TABLE 4.4. Environmental characteristics of MR subzones and variants in the PRFR, south half

Transcription

1 BGC Units TABLE 4.4. Environmental characteristics of MR subzones and variants in the PRFR, south half Subzone or Variant CWHvh2 CWHvm1 CWHvm2 Extent Area ha ha ha % of PRFR, south half 7.7 % 1.2 % 0.8 % Elevation range (m) m (500) m m Distribution Physiographic regions Hecate Lowland Western slopes of Western slopes of Coast Mtns., Kitimat Coast Mtns., Kitimat Ranges Ranges Major drainages, All of the major Skeena R. and tribs. Above CWHvm1 inlets, and islands coastal islands and a from Exstew to Ecstall fringe of mainland r.; most of Douglas from the mouth of the Channel; Gardner Portland Canal to the Canal and lower Vancouver Forest Kitlope R.; east side Region Princess Royal Island Climate Hypermaritime; cool, Wet, humid, mild Cooler, with a shorter very mild with very maritime climate with growing season and little snow; foggy and relatively little snow much heavier rainy year-round and a long growing snowpack than the season CWHvm1 Soils Zonal soils Terric and Histic Ferro-Humic and Terric Folisols; Folic Folisols; Folic phases Humo-Ferric Podzols and lithic phases of of Ferro-Humic and (Folic phases Orthic Humo-Ferric Humic Podzols common); Typic and and Ferro-Humic Terric Folisols Podzols Humus forms Humimors; commonly Humimors; Hemihumimors; cm thick Hemihumimors; Humimors; often > 15 cm thick cm thick Vegetation a Major tree species Cw, Yc, Hw, Pl, Hm Hw, Ba, Cw, Ss (Yc, Hw, Ba, Yc, Hm Hm) Seral tree species Dr, Ss, Ba Dr, Act Uncommon Zonal site association CwHw - Blueberry HwBa - Blueberry HwBa - Blueberry a Tree species codes found in Appendix

2 Site Units CWHvm2 Very Wet Maritime Subzone Montane Variant Adjacent biogeoclimatic units: CWHvm1 at lower elevations; CWHws1 at similar elevations inland; Mhmm1 at higher elevations. Elevation: m. Description and comparison of site series: Zonal site series: 01 HwBa - Blueberry forests are widespread throughout the variant on colluvial (rarely morainal) blankets (Mineral phase 01a) or, less commonly, on Folisols over rock (Lithic phase 01b). Mesic forests contain moderately productive Hw and Ba, with variable amounts of Hm, Yc, and Cw. The understory consists of a thick shrub layer of conifer regeneration and blueberries, a moderately developed herb layer of deer fern, five-leaved bramble, and bunchberry, and a moss layer of lanky moss, pipecleaner moss, and step moss. Drier sites: Drier-than-mesic sites are very rare and localized in the CWHvm2. Two site series have been described. The 04 occurs in the Vancouver Forest Region (VFR) only. 02 HwPl - Cladina is found only on the driest bedrock outcrops with very thin soils. Forests are stunted, well-spaced Pl, Hm, and Yc and are often surrounded by sloping bogs on ridge crests. Plant species diversity is high on these exposed montane sites. Several species, such as dwarf blueberry, white mountain-heather, and copperbush occur here and on no other forested sites in the CWHvm2. An abundance of reindeer lichen, heron s-bill moss, and redstemmed feathermoss are typical of this unit. 03 HwCw - Salal occurs on some bedrock outcrops with Folisolic or thin Brunisolic soils and rapid drainage. These Hw/Cw/Yc forests are moderately stocked but with poorer growth than the 01. Blueberries and conifer regeneration dominate the shrub layer, with salal occurring at lower elevations. The herb layer is very sparse. A lack of Pl and reindeer lichens differentiates the 03 from the 02 site series. Fresh to wet sites: Wetter-than-mesic forests dominate the landscape in the CWHvm2. Six site series have been distinguished. The 07 occurs in the VFR only. 05 BaCw - Foamflower is not extensive in the subzone but locally common in some drainages on fresh to moist, freely drained colluvial slopes. Forests are dominated by productive Hw, Ba, Ss, and Cw. A lush fern layer is characteristic of this unit and distinguishes it from zonal forests. Blueberries, five-leaved bramble, and spiny wood fern are the most abundant species in this unit; foamflowers, oak fern, and twistedstalks are also common. Low cover or 5 48

