National Park Service 

U.S. Department of the Interior 

Natural Resource Program Center 

Landcover Mapping for Bering Land Bridge National 

Preserve and Cape Krusenstern National Monument, 

Northwestern Alaska 

Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/ARCN/NRTR—2004/001 
ON THE COVER 

Burnt tussocks on Bering Land Bridge National Preserve plot V516. 

Photograph by: ABR, Inc. 
Landcover Mapping for Bering Land Bridge 

National Preserve and Cape Krusenstern National 

Monument, Northwestern Alaska 

Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/ARCN/NRTR—2004/001 

M. Torre Jorgenson 

Joanna E. Roth 

Michael Emers 

Wendy A. Davis 

Sharon F. Schlentner 

Matthew J. Macander 

ABR, Inc.—Environmental Research & Services 

P.O. Box 80410 

Fairbanks, AK, 99708 

November 2004 

U.S. Department of the Interior 

National Park Service 

Natural Resource Program Center 

Fort Collins, Colorado 
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Please cite this publication as: 

Jorgenson, M. T., J. E. Roth, M. Emers, W. A. Davis, , S. F. Schlentner, and M. J. Macander, 

2004. Landcover mapping for Bering Land Bridge National Preserve and Cape Krusenstern 

National Monument, Northwestern Alaska. Natural Resource Technical Report 

NPS/ARCN/NRTR—2004/001. National Park Service, Fort Collins, Colorado. 

NPS D-41, November 2004 

iii BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping

TABLE OF CONTENTS

LIST OF FIGURES ......................................................................................................................................iii

LIST OF TABLES........................................................................................................................................ iv

LIST OF APPENDICES............................................................................................................................... vi

INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................................................... 1

METHODS.................................................................................................................................................... 4

FIELD SURVEYS ...................................................................................................................................... 4

ECOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION.......................................................................................................... 7

ECOLOGICAL COMPONENTS ............................................................................................................ 7

ECOTYPES ............................................................................................................................................. 7

LANDCOVER MAPPING ......................................................................................................................... 8

IMAGERY AND ANCILLARY DATA SETS ....................................................................................... 8

SIGNATURE EVALUATION AND SPECTRAL DATABASE DEVELOPMENT ............................ 8

IMAGE CLASSIFICATION ................................................................................................................. 10

RULE-BASED MODELING................................................................................................................. 11

PERIPHERAL IMAGE CLASSIFICATION ........................................................................................ 11

ACCURACY ASSESSMENT ............................................................................................................... 11

RESULTS.................................................................................................................................................... 13

CLASSIFICATION AND DESCRIPTION OF ECOTYPES AND PLANT ASSOCIATIONS............. 13

MAPPING................................................................................................................................................. 46

ABUNDANCE AND DISTRIBUTION ................................................................................................ 46

ACCURACY ASSESSMENT ............................................................................................................... 46

RELATIONSHIPS AMONG ECOLOGICAL COMPONENTS ............................................................. 53

LANDSCAPE RELATIONSHIPS......................................................................................................... 53

ENVIRONMENTAL CHARACTERISTICS........................................................................................ 60

VEGETATION COMPOSITION .......................................................................................................... 68

SOIL CHARACTERISTICS.................................................................................................................. 71

FACTORS AFFECTING LANDSCAPE EVOLUTION AND ECOSYSTEM DEVELOPMENT ........ 79

CLIMATE .............................................................................................................................................. 79

OCEANOGRAPHY............................................................................................................................... 85

TECTONIC SETTING AND PHYSIOGRAPHY ................................................................................. 86

BEDROCK GEOLOGY......................................................................................................................... 87

GEOMORPHOLOGY............................................................................................................................ 88

FIRE ....................................................................................................................................................... 89

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS.......................................................................................................... 89

LITERATURE CITED................................................................................................................................ 91

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1. Interaction of interrelated state factors that control the structure and function of 

ecosystems and the scales at which they operate...................................................................... 2

Figure 2. Sampling locations for the ecological land survey and Landsat scene boundaries 

for spectral classification, for the Bering Land Bridge National Preserve, 

northwestern Alaska ................................................................................................................. 5

Figure 3. Sampling locations for the ecological land survey in the Cape Krusenstern National 

Monument, northwestern Alaska, 2003.................................................................................... 6

Figure 4. Landcover map for the Bering Land Bridge National Preserve, northwestern Alaska .......... 47
BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping iv

Figure 5. Landcover map for the Cape Krusenstern National Monument, northwestern Alaska.......... 49

Figure 6. Principal components analysis of the distribution of spectral characteristics of 

vegetation types ...................................................................................................................... 52

Figure 7. A generalized toposequence for the Goodhope Mountains illustrating geomorphic, 

topographic, permafrost, soils, and vegetation relationships in alpine and upland 

alkaline ecotypes..................................................................................................................... 54

Figure 8. A generalized toposequence for the Bendeleben Eastern Mountains illustrating 

geomorphic, topographic, permafrost, soils, and vegetation relationships in alpine 

and upland non alkaline ecotypes........................................................................................... 55

Figure 9. A generalized toposequence for the Bering Strait Upper Coastal Plain illustrating 

geomorphic, topographic, permafrost, soils, and vegetation relationships in lowland 

and lacustrine ecotypes........................................................................................................... 56

Figure 10. A generalized toposequence for the Bering Strait Lower Floodplains illustrating 

geomorphic, topographic, permafrost, soils, and vegetation relationships in riverine 

ecotypes .................................................................................................................................. 57

Figure 11. A generalized toposequence for the Espenberg Coast illustrating geomorphic, 

topographic, permafrost, soils, and vegetation relationships in coastal ecotypes .................. 58

Figure 12. Mean surface organic layer thickness, depth to rock, and thaw depths of ecotypes 

in Bering Land Bridge National Preserve and Cape Krusenstern National Monument, 

northwestern Alaska, 2002–2003 ........................................................................................... 65

Figure 13. Mean pH, electrical conductivity, and water depth of ecotypes in Bering Land Bridge 

National Preserve and Cape Krusenstern National Monument, northwestern Alaska, 

2002–2003 .............................................................................................................................. 66

Figure 14. Mean surface organic layer thickness, depth to rock, and thaw depths for plant and 

cryptogam species in Bering Land Bridge National Preserve and Cape Krusenstern 

National Monument, northwestern Alaska, 2002–2003......................................................... 67

Figure 15. Mean pH, electrical conductivity, and water depth for abundant species in Bering 

Land Bridge National Preserve and Cape Krusenstern National Monument, 

northwestern Alaska, 2002–2003 ........................................................................................... 69

Figure 16. Detrended correspondence analysis of species composition of plots sampled in Bering 

Land Bridge National Preserve and Cape Krusenstern National Monument, northwestern 

Alaska, 2002–2003 ................................................................................................................. 70

Figure 17. Map of soil associations in the Bering Land Bridge National Preserve based on analysis 

of ecotype-soil relationships derived from field surveys........................................................ 81

Figure 18. Map of soil associations in Cape Krusenstern National Monument based on analysis 

of ecotype-soil relationships derived from field surveys........................................................ 83

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1. Vegetation cover and frequency for Alpine Alkaline Dry Barrens........................................ 13

Table 2. Vegetation cover and frequency for Alpine Alkaline Dry Dryas Shrub ................................ 14

Table 3. Vegetation cover and frequency for Alpine Nonalkaline Dry Barrens .................................. 15

Table 4. Vegetation cover and frequency for Alpine Nonalkaline Dry Dryas Shrub........................... 16
v BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping

Table 5. Vegetation cover and frequency for Upland Dry Lichen Barrens.......................................... 17

Table 6. Vegetation cover and frequency for Upland Moist Spruce Forest ......................................... 18

Table 7. Vegetation cover and frequency for Upland Moist Low Willow Shrub ................................ 19

Table 8. Vegetation cover and frequency for Upland Moist Dwarf Birch–Ericaceous Shrub ............. 20

Table 9. Vegetation cover and frequency for Upland Moist Dwarf Birch–Tussock Shrub ................. 21

Table 10. Vegetation cover and frequency for Upland Dry Crowberry Shrub....................................... 22

Table 11. Vegetation cover and frequency for Upland Moist Sedge–Dryas Meadow........................... 23

Table 12. Vegetation cover and frequency for Lowland Moist Tall Alder–Willow Shrub.................... 24

Table 13. Vegetation cover and frequency for Lowland Moist Low Willow Shrub .............................. 25

Table 14. Vegetation cover and frequency for Lowland Moist Dwarf Birch–Willow Shrub ................ 26

Table 15. Vegetation cover and frequency for Lowland Wet Dwarf Birch–Ericaceous Shrub ............. 27

Table 16. Vegetation cover and frequency for Lowland Moist Sedge–Dryas Meadow......................... 28

Table 17. Vegetation cover and frequency for Lowland Sedge–Moss Fen Meadow............................. 29

Table 18. Vegetation cover and frequency for Lowland Sedge Fen Meadow ....................................... 30

Table 19. Vegetation cover and frequency for Lowland Water ............................................................. 31

Table 20. Vegetation cover and frequency for Lacustrine Maresail Marsh ........................................... 31

Table 21. Vegetation cover and frequency for Lacustrine Moist Bluejoint Meadow ............................ 32

Table 22. Vegetation cover and frequency for Riverine Barrens ........................................................... 33

Table 23. Vegetation cover and frequency for Riverine Moist Tall Alder–Willow Shrub .................... 34

Table 24. Vegetation cover and frequency for Riverine Moist Tall Willow Shrub ............................... 35

Table 25. Vegetation cover and frequency for Riverine Moist Low Willow Shrub .............................. 36

Table 26. Vegetation cover and frequency for Riverine Moist Dwarf Birch–Willow Shrub................. 37

Table 27. Vegetation cover and frequency for Coastal Barrens ............................................................. 38

Table 28. Vegetation cover and frequency for Coastal Dry Dunegrass Meadow .................................. 39

Table 29. Vegetation cover and frequency for Coastal Brackish Wet Sedge–Grass Meadow............... 40

Table 30. Vegetation cover and frequency for Coastal Saline Wet Sedge–Grass Meadow................... 41

Table 31. Key to ecotypes for Bering Land Bridge National Preserve and Cape Krusenstern 

National Monument, western Alaska ..................................................................................... 43

Table 32. Areal extent of ecotypes and vegetation types within the Bering Land Bridge National 

Preserve and Cape Krusenstern National Monument, Alaska................................................ 51

Table 33. Relationships among landscape components in the Bering Land Bridge National 

Preserve and Cape Kusenstern National Monument, northwestern Alaska ........................... 61

Table 34. Mean cover of the most abundant species in alpine and upland ecotypes. ............................ 72

Table 35. Mean cover of the most abundant species in lowland and lacustrine ecotypes...................... 73

Table 36. Mean cover of the most abundant species in coastal ecotypes............................................... 74

Table 37. Classification and description of soil types in the in the Bering Land Bridge National 

Preserve and Cape Krusenstern National Monument, Alaska................................................ 75
BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping vi

Table 38. Mean soil properties of common soil types in the Bering Land Bridge National 

Preserve and Cape Kusenstern National Monument, Alaska, 2002–2003 ............................. 76

Table 39. Cross-tabulation of soil types by map ecotype....................................................................... 77

Table 40. Crosswalk of soil associations and their equivalent landtype associations, associated 

soils, and associated ecotypes for mapping ............................................................................ 78

LIST OF APPENDICES

Appendix 1. Coding system for characterizing ecological characteristics of field plots .................... 98

Appendix 2. Data file listing of ecological components of ground reference and verification 

plots in the Bering Land Bridge National Preserve and Cape Krusenstern National 

Monument, northwestern Alaska, 2002–2003.............................................................. 100

Appendix 3. Data file listing of environmental characteristics intensive ground reference plots 

in the Bering Land Bridge National Preserve and Cape Krusenstern National 

Monument, northwestern Alaska, 2002–2003.............................................................. 105

Appendix 4. List of vascular plant species found in the Bearing Land Bridge National Preserve 

and Cape Krusenstern National Monument, northwestern Alaska, 2002–2003........... 109

Appendix 5. List of some nonvascular plant species found in the Bering Land Bridge National 

Preserve and Cape Krusenstern National Monument, northwestern Alaska, 

2002–2003 .................................................................................................................... 112

Appendix 6. List of signature vegetation classes with associated ground vegetation classes and 

showing the number of spectral signatures for each class ............................................ 114

Appendix 7. Example diagrams of rules used to model ecotypes using the ERDAS knowledgebase routine ................................................................................................................... 116

Appendix 8. Codes used in ERDAS rule-based classification of ecotypes for Bering Land 

Bridge National Preserve and Cape Krusenstern National Monument, 2004 .............. 120

Appendix 9. Cross-walk of 33 ecotypes and 31 plant associations developed from analysis 

of ground data, and 29 map ecotypes, 17 map vegetation types, and 12 map 

aggregated ecotypes...................................................................................................... 121

Appendix 10. Cross-tabulation of consistency between independently derived spectral classes 

and signature vegetation class....................................................................................... 123

Appendix 11. Comparison of mapped and ground ecotypes determined at 256 points used to 

create map signatures.................................................................................................... 124

Appendix 12. Comparison of mapped and ground vegetation determined at 256 points used 

to create map signatures................................................................................................ 125

Appendix 13. Comparison of mapped and ground ecotypes after aggregation into 12 classes, 

determined at 256 points used to create map signatures............................................... 126

Appendix 14. Vegetation cover and frequency for ecotypes described by two plant associations ..... 127

 
 Introduction

1 BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping

INTRODUCTION

Ecological field surveys and landcover

mapping are essential to evaluating land resources

and developing management strategies that are

appropriate to the varying conditions of the

landscape. More specifically, land classification

and mapping can be used to more efficiently

allocate inventory and monitoring efforts, to

partition ecological information for analysis of

ecological relationships, to develop predictive

ecological models, and to improve techniques for

assessing and mitigating impacts. To satisfy this

wide range of needs for the Bering Land Bridge

National Preserve (BELA) and Cape Krusenstern

National Monument (CAKR), the National Park

Service (NPS) is pursuing an integrated “bottom

up” approach for inventorying and classifying

ecological characteristics, and a “top down”

approach to landcover mapping using satellite

image processing and environmental modeling to

incorporate numerous environmental

characteristics. In this effort we combined the areas

for BELA and CAKR into one mapping effort

because the the ecological characteristics were

similar, both areas were covered by a single

satellite scene, and it was more efficient to do them

together.

To enhance the landcover mapping, which is

based primarily on spectral characteristics, we used

a multi-step process to better partition the

variability in vegetation and other ecological

characteristics. These included: (1) an integrated

ecological land survey to characterize vegetation,

soils, and other ecological characteristics; (2)

classification of plant communities (floristic

associations), soils, and local-scale ecosystems

(termed “ecotypes”) that integrate covarying

ecological properties; (3) analysis of relationships

among ecological components; (4) spectral

classification of vegetation structure and dominant

plants; and (5) rule-based modeling to better

identify and separate the plant communities

associated with alpine, riverine, and coastal

physiographic regions. Using this integrated

ecological land survey approach, we produced a

landcover map that has accompanying attributes

for vegetation, soils, ecotypes, and a suite of

environmental properties. In this report, we

emphasize the ecotype component of the landcover

map, because it provides the most discrete basis for

organizing relationships among vegetation, soils,

physiography, and other environmental properties.

In an ecological land survey and classification

(ELS), landscapes are viewed not as aggregations

of independent biological and physical resources,

but as ecological systems with functionally related

parts (Rowe 1961; Wiken and Ironside 1977;

Bailey 1980, 1996; Driscoll et al. 1984). The goal

of an ELS is to provide a consistent conceptual

framework for modeling, analyzing, interpreting,

and applying ecological knowledge. To provide the

information required for such a wide range of

applications, an ELS includes three phases: (1) an

ecological land inventory that surveys and analyzes

data obtained in the field; (2) an ecological land

classification that classifies and maps ecosystem

distribution; and (3) an ecological land evaluation

that assesses the capabilities and sensitivities of the

land to various land management practices. This

three-phased approach of linking ecological

characteristics within a landcover map and spatial

database improves our ability to predict the

response of ecosystems to human impacts and

facilitates the production of thematic maps for

specialized engineering and environmental

applications.

The structure and function of natural

ecosystems are regulated largely along gradients of

energy, moisture, nutrients, and disturbance. These

gradients are affected by climate, physiography,

geomorphology, soils, hydrology, vegetation, and

fauna, and are referred to as ecological components

(in this report) or ‘state factors’ (Barnes et al. 1982,

ECOMAP 1993, Bailey 1996). We used the

state-factor approach (Jenny 1941, Van Cleve et al.

1990, Vitousek 1994, Bailey 1996, Ellert et al.

1997) to evaluate relationships among individual

ecological components and to develop a reduced

set of ecotypes (Figure 1a). Based on the landscape

relationships developed from the “bottom up,” we

integrated satellite remote sensing of vegetation

characteristics, physiographic maps, and Digital

Elevation Model (DEM) topography to model the

distribution of landcover types from the “top

down.” The resulting landcover maps, which

integrate co-varying biological and physical

characteristics, provide a comprehensive

information base that can be used for ecosystem

management. 
Introduction

BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping 2

An ecological land classification also involves

the organization of ecological components within a

hierarchy of spatial and temporal scales (Wiken

1981, Allen and Starr 1982, O’Neil et al. 1986,

Delcourt and Delcourt 1988, Klijn and Udo de

Haes 1994, Forman 1995, Bailey 1996).

Local-scale features (e.g., vegetation) are nested

within regional-scale components, (e.g., climate

and physiography) (Figure 1b). Climate,

particularly temperature and precipitation,

accounts for the largest proportion of global

variation in ecosystem structure and function

(Walter 1979, Vitousek 1994, Bailey 1998). Within

a given climatic zone, physiography (characteristic

geologic substrate, surface shape, and relief)

controls the rates and spatial arrangements of

geomorphic processes and energy flow. These

processes result in the formation of geomorphic

Figure 1. Interaction of interrelated state factors that control the structure and function of ecosystems 

(a) and the scales at which they operate (b).

a)

b)

1

10

100

1000

10000

100000

1 10 100 1000 10000 100000 1000000

Space (m2)

Time (yr)

Physiography

Regional

Climate

Geomorphology

Soil Texture

Geomorphic Unit

Slope Position

Drainage

Permafrost

Hydrology

Water Level

Soil Moisture

Vegetation

Structure

Plant Association

Disturbance

Fire

Fluvial

Thermokarst

Human

Disturbance

Time

Climate

Topography

(Physiography)

Parent

Material

Organisms

Hydrology

ECOREGION

Soil Type

Ecotype
 Introduction

3 BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping

units with characteristic lithologies, textures, and

surface forms, which in turn affect soil properties

and the movement of water (Wahrhaftig 1965,

Swanson et al. 1988, Bailey 1996). Water

movement through soil is a critical factor in

determining the distribution of vegetation (Fitter

and Hay 1987, Oberbauer et al. 1989), due to its

influence on both water balance and nutrient

availability for plants. Finally, vegetation provides

structure and energy that affect the distribution of

many wildlife species. The interrelated processes

that operate across these components at the various

scales can also be sources of disturbance that

greatly influence the timing and development of

ecosystems (Watt 1947, Pickett et al. 1989, Walker

and Walker 1991, Forman 1995). Official systems

for classifying ecosystems across scales have been

developed for both the United States (ECOMAP

1993) and Canada (Wiken and Ironside 1977),

while the proposed system for Europe incorporates

elements of both the U.S. and Canadian systems

(Klijn and Udo de Haes 1994).

A hierarchical approach to mapping

vegetation and land cover was developed for

northern Alaska by Everett and Walker (Everett et

al. 1978; Walker 1983, 1999). They also applied an

integrated geobotanical approach to mapping

ecosystem components in the Prudhoe Bay region,

but did not group the integrated units hierarchically

(Walker et al. 1980). Recently, an

integrated-terrain-unit (ITU) approach was

developed for large-scale mapping of ecosystems

on the Arctic Coastal Plain (Jorgenson et al. 1997,

Jorgenson et al. 2003), the entire North Slope

(Walker 1999, Jorgenson and Heiner 2003),

Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta (Jorgenson 2000),

interior Alaska (Jorgenson et al. 1999, Jorgenson et

al. 2001), and south-central Alaska (Jorgenson et

al. 2003). The ITU approach also has been used for

mapping circumpolar arctic vegetation (Walker et

al. 2002).

In implementing the ecological land

classification portion of landcover mapping, we

used a simplified ITU approach that incorporated

three components that are readily mapped or

modeled, including physiographic units derived

from the existing landscape-level ecological maps

(subsections) for BELA (Jorgenson 2001) and

CAKR (Swanson 2001) that are closely related to

surficial geology and geomorphology, surface

forms derived from the DEM (primarily

slope-related features), and vegetation from the

landcover spectral classification. This ITU

approach, along with the landscape relationships

developed from the analysis of the field survey

information, allowed us to develop an enhanced set

of landcover types from remote sensing that

essentially differentiate ecosystems at the ecotype

level of ecological land classification. This

integrated approach has several benefits: it

recognizes the important effects of geomorphic

processes on natural disturbance regimes (e.g.,

flooding, thermokarst) and the flow of energy and

material, it preserves the diversity of

environmental characteristics, and it uses a

systematic approach to classifying landscape

features for applied analyses. To demonstrate one

application of this approach, we analyzed the

relationships among soil and landcover types, and

used these relationships to develop a map of soil

associations. Thus, the landcover map can serve as

the spatial database with differing ecological

components to aid resource managers evaluate

ecological impacts and develop land management

strategies appropriate for a diversity of landscape

conditions.

Accordingly, the specific objectives of this

ecological land survey and landcover mapping for

BELA and CAKR were to:

1) conduct a field survey of ecosystem

components, including geomorphology

(surficial geology), topography, soils,

hydrology, and vegetation within the

study area;

2) evaluate the relationships among

ecosystem components;

3) classify landcover types (local-scale

ecosystems or ecotypes) based on

quantitative analysis of field data;

4) map landcover types through processing

of Landsat TM satellite imagery and

rule-based modeling; and

5) use the map database and ecological

relationships to derive maps of soil

distribution.
Methods

BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping 4

METHODS

FIELD SURVEYS

Field surveys were conducted in BELA

during 10–15 July 2002 and in CAKR during

11–16 July 2003 (Figures 2 and 3) to collect

ecosystem component data. A gradient-directed

sampling scheme (Austin and Heyligers 1989) was

used to sample the range of ecological conditions

and to provide the spatially-related data needed to

interpret ecosystem development. Intensive

sampling was done primarily along transects

(toposequences) located within major

physiographic environments, including coastal,

riverine, lacustrine, lowland, upland, and alpine

areas. Along each transect, 6–14 plots were

sampled, each in a distinct vegetation type or

spectral signature identifiable on aerial

photographs. Data were collected at 231 plots

along 32 toposequences. An additional 257

verification sites were sampled off transects for

characterizing vegetation structure and dominant

plants for use during mapping. All sample

locations were located on aerial photographs, and

coordinates (including approximate elevations)

were obtained with a Global Positioning System

(GPS) receiver (accuracy ±15 m). At each

intensive plot (~10-m radius), descriptions or

measurements of geology, surface form (microand macrotopography), hydrology, soil

stratigraphy, and vegetation cover were recorded

(Appendices 1–3). Photos were taken at all sample

locations. Data and photos are archived at ABR

and NPS. 

Geologic and surface-form variables recorded

included physiography, surface geomorphic unit,

slope, aspect, surface form, and height of

microrelief. Hydrologic variables measured at each

sampling site included depth of water above or

below ground surface, depth to saturated soil, pH,

and electrical conductivity (EC). Water depths

were measured with a ruler and water-quality

measurements (pH and EC) were made with

Oakton or Cole-Palmer portable meters that were

calibrated daily with standard solutions.

Soil stratigraphy was described from a

shallow soil core or soil pit at each plot. Most soil

profiles were limited to the seasonally thawed layer

(~0.5–1 m) above the permafrost and were

described from soil plugs dug with a shovel. For all

intensive plots, the dominant mineral texture, the

depth of surface organic matter, cumulative

thickness of all organic horizons, percentage of

coarse fragments, depth to rock (>15% by volume),

and depth of thaw were recorded. When water was

not present, EC and pH were measured from a

saturated soil paste. A single simplified texture

(i.e., loamy, sandy, organic) was assigned to

characterize the dominant texture in the top 40 cm

at each plot for ecotype classification. Within a

subset of plots, however, a more complete soil

stratigraphy was described using standard methods

(SSDS 1993).

Vegetation structure and composition were

assessed semiquantitatively. Cover of each species

was visually estimated to the nearest 1%, if cover

was <10% or >90%, and to the nearest 5% for

cover ≥10–90%. Isolated individuals or species

with very low cover were assigned a cover value of

0.1%. A species list was compiled that included all

vascular plants and the dominant nonvascular

plants observed in the plot. Total cover of each

plant growth form (e.g., tall shrub, dwarf shrub,

lichens) was estimated independently of the cover

estimates for individual species. Data were then

cross checked to ensure that the summed cover of

individual species within a growth form category

was comparable to the total cover estimated for

that growth form. Taxonomic nomenclature

followed Viereck and Little (1972) for shrubs and

Hultén (1968) for other vascular plants, with the

exception of shrub birch. We did not distinguish

between Betula glandulosa and Betula nana, but

called both B. nana. We also used a draft floristic

inventory of the Seward Peninsula (Kelso et al.

1997) and CAKR (Carolyn Parker, Univ. Alaska

Museum, unpublished data 2003) for guidance.

Nomenclature for bryophytes and lichens followed

the National Plants Database (NRCS 2001).

Identification of mosses and lichens during field

sampling was limited to dominant, readily

identifiable species. Dominant cryptogams that

could not be identified in the field were collected

and sent to Mikhail Zhurbenko and Olga Afonina,

Komarov Botanical Institute, Russia, for

identification. Plant species identified are listed in

Appendices 4 and 5.
 Methods

5 BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping Figure 2. Sampling locations for the ecological land survey (2002–2003) and Landsat scene boundaries for spectral classification, for the Bering Land Bridge National Preserve, northwestern Alaska.

T13

T19

T17

T07

T04

T05

Aqu si ti oi n da et August 1 2, 002

Aqu si ti oi n da et August 3, 2002

Aqu si ti oi n da et August 3, 2002

Aqu si ti oi n da et

uJ ne 28, 2000 T08

T02

T01

T09

T06

T03

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T21

T16

T14

T12 T10 T11

168°0'0"W

167°0'0"W

167°0'0"W

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164°0'0"W

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163°0'0"W

65°30'0"N 65°0'0"N

65°30'0"N

66°0'0"N

66°30'0"N 66°0'0"N

ABR file: BELA_SA_2003_Plots_02-329-1.mxd; 1 November 2004

10 0 10 20 30

Kilometers

5 0 5 10 15 20

Miles

5

Bering Land Bridge

National Preserve

Ground reference plotsVerification plots

C h

u

k

c

h

i

S

e

a

K o t z e b u e

S o u n d
Methods

BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping 6

Figure 3. Sampling locations for the ecological land survey in Cape Krusenstern National Monument, 

northwestern Alaska, 2003. The entire monument was included within one Landsat scene 

acquired 3 August 2002.

T04

T01

T07

T06

T05

T02

T08

T13

T11

T15

T14

T12

T10

164°30'0"W

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ABR file: CAKR_SA_2003_Plots_02-329-1.mxd; 14 May 2004

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Ground reference plots

Verification plots

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National Monument

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 Methods

7 BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping

ECOLOGICAL CLASSIFICATION

Ecosystem classification was undertaken at

two levels. First, individual ecological components

were classified and coded using standard

classification systems developed for Alaska.

Second, these ecological components were

integrated to classify ecotypes (local-scale

ecosystems) that best partitioned the range of

variation for all the measured components.

ECOLOGICAL COMPONENTS

Geomorphic units were classified according to

a system based on landform-soil characteristics for

Alaska, originally developed by Kreig and Reger

(1982) and the Alaska Division of Geological and

Geophysical Survey (1983) and modified for this

study. We relied on previous landscape analysis of

BELA (Jorgenson 2001) and CAKR (Swanson

2001) as a guide to our identification of geomorphic

and geologic units. We made slight modifications to

these maps, however, to extend some of the

floodplain mapping farther upstream, and revised

some of the coastal and floodplain boundaries to

better coregister with the image. We emphasized

materials near the surface (<2 m) because they

have the greatest influence on ecological

processes. Within the geomorphic classification, we

also classified waterbodies based on their depth,

salinity, and genesis.

Surface forms (macrotopography) were

classified according to a system modified from that

of Schoeneberger et al. (1998). Microtopography

was classified according to the periglacial system

of Washburn (1973). 

Vegetation was classified in the field to Level

4 of the Alaska Vegetation Classification (AVC)

developed by Viereck et al. (1992), with slight

modifications previously developed for tundra and

coastal classes (Jorgenson et al. 1997). After

fieldwork was completed and unknown specimens

were identified, plant associations were developed

through numeric analyses to further identify plant

communities. First, vegetation data (species cover

by plot) were ordered into species groups using

TWINSPAN (PCOrd 4.17, MjM Software

Designs). Second, sorted table analyses

(Mueller-Dombois and Ellenberg 1974) were used

to refine the groups and identify potential outlier

plots. Finally, detrended correspondence analysis

was used to chart the plots in species space to

assess their dispersion and further identify outliers.

After groups were finalized, each plant association

was identified by a dominant and characteristic

species. 

ECOTYPES

Classification of ecotypes (local-scale

ecosystems) was accomplished in three general

steps: (1) the ecological components were

individually classified for each detailed ground

description, (2) relationships along transects were

examined to illustrate trends across the landscape,

and (3) contingency tables were used to identify

the common relationships and central tendencies

among ecological components. In developing the

ecotype classes, we emphasized ecological

characteristics (primarily geomorphology and

vegetation structure) that could be interpreted from

aerial photographs. We also developed a

nomenclature for ecotypes that describes

ecological characteristics (physiography, soil

chemistry, moisture, vegetation structure, and

dominant species) using a terminology that can be

easily understood.

To reduce the number of ecotype classes, we

aggregated the field data for individual ecological

components (e.g., soil stratigraphy and vegetation

composition), using a hierarchical approach.

Geomorphic units were assigned to physiographic

settings based on their erosional or depositional

processes. Surface-forms were aggregated into a

reduced set of slope elements (crest, upper slope,

lower slope, toe, and flat). For vegetation, we used

the structural levels of the Alaska Vegetation

Classification (Viereck et al. 1992), because they

are readily identifiable on aerial photographs.

Some textural classes were grouped (e.g., sandy

and loamy) because the vegetation associated with

them was similar, and some vegetation structures

(e.g., open and closed shrub) were grouped

because their species composition was similar.

Ecotype names were then based on the aggregated

ecological components. 

Common relationships among ecosystem

components were identified by use of contingency

tables. The contingency tables sorted plots by

physiography, soil texture, geomorphic unit, slope

position, drainage, soil chemistry (pH and salinity),

vegetation structure, and plant association. From

these tables, common associations were identified
Methods

BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping 8

and unusual associations either were lumped with

those having similar characteristics or excluded as

unusual (outliers). The resulting final ecotypes

were used for mapping and to summarize the

ground data.

LANDCOVER MAPPING

IMAGERY AND ANCILLARY DATA SETS

Three terrain-corrected Landsat TM scenes

(28.5 m pixel resolution) were used to create the

map. The main scene, acquired 3 August 2002

(Path 81, Rows 12-14), covered all of CAKR and

the central 91% of BELA. The image was

essentially cloud-free, though some haze obscured

the Bendeleben Mountains. Scenes for the

peripheral eastern and western edges of BELA

were acquired 28 June 2000 (Path 79, Row 14) and

1 August 2002 (Path 83, Row 14), respectively.

The western image was cloud-free in the area of

interest, and the eastern image had a few small

clouds along the southern edge of the study area.

After a position analysis based on USGS digital

maps and GPS locations acquired in the field,

images were shifted 17 m west and 23 m north.

Based on GPS data, the horizontal positional

accuracy of the image is less than 1 pixel (28.5 m). 

In addition to the TM imagery, several layers

were used to differentiate specific landscape and

vegetation features during post-classification

modeling. Existing ecosubsection mapping

(Jorgenson 2001, Swanson 2001) was used to

define major physiographic and geologic regions.

Some modification was made to region boundaries

to extend floodplain delineations and correct

positional errors. Digital elevation models from the

National Elevation Dataset also were used for

modeling. Finally, vector layers were created to

partition a few specific features, such as areas of

cloud and shadow on flat terrain, forested patches

in BELA, and the road to the Red Dog Mine.

SIGNATURE EVALUATION AND SPECTRAL 

DATABASE DEVELOPMENT 

Satellite image processing was done using

ERDAS 8.6 software. Spectral signatures were

generated by overlaying a point file of ground truth

sites on the imagery and using region growing

tools (seeding) to group pixels of similar spectral

characteristics with associated ground-truth sites.

In addition to the 488 sites surveyed in this study,

ground data collected from the NPS Intensive

Mapping Area Survey, 1991–1993 were used.

Region-growing parameters varied with the

characteristics associated with the ground-truth

sites, but a conservative approach was used to

restrict pixels to areas that the mapper easily

recognized as belonging to the same vegetation

type as the ground truth site. The spectral Euclidian

distance and total number of pixels within the

region were used as primary parameters. Euclidian

distances commonly were between 5 and 10,

though some particularly homogenous areas were

lower, and seeded regions typically were less than

20 pixels. Small, distinct features such as beach

fringe or gravel bars were allowed larger Euclidian

distances, and large homogenous areas, such as

large water bodies, were allowed larger regions. A

minimum of seven pixels was required for a valid

signature. Seeded regions were added to a

signature file if they met these basic parameters

and appeared to represent a homogenous photo

signature on the satellite image and airphotos for

the ground class. A total of 574 signatures were

created using ground data and photo interpretation.

Of the 60 vegetation classes identified in the

ground data, spectral signatures were assigned to

56. The four classes not included in the signature

file were Four-leaf Marestail, Dry Forb Meadow,

Mixed Herbs, and Open Dwarf White Spruce. The

few examples of these classes described by the

ground data were either in areas too small or too

heterogeneous to generate good signatures. One

class was added based on the NPS Intensive

Mapping Area Survey data, Open Tall

Alder–Willow, yielding spectral signatures for 57

vegetation classes based on ground data.

A spectral database was created by exporting

the spectral data for each signature, including mean

and standard deviation for each spectral band, into

an ACCESS database. Ground data associated with

each signature, including plot identifier, vegetation

class, ecotype class, vegetation cover by canopy

structure, organic layer depth, slope, and percent

cover of the most abundant 70 species in the region

were added where available. A normalized

difference vegetation index (NDVI) also was

calculated for each signature and added to the

database.
 Methods

9 BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping

Signatures were evaluated by testing the

inherent quality of the spectral information

associated with the signature and by assessing the

relationships of the signatures to vegetation

classes. Analyses used in the signature evaluation

included analysis of: (1) the variability of spectral

bands for each signature, (2) the fidelity of the

signature to the ground information, (3) the central

tendencies and overlap of signatures within

preliminary ground vegetation classes using

principal components analysis, and (4) the

association of ground vegetation classes within and

among spectral clusters. The results were

incorporated into the database.

To assess the spectral variability of each

signature, a mean coefficient of variation was

calculated for each band for each signature and the

results averaged. Signatures with <10% mean

variation were judged acceptable the remaining

signatures were identified for further evaluation.

Exceptions were made for signatures describing

Water and Partially Vegetated areas as these classes

have high inherent variability. All signatures with

coefficients >10% were evaluated by case and

retained or excluded based on the results of the

analysis described below.

To assess the fidelity of the signature to the

ground information, a contingency table was

generated based on a maximum likelihood

classification of all signature areas using ERDAS

signature evaluation routines. The number of

pixels classified to the same signature as that

developed from the corresponding signature area

was calculated. The resulting matrix of input

signature by classified signature area provided a

measure of the ability of signatures to map

correctly to themselves. We extended this analysis

to show signature fidelity to the vegetation classes

assigned to them based on the ground data.

Signatures where >80% of the pixels classified to

the correct vegetation class within a signature area

were considered acceptable. A few signatures of

infrequently occurring ground vegetation classes

that had less fidelity to their vegetation class were

retained on a case by case basis because they

classified accurately to a closely related class. We

preserved these signatures because we anticipated

the need of merging unusual classes with those

classes more frequently observed. Examples of

these low fidelity signatures included a signature

for Moist Sedge–Willow Meadow that mapped

well to Moist Sedge–Dryas Meadow, and a

signature for Closed Low Willow that mapped well

to Open Low Willow. The two analysis of spectral

quality resulted in the elimination of 117

signatures. 

To assess the central tendencies and overlap of

spectral characteristics of signatures among the

initial 57 ground vegetation classes, principal

components analysis (PCA) was used in

conjunction with cluster analysis (PCOrd 4.17,

MjM Software Designs). Results were then used

to aggregrate ground vegetation classes with

similar spectral and vegetative characteristics into

a reduced set of signature vegetation classes. A

PCA of the signatures using band data with NDVI

was conducted on the 457 signatures remaining

after the basic signature evaluation to reduce the

variability in signatures to two dimensions and

identify outliers within ground vegetation classes.

The center of each vegetation class was calculated

based on the first two PCA axes, and a distance

from the center in axis space was calculated for

each signature within the vegetation class. The

signatures for each vegetation class were ranked

according to their proximity to the center of the

vegetation class. The 20% of signatures with the

lowest rank (farthest from the center of each

vegetation group) were identified as potential

outliers. The potential outliers were evaluated for

spectral (see cluster analysis below) and plant

association (see Ecological Components) similarity

and compared with the main characteristics of the

vegetation class. While we recognize that some

legitimate signatures may have been lost through

this analysis, we believe it more important to

reduce the potential for misclassifying pixels in the

neighborhood of vegetation class outliers than to

preserve the outliers themselves. 

As another measure for assessing how unique

the spectral characteristics were for each ground

vegetation class, cluster analysis of band data and

NDVI (PCOrd 4.17) was used to group the spectral

characteristics of all 574 signatures into clusters, or

nodes. A dendrogram with hierarchical linkages

partitioned the variability into 66 nodes. The nodes

then were cross-tabulated with the ground

vegetation classes to identify the frequency with

which vegetation types were associated with

individual spectral nodes. Signatures within nodes
Methods

BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping 10

that were strongly associated with a particular

vegetation class (the dominant vegetation type for

the node) were considered valid. Signatures for

vegetation classes not consistent with the dominant

vegetation type represented by the node were

identified for further evaluation. Plant

associations, PCA, and cluster analysis nodes were

used to group poorly differentiated ground

vegetation classes with the most appropriate class

or to reject signatures as invalid. Sixty-five

signatures were eliminated after the PCA and

cluster analysis.

Based on the results of these multivariate

analyses of spectral characteristics, the similarity

of species composition, and the relative abundance

of the vegetation types in the study area, we

consolidated the original 57 ground vegetation

classes (AVC Level 4) into 18 signature vegetation

classes. Signatures with ground vegetation classes

poorly defined by the multivariate analysis were

merged with other vegetation classes of similar

species composition, landscape position, and

spectral characteristics. Four ground vegetation

classes were eliminated through the signature

verification process because the signatures

associated with them did not self classify (Cassiope

Dwarf Shrub Tundra, Vaccinium Dwarf Shrub

Tundra, Open Low Alder, Open Low

Alder–Willow) and one class was eliminated

because signatures did not self classify or were

defined as outliers by the PCA (Wet Sedge–Birch

Tundra). Major vegetation class consolidations

included merging 13 low shrub classes into 4, 7

dwarf shrub classes into 2, and 5 lowland wet

sedge classes into 2 (Appendix 6). Some ground

vegetation classes were split among several

signature vegetation classes as dictated by their

spectral characteristics and results of the

multivariate analysis. For example, the ground

vegetation class Dryas–Sedge Dwarf Shrub Tundra

was merged with either Dryas Dwarf Shrub Tundra

or Moist Sedge–Dryas Tundra, depending upon

each signature plant association and results of the

multivariate analysis. The final classification set

included 389 spectral signatures and 18 signature

vegetation classes. The original 574 signatures,

however, were retained in the complete spectral

database.

IMAGE CLASSIFICATION

Supervised classification of the main scene

was done with a fuzzy classification using the

389-signature classification set. We chose to use a

fuzzy classification and convolution because we

wanted to minimize the occurance of isolated,

single pixels that might result from the

classification of pixels with mixed spectral

signatures. The reduced graininess produced from

this supervised classification method makes the

map more amenable for analysis and land

management. An initial maximum likelihood

classification resulted in a highly pixelated map

that appeared, in some areas, to impart diversity

that was not observed on the ground. Much of this

pixelation is due to overlap in spectral

characteristics among similar vegetation classes

and the spectral diversity within classes. The fuzzy

classification and convolution routines provided a

method by which secondary as well as best

classifications for each pixel could be considered

and weighed against surrounding pixels to provide

a more useful classification. The fuzzy

classification was based on a maximum likelihood

routine and classified the 3 best classes per pixel. A

fuzzy convolution was performed on the resulting

classification using 2 fuzzy classification layers

and a 3 × 3 pixel window. The window used a 0.34

equal weighting factor for all 8 adjoining pixels.

We selected the parameters of our fuzzy

classification and convolution conservatively to

allow mixed pixels to be classified with similar

neighbor pixels while preserving the classification

of individual pixels with strong spectral signatures

dissimilar from their neighbors. After the fuzzy

convolution was completed, we recoded the

classification using the 18 signature vegetation

classes to produce a vegetation classification based

on the relationships between signatures and

vegetation classes identified in the spectral

database.
 Methods

11 BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping

RULE-BASED MODELING

Rule-based modeling (ERDAS Knowledge

Engineer) was used to reclassify the supervised

classification into 29 ecotypes (Appendices 7 and

8). Inputs to the rules included the classes resulting

from the fuzzy convolution, the signature

vegetation classification created by recoding the

fuzzy convolution, ecosubsection regions, DEM

analyses, and specifically generated vector layers

(see above). Each ecotype was defined as a

collection of signature vegetation classes and/or

fuzzy convolution classes within a particular group

of physiographic regions. In this way, the

vegetation class Open Low Willow Shrub was

defined as Lowland Moist Low Willow on coastal

plains and in small drainages, Riverine Moist Low

and Tall Willow Shrub on floodplain deposits, and

Upland Moist Low Willow on upper slopes.

Signature vegetation classes such as Halophytic

Sedge–Grass Wet Meadow were redefined in

non-coastal areas, and shadows on alpine slopes,

frequently classified as Water, were redefined

using a slope rule. Results of the multivariate

analysis, particularly the principal components

cluster nodes, were used along with photo

interpretation to assign an appropriate ecotype to

signature vegetation classes that occurred outside

their normally associated region. Occasionally,

ecotype classes were assigned to individual fuzzy

classes when their associated signature vegetation

class was broadly distributed. We classified the

road to the Red Dog mine in CAKR, by digitizing

the road and designating the Partially Vegetated

class within that region as Human Modified

Barrens. The completed knowledge-based rule file

defines each mapped ecotype by its associated

signature vegetation class or fuzzy convolution

class, the associated physiographic region, and any

pertinent DEM or vector layers. After the

knowledge-based classification was finished and

the ecotype map was completed, we generated a

vegetation map derived from the ecotype classes in

order to create a vegetation layer corrected by the

rule-based modeling. Seventeen classes are

presented in the ecotype-derived vegetation map,

compared with 18 signature vegetation classes,

because low and tall willow classes were combined

in the Riverine Moist Low and Tall Willow Shrub

ecotype. 

PERIPHERAL IMAGE CLASSIFICATION

The classification of the peripheral images

was done through correlation of the spectral classes

of the peripheral image with those in the main

image. This method was used because the the two

peripheral areas were relatively small, their

vegetation was similar, and fieldwork to develop

full training sets was not practical because of

funding and logistical constraints. The peripheral

east and west scenes for BELA were classified

using a combination of unsupervised and

rule-based classification. Each scene was classified

into 100 classes using an unsupervised (ISODATA)

classification. In the areas of overlap between the

main scene and the peripheral images, a

contingency matrix was generated, and each

unsupervised class was assigned the most common

class from the fuzzy convolution in the main

image. The unsupervised classifications were

recoded with the fuzzy convolution classes from

the main scene and also with signature vegetation

classes. The east and west scenes were run through

the rule-based classification generated for the main

scene and the results examined for consistency

with the main image. New knowledge-base files

were created for east and west images and

fine-tuned to minimize inconsistencies among

images. Finally, a minimal cluster size was

specified for each edge scene based on consistency

of appearance with the main classification, 2 pixels

for the west and 3 for the east, with smaller pixel

size groups eliminated. The peripheral scenes were

then merged with the main image.

ACCURACY ASSESSMENT

We assessed the quality and consistency of the

classification process using four methods. First,

after applying region growing tools, signature

quality was determined by how well the signatures

classified to themselves (e.g., the number of pixels

within the seeded area for signature 180 classified

as 180) and to the ground vegetation type (e.g.,

signature 180 was correctly classified as Dryas

Dwarf Shrub Tundra) prior to the supervised

classification (see section above on signature

evaluation). Second, the results of the principal
Methods

BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping 12

components analysis were reviewed to assess the

separability of the signatures or overlap among

signature vegetation types. Third, spectral nodes

generated from cluster analysis (aggregations of

signatures) were cross-tabulated with signature

vegetation classes to assess the degree to which

signature vegetation was consistently associated

with certain spectral signatures. Finally, the

ecotypes and mapped vegetation types were

cross-tabulated with the field survey data to

quantify the consistency of the map with the

ground data. Although we did not have

independent points to assess the true accuracy of

the mapping, we believe the combination of

validating the relationships between spectral

characteristics and vegetation and assessing the

consistency of the mapping with a large set of

widely distributed data points, provide good

measures for approximating the overall accuracy of

the classification and mapping effort. A full,

independent accurary assessment was not done

because of funding constraints.
 Results

13 BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping

RESULTS

CLASSIFICATION AND DESCRIPTION OF 

ECOTYPES AND PLANT ASSOCIATIONS

Descriptions of the 33 ecotypes and their

respective plant associations are given below and

include information on distribution and landscape

setting, soil characteristics, plant associations and

dominant plant species. Vegetation cover values

are provided after the ecotype descriptions in

Tables 1–30. Usually, each ecotype corresponds to

a unique plant association, however, 4 ecotypes

had two plant associations. Tables with the

vegetation cover separated by plant association

within ecotype are provided in Appendix 14. There

were a total of 31 plant associations.

ALPINE ALKALINE DRY BARRENS

Plant Associations:

Dryas octopetala–Potentilla uniflora

Barren (<5% cover) to partially vegetated

(5–30%) areas on exposed carbonate bedrock and

unstable colluvial slopes at high elevations (~>700

m). Bedrock includes both sedimentary (limestone,

dolostone) and metamorphic (marble) carbonate

rocks. Soils are thin, rocky, well to excessively

drained, and alkaline (pH 7.4). There is no surface

organic horizon. 

Scattered vegetation is dominated by dwarf

shrubs including Dryas octopetala, Dryas

integrifolia, and lichens, particularly Evernia

perfragilis and Flavocetraria spp. Associated

species include Saxifraga oppositifolia,

Lesquerella arctica, Potentilla uniflora,

Hedysarum mackenzii, and Oxytropis nigrescens.

Table 1. Vegetation cover and frequency for 

Alpine Alkaline Dry Barrens (n=6).

 Cover Freq 

 Mean SD (%) 

Total Live Cover 22.2 6.7 100 

Total Vascular Cover 15.8 3.4 100 

Total Evergreen Shrub Cover 9.7 0.8 100 

Dryas integrifolia 1.3 3.3 17 

Dryas octopetala 8.3 4.1 83 

Total Deciduous Shrub Cover 0.1 0.1 50 

Salix arctica 0.0 0.0 17 

Salix rotundifolia 0.0 0.0 17 

Total Forb Cover 4.9 2.4 100 

Androsace chamaejasme 0.0 0.1 33 

Artemisia furcata 0.2 0.4 83 

Artemisia senjavinensis 0.0 0.1 33 

Bupleurum triradiatum 0.1 0.1 50 

Hedysarum mackenzii 0.6 0.8 83 

Lesquerella arctica 0.1 0.0 83 

Minuartia arctica 0.2 0.4 33 

Oxytropis arctica 0.4 0.5 50 

Oxytropis nigrescens 0.3 0.4 50 

Phlox sibirica sibirica 0.4 0.5 67 

Potentilla uniflora 0.8 0.4 83 

Saussurea angustifolia 0.2 0.4 50 

Saxifraga oppositifolia 0.9 0.9 100 

Taraxacum phymatocarpum 0.0 0.1 33 

Total Grass Cover 0.0 0.0 17 

Total Sedge Cover 1.1 0.9 100 

Carex petricosa 0.3 0.8 17 

Carex rupestris 0.2 0.4 33 

Carex scirpoidea 0.0 0.1 33 

Carex sp. 0.4 0.5 50 

Kobresia sp. 0.2 0.4 17 

Total NonVascular Cover 6.4 5.2 100 

Total Moss Cover 0.3 0.4 67 

Ctenidium procerrimum 0.0 0.1 17 

Distichium capillaceum 0.0 0.0 17 

Total Lichen Cover 6.1 5.0 100 

Alectoria nigricans 0.2 0.4 17 

Alectoria ochroleuca 0.4 0.5 50 

Asahinea chrysantha 0.1 0.1 33 

Bryocaulon divergens 0.2 0.4 17 

Cetraria tilesii 0.2 0.4 67 

Cladina sp. 0.1 0.2 17 

Evernia perfragilis 0.2 0.4 50 

Flavocetraria cucullata 0.2 0.4 67 

Flavocetraria nivalis 0.5 0.5 67 

Nephroma arcticum 0.2 0.4 33 

Ochrolechia frigida 0.8 1.3 33 

Pertusaria sp. 0.2 0.4 17 

Thamnolia subuliformis 0.7 1.6 17 

Thamnolia vermicularis 1.2 1.3 83 

Total Bare Ground 88.5 3.6 100 

Soil 85.0 4.5 100 
Results

BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping 14

ALPINE ALKALINE DRY DRYAS 

SHRUB

Plant Associations:

Dryas integrifolia–Rhododendron lapponicum; 

Dryas octopetala–Potentilla uniflora

Areas on carbonate bedrock and relatively

stable slopes at high elevations (~>700m)

dominated by dwarf shrub vegetation. Soils are

alkaline (pH 7.4), rocky, and well drained with a

thin organic horizon. 

Vegetation is dominated by dwarf shrubs and

lichens including Dryas integrifolia (mostly south

slopes), or D. octopetala, Thamnolia vermicularis,

Ochrolechia frigida, Nephroma arcticum,

Flavocetraria cucullata, and F. nivalis. Other

species include Cassiope tetragona, Potentilla

uniflora, Arctostaphylos rubra, Rhytidium

rugosum, and Tomentypnum nitens.

The first plant association is dominated by

Dryas integrifolia and differentiated by the

common occurrence of Rhododendron

lapponicum. Other common species include Salix

arctica, Salix reticulata, Arctostaphylos rubra,

Carex scirpoidea, Tomentypnum nitens and

Rhytidium rugosum. The second plant association

is dominated by Dryas octopetala and

differentiated by the presence of Potentilla

uniflora. Other common species include Saxifraga

oppositifolia, Artemisia furcata, Hedysarum

mackenzii, and Lesquerella arctica.

This ecotype is similar to Alpine Nonalkaline

Dry Dryas Shrub, but lacks the acidiphilic species

Salix phlebophylla and Hierochloe alpina.

Table 2. Vegetation cover and frequency for Alpine 

Alkaline Dry Dryas Shrub (n=13).

 Cover Freq 

 Mean SD (%) 

Total Live Cover 96.1 46.8 100

Total Vascular Cover 60.8 20.0 100

Total Evergreen Shrub Cover 44.1 15.2 100

Cassiope tetragona 2.6 4.3 54 

Dryas integrifolia 14.6 20.4 38 

Dryas octopetala 21.2 23.5 54 

Rhododendron lapponicum 0.6 1.4 54 

Total Evergreen Tree Cover 0.4 1.4 8 

Picea glauca 0.4 1.4 8 

Total Deciduous Shrub Cover 5.2 5.8 69 

Andromeda polifolia 0.2 0.4 31 

Arctostaphylos rubra 1.8 2.1 54 

Salix arctica 1.9 2.6 54 

Salix reticulata 0.8 1.4 46 

Total Forb Cover 7.3 2.5 100 

Androsace chamaejasme 0.0 0.1 46 

Artemisia furcata 0.1 0.3 54 

Equisetum variegatum 0.2 0.6 31 

Hedysarum alpinum 0.5 1.0 31 

Hedysarum mackenzii 0.4 0.9 46 

Lagotis glauca 0.1 0.3 23 

Minuartia sp. 0.1 0.3 31 

Oxytropis nigrescens 0.1 0.3 23 

Pedicularis capitata 0.1 0.3 54 

Phlox sibirica sibirica 0.2 0.6 23 

Polygonum viviparum 0.1 0.3 62 

Potentilla biflora 0.4 1.0 23 

Potentilla uniflora 0.1 0.3 23 

Saussurea angustifolia 0.2 0.4 38 

Saxifraga oppositifolia 1.2 0.9 77 

Silene acaulis 0.2 0.4 62 

Tofieldia coccinea 0.1 0.3 38 

Tofieldia pusilla 0.2 0.4 38 

Total Grass Cover 0.3 0.6 62 

Arctagrostis latifolia 0.1 0.3 8 

Festuca altaica 0.2 0.6 8 

Total Sedge Cover 3.5 2.4 100 

Carex bigelowii 0.3 0.7 23 

Carex membranacea 0.2 0.4 23 

Carex nardina 0.3 0.6 38 

Carex scirpoidea 1.2 1.9 54 

Eriophorum angustifolium 0.2 0.4 23 

Total NonVascular Cover 35.3 32.3 100 

Total Moss Cover 7.2 9.0 77 

Hylocomium splendens 1.2 3.0 15 

Rhytidium rugosum 1.9 3.7 46 

Tomentypnum nitens 2.6 5.5 38 

Total Lichen Cover 28.1 29.0 100 

Alectoria ochroleuca 0.9 1.6 38 

Bryocaulon divergens 0.3 0.9 23 

Cetraria islandica cf 2.6 8.2 46 

Cetraria tilesii 0.2 0.4 38 

Dactylina arctica 0.4 0.9 46 

Flavocetraria cucullata 5.7 9.6 77 

Flavocetraria nivalis 1.9 1.8 69 

Masonhalea richardsonii 0.2 0.4 23 

Nephroma arcticum 3.2 11.1 23 

Ochrolechia frigida 2.6 4.7 46 

Thamnolia vermicularis 3.7 4.3 92 

Vulpicida tilesii 0.3 0.6 31 

Total Bare Ground 44.5 26.7 100

Soil 25.0 27.0 100 

Litter alone 19.5 19.6 100 
 Results

15 BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping

ALPINE NONALKALINE DRY 

BARRENS

Plant Association:

Dryas octopetala–Salix phlebophylla– Hierochlöe 

alpina

Barren to partially vegetated (<30% cover)

areas on exposed noncarbonate bedrock and talus

slopes at high elevations (~>700 m). Bedrock

includes felsic intrusive, noncarbonate

metamorphic, and noncarbonate sedimentary rocks

that generally have low calcium and magnesium

and high aluminum concentrations that lead to

acidic soils. Soils are thin, rocky, well to

excessively drained, lacking in surface organic

accumulations, and acidic to circumneutral

(pH <7.4). 

The vegetation is dominated by lichens and

has a wide variety of colonizing plants. Common

species include Dryas octopetala, Salix

phlebophylla, Hierochlöe alpina, Carex

podocarpa, Geum glaciale, Alectoria ochroleuca,

Sphaerophorus globosus, Thamnolia vermicularis,

and Cladonia spp.

This ecotype is similar to Alpine Alkaline Dry

Barrens, but lacks the calciphilic species Saxifraga

oppositifolia, Potentilla uniflora, Hedysarum

mackenzii, and Oxytropis nigrescens.

Table 3. Vegetation cover and frequency for Alpine 

Nonalkaline Dry Barrens (n=7).

