"Science, Faculty of"@en . "Zoology, Department of"@en . "DSpace"@en . "UBCV"@en . "Hoefs, Manfred"@en . "2010-02-11T19:43:31Z"@en . "1976"@en . "Doctor of Philosophy - PhD"@en . "University of British Columbia"@en . "An investigation was carried out on a population of Dall sheep and their range in southwestern Yukon from 1969 to 1973. The results are presented in two separate, distinct portions. Part I deals with the geography, geology, glaciology, soils and climate of the study area. It describes in detail the vegetation of the three biogeoclimatic zones and breaks it down into 32 plant associations, grouped into 23 alliances and 17 orders, following the Braun-Blanquet methods of phytosociology. Part II covers the sheep population, which has during the study period remained fairly constant at a level of about 200 adults. Detailed population statistics are presented on such parameters as: natality and mortality rates, productivity, sex ratios, densities and historical information about this herd is reviewed. The range use pattern and the forages selected by this population are discussed on a monthly basis. The response of sheep to some environmental variables as temperature, wind, snow depths is analysed. Based on a life table and classified counts a model of the population structure is presented which is useful for management questions such as calculating \"allowable\" harvests."@en . "https://circle.library.ubc.ca/rest/handle/2429/20092?expand=metadata"@en . "ECOLOGICAL INVESTIGATION OF DALL SHEEP (QVIS DALLI DALLI, NELSON) AND THEIR HABITAT \"ON -SHEEP MOUNTAIN, KLUANE NATIONAL PARK, YUKON TERRITORY, CANADA by MANFRED HOEFS B.Sc. Hons., U n i v e r s i t y o f M a n i t o b a , 1966 M . S c , U n i v e r s i t y o f M a n i t o b a , 1968 A THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY i n t h e Department o f Zoology We a c c e p t t h i s t h e s i s as c o n f o r m i n g t o t h e r e q u i r e d s t a n d a r d THE UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA /T\ Manfred Hoefs, 1976 In present ing t h i s thes is in p a r t i a l fu l f i lment o f the requirements fo r an advanced degree at the Un ivers i ty of B r i t i s h Columbia, I agree that the L ibrary s h a l l make i t f r e e l y ava i l ab le for reference and study. I fur ther agree that permission for extensive copying of th is thesis for s c h o l a r l y purposes may be granted by the Head of my Department or by h is representa t ives . It is understood that copying or p u b l i c a t i o n of th is thes is f o r f i n a n c i a l gain s h a l l not be allowed without my wri t ten permiss ion. Department of \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u0094 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 u' \u00E2\u0080\u0094 The Un ivers i ty of B r i t i s h Columbia 2075 Wesbrook Place Vancouver, Canada V6T 1W5 Date /?//?~73~ ABSTRACT An i n v e s t i g a t i o n was c a r r i e d out on a population of D a l l sheep and t h e i r range i n southwestern Yukon from 1969 to 1973. The r e s u l t s are presented i n two separate, d i s t i n c t portions. Part I deals with the geography, geology, g l a c i o l o g y , s o i l s and climate of the study area. I t describes i n d e t a i l the vegetation of the three biogeoclimatic zones and breaks i t down in t o 32 plant asso-c i a t i o n s , grouped into 23 a l l i a n c e s and 17 orders, following the Braun-Blanquet methods of phytosociology. Part II covers the sheep population, which has during the study period remained f a i r l y constant at a l e v e l of about 200 adults. Detailed population s t a t i s t i c s are presented on such parameters as: n a t a l i t y and m o r t a l i t y rates, p r o d u c t i v i t y , sex r a t i o s , d e n s i t i e s and h i s t o r i c a l information about t h i s herd i s reviewed. The range use pattern and the forages selected by t h i s population are discussed on a monthly bas i s . The response of sheep to some environmental v a r i a b l e s as temperature, wind, snow depths i s analysed. Based on a l i f e table and c l a s s i f i e d counts a model of the population structure i s presented which i s useful f o r management questions such as c a l c u l a t i n g \"allowable\" harvests. TABLE OF CONTENTS i i i Page LIST OF TABLES \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . i x LIST OF FIGURES x v Part I INTRODUCTION 1 Location of Study Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Physiography and Geology 4 Glaciology and S o i l s 12 Weather and Climate 20 Regional Climate 20 Local Modifications 23 Previous Botanical Work i n the Kluane Area 27 Methods and Materials . . . . . . 33 Analyses of Vegetation 34 Analyses of Environmental Factors . . . 35 Vegetation Tables . . . 37 Vegetation Map 39 CLASSIFICATION OF VEGETATION ON SHEEP MOUNTAIN 41 The boreal (montane) biogeoclimatic zone 42 The subalpine willow-birch biogeoclimatic zone 80 The alpine tundra biogeoclimatic zone 94 DISCUSSION 130 i v Page SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER SYNECOLOGICAL WORK 143 SUMMARY 145 LITERATURE CITED 149 APPENDIX . . .. 157 Synthesis Tables of Orders and t h e i r Lower Units 158 L i s t of Vascular Plants . 175 L i s t of Lichens . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . 185 L i s t of Mosses and Hepaticae 187 Standard E c o l o g i c a l Forms . . . 189 Condensed Table of F l o r i s t i c Structure of Plant Associations and t h e i r Higher Units 192 Vegetation Map of Sheep Mountain (in pocket) V' Z Part II INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . 194 Methods and Materials . . . . . . . 196 Population Dynamics and Range U t i l i z a t i o n 197 Forage U t i l i z a t i o n 203 Direct Observations 204 Rumen Sample Analyses 205 Snow Conditions 206 Temperatures 207 Wind 208 Plant Phenology . . ' 209 V Page RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS . 212 Numbers . . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 212 Range of the Population 216 Migration Pattern . . . . . 217 Population C h a r a c t e r i s t i c s 222 Densities 222 Sex Ratios . . . . . . . . . . . 225 Breeding Age and Longevity 228 Reproductive Performance . . 232 Pregnancy Rate; Twinning . 232 Lamb to Ewe Ratios; M o r t a l i t y During the F i r s t Year of L i f e 233 Yearling to Ewe Ratios; M o r t a l i t y During the Second Year of L i f e . 244 Prod u c t i v i t y of the Population . 248 Composition of Nursery Bands 250 Structure of the Ram Segment of the Population 251 Adult M o r t a l i t i e s ; M o r t a l i t y Factors 254 Man-inflicted M o r t a l i t i e s 257 Accidents 258 Predation . . . . . 261 Coyote 261 Eagles 262 Wolves . . 264 Wolverine . 267 v i Page Lynx 2 6 7 Cougar . . . 2 6 8 G r i z z l y Bear, Black Bear, Fox, Raven, and Magpie . . . . 269 Dispersal . 2 7 1 Diseases, Parasites, Toothwear 273 Weather . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 278 Competition 280 L i f e Table 282 H i s t o r i c a l Review of the Population Trend i n t h i s Herd 290 RESPONSE.TO ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS 297 Plant Phenology 297 Dates of F i r s t Flowering 297 Rates of Growth and Drying-up of Important Winter Range Forage Plants 299 The A l t i t u d i n a l Advance of Plant Development 302 Response to Snow Conditions 304 Response to Temperature 312 Response to Wind 319 V e r t i c a l Migration of Sheep Population . 328 Diurnal Feeding Rhythm 335 RANGE USE AND FORAGE . SELECTION 340 Range Use During January . 346 Forage Use During January . 349 v i i Page Range Use During February . .. 352 Forage Use During February . 355 Range Use During March 358 Forage Use During March. 361 Range Use During A p r i l 364 Forage Use During A p r i l 368 Range Use During May 370 Forage Use During May 374 Range Use During June 377 Forage Use During June 384 Range Use During July 387 Forage Use During July 391 Range Use. During August . 396 Forage Use During August 397 Range Use During September 402 Forage Use During September . 405-Range Use During October 409 Forage Use During October 411 Range Use During November. . 415 Forage Use During November 417 Range Use During December 419 Forage Use During;December 422 General Discussion on the U t i l i z a t i o n of Forages 424-Selection of Forages 427 v i i i Page U t i l i z a t i o n of Broad Forage Types . 430 Comparisons to Forage U t i l i z a t i o n Studies i n Other Areas . . . ... . 433 General Discussion on the Range U t i l i z a t i o n Oyer the Annual Cycle 439 Sex-Specifi\"c Range Use 443 The Relationships of.This Sheep Population to i t s Winter Range 445 MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS 452 Sheep Censuses and C l a s s i f i c a t i o n s . 452 Horn Growth. Rates 459 Optimizing of Harvests 466 SUMMARY 473 LITERATURE CITED . . . . . . . 478 APPENDIX 491 Numbers of D a l l Sheep,(excluding new born lambs) Counted on Sheep Mountain \"Winter Ranges\" 492 Horn Data From the Kluane Game Sanctuary . . 495 i x LIST OF TABLES Table Page Part I 1. climate-logical data for stations i n the Kluane area 21 2. Synopsis of the synsystematic units of the study area . . . . 43 3. Sizes of the associations of the mapped area i n acres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 4. P u c c i n e l l i o (deschampsioidis) - Taraxacetum l a c e r i .... . . . . . . . 49 5. Astero (yukonensis) - Hordeo (jubati) -Puccinellietum deschampsioidis 50 6. Hordeo (jubati). - Asteretum yukonensis 51 7. Astero (yukonensis) - Deschampsietum caespitosae . . . . 52 8. Triglochino (palustris) - Juncetum a r c t i c i 56 9. Triglochino (palustris) - Caricetum a q u a t i l i s 57 10. Astero (yukonensis) - Junco ( a r t i c i ) -Salicetum brachycarpae 61 11. Eriophoro ( a n g u s t i f o l i i ) - Carico ( a q u a t i l i s ) -\u00E2\u0080\u00A2 Salicetum p l a n i f o l i a e 62 12. Dryadetum drummondii . 65 13. Roso ( a c i c u l a r i s ) - Shepherdio (canadensis) -Populetum balsamiferae . 67 14. Calamagrostido (purpurascentis) - Arctostaphyletum uvae - u r s i . 71 15. Hypno (procerrimi) - A b i e t i n e l l o (abietinae) -Piceetum glaucae 74 16. Pentstemono (gormanii) - Artemisio (frigidae) -Agropyretum yukonensis 81 X Table Page 17. Artemisio (frigidae) - Agropyro (yukonensis) -Eurotietum lanatae 82 18. Pentstemono (gormanii) - Artemisietum f r i g i d a e 83 19. Agropyro (yukonensis) - Artemisietum f r i g i d a e -r u p e s t r i s 84 20. Oxytropo ( v i s c i d a e ) . - Artemisio (hyperboreae -frig i d a e ) - Carieetum f i l i f o l i a e . . . . 85 21. Arctostaphylo (rubrae - uvae ursi) - Festuco (altaicae) - Salicetum r e t i c u l a t a e - glaucae . . . . . 8 9 22. Arctostaphylo (rubrae) - Cassiopo (tetragonae) -Salicetum r e t i c u l a t a e - lanatae - glaucae . . . . . . 90 23. Artemisietum alaskanae 95 24. Artemisio (hyperboreae - alaskanae) - Salicetum m y r t i l l i f o l i a e 96 25. S a l i c o (reticulatae) - Sileno (acaulis) - Carico (scirpoideae) - Dryadetum i n t e g r i f o l i a e . . . . . . . 101 26. S a l i c o . ( r e t i c u l a t a e ) - Cassiopo (tetragonae) -Dryadetum i n t e g r i f o l i a e 102 27. Oxytropo (viscidae) . Artemisio . (hyperboreae) -Festuco (brachyphyllae) - Trisetetum s p i c a t i . . . . . 107 28. Oxytropo (huddelsonii) - Salicetum dodgeanae 108 29'. Agropyretum v i o l a c e i . . . I l l 30. Artemisio' (arcticae) - S a l i c o (reticulatae) -Festucetum a l t a i c a e . . . . . . . 114 31. Salicetum barrattianae . 117 32. Saxifrago . ( o p p o s i t i f o l i a e ) - Oxyrio (digynae) -Salicetum p o l a r i s '. .. . . . . . . 122 33. Seneciono (lugentis) - Salicetum p o l a r i s -r e t i c u l a t a e 123 34. Oxyrio (digynae) - Artemisietum a r c t i c a e -t i l e s i i 127 x i Table Page 35. Saxifrago ( h i r c u l i ) - Caricetum membranaceae . . . . . . 128 36. PUCCINELLIO - SALICORNIETALIA 158 37. CARICETALIA AQUATILIS . 159 38. SALICETALIA PLANIFOLIAE . . . 160 39. DRYADETALIA DRUMMONDII . 161 40. POPULETALIA BALSAMIFERAE 162 41. CALAMAGROSTIDO (PURPURASCENTIS) - ARCTOSTAPHYLETALIA UVAE-URSI' . . . . . . . 163 42. PICEETALIA GLAUCAE - MARIANAE 164 43. ARTEMIS 10 (FRIGIDAE) .. - AGROPYRETALIA YUKONENSIS . . . . . 165 44. BETULETALIA GLANDULOSAE . 166 45. ARTEMISIETALIA ALASKANAE ... .. . . \" 167 46. DRYADETALIA INTEGRIFOLIAE . . . . 168 47. OXYTROPO (VISCIDAE) - ARTEMIS10 (HYPERBOREAE) -FESTUCO (BRAGHYPHYLLAE) - TRISETETALIA SPICATI . . . . 169 48. AGROPYRETALIA VIOLACEI . . . . . . . . 170 49. FESTUCETALIA ALTAI CAE 171 50. SALICETALIA BARRATTIANAE 172 51. SALICETALIA POLARIS 173 52. PETASITETALIA FRIGIDI 174 53. Condensed table of f l o r i s t i c structure of plant associations and t h e i r higher units . . . . . . . . \u00C2\u00B192~ fa pit V-2. Part II 1. Numbers of Dal.l sheep counted on. Sheep Mountain \"winter ranges\" . . 492 2. Highest numbers of sheep observed on Sheep Mountain . . . 213 x i i Table Page 3. Composition of the population 214 4. Migration distances of \"northern\" sheep 221 5. Densities of \"northern\" sheep 224 6. Sex r a t i o s of D a l l sheep . . . . 226 7a. Sur v i v a l of the 1971 lamb crop to ye a r l i n g s ' age . . . . 235 7b. Sur v i v a l of the 1972 lamb crop to ye a r l i n g s ' age . . . . 236 8a. Reproductive performance . 238 8b. Reproductive performance 239 9. C l a s s i f i c a t i o n of rams 251 10. Comparisons of c l a s s i f i c a t i o n of rams . . . . . . . . 253 11a. Adult mortality 1970 to 1971 255 l i b . Adult m o r t a l i t y 1971 to 1972 . 256 12. L i f e table f o r rams of the Sheep Mountain population . . . 285 13. Dates of f i r s t flowering of Sheep Mountain plants . . . . 298 14. Average temperatures at Sheep Mountain during 1970/71 . . . . . . . . . . . 313 15. A l t i t u d i n a l movement.of sheep i n response to temperature 315 16. Average monthly wind speed during 1970/71 320 17. Response of D a l l sheep to wind c h i l l 323 18. S t a t i s t i c s on v e r t i c a l migration 329 19. Origins of rumen samples 342 20. U t i l i z a t i o n of d i f f e r e n t habitat types (plant associations) over the annual cycle . .. 343 21. S t a t i s t i c s on range u t i l i z a t i o n 344 22. S t a t i s t i c s on forage u t i l i z a t i o n 345 x i i i Table Page 23. Feeding observations during late::winter and spring . 350 24. Rumen sample analyses for January . . 351 25. Rumen sample analyses for February 356 26. Rumen sample analyses for March 362 27. Rumen sample analyses f or A p r i l 369 28. Rumen sample analyses f or May 375 29. Feeding observations during summer and early f a l l . . . . . . . 385 30. Rumen sample analyses for.June . 386 31. Rumen sample analyses f or July 393 32. Rumen sample analyses for August 400 33. Rumen sample analyses for September . . . . 408 34. Rumen sample analyses for October and November . . . . . 413 35. Feeding observations during f a l l and early winter 414 36. Rumen sample analyses for December 423 37. Summary s t a t i s t i c s on range u t i l i z a t i o n 440 38. Summary of forage composition over the annual cycle 425 39. Horn data from the Kluane Game Sanctuary 495 40a. Horn s t a t i s t i c s (annual increments i n lengths) 454 40b. Horn s t a t i s t i c s (annual increments i n degree curl) 455 41. Horn s t a t i s t i c s f o r Dall . ewes 460 42. Comparisons of annual increments i n horn growth of D a l l rams 461 x i v Table Page 43. Numbers of \"trophies\" i n the l e g a l age classes of rams 469 44. Horn lengths of rams taken i n the 1973 hunting season i n southern Yukon 470 X V LIST OF FIGURES Figure Page Part I 1. Map of study area 3 2. Geology and physiography of study area 7 3. Generalized s o i l p r o f i l e of Kluane Lake basin 16 4. P u c c i n e l l i o (deschampsioidis) - Taraxacetum l a c e r i 48 5. Zonation of Slims River flood p l a i n 48 6. Triglochino (palustris) - Juncetum a r c t i c i . . . . . . 53 7. Triglochino (palustris) - Caricetum a q u a t i l i s 53 8. Astero (yukonensis) - Junco ( a r c t i c i ) -Salicetum brachycarpae . 59 9. Eriophoro ( a n g u s t i f o l i i ) - Carico ( a q u a t i l i s ) -Salicetum p l a n i f o l i a e 59 10. Dryadetum drummondii 64 11. Roso ( a c i c u l a r i s ) - Shepherdio (canadensis) -Populetum tremuloidis 64 12. Calamagrostido (purpurascentis) -Arctostaphyletum uvae-ursi 70 13. Hypno (procerrimi) - A b i e t i n e l l o (abietinae) -Piceetum glaucae . . . . . 70 14. General aspect of grassland d i s t r i b u t i o n 77 15. Ecotone i n grassland associations 77 16. Arctostaphylo (rubrae - uvae-ursi) - Festuco (altaicae) - Salicetum r e t i c u l a t a e - glaucae 88 17. Arctostaphylo (rubrae) - Cassiopo (tetragonae) -Salicetum r e t i c u l a t a e - lanatae - glaucae 88 xv i Figure Page 18. Artemisietum alaskanae . . . . 93 19. Artemisio (hyperboreae - alaskanae) -Salicetum m y r t i l l i f o l i a e 93 20. S a l i c o (reticulatae) - Sileno (acaulis) -Carico (scirpoideae) - Dryadetum i n t e g r i f o l i a e . . . . 100 21. S a l i c o (reticulatae) - Cassiopo (tetragonae) -Dryadetum i n t e g r i f o l i a e 100 22. Oxytropo (viseidae) - Artemisio (hyperboreae) -Festuco (brachyphyllae) - Trisetetum s p i c a t i . . . . . 105 23. Oxytropo (huddelsonii) - Salicetum dodgeanae . . . . . . 105 24. Agropyretum v i o l a c e i . . . . . . . 110 25. Artemisio (arcticae) - S a l i c o (reticulatae) -Festucetum a l t a i c a e . 113 26. Salicetum barrattianae ., 113 27. Saxifrago ( o p p o s i t i f o l i a e ) - Oxyrio (digynae) -Salicetum p o l a r i s 120 28. Seneciono (lugentis) - Salicetum p o l a r i s -r e t i c u l a t a e . . . . . . . . . 120 29. Oxyrio (digynae) - Artemisietum a r c t i c a e -t i l e s i i . . ' . . . . . ' 126 30. Saxifrago ( h i r c u l i ) - Caricetum membranaceae . 126 31. A l t i t u d i n a l range of plant associations . . 131 32. S o i l moisture c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s of plant associations 132 33. Duration of snow, cover and depths 133 Part II l a . Range of the Sheep Mountain population of D a l l Sheep . . . 199 l b . Sheep Mountain 200 x v i i Figure Page 2. Phenological sequence of growth and drying up of important winter range forage plants 300 3. Growth of Carex f i l i f o l i a at various a l t i t u d e s demonstrating v e r t i c a l phenological advance 303 4. Average and maximum snow depths during March 1971 305 5. Snow depths i n feeding areas 307 6. Photograph of Sheep Mountain from l a t e February showing extent of bare, wind-swept areas 309 7. Typical winter scene: sheep u t i l i z i n g wind-swept areas . . . . 309 8. Response of D a l l sheep to winter temperatures 317 9. Response of D a l l sheep to wind c h i l l . . . . . . . . 325 10. V e r t i c a l migration of sheep population 330 11. Diurnal feeding rhythm of sheep 336 12. D i s t r i b u t i o n of grazing s i t e s during January 1971 347 13. D i s t r i b u t i o n of grazing s i t e s during February 1971 354 14. D i s t r i b u t i o n of grazing s i t e s during March 1971 359 15. Photograph of sheep at mineral l i c k 365 16. D i s t r i b u t i o n of grazing s i t e s during A p r i l 1971 367 17. Sheep feeding on Galamagrostis and Artemisia . . . . . . 365 18. D i s t r i b u t i o n of grazing s i t e s during May 1971 372 19. Sheep feeding on Carex f i l i f o l i a . . . . 378 20ab. Grazed and ungrazed clump of Carex f i l i f o l i a 379 21ab. Grazed and ungrazed bunch of Calamagrostis purpurascens 380 x v i i i Figure Page 22. Sheep feeding on Agropyron yukoriense . . . . . . . . 378 23. D i s t r i b u t i o n of grazing s i t e s during June 1971 383 388 24abc. Sheep u t i l i z i n g browse species during June 25. D i s t r i b u t i o n of grazing s i t e s during July 1971 392 26. Goats using dry, alpine grasslands 395 27. Large nursery band of sheep using.Dryas s i t e s 395 28. Large nursery band grazing on moist, shady . north slope . 398 29. Nursery band on alpine meadow i n l a t e August/ early September, . . . . 398 30. D i s t r i b u t i o n of grazing s i t e s during August 1971 399 31. \"S o c i a l gathering\" of nursery sheep on large south-east facing slope during September 404 32. D i s t r i b u t i o n of grazing s i t e s during September . . . . . 406 33. Sheep feeding on S a l i x glauca . . 407 34. Sheep feeding on S a l i x m y r t i l l i f o l i a 407 35. D i s t r i b u t i o n of grazing s i t e s during October 1970 412 36. Distribution, of grazing s i t e s during November 1970 418 37. D i s t r i b u t i o n of grazing s i t e s during December 1970 421 38. D i s t r i b u t i o n of grazing s i t e s over 1970/71 431 39. D a l l sheep forage composition 432 40. Sheep Creek slopes - a heavily u t i l i z e d winter range 446 xix Figure Page 41. West flank of Mount Wallace and north slope of Sheep Mountain - a heavily u t i l i z e d summer range . . . . 446 42. Structure of the sheep population 457 43. Relation between age of rams and horn lengths 462 44. Relation between age of rams and horn bases 463 X X ACKNOWLEDGMENTS The study presented here i s i n two p a r t s \u00E2\u0080\u0094 P a r t I i s the plant e c o l o g i c a l study as part of an i n v e s t i g a t i o n of D a l l Sheep and t h e i r habitat; and Part II presents the study of an i n v e s t i g a t i o n dealing with the ecology of D a l l Sheep and t h e i r h abitat\u00E2\u0080\u0094done at the University of B r i t i s h Columbia, Department of Zoology, under the guidance of Dr. I. McT. Cowan. I am.grateful to Dr. Cowan for h i s encouragement and support throughout the study period and for making funds a v a i l a b l e f or t h i s pro-j e c t through the University of B r i t i s h Columbia, the A r c t i c I n s t i t u t e of North America, the Canadian W i l d l i f e Service, the Boone and Crockett Club, and the National Research Council. Thanks are also due to Mr. J . B. F i t z g e r a l d , Director of the Yukon Game Branch, and Mr. S. Rolfson, Superintendent of Kluane National Park, for making a v a i l a b l e a d d i t i o n a l manpower and for providing l o g i s t i c support. The assistance of the following students during f i e l d work i s g r a t e f u l l y acknowledged: Cathy Young, B i l l Richards, Rob Gordon, Ken Summers, and Terry Kennedy. I am g r a t e f u l to the following experts for providing help with the i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of Plants: Dr. J . W. Thomson, University of Wisconsin, with lichens; Dr. W. B . S c h o f i e l d , University of B r i t i s h Columbia, with mosses and hepaticae; Dr. G. Argus, National Museum of Natural History, Ottawa, with many willow specimens; Dr. D. (Murray, University of Alaska, with many Carex spp.; and Dr. V. C. Brink, University of B r i t i s h Columbia. I am p a r t i c u l a r l y thankful to Dr. V. Krajina, University of B r i t i s h Columbia, who provided indispensable assistance throughout t h i s x x i study with f i e l d work, plant i d e n t i f i c a t i o n s and c l a s s i f i c a t i o n of syneco-l o g i c a l u n i t s . L a s t l y , the write r benefitted greatly from frequent correspon-dence with the following two 'sheep experts': Dr. V. Geist, University of Calgary; and Dr. N. Simmonds, Canadian W i l d l i f e Service. To a l l the above-mentioned i n d i v i d u a l s and agencies, and to a l l others who i n d i r e c t l y contributed to t h i s i n v e s t i g a t i o n , I extend my most sincere gratitude. PART I PHYTOSOCIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS AND SYNTHESIS OF SHEEP MOUNTAIN, S.W. YUKON TERRITORY, CANADA by MANFRED HOEFS INTRODUCTION The p h y t o s o c i o l o g i c a l a n a l y s i s and t h e v e g e t a t i o n map p r e s e n t e d i n t h i s work a r e p o r t i o n s o f a l a r g e r i n v e s t i g a t i o n d e a l i n g w i t h t h e e c o l o g y o f a D a l l Sheep p o p u l a t i o n . T h r o u g h o u t t h e Yukon t h e s t u d y a r e a i s known t o s u p p o r t a v e r y h i g h d e n s i t y o f D a l l Sheep and t h e u n o f f i c i a l name \"Sheep M o u n t a i n \" was g i v e n t o t h e a r e a f o r t h a t r e a s o n . Our i n v e s t i g a t i o n t r i e d t o a s s e s s t h e s t a t u s o f t h e D a l l Sheep p o p u l a t i o n o f t h e a r e a , compare i t t o p o p u l a t i o n s r e p o r t e d on f r o m o t h e r a r e a s , and e v a l u a t e some o f t h e e n v i r o n m e n t a l f a c t o r s w h i c h may be r e s p o n s i b l e t o e x p l a i n t h e h i g h sheep d e n s i t i e s e n c o u n t e r e d . Sheep M o u n t a i n s u p p o r t s up t o 200 D a l l Sheep d u r i n g t h e w i n t e r months on i t s 9 . 3 s q u a r e m i l e a r e a , o f w h i c h l e s s t h a n 6 . 5 s q u a r e m i l e s a r e a c t u a l l y sheep h a b i t a t . When t r y i n g t o e x p l a i n t h e p e r f o r m a n c e o f an u n g u l a t e p o p u l a t i o n a number o f f a c t o r s need t o be l o o k e d i n t o ; t h e s e i n c l u d e t h e q u a n t i t y and q u a l i t y o f i t s r a n g e , p a r t i c u l a r l y i t s w i n t e r r a n g e , t h e t y p e o f w e a t h e r e n c o u n t e r e d d u r i n g w i n t e r , t h e p o s s i b l e i m p a c t s o f p r e d a t o r s , p a r a s i t e s and d i s e a s e s as w e l l a s t h e i m p a c t o f man t h r o u g h h u n t i n g o r o t h e r t y p e s o f a c t i v i t i e s . W h i l e a l l t h e s e p o t e n t i a l l i m i t i n g f a c t o r s were l o o k e d i n t o i n some d e t a i l t h e m a j o r e m p h a s i s was p l a c e d on t h e i n v e s t i g a t i o n o f t h i s sheep p o p u l a t i o n ' s r a n g e , p a r t i c u l a r l y i t s w i n t e r r a n g e . O n l y l i m i t e d b o t a n i c a l i n f o r m a t i o n was a v a i l a b l e f o r t h e a r e a when t h i s s t u d y s t a r t e d , and i t c o n s i s t e d a l m o s t e n t i r e l y o f p l a n t c o l l e c t i o n s . No q u a n t i t a t i v e s y n e c o l o g i c a l ujork had been done . I t was t h e r e f o r e d e c i d e d t o do a p h y t o s o c i o l o g i c a l i n v e s t i g a t i o n on Sheep M o u n t a i n u s i n g c o n v e n t i o n a l s y n e c o l o g i c a l methods o f t h e Z u r i c h -M o n t p e l l i e r S c h o o l . T h i s v e g e t a t i o n a n a l y s i s was meant t o h e l p i n t h e e v a l u a t i o n o f t h e p e r f o r m a n c e o f t h i s sheep p o p u l a t i o n ; t h e E u r o p e a n method was c h o s e n t o e n a b l e s y n e c o l o g i s t t o compare and i n t e g r a t e t h i s s t u d y w i t h s i m i l a r o n e s c a r r i e d o u t i n a number o f l o c a t i o n s o f w e s t e r n and a r c t i c C a n a d a , w h i c h u s e d t h e same a n a l y t i c a l methods [ B e c k i n g ( 1 9 5 4 ) ; O r l o c i ( 1 9 6 4 ) ; K r a j i n a ( 1 9 6 5 ) ; B r o o k e ( 1 9 6 6 ) ; L a m b e r t ( 1 9 6 8 ) ; B r o o k e , P e t e r s o n & K r a j i n a ( 1 9 7 0 ) ; B a r r e t t ( 1 9 7 2 ) ] . Even t h o u g h t h e r a n g e o f t h e D a l l Sheep p o p u l a t i o n e x t e n d s beyond t h e b o u n d a r i e s o f Sheep M o u n t a i n , t h e l a t t e r has r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s t a n d s o f a l l m a j o r a s s o c i a t i o n s f o u n d i n t h e r e g i o n t h a t a r e u t i l i z e d by s h e e p . One o f t h e m a j o r o b j e c t i v e s o f t h i s p h y t o s o c i o l o g i c a l i n v e s t i g a t i o n was t o o b t a i n b a s e l i n e d a t a f o r t h e c o n s t r u c t i o n o f a v e g e t a t i o n map o f t h i s a r e a . T h i s map was meant t o be u s e d t o e v a l u a t e t h e d i s t r i b u t i o n p a t t e r n s and g r a z i n g \" s t r a t e g i e s \" o f sheep o v e r t h e a n n u a l c y c l e . L o c a t i o n o f S t u d y A r e a The s t u d y a r e a i s l o c a t e d i n t h e c e n t r e o f t h e n e w l y - e s t a b l i s h e d K l u a n e N a t i o n a l P a r k , s o u t h w e s t Yukon. T e r r i t o r y ( T i g . l ) . The name \"Sheep M o u n t a i n \" was g i v e n t o i t by l o c a l p e o p l e b e c a u s e o f i t s i m p o r t a n c e as a D a l l Sheep w i n t e r r a n g e . The name i s n o t o f f i c i a l , b u t i t i s commonly u s e d i n t h e Yukon T e r r i t o r y and i t w i l l be u s e d i n t h i s t h e s i s . I t s e x a c t l o c a t i o n i s t h e s o u t h w e s t c o r n e r o f K l u a n e L a k e , where t h e S l i m s R i v e r i s b u i l d i n g a d e l t a ( F i g . l ) . As f a r as f l o r i s t i c c o m p o s i t i o n i s H O 50 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2> w j(r i(y 1 \u00C2\u00BB ' '^\"S^t^^ l ^ ^ ^ ^ - ^ ^ ^ J . ^ P ^ ^ t ^ ^ - i ^ )j^:^-^J^l^-{ '}'; \C -<\u00E2\u0080\u00A2-. }XN-.-6347. . :^.^J c \u00E2\u0080\u00A2-.61\u00C2\u00B0 - 30'2 M M f il 1/ .. *^-~ .\"\"\"r ;7;fyr^p^^'^'\"i^71 / r ^ \" - ^ ' ^ ' l ; '\u00E2\u0080\u00A2J02iai'.<\"';\u00C2\u00AB ':>\u00E2\u0080\u00A2<\u00E2\u0080\u00A2\u00E2\u0080\u00A2'-vvr 4 _\"7-:';-~^X.yU, f 'j SM1IHMSI MBH scut b 10 IS 30 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2\u00E2\u0080\u00A2v;:.v'-;;'-i.^\";7r-;^;; !'\u00E2\u0080\u00A2>.'\( ;.7'\ /' -'.':f (V.:-7.\",A ;N;%'-V-7^,I u r ^ : ^ . c ^ - - r ^ ^ f , - -7 l - ^ ' ^ v . - . - . - 4 -c o n c e r n e d , Sheep M o u n t a i n i s r e p r e s e n t a t i v e f o r D a l l Sheep r a n g e s f o r t h e n o r t h e r n h a l f o f K l u a n e N a t i o n a l P a r k , a p p r o x i m a t e l y f rom t h e S l i m s R i v e r v a l l e y t o t h e D o n j e k R i v e r v a l l e y . N o r t h as w e l l as s o u t h o f t h i s d e s i g n a t e d a r e a t h e c l i m a t e i s m o i s t e r and t h e r a n g e c o m p o s i t i o n c h a n g e s a c c o r d i n g l y . The map a r e a i n c l u d e s Sheep M o u n t a i n as w e l l as p a r t o f t h e S l i m s R i v e r f l o o d p l a i n a t i t s b a s e . The e x a c t b o u n d a r i e s a r e t h e s h o r e o f K l u a n e L a k e i n t h e e a s t , t h e S l i m s R i v e r i n t h e s o u t h , Sheep C r e e k i n t h e w e s t , and t h e d e p r e s s i o n between Sheep M o u n t a i n and t h e a d j a c e n t Mount W a l l a c e , i n t h e n o r t h . The w e s t e r n p o r t i o n o f t h i s d e p r e s s i o n i s o c c u p i e d by a s m a l l s t r e a m c a l l e d \" F o r t y e i g h t P u p \" , w h i l e t h e e a s t e r n p o r t i o n c o n t a i n s an even s m a l l e r s t r e a m w h i c h has no name. The map a r e a i s r e c t a n g u l a r i n s h a p e ; a p p r o x i m a t e l y f o u r m i l e s l o n g s o u t h w e s t t o n o r t h e a s t , and a b o u t 2 . 2 m i l e s w i d e on th3 a v e r a g e . C o n -s i d e r i n g s l o p e t h e t o t a l s u r f a c e a r e a i s a b o u t 11 s q u a r e m i l e s . The a p p r o x i m a t e c o o r d i n a t e s a r e 61\u00C2\u00B0 - DO' t o 61\u00C2\u00B0 - 03* l a t i t u d e n o r t h , and 138\u00C2\u00B0 - 3 0 ' t o 138\u00C2\u00B0 - 3 6 ' l o n g i t u d e w e s t . The a l t i t u d e o f K l u a n e L a k e i s g i v e n by B o s t o c k (1969) a t 2563 f e e t above s e a l e v e l . Sheep M o u n t a i n d o e s n o t have a s i n g l e peak b u t an u n d u l a t i n g r i d g e a l o n g i t s t o p , f r o m w h i c h t h r e e k n o b s r i s e t o an e l e v a t i o n o f a b o u t 6400 f e e t above s e a l e v e l ( F i g . 2 ) . T h i s g i v e s t h e m o u n t a i n a h e i g h t o f a b o u t 3800 f e e t above t h e v a l l e y f l o o r . P h y s i o g r a p h y and G e o l o g y The p h y s i o g r a p h y o f t h e a r e a has been d e s c r i b e d by B o s t o c k (1948) and t h e g e o l o g y by M u l l e r ( 1 9 6 7 ) . The f o l l o w i n g summary i s p r i m a r i l y b a s e d on t h e i r w o r k . The s t u d y a r e a i s l o c a t e d i n t h e S t . E l i a s M o u n t a i n s . These a r e t h e h i g h e s t m o u n t a i n s i n Canada and t o g e t h e r c o n t a i n t h e l a r g e s t g r o u p o f g r e a t p e a k s i n N o r t h A m e r i c a . P e r h a p s few o t h e r p e o p l e have d e s c r i b e d t h e i r g r a n d e u r more a p p r o p r i a t e l y and more p i c t u r e q u e l y t h a n B o s t o c k ( 1 9 4 8 ) : \" . . . B e s i d e s t h e i r c o l o s s a l s i z e t h i s i n d i v i d u a l a l o o f n e s s ( o f s i n g l e p e a k s ) adds much t o t h e i m p r e s s i v e n e s s o f t h e i r v a s t , w i l d and i c y b e a u t y , and c o n t r a s t s them s h a r p l y w i t h t h e j u m b l e d r i v a l r y o f s u m m i t s a r o u n d many o f t h e ma in p e a k s o f t h e C o a s t - , Rocky - , and M a c k e n z i e M o u n t a i n s , and o t h e r m o u n t a i n s o f t h e C a n a d i a n C o r d i l l e r a . Many o f t h e s e i n d i v i d u a l p e a k s and g r o u p s a r e b l o c k - l i k e i n f o r m , r i s i n g on n e a r l y e v e r y s i d e w i t h p r e c i p i t o u s c l i f f s , n o t t o p i n n a c l e - l i k e t o p s , b u t t o b r o a d , s t i l l s t e e p , t h o u g h r e l a t i v e l y g e n t l e r , summit a r e a s . T h i s . g i v e s them an a p p e a r a n c e o f s t u p e n d o u s m a s s i v e n e s s f rom a l l d i r e c t i o n s . A n o t h e r o u t s t a n d i n g f e a t u r e i s t h e m a n t l e o f snow and i c e t h a t even i n summer c l o a k s a g r e a t pa r I o f t hem. I t s p r e a d s u n b r o k e n o v e r t h e i r g e n t l e r summit a r e a s , s m o o t h i n g t h e c o n t o u r s o f t h e i r u p p e r s l o p e s and c o n c e a l i n g b e d r o c k . . . B e l o w t h e s e d a z z l i n g monarchs a s e a o f l e s s e r p e a k s , m i g h t y t h e m s e l v e s i n o t h e r company, f o rm a j a g g e d and r o c k y p l a t f o r m . Such i s a g e n e r a l p i c t u r e o f t h e d o m i n a n t f e a t u r e s o f t h e s e g r e a t m o u n t a i n s b e s i d e w h i c h t h e b e t t e r known r a n g e s o f Canada a r e d w a r f e d t o r e l a t i v e i n s i g n i f i c a n c e . \" B o s t o c k (1948 ) d i v i d e d t h e S t . E l i a s M o u n t a i n s i n t o f i v e s u b d i v i s i o n s . The I c e f i e l d , A l s e k and F a i r w e a t h e r Ranges make up t h e h i g h g l a c i e r - c l a d s o u t h w e s t e r n p o r t i o n . They c o n t a i n M t . Logan ( 1 9 , 8 5 0 f e e t ) and a number o f o t h e r p e a k s above 1 2 , 0 0 0 f e e t e l e v a t i o n . The K l u a n e and Don jek R a n g e s , w h i c h a r e s e p a r a t e d by t h e Duke d e p r e s s i o n , f o r m t h e n o r t h e a s t e r n p o r t i o n o f t h e S t . E l i a s M o u n t a i n s . They a r e l o w e r and appear \" f o o t h i l l - l i k e \" by c o m p a r i s o n . The Shakwak v a l l e y s e p a r a t e s t h e S t . E l i a s M o u n t a i n s f r o m t h e Yukon p l a t e a u t o t h e n o r t h e a s t . The a l i g n m e n t o f a l l t h e s e p h y s i o -g r a p h i c u n i t s i s s o u t h e a s t t o n o r t h w e s t ( F i g . l ) . V iewed o b l i q u e l y t h e g e n e r a l i m p r e s s i o n o f t h e K l u a n e R a n g e s , i n w h i c h t h e s t u d y a r e a i s l o c a t e d , i s t h a t o f a c o n t i n u o u s m o u n t a i n w a l l r i s i n g i n a s t r a i g h t l i n e f r o m t h e Shakwak V a l l e y ( F i g . 2 ) . S l i g h t e l e v a t i o n d i f f e r e n c e s i n t h e p e a k s and n i n e l a r g e , c r o s s c u t t i n g v a l l e y s a r e n o t c o n s p i c u o u s . They show a p a r t i c u l a r t y p e o f r u g g e d n e s s t h a t c o n t r a s t s w i t h t h a t o f o t h e r n e a r b y r a n g e s . T h e i r s l o p e s a r e s t e e p and u n i f o r m , w i t h l o n g , s t r a i g h t s c r e e s l o p e s . T h e i r r i d g e s a r e s e r r a t e and n a r r o w , t h e summits f a i r l y u n i f o r m i n e l e v a t i o n . M o s t p e a k s a r e c l o s e t o 7000 f e e t i n e l e v a t i o n , , w h i l e a few may go a s h i g h as 8000 f e e t ( B o s t o c k 1 9 4 8 ) . A number o f g l a c i e r - f e d l a r g e s t r e a m s d i s s e c t t h e K l u a n e a r e a . L i s t e d f r o m n o r t h t o s o u t h , t h e W h i t e , D o n j e k , Duke and S l i m s R i v e r , w h i c h a r e p a r t o f t h e Yukon R i v e r w a t e r s h e d , d r a i n i n t o t h e B e r i n g S e a , and t h e A l s e k R i v e r , w h i c h d r a i n s i n t o t h e P a c i f i c Ocean ( F i g . l ) . The S t . E l i a s M o u n t a i n s a r e famous f o r t h e i r l a r g e i c e f i e l d s and g l a c i e r s , t h e more i m p o r t a n t ones b e i n g t h e K l u t l a n , D o n j e k , K l u a n e , K a s k a w u l s h , L o w e l l and F i s h e r G l a c i e r s . Of p a r t i c u l a r i m p o r t a n c e t o t h i s s t u d y i s t h e K a s k a w u l s h G l a c i e r b e c a u s e o f i t s i n f l u e n c e on d r a i n a g e and l o e s s d e p o s i t i o n . I t s t e r m i n u s i s a b o u t 14 m i l e s u p s t r e a m f r o m t h e p r e s e n t mouth o f t h e S l i m s R i v e r ( F i g . l ) . T h i s g l a c i e r a l s o g i v e s r i s e t o the K a s k a w u l s h R i v e r , w h i c h d r a i n s t o t h e s o u t h e a s t i n t o t h e A l s e k R i v e r and t h u s i n t o t h e P a c i f i c . The i n t e r a c t i o n s o f K a s k a w u l s h G l a c i e r , S l i m s R i v e r and K l u a n e L a k e a r e o f i m p o r t a n c e t o t h e v e g e t a t i o n o f Sheep M o u n t a i n and w i l l t h e r e f o r e be d i s c u s s e d i n more d e t a i l . K l u a n e L a k e , w i t h a l e n g t h o f a b o u t 50 m i l e s t h e l a r g e s t l a k e i n t h e Y u k o n , 7 unit 2 Geology and physiography of the study area This photograph i s modified from Muller (1967, RCAF, T-6 - x l 7 R ). Sheep Mountain - the study area - i s found i n the centre of the p i c -ture. Note the s i l t - l a d e n Slims River i n the foreground extending i t s d e l t a into Kluane Lake. i s an o u t s t a n d i n g f e a t u r e o f t h e Shakwak v a l l e y . Between M i l e 1064 A l a s k a H ighway ( n o r t h s i d e o f Sheep M o u n t a i n ) a t t h e west s i d e o f t h e l a k e and a p o i n t be tween C u l t u s and C h r i s t m a s B a y s a t i t s e a s t s i d e , t h e l a k e i s a b o u t 3 . 5 m i l e s w i d e and w i t h 270 f e e t r e a c h e s i t s g r e a t e s t d e p t h s . Toward t h e S l i m s R i v e r d e l t a i n t h e s o u t h and t h e o u t f l o w o f K l u a n e R i v e r i n t h e n o r t h i t becomes v e r y s h a l l o w . The l a k e l e v e l f l u c t u a t e s c o n s i d e r a b l y w i t h t h e s e a s o n s and e v i d e n c e c o l l e c t e d by B o s t o c k (1952) i n d i c a t e s t h a t t h e mean l e v e l may change as much as 10 f e e t . The amount o f w a t e r c a r r i e d i n by t h e S l i m s R i v e r a s w e l l as t h e amount o f s e d i m e n t s d e p o s i t e d by t h e Duke R i v e r n e a r t h e o u t f l o w a r e t h e p r i m a r y r e a s o n s f o r l a k e l e v e l c h a n g e s . B o s t o c k ( 1 9 5 2 ) , f u r t h e r o n , p u t s f o r t h t h e h y p o t h e s i s t h a t t h e o u t f l o w o f K l u a n e L a k e was a t one t i m e t o t h e s o u t h and l i s t s a s e v i d e n c e drowned e s t u a r i e s o f C h r i s t m a s and G l a d -s t o n e C r e e k s , d rowned L e a c h e s , s u n k e n f o r e s t s , and s i g r . i f i c a n t c h a n g e s i n t h e d e l t a o f t h e Duke R i v e r . B o s t o c k ( 1 9 5 2 , 1969) c o n c l u d e s : \" . . . S l i m s R i v e r and K l u a n e L a k e have been i n e x i s t e n c e as t h e y a r e t o d a y f o r o n l y a r e l a t i v e l y s h o r t p a r t o f r e c e n t t i m e . A t t h e c l o s e o f t h e l a s t m a j o r g l a c i a t i o n , K a s k a w u l s h G l a c i e r r e c e d e d a t l e a s t some m i l e s above i t s p r e s e n t p o s i t i o n , and t h e b a s i n o f K l u a n e L a k e d r a i n e d up t h e S l i m s v a l l e y and t h e n c e by K a s k a w u l s h v a l l e y i n t o the A l s e k R i v e r and P a c i f i c . T h i s c o n d i t i o n h a s p e r s i s t e d t h r o u g h most o f r e c e n t t i m e . Some c e n t u r i e s ago t h e o u t l e t was c l o s e d by t h e advance o f t h e g l a c i e r , and S l i m s v a l l e y and t h e b a s i n o f K l u a n e L a k e were f l o o d e d t o a l e v e l o f 30 f e e t a b o v e t h a t o f 1 9 4 5 . The l a k e t h e n o v e r f l o w e d t o w e s t w a r d , d e v e l o p i n g t h e p r e s e n t o u t l e t o f K l u a n e R i v e r , w h i c h has q u i c k l y c u t t h r o u g h t h e d r i f t t o i t s p r e s e n t l e v e l . \" B o s t o c k ' s h y p o t h e s i s has n o t been f u l l y a c c e p t e d y e t ( J o h n s o n & Raup , 1 9 6 4 ) . The m o r p h o l o g y o f t h e S l i m s R i v e r has been s t u d i e d by F a h n e s t o c k ( 1 9 6 9 ) , and t h e f o l l o w i n g d a t a a r e a b s t r a c t e d f r o m h i s - d e s c r i p t i o n . The v a l l e y o f t h e S l i m s R i v e r , l i k e t h o s e o f many o t h e r g l a c i a l r i v e r s , has t h r e e z o n e s . In t h e u p s t r e a m zone one t o t h r e e c h a n n e l s a r e c u t t i n g down i n t o c o a r s e g r a v e l , where t h e r i v e r emerges f rom t h e t e r m i n u s o f t h e K a s k a w u l s h G l a c i e r . H e r e t h e s l o p e i s l o w e r t h a n i n t h e i n t e r m e d i a t e z o n e , where t h e - r i v e r i s m u l t i - c h a n n e l l e d w i t h c o n s i d e r a b l e bed l o a d t r a n s p o r t and some d e p o s i t i o n . In t h e downst ream z o n e , a t t h e b a s e o f Sheep M o u n t a i n , t h e r i v e r has a t p r e s e n t a b o u t t w e n t y c h a n n e l s and as many b a r s . A t h i g h s t a g e s t h e s e c h a n n e l s may g r a d e i n t o a c o n t i n u o u s s h e e t o f f l o w i n g w a t e r . H e r e t h e s l o p e i s a b o u t 4 . 5 f e e t / m i l e . The v a l l e y f l o o r i s a b o u t 5700 f e e t w i d e w i t h an a v e r a g e w a t e r d e p t h o f 0 . 8 f e e t , a maximum d e p t h o f 3 . 5 f e e t , and an a v e r a g e v e l o c i t y o f 2 . 3 f e e t / s e c o n d . F a h n e s t o c k (1969) f o u n d t h a t t h e d i u r n a l f l u c t u a t i o n o f a b o u t 0 . 5 f e e t r e p r e s e n t e d a f l o w d i f f e r e n c e o f 1000 t o 2D00 f e e t ^ / s e c o n d , t h a t t h e \" h i g h w a t e r \" was be tween 9 : 0 0 p .m . and 3 : 0 0 a .m . and t h e \" l o w \" between 1 2 : 0 0 noon and 2 : 0 0 p .m . He e s t i m a t e d t h e a n n u a l f l u c t u a t i o n i n d i s c h a r g e b e t w e e n 0 f e e t 3 / s e c o n d ( a t - 7 5 \u00C2\u00B0 F . a l l f l o w w o u l d s t o p ) t o 2 0 , 0 0 0 f e e t 3 / s e c o n d u n d e r opt imum c o n d i t i o n s o f m e l t i n g and r u n - o f f . The e x t e n s i o n o f t h e S l i m s d e l t a i n t o K l u a n e L a k e and c o n s t r u c t i o n o f t h e 1 4 - m i l e s o f v a l l e y t r a i n f r o m t h e K a s k a w u l s h G l a c i e r has t a k e n p l a c e i n l e s s t h a n 2 , 6 0 0 y e a r s (Den ton & S t u i v e r , 1966 ; B o r n s & G o l d t h w a i t , 1966) and p o s s i b l y no more t h a n 500 y e a r s ( B o s t o c k , 1 9 5 2 ) . B o s t o c k (1952) c a l c u l a t e d t h e p r e s e n t r a t e o f d e l t a b u i l d i n g a t 160 t o 240 f e e t / y e a r . T h i s c o n v e y s a good i m p r e s s i o n o f t h e bed l o a d c a r r i e d by t h i s r i v e r . T h r o u g h d i u r n a l and a n n u a l c h a n g e s i n w a t e r l e v e l t h e S l i m s R i v e r d i r e c t l y a f f e c t s t h e p l a n t c o m m u n i t i e s g r o w i n g on i t s f l o o d p l a i n . S i n c e i t i s t h e most i m p o r t a n t s o u r c e o f l o e s s i n t h e a r e a , i t i n d i r e c t l y a f f e c t s a l s o many p l a n t c o m m u n i t i e s i n the b o r e a l and s u b a l p i n e z o n e s . As a l r e a d y p o i n t e d o u t , t h e Shakwak v a l l e y s e p a r a t e s the S t . E l i a s M o u n t a i n s f r o m t h e Yukon P l a t e a u t o t h e n o r t h e a s t . Ruby and N i s l i n g Ranges a r e p a r t o f t h e Yukon P l a t e a u , w h i l e t h e K l u a n e Range i s p a r t o f t h e S t . E l i a s M o u n t a i n s . These two g e o l o g i c a l p r o v i n c e s d i f f e r c o n s i d e r a b l y i n a g e . \" Y u k o n C o m p l e x \" m e t a m o r p h i c r o c k s , w i t h g r a n o d i o r i t e o f Ruby Range b a t h o l i t h s and some s m a l l e r b o d i e s , m a i n l y u n d e r l i e Yukon P l a t e a u . The p r o b a b l y P r e c a m b r i a n and e a r l y P a l a e o z o i c s c h i s t s were metamorphosed and g r a n i t i s e d i n M e s o z o i c and p e r h a p s e a r l y T e r t i a r y t i m e M i n o r M e s o z o i c v o l c a n i c r o c k s , some g r a n i t e , and abundant r h y o l i t e a l s o o c c u r i n N i s l i n g Range ( M u l l e r , 1 9 6 7 ) . The Shakwak t r e n c h f o r m s t h e t o p o g r a p h i c e x p r e s s i o n o f a m a j o r t e c t o n i c l i n e a m e n t , e x t e n d i n g f r o m s o u t h w e s t Yukon (Dezadeash L a k e ) i n t o A l a s k a . I t i s b e l i e v e d t o be a h i n g e l i n e r e f l e c t i n g m a i n l y v e r t i c a l movement b e t w e e n t h e S t . E l i a s g e o s y n c l i n e and t h e Yukon g e o a n t i c l i n e ( M u l l e r , 1 9 6 7 , 1 9 5 8 ) . E u g e o s y n c l i n a l d e p o s i t s o f S t . E l i a s M o u n t a i n s have y i e l d e d M i d d l e D e v o n i a n , Lower P e r m i a n , Upper T r i a s s i c , and J u r a - C r e t a c e o u s f o s s i l s . The v o l c a n i c r o c k s a r e p r e - P e r m i a n , P e r m i a n and T r i a s s i c ; c a r b o n a t e -c l a s t i c s e q u e n c e s a r e D e v o n i a n , Lower P e r m i a n and Upper T r i a s s i c ; and a G r e y w a c k e - a r g i l l i t e s e q u e n c e i s Upper J u r a s s i c t o Lower C r e t a c e o u s ( M u l l e r , 1 9 6 7 ) . O n l y t h o s e \" r o c k g r o u p s \" o f M u l l e r ' s (1967) t r e a t m e n t w i l l be d i s c u s s e d - i x -1 1 * h e r e , t h a t make up t h e b e d r o c k f o r m a t i o n s o f Sheep M o u n t a i n and may t h e r e f o r e be o f s i g n i f i c a n c e a s s u b s t r a t e o f t h e v e g e t a t i o n . The \" C a c h e C r e e k G r o u p \" o f P e r m i a n and e a r l i e r age fo rms t h e c e n t r e p o r t i o n o f Sheep M o u n t a i n as w e l l as t h e l o w e r h a l f o f Sheep C r e e k and t h e a d j a c e n t p l a t e a u be tween Sheep and B u l l i o n C r e e k s ( F i g . 2 ) . The c a n y o n a t t h e mouth o f Sheep C r e e k i s made up o f l i m e s t o n e . O t h e r r o c k s i n t h i s g r o u p i n c l u d e a r g i l l i t e , c h l o r i t e s c h i s t , g r e y w a c k e , v o l c a n i c b r e c c i a , banded c h e r t y t u f f and p o r p h y r i t i c b a s i c l a v a . The \"Mush .Lake G r o u p \" o f Upper T r i a s s i c age u n d e r l i e s a l a r g e p a r t o f K l u a n e f r o n t r a n g e be tween D o n j e k and S l i m s R i v e r s . These r o c k s a r e d e s c r i b e d as \" . . . c o n -s i s t i n g m a i n l y o f f i n e - g r a i n e d f l o w s o f g r e e n a n d e s i t e , s p o t t e d w i t h s m a l l d a r k h o r n b l e n d e c r y s t a l s and w i t h s c a t t e r e d c a l c i t e - f i l l e d a m y g d u l e s . . . \" by K i n d l e ( 1 9 5 3 ) . T h e s e r o c k s make up t h e e a s t e r n h a i r o f Sheep M o u n t a i n and c a n be o b s e r v e d f r o m t h e A l a s k a H ighway a l l a l o n g t h a t f r o n t r a n g e n o r t h w e s t w a r d t o B u r w a s h . The b o u n d a r y be tween t h i s \"Mush L a k e G r o u p \" and t h e p r e v i o u s l y m e n t i o n e d \" C a c h e C r e e k G r o u p \" i s n o t d i s t i n c t on Sheep M o u n t a i n and i t s l o c a t i o n on F i g . 2 must o n l y be c o n s i d e r e d as a p p r o x i m a t e . B a s a l t and a n d e s i t e a r e i m p o r t a n t r o c k s h e r e ; o t h e r s i n t h i s g r o u p i n c l u d e a r g i l l i t e , g r e y w a c k e , s i l t y l i m e s t o n e , c h e r t and c o n g l o m e r a t e . The \" K l u a n e Ranges I n t r u s i o n s \" o f C r e t a c e o u s and e a r l i e r age make up a s m a l l p o r t i o n o f t h e s o u t h - f a c i n g - s l o p e o f Sheep M o u n t a i n ( F i g . 2). The most common r o c k s e n c o u n t e r e d h e r e a r e d i o r i t e and h o r n f e l s . The l a s t g r o u p w h i c h c o n t r i b u t e s to ' t h e b e d r o c k s o f Sheep M o u n t a i n i s t h e \" A m p h i t h e a t r e F o r m a t i o n \" o f P a l e o c e n e o r E o c e n e a g e . These s e d i m e n t a r y d e p o s i t s were named by M u l l e r (1967) a f t e r t h e p r o m i n e n t e x p o s u r e i n t h e b a d l a n d s on t h e s o u t h e a s t s i d e o f A m p h i t h e a t r e M o u n t a i n i n t h e Burwash - \u00C2\u00B1*c \u00E2\u0080\u0094 1 2 U p l a n d s . In t h e s t u d y a r e a t h e s e s e d i m e n t s a r e f o u n d a l o n g t h e e a s t s i d e o f t h e u p p e r h a l f o f Sheep C r e e k . S a n d s t o n e , c o n g l o m e r a t e , s h a l e and even some c o a l make up t h e s e s e d i m e n t s . A c c o r d i n g to M u l l e r (1967) t h e s e T e r t i a r y s e d i m e n t s a r e g e n t l y f o l d e d i n a s h a l l o w s y n c l i n e a l o n g t h e n o r t h e a s t s i d e o f t h e i r d i s c o n t i n u o u s b e l t o f e x p o s u r e s , b u t a r e t h r o w n i n s t e e p open f o l d s on t h e s o u t h w e s t s i d e . The most i n t e n s e t e c t o n i c movement i n v o l v i n g t h e s e beds i s e x h i b i t e d on Sheep C r e e k , where P e r m i a n and T r i a s s i c g a b b r o and v o l c a n i c r o c k s o v e r l i e t h e s e d i m e n t s on a f l a t o v e r t h r u s t ( F i g . 2 ) . G l a c i o l o q y and S o i l s The s t u d y a r e a i s w e l l s o u t h o f t h e u n g l a c i a t e d z o n e , and e v i d e n c e o f p a s t g l a c i a t i o n s i s f o u n d e v e r y w h e r e i n t h e f o r m o f m o r a i n e s , e r r a t i c s , \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 s c o u r i n g o f b e d r o c k , o u t w a s h , d r i f t and l o e s s d e p o s i t s . P l e i s t o c e n e e v e n t s i n t h e s o u t h w e s t Yukon have i n g e n e r a l t e r m s been d e s c r i b e d by M u l l e r ( 1 9 6 7 ) , K i n d l e ( 1 9 5 3 ) , and B o s t o c k ( 1 9 5 2 ) . Ve ry d e t a i l e d work h a s been done on t h e K a s k a w u l s h G l a c i e r - S l i m s v a l l e y - Shakwak t r e n c h c o m p l e x by D e n t o n & S t u i v e r ( 1 9 6 7 , 1966) and by B o m s & G o l d t h w a i t ( 1 9 6 6 ) . A c c o r d i n g t o Den ton & S t u i v e r (1966) and M u l l e r (1967) t h r e e l a r g e g l a c i a t i o n s o c c u r r e d i n s o u t h w e s t e r n Yukon and a f o u r t h much s m a l l e r o n e , t h e N e o g l a c i a t i o n , i s s t i l l c u r r e n t . U s i n g d r i f t morpho logy and s t r a t i g r a p h y c o m b i n e d w i t h C - 1 4 d a t e s , Denton & S t u i v e r (1966) worked o u t t h e c h r o n o l o g y and named t h e e v e n t s as g i v e n i n t h e f o l l o w i n g summary. Names u s e d by M u l l e r (1967) a r e g i v e n i n b r a c k e t s . 13 G l a c i a l e v e n t s i n s o u t h w e s t Y u k o n : N e o g l a c i a t i o n : ( P o s t g l a c i a l e v e n t s ' ) S t a r t a b o u t 2640 B . P . ; s t i l l c u r r e n t S l i m s n o n - g l a c i a l i n t e r v a l S t a r t a b o u t 12500 t o 9780 B . P . : end a b o u t 2640 B. .P. K l u a n e G l a c i a t i o n : . ( S t . E l i a s G l a c i a l A d v a n c e ) S t a r t b e f o r e 3 0 1 0 0 ; end a b o u t 12500 t o 9780 B . P . . B o u t e l l i e r n o n - g l a c i a l i n t e r v a l * S t a r t a b o u t 3 7 7 0 0 ; end b e f o r e 30100 B . P . I c e f i e l d G l a c i a t i o n : * ( Ruby I c e s h e e t ) S t a r t b e f o r e 4 9 0 0 0 ; end a b o u t 37700 B . P . S i l v e r n o n - g l a c i a l i n t e r v a l P r i o r t o 49000 B . P . Shakuiak G l a c i a t i o n : ( N i s l i n g I c e s h e e t ) P r i o r t o .49000 B . P . The Shakwak G l a c i a t i o n ( N i s l i n g I c e s h e e t ) was t h e o l d e s t and most e x t e n s i v e g l a c i a l p e r i o d . Mos t e v i d e n c e has been e r a d i c a t e d by l a t e r a d v a n c e s . I t was t h e o n l y i c e s h e e t w h i c h c o v e r e d l a r g e p a r t s o f t h e N i s l i n g Range ( M u l l e r , 1 9 6 7 ) . I n v e s t i g a t o r s a g r e e t h a t t h i s i c e s h e e t r e a c h e d an e l e v a t i o n o f a t l e a s t 6000 f e e t above s e a l e v e l n e a r t h e mouth o f t h e S l i m s R i v e r . H o w e v e r , e r r a t i c s were f o u n d on Sheep M o u n t a i n n e a r i t s p e a k s a t 6300 f e e t . W h e e l e r (1963) f o u n d e r r a t i c s on O u t p o s t M o u n t -a i n , a b o u t 10 m i l e s s o u t h o f t h e s t u d y a r e a , a t an e l e v a t i o n o f 7200 f e e t , and M u l l e r (1967 ) assumes t h e s e t o be o f N i s l i n g \" a g e \" . F u r t h e r o n , t h e t h r e e k n o b s on t h e h i g h r i d g e o f Sheep M o u n t a i n a r e w e l l r ounded and do n o t have t h e a p p e a r a n c e u s u a l l y a s s o c i a t e d w i t h n u n a t a k s . From t h i s I a s s u m e , t h a t Sheep M o u n t a i n was c o m p l e t e l y c o v e r e d by i c e d u r i n g t h i s p e r i o d . E v i d e n c e o f t h i s i c e s h e e t on t h e s t u d y a r e a i s m a i n l y i n t h e f o r m o f e r r a t i c s and some b e d r o c k s c o u r i n g . T h i s i c e s h e e t was d e r i v e d from,, t h e I c e f i e l d Ranges and f l o w e d i n t o t h e Shakwak t r e n c h by way o f t h e S l i m s V a l l e y . 14 The S i l v e r n o n - g l a c i a l i n t e r v a l was named by Den ton & S t u i v e r (1966) a f t e r a w e a t h e r i n g zone d i s c o v e r e d on t h e Shakwak d r i f t d e p o s i t s i n t h e S i l v e r C r e e k a r e a . The I c e f i e l d G l a c i a t i o n (Ruby I c e s h e e t ) a f f e c t e d t h e K l u a n e - as w e l l a s p a r t s o f t h e Ruby R a n g e , a f t e r w h i c h i t was named by M u l l e r ( 1 9 6 7 ) . G l a c i a t e d v a l l e y s a r e t h e most common e x p r e s s i o n o f t h i s g l a c i a t i o n , i n c o n t r a s t t o t h e g l a c i a t e d p l a t e a u s u r f a c e s o f t h e p r e c e d i n g one ( M u l l e r , 1 9 6 7 ) . G l a c i e r s f l o w e d down t h e S l i m s , Duke and Don jek v a l l e y s and j o i n e d a m a j o r i c e f i e l d i n t h e Shakwak t r e n c h , where t h e f l o w was i n g e n e r a l n o r t h w e s t e r l y , a s i n d i c a t e d by t h e i c e g r a d i e n t and t h e a l i g n -ment o f d r u m l i n s . M u l l e r (1967) g i v e s an e l e v a t i o n o f t h i s i c e s h e e t f o r t h e Sheep M o u n t a i n a r e a o f a b o u t 5000 f e e t , and a d e s c e n d i n g g r a d i e n t t o w a r d t h e n o r t h w e s t p a r t o f t h e Shakwak t r e n c h , where t h e i c e r e a c h e d an e l e v a t i o n o f 4000 f e e t . D e n t o n & S t u i v e r (1966) g i v e a minimum t h i c k n e s s f o r t h i s i c e s h e e t o f 1500 f e e t , w h i c h wou ld p u t i t n e a r t h e 4000 f e e t c o n t o u r a t Sheep M o u n t a i n . The B o u t e l l i e r n o n - g l a c i a l i n t e r v a l i s named a f t e r a w e a t h e r i n g zone e x p o s e d i n t h e B o u t e l l i e r C r e e k a r e a by Den ton & S t u i v e r ( 1 9 6 6 ) . The w e a t h e r i n g c o n s i s t e d o f a s l i g h t o x y d a t i o n o f t h e uppermost 2 t o 3 f e e t o f t i l l d e p o s i t e d by t h e I c e f i e l d (Ruby) G l a c i a t i o n . The K l u a n e G l a c i a t i o n ( S t . E l i a s G l a c i a l A d v a n c e ) was t h e c l i m a t i c e p i s o d e , c h a r a c t e r i z e d by g l a c i a l e x p a n s i o n , d u r i n g w h i c h t h e K l u a n e t i l l s were d e p o s i t e d . F o l l o w i n g t h e c l o s e o f t h e B o u t e l l i e r n o n - g l a c i a l i n t e r v a l , i c e a d v a n c i n g n o r t h f r o m t h e I c e f i e l d Ranges i n i t i a l l y e n t e r e d t h e Shakwak t r e n c h t h r o u g h t h e S l i m s v a l l e y d e p o s i t i n g o u t w a s h and t i l l s and damming an e x t e n s i v e l a k e i n w h i c h l a c u s t r i n e s e d i m e n t s were d e p o s i t e d . L a t e r i c e f r o m t h e 3 a r v i s R i v e r v a l l e y f l o w e d n o r t h w e s t , c o v e r i n g o l d s e d i m e n t s and t i l l . 3 a r v i s and S l i m s i c e merged and t h e c o m b i n e d i c e mass f l o w e d n o r t h w e s t a l o n g t h e Shakwak t r e n c h (Den ton & S t u i v e r , 1 9 6 6 ) . T h e s e a u t h o r s e s t i m a t e t h a t t h e i c e t h i c k n e s s i n t h e s t u d y a r e a r a n g e d f r o m 2900 t o 3530 f e e t . I n t h e Shakwak t r e n c h , K l u a n e d r i f t , 20 t o 120 f e e t t h i c k , i s r e v e a l e d i n c r o s s s e c t i o n s i n e x p o s u r e s a l o n g most c r e e k s a s w e l l a s a l o n g t h e s h o r e o f K l u a n e L a k e . S e v e r a l e x p o s u r e s can be o b s e r v e d a t t h e b a s e o f Sheep M o u n t a i n a t i t s e a s t s i d e , where c u t s had t o be made t o c o n s t r u c t t h e A l a s k a H i g h w a y . A b l a n k e t o f l o e s s f o r m s t h e y o u n g e s t u n i t o f K l u a n e d r i f t a t a l t i t u d e s b e l o w 4500 f e e t ; c o v e r i n g a l l d r i f t and most b e d r o c k a t l o w e r e l e v a t i o n s . K l u a n e l o e s s c o n s i s t s o f w e l l - s o r t e d s i l t w i t h some f i n e s a n d . I t s p a r t i c l e s a r e composed o f a w i d e r a n g e o f m i n e r a l t y p e s , r e f l e c t i n g t h e c o m p l e x l i t h o l o g y o f s o u r c e r o c k s o f g l a c i a l s e d i r e r + s i n t h e r e g i o n (Den ton & S t u i v e r , 1 9 6 6 ) . L o e s s d e p o s i t s i n t h e s t u d y a r e a v a r y f r o m 14 t o 40 i n c h e s , d e p e n d i n g on a l t i t u d e , a s p e c t and s l o p e . D e n t o n & S t u i v e r (1966) i n f e r r e d t h a t s e v e r a l s c a t t e r e d o u t w a s h b o d i e s , t h e S l i m s v a l l e y t r a i n b e i n g one o f t h e l a r g e s t , were t h e p r e d o m i n a n t s o u r c e f o r l o e s s d u r i n g t h e r e t r e a t p f t h e K l u a n e i c e . B o t h , D e n t o n & S t u i v e r ( 1 9 6 6 , 1967) as w e l l a s M u l l e r ( 1 9 6 7 ) , assume t h a t t h e K l u a n e G l a c i a t i o n ( S t . E l i a s G l a c i a l A d v a n c e ) was s y n c h r o n o u s w i t h t h e c l a s s i c a l \" W i s c o n s i n \" G l a c i a t i o n . The S l i m s n o n - g l a c i a l i n t e r v a l was named by Den ton & S t u i v e r (1966 ) a f t e r t h e S l i m s S o i l , a w e a t h e r i n g p r o d u c t o f t h e K l u a n e l o e s s , w h i c h i s p a r t i c u l a r l y w e l l d e v e l o p e d i n t h e S l i m s R i v e r v a l l e y . Den ton & S t u i v e r ( 1966 ) a s w e l l as J o h n s o n & Raup (1964 ) h a v e worked o u t i n g r e a t d e t a i l t h e s t r a t i g r a p h y and c h r o n o l o g y o f t h e s e a e o l i a n d e p o s i t s . A r e p r e s e n t -a t i v e c r o s s s e c t i o n , a s f o u n d a t t h e b a s e o f Sheep M o u n t a i n , i s g i v e n i n 1 6 Generalized soil profile of Kluane Lake basin S l i m s R i v e r s i l t v o l c a n i c ash . K l u a n e s i l t g r a v e l , t i l l c l a y , outwash bedrock g r a y , u n l e a c h e d c h a r c o a l wood ash r e d d i s h brown s i l t l e a c h e d of carbonate e x c e p t a t t o p where some have come from above y e l l o w i s h brown s i l i p a r t i a l l y l e a c h e d i r the upper h a l f g r a y s i l t , u nleachec S o i l p r o f i l e m o d i f i e d from Johnson and Raup (1964 ). 17 F i g . 3 . The top l a y e r o f g r a y , u n w e a t h e r e d l o e s s i s up t o 10 i n c h e s t h i c k . T h i s i s n e o g l a c i a l l o e s s , w h i c h i s s t i l l b e i n g d e p o s i t e d a t p r e s e n t . Near i t s b a s e i s a t h i n l a y e r o f v o l c a n i c a s h , w h i c h i n t h e s t u d y a r e a i s , o f t e n o n l y f o u n d i n t r a c e s . T h i s a s h h a s been d a t e d by S t u i v e r , B o r n s & D e n t o n ( 1 9 6 4 ) , u s i n g t h e C - 1 4 t e c h n i q u e , a t 1 4 2 5 i 50 y e a r s B . P . , and by Capps (1915) a t 1400 B . P . , u s i n g t h e r a t e o f p e a t d e p o s i t i o n . B o s t o c k (1952) c o n s t r u c t e d an i s o p a c h map, i n d i c a t i n g t h a t t h e s o u r c e o f t h i s a s h was a v o l c a n i c e r u p t i o n n e a r t h e Yukon - A l a s k a n b o u n d a r y , 10 m i l e s s o u t h o f t h e W h i t e R i v e r . A t h i n l a y e r o f u n w e a t h e r e d g r a y l o e s s b e l o w t h e ash i n d i c a t e s t h a t t h e n e o g l a c i a l a d v a n c e had begun b e f o r e t h e v o l c a n i c e r u p t i o n . A t h i c k l a y e r o f s i l t , w h i c h i s w e a t h e r e d i n t h e u p p e r h a l f , and r a n g e s i n t h i c k -n e s s f r o m 14 t o 40 i n c h e s , r e f e r r e d t o as K l u a n e S i l t by J o h n s o n & Raup (1964) and a s S l i m s S o i l by D e n t o n & S t u i v e r ( 1 9 6 6 ) , u n d e r l i e s t h e g r a y , u n w e a t h e r e d l o e s s . D e n t o n & S t u i v e r (1966) d e s c r i b e i t as f o l l o w s : \" . . . The u p p e r m o s t h o r i z o n , B i n c h e s t h i c k , i s i n t e n s e l y o x i d i z e d , i s m o d e r a t e brown (5YR 4 / 4 ) and g r a d e s i n t o a l e s s i n t e n s e l y o x i d i z e d m o d e r a t e y e l l o w (5Y 7 / 6 ) h o r i z o n , 4 i n c h e s t h i c k , w h i c h i n t u r n g r a d e s down i n t o a l i g h t g r a y (N 7) u n o x i d i z e d h o r i z o n , 10 o r more i n c h e s t h i c k . The m o d e r a t e brown h o r i z o n i s c o m p l e t e l y l e a c h e d o f c a l c i u m c a r b o n a t e ; t h e m o d e r a t e y e l l o w h o r i z o n i s p a r t i a l l y l e a c h e d , and t h e g r a y h o r i z o n i s u n l e a c h e d . \" T h i s s i l t l a y e r o v e r l i e s g r a v e l , t i l l , o u t w a s h , and i n some p l a c e s b e d r o c k . T h i s p r o f i l e i s e n c o u n t e r e d t o an e l e v a t i o n o f 4500 f e e t i n t h e s t u d y a r e a , even t h o u g h t h e t h i c k n e s s d e c r e a s e s w i t h a l t i t u d e and i s a f f e c t e d 18 by a s p e c t and s l o p e a s w e l l as by e x p o s u r e t o w i n d . P a r t i c u l a r l y a t s u b - a l p i n e e l e v a t i o n s c o n s i d e r a b l e m o d i f i c a t i o n h a s o c c u r r e d t h r o u g h e r o s i o n , a n i m a l a c t i v i t y , v e r t i c a l s o i l movement, and i n c o r p o r a t i o n o f o r g a n i c a s w e l l a s c o l l u v i a l m a t e r i a l . The S l i m s n o n - g l a c i a l i n t e r v a l i n c l u d e s t h e \" H y p s i t h e r m a l i n t e r v a l \" a s d e f i n e d by Deevey and F l i n t ( 1 9 5 7 ) . D u r i n g t h i s r a t h e r warm p e r i o d t h e K a s k a w u l s h G l a c i e r r e t r e a t e d 1 3 . 7 m i l e s above t h e p r e s e n t l o c a t i o n o f i t s t e r m i n u s ( D e n t o n & S t u i v e r , 1 9 6 6 ) . The S l i m s R i v e r v a l l e y t r a i n , t h e most i m p o r t a n t s o u r c e o f l o e s s f o r t h e a r e a , became d e a c t i v a t e d and c o v e r e d by v e g e t a t i o n . L o e s s d e p o s i t e d on t h e s u r r o u n d i n g l a n d s c a p e had t i m e t o w e a t h e r and t h e \" S l i m s S o i l \" , as d e s c r i b e d a b o v e , e v o l v e d . The N e o g l a c i a t i o n r e s u l t e d i n t h e a d v a n c e o f t h e K a s k a w u l s h G l a c i e r s l i g h t l y b e y o n d t h e p r - ^ e n t l o c a t i o n o f i t s t e r m i n u s . The S l i m s R i v e r v a l l e y t r a i n became a g a i n a c t i v a t e d , c a u s i n g renewed l o e s s d e p o s i t i o n . S h o r t l y a f t e r t h i s r e a c t i v a t i o n t h e v o l c a n i c e r u p t i o n o c c u r r e d and a l a y e r o f a s h was i n c o r p o r a t e d i n t o t h e l o e s s . L a c k o f any i n d i c a t i o n o f w e a t h e r i n g i n t h i s t o p l o e s s l a y e r i n d i c a t e s t h a t t h e S l i m s v a l l e y t r a i n h a s been a c t i v e e v e r s i n c e , a s i t i s a t p r e s e n t . Den ton & S t u i v e r (1966) s t a t e t h a t t h e n e o g l a c i a l maximum o f t h e K a s k a w u l s h G l a c i e r was r e a c h e d somet ime b e f o r e 1865 A . D . and t h a t t h e r e have been f l u c t u a t i n g r e t r e a t s s i n c e t h e n . N e o g l a c i a l a d v a n c e s o f t h e L o w e l l G l a c i e r w i t h t h e s u b s e q u e n t damming o f t h e A l s e k R i v e r have r e s u l t e d i n t h e e s t a b l i s h m e n t o f g l a c i a l l a k e s i n t h e D e z a d e a s h v a l l e y , some 50 m i l e s s o u t h o f t h e s t u d y a r e a . K i n d l e (1953) and J o h n s o n & Raup (1964) d e s c r i b e G l a c i a l L a k e Champagne, K l o o , and s e v e r a l s t a g e s o f L a k e A l s e k , o f w h i c h t h e l a s t one o n l y d r a i n e d i n 19 h i s t o r i c t i m e s . A c o n n e c t i o n o f G l a c i a l L a k e K l o o t o a g l a c i a l l a k e i n t h e Shakwak t r e n c h , v i a J a r v i s v a l l e y and C u l t u s C r e e k v a l l e y , may Have e x i s t e d w i t h a w a t e r l e v e l a t t h e 3000 f e e t c o n t o u r ( M u l l e r , 1 9 6 7 ) . However , i t i s g e n e r a l l y assumed t h a t t h e d r a i n a g e n o r t h w e s t a l o n g t h e Shakwak t r e n c h i n t o t h e Yukon R i v e r s y s t e m had n o t been b l o c k e d ( J o h n s o n & Raup , 1 9 6 4 ) . As has a l r e a d y been p o i n t e d o u t , a n e o g l a c i a l a d v a n c e o f t h e L o w e l l G l a c i e r and t h e s u b s e q u e n t damming o f t h e A l s e k R i v e r , may have c a u s e d a r e v e r s a l o f t he d r a i n a g e o f t h e S l i m s R i v e r - K l u a n e L a k e s y s t e m , a s p r o p o s e d by B o s t o c k ( 1 9 5 2 , 1 9 6 9 ) . No s o i l s u r v e y h a s been done i n t h e s t u d y a r e a . Day (1962) d i d a r e c o n n a i s s a n c e i n t h e T a k h i n i and D e z a d e a s h v a l l e y s . H i s map s h e e t t e r m i n a t e d a r o u n d H a i n e s J u n c t i o n , some 40 m i l e s s o u t h e a s t o f Sheep M o u n t a i n . Day (1962) s t a t e s t h a t b e c a u s e o f t h e y o u t h o f t h e s o i l m a t e r i a l and t h e d r y , c o o l c l i m a t e , most s o i l p r o f i l e s a r e w e a k l y d e v e l o p e d . T h i s a p p l i e s even more t o t h e s t u d y a r e a where c o n t i n u o u s l o e s s d e p o s i t i o n does n o t a l l o w l e a c h i n g and p r o f i l e d e v e l o p m e n t . The s o i l s c a n t h e r e f o r e be d e s c r i b e d as j u v e n i l e and a z o n a l , and t h e y w o u l d be c l a s s i f i e d i n t h e R e g o s o l i c o r d e r . W i t h i n t h e S l i m s R i v e r f l o o d p l a i n some s o i l s show m o t t l i n g and some d e v e l o p e a w h i t e c r u s t a t t h e i r s u r f a c e d u r i n g v e r y d r y summers. Whether t h e s e c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s a r e d e v e l o p e d f a r enough t o c l a s s i f y t h e s e s o i l s a s G l e y s o l s o n l y c h e m i c a l and p h y s i c a l a n a l y s e s w i l l show. In t h e b o r e a l and s u b - a l p i n e z o n e s o f Sheep M o u n t a i n , t h e p r o f i l e d e s c r i b e d e a r l i e r , w i t h t h e m o d i f i c a t i o n s m e n t i o n e d , i s u s u a l l y e n c o u n t e r e d . S o i l s b e l o w a c t i v e s c r e e s l o p s o r e r o d i n g c l i f f s have a h i g h p e r c e n t a g e o f c o l l u v i a l m a t e r i a l i n c o r p o r a t e d i n t o t h e l o e s s . A l p i n e s o i l s d e v e l o p e d 20 on b e d r o c k w e a t h e r e d i n p l a c e o r on t h i n d r i f t d e p o s i t s l e f t i n d e p r e s s i o n s . E v e n a t t h i s e l e v a t i o n some l o e s s i s b e i n g d e p o s i t e d d u r i n g s t r o n g w i n d s . V e r t i c a l s o i l movement ( c r e e p , s o l i f l u c t i o n , mud f low) i s i m p o r t a n t d u r i n g s p r i n g r u n - o f f . The e n t i r e s t u d y a r e a i s a l k a l i n e . P . H . v a l u e s t a k e n i n a number o f s o i l t y p e s r a n g e d f r o m a l o w o f 7 . 2 -i n f o r e s t t o a h i g h o f o v e r 8 . 4 i n f l o o d p l a i n s i t e s . Weather and C l i m a t e The d e s c r i p t i o n g i v e n h e r e i s b a s e d p r i m a r i l y on t h e r e p o r t s by T a y l o r - B a r g e (1969 ) and Kendrew & K e r r ( 1 9 5 5 ) , s u p p l e m e n t e d by d a t a o b t a i n e d f r o m t e m p o r a r y w e a t h e r s t a t i o n s on Sheep M o u n t a i n d u r i n g t h i s s t u d y . R e g i o n a l c l i m a t e ; I n s p i t e o f t h e s h o r t d i s t a n c e o f o n l y e i g h t y m i l e s f r o m t h e P a c i f i c O c e a n , t h e c l i m a t e o f t h e K l u a n e a r e a i s d e f i n i t e l y c o n t i n e n t a l . The S t . E l i a s M o u n t a i n s and t h e C o a s t M o u n t a i n s s e r v e a s an e f f e c t i v e b a r r i e r a g a i n s t t h e p e n e t r a t i o n o f m o i s t , warm a i r f r om t h e P a c i f i c . W i n t e r s a r e c o l d and c l e a r , w h i l e summers a r e p l e a s a n t b u t s h o r t . The a r e a l i e s i n t h e r a i n shadow o f t h e S t . E l i a s M o u n t a i n s and i t has been c l a s s i f i e d a s a p p r o a c h i n g s e m i - a r i d . R e c o r d s o f mean m o n t h l y . t e m p e r a t u r e s and t o t a l m o n t h l y p r e c i p i t a t i o n o f s t a t i o n s r e l e v a n t t o t h e s t u d y a r e a a r e l i s t e d i n T a b l e 1 . These d a t a were made a v a i l a b l e by the* W h i t e h o r s e w e a t h e r o f f i c e , Canada D e p a r t m e n t o f T r a n s p o r t . B u r w a s h L a n d i n g i s l o c a t e d f o r t y m i l e s n o r t h , A i s h i h i k s i x t y m i l e s e a s t , and H a i n e s J u n c t i o n f i f t y m i l e s s o u t h e a s t o f t h e s t u d y a r e a . The K l u a n e L a k e s t a t i o n o f t h e A r c t i c I n s t i t u t e o f N o r t h A m e r i c a , TABLE 1; CLIMATOLOGICAL DATA FOR STATIONS IN THE KLUANE AREA Locations Records Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. Burwash Ldg Temp. (1) -19.9 0.2 10.3 26.0 42.4 51.2 61 - 22' N Free. (2) 0.87 0.33 0.58 0.93 0.89 1.44 139 - 3' W Years of + 2628 feet Record 6 6 6 6 6 6 Aishihik Temp. -1.0 -1.0 14.0 23.0 41.0 50.0 61 - 37' M Prec. 0.50 0.40 0.50 0.50 0.90 1.70 137 - 31'W Years of + 3170 feet Record 8 8 8 - 8 8 8 Haines Jet Temp. -7.7 3.2 14.0 29.7 41.9 50.7 60 - 46' N Prec. 0.80 0.49 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 O.36 0.30 0.55 1.06 137 - 35'W Years of + 1965 feet Record 28 28 28 28 28 28 Kluane Lake ! Temp. -19.4 9.1 6.0 27.0 41.6 50.2 6 1 - 0 3 ' N Prec. 0.12 0.13 0.02 0.55 0.50 0.70 138 - 22'W Years of + 2580 feet Record 1 1 1 1 2 7 Sheep Ktn Temp. -17.9 15.2 10.4 26.9 34.4 51.0 61 - 02' IJ Prec. 0.12 0.12 0.02 .0.55 1.39 1.01 138 - 30'H Years of + 2800 feet Record 1 1 1 1 1 2 Sheep Mtn Temp. -8.8 11.2 4-5 19.6 26.6 39.5 61 - 02' N Prec. 0.12 0.15 0.02 0.60 1.24 1-34 138 - 31'W Years of + 5380 feet Record 1 1 1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 1 1 2 (1) me;ui monthly temperature (\u00C2\u00B0F) (2) total monthly precipitation (inches) S3) mean annual temperature (\u00C2\u00B0F) 4) total annual precipitation (inches) July A U R . Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. 53.1 2.64 49.5 1.22 40.8 1.21 25.0 O.63 7.2 0.87 -6.5 O.56 X23.3 12.17 5 5 5 6 6 6 53.0 1.80 49.0 1.40 41.0 0.90 28.0 0.60 6.0 0.50 -4.0 0.40 3c25.0 10.10 8 8 8 8 8 8 54.0 1.34 50.7 1.06 42.7 1.16 28.8 1.16 9.7 1.16 -4.0 1.16 x26.1 10.60 27 28 28 28 28 28 53.3 1.70 51.2 1.24 39.8 0.70 25.1 O.42 : 15.0 0.92 -5.4 0.10 X24.5 7.10 7 4 1 1 1 1 1 53.9 0.84 51.8 1.01 39.8 0.81 24-3 1.25 16.5 0.90 -2.4 0.10 X25.3 8.12 2 2 1 1 1 1 45.9 1.15 44.7 1.43 31.1 1.18 20.0 0.87 11.9 1.40 -3.5 0.10 X20.8 9.60 2 2 1 1 1 1 Climate after . Koppen-Tnewartha Dfcx Dfcx Dsc Dsc Dsc ET 2 2 l o c a t e d f i v e m i l e s t o t h e e a s t , i s u s u a l l y i n o p e r a t i o n o n l y d u r i n g t h e summer. Two w e a t h e r s t a t i o n s on Sheep M o u n t a i n , one a t t h e f o o t i n t h e b o r e a l zone a t 2800 f e e t e l e v a t i o n and one i n t h e a l p i n e zone a t 5380 f e e t e l e v a t i o n , were m a i n t a i n e d by t h e w r i t e r d u r i n g two summers (1970 and 1971) and one w i n t e r ( 1 9 7 0 / 7 1 ) . The mean a n n u a l t e m p e r a t u r e o f t h e a r e a i s a r o u n d 2 5 \u00C2\u00B0 F . and t h e t o t a l a n n u a l p r e c i p i t a t i o n i s a r o u n d 10 i n c h e s o r l e s s . On ly d u r i n g Dune, J u l y and A u g u s t do t h e mean m o n t h l y t e m p e r a t u r e s r e a d 50 \u00C2\u00B0F . o r s l i g h t l y more . Maximum t e m p e r a t u r e s o f 8 0 \u00C2\u00B0 F . have been r e c o r d e d a t K l u a n e i n J u l y ; on t h e o t h e r h a n d , f r e e z i n g t e m p e r a t u r e s o f a r o u n d 30 \u00C2\u00B0F . c a n be e x p e c t e d a t n i g h t i n m i d - s u m m e r . C h a r a c t e r i s t i c f o r t h i s l a t i t u d e a r e l o n g summer d a y s and l o n g w i n t e r n i g h t s . T a b l e s i n S m i t h & Thomson (1958) i n d i c a t e t h a t day l e n g t h on June 3 0 t h i s 19 h o u r s 11 m i n u t e s ( 0 2 : 2 8 a . m . t o 2 1 : 3 9 p . m . ) , compared t o 5 h o u r s 42 m i n u t e s ( 0 9 : 1 2 a . m . t o 1 4 : 5 4 p . m . ) f o r J a n u a r y 1 s t . T h i s phenomenon r e s u l t s i n r e d u c e d d i u r n a l t e m p e r a t u r e r a n g e s and i n t e n s i f i e d a n n u a l t e m p e r a t u r e r a n g e s . D u r i n g t h e summer months d i u r n a l t e m p e r a t u r e r a n g e s a r e 1 5 \u00C2\u00B0 F . t o 2 0 \u00C2\u00B0 F . , and d u r i n g t h e w i n t e r 5 \u00C2\u00B0 F . t o 1 0 \u00C2\u00B0 F . D u r i n g t h e 1 9 7 0 / 7 1 p e r i o d , when t h e K l u a n e L a k e s t a t i o n was m a i n t a i n e d y e a r - r o u n d , t h e a n n u a l r a n g e between t h e h i g h e s t and l o w e s t t e m p e r a t u r e s r e c o r d e d was 1 3 6 \u00C2\u00B0 F . (+ 8 0 \u00C2\u00B0 F . i n D u l y , - 5 5 \u00C2\u00B0 F . i n J a n u a r y ) . V e r y c o l d c o n d i t i o n s i n w i n t e r a r e a s s o c i a t e d w i t h s t a b i l i t y and t e m p e r a t u r e i n v e r s i o n s . M o s t p r e c i p i t a t i o n f a l l s d u r i n g t h e summer m o n t h s . Snow may o c c u r i n e v e r y m o n t h , e x c e p t i n J u l y . Snow d e p t h s i n w i n t e r a r e one f o o t t o two f e e t , and d r i f t i n g i s p r e v a l e n t . In w i n t e r t h e p r e c i p i t a t i o n r e s u l t s f r o m a i r movement a c r o s s t h e S t . E l i a s M o u n t a i n s f r o m t h e G u l f o f A l a s k a . 2 3 Summer r a i n s t o r m s , u s u a l l y g e n e r a t e d i n i n t e r i o r A l a s k a o r c o n t i n e n t a l C a n a d a , t e n d t o t r a c k w e s t w a r d o r s o u t h w e s t w a r d and spend t h e i r m o i s t u r e a g a i n s t t h e e a s t e r n f l a n k o f t h e S t . E l i a s M o u n t a i n s ( N e i l s o n , 1 9 7 2 ) . G r e a t e s t w i n d s p e e d s o c c u r i n l a t e w i n t e r and s p r i n g and a r e a s s o c i a t e d w i t h s y s t e m s m o v i n g i n f rom t h e P a c i f i c O c e a n . In w i n t e r t hese a r e o f t e n o f C h i n o o k (Foehn ) t y p e , w h i c h b r i n g w i t h them warmer t e m p e r a t u r e s . The c o n t i n e n t a l i t y o f t h e a r e a i s r e f l e c t e d by t h e r e l a t i v e l o w c l o u d amounts ( 5 . 8 / 1 0 i n summer ) , a p r e d o m i n a n c e o f m i d d l e and h i g h c l o u d s , and t h e p r e s e n c e o f c o n v e c t i v e t y p e c l o u d a f t e r m i d - d a y . In s p i t e o f t h e s h o r t g r o w i n g s e a s o n , t h e a v e r a g e number o f d a y s w i t h o u t f r o s t i s o n l y t w e n t y - o n e ( P o r s i l d , 1 9 6 6 ) , h a r d y f i e l d c r o p s have been s u c c e s s f u l l y grown a t t h e f o r m e r E x p e r i m e n t a l Farm a t H a i n e s J u n c t i o n , and a c c o r d i n g t o K i n d l e (1953) f o r m e r t r a d i n g p o s t s UoaJ t o grow c a b b a g e , p o t a t o e s , t u r n i p s and beans i n s u r r o u n d i n g a r e a s . L o c a l M o d i f i c a t i o n s : The l o c a l c l i m a t i c c o n d i t i o n s a r o u n d Sheep M o u n t a i n a r e c o n s i d e r a b l y m o d i f i e d f r o m t h e g e n e r a l o u t l i n e g i v e n a b o v e , b e c a u s e o f i t s g e o g r a p h i c a l o r i e n t a t i o n t o t h e sun and i t s p r o x i m i t y t o K l u a n e L a k e and t h e S l i m s R i v e r v a l l e y . K l u a n e L a k e , l a r g e s t l a k e i n t h e Yukon and n e a r t h e s t u d y a r e a up t o 270 f e e t d e e p , h a s a m o d e r a t i n g e f f e c t on t h e l o c a l t e m p e r a t u r e s , when i t i s n o t f r o z e n . I t d o e s n o t f r e e z e o v e r u n t i l l a t e November o r - e a r l y December ; t h e r e f o r e t h e mean November t e m p e r a t u r e s a t t h e b a s e o f Sheep M o u n t a i n ( 1 6 . 5 \u00C2\u00B0 F . ) and a t t h e K l u a n e L a k e s t a t i o n ( 1 5 . 0 \u00C2\u00B0 F . ) were s i g n i f i c a n t l y h i g h e r t h a n t h a t t e m p e r a t u r e a t Burwash ( 7 . 2 \u00C2\u00B0 F . ) , l o c a t e d 2k o n l y f o r t y m i l e s f a r t h e r n o r t h on t h e n o r t h e r n , s h a l l o w end o f t h e l a k e , w h i c h f r e e z e s o v e r i n l a t e O c t o b e r . K l u a n e L a k e i s n o t i c e - f r e e u n t i l l a t e Dune and even t h e n h a s a t e m p e r a t u r e f a r b e l o w t h a t o f a d j a c e n t l a n d and a i r . I t was n o t e d t h a t c o l d e s t t e m p e r a t u r e s d u r i n g t h e summer months o c c u r r e d when i t was c a l m o r w i t h a w i n d b l o w i n g o f f K l u a n e Lake f rom t h e n o r t h . The o r i e n t a t i o n o f t h e l o n g a x i s o f Sheep M o u n t a i n i s s o u t h w e s t t o n o r t h e a s t , e x p o s i n g i t s l a r g e \" b r o a d s i d e \" t o t h e s u n . Most m o u n t a i n r a n g e s i n t h e a r e a a r e a l i g n e d s o u t h e a s t t o n o r t h w e s t . T h i s o r i e n t a t i o n and i t s p r o x i m i t y t o t h e S l i m s R i v e r v a l l e y i s s i g n i f i c a n t w i t h t h e r e g a r d t o t h e l o c a l c l i m a t e i n two r e s p e c t s . F i r s t l y , t h e S l i m s R i v e r v a l l e y i s a b o u t two m i l e s w i d e n e a r Sheep M o u n t a i n and K l u a n e LaKe a b o u t t h r e e m i l e s w i d e . The\" \"aa jacen t m o u n t a i n t o t h e w e s t , be tween Sheep C r e e k and B u l l i o n C r e e k i s l o w . T h e r e f o r e , w i t h t h e e x c e p t i o n o f M t . W a l l a c e (+ 7800 f e e t ) n o r t h o f Sheep M o u n t a i n and t h u s i n s i g n i f i c a n t w i t h r e s p e c t t o s u n s h i n e , Sheep M o u n t a i n i s s u r r o u n d e d by a r e a s o f l o w r e l i e f , a l l o w i n g i t t o \" c a t c h \" a l m o s t a l l t h e a v a i l a b l e i n s o l a t i o n , even when t h e sun i s a t a l o w e r a n g l e i n t h e s p r i n g , f a l l and l a t e w i n t e r . T h i s f a c t o r r e s u l t s i n snow m e l t i n g and d i s a p p e a r -i n g f r o m Sheep M o u n t a i n ' s e a s t , s o u t h and wes t s l o p e s e a r l i e r i n s p r i n g and p e r m a n e n t l y r e m a i n i n g on t h e m o u n t a i n l a t e r i n f a l l t h a n on any o f t h e s u r r o u n d i n g m o u n t a i n s . D u r i n g t h e h e i g h t o f t h e summer t h i s f a c t o r a d d s t o t h e d r y n e s s . S e c o n d l y , t h e S l i m s R i v e r v a l l e y s e r v e s a s an e f f e c t i v e f u n n e l f o r down-g l a c i e r w i n d , c o m i n g f r o m t h e s o u t h w e s t down t h e K a s k a w u l s h g l a c i e r . 25 These w i n d s a r e p a r t i c u l a r l y s t r o n g i n l a t e w i n t e r , s p r i n g and e a r l y summer. They a r e warmed by a c o m b i n a t i o n o f h e a t g a i n e d f rom s t r o n g l y r a d i a t i v e l y warmed r o c k s and h e a t e x t r a c t e d d u r i n g q u a s i - a d i a b a t i c d e s c e n t . T o g e t h e r w i t h t h e d i r e c t s u n s h i n e m e n t i o n e d a b o v e , t h e y r e s u l t i n g r e a t e v a p o t r a n s p i r a t i o n r a t e s on t h e e x p o s e d s l o p e s o f Sheep M o u n t a i n and a r e t h e r e a s o n f o r t h e p r e d o m i n a n c e o f g r a s s l a n d v e g e t a t i o n h e r e . As a l r e a d y p o i n t e d o u t , t h e s e w i n d s a r e a l s o r e s p o n s i b l e f o r t h e c o n t i n u i n g l o e s s d e p o s i t i o n . Mean m o n t h l y w i n d s p e e d s , measu red a t t h e b a s e o f Sheep M o u n t a i n , were h i g h e s t i n F e b r u a r y ( 7 . 1 m i l e s / h o u r ) , A p r i l ( 8 . 6 m i l e s / h o u r ) and May ( 1 1 . 0 m i l e s / h o u r ) , and l o w e s t i n m i d - w i n t e r (November - 2 . 6 m i l e s / h o u r , December 1 . 6 m i l e s / h o u r , J a n u a r y 4 . 9 m i l e s / h o u r ) . D u r i n g w i n t e r t h e s e \" d o w n - g l a c i e r \" w i n d s a r e c h i n o o k (Fohn) t y p e s , w h i c h r e a c h e d m e l t i n g t e m p e r a t u r e s ( 3 8 \u00C2\u00B0 F . ) even i n J a n u a r y . They remove t h e s c a n t y snow c o v e r f r o m e x p o s e d s l o p e s , w h i c h a r e o c c u p i e d by g r a s s l a n d v e g e t a t i o n , and d e p o s i t i t i n d e p r e s s i o n s o r on e a s t e r n a s p e c t s , w h i c h a r e o c c u p i e d by f o r e s t o r s h r u b c o m m u n i t i e s . S n o w d r i f t s o f t h r e e t o f o u r f e e t have been measu red h e r e . In s p i t e o f o n l y a s h o r t t i m e o f c l i m a t i c r e c o r d s f o r t h e a r e a , t h e e f f e c t s o f h i g h e r a l t i t u d e s a p p e a r t o be t h e f o l l o w i n g : The mean summer t e m p e r a t u r e s a r e s i g n i f i c a n t l y l o w e r i n t h e a l p i n e s t a t i o n a t 5380 f e e t compared t o t h e b o r e a l s t a t i o n a t 2800 f e e t . As c a n be s e e n on T a b l e I , t h e mean J u n e t e m p e r a t u r e s v a r y by 1 0 . 5 \u00C2\u00B0 F ( 5 1 . 0 \u00C2\u00B0 F . and 3 9 . 5 \u00C2\u00B0 F . ) . B e c a u s e o f t h e l o n g e r i n s o l a t i o n p e r i o d s d i u r n a l r a n g e s a r e s l i g h t l y s m a l l e r a t a l p i n e e l e v a t i o n s . However , t h e s e t e m p e r a t u r e d i f f e r e n c e s a r e l e s s p r o n o u n c e d i n s p r i n g and f a l l , and t h e y even become r e v e r s e d 26 a t t h e h e i g h t o f w i n t e r . The mean m o n t h l y t e m p e r a t u r e d u r i n g J a n u a r y was - 8 . 8 \u00C2\u00B0 F . a t 5380 f e e t , b u t - 1 7 . 9 \u00C2\u00B0 F . a t 2800 f e e t e l e v a t i o n . T h i s r e v e r s a l i s c a u s e d by t e m p e r a t u r e i n v e r s i o n s , w h i c h accompany v e r y s t a b l e , c a l m c o n d i t i o n s d u r i n g v e r y c o l d w e a t h e r . A t s u c h t i m e s t h e a l p i n e s t a t i o n was o f t e n 2 0 \u00C2\u00B0 F . warmer t h a n t h e b o r e a l s t a t i o n . Wind s p e e d s i n c r e a s e d g r e a t l y w i t h i n c r e a s i n g a l t i t u d e s , p o s s i b l y b e c a u s e o f l a c k o f f r i c t i o n i n t h e f o r m o f t r e e s and t a l l s h r u b s a t h i g h e r e l e v a t i o n s . D u r i n g F e b r u a r y , f o r i n s t a n c e , t h e a v e r a g e m o n t h l y w i n d s p e e d was 34 m i l e s / h o u r a t 5380 f e e t compared t o o n l y 7 . 1 m i l e s / h o u r a t 2800 f e e t e l e v a t i o n . C l o u d c o v e r and h u m i d i t y a l s o i n c r e a s e w i t h a l t i t u d e and o u r d a t a i n d i c a t e ( T a b l e 1) t h a t p r e c i p i t a t i o n d o e s . D u r i n g t h e o b s e r v a t i o n p e r i o d t h e t o t a l annua 1 , - p r e c i p i t a t i o n a t t h e a l p i n e \" f a t i o n was 9 . 6 i n c h e s compared t o o n l y 8 . 1 i n c h e s a t b o r e a l e l e v a t i o n s . Whether t h i s d i f f e r e n c e i s s i g n i f i c a n t , o n l y l o n g - t e r m measurements w i l l show. Our l i m i t e d d a t a s u g g e s t t h a t Sheep M o u n t a i n i s d r i e r t h a n any o f t h e o t h e r s t a t i o n s l i s t e d i n T a b l e I ; e x c e p t f o r t h e c o a s t a l f l a t s a l o n g t h e A r c t i c O c e a n , i t may be t h e d r i e s t a r e a i n t h e Y u k o n . Under t h e Koppen c l a s s i f i c a t i o n o f c l i m a t e s t h e b o r e a l zone o f K l u a n e w o u l d f a l l i n t o t h e D f c o r Dsc ( s u b - A r c t i c ) c a t e g o r y ( T r e w a r t h a , 1 9 4 3 ) , w h i l e t h e a l p i n e z o n e w o u l d be ET ( t u n d r a ) c l i m a t e . S i n c e t h e a l p i n e s t a t i o n a t 5380 f e e t had a mean J u l y t e m p e r a t u r e o f 4 5 . 9 \u00C2\u00B0 F . , i t i s r e s o n a b l e t o assume ( t h r o u g h i n t e r p o l a t i o n ) t h a t a s t a t i o n a t 4500 f e e t t o 5000 f e e t w o u l d h a v e a mean J u l y t e m p e r a t u r e o f a r o u n d 50 \u00C2\u00B0F . T h i s s t a t i o n w o u l d t h e r e f o r e be a t t h e b o r d e r l i n e between D f c o r Dsc and ET 27 c l i m a t e s . , I t was f o u n d d u r i n g t h i s i n v e s t i g a t i o n t h a t t h e b o r d e r l i n e between t h e s u b - a l p i n e s h r u b zone and t h e \" t r u e \" a l p i n e zone i s a l s o a r o u n d t h e 4500 t o 5000 f e e t c o n t o u r l i n e . I t t h e r e f o r e a p p e a r s t h a t t h e u p p e r l i m i t o f t a l l s h r u b s c o i n c i d e s w i t h t h e upper l i m i t o f D f c c l i m a t e , and t h e r e f o r e b o t h , t h e b o r e a l as w e l l as t h e s u b - a l p i n e v e g e t a t i o n , a r e w i t h i n t h e D f c o r Dsc c l i m a t i c z o n e . P r e v i o u s B o t a n i c a l Work i n t h e K l u a n e A r e a In s p i t e o f i t s n o r t h e r n l o c a t i o n t h e K l u a n e a r e a i s f a i r l y w e l l - k n o w n b o t a n i c a l l y - b e t t e r t h a n any o t h e r a r e a i n t h e Yukon and n o r t h e r n B r i t i s h C o l u m b i a . T h i s i s a c c o u n t e d f o r by t h e c o n s t r u c t i o n o f t h e A l a s k a and H a i n e s H i g h w a y s i n t h e m id 1 9 4 0 ' s , w h i c h b r o u g h t t h e a r e a i n t o r e a c h o f a number o f s c i e n t i s t s . B u t more i m p o r t a n t i n t h i s c o n -n e c t i o n was t h e e s t a b l i s h m e n t o f a f i e l d s t a t i o n a t K l u s n e L a k e by t h e A r c t i c I n s t i t u t e o f N o r t h A m e r i c a i n 1 9 6 1 , w h i c h was u t i l i z e d by many i n v e s t i g a t o r s d u r i n g t h e p a s t d e c a d e . As t h i s r e v i e w w i l l show, h o w e v e r , most b o t a n i c a l work c o n s i s t e d o f c o l l e c t i o n s . T h e r e f o r e , even t h o u g h t h e f l o r a may be w e l l known, t h e v e g e t a t i o n i s n o t . A number o f i n v e s t i g a t o r s gave good d e s c r i p t i o n o f t h e h a b i t a t p l a n t s were c o l l e c t e d i n o r b r i e f l y d e s c r i b e d m a j o r v e g e t a t i o n u n i t s ( M u r r a y , 1 9 6 5 , 1 9 7 1 ? ; J o h n s o n & Raup , 1 9 6 4 ; D r u r y , 1 9 5 3 ) , b u t p l a n t e c o l o g i c a l work a s s u c h was l i m i t e d t o i n v e s t i g a t i o n s o f g e o g r a p h e r s and g e o l o g i s t s who c o r r e l a t e d v e g e t a t i o n c o v e r w i t h p h y s i o -g r a p h i c phenomena ( P r i c e , 1 9 7 1 ; Rampton , 1 9 7 1 ; S c o t t , 1 9 6 8 ) . No p h y t o -s o c i o l o g i c a l work had so f a r been done i n t h e a r e a . In an e x c e l l e n t r e v i e w p a p e r , H u l t e n (1940) g i v e s t h e h i s t o r y o f b o t a n i c a l 28 e x p l o r a t i o n s i n A l a s k a and t h e Yukon f r o m t h e t i m e o f t h e i r d i s c o v e r y t o 1 9 4 0 . In t h e f o l l o w i n g a c c o u n t t h e f i r s t s e t o f r e f e r e n c e s i s e x t r a c t e d f r o m H u l t e n ' s (1940 ) w o r k . The f i r s t p u b l i s h e d c o l l e c t i o n r e l e v a n t t o K l u a n e N a t i o n a l P a r k was made by A r t h u r KRAUSE o f t h e Bremen G e o g r a p h i c a l S o c i e t y i n 1 8 8 1 - 8 2 . K r a u s e c o l l e c t e d m a i n l y t h e Lynn C a n a l , C h i l k o o t P a s s and C h i l k a t P a s s a r e a s and o n l y r e a c h e d t h e s o u t h e r n m o s t p o r t i o n o f t h e P a r k , where he c o l l e c t e d t h e T a t s c h e n s h i n i R i v e r a r e a ( t r i b u t a r y t o t h e A l s e k R i v e r ) o n Dune 2 5 , 2 6 , 2 8 , 1 8 8 1 . The c o l l e c t i o n s were p u b l i s h e d by K u r t z i n E n g l e r ' s B o t . D a h r b . 1 9 , 1 8 9 5 . A r e p o r t o f t h e j o u r n e y was p u b l i s h e d by K r a u s e i n Z e i t s c h r i f t d e r G e s e l l s c h a f t f u r E r d k u n d e , Band 1 8 , 1883 ( H u l t e n , 1 9 4 0 ) . A l b e r t D. RUDKIN i n 1883 c o l l e c t e d 31 s p e c i e s a b o u t M t . S t . E l i a s , w h i c h a r e p r e s e r v e d i n t h e N e M ,Ynrk B o t . G a r d e n . A l i s t o f \u00C2\u00B1 r \u00C2\u00B0 s p e c i e s mas p u b l i s h e d by B r i t t o n ( B u l l . T o r r . C l u b I I , 1884) ( H u l t e n 1 9 4 0 ) . W i l l a r d C. HAYES, o f U . S . G e o l o g i c a l S u r v e y , a c c o m p a n i e d L i e u t e n a n t F . S c h w a t k a on a m i l i t a r y r e c o n n a i s s a n c e o f t h e Yukon R i v e r v i a t h e W h i t e R i v e r i n 1 8 8 3 . A few c r y p t o g a m i c p l a n t s were c o l l e c t e d and a r e l i s t e d by M. Cummings i n an a r t i c l e on t h e E x p e d i t i o n i n N a t . G e o g r . Mag. 4 , 1892 ( H u l t e n , 1 9 4 0 ) . D a v i d W. EATON, o f t h e A l a s k a n Boundary C o m m i s s i o n , engaged i n s u r v e y i n g t h e 1 4 1 s t M e r i d i a n , 1909 t o 1 9 1 2 , o b t a i n e d a c o l l e c t i o n i n t h e W h i t e R i v e r v a l l e y n e a r t h e b o u n d a r y i n 1909 and i n 1912 on t h e 1 4 1 s t M e r i d i a n n o r t h o f M t . S t . E l i a s . The c o l l e c t i o n , a b o u t two h u n d r e d f i f t y (250) s p e c i m e n s , i s p r e s e r v e d i n t h e N a t . , H e r b . , W a s h i n g t o n ( H u l t e n , 1 9 4 0 ) . The J a p a n e s e s c i e n t i s t IN0UYE t o o k p a r t i n a t r i p a r r a n g e d by t h e 1 2 t h 2 9 I n t e r n a t i o n a l m e e t i n g o f S o i l I n v e s t , a t T o r o n t o and o b t a i n e d a s m a l l c o l l e c t i o n be tween A u g u s t 1 4 t h and O c t o b e r 1 5 t h , 1 9 1 3 , i n S . E . A l a s k a and a d j a c e n t Y u k o n . A l i s t o f t h e p l a n t s was p u b l i s h e d by K o i d z u m i ( B o t . Mag. T o k y o , 3 0 : 6 8 - 6 9 , 1916) ( H u l t e n , 1 9 4 0 ) . H . F . LAMBERT c o l l e c t e d a few s p e c i m e n s a t K l u t l a n G l a c i e r a t t h e head o f t h e W h i t e R i v e r i n A u g u s t 1913 ( H u l t e n , 1 9 4 0 ) . A d o l f MULLER c o l l e c t e d a s e r i e s o f p l a n t s i n A u g u s t 1920 a t t h e f o l l o w i n g l o c a l i t i e s : D o n j e k R i v e r , K l u a n e L a k e , B e a r C reek and D e z a d e a s h L a k e . C o l l e c t i o n s a r e i n P h i l a d e l p h i a , d u p l i c a t e s i n t h e Nat'. H e r b . , W a s h i n g t o n ( H u l t e n , 1 9 4 G ) . H a m i l t o n M. L A I N G , Member o f t h e f i r s t M t . Logan e x p e d i t i o n , o b t a i n e d a c o l l e c t i o n o f two h u n d r e d f o r t y - t h r e e (243) s p e c i m e n s a t t h e head o f t h e C h i t i n a R i v e r and C h i t i n a G l a c i e r , S . E . A l a s k a , i n May t o J u l y 1925 . '. L a i n g ' s c o l l e c t i o n i s i n c l u d e d i n P o r s i l d ( 1 9 3 9 ) . D u r i n g t h e p e r i o d o f 1935 t o 1941 f o u r e x p e d i t i o n s under t h e l e a d e r s h i p o f W a l t e r A . WOOD have e n t e r e d t h e S t . E l i a s Range . A. B a k e w e l l a c c o m p a n i e d t h e 1939 and 1941 e x p e d i t i o n s , d u r i n g w h i c h b o t a n i c a l c o l l e c t i o n s were made. The s p e c i m e n s were i d e n t i f i e d by H . Raup , H a r v a r d U n i v e r s i t y , and p u b l i s h e d by B a k e w e l l ( 1943 ) . ' H . M . RAUP and a s s o c i a t e s o f H a r v a r d U n i v e r s i t y made e x p e d i t i o n s i n t o t h e a r e a i n 1944 and 1 9 4 8 . The c o m p l e t e s e t o f s p e c i e s a r e d e p o s i t e d i n t h e G r a y H e r b a r i u m , H a r v a r d U n i v e r s i t y . Even t h o u g h r e f e r e n c e t o t h e 1944 e x p e d i t i o n i s made i n Raup (1944 ) and t h e m a j o r v e g e t a t i o n t y p e s a r e b r i e f l y d e s c r i b e d i n J o h n s o n & Raup ( 1 9 6 4 ) , t h e c o m p l e t e s p e c i e s l i s t h a s so f a r n o t been p u b l i s h e d . One o f R a u p ' s c o l l e c t i o n s i t e s was t h e 30 s o u t h end o f K l u a n e L a k e . U . H . DRURY a c c o m p a n i e d Raup d u r i n g t h e 1948 e x p e d i t i o n and p u b l i s h e d a d e t a i l e d a c c o u n t on t h e b i r d s o b s e r v e d ( D r u r y , 1 9 5 3 ) . I n t h i s p a p e r D r u r y goes i n t o c o n s i d e r a b l e d e t a i l i n o u t l i n i n g the p l a n t a s s o c i a t i o n s t h e l o c a l b i r d s a r e f o u n d i n . H . J . LUTZ s t u d i e d t h e e c o l o g i c a l e f f e c t s o f f o r e s t f i r e s i n t h e i n t e r i o r o f A l a s k a f r o m 1949 t o 1 9 5 2 . Some o f t h e f o r e s t s s a m p l e d were c l o s e t o t h e A l a s k a - Yukon b o u n d a r y and a r e t h e r e f o r e r e l e v a n t t o t h e K l u a n e a r e a . L u t z c o l l e c t e d o v e r f i v e h u n d r e d (500.) s p e c i e s o f v a s c u l a r p l a n t s , mosses and l i c h e n s and d e s c r i b e d i n d e t a i l t h e m a j o r f o r e s t t y p e s and s u c c e s s i o n a l t r e n d s a f t e r f i r e s . H i s p u b l i c a t i o n ( L u t z , 1956) c o n t a i n s t h e s p e c i e s l i s t s , N . 