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Ecological site VX226X00A110

Aleutian Eolian Plains and Hills

Last updated: 6/14/2025
Accessed: 12/05/2025

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General 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): 226X–Aleutian Islands-Western Alaska Peninsula

MLRA 226X is the only MLRA in the Aleutian Alaska Region. It makes up about 5,190 square miles (13,450 square kilometers). The chain of islands includes west of Unimak Island to Attu Island, the Pribilof Islands, and the Sanak Islands. Characteristics and weather patterns of the far western end of the Alaska Peninsula is being included in this MLRA. It is bordered on the south by the Pacific Ocean and on the north by the Bering Sea (the Pribilof Islands are bordered on all sides by the Bering Sea). The coastline is complex, with many prominent headlands, sea cliffs, and narrow, steep-walled bays. Elevation ranges from sea level to more than 4,000 feet (1,220 meters) on many of the islands. Islands drain into the North Pacific and the Bering Sea by numerous short, steep-gradient rivers and streams. Lakes make up less than 2 percent of the area.

Geology
This MLRA includes more than 50 volcanoes, with an estimated 27 with activity since the 1950s. Volcanic rocks and unconsolidated deposits from the Quaternary and Tertiary period overlie a submarine ridge of Tertiary sedimentary rocks. Glacial ice once covered the eastern part of the area to approximately Umnak Island. West of Umnak, only the upper elevations were glaciated. Glaciers account for only 1.5 percent, occurring on the highest volcanoes. Volcanic activity has mantled most of the area with thick deposits of silty volcanic ash, sandy and gravelly cinders, and volcanic rubble. Lower elevations have areas of glacial influenced landforms. Recent coastal and fluvial deposits occur in scattered areas along the coast and on flood plains.

Water
Precipitation is adequate for crops generally. Permanent mountain streams feed most of the MLRA. The surface water generally is suitable for all uses. The ground water used in this MLRA is primarily from unconsolidated river valley sediments and bedrock aquifers. Iron is commonly high in the ground water, causing staining and precipitate in pipes. Wells are shallow with constant recharge by freshwater (rainfall and runoff); and are highly susceptible to contamination from runoff. The intrusion of seawater can be a problem along the coast.

Soils
The dominant soil orders in this MLRA are Andisols and Histosols. Miscellaneous areas (cinder land, rock outcrop, water, riverwash, and beaches) make up about 45 percent of this MLRA. The main soils are: Cryofibrists are poorly drained or very poorly drained and formed in thick deposits of organic material, along the margins of streams and lakeshores.
Tsammana series, Andic Dystrocryepts, Aquandic Dystrocryepts and Vitrandic Dystrocryepts are coarse marine sediments underlain by volcanic deposits. Zolotoi series and other Haplocryands are shallow to deep, well drained to excessively drained, and formed in moderately thick or thick deposits of silty to sandy volcanic ash and coarse sandy to gravelly cinders over basalt bedrock. Polovina series and other Vitricryands are shallow to deep, well drained to excessively drained, and formed in moderately thick or thick deposits of silty to sandy volcanic ash and coarse sandy to gravelly cinders over basalt bedrock.

Biological Resources
Higher elevation vegetation consists of a mosaic of dwarf shrub scrub and lower elevations are wet and dry grasslands. Peatland vegetation consists of low ericaceous shrub scrub. No naturally occurring forests occur on the islands. Aleutian shield fern, Steller sea lion, and the Aleutian Canada goose are currently listed as threatened or endangered. The area is an important winter habitat and nesting habitat for waterfowl and a variety of other birds. Some of the eastern islands support small herds of caribou.

Land Use
Commercial fishing is the primary enterprise, with fur seal harvesting for pelts and meat, Reindeer herding, and small cattle herds. Subsistence hunting, fishing, and gathering are critical for local residents. The major resource concerns are water erosion and mass wasting of soils. Overgrazing by reindeer has impacted vegetation and introduction of rats, dogs, cats, and foxes has severely impacted the nesting bird populations.

LRU notes

MLRA 226X, although very size-limited, contains a very complex and dynamic of weather patterns driven by the Pacific air currents on the southern exposure of the islands, and the Bering Sea to the north. The mixing or colliding of these two systems, creates very dramatic and intense storm systems that batter the islands. Weather variables from the Pacific to the Bering Sea, extent from west to east, as well as the extreme elevational gradient moving from sea level to Alpine life zone lends to a community diversity that is difficult to describe across an MLRA extent. Land Resource Units (LRUs) will need to be developed for this MLRA, as more extensive soils survey mapping is completed.

