Empetrum nigrum 
Artemisia arctica var. beringensis 
2.) DRY, LOW RIDGE TOPS AND BENCHES: Vegetation on level 
elevated areas where soil formation and "drainage" are good 
is quite similar to that found on the low, dry flats. Den-= 
sity and frequency of occurrence of willow (Salix crassijulis 
x ovalifolia) decreases with altitude and is usually replaced 
by Dryas octopetalla. Other more xeric plant forms are common 
on such sites. The lichen complex is similar to the dry 
flats but not as dense. Carex nesophila decreases in density. 
Moss is present but depauperate. The mineral soil is exposed 
more frequently. Vegetative composition of this community 
is analyzed in Appendix Table 2 and 5 under Station 3 and 
Transects 6, 7, 9 and 12 (See Figs. 19 and 20). In addition 
to the Dryas, willows, sedges and lichens, other plants occur- 
ring on these sites are: 
Lycopodium alpinum 
Festuca brachyphylla 
Polygonum viviparum 
Potentilla vahliana 
Oxytropis nigrescens 
Empetrum nigrum 
Ligusticum macounii 
Loiseleuria procumbens 
Vaccinium vitis-idea 
Androsace chamaejasme 
Pedicularis sudetica 
Campanula uniflora 
Artemisia arctica var. beringensis 
A. trifurcata 
Senecio atropurpureus 
3.) MOIST, WELL-DRAINED MEADOWS: On these sites sedges are 
predominant but ground cover is complete and a wide variety 
of arctic alpine forbs exists. Carex nesophila is the predom- 
inant sedge. Willow is primarily Salix rotundifolia, which 
forms dense mats particularly when associated with snowflushes, 
and S. reticulata, which is usually scattered but more apparent 
because of its larger leaves. lLichens are very scattered on 
such sites. Frequently, residual snow banks furnish abundant 
moisture throughout the summer on these meadows. Transects 1 
and 10 were laid out in these plant communities and their 
summaries are presented in Appendix Table 2. Figure 14 shows 
the typical association of these types. Additional plants 
occurring on the moist, well-drained meadows are: 

a 
20 