3 . FREEDMAN c o l l e c t e d one h u n d r e d f i f t y - t h r e e (153^ t a x a o f v a s c u l a r p l a n t s w h i l e e m p l o y e d w i t h Hudson Bay E x p l o r a t i o n i n summer 1 9 5 3 . H i s s p e c i m e n s came f r o m t h e Q u i l l C r e e k and Tatamagouche C r e e k a r e a s . The c o l l e c t i o n was i d e n t i f i e d by D. L o v e , U n i v e r s i t y o f M a n i t o b a , who named s e v e r a l new P a p a v e r s p p . These were l a t e r , h o w e v e r , c o n s i d e r e d a s synonymous w i t h a l r e a d y d e s c r i b e d t a x a by H u l t e n ( 1 9 6 8 ) . T h i s c o l l e c t i o n was p u b l i s h e d by L o v e & Freedman ( 1 9 5 6 ) . H . P . HANSEN (1953 ) d e s c r i b e d t h e p o s t g l a c i a l f o r e s t s i n t h e Yukon T e r r i t o r y and A l a s k a . H i s p u b l i c a t i o n i s b a s e d on f i e l d work done d u r i n g t h e summer o f 1 9 5 0 . Some o f h i s p e a t s e c t i o n s t a k e n f o r p o l l e n a n a l y s e s came f r o m t h e K l u a n e a r e a . Hansen d i d n o t c o l l e c t p l a n t s and o n l y d e s c r i b e s t h e p r e s e n t f o r e s t s i n g e n e r a l t e r m s . D u r i n g t h e summer o f 1957 H . A . CRUM o f t h e N a t i o n a l Museum i n O t t a w a , a s s i s t e d by b i . B . SCHOFIELD, made e x t e n s i v e c o l l e c t i o n s o f b r y o p h y t e s and 31 v a s c u l a r p l a n t s p a r t i c u l a r l y i n t h e v a l l e y s o f t h e A l s e k and D e z a d e a s h R i v e r s . W h i l e t h e i r b r y o p h y t e l i s t h a s so f a r n o t been p u b l i s h e d , t h e v a s c u l a r p l a n t s a r e i n c l u d e d i n P o r s i l d ( 1 9 6 6 ) . A . E . PORSILD and R . T . PORSILD c o l l e c t e d p l a n t s a l o n g t h e H a i n e s Highway i n summer o f 1 9 6 0 . The s p e c i e s l i s t i s i n c l u d e d i n P o r s i l d ( 1 9 6 6 ) . > L l o y d A . SPETZMAN, M i l i t a r y G e o l o g y B r a n c h o f t h e U . S . G e o l o g i c a l S u r v e y , made g e n e r a l p l a n t c o l l e c t i o n s a l o n g t h e A l a s k a Highway between S n a g , n e a r t h e A l a s k a b o u n d a r y , and Champagne, w h i l e mapping t h e v e g e t a t i o n i n r e l a t i o n t o a p l a n n e d w i n t e r army manouvre i n J u n e 1962 . The Spetzman c o l l e c t i o n , t o t a l l i n g 370 odd n u m b e r s , i s d e p o s i t e d i n t h e N a t i o n a l Museum i n O t t a w a and i s i n c l u d e d i n P o r s i l d ' s (1966) p u b l i c a t i o n . As p a r t o f h i s g r i z z l y b e a r s t u d y , A . PEARSON, C a n a d i a n W i l d l i f e S e r v i c e , c o l l e c t e d v a s c u l a r p l a n t s d u r i n g , t h e summer o f 1965 . P e a r s o n ' s ma in c o l l e c t i o n s i t e s were t h e t e r m i n u s o f t h e Dusky G l a c i e r , t h e u p p e r A l s e k R i v e r , t h e summit o f Sudgen C r e e k P a s s , and A m p h i t h e a t r e M o u n t a i n n e a r B u r w a s h . T h e ' p l a n t s a r e d e p o s i t e d i n t h e N a t i o n a l Museum i n O t t a w a , and t h e more i m p o r t a n t s p e c i e s a r e p u b l i s h e d a s a s u p p l e m e n t t o P o r s i l d ' s (1966) c o n t r i b u t i o n . -J . A . NEILSON c o l l e c t e d v a s c u l a r p l a n t s i n t h e Shakwak T r e n c h and a d j a c e n t K l u a n e - Ruby Ranges w h i l e a s s o c i a t e d w i t h t h e A r c t i c I n s t i t u t e o f N o r t h A m e r i c a f o r two s e a s o n s (1966 and 1 9 6 7 ) . H i s c o l l e c t i o n , i s d e p o s i t e d a t t h e U n i v e r s i t y o f A l a s k a H e r b a r i u m , and a d u p l i c a t e c o l l e c t i o n a t t h e N a t i o n a l Museum i n O t t a w a . H i s i m p o r t a n t f i n d i n g s were p u b l i s h e d i n N e i l s o n ( 1 9 6 8 ) , and t h e c o m p l e t e l i s t , s u p p l e m e n t e d by P o r s i l d ' s (1966) c o n t r i b u t i o n a s w e l l a s c o l l e c t i o n s made by D. M u r r a y , U n i v e r s i t y o f 32 A l a s k a , i n N e i l s o n ( 1 9 7 2 ) . R.W. SCOTT c o l l e c t e d v a s c u l a r p l a n t s i n t h e C h i t i s t o n e P a s s a r e a , s o u t h -e a s t A l a s k a , w h i l e i n v o l v e d i n a p h y s i o g r a p h y s t u d y w i t h the U n i v e r s i t y o f M i c h i g a n i n summer 1 9 6 7 . The c o l l e c t i o n i s d e p o s i t e d a t t h e U n i v e r s i t y o f M i c h i g a n H e r b a r i u m and h a s been p u b l i s h e d by t h e A r c t i c I n s t i t u t e o f N o r t h A m e r i c a ( S c o t t , 1 9 6 8 ) . O .K . M I L L E R , O r . , c o l l e c t e d f u n g i w h i l e a s s o c i a t e d w i t h t h e A r c t i c I n s t i t u t e o f N o r t h A m e r i c a d u r i n g t h e summer 1 9 6 7 . O t h e r c o l l e c t i o n s were made by h im i n t h e a r e a s i n c e 1 9 6 2 . The c o l l e c t i o n s were p u b l i s h e d by M i l l e r ( 1 9 6 8 , 1969) and M i l l e r & G i l b u r t s o n ( 1 9 6 9 ) . U. RAMPTON c o n d u c t e d f i e l d i n v e s t i g a t i o n s on t h e Q u a r t e r n a r y h i s t o r y o f t h e Snag - K l u t l a n a r e a d u r i n g t h e summers 1965 t o 1967 and t h e s p r i n g o f 1 9 6 8 . In a p a p e r ( R a m p t o n , 1 9 7 1 ) , a p a l e o b o t a n i c a l r e c o r d f r o m t h e a r e a and t h e v e g e t a t i o n a l and c l i m a t i c i n t e r p r e t a t i o n s o f i t a r e p r e s e n t e d . L.W. PRICE s t u d i e d v e g e t a t i o n , m i c r o t o p o g r a p h y and d e p t h o f a c t i v e l a y e r on f o u r s l o p e s w i t h d i f f e r e n t e x p o s u r e s i n a l p i n e t u n d r a s o f t h e Ruby Range d u r i n g t h e summers o f 1967 and 1968 . H i s p l a n t s p e c i e s were i d e n t i -f i e d by D. M u r r a y and 3. N e i l s o n ; t h e y a r e k e p t i n t h e i n v e s t i g a t o r ' s p r i v a t e c o l l e c t i o n . The s t u d y h a s been p u b l i s h e d by P r i c e ( 1 9 7 1 ) . D . F . MURRAY h a s been i n v o l v e d i n p l a n t - e c o l o g i c a l work and c o l l e c t i o n s i n t h e S t . E l i a s M o u n t a i n s and a d j a c e n t W r a n g e l l M o u n t a i n s w i t h i n t e r -r u p t i o n s f r o m 1965 t o t h e p r e s e n t , l a r g e l y i n a s s o c i a t i o n w i t h t h e A r c t i c I n s t i t u t e o f N o r t h A m e r i c a . No o t h e r s i n g l e i n v e s t i g a t o r c o n t r i b u t e d a s much t o t h e k n o w l e d g e o f t h e a l p i n e f l o r a o f t h e a r e a . M u r r a y has c o l l e c t e d i n many a l p i n e a r e a s and h a s gone i n t o g r e a t d e t a i l i n t h e f o l l o w i n g t h r e e l o c a l i t i e s : K a s k a w u l s h N u n a t a k , S t e e l e G l a c i e r and S l i m ' s T u n d r a , l o c a t e d be tween Sheep and B u l l i o n C r e e k s . Some o f h i s work has been p u b l i s h e d ( M u r r a y , 1 9 6 5 , 1 9 6 8 , 1 9 7 1 a , 1 9 7 1 b ) . The w r i t e r w o r k e d i n t h e K l u a n e a r e a d u r i n g t h e summers 1969 t o 1972 . In 1970 t o 1971 he was a s s o c i a t e d w i t h t h e A r c t i c I n s t i t u t e o f N o r t h A m e r i c a . P l a n t c o l l e c t i o n s were made e v e r y s e a s o n , and an a d d i t i o n a l c o l l e c t i o n was made by KRA3INA, U n i v e r s i t y o f B r i t i s h C o l u m b i a , i n summer 1 9 7 0 . The c o l l e c t i o n s a r e d e p o s i t e d a t t h e U . B . C . H e r b a r i u m , w i t h a s m a l l d u p l i c a t e c o l l e c t i o n a t t h e U n i v e r s i t y o f A l a s k a H e r b a r i u m and t h e Yukon Game B r a n c h . A number o f w i l l o w s p e c i m e n s a r e w i t h t h e N a t i o n a l Museum i n O t t a w a . The c o l l e c t i o n s amounted to f o u r h u n d r e d t w e n t y - t h r e e (423) t a x a o f v a s c u l a r p l a n t s , f i f t y - e i g h t (58) l i c h e n s and f o r t y - f i v e (45) mosses and h e p a t i c a e . C o m p l e t e l i s t s a r e a t t a c h e d a s an a p p e n d i x t o t h i s w o r k . Methods and M a t e r i a l s An i m p o r t a n t o b j e c t i v e o f t h i s s t u d y was t o d e s c r i b e t h e v e g e t a t i o n o f Sheep M o u n t a i n f o r t h e p u r p o s e o f c o n s t r u c t i n g a v e g e t a t i o n map. The methods u s e d were t h o s e o f t h e E u r o p e a n and S c a n d i n a v i a n s c h o o l s o f p h y t o s o c i o l o g y , w h i c h have d u r i n g t h e p a s t two d e c a d e s been employed i n v a r i o u s a r e a s o f N o r t h A m e r i c a ( B e c k i n g 1 9 5 4 , 1 9 5 6 ; K r a j i n a 1960 , 1969 B r o o k e , P e t e r s o n & K r a j i n a 1 9 7 0 ) . The p h i l o s o p h y and m e t h o d o l o g y o f t h e s e s c h o o l s a r e d i s c u s s e d i n d e t a i l by P o o r e ( 1 9 5 5 , 1956 , 1962) and D a h l ( 1 9 5 6 ) . The s t u d y a r e a \u00E2\u0080\u0094 Sheep M o u n t a i n \u00E2\u0080\u0094 c o v e r s an a r e a o f a p p r o x i m a t e l y 11 s q u a r e m i l e s i n a r e a and i n c l u d e s t h r e e m a j o r v e g e t a t i o n z o n e s ; b o r e a l \u00E2\u0080\u0094 \u00E2\u0080\u0094 montane , s u b - a l p i n e and a l p i n e . The v / e g e t a t i o n c o v e r c h a n g e s a c c o r d i n g l y i n f l o r i s t i c c o m p o s i t i o n , s t r u c t u r e and c o v e r a g e . F i e l d work s t a r t e d i n J u l y 1 9 7 0 . M o s t p l o t s were a n a l y s e d between mid J u n e and mid September 1 9 7 1 . Some a d d i t i o n a l p l o t s had t o be e s t a b l i s h e d d u r i n g t h e summer o f 1 9 7 2 . A n a l y s e s o f V e g e t a t i o n : More t h a n 300 s a m p l e p l o t s were l o c a t e d i n what a p p e a r e d t o be homogeneous p o r t i o n s o f t h e v e g e t a t i o n c o v e r . In t h e a n a l y s e s o n l y 225 p l o t s were u s e d ; t h e o t h e r s d e s c r i b e d t r a n s i t i o n a l s t a g e s . P l o t s i z e was k e p t u n i f o r m a t 10 m e t e r s by 10 m e t e r s , e x c e p t a l o n g c r e e k s o r n a r r o w r i d g e s where i t was c h a n g e d t o 5 m e t e r s by 20 m e t e r s , t h e r e b y m a i n t a i n i n g t h e t o t a l a r e a p e r p l o t . F o r e a c h l a r g e communi ty t y p e 10 r e p l i c a t e p l o t s were e s t a b l i s h e d and f o r e a c h s m a l l o r r a r e community t y p e 5 r e p l i c a t e p l o t s were l o c a t e d . To be a b l e to come up w i t h t h e r e q u i r e d number o f r e p l i c a t e s , i t was , on o c c a s i o n , n e c e s s a r y t o go beyond t h e o u t l i n e d b o u n d a r i e s o f Sheep M o u n t a i n . Some p l o t s were a n a l y s e d on t h e s o u t h s i d e o f Mount W a l l a c e and some on t h e \" B u l l i o n P l a t e a u \" , between Sheep C r e e k and B u l l i o n C r e e k t o t h e w e s t ; b u t b o t h t h e s e a r e a s a r e w i t h i n two t o t h r e e m i l e s o f Sheep M o u n t a i n and have c o m p a r a b l e e c o l o g i c a l c o n d i t i o n s . The v e g e t a t i o n o f e a c h p l o t . w a s a n a l y s e d a c c o r d i n g t o t e c h n i q u e s o f t h e Z u r i c h - M o n t p e l l i e r S c h o o l a s m o d i f i e d by K r a j i n a ( 1 9 3 3 ) . The a n a l y s e s i n c l u d e d t h e l i s t i n g o f a l l s p e c i e s ( v a s c u l a r p l a n t s , b r y o p h y t e s , l i c h e n s ) a c c o r d i n g t o s t r a t a (A - t r e e s , B - s c h r u b s , C - h e r b a c e o u s v e g e t a t i o n , 0 - l i c h e n s and b r y o p h y t e s ) . E a c h s p e c i e s was r a t e d as t o i t s s p e c i e s s i g n i f i c a n c e , s o c i a b i l i t y and v i g o r a c c o r d i n g t o t h e f o l l o w i n g s c a l e s d e v e l o p e d by K r a j i n a ( 1933 ) f r o m B r a u n - B l a n q u e t (1932) m e t h o d s . 3 5 S p e c i e s s i g n i f i c a n c e ; S o c i a b i l i t y : V i g o r : + 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 ID + 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 0 + 1 2 3 q u i t e s o l i t a r y s e l d o m v/ery s c a t t e r e d s c a t t e r e d 5 t o 10$ c o v e r 10 t o 20$ c o v e r 20 t o 30$ c o v e r 30 t o 50$ c o v e r 50 to 75$ c o v e r 75 t o 95$ c o v e r 95 t o 100$ c o v e r t o 2 \u00E2\u0080\u009E2 s p o r a d i c 4 x 4 c m 2 25 x 25 c m 2 50 x 50 c m 2 1 / 3 t o 3 / 4 m 2 1 5 m' 25 t o 50 m 2 100 m 2 200 t o 250 m 2 500 m 2 dead d y i n g v e r y p o o r h e a l t h y , b u t n o t w e l l d e v e l o p e d b e s t , w i t h c o m p l e t e l i f e c y c l e (+) and ( - ) may be used f o r i n t e r m e d i a t e c o n d i t i o n s In a d d i t i o n n o t e s were made on l i f e f o r m and t h e p h e n o l o g i c a l s t a g e o f t h e v a r i o u s s p e c i e s i n a p l o t . A n a l y s e s o f E n v i r o n m e n t a l F a c t o r s : T ime r e s t r i c t i o n s d i d n o t p e r m i t d e t a i l e d a n a l y s e s o f t he s o i l and t h e m i c r o c l i m a t e o f t h e d i f f e r e n t v e g e t a t i o n u n i t s , b u t a number o f p h y s i c a l p a r a m e t e r s were d e t e r m i n e d w h i c h h e l p e d t o e x p l a i n t h e v a r i o u s v e g e t a t i o n e n v i r o n m e n t a l r e l a t i o n s h i p s . - } 0 3 6 ' * F o r each p l o t ue d e t e r m i n e d a l t i t u d e ; e x p o s u r e ; s l o p e g r a d i e n t ; l a n d t y p e ; l a n d f o r m ; h i s t o r y ( f i r e , g r a z i n g , o t h e r d i s t u r b a n c e ) ; r o c k i n e s s and s t o n i n e s s o f t h e s u r f a c e ; d e p t h o f s o i l ; p a r e n t m a t e r i a l ; p e r c e n t o f humus, m i n e r a l s o i l , d e c a y i n g wood o r s t o n e s i n t h e s u r f a c e h o r i z o n ; and t h e s o i l m o i s t u r e r e g i m e s a c c o r d i n g t o t h e f o l l o w i n g h y g r o t o p e u n i t s : 1 - v e r y d r y t o d r y ( x e r i c c o n d i t i o n s ) ; r o c k o u t c r o p s 2 - m o d e r a t e l y d r y ( w e l l d r a i n e d s o i l s ; d r y by m id summer) \u00E2\u0080\u00A23 - m e s i c ( w e l l d r a i n e d s o i l , s e e p a g e d u r i n g s p r i n g r u n - o f f ) 4 - h y g r i c ( m o d e r a t e t o i m p e r f e c t l y d r a i n e d s o i l s ) 5 - h y d r i c ( i m p e r f e c t l y to v e r y p o o r l y d r a i n e d s o i l s , o f t e n s a t u r a t e d o r i n u n d a t e d t h r o u g h o u t t h e y e a r ) I n t e r m e d i a t e c o n d i t i o n s were i n d i c a t e d by (+) o r ( - ) , and e v a l u a t i o n s were made a t t h e h e i g h t o f t h e g r o w i n g s e a s o n i n J u l y . A number o f a s s o c i a t i o n s a r e c o n s i d e r a b l y m o i s t e r d u r i n g s p r i n g r u n - o f f . Snow d u r a t i o n i n months a s w e l l as maximum d e p t h s were d e t e r m i n e d d u r i n g t h e 1 9 7 0 / 7 1 w i n t e r t h r o u g h t h e e s t a b l i s h m e n t o f 160 permanent snow p o s t s , w h i c h were d i s t r i b u t e d o v e r t h e t h r e e a l t i t u d i n a l z o n e s and i n c l u d e d s a m p l i n g o f a l l a s s o c i a t i o n s . These measurements were s u p p l e m e n t e d by f r e q u e n t s a m p l i n g o f t h e snow d e p t h s w i t h a r u l e r . Measurements were t a k e n a t l e a s t a t w e e k l y i n t e r v a l s , p l u s i m m e d i a t e l y a f t e r e v e r y heavy snow f a l l o r m a j o r r e m o v a l p e r i o d ( c h i n o o k s ) . S t a n d a r d f o r m s f o r a l l e n v i r o n m e n t a l and v e g e t a t i o n a l measurements were f i l l e d i n f o r e a c h p l o t , s a m p l e s o f t h e s e a r e a t t a c h e d a s an a p p e n d i x t o t h i s t h e s i s . N o t a l l o f t h e f a c t o r s l i s t e d i n T a b l e I I , w h i c h d e a l s w i t h t h e a n a l y s e s o f s o i l s , c o u l d be i n v e s t i g a t e d . 3 7 ' * N o m e n c l a t u r e and a u t h o r i t i e s f o r v a s c u l a r p l a n t s , w i t h v e r y few e x c e p t i o n s , f o l l o w H u l t e n ( 1 9 6 8 ) , f o r mosses and h e p a t i c s S c h o f i e l d (1969 a , b ) , and f o r l i c h e n s O t t o & A h t i ( 1 9 6 7 ) . Voucher s p e c i m e n s o f v a s c u l a r p l a n t s and mosses a r e d e p o s i t e d a t t h e U n i v e r s i t y o f B r i t i s h C o l u m b i a h e r b a r i u m , and o f l i c h e n s a t t h e U n i v e r s i t y o f W i s c o n s i n h e r b a r i u m . V e g e t a t i o n T a b l e s : U s i n g t h e s y n t h e s i z i n g method r e f e r r e d t o by P o o r e ( 1 9 5 5 , 1962) as \" s u c c e s s i v e a p p r o x i m a t i o n \" , l i s t s o f \" a s s u m e d \" v e g e t a t i b n a l u n i t s w e r e , compared f o i s i m i l a r i t i e s and d i f f e r e n c e s and f o r c o n f o r m i t y t o a c e r t a i n scheme o f i n t e r r e l a t i o n s h i p s . A number o f p l o t s w i t h t r a n s i t i o n a l v e g e t a t i o n were d i s c a r d e d w h i c h r e q u i r e d a d d i t i o n a l s a m p l i n g i n t h e summer o f 1972 t o i n c o r p o r a t e t h e d e s i r e d number o f r e o l i c a t e s . I n t h e d e l i n e a t i o n o f u n i t s t h e f o l l o w i n g o r d e r o f p r i o r i t y was f o l l o w e d : l ) s p e c i e s s i g n i f i c a n c e ( d o m i n a n c e and a b u n d a n c e ) , 2) c o n s t a n c y o r p r e s e n c e , 3) f i d e l i t y , 4) v i g o r , and 5) e c o l o g i c a l f a c t o r s ( a l t i t u d e , a s p e c t , h y g r o t o p e , snow c o v e r ) . S y n t h e s i s o f t h e f l o r i s t i c d a t a , s u p p l e m e n t e d by e n v i r o n m e n t a l v a r i a b l e s , r e v e a l e d c o n s i s t e n c i e s o f 32 g r o u p s of . p l o t s ; o f t h e s e v e g e t a t i o n a l u n i t s were d e v e l o p e d a t t h r e e l e v e l s o f c l a s s i f i c a t i o n s : o r d e r s , a l l i a n c e s and a s s o c i a t i o n s . N o m e n c l a t u r e o f t h e s e u n i t s f o l l o w s s t a n d a r d p r a c t i c e s o f t h e Z u r i c h - M o n t p e l l i e r S c h o o l ( D r e e s 1 9 5 3 ; N e u h a u s l 1 9 6 8 ) . O r d e r : _ - e t a l i a A l l i a n c e : - i o n A s s o c i a t i o n : - etum S u b - a s s o c i a t i o n : - e tosum . 3 8 F o r c o n s t a n c y o r p r e s e n c e v a l u e s t h e f o l l o w i n g s c a l e was a p p l i e d : S p e c i e s p r e s e n t i n 1$ t o 20$ o f t h e p l o t s , C l a s s I 21$ t o 40$ C l a s s I I 41$ t o 60$ C l a s s I I I 61$ t o 8 0 $ C l a s s IV 81$ t o 100$ C l a s s V T a b l e s o f a s s o c i a t i o n s l i s t t h e p l o t s a r r a n g e d w i t h i n c r e a s i n g a l t i t u d e , and t h e s p e c i e s w i t h i n e a c h p l o t a r r a n g e d f i r s t l y a c c o r d i n g t o s t r a t a ( t r e e s , s h r u b s , h e r b s , l i c h e n s and b r y o p h y t e s ) and w i t h i n each s t r a t u m a c c o r d i n g t o d e c r e a s i n g s p e c i e s s i g n i f i c a n c e and c o n s t a n c y . F o r each s p e c i e s t h e s p e c i e s s i g n i f i c a n c e v a l u e i s f o l l o w e d by t h e s o c i a b i l i t y v a l u e ; t h e s e two v a l u e s a r e s e p a r a t e d by a f u l l s t o p . A t t h e end o f e a c h co lumn t h e c o n s t a n c y v a l u e o f t h e d i f f e r e n t s p e c i e s i s l i s t e d f o r t h a t g r o u p o f p l o t s , t h 2 most f r e q u e n t l y o b s e r v e d uaJ' jp - f o r v i g o r and t h e a v e r a g e s p e c i e s s i g n i f i c a n c e . The l a t t e r was computed b e c a u s e i t was l a t e r u s e d i n an o v e r a l l s y n t h e s i s t a b l e f o r a l l v e g e t a t i o n u n i t s . A s e c o n d s e t o f t a b l e s ( a t t a c h e d i n t h e a p p e n d i x ) was c o n s t r u c t e d f o r e a c h o r d e r and t h e l o w e r u n i t s ( a l l i a n c e s and a s s o c i a t i o n s ) w i t h i n i t . H e r e t h e s p e c i e s a r e a r r a n g e d a c c o r d i n g t o t h e i r i m p o r t a n c e as o r d e r \u00E2\u0080\u0094 a l l i a n c e \u00E2\u0080\u0094 and a s s o c i a t i o n c h a r a c t e r s p e c i e s , and compan ion s p e c i e s . W i t h i n each o f t h e s e c a t e g o r i e s , s p e c i e s a r e a r r a n g e d f i r s t l y a c c o r d i n g t o s t r a t a ( t r e e s , s h r u b s , h e r b s , b r y o p h y t e s and l i c h e n s ) ; and w i t h i n e a c h s t r a t u m t h e y a r e a r r a n g e d a l p h a b e t i c a l l y . L a s t l y , a c o n d e n s e d t a b l e o f t h e f l o r i s t i c s t r u c t u r e o f a l l p l a n t a s s o c i a t i o n s a n d - t h e i r h i g h e r u n i t was c o n s t r u c t e d ( a t t a c h e d i n t h e \ a p p e n d i x ) . H e r e t h e s p e c i e s a r e a r r a n g e d a c c o r d i n g t o o r d e r \u00E2\u0080\u0094 3 9 * * a l l i a n c e - \u00E2\u0080\u0094 and a s s o c i a t i o n c h a r a c t e r s p e c i e s , under each o f t h e s e h e a d i n g s a c c o r d i n g t o s t r a t a , and u i t h i n e a c h s t r a t u m a l p h a b e t i c a l l y . O n l y c h a r a c t e r s p e c i e s a r e l i s t e d i n t h i s o v e r a l l s y n t h e s i s t a b l e . F o r e a c h s p e c i e s i t s a v e r a g e s p e c i e s s i g n i f i c a n c e v a l u e i s g i v e n as w e l l as t h e c o n s t a n c y v a l u e i n t h e r e s p e c t i v e a s s o c i a t i o n s . V e g e t a t i o n Map: A number o f s c h o o l s o f p h y t o s o c i o l o g y have come i n t o b e i n g , b u t two have become d o m i n a n t and t h e i r methods and p h i l o s o p h i e s a r e f o l l o w e d by t h e m a j o r i t y o f s y n e c o l o g i s t s t o d a y . The f i r s t s c h o o l i s known as t h e II \" Z u r i c h - F i o r v t p e l l i e r S c h o o l \" , o f t e n a l s o r e f e r r e d t o as t h e \" E u r o p e a n S c h o o l \" , and was d e v e l o p e d u n d e r t h e l e a d e r s h i p o f B r a u n - B l a n q u e t i n S w i t z e r l a n d . I n i t s b a s i c p h i l o s o p h y i s t h e a s s u m p t i o n t h a t t h e v e g e t a t i o n c o v e r o f t h e e a r t h can be c l a s s i f i e d i n t o a h i e r a r c h y of s y s t e m a t i c u n i t s . The b a s i c u n i t i s t h e a s s o c i a t i o n , w h i c h i n many r e s p e c t s i s c o m p a r a b l e t o a p l a n t c o m m u n i t y , and w h i c h i s a n a l o g o u s t o t h e l e v e l o f t h e s p e c i e s i n t h e h i e r a r c h y o f t a x o n o m i c u n i t s . A number o f c l o s e l y r e l a t e d a s s o c -i a t i o n s c a n be g r o u p e d i n t o an a l l i a n c e , and a number o f c l o s e l y r e l a t e d a l l i a n c e s can be g r o u p e d i n t o o r d e r s , i n a s i m i l a r manner i n w h i c h s e v e r a l s p e c i e s make up a genus and s e v e r a l g e n e r a make up a f a m i l y . S t i l l h i g h e r s y s t e m a t i c u n i t s a r e c l a s s e s and z o n e s . The i m p o r t a n t p o i n t i s t h a t t h i s s c h o o l r e c o g n i z e d d i s t i n c t v e g e t a t i o n u n i t s i n t h e m o s a i c o f a l a n d s c a p e and b o u n d a r i e s be tween them. The o t h e r s c h o o l , w h i c h h a s a g r e a t number o f f o l l o w e r s p a r t i c u l a r l y on t h e A m e r i c a n c o n t i n e n t , i s t h e \" W i s c o n s i n S c h o o l \" w h i c h d e v e l o p e d u n d e r t h e l e a d e r s h i p o f J o h n C u r t i s , and w h i c h i s a l s o r e f e r r e d t o a s t h e \" O r d i n a t i o n S c h o o l \" . I t s b a s i c p h i l o s o p h y d e n i e s t h e p r e s e n c e o f d i s t i n c t u n i t s i n t h e v e g e t a t i o n c o v e r and i t d e v e l o p e d t h e i d e a , o f t h e c o n t i n u u m . S i n c e t h e b a s i c o b j e c t i v e o f t h i s s t u d y was t o c o n s t r u c t a v e g e t a t i o n map, t h e p h y t o s o c i o l o g i c a l methods o f t h e Z u r i c h - M o n t p e l l i e r S c h o o l were a p p l i e d , s i n c e t h e i d e a o f t h e c o n t i n u u m o f t h e W i s c o n s i n S c h o o l , i m p l i e s i n many i n s t a n c e s a d e n i a l o f t h e e x i s t e n c e o f v e g e t a t i o n a l b o u n d a r i e s . I t i s n o t p o s s i b l e t o draw up a map w i t h o u t s h o w i n g b o u n d a r i e s . The p r o c e d u r e o f c o n s t r u c t i n g t h e v e g e t a t i o n map f o l l o w e d v e r y c l o s e l y \" K u c h l e r ' s C o m p r e h e n s i v e M e t h o d \" ( K u c h l e r , 1 9 6 7 ) . The b a s e l i n e map was a b l o w - u p o f a e r i a l p h o t o g r a p h s (RCA A15434 - 108) t o a s c a l e o f a b o u t 1 : 6 2 0 0 , g i v i n g a s i z e o f t h e s t u d y a r e a on t h e map o f a b o u t 3 x 4 f e e t . The m o s a i c o f v e g e t a t i o n c o v e r on t h i s p h o t o g r a p h was t h e n d e l i n e a t e d and c l a s s i f i e d i n t o s i m i l a r u n i t s on t h e b a s i s o f c o l o u r , t e x t u r e , a l t i t u d e and a s p e c t . D u p l i c a t e s o f p o r t i o n s o f t h i s p h o t o g r a p h were t a k e n i n t o t h e f i e l d and r e p r e s e n t a t i v e p l o t s were a n a l y z e d i n each o f t h e u n i t s . A number o f a d d i t i o n a l u n i t s ( a s s o c i a t i o n s ) , w h i c h were n o t d i s c e r n i b l e f r o m t h e p h o t o g r a p h , were l o c a t e d i n t h e f i e l d and t r a n s -f e r r e d t o t h e map. T h i s a p p l i e d p a r t i c u l a r l y t o t h e a l p i n e v e g e t a t i o n whose a s s o c i a t i o n s a r e o f t e n o f s i m i l a r h e i g h t and c o v e r a g e , and on t h e p h o t o g r a p h s s i m i l a r i n t e x t u r e and c o l o u r . I t a l s o a p p l i e d t o f l o o d -p l a i n and g r a s s l a n d a s s o c i a t i o n s . A d d i t i o n a l c o l o r e d a e r i a l p h o t g r a p h s were t a k e n i n e a r l y f a l l a t t h e t i m e when t h e l e a v e s b e g i n t o change c o l o u r (mid S e p t e m b e r ) . T h e s e c o l o u r c h a n g e s a r e s p e c i e s - s p e c i f i c ; p o p l a r and aspen change c o l o u r b e f o r e w i l l o w s ; a l l t h r e e t u r n y e l l o w i n c o n t r a s t t o d w a r f b i r c h w h i c h t u r n s r e d . C o l o r e d p h o t o g r a p h s were v e r y u s e f u l i n d e l i n e a t i n g b o u n d a r i e s be tween w i l l o w s and p o p l a r - a s p e n s t a n d s i n t h e b o r e a l and s u b - a l p i n e z o n e s , and between g r a s s l a n d s ( y e l l o w ) and o t h e r a s s o c i a t i o n s ( b r o w n i s h ) i n a l p i n e z o n e . In a d d i t i o n t o a i r p h o t o s (RCA A15434 - 108) t h e t o p o g r a p h i c map s h e e t o f D e s t r u c t i o n Bay ( D e p a r t m e n t o f N a t i o n a l D e f e n s e , C a n a d a , S h e e t 115 G / 2 ) s e r v e d f o r b a s e l i n e i n f o r m a t i o n . From i t were o b t a i n e d s u c h p h y s i c a l v a r i a b l e s as a l t i t u d e , c o n t o u r , l o n g i t u d e and l a t i t u d e . Ths v e g e t a t i o n map was f u r t h e r d i v i d e d i n t o 45 s e c t i o n s , each o f w h i c h c o n t a i n e d 100 q u a d r a t s , i n o r d e r t o p r e c i s e l y d e s c r i b e t h e d i s t r i b u t i o n o f p l a n t a s s o c i a t i o n s a s w e l l a s t h e u t i l i z a t i o n p a t t e r n s o f sheep o v e r t h e s t u d y a r e a . O t h e r d e t a i l s o f t h e map as f a r as s y m b o l s o r p a t t e r n s o f v a r i o u s a s -s o c i a t i o n s g o , t y p e s o f p h y s i o g r a p h i c phenomena and d e g r e e o f a c c u r a c y o f b o u n d a r i e s , a r e d e s c r i b e d i n t h e l e g e n d . The map i s a t t a c h e d as an a p p e n d i x o f t h i s w o r k . CLASSIF ICATION OF VEGETATION ON SHEEP MOUNTAIN T h r e e b i o g e o c l i m a t i c z o n e s a r e d i s t i n g u i s h e d i n t h e a r e a o f t h i s s t u d y . ( 1 ) The b o r e a l (montane) s p r u c e b i o g e o c l i m a t i c zone f rom t h e l o w e s t e l e v a t i o n s ( a r o u n d 2 5 7 0 ' o r 770 m e l e v a t i o n above s e a ) up t o a b o u t 3 8 0 0 ' o r 1100 m, i n w h i c h t h e m e s i c ( z o n a l ) v e g e t a t i o n on c a l c a r e o u s s o i l s i s t h e w h i t e s p r u c e f o r e s t . (2) The s u b a l p i n e w i l l o w - b i r c h b i o g e o c l i m a t i c zone as d e s c r i b e d by K r a j i n a ( 1 9 7 4 ) , e x t e n d s b e t w e e n 3 8 0 0 ' o r 1100 m up t o a b o u t 5 0 0 0 ' o r 1500 m i n w h i c h t h e m e s i c ( z o n a l ) v e g e t a t i o n i s c h a r a c t e r i z e d by w i l l o w and b i r c h s h r u b s . (3 ) The a l p i n e t u n d r a b i o g e o c l i m a t i c z o n e , d e v e l o p e d above 5 0 0 0 ' o r . 1500 m, i n w h i c h t h e m e s i c ( z o n a l ) v e g e t a t i o n on c a l c a r e o u s s o i l s i s c h a r a c t e r i z e d by p l a n t c o m m u n i t i e s where D r y a s i n t e q r i f o l i a i s p r e d o m i n a n t . 32 p l a n t a s s o c i a t i o n s were f o u n d and g r o u p e d i n t o 23 a l l i a n c e s and 17 o r d e r s . T a b l e 2 shows a s y n o p s i s o f a l l t h e s e s y s t e m a t i c u n i t s and T a b l e 3 l i s t s t h e a p p r o x i m a t e a c r e a g e s e a c h a s s o c i a t i o n o c c u p i e s on t h e mapped a r e a . As i t s h o u l d be e x p e c t e d , some s y n e c o l o g i c a l o r d e r s c r o s s t h e b o r d e r s o f t h e b i o g e o c l i m a t i c z o n e s , b e c a u s e t h e p l a n t a s s o c i a t i o n s , - b e l o n g i n g t o them, f i n d t h e i r s u i t a b l e h a b i t a t s even i n t h e areas ' where t h e g e n e r a l m a c r o c l i m a t e s a r e d i s t i n c t l y d i f f e r e n t . T h i s becomes o b v i o u s e s p e c i a l l y i n t h e g r a s s l a n d ( s t e p p e ) v e g e t a t i o n o c c u r r i n g i n b o t h t h e b o r e a l (montane) s p r u c e as w e l l as t h e s u b a l p i n e w i l l o w - b i r c h b i o g e o c l i m a t i c z o n e s . A n o t h e r s u c h c a s e i s t h e a l p i n e t u n d r a v e g e t a t i o n , o c c u r r i n g m a i n l y i n t h e a l p i n e t u n d r a b i o g e o c l i m a t i c z o n e , b u t o c c a s s i o n \u00E2\u0080\u0094 a l l y d e s c e n d i n g a l s o i n t o t h e s u b a l p i n e w i l l o w - b i r c n b i o g e o c l i m a t i c zone where t h e l a r g e a c c u m u l a t i o n o f snow by d r i f t s h o r t e n s t h e v e g e t a t i o n s e a s o n o f t h e s u b a l p i n e z o n e . T h i s w i l l become o b v i o u s f rom t h e d i s c u s -s i o n o f d i f f e r e n t s y n e c o l o g i c a l u n i t s o f t h e w h o l e c l a s s i f i c a t i o n o f t h e v e g e t a t i o n . O r d e r 1 . PUCCINELLIO - SALICORIMIETALIA B r a u n - B l a n q u e t & de Leeuw, 1936. In o u r s t u d y a r e a i t o c c u r s o n l y i n t h e b o r e a l (montane) zone i n t h e S l i m s R i v e r f l o o d - p l a i n (mapp ing s e c t i o n s : E 3 , E 4 , E 5 , F 3 , F 4 , F5) on s a l i n e and a l k a l i n e s o i l s , i n t h e s p r i n g t e m p o r a r i l y i n u n d a t e d , p o o r l y d r a i n e d , g l e y e d and b e c o m i n g s l i g h t l y s o l o n e t z i c by summer d e s i c c a t i o n . The t o t a l a r e a o c c u p i e d by t h i s o r d e r i s a p p r o x i m a t e l y 426 a c r e s . A l l i a n c e 1 . P u c c i n e l l i o n d e s c h a m p s i o i d i s H o e f s & K r a j i n a The c h a r a c t e r i s t i c c o m b i n a t i o n o f s p e c i e s ( f o r t he o r d e r and t h e 4 3 T a i l . J. ORDER I . PUCCIHELLIO - EALZCORKIETALZA 2. CARICETALXA \u00C2\u00BBBO\u00C2\u00BBTILI* SYNOPSIS Or THE SYNSYSTL'HATICUNJTS IK ALLIANCE ( ( 1. P u c c l n e l l l o n d a i c h a s t p a l o l d l e j ( ( ( ( ( 2. D..chaapalon c a . a p i t o . a . ( 1. T r l g l o c h l n l o a p e l u e t r l e Tut r.n:\ or THE STUOT ' A C ' - ' J C I A T I O N 2. l'ucc-inelllo tdeacr.ei\u00C2\u00ABF.loidl.) - Taraxacatua laearl 2. A L t c r o (yukor.er.sla) - Hordeo ( j u b a t i ) * Puccinelllacvr* cei;charr>.loidia 3. Hoideo (jubati) - A.teretua yuaon.n.1. 4. Astero (yuxonen.l\u00C2\u00AB) - Ce.char?)Bl\u00C2\u00ABtua c.eapltcaa. 5. Triglochino (paluatria) - Jur.cetua a r c t i c ! 6. Triglochino (paluatria) - Cerlcetua a q u a t l l l . 3. SALICETALZA FLAIZFOLZAE 4. DRYADETALIA DRDMMONDII 5. POPULETALZA BALSAMIFERAE 6. CALAMAGROSTIDO (PORPORASCEHTIS) - ARCTOSTAPHYLETALIA UVAE-CRSI ( 4. < i s . S a l i c l o a b r a c h y c a r p a . S a l i c i o n p l e n l f o l l a e ( 6. Dryadlon d r a a a o n d l l 7. Astero (yukoner.ala) - Junco (arcticl) - S a l i c t a brachycerpae 8. Eriophcro (aneustlfolll) - Carle\u00C2\u00A9 (aguatlll.) \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 Salicetum plar.ifollaa ( 9. Cryedetua druscondll ( 7. Junic'ara ( c o a a u n i . a h o r l a on t a l l e)( ( - Shepnerdio . (car.ader.Bla) .- ( ( r P o p u l i o n - t r e e t u l o l d i a j 8. Calar.aorcst.ido ( p u r p u r a s c c n t l a ) ( * - A r c t o s t a p h y l l o n uvaa-urai ( 10. Poso (aclculaxia) - shephe'rcio (canacten.1.) -- - Pcpuletum t x e c u l o l d i . . .. 11. Calamacroatldo (purpuraecentla) - Arcnostaphyl.tua uvae-ursl . 7. PICEETAI1A 6LA0CAE - HARIAKAE ( 9-( Bypno ( p r o c a r r l a l ) - A b i o t l n e l l o ( ( a b i e t l n a e ) - p i c e l o n glaucaa ( 12. Hypr.o (procerriail) - Abl.Unello (ablatio..) Piccctua glauca. 8. ARTEMISIO (FRIGIDAE) -AGROPYRETALIA TOEONERSIS (10. ( A r t e a l . l o ( f r i g i d . . ) . Agropyrior. ( yukonenai. . 13. Pentsteroao (gorr-anll) - Artenialo (frigid..) -Agropyretua yuiccnenaia 14. Artordsio (frigidae) - Agropyro (yukonenala) -lurot i . t u a lanataa 15. Fentaterwrto (goraanii) - Arterisietua fr i g i d . . ' 16. Agropyro (yuXcoensia) - Arteaisietua f r i g i d * . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 rupestrie 17. Cxytropo (viseidae) - Artenialo (hypaxboraaa -frigidae) - Caricetua f i l i f o l i a e \u00C2\u00BB. BETUZ.ira.LI> CLARDOLOSAt 10. ARTEMZSTETALIA ALASKANAE IX. DRYADETALZA IHTECRIFOLIAI 12. O X Y T R O P O (VZSCIDAE) -A R T E M I S I O (HYPERBOREAE) F E S T U C O (BRACHYPHYLLAE) TRISETETAL1A SPICATt 13. AGROPYRETALIA VZOLACEI 14. FESTOCETALZA ALTAICAE 15. SALICETALIA BAAAATTIAHAE 16. SALICETALIA POLARIS P o t e n t i l l o ( f r u t l c o . a e ) S a l i c i o n g l . o c . . 18. Arctostaphylo (rubrae - uvae-urai) - Peataco (altaicae) - Salicetua r e t i c u l a t a . - glaucaa 19. Arctostaphylo (r-jtrae) - Cassiopo (tetragonae) Sallcctua reticulatae - lanatae - glaucaa (12. ! l 3 . (14. ( !\u00C2\u00BB. A r t v n i s l o n alaekenae A r t t B i e i o (hyperboreae - alaeke-' ( a***) - S i U c J o a c y r t i l l i f o l i * * ( C e r l c e ( s c i r p o i d e a e ) - Dryadlon ( i n t e c r i f o l l e e ( ( 20. Artemisielrca alaskanae Dryado ( i n t e g r i f o l i a e ) C a s s i c p i o n tetragonae (17. (18. Oxytrcpo ( v i e c i d a e ) - A r t e n i a l o ! (hyperboreae) - Featucc ( b r a -c h y p h y l l a e j - T r i a e t l o n a p i c a t i [ 21. Artenisia (hyperboreae - alatkanac) - Salicetua r y r t i l l i f oliae 22. Salico (reticulatae) - Sileno (ecaulia) -Carico (scirpoiceae) - Dryadetum inte?rifoliae> 23. Salico (reticulatae) - Cassiopo {tetragonae) \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 Dryed.et.aa i n t e s r i f o l i a e 34. Oxytropo (viseidae) - X r r e r l \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 io (hyperboreae) -Festuco fbrechyphyllae) - Triaetetua s p l c a t l 2). Oxytropo thuddelaonil) - Salicetum dodgeana* A g r o p y r i o n v i o l a c a l r e e t u c i e n a l t a i c a e ( 26. A?rcpyretuB violatrei, ' 27. Arteaieio (arcticae) Fettucctw., altaicae Salico (raticrvUatae) \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 (19. S a l i c i o n fcarrattlanae ( 2G. S*Xicetua barrattianaa (20. ( 2 i . S a x i f r a o o . ( o p p o e l t l f o l l a e ) -Cjtyrlo (digynae) - S a l i c i o n p o l a r ! a Seneciono ( l u g e n t l a ) - S a l i c l o o p o l a r l a - r e t i c u l a t a e 29. SiKifraco (cppo\u00C2\u00ABitifcllae) - Oxyrio (dicynaa) Salicetum polaria 3C. Srri4\u00C2\u00BBciono (lu9er.tla) - Salicctu* polar i t \u00E2\u0080\u00A2\u00C2\u00BB reticulatae 1 7 . P E T A S I T I T A L I A f U l C I D l (22. ( <23. ( Oayrio (dloynae) - A r t e n i s l o n a r c t i c a e - t l l e e i l S a x i f r a g o ( h l r c v l l ) - C a r l e l o n ( feeeibranarvaa ( 31. Oxyrio (dlcynae) - ArteeJaletua arcticaa.-t i l r a l l 32. Saiifrago (Mrcull) - Car ice tun 1 S1ZIS OF A5iOCIATI0:.3 OF THE HAP AHEA Hi ACHEo Numbers of Associations (1) (2) 1,2 iect. Ho. A 1 ^ \u00C2\u00BB*+ A 2 A 3 A 4 A 5 A 6 A 7 A 8 B 1 E 2 E 3 E 4 E 5 5 6 E 7 E 8 C 1 C 2 C 3 C 4 C 5 C 6 C 7 C 8 D 1 0 2 D 3 D 4 D 5 3 6 D 7 D 8 L 1 L 2 i 3 23.5 E 4 102.5 B 5 51.5 \u00C2\u00A3 6 \u00C2\u00A3 7 F 1 F 2 F 3 43-5 F 4 F 5 103.0 100.0 coulder 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 2.5 0.5 1.5 1.0 0.5 1.0 25.0 33.0 1.0 5.5 46.5 1.0 5.5 1.5 1.0 34.5 15.0 173.5 3-0 122.5 8.5 13.5 28.0 5.0 87.5 17-5 5.0 1.0 62.0 0.5 2.5 9.5 37.5 10.0 6.0 3.0 15.0 135.0 IB.5 3-0 10.5 63.0 40.0 21.5 16.5 6.0 37.5 2.0 60.0 6.0 12.5 20.0 53.0 1.0 40.0 2.5 10.5 30.0 61.0 40.0 3.0 13.5 100.0 41.0 0.5 21.5 0.5 13.5 49.5 25.0 1.0 16.0 160.0 25.0 0.5 20.0 109.0 30.0 1.0 8.0 14.5 54-5 19.0 2.5 10.0 15.5 12.5 52.0 2.0 17.5 60.0 26.5 3.0 2.5 2.5 1.0 1.0 3.5 25.0 5.0 3.0 5-0 3.0 18 1?_ 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 Scree 27 29 30 31 22. Cliffs Fields dura 7.5 31.5 90.0 4.0 14.5 4.5 22.5 52.0 110.0 55.5 118.5 33.0 3-0 79.0 10.0 204.5 86.0 186.0 4.5 187.5 28.0 205.0 32.5 204-5 37.0 205.0 . 173.5 4.5 141.0 13.5 205.0 100.0 204.0 71.5 204.5 124.0 204.5 49.5 204.5 20.5 204.5 63.5 26.5 92.5 9.5 204.5 21.5 203.5 204.0 37.0 204.5 25.0 205.5 14.5 15.5 199.0 22.5 6.0 97.5 1.0 204.O 0.5 200.5 203.5 141.5 lOo.O 25.0 33.0 1.0 0.5 65.5 2.5 96.0 100.5 ico.o ; 848.5 40.5 5986.0 0.5 1.0 9.5 2.5 3.0 3.5 0.5 27.5 39.0 0.5 4.0 5.0 8.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 5.0 16.0 74.0 14.0 139.0 1.0 7.5 141.0 16.5 0.5 1.0 20.0 6.0 34.5 39.0 35.0 14.5 13.0 29.0 75.0 3.0 2.5 0.5 60.5 6.0 8.0 1.0 4.5 6.5 7.0 12.5 51.0 149.0 129.0 82.0 39.5 8.0 31.5 24.0 34.0 6.0 1.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 1.0 2.0 0.5 0.5 0.5 6.5 1.0 3.5 14.5 1.0 0.5 2.0 3.5 1.0 14.5 0.5 8.5 20.0 10.0 50.0 30.0 20.0 0.5 0.5 47.0 9. 32. 35. 6. 5. 52. 2.5 4.0 2.0 3.0 7.5 15.5 36.0 44.0 48.0 47.5 2.5 8.0 24.5 21.5 23.5 6.0 0.5 0.5 0.5 12.5 0.5 (3) (4) 426.0 16.0 (5) 67.5 (6) (7) 4.0 88.0 198.0 1314.O 675.0 3.0 3-5 185.0 34.0 572.5 I65.O 3-5 3.5 601.0 11.0 49.0 8.0 (6) 130.0 473.5 (9) (10) 5.5 7.5 (11) 29.0 (12) 11.0 1.5 12.5 (about 9.3 square miles) 4 5 TABLE 3 : ( c o n t ' d ) EXPLANATIONS: (1 ) F o r names o f a s s o c i a t i o n s c o r r e s p o n d i n g t o t h e s e numbers s e e T a b l e 2 . (2) F o r p a t t e r n o f n u m b e r i n g o f s e c t i o n s and q u a d r a t s s e e v e g e t a t i o n map. (3 ) These f o u r a s s o c i a t i o n s a r e l u m p e d , s i n c e t h e y c a n n o t be s e p a r a t e d f r o m a i r p h o t o g r a p h s . F i e l d work i n d i c a t e s t h a t P u c c i n e l l i o - T a r a x a c e t u m l a c e r i i s t h e s m a l l e s t ( p e r h a p s 5 a c r e s ) , f o l l o w e d by Hordeo - A s t e r e t u m y u k o n e n s i s ( p e r h a p s 50 a c r e s ) , f o l l o w e d by A s t e r o - Hordeo - P u c c i n e l l i e t u m d e s c h a m p s i o i d i s and A s t e r o - D e s c h a m p s i e t u m c a e s p i t o s a e w h i c h a r e b o t h v e r y common (150 t o 200 a c r e s e a c h ) . (4 ) These two a s s o c i ^ t - n n s a r e l u m p e d , s i n c e t h e y c a n p n t be s e p a r a t e d f r o m a i r p h o t o g r a p h s . F i e l d work r e v e a l e d t h a t T r i g l o c h i n o - Ouncetum a r c t i c i i s more common t h a n T r i g l o c h i n o -C a r i c e t u m a q u a t i l i s . (5 ) These two a s s o c i a t i o n s a r e l u m p e d , s i n c e t h e y c a n n o t be s e p a r a t e d f r o m a i r p h o t o g r a p h s . F i e l d work r e v e a l e d t h a t A s t e r o - J u n c o - S a l i c e t u m b r a c h y c a r p a e i s more common t h a n E r i o p h o r o - C a r i c o - S a l i c e t u m p l a n i f o l i a e . (6 ) A r t e m i s i e t u m a l a s k a n a e i s p r o b a b l y more w i d e s p r e a d t h a n i n d i c a t e d h e r e , s i n c e l a r g e t r a c t s o f s c r e e s l o p e s c o u l d n o t be i n v e s t i g a t e d . (7 ) S a l i c o - C a s s i o p o - D ryadetum i n t e g r i f o l i a e , even though o f l i m i t e d e x t e n t i n t h e mapp ing a r e a , i s much more common a r o u n d Mount W a l l a c e n o r t h o f t h e s t u d y a r e a . (8 ) A q r o p y r e t u m v i o l a c e i i s p r o b a b l y more w i d e s p r e a d t h a n i n d i c a t e d 46 ' * TABLE 3 : ( c o n t ' d ) h e r e , s i n c e l a r g e t r a c t s o f s c r e e s l o p e s c o u l d n o t be i n v e s t i g a t e d . ( 9 , 1 0 ) A r t e m i s i o - S a l i c o - F e s t u c e t u m a l t a i c a e and S a l i c e t u m b a r r a t t i a n a e , even though o f l i m i t e d e x t e n t i n t h e mapping a r e a , a r e v e r y common on \" B u l l i o n P l a t e a u \" a b o u t 2 t o 3 m i l e s uiest o f t h e s t u d y a r e a . (11 ) T h i s a c r e a g e o n l y r e f e r s t o t y p i c a l \"snow bed s i t e s \" . L e s s t y p i c a l \" s t a n d s \" o f S a x i f r a g o - O x y r i o - S a l i c e t u m p o l a r i s , p a r t i c u l a r l y t r a n s i t i o n z o n e s t o S a l i c o - S i l e n o - C a r i c o -D ryadetum i n t e g r i f o l i a e and t o S e n e c i o n o - S a l i c e t u m p o l a r i s - r e t i c u l a t a e a r e common and w i d e s p r e a d . (12) \" T y p i c a l \" s i t e s o f S e n e c i o n o - S a l i c e t u m p o l a r i s - r e t i c u l a t a e a r e l i m i t e d i n e x t e n t , b u t t r a n s i t i o n a l s t a g e s t o S a x i f r a g o -O x y r i o - S a l i c e t u m p o l a r i s , t o S a l i c o - S i l e n o - C a r i c o - D ryadetum i n t e g r i f o l i a e and t o A r t e m i s i o - S a l i c o - F e s t u c e t u m a l t a i c a e a r e more common. a l l i a n c e ) i s : A s t e r y u k o n e n s i s Hordeum jubaturn P u c c i n e l l i a d e s c h a m p s i o i d e s Ta raxacum l a c e r u m A s s o c i a t i o n 1. P u c c i n e l l i o ( d e s c h a m p s i o i d i s -T a r a x a c e t u m l a c e r i A s s o c i a t i o n 2 . A s t e r o ( y u k o n e n s i s ) - Hordeo ( j u b a t i ) - P u c c i n e l l i e t u m d e s c h a m p s i o i d i s A s s o c i a t i o n 3 . H o r d e o ( j u b a t i ) - A s t e r e t u m y u k o n e n s i s T h e r e a r e t h r e e p l a n t a s s o c i a t i o n s i n t h i s a l l i a n c e w h i c h a r e d i s t i n g u i s h a b l e m a i n l y by d i s t i n c t l y d i f f e r e n t d e g r e e s o f a v e r a g e s p e c i e s s i g n i f i c a n c e v a l u e s and Constance o f o t h e r w i s e t h e same p l a n t s b e l o n g i n g t o t h e same a l l i a n c e and o r d e r ( as i s o b v i o u s f r o m T a b l e s 4 , 5 and 6 ) . A l l i a n c e 2 . D e s c h a m p s i o n c a e s p i t o s a e H o e f s & K r a j i n a O n l y one p l a n t a s s o c i a t i o n b e l o n g s t o t h i s a l l i a n c e , t h e s o i l s o f w h i c h a r e e v i d e n t l y l e s s s a l i n e t h a n t h o s e o f t h e p r e v i o u s t h r e e p l a n t a s s o c i a t i o n s . A s s o c i a t i o n 4 . A s t e r o ( y u k o n e n s i s ) - Deschamps ie tum c a e s p i t o s a e The c h a r a c t e r i s t i c c o m b i n a t i o n o f s p e c i e s ( a l l i a n c e and a s s o c i a t i o n ) i s : D e s c h a m p s i a c a e s p i t o s a v a r . g l a u c a R a n u n c u l u s c y m b a l a r i a The s o i l s o f a l l f o u r a s s o c i a t i o n s i n t h i s o r d e r a r e s a t u r a t e d and o f t e n i n u n d a t e d d u r i n g r u n - o f f i n e a r l y summer. In l a t e summer, h o w e v e r , t h e y show d i f f e r e n t d e g r e e s o f d e s i c c a t i o n and t h e d i s t r i b u t i o n o f v e g e t a t i o n on them c a n be c o r r e l a t e d t o a m o i s t u r e g r a d i e n t , a s w i l l be d i s c u s s e d . FIGURE 4: Puccinellio (deschampsioidis) - Taraxacetum l a c e r i occupying the driest locations on the Slims River flood plain. FIGURE 5: Zonation along a f a i r l y steep moisture gradient between Astero (yukonensis) - Hordeo (jubati) -Puccinellietum deschampsioidis at the l e f t i n photograph, Hordeo (jubati) - Astereturn yukonensis (dark strip i n centre), and Astero (yukonensis) -Descha'mpsietum caespitosae on the right of the photograph. It* Tj CO c rt 0 c r~. 0) o a rt a . to rt rt 0) \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 PJ I tn 0 h\". rt tn + + U) \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00C2\u00AB + + CO I \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 + H H \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 + CO \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 K en W W a TJ 2 > > O \u00E2\u0080\u00A2< I\u00E2\u0080\u00941 M pj t\u00E2\u0080\u00941 tn M iQ L\u00C2\u00B0 TJ n> rt o tn I\u00E2\u0080\u00941 . O. H. T J O < rt o* 0 H- (D 0 CO (D O (U H ,rt C rt 3 H H- 3 0 H P- P) O TJ (D 0 \u00C2\u00A7 0 rt rt (D a o Ml p-(D o \u00E2\u0080\u00A2*\u00E2\u0080\u00A2-\u00E2\u0080\u00A2\u00C2\u00BB M. TJ 3 Ml H fl) 0 n> rt rt CO Ml Ml CO I CO I CO \ 4^ . P> rt co I rt CO tO tn v j NJ CD 00 O l H \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 U1 to . CO Ul -J -J CO 00 Cn H \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 (Jl U) to Ul -j oo Ul M \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 O M -O. Ul \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .t* -J vIlD O Ul to \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 Ul \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 *k ~ J v I l O O u i to \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 to CO Constancy c o o H-3 rt O Pi 0) tn o 3* TJ tn H-O H-O J H-Ul i-3 PJ H PJ X Pi o (t) \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 TJ TJ C a O o O n H- H 3 z rt w M f M V- H 0 o 3 1 P J 1 (D CO tn > O 3\" H p) o 3 o TJ tn p- H o w H-Q J > H-to H p o co Average species cn co o s i g n i f i c a n c e \u00C2\u00B0, H H-to to uo Vigor - t -o \u00C2\u00A33 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2as TJ CD ft o to c Co h H rt 0 0 ft Cu rD 0 to- ft) h ft Pi c a J3 0 a tt) Tj c c r~l to 3 <-j. rV h-i P. c 0 M. P) tr t3 ft PJ ft (0 0 0 rt a a 0) ro C CO (6 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2h r3 l-i. (0 CO c CO 0 Tj tr M. ft rt 3 O \u00E2\u0080\u00A2a 21 CO ft h->. o M. CI. fl> CO + + to to \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 * \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 H H H to + to CO en H H OJ H M H to to H en t \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 H H to + H (Jl to H H to to H H H < < < H O O to to en \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 to O it* o to to CO to CO + + CO M tn o TJ a > > O H <^ H X M pi H\" to H P) iQ 0 TJ CD rt 0 5 CO H o. cr i O < CD rt 0 H- CD H 0 (D CO P) o P) CD rt c rt a H. 3 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 O 1 H- p) O \u00E2\u0080\u00A2a O \u00C2\u00A7 O rt CD Cn CD a Ml H- \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 CD o n TJ 3 th M CD O (D rt rt 0) l_i Cb > TJ TJ M l M l t O C O |J \u00C2\u00BB C C H M cn \u00C2\u00A3 \u00C2\u00A3 n o rt rt n i p. m i_i *-T pj O (-\u00E2\u0080\u00A2\u00E2\u0080\u00A2 H , \u00C2\u00A7 3 2 3 - \u00C2\u00BB w >c\u00C2\u00BB r t r t o M \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 co + to CO cn Z. *< ^ tr\" \u00C2\u00A3 \u00C2\u00B0 to \u00C2\u00B0 * H . H pu \u00C2\u00A7 O O to co tl (D 3 cn \" 3 I -JCO vD CO Q, w o H . *> co H- n> cn \u00C2\u00A3 M w to > to co o f 1 Cn I 3\" H \u00E2\u0080\u00A2v) -vJCD ID 0) n CO O r - \" -J .fc- EC o tO CO P J to 2 3 O TJ ?d cn \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 (D H--J ~J CD CD O O W iE\u00C2\u00BB O H\u00C2\u00BB 00 cn + C J . & p) rt C o n s t a n c y ' TJ C O O A v e r a g e s p e c i e s \u00C2\u00A3 s i g n i f i c a n c e CO M (D CD V i g o r \u00C2\u00A3 o 51 Table 6. Order: A l l i a n c e : A s s o c i a t i o n : 1. PUCCINELLIO - SALICORNIETALIA 1. P u c c i n e l l i o n d e s c h a m p s i o i d i s 3. Hordeo (jubati) - Asteretum yukonensis Number of p l o t s 1 2 3 4 5 P l o t number 82 84 87 102 400 Date 13.8. 71 13.8. 71 13.8. 71 13.8. 71 17.9. 72 E l e v a t i o n (feet) 2570 2570 2570 2570 2570 Exposure f l a t Slope f l a t Hygrotope 4+ 4+ 4+ 4+ 4+ w -H -H u < w > Aster yukonensis 5.1 4.1 6.2 4.2 4.2 V 4.6 3 Hordeum jubatum 2.1 1.1 1.1 1.1 1.1 V 1.2 2+ Puccinellia deschampsioides + .X 2.1 + .1 1.1 -. I V 1.0 2 Deschampsia caespitosa T . 1 2.1 1.1 .\" IV 1.0 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 2 Taraxacum lacerum + .1 I 0.2 2 52 Table 7. Order: A l l i a n c e : A s s o c i a t i o n : Number of p l o t s P l o t number Date El e v a t i o n (feet) Exposure Slope Hygrotope 1 . PUCCINELLIO - SALICORNIETALIA 2 . D e s c h a m p s i o n c a e s p i t o s a e 4. Astero (yukonensis) - Deschampsietum caespitosae 1 2 3 4 5 8 1 83 93 95 99 1 3 . 8 . 13 . 8 . 1 3 . 8 . 13 . 8 . 1 3 . 8 . 71 71 71 71 71 2570 f l a t f l a t 4 2570 2570 2570 2570 (-) 4+ o c (0 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2p cn c o o m > - H < CO M O tn \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 Salix brachycarpa Juncus arcticus Triglochin palustre Carex aquatilis Aster yukonensis Deschampsia caespitosa Calamagrostis neglecta Hordeum jubatum Lomatogonium rotatum Ranunculus cymbalaria Parnassia palustris \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 Carex parryana Primula stricta Elymus glaucus Castilleja yukonis Pedicularis sudetica \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 + .+ + .2 II 0.4 2 7.5 7.5 6.5 6.3 5 .1 V 6.2 3 3.1 + .+ + .+ 2.+ 5 .1 V 2.4 3 1.+ + .+ + - 1 + .+ 1 .+ V 1.0 2 + .1 1.1 + .+ 3.1 IV 1.2 3 2.+ + .+ . 2.+ 1. + IV 1.2 2 2.1 3.1 3.+ III 1.6 3 3.1 2.1 2.1 III 1.4 2 2.+ 2.4- 1.+ . III 1.0 3 + .1 1.1 + .1 \" III 0.6 2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 3.+ 3.1 II 1.2 3 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 + .+ I 0.2 3 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .. . + .1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 I 0.2 \" 2 + .+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 I 0.2 -2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.+ I 0.2 2 + .1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 I 0.2 2 5 7 Table Order: 2. CARICETALIA AQUATILIS Alliance: 3. T r i g l o c h i n i o n p a l u s t r i s Association: 6. Triglochino (palustris) - Caricetum aquatilis Number of plots 1 2 3 4 5 Plot number 74 77 91 101 403 Date 12.8. 12.8. 13.8. 14.8. 17.9. 71 71 71 71 72 Elevation (feet) 2565 2565 2565 2565 2565 Exposure f l a t Slope f l a t Hygrotope 4/5 4/5 4- 4- 4/5 8 \u00C2\u00A3 \u00C2\u00AB u a> \u00E2\u0080\u00A2H 0 0> 01 o y u -p \u00E2\u0080\u00A2H > Carex aquatilis Triglocnin palustre Erip^orum angustifolium Calamagrostis neglecta Aster yukonensis Parnassia palustris Deschampsia caespitosa Juncus arcticus Hordeum jubatum Eriophorum brachyantherum Carex parryana 7.6 7.4 7 .3 6 .6 7 .4 V 6.8 3 4.1 + .+ + . + + 1 V 1.6 3 2.+ + . + + . 1 III 0.8 3 + .+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 + + 1 III 0.6 3 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 3.1 I 0.6 2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 2.1 I 0.4 3 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 2.+ I 0.4 2-\u00E2\u0080\u00A2 + .1 I 0.2 2 + .+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 - I 0.2 2-\u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 + . + I 0.2 3 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 + .+ I 0.2 2-- 5 0 -5 8 (B) S h r u b l a y e r : S a l i x b r a c h y c a r p a S a l i x p l a n i f o l i a (C) H e r b l a y e r : C a r e x h a s s e i Equisetum p a l u s t r e juncus a r c t i c u s ( P arnassia p a l u s t r i s ) * (D) Moss l a y e r : Catoscopium n i q r i t u m C i n c l i d i u m styqium S a l i c e t a l i a p l a n i f o l i a e a r e d i v i d e d h e r e i n t o two a l l i a n c e s : A l l i a n c e 4. S a l i c i o n b r a c h y c a r p a e H o e f s & K r a j i n a i s somehow r e l a t e d t o P u c c i n e l l i o - S a l i c o r n i e t a l i a . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 D n l y one p l a n t a s s o c i a t i o n i s d e s c r i b e d i n t h i s a l l i a n c e : A s s o c i a t i o n 7 . A s t e r o ( y u k o n e n s i s ) - 3unco ( a r c t i c i ) -S a l i c e t u m b r a c h y c a r p a e The c h a r a c t e r i s t i c c o m b i n a t i o n o f s p e c i e s ( a l l i a n c e and p l a n t a s s o c i a t i o n ) i s : (C) Herb l a y e r : (Aster yukonensis)* (Calamaqrostis n e q l e c t a ) * Carex m i c r o q l o c h i n Carex parryana (Lomatoqonium r o t a t u m ) * P e d i c u l a r i s s u d e t i c a Spiranthes romanzof f i a n a F i g u r e 8 shows a p h o t o g r a p h o f t h i s a s s o c i a t i o n . A l l i a n c e 5 . S a l i c i o n p l a n i f o l i a e H o e f s & K r a j i n a i s more c l o s e l y r e l a t e d t o t h e C a r i c e t a l i a a q u a t i l i s t h a n t o t h e P u c c i n e l l i o - S a l i c o r n i e t a l i a . I t i s r e p r e s e n t e d by o n l y one p l a n t a s s o c i a t i o n . A s s o c i a t i o n 8 . E r i o p h o r o ( a n g u s t i f o l i i ) - C s r i c o ( a q u a t i l i s ) - S a l i c e t u m p l a n i f o l i a e The c h a r a c t e r i s t i c c o m b i n a t i o n o f s p e c i e s ( a l l i a n c e and p l a n t a s s o c i a t i o n ) i s : * S p e c i e s i n b r a c k e t s a r e l e s s c h a r a c t e r i s t i c t h a n t h o s e w i t h o u t b r a c k e t s . - >7 FIGURE 8 : A s t e r o ( y u k o n e n s i s ) - 3unco ( a r c t i c i ) - S a l i c e t u m b r a c h y c a r p a e S o i l s m o i s t t h r o u g h o u t t h e s e a s o n . FIGURE 9: E r i o p h o r o ( a n g u s t i f o l i i ) -C a r i c o ( a q u a t i l i s ) - S a l i c e t u m p l a n i f o l i a e S o i l s a t u r a t e d and o f t e n i n u n d a t e d t h r o u g h o u t t h e s e a s o n . - ou -60 (C) H e r b l a y e r : ( C a r e x a q u a t i l i s ) * ( E r i o p h o r u m a n q u s t i f o l i u m ) * E r i o p h o r u m b r a c h y a n t h e r u m J u n c u s a l p i n u s (O) Moss l a y e r : (Campy l ium s t e l l a t u m ) * M a r c h a n t i a p o l y m o r p h a Meesea u l i q i n o s a F i g u r e 9 shows a p h o t o g r a p h o f t h i s a s s o c i a t i o n . The two a s s o c i a t i o n s i n t h i s o r d e r c o y e r an a r e a o f a p p r o x i m a t e l y 6 7 . 5 a c r e s i n t h e s t u d y a r e a . T a b l e s 10 and 11 i n t h e t e x t and T a b l e s 38 and 53 i n t h e a p p e n d i x g i v e d e t a i l s on t h e a n a l y s e s and s y n t h e s i s o f t h e s e a s s o c i a t i o n s and t h e i r h i g h e r s y n s y s t e m a t i c u n i t s . The t h r e e o r d e r s , f i v e a l l i a n c e s , and e i g h t a s s o c i a t i o n s d i s c u s s e d s o f a r make up t h e v e g e t a t i o n c o v e r o f t h e S l i m s R i v e r f l o o d - p l a i n . They a l l d e v e l o p e d on f i n e - t e x t u r e d ( w a t e r and w i n d d e p o s i t e d ) s o i l and t h e y a l l a r e s u b j e c t t o p e r i o d i c i n u n d a t i o n s . The c h a r a c t e r i s t i c f a u n a l component o f t h e s e f l o o d - p l a i n a s s o c i a t i o n s c o n s i s t s p r i m a r i l y o f b i r d s . On t h e f l a t s i n h e r b a c e o u s v e g e t a t i o n Anas p l a t y r h y n c h o s ( M a l l a r d s ) , Anas c a r o l i n e n s i s ( G r e e n - w i n g e d T e a l ) , C i r c u s c y a n e u s ( M a r s h H a w k ) , T o t a n u s f l a v i p e s ( L e s s e r Y e l l o w l e g s ) , C h a r a d r i u s s e m i p a l m a t u s ( S e m i p a l m a t e d P l o v e r ) , S t e r n a p a r a d i s a e a ( A r c t i c T e r n ) and A s i o f lammeus ( S h o r t - e a r e d Owl) have been o b s e r v e d , w h i l e w i l l o w s t a n d s p r o v i d e h a b i t a t f o r C o l a p t e s a u r a t u s ( Y e l l o w - s h a f t e d F l i c k e r ) , D e n d r o i c a c o r o n a t a ( M y r t l e W a r b l e r ) , P a s s e r c u l u s s a n d w i c h e n s i s ( S a v a n n a h S p a r r o w ) and Z o n o t r i c h i a l e u c o p h r y s ( W h i t e - c r o w n e d S p a r r o w ) . O r d e r 4 . DRYADETALIA DRUMMONDII H o e f s & K r a j i n a g row on a l l u v i a l g r a v e l beds ( o f c a l c i u m r i c h r o c k s ) i n t h e b o r e a l (montane) s p r u c e b i o g e o c l i m a t i c z o n e . * S p e c i e s i n b r a c k e t s a r e l e s s c h a r a c t e r i s t i c t h a n t h o s e w i t h o u t b r a c k e t s . 6 1 Table 10. Order: A l l i a n c e : A s s o c i a t i o n : 3. S A L I C E T A L I A PLANIFOLIAE 4. S a l i c i o n b r a c h y c a r p a e 7. Astero (yukonensis) - Junco ( a r c t i c i ) - Salicetum brachycarpae Number of p l o t s 1 2 3 4 5 P l o t number 79 80 105 108 113 Date 12.8, 7i 12.8. 71 14.8. 71 16.8. 71 16.8. 71 E l e v a t i o n (feet) 2570 2570 2570 2570 2570 Exposure f l a t Slope f l a t Hygrotope 4 4- 4- 4- 4 >1 o c +J in c o CJ to \u00E2\u0080\u00A2H u o> 0) o Oi a CO (0' o 0) - H rj> u-i 10 - H H C QJ cn > - H fill 10 u \u00E2\u0080\u00A2o \u00E2\u0080\u00A2H > Salix brachycarpa Salix planifolia Salix myrtillifolia Salix novae-angliae Picea glauca Juncus arcticus Aster yukonensis Carex parryana Pedicularis sudetica Parnassia palustris Eguisetum palustre Carex microglochin Spiranthes romanzoffiana Calamagrostis neglecta Lomatogonium rotatum Triglochin palustre Carex aquatilis Pyrola asarifolia Carex hassei Deschampsia caespitosa Hordeum jubatum Tofieldia pusilla Carex maritima Trichophorum pumilum Equisetum variegatum Ranunculus cymbalaria Catoscopium nigritum Cinclidium stygium 6.5 5.4 5.3 5.4 1.2 1.2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 + .2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 6.5 6.5 6.6 6.6 3.1 1.+ 1.+ 2.+ 2.+ 1.+ 3.+ - + .+ + .+ 1.+ + .1 1.+ . 3.+ + .1 2.1 2.1 1.+ + .1 1.+ . 1.+ + .+ + .+ + .+ + .1 1.+ 1.+ + .+ + .+ + .+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 + .+ 1.+ + .+ . 1.1 . + .1 . 1.+ + .+ . + .+ 1.+ . 1.+ + .+ . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 + .1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 + .+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 + .1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 + .+ 2.1 . 1.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 X 7.4 V 5.6 3 + .2 III 0.6 2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 I 0.2 2 + .2 I 0.2 2 + .1 I 0.2 2-7.5 V 6.2 3 2.+ V 1.8 2+ 1.+ V 1.6 3 2.+ V 1.2 3 2.+ IV 1.4 2+ . IV 1.2 - 2 1.+ IV 0.8 . 2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 I I I 0.6 3 * I I I 0.6 3 + .+ I I I 0.6 2+ I I I 0.6 2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 II 0.4 2-II 0.4 2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 II 0.4 2 II 0.4 2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 I 0.2 2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . I 0.2 2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 I 0.2 2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 I 0.2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 I 0.2 2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 I 0.2 2 3.1 I I I 1.2 2 + .+ II 0.6 2 62 Table 11. Order: A l l i a n c e : A s s o c i a t i o n : 3 5, 8 , S A L I C E T A L I A PLANIFOLIAE S a l i c i o n p l a n i f o l i a e Eriophoro ( a n g u s t i f o l i i ) - Ca r i c o ( a q u a t i l i s ) -Salicetum p l a n i f o l i a e Number of p l o t s 1 2 3 4 5 P l o t number 73 78 104 109 115 Date 12.8. 12.8. 14.8. 16.8. 26.8. 71 71 71 71 71 E l e v a t i o n (feet) 2565 2565 2565 2565 2565 Exposure f l a t Slope f l a t Hygrotope 5+ 5+ 4/5 4/5 5+ o c a} \u00E2\u0080\u00A2P W C O u CO cu \u00E2\u0080\u00A2H O - H u o \u00E2\u0080\u00A2H > Salix planifolia Salix brachycarpa Salix novae-angliae Picea glauca Carex aquatilis Eriophorum angustifolium Juncus arcticus Parnassia palustris Equisetum palustre Eriophorum brachyantherum ' Juncus alpinus Lomatogonium rotatum Aster yukonensis Pyrola asarifolia Carex hassei Spiranthes romanzoffiana Catoscopium nigritum Campylium stellatum Cinclidium stygium Marchantia polymorpha Meesea uligihosa 7.5 5.4 7.7 7.5 7 .5 V 6.6 3 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 4.2 2.2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 II 1.2 2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 1.2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 + .2 II 0.4 2 + .2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 I 0.2 2-5.2 6.5 7.6 7.6 2 .1 V 5.4 3 + .1 1.1 2.+ 1.1 + .1 V 1.2 3 4.2 . + .+ + .+ + .1 IV 1.4 2 2.+ 2.+ 1.+ . + .1 IV 1.2 2+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 2.1 \" 3.1 . 6 .4 I I I 2.2 3 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 1.+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 II 0.4 2+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 2.+ . I 0.4 2 2.+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 I 0.4 - 2 + .+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 I 0.2 . -2-1.+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 I 0.2 2 + .+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 I 0.2 2 + .1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2\u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 I 0.2 2 . + .1 2.1 + . 1 I I I 0.8 2 + .1 + .1 + .1 I I I 0.6 2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 + .1 + .1 II 0.4 2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 + .1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 I 0.2 2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 + .1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 I 0.2 2 They a r e r e p r e s e n t e d by o n l y one a l l i a n c e : A l l i a n c e 6 . D r y a d i o n d r u m m o n d i i H o e f s & K r a j i n a and by one p l a n t a s s o c i a t i o n : A s s o c i a t i o n 9 . D ryade tum d r u m m o n d i i The c h a r a c t e r i s t i c c o m b i n a t i o n o f s p e c i e s ( o r d e r , a l l i a n c e , p l a n t a s s o c i a t i o n ) i s : (B) Sh rub l a y e r : Elaoaqnus commutata (Populus b a l s a m i f e r a ) * (C) Herb l a y e r : Crepis e l e q a n s Dryas d r u m m o n d i i (Epilobium l a t i f o l i u m ) * Lupinus a r c t i c u s Oxytropis c a m p e s t r i s F i g u r e 10 shows a p h o t g r a p h o f t h i s a s s o c i a t i o n . I t i s v e r y l i m i t e d i n e x t e n t i n t h e s t u d y a r e a m a k i n g up l e s s t h a n 4 a c r e s i n S e c t i o n s D 1 and E 1 o f t h e map. S i n c e i t o c c u p i e s c r e e k b e d s i t i s p e r i o d i c a l l y c o v e r e d by t h i c k s h e e t s o f i c e w h i c h b u i l d up o v e r t h e w i n t e r a s t h e c r e e k \" g l a c i a t e s \" . I t i s n o t uncommon t o f i n d i c e as t h i c k a s 10 f e e t by t h e end o f w i n t e r . T h i s mass o f i c e m e l t s v e r y s l o w l y and g r e a t l y r e d u c e s t h e p o t e n t i a l l e n g t h o f t h e g r o w i n g s e a s o n o f t h e v e g e t a t i o n u n d e r i t . N o t a l l p l o t s a r e c o v e r e d by i c e , n o r i s t h i s \" g l a c i a t i n g \" o f c r e e k s e x p e r i e n c e d e v e r y w i n t e r . T a b l e s 12 i n t h e t e x t and 39 and .53 i n t h e a p p e n d i x r e v e a l d e t a i l s on t h e a n a l y s e s and s y n t h e s i s o f t h i s a s s o c i a t i o n and i t s h i g h e r s y s t e m a t i c u n i t s . O r d e r 5. POPULETALIA BALSAMIFERAE K r a j i n a , 1969 T h e s e a r e p l a n t c o m m u n i t i e s on e i t h e r a l l u v i a l f l o o d - p l a i n s o r more r e c e n t t e r r a c e s ( s u c h h a b i t a t s were n o t s t u d i e d ) and on c o l l u v i a l d e p o s i t s * S p e c i e s i n b r a c k e t s a r e l e s s c h a r a c t e r i s t i c t h a n t h o s e w i t h o u t b r a c k e t s . - 64 -64 FIGURE 10: Dryadetum drummondii Photograph taken i n e a r l y June, when Dryas drummondii and Lupinus a r c t i c u s are i n bloom. Note the creek bed s u b s t r a t e con-s i s t i n g of rocks, g r a v e l and sand. FIGURE 111 Roso ( a c i c u l a r i s ) - Shepherdio (canadensis) - Populetum t r e m u l o i d i s This a s s o c i a t i o n o f t e n forms narrow f r i n g e between dry grasslands and mesic white spruce f o r e s t . Note the dense understory of Viburnum edule. 65 Table 12. Order: Hygrotope 4. DRYADETALIA DRUMMONDII A l l i a n c e : 6. D r y a d i o n drummondii As s o c i a t i o n : 9. Dryadetum drummondii Number of p l o t s 1 2 3 4 P l o t number 372 373 374 375 Date 31.8. 31.8. 31.8. 31.8. 72 72 72 72 E l e v a t i o n (feet) 2590 2590 2590 2600 Exposure f l a t Slope f l a t 5 376 L.8. 72 2- 2/3 2 2 2-much moister (5+) during spring run-off co CD \u00E2\u0080\u00A2H O CD CD U ft C w ta o CD -H tn -w KC cn u \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 a \u00E2\u0080\u00A2rH > Populus balsamifera Elaeagnus commutata Dryas drummondii Crepis elegans Epilobium latifolium Oxytropis campestris Lupinus arcticus Artemisia alaskana Potentilla multifida \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 + .1 2.2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 II 0.6 2 + .1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 I 0.2 3 6.5 5.5 7.6 6.5 6.5 V 6.0 3 1.1 1.1 1.1 2.1 + .1 V 1.2 2+ 2.1 + .1 +.1 1.1 + .1 V 1.2 2 + .1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 2.1 + .1 . I I I 0.8 2+ + .2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 1.2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 + .2 I I I 0.6 3 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 + .2 I 0.2 2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 + .1 \" I 0.2 2 - ob -6 6 w i t h t e m p o r a r y s e e p a g e e f f e c t s ( s u c h h a b i t a t s were s t u d i e d h e r e ) . In t h i s s t u d y t h e y a r e r e p r e s e n t e d by o n l y one a l l i a n c e : A l l i a n c e 7 . 3 u n i p e r c (communis & h o r i z o n t a l i s ) - S h e p h e r d i o ( c a n a d e n s i s ) - P o p u l i o n t r e m u l o i d i s H o e f s & K r a j i n a w i t h o n l y one a s s o c i a t i o n : A s s o c i a t i o n I D . Roso ( a c i c u l a r i s ) - S h e p h e r d i o ( c a n a d e n s i s ) -P o p u l e t u m b a l s a m i f e r a e The c h a r a c t e r i s t i c c o m b i n a t i o n o f s p e c i e s ( o r d e r , a l l i a n c e , p l a n t a s s o c i a t i o n ) i s : (A) T r e e l a y e r : Populus b a l s a m i f e r a Populus t r e m u i o i d e s (B) S h r u b l a y e r : J u n i p e r u s cpmmunis Rosa a c i c u l a r i s Shepherdia c a n a d e n s i s Uiburnum e d u l e (C) Herb l a y e r : ( A r c t o s t a p h y l o s u v a - u r s i ) * Epilobium a n q u s t i f o l i u m (Geocaulon l i v i d u m ) * Duniperus h o r i z o n t a l i s (D) Moss l a y e r : (Hypnum p r o c e r r i m u m ) * F i g u r e 11 shows a p h o t o g r a p h o f t h i s a s s o c i a t i o n . T h i s a s s o c i a t i o n i s p o o r l y d e v e l o p e d i n t h e s t u d y a r e a . I t s e r v e s p r i m a r i l y a s a s u c c e s s i o n a l s t a g e b e t w e e n w h i t e s p r u c e c l i m a x f o r e s t and g r a s s l a n d s as w e l l as s p r u c e f o r e s t and f l o o d - p l a i n v e g e t a t i o n . I t a l s o s e r v e s as a p i o n e e r a s s o c i a t i o n o c c u p y i n g r e c e n t l y d i s t u r b e d s i t e s as a l o n g r o a d c u t s . I t s t o t a l a c r e a g e i n t h e s t u d y a r e a i s e s t i m a t e d a t 8 8 . T a b l e s 1 3 , AO and 53 r e v e a l d e t a i l s on t h e a n a l y s e s and s y n t h e s i s o f t h i s a s s o c i a t i o n and i t s h i g h e r u n i t s . C h a r a c t e r i s t i c b i r d s i n p o p l a r s t a n d s i n c l u d e A c c i p i t e r q e n t i l i s ( G o s h a w k ) , B o n a s a u m b e l l u s ( R u f f e d G r o u s e ) , C o n t o p u s s o r d i d u l u s * S p e c i e s i n b r a c k e t s a r e l e s s c h a r a c t e r i s t i c t h a n t h o s e w i t h o u t b r a c k e t s . 6 7 Table 13. Order: 5. POPULETALIA BALSAMIFERAE A l l i a n c e : J u n i p e r o (communis & h o r i z o n t a l i s ) - S h e p h e r d i o ( c a n a d e n s i s ) - P o p u l i o n t r e m u l o i d i s A s s o c i a t i o n . 10. Roso ( a c i c u l a r i s ) - Shepherdio (canadensis) - Populetum balsamiferae Number of p l o t s P l o t number Date E l e v a t i o n (feet) Exposure (degree) Slope (degree) Hygrotope 395 397 359 155 166 w 17.9. 17.9. 28.8. 9.9. 14.9. % 72 72 72 71 71 o g 2620 2680 3370 3680 3750 >, % \u00C2\u00A7 170 160 170 160 150 Populus balsamif era Populus tremuloides J^r.iperus communis Shepherdia canadensis Rosa acicularis Viburnum edule Populus balsamifera Picea glauca Salix glauca Arctostaphylos uva-ursi Juniperus horizontalis Epilobium angustifolium Geocaulon lividum Linnaea borealis Smilacina stellata Mertensia paniculata Achillea borealis Artemisia rupestris Artemisia frigida Pyrola secunda Hypnum procerrimum \u00E2\u0080\u00A2Tortula ruralis 7.6 7.7 7.7 7.6 6.5 V 6.8 3 7.6 7.7 4.5 4.5 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 IV 4.4 2+ 7.1 7.6 7.7 5.5 + .2 V 5.4 3 4.3 6.6 7.6 + .1 3.4 V 4.2 3 5.2 3.2 3.1 3.3 2.1 V 3.2 3 4.2 5.4 . 5.6 . I I I 2.8 3 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 + .2 2.2 II 0.6 2 + .2 + .2 II 0.4 2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 1.5 . + .2 II 0.4 2 + .1 1.2 4.5 6.6 5.5 V 3.4 3 + .2 + .1 + .3 2.3 8.7 V 2.6 . 3 + .1 3.1 2.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 1.+ . IV 1.4 3 1.1 + .1 1.4 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 I I I 0.6 \" \"2 + .1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 + .2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 II 0.4 2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 2.+ I 0.4 2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 2.1 . I 0.4 2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 1.+ I 0.2 2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 + .1 I 0.2 ' 1+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 + .+ I 0.2 1+ + .1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 I 0.2 2 + .1 + .2 + .1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 I I I 0.6 2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 * \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 + .1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 I 0.2 2 - 00 -6 8 ( W e s t e r n Wood Pe iuee ) , P e r i s o r e u s c a n a d e n s i s (G ray G a y ) , P i c a P i c a ( B l a c k - b i l l e d M a g p i e ) , T u r d u s m i g r a t o r i u s ( R o b i n ) , H y i o c i c h l a u s t u l a t a ( S w a i n s o n ' s T h r u s h ) , S i a l i a c u r r u c o i d e s ( M o u n t a i n B l u e b i r d ) and S p i z e l l a p a s s e r i n a ( C h i p p i n g S p a r r o w ) . O r d e r 6 . CALAMAGROSTIDO (PURPURASCENTIS) - ARCTOSTAPHYLETALIA UVAE-URSI H o e f s & K r a j i n a o c c u r on l e s s a c t i v e a e o l i a n d e p o s i t s ( l o e s s ) w h i c h s u c c e s s i o n a l l y c o u l d d e v e l o p i n t o t h e s p r u c e f o r e s t . I t i s r e p r e s e n t e d by o n l y one a l l i a n c e : A l l i a n c e 8 . C a l a m a g r o s t i d o ( p u r p u r a s c e n t i s ) - A r c t o s t a p h y l i o n u v a e - u r s i H o e f s & K r a j i n a and by t h e o n l y p l a n t a s s o c i a t i o n : A s s o c i a t i o n 1 1 . C a l a m a g r o s t i d o ( p u r p u r a s c e n t i s ) -A r c t o s t a p h y l e t u m u v a e - u r s i The c h a r a c t e r i s t i c c o m b i n a t i o n o f s p e c i e s ( o r d e r , a l l i a n c e , p l a n t a s s o c i a t i o n ) i s : (B) S h r u b l a y e r : ( J u n i p e r u s c o m m u n i s ) * ( R o s a a c i c u l a r i s ) * ( S h e p h e r d i a c a n a d e n s i s ) * (C) Herb l a y e r : A c h i l l e a l a n u l o s a Anemone m u l t i f i d a A r c t o s t a p h y l o s u v a - u r s i A s t r a g a l u s w i l l i a m s i i Bromus pumpellianus Calamaqrostis purpurascens Comandra umbeliata G a l i u m boreale (Hedysarum m a c k e n z i i ) * (Juniperus h o r i z o n t a l i s ) * (Linum porenne)* P u l s a t i l l a patens S m i l a c i n a s t e l l a t a Solidaqo decumbens \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 I t may become e v i d e n t t h a t t h e f l o r i s t i c s t r u c t u r e o f t h i s p l a n t a s s o c i a t i o n h a s some c l o s e r e l a t i o n t o t h e o r d e r o f P ICEETALIA GLAUCAE-MARIANAE, a p l a n t a s s o c i a t i o n w h i c h may * S p e c i e s i n b r a c k e t s a r e l e s s c h a r a c t e r i s t i c t h a n t h o s e w i t h o u t b r a c k e t s . 69 s u c c a s s i c n a l l y d e v e l o p f r o m t h i s p l a n t c o m m u n i t y . I t i s a l s o c l o s e l y r e l a t e d t o Roso ( a c i c u l a r i s ) - S h e p h e r d i o ( c a n a d e n s i s ) -P o p u l e t u m b a l s a m i f e r a e and o f t e n f o r m s t r a n s i t i o n a l c o m m u n i t i e s w i t h t h e l a t t e r . T h i s a s s o c i a t i o n i s v/ery common i n t h e b o r e a l zone o f t h e s t u d y a r e a and i s f o u n d a l m o s t a l w a y s as an i n t e r m e d i a t e s t a g e between d ry g r a s s l a n d v e g e t a t i o n a t one s i d e and s p r u c e o r p o p l a r f o r e s t a t t h e o t h e r . F i g u r e 12 shows a p h o t o g r a p h o f t h i s a s s o c i a t i o n d u r i n g s p r i n g . I t i s e s t i m a t e d t h a t i t c o v e r s 198 a c r e s o f t h e s t u d y a r e a . T a b l e s 1 4 , 41 and 53 g i v e d e t a i l s on t h i s a s s o c i a t i o n and i t s c l a s s i f i c a t i o n i n t o h i g h e r s y n s y s t e m a t i c u n i t s . The c h a r a c t e r i s t i c a n i m a l i n t h i s a s s o c i a t i o n i s t h e E u t a m i a s m i n i m u s c a n i c e p s ( c h i p m u n k ) . In l a t e w i n t e r and s p r i n g O v i s d a l l i d a l l i ( D a l l Sheep) u t i l i z e a number o f s p e c i e s i n t h i s a s s o c i a t i o n , i n p a r t i c u l a r C a l a m a g r o s t i s p u r p u r a s c e n s , P u l s a t i l l a p a t e n s , Bromus p u m p e l l i a n u s and A c h i l l e a l a n u l o s a . O r d e r 7 . P ICEETALIA GLAUCAE - MARIANAE K r a j i n a , 1969 T h e s e a r e c o n i f e r o u s f o r e s t s o f t h e b o r e a l (montane) b i o g e o c l i m a t i c z o n e . The c h a r a c t e r i s t i c c o m b i n a t i o n o f s p e c i e s f o r t h i s o r d e r i s as f o l l o w s : (A) T r e e l a y e r : P i c e a q i a u c a (B) Sh rub l a y e r : (Rosa a c i c u l a r i s ) * (C) Herb l a y e r : (Anemone m u l t i f i d a ) * C a r e x c o n c i n n a G e o c a u l o n l i v i d u m L i n n a e a b o r e a l i s P y r o l a s e c u n d a T h i s o r d e r i s r e p r e s e n t e d h e r e (on s t r o n g l y c a l c a r e o u s s o i l s ) by o n l y one a l l i a n c e : * S p e c i e s i n b r a c k e t s a r e l e s s c h a r a c t e r i s t i c t h a n t h o s e w i t h o u t b r a c k e t s . - y u -7 0 \" FIGURE 1 2 : C a l a m a g r o s t i d o ( p u r p u r a s c e n t i s ) -A r c t o s t a p h y l e t u m u v a e - u r s i P h o t o g r a p h t a k e n d u r i n g s p r i n g a s p e c t i n l a t e May. i FIGURE 1 3 : Hypno ( p r o c e r r i m i ) - A b i e t i n e l l o ( a b i e t i n a e ) - P i c e e t u m g l a u c a e N o t e t h e l a c k o f s h r u b b y o r h e r b a c e o u s u n d e r s t o r y v e g e t a t i o n . 71 Table 14. Order: A l l i a n c e : \u00E2\u0080\u00A2Association: 6. CALAMAGROSTIDO (PURPURASCENTIS) - ARCTOSTAPHYLETALIA UVAE-URSI 8. C a l a m a g r o s t i d o ( p u r p u r a s c e n t i s ) - A r c t o s t a p h y l i o n u v a e - u r s i 11. Calamagrostido (purpurascentis) - Arctostaphyletura uvae-ursi Number of p l o t s 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 3 9 10 P l o t number 11 2 373 13 201 7/70 374 17 372 6/70 Date 16 7. 11.7. 1.9. 15.7. 25.9. 31.7. 1.9. 16.7. 1.9. 29.7. 71 71 72 71 71 70 72 71 72 70 El e v a t i o n (feet) 2640 2670 2700 2790 2820 2850 2860 2880 2950 2960 Exposure (degree) 210 145 140 120 120 110 110 260 190 165 Slope (degree) -15 -10 -8 -17 -32 -26 -32 -13 -12 -17 Hygrotope 2/3 2/3 3+ 2/3 2/3 3 3+ 3 2/3 3 c 4J 0) c o u o a a o a. c u \u00C2\u00AB u a -H o> > *H tt a Rosa acicularis 4.2 +.2 + 2 3.2 5.3 2.1 3.2 + 1 3.1 +.2 V 2.4 3 Shepherdia canadensis 3.4 3.4 3 1.2 2 +.4 +.4 IV 1.1 2 Juniperus communis 4.5 +, 4 1.3 +.2 1.4 I I I 0.8 3 Populus balsamifera +.2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 + .2 I 0.2 2 Salix glauca +.2 +.3 # I 0.2 2 Picea glauca \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +. 2 I 0.1 2 Arctostaphylos uva-uzsi 6 .4 8.6 7 .6 5.3 7.6 8.5 8 .5 7 .5 7.5 7.4 V 7.0 3 Calamagrostis purpurascens 5 .2 5.2 8 .4 5.2 3.2 7.5 6 3 6 .2 7.4 6.5 V 5.8 3 Pulsatilla patens 3 .1 3.1 3 .1 2.1 2.4- 3.2 2 .1 2.+ 2.2 V 2.2 3 Astragalus williamsii 4 3 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 2 .2 4.2 2.2 1 .2 6 .2 4.2 3.3 IV 2.6 3 Achillea lanulosa 2 .+ 1.+ 3 1 . 1.+ + .1 1 1 2.1 1.1 IV 1.2 2+ Anemone multifida 3 1 3.1 + 1 2.+ + 1 +.1 + .1 IV 1.2 2+ Solidago decumbens 1.+ 2 1 1.1 1.1 + 1 3.1 1.1 IV 1.0 2* Bromus pumpellianus 5 1 1.1 + 1 1.1 3.1 . 1.1 . I I I 1.2 3 Artemisia frigida + 1 . +.1 2.1 2.2 + 1 2.1 III 0.9 2 Erigeron caespitosus + .1 1. + \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 1.+ + 1 +.1 1.+ I I I 0.6 2-Linum perenne +. + +.+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.+ + .+ I I I 0.5 2-Juniperus horizontalis 2.3 +.3 5. 5 4. 4 . II 1.2 3 Eedysarum mackenzii 5 3 . 1. 2 +.2 II 0.7 2. Smilacina stellata \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00C2\u00BB 1.1 3. 1 3.2 II 0.7 3 Agropgron yukonense +.1 2.1 +.+ II 0.4 2-Galium boreale 1. 1 1.+ 1.+ 1.+ . II 0.4 3 Pentstaron gormanii +.1 +.+ 1.1 1.1 II 0.4 2-Aster alpinus +. 1 +.1 \u00E2\u0080\u009E +. 1 II 0.3 2 Artemisia dracunculus \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +. 1 +. 1 m I 0.2 3 Carex f i l i f o l i a \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.1 I 0.2 2-Comandra umbel lata +.+ # I 0.2 2 Agropgron subsecundum . I 0.1 2 Antennaria media + .1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 I 0.1 2 Erysimum angustatum +.1 # I 0.1 2 Mertensia paniculata 1. 1 m m I 0.1 2 Poa glauca +.+ m \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 I 0.1 2-Potentilla hookeriana + .1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 I 0.1 2 Lecidea rubiformis 1 2.2 +.1 + .1 +.1 I I I 0.6 2 Dermatocarpon hepaticunr \u00C2\u00AB 2.2 1.1 1.1 + .1 II 0.5 2 Buellia epigaea \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 2.1 + .+ + .1 . II 0.4 2 Caloplaca cirrochroa \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 + .1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2*-.+ +.+ I I 0.4 2 Lecidea decipi ens \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 I 0.1 2 Bypnum vaucheri \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 1.1 2.1 1.1 2.1 II 0.6 2 Tortula rvxalis \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 I 0.2 2 7 2 A l l i a n c e 9 . Hypno ( p r o c e r r i m i ) - A b i e t i n e l l o ( a b i e t i n a e ) -P i c e i o n g l a u c a e H o e f s & K r a j i n a d e v e l o p e d on s t a b i l i z e d a e o l i a n ( l o e s s ) d e p o s i t s i n t h e montane zone ( m a i n l y be tween 2 5 7 0 ' and 3 5 0 0 ' above t h e s e a l e v e l i n t h e Sheep M o u n t a i n a r e a ) . O n l y one p l a n t a s s o c i a t i o n was d i s t i n g u i s h e d d u r i n g t h i s s t u d y . I t i s : A s s o c i a t i o n 1 2 . Hypno ( p r o c e r r i m i ) - A b i e t i n e l l o ( a b i e t i n a e ) -P i c e e t u m g l a u c a e The c h a r a c t e r i s t i c c o m b i n a t i o n o f s p e c i e s ( a l l i a n c e and p l a n t a s s o c i a t i o n ) i s : < (B) S h r u b l a y e r : ( J u n i p e r u s c o m m u n i s ) * ( S a l i x q l a u c a ) * ( S h e p h e r d i a c a n a d e n s i s ) * (C) Herb l a y e r : ( A r c t o s t a p h y l o s u v a - u r s i ) * C y p r i p e d i u m p a s s e r i n u m Hedysarum m a c k e n z i i ( M e r t e n s i a p a n i c u l a t a ) * (\u00E2\u0080\u00A2) Moss l a y e r : A b i e t i n e l l a a b i e t i n a ( D i s t i c h i u m c a p i l l a c e u m ) * Hypnum p r o c e r r i m u m P e l t i q e r a c a n i n a ( S t e r e o c a u l o n q l a r e o s u m ) * F i g u r e 13 shows a p h o t o g r a p h o f t h i s a s s o c i a t i o n . I t i s t h e d o m i n a n t v e g e t a t i o n t y p e i n t h e b o r e a l zone o f t h e s t u d y a r e a , c o v e r i n g a p p r o x i m a t e l y 1314 a c r e s . Rema ins o f c h a r c o a l i n t h e s o i l and on dead t r e e s . i n d i c a t e t h a t f i r e s have been o f f r e q u e n t o c c u r r e n c e i n t h e p a s t i n t h i s a s s o c i a t i o n . From t h e p o i n t o f v i e w o f c o m m e r c i a l f o r e s t r y , w h i t e s p r u c e s t a n d s i n t h e s t u d y a r e a a r e o f l i t t l e i m p o r t a n c e . M a t u r e t r e e s a r e on t h e a v e r a g e n o t more t h a n 40 t o 5G f e e t i n h e i g h t and 8 t o 10 i n c h e s ( d . b . h . ) t h i c k . O n l y i n a few e x c e p t i o n a l s i t e s have t r e e s w i t h d i a m e t e r o f 12 t o 16 i n c h e s ( d . b . h . ) been o b s e r v e d . T a b l e s S p e c i e s i n b r a c k e t s a r e l e s s c h a r a c t e r i s t i c t h a n t h o s e w i t h o u t b r a c k e t s . 7 3 ' * 1 5 , 42 and 53 r e v e a l d e t a i l s on t h e a n a l y s e s and s y n t h e s i s o f t h i s a s s o c i a t i o n and i t s h i g h e r u n i t s . C h a r a c t e r i s t i c a n i m a l s o f w h i t e s p r u c e s t a n d s a r e : T a m i a s c i u r u s h u d s o n i c u s (Red S q u i r r e l ) , A c c i p i t e r s t r i a t u s ( S h a r p - s h i n n e d H a w k ) , C a n a c h i t e s c a n a d e n s i s ( S p r u c e G r o u s e ) , S t r i x n e b u l o s a ( G r e a t Gray O w l ) , D e n d r o c o p o s v i l l o s u s ( H a i r y W o o d p e c k e r ) , P i c o i d e s a r c t i c u s ( B l a c k - b a c k e d T h r e e - t o e d W o o d p e c k e r ) , P a r u s h u d s o n i c u s ( B o r e a l C h i c k a d e e ) , R e q u l u s c a l e n d u l a ( R u b y - c r o w n e d K i n g l e t ) , A c a n t h i s f lammea (Common R e d p o l l ) , L o x i a l e u c o p t e r a ( W h i t e -w i n g e d C r o s s b i l l ) and J u n c o h y e m a l i s ( S l a t e - c o l o r e d J u n c o ) . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 O r d e r 8 . ARTEMISIO (FRIGIDAE) - AGROPYRETALIA YUKONENSIS H o e f s & K r a j i n a T h e s e a r e g r a s s l a n d c o m m u n i t i e s d e v e l o p e d m o s t l y on v e r y f i n e l o e s s a e o l i a n ( f r e q u e n t l y s t i l l a c t i v e ) R e g o s o l s , e i t h e r i n t h e b o r e a l (montane) o r i n t h e s u b - a l p i n e b i o g e o c l i m a t i c z o n e . They a r e t h e main w i n t e r p a s t u r e s f o r t h e sheep p o p u l a t i o n h e r e . In t h e s t u d y a r e a , t h i s o r d e r c o n t a i n s o n l y t h e f o l l o w i n g one a l l i a n c e : A l l i a n c e 1 0 . A r t e m i s i o ( f r i g i d a e ) - A g r o p y r i o n y u k o n e n s i s H o e f s & K r a j i n a The c h a r a c t e r i s t i c c o m b i n a t i o n o f s p e c i e s ( o r d e r and a l l i a n c e ) i s : (C) H e r b l a y e r : A q r o p y r o n y u k o n e n s e A r t e m i s i a f r i q i d a A s t e r a l p i n u s ( C a l a m a q r o s t i s p u r p u r a s c e n s ) * C a r e x f i l i f o l i a E r i q e r o n c a e s p i t o s u s L inum p e r e n n e ( O x y t r o p i s v i s c i d a ) * P e n t s t e m o n q o r m a n i i (Poa g l a u c a ) * ( P u l s a t i l l a p a t e n s ) * * S p e c i e s i n b r a c k e t s a r e l e s s c h a r a c t e r i s t i c t h a n t h o s e w i t h o u t b r a c k e t s . T a b l e 15. Ik O r d e r : A l l i a n c e : A s s o c i a t i o n : 7. P I C E E T A L I A G L A U C A E - M A R I A N A E 9. H y p n o ( p r o c e r r i m i ) - A b i e t i n e l l o ( a b i e t i n a e ) - P i c e i o n g l a u c a e 12. Hypno ( p r o c e r r i m i ) - A b i e t i n e l l o ( a b i e t i n a e ) - P i c e e t u m g l a u c a e Number o f p l o t s 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 P l o t number 393 396 391 392 6 390 394 361 360 154 D a t e 17.9. 17.9. 17.9. 17.9..13.7. 17.9. 17.9. 28.8. 28.8. 9.9. 12 72 72 71 72 72 72 72 7i E l e v a t i o n ( f e e t ) 2600 2640 2660 2670 2670 2730 2750 2970 3100 3810 E x p o s u r e (degree ) 70 180 60 50 180 70 30 . 140 140 180 S l o p e ( d e g r e e ) -11 -5 -24 -10 -7 -20 -25 -12 -20 -18 H y g r o t o p e 3 3 3 3- 2/3 3 3- 3 3+ 2/3 Picea glauca 8.7 8.7 7 .7 7.7 7.5 7 .7 7.7 7.7 7.7 7.6 Picea glauca +.3 4.4 4 .4 +.3 5.4 2 .4 3.4 2.4 3.5 3.3 Salix glauca + .5 3.4 1.3 3.4 Juniperus communis - 1.2 +.3 3.4 Rosa acicularis \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 # \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.1 +.+ Shepherdia canadensis 2.3 Ledum palustre \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . Linnaea borealis 1.1 +.+ + 1 4.3 5.4 6.6 7.6 5.6 4.4 Pgrola secunda + .1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 + + +.1 +.+ + .1 2.+ + .1 2.1 Carex concinna + - + 1.1 1.1 1.2 2.1 +.1 + .1 +.+ Anemone multifida 1.1 1 1 + .\u00E2\u0080\u00A21 1 1 1.1 i -- 1.+ Geocaulon lividum \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 2.1 3.3 4.3 3.5 4.5 2.4 Arctostaphylos uva-ursi \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 3.4 +.2 + .1 +.2 2.4 Hedysarum mackenzii \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 + .2 +. 1 + .1 3.2 + 1 Mertensia paniculata +. 1 +.1 + 1 +.1 +.1 Arctostaphylos rubra 3.3 4.3 3.3 3.4 Eguisetum scirpoides 3.2 3.1 1.1 Cypripedium passerinum +.1 1.1 Gentiana propinqua +.+ 1.+ Astragalus Williams i i m -2.2 Senecio lugens m +.1 Zygadenus elegans \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u0094ML , \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 - - \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 ' . . Peltigera canina 3.2 2. 2 2.2 1.1 2. 3 +.1 4.3 2.1 2.2 Cladonia pocillum +.1 ; +. 1 +.1 2.2 Stereocaulon glareosum +.1 i +.1 + .1 +.1 Lecanora epibryon \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.1 + . 1 +.1 Stereocaulon rivulorum \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 - 1 +.1 Cetraria t i l e s i l \u00C2\u00AB +\u00E2\u0080\u00A21 + . 1 Solorina saccata \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .1 . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 Bypnum procerrimum 4.4 7.6 6. 6 6.5 4.3 7. 6 6.5 4.3 4.3 3.5 Abietinella abietina 7.6 7.5 7. 7. 4.4 3.3 6. 6 5.5 3.3 2.2 2.4 Distichium capillaceum 1.2 2;1 2. 2 + .1 +.1 +. 2 + .2 + .2 1.2 Tomentypnum nitens . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 + ;1 +.1 + .1 Tortula ruralis 1.2 * +. 2 , : . 1.2 Dltrichum flexicaule # + .1 +. 1 Ceratodon purpureus .7. \u00C2\u00BB * +.1 . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 >l o c a n c o u o m -H u o a, g o O -H U l tn > -H < u V 7.2 3 V 2.8 2+ I I 0.8 2 I I 0.5 2-I 0.2 1+ I 0.2 1+ I 0.1 2 V 3.4 2+ I V 1.0 3 I V 0.9 2+ I V 0.7 2 I I I 1.8 3 I I I ' 0.8 2 I I I 0.7 1+ I I I 0.5 1+ I I 1.3 2 I I 0.7 2 I 0.2 3 . z 0.2 2 I 0.2 1+ I 0.1 2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2I 0.1 2 V 2.2 3 I I 0.5 2+ I I 0.4 3 I I 0.3 2+ I 0.2 2 I 0.2 2 I 0.1 2 V 5.1 3 V 4.6 3 V 1.1 3 I I 0.3 2 I I 0.3 2 I 0.2 2 I ' 0.2 2 - o -. \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 -75' * (D) MOSS l a y e r : C a l o p l a c a c i r r o c h r o a D e r m a t o c a r p o n h e p a t i c u m Hypnum u a u c h e r i L e c i d e a d e c i p i e n s L e c i d e a r u b i f o r m i s ( T o r t u l a r u r a l i s ) * A s s o c i a t i o n 13. P e n t s t e m o n o ( g o r m a n i i ) - A r t e m i s i o ( f r i g i d a e ) - A g r o p y r e t u m y u k o n e n s i s I t s d i s t r i b u t i o n i s i n t h e b o r e a l (montane), s p r u c e b i o g e o -c l i m a t i c zone i n map s e c t i o n s D 2, D 3, D 4, D 5, D 6, D 7, E 1, E 3, E 4, E 5 and E 6. The c h a r a c t e r i s t i c c o m b i n a t i o n o f s p e c i e s i s : , (C) H e r b l a y e r : A r a b i s h o l b o e l l i j A s t r a g a l u s a b o r i q i n u m ( S o l i d a q o d e c u m b e n s ) * (D) MOSS l a y e r : L e c a n o r a l e n t i q e r a P a r m e l i a t a r a c t i c a The t o t a l a c r r a g ? o c c u p i e d by t h i s a s s o c i a t i o n i s e s t i m a t e d t o be 675.0 a c r e s . A s s o c i a t i o n 14. A r t e m i s i o ( f r i g i d a e ) - A g r o p y r o ( y u k o n e n s i s ) E u r o t i e t u m l a n a t a e T h e c h a r a c t e r i s t i c c o m b i n a t i o n o f s p e c i e s ( p l a n t a s s o c i a t i o n ) i s : ( A r t e m i s i a r u p e s t r i s ) * Ch'amaerhodos e r e c t a E u r o t i a l a n a t a C h a r a c t e r i s t i c i s a l s o t h e a b s e n c e o f many s p e c i e s o c c u r r i n g i n t h e p r e c e d i n g p l a n t a s s o c i a t i o n . I t s o c c u r r e n c e i s i n b o t h t h e b o r e a l (montane) a s w e l l a s i n t h e s u b - a l p i n e w i l l o w - b i r c h b i o g e o c l i m a t i c z o n e s . T h i s a s s o c i a t i o n i s o f v e r y l i m i t e d e x t e n t i n t h e s t u d y a r e a , * S p e c i e s i n b r a c k e t s a r e l e s s c h a r a c t e r i s t i c t h a n t h o s e w i t h o u t b r a c k e t s . 7 6 b e i n g r e s t r i c t e d t o mapp ing s e c t i o n s D 4 . 3 5 , D 4 . 4 5 and D 5 . 9 1 . I t s t o t a l s i z e i n t h e s t u d y a r e a does n o t e x c e e d 3 a c r e s . A s s o c i a t i o n 1 5 . P e n t s t e m o n o ( g o r m a n i i ) - A r t e m i s i e t u m f r i g i d a e T h i s p l a n t a s s o c i a t i o n , o c c u r r i n g i n t h e b o r e a l (montane) zone i s v e r y l i m i t e d i n e x t e n t , o c c u p y i n g o n l y a b o u t 3 . 5 a c r e s i n s e c t i o n s E 3 . 6 9 , E 4 . 5 3 and E 4 . 3 4 . I t o c c u p i e s v e r y s t e e p , s o u t h - f a c i n g s l o p e s , a t t h e b a s e o f Sheep M o u n t a i n . The s u b s t r a t e c o n s i s t s o f a v e r y t h i c k (2 t o 3 f e e t ) d e p o s i t i o n o f l o e s s . No g r a z i n g o f sheep t a k e s p l a c e i n t h i s a s s o c i a t i o n s i n c e i t i s f a r removed f r o m any e s c a p e t e r r a i n . C h a r a c t e r i s t i c i s t h e a l m o s t c o m p l e t e c r u s t o s e l i c h e n c o v e r w h i c h s t a b i l i z e s t h e l o e s s . F i g u r e 15 shows an e c o t o n e be tween t h i s a s s o c i a t i o n and C a l a m a g r o s t i d o ( p u r p u r a s c e n t i s ) - A r c t o s t a p h y l e t u m u v a e - u r s i above i t on f l a t t e r g r o u n d . I t s o n l y c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s p e c i e s i s a l i c h e n , B u e l l i a e p i q a e a . A s s o c i a t i o n 1 6 . A g r o p y r o ( y u k o n e n s i s ) - A r t e m i s i e t u m f r i g i d a e - r u p e s t r i s I t o c c u r s on c o l l u v i a l m a t e r i a l a t t h e b o t t o m o f a s c r e e m ixed w i t h a e o l i a n l o e s s d e p o s i t s i n b o t h t h e b o r e a l (montane) a s w e l l as t h e s u b - a l p i n e b i o g e o c l i m a t i c z o n e s . The c h a r a c t e r i s t i c c o m b i n a t i o n o f s p e c i e s ( p l a n t a s s o c i a t i o n ) i s : A r t e m i s i a d r a c u n c u l u s A r t e m i s i a r u p e s t r i s - 77 -11' * G r a s s l a n d s o c c u p y s o u t h e r n and w e s t e r n a s p e c t s on f a i r l y s t e e p s l o p e s . U n i t e s p r u c e i s f ound on f l a t a r e a s and e a s t e r n a s p e c t s . T r a n s i t i o n a l z o n e s a r e o c c u p i e d by C a l a t n a g r o s t i d o ( p u r p u r a s c e n t i s ) - A r c t o s t a p h y l e t u m u v a e - u r s i . P h o t o g r a p h shows e c o t o n e b e t w e e n P e n t s t e m o n o ( g o r m a n i i ) - A r t e m i s i e t u m f r i g i d a e and C a l a m a g r o s t i d o ( p u r p u r a s c e n t i s ) - A r c t o s t a p h y l e t u m u v a e - u r s i . - 78 -7 8 \" (Chamaerhodos e r e c t a ) * ( E u r o t i a l a n a t a ) * . T h i s p l a n t a s s o c i a t i o n h a s two v a r i a t i o n s : v a r . a g r o p y r o ( y u k o n e n s i s ) - a r t e m i s i o s u m f r i g i d a e - r u p e s t r i s w h i c h i s t h e t y p e o f t h e a s s o c i a t i o n , and v a r . c a r i c o s u m f i l i f o l i a e d i f -f e r e n t i a t e d by t h e o c c u r r e n c e o f C a r e x f i l i f o l i a , M i n u a r t i a r o s s i i , O x y t r o p i s v i s c i d a , P l a n t a q o c a n e s c e n s and P o t e n t i l l a h o o k e r i a n a . The l a t t e r v a r i e t y o c c u p i e s l e s s s t e e p a r e a s w i t h a l o w e r p e r c e n t a g e o f c o a r s e m a t e r i a l mak ing up t h e s u b s t r a t e . T h i s a s s o c i a t i o n o c c u p i e s a b o u t 1 8 5 . 0 a c r e s i n map s e c t i o n s C 7 , D 2 , 0 3 , D 4 , D 5 and D 6 . I t i s b e s t d e v e l o p e d between t h e 3500 and 4500 f e e t e l e v a t i o n s , where i t i s t h e d o m i n a n t g r a s s l a n d a s s o c i a t i o n . A s s o c i a t i o n I V . O x y t r o p o ( v i s c i d a e ) - A r t e m i s i o ( h y p e r b o r e a e -f r i g i d a e ) - C a r i c e t u m f i l i f o l i a e T h i s p l a n t a s s o c i a t i o n o c c u r s a l r e a d y i n t h e s u b - a l p i n e b i o -g e o c l i m a t i c z o n e and i t has a number o f s i m i l a r i t i e s t o t h e a l p i n e g r a s s l a n d a s s o c i a t i o n O x y t r o p o ( v i s c i d a e ) - A r t e m i s i o ( h y p e r b o r e a e ) - F e s t u c o ( b r a c h y p h y l l a e ) - T r i s e t e t u m s p i c a t i i n p a r t i c u l a r t h e o c c u r r e n c e o f A r t e m i s i a h y p e r b o r e a , C a r e x s c i r p o i d e a , P o t e n t i l l a h o o k e r i a n a and P o t e n t i l l a v i r q u l a t a . The c h a r a c t e r i s t i c c o m b i n a t i o n o f s p e c i e s i s : ( A r t e m i s i a h y p e r b o r e a ) * ( A r t e m i s i a r u p e s t r i s ) * ( C a r e x s c i r p o i d e a ) * M i n u a r t i a r o s s i i P o t e n t i l l a h o o k e r i a n a P o t e n t i l l a v i r q u l a t a ( S e n e c i o c o n t e r m i n u s ) * * S p e c i e s i n b r a c k e t s a r e l e s s c h a r a c t e r i s t i c t h a n t h o s e w i t h o u t b r a c k e t s . - 79 -7 9 ' * Some p l a n t s , . o c c u r r i n g i n t h e p r e v i o u s a s w e l l a s i n t h i s p l a n t a s s o c i a t i o n , show t h a t t h e s e s u b a l p i n e g r a s s l a n d c o m m u n i t i e s , i n t h e i r f l o r i s t i c s t r u c t u r e , have s u c h e l e m e n t s w h i c h o t h e r w i s e grow much more commonly i n t h e a l p i n e t u n d r a b i o g e o c l i m a t i c z o n e . In o t h e r w o r d s , t h e r a t h e r r a r e o c c u r r e n c e o f t h e s e p l a n t s i n t h e s u b a l p i n e zone d o e s n o t c o n s t i t u t e a s u b s t a n t i a t i o n f o r a c o n s i d e r a t i o n t h a t t h e y c h a r a c t e r i z e t h e s u b a l p i n e b i o g e o c l i m a t i c z o n e . Such c h a r a c t e r i s t i c a l l y a l p i n e p l a n t s a r e : A q r o p y r o n b o r e a l e A q r o p y r o n v i o l a c e u m A r t e m i s i a h y p e r b o r e a C a r e x r u p e s t r i s M i n u a r t i a r o s s i i O x y t r o p i s h u d d e l s o n i i P o t e n t i l l a h o o k e r i a n a P o t e n t i l l a v i r q u l a t a S e n e c i o c o n t e r m i n u s C e t r a r i a c u c u l l a t a C e t r a r i a t i l e s i i T h a m n o l i a s u b u l i f o r m i s T h i s a s s o c i a t i o n o c c u p i e s an a r e a o f a b o u t 34 a c r e s a l o n g r i d g e t o p s i n map s e c t i o n s B 3 , B 6 , B 7 , C 3 , C 6 and C 7. These g r a s s l a n d a s s o c i a t i o n s w i t h t h e e x c e p t i o n o f #15 [ P e n t s t e m o n o ( g o r m a n n i i ) - A r t e m i s i e t u m f r i g i d a e ] a r e t h e i m p o r t a n t w i n t e r r a n g e o f D a l l sheep a s w e l l as some Oreamus a m e r i c a n u s ( M o u n t a i n g o a t ) i n n e i g h b o u r i n g a r e a s . Sheep u t i l i z e t h e s e a r e a s f r o m S e p t e m b e r t o t h e f o l l o w i n g l a t e May. F i g u r e 14 shows t h e t y p i c a l d i s t r i b u t i o n p a t t e r n o f p l a n t a s s o c i a t i o n s i n t h e b o r e a l z o n e . G r a s s l a n d s \u00E2\u0080\u0094 I n t h i s p a r t i c u l a r c a s e m a i n l y P e n t s t e m o n o - CiU -\u00E2\u0080\u00A2 8 0 \" ( g o r m a n i i ) - A r t e m i s i e t u m f r i g i d a e \u00E2\u0080\u0094 o c c u p y s o u t h and wes t f a c i n g , r a t h e r s t e e p s l o p e s ' , l e v e l a r e a s as w e l l as e a s t f a c i n g s l o p e s a r e c o v e r e d by W h i t e S p r u c e f o r e s t s . T h e r e i s a l m o s t a l w a y s a t r a n s i t i o n a l zone between g r a s s l a n d s and s p r u c e u s u a l l y made up by C a l a m a g r o s t i d o ( p u r p u r a s c e n t i s ) - A r c t o s t a -p h y l e t u m u v a e - u r s i . T a b l e s 1 6 , 1 7 , 1 8 , 1 9 , 20, 43 and 53 r e v e a l d e t a i l s on t h e a n a l y s e s and s y n t h e s i s o f t h e s e g r a s s l a n d s . The c h a r a c t e r i s t i c a n i m a l o f t h e s e g r a s s l a n d s ( b e s i d e s s h e e p ) i s t h e S p e r m o p h i l u s p a r r y i i ( A r c t i c g r o u n d s q u i r r e l ) . Common b i r d s i n c l u d e F a l c o s p a r v e r i u s ( s p a r r o w h a w k ) , S a y o r n i s s a y a -( S a y ' s phoebe ) and M y a d e s t e s t o w n s e n d i ( T o w n s e n d ' s s o l i t a i r e ) . O r d e r 9 . BETULETALIA GLANDULOSAE L a m b e r t & K r a j i n a , 1968 T h i s o r d e r i s t h e m a j o r v e g e t a t i o n u n i t o f t h e s u b a l p i n e w i l l o w - b i r c h b i o g e o c l i m a t i c zone o f Sheep M o u n t a i n . I t c o n t a i n s t h e f o l l o w i n g a l l i a n c e : A l l i a n c e 1 1 . P o t e n t i l l o ( f r u t i c o s a e ) - S a l i c i o n g l a u c a e H o e f s & K r a j i n a and o c c u r s m a i n l y on s t a b i l i z e d a e o l i a n l o e s s d e p o s i t s o f t h e s u b a l p i n e b i o g e o c l i m a t i c z o n e . T h e . c h a r a c t e r i s t i c c o m b i n a t i o n o f s p e c i e s ( o r d e r and a l l i a n c e ) \" i s : (B) Sh rub l a y e r : B e t u l a q l a n d u l o s a ( J u n i p e r u s c o m m u n i s ) * P i c e a g l a u c a ( i n \"Krummholz \" fo rm) P o t e n t i l l a f r u t i c o s a S a l i x a l a x e n s i s ( S a l i x b r a c h y c a r p a ) * S a l i x g l a u c a S a l i x l a n a t a ( S h e p h e r d i a c a n a d e n s i s ) * ( V i b u r n u m e d u l e ) * (C) H e r b l a y e r : (Anemone p a r v i f l o r a ) * A r c t o s t a p h y l o s r u b r a \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . , ' ( C a r e x s c i r p o i d e a ) * * S p e c i e s i n b r a c k e t s a r e l e s s c h a r a c t e r i s t i c t h a n t h o s e w i t h o u t b r a c k e t s . 81 T a b l e 16. Orderi A l l i a n c e : A s s o c i a t i o n : 8. A R T E M I S I O ( F R I G I D A E ) - A G R O P Y R E T A L I A Y U K O N E N S I S 10. A r t e m i s i o ( f r i g i d a e ) - A g r o p y r i o n y u k o n e n s i s 13. P e n t s t e m o n o ( g o r m a n i i ) - A r t e m i s i o ( f r i g i d a e ) - A g r o p y r e t u m y u k o n e n s i s Number of p l o t s 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 P l o t number 10 4 4/70 1/70 B/70 8 2/70 151 1 193 15.7. L3.7. 24.7. 23.7. 31.7 13.7 23.7 9.9. 12.7. L8.9. 3 71 71 70 70 70 71 70 71 71 71 o o E l e v a t i o n (feet) 2650 2720 2720 2750 2770 2770 2800 2820 2900 2910 a) o a c to \u00C2\u00AB Exposure (degree) 190 230 210 210 210 190 165 190 120 130 anc o 01 -1 Slope (degree) -22 -23 -10 -10 -15 -27 -26 -30 -14 -15 nst IS u c 0) 0< Hygrotope 2 2 2 2 2 2- 2 2 2+ 2/3 o u > - H <, a Artemisia frigida 6.2 4.2 7 .2 7.3 6 .3 4 2 7 2 5.2 4.2 5.3 V 5.5 Agropyron yukonense 4.1 4.1 3 .2 4.+ 6 .2 2 1 5 1 6.2 3.1 7.3 V 4.4 Carex f i l i f o l i a 4.3 4.1 1 .2 .' 2 .2 4 2 5 3 1.1 5.2 +.2 V 2.7 Erigeron caespitosus 2.1 2.1 3 1 3.+ 2 .1 2 1 5 1 2.1 3.1 3.1 V 2.7 Pentstemon gormanii 3.1 4.1 2 1 1.+ 2 1 3 1 3 1 1.1 2.1 1.+ V 2.2 Linum perenne 1.+ 1.+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 2 .+ 2 + 2.+ + .+ 1.+ rv 1.0 Calamagrostis purpurascens 2.1 2.+ +.1 +. + 2 2 3.1 . i n 1.1 Aster alpinus . 1.1 1.+ l ! l +.1 2.+ i n 0.6 Pulsatilla patens 2.1 +.1 +.+ +. + +.+ i n 0.6 Anemone multifida + .1 2.1 # 3.+ I I 0.6 Oxytropis viscida . . 3 1 +.+ 2.1 I I 0.6 Poa glauca + .1 1. + 1.+ I I 0.3 Solidago decumbens + .1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +. + 1.+ I I 0.3 Arabis holboellii .1 + +. + # i 0.2 Astragalus aboriginum +.+ +. + # i 0.2 Potentilla hookeriana +.1 1.1 i 0.2 Rosa acicularis .1.1 1-1 m i 0.2 Senecio conterminus i.+ m i 0.2 Townsendia hookeri +. + +. + i 0.2 Antennaria media \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.2 i 0.1 Antennaria rosea +. 1 .. i 0.1 Artemisia rupestris +.2 i 0.1 Comandra umbel lata +.+ # i 0.1 Eurotia lanata +. + \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 i 0.1 Orobanche fasciculata +. + \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 i 0.1 Oxytropis splendens \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 ' X 0.1 Dermatbcarpon hepaticum 5.2 4.2 7. 3 5.2 4. 1 4. 1 6. 2 5.2 4.2 4.2 V 4.8 Lecidea rubiformis 3.2 + .1 4. 2 1.1 3. 2 4. 2 4. 2 4.2 2.1 2.2 V 2.8 Lecanora lentigera 5.1 3.1 1. 1 + .1 +. 1 3. 1 4.1 4.1 1.2 V 2.3 Caloplaca cirrochroa . 1.+ 2. + 1.+ +. + 1.+ 1.+ +.+ rv 0.8 lecidea decipiens 1.1 2.1 + . 1 1.1 + .1 1.+ 1.+ IV 0.8 Parmelia taractica 2.1 2.+ . 4.1 1.+ I I 0.9 Physcia muscigena +.+ . +.+ +.+ . . I I 0.3 Buellia epigaea - .' 2.1- # \u00C2\u00BB i 0.2 Collema coccophorum +.+ +.+ i 0.2 Fulgensia bracteata \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 + \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 I 0.2 Tortxila ruralis 3.2 +.1 1.1 1.1 1.1 1.2 i n 0.8 Hypnum vaucheri + .1 3.1 +.1 +.1 I I 0.6 Barbula icmadophila . +.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \" \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 I ' 0.2 82 Table 17. Order: A l l i a n c e : A s s o c i a t i o n : 8. ARTEMISIO (FRIGIDAE) - AGROPYRETALIA YUKONENSIS 10. A r t e m i s i o ( f r i g i d a e ) - A g r o p y r i o n y u k o n e n s i s 14. Artemisio (frigidae) - Agropyro (yukonensis) -Eurotletum lanatae Number of p l o t s 1 2 3 4 5 P l o t number 16 157 178 179 170 Date 16.7. 9.9. 15.9. 15.9. 14.9. 71 71 71 71 71 E l e v a t i o n (feet) 2880 3300 3980 4010 4210 Exposure (degree) 260 140 160 145 150 Slope (degree) -10 -39 -37 -38 -38 Hygrotope 2 2- 2 2 2' >t u c -t rt Artemisia frigida 6.3 6 .3 5.2 5 2 b .3 V 5.6 2+ Eurotia lanata 4.2 6 3 6.3 5 .3 3 .2 V 5.2 3 Agropyron yukonense 2 1 3.+ 3 2 3 .1 V 2.8 2-Chamaerhodos erecta . 2 1 +.+ 1 + I I I 0.8 2+ Pentstemon gormanii +.1 1 1 +.1 II I 0.6 1+ Carex f i l i f o l i a 2.1 +.1 I I 0.6 2 Artemisia rupestris + 2 + .2 II 0.4 2+ Artemisia dracunculus +.1 1. 1 I I 0.4 2 . Calamagrostis purpurascens 2.1 . I 0.4 2 Oxytropis viscida 1.1 r 0.2 2 Potentilla hookeriana +. + i 0.2 2 Lappula myosotis . +. + i 0.2 2+ Linum perenne +.+ i 0.2 2 Erigeron caespitosus +.