Soil depth 60 – 0 in Surface fragment cover <=3" 1 – 9 % Surface fragment cover >3" 0 – 5 % Available water capacity
(0-40in)3.5 – 5 in Soil reaction (1:1 water)
(0-10in)3.7 – 5.6 Subsurface fragment volume <=3"
(0-60in)6 – 13 % Subsurface fragment volume >3"
(0-60in)8 – 20 % Table 6. Representative soil features (actual values)
Drainage class Poorly drained to moderately well drained Permeability class Not specified Depth to restrictive layer 1 – 25 in Soil depth 60 – 0 in Surface fragment cover <=3" 0 % Surface fragment cover >3" 0 % Available water capacity
(0-40in)3.5 – 5 in Soil reaction (1:1 water)
(0-10in)2.1 – 5.6 Subsurface fragment volume <=3"
(0-60in)6 – 48 % Subsurface fragment volume >3"
(0-60in)1 – 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 cold annual air temperatures and soil wetness caused by permafrost and seasonal melt. Snow pack may further shorten an already short growing season in concave positions. Cool temperatures and a shortened growing season support slow growing, often evergreen shrubs. Average shrub height is taller here than in more exposed, convex slopes. Soils are cold and wet and support permafrost.
Fire is the major disturbance on this ecological site. It is responsible for a unique post-disturbance community. Post-fire community composition depends on fire factors such as frequency and severity. Moderate fires may only burn surface vegetation, leaving extant species to resprout immediately from seed source and surviving root stock. A severe fire burns the organic layer and destroys part or all of the root stock. The post-fire community is comprised of colonizing, fast-growing herbaceous species.
One alternate state is recognized in this ecological site. Non-sorted circles are a type of patterned ground that is not managed for. On gentle slopes, these patterned features are roughly circular and become elongated as steepness increases. In this area, non-sorted circles diameter commonly ranges from 1.5 to 10 feet and are mounded above the surrounding vegetation. These circles are considered nonsorted due to an absence of coarse rock fragments on their borders (Schoeneberger and Wysocki 2017). The formation of these nonsorted circles leads to a distinct mosaic of vegetation.
Non-sorted circles have distinct plant communities that are associated with different positions on the non-sorted circle. The first plant community (2.2) occurs between non-sorted circles and generally resembles the reference plant community. Plant community 2.2 is classified as open low scrub (Viereck et al. 1992). The second community is in the circle center and is mostly unvegetated area with high surface rock fragments (community 2.1). by a mostly unvegetated area with high surface rock fragments (community 2.1).
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 - Nonsorted circle creation R2A - Cessation of microfeature freezing processes State 1 submodel, plant communities
1.1A - Fire 1.2A - Fire recovery State 2 submodel, plant communities
2.1A - The process that creates nonsorted circles creates communities 2.1 and 2.2 simultaneously. Soil at the center of a circle is frozen and cryoturbated, restricting most vegetation colonization and growth. 2.2A - Frost heave sorting 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 (SCS, 1984; Swanson et al., 1985).
The reference state describes two distinct vegetative communities supported by a fire cycle regime. Vegetation height is restricted by shallow to moderately deep permafrost.
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
-
marsh Labrador tea (Ledum palustre ssp. decumbens), shrub
-
dwarf birch (Betula nana), shrub
-
bog blueberry (Vaccinium uliginosum), shrub
-
mountain alder (Alnus viridis ssp. crispa), shrub
-
Bigelow's sedge (Carex bigelowii), grass
-
tussock cottongrass (Eriophorum vaginatum), grass
Community 1.1
Ledum palustre ssp. decumbens - Betula nana / Carex bigelowii - Eriophorum vaginatumThis community is an open low scrubland (Viereck et al., 1992). Major plant groups are medium shrubs, low shrubs, and medium graminoids (Swanson et al., 1985). This community is comprised of birch, alder, and ericaceous shrubs. Vegetation ranges from facultative to obligate wetland species. Ground cover is a mix of mosses, lichens, and herbaceous litter.
