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Natural Resources
Conservation Service
Ecological site R236XY109AK
Subarctic Low Scrub Peat Drainages
Last updated: 2/13/2024
Accessed: 08/17/2024
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): 236X–Bristol Bay-Northern Alaska Peninsula Lowlands
The Bristol Bay-Northern Alaska Peninsula Lowland Major Land Resource Area (MLRA 236) is located in Western Alaska. This MLRA covers approximately 19,500 square miles and is defined by an expanse of nearly level to rolling lowlands, uplands and low to moderate hills bordered by long, mountain footslopes. Major rivers include the Egegik, Mulchatna, Naknek, Nushagak, and Wood River. MLRA 236 is in the zone of discontinuous permafrost. It is primarily in areas with finer textured soils on terraces, rolling uplands and footslopes. This MLRA was glaciated during the early to middle Pleistocene. Moraine and glaciofluvial deposits cover around sixty percent of the MLRA. Alluvium and coastal deposits make up a large portion of the remaining area (Kautz et al., 2012; USDA, 2006).
Climate patterns across this MLRA shift as one moves away from the coast. A maritime climate is prominent along the coast, while continental weather, commonly associated with Interior Alaska, is more influential inland. Across the MLRA, summers are general short and warm while winters are long and cold. Mean annual precipitation is 13 to 50 inches, with increased precipitation at higher elevations and areas away from the coast. Mean annual temperatures is between 30 and 36 degrees F (USDA, 2006).
The Bristol Bay-Northern Alaska Peninsula MLRA is principally undeveloped wilderness. Federally managed land includes parts of the Katmai and Aniakchak National Parks, and the Alaska Peninsula, Becharof, Togiak and Alaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuges. The MLRA is sparsely populated. Principal communities include Dillingham, Naknek, and King Salmon. Commercial fishing in Bristol Bay and the Bering Sea comprises a major part of economic activity in the MLRA. Other land uses include subsistence activities (fishing, hunting, and gathering) and sport hunting and fishing (USDA, 2006).
Classification relationships
Alaska Vegetation Classification:
Open low scrubland (II.C.2 - level III) / Sweetgale-graminoid bog (II.C.2.j - level IV)
(Viereck et al., 1992)
Ecological site concept
This ecological site is in wide drainageways and open depressions on plains. Site elevation ranges from approximately sea level to 1,000 feet. Slopes are nearly level. Site and soil hydrology, including ponding duration and depth, shape site vegetation. Poorly drained histosols, and year-round water table, and very long, frequent ponding result in obligate wetland species here.
The reference state supports three communities. The reference plant community is characterized as an open , low scrubland (Viereck et al., 1992). It is composed of a mix of facultative to obligate wetland shrubs with sedges, cottongrasses, and forbs throughout. The lowest-lying areas on this site support ponded water throughout the growing season and support emergent vegetation as described by community 1.3. Community 1.2 is an intermediate wetland community.
Associated sites
R236XY130AK |
Subarctic Scrub Scrub Tundra Loamy Plains and Hills R236XY130AK describes an ericaceous scrubland on moderately well drained soils on plain and hill slopes. R236XY109AK is a feature on this landscape. |
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R236XY131AK |
Subarctic Tussock-Scrub Frozen Plains R236XY131AK describes organic peat mound features with permafrost. These features are on the same plains and hill slopes as this site. |
R236XY140AK |
Subarctic Tussock Tundra Wet Loamy Plains R236XY140AK describes the tussock tundra across plain talfs. The site describe here is a drainage feature on these plains. |
Similar sites
R236XY107AK |
Western Alaska Maritime Scrub Gravelly Drainages Both sites describe wet, concave plain features such as depression and drainages. R236XY107AK is located in wider and steeper lowland drainages. Soils are drier and site ponding is occasional and brief, as compared to the frequent flooding in this site. Site differences are reflected in the vegetation, with more facultative to obligate wetland species present in this site. |
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R236XY136AK |
Subarctic Low Scrub Loamy Plain Drainages Both sites describe wet plain features such as depressions and drainages. R236XY136AK describes an open scrubland of primarily facultative wetland species associated with a minimally developed Inceptisol. It differs from the obligate wetland associated with a Histosol in this site. |
Table 1. Dominant plant species
Tree |
Not specified |
---|---|
Shrub |
(1) Myrica gale |
Herbaceous |
(1) Carex aquatilis |
Click on box and path labels to scroll to the respective text.
Ecosystem states
State 1 submodel, plant communities
1.1A | - | Increased ponding depth |
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1.2A | - | Lowered water table or decreased ponding depth |
1.2B | - | Raised water table or increased ponding depth |
1.3A | - | Lowered water table or decreased ponding depth |