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 i 0.2 2 _ Dermatocarpon hepaticum 3.1 i 0.6 2 Lecidea rubiformis 1.1 i 0.2 2 Caloplaca cirrochroa + .+ i 0.2 2 Buellia epigaea 1.1 i 0.2 2 Lecidea decipiens +.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 i 0.2 2 Tortula ruralis 3.1 i 0.6 2 Bypnum vaucheri 1.1 i 0.2 2 8 3 Table 18. Order: Alliance: Association: 8. ARTEMISIO (FRIGIDAE) - AGROPYRETALIA YUKONENSIS 10. A r t e m i s i o ( f r i g i d a e ) - Ag r o p y r i o n yukonensis-15 . Pentstemono .(gormanii) - Artemisietum frigidae Number of plots 1 2 3 4 5 Plot number 21 381 12 152 382 Date 17.7. 12.9. 15 71 72 .7. ' 71 9.9. 12.9. 71 72 :ies * Elevation (feet) 2730 : 2770 2790 2840 ; 2870 v o 04 C W 10 o Exposure (degree) 170 110 135 180 130 ncy Slope (degree) -40 -45 -28 -42 -38 sta: Cn -l C M n Hygrotope 2+ 2+ 1/2 2+ 2+ Con (U Cn > \"H < m Vigc Artemisia frigida 5.2 6.3 5.1 5.2 5.2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 V 5.2 2+ PentstBnon gormanii 4.2 4.1 5.1 4.1 4.1 V 4.2 3 Linun: perenne 2.1 +.+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 1.+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 III 1.0 2+ Carex f i l i f o l i a 1.1 2.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 m II 0.6 2 Agropyron yukonense \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 2.+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 I 0.4 2 Oxytropis viscida \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 + .+ X 0.2 2 Townsendia hookeri \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 I 0.2 2 Erigeron caespitosus \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 1.+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 I \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 0.2 2 Lecidea rubiformis 5.2 6.2 4.2 6.3 6.3 V 5.4 3 Dermatocarpon hepaticum 5.2 4.2 5.2 3.2 5.2 V 4.4 3 Buellia epigaea 5/2 2.1 3 - + 2.1 3.1 V 3.0 3 Lecidea decipiens 3.1 2.1 + .+ + .+ 1.1 V 1.6 3 Caloplaca cirrochroa + .+ 2.+ ^ + .+ + .+ IV 1.0 2 Lecanora lentigera 1.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 1.1 +.+ III 0.6 2 Collema coccophorum +.+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 + .+ + .+ III 0.6 2 Parmelia taractica \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 2.+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 I 0.4 2 Fulgensia bracteata \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 1.+ I 0.2 2 Hypnum vaucheri 3..1 + .1 1.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 + .1 IV 1.2 2 Tortula ruralis \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.1 1.1 1.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 III 0.6 2 84 T a b l e 19. O r d e r : 8. A R T E M I S I O ( F R I G I D A E ) - A G R O P Y R E T A L I A Y U K O N E N S I S A l l i a n c e : 10. A r t e m i s i o ( f r i g i d a e ) - A g r o p y r i o n y u k o n e n s i s A s s o c i a t i o n : 16 . A g r o p y r o ( y u k o n e n s i s ) - A r t e m i s i e t u m f r i g i d a e - r u p e s t r i s V a r i a t i o n : a g r o p y r o - a r t e m i s i o s u m c a r i c o s u m f i l i f o l i a e f r i g i d a e - r u p e s t r i s Number o f p l o t s 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 P l o t number ... 176 177 168 169 199 15 202 161 204 160 D a t e 15.9. 71 15.9. 71 14.9. 71 14.9. 71 18.9. 71 16.7. 71 25.9. 71 10.9. 71 25.9. 71 13.9. 71 E l e v a t i o n ( f e e t ) 3290 3680 3770 3970 4260 2870 3460 3970 4310 4560 E x p o s u r e ( d e g r e e ) 145 130 150 140 140 260 110 140 110 110 S l o p e ( d e g r e e ) -34 -39 -36 -37 -38 -25 -33 -24 -22 -33 H y g r o t o p e 2 2 2 2- 2- 2 2- 2 2- 2->1 u c 3 c o o u at at u a. c a id u a tr - H < a Artemisia rupestris 6. 4 6.4 5. 2 6. 4 5 3 6. 3 5. 2 4.3 5.2 5 3 V 5.3 Artemisia frigida 5. 3 4.2 4 2 1. 1 3 2 +. 2 3. 1 5.2 4.1 3. 1 V 3.3 Agropgron gukonense 3. 1 4.1 3 1 4 1 2 1 1 + 1. + 2.+ . 2 + V 2.2 Calamagrostis purpurascens : + .1 3 2 1 1 3 1 1 1 2. 1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 2.1 4.1 + 1 V 1.8 Pentstemon gormanii 2. 1 3.1 1 1 1. 1 + + + 1 2. + . . 3 1 rv 1.4 Erigeron caespitosus + . + 1. 1 1 + 2 1 2. + 1.+ +.\u00E2\u0080\u00A2\u00C2\u00BB\u00E2\u0080\u00A2 + + IV 1.0 Carex f i l i f o l i a 4 1 6. 2 6.2 6.2 5. 2 i n 2.7 Oxytropis viscida . 3 1 4.1 1.+ 4 1 I I 1.2 Eurotia lanata 2. 1 2.1 2 1 . I I 0.$ Artemisia dracunculus 1. 2 + .1 2 1 1 I I 0.5 Aster alpinus +.1 + 1 1. + 1.+ I I 0.4, Chamaerhodos erecta +.+ 1 + 1 + I I 0.3 Linum perenne . ' 1 + + + + \u00C2\u00AB . I I 0.3 Plantago canescens 4. 1 . 1.1 i 0.5 Minuartia rossii \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 3.1 + .1 i 0.4 Potentilla hookeriana 2.1 1.1 i 0.3 Bromus pumpellianus \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 2.+ i 0.2 Pulsatilla patens +.+ +.+ i 0.2 Solidago decumbens + 1 + + \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 i 0.2 Antennaria rosea + + i 0.1 Artemisia hyperborea 1.1 i 0.1 Astragalus willlamsii + 1 i 0.1 Poa glauca 1.1 i- 0.1 Potentilla virgulata 1 i 0.1 Senecio conterminus \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 i 0.1 Dermatocarpon hepaticum + 1 + .1 + + 2 1 + .1 i n 0.6 Lecidea rubiformis + .1 + 1 1 2.1 + + i n 0.6 Caloplaca cirzochroa + + +.+ + + + + + .1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 i n 0.5 Buellla epigaea +.+ 2 1 i \" 0.3 Lecanora lentigera \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .1 1 1 ... i 0.2 Lecidea decipiens 1 1 1.1 i . 0.2 Cetraria t i l e s i i \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 + r 0.1 Thamnolia subuliformis \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 i 0.1 Tortula ruralis 1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 - \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u0094 2 .1 I I 0.4 Bypnum vaucheri \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 i 0.2 8 5 Table 20. Order: A l l i a n c e : A s s o c i a t i o n : 6. ARTEMISIO (FRIGIDAE) - AGROPYRETALIA YUKONENSIS 10. A r t e m i s i o ( f r i g i d a e ) - A g r o p y r i o n y u k o n e n s i s 17. Oxytropo (vlscidae) - Artemisio (hyperboreae fr i g i d a e ) - Caricetum f i l i f o l i a e Number of p l o t s P l o t number Date E l e v a t i o n (feet) Exposure (degree) Slope (degree) Hygrotope 1 2 3 4 5 162 163 159 25 158 1 3 - ? i 13.9^ 10.9. 71 18.7. 71 10.9. 7 i 4190 4320 4960 5140 5770 90 160 130 120 110 -14 -31 -28 -18 -14 2/3 2- 2/3 u a $ a a 3 m 41 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2H 8 9 O a c a *w rt a u o Carex f i l i f o l i a Artemisia hyperborea Artemisia frigida Oxytropis viscida Calamagrostis purpurascens Potentilla hookeriana Poa glauca Erigeron caespitosus Minuartia rossii Senecio conterminus Carex scirpoidea Castilleja hyperborea Potentilla virgulata Anemone multifida Artemisia rupestris Agropgron yukonense Pulsatilla patens Agiopyron violaceum Antennaria media Solidago miltiradiata Aster alpinus Agropyron boreale Antennaria stolonifera Lappula myosotis Oxytropis huddelsonii Carex rupestris Caloplaca cirrochroa Lecidea rubiformis Dermatocarpen hepaticum Lecidea decipiens Thamnolia subuliformis Cetraria t i l e s i i Cetraria cucullata Lecanora lentigexa Bypnum vaucheri Tortula ruralis 6.3 5.2 5.2 6.2 4.2 V 5.2 3 4.2 2.1 4.2 5.2 6.3 V 4.2 2+ 3.1 2.2 4.2 5.2 5.2 V 3.8 2+ 4.1 4.1 3.1 4.1 4.1 V 3.8 3 5.1 3.1 3.1 4.1 3.1 V 3.6 2+ 2.1 4.1 4.1 + .1 1.+ V 2.4 3 + .+ 1.+ 1.1 4.1 1.1 V 1.6 3 1.+ + .+ + .+ 1.+ +.+ V 1.0 2 2.1 2.1 4.2 +.+ XV 1.8 2+ + .1 +.+ +.+ , II I 0.6 2 2.+ +.+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 II 0.6 2 . +.+ 2.1 II 0.6 2 m +.1 2.2 II 0.6 2+ 1.+ II 0.4 2 +.1 1.2 II 0.4 2 2.+ . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 I 0.4 2-1.+ I 0.2 2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . 1.1 # I 0.2 2 +.+ .m I 0.2 2 + .1 ' I 0.2 2 + .1 I 0.2 2 m + .X . I 0.2 2 +.+ m I 0.2 2 + .+ I 0.2 2 +.+ I 0.2 2 + .+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 I \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 0.2 2 +.+ + .+ +.+ + .+ V 1.0 2+ 1.1 1.1 +.1 1.1 IV 0.8 2 2.1 1.1 II 0.6 2 2.1 # +.1 II 0.6 2 + .+ I 0.2 2 1.+ ... I 0.2 2 1.1 I 0.2 2 +.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \" I 0.2 2 2.1 1.1 + .1 +.1 IV 1.0 2 1.1 +.1 1.1 + .1 rv 0.8 2 86 ( D r y a s i n t e q r i f o l i a ) * ( E p i l o b i u m l a t i f o l i u m ) * ( E q u i s e t u t n a r v / e n s e ) * E q u i s e t u m s c i r p o i d e s ( F e s t u c a a l t a i c a ) * ( G e n t i 3 n a p r o p i n q u a ) * (Hedysaru.m a l p i n u m ) * ( L i n n a e a b o r e a l i s ) * ( M e r t e n s i a p a n i c u l a t a P a r n a s s i a p a l u s t r i s P e d i c u l a r i s c a p i t a t a ( P e t a s i t e s f r i g i d u s ) * ( P y r o l a s e c u n d a ) * ( S a l i x r e t i c u l a t a ) * ( V a l e r i a n a c a p i t a t a ) * (D) R o s s l a y e r : ( A b i e t i n e l l a a b i e t i n a ) * Campy l i um s t e l l a t u r n C e r a t o d o n p u r p u r e u s ( P e l t i q e r a c a n i n a ) * ... T h e r e a r e two p l a n t a s s o c i a t i o n s b e l o n g i n g t o t h i s a l l i a n c e and o r d e r a s f o l l o w s : A s s o c i a t i o n 1 8 . A r c t o s t a p h y l o ( r u b r a e - u v a e - r u r s i ) - F e s t u c o ( a l t a i c a e ) - S a l i c e t u m r e t i c u l a t a e - g l a u c a e I t r e p r e s e n t s t h e z o n a l ( m e s i c ) p l a n t a s s o c i a t i o n o f t h e s u b a l p i n e w i l l o w - b i r c h b i o g e o c l i m a t i c z o n e . The c h a r a c t e r i s t i c c o m b i n a t i o n o f s p e c i e s ( p l a n t a s s o c i a t i o n ) (B) S h r u b l a y e r : ( S a l i x m y r t i l l i f o l i a ) * (C) H e r b l a y e r : ( A c h i l l e a l a n u l o s a ) * ( A c o n i t u m d e l p h i n i f o l i u m ) * ( A r c t o s t a p h y l o s u v / a - u r s i ) * ( A r t e m i s i a a r c t i c a ) * ( A s t r a g a l u s a l p i n u s ) * ( C a r e x f i l i f o l i a ) * ( E p i l o b i u m a n q u s t i f o l i u m ) * ( S a l i x a r c t i c a ) * ( S e n e c i o l u q e n s ) * ( S o l i d a q o d e c u m b e n s ) * Zyqadenus e l e q a n s * S p e c i e s i n b r a c k e t s a r e l e s s c h a r a c t e r i s t i c t h a n t h o s e w i t h o u t b r a c k e t s . 87 F i g u r e 16 s h o u s a p h o t o g r a p h o f t h i s a s s o c i a t i o n . I t o c c u p i e s an a r e a o f a p p r o x i m a t e l y 5 7 2 . 5 a c r e s o f Sheep M o u n t a i n i n map s e c t i o n s A 2 , B 3 , C 2 , D 2 , D 3 , D 4 , D 5 and D 6 . I t i s b e s t d e v e l o p e d i n t h e s u b a l p i n e zone (4000 t o 5000 f e e t ) o f Sheep M o u n t a i n ' s w e s t s l o p e . A s s o c i a t i o n 1 9 . A r c t o s t a p h y l o ( r u b r a e ) - C a s s i o p o ( t e t r a g o n a e ) - S a l i c e t u m r e t i c u l a t a e - l a n a t a e - g l a u c a e I t s s o i l s a r e h y g r i c w i t h l o n g e r snow d u r a t i o n t h a n i n t h e p r e c e d i n g p l a n t a s s o c i a t i o n . Tlie c h a r a c t e r i s t i c c o m b i n a t i o n o f s p e c i e s ( p l a n t a s s o c i a t i o n ) i s : (B) Sh rub l a y e r : Ledum p a l u s t r e Rhododendron l a p p o n i c u m V / a c c i n i u m u l i o i n o s u m (C) Herb l a y e r : A r c t a q r o s t i s l a t i f o l i a ( C a s s i o p e t e t r a q o n a ) * Empetrum n i g r u m ( K o b r e s i a m y o s u r o i d e s ) * P y r o l a a s a r i f o l i a S a u s s u r e a a n q u s t i f o l i a (D) Moss l a y e r : ( C e t r a r i a t i l e s i i ) * ( C l a d o n i a p o c i l l u m ) * ( D a c t y l i n a a r c t i c a ) * O r t h o t h e c i u m chryseum F i g u r e 17 shows a p h o t o g r a p h o f t h i s a s s o c i a t i o n . I t i s b e s t d e v e l o p e d on Sheep M o u n t a i n ' s e a s t f a c e (map s e c t i o n s A 7 , B 7 and C 7 ) , where i t o c c u p i e s an a r e a o f a b o u t 165 a c r e s . I t may a l s o be f o u n d on f l a t , m o i s t e r s i t e s w i t h i n t h e p r e v i o u s a s s o c i a t i o n (No. 1 8 ) . T a b l e s 2 1 , 2 2 , 44 and 53 r e v e a l d e t a i l s on t h e a n a l y s e s and * S p e c i e s i n b r a c k e t s a r e l e s s c h a r a c t e r i s t i c t h a n t h o s e w i t h o u t b r a c k e t s . - 88 -F e s t u c o ( a l t a i c a e ) - S a l i c e t u m r e t i c u l a t a e - g l a u c a e FIGURE 1 7 : A r c t o s t a p h y l o ( r u b r a e ) - C a s s i o p o ( t e t r a g o n a e ) - S a l i c e t u m r e t i c u l a t a e - l a n a t a e - g l a u c a e Table 21. 89 Order I 9 . B E T U L E T A L I A GLANDULOSAB A l l i a n c e ) 1 1 . P o t e n t i l l o ( f r u t i c o s a e ) - S a l i c i o n g l a u c a e Assoc ia t ion) 1 8 . Arc tos taphylo (rubrae - uvae-uxsi) - Festuco (a l ta icae) r e t i c u l a t a e \u00E2\u0080\u0094 glaucae Salicetum Number of p l o t s 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 P l o t number 358 355 356 54 354 ' 353 53 3S7 ' 351 352 Date 28.8 . 26 .8 . 28.P. 1.8 26.8. 26.8. 1.8. 28.8 . 26.8 . 26 .8 . e o 72 72 72 71 72 72 71 72 72 72 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2H u \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 E l e v a t i o n (feet) 4130 4200 4390 4410 4430 4470 - 4520 < 540 4620 4670 O ua. c Exposure (degree) 230 130 150 210 150 170 80 270 140 230 o % u (9 -A < a > Salix glauca 8.7 8.7 8.7 6 6 8.7 8.7 8.7 7.6 8.7 8.6 V 7.7 3 Salix myrtillifolia +.3 2.3 3.4 4 . 3 1.3 6.5 1.3 3.4 I V 1.8 2 Salix lanata . 2.4 +.4 2 5 . 4 . 4 4 . 4 1.5 2.4 3.5 I V 1.3 2 Salix alaxensls 1.5 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . 4 5 . . . I 0 .5 2 Salix brachycarpa \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.3 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 * I 0.1 2-Betula glandulosa 3.3 5.4 5 4 3.3 4.3 4.4 5.4 3.3 4.4 V 3.6 24-Potentilla fruticosa 1.3 4.3 4.4 2 3 3.4 4.4 4 . 3 4.4 4.4 4.3 V 3.1 3 Juniperus communis . + .3 4- .3 . 4 . 3 4.3 4 . 2 I I I 0.8 2 Shepherdia canadensis + .2 + .2 . . 4 . 2 4 . 2 . 1.3 I I I 0 .5 2 Picea glauca +.2 +.2 +.5 4 - 3 . 4 . 2 I I I 0 .5 1 Viburnum edule \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 2 .X \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 I 0.2 2 Salix reticulata 2.3 6.4 3.3 3 3 5.3 5.4 5.4 3.3 5.4 5.3 V 4.2 24. Arctostaphylos rubra 4.4 5.4 5.4 3 4 4.4 4.3 5.4 4.3 4.4 3.3 V 4.1 24 Arctostaphylos uva-ursi 4.5 3.3 6.5 3 3 1.3 3.3 4 . 2 3.3 2.3 3.3 V 2.9 2+ Carex filifolia 4.3 +.1 4.2 2 1 3.1 5.2 4 . 1 4 . 1 4.1 4.1 V 2.9 2 Festuca altaica \" 2.2 1.2 4.2 3 2 4.2 3.2 2.2 3.2 3.2 3.2 V 2.8 2 Carex scirpoldea 1 . 4 1.+ 3.1 1 1 2.1 2.1 3.1 3.1 2.1 3.1 V 2.1 24. Bedysarum alpinum 1.1 3.1 2.1 2 1 3.1 3.1 1.1 3.1 1.1 2.1 V 2.1 2 Anemne parviflora 1 . 4 2.1 2 . 4 1 4 2 . 4 2 . 4 5.1 2 . 4 1 . 4 2 . 4 V 2.0 2 Zygadenus elegans + .1 3.1 3 . 4 1 1 2.1 2.1 3.1 1.+ 4 . 1 3.1 V 2.0 2 Mertensia paniculata 2.1 2.1 2.+ 2 1 2.1 3.1 1.1 4 . 1 2.1 2.1 V 1.9 2 Linnaea borealis +.2 3.1 1.2 : 4 2 1.2 2.1 3.1 3.3 4 . 1 + .1 V 1.7 2 Equisetua scirpoldea 3 . 4 2 . 4 4 . 4 2 . 4 3 . 4 4 . 4 - 4 . 4 4 . 4 2.+ V 1.6 2 Centiana propinqua 2.+ 1 . 4 1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 1 . 4 1 . 4 1.4- 4 . 4 4 . 4 1 . 4 V 1.1 2 Parnassia palustris 1.+ 2 . 4 2 . 4 3 . 4 1 . 4 . 4 . * 3 . 4 I V 1.3 2 Pedicularis capitata 4 . 4 - \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 2.1 4 . + 2.1 4 . 1 4 . + 4 . 4 I V 1.0 2 Aconitwn delphinifolium +.1 +.1 + .1 1.1 4 . 1 1.1 # 4 . 1 4 . 1 I V 0.8 24 Senecio lugens +.1 4 - . + 4 . 1 4 . 1 1 . 4 9 4 . 1 4 . 1 I V 0.8 2 Solidago decuobens . . +. 1 4 . 1 4 . 1 1.1 4 . 1 4 . 1 4 . 1 I V 0.7 24 Artemisia arctica 1.+ 2.1 2.1 m 4 . 1 1.1 I I I 0.7 2 Achillea lanulosa 4 . 4 - 4 . 1 4 . 1 I I 0.4 24 Astragalus alpinus 4 . 4 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .1 4 . 1 4 . 4 I I 0.4 2 Dryas integrifolia 4 - . 3 . 4 . 1 4 . 2 4 . 1 . I I 0.4 2-Epilobium angustlfolium +.1 1 . 4 +.1 4 . 1 . I I 0.4 2 Equisetum arvense . + .1 1 . 4 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .1 I I 0.4 2 Pyrola secunda 1 . 4 4 . 4 - 4 . 4 + .1 I I 0.4 2+ Salix arctica \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . 3 +.2 + .2 I I 0.3 2 Valeriana capitata 4 . 4 - 4 - . 4 + .1 I I 0.3 2 Lupinus arcticus Y ' 2.2 I 0.2 24 Agropyron boreale \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 I 0.1 2 Antennaria stolon!fera \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00C2\u00AB I 0.1 2 Carex concinna I 0.1 2 Carex petricosa \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . 1 I 0.1 2 Elyinus innovatus \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . 1 I 0.1 24 Epilobium latifolium \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00C2\u00BB 4 . 1 I 0.1 2 Ledum palustre 4 . 1 I 0.1 2 Petasites,frlgidus \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . 4 . 2 I 0.1 2 Poa alplna 4 . 1 I 0.1 2 Trisetum spicatua - \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 ' 4 . 4 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 I 0.1 1 Peltigera canlna - +.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .1 4 - . 1 1.1 2.1 4 . 1 4 . 1 i . i I V 0 .9 2 Cladonia pocillum \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 4 . 4 I 0.2 2 Campylium stellatum 1.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .1 1.1 1 . 4 2.1 4 . 4 4 . 1 4 . 1 rv 0 .9 2 Ceratqdon purpureus \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . I . 1.1 1.1 2 . 4 2.1 i n 0.7 2 Abletinella ablating \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .1 4 . 1 1.1 1.1 1 . 4 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . H I 0 .5 2 90 Table 22. Order I 9 . BETULETAL1A GLANDULOSAE Al l i ance t 1 1 . F o t e n t i l l o ( f r u t i c o s a e ) - S a l i c i o n g l aucae Associat ioni 19 . Arctostaphylo (rubrae) - Cassiopo (tetragonae) - Salicetum ret iculatae -lanatae - glaucae Nunber of p lo ts 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Plo t number 367 368 365 366 369 370 371 364 362 363 Date \u00E2\u0080\u00A27j 2 9 i i 30-h 30 .8, 30 72 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2fa 2 9 - ! i 2 9 - ! i 29-?J e a Elevat ion (feet) 3870 4020 4090 4100 4120 4120 4150 4340 4370 4440 l l Exposure (degree) 80 30 20 50 30 70 60 30 70 60 a- m \u00C2\u00AB u Slope (degree) -33 -35 -32 -34 -30 -26 -15 -24 -29 -26 u B m -H u c M o c 01 Hygrotope 4 4 4+ 4+ 4 4 4+ 4+ 4 3/4 3 > -H < a > Sail* glauca 7.6 7.6 6.6 7.7 7.7 7.6 8.7 7.7 7.6 8.6 V 7.1 2+ Salix lanata 6.6 7.6 7.7 5.6 8.7 7.6 7.6 5.6 6.6 7.6 V 6.5 3 Salix alaxensls +.4 +.3 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . I 0.2 2 Salix brachycarpa \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 I 0.1 Betula glandulosa 5.3 4.2 4.2 5.2 3.2 4.2 6.3 3.2 3.3 4.2 V 4.1 3 Vaccinium uliginosum 3.2 3.1 4.2 2.1 2.1 5.2 4-2 . 2.2 5.5 4.2 V 3.4 3 Ledum pa Just re 4.2 3.2 3.2 3.2 3.2 4.2 5.2 +.1 2.2 3.2 V 3.1 2+ Potentilla frutlcosa 1.2 2.2 4.2 3.2 1.2 . 2.2 2.1 3.3 2.2 V 2.0 2+ Rhododendron lapponlcum +.1 . +.2 +.1 +.1 +.1 2.2 . 2.1 +.2 TV 1.0 2+ Plcea glauca +.3 +.2 .\u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.2 +.3 . +.2 +.3 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2.2 IV 0.7 1 Shepherdia canadensis +.2 +.2 +.2 . +.2 1.2 I I I 0.5 2 Juniperus communis . . +.2 +.2 +.3 2.3 I I 0.5 2 Viburnum edule \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 1.2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 I 0.2 Arctostaphylos rubra 7.S 6.5 6.5 7.5 4.5 4.5 5.3 5.5 5.5 5.3 V 5.4 3 Cassiope tetragons 7.3 S.2 3.2 4.3 4.2 5.2 3.2 4.4 3.5 2.2 V 4.0 3 Salix reticulata 4.2 5.3 4.3 3.2 5.3 4.3 3.2 5.5 3.3 4.4 V 4.0 2 Equisetum scirpoides 4.1 3.1 3.1 3.2 3.2 2.1 2.1 4.2 3.2 3.+ V 3.0 3 Dryas integrifolia 2.2 3.2 + .2 2.2 3.2 + .2 2.2 5.4 4.5 +.2 V 2.4 2 Bedysarum alpinum 3.1 2.1 2.1 2.1 2.1 3.2 2.1 3.1 2.1 2.1 V 2.3 Festuca altaica 3.2 3.2 1.1 2.1 2.1 4.2 2.1 + .1 +.1 +.2 V 2.0 2 Anemone parviflora 2.+ 2.1 2.+ 1.+ 2.+ 1.+ 3.+ 1.+ + .1 1.+ V 1.6 2 Carex scirpoidea 1.1 1.1 2.1 3.1 3.+ 1.+ +.1 +.+ +.+ +.\u00E2\u0080\u00A2 V 1.5 2 . Mertensia panlculata 1.1 2.1 1.1 1.1 1.1 1.1 3.2 +.1 1.1 1.1 V 1.3 2 Pedicularis capitata 2.+ 1.+ 1.+ +.+ 2.+ 2.+ +.1 1.+ 1.+ 1.+ V 1.3 2+ Parnassia palustris 2.+ 3.+ +.+ , 1.+ 2.+ 2.+ 1.+ 1.+ IV 1.3 2 Arctagrostls latifolia . . 1.+ +.2 +.1 . +.1 2.+ 1.+ 3.1 IV 1.0 3 Gentiana propinqua +.+ +.\u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.+ 1.+ + .+ 1.+ IV 0.8 2 Linnaea borealis . 3.2 2.2 +.2 2.2 +.1 2.3 I I I 1.1 2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 Equisetum arvense 1.+ +.+ . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .1 2.+ 2.+ I I I 0.7 Patasites frigldus +.1 1.2 +.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2.1 1.1 +.1 # I I I 0.6 2 Pyrola asarifolla +.1 1.1 + .1 +.1 # 1.1 I I I 0.5 3 Epilobium latifolium +.1 1.1 +.1 I I 0.3 2 Kobresia myosuroldes +.1 + .+ 1.1 I I 0.3 2 Empetrum nigrum . 2.2 1.2 \u00E2\u0080\u009E I- 0.3 2 Valeriana capitata +.1 +.1 I 0.2 2 Saussurea angustifolla +.1 +.1 # I 0.2 2 Zygadenus elegans . + .1 I 0.2 2 Pyrola secunda I 0.2 2 Calamagrostls purpurascens + .1 I 0.1 Oxytropis viscida + .1 I 0.1 2 Trlsetum spicatum +.+ I 0.1 2 Senecio lugens .\" . +.+ I 0.1 Solidago decumbens \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .1 I 0.1 2 Polemonium pulcherrlmum 1.1 I 0.1 2 Polygonum viviparum , -# I 0.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 2 Luplnus arcticus \u00E2\u0080\u00A2.1 I 0.1 2 Artemisia arctica \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 I 0.1 2 Cladonla poclllum + .1 +.1 +.1 1.1 1.1 1.1 1.1 +.1 rv o.e 2 Cetraria tilesll \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .+ + .+ + .1 +.\u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .1 # i l l 0.5 2 Peltlgera canlna + .1 + .1 +.1 +.\u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.1 i n 0 .S- 2 Dactylina arctica \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .\u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . , +.1 I 0.2 2 Lecanora eplbryon \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2.1 I 0.2 2 Cetraria cucullata +,+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . X 0.1 Ceratodon purpumus 3.1 3.1 2.1 2.1 2.1 2.1 1.1 1.2 V 1.7 2 Campylium stellaturn 1.1 1.1 2.1 1.1 2.1 1.1 1.1 1.2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .1 V 1.2 2 Orthothoclum chryseum . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .\u00E2\u0080\u00A2 + .1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2.1 . II 0.3 2 Ablatlnella obletlna \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 1.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2,1 I 0.2 2 Bryum \u00C2\u00ABp . . 1.1 I. 0.1 2 - 91 -s y n t h e s i s o f t h e s e s u b a l p i n e s h r u b a s s o c i a t i o n s . C h a r a c t e r -i s t i c a n i m a l s and b i r d s o f t he s u b a l p i n e s h r u b zone i n c l u d e t h e A l c e s a l c e s q i q a s ( M o o s e ) , Lagopus l a q o p u s ( W i l l o w P t a r m i g a n ) , S p i z e l l a b r e w e r i ( B r e w e r ' s s p a r r o w ) and Z o n o t r i c h i a a t r i c a p i l l a ( G o l d e n - c r o w n e d s p a r r o w ) . O r d e r 10. ARTEMISIETALIA ALASKANAE H o e f s & K r a j i n a o c c u r m a i n l y i n t h e s u b a l p i n e w i l l o w - b i r c h b i o g e o c l i m a t i c zone and v e r y l i t t l e i n t h e a l p i n e t u n d r a z o n e . They a r e e s t a b l i s h e d on c o l l u v i a l R e g o s o l s o f t h e s c r e e s l o p e s . Two p l a n t a s s o c i a t i o n s i n c l u d e d h e r e a r e s e p a r a t e d i n two d i f f e r e n t a l l i a n c e s . The c h a r a c t e r i s t i c c o m b i n a t i o n o f s p e c i e s ( o r d e r ) i s : A r t e m i s i a a l a s k a n a ( A r t e m i s i a f r i q i d a ) * ( A r t e m i s i a h y p e r b o r e a ) * ( A s ^ s r s i b i r i c u s ) * ( C r e p i s n a n a ) * ( E p i l o b i u m l a t i f o l i u m ) * ( O x y t r o p i s h u d d e l s o n i i ) * A l l i a n c e 1 2 . A r t e m i s i o n a l a s k a n a e H o e f s & K r a j i n a i n c l u d e s o n l y one p l a n t a s s o c i a t i o n : A s s o c i a t i o n 2 0 . A r t e m i s i e t u m a l a s k a n a e The c h a r a c t e r i s t i c c o m b i n a t i o n o f s p e c i e s ( a l l i a n c e and p l a n t a s s o c i a t i o n ) i s : (Anemone d r u m m o n d i i ) * ( A s t r a g a l u s n u t z o t i n e n z i s ) * C y s t o p t e r i s f r a q i l i s (D raba a l p i n a ) * \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 ( P a p a v e r m a c o u n i i ) * R a n u n c u l u s p e d a t i f i d u s ( S m e l o w s k i a b o r e a l i s ) * S t e l l a r i a monantha I t o c c u r s on s c r e e s l o p e s between t h e s u b a l p i n e and t h e a l p i n e b i o g e o c l i m a t i c z o n e s . I t a p p e a r s t o be v e r y l i m i t e d on Sheep * S p e c i e s i n b r a c k e t s a r e l e s s c h a r a c t e r i s t i c t h a n t h o s e w i t h o u t b r a c k e t s . M o u n t a i n , o c c u p y i n g a b o u t 3 . 5 a c r e s i n map s e c t i o n s C 4 . 7 6 ; C 4 . 8 3 ; C 4 . 8 4 ; and C 4 . 9 4 . I t i s p o s s i b l e t h a t more s i t e s w i t h t h i s a s s o c i a t i o n w i l l be l o c a t e d , i f a l l s c r e e s l o p e s i n t h e a r e a a r e i n v e s t i g a t e d . F i g u r e 18 shows a p h o t o g r a p h o f t h i s a s s o c i a t i o n . N o t i c e t h e s p a r s e v e g e t a t i o n c o v e r and t h e \" f i n e g r a i n e d \" , r e l a t i v e l y s t a b i l i z e d s c r e e s u b s t r a t e . A l l i a n c e 1 3 . A r t e m i s i o ( h y p e r b o r e a e - a l a s k a n a e ) - S a l i c i o n m y r t i l l i f o l i a e H o e f s & K r a j i n a i n c l u d e s o n l y one p l a n t a s s o c i a t i o n : A s s o c i a t i o n 2 1 . A r t e m i s i o ( h y p e r b o r e a e - a l a s k a n a e ) -S a l i c e t u m m y r t i l l i f o l i a e w h i c h grows i n t h e l o w e r p a r t s o f a s c r e e s l o p e on c o l l u v i a l R e g o s o l s , a f f e c t e d by t e m p o r a r y s e e p a g e ( e s p e c i a l l y when snow m e l t s i n h i g h e r e l e v a t i o n s ) . I t b e l o n g s t c t h e s u b a l p i n e w i l l o w - b i r c h ' b i o g e o c l i m a t i c z o n e . The c h a r a c t e r i s t i c c o m b i n a t i o n o f s p e c i e s ( a l l i a n c e and p l a n t a s s o c i a t i o n ) i s : (B) Sh rub l a y e r : ( P o t e n t i l l a f r u t i c o s a ) * ( S a l i x g l a u c a ) * S a l i x m y r t i l l i f o l i a ( S h e p h e r d i a c a n a d e n s i s ) * (C) He rb l a y e r : (Anemone m u l t i f i d a ) * ( A n t e n n a r i a m e d i a ) * ( A r t e m i s i a d r a c u n c u l u s ) * ( C a l a m a q r o s t i s p u r p u r a s c e n s ) * ( C a s t i l l e j a h y p e r b o r e a ) * (Chamaerhodos e r e c t a ) * ( E r i q e r o n c a e s p i t o s u s ) * ( G e n t i a n a p r o p i n q u a ) * ( O x y t r o p i s v i s c i d a ) * ( P e n t s t e m o n o o r m a n i i ) * ( P o t e n t i l l a h o o k e r i a n a ) * S a x i f r a q a t r i c u s p i d a t a ( S o l i d a q o d e c u m b e n s ) * S p e c i e s i n b r a c k e t s a r e l e s s c h a r a c t e r i s t i c t h a n t h o s e w i t h o u t b r a c k e t s . - 93 -FIGURE 1 8 : A r t e m i s i e t u m a l a s k a n a e on f i n e , r e l a t i v e l y s t a b l e s c r e e . F i g u r e 19 shows a p h o t o g r a p h o f t h i s a s s o c i a t i o n . I t i s l i m i t e d i n e x t e n t on Sheep M o u n t a i n , o c c u p y i n g o n l y 3 . 5 a c r e s i n map s e c t i o n s C 4 . 8 3 ; C 4 . 8 5 ; C 4 . 8 0 ; C 4 . 8 8 and C 4 . 1 0 0 . T h i s a s s o c i a t i o n o c c u p i e s v e r y c o a r s e s c r e e , w h i c h i s n o t s t a b i l i z e d b u t k e p t a c t i v e by e r o d i n g c l i f f s a b o v e . T a b l e s 2 3 , 2 4 , 42 and 53 g i v e d e t a i l s on t h e a n a l y s e s and s y n t h e s i s o f t h e s c r e e s l o p e a s s o c i a t i o n s . O r d e r 1 1 . DRYADETALIA INTEGRIFOLIAE H o e f s and K r a j i n a I t becomes o b v i o u s t h a t t h e N o r t h A m e r i c a n D r y a d e t a l i a s h o u l d be d i v i d e d i n t o two s e p a r a t e o r d e r s , DRYADETALIA 0CT0PETALAE (on a c i d i c o r n e u t r a l r a n k e r s ) and DRYADETALIA INTEGRIFOLIAE (on a l k a l i n e s o i l s ) . They o c c u r on r e n d z i n a s o i l s m a i n l y i n t h e a l p i n e t u n d r a b i o g e o c l i m a t i c zone and may d e s c e n d t o t h e s u b a l p i n e w i l l o w - b i r c h b i o g e o c l i m a t i c zone o n l y r a r e l y . The c h a r a c t e r i s t i c c o m b i n a t i o n o f s p e c i e s ( o r d e r ) i s : (C) Herb l a y e r : (Anemone p a r v i f l o r a ) * A r c t o s t a p h y l o s a l p i n a A s t r a g a l u s a l p i n u s C a r e x s c i r p o i d e a D r y a s i n t e g r i f o l i a ( L l o y d i a s s r o t i n a ) * ( P a r r y a n u d i c a u l i s ) * ( P e d i c u l a r i s c a p i t a t a ) * ( P e d i c u l a r i s k a n e i ) * (Po lygonum v i u i p a r u m ) * ( S a l i x r e t i c u l a t a ) * ( S a x i f r a q a o p p o s i t i f o l i a ) * ( S a u s s u r e a v i s c i d a ) * ( S i l e n e a c a u l i s ) * (D) f l o s s l a y e r : ( C a l o p l a c a c i r r o c h r o a ) * ( C e t r a r i a c u c u l l a t a ) * ( C e t r a r i a t i l e s i i ) * C l a d o n i a p o c i l l u m * S p e c i e s i n b r a c k e t s a r e l e s s c h a r a c t e r i s t i c t h a n t h o s e w i t h o u t b r a c k e t s . 95 Table 23. Order: Alliance: Association: 10. ARTEMISIETALIA ALASKANAE 12. A r t e m i s i o n alaskanae 20. Artemisietum alaskanae Number of plots Plot number Date Elevation (feet) Exposure (degree) Slope (degree) Hygrotope Artemisia alaskana Oxytropis huddelsonii Artemisia hyperborea Anemone drummondii Ranunculus pedatifidus Stellaria monantha Smelowskia borealis Astragalus nutzotinensis Artemisia frigida Epilobium latifolium Papaver macounii Draba alpina Cystopteris fragilis Crepis nana Calamagrostis purpurascens Aster sibiricus 1 2 3 4 5 196 171 187 185 174 18.9. 14 .9. 15 .9. 15 .9. 14.9. 71 71 71 71 71 4300 4480 4700 5000 5150 140 145 140 160 130 -37 -38 -38 -42 -34 3+ 2/3 2/3 3+ 3 2. 1 3.1 2.2 4. 2 3 2. 1 + .1 3.1 4. 1 2. 1 2.1 3. 1 + . + +.+ + . + . +. + +.+ +.1 +.1 +.1 +.1 +.+ +.+ >> u a (0 -p 0) c o u 10 H vi c 0) cn > - H . < (0 u o Cn V 2.8 3 IV 2.0 2+ III 1.4 2 II 0.4 2-II 0.4 2 I 0.2 2 I 0.2 2 I 0.2 2+ . I 0.2 2-I 0.2 2 I 0.2 2 . I 0.2 2 I 0.2 2 I 0.2 2 I 0.2 2 - I 0.2 2 Table 24. 9 6 Order: A l l i a n c e : A s s o c i a t i o n : 10. ARTEMISIETALIA ALASKANAE 13. A r t e m i s i o ( h y p e r b o r e a e - a l a s k a n a e ) -S a l i c i o n m y r t i l l i f o l i a e 21. Artemisio (hyperboreae - alaskanae) - Salicetum m y r t i l l i f o l i a e Number of p l o t s 1 2 3 4 5 P l o t number 195. 181 173 183 175 m 0) \u00E2\u0080\u00A2H O Date 18.9. 15 7 i .9. 14 71 .9. 15 71 .9. 71 18.9. 71 E l e v a t i o n (feet) 4290 4420 4880 4930 4990 ancy nst n3 -H U G 0) tJ\u00C2\u00BB Hygrotope 3+ 3+ 3+ 3+ 3+ o m co > Salix myrtillifolia 4.4 5.4 5.4 5 .4 4.4 V 4.6 2+ Salix glauca + .3 + .3 1.4 + .2 1.4 V 1.0 2 Potentilla fruticosa 3,2 3.2 1.1 1. ,2 2.3 V 2.0 2+ Shepherdia canadensis \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 1.3 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 I 0.2 2-Artemisia hyperborea 3.1 3.2 2.1 3. 2 2.1 V 2.6 2+ Calamagrostis purpurascens 1.1 1.1 1.1 2. 1 +.1 V 1.2 2-Oxytropis huddelsonii 3.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.1 3. 1 4.1 IV 2.2 3 Artemisia alaskana ' 2.1 + .1 +.1 +.1 IV 1.0 2+ Anemone multifida \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 1.+ +.+ 1. + +.+. IV 0.8 2 Artemisia frigida + .1 3.1 . +.1 I I I 1.0 2-Oxytropis viscida . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 2.1 1. 1 2.1 III 1.0 2 Erigeron caespitosus +.+ +.+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.+ I I I 0.6 2 Solidago decumbens \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 + .+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 - 1. + 1.+ I I I 0.6 2 Epilobium latifolium + .+ +.+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 II 0.4 2 Artemisia dracunculus \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 1.1 II 0.4 3 Aster sibiricus + .+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.+ I I 0.4 2 Castilleja hyperborea \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.+ I . 0.2 1 Saxifraga tricuspidata \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 1.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 I 0.2 2 Gentiana propinqua \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 1.+ I 0.2 1 Antennaria media \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 + .+ I 0.2 2 Potentilla hookeriana +.+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \" I 0.2 2 Crepis nana + .+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 I 0.2 3 Pentstemon gormahii \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +\u00E2\u0080\u00A21 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 I 0.2 1 Chamaerhodos erecta \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 - \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 I 0.2 1 9 7 ( P a c i y l i n a a r c t i c a ) * ( D e r m a t o c a r p o n h e p a t i c u m ) * . L e c a n o r a e g i b r y o n \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . ' ( P e l t i q e r a c a n i n a ) * S t e r e o c a u l o n q l a r e o s u m ( T h a m n o l i a s u b u l i f o r m i s ) * DRYADETALIA INTEGRIFOLIAE a r e d i v i d e d i n t o two a l l i a n c e s , e c o l o g i c a l l y and f l o r i s t i c a l l y q u i t e d i s t i n c t . ' A l l i a n c e 14 . C a r i c o ( s c i r p b i d e a e ) - D r y a d i o n i n t e g r i f o l i a e H o e f s & K r a j i n a r e p r e s e n t e d by o n l y one p l a n t a s s o c i a t i o n : A s s o c i a t i o n 2 2 . S a l i c o ( r e t i c u l a t a e ) - S i l e n o ( a c a u l i s ) -C a r i c o ( s c i r p o i d e a e ) - D ryadetum i n t e g r i f o l i a e In t h e a l p i n e t u n d r a b i o g e o c l i m a t i c zone i t i s t h e z o n a l ( m e s i c ) p l a n t a s s o c i a t i o n on c a l c a r e o u s a l k a l i n e r e n d z i n a s o i l s , s t r o n g l y i n f l u e n c e d by a e o l i a n l o e s s m a t e r i a l . I t i s r a r e l y g r o w i n g i n t h e s u b a l p i n e zone ( o n l y a t i t s h i g h e s t e l e v a t i o n s ) . The c h a r a c t e r i s t i c c o m b i n a t i o n o f s p e c i e s ( a l l i a n c e and p l a n t a s s o c i a t i o n ) i s : (C) Herb l a y e r : ( A n t e n n a r i a m o n o c e p h a l a ) * (Hedysarum a l p i n u m ) * ( K o b r e s i a m y o s u r o i d e s ) * ( O x y t r o p i s d e f l e x a ) * P o t e n t i l l a b i f l o r a ( S a l i x a r c t i c a ) * ( S a l i x d o d q e a n a ) * ( T r i s e t u m s p i c a t u m ) * ( O x y t r o p i s v i s c i d a ) * (D) MOSS l a y e r : ( B u e l l i a e p i q a e a ) * ( C e t r a r i a n i v a l i s ) * ( C e t r a r i a r i c h a r d s o n i i ) * ( C o r n i c u l a r i a a c u l e a t a ) * ( L e c a n o r a l e n t i q e r a ) * ( L e c i d e a d e c i p i e n s ) * ( P h y s c i a m u s c i q e n a ) * ( S o l o r i n a s p o n q i o s a ) * , * S p e c i e s i n b r a c k e t s a r e l e s s c h a r a c t e r i s t i c t h a n t h o s e w i t h o u t b r a c k e t s . T h i s i s t he most common p l a n t , a s s o c i a t i o n i n t h e a l p i n e b i o g e o c l i m a t i c zone o c c u p y i n g a t o t a l a c r e a g e o f about 601 a c r e s ' p r i m a r i l y i n map s e c t i o n s B 3 , B 4 , B 5 , 8 6 , B 7 , C 3 and C 6 . In a d d i t i o n t r a n s i t i o n z o n e s be tween t h i s a s s o c i a t i o n and O x y t r o p o ( h u d d e l s o n i i ) - S a l i c e t u m d o d g e a n a e , S e n e c i o n o ( l u g e n t i s ) - S a l i c e t u m p o l a r i s - r e t i c u l a t a e and p a r t i c u l a r l y S a x i f r a g o ( o p p o s i t i f o l i a e ) - O x y r i o ( d i g y n a e ) -S a l i c e t u m p o l a r i s a r e f a i r l y common on g e n t l e s l o p e s . T h i s a s s o c i a t i o n i s v e r y much a f f e c t e d by s o l i f l u c t i o n . F i g u r e 20 shows a p h o t o g r a p h o f t h i s a s s o c i a t i o n . A l l i a n c e 1 5 . D ryado ( i n t e g r i f o l i a e ) . - C a s s i o p i o n t e t r a g o n a e H o e f s & K r a j i n a i s r e p r e s e n t e d by o n l y one p l a n t a s s o c i a t i o n : A s s o c i a t i o n 2 3 . S a l i c o ( r e t i c u l a t a e ) - C a s s i o p o ( t e t r a g o n a e ) -D ryadetum i n t e g r i f o l i a e I t o c c u r s i n t h e a l p i n e t u n d r a as w e l l as i n t h e s u b a l p i n e w i l l o w - b i r c h b i o g e o c l i m a t i c z o n e . The c h a r a c t e r i s t i c c o m b i n a t i o n o f s p e c i e s ( a l l i a n c e and p l a n t a s s o c i a t i o n ) i s : (C) H e r b l a y e r : Car.ex m i c r o c h a e t a C a s s i o p e t e t r a q o n a ( E p i l o b i u m l a t i f o l i u m ) * ( O x y r i a d i q y n a ) * P y r o l a o r a n d i f l o r a ( S a l i x p o l a r i s ) * ( U a c c i n i u m u l i q i n o s u m ) * (D) MOSS l a y e r : ( D i s t i c h i u m c a p i l l a c e u m ) * L e c i d e a c u p r e a S o l o r i n a s a c c a t a (T immia a u s t r i a c a ) * (Tomentypnum n i t e n s ) * S p e c i e s i n b r a c k e t s a r e l e s s c h a r a c t e r i s t i c t h a n t h o s e w i t h o u t b r a c k e t s . In c o m p a r i s o n w i t h t h e p r e c e d i n g p l a n t a s s o c i a t i o n t h i s s y n e c o l o g i c a l u n i t o c c u r s i n h a b i t a t s where snow l i e s r e l a t i v e l y l o n g e r , p r o m o t i n g e s p e c i a l l y C a s s i o p e t e t r a q o n a , V a c c i n i u m u l i q i n o s u m and S a l i x p o l a r i s . I t i s r a r e on Sheep M o u n t a i n , b e i n g r e s t r i c t e d t o a b o u t 11 a c r e s on n o r t h and e a s t f a c i n g s l o p e s i n map s e c t i o n s A 2 . 9 0 , A 7 . 5 4 , B 6 . 6 6 and C 6 . 3 4 . I t i s much more common on Mount W a l l a c e n o r t h o f t h e map a r e a . F i g u r e 21 shows a p h o t o g r a p h o f t h i s a s s o c i a t i o n . T a b l e s 2 5 , 2 6 , 46 and 53 g i v e d e t a i l s on t h e a n a l y s e s and s y n t h e s i s o f t h e s e two p l a n t a s s o c i a t i o n s i n t h i s o r d e r . O r d e r 1 2 . OXYTROPO (V ISCIDAE) - ARTEMISIO (HYPERBOREAE) - FESTUCO (BRACHYPHYLLAE) - TRISETETALIA SP ICATI H o e f s & K r a j i n a T h i s o r d e r o c c u r s on c a l c a r e o u s , d r y ( s t r o n g l y d r a i n e d ) s o i l s ( i n t h e c a s e o f t h i s s t u d y a r e a d e r i v e d f r o m t h e v e r y f i n e l o e s s d e p o s i t s m i x e d w i t h c o a r s e f r a g m e n t s o f b e d r o c k s w e a t h e r e d i n p l a c e ) . I t i s a c o u n t e r -p a r t o f T r i s e t o ( s p i c a t i ) - F e s t u c e t a l i a b r a c h y p h y l l a e , e v o l v e d on s i m i l a r l y w e l l d r a i n e d h a b i t a t s on n o n - c a l c a r e o u s ( s i l i c e o u s ) s o i l s i n t h e a l p i n e t u n d r a b i o g e o c l i m a t i c zone w h i c h do n o t o c c u r i n t h e s t u d y a r e a . I t shows some r e l a t i o n s h i p s e i t h e r w i t h t h e ARTEMISIETALIA ALASKANAE ( T a b l e s 23 and 2 4 ) , o c c u r r i n g on s c r e e s l o p e s m a i n l y i n t h e s u b a l p i n e w i l l o w - b i r c h b i o g e o c l i m a t i c z o n e , o r w i t h t h e A g r o p y r o ( y u k o n e n s i s ) - A r t e m i s i e t u m f r i g i d a e - r u p e s t r i s , o c c u r r i n g i n t h e b o r e a l (montane) and t h e s u b a l p i n e w i l l o w - b i r c h z o n e s . A l l i a n c e 1 6 . O x y t r o p o ( v i s c i d a e ) - A r t e m i s i o ( h y p e r b o r e a e ) -F e s t u c o ( b r a c h y p h y l l a e ) - T r i s e t i o n s p i c a t i H o e f s & K r a j i n a 1 00 FIGURE 2 0 : S a l i c o ( r e t i c u l a t a e ) - S i l e n o ( a c a u l i s ) - C a r i c o ( s c i r p o i d e a e ) - Dryadetum i n t e g r i f o l i a e Sheep M o u n t a i n n o r t h w e s t s l o p e . FIGURE 2 1 : S a l i c o ( r e t i c u l a t a e ) - C a s s i o p o ( t e t r a g o n a e ) -D ryadetum i n t e g r i f o l i a e Sheep M o u n t a i n e a s t s l o p e , o v e r l o o k i n g K l u a n e L a k e . Table 25. Orders A l l i a n c e : A s s o c i a t i o n : 11. DRYADETALIA INTEGRIFOLIAE 14. C a r i c o ( s c i r p b i d e a e ) - D r y a d i o n i n t e g r i f o l i a e 22. S a l i c o (reticulatae) - Sileno (acaulis) - Carico (scirpoideae) Dryadetum i n t e g r i f o l i a e 101 Number of p l o t s 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 P l o t number 67 36 349 48 347 331 332 46 125 135 to 4.8. 21.7 16.8. 22 .7. 15.8. 7.8. 7.8. 22.7. 18.8. 20.8. u Date 71 71 72 71 72 72 72 71 71 71 v S E l e v a t i o n (feet) 4740 5370 5400 5600 5700 5750 5800 6190 6240 6320 to S Exposure (degree) 30 160 170 90 270 70 45 260 270 230 0 c \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 -H \u00E2\u0080\u00A2HHygrotope 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 U < to > Dryas integrifolia \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 8.5 6 3 8.5 8.4 8.4 8.5 8.5 8.3 7.4 7.4 V 7.6 3 Salix reticulata a 4 2 2.1 5.3 4.2 3.2 4.2 4.2 4.2 4.1 V 3.4 2+ Carex scirpoidea 3.1 3 2 3.2 2.1 1.+ 3.1 2.1 2.1 3.1 3.1 V 2.5 3 Saxifraga oppositifolia 3.1 3 1 +.1 . 1.1 1.1 2.1 1.1 1.1 +.1 V 1.4 3 Silene acaulis + .1 1 2 2.1 1.2 3.2 .. 1.1 2.2 1.1 + .1 V 1.3 3 Bedysarum alpinum 3.1 . 2 1 +.1 3.1 1.1 2.1 2.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 2.1 IV 1.6 3 Oxytropis deflexa + .1 2.+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 2.1 1.+ +.+ 3.1 2.1 2.1 IV 1.4. 2 Kobresia myosuroides 2.1 3 1 +.1 3.1 + .1 . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.1 +.1 1.1 r v 1.3 2 Oxytropis viscida 2.1 1.1 +.1 3.1 . . . + .1 I I I 0.8 2 Saussurea viscida . + 1 . . 2.1 1.1 2.1 + .1 + .1 i n 0.8 2 Anemone parviflora +.+ 1.+ 1.+ 2.+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 i n 0.7 2 Antennaria monocephala . + +.+ +.+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . +.+ +.+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 i n 0.5 2 Salix arctica +.2 1 .1 1.1 2.2 . . . I I 0.5 2 Astragalus alpinus + + . +.+ +.+ +.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 I I 0.4 2 Parrya nudicaulis . 1.+ 1.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.1 I I 0.4 2 Salix dodgeana 1.2 +.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.1 . +.1 I I 0.4 2 Trisetum spicatum 2.1 +.+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 I I 0.4 2 Lloydia serotina +.+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 1.+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 I I 0.3 2 Pedicularis capitata . - \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 1.+ +.1 . 1.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 I I 0.3 2 Arctostaphylos alpina +.1 3.1 . i 0.4 2-Epilobium latifolium \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +. 1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 2.1 i 0.3 2 Salix polaris . 2.2 +.2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 i 0.3 2 Festuca altaica 1 +.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 i 0.2 2 Festuca brachyphylla 2.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 i 0.2 2 Myosotis alpestris +.+ i 0.2 2 Pedicularis kanei + 1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 1.1 i 0.2 2 Poa glauca 1.+ +.+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 i 0.2 2 Poa lanata \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.+ i 0.2 2 Potentilla biflora +.1 . +.1 i 0.2 3 Draba hirta +.+ i 0.1 2 Gentiana propinqua +.+ i 0.1 2 Mertensia paniculata 1.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 i 0.1 2 Poa alpina 1.+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .' i 0.1 2 Polygonum viviparum \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 i 0.1 2 Cetraria t i l e s i i + .1 1 1 +.+ + .1 2.1 + .1 1.1 3.1 2.1 2.1 V 1.5 3 Dermatocarpon hepaticum 1.1 +.1 1.1 1.1 1.1 - 1.1 2.1 2.1 4.2 V 1.4 2 Lecanora epibryon + .1 + + + .+ +.+ ' +.1 1.1 +.+ + .+ 2.1 4.1 V 1.4 3 Cetraria cucullata +.1 3.1 +.1 1.1 + .1 +.1 2.1 IV 1.0 3 Thamnolia \u00E2\u0080\u00A2subuliformis + .1 + +.+ +.1 +.+ + .+ 2.1 + .+ IV 0.9 3 Cladonia pocillum +:i 2.1 2.1 1.1 3.1 1.1 I I I 1.0 2 Dactylina arctica . +\u00E2\u0080\u009E 1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 1.1 \u00C2\u00BB +.1 3.1 1.1 I I I 0.7 3 Lecanora lentigera +.i \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . 1.1 +.1 2.1 +.+ I I I 0.6 3 Peltigera canina \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.1 + .1 1.1 1.1 +.1 1.1 I I I 0.6 2 Stereocaulon glareosum \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 i . i 2.1 3.1 I I 0.6 2 Caloplaca cirrochroa \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.\u00E2\u0080\u00A2 # + .+ I I 0.4 2 Cornicularia aculeata \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.\u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . + \u00E2\u0080\u00A21 +.+ I I 0.4 3 Solorina spongiosa +\u00E2\u0080\u00A21 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 1.1 +.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 ' # I I 0.3 2 Buellla epigaea \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 + .1 I 0.2 2 Cetraria nivalis \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.1 # +.1 I 0.2 2 Cetraria richardsonii \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.1 +.i \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 * I 0.2 2 Lecidea robiformis 2.1 m I . 0.2 2 Lecidea decipiens \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 * \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 I 0.1 2 Physcla muscigena +.\u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 I 0.1 2 Table 26. 1 0 2 Order: A l l i a n c e : A s s o c i a t i o n : Number of p l o t s P l o t number Date E l e v a t i o n (feet) Exposure (degree) Slope (degree) Hygrotope 11. DRYADETALIA INTEGRIFOLIAE 15. Dryado ( i n t e g r i f o l i a e ) - C a s s i o p i o n t e t r a g o n a e 23. S a l i c o (reticulatae) - Cassiopo (tetragonae) Dryadetum i n t e g r i f o l i a e 1 2 3 4 5 49 121 346 345 330 1.7. 17.8. 15.8. 15.8. 7.8. 71 71 72 72 72 4320 4740 5600 5700 5720 30 30 30 40 0 43 35 39 3/4 32 22 3/4 3/4_ 3/4 4+ a o o 8, > -H < a o cn Salix alaxensis var. alaxensis \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 + .1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 I 0.2 2 Cassiope tetragona 8.4 8.4 7.3 7.5 8.5 V 7.6 3 Dryas integrifolia 5.3 7.3 6.2 . 6.3 6.3 V 6.0 2 Carex microchaeta 1.1 2.1 3.1 3.1 3.1 V 2.4 3 Salix reticulata 4.2 3.2 + .2 + .1 3.2 V 2.4 2 Epilobium latifolium 1.1 1.1 1.1 +.1 3.1 V 1.4 2+ Anemone parviflora +.+ 1.+ +.+ 1.+ +.+ V 1.0 2 Silene acaulis . 2.1 3.1 3.1 2.1 rv 2.0 2 Salix polaris 3.2 . 2.1 2.1 + .1 .... IV 1.6 2 Saxifraga oppositifolia 3.1 2.1 2.+ 1.1 IV 1.6 2+ Saussurea viscida +.1 1.1 1.1 + .1 IV 0.8 2 Arctostaphylos alpina 3.1 2.2 . . +.2 I I I 1.2 2+ Carex scirpoidea +.+ +.+ +.+ m I I I 0.6 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 2 Pedicularis kanei +.+ 1.1 +.1 I I I 0.6 3 Vaccinium uliginosum 3.2 +.1 m II 0.8 2+ Oxyria digyna +.+ 2.1 II 0.6 2 Astragalus alpinus \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.+ II 0.4 2-Polygonum viviparum m II 0.4 2 Pyrola grandiflora i . i +.1 II 0.4 2 Equisetum scirpoides \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 1.+ I 0.2 2 Lloydia serotina +.+ I 0.2 2 Oxytropis deflexa \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.+ I 0.2 2-Parnassia kotzebuei +.+ I 0.2 2 Parrya nudicaulis \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 I 0.2 2 Pedicularis capitata \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . I 0.2 2 Cladonia pocillum +.+ +.1 +.1 1.1 3.1 V 1.4 3 Dactylina arctica +.+ +.1 1.1 2.1 + .1 V 1.2 3 Stereocaulon glareosum +.+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2\u00C2\u00BB 3.1 4.2 3.2 rv 2.2 3 Dermatocarpon hepaticum . i.+ 1.1 1.1 +.+ rv 0.8 2 Lecidea cuprea 2.1 2.+ +.+ , i n 1.0 2 Cetraria t i l e s i i . 1.1 1.1 + .1 i n 0.6 2+ Lecanora epibryon 1.1 +.1 1.+ i n 0.6 2 Caloplaca cirrochroa \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 + .+ +.+ i i 0.4 2 Sglqrina saccata \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 + .1 + .1 # i i 0.4 2 Cetraria cucullata m i 0.2 2 Peltigera canina +.1 i 0.2 2 Thamnolia subuliformis \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 i 0.2 3 Distichium capillaceum + .+ 2.1 2.1 2.1 1.+ v 1.6 2 Timmia austriaca +.1 + .1 1.1 i n 0.6 2 Towentypnum nitens +.1 1.1 +.+ i n 0.6 2 Hylocomium splendens +.+ i 0.2 2 Hypnum bambergeri +.+ i 0.2 2 103 The c h a r a c t e r i s t i c c o m b i n a t i o n o f s p e c i e s ( o r d e r and a l l i a n c e ) i s : (C) Herb l a y e r : A r t e m i s i a h y p e r b o r e a ( C a l a m a q r o s t i s p u r p u r a s c e n s ) * D r a b a c i n e r e a F e s t u c a b r a c h y p h y l l a O x y t r o p i s h u d d e l s o n i i O x y t r o p i s v i s c i d a Poa g l a u c a N ' S a l i x dodqeana S e n e c i o c o n t e r m i n u s S i l e n e a c a u l i s ( S t e l l a r i a l o n q i p s s ) * T r i s e t u m s p i c a t u m (D) MOSS l a y e r : A l e c t o r i a o c h r o l e u c a ( B u e l l i a e p i q a e a ) * ( C a l o p l a c a c i r r o c h r o a ) * C e t r a r i a c u c u l l a t a C e t r a r i a n i v a l i s C e t r a r i a t i l e s i i D a c t y l i n a m a d r e p o r i f o r m i s ( D e r m a t o c a r p o n h e p a t i c u m ) * (Hypnum v a u c h e r i ) * ( L e c a n o r a l e n t i q e r a ) * ( L e c i d e a r u b i f o r m i s ) * ( L e c i d e a d e c i p i e n s ) * T o r t u l a r u r a l i s T h a m n o l i a s u b u l i f o r m i s Two p l a n t a s s o c i a t i o n s b e l o n g t o t h i s a l l i a n c e : A s s o c i a t i o n 2 4 . O x y t r o p o ( v i s c i d a e ) - A r t e m i s i o ( h y p e r b o r e a e ) - . F e s t u c o ( b r a c h y p h y l l a e ) - T r i s e t e t u m s p i c a t i The c h a r a c t e r i s t i c c o m b i n a t i o n o f s p e c i e s ( p l a n t a s s o c i a t i o n ) (C) Herb l a y e r : ( A q r o p y r o n v i o l a c e u m ) * Anemone d r u m m o n d i i (Anemone p a r v i f l o r a ) * ( C a r e x f i l i f o l i a ) * . .Ca rex n a r d i n a ( C a r e x s c i r p o i d e a ) * \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 C a s t i l l e . i ' a h y p e r b o r e a E r i q e r o n c o m p o s i t u s Erys imum p a l l a s i i F e s t u c a b a f f i n e n s i s ( M e l a n d r i u m a p e t a l u m ) * M i n u a r t i a o b t u s i l o b a Po lemon ium p u l c h e ' r r i m u m ( P o t e n t i l l a h o o k e r i a n a ) * S p e c i e s i n b r a c k e t s a r e l e s s c h a r a c t e r i s t i c t h a n t h o s e w i t h o u t b r a c k e t s . 104 ( P o t e n t i l l a v i r q u l a t a ) * ( R a n u n c u l u s p e d a t i f i d u s ) * (D) MOSS l a y e r : ( L e c a n o r a e p i b r y o n ) * F i g u r e 22 shows a p h o t o g r a p h o f t h i s a s s o c i a t i o n . I t i s r e s t r i c t e d i n i t s d i s t r i b u t i o n t o e x p o s e d r i d g e , t o p s on d r y , s u n n y , s o u t h and w e s t f a c i n g s l o p e s . In t h e s t u d y a r e a i t c o v e r s an a c r e a g e o f a b o u t 49 a c r e s i n map s e c t i o n s B 3 , B 4, B 5, B 6, C 3 and C 4. T h i s a s s o c i a t i o n , even t h o u g h f o u n d a t a l p i n e e l e v a t i o n s , i s o f t e n used by D a l l sheep i n m i d w i n t e r , b e c a u s e s t r o n g w e s t w i n d s remove t h e snow f r o m i t . A s s o c i a t i o n 2 5 . O x y t r o p o ( h u d d e l s o n i i ) - S a l i c e t u m dodgeanae The c h a r a c t e r i s t i c c o m b i n a t i o n o f s p e c i e s ( p l a n t a s s o c i a t i o n ) i s : (C) Herb l a y e r : A q r o s t i s b o r e a l i s C a r e x r u p e s t r i s ( C e r a s t i u m b e e r i n q i a n u m ) * D r a b a a l p i n a ( D r y a s i n t e g r i f o l i a ) * F e s t u c a \" v i v i p a r a \" ( K o b r e s i a m y o s u r o i d e s ) * ( L l o y d i a s e r o t i n a ) * M e l a n d r i u m a f f i n e ( P a r r y a n u d i c a u l i s ) * ( P e d i c u l a r i s k a n e i ) * Poa a r c t i c a Poa a r c t i c a f o r m a v i v i p a r a P o t e n t i l l a u n i f l o r a S a l i x a r c t i c a S a x i f r a g a o p p o s i t i f o l i a S a x i f r a g a r e f l e x a ( S a u s s u r e a v i s c i d a ) * S e n e c i o f u s c a t u s (D) MOSS l a y e r : C o r n i c u l a r i a a c u l e a t a ( D a c t y l i n a a r c t i c a ) * D a c t y l i n a r a m u l o s a L e c i d e a g r a n u l o s a F i g u r e 23 shows a p h o t o g r a p h o f t h i s a s s o c i a t i o n . I t i s a l s o * S p e c i e s i n b r a c k e t s a r e l e s s c h a r a c t e r i s t i c t h a n t h o s e w i t h o u t b r a c k e t s . 105 FIGURE 2 2 : O x y t r o p o ( v i s c i d a e ) - A r t e m i s i o ( h y p e r b o r e a e ) -F e s t u c o ( b r a c h y p h y l l a e ) - T r i s e t e t u m s p i c a t i o c c u p y i n g a n a r r o w f r i n g e a l o n g e x p o s e d r i d g e t o p s . FIGURE 2 3 : O x y t r o p o ( h u d d e l s o n i i ) - S a l i c e t u m d o d g e a n a e o c c u p y i n g w e l l d r a i n e d r i d g e t o p s on n o r t h - f a c i n g ( \" s h a d y \" ) s l o p e s . 1 06 r e s t r i c t e d i n d i s t r i b u t i o n t o w e l l d r a i n e d r i d g e t o p s , b u t t h e s e h a v e n o r t h e r n and e a s t e r n e x p o s u r e s and a r e c o v e r e d by snow i n w i n t e r . The t o t a l s i z e o f t h i s v e g e t a t i o n t y p e i s o n l y a b o u t 8 a c r e s and l o c a t e d i n map\" s e c t i o n s B 4 , B 5 and \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 B 6 . T a b l e s 2 7 , 2 8 , 47 and 53 g i v e d e t a i l s on t h e a n a l y s e s and s y n t h e s i s o f t h e two a s s o c i a t i o n s i n t h i s o r d e r . O r d e r 1 3 . AGROPYRETALIA VIOLACEI H o e f s and K r a j i n a o c c u r i n t h e a l p i n e t u n d r a z o n e on s t e e p s c r e e s l o p e s o f c o a r s e c o l l u v i a l R e g o s o l s . They a r e r e p r e s e n t e d by o n l y one a l l i a n c e : A l l i a n c e 1 7 . A g r o p y r i o n v i o l a c e i H o e f s and K r a j i n a w i t h o r . i y one p l a n t a s s o c i a t i o n : A s s o c i a t i o n 2 6 . A g r o p y r e t u m v i o l a c e i The c h a r a c t e r i s t i c c o m b i n a t i o n o f s p e c i e s ( o r d e r , a l l i a n c e and p l a n t a s s o c i a t i o n ) : A g r o p y r o n v i o l a c e u m ( A r t e m i s i a a l a s k a n a ) * A s t r a g a l u s n u t z o t i n e n s i s C e r a s t i u m b e e r i n g i a n u m C r e p i s nana ( C y s t o p t e r i s f r a q i l i s ) * E r i g e r o n p u r p u r a t u s . ( F e s t u c a b r a c h y p h y l l a ) * M e l a n d r i u m a p e t a l u m ( S a x i f r a g a t r i c u s p i d a t a ) * S m e l o w s k i a b o r e a l i s S t e l l a r i a l o n g i p e s ( S t e l l a r i a m o n a n t h a ) * A c e r t a i n f l o r i s t i c r e l a t i o n t o t h e A r t e m i s i e t u m a l a s k a n a e (on s c r e e s l o p e s o f t h e s u b a l p i n e zone) i s i n d i c a t e d , among o t h e r s i m i l a r i t i e s , by t h e i s o l a t e d o c c u r r e n c e o f A r t e m i s i a a l a s k a n a , . * S p e c i e s i n b r a c k e t s a r e l e s s c h a r a c t e r i s t i c t h a n t h o s e w i t h o u t b r a c k e t s . Table 27. Orden 12. OXYTROPO (VISCIDAE) - ARTEMISIO (HYPERBOREAE) - FESTOCO (BRACHYPHYLLAE) - TRISETETALIA SPICATI Alliances 16. Oxytropo (viscidae) -' A r t e n i s i o (hyperboreae) - Festuco (brachyphyllae) - T r i s e t i o n s p i c a t i Association! 24. Oxytropo (viscidae) - Artemisio (hyperboreae) - Festuco (brachyphyllae) Trisetetuis epicatl 107 Number of plots 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Plot number 329 328 327 28 29 47 338 350 27 30 Data 7.8. 7.8. 2.8. 19.7. 19.7. 23.7. 12.8. 15.8. 19.7. 19.7. 72 72 72 71 71 71 72 72 71 71 Elevation (feet) 5850 5900 5950 6070 6170 6170 6300 6300 6320 6360 Exposure (degree) 230 210 210 210 170 120 170 260 230 150 t> c < Slope (degree) 14 23 15 17 33 33 24 15 32 34 inst Hygrotopa 2 / 3 2/3 2 2/3 2 2 2/3 2/3 2 2. o u Arcenisia hyperborea 7.2 7.3 6.2 4.2 4.2 6.2 5.1 7.2 6.2 5.2 V 5.7 3 Oxytropis viscida 4.2 5.2 5.2 3.1 5.2 4.1 2.1 4.1 5.1 4.1 V 4.1 3 Trisetum spicatum 3.1 3.1 3.1 4.1 5.1 2.+ 2.1 3.1 5.1 2.1 v 3.2 3 Poa glauca \u00E2\u0080\u00A22.1 2.1 +.1 +.1 5.1 +.1 1.1 1.1 2.1 4.1 v 2.0 2+ Carex filifolla 2.2 2.2 1.+ 3.2 +.2 3.2 +.2 + .2 2.2 v 1.6 2 Anenone drvcvondii 2.1 2.+ 3.* +.1 +.2 +.+ 1.1 1.1 2.1 + . i v 1.5 3 Castilleja hyperborea 2.1 1.1 5.1 +.+ 1.1 2.+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .+ + .1 + .1 V 1.5 3 Potentilla hookeriana 1.1 1.1 2.1 . +.1 +.1 3.1 4.1 + .1 + . i V 1.5 2* Ser.ecio conterminus 2.1 1.+ 1.+ 1.+ 4.1 1.+ 1.1 2.1 +.1 i . i V 1.5 3 Festuca hrachyphylla 1.1 1.1 + .1 +.+ 3.1 + .1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 2.1 1.1 2.1 V 1.4 3 Sllene acaulis 1.2 +.2 1.2 3.2 2.2 3.2 1.2 +.2 +.2 V 1.4 2* Calairagrostis purpurascens 3.1 2.1 3.1 1.1 3.2 2.2 + .1 . . I V 1.5 2 Agropyron violaceura 3.1 3.2 1.1 . +.+ 2.1 1.1 2.1 + .1 rv 1.4 3 Carex scirpoidea 1.1 3.1 +.1 2.1 +.1 1.1 . + . i 3.1 rv l i 3 2 Erigeron compositus. 2.1 2.1 2.1 . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 1.+ i . i 1.+ rv i : o 2+ Oxytropis huddelsonii + .1 . +.1 1.1 i . i 4.2 i n 0.8 2* Erysinum pallasii \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 - . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . 1 +.+ +.+ i n 0.5 3 Helandriun apetalum + .1 : + , + . i m T i l 0.5 2 Salix dodgeana +.2 3.3 . +.2 + .2 m I I 0.6 2 Festuca baffinensis \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .1 . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 3.1 +.1 . I I \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 0.5 2 Polezaniun pulcherrimum 1.1 3.1 I I 0.5 2 Anemone parvi flora \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 1.1 I I 0.3 2 Draba cinerea \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . +.+ I I 0.3 2 Potentilla vlrgulata \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.1 n 0.3 2 Stellaria longipes ... I I 0.3 2 Hinuartia obtusiloba 3.1 1.1 I 0.4 2 Centiana propinqua 1 0.2 2-Gentiana prostrata \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 I 0.2 2-Saxifraga oppositifolla \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . 1 +.1 m I 0.2 2 Senecio lugcns \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u009E i . i T \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 0.2 2 Agropyron bore&la \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . 1 1 0.1 2 Carex nardina \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 1 0.1 2 Carex rupestris \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 m I 0.1 2 Festuca \"vivipara\" \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 I 0.1 2 Hyosotis alpestxit \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 1.1 I 0.1 2 Poa arctica \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 I 0.1 2 Ranunculus pedatifidus \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 I 0.1 2-Saxifraga tricuspidata + .2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2\u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . I 0.1 2 Cetraria tllesii Tharmolia subuliformls Dermtocarpon hcpaticum Cetraria cucullata Lecidea rubiformis Caloplaca cirrochroa Lecidea decipi ens Lecanora lentigera Alectoria ochroleuca Buellia eplgaea Cetraria nivalis Dactylina madreporiformio Lecanora epibryon Cornicularia aculeata Fulgensia^bract cata Physcia eruscigena Tort via ruralia Hypnws vaucheri 1.+ +.\u00E2\u0080\u00A2 + .+ 4.1 1.+ 2.+ 2.1 2.1 V l . S 3 1.+ + .+ 3.1 2.1 +.\u00E2\u0080\u00A2 1.+ 1.+ 2.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2.+ V 1.3 3 1.+ +.\u00E2\u0080\u00A2 + . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 4.2 1.+ 2.2 2.1 2.1 rv 1.4 2 . 1.+ 1.+ 3.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .+ 2.1 . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 2.1 rv 1.1 3 2.1 3.1 +.+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . +.\u00E2\u0080\u00A2 rv 1.1 2 +.\u00E2\u0080\u00A2 + l . \u00C2\u00BB . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .+ rv 0.7 2 1.+ 1.+ 2.1 2.1 1.* i n 0.B 2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 2.1 +.+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .+ i n 0.7 2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 - 1.+ 1.+ I I 0.3 2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . n 0.3 2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . + . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 I I 0.3 2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 I I 0.3 2 i 0.2 2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 i 0.1 2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . X 0.1 2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 X 0.1 2 1.1 1.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .1 1.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .1 1.1 I V 0.7 2 1.1 1.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . 1 . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .1 XXX 0.5 2 Table 28. Orders A l l i a n c e r A s s o c i a t i o n i 1 2 . OXYTROPO (VISCIDAE) - ARTEMISIO (HYPERBOREAE) -FESTUCO (BRACHYPHYLLAE) - T R I S E T E T A L I A S P I C A T I 1 6 . O x y t r o p o ( v i s c i d a e ) \u00E2\u0080\u0094 A r t e m i s i o ( h y p e r b o r e a e ) -F e s t u c o ( b r a c h y p h y l l a e ) - T r i s e t i o n s p i c a t i 2 5 . Oxytropo (huddelsonii) - Sal icetum dodgeanaa Number o f p l o t s 1 2 3 \u00C2\u00AB 5 P l o t number 57 122 58 123 S9 Date 2.8. 18.8. 71 71 2.8. 18.8. 71 71 2 .8 . 71 E l e v a t i o n (feet) 5710 5820 5930 6320 6370 Exposure (degree) 290 350 310 250 310 Slope (degree) 30 26 33 21 25 Hygrotope 2/3 2/3 2/3 3 2/3 o o 0 o IB 4 ' J 9 -4 \u00C2\u00ABJ -H a & > \"H < 9 Salix dodgeana 6.4 5.4 6.4 5.3 6.4 V 5.6 3 Oxytropis huddelsonii 4.2 4.2 S . 2 4.2 S . 2 V 4.4 3 Carex rupestris 3.1 3.1 3.1 1.1 3.1 V 2.6 3 Saxifraga oppositlfolia 1.1 3.2 3.2 1.2 4.2 V 2.4 3 Trisetum spicatum 1.+ 2.1 2.+ 3.1 3.1 V 2.2 3 Silena acaulis 1.1 2.2 3.2 1.1 3.1 V 2.0 2+ Festuca biachypbylla 1.1 1.1 2.1 3.1 2.1 V 1.8 3 Draba alpina + .\u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.+ +.+ +.+ . 1.+ V 1.0 3 Senecio contermijius +.\u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 1 . 4 + .+ +.+ V 1.0 2 Festuca \"vivipara\" 3.1 3.1 4.1 . 2.1 I V 2.4 3 Lloydia serotina 1.+ 3.+ 3 .* 3.+ I V 2.0 2 Oxytropis viscida 2.1 4.2 1.1 1.1 . rv 1.6 2 Arteirisia hyperborea +.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2.+ . . 3.2 2.1 I V 1.4 2+ Poa glauca 1.+ . 1 . 4 2.+ 2.1 I V 1.2 2 Poa arctica +.+ 1.+ +.+ + .+ rv 0.8 2 Xobresia myosuroides 1.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 2.2 1.1 i n 0.8 2 Draba cinerea +.\u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.\u00E2\u0080\u00A2 i n 0.6 2 Parrya nudicaulis +.1 1.1 i n 0.6 2 Poa arctica forma vivipara . 4 . 4 i n 0.6 3 Dryas integrifolia 3.3 . + .2 I I \".8 2 Calamagrostis purpurascens \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 1.1 2.1 I I 0.6 2 Salix arctica 1.1 2.3 . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 I I 0.6 . 2 Saussurea viscida +.1 2.1 . I I 0.6 2 Cerastium beeringianum . 4 . 4 1.1 I I 0.4 2 Pedicularis kanei 1.+ . +.1 I I 0.4 2 Potentilla uni flora +.1 + .1 I I 0.4 3 Senecio fuscatus +.+ . 1.1 I I 0.4 2 Stellaria longlpea \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.\u00E2\u0080\u00A2 I I 0.4 2 Melandriua affine 2 .4- i 0.4 2 Saxifraga reflexa \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 2.1 i 0.4 3 Agropgron violaceum \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 1.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 i 0.2 2 Agrostis borealls . +.1 i . 0.2 2-Anemone drusm^ndil 1.1 i 0.2 2* Anewone parviflora \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 1 . 4 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 I 0.2 2 Carex tHi folia 1.2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 I 0.2 2 Carex scirpoidea + .1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 I 0.2 2 Erigeron coaposltua \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . 1 I 0.2 2 Cetraria tilesil 3.1 3.1 3.1 2.1 3.1 V 2.8 3 Thannolia subuliformis 2.1 3.1 3.1 2.+ 3.1 V 2.6 3 Dernatocarpon hepaticum 2.1 3.1 2.+ 2.1 2.1 V 2.2 2-Lecanora lentigera 4.1 4.1 4.1 . 2.1 rv 2.8 3 Cetraria cucullata ' 3.1 3.1 3.1 3.1 I V 2.4 3 Alectoria ochroleuca 1.+ 4 . 4 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 rv 0.8 3 Cornicularia aculeata + .1 r v 0.8 3 Lecidea decipiens 2.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .\u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . i n 0.8 2 Dactylina arctica . 1.1 + .1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .1 . i n 0.6 2 Dactylina ramulosa + .1 . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .1 + .1 i n 0.6 .2 Buellia epigaea . 1.1 2.1 II 0.6 2 Lecidea granulosa \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .\u00E2\u0080\u00A2 2.1 II 0.6 2 Caloplaca cirrochroa. . II 0.4 2 Cetraria nivalis + .1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .1 I i 0.4 2 Dactylina madreporlformlM \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . I \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .1 i i 0.4 2 Lecidea rubiformis \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 1.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .1 I I 0.4 2 Cladonia poclllum \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 I 0.2 2-Solorlna spongiosa \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 X 0.2 2 Tor tula rorallt 2.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .1 3.1 rv 1.4 2 Bypnum vaucheri 1.+ + .1 1.1 i n 0.6 2 109 C y s t o p t e r i s f r a q i l i s , D r a b a a l p i n a , P a p a v e r m a c o u n i i and S t e l l a r i a m o n a n t h a . F i g u r e 24 shows a p h o t o g r a p h o f t h i s a s s o c i a t i o n . A p p r o x i -m a t e l y 130 a c r e s i n s e c t i o n s B 5 , B 6 , C 4 , C 5 and C 6 a r e known t o be c o v e r e d by t h i s a s s o c i a t i o n ; h o w e v e r , s i n c e s c r e e s l o p e s make up a t o t a l o f o v e r 600 a c r e s i t i s l i k e l y t h a t t h i s a s s o c i a t i o n may be more w i d e l y d i s t r i b u t e d . T a b l e s 2 9 , 48 and 53 g i v e d e t a i l s on t h i s a s s o c i a t i o n and i t s h i g h e r s n y s y s t e m a t i c u n i t s . O r d e r 14 . FESTUCETALIA ALTAICAE H o e f s & K r a j i n a f o r m o n l y one a l l i a n c e : A l l i a n c e 1 8 . F e s t u c i o n a l t a i c a e H o e f s & K r a j i n a and o n l y one p l a n t a s s o c i a t i o n : A s s o c i a t i o n 2 7 . A r t e m i s i o ( a r c t i c a e ) - S a l i c o ( r e t i c u l a t a e ) -F e s t u c e t u m a l t a i c a e I t o c c u r s on r i c h , c a l c a r e o u s s o i l s s l i g h t l y a f f e c t e d by some t e m p o r a r y s e e p a g e , b u t w h i c h a r e s t i l l f a i r l y w e l l d r a i n e d . I t s h y g r o t o p e i s , t h e r e f o r e , r a t h e r s u b h y g r i c t h a n h y g r i c . The c h a r a c t e r i s t i c c o m b i n a t i o n o f s p e c i e s ( o r d e r , a l l i a n c e and p l a n t a s s o c i a t i o n ) i s : (C) H e r b l a y e r : Anemone p a r v i f l o r a ) * A n t e n n a r i a m o n o c e p h a l a ) * A r t e m i s i a a r c t i c a ) * A s t e r s i b i r i c u s ) * C a r e x m e m b r a n a c e a ) * C a r e x s c i r p o i d e a ) * C a s t i l l e j a h y p e r b o r e a ) * ( C l a y t o n i a s a r m e n t o s a ) * D e l p h i n i u m b r a c h y c e n t r u m D r a b a l a n c e o l a t a ( D r y a s i n t e q r i f o l i a ) * * S p e c i e s i n b r a c k e t s a r e l e s s c h a r a c t e r i s t i c t h a n t h o s e w i t h o u t b r a c k e t s . } 1 0 FIGURE 24: Agropyretum v i o l a c e i on coarse, a c t i v e scree slopes. Table 29. Order: 13. AGROPYRETALIA VIOLACEI Alliance:. 17. Agropyrion v i o l a c e i Association: 26. Agropyretum violacei Number of plots 1 2 3 4 5 Plot number 62 61 335 321 320 Date 2.8. 2.8. 12.8. 30.7 30.7. 71. 71 72 72 72 Elevation (feet) 6300 6320 6350 6500 7100 Exposure (degree) 260 130 60 300 300 Slope (degree) -32 -37 -33 -34 -36 Hygrotope 2 2 2 2 2 Agropgron violaceum 3.1 2.1 . 1.1 +. + +.1 Erigeron purpuratus 2.1 3.1 1.1 +. 1 1.1 Stellaria longipes 1.+ 2.1 +.+ +. + 2.2 Crepis nana 1.+ 2.1 +.1 +. + \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 Cerastium beeringianum 1.1 1.1 1.+ +.+ Sm&lowskia borealis +.+ 1.+ Astragalus nutzotinensis + .1 +.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 Melandrium apetalum \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +\u00E2\u0080\u00A21 +.1 + . 1 Festuca brachyphylla +.+ +.+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 Artemisia alaskana \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 *> 1 Cystopteris fragilis \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.1 Draba alpina \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.+ Oxytropis huddelsonii \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 Papaver macounii \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 Saxifraga oppositifolia \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 Saxifraga tricuspidata * \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.1 Stellaria monantha \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 Trisetum spicatum \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 1 1 2 ( E q u i s e t u m s c i T p o i d e s ) * E r i q e r o n e r i o c e p h a l u s ( E r i q e r o n h u m i l i s ) * F e s t u c a a l t a i c a ( G e n t i a n a p r o p i n q u a ) * ( G e n t i a n a p r o s t r a t a ) * Hedysarum a l p i n u m ( K o b r e s i a m y o s u r o i d e s ) * \" ( M e r t e n s i a p a n i c u l a t a ) * ( N i n u a r t i a r o s s i i ) * M y o s o t i s a l p e s t r i s O x y t r o p i s d e f l e x a ( P a r n a s s i a k o t z e b u e i ) * ( P e d i c u l a r i s c a p i t a t a ) * (Poa a l p i n a ) * (Poa a r c t i c a ) * Po lemon ium b o r e a l e (Po lygonum v i v i p a r u m ) * ( P o t e n t i l l a f r u t i c o s a ) * ( S a l i x p o l a r i s ) * ( S a l i x r e t i c u l a t a ) * ( S a u s s u r e a v i s c i d a ) * (Sedum r o s e u m ) * ( S e n e c i o l u g e n s ) * ( S i l e n e a c a u l i s ) * S o l i d a g o m u l t i r a d i a t a S t e l l a r i a e d i u a r d s i i ( T r i s e t u m s p i c a t u m ) * (Zyqadenus e l e q a n s ) * (D) Floss l a y e r : ( C l a d o n i a p o c i l l u m ) * ( D i s t i c h i u m c a p i l l a c e u m ) * ( P e l t i q e r a c a n i n a ) * (T immia a u s t r i a c a ) * F i g u r e 25 shows a p h o t o g r a p h o f t h i s a s s o c i a t i o n . I t s d i s t r i b u t i o n on Sheep M o u n t a i n i s r e s t r i c t e d t o a b o u t 5 . 5 a c r e s i n map s e c t i o n s A 4 . 9 9 ; B 4 . 0 6 ; B 4 . 1 0 ; A 5 . 9 1 ; B 5 . 0 1 ; and B 5 . 1 1 . H o w e v e r , i t i s f a i r l y common on \" B u l l i o n P l a t e a u \" , an a l p i n e a r e a be tween Sheep C r e e k and B u l l i o n C r e e k , two m i l e s w e s t o f t h e s t u d y a r e a . T a b l e s 3 0 , 49 and 53 g i v e d e t a i l s on t h i s a s s o c i a t i o n and i t s h i g h e r s y n s y s t e m a t i c u n i t s . * S p e c i e s i n b r a c k e t s a r e l e s s c h a r a c t e r i s t i c t h a n t h o s e w i t h o u t b r a c k e t s . FIGURE 2 6 : S a l i c e t u m b a r r a t t i a n a e \" g r a d i n g \" i n t o A r t e m i s i o ( a r c t i c a e ) - S a l i c o ( r e t i c u l a t a e ) - F e s t u c e t u m a l t a i c a e Table 30. Orderi Alliancei Association: 14. FESTUCETALXA AX.TAXCAE \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 18. Festucion a l t a l c a e 27. Artemisio (arcticae) - Salico (reticulatae) - Festucetua altalcae Number of plots 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 Plot number 317 37 301 40 316 318 319 130 131 133 Date 30.7. 21.7. 27.7. 21.7. 30.7. 30.7. 30.7. 19.8. 19.8. 19.8. a a 72 71 72 71 72 72 72 71 71 71 M o e Elevation (feet) 5180 5300 5400 5410 5410 5460 5530 5770 5920 6100 1% Exposure (degree) 120 280 130 330 150 150 190 230 220 230 & c u Slope (degree) 12 14 11 15 22 24 26 23 40 30 V GO \u00C2\u00AB -H u e Hygrotope 3/4 3/4 3/4 3/4 3/4 3/4 3/4 3/4 3/4 3/4 o o > 3 < ca festuca altaica 8.3 7.2 8.3 8.2 8.3 8.3 8.3 8.4 8.3 8.4 V 7.9 Salix reticulata 5.3 6.4 6.4 5.3 4.3 5.3 5.4 6.4 7.4 5.4 V 5.4 Artemisia arctica 3.1 2.1 3.2 4.1 4.2 3.1 4.2 3.1 4.1 2.1 V 3.2 Bedysarum alpinum \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 4.1 2.* 3.2 . 4.1 4.2 3.1 3.1 4.1 3.1 V 3.0 Anemne parviflora 2.+ l.-f 2.+ l.-f 2.+ 3.+ 2.+ 2.+ 3.+ 3.+ V 2.1 Mertensia paniculata 1.1 2.1 3.2 2.1 2.1 1.1 2.1 3.2 3.1 2.1 V 2.1 Solidago multiradiata \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 2.+ + .1 2.1 +.1 3.1 2.1 3.1 +.1 1.1 1.1 V 1.7 Senecio lugens +.1 2.+ . +.\u00E2\u0080\u00A2 1.1 1.1 1.+ 3.1 3.1 2.1 V 1.5 Oxytropis deflexa +.+ +.+ 2.+ . 1.+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2f.-f 1.+ 2.+ 3.+ 2.+ V 1.4 Equisetum scirpoides 1.+ 1.+ . 3.+ l.-f 1.+ 1.+ 1.+ 2.+ 2.+ V 1.3 Gentiana propinqua 2.* 1.+ 2.+ . 2.* l.-f 2.+ + + .+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 V 1.3 Trisetum spicatua + .+ l.-f 2.* \u00E2\u0080\u00A2.+\u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.+ 1.* l.-f 2.+ V 1.2 Erigeron hwzilis 1.+ l.-f l.-f l.-f \u00E2\u0080\u00A2f.-f 1.+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2f.-f l.-f 2.+ 1.+ V 1.1 Parnassia kotzebuei l.-f l.-f + -f.-f 1.+ -f.-f \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .+ l.-f \u00E2\u0080\u00A2f.-f 1.* V 1.0 Kobresia myosuroides 3.2 . 3.2 1.2 +.1 1.2 1.2 3.3 . 2.2 IV 1.5 Myosotls alpestris . 2.-f 2.1 2.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2f.-f 1.+ 1.+ 1.+ 2.+ rv 1.2 Carex scirpoidea +.1 4.1 . . 1.1 1.1 1.1 +.+ l.-f 1.1 rv 1.1 Dryas integrifolia 2.2 . 1.2 +.2 2.2 1.2 +.1 1.2 2.2 rv 1.1 Antennaria monocephala 1.+ l.-f \u00E2\u0080\u00A2f.-f . l.-f \u00E2\u0080\u00A2f.-f +.+ +.+ rv 0.8 Polygonum viviparum l.-f . *\u00E2\u0080\u00A2* 1.+ 1.+ +.+ '. \u00E2\u0080\u00A2f .+\u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.+ rv 0.8 iygadenus elegans 3.1 . 3.2 . 3.1 4.2 3.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .1 i n 1.7 * Castilleja hyperborea . 1.1 2.: 1.1 + .1 +.+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .1 0.7 Pedicularis capitata +.1 1.1 2.1 1.1 III 0.7 Poa arctica \u00E2\u0080\u00A2f.-f . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2f.-f \u00E2\u0080\u00A2f.-f 1.+ 2.1 III \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 0.7 Saussurea vlscida . 1.1 . 1.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .1 + .1 1.1 2.1 III 0.7 Silene acaulls \u00E2\u0080\u00A2f.+ 1.2 2.2 1.2 . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .1 III 0.6 Stellaria edwardsll 1.+ . l.-f 1.+ III 0.6 Carex oenbranacea 2.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2f .+ + .f m II 0.5 Gentiana prostrata 1.+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 2.-f 1.+ 1.+ # II 0.5 Salix polaris 1.1 1.1 . + .1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .1 II 0.4 Aster slbirlcvs \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 f . l 1.+ 9 II 0.3 Claytonia sarmentosa \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . f II 0.3 Poa alpina \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 f.+ II 0.3 Potentilla frutlcosa +.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2.1 1.1 II 0.3 Sedum roseum \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .1 +.1 +.1 II 0.3 Dodecatheon frigldum 3.1 3.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 I 0.6 Delphinium brachycentnm \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 2.1 1.1 m X 0.3 Valeriana capitata 2.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.1 X 0.3 Arctostaphylos alpina 2.2 . X 0.2 Carex microchaeta 2.1 # X 0.2 Festuca \"vivipara\" \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 f .+ I 0.2 Hinuartla rossii \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 # X 0.2. Parrya nudicaulis \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2.1 m + .1 X 0.2 Polenonium boreale 2.2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 X 0.2 Achillea borealis + .1 X 0.1 Arnica alpina \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .1 X 0.1 Astragalus urbellatus \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 X 0.1 Draba lanceolata \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 X 0.1 Erigeron eriocephalua \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 * X 0.1 Oxyria digyna \u00C2\u00AB - \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 X 0.1 Poa lanata \u00E2\u0080\u009E I 0.1 Potentilla diversifolla \u00E2\u0080\u00A2.1 m X 0.1 Saxifraga hieracifolia \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 X 0.1 Cladonia pocillum \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 XXX 0.5 Peltigera canlna 1.1 1.* \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . XX 0.4 Cetraria tllesll X 0.1 Dactylina arctica \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .1 m I 0.1 Stereocaulon glareosum \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 1.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 X 0.1 Dlatlchlum caplllacetm 1.1 2.1 1.1 1.1 1.1 XXX 0.7 Tlmmla austrlac* 1.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .\u00E2\u0080\u00A2 1.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 XX 0.3 1 15 O r d e r 1 5 . S A L I C E T A L I A BARRATTIANAE H o e f s & K r a j i n a i n c l u d e t h e o n l y loui s h r u b communi ty o c c u r r i n g i n t h e a l p i n e t u n d r a b i o g e o c l i m a t i c zone i n h a b i t a t s w e l l p r o t e c t e d by snow ( h o w e v e r , n o t y e t i n t h e f o r m o f \" S c h n e e t a l c h e n \" ) a g a i n s t t h e s e v e r i t y o f f r o s t s , common i n t h i s z o n e . The snow pack i n t h i s h a b i t a t i s t h i c k , b u t u s u a l l y m e l t s a b o u t two o r t h r e e weeks e a r l i e r t h a n i n h a b i t a t s o f t y p i c a l \" S c h n e e t a l c h e n \" ( snowbeds ) where the snow e i t h e r d i s a p p e a r s o n l y f o r a b o u t 4 - 6 weeks t o w a r d t h e l a t e summer o r , i n some u n u s u a l y e a r s o f heavy s n o w f a l l , r e m a i n s u n m e l t e d u n t i l c o v e r e d by new snow o f t h e n e x t w i n t e r . I t i s r e p r e s e n t e d by o n l y one a l l i a n c e : A l l i a n c e 1 9 . S a l i c i o n b a r r a t t i a n a e H o e f s & K r a j i n a w i t h o n l y one p l a n t a s s o c i a t i o n : A s s o c i a t i o n 2 8 . S a l i c e t u m b a r r a t t i a n a e The c h a r a c t e r i s t i c c o m b i n a t i o n o f s p e c i e s ( o r d e r , a l l i a n c e and p l a n t a s s o c i a t i o n ) i s : (B) Sh rub l a y e r : S a l i x b a r r a t t i a n a S a l i x n i p h o c l a d a (C) Herb l a y e r : (Anemone p a r v i f l o r a ) * - ( A n t e n n a r i a m o n o c e p h a l a ) * ( A r t e m i s i a a r c t i c a ) * ( C a r e x s c i r p o i d e a ) * ( D r y a s i n t e g r i f o l i a ) * ( E q u i s e t u m s c i r p o i d e s ) * ( E r i q e r o n h u m i l i s ) * ( F e s t u c a a l t a i c a ) * ( G e n t i a n a p r o p i n q u a ) * G e n t i a n a p r o s t r a t a (Hedysarum a l p i n u m ) * K o b r e s i a m y o s u r o i d e s ( L u p i n u s a r c t i c u s ) * ( M e r t e n s i a p a n i c u l a t a ) * ( M y o s o t i s a l p e s t r i s ) * ( O x y t r o p i s d e f l e x a ) * ( P a r n a s s i a k o t z e b u e i ) * ( P e d i c u l a r i s c a p i t a t a ) * (Poa a r c t i c a ) * * S p e c i e s i n b r a c k e t s a r e l e s s c h a r a c t e r i s t i c t h a n t h o s e w i t h o u t b r a c k e t s . 116 (Po lemon ium b o r e a l e ) * (Po lygonum v i v i p a r u m ) * ( P o t e n t i l l a f r u t i c o s a ) * ( S a l i x r e t i c u l a t a ) * ( S a u s s u r e a v i s c i d a ) * ( S e n e c i o l u q e n s ) * ( S i l e n e a c a u l i s ) * ( S o l i d a q o m u l t i r a d i a t a ) * S t e l l a r i a l a e t a ( T r i s e t u m s p i c a t u m ) * ( V a l e r i a n a c a p i t a t a ) * (Zyqadenus e l e q a n s ) * ( D ) Floss l a y e r : C e t r a r i a i s l a n d i c a ( C l a d o n i a p o c i l l u m ) * ( D i s t i c h i u m c a p i l l a c e u m ) * ( P e l t i q e r a c a n i n a ) * F i g u r e 26 shows a p h o t o g r a p h o f t h i s a s s o c i a t i o n . I t s d i s t r i b u t i o n i n t h e map a r e a i s l i m i t e d t o a b o u t 7 . 5 a c r e s i n s e c t i o n s B 5 . 0 2 , B 5 . 1 2 , B 5 . 2 3 , B 5 . 4 5 and B 5 . 5 6 . H o w e v e r , i t a l s o i s f a i r l y common on \" B u l l i o n P l a t e a u \" ( s e e F i g u r e 2 6 ) . T a b l e s 3 1 , 50 and 53 g i v e d e t a i l s on t h i s a s s o c i a t i o n and i t s h i g h e r s y n s y s t e m a t i c u n i t s . O r d e r 1 6 . SAL ICETAL IA POLARIS H o e f s & K r a j i n a ( c o r r e s p o n d s t o t h e E u r o p e a n A r a b i d e t a l i a ) These a r e snouibed ( \" S c h n e e t a l c h e n \" ) c o m m u n i t i e s i n t h e a l p i n e t u n d r a b i o -g e o c l i m a t i c zone on c a l c a r e o u s s u b s t r a t e s w i t h Snow B a s i n R u t m a r k s o r Snow B a s i n Anmoors ( K u b i e n a , 1953) d e r i v e d m a i n l y f r o m a e o l i a n c a l c a r e o u s l o e s s s e d i m e n t s , s e t t l e d y e a r l y on snow. These s o i l s a r e f o r m e d u n d e r t h e p r o l o n g e d e f f e c t o f w a t e r d r i p p i n g f rom m e l t i n g o f snow d r i f t s . The v e g e t a t i v e s e a s o n h e r e i s u s u a l l y o n l y a b o u t 3 - 8 weeks ( a f t e r t h e snow b e d s m e l t e d ) t o w a r d t h e end o f summer. The c h a r a c t e r i s t i c c o m b i n a t i o n o f s p e c i e s ( o r d e r ) i s : (C) H e r b l a y e r : Anemone p a r v i f l o r a A n t e n n a r i a m o n o c e p h a l a * S p e c i e s i n b r a c k e t s a r e l e s s c h a r a c t e r i s t i c t h a n t h o s e w i t h o u t b r a c k e t s . Table 31. Order: A l l i a n c e : A s s o c i a t i o n : .15. SALICETALIA BARRATTIANAE 19. S a l i c i o n b a r r a t t i a n a e 28. Salicetum barrattianae 1 1 7 Number o f p l o t s 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 P l o t number 307 308 303 304 302 310 312 129 132 134 Date 27.7. : 28.7. : 27.7. : 27.7. : 27.7. : 28.7. : 28.7. : L9.8. : 19.8. 20.8. n a 72 72 72 72 72 72 72 71 71 71 \u00E2\u0080\u0094tu t\u00C2\u00BB E l e v a t i o n (feet) 5320 ! 5350 : 5360 ! 5380 ! 5390 5420 ! 5460 ! 5770 ! 5970 6070 CD oa. c Exposure (degree) 190 135 190 220 190 135 150 250 220 250 \u00C2\u00A7 CO K) o CD -H Slope (degree) 22 12 17 16 14 21 13 35 36 37 a CO -H U C ki 0 c \u00C2\u00AB cn o> Hygrotope 3+ 3+ 3+ 3+ 3+ 3+ 3+ 3+ 3+ 3+ 0 u > -H \u00C2\u00ABC O. > Salix barrattiana 9.6 8.6 8.6 9.6 8.6 9.6 8.6 7.6 7.5 7.6 V 8.0 3 Salix niphoclada \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 3.2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 I 0.3 2 Kobresia myosuroides 5.2 1.2 2.2 2.2 3.2 5.3 3.2 6.3 7.3 5.3 V 3.9 3 Salix reticulata 2.3 5.4 4.3 4.3 5.4 3.3 5.5 3.3 + .1 2.2 V 3.4 2+ Festuca altaica 4.2 4.2 3.2 2.2 3.2 4.3 4.2 4.3 4.3 V 3.2 3 Bedysarum alpinum 3.1 4.2 1.1 2.1 2.1 2.1 4.1 2.1 3.1 1.1 V 2.4 3 Carex scirpoidea 1.1 2.1 2.1 2.1 4.1 2.1 1.1 3.1 2.1 3.1 V 2.2 3 Mertensia paniculata 2.1 2.1 2.1 1.1 2.1 3.1 +.1 3.1 3.1 2.1 V 2.1 2+ Anemone parviflora 1.1 3.1 2.1 * 1.1 1.1 + .1 3.1 2.1 3.1 V 1.7 2 Artemisia arctica +.1 1.1 2.1 1.1 2.1 2.1 2.1 1.1 2.1 3.1 V 1.7 2+ Senecio lugens +.1 +.1 1.1 1.1 1.1 + .1 +.1 2.1 2.1 2.1 V 1.3 3 Gentiana propinqua +.+ 2.+ 2.+ + .+ +.+ 1.+ +.+ +.+ +.+ V 1.1 3 Pedicularis capitata 1.1 1.1 2.1 1.1 2.1 +.+ 1.+ +.+ +.+ V 1.1 2 Solidago multiradiata . + .1 +.1 1.1 +.1 2.1 2.1 + .1 1.1 1.1 V 1.1 3 Trisetum spicatum . +.1 2.1 1.1 2.1 1.1 +.+ 1.1 +.1 1.1 V 1.1 2 Zygadenus elegans 3.2 2.2 2.2 2.1 3.2 3.2 +.1 2.1 rv 1.8 3 Oxytropis deflexa 1.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 2.1 +.+ +.1 3.1 3.1 rv 1.2 2 Equisetum scirpoides . 2.+ 1.+ 1.+ 2.+ 1.+ 1.+ l.-r 1.+ rv 1.0 2 Potentilla fruticosa 2.2 1.2 2.2 1.2 +.1 2.2 1.2 rv 1.0 2+ Gentiana prostrata 1.+ 2.+ 1.+ 1.+ 1.+ 2.1 1.+ IV 0.9 3 Antennaria monocephala 2.1 . +.+ +.1 +.+ +.+ 1.+ 1.+ rv 0.8 2 Saussurea viscida +.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . +.1 1.1 3.1 2.1 H I 0.8 2 Erigeron humilis . +.+ +.+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.+ +.+ +.+ i n 0.5 2 Poa arctica +.+ . +.+ +.+ \u00E2\u0080\u009E 1.+ +.+ H I 0.5 2 Polygonum viviparum 1.+ +.+ +\u00E2\u0080\u00A2 + + .+ m . +.+ H I 0.5 2-Stellaria laeta +.+ . . +.+ +.+ +.+ +.+ i n 0.5 2 Dryas integrifolia 2.3 4.3 2.2 3.3 I I 1.1 2+ Silene acaulis 1.1 . # +.1 +.1 4.2 I I 0.7 2-Parnassia kotzebuei . 2.+ 1.+ +.+ I I 0.4 2 Valeriana capitata 2.1 1.1 I I 0.4 2 Myosotis alpestris \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.+ 1.+ +.+ I I 0.3 2 Oxytropis viscida # 2.1 1.1 . i 0.3 2 Arctostaphylos alpina 1.2 +.2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 i 0.2 2 Castilleja hyperborea \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.1 # +.1 i 0.2 2 Equisetum arvense \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 2.+ i 0.2 2 Festuca \"vivipara\" \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u009E m +.+ 1.+ i 0.2 2 Lupinus arcticus \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 2.2 i 0.2 3 Poa alpina + .+ +.+ i 0.2 2 Polemonium boreale * 2.1 i 0.2 2 Salix dodgeana . - \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 2.2 i 0.2 2-Arnica alpina m m 1.+ i 0.1 2 Artemisia hyperborea \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 # \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 + .1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 i 0.1 2 Carex microchaeta 1.+ m i 0.1 2 Draba cinerea \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 + .+ i 0.1 2 Epilobium latifolium \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 ^ m i 0.1 2-Festuca brachyphylla \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.1 i 0.1 2 Minuartia rossii \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 # 1.+ z 0.1 2 Poa Janata \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 i 0.1 . 2 Saxifraga reflexa \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.+ i 0.1 2 Pel tiger a canina 1.1 i . i + .1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . 1 + .1 rv 0.7 2 Cladonia pocillum 3.1 +.i +.1 +.+ + .+ i n 0.8 2 Cetraria islandica ' . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 ; m +.1 i 0.1 2+ Solorina spongiosa 1.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 i 0.1 2 Dlstlchium capillaceum 1.1 +.1 +.i +.+ +.1 +.1 i n 0.6 2+ 118 ( A r t e m i s i a a r c t i c a ) * ( C a r e x m e m b r a n a c e a ) * ( C a r e x s c i r p o i d e a ) * ( D o d e c a t h e o n f r i q i d u m ) * D r a b a h i r t a ( D r y a s i n t e q r i f o l i a ) * E r i q e r o n h u m i l i s E q u i s e t u m v a r i e q a t u m G e n t i a n a p r o p i n q u a ( G e n t i a n a p r o s t r a t a ) * L l o y d i a s e r o t i n a ( M y o s o t i s a l p e s t r i s ) * ( O x y r i a d i q y n a ) * ( O x y t r o p i s d e f l e x a ) * P a r n a s s i a k o t z e b u e i ( P e d i c u l a r i s c a p i t a t a ) * ( P e t a s i t e s f r i q i d u s ) * (Poa a l p i n a ) * (Po lemon ium a c u t i f l o r u m ) * (Po lygonum v i v i p a r u m ) * S a l i x p o l a r i s S a l i x r e t i c u l a t a S a u s s u r e a v i s c i d a ( S i l e n e a c a u l i s ) * ( T r i s e t u m s p i c a t u m ) * (D) MOSS l a y e r : D i s t i c h i u m c a p i l l a c e u m ( L e c a n o r a e p i b r y o n ) * ( P e l t i g e r a c a n i n a ) * S o l o r i n a s p o n q i o s a (T immia a u s t r i a c a ) * T h e r e a r e some e v i d e n t r e l a t i o n s h i p s be tween S A L I C E T A L I A POLARIS , S A L I C E T A L I A BARRATTIANAE, FESTUCETALIA ALTAICAE and even DRYADETALIA INTEGRIFOLIAE . However , a l l f o u r o r d e r s have t h e i r own f l o r i s t i c and e n v i r o n m e n t a l s u b -s t a n t i a t i o n s w h i c h c a n n o t be o v e r l o o k e d . In t h e s t u d y a r e a S A L I C E T A L I A POLARIS have two new a l l i a n c e s , e a c h w i t h i t s own one p l a n t a s s o c i a t i o n . A l l i a n c e 2 0 . S a x i f r a g o ( o p p o s i t i f o l i a e ) - O x y r i o ( d i g y n a e ) -S a l i c i o n p o l a r i s H o e f s & K r a j i n a i s c l e a r l y d i s t i n c t f r o m t h e S a l i c i o n p o l a r i s ( o r i g i n a l l y a s S a l i c i o n p s e u d o p o l a r i s , L a m b e r t & K r a j i n a i n L a m b e r t , 1969) by t h e f l o r i s t i c s t r u c t u r e w i t h many c a l c i c o l o u s s p e c i e s w h i c h - a r e 119 m i s s i n g i n t h e S a l i c i o n p o l a r i s . A s s o c i a t i o n 2 9 . S a x i f r a g o ( o p p o s i t i f o l i a e ) - O x y r i o ( d i g y n a e ) - S a l i c e t u m p o l a r i s The c h a r a c t e r i s t i c c o m b i n a t i o n o f s p e c i e s ( a l l i a n c e and p l a n t a s s o c i a t i o n ) i s : (C) Herb l a y e r : A r n i c a l e s s i n q i i ( C a r e x p o d o c a r p a ) * P a p a v e r m a c o u n i i ( P a r r y a n u d i c a u l i s ) * ' ( P e d i c u l a r i s k a n e i ) * (Poa a r c t i c a ) * R a n u n c u l u s n i v a l i s R a n u n c u l u s pyqmaeus ( S a x i f r a g a d a v u r i c a ) * ( S a x i f r a g a o p p o s i t i f o l i a ) * S e n e c i o a t r o p u r p u r e u s Ta raxacum a l a s k a n u m (D) Moss l a y e r : ( C l a d o n i a p o c i l l u m ) * ( D e r m a t o c a r p o n h e p a t i c u m ) * ( S t e r e o c a u l o n q l a r e o s u m ) * F i g u r e 27 shows a p h o t o g r a p h o f t h i s a s s o c i a t i o n . I t r e v e a l s a t y p i c a l s i t e o f maximum snow a c c u m u l a t i o n and l o n g d u r a t i o n o f c o v e r . T y p i c a l snowbed s i t e s o f t h i s a s s o c i a t i o n a r e r e s t r i c t e d i n t h e s t u d y a r e a t o a b o u t 29 a c r e s i n map s e c t i o n s A 6 , B 4 , B 5 and B 6 . H o w e v e r , l a r g e t r a n s i t i o n z o n e s p a r t i c u l a r l y t o D ryade tum i n t e g r i f o l i a e a r e common. A l l i a n c e 2 1 . S e n e c i o n o ( l u g e n t i s ) .- S a l i c i o n p o l a r i s - r e t i c u l a t a e H o e f s & K r a j i n a i s r e p r e s e n t e d h e r e b y : A s s o c i a t i o n 30 . S e n e c i o n o ( l u g e n t i s ) - S a l i c e t u m p o l a r i s -r e t i c u l a t a e The c h a r a c t e r i s t i c c o m b i n a t i o n o f s p e c i e s ( a l l i a n c e and p l a n t a s s o c i a t i o n ) i s : (C ) H e r b l a y e r : ( A c h i l l e a b o r e a l i s ) * S p e c i e s i n b r a c k e t s a r e l e s s c h a r a c t e r i s t i c t h a n t h o s e w i t h o u t b r a c k e t s . S a x i f r a g o ( o p p o s i t i f o l i a e ) - O x y r i o ( d i g y n a e ) - S a l i c e t u m p o l a r i s T y p i c a l \"snow b e d \" s i t e . FIGURE 28: S e n e c i o n o ( l u g e n t i s ) - S a l i c e t u m p o l a r i s - r e t i c u l a t a e o c c u p y -i n g m o i s t d e p r e s s i o n on \" B u l l i o n P l a t e a u \" . '.21 (Anemone r i c h a r d s o n ' i i ) ( C a r e x m i c r o c h a e t a ) * ( C a s t i l l e . j a h y p e r b o r e a ) * ( E p i l o b i u m l a t i f o l i u m ) * ( E q u i s e t u m a r v e n s e ) * ( E q u i s e t u m s c i r p o i d e s ) * ( F e s t u c a a l t a i c a ) * (Hedysarum a l p i n u m ) * ( M e r t e n s i a p a n i c u l a t a ) * M i n u a r t i a b i f l o r a (Poa l a n a t a ) * ( P o t e n t i l l a d i v e r s i f o l i a ) * S e n e c i o l u q e n s ( S o l i d a q o m u l t i r a d i a t a ) * V a l e r i a n a c a p i t a t a (D) Moss l a y e r : T o r t u l a n o r v e q i c a F i g u r e 28 shows a p h o t o g r a p h o f t h i s a s s o c i a t i o n . I t o c c u p i e s m o i s t d e p r e s s i o n s o r t h e b a s e s o f s l o p e s , however i t s snow c o v e r i s much l e s s t h i c k n o r does i t s t a y a s l o n g a s i n t h e p r e v i o u s a s s o c i a t i o n . A p p r o x i m a t e l y 11 a c r e s a r e c o v e r e d by t h i s a s s o c i a t i o n i n t h e s t u d y a r e a i n map s e c t i o n s A 4 , A 5 , B 4 and B 5 . T a b l e s 3 2 , 3 3 , 51 and 53 r e v e a l d e t a i l s o f t h e two a s s o c i a t i o n s and t h e i r h i g h e r s y n s y s t e m a t i c u n i t s . O r d e r 1 7 . PETASITETALIA FR IG ID I Lamber t & K r a j i n a i n L a m b e r t , 1959 They o c c u r i n t h e a l p i n e t u n d r a b i o g e o c l i m a t i c zone on h a b i t a t s p e r m a n e n t l y s a t u r a t e d by s e e p a g e w a t e r , mov ing d u r i n g t h e v e g e t a t i v e s e a s o n a l o n g t h e m o d e r a t e s l o p e s . S o i l s a r e s t r o n g l y g l e y e d w i t h anmoor ( l o w moor) humus. The c h a r a c t e r i s t i c c o m b i n a t i o n o f s p e c i e s ( o r d e r ) i s : (C) Herb l a y e r : (Anemone p a r v i f l o r a ) * Anemone r i c h a r d s o n i i A r t e m i s i a a r c t i c a A s t r a g a l u s u m b e l l a t u s C a r e x p o d o c a r p a D r a b a p r a e a l t a E q u i s e t u m a r v e n s e ( E q u i s e t u m s c i r p o i d e s ) * * S p e c i e s i n b r a c k e t s a r e l e s s c h a r a c t e r i s t i c t h a n t h o s e w i t h o u t b r a c k e t s . Table 32. 1 22 Order\u00E2\u0080\u00A2 Alliancei A s s o c i a t i o n ! Number of plots ' Plot number Date Elevation (feet) Exposure (degree) Slope (degree) Bygrotope Salix polaris Oxyria digyna Carex nerbranacea Saxifraga cppositifolia Arteoisia arctica Anenone parviflora Antennaria monocephala Llogdia serotina Erigeron humilis Silene acaulis Trisetum spica turn Saussurea viscida Salix reticulata Carex scirpoidea Parnassia kotzebuel Petasites frigidus .Pedicularis kanei Polygonum viviparvm Parrya nudicaulis Poa arctica Taraxacum alaskanum Oxytropis deflexa 3enecio atropurpureus Arnica lessingil Eguisetua variegatua Myosotis alpestris Pedicularis capitata Carex podocarpa Draba hirta Dryas Integrifolia Gentiana propinqua Ranunculus nivalis Ranunculus pygmaeus Saxifraga davurica Equisetum scirpoldes Gentiana prostrata Anemone richardsonll Cardanine purpurea Carex microchaeta Castllleja hyperborea Claytonia sarmentosa Dodecatheon frigidum Draba stenoloba Eriophorum angustifolium Pa paver aacdunii Poa alpina Polenonium acutlflonm Senecio lugens Stereocaulon glareosma Peltigera canina Dernatocarpon hepatlcum Solorina s pong iota Cladonia pocillum Lecanora epibryon Dlstichlvm caplllacaum Tlemia austriaca ? Brachythecium turgldua Knlum blyttii Pohlia sp. 16. SALICETALIA POLARIS 20. Saxifrago ( o p p o s i t i f o l i a e ) - Oxyrio (digynae) - S a l i c i o n p o l a r i s 29. Saxifrago (oppositifoliae) - Oxyrio (digynae) - Salicetum polaris 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 31S 41 323 42 325 324 333 326 334 43 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 2S.7. 22.7. 1.8. 22.7. 2.8. ' 2.8. 7.8. 2.8. 7.3. 22 .7 . 9 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2w 72 71 72 71 72 72 72 72 72 71 o \u00C2\u00AB 5400 5540 5600 5SS0 5700 5800 5600 5860 5900 5940 a S 320 20 0 20 50 20 10 70 30 10 \u00C2\u00A7 O -H C7\u00C2\u00BB 44 u \u00C2\u00AB ~4 u 22 22 20 27 27 18 25 30 20 35 a c M C at o\u00C2\u00BB 8. o 4+ 3/4 3/4 44 3/4 3/4 3/4 3/4 3/4 44 u < a > 9.6 8.4 8.4 8.4 8.5 8.4 8.4 9.5 8.4 7.3 V 8.1 3 1.1 4.2 2.1. 3.2 4.2 4.2 4.2 3.1 3.1 3.1 V 3.1 3 +.+ +.+ 3.1 . 3.1 3.1 3.1 3.1 4.1 2 . 4 V 2.3 2 2.2 +.1 +.2 5.2 2.2 1.1 1.1 2.2 2.1 5.2 V 2 . 2 3 2.1 4.2 2.1 4.1 3.1 2.1 1 . 4 2.1 4 . 4 4 . 4 V 1 .9 24 2.+ 2.+ 2.+ 4 . + 2 . 4 2 . 4 1 .4 2,1 2 . 4 4 . 4 V 1 .7 3 3 . 4 4 . 4 2 . 4 4 . 4 2 . 4 2 . 4 2 . 4 2 . 4 1 . 4 4 . 4 V 1 .7 3 2.+ 4.+ 1 . 4 . 1 . 4 2 . 4 2 . 4 2 . 4 2 . 4 1 . 4 V 1 .7 2 3.* 4 . 4 3 . 4 4 . 4 1 . 4 1 . 4 4 . 4 1 . 4 2 . 4 4 . 4 V l.S 2 4 1 .2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .2 1.2 1.2 2.2 1 . 4 1.1 2.2 1.2 . V 1.1 2 4 . 4 4 . 4 4 . 4 4 . 4 4 . 4 2.1 1.1 1.1 4.1 V 1.0 2 4 . 4 +.1 . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 3.1 2.1 1.1 3.1 2.1 4 . + rv 1.4 2 2.3 3.3 2.3 4 . 2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 4.2 1.3 4.2 1.3 rv 1.2 2 4 1.1 4 . 4 4 . 4 3.1 2.1 . 2 . 4 . rv 1.1 2 +.\u00E2\u0080\u00A2 4 . 4 1 . 4 1 . 4 2 . 4 4 . 4 1 . 4 rv 0.8 3 3 .2 4 . 2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 4.2 1.2 . 3.2 i n 1.2 2 2.1 1.1 1.1 4 . 4 3.1 . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 i n 0.8 2 1 . 4 1 . 4 3 . 4 1 . 4 1 . 4 i n 0 .7 2 4 . 4 1.1 1.1 1.1 1.1 1.1 m 0.6 3 4 . 4 - + . 4 . 4 . 4 4 . 4 4 . 4 . 4 . 4 i n 0.6 2 1 . 4 . 4 . 4 4.1 . 4.1 . 4 . 4 1.1 i n 0.6 3 4 . 1 4 . 4 - . 1.1 . 4 . + i n 0.5 2 4.1 1.1 .1.1 1.1 1.1 0.5 2 . 4.1 4.1 4 . 1 . 1.1 . II 0.4 3 1 . 4 2 . 4 4 . 4 . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . II 0.4 2 1.1 4 . 1 . . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 4 . 1 . 4 . 4 II 0.4 2 1.1 . 4 - . 4 4 . 4 1.1 II 0.4 2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . 4.1 4 . 1 4 . 4 II 0.3 2 4 . 4 - . . 4 . 4 4 . 4 II 0.3 2 4.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 4 . 2 . 1.1 II 0.3 2 -4 - . 4 1 . 4 1 . 4 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 II 0.3 2 1 .4 4 . 4 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 1 . 4 II 0.3 3 1 .4 4-.4- \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . 1,+ II 0.3 3 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . 4 . 4 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 4 . 4 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 II 0.3 3 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 1 . 4 - \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 4 . 4 I 0 .2 2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 1 . 4 I 0 .2 2 4 . 4 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 I 0.1 2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 4 - . + \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 I 0.1 2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 I 0.1 2 . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 I 0.1 2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 4 . 4 I 0.1 3 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 4 . 1 I ' 0.1 2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 4 . 4 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 I 0.1 2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 I ' 0.1 2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 4 . 4 I 0.1 2 -\u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 4 . 4 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 I 0.1 2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 4.1 \u00C2\u00BB I 0.1 2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 4 . 1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 I 0.1 2 2.1 4 . 4 2 . 2 2.1 3.2 3.1 1.1 2.1 rv 1.6 3 2.1 3.2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 2.1 1.1 1.1 4.1 2.1 rv 1.2 3 . 1.1 2 . 4 2 . 4 1 . 4 . 1.1 i n 0 .7 2 4 . 4 4 . 4 4 . 4 4.1 4.1 i n 0.5 2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . .. 1.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 4.1 4.1 i i 0.3 2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 2 . 4 1 . 4 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 i 0.3 2 4 . 2 2.1 4 . 2 4.1 3.2 4 . 2 4.1 1 .2 4.1 4.1 V 2 . 2 3 4.1 1 . 4 2.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 2.1 2.1 1 . 4 4 . 