Numerical classification of the coastal vegetation of Attu Island, Aleutian Islands, Alaska

This phytosociological study of the beaches, dunes, and associated lower mountain slopes of Attu Island is the first effort to identify the major coastal vegetation types of the Aleutian Islands using numerical methods. It is the first attempt to use the relevé method in southern coastal Alaska and...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of vegetation science 1994-12, Vol.5 (6), p.867-876
Main Authors: Talbot, Stephen S., Talbot, Sandra Looman
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
ALASKA
Beach
BEACHES
BIOGEOGRAFIA
BIOGEOGRAPHIE
BIOGEOGRAPHY
BOTANICAL COMPOSITION
CLASIFICACION
CLASSIFICATION
Cluster analysis
COMMUNAUTE VEGETALE
Communities
COMPOSICION BOTANICA
COMPOSITION BOTANIQUE
COMUNIDADES VEGETALES
Correspondence analysis
DUNAS
DUNE
DUNES
ELYMUS
Elymus mollis
Meadows
Mineral soils
MULVA-4
NORTH POLAR REGION
Ordination
Phytogeographic comparison
PLAGE
PLANT COMMUNITIES
Plants
PLAYAS
REGION POLAIRE BOREALE
REGION POLAR BOREAL
Sloping terrain
Special Feature: Circumpolar Arctic Vegetation
TAXONOMIA
TAXONOMIE
TAXONOMY
Vascular plants
VEGETACION
VEGETATION
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Summary:This phytosociological study of the beaches, dunes, and associated lower mountain slopes of Attu Island is the first effort to identify the major coastal vegetation types of the Aleutian Islands using numerical methods. It is the first attempt to use the relevé method in southern coastal Alaska and provides a basis for future comparison with other areas. 76 relevés represent the range of structural and compositional variation in the matrix of vegetation and landform zonation at 16 locations. Data are analyzed by multivariate methods using the MULVA-4 computer package and ordered with Wildi's numerical procedure to produce results similar to traditional phytosociological tabular classification. Nine major community types are distinguished in four physiognomic groups: 1. Dwarf-shrub mire: Vaccinium idiginosum-Empetrum nigrum: 2. Meadow: Athyrium filix-femina-Streptopus amplexifolius, Artemisia tilesli-Veratrum album, Elymus mollis-Montia (Claytonia) sibirica, Ligusticum scoticum-Elymus mollis; 3. Beach meadow: Elymus mollis-Senecio pseudo-arnica, Lathyrus maritimus-Elymus mollis; and 4. Beach: Mertensia maritima and Arenaria (Honckenya) peploides. These community types are described and interpreted in response to a complex, topographic gradient. Phytogeographic comparison of Attu Island with neighboring areas suggests close relationship to the beach and beach-meadow types of eastern Kamchatka and to the mesic meadows of the Alaskan Semidi Islands; there is a slightly lower relationship to the mesic meadows of nearby Buldir Island.
ISSN:1100-9233
1654-1103
DOI:10.2307/3236199