If the adverse possessor did not enter under color of title, his claim extends to the land he actually occupies or controls. If he enters under color of title on some portion of the property, he is deemed to be in adverse possession of the entire property described in the instrument; this is called the doctrine of constructive adverse possession.
Absent color of title, only property actually possessed may be acquired by adverse possession. Bentley Family Trust v. Lynx Enterprises, Inc., 658 P.2d 761, 768 (Alaska 1983) and Linck, 559 P.2d at 1052-53 n.8. See also Krebs, 768 P.2d at 126 and n.7 (recognizing the possibility that the requirements of adverse possession may be met only as to a portion of a disputed parcel). 'Color of title exists only by virtue of a written instrument which purports to pass title to the claimant, but which is ineffective because of a defect in the means of conveyance or because the grantor did not actually own the land he sought to convey.' Hubbard, 684 P.2d at 847.