Classification relationships

Alaska-Aleutian province of the Pacific Mountain System.

USFS Description of Ecoregions of the United States
100 Polar Domain
120 Tundra Division
126 Bering Tundra (Southern) Province
M120 Tundra Division - Mountain Province
M127 Aleutian Oceanic Meadow--Heath Province
(USFS, 1994)

United States National Vegetation Classification
C04. Polar & High Montane Scrub, Grassland & Barrens Class
S12. Temperate to Polar Alpine & Tundra Vegetation Subclass
F031. Polar Tundra & Barrens Formation
D044. Arctic Tundra & Barrens Division
(USNVC, 2019)

LandFire BpS Model/Description Version: Nov. 2024
16110 - Western North American Boreal Mesic Bluejoint-Forb Meadow
17200 - Aleutian Ericaceous Dwarf-shrub, heath, and Fell-field
There is not a perfect fit that was identified, but these two communities have many similar characteristics.
(Landfire, 2009)

Ecological site concept

- Soils occur on rolling hills and plains rising from the coastal zone and terraces.
- Soils are deep, eolian deposited sands and silts.
- No water table is associated with this site.
- Isolated areas of ponding occur where streams cut through. These are correlated to the Drainage Complex ecological site.
- Rock fragments and isolated occurrences of rock outcrops are rare but do occur.
- The vegetation is diverse with several micro-topographical changes. There are areas of scour that have barren soils and gravels, generally with a strong cover of lichens, but overall, the area is well vegetated with crowberry hummocks, sedges and Reindeer lichen.
- Hummocks are common, as well as kettles.

Associated sites

VX226X00A114	Aleutian Dwarf Shrub Terraces The Eolian hills and plains are generally grading up from the terraces with an increasing dominance of black crowberry. The Terraces are wetter in general with a less dominant role of black crowberry and a higher role of sedges.

VX226X00A114

Aleutian Dwarf Shrub Terraces

The Eolian hills and plains are generally grading up from the terraces with an increasing dominance of black crowberry. The Terraces are wetter in general with a less dominant role of black crowberry and a higher role of sedges.

Similar sites

VX226X00A113	Aleutian Shrub Meadow Ashy Slopes Similar to the Eolian hills, the organic cover of the Organic Ashy slopes provides for black crowberry, however the slopes have a more segmented cover with more exposed ground for lichen and other bryophytes to cover.

VX226X00A113

Aleutian Shrub Meadow Ashy Slopes

Similar to the Eolian hills, the organic cover of the Organic Ashy slopes provides for black crowberry, however the slopes have a more segmented cover with more exposed ground for lichen and other bryophytes to cover.

Table 1. Dominant plant species

Tree	Not specified
Shrub	(1) Empetrum nigrum (2) Rubus spectabilis
Herbaceous	(1) Carex pluriflora (2) Cladina portentosa ssp. pacifica

Legacy ID

R226XY110AK

Download full description

Physiographic features

- On the island landscape, this ecological site is found on hills, plains, and strand plains.
- Slopes are between 0 and 25 percent, although areas are steeper.
Elevation ranges from 20 feet above sea level to 3090 feet approximately but is found higher in the landscape as well.
- Ponding and flooding are not a component of this ecological site. However, association with the Drainage Complex reflects with flooding on adjacent communities.
- No water table is associated with this ecological site.

Table 2. Representative physiographic features

Landforms	(1) Island > Hill (2) Plain (3) Strand plain
Flooding duration	Not specified
Flooding frequency	None
Ponding frequency	None
Elevation	20 – 3,090 ft
Slope	25%
Aspect	W, NW, N, NE, E, SE, S, SW

Table 3. Representative physiographic features (actual ranges)

Flooding duration	Brief (2 to 7 days)
Flooding frequency	None to frequent
Ponding frequency	Not specified
Elevation	20 – 7,040 ft
Slope	60%

Climatic features

The climate is similar to that on the arctic coastal plain, except Islands are impacted by the tides, air movement, and storms influenced by the Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea, and really no inland influence. Winters are less severe than those on the coastal plain, with temperature ranges of 18 to 27 degrees F (10 to 15C), as compared to a 54 degrees F (30C) range on the coastal plain. The climate is characterized by fog and rain, with the amount of precipitation varying little from month to month. Annual precipitation varies from 21 in (530 mm) to more than 78 in (2,000 mm) across all islands. The higher elevations average 46 to 58 inches per year, with smaller islands receiving less precipitation than larger islands. Winds are often severe on the islands. Pacific Ocean water moving northward through the straits between the islands produces complex mixing with Bering Sea water, including upwelling. The Pribilof Islands in the Bering Sea are the southern limit of the arctic ice pack in winter (USDA-NRCS 2022). Weather information below is captured by climate stations located at Dutch Harbor and Cold Bay. The location of these stations represents only a small segment of the dynamic climate across this chain of islands.