 Cover Freq 

 Mean SD (%) 

Total Live Cover 51.1 30.1 100

Total Vascular Cover 5.7 5.3 85 

Total Evergreen Shrub Cover 1.6 2.1 71 

Cassiope tetragona 0.4 0.7 42 

Diapensia lapponica 0.4 0.8 42 

Dryas octopetala 0.6 1.0 28 

Total Deciduous Shrub Cover 1.1 1.2 85 

Arctostaphylos alpina 0.1 0.4 14 

Salix phlebophylla 0.9 1.2 71 

Total Forb Cover 1.6 1.9 71 

Artemisia arctica arctica 0.3 0.8 14 

Geum glaciale 0.3 0.8 28 

Saxifraga sp. 0.2 0.4 42 

Selaginella selaginoides 0.1 0.4 14 

Silene acaulis 0.3 0.5 28 

Total Grass Cover 0.2 0.4 42 

Hierochlöe alpina 0.2 0.4 42 

Total Sedge Cover 1.2 1.8 71 

Carex bigelowii 0.3 0.5 28 

Carex podocarpa 0.9 1.9 42 

Total NonVascular Cover 45.4 30.1 100 

Total Moss Cover 2.6 4.3 85 

Eurhynchium pulchellum 0.1 0.4 14 

Hylocomium splendens 0.3 0.8 14 

Hypnum holmenii 0.1 0.4 14 

Plagiomnium curvatulum 0.1 0.4 14 

Polytrichum sp. 0.7 1.9 42 

Racomitrium lanuginosum 0.7 1.9 14 

Total Lichen Cover 42.8 27.8 100 

Alectoria nigricans 0.2 0.4 42 

Alectoria ochroleuca 0.6 1.1 57 

Cetraria islandica cf 0.6 1.1 28 

Cetraria nigricans 0.2 0.4 42 

Cetraria sp. 0.2 0.4 14 

Cladina rangiferina 0.1 0.4 14 

Cladina stygia 0.4 1.1 28 

Cladonia coccifera 0.0 0.1 14 

Cladonia gracilis 0.0 0.1 14 

Cladonia sp. 0.3 0.5 71 

Dactylina arctica 0.0 0.1 28 

Flavocetraria cucullata 0.6 1.1 28 

Flavocetraria nivalis 0.2 0.4 28 

Ochrolechia frigida 0.5 1.1 28 

Parmelia omphalodes 3.0 7.5 28 

Rhizocarpon geographicum 1.0 1.2 57 

Sphaerophorus fragilis 0.1 0.4 14 

Sphaerophorus globosus 0.1 0.1 57 

Thamnolia vermicularis 0.3 0.5 71 

Umbilicaria sp. 0.2 0.4 28 

Umbilicaria torrefacta 1.4 2.4 28 

Unknown crustose lichen 13.7 19.1 71 

Unknown foliose lichen 14.3 25.1 28 

Xanthoria sp. 1.1 1.9 42 

Total Bare Ground 67.0 24.8 100 

Soil 65.7 23.9 100 

Litter alone 1.3 1.8 71 
Results

BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping 16

ALPINE NONALKALINE DRY DRYAS 

SHRUB

Plant Association:

Dryas octopetala–Salix phlebophylla–Hierochlöe 

alpina

Crests and slopes at high elevations

(~>700 m) on noncarbonate bedrock and

colluvium dominated by dwarf shrub vegetation.

Soils are rocky, well to excessively drained, have

very thin surface organic accumulations, and are

strongly acidic (pH <6). 

Vegetation is dominated by dwarf shrubs,

sedges, and lichens including Dryas octopetala,

Salix phlebophylla, Loiseleuria procumbens, and

Carex podocarpa. Associated species include Salix

planifolia pulchra, Hierochlöe alpina,

Sphaerophorus globosus, Nephroma arcticum, and

Flavocetraria cucullata.

This ecotype differs from Alpine Alkaline Dry

Dryas Shrub by lacking the calciphilic species

Saxifraga oppositifolia, Potentilla uniflora,

Hedysarum mackenzii, and Oxytropis nigrescens.

It differs from Upland Moist Dwarf

Birch–Ericaceous Shrub by lacking Betula nana

and Ledum decumbens.

Table 4. Vegetation cover and frequency for Alpine 

Nonalkaline Dry Dryas Shrub (n=8).

Cover Freq

Mean SD (%)

Total Live Cover 82.7 19.0 100

Total Vascular Cover 44.6 16.2 100

Total Evergreen Shrub 23.1 12.3 100

Cassiope tetragona 2.1 3.6 50

Diapensia lapponica 2.1 2.5 50

Dryas octopetala 13.8 14.1 87

Empetrum nigrum 0.5 0.8 37

Ledum decumbens 0.4 0.7 37

Loiseleuria procumbens 3.3 5.3 62

Vaccinium vitis-idaea 0.9 1.8 37

Total Deciduous Shrub 10.4 6.9 100

Salix phlebophylla 6.8 4.0 100

Salix planifolia pulchra 0.5 0.5 75

Vaccinium uliginosum 1.7 3.5 62

Total Forb Cover 4.5 3.8 100

Anemone narcissiflora 0.4 0.5 62

Antennaria friesiana 0.3 0.4 50

Arnica lessingii 0.2 0.3 37

Artemisia arctica arctica 0.5 0.8 37

Castilleja hyperborea 0.2 0.3 37

Oxytropis arctica 0.3 0.7 37

Polygonum bistorta 0.2 0.3 37

Selaginella selaginoides 1.0 1.6 37

Total Grass Cover 1.2 1.3 100

Hierochlöe alpina 0.8 1.0 100

Trisetum spicatum 0.2 0.3 37

Total Sedge Cover 5.3 5.2 100

Carex bigelowii 0.8 1.2 37

Carex microchaeta 0.5 1.1 25

Carex podocarpa 3.0 5.6 50

Luzula sp. 0.2 0.4 37

Total NonVascular Cover 38.2 20.7 100

Total Moss Cover 6.6 4.7 100

Dicranum sp. 1.1 1.4 50

Polytrichum sp. 1.6 1.9 50

Polytrichum strictum 1.0 1.8 37

Racomitrium lanuginosum 0.4 0.7 25

Rhizomnium sp. 1.3 2.3 25

Total Lichen Cover 31.6 17.8 100

Alectoria ochroleuca 0.3 0.5 37

Asahinea chrysantha 0.3 0.7 25

Bryocaulon divergens 0.4 0.7 50

Cetraria islandica cf 0.9 1.8 25

Cladina mitis 1.4 2.4 37

Cladina rangiferina 1.3 1.9 37

Cladina stygia 0.9 2.5 25

Cladonia sp. 0.5 0.8 37

Flavocetraria cucullata 2.3 3.5 87

Flavocetraria nivalis 0.8 1.0 62

Nephroma arcticum 0.4 0.7 50

Parmelia omphalodes 5.3 9.9 37

Pertusaria dactylina 0.4 0.5 37

Pertusaria subobducens 3.1 4.6 37

Rhizocarpon geographicum 1.3 3.5 12

Sphaerophorus globosus 1.3 1.0 87

Stereocaulon sp. 0.6 0.9 37

Thamnolia vermicularis 0.8 0.7 87

Umbilicaria spp. 0.6 1.8 25

Unknown crustose lichen 1.1 2.1 25

Unknown lichen 2.3 3.7 37

Total Bare Ground 58.8 17.6 100

Soil 35.3 25.7 100

Litter alone 23.3 19.1 100
 Results

17 BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping

UPLAND DRY LICHEN BARRENS

Plant Association:

Betula nana–Ledum decumbens–Loiseleuria 

procumbens

Crests and slopes of colluvial material or

recent volcanic deposits at moderate elevations

with less than 30% cover of vascular plants. In the

study area the largest expanse of Upland Dry

Lichen Barrens is found within the Imuruk Lava

Flows in BELA. Exposed rocks are alkali olivine

basalt and vent deposits, there is little soil

development. Soils on colluvial slopes are rocky,

excessively to well drained, circumneutral and

have little to no organic horizons. On lava flows,

soils are lacking or limited to small lower

microsites.

Vegetation is dominated by foliose and

fruticose lichens with only low cover of vascular

plants. Frequently occurring species include

Betula nana, Ledum decumbens, Loiseleuria

procumbens, Empetrum nigrum, Vaccinium

uliginosum, Racomitrium lanuginosum,

Umbilicaria hyperborea, Cladina stellaris,

Flavocetraria spp., and Alectoria ochroleuca.

This ecotype differs from Alpine Nonalkaline

Dry Dryas Shrub by lacking the common alpine

species Salix phlebophylla, Hierochlöe alpina and

Selaginella selaginoides. It differs from Upland

Moist Dwarf Birch–Ericaceous Shrub by lacking

Salix planifolia pulchra and high cover of Cladina

stellaris, Ochrolechia spp., and Umbilicaria spp.

Table 5. Vegetation cover and frequency for 

Upland Dry Lichen Barrens (n=4).

 Cover Freq 

 Mean SD (%) 

Total Live Cover 109.7 10.4 100 

Total Vascular Cover 7.3 11.7 100 

Total Evergreen Shrub Cover 2.7 3.7 100 

Empetrum nigrum 0.8 0.9 100 

Ledum decumbens 0.3 0.5 75 

Loiseleuria procumbens 1.6 2.3 100 

Total Deciduous Shrub Cover 4.0 7.4 100 

Alnus crispa 0.5 1.0 50 

Betula nana 2.5 5.0 25 

Salix planifolia pulchra 0.3 0.5 25 

Vaccinium uliginosum 0.6 1.0 100 

Total Forb Cover 0.1 0.1 75 

Potentilla fruticosa 0.1 0.1 50 

Saxifraga bronchialis 0.0 0.1 25 

Saxifraga tricuspidata 0.0 0.1 25 

Total Grass Cover 0.4 0.6 75 

Festuca rubra 0.0 0.1 25 

Hierochlöe alpina 0.3 0.5 50 

Total Sedge Cover 0.1 0.1 75 

Carex sp. 0.1 0.1 50 

Total NonVascular Cover 102.5 11.1 100 

Total Moss Cover 0.4 0.4 100 

Polytrichum hyperboreum 0.0 0.1 25 

Racomitrium lanuginosum 0.3 0.5 100 

Total Lichen Cover 102.1 11.3 100 

Alectoria nigricans 1.3 2.5 50 

Alectoria ochroleuca 3.8 4.8 75 

Bryocaulon divergens 2.0 2.4 75 

Cetraria islandica cf 0.8 1.0 50 

Cetraria nigricans 0.1 0.1 50 

Cetrariella delisei 0.3 0.5 25 

Cladina arbuscula 0.8 1.5 50 

Cladina mitis 0.3 0.5 25 

Cladina sp. 0.5 1.0 25 

Cladina stellaris 14.5 23.8 75 

Cladina stygia 1.3 2.5 25 

Cladonia coccifera 1.0 1.4 50 

Cladonia nipponica 0.5 0.6 50 

Flavocetraria cucullata 0.8 0.9 75 

Flavocetraria nivalis 1.5 1.7 50 

Nephroma arcticum 0.1 0.1 50 

Ochrolechia frigida 17.5 35.0 25 

Ophioparma lapponica 3.8 7.5 25 

Pseudephebe pubescens 1.3 2.5 25 

Rhizocarpon geographicum 2.5 2.9 50 

Thamnolia vermicularis 1.0 0.8 100 

Umbilicaria hyperborea 16.3 26.3 50 

Unknown crustose lichen 16.3 29.3 50 

Unknown foliose lichen 6.3 9.5 50 

Xanthoria sp. 7.5 9.6 50 

Total Bare Ground 13.8 9.3 100 

Soil 12.5 9.6 100

Litter alone 1.3 0.5 100
Results

BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping 18

UPLAND MOIST SPRUCE FOREST

Plant Association:

Picea glauca–Salix planifolia pulchra

Gentle to steep, upper and lower slopes on

colluvial glacial till deposits, but most often

associated with carbonate bedrock. The soils are

rocky to loamy, moderately well to poorly drained,

alkaline to circumneutral and have moderately

thick organic horizons and active-layer thickness.

The forests occur only along the eastern boundaries

of CAKR and BELA.

The vegetation has an open to woodland

canopy of Picea glauca and a shrub understory

dominated by Salix planifolia pulchra and Salix

lanata richardsonii. Other common species include

Salix glauca, Equisetum arvense, Petasites

frigidus, Carex bigelowii, Hylocomium splendens,

Tomentypnum nitens, and Aulacomnium palustre.

The plant association is poorly understood and

probably can be subdivided into an upland alkaline

type and a lowland willow-dominated type.

This ecotype differs from all others by the

presence of at least 10% white spruce in the

canopy. There may be some shrub ecotypes where

scattered trees are present but tree cover never

exceeds 10%.

Table 6. Vegetation cover and frequency for 

Upland Moist Spruce Forest (n=3).

 Cover Freq 

 Mean SD (%) 

Total Live Cover 169.0 43.7 100 

Total Vascular Cover 112.3 15.0 100 

Evergreen Tree 18.3 2.9 100 

Picea glauca 18.3 2.9 100 

Total Evergreen Shrub Cover 5.3 5.0 67 

Dryas integrifolia 1.7 2.9 33 

Empetrum nigrum 1.7 1.5 67 

Vaccinium vitis-idaea 0.7 1.2 33 

Total Deciduous Shrub Cover 46.3 17.1 100 

Arctostaphylos alpina 3.3 5.8 33 

Betula nana 3.3 5.8 33 

Salix glauca 5.0 8.7 33 

Salix lanata richardsonii 10.0 8.7 67 

Salix planifolia pulchra 20.0 13.2 100 

Salix reticulata 1.3 1.5 67 

Vaccinium uliginosum 3.3 2.9 67 

Total Forb Cover 34.8 27.2 100 

Anemone richardsonii 1.0 1.7 67 

Epilobium angustifolium 0.7 0.5 100 

Equisetum arvense 10.0 17.3 33 

Equisetum scirpoides 0.1 0.1 67 

Petasites frigidus 8.3 7.6 67 

Polygonum viviparum 0.4 0.6 67 

Potentilla fruticosa 3.3 5.8 33 

Rubus chamaemorus 5.7 8.1 67 

Saussurea angustifolia 0.7 1.2 33 

Valeriana capitata 0.4 0.6 67 

Zygadenus elegans 1.0 1.7 33 

Total Grass Cover 0.8 0.6 100 

Calamagrostis canadensis 0.4 0.6 67 

Total Sedge Cover 6.7 7.2 100 

Carex bigelowii 5.7 8.1 67 

Carex krausei 1.0 1.7 33 

Total NonVascular Cover 56.7 28.7 100 

Total Moss Cover 55.0 30.0 100 

Aulacomnium palustre 8.3 10.4 67 

Brachythecium erythrorrhizon 0.7 1.2 33 

Dicranum angustum 0.7 1.2 33 

Dicranum sp. 1.7 2.9 33 

Drepanocladus sp. 1.0 1.7 33 

Hylocomium splendens 18.3 18.9 100 

Paludella squarrosa 1.0 1.7 33 

Pleurozium schreberi 2.0 2.6 67 

Ptilidium ciliare 2.0 2.6 67 

Rhizomnium sp. 1.7 2.9 33 

Sanionia uncinata 1.7 2.9 33 

Tomentypnum nitens 15.0 15.0 67 

Total Lichen Cover 1.7 2.0 100 

Cladonia sp. 1.0 1.7 33 

Peltigera aphthosa 0.7 0.5 100 

Total Bare Ground 22.2 7.4 100 

Soil 0.4 0.6 67 

Water 0.2 0.3 33 

Litter alone 21.7 7.6 100 
 Results

19 BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping

UPLAND MOIST LOW WILLOW 

SHRUB

Plant Association:

Salix glauca–Dryas integrifolia

Gentle to moderate slopes on well-drained,

weathered bedrock, colluvium, and glacial till with

vegetation dominated by low shrubs (0.2–1.5 m

tall). Soils are rocky to loamy, moderately well

drained, circumneutral, and have thin to

moderately thick organic horizons and moderately

deep (40–80 cm) active layers.

Vegetation has an open to closed canopy of

Salix glauca and/or S. planifolia pulchra. Other

common plants include Dryas integrifolia, Dryas

octepetela, Vaccinium uliginosum, Salix reticulata,

and Carex bigelowii. Common mosses and lichens

include Hylocomium splendens, Cladina

arbuscula, and Cetraria islandica.

This ecotype differs from Lowland Moist Low

Willow Shrub by lacking Petasites frigidus,

Polemonium acutiflorum, and Carex aquatilis. It

differs from Upland Dwarf Birch–Ericaceous

Shrub by lacking Ledum decumbens and Rubus

chamaemorus. It differs from Upland Moist

Sedge–Dryas Meadow by the abundance of Salix

planifolia pulchra.

Table 7. Vegetation cover and frequency for 

Upland Moist Low Willow Shrub (n=2).

 Cover Freq 

 Mean SD (%) 

Total Live Cover 132.0 61.5 100 

Total Vascular Cover 110.8 71.3 100 

Total Evergreen Shrub Cover 19.0 1.4 100 

Cassiope tetragona 2.0 1.4 100 

Dryas integrifolia 7.5 10.6 50 

Dryas octopetala 7.5 10.6 50 

Empetrum nigrum 1.0 1.4 50 

Rhododendron lapponicum 1.0 1.4 50 

Total Deciduous Shrub Cover 62.5 46.0 100 

Arctostaphylos rubra 1.0 1.4 50 

Betula nana 2.5 3.5 50 

Salix arctica 2.5 3.5 50 

Salix glauca 12.5 17.7 50 

Salix lanata richardsonii 10.0 14.1 50 

Salix planifolia pulchra 17.5 10.6 100 

Salix reticulata 15.0 21.2 50 

Vaccinium uliginosum 1.5 2.1 50 

Total Forb Cover 25.9 28.4 100 

Aconitum delphinifolium 0.6 0.6 100 

Anemone richardsonii 0.5 0.7 50 

Artemisia arctica arctica 0.6 0.6 100 

Aster sibiricus 0.5 0.7 50 

Castilleja caudata 0.5 0.7 50 

Epilobium angustifolium 1.5 2.1 50 

Equisetum arvense 10.0 14.1 50 

Equisetum scirpoides 0.1 0.1 50 

Galium sp. 0.5 0.7 50 

Hedysarum alpinum 0.5 0.7 50 

Mertensia paniculata 3.5 4.9 50 

Pedicularis capitata 0.6 0.6 100 

Potentilla fruticosa 1.5 2.1 50 

Valeriana capitata 1.0 0.0 100 

Zygadenus elegans 1.5 2.1 50 

Total Grass Cover 1.5 1.2 100 

Arctagrostis latifolia 0.3 0.4 50 

Festuca altaica 0.6 0.6 100 

Total Sedge Cover 2.0 2.8 50 

Carex bigelowii 1.5 2.1 50 

Carex podocarpa 0.5 0.7 50 

Total NonVascular Cover 21.2 9.8 100 

Total Moss Cover 10.7 3.7 100 

Distichium capillaceum 1.5 2.1 50 

Hylocomium splendens 5.0 0.0 100 

Pleurozium schreberi 1.5 2.1 50 

Tomentypnum nitens 2.5 3.5 50 

Total Lichen Cover 10.6 13.5 100 

Cetraria islandica cf 5.0 7.1 50 

Cladina arbuscula 1.5 2.1 50 

Cladina rangiferina 0.5 0.7 50 

Cladina stygia 2.5 3.5 50 

Thamnolia vermicularis 0.5 0.7 50 

Total Bare Ground 38.5 16.3 100 

Soil 0.5 0.7 50 

Water 0.5 0.7 50 

Litter alone 37.5 17.7 100 
Results

BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping 20

UPLAND MOIST DWARF BIRCH– 

ERICACEOUS SHRUB

Plant Association:

Betula nana–Ledum decumbens–Loiseleuria 

procumbens

Upper and middle slopes on rocky colluvial

material and fine-grained eolian or old alluvial

marine coastal plain deposits with vegetation

dominated by dwarf birch and ericaceous shrubs.

This ecotype is abundant in both parks and usually

occurs at moderate elevations. The soils typically

are rocky to loamy, moderately well to poorly

drained, acidic to circumneutral, and have thin to

moderately thick surface organic layers and a thin

active layer. Permafrost is always present.

Vegetation is dominated by Betula nana,

Ledum decumbens, Vaccinium uliginosum, and

Vaccinium vitis-idaea. Frequently occurring

species include Salix planifolia pulchra, Empetrum

nigrum, Hylocomium splendens, Sphagnum spp.,

Cladina rangiferina, and C. stygia.

This class is similar to many other ecotypes

because of the prominence of ericaceous species

typical of acidic habitats. It differs from Moist

Dwarf Shrub-Tussock Shrub by lacking abundant

Eriophorum vaginatum cover. It differs from

Upland Dry Lichen Barrens by lacking high cover

of Cladina stellaris, Ochrolechia spp., and

Umbilicaria spp. It differs from Alpine

Nonalkaline Dry Dryas Shrub by lacking Dryas

octopetala. Lowland Moist Dwarf-Birch–Willow

Shrub has much more Salix planifolia pulchra and

lacks Ledum decumbens.

Table 8. Vegetation cover and frequency for Upland 

Moist Dwarf Birch–Ericaceous Shrub (n=8).

 Cover Freq 

 Mean SD (%) 

Total Live Cover 136.3 56.7 100 

Total Vascular Cover 74.4 40.8 100 

Total Evergreen Shrub Cover 27.9 24.2 100 

Empetrum nigrum 4.1 5.2 78 

Ledum decumbens 14.2 17.1 100 

Loiseleuria procumbens 2.1 4.0 33 

Vaccinium vitis-idaea 7.3 6.4 100 

Total Deciduous Shrub Cover 30.6 20.6 100 

Arctostaphylos alpina 1.3 2.7 22 

Betula nana 15.7 18.7 100 

Salix arctica 1.7 3.5 22 

Salix planifolia pulchra 3.8 6.3 78 

Vaccinium uliginosum 7.6 6.8 89 

Total Forb Cover 6.1 8.6 67 

Petasites frigidus 3.0 5.2 44 

Rubus chamaemorus 2.2 3.0 56 

Saxifraga punctata 0.2 0.4 44 

Total Grass Cover 0.9 1.7 67 

Total Sedge Cover 8.9 10.4 78 

Carex aquatilis 1.1 3.3 11 

Carex bigelowii 3.3 3.6 78 

Eriophorum angustifolium 1.9 5.0 22 

Eriophorum vaginatum 1.6 2.7 33 

Total NonVascular Cover 61.8 24.6 100 

Total Moss Cover 28.1 23.9 89 

Aulacomnium palustre 1.3 1.8 44 

Aulacomnium turgidum 0.6 0.9 33 

Dicranum groenlandicum 1.7 5.0 11 

Dicranum sp. 1.4 2.2 33 

Hylocomium splendens 7.4 8.7 56 

Pleurozium schreberi 0.6 1.7 22 

Polytrichum sp. 1.2 1.8 44 

Polytrichum strictum 0.4 1.0 22 

Sphagnum lenense 3.3 10.0 22 

Sphagnum sp. 6.8 18.2 33 

Total Lichen Cover 33.8 23.6 100 

Cetraria islandica cf 1.0 1.8 44 

Cladina arbuscula 2.0 3.5 44 

Cladina mitis 1.4 3.4 22 

Cladina rangiferina 5.1 6.5 67 

Cladina stellaris 6.1 18.3 11 

Cladina stygia 6.1 6.9 67 

Cladonia sp. 0.9 1.7 56 

Dactylina arctica 0.2 0.4 22 

Flavocetraria cucullata 5.0 4.4 78 

Flavocetraria nivalis 0.6 0.7 44 

Peltigera aphthosa 0.6 1.1 33 

Pertusaria sp. 0.4 0.7 33 

Sphaerophorus globosus 0.3 0.5 33 

Thamnolia vermicularis 1.4 1.3 89 

Total Bare Ground 37.2 22.7 100 

Soil 5.9 12.9 78 

Water 0.8 1.6 33 

Litter alone 30.6 24.0 100 
 Results

21 BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping

UPLAND MOIST DWARF 

BIRCH–TUSSOCK SHRUB

Plant Association:

Betula nana–Eriophorum vaginatum

Moderate to gentle slopes at moderate and

lower elevations on loess, colluvium, and raised

areas of drained basins with vegetation dominated

by tussock-forming sedges. Soils are loamy

moderately well to poorly drained, acidic, and have

moderately thick surface organics and shallow

active layers (<40 cm). Permafrost is always

present and probably ice-rich. This ecotype is the

most abundant ecotype in both parks and is prone

to fire. 

Vegetation is dominated by Eriophorum

vaginatum, Betula nana, Ledum decumbens, and

Empetrum nigrum. Other common species include

Rubus chamaemorus, Carex bigelowii, Salix

planifolia pulchra, Vaccinium uliginosum,

Flavocetraria cucullata, and Cladina rangiferina.

Sphagnum mosses are abundant and diverse.

This ecotype is very similar to Upland Moist

Dwarf Birch–Ericaceous Shrub, Lowland Moist

Dwarf Birch–Willow Shrub and Lowland Wet

Dwarf Birch–Ericaceous Shrub but differs by the

prevalence (>12% cover) of Eriophorum

vaginatum and the lack of Carex aquatilis. This

tussock class, at least the acidic type described

here, is unusual in that species composition is very

similar among plots within the type.

Table 9. Vegetation cover and frequency for Upland 

Moist Dwarf Birch–Tussock Shrub (n=8).

 Cover Freq 

 Mean SD (%) 

Total Live Cover 142.2 23.4 100 

Total Vascular Cover 71.4 17.6 100 

Total Evergreen Shrub Cover 24.5 13.1 88 

Empetrum nigrum 5.8 3.5 88 

Ledum decumbens 11.9 7.0 88 

Vaccinium vitis-idaea 6.8 4.4 88 

Total Deciduous Shrub Cover 18.3 14.2 100 

Arctostaphylos rubra 0.5 1.1 25 

Betula nana 9.1 6.1 100 

Salix glauca 0.3 0.7 13 

Salix lanata richardsonii 0.6 1.8 13 

Salix planifolia pulchra 2.9 5.0 100 

Salix reticulata 0.3 0.7 25 

Vaccinium uliginosum 4.6 3.7 100 

Total Forb Cover 8.3 9.2 100 

Petasites frigidus 1.8 3.5 50 

Rubus chamaemorus 5.6 3.9 88 

Total Grass Cover 0.5 1.4 13 

Arctagrostis latifolia 0.5 1.4 13 

Total Sedge Cover 19.8 4.0 100 

Carex bigelowii 4.5 3.1 100 

Eriophorum angustifolium 1.1 1.7 50 

Eriophorum vaginatum 14.0 3.3 100 

Total NonVascular Cover 70.8 9.3 100 

Total Moss Cover 50.4 20.7 100 

Aulacomnium palustre 3.4 3.5 63 

Aulacomnium turgidum 4.4 4.2 63 

Dicranum elongatum 2.5 5.3 25 

Dicranum groenlandicum 1.3 3.5 13 

Dicranum sp. 1.1 1.9 38 

Hylocomium splendens 8.8 13.8 50 

Pleurozium schreberi 1.3 3.5 13 

Polytrichum sp. 0.4 0.7 25 

Sphagnum balticum 9.4 11.2 50 

Sphagnum capillifolium 3.1 8.8 13 

Sphagnum fuscum 4.4 8.2 25 

Sphagnum girgensohnii 0.6 1.8 13 

Sphagnum lenense 1.3 3.5 13 

Sphagnum sp. 6.6 13.8 38 

Tomentypnum nitens 1.4 3.5 25 

Total Lichen Cover 20.4 16.0 88 

Cetraria islandica cf 0.4 0.7 38 

Cladina arbuscula 3.0 5.2 50 

Cladina mitis 2.5 5.2 38 

Cladina rangiferina 4.8 4.5 75 

Cladina stygia 1.7 3.5 38 

Cladonia sp. 0.3 0.5 38 

Flavocetraria cucullata 2.8 3.6 63 

Nephroma arcticum 0.6 1.2 25 

Peltigera aphthosa 1.3 1.7 63 

Thamnolia vermicularis 1.4 1.7 63 

Total Bare Ground 36.7 18.4 100 

Soil 0.4 0.5 50 

Water 0.0 0.0 13 

Litter alone 36.3 18.7 100 
Results

BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping 22

UPLAND DRY CROWBERRY SHRUB

Plant Association:

Empetrum nigrum–Elymus arenarius mollis

Exposed ridges and upper slopes of inactive

dunes and gravel beaches along the coast with

vegetation dominated by Crowberry. Soils are

sandy to gravelly, excessively to well-drained, and

circumneutral, and have very thin organics and

deep thaw depths. This ecotype is limited to coastal

areas, and while the soils are nonsaline, some

halophytic species persist. In BELA the beach

ridges are sandy, whereas, in CAKR the beach

ridges are gravelly. Bare, wind-scoured patches are

common in BELA.

Vegetation is dominated by Empetrum

nigrum, Arctostaphylos rubra, Betula nana,

Flavocetraria cucullata, and Cladina arbuscula.

Halophytic species that have persisted from earlier

successional stages include Elymus arenarius

mollis, Lathyrus maritimus, Armeria maritima, and

Salix ovalifolia. Other common species include

Epilobium latifolium, Rhytidium rugosum,

Flavocetraria nivalis, Thamnolia vermicularis, and

Stereocaulon sp.

This ecotype differs from Upland Moist

Dwarf Birch–Ericaceous Shrub and Lowland

Moist Dwarf Birch–Willow Shrub by the

dominance of Empetrum nigrum, the presence of

Elymus arenarius mollis, and its occurrence in

coastal areas.

Table 10. Vegetation cover and frequency for 

Upland Dry Crowberry Shrub (n=5).

 Cover Freq 

 Mean SD (%) 

Total Live Cover 92.4 23.0 100 

Total Vascular Cover 54.8 9.9 100 

Total Evergreen Shrub Cover 34.8 8.1 100 

Cassiope tetragona 0.4 0.9 40 

Empetrum nigrum 31.0 11.4 100 

Ledum decumbens 0.8 1.3 40 

Loiseleuria procumbens 0.2 0.4 20 

Vaccinium vitis-idaea 2.4 4.3 60 

Total Deciduous Shrub Cover 10.9 9.6 80 

Arctostaphylos alpina 1.0 2.2 40 

Arctostaphylos rubra 3.0 6.7 20 

Betula nana 2.6 4.2 60 

Salix alaxensis 0.4 0.9 20 

Salix glauca 0.6 1.3 40 

Salix lanata richardsonii 0.2 0.4 20 

Salix ovalifolia 0.6 1.3 20 

Salix planifolia pulchra 0.2 0.4 60 

Salix reticulata 0.6 0.9 60 

Vaccinium uliginosum 1.6 2.1 60 

Total Forb Cover 6.0 4.8 100 

Armeria maritima 0.3 0.4 100 

Epilobium latifolium 1.6 3.6 20 

Lathyrus maritimus 1.2 1.1 60 

Oxytropis maydelliana 0.4 0.5 60 

Potentilla uniflora 1.0 2.2 20 

Saxifraga bronchialis 0.4 0.9 20 

Total Grass Cover 2.8 1.1 100 

Elymus arenarius mollis 2.0 1.4 100 

Trisetum spicatum 0.2 0.4 60 

Total Sedge Cover 0.3 0.4 80 

Luzula multiflora 0.2 0.4 40 

Total NonVascular Cover 37.6 20.5 100 

Total Moss Cover 8.5 7.0 100 

Bryum sp. 1.8 2.0 60 

Dicranum acutifolium 2.0 4.5 20 

Dicranum sp. 2.0 4.5 20 

Hylocomium splendens 0.4 0.9 20 

Pleurozium schreberi 0.2 0.4 40 

Ptilidium ciliare 0.4 0.9 40 

Rhytidium rugosum 1.4 2.1 60 

Sanionia uncinata 0.2 0.4 20 

Total Lichen Cover 29.1 15.7 100 

Alectoria nigricans 1.6 2.3 40 

Bryocaulon divergens 1.2 2.2 40 

Bryoria nitidula 1.0 2.2 40 

Cetraria islandica cf 0.6 0.9 40 

Cetraria laevigata 0.8 1.3 40 

Cladina arbuscula 3.0 4.1 60 

Cladina rangiferina 2.2 4.4 40 

Cladonia sp. 0.6 1.3 20 

Flavocetraria cucullata 6.4 6.1 80 

Flavocetraria nivalis 2.8 4.1 60 

Lobaria linita 0.1 0.1 60 

Ochrolechia frigida 0.4 0.9 40 

Pertusaria sp. 3.0 6.7 20 

Sphaerophorus fragilis 0.4 0.9 20 

Sphaerophorus globosus 0.8 1.3 60 

Stereocaulon sp. 2.0 4.5 40 

Thamnolia vermicularis 1.4 2.1 60 

Total Bare Ground 29.4 24.1 100 

Soil 4.4 3.4 100 

Litter alone 25.0 25.7 100 
 Results

23 BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping

UPLAND MOIST SEDGE–DRYAS 

MEADOW

Plant Association:

Dryas integrifolia–Carex bigelowii–Senecio 

atropurpureus

Moderate to gentle, middle to upper slopes at

moderate elevations on colluvium and glacial till

with vegetation co-dominated by sedges and dwarf

shrubs. Soils are loamy, somewhat poorly drained,

circumneutral to alkaline, and have moderately

thick surface organics and moderately deep 

(40–80 cm) thaw depths. The water table typically

is 15–30 cm below the soil surface. This ecotype is

abundant in both parks and commonly occurs on

slopes below carbonate bedrock.

 Dominant plants include Dryas integrifolia,

Salix arctica, Salix reticulata, Carex bigelowii, and

Tomentypnum nitens. Other common species

include Salix lanata richardsonii, Arctostaphylos

rubra, Equisetum arvense, Hylocomium splendens,

and Flavocetraria cucullata.

This ecotype is very similar to Lowland Moist

Sedge–Dryas Meadow but lacks Betula nana, and

has lower cover of Equisetum arvense. During

mapping, this ecotype was restricted to upland and

mountainous areas, whereas, Lowland Moist

Sedge–Dryas Meadows was restricted to the

coastal plains and drainages.

Table 11. Vegetation cover and frequency for Upland 

Moist Sedge–Dryas Meadow (n=10).

Cover Freq

Mean SD (%)

Total Live Cover 147.5 25.6 100

Total Vascular Cover 81.6 15.6 100

Total Evergreen Shrub Cover 30.9 19.0 100

Cassiope tetragona 1.2 1.7 50

Dryas integrifolia 27.0 19.3 80

Rhododendron lapponicum 1.8 2.4 50

Total Deciduous Shrub Cover 22.1 7.5 100

Andromeda polifolia 0.6 1.6 30

Arctostaphylos rubra 3.9 2.8 90

Salix arctica 5.2 3.5 90

Salix lanata richardsonii 2.6 3.3 80

Salix planifolia pulchra 0.3 0.9 40

Salix reticulata 6.0 6.2 60

Vaccinium uliginosum 1.9 3.1 60

Total Forb Cover 12.2 4.8 100

Astragalus umbellatus 0.3 0.5 50

Equisetum arvense 3.8 4.4 60

Equisetum scirpoides 0.2 0.6 30

Equisetum variegatum 0.3 0.7 30

Hedysarum alpinum 0.2 0.4 50

Lagotis glauca 0.1 0.3 50

Pedicularis langsdorffii arctica 0.2 0.4 20

Petasites frigidus 0.8 1.3 30

Pinguicula vulgaris 0.2 0.3 60

Polygonum viviparum 0.2 0.4 60

Potentilla biflora 0.3 0.5 30

Potentilla fruticosa 0.4 0.7 30

Saussurea angustifolia 0.3 0.5 70

Saxifraga hirculus 0.3 0.5 70

Saxifraga oppositifolia 1.4 3.2 40

Senecio atropurpureus 0.2 0.4 60

Silene acaulis 0.1 0.3 40

Total Grass Cover 1.5 1.7 80

Arctagrostis latifolia 0.6 1.0 40

Festuca altaica 0.5 1.1 20

Poa arctica SL 0.2 0.4 40

Total Sedge Cover 15.0 5.2 100

Carex atrofusca 1.1 1.7 40

Carex bigelowii 5.1 7.1 60

Carex membranacea 1.2 2.0 40

Carex misandra 0.6 1.1 40

Carex rotundata 0.9 1.7 40

Carex scirpoidea 1.8 2.6 60

Eriophorum angustifolium 0.7 1.1 40 

Eriophorum vaginatum 0.2 0.4 40

Total NonVascular Cover 65.9 21.9 100

Total Moss Cover 52.9 27.3 100

Aulacomnium acuminatum 3.5 6.7 30

Aulacomnium palustre 0.9 1.4 30

Hylocomium splendens 15.5 21.4 70

Hypnum bambergeri 2.0 3.5 30

Ptilidium ciliare 2.0 2.3 50

Rhytidium rugosum 4.4 5.1 70

Tomentypnum nitens 17.3 19.3 80

Total Lichen Cover 13.0 7.8 100

Asahinea chrysantha 0.8 1.5 40

Cetraria islandica cf 0.3 0.5 30

Flavocetraria cucullata 3.8 2.5 100

Flavocetraria nivalis 0.9 0.9 60

Pertusaria sp. 1.5 2.2 50

Thamnolia vermicularis 2.0 2.2 70

Total Bare Ground 38.5 22.1 100

Soil 2.3 2.9 80

Water 0.7 1.0 60

Litter alone 35.5 20.2 100
Results

BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping 24

LOWLAND MOIST TALL 

ALDER–WILLOW SHRUB

Plant Association:

Alnus crispa–Salix planifolia pulchra–Rubus 

arcticus

Lower slopes and drainages on hillside

colluvium with vegetation dominated by tall

(>1.5m) shrubs. Soils typically are loamy,

moderately well to somewhat poorly drained, and

circumneutral. Thaw depths are generally >50 cm

and soil organic horizons are thin. 

Vegetation is dominated by an open or closed

canopy of Salix planifolia pulchra and/or Alnus

crispa. Areas dominated by Alnus crispa have

Salix planifolia pulchra as a co-dominant or in the

understory. Other understory species include Rubus

arcticus, Equisetum arvense, Artemisia tilesii,

Mertensia paniculata, Galium boreale,

Arctagrostis latifolia, and Calamagrostis

canadensis. Due to heavy litterfall mosses have

low cover.

This ecotype differs from Riverine Moist Tall

Alder–Willow Shrub by lacking Salix alaxensis,

S. barclayi, and S. arbusculoides. It differs from

Lowland Moist Low Willow Shrub by lacking

Salix lanata richardsonii, S. reticulata,

Tomentypnum nitens, and Hylocomium splendens.

Table 12. Vegetation cover and frequency for Lowland Moist Tall Alder–Willow Shrub (n=5).

 Cover Freq 

 Mean SD (%) 

Total Live Cover 116.3 23.0 100 

Total Vascular Cover 112.2 24.1 100 

Total Evergreen Shrub Cover 0.8 1.3 40 

Dryas octopetala 0.4 0.9 20 

Juniperus communis 0.2 0.4 20 

Linnaea borealis 0.2 0.4 20 

Total Deciduous Shrub Cover 72.8 19.9 100 

Alnus crispa 57.0 21.7 100 

Salix lanata richardsonii 1.0 2.2 20 

Salix planifolia pulchra 13.0 14.4 80 

Salix reticulata 0.6 1.3 20 

Spiraea beauverdiana 0.6 1.3 40 

Vaccinium uliginosum 0.2 0.4 40 

Total Forb Cover 25.7 19.8 100 

Aconitum delphinifolium 0.4 0.5 80 

Angelica lucida 1.0 1.2 60 

Artemisia arctica arctica 0.4 0.5 40 

Artemisia tilesii 2.2 2.6 60 

Epilobium angustifolium 1.0 2.2 20 

Equisetum arvense 7.0 5.7 100 

Galium boreale 2.6 4.3 40 

Iris setosa 0.6 1.3 20 

Lycopodium annotinum 1.2 1.6 40 

Mertensia paniculata 2.4 4.3 40 

Petasites frigidus 1.2 1.3 60 

Potentilla fruticosa 1.0 2.2 20 

Rubus arcticus 1.6 2.1 80 

Valeriana capitata 1.0 1.2 80 

Total Grass Cover 11.8 14.2 100 

Arctagrostis latifolia 6.0 13.4 20 

Calamagrostis canadensis 5.2 8.3 80 

Total Sedge Cover 1.1 2.2 80 

Carex atrofusca 1.0 2.2 20 

Total NonVascular Cover 4.1 2.8 80 

Total Moss Cover 3.7 2.3 80 

Brachythecium reflexum 0.6 0.9 40 

Brachythecium sp. 1.2 2.2 40 

Climacium dendroides 0.2 0.4 20 

Hylocomium splendens 0.2 0.4 20 

Plagiomnium ellipticum 0.2 0.3 40 

Sanionia uncinata 0.2 0.4 40 

Total Lichen Cover 0.4 0.7 60 

Total Bare Ground 78.0 19.6 100 

Soil 2.0 4.5 20 

Water 0.0 0.0 0 

Litter alone 76.0 23.8 100 
 Results

25 BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping

LOWLAND MOIST LOW WILLOW 

SHRUB

Plant Association: Salix planifolia pulchra– 

Calamagrostis canadensis

Low-lying flats and lower slopes within

drained-lake basins, on abandoned floodplains, and

on colluvium with vegetation dominated by low

willows (0.2–1.5 m tall). Soils typically are loamy,

saturated, poorly drained, alkaline to

circumneutral, and underlain by permafrost at

moderate depths. Surface organics are thin on

slopes and moderately thick on flats. 

Vegetation is an open to closed low shrub

canopy dominated by Salix planifolia pulchra.

Other common species include Salix lanata

richardsonii, Betula nana, Salix reticulata, Festuca

altaica, Calamagrostis canadensis, Equisetum

arvense, Polemonium acutiflorum, Eriophorum

angustifolium, Valeriana capitata, Tomentypnum

nitens, and Hylocomium splendens.

This ecotype differs from closely related

Upland Moist Low Willow Shrub by lacking Salix

glauca and Cassiope tetragona and having

Calamagrostis canadensis. While species

composition is similar, the fine-grained soil

associated with ice-rich permafrost is considerably

different from the rocky soil with presumably

ice-poor permafrost on upland hillsides.

Table 13. Vegetation cover and frequency for 

Lowland Moist Low Willow Shrub (n=10).

 Cover Freq 

 Mean SD (%) 

Total Live Cover 213.8 48.2 100

Total Vascular Cover 162.7 30.8 100

Total Evergreen Shrub Cover 2.9 6.4 50

Dryas integrifolia 2.0 6.3 10

Empetrum nigrum 0.3 0.5 40

Total Deciduous Shrub Cover 81.5 15.0 100

Arctostaphylos rubra 2.5 6.3 20

Betula nana 0.8 1.0 50

Salix hastata 7.5 23.7 10

Salix lanata richardsonii 13.5 20.0 50

Salix planifolia pulchra 38.0 34.6 70

Salix reticulata 16.8 22.1 70

Spiraea beauverdiana 0.3 0.5 30

Vaccinium uliginosum 1.3 1.8 60

Total Forb Cover 63.8 24.7 100

Aconitum delphinifolium 0.7 0.8 60

Anemone parviflora 1.2 3.1 30

Anemone richardsonii 0.8 1.0 50

Artemisia arctica arctica 2.3 3.4 50

Cardamine pratensis 0.2 0.6 40

Dodecatheon frigidum 0.7 0.8 60

Equisetum arvense 26.4 31.9 90

Myosotis alpestris asiatica 0.7 1.3 30

Petasites frigidus 15.4 25.7 70

Polemonium acutiflorum 3.7 9.3 100

Polygonum bistorta 0.5 1.0 30

Potentilla fruticosa 0.9 1.7 30

Rubus arcticus 1.3 3.1 50

Rubus chamaemorus 1.1 3.1 20

Saxifraga punctata 0.2 0.4 40

Senecio lugens 0.3 0.7 30

Stellaria sp. 0.1 0.1 40

Valeriana capitata 3.5 2.8 100

Total Grass Cover 9.7 10.6 100

Arctagrostis latifolia 0.2 0.6 20

Calamagrostis canadensis 3.3 5.1 50

Festuca altaica 5.1 10.7 60

Poa arctica SL 0.6 1.3 40

Trisetum spicatum 0.1 0.3 40

Total Sedge Cover 4.8 6.3 90

Carex aquatilis 1.9 3.6 40

Carex bigelowii 0.6 1.6 30

Carex scirpoidea 0.2 0.4 20

Eriophorum angustifolium 1.4 2.8 30

Total NonVascular Cover 51.1 25.6 100

Total Moss Cover 49.3 25.3 100

Aulacomnium palustre 5.3 8.0 60

Brachythecium coruscum 1.0 3.2 10

Brachythecium salebrosum 1.5 4.7 10

Brachythecium sp. 0.6 1.3 20

Bryum pseudotriquetrum 1.0 3.2 10

Calliergon stramineum 4.0 12.6 10

Campylium stellatum 1.0 3.2 10

Dicranum sp. 1.6 3.1 40

Hylocomium splendens 15.7 22.6 70

Plagiomnium ellipticum 1.5 4.7 20

Pleurozium schreberi 0.6 1.6 20

Tomentypnum nitens 6.8 12.3 70

Unknown moss 3.6 9.4 30

Total Lichen Cover 1.8 3.4 80

Peltigera aphthosa 0.4 0.7 60

Total Bare Ground 41.8 21.0 100

Soil 0.3 0.5 30

Water 0.5 0.7 40

Litter alone 41.0 21.2 100
Results

BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping 26

LOWLAND MOIST DWARF 

BIRCH–WILLOW SHRUB

Plant Association:

Betula nana–Salix planifolia pulchra–Pyrola 

grandiflora

Lower slopes and flats on low-lying

alluvial-marine deposits and drained basins with

vegetation dominated by shrub birch. Soils are

loamy to organic, poorly drained, acidic, and have

moderately thick surface organics and shallow

(<40 cm) active-layer. Water depths typically are

<20 cm below the soil surface.

Vegetation has an open to closed canopy of

Betula nana, Salix planifolia pulchra is present and

may be co-dominant. Other species include the

shrubs Ledum decumbens, Vaccinium vitis-idaea,

V. uliginosum, Empetrum nigrum, and the mosses

Aulacomnium turgidum, A. palustre, and

Hylocomium splendens.

This ecotype differs from the closely related

Upland Moist Low Dwarf Birch–Ericaceous Shrub

by having Carex aquatilis, Eriophorum

angustifolium, and more Salix planifolia pulchra. It

differs from Riverine Moist Dwarf Birch–Willow

Shrub and Lowland Moist Low Willow Shrub by

lacking Salix glauca and having Ledum

decumbens, and Empetrum nigrum.

Table 14. Vegetation cover and frequency for 

Lowland Moist Dwarf Birch–Willow Shrub 

(n=8).

 Cover Freq 

 Mean SD (%) 

Total Live Cover 155.6 49.3 100

Total Vascular Cover 99.1 29.0 100

Total Evergreen Shrub Cover 10.5 11.8 88

Empetrum nigrum 1.8 3.4 63 

Ledum decumbens 4.5 4.8 75

Vaccinium vitis-idaea 4.3 5.5 63

Total Deciduous Shrub Cover 67.5 25.3 100

Alnus crispa 0.6 1.8 25

Arctostaphylos rubra 0.1 0.4 13

Betula nana 24.1 16.0 100

Salix barclayi 0.6 1.8 13

Salix chamissonis 0.3 0.7 13

Salix planifolia pulchra 28.4 14.3 100

Spiraea beauverdiana 0.9 1.7 38

Vaccinium uliginosum 12.5 17.4 100

Total Forb Cover 7.6 5.5 100

Equisetum arvense 0.4 0.7 25

Petasites frigidus 4.3 4.4 75

Pyrola grandiflora 1.0 1.3 50

Rubus chamaemorus 1.3 2.4 50

Total Grass Cover 1.8 1.5 75

Arctagrostis latifolia 0.6 1.2 38

Calamagrostis canadensis 0.6 1.2 25

Poa arctica SL 0.3 0.4 50

Total Sedge Cover 11.7 20.0 88

Carex aquatilis 5.4 14.0 25

Carex bigelowii 1.4 2.0 38

Carex podocarpa 0.6 1.8 13

Eriophorum angustifolium 3.9 7.4 38

Eriophorum vaginatum 0.4 1.1 38

Total NonVascular Cover 56.5 31.6 100

Total Moss Cover 53.1 29.2 100

Aulacomnium acuminatum 0.6 1.8 25

Aulacomnium palustre 8.1 13.9 63

Aulacomnium turgidum 2.0 3.7 38

Dicranum sp. 2.9 4.5 50

Drepanocladus sp. 0.1 0.4 13

Hylocomium splendens 14.4 25.4 63

Hypnum plicatulum 2.5 7.1 13

Polytrichum juniperinum 1.9 3.7 25

Sanionia uncinata 0.6 1.2 25

Sphagnum fuscum 0.6 1.8 13

Sphagnum sp. 8.5 17.5 50

Sphagnum squarrosum 5.0 14.1 13

Tomentypnum nitens 3.8 10.6 13

Total Lichen Cover 3.3 5.5 88

Cetraria laevigata 0.3 0.7 13

Cladina arbuscula 0.4 1.1 13

Cladina stygia 0.4 1.1 25

Cladonia furcata 0.6 1.8 13

Cladonia sp. 0.3 0.7 38

Peltigera aphthosa 0.4 0.5 63

Stereocaulon tomentosum 0.1 0.4 13

Total Bare Ground 41.7 27.8 100

Soil 1.4 3.5 38

Water 0.9 1.8 38

Litter alone 39.4 27.3 100
 Results

27 BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping

LOWLAND WET DWARF 

BIRCH–ERICACEOUS SHRUB

Plant Association:

Betula nana–Vaccinium vitis-idaea–Carex 

aquatilis

Flat areas on drained-lake basins, abandoned

floodplain, and coastal plain deposits dominated by

dwarf shrubs (<0.2 m tall) and mosses. Soils are

organic-rich, poorly drained, acidic, and have

shallow thaw depths. Ground water usually is less

than 20 cm below the soil surface. Permafrost is

always present and low-centered polygons occur

on some sites in this class. 

Vegetation is dominated by the shrub species

Vaccinium uliginosum, V. vitis-idaea, Ledum

decumbens, Empetrum nigrum, and Betula nana.

Other common species include Carex aquatilis,

Aulacomnium turgidum, and numerous species

of Sphagnum including S. balticum, S. fuscum,

S. warnstorfii, and S. perfoliatum.

This ecotype is similar to Lowland Moist

Dwarf Birch–Willow Shrub but has much more

C. aquatilis and Sphagnum spp. and much less

Salix planifolia pulchra. It differs from Lowland

Sedge–Moss Fen by having a high shrub cover and

the presence of Hylocomium splendens.

Table 15. Vegetation cover and frequency for 

Lowland Wet Dwarf Birch–Ericaceous 

Shrub (n=10).

 Cover Freq 

 Mean SD (%) 

Total Live Cover 169.1 52.8 100

Total Vascular Cover 94.8 35.6 100 

Total Evergreen Shrub Cover 36.3 27.6 100 

Chamaedaphne calyculata 1.0 3.2 10 

Empetrum nigrum 9.8 12.1 100 

Ledum decumbens 14.5 16.7 100 

Oxycoccus microcarpus 0.2 0.4 20 

Vaccinium vitis-idaea 10.8 12.0 90 

Total Deciduous Shrub Cover 36.4 21.2 100 

Andromeda polifolia 2.4 6.2 30 

Betula nana 21.8 18.4 100 

Salix fuscescens 0.5 1.6 30 

Salix planifolia pulchra 2.1 4.6 70 

Vaccinium uliginosum 8.8 7.9 80 

Total Forb Cover 2.2 2.5 70 

Pedicularis sudetica 0.1 0.3 30 

Rubus chamaemorus 1.8 2.4 40 

Total Grass Cover 0.2 0.4 20 

Total Sedge Cover 19.6 23.7 100 

Carex aquatilis 14.9 19.7 90 

Carex bigelowii 0.2 0.4 30 

Carex rariflora 1.0 2.1 20 

Eriophorum angustifolium 2.4 6.3 40 

Eriophorum russeolum 0.6 1.6 20 

Total NonVascular Cover 74.3 30.6 100 

Total Moss Cover 66.1 28.8 100 

Aulacomnium palustre 6.4 7.1 70 

Aulacomnium turgidum 5.0 6.2 70 

Calliergon stramineum 0.5 1.6 10 

Dicranum acutifolium 0.5 1.6 10 

Dicranum elongatum 4.0 8.0 40 

Dicranum groenlandicum 0.8 1.8 20 

Dicranum laevidens 0.5 1.6 20 

Dicranum majus 0.7 1.6 20 

Dicranum sp. 1.0 1.8 30 

Hepaticae 0.5 1.6 20 

Hylocomium splendens 5.2 9.3 60 

Limprichtia revolvens 0.3 0.7 30 

Polytrichum juniperinum 1.5 3.4 30 

Ptilidium ciliare 0.4 1.0 30 

Scorpidium scorpioides 0.5 1.6 10 

Sphagnum angustifolium 1.0 3.2 10 

Sphagnum balticum 12.5 28.4 30 

Sphagnum fuscum 2.5 6.3 20 

Sphagnum girgensohnii 1.5 4.7 10 

Sphagnum perfoliatum 1.0 3.2 10 

Sphagnum rubellum 1.0 3.2 10 

Sphagnum sp. 3.0 7.9 20 

Sphagnum squarrosum 5.5 15.7 30 

Sphagnum warnstorfii 2.1 3.8 30 

Tomentypnum nitens 1.7 4.7 30 

Total Lichen Cover 8.2 10.3 90 

Cetraria islandica cf 0.3 0.7 20 

Cladina arbuscula 2.2 4.6 50 

Cladina rangiferina 1.1 1.9 40 

Cladina stygia 1.1 3.1 30 

Flavocetraria cucullata 0.8 1.6 60 

Thamnolia vermicularis 0.4 0.7 30 

Total Bare Ground 29.2 19.6 100 

Soil 0.1 0.3 10 

Water 0.8 1.2 40 

Litter alone 28.3 20.3 100 
Results

BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping 28

LOWLAND MOIST SEDGE–DRYAS 

MEADOW

Plant Association:

Dryas integrifolia–Equisetum arvense

Moderate to gentle, lower slopes at lower

elevations on colluvium, glacial till, and coastal

plain deposits with vegetation co-dominated by

sedges and dwarf shrubs. Soils are loamy,

somewhat poorly drained, circumneutral to

alkaline, and have moderately thick surface

organics and moderately deep (40–80 cm) thaw

depths. The water table typically is 15–30 cm

below the soil surface. This ecotype is abundant in

both parks.

 Dominant plants include Dryas integrifolia,

Dryas octopetala, Salix reticulata, Salix arctica,

Equisetum arvense, and Hylocomium splendens.

Other common species include Salix lanata

richardsonii, Arctostaphylos rubra, Carex

bigelowii, Tomentypnum nitens, and Flavocetraria

cucullata.

This ecotype is very similar to Upland Moist

Sedge–Dryas Meadow but has more Equisetum

arvense. During mapping, this ecotype was

restricted to the coastal plains and drainages,

whereas, Upland Moist Sedge–Dryas Meadow was

restricted to upland and mountainous areas. Of

particular interest in differentiating upland and

lowland types is the likelihood of ice-rich

permafrost in the loamy lowlands and ice-poor

permafrost in the rocky uplands.

Table 16. Vegetation cover and frequency for 

Lowland Moist Sedge–Dryas Meadow 

(n=3).

