CO2 output from lichen-heath, low shrub tundra and Eriophorum vaginatum tussock tundra was measured several times in July and Aug. at 5 locations in north-central Alaska. CO2 evolution was lowest in the shrub tundra, intermediate in the lichen-heath and highest in tussock and intertussock areas. Seasonal averages were 2.3 g CO2 .cntdot. m-2 .cntdot. day-1 from tussock tundra, 1.4 g CO2 .cntdot. m-2 .cntdot. day-1 from shrub tundra and 1.7 g CO2 .cntdot. m-2 .cntdot. day-1 from lichen heath. The sites differed in CO2 output in complex ways. The CO2 output declined from late July through Aug. Rough C budgets indicate that lichen-heath is accumulating C slowly and tussock tundra rapidly. Shrub tundra should be accumulating C rapidly, but the current standing crops of C do not support this conclusion.