Table 4. Representative climatic features

Frost-free period (characteristic range)	78-92 days
Freeze-free period (characteristic range)	122-136 days
Precipitation total (characteristic range)	46-58 in
Frost-free period (actual range)	75-95 days
Freeze-free period (actual range)	119-139 days
Precipitation total (actual range)	43-61 in
Frost-free period (average)	85 days
Freeze-free period (average)	129 days
Precipitation total (average)	52 in

Characteristic range

Actual range

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Figure 1. Monthly precipitation range

Characteristic range

Actual range

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Figure 2. Monthly minimum temperature range

Characteristic range

Actual range

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Figure 3. Monthly maximum temperature range

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Figure 4. Monthly average minimum and maximum temperature

Figure 5. Annual precipitation pattern

Figure 6. Annual average temperature pattern

Climate stations used

(1) DUTCH HARBOR [USC00502587], Unalaska, AK
(2) COLD BAY AP [USW00025624], Cold Bay, AK

Influencing water features

No water table is associated with this ecological site. Runoff from surrounding sites will influence hydrologic characteristics and does contribute to the vegetation on this site.

Wetland description

Seeps and depressions, or pockets may pond water for short periods, providing added benefit to vegetation. These isolated communities, if characteristic of a wetland are included in the Drainage Complex ecological site.

Soil features

- Soils formed in eolian sands and silts commonly derived from scoria that is at times over residuum.
- Rock fragments are rare, especially within the surface horizons.
- Soils are deep to very deep, and in a few areas where rock outcrops occur, there are shallower soils.
- Common soils are Polovina fine sandy loam and Humic Vitricryands. General soil components are Maritime herbaceous-ashy slopes, Maritime scrub-ashy wet slopes, Maritime scrub/herbaceous silty wet till slopes, and soils that have a sandy substratum.

Table 5. Representative soil features

Parent material	(1) Eolian deposits (2) Residuum – basalt (3) Eolian deposits – scoria
Surface texture	(1) Medial fine sandy loam (2) Medial silt loam (3) Sandy loam (4) Sand
Drainage class	Well drained
Permeability class	Moderate to rapid
Depth to restrictive layer	72 in
Soil depth	72 in
Surface fragment cover <=3"	Not specified
Surface fragment cover >3"	Not specified
Available water capacity (0-40in)	6.7 – 13.4 in
Soil reaction (1:1 water) (0-40in)	5.6 – 6.5
Subsurface fragment volume <=3" (0-60in)	Not specified
Subsurface fragment volume >3" (0-60in)	Not specified

Table 6. Representative soil features (actual values)

Drainage class	Poorly drained to well drained
Permeability class	Slow to rapid
Depth to restrictive layer	8 – 72 in
Soil depth	8 – 72 in
Surface fragment cover <=3"	Not specified
Surface fragment cover >3"	Not specified
Available water capacity (0-40in)	1.8 – 13.4 in
Soil reaction (1:1 water) (0-40in)	4.5 – 6.5
Subsurface fragment volume <=3" (0-60in)	30%
Subsurface fragment volume >3" (0-60in)	25%

Ecological dynamics

The remanent beach sands, old beach dunes, and new inland deposits that shape this ecological site are characterized by the rolling topography and hummocky surface. The landforms are pocked with variations of the common community with interspersed kettle and kame formations, drainages, and seeps. The vegetation is classified as a tundra cover, with the hummocks developing from the crowberry cover. Depressional areas around the hummocks are a combination of bryophytes and bare ground. In the interstitial spaces between hummocks, especially in more open, less hummocked areas, a dense mat of crowberry, carex, mosses and lichens will form. Flowering herbaceous species are common through the community.

Across the Aleutian Islands, on the plains, hills, and terraces, a mound community is found that is comprised of either mosses or rocks. These mounds serve as a great roosting, nesting, and resting zone for many bird species. The extensive supply of bird manure will create a very unique plant community in and around the mounds. Although these are common across the landscape, they are small and not typically recognized in the soil information. They are a unique characteristic to note in the story of the island landscape.