Cover Freq

Mean SD (%)

Total Live Cover 146.5 8.2 100

Total Vascular Cover 83.9 10.2 100

Total Evergreen Shrub Cover 28.0 15.1 100

Cassiope tetragona 0.7 1.2 33

Dryas integrifolia 16.7 20.8 67

Dryas octopetala 10.0 17.3 33

Total Deciduous Shrub Cover 24.7 8.0 100

Arctostaphylos rubra 2.3 2.5 67

Betula nana 0.7 1.1 67

Salix arctica 3.3 1.5 100

Salix lanata richardsonii 2.0 2.6 67

Salix planifolia pulchra 0.7 0.6 67

Salix reticulata 13.3 7.6 100

Vaccinium uliginosum 1.7 2.9 33

Total Forb Cover 18.5 2.9 100

Artemisia arctica arctica 1.0 1.7 33

Dodecatheon frigidum 1.3 1.5 67

Equisetum arvense 9.3 8.0 100

Petasites frigidus 2.0 2.6 67

Polygonum bistorta 0.7 0.5 100

Polygonum viviparum 0.7 0.5 100

Saxifraga hirculus 0.1 0.1 67

Saxifraga punctata 0.1 0.1 67

Valeriana capitata 0.4 0.6 67

Total Grass Cover 4.3 5.9 67

Arctagrostis latifolia 1.3 1.5 67

Festuca altaica 1.0 1.7 33

Poa arctica SL 1.3 1.5 67

Trisetum spicatum 0.7 1.2 33

Total Sedge Cover 8.3 4.0 100

Carex bigelowii 4.7 2.5 100

Carex podocarpa 1.0 1.7 33

Carex scirpoidea 0.7 1.2 33

Luzula multiflora 0.7 0.6 67

Total NonVascular Cover 62.7 2.1 100

Total Moss Cover 57.0 2.0 100

Aulacomnium acuminatum 5.0 8.7 33

Aulacomnium palustre 3.3 5.8 33

Aulacomnium turgidum 0.7 1.2 33

Dicranum sp. 4.0 1.7 100

Drepanocladus sp. 1.7 2.9 33

Hylocomium splendens 20.0 10.0 100

Hypnum sp. 3.3 5.8 33

Rhytidium rugosum 3.3 5.8 33

Sanionia uncinata 1.0 1.7 33

Tomentypnum nitens 12.7 11.2 100

Unknown moss 1.7 2.9 33

Total Lichen Cover 5.7 0.6 100

Cetraria islandica cf 1.7 0.6 100

Cladonia sp. 0.7 0.6 67

Flavocetraria cucullata 1.3 1.2 67

Peltigera aphthosa 0.7 0.6 67

Total Bare Ground 44.1 29.5 100.0

Soil 0.4 0.6 66.7

Water 0.4 0.6 66.7

Litter alone 43.3 28.9 100.0
 Results

29 BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping

LOWLAND SEDGE–MOSS FEN 

MEADOW

Plant Association:

Carex aquatilis–Salix fuscescens–Sphagnum

Flat areas, primarily in drained-lake basins,

with vegetation dominated by sedges and

Sphagnum mosses. Soils are organic-rich

(20–40 cm of organics), poorly drained, acidic, and

have shallow active-layer depths. Water usually is

within 10 cm of the surface. This ecotype is

common on the coastal plains of both parks.

Vegetation is dominated by Carex aquatilis,

Salix fuscescens, and numerous Sphagnum spp.

Other common species include Betula nana,

Ledum decumbens, Eriophorum angustifolium, and

Aulacomnium palustre.

This ecotype differs from closely related

Lowland Sedge Fen Meadow by the presence of

Salix fuscescens, Sphagnum, and Betula nana. It

differs from Lowland Wet Dwarf Birch–Ericacous

Shrub by the low cover of shrubs and by the lack of

Hylocomium splendens.

Table 17. Vegetation cover and frequency for 

Lowland Sedge–Moss Fen Meadow (n=9).

 Cover Freq 

 Mean SD (%) 

Total Live Cover 113.6 33.0 100 

Total Vascular Cover 45.4 18.6 100 

Total Evergreen Shrub Cover 5.4 6.5 89 

Empetrum nigrum 1.2 1.7 67 

Ledum decumbens 2.8 3.4 89 

Oxycoccus microcarpus 0.6 1.0 33 

Vaccinium vitis-idaea 0.8 1.7 33 

Total Deciduous Shrub Cover 8.8 6.3 100 

Andromeda polifolia 0.7 1.1 33 

Betula nana 2.8 3.1 100 

Salix fuscescens 1.6 1.7 67 

Salix planifolia pulchra 1.3 3.3 22 

Vaccinium uliginosum 2.3 2.6 89 

Total Forb Cover 2.2 4.5 78 

Pedicularis sudetica 0.2 0.4 22 

Petasites frigidus 0.3 1.0 22 

Potentilla palustris 1.2 3.3 44 

Rubus chamaemorus 0.3 0.7 22 

Total Grass Cover 1.1 2.0 44 

Calamagrostis canadensis 0.7 1.7 33 

Hierochloe pauciflora 0.4 0.7 33 

Total Sedge Cover 27.9 17.1 100 

Carex aquatilis 16.3 17.6 100 

Carex bigelowii 1.1 3.3 11 

Carex chordorrhiza 0.6 1.7 11 

Carex rariflora 2.1 3.4 56 

Carex rotundata 0.1 0.3 22 

Eriophorum angustifolium 4.7 5.7 56 

Eriophorum russeolum 1.0 1.7 33 

Eriophorum scheuchzeri 1.3 2.2 33 

Eriophorum vaginatum 0.3 0.7 22 

Luzula arcuata 0.1 0.3 11 

Total NonVascular Cover 68.1 21.5 100 

Total Moss Cover 67.3 21.0 100 

Aulacomnium palustre 3.9 7.0 44 

Campylium stellatum 0.6 1.7 11 

Dicranum sp. 1.3 3.3 33 

Polytrichum juniperinum 0.4 0.7 33 

Sphagnum balticum 2.2 6.7 11 

Sphagnum capillifolium 4.4 13.3 11 

Sphagnum compactum 1.7 5.0 11 

Sphagnum fuscum 8.9 20.3 22 

Sphagnum imbricatum 3.9 7.8 22 

Sphagnum lenense 5.6 11.3 22 

Sphagnum lindbergii 1.7 5.0 11 

Sphagnum obtusum 1.1 3.3 11 

Sphagnum sp. 11.1 19.6 33 

Sphagnum squarrosum 15.6 16.5 56 

Sphagnum subsecundum 2.0 5.0 22 

Sphagnum warnstorfii 2.8 6.7 22 

Total Lichen Cover 0.8 1.6 44 

Cladina arbuscula 0.4 1.3 11 

Cladonia sp. 0.1 0.3 11 

Total Bare Ground 47.4 22.0 100 

Soil 0.1 0.3 22 

Water 7.8 11.2 78 

Litter alone 39.4 15.9 100 
Results

BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping 30

LOWLAND SEDGE FEN MEADOW

Plant Association:

Carex aquatilis–Carex chordorrhiza

Organic-rich sites on low-lying flats, on

coastal plain deposits, abandoned floodplains, and

within drained-lake basins with vegetation

dominated by sedges. Soils are saturated, very

poorly drained, have thick organic horizons, and

are acidic to circumneutral. Ground water is close

to the soil surface and active later depths are

moderate to shallow (<40 cm). Ice-wedge

development in older landscapes creates distinctive

low-centered polygons. The surface generally is

flooded during early summer (depth <30 cm) and

drains later in the growing season. 

Vegetation is dominated by Carex aquatilis,

Eriophorum angustifolium, and C. chordorrhiza.

Aquatic mosses Scorpidium scorpioides,

Limprichtia revolvens, and Calliergon giganteum

often are present. Low and dwarf shrubs may be

present but cover is very low.

This ecotype is similar to Lowland

Sedge–Moss Fen but lacks Sphagnum, Salix

fuscescens, and ericaceous shrubs. It differs from

Lacustrine Marestail Marsh by lacking Hippurus

vulgaris. In this area, fen meadows quickly acidify

during lake-basin succession.

Table 18. Vegetation cover and frequency for 

Lowland Sedge Fen Meadow (n=11).

 Cover Freq 

 Mean SD (%) 

Total Live Cover 65.6 43.7 100 

Total Vascular Cover 45.2 26.3 100 

Total Deciduous Shrub Cover 1.1 1.2 73 

Andromeda polifolia 0.2 0.4 18 

Betula nana 0.2 0.4 27 

Salix fuscescens 0.4 0.5 55 

Salix planifolia pulchra 0.4 0.7 27 

Salix sp. 0.0 0.0 9 

Total Forb Cover 7.8 17.5 91 

Caltha palustris 0.9 2.0 36 

Cardamine pratensis 0.0 0.0 9 

Galium trifidum 0.0 0.0 9 

Hippuris vulgaris 0.0 0.0 9 

Menyanthes trifoliata 0.1 0.3 9 

Pedicularis parviflora pennellii 0.1 0.3 27 

Pedicularis sudetica 0.3 0.6 36 

Petasites frigidus 0.0 0.0 9 

Polemonium acutiflorum 0.0 0.0 9 

Potentilla palustris 4.8 15.0 36 

Ranunculus pallasii 0.6 1.5 27 

Rumex arcticus 0.1 0.3 9 

Saxifraga hirculus 0.1 0.3 9 

Utricularia sp. 0.0 0.0 9 

Utricularia vulgaris 0.3 0.9 9 

Utricularia vulgaris macrorhiza 0.4 0.8 18 

Total Grass Cover 0.5 1.0 27 

Calamagrostis canadensis 0.4 0.9 18 

Dupontia fischeri 0.2 0.6 9 

Total Sedge Cover 35.7 14.6 100 

Carex aquatilis 15.2 12.8 100 

Carex chordorrhiza 6.8 9.2 64 

Carex membranacea 0.5 0.8 36 

Carex rariflora 0.5 1.5 18 

Carex rotundata 0.4 0.9 18 

Carex saxatilis laxa 1.4 4.5 9 

Eriophorum angustifolium 8.5 7.4 91 

Eriophorum russeolum 1.7 1.7 64 

Eriophorum scheuchzeri 0.5 1.5 9 

Eriophorum vaginatum 0.0 0.0 9 

Total NonVascular Cover 20.4 28.3 82 

Total Moss Cover 20.4 28.3 82 

Aulacomnium turgidum 0.5 1.5 18 

Calliergon giganteum 1.9 6.0 18 

Campylium stellatum 0.5 1.5 9 

Cinclidium latifolium 0.5 1.5 9 

Limprichtia revolvens 4.5 11.9 45 

Mnium sp. 0.0 0.0 9 

Rhizomnium sp. 0.5 1.5 9 

Scorpidium scorpioides 11.4 21.9 36 

Sphagnum sp. 0.5 1.5 9 

Unknown liverwort 0.3 0.9 9 

Total Bare Ground 90.1 42.4 100 

Soil 1.8 6.0 9 

Water 57.5 28.2 100 

Litter alone 30.7 26.1 100 
 Results

31 BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping

LOWLAND WATER

Shallow (<1.5 m) and deep (≥1.5 m) lakes

primarily resulting from thawing of ice-rich

permafrost on the coastal plain and distal portions

of abandoned floodplains. These lakes lack

riverine influences. In shallow ponds, water freezes

to the bottom during winter, thaws by early to

mid-June, and is warmer than water in deep lakes.

In deep lakes, water does not freeze to the bottom

during winter in deeper portions of the lake.

Sediments are loamy to sandy. The alpine lakes in

the Bendeleben Mountains are included in this

class because they are relatively rare.

Table 19. Vegetation cover and frequency for 

Lowland Water (n=4).

 Cover Freq 

 Mean SD (%) 

Total Live Cover 1.5 3.0 25 

Total Vascular Cover 1.3 2.5 25 

Total Forb Cover 0.5 1.0 25 

Hippuris vulgaris 0.3 0.5 25 

Potentilla palustris 0.3 0.5 25 

Total Grass Cover 0.3 0.5 25 

Arctophila fulva 0.3 0.5 25 

Total Sedge Cover 0.5 1.0 25 

Carex aquatilis 0.3 0.5 25 

Eriophorum angustifolium 0.3 0.5 25 

Total Moss Cover 0.3 0.5 25 

Calliergon giganteum 0.3 0.5 25 

Total Bare Ground 100.0 0.0 100 

Water 100.0 0.0 100 

Shallow water with emergent vegetation.

Although the plant associations are distinct they

were combined because they are uncommon and

sampling was inadequate. This class was included

in the Lowland Water class for mapping. Dominant

species include Hippuris vulgaris and Carex

aquatilis, while Caltha natans, Arctophila fulva,

and Potentilla palustris often occur in differing

circumstances.

Table 20. Vegetation cover and frequency for 

Lacustrine Maresail Marsh (n=5).

 Cover Freq 

 Mean SD (%) 

Total Live Cover 34.3 23.5 100 

Total Vascular Cover 30.5 19.0 100 

Total Deciduous Shrub Cover 0.2 0.4 20 

Salix fuscescens 0.2 0.4 20 

Total Forb Cover 19.9 16.9 100 

Caltha natans 3.0 6.7 20 

Caltha palustris 0.8 1.3 40 

Hippuris vulgaris 8.6 8.5 80 

Menyanthes trifoliata 0.4 0.9 20 

Myriophyllum spicatum 0.6 1.3 40 

Potamogeton sp. 0.4 0.5 60 

Potentilla palustris 5.0 8.7 40 

Ranunculus hyperboreus 0.6 1.3 40 

Ranunculus pallasii 0.4 0.9 20 

Total Grass Cover 4.2 8.8 40 

Arctophila fulva 4.2 8.8 40 

Total Sedge Cover 6.2 13.3 40 

Carex aquatilis 3.2 6.6 40 

Eriophorum angustifolium 3.0 6.7 20 

Total Moss Cover 3.8 6.9 40 

Limprichtia revolvens 2.0 4.5 20 

Scorpidium scorpioides 1.0 2.2 20 

Sphagnum cf. jensnii 0.2 0.4 20 

Sphagnum squarrosum 0.6 1.3 20 

Total Bare Ground 105.0 27.1 100 

Water 86.8 18.4 100 

Litter alone 18.2 40.1 40 

LACUSTRINE MARESTAIL MARSH

Plant Associations: Hippurus 

vulgaris–Potamogeton spp.; Carex 

aquatilis–Caltha palustris; Arctophila fulva
Results

BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping 32

LACUSTRINE MOIST BLUEJOINT 

MEADOW

Plant Association:

Calamagrostis canadensis–Rumex arcticus

Flat areas in recently drained-lake basins

dominated by Bluejoint grass. Soils are loamy,

somewhat poorly drained, circum-neutral, and

have thin surface organics and shallow active-layer

depths. Permafrost is always present and

presumably ice-poor because of the recent

degradation. Ice wedges have yet to develop and

surfaces are not polygonized. This ecotype is

uncommon but is found in both parks.

Vegetation is dominated by Calamagrostis

canadensis and forbs. Associated species include

Poa arctica, Petasites frigidus, Valeriana capitata,

Polemonium acutiflorum, Rumex arcticus,

Drepanocladus sp., and Aulacomnium palustre.

This ecotype is unusual because of the high

Calamagrostis cover and because it is restricted to

recently drained-lake basins. While intensive

sampling was insufficient to thoroughly

characterize this ecotype, it also was documented

in numerous verification plots. 

Table 21. Vegetation cover and frequency for 

Lacustrine Moist Bluejoint Meadow (n=2).

 Cover Freq 

 Mean SD (%) 

Total Live Cover 115.3 18.0 100 

Total Vascular Cover 51.7 13.2 100 

Total Deciduous Shrub Cover 0.6 0.8 50 

Betula nana 0.1 0.1 50 

Salix planifolia pulchra 0.5 0.7 50 

Total Forb Cover 17.1 5.5 100 

Arnica alpina 0.5 0.7 50 

Artemisia tilesii 0.5 0.7 50 

Ligusticum scoticum 0.1 0.1 50 

Petasites frigidus 11.0 5.7 100 

Polemonium acutiflorum 2.0 1.4 100 

Rumex arcticus 1.0 0.0 100 

Stellaria sp. 0.1 0.1 50 

Valeriana capitata 2.0 1.4 100 

Total Grass Cover 33.5 9.2 100 

Calamagrostis canadensis 27.5 3.5 100 

Poa arctica SL 6.0 5.7 100 

Total Sedge Cover 0.5 0.7 50 

Carex aquatilis 0.5 0.7 50 

Total Nonvascular Cover 63.7 4.7 100 

Total Lichen Cover 0.1 0.1 50 

Nephroma sp. 0.1 0.1 50 

Peltigera aphthosa 0.1 0.1 50 

Total Moss Cover 63.6 4.9 100 

Aulacomnium palustre 57.5 3.5 100 

Aulacomnium turgidum 0.1 0.1 50 

Drepanocladus sp. 4.0 1.4 100 

Pohlia nutans 0.5 0.7 50 

Polytrichum juniperinum 0.5 0.7 50 

Polytrichum sp. 0.5 0.7 50 

Total Bare Ground 57.6 24.8 100 

Water 0.1 0.1 50 

Litter alone 57.5 24.7 100 
 Results

33 BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping

RIVERINE BARRENS

Plant Association:

Epilobium latifolium–Agropyron macrourum

Barren or partially vegetated (<30% cover)

areas on active river channel deposits associated

with meandering or braided rivers. Frequent

sedimentation and scouring restricts establishment

and growth of vegetation. Soils are well to

excessively drained, sandy to gravelly, alkaline to

circumneutral and lack surface organics.

Permafrost is always present and active-layer

depths are deep (>80 cm). Water usually is found at

the bottom of the active layer. 

Typical pioneering plants include Salix

alaxensis, S. planifolia pulchra, Festuca rubra,

Elymus arenarius mollis, Artemisia arctica arctica,

Epilobium latifolium, and Oxytropis borealis.

This ecotype is relatively uncommon because

of the riverine setting and lack of vegetation. While

it has many of the species found in Riverine Tall

Willow Shrub, its shrub cover is much lower. It has

some species in common with Coastal Barrens,

particularly Elymus arenarius mollis, Artemisia

tilesii, and Deschampsia caespitosa.

Table 22. Vegetation cover and frequency for 

Riverine Barrens (n=6).

 Cover Freq 

 Mean SD (%) 

Total Live Cover 16.2 21.6 150

Total Vascular Cover 15.9 21.6 150

Total Deciduous Shrub Cover 3.5 5.3 133

Salix alaxensis 1.5 1.7 117

Salix arbusculoides 0.1 0.3 17

Salix barclayi 1.0 3.2 33

Salix hastata 0.1 0.3 33

Salix niphoclada 0.4 1.3 17

Salix planifolia pulchra 0.3 0.7 50

Vaccinium uliginosum 0.0 0.0 17

Total Forb Cover 3.9 4.4 150

Artemisia arctica arctica 0.2 0.6 33

Artemisia glomerata 0.0 0.0 17

Artemisia tilesii 0.2 0.4 50

Aster sibiricus 0.4 0.7 83

Astragalus alpinus 0.0 0.0 50

Epilobium angustifolium 0.1 0.3 17

Epilobium ciliatum 0.0 0.0 17

Epilobium latifolium 1.6 2.5 117

Hedysarum alpinum 0.1 0.3 33

Linum perenne 0.1 0.3 17

Oxytropis borealis 0.5 1.6 17

Potentilla fruticosa 0.1 0.3 33

Rumex sp. 0.1 0.3 33

Stellaria sp. 0.0 0.1 33

Wilhelmsia physodes 0.0 0.1 67

Total Grass Cover 8.5 15.8 117

Agropyron boreale 0.0 0.0 33

Agropyron macrourum 0.1 0.3 17

Agropyron sp. 0.1 0.3 50

Arctagrostis latifolia 0.1 0.3 50

Bromus pumpellianus 0.1 0.3 17

Calamagrostis sp. 0.0 0.0 33

Deschampsia caespitosa 0.1 0.3 33

Elymus arenarius mollis 5.5 15.7 50

Festuca rubra 1.0 1.8 83

Poa alpigena 0.1 0.3 17

Poa alpina 0.1 0.3 33

Poa sp. 0.8 2.5 33

Trisetum spicatum 0.3 0.7 50

Total Sedge Cover 0.0 0.0 33

Carex bigelowii 0.0 0.0 17

Juncus castaneus 0.0 0.0 17

Total NonVascular Cover 0.4 0.8 67

Total Moss Cover 0.3 0.7 67

Ceratodon purpureus 0.2 0.6 17

Hylocomium splendens 0.0 0.0 17

Racomitrium lanuginosum 0.0 0.0 17

Rhytidium rugosum 0.0 0.0 17

Sanionia uncinata 0.0 0.1 17

Sphagnum obtusum 0.0 0.1 17

Total Bare Ground 86.4 20.0 167

Soil 82.1 23.3 167

Litter alone 4.3 5.0 133
Results

BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping 34

RIVERINE MOIST TALL 

ALDER–WILLOW SHRUB

Plant Association:

Alnus crispa–Salix barclayi

Flat areas on active and inactive-floodplain

deposits subject to occasional flooding and

dominated by tall (>1.5 m) alder shrubs. Soils are

composed of interbedded layers of riverine silts,

sands, gravels, and organics, are seasonally

saturated, moderately well drained, and

circumneutral. Permafrost is always present and

the active-layer is shallow. This ecotype is rare and

most notably found on the Serpentine River in

BELA. It appears to be expanding along

floodplains through water-born movement of

seeds.

Vegetation is dominated by an open cover of

Alnus crispa, Salix barclayi, and other willows.

Common associated species include Salix glauca,

Salix alaxensis, Petasites frigidus, Arctagrostis

latifolia, and Climacium dendroides.

This ecotype is distinctive because of the

presence of alder on river floodplains. It differs

from Riverine Tall Willow Shrub by the abundance

of Alnus crispa and Arctagrostis latifolia and the

lack of Aster sibiricus. This class was merged with

other early successional riverine shrubs and

mapped as Riverine Moist Low and Tall Willow

Shrub.

Table 23. Vegetation cover and frequency for 

Riverine Moist Tall Alder–Willow Shrub 

(n=3).

 Cover Freq 

 Mean SD (%) 

Total Live Cover 158.1 25.2 100 

Total Vascular Cover 143.4 11.3 100 

Total Deciduous Shrub Cover 92.7 14.5 100 

Alnus crispa 60.0 40.0 100 

Salix alaxensis 7.3 11.0 67 

Salix arbusculoides 2.7 2.5 67 

Salix barclayi 10.7 16.8 67 

Salix glauca 6.7 11.5 33 

Salix lanata richardsonii 1.0 1.7 33 

Salix niphoclada 1.7 2.9 33 

Salix planifolia pulchra 1.7 2.9 33 

Spiraea beauverdiana 0.3 0.6 33 

Vaccinium uliginosum 0.7 1.2 33 

Total Forb Cover 17.3 10.2 100 

Aconitum delphinifolium 0.1 0.1 67 

Anemone richardsonii 0.3 0.6 33 

Artemisia tilesii 2.0 1.7 67 

Aster sibiricus 0.0 0.1 33 

Equisetum arvense 0.7 0.5 100 

Galium sp. 0.0 0.1 33 

Petasites frigidus 10.7 12.5 100 

Polemonium acutiflorum 0.7 0.5 100 

Ranunculus sp. 0.0 0.1 33 

Rubus arcticus 1.3 0.6 100 

Saxifraga punctata 0.7 0.6 67 

Stellaria sp. 0.1 0.1 67 

Valeriana capitata 0.7 1.2 33 

Total Grass Cover 33.3 15.3 100 

Arctagrostis latifolia 33.3 15.3 100 

Total Sedge Cover 0.0 0.1 33 

Luzula sp. 0.0 0.1 33 

Total NonVascular Cover 14.8 14.2 100 

Total Moss Cover 13.8 14.2 100 

Brachythecium mildeanum 1.7 2.9 67 

Brachythecium sp. 0.1 0.1 67 

Climacium dendroides 7.7 10.8 67 

Plagiomnium ellipticum 2.0 2.6 67 

Sanionia uncinata 2.3 2.5 67 

Total Lichen Cover 1.0 1.0 67 

Parmelia sp. 1.0 1.0 67 

Total Bare Ground 81.7 2.9 100 

Soil 23.3 40.4 33 

Water 0.0 0.0 0 

Litter alone 58.3 37.5 100 
 Results

35 BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping

RIVERINE MOIST TALL WILLOW 

SHRUB

Plant Association:

Salix alaxensis–Aster sibiricus

Flat areas on active and inactive floodplain

deposits subject to frequent flooding and

dominated by tall (>1.5 m) willow shrubs. Active

floodplain sites have sandy, well-drained soils, are

circumneutral and lack organic horizons. On

inactive floodplain deposits, soils are composed of

interbedded layers of riverine silts and sands,

seasonally saturated, well to somewhat poorly

drained, circumneutral, and usually lack surface

organic layers. Permafrost is always present and

active-layer depths are the deepest of any ecotype.

This type is widespread in narrow zones along

rivers but is uncommon overall.

Vegetation is dominated by a closed to open

canopy of the tall shrub Salix alaxensis. Other

species include S. lanata richardsonii, Equisetum

arvense, Galium boreale, Artemisia tilesii, Aster

sibiricus, Petasites frigidus, Potentilla fruticosa,

Calamagrostis canadensis, and Arctagrostis

latifolia.

This ecotype is most similar to Riverine Moist

Tall Willow shrub but lacks Alnus crispa. It differs

from Riverine Moist Low Willow Shrub and

Lowland Moist Low Willow Shrub by the lack of

Salix planifolia pulchra. This class was merged

with other early successional riverine shrubs and

mapped as Riverine Moist Low and Tall Willow

Shrub.

Table 24. Vegetation cover and frequency for Riverine 

Moist Tall Willow Shrub (n = 6).

 Cover Freq 

 Mean SD (%) 

Total Live Cover 160.3 68.0 100 

Total Vascular Cover 139.4 59.6 100 

Total Evergreen Shrub Cover 0.3 0.5 33 

Empetrum nigrum 0.3 0.5 33 

Total Deciduous Shrub Cover 81.5 31.2 100 

Arctostaphylos rubra 4.8 9.9 50 

Salix alaxensis 42.5 16.0 100 

Salix arbusculoides 3.5 8.1 33 

Salix glauca 2.0 1.9 67 

Salix hastata 1.4 2.1 50 

Salix lanata richardsonii 14.7 24.3 50 

Salix niphoclada 5.8 12.0 33 

Salix planifolia pulchra 1.2 1.9 50 

Salix reticulata 3.4 8.2 33 

Total Forb Cover 45.8 42.1 100 

Artemisia arctica arctica 1.0 2.0 33 

Artemisia tilesii 2.0 2.4 67 

Aster sibiricus 2.2 2.2 100 

Astragalus alpinus 0.4 0.5 50 

Castilleja caudata 1.2 2.0 33 

Epilobium latifolium 1.8 2.1 50 

Equisetum arvense 6.7 9.6 100 

Equisetum variegatum 1.3 2.8 33 

Galium boreale 15.2 30.4 83 

Mertensia paniculata 1.7 4.1 17 

Parnassia palustris 0.5 0.8 50 

Pedicularis verticillata 0.4 0.8 67 

Petasites frigidus 2.5 6.1 17 

Polemonium acutiflorum 0.2 0.4 67 

Polygonum viviparum 0.4 0.5 67 

Potentilla fruticosa 3.0 3.0 67 

Solidago multiradiata var. multiradiata 1.0 1.5 33 

Valeriana capitata 0.2 0.4 67 

Total Grass Cover 10.1 6.3 100 

Arctagrostis latifolia 1.3 1.4 67 

Calamagrostis canadensis 2.5 3.9 50 

Festuca altaica 1.2 2.0 33 

Festuca rubra 2.5 2.9 83 

Poa alpina 0.8 1.0 50 

Poa arctica SL 0.2 0.4 33 

Trisetum spicatum 0.4 0.5 50 

Total Sedge Cover 1.2 2.0 50 

Carex aquatilis 0.8 2.0 17 

Luzula multiflora 0.2 0.4 17 

Luzula parviflora 0.2 0.4 17 

Total Deciduous Tree Cover 0.5 0.8 33 

Populus balsamifera 0.5 0.8 33 

Total NonVascular Cover 20.9 20.5 100 

Total Moss Cover 19.0 20.8 100 

Brachythecium reflexum 2.5 6.1 17 

Brachythecium sp. 7.0 16.2 50 

Hylocomium splendens 1.0 2.0 33 

Pohlia sp. 1.7 4.1 17 

Polytrichum juniperinum 0.7 1.2 33 

Racomitrium lanuginosum 1.3 2.2 33 

Sanionia uncinata 1.3 3.3 17 

Total Lichen Cover 1.9 2.9 33 

Peltigera aphthosa 0.2 0.4 17 

Stereocaulon alpinum 0.8 2.0 17 

Stereocaulon sp. 0.8 2.0 17 

Total Bare Ground 41.4 28.5 100 

Soil 6.4 7.6 83 

Litter alone 35.0 30.8 100 
Results

BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping 36

RIVERINE MOIST LOW WILLOW 

SHRUB

Plant Association:

Salix lanata richardsonii–Festuca altaica

Flat areas on inactive floodplain deposits

subject to infrequent flooding with vegetation

dominated by low shrubs. Soils are interbedded

alluvial silts, sands, and organics, moderately well

to somewhat poorly drained, and circumneutral.

Permafrost is always present and the active layer is

moderately deep (40–80 cm). 

Vegetation is dominated by an open or closed

canopy of low willows, most commonly a mixture

of Salix lanata richardsonii, S. glauca,

S. planifolia pulchra, S. alaxensis, and

S. arbusculoides. Other species present include

Betula nana, Salix reticulata, Arctostaphylos

rubra, Valeriana capitata, Festuca altaica,

Calamagrostis canadensis, Carex bigelowii,

Tomentypnum nitens, and Hylocomium splendens.

This ecotype is similar to Lowland Moist Low

Willow Shrub, Riverine Moist Dwarf

Birch–Willow Shrub, and Upland Moist Low

Willow Shrub but differs by having Salix

alaxensis, S. arbusculoides, and S. niphoclada.

This class was merged with other early

successional riverine shrubs and mapped as

Riverine Moist Low and Tall Willow Shrub. 

Table 25. Vegetation cover and frequency for 

Riverine Moist Low Willow Shrub (n=6).

 Cover Freq 

 Mean SD (%) 

Total Live Cover 173.6 57.2 100 

Total Vascular Cover 127.4 53.4 100 

Total Evergreen Shrub Cover 7.7 18.3 50 

Dryas integrifolia 5.9 14.3 33 

Empetrum nigrum 1.7 4.1 17 

Ledum decumbens 0.2 0.4 17 

Total Deciduous Shrub Cover 94.4 39.2 100 

Arctostaphylos rubra 15.3 23.0 83 

Betula nana 5.2 4.3 83 

Salix alaxensis 9.8 13.4 83 

Salix arbusculoides 7.8 15.9 50 

Salix glauca 13.3 16.0 83 

Salix lanata richardsonii 11.7 14.7 67 

Salix niphoclada 5.8 5.8 67 

Salix planifolia pulchra 10.8 13.2 67 

Salix reticulata 9.2 10.6 83 

Vaccinium uliginosum 5.0 8.4 33 

Total Forb Cover 11.3 6.8 100 

Astragalus alpinus 0.4 0.5 50 

Cardamine pratensis 0.1 0.1 50 

Equisetum arvense 0.7 1.2 33 

Galium boreale 0.4 0.8 33 

Hedysarum alpinum 0.4 0.5 50 

Lupinus arcticus 1.7 2.6 33 

Polemonium acutiflorum 0.2 0.4 50 

Potentilla fruticosa 2.3 2.2 83 

Rubus arcticus 1.3 2.2 33 

Stellaria sp. 0.2 0.4 33 

Valeriana capitata 0.6 0.8 83 

Total Grass Cover 8.4 6.7 100 

Arctagrostis latifolia 0.1 0.1 50 

Calamagrostis canadensis 2.8 6.0 33 

Festuca altaica 4.7 5.8 67 

Poa arctica SL 0.2 0.4 33 

Total Sedge Cover 5.7 6.4 83 

Carex aquatilis 0.2 0.4 33 

Carex bigelowii 3.3 5.2 33 

Carex capillaris 0.5 1.2 33 

Total NonVascular Cover 46.2 30.3 100 

Total Moss Cover 46.2 30.3 100 

Aulacomnium acuminatum 1.7 4.1 17 

Aulacomnium palustre 2.5 4.2 50 

Aulacomnium turgidum 0.8 2.0 17 

Bryum sp. 0.9 2.0 33 

Campylium polygamum 4.2 10.2 33 

Ceratodon purpureus 2.5 4.2 33 

Climacium dendroides 0.7 0.8 50 

Dicranum sp. 2.0 4.0 33 

Hylocomium splendens 9.2 12.0 50 

Hypnum lindbergii 0.8 2.0 17 

Hypnum pratense 3.3 8.2 17 

Sanionia uncinata 1.0 2.0 50 

Tomentypnum nitens 15.8 18.8 83 

Total Bare Ground 53.7 16.6 100 

Soil 0.4 0.5 50 

Litter alone 53.3 16.6 100 
 Results

37 BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping

RIVERINE MOIST DWARF 

BIRCH–WILLOW SHRUB

Plant Association:

Betula nana–Salix planifolia pulchra–Pyrola 

grandiflora

Flat areas on inactive floodplain deposits

subject to infrequent flooding with vegetation

dominated by low shrubs. Soils are interbedded

alluvial silts, sands, and organics, moderately well

to somewhat poorly drained, circumneutral, and

have thin surface organic layers due to occasional

sedimentation. Permafrost is always present and

the active layer is moderately deep (40–80 cm). 

Vegetation is dominated by an open to closed

canopy of Betula nana and Salix planifolia

pulchra. Other common species include Vaccinium

uliginosum, Petasites frigidus, Calamagrostis

canadensis, Arctagrostis latifolia, and Hylocomium

splendens.

This ecotype is very similar to Lowland

Dwarf Birch–Willow Shrub and they share the

same plant association. It differs by having very

low cover of the shrubs Vaccinium vitis-idaea,

Ledum decumbens, and Empetrum nigrum. It is a

late-successional community that occurs on

surficial deposits at the last stages of floodplain

development and grades into abandoned overbank

floodplain deposits associated with lowland

ecotypes. 

Table 26. Vegetation cover and frequency for Riverine 

Moist Dwarf Birch–Willow Shrub (n=6).

 Cover Freq

 Mean SD (%) 

Total Live Cover 170.5 35.2 100

Total Vascular Cover 116.8 16.6 100

Total Evergreen Shrub Cover 1.9 1.8 83

Ledum decumbens 0.9 1.0 67

Vaccinium vitis-idaea 1.0 2.0 50

Total Deciduous Shrub Cover 87.3 13.4 100

Arctostaphylos rubra 0.8 2.0 17

Betula nana 32.5 27.5 100

Salix barclayi 0.5 1.2 17

Salix glauca 5.5 8.0 67

Salix hastata 0.5 0.8 33

Salix lanata richardsonii 1.7 4.1 17

Salix planifolia pulchra 35.3 31.8 100

Vaccinium uliginosum 10.2 10.2 100

Total Forb Cover 14.3 8.4 100

Equisetum arvense 1.0 1.5 33

Petasites frigidus 6.7 7.3 100

Polemonium acutiflorum 0.2 0.4 83

Polygonum bistorta 0.5 1.2 17

Potentilla fruticosa 1.2 1.5 50

Pyrola grandiflora 1.3 1.0 83

Rubus chamaemorus 2.2 3.5 33

Saussurea angustifolia 0.5 0.8 33

Valeriana capitata 0.5 0.5 83

Total Grass Cover 8.2 3.7 100

Arctagrostis latifolia 2.7 3.8 67

Calamagrostis canadensis 2.5 4.2 33

Calamagrostis sp. 0.5 1.2 17

Festuca altaica 1.0 1.3 50

Festuca rubra 0.3 0.5 33

Poa arctica SL 1.2 1.9 50

Total Sedge Cover 5.2 9.8 67

Carex aquatilis 0.2 0.4 17

Carex bigelowii 2.2 3.9 67

Eriophorum angustifolium 1.2 2.0 33

Eriophorum vaginatum 1.7 4.1 17

Total NonVascular Cover 53.7 27.9 100

Total Moss Cover 51.6 26.5 100

Aulacomnium acuminatum 2.5 6.1 17

Aulacomnium palustre 4.2 7.8 83

Aulacomnium turgidum 1.2 1.5 67

Calliergon giganteum 0.3 0.8 17

Dicranum sp. 0.7 1.2 33

Hylocomium splendens 20.0 24.3 83

Pleurozium schreberi 3.3 8.2 17

Polytrichum juniperinum 0.7 1.2 33

Sanionia uncinata 1.9 4.0 50

Sphagnum spp. 4.2 10.2 17

Tomentypnum nitens 10.5 19.5 67

Total Lichen Cover 2.1 1.9 83

Cetraria islandica cf 0.2 0.4 17

Cladina rangiferina 0.2 0.4 33

Peltigera aphthosa 1.2 2.0 33

Total Bare Ground 31.7 21.6 100

Soil 0.0 0.0 0

Litter alone 31.7 21.6 100
Results

BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping 38

RIVERINE WATER

Permanently flooded channels of freshwater

rivers and lakes on well-developed floodplains.

River water is alkaline and sediments are gravelly.

Most mappable areas in the parks are low-gradient

meandering rivers that reach peak flood in late

spring. High-gradient headwater streams at upper

elevations typically are too narrow to be mappable.

Lakes on floodplains are included in this class

because they are subject to periodic flooding and

usually have fish communities similar to those of

adjacent rivers.

COASTAL BARRENS

Plant Associations:

Elymus arenarius mollis–Lathyrus maritimus; 

Carex ramenskii–Puccinellia phryganodes

Barren or partially vegetated (<30% cover),

salt-affected areas on tidal flats, deltas, dunes, and

beaches along the coast that may be frequently

inundated or affected by storm surges. Soils are

sandy, lack surface organics, brackish, and have

deep (>80 cm) active layers. Permafrost is always

present and presumably ice-poor. 

Common colonizing plants on dry brackish

sites include Elymus arenarius mollis, Honkenya

peploides, Artemisia tilesii, and Lathyrus

maritimus. Plants on saline wet sites include Carex

subspathacea, Potentilla egedii, and

Chrysanthemum arcticum; species that also are

typical of the Carex ramenskii–Puccinellia

phryganodes plant association of more vegetated

sites.

This class also includes tundra that has been

killed by saltwater intrusions from storm surges

and is being colonized by salt-tolerant plants.

Newly deposited sediments typically are found on

top of a thick organic horizon. These areas have

low pH, high salinity, and shallow thaw depths.

Table 27. Vegetation cover and frequency for 

Coastal Barrens (n=7).

 Cover Freq 

 Mean SD (%) 

Total Live Cover 3.6 6.1 57 

Total Vascular Cover 3.4 6.1 42 

Total Deciduous Shrub Cover 0.0 0.1 14 

Salix ovalifolia 0.0 0.0 14 

Total Forb Cover 1.4 2.4 42 

Artemisia tilesii 0.0 0.0 14 

Chrysanthemum arcticum 0.0 0.0 14 

Honckenya peploides 0.9 1.5 28 

Lathyrus maritimus 0.2 0.4 28 

Mertensia maritima 0.3 0.8 14 

Potentilla Egedii 0.0 0.0 14 

Senecio sp. 0.0 0.0 14 

Stellaria humifusa 0.0 0.0 14 

Total Grass Cover 1.9 3.8 42 

Elymus arenarius mollis 1.9 3.8 42 

Festuca rubra 0.0 0.0 14 

Total Sedge Cover 0.1 0.4 14 

Carex subspathacea 0.1 0.4 14 

Total NonVascular Cover 0.1 0.2 42 

Total Moss Cover 0.1 0.2 42 

Bryum pseudotriquetrum 0.0 0.1 14 

Ceratodon purpureus 0.0 0.1 14 

Dicranum spadiceum 0.0 0.1 14 

Leptobryum pyriforme 0.0 0.1 14 

Total Bare Ground 98.4 3.7 100 

Soil 96.0 6.0 100 

Water 0.1 0.4 14 

Litter alone 2.3 3.9 57 
 Results

39 BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping

COASTAL DRY DUNEGRASS MEADOW

Plant Association:

Elymus arenarius mollis–Lathyrus maritimus

Coastal dunes and beach fringes with

vegetation dominated by grasses. Soils are sandy,

excessively drained, unstable and circumneutral

with no organic horizon. Permafrost is always

present and active-layers are deep (>80 cm).

Vegetation is dominated by Elymus arenarius

mollis, with scattered individuals of Artemisia

tilesii, Chrysanthemum bipinnatum, and

Deschampsia caespitosa.

This class is similar to Coastal Barrens but

differs by having >30% vegetation cover. It differs

from Upland Dry Crowberry Tundra, which occurs

on inactive dunes and is a late-successional

ecotype that develops from Coastal Dry Dunegrass

Meadow by lacking Empetrum nigrum.

Table 28. Vegetation cover and frequency for 

Coastal Dry Dunegrass Meadow (n=4).

 Cover Freq 

 Mean SD (%) 

Total Live Cover 55.5 28.7 100

Total Vascular Cover 55.3 28.7 100

Total Forb Cover 26.2 18.2 100

Artemisia tilesii 1.3 1.4 100

Aster sp. 0.3 0.5 25

Astragalus eucosmus sealei 0.3 0.5 25

Bupleurum triradiatum 0.3 0.5 50

Chrysanthemum arcticum 0.0 0.1 25

Chrysanthemum bipinnatum 0.0 0.1 25

Cnidium cnidiifolium 1.5 1.3 75

Conioselinum chinense 0.8 1.5 25

Honckenya peploides 1.0 0.8 75

Lathyrus maritimus 17.5 15.0 75

Mertensia maritima 0.5 1.0 25

Papaver lapponicum 0.0 0.1 25

Saussurea nuda 0.0 0.1 25

Saxifraga bronchialis 0.0 0.1 25

Senecio pseudoarnica 2.5 5.0 25

Stellaria sp. 0.3 0.5 25

Total Grass Cover 29.0 11.8 100

Bromus sp. 0.8 1.5 25

Deschampsia caespitosa 0.0 0.1 25

Elymus arenarius mollis 25.0 7.1 100

Festuca rubra 0.8 1.5 25

Festuca sp. 1.3 2.5 25

Poa arctica SL 1.3 2.5 25

Total Sedge Cover 0.0 0.1 25

Triglochin maritimum 0.0 0.1 25

Total NonVascular Cover 0.3 0.5 50

Total Moss Cover 0.3 0.5 50

Bryum sp. 0.3 0.5 50

Total Bare Ground 72.6 35.7 100

Soil 6.3 7.4 100

Water 0.0 0.0 0

Litter alone 66.3 37.5 100
Results

BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping 40

COASTAL BRACKISH WET 

SEDGE–GRASS MEADOW

Plant Associations:

Carex ramenskii–Dupontia fisheri

Salix ovalifolia–Deschampsia caespitosa

Flat areas on active and inactive tidal flats

along the coast with vegetation dominated by

halophytic sedges and dwarf shrubs. Soils are

loamy, poorly drained, brackish, and have little to

no surface organic layers. Permafrost is always

present and presumably ice-poor due to frequent

sedimentation. This type is common along the

coast, particularly at deltas, but rare overall.

Vegetation on lower, wetter sites is dominated

by Carex ramenskii, Dupontia fisheri, and

Calamagrostis deschampsioides. On moderately

well drained sites, particularly on low, indistinct

levees along the sloughs, Salix ovalifolia,

Deschampsia caespitosa, Elymus arenarius mollis,

and Stellaria humifus occur. The plant associations

with these varying dominant species were grouped

into one ecotype because they are highly

interspersed and could not be mapped separately.

This ecotype is similar to Coastal Saline Wet

Sedge–Grass Meadow but differs by the lack of

Puccinellia phryganodes and the presence of

Dupontia fisheri and/or Salix ovalifolia. The two

halophytic wet meadows were merged for mapping

as Coastal Wet Sedge–Grass Meadow.

Table 29. Vegetation cover and frequency for Coastal 

Brackish Wet Sedge–Grass Meadow (n=7).

 Cover Freq 

 Mean SD (%) 

Total Live Cover 52.7 14.7 100 

Total Vascular Cover 48.1 11.4 100 

Total Evergreen Shrub Cover 0.2 0.4 29 

Empetrum nigrum 0.2 0.4 29 

Total Deciduous Shrub Cover 5.0 7.5 71 

Salix fuscescens 0.1 0.4 14 

Salix ovalifolia 4.9 7.6 57 

Total Forb Cover 8.4 4.9 100 

Androsace chamaejasme 0.0 0.0 14 

Castilleja elegans 0.1 0.4 14 

Chrysanthemum arcticum 0.3 0.5 29 

Chrysanthemum bipinnatum 0.0 0.0 14 

Cochlearia officinalis arctica 1.6 2.0 43 

Lathyrus maritimus 0.1 0.4 14 

Melandrium apetalum 0.0 0.0 14 

Pedicularis langsdorffii arctica 0.1 0.4 14 

Pedicularis sudetica 0.6 1.0 29 

Polygonum sp. 0.0 0.0 14 

Potentilla egedii 1.6 3.7 43 

Potentilla sp. 0.0 0.1 43 

Primula borealis 0.0 0.0 14 

Rumex arcticus 0.2 0.3 86 

Saxifraga exilis 0.7 1.9 14 

Sedum rosea 0.0 0.0 14 

Stellaria humifusa 2.9 3.6 71 

Total Grass Cover 11.7 6.9 100 

Arctagrostis latifolia 0.7 1.9 14 

Calamagrostis deschampsioides 4.3 4.5 57 

Calamagrostis holmii 1.7 3.7 29 

Deschampsia caespitosa 2.4 3.8 43 

Dupontia fisheri 2.1 2.1 71 

Elymus arenarius mollis 0.2 0.4 29 

Poa arctica SL 0.3 0.8 14 

Total Sedge Cover 22.9 6.7 100 

Carex amblyorhynca 0.7 1.9 14 

Carex aquatilis 0.4 0.8 29 

Carex canescens 0.3 0.8 14 

Carex ramenskii 20.7 9.8 100 

Eriophorum angustifolium 0.3 0.8 29 

Juncus albescens 0.4 1.1 14 

Total NonVascular Cover 4.6 10.1 29 

Total Moss Cover 4.6 10.1 29 

Aulacomnium palustre 0.3 0.8 14 

Bryum pallescens 0.7 1.9 14 

Bryum sp. 1.1 2.0 29 

Campylium polygamum 0.7 1.9 14 

Campylium sp. 1.1 2.0 29 

Leptobryum pyriforme 0.7 1.9 14 

Total Bare Ground 66.6 21.7 100 

Soil 8.4 18.4 86 

Water 0.3 0.5 57 

Litter alone 57.9 21.0 100 
 Results

41 BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping

COASTAL SALINE WET SEDGE–GRASS 

MEADOW

Plant Association: Carex ramenskii–Puccinellia 

phryganodes

Low-lying, salt-affected areas on active tidal

flats and deltas along the coast that are frequently

to irregularly flooded and have vegetation

dominated by halophytic sedges and grasses. The

vegetated surface is nonpatterned but small tidal

ponds frequently are interspersed within the

meadows. Soils are saline (>16,000 μS/cm), very

poorly drained, and sandy to loamy with variable

organic horizon depths. Permafrost is always

present and the active layer is moderately thick. 

Vegetation is dominated by Carex ramenskii,

Puccinellia phryganodes, Calamagrostis

deschampsioides, Elymus arenarius mollis,

Chrysanthemum arcticum, and Potentilla egedii.

Mapped as Coastal Wet Sedge–Grass Meadow.

Table 30. Vegetation cover and frequency for 

Coastal Saline Wet Sedge–Grass Meadow 

(n=6).

 Cover Freq 

 Mean SD (%) 

Total Live Cover 55.8 9.5 100 

Total Vascular Cover 55.7 9.3 100 

Total Forb Cover 16.3 10.3 100 

Chrysanthemum arcticum 7.3 6.6 100 

Potentilla Egedii 8.5 9.7 83 

Saussurea nuda 0.4 0.8 33 

Stellaria humifusa 0.1 0.0 100 

Total Graminoid Cover 14.2 7.8 83 

Calamagrostis deschampsioides 2.5 4.2 33 

Elymus arenarius mollis 4.0 4.3 83 

Puccinellia phryganodes 7.7 6.1 83 

Carex ramenskii 19.3 10.3 100 

Carex subspathacea 5.8 10.2 33 

Coastal Lake

COASTAL WATER

Nearshore Water

Coastal Water is comprised of nearshore

marine and estuarine waters and coastal lakes.

Nearshore water includes open waters of Bering

Strait, Chukchi Sea and Kotzebue Sound. Coastal

Lakes are flooded periodically with saltwater

during high tides or storm surges. Salinity levels

often are increased by subsequent evaporation of

impounded saline water. The substrate is sandy to

loamy and occasionally contains peat. Shorelines

usually have halophytic vegetation. Some Coastal

Lakes have distinct outlets or have been partially

drained (tapped) through erosion of river banks.

Shallow lakes (<1.5m) freeze to the bottom during

winter. Hippuris tetraphylla occasionally is present

in coastal ponds.
Results

BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping 42

HUMAN MODIFIED BARRENS

Plant Association: None

Barren or partially (<30% cover) vegetated

areas that have been disturbed by human activity.

Roads, airstrips, buildings, mines, and clearings are

included in this class. Partially vegetated areas

have pioneering indigenous species. In the study

area, this ecotype was mapped only along the road

to the Red Dog mine, although other barren areas

such as airstrips and old mine sites are known to

occur. Areas adjacent to the road are affected by

dust, making the mapping of vegetation types

along the road unreliable.

UNUSUAL ECOTYPES

Unusual ecotypes that were insufficiently

sampled to reliably classify include: Alpine Lake,

Riverine Moist Broadleaf Forest, Riverine Dry

Dryas Shrub, Riverine Moist Sedge–Dryas

Meadow, Riverine Dry Grass Meadow, and Coastal

Forb Marsh. In addition to being rare, these types

also were too small to map.

Alpine Lakes occur at high elevations, are

oligotrophic, lack submergent and emergent

vascular plants, and are noted by the clear blue or

turquoise color of the water. Alpine Lakes are

restricted to the Bendeleben-Darby Mountains and

were included in the Lowland Water class for

mapping.

Riverine Moist Broadleaf Forest occurs on

sandy or gravelly point bars along meandering

rivers. Vegetation is dominated by Populus

balsamifera, Salix alaxensis, Equisetum arvense,

Calamagrostis canadensis, Petasites frigida,

Artemisia tilesii, Mertensia paniculata, and

Galium boreale. This type was found in the

southern portions of both BELA and CAKR and at

one hillside spring. It was included in the Riverine

Moist Low and Tall Willow Shrub class for

mapping.

Riverine Dry Dryas Shrub occurs on dry river

terraces. Vegetation is dominated by Dryas

integrifolia or Dryas drummondii. This type was

mapped as Riverine Barrens.

Riverine Moist Sedge–Dryas Shrub Meadow

occurs on poorly drained organic-rich floodplains.

Vegetation is similar to Lowland Moist

Sedge–Dryas Meadow. This type was included in

the Riverine Moist Dwarf Birch–Willow Shrub

class for mapping.

Riverine Dry Grass Meadow occurs on sandy

or gravelly point bars along meandering rivers.

Vegetation is dominated by Elymus arenarius

mollis, Festuca rubra, Agropyron macrourum,

Artemisia tilesi, Aster sibericus, and Deschampsia

caespitosa. It was classified as Riverine Barrens or

Riverine Moist Low and Tall Willow Shrub during

mapping.

Coastal Forb Marsh occurs in shallow

brackish coastal ponds. Vegetation is dominated by

Hippurus tetraphylla. It was mapped as either

Coastal Water or Coastal Wet Sedge–Grass

Meadow depending on pond size.

KEY TO ECOTYPES

A key was developed to differentiate the

ecotypes in the field using vegetation structure

(based on Viereck et al. 1992), physiography, and

characteristic species (Table 31). Characteristics of

unusual ecotypes also are included in the key to

assign the most appropriate similar class to these

nonmapped ecotypes directly.
 Results

43 BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping

1a. Permanent waterbody (water typically >10 cm deep).....................................................2

1b. Not a permanent waterbody......................................................................................5

2a. Waterbody without emergent vegetation 

3a. Site has saline or brackish water (>800 μS/cm) near the coast. ............................Coastal 

Water

3b. Site is a perennial freshwater river (flowing water).................................Riverine Water 

3c. Site is a freshwater lake or pond on the floodplain (flat terrain subject to periodic flooding 

and sedimentation) of a perennial river. ..............................................Riverine Water 

3d. Site is a freshwater lake or pond and not on a floodplain............................Lowland Water 

2b. Waterbody with emergent herbaceous vegetation 10% cover......................................4 

4a. Site is a shallow freshwater lake or lake fringe with vegetation dominated by Hippuris 

vulgaris (uncommon Carex aquatilis or Arctophila fulva dominated marshes are included, 

class not mapped).........................................................................Lacustrine Marestail Marsh 

4b. Site is a shallow brackish lake or lake fringe with vegetation dominated by Hippuris 

tetraphylla.......................................................................................Coastal Water 

5a. Barren or only partially vegetated land with total cover of vascular vegetation <30%....................6

5b. Vegetation cover 30%.......................................................................................................................7 

6a. Site is at high elevation (~>700 m) on carbonate bedrock ...........Alpine Alkaline Dry Barrens 

6b. Site is at high elevation on noncarbonate bedrock ................Alpine Nonalkaline Dry Barrens 

6c. Site is in a low-lying, salt-affected coastal area.........................................Coastal Barrens 

6d. Site is on the floodplain of a perennial freshwater river......................................Riverine Barrens 

6e. Site is a rocky slope, ridge, or lava flow below 700m .................Upland Dry Lichen Barrens 

6f. Site has been highly disturbed by humans (roads, pads, airstrips)......Human-Modified Barrens 

7a. Needleleaf trees have a canopy 10% .........................................Upland Moist Spruce Forest 

7b. Needleleaf trees have a canopy <10% ...........................................................................8

8a. Tall shrubs (1.5 m tall) have a canopy cover 25 %..........................................................................9

8b. Tall shrubs have a canopy cover <25 % ..............................................................................................10

Table 31. Key to ecotypes for Bering Land Bridge National Preserve and Cape Krusenstern National 

Monument, western Alaska.1,2
Results

BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping 44

Table 31. Continued.

9a. Site is on the floodplain of a freshwater river and vegetation is dominated by tall willows (Salix

alaxensis) without alder (Aster sibiricus is common, this class was merged into Riverine Moist 

Low and Tall Willow Shrub for mapping)...................... Riverine Moist Tall Willow Shrub 

9b. Site is on the floodplain of a freshwater river and vegetation is dominated by tall willows (Salix

alaxensis) and alder (Arctagrostis latifolia is common, this class was merged into Riverine 

Moist Low and Tall Willow Shrub for mapping) ......Riverine Moist Tall Alder–Willow Shrub 

9c. Site is a drainage (sometimes lower slope) and is dominated by tall willows (Salix planifolia 

pulchra) or occasionally alder ...........................Lowland Moist Tall Alder–Willow Shrub 

10a. Low shrubs (0.2–1.5 m tall) have a canopy cover 25 % ............................................................11 

10b. Low shrubs have a canopy cover <25% ....................................................................12

11a. Site is a gentle middle or upper slope (sometimes high-centered polygons on flats) with shrub 

birch and willows, and cover of whole tussocks (Eriophorum vaginatum) >15% 

...............................................................Upland Moist Dwarf Birch–Tussock Shrub 

11b. Site is a middle or upper slope with shrubs dominated by dwarf birch (Betula nana), ericaceous 

shrubs, and lichens (willow <10% cover).........Upland Moist Dwarf Birch–Ericaceous Shrub 

11c. Site is a middle or upper slope with shrubs dominated by low willows (Salix glauca, Salix 

planifolia pulchra, Salix lanata richardsonii) and lacks Sphagnum 

...........................................................................Upland Moist Low Willow Shrub 

11d. Site is a lower slope, flat, drained basin, or abandoned floodplain (surface organics >20cm deep) 

with vegetation dominated by dwarf birch, willows (Salix planifolia pulchra) and Sphagnum 

...................................................Lowland Moist Dwarf Birch–Willow Shrub 

11e. Site is a lower slope, flat, drained basin, or abandoned floodplain (surface organics >20cm deep) 

with vegetation dominated by willows (Salix planifolia pulchra) and Sphagnum 

........................................................................ Lowland Moist Low Willow Shrub 

11f. Site is a wet flat or depression in an organic-rich lowland and vegetation is dominated by Betula

nana, ericaceous shrubs and Sphagnum (dwarf shrubs are present and may be co-dominant) 

......................................Lowland Wet Dwarf Birch–Ericaceous Shrub 

11g. Site is on a river floodplain with vegetation dominated by dwarf birch and willows (Salix

planifolia pulchra) (Petasites frigidus is common; this class was merged into Riverine Moist 

Low and Tall Willow Shrub for mapping) ............ Riverine Moist Dwarf Birch–Willow Shrub 

11h. Site is on a river floodplain (soil surface organic horizon is <20 cm) with vegetation dominated 

by willows (Salix lanata richardsonii, S. planifolia pulchra, and S. alaxensis) and lacks 

Sphagnum (Festuca altaica is common; this class was merged into Riverine Moist Low and 

Tall Willow Shrub for mapping) ..............................Riverine Moist Low Willow Shrub 

12a. Dwarf shrubs (<0.2 m) have a canopy cover 25%......................................................13

12b. Dwarf shrubs have a canopy cover <25%.................................................................16 

13a. Elevation is high (usually >700 m) creating severely exposed alpine conditions .................14 
 Results

45 BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping

Table 31. Continued.

