Complex of Vegetation Present 
Vegetation is of the arctic tundra type and is of a more xeric 
nature than that of the Pribilof Islands. Precipitation at St. 
Paul Isiand in the Pribilof group is greater than on St. Matthew 
Island and averages 24 inches annually. All plants are low growing 
and only the annual growth of a few forbs and grasses exceeds one 
foot in height. Willows, the only shrubs present, are decumbent 
forms. The major plant communities can be broken down into several 
groups, which are described briefly below: 
1.) DRY FLATS: Extensive flats, with well-developed and well- 
drained rocky soils, are located northwest of Cape Upright and 
southwest of Big Lake. These flats support a dry tundra vege- 
tation consisting mainly of lichens, willows and sedges. Soil 
wells disclosed no permafrost and its absence over the greater 
portion of the island is further indicated by the good soil 
drainage. Frost boils of 10 to 30 inches in diameter do occur. 
The dry flats have supported a greater intensity of winter 
utilization by reindeer than any other vegetative type. Con- 
sequently, lichens have been drastically reduced. The analyses 
of the vegetation at Station 1 and 2 and Transects 2 and 1l, 
which appear in Appendix Table 2, 3 and 4, are typical of the 
dry flats (See Figs. 15, 16, 17 and 18). Plants occurring on 
the dry flats are listed below in their order of abundance; 
Lichens: Cladonia alpestris, Sphaerophorus globosus, Cetraria 
cucullata and Thamnolia vermicularis are the most 
common forms, while other forms of Cladonia, Lobaria 
linita, Dactylina arctica, Cetraria islandica and 
Nephroma expallidum are also present. 
Salix crassijulis x ovalifolia grows on raised hummocks a foot 
to several feet in diameter. Forms of S. arbutifolia 
replace S. crassijulis x ovalifolia with increased 
moisture or where temporary flooding occurs. 
Carex nesophila is very common throughout the flats. 
Mosses were apparently instrumental in building the hummocks 
upon which the willows grow and are mostly Polytrichum 
alpinum. 
Other plants present, but scattered are: 
Trisetum spicatum 
Luzula arcuata 
Le nivalis 
Polygonum viviparum 
Cardamine umbellata 

1? 
