Alpine Tundra Vegetation on Maine Mountains and Its Relevance to the Critical Areas Program

May, Diane; Davis, Robert

The following report on alpine tundra vegetation on Maine mountains is one of a series of planning reports being prepared for Maine's Critical Areas Program. The Legislature in 1974 directed the State Planning Office to develop an official Register of Critical Areas and to encourage and coordinate the conservation of such areas as part of its overall responsibility. Treeless mountains are infrequent in Maine, and the occurrence of alpine tundra vegetation is uncommon because of the limited high altitude habitat. This report documents and describes areas containing alpine tundra vegetation on eight summits on Maine mountains. The alpine tundra plant communities are described for Maine mountains in general. Provided for each specific area is a partial list of vascular plants and cryptogams, and a description and map of plant communities. Several tundra plant species reach their southern limit on Maine mountains. The small areas of tundra plant communities in Maine are often adjacent to hiking trails. Alpine tundra can be disturbed by excessive trampling. We recommend that eight alpine tundra areas in Maine be evaluated for inclusion in the register of Critical Areas, and that strict controls on use of these areas be instituted.