Although rare, there is the potential for infrequent fires across the hills and terraces associated with this ecological site. No specific data was located to provide any substantial findings on the impacts of these rare occurrences. The organic mat is a source of tinder and source of fuel for a burn on the landscape.

The Aleutian Islands history during World War II and military development. The was extensive disturbance with construction and military operations. The denuded and torn ground was a great place for plants to colonize that were adapted to mineral soils. The community colonizers were native species but were not necessarily the common plants found pre-disturbance. Many times, species in these disturbed areas are more vigorous and showier.

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 text

Ecosystem states

1. Reference State

2. Disturbed State

T1A	-	Military Operations historically, and Human development

State 1 submodel, plant communities

1.1. Crowberry/Sedge/Lichen

1.2. Fescue-Bluejoint/Mosses-Lichens

State 2 submodel, plant communities

2.1. Ruderal Community - Reedgrass/Lupine

State 1
Reference State

The Aleutian Eolian Hills and Plains ecological site is characterized by the eolian deposits of sands and silts on terraces and old sea benches. The gravels and volcanic deposits that are now overlain with these wind deposits are unique. Handsford et. al. 1969 Geologic Survey Report capture the typical community as an Empetrum-Carex-Lichen community. The black crowberry (Empetrum nigrum) cover is found as the major cover on hummocks surrounded by depressional troughs that were predominantly lichen and other bryophytes. Areas of hummocks are intermixed with large mats of continuous cover of crowberry and other flowering plants. A unique community complex found on the Aleutian Islands are interspersed mounds formed by moss and in some instances rocks. These distinct mounds provide a roosting or nesting zone for birds creating isolated micro-communities that are fed by the bird manure deposited by the migrating bird populations over the centuries.

Dominant plant species

black crowberry (Empetrum nigrum), shrub
manyflower sedge (Carex pluriflora), grass
longawn sedge (Carex macrochaeta), grass
Pacific reindeer lichen (Cladina portentosa ssp. pacifica), other herbaceous
globe ball lichen (Sphaerophorus globosus), other herbaceous

Community 1.1
Crowberry/Sedge/Lichen

The rolling topography of the eolian hills and plains has a dominant cover of black crowberry (Empetrum nigrum), manyflower sedge (Carex pluriflora), longawn sedge (Carex macrochaeta), Pacific reindeer lichen (Cladina portentosa ssp. pacifica), and globe ball lichen (Sphaerophorus globosus). The micro-lows and micro-highs create a diversity of other species including witch's hair lichen (Alectoria ochroleuca), narcissus anemone (Anemone narcissiflora subsp. villosissima), antitrichia moss (Antitrichia curtipendula), Alaska arnica (Arnica unalaschcensis), aulacomnium moss (Aulacomnium palustre), brachythecium mosses, Pacific