River Bank

A large stand of red alders (Alnus rubra dominates the east bank of the river. Where the river floods and creates new channels and gravel bars frequently, the red alder tend to be the colonizing species. However, I think this area has been quite stable in terms of river flow. My guess is that in the past all the trees were cut down and the alders came back first. The spruce and hemlock that are currently growing in the understory should eventually come to dominate the forest in that area.

Location: Totem Park, Sitka, Alaska

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