14a. Bedrock is limestone, marble or other carbonate deposit (soil pH ≥ 7.4) and vegetation is 

dominated by Dryas and lichens...............................Alpine Alkaline Dry Dryas Shrub 

14b. Bedrock is not a carbonate deposit, vegetation is dominated by Dryas 

...................................................................Alpine Nonalkaline Dry Dryas Shrub 

 13b. Elevation is low (usually <700 m) without alpine conditions .....................................15 

15a. Site is a gentle mid- or upper slope (sometimes high-centered polygons on flats) with dwarf 

and low shrubs, and cover of whole tussocks (Eriophorum vaginatum) >15% 

......................................................... Upland Moist Dwarf Birch–Tussock Shrub 

15b. Site is an inactive sand dune in a coastal area and vegetation is dominated by crowberry 

(Empetrum nigrum)...................................................Upland Dry Crowberry Shrub 

15c. Site is a wet flat or depression in an organic-rich lowland and vegetation is dominated by 

dwarf shrubs (Ledum decumbens, Empetrum nigrum, Oxycoccus microcarpus) and 

Sphagnum (Betula nana is common and may be co-dominant) 

...........................................Lowland Wet Dwarf Birch–Ericaceous Shrub 

16a. Herbaceous vegetation co-dominated by sedges and low and dwarf shrubs (usually 15–25% 

cover) and soils are moist ..........................................................................................................17

16b. Herbaceous vegetation without substantial low and dwarf shrub cover..................................18 

17a. Whole tussocks of Eriophorum vaginatum >15%...... Upland Moist Dwarf Birch–Tussock Shrub 

17b. Site is moderate hillside slope with vegetation dominated by Carex bigelowii and Dryas 

integrifolia, lichens may be abundant ..........................Upland Moist Sedge–Dryas Meadow 

17c. Site is a gentle to moderate slope in low-lying areas with vegetation dominated by Carex

bigelowii, Equisetum arvense, and Dryas integrifolia, and lichen are sparse 

........................................Lowland Moist Sedge–Dryas Meadow 

18a. Herbaceous vegetation is dominated by sedges and soils are wet......................................19 

18b. Herbaceous vegetation is not dominated by sedges........................................................20 

19a. Site is a flat, drained basin (surface organics usually >40cm deep) dominated by sedges (Carex

aquatilis, C. chordorrhiza), and aquatic mosses .................Lowland Sedge Fen Meadow 

19b. Site is a flat, drained basin, or abandoned floodplain with vegetation dominated by sedges 

(Carex aquatilis) and Sphagnum spp, often with scattered ericaceous shrubs 

....................................................................Lowland Sedge–Moss Fen Meadow 

19c. Site is a flat or depression in a saline coastal area with vegetation dominated by sedges (Carex

ramenskii, C. subspathacea), and grasses (Puccinellia phryganodes)

............................................................ ......Coastal Saline Wet Sedge–Grass Meadow 

19d. Site is a flat or depression in a brackish coastal area with vegetation dominated by Carex

ramenskii and/or Dupontia fischeri, Salix ovalifolia, Deschampsia caespitosa

.................................................................Coastal Brackish Sedge–Grass Meadow 
BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping 46

MAPPING

ABUNDANCE AND DISTRIBUTION

The mapping differentiated 18 vegetation

types and 29 ecotypes, based on a supervised

classification of spectral characteristics of the three

Landsat TM scenes and modeling of the

physiography and bedrock associated with

ecosubsection maps and digital elevation models

(Figures 4 and 5). The initial supervised

classification of 18 signature vegetation types was

subdivided into 29 ecotypes through the rule-based

modeling. In the final map, four ecotypes identified

by the ground data were combined with other

classes because they could not be mapped

separately (Appendix 9). The most abundant

ecotypes within the park boundaries include

Upland Moist Dwarf Birch–Ericaceous Shrub,

Upland Moist Dwarf Birch–Tussock Shrub,

Upland Moist Sedge–Dryas Meadow, Lowland

Moist Sedge–Dryas Meadow, and Lowland

Sedge–Moss Fen Meadow (Table 32). To simplify

the map and improve map accuracy, the 29

ecotypes also were aggregated into 12 classes

based on ecological and spectral similarity.

ACCURACY ASSESSMENT

Signature evaluation prior to supervised

classification showed the fidelity of signatures to

themselves (percentage of pixels within signature

areas correctly classified to themselves) was very

high (90%) for 49%, high (80–89%) for 27%,

moderately high (60–79%) for 17%, and low

(<60%) for 7% of signatures. Overall, 76% of the

signatures self-classify (≥80% of pixels within

signatures) and are therefore distinct and separable.

The ability of the signatures to classify to the

correct signature vegetation type (percentage of

pixels within a signature area classifying to the

correct vegetation type) was very high (90%) for

80%, high (80–89%) for 18%, and moderately high

(70–79%) for 2% of the training areas. This

indicates that the 389 signatures used in the

supervised classification were highly reliable; the

signature vegetation was classified correctly (80%

of pixels within signature) in 98% of the training

signatures. 

To assess the variability of signatures for any

given signature vegetation type, the values of the

first and second axes of the principal components

analysis were plotted to identify any overlaps of

signatures among the various vegetation types

(Figure 6). These axes explained 95% of the

Table 31. Continued.

20. Herbaceous vegetation is dominated by grasses .............................................................21

21a. Site is a well-drained active sand dune in a salt-affected coastal area and vegetation is 

dominated by Elymus arenarius mollis............................Coastal Dry Dunegrass Meadow 

21b. Site is on somewhat well-drained soils in young drained-lake basins with vegetation dominated 

by Calamagrostis canadensis...................................Lacustrine Moist Bluejoint Meadow 

Note: 

1. Shrub cover cutpoints represent general guidelines and classification decisions should also rely on dominant indicator species 

and landscape position. For example, Upland Moist Sedge–Dryas Meadow can sometime have 30–35% cover of shrubs, but 

should still be classified as a sedge–dryas meadow based on dominance of Carex bigelowii and Dryas integrifolia.

2. Rare ecotypes were not included in mapping and analysis. These include Alpine Lake (mapped as Lowland Lake), Riverine 

Moist Broadleaf Forest (Riverine Moist Low and Tall Willow Shrub), Riverine Dry Dryas Shrub (Riverine Barrens), Riverine 

Moist Sedge–Dryas Meadow (Riverine Moist Dwarf Birch–Willow Shrub), Riverine Dry Grass Meadow (Riverine Barrens), 

Riverine Wet Sedge Tundra (Lowland Sedge Moss Fen) and Coastal Forb Marsh (Coastal Water). 
168°0'0"W

167°0'0"W

167°0'0"W

166°0'0"W

166°0'0"W

165°0'0"W

165°0'0"W

164°0'0"W

164°0'0"W

65°0'0"N 65°30'0"N66°0'0"N

Ecosystem Classification Approach:The classification of ecotypes (local-scale ecosystems) combines physiography(i.e., coastal, riverine, alpine), bedrock geology, topography (DEM modeling), andspectral characteristics of vegetation derived from image processing to model ecotypesthat best partition geomorphic, hydrologic, pedologic, and vegetative characteristics.Map Sources:Landsat TM Images from 28 June 2000, 1 Aug 2002, 3 Aug 2002;Ecological Subsections map from NPS for physiography and bedrock geology;USGS National Elevation Dataset for elevation, slope, moisture index.Map Projection:Albers Conical Equal Area; NAD 27 datumMap prepared by ABR, Inc.File: BELA_Ecotype_02-329-7.mxd,6 October 2004

5

Approximate scale = 1:690,000

5 0 5 10 15 20 Kilometers

5 0 5 10 15 Miles

Ecotypes

Alpine Alkaline Dry BarrensAlpine Alkaline Dry Dryas ShrubAlpine Nonalkaline Dry BarrensAlpine Nonalkaline Dry Dryas ShrubUpland Moist Spruce ForestUpland Moist Dwarf Birch–Ericaceous ShrubUpland Moist Dwarf Birch–Tussock ShrubUpland Dry Crowberry ShrubUpland Moist Low Willow ShrubUpland Dry Lichen Barrens

Upland Moist Sedge–Dryas MeadowLowland Moist Tall Alder–Willow ShrubLowland Moist Low Willow ShrubLowland Moist Dwarf Birch–Willow ShrubLowland Wet Dwarf Birch–Ericaceous ShrubLowland Moist Sedge–Dryas MeadowLowland Sedge Fen MeadowLowland Sedge–Moss Fen MeadowLacustrine Moist Bluejoint MeadowLowland Water

Riverine BarrensRiverine Moist Low and Tall Willow ShrubRiverine Moist Dwarf Birch–Willow ShrubRiverine WaterCoastal BarrensCoastal WaterHuman-modified BarrensCoastal Dry Dunegrass MeadowCoastal Wet Sedge–Grass Meadow

Ecosystem Classification Approach:

The classification of ecotypes (local-scale ecosystems)

combines physiography (i.e., coastal, riverine, alpine),

bedrock geology, topography (DEM modeling), and

spectral characteristics of vegetation derived from image

processing to model ecotypes that best partition geomorphic,

hydrologic, pedologic, and vegetative characteristics.

Map Sources:

Landsat TM Image from 3 Aug 2002;

Ecological Subsections map from NPS

for physiography and bedrock geology;

USGS National Elevation Dataset for

elevation, slope, and moisture index.

Map Projection:

Albers Conical Equal Area; NAD 27 datum

Map prepared by ABR, Inc.

File: CAKR_Ecotype_02-329-7.mxd, 6 October 2004

5

Approximate scale = 1:350,000

Ecotypes

Land Cover Mapping

Cape Krusenstern

National Monument

2 0 2 4 6 8 10 Kilometers

2 0 2 4 6 8 Miles

Ecotypes

Figure 5.

Lowland Moist Sedge–Dryas Meadow

Lowland Sedge Fen Meadow

Lowland Sedge–Moss Fen Meadow

Lacustrine Moist Bluejoint Meadow

Riverine Barrens

Riverine Moist Low and Tall Willow Shrub

Lowland Moist Low Willow Shrub

Lowland Moist Dwarf Birch–Willow Shrub

Lowland Wet Dwarf Birch–Ericaceous Shrub

Lowland Water

Riverine Moist Dwarf Birch–Willow Shrub

Riverine Water

Coastal Barrens

Coastal Dry Dunegrass Meadow

Coastal Water

Human-modified Barrens

Coastal Wet Sedge–Grass Meadow

Upland Moist Sedge–Dryas Meadow

Lowland Moist Tall Alder–Willow Shrub

Upland Dry Crowberry Shrub

Upland Moist Dwarf Birch–Tussock Shrub

Upland Moist Dwarf Birch–Ericaceous Shrub

Upland Moist Low Willow Shrub

Upland Moist Spruce Forest

Alpine Nonalkaline Dry Dryas Shrub

Alpine Alkaline Dry Dryas Shrub

Alpine Alkaline Dry Barrens

Upland Dry Lichen Barrens

Alpine Nonalkaline Dry Barrens

164°30'0"W

164°0'0"W

164°0'0"W

163°30'0"W

163°30'0"W

163°0'0"W

163°0'0"W

162°30'0"W

66°45'0"N 67°0'0"N

67°0'0"N

67°15'0"N

67°15'0"N

67°30'0"N

67°30'0"N

67°45'0"N

67°45'0"N 68°0'0"N

51 BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping

Table 32. Areal extent of ecotypes and vegetation types within the Bering Land Bridge National 

Preserve and Cape Krusenstern National Monument, Alaska.

Bering Land Bridge Cape Krusenstern 

ha % ha % 

Map Ecotype 

Alpine Alkaline Dry Barrens 6779 0.6 9038 3.4 

Alpine Alkaline Dry Dryas Shrub 18769 1.7 7209 2.7 

Alpine Nonalkaline Dry Barrens 6055 0.6 729 0.3 

Alpine Nonalkaline Dry Dryas Shrub 15152 1.4 1647 0.6 

Upland Dry Lichen Barrens 24275 2.2 1 0.0 

Upland Moist Spruce Forest 0 0.0 1018 0.4 

Upland Dry Crowberry Shrub 3018 0.3 1502 0.6 

Upland Moist Low Willow Shrub 43322 3.9 10900 4.1 

Upland Moist Dwarf Birch–Ericaceous Shrub 63932 5.8 56127 21.1 

Upland Moist Dwarf Birch–Tussock Shrub 394856 35.9 79007 29.7 

Upland Moist Sedge–Dryas Meadow 149507 13.6 28553 10.7 

Lowland Moist Tall Alder–Willow Shrub 2263 0.2 2264 0.9 

Lowland Moist Low Willow Shrub 39520 3.6 9807 3.7 

Lowland Moist Dwarf Birch–Willow Shrub 11355 1.0 4692 1.8 

Lowland Wet Dwarf Birch–Ericaceous Shrub 46239 4.2 11699 4.4 

Lowland Moist Sedge–Dryas Meadow 83163 7.6 7390 2.8 

Lowland Sedge–Moss Fen Meadow 51790 4.7 3712 1.4 

Lowland Sedge Fen Meadow 34269 3.1 3741 1.4 

Lacustrine Moist Bluejoint Meadow 3104 0.3 233 0.1 

Lowland Water 58631 5.3 2127 0.8 

Riverine Barrens 5213 0.5 1418 0.5 

Riverine Moist Low and Tall Willow Shrub 7464 0.7 2137 0.8 

Riverine Moist Dwarf Birch–Willow Shrub 5918 0.5 3284 1.2 

Riverine Water 3666 0.3 202 0.1 

Coastal Barrens 4949 0.4 918 0.3 

Coastal Dry Dunegrass Meadow 713 0.1 507 0.2 

Coastal Wet Sedge–Grass Meadow 3664 0.3 768 0.3 

Coastal Water 12360 1.1 15064 5.7 

Human-modifed Barrens 0 0.0 174 0.1 

Map Vegetation Type 

Dryas Dwarf ShrubTundra 33922 3.1 8856 3.3 

Lichen 24275 2.2 1 0.0 

Partially Vegetated 22996 2.1 12103 4.6 

Open White Spruce Forest 0 0.0 1018 0.4 

Tall and Low Willow Shrub 92569 8.4 25108 9.4 

Crowberry Dwarf Shrub Tundra 3018 0.3 1502 0.6 

Low Shrub Birch–Ericaceous Shrub 110171 10.0 67826 25.5 

Low Shrub Birch–Willow Shrub 17274 1.6 7976 3.0 

Low Mixed Shrub–Tussock Tundra 394856 35.9 79007 29.7 

Sedge–Dryas Tundra 232671 21.2 35944 13.5 

Bluejoint Meadow 3104 0.3 233 0.1 

Lowland Sedge–Moss Bog Meadow 51790 4.7 3712 1.4 

Lowland Sedge Bog Meadow 34269 3.1 3741 1.4 

Halophytic Sedge–Grass Wet Meadow 3664 0.3 768 0.3 

Elymus Meadow 713 0.1 507 0.2 

Water 74656 6.8 17394 6.5 

Grand Total 1,099,948 100 265869 100 
 Results

52 BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping Figure 6. Principal components analysis of the distribution of spectral characteristics of vegetation types. The central tendencies (>90% of points within class) are delineated with hand-fit ellipses. -1-2-3

3210

-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 0 1 2 3

Bluejoint MeadowDryas Dw arf ShrubTundraElymusHalophytic Sedge–GrassWet Meadow , brackishLichenLow land Sedge BogMeadowLow land Sedge–MossBog MeadowMixed Low Shrub–SedgeTussock TundraMoist Sedge–DryasTundraOpen Low Mesic ShrubBirch–Ericaceous ShrubOpen Low ShrubBirch–WillowOpen Low WillowOpen Tall WillowOpen White SprucePartially VegetatedClosed Tall Alder–WillowCrow berry Dw arf ShrubTundra

Lichen

Dryas Tundra

Halophytic Sedge-Grass

Lowland Sedge Bog Meadow

Low and Tall Willow Shrub

White Spruce

Tall Alder-Willow

Moist Sedge-Dryas Tundra

Mixed Shrub-Sedge Tussock

Shrub Birch-Ericaceous Shrub

Water (not show n)

Bluejoint Meadow

Lowland Sedge-Moss Bog Meadow

Crowberry

Shrub Birch-Willow

Partially Vegetated

PCA Axis 1

PCA Axis 2
 Results

53 BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping

variation in the 6 spectral bands. When the central

tendencies of the signature vegetation types are

highlighted with ellipses (>90% of the plots of a

vegetation type within an ellipse), the plot reveals

substantial overlap in signature characteristics

among closely related signature vegetation types.

This indicates that after outliers and poor

signatures were removed, slightly different

vegetation types can still have similar spectral

characteristics; thus, spectral characteristics alone

limit the extent to which vegetation types can be

distinguished. In addition, independent

classification of spectral characteristics by cluster

analysis cross-tabulated with the ground data

revealed that for only 65% of the plots, the

signature vegetation was consistently associated

with specific spectral nodes (Appendix 10).

Together, these analyses demonstrate that even

though a specific signature may be unique and

classify correctly with its ground data (high

signature fidelity), signatures that are highly

similar within a cluster can actually be within the

range of the spectral variability of several different

vegetation types. This indicates that if the map was

based solely on spectral characteristics, 35% of the

map potentially could be misclassified.

The cross-tabulation of 29 ecotypes after

rule-based modeling revealed that 71% of the map

pixels were consistent with ground data from 256

plots (Appendix 11). These plots represented the

ground points used to create map signatures for

which a complete data set was available. The

remaining signatures were created from NPS data

without specific point locations, were water

signatures generated without ground reference

data, or were signatures created near ground

reference plots. The cross-tabulation of the 17

mapped vegetation types reveals that 85% of the

map pixels were consistent with the ground data

(Appendix 12). Most of the vegetation errors were

associated with confusion between Dryas Tundra

and Moist Sedge–Dryas Tundra at high elevations

and among the open, low shrub classes at low

elevations. Inconsistencies for ecotypes were due

to similar errors, plus prevalent problems with

differentiating upland and lowland classes based

on model rules. An unknown portion of this error

also was due to spatial registration where the

ground plot did not correspond to the respective

map pixel because of both GPS and satellite

positional error. When the 29 ecotypes were

aggregated into 12 to improve the accuracy of the

map, the consistency between ground and map

determinations was 88% (Appendix 13). 

The cross-tabulations of agreement between

the map and ground classification provide an

approximate upper limit of the accuracy of the

map, while the evaluation of the spectral

uniqueness of the mapped vegetation types

provides an approximate lower limit of map

accuracy. Thus, the accuracy of the 17 mapped

vegetation classes, which were derived from both

spectral characteristics and post-classification

modeling to reduce error, is probably between 65%

and 77%. Given this range, we expect the accuracy

to be 70–75%, because substantial effort was made

in modeling out many of the errors associated with

the signature vegetation (e.g., Lowland Sedge Bog

Meadows and Water occurring on north-facing

slopes, Halophytic Sedge–Grass Wet Meadows

occurring inland). The accuracy of the map of 29

ecotypes, which was derived from the signature

vegetation, ecosubsection map, and DEM

modeling is probably in the 60 to 70% range. We

estimate that aggregation of the ecotypes into 12

classes increased the accuracy to around 80%.

Accordingly, the user can select the vegetation,

ecotype, or aggregated ecotype fields linked to the

landcover map depending on their priorities of

partitioning ecological variation (more classes)

versus map accuracy (fewer classes).

RELATIONSHIPS AMONG ECOLOGICAL 

COMPONENTS

LANDSCAPE RELATIONSHIPS

Toposequences

The classification of ecotypes (local-scale

ecosystems) was based on the survey of ecological

components (topography, geomorphology, soil,

hydrology, permafrost, and vegetation) along

toposequences. The toposequences display

two-dimensional views of the lithofacies that were

used as the basis for classifying and mapping

geomorphic units (Figures 7–11). Vegetation

classes follow the AVC. Five ecosubsections

within the study area are described below to

present some of the main ecological relationships

within alkaline alpine-upland, nonalkaline
 Results

54 BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping Figure 7. A generalized toposequence for the Goodhope Mountains illustrating geomorphic, topographic, permafrost, soils, and vegetation relationships in alpine and upland alkaline ecotypes.

Colluvium

Residuum / carbonate 

metamorphic rock

Headwater

floodplain

Sorted 

circle Snowbed

Stone 

stripes

Stone 

circles

Gelifluction 

lobes

Frost 

boils

Channel 

and banks

Moist 

SedgeDryas 

tundra

Cassioppe

dwarf

scrub

Dryas 

tundra

Dryaslichen 

tundra

Colluvium Colluvium

Stone 

stripes

Frost 

boils

Wet sedge 

meadow 

tundra

Open tall 

alder

scrub

Dryas 

tundra

Moist 

sedgeDryas 

tundra

Open tall 

alderwillow 

scrub

Moist 

sedgeDryas 

tundra

100 m

PERMAFROST

Frozen

0 m

1 m

?

A

C1kvery gravelly

C2kvery cobbly

C3very stony

Typic

Eutrogelepts

0 m

1 m

?

Oa

Bwsilt loam

Cgravelly loam

C2 cobbly

Typic

Eutrogelepts

A

0 m

1 m

?

Oi

BAloam

2C1extremely gravelly

Typic

Haplorthels

A Oa

2C1extremely gravelly

0 m

Cgsilt loam

1 m

Oi

A

Cfgravelly loam

Ruptic-Histic

Aquiturbels

0 m

1 m

Typic

Fibristels

Oi

Oe

Cfsilt/ sand

water table

permafrost table

1 km

0 mC silt/ sand

2Cgravelly

1 m

Typic

Gelorthents

?

A
 Results

BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping 55

Figure 8. A generalized toposequence for the Bendeleben Eastern Mountains illustrating geomorphic, topographic, permafrost, soils, and 

vegetation relationships in alpine and upland non alkaline ecotypes.

PERMAFROST

Frozen

Residuum / 

Granitic Rock

Headwater

Floodplain

Stone 

Stripes

RubbleFellfield Stone Stripes Stone Stripes Gelifluction Lobes Channel and Banks

DryasLichen

Tundra

Barren Dryas 

Tundra

Water

Colluvium

Colluvium

Frost 

Boils

Open Tall 

Alder

Scrub and 

Barrens

Dryas 

Tundra

Moist 

SedgeDryas 

Tundra

DryasLichen

Tundra

Mesic

shrub

birchericaceous 

shrub

Deep Glacial 

Lake

Residuum / 

Granitic Rock

Water Rubble- Fellfield

Unfrozen

0 m

1 m

?

A

C1kvery gravelly

C2kvery cobbly

C3very stony

Lithic

Dystrogelepts

0 m

1 m

?

Oa

Bwsilt loam

Cgravelly loam

C2 cobbly

Typic

Haplorthels

A

0 m

Asilt/ sand

2Cgravelly

1 m

Typic

Gelorthents

0 m

1 m

?

A1

Bwv. gravelly

C1v. cobbly

Typic

Dystrogelepts

A2

C2extremely cobbly

extremely 

acidic

300 m

1 km

Moist 

SedgeDryas 

Tundra
 Results

56 BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping Figure 9. A generalized toposequence for the Bering Strait Upper Coastal Plain illustrating geomorphic, topographic, permafrost, soils, and vegetation relationships in lowland and lacustrine ecotypes.

Loess/ alluvial and 

marine deposits

Deep thaw lake/ 

Thaw lake deposit

Shallow 

lake

Loess/ alluvial and 

marine deposits

Thaw lake 

deposits

Wet sedge 

meadow tundra

Fresh

grass

marsh

Open

water

Closed 

low 

willow 

scrub

Tussock 

tundra

Closed 

tall

willow 

scrub

Moist sedgewillow tundra Tussock tundra

Low-centered 

polygons Nonpatterned Frost boils Water

Drainage Frost boils Eroding bank

10 m

PERMAFROST

Frozen Unfrozen?

0 m

OiCgbfsilt

1 m

Typic

Fibristels

Water table

Permafrost table

0 m

Bwsilt loam

1 m

Oa Oi

Oe

Cfsilt loam

Typic

Aquorthels

1 km

0 m

1 m

Oi

Oef

Cgfsilt loam

Typic

Aquiturbels

0 m

1 m

Typic

Aquiturbels

Oi

Bw

Cgf

Oebf

Cgbf
 Results

BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping 57

Figure 10. A generalized toposequence for the Bering Strait Lower Floodplains illustrating geomorphic, topographic, permafrost, soils, and 

vegetation relationships in riverine ecotypes.

Wet 

10 m

sedgemeadow 

tundra 

Riverine 

lake

Water

Loess/ alluvial-marine 

terrace (El/Mt)

Mesic

shrubtussock tundra

Closed 

shrub

birchwillow 

scrub

Partially

vegetated

Closed tall 

alderwillow 

scrub

Abandoned 

channel

Meandering

channel

Lowland

sedgemoss bog 

meadow

Closed 

tall

alderwillow 

scrub

Water Mesic 

shrubtussock tundra

Inactive floodplain 

cover deposit

Active floodplain 

cover deposit (Fdca)

0 m

1 m

Oxyaquic

Gelorthents

Crippled sand

2Cgravel

0 m

1 m

Oi

Oe

Cgfsilt loam

Typic

Historthels

El/Mt

PERMAFROST

Frozen Unfrozen? Unfrozen?

0 m

ACsilt/ sand2Cgsilt

1 m

Fluventic

Haplorthel

0 m

1 m

Typic

Hemistels

Oi

Oe

Cfsand

Water table

Permafrost table

Low-centered 

polygons Nonpatterned Nonpatterned Water

Frost 

boils Water Water

Frost 

boils

1 km

0 mC silt/ sand

2Csand

1 m

Fluventic

Haplorthel

Oi

Nonpatterned

Fdca
 Results

58 BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping Figure 11. A generalized toposequence for the Espenberg Coast illustrating geomorphic, topographic, permafrost, soils, and vegetation relationships in coastal ecotypes.

10 m

Water Partially 

vegetated

Crowberry 

Tundra

Elymus 

Meadow

Lowland

sedge

bog 

meadow

Halophytic 

wet sedge 

meadow

Water

Nearshore 

Water

Gravel

Beach

Water

Peat/Sand

Water

Lagoon

Tidal

Flat

Sandy Beach

Thaw

Lake

Eolian 

Sand

Eolian 

Sand

Peat/Sand

Foreshore

Active

Dune Blowout Swale

Nonpatterned Water Backshore Inactive Dune Shallow Water Non- patterned

Barrens Wet 

sedge

meadow 

Peat/Sand

Swale

tundra

Partially

vegetated

0 m

1 m

C

Typic

Psammorthels

0 m

1 m

Typic

Fibristels

Oi

Oe

Cf

PERMAFROST

Frozen Unfrozen Unfrozen

0 m

Oi

Oe

Cf

1 m

Water table

Permafrost table

0 m

1 m

Cg

layeredsilt and fine sand

Fluvaquentic

Aquorthels, 

brackish

saline

0 m

1 m

C

Oxyaquic

Cryopsamments, 

brackish

saline

0 m

1 m

C

Typic

Cryopsamments

fine 

sand

slightly

saline

1 km

Lowland

sedgebog 

meadow

Typic

Fibristels
 Results

59 BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping

alpine-upland, lowland (coastal plain), riverine,

and coastal physiographic environments. 

On a alkaline alpine and upland toposequence

representative of the Goodhope Mountains, which

were formed from carbonate sedimentary rock, the

geomorphology was dominated by Weathered

Bedrock, Hillslope Colluvium, and narrow

Headwater Floodplains (Figure 7). Soils on the

rounded mountains range from extremely rocky,

excessive drained, strongly alkaline soils near the

peaks, to moderately well-drained soils with

moderately thick organic horizons mid-slope, to

saturated organic soils on the toe slope. Vegetation

ranges from partially vegetated areas at the crests,

to Dryas Dwarf Shrub Tundra on the upper slopes,

to Sedge–Dryas Tundra on mid- to lower slopes.

The Headwater Floodplains support Open Tall

Alder–Willow Shrub. Snowbeds, which are

uncommon, support Cassiope Dwarf Shrub

Tundra. 

On an alpine and upland toposequence

representative of the Bendeleben Eastern

Mountains, which were formed from granitic rock,

the geomorphology was dominated by Weathered

Bedrock, Residual Soils, Hillslope Colluvium, and

narrow Headwater Floodplains (Figure 8). Soils on

the rounded mountains vary from extremely rocky,

excessive drained, strongly acidic soils near the

peaks, to moderately well-drained soils with

moderately thick organic horizons mid-slope, to

saturated organic soils on the toe slope. Vegetation

trends from partially vegetated areas at the crests,

to Dryas Dwarf Shrub Tundra on the upper slopes,

to moist Open Low Shrub Birch–Ericaceous Shrub

on mid- to lower slopes. The Headwater

Floodplains support Open Tall Alder Shrub. 

On a lowland and upland toposequence

representative of the Bering Strait Upper Coastal

Plain, the topography is gently undulating with

prominent thermokarst lake basins (Figure 9).

Geomorphic units include Loess over Alluvial and

Marine Deposits, Ice-poor and Ice-rich Thaw

Basins, and Deep and Shallow Lakes. Soils range

from poorly drained silt loam soils in drained

basins, very poorly drained organic soils in drained

basins, to moderately well-drained deposits on

gentle upland slopes. In lake basins, vegetation

trends from Marestail and Fresh Grass Marshes in

shallow water, to Bluejoint Meadows and Open

Low Willow Shrub in recently drained basins, to

Lowland Sedge Fen Meadows, Lowland

Sedge–Moss Fen Meadows and Open Low Shrub

Birch–Willow Shrub in wet, older portions of the

basins. The gently sloping upland areas are

dominated by Open Low Mixed Shrub

Birch–Tussock Tundra.

On a riverine toposequence representative of

the Bering Strait Lower Floodplains, the

geomorphology ranges from active, high-energy

fluvial regimes associated with the Meander Active

Channel Deposits to lower energy regimes

associated with Meander Inactive Overbank

Deposits and Abandoned Channels (Figure 10). In

this transition, the rate of sedimentation decreases

while accumulation rates for organic matter and ice

increase. On the newly-formed surfaces associated

with the active floodplain, soils along the channels

are well drained and sandy, whereas the soils on

the older portions of the floodplain are poorly

drained and have thick organic accumulations. Soil

nutrients become less available, due to decreasing

cation concentrations (indicated by lower electrical

conductivity) and pH. Over the successional

sequences, ice aggrades both as segregated ice and

as wedge ice, transforming the surface patterns

from nonpatterned to low-centered polygons. The

oldest ice-rich portions of the floodplain

accumulate sufficient ground ice that they become

unstable and susceptible to thermokarst and

formation of thaw lakes. Vegetation responds to

these changing environmental conditions with

changes in both structure and species composition.

Open Tall Willow Shrub, dominated by Salix

alaxensis, occurs on the well-drained, sandy soils.

Behind this zone, Open Low Willow Shrub,

dominated by Salix lanata richardsonii, S.

planifolia pulchra, and S. niphoclada is found on

moderately well-drained soils with thin,

interbedded organic layers. Farther back from the

channel, moist Open Low Shrub Birch–Willow

Shrub, dominated by Betula nana and S. planifolia

pulchra, occurs on somewhat poorly drained soils,

while Lowland Sedge–Moss Fen Meadows,

dominated by Carex aquatilis and Sphagnum, is

found on very poorly drained organic soils.

On a coastal toposequence representative of

the Cape Espenberg Coast, which is dominated by

marine and estuarine processes, the

geomorphology is dominated by Sandy beaches,

Eolian Coastal Sand, Active and Inactive Tidal
Results

BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping 60

Flats, and Nearshore Water (Figure 11). The

topography is generally flat except for prominent

ridges of dunes, beach ridges and swales that form

parallel features along the coast. The soils on the

Active Tidal Flats are loamy, poorly drained, and

lack organic matter accumulation, while soils on

Inactive Tidal Flats have moderately thick organic

accumulations. Coastal dunes have well drained

sandy soils, while beach ridges formed during

storm surges have excessively drained soils.

Vegetation on these deposits ranged from saline

Halophytic Sedge–Grass Wet Meadow (dominated

by Puccinellia phryganodes), brackish Halophytic

Sedge–Grass Wet Meadow (dominated by Carex

ramenskii), Marestail Marsh (mostly Hippuris

tetraphylla), and Elymus Meadow. On inactive

dunes away from the coast, Crowberry Tundra

predominates.

Hierarchical Organization of Ecological 

Components

We developed hierarchical relationships

among ecological components by successively

grouping data from the 231 intensive plots by

physiography, soil texture, geomorphology, slope

position, surface form, drainage, soil chemistry,

vegetation structure, and floristic class. Frequently,

geomorphic units with similar textures or genesis

were grouped (e.g., loamy and organic were

grouped for some lowlands) to reduce the number

of classes. Ecotypes then were derived from these

tabular associations to differentiate sets of

associated characteristics.

Examination of the toposequences and

cross-tabulation of the plot data revealed consistent

associations among soil texture, geomorphic units

that denote depositional environments, slope

position, surface forms related to ice aggradation

and active-layer processes, hydrology, and

vegetation structure (Table 33). The hierarchical

organization of the ecological components reveals

how tightly or loosely the components are linked.

For example, some physiographic settings included

several geomorphic units with similar soil textures.

Similarly, a given vegetation type could occur on

several geomorphic units, depending on surface

form characteristics and hydrology. In contrast,

some geomorphic units (e.g. tidal flats) were

associated only with a few distinct vegetation

types.

Results from this analysis were used in

several ways. First, they were used to evaluate how

ecosystems respond to the evolving landscape

comprising a wide variety of geomorphic processes

associated with alpine, upland, lowland, riverine,

and coastal areas (see section on Factors Affecting

Landscape Evolution). Identification of the

changing patterns in geomorphic units and

vegetation, along with analysis of changes in soil

properties, helps identify processes (e.g.,

acidification, sedimentation) that affect the

changing patterns. Second, the hierarchical

relationships developed “from the ground up” were

used to determine the rules for modeling and

restricting the distribution of map classes

differentiated by spectral characteristics “from the

top down” (see Methods for Rule-Based

Modeling). Third, knowledge of ecological

relationships can be used to recode the ecotype

map into a derived map of other ecological

characteristics, such as a soils map or a lichen map

(see Section on Soils). 

The contingency table analysis also can be

used to evaluate how well these general

relationships conform to the data set, and how

reliably they can be used to extrapolate trends

across the landscape. During development of the

relationships, 13% of the observations were

excluded from the table because of inconsistencies

among physiography, texture, geomorphology,

drainage, soil chemistry, and vegetation. We

excluded these points because our primary goal

was to identify the most distinct and consistent

trends, not necessarily to include every plot. We

believe that there is an upper limit to our ability to

describe landscape patterns; there will always be a

proportion (in this case 13%) of sites that do not

conform to the overall relationships among factors.

These sites may be transitional (ecotones) or sites

where vegetation and soils have been affected by

historical factors (e.g., changes in water levels,

disturbances) in ways that are not readily

explainable based on current environmental

conditions.

ENVIRONMENTAL CHARACTERISTICS

Single-factor Comparisons by Ecotype

Six environmental parameters (surface

organic-horizon thickness, cumulative
 Results

BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping 61 Table 33. Relationships among landscape components in the Bering Land Bridge National Preserve and Cape Kusenstern National Monument, northwesern Alaska. Physio- graphy Soil Texture Geomorphic Units Slope Position Drainage Soil-water Chemistry Plant Association Vegetation Types (Level IV) Ecotype (aggregated) Alpine Rocky Crest, Shoulder Excessive, Well Partially Vegetated (5– 30% Cover) Alpine Nonalkaline Dry Barrens Intrusive Felsic Bedrock, Metamorphic and Sedimentary Noncarbonate Bedrock, Hillside Colluvium, Talus Upper Slope (Su) Acidic 

(pH ≤ 5.6), 

Circumneutral (pH 5.6–

7.3)

Dryas octopetala–Salix phlebophylla–Hierochloe alpina Dryas–Lichen Tundra, 

Dryas–Sedge Tundra 

Alpine Nonalkaline Dry Dryas Shrub 

 Alkaline 

(pH > 7.3) 

Partially Vegetated (5–30% Cover) 

Alpine Alkaline Dry Barrens 

Sedimentary and Metamorphic Carbonate Bedrock, Hillside Colluvium, Talus 

Crest,Shoulder, Su

Excessive Well 

Dryas integrifolia–Rhododendron lapponicum; Dryas octopetala–Potentilla uniflora Dryas Tundra, Dryas– Lichen Tundra Alpine Alkaline Dry Dryas Shrub 

Upland Rocky Hillside Colluvium, 

Young Mafic Volcanics Old Mafic Volcanics 

Crest,Slopes 

Excessive, Well 

Circumneutral Betula nana–Ledum decumbens–Loiseleuria 

procumbens

Partially Vegetated, Crustose and Fruticose Lichen 

Upland Dry Lichen Barrens 

 Sandy Coastal Inactive Sand 

Dunes 

Crest, Su Excessive, 

Well 

Circumneutral Empetrum nigrum–Elymus arenarius mollis Crowberry Tundra Upland Dry Crowberry Shrub 

 Rocky, 

Loamy 

Upper Slope, 

Moderately Alkaline, CN Picea glauca–Salix planifolia pulchra Open White Spruce Forest Upland Moist Spruce Forest Hillside Colluvium, Solifluction Deposits, 

Loess Salix glauca–Dryas 

integrifolia

Open Low Willow, Shrub Birch–Willow 

Upland Moist Low Willow Shrub 

Lower Slope (Sl) 

Dryas integrifolia–Carex bigelowii–Senecio atropurpureus 

Sedge–Dryas Tundra, Dryas–Forb Tundra 

Upland Moist Sedge–Dryas Meadow 

Well (Wm), Poor 

Acidic, Circumneutral 

Betula nana–Ledum decumbens–Loiseleuria procumbens 

Open Mesic Shrub Birch–Ericaceous Shrub 

Upland Moist Dwarf Birch–Ericaceous Shrub 

 Loamy, 

Organic 

Hillside Colluvium, Loess, Ice-Rich Thaw Basin, Bog 

Crest,Slopes 

Wm, Poor Acidic Betula nana–Eriophorum 

vaginatum 

Mixed Shrub Sedge–Tussock Tundra 

Upland Moist Dwarf Birch–Tussock Shrub 
 Results

62 BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping

Table 33. Continued.

Physiography Soil Texture Geomorphic Units Slope Position Drainage Soil-water Chemistry Plant Association Vegetation Types (Level IV) Ecotype (aggregated) 

Lowland Rocky, 

Loamy 

Hillside Colluvium Drainage 

(Dr) 

Well To Poor

Circumneutral Alnus crispa–Salix planifolia pulchra–Rubus arcticus Closed and Open Tall Alder–Willow Lowland Moist Tall Alder–Willow Shrub 

 Loamy Hillside Colluvium, 

Solifluction Deposit 

Drainage. Sl

Wm, Poor Acidic, 

CN

Salix planifolia pulchra– Calamagrostis canadensis 

Closed and Open Low Willow 

Lowland Moist Low Willow Shrub 

 Lower 

Slopes 

Wm, Poor CN Dryas integrifolia–

Equisetum arvense 

Sedge–Dryas Tundra, Dryas–Forb Tundra 

Lowland Moist Sedge–Dryas Meadow 

 Loamy, 

Organic 

Basins, Flats,

Poor Acidic, 

CN

Betula nana–Salix planifolia pulchra–Pyrola grandiflora 

Closed and Open Shrub Birch–Willow 

Lowland Moist Dwarf Birch-Willow Shrub 

Drained Lake Basins, Lowland Loess, 

Abandoned Floodplain, 

Coastal Inactive Dunes Drainage Acidic Betula nana–Vaccinium vitis-idaea–Carex aquatilis Shrub Birch– Ericaceous Shrub Bog Lowland Wet Dwarf Birch–Ericaceous Shrub 

 Organic Fens, Drained Lake 

Basins 

Basins, Flats

Poor Acidic Carex aquatilis–Salix 

fuscescens–Sphagnum 

Subartic Lowland edge–Moss Bog Meadow 

Lowland Sedge–Moss Fen Meadow 

Carex aquatilis–Carex chorddorhiza 

Wet Sedge Meadow Tundra 

Lowland Sedge Fen Meadow 

Lacustrine Loamy Ice-Poor Drained Lake 

Basin 

Basins Wm, Poor Calamagrostis canadensis–

Rumex arcticus 

Bluejoint Meadow Lacustrine Moist 

Bluejoint Tundra 

 Water Shallow water, Ice-Poor 

Thaw Basins 

Basins Flooded Carex aquatilis–Caltha 

palustris 

Fresh Sedge Marsh 

Arctophila fulva Fresh Grass Marsh 

Lacustrine Forb Marsh (merged with Lowland Lake for mapping) 

Hippuris vulgaris–Potamogeton spp.

Common Marestail 

 Deep Isolated Lake Basins Flooded 

Circumneutral 

Water Water Lowland Water 

HumanModified Rocky Gravel Fill Flat Excessive Circum- neutral None Barren Human Modified Barrens 
 Results

BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping 63 Table 33. Continued. Physio- Graphy Texture Geomorphic Units Slope Position Drainage Soil-water Chemistry Floristic Class Vegetation Types (Level IV) Ecotype Riverine Rocky, Sandy Meander Active Channel Deposit Riverbar Excessive, Well Alkaline Epilobium latifolium– Agropyron macrourum Barren (<5% cover), Partially Vegetated Riverine Barrens Meander Active Overbank, Meander Inactive Channel Flat, Interfluv Well Circum- neutral Alnus crispa–Salix barclayi Closed and Open, Tall Alder–Willow Riverine Moist Tall Alder–Willow Shrub1 Sandy, Loamy Meander Active Overbank Deposit Interfluv, Flat Bank Well, Poor Circum- neutral Salix alaxensis–Aster sibiricus Closed and Open Tall Willow Riverine Moist Tall Willow Shrub1 Meander Inactive Overbank Deposit Interfluv, Flat Bank Well, Poor Circum- neutral Salix lanata richardsonii– Festuca altaica Closed and Open Low Willow Riverine Moist Low Willow Shrub1 Betula nana–Salix planifolia pulchra–Pyrola grandiflora Closed and Open Shrub Birch–Willow Riverine Moist Dwarf Birch– Willow Shrub Water Nonglacial Lower and Upper Perennial Rivers, Lake Channel Flooded Alkaline Water Water Riverine Water Coastal Rocky,

Sandy 

Marine Active Beach, Beach, Poor to 

Well 

Brackish, NA Barren, Coastal Barrens 

 Sandy All Slopes Excessive 

To 

Slightly Brackish 

Elymus arenarius mollis–Lathyrus maritimus

Partially Vegetated Coastal Active Sand 

Dunes, Marine Inactive Beach Elymus Coastal Dry 

Dunegrass Meadow 

 Sandy, 

Organic 

Active And Inactive Tidal Flats 

Levee Moderately Well Slightly Brackish Salix ovalifolia– Deschampsia caespitosa Halophytic Dwarf Willow 

 Flats, Poor Brackish, Carex ramenskii–Dupontia 

fischeri 

Halophytic Sedge Wet Meadow 

Coastal Brackish Wet Sedge–Grass Meadow2 

 Saline Carex ramenskii–Puccinellia 

phryganodes 

Halophytic Grass Wet Meadow 

Coastal Saline Wet Sedge–Grass Mead.2 

 Barren Coastal Barrens  Water Nearshore Water, Tidal 

River 

Water Flooded Saline, 

Brackish 

Water Water Coastal Water 

Unusual ecotypes that were not adequately sampled to quantify include: Alpine Lake (mapped with Lowland Lake), Riverine Dry Grass Meadow (Elymus arenarius mollis),Riverine Moist Broadleaf Forest (Populus tremuloides), and Coastal Forb Marsh (Hippuris tetraphylla).

1,2 Classes merged for mapping. 
Results

BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping 64

organic-horizon thickness, thaw depth, depth to

groundwater, pH, and electrical conductivity) were

charted for comparison among ecotypes. Not all

ecotypes, however, were included in the charts

because data were insufficient in some cases.

The thickness of the surface organic-horizon

(an indicator of frequency of sedimentation)

showed large differences among sites (Figure 12).

Ecotypes where surface organic accumulations

were absent ranged from areas with severe climate

and soil conditions, such as Alpine Alkaline Dry

Barrens, to areas with frequent sediment

deposition, such as Riverine Moist Barrens and

Riverine Moist Tall Willow Shrub. The thickest

surface organic accumulations were found in

Lowland Sedge Fen Meadow, indicating that

sedimentation events were rare or absent in these

ecotypes. 

Depth to rocks (soils with >15% rocks) was

shallowest on alpine ridges and crests (e.g., Alpine

Nonalkaline Dry Dryas Shrub) and in rocky

drainages (Lowland Moist Tall Alder–Willow

Shrub) and deepest in lowland and coastal areas

with fine-grained deposits (e.g. Coastal Barrens,

Lowland Sedge–Moss Fen Meadow) (Figure 12).

Ecotypes with rock depths ≥ 200 cm represent an

estimated minimum depth.

Thaw depths varied four-fold among ecotypes

(Figure 12). While permafrost was found at all

sites with fine-grained soils, the permafrost status

of rocky sites, particularly on south-facing slopes,

is unknown. Values generally were shallowest for

lowland and lacustrine ecotypes and for gently

sloping upland areas with Upland Moist Dwarf

Birch–Tussock Shrub. Deepest thaw depths were

found in coastal and riverine areas with

well-drained sandy soils and early successional

vegetation (e.g. Coastal Dry Dunegrass Meadow,

Riverine Moist Tall Willow Shrub).

Depth to water above (+) or below (–) the

surface also varied widely among ecotypes, but

relatively little within ecotypes (Figure 13). Mean

water depths were above the soil surface for four

ecotypes, and were greatest for Coastal Water and

Lowland Water. Ecotypes with the deepest water

tables were found in alpine areas with rocky soils

(e.g., Alpine Alkaline Dry Dryas Shrub) and

riverine areas with sandy soils (e.g., Riverine

Moist Tall Alder–Willow Shrub). Values ≥100 cm

represent minimum, estimated depths.

Site pH values varied from 5.0 to 8.3 among

ecotypes (Figure 13). Ecotypes with the lowest

(most acidic) pH values occurred in nonalkaline

alpine and upland areas (e.g., Alpine Nonalkaline

Dry Dryas Shrub, Upland Moist Dwarf

Birch–Tussock Meadow) and in lowland areas

(e.g., Lowland Sedge–Moss Fen Meadow,

Lowland Wet Dwarf Birch–Ericaceous Shrub)

These ecotypes are late successional, where

carbonates have been leached from soils over long

periods. Ecotypes with the highest pH values

tended to occur in alkaline alpine and upland areas

(Alpine Alkaline Dry Dryas Shrub, Upland Moist

Sedge–Dryas Dwarf Shrub) and in riverine and

coastal early successional environments with

frequent mineral sedimentation (e.g., Riverine

Barrens, Coastal Barrens).

Electrical conductivity (EC) measurements

indicated that most ecotypes were nonsaline

(Figure 13). High mean EC values (>800 μS/cm),

indicating brackish or slightly brackish to saline

conditions, were limited to coastal areas (e.g.,

Coastal Saline Wet SedgeGrass Meadow, Coastal

Barrens). EC values were low (<300 μS/cm) in all

other ecotypes. Variability was low within

nonsaline ecotypes and high within saline

ecotypes.

Single-factor Comparisons by Plant Species

To determine how the environmental

parameters measured influenced the distribution of

individual plant and cryptogam species, we

calculated the mean value of each parameter for

locations where 66 common species occurred.

Only sites where a species had >1% cover were

included, to exclude locations with atypical

conditions for that species.

Thickness of the surface organic horizon (an

indication of frequency of sedimentation) was

highly variable both among and within species at

ground sites (Figure 14). Species typically found

on sites with thin organic horizons at the surface

(indicating frequent sedimentation), included

Lathyrus maritimus, Epilobium latifolium,

Deschampsia caespitosa, and Salix alaxensis.

These species typically occur mainly in early

successional ecotypes subject to frequent fluvial or

eolian deposition. Species characteristic of sites

with thick surface organic accumulations included

Carex chordorrhiza, Calla palustris, Salix
 Results

65 BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping

Figure 12. Mean (± SD) surface organic layer thickness, depth to rock (>15 % coarse fragments), and 

thaw depths of ecotypes in Bering Land Bridge National Preserve and Cape Krusenstern 

National Monument, northwestern Alaska, 2002–2003.

Surface Organic Depth

0 10 20 30 40

Coastal Barrens

Coastal Water

Coastal Saline Wet Sedge–Grass Meadow

Coastal Brackish Wet Sedge–Grass Meadow

Coastal Dry Dunegrass Meadow

Riverine Barrens

Riverine Water

Riverine Moist Dryas Shrub

Riverine Moist Dwarf Birch–Willow Shrub

Riverine Moist Low Willow Shrub

Riverine Moist Tall Willow Shrub

Riverine Moist Tall Alder–Willow Shrub

Lacustrine Marestail Marsh

Lacustrine Moist Bluejoint Meadow

Lowland Water

Lowland Sedge Fen Meadow

Lowland Sedge–Moss Fen Meadow

Lowland Moist Dryas–Forb Shrub

Lowland Wet Dwarf Birch–Ericaceous Shrub

Lowland Moist Dwarf Birch–Willow Shrub

Lowland Moist Low Willow Shrub

Lowland Moist Low and Tall Willow Shrub

Lowland Moist Tall Alder–Willow Shrub

Upland Dry Lichen Barrens

Upland Dry Crowberry Shrub

Upland Moist Sedge–Dryas Meadow

Upland Moist Dryas–Sedge Shrub

Upland Moist Dwarf Birch–Tussock Shrub

Upland Moist Dwarf Birch–Ericaceous Shrub

Upland Moist Low Willow Shrub

Upland Moist Tall Alder Shrub

Upland Moist Spruce Forest

Alpine Alkaline Dry Barrens

Alpine Nonalkaline Dry Barrens

Alpine Alkaline Dry Dryas Shrub

Alpine Nonalkaline Dry Dryas Shrub

Depth (cm)

No Data

No Data

No Data

No Data

Rock Depth

0 50 100 150 200 250 300

Depth (cm)

Thaw Depth

0 25 50 75 100 125 150

Depth (cm)
Results

BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping 66

Figure 13. Mean (± SD) pH, electrical conductivity (EC), and water depth (positive when above ground) 

of ecotypes in Bering Land Bridge National Preserve and Cape Krusenstern National 

Monument, northwestern Alaska, 2002–2003.





	
	
	


	
	
	

	
	
	

	


	

	
	
	


	


	

	
	

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67 BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping

Figure 14. Mean (± SD) surface organic layer thickness, depth to rock (>15 % coarse fragments), and 

thaw depths for plant and cryptogam species in Bering Land Bridge National Preserve and 

Cape Krusenstern National Monument, northwestern Alaska, 2002–2003.


	
	


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Results

BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping 68

fuscescens, Carex aquatilis, and Sphagnum

fuscum. These species typically occurred on wet

soils subjected to little or no disturbance. 

Depth to rocks also was highly variable

among species and within many species (Figure

14). Species commonly associated with rocks near

the surface include Minuartia arctica, Potentilla

uniflora, Salix phlebophylla, Cladina stellaris, and

Alectoria ochroleuca. Species commonly found on

thick silt or organic deposits include Hippuris

vulgaris, Potentilla egedii, Rumex arcticus, Rubus

chamaemorus, and Sphagnum fuscum.

Thaw depths varied up to four-fold among

species (Figure 14). Species associated with the

greatest thaw depths included Lathyrus maritimus,

Epilobium latifolium, Aster sibiricus, Elymus

arenarius mollis, and Carex subspathacea. These

species typically occur on sandy to loamy soils in

early successional ecotypes. Species generally

found on sites with shallow thaw depths included

Sphagnum fuscum, Rubus chamaemorus,

Eriophorum vaginatum, Ledum decumbens, Pyrola

grandiflora, and Cladina stygia. These species are

characteristic of late successional sites where soils

are acidic, ice-rich, and highly organic. 

Depth to water above (+) or below (–) the

surface varied widely both among and within

species (Figure 15). Species associated with the

greatest water depths above the surface were

Hippuris vulgaris, Caltha palustris, and Carex

chordorrhiza, which was not surprising, given that

these species typically grow in standing water.

Species that occurred mostly on sites where water

was near the surface included Carex aquatilis,

Carex saxatilis, Pedicularis sudetica, Eriophorum

angustifolium, Dupontia fischeri, Salix fuscescens,

and Aulacomnium palustre. Species associated

with the greatest depths to groundwater included

Salix alaxensis, Salix barclayi, Minuartia arctica,

Dryas octopetala, and Epilobium latifolium. Many

species occurred on sites with a wide range of

water depths, indicating that most tundra plants can

tolerate a wide range of moisture conditions. Depth

to groundwater was highly variable both spatially

and temporally, contributing to high standard

deviations both within and among species.

The pH of groundwater or soil (when

groundwater was not present) was circumneutral

(5.6–7.3) for most species and highly variable

within species (Figure 15). Species associated with

strongly acidic sites included Ledum decumbens,

Vaccinium vitis-idaea, Eriophorum vaginatum,

Rubus chamaemorus, and Sphagnum fuscum.

Species associated with alkaline (>7.3) soils

included Saxifraga oppositifolia, Minuartia

arctica, Rhododendron lapponicum, and Dryas

integrifolia. The latter group typically was

associated with soils on carbonate bedrock.

However, most species occurred on sites with a

wide range of pH values, indicating broad

ecological tolerances to pH conditions. 

EC values were low for most species,

indicating nonsaline conditions (Figure 15).

Species associated with saline conditions (mean

EC >16,000 μS/cm) included Carex subspathacea,

Puccinellia phryganodes, Chrysanthemum

arcticum, and Potentilla egedii. Species associated

with brackish conditions (EC 800–16000 μS/cm)

included Carex ramenskii, Deschampsia

caespitosa, Salix ovalifolia, Dupontia fischeri,

Elymus arenarius mollis, Rumex arcticus, and

Hippuris tetraphylla. Their high standard

deviations indicate they tolerated a broad range of

salinity conditions.

VEGETATION COMPOSITION

Ordination of Vegetation

In addition to the single-factor comparisons,

detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) was

used to demonstrate the separation of plots by

species composition. The combined effects of

physiography and various environmental variables

were assessed by superimposing the ecotype class

for each plot on the ordination (Figure 16). 

The DCA robustly separated the ecotypes

associated with the various physiographic settings.

Coastal ecosystems showed no similarity (overlap)

with other ecotypes because of the effects of

salinity. Riverine ecotypes are some of the

youngest and most frequently disturbed classes,

and most are early or mid-successional. The wet

lowland ecotypes that are dominated by sedges are

distinctly separate from the ecotypes associated

with the other physiographic settings. Alpine

ecotypes show a transition to upland ecotypes, but

also reveal large differences between alkaline and

nonalkaline substrata. 

In contrast to these distinct ecotypes located

around the margins of the DCA plot, there are
 Results

69 BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping

Figure 15. Mean (± SD) pH, electrical conductivity (EC), and water depth (positive when above ground) 

for abundant species in Bering Land Bridge National Preserve and Cape Krusenstern 

National Monument, northwestern Alaska, 2002–2003.





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 Results

70 BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping Figure 16. Detrended correspondence analysis of species composition of plots sampled in Bering Land Bridge National Preserve and Cape Krusenstern National Monument, northwestern Alaska, 2002–2003. Ellipses depict central groupings of ecotypes.