reedgrass (Calamagrostis nutkaensis), bog pouchwort (Calypogeia sphagnicola), mountain harebell (Campanula lasiocarpa), umbel bittercress (Cardamine oligosperma var. kamtschatica), grassyslope arctic sedge (Carex anthoxanthea), northern bog sedge (Carex gynocrates), Lyngbye's sedge (Carex lyngbyei), variegated sedge (Carex stylosa), clubmoss mountain heather (Cassiope lycopodioides), arctic daisy (Chrysanthemum arcticum ssp. arcticum), toy soldiers cup lichen (Cladonia bellidiflora), Madame's cup lichen (Cladonia coccifera), smooth cup lichen (Cladonia gracilis), threeleaf goldthread (Coptis trifolia), bryocaulon lichen (Bryocaulon divergens), Lapland cornel (Cornus suecica), elongate dicranum moss (Dicranum elongatum), Greenland dicranum moss (Dicranum groenlandicum), Howell's dicranum moss (Dicranum howellii), American dunegrass (Leymus mollis ssp. mollis), field horsetail (Equisetum arvense), subalpine fleabane (Erigeron peregrinus ssp. peregrinus), eurhynchium moss (Eurhynchium praelongum), alpine fescue (Festuca brachyphylla), red fescue (Festuca rubra), alpine fescue (Festuca brachyphylla), threepetal bedstraw (Galium trifidum ssp. columbianum), calthaleaf avens (Geum calthifolium), splendid feather moss (Hylocomium splendens), Dieck's hypnum moss (Hypnum dieckii), twinflower (Linnaea borealis ssp. Borealis),heartleaf twayblade (Listera cordata var. nephrophylla), lung lichen (Lobaria linita), alpine azalea (Loiseleuria procumbens), (Lophozia groenlandica), common woodrush (Luzula multiflora ssp. frigida), stiff clubmoss (Lycopodium annotinum), running clubmoss (Lycopodium clavatum), fir clubmoss (Huperzia selago var. selago), (Kurzia makinoana), rhizomnium moss (Rhizomnium glabrescens), alpine blood lichen (Mycoblastus alpinus), Taylor's flapwort (Mylia taylorii), cold crabseye lichen (Ochrolechia frigida), Binstead's pawwort (Barbilophozia binsteadii), Chamisso's lousewort (Pedicularis chamissonis), felt lichens (Peltigera spp.), Schreber's big red stem moss (Pleurozium schreberi), pogonatum moss (Pogonatum urnigerum), alpine bistort (Polygonum viviparum), wedgeleaf primrose (Primula cuneifolia subsp. Saxifragifolia), knights plume moss (Ptilium crista-castrensis), liverleaf wintergreen (Pyrola asarifolia Michx. ssp. asarifolia), racomitrium moss (Racomitrium lanuginosum), goose neck moss (Rhytidiadelphus loreus), rough goose neck moss (Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus), arctic raspberry (Rubus arcticus ssp. stellatus), cloudberry (Rubus chamaemorus), arctic willow (Salix arctica), oval-leaf willow (Salix ovalifolia var. cyclophylla), heartleaf saxifrage (Saxifraga nelsoniana ssp. Insularis), Sphagnum, comb notchwort (Anastrophyllum minutum), whiteworm lichen (Thamnolia vermicularis), northern asphodel (Tofieldia coccinea), arctic starflower (Trientalis europaea L. ssp. arctica), lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea), mountain hairgrass (Vahlodea atropurpurea), American alpine speedwell (Veronica wormskjoldii), and Aleutian violet (Viola langsdorffii).