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
-
marsh Labrador tea (Ledum palustre ssp. decumbens), shrub
-
dwarf birch (Betula nana), shrub
-
bog blueberry (Vaccinium uliginosum), shrub
-
mountain alder (Alnus viridis ssp. crispa), shrub
-
tealeaf willow (Salix pulchra), shrub
-
lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea), shrub
-
Bigelow's sedge (Carex bigelowii), grass
-
tussock cottongrass (Eriophorum vaginatum), grass
-
cup lichen (Cladonia), other herbaceous
-
greygreen reindeer lichen (Cladina rangiferina), other herbaceous
Figure 7. Annual production by plant type (representative values) or group (midpoint values)
Table 7. Annual production by plant type
Plant type Low
(lb/acre)Representative value
(lb/acre)High
(lb/acre)Moss 2500 8180 8500 Shrub/Vine 685 750 820 Grass/Grasslike 245 270 290 Forb 50 55 60 Lichen 30 45 60 Total 3510 9300 9730 Table 8. Ground cover
Tree foliar cover 0% Shrub/vine/liana foliar cover 50-80% Grass/grasslike foliar cover 10-30% Forb foliar cover 0-10% Non-vascular plants 20-40% Biological crusts 0% Litter 30-50% Surface fragments >0.25" and <=3" 0% Surface fragments >3" 0-10% Bedrock 0% Water 0-10% Bare ground 0-10% Community 1.2
Calamagrostis canadensis - Festuca altaica / Chamerion angustifoliumThis community has generally been burned within the last 5 to 20 years (Landfire, 2009). It is comprised of extant species present pre-burn, as well as fast-growing colonizing herbaceous species. Major plant groups are tall and medium graminoids, and medium and low forbs (Landfire, 2009). Ground cover varies based on burn severity and time since burn, but usually supports mosses, lichens, herbaceous litter, and water.
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
-
bluejoint (Calamagrostis canadensis), grass
-
tussock cottongrass (Eriophorum vaginatum), grass
-
Bigelow's sedge (Carex bigelowii), grass
-
fireweed (Chamerion angustifolium), other herbaceous
Pathway 1.1A
Community 1.1 to 1.2Fire is the major disturbance on this site, though poorly understood. Without fire, this site appears to be stable over time (Viereck et al., 1992). Even though susceptible to fire, the mean fire return intervals may range up to once per six hundred to one thousand years (Landfire, 2009). Fire effects on this site are dependent on fire severity and frequency. One effect is the creation of open areas where fast growing, herbaceous species colonize.
Key drivers
-
Fire
Pathway 1.2A
Community 1.2 to 1.1Fire recovery occurs regularly quickly, generally within five years (Landfire, 2009). Shrubs recolonize and spread from surviving rootstock or via seed.
State 2
Nonsorted Circle StateThis state is developed and characterized using available vegetation models and published literature and is supplemented with field experience.
This state describes two communities that make up nonsorted circles. The inner part of the circle is often unvegetated and is dominated by surface rock fragments and bare soil. The circle ring is comprised of similar vegetation to that of the reference state. This community does not appear to be susceptible to fire. Exposure to wind and low annual temperatures restrict vegetation height.
The historic and current use of introduced ungulates in MLRA 241X may have altered the potential natural vegetation on this ecological site. No data indicates 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
-
eightpetal mountain-avens (Dryas octopetala), shrub
-
black crowberry (Empetrum nigrum), shrub
-
sedge (Carex), grass
-
Altai fescue (Festuca altaica), grass
Community 2.1
Nonsorted Circle CenterVegetation in this community is sparse or absent. Surface rock fragments and bare soil make up the majority of ground cover.
Community 2.2
Nonsorted Circle EdgeThis community is a low scrubland (Viereck et al., 1992). It is typically made up of species present in the reference state. Community composition of nonsorted circle ring vegetation varies between and within areas.
Dominant plant species
-
marsh Labrador tea (Ledum palustre ssp. decumbens), shrub
-
dwarf birch (Betula nana), shrub
-
bog blueberry (Vaccinium uliginosum), shrub
-
tealeaf willow (Salix pulchra), shrub
-
tussock cottongrass (Eriophorum vaginatum), grass
-
Bigelow's sedge (Carex bigelowii), grass
Pathway 2.1A
Community 2.1 to 2.2The process that creates nonsorted circles creates communities 2.1 and 2.2 simultaneously. Soil at the center of a circle is frozen and cryoturbated, restricting most vegetation colonization and growth.
Pathway 2.2A
Community 2.2 to 2.1The process that creates nonsorted circles creates communities 2.1 and 2.2 simultaneously. Soil pushed to the edge of the circle generally remains vegetated with the same species found in the reference state.
Transition T1A
State 1 to 2The process that creates nonsorted circles creates communities 2.1 and 2.2 simultaneously. Gaps in the insulation provided by the organic layer allow available water to freeze. Surface and subsurface freezing and cryoturbation of the soil restrict plant roots and growth, eventually removing vegetation from the center. A ring of vegetation is created as the circle center is cryoturbated and vegetation is restricted (Daanen et al., 2008). The formation of these nonsorted circles leads to a distinct mosaic of vegetation.
Restoration pathway R2A
State 2 to 1The conditions required for nonsorted circles to disappear is poorly understood. It is suggested that if the freeze/thaw process that creates and maintains nonsorted circles ends, then edge vegetation may colonize the circle, reestablishing the reference state across the microfeature.