0

800700600500400300200100

0 100 200 300 400 500 600 700 800 900

DCA Axis 1

DCA Axis 2

Alpine Alkaline Dry BarrensAlpine Alkaline Dry Dryas ShrubAlpine Nonalkaline Dry BarrensAlpine Nonalkaline Dry Dryas ShrubCoastal BarrensCoastal Brackish Wet Sedge–Grass MeadowCoastal Dry Dunegrass MeadowCoastal Saline Wet Sedge–Grass MeadowLacustrine Marestail MarshLacustrine Moist Bluejoint MeadowLowland Moist Dwarf Birch–Willow ShrubLowland Moist Low Willow ShrubLowland Moist Sedge–Dryas MeadowLowland Moist Tall Alder–Willow ShrubLowland Sedge Fen MeadowLowland Sedge–Moss Fen MeadowLowland Wet Dwarf Birch–Ericaceous ShrubRiverine BarrensRiverine Moist Dwarf Birch–Willow ShrubRiverine Moist Low Willow ShrubRiverine Moist Tall Alder–Willow ShrubRiverine Moist Tall Willow ShrubUpland Dry Crowberry ShrubUpland Dry LichenUpland Moist Dwarf Birch–Ericaceous ShrubUpland Moist Dwarf Birch–Tussock ShrubUpland Moist Low Willow ShrubUpland Moist Sedge–Dryas MeadowUpland Moist Spruce Forest

Lacustrine Marestail 

Marsh

Lowland Sedge Fen Meadow

Lowland Sedge-Moss Fen Meadow

Lowland Wet Dwarf-Birch Ericaceous Shrub

Upland Moist Dwarf BirchTussock Shrub

Upland Moist Dwarf Birch-Ericaceous Shrub

Upland Dry Lichen Barrens

Lowland Moist Tall Alder-Willow Shrub

Riverine Moist Tall Willow Shrub

Riverine

Barrens

Coastal Dry Dunegrass Meadow

Coastal Barrens

Upland Dry Crowberry Shrub (inactive coastal dunes)

Alpine Nonalkaline Dry Barrens

Alpine Nonalkaline Dry Dryas Shrub

Lowland Moist Dwarf Birch-Willow Shrub

Riverine Moist Dwarf Birch-Willow Shrub

Lacustrine Moist Bluejoint Meadow

Upland Moist Sedge-Dryas Mead.

Upland Moist Spruce Forest

Riverine Moist Low Willow Shrub

Lowland Moist Low Willow Shrub

Coastal Brackish WetSedge-Grass MeadowCoastal Saline Wet Sedge-Grass Meadow

Alpine Alkaline Dry Dryas Shrub

Alpine Alkaline Dry Barrens

Riverine Moist Tall Alder-Willow 

Lowland Moist Sedge-Dryas Meadow

Upland Moist Low Willow Shrub
 Results

71 BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping

groups of ecotypes in the center that show

substantial overlap. The barrens and dryas shrub

ecotypes in the alpine are highly similar in

composition, when separated for alkaline and

nonalkaline soil chemistry, and vary principally in

the amount vegetation present. Upland Moist

Sedge–Dryas Meadow, Lowland Moist Low

Willow Shrub, and Riverine Moist Low Willow

Shrub are similar due to the prevalence of

calciphilic species. Upland Moist Dwarf

Birch–Ericaceous Shrub, Upland Moist Dwarf

Birch–Tussock Shrub, Lowland Wet Dwarf

Birch–Ericaceous Shrub, Lowland Moist Dwarf

Birch–Willow Shrub, and Riverine Moist Dwarf

Birch–Willow Shrub (late successional) are similar

because they are dominated by Betula nana and

acidophilic species. 

The axes of the DCA as a whole are

inconsistently related to specific environmental

variables, indicating that non-linear relationships

are affecting species distribution. For example,

Axis 1 suggests a salinity gradient, though

ecotypes in the center have very low EC values,

and Axis 2 suggests a pH gradient though the

nonalkaline and alkaline alpine classes are not far

apart. When considered within physiographic

conditions, gradients among physiographically

related ecotypes are much more distinct. Coastal

ecotypes show a gradient from wet to dry ecotypes

along Axis 1. For alpine and upland ecotypes there

is a strong moisture and pH gradient along Axis 1

and Axis 2, respectively. For riverine ecotypes,

there are similar trends revealing later successional

ecotypes getting wetter, more organic, and more

acidic. While the moisture gradient along Axis 1 is

similar for lowland ecotypes, later successional

stages become less wet due to accumulation of

organics and ground ice which increases the

surface relief.

Sorted Tables

Sorted vegetation tables (Tables 34–36) were

constructed to provide a more direct means of

comparing similarities and differences in the

floristic composition of closely associated ecotypes

(horizontal order) and for evaluating the

association of species along environmental

gradients (vertical order). The tables, however,

only include species that are abundant or of

relatively high frequency within each ecotype.

SOIL CHARACTERISTICS

Twenty-eight soil types were identified during

field sampling, although four soil types had only

single observations and were therefore excluded

from the analysis and mapping (Table 37). The

most common types observed were Typic Fibristels

(10% of 198 observations), Typic Aquorthel (9%),

Typic Historthel (8%), Typic Hemistel (7%), and

Typic Eutrogelepts (7%). Four of the soils were

Entisols, which includes poorly developed soils

with deep thaw depths. These were associated with

active geomorphic environments. Three soils were

Incepticols, which includes weakly developed soils

with deep thaw depths. These were associated with

rocky alpine and upland environments. The

remaining 17 soils were Gelisols, which had

permafrost near the surface (<1 m). These covered

a broad range of environments. 

The soil classification was fairly effective at

partitioning the variability of numerous soil

properties because the classification is based in

large part on thaw depths, depth to water, organic

thickness, and base saturation status as inferred

from pH (Table 38). In a few instances, the use of

the newly revised Gelisol order did not

differentiate some important characteristics,

however. For example, Typic Haploturbels did not

differentiate between alkaline (euic) and acidic

(dysic) soils even though A-horizon development

and species composition on the soils were very

different. In contrast, there was very little

difference in soil properties and vegetation

relationships between Typic Haplorthels and Typic

Haploturbels. There also was little difference in

the properties among Typic Historthels, Typic

Aquiturbels, and Typic Aquorthels.

The cross-tabulation of soils with ecotypes

indicates that most soil types were associated with

2–3 ecotypes (Table 39). Seven soil types were

predominantly restricted to only one ecotype that

was associated with a distinctive geomorphic

environment. In contrast, six soil types were

broadly distributed across five or more ecotypes.

The primary and secondary soil types associated

with each ecotype are highlighted by dark and light

gray boxes, respectively, on Table 38.

 These relationships allowed the development

of 15 soil associations and two waterbody types by

combining the soil types that occured in closely

related ecotypes (Table 40). Most soil associations
Results

BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping 72

Table 34. Mean cover (%) of the most abundant species in alpine and upland ecotypes. Bolded 

numbers represent frequencies >60% within ecotype; blanks indicate species is absent; and 0 

indicates cover <0.5%. Italicized fonts denote dominant and differential species used to name 

plant association.

Barrens Alpine Alkaline Dry Dryas Shrub Alpine Alkaline Dry Dryas Meadow Upland Moist Sedge–Willow Shrub Upland Moist Low Forest Upland Moist Spruce Birch–Tussock Shrub Upland Moist Dwarf Birch–Ericaceous Shrub Upland Moist Dwarf Barrens Upland Dry Lichen Barrens Alpine Nonalkaline Dry Dryas Shrub Alpine Nonalkaline Dry 

Taxon 

Saxifraga oppositifolia 1 1 1 

Dryas octopetala 8 21 8 1 14

Potentilla uniflora 1 0 0 

Silene acaulis 0 0 0 0 0 

Carex scirpoidea 0 1 2 

Rhododendron lapponicum 1 2 1 0 

Polygonum viviparum 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 

Cassiope tetragona 3 1 2 0 0 2 

Senecio atropurpureus 0 0 0 0 

Anemone richardsonii 0 1 1 

Rhytidium rugosum 0 2 4 0 1 0 

Dryas integrifolia 1 15 27 8 2 

Arctostaphylos rubra 0 2 4 1 1 0 1 

Salix arctica 0 2 5 3 2 

Salix reticulata 1 6 15 1 0 0 0 

Tomentypnum nitens 0 3 17 3 15 1 

Salix lanata richardsonii 3 10 10 1 

Salix glauca 0 1 13 5 0 0 0 0 

Saussurea angustifolia 0 0 0 1 0 0 

Polygonum bistorta 0 0 1 0 0 0 

Pedicularis capitata 0 0 0 1 0 0 

Equisetum arvense 0 4 10 10 0 

Potentilla fruticosa 0 0 2 3 0 0 

Festuca altaica 0 1 1 0 0 

Picea glauca 0 18 

Aconitum delphinifolium 0 1 0 

Calamagrostis canadensis 0 

Epilobium angustifolium 2 1 

Artemisia arctica arctica 0 1 0 1 

Valeriana capitata 0 1 0 0 0 

Petasites frigidus 1 0 8 2 3 

Poa arctica SL 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 

Flavocetraria nivalis 1 2 1 0 1 2 0 1

Thamnolia vermicularis 1 4 2 1 1 1 1 0 1 

Flavocetraria cucullata 0 6 4 3 5 1 1 2

Salix planifolia pulchra 0 18 20 3 4 0 0 1

Hylocomium splendens 1 16 5 18 9 7 0 0 

Carex bigelowii 0 5 2 6 5 3 0 1 

Vaccinium uliginosum 0 2 2 3 5 8 1 0 2

Betula nana 0 3 3 9 16 3 0 

Ledum decumbens 0 0 0 12 14 0 0 0 

Empetrum nigrum 0 1 1 2 6 4 1 0 1 

Cladonia sp. 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 1

Aulacomnium palustre 1 8 3 1 

Rubus chamaemorus 0 6 6 2 

Eriophorum vaginatum 0 0 14 2 

Cladina rangiferina 0 1 5 5 0 1 

Vaccinium vitis-idaea 0 1 7 7 0 1 

Cladina stygia 0 3 2 6 1 0 1 

Cladina stellaris 6 15

Bryocaulon divergens 0 0 0 2 0 0 

Alectoria ochroleuca 0 1 0 4 1 0 

Sphaerophorus globosus 0 0 0 0 0 1

Salix phlebophylla 0 0 0 0 1 7

Hierochloe alpina 0 0 0 1 0

Loiseleuria procumbens 2 2 0 3

Sample size 6 13 10 2 3 8 9 4 7 8 
 Results

73 BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping

Table 35. Mean cover (%) of the most abundant species in lowland and lacustrine ecotypes. Bolded 

numbers represent frequencies >60% within ecotype; blanks indicate species is absent; and 0 

indicates cover <0.5%. Italicized fonts denote dominant and differential species used to name 

plant association. Lacustrine Marestail Marsh Lowland Sedge Fen Meadow 

MeadowLowland Sedge–Moss Fen Ericaceous Shrub Lowland Wet Dwarf Birch–Birch–Willow Shrub Lowland Moist Dwarf MeadowLowland Moist Sedge-Dryas MeadowLacustrine Moist Bluejoint ShrubLowland Moist Low Willow Willow Shrub Lowland Moist Tall Alder–Riverine Moist Dwarf Birch–Willow Shrub Willow Shrub Riverine Moist Tall Alder–ShrubRiverine Moist Low Willow ShrubRiverine Moist Tall Willow Riverine Barrens 

Taxon 

Potamogeton sp. 0

Hippuris vulgaris 9 0 

Rumex arcticus 0 0 1

Carex chordorrhiza 7 1 

Salix fuscescens 0 0 2 1 1 

Eriophorum angustifolium 3 9 5 2 4 0 1 1 

Carex aquatilis 3 15 16 15 5 1 2 0 0 1 

Vaccinium vitis-idaea 1 11 4 0 1 

Ledum decumbens 3 15 5 1 0 

Empetrum nigrum 1 10 2 0 0 2 0 

Flavocetraria cucullata 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 

Aulacomnium turgidum 0 0 5 2 1 0 1 1 

Carex bigelowii 1 0 1 5 1 2 3 0 

Peltigera aphthosa 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 

Sanionia uncinata 0 0 1 1 1 0 2 2 1 1 0 

Polemonium acutiflorum 0 0 0 0 2 4 0 0 1 0 0 0

Poa arctica SL 0 0 1 6 1 1 0 0 

Valeriana capitata 0 0 2 4 1 1 1 1 0 

Aulacomnium palustre 4 6 8 3 58 5 4 3 

Calamagrostis canadensis 0 1 1 28 3 5 3 3 3 

Betula nana 0 3 22 24 1 0 1 33 5 0 0 

Salix planifolia pulchra 0 1 2 28 1 1 38 13 35 2 11 1 0 

Vaccinium uliginosum 2 9 13 2 1 0 10 1 5 1 0 

Hylocomium splendens 5 14 20 16 0 20 9 1 0 

Equisetum arvense 0 9 26 7 1 1 1 7 0

Petasites frigidus 0 0 0 4 2 11 15 1 7 11 0 3 0 

Alnus crispa 1 0 57 0 60 0 

Arctagrostis latifolia 0 1 1 0 6 3 33 0 1 0 

Tomentypnum nitens 2 4 13 7 11 16 0 

Pyrola grandiflora 0 1 0 1 0 

Salix reticulata 13 17 1 0 9 3

Salix lanata richardsonii 2 14 1 2 1 12 15

Festuca altaica 1 5 0 1 5 1

Aconitum delphinifolium 0 1 0 0 0 0 

Rubus arcticus 0 1 2 1 1 1 0 

Salix barclayi 1 1 11 1 1 

Saxifraga punctata 0 0 0 0 1 0 

Plagiomnium ellipticum 2 0 2 0 

Climacium dendroides 0 2 8 1 1 

Salix glauca 0 6 7 13 2 

Arctostaphylos rubra 0 0 2 3 1 15 5 0 

Artemisia tilesii 1 0 2 2 0 2 0

Salix arbusculoides 3 8 4 0 

Salix niphoclada 2 6 6 0 

Salix alaxensis 7 10 43 2 

Festuca rubra 0 0 0 3 1

Potentilla fruticosa 0 1 1 1 2 3 0

Galium boreale 0 3 0 0 15

Aster sibiricus 0 0 0 0 2 0

Caltha palustris 1 1 

Dryas integrifolia 2 2 6 

Pedicularis verticillata 0 0

Epilobium latifolium 0 2 2

Agropyron macrourum 0 

Sphagnum sp. 1 0 61 36 14 5 

Sample size 5 11 9 10 8 3 2 10 5 6 3 6 6 10 
Results

BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping 74

Table 36. Mean cover (%) of the most abundant species in coastal ecotypes. Bolded numbers represent 

frequencies >60% within ecotype; blanks indicate species is absent; and 0 indicates cover 

<0.5%. Italicized fonts denote dominant and differential species used to name plant 

association.

Grass Meadow Coastal Saline Wet Sedge–Sedge–Grass Meadow Coastal Brackish Wet Coastal Barrens MeadowCoastal Dry Dunegrass Shrub Upland Dry Crowberry 

Taxon 

Puccinellia phryganodes 8 

Carex subspathacea 6 0 

Carex ramenskii 19 21 

Potentilla egedii 9 2 0 

Chrysanthemum arcticum 7 0 0 0 

Calamagrostis deschampsioides 3 4 

Stellaria humifusa 0 3 0 

Dupontia fischeri 2 

Cochlearia officinalis 1 

Rumex arcticus 0 

Salix ovalifolia 5 0 1 

Deschampsia caespitosa 2 0 

Saussurea nuda 0 0 

Honckenya peploides 1 1

Elymus arenarius mollis 4 0 2 25 2 

Lathyrus maritimus 0 0 18 1

Chrysanthemum bipinnatum 0 0 0 

Artemisia tilesii 0 1

Cnidium cnidiifolium 2

Senecio pseudoarnica 3 

Mertensia maritima 0 1 

Festuca rubra 0 1 0 

Bryum sp. 1 0 2

Castilleja elegans 0 0 

Salix planifolia pulchra 0 0

Astragalus eucosmus sealei 0 0 

Bupleurum triradiatum 0 0 

Flavocetraria cucullata 6

Empetrum nigrum 0 31

Cladina arbuscula 3

Flavocetraria nivalis 3

Arctostaphylos rubra 3 

Betula nana 3

Vaccinium vitis-idaea 2

Vaccinium uliginosum 2

Thamnolia vermicularis 1

Rhytidium rugosum 1

Sphaerophorus globosus 1

Salix reticulata 1

Armeria maritima 0

Oxytropis maydelliana 0

Trisetum spicatum 0

Lobaria linita 0

Sample size 6 7 7 4 5 
 Results

75 BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping

Table 37. Classification and description of soil types in the in the Bering Land Bridge National Preserve 

and Cape Krusenstern National Monument, Alaska.

Soil Class (Subgroup) Description 

ENTISOLS Poorly developed soils lacking mineral horizon development, 

Oxyaquic Gelorthents 

(Eogo) 

Gravelly, excessively or well-drained soils, with deep (>1 m) thaw depths and a fluctuating water 

table within 100 cm of the surface. They have no surface or buried organic layers. They resemble the 

more widespread Typic Cryopsamment soils, but are composed of gravel mixed with some sand, 

rather than pure sand as in Typic Cryopsamments. They are usually barren due to frequent flood 

scouring. 

Typic Gelorthents (Eogt) Gravelly to sandy, excessively or well-drained soils, with deep (>1 m) thaw depths. Water is absent 

within 100 cm of the surface. Organic layer is absent or very thin. They occur on marine beaches, 

active coastal dunes, fluvial channel deposits, and active overbank deposits. 

Typic Cryopsamments 

(Ecpt) 

Sandy, excessively or well-drained soils with deep (>1 m) thaw depths. They have little or no organic 

surface layer, and consist of homogenous sand with few or no dark layers. The soils occur on sand 

dunes or, less frequently, on sandy river floodplains.

Oxyaquic Cryopsamments 

(Epco) 

Sandy, excessively or well-drained soils, with deep (>1 m) thaw depths and a fluctuating water table 

within 100 cm of the surface. They occur on sandy channel deposits and on sandy overbank deposits 

where the water table fluctuates with river discharge.

Oxyaquic Cryopsamments, 

brackish (Epco, brackish) 

Sandy, brackish, excessively or well-drained soils, with deep (>1 m) thaw depths and a fluctuating 

water table within 100 cm of the surface. They occur on sandy active beach deposits and low-lying 

active coastal dunes. Soil salinity varies from fresh to brackish (>800 uS/cm) due to varying exposure 

to tidal fluctuations and storm surge activity.

INCEPTISOLS ORDER Weakly developed soils with incipient mineral horizon development.

Typic Eutrogelepts (Iget) Rocky, excessively to well-drained, alkaline soils with deep (>1 m) thaw depths. The surface organic 

horizon is thin or lacking, but an organic-rich mineral horizon is often present near the surface. Thaw 

and water depths are unknown because of the rocky soils. They occur on upper slopes and crests of 

rounded mountains comprised of carbonate bedrock, including limestone, dolomite, and marble. 

Typic Dystrogelepts (Igdt) Rocky, excessively or well-drained, acidic soils with deep (>1 m) thaw depths. The surface organic 

horizon is thin or lacking, but an organic-rich mineral horizon is often present near the surface. Thaw 

and water depths are unknown because of the rocky soils. They occur on upper slopes and crests of 

mountains comprised of noncarbonate igneous, metamorphic, volcanic, and sedimentary bedrock.

Lithic Dystrogelepts (Igdl) Rocky, excessively or well-drained, acidic to circumneutral soils, with deep (>1 m) thaw depths. 

Bedrock is within 50 cm of the mineral surface. This soil was commonly associated with the 

Quaternary lava flows.

GELISOLS ORDER Cold soils over permafrost that are affected by cryoturbation or ice segregation.

Typic Fibristels (Ghft) Very poorly drained soils dominated by a thick layer (80% of the top 50 cm) of poorly decomposed 

organic matter. The water table is almost always near the ground surface, and the depth of thaw in 

late summer is 25 to 40 cm. These soils occur in areas of low-center polygons or disjunct polygon 

rims in drained-lake basins, and on abandoned portions of floodplains. 

Typic Hemistels, (Ghht) Very poorly drained soils dominated by a thick layer (80% of the top 50 cm) of moderately 

decomposed organic matter. The water table is almost always within 20 cm of the ground surface, 

and the depth of thaw in late summer is 25–40 cm. These broadly distributed soils occur on gently 

sloping upland areas with colluvium and loess deposits, and on flat low-lying areas in drained-lake 

Fluvaquentic Aquorthels, 

(Goaf) 

Poorly drained, wet, stratified, loamy, circumneutral soils with shallow thaw depths (<1 m) above 

permafrost. Soil layers are not deformed by frost action, which differentiates the Orthel suborder. The 

water table with usually 20–40 cm below the ground surface and thaw depths are moderately deep 

(30–50 cm). The soils occur on inactive floodplain overbank deposits subject to infrequent flooding.
Results

BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping 76

Table 38. Mean soil properties of common soil types in the Bering Land Bridge National Preserve and 

Cape Kusenstern National Monument, Alaska, 2002–2003.

Soil Type (Subgroup Level) 

Surface 

Organic 

Layer 

Depth 

(cm)1

Cumulative 

Organic 

Layer 

Depth in 

Top 40 cm 

(cm)1

Depth 

to 

Rocks 

(cm)2

Thaw 

Depth 

(cm)3

Depth 

to 

Water 

(cm) 

Site

pH 

Site EC 

(μS/cm) 

Sample 

Size (n) 

Typic Eutrogelepts 1 1 4 -100 8.0 128 14 

Bedrock-Rubble 0 0 0 -150 5 

Lithic Dystrogelepts 6 6 25 6.5 32 3 

Typic Dystrogelepts 2 2 27 -98 5.8 30 10 

Typic Haplorthels 3 3 59 50 -64 6.9 102 13 

Typic Haploturbels 3 3 50 41 -43 5.9 90 10 

Typic Histoturbels 18 18 147 51 -23 6.4 187 3 

Typic Historthels 22 23 160 38 -14 5.6 149 15 

Typic Aquiturbels 7 9 146 35 -21 5.9 165 12 

Ruptic-histic Aquiturbels 8 8 104 83 -11 7.7 360 2 

Typic Aquorthels 9 9 153 37 -14 6.1 148 17 

Typic Hemistels 29 29 180 26 -8 5.5 89 14 

Typic Fibristels 34 34 171 32 2 5.7 89 19 

Typic Historthels, brackish 22 23 200 70 -11 5.9 8740 2 

Fluvaquentic Aquorthels, 

brackish 

4 12 200 67 -12 6.6 13704 8 

Oxyaquic Cryopsamments, 

brackish 

0 0 200 100 -40 7.6 4741 2 

Typic Cryopsamments 1 1 158 120 -115 7.0 102 10 

Typic Psammorthels 1 1 144 78 -71 6.3 109 7 

Oxyaquic Gelorthents 0 0 0 -71 7.2 130 3 

Oxyaquic Cryopsamments 0 0 150 124 -69 7.9 43 5 

Typic Gelorthents 1 1 12 150 -100 6.7 40 4 

Fluventic Haplorthels 3 5 159 46 -74 6.4 191 9 

Fluvaquentic Aquorthels 8 10 200 42 -22 6.4 414 5 

Fluvaquentic Haplorthels 5 11 23 6.4 140 2 

1 Surface and cumulative depths measured only down to permafrost table. 

2

 Measurement of values greater than 100 limited by permafrost so true value, which is usually much deeper, is unknown. 

3

 Thaw depths for rocky soil are unknown and assumed to be >100 cm. 
 Results

BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping 77 Table 39. Cross-tabulation of soil types (subgroup level) by map ecotype. Dark gray cells highlight the primary soil type and light gray cells highlight the secondary soil type associated with each ecotype. Black borders (may involve separate rows within grouped columns) surround soils that are grouped into soil associations. Soil Type (Subgroup Level) 

Alpine Alkaline Dry Barrens 

Alpine Alkaline Dry Dryas Shrub 

Upland Dry Lichen Barrens 

Alpine Nonalkaline Dry Barrens 

Alpine Nonalkaline Dry Dryas Shrub 

Lowland Moist Tall Alder–Willow 

Shrub

Upland Moist Spruce Forest 

Upland Moist Low Willow Shrub 

Upland Moist Dwarf Birch–Ericaceous 

Shrub

Upland Moist Dwarf Birch–Tussock 

Shrub

Upland Moist Sedge–Dryas Meadow 

Lowland Moist Sedge–Dryas Meadow 

Lacustrine Moist Bluejoint Meadow 

Lowland Moist Low Willow Shrub 

Lowland Moist Dwarf Birch–Willow 

Shrub

Lowland Wet Dwarf Birch–Ericaceous 

Shrub

Lowland Sedge–Moss Fen Meadow 

Lowland Sedge Fen Meadow 

Coastal Wet Sedge–Grass Meadow 

Coastal Barrens 

Coastal Dry Dunegrass Meadow 

Upland Dry Crowberry Shrub 

Riverine Barrens 

Riverine Moist Low and Tall Willow 

Shrub

Riverine Moist Dwarf Birch–Willow 

Shrub

Total

Typic Eutrogelepts 5 6 1 1 13 Bedrock-Rubble 3 3 6 Lithic Dystrogelepts 1 1 1 3 Typic Dystrogelepts 2 3 2 1 1 9 Typic Haplorthels 1 4 2 1 1 2 1 1 13Typic Haploturbels 2 1 3 1 2 1 10 Typic Histoturbels 1 1 1 3Typic Historthels 1 1 2 3 1 2 1 2 1 14 Typic Aquiturbels 1 3 4 2 2 12 Ruptic-Histic Aquiturbels 2 2 Typic Aquorthels 2 2 2 3 4 1 15 Typic Hemistels 2 1 2 5 2 12 Typic Fibristels 6 11 17Typic Historthels, brackish 2 2 Fluvaquentic Aquorthels, brackish 7 1 8 Oxyaquic Cryopsamments, 2 2 Typic Cryopsamments 3 3 2 2 10 Typic Psammorthels 1 5 6 Oxyaquic Gelorthents 3 3 Oxyaquic Cryopsamments 1 2 1 4 Typic Gelorthents 3 3 Fluventic Haplorthels 1 5 3 9 Fluvaquentic Aquorthels 1 1 2 Fluvaquentic Haplorthels 1 1 2 Total 6 1 4 6 8 5 3 2 9 8 1 3 2 1 8 10 9 11 1 7 4 5 8 15 6 18

Uncommon types with single occurrences include: Typic Haplogelolls, Aquic Haplorthels, Fluvaquentic Historthels-brackish, Aquic Gelifluvents-brackish 
Results

BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping 78

Table 40. Crosswalk of soil associations and their equivalent landtype associations, associated soils, 

and associated ecotypes for mapping. 

Soil Association Landtype 

Association 

Associated Soils Related Ecotypes 

Typic Eutrogelepts-Typic 

Haplorthels, coarse 

Rocky Dry 

Alkaline Alpine 

Typic Eutrogelepts, Typic 

Haplorthels, Typic Haploturbels 

Alpine Alkaline Dry Barrens; Alpine 

Alkaline Dry Dryas Shrub 

Typic DystrogeleptsBedrock, coarse Rocky Dry 

Acidic Upland 

and Alpine 

Typic Dystrogelepts, BedrockRubble, Lithic Dystrogelepts, 

Typic Haplorthels, Typic 

Haploturbels 

Alpine Nonalkaline Dry Barrens; 

Alpine Nonalkaline Dry Dryas Shrub; 

Upland Dry Lichen Barrens 

Typic Dystrogelepts-Typic 

Eutrogelepts, coarse-loamy 

Rocky-Loamy 

Moist Circumneutral Lowland 

Typic Dystrogelepts, Typic 

Eutrogelepts 

Lowland Moist Tall Alder–Willow 

Shrub 

Typic Haplorthels-Typic 

Haploturbels, coarseloamy 

Rocky-Loamy 

Moist Circumneutral Upland 

Typic Haplorthels, Typic 

Haploturbels 

Upland Moist Spruce Forest; Upland 

Moist Low Willow Shrub 

Typic Historthels-Typic 

Aquiturbels, loamy 

Loamy Moist 

Acidic Upland 

Typic Haplorthels, Typic 

Aquiturbels, Typic Haploturbels, 

Typic Historthels 

Upland Moist Dwarf Birch–Ericaceous 

Shrub; Upland Moist Dwarf Birch–

Tussock Shrub 

Typic Aquiturbels-RupticHistic Aquiturbels, coarseloamy Rocky-Loamy 

Moist Alkaline 

Upland 

Typic Aquiturbels, Ruptic-histic 

Aquiturbels, Typic Aquorthels 

Upland Moist Sedge–Dryas Meadow 

Typic Aquorthels, loamy Loamy Moist 

Circum. Lowland 

Typic Aquorthels Lowland Moist Sedge–Dryas Meadow; 

Lacustrine Moist Bluejoint Meadow 

Typic Aquorthels, Typic 

Historthels, loamy 

Organic-rich 

Moist Circumneutral Lowland 

Typic Aquorthels, Typic 

Historthels, Typic Hemistels, 

Typic Aquiturbels, 

Lowland Moist Dwarf Birch–Willow 

Shrub; Lowland Moist Low Willow 

Shrub; 

Typic Hemistels-Typic 

Fibristels, dysic 

Organic Wet 

Acidic Lowland 

Typic Hemistels, Typic Fibristels, 

Typic Historthels 

Lowland Wet Dwarf Birch–Ericaceous 

Shrub; Lowland Sedge–Moss Fen 

Meadow 

Typic Fibristels, dysic Organic Wet 

Circum. Lowland 

Typic Fibristels Lowland Sedge Fen Meadow 

Fluvaquentic AquorthelsTypic Historthels, brackish Loamy Wet 

Brackish Coast 

Fluvaquentic Aquorthels, brackish; 

Typic Historthels, brackish 

Coastal Wet Sedge–Grass Meadow 

Typic Psammorthels, 

sandy 

Sandy Dry 

Circum. Upland 

Typic Psammorthels Upland Dry Crowberry Shrub 

Typic CryopsammentsOxyaquic Cryopsamments, sandy-brackish 

Sandy Dry 

Brackish Coast 

Typic Cryopsamments, Oxyaquic 

Cryopsamments, brackish 

Coastal Barrens; Coastal Dry 

Dunegrass Meadow 

Oxyaquic GelorthentsOxyaquic Cryopsamments, coarse-sandy 

Gravelly-Sandy 

Moist Alkaline 

Floodplain 

Oxyaquic Gelorthents, Oxyaquic 

Cryopsamments 

Riverine Barrens 

Fluventic HaplorthelsTypic Gelorthents, loamy Sandy-Loamy 

Moist Circum. 

Floodplain 

Fluvaquentic Haplorthels, Typic 

Gelorthents, Fluvaquentic 

Aquorthels, Fluventic Haplorthels 

Riverine Moist Low and Tall Willow 

Shrub; Riverine Moist Dwarf Birch–

Willow Shrub 

Human-Modified Barrens, 

coarse 

Human-Modified 

Barrens

Typic Gelorthents Human-Modified Barrens 

Freshwater Freshwater Lowland Water; Riverine Water 

Coastal Water Coastal Water Coastal Water 
 Results

79 BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping

were comprised of two or less soil types associated

with two or less ecotypes. For example, the

well-drained, alkaline soils Typic Eutrogelepts and

Typic Haplorthels were predominantly associated

with Alpine Alkaline Dry Barrens and Alpine

Alkaline Dry Dryas Shrub and were therefore

combined into the Typic Eutrogelepts–Typic

Haplorthels, coarse soil association. The creation

of distinctive soil associations in moist upland and

lowland areas was problematic, however, due to

the wide distribution of similar soil types

associated with ecotypes with similar plant species

compostion (Table 38). For example, the highly

similar Typic Haplorthels and Typic Haploturbels,

which were differentiated only by the presence of

cryoturbation features, were broadly distributed

across well-drained, rocky alpine and upland

environments. The highly similar Typic

Historthels, Typic Histoturbels, and Typic

Aquiturbles, which were differentiated by small

differences in organic layer thicknes and presence

of turbation, were broadly distributed across 5–9

ecotypes. These later three soils, however, served

as the primary soils for three differing soil

associations, depending of the frequency of

occurrence of other soil types.

Landtype associations, which are

landscape-level units of the national ecological

land classification (ELC) hierarchy (ECOMAP

1993) also were identified (Table 40). They are

identical in concept to soil associations, except the

nomenclature for the ELC uses terminology that

can be understood by a broader group of users. 

Based on the ecotype-soil relationships, soil

association maps were developed by recoding the

individual ecotypes to their respective soil

associations (Figures 17 and 18). This recoding to

soil associations appears to provide a good

approximation of the distribution of soil types.

Note, however, that the ~30-m pixel scale of the

map is not the appropriate scale for soil-association

or landtype-association maps and that a standard

soil-association map would integrate the variability

of soils over broader areas. 

FACTORS AFFECTING LANDSCAPE 

EVOLUTION AND ECOSYSTEM 

DEVELOPMENT

The structure and function of ecosystems are

regulated largely along gradients of energy,

moisture, nutrients, and disturbance. These

gradients are affected by climate, tectonic effects

on physiography, and parent material as controlled

by bedrock geology and geomorphology (Swanson

et al. 1988, ECOMAP 1993, Bailey 1996). Thus,

these large-scale ecosystem components can be

viewed as state factors that affect ecological

organization (Jenny 1941, Van Cleve et al. 1990,

Vitousek 1994, Bailey 1996). Information on how

these landscape components have affected

ecosystem patterns and processes in BELA and

CAKR were synthesized from our results and

relavent literature. 

CLIMATE

Climate is a dominant factor affecting

ecosystem distribution (Walters 1979). Long-term

weather stations surrounding BELA and CAKR

reveal strong gradients in temperature and

precipitation. Mean annual air temperature ranged

from –3.2°C at Nome (1949–1999) in the south, to

–6.0°C at Wales (1949–1999), –5.8°C at Kotzebue,

–5.8°C at Kobuk, –8.1°C at Cape Lisburne, and

–11.8°C at Umiat in the north (WRCC 2001).

Mean annual precipitation ranged from 408 mm at

Nome in the south, to 240 mm at Kotzebue, 241

mm at Kobuk, and 139 mm at Umiat (north). In

addition, there was a west to east precipitation

gradient, with 288 mm occurring at Cape Lisburne

and 291 mm at Wales in the west to 424 mm at

Kobuk in the east. Note, however, that problems

with measuring blowing snow can lead to

underestimation of precipitation in the Arctic. All

stations follow similar seasonal patterns: summers

are short (June through August), winters are long,

and most of the precipitation falls during July,

August, and September. Additionally, there is an

elevational gradient in temperature, with cooler

summers and generally warmer and windier

winters at higher elevations, the latter due to the

pooling of cold air in valleys. Hammond and Yarie

(1996) estimate that growing season temperatures

at high elevations in the western Brooks Range

average 2 to 3°C cooler than in adjacent valley

bottoms. Limited data from Racine (1979) also

168°0'0"W

167°0'0"W

167°0'0"W

166°0'0"W

166°0'0"W

165°0'0"W

165°0'0"W

164°0'0"W

164°0'0"W

65°0'0"N 65°30'0"N66°0'0"N

Classification Approach:Soil associations were developed by grouping similar soil types that wereassociated with closely related ecotypes. The map was created by recoding the ecotype map with the soil association that corresponded with each ecotype.Map Sources:Landsat TM Images from 28 June 2000, 1 Aug 2002, 3 Aug 2002;Ecological Subsections map from NPS for physiography and bedrock geology;USGS National Elevation Dataset for elevation, slope, moisture index.Map Projection:Albers Conical Equal Area; NAD 27 datumMap prepared by ABR, Inc.File: BELA_Ecotype_02-329-7.mxd,6 October 2004

5

Approximate scale = 1:690,000

5 0 5 10 15 20 Kilometers

5 0 5 10 15 Miles

Soil Associations

Coastal WaterFluvaquentic Aquorthels-Typic Historthels, brackishFluventic Haplorthels-Typic Gelorthents, loamyFreshwaterHuman-Modified Barrens, coarseOxyaquic Gelorthents-Oxyaquic Cryopsamments, coarse-sandyTypic Cryopsamments-Oxyaquic Cryopsamments, sandy, brackishTypic Fibristels, dysicTypic Psammorthels, sandy

Typic Aquiturbels-Ruptic-Histic Aquiturbels, coarse-loamyTypic Aquorthels, loamyTypic Aquorthels-Typic Historthels, loamyTypic Dystrogelepts- Bedrock, coarseTypic Dystrogelepts-Typic Eutrogelepts, coarse-loamyTypic Eutrogelepts-Typic Haplorthels, coarseTypic Haplorthels-Typic Haploturbels, coarse-loamyTypic Hemistels-Typic Fibristels, dysicTypic Historthels-Typic Aquiturbels, loamy

Classification Approach:

Soil associations were developed by

grouping similar soil types that were

associated with closely related ecotypes.

The map was created by recoding

the ecotype map with the soil association

that corresponded with each ecotype.

Map Sources:

Landsat TM Image from 3 Aug 2002;

Ecological Subsections map from NPS

for physiography and bedrock geology;

USGS National Elevation Dataset for

elevation, slope, and moisture index.

Map Projection:

Albers Conical Equal Area; NAD 27 datum

Map prepared by ABR, Inc.

File: CAKR_SoilAssociation_02-329-7.mxd, 6 October 2004

5

Approximate scale = 1:350,000

2 0 2 4 6 8 10 Kilometers

2 0 2 4 6 8 Miles

Soil Associations

Figure 18.

Soil Associations

Land Cover Mapping

Cape Krusenstern

National Monument

Fluvaquentic Aquorthels-Typic Historthels, brackish

Human-Modified Barrens, coarse

Oxyaquic Gelorthents-Oxyaquic Cryopsamments, coarse-sandy

Typic Cryopsamments-Oxyaquic Cryopsamments, sandy, brackish

Coastal Water

Fluventic Haplorthels-Typic Gelorthents, loamy

Freshwater

Typic Psammorthels, sandy

Typic Aquiturbels-Ruptic-Histic Aquiturbels, coarse-loamy

Typic Aquorthels-Typic Historthels, loamy

Typic Dystrogelepts- Bedrock, coarse

Typic Dystrogelepts-Typic Eutrogelepts, coarse-loamy

Typic Eutrogelepts-Typic Haplorthels, coarse

Typic Fibristels, dysic

Typic Haplorthels-Typic Haploturbels, coarse-loamy

Typic Hemistels-Typic Fibristels, dysic

Typic Historthels-Typic Aquiturbels, loamy

Typic Aquorthels, loamy

164°30'0"W

164°0'0"W

164°0'0"W

163°30'0"W

163°30'0"W

163°0'0"W

163°0'0"W

162°30'0"W

66°45'0"N 67°0'0"N

67°0'0"N

67°15'0"N

67°15'0"N

67°30'0"N

67°30'0"N

67°45'0"N

67°45'0"N 68°0'0"N

 Results

85 BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping

indicate that air temperatures during the summer

are colder in coastal areas compared to inland

areas. 

These strong climatic gradients have resulted

in a wide range of ecological responses evident on

the ecotype maps. Most of the area is in the polar

domain, while some portions are included in the

boreal domain (Nowacki et al. 2002). Because of

low summer temperatures, vegetation over most of

the area (polar domain), is dominated by

graminoids, low and dwarf shrubs, mosses, and

lichens. At intermediate elevations in eastern

margins of BELA and CAKR, relatively high

summer temperatures (12–13°C July mean) allow

for the growth of the northwestern-most needleleaf

trees in North America. Consequently, spruce

forests occur only in the eastern portions of the

parks. At higher elevations, summer temperatures

are lower and winds are stronger; as a result alpine

areas frequently are barren or support only a sparse

cover of lichens, mosses, and a few vascular

species. 

The mountains contribute to these gradients

by impeding movement of large-scale air masses.

The Bendeleben and York Mountains appear to

provide a barrier to movement of moist maritime

air masses from the Bering Sea, causing

precipitation to be two times higher on the southern

side of the mountains (Nome) than on the northern

side (Kotzebue). 

Climatic conditions also have varied

considerably over time. Stable isotope analysis of

ice cores from Greenland and Antarctica reveal

numerous large, rapid shifts in climate during the

Pleistocene (Bradley 1999). These changes have

resulted in multiple episodes of glaciation,

associated loess deposition, and sea-level

fluctuations (Hopkins 1982), and have been

documented in numerous geomorphic and

paleoecological studies in the Bering Land Bridge

area (Smith 1933, Matthews 1974, McColloch and

Hopkins 1966, Hopkins 1967, Hopkins 1982,

Hamilton and Brigham-Grette 1991, Mann and

Hamilton 1995). During the late Pleistocene,

buried calcareous paleosols in northern BELA

indicate that the climate was cold and dry around

16,000–19,000 years ago and loess deposition was

heavy (Höfle and Ping 1996). During the early

Holocene, white spruce macrofossils, ice-wedge

casts, and buried soils indicate that the climate was

much warmer 8,300–10,000 years before present

(ybp) (McColloch and Hopkins 1966). 

Fossil insect and pollen records (Elias et al.

1999) indicate that during the last interglacial

period (about 130,000 years ybp), the climate in

the Noatak Valley to the east of CAKR was similar

to or slightly warmer than it is today. This

interglacial was followed by a prolonged period of

lower temperatures, when the vegetation was

dominated by herbaceous plants. About

13,000–14,000 years ybp the climate warmed,

probably to conditions similar to those at present,

allowing colonization of the Noatak Valley by

shrubs (and locally trees) over the next few

thousand years (Anderson 1988, Eisner and

Colinvaux 1992, Anderson and Brubaker 1994).

On the basis of beetle fossils assemblages, Elias et

al. (1999) estimated that mean summer

temperatures were ~2° C below and above current

temperatures during glacial and interglacial

periods, respectively. White spruce fossil remains,

ice-wedge casts, and buried soils indicate that the

climate in northwestern Alaska 8,300–10,000 ybp

was warmer than at present (McColloch and

Hopkins 1966). 

More recently, historical records and analyses

of proxy indicators indicate that mean annual

temperatures were substantially (~1° C) lower

during the Little Ice Age (ending around 1850)

than at present, and that temperatures during the

last decade (1990–2000) were the warmest in the

last 400 years (Overpeck et al. 1997). This recent

warming has enhanced tree growth in the Noatak

Valley and allowed some expansion of spruce

forest onto the tundra (Suarez et al. 1999). Future

temperature increases expected as a result of global

warming likely will lead to further expansion of the

forest, but the change is likely to be very slow

because of the topographic barrier presented by the

Brooks Range (Rupp et al. 2001).

OCEANOGRAPHY

The western coast of the BELA abuts the

Bering Strait and the western portion of CAKR

abuts the southern margin of the Chukchi Sea, a

rectangular embayment of the Arctic Ocean. At

Shishmaref, mean high tides reach 0.8 m, and the

highest tidal drift line is only 1.0 m above mean sea

level (amsl) (Naidu and Gardner 1988). At Cape

Espenberg, storm debris extends to 2.3 m amsl
Results

BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping 86

(Mason et al. 1997). Current direction and thus,

sediment transport, is northward along the coast.

Drifting pack and shorefast ice covers the entire

Chukchi Sea for 7–8 months. Sea depths extend to

only ~80 m in the Bering Strait.

Large fluctuations in sea level, however, have

accompanied the climatic changes described

above. During maximum glaciation in the late

Pleistocene (∼18,000 years ybp), sea level fell to

∼100 m below current sea level. This drop exposed

a broad land bridge across the Bering continental

shelf (Hopkins 1967). By ~11,000 ybp the land

bridge was again inundated and the migration

corridor for plants and animals, including humans,

closed (Elias et al. 1992). Sea level reached nearly

its present level (within 2–3 m) around 5,000 ybp

(Mason et al. 1995), and sediment transport and

storm events have contributed to the development

of extensive barrier islands, spits, and beach ridge

complexes along the Bering Strait (McCullough

1967, Jordan 1988, Mason and Jordan 1991,

Mason et al. 1997). 

Sea level also has been much higher in the

past, and marine transgressions during the

Pleistocene have created the broad coastal plain

across the northern portion of the Seward

Peninsula. The Pelukian transgression during the

last interglacial (isotope stage 5e) occurred

∼125,000 ybp and left beach ridge deposits that

outcrop at elevations of 8–10 m above mean sea

level (Sainsbury 1967, Hamilton and

Bringham-Grette 1991, Brigham-Grette and

Hopkins 1995). The Pelukian transgression is

recorded by a well-defined wave-cut scarp and

marine terrace that can be traced along much of the

coast of the northern Bering Sea and southern

Chukchi Sea (Sainsbury 1967, Hopkins 1973).

During the middle Pleistocene, two marine

transgressions, the Kotzebuan (∼175,000 ybp) and

Einahnuhtan (∼225,000 ybp) have been described,

although their sea-level history has been difficult to

reconstruct (Hopkins 1967, Hopkins 1973). Sea

level during the later transgression reached a

maximum elevation of ∼35 m amsl. Marine

transgressions during the Pliocene may have been

as high as 70 m (Brigham-Grette and Carter 1992).

These transgressions left marine beach and coastal

deposits of silt, sand, and gravel across the coastal

plain. Ancient barrier bars are occasionally

evident, comprised of well-sorted sand forming

linear ridges (Till et al. 1986). 

TECTONIC SETTING AND PHYSIOGRAPHY

BELA is within a moderately active seismic

zone connected to the Brooks Range and is

characterized as having a relatively thin crust,

scattered Quaternary volcanism, and relatively

high heat flow (Thenhaus et al. 1982). The coastal

plain on the northern portion of the Seward

Peninsula is a subsiding basin comprised of

Cenozoic sediments several thousand meters thick

that are crosscut by several east/west faults just

south of Cape Espenberg (Tolson 1987). The

geologic structure and physiography of the region

is dominated by thrust faulting of two different

ages. Probably beginning in the mid-Cretaceous,

Precambrian and Paleozoic rocks were thrust

eastward creating north-trending folds (Sainsbury

1972). Later in the Cretaceous, unmetamorphosed

rocks in the York Mountains moved northward into

their present position. At the end of the Cretaceous,

isolated blocks of granite intruded the thrust sheets

and several normal faults developed. Tertiary

tectonism is responsible for prominent, high-angle

faulting and the volcanic activity in the Imaruk

Basin. Little uplift or subsidence has occurred

during the Holocene, however, and isostatic

rebound is unlikely because the northern coastal

plain was not glaciated during the Pleistocene.

CAKR has been affected by the tectonic

uplifting that produced the Brooks Range.

Uplifting probably began in the mid-Jurassic and

was active into the Cretaceous within the area

(Moore et al. 1994). This uplifting occurred when a

thick piece of the earth’s crust that now composes

most of the Brooks Range, known as the Arctic

Alaska Terrane, collided with and then fused with

other terranes to the south (Mull 1982, Box 1985,

Mayfield et al. 1983, Karl and Long 1990, Moore

1992). The quiet-water, marine sedimentary rocks

of the Arctic Alaska Terrane were initially forced

southward (subducted) beneath a section of

oceanic crust known as the Angayucham Terrane,

then uplifted and eroded. As a result, bedrock in

CAKR consists mostly of sedimentary rock,

including a substantial amount of carbonate rock. 

These tectonic forces and the resulting

physiography in the parks have exerted strong

influences on ecosystem distribution and
 Results

87 BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping

successional development through their effects on

regional climate (Hammon and Yarie 1996, Van

Cleve et al. 1990), microclimate and drainage

(Bailey 1996), and plant migration and life-history

patterns (Suarez et al. 1999, Rupp et al. 2001). In

addition, lower temperatures at higher elevations

create conditions for glacier expansion into

low-lying areas (Péwé 1975), resulting in

substantial alteration of surficial materials that

form the substrate for supporting plant growth. 

BEDROCK GEOLOGY

The bedrock geology within BELA and

CAKR is highly complex and includes a wide

variety of sedimentary, metamorphic, volcanic, and

intrusive rocks (Sainsbury 1972, Hudson 1977,

Beikman 1980, Nelson and Nelson 1982, Curtis et

al. 1984, Ellersieck et al. 1984, Mayfield et al.

1984, Till et al. 1986, Karl et al. 1989, Till and

Dumoulin 1994, Moore et al. 1994). This

complexity and interspersion of rock types greatly

influenced the diverse range of high-elevation

ecotypes identified in this study. In addition,

vegetation composition varies greatly among areas

with different bedrock types, due to differences in

soil pH and potential phytotoxic effects of soluble

metals (described below). Acidic soils, typically

associated with noncarbonate sedimentary and

metamorphic rocks, usually are dominated by acid

tolerant plants such as Betula nana, Dryas

octopetala, Empetrum nigrum, Eriophorum

vaginatum, Ledum decumbens, Rubus

chamaemorus, Salix planifolia pulchra, Sphagnum

spp., and Vaccinium uliginosum (Hanson 1953,

Young 1974, Walker et al. 1994). In contrast,

common plants on alkaline soils typically include

Dryas integrifolia, Equisetum scirpoides, Lupinus

arcticus, Parrya nudicaulis, Salix arctica, S. lanata

richardsonii, and S. reticulata (Young 1974,

Walker et al. 1994). Some of the principal

differences among carbonate, noncarbonate,

felsic-intrusive, and mafic extrusive (volcanic)

rocks, and their influence on soil and vegetation,

are described below.

Carbonate or calcareous rocks, such as

limestone, dolostone, marble, and calcareous

schists are common in the Baird and Delong

Mountains (Dumoulin and Harris 1987, Moore et

al. 1994). The relatively high pH and abundance of

calcium in the alkaline soils formed by these rocks

result in reduced availability of phosphorus and

poor absorption and utilization of phosphorus by

plants (Bohn et al. 1985). These nutrient

availability problems may explain the lower plant

cover apparent on satellite imagery for carbonate

rock regions in CAKR and BELA. Alkaline soils

also tend to be rich in humus, are often associated

with more active cryoturbation, and tend to have

deeper active layers (Ping et al. 1998).

Noncarbonate sedimentary (mostly shale,

chert, sandstone, and conglomerate) and

metamorphic (mostly schist) rocks are the most

common rock types throughout the Brooks Range

and the study area (Moore et al. 1994, Brosgé et al.

1983). Topography generally is gentler on shales

than other rock types in BELA and CAKR.

Because of reduced carbonate and calcium

concentrations in the soil, the soils tend to be

strongly acidic. Vegetation cover is distinctly

greater on these rocks than either carbonate

sedimentary rocks or ultramafic igneous rocks. 

Felsic intrusive igneous rocks occur in the

Bendeleben and Darby Mountains and in other

isolated locations, such as the upper Serpentine

River and Inmachuk River areas. These granitic

rocks are dominated by light-colored minerals,

such as quartz, alkali feldspars (orthoclase), and

muscovite mica, and are rich in aluminum silicates,

with little to no calcium, magnesium, and iron. The

high aluminum and low calcium–magnesium

content contributes to development of strongly

acidic soils and high soluble aluminum

concentrations. The elevated aluminum, in turn,

can lead to plant growth problems because root

growth can be stopped by Al concentrations as low

as 1 mg/l (Bohn et al. 1985). Phosphorus

predominantly is fixed as aluminum and iron

phosphates in the acid soils but is still more

available than in alkaline soils. To reduce

aluminum toxicity, many plants generate organic

acids, such as tannins, that act as chelating agents

in the rhizosphere for protection (Rendig and

Taylor 1989). Thus, ericaceous plants, which are

better adapted to these conditions, tend to

dominate. 

Mafic volcanic rocks are prevalent in the

Imuruk Plateau and around the Devil Mountain

Lakes. The Imuruk Plateau basically was formed

from basaltic lava flows of Tertiary and Quaternary

age (Till et al. 1986). While the Tertiary flows are
Results

BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping 88

mostly covered by eolian silt and colluvium, the

Lost Jim and Gosling lava flows of Quaternary age

are mostly barren. Farther north, the shield

volcanoes that form Devil Mountain occur at the

northern limit of late Cenozoic volcanism in

Alaska (Hopkins 1988). Explosive eruptions

during the last 200,000 years have created a large

region of basaltic ash, massive pyroclastic flows,

and explosion breccia (Begét et al. 1996). These

barren areas tend to be dominated by fruticose and

crustose lichens. 

GEOMORPHOLOGY

Despite its strong influence on

geomorphology elsewhere in Alaska and North

America, the Pleistocene glaciations had only a

slight affect on the geomorphology of BELA and

CAKR. Glaciers extended into northern CAKR

from source areas in the surrounding mountains

during the early and middle Pleistocene, but did

not cover the valley entirely during the latest

(Wisconsin) glacial period (Smith 1912, Péwé

1975, Hamilton 1994, Hamilton, 2001). Glacial

moraines deposited in pre-Wisconsin glaciations

have been modified greatly by subsequent

thermokarst and gelifluction, so that the moraine

morphology is now indistinct. Glaciations during

the middle to late Pleistocene also covered the

Bendeleben, Darby, western York, and Kiwalik

mountains, but effects within BELA are limited

(Matthews 1974, Hopkins et al. 1983, Kaufman

and Hopkins 1986, Kaufman et al. 1991). The

Nome River glaciation (∼280,000–580,000 ybp)

extended into the Bendeleben Northern Foothills,

but little can be found in the fossil record regarding

ecosystem development on the glacial deposits.

The many cirque lakes present in the Bendeleben

Mountains originated from this glacial activity.

Eolian activity during dry, full glacial periods

has deposited thick beds of eolian silt (loess) over

much of the northern Seward Peninsula (Mathews

1974, Hopkins 1982). Near Imuruk Lake, eolian

deposits up to 6-m thick have been observed

(Holowaychuk and Smeck 1979). In contrast, late

Pleistocene eolian deposits that occur on top of

volcanic ash deposited ~17,500 ybp are only ~0.5

m thick (Holowaychuk and Smeck 1979). Much of

the silt probably blew off glaciofluvial outwash

plains associated with the Illinoian glaciation,

which extended as far west as the terminal moraine

now forming the Baldwin Peninsula (Matthews

1974). Loess accumulation during the Wisconsin

glaciation (maximum at ~18,000 ybp) probably

was much less because outwash streams were

blocked by the Baldwin Peninsula. Chemical

analysis of loess in northern BELA buried during

the late Pleistocene (around 16,000–19,000 ybp)

indicates it remained calcareous throughout the

profile because the climate was cold and dry (Höfle

and Ping 1996). While the frozen loess beneath the

active layer of modern soils tends to remain

alkaline, surface organic horizons usually are

strongly acidic on the Imuruk Plateau and northern

BELA (Holowaychuk and Smeck 1979, Höfle and

Ping 1996), presumably due to leaching and

paludification under a wetter climatic regime.

The long, gentle slopes of the hills and low

mountains in the parks probably were formed, and

continue to be modified, by gelifluction. This is the

movement of saturated soil material downslope

over permafrost (Washburn 1973). Gelifluction

lobes are even visible on many rather steep,

vegetated mountain slopes in both BELA and

CAKR.

Alluvial processes in narrow mountain and

broad lowland valleys in the parks have created a

dynamic landscape characterized by active erosion

and deposition. Channel migration erodes and

recycles surficial deposits, while deposition

follows a predictable sequence from gravelly

deposits in active channels, to sandy active

floodplains adjacent to the active channel, to

peat-covered loamy soils on inactive floodplains

(Ugolini and Walters 1974, Binkley et al. 1997,

Jorgenson et al. 1998). In the latter stages of this

sequence, ice-rich permafrost aggrades in the silty

cover alluvium and greatly modifies the surface

with ice-wedge polygons. In higher gradient

streams in the mountains, bedrock control and

heavy bedload result in confined headwaters and

gravelly braided floodplains. On lower gradient

streams in the lowlands, sandy deposits with

meandering morphology are common. The

floodplains provide connectivity between regions,

because water is a conduit for the movement of

sediments and nutrients, as well as fish,

invertebrates, and plant materials.

Permafrost distribution is nearly continuous

throughout the region because of low air

temperatures (Brown et al. 1997) and is >100m
 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS

89 BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping

thick (Hopkins 1988). Permafrost in the lowlands

generally is extremely ice-rich due to the thick

loess deposits and long period of development,

whereas upland areas underlain by bedrock have

little ground ice as indicated by the lack of

thermokarst features. Most of the massive ice that

has accumulated in the lowlands appears to have

developed during the mid-late Pleistocene and is in

the form of massive ice sheets similar to the

“paloma” described in Russia (Yuri Shur, pers.

comm.). Ice-wedge development, which occurs in

areas where mean annual air temperatures have

been <-6°C (Péwé 1975) during the Holocene, also

has contributed to the ice-rich permafrost. With the

onset of a warmer and moister climate during the

early Holocene, thermokarst of the ice-rich terrain

has resulted in an abundance of thaw lakes (Heiser

and Hopkins 1995). On the coastal plain, thaw

basins are up to 25-m deep, indicating the ground

ice volume is extremely high (Hopkins and Kidd

1988, Kidd 1990). Collapse of permafrost into

thaw lakes, and subsequent aggradation of ground

ice in exposed lacustrine sediments has lead to a

“thaw-lake cycle” and occasional development of

ice-cored mounds or “pingos” (Hopkins 1949). 