3 absence of salmonberry and devil s club differentiates this unit from the 08. This site series is most common in areas with base-rich bedrock. CWHvm2 06 HwBa - Deer fern occurs on some mid to lower seepage slopes downslope of mesic forests. Tree species and understory vegetation are similar to zonal forests, but Yc, Cw, deer fern, and fern-leaved goldthread are more abundant. Podzols with evidence of seepage (often gleying) are typical and aid in differentiating the 06 from zonal sites. On some gentle, lower slopes, 06 may grade into the 09, which has Organic soils and a forest cover dominated by scrubby Yc, Hm, and Hw. 08 BaSs - Devil s club is common on colluvial slopes and fluvial fans that receive abundant nutrient-rich seepage. This is the most productive site series in the variant; forests are dominated by large Hw and Ba with some Ss. Characteristic understory vegetation includes devil s club, foamflowers, salmonberry, lady fern, spiny wood fern and lanky, step, and leafy mosses. A high cover of devil s club distinguishes the 08 from all other units. 09 CwYc - Goldthread bog forest is common on poorly drained valley bottoms and slopes with excessive slow-moving seepage. It may be found in a complex with site series 10 on gentle slopes or with the 11 in depressions. Forests are scrubby Cw, Yc, and Hw with a dense understory of conifer regeneration, blueberries, and salal. Deer fern, goldthread, and skunk cabbage are common. Soils are generally Organic. This unit is distinguished from the more productive 06 by the low cover of Ba and the presence of skunk cabbage and wet organic soils. 10 Pl - Sphagnum bog woodlands are found in depressional areas and on gradual slopes with deep organic accumulations over acidic bedrock. In the steep terrain of the CWHvm2 there is limited opportunity for the development of this forest type (except in western drainages transitional to the CWHvh, where Pl - Sphagnum may cover large areas on moderately steep slopes). The forest canopy is sparse and consists of scrubby Yc, Hm, Hw, and Cw, with a moderate component of Pl. Shrub layers are dense and consist mainly of conifer regeneration, huckleberries, and Labrador tea. The herb layer contains scattered goldthread, deer fern, skunk cabbage, crowberry, and deer cabbage. Prominence of green sphagnum and presence of Pl distinguish this unit from all other forested units. 11 CwSs - Skunk cabbage swamp forests are considered nutrient-rich but soils are too wet and poorly aerated to support highly productive forest stands. Wet depressions and lower slopes with organic soils or Gleysols are typical. Trees establish on elevated microsites; Hw and Yc are the most abundant, but Hm, Cw, Ba, and Ss also occur. An abundance of skunk cabbage and other rich-site indicators, such as salmonberry, foamflower, and ferns, differentiate this unit from other wet sites (09 and 10). Non-forested site units: There is limited opportunity for the development of non-forested wetlands in the steep terrain of the CWHvm2. Non-forested bogs (31) are the most common wetland type and occur in scattered small depressions and occasionally on slopes in the most western watersheds of the subzone. Non-forested fens/marshes (32) are very rare and occur mainly in riparian areas. Avalanche tracks (51) cut through the CWHvm2 from the MH above, and often extend down through to the CWHvm1. See page 5 21 for further descriptions of these non-forested CWH units. 5 49

4 CWHvm2 Landscape Profile a Site Units 5 50 a Tree symbols are defined in Appendix 3.

5 CWHvm2 Edatopic Grid Site Series HwBa - Blueberry 02 HwPl - Cladina 03 HwCw - Salal 04 CwHw - Sword fern (Vancouver Region only) 05 BaCw - Foamflower 06 HwBa - Deer fern 07 BaCw - Salmonberry (Vancouver Region only) 08 BaSs - Devil s club 51 Avalanche track 09 CwYc - Goldthread (Bog forest) 10 Pl - Sphagnum (Bog woodland) 11 CwSs - Skunk cabbage (Swamp forest) 31 Non-forested bog 32 Non-forested fen/marsh a Relative and actual SMR are defined in Appendices 6 and 7. CWHvm2

6 Site Units CWHvm2 Site Series Flowchart NON-FORESTED WETLANDS Tree cover < 10% AVALANCHE TRACKS DRY FORESTS Moisture regime 0-2. Sites with rapidly drained soils; upper slope/ridge crest locations. VERY MOIST TO WET FORESTS Moisture regime 6-7. Seepage areas or depressions. Dwarf Pl, Labrador tea, and other Ericaceous 31 shrubs. Sphagnum clearly dominant Non-forested bog Willows, sedges, or grasses dominate. Sphagnum common but not dominant. 32 Non-forested fen/marsh Shrub and herb layers diverse and very lush. 51 Stink currant, red-osier dogwood, salmonberry, Avalanche track lady fern, and spiny wood fern abundant. Scrubby Pl, Yc, and Hm ridgecrest forests. 02 Herb layer diverse but reduced. Lichens co- HwPl - Cladina dominate with mosses. Rare in CWHvm2. Poor Cw/Hw/Yc forests with blueberry (salal) 03 understory. Herb layer reduced. Pipecleaner, HwCw - Salal step, and lanky mosses dominate. Rare. Mid to lower colluvial slopes/fluvial flats and fans. Hw/Ba/(Ss) forests with good growth. Devil s club abundant; ferns dominant. 08 BaSs - Devil s club Gently sloping to depressional sites with 09 organic veneers. Scrubby and open Yc/Hm/ CwYc - Hw bog forests. Blueberry/(salal) understory; Goldthread goldthread and skunk cabbage common. Depressions and gentle slopes with very wet 10 organic blankets. Scrubby woodlands with a Pl - Sphagnum component of Pl. Goldthread, skunk cabbage, and deer-cabbage common; green sphagnum abundant. Swamp forests on lower slopes/depressions. 11 Well-spaced trees on elevated mounds. Shrub/ CwSs - Skunk herb layers diverse; skunk cabbage, salmon- cabbage berry, and ferns common. FRESH TO MOIST FORESTS Moisture regime 3-5. Sites not clearly wet or dry. Freely drained upper to lower colluvial slopes 05 and fluvial fans. Hw/Ba/Cw/Ss forests with BaCw - Foamgood growth. Herb layer with ferns, flower twistedstalk, and foamflower. Mid to lower slopes on colluvial or fluvial landforms. Tree growth good; Hw Ba, (Ss) codominate. Devil s club abundant; herb layer predominantly ferns. 08 BaSs - Devil s club Moist mid to lower slopes. Hw/Cw/Yc/(Ba)/ 06 (Hm) forests with average growth. Yc regen., HwBa - Deer fern deer fern, and goldthread conspicuous. All slope positions. Hw/Ba/Cw/(Yc/Hm) 01 forests with average growth. Ba regen. and HwBa - Blueberry five-leaved bramble common. Herb layer reduced. 5 52