Additional community tables
Table 9. Community 1.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Undefined1 Vascular Plants 980–1170 Shrub/Vine2 Shrub 685–820 marsh Labrador tea LEPAD Ledum palustre ssp. decumbens 145–175 – dwarf birch BENA Betula nana 135–165 – bog blueberry VAUL Vaccinium uliginosum 125–150 – mountain alder ALVIC Alnus viridis ssp. crispa 110–130 – tealeaf willow SAPU15 Salix pulchra 90–110 – lingonberry VAVI Vaccinium vitis-idaea 55–65 – Richardson's willow SARI4 Salix richardsonii 9–11 – black crowberry EMNI Empetrum nigrum 8–9 – Lapland rosebay RHLA2 Rhododendron lapponicum 0–1 – Alaska bog willow SAFU Salix fuscescens 1 – alpine bearberry ARAL2 Arctostaphylos alpina 0–1 – netleaf willow SARE2 Salix reticulata 1 – small cranberry VAOX Vaccinium oxycoccos 0–1 – Grass/Grasslike3 Grass/Grasslike 245–290 Bigelow's sedge CABI5 Carex bigelowii 145–170 – tussock cottongrass ERVA4 Eriophorum vaginatum 105–125 – water sedge CAAQ Carex aquatilis 10–12 – cottongrass ERIOP Eriophorum 7–8 – Forb4 Forb 50–60 cloudberry RUCH Rubus chamaemorus 20 – field horsetail EQAR Equisetum arvense 10–12 – arctic sweet coltsfoot PEFR5 Petasites frigidus 5–6 – Lichen5 Live lichen biomass 30–60 FLCU Flavocetraria cucullata 6–13 – cup lichen CLADO3 Cladonia 5–11 – greygreen reindeer lichen CLRA60 Cladina rangiferina 5–10 – reindeer lichen CLAR60 Cladina arbuscula 3–7 – reindeer lichen CLMI60 Cladina mitis 3–6 – cup lichen CLGR13 Cladonia gracilis 2–5 – island cetraria lichen CEIS60 Cetraria islandica 2–5 – cup lichen CLAM60 Cladonia amaurocraea 1–2 – Lichen 2LICHN Lichen 1–2 – Moss6 Moss/Clubmoss biomass 2500–8500 Table 10. Community 1.2 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 11. Community 2.1 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Table 12. Community 2.2 plant community composition
Group Common name Symbol Scientific name Annual production () Foliar cover (%) Interpretations
Animal community
From winter through late spring snows blanket the low-growing vegetation. 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
This site is used for snowmobiling, dogsledding, and hunting (ptarmigan, grizzly bear, and caribou). This site has potential for trapping of red fox. Aesthetically this site provides the photographer or artist with a picturesque landscape. There is also potential for blueberry and crowberry picking. Hot mineral springs may also be found near this site.
Wood products
No wood products available from this site.
Other products
Grazing
This site is a fair winter range, and due to the fragile characteristics of lichens, it should not be used for any other seasonal range. Sedges and grasses can provide high value forage during the early part of this season.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
-
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
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 6816821 – Alaska Arctic Scrub Birch-Ericaceous Shrub. 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.
Schoeneberger, P.J., and Wysocki, D.A. 2017. Geomorphic Description
System, Version 5.0. Natural Resources Conservation Service, National Soil
Survey Center, Lincoln, NE.
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 Sonnen
Abigail ClappApproval
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 10/08/2026 Approved by Approval date Composition (Indicators 10 and 12) based on Annual Production Indicators
-
Number and extent of rills:
-
Presence of water flow patterns:
-
Number and height of erosional pedestals or terracettes:
-
Bare ground from Ecological Site Description or other studies (rock, litter, lichen, moss, plant canopy are not bare ground):
-
Number of gullies and erosion associated with gullies:
-
Extent of wind scoured, blowouts and/or depositional areas:
-
Amount of litter movement (describe size and distance expected to travel):
-
Soil surface (top few mm) resistance to erosion (stability values are averages - most sites will show a range of values):
-
Soil surface structure and SOM content (include type of structure and A-horizon color and thickness):
-
Effect of community phase composition (relative proportion of different functional groups) and spatial distribution on infiltration and runoff:
-
Presence and thickness of compaction layer (usually none; describe soil profile features which may be mistaken for compaction on this site):
-
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:
-
Amount of plant mortality and decadence (include which functional groups are expected to show mortality or decadence):
-
Average percent litter cover (%) and depth ( in):
-
Expected annual annual-production (this is TOTAL above-ground annual-production, not just forage annual-production):
-
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:
-
Perennial plant reproductive capability:
Print Options
Sections
Font
AAAAOther
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.
Accessibility statement