Permafrost also greatly affects ecosystem

development by altering soil processes. First,

permafrost forms an impermeable layer beneath

the active layer, causing the surface soils to

become saturated in low-lying areas and on gentle

slopes (Ford and Bedford 1987). Soil saturation, in

turn, reduces soil oxygen and microbial

decomposition and thereby increases organic

matter accumulation (Höfle et al. 1998). Second,

the impermeable layer eliminates subsurface

leaching, so that solute removal is slowed down

and occurs laterally. This lateral movement through

the active layer creates distinct branching pattern

of “water-tracks” on slopes and enhances plant

growth in the drainages (Walker et al. 1989, Kane

et al. 1992). Finally, freezing and thawing

processes associated with permafrost contribute to

cryoturbation (mixing of soil horizons) and

development of patterned ground features, such as

frost boils and ice-wedge polygons, which provide

a range of wet and moist microsites. These

processes all alter the composition of vegetation

that can grow on the cold, saturated soils.

FIRE

Although fire is not considered to be an

important disturbance factor in tundra ecosystems

due to the lack of fuel (Patterson and Dennis 1981),

periodic summer droughts and thunderstorms have

produced several major fires in BELA during the

last several decades (Melchior 1979, Wein 1976,

Racine 1981, and Racine et al. 1983). Most fires

have occurred in the eastern portion of the Seward

Peninsula, but several incidences also have

occurred near the Kuzitrin River, and to a lesser

extent near Imuruk Lake. Fires are notably absent

from the coastal plain region. While the effects of

fire are variable in this landscape, they can be

locally important since they increase the depth of

the active layer and initiate permafrost degradation

(Racine 1981, Racine et al. 1983).

SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS

This report presents the results of a landcover

mapping and ecological land survey (ELS) effort

that inventoried, classified, and mapped

ecosystems in the Bering Land Bridge National

Preserve and the Cape Krusenstern National

Monument. By analyzing the dynamic physical

processes associated with coastal, riverine, coastal

plain, and hillside environments, and the

abundance and distribution of their diverse

ecological resources, this study contributes to

ecosystem management in national parklands in

northwestern Alaska.

Field surveys at 231 intensive plots during

July 2002 and 2003 collected information on the

geomorphic, topographic, hydrologic, pedologic,

and vegetative characteristics of ecosystems across

the entire range of environmental gradients across

the two parks. An additional 257 verification plots

were surveyed to obtain data on vegetation

structure and dominant species for use as ground

reference plots for mapping. Individual ecological

components (e.g., geomorphic unit, vegetation

type) were determined using standard classification

schemes for Alaska, but modified when necessary

to differentiate unique characteristics in the study

area. Thirty-one plant associations were developed

through multivariate classification techniques. The

hierarchical relationships among ecological

components were used to derive 33 ecotypes

(local-scale ecosystems) that best partition the
SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS

BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping 90

variation in ecological characteristics across the

entire range of aquatic and terrestrial

environments. 

Mapping was based on the classification of

spectral characteristics of three Landsat scenes that

covered the area and modeling the physiography

associated with ecosubsection (major

physiographic and geologic regions) maps and

digital elevation models. A spectral database was

developed that integrated the spectral,

environmental, and vegetative characteristics for

389 ground plots and was used as part of a

supervised classification to classify the area into 18

signature vegetation types. Rule-based modeling

using the supervised classifcation, ecosubsection

maps ,and digital elevations models was used to

reclassify signature vegetation into 29 ecotypes.

Four ecotypes were aggregated into other classes

because they could not be mapped separately. The

most abundant ecotypes within the park boundaries

include Upland Moist Dwarf Birch–Ericaceous

Shrub, Upland Moist Dwarf Birch–Tussock Shrub,

Upland Moist Sedge–Dryas Meadow, Lowand

Moist Sedge–Dryas Meadow, and Lowland

Sedge–Moss Fen Meadow.

Multiple environmental site factors

contributed to the distribution of ecotypes and their

associated plant species, and there were large

differences among ecotypes. Mean surface

organic-horizon thickness, an indicator of land

surface age and anaerobic soil conditions and

disturbance, ranged from 0 cm in Coastal and

Riverine Barrens to 40 cm in Lowland Sedge Fen

Meadow. Mean depth to rock, an indicator of

surficial deposit depth and drainage, ranged from 0

cm in Alpine Alkaline Dry Barrens to >200 cm in

numerous ecotypes that occurred on thick eolian or

marine surficial deposits. Permafrost was present

in all terrestrial ecotypes and mean thaw depths

ranged from 26 cm in Moist Dwarf Birch–Tussock

Shrub to 130 cm in Riverine Moist Tall

Alder–Willow Shrub. Mean depth of water

(negative when below ground), ranged from >-2 m

in Riverine Moist Tall Alder-Willow Shrub to >1 m

in Coastal Water. Mean pH, which affects nutrient

availability and ion exchange, ranged from 5.0 in

Moist Dwarf Birch–Tussock Shrub to 8.2 in Alpine

Alkaline Dry Barrens. Mean electrical conductivity

(EC), important for osmotic regulation of plants

and animals, ranged from 20 μS/cm in Alpine

Nonalkaline Dry Barrens to 22,430 μS/cm in

Coastal Saline Wet Sedge–Grass Meadow.

Soils described at 198 plots were classified

into 24 soil types for mapping and analysis. The

most common types observed were Typic Fibristels

(10% of 198 observations), Typic Aquorthel (9%),

Typic Historthel (8%), Typic Hemistel (7%), and

Typic Eutrogelepts (7%). The classification was

fairly effective at partitioning the variability of

numerous soil properties, including organic-layer

thickness, depth to rocks, thaw depths, depth to

water, pH, and EC. Cross-tabulation of soils with

the ecotypes assigned for each plot indicates that

most soil types were associated with 2–3 ecotypes.

These relationships allowed the development of 15

soil associations and two waterbody types by

combining the soil types that occured in closely

related ecotypes. Based on the ecotype-soil

relationships, soil association maps were

developed by recoding the individual ecotypes to

their respective soil associations.

Ecotype distribution also was greatly affected

by landscape-level factors. Strong north-south and

east-west climatic gradients have affected the

forest-tundra ecotone and modes of permafrost

development and degradation. Oceanographic

conditions and Quaternary sea-level changes have

resulted in the occurrence of salt-affected ecotypes

along the coast and the prevalence of lowland

ecotypes on the coastal plain. Tectonics and

regional mountain building have created barriers to

atmospheric movement and topographic climate

gradients. Carbonate sedimentary and felsic

intrusive bedrock greatly affects soil pH and

nutrient status. Geomorphic environments

associated with sediment erosion and deposition

create a wide range of soil conditions and

disturbance regimes. Permafrost acts as a barrier to

subsurface drainage and the varying volumes of

ground ice result in varying degrees of permafrost

degradation. Finally, fires occasionally occur in

ecotypes that have developed sufficient evergreen

vegetation, litter and woody fuel.

Three main benefits are derived from an

ecological land survey approach to understanding

landscape processes and their influence on

ecosystem functions. First, it analyzes landscapes

as ecological systems with functionally related

parts and recognizes the importance that

geomorphic and hydrologic processes have on
 Literature Cited

91 BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping

disturbance regimes, the flow of energy and

material, and ecosystem development. This

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numerous ecological components into ecotypes

with co-varying properties, allows users to

partition the variability of a wide range of

ecological characteristics. Second, developing a

spectral database that integrates the spectral,

physical, and floristic information for use in

satellite image processing facilitates the analysis of

numerous environmental characteristics across the

landscape. Finally, this linkage of ecological

characteristics within a spatial database improves

our ability to predict the response of ecosystems to

human impacts and facilitates the production of

thematic maps for resource management

applications and analyses. 

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BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping 98 Appendix 1. Coding system for characterizing ecological characteristics of field plots. TERRAIN UNITS BEDROCK Bxw Bedrock, weathered (undiffer.) Sc Sedimentary, carbonate (limestone,dolostone) Sn Sedimentary, noncarbonate (shale, siltstone, conglomerate) Sm Sedimentary, mixed noncarbonate and carbonate Vfy Volcanic-felsic-young Vfo Volcanic-felsic-old Vmy Volcanic-mafic-young (Quatern.) Vmo Volcanic-mafic (dark)-old Vp Volcanic-pyroclastics If Intrusive-felsic Im Intrusive-mafic Nc Metamorphic-carbonate Nn Metamorphic-noncarbonate Mcn Metamorphic-mixed carb/noncarb COLLUVIAL DEPOSITS C Colluvial Deposits Ch Hillslope Colluvium Cl Landslide Deposit Cs Solifluction Deposits EOLIAN DEPOSITS Esa Eolian Active Sand Esi Eolian Inactive Sand Essi Eolian Inactive Sand Sheet 

FLUVIAL DEPOSITS Fu Fluvial, undifferentiated Fd Delta Floodplain Fdra Delta Active Channel Deposit Fdri Delta Inactive Channel Deposit 

(High-water Channel) 

Fdoa Delta Active Overbank Deposit Fdoi Delta Inactive Overbank Deposit Fdob Delta Abandoned Overbank Dep Fpm Meander Floodplain Fmr Meander Channel Dep (riverbed) Fmrac Meand Course Active Chan. Dep. Fmrif Meander Fine Inactive Chan Dep. Fmo Meander Overbank Deposit 

(complex) 

Fmoa Meander Active Overbank Dep Fmoi Meander Inactive Overbank Dep Fmob Mean. Abandoned Overbank Dep Fb Braided Floodplain Fbr Braided Channel Dep(riverbed) Fbrac Braided Course Active ChanDep. Fbrif Braided Fine Inactive Chan Dep. Fbo Braided Overbank Dep (complex) Fboa Braided Active Overbank Deposit Fboi Braided Inactive Overbank Dep Fbob Braided Abandoned Ovrbank Dep Fhl Headwater Lowland Floodplain Fto Old Terrace (lower terraces) Ff Alluvial Fan 

GLACIAL AND NON-G. DEPOSITSFGp Alluvial Plain Deposits GLACIAL DEPOSITS Gmo Older Moraine Gmy Younger Moraine Gto Older Till Sheet Gty Younger Till Sheet GLACIOFLUVIAL DEPOSITS GFo Glaciofluvial Outwash GFk Kame Deposits GLACIOLACUSTRINE 

DEPOSITS

GL Glaciolacustrine Deposits L LACUSTRINE DEPOSITS Ltn Ice-poor Thaw Basin (young) Lti Ice-rich Thaw Basin (old) Ltic Ice rich centers Ltim Ice rich margins Ltip Ice-rich-pingos MAN-MADE DEPOSITSHfg Fill, gravel Hfo Fill, overburden Hfp Fill, peat He Excavations MARINE DEPOSITSMb Beach Deposits Mta Active Tidal Flat Mti Inactive Tidal Flat Mp Coastal Plain Deposit Mps Sandy coastal plain deposit Mpf Fine coastal plain deposit GLACIOMARINE DEPOSITS MG Glaciomarine Deposits ORGANIC DEPOSITS (0rg >40cm)Of Organic Fens Ob BogsWATERWr Rivers and Streams Wrln Lower Perennial, non-glacial Wrlg Lower Perennial, glacial Wrun Upper Perennial, Non-glacial Wrug Upper Perennial, Glacial Wldcr Deep Connected Lake, Riverine Wldct Deep Connected Lake, Thaw Wldcm Deep Connected Lake, Morainal Wldir Deep Isolated Lake, Riverine Wldit Deep Isolated Lake, Thaw Wldim Deep Isolated Lake, Morainal Wlscr Shallow Connected Pond., River. Wlsct Shallow Connected Pond., Thaw Wlscm Shal. Connected Pond., Morainal Wlsir Shallow Isolated Pond., Riverine Wlsit Shallow Isolated Pond., Thaw Wlsim Shallow Isolated Pond., Morainal 

Wm Marine Wmn Nearshore Water We Estuarine Welt Tidal Ponds (affected by tides) Wert Tidal River (brackish) Weld Brackish Deep Lake Wels Brackish Shallow Lake Wh Man-made Waterbodies Whid Drainage Impoundment Whir Reserve Pit 

MACROTOPOGRAPHYCLASSES:C Top, Crest, Summit Or Ridge Fh Plateau (High Flats) Sh Shoulder Slope XP Pingo Steep Slopes Sb Bluff or Bank (unconsolidated) Sbs Steep bluff south facingSc Cliff (rocky) Sbr Riverbanks Su UPPER SLOPE (convex, creep) Suc Concave (water gathering) Suv Convex (water shedding) Sup Plane Sl LOWER SLOPE (concave) Slc Concave (water gathering) Slch Nivation hollows, Snowbanks, Slv Convex (water shedding) Slp Plane T TOE Slope D Drainage or Water Track B BASINS OR DEPRESSIONS Bd Drained Basin Bk Kettle F FLAT OR FLUVIAL RELATEDFn Nonpatterned Fm Flats margins (transition) Fc Channel, swale or gut, Fi Interfluv or flat bank Fl Levee Fb Bar (point, lateral, mid-channel) Fs Crevasse splay Ft Terrace Ff Flood Basin (behind levee) L LAKES AND OCEAN Wi Islands Present Ls Smooth FlatLake Margin Fwb Wave cut bench (shore) Fwt Wave cut terrace (shore) R RIVER OR STREAMRp Deep Pools (>1.5 m) Rs Shallow Runs (<1.5 m) Ri Riffles, Rr Rapids XC CHANNEL COMPLEX 

Xcb Braided channels and interfluvs Xcm Meander scrolls CR Ridge And Swale Complex E Eolian Patterns El Eolian linear dunes Ep Eolian parabolic dunes Hm Human modified 

MICROTOPOGRAPHYCLASSESN NONPATTERNED FROST FEATURES Fh Hummocks (mineral cored) Fr Reticulate Ff Frost Scars and Boils Fc Circles (non-sorted, sorted) Fs Stripes (non-sorted, sorted) Fn Nets (non-sorted, sorted) Ft Steps (non-sorted, sorted) Polygons Pd Disjunct polygon rims Plll Low-cent., low-relief, low-density Pllh Low-cent., low-relief, high-density Plhh Low-cent., high-relief, high-density Pm Mixed high and low polygons Phl High-cent., low-relief (flat-cent.) Phh High-centered, high-relief Thermokarst Tm Mixed thermokarst pits and polygons Tb Beaded stream MOUNDS (ice and peat related)Mi Ice-cored mounds Mpm Peat mounds Ms String (strang) Mg Gelifluction lobes (saturated flow) 

Mir Ice-shoved ridge Mid Ice-rafted debris Mrb Rocks, Blockfields Mrm Rocky Mounds (soil covered rocks) Mw Mounds caused by wildlife Mh Mounds caused by humans Mu Undifferentiated mounds (distinct)

DRAINAGE or EROSION RELATEDDt Water tracks (non-incised drainages) Df Feather pattern (in fens) Dr Ripples Dd Flow dunesDs Scour channels-ridges EOLIAN RELATED Es Small dune Eb Scour depression W WATER Wi Islands present Lp Polygonized margin (>10%) 

X COMPLEXES 

VEGETATION CLASSES (IV):Bbg Barrens (<5% veg) Bpv Partially Vegetated (5–30) Haf Aquatic Fresh Herb Hab Aquatic Brachish Herb Hame Eelgrass Hfm Moist Forb Meadow Hfwhh Halophytic Herb Wet Meadow Hgdl Elymus (Leymus) Hgmb Bluejoint Meadow Hgmsw Sedge -willow tundra Hgmsd Sedge-dryas tundra Hgmt Tussock tundra Hgwfg Fresh grass marsh Hgwfs Fresh sedge marsh Hgwst Wet sedge meadow tundra Hgwsw Wet sedge-willow tundra Hgwhg Halophytic grass wet meadow Hgwhs Halophytic sedge wet meadow tundra Hgwk Salt-killed wet meadow Hafm Common marestail Stca Closed Tall Alder Stoa Open Tall Alder Stcw Tall closed willow Stow Tall open willow Slcb Low closed Shrub Birch Slcbw Low closed sbrub birch-willow Slcbe Closed Shrub Birch-Ericaceous Slcw Low closed Willow Slow Low open Willow Slob Low open Shrub Birch Slobw Open Shrub Birch-Willow Slobe Open Shrub Birch-Ericaceous Slott Mixed shrub-sedge tussock tundra Sdee Crowberry Tundra Sddt Dryas tundra (little sedge or lichen) Sdds Dryas-sedge tundra Sddl Dryas-lichen tundra Sdec Cassiope tundra Sdww Dwarf Willow tundra Sdwg Halophytic willow-graminoid W Water 
99 BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping

Appendix 1. Continued.

ENVIRONMENTAL PLOT DATASiteID: Unique Identifier Date:Time: Name: Initials of Observer GrndPhotoNo.: SoilPhotoNo.: GeogLandMark: Lat(dd83): Long(dd83): ElevGPS(m): AirphotoNo: YY-Roll-Frame PinPrick: enter “y” after marked PlotRadius(m): Usually 10Physiography: A Alpine U Upland L Lowland P Lacustrine (ponded) R Riverine C Coastal SurfTerrUnit: see Terrain Unit codes SubTerrUnit: see Terrain Unit codes Slope(deg): Aspect(deg):Macrotopography: see codes Microtopog: see codes Microrelief (cm): NWI Water Regime: U Upland Ts Subtidal Te Irregularly exposed Tr Regularly flooded Ti Irregularly flooded Np Permanently flooded Nei Intermittently exposed Nsp Semipermanently flooded Nse Seasonally flooded Nsa Saturated (S) Nt Temporarily flooded Ni Intermittently flooded Na Artificially flooded WaterDep: (+/-, or >pit depth) Saturat<30: yes or no

WaterPH: to 0.1 pH units WaterEC: (uS/cm)Drainage:

E Excessively drained Es Somewhat excess. drained W Well drained Wm Moderately well drained Ps Somewhat poorly drained P Poorly drained Pv Very poorly drained F Flooded 

SoilMoist: Dry, 

Moist, 

Wet (field cap. to 

sat.), 

Aquatic (>10cm) 

LowMottDep: depth, 

Absent, Peat, or ND,

chr=2 or less 

LowMatrDepth: depth, 

Absent, Peat, or 

ND, chr=1, no mottling, full gley 

HydricSoil: Present or 

Absent 

Thaw Depth (cm):CryoTurb: Present or 

Absent 

SurfOrg: depth of top layer (cm) CumOrg40: total org in top 40 DomMineral40: dominant mineral text. in 

top 40 cm 

RE Extremely Rocky (>60% coarse ; >2 

mm) 

R Rocky (SaGr + 15-60% rocks) S Sandy (grSa to l Sa; <15% gravel) L Loamy (CL to SL) C Clayey (SC to C) O Organic (used if no mineral) DomText40: dominant text. (O or M) < 

40cm 

SurfaceFrag:0 none S Stony (<0.1%) Sv Very Stoney (0.1-3) Se Extremely Stony, (3 – 15%) R Rubbly, (15 – 50%) Re Very Rubbly (>50%) RockDepth(>15%): cm SoilPH: to 0.1 units from paste SoilEC: uS/cm from paste SampDepth10: SampMeth (Sampling Method): P pit L plug A auger C corer E bank exposure S surface M metal probe LM plug + probe LA plug + auger FrostBoil(% cov): % cov. barren active 

frost boils 

SoilClass: NRCS taxonomy 1998 VegClass(L IV): Viereck Level IV EcoType: sequencial coding for Physiograph, DomMin40, SoilMoist, Veg Structure 

SOIL PROFILE FORMLithofacies:B Blocky (angular>380 mm, >60%) R Rubble (angular, 2-380 mm, >60%) S Stony (rounded, >250 mm, >60%) Gm Gravel (rounded, massive, >60%) Gfm Gravel, with fine, massive,15-60% 

Gl Gravel (2-250 mm), layered Sm Sands, massive Si Sands, inclined Sl Sands, layerd Soi Sands with org, inclined Sr Sands, rippled Sor – sands with org, inclined Sgm Sands w/tr gravel, massive Sgmt Sands w/tr gravel, turbated Om Organic, massive Ol Organic, layered (> 10% organic) Olt Organic, layered, turbated Oa Organic, limnic Fm Fines massive Fom Fines with organics, massive Fomt Fines with organics, massive, 

turbated 

Fgm Fines w/tr gravel (tr-15% gravel) Fl Fines, layered Fr Fines, rippled For Fines with organics, rippled Fcm Fines with clay, massive Fcl Fines with clay, layered Fa Fines with algae, limnic Horizon: used NRCS codes Master horizon O, A, AB, A/B, AC, E, EA, BA B, BC Horizon suffixes a, b, c, d, e, f, ff, g, h, i, j jj, k, m, j, o, p, q, r, s, ss, t, v, w, y, z, Distinctness:

A Abrupt (<2 cm) C Clear 2–5 cm G Gradual (5–15 cm) D Diffuse (>15 cm) Topography:S Smooth W Wavy I Irregular (deeper than wide) B Broken Textural Abbreviations Fine fraction s sand vcos very coarse sand cos coarse sand fs fine sand vfs very fine sand ls loamy sand  l loam si silt c clay Coarse fragments (>2mm) boul boulder ( > 60 cm) st stone (25 – 60 cm) cob cobble (7.5 – 25 cm) gr gravel (0.2 – 7.5 cm) Coarse fragment modifiers sg 0 to 15 % 

g 15 to 35 % vg 35 to 60 % eg 60-90 % (exgSiL) G >90% Organic Soils Oi slightly decomposed Oe intermediate decomposition. Oa highly decomposed CrsFragSizeMax: Coarse Fragment Shape: Av very angular, A angular, As subangular Rs subrounded, R rounded, Rw well rounded ColorMatrix: Munsell chart ColorMottle: Munsell chart Mottles (combine.g., ffd) Abundance: 

f few (< 2% area) c common (2 – 20 %) m many (> 20 % area) Size:f fine (< 2 mm) m medium (2 to 5 mm) l coarse (5 - 20 mm) v very coarse (20 – 76 mm) e extremely coarse (>76 mm) Contrast: (change in value, chroma) f faint (hue, chroma similar) d distinct (value 2-4, >1 chroma) p prominent (value > 4) Structure: ( Not Used)Gradem massive sg single grained w weak (barely visible) m moderate (easily observable) s strongly (distinctly visible Sizevf very fine (<1mm) f fine (1 – 2 mm) m medium (2 –5mm) c coarse (5 – 10 mm) vc very coarse (>10 mm) Typegr granular pl platy pr prismatic clr columnar abk angular blocky sbk subangular blocky w wedge Peat Types (Peat): G Graminoid or sedge Gf Gramin., fine (<2 mm wide) Gc Gram, coarse (>2 mm wide) 

Gh Gramin.-Herb A Allochtonous (drifted) F feathermoss S SphaG D = dicranum/Polytrichum M = Live mosses W = woody L = Limnic (algal) Ice Structures (IceStr):Primary Continuity and Bedding Pn Pore nonvisible (v,f,m,c,l) Pv Pore, visible On Organic matrix, nonvisible Ov Organic matrix, visible Ce Crustal, entire Cp Crustal, partial Vv Vein, vertical Vi Vein, irregular Lh Lenticular, horizontal Li Lenticular, inclined Lc Lenticular, crossbedded Lg Lenticular, grouped Bs Bedded (layered), sparse (<5%) Bm Bedded, medium (5-25% ice) Bd Bedded, dense (25-50%) Rt Reticulate, trapezoidal (prismatic) Rl Reticulate, lattice (blocky) Rf Reticulate, foliated (platy) As Ataxitic, sparse (50-75% ice) Am Ataxitic, medium (75-95%) Ad Ataxitic, dense (95-99%) Sr Solid, columnar Sh Solid, sheet Sw Solid, wedge Secondary Ice Shape: Lenticular and Bedded p Planar w Wavy c Curved Ataxitic r Round a Angular b Blocky Solid c Clear (c) q Opaque (o) d Dirty (<1% soil) s Porous Tertiary Ice Size v Very fine (<0.5 mm) f Fine (0.5 - <1 mm) m Medium (1-3 mm) c Coarse (3-5 mm) l Large (5-10 mm) y Very Large (>10 mm) Ice coding examples: Lhwf, Amb 
BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping 100 Appendix 2. Data file listing of ecological components of ground reference and verification plots in the Bering Land Bridge National Preserve and Cape Krusenstern National Monument, northwestern Alaska, 2002–2003. Site ID Date

LatDD83

LongDD83

Physiog

Slope

Aspect

Geom Unit

MicroRel

VegClassEcotype Floristic Class Dominant Plants

Microtopo

BELA_T01_01 /10/2002 65.4287 -164.107 R 0 0 Wrln 0 W Riverine Water water W

BELA_T01_02 /10/2002 65.4294 -164.104 R 1 355 Fmraf 2 Bbg Riverine Barrens epilat-agrmac soil-rumex-wilphy DrBELA_T01_03 /10/2002 65.4292 -164.104 R 2 354 Fmoa 3 Hgdl Riverine Barrens epilat-agrmac soil-poa-elymol-fesrub-agrmac-arttil-astsib-descae DrBELA_T01_04 /10/2002 65.4291 -164.104 R 1 0 Fmoa 20 Stow Riverine Moist Tall Willow Shrub salala-astsib salala-salarb-calcan-arttil-astsib-fesrub-elymol Mu

BELA_T01_05 /10/2002 65.4287 -164.104 R 0 0 Fmoi 40 Slcw Riverine Moist Low Willow Shrub salpul-calcan salarb-calcan-betnan-salnip-salpul-vaculi-salala Fh

BELA_T01_06 /10/2002 65.4282 -164.103 R 0 0 Fmoi 30 Slcbe Riverine Moist Dwarf Birch–Willow Shrub betnan-salpul-pyrgra betnan-vaculi-Moss-salpul-calcan-poaarc-petfri Fh

BELA_T01_07 /10/2002 65.4274 -164.100 L 0 0 Fmob 25 Hgwsmb Lowland Sedge–Moss Fen Meadow betnan-vacvit-caraqu Moss-carrar-leddec-caraqu-empnig-vacvit-betnan Plll

BELA_T02_01 /14/2002 65.4723 -164.152 L 0 0 Ob 10 Hgwsmb Lowland Sedge–Moss Fen Meadow caraqu-salfus-sphag Moss-eriang-potpal-calcan-erisch-petfri-salfus N

BELA_T02_02 /14/2002 65.4713 -164.155 P 0 0 Ltnc 15 Hgmbh Lacustrine Moist Bluejoint Meadow calcan-rumarc Moss-calcan-petfri-poaarc-polacu-arttil-rumarc N

BELA_T02_03 /14/2002 65.4711 -164.155 P 0 0 Wlsi 0 Hgwfg Lacustrine Grass Marsh caraqu-calpal arcful-calnat-calpal-hipvul-myrspi-ranhyp-potam W

BELA_T02_04 /14/2002 65.4728 -164.157 L 0 0 Ob 10 Hgwsmb Lowland Sedge–Moss Fen Meadow caraqu-salfus-sphag Moss-caraqu-carcho-salfus-eriang-erisch-calcan N

BELA_T02_05 /14/2002 65.4736 -164.150 L 0 0 Ltic 25 Slcbw Lowland Moist Dwarf Birch–Willow Shrub betnan-salpul-pyrgra Moss-betnan-salpul-petfri-pyrgra-calcan-empnig Mi

BELA_T02_06 /14/2002 65.4779 -164.151 L 0 0 Ltic 30 Slcbe Lowland Wet Dwarf Birch–Ericaceous Shrub betnan-vacvit-caraqu Moss-betnan-leddec-vaculi-vacvit-Lichen-empnig Fh

BELA_T02_07 /14/2002 65.4848 -164.143 L 0 0 Ob 25 Hgwsmb Lowland Sedge–Moss Fen Meadow caraqu-salfus-sphag Moss-caraqu-carrar-erisch-vaculi-leddec-oxymic Plll

BELA_T02_08 /14/2002 U 0 0 Ell 25 Slott Upland Moist Dwarf Birch–Tussock Shrub erivag-betnan Lichen-Moss-erivag-leddec-betnan-empnig-vacvit

BELA_T02_09 /14/2002 65.4836 -164.134 L 0 0 Ob 5 Hgwsb Lowland Sedge Fen Meadow caraqu-carcho water-Moss-caraqu-erisch-carrot-utrvul-carcho-salf

BELA_T03_01 /10/2002 65.5524 -163.698 U 0 0 Vmo 30 Hbl Upland Dry Lichen betnan-leddec-loipro Lichen-cargla-castet-empnig-leddec-loipro-Moss Mrb

BELA_T03_02 /10/2002 65.5531 -163.696 U 0 0 Vmo 100 Slobe Upland Moist Dwarf Birch–Ericaceous Shrub betnan-leddec-loipro Lichen-leddec-loipro-betnan-Moss-vaculi-vacvit Mrm

BELA_T03_03 /10/2002 65.5568 -163.689 U 0 0 Vmo 75 Hbl Upland Dry Lichen betnan-leddec-loipro Lichen-Moss-empnig-fesrub-hiealp-loipro-potfru Mrb

BELA_T03_04 /10/2002 65.5597 -163.680 L 0 0 Ell 50 Slobw Lowland Moist Dwarf Birch–Willow Shrub betnan-salpul-pyrgra betnan-vaculi-Moss-salpul-Lichen-carbig-leddec Mrm

BELA_T03_05 /10/2002 65.5595 -163.678 U 0 0 Ob 20 Hgmt Upland Moist Dwarf Birch–Tussock Shrub erivag-betnan Moss-erivag-betnan-carbig-empnig-leddec-rubcha

BELA_T04_01 /13/2002 65.3838 -163.692 L 13 40 Ch 15 Stca Lowland Moist Tall Alder–Willow Shrub alncri-salpul-rubarc alncri-Moss-equarv-salpul-calcan-lycann-valcap Mu

BELA_T04_02 /13/2002 65.3845 -163.695 L 6 40 Ch 15 Stca Lowland Moist Tall Alder–Willow Shrub alncri-salpul-rubarc alncri-equarv-salpul-Moss-calcan-petfri-rubarc Mu

BELA_T04_03 /13/2002 65.3839 -163.696 U 12 50 Ch 15 Hgmsw Upland Moist Sedge–Dryas Meadow betnan-salpul-pyrgra Moss-carbig-salric-vaculi-Lichen-arcalp-betnan Mu

BELA_T04_04 /13/2002 65.3830 -163.7 L 8 35 Ch 10 Stcw Lowland Moist Low and Tall Willow Shrub salpul-calcan salpul-Moss-artarc-vaculi-betnan-fesalt-lycann Mu

BELA_T04_05 /13/2002 65.3815 -163.715 L 10 50 Ch 20 Stow Lowland Moist Low and Tall Willow Shrub salpul-calcan salpul-Moss-equarv-artarc-calcan-valcap-dodfri Mu

BELA_T04_06 /13/2002 65.3814 -163.721 U 8 10 Ch 25 Hgmss Upland Moist Sedge–Dryas Meadow dryint-carbig-senatr Moss-carbig-dryint-salret-equarv-salric-Lichen MuBELA_T04_07 /13/2002 65.3648 -163.723 U 17 280 Ch 10 Stoa Upland Moist Tall Alder Shrub alncri-salpul-rubarc alncri-calcan-salpul-equarv-arttil-Moss-galbor Mu

BELA_T04_08 /13/2002 65.3619 -163.717 A 32 220 Sc 10 Sddt Alpine Alkaline Dry Dryas Shrub dryoct-potuni dryoct-Lichen-artem-saxopp-carnar-Moss-oxynig Mu

BELA_T05_01 /10/2002 65.2855 -163.716 A 9 253 Ch 20 Bpv Alpine Nonalkaline Dry Barrens dryoct-salphl-hiealp soil-Lichen-carpod-castet-empnig-loipro-salphl-luz Fs

BELA_T05_02 /10/2002 65.2911 -163.727 A 10 284 Ch 20 Sdds Alpine Nonalkaline Dry Dryas Shrub dryoct-salphl-hiealp soil-Lichen-carpod-salphl-castet-Moss-luzul-empnig Dt

BELA_T05_03 /10/2002 65.2971 -163.741 A 12 240 Ch 50 Hbl Alpine Nonalkaline Dry Barrens dryoct-salphl-hiealp Lichen-carpod-castet-empnig-loipro-minmac-Moss N

BELA_T05_04 /10/2002 65.2949 -163.752 A 20 220 Cs 10 Sdds Alpine Nonalkaline Dry Dryas Shrub dryoct-salphl-hiealp dryoct-salphl-carpod-Lichen-anemo-anten-fesrub N

BELA_T06_01 /15/2002 65.3429 -162.812 U 5 90 Ch 10 Slobe Upland Moist Dwarf Birch–Ericaceous Shrub betnan-leddec-loipro Lichen-betnan-vaculi-Moss-arcalp-carbig-vacvit N

BELA_T06_02 /15/2002 65.3432 -162.811 L 5 90 Ch 30 Stoa Lowland Moist Tall Alder–Willow Shrub alncri-salpul-rubarc alncri-salpul-arttil-Moss-calcan-angluc-rubste Ds

BELA_T06_03 /15/2002 65.2767 -162.835 A 30 122 Ch 40 Hbl Alpine Nonalkaline Dry Barrens dryoct-salphl-hiealp Lichen-arcalp-Moss Mrb

BELA_T06_04 /15/2002 65.2769 -162.835 A 0 0 Wldim 0 W Alpine Lake water WBELA_T06_05 /15/2002 65.2774 -162.834 A 1 188 Ch 30 Sdec Alpine Nonalkaline Dry Dryas Shrub dryoct-salphl-hiealp Lichen-loipro-salphl-castet-carbig-Moss-anemul Mrb

BELA_T06_06 /15/2002 65.2795 -162.831 L 0 0 Ob 25 Hgmss outlier dryint-carbig-senatr Moss-Lichen-betnan-caraqu-vaculi-vacvit-carbig Mu

BELA_T06_07 /15/2002 65.2778 -162.825 A 0 0 Ch 25 Sdds Upland Moist Dryas–Sedge Shrub dryoct-salphl-hiealp Lichen-dryoct-salphl-vaculi-loipro-Moss-carpet Mrm

BELA_T06_08 /15/2002 65.2812 -162.819 U 10 340 Ch 20 Slow Upland Moist Low Willow Shrub salgla-dryint salpul-Lichen-dryoct-Moss-salarc-carbig-castet Ds

BELA_T06_09 /15/2002 65.2833 -162.823 A 6 5 Ch 100 Hbl Alpine Nonalkaline Dry Barrens dryoct-salphl-hiealp Lichen-soil MrbBELA_T06_10 /15/2002 65.286 -162.825 U 6 90 Ch 20 Sdet Upland Moist Dwarf Birch–Ericaceous Shrub betnan-leddec-loipro Lichen-loipro-arcalp-vaculi-empnig-carbig-carpod Mrm

BELA_T07a_01 /13/2002 65.5051 -163.566 U 0 0 Vmy 30 Hbl Upland Dry Lichen betnan-leddec-loipro Lichen-empnig-loipro-alncri-carex-leddec-Moss Mrb

BELA_T07a_02 /13/2002 65.5051 -163.566 U 0 0 Vmy 50 Hbl Upland Dry Lichen betnan-leddec-loipro Lichen-betnan-loipro-alncri-empnig-vaculi-hiealp N
101 BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping

Appendix 2. Continued.

Site ID Date

LatDD83

LongDD83

Physiog

Slope

Aspect

Geom Unit

MicroRel

VegClassEcotype Floristic Class Dominant Plants

Microtopo

BELA_T08_01 /13/2002 65.6670 -164.269 A 0 0 Sc 5 Bpv Alpine Alkaline Dry Barrens dryoct-potuni soil-Lichen-dryoct-saxopp-carex-oxyarc-oxynig-phls N

BELA_T08_02 /13/2002 65.6674 -164.272 A 8 295 Ch 20 Sddl Alpine Alkaline Dry Dryas Shrub dryint-rholap Lichen-dryint-Moss-castet-salarc-arcrub-potbif FfBELA_T08_03 /13/2002 65.6667 -164.265 A 4 120 Ch 30 Sddl Alpine Alkaline Dry Dryas Shrub dryint-rholap Lichen-dryint-eritr-Moss-salarc-arcrub-carbig FfBELA_T08_04 /13/2002 65.6606 -164.266 A 8 170 Ch Bpv Alpine Alkaline Dry Barrens dryoct-potuni soil-dryoct-Lichen-Moss-carex-carrup-potuni-anemo FfBELA_T08_05 /13/2002 65.6572 -164.263 U 12 110 Ch 35 Slow Upland Moist Low Willow Shrub salgla-dryint salret-salgla-equarv-salric-dryint-Moss-salpul MwBELA_T09_01 /11/2002 65.7655 -164.192 A 15 120 Ch 5 Bpv Alpine Alkaline Dry Barrens dryoct-potuni soil-dryoct-Lichen-kobre-potuni-saxopp-Moss-oxynig N

BELA_T09_02 /11/2002 65.7645 -164.188 A 25 120 Ch 5 Sddl Alpine Alkaline Dry Dryas Shrub dryoct-potuni dryoct-Lichen-phlsib-arcrub-artfur-carex-castet N

BELA_T09_03 /11/2002 65.7658 -164.187 A 10 20 Ch 5 Sddt Alpine Alkaline Dry Dryas Shrub dryint-rholap dryint-Moss-Lichen-arcrub-salarc-equarv-potbif NBELA_T09_04 /11/2002 65.7639 -164.179 U 20 120 Cs 15 Sdds Upland Moist Dryas–Sedge Shrub dryint-rholap dryint-Lichen-Moss-salarc-arcrub-castet-rholap FtBELA_T09_05 /11/2002 65.7629 -164.167 L 10 80 Ch 10 Slcw Lowland Moist Low and Tall Willow Shrub salric-fesalt equarv-salhas-Moss-salret-fesalt-potfru-aneric N

BELA_T10_01 /11/2002 65.8393 -164.038 R 0 0 Wrun W Riverine Water water W

BELA_T10_02 /11/2002 65.8393 -164.037 R 3 350 Fmrac 5 Bbg Riverine Barrens epilat-agrmac soil-carbig-epilat-salhas-stehum DcBELA_T10_03 /11/2002 65.8386 -164.038 R 1 355 Fmrac 10 Bpv Riverine Barrens epilat-agrmac soil-fesrub-oxybor-Moss-artarc-salala-trispi-agrop DcBELA_T10_04 /11/2002 65.8382 -164.037 R 0 0 Fmoi 0 Slcw Riverine Moist Low Willow Shrub salala-astsib Moss-salala-salric-salnip-rubarc-salarb-salgla NBELA_T10_05 /11/2002 65.8378 -164.036 R 0 0 Fmoi 20 Slow Riverine Moist Low Willow Shrub salala-astsib Moss-salala-carbig-salgla-betnan-salpul-salret FhBELA_T10_06 /11/2002 65.8374 -164.034 L 0 0 Fmob 30 Hgwsb outlier betnan-salpul-pyrgra Moss-eriang-carbig-carsax-eriop-betnan-salret FhBELA_T10_07 /11/2002 65.8349 -164.024 U 3 350 Ch 30 Hgmt Upland Moist Dwarf Birch–Tussock Shrub erivag-betnan Moss-Lichen-erivag-empnig-leddec-betnan-carbig N

BELA_T10_08 /11/2002 65.836 -164.036 R 0 0 Fmoi 15 Hgmss outlier dryint-carbig-senatr Moss-carbig-eriang-dryint-salret-salhas-arcrub Fh

BELA_T11_01 /15/2002 65.8391 -163.498 A 4 300 Sc 5 Sddt Alpine Alkaline Dry Dryas Shrub dryoct-potuni soil-dryoct-Lichen-carex (2%)-oxyarc-saxopp-artsen N

BELA_T11_02 /15/2002 65.8376 -163.495 A 12 50 Sc 5 Bpv Alpine Alkaline Dry Barrens dryoct-potuni soil-dryoct-Lichen-hedmac-oxyarc-potuni-anemul-arc N

BELA_T11_03 /15/2002 65.8407 -163.510 U 8 310 Ch 30 Hgmss Upland Moist Sedge–Dryas Meadow dryint-carbig-senatr Moss-Lichen-salarc-carsci-arcrub-carmem-rholap Mu

BELA_T11_04 /15/2002 65.8396 -163.518 L 12 310 Ch 30 Slow Lowland Moist Low and Tall Willow Shrub salric-fesalt salret-Moss-salric-arcrub-dryint-equarv-fesalt Mg

BELA_T11_05 /15/2002 65.8400 -163.52 R 2 190 Fhmo 10 Slow Riverine Moist Low Willow Shrub salric-fesalt Moss-salgla-arcrub-fesalt-betnan-potfru-salret N

BELA_T11_06 /15/2002 65.8399 -163.520 R 2 180 Wrun 0 W Riverine Water water WBELA_T11_07 /15/2002 65.8367 -163.527 U 10 120 Ch 40 Hgmsd Upland Moist Sedge–Dryas Meadow dryint-carbig-senatr Moss-dryint-saxopp-salarc-arcrub-caratr-carrot Mg

BELA_T11_08 /15/2002 65.8328 -163.519 L 4 290 Ch 20 Stow Lowland Moist Low and Tall Willow Shrub salric-fesalt Moss-salric-fesalt-polacu-salret-equarv-anepar FhBELA_T11_09 /15/2002 65.8337 -163.518 U 5 270 Ch 10 Hgmsd Upland Moist Sedge–Dryas Meadow dryint-carbig-senatr dryint-Moss-Lichen-salarc-andpol-arcrub-carmem Fs

BELA_T12_01 /15/2002 65.8338 -164.546 A 0 0 Ch 15 Bpv Alpine Nonalkaline Dry Barrens dryoct-salphl-hiealp soil-Lichen-dryoct-carbig-salphl-saxif-silaca-anem N

BELA_T12_02 /15/2002 65.8347 -164.542 A 25 40 Ch 30 Bpv Alpine Nonalkaline Dry Barrens dryoct-salphl-hiealp soil-Lichen-Moss-salphl-castet-dialap-dryoct-geugl MrbBELA_T12_03 /15/2002 65.8368 -164.539 A 6 45 Ch 20 Sddl Alpine Nonalkaline Dry Dryas Shrub dryoct-salphl-hiealp Lichen-dryoct-castet-Moss-dialap-carbig-geugla Mrm

BELA_T12_04 /15/2002 65.8381 -164.538 L 6 54 Ch 25 Hgwswt outlier caraqu-salfus-sphag Moss-eriang-salret-salarc-caraqu-salpul-petfri Mrm

BELA_T12_05 /15/2002 65.8388 -164.541 U 2 50 Cs 35 Slobe Upland Moist Dwarf Birch–Ericaceous Shrub betnan-vacvit-caraqu Moss-Lichen-eriang-betnan-caraqu-salarc-erirus Mi

BELA_T12_06 /15/2002 65.8408 -164.536 U 6 80 Cs 40 Slobe Upland Moist Dwarf Birch–Ericaceous Shrub betnan-leddec-loipro Lichen-Moss-betnan-vaculi-carbig-leddec-salarc Mi

BELA_T12_07 /15/2002 65.8443 -164.531 L 10 40 Cs 40 Sdev outlier betnan-salpul-pyrgra Moss-Lichen-vaculi-castet-salpul-vacvit-carpod Mi

BELA_T13_01 /12/2002 66.0191 -165.175 L 0 0 Ltim 20 Slobe Lowland Wet Dwarf Birch–Ericaceous Shrub betnan-vacvit-caraqu Moss-leddec-vacvit-betnan-Lichen-rubcha-erivag Mt

BELA_T13_02 /12/2002 66.0161 -165.170 L 0 0 20 Hgwsbt Lowland Wet Dwarf Birch–Ericaceous Shrub betnan-vacvit-caraqu Moss-caraqu-Lichen-leddec-empnig-betnan-rubcha FhBELA_T13_03 /12/2002 66.0147 -165.169 L 15 320 Cs 30 Slobw Lowland Moist Dwarf Birch–Willow Shrub betnan-salpul-pyrgra Moss-betnan-Lichen-empnig-leddec-salpul-vacvit Mt

BELA_T13_04 /12/2002 66.0123 -165.168 U 0 0 Ell 30 Slobe Upland Moist Dwarf Birch–Ericaceous Shrub betnan-vacvit-caraqu Lichen(50)-Moss-leddec-empnig-vacvit-rubcha-erivag Tm

BELA_T13_05 /12/2002 66.011 -165.165 U 12 160 Ell 20 Slcbe Upland Moist Dwarf Birch–Ericaceous Shrub betnan-vacvit-caraqu Moss-betnan-leddec-vacvit-Lichen-carbig-erivag N

BELA_T13_06 /12/2002 66.0081 -165.160 L 0 0 Ob 5 Hgwsmb Lowland Sedge–Moss Fen Meadow caraqu-salfus-sphag Moss-caraqu-eriang-leddec-Lichen-betnan-vaculi W

BELA_T13_07 /12/2002 66.0085 -165.152 L 7 1 Cs 0 Slcw Lowland Moist Low and Tall Willow Shrub salpul-calcan Moss-equarv-salpul-eriang-vaculi-arclat-betnan NBELA_T13_08 /12/2002 66.0088 -165.152 P 0 0 Wlsit W Lowland Lake caraqu-calpal water-arcful-caraqu-eriang-hipvul-Moss-potpal W

BELA_T14_01 /14/2002 66.0771 -165.209 R 0 0 Wrln W Riverine Water water NBELA_T14_02 /14/2002 66.0772 -165.209 R 2 160 Fmoa 4 Bbg Riverine Barrens epilat-agrmac soil-salpul-Moss-agrbor-calam-elymol-epilat-salala DrBELA_T14_03 /14/2002 66.0774 -165.210 R 0 0 Fmoa 3 Hgdl Riverine Barrens epilat-agrmac elymol-salbar-salala-salpul-arttil-epiang-agrbor DrBELA_T14_04 /14/2002 66.0776 -165.21 R 0 0 Fmoa 2 Stcaw Riverine Moist Tall Alder–Willow Shrub alncri-salbar salbar-alncri-arclat-salala-Moss-salarb-salpul N

BELA_T14_05 /14/2003 66.0776 -165.21 R 0 0 Fmoi 5 Stca Riverine Moist Tall Alder–Willow Shrub alncri-salbar alncri-arclat-Moss-petfri-arttil-Lichen-salala N
BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping 102 Appendix 2. Continued. Site ID Date

LatDD83

LongDD83

Physiog

Slope

Aspect

Geom Unit

MicroRel

VegClassEcotype Floristic Class Dominant Plants

Microtopo

BELA_T14_06 /14/2002 66.0778 -165.21 R 0 0 Fmoi 10 Stoa Riverine Moist Tall Alder–Willow Shrub alncri-salbar alncri-arclat-Moss-petfri-salnip-salarb-salric Mu

BELA_T14_07 /14/2002 66.0781 -165.209 R 0 0 Fmoi 25 Slobw Riverine Moist Dwarf Birch–Willow Shrub betnan-salpul-pyrgra Moss-salpul-carbig-erivag-salgla-rubcha-arcrub FhBELA_T14_08 /14/2002 66.0788 -165.209 L 0 0 Fmob 30 Slobw Lowland Moist Dwarf Birch–Willow Shrub betnan-salpul-pyrgra Moss-salpul-caraqu-eriang-betnan-vaculi-alncri Mu

BELA_T14_09 /14/2002 66.0799 -165.307 L 0 0 Fmob 10 Slobb Lowland Wet Dwarf Birch–Ericaceous Shrub caraqu-salfus-sphag Moss-caraqu-andpol-eriang-salpul-betnan-chacal Mu

BELA_T14_10 /14/2002 66.0802 -165.207 R 0 0 Fmoi 15 Slcbw Riverine Moist Dwarf Birch–Willow Shrub betnan-salpul-pyrgra salpul-Moss-petfri-arclat-betnan-vaculi-rubcha MuBELA_T14_11 /14/2002 66.081 -165.206 L 0 0 Fmob 3 Hgwsb Lowland Sedge Fen Meadow caraqu-carcho Moss-caraqu-carcho-eriang-carex-carmem-andpol Plll

BELA_T14_12 /12/2002 66.0819 -165.206 L 0 0 Fmob 0 Hgwsb Lowland Sedge Fen Meadow caraqu-carcho Moss-caraqu-carcho-erirus-potpal-dupfis-eriang WBELA_T14_13 /14/2002 66.0823 -165.208 R 0 0 Wldir 0 W Riverine Water water WBELA_T16_01 /12/2002 66.283 -165.293 P 0 0 Of 5 Hgwsb Lowland Sedge Fen Meadow caraqu-calpal eriang-Moss-calpal-caraqu-calcan-ranpal-rumarc NBELA_T16_02 /12/2002 66.2846 -165.296 L 0 0 Ob 30 Hgwsmb Lowland Sedge–Moss Fen Meadow caraqu-salfus-sphag Moss-caraqu-andpol-erirus-betnan-carrot-empnig Plll

BELA_T16_03 /12/2002 66.2862 -165.303 L 0 0 Of 5 Hgwfs Lowland Sedge Fen Meadow caraqu-carcho caraqu-eriang-erirus-mentri-salfus-pedpen N

BELA_T16_04 /12/2002 66.2883 -165.309 U 0 0 Ltic 20 Hgmt Upland Moist Dwarf Birch–Tussock Shrub erivag-betnan Lichen-leddec-Moss-erivag-vacvit-empnig-rubcha

BELA_T16_05 /12/2002 66.2919 -165.316 L 0 0 Ltim 25 Slcbe Lowland Wet Dwarf Birch–Ericaceous Shrub betnan-vacvit-caraqu betnan-leddec-empnig-Moss-vacvit-vaculi-Lichen M

BELA_T16_06 /12/2002 66.2932 -165.323 L 0 0 Ltic 15 Hgwsbt Lowland Wet Dwarf Birch–Ericaceous Shrub betnan-vacvit-caraqu Lichen-Moss-caraqu-betnan-empnig-rubcha-leddec Plll

BELA_T17_01 /14/2002 66.1951 -164.086 C 0 0 Wertg 0 W Coastal Water salt water W

BELA_T17_02 /14/2002 66.1951 -164.087 C 0 0 Mta 10 Bbg Coastal Barrens carram-pucphr soil-carsub-Moss-chrarc-elymol-potege-stehum NBELA_T17_03 /14/2002 66.1953 -164.087 C 0 0 Mti 15 Hgwhss Coastal Saline Wet Sedge–Grass Meadow carram-pucphr carram-carsub-chrarc-potege-algae-stehum-chrarc Mu

BELA_T17_04 /14/2002 66.1956 -164.084 C 0 0 Mta 10 Hgwhsgb Coastal Saline Wet Sedge–Grass Meadow carram-pucphr chrarc-caldes-carsub-elymol-pucphr-carram-stehum N

BELA_T17_05 /14/2002 66.1964 -164.085 C 0 0 Mti 15 Hgwhsgs Coastal Saline Wet Sedge–Grass Meadow carram-pucphr carram-pucphr-chrarc-potege-elymol-stehum N

BELA_T17_06 /14/2002 66.1984 -164.084 C 0 0 Welt W Coastal Water water W

BELA_T17_07 /14/2002 66.2003 -164.085 C 0 0 Mti 45 Hgwhsgb Coastal Saline Wet Sedge–Grass Meadow carram-pucphr carram-pucphr-chrarc-potege-elymol-stehum Mu

BELA_T17_08 /14/2002 66.2002 -164.091 C 0 0 Mti 45 Hgwhsgs Coastal Saline Wet Sedge–Grass Meadow carram-pucphr carram-potege-elymol-chrarc-pucphr-stehum NBELA_T17_09 /14/2002 66.2001 -164.093 C 0 0 Mti 45 Hgwhsgs Coastal Saline Wet Sedge–Grass Meadow carram-pucphr potege-carram-caldes-chrarc-elymol-pucphr-saunud N

BELA_T18_01 /11/2002 66.5911 -163.814 C 0 0 Wmn 0 W Coastal Water water W

BELA_T18_02 /11/2002 66.5908 -163.814 C 2 340 Mba 0 Bbg Coastal Barrens soil-Moss NBELA_T18_03 /12/2002 66.59 -163.814 C 10 10 Esac 50 Bpv Coastal Barrens elymol-latmar soil-elymol-honpep-Moss-arttil-fesrub-latmar-salov EsBELA_T18_04 /12/2002 66.5903 -163.814 C 0 0 Esac 40 Bpv outlier elymol-latmar soil-Moss-junarc-arttil-astsib-casti-cocoff-elymol EbBELA_T18_05 /12/2002 66.589 -163.816 U 5 180 Esic 100 Sdee Upland Dry Crowberry Shrub empnig-elymol Lichen-empnig-Moss-potuni-vaculi-elymol-betnan EsBELA_T18_06 /12/2002 66.5866 -163.818 U 0 0 Esic 100 Sdee Upland Dry Crowberry Shrub empnig-elymol Lichen-empnig-Moss-betnan-vacvit-arcalp-leddec EsBELA_T18_07 /12/2002 66.5864 -163.82 L 3 180 Ob 30 Hgmss/Sloe outlier betnan-vacvit-caraqu Lichen-Moss-caraqu-salpul-vacvit-vaculi-betnan FhBELA_T18_08 /12/2002 66.5852 -163.814 L 0 0 Of 30 Hgwsb Lowland Sedge Fen Meadow caraqu-carcho caraqu-eriang-carcho-erirus-Moss-carmem-salfus NBELA_T18_09 /12/2002 66.5843 -163.814 P 0 0 Wlsi 0 W Lowland Lake water WBELA_T19_01 /11/2002 66.4695 -163.842 L 0 0 Ltnc 20 Slobw Lowland Moist Dwarf Birch–Willow Shrub betnan-salpul-pyrgra salpul-betnan-eriang-Moss-caraqu-casele-empnig N

BELA_T19_02 /11/2002 66.4704 -163.845 L 0 0 Ltnm 20 Sloeb Lowland Wet Dwarf Birch–Ericaceous Shrub betnan-vacvit-caraqu Moss-caraqu-vaculi-empnig-betnan-vacvit-andpol N

BELA_T19_03 /11/2002 66.4723 -163.851 L 0 0 Ob 60 Slobe outlier betnan-leddec-loipro Lichen-Moss-betnan-leddec-vacvit-erivag-rubcha Phh

BELA_T19_04 /11/2002 66.4716 -163.86 P 0 0 Ltnc 20 Hgmbh Lacustrine Moist Bluejoint Meadow calcan-rumarc Moss-calcan-petfri-valcap-poaarc-arnalp-caraqu NBELA_T19_05 /11/2002 66.471 -163.869 L 0 0 Of 30 Hgwsb Lowland Sedge Fen Meadow caraqu-carcho water-eriang-Moss-caraqu-erirus-andpol-betnan-carm PlllBELA_T19_06 /11/2002 66.4669 -163.876 P 0 0 Ltnm 10 Hgwfs Lacustrine Sedge Marsh caraqu-calpal caraqu-eriang-potpal-Moss-salfus-polacu FBELA_T21_01 /12/2002 66.4484 -165.246 C 0 0 Mta 5 Hgwhsgb Coastal Brackish Wet Sedge–Grass Meadow salova-descae Moss-carram-descae-caldes-caramb-saxexi-pedsud N

BELA_T21_02 /12/2002 66.4480 -165.248 C 0 0 Welsc 0 W Coastal Water water W

BELA_T21_03 /13/2002 66.4491 -165.257 C 2 340 Mba 5 Bbg Coastal Barrens soil NBELA_T21_04 /13/2002 66.4485 -165.256 C 0 0 Mti 15 Hgwhgb Coastal Brackish Wet Sedge–Grass Meadow salova-descae salova-caldes-arclat-carram-dupfis-Moss-junalb Mu

BELA_T21_05 /13/2002 66.448 -165.262 C 0 0 Esac 50 Hgdl Coastal Dry Dunegrass Meadow elymol-latmar litteralone-elymol-arttil-chrbip-descae-Moss-carbi Es

BELA_T21_06 /13/2002 66.4448 -165.26 C 0 0 Mti 5 Hgwswt outlier salova-descae carbig-Moss-salova-descae-dupfis-eriang-carcan

BELA_T21_07 /13/2002 66.4425 -165.263 C 0 0 Mti 2 Hgwhsgb Coastal Brackish Wet Sedge–Grass Meadow carram-pucphr carram-caldes-descae-stehum-poten N

BELA_T21_08 /13/2002 66.4413 -165.264 U 1 130 Esic 20 Sdee Upland Dry Crowberry Shrub empnig-elymol empnig-salova-Lichen-latmar-Moss-casele-elymol EsBELA_T21_09 /13/2002 66.4417 -165.266 U 1 120 Esic 60 Sdee Upland Dry Crowberry Shrub empnig-elymol empnig-Lichen-elymol-latmar-Moss-armmar-chrbip Es
103 BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping

Appendix 2. Continued.

