State 1
Spruce Lichen Woodland

Community 1.1
Spruce Lichen Woodland

Spruce/lichen woodland consists of woodland to moderately open stands of Picea glauca and P. mariana. Where both species occur, the tallest trees are typically P. glauca, while P. mariana is mixed with the P. glauca in lower tree layers. In some stands, P. mariana is dominant in all tree layers. Spruce/lichen woodland is best described as mid to late seral. This type develops from Low shrub birch/lichen scrub on coarse textured soils following severe wildfires. Spruce/lichen woodland is probably potential vegetation on sites with a short fire return interval. Elsewhere, and on finer textured soils, continued succession may lead to Spruce/shrub birch woodland or Spruce/spruce muskeg sedge open forest. Spruce/lichen woodland is similar in structure and composition to Spruce/shrub birch woodland. Lichen cover is lower and moss cover higher in Spruce/shrub birch woodland. Riparian-Wetland Status Classification: upland

Forest overstory. Tree canopy cover ranges from 15 to 60 percent. In most stands, tree size varies from regeneration to medium height. The tallest trees in a stand are generally 15 to 45 feet (4.5 to 13.8 m) in height and 4 to 6.5 inches (10 to 16.5 cm) in diameter at ground level. Tree basal area in 5 sample stands ranged from 44 to 85 feet2/acre (10.1 to 19.5 m2/ha).

Forest understory. Although medium, low, and dwarf shrubs form a nearly continuous, open to closed shrub layer, the overall aspect of the understory is dominated by a patchy to nearly continuous cover of mixed fruticose lichens and mosses on the ground surface. Common lichen generally include Cladina, Cladonia, and Stereocaulon. Common mosses include Tomentypnum, Ptilium, and Polytrichum. Lichen cover ranges from 30 to 65 percent and moss cover from 5 to 40 percent.

Shrub cover ranges from 35 to 65 percent and from 1 to 8 feet (0.3 to 2.4 m) in height. Important medium and low shrubs are Betula glandulosa, Ledum spp., Vaccinium uliginosum, V. vitis-idaea, Salix planifolia, and Empetrum nigrum. Herbs are sparse to common in most stands of Spruce/lichen woodland.

State 2
Quaking Aspen-White Spruce Forest

Community 2.1
Quaking Aspen-White Spruce Forest

Quaking aspen forest consists of moderately open to closed stands of Populus tremuloides and common Picea glauca and/or P. mariana. Where present, quaking aspen appears to be a mid to late seral stage. On escarpments and other very steep slopes, this type is usually on upper, convex positions and may be the potential for these sites. Elsewhere, continued succession may lead to either a Picea glauca or P. mariana dominated stand or mixed stands of Picea spp. and Populus tremuloides. Recurring wildfires probably destroy the stands before succession can advance to a later spruce stage. Wetland Status Classification: upland

Forest overstory. Tree canopy cover ranges from 50 to 80 percent. Populus tremuloides trees are often relatively short and poorly formed with open, sparsely limbed crowns. On steep escarpments, the lower bole is frequently crooked or bowed from soil creep.

Forest understory. The understory varies considerably but in most stands is dominated by scattered shrubs and sparse herbs. Frequently occurring shrubs include Shepherdia canadensis, Rosa acicularis, Vaccinium uliginosum, V. vitis-idaea, and Arctostaphylos uva-ursi. Many stands have common tall and medium Salix spp. Herbs are generally sparse; frequently occurring species include Epilobium angustifolium, Geocaulon lividum, Linnaea borealis, and Festuca altaica. Woody debris and other litter and small, scattered patches of moss and lichen cover the ground surface.

State 3
Low Shrub Birch Lichen Scrub

Community 3.1
Low Shrub Birch Lichen Scrub

Low shrub birch/lichen scrub consists of moderately open to closed stands of medium and low shrubs dominated by Betula glandulosa, Ledum spp., Vaccinium uliginosum, and Salix spp., with abundant to very abundant fruticose lichens in the ground layer. Dwarf shrub, primarily Vaccinium vitis-idaea and Empetrum nigrum, are also usually well-represented to abundant. In most places, Low shrub birch scrub is an early, post-fire seral stage leading to Spruce/lichen woodland and Spruce/shrub birch woodland. It appears to develop only on relatively xeric sites or other sites that have been moderately to severely burned. Most stands have common to well-represented scattered trees and unburned woodland to reseed the stand. Picea glauca and P. mariana seedlings and saplings are common in most stands. On pitted outwash plains and hills in the vicinity of Dickey Lake and at higher elevations in the subalpine zone, this type probably is late seral or potential vegetation. Riparian-Wetland Status Classification: upland

Forest understory. B. glandulosa is typically 3.5 to 5.5 feet (1.1 to 1.8 m) in height and forms a nearly continuous open to moderately closed upper shrub layer. Other shrubs are usually about 3 feet (0.9 m) in height or less and fill in the spaces between and below the birch. In many stands, Picea glauca and/or P. mariana saplings, small trees, and relic trees are common to well-represented. Total shrub canopy cover is usually between 50 and 90 percent.

Abundant to very abundant lichen cover, patches of mosses, and litter characterize the aspect of the ground layer. In most stands, the herb layer is sparse to occasionally open and the number of herb species is low. An important herb in many stands is Festuca altaica. Other frequently occurring herbs include Epilobium angustifolium, Pedicularis labradorica, Senecio spp., Petasites frigidus, Arctagrostis latifolia, and Calamagrostis canadensis. Most stands show evidence of recent burns, and snags and woody litter are common to well-represented.