Dominant plant species

black crowberry (Empetrum nigrum ssp. nigrum), shrub
manyflower sedge (Carex pluriflora), grass
longawn sedge (Carex macrochaeta), grass
Pacific reindeer lichen (Cladina portentosa ssp. pacifica), other herbaceous
globe ball lichen (Sphaerophorus globosus), other herbaceous

Community 1.2
Fescue-Bluejoint/Mosses-Lichens

The unique microfeature that is common across this ecological site are large mounds. These mounds are comprised of either soil mounds stabilized by dense moss cover or rocks. These tall mounds are great bird perches and nesting areas and so often are well manured from centuries of use. The mounds have distinct communities on the top (apex) sides, and base of the mound. The apex of mound has a species that ordinarily forms the dominant vegetation but is accompanied by the others. The potential species are racomitrium moss (Racomitrium lanuginosum), elongate dicranum moss (Dicranum elongatum), Greenland dicranum moss (Dicranum groenlandicum), Howell's dicranum moss (Dicranum howellii), dicranum moss (Dicranum fuscescens), and Wahlenberg's oncophorus moss (Oncophorus wahlenbergii). Intermixed with these mosses are a few strands of leafy liverworts, including (Anastrophyllum sphenoloboides), bazzania liverwort (Bazzania tricrenata), bog pouchwort (Calypogeia sphagnicola), Twotoothed Cephalozia (Cephalozia bicuspidata), White spruce moss (Cephalozia leucantha), (Kurzia makinoana), brown flapwort (Odontoschisma elongatum), Binstead's pawwort (Barbilophozia binsteadii), bog germanderwort (Riccardia latifrons), and comb notchwort (Anastrophyllum minutum). Where bird manure is abundant, alpine fescue (Festuca brachyphylla), arctic bluegrass (Poa arctica ssp. arctica), tundra alkaligrass (Puccinellia tenella ssp. Alaskana), rinodina lichen (Rinodina turfacea), Star-tipped reindeer lichen (Cladonia alpestris), and eurhynchium moss (Eurhynchium praelongum) will replace much of the moss cover. Sides of mound: Pacific reedgrass (Calamagrostis nutkaensis), longawn sedge (Carex macrochaeta), manyflower sedge (Carex pluriflora), quill lichen (Cladonia amaurocraea), Bering reindeer lichen (Cladina arbuscula ssp. beringiana), toy soldiers cup lichen (Cladonia bellidiflora), Pacific reindeer lichen (Cladina portentosa ssp. pacifica), mealy forked cup lichen (Cladonia scabriuscula), threeleaf goldthread (Coptis trifolia), bryocaulon lichen (Bryocaulon divergens), Lapland cornel (Cornus suecica), sanionia moss (Sanionia uncinata var. uncinata), eurhynchium moss (Eurhynchium praelongum), inflated notchwort (Gymnocolea inflata), splendid feather moss (Hylocomium splendens), lung lichen (Lobaria linita), alpine blood lichen (Mycoblastus alpinus), Taylor's flapwort (Mylia taylorii), shield lichen (Parmelia omphalodes), felt lichen (Peltigera aphthosa), Schreber's big red stem moss (Pleurozium schreberi), alpine polytrichastrum moss (Pogonatum alpinum var. alpinum), polytrichum mosses (Polytrichum spp.), ciliated fringewort (Ptilidium ciliare), goose neck moss (Rhytidiadelphus loreus), rough goose neck moss (Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus), arctic raspberry (Rubus arcticus ssp. stellatus), cloudberry (Rubus chamaemorus), arctic willow (Salix arctica), globe ball lichen (Sphaerophorus globosus), northern asphodel (Tofieldia coccinea), northern mountain cranberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea L. ssp. minus), and mountain hairgrass (Vahlodea atropurpurea). The nutrient richness of the bird manure, causes many of the mosses and lichens to succumb to the manure levels and will be replaced by species such as antitrichia moss (Antitrichia curtipendula), brachythecium moss (Brachythecium albicans), mealy forked cup lichen (Cladonia scabriuscula), (Diplophyllum albicans), American dunegrass (Leymus mollis ssp. mollis), common cowparsnip (Heracleum lanatum), felt lichen (Peltigera canina), Nelson's buttercup (Ranunculus occidentalis Nutt. var. nelsonii ), racomitrium moss (Racomitrium lanuginosum), rinodina lichen (Rinodina turfacea), stickystem pearlwort (Sagina maxima ssp. crassicaulis), ulota moss (Ulota phyllantha), orange wall lichen (Xanthoria candelaria). Around the base of each mound there is a shift back to the expected community with a ring of black crowberry (Empetrum nigrum), Pacific reedgrass (Calamagrostis nutkaensis), and Lyngbye's sedge (Carex lyngbyei). Those mounds with high influence from bird manure there is an increase in peppermint drop lichen (Icmadophila ericetorum), nested polypody (Polypodium glycyrrhiza), and bowl lichen (Psoroma hypnorum).

Dominant plant species

black crowberry (Empetrum nigrum ssp. nigrum), shrub
Pacific reedgrass (Calamagrostis nutkaensis), grass
alpine fescue (Festuca brachyphylla), grass
Lyngbye's sedge (Carex lyngbyei), grass
arctic bluegrass (Poa arctica ssp. arctica), grass
tundra alkaligrass (Puccinellia tenella ssp. alaskana), grass
rinodina lichen (Rinodina), other herbaceous
reindeer lichen (Cladina), other herbaceous
felt lichen (Peltigera), other herbaceous
peppermint drop lichen (Icmadophila ericetorum), other herbaceous

State 2
Disturbed State

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. As such the current increase in development and some expansion in these village communities has continued to create disturbance on the landscape. Much of these communities were/are left to recover naturally. The colonization of these areas leads to a notable community.

Dominant plant species

Pacific reedgrass (Calamagrostis nutkaensis), grass
Nootka lupine (Lupinus nootkatensis), other herbaceous
Alaska arnica (Arnica unalaschcensis), other herbaceous
field horsetail (Equisetum arvense), other herbaceous
trailing pearlwort (Sagina decumbens), other herbaceous

