High elevation scrub complex floodplains and terraces

Description

The reference state of ecological site R228XY702AK is characterized by a complex of plant communities. The reference community (1.1) is oriented with floodplain terraces, which no longer flood or flood on extremely rare occasions and is characterized as a mesic birch/ericaceous scrub community. Community 1.3 is associated with low, active flood plains and is characterized by a low willow scrub community. As distance from drainageways increases, flooding decreases and community 1.3 transitions to a birch-willow low scrub community (1.2). This mid-sere, transitional community occurs on mid to high floodplains. Once flooding no longer occurs, birch becomes more competitive and eventually out-competes willow. At this point, the reference community (1.1) has reached its climax and closely resembles the surrounding birch/dwarf ericaceous scrub subalpine community that occurs on mountain slopes. In instances in the true alpine, birch will disappear giving way to a greater variety of dwarf ericaceous shrubs and lichen.

Submodel