Site ID Date

LatDD83

LongDD83

Physiog

Slope

Aspect

Geom Unit

MicroRel

VegClassEcotype Floristic Class Dominant Plants

Microtopo

BELA_T21_10 /13/2002 66.4415 -165.267 P 0 0 Wlsid Hafm Lacustrine Marestail Marsh hipvul-potam water-hipvul-calpal-rumarc-potam W

CAKR_T01_01 /11/2003 67.1327 -162.905 L 6 140 Ch 80 Fnwws Upland Moist Spruce Forest picgla-salpul Moss-salpul-carbig-picgla-salric-betnan-petfri MuCAKR_T01_02 /11/2003 67.1351 -162.908 U 23 150 Ch 40 Fnows Upland Moist Spruce Forest picgla-salpul Moss-picgla-salgla-arcalp-potfru-salpul-dryint MgCAKR_T01_03 /11/2003 67.1366 -162.907 A 24 150 Ch 60 Sddt Alpine Alkaline Dry Dryas Shrub dryoct-potuni dryoct-Moss-Lichen-picgla-potfru-aneric-juncom MgCAKR_T01_04 /11/2003 67.1381 -162.910 A 15 125 Sc 5 Bpv Alpine Alkaline Dry Barrens dryint-rholap soil-dryint-saxopp-Lichen-minarc-oxynig-anepar-art NCAKR_T01_05 /11/2003 67.1429 -162.912 L 5 10 Ch 70 Fnows Upland Moist Spruce Forest picgla-salpul Moss-equarv-picgla-petfri-rubcha-salpul-salric Mu -thCAKR_T02_01 /11/2003 67.1455 -163.033 U 6 200 Ch 25 Hgmss Upland Moist Sedge–Dryas Meadow dryint-equarv Moss-dryint-salret-carlug-Lichen-equarv-salgla MtCAKR_T02_02 /11/2003 67.1466 -163.032 U 16 220 Ch 40 Stoa Upland Moist Tall Alder Shrub alncri-salpul-rubarc alncri-arclat-galbor-merpan-caratr-epiang-equarv Mg

CAKR_T02_03 /11/2003 67.1471 -163.031 U 26 200 Ch 50 Sddt outlier dryint-rholap dryint-rholap-salret-arcrub-potfru-salgla-vaculi Mg

CAKR_T02_04 /11/2003 67.1474 -163.026 A 26 200 Ct 25 Bpv Alpine Alkaline Dry Barrens dryoct-potuni soil-dryoct-carpet-hedmac-artfur-minarc-phlsib-pot N

CAKR_T02_05 /11/2003 67.1498 -163.020 A 8 100 Bxw 15 Sddt Alpine Alkaline Dry Dryas Shrub dryoct-potuni dryoct-Lichen-hedmac-oxybry-carpet-saxopp-andcha N

CAKR_T02_06 /11/2003 67.1548 -163.018 U 23 10 Ch 40 Sddl Alpine Alkaline Dry Dryas Shrub dryint-rholap dryala-Lichen-carsci-castet-hedalp-arcrub-salarc Rm

CAKR_T02_07 /11/2003 67.1560 -163.017 U 3 5 Ch 40 Sddf Lowland Moist Dryas–Forb Shrub dryint-equarv Moss-dryint-equarv-carbig-arcrub-salarc-salret FhCAKR_T04_01 /16/2003 67.0849 -163.484 C 3 350 Mba 5 Hgdl Coastal Dry Dunegrass Meadow elymol-latmar elymol-latmar-festu-poaarc-bromu-arttil-cnicni NCAKR_T04_02 /16/2003 67.0856 -163.475 L 0 0 Fdob 50 Sdee Lowland Wet Dwarf Birch–Ericaceous Shrub betnan-vacvit-caraqu Moss-empnig-betnan-vacvit-carrar-rubcha-salova Fh

CAKR_T04_03 /16/2003 67.0894 -163.472 C 0 0 Mti 10 Hgwhsb Coastal Brackish Wet Sedge–Grass Meadow carram-dupfis carram-cocoff-dupfis-poaarc-stehum-caraqu-salfus N

CAKR_T04_04 /16/2003 67.0903 -163.473 C 0 0 Mti 5 Hgwhsb Coastal Brackish Wet Sedge–Grass Meadow carram-dupfis carram-stehum-cocoff-calhol-cheno-dupfis-chrbip N

CAKR_T04_05 /16/2003 67.0905 -163.473 C 0 0 Wert 0 W Coastal Water water W

CAKR_T04_06 /16/2003 67.0903 -163.477 C 0 0 Wels 0 W Coastal Water water WCAKR_T04_07 /16/2003 67.0937 -163.485 C 0 0 Mti 5 Hgwhsgb Coastal Brackish Wet Sedge–Grass Meadow carram-dupfis carram-calhol-dupfis-salova-stehum-cocoff-potege N

CAKR_T05_00 /16/2003 67.0906 -163.568 C 0 0 Mba Bbg Coastal Barrens soil n

CAKR_T05_01 /16/2003 67.0907 -163.567 C 0 0 Mba 5 Hgdl Coastal Dry Dunegrass Meadow elymol-latmar elymol-latmar-arttil-cnicni-fesrub-honpep-mermar nCAKR_T05_02 /16/2003 67.0909 -163.567 U 0 0 Mbi Hfd Outlier elymol-latmar Moss-fesrub-latmar-buptri-cascau-conchi-epilat nCAKR_T05_03 /16/2003 67.0938 -163.565 U 0 0 Mbi 10 Sdee Upland Dry Crowberry Shrub empnig-elymol Lichen-empnig-arcrub-Moss-epilat-elymol-salret nCAKR_T05_04 /15/2003 67.0887 -163.532 U 0 0 Mbi 10 Sdee outlier betnan-leddec-loipro empnig-Lichen-Moss-saxtri-vaculi-betnan-epilat PhlCAKR_T06_01 /14/2003 67.2697 -163.67 L 0 0 Of 0 Hgwsb Lowland Sedge Fen Meadow caraqu-carcho caraqu-carcho-Moss-eriang-carmem-erirus-utrmac NCAKR_T06_02 /14/2003 67.1834 -163.597 L 0 0 Ob 10 Hgwsmb Lowland Sedge–Moss Fen Meadow caraqu-salfus-sphag Moss-caraqu-betnan-salpul-eriang-carrar-erirus N

CAKR_T06_03 /14/2003 67.1847 -163.596 P 0 0 Of 0 Hgwsb Lowland Sedge Fen Meadow caraqu-calpal potpal-caraqu-calpal-eriang-ranpal-calcan-salpul N

CAKR_T06_04 /14/2003 67.1856 -163.595 P 0 0 Wldit W Lowland Lake water WCAKR_T06_05 /14/2003 67.1832 -163.614 L 0 0 Ltic 0 Slobe Lowland Moist Dwarf Birch–Willow Shrub betnan-salpul-pyrgra Moss-betnan-vacvit-leddec-petfri-salpul-vaculi N

CAKR_T06_06 /14/2003 67.1840 -163.613 P 0 0 Wldit 0 Hafm Lacustrine Marestail Marsh water-hipvul w

CAKR_T06_07 /14/2003 67.1865 -163.610 L 0 0 Of 0 Hgwsb Lowland Sedge Fen Meadow caraqu-carcho eriang-caraqu-carcho-erirus-utrmac-pedic NCAKR_T06_08 /14/2003 67.1877 -163.611 L 0 0 Ob 0 Slobe Lowland Wet Dwarf Birch–Ericaceous Shrub betnan-vacvit-caraqu Moss-betnan-vacvit-leddec-vaculi-empnig-Lichen Mpm

CAKR_T06_09 /14/2003 67.1897 -163.620 L 0 0 Ob 20 Slobb Lowland Wet Dwarf Birch–Ericaceous Shrub betnan-vacvit-caraqu Moss-caraqu-vaculi-betnan-carrar-empnig-erirus Fh

CAKR_T07_01 /14/2003 67.2721 -163.614 U 1 330 Ch 25 Hgmt Upland Moist Dwarf Birch–Tussock Shrub erivag-betnan Moss-Lichen-leddec-vacvit-carbig-empnig-erivag N

CAKR_T07_02 /14/2003 67.2721 -163.623 U 2 300 Ch 50 Hgmbh outlier calcan-rumarc Moss-calcan-caraqu-petfri-dodfri-equarv-eriang N

CAKR_T07_03 /14/2003 67.273 -163.628 L 1 300 Ch 5 Slcw Lowland Moist Low and Tall Willow Shrub salpul-calcan petfri-salpul-Moss-calcan-equarv-valcap-acodel D

CAKR_T07_04 /14/2003 67.2749 -163.627 R 0 0 Fmric 10 Stcw Riverine Moist Tall Willow Shrub salala-astsib salala-Moss-equarv-salric-petfri-merpan-arttil N

CAKR_T07_05 /14/2003 67.2728 -163.651 U 5 170 Ch 25 Sdds Upland Moist Dryas–Sedge Shrub dryint-rholap dryint-Lichen-Moss-rholap-carsci-arcrub-castet FfCAKR_T07_06 /14/2003 67.273 -163.658 U 3 130 Ch 40 Hgmsd Upland Moist Sedge–Dryas Meadow dryint-carbig-senatr Moss-dryint-Lichen-arcrub-salarc-salret-caraqu Fh

CAKR_T07_07 /14/2003 67.2705 -163.665 A 3 60 Ch 10 Sddt Alpine Alkaline Dry Dryas Shrub dryoct-potuni dryoct-Lichen-anedru-carfra-fesalt-saxopp-carglac N,Ff

CAKR_T08_01 /13/2003 67.3507 -163.721 R 0 0 Wrln 0 W Riverine Water water WCAKR_T08_02 /13/2003 67.3512 -163.723 R 0.5 20 Fmrac 3 Bbg Riverine Barrens epilat-agrmac soil-epilat-salala-allsch-arclat-fesrub-wilphy NCAKR_T08_03 /13/2003 67.3510 -163.724 R 0.5 10 Fmrac 20 Bpv Riverine Barrens epilat-agrmac soil-epilat-salnip-salala-astsib-fesrub-arclat-poa NCAKR_T08_04 /13/2003 67.3507 -163.723 R 0 0 Fmoa 5 Stcw Riverine Moist Tall Willow Shrub salala-astsib salric-salala-Moss-salgla-caraqu-potfru-salnip NCAKR_T08_05 /13/2003 67.3507 -163.724 R 0 0 Fmoi 20 Slow Riverine Moist Low Willow Shrub salric-fesalt arcrub-salric-Moss-salret-salpul-salgla-fesalt NCAKR_T08_06 /13/2003 67.3499 -163.723 R 0 0 Fmoi 20 Slow Riverine Moist Low Willow Shrub salric-fesalt Moss-dryint-salpul-salret-vaculi-arcrub-carbig N
BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping 104 Appendix 2. Continued. Site ID Date

LatDD83

LongDD83

Physiog

Slope

Aspect

Geom Unit

MicroRel

VegClassEcotype Floristic Class Dominant Plants

Microtopo

CAKR_T08_07 /13/2003 67.3491 -163.724 L 0 0 Fmob 25 Slott Upland Moist Dwarf Birch–Tussock Shrub betnan-salpul-pyrgra Moss-betnan-salpul-erivag-rubcha-petfri-carbig N

CAKR_T08_08 /13/2003 67.3480 -163.724 L 0 0 Fmob 40 Hgwsb Lowland Sedge Fen Meadow caraqu-carcho carsax-Moss-carcho-caraqu-carrar-eriang-pedsud Ms

CAKR_T08_09 /13/2003 67.3493 -163.721 R 0 0 Fmoa 35 Stow Riverine Moist Tall Willow Shrub salala-astsib galbor-salnip-arcrub-salala-salret-Moss-equarv Es?CAKR_T08_10 /13/2003 67.3507 -163.721 R 0 0 Fmrif 5 Slow outlier dryint-rholap Moss-salnip-dryint-luparc-epilat-oxybor-potfru NCAKR_T10_01 /13/2003 67.4899 -163.378 A 0 0 Bxw 15 Sddt Alpine Alkaline Dry Dryas Shrub dryoct-potuni dryoct-Lichen-carnar-saxopp-hedmac-andcha-artarc N

CAKR_T10_02 /13/2003 67.4899 -163.382 U 3 200 Ch 30 Hgmss Upland Moist Sedge–Dryas Meadow dryint-equarv Moss-dryint-Lichen-equarv-salret-castet-salarc M

CAKR_T10_03 /13/2003 67.4846 -163.418 L 10 320 Of 20 Stow Lowland Moist Low and Tall Willow Shrub salpul-calcan Moss-salret-petfri-salric-rubarc-salpul-equarv Dt

CAKR_T10_04 /13/2003 67.4841 -163.419 U 6 220 Ch 40 Hgmss Upland Moist Sedge–Dryas Meadow dryint-equarv Moss-dryint-Lichen-salret-equarv-carbig-arcrub Mg

CAKR_T10_05 /13/2003 67.4837 -163.421 U 10 Ch 35 Sddt Alpine Alkaline Dry Dryas Shrub dryint-rholap Lichen-Moss-dryint-castet-arcrub-salret-vaculi MgCAKR_T11_01 /11/2003 67.479 -163.733 R 0 0 Wrln 0 W Riverine Water water wCAKR_T11_02 /11/2003 67.4789 -163.733 R 2 20 Fmrac 5 Bbg Riverine Barrens soil NCAKR_T11_03 /11/2003 67.4785 -163.733 R 0 0 Fmrac 20 Bpv Riverine Barrens epilat-agrmac soil-epilat-salala-astsib-salhas-Moss-agrop-arclat NCAKR_T11_04 /11/2003 67.4776 -163.733 R 0 0 Fmric 5 Stow Riverine Moist Tall Willow Shrub salala-astsib salala-Moss-Lichen-artarc-cascau-fesalt-epilat NCAKR_T11_05 /11/2003 67.4771 -163.731 R 0 0 Fmoi 15 Slcbw Riverine Moist Dwarf Birch–Willow Shrub betnan-salpul-pyrgra Moss-betnan-salgla-salpul-petfri-vaculi-arclat N

CAKR_T11_06 /11/2003 67.4757 -163.735 R 0 0 Fmric 20 Stow Riverine Moist Tall Willow Shrub salala-astsib salala-Moss-galbor-Lichen-potfru-salhas-arcrub N

CAKR_T11_07 /11/2003 67.4751 -163.730 R 0 0 Fmoi 20 Slcbw Riverine Moist Dwarf Birch–Willow Shrub salpul-calcan salpul-Moss-betnan-calcan-salric-equarv-potfru N

CAKR_T11_08 /11/2003 67.4728 -163.729 R 0 0 Fmoi 10 Slcb Riverine Moist Dwarf Birch–Willow Shrub betnan-salpul-pyrgra betnan-Moss-vacvit-calam-Lichen-polbis-pyrgra Y

CAKR_T12_01 /12/2003 67.5951 -163.728 A 0 0 Bxw 50 Sddl Alpine Nonalkaline Dry Dryas Shrub dryoct-salphl-hiealp Lichen-dryoct-Moss-dialap-salphl-hiealp-selsel N

CAKR_T12_02 /12/2003 67.5956 -163.725 A 16 60 Ct 2 Hbl Alpine Nonalkaline Dry Barrens dryoct-salphl-hiealp Lichen-Moss-artarc-salphl-anenar-carpod-dialap N

CAKR_T12_03 /12/2003 67.5937 -163.725 A 14 120 Ch 60 Sddl Alpine Nonalkaline Dry Dryas Shrub dryoct-salphl-hiealp Lichen-dryoct-Moss-dialap-salphl-leddec-anenar NCAKR_T12_04 /12/2003 67.5923 -163.725 A 6 140 Ch 50 Sddt Alpine Nonalkaline Dry Dryas Shrub dryoct-salphl-hiealp Lichen-dryoct-Moss-arcrub-salphl-vacvit-selsel Mu

CAKR_T12_05 /12/2003 67.5894 -163.724 A 11 140 Ch 20 Sdee outlier dryoct-salphl-hiealp Lichen-empnig-artarc-loipro-Moss-fesalt-carpod N

CAKR_T12_06 /12/2003 67.5887 -163.723 L 4 120 Ch 25 Slce Lowland Moist Dwarf Birch–Willow Shrub betnan-salpul-pyrgra Moss-vaculi-salpul-leddec-petfri-rubcha-carpod N

CAKR_T13_01 /13/2003 67.7167 -163.368 U 3 350 Ob 20 Slott Upland Moist Dwarf Birch–Tussock Shrub erivag-betnan Moss-erivag-Lichen-betnan-leddec-rubcha-vacvit FH

CAKR_T13_02 /13/2003 67.7170 -163.375 U 3 310 Ch 25 Slobw Upland Moist Dwarf Birch–Ericaceous Shrub betnan-salpul-pyrgra Moss-Lichen-salpul-vaculi-petfri-carbig-empnig FF+FH

CAKR_T13_03 /13/2003 67.7166 -163.391 L 1 250 Ch 10 Slow Lowland Moist Low and Tall Willow Shrub salpul-calcan Moss-salpul-petfri-calcan-artarc-rubcha-valcap NCAKR_T13_04 /13/2003 67.7155 -163.397 L 5 270 Ch 20 Slow Lowland Moist Low and Tall Willow Shrub salric-fesalt Moss-equarv-salpul-salret-salric-Lichen-petfri FS

CAKR_T13_05 /13/2003 67.7146 -163.402 L 3 290 Ch 7 Sddf Lowland Moist Dryas–Forb Shrub dryint-carbig-senatr Moss-dryoct-salret-carbig-Lichen-arclat-artarc NCAKR_T13_06 /13/2003 67.7147 -163.403 R 5 360 Wrhm W Riverine Water water W

CAKR_T14_01 /12/2003 67.7512 -163.767 P 0 0 Wlsit 0 Hafm Lacustrine Marestail Marsh hipvul-potam hipvul-potpal-Moss-mentri-ranpal-arcful-caraqu WCAKR_T14_02 /12/2003 67.7511 -163.769 U 0 0 Ltim 35 Slott Upland Moist Dwarf Birch–Tussock Shrub erivag-betnan Moss-leddec-betnan-erivag-vaculi-vacvit-Lichen Phl

CAKR_T14_03 /12/2003 67.7497 -163.768 L 0 0 Ltim 15 Slcbw Lowland Moist Dwarf Birch–Willow Shrub betnan-salpul-pyrgra Moss-salpul-betnan-petfri-calcan-pyrgra-vaculi N

CAKR_T14_04 /12/2003 67.7473 -163.767 L 0 0 Ob 15 Hgwsmb Lowland Sedge–Moss Fen Meadow caraqu-salfus-sphag Moss-eriang-caraqu-erirus-betnan-luzarc2-salfus n

CAKR_T14_05 /12/2003 67.7450 -163.777 L 0 0 Ltic 15 Hgwsmb Lowland Sedge–Moss Fen Meadow betnan-vacvit-caraqu Moss-carbig-vaculi-betnan-caraqu-leddec-vacvit Pd

CAKR_T14_06 /12/2003 67.7434 -163.774 U Ltip 30 Slobe Upland Moist Dwarf Birch–Ericaceous Shrub betnan-salpul-pyrgra Moss-leddec-betnan-vaculi-vacvit-petfri-arclat M

CAKR_T15_01 /14/2003 67.2634 -163.758 U 4 160 CH 15 Sddf Lowland Moist Dryas–Forb Shrub dryint-equarv Moss-salret-dryint-equarv-Lichen-petfri-salric FH

CAKR_T15_02 /14/2003 67.2649 -163.766 C 0 0 Wmn 0 W Coastal Water water WCAKR_T15_03 /14/2003 67.2649 -163.766 C 3 270 Mba 0 Bbg Coastal Barrens soil NCAKR_T15_04 /14/2003 67.2649 -163.766 C 5 260 Mba Bpv Coastal Barrens elymol-latmar soil-elymol-honpep-mermar-latmar-senec NDCAKR_T15_05 /14/2003 67.265 -163.765 C 3 100 Mba Hgdl Coastal Dry Dunegrass Meadow elymol-latmar elymol-latmar-senpse-conchi-cnicni-astsea-honpep NDCAKR_T15_06 /14/2003 67.2655 -163.763 C 0 0 Mti Hgwhsb Coastal Brackish Wet Sedge–Grass Meadow carram-dupfis carram-potege-salova-caldes-dupfis-stehum-rumarc ND

CAKR_T15_07 /14/2003 67.2656 -163.763 C 0 0 Wels 0 W Coastal Water water ND

CAKR_T15_08 /14/2003 67.2639 -163.763 C 0 0 Wels Habm Coastal Marestail Marsh water-hiptet NDCAKR_T15_09 /14/2003 67.2628 -163.76 R 0 0 Fmoi 15 Hgwst outlier calcan-rumarc eriang-caraqu-Moss-petfri-poaalp2-salova-valcap FHCAKR_T15_10 /14/2003 67.2634 -163.758 R 0 0 Wrln W Riverine Water water W
105 BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping

Appendix 3. Data file listing of environmental characteristics intensive ground reference plots in the 

Bering Land Bridge National Preserve and Cape Krusenstern National Monument, 

northwestern Alaska, 2002–2003.

Site ID

NWIWaterReg

WaterDepth

Saturated<30cm

Drainage

SoilMoisture

MottleDepth

MatrixDepth

HydricSoil

Cryoturb

SurfOrg

CumOrg40(cm)

DomMineral40

DomText40

LoessThick(cm)

ThawDepth

FrostBoil

SitepH

SiteEC

SiteChemistry

BELA_T01_01 Np 100 y F A nd nd u nd nd nd nd nd 8 130 Alkaline

BELA_T01_02 Nse -47 n W M nd 50 n a 0 0 S S nd 97 0 7 50 Circumneutral

BELA_T01_03 Nse -150 n W M nd nd n a 0 0 S S nd 112 0 6 50 Circumneutral

BELA_T01_04 Nse -114 n W M a a n a 0 0 S S nd 114 0 6 50 Circumneutral

BELA_T01_05 Nse -50 n W M 12 52 n a 6 6 L L 0 52 0 6 60 Circumneutral

BELA_T01_06 Nsa -26 n Ps M 25 a n p 6 6 L L 0 25 0 6 80 Circumneutral

BELA_T01_07 Nsa -8 y P W 25 a y a 25 25 O O 0 25 0 5 50 Acidic

BELA_T02_01 Nsa 0 y Pv W a a y a 25 25 O O 0 25 0 5 40 Acidic

BELA_T02_02 Nsa y WM a a y a 5 5 L L 0 25 0 6 50 Circumneutral

BELA_T02_03 Np 40 y F A nd nd u nd nd nd nd nd 6 80 Circumneutral

BELA_T02_04 Np 4 y Pv W a a y a 32 32 O O 0 32 0 6 40 Circumneutral

BELA_T02_05 Nsa -17 y Pv W a a y a 6 6 L L 0 26 0 5 60 Acidic

BELA_T02_06 Nsa -14 y Ps W a a y a 10 10 L L 0 16 0 5 380 Acidic

BELA_T02_07 Nse 5 y Pv W a a y a 31 31 O O 0 31 0 5 70 Acidic

BELA_T02_08 Nsa 0 y Pv W a a y a 18 18 L 0 23 0 5 220 Acidic

BELA_T02_09 Nsp 5 y Pv W a a y a 41 41 O O 0 41 0 6 100 Circumneutral

BELA_T03_02 U n W M a a n a 3 3 R R 0 0 7 30 Circumneutral

BELA_T03_04 U n Ps M 12 a y a 12 12 L L 0 0 6 47 Circumneutral

BELA_T04_01 U n W M nd nd n a 2 2 L L 0 60 0 6 130 Circumneutral

BELA_T04_02 U n W M nd nd n p 3 4 L L 0 95 0 7 120 Circumneutral

BELA_T04_03 U -16 y Ps M nd nd n a 13 13 L L 0 36 0 7 40 Circumneutral

BELA_T04_04 U n W M 35 nd n p 3 3 L L 0 50 0 6 50 Circumneutral

BELA_T04_05 Nsa -15 y Ps M 29 29 y p 2 2 L L 0 29 0 6 20 Circumneutral

BELA_T04_06 U n Ps M nd nd n p 7 7 L L 0 30 0 7 190 Circumneutral

BELA_T04_07 U n W M nd nd n a 3 3 R R 0 0 5 70 Acidic

BELA_T04_08 U n E D nd nd n a 2 2 RE RE 0 0 8 180 Alkaline

BELA_T05_01 U -52 n W M a a n p 0 0 S S nd 52 15 5 20 Acidic

BELA_T05_02 Nsa -12 y Ps W a a n p 0 0 R R nd 60 2 6 10 Circumneutral

BELA_T05_04 U -25 n W M a a n a 1 1 R R nd 25 0 5 40 Acidic

BELA_T06_01 U nd W M 10 nd n a 4 4 L L 0 60 0 5 10 Acidic

BELA_T06_02 U nd Es M nd nd n a 3 3 Re RE 0 0 6 30 Circumneutral

BELA_T06_04 Tr 30 y F A nd nd n a nd nd 0 0 7 10 Circumneutral

BELA_T06_05 U nd Es M nd nd n p 2 2 R R 0 25 5 20 Acidic

BELA_T06_06 Nsa -16 y Ps W nd nd y p 27 27 O O 0 27 0 5 20 Acidic

BELA_T06_07 U nd W M nd nd n p 3 3 L L 0 30 15 5 10 Acidic

BELA_T06_08 U nd W M nd nd n p 4 4 L L 0 0 5 40 Acidic

BELA_T06_10 U nd Es D nd nd n p 1 1 R R 0 0 5 10 Acidic

BELA_T07a_0 U -20 n W M 7 7 n a 4 3.5 R R 17 0 7 20 Circumneutral

BELA_T08_01 U -50 n E D a a n a 0 0 RE RE 0 0 8 50 Alkaline

BELA_T08_02 U -35 n W M a a n a 3 3 R R 30 35 2 7 280 Alkaline

BELA_T08_03 U -40 n W M a a n a 6 6 R R nd 40 10 7 280 Alkaline

BELA_T08_04 U -30 n W M a a n a 0 0 R R nd 30 0 8 100 Alkaline

BELA_T08_05 U -40 n W M a a n a 4 4 L L nd 40 0 7 140 Circumneutral

BELA_T09_02 U n W M a a n a 0 0 R R 0 nd 8 120 Alkaline

BELA_T09_03 U n W M 16 a n a 16 16 L L 0 nd 8 110 Alkaline

BELA_T09_04 W n W M nd nd n a 3 3 R R nd nd 8 150 Alkaline

BELA_T09_05 Nsa -40 y W M 23 nd y a 23 23 L O nd nd 7 640 Circumneutral

BELA_T10_01 Np 30 y F A a a n a 0 0 nd nd nd nd 8 210 Alkaline

BELA_T10_02 Ni n Es M nd nd n a RE RE nd 0 8 50 Alkaline

BELA_T10_03 Ni n Es M nd nd n a 0 0 RE RE 0 0 8 90 Alkaline

BELA_T10_04 Nse -48 y W M 28 nd n a 2 4 L L 0 55 0 7 930 Circumneutral

BELA_T10_05 Nsa nd Ps M nd nd n p 5 17 L L 0 22 0 7 170 Circumneutral

BELA_T10_06 Nsa -1 y Pv W nd nd n p 10 28 L O 0 28 0 7 140 Circumneutral

BELA_T10_07 U -20 y Ps M nd nd n p 16 16 L L 0 22 0 5 40 Acidic

BELA_T10_08 Nse n Ps M 25 nd n p 4 4 L L 0 40 0 7 240 Circumneutral

BELA_T11_01 U -50 n E D 20 20 n a 0 0 RE RE 0 20 0 8 110 Alkaline

BELA_T11_02 U -50 n E D 30 30 n a 0 0 RE RE 0 30 0 8 80 Alkaline

BELA_T11_03 Nsa -18 y Ps M 15 40 y p 2 2 L L 0 76 3 7 410 Alkaline

BELA_T11_04 Nsa -28 y W M 10 30 y a 5 5 L L 0 74 0 8 200 Alkaline

BELA_T11_05 U -45 n W M 19 54 n a 7 9 S S 0 54 0 7 220 Circumneutral

BELA_T11_06 Np 15 y F A nd nd u nd nd nd nd nd 8 340 Alkaline
BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping 106

Appendix 3. Continued.

Site ID

NWIWaterReg

WaterDepth

Saturated<30cm

Drainage

SoilMoisture

MottleDepth

MatrixDepth

HydricSoil

Cryoturb

SurfOrg

CumOrg40(cm)

DomMineral40

DomText40

LoessThick(cm)

ThawDepth

FrostBoil

SitepH

SiteEC

SiteChemistry

BELA_T11_07 Nsa -8 y Ps M 6 45 y p 1 1 R R 10 84 2 8 400 Alkaline

BELA_T11_08 Nsa -10 y Ps M 17 48 y a 3 7 L L 0 48 0 8 460 Alkaline

BELA_T11_09 Nsa -14 y W M 17 82 y p 14 14 L L 0 82 3 7 320 Circumneutral

BELA_T12_01 U n W M a a y a 0 0 RE RE 0 30 0 7 20 Circumneutral

BELA_T12_02 U n W M a a n a 0 0 RE RE 0 51 0 7 20 Circumneutral

BELA_T12_03 Nsa -30 y Ps M a a y a 2 2 R R 0 50 0 6 50 Circumneutral

BELA_T12_04 Nsa -1 y Pv W a a y a 5 5 RE RE 0 16 0 6 40 Circumneutral

BELA_T12_05 Nsa -8 y Pv W a a y p 22 22 L O 0 28 0 5 30 Acidic

BELA_T12_06 Nsa 0 y Pv W a a n a 21 21 O O 0 21 0 5 190 Acidic

BELA_T12_07 Nsa -8 y Pv W a a y a 18 18 RE RE 0 20 0 6 40 Circumneutral

BELA_T13_01 Nsa nd P W nd nd n p 6 10 O L 0 20 0 4 140 Acidic

BELA_T13_03 Nsa nd Ps M nd nd n p 13 13 O O 0 13 0 6 40 Circumneutral

BELA_T13_04 Nsa nd W M nd nd n p 6 16 L L 0 25 0 4 30 Acidic

BELA_T13_05 Nsa nd W M nd nd n p 4 4 L L 0 26 0 5 30 Acidic

BELA_T13_06 Nsa -2 y Pv W nd nd y a 25 25 O O 0 25 0 6 30 Acidic

BELA_T13_07 Nsa -1 y P W nd nd y a 3 3 L L 0 25 0 7 60 Circumneutral

BELA_T13_08 Np 40 y F A nd nd u nd nd nd nd 0 7 90 Circumneutral

BELA_T14_01 Tr 50 y F A nd nd u nd nd nd nd nd 8 140 Alkaline

BELA_T14_02 Ni -150 n W M nd nd n a 0 0 S S 0 0 8 20 Alkaline

BELA_T14_03 Nse 2 n W M nd nd n a 0 0 S S 0 93 0 7 90 Circumneutral

BELA_T14_04 Nse -200 n W M nd nd n a 1 1 S S 0 47 0 6 60 Circumneutral

BELA_T14_05 Nse nd Ps M nd nd n a 5 5 L L 0 26 0 6 80 Circumneutral

BELA_T14_06 Nsa nd Ps M nd nd n p 4 8 L L nd 25 0 7 200 Circumneutral

BELA_T14_07 Nsa nd Ps M nd nd n p 5 5 L L 0 24 0 6 110 Circumneutral

BELA_T14_08 Nsa -3 y Pv W nd nd y p 27 27 O O 0 27 0 7 160 Circumneutral

BELA_T14_09 Nsa -1 y Pv W nd nd y a 25 25 O O 0 25 0 6 50 Circumneutral

BELA_T14_10 Ni nd W M nd nd n p 4 8 L L 0 25 0 6 60 Circumneutral

BELA_T14_11 Nsa 0 y Pv W nd nd y a 28 28 O O 0 28 0 6 60 Circumneutral

BELA_T14_12 Nsa 0 y Pv W nd nd y a 25 25 O O 0 25 0 6 50 Circumneutral

BELA_T14_13 Tr 50 y F A nd nd n a nd nd nd 26 nd 7 40 Circumneutral

BELA_T16_01 Nsa -5 y Pv W a a y a 30 30 O O 0 30 0 6 60 Circumneutral

BELA_T16_02 Nsp -3 y Pv W a a y a 23 23 O O 0 23 0 5 70 Acidic

BELA_T16_03 Np 15 y FA a a y a 35 35 O O 0 35 0 6 60 Circumneutral

BELA_T16_04 Nsa -16 y WM a a y a 27 27 L O 0 27 0 5 60 Acidic

BELA_T16_05 U -14 n Ps M a a n a 14 14 O O 0 14 0 5 10 Acidic

BELA_T17_01 Ts 200 y F A nd nd u nd nd nd nd nd 8 11500 Brackish

BELA_T17_02 Ts -10 y Pv W 2 nd y p 0 0 S S nd 62 0 7 18790 Saline

BELA_T17_03 Ts -8 y Pv W a 18 y a 18 28 S O 0 90 0 6 29800 Saline

BELA_T17_04 Ti -42 n W M 4 29 y a 0 4 S S 0 87 0 6 13480 Brackish

BELA_T17_05 Ti -16 y P W 0 38 y a 3 37 L O 0 82 0 6 30700 Saline

BELA_T17_06 Ti 30 y F A nd nd u nd 0 0 nd nd 0 0 8 12300 Brackish

BELA_T17_07 Ti -50 y Ps M a 16 y a 16 26 L O 0 53 0 7 13600 Brackish

BELA_T17_08 Ti -40 y Ps M a 37 y a 31 31 L O 0 0 7 24200 Saline

BELA_T17_09 Ti -40 y Ps M a 40 y a 36 36 L O 0 45 0 7 22800 Saline

BELA_T18_01 Ts 50 y F A nd nd u nd nd nd nd nd 7 45300 Saline

BELA_T18_02 Ti -44 n W M nd nd n a 0 0 S S 0 110 0 8 4412 Brackish

BELA_T18_03 U -90 n E D 90 90 n a 0 0 S S 0 90 0 6 110 Brackish

BELA_T18_04 Nse -5 y P W nd nd y a 0 0 S S 0 108 0 7 220 Brackish

BELA_T18_05 U -78 n Es D 78 78 n a 1 3 S S 0 78 0 6 80 Circumneutral

BELA_T18_06 U -81 y Es D 81 81 n a 1 1 S S 0 81 0 7 20 Circumneutral

BELA_T18_07 Nsa -15 y Ps M p p y a 20 40 O O 0 20 0 7 200 Circumneutral

BELA_T18_08 Nsp 12 y Pv W p p y a 60 40 O O 0 40 0 7 130 Circumneutral

BELA_T18_09 Np 80 y F A nd nd u nd nd nd nd nd 7 130 Alkaline

BELA_T19_01 Nsa -7 y Pv W p p y a 27 27 L O 0 32 0 6 90 Circumneutral

BELA_T19_02 Nsa -7 y Pv W p p y a 20 31 L O 0 32 0 6 80 Acidic

BELA_T19_03 Nsa -15 y Ps M p p y a 40 O O 0 28 0 4 110 Acidic

BELA_T19_04 Nsa -3 y Pv W p p y a 9 9 L L 0 28 0 6 90 Circumneutral

BELA_T19_05 Nsp 8 y Pv W p p y a 28 28 O O 0 28 0 6 100 Circumneutral

BELA_T19_06 Nsp 12 y F A p p y a 13 15 L L 0 40 0 6 60 Circumneutral

BELA_T21_01 Nsa -10 y Pv W a a y a 1 S S 0 35 0 7 1560 Brackish

BELA_T21_02 Np 50 y F A a a n a nd S nd 100 nd 9 4500 Brackish
107 BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping

Appendix 3. Continued.

Site ID

NWIWaterReg

WaterDepth

Saturated<30cm

Drainage

SoilMoisture

MottleDepth

MatrixDepth

HydricSoil

Cryoturb

SurfOrg

CumOrg40(cm)

DomMineral40

DomText40

LoessThick(cm)

ThawDepth

FrostBoil

SitepH

SiteEC

SiteChemistry

BELA_T21_03 U -35 n Es M a a n a 0 0 S S 0 90 0 7 5070 Brackish

BELA_T21_04 Nsa -1 y Pv W a a y a 1 7 S S 0 60 0 6 6100 Brackish

BELA_T21_05 U -50 n Es D a a n a 0 0 S S 0 50 0 8 20 Brackish

BELA_T21_06 Nsa 0 y Pv W a a y a 18 18 S S 0 62 0 6 590 Brackish

BELA_T21_07 Nsa 0 y Pv W a a y a 3 6 S S 0 78 0 7 2000 Brackish

BELA_T21_08 U -40 n W M a a y a 0 2 S S 0 83 0 7 150 Circumneutral

BELA_T21_09 U -50 n E D a a n a 1 1 S S 0 85 0 6 40 Circumneutral

BELA_T21_10 40 y F A nd nd u nd nd nd nd 40 0 7 160 Circumneutral

CAKR_T01_01 Nsa -28 y Ps M 27 >38 y p 27 27 L O nd 30 0 7 410 Circumneutral

CAKR_T01_02 U -75 n W M >50 >50 n a 4 4 L L 13 0 7 130 Circumneutral

CAKR_T01_03 U -100 n Es D >50 >50 n a 2 2 R R 0 1 8 149 Alkaline

CAKR_T01_04 U -150 n E D >25 >25 n a 0 0 RE RE 0 0 9 120 Alkaline

CAKR_T01_05 Nsa -8 y Ps M 17 >48 y a 17 18 L L 7 76 0 7 250 Circumneutral

CAKR_T02_01 Nsa -30 y Ps M a a n a 16 16 R R 0 60 0 8 370 Alkaline

CAKR_T02_02 U -100 n W M a a n a 5 5 R R 0 0 8 170 Alkaline

CAKR_T02_03 U -100 n W M 20 a n a 2 2 R R 0 0.1 8 170 Alkaline

CAKR_T02_04 U -150 n Es D a a n a 0 0 RE RE 0 0 8 160 Alkaline

CAKR_T02_05 U -150 n Es D a a n a 0 0 RE RE 0 0 8 80 Alkaline

CAKR_T02_06 U -150 n W M a a n a 1 1 RE RE 0 0 8 150 Alkaline

CAKR_T02_07 Nsa -20 y Ps M 20 nd s a 9 9 R R 0 80 0 7 370 Alkaline

CAKR_T04_01 U -100 n E D a a n a 0 0 S S 0 125 0 7 160 Brackish

CAKR_T04_02 Nsa -16 y PWa a y a 24 24 S O 0 24 0 5 150 Acidic

CAKR_T04_03 Ti -5 y Pv W a 21 y a 18 19 L L 0 75 0 6 8480 Brackish

CAKR_T04_04 Ni -1 y Pv W 25 25 y a 25 25 L O 0 125 0 6 17070 Saline

CAKR_T04_05 Np 200 y F A a a u nd nd nd nd nd 9 10800 Brackish

CAKR_T04_06 Np 200 nd F A nd nd u nd nd nd nd nd 7 240 Brackish

CAKR_T04_07 Nsa -16 y P W a 26 y a 26 26 L O 0 65 0 6 9000 Brackish

CAKR_T05_00 T -75 n E m >10 >10 n a 0 0 S S 0 150 0 Saline

CAKR_T05_01 Ti -150 n E d >50 >50 n a 0 0 S S 0 125 0 7 60 Brackish

CAKR_T05_02 U -150 n E d >10 >10 n a 1 1 R R 0 150 0 7 40 Circumneutral

CAKR_T05_03 U -95 n E d >92 >92 n a 1 1 R R 3 92 0 5 270 Acidic

CAKR_T05_04 U -100 n Es M a a n a 1 1 R R 0 0 6 180 Circumneutral

CAKR_T06_01 Nsp 8 y Pv W p p n a 40 40 O O a 49 0 6 100 Circumneutral

CAKR_T06_02 Nsp 4 y Pv W p p n a 40 40 O O a 30 0 6 250 Circumneutral

CAKR_T06_03 Nsp 11 y Pv W p p u a 60 60 O O a 43 0 6 300 Circumneutral

CAKR_T06_04 P 200 y F A nd nd n nd nd a 0 7 310 Circumneutral

CAKR_T06_05 Nsa -13 W M 13 24 n a 13 13 L L 1m 24 0 5 40 Acidic

CAKR_T06_06 Np 71 y F A nd nd u nd 0 0 L L 0 0 6 170 Circumneutral

CAKR_T06_07 Nsp 9 y Pv W nd nd u a 60 60 O O a 50 0 6 70 Circumneutral

CAKR_T06_08 Nsa -31 y W M p p n a 23 23 O O a 31 0 5 110 Acidic

CAKR_T06_09 Nsa -8 y P W p p y a 40 40 O O 0 36 0 5 30 Acidic

CAKR_T07_01 Nsa -12 30 P W a a y a 30 30 O O 0 30 0.1 4 40 Acidic

CAKR_T07_02 Nsa -19 y P M 15 15 y a 12 12 L L 0 30 0 6 240 Circumneutral

CAKR_T07_03 Nsa -1 y Pv W a a y a 35 35 O O 0 69 0 6 30 Circumneutral

CAKR_T07_04 Ni -100 n W M a a n a 3 3 S S 0 150 0 8 50 Alkaline

CAKR_T07_05 U -100 n W M a a n a 3 3 R R 0 15 8 150 Alkaline

CAKR_T07_06 Nsa -19 y Pv W 0 2 y a 2 2 R R 0 73 5 8 420 Alkaline

CAKR_T07_07 U -100 n W M a a n a 0 0 R R 0 10 8 120 Alkaline

CAKR_T08_01 Np 75 y F nd nd nd u nd nd nd nd na 8 280 Alkaline

CAKR_T08_02 Nse -75 n W M a a n a 0 0 R R 0 0 8 210 Alkaline

CAKR_T08_03 Ni -75 n W M a a n a 0 0 S S 0 0 8 100 Alkaline

CAKR_T08_04 Ni -75 n W M a a n a 2 1.5 S S 0 0 7 90 Circumneutral

CAKR_T08_05 Ni -75 n Ps M a a n a 5 5 R R 0 0 8 90 Alkaline

CAKR_T08_06 U -75 n Ps M a a n a 4 3.5 R R 0 0 7 90 Circumneutral

CAKR_T08_07 Nsa -24 y P W 12 a y a 5 4.5 L L 0 28 0 6 90 Circumneutral

CAKR_T08_08 Nsp 10 y Pv W a a y a 29 29 O O 0 29 0 7 170 Circumneutral

CAKR_T08_09 Ni -75 n W M a a n a 0 0 S S 0 125 0 8 10 Alkaline

CAKR_T08_10 U -75 b W M a a n a 0 0 R R 0 0 8 10 Alkaline

CAKR_T10_01 U -150 n Es D a a n a 0 0 Re RE 0 a 8 150 Alkaline

CAKR_T10_02 U -50 n Ps M 15 3 y a 3 3 R R 1 8 240 Alkaline

CAKR_T10_03 Nsa -13 y Ps W 0 0 y a 50 40 O O n 50 0 6 70 Circumneutral
BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping 108

Appendix 3. Continued.

Site ID

NWIWaterReg

WaterDepth

Saturated<30cm

Drainage

SoilMoisture

MottleDepth

MatrixDepth

HydricSoil

Cryoturb

SurfOrg

CumOrg40(cm)

DomMineral40

DomText40

LoessThick(cm)

ThawDepth

FrostBoil

SitepH

SiteEC

SiteChemistry

CAKR_T10_04 Nsa -12 y P W 10 a y a 10 10 R R a 40 0 8 310 Alkaline

CAKR_T10_05 U -100 n W M a a n a 3 3 R R a 0 7 240 Circumneutral

CAKR_T11_01 Np 100 y F A nd nd u a 0 0 RE RE 0 0 6 160 Circumneutral

CAKR_T11_02 Nt -37 n Es M >37 >37 n a 0 0 RE RE 0 0 7 150 Circumneutral

CAKR_T11_03 Nt -100 n E D >30 >30 n a 0 0 RE RE 0 0 7 30 Circumneutral

CAKR_T11_04 Nt -100 n Es D >22 >22 n a 2 2 RE RE 0 0 6 20 Circumneutral

CAKR_T11_05 Nt -75 n W M >20 >55 y a 3 4 L L 0 N 6 40 Circumneutral

CAKR_T11_06 Ni -75 n ES D >28 >28 n a 0 0 R R 0 N 6 10 Circumneutral

CAKR_T11_07 Ni -115 n W M >20 >48 y a 4 5 L L 0 125 N 6 30 Circumneutral

CAKR_T11_08 Ni -75 n W M >35 >35 n a 3 4 L L 0 N 6 40 Circumneutral

CAKR_T12_01 U -100 n W M a a n a 2 2 R R 0 n 6 10 Circumneutral

CAKR_T12_03 U -100 n W M a a n a 0.5 0.5 R R 0 0 6 10 Acidic

CAKR_T12_04 U -100 n W M a a n a 2 2 R R 0 a 5 10 Acidic

CAKR_T12_05 U -100 n W M a a n a 0.5 0.5 R R 0 0 4 10 Acidic

CAKR_T12_06 Nsa -40 y Ps M a a y a 1 1 R R 0 0 6 10 Acidic

CAKR_T13_01 Nsa -15 y Ps M p p y a 40 40 O O 0 30 1 6 20 Acidic

CAKR_T13_02 Nsa -18 y Ps M p p y p 24 24 L O 0 28 5 6 30 Circumneutral

CAKR_T13_03 Nsa -31 y Ps M 16 >40 y a 13 13 L L 0 55 0 5 30 Acidic

CAKR_T13_04 U -75 n W M >46 >46 n p 5 6 L L 0 1 7 200 Circumneutral

CAKR_T13_05 U -97 n W M >12 >40 y a 10 10 L L 0 97 N 6 40 Circumneutral

CAKR_T13_06 Np 20 y F A nd nd u nd nd nd nd ND 7 240 Circumneutral

CAKR_T14_01 Np 15 y F A nd nd u a 35 35 O O 0 35 a 6 20 Circumneutral

CAKR_T14_02 Nsa -12 y P W nd nd y a 24 24 L O a 24 0 5 30 Acidic

CAKR_T14_03 Nsa -17 y Ps M 17 a y a 15 15 L L 0 32 0 6 40 Acidic

CAKR_T14_04 Nsa -14 y Pv W a a y a 30 30 O O 0 26 0 5 70 Acidic

CAKR_T14_05 Nsa -13 y Pv W a a u a 32 32 L O 0 32 n 5 40 Acidic

CAKR_T15_01 Nsa -10 y P W 19 >30 y a 13 13 L L 0 30 0 6 130 Circumneutral

CAKR_T15_02 Ts na W nd nd nd u nd nd nd nd na 7 46400 Saline

CAKR_T15_03 Tr -100 n E D a a y a 0 0 S S 0 0 7 Saline

CAKR_T15_04 Ti -100 n E D >43 >43 n a 0 0 S S 0 0 8 280 Brackish

CAKR_T15_05 Ti -100 n E D >40 >40 n a 3 3 R R 0 125 0 8 140 Brackish

CAKR_T15_06 Nsa -10 y PV W 7 >40 y a 4 6 L L 0 40 N 7 7200 Brackish

CAKR_T15_07 Np y F A nd nd y a nd nd nd ND 8 3000 Brackish

CAKR_T15_08 Np 10 y F A nd nd y a 5 5 L L 0 80 0 7 4800 Brackish

CAKR_T15_09 Nsa -13 y Ps W 5 >30 y nd 4 14 L L 0 30 0 7 1100 Brackish

CAKR_T15_10 Np 50 y F A nd nd u nd nd nd nd ND 8 320 Alkaline
109 BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping

Appendix 4. List of vascular plant species found in the Bearing Land Bridge National Preserve and 

Cape Krusenstern National Monument, northwestern Alaska, 2002–2003.

Aspidiaceae (Shield fern) Saussurea nuda Ledeb. 

Dryopteris fragrans (L.) Schott Senecio atropurpureus (Ledeb.) Fedtsch. 

Aspleniaceae Senecio conterminus Greenm. 

Gymnocarpium dryopteris (L.) Newm. Senecio lugens Richardson 

Athyriaceae Senecio pseudoarnica Less. 

Cystopteris montana (Lam.) Bernh. Senecio resedifolius Less. 

Betulaceae Senecio sp. 

Alnus crispa (Ait.) Pursh Solidago multiradiata Ait. var. multiradiata

Betula nana L. Taraxacum phymatocarpum J. Vahl 

Boraginaceae Taraxacum sp. 

Eritrichium aretioides (Cham.) DC. Crassulaceae

Mertensia maritima SL Sedum rosea (L.) Scop. 

Mertensia paniculata (Ait.) G. Don Cruciferae (Brassicaceae) 

Myosotis alpestris F. W. Schmidt Braya humilis (C. A. Mey.) Robins 

Campanulaceae Cardamine hyperborea O.E. Schulz 

Campanula lasiocarpa Cham. Cardamine pratensis 

Campanula sp. Cardamine sp. 

Campanula uniflora L Cochlearia officinalis L. 

Lomatogonium rotatum (l.) E. Fries Cochlearia officinalis L. ssp. arctica

Caprifoliaceae Draba cinerea Adams. 

Linnaea borealis L. Draba fladzinensis Wulf 

Caryophyllaceae Draba glabella Pursh 

Arenaria longipedunculata Hult. Draba nivalis Liljebl. 

Cerastium beeringianum Cham. & Schlecht. var. Draba sp. 

Honckenya peploides (L.) Ehrh. Lesquerella arctica (Wormsk.) S. Wats. 

Melandrium apetalum (L.) Fenzl. Parrya nudicaulis (L.) Regel 

Melandrium sp. Cupressaceae

Minuartia arctica (Stev.) Aschers. & Graebn. Juniperus communis L. 

Minuartia macrocarpa (Pursh) Ostenf. Cyperaceae

Minuartia rossii (T. Br.) Graebn. Carex amblyorhynca Krecz. 

Minuartia sp. Carex aquatilis Wahlenb. ssp. aquatilis 

Moehringia lateriflora (L.) Fenzl Carex atrofusca Schkuhr

Silene acaulis L. Carex bigelowii Torr.

Silene sp. Carex canescens L.

Stellaria crassifolia Ehrh. Carex capillaris L.

Stellaria edwardsii R. Br. Carex capitata Soland. In L.

Stellaria humifusa Rottb. Carex chordorrhiza Ehrh.

Stellaria longipes Goldie Carex franklinii Boott

Stellaria sp. Carex glacialis Mack.

Wilhelmsia physodes (Fisch.) McNeill Carex glareosa Wahlenb. ssp. amphigena (Fern.) Hulten

Compositae (Asteraceae) Carex krausei Boeck. 

Antennaria friesiana (Trautv.) Ekman Carex lachenalii Schkuhr. 

Antennaria sp. Carex lugens Holm 

Arnica alpina L. Carex membranacea Hook. 

Arnica frigida C. A. Mey. Carex microchaeta Holm. 

Arnica lessingii Greene Carex misandra R. Br. 

Arnica sp. Carex nardina E. Fries 

Artemisia arctica Less. ssp. arctica Carex obtusata Lilj. 

Artemisia furcata Bieb. Carex petricosa Dewey 

Artemisia glomerata Ledeb. Carex podocarpa C. B. Clarke 

Artemisia senjavinensis Bess. Carex ramenskii Kom. 

Artemisia sp. Carex rariflora (Wahlenb.) Smith 

Artemisia tilesii Ledeb. Carex rotundata Wahlenb. 

Aster sibiricus L. Carex rupestris All. 

Aster sp. Carex saxatilis L.ssp. laxa (Trautv.) Kalela 

Chrysanthemum arcticum L. Carex scirpoidea Michx. 

Chrysanthemum bipinnatum L. Carex sp. 

Chrysanthemum integrifolium Richards. Carex subspathacea Wormsk. 

Crepis nana Richards. Carex Williamsii Britt. 

Erigeron humilis Graham Eriophorum angustifolium Honck. ssp. subarcticum (V.

Erigeron hyperboreus Greene. Eriophorum angustifolium Honck. ssp. triste (T. Fries) Löve 

Erigeron purpuratus Greene Eriophorum brachyanterum Trautv. & Mey. 

Erigeron sp. Eriophorum russeolum Fries 

Petasites frigidus (L.) Franchet Eriophorum scheuchzeri Hoppe 

Saussurea angustifolia (Willd.) DC. Eriophorum sp. 
BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping 110

Appendix 4. Continued.

Eriophorum vaginatum L. Puccinellia sp.

Kobresia myosuroides (Vill.) Fiori & Paol. Trisetum spicatum (L.) Richter 

Kobresia sibirica Haloragaceae

Kobresia sp. Hippuris tetraphylla L.F. 

Diapensiaceae Hippuris vulgaris L. 

Diapensia lapponica L. Myriophyllum spicatum L. 

Elaegnaceae Iridaceae

Shepherdia canadensis (L.) Nutt. Iris setosa Pall. ssp. setosa

Empetraceae Juncaceae 

Empetrum nigrum L. Juncus albescens SL 

Equisetaceae Juncus arcticus Willd. 

Equisetum arvense L. Juncus biglumis L. 

Equisetum scirpoides Michx. Juncus castaneus Smith 

Equisetum variegatum Schleich. Juncus sp. 

Ericaceae Juncus triglumis L. 

Andromeda polifolia L. Luzula arctica Blytt. 

Arctostaphylos alpina (L.) Spreng. Luzula arcuata (Wahlenb.) Sw. 

Arctostaphylos rubra (Rehd. & Wilson) Fern. Luzula confusa Lindeb. 

Arctostaphylos uva ursi (L.) Sprengel Luzula multiflora (Retz.) Lej. 

Cassiope tetragona (L.) D. Don Luzula parviflora (Ehrh.) Desv. 

Chamaedaphne calyculata (L.) Moench Luzula sp. 

Ledum decumbens (Ait.) Lodd. Luzula tundricola Gorodk. 

Loiseleuria procumbens (L.) Desv. Juncaginaceae

Oxycoccus microcarpus Turcz. ex Rupr. Triglochin maritimum L.

Rhododendron camtschaticum Pallas Triglochin palustris L.

Rhododendron lapponicum (L.) Wahlenb. Leguminosae

Vaccinium uliginosum L. Astragalus alpinus L.

Vaccinium vitis idaea L. Astragalus eucosmus Hornem. Subs. Sealie (LePage) Hult. 

Gentianaceae Astragalus umbellatus Bunge 

Gentiana glauca Pallas Hedysarum alpinum L.

Gentiana propinqua Richards. ssp. propinqua Hedysarum mackenzii Richards. 

Gentiana sp. Lathyrus maritimus SL 

Graminae (Poaceae) Lupinus arcticus S. Wats. 

Agropyron boreale (Turcz.) Drobov ssp. alaskanum Oxytropis arctica R. Br. 

Agropyron macrourum (Turcz.) Drobov Oxytropis borealis DC 

Agropyron sp. Oxytropis bryophila (E. Greene) Yurtsev 

Agropyron violaceum (Hornem.) Lange Oxytropis campestris (L.) DC. 

Agrostis scabra Willd. Oxytropis maydelliana Trautv. 

Agrostis sp. Oxytropis Mertensiana Turcz. 

Arctagrostis latifolia (R. Br.) Griseb. Oxytropis nigrescens (Pall.) Fisch. 

Arctophila fulva (Trin.) Anderss. Oxytropis sp. 

Bromopsis pumpellianus Scribn. Lentibulariaceae 

Bromus sp. Pinguicula villosa L. 

Calamagrostis canadensis (Michx.) Beauv. Pinguicula vulgaris L. 

Calamagrostis deschampsioides Trin. Utricularia sp. 

