Arctic Mountain Hummocks

Description

Disturbance across much of the Brooks Range arctic tundra is difficult to access. This area receives minimal human influence. The natural disturbance regime is at risk with changes in weather patterns and increasing recreational activity in all of Alaskan backcountry areas. However, the available data is understood to be of the reference state of this ecological site.

This ecological site supports one community in the reference state. This state is characterized by shallow ponded water (two to eight inches in depth), supporting submerged and floating aquatic vegetation as well as emergent herbaceous species. As one moves distal from the edge of the ponded water, the plant community transitions into a mosaic of tussock tundra and ericaceous shrub and lichen tundra.

The presence of permafrost mutes the definition of the transition line, making it difficult to delineate a true break between plant communities. The lack of specific site data for this Major Land Resource Area (MLRA) prevents a clear definition in this transition, so only one modal community will be identified.

Submodel