Community 2.1
Ruderal Community - Reedgrass/Lupine

These disturbance communities are highly variable. Research brought forward a few main communities with characteristic species; however, these communities were located on one of many islands. The list here provides only a partial list of potential species: Characteristic species: Pacific reedgrass (Calamagrostis nutkaensis), Nootka lupine (Lupinus nootkatensis), Alaska arnica (Arnica unalaschcensis), field horsetail (Equisetum arvense), western pearlwort (Sagina decumbens ssp. occidentalis), and ceratodon moss (Ceratodon purpureus). Other species: boreal yarrow (Achillea borealis), western pearly everlasting (Anaphalis margaritacea), seacoast angelica (Angelica lucida), stoloniferous pussytoes (Antennaria dioica), umbel bittercress (Cardamine oligosperma var. kamtschatica), longawn sedge (Carex macrochaeta), big chickweed (Cerastium fontanum ssp. Vulgare), keyflower (Dactylorhiza aristata), tufted hairgrass (Deschampsia cespitosa), black crowberry (Empetrum nigrum), Hornemann's willowherb (Epilobium hornemannii ssp. behringianum), fourpart dwarf gentian (Gentianella propinqua ssp. aleutica), autumn dwarf gentian (Gentianella amarella ssp. acuta), Alaska hawkweed (Hieracium gracile var. alaskanum), common cowparsnip (Heracleum lanatum), alpine azalea (Loiseleuria procumbens), common woodrush (Luzula multiflora ssp. multiflora), smallflowered woodrush (Luzula parviflor), Chimissso's orchid (Platanthera chorisiana), alpine bluegrass (Poa alpina ), largeglume bluegrass (Poa macrocalyx), alpine bistort (Polygonum viviparum), Pacific silverweed (Argentina egedii ssp. Egedii), wedgeleaf primrose (Primula cuneifolia subsp. Saxifragifolia), arctic rattlebox (Rhinanthus minor L. ssp. groenlandicus), Sagina intermedia, heartleaf saxifrage (Saxifraga nelsoniana D. Don ssp. Insularis), creeping sibbaldia (Sibbaldia procumbens), northern starwort (Stellaria calycantha), and brightblue speedwell (Veronica serpyllifolia L. ssp. humifusa). Other common bryophytes are braehythecium and bryum mosses, pebble cup lichen (Cladonia pyxidata), Twotoothed Cephalozia (Cephalozia bicuspidata), dicranella moss (Dicranella subulata), ditrichum moss (Ditrichum heteromallum), sanionia moss (Sanionia uncinata var. uncinata), eurhynchium moss (Eurhynchium praelongum), splendid feather moss (Hylocomium splendens), porpidia lichen (Porpidia macrocarpa), fir clubmoss (Huperzia selago var. selago), umbrella liverwort (Marchantia polymorpha), rhizomnium moss (Rhizomnium glabrescens), ladder flapwort (Nardia scalaris), cold crabseye lichen (Ochrolechia frigida), American philonotis moss (Philonotis fontana var. americana), bullseye lichen (Placopsis gelida), pogonatum moss (Pogonatum urnigerum), polytrichum moss (Polytrichum formosum), pohlia moss (Pohlia nutans), racomitrium moss (Racomitrium ericoides), snow pearlwort (Sagina nivalis), intermediate snow lichen (Stereocaulon intermedium), and tomentose snow lichen (Stereocaulon tomentosum).

Dominant plant species

Pacific reedgrass (Calamagrostis nutkaensis), grass
Nootka lupine (Lupinus nootkatensis), other herbaceous
Alaska arnica (Arnica unalaschcensis), other herbaceous
field horsetail (Equisetum arvense), other herbaceous
trailing pearlwort (Sagina decumbens), other herbaceous
ceratodon moss (Ceratodon purpureus), other herbaceous

Transition T1A
State 1 to 2

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.

Additional community tables

Interpretations

Animal community

Sedges provide high value reindeer forage during winter when covered by snow. Wide-leaf polargrass maintains its forage value well into the winter and provides excellent early spring forage.
Excellent winter range because of succulent green sedge shoots and roots covered by snow that may be available to foraging reindeer. Areas that are ponded during spring are poor for spring grazing.
The area provides nesting habitat for a variety of birds, including green-winged teal, rock sandpiper, whiskered auklet, rock ptarmigan, song sparrow, rosy finch, and winter wren.
The introduction of dogs, cats, and foxes has severely reduced the population of ground-nesting birds. Rats, coming from ships, also are a danger to these birds.
Some of the eastern islands support small herds of caribou. Overgrazing by reindeer is a local concern. Control of animal numbers and proper herd management help to prevent overgrazing and allow natural restoration of depleted range.

Recreational uses

Tourism and wildland recreation are becoming increasingly important. Subsistence hunting and gathering provide food and a variety of other resources to local residents and are a major component of the local economy.

Wood products

None - limited to small willows or dwarf shrubs.

Supporting information

Inventory data references

Very limited data is available and resides more on the coastal zone than the higher volcanics. Information used to build this ecological site was obtained from existing land cover and vegetation maps, literature review, and vegetative summaries from partnering agencies.