4 4 . * rv 1.1 2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 4 . 4 i 0.1 2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 i 0.1 2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 4>.4 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 I 0.1 2 l a b i a 3 3 . Ordert Alliances Associa t ions 1 6 . S A L I C E T A L I A POLARIS 2 1 . S e n e c i o n o ( l u g e n t i s ) - S a l i c i o n p o l a r i s - r e t i c u l a t a i 3 0 . Seneciono ( lugent is ) - Salicetum p o l a r i s - r e t i c u l a t a e Number o f - p l o t s P l o t number ' Date E l e v a t i o n (feet) Exposure (degree) Slope (degree) Bygrotope 1 38 2 39 21.7. 21 .7 . 71 71 5290 20 18 5300 330 16 4 313 3 309 28.7 . 72 5320 53S0 105 320 13 10 5 311 26.7. 28.7. 72 72 5440 65 8 6 322 1.8. 72 5570 270 19 7 314 8 305 28.7. 27.7. 72 72 9 45 22^7. 10 136 2 0 7 l -5580 5660 6100 6270 320 60 270 230 11 13 .23 22 3/4 3/4 3/4. 3/4 3/4 3/4 3/4 3/4 3/4 Salix reticulata 8.6 7.4 8.4 8.4 9.4 8.5 9.5 8.4 8.4 8.5 V 8.1 Salix polaris 3.2 5.3 . 3.2 5.3 4.3 3.2 4.3 1.2 2.2 V 3.0 Artemisia arctica 1.1 3.2 4.2 3.2 3.2 4.3 3.1 4.2 1.1 3.1 V 2.9 Anemone parvi flora 4.1 3.1 2.+ 3.1 2.+ 2.1 2.1 2.+ 2.+ 2.+ V 2.4 Equisetum scirpoides 3.+ 4.1 1.+ 2.1 1.+ 2.+ 2.1 2.+ l.-f 1.+ V 1.9 Parnassia kotzebuel l.-f +.+ l.-f 2.+ 2.+ 3.+ 2.+ 3.+ l.-f \u00E2\u0080\u00A2f.-f V 1.7 Senecio lugens +.1 +.1 +.1 2.1 1.1 3.1 2.1 3.1 2.1 1.1 V 1.7 Carex meobranacea +.1 1.1 1.1 4.3 +.\u00E2\u0080\u00A2 1.1 +.+ 5.2 1.1 . V 1.6 Poa lanata +.1 +.1 l.-f 2.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2f.-f \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 f . l . 3.1 3.1 3.1 V 1.6 Trisetum splcatum +.+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2f.-f 2.1 l.-f \u00E2\u0080\u00A2f.-f 3.1 1.+ 3.1 2.1 l.-f V 1.6 Carex scirpoidea +.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2f.-f 2.1 1.1 2.1 . 3.1 +.+ +.+ 3.1 V l . S Gentiana propinqua 2.+ 2.+ 2.+ l.-f 2.+ 2,-f +.+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2f.-f V 1.4 Erigeron humilis . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2f.-f +.+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2f.-f 1.+ +.+ 2.1 1.1 l.-f 1.+ V 1.0 Petasites frigidus 3.3 3.3 2.1 3.2 2.1 . 3.2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 f . l rv 1.7 Pedicularis capitata 2.1 2.1 1.+ . 2.1 3.1 2.+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2f.-f rv 1.3 Festuca altaica 1.2 2.2 3.2 2.2 +.1 1.1 1.1 . . rv 1.1 Polygonum viviparum . +.+ 2.+ 2.+ . . 3,-f 1.+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2f.-f + .+ rv 1.1 Castilleja hyperborea . +.+\u00E2\u0080\u00A2 1.1 2.1 3.1 . . 1.1 1.1 + .+ rv 1.0 \"yosotis alpestris . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2f.-f . 1.1 1.1 .1-1 3,-f 2.-f + .+ rv 1.0 i.loydia serbtina +.+ 1.+ l.-f l.-f l.-f 3.+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2f.-f I V 0.9 tiertensia paniculata +.1 2.1 1.1 2.2 1.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . + .1 1.1 rv 0.9 Antennaria monocephala +.+ . 2,-f l.-f l.-f 1.+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2f .+ rv 0.8 Saussurea viscida +.1 +.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .1 . 1.+ . + .+ l.-f 2.1 rv 0.8 Solidago multiradiata . . 1.1 *.+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 f . l + .+ +.+\u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2f.-f rv 0.7 Oxyria digyna 4.1 3.1 2.1 3.1 . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2f.-f \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 f . l i n 1.4 Carex microchaeta + .1 +\u00E2\u0080\u00A21 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 f . l 1.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2f.-f 2.1 . . i n 0.7 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2Oxytropis deflexa \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . . 1.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 f . l 1.2 + .+ 2.1 1.1 i n 0.7 Silene acaulis +.1 2.2 - . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.2 . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2f.2 1.2 i n 0.6 Valeriana capitata \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 1.1 1.1 1.1 1.1 2.1 . i n 0.6 Poa alpina \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . l.-f +.\u00E2\u0080\u00A2\u00E2\u0080\u00A2 2.1 3.1 I I 0.7 Dodecatheon frlgidum \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 2.2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 2.2 . 2.1 I I 0.6 Eedysaxum alpinum +.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . + .1 1.1 3.1 I I 0.6 Equisetum arvense \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 1.+ l.-f + .1 2.-f I I O . S Epilobium latifolium \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .1 1.1 \u00E2\u0080\u009E 1.1 1.1 I I 0.4 Polemonium acutiflorua \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 f . l + .1 +.1 I I 0.4 Equisetum variegatua \u00E2\u0080\u00A2f.-f \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2f.-f 1.+ I I 0 . 3 Gentiana prostrata \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2*\u00E2\u0080\u00A2\u00E2\u0080\u00A2\u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 1.4- I I 0 . 3 Dryas -integrifolia \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . 2 2.2 I 0 . 3 Achillea borealis \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 f . l i 0.2 Astragalus nutzotinensls \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 2.1 i 0.2 Hinuartia biflora 1.1 . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 1.1 I 0.2 Potentilla diversifolia \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . 2.1 I 0.2 Zygadenus elegans 1.1 1.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 9 I 0.2 Anenone richardsonll \u00E2\u0080\u00A2f.-f \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 m I 0.1 Claytonia sarmentosa \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 # I 0.1 Draba hirta \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 I 0.1 Parrya nudlcaulla + .1 I 0.1 Saxifraga oppositifolia \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .1 I 0.1 Sedum roseua \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . 1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 I 0.1 Lecanora epibryon \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 f . l I I 0 . 3 Peltlgera canlna \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 f . l # \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 f . l I I 0 . 3 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2Sotorina sponglosa \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 f . l # \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00C2\u00BB \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . 1 IX 0 . 3 Cetraria cucullata \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .\u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 X 0.1 DlstlchluB caplllaceum \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . 1 2.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 f . l \u00E2\u0080\u00A2f.2 2.1 1.2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . 1 XV 0.9 Tlmmla austrlaca \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . 1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .1 . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 f . l ... \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 XX 0.4 Tortula norveglca \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 f . l \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . 1 , \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2.. .. \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 f . l XX 0.4 124 ( M y o s o t i s a l p e s t r i s ) * -( P e d i c u l a r i s c a p i t a t a ) * P e t a s i t e s f r i q i d u s Poa a l p i n a Po lemon ium acUtiflorum Po lygonum v / i u i p a r u m ( S a l i x p o l a r i s ) * ( S a l i x r e t i c u l a t a ) * ( S e n e c i o l u g e n s ) * ( V a l e r i a n a c a p i t a t a ) * (D) Moss l a y e r : T immia a u s t r i a c a Tomentypnum n i t e n s Two a l l i a n c e s (each w i t h one plant a s s o c i a t i o n ) a r e d i s t i n g u i s h e d h e r e i n the PETASITETALIA F R I G I D I . A l l i a n c e 2 2 . O x y r i o ( d i g y n a e ) - A r t e m i s i o n a r c t i c a e - t i l e s i i H o e f s & K r a j i n a The hygrotope i s hygric. A s s o c i a t i o n 3 1 . O x y r i o (digynae) - A r t e m i s i e t u m a r c t i c a e -t i l e s i i The c h a r a c t e r i s t i c c o m b i n a t i o n o f s p e c i e s ( a l l i a n c e and a s s o c i a t i o n ) i s : (B) Sh rub l a y e r : ( S a l i x a l a x e n s i s ) * (C ) H e r b l a y e r : A c h i l l e a b o r e a l i s A c o n i t u m d e l p h i n i f o l i u m ( A q r o p y r o n v i o l a c e u m ) * A l o p e c u r u s a l p i n u s A r n i c a a l p i n a A r t e m i s i a t i l e s i i A s t e r s i b i r i c u s ( C a s t i l l e . j a h y p e r b o r e a ) * D e l p h i n i u m g l a u c u m E p i l o b i u m l a t i f o l i u m ( E r i q e r o n h u m i l i s ) * ( F e s t u c a a l t a i c a ) * ( G e n t i a n a p r o p i n q u a ) * (Hedysarum a l p i n u m ) * H i e r o c h l o e o d o r a t a M e r t e n s i a p a n i c u l a t a \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 ( M i n u a r t i a b i f l o r a ) * - O x y r i a d i g y n a , ( P a r n a s s i a k o t z e b u e i ) * ; ( P o a . a r c t i c a ) * * S p e c i e s i n b r a c k e t s a r e l e s s c h a r a c t e r i s t i c t h a n t h o s e w i t h o u t b r a c k e t s . 1 2 5 . Poa l a n a t a Poa p a u c i s p i c u l a P o t e n t i l l a d i u e r s i f o l i a R a n u n c u l u s s u l p h u r e u s Sedum roseum \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 ( S o l i d a g o m u l t i r a d i a t a ) * ( T r i s e t u m s p i c a t u m ) * (Zyqadenus e l e q a n s ) * (D) Moss l a y e r : P h i l o n o t i s t o m e n t e l l a P l a q i o m n i u m r o s t r a t u m a 8 F i g u r e 29 shows a p h o t o g r a p h o f t h i s a s s o c i a t i o n . - I t i s r e s t r i c t e d i n d i s t r i b u t i o n on Sheep M o u n t a i n t o l e s s t h a n 1 . 5 a c r e s i n map s e c t i o n s A 4 . 9 9 , A 4 . 1 0 0 , A 5 . 9 1 and B 4 . 0 7 . I t has a l s o been samp led a l o n g a c r e e k on t h e w e s t s i d e o f Mount W a l l a c e and on t h e \" B u l l i o n P l a t e a u \" . W i t h 59 s p e c i e s i t i s t h e a s s o c i a t i o n w i t h t h e r i c h e s t f l o r i s t i c c o m p o s i t i o n i n t h e s t u d y a r e a . A l l i a n c e 2 3 . S a x i f r a g o ( h i r c u l i ) - C a r i c i o n membranaceae H o e f s & K r a j i n a T h e s e a r e w e t l a n d s o f t h e a l p i n e t u n d r a b i o g e o c l i m a t i c z o n e , t h e h y g r o t o p e o f w h i c h i s s u b h y d r i c ( w i t h w a t e r c o m p l e t e l y s a t u r a t i n g t h e anmoor humus) . A s s o c i a t i o n 3 2 . S a x i f r a g o ( h i r c u l i ) - C a r i c e t u m membranaceae The c h a r a c t e r i s t i c c o m b i n a t i o n o f s p e c i e s ( a l l i a n c e and p l a n t a s s o c i a t i o n ) i s : (C) Herb l a y e r : C a r d a m i n e p u r p u r e a C a r e x membranacea C l a y t o n i a b o s t o c k i i C l a y t o n i a s a r m e n t o s a D o d e c a t h e o n f r i q i d u m ( D r y a s i n t e g r i f o l i a ) * ( E q u i s e t u m u a r i e q a t u m ) * E r i o p h o r u m a n q u s t i f o l i u m P a r r y a n u d i c a u l i s P e d i c u l a r i s k a n e i S a x i f r a g a c a e s p i t o s a S a x i f r a g a d a u u r i c a * S p e c i e s i n b r a c k e t s a r e l e s s c h a r a c t e r i s t i c t h a n t h o s e w i t h o u t b r a c k e t s . 126 FIGURE 2 9 : O x y r i o ( d i g y n a e ) - A r t e m i s i e t u m a r c t i c a e - t i l e s i i o c c u p y i n g b a n k s o f an a l p i n e c r e e k . FIGURE 3 0 : S a x i f r a g o ( h i r c u l i ) -C a r i c e t u m membranaceae o c c u p y i n g wet a l p i n e d e p r e s s i o n . Table 3 4 . Order< 1 7 . P E T A S I T E T A L I A F R X G I D I A l l l a n c e i 2 2 . O x y r i o ( d i g y n a e ) - A r t e m i s A s s o c i a t i o n ! 3 1 . Oxyrio (digynae) - Artemisietum Number o f p l o t s 1 2 3 4 5 P l o t number 340 6 3 64 65 . 3 4 4 Data 1 3 . 8 . 3 . 8 . 3 . 8 . 3 . 8 . 1 5 . 8 . 72 71 71 71 7 2 E l e v a t i o n (feet) 5100 5270 5 3 3 0 5400 5 6 0 0 Exposure (degree) 140 260 2 5 0 200 1 8 0 Slope (degree) - 4 3 - 1 0 - 1 2 - 1 0 - 2 9 Bygrotope 3 / 4 3 / 4 3 / 4 3 / 4 3 / 4 Sail* alaxensia . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . 1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . 2 . . Artemisia tilesii \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 7 . 3 6 . 3 5 . 3 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 5 . 3 7 . 4 Mertensia paniculata 5 . 3 4 . 3 5 . 3 4 . 2 5 . 2 Epilobium latifolium 3 . 3 6 . 3 5 . 4 3 . 2 4 . 2 Artemisia arctica 3 . 2 4 . 2 3 . 2 4 . 2 6 . 3 Oxuria digyna 1 . 2 5 . 4 4 . 2 4 . 3 2 . 2 Sedum roseum 3 . 2 1 . 2 2 . 2 3 . 2 3 . 2 Anemone parviflora 2 . + 3 . 1 2 . + 1.+ 3 . 1 Poa lanata 3 . + 3 . + 2 . + 2 .+ 1 .+ Salix reticulata 3 . 2 2 . 2 + .2 1 . 2 3 . 2 Trisetum spicatum 1 .+ 1.4- 3 .+ 2 .+ 2 . + Paxnassia kotzebuei 1 . + 2 . 1 2 . 1 +.+ Poa alpina 2 . + l.-t- 1.+ 2 . + 1 . * Erigeron humills 1 . * + .1 1.+- 1.+ 2 . 1 Gentiana propinqua + .+ +.+ 1.+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . 2 . + Polygonum vivipaxum 2 . + 1 . + \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .+ +.\u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.+ Senecio lugens + .1 1 . 1 2 . 1 + .1 1 . 1 Petasites frigidus 4 . 3 4 . 2 4 . 3 4 . 3 . Aconitun delphinlfoliwn 1 . 2 2 . 2 + .1 4 . 2 Zygadenus elegans 2 . 1 + . 1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 - f . l 3 . 1 Achillea borealis + .1 1 . 1 2 . 1 2 . 1 Aster sibiricus 1 . 1 1 . 1 +.+ . 2 . 1 Castilleja hyperborea . 2 . 1 +.+ Festuca altaica . 1 . 1 + . 1 + . 1 1 . 2 Delphinium glaucwn 1 . 1 . +.1 4 . 2 Equisetun arvense 1 . 1 4 . 1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 1 . 1 . Carex podocarpa + . 1 2 . + 2 . + Myosotis alpestris .. 1 . 1 2 . 1 2 . 1 Solidago multiradiata +-.1 2 . 1 +.+ Polemonium acutiflores . >.l . + . 1 - 1 . 1 . Salix polaris . 1 . 2 1 . 2 . 1 . 2 Valeriana capitata 3 . 1 . 1 . 1 Agropgron violaceum \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . 1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . 1 # Draba praealta Equisetum sclrpoldes \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 Bedysarum alpinum 1 . 1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 + . 1 Poa arctica \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . Poa paucispicula Potentilla diversifolla + . 1 1 . 1 Ranunculus sulphureus 1 . + Saxifraga hieracifolia 2 . 1 Alopecurus alplnus \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 1 .+ Anemone richardsonli \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 Antennaria mnocephala m Arnica alpina \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . 1 Astragalus utrbellatus . Claytonia bostockil Blerochloe odorata # Minuartia biflora \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . 1 Pedicularis capitata Potentilla fruticosa , * \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . 2 Salix arctica 0 . 2 m Saussurea viscida \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . i Plagiomnium rostratum \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . 1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . 1 Timmia austrlaca \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . 1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2Kl Phllonotls tonentetla \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . 1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . i Tomcntypnua nitens \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 ! i Ceratodon purpureus # Tor t i l l a norveglca * a I I V V V V V V V V V V V V V V V V I V I V I V I V I V rv rv i n i n i n i n i n i n i n I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I i i i i i i . i \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 i . I i i i I i n i n I I I I x X o a a a e \u00C2\u00A7| * \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 0 . 4 6 . 0 4 .6 4 . 2 4 . 0 3 . 2 2 . 4 2 . 2 2 . 2 2 . 0 1 . 8 1 . 4 1 . 4 1 . 2 1 . 2 1 . 2 1 . 2 3 . 2 1 . 6 1 . 4 i : 2 1 . 0 1 .0 0 . 8 1 . 2 1 . 2 1 . 0 1 . 0 0 . 8 0 . 6 0 . 6 0 . 8 0 . 4 0 . 4 0 . 4 0 . 4 0 . 4 0 . 4 0 . 4 0 . 4 0 . 4 0 . 2 0 . 2 0 . 2 0 . 2 0 . 2 0 . 2 0 . 2 0 . 2 0 . 2 0 . 2 0 . 2 0 . 2 0 . 6 0 . 6 0 . 4 0 . 4 0 . 2 0 . 2 Table 35. Order: A l l i a n c e : A s s o c i a t i o n : 17. 23. 32. PETASITETALIA FRIGIDI S a x i f r a g o ( h i r c u l i ) - C a r i c i o n membranaceae Saxifrago ( h i r c u l i ) - Caricetum membranaceae Number of p l o t s 1 2 3 4 5 P l o t number 31 32 33 34 35 Date 20.7. 20.7. 20.7. 20.7. 20.7. 71 71 71 71 71 El e v a t i o n (feet) 5620 5690 5720 5800 5860 Exposure (degree) 290 280 290 300 280 Slope (degree) -11 -10 -10 0 -20 Hygrotope 4 4+ 4 4+ 4 c 3 10 c o o a \u00C2\u00AB \u00E2\u0080\u00A2rt a o 01 o \u00C2\u00A7* s o O *H Cn - H < a u o 0< Carex membranacea Pe t a s i t e s frigidtis Salix reticulata Erxphorum angusti folium Equisetum arvense Cardamine purpurea Salix polaris Polewonium acutiflorum Saxifraga hirculus Claytonia bostockii Saxifraga hieracifolia Senecio lugens \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 Claytonia sarmentosa Pedicularis kanei Dryas integrifolia Parrya nudicaulis Dodecatheon frigidum Carex podocarpa Polygonum viviparum Artemisia arctica Anemone parvi flora Draba praealta Poa alpina Saxifraga davurica Equisetum variegatun Saxifraga caespitosa Valeriana capitata Anemone richardsonii Astragalus unbellatus Carex microchaeta Carex scirpoidea Equisetum scirpoides Festuca altaica Gentiana propinqua Myosotis alpestris Parnassia kotzebuei Pedicularis capitata Trisetum spicatum Dactylina arctica Cetraria richardsonii Cladonia pocillum Pel tigera canina Stereocaulon glareosum Thamnolia subuliformis Timmia austriaca Tomentypnum nitens Plagiomnium rugicum Bryum sp. ? Uypnum bridelianvm 2.1 2.1 +.+ +.1 +.2 2.1 1.1 1.1 +.+ +.1 +.1 2.2 +.1 +.1 +.\u00E2\u0080\u00A2 7.4 6.2 5.3 2.1 2.+ + .1 1.2 2.1 +.1 +.1 +.1 +.1 +.+ 1.1 +.+ +.+ 1.+ +.+ i . i i ! i +.+ +.+ +.2 +.+ +.+ +.+ 1.+ 7.4 5.2 3.2 3.1 +.+ 3.1 1.2 2.1 2.2 2.1 +.1 + .1 +.+ +.1 2.2 + .1 +.+ +.+ +.+ +.1 +.1 3.2 +.1 +.1 +.1 +.1 +.1 2.1 1.1 7.4 4.2 6.3 2.1 4.1 2.1 4.3 +.+ 1.1 +.+ + .1 1.1 + .+ '+.+ 3.2 +.1 + .1 +.+ 1.1 1.+ +.1 +.+ +.+ +.1 +.1 3.2 2.1 8.3 4.2 3.2 3.2 2.+ 2.1 3.2 3.1 i . i 2.+ 1.1 2.1 1.1 1.1 3.2 2.1 2.1 + .+ +.+ 3.1 1.+ +.+ +.+ 1.1 +.+ +.1 +.1 +.1 +'.+ +.1 2.1 2.+ V V V V V V V V V V V V V V rv IV IV rv rv i n i n . i n i n i n . i i i i i i i i i i i i i i i \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 i i rv i i n I I I I i v V I I I I 7.0 4.8 4.8 2.6 2.4 2.0 2.0 1.8 1.8 1.6 1.4 1.4 1.0 1.0 0.8 1.0 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.8 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.2 2.4 1.4 0.4 0.2 0.2 3 3 **\u00E2\u0080\u00A2 3 2+ 3 2 3 3 3 3 2 3 3 2-2+ 2 2 2 2-2-2 . 2-3 2 2 2. 2 ' 2 2 2-2-2-2 2-2 2 2-2+ 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 12 9 S a x i f r a g a h i e r a c i f o l i a S a x i f r a g a h i r c u l u s (D) MOSS l a y e r : C e t r a r i a r i c h a r d s o n i i ( C l a d o n i a p o c i l l u m ) * D a c t y l i n a a r c t i c a ( P e l t i g e r a c a n i n a ) * .. ( S t e r e o c a u l o n g l a r e o s u m ) * ( P l a g i o m n i u m r u q i c u m ) * F i g u r e 30 shows a p h o t o g r a p h o f t h i s a s s o c i a t i o n . I n t h e s t u d y a r e a i t o c c u p i e s a b o u t 1 2 . 5 a c r e s i n map s e c t i o n s A 5 . 8 8 , A 5 . 8 9 , A 5 . 9 2 , A 5 . 9 3 , A 5 . 9 4 , A 5 . 9 5 , A 5 . 9 6 , A . 5 . 9 7 and A 5 . 9 8 . T a b l e s 3 4 , 3 5 , 52 and 53 r e v e a l d e t a i l s on t h e a n a l y s e s and s y n t h e s i s o f t h e s e two a s s o c i a t i o n s and t h e i r h i g h e r u n i t s . A l l a l p i n e a s s o c i a t i o n s a r e u t i l i z e d by sheep i n summer ( l a t e J u n e t o O c t o b e r ) . O t h e r c h a r a c t e r i s t i c mammals a r e U r s u s a r c t o s ( g r i z z l y b e a r ) , G u l o g u l o ( w o l v e r i n e ) , S p e r m o p h i l u s p a r r y i i ( A r c t i c g r o u n d s q u i r r e l ) , O c h o t o n a p r i n c e p s c o l l a r i s ( p i k a ) and Marmota c a l i q a t a (marmot ) . The most f r e q u e n t l y o b s e r v e d b i r d s i n c l u d e A q u i l a c h r y s a e t o s ( g o l d e n e a g l e ) , Lagopus l e u c u r u s ( w h i t e - t a i l e d p t a r m i g a n ) , L a g o p u s mutus ( r o c k p t a r m i g a n ) , Oenanthe o e n a n t h e ( w h e a t e a r ) , A n t h u s s p i n o l e t t a ( w a t e r p i p i t ) , E r e m o p h i l a a l p e s t r i s ( h o r n e d l a r k ) and L e u c o s t i c t e t e p h r o c o t i s ( g r a y - c r o w n e d r o s y f i n c h ) . * S p e c i e s i n b r a c k e t s a r e l e s s c h a r a c t e r i s t i c t h a n t h o s e w i t h o u t b r a c k e t s . DISCUSSION Even t h o u g h no d e t a i l e d a n a l y s e s o f s o i l s were c a r r i e d o u t f o r t h i s s t u d y and h a b i t a t d e s c r i p t i o n s a r e t h e r e f o r e somewhat i n c o m p l e t e , t h e h a b i t a t s o c c u p i e d by t h e v a r i o u s a s s o c i a t i o n s d e s c r i b e d c a n be l a r g e l y d i s t i n g u i s h e d on t h e b a s i s o f a l t i t u d e ( F i g u r e 3 1 ) , ' s o i l m o i s t u r e d u r i n g t h e g r o w i n g s e a s o n ( F i g u r e 3 2 ) , d u r a t i o n and d e p t h o f snow c o v e r ( F i g u r e 3 3 ) , and to a l e s s e r d e g r e e on t h e b a s i s o f a s p e c t , s t e e p n e s s o f s l o p e , and t y p e o f s u b s t r a t e . The v e g e t a t i o n c o v e r o f Sheep M o u n t a i n i s s t i l l y o u t h f u l i n an e v o l u t i o n a r y s e n s e , even though g r e a t d i f f e r e n c e s i n age e x i s t be tween t h e v a r i o u s b i o g e o c l i m a t i c z o n e s . The l a s t I c e s h e e t ( K l u a n e g l a c i a t i o n ) began t o r e t r e a t o n l y 12500 t o 9780 y e a r s B 0 P . , however i t o n l y r e a c h e d an a l t i t u d e ^ o f 2900 t o 3530 f e e t i n t h e s t u d y a r e a , w h i c h means t h a t t h e s u b a l p i n e as w e l l a s t h e a l p i n e z o n e s e x t e n d e d above t h e i c e s h e e t as a n u n a t a k . The I c e f i e l d g l a c i a t i o n w h i c h ended a b o u t 37700 y e a r s B . P . c o v e r e d Sheep M o u n t a i n t o an e l e v a t i o n o f a b o u t 5000 f e e t , l e a v i n g t h e a l p i n e z o n e u n -g l a c i a t e d . The e n t i r e m o u n t a i n was c o v e r e d l a s t d u r i n g t h e Shakwak g l a c i a t i o n more t h a n 49000 y e a r s a g o . T h i s i n d i c a t e s t h a t t h e a l p i n e a s s o c i a t i o n s a n d , t o a l e s s e r ' d e g r e e , t h e s u b a l p i n e ones have had a much l o n g e r t i m e t o d e v e l o p compared t o t h o s e o f t h e b o r e a l z o n e s , and i t w i l l i n p a r t e x p l a i n t h e g r e a t e r s p e c i e s d i v e r s i t y e n c o u n t e r e d w i t h ' i n c r e a s i n g a l t i t u d e s . The y o u n g e s t a s s o c i a t i o n s o f t h e s t u d y a r e a a r e t h o s e o f t h e S l i m s R i v e r f l o o d p l a i n , and i n no o t h e r a r e a i s s u c c e s s i o n more o b v i o u s . A c c o r d i n g t o B o s t o c k (1952) t h e S l i m s R i v e r i s e x t e n d i n g i t s d e l t a FIGURE: 31 Altitudinal range of plant associations L i m i t of vascular vegetat ion 7000' Peak! o l Shoep Mountain . a. o 2 N S N . L a v o l of K l u a n o l a k e . .1 I rt O n B TJ t- O B) 3 \u00C2\u00BB- C O' rf * 3 \u00C2\u00AB \u00E2\u0080\u00A2o o ~ \u00C2\u00BB a c CJ \u00E2\u0080\u00A21 X (B *\u00E2\u0080\u0094 rt o f> \u00E2\u0080\u0094s C r| r\u00E2\u0080\u0094 C > w IT o i s i \" 3 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2\u00E2\u0080\u0094 r- ET A -o C '-v rt n rt c IN \u00E2\u0080\u0094 a. e\u00C2\u00BB w to \u00C2\u00A3 ^ 2 a * ] 32 FIGURE =32 Soil moisture characteristics of plant associations XCHIC HYGROTOPE CLASSES I Puccinellio (deaclmmpsloidit) - Taraxacetua lacer l Aatero (yvkoncnsis) - Hordeo (Jub'tl) - ?uerinellletum deachaopaioldia Hordeo (Jubati) - Asteretum yukonensis Aataro (yukonensis) - Deschampsletum caespitosa* Aitero (yukonensis) . Junco (a r c t i c i ) - Salicetum brachycarpae Triglochino (palustrla) - Juncetu* a r c t i c i Triglochino (palustris) - Caricetum aquatilis Erlophcro (angustifalti) - Carico (aquatilis) -Salicetua planlfollaa Dryadetum drumnondii Pentstemono (gormanii) - Artemisietum frigidae Agropyro (yukonensis) - Artemisietum fr i g i d a * \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 rupestris Pentatcir.ono (goiroanii) - Artemisio (frigidae) -Agropyretud yukonensis Artemiaio (frisldae) - Agropyro (yukonensis) -Eurotietum lanatae Roto (a-icularis) - Shepherdio (canadensis) -r'ojjultcuia tremuloldl* Calamflgrostido (purpurascentis) - Arctostaphyletum jvae-uksi Hypno (pcocerriml) - Abletinello (abiotinae) * Plceetum glauca* Oxytropo (viscidae) * Artftniaio (hyperborea* -frigidae) - Caricetum f t l l f o l i a * Artemisia turn alaskana* Artemisio (hyperboreae * alaskanae) \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 Salicetum m y r t i l U f o l l a * Arctostaphylo (rubrae - uvae-ural) - Festuco (altalcae) - Salicetum reticulatae - glauca* Arctostaphylo (rubrae) - Cassiopo (tetragonae) \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 Salicetum reticulatae - lanatae \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 glaucae Agropyretum vio l a c e i Oxytropo (viscidae) - Artemisio (hyperboreae) -Festuco (brachyphyllae) - Triaetetuta apicati I Oxytropo (rmddelaonli) - Salicetum dodgeana* Salicetum barrattianae Salico (reticulatae) - Sileno (acaulis) -Carico (ecli poideae) - Dryadetum Integrifolia* Artemisio (arctlcae) - Salico (reticulata*) -Future turn a l t a i c a * Oxyrlo (digynee) - Artemisietum, arctics* -t l l e a l l Saxlfmjo (oppoaltlfollae) - Oxyrlo (dlgynaa) -Salicetum polaris Salico (radculatae) - Cassiopo (tetragons*) \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 Dryadetum i n t e g r i f o l i a * Seneciono (lugentli) - Salicetum polarl* -reticulata* Saxifrago ( h i r c u l i ) - Caricetum wewbranacea* - HYDRfC 1/2 2/3 3/4 \u00E2\u0080\u0094 r i . n g s P r i n \u00C2\u00A3 run-off 4/5 | Creak bad LU Z o N < UJ o m z < z I o 03 N 3 CO UJ z o IM a. < 5 ?ff S3 ft rr \u00C2\u00BB* C B c o *> r* 00 ls\u00C2\u00BB o 0 *\u00E2\u0080\u00A2 7 ? cn >. \"a\" * * rt rr a > > ^ 5 00 rr r\u00C2\u00BB -a <-3 50 O O c 0 < 61 \u00C2\u00BB M M >\u00E2\u0080\u00A2 C -1 o o 0 -a o 1 < \u00C2\u00BB 2 C IB a -o_ 0> O \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 * ta O rr 0> D ft t) V 3* \u00E2\u0080\u00A2-\u00C2\u00BB\u00C2\u00BB o o a \u00C2\u00AB \u00E2\u0080\u00A2* n e 1 a. o ft -a ft o i < n o C \"^N B -o 0\u00C2\u00B0 o ft rr t\u00C2\u00BB C n n 2 1 W 00 a n \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 * 0 a n 1 0 \u00C2\u00B0 S ft \u00C2\u00BB c 0 B o \u00C2\u00BB a- n \u00E2\u0080\u00A2a a . x \u00C2\u00BB \u00C2\u00AB o o \u00E2\u0080\u0094. C -I c \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 cr rr 1 0 CO 0) t~* H r-- C ft O* ft M \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 -u A cr o i 3 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00C2\u00BB iscidae) Carlceti a o c 1 o ^ ft 1 H ' ft a 3 * c \u00C2\u00AB 0 ^ & 1 CL. O \u00E2\u0080\u00A2O c \"c ?r D 3 ft 3 t\u00E2\u0080\u0094 *-r, B) '1 3 \u00C2\u00BB* ft C3 rt r* \u00C2\u00BB a . a u ft 1. n> ^ 5-\u00C2\u00AB | ft ft t at > p\u00E2\u0080\u0094 re t^ . 3 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 >\u00E2\u0080\u00A2 cr ft \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 w 3* ft \u00E2\u0080\u00A2o a* n \u00E2\u0080\u00A20 c ft ca n > 1 1 > 00 1 rr t\u00C2\u00BB C *| a >-* a 3\" a . 3 T3 A o A ft O 1 o ft I D\u00C2\u00BB a ft o a 0 0 0 M 1 O c v: S TJ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 t \u00E2\u0080\u00A2o cr **\u00E2\u0080\u00A2 o OQ y-* si A C rr O 1 D fi) t \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 00 \u00C2\u00BB\u00E2\u0080\u0094 ft ft \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 w fit 5* \u00E2\u0080\u00A2o ft 1 o* Bl cr a Bl 3 St a. ft 3 > 0 C B \u00C2\u00BB\u00C2\u00BB\u00C2\u00BB ? O a \u00C2\u00BB a> a CT ft **\u00E2\u0080\u00A2 ft ft W O \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 3 St ft C rr ft s ft ft \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 O n ft 1 A \u00C2\u00BB ft a\" ft \u00C2\u00BB\u00E2\u0080\u00A2 r* 90 a. ft 3 t t a \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 A C B \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 2 s H: r* n x rr c 00 w o 3 00 0 r i rr a . 3 CD C 3D rn CO CO o c \u00E2\u0080\u0094I 03 o Z3 CO o o o < CD D Q. Q. CD T3 Depth (cm) Snow Cover Duration (Days) 134 a t an a v e r a g e r a t e o f 160 t o 240 f e e t / y e a r , w h i c h means t h a t t h e m a j o r i t y o f p l o t l o c a t i o n s a n a l y s e d were as r e c e n t l y as 100 y e a r s ago u n d e r t h e w a t e r s o f K l u a n e L a k e . The s o i l s o f t h e v a r i o u s a s s o c i a t i o n s d e s c r i b e d f o r t h e S l i m s R i v e r f l o o d p l a i n a r e w a t e r s a t u r a t e d and o f t e n i n u n d a t e d d u r i n g s p r i n g and e a r l y summer; however d u r i n g l a t e summer and f a l l a v e r y d i s t i n c t m o i s t u r e g r a d i e n t c a n be o b s e r v e d be tween them ( F i g u r e 3 2 ) . A l l f o u r a s s o c i a t i o n s o f t h e o r d e r PUCCINELLIO - SALICORNIETALIA show v a r i o u s d e g r e e s o f d e s i c c a t i o n , P u c c i n e l l i o ( d e s c h a m p s i o i d e s ) -T a r a x a c e t u m l a c e r i o c c u p y i n g t h e d r i e s t e l e v a t i o n s w h i l e A s t e r o ( y u k o n e n s i s ) - D e s c h a m p s i e t u m c a e s p i t o s a e t h e m o i s t e s t s i t e s . The h a b i t a t s o c c u p i e d by t h i s o r d e r a r e g r a d u a l l y i n v a d e d by P o p u l u s b a l s a m i f e r a . The s o i l s o f t h e o t h e r two o r d e r s i n t h e S l i m s R i v e r f l o o d p l a i n -CARICETALIA AQUATILIS and SALICETALIA PLANIFOLIAE - a r e w a t e r s a t u r a t e d t h r o u g h o u t t h e g r o w i n g s e a s o n , i n p a r t i c u l a r t h o s e o f T r i g l o c h i n o ( p a l u s t r i s ) - C a r i c e t u m a q u a t i l i s and E r i o p h o r o ( a n g u s t i f o l i i ) - C a r i c o ( a q u a t i l i s ) - S a l i c e t u m p l a n i f o l i a e a r e u s u a l l y i n u n d a t e d . T r i g l o c h i n o ( p a l u s t r i s ) - Guncetum a r c t i c i i s i n v a d e d by S a l i x b r a c h y c a r p a and d e v e l o p s i n t o A s t e r o ( y u k o n e n s i s ) -\u00E2\u0080\u00A2 u n c o ( a r c t i c i ) - S a l i c e t u m b r a c h y c a r p a e , w h i l e T r i g l o c h i n o ( p a l u s t r i s ) - C a r i c e t u m a q u a t i l i s i s s u c c e e d e d by E r i o p h o r o ( a n g u s t i f o l i i ) -C a r i c o ( a q u a t i l i s ) - S a l i c e t u m p l a n i f o l i a e . B o t h o f t h e s e w i l l o w a s s o c i a t i o n s d e v e l o p i n t o t h e c l i m a x w h i t e s p r u c e f o r e s t o f t h e a r e a . D ryadetum d r u m m o n d i i i s d i s t i n c t f r o m a l l o t h e r a s s o c i a t i o n s by s p e c i e s c o m p o s i t i o n and h a b i t a t , b e i n g t h e p i o n e e r a s s o c i a t i o n o c c u p y i n g t h e 135 g r a v e l s u b s t r a t e o f c r e e k b e d s . S i m i l a r t o some o f t h e f l o o d p l a i n c o m m u n i t i e s i t i s e x p o s e d t o g r e a t v a r i a t i o n i n s o i l m o i s t u r e o v e r t h e g r o w i n g s e a s o n . O f t e n i n u n d a t e d d u r i n g s p r i n g r u n - o f f , by l a t e summer i t s s u b s t r a t e a p p r o a c h e s t h e a r i d i t y o f t h e g r a s s l a n d s . T h i s a s s o c i a t i o n i s i n v a d e d by S h e p h e r d i a c a n a d e n s i s , P o p u l u s b a l s a m i f e r a , P i c e a g l a u c a , o r S a l i x g l a u c a . In t h e b o r e a l zone i t u s u a l l y d e v e l o p s i n t o p o p l a r f o r e s t and i n t h e s u b a l p i n e zone i n t o w i l l o w - b i r c h a s s o c i a t i o n s . The e n v i r o n m e n t s o f t h e f o u r o r d e r s o f t h e b o r e a l (montane) zone o f Sheep M o u n t a i n c a n be d i f f e r e n t i a t e d a c c o r d i n g t o s o i l m o i s t u r e , snow c o v e r and d u r a t i o n , as w e l l a s t o a s p e c t and s l o p e . A t t h e one e x t r e m e i s t h e m e s i c c l i m a x a s s o c i a t i o n Hypno ( p r o c e r r i m i ) -A b i e t i n e l l o ( a b i e t i n a e ) - P i c e e t u m g l a u c a e h a v i n g a s o i l m o i s t u r e c h a r a c t e r i s t i c o f 2 / 3 t o 3 - ( h y g r o t o p e U n i t s ) , a maximum snow c o v e r o f a b o u t 40 cm, a d u r a t i o n o f snow c o v e r o f a b o u t 210 d a y s , and o c c u p y i n g p r i m a r i l y l e v e l s i t e s , o r d e c l i n i n g s l o p e s w i t h e a s t e r n and n o r t h e r n e x p o s u r e s ; a t t h e o t h e r e x t r e m e i s t h e d r i e s t o f t h e g r a s s l a n d a s s o c i a t i o n s , P e n t s t e m o n o ( g o r m a n i i ) - A r t e m i s i e t u m f r i g i d a e , w i t h a s o i l m o i s t u r e c l a s s i f i c a t i o n o f 1 / 2 t o 2+ ( h y g r o t o p e u n i t s ) , an i n t e r m i t t e n t snow c o v e r o f a maximum d e p t h o f 15 cm and a d u r a t i o n o f o n l y 150 d a y s , o c c u p y i n g v e r y s t e e p , s o u t h - f a c i n g s l o p e s w i t h a heavy l o e s s d e p o s i t and r a p i d s u b - s u r f a c e r u n - o f f . The o t h e r a s s o c i a t i o n s o c c u p y i n t e r m e d i a t e s i t e s as i s o b v i o u s f r o m F i g u r e s 32 and 3 3 . On t h e o t h e r h a n d , i t i s d i f f i c u l t t o s e p a r a t e t h e h a b i t a t s o f t h e v a r i o u s g r a s s l a n d a s s o c i a t i o n s i n t h e o r d e r ARTEMISIO (FRIGIDAE) - AGROPYRETALIA YUKONENSIS. They a r e v e r y s i m i l a r i n s o i l m o i s t u r e and snow c o v e r c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s a s w e l l a s a s p e c t s and s l o p e . 136 S o m e ' s e p a r a t i o n i s p o s s i b l e on t h e b a s i s o f a l t i t u d e . O x y t r o p o ( v / i s c i d a e ) - A r t e m i s i o ( h y p e r b o r e a e - f r i g i d a e ) - C a r i c e t u m f i l i f o l i a e i s a s u b a l p i n e a s s o c i a t i o n w h i c h r a n g e s i n t o t h e a l p i n e zone ( F i g u r e 31) w h i l e t h e o t h e r a s s o c i a t i o n s i n t h i s o r d e r a r e more o r l e s s c o n f i n e d t o t h e b o r e a l z o n e . A g r o p y r o ( y u k o n e n s i s ) - A r t e m i s i e t u m f r i g i d a e - r u p e s t r i s was s e p a r a t e d i n t o two v a r i a n t s . Our o b s e r v a t i o n s i n d i c a t e t h a t t h e s e two v a r i a n t s o c c u p y d i f f e r e n t s u b s t r a t e s . V a r i a n t c a r i c o s u m f i l i f o l i a e o c c u p i e s s i t e s w i t h an a v e r a g e i n c l i n a t i o n o f 27\u00C2\u00B0 and a s u b s t r a t e where c o a r s e f r a g m e n t s make up l e s s t h a n 50%, v a r i a n t a g r o p y r o - a r t e m i s i o s u m f r i g i d a e -r u p e s t r i s o c c u p i e s s i t e s w i t h an a v e r a g e s l o p e o f 37\u00C2\u00B0 and a s u b -s t r a t e where t h e c o a r s e f r a g m e n t s make up t o 80%, a s i s f o u n d u n d e r e r o d i n g c l i f f s . P e n t s t e m o n o ( g o r m a n i i ) - A r t e m i s i e t u m f r i g i d a e i s c o n f i n e d t o t h e 2700 t o 2900 f e e t e l e v a t i o n , where i t o c c u p i e s e x t r e m e l y s t e e p ( 2 8 \u00C2\u00B0 t o 4 5 \u00C2\u00B0 ) , s o u t h - f a c i n g s l o p e s . T h i s a s s o c i a t i o n i s t h e o n l y g r a s s l a n d communi ty w h i c h i s n o t u t i l i z e d by D a l l s h e e p , b e c a u s e i t i s r e s t r i c t e d t o v e r y l o w e l e v a t i o n s and i s c u t o f f f r o m e s c a p e t e r r a i n by l a r g e t r a c t s o f f o r e s t . I t i s d i s t i n c t f r o m t h e o t h e r g r a s s l a n d a s s o c i a t i o n by a c o m p l e t e c o v e r o f c r u s t o s e l i c h e n s . T h i s l i c h e n c o v e r i s v e r y d e l i c a t e and i s e a s i l y d e s t r o y e d when w a l k i n g o v e r i t . T h i s i s t h e r e a s o n why i t i s f o u n d o n l y i n r u d i m e n t a r y f o r m i n g r a s s l a n d s u t i l i z e d by s h e e p . W h i l e i t i s n o t p o s s i b l e t o s e p a r a t e t h e e n v i r o n m e n t s o f t h e v a r i o u s g r a s s l a n d a s s o c i a t i o n s by means o f t h e few p h y s i c a l f a c t o r s i n v e s t i -g a t e d , t h e r e c a n be no d o u b t t h a t some o f t he d i f f e r e n c e s o b s e r v e d 137 . i n f l o r i s t i c c o m p o s i t i o n as w e l l as s p e c i e s s i g n i f i c a n c e w i l l be due t o d i f f e r e n t i a l g r a z i n g by s h e e p . O b s e r v a t i o n s by t h e w r i t e r ( p r e s e n t s t u d y and H o e f s , 1974) r e v e a l t h a t A q r o p y r o n y u k o n e n s e , Poa g l a u c a , and t o a l e s s e r d e g r e e E u r o t i a l a n a t a and P e n t s t e m o n q o r m a n i i a r e p r e f e r r e d by sheep t o . A r t e m i s i a f r i q i d a , A r t e m i s i a r u p e s t r i s , and C a l a m a g r o s t i s p u r p u r a s c e n s , i f a c h o i c e i s p o s s i b l e . The p r e s e n c e o f up t o 200 sheep on t h e m o u n t a i n d u r i n g t h e w i n t e r m o n t h s , a g r a z i n g i n t e n s i t y w h i c h a c c o r d -i n g t o o u r r e s e a r c h has been m a i n t a i n e d s i n c e t h e m id 1 9 5 0 ' s , w i l l have r e s t r i c t e d t h e d i s t r i b u t i o n o f p r e f e r r e d s p e c i e s and e n h a n c e d t h a t o f t h o s e s p e c i e s w h i c h a r e l e s s w e l l l i k e d . The s h e e p ' s s e l e c t i o n w i l l i n p a r t e x p l a i n t h e r a t h e r s p o t t y o c c u r r e n c e o f s u c h p r e f e r r e d s p e c i e s as Poa g l a u c a and E u r o t i a l a n a t a and t h e f a c t t h a t A q r o p y r o n y u k o n e n s e and P e n t s t e m o n q o r m a n i i a r e most a b u n d a n t a t s i t e s where g r a z i n g p r e s s u r e i s i n s i g n i f i c a n t . On t h e o t h e r h a n d , i t w i l l a l s o be a f a c t o r i n e x p l a i n i n g t h e p r e d o m i n a n c e o f A r t e m i s i a f r i q i d a w h i c h i s more r e s i s c a n t t o g r a z i n g and t h a t o f A r t e m i s i a r u p e s t r i s w h i c h i s l a r g e l y a v o i d e d . S u c c e s s i o n w o u l d n o r m a l l y p r o c e e d f r o m one o f t h e g r a s s l a n d a s s o c i a t i o n s o f t h e o r d e r ARTEMISIO (FRIGIDAE) - AGROPYRETALIA YUKONENSIS v i a C a l a m a g r o s t i d o ( p u r p u r a s c e n t i s ) - A r c t o s t a p h y l e t u m u v a e - u r s i t o Hypno ( p r o c e r r i m i ) - A b i e t i n e l l o ( a b i e t i n a e ) - P i c e e t u m g l a u c a e . A t c e r t a i n s i t e s Roso ( a c i c u l a r i s ) - S h e p h e r d i o ( c a n a d e n s i s ) -P o p u l e t u m t r e m u l o i d i s s e r v e s as an i n t e r m e d i a t e s u c c e s s i o n a l s t a g e b e f o r e t h e w h i t e s p r u c e c l i m a x v e g e t a t i o n i s i n t r o d u c e d . T h e r e a r e a l s o a few s i t e s (map s e c t i o n s D 2 and D4) where P o p u l u s t r e m u l o i d e s may d i r e c t l y i n v a d e g r a s s l a n d s o f t h e o r d e r ARTEMISIO (FRIGIDAE) -AGROPYRETALIA YUKONENSIS. W h i l e s u c h s p r e a d o f Roso ( a c i c u l a r i s ) -S h e p h e r d i o ( c a n a d e n s i s ) - P o p u l e t u m t r e m u l o i d i s h a s been o b s e r v e d i n a number o f l o c a t i o n s , as w e l l as t h e i n v a s i o n by C a l a m o g r o s t i d o ( p u r p u r a s c e n t i s ) - A r c t o s t a p h y l e t u m u v a e - u r s i o f d r y g r a s s l a n d s o f t h e o r d e r ARTEMISIO (FRIGIDAE) - AGROPYRETALIA YUKONENSIS, t h e w h i t e s p r u c e f o r e s t [Hypno ( p r o c e r r i m i ) - A b i e t i n e l l o ( a b i e t i n a e ) - P i c e e t u m g l a u c a e j a p p e a r s t o be i n b a l a n c e w i t h t h e e x i s t i n g e n v i r o n m e n t a l c o n d i t i o n s and no s p r e a d o f i t i n t o s u r r o u n d i n g a s s o c i a t i o n s c o u l d be d o c u m e n t e d . C o m p a r i s o n s o f o l d p h o t o g r a p h s t a k e n o f Sheep M o u n t a i n ( A u e r , 1 9 1 7 ; P o r s i l d , 1966) a l s o s u p p o r t s , o u r o b s e r v a t i o n s t h a t t h e p r e s e n t d i s t r i b u t i o n o f w h i t e s p r u c e f o r e s t i s r a t h e r \" s t a g n a n t \" and has been f o r t h e p a s t 60 y e a r s . T h i s o b s e r v a t i o n does n o t i n c l u d e t h e s p r e a d o f s p r u c e f o r e s t o n t o t h e S l i m s R i v e r f l o o d p l a i n . D i s t u r b e d s i t e s i n t h e s p r u c e f o r e s t , as f o r i n s t a n c e r o a d c u t s o r t e l e p h o n e l i n e s , a r e f i r s t i n v a d e d by w i l l o w s ana' p o p l a r . On d i s t u r b e d g r a s s l a n d a r e a s A r t e m i s i a f r i q i d a as w e l l a s A r t e m i s i a d r a c u n c u l u s become e s t a b l i s h e d f i r s t , t h a n f o l l o w E r i q e r o n c a e s p i t o s u s , L inum p e r e n n e , L a p p u l a m y o s o t i s and Chamaerhodos e r e c t a a f t e r more t h a n 30 y e a r s o n l y a few p l a n t s o f A q r o p y r o n y u k o n e n s e and Poa g l a u c a have made a comeback , and n e i t h e r C a r e x f i l i f o l i a n o r any o f t h e c r u s t o s e l i c h e n s p e c i e s c h a r a c t e r i s t i c o f d r y g r a s s -l a n d s have r e a p p e a r e d . I n t h e a l p i n e and s u b a l p i n e b i o g e o c l i m a t e z o n e s d u r a t i o n o f snow c o v e r and d e p t h a r e much more i m p o r t a n t e n v i r o n m e n t a l f a c t o r s c h a r a c t e r i z i n g h a b i t a t s o f v a r i o u s a s s o c i a t i o n s t h a n i n t h e b o r e a l 139 zone ( F i g u r e 3 3 ) . Show c o v e r i n c r e a s e s w i t h a l t i t u d e and r e -d i s t r i b u t i o n o f snow by w i n d s i s much more i m p o r t a n t above t r e e l i n e where w i n d v e l o c i t i e s r e a c h much g r e a t e r m a g n i t u d e s . The h a b i t a t s o f t h e two p r e d o m i n a n t w i l l o w a s s o c i a t i o n s o f t h e s u b a l p i n e b i o g e o c l i m a t e zone can be e a s i l y d i s t i n g u i s h e d . A r c t o s t a p h y l o ( r u b r a e - u v a e - u r s i ) - F e s t u c o ( a l t a i c a e ) - S a l i c e t u m r e t i c u l a t a e - g l a u c a e o c c u p i e s a l m o s t e x c l u s i v e l y s o u t h e r n and w e s t e r n a s p e c t s o f m e s i c s i t e s (3+ t o 3 h y g r o t o p e u n i t s ) , w h i l e A r c t o s t a p h y l o ( r u b r a e ) - C a s s i o p o ( t e t r a g o n a e ) - S a l i c e t u m r e t i c u l a t a e - l a n a t a e - g l a u c a e i s r e s t r i c t e d t o n o r t h e r n and n o r t h -e a s t e r n a s p e c t s w i t h f a i r l y m o i s t s u b s t r a t e s ( 3 / 4 t o 4 h y g r o t o p e u n i t s ) . A t h i r d w i l l o w a s s o c i a t i o n o f t h e s u b a l p i n e z o n e , A r t e m i s i o ( h y p e r b o r e a e - a l a s k a n a e ) - S a l i c e t u m m y r t i l l i f o l i a e i s r e s t r i c t e d i n t h e s t u d y a r e a t o t h e 4300 t o 5000 f e e t e l e v a t i o n s and i s a p i o n e e r community i n v a d i n g c o a r s e , u n s t a b l e s c r e e s l o p e s . T h r e e \" s c r e e s l o p e a s s o c i a t i o n s \" have been d e s c r i b e d f o r t h e s t u d y a r e a . S i t e s d i r e c t l y under e r o d i n g c l i f f s , where t h e s c r e e m a t e r i a l r e t a i n e d i s r e l a t i v e l y f i n e , a r e o c c u p i e d by A g r o p y r e t u m v i o l a c e i . Such l o c a t i o n s a r e l i m i t e d t o a l t i t u d e s o f t h e a l p i n e z o n e . F u r t h e r down a l o n g s u c h s c r e e s l o p e s , where c o a r s e m a t e r i a l a c c u m u l a t e s and t h e r a t h e r s t e e p a n g l e o f t h e s c r e e s l o p e s b e g i n s t o l e v e l o f f , i s f o u n d t h e above m e n t i o n e d w i l l o w a s s o c i a t i o n A r t e m i s i o ( h y p e r b o r e a e - a l a s k a n a e ) - S a l i c e t u m m y r t i l l i f o l i a e . B e c a u s e o f t h e c o a r s e s u b s t r a t e , more l e v e l g r o u n d , and s h r u b b y v e g e t a t i o n t h e s i t e s o c c u p i e d by t h e s e w i l l o w s t a n d s r e t a i n more snow and a r e more m o i s t d u r i n g t h e e n t i r e g r o w i n g s e a s o n due t o s e e p a g e w a t e r f r o m a b o v e . The t h i r d s c r e e s l o p e a s s o c i a t i o n d e s c r i b e d i s A r t e m i s i e t u m a l a s k a n a e 1 kO, w h i c h o c c u p i e s f a i r l y d r y r i d g e s o f s t a b i l i z e d , o l d s c r e e . The s u b s t r a t e c o n s i s t o f r e l a t i v e l y f i n e - g r a i n e d , w e a t h e r e d s c r e e -m a t e r i a l , o f t e n m i x e d w i t h c o n s i d e r a b l e .amounts o f w i n d - b l o w n l o e s s . The m a j o r i t y o f s c r e e s l o p e s i n t h e s t u d y a r e a a r e on f a i r l y d r y , w i n d - s w e p t , s o u t h and s o u t h e a s t f a c i n g s l o p e s and t h e a s s o c i a t i o n s f o u n d on them w i l l f o r t h e most p a r t g r a d u a l l y d e v e l o p i n t o d r y g r a s s l a n d a s s o c i a t i o n s o f t h e t y p e s O x y t r o p o ( v i s c i d a e ) - A r t e m i s i o ( h y p e r b o r e a e - f r i g i d a e ) - C a r i c e t u m f i l i f o l i a e ( i n t h e s u b a l p i n e z o n e ) o r O x y t r o p o ( v i s c i d a e ) - A r t e m i s i o ( h y p e r b o r e a e ) - F e s t u c o ( b r a c h y p h y l l a e ) - T r i s e t e t u m s p i c a t i ( i n t h e a l p i n e z o n e ) . The h a b i t a t s o f t h e v a r i o u s a s s o c i a t i o n s d e s c r i b e d f o r t h e a l p i n e b i o g e o c l i m a t i c zone c a n be a r r a n g e d . a c c o r d i n g t o a d i s t i n c t s o i l m o i s L u r o g r a d i e n t ( F i g u r e 32) a s U J I I as t o one o f snow d e p t h and d u r a t i o n ( F i g u r e 3 3 ) . However , i t i s d i f f i c u l t t o s e p a r a t e t h e e n v i r o n m e n t s o f c l o s e l y r e l a t e d a s s o c i a t i o n s on t h e b a s i s o f t h e few e n v i r o n m e n t a l f a c t o r s a n a l y s e d , and more w o r k , p a r t i c u l a r l y w i t h r e s p e c t t o s o i l c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s , i s n e c e s s a r y . The h a b i t a t s o f t h e two a s s o c i a t i o n s o f t h e o r d e r OXYTROPO (V ISCIDAE) - ARTEMISIO (HYPERBOREAE) - FESTUCO (BRACHYPHYLLAE) - TRISETETALIA S P I C A T I , a t t h e d r y e x t r e m e o f t h e m o i s t u r e and snow g r a d i e n t s , can be s e p a r a t e d on t h e b a s i s o f a s p e c t , snow c o v e r , and e x p o s u r e t o w i n d . O x y t r o p o ( v i s c i d a e ) - A r t e m i s i o ( h y p e r b o r e a e ) - F e s t u c o ( b r a c h y -p h y l l a e ) - T r i s e t e t u m s p i c a t i i s a c o n t i n u a t i o n i n t o t h e a l p i n e zone o f t h e g r a s s l a n d a s s o c i a t i o n s o f t h e o r d e r ARTEMISIO (FRIGIDAE) -AGROPHYRETALIA YUKONENSIS o f the ' b o r e a l and s u b a l p i n e z o n e s , i n p a r t i c u l a r t h e a s s o c i a t i o n O x y t r o p o ( v i s c i d a e ) - A r t e m i s i o 141 ( h y p e r b o r e a e - f r i g i d a e ) - C a r i c e t u m f i l i f o l i a e , u i t h w h i c h i t s h a r e s a number o f s p e c i e s ( T a b l e s 27 and 2 0 ) . I t o c c u p i e s p r i m a r i l y s o u t h and w e s t f a c i n g e x p o s e d s l o p e s , on w h i c h t h e snow c o v e r i s l o w and i n t e r m i t t e n t b e c a u s e o f f r e q u e n t s t r o n g w i n d s f rom t h e w e s t . On t h e o t h e r h a n d , t h e c l o s e l y r e l a t e d O x y t r o p o ( h u d d e l s o n i i ) - S a l i c e t u m dodgeanae a l s o o c c u p i e s f a i r l y d r y r i d g e t o p s , b u t t h e s e have n o r t h e r n and n o r t h e a s t e r n a s p e c t s and r e c e i v e l e s s s u n s h i n e and w i n d . The s u b s t r a t e i s c o n s i d e r a b l y m o i s t e r d u r i n g t h e g r o w i n g s e a s o n . The two c l o s e l y r e l a t e d a s s o c i a t i o n s o f t h e o r d e r DRYADETALIA IIMTEGRIDOLIAE have d i s t i n c t l y d i f f e r e n t h a b i t a t s w i t h r e s p e c t t o a s p e c t , snow d e p t h and d u r a t i o n . S a l i c o ( r e t i c u l a t a e ) \" - S i l e n o ( a c a u l i s ) - C a r i c o ( s c i r p o i d e a e ) - D ryadetum i n t e g r i f o l i a e i s t h e p r e d o m i n a n t a s s o c i a t i o n i n t h e a l p i n e zone on m e s i c s i t e s . The maximum d e p t h o f snow c o v e r does n o t e x c e e d 45 cm and t h e d u r a t i o n o f snow c o v e r i s on t h e a v e r a g e 200 d a y s . T h i s a s s o c i a t i o n o c c u p i e s s i t e s w i t h a g r e a t r a n g e o f s l o p e i n c l i n a t i o n and e x p o s u r e , b u t u s u a l l y n o t n o r t h f a c i n g s l o p e s . The c l o s e l y r e l a t e d S a l i c o ( r e t i c u l a t a e ) - C a s s i o p o ( t e t r a g o n a e ) - D ryadetum i n t e g r i f o l i a e on t h e o t h e r h a n d , i s a l m o s t e x c l u s i v e l y r e s t r i c t e d t o n o r t h f a c i n g s l o p e w h i c h have a d e e p e r snow c o v e r i n w i n t e r , a l o n g e r d u r a t i o n o f snow c o v e r ( F i g u r e 33) and t h e r e f o r e a s h o r t e r g r o w i n g s e a s o n , a s w e l l a s m o i s t e r s o i l c o n d i t i o n s t h a n t h e p r e v i o u s a s s o c i a t i o n . The s i t e s o c c u p i e d by t h i s a s s o c i a t i o n c l o s e l y r e s e m b l e t h a t o f t h e \"snow bed commun i ty \" S a x i f r a g o ( o p p o s i t i f o l i a e ) - O x y r i o ( d i g y n a e ) - S a l i c e t u m p o l a r i s , b u t d i f f e r f r o m i t by h a v i n g a l o n g e r g r o w i n g s e a s o n , a d e e p e r s o i l w i t h a much l o w e r p e r c e n t a g e o f c o a r s e 1 4 2 m a t e r i a l and b e t t e r d r a i n e d c o n d i t i o n s d u r i n g t h e g r o w i n g s e a s o n . Two o t h e r a l p i n e a s s o c i a t i o n s w h i c h a r e v e r y c l o s e l y r e l a t e d i n s p e c i e s c o m p o s i t i o n and o f t e n j o i n t o f o r m l a r g e t r a n s i t i o n a l z o n e s a r e S a l i c e t u m b a r r a t t i a n a e and A r t e m i s i o ( a r c t i c a e ) - S a l i c o ( r e t i c u l a t a e ) - F e s t u c e t u m a l t a i c a e . A l o n g an a l t i t u d i n a l g r a d i e n t , t h e . l a t t e r a s s o c i a t i o n i s u s u a l l y f o u n d b e l o w t h e f o r m e r , h a v i n g a d e e p e r s o i l w i t h a s m a l l e r p e r c e n t a g e o f c o a r s e m a t e r i a l , and more f a v o u r a b l e m o i s t u r e c o n d i t i o n s d u r i n g t h e g r o w i n g s e a s o n b e c a u s e o f more s e e p a g e f r o m a b o v e . Our o b s e r v a t i o n s l e a d us t o assume t h a t t h e s o i l s u n d e r F e s t u c a a l t a i c a g r a s s l a n d s a r e p r o b a b l y t h e most f e r t i l e o f any o f t h e a l p i n e a s s o c i a t i o n s d e s c r i b e d , and t h e p r o d u c t i v i t y and s t a n d i n g c r o p o f t h e a s s o c i a t i o n a p p e a r s t o bs h i g h e r t h a n t h o s e on any c t h ^ r a l p i n e s i t e . The h a b i t a t s o f t h e two a s s o c i a t i o n s o f t h e o r d e r S A L I C E T A L I A POLARIS d i f f e r w i t h r e s p e c t t o snow d e p t h and d u r a t i o n o f c o v e r , w h i c h i n t u r n a r e p r i m a r i l y d e t e r m i n e d by a s p e c t . S a x i f r a g o ( o p p o s i t i f o l i a e ) - O x y r i o ( d i g y n a e ) - S a l i c e t u m p o l a r i s o c c u p i e s p r i m a r i l y t y p i c a l \"snow bed s i t e s \" on n o r t h f a c i n g s l o p e s . Snow d e p t h s o f up t o 100 cm have been measured and t h e d u r a t i o n o f snow c o v e r i s a t l e a s t 270 d a y s , and may i n c e r t a i n s i t e s and d u r i n g c e r t a i n c o o l summers e x t e n d t h r o u g h o u t t h e y e a r . I t i s t h e a s s o c i a t i o n w i t h t h e s h o r t e s t g r o w i n g s e a s o n . S e n e c i o n o ( l u g e n t i s ) - S a l i c e t u m p o l a r i s - r e t i c u l a t a e grows on f l a t s i t e s o r g e n t l e s l o p e s w i t h e x p o s u r e o t h e r t h a n n o r t h f a c i n g , t h e maximum snow d e p t h o b s e r v e d d i d n o t e x c e e d 60 cm, and t h e p e r i o d o f snow c o v e r d i d n o t e x t e n d .. 143 beyond 230 d a y s . The two a s s o c i a t i o n s o f t h e o r d e r PETASITETALIA FR IG ID I grow i n a l p i n e d e p r e s s i o n s a l o n g c r e e k s . W h i l e s i m i l a r i n snow d e p t h and p e r i o d o f c o v e r , t h e i r h a b i t a t s d i f f e r c o n s i d e r a b l y w i t h r e s p e c t t o s l o p e , d r a i n a g e and s o i l c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s . S a x i f r a g o ( h i r c u l i ) -C a r i c e t u m membranaceae i s an a l p i n e marsh c o m m u n i t y , o c c u p y i n g f l a t o r g e n t l y s l o p i n g d e p r e s s i o n s on a s o i l w a t e r s a t u r a t e d t h r o u g h o u t t h e g r o w i n g s e a s o n , b e i n g o f an anmoor humus t y p e . O x y r i o ( d i g y n a e ) - A r t e m i s i e t u m a r c t i c a e - t i l e s i i g rows on f a i r l y s t e e p s t r e a m b a n k s , w h i c h a r e w e l l d r a i n e d d u r i n g t h e g r o w i n g s e a s o n . The s o i l i s d e e p , d a r k and f e r t i l e and r e s e m b l e s t h a t o f A r t e m i s i o ( a r c t i c a e ) - S a l i c o ( r e t i c u l a t a e ) - - F e s t u c e t u m a l t a i c a e . SUGGESTIONS FOR FURTHER SYNECDLOGICAL WORK Even though Sheep M o u n t a i n s u p p o r t s r e p r e s e n t a t i v e s a m p l e s o f t h e v a r i o u s p l a n t a s s o c i a t i o n s u t i l i z e d by D a l l sheep i n t h e c e n t r a l p o r t i o n o f t h e K l u a n e Game S a n c t u a r y , i t i s n o t r e p r e s e n t a t i v e o f a l l p l a n t a s s o c i a t i o n s e n c o u n t e r e d i n t h e a r e a . F o r r e a s o n s o f p h y s i o g r a p h y and l o c a l c l i m a t e m e n t i o n e d e a r l i e r Sheep M o u n t a i n i s v e r y d r y w h i c h has b r o u g h t a b o u t a p r e d o m i n a n c e o f g r a s s l a n d s and o t h e r \" d r y l a n d \" v e g e t a t i o n . The p r o p o r t i o n o f s u c h d r y l a n d a s s o c i a t i o n s t o o t h e r s o c c u p y i n g m e s i c o r m o i s t s i t e s i s much h i g h e r on Sheep M o u n t a i n t h a n on any o f . t h e s u r r o u n d i n g . m o u n t a i n s , and t h i s no d o u b t i s an i m p o r t a n t f a c t o r i n a c c o u n t i n g f o r t h e h i g h number o f sheep s u p p o r t e d on t h e m o u n t a i n d u r i n g w i n t e r . Two o t h e r p h y s i o g r a p h i c c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s o f Sheep M o u n t a i n e l i m i n a t e c e r t a i n p l a n t a s s o c i a t i o n s e n c o u n t e r e d i n s u r r o u n d i n g a r e a s . F i r s t l y , i t s p e a k s o n l y r e a c h an a l t i t u d e o f a b o u t 6400 f e e t , w h i l e t h e a l t i t u d i n a l l i m i t s o f v a s c u l a r p l a n t s i n t h e a r e a i s be tween 7000 f e e t and 7500 f e e t , and t h a t o f l i c h e n s b e t w e e n 8000 f e e t and 8500 f e e t . I n p a r t i c u l a r s e v e r a l l i c h e n c o m m u n i t i e s h a v e been o b s e r v e d a t h i g h e l e v a t i o n s w h i c h were n o t d e s c r i b e d i n t h i s s t u d y . S e c o n d l y , t h e n o r t h s l o p e o f Sheep M o u n t a i n i s e s s e n t i a l l y r e s t r i c t e d t o t h e a l p i n e b i o g e o c l i m a t i c z o n e . B o t h , t h e s h r u b a s s o c i a t i o n s o f t h e s u b -a l p i n e zone as w e l l as t h e f o r e s t s o f t h e b o r e a l zone on n o r t h f a c i n g s l o p e s v a r y c o n s i d e r a b l y f rom t h o s e d e s c r i b e d i n t h i s s t u d y . I n p a r t i c u l a r A l n u s c r i s p a i s an i m p o r t a n t e l e m e n t o f a s s o c i a t i o n s on n o r t h e r n a s p e c t s , b u t i t has n o t been e n c o u n t e r e d i n any o f t h e a s s o c i a t i o n s d e s c r i b e d i n t h i s s t u d y . I t r e q u i r e s a good p r o t e c t i o n o f snow a g a i n s t s e v e r e w i n t e r w h i c h i s more e a s i l y o b t a i n a b l e on n o r t h e r n a s p e c t s . A number o f o t h e r a s s o c i a t i o n s have been o b s e r v e d i n s u r r o u n d i n g a r e a s b u t were n o t f o u n d on t h e s t u d y a r e a . S t a r t i n g a t t h e n o r t h end o f K l u a n e L a k e t h e r e a r e f o r e s t a s s o c i a t i o n s i n w h i c h P i c e a m a r i a n a and B e t u l a p a p y r i f e r a a r e i m p o r t a n t e l e m e n t s . L a r g e t r a c t s o f s h o r e l i n e o f K l u a n e L a k e a r e o c c u p i e d by a l m o s t p u r e s t a n d s o f Hedysarum m a c k e n z i i . A l o n g t h e S l i m s R i v e r v a l l e y a r e c e r t a i n marshy a r e a s i n w h i c h E q u i s e t u m p a l u s t r e and E r i o p h o r u m a n q u s t i f o l i u m a r e p r e d o m i n a n t . A g r a s s l a n d a s s o c i a t i o n o f o n l y s p o r a d i c o c c u r r e n c e on Sheep M o u n t a i n i s d o m i n a t e d by P l a n t a q o c a n e s c e n s . K l u a n e L a k e as w e l l as t h e ponds o f t h e S l i m s R i v e r v a l l e y have 145 a s s o c i a t i o n s o f submerged v e g e t a t i o n ' , w h i c h were n o t i n v e s t i g a t e d . L a s t l y , a l l a s s o c i a t i o n s d e s c r i b e d f o r t h e s t u d y a r e a a r e o f a s i z e \" u s e f u l \" t o s h e e p . T h i s means t h e y had t o o c c u p y an a r e a o f t h e . p r e - d e t e r m i n e d p l o t s i z e o f 10 m e t e r s by 10 m e t e r s o r 5 m e t e r s by 20 m e t e r s . \" M i n i a t u r e \" a s s o c i a t i o n s , a s f o r i n s t a n c e t h e l i c h e n c o m m u n i t i e s o f a r o t t e n t r e e t r u n k o r a \" m i c r o e c o s y s t e m \" a r o u n d a s p r i n g were n o t d e a l t w i t h i n t h i s s t u d y . SUMMARY 1) The s t u d y a r e a - Sheep M o u n t a i n - i s l o c a t e d n e a r t h e c e n t r e o f t h e n e w l y - p r o p o s e d K l u a n e N a t i o n a l P a r k , s o u t h w e s t Yukon T e r r i t o r y , where t h e S l i m s R i v e r e n t e r s K l u a n e L a k e . I t c o n s t i t u t e s t h e w i n t e r r a n g e o f a h e r d o f up t o 200 D a l l s h e e p . 2) The b o u n d a r i e s o f t h e a r e a mapped a r e K l u a n e L a k e i n t h e e a s t , S l i m s R i v e r i n t h e s o u t h , Sheep C r e e k i n t h e w e s t , and t h e d e p r e s s i o n between Sheep M o u n t a i n and a d j a c e n t Mount W a l l a c e i n t h e n o r t h . The w e s t e r n p o r t i o n o f t h e d e p r e s s i o n i s o c c u p i e d by a s m a l l c r e e k c a l l e d \" F o r t y e i g h t P u p \" , and t h e e a s t e r n p o r t i o n i s o c c u p i e d by a s m a l l e r unnamed c r e e k . 3) The a r e a mapped i s - o n t h e a v e r a g e 4 m i l e s l o n g and 2 . 2 m i l e s w i d e and o c c u p i e s a p p r o x i m a t e l y 9 . 3 s q u a r e m i l e s map s u r f a c e o r a b o u t 11 s q u a r e m i l e s i f s l o p e i s t a k e n i n t o c o n s i d e r a t i o n . The a v e r a g e l e v e l o f K l u a n e L a k e i s 2563 f e e t above s e a l e v e l , w h i l e t h e p e a k s o f Sheep M o u n t a i n a r e a t an e l e v a t i o n o f a b o u t 6400 f e e t , g i v i n g t h e p e a k s a h e i g h t o f a b o u t 3800 f e e t above 1 46 t h e v a l l e y f l o o r . Sheep M o u n t a i n i s one o f t h e m o u n t a i n s o f t h e K l u a n e R a n g e , w h i c h i s p a r t o f t h e S t . E l i a s M o u n t a i n s . I t s b e d r o c k f o r m a t i o n s a r e o f T r i a s s i c , P e r m i a n , C r e t a c e o u s and T e r t i a r y a g e s . F o u r g l a c i a t i o n s c o v e r i n g Sheep M o u n t a i n t o v a r y i n g d e g r e e s h a v e been d o c u m e n t e d . The Shakwak G l a c i a t i o n r e t r e a t e d p r i o r t o 49000 B . P . , t h e I c e f i e l d G l a c i a t i o n ended a b o u t 37700 B . P . , t h e K l u a n e G l a c i a t i o n ended be tween 12500 t o 9780 B . P . and t h e N e o g l a c i a t i o n i s c u r r e n t . M o s t s o i l s o f Sheep M o u n t a i n b e l o n g t o t h e R e g o s o l o r d e r . A l m o s t a l l s o i l s a r e a f f e c t e d by c o n t i n u i n g l o e s s d e p o s i t i o n s , even t h o u g h t h e m a g n i t u d e o f t h i s d e c r e a s e s w i t h i n c r e a s i n g a l t i t u d e s . Some w e t l a n d s e l l s o f t h e S l i m s R i v e r f l o c d p l r i n a s w e l l a s o f a l p i n e d e p r e s s i o n s show c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s o f g l e y s o l s , w h i l e t h e m e s i c a l p i n e z o n a l a s s o c i a t i o n s g r o w on R e n d z i n a s o i l s . Mos t s o i l s i n t h e s t u d y a r e a a r e a l k a l i n e , w h i l e t h o s e o f a few m o i s t s i t e s w i t h n o r t h e r n a s p e c t s a p p r o a c h n e u t r a l i t y . The c l i m a t e o f t h e s t u d y a r e a i s c o n t i n e n t a l and s e m i - a r i d . Under t h e Koppen c l a s s i f i c a t i o n o f c l i m a t e s o f t h e e a r t h t h e b o r e a l a s w e l l as t h e s u b a l p i n e z o n e s o f Sheep M o u n t a i n w o u l d f a l l i n t o t h e D f c ( s u b - a r c t i c ) c a t e g o r y , w h i l e t h e a l p i n e zone e x p e r i e n c e s an ET ( t u n d r a ) c l i m a t e . The mean a n n u a l t e m p e r a t u r e i s a r o u n d 2 5 \u00C2\u00B0 F , w h i l e t h e t o t a l a n n u a l p r e c i p i t a t i o n i s a r o u n d 10 i n c h e s OT l e s s . 147 The g e o g r a p h i c l o c a t i o n o f Sheep M o u n t a i n , t h e a r e a s o f l o w r e l i e f s u r r o u n d i n g i t , and t h e p r e s e n c e o f K l u a n e L a k e have b r o u g h t a b o u t some m o d i f i c a t i o n o f t h e r e g i o n a l c l i m a t e . These i n c l u d e m o d e r a t i o n o f t e m p e r a t u r e s , s t r o n g w e s t w i n d s and a h i g h d e g r e e o f e x p o s u r e t o d i r e c t s u n s h i n e , w h i c h b r i n g a b o u t i n c r e a s e d e v a p o t r a n s p i r a t i o n r a t e s and i n c r e a s e d a r i d i t y d u r i n g t h e g r o w i n g s e a s o n . T h r e e b i o g e o c l i m a t i c z o n e s a r e d i s t i n g u i s h e d i n t h e s t u d y a r e a , i ) The b o r e a l (montane) zone f r o m t h e l o w e s t e l e v a t i o n s o f t h e v a l l e y f l o o r t o an a l t i t u d e o f a b o u t 3800 f e e t , i i ) The s u b a l p i n e zone be tween 3800 and 5000 f e e t a l t i t u d e s , and i i i ) The a l p i n e zone above t h e 5000 f e e t e l e v a t i o n . A t o t a l o f 32 p l a n t a s s o c i a t i o n s a r e d e s c r i b e d and g r o u p e d i n t o 23 a l l i a n c e s and 17 o r d e r s ; t h e g r e a t m a j o r i t y a r e r e s t r i c t e d i n d i s t r i b u t i o n t o one o f t h e t h r e e b i o g e o c l i m a t i c z o n e s . The d i s t r i b u t i o n o f t h e m a j o r i t y o f a s s o c i a t i o n s c o u l d be c o r r e l a t e d t o d i s t i n c t e n v i r o n m e n t a l g r a d i e n t s w i t h r e s p e c t t o snow d e p t h and d u r a t i o n o f snow c o v e r , s o i l m o i s t u r e d u r i n g t h e g r o w i n g s e a s o n , a s p e c t , s l o p e and some p h y s i c a l c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s o f t h e s o i l s . E i g h t a s s o c i a t i o n s , g r o u p e d i n t o 5 a l l i a n c e s and 3 o r d e r s , have been d e s c r i b e d f o r t h e S l i m s R i v e r f l o o d p l a i n . T h i s s u b s t r a t e i s o n l y 100 y e a r s o l d o r even y o u n g e r , and t h e 1 48 a s s o c i a t i o n s o c c u p y i n g i t a r e p i o n e e r and s u c c e s s i o n a l . The c l i m a x v e g e t a t i o n on m e s i c z o n a l s i t e s o f t h e b o r e a l z o n e i s t h e w h i t e s p r u c e f o r e s t . Dry s i t e s a r e o c c u p i e d by v a r i o u s g r a s s l a n d ( s t e p p e ) a s s o c i a t i o n s . P o p l a r s t a n d s o r a s s o c i a t i o n s d o m i n a t e d by b e a r b e r r y ( A r c t o s t a p h y l o s u v a - u r s i ) o c c u p y i n t e r m e d i a t e l o c a t i o n s . T h i s v e g e t a t i o n c o v e r a p p e a r s t o be \" i n b a l a n c e \" w i t h e x i s t i n g e n v i r o n m e n t a l c o n d i t i o n s and v e r y l i t t l e s u c c e s s i o n c o u l d be d o c u m e n t e d . I n p a r t i c u l a r t h e d i s t r i b u t i o n o f s p r u c e f o r e s t i s s t a b l e and h a s been f o r a t l e a s t t h e p a s t 60 y e a r s . The c l i m a x v e g e t a t i o n o f t h e s u b a l p i n e b i o g e o c l i m a t i c zone o f m e s i c s i t e s a r e b i r c h - w i l l o w s h r u b a s s o c i a t i o n s . As i n t h e b o r e a l z o n e , d r y ulceus a r e o c c u p i e d by g r a s s l a n d a s s o c i a t i o n s . S u c c e s s i o n i n t h i s zone i s l i m i t e d t o t h e c o l o n i z a t i o n o f s c r e e s l o p e s . Even t h o u g h w h i t e s p r u c e may become e s t a b l i s h e d a t t h e l o w e r l e v e l s o f t h e s u b a l p i n e z o n e , t h e t r e e s o b s e r v e d a r e n o t v i g o r o u s and a r e o f t h e \" K r u m m h o l z \" t y p e . E l e v e n a s s o c i a t i o n s a r e d e s c r i b e d f o r t h e a l p i n e b i o g e o -c l i m a t i c z o n e , mak ing up 10 a l l i a n c e s and 7 o r d e r s . T h e i r h a b i t a t s c o v e r a w i d e r a n g e o f s o i l m o i s t u r e and snow c o v e r c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s . A s s o c i a t i o n s o c c u p y i n g m e s i c s i t e s a r e d o m i n a t e d by m o u n t a i n a v e n s ( D r y a s i n t e g r i f o l i a ) . As i n t h e s u b a l p i n e zone t h e p r e s e n t d i s t r i b u t i o n o f t h e v a r i o u s a s s o c i a t i o n s a p p e a r s t o be s t a b l e and s u c c e s s i o n was o n l y o b s e r v e d on s c r e e s l o p e s . 1 ks LITERATURE CITED B a k e w e l l , A . ( 1 9 4 3 ) . B o t a n i c a l c o l l e c t i o n s a t t h e Wood Yukon e x p e d i t i o n s o f 1 9 3 9 - 4 1 . R h o d o r a 4 5 : 3 0 5 - 3 1 6 . , B a n f i e l d , A . W . F . ( 1 9 7 4 ) . The Mammals o f C a n a d a . U n i v e r s i t y o f T o r o n t o P r e s s . B a r r e t t , P . E . and V . 3 . K r a j i n a i n B a r r e t t ( 1 9 7 2 ) . P h y t o g e o c o e n o s e s o f a c o a s t a l l o w l a n d e c o s y s t e m , Devon I s l a n d , N .W.T . P h . D. T h e s i s , D e p t . o f B o t a n y , U n i v e r s i t y o f B r i t i s h C o l u m b i a . B e c k i n g , R.W. ( 1 9 5 6 ) . D i e n a t u r l i c h e n D o u g l a s i e n - U a l d g e s e l l s c h a f t e n W a s h i n g t o n s und O r e g o n s . A l l g e m e i n e O a g d z e i t u n g , Band 1 2 7 , H e f t 2 1 3 : 4 2 - 5 6 . B e c k i n g , R.W. ( 1 9 5 4 ) . S i t e i n d i c a t o r s and f o r e s t t y p e s o f t h e D o u g l a s f i r r e g i o n o f w e s t e r n W a s h i n g t o n and O r e g o n . P h . D. T h e s i s , U n i v e r s i t y o f W a s h i n g t o n , S e a t t l e , W a s h i n g t o n . B o r n s , H.W. O r . and R . P . G o l d t h w a i t ( 1 9 6 6 ) . L a t e P l e i s t o c e n e f l u c t u a t i o n s o f t h e K a s k a w u l s h G l a c i e r , s o u t h w e s t e r n Yukon T e r r i t o r y , C a n a d a . Amer. 3. S c i e n c e 2 6 4 : 6 0 0 - 6 1 9 . B o s t o c k , H . S . ( 1 9 6 9 ) . K l u a n e L a k e , Yukon T e r r i t o r y , i t s d r a i n a g e and a l l i e d p r o b l e m s . G e o l o g i c a l S u r v e y o f C a n a d a , P a p e r 6 9 - 2 8 . B o s t o c k , H . S . ( 1 9 5 2 ) . G e o l o g y o f n o r t h w e s t Shakwak V a l l e y , Yukon T e r r i t o r y . G e o l o g i c a l S u r v e y o f C a n a d a , Mem. 267 . B o s t o c k i H . S . ( 1 9 4 8 ) . P h y s i o g r a p h y o f t h e C a n a d i a n C o r d i l l e r a , w i t h s p e c i a l r e f e r e n c e t o t h e a r e a n o r t h o f t h e f i f t y - f i f t h p a r a l l e l . G e o l o g i c a l S u r v e y o f C a n a d a , Mem 2 4 7 . 1 50 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 B r a u n - B l a n q u e t , 3. ( 1 9 5 1 ) . P f l a n z e n s o z i o l o g i e . 2 . A u f l a g e , U i e n . B r a u n - B l a n q u e t , 3. and U . C . de Leeuw ( 1 9 3 6 ) . l / e g e t a t i o n s k i z z e von ' A m e l a n d . Comm. S . I . G . M . A . 5 0 . N e d e r l . K r u i d k . A r c h . 4 6 . B r o o k e , R . C . ( 1 9 6 6 ) . V e g e t a t i o n - e n v i r o n m e n t r e l a t i o n s h i p s o f S u b -a l p i n e M o u n t a i n Hemlock Zone e c o s y s t e m s . P h . D. T h e s i s , Dep. o f B o t a n y , U n i v e r s i t y o f B r i t i s h C o l u m b i a . B r o o k e , R . C , P e t e r s o n , \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 and K r a j i n a ( 1 9 7 0 ) . The S u b a l p i n e M o u n t a i n Hemlock Z o n e . E c o l . o f W e s t e r n N o r t h A m e r i c a 2 ( 2 ) : 1 4 8 - 3 4 9 . C a p p s , S . R . ( 1 9 1 5 ) . An a n c i e n t v o l c a n i c e r u p t i o n i n t h e u p p e r Yukon b a s i n . U . S . G e o l . S u r v e y , P r o f . P a p e r 9 5 : 5 9 - 6 4 . D a h l , E. ( 1 9 5 6 ) . Rondane ; M o u n t a i n v e g e t a t i o n i n s o u t h Norway and i t s r e l a t i o n t o t h e e n v i r o n m e n t . N o r s k e V i d e n s k . - A k a d . O s l o , M a t . -N a t u r v . K l . , S k r . 1956 ( 3 ) : l - 3 7 4 . Day , 3 . H . ( 1 9 6 2 ) . R e c o n n a i s s a n c e s o i l s u r v e y o f t h e T a k h i n i and D e z a d e a s h v a l l e y s i n t h e Yukon T e r r i t o r y . R e s e a r c h B r a n c h , Canada D e p t . o f A g r i c u l t u r e . 1 - 7 8 . D e e v e y , E . S . and R . F . F l i n t ( 1 9 5 7 ) . P o s t g l a c i a l h y p s i t h e r m a l i n t e r v a l . S c i e n c e 1 2 5 : 1 8 2 - 1 8 4 . D e n t o n , G . H . and M. S t u i v e r ( 1 9 6 6 ) . N e o g l a c i a l C h r o n o l o g y , N o r t h e a s t e r n S t . E l i a s M o u n t a i n s , C a n a d a . Amer. 3. S c i e n c e 2 6 4 : 5 7 7 - 5 9 9 . D e n t o n , G . H . and M. S t u i v e r ( 1 9 6 7 ) . L a t e P l e i s t o c e n e G l a c i a l S t r a t i -g r a p h y and C h r o n o l o g y , N o r t h e a s t e r n S t . E l i a s M o u n t a i n s . G e o l . S o c . o f A m e r i c a B u l l . 7 8 : 4 8 5 - 5 1 0 . 151 D r e e s , E . M . ( 1 9 5 3 ) . A t e n t a t i v e d e s i g n f o r r u l e s o f p h y t o s o c i o l o g i c a l n o m e n c l a t u r e . V e g e t a t i o 4 : 2 0 5 - 2 1 4 . D r u r y , U . H . 3 r . ( 1 9 5 3 ) . B i r d s o f t h e S t . E l i a s Q u a d r a n g l e i n t h e s o u t h -w e s t e r n Yukon T e r r i t o r y . C a n . F i e l d N a t . 6 7 : 1 0 3 - 1 2 8 . F a h n e s t o c k , R . K . ' ( 1 9 6 9 ) . M o r p h o l o g y o f t h e S l i m s R i v e r . I n B u s h n e l l , V . C . and R . H . R a g l e ( e d s . ) I c e f i e l d Ranges R e s e a r c h P r o j e c t S c i e n t i f i c R e s u l t s , V o l . 1 : 1 6 1 - 1 7 2 . P u b l i s h e d j o i n t l y by A m e r i c a n G e o g r a p h i c a l S o c i e t y and A r c t i c I n s t i t u t e o f N o r t h A m e r i c a . '. ' ' G o d f r e y , U . E . ( 1 9 6 6 ) . The B i r d o f C a n a d a , B u l l e t i n No . 2 0 3 . N a t i o n a l Museum o f C a n a d a . H a n s e n , H . P . ( 1 9 5 3 ) . P o s t g l a c i a l f o r e s t s i n t h e Yukon T e r r i t o r y and A l a s k a . Amer. 3 . S c i e n c e 2 5 1 : 5 0 5 - 5 4 2 . H o e f s , M. ( 1 9 7 3 ) . B i r d s o f t h e K l u a n e Game S a n c t u a r y , Yukon T e r r i t o r y , and a d j a c e n t a r e a s . C a n . F i e l d N a t . 8 7 ( 4 ) : 3 4 5 - 3 5 5 . H o e f s , M. ( 1 9 7 4 ) . Food s e l e c t i o n by D a l l s h e e p . In G e i s t , V . ( e d . ) The b e h a v i o u r o f u n g u l a t e s and i t s r e l a t i o n t o management. I n t e r n a t i o n a l U n i o n f o r c o n s e r v a t i o n o f n a t u r e and n a t u r a l r e s o u r c e s , M o r g e s , S w i t z e r l a n d . V o l . 1 1 : 7 5 9 - 7 8 6 . H o e f s , M. and 3.W. Thomson ( 1 9 7 2 ) . L i c h e n s f r o m t h e K l u a n e Game S a n c t u a r y , S.UI. Yukon T e r r i t o r y . C a n . F i e l d N a t . 8 6 ( 3 ) : 2 4 9 - 2 5 2 . H u l t e n , E . ( 1 9 4 0 ) . H i s t o r y o f b o t a n i c a l e x p l o r a t i o n i n A l a s k a and Yukon T e r r i t o r y f r o m t h e t i m e o f t h e i r d i s c o v e r y t o 1 9 4 0 . B o t a n i s k a N o t i s e r 1 9 4 0 : 2 8 9 - 3 4 6 . ' 1 5 2 . H u l t e n , E . ( 1 9 6 8 ) . F l o r a o f A l a s k a and n e i g h b o u r i n g T e r r i t o r i e s . S t a n f o r d U n i v e r s i t y P r e s s , S t a n f o r d , C a l i f o r n i a . PP. 1 - 1 0 0 8 . . J o h n s o n , F . and H .M . Raup ( 1 9 6 4 ) . I n v e s t i g a t i o n s i n S o u t h w e s t Y u k o n . G e o b o t a n i c a l , A r c h a e o l o g i c a l R e c o n n a i s s a n c e . P a p e r s o f t h e R o b e r t S . Peabody F o u n d a t i o n f o r A r c h a e o l o g y , v o l . 6 , 1 . Kend rew, W.G. and D. K e r r ( 1 9 5 5 ) . The c l i m a t e o f B r i t i s h C o l u m b i a and t h e Yukon T e r r i t o r y . Queens P r i n t e r , O t t a w a . K i n d l e , E . D . ( 1 9 5 3 ) . D e z a d e a s h flap - A r e a , Yukon T e r r i t o r y . G e o l o g i c a l S u r v e y o f C a n a d a , M e m . 2 6 8 : 1 - 6 8 . K r a j i n a , V . 3 . ( 1 9 3 3 ) . D i e P f l a n z e n g e s e l l s c h a f t e n des M e g n i c a T a l e s i n den V/ysoke T a t r y (Hohe T a t r a ) , m i t b e s o n d e r e r B e r u c k s i c h t i g u n g d e r o k o l o g i c c h e r V e r n a l t n i s s e . B o t . Z e n t r a l b . 1 a t t , B e i h e f t , A b t . 2 . 5 0 : 7 4 4 - 9 5 7 ; 5 1 : 1 - 2 4 4 . K r a j i n a , V . 3 . ( 1 9 6 5 ) . B i o g e o c l i m a t i c Zones and C l a s s i f i c a t i o n o f B r i t i s h C o l u m b i a . E c o l . o f W e s t e r n N o r t h A m e r i c a 1 : 1 - 1 7 . K r a j i n a , V . 3 . ( 1 9 6 9 ) . E c o l o g y o f f o r e s t t r e e s i n B r i t i s h C o l u m b i a . E c o l . . o f W e s t e r n N o r t h A m e r i c a 2 ( l ) : i - 1 4 6 . K r a j i n a , V . 3 . ( 1 9 7 4 ) . Some o b s e r v a t i o n s on t h e t h r e e s u b a l p i n e b i o g e o -c l i m a t i c z o n e s i n B r i t i s h C o l u m b i a , Yukon and M a c k e n z i e D i s t r i c t . P h y t o l o g i a ( a c c e p t e d f o r p u b l i c a t i o n ) . K u c h l e r , A.W. ( 1 9 6 7 ) . V e g e t a t i o n M a p p i n g . The R o n a l d P r e s s Company, New Y o r k . Pages 1 - 4 7 2 . L a m b e r t , 3 . D . H . and V . 3 . K r a j i n a (1968) i n L a m b e r t , 3 . D . H . ( 1 9 6 8 ) . The i 1 53 e c o l o g y and s u c c e s s i o n a l t r e n d s o f t u n d r a p l a n t c o m m u n i t i e s i n t h e l o w a r c t i c s u b a l p i n e zone o f t h e R i c h a r d s o n and B r i t i s h M o u n t a i n s o f t h e C a n a d i a n W e s t e r n A r c t i c . P h . D. T h e s i s , D e p t . o f B o t a n y , U n i v e r s i t y o f B r i t i s h C o l u m b i a . L o v e , D. and N . 3 . Freedman ( 1 9 5 6 ) . A p l a n t c o l l e c t i o n f r o m S.W. Y u k o n . B o t a n i s k a N o t i s e r 1 0 9 : 1 5 3 - 2 1 1 . L u t z , H . 3 . ( 1 9 5 6 ) . E c o l o g i c a l e f f e c t s o f f o r e s t f i r e s i n t h e i n t e r i o r o f A l a s k a . U . S . D e p t . o f A g r i c u l t u r e , T e c h . B u l l . 1 1 3 3 . M i l l e r , O . K . 3 r . ( 1 9 6 8 ) . I n t e r e s t i n g F u n g i o f t h e S t . E l i a s M o u n t a i n s , Yukon T e r r i t o r y , and a d j a c e n t A l a s k a . M y c o l o g i a 6 0 : 1 1 9 0 - 1 2 0 3 . M i l l e r , O . K . 3 r . ( 1 9 6 9 ) . N o t e s on G a s t r o m y c e t e s o f t h e Yukon T e r r i t o r y and a d j a n e n t A l a s k a . C a n . 3 . B o t a n . 4 7 : ? 4 7 - 2 5 0 . M i l l e r , O . K . 3 r . and R . L . G i l b e r t s o n ( 1 9 6 9 ) . N o t e s on H o m o b a s i d i o m y c e t e s f r o m n o r t h e r n Canada and A l a s k a . M y c o l o g i a 6 1 : 8 4 0 - 8 4 4 . M u l l e r , 3 . E . ( 1 9 5 8 ) . T e c t o n i c s o f t h e Shakwak l i n e a m e n t , s o u t h w e s t Yukon and e a s t e r n A l a s k a . G e o l . S o c . A m e r i c a B u l l . 6 9 : 1 6 1 9 - 2 0 . M u l l e r , 3 . E . ( 1 9 6 7 ) . K l u a n e L a k e Map - A r e a , Yukon T e r r i t o r y . G e o l o g i c a l S u r v e y o f C a n a d a , Mem. 3 4 0 : 1 - 1 3 7 . M u r r a y , D . F . ( 1 9 6 5 ) . E c o l o g i c a l s t u d i e s on a n u n a t a k i n t h e K a s k a w u l s h G l a c i e r , Yukon T e r r i t o r y . F i n a l r e p o r t t o t h e A r c t i c I n s t i t u t e o f N o r t h A m e r i c a f o r G r a n t I . R . R . P i - 9 5 . ( U n p u b l . M . S . ) . M u r r a y , D . F . ( 1 9 6 8 ) . A p l a n t c o l l e c t i o n f rom t h e W r a n g e l l M o u n t a i n s , A l a s k a . A r c t i c 2 1 ( 2 ) : 1 0 6 - 1 0 9 . 154 M u r r a y , D . F . ( 1 9 7 1 a ) . Comments o f t h e f l o r a o f t h e S t e e l e G l a c i e r r e g i o n , Yukon T e r r i t o r y . In F i s h e r , M. ( e d . ) E x p e d i t i o n Y u k o n . Thomas N e l s o n and Sons (Canada) L t d . Don M i l l s . Pages 1 7 8 - 1 8 1 . M u r r a y , D . F . ( 1 9 7 1 b ) . N o t e s on t h e a l p i n e f l o r a o f t h e S t . E l i a s M o u n t a i n s . A r c t i c 2 4 ( 4 ) : 3 0 1 - 3 0 4 . N e i l s o n , 3 . A . ( 1 9 6 8 ) . New and i m p o r t a n t A d d i t i o n s t o t h e F l o r a o f t h e s o u t h w e s t e r n Yukon T e r r i t o r y , C a n a d a . C a n . F i e l d N a t . 8 2 : 1 1 4 - 1 1 9 . N e i l s o n , 3 . A . ( 1 9 7 2 ) . A c h e c k l i s t o f l / a s c u l a r P l a n t s f r o m t h e I c e f i e l d Ranges R e s e a r c h P r o j e c t A r e a . In B u s h n e l l , V . C . and R . H . R a g l e ( e d s . ) , I c e f i e l d Ranges R e s e a r c h P r o j e c t S c i e n t i f i c R e s u l t s , V o l . 3 : 2 2 1 - 2 3 9 . P u b l i s h e d j o i n t l y by A m e r i c a n G e o g r a p h i c a l S o c i e t y and A r c t i c I n s t i t u t e o f N o r t h A m e r i c a . N e u h a u s l , R. ( 1 9 6 8 ) . D r a f t p r o p o s a l f o r n o m e n c l a t u r e p r i n c i p l e s i n f l o r i s t i c p h y t o s o c i o l o g y . F o l i a G e o b o t . P h y t o t a x . , P r a h a 3 : 4 7 - 5 5 . O t t o , G . F . and T. A h t i ( 1 9 6 7 ) . L i c h e n s o f B r i t i s h C o l u m b i a . D e p t . o f B o t a n y , U n i v e r s i t y o f B r i t i s h C o l u m b i a , M . S . (40 p. m i m e o . ) . O r l o c i , L . ( 1 9 6 4 ) . V e g e t a t i o n a l and e n v i r o n m e n t a l v a r i a t i o n s i n t h e e c o s y s t e m s o f t h e C o a s t a l Hemlock Zone . P h . D. T h e s i s , D e p t . o f B o t a n y , U n i v e r s i t y o f B r i t i s h C o l u m b i a . P o o r e , M . E . D . ( 1 9 5 5 ) . The u s e o f p h y t o s o c i o l o g i c a l methods i n e c o l o g i c a l i n v e s t i g a t i o n s . I . The B r a u n - B l a n q u e t s y s t e m . I I . ' P r a c t i c a l i s s u e s i n v o l v e d i n an a t t e m p t t o a p p l y t h e B r a u n - B l a n q u e t S y s t e m . I I I . P r a c t i c a l a p p l i c a t i o n s . 3 . E c o l . 4 3 : 2 2 6 - 2 4 4 , 2 4 5 - 2 6 9 , 6 0 6 - 6 5 1 . 1 5 5 P o o r s , M . E . D . ( 1 9 5 6 ) . The use o f p h y t o s o c i o l o g i e a l methods i n e c o l o g i c a l i n v e s t i g a t i o n s . I V . G e n e r a l d i s c u s s i o n o f p h y t o s o c i o l o g i e a l p r o b l e m s . . 3. E c o l . 4 4 : 2 8 - 5 0 . P o o r s , M . E . D . ( 1 9 6 2 ) . The method o f s u c c e s s i v e a p p r o x i m a t i o n i n d e s c r i p t i v e e c o l o g y . Adv . E c o l . R e s . 1 : 3 5 - 6 8 . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . P o r s i l d , A . E . ( 1 9 3 9 ) . C o n t r i b u t i o n t o t h e f l o r a o f A l a s k a . R h o d o r a 4 1 , 1 9 3 9 : 1 4 1 - 1 8 3 , 1 9 9 - 2 5 4 , 2 6 2 - 3 0 1 . P o r s i l d , A . E . ( 1 9 6 6 ) . C o n t r i b u t i o n s t o t h e f l o r a o f s o u t h w e s t e r n Yukon T e r r i t o r y . N a t i o n a l Museum o f C a n a d a , B u l l . 2 1 6 : 1 - 8 6 . P r i c e , L.W. ( 1 9 7 1 ) . - V e g e t a t i o n , m i c r o t o p o g r a p h y , and d e p t h o f a c t i v e l a y e r on d i f f e r e n t e x p o s u r e s i n s u b a r c t i c a l p i n e t u n d r a . E c o l . 5 2 ( 4 ) : 6 3 8 - 6 4 7 . Rampton , V . ( 1 9 7 1 ) . L a t e Q u a t e r n a r y V e g e t a t i o n a l and C l i m a t i c H i s t o r y o f t h e Snag - K l u t l a n A r e a , S o u t h w e s t Yukon T e r r i t o r y , C a n a d a . G e o l . S o c . A m e r i c a B u l l . 8 2 : 9 5 9 - 9 7 8 . Raup , H .M . ( 1 9 4 4 ) . E x p e d i t i o n t o t h e A l a s k a M i l i t a r y H i g h w a y . A r n o l d i a 4 : 6 5 - 7 2 . S c h o f i e l d , W.B. ( 1 9 6 9 a ) . A c h e c k l i s t o f H e p a t i c a e and A n t h o c e r o t a e o f B r i t i s h C o l u m b i a . S y e s i s 1 ( 1 9 6 8 ) : 1 5 7 - 1 6 2 . S c h o f i e l d , W.B. ( 1 9 6 9 b ) . A s e l e c t i v e l y a n n o t a t e d c h e c k l i s t o f B r i t i s h C o l u m b i a m o s s e s . S y e s i s 1 ( 1 9 6 8 ) : 1 6 3 - 1 7 5 . S c o t t , R.W. ( 1 9 6 8 ) . V a s c u l a r p l a n t s o f t h e C h i t i s t o n e P a s s a r e a , A l a s k a . T e c h . R e p o r t No. 2 , H i g h M o u n t a i n e n v i r o n m e n t p r o j e c t , A r c t i c I n s t i t u t e - 156 o f N o r t h A m e r i c a , P P . 1 - 1 8 . S m i t h , C . C . and M.M. Thomson ( 1 9 5 8 ) . S t a n d a r d t i m e and t i m e z o n e s i n C a n a d a . 3. R o y a l A s t r o n . S o c . Canada 5 2 : 1 9 3 - 2 2 3 . S t u i v e r , M . , B o r n s , H.W. and G . H . Denton ( 1 9 5 4 ) . Age o f a w i d e s p r e a d \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 l a y e r o f v o l c a n i c a s h i n t h e s o u t h w e s t e r n Yukon T e r r i t o r y . A r c t i c 1 7 : 2 5 9 - 2 6 0 . T a y l o r - B a r g e , B. ( 1 9 6 9 ) . The summer c l i m a t e o f t h e S t . E l i a s M o u n t a i n R e g i o n . A r c t i c I n s t i t u t e o f N o r t h A m e r i c a , R e s . P a p e r No . 5 3 : 1 - 2 6 5 . T r e w a r t h a , G . T . ( 1 9 4 3 ) . An i n t r o d u c t i o n t o w e a t h e r and c l i m a t e . McGraw H i l l Book Company, New Y o r k , P P . 1 - 5 4 3 . W h e e l e r , 0 . 0 . ( 1 9 6 3 ) . K a s k a w u l s h Map - A r e a , Yukon T e r r i t o r y . G e o -l o g i c a l S u r v e y o f C a n a d a , Map 1134 A. APPENDIXES Sy n t h e s i s t a b l e s of orders and t h e i r lower u n i t s L i s t of v a s c u l a r p l a n t s L i s t of l i c h e n s L i s t of mosses and h e p a t i c a e Standard e c o l o g i c a l forms Condensed t a b l e of f l o r i s t i c s t r u c t u r e of p l a n t ' a s s o c i a t i o n s and t h e i r h i g h e r u n i t s V e g e t a t i o n map of Sheep Mountain Order\u00C2\u00AB A l l i a n c e i A s s o c i a t i o n : P l o t number Hygrotope 1. PUCCINELLIO - SALICORNIETALIA 1. P u c c i n e l l i o n d e s c h a m p s l o i d i a 1. P u c c i n e l l i o (deschampsioi- 2. Astero (yukonensis) dis) - Taraxacetum l a c e r i Hordeo (jubati) - Pucci-nellietum deschampsioidis 3. Hordeo (jubati) - Aste-retum yukonensis 85 3-Order 1 G a l l i a n c e 1 charac. speciesi Aster yukonensis +.1 Hozdeum jubatum 86 3-+ .+ Taraxacum lacerum A l l i a n c e 2 charac. species: Deschampsla caespitosa Ranunculus cymbalarla Companion s p e c i e s i Equisetum varlegatum Juncus arcticus Trlglochln palustre 3.1 3.1 90 401 402 88 89 94 97 98 82 84 87 102 3/4 3- 3- 4+ 4+ 3/4 3/4 4+ 4+ 4+ 4+ 4+ +.1 2.1 3.1 1.1 1.1 5.2 5.1 4.1 6.2 4.2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 2.1 2.1 3.1 2.1 1.1 2.1 1.1 1.1 1.1 +.1 + .1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 6.2 5.1 7.2 5.2 2.2 +.1 2.1 +.1 3.1 3.2 3.1 + .1 +.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 + .1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.1 1.1 2.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 * \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 m \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 m \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 2. D e s c h a m p s i o n c a e s p i t o s a e 4. Astero (yukonensis) -Deschampsietum caespitosae 400 4+ 4.2 1.1 1.1 1.1 81 4 83 4+ 1.1 2.+ 4.1 5.1 93 4 3.1 2.1 1.1 6.2 2.1 95 4 5.1 1.1 2.+ 99 4 2.1 2.1 5.2 +.+ 1.+ C P 159 Table 37. Order: A l l i a n c e : A s s o c i a t i o n : P l o t number Hygrotope Order & a l l i a n c e charac. speciesj Calamagrostis neglecta Carex aquatilis (Juncus arcticus) Triglochin palustre A s s o c i a t i o n 5 charac. species: Castilleja yukonis Lomatogonium rotatum Primula striata A s s o c i a t i o n 6 charac. species\u00C2\u00BB (Eriophorum angustifolium) {Eriophorum brachyantherum) . Companion species: (B) Salix brachycarpa (C) A s t e r yukonensis Carex parryana Deschampsia caespitosa Elymus glaucus Bordeum jubatum Parnassia palustris Pedicularis sudetica Ranunculus cymbalaria 2 . C A R I C E T A L I A A Q U A T I L I S 3. T r i g l o c h i n i o n p a l u s t r i s 5. T r i g l o c h i n o ( p a l u s t r i s ) - 6. T r i g l o c h i n o ( p a l u s t r i s ) -Juncetum a r c t i c i Caricetum a q u a t i l i s 70 71 75 76 100 74 77 91 101 403 4- 4- 4- 4/5 4/5 4/S 4/5 4- 4- 4/5 2.1 3.1 3.+ +.+ +.+ + .1 1.+ +.+ +.1 +.+ 1.+ 7.6 7.4 7.3 6.6 7.4 7.5 7.5 6.5 6.3 5.1 +.1 3.1 +.+ +.+ 2.+ 5.1 4.1 + .+ +.+ +-+ +.1 +.+ 2.+ 2.+ 1.+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 2.+ +.+ +.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 + .+ +.2 +.1 1.1 +.+ 3.1 3.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.+ +.+ 2.+ +.+ 2.+ 1.+ 2.+ + .+ . * \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 3.1 2.1 2.1 +.+ * * * \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 3.+ 3.1 2.1 + .1 . # * + .1 1.1 +.1 * \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 # \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 S p e c i e s i n b r a c k e t s a r e r e l a t i v e l y l e s s c h a r a c t e r i s t i c . Table 38. Order: A l l i a n c e : A s s o c i a t i o n : P l o t number Hygrotope 1 60 3. SALICETALIA PLANIFOLIAE 4. S a l i c i o n b r a c h y c a r p a e 5. S a l i c i o n p l a n i f o l i a e 7. Astero (yukonensis) -Junco ( a r c t i c i ) -Salicetum brachycarpae 79 4 80 4-105 4-108 113 4- 4 8. Eriophoro ( a n g u s t i f o l i i ) -Carico ( a q u a t i l i s ) -Salicetum p l a n i f o l i a e 73 78 104 109 115 5+ 5+ 4/5 4/5 5+ Order charac. species: (B) Salix brachycarpa 6.5 5.4 5.3 5.4 7.4 4.2 2.2 Salix planifolia \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 1.2 1.2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 + .2 7.5 5.4 7.7 7.5 7.5 (C) Carex hassei m 1.+ +.+ +.+ ^ ^ ^ Equisetum palustre 2.1 2.1 1.+ +.1 \u00C2\u00AB . 2.1 3.1 6.4 Juncus arcticus 6.5 6.5 6.6 6.6 7.5 4.2 +.+ +.1 (Parnassia palustris) 1.+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 3.+ +.1 2.+ 2.+ 2.+ 1.+ . +.1 (D) Catoscopium nigritum 2.1 1.1 # 3.1 # +.1 2.1 +.1 Cinclidium stygium \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 2.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.1 +.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 A l l i a n c e 4 S a s s o c i a t i o n 7 charac. species -(C)(Aster yukonensis) 3.1 i.+ 1.+ 2.+ 2.+ +.+ (Calamagrostis neglecta) 1.+ i.+ +.+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 Carex microglochin 1.+ . 1.+ +.+ 1.+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 Carex parryana 2.+ i.+ 3.+ +.+ 1.+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 (Lomatogonium rotatum) +.+ . +.+ . +.+ 2.+ Pedicularis sudetica +.+ +.+ 1.+ +.1 2.+ Spiranthes romanzoffiana +\u00E2\u0080\u00A2+ +.+ +.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 A l l i a n c e 5 S a s s o c i a t i o n 8 c b r a c species : (C)(Carex aquatilis) +.+ 1.1 5.2 6.5 7.6 7.6 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 2.1 (Eriophorum angustifolium) \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.1 1.1 2.+ 1.1 + .1 Eriophorum brachyantherum \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . 1.+ . +.+ Juncus alpinus \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . 2.+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 (D)(Campylium stellaturn) +.1 +.1 + .1 Marchantia polymorpha +.1 Meesea uliginosa +.1 - . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 Companion species: (B) Picea glauca Salix myrtillifolia Salix novae-angliae (C) Carex maritima Deschampsia caespitosa Equisetum variegatum Bordeum jubatum Pyrola asarifolia Ranunculus cymbalaria Tofieldia pusilla Trichophorum pumilum Triglochin palustre 1.+ +.2 2 Species names i n brackets are r e l a t i v e l y l e s s c h a r a c t e r i s t i c . Table 39. 4. DRYADETALIA DRUMMONDII 6. Dryadion drummondii 9. Dryadetum drummondii Plot number 372 373 374 375 376 Hygrotope 2- 2/3 2 2 2-Order, alliance & association charac. species: (B) Elaeagnus commutata +.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 * (Populus balsamifera) \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.1 2.2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 (C) Crepis elegans 1.1 1.1 1.1 2.1 + .1 Dryas drummondii 6.5 5.5 7.6 6.5 6.5 (Epilobium latifolium) 2.1 +.1 + .1 1.1 + .1 Lupinus arcticus + .2 1.2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.2 Oxytropis campestris +.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 2.1 + .1 Companion species: (C) Artemisia alaskana \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 + .2 Potentilla multifida \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 + .1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 Species i n b r a c k e t s are r e l a t i v e l y l e s s c h a r a c t e r i s t i c . Order: Alliance: Association: Table 40. Order: Alliance: Association: 1 62 5. POPULETALIA BALSAMIFERAE 7. J u n i p e r o (communis & h o r i z o n t a l i s ) -Shepherdio (canadensis) - P o p u l i o n t r e m u l o i d i s 10. Roso (acicularis) - Shepherdio (canadensis) -Populetum balsamiferae Plot number 395 397 359 155 166 Hygrotope 3+ 3+ 3+ 3+ 2/3 Order, alliance \u00C2\u00A3 association charac. species: (A) Populus balsamifera 7.6 7.7 7.7 7.6 6.5 Populus tremuloides 7.6 7.7 4.5 4.5 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 (B) Juniperus communis 7.5 7.6 7.7 5.5 +.2 Rosa acicularis 5.2 3.2 3.1 3.3 2.1 Shepherdia canadensis 4.3 6.6 7.6 +.1 3.4 Viburnum edule 4.2 5.4 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 5.6 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 (C)(Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) +.1 1.2 4.5 6.6 5.5 \" Epilobium angustifolium +.1 3.1 2.1 1.+ (Geocaulon lividum) 1.1 +.1 1.4 Juniperus horizontalis +.2 +.1 +.3 2.3 8.7 (V)(Hypnum procerrimum) +.1 +.2 +.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 Companion species: (B) Picea glauca +.2 +.2 Salix glauca \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 1.5 +.2 (C) Achillea borealis \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 1.+ Artemisia frigida \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.+ \u00E2\u0080\u0094Artemisia rupestris m +.1 Lirmaea borealis +.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.2 Pyrola secunda +.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 Mertensia paniculata # \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 2.1 Smilacina stellata \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 2.+ (D) Tortula ruralis \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 S p e c i e s i n b r a c k e t s are r e l a t i v e l y l e s s c h a r a c t e r i s t i c . Table 41. 163 Order I 6. CALAMAGROSTIDO (PURPURASCENTIS) - ARCTOSTAPHYLETALIA OVAE-URSI A l l i a n c e s 8. C a l a m a g r o s t i d o ( p u r p u r a s c e n t i s ) - A r c t o s t a p h y l i o n u v a e - u r s i A s s o c i a t i o n : 11. Calamagrostido (purpurascentis) - Arctostaphyletum uvae-ursi P l o t number 11 2 373 13 201 7/70 374 17 372 6/70 Hygrotope 2/3 2/3 3+ 2/3 2/3 3 3+ 3 2/3 3 Order, a l l i a n c e & as s o c i a t i o n charac. species (B) (Juniperus communis) . 4.5 + .4 1.3 +.2 1.4 (Rosa acicularis) 4.2 +.2 +.2 3.2 5.3 2.1 3.2 +.1 3.1 +.2 (Shepherdia canadensis) 3.4 3.4 + .3 1.2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 + .2 + .4 +.4 (C) Achillea lanulosa 2.+ 1.+ 3.1 \u00E2\u0080\u009E 1.+ +.1 1.1 \u00E2\u0080\u009E 2.1 1.1 Anemone multifida 3.1 3.1 +.1 2.+ \u00E2\u0080\u009E +.1 +.1 +.1 Arctostaphylos uva-ursi 6.4 8.6 7.6 5.3 7.6 8.5 8.5 7.5 7-5. 7.4 Astragalus williamsii 4.3 . 2.2 4.2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 2.2 1.2 6.2 4.2 3.3 Bromus pumpellianus 5.1 1.1 + .1 1.1 3.1 . . . 1.1 Calamagrostis purpurascens 5.2 5.2 8.4 5.2 3.2 7.5 6.3 6.2 7.4 6.5 Comandra umbellata +.+ \u00E2\u0080\u009E +.+ \u00E2\u0080\u009E \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 Galium boreale 1.1 1.+ 1.+ 1.+ (Hedysarum mackenzii) S.3 . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . , \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 1.2 +.2 {Juniperus horizontalis) . 2.3 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.3 . 5.5 4.4 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . (Linum perenne) +.+ +.+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.+ +.+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . +.+ Pulsatilla patens 3.1 3.1 3.1 2.1 2.+ 3.2 2.1 2.+ 2.2 Snilacina Stellata \u00E2\u0080\u009E \u00E2\u0080\u009E \u00E2\u0080\u009E 1.1 3.1 3.2 Solidago decumbens \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 1.+ 2.1 i . i \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 i . i +.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 3.1 1.1 Companion specless (B) Picea glauca # +.2 Populus balsamifera + .2 m +.2 Salix glauca \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 - + .2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.3 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 (C) Agropyron subsecundum +.+ Agropyron yukonense +.1 2.1 +.+ Antennaria media +.1 \u00E2\u0080\u009E Artemisia dracunculus + .1 + .1 Artemisia frigida + .1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.1 2.1 2.2 +.1 2.1 Aster alpinus + .1 a +.1 +.1 Carex f i l i f o l i a \u00E2\u0080\u009E +.1 \u00E2\u0080\u009E # \u00E2\u0080\u009E +.1 Erigeron caespitosus +.1 1.+ i.+ + .1 + .1 1.+ Erysimum angustatum \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00C2\u00AB \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 Mertensia paniculate 1.1 . Pentstemon gormanii \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.1 + .+ i . i Poa glauca +.+ Potentilla hookeriana \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 (D) Buellia epigaea 2.1 +.+ +.1 Caloplaca cirrochroa \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.1 +.+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.+ + .+ Dermatocarpon hepaticum \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 2.2 i . i \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 1.1 +.1 Bypnum vaucheri 1.1 .\" 2.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 1.1 2.1 Lecidea decipiens \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.1 . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . . Lecidea rubiformis \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 + .1 .2.2 + .1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.1 +.1 Tor tula ruralis . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 * \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 * * * \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 * +.+ S p e c i e s i n b r a c k e t s a r e r e l a t i v e l y l e s s c h a r a c t e r i s t i c . Table 42. 7. PICEETALIA GLAUCAE - MARIANAE 9. Hypno ( p r o c e r r l m i ) - A b l e t l n e l l o ( a b i e t l n a e ) -P i c e i o n g l a u c a e 12. Hypno (procerrlmi) - A b i e t i n e l l o (abietlnae) - Piceetum glaucae P l o t number 393 396 391 392 6 390 394 361 360 154 Hygrotope 3 3 3 3- 2/3 3 3- 3 3+ 2/3 Order charac. species: (A) Picea glauca 8.7 8.7 7.7 7.7 7.5 7.7 7.7 7.7 7.7 7.6 (B)CRosa a c i c u l a r i s ) . . . . + .1 (C)(Anemone roulti.fida) 1.1 1.1 +.1 . 1.1 1.1 1.1 1.+ Carex concinna +.+ 1.1 1.1 1.2 2.1 +.1 + .1 +.+ Ceocaulon lividum . . . 2.1 3.3 . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 4.3 3.5 4.5 2.4 Linnaea borealis 1.1 +.+ +.1 4.3 5.4 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 6.6 7.6 5.6 4.4 Pyrola secunda +.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.1 +.+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 + .1 2.+ +.1* 2.1 A l l i a n c e S a s s o c i a t i o n charac. species: (B)(Juniperus communis) . a 1.2 +.3 3.4 (Salix glauca) +.5 3.4 1.3 3.4 (Shepherdia canadensis) \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 2.3 (OlArctostaphylos uva-ursi) 3.4 +.2 +.1 +.2 2.4 Cypripedium passerinum \u00E2\u0080\u00A2, . +.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 1.1 Eedysarum mackenzii +.2 +.1 +.1 3.2 +.1 . Uiertensia particulate) \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.1 +.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.1 +.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 (D) Abietinella abietina 7.6 7.5 7.7 4.4 3.3 6.6 5.5 3.3 2.2 2.4 (Distichium capillaceum) 1.2 2.1 2.2 +.1 + .1 +.2 + .2 +.2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 1.2 Bypnum procerrimum 4.4 7.6 6.6 6.5 4.3 7.6 6.5 4.3 4.3 3.5 Peltigera canina 3.2 3.2 2.2 2.2 1.1 2.3 +.1 4.3 2.1 2.2 (Stereocaulon glareosum) +.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 + .1 +.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.1 Companion species: -(B) Ledum palustre \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 (C) Arctostaphylos rubra 3.3 4.3 3.3 3.4 Astragalus williamsii . 2.2 . . Equisetum scirpoides 3.2 . 3.1 1.1 Gentiana propinqua . 1.+ Senecio lugens +.1 . Zygadenus elegans \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 (D) Ceratodon purpureus + .1 +.1 . Cetraria t i l e s i i . + .1 +.1 Cladonia pocillum +.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . + .1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .1 2.2 Ditrichum flexicaule + .1 + .1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 Lecanora epibryon +.1 + .1 +.1 Solorina saccata \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 + .1 . Stereocaulon rivulorum +.1 . +.1 Tomentypnum nitens \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .1 + .1 +.1 Tortula ruralis 1.2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 1.2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 S p e c i e s i n b r a c k e t s a r e r e l a t i v e l y l e s s c h a r a c t e r i s t i c . Order: A l l i a n c e : Association: Table U . Ordaxi A l l i a n c e i Associations P lo t nunbar Hygrotope Order .\u00C2\u00A3 a l l i a n c e charac. speciesi (C) Agropyron yuJconense Arterisia frigid* Aster alpinus (Calamagrostis purpurascens) Carex fill folia Erigeron caesp'itosus Linun perenne {Oxytropis viscida) Pentstemon comanii (Poa glauca) ( P u l s a t i l l a patens) (D) Caloplaca cirrochroa Dermatocarpon hepaticum Bypnum vaucheri Lecidea decipiens Lecidea rubiformla (Tortula rura 11s) 8. ARTEMISIC/ ( T R I C D A E ) - AGROPYRETALIA. YUKONENSIS 10 . Ar tomla i .o ( f r i> ) id\u00C2\u00ABe> - A g r p p y r l o n y u k o n g n t i . 13. Pentstamono (gormanii) - Artemisio (frigidae) - Agro-pyreturn yukonensis 10 4 4/70 1/70 8/70 2 2 2 2 2 4.1 6.2 2.1 4.3 2.1 1.* 3.1 +.1 2.1 5.2 +.1 1.1 3.2 3.2 4.1. 4.2 1.1 3.+ 4.1 2.1 1.+ 4.1 * . l 1.+ 4.2 2.1 +.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .1 3.1 2.1 2.t 7.3 + .1 4.2 4.+ 7.3 1.+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 f . l 3.+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .+ 1.+ 5.2 3.1 1.1 1.1 1.1 6.2 6.3 2.2 2.1 2.+ 2 ! l +.+ 4.1 3.2 8 2/70 2- 2 2.1 4.2 + . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 4.2 2.1 3.1 5.1 7.2 2.2 5.3 5.1 2.+ 3.1 4.1 6.2 4.2 4.2 14. Artemisio (frigidae) -Agropyro (yuxononsta) -Eurotietum lanatae IS. Pantsterooro (gormanii) -Artemisietum fr igidao 16. Agropyro (yukonensis) - Artemislatum frigidaa - 17. Oxytropo (viscidae) - Arte-misio (hyperboreae - f r i g i -dae) - Caricetun f i l i f o l i a e 1S1 1 193 16 157 178 179 170 21 381 12 N 152 382 176 177 t 168 169 199 15 202 161 204 160 162 163 159 25 158 2 2+ 2/3 2 2- 2 2 2 2+ 2* 1/2 2+ 2+ 2 i 2 2 2- 2- 2 2- 2 2- 2- 2/3 2- 2- 2- 2/3 6.2 3.1 7.3 3.1 2.1 3.+ 3.2 3.1 2 .* 3.1 4.1 3.1 4.1 2.1 1.+ 1.+ 2.* 2.+ 2.+ 5.2 4.2 5.3 6.3 6.3 5.2 5.2 6.3 5.3 6.3 S . l 5.2 5.2 S.3 4.2 4.2 1.1 3.2 + .2 3.1 5.2 4.1 3.1 3.1 2.2 4.2 5.2 5.2 1.1 + .1 2.+ . . . . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 + .1 +.1 . . . 1.+ . 1.+ . + .1 . . . . 3.1 2.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 + .1 3.2 1.1 3.1 1.1 2.1 2.1 4.1 + .1 5.1 3.1 3.1 4.1 3.1 1.1 5.2 +.2 2.1 +.1 1.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 2.1 - . . . 4.1 6.2 6.2 6.2 5.2 6.3 5.2 5.2 6.2 4.2 2.1 3.1 3.1 +.1 , 1.* \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 1.1 1.+ 2.1 2.+ 1.+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .+ + .+ 1.+ + .\u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .+ 1.+ 2.+ +.+ 1.+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 3.1 . 1.* \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.+ . . . . . . . . + .\u00E2\u0080\u00A2 2.1 1.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . . 3.1 4.1 1.+ 4.1 4.1 4.1 3.1 4.1 4.1 1.1 2.1 1.+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .1 1.1 +.1 4.2 4.1 S . l 4.1 4.1 2.1 3.1 1.1 1.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .+ +.1 2.+ . 3.1 . . . . . . 1.+ . . - \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . . 1.1 . l . t 1.1 4.1 1.1 . +.+ . . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 1.+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 1.* 1.+ +.+ +.+ 2.* . +.+ +.\u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2.+ + .1 +.+ +.\u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .+ 5.2 4.2 4.2 3.1 S.2 4.2 5.2 3.2 5.2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 f . l \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .1 - . +.+ 2.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .1 2.1 1.1 . . +.1 +.1 1.1 3.1 +.1 1.1 . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.1 . +.+ . 2.1 1.1 +.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .1 +.1 1.+ 1.+ +.1 3.1 2.1 +.+ +.+ 1.1 . . 1.1 1.1 2.1 . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 4.2 2.1 2.2 1.1 S.2 6.2 4.2 6.3 6.3 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .1 1.1 2.1 1.1 1.1 +.1 1.1 1.1 1.1 1.2 3.1 . +.1 1.1 1.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 2.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 1.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2\u00E2\u0080\u00A21 1.1 +.1 Associat ion 13 charac. species> (C) Krabls holboellll Astragalus aboriglnum \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 (\u00E2\u0080\u00A2Solidagro decuobens) . * . l (D) lecanora lentlgera 5.1 3.1 Parmelia taractlca 2.1 2.+ Associat ion 14 charac. species\u00E2\u0080\u00A2 Chamaerhodos erecta Surocia lanata Associat ion 15 charac. specieat B u e l l i a epigaea Associat ion 16 charac. speciesi Artemisia dracuncuZus Artemisia rupestris Plantago canescens Associat ion 17 charac. speciesi (Artemisia hyperborea) [Carex scirpoidea) . Hinuartia rossii . P o t e n t i l l a hookeriana Potentilla virgulata {Senecio conterminus) Companion species i (C) Agropyron boreale . Agropyron violaceum Anemone multifida +..1 2 Antennaria media . Antennaria rosea \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 Antennaria stolonlfera Astragalus willlamsll Bromus pumpellianus . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 Carex rupestris \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 Castllleja hyperborea Comandra umbellata . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 Lappula myosotis \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 Orobanche fasciculata \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 Oxytropis huddelsonii \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 Oxytropis splendens \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 + Rosa acicularis 1 .1 1 Solldago multlradlata \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 Townaondla hookerl \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 [0) Barbula lcmadophlla \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 Cet ra r ia cucullata . Cetraria tilt-mil . Colletna coccophorvm . Fulgcnsla bractcata Phyecia musclgcna rhaanoiia aubui i forn ia 1.+ 1.1 +.1 +.1 4.1 2.1 1 1.* 4.1 4.1 1.2 1.+ 2.1 4.2 6.3 1.1 +.+ 6.3 5.3 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . 2 +.2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . 1 +.2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 * \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 * \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .1 +.+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 - \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 3.1 1.1 +.1 1 .1 +.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 * \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 2.-** *\u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 * \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 1.+ +.+ 1.+ 5.2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 * * * 2.1 2.1 2.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 * \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 * \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 * \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 5.2 ; ! . i 3,+ 2.1 3 . 1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 2 . 1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 - \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 1.1 1.2 +.1 2.1 +.1 6.4 6.4 5.2 6.4 5.3 6.3 5.2 4.3 5.2 5.3 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 a \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 1^2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2; \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 4.1 1.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 * 1.1 4.2 2.1 4.2 5.2 6.3 . 2.+ . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 3.1 +.1 2.1 2.1 4.2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.\u00E2\u0080\u00A2 m 2.1 1.1 2.1 4.1 4.1 +.1 1.* # 1.+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . . . +.1 2.2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 * * \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 * * \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .1 * +.1 # \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 1 .1 1.+ + . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 m \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 # \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00C2\u00AB a # # + .1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 2.+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 m \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 ' - \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 2.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 * \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . * \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 * \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2j \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 * \u00E2\u0080\u00A2> \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 ~ * \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 * \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 * \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 * \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 * \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . -1. 8 p * c i . a i n b r a c k e t s a re r e l a t i v e l y l a s s c h a r a c t e r i s t i c ' . TABLE 44 ! ' ' \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 166 0 r i e r . 9. BETULETALIA CLARDULOSAE A l l i a n c e : 11- P o t e n t i l l c ( f r u t i c o s a e ) - S a l i c i o n g l a u c a e Association: 16. Arctostaphylo (rufcrae - uvae-urei) - Festuco (altalcae) 19. Arctostaphylo (rubrae) - Cassiopo (tetragonae) -- Salicetum r e t i c u l a t a e - glaucae salicetusi r e t i c u l a t a e - lanatae - glaucae P l o t nuzfcer 358 355 356 54 354 353 53 357 351 352 367 368 365 366 369 370 371 364 362 363 Hygrotope 3 . 3 3+ 3+ 3 3 3 3 3+ 3 4 4 4+ 4+ 4 4 4+ 4+ 4 3/4 Order fi a l l i a n c e charac. species: (B) Eatula glandulosa 3.3 5.4 5.4 3.3 4.3 4.4 5.4 3.3 4.4 5.3 4.2 4.2 5.2 3.2 4.2 6.3 3.2 3.3 4.2 [Juniperus communis) '. + .3 + .3 + .3 4.3 + .2 . + .2 +.2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 + .3 2.3 {Picea glauca) + .2 + .2 + .5 + .3 + .2 +\u00E2\u0080\u00A2.3 + .2 + .2 + .3 + .2 + .3 + .2 Potentilla fruticosa 1.3 4.3 4.4 2.3 3.4 4.4 +.3 4.4 4.4 4.3 1.2 2.2 4.2 3.2 1.2 2.2 2.1 3.3 2.2 Salix alaxensis 1.5 4.5 + .4 + .3 [Salix bxachycarpa) . + .3 + .2 ' Salix glauca 8.7 8.7 8.7 6.6 8.7 8.7 8.7 7.6 8.7 8.6 7.6 7.6 6.6 7.7 7.7 7.6 8.7 7.7 7.6 8.6 Salix lanata 2.4 +.4 2.5 + .4 +.4 1.5 2.4 3.5 6.6 7.6 7.7 5.6 8.7 7.6 7.6 5.6 6.6 7.6 [S.^.cpnerdia canadensis) + .2 + .2 + .2 + .2 1.3 + .2 + .2 +.2 + .2 1.2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 {viburnum edule) 2.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.1 r 1.2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 (C){Ar.crTcne parviflora) 1.+ 2.1 2.+ 1.+ 2.+. 2.+ 5.1 2.+ 1.+ . 2.+ 2.+ 2.1 2.+ 1.+ 2.+ 1.+ 3.+ 1.+ + .1 1.+ Arctostaphylos rubra 4.4 5.4 5.4 3.4 4.4\" 4.3 5.4 4.3 4.4 3.3 7.5 6.5 6.5 7.5 4.5 4.5 5.3 5.5 5.5 5.3 [Carex scirpoidea) 1.+ 1.+ 3.1 1.1 2.1 2.1 3.1 3.1 2.1 3.1 1.1 1.1 2.1 3.1 3.+ 1.+ + .1 + .+ + .+ +.+ {Eryas integrifolia) + .3 + .1 + .2 + .1 2.2 3.2 + .2 2.2 3.2- + .2 2.2 5.4 4.5 +.2 [Epilobium latifolium) . +.1 + .1 1.1 +.1 2.+ 2.+ [Equisetum arvense) + .1 1.+ +.1 + .+ . 1.+ + .+ + .1 Equisetum scirpoides 3.+ 2.+ + .+ 2.+ 3.+ + .+ +.+ + .+ 2.+ 4.1 3.1 3.1 3.2 3.2 2.1 2.1 4.2 3.2 3.+ (Festuca a l t a i c a ) 2.2 1.2 4.2 3.2 4.2 3.2 2.2 3.2 3.2 3.2 3.2 3.2 1.1 2.1 2.1 4.2 2.1 +.1 + .1 + .2 (Gentiana propingua) 2.+ 1.+ + .+ 1.+ 1.+ 1.+ 1.+ + .+ + .+ 1.+ +.+ + .+ +.+ + .+ + .+ 1.+ + .+ 1.+ (Heciysarujrr alpinum) 1.1 3.1 2.1 2.1 3.1 3.1 1.1 3.1 1.1 2.1 3.1 2.1 2.1 2.1 2.1 3.2 2.1 3.1 2.1. 2.1 [Linr.aea borealis) + .2 3.1 1.2 + .2 1.2 2.1 3.1 3.3 + .1 + .1 3.2 2.2 + .2 2.2 +.1 2.3 {: CaJar^-prostis purpurascens + .1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 Carex cencinna + .1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 Carex petriccsa + .1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 Elyr-us innovatus +.1 * Luninus arcticus 2.2 + .1 Cxytrcpis viscida +.1 Poa alpina + .1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 Polert^nium pulcherrimum . 1.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 Polygonum viviparum + .+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 Trisetum spicatum \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 + < + \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 (D) Bryun \"sp. . 1.1 Cetraria eucui-lata + .+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 Lecar.cra epibryon + .1 + .* S p e c i e s i n b r a c k e t s are r e l a t i v e l y l e s s c h a r a c t e r i s t i c . 167 Table 45. Orderi Al l lance t Associat ioni 10. ARTEMISIETALIA ALASKANAE 12. A r t e m i s i o n a laskanae 20. Artemisietum alaskanae 13. A r t e m i s i o (hyperboreae a l a skanae ) - S a l i c i o n m y r t i l l i f o l i a e 21. Artemisio (hyperboreae -alaskanae) - Salicetum myr-t i l l i f o l i a e P l o t number Hygrotope 196 171 3+ 2/3 167 2/3 185 174 3+ 3 195 181 173 183 175 3* 3* 3* 3* 3*-Order charac. speciesi Artemisia alaskana (Artemisia frigida) {Artemisia hyperborea) (Aster s i M r i c u s ) {Crepis nana) {Epilobium latifolium) (Oxytropis huddelsonil) 2 .1 3 .1 2 .2 4 .2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . 1 2 .1 2 .1 3.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . 1 2 .1 +.1 3 .1 4 . 1 2 .1 + .1 3.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 + . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 + . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 3 .1 + . 1 3 .1 3 .2 + . 1 2 . 1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . 1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . 1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .1 2 .1 4 . 1 Al l i ance 12 \u00C2\u00A3 association 20 charac. species t CAnemone drumnondil) {Astragalus nutzotinexisis) Cystopteris fragilis {Draba alpina) {Papaver macounll) Ranunculus pedatifldus) {Smelowskia borealis) Stellaria monantha \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . 1 + .1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . 1 A l l i ance 13 \u00C2\u00A3 associat ion 21 charac. species: (MPotentllla fruticosa) {Salix glauca) Salix myrtllllfolla {Shepberdia canadensis) {C){Anemone multlfida) {Antennaria media) {Artemisia dracunculus) {Calamagrostis purpurascens) {Castilleja hyperborea) {Chamaerhodos erecta) {Erigeron caespltosus) {Gentiana propinqua) {Oxytropis viscida) {Pentstemon gormanii) {Potentilla hookeriana) Saxifraga tricuspidata {Solldago decumbens) * 1 3.2 + .3 5.4 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . 1 1.1 1.4 5.4 1.3 + . 1 1 1.1 1.1 1.1 1.2 + .2 5.4 ! . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 ! . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 2 .1 2 .1 1.1 2 .3 1.4 4 .4 + . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 + . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 1.1 + . 1 1.+ 2 .1 1.+ 1.+ S p e c i e s i n b r a c k e t * are r e l a t i v e l y l e s s c h a r a c t e r i s t i c . Table 46. Order. . A l l i a n c e . Associat ioni P lo t number Hygrotope Order chaxae. speciesi (C)(Anemone parviflora) Arctostaphylos dpina Astragalus alpinus Carex scifpoidca Dryas integrifolia (Lloydia serotina) (Pazrya nudicaulis) (Pedicularis capitata) (Pedicularis kanei) (Polygonum viviparum) (Salix reticulata) (Saxifraga oppositifolla) (Saussurea viscida) (Silene acaulis) 0)(Caloplaca cirrochroa) (Cetraria cucullata) (Cetraria tilesii) Cladonia pocillum (Dactylina arctica) (Dermatocarpon hepaticum) Lecanora epibryon (Peltigera canina) Stereocaulon glareosum (Thamnolia subuliformis) Alliance 14 ft association 2. (C)iAntennaria nonocepnala) (Bedysarum alpinum) (Kobresia myosuroides) (Oxytropis deflexa) (Oxytropis viscida) Potentilla biflora (Salix arctica) (Salix dodgeana) (Trisetum spicatum) (Xi) (Buellia eplgaea) (Cetraria nivalis) (Cetraria richardsonii) (Cornicularia acul&ata) (Lecanora lentigera) (Lecidea decipiens) (Physcia muscigena) (Solorina spongiosa) (C) Carex microcnaeta Cassiopo tetragona (Epilobiuo latifolium) (Oxyrla digyna) Pyrola grandiflora (Salix polaris) (Vaccinium ullginosum) (D) (Distlchlum caplllaceum) . Lecidea cuprea Solorina saccata [Timmia austrlaca) (Tonmntypnum nitens) 14. C a r i c o ( a c i r p o i d o a e ) 11. DRYADETALXA INTEGRIFOLIAR Oryad ion i n t e g r i f o l i a e 68 22. Sa l ico (reticulatae) - Sileno (acaulis) - Carico (scirpoideae) - Dryadetum in tegr i fo l i ae IS. Oryado ( i n t e g r i f o l i a e ) C a s a i o p i o n t e t r a g o n a e ,23. Sal ico ( re t iculata . ) \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 Cassiopo (tetragonae) -Dryadetum in t eg r i fo l i ae 67 36 349 48 347 331 332 46 125 135 49 121 346 34S 330 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 V* 3/4 3/4 3/4 4* 1.+ 1.+ 2.+ +.+ 1.+ +.+ 1.+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .\u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.1 3.1 . . . 3.1 2.2 . +.2 +.+ . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.+ +.+ +.1 . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .+ +.+ 3.1 3.2 3.2 2.1 1.+ 3.1 2.1 2.1 3.1 3.1 +.+ +.+ +.+ 8.5 6.3 8.S 8.4 8.4 8.5 8.5 8.3 7.4 7.4 5.3 7.3 6.2 6.3 6.3 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . . +.\u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . . 1.+ +.+ . . . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 1.+ +.1 1.1 +.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.1 1.+ +.1 1.1 . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . 1.1 1.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .1 . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . . . . +.+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 - 4.2 2.1 5.3 4.2 3.2 4.2 4.2 4.2 4.1 4.2 3.2 +.2 +.1 3.1 3.1 3.1 +.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 1.1 1.1 2.1 1.1 1.1 +.1 3.1 2.1 2.+ 1.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.1 . 2.1 1.1 2.1 +.1 +.1 . +. i , \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 1.1 1.1 +.1 +.1 1.2 2.1 1.2 3.2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 1.1 2.2 1.1 +.1 . 2.1 3.1 3.1 2.1 . . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2.+ . . +.\u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.\u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.1 3.1 +.1 1.1 +.1 +.1 2.1 i .+ + .1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 3.1 t . l 1.1 +.1 + .1 . 2.1 . . i ! i 1.1 +.1 +.1 +.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 2.1 2.1 . 1.1 3.1 1.1 +.1 +. i 1.1 3.1 1.1 . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 1.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.1 3.1 1.1 . +.+ +.1 i . i 2.1 +.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.1 1.1 1.1 1.1 1.1 2.1 2.1 4.2 1.+ i . i 1.1 +.1 +.+ +.+ + .1 1.1 +.+ +.+ 2.1 4.1 1.1 +.1 1.+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .1 . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .1 1.1 1.1 +.1 1.1 +.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 1.1 2.1 3.1 . . +.+ 3.1 4.2 3.2 +.1 +.+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.+ +.1 , +.+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 2.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 charac. speciesi . +.+ +.+ . . +.+ 3.1 2.1 +.1 3.1 1.1 2.1 2.1 2.1 2.1 3.1 +.1 3.1 +.1 . . +.1 +.1 1.1 +.1 . 2.+ . 2.1 1.+ +.+ 3.1 2.1 2.1 2.1 1.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .1 3.1 . +. i +.1 . . . +.1 +.2 1.1 1.1 2.2 1.2 +.1 +.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 2.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.+ . . +.1 + . i \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .1 +.1 +.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . 1 . . +.+ +.+ +.+ +.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 1.1 +.1 2.1 - \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2.\u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 1.1 +.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 charac. speciesi \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 i . i 2.1 3.1 3.1 3.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 8.4 8.4 7.3 7.S 8.5 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 2.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 1.1 1.1 1.1 + .1 3.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 - \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . 2.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 1.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 - \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 2.2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .2 3.2 2.1 2.1 +.1 * \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 3.2 +.1 . . . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.+ 2.1 2.1 2.1 1.+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 2.1 2.+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . +.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2t-.l \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .1 . +.1 1.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .1 1.1 Companion speciesi (B) Sail* alaxanala \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 (C) Oraba hlzta Equlaatum acixpoida* festuca altalca festuca brachyphylla Gantlmna proplnqua Mertenela panlculata MyoBotla :alpeatrla Parnaesla kotzetnMl Poa alpina Poa glauca Poa lanata (D) i/ylocomiun aplendena Bypnum bambargeri 2.1 *.* 1.1 1.+ 1.* \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .1 S p . c l e e In b r a c k e t , a re r . l a t l v . l y l e s s c h a r a c t e r i s t i c . TABLE 47 Order t Alliance: A s s o c i a t i o n : 12. OXYTROPO (VISCIDAE) - ARTEMISIO (HYPERBOREAE) - FESTUCO (BRACHYPHYLLAE) -TRISETETALIA SPICATI 16. Oxytropo ( v i s c i d a e ) - A r t e r . i s i o (hyperboreae) - Festuco (brachyphyllae) T r i s e t i o n s p i c a t i 24. Oxytropo (viscidae) - Artemisio (hyperboreae) - Festuco 25. Oxytropo (huddelsonii) -(brachyphyllae) - Trisetetua spicati Salicetum dodgeanae 1 69 Plot number Hygrotope 329 2/3 328 2/3 327 2 28 2/3 29 2 47 2 338 350 2/3 2/3 27 2 30 2 57 122 58 2/3 2/3 2/3 123 3 59 2/3 Order s alliance charac. specie (C) Artemisia hyperborea (Calar.agrostis purpurascens) Draba cinerea Festuca hrachyphylla Oxytropis huddelsonii Oxytropis viscida Poa glauca Salix dodgeana Senecio conterminus Silene acaulis (Steilaria longipes) Trsetum spicatun . (D) Alcctoria ochrcleuca (3ucllia epigaea) (Caloplaca cirrochroa) Cetraria cucullata \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 Cetraria nivalis Cetraria t i l e s i i Dactylina madrcporifornis (Derir^tocarpon hepaticum) (Hypnum vaucheri) (Lecanora lentigera) (Lecidea decipiens) (Lecidea rubifonnis) Tortula ruralls Thamnolia subuliformis Association 24 charac. species: (C)(Agropyron violaceum) Anencne druiTVncndii C'ne.Tcne parviflora) (Carex f i l i f o l i a ) Carex nardina (Car~x scirpoidea) . Castilleja hyperborea Erigeron ccr.positus Frysizun pallasii Festizca baffinensis (Melandrium apetalum) Minuartia obtusiloba Polemoniun pulchcrrimum (Potentilla hookeriana) (Potentilla virgulata) (Ranunculus pedatifidus) (V)(Lecanora epibryon) 7.2 3.1 1.1 +.1 4.2 2.1 + .2 2.1 1.2 7.3 2.1 5.2 2.1 1.+ + .2 6.2 3.1 + .1 +.1 5.2* +.1 1.+ 1.2 4.2 1.1 + .+ 3.1 + .1 3.3 1.+ 3.2 4.2 3.2 6.2 2.2 3.1 +.1 5.2 5.1 4.1 2.2 4.1 + .1 1.+ 3.2 5.1 +.1 + .+ 1.1 2.1 1.1 + .2 1.1 1.2 .7.2 6.2 5.2 2.1 1.1 4.1 1.1 + .2 2.1 +.2 +.+ 1.1 5.1 2.1 + .1 + .2 2.1 4.2 4.1 4.1 1.1 1.1 4.2 2.1 1.+ 6.4 + .+ 1.1 1.1 4.2 4.2 5.4 +.+ 2.2 2.1 5.2 1.1 1.+ 6.4 1.+ 3.2 +.+ . + .+ + .+ + .+ 3.1 3.1 3.1 4.1 5.1 2.+ 2.1 3.1 5.1 2.1 1 .+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 2.1 2.+ + .+ 1.+ 1.+ t + .+ 1.+ + .+ +. + ' . + .+ + .+ 1.1 +.+ , + .+ 1.+ + .+ + .+ + .+ + .+ + .+ 1.+ 1.+ 3.1 + .+ 2.1 2.1 + .+ 3 .1 3.1 3.1 . +.+ + .+ +.+ + .1 +.1 1.+ + .+ +.+ 4.1 1.+ 2.+ 2.1 2.1 + .+ 3 .1 3.1 3.1 + .+ +.+ + .+ + .1 1.+ + .+ + .+ 4.2 1.+ 2.2 2.1 2.1 2 1 3.1 2.+ 1.1 1.1 + .1 + .1 + .1 1 + + .1 2.1 +.+ +.+ + .+ + .+ + .+ 4 1 4.1 4.1 1.+ 1.+ 2.1 2.1 + .+ 1.+ 2 1 +.+ +.+ 2.1 3.1 + .+ + .+ + .+ + .+ + .+ 1.1 1.1 + .1' 1.1 + .1 + .1 1.1 2 1 + .1 + .1 1.+ + .+ 3.1 2.1 + .+ 1.+ 1.+ 2.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.+ 2 1 3.1 3.1 3.1 3.2 1.1 + .+ '2.1 1.1 2.1 + .1 2.1 2.+ 3.+ + .1 + .2 1.1 1.1 2.1 + .1 . . . +.+ + .+ . 3.1 1.+ 2.2 2.2 1.+ 3.2 + .2 3.2 + .2 + .2 2.2 + .+ t t 1.1 3.1 + .1 2.1 +.1 1.1 .'. \u00E2\u0080\u00A2.1 . 3.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A21.1 2.1 1.1 5.1 + . * 1.1 2.+ + .+ + .1 + .1 t 2.1 2.1 2.1 +.+ 1.+ 1.1 1.+ +.1 + .1 + .1 +.+ + .+ + .1 3.1 + .1 . + .1 . 1; + +.+ : + .1 +.+ 3.1 1.1 + .+ 1.1 . 3.1 1.1 1.1 2.1 +.1 + .1 3.1 4.1 + .1 +.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.1 + .+ +.+ 3.2 1.1 3.1 4.2 1.1 2.+ 5.3 +.+ 1.1 3.1 2.1 2.1 2.+ 1.1 1.1 1 2.1 2.1 2.1 5.2 2.1 6.4 3.1 + .+ ' +.1 3.1 3.1 + .1 2.1 1.1 2.1 + .+ +.1 3.1 3.1 Association-25 charac. species: (C) Agrostis borealis Carex rupestris (Cerastiurr, beeringianum) Draba alpina (Dryas integrifolia) Fcstuca \"vi vipara\" (Kobresia myosuroides) (Lloydia serotina) Kc-landriun affine (Parrya nudicaulis) (Pedicularis kanei) Poa arctica Foa arctic?, f. vivipara Fotcntil la ur.iflcra Salix arctica Saxifraga oppositifolia Saxifraga rcflexa (SaussurcJ viscida) Senecio fuscatus (D) Ccrnicularia aculeata (Dactylina arctica) Dactylina rarr.ulosa Lecidea granulosa Companion species: (C) f-gropyron bcrcale Gentiana propir.qua Gentiana pro strata Kyosotis. alpestris. Saxifraga tricuspidata Senecio lugens (D) Cladonia pccillvn Fulgensia bracteata ri:yscia muscigena Solorina spengiosa + .1 + + 3.1 3.1 3.1 1 1 3.1 +.+ 1.1 + .+ +.+ + .+ + + 1.+ . 3.3 +.2 + + 3.1 3.1 4.1 2.1 1 1 2 2 1.1 1.+ 3.+ 3.+ 3.+ 2.+ + .+ + .1 1.1 1.+ + .1 + + +.+ 1.+ + + +.+ + .+ +.+ + .+ +.1 + .1 1.1 2.3 . +.1 1.1 3.2 3.2 1 2 4.2 2.1 + .1 2.1 ' . + .+ 1.1 + + +.+ +.1 + .+ +.+ 1.1 + .1 + .1 + .1 +.1 + .1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.+ 2.1 + + 1 T a b l e 48. Order: A l l i a n c e : A s s o c i a t i o n : P l o t number Hygrotope Order, a l l i a n c e & a s s o c i a t i o n Agropyron violaceum \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 {Artemisia alaskana) Astragalus nutzotinensis Cerastium beeringianum Crepis nana (Cystopteris fragilis) Erigeron purpuratus (.Festuca brachyphylla) Melandrium apetalum (Saxifraga tricuspidata) Smelowskia borealis Stellaria longipes (Stellaria monantha) Companion species: Draba alpina Oxytropis huddelsonii Papaver macounii Saxifraga oppositifolia Trisetum spicatum 'y 170 13. AGROPYRETALIA VIOLACEI 17. A g r o p y r i o n v i o l a c e i 2 6. Agropyretum v i o l a c e i 62 61 335 321 320 2 2 2 2 2 larac. species: 3.1 2.1 1.1 +.+ + .1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 + .1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.1 + .1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 + .1 1.1 1.1 1.+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 + .+ 1.+ 2.1 + .1 +.+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 + .1 2.1 3.1 1.1 +.1 1.1 + .+ +.+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 * +.1 + .1 ' + .1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 m .*> + .1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 1.+ +.+ 1.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 1.+ 1.+ 2.1 + .+ +.+ 2.2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 + .+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.+ +.1 +.1 +.1 Species i n brackets are r e l a t i v e l y l e s s c h a r a c t e r i s t i c . 171 TabW 49. Ordexi A l l i a n c e i Association! 14. FESTOCETALIA ALTAICAB 18. F e s t u c i o n a l t a i c a * 27. Artemisio (arcticae) - Salico (reticulatae) - Festucetua a l ta lcae P lo t number 317 37 301 40 316 318 319 130 131 133 Hygrotope 3/4 3/4 3/4 3/4 3/4 3/4 3/4 3/4 3/4 v \u00C2\u00AB Order, a l l i ance 6 association charac. speciesi (C)(Anemone parviflora) 2.+ 1.+ 2.+ 1.+ 2.+ 3.+ 2.+ 2.+ 3.+ 3.+ {Antennaria monocephala) 1.+ +.+ 1.+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2.+ 1.+ . +.+ +.+ +.+ {Artemisia arctica) 3.1 2.1 3.2 4.1 4.2 3.1 4.2 3.1 4.1 2.1 {Aster sibiricus) . , +.1 +.1 1.+ {Carex membranacea) . 2.1 +\u00E2\u0080\u00A2+ +.+ +.+ {Carex scirpoidea) \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .1 4.1 . . 1.1 1.1 1.1 1.4- 1.1 {Castllleja hyperborea) 1.1 2.1 1.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .1 +.1 {Claytonia sarmentosa) . +.+ . . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2.\u00E2\u0080\u00A2 Delphinium brachycentrum \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 2.1 1.1 , Draba lanceolata . . {Dryas integrifolia) 2.2 . 1.2 +.2 2.2 1.2 + . i 1.2 2.2 {Equisetum scirpoides) 1.+ 3.+ 1.+ 1.+ 1.+ i .+ 2.+ 2.* Erigeron eriocephalus . . . . . . . . +.+ . {Erigeron humilis) 1.+ 1.+ 1.+ 1.+ +.+ 1.+ +.+ i .+ 2.+ 1.+ Festuca altaica 8.3 7.2 8.3 8.2 8.3 8.3 8.3 8.4 8.3 8.4 {Gentiana propinqua) 2.+ 1.4- 2.+ 2.+ 1.+ 2.+ + .+ +.+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .\u00E2\u0080\u00A2 {Gentiana prostrata) 1.+ . 2.+ 1.+ 1.+ . , . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . Bedysarum alpinum 4.1 2.+ 3.2 4.1 4.2 3.1 3.1 4.1 3.1 {Kobresia myosuroides) 3.2 3.2 1.2 +.1 1.2 1.2 3.3 2.2 {Mertensia paniculata) 1.1 2.1 3.2 2.1 2.1 1.1 2.1 3.2 3.1 2.1 {Jlinuartia rossii) . +.+ . , . . , Myosotis alpestrls 2.+ . 2.1 2.1 +.+ 1.+ 1.+ i .+ 2.+ Oxytropis deflexa +.+ 2.+ . 1.+ +.+ 1.+ 2.+ 3.+ 2.4-{Parnassia kotzebuei) 1.+ 1.+ . 1.+ f.+ 1.+ {Pedicularis cap.J.ta*a) +.1 1.1 . 2.1 *.\u00E2\u0080\u00A2> \u00E2\u0080\u00A2.+ . 1.1 . {Poa alpina) . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .+ . . * . . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.\u00E2\u0080\u00A2 {Poa arctica) +.+ . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.\u00E2\u0080\u00A2 1.* 2.1 Polemonlum boreale . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 2.2 . . {Polygonum viviparum) 1.+ 1.+ 1.+ +.+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .+ +.\u00E2\u0080\u00A2 {Potentilla fruticosa) +.1 . . +.1 . 1.1 . {Salix polaris) . 1.1 1.1 . +.1 . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .1 {Salix reticulata) 5.3 6.4 6.4 5.3 4.3 5.3 5.4 6.4 7.4 5.4 {Saussurea visclda) . 1.1 1.1 . +.1 +.1 1.1 2.1 (Sedum roseum) \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . . . +.1 . + .1 +.1 {Senecio lugens) +.1 2.+ +.+ 1.1 1.1 1.+ 3.1 3.1 2.1 {Sllene acaulls) +.+ 1.2 2.2 1.2 . . . . +.1 Solldago multiradlata 2.+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .1 2.1 +.1 3.1 2.1 3.1 + .1 1.1 1.1 Stellaria edwardsil 1.+ . +.+ +.+ 1.+ . + .+ 1.+ . {Trisetum spicatum) 1.+ 2.+ + .+ +.+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2.+ 1.+ 1.+ 2.+ (Zygadenus elegans) 3.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 3.2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 3.1 4.2 3.1 +.1 (D){Cladonia pocillum) +.\u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . +.\u00E2\u0080\u00A2 {Distichium capillaceum) . 1.1 2.1 1.1 1.1 (Peltigera canlna) 1.1 1.+ . {Timmia austziaca) 1.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 1.1 * \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 Companion speciesi (C) Achillea borealis . + .1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 Arctostaphylos alpina 2.2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 Arnica alpina +.1 Astragalus umbellatus \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .+ Carex microchaeta . 2.1 Dodccatheon frigldum 3 1 3.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 Festuca \"vivipara\" \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2. +.+ Oxyria digyna \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 Parrya nudlcaulis \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .1 Poa lanata \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 Potentilla diverslfolia \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . X Saxifraga hleraclfolia \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 Valeriana capitata \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 2.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 CD) Cetraria tilcsll Dactylina arctica Stereocaulon glaraoaum Bpec leo i n b r a c k e t * a re r e l a t i v e l y l e s e c h a r a c t e r i s t i c . 172 Table 50. Order I IS. SALICETALIA BARRATTIANAE A l l l a n c e i 19 . S a l i c i o n b a r r a t t i a n a e Associat loni 28. Salicetua barrattianae P lo t number 307 308 303 304 302 310 312 129 132 134 Hygrotope 3* 3+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 3+ 3+ 3+ 3+ 3+ 3+ 3* 34 Order, a l l i ance a association charac. speciesi (B) Salix barrattiana 9.6 a.6 8.6 9.6 8.6 9.6 8.6 7.6 7.5 7.6 Salix niphoclada . . 3.2 . . . . . (C) (Anemone parviflora) 1.1 3.1 2.1 1.1 1.1 4 . 1 3.1 2.1 3.1 (Antennaria monocephala) 2.1 . 4 . 4 4 . 1 4 . 4 +.+ 1 . 4 1 . 4 (Artemisia arctica) +.1 1.1 2.1 1.1 2.1 2.1 2.1 1.1 2.1 3.1 (Carex scirpoidea) 1.1 2.1 2.1 2.1 4.1 2.1 1.1 3.1 2.1 3.1 (Dryas integrifolia) 2.3 4.3 2.2 ' . . 3.3 , . . (Equisetum scirpoides) 2.+ 1 . 4 1.+ 2.+ 1 .4 1 . 4 1 . 4 1 .4 (Eri geron hunilis) . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.\u00E2\u0080\u00A2 4 . 4 . 4 . 4 4 . 4 . 4 . 4 (Festuca altaica) 4.2 4.2 3.2 2.2 3.2 4.3 4.2 4.3 4.3 . . (Gentiana propinqua) 2.+ 2 . 4 +.+ +.+ . 1 . 4 4 . 4 4 . 4 4 . 4 Gentiana prostrata 1.+ 2.+ 1 . 4 1 . 4 1.+ 2.1 1 . 4 , (Bedysarum alpinum) 3.1 4.2 1.1 2.1 2.1 2.1 4.1 2.1 3.1 1.1 Kcbresia myosuroides 5.2 1.2 2.2 2.2 3.2 5.3 3.2 6.3 7.3 5.3 (Lupinus arcticus) . . . . . 2.2 m (Mertensia paniculata) 2.1 2.1 2.1 1.1 2.1 3.1 4 . 1 3.1 3.1 2.1 (Myosotis alpestxis) .. . +.\u00E2\u0080\u00A2 1 . 4 . \u00C2\u00BB 4 . 4 (Oxytropi3 deflexa) 1.1 2.1 4 . 4 . 4 . 1 1.+ 3.1 3.1 (Pa mass la kotzebuei) . 2.+ . (Pedicularis capitata) 1.1 1.1 2.1 1.1 2.1 4 . 4 1 . 4 4 . 4 (Poa arctica) 4 . 4 4 . 4 . 1 . 4 (Polemonium boreale) . , . 2.1 m (Polygonum viviparum) 1.+ 4 . 4 4 . 4 4 . 4 4 . 4 (Potentilla fruticosa) 2.2 1.2 2.2 1.2 +.1 2.2 m 1.2 m (Salix reticulata) 2.3 5.4 4.3 4.3 5.4 3.3 5.5 3.3 4 . 1 2.2 (Saussurea viscida) f . l . 4 . 1 1.1 3.1 2.1 (Senecio lugens) +.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .1 1.1 1.1 1.1 4 . 1 4 . 1 2.1 2.1 2.1 (Silena acaulis) 1.1 4 . 1 4 . 1 4.2 (Solldago oultiradiata) +.1 + .1 1.1 +.1 2.1 2.1 4 . 1 1.1 1.1 Stellaria laeta \u00E2\u0080\u00A2.+ . 4 . 4 4 . 4 4 . 4 4 . 4 (Trisetum spicatum) +.1 2.1 1.1 2.1 1.1 4 . 4 1.1 4 . 1 1.1 (Valeriana capitata) 2.1 1.1 1.1 (Zygadenus elegans) 3.2 2.2 2.2 .2-1 3.2 3.2 4 . 1 2.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 CD) Cetraria is land lea . 4 . 1 (Cladonia pocillum) 3.1 +.1 4 . 1 4 . 4 4 . 4 4 . 4 (Distichium capillaceum) 1.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .1 +.1 4 . 4 4 . 1 4 . 1 (Peltigera canina) 1.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .1 1.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 4 . 1 4 . 1 4 . 1 4 . 1 Companion speciest (C) Arctostaphylos alpina 1.2 +.2 Arnica alpina l ! 4 Artemisia hyperborea 4 . 1 Carex microchaeta 1 . 4 # Castllleja hyperborea 4 . 1 4 ! l Draba cinerea t 4 . 4 Epilobium latifolium 4 . 4 Equisetum arvense 2 . 4 # Festuca brachypbylla 4 . 1 Festuca \"vivipara' 4 . 4 1 . 4 Minuartla rossii # 1 . 4 Oxytropis viscida 2.1 1.1 Poa alpina \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 4 . 4 Poa lanata 4 . 4 Salix dodgeana 2.2 Saxifraga reflcxa \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 4 . 4 (D) Solorlna apongiosa 8 1.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 S p e c i e s i n b r a c k e t s are r e l a t i v e l y l e s s c h a r a c t e r i s t i c . TABLE 51 Order: A l l i a n c e : Association: 16. S A L I C E T A L I A P O L A R I S 173 20. S a x i f r a g o ( o p p o s i t i f o l i a e ) - O x y r i o \u00C2\u00A3 d i g y n a c} 21. Seneciono ( l u g e n t i s ) - S a l i c i o n p o l a r i s -- S a l i c i o n p o l a r i s r e t i c u l a t a e 29. Saxifrago (oppositifoliae) - Cxyrio (digynae) - S a l i c e - 30. Seneciono (lugentis) - Salicetun p o l a r i s - r e t i c u l a t a e turn p o l a r i s Plot number 315 41 323 42 325 324 333 326 334 43 38 39 309 313 311 322 314 305 45 136 Hygrotope 4 3/4 3/4 4+ 3/4 3/4 3/4 3/4 3/4 4+ 3/4 3/4 3/4 3/4 3/4 3/4 4 3/4 3/4 3/4 Order charac. species: (C) Anemone parviflora 2 + 2.+ 2.+ + + 2.+ 2.+ 1.+ 2.1 2.+ + .+ 4.1 3.1 2.+ 3.1 2.+ 2.1 2.1 2.+ 2.+ 2.+ Antennaria monocephala 3 + + .+ 2.+ + + 2.+ 2.+ 2.+ 2.+ \" 1.+ + .+ + .+ + .+ 2.+ 1.+ 1.+ 1.+ + .+ ( A r t e . t i s i a arctica) 2 1 4.2 2.1 + 1 3.1 2.1 1.+ 2.1 + .+ + .+ 1.1 3.2 4.2 3.2 3.2 4.3 3.1 4.2 1.1 3.1 {Carex membranacea) + + + .+ 3.1 3.1 3.1 3.1 3.1 4.1 2.+ + .1 1.1 1.1 4.3 + .+ 1.1 + .+ 5.2 1.1 [Carex scirpoidea) 1 1 + .+ + .+ + + 3.1 2.1 2.+ - + .1 + .+ 2.1 1.1 2.1 3.1 + .+ + .+ 3.1 [Dcdecatheon frigidum) + .1 2.2 2.2 2.1 . Draba hirta + + . + .+ + .+ , + .+ t D r y a s integrfolia) + .1 + .2 1.1 + .2 2.2 Erigeron humilis 3 + + .+ 3.+ + + 1.+ 1.+ + .+ 1.+ 2.+ + .+ + .+ + .+ + .+ 1.+ + .+ 2.1 1.1 1.+ 1.+ Equisetum variegatum 1.+ 2.+ + + + .+ +.+ 1.+ . Gentiana propinqua + .+ 1.+ 1.+ + .+ 2.+ 2.+ 2.+ 1.+ 2.+ 2.+ + .+ + .+ [Gentiana prostrata) ' 1.+ + .+ 1.+ + .+ Lloydia serotina 2 + 4.+ 1.+ 1.+ 2.+ 2.+ 2.+ 2.+ 1.+ + .+ 1.+ 1.+ 1.+ 1.+ 3.+ + .+ . {Myosotis alpestris) 1.1 + .1 + .1 + .+ + .+ 1.1 1.1 1.1 3.+ 2.+ + .+ [Oxyria digyna) 1 1 4.2 2.1 3 2 4.2 4.2 4.2 3.1 3.1 3.1 4.1 3.1 2.1 3.1 + .+ + .1 [Oxytropis deflexa) +.1 +.+ 1.1 + .+ +.+ 1.1 + .1 1.2 + .+ 2.1 1.1 Parnassia kotzebuei + + + .+ 1.+ 1.+ 2.+ + .+ i.+ 1.+ + .+ 1.+ 2.+ 2.+ 3.+ 2.+ 3.+ 1.+ + .+ [pedicularis capitata) 1.1 > +.+ + .+ 1.1 2.1 2.1 1.+ 2.1 3.1 2.+ +.+ . [Petasites frigidus) 3 2 4.2 + .2 1.2 3.2 3.3 3.3 2.1 3.2 2.1 3.2 +.1 . {Poa alpina) +.+ . . . 1.+ +.+ 2.1 3.1 [Polemonium acutiflorum) +.1 + .1 +.+ + .1 +.1 . {Polygonum viviparum) 1.+ 1.+ 3.+ 1.+ 1.+ + .+ 2.+ 2.+ 3.+ 1.+ + .+ +.+ Salix polaris 9 6 8.4 8.4 8 4 8.5 8.4 8.4 9.5 8.4 7.3 3.2 5.3 3.2 5.3 4.3 3.2 4.3 1.2 2.2 Salix reticulata 2 3 3.3 2.3 + .2 + .2 1.3 +.2 1.3 8.6 7.4 8.4 8.4 9.4 8.5 9.5 8.4 . 8.4 6.5 Saussurea viscida + + +.1 3.1 2.1 1.1 3.1 2.1 + .+ + .1 + .1 + .1 1.+ +.+ 1.+ 2.1 [Silene acaulis) 1 2 + .2 1.2 1 2 2.2 1.+ 1.1 2.2 1.2 + .1 2.2 . . +.2 + .2. ,1.2 [Trisetum spicatum) + .+ +.+ + + +.+ +.+ 2.1 1.1 1.1 +.1 + .+ + .+ 2.1 1.+ +.+ 3.1 1.+ 3.1 2.1 1.+ CD) Distichium capillaceum 4 2 2.1 4.2 + 1 3.2 4.2 +.1 1.2 + .1 +.1 + .1 2.1 + .1 + .2 2.1 1.2 +.1 . [Lecanora epibryon) 2.+ 1.+ . + .+ .+ .1 , +.+ [Peltigera canina) 2 1 3.2 2.1 1.1 1.1 +.1 2.1 . + .+ , +.1 +.1 Solorina spengiosa +.+ + .+ + .+ +.1 + .1 + .+ + .1 + .1 [Timjria austriaca) + 1 1.+ 2.1 2.1 2.1 1.+ +.+ +.+ +.1 + .+ +.1 +.1 - \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 A l l i a n c e 20 & association 29 chaxac species: IC! Ar:.ica lessingii + 1 t . l + .1 1.1 {Car-x podocarpa) +.1 + .1 Papaver cacounii +.+ . {Parrya nudicaulis) +.+ 1.1 1.1 1.1 1.1 1.1 + .1 {Pedicularis kanei) . 2 1 1.1 1.1 +.+ 3.1 . [Poa arctica) + + +.+ +.+ + .+ + .+ . +.+ Ranunculus nivalis 1 + +.+ . 1.+ Ranunculus pygmaeus 1 + +.+ . . 1.+ m \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 {Saxifraga davurica) +.+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 + .+ . +.+ . m . [Saxifraga oppositlfolia) 2 2 +.1 + .2 5 2 2.2 1.1 1.1 2.2 2.1 . 5.2 + .1 Scnccio atropurpureus . . +.1 1.1 1.1 1.1 1.1 Taraxacum alaskanum 1 + + .+ + 1 . + .1 . + .+ 1.1 G>)[Cladonia poclllum) 1.1 + .1 +.1 [Dermatocarpon hepaticum) . i ! i 2.+ 2.+ 1.+ 1.1 [Stersocaulon glareosum) 2 1 +.+ 2.2 2.1 3.2 3.1 1.1 2.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 A l l i a n c e 21 \u00C2\u00A3 association 30 charac speciesi (c)'.Achillea borealis) , + .1 . +.1 [Anercne richardsonii) r +.+ . [Carex r.icrcchaeta) +.+ + .1. +.i + .1 1.1 2.1 [Castllleja hyperborea) +.+ + .+ 1.1 2.1 3.1 1.1 1.1 + .+ {!:pilolii:m latifolium) . + .1 i . i . 1.1 1.1 ( i ' 7 L ' i s o L ' j \" arver.se) 1.+ 1.+ +.1 2.+ ff\u00C2\u00BB7::i^t-'::-! scirf.oides) 1.+ 3.+ 4.1 1.+ 2.1 1.+ 2.+ 2.1 2.+ 1.+ 1.+ (Fe^tjc:: altaica) 1.2 2.2 3.2 2.2 + .1 1.1 1.1 (Hi::r.rs:!rv.m alpinum) + .1 + .1 .1.1 3.1 (ff.?rt?r.s:a pa.iiculata) + .1 . 2.1 1.1 2.2 1.1 . + .1 1.1 : :.T hi flora 1.1 1.1 . [Pel i \u00C2\u00A3 : : J t . : ) + .1 + .1 1.+ 2.1 + .+ + .1 3.1 3.1 3.1 [Pc '.cn i 111:: civersifolia) 2.1 . Seattle luctns +.1 + .1 + .1 + .1 2.1 1.1 3.1 2.1 3.1 2.1 1.1 [Solicago ;.::ltiradiata) 1.1 + .+ + .+ + .1 + .+ + .+ + .+ Va 1 : ' r i . j : : a capitata 1.1 1..1 1.1 1.1 2.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 (3) Tcrtula r.?rvcyica + .+ + .1 + .1 + .1 Gy -par.ior. cy T I C S : [Ci /.srra.y.\"'-!.\"- nvtzotinensis Card;:~ purpurea Clcij',cr.: a rarnentosa Cr^va -\u00E2\u0080\u00A2.-t.-.-.TZcI.} Ericpho:-J.-? fncrustifoJicm Bcr.v:.! roseum Zyrcicenus eleggns (V]7Brachyi.heciu::: turgidum Cctrcr-.i c-jcullata rtaiur. hj xfthit S p e d r a c k e t s are r e l a t i v e l y l e s s c h a r a c t e r i s t i c . T a b l e - 5 X O r d e r i M l l a n e * i A s s o c i a t i o n i 1 7 . P E T A S X T E T A L I A F R I G X D X 2 2 . O x y r i o ( d i g y n a e ) - A r t e - 2 3 . S a x i f r a g o ( h i r c u l i ) - C a r l * \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 i a i o n a r c t i c a e - t i l a - c i o n m e r a b r e n a c e a e \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 1 1 3 1 . O x y r i o ( d i g y n a e ) - A r t e m i s i a - 3 2 . S a x i f r a g o ( h i r c u l i ) - C a r i c a t u m turn a x c t i c a o - t i l a a i i membranaceaa P l o t number 340 63 64 6 5 144 H y g r o t o p e 3 / 4 3 / 4 3 / 4 3 / 4 3 / 4 O r d e r c h a r a c . s p e c i e s i (C)(Anemone parviflora) 2.+ 3 . 1 2 . + 1.+ 1 .1 Anemone rlchardsonll + .+ Artemisia arctica 3 . 2 4 . 2 3 . 2 4 . 2 6 . 3 Astragalus umbellatua +.+ Carex podocarpa +.1 2 .+ 2 . + Draba praealta +.+ +.+ Equisetum arvenso 1 .1 4 . 1 . 1 .1 (Equisetum scirpoides) \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 (Myosotis alpestris) . 1.1 2 . 1 2 . 1 (Pedicularis capitata) . . . Petasites frigldus 4 . 3 4 . 2 4 . 3 4 . 3 . Poa alpina 2 . + 1.+ 1.+ 2 .+ 1.+ Polemonium a c u t i r i o r u m +.1 . +.1 1 .1 . Polygonum viviparum 2 . + 1.+ +.+ +*.+ (Salix polaris) 1 .2 1 . 2 . 1 . 2 (Salix r e t i c u l a t a ) 3 . 2 2 . 2 +.2 1 . 2 3 . 2 (Senecio lugens) +.1 1 .1 2 . 1 +.1 1 . 1 (Valeriana capitata) 3 . 1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 1 .1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 (D) Timmia austrlaca \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . 1 + .1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . 1 Tomontypnum nitons \u00E2\u0080\u00A2.+ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +.1 A l l i a n c e 22 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2> a s s o c i a t i o n 31 c h a r a c . s p e c i e s i (B)(salix alaxensia) . +.1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 .2 (C ) Achillea borealis +.1 1 .1 2 . 1 2 . 1 Aconltun delphlnifolium 1 . 2 2 . 2 +.1 4 . 2 (Agropyron vlolaceum) +.1 + .1 Alopecurus alpinus . . 1 .+ Arnica alpina + .1 Artemisia tilesii 7 . 3 6 . 3 5 . 3 5 . 3 7 . 4 Aster sibiricus 1 . 1 1 .1 4.* 2 . 1 (Castilleja hyperborea) . +.+ 2 . 1 +.+ +.+ Delphinium glaucum 1 .1 . + .1 4 . 2 . t Epilobium latifolium 3 . 3 6 . 3 5 . 4 3 . 2 4 . 2 (Erigeron humilla) 1 .+ +.1 1.+ 1.+ 2 . 1 (Festuca altalca)' . 1 .1 +.1 + .1 1 .2 (Gentiana propinqua) +.+ +.+ 1.+ +.+ 2.* (Sedysarum alpinum) 1 . 1 +.1 Hierochloe odoxata +.+ Mertensia paniculata 5 . 3 4 . 3 5 . 3 4 . 2 5 . 2 (Minuartia hi flora ) . +.1 Oxyria dlgyna 1 . 2 5 . 4 4 *2 4 . 3 2 . 2 (Parnassia kotzebuai) 1 .+ 2 . 1 2 . 1 +.+ (Poa arctica) +.+ +.\u00E2\u0080\u00A2 Poa lanata 3 .+ 3 .+ 2 .+ 2 . + 1.+ Poa pauci spicule +.+ +.+ Potentilla diversifolia . +.1 1 . 1 Ranunculus sulphurous 1.+ 1 .+ . Sedum roseum 3 . 2 1 . 2 2 . 2 . 3 . 2 3 . 2 (Solidago multiradiata) +.1 2 . 1 +.+ (Trisetum spicatwn) 1.+ 1 .+ 3 .+ 2 . + 2 . + (Zygadenus elegana) 2 . 1 + .1 +.1 3 . 1 (D) P h i l o n o t i a tomentalla +.1 +.1 Plagiomnlum rostxatum +.1 + .1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 A l l i a n c e 23 C a s s o c i a t i o n 32 c h a r a c . s p e c i e s i (C) Caxdamine purpurea Carex membranacea Claytonia bostockil +.+ Claytonia saxmantosa Dodecathcon frlgidua (Dryas integrltolia) (Equisetum varlegatum) Eriophorum anguBtifollum Parrya nudicaulia Pedicularis kanei Saxifraga caespitosa Saxifraga davurlca Saxifraga hieracifolia 2 . 1 Saxifraga hirculua CD) Cetraria richaxdsonii (Cladonia pocillum) Dactylina arctica * (Peltigera canine) (Stereocaulon o i a r e o s u s j ) (Plagiooniua rugicua) \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 C o m p a n i o n s p e c i e s i (C) Antennaria monocephala Carex trdcrochaeta Carex scirpoidea Potentilla frutiooaa \u00E2\u0080\u00A2.2 Salix a r c t i c a + .2 S a u s s u r e a v i s c i d a +.1 CD) Bryum s p . Ccratodon p u r p u r a u s T K y p n u m bridclianum Thamnolia subulitormia % r o r t u J a n o r v e a i c e \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 31 4 33 4 5 . 2 1 .1 1 . 2 7 . 3 2 . 1 1 .1 2 . 2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2+.1 1 .1 +.+ +.1 6 . 2 1.+ 2 . 1 +.+ 1 .2 5 . 3 +.1 1 .1 3 . 2 + .1 5 . 2 > . + 2 . 1 +.+ 1 . 2 3 . 2 + .1 2 . 1 1 .1 +.1 area orthoceras Ledeb. ' \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 Cardamine purpurea Cham. & Schlecht. Descurainia sophia (L.) P r a n t l 6 1 8 0 ' Draba alpina L. Draba aurea Vahl Draba cinerea Adams Draba exalata Ekman Draba h i r t a L. \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 Draba incerta Dayson Draba lactea Adams Draba longipes Raup Draba macrocarpa Adams Draba n i v a l i s L i l j e b l . . Draba praealta Greene Draba stenoloba Ledeb. Erysimum angustatum Rydb. Erysimum cheiranthoides L. ssp. altum A h t i Erysimum p a l l a s i i (Pursh) Fern. Eutrema edwardsii R. Br. Lesquerella a r c t i c a (Wormsk.) S. Wats. Parrya nudicaulis (L.) Regel Rorippa i s l a n d i c a (Oeder) Borb. Smelowskia borealis (Greene) Drury & R o l l i n s CRASSVLACEAE Sedum lanceolatum T o r r . Sedum roseum (L.) Scop. s s p . i n t e g r i f o l i u m (Raf.) Hult. SAXIFRAGACEAE Chrysoplenium tetrandrum (Lund.) T. F r i e s Parnassia kotzebuei Cham. & Schlecht. Parnassia p a l u s t r i s L. ssp. neogaea (Fern) Hult. , Saxifraga adscendes L. ssp. oregonensis (Raf.) B a c i g a l u p i Saxifraga b r o n c h i a l i s L. ssp. funstonii (Small) Hult. Saxifraga caespitosa L. Saxifraga caespitosa L. ssp. s i l e n e f l o r a (Sternb.) Hult. Saxifraga cernua L. Saxifraga davurica W i l l d . Saxifraga f l a g e l l a r i s W i l l d . ssp. platysepala (Trautv.) Pors. Saxifraga h i e r a c i f o l i a Waldst. & K i t . Saxifraga hirculus L. \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 . Saxifraga o p p o s i t i f o l i a L. Saxifraga punctata L. ssp. p o r s i l d i a n a Calder & S a v i l e Saxifraga radiata Small (=S. exilis Steph.) Saxifraga r e f l e x a Hook. Saxifraga r i v u l a r i s L. Saxifraga r i v u l a r i s L. var. flexuosa (Sternb.) Engler & Irmsch. Saxifraga s e r p y l l i f o l i a Pursh ROSACEAE Amelanchier a l n i f o l i a (Nutt.) Nutt. Chamaerhodos erecta (L.) Bunge ssp. n u t t a l l i i (Torr. & Gray) Hult. Dryas drummondii Richards. . ' Dryas i n t e g r i f o l i a M. Vahl ssp. i n t e g r i f o l i a Fragaria v i r g i n i a n a Duchesne ssp. glauca (S.Wats.) Staudt 7 Geum macrophyllum W i l l d . ssp. perincisum (Rydb.) Hult. Luetkea pectinata (Pursh) Ktze. P o t e n t i l l a anserina L. P o t e n t i l l a b i f l o r a W i l l d . P o t e n t i l l a d i v e r s i f o l i a Lehm. P o t e n t i l l a d i v e r s i f o l i a Lehm. var. glaucophylla Lehm. P o t e n t i l l a f l a b e l l i f o r m i s Lehm. P o t e n t i l l a f r u t i c o s a L. P o t e n t i l l a hookeriana Lehm. ssp. chamissonis (Hult.) Hult. P o t e n t i l l a hookeriana Lehm. ssp. hookeriana P o t e n t i l l a hookeriana Lehm. ssp. hookeriana var. hookeriana P o t e n t i l l a hookeriana Lehm. ssp. hookeriana var. furcata (Pors.) Hv P o t e n t i l l a hyparctica Malte P o t e n t i l l a m u l t i f i d a L. \u00C2\u00B0 P o t e n t i l l a p a l u s t r i s (L.) Scop. P o t e n t i l l a pennsylvanica L. P o t e n t i l l a pennsylvanica L. var. glabrata S. Wats. P o t e n t i l l a uniflora Ledeb.-P o t e n t i l l a v i r g u l a t a Nels. Rosa a c i c u l a r i s L i n d l . Rubus a r c t i c u s L. ssp. acaulis (Michx.) Focke Sanguisorba s t i p u l a t a Raf. FABACEAE (=LEGUMINOSAE p . p j Astragalus aboriginum Richards. Astragalus alpinus L. ssp. alpinus Astragalus nutzotinensis Rousseau Astragalus umbellatus Bunge A&lragalus w i l l i a m s i i Rydb. Hedysarum alpinum L. ssp. americanum (Michx.) Fedtsch. Hedysarum mackenzii Richards. Lupinus a r c t i c u s S. Wats. Oxytropis borealis DC. Oxytropis campestris (L.) DC. ssp. g r a c i l i s (Nels.) Hult. Oxytropis deflexa (Pall.) DC. var. f o l i o l o s a (Hook.) Barneby Oxytropis huddelsonii Pors. Oxytropis nigrescens (Pall.) F i s c h . ssp. bryophila (Greene) Hult. Oxytropis splendens Dougl. Oxytropis v i s c i d a Nutt. LINACEAE Linum perenne L. ssp. lev/isii (Pursh) Hult. . ELAEAGNACEAE Elaeagnus commutata Bernh. Shepherdia canadensis (L.) Nutt. ONAGRACEAE Epilobium angustifolium L. ssp. angustifolium Epilobium l a t i f o l i u m L. IIALOR/LGACEAE Hippuris vulgaris L. Myriophyllum spicatum L. 8 APIACEAE (=UMBELLIFERAE) Conioselinum c n i d i f o l i u m (Turcz.) Pors. CORNACEAE Cornus canadensis L. Cornus s t o l o n i f e r a Michx. PYROLACEAE ' . ' Moneses u n i f l o r a (L.) Gray Pyrola a s a r i f o l i a Michx. yar. purpurea (Bunge) Fern. \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 Pyrola g r a n d i f l o r a Radius Pyrola secunda L. ssp. secunda EMPETRACEAE Empetrum nigrum L. ssp. hermaphroditum (Lange) Bocher ERICACEAE Andromeda p o l i f o l i a L. Arctostaphylos alpina (L.) Spreng. A.rctostaphylos rubra (Rehd. & Wils.) Fern. Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (L.) Spreng. Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (L.) Spreng. var. adenotricha Fern. & Macbr. Cassiope s t e l l e r i a n a (Pall.) DC. Cassiope tetragona (L.) D.Don ssp. tetragona Ledum palustre L. ssp. groenlandicum (Oeder) Hult. . Phyllodoce empetriformis (Sm.) D.Don Pnyilodoce g l a n d u l i f l o r a (Hook.)*Cor. Rhododendron Japponicum (L.) Wahlenb. Vaccinium caespitosum Michx. Vaccinium uliginosum L. ssp. alpinum (Bigel.) Hult. Vaccinium v i t i s - i d a e a L. ssp. minus (Lodd.) Hult. PRI11ULACEAE Androsace chamaejasme Host ssp. lehmanniana (Spreng.) Hult. Androsace s e p t e n t r i o n a l i s L. Dodecatheon frigidum Cham. & Schlecht. Primula egaliksensis Wormsk. Primula sibirica Jacq. Primula stricta Hornem. GENTIANACEAE Gentiana algida P a l l . Gentiana barbata F r o e l . Gentiana propinqua Richards. Gentiana prostrata Haenke Lomatogonium rotatum (L.) E. F r i e s POLEMONIACEAE Phlox s i b i r i c a L. ssp. sibirica Polemonium acutiflorum W i l l d . Polemonium boreale \"Adams ssp. boreale Polemonium boreale Adams ssp. boreale var. villosissimum Hult. Polemonium pulcherrimum Hook. 9 183. \ HYDROPHYLLACEAE Phacelia frankliriii (R. Br.) Gray BORAGINACEAE Lappula\u00E2\u0080\u00A2myosotis Moench. Mertensia paniculata (Ait.) G. Don var. paniculata Myosotis a l p e s t r i s F.W. Schmidt ssp. a s i a t i c a Vestergr. SCROPHULARIACEAE C a s t i l l e j a hyperborea Pennell C a s t i l l e j a v i l l o s i s s i m a Pennell C a s t i l l e j a yukonis Pennell P e d i c u l a r i s capitata Adams P e d i c u l a r i s kanei Durand ssp. kanei P e d i c u l a r i s labradorica Wirsing P e d i c u l a r i s sudetica W i l l d . ssp. i n t e r i o r Hult. P e d i c u l a r i s v e r t i c i l l a t a L. Pentstemon gormanii Greene Pentstemon procerus Dougl. Veronica viormskjoldii Roem, & Schult. ssp. wormskjoldii OROBANCHACEAE Boschniakia rossica (Cham. & Schlecht.) Fedtsch. Orobanche f a s c i c u l a t a Nutt. -PiANTAGINACEAE \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 Plantago canescens Adams Plantago major L. var. major RUBIACEAE Galium boreale L. CAPRIFOLIACEAE Linnaea borealis L. ssp. americana (Forbes) Hult. Viburnum edule (Michx.) Raf. VALERIANACEAE Valeriana capitata P a l l . CAP1PANULACEAE Campanula l a s i c c a r p a Cham. ssp. lasiocarpa Campanula u n i f l o r a L. COMPOSITAE A c h i l l e a borealis Bong. A c h i l l e a lanulosa Nutt. Antennaria friesiana (Trautv.) Ekman sso. alaskana (Malte) Hult. Antennaria friesiana (Trautv.) Ekinan ssp. compacta (Malte) Hult. Antennaria friesiana (Trautv.) Ekman ssp. f r i e s i a n a Antennaria media Greene \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 Antennaria monocephala DC.ssp. monocephala var. e x i l i s (Greene) Hult. Antennaria monocephala DC. ssp. monocephala var. monocephala \u00E2\u0080\u00A2' . . 10 184 ' * Antennaria p a l l i d a E. Nels. Antennaria pulcherrima (Hook.)- Greene Antennaria rosea Greene Antennaria rosea Greene var. n i t i d a (Greene) Breitung Antennaria s t o l o n i f e r a Pors. Arnica alpina (L.) p l i n ssp. a n g u s t i f o l i a (M.Vahl) Maguire Arnica f r i g i d a C.A. Mey. Arnica l e s s i n g i i Greene ssp. l e s s i n g i i Artemisia alaskana Rydb. Artemisia a r c t i c a Less. ssp. a r c t i c a Artemisia dracunculus L. Artemisia f r i g i d a W i l l d . Artemisia furcata Bieb. Artemisia hyperborea Rydb. Artemisia r u p e s t r i s L. ssp. woodii Neilson . Artemisia t i l e s i i Ledeb. ssp. elatior (Torr. & Gray) Hult. Artemisia t i l e s i i Ledeb. ssp. tilesii Aster alpinus L. ssp. vierhapperi Onno Aster s i b i r i c u s L. Aster yukonensis Cronq. Crepis elegans Hook. Crepis nana Richards, var. nana Erigeron a c r i s L. ssp. p o l i t u s (E.Fries) Schinz & K e l l e r Erigeron ceaspitosus Nutt. . Erigeron compositus Pursh Erigeron compositus Pursh var. discoideus Gray Erigeron elatus Greene Erigeron eriocephalus J . Vahl Erigeron grandiflorus Hook. ssp. grandiflorus Erigeron humilis Graham . Erigeron purpuratus Greene Hieracium t r i s t e W i l l d . Petasites f r i g i d u s (L.) Franch. Petasites hyperboreus Rydb. Saussurea a n g u s t i f o l i a (Willd.) DC. Saussurea v i s c i d a Hult. var. yukonensis (Pors.) Hult. Senecio atropurpureus (Ledeb.) Fedtsch. ssp. atropurpureus : Senecio atropurpureus (Ledeb.) Fedtsch. ssp. frigidus (Richards.) Hult. Senecio atropurpureus (Ledeb.) Fedtsch. ssp. tomentosus (Kjellm.) Hult. Senecio congestus (R. Br.) DC. Senecio conterminus Greenm. Senecio fuscatus (Jord. & Fourr.) Hayek Senecio lugens Richards. Senecio pauciflorus Pursh Senecio r e s e d i f o l i u s Less. Solidago decumbens Greene var. oreophila (Rydb.) Fern. Solidago multiradiata A i t . var. a r c t i c a (DC.) Fern. Solidago multiradiata A i t . var. scopulorum Gray Taraxacum alaskanum Rydb. Taraxacum ceratophorum (Ledeb.) DC. Taraxacum lacerum Greene Taraxacum o f f i c i n a l e Weber Townsendia hookeri Beaman ' LICHENS FROM KLUANE NATIONAL PARK AND ADJACENT AREAS 185 Acarospora oxytona (Ach.) Mass. A.lectoria ochxoleuca (Hoffm.) Mass. \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 B u e l l i a epigaea (Hoffm.) Tuck. Buellia stelluata (Tayl. i n Mack.) Mudd Caloplaca cirrochroa (Ach.) Th. F r . Cetraria cucullata (Bell) Ach. Cetraria hepatizon (Ach.) Vain. Cetraria i s l a n d i c a (L.) Ach. Cetraria n i v a l i s (L.) Ach. Cetraria r i c h a r d s o n i i Hook. Cetraria t i l e s i i Ach. Cladonia amaurocraea (Fldrke) Schaer. Cladonia gonecha (Ach.) Asah. Cladonia g r a c i l i s (L.) W i l l d . var. d i l a t a t a (Huds.) Vain. Cladonia lepidota Nyl. Cladonia pocillum (Ach.) 0. Rich. Cladonia s y l v a t i c a (L.) Hoffm. Czlloma coccophorum Tuck. C o r n i c u l a r i a aculeaia (Schreb.) Ach. Dactylina a r c t i c a (Hook.) Nyl. Dactylina madreporiformis (Wulf.) Tuck. Dactylina ramulosa (Hook.) Tuck. Dermatocarpon hepaticum (Ach.) Th. F r . Evernia d i v a r i c a t a (L.) Ach. Evernia esorediosa (Mull. Arg.) DuRietz Fulgensia bracteata (Hoffm.) Ras. Lecanora caesiocinerea N y l . Lecanora Candida (Anzi) Nyl. Lecanora epibryon (Ach.) Ach. Lecanora l e n t i g e r a (G. Web.) Ach. Lecanora melanopthalma (Ram.) Ram. Lecanora rubina ( V i l l . ) Ach. Lecidea atromarginata Magn. Lecidea cuprea Somm. Lecidea decipiens (Hedw.) Ach. ?Lecidea granulosa (Hoffm.) Ach. 2 Lecidea marginata Schaer. Lecidea rubiformis (Wahlenb. ex Ach.) Wahlenb. Lecidea tesselata (Ach.) Flb r k e Parmelia taractica Kremph. P e l t i g e r a aphthosa (L.) W i l l d . P e l t i g e r a aphthosa (L.) W i l l d . var. leucophlebia N y l . P e l t i g e r a canina (L.) W i l l d . var. rufescens (Weis.) Mudd P e l t i g e r a canina (L.) W i l l d . var. spuria (Ach.) Schaer. Physcia muscigena (Ach.) Nyl. Ramalina r o e s l e r i (Hochst.) N y l . Rhizocarpon geographicum (L.) DC. Solorina saccata (L.) Ach. Solorina spongiosa (Sm.) A n z i Stereocaulon alpinum Laur. Stereocaulon glareosum (Sav.) Magn. Stereocaulon paschale (L.) Hoffm. Stereocaulon rivulorum Wagn. Thannolia vermicularis (Sw.) Ach. Thamnolia subuliformis (Ehrh.) c u l b . Toninia caeruleonigricans (Lighf.) Th. F r . Vmbilicaria havaasii Llano Xanthoria elegans (Link) Th. F r . MOSSES AND HEPATICAE FROM KLUANE NATIONAL PARK A b i e t i n e l l a abietina (Hedw.) F l e i s c h . A s t e r e l l a lindenbergiana (Corda) Lindb. Aulacomnium acuminatum (Lindb. & Arn.) Par. Barbula icmadophila Schimp. ex C. M u l l . ?Barbula tophacea (Brid.) M i t t . [=Didymodon tophaceus (Brid.) Garov.7 ?Brachythecium groenlandicum (C. Jens.) Schljak. ?Brachythecium turgidum (C.F. Hartm.) Kindb. ?Bryum alpinum With. Bryum pallens Sw. Bryum sp.... Campylium stellaturn (Hedw.) C. Jens. Catoscopium nigritum (Hedw.) B r i d . Ceratodon purpureus (Hedw.) B r i d . Cinclidium stygium Sw. Cratoneuron f i l i c i n u m (Hedw.) Spruce Cyrtomnium hymenophyllum (B.S.G.) Holmen Distichium capillaceum (Hedw.) B.S.G. Ditrichum f l e x i c a u l e (Schwaegr.) Hampe Drepanocladus procerus (Ren. & Arn.) Warnst. Funaria hygrometrica Hedw. Hylocomium splendens (Hedw.) B.S.G. Hypnum bambergeri Schimp. .Hypnum bridelianum Crum, Steere & Anderson Hypnum cupressiforme Hedw. Hypnum procerrimum Mol. Hypnum vaucheri Lesq. Marchantia polymorpha L. Afeesea uliginosa Hedw. Mnium b l y t t i i B.S.G. Orthothecium chruseum (Schwaegr.) B.S.G. P h i l o n o t i s tomentella Mol. Plagiomnium rostratum (Schrad.) Koponen (Hazen & Turner, 1886) Plagiomnium rugicum (Laur.) Koponen Pohlia sp. P r e i s s i a quadrata (Scop.) Nees 2 188 Sauteria alpina Nees Scorpidium turgescens (T. Jens.) Loeske ?Sphagnum nemoreum Scop. Splachnum luteum Hedw. Tetraplodon mnioides (Hedw.) B.S.G. Timmia austriaca Hedw. Tomentgpnum nitens (Hedw.) Loeske Tortula norvegica (Web.) Wahlenb. Tortula ruralis (Hedw.) Gaertn., Meyer & Scherb. GENERAL DESCRIPTION I Plot No.: Plot size: Extent of type: Date: Locality: a) provisional name: b) definite name: Latitude: Longitude: Distribution code: A 11itude: Exposure: Slope gradient: Jlacroclimate: ':\u00E2\u0080\u00A2 ind influenee. ! Approximate snow cover time: Topographic location: a) Land type: b) Land form: History! (fire, disturbance, grazing). Coverage of Tree layer Al c/ / 3 A2 r-.' /\u00E2\u0080\u00A2> Total A % Shrub layer Total B % Herb . layer /'*\u00C2\u00BB C2 Total C /> Lichen10^ Dh % f'dw Dr /\u00E2\u0080\u00A2\u00E2\u0080\u00A2< Total D % Epiphytes r' / 3 ^3 c / r d Total E % Groundsurface covered by: Humus: \u00C2\u00BB/ to Mineral soil: c' A> Decaying wood % Rock: c/ A> Remarks: \ \u00E2\u0080\u00A2; \"'\u00E2\u0080\u00A2 ' 1 90 Cr-j/.-iSH.-!L nrJJJKlr i'lVi: II: Plot No.: Date: Tentative soil subgroup: Definite soil subcroup: Hygrotope: Edaphotope: Relief shape: Cross sect ion: ' Profile: Contour Iine: Erosion: Runoff: Drainage: Parent material: Soil depth: Coarse fragments in soil: Rockiness: Stoniness: Root distribution: Numus: Thickness: Form.: ilelanized mineral soil depth: Soil concretions: Soil pan: Location in profile Location in profile size size type type Ground water: Depth frorr, surface: OH: a) moving b) stagnant Permeable layer depth. Salt or alkali. Permafrost: a) depth b) thickness Remarks: 191 DESCRIPTION I I I : Pla n t community analysis f o r Vegetation Map: P l o t No. P l o t S i z e : Date: L o c a l i t y : S t r a t -i f i c -a t i o n Species: Species s i g n i f -icance: Soc-i a b i l -i t y : Vigor: Phenology: L i f e form: \ 192 Table LIII i n pocket i n v.2 P A R T I I E C O L O G I C A L I N V E S T I G A T I O N O F A P O P U L A T I O N O F D A L L S H E E P ( O V I S D A L L I D A L L I , N E L S O N ) by M A N F R E D H O E F S 194 INTRODUCTION; The analysis presented i s part I I of an investigation dealing with the ecology of a population'of Da l l sheep (Ovis d a l l i d a l l i Nelson) and t h e i r habitat. The f i r s t part deals i n d e t a i l with the location^ geology, physiography, climate and vegetation cover of the study area and includes a vegetation map. Further information along these l i n e s i s therefore l i m i t e d to a description of the range of t h i s sheep population and to the environmental parameters as they d i r e c t l y affect sheep. The emphasis i s on range use and forage selection which i s documented i n d e t a i l over an annual cycle. To do t h i s i t was necessary to frequently make reference t o the phytosociological analysis and vegetation map of part. I of t h i s i n v e s t i g a t i o n . Population data are presented f o r a five-year period as wel l as whatever h i s t o r i c a l information e x i s t s about t h i s population. However, t h i s i n v e s t i g a t i o n must not be considered as a \"population study\" per se since some important factors as rates of emigration and immigration and mortality on summer ranges could not be assessed. Conclusions drawn as to the factors which \"regulate\" t h i s population w i l l therefore be of necessity tentative. The general l i f e history of D a l l sheep has betn presented i n d e t a i l i n t a r l i e r works by Dixon (1938) and Murie (1944) and t h e i r s o c i a l behaviour has recently been dealt with by Geist ( 1971) . The following analysis therefore deals only with ecological parameters of t h i s population which were compared to data abstracted through an intensive l i t e r a t u r e review about other \"northern\" sheep populations. \"Northern\" shetp i n t h i s connection means populations l i v i n g i n sub-arctic l a t i t u d e s l i k e D a l l sheep, Stone shetp (Ovis d a l l i stonei) and Siberian Snow sheep (Ovis n i v i c o l a ) . I t i s f e l t that only .. \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 195 these species are exposed to similar environmental factors. Wherever appropriate, however, reference i s made to Bighorn sheep as well as other ungulates. While tine following analysis i s based primarily on data c o l l e c t e d by the writer, gfcrsonal communication with a number of people, p a r t i c u l a r l y on h i s t o r i c a l aspects, i s included and i t i s r therefore, appropriate that these people are introduced here. Mr. Jdin:Haden, now l i v i n g at Whitehorse, resided i n Sil v e r City on Kluane Lake JjEom 1930 to 1937, where his parents were managing a fox farm. Mr. Hadenhad Sheep Mountain under almost constant surveillance during those years. \u00E2\u0080\u00A2Mr.-CUE Lolan, a prospector now l i v i n g i n Whitehorse, worked a number of placer-operations i n various creeks i n the area, including Sheep Creek i n 1937. Mr. Joe Langevin, now l i v i n g at Dawson City , was forest ranger and game warden for tthe Kluane Game Sanctuary from 1950 to 1961. Ke occupied a cabin near MiGae 1057> Alaska Highway, and held Sheep Mountain under constant surveillance durung those years. Mr. and Ers. F. Sais have been l i v i n g at S i l v e r City on Kluane Lake f o r the pastt two years. Mrs. Sais i s a daughter of Mr. Jacquot, who \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 o u t f i t t e d i n the Muane Game Sanctuary p r i o r to i t s establishment and founded the settlement of Burwash i n 1910. N e i l Olson, formerly with the Faculty of Forestry, University of B r i t i s h Columbia, now l i v i n g at Haines Junction, started a research project on shetp. He marked a number of sheep i n 1970 and 1971 to be able to evaluate such factors as migration distances, rates of emigration, i n i t i a l breeding age and age-specific mortality rates. Unfortunately, t h i s study was 196 discontinued. However, the presence of a considerable number of marked she_p i n t h i s population helped the writer to evaluate such parameters as di s p e r s a l , early lamb mortality and extent of range of t h i s population. Dr. N. Simmons, research s c i e n t i s t with the Canadian W i l d l i f e Service at Fort Smith, K.W.T., has been studying D a l l sheep i n the MacKenzie Mountains for the past seven years. The writer has been corresponding frequently with !2r. Simmons. Dr. V. Ceist, University of Calgary, studied the behaviour of t h i s sheep population i n 1965 and returned to the area several times subsequently. The writer has had many rewarding discussions with Dr. Geist. Methods and Materials; The writter was present on the study area during the following time i n t e r v a l s : from Kay l 6 t h , 1969 to September 1 4 t h , 1969; from A p r i l 1 0 t h , 1970 to November 1 4 t h , 1971; from May 4 t h , 1972 to September 1 4 t h , 1972; subsequently the writer took up a pos i t i o n with the Yukon Game Branch at Whitehorse, but it&e gathering of population data was continued during short stays at the area throughout 1973* Counts Mere made throughout t h i s 5-year period (1969-1973) to evaluate the dynamics of t h i s population; detailed range u t i l i z a t i o n analyses, as wel l as evaluations of forage selection and of the response of sheep to snow, tenperature and wind were l i m i t e d to the one-year period from October 1970 to September 1971. By t h i s time the writer was f a m i l i a r with the f l o r a of the area through complete -plant c o l l e c t i o n s at various phenological stages, a preliminary vegetation map had been constructed, and a ' p i l o t study* on a semi-captive band of D a l l sheep was well under way (Hoefs, 1974)\u00E2\u0080\u00A2 At t h i s * 4 * 197 p i l o t study techniques used to determine forage s e l e c t i o n were es t a b l i s h e d . A) Population dynamics and ranF,e u t i l i z a t i o n : During the period of i n t e n s i v e study, t o t a l counts were made on the average f o r 20 days per month f o r range use determination. During h a l f of these observation days (about 10 per month) sheep were c l a s s i f i e d , t h e i r e l e v a t i o n s were determined, and t h e i r response to snow depth, temperatures, and wind was recorded. The other h a l f of the observation days (about 10 days per month) were spent with the gathering of feeding observations. To obtain population s t a t i s t i c s the following c l a s s i f i c a t i o n was used: lambs, y e a r l i n g s , ewes, 2 year o l d rams, 3 year old rams, 4 and 5 year o l d rams, rams 6 years and older, and rams whose horn c u r l s i g n i f i c a n t l y exceeded 360\u00C2\u00B0. This type of c l a s s i f i c a t i o n f o r ram v a r i e s considerably from the one developed by Geist (1971). It was used'because of the ease with which rams could be c l a s s i f i e d even over l a r g e r distances and because of p r a c t i c a l considerations to be discussed l a t e r . Whenever a large p o r t i o n of the ram segment of the population could be approached close enough Geist's c l a s s i f i c a t i o n was a l s o used, and comparisons between the two systems w i l l be discussed l a t e r . For aging sheep the method u t i l i z i n g annual growth rin g s of horns as a p p l i e d by Cowan (1940) was used. This method was l a t e r experimentally v e r i f i e d by Geist (1966) f o r Bighorn sheep and by Hemming (1969) f o r D a l l sheep. To determine 'degree.curl 1 of horns, a modification of Erickson's (1970) procedure was a p p l i e d . The writer c a r r i e d continuously with him a LKITZ \"Trinovid 8 x 3 2 \" b i n o c u l a r , and when c l a s s i f i e d counts were made a BU3HNELL \"Spacemaster II\" s p o t t i n g scope (20 t o 45x by 60mm) was used. 198 To evalute intensities of grazing pressure, strategies of range utilization, and use of the various plant associations over the annual cycle the distribution of sheep was mapped on a preliminary vegetation map, which was a miniature version (scale 1 : 20 000) of the large map, which is part of the vegetation analysis of part I of this thesis. Inspection of that map will show that i t is divided into 45 'sections and each section is divided into 100 'quadrats'. Bands of feeding jheep were observed for about. 20 minutes each, individuals were observed for 5 minutes, and the location of their feeding was recorded as section and quadrat numbers. Bands which were resting at the time were returned to later when they were feeding. Range use was subsequently expressed as 'sheep days per acre' or 'sheep per square mile per time interval', as well as proportional utilization of plant associations. Since some quadrats included more than one association notes were also made as to whether sheep wert feeding in herbaceous cover, in shrub, or in forest. Where boundaries were not distinct, as between adjacent grassland associations, or where continuous snow covered the ground, the allocation of sheep to various associations within a quadrat was proportional to the sizes of the different associations within that quadrat. As already pointed out, the range use study was limited to Sheep Mountain, which is only a portion of the total range of this population. While this mountain has been described in great detail in the first part of this thesis, i t will here only be necessary to briefly recall its boundaries (Figure 1 and vegetation map, Part I of thesis): Its northern boundary is the 1000 foot depression between Sheep Mountain and Mt. Wallace to the north of i t . An unnamed creek coming down that depression to the east reaches the Alaska Highway near Mile 1064*1 (Goose Bay Campsite). Another creek, Forty-eight Pup, follows that'depression to the west and flow3 into Sheep Creek! Figure l b : \"Sheep Mountain\", the most important wintering area of t h i s population, and the s i t e of intensive range use and forage selection studies. 2 0 0 20 1 which i n turn enters the Slims River. The other boundaries of Sheep Mountain are c l e a r l y defined by Kluane Lake, Slims River and Sheep Creek (Figure l ) . Comparisons to counts made by previous investigators are d i f f i c u l t to i n t e r p r e t , since these people d i d not describe the boundaries of \" t h e i r \" Sheep Mountain nor d i d they state the exact locations from which counts were made. Our experiences show that i t i s very important to count from several s t r a t e g i c locations i f the numbers obtained are to be f a i r l y r e l i a b l e . Since tike Alaska Highway as well as portions of the old Alaska Highway follow the outline of Sheep Mountain on the east and south sides d i r e c t l y at the base, many areas on the mountain can not be observed from here. To get ihe best impression of the t o t a l numbers as well as of the d i s t r i b u t i o n of sfeeep over the mountain, counts should be started at the south side of the Slims River. Three locations were used here, f i r s t at Mile IO56.4 \u00C2\u00BB Alaska, Highway, from which the east and portions of the large south east slopes can be surveyed very w e l l ; next at K i l e 1 0 5 9 . 2 , Alaska Highway, from where; the large south east face can be scanned, and l a s t l y the end of the old Alaska Highway at the burnt bridge, from where the south west side of the mountain; can be viewed. This old route of the Alaska Highway follows the south saore of the Slims River for a distance of perhaps three miles. This o v e r a l l count from a large distance, for which a good spotting scope i s e s s e n t i a l , was followed by more detailed c l a s s i f i e d counts at close range from the base of the mountain. As already pointed out, the northern boundary of Sheep Mountain can be viewed from the Goose Bay Campsite (Mile IO64.I) and i t was here where detailed surveys started. These were continued from several locations along the Alaska Highway, usually where parking space 20 2 was available along the road [Mile I O 6 3 . 8 (Bayshore Inn), I O 6 3 . 6 , 1062.7* 1 0 6 2 . 2 , 1062.0 a M 1 0 6 0 . 5 ] . Subsequently, the old Alaska Highway was followed along the base of Sheep Mountain. Good counts of the large south east slope can be made from the Slims River flood p l a i n . The south west side of the mountain can be most accurately surveyed from the small rock outcrop cut o f f from the mountain proper by the old Alaska Highway.. This small h i l l i s perfeps 150 feet high and located half the way between the present Alaska Highway i n the east and Sheep Creek i n the west. The west side of Sheep Moum&ain and the slopes along Sheep Creek can only be surveyed by walking up along: Sheep Creek's east bank for a distance of about two miles to a knob which has an elevation of about 3 5 0 0 ' . If a survey i s done i n t h i s manner, which may take 3 to 4 hours, i t i s estimated tihat 95/& or more of the sheep on t h i s mountain can be accounted f o r . Tiaese counts do not include the alpine north face of Sheep Mountain, which i s summer range and which can only be viewed by actually climbing to the peak.. Counts made of Sheep Mountain i n the above manner are l i s t e d i n Table 1 fin the appendix. Counts used i n the discussion on population dynamics are usually higher than the numbers l i s t e d for Sheep Mountain. This mountain i s only a portion of the t o t a l range of t h i s population (Figure l ) and not a l l sheep are on Sheep Mountain at the same time. Even i n late winter, winter ranges along W i l l i s c r o f t Creek and B u l l i o n Creek are used by members of t h i s population. However, i f a l l those ranges are surveyed and i f repeated c l a s s i f i c a t i o n s are done, the t o t a l number of sheep i n t h i s population can be established with a f a i r degree of accuracy. The greatest d i f f i c u l t y i s encountered when tr y i n g to establish the t o t a l number of rams in t h i s population and t h e i r age structure. Only in * 8 * 203 Kay 1973 were we able to determine the l a t t e r . Sheep Mountain i s e s s e n t i a l l y a ewe wintering aarea and probably not more than 50$ to 60>\u00C2\u00A3 of rams are on t h i s mountain at any one time. The rams dispersed over a much larger area and a portion of them mixes with members of other populations both i n winter and i n summer. However, throughout May i t i s possible to come up with a t o t a l number by repeated c l a s s i f i c a t i o n s and by making long excursions along Sheep Creek to locate a l l ram baads. Another d i f f i c u l t y arises when trying to establish the number of lambs actually bora. This can only be done by surveying the lambing grounds d a i l y throughout 4ne lambing period as well as by keeping track of the other nursery bands. Ewes separate from nursery bands before they give b i r t h . The l o c a t i o n of such i s o l a t e d ewes must be mapped'and checked every day. After giving b i r t h they iremain isol a t e d f o r another day or two before they r e j o i n the nursery bands. By keeping track of such i s o l a t e d ewes, th e i r newly-born lambs as well as tihe; t o t a l number of lambs i n nursery bands, i t i s possible to e s t a b l i s h the taital number of lambs actually born as well as the early m o r t a l i t y . This was done for 1971 and 1972. A number of marked ewes i n the population greatly aided i n t h i s exercise. Summer counts of the population, the extent of t h e i r year round range and t h e i r migration routes were established concurrently with summer range studies and feeding observations on summer ranges. For t h i s purpose a camp was maintained on Sheep Mountain's alpine north slope from June 1, 1971 to September 15, 1971. B) Forage u t i l i z a t i o n : Two methods were used to determine which plants were u t i l i z e d as forages by sheep: f i r s t , d i r e c t observations, and second, rumen sample 20k a n a l y s e s . a ) d i r e c t o b s e r v a t i o n s : An a v e r a g e o f 9 d a y s p e r month was s p e n t w i t h d i r e c t o b s e r v a t i o n s o f f e e d i n g s h e e p . P r i o r t o t h e i n i t i a t i o n o f t h i s work i n O c t o b e r 1970, c o m p l e t e p l a n t c o l l e c t i o n s had b e e n made t o f a m i l i a r i z e t h e w r i t e r w i t h - a l l p o t e n t i a l f o o d p l a n t s a t v a r i o u s p h e n o l o g i c a l s t a g e s . P r e l i m i n a r y work had a l s o b e e n c o m p l e t e d w i t h the f l o r i s t i c d e s c r i p t i o n o f v a r i o u s p l a n t a s s o c i a t i o n s on t h e r a n g e o f t h i s s h e e p p o p u l a t i o n . T h i s k n o w l e d g e o f w h i c h s p e c i e s g row i n what a s s o c i a t i o n s g r e a t l y r e d u c e d t h e number o f p o t e n t i a l f o r a g e p l a n t s p e r s i t e t h r o u g h e l i m i n a t i o n and i n c r e a s e d t h e number o f s u c c e s s f u l o b s e r v a t i o n s . To c l a r i f y t h i s s t a t e m e n t , l e t u s u s e t h e genus C a l a m a g r o s t i s a s an e x a m p l e . P l a n t c o l l e c t i o n s h a d documented t h a t f o u r C a l a m a g r o s t i s s p p . grow on t h e mapped a r e a ( C . c a n a d e n s i s , C. i n e x p a n s a , C . n e g l e c t a , and C. p u r p u r a s c e n s ) , a l l o f w h i c h a r e s i m i l a r i n e x t e r n a l a p p e a r a n c e . However , o n l y t h e l a t t e r s p e c i e s ( C a l a m a g r o s t i s p u r p u r a s c e n s ) was known t o grov; i n g r a s s l a n d a s s o c i a t i o n s , and t h e r e f o r e o n l y t h i s s p e c i e s had t o be r e c o g n i z e d when t h e f e e d i n g o f sheep i n s u c h g r a s s l a n d a s s o c i a t i o n s was m o n i t o r e d . A s e r i o u s a t t e m p t was made t o d i s t r i b u t e t h e d i r e c t o b s e r v a t i o n o f s h e e p p r o p o r t i o n a l l y t o the v a r i o u s a s s o c i a t i o n s a s w e l l a s a l t i t u d i n a l l e v e l s t h a t were u t i l i z e d a t t h a t t i m e o f t h e m o n t h . S i n c e d a y s s p e n t w i t h d i r e c t o b s e r v a t i o n s a l t e r n a t e d w i t h - d a y s on w h i c h t h e d i s t r i b u t i o n o f sheep o v e r t h e v a r i o u s a l t i t u d i n a l zones\" and p l a n t c o m m u n i t i e s was d o c u m e n t e d , the s t a t i s t i c s o f t h e day p r i o r t o t h e o b s e r v a t i o n d a y s e r v e d a s t h e r e s p e c t i v e r e f e r e n c e . F o r i n s t a n c e , when i t was f o u n d t h a t 80% o f t h e s h e e p f e d i n g r a s s l a n d a s s o c i a t i o n s and 20% i n w i l l o w s , t h e n 4 h o u r s were s p e n t w a t c h i n g s h e e p f e e d i n g i n g r a s s l a n d s , and 1 h o u r w a t c h i n g s h e e p b rowse i n w i l l o w s t a n d s . I n o r d e r n o t t o d i s t u r b t h e n a t u r a l f e e d i n g b e h a v i o u r o f s h e e p , * 10 * 2 0 5 i n i t i a l l y observations' were made from a distance of 200 to 300 feet. The procedure was to get to a 'strategic' location above the sheep, sit or l i e down and watch them through a spotting scope, recording the observations on a tape recorder or note book. It is much easier to recognize individual plant species i f observations are made from above. After some time, however, the sheep were so accustomed to the daily presence of the investigator .that they often could be approached as closely as 100 or even 50 feet before they paid any attention to the writer. The feeding observations were meant to report the forage utilization of this population, therefore observations of rams and ewes alternated proportionally to their ratios at the time. Occasionally attempts were made to stay with the same animals over an entire day. The feeding was recorded as 'interactions' or bites per plant species. Initial work by the writer with semi-captive sheep (Hoefs, 1974) had indicated that the variations between these 'interactions' are much smaller than in the often-used 'animal minutes'. It was found that during one minute the number of bites may be as low as 2 or 3 and as high as 50. On the other hand, an interaction is determined by the capacity of the animal's mouth and the nature of the forage (height and density of forage, size and thickness of leaves). It was never observed to be less than a single leaf or bud and cannot be more than the animal can grasp at a time. While most feeding took place in areas with l i t t l e or no snow, allowing direct observation of food selection, i t was occasionally necessary to inspect feeding craters in deep snow. b) rumen sample analyses: . Over the past 5 years a total of 43 rumen samples became available from the study population and from surrounding arears with comparable * 11 * 206 ec o l o g i c a l condi&ions. The r e l i a b i l i t y of rumen contents f o r determining forage u t i l i z a t i o n of a population as well as the various methods of rumen content analyses have often been c r i t i c i z e d , nor does the writer consider t h i s method as perfect. But since such a large number was available and since the samples were n i c e l y spaced over the entire year, they were considered a valuable supplement to di r e c t feeding observations. Approximately h a l f the samples came from sheep that died from natural causes, rasually during the winter months. The other half came from sheep that were 'collected f o r a variety of reasons by the Canadian W i l d l i f e Service, the Yukar,- Game Branch, and the University of B r i t i s h Columbia. Additional sheep died during trapping and transplanting operations and a few were i l l e g a l l y ti&en by poachers. Whenever the writer was personally involved with the c o l l e c t i o n s , sheep were only '(taken a f t e r extensive feeding periods during which notes were made on the plant associations u t i l i z e d and the forages taken. This procedure greatly aided i n subsequent rumen analyses. Approximately one quart ( I . I 3 6 l i t e r s ) was kept from each rumen, a f t e r the content was thoroughly mixed, and was kept frozen u n t i l analyses sta r t e d . The samjiles were l a t e r thawed, washed, seived and oven-dried. A modification of sGbarnrad and Box's (1964) method of point analysis was used to determine % (percent) frequency of various species. A complete plant c o l l e c t i o n was available f o r reference, plus the fa c t that the plant associ-ations as well as fctike. forages used at the time were known through d i r e c t observations. Unidentifiable fragments were c l a s s i f i e d into the broad categories: grasslike, browse, forbs and mosses or lichens. Snow conditions; Snow cover duration i n days as well as average and maximum depths \" P * 12 * 20 7 per plant association were determined during the 1970/71 winter through the establishment of 160 permanent snow posts. These posts were distributed in a l l three altitudinal zones and in a l l communities utilized by sheep over the annual cycle. These measurements were supplemented by frequent sampling of the snow depths with a ruler. Measurements were recorded at least at weekly intervals, plus immediately after every snow f a l l and major removal (chinook) period. Measurements were also taken of the snow depths in the area in which sheep were feeding. Anatomical features of the sheep themselves were used as a scale as described by Geist (1971:265). An attempt was made to obtain these data twice every week during the period with snow cover. Between 80 and 150 sheep uere observed per day, and for those that were feeding on ground vegetation, the snow depth was recorded. Periodically such estimations of snow depth done through a spotting scope were checked by trailing sheep feeding in different snow depths and measuring the depths of the feeding craters. Temperatures: To record the temperatures of the three biogeoclimatic zones (boreal, sub-alpine and alpine), to detect correlations between temperatures and plant phenological changes, as well as to analyse possible responses of sheep to temperatures, four weather stations were maintained at 2800, 3610, 5380 and 638O feet elevations. Except for the station at 638O feet, which was not serviced during December, January and February, a l l stations were maintained from June 1970 to September 1971. The stations consisted of weekly recording thermographs (Model T-9158, Cassela Instrument Ltd., London, England), and they were set up in Stevenson screens according to Department of Transport standards (Meteorological Branch, D.O.T., 1966). 208 The stations were serviced at weekly i n t e r v a l s and occasionally more frequently during very cold weather. The temperatures at the elevations of sheep were computed through interpolations of the graphs of adjacent stations, assuming l i n e a r r e l a t i o n s h i p between a l t i t u d e and temperature between such stations.. Wind; To record! the wind speeds the study area i s exposed to over the annual cycle and to possibly detect any response of sheep to winds of d i f f e r e n t i n t e n s i t i e s or of di f f e r e n t directions three permanent weather stations were maintained from Kay 1970 to August 1971 at 2600 feet, 36OO feet and 5400 feet elevations. These stations were equipped with t o t a l -i z i n g anemometers (Counter type Mark I I , R.W. Munro Ltd., London, England) and were serviced at weekly i n t e r v a l s . Since only three instruments were available a decision had to be made as to where i t was most desirable to determine wind speeds. Since previous experience had indicated that the study area i s subject to p a r t i c u -l a r l y strong winds blowing from the southwest down the Kaskawulch Glacier and the Slims River v a l l e y , and since i t was known that most sheep winter on the large southeast-facing slope of Sheep Mountain which i s exposed to such winds, i t was here that the weather stations were established. In doing so, however, i t was not possible to measure the f u l l force of winds blowing from the north, which, even though much le s s frequent than southwest winds, are important i n mid-winter. These three stations provided average wind v e l o c i t i e s per week, which were useful i n detecting differences i n a l t i t u d e and for comparisons with other areas, but which were of l i t t l e help i n determining the wind speeds * 14 * 209 sheep were exposed to at any one time. To accomplish t h i s a hand anemometer (#444t Science Associates Inc., Princeton, N.J., U.S.A.) was used. Direct readings from t h i s instrument were supplemented by observing standard a i r p o r t weather hoses (socks), twenty of which were di s t r i b u t e d over the mountain at various altitudes.- These hoses indicate the wind d i r e c t i o n d i r e c t l y , and the v e l o c i t i e s could be estimated by considering the angle, between the extended hose and the v e r t i c a l supporting post. Plant Phenology In order to quantify the advance of plant development during the growing period im spring and summer as well as during the drying-up period i n f a l l both with respect to a l t i t u d e as well as aspect a number of i n v e s t i -gations were carried out. a) Dates of f i r s t flowering: Since studies by the writer (Hoefs, 1974) on a semi-captive herd of D a l l sheep had demonstrated that the flowers of c e r t a i n plant species are preferred forage plants, i t was useful to know at what dates such flowers came into bloom. For t h i s reason about 60 species of flowering plaints, including a l l important forage plants, were mapped and the dates at which those plants f i r s t developed f u l l y opened flowers were recorded during the 1970, 1971 and 1972 seasons. b) Rates of growths and drying-up of important forage plants: Several investigators have shown that sheep and other ungulates prefer green and succulent vegetation to o l d , dried-up plants (Karaer, 1961; Arnold, 1964? Martin, 1964; Eadie, 1970; Hoefs, 1974)* To document t h i s selection f o r the study population the rates of growth and drying up of the f i v e most important winter range plants (Artemisia f r i ; ; i d a , Agropyron yukonense, * 15 '* 2 1 0 C a l a m a g r o s t i s p u r , u r a s c e n s , O x y t r o p i s v i s c i d a , and C a r e x f i l i f o l i a ) were m e a s u r e d a t w e e k l y i n t e r v a l s f r o m e a r l y May t o l a t e O c t o b e r . Ten \" c l u m p s \" o r c l o n e s o f t h e s e s p e c i e s were s e l e c t e d w i t h r e s p e c t t o e x p o s u r e t o w i n d and s u n s h i n e b u t w h i c h were p r o t e c t e d f r o m g r a z i n g t h r o u g h e x c l o s u r e f e n c e s o r g r e w i n s i t e s n o t u t i l i z e d by s h e e p . Week ly measurements i n c l u d e d d e t e r m i n a t i o n o f l e n g t h s o f l e a v e s and f l o w e r i n g c u l m s , p e r c e n t a g e o f g r e e n m a t t e r w i t h r e g a r d t o t o t a l s t a n d i n g c r o p , o n s e t o f f l o w e r i n g and f r u i t i n g , and r a t e s o f d r y i n g u p . E s t i m a t i o n s ' o f t h e s e p h e n o l o g i c a l phenomena were a l s o done f o r a number o f o t h e r f o r a g e p l a n t s . c ) A l t i t u d i n a l p h e n o l o g i c a l a d v a n c e d u r i n g s p r i n g : A number o f f a c t o r s have b e e n u s e d t o e x p l a i n t h e v e r t i c a l s e a s o n a l movements o f s h e e p , t h e s e i n c l u d e . snow c o n d i t i o n s and o t h e r w e a t h e r f a c t o r s , a v o i d a n c e o f b l o o d - s u c k i n g i n s e c t s , p r o t e c t i o n o f w i n t e r r a n g e s , and a d v a n t a g e s w i t h r e s p e c t t o f o r a g e ( D i x o n , 1936; M u r i e , 1944; B l o o d , 1963: E g o r o v , 1967; H e b e r t , 1972; and N a s i m o v i c h , u n d a t e d ) . Some o f t h e s e p o t e n t i a l c a u s e s o f v e r t i c a l m i g r a t i o n have a l s o been i n v e s t i g a t e d i n t h i s s t u d y . Some i n d i c a t i o n s o f t h e v e r t i c a l march o f p h e n o l o g y c a n b e o b t a i n e d f r o m t h e d a t e s o f f i r s t f l o w e r i n g o f p l a n t s p e c i e s a t d i f f e r e n t a l t i t u d e s . However , a more a c c u r a t e q u a n t i f i c a t i o n i s p o s s i b l e by o b s e r v a t i o n o f t h e p e r f o r m a n c e o f t h e same s p e c i e s o f p l a n t a t v a r i o u s a l t i t u d e s . P e r h a p s no o t h e r s p e c i e s i n t h e s t u d y a r e a i s more s u i t a b l e f o r s u c h an i n v e s t i g a t i o n t h a n C a r e x f i l i f o l i a . I t h a s t h e f o l l o w i n g a d v a n t a g e s : a ) I t i s a f a i r l y a b u n d a n t p l a n t i n a l l d r y g r a s s l a n d a s s o c i a t i o n s i n t h e b o r e a l , s u b - a l p i n e and a l p i n e b i o g e o c l i m a t i c z o n e s . b ) I t i s one o f t h e most p r e f e r r e d D a l l sheep f o r a g e p l a n t s . c ) I t i s an \" e a r l y b i r d \" i n a p h e n o l o g i c a l s e n s e , f l o w e r i n g e a r l i e r and r e a c h i n g t h e a n n u a l maximum o f g r o w t h b e f o r e any o f t h e o t h e r i m p o r t a n t f o r a g e p l a n t s . * 16 * 21 Ten bunnies; of t h i s species were selected at each of. f i v e a l t i t u d i n a l s i t e s ((3P80\u00C2\u00BB, 33101, 4400', $260\u00C2\u00BB and 6 3 O C ) and measurements of growth, flowerang;,: f r u i t i n g and rate of drying up were performed at weekly i n t e r v a l s fOrom, early May to l a t e October. The selected bunches were protected fram; grazing by exclosure fences. 'RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS 2]2 NUMBERS: . As has been outlined i n the section on \"methods and materials\", two types of counts were made i n t h i s study: one was confined to \"Sheep Mountain\" proper and was meant to evaluate such parameters as i n t e n s i t y of use of varices plant associations, while the other extended over the entire range of t n i s population with the aim to establish s t a t i s t i c s f o r an evaluation of the dynamics of the population. Table 1 i n the appendix l i s t s the numbers obtained on Sheep Mountain proper from various locations along i t s base. The May and June counts do not include newly-born lambs. Counts which are thought to be incomplete because of poor v i s i b i l i t y or other reasons have been ommitted. The pattern of use of Sheep Mountain was si m i l a r during each of \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 the f i v e years .cuff observation. In no year were sheep present during the month of July, iaost migration o f f the mountain' took place i n the f i r s t h a l f of June while staeep began to come back i n the second h a l f of August. Sheep Mountain i s most heavily used i n A p r i l and May, since during these months most nursery banils as well as the largest percentage of mature rams are found here. A .'second time of heavy use i s observed i n September and October when almost a l l nursery bands are on the mountain, but usually none or very few mature rams. Fluctuation from day to day as well as between years must not be interpreted as \"papulation trends\". They simply r e f l e c t the a r t i f i c i a l i t y of using Sheep Mountain as the boundaries of a study area, when i t i s only a portion of the t o t a l range of t h i s population, as w i l l be discussed i n the next chapter. FIssctuations also r e f l e c t observational errors i n that the north slope of Sheep Mountain cannot be observed from the base. A band of sheep using the peaks and high ridge of Sheep Mountain may therefore only be * 18 * 2 1 3 p a r t i a l l y accouzusd f o r . From tttiese factors i t i s apparent that counts on Sheep Mountain are not top useuuiu,. and single counts may even be misleading. However, i f repeated counts are made i n April/May as well as i n September/October and i f the \"highs\" oar averages of these counts are used, some index of i n t e n s i t y of use of winter range i s obtained, which may r e f l e c t the trend i n t h i s population. The cRdlLowing table l i s t s the highest counts obtained on Sheep Mountain i n sprang and i n f a l l over the past 5 years. TABLE: 2 Highest numbers of sheep observed on Sheep Mountain. Spring Count * F a l l Count ** Year Date Number Date Number 1969 May 18 90 Sept. 11 114 1970 A p r i l 23 157 Oct. 5 151 1971 A p r i l 9 164 Oct. 6 151 1972 May 28 155 Sept. 12 113 1973 May 21 136 Oct. 6 133 * These spring counts include a large percentage of mature rams but no new-born lambs. ** These f a l l counts consist almost e n t i r e l y of nursery bands. The low counts i n 19&9 are a r e f l e c t i o n of the writer not being f a m i l i a r with the study area and with the most strategic places to do counts. Otherwise these counts have remained f a i r l y stable even though there i s some indication of a downward trend i n f a l l 1972 and throughout 1973* 21 TABLE: 3 COMPOSITION OF THE POPULATION (Observed data during lambing time (May) ) a) Numbers observed RAMS EWES YEARLINGS LAMBS 2 years and old e r 2 years and older 12 months new-born TOTAL ADULTS TOTAL POPUL/ 1969 65 69 30 (40)* 164 204 1970 81 90 24 (45) 195 240 1971 85 89 32 59 206 265 1972 82 86 36 50 204 254 1973 77 84 36 (35) 197 232 * ( ) Brackets i n d i c a t e estimates, as w i l l be discussed i n text. b) Percentages of t o t a l population (a) before and (b) a f t e r lambing RAMS EWES 2 years 2 years and older (a) (b) and older (a) (b) YEARLINGS (a) (b) LAMBS 1969 407. 327. 42% 37% 18% 15% 20% 1970 427. 347. 46% 38% 12% 10% 19% 1971 41% 327. 43% 39% 16% 12% 22% 1972 407. 32% 42% 39% 18% 14% 20% 1973 397. 33% 43% 36% 18% 16% 15% * Percentage of t o t a l population * 19 * 215 The numbers obtained by repeated c l a s s i f i e d counts over the e n t i r e range of t h i s population are l i s t e d i n Table 3* Subsequent chapters w i l l deal i n d e t a i l with such population parameters as productivity and sex r a t i o s ; we are here only interested i n t o t a l numbers. The t o t a l numbers of adult sheep have fluctuated very l i t t l e , with 206 i n Kay 1971 being the highest observed and 195 i n Kay 1970 the lowest. The low count of 164 i n 1969 i s again accounted for by u n f a m i l i a r i t y with the t o t a l range of t h i s population. The W i l l i s c r o f t Creek area, where t h i r t y to s i x t y animals may be observed i n spring was not surveyed at a l l , since i t was not known at the time that t h i s area i s used by Sheep Mountain animals. The t o t a l numbers of sheep including lambs varies more because of great fluctuations i n the lamb crops. This table reveals that the population has been stable over the 5 year observation period, by whatever c r i t e r i a ' \" s t a b l e \" may be defined. A s l i g h t downward trend was observed i n 1973 and t h i s w i l l continue at l e a s t i n t o 1974 because of the unusually poor lamb crop i n May 1973. That the 1969 data are not a true population estimate i s revealed i n the progress report by the writer (Hoefs, 1969). A survey f l i g h t was made on July 15, 1969\u00C2\u00BB covering Sheep Kountain and the Mt. Wallace areas north to 'Williscroft Creek. A t o t a l of 192 sheep (including lambs) was observed. As w i l l be discussed i n the next chapter, t h i s area i s a heavily used summer range (Figure l ) where 70 to 80% of the sheep spend l a t e June, July and August. This has been the case for the past 4 summers and there i s no reason to believe that i t was d i f f e r e n t i n stammer 1969. Since 192 sheep were counted here the t o t a l number at that time w i l l have been between 240 and 270 which f a l l s within the range of t o t a l summer counts i n subsequent years. * 20 * 216 Range of the population For p r a c t i c a l purposes the range of t h i s population i s bordered approximately by Kluane Lake i n the west, Slims River i n the south, Congdon Creek i n the north, lower B u l l i o n Creek and the height of land between lower B u l l i o n Creek and the headwaters of Congdon Creek i n the west (Figure l a ) . Sheep Mountain, the most important winter range of t h i s population and the s i t e of intensive range use study, i s shown i n Figure l b . Not a i l of t h i s 64 square mile area i s sheep habitat, but w i l d l i f e managers often use physical boundaries l i k e r i v e r s , lakes, mountain peaks as borders of w i l d l i f e ranges, i f they do not know the exact extent of the habitat. Forests make up 19.3 square miles and flood p l a i n vegetation 1.3 square miles of the t o t a l range. These vegetation types are never used by sheep, leaving (64.O - 19.3 - 1.3) 43.4 square miles of actual sheep range. Sheep Kountain and Sheep Creek are the most important wintering areas i n t h i s t o t a l range, and a l l sheep i n the population come to i t - at le a s t f o r a short time - every winter. A small winter range occurs along the north side (south-facing) of W i l l i s c r o f t Creek and 30 to 60 sheep spend the f a l l and l a t e winter there, however i t i s not used i n January and February. Ther\u00C2\u00AB are two additional wintering areas along B u l l i o n Creek, which are part of a larger range during winter of the \"Bullion Creek population\". However, some rams of the \"Sheep Mountain population\" wander back and f o r t h between Sheep Creek and Bu l l i o n Creek p a r t i c u l a r l y i n l a t e winter and spring. These areas are therefore included into the t o t a l range of the \"Sheep Mountain population\". The large portion of the population (up to 90$ of the nursery bands and about 50$ of the rams) spends the summer along the west flank of Mount Wallace, the north slope of Sheep Mountain and the headwaters of * 21 * 217 W i l l i s c r o f t Creek. (Figure l ) Another important summer range i s the area west of \"B u l l i o n Plateau\" (Figure l ) . The area i s used at times by up to 20$ of the \"Sheep Mountain\" rams; they share t n i s range with part of the \"B u l l i o n Creek population\". The remaining sheep, up to 30$ of the mature rams and perhaps 10$ of the nursery sheep, use the large summer range further north. They may be found anywhere, but \"preferred\" s i t e s are the headwaters of Sheep and Fisher Creek and the extensive alpine plateaus adjacent to the north. Some sheep have been observed as f a r north as Congdon Creek and the head-waters of the Duke River, where they mix with members of another population. Some Sheep Mountain sheep may at times go beyond the boundary as outlined here; t h i s i s compensated for'by sheep of neighbouring populations \"coming i n \" , p a r t i c u l a r l y i n the B u l l i o n Creek area. Therefore, i t i s reasonable to say that the density does not change s i g n i f i c a n t l y and i s representative f o r t h i s population. Migration pattern Studies have been conducted through U.B.C.'s Faculty of Foresty with emphasis on t h i s aspect of sheep ecology, and I w i l l therefore only describe i t i n general terms. Most sheep are on winter ranges throughout the month of May. Of an adult population of approximately 200 at the time, 140 may be on Sheep Mountain, 30 along W i l l i s c r o f t Creek and 30 (rams) may use alternatingly the Sheep Creek or B u l l i o n Creek areas. Migration from winter to summer range i s a very gradual process, which takes place throughout the month of June. .Nursery bands and ram bands take d i f f e r e n t routes. During t h i s migration both groups make extensive use * 22 * 218 of the sub\u00E2\u0080\u0094alpine shrub zone, which i s becoming \"green\" at t h i s time, while the alpine zone l i e s f o r the most part s t i l l \"dormant\" and may be even p a r t i a l l y covered by snow. The nursery sheep migrate along the east side of Sheep Mountain and Mount Wallace and gradually ascend through a number of creeks and g u l l i e s u n t i l they reach the summer ran^e along the west side of Mount Wallace. This migration i s not a \"determined\" procedure. There are many \"back and f o r t h \" movements involved, and unfavourable weather, p a r t i c -u l a r l y snow, may force them to return to winter range overnight. A small band of rams (up to 20) also takes t h i s route, while the majority gradually ascends along Sheep Creek. Some cross over to \" B u l l i o n Plateau\", but most of them work t h e i r way up to the headwaters of Sheep and Fisher Creek, where they break up into smaller bands. Some continue i n a northerly d i r e c t i o n , u t i l i z i n g the extensive alpine plateaus and many scree slopes i n t h i s area, . u n t i l they come to the headwaters of Congdon Creek or at times even to the headwaters of B u l l i o n Creek and the Duke River, which are beyond the boundary of Figure 1. The others move i n an easterly d i r e c t i o n and eventually u t i l i z e the summer range alon^ the west slope of Mount Wallace, where they occasion-a l l y mix with nursery bands i n mid-summer. Perhaps the greatest \"dispersion\" (or distance from winter ranges) i s reached i n l a t e July. This appears to be s i m i l a r i n Alaska since Jones ( I 9 6 3 ) writes: \"The d i s t r i b u t i o n of the sheep from mid July to the 5th of August probably represents the maximum dispersal of sheep into the high country during the summer\". Once on summer ran^e ( i n July and most of August) the d a i l y movements are more or less random with respect to migration patterns. The heavily used area along the west side of Mount Wallace i s grazed over from north to south several times, but these movements of sheep at t h i s time i s primarily determined by d i f f e r e n t phenological stages i n * 23 * 219 the mosaic of -plant communities on t h e i r alpine range. Plant communities u t i l i z e d early i n the summer may be neglected l a t e r when others, formerly set back by shady aspects or waterlogging during spring run-off, become \"green\". This selection applies at the community as well as at the i n d i v i d u a l species l e v e l , as w i l l be discussed i n the section on range use and food selection. In tfee second half of August some nursery bands are moving back to the winter rmge. At t h i s time the north slope of Sheep Mountain i s heavily used. ffiy. mid September most nursery bands have returned to winter ranges, u t i l i z i n g the highest portions of them as well as neighbouring willow stands. Got a l l these sheep stay on winter ranges from now on. I f snow conditions permit many move up again and u t i l i z e \"summer ranges\" immediately adjacent t o winter ranges on parts of Sheep Mountain's north and west slopes. An occasional ram may return to the winter range and mix with ewes i n October, or.even i n September, but the majority do not return u n t i l the r u t t i - i i ^ season, i n November. After the rut most sheep stay on winter ranges, gradually moving lower, u n t i l May. The migration pattern must be very similar i n Mt. McKinley Park since.Murie (1944) writes: \"The movements to the summer range take place during much of June and sometimes as l a t e as July. The return to winter range begins i n August, but most of the f a l l migrations takes place i n September. Stragglers have been seen migrating i n early October\". As w i l l be discussed i n d e t a i l i n the section on range use and food selection, winter and summer ranges have to be defined i n terms of plant associations and not i n terms of a l t i t u d e . Some sheep may be observed at great heights and yet they are on winter range. Ver t i c a l migration w i l l be discussed i n a separate section, after * 24 * 220 the various environmental factors associated with i t have been analysed. A review; of the l i t e r a t u r e shows that the horizontal distance between summer and winter range i s very short f o r most members of t h i s population. I f the 45CO foot contour i n the middle of Sheep Mountain's south slope i s regarded as the s t a r t i n g point (\"centre of dispersion\"), then 75/S of the population using Mount Wallace west slope as summer range migrates a maximal of 5 to 6 miles from t h e i r winter range and spends most of the summer alt an average distance of not more than three miles from t h e i r winter raisge. The few sheep that move as f a r as the headwaters of Congdon Creek are 8 to 9 miles from t h e i r winter range. Individual rams have been seen inn the headwaters of the Duke River, some 15 miles from Sheep Mountain; but we have so f a r no evidence that t h i s i s an annual event. Table 4 l i s t s pu&lished migration distances for comparison. Most sheep populations looked at i n other areas migrate a greater distance than the Sheep Mountain population. Nichol's (Kichol & Heimer, 1972) three study populations on the Kenai Peninsula i n Alaska are each confined to ranges of some 80 square miles or l e s s , and I assume that t h e i r migration distance w i l l be very s i m i l a r to that of the Sheep Mountain population. A s i a t i c snow sheep appear to traverse much greater distances i n t h e i r annual migrations. Egorov (1967) describes the patterns i n several populations i n Yakutia, one of which supposedly migrated as f a r as 60 to 75 miles (100 to 120 km.) annually. TABLE 4 : \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 <. Migration distances of northern * sheep Location Species Average distance in miles Maximum distance in miles Author Kluane Range Kluane Park, Yukon Dry Creek Alaska Dry Creek Alaska Tonzona River Alaska McKinley Park Alaska Ovis d a l l i 0. d a l l i 0. d a l l i 0. d a l l i 0. d a l l i 3.0 6.5 8 to 9 16.6 30 15 to 20 Hoefs present btudy Nichols & Smith (1971) Erickson (1970) Jones et al (1965) Dixon (1938) Yakutia U.S.S.R. 0. nivicola 15 to 20 30 to 40 60 to 75 Egorov (1967) * northern sheep refers to Dall and Snow Sheep individual rams may go as far as 15 miles, however, we do not know whether this i s an annual event. 2 2 2 POPULATION CHARACTERISTICS; Densities; In the l a s t chapter i t has been shown that the t o t a l range of t h i s population i s approximately 64 square miles. About 90;j of t h i s population spends the entire annual cycle i n t h i s area, while 10$ (mainly mature rams) may on occasion go farther i n mid summer (July, August); however, t h i s i s compensated for by members of other populations coming i n at that time, so that the \"density\" remains f a i r l y stable. Forests and Slims River flood p l a i n communities, two vegetation types not used by sheep, cut the \"p o t e n t i a l \" t o t a l range of t h i s population from 64 to an \"e f f e c t i v e one\" of about 43*4 square miles, which can be divided up i n t o the following \"habitat types\", showing dif f e r e n t degrees of , usuage over the year. Winter ranges of Sheep Mountain, Sheep Creek, and W i l l i s c r o f t Creek make up a t o t a l of 5*1 square miles. These are u t i l i z e d from mid-August to mid-June the following year, but most heavily from January to l a t e May. The sub-alpine shrub zone comprises a t o t a l of 11.9 square miles, 6.7 of which are \" S a l i x glauca\" type, which i s used heavily i n June and again i n September and October; the other 5*2 square miles are \"Salix lanata -glauca\" type, which i s used during the same months but to a lesser degree. The remaining 26.4 square miles are alpine summer range; of which about 1.7 square miles are mountain peaks above the 7000 foot contour. These and an undetermined, but s i g n i f i c a n t , acreage, of steep walls, boulder f i e l d s and scree slopes with p r a c t i c a l l y no vascular vegetation are of use only as escape t e r r a i n and bedding s i t e s . The entire summer range i s used from l a t e June to September by 1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 * 26 * 223 nursery bands and up to November by rams, but L..2 square miles of heavily-used summer range on the north side of Sheep Mountain and along the west flank of Mount Wallace (Figure l ) receive very heavy u t i l i z a t i o n from early July to lat e August. Now that animal numbers and range sizes are known, densities can be calculated. A suianer population of about 250 sheep uses 64 square miles of \" p o t e n t i a l \" range. This gives a year-round density of about 4 sheep per square mile. A study of Table 5 reveals that t h i s density i s higher than most densities reported. Only i n other areas of the Kluane Game Sanctuary (Hoefs, 1973) aad i n the Mt. Hayes area of Alaska (Palmer, 1941) have greater densities been observed. The greatest year-round density observed by the writer (Eoefs, 1973) was found i n the Steele Creek area, Kluane Game ' Sanctuary. However, t h i s exceptionally high value of 8 sheep per square mile i s based can only one summer and one winter survey and needs to be further studied. As -mentioned e a r l i e r , 70 to 80$ of the Sheep Mountain population or about 175 animals u t i l i z e almost exclusively Sheep Mountain and the adjacent heavily-used summer range to the north of i t . This works out to a density as hlgik as 19*5 sheep per square mile, which to my knowledge has \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 never been reported f o r any northern sheep population. Much higher values w i l l of course toe found on winter ranges, as w i l l be discussed l a t e r ; however i n t h i s .particular context only year-round densities are relevant. TABLE: 5 Densities of northern sheep Location Sheep Sheep \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 Type Date Number Total \" p o t e n t i a l \" range i n square miles \"Year round\" Density Sheep/sq .mile Authors 1 Kluane Range Kluane Park,Yukon 2 Donjek Range Kluane Park,Yukon 3 Steele Creek Kluane Park,Yukon 4 Crescent Mt., Kenai Alaska D a l l sheep 1 9 6 9 - 1 9 7 3 250 D a l l sheep 1 9 7 2 - 1 9 7 3 1 , 2 0 0 D a l l sheep 1 9 7 2 - 1 9 7 3 400 D a l l sheep 1970 5 Cooper Landing closed area, Alaska D a l l sheep 1970 287 311 64 250 50 82 81 6 Mt. McKinley Park, Alaska ( t o t a l ) 7 Mt. McKinley Park, Alaska ( t o t a l ) 8 Mt. Hayes area, Alaska 9 Mt. Hayes area, Alaska 10 Yakutia ( t o t a l ) U.S.S.R. 11 Verkhoyansk Range U.S.S.R. 12 Koryak Upland U.S.S.R. Da l l sheep 1941 D a l l sheep 1928 D a l l sheep 1940 D a l l sheep 1940 1000 to 1500 about 2500 5000 to 1 0 , 0 0 0 about 2500 915 265 Snow sheep 1959 ? 80 to 1 0 0 , 0 0 0 9 0 , 0 0 0 Snow sheep 1959 ? -Snow sheep 1 9 6 0 / 6 1 - -3 . 9 4 . 8 8 . 0 3 . 5 3 . 8 2 . 0 to 4 . 0 3 . 5 5 . 2 3 about 1 . 0 3 to 4 Hoefs (present study. Hoefs, 1973 Hoefs, 1973 Nichols & Smith ( 1971 ) Nichols & Smith ( 1971 ) 0 . 4 to 0 . 6 Murie, 1944 Murie, 1944 Palmer, 1941 Palmer, 1941 Egorov, 1967 Egorov, 1967 2 . 1 to 3 . 2 Egorov, 1967 * northern sheep i n this connection means D a l l and Snow sheep. * 27 * 225 SEX RATIOS; Limited data indicate that the sex r a t i o at b i r t h i s close to equa l i t y . TabUe: 6 l i s t s the information available for D a l l sheep. Nichols (1972) inspected, 21 embryos of ewes collected i n southern Alaska, 12 were males and 9 weae; females. During the present study the carcasses of f i v e w i n t e r - k i l l e d (ewes could be secured i n time to inspect the embryos. Four ewes were pregnant with two embryos being males and two females. Considerable information on l\u00C2\u00B1he sex r a t i o at b i r t h became available through the capture of newly-born Qambs on Sheep Mountain f o r the Yukon Game Farm and through b i r t h s of lambs at the Farm. A t o t a l of 39 lambs could be c l a s s i f i e d of which 19 were mEles and 20 were females. Nichols and Heimer (1972) caught 17 lambs i n nets i n the Dry Creek area of Alaska. The sex r a t i o was 8 males to 9 females. \"Gfaformation on a t o t a l of 81 lambs, with a sex r a t i o of 41 males to 1+0 females, therefore indicates that t h i s r a t i o i s around equality at b i r t h . Data available for Bighorn sheep and summarized by Geist (1971) also indicate an equal sex r a t i o at b i r t h . The .sex r a t i o s observed among adult sheep i s also given i n Table 6. I t varied from 90.5cf:100 \u00C2\u00A30_ i n spring 1970 to 96 <3cf:100 CjC; i n spring 1971. The average sex r a t i o observed during the f i v e year period i s 93 C\f:100 o of adult rams are subject to \" l e g a l \" hunting; one suspects bias i n the sample. * 29 * 228 Breeding Age and Longevity: Our obssrvations support the general concensus that ewes breed f i r s t as 2^- year olds, i n the wild and have t h e i r f i r s t lamb as 3 year olds ( A l l a n , 1939; u^Blmer, 1941; Honess and Frost, 1942; Spencer, 1943} Murie, 1944; Buschner,-I960; - Cherniavski, 1962; Moser, 1962; Geist, 1971; and Luckhirst, 1973). A l l ewes with newly-born lambs that could be approached close enough f o r positavie i d e n t i f i c a t i o n were three years old or older. At close range such classiiffLcation i s s t i l l possible by taking into consideration the s l i g h t l y smaller\" body size, juvenile f a c i a l c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s and, primarily, horn lengths. 'Thee average horn length of two year old ewes i s 15 cm. compared to 21 cm. for three year old ewes (Table 41 )\u00E2\u0080\u00A2 In the older age groups of ewes such separation i s no longer possible because of great v a r i a t i o n i n horn growth and ccmsiderable overlap between age classes. Personal communi-catio n with N. Simons who works on D a l l sheep i n the MacKenzie Mountains, Northwest Territories, reveals that he doubts that a s i g n i f i c a n t portion of 2 year old ewes ;tmre lambs. On the diher hand we have evidence that ewes are p o t e n t i a l l y capable of reachiiig; sexual maturity as 1-jg- year olds and of having t h e i r f i r s t lambs as 2,sear olds. Of the lambs caught on Sheep Mountain immediately a f t e r b i r t h , a nunuer were retained by the Yukon Game Farm for breeding and e x h i b i t i o n purposes.. These included 4 ewes, two of which had lambs at 2 years of age. ..Two. yearlings caught on Sheep Mountain and i n the Ruby Range had t h e i r f i r s t lan&s as 3 year olds. The better reproductive performance of these captive ems can perhaps be explained by better n u t r i t i o n during winter t which i s also r e f l e c t e d i n fast e r horn growth, and larger body s i z e s . * 30 * 229 There \u00C2\u00B13- also some evidence that ewes i n wild populations reach sexual maturity at l-J years of age. Nichols & Heimer (1972) report that 75% (sample size; 4) of the yearling ewes collected on Crescent Mountain, southern Alaska, were pregnant. Egorov (1967) reporting on Snow Sheep, states: \"...ewes i n Yakutia reach maturity at the age of one year and a ha l f and usually begin to reproduce at that age\". Perhaps these two documentations came from \"expanding populations\", i n the terminology of Geist (1971)t who also made reference to the Bighorn sheep introduced on Wildhorse Island, Montana, whose females reached maturity at 18 isonths of age (Woodgerd, 1964). We have so f a r no evidence of s t e r i l i t y because of old age. In contrast to observations by Murie (1944)t the maximum length of l i f e of ewes on Sheep Mountain i s just as high as that for rams. Out of a t o t a l of 110 s k u l l s of rasas, which died from natural causes, only two were between 12 and 13 years o l d . Out of a t o t a l of only 7 s k u l l s of ewesobtained, also two were i n the 12 to 13 year old age cl a s s . The aging of ewes by counting the annual increments i n horn growth i s sometimes d i f f i c u l t and i t s r e l i a b i l i t y has been questioased. However, i t s accuracy has been v e r i f i e d f o r Dal l sheep by Hemming (1969}\u00C2\u00BB Even Geist (1971) who has his reservations about the value of t h i s technique for aging ewes, assumes that the age derived f o r old ewes may be an uaaSerestimation. During *.he study period the carcasses of f i v e w i n t e r - k i l l e d ewes could be secured! before they were too badly damaged. Four of these ewes were pregnant and one of them was i n her 13th year. Nichols and Heimer (1972) c o l l e c t e d sheep on Crescent Mountain, southern Alaska, i n mid-winter. Their collections included two ewes i n t h e i r 13th year which were pregnant and one ewe over f i f t e e n years old which had given b i r t h before dying. * 31 * \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 230 The -ireproductive age of rams can be assessed much more e a s i l y . There i s a good c o r r e l a t i o n between length and\u00E2\u0080\u00A2massiveness of horns and the age of rams (T-Me 39 i n appendix). While I have observed on several occasions that 'tig year old rams take part i n chasing estrous ewes, the subsequent mounting was always performed by older rams. 'We know, however, from observations at the Whitehorse Game Farm that 1-g- year old rams can be sexually mature. Two lambs were born at the farm i n May, 1970\u00C2\u00BB whose fathers were two* year old rams. We have no indications of s t e r i l i t y i n old rams; on the contrary, the old rams appear to be the most active. However, we did not capture rams during the r u t t i n g period to c o l l e c t sperm. The conclusion that did rams are not s t e r i l e i s based e n t i r e l y on the observations of t h e i r behavioar during the r u t t i n g season. The naximum length of l i f e obtained by members of the Sheep Mountain population i s not as high as that reported f o r other areas. So-f a r our evidence indicates that 13 years i s the maximum f o r rams and ewes. Murie (1944) found 3 ram sku l l s i n the 13 to 14 year age class during his extensive collections i n Mt. McKinley Park; Hemming (1969) used three 14 year old and two 1.5 year old s k u l l s from the Brooks Range i n his research on age determdjiaiaion.; Nichols and Heimer (1972) caught two 14 year old ewes i n nets i n the Qry Creek area of Alaska. They also reported on c o l l e c t i n g an ewe over 15 years old on Crescent Mountain i n Alaska. Simmons (1968) reported 4 rams aim. the 13 to 14 year age class and one i n the 14 to 15 year age c l a s s out of 159 s k u l l s inspected from hunter-killed rams i n the MacKenzie Mountains of the Eorthwest T e r r i t o r i e s . No research on other Dall sheep populations has 'been done i n the Yukon, but i n 1973\u00C2\u00BB the Yukon Game Branch began to inspect tine horns of rams k i l l e d by hunters i n various areas of the Yukon Terr i t \u00C2\u00A9cry,., A 14 year old ram was shot i n the Snake River area and * 32 * 231 the percentage of 13 year old rams i n the hunter k i l l of certain areas was higher than cask! be expected from the l i f e table (Table 12) of the Sheep Mountain population. O u t f i t t e r Werner Koser informed us that h is hunters shot 2 rams i n the past few years which had 15 annual rings and were there-fore at least 15, i f not 16 years old, since the f i r s t year's ring usually i s not v i s i b l e i n old rams. These rams were shot i n the Selwyn Mountain range. It tlherefore appears that the maximum length of l i f e of members of the Sheep Mountain population i s at least one year shorter than that of other D a l l sheep- populations which were studied. Speculations on possible reasons f o r t h i s w i l l be dealt with l a t e r . 2 3 2 REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE: l ) Pregnancy Rate; Twinning No special c o l l e c t i o n s were made to determine the pregnancy rate, but the carcasses, of f i v e w i n t e r - k i l l e d ewes could be secured i n time to check for pregnancy. Four of these f i v e ewes had embryos, or 80}v of them. Collections were made of D a l l ewes i n other areas of t h e i r range. N. Simmons (personal communication) collected 107 ewes during March i n the MacKenzie Mountains, Northwest' T e r r i t o r i e s . Of these ewes 80 (or 75$) were pregnant. Even higher pregnancy rates are reported by Nichols and Heimer (1972), who collected 2$ ewes from Crescent Mountain i n southern Alaska. They found that 100$ of the ewes over two years old and 75$ of the yearlings were pregnant. Neither Simmons (personal communication) nor Nichols and Heimer (1972) observed twins. During the present study the writer had an opportunity to watch lambs shortly after b i r t h on more than a hundred occasions, but no twins were seen. Detailed studies on small populations (Woodgerd, 1964, Pitzman, 1969, Luckhurst, 1973) did not reveal any twinning. Jones (1963)\u00C2\u00BB a f t e r counting and c l a s s i f y i n g 2619 sheep i n various areas i n Alaska stated: \"We have no records of twins being born.\" There are, however, some exceptions to t h i s r u l e . Dixon (1938) reports \"...As a rule each ewe gives b i r t h to but one lamb per season, although at times there are twins.\" Palmer (1941) c l a s s i f i e d 915 sheep, including 214 lambs i n the Kt. Hayes region of Alaska and reported: \"...Twins are only occasionally born; we recorded but f i v e sets.\" Murie (1944) states: \"...Twins are a r a r i t y . Only one pair was noted.\" Occurences of twinning are also reported from Siberian Snow sheep. Cherniavski (1962) states: \"The Snow sheep mostly bring forth one lamb, but 2 cases of twins are known.\" Egorov (1967) reported: \"Twin b i r t h s -were * 34 * 233 observed i n J u l y and August of these two years i n 17$ of a l l b i r t h s . \" Limited observations suggest that the q u a l i t y of n u t r i t i o n during ovulation time and the subsequent winter has no influence on the incidence of twinning i n the Dall sheep population-under study. A t o t a l of 16 single lambs have been born so f a r at the Yukon Game Farm, whose dams originated from Sheep Mountain. Better n u t r i t i o n of these sheep refl e c t e d i t s e l f i n e a r l i e r sexual maturity, fas t e r horn growth and larger body sizes. I f twinning does occur i n t h i s population, i t i s with these captive ewes where i t would be expected f i r s t . It i s therefore concluded, that twinning \u00E2\u0080\u0094 i f i t does occur at a l l \u00E2\u0080\u0094 i s of no consequence to the dynamics of t h i s population. 2) Lamb to Eag Ziatios; Mortality During the F i r s t Year of L i f e Exact; determination of the number of 'lambs born i n t h i s population was only possible for the 1971 and 1972 lambing periods. In 1969 and 1970 the w r iter was mot. yet f a m i l i a r with a l l the lambing s i t e s and with sub-sequent migration routes from lambing grounds, i n 1973 only a small portion of the month of May could be spent i n the f i e l d . However, for a l l f i v e years the number of lambs present after completion of the lambing period i n June and July was established. Most Investigators count lambs at that time of the year and use such counts to determine the b i r t h rate i n a population. Only a few very d e t a i l e d studies on small populations (Woodgerd 1964, Pitzman 1969) could e s t a b l i s h the number of lambs a c t u a l l y born and therefore the true n a t a l i t y rate of the herd. The t o t a l number of lambs born was estimated, however, for 1969 and 1970 and 19731 by using the numbers obtained after the lambing period and making adjustments f o r an early mortality of about 18$ (average) * 35 * 23k and for lambs (removed from the population for the Yukon Game Farm. An early mortality of 18$ during the lambing period was established for 1971 and 1972 (Tables- 7a, 7b), and we have no reason to believe that early mortality did oat occur during the other three years (1969, 1970, 1973). The lambing period extends over the entire month of May, with most lambs born in the second half of that month. In 1972 one lamb was already born rom April 30, 1972 and, in both 1971 and 1972 the last lambs were born on-Jine 2 (Tables 7a, 7b). Rejinrts on Alaskan Dall sheep indicate that their lambing period begins later. Palner (1941) states: \"...Most of the lambs appeared to have been dropped !b:etween June 1 and June 15.\" Dixon (1938) reported: \"The lambs are born firom early in May, while there is s t i l l considerable snow on -the ground, uritnl late in June.\" Jones (1963) observed the first new-born lamb on May 18,, 1962. Nichols and Erickson (1969) reported that: \"... lambing in Peters,Creek commenced between May 17 and May 20, 1 9 6 8 . . . and appeared to be (completed on June 4t 1968. An exception was noted on Surprise Mountain in the Kenai Peninsula where several ewes were observed alone on high cliffs aboxe Skilak Glacier on a June 19 flight. They appeared to just have had lamb's..\"* Murie (1944) makes reference to considerable variation in lambing period ifcetween different years. We have so far not observed this on Sheep Mountain. It. is likely that the later beginnings of the lambing periods in certain areas of Alaska are an adaption to a delayed plant development of such more northern latitudes. Lambs will be born at a time of year which is most advantageous for them. During the five year observation period the number of lambs born on Sheep Mountain varied greatly. The best lamb crop observed was in 1971| TABLE 7a : Survival of the 1971 lamb crop to yearling's age Date \u00E2\u0080\u00A2\u00E2\u0080\u0094 CN CO as >> CO in 'a r H r H r H r H r H r H vO \u00E2\u0080\u0094. oo a. \ CO i-H . r H \ m r H vO r H r H oo I-H May May May May May May May May May r H >> CO o CN CO r H CN CO 53 co CM 2 CM CO S in CM vO CM 2 CM 2 o CO CO CN C 3 CM 00 CN vo CO Lambs born Lambs dead 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 1 2 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 13 numbers 2 2 1 1 2 3 4 5 8 12 13 18 23 27 30 34 38 43 46 48 49 50 49 36 of lambs present Sum of lambs 2 2 2 3 4 5 7 9 12 16 18 born 23 29 35 38 42 46 51 55 57 58 59 59 59 Sum of , lambs 0 0 1 2 2 2 3 4 4 4 5 5 dead 6 8 8 8 8 8 9 9 9 9 10 23 ** 39% died during f i r s t year of l i f e * 15% died during f i r s t month of l i f e N5 i-* cn a D> c co cr a. cn o cr H w o n e n 3 3 3 cr 09 O to S3 S3 VO vO * * * vO tO to O oo l- 1 s>a o a a I-4 re re o a. a. \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 a. a. I-1 c c o >i H- H-3 3 00 09 o Hi Mi H\u00C2\u00BB (-> M M o CO 00 rt rt I-1 3 v{ to o re 3 a> rt i- 1 3* \u00E2\u0080\u00A2p-O O Hi (-fl I-1 9\u00C2\u00A3Z ^ if i-h re ft) \u00E2\u0080\u00A2d O 3 H i-t i-h C O fO 3 rt (o H cr PJ re CD re i-1 3 3 2 rt cr os a tr* re \u00C2\u00BB a 3 ex. cr 09 cr t-\u00C2\u00AB o 03 n 3_ 3 cr 09 a CO to to vO to CO to to to to to to co CO CO 00 4> to 4> 00 vO Ul o Ul o Ul o Ul o Ul o co 00 o l-> 4> K> o to \u00E2\u0080\u00A2c> to Ul to \u00C2\u00BB4 to VO LO CO co Ul co oo co VO o -p-o CO oo co Ox co IO o o o o to o co \u00E2\u0080\u00A2p-l-\u00C2\u00BB to CT> CO co CO I-1 to to to *\u00C2\u00BB CO CO o o o o A p r i l 30/72 May 4/72 May 8/72 May 9/72 May 10/72 May 11/72 May 12/72 May 15/72 May 16/72 May 17/72 May 18/72 May 19/72 May 20/72 May 21/72 May 24/72 May 25/72 May 26/72 May 27/72 May 28/72 May 30/72 June 2/72 July 10/72 Sept.12/72 Ap r i l 21/73 May 20/73 cn c > H 03 < pi < Co 1\u00E2\u0080\u0094* of th re vO to l-\u00C2\u00BB 03 3 cr o o T3 rt O < re 03 i- 1 H-3 JQ CO 03 JQ re * 36 * 237 when an estimated 78 ewes i n reproductive age gave b i r t h to 59 lambs f o r a r a t i o of 76:100 (Tables 8 a , 8b). This r a t i o was never observed, since by the time a l l of the 59 lambs were born 9 had already succumbed (Table 7 a ) . The r a t i o during summer was therefore 64:100 (Table 8 b ) . The poorest lamb crop was observed i n 1973\u00C2\u00BB when an estimated 68 ewes i n reproductive age gave b i r t h to an estimated 35 lambs. Only 28 lambs were actually.counted i n June, giving a summer lamb to ewe r a t i o of.4 1 : 1 0 0 . It i s possible that the lamb crop for 1969 was just as low, however, we do not know the t o t a l number of ewes i n reproductive age f o r that year to establish r a t i o s . The years 1970 and 1972 were \"average\" as f a r as lamb crops go with 36 and 40 counted on summer range, giving summer r a t i o s of 47:100 and 57:100 lambs to ewes i n reproductive age respectively. We have so f a r not found any correlation between lamb crop and clim a t i c parameters. The 1972/73 winter has been one of the mildest on record, both with respect to temperatures as well as snowfall, and yet the- 1973 lamb crop has been the poorest so f a r observed. A number of methods have been used i n various investigations to convey an index of \"reproductive performance\" of a population. Such indices have been i n the way of r a t i o s , percentages or actual numbers. An attempt has been made to work out many of these indices so that our data can be compared to those obtained from other studies. Table 3 gives the numbers of rams, ewes, yearlings, lambs (at b i r t h ) , the t o t a l numbers i n the population before and after lambing and the percentages that each of these population segments contributes to the t o t a l population before and after lambing. Tables 8 a , 8b deal s p e c i f i c a l l y with the reproductive performance of- t h i s population. It gives the composition of the nursery bands as young rams (2 to 3 years o l d ) , ewes (2 years and older), yearlings and lambs, as well as an estimation of ewes i n reproductive age (3 years and older). Further-TABLE: 8a a) Observed Composition of Nursery Bands REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE 1 2 3 4 5 6 NURSERY SHEEP* RAMS EWES YEARLINGS LAMBS EWES** 6\"& 0 0\"& 0 OBSERVATION TIME J 2 + 3 + 4 2 to.3 years old 2 years and older 1 to 2 years old 0 to 1 year o l d 3 years and older a. Lambing time 99 -- 69 30 (40)*** ? 1969 (May) A A J U b. Summer, ear l y f a l l 102 2 100 ' 2 8 1970 1971 1972 1973 a. 114 \" \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 -- 90 24 (45)\"\"\" 77 b. 120 5 115 36 a. 125 4 89 32 59 78 b. 122 \u00E2\u0080\u0094 122 50 a. 122 -- 86 36 50 71 b. 117 1 118 40 a. 123 3 84 36 (35)*** 68 b. 118 2 116 28 * Nursery Sheep means an adult member of a nursery band which i s composed of ewes, y e a r l i n g s , and a few 2 to 3 year old rams. ** Ewes i n reproductive age (3 years and older) are calculated as fol l o w s : Number of ewes (2 years and older) minus 457. of the number of previous years' y e a r l i n g s . This 45% i s based on assumed equal sex r a t i o (100% : /2 = 50% 0_0_) and an assumed 10% m o r t a l i t y during the second year of l i f e (50% - 5% = 45%). The fo l l o w i n g example w i l l demonstrate the c a l c u l a t i o n : In May 1971 there were 89 ewes of age 2 years and older i n the population. In May 1970 there were 24 y e a r l i n g s present. Assuming an equal sex r a t i o and 10% m o r t a l i t y i n that year, the 45% of 24 or 11 female sheep are now among the adult females, but are not yet i n reproductive age. These 11 are subtracted from 89 to give 78 ewes i n reproductive age during the 1971 lambing period, *#* The t o t a l number of lambs befit eduld eai* be ggeeitiain&i /cWfe'ni iM Wt lambing period (See tables 7a and 7i ). The lamb crops f or 1969, 1970 aftd 1973 ware eatiftiated by oonsliieriiig the actual numbers seen, the numbers trapped for the Yukon Game Farm and an assumed early m o r t a l i t y of about 18% as established for the years 1971 and 1972 (Tables 7a and 7\u00C2\u00A3 ) . **** At the end of t h e i r second growing season, yearlings ( p a r t i c u l a r l y males) have reached the si z e of adult ewes and are often d i f f i c u l t to d i s t i n g u i s h from them when counts are made from a distance. To avoid the introduction of e r r o r s , these two groups are lumped here. ? The number of ewes i n reproductive age could not be calculated for May 1969, since the number of ye a r l i n g s i n May 1968 was not known. M OO TABLE: 8b b) Calculated Ratios REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OBSERVATION TIME LAMBS 100 ewes* 3 years and older YEARLINGS 1U0 ewes* 3 years and older LAMB: 100 nursery sheep** 1969 b. 40 : 100 27 : 100 1970 b. 59 : 100 47 : 100 34 : 100 40 : 100 30 : 100 1971 a. b. 76 : 100 64 : 100 41 : 100 47 : 100 41 : 100 1972 b. 71 : 100 57 : 100 51 : 100 41 : 100 34 : 100 1973 a. b. 51 u 100 100 53 : 100 28 : 100 24 : 100 a* b. * lambing period (May) summer, early f a l l Ewes in reproductive age as listed in Table 8a Adult members of nursery bands as listed in Table 8a * 37 * 240 more, the most commonly used r a t i o s , lambs per 100 ewes ( i n reproductive age), yearlings per 100 ewes ( i n reproductive age), and lambs per 100 nursery sheep (e\u00C2\u00ABes,. yearlings and some young rams) are reproduced here. The l a s t r a t i o i s a, poor i n d i c a t i o n of reproduction i n a population, but i t i s often used f o r p r a c t i c a l reasons. During a e r i a l surveys i n l a t e summer, f o r instance, i t i s often d i f f i c u l t to separate yearlings of both sexes from , ewes. Therefore a i l . , \"adults\" are lumped and only lambs are separated from them. The r a t i o s as, well as the actual numbers are given f o r a) during lambing time and fi\u00C2\u00BBX' during summer and early f a l l . A survey of the l i t e r a t u r e indicates that there i s great v a r i a t i o n i n the reproductible performance i n d i f f e r e n t populations of northern sheep and i n the same popilations i n d i f f e r e n t years. It i s therefore not possible to generalize on t k l s t o p i c . In the following b r i e f review some examples from the l i t e r a t u r e are given, arranged i n an order of decreasing n a t a l i t y r a t e s . ' One of tiie highest b i r t h rates observed i s that of a Stone sheep population i n northern B r i t i s h Columbia. Luckhurst (1973) reported an average lamb:ewe r a t i o of 74$t i n which 2 year old ewes were included. He estimates that the r a t i o of lambs to ewes i n reproductive age may be as high as 91$. Egorov (1967) observed a 74$ r a t i o i n Snow sheep of Yakutia. Simmons (personal communication) found a lamb to ewe r a t i o of 69$ i n the MacKenzie Mountains. Scott et. a l . (1950) reported a r a t i o of 70$ for sheep populations on the Kenai Peninsula i n Alaska. Palmer (1941) observed a 66.9$ r a t i o i n the Mt. Hayes area of Alaska. Erickson (1970) and Jones (1963) found r a t i o s of 63.5$ and 50$ respectively i n the Dry Creek area of Alaska. A number of i n v e s t i g a t o r s observed r a t i o s of around 50$* Murie (1944) i n Mt. McKinley Park, Alaska, 50$ and 49$ i n 1939 and 1940 respectively; Jones (1965) on * 38 * 241 the Kenai Perdu-sola, 54$; Nichols and Smith (1971) i n the Dry Creek area, 55$ and Jones (1965) i n the same area, only 3 9 $ . The range of v a r i a t i o n between dif f e r e n t years i n the same population can &e appreciated from Rausch and Jones ( l \u00C2\u00B0 6 6 ) , who observed a r a t i o of 5 0 . 2 $ and 6 7 . 4 $ i n 1962 and 1963, respectively i n the Chisana -Nabesna area of Alaska, and from Pitzman (1969), who reported 64$.and 43*8$ f o r 1966 and 19-&Z, respectively, for a sheep population on the Kenai National Moose Range. Pitzman's (1969) percentages are a true i n d i c a t i o n of na t a l i t y , rates, since he did not include 2 year old ewes i n the ca l c u l a t i o n . The lowest r a t i o s observed came from Cherniavski (1962) with 28.8^ > for Snow siireep from the Koryak Highlands ( S i b e r i a ) , and from Nichols and Heimer (1972$ f o r two areas i n southern Alaska. They observed on Surprise Mountain r a t i o s of 14$ and 18$ i n 1970 and 1971, respectively, and i n \"Copper Landing Closed j&rea\" 21;= and 38\"/- i n the same years. Comparisons with these data would c l a s s i f y the Sheep Mountain population as \"aorerage\" i n reproductive performance, with r a t i o s \u00E2\u0080\u0094 based on summer counts of nursery sheep \u00E2\u0080\u0094 varying from 64$ i n 1971 to 41$ i n 1973* Mortality during the f i r s t year of l i f e was accurately determined f o r 1971 and 197^ cohorts (Tables 7 a , 7 b ) . The mortality rates were 39$ for the 1971 lamb crop, and 28$ for the 1972 lamb crop. For lambs born i n 1969 and 1970 an accurate determination of f i r s t year mortality was not possible, f i r s t l y because the t o t a l number of lambs born could only be estimated, and secondly removal of 6 lambs i n 1969 and 4 i n 1970 by the Yukon Game Farm greatly complicated the issue. I f removals are considered as \" m o r t a l i t i e s \" and i f early mortality during the la'nbing period was similar to that observed i n 1971 and 1972, then about 40$ of the 1969 lamb crop and 29$ of the 1970 lamb crop died during the f i r s t year of l i f e . Our observations indicate that * 39 * 242 m o r t a l i t i e s during the f i r s t year of l i f e are concentrated around the lambing period ((the f i r s t few weeks of l i f e ) and then again during the f i r s t winter. There i s l i t t l e i f any mortality from mid June to October. For tine construction of a l i f e table an average mortality of 34% was used. This i s based on the 1971 and 1972 evidence and i t i s also a f a i r estimate for 1969 and 1970. These mortality rates are shown i n Tables 7a and fth... They cannot be calculated from the lamb to ewe and y e a r l i n g to ewe r a t i o s i n Table 8 b , since the number of ewes did not remain constant. Many mortality rates from the l i t e r a t u r e can be c r i t i c i z e d on two accounts: tELirstly \u00E2\u0080\u0094 as mentioned above \u00E2\u0080\u0094 i f r a t i o s are used, i t i s e s s e n t i a l that line- number of ewes i s constant. This i s an u n r e a l i s t i c assumption unless one i s dealing with a very stable population i n which mortality of ewesE (about 13% annually i n the Sheep Mountain population) i s replaced by an \u00C2\u00ABgial amount of y e a r l i n g recruitment. Secondly, as already pointed out, ratms established i n summer after the lambing period, are already reduced 'decause of early mortality during the f i r s t few weeks of l i f e . The use crops are expanded by dif f e r e n t mortality rates during the f i r s t year of l i f e . Only sane of the data available i n the l i t e r a t u r e w i l l be repro-duced here to show the range of v a r i a t i o n observed. Good yearling to ewe r a t i o s , i n d i c a t i v e of an expanding population (Geist, 1971)f were reported by Egorov (1967) with. 50% f o r Snow sheep i n Yakutia; Luckhurst (1973) with 46.2% f o r Stone sheep i n Northern B.C.; Pitzman (1969) with 38% and 49% f o r 1966 and 196.7 respectively, f o r a Da l l sheep population on the Kenai * 42 * 245 National Moose Bange, Alaska; Jones (1963) with 41$ for Da l l sheep i n the Dry Creek area, Alaska; and by Simmons (personal communication) with 36$ f o r D a l l sheep populations i n the MacKenzie Mountains, Northwest T e r r i t o r i e s . Average r a t i o s , s u f f i c i e n t to keep a population stable, were observed by Cherniavski (1962) with 25$ and 33$ i n I960 and 1961 respectively, f o r Snow sheep populations on the Koryak Highlands, Siberia; Erickson (1970) with 31.4$ f o r a D a l l sheep population i n the Dry Creek area, Alaska; Jones (1963) with 29$ f o r a D a l l sheep population i n the Tonzona River area, Alaska; and Murie (1944) with 26$ for D a l l sheep i n Mt. McKinley Park, Alaska. Yearling counts, of a size i n s u f f i c i e n t to replace adult mortality, were observed by Nichols and Heimer (1972) with 4$ and 7$ f o r 1970 and 1971 respectively, f o r a D a l l sheep population on Surprise Mountain, Alaska; Nichols and Erickson (1969) with 2 . 6 $ to 8 . 6 $ f o r D a l l sheep populations i n various areas of Alaska; and Murie (1944) with only 0 . 5 $ to 4$ f o r D a l l sheep i n Mt. McKinley Park, Alaska. This comparison to data obtained from other northern sheep populations shows that the yearling counts obtained from Sheep Mountain are average to good. As w i l l be discussed l a t e r , recruitment of 25 to 30 yearlings i s necessary to replace adult mortality, while yearling numbers as high as 36 should r e s u l t i n a slow buildup of that population unless emigration takes place. Our eacpcrience shows that the l i k e l i h o o d of error i n c l a s s i f y i n g sheep i s much greater f o r yearlings than f o r lambs or f o r adult sheep. P a r t i c u l a r l y i f counts are made i n l a t e summer and subsequently, many yearl i n g s , p a r t i c u l a r l y rams, have reached the size of adult ewes or at l e a s t of 3 year o M ewes, and are e a s i l y m i sidentified from a distance. The bias introduced i s of the nature to always underestimate the number of * 43 * 246 yearlings, since,, while yearlings can be misidentified as adults, i t is hardly possible to misidentify adult sheep or lambs as yearlings. For this reason, yearling counts must be considered as conservative. In our studies we were not able to accurately determine the number of yearlings subsequently to the May counts mentioned earlier. The bands disperse om summer ranges and i t is not possible to approach each band close enouglia for accurate classification on a single day. The return to winter ranges \u00C2\u00A3s a gradual process. By this time the yearlings have completed their second growing season and they do not differ much from adults when observed over a great distance. However, the following May when the nursery bands are again concentrated around lambing areas, i t i s possible to get accurate coranfts- of yearling males, which have now reached their second birthday. Even ttough comparable to ewes in body size, they differ from them by the thickness taf. their horns. Adult ewes (2 years and older) have horns between 15.0 cm. \u00C2\u00BB 0 8.6 years A 45 K i l l e d by wolves February 1971 N 0 2.8 years A 47 Apparently k i l l e d by coyote near trapping s i t e March 3/71 9 13 years D 9 Driven onto ice of Kluane Lake by wolves and caught by writer Died the following night most l i k e l y of pneumonia. Winter 70/71 9 13 years D 21 Cause of death not known Winter 70/71 11 years A 64 Cause of death not known Winter 70/71 mature - K i l l e d by coyotes A p r i l 15/71 1 year - Accident: broke back A p r i l 1971 \u00C2\u00B0* 8 years A 56 K i l l e d by wolverine A p r i l 17/71 0 8 years D 12 K i l l e d by coyotes A p r i l 1971 mature Cause of death not known Sum: 6 6(f 6 99 Total documented \"mortality\" of mature sheep: 12 (To* i i 99 256 TABLE: l i b M o r t a l i t i e s i n the Sheep Mountain population of Da l l Sheep from l a t e May 1971 to lat e May 1 9 7 2 , on winter ranges. a) \"Man I n f l i c t e d \" M o r t a l i t i e s . Date Sex Aee F i l e # Cause of \"Death\" May 26/71 9 1 week - Got tangled up i n barbed wire of exclosure May 27/71 1 year - Collected by Yukon Game Farm June 8/71 $ mature D 13 Got tangled up i n netting surrounding c o r r a l s September 27/71 ? mature D 22 Collected by Yukon Game Branch September 27/71 or 50% would have been a more r e a l i s t i c f i g u r e . Some reference i n Murie*s (1944) work was along these l i n e s \" . . . I f the lamb crop i n 1938 was about the same as i n 1939t then one half of the lambs had succumbed during the f i r s t year\". Since the lamb class i s the largest age group i n the l i f e table such a difference i n mortality rate changes the mean l i f e expectancy of the entire population s i g n i f i c a n t l y . Mortality trends i n the other age classes are remarkably s i m i l a r . There i s some evidence, however, that the maximum l i f e expectancy i s one year longer ire McKinley Park than i n the Kluane area. Murie (1944) found 3 s k u l l s of 13 - 14 years old*- so f a r the 12 to 13 years age class has been the oldest observed i n the Kluane area. Not enough data became available to construct a l i f e table for the female conspment of the population. Bradley and Baker (1967) made up such a table far Mt. McKinley ewes, based on Murie*s (1944) s k u l l c o l l e c t i o n and d i r e c t observations on juvenile mortality. The average l i f e expectancy fo r ewes was 2.85 years, a considerable reduction from the 4*26 years f o r rams. This difference resulted primarily from a much higher mortality rate during the f i r s t year of l i f e (72% for vs. 60% for dcf), which remains to be dtocumerited and i s therefore open to c r i t i c i s m . To a lesser degree the lower mean length of l i f e f o r ewes resulted from higher annual mortality rates i n the older age classes, and a maximum l i f e expectancy of only 11 - 12 years vs. 13 - 14 years f o r rams. Such a difference i n mean length o\u00C2\u00A3 l i f e should r e f l e c t i t s e l f i n an unbalanced sex r a t i o i n favour of males, unless t h i s i s compensated * 82 * 288 b y a g r e a t l y u n b a l a n c e d s e x r a t i o a t b i r t h i n f a v o u r o f f e m a l e s . T h e r e i s no e v i c e n c e t o s u b s t a n t i a t e e i t h e r o f t h e s e c l a i m s . M u r i e (1944) s t a t e d t h a t t h e s e x r a t i o o f sheep i s a b o u t 5 0 : 5 0 ; l a t e r c e n s u s e s b y N i c h o l s and E r i c k s o n (1969) p u t t h e s e x r a t i o i n M t . M c K i n l e y P a r k a t 98 r a m s t o 100 e w e s . M u r i e d i d n o t d e t e r m i n e t h e s e x o f l a m b s a t b i r t h , b u t T a b l e 6 i n t h i s p a p e r p r e s e n t s e v i d e n c e t h a t t h e s e x r a t i o a t b i r t h i s a r o u n d e q u a l i t y . Whateve r e v i d e n c e i s a v a i l a b l e on t h e f e m a l e component o f t h e Sheep M o u n t a i n p o p u l a t i o n s w i t h r e s p e c t t o p o p u l a t i o n s t r u c t u r e , m o r t a l i t y p a t t e r n and t h e r e f o r e mean l e n g t h o f l i f e s u g g e s t s t h a t t h e r e c a n n o t be a g r e a t d i f f e r e n c e t o t h a t o f t h e m a l e component o f t h e p o p u l a t i o n . Sex r a t i o s a r e e q u a l a t b i r t h and s l i g h t l y i n f a v o u r o f ewes among a d u l t s h e e p . The maximum l i f e e x p e c t a n c y o f ewes i s a t l e a s t a s l o n g a s t h a t f o r m a l e s . I f t h e r e i s a s i g n i f i c a n t d i f f e r e n c e i n t h e mean, l e n g t h o f l i f e b e t w e e n ewes and r a m s , and i f t h i s u i f f e r c n c e d o e s n o t r e f l e c t i t s e l f i n an u n b a l a n c e d sex r a t i o among a d u l t s h e e p , t h e n some c o m p e n s a t o r y mechan ism must be a c t i v e t o m a i n t a i n s u c h b a l a n c e . T h i s c o u l d be i n t h e f o r m o f a s t e a d y \" d r a i n \" o f rams o u t o f t h e a r e a . I t i s known t h a t e m i g r a t i o n o f b o t h rams and ewes, o u t o f t h e a r e a t a k e s p l a c e , and t h i s may a t t i m e s b e an i m p o r t a n t f a c t o r t o k e e p t h e p o p u l a t i o n s t a b l e . However , t o c o m p e n s a t e f o r t h e d i s c r e p a n c y i n mean l e n g t h o f l i f e b e t w e e n ewes and rams o f a m a g n i t u d e ( 2 . 8 5 y e a r s v s . 4 .26 y e a r s ) s u g g e s t e d by B r a d l e y and B a k e r (1967) w o u l d n e c e s s i t a t e mass e m i g r a t i o n s o f up t o 50$ o f t h e rams ou t o f t h e a r e a w h i c h w o u l d u p s e t t h e s e x r a t i o s i n n e i g h b o u r i n g p o p u l a t i o n s . D u r i n g t h e s t u d y p e r i o d many e x c u r s i o n s were made i n t o t h e r a n g e s i n n e i g h b o u r i n g s h e e p p o p u l a t i o n s and d u r i n g 1972 t h e w r i t e r d i d h e l i c o p t e r and g r o u n d * 83 * 289 surveys of the proposed Kluane Park on contract to the Canadian W i l d l i f e Service. We have no evidence, whatsoever, of an upset sex balance i n favour of males in. surrounding populations. It i s therefore concluded that a shorter l i f e expectancy of ewes, i f i t at a l l e x i s t s , i s of too small a magnitude: to be of any consequence to the dynamics of t h i s population. 290 H i s t o r i c a l review of the population trend i n t h i s herd* ' . . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 The e a r l i e s t h i s t o r i c a l data stem from the turn of the century when the area atitracted the in t e r e s t of placer miners, many of whom passed through am t h e i r way to the Chisana River area i n Alaska (Muller, 1967)\u00E2\u0080\u00A2 Interviews with old-timers, f a m i l i a r with the history of the Yukon, also indicate that!, some of the miners coming to the Yukon during the gold rush days (1897 - 1900) travelled v i a the Chilkat pass and Shakwak v a l l e y to Kluane Lake, aacd. hence down the Kluane, Donjek, White and Yukon Rivers to Dawson. S i l v e r (City at the south end of Kluane Lake, formerly known as \"Kluane\", was established i n 1903 as the regional mining recorder's o f f i c e , and i n 1904 an RX.M.P. detachment as well as a post o f f i c e were set up i n t h i s v i l l a g e . At the time up to 200 people l i v e d i n the area, mining gold p r i m a r i l y i n Bul l i o n Creek and to a lesser degree i n Sheep Creek (courtesy of R.C.M.P. h i s t o r i c a l section, and Yukon Archives). A wagon road connected Whitehorse with 'Klsiane, and further t r a v e l was by boat on Kluane Lake. There was also a horse t r a i l along the west side of the lake, more or less following the route, now occupied by the Alaska Highway (Young, 1947). After an i n i t i a l boom during the f i r s t decade of t h i s century mining a c t i v i t y i n the area declined, the centre of placer mining being moved to the Burwash Creek area at the north end of Kluane Lake. The R.C.M.P. detachment at Si l v e r City was withdrawn i n 1907, the post o f f i c e closed i n 1910 but was re\u00E2\u0080\u0094opened from 1913 to 1921 (Yukon Archives). During these years the number of miners working i n B u l l i o n and Sheep Creeks varied greatly (100 men i n 1907 and 1903, 17 men i n 1909 - 10, 2 men i n 1911 - 12, and 28 men i n 1915 - 16 (Courtesy of Yukon Archives). After the cl o s i n g of the post o f f i c e (1921) S i l v e r City l o s t i t s 291 o f f i c i a l status but remained to be occupied t i l l 1937 by people (usually of native extraction) engaged with fox farming (Young, 19471 John Haden, personal communication). Inspection of the Mining Recorder's documents reveal that one car two placer claims were mined i n Sheep Creek more or l e s s continuously t i l l 1969\u00C2\u00BB and up to 3 placer claims were worked i n B u l l i o n Creek t i l l 1973. While WE; have no data on the number of sheep on Sheep Mountain before the time idken the f i r s t miners came into the area, i t i s reasonable to assume that tine mountain was probably occupied at carrying capacity l e v e l at 150 to 200 adult sheep. This i s based on observation made by early o u t f i t t i n g p a r t i e s i n other areas of the Kluane Game Sanctuary which have s i m i l a r sheep densities (Martindale, 1913 and Auer, 1917);. i t i s also based on vegetation studies made by the writ e r , which indicate that the d i s t r i b u t i o n of grasslands and forests on the mountain i s e s s e n t i a l l y stable, with no succession taking place under the prevailing environmental conditions. There-fore the amount of winter range and winter forage available must have been very s i m i l a r at the turn of the century to what i t i s now. The reduction of the herd of sheep on Sheep Mountain began with the i n t r u s i o n i n t o the area by white men. The area was not hunted by Indians at the time. The nearest Indian band at Burwash used to l i v e on the east side of Kluane Lake and i t had i t s t r a d i t i o n a l hunting grounds north of Kluane Lake i n the drainage of the Kluane, Donjek and White Rivers and around Teepee Lake. Burwash Landing was established i n 1903 by two Alsatians, Eugene and Louis Jacquot, and named a f t e r Major Lockwood Burwash, a mining recorder at the time (Muller, 1967). The establishment of t h i s trading post and base camp for o u t f i t t i n g parties attracted the Indians and they sett l e d here. However, they continued to hunt i n t h e i r t r a d i t i o n a l areas to the * 86 * 292 north ( j . Sais, Father Huijbers, personal communications). There Is general agreement that the miners hunted the sheep very heavily, since jgnit was th e i r only source of fresh meat, and since up to 200 of tnem woiiied e s s e n t i a l l y around Sheep Mountain i n the early 1900's. To hunt game f o r sale was l e g a l at the time and hunting parties from as f a r away as Dawson sere observed i n the Kluane area (McGuire, 1921). Reference to the severe d e l e t i o n of game by miners at the time i s also made by Sheldon (l904)f who v i s i t e d the Watson River area along the Chilkoot T r a i l : \"...mining prospects- are being worked, and the sheep are p r a c t i c a l l y exteiv minated. A sigfttt of b i g game i s only to be obtained twenty or t h i r t y miles f a r t h e r to the .sest\". Ko dataE, are available to assess the degree to which the sheep population had (become depleted at the time, but i n d i r e c t evidence points to the f a c t that the area had become useless to trophy hunters. Several books have been published about big game hunting i n the Kluane area early i n t h i s century (MartincMie, 1913; McGuire, 1921; Auer, 1917; and Young, 1947). While 3BD1 these hunting parties spent some time at the south end of Kluane Lake, teiither because the o u t f i t t e r s ' base camp was located at S i l v e r City or bexause they rode up the Slims River to the Kaskawulsh Glacier f o r the purpose kdx hunting mountain goats, none of these parties considered i t worthwhile to 'riant sheep i n . the Slims Valley. To do t h i s they rode 60 to 100 miles to the inarthwest and hunted the Don jek and White River drainage and the mountain ranges around Teepee Lake and St. C l a i r Creek. Interviews with some of the descendants of the o u t f i t t e r s of such days (Dixons, Jacquots) support our assumptions that there were no sheep l e f t i n the Slims Valley to hunt. At present.the sheep populations i n the Slims River valley are just as dense as tnose of the Donjek valley (Hoefs, 1973)\u00C2\u00BB * 87 * . 2 9 3 The Sheep Mountain population probably began to recover during the 1930's when miniing a c t i v i t y i n the area reached a low point and when only one family was ILsft at Sil v e r City. John Haden (now at Whitehorse) l i v e d at S i l v e r City from 1930 to 1937 with h i s parents where they farmed foxes. Interviews with Mm revealed that some sheep were taken on Sheep Mountain by him at the time 9 but the p r i n c i p a l source of meat f o r man as well as foxes were moose and ifiish. Gus Lolan, a prospector now l i v i n g at Whitehorse, worked a placer claim att Sheep Creek i n 1937t and had worked i n B u l l i o n Creek i n previous years. Discussions with him revealed that the sheep population of Sheep Mountain had' recovered i n the l a t e 1930's and that he had counted between 150 and 220 sheep on the mountain i n spring and f a l l . He claims that the area was at that time already known to Yukoners as the best sheep country. Accordnog to him the annual take by miners at that time.was not more than 4 to 6 sheep, and he was not aware of any Indian hunting i n that area. The population received i t s second severe blow as a consequence of the construction of the Alaska Highway (1942-43). As had been the case during the gold rush days; early i n t h i s century, Sheep Mountain was again i n a very vulnerable location along the route of the proposed Highway. At no other place over i t s enniiire length does the Alaska Highway come into so close a contact with an iimportant sheep range. While nothing o f f i c i a l has been published on t h i s issue, interviews with many old-timers?:reveal that army personnel responsible for the building as well as mairit'eaaace-of t h i s highway engaged i n massive slaughters. Game was used not only as food, but also f o r target practice. Reference to the depletion of game along the road i s found i n a report by Clark (1945)? who was commissioned to do the f i r s t b i o l o g i c a l reconnaissance of the area after * 88 * i t had been deciiared a \"park reserve\", iixcerpts from two l e t t e r s also sup;ort t h i s assumption. A. Retallack ( H i s t o r i c a l researcher for White Pass and Yukon Route.;) writes at the author's request: \" I talked with two men who had been witfcconstruction crews. The Canadian was quite vehement about the destruction df game, p a r t i c u l a r l y f o r sport on the north end of the highway. The second, an American, who was around Muncho Lake, said game was t h e i r only dependable source of fresh meat and great discrimination was exercised i n obtaining i t \" . In a.flatter of.May. 28, 1946 by G.T. Duncan, Inspector of B.C. P o l i c e , to L.H. Echinney, Act. Commissioner, Defence Project i n Northwestern Canada, the following reference i s found: \"Partly owing to the amount of hunting done by United States' s o l d i e r s and c i v i l i a n workers, during construct-io n of the Highray, game animals and birds are not p l e n t i f u l near the road\". Indication of the severity of depletion of sheep i n the Kluane area can be obtained 3feom a report by Cameron (1952) who collected mammals i n the area i n 1949 f o r the National Museum of Canada. Under \"Dall sheep\" the following notes-are; found: \"This species was observed on several occasions on the slopes of tthe Kluane Mountains, west of Kluane Lake. On June 25 seven were seen i n a diaw above the Shakwak Valley... Tracks and scats were noted i n an alpine meadow'.am Kluane Mountains (most l i k e l y Sheep Mountain) on July 1 and i n a r i v e r f l a t of the Slims River on July 2nd. A l l those observed were pure white\". An investigator making a reconnaissance of the same area at t h i s time, would count several hundred sheep. Lven though a National Park Reserve for the area was o f f i c i a l l y declared on December 8, 1942 (Hoefs, 1971). supposedly providing f u l l protect-ion f o r the wixdlife i n Kluane, enforcement did not s t a r t u n t i l 1950 when Joe Lan^evin was stationed i n the area as forest ranger and game warden. . 295 Banfield ( i 9 6 0 ) wiisitea the area i n 1951 and made the following comment: \"Accompanied by Warden Langevin I examined, on foot, the Sheep Mountain winter range i n ( i e t a i l on June 2 1 s t . There was abundant sign of winter sheep occupancy, but nowhere did the vegetation show signs of excessive u t i l i z a t i o n . Langevin reported counting 4J3 sheep on the range during the winLer months. I found that the stfttp were extremely wary, although they nominally had eight years of sanctuary\". Banfieildi ( i 9 6 0 ) v i s i t e d the area again f i v e years l a t e r and reports: \"On May 2 9 , 1955\u00C2\u00BB 95 sheep were counted from the highway on Sheep Mountain.-'Warden Langevin 'reported that the sheep population, then t o t a l l i n g 200, had shown a steady increase since 1951\" . PersonaH communication with J. Langevin, who now l i v e s i n Dawson, reveal that he was stationed i n the Kluane area from 1950 to 1 9 6 l . When he ar r i v e d at the area', the winter sheep population was between 45 and 5Q, and apparently had beam at that l e v e l f o r some years previously. They b u i l t up very quickly and 1955 (after lambing i n l a t e May) had reached close to 2 0 0 . The maximum numbers^ had then remained f a i r l y stable between 150 and 200 u n t i l 1961 when J. Lajigerin l e f t the area. This rattosr\" quick build-up can not be explained by natural increase alone, and would suggest that immigration was an important factor. According to J . Langevin, the philosophy at the time was that predators kept the sheep from increasing. He was therefore engaged i n extensive predator control programs. While no s t a t i s t i c s were kept on the numbers of predators taken, Langevin remembered that he took 6 wolves, 6 wolverines and many coyotes from Sheep Mountain during one winter. Ho detailed counts were made i n the area from 1961 to 1965\u00C2\u00BB when V. Geist spent a f a l l with the population to study s o c i a l behaviour. Geist * 90 * 296 (1971) writes: \" I stayed there from September 14th to November 24th, 1965. The largest single gathering or band of sheep I counted was 106 animals, almost e n t i r e l y females and juveniles. The largest ram band I observed numbered 51 animals\". These counts, made during f a l l , correspond very closely to those made by the writer during 1969 to 1973 and indicate that the total, population was maintained at about 200 adult sheep (see Table 1 i n appendix). The writer appeared i n the area i n 1969 and kept surveillance over t h i s population to t h i s date. During these years the population has main-tained i t s e l f at a remarkable stable l e v e l of about 200 adult sheep + 15%, f l u c t u a t i n g s l i g h t l y up and down with the good and bad lamb crops. Even though t h i s population has not been kept under close scrutiny, the a c c e s s i b i l i t y of i t s range from the Alaska Highway has allowed f o r periodic checks by the Yukon Game Branch since 1950 as well as very frequent observations by many highway t r a v e l l e r s . From these observations we know that no major die-off, as reported f o r Rocky Mountain Bighorn sheep by Stelfox (l974)i i i a s occurred i n t h i s population. Nor are we aware of any die - o f f i n any other Yukon sheep population. Evidence has been presented of t h i s population increasing to an optimum l e v e l of about 200 sheep (at dates as f a r apart as 1937 to 19391 1955 to 1961, 1965, 1969 to 1974) and maintaining i t s e l f at that l e v e l , which appears to be the carrying capacity of i t s winter range. These observations are i n d i r e c t opposition to claims made by Stelfox (1974) that sheep can not \"regulate\" their numbers and buil d up to l e v e l s that exceed the carrying capacity of their range, and are therefore subject to periodic d i e - o f f s of perhaps 25 to 30 year i n t e r v a l s . * yi * 29 7 Plant Phenology-: During t h i s investigation three plant phenological phenomena were looked intos a) The dates at which certain plant species came into bloom. b) The rate of growth and drying-up of important winter range forage plants. c) The altitudimal plant phenological advance during spring, using Carex f i l i f o l i a as an indicator species. A l l three of. these phenological c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s i n some way affect the grazing behaviour., food selection, range use pattern and v e r t i c a l migrations of sheep and they w i l l be referred to when these topics are discussed. At t M s point the description w i l l therefore be r e s t r i c t e d to botanical aspects.. Dates of f i r s t flowering: Table I J l i s t s 60 flowering plants that grow on the range of the sheep population under study and gives t h e i r f i r s t flowering dates arranged approximately i n phenological sequence. Since observations were done over 3 seasons, with considerable differences i n weather patterns, the f i r s t flowering dates are ranges of 10 days to 2 weeks and not ind i v i d u a l days. Great v a r i a t i o n s were observed p a r t i c u l a r l y between the spring of 1971 compared to 1970. Some flowers came into bloom as much as 10 days e a r l i e r i n 1971. The data presented; here, p a r t i c u l a r l y for June when many plants came into bloom, must be CGHisidered conservative, since i t was not physically possible because of other duties to check every marked species every day. However, i t i s u n l i k e l y that any of the dates are out by more than 4 days. Table 13 includes a number of plants which grow i n various altitudes and i n various plant associations at the same a l t i t u d e . However, only plants TABLE: | 3 Dates of f i r s t glowering of Sheep Mountain plants Species A p r i l May June J u l y 20 30 10 20 30 10- 20 30 10 20 P u l s a t i l l a patens Carex f i l i f o V r v . Towns end i a hodderi Arctostaphylos rubra Anemone parviSLbxa P o t e n t i l l a hodter.iana Saxifraga opptsaitifolia Oxytropis visdiia.: Lupinus arctiaiSE Arctostaphylos uva-ursi Linum perenne Erigeron compOBaitus Plantago canesmrrs Smilacina racemxsa Carex acquatiiliiss Hedysarum alprtum. Amelanchier a l r i i f b l i a Mertensia paribulata Hedysarum macteareii Anemone multifiidiE Anemone drummoidia Dryas drummonidiii Saxifraga t r i c i s p i d a t a Dryas integrrfcrlTi a Cassiope tegrajpira Taraxacum officdiiale Epilobium latiTfri'iiuni Astragalus umbrftlVitus Lappula myosottiss P o t e n t i l l a fruliimsa Myosotis alpes^niis-Aster s i b i r i c u s Pentstemon gorraaTii Erigeron purpuiattus Aster alpinus Oxytropis hudddteonii Sedum rosea Rosa a c i c u l a r i s Silene acaulis Artemisia hypeijucnea Arnica a l p i n a Viburnum edule A c h i l l e a boredliiss Artemisia ala^Jsarae Linnaea borealiiss Epilobium angus'tiifiblium Calamagrostis rpuqjurascens ' \u00E2\u0080\u0094 \u00E2\u0080\u0094 Vaccinium vitrs-iiiiiea Aster yukonense Ledum palustre Poa glauca Zygadenus elegans Solidago multiraHJUsta Crepis nana Artemisia frigida-Erigeron caespitostrs Galium boreale Hordeum iubatum Artemisia rupestris Agropyron yukonense * 92 * 299 growing on the most \"advanced\" s i t e s , i n a phenological sense, are considered here. An example may demonstrate t h i s point. P u l s a t i l l a patens i s the f i r s t plant - with th& exception of willows - to have open flowers. On sunny south-f a c i n g , protected slopes with grassland vegetation i n the boreal zone these pasque flowers 'Bay i n favourable springs be seen as early as A p r i l 22nd. However, the saafc. species can occasionally also be found at alpine elevations of 5500' where i t does not come into bloom u n t i l l a t e May or early June. Table 13 reveals that P u l s a t i l l a patens i s the only plant that may come i n t o bloom i n A p r i l , about 26 species begin to bloom during May i n an average year, 19 species i n June and 15 species i n July. 'With the exception of Carex f i l i f o M a and Oxytropis v i s c i d a which come i n t o bloom i n May, a l l other important d a l l sheep winter range forage plants (Artemisia f r i g i d a , Agropyron yukonsease, Calamagrostis purpurascens, Poa glauca, Artemisia hyperborea) are l a t e bloomers, most of them not st a r t i n g before July. While there are many exceptions to t h i s r u l e i t i s i n general true that members of the f a m i l i e s Raaianculaceae and Leguminosae are among the f i r s t to come i n t o bloom while members Of the Compositae and Gramineae familie s are among the l a s t . Rates of growth and drying-up of important winter range forage plants; Figure 2'gives a graphical demonstration of the seasonal sequence of growth andoryiHgrup of f i v e important forage species. Each point on these curves represent the average value of 10 measurements on different plants. A l l samples were drawn from al t i t u d e s of about 30001. Some growth had taken place on a l l these species by May 5\u00C2\u00BB 1971, but the subsequent growth rates u n t i l the annual maximum was achieved d i f f e r e d greatly among them. Carex f i l i f o l i a , and Oxytropis viscida grew f a s t e s t , while Artemisia f r i g i d a had the slowest growth rate. The grasses Agropyron yukonense and * 93 * 30! C a l a m a i ' r o s t i s p u r p u r a s c e n s had i n t e r m e d i a t e r a t e s . No n o t i c e a b l e d i f f e r e n c e was o b s e r v e d b e t w e e n t h e s e two s p e c i e s , t h e r e f o r e t h e r e s p e c t i v e g r o w t h c u r v e r e p r e s e n t s b o t h t h e s e s p e c i e s . E v e n t h o u g h t h e a c t u a l g r o w t h c u r v e s h a v e b e e n d r a w n b y h a n d , i t i s r e a s o n a b l e t o s a y t h r o u g h i n t e r p o l a t i o n t h a t b y May 31st O x y t r o p i s v i s c i d a had a c h i e v e d a b o u t 65% o f t h e a n n u a l 'maximum, C a r e x f i l i f o l i a a b o u t - 5 5%i A g r o p y r o n y u k o n e n s e and C a l a m a q r o s t i s p u r p u r a s c e n s a b o u t and A r t e m i s i a f r i g i d a o n l y a b o u t 35%. The maximum o f a n n u a l g r o w t h was r e a c h e d b y C a r e x ' f i l i f o l i a b y J u n e 2 0 , by O x y t r o p i s v i s c i d a b y J u l y 5\u00C2\u00BB f o r t h e g r a s s e s b y J u l y I S and f o r A r t e m i s i a f r i g i d a b y J u l y 2 0 . E v e n g r e a t e r d i f f e r e n c e s were o b s e r v e d i n t h e r a t e s a t w h i c h t h e s e s p e c i e s d r i e d u p . I n C a r e x f i l i f o l i a t h i s p r o c e s s b e g a n i m m e d i a t e l y a f t e r maximum g r o w t h was r e a c h e d and s e e d s h a d d e v e l o p e d . By J u l y 31 l e s s t h a n 50% o f t h e s t a n d i n g c r o p c o n s i s t e d o f g r e e n m a t t e r and b y t h e end o f A u g u s t l e s s t h a n 10% g r e e n m a t t e r , c o n s i s t i n g o f t h e b a s a l p o r t i o n s o f t h e l e a v e s , was l e f t . The f a c t t h a t t h e t e m p e r a t u r e s t h r o u g h o u t J u l y and A u g u s t d i d n o t d r o p t o the f r e e z i n g p o i n t a t t h i s a l t i t u d e may i n d i c a t e t h a t t h e l e n g t h o f t h e g r o w i n g s e a s o n i n t h i s r a t h e r s h o r t - r o o t e d p l a n t i s d e t e r m i n e d b y m o i s t u r e d e f i c i e n c y and i t s h e r i d i t y and n o t b y u n f a v o u r a b l e t e m p e r a t u r e s . S i m i l a r t r e n d s , e v e n t h o u g h o f a much more d e l a y e d s c a l e , were \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 _ f o u n d i n t h e two g r a s s s p e c i e s A g r o p y r o n y u k o n e n s e and C a l a m a g r o s t i s p u r p u r - a s c e n s . D r y i n g up commenced a f t e r , s e e d s had d e v e l o p e d b u t b y t h e end o f A u g u s t a b o u t 6 0 ^ o f t h e t o t a l s t a n d i n g c r o p s t i l l c o n s i s t e d o f g r e e n m a t t e r , a n d i t o n l y d r o p p e d . t o l e s s t h a n 10,-J d u r i n g t h e l a s t week i n S e p t e m b e r . B o t h O x y t r o p i s v i s c i d a and A r t e m i s i a f r i g i d a b e h a v e d v e r y d i f f e r e n t l y i n t h a t t h e s e s p e c i e s d r i e d up v e r y s l o w l y and r e t a i n e d a v e r y h i g h p e r c e n t a g e o f g r e e n m a t t e r u n t i l l a t e f a l l . The u l t i m a t e d e a t h o f g r e e n v e g e t a t i o n b e i n g d e t e r m i n e d b y h e a v y f r o s t i n e a r l y O c t o b e r . I n c o n t r a s t t o t h e g r a s s e s and C a r e x f i l i f o l i a , * 94 * 302 the green matter i n the standing crop of Oxytropis viscida s t i l l consisted of 40% and that of Artemisia frigida of 65% by September 30, when Carex f i l i f o l i a and the grasses were already dried up completely. The al t i t u d i n a l advance of plant development; Figure 3 shows the growth curves of Carex f i l i f o l i a at five sites with increasing altitudes. Lines connecting the points at which 50% and 1 0 0 % of the annual growth was achieved give an indication of the vertical phenological march. For reasons, as yet unexplained, the plants at an elevation of 3310'' were phenologically more advanced than those at an altitude of 3080*. One reason may have been that the plants at the lower altitudes were during the course of a day more often subject to shade cast by surrounding trees. Since the lines connecting 50% and 100% growth points are p a r a l l e l i t will, suffice to discuss one of them. At an altitude of 3310* Carex f i l i f o l i a reached maximum annual growth around June 1 8 , at 4400' around June 26, at 5260* around July 5% and near the peak of Sheep Mountain, at 6300*, i t took t i l l July 15, 1971. The speed of vertical advance of plant development was therefore 3000' per month or about 1000' per 1 0 days. It i s not possible to quantify within similar terms the sequence of dry-up, since this i s influenced not only by temperature or altitude but also by moisture deficiency. This speed of vertical advance agrees with Hopkins' (1920) bioclimatic law. which states that there i s a delay i n vegetation development of about 3 to 4 days for each 100 to 130 meters increase i n altitude as well as with Stoddart and Smith's (1955) remark that: \"Most observers agree that the (altitudinal) difference approaches one day for each 100 feet of altitude\". F I 6 U R E = 3 GROWTH OF C A R E X F I L I F O L I A A T V A R I O U S A L T I T U D E S D E M O N S T R A T I N G V E R T I C A L P H E N O L O G I C A L A D V A N C E 3 0 3 6300 7f So 2f \ \ j i ! j \u00C2\u00BB 1 \ ; t 1 ; f i ! I I 1 X /OO-7f I 1 / / i i f f \ i 5260' ^ i r r \" ; \" 1 o . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2r !| i _ , \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 1 : j r j \u00E2\u0080\u0094 V /oo \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 uoo f 0 . \u00E2\u0080\u0094I / y 1 I i \ \ ! 1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2-* y '.i-i 1 i ' i v ! \"\"\"\"\u00E2\u0080\u00A2^ 5 7f 3310\" f o IS \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 / | / r ... _ .. 1 i St - \ v 1 \ si 3080 f o o -i \u00E2\u0080\u00A2/* \u00E2\u0080\u0094 X -\u00E2\u0080\u0094\u00E2\u0080\u0094 \u00E2\u0080\u0094 ' f X IO JO May \u00C2\u00A30 )0 IO IO June July Aug. lo lo Sept. 30 to zo Oct. \u00E2\u0080\u0094 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 50 % of annual growth completed . . Maximum of annual growth completed * 95 * 304 Response to snow conditions: As has been described in the first part of the thesis, dealing with vegetation, the study area is characterized by a dry, continental Climate, which has been classified as semi-arid. The annual precipitation is less than 10 Inches, and during the year of intensive study (1970/71) i t was 8.2 inches im the boreal zone at 2800 feet elevation, and 9*6 inches in the alpine zcame;. at 5380 feet elevation. Approximately 4\u00C2\u00B0 inches of snow f e l l in the alpine zone during that winter and about 35 inches in the forested zones. Sdnsiderable re-distribution of snow took place through wind action, prinarily blowing from the south-west down the Slims River valley. This wind removed the snow cover from exposed south and west-facing slopes and left i t in the depressions or on north and east-facing slopes which were on the lee sides of the prevailing winds. Figure 3 in the first part of this thesis describes in detail the duration of snow cover, and the average and maximum snow depths recorded at monthly intervals for the 32 plant associations of the study area. Our discussion here will therefore be limited to the month of March when snow depths are the deepest for the year, but which has representative conditions as far as the relationship between plant associations i s concerned. Figure 4 gives the average and maximum snow depths for the 22 plant associations utilized by sheep over the annual cycle. Dry grassland associations, at the one extreme, had average snow depths of 8 to 10 cm. with maximum not exceeding 18 to 20 cm. immediately after new snow. . The month of March as well as January and February had its Chinooks (Foehns), characteristic for this area, during which snow was removed from exposed areas and deposited in depressions. There was, therefore, a considerable acreage of bare areas during this month, even though the average snow depths were 8 to 10 cm. Cxytropo ( v i s c i d a e ) - A r t e m i s i o (hyperboreae-f r i g i d a e ) - Caricetum f i l i f o l i a e Pentstemono (gormanii) - A r t e m i s i o ( f r i g i d a e ) -Agropyretum yukonensis Agropyro (yukonensis) - Artemisietum f r i g i d a e r u p e s t r i s \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 A r t e m i s i o ( f r i g i d a e ) - Agropyro (yukonehalB) -Eurotieturn lanatae Oxytropo ( v i e c l d a e ) - A r t e m i s i o (hyperboreae) Festuco (brachyphyllae) - Trise t e t u m s p i c a t i Oxytropo ( h u d d e l s o n i i ) - Salicetum dodgeanae Artemisietum alaskanae Dryadetum drummondii Agropyreturo v i o l a c e i Calamagrostido ( p u r p u r a s c e n t i s ) -Arctostaphyletum u v a e - u r s i A r t e m i s i o (hyperboreac-alaskanae) -Salicetum m y r t i l l i f o l i a e Hypno ( p r o c e r r i m i ) - A b i e t i n e l l o ( a b i e t i n a e ) -Pic^etum glaucae \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 S a l i c o ( r e t i c u l a t a e ) - S i l e n o ( a c a u l i s ) C a r i c o ( s c i r p o i d e a e ) - Dryadetum i n t e g r i f o l i a e Roso ( a c i c u l a r i s ) - Shepherdio (canadensis) -Populetum t r e m u l o i d i s Salicetum b a r r a t t i a n a e A r t e m i s i o ( a r c t i c a e ) - S a l i c o ( r e t i c u l a t a e ) -Festucetum a l t a i c a e Seneciono ( l u g e n t i s ) - S a l i c e t u m p o l a r i s -r e t i c u l a t a e Oxyrio (digynae) - Artemisietum a r c t l c a e -t l l e s l i A r c t o s t a p h y l o (rubrae) - Cassiopo (tetragonae) Salicetum r e t i c u l a t a e - lanatae - glaucae A r c t o s t a p h y l o (rubrae - u v a e - u r s i ) - Festuco ( a l t a i c a e ) - Salicetum r e t i c u l a t a e - glaucae S a x i f r a g o ( o p p o s i t i f o l i a e ) - O x y r i o (digynae) -Salicetum p o l a r i s S a l i c o ( r e t i c u l a t a e ) - Cassiopo (tetragonae) -Dryadetum i n t e g r i f o l i a e SNOWOEPTH IN CM CD o o o \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 o \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 o \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 o > < CD \u00E2\u0080\u0094T CD CD CD a 3 CD X 3' c 3 in o a. CD \u00E2\u0080\u00A2a r + ZT (/) \u00E2\u0080\u00A2o \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 o a. c \u00E2\u0080\u0094\ CO \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 o cu o \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 o \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 o o * 96 * 306 At the cither extreme are associations i n alpine depressions, or on north-facing .-slopes or willow communities i n the boreal or sub-alpine zones, into wiiidb snow was re-distributed, after being swept from exposed grassland associ-stions nearby. The maximum snow depths recorded on such s i t e s was about USD to 110 cm. Figure 2? gives the snow depths of feeding areas on a monthly basis over the winter. Most feeding took place on bare, wind-swept areas, and no feeding was o&raerved i n snow depths exceeding 30 cm. During Kay and October feeding i n snow was only observed on the day or two immediately following a fresh snow f a l l . During these months the temperatures sose. on many days high enough to melt the snow on the south-facing slopes with open grassland vegetation. During November the average snow deptibsof alpine elevations was 20 to 25 cm., but i n the boreal and sub-alpine ZGUEES,,, where most sheep were found, the average snow depths of a l l plant associations was only 10 to 15 cm., with many exposed ridges free of snow. However, during t h i s month, the d i s t r i b u t i o n of sheep i s very much affected by tther: r u t t i n g season. Rams feed very l i t t l e and spend most of t h e i r time chasing ewes. Such ewes may subsequently feed i n si t e s with snow conditions not normally preferred at t h i s time of the year. This may explain the d i s t r i b u t i o n T Figure 5 f o r November, when considerable feeding did take place i n snow-covered areas even though wind-swept s i t e s were available. During (tike 1970/71 winter there was no pronounced Chinook during the month of December and snow began to accumulate. The average snow depths of a l l plant associations u t i l i z e d by sheep was 30 to 35 cm. at alpine elevations and 1'5 8,0 20 cm. i n the boreal zone. The acreage of bare areas was smallest f o r tlat entire winter. This i s re f l e c t e d i n the d i s t r i b u t i o n of feeding s i t e s in Figure. 5* Most feeding took place i n 6 to 10, and 11 to FIGURE Snowdepths in feed ing areas * 97 * 308 15 cm. of snow, 42.5% and 26.7% respectively. Only 15*1% of the t o t a l feeding observed was done on bare, wind-swept areas. The month of January had a very strong chinook which blew f o r 2 days removing the snow from many exposed areas. This resulted i n a s h i f t of feeding s i t e s to areas with less snow deptiis than i n December. Neither i n January nor i n November and December was any feeding observed i n snow deeper than 20 cm. Late winter and spring (February, March, A p r i l , May) was character-ized by frequent strong winds from the southwest which removed the scanty snow cover from many exposed areas. Figure 6 i s a photograph of Sheep Mountain taken i n late February, which shows the extent of bare areas. During February, March and A p r i l about 50% of a l l feeding took place on bare areas, and another 25% i n snow depths of less than 5 cm. However, as l a t e winter approached, two opposing trends i n sheep feeding behaviour with respect to snow depths are obvious from Figure 5\u00C2\u00BB While most sheep feed i n areas with l i t t l e or no snow cover, the forage on such areas i s being removed and p a r t i c u l a r l y preferred food plants are becoming scarce. This fact r e s u l t s i n a ce r t a i n percentage of sheep digging through a considerable depth of snow i n order to get at preferred forages. This trend i s obvious from Figure 5\u00C2\u00AB As the winter advances some feeding takes place at progressively deeper snow, even though many bare areas are available. During March and A p r i l some feeding was observed i n snow as deep as 30 cm. During May the snow has melted from winter ranges and feeding i n snow took place only a f t e r a snow f a l l . Considering the winter as a whole, the following summary can be made: 49*2% of a l l feeding was possible on areas with no snow (Figure 7), 21.4% took place i n snow shallower than 5 cm., and 17*4% i n up to 10 crn. of 309 Figure 7: Typical winter scene, sheep using bare, wind-swept areas f o r grazing. * 98 * 310 snow. Up to t h i s depth no pawing i j necessary and sheep expose the forage by pushing the siaaw aside with t h e i r muzzles. About 8.7% of the feeding took place i n .snow depths of I I to 15 cm., 2.4% i n 16 to 20 cm., and 0*8% and 0.1% respectively required craters to be pawed in t o 25 and 30 cm. of snow. If these s t a t i s t i c s are compared to those of Figure 4, i t becomes obvious that most feeding d i d take place i n dry, exposed grassland associations; the only exceptiaet was some feeding i n the willow community, Arctostaphylo (rubrae-uvae-ursi} - Festuco (altaicae) - Salicetum reticulatae-glaucae, even though i t i s covered by very deep snow. These willow stands occupy depressions between, exposed ridges with grassland vegetation and the snow removed by winds ffrom: the l a t t e r i s deposited here. T r a i l s are maintained through these willow stands which lead from one ridge to the next. Feeding on willow takes place along such t r a i l s and along the edges of such stands, and a l l feeding i s on leaves remaining on the branches and occasionally on the t i p s of twigs and therefore exclusively above the snow, and therefore not relevant i n th i s context. Our observations that sheep prefer to feed on bare, wind-swept areas whenever a choice i s possible, supports findings by other northern sheep investigators. Murie (1944) writes: \"As a rule there i s r e l a t i v e l y l i t t l e snow on the winter range, even on the f l a t s , although deep snows do occur occasionally. Prevailing south winds, which often become strong, blow many of the ridges and slopes free of snow.\" Geist (1971) observed, \" I f they (the sheep) have a choice they appear to prefer feeding on windswept ridges and on slopes cleared of snow by snowslides and avalances, rather than pawing away snow\". * 99 * 311 Nichols (1971) remarks: \"Sheep usually winter i n alpine zones although i n some l o c a l areas they may descend into the brush zone or even in t o timbered areas. In general, these animals are dependent upon and become r e s t r i c t e d to the high, wind-blown ridges where vegetation i s a v a i l a b l e \" . This general observation of sheep behaviour seems to also apply to a s i a t i c snow s&eep. Nasimovich (undated) states: \"In winter they (the sheep) prefer to feed i n l o c a l i t i e s where there are wind-swept areas or where the depth of snow does hot exceed 3 to 4 cm.\". * 100 * 312 Response to Temperature: The average monthly temperature for the four a l t i t u d i n a l l e v e l s are given i n Table 14. A further breakdown into portions of months was done f o r those times (May, June, October), when great variations i n a l t i t u d i n a l d i s t r i b u t i o n of sheep were observed within a month* Table 14 also shows the average temperatures at the average elevations during the various months or portions of months. V e r t i c a l annual migrations w i l l be dealt with i n d e t a i l i n a separate section, and only a few comments w i l l be made here. The temperature trend revealed i n Table 14 i s c h a r a c t e r i s t i c for a continental s t a t i o n . January being the coldest month with an average temperature of - 17.9 F., average temperatures below the freezing l e v e l (+32 F.) were recorded f o r a l l months starting October 15 to A p r i l 30\u00C2\u00AB Only June, July and August have average temperatures of around 50 F. or s l i g h t l y more. The average annual temperature range being 75 F. December and January have temperature inversions during very cold, calm weather, which resulted i n higher average temperatures f o r alpine elevation compared to those of the v a l l e y f l o o r . November and February were \" t r a n s i t i o n a l months\", i n that strong winds,, reducing any a l t i t u d i n a l temperature difference, alternated with days during which the normal lapse rate prevailed as well as with a few short term inversions. The combined effects of these three variants resulted in. small a l t i t u d i n a l differences of average temperatures during these months. During the remainder of the year, from March to October, the normal lapse rate was i n effect r e s u l t i n g i n the peak station (+ 6380') temperatures being between 10 and 15 F. colder than the average temperatures at the v a l l e y f l o o r (+2800 f e e t ) . The only departure observed was that the station at 36IO feet had occasionally a s l i g h t l y higher TABLE: 14 Average Temperatures at Sheep Mountain during 1970/71. May June Oct. Elevation Year Jan. Feb. March Apr. 1/2 1/2 1/3 2/3 3/3 July August Sept. 1/2 2/2 Nov. \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 Dec. 1970 46.4 49.5 48.9 50.7 49.9 39.8 31.2 17.8 16.5 -2.4 2800' 1971 -17.9 15.2 10.4 26.9 38.8 42.4 54.6 54.0 52.9 57.1 53.8 ; ' 1970 46.0 51.2 54.2 55.3 52.9 39.0 34.0 24.8 14.4 0.7 3610' 1971 -15.2 15.8 9.2 29.0 38.1 39.8 53.2 56.2 53.2 56.5 53.8 1970 34.5 36.1 35.7 43.5 43.7 31.1 27.2 12.0 11.9 3.5 5380' 1971 -8.8 11.2 4.5 19.6 26.2 32.4 43.4 42.7 44.6 48.4 45.7 1970 . 34.5 39.5 38.7 29.9 20.5 10.4 10.4 . 6380' 1971 1.2 . 14.4 19.2 23.4 36.3 37.8 38.6 45.2 40.9 Ram Bands- elevation 3232 3417 3351 3675 4016 4431 3900 4328 4760 6336 6503 5867 5626 4199 4199 3532 - av. temp. -15.9 15.6 9.7 28.6 35.4 36.4 51.6 53.0 40.1 45.3 ' 40.3 30.5 25.6 20.5 13.6 0.4 Nursery Bands- elevation 3597 3999 3668 3886 3973 3976 4194 4860 5849 6012 5924 4411 4058 4199 3876 - av. temp. -15.1 14.8 9.1 27.5 35.7 38.3 50.6 46.7 41.3 46.4 43.1 35.4 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 25.9 13.6 1.1 Average temperature In 0 F Elevations i n feet above eea level * 101 * 314 t e m p e r a t u r e t h a n t h a t o f t h e v a l l e y f l o o r . T h i s d i f f e r e n c e c a n p e r h a p s be e x p l a i n e d b y t h e f a c t t h a t the v a l l e y s t a t i o n was l o c a t e d i n an o p e n i n g i n t h e f o r e s t and r e c e i v e d l e s s s u n s h i n e t h a n t h e s t a t i o n a t 36IO f e e t , w h i c h was l o c a t e d on a l a r g e open g r a s s l a n d . B e c a u s e o f i n v e r s i o n s i n w i n t e r and c o o l e r t e m p e r a t u r e s i n summer t h e a n n u a l a v e r a g e t e m p e r a t u r e r a n g e a t t h e a l p i n e s t a t i o n a t 5330 f e e t was 57.2 F., w h i c h was 17..8 F. l e s s t h a n t h a t o f t h e v a l l e y s t a t i o n (+ 2800*). T a b l e 14 a l s o r e v e a l s t h a t c o n s i d e r a b l e d i f f e r e n c e s may e x i s t b e t w e e n y e a r s s i n c e t h e a v e r a g e t e m p e r a t u r e s f o r J u n e , J u l y and A u g u s t a r e g i v e n f o r 197\u00C2\u00A9 and 1971. An i n s p e c t i o n o f t h e m o n t h l y a v e r a g e a l t i t u d e o f t h e sheep and t h e c o r r e l a t e d t e m p e r a t u r e s ( T a b l e 1 5 ) , r e v e a l s t h a t t h e s e a n i m a l s a r e e x p o s e d t o a r e d u c e d a n n u a l t e m p e r a t u r e r a n g e , compared t o t h a t o b s e r v e d a t t h e v a l l e y f l o o r . By b e i n g i n s l i g h t l y warmer t e m p e r a t u r e s d u r i n g December and J a n u a r y b e c a u s e o f i n v e r s i o n s , and by m o v i n g i n t o c o o l e r a l p i n e e l e v a t i o n s d u r i n g summer, r a m s e x p e r i e n c e an a n n u a l a v e r a g e t e m p e r a t u r e r a n g e o f 68.9 F. and n u r s e r y b a n d s one o f 65.7 F. compared t o 75\u00C2\u00AB0 F. m e a s u r e d a t t h e v a l l e y f l o o r (+ 2800 1). The f a c t t h a t ewes and l a m b s a r e a t s l i g h t l y h i g h e r e l e v a t i o n s i n J a n u a r y and December and t h e r e b y a r e e x p o s e d t o s l i g h t l y l e s s s e v e r e t e m p e r a t u r e s may s u p p o r t t h e s p e c u l a t i o n t h a t t h e y depend much more o n f a v o u r a b l e w i n t e r t e m p e r a t u r e s t h a n rams do b e c a u s e o f t h e i r l e s s f a v o u r a b l e s u r f a c e a r e a t o mass r a t i o , w h i c h r e s u l t s i n r e l a t i v e l y more h e a t l o s s . G e i s t ( u n d a t e d ) , i n a t h e o r e t i c a l t r e a t m e n t on t h e s i g n i f i c a n c e o f t h e r m o c l i n e s t o t h e b i o l o g y o f w i n t e r i n g m o u n t a i n s h e e p , e l a b o r a t e s on t h e a d v a n t a g e s i n c u r r e d b y sheep t h r o u g h mov ing i n t o warmer t e m p e r a t u r e s a t h i g h e r a l t i t u d e s . By d o i n g s o , sheep w o u l d d raw l e s s r a p i d l y on t h e i r f a t TABLE: 15 ALTITUDINAL MOVEMENT OF SHEEP IN RESPONSE TO TEMPERATURE Date Jan,, 16 Jan. 25 Jan. 20 Jan. 27 Jan. 21 Jan. 23 Jan. 10 Dec. 31 Jan. 9 Jan. 1 Dec. 10 Jan. 13 Jan. 8 Feb. 4 Dec. 18 Feb. 15 Dec. 11 Dec. 22 Dec. 13 Jan. 6 Feb. 8 Temp, (base) -38* -36* -35* -34\" -33' -26* -23* -22* -20* -15\u00C2\u00B0 -12* - 7* - 3* - 2\u00C2\u00B0 + 8* +10 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 +12* +13* +24* +27* +35* Temp. (+5400O -20* -21* -20* -21* -18* -17' - 1* - 9\" -14\u00C2\u00B0 +10* +12* -10* - 8' + 5* +11* +19* +13* +11* +16* +19* +23* Elevation's (.9) 3187 3153 3170 3303 3210 3162 3230 3442 3282 3346 3912 3214 3337 3323 3792 3500 3938 3690 4081 3556 3530 N (9) 30 43 34 26 .31 37 39 26 46 35 25- 41 43 39 38 57 24 41 26 41 36 Elevation (^) 3406 3021 3208 3317 3376 3331 3779 3597 3790 3612 4083 3628 3904 4052 4096 3850 4108 3877 4266 4362 4650 N ( j ) 68 76 62 103 70 74 58 75 49 75 72 58 52 58 54 77 48 52 76 43 60 Temperatures in *F Elevations i h feet above Sea level * 102 * . 316 reserves, which atay become a c r i t i c a l factor near the end of a winter. Geist (undated) Gurther stresses that the advantages of moving into more favourable side of the thermocline are more important to ewes and lambs than to rams f o r reasons stated above. To tes& whether the observations made by Geist (undated) on Bighorn sheep wiitih respect to u t i l i z a t i o n of winter ranges within the thermocline woulii also apply to the D a l l sheep population under study, the data f o r a l l the days of December, January and early February for which d e t a i l e d classiifccations i n t o ram and nursery bands had been made were analysed with respect, to ambient temperatures and a l t i t u d i n a l movements. Our analyses i n 'Gable. 15 and Figure 8 reveals a very d i f f e r e n t trend f o r t h i s sheep population. The coldest days are spent at lowest a l t i t u d e s and sheep moved up onto higher elevations as the temperatures rose. Tnis c o r r e l a t i o n (Figure 8) i s very s t r i k i n g for nursery bands (r = 0.91; p<.00l), but i s also evident f o r ram bands, even though less pronounced (r = 0.70; p<.00l). Figure 8\u00C2\u00A3 also shows the temperature at 5400' elevation during the observation days of. Table 15. There i s no attempt by these sheep to take advantage of the Mgher temperatures i n the thermocline during cold winter days. At temperatares of -35 F i n the v a l l e y s , sheep were concentrated at elevations of 3000 to 3400 feet, where the advantage of temperature increases were about 2 to 3 while at the same time they could have gained as much as 12 to 18 F. by 'moving up to the 5000 to 6000 foot l e v e l . On the other hand, on warm days, with temperatures i n the valley of 25 F. to 35 F\u00C2\u00AB\u00C2\u00BB sheep could have stayed at low elevationa and taken advantage of such warm s p e l l s , but the ewes moved up to 4300 to 4700 foot l e v e l s , where temperatures were on the average 15 F. colder than at low elevations. FIGURE: 8 Response of sheep to winter temperatures 4700 4600 4500 4400 - - ' 4300 --\u00E2\u0080\u00A2 4200 4100 4000 3900 3800 3700 3600 3500 3400 3300 3200 3100 3000 A r / / / / I -I e o o o o if-\u00E2\u0080\u0094 o o \"-40 25 20 15 10 5 0 -5 -10 1-15 -20 -25 -30 -20 -10 0 10 TEMPERATURE AT 2800 FEET ELEVATION C F\u00C2\u00B0> 20 30 Q Ram bands 0 Nursery bands \u00E2\u0080\u009E _ _ \u00E2\u0080\u009E Temperatures at 5400' * 103 * 318 T h i s ttrend o f m o v i n g i n t o h i g h e r e l e v a t i o n s a s t h e t e m p e r a t u r e s i n t h e v a l l e y .a increased w i l l i n p a r t e x p l a i n t h e g r e a t v a r i a t i o n i n a l t i t u d i n a l d i s t r i b u t i o n o f sheep w i t h i n a g i v e n m o n t h , and a l s o d i f f e r e n c e s b e t w e e n months d u r i n g w i n t e r . As w i l l be d i s c u s s e d i n t h e s e c t i o n on v e r t i c a l m i g r a t i o n , t h e r e i s a v e r y good c o r r e l a t i o n b e t w e e n mean m o n t h l y t e m p e r a t u r e s a t t h e - v a l l e y f l o o r and mean m o n t h l y a l t i t u d e o f sheep d i s t r i b u t i o n . * 104 * 319 Response bo Wind: The study area i s characterized by frequent and strong winds which are important to the r e - d i s t r i b u t i o n of snow during the winter months and which add to the dryness during the growing season by increasing the evapo-transpiration rates. Table 16 gives the average monthly wind speeds during 1970/71 f o r the 3600' station at Sheep Mountain as well as the 2600* s t a t i o n of the. A r c t i c Institute at Kluane Lake. The t o t a l l i z i n g anemometers do not record wind d i r e c t i o n , but measurements with a hand anemometer and compass indicated that the prevailing winds at Sheep Mountain were from the southwest and from the north, with only a few instances of rather low-v e l o c i t y winds blowing from the southeast. There are some obvious differences between the two stations i n Table 16. In contrast to the Sheep Mountain area the Kluane Lake station, which i s set up on level-ground according to Department of Transport standards, measures the f u l l force of winds blowing from the east. These east winds lose t h e i r v e l o c i t y a f t e r fanning out over Kluane Lake and have l o s t much of t h e i r impact on reaching Sheep Mountain. On the other hand, the stron^, southwest winds so important on Sheep Mountain, appear to lose t h e i r v e l o c i t y a f t e r passing the Slims River del t a and reaching the wide v a l l e y of Kluane Lake. Measurements of such winds at the Arctic Institute Station, located some 3 miles east of Sheep Mountain on the east side of Kluane Lake, have been substantially lower than those recorded at Sheep Mountain. These differences are ref l e c t e d i n Table 16. Higher average v e l o c i t i e s are recorded f o r Sheep Mountain f o r months with frequent strong west winds (February, A p r i l , May), while higher average v e l o c i t i e s are recorded at the Kluane Lake station f o r months with strong north or east winds (January, November). Slight differences i n v e l o c i t i e s between these TABLE 16: Aveirage Monthly Wind Speeds During 1970/71 Sheep Mountain Kluane Lake +3600' +2600' 1970 1971 1970 1971 ** 7.4 January 4.7 February 10.3 5.8 March 6.0 7.8 A p r i l 10.6 7.5 May 9.3 13.3 7.8 June 9.9 9.0 5.5 J u l y 9.3 9.9 5.4 August 10.8 7.6 September 6.6 October 4.7 November 5.4 9.6 December 6.4 4.9 * A r c t i c I n s t i t u t e weather s t a t i o n at M i l e 1054 Alaska Highway (courtesy of Benjey (1974)). ** Wind speeds expressed i n miles/hour. * 105 * 32 1 t w o s t a t i o n s . a r e a l s o due t o t h e 1000' d i f f e r e n c e i n a l t i t u d e . B e l o w t i m b e r l i n e ( w i t h i n t h e b o r e a l v e g e t a t i o n z o n e ) o n l y a s l i g h t i n c r e a s e i n w i n d v e l o c i t y w i t h a l t i t u d e was n o t i c e d . The a v e r a g e a n n u a l w i n d v e l o c i t y was 6 . 6 m i l e s / h o u r a t 2600' e l e v a t i o n and 8 .1 m i l e s / h o u r a t 36OO* e l e v a t i o n . H o w e v e r , t h e v e l o c i t y i n c r e a s e s s i g n i f i c a n t l y when a s c e n d i n g above t h e f o r e s t e d zone and t h e s u b \u00E2\u0080\u0094 a l p i n e s h r u b z o n e . A t t h e ^400' s t a t i o n t h e a n n u a l a v e r a g e w i n d v e l o c i t y was 15 .2 m i l e s / h o u r . D u r i n g F e b r u a r y 1971 when f r e q u e n t s t r o n g w i n d s b l e w down t h e S l i m s R i v e r v a l l e y , t h e a l p i n e s t a t i o n r e c o r d e d a v e r a g e w e e k l y v e l o c i t i e s o f 44*7 and 50 .5 m i l e s / h o u r f o r t h e f i r s t two weeks o f t h e month , and hand anemometer measurements i n d i c a t e d g u s t s o f up t o 100 m i l e s / h o u r d u r i n g t h a t t i m e . D u r i n g s u c h c o n d i t i o n s i t i s n o t p o s s i b l e fco w a l k u p r i g h t , and t h e s t a t i o n had t o be s e r v i c e d b y c r a w l i n g t o i t . I t - p r o v e d t o be e x t r e m e l y d i f f i c u l t t o a c c u r a t e l y d e t e r m i n e t h e w i n d s p e e d i n m o u n t a i n o u s t e r r a i n a t t h e l e v e l o f two t o t h r e e f e e t above t h e g r o u n d , - t h e l e v e l a t w h i c h s h e e p o p e r a t e . S l i g h t d i f f e r e n c e s i n t e r r a i n ( a s p e c t , n e a r n e s s t o c l i f f s ) , p r o x i m i t i e s t o t r e e s , s h r u b s , b o u l d e r s , w i n d f a l l s , a s w e l l a s t h e d i s t r i b u t i o n o f sheep i n r e l a t i o n t o one a n o t h e r a r e a l l i n f l u e n c i n g f a c t o r s . Such d e t e r m i n a t i o n s c a n o n l y be s u c c e s s f u l l y c a r r i e d o u t b y e q c i i p p i n g t h e sheep t h e m s e l v e s w i t h i n s t r u m e n t a t i o n and r e c o r d i n g e x p o s u r e t o w i n d t h r o u g h t e l e m e t r y . Our a p p r o a c h , t h e r e f o r e , h a d t o be c o n s i d e r a b l y s i m p l i f i e d . F o r t h e most p a r t v e l o c i t i e s were b r o k e n down i n t o b r o a d c a t e g o r i e s o f 5 m i l e s / h o u r s (10, 15, 20 m i l e s / h o u r s , e t c . ) , and t h e l o c a t i o n o f s h e e p d u r i n g w i n d y w e a t h e r was b r o k e n down i n t o t h r e e g r o u p s : a ) d e f i n i t e l y e x p o s e d t o w i n d , b ) d e f i n i t e l y i n a p r o t e c t e d , s h e l t e r e d l o c a t i o n , a n d c ) i n a \" n e u t r a l \" p o s i t i o n , - i f n e i t h e r \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 a ' o r 'b* c o u l d be a c c u r a t e l y d e t e r m i n e d . * 106 * 322 Table 17 l i s t s the windy days during December, 1970, January and February 1971, for which these kinds of analyses was possible. November was not considered, since the distribution of sheep during that month i s primarily influenced by the rutting season, and March was not considered since i t was a f a i r l y calm month with no cold winds from the north. The wind V e l o c i t i e s , directions, the a v e r a g e altitude at which the sheep were found and the temperature at that altitude were recorded during the time of observations, which was usually between 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., - the warmest time of the day. Much more severe conditions can be expected for the night, but at that time the sheep are resting i n close proximity to one another, often in sheltered, protected locations, thereby reducing radiative and convective heat loss. It i s obvious from an a n a l y s i s of Table 17 that there i s no apparent response of sheep to wind velocities as such, through a change in altitude or by seeking protected locations. For instance, on February 7/71, as well as on January 23/71i sheep were exposed to winds of approximately 25 miles/hour. On February 7/71, 72% of the sheep observed (n = 120) were feeding in exposed locations, while on January 23/71, only 9% (n = 111) were feeding on exposed ridges, while 76% had sought sheltered areas. However, a clear relationship becomes obvious i f the exposure to wind velocities i s combined with that of ambient temperatures. This combined effect has been referred to as wind c h i l l , and considerable work has'been done on the subject in relation to human physiology. From wind c h i l l charts (Folk, 1966) the different local (actual) te.T.peratures can be converted to equivalent temperatures due to the effects of various wind velocities. F o r example, i f the local temperature i s 23 F . and the wind speed i s 25 miles/hour, a person loses.heat as i f the dry bulb TABLE: 17 RESPONSE OF DALL SHEEP TO WIND CHILL Date Wind Speed Wind D i r e c t i o n Average A l t i t u d e of sheep Ambient Temp. at a l t i t u d e Percent of Sheep exposed protected i n neutral to wind from wind locatio n s Wind c h i l l index Dec.22/70 2 m/h south 3900' 0'F 74% 24% 2% II Dec.13/70 5 m/h south 4240' +12*F 617. 39% 0% II Feb.11/71 20 m/h west 3820' +25'F 887. 12% 0% II Feb. 7/71 25 m/h west 4120' +40*F 727. 23% 5% II Feb.21/71 35 m/h west 3840' +30*F 73% 27% 0% II Jan.20/71 3 m/h east 3180' -30 *F 517. 47% 2% III Feb.17/71 35 m/h west 3730' +20*F 70% 30% 0% III Feb. 5/71 25 m/h west 3650' +10*F 71% 29% 0% IV Dec.11/70 20 m/h west 4120' 0*F 51% . 49% 0% IV Feb. 1/71 30 m/h west 3360' + 5*F 33% 53% 14% IV Jan.10/71 10 m/h north 3580' - 7*F 5% 84% 11% IV Jan.21/71 10 m/h east 3320' -33*F 25% 61% 14% V Jan.13/71 20 m/h north 3460' - 8*F 107. 76% 14% V Dec.30/70 20 m/h north 3490\u00C2\u00AB -20*F 21% 697. 10% V Jan. 9/71 15 m/h north 3500' -20*F 076 84% 167. V gee. %in 2\u00C2\u00A7 m/h north 3?0Qi - Vf 7% 68% 257. V Jan.23/71 25 m/h north 3270' -20*F 9% 76% 15% V Jan. 8/71 25 m/h north 3680' - 8*F 2% . 65% 23% V * 107 * 324 w e r e \u00E2\u0080\u009410 F . Wind c h i l l c h a r t s c o n s i s t o f s e v e r a l h y p e r b o l i c c u r v e s , b e c a u s e t h e h i g h e r w i n d v e l o c i t i e s a r e more e f f e c t i v e t h a n t h e l o w e r o n e s , and d i v i d e t h e e n v i r o n m e n t a l c o n d i t i o n s i n t o 5 w i n d c h i l l i n d i c e s , w i t h i n c r e a s i n g l y s e v e r e c o n s e q u e n c e s i n c a s e o f e x p o s u r e . F o r i n s t a n c e , I n d e x I d e s c r i b e s c o m f o r t a b l e c o n d i t i o n s u n d e r n o r m a l p r e c a u t i o n s , w h i l e I n d e x V g i v e s c o n d i t i o n s u n d e r w h i c h e x p o s e d f l e s h w i l l f r e e z e i n l e s s t h a n one m i n u t e . Even t h o u g h D a l l s h e e p , t o g e t h e r w i t h a r c t i c f o x e s , a r e t h e b e s t i n s u l a t e d n o r t h e r n mammals ( S c h o l a n d e r e t a l . , 1950), o u r o b s e r v a t i o n s show a v e r y s t r o n g p o s i t i v e c o r r e l a t i o n b e t w e e n i n c r e a s i n g l y s e v e r e e x p o s u r e s , e x p r e s s e d a s w i n d c h i l l i n d e x , and t h e s h e e p ' s r e s p o n s e i n s e e k i n g s h e l t e r e d l o c a t i o n s ( r = 0.88; p<.G0l).. F i g u r e 9 shows t h i s r e l a t i o n s h i p . The w i n d c h i l l I n d e x I i s i r r e l e v a n t i n . t h i s c o n t e x t , s i n c e i t d e a l s w i t h - e i t h e r - c a l m c o n d i t i o n s d u r i n g w i n t e r o r w i n d y c o n d i t i o n s d u r i n g summer. U n d e r c o n d i t i o n s o f w i n d c h i l l I n d e x I I on t h e a v e r a g e 74% o f t h e s h e e p were f e e d i n g on e x p o s e d s i t e s , w h i l e 25% were f e e d i n g i n p r o t e c t e d l o c a t i o n s . A t t h e o t h e r ext reme. , u n d e r c o n d i t i o n s o f w i n d c h i l l I n d e x V , 71%; o f t h e s h e e p were f e e d i n g i n p r o t e c t e d a r e a s and o n l y 11% were e x p o s e d . The p o s i t i v e r e s p o n s e a p p e a r s t o t a k e p l a c e u n d e r c o n d i t i o n s o f w i n d c h i l i I ndex I V , when most rams a r e s t i l l f e e d i n g i n e x p o s e d a r e a s w h i l e ewes a n d l a m b s a r e i n p r o t e c t e d l o c a t i o n s . T h i s c a n p o s s i b l y be e x p l a i n e d b y t h e l e s s f a v o u r a b l e s u r f a c e a r e a t o mass r a t i o s o f t h e l a t t e r t y p e s o f s h e e p , and t h e r e l a t e d c o n s e q u e n c e o f p r o p o r t -i o n a l l y g r e a t e r h e a t l o s s . A p o s i t i v e r e s p o n s e was a l s o f o u n d b e t w e e n w i n d c h i l l i n d e x e s and t h e a v e r a g e a l t i t u d e o f t h e s h e e p ( r = 0.62; p<.005). A n a l y s i s o f T a b l e 17 w i l l r e v e a l t h a t t h e a v e r a g e e l e v a t i o n o f s h e e p u n d e r w i n d c h i l l I n d e x I I c o n d i t i o n s i s 3934' ( above t i m b e r l i n e ) , w h i l e t h a t u n d e r w i n d c h i l l i n d e x V c o n d i t i o n s i s 3439'. The e x c e p t i o n t o t h i s l i n e a r t r e n d i s - t h e 32 5 Figure: S Response of Dall sheep to wind ch i l l o 3 Q. O Q. U. O o a: 90 80 70 h *g 60 \" S 50 ^ 4 0 o 8 30 a $ 20 10 o-10 20 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 o c 30 s E 40 o 50 - o 60 U llie. data f o r each month reveal the mean, two standard deviations and -'ttJoer ranges observed. Data have further been broken, down for those months durting which a pronounced v e r t i c a l migration was observed. Figure 10 also repeals the annual fluctuations i n snow depths for the boreal and the alpine bifligeoclimatic zones as well as the average monthly temperatures. To reveal the relationship of the annual sheep migration to the v e r t i c a l plant phenological advance, the l i n e connecting the completion of 100% of annual growth of Carex f i l i f o l i a at various a l t i t u d e s has been transferred from Figure 3 to Figure 10. In contrast to some of the investigators c i t e d above, our observations do mt support the claim that one single environmental variable i s the stimulant for v e r t i c a l migration. As an inspection of Figure 10 w i l l TABLE: 18 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 NO. OF MEAN STANDARD TIME SHEEP ALTITUDE DEVIATION RANGE PERIOD SEX OBSERVED (FEET) (FEET) (FEET) JANUARY FEMALE 928 3597 584 2600 5300 JANUARY MALE 650 3232 278 2700 4500 FEBRUARY FEMALE 843 3999 540 2700 5300 FEBRUARY MALE 594 3417 365 2700 4800 MARCH FEMALE 1450 3668 499 2600 6000 MARCH MALE 891 3351 386 2600 4800 APRIL FEMALE 1004 3886 725 2800 _ 6400 APRIL MALE 556 3675 642 2700 _ 6000 MAY 1 / 2 FEMALE 371 3973 812 2700 6200 MAY 1 / 2 MALE 331 4016 909 2800 6000 MAY 2 / 2 FEMALE 932 3976 676 2800 5700 MAY 2 / 2 MALE 331 4431 970 2800 mm 6200 JUNE 1 / 3 FEMALE 407 4194 604 2700 _ 5200 JUNE 1 / 3 MALE 341 3900 671 2900 _ 5500 JUNE 2 / 3 FEMALE 422 4860 544 3600 _ 6200 JUNE 2 / 3 MALE 264 4328 330 3400 5600 JUNE 3 / 3 FEMALE 397 5849 348 4500 _ 6400 JUNE 3 / 3 MALE 447 4760 477 3600 6500 JULY FEMALE 1112 6012 384 4200 7300 JULY MALE 1088 6336 3 8 1 . 5400 _ 7700 AUGUST FEMALE 744 5924 418 4500 7100 AUGUST MALE 889 6503 339 5300 _ 7700 SEPTEMBER FEMALE 1922 4411 684 3000 6300 SEPTEMBER MALE 777 5867 419 4200 _ 6900 OCTOBER FEMALE 1266 4058 705 2700 6400 OCTOBER 1 / 2 MALE 365 5626 520 3900 \u00E2\u0080\u0094 7000 OCTOBER 2 / 2 MALE 358 4253 898 2700 6600 NOVEMBER COMBINED 1131 4199 546 2800 5800 DECEMBER FEMALE 718 3876 573 2700 6200 DECEMBER MALE 221 3532 489 2700 5000 eo * 111 * 331 reveal good correlations are found between the altitude of sheep and snow depth, temperature and vertical advance of plant development during early summer. This i s to be expected since a l l these factors are interrelated. The snow line can not retreat unless the temperature rises, and new plant growth can not begin until the snow has retreated and the temperature has melted the frost in the soil. Since some pronounced differences exist between ram bands and nursery bands with respect to vertical movements, these two groups of sheep will be discussed separately. The range of altitudinal movement of this population is restricted, by the valley floor at about 256O* and the peak of Kt. Wallace at about 7750*. Continuous vascular vegetation begins to fade out at an altitude of 6800', but isolated plants of Saxifraga oppositifolia and several lichens are found on the peak of Mt. Wallace. As i s apparent from Figure 13, treeline i s found at about 4000' and the altitudinal limit of t a l l shrubs is found near 5000' elevation. Rams are largely confined to elevations of the boreal zone (2500 to 4000 feet) throughout the winter (December to April). During these months their vertical distribution i s much more restricted than that of the nursery bands, and they are found at considerably lower elevations than nursery bands. During these months vertical movements have been known to be influenced by temperature and wind c h i l l . As has been pointed out the response to sheep to these environmental factors is more obvious in nursery sheep, which resulted in greater variations in the vertical distributions compared to rams (Figure 10). Pronounced rises in temperatures during late April and throughout May resulted in a considerable retreat of snow. As a consequence vegetation formerly covered by snow became available. A significant portion of the ram * 112 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 3 3 2 segment o f t h e p o p u l a t i o n f o l l o w e d t h e r e t r e a t i n g snow l i n e t o a l p i n e e l e v a t i o n s , w h i c h r e s u l t e d i n t h e s m a l l peak i n t h e c u r v e o f F i g u r e 10 f o r r a m s i n l a t e May. The v e r t i c a l d i s t r i b u t i o n o f ewes a t t h i s month i s g r e a t l y i n f l u e n c e d b y t h e l a m b i n g p e r i o d . Ewes r e t r e a t t o c l i f f s a t a l p i n e e l e v a t i o n s t o g i v e b i r t h ; t h i s h a s n o t h i n g t o do w i t h t h e r e t r e a t i n g snow l i n e . D u r i n g l a t e Kay a l l rams a r e f o u n d a g a i n a t l o w e l e v a t i o n s t o u t i l i z e t h e n e w l y e m e r g i n g v e g e t a t i o n . B o t h rams and n u r s e r y b a n d s f o l l o w t h e v e r t i c a l advance o f p l a n t p h e n o l o g y ( F i g u r e 1 0 ) , b u t ewes a r e ahead o f r a m s j f o l l o w i n g e x p o s e d r i d g e s w i t h a d v a n c e d v e g e t a t i o n and r e a c h t h e i r summer r a n g e b y the end o f t h e m o n t h . Rams t a k e more t i m e d u r i n g t h e v e r t i c a l a s c e n t , and make e x t e n s i v e u s e o f t h e s u b - a l p i n e s h r u b z o n e . They do n o t r e a c h t h e i r a l t i t u d i n a l g o a l u n t i l J u l y . D u r i n g J u l y t h e n u r s e r y b a n d s a r e f o u n d a t h i g h e r a l t i t u d e s ( 6 0 1 2 1 ) t h a n a t any o t h e r m o n t h . They a r e now on t h e a v e r a g e 2415 f e e t h i g h e r t h a n d u r i n g J a n u a r y , when t h e y a r e f o u n d a t l o w e s t e l e v a t i o n s . Rams r e a c h t h e i r h i g h e s t mean e l e v a t i o n d u r i n g A u g u s t ( 6 5 0 3 ' ) , d u r i n g t h e l a t t e r p a r t o f w h i c h some n u r s e r y b a n d s a l r e a d y b e g i n t h e i r d e s c e n t . The a v e r a g e a l t i t u d i n a l r a n g e o v e r t h e y e a r f o r rams was 3271 f e e t , more t h a n 8 0 0 f e e t g r e a t e r t h a n f o r f e m a l e b a n d s . W h i l e on a l p i n e summer r a n g e ( J u l y and A u g u s t ) t h e m o n t h l y v e r t i c a l r a n g e i s s m a l l e r t h a n a t any o t h e r m o n t h . As w i l l be d i s c u s s e d i n t h e s e c t i o n on r a n g e u s e , \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 movements a t t h i s t i m e a r e w i t h r e s p e c t t o a s p e c t and s l o p e , s e e k i n g o u t v e g e t a t i o n i n t h e y o u n g e s t p h e n o l o g i c a l s t a t e . The v e r t i c a l d e s c e n t i n n u r s e r y b a n d s t a k e s p l a c e i n l a t e A u g u s t and d u r i n g t h e f i r s t h a l f o f S e p t e m b e r . T h i s i s a v e r y g r a d u a l p r o c e s s and d u r i n g i t t h e n u r s e r y sheep make e x t e n s i v e use o f the w i i l o w s i n t h e s u b - a l p i n e s h r u b zone a s w e l l a s o f h e r b a c e o u s v e g e t a t i o n w h i c h i s s t i l l \" g r e e n \" a t l o w e r e l e v a t i o n s . Rams r e m a i n a t a l p i n e e l e v a t i o n s t h r o u g h o u t September i n s p i t e o f t h e f a c t t h a t * 113 * 333 p r a c t i c a l l y a l l v e g e t a t i o n h a s d r i e d up a t t h a t a l t i t u d e . Rams d e s c e n d d u r i n g t h e second: h a l f o f O c t o b e r . A t t h i s t i m e t h e r e a r e no n u t r i t i o n a l a d v a n t a g e s t o be g a i n e d b y m o v i n g t o l o w e r e l e v a t i o n s . S i n c e the snow d e p t h s a t a l p i n e e l e v a t i o n s a r e a l s o no h i n d r a n c e y e t , i t i s assumed t h a t the v e r t i c a l d e s c e n t o f r a m s i s l a r g e l y c a u s e d by t h e r e p r o d u c t i v e u r g e . The v e r t i c a l d i s t r i b u t i o n d u r i n g November i s l a r g e l y i n f l u e n c e d b y t h e r u t t i n g b e h a v i o u r . R e s p o n s e s f o u n d d u r i n g o t h e r w i n t e r months w i t h r e s p e c t t o snow, w i n d , and t e m p e r a t u r e were l a r g e l y n o n - e x i s t i n g now, w i t h t h e r e p r o d u c t i v e u r g e b e i n g t h e o v e r r i d i n g f a c t o r . D u r i n g December , sheep d e s c e n d e d f u r t h e r a n d e s t a b l i s h e d t h e t r e n d o b s e r v e d t h r o u g h o u t t h e w i n t e r , w i t h rams b e i n g f o u n d a t l o w e r e l e v a t i o n s t h a n n u r s e r y s h e e p and r e s p o n d i n g l e s s r e a d i l y t o e n v i r o n m e n t a l c h a n g e s . Our o b s e r v a t i o n s t h e r e f o r e l e a d u s t o assume t h a t n u t r i t i o n a l , c l i m a t o l o g i c a l a s w e l l a s b e h a v i o r a l p a r a m e t e r s a r e i n v o l v e d i n e x p l a i n i n g t h e a n n u a l v e r t i c a l m i g r a t i o n o f t h i s p o p u l a t i o n . P e r h a p s a most i m p o r t a n t f a c t o r , v e r y o f t e n n o t e v e n c o n s i d e r e d , i s t h e n e c e s s i t y o f s h e e p t o m i g r a t e f o r t h e s i m p l e r e a s o n o f p r o t e c t i n g t h e i r w i n t e r r a n g e . O b s e r v a t i o n s b y t h e w r i t e r ( H o e f s , 1974) i n d i c a t e t h a t t h e s h e e p c a n do v e r y w e l l b y r e m a i n i n g a t t h e v a l l e y f l o o r e l e v a t i o n s a l l y e a r , and t h a t t h e r e a r e a f e w s m a l l w i l d p o p u l a t i o n s i n t h e Yukon w h i c h o c c u p y c l i f f s a l o n g r i v e r s and w h i c h do n o t m i g r a t e t o a l p i n e e l e v a t i o n s d u r i n g summer. The l a c k o f \" t h e r m i s c h e B e h a g l i c h k e i t \" [ a p h r a s e u s e d by E u r o p e a n i n v e s t i g a t o r s ( K i e v e r g e l t , 1966; S c h r o d e r , 1971 a , b ; Hofman and N i e v e r g e l t , 1972) t o i n d i c a t e s e n s i t i v e t e m p e r a t u r e o r c o o l i n g e f f e c t ] d o e s n o t seem t o a d v e r s e l y e f f e c t t h e s h e e p , e x c e p t t h a t t h e y have b e e n o b s e r v e d t o d r i n k more o f t e n ; and a s f a r a s n u t r i t i o n was c o n c e r n e d , \u00E2\u0080\u0094 i f w e i g h t g a i n s a r e a good i n d i c a t o r \u00E2\u0080\u0094 - t h e r e were no d i s a d v a n t a g e s ( H o e f s , 1974)* * 114 * 334 The Sheep M o u n t a i n w i n t e r r a n g e s a p p e a r e d t o be o c c u p i e d a t c a r r y i n g c a p a c i t y l e v e l , and t h e r e f o r e . a n y d i v e r s i o n s o f f e e d i n g t o o t h e r a r e a s , o r any p o s t p o n e m e n t o f t h e u t i l i z a t i o n - o f t h e i r w i n t e r r a n g e w i l l be an a d v a n t a g e . P e r i i a p s , t h i s i s t h e r e a s o n why t h e rams s t a y a t a l p i n e e l e v a t i o n s t o l i t e O c t o b e r and do n o t make use o f more n u t r i t i o n a l v e g e t a t i o n a t l o w e r e l e v a t i o n s a s t h e ewes d o . * 115 * 335 D i u r n a l f e e d i n g n h v t h m : Our . o l s e r v a t i o n s i n d i c a t e t h a t t h e d a i l y a c t i v i t y r h y t h m i s p r o p o r t i o n a l . t o uhe l e n g t h o f the p h o t o p e r i o d . On c l e a r d a y s sheep b e g i n t o f e e d a r o u n d c&wn and a t n i g h t t h e y c o n t i n u e t o f e e d one t o two h o u r s b e y o n d t h e t i m e acf s u n s e t . F i g u r e 11 shows t h i s r e l a t i o n s h i p f o r t h r e e d a t e s : May 2 0 , A p r i l 1 1 and Deusnber 2 1 , w i t h d i f f e r e n t p h o t o p e r i o d s . The d a t a a r e b a s e d on o b s e r v a t i o n s t a k e n a p p r o x i m a t e l y a t h o u r l y i n t e r v a l s , and t h e sample s i z e was a b o u t T3382. s h e e p f o r December and 150 s h e e p f o r A p r i l and May . Sheep l i s g i n t o f e e d v e r y a c t i v e l y a f t e r r i s i n g i n t h e m o r n i n g . M o s t s h e e p t a k e u a r t . i n t h i s f e e d i n g p e r i o d w h i c h c o n t i n u e s t o a b o u t 1000 t o 1 1 0 0 h o u r s ; i u C t e r t h i s t h e a c t i v i t y d e c l i n e s and i n t h e e a r l y a f t e r n o o n , b e t w e e n 1200 and 11400, h o u r s many s h e e p a r e r e s t i n g and r u m i n a t i n g . F e e d i n g a c t i v i t y i n c r e a s e s ; a g a i n i n t h e l a t e a f t e r n o o n and r e a c h e s t h e peak o f t h e d a y a b o u t one hour b e f o r e s u n s e t , when o v e r 90% o f t h e sheep i n t h e p o p u l a t i o n a r e a c t i v e l y engaged: i n f e e d i n g . A f t e r . . s u n s e t t h e f e e d i n g a c t i v i t y d e c l i n e s s h a r p l y , b u t some s h e e p have b e e n o b s e r v e d t o f e e d up t o two h o u r s a f t e r s u n s e t , when i t .wss: a l r e a d y v e r y d a r k . On a p o p u l a t i o n b a s i s t h e r e a r e t h e r e f o r e two d i s t i n c t p e a k s i n f e e d i n g p e r i o d s . , cae i n t h e m o r n i n g and one i n t h e l a t e r a f t e r n o o n , when 80% t o 90% o f t h e a n i m a l s a r e a c t i v e , and one v e r y d i s t i n c t r e s t i n g p e r i o d o r \" s i e s t a \" a r o u n d m i d d a y . F o r a n i n d i v i d u a l a n i m a l t h e f e e d i n g and r e s t i n g p e r i o d s a l t e r n a t e t h r o u g h o u t t h e day - However , t h e noon h o u r r e s t i n g p e r i o d i s t h e l o n g e s t a n d c o i n c i d e s - w i t h t h a t o f many o t h e r sheep i n t h e p o p u l a t i o n . At t h i s t i m e s h e e p n o t o n l y r u a i n a t e b u t a c t u a l l y s l e e p . A l l o t h e r r e s t i n g p e r i o d s a p p e a r t o be r a t h e r ^short i n t e r r u p t i o n s o f f e e d i n g , p e r h a p s w i t h t h e p u r p o s e t o * 116 * 3 3 7 ruminate i n order to make room for more food. Each in d i v i d u a l feeding period consists <.a\u00C2\u00A3 two phases. The f i r s t and longest portion i s taken up by very active feeding on abundant, \"stable\" forage plants. Under i d e a l conditions, f o r iinstance when new grass shoots f i r s t appear i n spring (Agropyron yukoioense, Calamagrostis purpurascens, Carex f i l i f o l i a ) , a mature ram may feed at .m rate of 1200 to 1500 interactions (bites) per hour. At the end of such aative feeding period, which may l a s t one to two hours there comes a very short phase of highly selective feeding. During t h i s phase, which may l a s t 1\u00C2\u00A9 to 15 minutes, considerable walking i s done i n search f o r preferred forages During l a t e May and early June such selected food items include the flowers of P u l s a t i l l a patens and Oxytropis v i s c i d a . For short r e s t periods sheejji! may bed down anywhere, often i n the midst of a c t i v e l y feeding sheep. . Bfc i s only for the night and occasionally for the long mid day re s t that preferred bedding s i t e s near escape t e r r a i n are sought. My observation that there are two peaks i n the d a i l y feeding period of D a l l sheep separated by a mid day resting period, supports observations made, f o r other Dall sheep populations. Dixon (1933) did observations i n Mt. McKinley National Park and writ e s : \"The mountain sheep's d a i l y program during the summer was as follows: Through the early morning hours, from 3 o'clock u n t i l 8 o'clock they foraged about a c t i v e l y , often descending nearly to timber l i n e . By 10 o'clock they returned to the higher c l i f f s and during the heat of the day were found bedded down at the foot of perpendicular c l i f f s or escarpments which protected them from the unexpected approach of any enemy from above. They directed t h e i r watch downward and were able to detect readily the approach of any enemy from below. Six o'clock i n the evening usually marked the time of the second grazing period i n the day\". * 117 * \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 338 While Dixon's (1933) observations were restricted to the summer \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 months, another Alaska investigator (Nichols, 1972) reported a similar activity rhythm for the winter period: \"Our observations during November and December.showed, peak feeding a c t i v i t y of Dall sheep to be at or just after dawn and again i n the afternoon just before and after sunset. During the middle of the day, most sheep were seen to be resting, though some were 'up at. a l l times. The general pattern of movement each day of reasonable good weather was to Teed and move upward i n the morning, then back down into the c l i f f s and gulches i n the evening. On days of strong winds and blowing snow, the sheep remained low on the slopes and i n the gulches, sometimes moving into the alder zone to feed\". In contrast to these findings several investigators working with bighorn sheep (Blood, 1963; Smith, 1954; Mills, 1937) reported, three peaks i n the daily a c t i v i t y rhythm, one of them around noon, coinciding with the major resting period of Dall sheep. Uo feeding was observed at night, during our investigation, with sheep on native range, nor was i t observed by the writer (Hoefs, 1974) while watching a band of semi-captive Dall sheep for a one year period. There i s no agreement i n the literature as to whether night-time feeding does occur or not. Croften (1949), as cited by Hunter (1954), remarks that h i l l sheep graze and move very l i t t l e during the hours of darkness. Wallace ( I 0 8 4 ) found that h i l l sheep do not eat during the short summer nights, but do i t i n the long winter nights between the hours of 11 p.m. and 2 a.m. Tribe (1950) reviewed this subject and concluded that moving about as well as feeding does occur. It i s l i k e l y that no generalization i s possible cn this point. An important factor will\u00E2\u0080\u00A2be the differing day lengths to which a given population. * 1 1 8 * 339 i s e x p o s e d . The- n o r t h e r n most s h e e p p o p u l a t i o n i n the Yukon i s f o u n d i n t h e B r i t i s h M o u n t a i n s a t a l a t i t u d e o f 69\u00C2\u00B0 30'\u00E2\u0080\u00A2 At t h i s l a t i t u d e t h e sun d o e s n o t r i s e above t h e h o r i z o n f r o m e a r l y December t o - m i d J a n u a r y . D u r i n g t h i s s i x week p e r i o d t h e sheep have no c h o i c e b u t t o f e e d i n t h e d a r k . * 119 * 340 Range Use and F o r a g e S e l e c t i o n : To a p p r e c i a t e t h i s s e c t i o n i t i s e s s e n t i a l t h a t t h e r e a d e r be f a m i l i a r w i t h P a r t 1 o f t h i s t h e s i s , w h i c h d e s c r i b e s i n d e t a i l the v a r i o u s p l a n t a s s o c i a t i o n s f o u n d on Sheep M o u n t a i n , f a m i l i a r w i t h t h e s p e c i e s f o u n d i n e a c h o f t h e s e a s s o c i a t i o n s , and t h e v e g e t a t i o n map on w h i c h t h e d i s t r i b u t i o n o v e r t h e mounta in , o f t he v a r i o u s p l a n t a s s o c i a t i o n s i s shown. The r a n g e u s e and f o r a g e s e l e c t i o n i s d i s c u s s e d on a m o n t h l y b a s i s . T a b l e s f o r e a c h month r e v e a l f o r a g e u t i l i z a t i o n t h r o u g h d i r e c t o b s e r v a t i o n s a s w e l l a s \u00E2\u0080\u00A2\u00E2\u0080\u00A2rumein a n a l y s e s , and a map shows t h e d i s t r i b u t i o n o f g r a z i n g d u r i n g t h a t t i m e . V a r i a t i o n s have b e e n f o u n d b e t w e e n f o r a g e u t i l i z a t i o n a s r e v e a l e d b y d i r e c t o b s e n e a & i o n s compared t o rumen sample a n a l y s e s . Bu t t h i s v a r i a t i o n c a n be e x p e c t e d . D i r e c t o b s e r v a t i o n s were meant t o r e p r e s e n t t h e f o r a g e u t i l i z a t i o n o f the e n t i r e p o p u l a t i o n o y e r a m o n t h . G r e a t C a r e was t a k e n t o d i s t r i b u t e tSnev o b s e r v a t i o n t i m e p r o p o r t i o n a l t o t h e s e x e s and t o t h e v a r i o u s p l a n t a s s o c i a t i o n s u t i l i z e d . . On t h e o t h e r h a n d , i t i s u n r e a l i s t i c t o assume t h a t a. rumen sample r e p r e s e n t s t h e c o m p o s i t i o n o f t h e f o r a g e o f t h e p o p u l a t i o n . I t o n l y r e v e a l s t h e d i e t o f one a n i m a l f o r one p a r t i c u l a r d a y . T h e r e f o r e , i f rumen s a m p l e s a r e meant t o be r e p r e s e n t a t i v e , a f a i r l y l a r g e numuer o f them w i i l l h a v e t o be c o l l e c t e d , and s u c h c o l l e c t i o n s w o u l d h a v e t o b e s p r e a d o v e r t l i a s - e n t i r e month and o v e r t h e v a r i o u s h a b i t a t s u t i l i z e d b y s h e e p a t any one t i m e . T h i s c o n c l u s i o n i s a l s o d rawn b y .Hansen ( N i c h o l s & H e i m e r , 1972). That t M s a s s u m p t i o n i s r e a l i s t i c i s b o r n e o u t b y t h e o b s e r v a t i o n t h a t g r e a t e s t d i f f e r e n c e s i n f o r a g e c o m p o s i t i o n b e t w e e n rumen s a m p l e s a n d d i r e c t o b s e r v a t i o n w e r e f o u n d f o r t h o s e months when o n l y one o r two rumen s a m p l e s were a v a i l a b l e - , w h i l e a good c o r r e l a t i o n was f o u n d f o r t h o s e months * 120 * 3A1 when a f a i r l y large number of samples were available. Table 19 gives a summary of the o r i g i n s of the rumen samples. Individual analyses are given i n the respective months. The data used i n the monthly descriptions are weighted means of the various forage species. These were calculated by using the number of observation days per month and combining them with the number of rumen samples available f o r that month, evaluating each rumen sample as representative f o r the forage composition of one day. The u t i l i z a t i o n of various plant associations per month i s revealed i n Table 20. These data have been compiled by superimposing the monthly d i s t r i b u t i o n maps on the vegetation map i n Part 1 of t h i s tfoesis. Each laanthly discussion has a b r i e f introduction about factors which have been shown to influence the d i s t r i b u t i o n of sheep over the mountain and the forage u t i l i z a t i o n . These factors include some weather data (snow, wind, temperatures), phenological events and certain behavioural phenomena as band size and percentage of mixed bands at that time. Definitions of such terms as \"selection\" or \"preference\" have been adopted from Hoefs- (1974) and are dealt with i n the section on \"general discussion of animal trend i n range use and forage selection\". The use of the term \" s i g n i f i c a n t \" i n the monthly discussions has no s t a t i s t i c a l connotation. A general discussion at the end about trends observed over the annual cycle concludes tihis section on range use and forage selection. Table: 19 His t o r y of Rumen Samples Rumen Sample Time of Sex Location Number Death of K i l l 1 Jan. 1971 ? Sheep Mountain . 2 Jan. 2/1971 M Sheep Mountain 3 Jan. 1971 F Sheep Mountain 4 Feb. 3/1971 M Kaskawulsh G l a c i e r 5 Feb. 13/1971 F Sheep Mountain 6 Feb. 23/1970 F Sheep Mountain . 7 Feb. 24/1970 F Sheep Mountain 8 February 1972 F Sheep Mountain 9 March 3/1971 F Kluane Lake 10 March 3/1971 F Sheep Mountain 11 March 12/1971 F W i l l i s c r o f t Creek 12 March 24/1971 F Sheep Mountain 13 March 1973 M Sheep Mountain 14 A p r i l 15/1971 F Sheep Mountain 15 A p r i l 23/1971 M Christmas Creek 16 A p r i l 27/1971 M Sheep Mountain 17 A p r i l 29/1970 F Sheep Mountain 18 A p r i l 1971 1 Sheep Mountain 19 A p r i l 1972 1 B u l l i o n Creek 20 May 14/1974 M Sheep Mountain 21 May 23/1971 M Vulcan Creek 22 May 25/1971 F Sheep Mountain 23 May 26/1971 Lamb F Sheep Mountain 24 May 1970 ? Canada Creek 25 June 7/1971 F Sheep Mountain 26 June 17/1971 M Vulcan Creek 27 June 18/1971 M Vulcan Creek 28 Ju l y 19/1969 F A u r i o l Range 29 Ju l y 19/1969 F A u r i o l Range 30 Ju l y 19/1969 F A u r i o l Range 31 July 19/1969 F A u r i o l Range 32 Aug. 3/1973 M Kusawa Lake 33 Aug. 3/1973 M Kusawa Lake 34 Sept.10/1970 M Christmas Creek 35 Sept.12/1970 M Vulcan Creek 36 Sept.13/1970 M Vulcan Creek 37 Sept.27/1971 F W i l l i s c r o f t Creek 38 Sept.27/1971 M W i l l i s c r o f t Creek 39 Oct.21/1969 M Sheep Mountain 40 Nov.17/1970 M Sheep Mountain 41 Dec. 1971 F Sheep Mountain 42 Dec.22/1970 F Christmas Creek 43 Dec.22/1970 F Christmas Creek ++ unnatural m o r t a l i t y includes c o l l e c t i o n s and accidents i n trapping and transplanting operations. Table: 20 U t i l i z a t i o n of d i f f e r e n t h a b i t a t types ( p l a n t a s s o c i a t i o n s ) over the annual c y c l e by D a l l Sheep. 3 4 3 Pentstemono (gormanii) - Artemisia (frigidae) -Agropyretum yukonensis Agropyro (yukonensis) - Artemisienum frigidae -rupestris Salico (reticulatae) - Sileno (acsulis) -Carico (scirpoideae) - Dryadetum dntegrifoliae Arctostaphylo (rubrae-uvae-urel) - Festuco (altaicae) - Salicetum reticulatae - glaucae Calamagrostido (purpurascentis) - Arctostaphyletura uvae-ursi J a n . Feb. Mar. Apr. May June J u l y Aug. Sept. Annual Nov. Dec. AveraRe Oxytropo (viscidae) - Artemisio (3ayperboreae) -Festuco (brachyphyllae) - Trisetetnm spicati Agropyretum violacei (scree slopes? Oxytropo (viscidae) - Artemisio (hyperboreae -frigidae) - Caricetum f i l i f o l i a e Oxytropo (huddelsonii) - Salicetum dodgeanae . C l i f f habitats Arctostaphylo (rubrae) - Cassiopo Ctetragonae) -Salicetum reticulatae - lanatae - jglaucae Roso (acicularis) - Shepherdio (cascadensl a) -Populetum tremuloidis Salicetum barrattianae Artemisio (frigidae) - Agropyro (yukonensis) -Eurotietum lanatae \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 Artemisio (arcticae) - Salico (reticulatae) Festucetum altaicae Hypno (procerrimi) - Abietinello -CffiMetinae) -Piceetum glaucae Saxifrago (oppositifoliae) - Oxyriin (digynae) -Salicetum polaris Artemisio (hyperboreae - alaskanae?) - Salicetum m y r t i l l i f o l i a e Seneciono (lugentis) - Salicetum polaris -reticulatae Dryadetum drummondii Artemisietum alaskanae Oxyrio (digynae) - Artemisietum arcticae -t i l e s i i Salico (reticulatae) - Cassiopo (tetragonae) -Dryadetum integrifoliae 61.3 60 .7 56 .7 4 5 . 5 34 .5 168 0 .6 14 .9 17.2 24. 1.3 0 .2 6 18 .5 8 .9 5.4 2 .0 1.7 10.1 44 .1 21.2 45 .1 41 .0 49 .9 14.8 18.2 22 .3 16 .7 52 .3 5.9 6 .3 2 .5 3 .9 2 .7 6 .9 13 .4 37.0 13.0 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 7. 0 . 4 1.5 ' 2 2 .9 4 3 10 .5 10.0 13 .4 7.7 <0 8 1 6l 1 31.1 2.3 8 .8 4 .1 3 .7 7.1 8.8 7.1 5.2 11.8 i ; 4 . 7 5.1 2.2 20 .3 13 .7 2 .9 0 . 7 - 0 .3 0 .2 l j 3.8 ' 6 . 3 2 .3 7 .9 -4 .7 6 .0 6.1 4 .4 1.4 36.1 13.5 11.0 10.2 4 .2 4 .0 0 .8 0 . 4 8 0 5 0 3 . 3 .6 3 .5 4 .6 1.7 3.8 0.1 10 .3 6.2 1 2 .2 6 .5 2.1 1.9 0.1 2 1.1 1.1 6.1 1.1 8 .2 0 .2 0 .4 0 . 7 3.0 0 .2 1.5 0 . 3 . 2 2 .2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 4 . 0 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 - I i 1.8 2 .0 1.0 0 .5 1.8 0 .5 0 .4 1.1 0 . 7 3.1 2.2 1.7 1.0 1.6 1.4 6 .9 5 .5 1.3 1.4 0 . 4 1.6 0 .3 <0.1 1.4 0 .2 0 .6 2 . 3 . 4 . 4 0 .5 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 0 .3 0 . 3 0 .6 0 .2 2 .3 0 . 7 0 . 4 3.2 0 .6 0 . 5 2.1 4 . 4 <0 .1 < 0 . 1 0.1 0 . 7 1.0 < 0 . 1 1.5 1.8 1.7 0.2 0.1 : 0 .3 < 0 . 1 < 0 . 1 0 . 7 < 0 . l i 0 . 3 0 . 4 j L 0.8 0 .4 < 0 . 1 1.6 1.2 1.1 l . l 0 . 9 0 .6 0 . 5 0 .5 0 .3 0 . 3 0.1 0.1 < 0 . 1 SUM OF ALL - 100* TABLE: 21 S t a t i s t i c s on Range U t i l i z a t i o n Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May June July AUR. Sept. Oct. Nov. Dec. Year Average number of sheep on Sheen Mountain 99.0 109.5 131.5 126.5 117.9 71.6 24.7 35.4 111.5 115.5 80.9 94.6 x = 93.2 Maximum number 120 155 153 164 146 124 75 80 142 150 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 131 114 164 Minimum number 84 75 107 67 63 0 0 0 21 55 17 72 0 Observation days per month 21 21 21 18 19 20 21 20 19 . 22 18 22 x = 20.2 sum = 242 Sheep days per month mapped 2067 2300 2761 2276 2243 1432 515 709 2119 2546 1460 2081 sum= 22520 Number of map sections used 20 19 16 24 26 25 10 12 16 22 18 19 33 Number of map quadrats used 292 342 344 417 517 346 118 153 326 318 215 263 3651 Number of section providing 90% of range use 11 9 9 14 16 20 5 6 9 6 9 13 16 Average intensity of range use (sheep days per acre per mos.) 5.5 4.2 6.3 4.7 3.3 3.1 3.1 3.4 5.0 . 5 . 3 5.3 5.2 54.4 sheep days per acre per year Maximum Intensity of range use per quadrat(sheep days per acre )31.6 . 25.6 27.9 23.3 22.9 11.2 11.3 11.6 22.2 . 21.8 25.1 38.2 . 94.0 sheep days per acre per year Number of plant associations 13 17 17 14 14 18 18 12 13 u t i l i z e d 12 12 12 23 Number of plant associations \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 5 providing 907. of feeding sites 4 4 3. 6 8 8 6 7 / 6 7 . . . . 5 . . . -c-345 TABLE: 22 S t a t i s t i c s on forage u t i l i z a t i o n Month Number of Observation Days Number of Feeding Interactions Recorded T o t a l Number of Species U t i l i z e d Number of Species Contributing 75% of Forage Number of Species U t i l i z e d t only O.l7o Less January 9 16425 40 6 11 February 8 13440 36 5 12 March 8 44515 35 6 9 A p r i l 12 34390 33 6 13 May 10 34255 57 7 18 June 10 30890 50 . 10 20 J u l y 8 7540 53 10 19 August 8 8650 63 13 22 September 10 9100 54 11 21 October 10 9214 44 6 16 November 9 6295 34 6 8 December 7 12695 40 5 15 Year 109 227409 110 13 71 * 121 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 3 4 6 Range Use During January; This month had the coldest average temperature for the year (-17.9 F) as well as the greatest range between maximum and minimum temperatures (+41 - 56 - 97 F). There were frequent strong winds from the north (on 8 days), and temperature inversions during cold calm weather. A Chinook early i n the month (2nd to 5th) resulted i n snow removal from exposed areas, but subsequently a t o t a l of 5 cm. (2 inches) snow f e l l on 3 days. The average snow depths of a l l plant associations i n the boreal zone was 19 cm. (7.6 inches). A l l plants are dormant at t h i s time, with \"green\" vegetation r e s t r i c t e d to the* following species; a l l coniferous plants, Equisetum variegatum, Equisetum scirpoides, Linnaea borealis, Arctostaphylos uva- u r s i and Vaccinium v i t i s - i d a e a . The average band size f o r the month was 7.1 sheep (range 6.0 to 9.1), but there was s t i l l considerable mixing of sexes, with 36.6$ (range 9% to 5*$) of a l l bands observed containing nursery sheep as well as rams. The d i s t r i b u t i o n of sheep was mapped on 21 days; with a mean number of 99.0 sheep on the mountain per day (range 84 to 120), r e s u l t i n g i n 2067 sheep days. Figure 12 shows the d i s t r i b u t i o n pattern. A t o t a l of 20 sections were u t i l i z e d , but as few as 11 supplying 90% of the forage (Table 2 l ) . The average grazing i n t e n s i t y f o r those quadrats that were u t i l i z e d was 5*5 sheep days per acre, with the maximum being 31.6 sheep days per acre i n quadrat 4D\u00C2\u00AB68 (Table 21). Sheep Mere concentrated at lower elevations than at any other time of the year because of the cold temperatures, and very l i t t l e use was made of the east slope because of strong north winds, which further added to the concentration of grazing on south and west sides. Almost 83% of * 122 * .348 a l l grazing took place i n the boreal biogeoclimatic zone, and only 13% and 4.0^ respectively i n the sub-alpine and alpine zones. A t o t a l of 12 plant associations were u t i l i z e d (Table 20), but as few as four of them provided 90% of the forage; a l l of them being grassland associations (Table 20), with 61.3% of a l l grazing taking place on s i t e s occupied by the association Pentstemono (gormanii) - Artemisio ( f r i g i d a e ) - Agropyretum yukonensis. This i s the highest u t i l i z a t i o n rate * documented f o r any plant association at any time of the year. While snow conditions i n t h i s association were comparable to ether grasslands (Figure 33i Part 1 of t h e s i s ) , the intensive use can be explained by the fact that t h i s association i s more widely d i s t r i b u t e d at low elevations than most of the other grasslands (Vegetation map, Part 1 of t h e s i s ) . Figure 12 shows the concentration areas of grazing pressure during the month. Heavily used areas are shaded darker than those with average use. The exact rates f o r the s i x areas are as follows, starting from the l e f t : #1 (IE) 4.4 sheep days per acre per month, #2 (2D) 2.8, #3 (2 - 3E) 4.1, #4 ( 4 - 5n) 7.9, #5 (6E) 4.1, and #6 (7D) 5.3 sheep days per acre per month respectively. Area \u00C2\u00A3L was exclusively used by rams, i n #6 and i n #2 80% and 60% respectively of the grazing was by rams. On the other hand, 90% of the grazing i n #4 and 80% of the grazing i n #3 and #5 was by nursery bands. Rams descended t o lowest elevations i n area #L and #5, while nursery sheep d i d so i n area #5\u00C2\u00AB The fact that sheep used the lowest elevations i n these p a r t i c u l a r s i t e s can be explained by the closeness of these areas to escape t e r r a i n . Simixar areas with equal or better forage i n low elevations of map sections 3E\u00C2\u00BB 4Et 5E, are l a r g e l y avoided since they have no escape t e r r a i n . * 123 * 349 Forage Use Durijnp, January; During, t h i s month feeding sheep were observed on 9 days, and a t o t a l of lby+25 interactions were recorded and are expressed as percentages i n Table 23\u00C2\u00AB Three rumen samples became available f o r analyses (Table 24)\u00E2\u0080\u00A2 Sheepare known to have u t i l i z e d at least 40 different species during January, 15 of which provided 90$ of the forage, and 11 of which were only u t i l i s e d to a degree of 0.1$. or l e s s . Only 5 species provided 71.4$ of a i l uhfc forage taken (Carex f i l i f o l i a ; 21.6%; Calamagrostis purpurascens: U9;.6$; Artemisia f r i g i d a : 15.7$; Agropyron yukonense; 9.5$ and SalixgLauca: 5.0$ (Tables 29, 30). This early i n the winter sheep were able to choose preferred forages, since very l i t t l e grazing had taken place, p a r t i c u l a r l y at low elevations, and heavy u t i l i z a t i o n was also possible along the forest edge LCalamatrojBUido (purpurascentis) - Arctostaphyletum uvae-ursi s i t e s with 13.0$, Taffies 26], since snow conditions were no hindrance yet. This a b i l i t y to select! i s r e f l e c t e d i n the r e l a t i v e l y high percentage of preferred forages i n the'<.dust as well as i n the low percentage of unpalatable species. I t i s also reflected i n the \" q u a l i t y \" of forage taken from the same species (leaves vs. sterns^ f o r instance). Such preferred forage plants include the fo l l o w i n g : A^ror^ron yukonense; 9\u00C2\u00BB5$\u00C2\u00BB Oxytropis v i s c i d a : 1.8$, Eurotia la n a t a : 4.1$, Astragalus w i l l i a m s s i i : 1.5$, A c h i l l e a lanulosa: 1.0$, Artemisia dracuncaatus: 0.8$ and Hedysarum mackenzii; 0.1$, while unpalatable species - which 'receive increasingly greater u t i l i z a t i o n as winter progresses - contributed the following percentages: Artemisia r u p e s t r i s ; 2.4$i Arctostaphylos uvta-ursi: 1.7$, Juniperus h o r i z o n t a l i s : 0.8/J and Juniperus communis: 0.1$. Rumen analyses proved that almost 80,. of the Calamagrostis TABLE: 23 Feeding Observations during late winter and spring. SPECIES: Jan. Feb. March A p r i l May. Calamagrostls purpurascens 20.1 23.7 26.3 21.7 15.7 Carex f i l i f o l i a 19.8 27.7 11.8 10.2 25.2 Artemisia f r i g i d a 15.8 19.4 23.9 22.2 10.4 Agropyron yu&onense 11.0 10.5 5.3 2.4 14.5 Eurotia lanata 5.4 1.6 1.9 1.3 O . l Salix glauca 4.9 1.0 O . l O . l 1.5 * Carex scirpaidea 3.1 0.1 1.1 1.9 0.9 Artemisia rtrpestxis 3.1 1.7 5.1 5.5 0.2 Rosa acicularts 2.0 2.2 J V S . 2.9$)]. The u t i l i z a t i o n of scree slope associations increased from 1.5$ to 2.8$ (Table 20). Figure 13 shows the concentration areas of grazing through shading. The rates f o r titoe 7' s i t e s are, from l e f t to r i g h t : #1 (ID) 4\u00C2\u00BB2 sheep days per acre per 'm, Burofciia lanata: 1.0% vs. 4\u00C2\u00AB1%\u00C2\u00BB and Astragalus w i l l i a m s i j : 0.1% vs. 1.5%\u00C2\u00BB Increased use was noted i n Arctostaphylos uva-ursi: 2.2% vs. 1.7%\u00C2\u00BB and Juniperus foarizontalis: 1.4% vs. 0.8%. There s t i l l was some u t i l i z a t i o n of leaves of browse plants that had not dropped! yet ( S a l i x glauca: 3*1% and Populus tremuloides: 0.9% of the t o t a l monthly forage). The sjpecies taken during February can be broken down into the following broad forage classes: Grasses and grasslike vegetation: 6l.2% , forbs: 27.1%, browse: 10.8%, and moses and lichens: 0.9% (Table 38). These percentages are s i m i l a r to those observed during January, except f o r a f a i r l y large increase of u t i l i z a t i o n of mosses (0.9/c vs. 0.1%), the highest rate f o r any month during the winter. Three of the f i v e rumen samples contained the moss Tortula r u r a l i s , but i n one of them (#5) t h i s moss made up 7%. ^uch a high percentage might indicate \" i n t e n t i o n a l \" feeding on t h i s species. While di r e c t feeding on any moss was not observed during t h i s study, Murie (1944) reported some u t i l i z a t i o n of mosses by sheep i n Mt. McKinley Park, and so d i d Egorov (1967) f o r sheep i n Yakuta (U.S.S.R.). \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 128 * 358 Range Use During March; This month was cold and calm. The average temperature (10.4 F) was about 5 F lower than that f o r February (15.2 F ) . The range was 77 , with a maximum of +35 F and a minimum of -42 F. I t was one of the calmest months of the year, the average wind speed being 6.0 miles per hour, and with only 3 days of strong north winds and 3 days of strong west winds. The average snow depth of a l l plant associations i n the boreal zone was 22 cm. Table 33 (Part 1 of thesis) reveals that t h i s month had the heaviest snow conditions i n the annual cycle of build-up and thawing, even though many grassland associations were usually windswept and bare (Figure 4). The vegetation was dried up and dormant as during the past four months. The average band size increased to 7*9 sheep per band, while 29$ of the bands observed were mixed. The d i s t r i b u t i o n of sheep was mapped on 21 days. The average number of sheep on the mountain was with 131.5 animals the highest f o r the year (r = 107 to 153)\u00C2\u00AB This high number resulted i n the highest number of sheep days mapped (276l) f o r any month. Figure 14 shows the d i s t r i b u t i o n of grazing pressure over the mountain. Sheep were more concentrated than at any other time of the winter. Only 16 sections were u t i l i z e d , and only 9 of them provided for 90$ of the grazing (Table 21). The average grazing i n t e n s i t y per quadrat u t i l i z e d was with 6.3 sheep days per acre per month, also the highest. The quadrat with the greatest grazing pressure was #4D\u00C2\u00AB54 with 27.9 sheep days per acre per month (Table 21, Figure 14). In comparison to February there was an average downward movement of about 200 f e e t , with a re s u l t i n g d i s t r i b u t i o n of range use very s i m i l a r to that of January. Very l i t t l e U 3 e was made of east slope * 129 * 3 6 0 s i t e s and sub-alpine.elevations and a l l the lowest elevation winter ranges were used agaisu This downward trend i s reflected i n the u t i l i z a t i o n of plant communities of the three a l t i t u d i n a l biogeoclimatic zones. The boreal zone provided f o r 82.3% of the grazing, the sub-alpine zone f o r 16.5% and the aipine zone f o r only 1.2%, the lowest u t i l i z a t i o n rate for any month. The concentration of sheep during March i s also r e f l e c t e d i n t h e i r u t i l i z a t i o n of various plant associations. While a t o t a l of 12 associations were used a3 i n the previous two months, only 3 of them provided 90% of the forage [Pentstemono (gormanii) - Artemisio (frigidae) - Agropyretum yukonensis: 56.7%, Agropyro (yukonensis) - Artemisietum f r i g i d a e - r u p e s t r i s : 24.6%, and Calamagrostido (purpurascentis) - Arctostaphyletura uvae-ursi: 10.5%]. Two trends i n sheep feeding behaviour came into being during t h i s month and continued through the remainder of winter. F i r s t l y , there i s a marked increase i n the u t i l i z a t i o n of the association Agropyro (yukonensis) -Artemisietum f r i g i d a e - rupestris, whose dominant Artemisia rupestris i s largely avoided at other times; secondly, there i s an increase of u t i l i z a t i o n of such associations as Calamagrostido (purpurascentis) - Arctostaphyletum uvae-u r s i and Roso ( a c i c u l a r i s ) - Shepherdio (canadensis) Populetum tremuloidis, i n spite of the fact that they had 20 to 40 cm. of snow cover. I t can be argued that theses associations are used equally heavy at other times of the year, but at thoseetimes the snow conditions are no problem and as the discussions on forage selections reveal, the forage taken at these times d i f f e r s considerably from that taken i n l a t e winter. Both these observations point to the f a c t that at t h i s time of the year preferred forage plants are becoming scarce. Sheep either have to use \"secondary\" species, or - i f they want something special - have to dig into snow. \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 Figure 14 shows the concentration areas of grazing, which as an * 13U * 361 inspection of Figure 12 w i l l reveal, are very si m i l a r to those observed i n January. The. u t i l i z a t i o n rate of the 6 s i t e s are as follows:. #L ( I E ) : 5 . 0 sheep days per-acre per month, #2 (2D): 4 . 9 ; #3 ( 3 D ) : 5 \u00C2\u00AB 3 ; #4 ( 4 - 5 D ) : 8 . 0 , #5 ( 5 - 6 E ) : 5.8, and #6 (6D): 3 . 7 sheep days per acre per month respectively. These u t i l i z a t i o n rates are very s i m i l a r to those of January. Forage Use During March: During March the feeding of sheep was observed on 8 days and 4 4 \u00C2\u00BB 5 1 5 interactions were recorded. The concentration of sheep at lower elevations f a s c i i i t a t e d the accummulation of feeding data during March, furthermore the sheep had by t h i s time got accustomed to the d a i l y presence of the investigator. Five rumen samples became available f o r analyses (Table 26). Sheep u t i l i z e d at l e a s t 3 5 species, only j of them provided 60.9% of the forage (Calamagrostis purpurascens: 2 6 . 8 % , Artemisia f r i g i d a : 2 2 . 4 % f and Carex f i l i f o l i a : 1 1 . 7 % ) , while 9 were only u t i l i z e d to an extent of 0.1% or l e s s . Feeding conditions were at t h e i r worst for the winter. Preferred forages had been removed from exposed, windblown ridges, and deep snow conditions prevented heavy u t i l i z a t i o n of other plant associations. There was a marked s h i f t - w i t h i n the proportional u t i l i z a t i o n of the f i v e most important, \"stable\", forage species. A notable reduction of u t i l i z a t i o n was found i n the three preferred species (Carex f i l i f o l i a : 11.7% vs. 25\u00C2\u00BB5%, Agropyron yukonense: 4\u00C2\u00AB6% vs. 7 .7%, and Salix. glauca: 1.1/; vs. 3 \u00C2\u00BB 1 % ) , and TABLE: 26 Rumen s a m p l e a n a i l y s i s f o r M a r c h t 3 6 2 SPECIES S a m p l e # 9 10 11 12 13 Mean C a r e x f i l i f o l i a t 18* 11 9 12 8 11.6 A r t e m i s i a f r i g i d i a 23 15 29 18 15 20.0 C a l a m a g r o s t i s p u n r p u r a s c e n s 20 35 15 28 40 27.6 A g r o p y r o n yukonesnse 3 4 8 1 3.4 S a l i x g l a u c a 7 5 1 1 2.8 Bromus p u m p e l l i a s n u s 8 1 1.8 J u n i p e r u s h o r i z c a n t a l i s 4 3 1.4 J u n i p e r u s conTmumriLs 2 1 0.6 A r c t o s t a p h y l o s u c v a - u r s i 4 2 1 8 9 4.6 P i c e a g l a u c a 1 1 0.4 S o l i d a g o multiraBiiata 1 1 0.4 E r i g e r o n c a e s p i / t o s u s 1 0.2 E u r o t i a l a n a t a 3 0.6 P e n t s t e m o n gormasmi 2 0.4 E r i g e r o n h u m i l i s ; 6 1.2 A s t e r a l p i n u s 1 0.2 R o s a a c i c u l a r i s 2 2 0.8 S a l i x r e t i c u l a t a . 1 0.2 A r t e m i s i a r u p e s t r i s 1 3 5 1.8 P l a n t a g o canescesas 1 1 0.4 L i n n a e a b o r e a l i s 1 0.2 P o a g l a u c a 1 0.2 E r i g e r o n c o m p o s i t u s 1 0.2 O x y t r o p i s v i s c i d a 1 0.2 A c h i l l e a b o r e a l e 1 0.2 81.4 G r a s s e s ( u n i d e n t i f i e d ) 8 5 20 12 17 F o r b s ( u n i d e n t i f i e d ) 0 2 7 8 5 B r o w s e ( u n i d e n t i f i e d ) 0 0 3 1 0 M o s s e s & L i c h e n s ( u n i d e n t i f i e d ) 0 3 0 0 2 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% G r a s s e s ( t o t a l ) 56 56 52 53 65 56.4 F o r b s ( t o t a l ) 25 32 43 32 22 30.8 B r o w s e ( t o t a l ) 19 9 5 15 11 11.8 M o s s e s & L i c h e n s ( t o t a l ) 0 3 0 0 2 1.0 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% 100.07. * V a l u e s e x p r e s s e d a s p e r c e n t f r e q u e n c y . * 131 * 363 a corresponding increase of the other two species, (Calamagrostis purpurascens: 26.8$ vs. 20.6$, and Artemisia frigida: 22.4$ vs. 19.1$). Up to 80$ of the Calamagrostis purpurascens fragments in the rumen samples consisted of stem portions. Preferred legumes (Oxytropis viscida: 0.3$, Oxytropis huddelsonii: 0$, Astragalus williamsii: 0.1$ and Hedysarum mackenzii: .0$) and other forbs (Artemisia dracunculus: 0.3$ and Archillea lanulosa: 0.1$), had virtually been elijninated from the range, and those that were utilized had to be dug out under considerable snow in the associations: Calamagrostida (purpurascentis) - Arctostaphyletum - uvae-ursi (30 cm.) and Roso (acicularis) - Shepherdio. (canadensis) - Populetum tremuloides (40cm.). Significant increases were observed in a number of unpalatable species, which are largely ignored at other times of the year: Arctostaphylos uva-ursi: 6.1$ vs. 2.2$, Juniperus horizontalis: 6.9$ vs. 1.4$i Artemisia rupestris: 3.8$ vs. 1.5$t Juniperus communis: 0.9$ vs. 0.3$, and Erigeron caespitosus: 0.8$ vs. 0.2$). Very l i t t l e use was made during March of willows and poplars, since practically a l l leaves had dropped by then (Salix glauca: 1.1$, Populus tremuloides: 0.1$, Salix lanata: 0$, Populus balsamifera: 0$). The species taken during March can be broken down into the following broad forage classes: Grasses and grasslike vegetation: 49\u00C2\u00BB9$j Forbs: 33\u00C2\u00AB8$i browse: 16.0$ and mosses: 0.3$. The reduction of use of grasslike vegetation compared to February is largely due to the decrease in available Carex f i l i f o l i a and Agropyron yukonense, while the increase in use of forbs is due to more Artemisia frigida and Artemisia rupestris being taken. Even though there was a decrease in use of willows and poplars, the heavy utilization of bearberry and * lyz * 364 juniper resulted i n an increase of browse t \ken compared to February. Range Use Daring Apr i l : This month was mild but windy. The average temperature was 26.9 F., with a range between minimum and maximum of 57 F. (+47 F. to -10 F.). Vi'ith an average wind speed of 10.6 miles/hour per month i t was one of the windiest months that year. Strong west winds were blowing on 9 days. Even though snow f e l l on 5 days, totalling 17 cm., the average snow depth i n the boreal zone associations declined because of the mild weather and frequent chinooks to 5 cm. The mild temperatures and retreating snow line initiated the f i r s t plant phenological response for the year. In the latter part of April several -willow species had developed open catkins and during the last few days of the month the f i r s t open flowers of Pulsatilla patens were observed. The average band size was with 7*2 sheep per band similar to that observed during March, while there was a slight increase i n the percentage of mixed bands to 32%. This increase arises from convergence upon the l i c k s by both rams and members of nursery bands (Figure 15), with considerable mixing of sexes there. Areas which are used a s l i c k s are located in the central eastern portion of Section 5E, and i n the northwestern portion of section 3-S* The distribution of grazing sheep was mapped for 18 days. The average number of sheep on the mountain per day was 126.5, the range was 365 Figure 17: Sheep f e e d i n g on C a l a m a g r o s t i s p u r p u r a s c e n s and A r t e m i s i a f r i g i d a , two ' s t a b l e ' f o r a g e s p e c i e s of l a t e w i n t e r . * 133 * 3 6 6 67 to I6/4. (Table 21). Figure 16 shows the distribution of 2276 sheep days. During this morth sheep began to spread out over the mountain following the retreating snow. A total of 24 sections were utilized, with 16 of them providing for 90$ of the grazing sites (Table 21). The average grazing intensity per quadrat utilized was 4.7 sheep days per acre per month, the maximum being 23\u00C2\u00BB3 (quadrat: !5L72). These statistics indicate a considerable reduction in grazing pressure on heavily used areas compared to those of previous months of the winter. There was an average uphill movement of both sexes, averaging about 250 feet compared to March. A number of sub-alpine and alpine sites wease utilized for the f i r s t time this year (Figure 16). The distribution of utilization of the three altitudinal biogeoclimatic zones showed a reduction for the boreal zone compared to data for March (66.5$ vs. 82.3$)i and an increase for the sub-alpine (20.8$ vs. 16.5$), and the alpine (12.7$ vs. 1.2$) zones respectively. While tine utilization of different plant associations during the month increased 'dg? only 1 to 13, there was a considerable spreading out of intensity of use compared to March. During this month, 6 associations provided 90$ of fctfte forage compared to only 3 for the previous months. Associations most, heavily utilized during March, Pentstemono (gormanii) -Artemisio (frigibie) - Agropyretum yukonensis and Agropyro (yukonensis) -Artemisietum frigMae - rupestris, showed a considerable reduction in grazing pressure of 11.2$ (56.7$ vs. 45-5$) and 6.1$ (24.6$ vs. 18.5$) respectively while the followi^ increases were observed in grazing of sub-alpine and alpine associations: Arctostaphylo (rubrae - uva-ursi) - Festuco (altaicae) - Salicetum reticalatae - glaucae 3-8$ (6.9$ vs. 2.7$); Oxytropo (viscidae) - Artemisio (hyperboreae) - Festuco (brachyphyllae) - Trisetum spicati \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 134 * 368 4.7% (4\u00C2\u00BB7% vs. Cf.1%); Agropyretum violacei (scree slopes) 2.7% (3.8% vs. 1.1%); and SaELco (reticulatae) - Sileno (acaulis) - Carico (scirpoideae) -Dryadetum integrifoliae 2.0% (2.0% vs. 0.0%) (Table 20). Figusavl6 shows the 5 areas on which grazing pressure was concentrated curing March. It should be pointed out that \"concentration\" i s a relative tterm and changes from month to month as the actual rates of usage will revael. Theserates are as follows for the five sites: #1 (2D - 3C): 5.2 sheep daysger acre per month, #2 (3D): 6.5; #3 (4 - 5D): 6.5; #7 (5D): 4\u00C2\u00BB9\u00C2\u00BB and #5 (5 - 6E): 4.5 sheep days per acre per month, respectively. A\u00C2\u00A3 comparison of Figure 16 to Figure 14 for March will reveal that there was a& gradual uphill movement of grazing sites. Forage Use Dur&g; April: In Aprt 1 feeding sheep were observed on 12 days, resulting in the documentations: of 34\u00C2\u00BB390 interactions. Six rumen samples became available for analyses (Tables 22 and 27). Sheep were found to utilize 33 species of forage plants, which i s a smaller nunber than in any other month of the year. The five most utilized forage giants contributed together 71.5% of the diet, but among these are now surh unpalatable ones as Arctostaphylos uvae-ursi: 10.5% and Juniperus Jhtrisontalis: 6.3%. Calamagrostis purpurascens (25.6%) and Artemisia frJRJEte (20.3%) continued to be the most heavily utilized species (Figure 17), whole there were further reductions compared to March of use of Carex f i l i f o l i a fe8% vs. 11.7%), and Agropyron yukonense 1.8% vs. 4\u00C2\u00AB6%. Feeding conditions for sheep continued to deteriorate compared to March as far as availablity of preferred forage plants was concerned, TABLE: 27 369 Rumen sample analysis f o r A p r i l SPECIES Sample # 14 15 16 17 18 19 Mean Carex f i l i f o l i a 2 9 14 5 1 7 6.3 Artemisia f r i g i d a 14 17 11 26 15 21 17.2 Calamagrostis purpurascens 47 41 23 18 35 30 32.3 Agropyron yukonense 1 3 0.7 S a l i x glauca 1 1 1 1 3 1.2 Oxytropis v i s c i d a 1 1 2 1 0.8 Arctostaphylos uva-ursi 16 11 8 25 17 3 13.3 Picea glauca 3 1 2 1.0 Juniperus h o r i z o n t a l i s 7 5 3 2 2 3.2 Juniperus communis 3 1 1 1 0.8 A c h i l l e a b o r e a l i s 1 1 0.3 Rosa a c i c u l a r i s 3 2 2 1.2 P u l s a t i l l a patens 1 0.2 Artemisia r u p e s t r i s 3 4 1 3 5 2.7 Plantago canescens 1 0.2 Erigeron caespitosus 1 .1 0.3 Bromus pumpellianus 1 1 0.3 Pentstemon gormani 1 0.2 Betula glandulosa ; 1 1 0.3 Poa glauca 1 0.2 Artemisia hyperborea 2 0.3 Dryas i n t e g r i f o l i a 1 0.2 Shepherdia canadensis 1 1 0.3 S a l i x r e t i c u l a t a * 1 0.2 Galium boreale 1 0.2 Linum perenne 1 0.2 84.1 Grasses ( u n i d e n t i f i e d ) 0 3 15 11 15 20 Forbs ( u n i d e n t i f i e d ) 0 1 10 5 1 0 Browse ( u n i d e n t i f i e d ) 0 2 7 0 1 3 Mosses & Lichens ( u n i d e n t i f i e d ) 0 0 0 0 0 0 100% 1007. 1007. 1007. 1007. 1007. Grasses ( t o t a l ) 50 57 53 34 51 58 50.5 Forbs ( t o t a l ) 17 25 31 33 21 29 26.0 Browse ( t o t a l ) 33 18 16 33 28 13 23.5 Mosses & Lichens ( t o t a l ) 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1007. 1007. 1007. 1007. 1007. 1007. 100.0/ * 135 * 370 h o w e v e r some a d m n t a g e s were p r o v i d e d t h r o u g h t h e r e t r e a t i n g snow l i n e . Sheep made u s e \u00C2\u00ABrf t h i s b y f o r a g i n g more i n a l p i n e and s u b \u00E2\u0080\u0094 a l p i n e e l e v a t i o n s , a s w e l l a s b y u s i n g s i t e s i n t h e b o r e a l zone w h i c h had p r e v i o u s l y b e e n c o v e r e d b y t o o much sno,y\u00C2\u00BB I n c r e a s e d u s e was r e c o r d e d f o r t h e f o l l o w i n g s p e c i e s , some o f w h i c h a r e p r e f e r r e d f o r a g e s : A r t e m i s i a h y p e r b o r e a : 2.9$ v s . 0.7$, T r i s e t u m spica'taim.: 0.6$ v s . 0.0$, O x y t r o p i s v i s c i d a : 1.9$ v s . 0.3$, D r y a s i n t e g r i f o l i a : 3*2$ v s . 0.2$, F e s t u c a a l t a i c a : 0.4$ v s . 0.0$, C a r e x s c i r p o i d e a : 1.2$. v s . 0.0%, and Poa g l a u c a : 1.9$ v s . 0.4$. Ihe d i s t r i b u t i o n o f u s e o f b r o a d f o r a g e c l a s s e s f o r A p r i l was a s f o l l o w s : . G r a s s l i k e v e g e t a t i o n : 44*2$, f o r b s : 35\u00C2\u00BB5$i b r o w s e : 20.3$, a n d m o s s e s : QJ$> ( F i g u r e 39). These p r o p o r t i o n s a r e v e r y s i m i l a r t o t h o s e o b s e r v e d i n Karelin.. Range Use D u r i n g K a y : T h i s month was c h a r a c t e r i z e d b y f r e q u e n t s t r o n g wes t w i n d s on 1 2 d a y s ; w i t h an a v e r a g e m o n t h l y w i n d speed o f 13*3 m i l e s p e r h o u r , b y f a r t h e h i g h e s t f o r any m o n t h . The a v e r a g e t e m p e r a t u r e was 34\u00C2\u00AB4 P . w i t h a r a n g e o f o n l y 28 F . (22 F . min imum, 50 F . maximum). T h i s was a l s o t h e month w i t h t h e h i g h e s t p r e c i p i t a t i o n (3\u00C2\u00AB5 c m . ) ; most o f i t f e l l a s r a i n . The snow l i n e c o n t i n u e d t o r e t r e a t t h r o u g h o u t t h e m o n t h , l e a v i n g o n l y an a v e r a g e o f 4 cm. a n d 18 c m . i n t h e p l a n t a s s o c i a t i o n s o f t h e b o r e a l and a l p i n e b i o g e o c l i m a t i c z o n e s r e s p e c t i v e l y . * 136 * 371 Except for restricting the use of certain plant associations through deep snow cover, climatic factors had no longer any influence on the feeding distribution of sheep, and will therefore not further be mentioned until the following winter. From now on the feeding behaviour of sheep appeared to be primarily influenced by plant phenological phenomena. By the middle of May many forage plants have resumed vegetative growth, and by the end of the month some of the most advanced species like Carex f i l i f o l i a and Oxytropis viscida have completed half of their annual growth at altitudes of the boreal zone. During this month up to 14 vascular plants have come into bloom, and during this last week of the month Salix spp. and Populus spp. have expanded young leaves. The average band size was 4*5 sheep per band (r = 3\u00C2\u00BB1 to 6.0), the lowest for the year. Many ewes isolate themselves from the nursery bands for the purpose of giving birth to new lambs during May. The percentage of mixed bands was reduced to 12.1% (r = 0.0% to 37%)\u00C2\u00BB a trend indicative of summer conditions when the sexes are essentially segregated. This month is transitional in nature in that i t s first week is a continuation of late winter conditions with essentially no green vegetation available, while during i t s last week plant phenology has advanced to a degree allowing sheep to feed exclusively on new growth. This rather sudden change in diet i s reflected in the droppings of sheep. Those from early May are the solid pellet types characteristic for winter conditions, while those of late. May are rather soft and amorphous. At this time many of the sheep show evidence of diarrhea. The grazing distribution was mapped on 19 days (Figure 18), for * 137 * 373 2243 sheep days (Table 21). The average number of sheep on the mountain per day was 117.9, with a range of 63 to I46. At no other time of the year were the sheep more widely dispersed over the area mapped. A t o t a l of 26 sections were u t i l i z e d , 16 of them providing f o r 90% of the foraging (Table 21). The average grazing i n t e n s i t y per quadrat u t i l i z e d was 3\u00C2\u00AB3' sheep days per acre per month, the highest was 22.9 sheep days per acre per month (4D - 67). This i s a considerable reduction i n i n t e n s i t y of range use compared to winter conditions, and i t i s comparable to summer grazing pressure (Table 21). There was a general u p h i l l movement, p a r t i c u l a r l y of rams following the retreating snow l i n e , averaging 750 feet i n a l t i t u d e over the d i s t r i b u t i o n during A p r i l . This i s reflected i n the u t i l i z a t i o n of plant communities of the three a l t i t u d i n a l zones as follows:, boreal zone 5 7 s u b - a l p i n e zone 22.8%, and alpine zone 19.8%. In part i c u l a r the grazing i n the alpine elevations increased by 50% over the previous month. During t h i s month 17 plant associations were u t i l i z e d - an increase of four over A p r i l , eight of them provided 90% of the forage. The most s i g n i f i c a n t changes compared to A p r i l were the reduction of u t i l i z a t i o n of low a l t i t u d e grassland associations [Pentemono (gormanii) - Artemisio ( f r i g i d a e ) - Agropyretum yukonensis: 34*5% vs. 45\u00C2\u00BB5%\u00C2\u00BB and Agropyro (yukonensis) - Artemisietum f r i g i d a e - r u p e s t r i s : 8.9% vs. 18.5%], and increases i n u t i l i z a t i o n of sub-alpine and alpine vegetation [Arctostaphylo (rubrae -uvae-ursi) - Festuco (altaicae) - Salicetum reticulatae - glaucae: 13.4% vs. 6.9%; and Agropyretum v i o l a c e i : 6.3% vs. 3*8%]. Increased use was also made of the \"forest edge\" by feeding on expanding willow and poplar leaves [Roso ( a c i c u l a r i s ) - Shepherdio (canadensis) - Populetum tremuloidis: 3\u00C2\u00AB1% vs. 0.7%, and Calamagrostido (purpurascentis) - Arctostaphyleturn uvae-ursi: 13.4% vs. 10.0%]. The great increase i n u t i l i z a t i o n of c l i f f habitat (6.5% * 138 * 374 vs. 2.2%) can be explained by the fact that pregnant ewes seek these areas to give birth (Table 20). Areas which received heavy grazing pressure during May are shown in Figure 18 through shading. The actual rate of usage of these sites were as follows: #L (2B): 2.7 sheep days per acre per month; #2 (2D): 3*5, #3 (3D): 4.9; #4 (4D): 4*4; #5 (5D): 5.3; and #6 (6D): 4.6 sheep days per acre per moath respectively. Comparison to April statistics reveal that there was a further reduction of intensity of range use. Forage Use During May: During this month the feeding of sheep was observed for 10 days, which resulted on the recording of 34,255 interactions. Five rumen samples, became available for analyses (Tables 22 and 28). The transitional nature of this month with respect to range use and foraging has already been referred to and is reflected in the great increase in species utilized to 57 from 33 for April. Of these, five contributed together 66.2% of the forage (Carex f i l i f o l i a : 23.0%, Calama- grostis purpuraasens: 17.4%, Agropyron yukonense: 11.2%, Artemisia frigida: 10.7%, and SaliLx glauca: 3\u00C2\u00AB9%), while 18 species contributed only 0.1% or less each. These summaries, however, are somewhat misleading in that great differences were observed between the beginning of May and the end. Table 28, which divides the rumen sample analyses into early and late May portions, reflects some of the differences observed. The first week of May is essentially a continuation of late winter conditions as shown for April. At this time species like Calamagrostis purpurascens, Artemisia frigida, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, and Juniperus horizontalis, are the most important forages. During mid-May a considerable TABLE: 28 375 Rumen sample a n a l y s i s f o r May E a r l y May Late May SPECIES Sample # 20 24 21 22 23 Mean Carex f i l i f o l i a 8 11 12 16 46 18.6 Artemisia f r i g i d a 29 14 2 8 5 11.6 Calamagrostis purpurascens 26 24 19 27 9 21.0 Agropyron yukonense 2 1 4 7 10 4.8 S a l i x glauca 1 3 22 5 12 8.6 Oxytropis v i s c i d a 1 2 2 4 5 2.8 Arctostaphylos uva-ursi 6 9 1 3.2 Juniperus h o r i z o n t a l i s 4 2 1 1.4 Juniperus communis 1 1 0.4 Linnaea b o r e a l i s 2 2 0.8 Rosa a c i c u l a r i s 1 1 0.4 Artemisia r u p e s t r i s 1 0.2 Bromus pumpellianus 1 0.2 Aster alpinus 1 0.2 A c h i l l e a b o r e a l i s 1 0.2 Shepherdia canadensis 1 0.2 S a l i x p o l a r i s 5 1.0 S a l i x r e t i c u l a t a 6 1.2 Dryas i n t e g r i f o l i a 2 1 0.6 Populus tremuloides 3 2 1.0 P u l s a t i l l a patens 2 4 2 1.6 Chamaerhodos erecta 2 1 0.6 T o r t u l a r u r a l i s 1 1 0.4 Pentstemon gormani 1 0.2 E u r o t i a lanata 1 2 0.6 C e t r a r i a t i l e s i i 1 0.2 Anemone p a r v i f l o r a 1 0.2 Astragalus aboriginum 1 0.2 P o t e n t i l l a hookeriana 1 0.2 83.6 Grasses ( u n i d e n t i f i e d ) 10 12 10 12 6 Forbs ( u n i d e n t i f i e d ) 0 7 1 3 0 Browse ( u n i d e n t i f i e d ) 8 8 2 5 0 Mosses & Lichens ( u n i d e n t i f i e d ) 0 1 3 0 0 100% 100% 100% 100% 100% Grasses (total) 46 49 44 62 71 54.4 Forbs (total) 33 25 26 26 14 24.8 Browse (total) 21 25 25 12 14 19.4 Mosses & Lichens (total) 0 1 5 0 1 1.4 1007. 100% 1007. 100% 1007. 100.0% \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 * 139 * 376 amount o f new g r o w t h emerges and t h e r e i s a v e r y s u d d e n s h i f t t o t h i s g r e e n v e g e t a t i o n . At t h i s t i m e C a r e x f i l i f o l i a i s u s e d more t h a n any o t h e r s p e c i e s , f o l l o w e d by a number o f l e s s a b u n d a n t f o r b s ( O x y t r o p i s v i s c i d a , Chamaerhodos e r e c t a , P u l s a t i l l a p a t e n s , C a r e x c o n c i n n a , and Anemone p a r v i f l o r a ) \u00C2\u00BB By l a t e K a y t h e g r a s s e s ( A g r o p y r o n y u k o n e n s e , C a l a m a g r o s t i s p u r p u r a s c e n s and Poa g l a u c a ) have emerged and some w i l l o w s and p o p l a r s b e g i n t o have e x p a n d i n g l e a v e s . W h i l e a l l t h e s e a r e u t i l i z e d a t t h i s t i m e A g r o p y r o n y u k o n e n s e i s u s e d more t h a n any o t h e r s p e c i e s . A r t e m i s i a f r i g i d a , w h i c h b y t h i s t i m e h a s a l s o d e v e l o p e d c o n s i d e r a b l e g r e e n m a t t e r i s l a r g e l y a v o i d e d . C o n s i d e r i n g t h e month a s a w h o l e , t h e r e was a d r a s t i c r e d u c t i o n o f u t i l i z a t i o n o f t h o s e s p e c i e s w h i c h d u r i n g t h e l a t t e r p a r t o f t h e w i n t e r c o n t r i b u t e d t h e b u l k o f t h e f o r a g e ( A r t e m i s i a f r i g i d a : 10.7$ v s . 20.3$, C a l a m a g r o s t i s p u r p u r a s c e n s : 17.4$ v s\u00C2\u00BB 25.6%, A r c t o s t a p h y l o s u v a - u r s i : 4\u00C2\u00BB7$ v s . 10.5$, J u n i p e r u s h o r i z o n t a l i s : 2.0$ v s . 6.3$, and A r t e m i s i a r u p e s t r i s : 0.2$ v s . 4.4$); t h e r e was a c o r r e s p o n d i n g i n c r e a s e o f u s e o f s u c h s p e c i e s , w h i c h h a d l a r g e l y b e e n removed b y l a t e w i n t e r ( C a r e x f i l i f o l i a : 23.0$ v s . 8.8$, A g r o p y r o n y u k o n e n s e : 11.2$ v s . 1.8$, and O x y t r o p i s v i s c i d a : 2.9$ v s . 0.3$). I n a d d i t i o n , h e a v y u s e was made d u r i n g t h e l a s t week o f May o f new g r o w t h - o f t h e f o l l o w i n g s p e c i e s : . S a l i x g l a u c a : 3\u00C2\u00BB9$, P o p u l u s t r e m u l o i d e s : 0.9$, P o p u l u s b a l s a m i f e r a : 1.0$, P u l s a t i l l a p a t e n s : 1.0$, Chamaerhodo3 e r e c t a : 0.7$ a s w e l l a s a number o f l e s s i m p o r t a n t o n e s . The d i v i s i o n o f May f o r a g e s i n t o b r o a d c l a s s e s r e v e a l s t h e f o l l o w i n g d i s t r i b u t i o n : G r a s s e s and g r a s s l i k e v e g e t a t i o n : - 62.3$, f o r b s : 22.1$, b r o w s e : 14.2$, and l i c h e n s a n d m o s s e s : 1.4$ ( F i g u r e 39). The u t i l i z a t i o n o f g r a s s l i k e v e g e t a t i o n ( 6 2 . 3 $ o f t h e f o r a g e ) i s h i g h e r t h a n a t any o t h e r month and n e e d s t o be f u r t h e r d i s c u s s e d . C a r e x f i l i f o l i a , w h i c h h a s b e e n v e r y h e a v i l y u t i l i z e d t h r o u g h o u t w i n t e r , i s t h e * 140 * 3 77 f i r s t species to develop green forage and i s a great a t t r a c t i o n i n mid-May. I t was observed that those Carex clumps, which had been clipped down to ground l e v e l by winter feeding, were also kept short at t h i s time (Figure 19)i while other Carex clumps, which were l e f t untouched during winter, remained untouched at t h i s time. A l o g i c a l explanation f o r t h i s observation would be that the craving by sheep for new growth i s so great that they try to only u t i l i z e s i t e s where the forage intake consists l a r g e l y of green matter. Figure 20 shows a comparison of two Carex f i l i f o l i a clumps, one heavily grazed and one not u t i l i z e d , at the same phenological stage. As i s obvious from these photographs, i t . would be very d i f f i c u l t f o r sheep to u t i l i z e the new growth of the untouched plant, without ingesting an equal amount of dried matter. The same observation was made i n the sheeps* u t i l i z a t i o n of Calamagrostis purpurascens (Figure 21). On the other hand, the emerging shoots of Agropyron yukonense are a l l available to sheep (Figure 22). This species i s not a bunch grass, i t also has r e l a t i v e l y soft and f r a g i l e leaves and stems. Those plants which have not been grazed down by the end of winter are tramped down, or have eroded and disintegrated. There i s no protection of new growth by winter carry-over. Range Use During June: During t n i s month most snow disappeared except i n certain shady, north-facing depressions at alpine elevations, occupied by the associations* Saxifrago ( o p p o s i t i f o l i a e ) - Oxyrio (digynae) - Salicetum polaris and Salico Figure 19: Ham grazing on Carex f i l i f o l i a clump F i g u r e 2 0 b : U n g r a z e d c l u m p o f C a r e x f i l i f o l i a , a t t h e same p h e n o l o g i c a l s t a g e a s i n F i g u r e 2 0 a . N o t i c e t h a t new g r o w t h i s \" p r o t e c t e d \" by o l d v e g e t a t i v e m a t t e r . 380 Figure 21a: Grazed Calamagrostis purpurascens bunch. Notice emerging green shoots are \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 r e a d i l y available to sheep. * 141 * 381 ( r e t i c u l a t a e ) - C a s s i o p o ( t e t r a g o n a e ) - Dryadetum i n t e g r i f o l i a e . Here i t t o o k t i l l e a r l y J u l y u n t i l i t was a l l m e l t e d . D u r i n g t h i s month g r o w t h r e s u m e d i n a l l t h o s e a s s o c i a t i o n s where i t h a d n o t a l r e a d y b e g u n d u r i n g May, e x c e p t f o r snow p a t c h s i t e s , a s p o i n t e d o u t a b o v e . A t l e a s t 30 s p e c i e s o f f o r a g e p l a n t s r e a c h e d t h e b l o o m i n g s t a g e , a n d a d v a n c e d s p e c i e s l i k e C a r e x f i l i f o l i a , P u l s a t i l l a p a t e n s , Anemone p a r v i f l o r a and C a r e x c o n c i n n a r e a c h e d t h e i r f u l l a n n u a l g r o w t h i n t h e l a t t e r p a r t o f J u n e a t l o w e l e v a t i o n s (up t o 3300 f e e t ) . D u r i n g t h e c o u r s e of t h e month t h e w i l l o v ; s p e c i e s o f t h e s u b - a l p i n e zone ( S a l i x g l a u c a , S . l a n a t a , S . m y r t i l l i f o l i a ) d e v e l o p e d l e a v e s . The b a n d s i z e i n c r e a s e d a g a i n t o an a v e r a g e o f 5*7 sheep p e r b a n d , s i n c e t h e l a m b i n g p e r i o d had v i r t u a l l y c e a s e d by e a r l y J u n e . O n l y 4\u00C2\u00BB7% o f t h e b a n d s o b s e r v e d had m a t u r e rams a l o n g w i t h f e m a l e and y o u n g . T h i s month i s c h a r a c t e r i z e d b y a v e r y p r o n o u n c e d v e r t i c a l m i g r a t i o n f o l l o w i n g t h e p h e n o l o g i c a l a d v a n c e o f v e g e t a t i o n . Many r a m s w h i c h h a d f o l l o w e d t h e r e t r e a t i n g snow l i n e and u s e d n e w l y e x p o s e d f o r a g e i n t h e l a t t e r h a l f o f May d e s c e n d e d a g a i n i n e a r l y June t o make u s e o f new g r e e n f o r a g e and s u b s e q u e n t l y f o l l o w e d t h e a l t i t u d i n a l march o f p l a n t d e v e l o p m e n t . D u r i n g t h i s v e r t i c a l m i g r a t i o n rams were s l o w e r t h a n ewes and made e x t e n s i v e u s e o f t h e w i l l o w c o m m u n i t y i n t h e s u b - a l p i n e s h r u b z o n e , w h i l e n u r s e r y b a n d s a p p e a r e d t o be i n a h u r r y t o r e a c h a l p i n e e l e v a t i o n . One p o s s i b l e e x p l a n a t i o n f o r t h i s d i f f e r e n c e i n f e e d i n g b e h a v i o u r b e t w e e n s e x e s may be t h a t ewes a r e now a c c o m p a n i e d b y y o u n g l a m b s and may want t o be i n c l o s e p r o x i m i t y t o e s c a p e t e r r a i n , w h i c h c o n s i s t s l a r g e l y o f c l i f f s a t a l p i n e e l e v a t i o n s . T h i s month i s a l s o c h a r a c t e r i z e d b y sheep d e p a r t i n g f r o m t h e m o u n t a i n f o r t h e summer m o n t h s . The l a s t rams were o b s e r v e d on J u n e 17/71 and none r e t u r n e d u n t i l f a l l , w h i l e t h e l a s t n u r s e r y b a n d s l e f t t h e a r e a on * 142 * 382 J u n e 21/71, b u t were s e e n a g a i n d u r i n g t h e l a s t d a y s o f t h e month i n t h e a l p i n e a s s o c i a t i o n s on Sheep M o u n t a i n ' s n o r t h s l o p e ( S e c t i o n 4B, 5 B ) . The g r a z i n g d i s t r i b u t i o n was mapped on 20 d a y s ( F i g u r e 23) f o r 1432 s h e e p d a y s . The a v e r a g e minster o f s h e e p on t h e m o u n t a i n p e r d a y was 71.6, w i t h a r a n g e f r o m 0 t o 124. I n no o t h e r month was t h e u s e more u n i f o r m l y d i s t r i b u t e d o v e r t h e m o u n t a i n . & t o t a l o f 25 s e c t i o n s were u t i l i z e d , t w e n t y o f t h e s e p r o v i d i n g f o r 9^ o f t h e r a n g e u s e . The a v e r a g e g r a z i n g i n t e n s i t y p e r q u a d r a t u t i l i z e d was 3*1 sheep d a y s p e r a c r e p e r month ( t o g e t h e r w i t h J u l y t h e l o v / e s t f o r line y e a r ) , t h e h i g h e s t i n t e n s i t y was 11.2 sheep d a y s p e r a c r e ( q u a d r a t -2.G.9.9) ( T a b l e 21). A t no o t h e r t i m e o f t h e y e a r was t h e u s e o f p l a n t a s s o c i a t i o n more e q u a l l y d i v i d e d b e t w e e n t h e t h r e e a l t i t u d i n a l z o n e s : b o r e a l (32.1$),, s a i b - a l p i n e (51.1$), and a l p i n e (16.8$). D u r i n g t h e month t h e s h e e p u s e d 17 p l a n t a s s o c i a t i o n s and t o o k 90$ o f t h e i r f o r a g e f r o m 8 o f them ( T a b l e 20). The m a j o r d i f f e r e n c e s c o m p a r e d t o May were t h e f o l l o w i n g : T h e r e was a g r e a t r e d u c t i o n i n u s e o f g r a s s l a n d s i n t h e b o r e a l z o n e [ P e n t s t e m o n o ( g o r m a n i i ) - A r t e m i s i o ( f r i g i d a e ) -A g r o p y r e t u m y u k o m m s i s : 16.8$ v s . 34\u00C2\u00AB5$; A g r o p y r o ( y u k o n e n s i s ) - A r t e m i s i e t u m f r i g i d a e - r u p e s t s r i s ' : 5\u00C2\u00BB4$ v s . 8.9$; and C a l a m a g r o s t i d o ( p u r p u r a s c e n t i s ) -A r c t o s t a p h y l e t u m ' u s a e - u r s i : 7\u00C2\u00AB7 $ v s . 13\u00C2\u00BB4$]\u00C2\u00BB and a g r e a t i n c r e a s e o f u s e o f t h e s u b \u00E2\u0080\u0094 a l p i n e w i l l o w c o m m u n i t i e s [ A r c t o s t a p h y l o ( r u b r a e - u v a e - u r s i ) -F e s t u c o ( a l t a i c a e ) - S a l i c e t u m r e t i c u l a t a e - g l a u c a e : 37*0$ v s . 13.4$; A r c t o s t a p h y l o ( r u b r a e ) - C a s s i o p o ( t e t r a g o n a e ) - S a l i c e t u m r e t i c u l a t a e -l a n a t a e - g l a u c a e : 6.1$ v s . 1.1$; and A r t e m i s i o ( h y p e r b o r e a e - a l a s k a n a e ) -S a l i c e t u m m y r t i l l i f o l i a e : 0.7$ v s . 0.1$]. There was some u s e o f most a l p i n e a s s o c i a t i o n s , e x c e p t f o r t h o s e w h i c h were s e t b a c k i n v e g e t a t i v e d e v e l o p m e n t b e c a u s e o f l o n g e r d u r a t i o n o f snow c o v e r . * 143 * 3 8 4 B e c a u s e o f t h e u n i f o r m d i s t r i b u t i o n o f r a n g e use o v e r t h e m o u n t a i n d u r i n g J u n e , i t was d i f f i c u l t t o l o c a t e \" c o n c e n t r a t i o n a r e a s \" . The o n e s shown on F i g u r e 23 r e c e i v e d o n l y s l i g h t l y g r e a t e r g r a z i n g t h a n many o t h e r s o f e q u a l s i z e . The e x a c t r a t e f o r t h e two a r e a s a r e : #1 (3C, 33): 3*0 and \u00C2\u00A32 (l+D): 3\u00C2\u00BB1 s h e e p d a y s p e r a c r e p e r month r e s p e c t i v e l y . These r a t e s a r e c h a r a c t e r i s t i c f o r \"summer g r a z i n g p r e s s u r e \" . F o r a g e Use Dur ing ; J u n e : D u r i n g June f e e d i n g s h e e p were o b s e r v e d f o r 10 d a y s , w h i c h r e s u l t e d i n t h e r e c o r d i n g o f 30\u00C2\u00BB890 f e e d i n g i n t e r a c t i o n s . These d i r e c t o b s e r v a t i o n s were s u p p l e m e n t e d t h r o u g h t h e a n a l y s e s o f t h r e e rumen samples - ( T a b l e 30).-T h i s month was c h a r a c t e r i z e d b y v e r t i c a l m i g r a t i o n - o f t h e p o p u l a t i o n , d u r i n g w h i c h e x t e n s i v e u s e was made o f t h e s u b - a l p i n e s h r u b z o n e . Sheep were f o u n d t o f e e d u p o n a t l e a s t 50 d i f f e r e n t s p e c i e s , h o w e v e r , o n l y o n e , S a l i x g l a u c a , c o n t r i b u t e d t h e b u l k o f t h e m o n t h l y f o r a g e w i t h 29.6$. Ten-d i f f e r e n t s p e c i e s c o n t r i b u t e d 74*4$ o f t h e f o r a g e , w h i c h i s i n d i c a t i v e o f t h e t r e n d o b s e r v e d t h r o u g h o u t t h e summer m o n t h s , i n t h a t t h e f e e d i n g i s s p r e a d o u t more u n i f o r m l y o v e r more s p e c i e s t h a n d u r i n g w i n t e r , when u s u a l l y a s f e w a s 4 o r 5 s p e c i e s c o n t r i b u t e d t h r e e - q u a r t e r s o f t h e d i e t . As many a s 20 s p e c i e s were u t i l i z e d a s l i t t l e a s 0.1$ o r l e s s e a c h . C h a r a c t e r i s t i c f o r J u n e i s t h e h e a v y u s e o f b r o w s e s p e c i e s p a r t i c u l a r l y b y r a m s m i g r a t i n g upward a l o n g t h e d r a i n a g e o f Sheep C r e e k , a s t h e f o l l o w i n g s t a t i s t i c s w i l l show: S a l i x g l a u c a : 29.6$, P o p u l u s t r e m u l o i d e s : 5\u00C2\u00BB0$, S a l i x l a n a t a : 4\u00C2\u00BB8$, P o p u l u s b a l s a m i f e r a : . 1\u00C2\u00BB4$? S a l i x . m y r t i l l i f o l i a : 1.8$ and S a l i x a l a x e n s i s : 0.2$ ( F i g u r e 24). L a t e w i n t e r \" -emergency, f o r a g e s \" l i k e b e a r b e r r y and j u n i p e r a r e i g n o r e d now (sum 1.0$) and g r a z i n g s h i f t e d f r o m t h e b o r e a l t o t h e s u b \u00E2\u0080\u0094 a l p i n e and a l p i n e z o n e s . SPECIES: Salix glauca S a l i x lanata Populus tremuloldes Populus balsamifera Carex f i l i f o l i a Artemisia f r i g i d a Agropyron yukonense Calamagrostis purpurso-cens Arctostaphylos uva-orai. Juniperus h o r i z o n t a l s Festuca a l t a l c a Carex scirpoidea Dryas i n t e g r i f o l i a Arctostaphylos rubra S a l i x r e t i c u l a t a Anemone p a r v i f l o r a Artemisia hyperborea Artemisia r u p e s t r i s S a l i x m y r t i l l i f o l i a S a l i x a r c t i c a Oxytropis v i s c i d a Trisetum spicatum Dryas drummondii Artemisia alaskana Eurotia lanata Oxytropis huddelsonii Linnaea b o r e a l i s Bromus pumpellianus Poa glauca Agropyron violaceum Epilobium l a t i f o l i u m P u l s a t i l l a patens Chamaerhodos erecta Carex concinna Pentstemon gormani S a l i x alaxensis Betula glandulosa P o t e n t i l l a f r u t i c o s a Kobresia myosuroides Empetrum nigrum Vaccinium uliginosuta Vaccinium v i t i s - i d a e s Zygadenus elegans Artemisia a r c t i c a Hedysarum alpinum S a l i x p o l a r i s Mertensia paniculate Artemisia t i l e s i i S a l i x r o t u n d i f o l i a Saussurea v i s c i d a Erigeron compositus Festuca brachyphylla Astragalus nutzotinenstte Anemone drummondii S a l i x barrattiana P o t e n t i l l a hookeriana Claytonia sarmentosa Erigeron humilis Myosotis a l p e s t r i s Lupinus a r c t i c u s Polemonium boreale Senecio conterminus Arnica l e s s i n g i i Valeriana capitata Senecio lugens Melandrium apetalum C a s t i l l e j a hyperborea Aster s i b i r i c u s Sedum rosea Equisetum variegatum Grasses ( t o t a l ) Forbs ( t o t a l ) Browse ( t o t a l ) Mosses & Lichens ( t o t a l ) June July August Septembi 28.3 0.3 0.5 - 32.0 5.4 <0.1 0.3 5.3 4.9 0.2 1.9 O.l 8.2 6.0 7.2 7.7 3.0 0.5 1.8 3.8 1.2 O.l \u00E2\u0080\u00A2O.l 0.3 6.8 3.1 3.5 2.7 0.3 0.1 3.6 4.7 5.2 3.3-4.2 5.0 3.8 1.7 5.5 3.2 4.3 2.4 3.9 1.4 6.1 1.2 1.8 14.1 11.5 2.7 0.5 0.5 . O.l 3.7 7.4 6.5 5.7 0.3 2.4 1.5 1.2 1.5 0.3 O.l O.l 2.8 5.1 4.3 5.0 1.8 16.8 13.8 7.1 1.1 0.1 2.8 1.5 1.2 0.1 0.3 0.8 11.7 10.4 4.7 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2O.l 0.3 3.0 5.0 3.2 3.7 0.2 3.7 2.6 1.2 0.1 2.2 2.1 0.5 0.4 .l J&$L o f t h e f e e d i n g . No u s e was made o f b o r e a l v e g e t a t i o n . More u s e was made o f Sheep M o u n t a i n d u r i n g t h i s month t h a n i n J u l y . G r a z i n g was o b s e r v e d i n 12 s e c t i o n s , 6 o f them p r o v i d e d 90$ o f t h e f e e d i n g s i t e s ( T a b l e 21). There was a s l i g h t i n c r e a s e i n g r a z i n g i n t e n s i t y t o 3*4 s h e e p d a y s p e r a c r e p e r month , w i t h a maximum o b s e r v e d o f 11.6 sheep d a y s p e r a c r e p e r m o n t h . The l a t t e r p a r t o f A u g u s t m a r k e d t h e b e g i n n i n g o f t h e m i g r a t i o n b a c k t o w i n t e r r a n g e s o f n u r s e r y b a n d s . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 149 * 397 Fourteen plant associations were used, 7 of these provided 90% of the forage. The dominant alpine association of mesic s i t e s [Salico ( r e t i c u l a t a e ) \u00E2\u0080\u0094 Sileno (acaulis) - Carico (scirpoideae) - Dryadetum i n t e g r i f o l i a e ] aBntinued to be the most heavily used one (52.3%). However, there was a mailed change i n the use of the associations which provided the remainder o\u00C2\u00A3* the feeding s i t e s . Exposed, dry ridge tops, heavily used during July, rexeived l e s s grazing pressure during August [Oxytropo (viscidae) - Artemisio (hyaerboreae) - Festuco (brachyphyllae) - Trisetetum s p i c a t i : 13.7% vs. 20.3J4* and Oxytropo (huddelsonii) - Salicetum dodgeanae: 6.2% vs. 10.3%]; on the ather hand, associations occupying moist s i t e s with deep snow cover duriog.: winter, were preferred at t h i s time, e.g.: Saxifrago ( o p p o s i t i f o l i a e ) ) - Oxyrio (digynae) - Salicetum p o l a r i s : 4\u00C2\u00AB4% vs. 2.1%, and Artemisio .(-.arcticae) - Salico (reticulatae) - Festucetum al t a i c a e : 4*4% vs. 2.3%. These associations were at a phenological \"younger\" state, since deep snow and wsber-saturated s o i l s during run-off set them back during early summer, i f e n ewes f i r s t returned to Sheep Mountain's south slopes i n l a t e August, faianly heavy use was also made of the sub-alpine scree slope communities Artesnsio (hyperboreae - alaskanae) - Salicetum m y r t i l l i f o l i a e : 1%, and Arte^sircften. alaskanae: 0.7% i n Section 4C. Figure shows two areas i n which there was a concentration of grazing during Tiugmst. Site #1 (5B): was used at a rate of 3*5 sheep days per acre per month, while Site #2 (6B) was grazed at a rate of 3\u00C2\u00AB3 sheep days per acre. Forage Use During /august: Sheep were observed on 8 days, resulting i n the recording of 8,670 feeding interactions. Two rumen samples were available (Tables 22, 32). 3 9 8 Figure 26: Nursery band u t i l i z i n g moist, shady, north-facing slope i n early August (Salix polaris stands). Notice the large band size characteristic for the summer months. Figure 29: By late August and early September much of the alpine vegetation has dried up. TABLE; 32 Rumen sample analysis for August 4 0 0 SPECIES Sample # #32 #33 M e a n Oxytropis huddelsonii Salix reticulata Dryas i n t e g r i f o l i a Cetraria t i l e s i i Salix polaris Carex scirpoidea Artemisia hyperborea Trisetum spicatum Artemisia a r t i c a Oxytropis viscida Dactylina arctica Cetraria n i v a l i s Cladonia pocillum Salix rotundifolia Anemone parviflora Erigeron purpuratus Carex membranacea Erigeron compositus Antennaria monocephala Gentiana propinqua Carex f i l i f o l i a C a s t i l l e j a hyperborea Cetraria richardsonii Festuca brachyphylla Salix glauca Parnassia kotzebuei Poa alpina Poa glauca Thamnolia subuliformis Festuca altaica Potentilla hookeriana Epilobium latifolium Equisetum scirpoides Equisetum variegatum Hedysarum alpinum Artemisia t i l e s i i Grasses (unidentified) Forbs (unidentified) Browse (unidentified) Mosses & Lichens (unidentified) Grasses (total) Forbs (total Browse (total) Mosses & Lichens (total) 16 13 8 7 5 6 5 6 3 2 2 2 2 1 5 0 5 1007. 16 64 1 19 11 11 2 14 3 1 2 5 3 2 2 1 3 3 1 5 1 1 1 1 1 1 5 10 0 3 1007. 26 46 2 26 13.5 12.0 5.0 10.5 4.0 3.5 3.5 5.5 1.5 1.0 1.0 3.5 1.0 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 1.5 0.5 2.0 1.5 1.5 0.5 1.5 1.5 0.5 2.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 0.5 86.5 21.0 55.0 1.5 22.5 1007. 100% 100.07. 401 At l e a s t ; 6 3 s p e c i e s were u s e d ; the h i g h e s t number for any m o n t h . The u s e o f 13 d i f f e r e n t s p e c i e s c o n t r i b u t e d 76.5$ o f t h e d i e t , and a s many a s 22 s p e c i e s were u t i l i z e d t o a d e g r e e of 0 . 1 $ o r l e s s ( T a b l e 22). P l a n t s e l e c t i o n b y d i f f e r e n t . a n i m a l s d i f f e r e d g r e a t l y ( T a b l e 3 2 ) . The rumen s a m p l e s were f r o m t w o r a m s , members o f the same b a n d , w h i c h were o b s e r v e d t o f e e d a l m o s t s i d e b y s i d e for n e a r l y two h o u r s b e f o r e t h e y were s h o t . T h e i r p l a n t s e l e c t i o n was r e m a r k a b l y d i f f e r e n t . The l a r g e n u m b e r . o f f e e d s p e c i e s (63) a r i s e s i n p a r t f r o m g r a z i n g i n e a r l y p a r t o f A u g u s t on s i t e s w i t h n o r t h e r n and e a s t e r n a s p e c t s ( F i g u r e 28), l i t t l e u s e d i n J u l y , b e c a u s e t h e v e g e t a t i o n was s t i l l i n e a r l y g r o w t h ; i n a d d i t i o n , t o w a r d t h e end o f A u g u s t some n u r s e r y sheep b e g a n t h e i r v e r t i c a l d e s c e n t o n t o s u b - a l p i n e a r e a s ( F i g u r e 29). T h i s s h i f t o f e m p h a s i s i n f e e d i n g s i t e s i s r e f l e c t e d i n t h e c o n t r i b u t i o n o f v a r i o u s f o r a g e p l a n t s t o t h e t o t a l d i e t . The f o l l o w i n g \" d r y l a n d \" s p e c i e s showed a r e d u c t i o n o f u s e : T r i s e t u m s p i c a t u m : 12.1$ v s . 17.1$, O x y t r o p i s . h u d d e l s o n i i : 11.0$ v s . 12.8$, C a r e x s c i r p o i d e a : 3\u00C2\u00AB7$ v s . 5.1$, Poa g l a u c a : 2.9$ v s . 4.0$, and A g r o p y r o n v i o l a c e u m : 0.9$ v s . 2.1$. On t h e . o t h e r ham!, , one f o l l o w i n g s p e c i e s w h i c h grow i n m a s t e r s i t e s , showed a n i n c r e a s e i n u t i l i z a t i o n : F e s t u c a a l t a i c a : 4*7$ v s . 2.7$, D r y a s i n t e g r i - f o l i a : 4.5$ v s . 3'.1$, A r c t o s t a p h y l o s r u b r a : 4*8$ v s . 1.1$, S a l i x p o l a r i s : 3.0$ v s . 2.3$, and A r t e m i s i a a r c t i c a : 1.3$ v s . 0.8$. I n t e r e s t i n g i s t h e h i g h r a t e o f u t i l i z a t i o n o f l i c h e n s ( C e t r a r i a t i l e s i i , C . r u r a l i s , C . r i c h a r d s o n i i , t o t a l : 2.3$) d u r i n g A u g u s t . However , s i n c e i t i s p r i m a r i l y b a s e d on o n l y two rumen s a m p l e s , i t i s i n c o n c l u s i v e , b e c a u s e o f t h e g r e a t v a r i a t i o n s i n f e e d i n g b e h a v i o u r o b s e r v e d a t t h i s t i m e . The d i s t r i b u t i o n o f f o r a g e s f o r August i n t o b r o a d c a t e g o r i e s was a s f o l l o w s : G r a s s e s and g r a s s l i k e v e g e t a t i o n : 38\u00C2\u00AB3$i f o r b s : 54.7$, 4 0 2 b r o w s e : 2.5% a m i ' l i c h e n s : 4.5%. These p r o p o r t i o n s a r e v e r y s i m i l a r t o t n o s e f o u n d f o r J u l y , e x c e p t f o r t h e i n c r e a s e i n l i c h e n u s e a l r e a d y r e f e r r e d t o . Ran^e Use D u r i n g S e p t e m b e r : T h i s month i s a t r a n s i t i o n p e r i o d ; i n t o i t i s c o n c e n t r a t e d t h e e n t i r e s e a s o n o f a u t u m n . D u r i n g t h e f i r s t week o f t h i s month e s s e n t i a l l y summer c o n d i t i o n s p r e v a i l e d ; t h e t r e e s and s h r u b s had g r e e n l e a v e s and o n i y a f e w g r a s s .and sedge s p e c i e s h a d d r i e d u p . I n t h e c o u r s e o f t h e month t h e l e a v e s , o f w i l l o w s , p o p l a r s and b i r c h e s t u r n e d c o l o u r and b y t h e e n d of t h e month a b o u t 50% o f them h a d d r o p p e d . By t h a t t i m e t h e t e m p e r a t u r e s at n i g h t d r o p p e d b e l o w t h e f r e e z i n g p o i n t and t h e r e was a c o n t i n u o u s snow c o v e r a t a l p i n e e l e v a t i o n s . A t t h i s t i m e o n l y v e r y f e w s p e c i e s ( A r t e m i s i a f r i g i d a , A r t e m i s i a r u p e s t r i s , A r t e m i s i a d r a c u n c u l u s , O x y t r o p i s v i s c i d a , and O x y t r o p i s h u d d e l s o n i i among o t h e r s ) were s t i l l g r e e n . Sheep were o b s e r v e d on 19 d a y s and t h e g r a z i n g d i s t r i b u t i o n was mapped f o r 2119 sheep d a y s . The a v e r a g e number o f s h e e p on t h e m o u n t a i n was 111.5, t h e r a n g e was 21 to 142. T h e r e was s t i l l a c o m p l e t e s e g r e g a t i o n of s e x e s , and no mature r a m s had r e t u r n e d t o t h e m o u n t a i n b y t h e end o f t h e m o n t h . Band s i z e c o n t i n u e d t o be f a i r l y h i g h w i t h 9 . 4 sheep p e r n u r s e r y b a n d ( r = 7.0 to 12.6). These b a n d s i z e s were computed f o r d a y s when t h e b a n d s were s e p a r a t e d and s p r e a d o v e r t h e m o u n t a i n . F o r r e a s o n s a s y e t u n e x p l a i n e d , l a r g e \" s o c i a l g a t h e r i n g s \" t o o k p l a c e d u r i n g t h i s month when 4 0 3 p r a c t i c a l l y a l l s h e e p o n t h e m o u n t a i n s met a t t h e c e n t r e o f t h e l a r g e s o u t h -e a s t f a c i n g slopes ( S e c t i o n 4\u00C2\u00BBD) ( F i g u r e 31 )\u00E2\u0080\u00A2 A t o t a l o f 1 6 s e c t i o n s were u s e d d u r i n g S e p t e m b e r , n i n e o f them p r o v i d e d 90% o f t h e f e e d i n g s i t e s ( T a b l e 2 1 ) . The a v e r a g e g r a z i n g i n t e n s i t y f o r t h o s e q u a d r a t s t h a t were u s e d was 5*0 s h e e p d a y s p e r a c r e p e r m o n t h , t h e h i g h e s t i n t e n s i t y was o b s e r v e d i n q u a d r a t 4E>\u00C2\u00BB44 w i t h 2 2 . 2 s h e e p d a y s . D u r i n g S e p t e m b e r t h e r e was a v e r y p r o n o u n c e d v e r t i c a l d e s c e n t o f n u r s e r y b a n d s a v e r a g i n g 1500 f e e t , w i t h a s h i f t o f e m p h a s i s f r o m f e e d i n g on a l p i n e a s s o c i a t i o n s d u r i n g A u g u s t t o one o f heavy' u t i l i z a t i o n o f t h e s u b -a l p i n e vegetaticMi d u r i n g S e p t e m b e r . D u r i n g t h i s month t h e d i s t r i b u t i o n o f f e e d i n g o v e r t h e t h r e e a l t i t u d i n a l z o n e s w a s a s f o l l o w s : a l p i n e zone 15\u00C2\u00AB4%\u00C2\u00BB s u b - a l p i n e z o n e /49.9%, and b o r e a l zone 34*7%. A t no o t h e r month o f t h e y e a r was t h e sub\u00E2\u0080\u0094alpime z o n e a s h e a v i l y u s e d . Sheep iffised 1 8 p l a n t a s s o c i a t i o n s d u r i n g S e p t e m b e r , s e v e n o f w h i c h p r o v i d e d 90% o f t h e f o r a g e ( T a b l e 2 0 ) . There was a b r u p t r e d u c t i o n i n t h e u s e o f a l p i n e v e g e t a t i o n a n d a c o r r e s p o n d i n g i n c r e a s e i n g r a z i n g o f b o r e a l and s u b - a l p i n e g r a s s l a n d s , and p a r t i c u l a r l y o f b r o w s i n g on s u b - a l p i n e s h r u b s . The w i l l o w c o m m u n i t i e s A r c t o s t a p h y l o ( r u b r a e - u v a e - u r s i ) - F e s t u c o ( a l t a i c a e ) - S a l i c e t u m r e t i c u l a t a e - g l a u c a e (31.1%), and A r t e m i s i o ( h y p e r b o r e a e -a l a s k a n a e ) - S a l i c e t u m m y r t i l l i f o l i a e (1.7%) p r o v i d e d 32.8% o f t h e f e e d i n g f o r t h e month a s a w h o l e , and w e l l o v e r 70.0% d u r i n g t h e f i r s t two weeks o f S e p t e m b e r . D u r i n g t h i s v e r t i c a l d e s c e n t i n September t h e n u r s e r y b a n d s b e h a v e d d i f f e r e n t l y t h a n t h e r a m s , i n t h a t t h e y came down i n t o t h e s u b - a l p i n e zone and u s e d i t h e a v i l y when t h e v e g e t a t i o n was s t i l l g r e e n and most l i k e l y more n u t r i t i o u s t h a n d r i e d u p v e g e t a t i o n a t h i g h e r a l t i t u d e s . Some ewes and a l l m a t u r e rams s t a y e d i n t h e a l p i n e zone f o r a n o t h e r 4 t o 6 w e e k s , i n s p i t e o f Figure 31: Large \" s o c i a l gathering\" of nursery bands, c h a r a c t e r i s t i c f o r September. * 153 * 4 0 5 t h e v i r t u a l absence o f g r e e n f o r a g e t h e r e . When t h e y f i n a l l y r e t u r n e d t o l o w e r e l e v a t i o n s d u r i n g O c t o b e r , most o f t h e v e g e t a t i o n was a l s o d r i e d up h e r e . The USE o f t h e s u b - a l p i n e s h r u b zone was v e r y d i f f e r e n t f o r t h e two s e x e s , and i s tbs . r e v e r s e o f t h e u p w a r d movement o f t h e s p r i n g , when t h e s e w i l l o w c o m m u n i t i e s were p r i m a r i l y u t i l i z e d by r a m s . F i g u r e 32 shows t h e a r e a on w h i c h g r a z i n g was c o n c e n t r a t e d d u r i n g S e p t e m b e r . The i n i t i l i z a t i o n r a t e s o f t h e 5 s i t e s were a s f o l l o w s : #1 ( 2 D ) : 4 . 2 sheep-days . p e r - a c r e ; /-2 (3D): 6 .0; \u00C2\u00A33 (4D): 7.3; #4 ( 5 D ) : 4 . 2 , and #5 ( 6 C ) : 4*1 s h e e p , d a y s p e r a c r e p e r month r e s p e c t i v e l y . Some o f t h e s e a r e a s a r e e s s e n t i a l l y t h e same m a j o r w i n t e r c o n c e n t r a t i o n a r e a s ( F i g u r e s 1 2 , 1 3 , a n d 1 4 ) . F o r a g e Use P u r i n e S e p t e m b e r : Sheep were o b s e r v e d on 1 0 d a y s and 9 1 0 0 f e e d i n g i n t e r a c t i o n s were r e c o r d e d . F i v e raimen s a m p l e s were a v a i l a b l e ( T a b l e 33). F i f t y - f o u r d i f f e r e n t p l a n t s p e c i e s were u s e d , e l e v e n made u p 75*6$ o f t h e m o n t h l y f o r a g e . T w e n t y - o n e s p e c i e s c o n t r i b u t e d o n l y 0 . 1 $ o r l e s s e a c h . T h i s month was s i m i l a r t o June i n that h e a v y u s e was made o f s u b \u00E2\u0080\u0094 a l p i n e sh rub s p e c i e s : S a l i x g l a u c a : 2 8 . 4 $ , S a l i x l a n a t a : 2 .9$, S a l i x m y r t i l l i f o l i a : 0 .8$ a n d B e t u l a g l a n d u l o s a : 0 . 7$ . I n rumen sample #36, S a l i x g l a u c a l e a v e s made u p 45$ f r e q u e n c y . F i g u r e s 3 3 and 3 4 show t h e u t i l i z a t i o n o f w i l l o w s , w h i c h c o n t i n u e d t h r o u g h t h e f i r s t two weeks o f S e p t e m b e r . A f t e r t h i s most l e a v e s were y e l l o w and many h a d d r o p p e d and e x t e n s i v e u s e was made a g a i n o f h e r b a c e o u s v e g e t a t i o n . T h i s s h i f t i n e m p h a s i s o f f e e d i n g f r o m t h e a l p i n e z o n e t o t h e s u b - a l p i n e one by n u r s e r y b a n d s r e s u l t e d i n a r e d u c t i o n o f use o f t h e f o l l o w i n g i m p o r t a n t a l p i n e f o r a g e s : T r i s e t u m s p i c a t u m : 7.8$ v s . 1 2 . 1 $ , O x y t r o p i s h u d d e l s o n i l : 4\u00C2\u00AB9$ v s . 1 1 . 0 $ , S a l i x r e t i c u l a t a : 2 .9$ v s . 1 1 . 6 $ , and S a l i x 0 Sheep Mountain Approximate Scale B H c 51^ 6 6 7 7 Distribution of grazing pressure during September 1971 2119 Sheep-days per month observed pUlll Areas of heavy use Areas of average use O ON 1 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 FIGURE: 32 407 Figure 33s Sheep feeding on Salix glauca i n early September. \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 Figure 34: Sheep feeding on Sa l i x m y r t i l l i f o l i a i n early September. TABLE: 33 Rumen Sample Analysis for September Sample # 408 SPECIES 34 35 36 37 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 38 Mean 14 9 45 18 15 20.2 15 4 2 4.2 6 13 5 2 5.2 12 17 2 12 8.6 9 3 5 6 2 5.0 7 12 5 3 5.4 4 2 3 3 2 2.8 2 2 0.8 2 5 8 8 10 6.6 2 4 1 1.4 2 1 0.6 1 3 3 1.4 1 1 0.4 1 1 12 1 2 3.4 1 0.2 1 1 0.4 2 2 4 5 2.6 1 2 1 0.8 1 1 0.4 1 0.2 3 0.6 1 0.2 5 1 3 1.8 i 4 22 16 8.4 1 0.2 2 1 0.6 1 0.2 1 0.2 1 2 0.6 1 0.2 1 0.2 1 0.2 1 0.2 1 0.2 1 0.2 3 0.6 2 0.4 1 0.2 1 0.2 86.0 2 1 3 1 4 2 5 0 8 5 10 15 2 0 10 1 1 0 0 0 1007. 1007. 1007. 1007. 1007. 35 33 29 16 34 29.4 37 40 15 62 38 38.4 24 24 56 22 28 30.8 4 3 0 0 0 1.4 1007. 1007. 1007. 1007. 1007. 1007. Salix glauca Festuca altaica Oxytropis huddelsonii Trisetum spicatum Dryas i n t e g r i f o l i a Artemisia hyperborea Calamagrostis purpurascens Oxytropis viscida Carex f i l i f o l i a Artemisia alaskana Cetraria t i l e s i i Salix polaris Cetraria richardsonii Carex scirpoidea Artemisia arctica C a s t i l l e j a hyperborea Salix reticulata Equisetum scirpoides Potentilla hookeriana Erigeron caespitosus Poa glauca Polemonium boreale Salix lanata Artemisia fr i g i d a Anemone parviflora Betula glandulosa Potentilla fruticosa Linnaea borealis Salix alaxensis Bromus pumpellianus Salix rotundifolia Agropyron yukonense Vaccinium uliginosum Arctostaphylos uva-ursi Agropyron violaceum Poa glauca Equisetum variegatum Vaccinium vitis-idaea Empetrum nigrum Grasses (unidentified) Forbs (unidentified) Browse (unidentified) Mosses & Lichens (unidentified) Grasses (total Forbs (total) Browse (total) Mosses & Lichens (total) * 154 * 409 p o l a r i s ; 0.6>o v s . 3\u00C2\u00BB0%\u00C2\u00BB I n t h e l a t t e r p a r t o f September f a i r l y h i g h u s e was made o f t h e f o l l o w i n g s p e c i e s , w h i c h a t t h e t i m e s t i l l c o n t a i n e d a h i g h p r o p o r t i o n o f g r e e n m a t t e r : j h r t e m i s i s . f r i g i d a : 5\u00C2\u00BB3%\u00C2\u00BB A r t e m i s i a h y p e r b o r e a : 5\u00C2\u00AB8%, O x y t r o p i s v i s c i d a : 3*6% and A r t e m i s i a a l a s k a n a : 1.4%. Rams c o n t i n u e d t o f e e d a t a l p i n e a l t i t u d e s t h r o u g h o u t t h e m o n t h s , where p r a c t i c a l l y no g r e e n v e g e t a t i o n was l e f t a t t h e end o f S e p t e m b e r . The d i s t r i b u t i o n o f f o r a g e c l a s s e s f o r September w a s : g r a s s l i k e v e g e t a t i o n : 29.3$, f o r b s : 33.3%, b r o w s e : 36.9%, and l i c h e n s w i t h 0.5%} w h i c h i s v e r y , s i m i l a r t o t h a t o b s e r v e d d u r i n g June ( F i g u r e 39). Range Use D u r i n g g f c t o b e r : T h i s moath marked t h e o n s e t o f t h e w i n t e r w i t h a l l sheep r e t u r n i n g t o w i n t e r r a n g e s d u r i n g t h e c o u r s e o f i t . The a v e r a g e t e m p e r a t u r e was 24\u00C2\u00BB3 F . , w i t h a maximum o f 54 F . and a minimum o f -2 F . ( r = 56 F . ) . A t o t a l o f 3*1 cm. (1.25 i n c h e s ) p r e c i p i t a t i o n f e l l m o s t l y a s snow, and snow b e g a n t o a c c u m u l a t e r e a c h i n g a n average d e p t h i n t h e a l p i n e zone o f 10 c m . , and i n t h e b o r e a l zone o f 5 c m . However , w e s t w i n d s and o c c a s i o n a l m e l t i n g t e m p e r a t u r e s r e s u l t e d i n many a r e a s o n exposed r i d g e s o r s o u t h - f a c i n g s l o p e s n o t h a v i n g any snow. The .average b a n d s i z e f o r t h e month was 9.0 ( r = 6.0 t o 12.7), w i t h an a v e r a g e p e r c e n t a g e o f m i x e d b a n d s o f 20;b. T h i s i s e n t i r e l y t h e r e s u l t o f p r o g r e s s i v e m i x i n g o f b a n d s i n t h e s e c o n d h a l f o f O c t o b e r , s i n c e rams d i d n o t show u p on t h e m o u n t a i n u n t i l O c t o b e r 13/70, when t he f i r s t 8 mature rams * 155 * 4 1 0 a p p e a r e d . Heavy f r o s t d u r i n g t h e m i d d l e o f t h e month t e r m i n a t e d the a v a i l a b i l i t y o f a n y g r e e n f o r a g e , e x c e p t f o r \" e v e r g r e e n \" s p e c i e s . U n t i l t h e n a c o n s i d e r a b l e amount o f t h e s t a n d i n g c r o p o f c e r t a i n l e g u m e s and s a g e s ( A r t e m i s i a f r i g i d a , A r t e m i s i a d r a c u n c u l u s , A r t e m i s i a a l a s k a n a , O x y t r o p i s h u d d e l s o n i i , O x y t r o p i s v i s c i d a ) s t i l l c o n s i s t e d o f g r e e n m a t t e r . The l e a v e s o f w i l l o w s and p o p l a r s , w h i c h had d r i e d up d u r i n g September , c o n t i n u e d t o f a l l , and by t h e end o f t h e month l e s s t h a n 1 0 $ o f t h e l e a v e s r e m a i n e d on t h e b r a n c h e s . Sheep, w e r e o b s e r v e d on 22 d a y s and t h e g r a z i n g d i s t r i b u t i o n was mapped f o r 2546 s h e e p d a y s . The a v e r a g e number o f sheep on t h e m o u n t a i n was 115.5\u00C2\u00BB t h e r a n g e 55 t o 150. Sheep were more w i d e l y d i s p e r s e d o v e r t h e s t u d y a r e a t h a n d u r i n g S e p t e m b e r . Rams began t o r e a p p e a r d u r i n g t h e l a t t e r p a r t o f t h e month and d e s c e n d e d down f r o m a l p i n e t h r o u g h s u b - a l p i n e e l e v a t i o n s t o meet t h e n u r s e r y b a n d s . T w e n t y - t w o s e c t i o n s were u s e d , b u t i n t e n s i v e f e e d i n g was c o n c e n t r a t e d on a s f e w a s 6, w h i c h p r o v i d e d 90$ o f t h e f e e d i n g a r e a s . The a v e r a g e i n t e n s i t y o f u s e was 5\u00C2\u00AB3 sheep d a y s p e r a c r e p e r m o n t h , t h e maximum 21.5 ( S e c t i o n 5D.32). T n i s a v e r a g e r a t e d i f f e r s l i t t l e f r o m t h a t o f t h e w i n t e r m o n t h s ( T a b l e 21). D u r i n g O c t o b e r n u r s e r y s h e e p d e s c e n d e d f u r t h e r down i n t o t h e b o r e a l z o n e b y an a v e r a g e o f 350 f e e t , and c o n c e n t r a t e d use i n b o r e a l p l a n t a s s o c i -a t i o n s ; w h i l e rams u s e d a l p i n e and s u b \u00E2\u0080\u0094 a l p i n e v e g e t a t i o n i n the f i r s t h a l f o f O c t o b e r , l a t e r t h e y d e s c e n d e d by an a v e r a g e o f 1600 f e e t i n t o b o r e a l a r e a s . The c o m b i n e d u s e o f v e g e t a t i o n i n t h e t h r e e a l t i t u d i n a l z o n e s w a s : b o r e a l z o n e 63.7$; s u b \u00E2\u0080\u0094 a l p i n e z o n e 21.2$, and a l p i n e zone 15.1$. Some s h e e p d e s c e n d e d t o v e r y l o w e l e v a t i o n s and u t i l i z e d t h e l i c k a r e a s i n S e c t i o n 5E\u00C2\u00AB B e c a u s e o f s e x d i f f e r e n c e s i n d i s t r i b u t i o n , t h e p o p u l a t i o n * 156 * 41 l as a whole used 18 plant associations. However, only 6 associations were extensively grazed and provided 90% of the forage taken (Table 20). The use of alpine associations by rams was restricted to those which had the least snow cover: Salico (reticulatae) - Sileno (acaulis) -Carico (scirpoideae) - Dryadetum integrifoliae: 6.3%; Agropyretum violacei: 6.1%, and Oxytropo (viscidae) - Artemisio (hyperboreae) - Festuco (brachy-'phyllae) - Trisetetum spicati: 0.7%. Considering the population as a whole, most grazing was done in the two associations which were also most heavily used in the winter: Pentstemono (gormanii) - Artemisio (frigidae) -Agropyretum yukonensis: 45.1%, and Agropyro (yukonensis) - Artemisietum frigidae - rupestris: 18.2% (Table 26, Figure 35). The utilization rates for these 5 sites were as follows: #1 (2D): 4.1 sheep days per acre per month, #2 (3D): 3.6, #3 (4-5D): 6.7, #4 (5E): 6.2, and #5 (6D): 5*3 sheep days per acre per month, respectively. These rates are comparable, to those encountered throughout the remainder of the winter. Forage Use During October: The grazing of sheep was observed on 10 days, yielding 9,214 feeding interactions. There was one rumen sample (#39) (Table 34)\u00E2\u0080\u00A2 Sheep used 44 different species during October, 10 less than in September and 19 less than August. Only 6 species made up 75*8% of the forage, while 16 other species were used to 0.1% or less each. At the beginning of the month fairly heavy use was made of species which s t i l l contained green matter: Artemisia frigida: 19.7%, Artemisia hyperborea: 4*4% and Oxytropis viscida: 2.3%. Throughout the month the leaves of Salix glauca (13.2%) continued to be an important forage item. \u00C2\u00BB T A B L E : 34 413 Rumen s a m p l e a n a l y s i s f o r O c t o b e r and November O c t o b e r November SPECIES Sample # 39 40 S a l i x g l a u c a 21 7 A r t e m i s i a f r i g i d a 15 34 C a l a m a g r o s t i s p i u r p u r a s c e n s 8 12 C a r e x f i l i f o l i a 7 20 S a l i x r e t i c u l a t a 4 B e t u l a g l a n d u l o s a 3 D r y a s i n t e g r i f o l i a 3 Bromus pumpelliajEus 2 P o p u l u s t r e m u l o i d e s 1 S a l i x a l a x e n s i s 1 S a l i x l a n a t a 1 E u r o t i a l a n a t a 1 2 A c h i l l e a b o r e a l i s 1 A r t e m i s i a d r a c u m c u l u s 1 Ledum p a l u s t r e 1 C a r e x s c i r p o i d e a 1 A r t e m i s i a hyp e n t e r e a 1 A r t e m i s i a a l a s k a m a 1 A s t r a g a l u s m a c k e m z i i 1 O x y t r o p i s v i s c i d a 1 A g r o p y r o n yukonense \u00C2\u00BB 1 P o a g l a u c a 1 G r a s s e s ( u n i d e n t i f i e d ) 10 7 F o r b s ( u n i d e n t i f i e d ) 12 10 B r o w s e ( u n i d e n t i f i e d ) 3 4 M o s s e s & L i c h e n s ( [ u n i d e n t i f i e d ) 0 2 1007. 100% G r a s s e s ( t o t a l ) 28 41 F o r b s ( t o t a l ) 41 46 B r o w s e ( t o t a l ) 31 11 M o s s e s & L i c h e n s ( t o t a l ) 0 2 100% 1007. TABLE: 35 Feeding observations during f a l l and early winter. SPECIES: October November December Artemisia f r i g i d a 20.2 21.6 29.7 Carex f i l i f o l i a 24.5 26.2 22.9 Salix glauca 12.2 6.7 3.8 Agropyron yukonense 5.2 7.0 6.2 Calamagrostis purpurascens 9.5 10.9 18.4 Astragalus mackenzii 5.4 0.2 0.6 Artemisia hyperborea 4.7 2.5 1.2 Juniperus horizontalis 1.3 1.2 1.0 Eurotia lanata 1.4 2.5 1.4 Artemisia rupestris 0.8 1.5 . 3.1 Oxytropis v i s c i d a 2.4 2.1 0.6 Poa glauca 1.1 0.1 Dryas i n t e g r i f o l i a 2.1 3.4 0.1 Bromus pumpellianus 0.8 1.4 0.9 P o t e n t i l l a hookeriana 0.4 0.6 0.2 Carex scirpoidea 0.3 0.7 Agropyron violaceum 0.2 0.7 0.5 Artemisia dracunculus 0.4 0.8 1.4 Arctostaphylos uva-ursi 0.8 2.1 1.8 Erigeron caespitosus <0.1 0.5 Pentstemon gormani 0.2 Plantago canescens 0.1 . \" In comparison to October there was a s l i g h t reduction i n the use of alpine vegetation (10.8$ vs. 15.1$), and a corresponding increase of use of the sub-alpire. vegetation (26.9$ vs. 21.2$). The use of the boreal zone did not change (#2.3$ vs. 63.7$). The trend established i n October, that a few grassland associations provided the great bulk of the forage was continued during November and throughout the winter. During November, the following three associations contributed 71.5$ at a l l fearing s i t e s : Pentstemono (gormanii) - Artemisio ( f r i g i d a e ) -Agrbpyretum yukmensis: 41.0$, Agropyro (yukonensis) - Artemisietum f r i g i d a e - r u p e s t r i s : 223$; and Oxytropo (viscidae) - Artemisio (hyperboreae -f r i g i d a e ) - Carixetum f i l i f o l i a e : 8.2$. The use of alpine communities was confined to those with the l e a s t snow cover [Salico (reticulatae) - Sileno ( a c a u l i s ) - Cariiaa (scirpoideae) - Dryadetum i n t e g r i f o l i a e : 4.1$; Agropyretum v i o l a c e i : 4*4$, and Oxytropo (viscidae) - Artemisio (hyperboreae) - Festuco (brachyphyllae,;)\u00E2\u0080\u0094Trisetetum s p i c a t i : 0.3$]. The u t i l i z a t i o n of c l i f f s (2$) i n s pite of conaiierable snow depths can be explained by the r u t t i n g turmoil (Table 20). Figure 3j6 shows the areas on which grazing was concentrated during November. The saadler number of sheep on the mountain resulted i n a reduction i n usage rates ccEgpred to October. The s t a t i s t i c s are as follows f o r the f i v e concentration areas: #1 (2D): 4*5 sheep days per acre per month, #2 (3D): 5 - l t \u00C2\u00A33 ((4-5Q): 5.9, #4. (6D): 3*2, and #5 (6C): 5.0 sheep days per acre per month, resoectively. Forage Use During Bavember: Grazing of sheep was monitored on 9 days, y i e l d i n g 6,295 feeding * 160 * 419 i n t e r a c t i o n s . There was only one rumen sample (Table 34). At least 34 species of forage plants were used i n November, s i x of which provided 75*4$ of a l l forage and a further 8 species providing 0.1$ or l e s s each. This month marked the beginning of t y p i c a l winter feeding conditions, i n that three important, abundant species (Carex f i l i f o l i a ; 25.5$t Artemisia f r i g i d a ; 22.8$, and Calamagrostis purpurascens; 11.0$) provided the bulk of the forage. Three other species were used i n greater proportion than t h e i r abundance: Agropyron yukonense: 6.4$, Artemisia hyperborea: 2.3$ and Eurotia lanata: 2.4$. Preferred forages, whose a v a i l a b i l i t y declines as winter progresses, but which are s t i l l u t i l i z e d i n reasonable amounts at t h i s time include: Oxytropis huddelsonii: 1.7$, Artemisia alaskana: 1.3$\u00C2\u00BB Astragalus w i l l i a m s l i : 0.3$, Poa glauca: 0.1$, Artemisia dracunculus: 0.7$, A c h i l l e a lanulosa: 0.1$, and Astragalus nutzotinensis: 0.4$. The u t i l i z a t i o n of S a l i x glauca - the only abundant t a l l shrub i n the area - depends e n t i r e l y on the number of leaves remaining on the branches. During November i t was s t i l l a s i g n i f i c a n t item i n the diet with 6.7$. Forage classes used during November were si m i l a r to October: grasses and g r a s s l i k e vegetation: 47.8$, forbs: 40.1$, browse: 12.0$, and lichens and mosses: 0.1$. Use of browse was reduced (12.0$ vs. 17.1$) and grasses increased i n proportion (47.8$ vs. 42.9$). Range Use During December; This month was cold and r e l a t i v e l y calm. The mean temperature was -2.4 F., the range 92 F. (minimum -46 F., maximum +46 F.). The average wind speed was 6.4 miles per hour, with only three days of strong north winds and * 161 * 420 three days withmild southwest winds, which only reached 20 miles per hour. Even though o r % ' 3 cm. of snow f e l l during the month, t h e heavy snowfalls of l a t e November lasted because of the absence of any pronounced C h i n o o k u n t i l l a t e i n Ifeeember. Because of t h i s sheep had to feed i n snow-covered areas more than at any other month of the winter. The average band size for December was 6 . 8 sheep per band (r = 5*9 to 8.5), and t'faa^ e was s t i l l 49$ of the bands mixed, since some r u t t i n g a c t i v i t y was observed t i l l December 1 0 t h . Sheep were observed on 22 days, and the d i s t r i b u t i o n of grazing was mapped f o r 2081 sheep days. The average number of sheep on the mountain was 94.6 (r = to 114) 1 an increase of 20$ over November. The r u t t i n g season was over and sheep concentrated on the winter range. Nineteen sections were used, of which 13 provided 90$ of the feeding s i t e s (Table 21,, Figure 3 7 ) . Average rate o f use was 5 . 2 sheep days per acre per month, maxJinum 3 8 . 2 , which i s also the annual maximum of grazing pressure i n a single quatrat per month (quadrat 6 D . 5 8 ) . In congarison to November the use of alpine ( 6 . 3 $ vs. 1 0 . 8 $ ) and sub\u00E2\u0080\u0094alpine vegeltaiion ( 2 1 . 2 $ vs. 2 6 . 9 $ ) , was reduced and there was a corres-ponding increase of grazing i n associations of the boreal zone (72.5$ vs. 62.3$). This rdHected a general downward movement of sheep during the month, averaging 300 feelt f o r nursery bands, and 65O feet f o r rams. During Ifecember sheep used 13 d i f f e r e n t plant associations, 5 of them providing 90$of a l l feeding s i t e s (Table 2 0 ) . The associations used were unchanged fxm Novemberj except that l i m i t e d grazing also took place at the forest edge i a Hypno (procerrimi) - A b i e t i n e l l o (abietinae) - Piceetum glaucae ( 0 . 5 $ ) . ftiwever, as already pointed out there was greater emphasis on feeding i n boreal associations and a reduction of feeding above the 4000 * 162 * 4 2 2 foot elevations. One grassland association provided almost half of the forage during tMs month: Pentstemono (gormanii) - Artemisio (frigidae) -Agropyretum yukmensis: 49.9% (Table 2 0 ) . Figure 37 shows the areas on which grazing was concentrated during December. The sufccilization rates for the five sites were as follows: #L (2D): 4.0 sheep .-days, #2 ( 4 D ) : 4.7, #3 ( 5 - 6 E ) : 5 . 8 , #4 (6D): 6.1, and #5 (7C-D): 4 . 8 sheep days par acre per month, respectively. Forage Use During December: Sheep were observed on.7 days, providing 12,695 feeding interactions. There were three rumen samples (Table^|). The nunfeer of forage species ut i l i z e d increased to 40 over 34 i n November. Five much, used plants provided 77.0% of a l l forage, and the number of li t t l e - u s e d species (0.1% or less) increased to 15 (Table 2 2 ) . The pasture sage Artemisia Jfirigida provided 29.6% of a l l forage, which i s the heaviest u t i l i z a t i o n recorsfed for any species per month; second was Carex f i l i f o l i a with 23*1% followed by Calamagrostis purpurascens: 14.7%, Agropyron yukonense: 5.4%, and Salix /glauca: 4\u00C2\u00AB2%. A reduction was recorded i n the av a i l a b i l i t y of certain preferred forages: Artemisia hyperborea: 1.5% vs. 2.3%, Oxytropis huddelsonii: 0.2$ vs. 1.7%t and Oxytropis viscida: 1.2% vs. 2.0%. The proportional distribution of use of broad forage classes was: grasses and grasslike vegetation: 47.0%, forbs: 44*8%, browse: 8.1%, and mosses: 0.1%. Compared to November there was a further reduction i n the u t i l i z a t i o n of browse species (8.1% vs. 12.0%), and an increase i n the use of forbs (44.8% vs. 40 .1%). This increase i s due to heavier grazing on Artemisia f r i g i d a . 423 T A B L E : 36 Rumen s a m p l e a n a l y s i s f o r December S P E C I E S SAMPLE # 41 42 43 Mean A r t e m i s i a f r i g i d a C a r e x f i l i f o l i a C a l a m a g r o s t i s p u r p u r a s c e n s S a l i x g l a u c a A r t e m i s i a h y p e r b o r e a E u r o t i a l a n a t a A g r o p y r o n y u k o n e n s e O x y t r o p i s v i s c i d a A r t e m i s i a r u p e s t r i s P u l s a t i l l a p a t e n s S a l i x r e t i c u l a t a P i c e a g l a u c a P e n t s t e m o n g o r m a n i R o s a a c i c u l a r i s A c h i l l e a b o r e a l i s E r i g e r o n c a e s p i t o s i s S o l i d a g o m u l t i r a d i a t a A r t e m i s i a d r a c u n c u l u s P o a g l a u c a A r c t o s t a p h y l o s u v a - u r s i E p i l o b i u m a n g u s t i f o l i u m J u n i p e r u s h o r i z o n t a l i s G r a s s e s ( u n i d e n t i f i e d ) F o r b s ( u n i d e n t i f i e d ) B r o w s e ( u n i d e n t i f i e d ) M o s s e s & L i c h e n s ( u n i d e n t i f i e d ) G r a s s e s ( t o t a l ) F o r b s ( t o t a l ) B r o w s e ( t o t a l ) M o s s e s & L i c h e n s ( t o t a l ) 28 24 9 5 5 4 4 3 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 8 2 0 0 100% 45 48 7 0 37 14 11 3 2 7 3 4 3 5 5 2 0 100% 34 61 5 0 23 33 8 5 1 1 1 1 1 7 10 5 1 100% 49 37 13 1 29.3 23.7 9.3 4.3 2.3 4.0 2.7 2.7 1.7 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 0.7 0.7 0.3 0.3 0.3 6.3 0.3 0.3 0.3 84.7 42.7 48.7 8.3 0.3 100% 100% 100% * 1 6 3 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 42 4 General discussion on the u t i l i z a t i o n of forages; The relevant s t a t i s t i c s on forage u t i l i z a t i o n are summarized i n Tables 22 and 3&, and the broad forage classes have been diagrammed i n Figure 39. Feeding sheep were observed over the annual cycle at an average rate of 9 days per month t o t a l l i n g 109 observation days for the year. The numbers of successful documentations of forage use, expressed as interactions per plant species, varied greatly from month to month. They were highest i n l a t e winter (March: 44515, A p r i l : 34390, May: 34255), when the sheep were concentrated i n plant associations with a r e l a t i v e l y poor species d i v e r s i t y and low cover values, and when the sheep had become used to the constant presence of the investigator. They were lowest during mid summer (Jul y : 7540, August: 8a50) when the sheep were dispersed over a very large area, feeding i n plant communities of a f a i r l y complex composition, and were \u00E2\u0080\u0094 because of the presence of newly born lambs - more d i f f i c u l t to approach. Successful observations were fewer during November (6295), since rams fed very l i t t l e at t h i s t i n e and ewes were being chased about. Over the annual cycle a t o t a l of 227,409 interactions were recorded (Table 28), During the observation year sheep were found to use 110 d i f f e r e n t plant species. This number must be considered conservative, because of the r e l a t i v e l y poor success rate of feeding observation during mid summer, when the greatest number of potential food plants are available. The number o f species u t i l i z e d per month varies greatly and i s a r e f l e c t i o n of a number o f f a c t o r s , among them: v e r t i c a l migrations, greater species d i v e r s i t y of alpine association compared to boreal ones, selective grazing i n early winter, concentration i n winter on r e l a t i v e l y few plant associations, and behavioural phenomena as r u t t i n g season and d i f f e r e n t i a l range u t i l i z a t i o n between sexes S a l i x glauca Agropyron yukonense Trtsctvrn spicatum Artemisia hyperborea Oxytropis huddclsonii Arctostaphylos uva-ursi S a l i x r e t i c u l a t a Oxytropis v i s c i d a Dryas I n t e g r i f o l i a Festuca a l t a i c a Carex scirpoidea Juniperus h o r i z o n t a l ! * Artemisia r u p e s t r i s Poa glauca Rosa a c i c u l a r i s Eurotia lanata S a l i x lanata Arctostaphylos rubra Agropyron violaccura Artemisia alaskana Astragalus v l l l l a m s l i Populus tremuloides Bromus pumpellianus S a l i x p o l a r i s Festuca brachyphylla Epilobium l a t i f o l i u m C e t r a r i a t l l e s l l S a l i x c y r t i l l l f o l l a Artemisia a r c t i c a Artemisia dracunculuo S a l i x a r c t i c a A c h i l l e a lanuloea Erigeron cacspltosus Juniperus corrr.unls Populus bal sa.-nif era P o t e n t i l l a hookeriana Epilobium angustif olium Llnnaca b o r e a l i s Pentstemon gormnni Tortula r u r a l t s Astragalus nutzotineneis Plcca glauca P u l s a t i l l a patens Vaccinium ullglnosum Betula glandulosa C e t r a r i a i s l a n d l c a Dryas drumondll Anemone p a r v i f l o r a Kobrcsla myosuroldes Ernpctrum nlgrun Mcrtensla paniculata S a l i x r o t u n d l f o l l a Equisetum scirpoides C e t r a r i a n i v a l i s Solldago m u l t l r a d i a t a Hedysarum mackcnzll Ledum palustre Plantago concscons Aster alptnus Shephcrdla canadensis Llnim perennc Lappula myosotis Anemone m u l t l f i d a Erigeron humllis Erigeron composltus Cassiope tetragona Galium boreale Chamacrhodos erecta Carex conclnna Luplnus a r c t i c u s Astragalus abortginua S a l i x alaxensis P o t e n t i l l a f r u t i c o s a Vaccinium v l t l s - i d a e a Zygadenus elegans Hedysarum alpinum P e d i c u l a r i s kanei Artemisia t l l e s l l Saussurea v i s c i d a Erigeron composltus Anemone druxmondll S a l i x barrattiana Claytonia sarmcntosa Erigeron humllis .Myosotis a l p e s t r l e . . . Scnecio lugens Equisetum varlegatum Arnica alpina Oxyria dlgyna Parnassia kotzebuei Poa alpina . Polemonium boreale Seneclo conternlnus - Arnica l e s s l n g l l Valeriana c a p i t a t a Melandrlum apctalum C a s t l l l e j a hyperborea Aster s l b l r l c u s Sedim rosea Thamnolla subullformls C e t r a r i a r i c h a r d s o n i i Gentiana propinqua Antennaria monocephala Carex mcmbranacca Erigeron purpuratus Cladonia poclllum D a c t y l i n a a r c t i c a U n i d e n t i f i e d grasses U n i d e n t i f i e d forbs U n i d e n t i f i e d b'rowse U n i d e n t i f i e d mosses & lichens. Grasses - t o t a l Forbs - t o t a l Browse - t o t a l Lichens & Mosses - t o t a l 5.0 J . i i . i 9.5 7.7 4.6 <3.i 1.6 0.4 0.7 0.5 <0.1 1.7 2.2 6.1 0.1 1.8 1.3 0.3 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.1 <0.1 2.3 <0.1 0.7 0.8 1.4 6.9 2.4 1.5 3.8 0.4 0.8 0.4 1.9 1.5 0.3 4.1 1.0 1.4 0.2 <0.1 * 169 * 433 zones; there was therefore no s i g n i f i c a n t use of browse at t h i s time. During these months forbs were, with over 50% u t i l i z a t i o n , the single most important forage group. . Only during August was the contribution of mosses and lichens s i g n i f i c a n t (4-5%)\u00C2\u00BB Comparisons to forage u t i l i z a t i o n studies i n other areas. The number of studies done on the range use and forage selection of other northern sheep populations i s very l i m i t e d . The most det a i l e d work was carried out by Dr. R. Hansen, Colorado State University, on contract to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game and has been published i n Nichols and Heimer (1972). Hansen determined forage selection from rumen samples as well as f e c a l p e l l e t s ; fee also analysed the vegetative composition of the range i n order to determine forage selection. Unfortunately t h i s detailed work was done on the Kenai Peninsula which has a milder and moister climate than the Kluane area and therefore a diff e r e n t plant cover. This makes comparisons d i f f i c u l t . No mention i s made of the f i v e species (Carex f i l i f o l i a , Artemisia f r i g i d a , Calamagrostis purpurascens, S a l i x glauca, and Agropyron yukonense) which make up three-quarters of the annual diet of Sheep Mountain sheep. On the other hand there i s a f a i r l y heavy use of such species as Hierochloe a l p i n a , Festuca brachyphylla, Dryas octopetala, as well as mosses and Cladonia species on the Kenai area, while these are of no importance to the Sheep Mountain population or do not even occur i n the area. A few observations made by Hansen, however, are supported by t h i s study. He found that sheep use many species (45) but. that very few important ones made up the great bulk of the d i e t . Sheep are r e s t r i c t e d to fewer forage \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 1 7 0 * 434 plants i n winter compared to summer and some abundant species (for instance, Dryas spp.) are used very l i t t l e by sheep. Some work on forage u t i l i z a t i o n of Dall sheep was done by Murie (1944) who analysed 75 rumen samples of sheep that died from natural causes i n Mt. McKinley Park, and also d i d d i r e c t observations on feeding sheep. Many of the forage species taken by Mt. McKinley sheep are also part of the die t of Sheep Mountain animals. Murie (1944) found that during winter grasses and sedges made up an average of 81.5% of the\" d i e t , which i s higher than on Sheep Mountain (50%). rtillows were taken at an average monthly rate of 10.2% which i s very similar f o r the Sheep Mountain population (16.1%). In both these areas a number of sages (Artemisia f r i g i d a , Artemisia a r c t i c a , Artemisia t i l e s i i ) are highly palatable, as are several legume species (Oxytropis and Hedysarum spp.). The u t i l i z a t i o n of berries (Blueberry, Cran-berry) as observed by Murie (1944) could not be documented for the Sheep Mountain area. Also i n contrast to Sheep Mountain animals those of McKinley Park take Dryas spp. very frequently during the summer months. Viereck (1963) observed D a l l sheep i n the Tonzona River and Mt. Hayes area of Alaska from A p r i l . t o November. The forage species taken were only q u a n t i f i e d i n t o \"occasionally, commonly or abundantly u t i l i z e d \" . Viereck (1963) l i s t s a t o t a l of 47 food plants, 20 of which were also observed to be taken on Sheep Mountain. Most of them are summer forages and include the following species: Epilobium l a t i f o l i u m , Artemisia a r c t i c a , Anemone p a r v i f l o r a , Poa a l p i n a , A c h i l l e a borealis, Trisetum spicatum, S a l i x r e t i c u l a t a , Festuca a l t a i c a , and Kobresia myosuroides. A few species l i s t e d by Viereck also grow on Sheep Mountain, but t h e i r u t i l i z a t i o n could not be documented: Claytonia sarmentosa, Lloydia serotina, Arctagrostis l a t i f o l i a , Dodecatheon frigidum and Silene acaulis. * 171 * 435 Palmer (1941) l i s t s a few forage piants of Alaskan Da l l sheep from the Dry Creek asea. Unfortunately, he only uses generic and common names, which makes i t d x f f i c u l t to draw comparisons. The following i s a d i r e c t c i t a t i o n of Palmer's (1941) report: \"On spring range, especially cropped by sheep were holy grass (Hierochloe), bunch grass (Festuca), small bunch grass (Deschampsia), t\u00C2\u00A3Liie grass (Poa), awn grass (Trisetum), purple reed grass (Calamagrostisj,, willows ( S a l i x ) and sedges (Carex). On wirtier range, plants grazed appeared to be Dryas, willows, ground b i r c h , rose, alter, sage, fireweed, death camass tops, sedges and grasses. Other plants palatable to sheep include: Rhododendron, boykinia, oxytrope, loco, h o r s e t a i l , saxifrage, jointpod, blueberry and shrubby c i n q u e f o i l . Many other species are no doubt eaten to minor extent\". DetaiiJssdt work on forage u t i l i z a t i o n was car r i e d out by the writer (Hoefs, 1974) on a, captive herd of D a l l sheep over a one-year period. This study was meant te be a \" p i l o t project\" for the investigation reported on here. These captive sheep were confined to an enclosure which had a vegetation cover very similar to the Sheep Mountain winter ranges, but the sheep had no access to the sub-alpine shrub zone or to alpine summer ranges. Therefore only winter observations are comparable. During winter the d i e t of t h i s captive herd was s i m i l a r to that of the wild population, with the following species being important forage items: Poa glauca, Artemisia f r i g i d a , Agropyron yukonense, Calamagrostis purpurascens, Carex f i l i f o l i a , A chillea lanulosa and S a l i x glauca. There was also agreement with respect to those species l a r g e l y avoided by sheep: Shepherdia canadensis, Picea glauca, Betula glandulosa, Arctostaphylos ufcfr-ursi and Galium boreale. One significant difference was observed though, the captive sheep made considerable use of a moist meadow, whose species composition was similar * 172 * 436 to some of the SLoodplain communities of the Slims River v a l l e y at the base of Sheep Mountain, Here they ate such species as Deschampsia caespitosa, P u c c i n e l l i a desrirampsioides and to a lesser degree Hordeum jubatum and Lomatogonium rcttatum, a l l of which are also species of the floodplains. Snow depth was sm-hindrance, since many of these s i t e s were also subject to removal of snow by strong west winds. The avoidance by sheep of the flood-plains i s perhapaebest explained by the sheep's desire to stay close to escape t e r r a i n . On the other hand, the use of floodplains has been observed f o r Siberian Snow steep by Egorov (1967) and the writer (Hoefs, 1973i 1974 b) has observed theft sheep cross f a i r l y wide r i v e r v a l l e y s i n other areas of the Yukon, and feed while doing so. Based am vegetation studies (Part 1 of thesis) i t can be estimated that the carrying capacity of t h i s winter range would increase by 15% to 20% i f sheep would luaer the f l o o d p l a i n associations. On the other hand, there can be no doubt that t h i s would also s i g n i f i c a n t l y increase t h e i r winter mortality through predation. Compari'sans with forage u t i l i z a t i o n by other types of sheep are of l i m i t e d value, -because of the a i f f e r e n t forage plants involved. However, a few comments dealing with g e n e r a l i t i e s are appropriate. Egorov'(1967) investigated the diet of sheep of the Koryak Uplands ( S i b e r i a ) through d i r e c t observations and anaylses of stomach contents. The following excerpts from t h i s work are relevant for comparative purposes: \"The greatest variety of plants (72) i s consumed i n summer. In spring, 40 d i f f e r e n t plants are consumed, i n autumn, 33\u00C2\u00BB and i n winter only 28. Of these, only 11 are eat em throughout the year\". These findings are remarkably similar to those made during the present study (Table 44). Egorov 1(1967) continues: \"...sheep feed throughout the year on * 173 * 437 w i l l o w s ( S a l i x r e p t a n s , S . f u m o s a , S\u00C2\u00BB c u n e a t a , S . r e t i c u l a t a , S . p u l c h r a and o t h e r s ) , Ledum and c o w b e r r y . \u00C2\u00BB . G r a m i n e a e a r e e a t e n m a i n l y i n l a t e s p r i n g and e a r l y summer, u n t i l the s tems h a r d e n . . . S h e e p f e e d on P o t e n t i l l a and A r t e m i s i a t h r o u g h o u t t h e y e a r . . . i n e a r l y s p r i n g t h e y e a t o n l y t h e f l o w e r s o f E r i o p h o r u m a n d P u l s a t i l l a ^ . T a b l e 37 shows t h a t t h e l i s t o f p l a n t s e a t e n i n c l u d e s p l a n t s of a l l z o n e s otf v e g e t a t i o n f r o m t h e f l o o d p l a i n s t o t h e m o u n t a i n t u n d r a \" . T h e ' f f i e t o f t h e s e S i b e r i a n s h e e p d i f f e r s c o n s i d e r a b l y f r o m t h a t of t h e Sheep M o u n t a i n h e r d i n t h a t a number o f c o n i f e r o u s s p e c i e s a r e u t i l i z e d ( L a r i x s p . , J u a r p e r u s s p . and P i n u s p u m i l a ) , and i n t h e i r v e r y h i g h u t i l i z a t i o n o f l i c h e n s . E g i r o v (1967) n o t e s : \" . . . T h e d i e t o f s h e e p i n Y a k u t i a i s c h a r a c t e r i z e d each. These associations are at alpine and sub-alpine a l t i t u d e s . MosTL al p i n e associations were used only from June to October, but * 177 * kkl one [Salico (reticulatae) - Sileno (acaulis) - Carico (scirpoideae) -Dryadetum integrif o l i a e ) , which i s most widely d i s t r i b u t e d and provided almost 50$ of the grazing s i t e s during July and August, received some u t i l i z a t i o n i n every month except i n March, and had an average grazing rate of 11.0$ per year, the t h i r d most important community. The sub-alpine willow associations receive some use every month, except during July and August when the sheep were found at higher elevations. During times of v e r t i c a l migrations these willow s i t e s provided 39.8$ and 33*5$ of the feeding areas during June and September respectively (Table 20). The willow association Arctostaphylo (rubrae - uva-ursi) - Festuco (altaicae) - Salicetum r e t i c u l a t a e - glauca was used at an average rate of 10.2$ f o r the year and ranked at fourth place among the 23 plant associations with respect to grazing by sheep. During a i n t e r , which i n the study area l a s t s 7 to 8 months, the emphasis of grazing was on dry grassland associations i n a l l three a l t i t u d i n a l biogeoclimatic aones, even though those of the boreal zone werenust heavily used. Almost 57$ of a l l forage taken over the year came from the following three associations:, Pentstemono (gormanii) \u00E2\u0080\u0094 Artemisio (f r i g i d a e ) \u00E2\u0080\u0094 Agropyretum yukonensis: 36.1$, Agropyro (yukonensis) - Artemisietum f r i g i d a e - r u p e s t r i s : 13\u00C2\u00AB5$r and Calamagrostido (purpurascentis) - Arctostaphyletum uvae-ursi: 7\u00C2\u00BB4$\u00C2\u00AB The sub\u00E2\u0080\u0094alpine association, Oxytropo (viscidae) - Artemisio (hyperboreae \u00E2\u0080\u0094 f r i g i d a e ) \u00E2\u0080\u0094 Caricetum f i l i f o l i a e and the alpine association Oxytropo (viscidae) - Artemisio (hyperboreae) - Festuco (brachyphyllae) \u00E2\u0080\u0094 Trisetetum s p i c a t i were grazed at a rate of 4.0$ and 4.2$ respectively (Table 20). * 173 * Sex - s p e c i f i c r a n g e u s e ; T h r o u g h o u t t h e d i s c u s s i o n s o n r a n g e u s e o v e r t h e a n n u a l c y c l e r e f e r e n c e was made LO t h e p e r c e n t a g e o f m i x e d b a n d s o b s e r v e d , c u l m i n a t i n g d u r i n g t h e r u t t i n g s e a s o n , when p r a c t i c a l l y a l l t h e b a n d s o b s e r v e d c o n s i s t e d o f n u r s e r y s h e e p a s w e l l a s m a t u r e r a m s , and b e i n g l o w e s t d u r i n g t h e summer m o n t h s when t h e r e was a more o r l e s s c o m p l e t e s e g r e g a t i o n o f s e x e s . U n f o r t u n a t e l y o u r i n t e n s i v e s t u d y o f r a n g e u s e was l i m i t e d to S h e e p M o u n t a i n , w h i c h i n c l u d e s o n l y a f r a c t i o n o f t h e t o t a l summer r a n g e o f t h i s p o p u l a t i o n ( F i g u r e 1 ) . H o w e v e r , o b s e r v a t i o n s made d u r i n g s t u d i e s on p h y t o s o c i o l o g y and s h e e p f e e d i n g b e h a v i o u r , a s w e l l a s d u r i n g many s u r v e y f l i g h t s w h i c h e x t e n d e d o v e r t h e e n t i r e r a n g e o f t h i s p o p u l a t i o n , i n d i c a t e t h a t p a r t i c u l a r l y d u r i n g t h e summer m o n t h s c e r t a i n p o r t i o n s o f t h e a r e a are e x c l u s i v e l y u s e d b y e i t h e r m a t u r e ram b a n d s o r n u r s e r y b a n d s . The e n t i r e d r a i n a g e o f Sheep C r e e k t o i t s h e a d w a t e r s , t h e a d j a c e n t h i g h l a n d s t o t h e n o r t h , r e f e r r e d t o a s \u00E2\u0080\u00A2summer r a n g e ' on F i g u r e 1, n o r t h t o t h e h e a d w a t e r s o f Congdon C r e e k have d u r i n g t h e t i m e o f o u r s t u d y o n l y been u s e d b y r a m s . On t h e o t h e r h a n d , t h e e n t i r e n o r t h e a s t s l o p e o f t h i s r a n g e , i n c l u d i n g t h e d r a i n a g e o f W i l l i s c r o f t C r e e k n o r t h t o t h e mouth o f Congdon C r e e k h a v e d u r i n g t h e summer months b e e n e x c l u s i v e l y u s e d b y n u r s e r y b a n d s . The t w o a r e a s i n d i c a t e d o n F i g u r e 1 a s ' h e a v i l y - u s e d summer r a n g e s ' a r e p r i m a r i l y u s e d b y n u r s e r y b a n d s (90$ o f a l l s h e e p o b s e r v e d ) , e v e n t h o u g i some m i x i n g d o e s t a k e p l a c e a t c e r t a i n time3. On w i n t e r r a n g e s , w h i c h a r e much s m a l l e r i n e x t e n t t h a n summer r a n g e s , e x c l u s i v e u s e by one s e x i s much more d i f f i c u l t t o a c c o m p l i s h . Some a r e a s , h o w e v e r , were e x c l u s i v e l y u s e d by one s e x , and a number o f o t h e r s were p r i m a r i l y u s e d b y One s e x . On t h e W i l l i s c r o f t C r e e k w i n t e r r a n g e o n l y n u r s e r y b a n d s were o b s e r v e d , e x c e p t d u r i n g t h e r u t t i n g s e a s o n . On t h e o t h e r h a n d , the * 179 * winter range along Sheep Creek (Sections 1C, ID, IE) was exclusively u t i l i z e d by rams. A number of small patches of grasslands at low elevations i n Section 7D (Sheep Mountain east slope) was also only used by rams. The fact that these two sites were not used at a l l during the month of November, when rams are seeking nursery bands, support the claim of these sites being ram winter ranges. The north slope of Sheep Mountain (Sections 4B, 5B, 6B) was during the summer months exclusively u t i l i z e d by nursery bands. The heavily used winter range on Sheep Mountain's large south-east slope (Sections AD? 5Df 6D) was up to 80$ used by nursery bands, except during the rutting season. Cn the other hand, Sheep Mountain's west slope (Sections 2B, 2C, 2D) was up to 80$ u t i l i z e d by rams, except during the rutting season, while the east slope, was up to 80$ (Sections 7A, 7B, 7C) u t i l i z e d by nursery sheep. As already pointed out, sheep have specific areas where they venture to very low elevations. These areas have, either a very favourable, close association of wind-blown exposed patches of grassland with escape terrain (Figure 40), or they are the sites of mineral l i c k s (Figure 15). Rams descend to elevations as low as 2800 feet along Sheep Creek and use this area very heavily during late winter (Figure 40). They also descend to about 2900 feet at the bases of larger c l i f f s i n Section 7D. Nursery bands and occasionally rams reach lowest elevations at the base of Sheep Mountain near the old cabin (Sections 5E and 6E). Here they occasion-a l l y come down to the Alaska Highway (+ 2600 feet). This area i s the site of several mineral l i c k s and offers some escape terrain i n the form of steep road cuts. Perhaps escape terrain i n this particular area may not be as important because of the t r a f f i c on the Alaska Highway and the tendency of wolves to avoid people.-* 180 * The r e l a t i o n s h i p of t h i s sheep population to i t s winter range; An inspection of Figure 38, showing the d i s t r i b u t i o n of grazing over Sheep Mountain during 1970/71, and a comparison with tne vegetation map (Part I of (thesis) w i l l reveal that sheep used almost a l l the available area, even thoagh great differences were observed between s i t e s i n i n t e n s i t y of use. Both i n t r i n s i c and e x t r i n s i c factors were found to influence the \"strategy\" of range use as the following summary w i l l reveal. The proximity of a feeding area to escape t e r r a i n i s of great importance i n determining the i n t e n s i t y of use. Almost a l l areas that are grazed heavily at low elevation (boreal zone) have escape t e r r a i n nearby (Figure 4 0 ) . Exceptions are areas around mineral l i c k s , or large open expanses on which* the approach of predators can be noticed over a reasonable distance. The east heavily used s i t e s were grasslands and scree slopes above t r e e l i n e (Figure 31) at the bases of c l i f f s * Of great importance also are the locations of preferred bedding s i t e s , which are often found along canyons or on elevated spots, allowing surveillance of the surroundings. Sheep return to such s i t e s i n the evenings and sometimes f o r the mid-day \" s i e s t a \" , and they feed while walking to those s i t e s as well as when leaving them. As a r e s u l t of t h i s the vegetation around such s i t e s has been greatly depleted and may even be lacking. Similar observations were made i n the grazing behaviour of the European Ibex (Nievergelt, 1 9 6 6 ) . Major s h i f t s of grazing from one portion of the winter range to another could almost always be a t t r i b u t e d to external s t i m u l i . In addition to such factors as wind, temperature and snow, which have been dealt with, there were a number of occasions when predators and i n a few instances also people were found responsible. I t i s therefore reasonable to say that the Figure 41: The large ''saddle'' on the west slope of Mt. Wallace (centre) and the north slope of Sheep Mountain (on the r i g h t ) - a heavily used summer range of t h i s population. * 181 * predators helped to d i s t r i b u t e the grazing more evenly over the mountain. In a few cases i t was noticed that the sheep \"on t h e i r own\" l e f t an area where they had been grazing for four to s i x days previously. In certain instances behavioural phenomena aid i n the d i s t r i b u t i o n of grazing pressure. During -May pregnant ewes i s o l a t e themselves from the nursery bands and. ascend into c l i f f s to give b i r t h and remain there f o r a few days after with t h e i r new-born lamb. During t h i s time considerable use i s made of the sparse vegetation around such lambing areas. During the rut sheep were occasionally found to feed i n areas which they do not use except during t h i s time. Reference has been made to the exclusive use of certain.areas by e i t h e r ram or nursery bands. Since the r a t i o of members of nursery bands to members of ram. bands i s around 2:1, there i s also a greater grazing pressure on areas occupied by nursery bands. The question as to what constitutes good summer range was not investigated during t h i s study. I observed, however, that at any season some areas are preferred over others and are more in t e n s i v e l y used. The most favoured summer range of t h i s population i s shown i n Figure 41. I t i s l i k e l y that the proximity to escape t e r r a i n i s also important at t h i s time of the year. One of the o r i g i n a l objectives of t h i s i n v e s t i g a t i o n - to examine the basis for the high carrying capacity of t h i s mountain \u00E2\u0080\u0094 can l a r g e l y be explained by the d i v e r s i t y and interspersion of vegetation types and escape t e r r a i n . Sheep Mountain has almost two square miles of winter range vegetation (dry grasslands) and about 90$ of i t i s available to sheep because of proximity to escape t e r r a i n , or because i t constitutes large, open areas. I f the i n t e n s i t y of use i s expressed as sheep per square mile during * 182 * 4 4 8 winter, Sheep Mountain i s not different from many other good sheep ranges. Equally heavy utilized winter ranges have since been catalogued for other areas i n Kluane Park and for other areas i n the southern Yukon (Hoefs, 1973\u00C2\u00BB 1974b, 1975). Some densities have also been published for other sheep ranges. Murie (1944) estimated that there were between 5000 and 10000 Dall sheep i n Mt. McSinley Park during the peak year of 1928, wintering on ranges of about 200 to 250 square miles i n size. Densities were therefore between 25 and 50 sheep per square mile, and considerably higher i f the winter ranges would not include, c l i f f s , scree slopes and other sites which don't produce much forage. Blood (1967), working on California bighorns i n British Columbia, remarks: \"The-'herd consisted of 250 to 300 sheep i n 1962 and i t s maximum range was about 200 square miles. During winter the majority of the herd may be concentrated on less than 5 square miles of key winter range,\" The winter density was; therefore 50 to 60 sheep per square mile. Wishart (1958), studying Rocky Mountain bighorns in Alberta, states: \"On the Sheep River 350 acres of grasslands associated with escape terrain are utilized by an average of 62 sheep each winter.\" This winter density was therefore 114 sheep per square mile. Cowan i(l947b) l i s t s winter densities for Jasper Park as 30 to 40 wild ungulates per square mile. Considerable information on this subject i s contained i n Stelfox (1974). He l i s t s winter densities for the period of 1966 to 1973 i n Jasper Park at 81 ungulates per square mile, and for Waterton Park at 37.5 ungulates per square mile. In the latter two references \"ungulates\" are not only sheep, but also elk and mule deer, but sheep are the most numerous. For comparisons, * 183 * 449 i t was mentioned earl i e r that winter densities on Sheep Mountain averaged 17.4 sheep per square mile and were as high as 46.0 sheep per square mile on preferred ranges. There i s no doubt that winter ranges i n southern Canada produce more forage and have therefore a higher carrying capacity. On the other hand, these areas are also subject to more competition by other herbivores compared to Sheep Mountain. It i s therefore reasonable to say that the winter densities observed on Sheep Mountain are comparable to those of other good sheep winter ranges and are not \"unusual\". It i s d i f f i c u l t to discuss the concept of \"carrying capacity1* of the area, since our intensive research of range use was limited to one year and since a l l the c r i t e r i a used to describe such indices as, for instance, \"over-grazing\" have been developed for \"southern\" ranges and may not necessarily apply here. There i s no doubt that certain portions of the winter range on Sheep Mountain are over-grazed, by whatever standards \"over-grazing\" may be defined, and there are other sites which could be used more than they are now. However, most of these sites do not have a very favourable location with respect to escape terrain. Evidence has been presented to the effect that the maximum number of sheep has been between 150 and 200 adult animals for a great many years. Since they have not b u i l t up to higher numbers i n spite of periods of intensive predator controls and of recent periods of complete protection from human persecution would indicate that 150 to 200 adult sheep i s the carrying capacity of this winter range. To maintain this carrying capacity i t i s of utmost importance that the sheep engage i n the annual vertical migration to alpine summer ranges. While sheep leave the winter range for only a * 184 * 450 r e l a t i v e l y short time (some nursery sheep are absent f o r only 2 months), they do so at t&e-most c r i t i c a l period as f a r as the plant growth on the winter range i s concerned. I t allows the plants to complete t h e i r annual l i f e cycle,to set seed, to store energy i n the root system to be able to i n i t i a t e new growth the following spring. While t h i s i n v estigation was not a population study as such, since a number of paraceters have not been looked i n t o , our observations allow us to make some general comments. Evidence has been presented of t h i s population maintaining i t s e l f at a r e l a t i v e l y staole l e v e l for many years. This observatiom contradicts conclusions reached by Stelfox (1974), that sheep can not \"regulate\" t h e i r numbers, but b u i l d up to l e v e l s i n excess of the carrying capacity of t h e i r range, and are therefore subject to periodic d i e - o f f s . As far as i s known, these die-offs of bighorn populations are caused by malnutrition as a r e s u l t of poor range conditions, with lungworm-pneumonia infestations being the ultimate cause of death. Die-offs of t h i s nature have so f a r not been observed i n any D a l l sheep populations. Alaska sheep, however, are subject to occasional declines as a r e s u l t of severe winters. Neither of these phenomena have so f a r been found i n Yukon. The mechanisms keeping the Sheep Mountain population stable are at present not known, but some factors can be ruled out, and with respect to some others speculations are j u s t i f i e d . As already elaborated upon e a r l i e r , we have no evidence that diseases, parasites or winter weather have been of any importance to t h i s population. Intensive predator controls i n the early 1950's have c e r t a i n l y been a factor allowing a severely depleted population to recover more quickly. But once the optimum of 150 to 200 adult sheep was reached, predator persecution or * 185 * 451 the lack of i t appears to have had no further influence. It appears that the population i s kept stable, primarily through v a r i a t i o n s i n the lamb crops, with emigration of young animals being perhaps a corollary factor i n c e r t a i n years. Limited information suggests that the lamb crops are influenced by the n u t r i t i o n a l status of the ewes during winter, which i n turn is' influenced by the forage production of the winter range the previous season. It i s r e a l i z e d that t n i s hypothesis contradicts findings made by Cowan (1947a) and Stelfox (1974) t who documented that the n a t a l i t y rates of bighorn sheep did not decrease with deteriorating range conditions, on the other hand, Wishart (1958) concluded: \"Malnutrition i n pregnant females i s synonymous with resorbtion, abortion, s t i l l - b o r n and early mortality of the young\". Limited evidence also suggests that the annual forage production of the xerophytic vegetation on the winter range i s l a r g e l y determined by the amount of moisture available, and not by the length of the growing season with respect to favourable temperature. I f t h i s hypothesis proves correct, i t may - af t e r a number of years of observations - be possible to predict the lamb crop from the p r e c i p i t a t i o n data of the previous season i f the population i s maintained at carrying capacity l e v e l s . * 186 * 452 Management r e c o m m e n d a t i o n s ; I t was one o f t h e o b j e c t i v e s o f t h i s s t u d y t o come up w i t h r e c o m m e n d a t i o n s w h i c h w o u l d h e l p t h e Game B r a n c h i n t h e c o n s e r v a t i o n and management o f t h i s s p e c i e s . Out o f t h e a n a l y s e s o f p o p u l a t i o n d y n a m i c s d a t a and r e l a t e d i n v e s t i g a t i o n s on h o r n g r o w t h , came t h r e e i s s u e s w i t h p r a c t i c a l i m p l i c a t i o n s ; t h e f i r s t one d e a l i n g w i t h sheep c e n s u s e s and c l a s s i f i c a t i o n s , t h e s e c o n d d e a l i n g w i t h h o r n g r o w t h c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s and t h e t h i r d w i t h o p t i m i z i n g o f h a r v e s t s . O b s e r v a t i o n s made d u r i n g game s u r v e y s i n o o h e r a r e a s o f t h e K l u a n e Game S a n c t u a r y ( H o e f s , 1973) and i n a r e a s o f t he s o u t n - c e n t r a l Y u k o n ( H o e f s , 1 9 7 4 b ) indicate t h a t t h e Sheep M o u n t a i n p o p u l a t i o n d o e s n o t d i f f e r i n p r o d u c t i v i t y and h o r n g r o w t h c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s f r o m o t h e r p o p u l a t i o n i n t h e s o u t h e r n Y u k o n and t h a t management r e c o m m e n d a t i o n s a r e t h e r e f o r e a p p l i c a b l e . t o s u c h p o p u l a t i o n s . a ) Sheep C e n s u s e s and C l a s s i f i c a t i o n s : As p o i n t e d o u t b y N i c h o l s and E r i c k s o n ( l \u00C2\u00B0 6 9 ) , i t i s n o t p o s s i b l e t o o b t a i n a n a c c u r a t e c l a s s i f i c a t i o n o f a l l s e g m e n t s o f a s h e e p p o p u l a t i o n d u r i n g any one c o u n t i n one s e a s o n . I t was m e n t i o n e d e a r l i e r t h a t a c c u r a t e d e t e r m i n a t i o n o f t h e number o f l a m b s b o r n i n a p o p u l a t i o n c a n o n l y be made by b e i n g p r e s e n t o n t h e l a m b i n g g r o u n d s c o n t i n u o u s l y t h r o u g h o u t t h e l a m b i n g p e r i o d . Y e a r l i n g s a r e b e s t c o u n t e d i n l a t e w i n t e r s h o r t l y b e f o r e t h e new l a m b i n g p e r i o d s t a r t s . A c c u r a t e ram t o ewe r a t i o s c a n o n l y be e s t a b l i s h e d a f t e r r e p e a t e d c l a s s i f i e d c o u n t s . However , e x t e n s i v e s u r v e y s a r e u s u a l l y l i m i t e d t o one c o u n t p e r y e a r f o r e c o n o m i c r e a s o n s . E v e n t h o u g h i t i s i m p o r t a n t t o know t h e w i n t e r r a n g e s o f s h e e p p o p u l a t i o n s , more a c c u r a t e s u r v e y s \u00E2\u0080\u0094 p a r t i c u l a r l y a e r i a l s u r v e y s \u00E2\u0080\u0094 a r e * 187 * 453 p o s s i b l e i n sosnmer v/hen a l l sheep a r e above t i r a b e r l i n e and above t h e -s u b - a l p i n e shrub- z o n e . Such s u r v e y s s h o u l d be done a s l a t e i n summer a s p o s s i b l e when t h e snow h a s m e l t e d b u t b e f o r e new snow f a l l s . I n t h e s o u t h e r n Y u k o n , t h e most a p p r o p r i a t e t i m e i s t h e s e c o n d h a l f o f J u l y and t h e f i r s t h a l f o f A u g u s t . A e r i a l s u r v e y s do n o t l e n d t h e m s e l v e s t o g r e a t r e t a i l i n c l a s s i f i c a t i o n ; h o w e v e r , when e n c o u n t e r i n g n u r s e r y b a n d s , i t i s a l w a y s p o s s i b l e t o s e p a r a t e l a m b s o f t h e y e a r f r o m \" a d u l t \" members o f s u c h b a n d s ( e w e s , y o u n g r a a s , . y e a r l i n g s ) . I n s m a l l b a n d s i t i s o f t e n a l s o p o s s i b l e t o s e p a r a t e o u t t h e y o u n g (2 t o 3 y e a r o l d ) rams.. Members o f ram b a n d s s h o u l d b e . s e p a r a t e d i n t o a t l e a s t two g r o u p s : l e g a l rams and y o u n g e r a n i m a l s . U n d e r p r e s e n t Yukon l e g i s l a t i o n a l e g a l s h e e p i s d e f i n e d a s a ram whose h o r n c u r l c i r c u m s c r i b e s a n a n g l e o f 270\u00C2\u00B0 o r m o r e . To d e t e r m i n e t h e age a t w h i c h rams become l e g a l , 13 s e t s o f unbroomed h o r n s were m e a s u r e d b y methods d e s c r i b e d i n E r i c k s o n (1970). I t was f o u n d t h a t most rams become l e g a l d u r i n g t h e i r s i x t h g r o w i n g s e a s o n (5 t o 6 y e a r age g r o u p ) , w h i l e some a l r e a d y r e a c h t h a t s t a t e a t t h e end o f t h e i r f i f t h g r o w i n g s e a s o n (4 t o 5 age g r o u p ) . S i n c e most h u n t i n g t a k e s p l a c e i n A u g u s t and S e p t e m b e r , ' w h i l e t h e h o r n g r o w i n g s e a s o n i s s t i l l i n f u l l s w i n g , i t i s r e a s o n a b l e t o s a y t h a t f e w i f any r a m s i n t h e i r f i f t h g r o w i n g s e a s o n a r e l e g a l d u r i n g t h o s e months ( T a b l e 40b). Measu rements o f o v e r 200 sheep s k u l l s b y t h e Y u k o n Game B r a n c h i n . f a l l o f 1973\u00C2\u00BB s u p p o r t t h e d a t a o f T a b l e 40b, a s l o n g a s t h e s k u l l s o r i g i n a t e d i n t h e s o u t h e r n Y u k o n . I n t h e n o r t h , f o r i n s t a n c e i n t h e O g i l v i e M o u n t a i n s , i t a p p e a r s t h a t i t t a k e s t h e rams one y e a r l o n g e r t o r e a c h l e g a l s i z e . T a b l e 40b shows t h a t \" d e g r e e c u r l \" i s an a c c u r a t e method t o c l a s s i f y rams up t o t h e age o f f i v e y e a r s . From t h e n on i t becomes p r o g r e s s i v e l y l e s s r e l i a b l e TABLE: 40a Horn Statistics of Pali rams from the Kluane Game Sanctuary \u00E2\u0080\u00A22 - c o Annual Increments in horn growth In cm. (centimeters) h5h O V O I--u u at to (Only complete Increments are considered) C 35 13 - 31.8 A 60 13 + - 33.7 -C'47 12 + Winter mV72 33.5 C 21 12 + - 31.8 _ C 3 12 + - 31.1 A 80 12 + Oct. 'ma. 31.5 A 79 12 + Winter /72?73 33.7 A 83 12 + Winter IJS/iy 31.5 A 38 12 . + - 32.4 A 8 12 + Winter WJ0 34.3 _ A 37 11 + - 33.0 -A 25 11 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 + - 34.0 A 13 11 + - 33.0 -A 9 11 + - 33.0 A 4 11 + Feb. '.70 35.6 _ B 13 11 + - 32.4 _ B 6 11 + - 30.8 -A 31 11 . - Sept. \"US 34.3 -A 46 11 - Feb. '.TH 34.0 -A 48 11 - March 'V7!l 31.8 _ A 62 11 - June '711 35.6 10.2 A 78 11 + Winter HZl/tt. 31.8 _ A 64 11 + Winter nan. 34;o 7.6 C 40 11 + - 36.0 _ C 38 11 + Winter ,13/72. 32.3 _ C 25 11 + - 32.1 _ C 19 11 + - 31.8 A 10 10 April '\68 31.8 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 -A 5 10 - Feb. ',70 34.3 -B 19 10 + - 35.6 B 11 10 + - 32.4 _ B 4 10 + - 28.5 _ C 46 10 + Winter IKI32 30.0 A 30 10 - Sept. 'V7J0 33.6 8.6 A 57 10 - Oct. V7D 33.7 A 75 10 + Nov. '72 30.8 5.7 A 70 10 + Fall '.70 31.5 _ A 67 10 + Winter ,7071, 35.9 _ A 65 10 + - 30.5 7.6 A 42 10 + Nov. '70 31.8 7.3 C 39 10 + Winter /7W2, 32.8 _ C 29 10 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 + - 31.1 C 17 10 + - 31.1 _ C 16 10 + -C 2 10 - 31.1 _ C 34 9 + - 35.4 A 23 9 - Fall '69 30.8 A 22 9 + - 32.4 _ A 7 9 + Winter :6SftV. 32.1 B 12 9 + - 31.1 _ B 10 9 + - 30.5 -B 5 9 + - 32.4 -A 29 9 - Sept. ',70 35.9 -A 45 9 + Jan. '7il 32.7 -A 76 9 + Winter .7OT2S 35.6 A 77 9 + Winter iVJ/gSi 35.0 _ A 81 9 . + Winter nam. 34.0 A 69 9 + \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 Fall \"70 31.1 -A 68 9 + Winter /TOOT, 34.9 A 66 9 + Winter ijaim 32.1 _ A 54 9 + Winter /7BOT1 29.8 7.6 C 48 9 Winter /71WZ? 31.5 _ A 1 8 + Winter 31.8 10.2 A 61 8 - June '7,1 34.9 _ A 82 8 Winter 72M35 33.0 _ A 74 8 + - . 30.5 _ A 56 8 + \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 April 'M 31.5 -A 53 8 + - 35.6 _ C 26 S + - 26.4 -C 20 8 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 6.1 C 15 8 33.6 C 11 8 + - 29.5 _ C 36 7 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2f. - 29.7 7.5 C 18 7 +, - 33.0 C 4 7 + \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 - 32.4 _ C 1 7 + - 32.4 _ A 6 7 + Winter 69/IC 31.8 B 3 7 + - 27.6 _ B 2 7 + - 32.1 C 13 6 + - _ _ C 6 6 + . - 30.8 _ B 1 6 + - 33.6 _ A 63 5 + - 31.1 _ C 37 5 + - 29.0 C 7 5 + - 26.4 _ C 5 5 + - 26.7 8.9 A 26 4 + - 27.0 8.9 A 21 4 + - 21.6 8.6 B 15 4 + - 25.1 A 47 3 + Feb. '71 22.9 6.4 C 28 3 + - 24.5 B 16 3 + - 24.8 22.0 20.6 21.3 23.9 26.4 25.5 23.0 21.0 25.4 20.0 21.9 25.4 21.3 19.1 21.9 22.8 22.5 21.0 26.0 24.8 26.0 23.5 20.9 24.8 20.0 19.7 16.5 21.6 17.5 17.4 17.1 18.7 16.2 20.3 22.9 27.0 23.1 15.9 24.8 22.2 25.4 20.3 17.8 16.8 22.2 18.8 14.0 19.2 18.7 16.5 17.8 17.8 21.6 17.8 19.1 18.1 18.1 18.1 19.1 16.5 23.5 21.6 19.1 18.8 18.1 18.1 19.3 17.8 19.0 17.6 17.8 16.2 18.4 14.9 22.9 18.8 22.5 18.1 16.8 17.8 20.0 17.4 15.8 15.5 17.1 15.2 15.0 16.8 17.1 18.1 16.8 18.0 19.4 19.1 19.7 13.3 15.5 18.4 16.2 19.4 20.0 19.1 17.8 16.8 15.5 16.8 14.9 16.0 17.1 19.4 16.9 19.6 14.0 17.1 11.5 19.4 19.1 11.5 15.3 13.3 20.3 17.1 19.7 16.5 16.5 11.2 22.5 20.3 18.1 17.0 15.8 17.1 21.3 16.2 15.5 17.4 19.1 19.4 13.0 14.5 15.4 10.2 13.3 13.0 14.0 12.3 17.1 14.0 13.7 15.5 14.9 15.2 16.5 13.0 12.7 14.9 12.7 13.3 15.8 13.7 12.7 13.2 13.3 11.2 13.7 12.7 17.4 15.2 14.3 14.9 14.5 10.2 14.3 15.2 12.4 13.7 13.0 14.0 9.0 11.5 11.5 13.0 11.5 15.2 14.6 13.7 14.3 12.1 16.5 15.2 14.6 15.2 13.0 14.6 12.4 13.3 11.1 10.2 11.8 15.2 12.1 15.3 11.5 13.2 12.7 11.5 10.2 14.9 16.2 10.5 11.2 16.5 16.2 14.9 10.8 9.5 14.0 6.1 13.7 15.8 16.5 13.6 12.7 8.6 9.2 5 6 7 9.8 8.0 5.2 12.8 9.5 7.0 11.6 9.3 6.0 9.5 6.6 6.4 12.7 6.7 5.1 9.2 7.0 5.1 11.5 7.6 4.7 8.0 6.5 3.5 13.0 10.8 7.0 12.4 10.2 6.4 8.9 7.3 4.4 11.8 7.9 4.7 13.3 11.2 8.6 13.3 8.6 6.4 10.8 7.6 3.1 12.1 8.9 6.4 10.8 7.6 6.1 11.8 7.6 5.7 9.8 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 6.7 5.4 10.2 5.7 5.1 9.5 7.0 3.8 8.6 7.0 4.4 9.5 6.3 4.5 10.0 7.0 5.2 9.0 7.8 4.8 11.2 8.6 8.6 11.5 6.7 5.1 11.5 7.9 5.1 12.1 7.0 4.4 12.4 6.7 6.4 10.8 6.1 4.1 12.7 8.2 5.1 13.0 5.0 3.2 6.7 5.1 4.7 11.8 7.6 5.7 9.8 10.2 6.7 11.7 8.2 5.7 . 11.4 8.9 7.3 12.8 7.1 5.3 10.5. 8.9 7.6 7.2 6.0 6.3 10.2 5.1 4.1 10.6 8.2 7.6 11.2 8.2 5.7 10.2 5.1 4.1 8.7 7.2 5.4 9.5 6.4. 6.1 11.5 8.9 7.6 10.2 5.7 4.7 9.5 7.3 5.7 18.1 12.4 8.6 11.5 9.2 6.4 11.2 9.5 6.1 12.7 8.9 6.1 11.2 11.2 8.2 12.1 10.2 7.0 10.2 8.2 5.4 7.6 6.7 7.0 10.8 10.2 5.1 8.5 7.0 6.3 9.5 5.1 4.7 14.0 12.0 7.0 10.5 7.9 7.0 13.0 8.3 6.7 11.8 10.5 6.4 11.1 7.6 3.8 . 11.8 . 8.9 7.6 12.1 9.8 8.2 11.5 8.6 3.8 8.6 8.6 4.7 13.5 9.2 6.5 7.0 4.7 5.4 6.8 5.5 3.8 17.8 12.7 9.2 8.6 7.0 . 7.0 6.1 3.5 8.2 7.6 4.4 2.8 1.6 10.8 9.2 -6.4 6.1 8.2 -10.8 8.6 11.1 8 9 10 11 12 4.5 3.8 1.7 1.2 .6 5.0 3.1 3.0 2.0 1.6 5.1 3.8 2.2 1.5 1.2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A25.4 5.1 3.5 2.6 1.8 3.1 3.5 2.5 1.6 . . 2.8 2.8 1.6 1.0 0.6 2.5 1.9 1.6 2.8 1.9 2.2 2.8 1.7 1.2 . . 5.1 2.5 1.9 1.6 0.6 5.4 4.1 2.8 1.3 1.0 3.1 2.2 1.6 -5.1 2.2 2.2 -6.7 4.4 2.5 -4.7 2.2 2.2 1.6 2.2 2.2 1.9 1.6 3.8 4.1 2.5 -5.1 4.4 2.5 -4.4 3.8 3.1 -4.7 3.5 2.2 1.0 4.4 4.1 3.1 2.2 3.5 1.9 2.6 1.6 2.5 2.5 3.5 2.5 4.2 2.8 2.8 1.9 3.1 3.7 2.4 1.5 4.4 2.8 2.8 1.5 6.1 4.1 3.5 -3.8 3.8 2.5 1.9 4.4 3.5 -4.1 3.5 .2.2 4.4 2.8 2.8 1.9 -2.8 1.6 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 3.4 3.4 4.8 3.8 2.2 -3.1 2.8 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 - \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 6.4 5.1 3.8 5.7 5.1 -5.4 3.7 2.5 4.8 2.8 2.2 6.7 4.1 3.5 5.5 5.0 2.7 2.8 2.2 1.3 4.7 3.1 3.1 2.8 2.5 2.2 2.8 2.2 . -4.1 -4.4 3.8 5.7 -3.5 2.2 3.8 2.5 6.1 -6.1 -3.8 -5.1 3.1 5.4 3.1 4.7 2.5 5.4 3.1 4.1 -4.1 3.7 6.0 5.1 3.5 4.4 5.8 4.2 5.4 5.4 3.8 4.1 6.7 6.4 2.S 3.2 3.8 3.3 13 TABLE: 40b Horn s t a t i s t i c s of Dall rams from the Kluane Game Sanctuary Annual increments of horn growth expressed as \"degree c u r l \" :tion : death (a = increment for the year; b = total degree c u r l to that a ge) Collec Numbei 03 41\" 0 0 0 0 0 ' 2 2 2 0 * ox ox OX OX OX 10X 8X 13X ox Numbers) 42\" 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 X ox ox OX ox ox 5X \u00C2\u00ABx 7X ox Numbers>43\" 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 * ox 0X ox ox OX OX ox. 7X ox * Length of longest horn in inches \u00E2\u0080\u00A2* Mountain ranges bordered by the Alaska Highway in the North, Kusawa Lake - the west. The Yukon - B.C. border - the south, and the Carcross Highway - the east. * 196 * 4 7 1 ninth year. When working out optimum harvest figures the assumption i s made that hunting pressure i s so intense that the maximum number of rams should be available 'bi.Lt. at the same time the hunters should have a cnance to bag a \"trophy\". IJt. trophies were encountered below the 8 to 9 year age class i n the '.Writer's c o l l e c t i o n from the Kluane area (Table 43), and therefore, no hunting shouM be considered below that age group. Starting off with an assumed 100 cams i n the 7 to 8 year age class (Table 43) of which none was a \"trophy\",, natural mortality during winter has reduced the t o t a l numba* of rams present to 86, however, 28 of these (33/\u00C2\u00B0) have now become \"trophies\". I f these rams cantinue to l i v e to the 9 to 10 year age c l a s s , natural mortali t y w i _ l iaave reduced t h e i r number to 65 of which 25 (38%) are \"trophies\". To wait a further year would reduce the t o t a l number present to 40 because osf the heavy natural mortality rate of 39% i n t h i s age class. Even though t h i s age group has the highest percent a^e of \"trophies\" (42%). only 17 rams f a l l i n t o t h i s category because of the small t o t a l number of rams remaining. Referring back to the population model (Figure42) there are 7 rams i n the 8 to 9 year age class which could be harvested annually. Of these, 33% or 2 animals can be expected to be \"trophies\", one may be a 40 inch ram. Converting t h i s into a p r a c t i c a l r a t i o , i t can be said that 100 \"nursery\" sheep (bands of ewes, yearlings and about l/3 of the 2 to 3 year olu males) w i l l produce 6 \" o l d '* rams annually, of which two w i l l be \"trophies\". These 6 rams can be harvested every year on the basis of sustained y i e l d , i f they are taken i n the 8 to 9 year age c l a s s . I f hunting pressure i s l e s s intense, as i n inaccessible areas where only o u t f i t t e r s operate, preference may be given to rams that \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 * 197 * 472 \"make t h e b o o k \" V o v e r a l a r g e t o t a l number h a r v e s t e d . Under s u c h c i r c u m -s t a n c e s h a r v e s t i n g s h o u l d be l i m i t e d t o t h e 10 t o 11 o r e v e n 11 t o 12 y e a r a g e c l a s s e s . \u00C2\u00A3s i s o b v i o u s f r o m T a b l e 44, t h e c h a n c e s o f o b t a i n i n g , 41, 42 , 43 i n c t t rams i n c r e a s e s w i t h a g e . However , b e c a u s e o f g r e a t l y i n c r e a s i n g n a t u r a l m o r t a l i t i e s i n ' t h e s e age g r o u p s , t h e t o t a l number t h a t c a n be t a k e n a n n u a l l y on t h e b a s i s o f s u s t a i n e d y i e l d becomes d r a s t i c a l l y r e d u c e d . I n s p e c t i o n o f F i g u r e 42 r e v e a l s t h a t t h e r e a r e o n l y 4 rams i n t h e 10 t o 11 year / age c l a s s , and o n l y 2 i n t h e 11 t o 12 y e a r age c l a s s . T h e r e f o r e , 100 ' \" n u r s e r y s h e e p \" w i l l o n l y p r o d u c e a b o u t 3 rams a n n u a l l y i n t h e 10 t o .11 y e a r age c l a s s , one o r two o f t h e s e w i l l be \" t r o p h i e s \" , h o w e v e r , t h e c ' iaaices a r e i n c r e a s e d t h a t t h e s e t r o p h i e s w i l l \"make t h e b o o k \" , * 198 * 473 Summary; 1. An e c o l o g i c a l i n v e s t i g a t i o n was conducted on a population of Da l l sheep from 1969 to 1973\u00E2\u0080\u00A2 2. Population s t a t i s t i c s on t h i s herd are presented f o r t h i s entire f i v e year period, while intensive range use and forage selection studies were l i m i t e d to one year (1970/71) period. To do t h i s i t was necessary to f i r s t analyse the vegetation of the area and to construct a vegetation map. Part I of t h i s investigation deals with these vegetation aspects. 3. The study area \u00E2\u0080\u0094 or the range of t h i s sheep population \u00E2\u0080\u0094 i s located near the centre of the newly proposed Kluane National Park. For p r a c t i c a l purposes i t i s bordered by Kluane Lake i n the east, Slims River i n the south, Congdon Creek i n the north, and B u l l i o n Creek i n the west. \"Sheep Mountain\", the most important winter range of t h i s population, i s located at the southern boundary of t h i s population's range, and i t i s bordered by the Slims River i n the south, Kluane Lake i n the east, Sheep Creek i n the west and the depression between Sheep Mountain and adjacent Mt. Wallace i n the north. Population s t a t i s t i c s were gathered over the entire range of t h i s population, while intensive range use studies were l i m i t e d to Sheep Mountain proper. 4. During the study period the numbers of adult sheep i n t h i s population, counted i n l a t e winter just p r i o r to the a r r i v a l of the new lamb crop, has remained very stable around, 200 animals. . * 199 * 5* The t o t a l \" p o t e n t i a l \" r a n g e o f t h i s p o p u l a t i o n i s a p p r o x i m a t e l y 64 s q u a r e m i l e s , o f w h i c h o n l y a b o u t 43 s q u a r e m i l e s a r e u s e d , g i v i n g a d e n s i t y on t h e y e a r - r o u n d r a n g e o f a b o u t 3.9 a d u l t sheep p e r s q u a r e m i l e . W i n t e r d e n s i t i e s (December t o May) a r e c o n s i d e r a b l y h i g h e r , and r e a c h a maximum o f 46 sheep p e r s q u a r e m i l e on t h e most h e a v i l y u s e d a r e a s . 6. The s e x r a t i o o f t h i s p r o t e c t e d p o p u l a t i o n was a b o u t e q u a l i t y a t b i r t h and a v e r a g e d 93 o*o* t o 100 oo among a d u l t s f o r t h e 5 y e a r p e r i o d . 7 . Sheep r e a c h e d s e x u a l m a t u r i t y a t 2g- y e a r s o f age and c o n t i n u e d t o b r e e d t o maximum a g e . C o l l e c t i o n s o f o v e r 100 s k u l l s i n d i c a t e d t h a t t h e 12 t o 13 y e a r age c l a s s i s t h e maximum l i f e span i n t h i s p o p u l a t i o n . 8 . N a t a l i t y r a t e s v a r i e d b e t w e e n a maximum o f 76 l a m b s p e r 100 ewes and a l o w o f 51 l a m b s p e r 100 ewes , e s t a b l i s h e d a t t i m e s o f l a m b i n g , w i t h no t w i n n i n g b e i n g o b s e r v e d i n t h i s p o p u l a t i o n . 9. M o r t a l i t y d u r i n g t h e f i r s t y e a r o f l i f e a v e r a g e d 33% w i t h t h e h e a v i e s t l o s s d u r i n g t h e f i r s t month o f l i f e (18%) . 1 0 . M o r t a l i t y d u r i n g t h e s e c o n d y e a r o f l i f e was e s t i m a t e d t o be l e s s t h a n 10%. 1 1 . Among a d u l t s h e e p , m a n - i n f l i c t e d m o r t a l i t y was t h e s i n g l e most i m p o r t a n t c a u s e o f d e a t h , w i t h p r e d a t i o n b e i n g s e c o n d i n i m p o r t a n c e . 12. A l i f e t a b l e f o r t h i s p o p u l a t i o n i s p r e s e n t e d , and c o m p a r i s o n s a r e d rawn * 200 * 4 7 5 t o o t h e r sheep h e r d s . 13. The p o p u l a t i o n s t a t i s t i c s d e r i v e d were u s e d f o r s u c h p r a c t i c a l c o n s i d e r a t i o n s a s recommend ing a p p r o p r i a t e t i m e s o f sheep s u r v e y s , a n d c l a s s i f c i t a t i o n s and d e s i g n i n g q u o t a s f o r v a r i o u s l e v e l s o f h a r v e s t s . 14. A h i s t o r i c a l r e v i e w o f t h i s p o p u l a t i o n showed t h a t i t was s e v e r e l y r e d u c e d f i r s t s , a r o u n d t h e t u r n o f t h i s c e n t u r y b e c a u s e o f m i n i n g a c t i v i t y a n d a g a i n d a r i n g t h e c o n s t r u c t i o n o f t h e A l a s k a H ighway i n t h e m id 1940's. The p o p u l a t i o n , s u r v i v e d f r o m b o t h t h e s e e v e n t s and b u i l t up l e v e l s o f 150 t o 200 t a i u l t . s h e e p , w h i c h a p p e a r s t o be t h e c a r r y i n g c a p a c i t y o f t h i s r a n g e . t 15. The s h e e p s ' . r esponse t o a number o f p h y s i c a l e n v i r o n m e n t a l v a r i a b l e s was i n v e s t i g a t e d . I t was f o u n d t h a t sheep f e d whenever p o s s i b l e o n a r e a s w i t h .'HSD snow o r v e r y s h a l l o w snow, t h a t t h e y were f o u n d a t l o w e s t e l e v a t i o n s ];:. Game Surveys i n south-central Yukon and an evaluation of the present degree of ex p l o i t a t i o n . Yukon T e r r i t o r i a l Game Branch, Unjrcrblished report. Hoefs, M . (I974c]>: Abnormal de n t i t i o n i n d a l l sheep (Ovis d a l l i d a l l i Nelson). Can. F i e l d . Nat. 8 8 : 2 2 8 - 2 2 9 . Hoefs, M . (1975) : : Sheep surveys and evaluation of present harvests i n southwestern Yukon. Unpublished report on f i l e with the Yukon Game Branch, Whitehorse. Hofmann, A. &s The W o l v e s o f Mount M c K i n l e y . F a u n a o f t h e N a t i o n a l P a r k s o f t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s , F a u n a S e r i e s N o . 5 . M u r i e , A . ( I 9 4 6 ) r A n o t h e r l o o k a t M t . M c K i n l e y P a r k S h e e p . The l i v i n g w i l d e r n e s s 1 9 4 6 . N a s i m o v i c h , A . A . C u n d a t e d ) : The R o l e o f snow c o v e r c o n d i t i o n s i n t h e L i f e o f U n g u l a t e s i n t h e U . S . S . R . P r e p a r e d f o r C . W . S . b y T r a n s l a t i o n S e r v i c e , D e p t . o f I n d i a n A f f a i r s and N o r t h e r n D e v e l o p m e n t . N e i l a n d , K . A . ( 1 9 7 2 ) : Sheep D i s e a s e S t u d i e s . A l a s k a D e p a r t m e n t o f F i s h and Game. P r o j e c t NO: W - 1 7 - 3 and 4 , U n p u b l i s h e d R e p o r t . N i c h o l s , L . ( 1 9 6 8 ) : D a l l Sheep R e p o r t . A l a s k a D e p t . o f F i s h and Game, P r o j e c t N o : W - 1 5 - R - 2 & 3 , U n p u b l i s h e d R e p o r t . N i c h o l s , L . ( 1 9 7 1 ) : The D a l l s h e e p and i t s management i n A l a s k a . T r a n s a c t i o n s o f N o r t h A m e r i c a n W i l d Sheep C o n f e r e n c e 1 : 2 - 8 . N i c h o l s , L . ( 1 9 7 2 ) : Sheep R e p o r t . U n p u b l i s h e d R e p o r t on f i l e w i t h A l a s k a D e p a r t m e n t o f F i s h and Game. P r o j e c t P r o g r e s s R e p o r t W - 1 7 - 3 , 4 - 6 . 4 R . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 * 212 * N i c h o l s , L . & 2L&-. E r i c k s o n ( 1 9 6 9 ) : Sheep R e p o r t . A l a s k a D e p t . o f F i s h and Game. E r o j e c t N o : W - 1 5 - R - 3 and W - 1 7 - 1 U n p u b l i s h e d R e p o r t . N i c h o l s , L . & W. H e i m e r (1972): Sheep R e p o r t . A l a s k a D e p t . o f F i s h and Game. E r o j e c t N o : W-17- 3 & 4, U n p u b l i s h e d R e p o r t . N i c h o l s , L . \u00E2\u0080\u00A2'& .-A. S m i t h (1971): Sheep R e p o r t . A l a s k a D e p a r t m e n t o f F i s h and Game. E r o j e c t N o : W-17 - 2 & 3 . U n p u b l i s h e d R e p o r t . N i e v e r g e l t , B . C 1 9 6 6 ) : D e r A l p e n s t e i n b o c k ( C a p r a i b e x L . ) i n s e i n e m L e b e n s r a u m . \" M s n m a l i a d e p i c t a \" V e r l a g P a u l P a r e y . Hamburg , Germany . P a l m e r , L . J . ( l S & l ) : D a l l sheep i n t h e M t . H a y e s r e g i o n . U n i t e d S t a t e s Department : o f t h e I n t e r i o r F i s h and W i l d l i f e S e r v i c e . U n p u b -l i s h e d R e p o r t . P i t z m a n , M . ( 1 9 S 9 ) : \"Lamb s u r v i v a l . \" A l a s k a D e p t . o f F i s h and Game P r o j e c t N o : W - 1 5 - R - 3 . U n p u b l i s h e d R e p o r t . P u l l i n g , A . V . . S . CI945): N o n - b r e e d i n g i n b i g h o r n s h e e p . J . W i l d l i f e Mgmt . 9 (2): 155-156. R a e s f e l d , v o n 'F. (1964): Das R o t w i l d (5th e d i t i o n ) V e r l a g P a u l P a r e y , H a m b u r g , (Germany. R a e s f e l d , v o n F. (1965): Das R e h w i l d (6th e d i t i o n ) V e r l a g P a u l P a r e y , H a m b u r g , Germany. R a u s c h , R . A . <& F. J o n e s (1966): Sheep R e p o r t . A l a s k a D e p t . o f F i s h and Game, P r o j e c t N o : W-6-R-6. U n p u b l i s h e d R e p o r t . S c h o l a n d e r , P . F . , V . W a l t e r s , R . H o c k and L . I r v i n g (1950): B o d y i n s u l a t i o n o f some a r c t i c and t r o p i c a l mammals and b i r d s . B i o l . B u l l . 99: 225-236. * 213 * 488 S c h r o d e r , W. (1971 ) : U n t e r s u c h u n g e n z u r O k o l o g i e d e s G a m s w i l d e s ( R u p i c a p r a r u p l e a p r a ) i n e inem Vorkommen d e r A l p e n ( P a r t I ) . Z e i t s c h r i f t f u r J a g d w i s s e n s c h a f t 1 7 ( 4 ) : 1 9 7 - 2 3 5 . S c o t t , R . F . (1951 a ) : M o u n t a i n Sheep s t u d i e s . U . S . F i s h and W i l d l i f e S e r v i c e . Q u a r t . P r o g . R e p t . Work P l a n N o . 9 : 5 ( 3 ) : 1 1 - 2 1 . U n p u b l i s h e d R e p o r t . S c o t t , R . F . ( 1 9 5 ! b ) : M o u n t a i n sheep s t u d i e s f o r p e r i o d A p r i l 1 t o S e p t e m b e r 3 0 . HH..S. F i s h and W i l d l i f e S e r v i c e . Q u a r t e r l y P r o g r e s s R e p o r t P - R P r o j e c t 3 - 4 - 6 , Work P l a n ( f ) , A l a s k a . 6 ( 1 ) : 6 4 - 9 5 . T y p e w r i t t e n . S c o t t , R . F . ' ( 1951c ) :\u00E2\u0080\u00A2 D i s t r i b u t i o n and A b u n d a n c e o f D a l l Sheep i n A l a s k a . S e c o n f l A l a s k a S c i e n c e C o n f e r e n c e ^ t . M c K i n l e y N a t i o n a l P a r k . S e p t e m b e r 4 - 8 f 1.951. ' S c o t t , R . , E . F . C h a t e l a i n & W . A . E l k i n s ( 1 9 5 0 ) : T h e S t a t u s o f t h e D a l l Sheep and C a r i b o u i n A l a s k a . T r a n s a c t i o n s o f t h e 1 5 t h N o r t h A m e r i c a n W i l d l i f t e C o n f e r e n c e : 5 9 7 - 6 1 1 . . S h a c k l e t o n , D . M . C 1 9 7 3 ) : P o p u l a t i o n q u a l i t y and B i g h o r n Sheep ( O v i s c a n a d e n s i s c a n a d e n s i s S h a w ) . U n i v e r s i t y o f C a l g a r y . U n p u b l . P h . D . T h e s i s . S h a c k l e t o n , D. fit \u00C2\u00A9 .A . H u t t o n ( 1 9 7 1 ) : A n a n a l y s i s o f t h e m e c h a n i s m o f b r o o m i n g o f m o u n t a i n sheep h o r n s . Z e i t s c h r i f t f u r S a i g e t i e r k u n d e . B d . 36 ( 6 ) : 3 4 2 - 3 5 0 . S h e l d o n , C . ( 1 9 1 1 ) : The W i l d e r n e s s o f t h e upper Y u k o n . C h a r l e s S c r i b n e r ' s S o n s New Y o r k . * 214 * S h e l d o n , C . ( 1 9 3 0 ) : The w i l d e r n e s s o f D e n a l i : \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 e x p l o r a t i o n s o f a h u n t e r - n a t u r a l i s t i n n o r t h e r n A l a s k a . New Y o r k and L o n d o n . C h a r l e s S c r i b n e r f s S o n s . S immons , N . M . ( (1968) : N o n - r e s i d e n t b i g game h u n t i n g i n game management zone 1 2 , M a c k e n z i e M o u n t a i n s , N . W . T . U n p u b l i s h e d R e p o r t C a n a d i a n W i l d l i f e S e r v i c e , E d m o n t o n . S m i t h , D . R . ( 1 9 5 4 ) : The b i g h o r n sheep i n I d a h o . I d a h o D e p t . F i s h and Game. W i l d l i f e B u l l e t i n N o . 1. S p e n c e r , C . C . !'(1943) : N o t e s on t h e l i f e h i s t o r y o f R o c k y M o u n t a i n B i g h o r n Sheep im t h e T a r r y a l l M o u n t a i n s o f C o l o r a d o . J o u r n a l o f Mammalogy 24: 1-11. S t e l f o x , J . G . CI971): B i g h o r n Sheep i n t h e C a n a d i a n R o c k i e s : A H i s t o r y 1800 - 1970. C a n a d i a n F i e l d N a t u r a l i s t 85 (2): 101-122. S t e l f o x , J . G . ((1974) : Range e c o l o g y o f B i g h o r n Sheep i n r e l a t i o n t o s e l f - r e g u l a t i o n t h e o r i e s . A p a p e r p r e s e n t e d a t t h e N o r t h e r n W i l d Sheep C o u n c i l m e e t i n g i n G r e a t F a l l s , M o n t a n a , A p r i l 23-25/1974. S t o d d a r t , L . A . & A . D . S m i t h (1955): Range Management . M c G r a w - H i l l B o o k Company, New Y o r k . 433 p p . T a b e r , R . D . & ; R . F . Dasmann (1957): The d y n a m i c s o f t h r e e n a t u r a l p o p u l a t i o n s o f t h e d e e r O d o c o i l e u s hemionus c o l u m b i a n u s . E c o l o g y 30: 233-246. T r i b e , D . E . (.1950): The b e h a v i o u r o f t h e g r a z i n g a n i m a l : A c r i t i c a l r e v i e w o f p r e s e n t k n o w l e d g e . B r i t . G r a s s l . S o c . J . 5: 209-24. 489 * 215 * 49 W a l l a c e , R . (18rt i Table Ull Order Aliance Asociation Number of plots CHARACTERISTIC SPECIES: ORDER 1 I Alliance 1: (C) Aster yukonensis Hordeun jubatum Puccinellia deschanpsioldes Taraxacum lacerum Alliance 2: (C) Deschampsia caespitosa Ranunculus cyobalaria ORDER 1 I Alliance 3: (C) Calamagrostis neglecta Carex aquatilis Triglochin palustre Asociation S: (C) Castilleja yukonls Lomatogoniurn rotatui Primula strtcta ORDER 3: (B) Salfx brachycarpa Salix planifolia (C) Carex hasei Equisetum palustre Juncus arcticus (0) Catoscopium nigritum Cinclidlum styglum Aliance 4 I Asociation 7: (C) Carex microglochln Carex paryana Pedicularis sudetica Splranthes romaniof i ana Alliance S I Asociation S: (C) Erlophorutn brachyantheruit Juncus alpinus (0) Harchantia polymorpha Mesea uliginosa UKDER 4, Alliance 6 S Asociation y: (B) Elaeagnus coniautata (C) Crepis elegans Dryas drumondi Lupinus arcticus Oxytropis capestris ORDER 5, Alliance 7 1 Asociation 10: (A) Populus balsanifera Populus trenulaides (B) Juniperus comunis .Rosa acicularis Shepherdia canadensis Viburnura edule (C) Epi 1 obi um angustifolium Juniperus horizontalis ORDER 6, Aliance 8 h Asociation 11: (C) Achillea lanulosa Anemone multifida Arctostaphylos uva-ursi Astragalus williamsii Bromjs pumpelianus Calamagrostis purpurascens Comandra umbel lata Galium boreale Pulsatilla patens Smlacina stellata Solidago decumbens ORDER 7: (A) Picea glauca (C) Carex conclna Geocaulon lividum Linaea borealis Pymla secunda Aliance 9 & Asociation 12: (C) Cypripedium paserinum Hedysarum mackenzi1 (0) Abietinela abietina Hypnum pmcerri raum ORDER 8 S Alliance 10: (C) Agropyron yukonense Artemisia frigida Aster alpinus Carex filifolia Erigeron caespltosus Li rum perene Pentstemon gornanil (0} Caloplaca cirochroa Dermatocarpon hepaticum Hyp\u00E2\u0084\u00A2 vaucheri Lecidea decipiens Lecidea rubiformis CONDENSED TABLE OF FLORISTIC STRUCTURE OF PLANT ASSOCIATIONS AND THEIR HIGHER UNITS [expresed by the constancy clases (Roman numbers) and the average species significance] 1 1 2 12 3 4 5 5 5 5 ~ _ - 1 5 iZ \u00C2\u00A7 \" s \u00C2\u00B0-~ \u00E2\u0080\u0094 3 = \u00C2\u00B0 5 i \u00C2\u00B0^ 2 3 4 5 6 7 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 5 6 7 8 9 10 1 12 5 5 5 5 5 5 10 10 10 14 15 16 5 5 10 18 19 10 10 UJ -I _ 3 s 51 Si S 1 = \u00E2\u0080\u0094 S >= 51 . 8S| = \u00E2\u0084\u00A2 Hi o \u00E2\u0080\u0094 \" ^ =c 1 s 11 IE STUCE LICET LICET, I iH 10 1 12 13 1 15 16 17 12 13 14 15 16 17 16 19 2D 21 2 23 20 21 2 23 24 25 26 27 26 29 30 31 32 5 5 10 5 10 5 5 10 10 10 10 5 5 IV I V I 1.2 0.6 1.8 0.2 I 0.4 0.Z I 0.2 I 4 0.4 I V 0.* 5.4 JJ J 0.6 0.4 5.6 1.2 II V 0.6 6.6 I I 0.4 0.2 IV II 1.2 2.2 V IV 6.2 1.4 II II 1.2 0.6 I I 0.6 0.4 IV 0.8 V 1.6 ' V 1.2 1.1 i 0.1 I 0.4 ' V 4.4 2.8 C .4 2.2 D.4 II I 0.9 V 5.5 5.6 5.2 3.3 .B 0.2 I 0.3 06 ' 0.4 0.2 1 0.2 ' V 2.7 0.6 C I II .6 2.7 5.2 2.9 ' 1.6 0. Ml 0.6 \" V 2.7 0.2 C .2 1.0 1.0 0.6 II 5 IV 100.2 1 .0 0.3 I 0.4 V 2.2 0.6 4 .2 1.4 0.2 I D.4 IV 080.2 .0 0.5 1.0 0.4 0.4 0.7 0. I 0.5 V 4.8 0.6 .4 0.6 0.6 1.4 0.8 1.4 2. I 0.6 I 060.2 .2 0.2 1.0 0. 1 0.1 IV 0.8 0.2 .6 0.2 0.6 0.2 0. II 6 V 2.8 0.2 .4 0.6 0.6 0.2 * Data in the brackets [ ] indicate the ocurence in loier layer (here in B) than indicated in front of the species name. Lt2 hi set \ 7 ^ *A\e ' \u00E2\u0080\u00A2rf-r, W r - 1 HOEFS, M\u00E2\u0080\u009E COM, I. ItT., and KRAJINA, V. J . (1S75) SYESIS, Vol. 8 (Suppl. 1) lablB LIII (Cont. I) Order 1 2 3 5 6 7 8 9 10 1 12 13 14 15 16 17 Alliance 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 1 12 13 14 15 15 17 18 19 20 21 2 23 Asoci at! oh 1 Z 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 1 12 13 14 15 16 17 16 19 2D 21 2 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 Number of plots 5 5 5 5 S 5 5 5 5 5 10 10 10 5 5 10 5 10 10 5 5 10 5 10 5 5 10 10 10 10 5 5 CHARACTERISTIC SPECIES: Asociation 13: (C) Arabis holboellii Astragalus aboriginum (0) Lecanora lentigera Parmelia taractica Asociation 14: (C) Chamaerhodos erecta Eurotia lanata Asociation 15: (D) Buellia epigaea Asociation 16: Artemisia dracunculus Artemisia rupestris Plantago canescens Asociation 17: Hinuartia rossii Potentilla hokeriana Potentilla virgulata ORDER 9 S Alliance 11: (B) Be tula glandulosa Potentilla fruticosa Salix alaxensis Salix glsuca Salix lanata (C) Arctostaphylos rubra Equisetum scirpoides Parnasia palustris Pedicularis capitata (D) Campylium stelaturn Ceratodon purpureus Asociation 18: (C) Zygadenus elegans Asociation 19: (B) Ledum palustre Rhododendron laponicum Vacinium uliginosum (C) Arctagrostis lati folia Empetrum nigrum Pyrola asarifolia Sausurea angustifoli a (D) Orthotheciurn chryseum ORDER 10: (0 Artemisia alaskana Aliance 12 I Asociation 20: Cystopteris fragilis Ranunculus pedatlfidus Stellaria monantha Aliance 13 I Asociation 21: (B) Salix myrtillifolia (C) Saxifraga tricuspidata ORDER 11: {C) Arctostaphylos alpina Astragalus alpinus Carex scirpoidea Dryas integrifolia . (D) CI adorn a pocillua Lecanora epibryon Stereocaulon glareosun Alliance 14 S Asociation 22: (C) Potentilla biflora Aliance 15 S Asociation 23: (C) Cam microchaeta Casiope tetragona Pyrola grandtflora (0) Lecidea cuprea Solorina sacata ORDER 12 1 Alliance 16: (0 Artemisia hyperborea Draba cinerea Festuca brachyphyla Oxytropis hudelsoni Oxytropis viscida Poa glauca Salix dodgeana Senecio conterminus Silene acaulis Trisetum spicatum (D) Alectoria ochroleuca Cetraria cuculata Cetraria nivalis CBtraria tilesii Dactylina madreporiformis Tortula rural is Thamnolia subuliformis Asociation 24: (C) Anemone drumondi Carex nardina Castilleja hyperborea Erigeron coaposlius Erysimum pallasii Festuca bafinensis Minuartia obtusiloba Polemonium pulcherimum Asociation 25: (C) Agrostis borealis Carex rupestris Draba alpina Festuca \"vivipara\" Melandrium affine Poa arctica Poa arctica f. vivipara Potentilla uniflora Salix arctica Saxifraga oppositifolia Saxifraga reflexa Senecio fuscatus (D) Cornicularia aculeata Dactylina ramulosa Lecidea granulosa I 0.2 0.6 I 0.4 I 0.6 0.2 0.2 3.0 0.3 V I 5.3 0.4 I 0.5 \" I V 0.3 2.4 0.4 0.2 0.5 I I IV IV 1.2 0.4 1.4 1.2 I 0.2 I I 0.4 0.2 11 0.6 II IV 0.7 2.8 I 0.2 I I 0.3 0.6 V 1.5 V V 3.6 4.1 3.1 2.0 I I 0.5 0.2 V V 7.7 7.1 IV V 1.3 6.5 V V 4.1 5.4 V V 1.6 3.0 IV IV 1.3 1.3 IV V 1.0 1.3 IV V 0.9 1.2 II V 0.7 1.7 V I 2.0 0.2 r1 l V l0.1J 3.1 I 0.2 I 0.2 V 2.0 I IV 0.3 1.0 0.2 I 0.4 V IV I V I I 1.3 1.0 0.2 1.7 0.4 0.2 II V I IV I I 0.7 1.1 0.4 1.3 0.2 0.2 II IV 1.7 1.8 I V V 0.6 2.1 1.5 \u00E2\u0080\u00A21 \"V ' 0.4 2.4 I IV 0.2 0.8 I 0.3 I 0.1 I 0.2 I 0.1 V II 3.1 0.6 I IV 0.6 2.2 I 0.2 0.2 I I I I V 0.6 0.2 0.2 1.2 3.8 I 0.3 IV IV 2.0 2.2 I 0.1 1 V 0.1 1.6 0.2 I 0.4 I 0.2 V IV 1.3 0.6 I 0.4 ' IV I 1.0 0.2 V II 1.5 0.6 I I I II I II I IV 0.2 0.2 0.3 0.8 0.6 0.6 0.4 0.8 V IV 1.4 1.6 I 0.4 IV I 1.3 0.2 1 \" 0.8 1.1 2.2 1.1 1.5 1V I I 1 1.1 1.1 0.3 0.3 II II I 0.5 0.B 0.3 IV 1.6 02IV 18I 0.4 II 0.4 I I 1 II 1 0.2 0.1 0.1 0.7 ' 0.2 V IV 5.7 1.4 I II 0.3 0.6 V V 1.4 1.0 II V 0.8 4.4 V IV 4.1 1.6 I V 0.6 5.6 V V 1.5 1.0 V V 1.4 2.0 V V 3.2 2.2 I IV 0.3 0.8 IV IV 1.1 2.4 I I 0.3 0.4 V V 1.5 2.8 I 0.3 I I0.7 1.4 V V 1.3 2.6 1.5 0.2 I 0.1 V 1.5 IV I 1.0 0.2 V 1.0 I IV 0.1 2.4 1 0.1 II I V II 0.6 0.4 1.1 0.6 V V V V 1.2 1.1 1.0 1.6 I 0.1 11 I I IV IV 0.7 0.2 0.1 1.0 1.0 I IV 1.1 ' 0.8 0.6 I 0.4 I 0.6 I V 0.2 2.4 0.4 0.4 I IV 0.1 0.8 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 II 0.6 1 0.2 II II II \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 I 0.7 0.5 0.6 0.4 I 0.2 V I 2.2 0.1 1^2 61 5 !( J Lf\u00C2\u00AB>( i*-> HOEFS, I., COWAN, I. IcT., and KHAJIKA, V. J . (1975) SYESIS, Vo l . 8 (Suppl. I) Table LIII (Conf. II) Order 1 2 3 5 B 7 B 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Al l iance 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 Association 1 2 * 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 1B 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 26 29 30 31 32 Number of plots 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 5 10 10 10 5 5 10 5 10 10 5 5 10 5 10 5 5 10 10 10 10 5 5 CHARACTERISTIC SPECIES: ORDER 13, Al l iance 17 1 Association 26: (Cj Agropyron violaceum Astragalus mitzotinensis Cerastium beeringianum Crepis nana Erigeron purpuratus Melandrium apetalum SmeloRskia borealis S t e l l a r i a longipes ORDER 14, Al l iance 16 I Association 27: (Cj Delphinium braehycentrum Draba lanceotata Erigeron eriocephalus Festuca a l t a i c a Hedysarum alpinum Myosotis a lpest r is Oxytropis deflexa Polemonium boreale Solidago multiradiata S t e l l a r i a edtiardsii ORDER 15, A l l iance 19 S Association 28: (B) Sa l ix barrattiana Sa l ix niphoclada (Cj Gentiana prostrata Kobresia myosuroldes S t e l l a r i a laeta (D) Cetrar ia is land ica ORDER 16: (C) Anemone parv i f lora Antennaria monocephala Draba h i r ta Erigeron humills Equisetum variegatum Gentiana propinqua Lloydia serotina Parnassia kotzebuei Sa l ix polar is Sa l i x re t icu la ta Saussurea v i sc ida (D) Distichium capillaceum Solorina spongiosa Al l iance 20 S Association 29: (C) Arnica l e s s i n g i i Papaver macounii Ranunculus n iva l i s Ranunculus pygmaeus Senecio atropurpureus Taraxacum alaskanum . A l l iance 21 I Association 30: (C) Minuartia b i f l o r a Senecio lugetis Valeriana capitata {D) Tortula norvegica ORDER 17: (C) Anemone richardsonii Artemisia a r c t i c a Asu-agalus umbel 1 atus Carex podocarpa Draba praealta Equisetum arvense Petasites f r ig idus Poa alpina Polemonium acutiflorum Polygonum viviparum (0) Timmia austriaca Tomentypnura nitens Al l iance 22 t Association 31: (C) Ach i l lea borealis Aconituin delphinifol ium Alopecurus alpinus Arnica alpina Artemisia t i l e s i i Aster s l b i r i c u s Delphinium glaucum Epilobium l a t i f o l i u m Hierochloe odorata Mertensia paniculata Oxyria digyna Poa lanata Poa paucispicula P o t e n t i l l a d i v e r s i f o l i a Ranunculus sulphurous Sedum roseum (D) Phi lonotis tomentella Plagiomnium rostratum Al l iance 23 & Association 32: (C) Cardan!ne purpurea Carex membranacea Claytonia bostockii Claytonia sarmentosa Dodecatheon frigldum Eriophorum angustif olium Parrya nudicaulis Pedicularis kanei Saxifraga caespitosa Saxifraga davurica Saxifraga h i e r a c i f o l i a Saxifraga hlrculus (D) Cetrar ia r ichardsonii Dactyl ina a r c t i c a Plagiomnium rugicum I 0.2 I 0.2 V 1.1 II 0.3 I 0.2 V 1.2 111 0.8 V 1.2 I 0.2 IV I 1.4 0.2 I 0.2 V V 2.1 2.3 0.2 IV IV 1.3 IV IV I 1.1 0.B 0.2 0.6 0.4 II IV III 0.3 0.4 1.0 1.0 0.2 IV III III 1.2 0.5 0.7 1 0.2 V . IV III 1.1 ' 0.7 0.8 V V 2.0 1.6 III V II I D.7 1.0 0.3 0.2 0.5 V V 2.1 1.7 IV IV 0.8 0.B V IV 1.1 0.8 II I 0.3 0.2 V V k.Z 4.0 0.2 1 IV 0.3 1.6 V V 3.4 2.4 III IV 0.8 0.8 V V II 1.0 0.4 0.4 V V 5.4 3.4 0.7 0.8 III III 0.7 0.6 II 0.3 I 0.2 IV I 0.8 0.1 II I 0.3 0.2 V V 1.5 1.3 I II 0.3 0.4 V V 1.7 2.4 V IV 1.7 0.8 II 0.3 V V 1.5 1.0 II II 0.4 0.3 II V 0.3 1.4 IV V 0.8 1.7 V V 8.1 3.0 III II 0.5 0.3 I V 0.1 1.7 III I 0.7 0.1 V V V V 3.2 1.7 1.9 2.9 I 0.1 II III 0.4 0.7 I III 0.1 0.6 I 0.1 ' III IV 1.2 1.7 0.3 0.2 0.1 0.7 III 0.6 IV III III IV 0.8 0.5 0.7 1.1 II IV II 0.3 ' 1.1 0.4 IV o.e II I V 0.4 0.3 1.4 II 0.6 V V 2.1 2.1 0.1 I I 0.1 0.1 IV ' 0.9 V III 3.1 1.4 II 0.5 II 0.4 0.1 III I 0.6 0.1 III 0.8 I 0.1 I 0.2 0.2 III V 0.7 1.2 V III 2.2 0.6 I 0.2 V 1 1.2 0.2 V I 1.4 0.2 V V 2.0 4.8 V V 1.2 1.4 0.6 0.4 I 0.2 I I 0.2 0.2 V III 4.0 1.0 I I 0.2 0.2 III IV 1.0 0.8 V III 1.4 0.6 III V 0.6 1.6 V IV 1.2 0.B II V 0.4 1.4 V 2.0 V 7.0 V 1.0 IV 1.0 V 2.6 IV 1.2 V 1.0 0.4 III 0.6 I V 0.4 1.4 V 1.6 IV 0.8 HOEFS, H,, COWAN, I., HcT., and KRAJINA, V. J . (1975) SYES1S, Vo l . 8 (Suppl. 1) VEGETATION BOUNDARY : distinct narrow ecotones, little overlap between neighbouring associations. VEGETATION BOUNDARY : diffuse, not distinct, considerable overlap between neighbouring associations. CONTOUR LINES WITH ELEVATIONS Salico ( reticulatae ) - Sileno ( acaulis ) - Carico ( scirpoideae J - Dryadetum integrifoliae Salico ( reticulatae ) - Cassiopo {tetragonae ) - Dryadetum integrifoliae Artemisio { arcticae ) - Salico ( reticulatae ) - Festucetum altaicae ' Saxifrago ( oppositifoliae ) - Oxyrio ( digynae ) - Salicetum polaris Seneciono ( lugentis ) - Salicetum polaris - reticulatae Oxyrio ( digynae )-Artemisietunvarcticae - tilesii Saxifrago ( hirculi ) - Caricetum membranaceae FLOOD PLAINS Puccinellio (deschampsioidis) - Taraxacetum laceri Astero ( yukonensis ) - Hordeo ( jubati ) - Puccinellietum deschampsioidis Hordeo (jubati ) - Asteretum yukonensis Astero ( yukonensis ) - Deschampsietum caespitosae Triglochino ( palustris ) - Juncetum arctici Triglochino ( palustris ) - Caricetum aquatilis LARGELY UNVEGETATED AREAS Cliffs canyon walls Boulder fields, slab rocks "@en . "Thesis/Dissertation"@en . "10.14288/1.0093879"@en . "eng"@en . "Zoology"@en . "Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library"@en . "University of British Columbia"@en . "For non-commercial purposes only, such as research, private study and education. Additional conditions apply, see Terms of Use https://open.library.ubc.ca/terms_of_use."@en . "Graduate"@en . "Ecological investigation of Dall sheep (Ovis dalli dalli, Nelson) and their habitat on Sheep Mountain, Kluane National Park, Yukon Territory, Canada"@en . "Text"@en . "http://hdl.handle.net/2429/20092"@en .