Calamagrostis holmii Lange Utricularia vulgaris L. ssp. macrorhiza (LeConte) Clauson 

Calamagrostis inexpansa Gray Liliaceae

Calamagrostis purpurascens R. Br. subs. purpurascens Allium schoenoprasum L. 

Calamagrostis sp. Tofieldia coccinea Richards. 

Deschampsia caespitosa (L.) P. Beauv. ssp. caespitosa Tofieldia pusilla (Michx.) Pers. 

Dupontia fischeri R.Br. Tofieldia sp. 

Elymus arenarius L. ssp. mollis (Trin.) Hult. Veratrum album L. ssp. oxysepalum (Turcz.) Hult. 

Festuca altaica Trin. Zygadenus elegans Pursh 

Festuca baffinensis Polunin Linaceae

Festuca brachyphylla Schult Linum perenne L. 

Festuca rubra L. Lycopodiaceae 

Festuca sp. Lycopodium alpinum L. [=Diphasiastrum alpinum (L.) 

Hierchloe alpina (Sw.) Roem. & Schult. Lycopodium annotinum L. 

Hierochloe pauciflora R. Br. Lycopodium selago SL 

Poa alpigena (E. Fries) Lindm. Menyanthaceae

Poa alpina L. Menyanthes trifoliata L. 

Poa arctica R. Br. Onagraceae 

Poa eminens Presl Epilobium angustifolium L. 

Poa glauca M. Vahl. Epilobium ciliatum Raf. ssp. glandulosum (Lehm.) Hoch & 

Poa lanata Scribn. & Merr. Epilobium latifolium L. 

Poa sp. Ophioglossaceae 

Puccinellia borealis Swallen Botrychium lunaria (L.) Sw. 

Puccinellia phryganodes (Trin.) Scribner & Marr. 
111 BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping

Appendix 4. Continued.

Orchidaceae Sanguisorba officinalis L. 

Coeloglossum viride (L.) Hartm. ssp. bracteatum (Muhl.) Spiraea beauverdiana Schneid. 

Lloydia serotina (L.) Rchb. Rubiaceae

Papaveraceae Galium boreale L. 

Papaver lapponicum (Tolm.) Nordh. Galium sp. 

Papaver macounii Greene Galium trifidum L. 

Papaver sp. Salicaceae

Pinaceae Populus balsamifera L.

Picea glauca (Moench) Voss Salix alaxensis (Anderss.) Cov. 

Plumbaginaceae Salix arbusculoides Anderss. 

Armeria maritima (Mill.) Willd. ssp. arctica (Cham.) Hult. Salix arctica Pall. 

Polemoniaceae Salix barclayi Anderss. 

Phlox sibirica L. ssp sibirica Salix chamissonis Anderss. 

Polemonium acutiflorum Willd. Salix fuscescens Anderss. 

Polygonaceae Salix glauca L.

Polygonum bistorta L. subsp. plumosum (Small) Hult. Salix hastata L.

Polygonum sp. Salix lanata richardsonii (Salix richardsonii)

Polygonum viviparum L. Salix niphoclada SL

Rumex arcticus Trautv. Salix ovalifolia Trautv. 

Rumex sp. Salix phlebophylla Anderss. 

Portulacaceae Salix planifolia Pursch. ssp.pulchra (Cham.) Argus 

Claytonia acutifolia ssp. graminifolia Salix reticulata L.

Claytonia sarmentosa C. Meyer Salix rotundifolia Trautv. 

Potamogetonaceae Salix sp. 

Potamogeton sp. Saxifragaceae

Primulaceae Chrysosplenium tetrandrum (Lund) T. Fries 

Androsace chamaejasme Host ssp Lehmannia (Spreng.) Parnassia palustris L. 

Androsace septentrionalis L. Saxifraga bronchialis L. 

Dodecatheon frigidum Cham. & Schlecht. Saxifraga cernua L. 

Primula anvilensis S. Kelso Saxifraga exilis Steph 

Primula borealis Duby Saxifraga flagellaris Willd. 

Pyrolaceae Saxifraga hieracifolia Waldst. & Kit. 

Pyrola asarifolia Michx. Saxifraga hirculis L. 

Pyrola grandiflora Radius Saxifraga oppositifolia L. 

Pyrola minor L. Saxifraga punctata L. 

Ranunculaceae Saxifraga sp. 

Aconitum delphinifolium DC. Saxifraga tricuspidata Rottb.

Anemone Drummondii S. Watts. Scrophulariaceae 

Anemone Drummondii S. Watts. (Anemone multiceps) Castilleja caudata (Pennell) Rebr. 

Anemone multifida Poir. Castilleja elegans Malte 

Anemone narcissiflora L. Castilleja hyperborea Pennell 

Anemone parviflora Michx. Castilleja sp. 

Anemone richardsonii Hook. Lagotis glauca Gaertn. 

Anemone sp. Pedicularis capitata Adams. 

Caltha natans Pall. Pedicularis kanei Durand subsp. Kanei

Caltha palustris L. ssp. asarifolia (DC.) Hult. Pedicularis labradorica Wirsing 

Ranunculus hyperboreus Rottb. Pedicularis langsdorffii Fisch. subsp.arctica (R. Br.) Pennell 

Ranunculus pallasii Schlect. Pedicularis lapponica L. 

Ranunculus sp. Pedicularis parviflora J.E. Sm. Ssp. Pennellii (Hult.) Hult. 

Thalictrum alpinum L. Pedicularis sp. 

Rosaceae Pedicularis sudetica Willd. 

Dryas octopetala L. ssp. alaskensis (Pors.) Hult. Pedicularis verticillata L.

Dryas integrifolia Vahl. Selaginellaceae 

Dryas octopetala L. ssp octopetala Selaginella selaginoides (L.) Link 

Geum glaciale Adams Selaginella sibirica (Milde) Hieron. 

Geum rossii (R. Br.) Ser. Umbelliferae (FR=Apiaceae)

Potentilla biflora Willd. Angelica lucida L. (Angelica lucida E. Nels.) 

Potentilla Egedii Wormsk. ssp. grandis (Torr. & Gray) Bupleurum triradiatum Adams 

Potentilla fruticosa L. Cnidium cnidifolium (Turcz.) Schishchk 

Potentilla Hookeriana SL Conioselinum chinense L. BSP. 

Potentilla palustris (L.) Scop. Heracleum lanatum Michx. 

Potentilla sp. Ligusticum scoticum L. ssp. hultenii (Fern.) Cald. & Tayl. 

Potentilla uniflora Ledeb. Valerianaceae

Potentilla villosa Pall. Valeriana capitata Pall. 

Rubus arcticus L. Violaceae 

Rubus arcticus L. ssp. stellatus (Sm.) Boiv. Emend. Hulten Viola epipsila Ledeb. ssp. repens (Turcz.) Becker 

Rubus chamaemorus L. Viola sp. 
BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping 112

Appendix 5. List of some nonvascular plant species found in the Bering Land Bridge National 

Preserve and Cape Krusenstern National Monument, northwestern Alaska, 2002–2003.

Mosses and Liverworts Mosses and Liverworts continued

Warnstorfia sarmentosa (Wahlenb.) Hedenaes Hypnum plicatulum (Lindb.) Jaeg. 

Warnstorfia fluitans (Hedw.) Loeske Hypnum lindbergii Mitt.

Tortula norvegica (Web.f.) Wahlenb. Ex Lindb. Hypnum holmenii Ando 

Tortella fragilis (Hook. Et Wils. In Drumm.) Limpr. Hypnum bambergeri Schimp. 

Tomentypnum nitens (Hedw.) Loeske Hylocomium splendens (Hedw.) B.S.G. 

Timmia austriaca Hedw. Eurhynchium pulchellum (Hedw.) Jenn. 

Thuidium recognitum (Hedw.) Lindb. Drepanocladus sp. 

Syntrichia norvegica Web. Drepanocladus aduncus (Hedw.) Warnst. s.l. 

Splachnum cf. sphaericum Hedw. (with immature capsules) Ditrichum flexicaule (Schwaegr.) Hampe 

Sphenolobus minutus (Schreb.) Berggr. Distichium capillaceum (Hedw.) B.S.G. 

Sphagnum warnstorfii Russ. Didymodon asperifolius (Mitt.) Crum et al. 

Sphagnum subsecundum Nees ex Sturm Dicranum spadiceum Zett. 

Sphagnum squarrosum Crome Dicranum sp. 

Sphagnum sp. Dicranum majus Sm. 

Sphagnum rubellum Wils. Dicranum laevidens Williams 

Sphagnum perfoliatum L.Savicz Dicranum groenlandicum Brid. 

Sphagnum obtusum Warnst. Dicranum fuscescens Turner. 

Sphagnum lindbergii Schimp. Ex Lindb. Dicranum elongatum Schleich. ex Schwaegr. 

Sphagnum lenense H.Lindb. ex Pohle Dicranum bonjeanii De Not 

Sphagnum imbricatum Hornsch. Ex Russ. Dicranum angustum 

Sphagnum girgensohnii Russ. Dicranum alaevdens Williams 

Sphagnum fuscum (Schimp.) Klinggr. Dicranum acutifolium (Lindb. et H.Arnell) C.Jens. 

Sphagnum fimbriatum Wils. Ctenidium procerrimum (Mol.) Lindb. 

Sphagnum compactum DC. In Lam. Et DC. Climacium dendroides (Hedw.) Web. et Mohr. 

Sphagnum cf. jensnii H. Lindb. Cirriphyllum cirrosum (Schwaegr.) Grout 

Sphagnum capillifolium (Ehrh.) Hedw. Cinclidium subrotundum Lindb. 

Sphagnum balticum (Russ.) Russ. Ex C.Jens. Cinclidium latifolium Lindb. 

Sphagnum angustifolium (Russ. Ex Russ.) C.Jens Cinclidium arcticum B.S.G. 

Scorpidium scorpioides (Hedw.) Limpr. Ceratodon purpureus (Hedw.) Brid. 

Schistidium sp. (complex apocarpum) Catoscopium nigritum (Hedw.) Brid. 

Sanionia uncinata (Hedw.) Loeske Campylium stellatum (Hedw.) C.Jens. 

Rhytidium rugosum (Hedw.) Kindb. Campylium sp. 

Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus (Hedw.) Warnst. Campylium polygamum (B.S.G.) C.Jens. 

Rhytidiadelphus sp. Campylium longicuspis (Lindb. etH.Arnell) Hedenaes 

Rhizomnium sp. Calliergon stramineum (Brid.) Kindb. 

Racomitrium sp. Calliergon giganteum (Schimp.) Kindb. 

Racomitrium lanuginosum (Hedw.) Brid. Bryum sp. 

Ptilidium pulcherrimum (G. Web.) Vain. Bryum pseudotriquetrum (Hedw.) Gaertn. et al. 

Ptilidium ciliare (L.) Hampe Bryum pallescens Schleich. exSchwaegr. (with capsules) 

Pseudocalliergon turgescens (T.Jens.) Loeske Bryoerythrophyllum recurvirostrum (Hedw.) Chen 

Polytrichum strictum Brid. Brachythecium sp. 

Polytrichum sp. Brachythecium salebrosum (Web. et Mohr) B.S.G. 

Polytrichum juniperinum Hedw. Brachythecium rivulare Schimp. in B.S.G. 

Polytrichum jensenii Hag. Brachythecium reflexum (Starke in Web.et Mohr) Schimp. 

Polytrichum hyperboreum R.Br. Brachythecium mildeanum (Schimp.) Schimp. ex Milde 

Pohlia sp. Brachythecium erythrorrhizon Schimp. in B.S.G. 

Pohlia nutans (Hedw.) Lindb. Brachythecium coruscum Hag. 

Pohlia cruda (Hedw.) Lindb. Aulacomnium turgidum (Wahlenb.) Schwaegr. 

Pleurozium schreberi (Brid.) Mitt. Aulacomnium sp. 

Plagiothecium denticulatum (Hedw.) B.S.G. Aulacomnium palustre (Hedw.) Schwaegr. 

Plagiothecium cavifolium (Brid.) Iwats. Aulacomnium acuminatum 

Plagiothecium berggrenianum Frisvoll Aongstroemia longipes (Somm.) B.S.G. 

Plagiomnium sp. Lichen

Plagiomnium ellipticum (Brid.) T.Kop. Xanthoria sp. 

Plagiomnium curvatulum (Lind.) Schljakov Vulpicida tilesii (Ach.) J.-E. Mattsson & M. J. Lai 

Philonotis tomentella Molendo Vulpicida pinastri (Scop.) J.-E. Mattsson & M. J. Lai (on bark) 

Paludella squarrosa (Hedw.) Brid. Umbilicaria torrefacta (Lightf.) Schrader 

Mnium thomsonii Schimp. Umbilicaria sp. 

Mnium sp. Umbilicaria proboscidea (L.) Schrader 

Mnium blyttii B. S.G. Umbilicaria hyperborea (Ach.) Hoffm. 

Meesia uliginosa Hedw. Umbilicaria caroliniana Tuck. 

Limprichtia revolvens (Sw.) Loeske Thamnolia vermicularis (Sw.) Ach. ex Schaerer 

Leptobryum pyriforme (Hedw.) Wils. Thamnolia subuliformis (Ehrh.) Culb. 

Isopterygiopsis pulchella (Hedw.) Iwats. Stereocaulon tomentosum Fr.

Hypnum sp. Stereocaulon sp. 

Hypnum pratense Koch ex Spruce 
113 BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping

Appendix 5. Continued.

Lichen continued Lichen continued

Stereocaulon paschale (L.) Hoffm. Flavocetraria cucullata (Bellardi) Kärnefelt & Thell 

Stereocaulon apocalypticum Nyl. (saxicolous) Evernia perfragilis Llano 

Stereocaulon alpinum Laurer ex Funck Dactylina arctica (Richardson) Nyl. 

Sphaerophorus globosus (Hudson) Vainio Cladonia uncialis (L.) F. H. Wigg. 

Sphaerophorus fragilis (l.) Pers. Cladonia sulphurina (Michaux) Fr. 

Rinodina turfacea (Wahlenb.) Körber Cladonia subfurcata (Nyl.) Arnold 

Rhizocarpon umbilicatum (Ramond) Flagey Cladonia squamosa Hoffm. 

Rhizocarpon sp. Cladonia sp. 

Rhizocarpon geographicum (L.) DC. Cladonia pyxidata (L.) Hoffm. 

Ramalina almquistii Vainio Cladonia pleurota (Flörke) Schaerer 

Psoroma hypnorum (Vahl) Gray Cladonia nipponica Asah. 

Pseudephebe pubescens (L.) M. Choisy Cladonia macilenta Hoffm. 

Pertusaria subobducens Nyl. Cladonia gracilis (L.) Willd. 

Pertusaria sp. Cladonia furcata (Hudson) Schrader 

Pertusaria panyrga (Ach.) A. Massal. Cladonia ecmocyna Leighton 

Pertusaria dactylina (Ach.) Nyl. Cladonia cornuta (L.) Hoffm. 

Peltigera sp. Cladonia coccifera (L.) Willd. s. lat. 

Peltigera rufescens (Weiss) Humb. Cladonia chlorophaea (Flörke ex Sommerf.) Sprengel 

Peltigera neckeri Hepp ex Müll. Arg. Cladonia bellidiflora (Ach.) Schaerer 

Peltigera malacea (Ach.) Funck Cladonia amaurocraea (Flörke) Schaerer 

Peltigera leucophlebia (Nyl.) Gyelnik Cladonia alaskana A. Evans 

Peltigera didactyla var. extenuata (Nyl. ex Vainio) Goffinet & Cladina stygia (Fr.) Ahti 

Peltigera canina (L.) Willd. Cladina stellaris (Opiz) Brodo

Peltigera aphthosa (L.) Willd. Cladina sp.

Parmeliopsis hyperopta (Ach.) Arnold (on bark) Cladina rangiferina (L.) Nyl. 

Parmeliopsis ambigua (Wulfen) Nyl. (on bark) Cladina mitis (Sandst.) Hustich 

Parmelia sp. Cladina arbuscula (Wallr.) Hale & Culb. 

Parmelia omphalodes (L.) Ach. Cetrariella fastigiata (Delise ex Nyl.) Kärnefelt & Thell 

Ophioparma lapponica (Räsänen) Hafellner & R. W. Rogers Cetrariella delisei (Bory ex Schaerer) Kärnefelt & Thell 

Ochrolechia upsaliensis (L.) A. Massal. Cetraria tilesii Ach. 

Ochrolechia sp. Cetraria sp. 

Ochrolechia inaequatula (Nyl.) Zahlbr. Cetraria nigricans Nyl. 

Ochrolechia frigida (Sw.) Lynge Cetraria laevigata Rass. 

Nephroma sp. Cetraria kamczatica Savicz 

Nephroma arcticum (L.) Torss Cetraria islandica subsp. crispiformis (Räsänen) Kärnefelt 

Melanelia commixta (Nyl.) Thell Cetraria islandica (L.) Ach. subsp. islandica

Megaspora verrucosa (Ach.) Hafellner & V. Wirth Cetraria islandica (L.) Ach. 

Masonhalea richardsonii (Hook.) Karnefelt Cetraria aculeata (Schreber) Fr. 

Lobaria linita (Ach.) Rabenh. Caloplaca tiroliensis Zahlbr. 

Leptogium gelatinosum (With.) J. R. Laundon Buellia insignis(Naeg. ex Hepp) Th. Fr. 

Lecanora sp. Bryoria nitidula (Th. Fr.) Brodo & D. Hawksw. 

Lecanora epibryon (Ach.) Ach. Bryocaulon divergens (Ach.) Kärnefelt 

Lecanora beringii Nyl. Asahinea chrysantha (Tuck.) Culb. & C. Culb. 

Icmadophila ericetorum (L.) Zahlbr. Arctoparmelia separata (Th. Fr.) Hale 

Hypogymnia subobscura (Vainio) Poelt Alectoria sp. 

Hypogymnia physodes (L.) Nyl. Alectoria ochroleuca (Hoffm.) A. Massal. 

Flavocetraria nivalis (L.) Kärnefelt & Thell Alectoria nigricans (Ach.) Nyl. 
BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping 114

Appendix 6. List of signature vegetation classes with associated ground vegetation classes and 

showing the number of spectral signatures for each class.

Consolidated Signature Vegetation 

Class Gound Vegetation Class 

Number of 

Signatures Used 

Partially Vegetated Barren 20

 Partially Vegetated 37

 Water 1

Open White Spruce Open White Spruce 5

 White Spruce Woodland 3

Lichen Lichen 8

Elymus Elymus 4

Bluejoint Meadow Bluejoint Meadow 5

 Bluejoint–Herb 1

 Bluejoint–Shrub 2

 Wet Sedge Meadow Tundra 1

Moist Sedge–Dryas Tundra Moist Sedge–Dryas Tundra 5

 Moist Sedge–Shrub Tundra 12

 Moist Sedge–Willow Tundra 1

 Tussock Tundra 1

 Dryas–Forb Dwarf ShrubTundra 13

 Dryas–Sedge Dwarf ShrubTundra 9

 Bearberry Dwarf Shrub Tundra 1

Halophytic Sedge–Grass Wet 

Meadow, brackish 

Halophytic Grass Wet Meadow, 

brackish 1

Halophytic Sedge Wet Meadow, 

brackish 2

Halophytic Sedge–Grass Wet 

Meadow, brackish 3

Halophytic Sedge–Grass Wet 

Meadow, saline 2

Halophytic Sedge Wet Meadow, 

saline 1

Subartic Lowland Sedge Bog 

Meadow Fresh Sedge Marsh 2

Subartic Lowland Sedge Bog 

Meadow 8

 Wet Sedge Meadow Tundra 5

 Wet Sedge–Willow Tundra 2

Subartic Lowland Sedge–Moss 

Bog Meadow 

Subartic Lowland Sedge–Moss Bog 

Meadow 10

 Wet Sedge Meadow Tundra 6

Dryas Dwarf Shrub Tundra Dryas–Forb Dwarf ShrubTundra 1

 Dryas–Lichen Dwarf Shrub Tundra 10

 Dryas–Sedge Dwarf ShrubTundra 5

 Dryas Dwarf Shrub Tundra 17

 Ericaceous Dwarf Shrub Tundra 6
115 BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping

Appendix 6. Continued.

Consolidated Signature Vegetation

Class Gound Vegetation Class 

Number of 

Signatures Used 

Crowberry Dwarf Shrub Tundra Crowberry Dwarf Shrub Tundra 8

Open Low Mesic Shrub Birch–

Ericaceous Shrub Dryas Dwarf Shrub Tundra 1

 Ericaceous Dwarf Shrub Tundra 1

Closed Low Shrub Birch–Ericaceous 

Shrub 5

Open Low Shrub Birch–Ericaceous 

Shrub Bog 1

Open Low Mesic Shrub Birch–

Ericaceous Shrub 10

 Open Low Ericaceous Shrub Bog 1

Open Low Shrub Birch–Willow Closed Low Shrub Birch 1

 Closed Low Shrub Birch–Willow 5

 Closed Low Ericaceous Shrub 1

 Open Low Shrub Birch–Willow 12

Open Mixed Low Shrub–Sedge 

Tussock Tundra Tussock Tundra 7

Open Mixed Low Shrub–Sedge 

Tussock Tundra 31

Open Low Willow 

Subartic Lowland Sedge–Moss Bog 

Meadow 1

 Closed Low Willow 6

 Open Low Willow 12

 Open Tall Alder 1

Closed Tall Alder–Willow Closed Tall Alder 4

 Closed Tall Alder–Willow 1

 Closed Tall Shrub Birch–Willow 1

Open Tall Willow Open Balsam Poplar 1

 Closed Tall Willow 2

 Open Tall Alder 1

 Open Tall Alder–Willow 2

 Open Tall Willow 5

Water Common Marestail 2

 Fresh Grass Marsh 1

 Water 55

Total 389
BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping 116

Appendix 7. Example diagrams of rules used to model ecotypes using the ERDAS knowledgebase 

routine. See Appendix 8 for codes.
117 BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping

Appendix 7. Continued.
BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping 118

Appendix 7. Continued.
119 BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping

Appendix 7. Continued.
BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping 120

Appendix 8. Codes used in ERDAS rule-based classification of ecotypes for Bering Land Bridge 

National Preserve and Cape Krusenstern National Monument, 2004.

ERDAS Numeric Code Variable Title Alpha Code 

ERDAS_Park_Code Park 

1 BELA 

2 CAKR 

 

ERDAS_Veg_Map_Code Signature Vegetation Name 

Vegetation

Alpha Code 

10 Partially Vegetated Bpv 

124 Open White Spruce Forest Fnows 

370 Lichen Hbl 

302 Elymus Meadow Hgdl 

311 Bluejoint Meadow Hgmb 

323 Sedge–Dryas Tundra Hgmsd 

346 Halophytic Sedge–Grass Wet Meadow Hgwhsgb 

342 Lowland Sedge Bog Meadow Hgwsb 

343 Lowland Sedge–Moss Bog Meadow Hgwsmb 

270 Dryas Dwarf Shrub Tundra Sddt 

283 Crowberry Dwarf Shrub Tundra Sdee 

253 Open Low Shrub Birch–Ericaceous Shrub Slobe 

257 Open Low Shrub Birch–Willow Shrub Slobw 

252 Open Low Mixed Shrub–Tussock Tundra Slott 

260 Open Low Willow Shrub Slow 

224 Closed Tall Alder–Willow Shrub Stcaw 

231 Open Tall Willow Shrub Stow 

999 Water W 

0 unclassified 

ERDAS_Phys_Code Aggregated Physiography 

1 Alkaline Alpine and Upland 

2 Coastal 

3 Lowland 

4 Nonalkaline Alpine and Upland 

5 Riverine 

6 Upland 

7 Upland Lava 

8 Upland-Lowland 

 
121 BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping

Appendix 9. Cross-walk of 33 ecotypes and 31 plant associations developed from analysis of ground data, and 29 map ecotypes, 17 map 

vegetation types, 12 map aggregated ecotypes. Map classes were aggregated from ground classes to match spectral 

characteristics.

Ground Ecotypes Plant Associations Map Ecotypes Map Vegetation Types Map Aggregated Ecotypes Alpine Alkaline Dry Barrens

Dryas integrifolia–Rhododendron lapponicum Alpine Alkaline Dry Barrens Partially Vegetated Alpine and Upland Dwarf Shrub 

and Barrens 

Dryas octopetala–Potentilla uniflora Alpine Alkaline Dry Barrens Partially Vegetated Alpine and Upland Dwarf Shrub 

and Barrens 

Alpine Nonalkaline Dry Barrens

Dryas octopetala–Salix phlebophylla–Hierochloe alpina 

Alpine Nonalkaline Dry Barrens

Partially Vegetated Alpine and Upland Dwarf Shrub 

and Barrens 

Alpine Alkaline Dry Dryas Shrub

Dryas integrifolia–Rhododendron lapponicum Alpine Alkaline Dry Dryas 

Shrub

Dryas Dwarf ShrubTundra Alpine and Upland Dwarf Shrub 

and Barrens 

Dryas octopetala–Potentilla uniflora Alpine Alkaline Dry Dryas 

Shrub

Dryas Dwarf ShrubTundra Alpine and Upland Dwarf Shrub 

and Barrens 

Alpine Nonalkaline Dry Dryas Shrub 

Dryas octopetala–Salix phlebophylla–Hierochloe alpina 

Alpine Nonalkaline Dry Dryas Shrub 

Dryas Dwarf ShrubTundra Alpine and Upland Dwarf Shrub 

and Barrens 

Upland Dry Lichen Betula nana–Ledum decumbens–Loiseleuria 

procumbens

Upland Dry Lichen Barrens Lichen Alpine and Upland Dwarf Shrub 

and Barrens 

Upland Moist Spruce Forest 

Picea glauca–Salix planifolia pulchra Upland Moist Spruce Forest Open White Spruce Forest Upland Spruce Forest 

Upland Moist Low Willow Shrub

Salix glauca–Dryas integrifolia Upland Moist Low Willow 

Shrub

Tall and Low Willow Shrub Upland and Lowland Low 

Willow Shrub 

Upland Dry Crowberry Shrub

Empetrum nigrum–Elymus arenarius mollis Upland Dry Crowberry 

Shrub

Crowberry Dwarf Shrub Tundra

Upland and Lowland Dwarf Birch–Willow Shrub 

Upland Moist Dwarf Birch–Ericaceous Shrub 

Betula nana–Ledum decumbens–Loiseleuria procumbens

Upland Moist Dwarf Birch–Ericaceous Shrub 

Low Shrub Birch–Ericaceous Shrub

Upland and Lowland Dwarf Birch–Willow Shrub 

Upland Moist Dwarf Birch–Tussock Shrub 

Betula nana–Eriophorum vaginatum Upland Moist Dwarf Birch–

Tussock Shrub 

Low Mixed Shrub–Tussock Tundra

Upland Dwarf Birch–Tussock Shrub

Upland Moist Sedge–Dryas Meadow 

Dryas integrifolia–Carex bigelowii–Senecio atropurpureus

Upland Moist Sedge–Dryas Meadow

Sedge–Dryas Tundra Upland and Lowland Sedge–

Dryas Meadow 

Lowland Moist Tall Alder–Willow Shrub 

Alnus crispa–Salix planifolia pulchra–Rubus arcticus

Lowland Moist Tall Alder–Willow Shrub 

Tall and Low Willow Shrub Upland and Lowland Low 

Willow Shrub 

Lowland Moist Low Willow Shrub 

Salix planifolia pulchra–Calamagrostiscanadensis

Lowland Moist Low Willow Shrub

Tall and Low Willow Shrub Upland and Lowland Low 

Willow Shrub 

Lowland Moist Dwarf Birch–Willow Shrub 

Betula nana–Salix planifolia pulchra–Pyrola grandiflora

Lowland Moist Dwarf Birch–Willow Shrub 

Low Shrub Birch–Willow Shrub

Upland and Lowland Dwarf Birch–Willow Shrub 

Lowland Wet Dwarf Birch–Ericaceous Shrub 

Betula nana–Vaccinium vitis-idaea–Carex aquatilis

Lowland Wet Dwarf Birch–Ericaceous Shrub 

Low Shrub Birch–Ericaceous Shrub

Upland and Lowland Dwarf Birch–Willow Shrub 

Lowland Moist Sedge–Dryas Meadow 

Dryas integrifolia–Equisetum arvense Lowland Moist Sedge–Dryas 

Meadow

Sedge–Dryas Tundra Upland and Lowland Sedge–

Dryas Meadow 

Lowland Sedge–Moss Fen Meadow

Carex aquatilis–Salix fuscescens–Sphagnum Lowland Sedge–Moss Fen 

Meadow

Lowland Sedge–Moss Bog Meadow

Lowland Sedge Fen Meadow 
BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping 122 Appendix 9. Continued. Lowland Sedge Fen Meadow Carex aquatilis–Carex chorddorhiza Lowland Sedge Fen Meadow Lowland Sedge Bog Meadow Lowland Sedge Fen Meadow Lacustrine Moist Bluejoint Meadow Calamagrostis canadensis–Rumex arcticus Lacustrine Moist Bluejoint Meadow Bluejoint Meadow Lowland Sedge Fen Meadow Lacustrine Marestail Marsh Arctophila fulva Lowland Water Water Freshwater Hippurus vulgaris–Potamogeton spp. Lowland Water Water Freshwater Carex aquatilis–Caltha palustris Lowland Water Water Freshwater Lowland Water Water Lowland Water Water Freshwater Riverine Water Water Riverine Water Water Freshwater Riverine Moist Tall Alder– Willow Shrub Alnus crispa–Salix barclayi Riverine Moist Low and Tall Willow Shrub Tall and Low Willow Shrub Riverine Low and Tall Willow Shrub Riverine Moist Tall Willow Shrub Salix alaxensis–Aster sibiricus Riverine Moist Low and Tall Willow Shrub Tall and Low Willow Shrub Riverine Low and Tall Willow Shrub Riverine Moist Low Willow Shrub Salix lanata richardsonii–Festuca altaica Riverine Moist Low and Tall Willow Shrub Tall and Low Willow Shrub Riverine Low and Tall Willow Shrub Riverine Moist Dwarf Birch–Willow Shrub Betula nana–Salix planifolia pulchra–Pyrola grandiflora Riverine Moist Dwarf Birch–Willow Shrub Low Shrub Birch–Willow Shrub Riverine Low and Tall Willow Shrub Riverine Barrens Epilobium latifolium–Agropyron macrourum Riverine Barrens Partially Vegetated Riverine and Coastal Barrens Coastal Barrens Elymus arenarius mollis–Lathyrus maritimus Coastal Barrens Partially Vegetated Riverine and Coastal Barrens Carex ramenskii–Puccinellia phryganodes Coastal Barrens Partially Vegetated Riverine and Coastal Barrens 

Coastal Dry Dunegrass Meadow

Elymus arenarius mollis–Lathyrus maritimus Coastal Dry Dunegrass 

Meadow

Elymus Meadow Riverine and Coastal Barrens 

Coastal Brackish Wet Sedge–Grass Meadow 

Salix ovalifolia–Deschampsia caespitosa Coastal Wet Sedge–Grass 

Meadow

Halophytic Sedge–Grass Wet Meadow

Coastal Sedge–Grass Meadow 

Carex ramenskii–Dupontia fisheri Coastal Wet Sedge–Grass 

Meadow

Halophytic Sedge–Grass Wet Meadow

Coastal Sedge–Grass Meadow 

Coastal Saline Wet Sedge–Grass Meadow 

Carex ramenskii–Puccinellia phryganodes Coastal Wet Sedge–Grass 

Meadow

Halophytic Sedge–Grass Wet Meadow

Coastal Sedge–Grass Meadow 

Coastal Water Water Coastal Water Water Coastal Water Human Modifed Barrens None Human Modifed Barrens Partially Vegetated Human Modifed Barrens 
123 BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping

Appendix 10. Cross-tabulation of consistency between independently derived spectral classes (nodes 

of hierarchical clustering) and signature vegetation class. Boxes denote central 

tendencies of nodes associated with vegetation types.

Node

Hbl

Bpv

Hgdl

Sddt

Hgmsd

Slott

Slobe

Slobw

Slow

Stow

Stcaw

Hgmb

Fnows

Sdee

Hgwsmb

Hgwsb

Hgwhsgb

W

Total

8111 2 1 3

7111 2 2

8112 4 2 1 7

7122 3 3

1121 3 3

8121 2 2

7112 2 2

1221 19 1 20

1111 6 1 7

1122 8 1 1 10

8122 3 1 4

6111 4 4 8

6221 1 1 2 1 5

1211 1 4 5

1112 1 6 7

5111 5 5

5112 1 5 2 8

5121 3 3

2212 5 1 1 7

2121 7 5 12

2211 2 1 3

5211 2 6 8 16

2111 1 3 4

2122 1 1 2

2412 8 2 1 1 12

2311 3 3

2322 1 1 2

3113 1 1 1 1 4

3312 2 1 2 1 1 1 8

2321 2 1 3

2411 1 1 2

3322 2121 1 1 8

2312 1 1 2

3111 1 2 3

2621 1 2 3

2421 1 1 4 2 8

3122 1 2 3

2612 1 3 2 6

2622 3 3

3211 3 3

2500 1 1 2

4122 2 1 3

4111 1 2 4 2 1 10

4121 2 3 4 1 10

4211 3 1 2 6

7321 2 4 6

7311 1 3 4

5221 1 1 2

6211 2 2 2 6

5212 2 1 5 8

6212 1 5 2 1 1 2 1 13

6121 2 1 1 2 2 8

3321 1 1 1 1 1121 9

8211 41 5

8221 1 12 4

7212 33 6

8222 11 2

7211 11 2

7220 1 23

9110 12 12

9120 36 36

9220 7 7

Total 8 58 4 39 42 38 19 19 20 11 6 9 8 8 16 17 9 58 389

% in 100 88 25 62 33 66 42 84 30 36 67 22 88 38 56 35 78 100 65
BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping 124 Appendix 11. Comparison of mapped and ground ecotypes determined at 256 points used to create map signatures. Shaded values indicate the number of correctly mapped points and bolded values indicate the dominant types of misclassification. Ground Ecotypes 

Alpine Alkaline Dry Barrens

Alpine Alkaline Dry Dryas Shrub

Alpine Nonalkaline Dry Barrens

Alpine Nonalkaline Dry Dryas Shrub

Coastal Barrens

Coastal Dry Dunegrass Meadow

Coastal Water

Coastal Wet Sedge-Grass Meadow

Lacustrine Moist Bluejoint Meadow

Lowland Moist Dwarf Birch-Willow Shrub

Lowland Moist Low Willow Shrub

Lowland Moist Sedge-Dryas Meadow

Lowland Moist Tall Alder-Willow Shrub

Lowland Sedge Fen Meadow

Lowland Sedge-Moss Fen Meadow

Lowland Water

Lowland Wet Dwarf Birch-Ericaceous Shrub

Riverine Barrens

Riverine Moist Dwarf Birch-Willow Shrub

Riverine Moist Low and Tall Willow Shrub

Riverine Water

Upland Dry Crowberry Shrub

Upland Dry Lichen Barrens

Upland Moist Dwarf Birch-Ericaceous Shrub

Upland Moist Dwarf Birch-Tussock Shrub

Upland Moist Low Willow Shrub

Upland Moist Sedge-Dryas Meadow

Upland Moist Spruce Forest

Point Total 

Fraction Correct 

Alpine Alkaline Dry Barrens 16 2 18 0.89 

Alpine Alkaline Dry Dryas Shrub 1 21 1 3 26 0.81 

Alpine Nonalkaline Dry Barrens 5 2 7 0.29 

Alpine Nonalkaline Dry Dryas Shrub 1 5 2 1 9 0.22 

Coastal Barrens 2 1 1 4 0.50 

Coastal Dry Dunegrass Meadow 2 1 1 4 0.50 

Coastal Water 3 2 5 0.60 

Coastal Wet Sedge-Grass Meadow 9 9 1.00 

Lacustrine Moist Bluejoint Meadow 6 1 1 8 0.75 

Lowland Moist Dwarf Birch-Willow 3 2 5 0.60 

Lowland Moist Low Willow Shrub 1 3 3 11 6 15 0.20 

Lowland Moist Sedge-Dryas Meadow 1 4 5 0.00 

Lowland Moist Tall Alder-Willow 3 1 4 0.75 

Lowland Sedge Fen Meadow 1 10 11 0.91 

Lowland Sedge-Moss Fen Meadow 8 1 9 0.89 Lowland Water 1 3 3 7 0.43 

Lowland Wet Dwarf Birch-Ericaceous 1 4 1 1 1 8 0.50 

Riverine Barrens 2 2 1.00 

Riverine Moist Dwarf Birch-Willow 1 1 1.00 

Riverine Moist Low and Tall Willow 1 1 1 5 8 0.63 

Riverine Water 1 1 1.00 

Upland Dry Crowberry Shrub 1 4 5 0.80 

Upland Dry Lichen Barrens 1 7 8 0.88 

Upland Moist Dwarf Birch-Ericaceous 2 9 1 12 0.75 

Upland Moist Dwarf Birch-Tussock 25 25 1.00 

Upland Moist Low Willow Shrub 3 2 5 0.40 

Upland Moist Sedge-Dryas Meadow 1 3 1 22 27 0.81 

Upland Moist Spruce Forest 8 8 1.00 

Point Total 

23

30

3

3

2

3

5

9

6

5

5

6

7

14

9

3

7

3

1

6

1

6

7

17

28

10

29

8

256

Fraction correct 

0.70 

0.70 

0.67 

0.67 

1.00 

0.67 

0.60 

1.00 

1.00 

0.60 

0.60 

0.00 

0.43 

0.71 

0.89 

1.00 

0.57 

0.67 

1.00 

0.83 

1.00 

0.67 

1.00 

0.53 

0.89 

0.20 

0.76 

1.00 0.71 
125 BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping

Appendix 12. Comparison of mapped and ground vegetation determined at 256 points used to create map signatures. Ground classes were cross 

walked to correspond to reduced set of mapped classes. Shaded values indicate the number of correctly mapped points and bolded 

values indicate the dominant types of misclassification.

Ground Vegetation Class 

Bluejoint Meadow 

Crowberry Dwarf Shrub Tundra 

Dryas Dwarf ShrubTundra 

Elymus Meadow 

Halophytic Sedge-Grass Wet Meadow 

Lichen 

Low Mixed Shrub-Tussock Tundra 

Low Shrub Birch-Ericaceous Shrub 

Low Shrub Birch-Willow Shrub 

Lowland Sedge Bog Meadow 

Lowland Sedge-Moss Bog Meadow 

Open White Spruce Forest 

Partially Vegetated 

Sedge-Dryas Tundra 

Tall and Low Willow Shrub 

Water 

PointTotal

Fraction Correct

Bluejoint Meadow 6 1 1 8 0.75 

Crowberry Dwarf Shrub Tundra 4 1 5 0.80 

Dryas Dwarf ShrubTundra 29 1 2 3 35 0.83 

Elymus Meadow 1 2 1 4 0.50 

Halophytic Sedge-Grass Wet Meadow 9 9 1.00 

Lichen 7 1 8 0.88 

Low Mixed Shrub-Tussock Tundra 25 25 1.00 

Low Shrub Birch-Ericaceous Shrub 1 2 16 1 20 0.80 

Low Shrub Birch-Willow Shrub 2 4 6 0.67 

Lowland Sedge Bog Meadow 1 10 11 0.91 

Lowland Sedge-Moss Bog Meadow 8 1 9 0.89 

Open White Spruce Forest 8 8 1.00 

Partially Vegetated 2 1 27 1 31 0.87 

Sedge-Dryas Tundra 1 1 1 29 32 0.91 

Tall and Low Willow Shrub 4 1 1 26 32 0.81 

Water 1 3 2 7 13 0.54 

Point Total 6 6 33 3 9 7 28 24 6 14 9 8 31 35 28 9 256 Fraction Correct 1.00 0.67 0.88 0.67 1.00 1.00 0.89 0.67 0.67 0.71 0.89 1.00 0.87 0.83 0.93 0.78 0.85 
BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping 126 Appendix 13. Comparison of mapped and ground ecotypes after aggregation into 12 classes, determined at 256 points used to create map signatures. Shaded values indicate the number of correctly mapped points and bolded values indicate the dominant types of misclassification.. Aggregated Ground Ecotype 

Coastal Water 

Alpine and Upland Dwarf Shrub and Barrens 

Coastal Sedge-Grass Meadow 

Freshwater 

Lowland Sedge Fen Meadow 

Riverine and Coastal Barrens 

Riverine Low and Tall Willow Shrub 

Upland and Lowland Dwarf Birch-Willow Shrub 

Upland and Lowland Low Willow Shrub 

Upland and Lowland Sedge-Dryas Meadow 

Upland Dwarf Birch-Tussock Shrub 

Upland Spruce Forest 

Point Total 

Fraction Correct 

Coastal Water 3 2 5 0.60 

Alpine and Upland Dwarf Shrub and Barrens 64 1 3 68 0.94 

Coastal Sedge-Grass Meadow 9 9 1.00 

Freshwater 4 3 1 8 0.50 

Lowland Sedge Fen Meadow 1 25 2 28 0.89 

Riverine and Coastal Barrens 1 7 1 1 10 0.70 

Riverine Low and Tall Willow Shrub 1 6 2 9 0.67 

Upland and Lowland Dwarf Birch-Willow Shrub 1 1 26 2 30 0.87 

Upland and Lowland Low Willow Shrub 1 5 18 24 0.75 

Upland and Lowland Sedge-Dryas Meadow 1 1 29 1 32 0.91 

Upland Dwarf Birch-Tussock Shrub 25 25 1.00 

Upland Spruce Forest 8 8 1.00 

Point Total 5 66 9 4 29 8 7 35 22 35 28 8 256 Fraction Correct 0.60 0.97 1.00 1.00 0.86 0.88 0.86 0.74 0.82 0.83 0.89 1.00 0.88 
127 BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping

Appendix 14. Vegetation cover and frequency for ecotypes described by two plant associations. Data 

summarized by plant association.

Alpine Alkaline Dry Dryas Shrub 

Cover Freq Dryas integrifolia–

Rhododendron lapponicum 

(n = 6) Mean SD % 

Total Vascular Cover 73.9 10.9 100 

Total Evergreen Shrub Cover 49.2 12.1 100 

Cassiope tetragona 5.3 5.2 83 

Dryas integrifolia 31.7 18.6 83 

Rhododendron lapponicum 1.4 1.8 83 

Total Deciduous Shrub Cover 10.5 4.1 100 

Salix arctica 4.2 2.3 100 

Andromeda polifolia 0.5 0.5 50 

Arctostaphylos rubra 3.7 1.5 100 

Salix reticulata 1.3 1.9 67 

Vaccinium uliginosum 0.7 1.2 50 

Total Forb Cover 8.6 3.0 100 

Senecio sp. 0.1 0.1 50 

Polygonum viviparum 0.3 0.4 100 

Equisetum variegatum 0.5 0.8 67 

Anemone sp. 0.1 0.1 50 

Artemisia furcata 0.1 0.1 50 

Astragalus umbellatus 0.1 0.1 67 

Chrysanthemum integrifolium 0.1 0.0 83 

Hedysarum alpinum 1.0 1.2 67 

Lagotis glauca 0.2 0.4 50 

Pedicularis capitata 0.3 0.4 100 

Saussurea angustifolia 0.5 0.5 50 

Saxifraga oppositifolia 1.0 1.1 50 

Silene acaulis 0.4 0.5 83 

Thalictrum alpinum 0.1 0.1 67 

Tofieldia coccinea 0.2 0.4 50 

Tofieldia pusilla 0.4 0.5 67 

Total Grass Cover 0.3 0.4 67 

Arctagrostis latifolia 0.2 0.4 17 

Total Sedge Cover 5.3 1.9 100 

Eriophorum angustifolium 0.5 0.5 50 

Carex bigelowii 0.7 1.0 33 

Carex membranacea 0.5 0.5 50 

Carex misandra 0.5 0.8 33 

Carex scirpoidea 2.3 2.3 100 

Total NonVascular Cover 60.1 32.1 100 

Total Moss Cover 14.2 9.0 100 

Hylocomium splendens 2.5 4.2 33 

Rhytidium rugosum 4.0 4.7 67 

Tomentypnum nitens 5.5 7.3 67 

Total Lichen Cover 45.9 34.5 100 

Flavocetraria nivalis 2.8 1.9 83 

Thamnolia vermicularis 5.8 5.6 83 

Alectoria ochroleuca 1.7 2.0 67 

Bryocaulon divergens 0.7 1.2 33 

Cetraria islandica cf 5.5 12.0 50 

Cetraria tilesii 0.2 0.4 50 

Dactylina arctica 0.9 1.2 67 

Flavocetraria cucullata 11.0 12.6 100 

Masonhalea richardsonii 0.3 0.5 33 

Nephroma arcticum 7.0 16.2 50 

Ochrolechia frigida 3.0 4.0 50 

Total Bare Ground 34.9 23.1 100 

Litter alone 28.3 22.9 100 

Soil 6.5 5.7 100 

Alpine Alkaline Dry Dryas Shrub 

Cover Freq Dryas octopetala–Potentilla 

uniflora (n = 7) Mean SD % 

Total Vascular Cover 49.5 19.6 100 

Evergreen Tree 0.7 1.9 14 

Picea glauca 0.7 1.9 14 

Total Evergreen Shrub Cover 39.8 17.0 100 

Cassiope tetragona 0.3 0.5 29 

Dryas octopetala 39.3 16.4 100 

Rhododendron lapponicum 0.0 0.0 29 

Total Deciduous Shrub Cover 0.7 1.2 43 

Arctostaphylos alpina 0.1 0.4 14 

Arctostaphylos rubra 0.1 0.4 14 

Salix reticulata 0.3 0.8 29 

Total Forb Cover 6.1 1.4 100 

Androsace chamaejasme 0.1 0.0 71 

Artemisia furcata 0.2 0.4 57 

Artemisia senjavinensis 0.2 0.4 29 

Castilleja hyperborea 0.0 0.1 43 

Erigeron sp. 0.2 0.4 29 

Hedysarum mackenzii 0.7 1.1 71 

Lesquerella arctica 0.1 0.1 57 

Minuartia arctica 0.0 0.1 43 

Oxytropis bryophila 0.3 0.8 29 

Oxytropis nigrescens 0.2 0.4 43 

Phlox sibirica sibirica 0.3 0.8 29 

Pinguicula vulgaris 0.0 0.1 43 

Potentilla uniflora 0.2 0.4 29 

Saxifraga oppositifolia 1.3 0.7 100 

Senecio resedifolius 0.0 0.1 43 

Silene acaulis 0.0 0.1 43 

Total Grass Cover 0.3 0.7 57 

Festuca altaica 0.3 0.8 14 

Total Sedge Cover 1.9 1.5 100 

Carex franklinii 0.3 0.8 14 

Carex nardina 0.6 0.8 57 

Kobresia sp. 0.1 0.4 14 

Total NonVascular Cover 14.1 9.8 100 

Total Moss Cover 1.2 2.2 57 

Rhytidium rugosum 0.2 0.4 29 

Tortella fragilis 0.7 1.9 14 

Total Lichen Cover 12.9 10.4 100 

Flavocetraria nivalis 1.1 1.3 57 

Thamnolia vermicularis 1.8 1.6 100 

Cetraria tilesii 0.3 0.5 29 

Evernia perfragilis 0.1 0.1 29 

Flavocetraria cucullata 1.1 1.3 57 

Ochrolechia frigida 2.3 5.6 43 

Ochrolechia upsaliensis 0.6 1.5 29 

Pertusaria sp. 2.4 3.8 43 

Pertusaria subobducens 0.6 1.5 14 

Thamnolia subuliformis 0.4 0.9 29 

Vulpicida tilesii 0.5 0.8 57 

Total Bare Ground 52.9 28.4 100 

Litter alone 12.0 13.7 100 

Soil 40.9 28.3 100 
BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping 128

Appendix 14. Continued.

Lacustrine Marestail Marsh

Cover Freq Hippuris vulgaris– 

Potamogeton sp (n = 3) Mean SD % 

Total Vascular Cover 22.8 21.6 100 

Total Forb Cover 22.1 20.5 100 

Ranunculus pallasii 0.7 1.2 33 

Hippuris vulgaris 13.3 7.6 100 

Caltha palustris 0.3 0.6 33 

Menyanthes trifoliata 0.7 1.2 33 

Potamogeton sp. 0.4 0.6 67 

Potentilla palustris 6.7 11.5 33 

Total Grass Cover 0.3 0.6 33 

Arctophila fulva 0.3 0.6 33 

Total Sedge Cover 0.3 0.6 33 

Carex aquatilis 0.3 0.6 33 

Total NonVascular Cover 5.3 9.2 33 

Total Moss Cover 5.3 9.2 33 

Limprichtia revolvens 3.3 5.8 33 

Scorpidium scorpioides 1.7 2.9 33 

Sphagnum cf. jensnii 0.3 0.6 33 

Total Bare Ground 91.7 13.5 100 

Water 91.3 14.2 100 

Litter alone 0.3 0.6 33 

Lacustrine Marestail Marsh

Cover Freq Carex aquatilis–Caltha palustris

(n = 2) Mean SD % 

Total Vascular Cover 42.1 8.4 100 

Total Deciduous Shrub Cover 0.5 0.7 50 

Salix fuscescens 0.5 0.7 50 

Total Forb Cover 16.6 16.2 100 

Ranunculus hyperboreus 1.5 2.1 50 

Hippuris vulgaris 1.5 2.1 50 

Caltha natans 7.5 10.6 50 

Caltha palustris 1.5 2.1 50 

Myriophyllum spicatum 1.5 2.1 50 

Polemonium acutiflorum 0.1 0.1 50 

Potamogeton sp. 0.5 0.7 50 

Potentilla palustris 2.5 3.5 50 

Total Grass Cover 10.0 14.1 50 

Arctophila fulva* 10.0 14.1 50 

Total Sedge Cover 15.0 21.2 50 

Eriophorum angustifolium 7.5 10.6 50 

Carex aquatilis 7.5 10.6 50 

Total NonVascular Cover 1.5 2.1 50 

Total Moss Cover 1.5 2.1 50 

Sphagnum squarrosum 1.5 2.1 50 

Total Bare Ground 125.0 35.4 100 

Water 80.0 28.3 100 

Litter alone 45.0 63.6 50 

*Arctophila fulva typically occurs as a unique plant association, 

but was included here because of insufficient data to describe it 

separately. 

Coastal Barrens

Cover Freq Elymus arenarius mollis–

Lathyrus maritimus (n = 6) Mean SD % 

Total Vascular Cover 3.8 6.6 33 

Total Deciduous Shrub Cover 0.0 0.1 17 

Salix ovalifolia 0.0 0.0 17 

Salix planifolia pulchra 0.0 0.0 17 

Total Forb Cover 1.6 2.6 33 

Stellaria sp. 0.0 0.0 17 

Artemisia tilesii 0.0 0.0 17 

Honckenya peploides 1.0 1.5 33 

Lathyrus maritimus 0.2 0.4 33 

Mertensia maritima 0.3 0.8 17 

Senecio pseudoarnica 0.0 0.0 17 

Total Grass Cover 2.2 4.0 33 

Festuca rubra 0.0 0.0 17 

Elymus arenarius mollis 2.2 4.0 33 

Total NonVascular Cover 0.1 0.2 33 

Total Moss Cover 0.1 0.2 33 

Ceratodon purpureus 0.0 0.1 17 

Bryum pseudotriquetrum 0.0 0.1 17 

Dicranum spadiceum 0.0 0.1 17 

Leptobryum pyriforme 0.0 0.1 17 

Total Bare Ground 98.3 4.1 100 

Litter alone 2.7 4.1 50 

Soil 95.7 6.5 100 

Coastal Barrens

Carex ramenskii–Puccinellia 

phryganodes (n = 1) % Cover 

Total Vascular Cover 1.4 

Total Forb Cover 0.3 

Stellaria humifusa 0.1 

Chrysanthemum arcticum 0.1 

Potentilla egedii 0.1 

Total Grass Cover 0.1 

Elymus arenarius mollis 0.1 

Total Sedge Cover 1.0 

Carex subspathacea 1.0 

Total NonVascular Cover 0.2 

Total Moss Cover 0.2 

Sphagnum obtusum 0.2 

Total Bare Ground 99.1 

Water 1.0 

Litter alone 0.1 

Soil 98.0 
129 BELA-CAKR Landcover Mapping

Appendix 14. Continued.

Coastal Brackish Wet Sedge–Grass Meadow 

Cover Freq Salix ovalifolia–Deschampsia 

caespitosa (n = 2) Mean SD % 

Total Vascular Cover 53.6 14.3 100 

Total Deciduous Shrub Cover 11.0 12.7 100 

Salix ovalifolia 11.0 12.7 100 

Total Evergreen Shrub Cover 0.6 0.6 100 

Empetrum nigrum 0.6 0.6 100 

Total Forb Cover 8.5 2.6 100 

Sedum rosea 0.1 0.1 50 

Androsace chamaejasme 0.1 0.1 50 

Pedicularis sudetica 2.0 0.0 100 

Rumex arcticus 0.1 0.0 100 

Stellaria sp. 0.1 0.1 50 

Castilleja elegans 0.5 0.7 50 

Chrysanthemum arcticum 1.0 0.0 100 

Cochlearia officinalis arctica 1.0 0.0 100 

Lathyrus maritimus 0.5 0.7 50 

Melandrium apetalum 0.1 0.1 50 

Pedicularis langsdorffii arctica 0.5 0.7 50 

Potentilla sp. 0.1 0.0 100 

Primula borealis 0.1 0.1 50 

Saxifraga exilis 2.5 3.5 50 

Total Grass Cover 19.1 5.6 100 

Dupontia fisheri 2.5 3.5 50 

Calamagrostis deschampsioides 7.5 3.5 100 

Arctagrostis latifolia 2.5 3.5 50 

Deschampsia caespitosa 6.0 5.7 100 

Elymus arenarius mollis 0.6 0.6 100 

Total Sedge Cover 14.6 0.8 100 

Eriophorum angustifolium 1.1 1.3 100 

Carex aquatilis 1.0 1.4 50 

Carex amblyorhynca 2.5 3.5 50 

Carex canescens 1.0 1.4 50 

Carex ramenskii 7.5 3.5 100 

Juncus albescens 1.5 2.1 50 

Total NonVascular Cover 16.0 15.6 100 

Total Moss Cover 16.0 15.6 100 

Bryum sp. 3.8 1.8 100 

Aulacomnium palustre 1.0 1.4 50 

Bryum pallescens 2.5 3.5 50 

Campylium polygamum 2.5 3.5 50 

Campylium sp. 3.8 1.8 100 

Leptobryum pyriforme 2.5 3.5 50 

Total Bare Ground 49.5 14.8 100 

Water 0.5 0.7 50 

Litter alone 47.5 17.7 100 

Soil 1.5 2.1 50 

Coastal Brackish Wet Sedge–Grass Meadow 

Cover Freq Carex ramenskii–Dupontia 

fisheri (n = 5) Mean SD % 

Total Vascular Cover 45.9 11.1 100 

Total Deciduous Shrub Cover 2.6 4.2 60 

Salix ovalifolia 2.4 4.3 40 

Salix fuscescens 0.2 0.4 20 

Total Forb Cover 8.3 5.8 100 

Stellaria humifusa 4.0 3.7 100 

Cochlearia officinalis 1.8 2.2 60 

Rumex arcticus 0.3 0.4 80 

Chrysanthemum bipinnatum 0.0 0.0 20 

Polygonum sp. 0.0 0.0 20 

Potentilla egedii 2.2 4.4 60 

Potentilla sp. 0.0 0.0 20 

Total Grass Cover 8.8 5.2 100 

Calamagrostis holmii 2.4 4.3 40 

Dupontia fisheri 2.0 1.9 80 

Calamagrostis deschampsioides 3.0 4.5 40 

Poa arctica SL 0.4 0.9 20 

Deschampsia caespitosa 1.0 2.2 20 

Total Sedge Cover 26.2 4.4 100 

Carex aquatilis 0.2 0.4 20 

Carex ramenskii 26.0 4.2 100 

Total Bare Ground 73.4 21.2 100 

Water 0.2 0.4 60 

Litter alone 62.0 22.5 100 

Soil 11.2 21.7 100 
The Department of the Interior protects and manages the nation’s natural resources and cultural heritage; provides scientific and 

other information about those resources; and honors its special responsibilities to American Indians, Alaska Natives, and 

affiliated Island Communities. 

NPS D-41, November 2004
National Park Service 

U.S. Department of the Interior 

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