References

Hansford T. Shacklette, L. W. Durrell, James A. Erdman, John R. Keith, William M. Klein, Hildur Krog, Herman Persson, H. Skuja, and William A. Weber. 1969. Vegetation of Amchitka Island, Aleutian Islands, Alaska. Geological Survey Professional Paper 648. United States Geological Survey, United States Government Printing Office, Washington : 1969.

Other references

Landfire National Vegetation Dynamics Models; USGS; http://www.LANDFIRE.gov/index.php, 2009 (Date accessed)

USDA PLANTS Database; http://plants.usda.gov, 2021

USNVC [United States National Vegetation Classification]. 2019. United States National Vegetation Classification Database, V2.03. Federal Geographic Data Committee, Vegetation Subcommittee, Washington DC. USNVC: http://usnvc.org/

AMUNDSEN, C.C. 1972. Amchitka Bioenvironmental Program: Plant ecology of Amchitka Island, Final Report. Batelle, Columbus Laboratories, under AEC Prime, Contract No. AT(26-l)-171. 27 p.

AMUNDSEN, c.c. and E.E.C. CLEBSCH. 1971. Dynamics of the terrestrial ecosystem vegetation of Amchitka Island, Alaska. Bioscience 21:619-623.

AMUNDSEN, C.C. 1977. Terrestrial plant ecology. Pages 203-226 in M.L. Merritt and R.G. Fuller, eds. The environment of Amchitka Island, Alaska. ERDA TID-26712.

Bailey, R.G. [in prep.] Description of the ecoregions of the United States. 2d ed. Misc. Publ. No. 1391 [rev.]. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service. Bailey, Robert G.; Avers, Peter E.; King, Thomas; McNab, W. Henry, eds. 1994. Ecoregions and subregions of the United States (map). Washington, DC: U.S. Geological Survey. Scale 1: 7,500,000; colored. Accompanied by a supplementary table of map unit descriptions compiled and edited by McNab, W. Henry, and Bailey, Robert G. Prepared for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service.

BANK, T.B. II. 1951. Botanical and ethnobotanical studies in the Aleutian Islands. I. Aleutian vegetation and Aleut culture. Mich. Acad. Sci., Arts, and Lett. 37:13-30 + 6 plates.

BYRD, G.V. 1984. Vascular vegetation of Buldir Island, Aleutian Islands, Alaska compared to another Aleutian Island. Arctic 37(1):37-48.

Fosberg, Francis Raymond. "Succession and condition of ecosystems." (1967).

Hultén, Eric (1937) Flora of the Aleutian Islands and westernmost Alaska Peninsula with notes on the flora of Commander islands. Stockholm, Thule. 397 pp. 2nd ed. 1960 (series: Flora et vegetation mundi, vol. 1) Weinheim, Cramer. 376 pp.

SHACKLETTE, H.T., L.W. ERDMAN-J.R. KEITH, W.M. KLEIN, H. KROG, H. PERSSON, H. SKUJA, and W.A. WEBER. 1969. Vegetation of Amchitka Island, Aleutian Islands, Alaska. U.S. Geol. Surv. Prof. Pap. 648. 66p.

Swanson, D.J., Lehner, D., Zimmerman, J., and Pauling, D. Range survey of Nunivak Island, Alaska, 1986.

TATEWAKI. M. 1963. Phytogeography of. the islands of the north Pacific Ocean. Pages 23-27 in J.L. Gressitt, ed. Pacific Basin Biogeography. lOth Pacific Science Congress. Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu.

TALBOT, S.S., S.L. TALBOT, and L.R. Walker. 2010. Post-eruption legacy effects and their implications for long-term recovery of the vegetation on Kasatochi Island, Alaska. Arctic, Antarctic, and Alpine Research, Vol. 42, No. 3, pp. 285-296

WALKER., H. 1945. Plants of the Aleutian Islands. Pages 63-;71 in Collins, H.B., Jr., A.H. Clark, and E.H. Walker, eds. The Aleutian Islands: Their people and natural history. Smithsonian Inst. War Background Studies 21, Publ. 3775.

Contributors

Marji Patz
Tyler Annetts

Approval

Blaine Spellman, 6/14/2025

Acknowledgments

Blaine Spellman, Ecological Site Data Quality Specialist and Phil Barber, Ecological Site Specialist within Alaska, for your review and guidance of the PES development. Matt Mayer for assisting with R Scripts on weather, as well as Nathan Roe for assistance with R scripts on site data summaries.

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	06/15/2025
Approved by	Blaine Spellman
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: