Arctic Brown Moss-Sedge Peatland, Minerotrophic
Overview
Level: Map Class
Code: 29
Concept: This map class encompasses minerotrophic peatlands underlain by near-surface permafrost in histel soils dominated or co-dominated by combinations of hydrophytic taxa within Cyperaceae or hydrophytic, non-Sphagnum mosses (i.e., “brown” mosses).
Photos (Click Images to Enlarge):
Placement in AKNVC Hierarchy
Macrogroup Code: M002ak
Macrogroup: Arctic Permafrost Alkaline Fen
Group Code: G999ak
Group: Arctic Permafrost Peatland, Minerotrophic
Vegetation
Structure
Structural Description: This map class is dominated by sedges and mosses. Other structural groups may be present at low abundance.
Structural Class: sedge emergent
Table 1. Mean and range for structural characteristics for Arctic Brown Moss-Sedge Peatland, Minerotrophic.
| Characteristic | Mean | 10th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Woody Canopy Height (cm) | 13.5 | 5.4 | 21.9 |
| Whole Tussock Cover (%) | 0.6 | 0.0 | 1.0 |
Figure 1. Plot of structural group proportions for Arctic Brown Moss-Sedge Peatland, Minerotrophic.
Floristics
Floristics Description: This map class is indicated by combinations of hydrophytic taxa within Cyperaceae (i.e., wetland sedges) or hydrophytic, non-Sphagnum mosses (i.e., “brown” mosses). Diagnostic species are best considered as sets rather than individual species. Dominant species are highly variable, but Carex aquatilis and Eriophorum angustifolium have high constancy and frequently high cover. Less frequently, other hydrophytic species in Cyperaceae or brown mosses, such as those in the Scorpidium, may be dominant. Sphagnum mosses are often present but only at low cover (< 10%).
Figure 2. Plot of range from 10th percentile to 90th percentile and mean for diagnostic species (and species sets) occurring in Arctic Brown Moss-Sedge Peatland, Minerotrophic. Diagnostic species (sets) are included if they have constancy >= 25% and mean cover >= 2% or constancy >= 50% and mean cover >= 1%.
Table 2. Constancy and cover table for individual taxa with constancy >= 25% and mean cover >= 2% or constancy >= 50% and mean cover >= 1% occurring in Arctic Brown Moss-Sedge Peatland, Minerotrophic.
| Taxon (Accepted Name) | Constancy (%) | Mean (Cover %) | Std. Dev. (Cover %) | 10th Percentile (Cover %) | 90th Percentile (Cover %) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carex aquatilis | 87.7 | 15.3 | 17.1 | 0.0 | 38.4 |
| Eriophorum angustifolium | 81.6 | 10.1 | 12.6 | 0.0 | 30.0 |
| Scorpidium | 52.0 | 7.7 | 13.3 | 0.0 | 25.5 |
| Carex rotundata | 32.2 | 2.3 | 7.6 | 0.0 | 6.0 |
| Carex chordorrhiza | 35.6 | 2.3 | 5.9 | 0.0 | 7.0 |
| Sphagnum | 44.4 | 2.2 | 6.5 | 0.0 | 5.0 |
| Salix pulchra | 59.2 | 2.1 | 5.5 | 0.0 | 5.0 |
Figure 3. Plot of range from 25th percentile to 75th percentile and mean for individual taxa occurring in Arctic Brown Moss-Sedge Peatland, Minerotrophic. Individual taxa are included if they have constancy >= 25% and mean cover >= 2% or constancy >= 50% and mean cover >= 1%.
Range
Range Description: Common throughout the Arctic bioclimatic zone, but especially on the Arctic Coastal Plain.
Rarity on Landscape: Common
Environment
Physiography: lowland; coastal; lacustrine
Geomorphology: basin, ice-rich; basin, ice-poor; coastal plain
Macrotopography: depression
Microtopography: polygonal
Moisture Regime: hydric
Restrictive Layer: permafrost
Percentage of Sites with Surface Water Present: 60.9%
Table 3. Mean and range for quantitative environmental characteristics for Arctic Brown Moss-Sedge Peatland, Minerotrophic.
| Characteristic | Mean | 10th Percentile | 90th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elevation (m) | 26.5 | 7.0 | 50.0 |
| Slope (°) | 0.5 | 0.0 | 1.0 |
| Depth Water (cm)ǂ | -0.3 | -21.2 | 12.0 |
| Depth Moss/Duff (cm) | 23.2 | 0.0 | 44.0 |
| Depth Restrictive Layer (cm) | 56.9 | 30.0 | 95.8 |
| pH | 6.4 | 5.7 | 7.4 |
| Conductivity (mus) | 242.5 | 70.0 | 508.0 |
ǂ Negative values represent distance to water table from soil surface while positive values represent depth of water above soil surface. Values of zero (0) represent water at the soil surface.
Metadata
Map Version: 2.0
Described By: Anna Komnene
Date: 1132-04-12
Last Revised by: Timm W. Nawrocki
Date: 2026-02-10
References
Faber-Langendoen, D., D.A. Keith, J. Loidi, E.H. Helmer, W. Willner, G. Navarro, J. Hunter, C. Liu, R.T. Guuroh, and P. Pliscoff. 2025. Advancing the EcoVeg approach as a terrestrial ecosystem typology: From global biomes to local plant communities. Ecosphere. 16:e70237.