7 CWHvm2 Vegetation Table a 5 53 a Prominence bars are described in Section 3.2.2, page 3 6. b Site units 04 and 07 occur in the Vancouver Forest Region only and are not included. c Data are taken from CWHwm plots (31, 32) or from Vancouver Forest Region CWHvm2 plots (02, 03). CWHvm2

8 Site Units CWHvm2 Environment Table Soil Site moisture/ Slope % series a Phase nutrients Slope position range Parent material b 01 a) Mineral 3-4/B-C upper - lower 0-80 C, (M,F) 01 b) Lithic 3-4/B-C upper - (lower) Ov/C, Ov/R 02 c 0/A-C crest 0-35 Cv/R, Ov/R 03 c 1-2/A-C crest - upper Cv/R, Mv/R /D-E upper - lower C 06 5/B-C mid - lower 0-75 C, M, Ov/M /D-E mid - lower C (F) /A-C upper - lower 0-30 Ov, (C, M) 10 7/A-B depressions - upper 3-45 O, (M) 11 7/C-E depressions 0-50 Ov/F, O, M (lower - mid) 31 c 7+/A-B level (mid) 0-5 O 32 c 7+/C-E level (lower) 0-15 O, F /D-E lower - toe C a Site series 04 and 07 occur in the Vancouver Forest Region only, and are not included. b Codes are described in Section 3.2.2, page 3 8. c Data are taken from Vancouver Forest Region CWHvm2 plots (02, 03) or from CWHwm plots. 5 54

9 CWHvm2 Humus form Soil Soil depth (cm) particle size b classification b min-mean-max Important site features L(s), KLs, S(s) HIP, FHP Mors Moderately deep, freely drained Podzols. L(s), KL(s) FO Mors Organic veneers over fragmental colluvium and bedrock. KL(s) HFP, DYB, FO Mors Very rare in CWHvm KL, L, S(s) HFP Mors Shedding upper slopes are generally b rather than 03 in the CWHvm2. KL(s), S(s), FHP, HFP, (FO) Mors, Moders Freely drained colluvial slopes with FL - L intermittent seepage. FL - KL(s), FHP, HP, HFP, H Mors Seepage sites with thick Mors over S(s) (gleyed) base-poor bedrock. L(s), S FHP, HFP, Mors, Moders Productive, colluvial seepage slopes. (FO) (gleyed) FL - KL FO, M, H, FHP Mors Saturated, poorly aerated organic veneers. Poor-productivity bog forests FL M, H, FHP, FO Mors Nutrient-poor acidic peat blankets Bog woodlands. FL - KL G, HG, H Mors, Moders Swamp forests on saturated, poorly aerated mineral (organic) soils. -- F, M peaty O horizons Non-forested bogs; rare in the > 1 m CWHvm2. S M, G peaty O horizons Non-forested fens/marshes; very rare > 1 m in the CWHvm2. L, S(s) R, DYB Mors, Moders Rich conditions from colluvial mixing and deciduous litterfall. 5 55

10 p 38 TREE LAYER SHRUB LAYER HERB LAYER MOSS LAYER Biogeoclimatic Unit CWHvm1 CWHvm2 CWHvh1 CWHvh2 CWHwh1 CWHwh2 Thuja plicata Tsuga heterophylla Chamaecyparis nootkatensis Abies amabilis Picea sitchensis Tsuga mertensiana Pinus contorta Pseudotsuga menziesii Menziesia ferruginea Vaccinium alaskaense Vaccinium ovalifolium Vaccinium parvifolium Gaultheria shallon Vaccinium ovatum Blechnum spicant Listera cordata Maianthemum dilatatum Cornus canadensis Rubus pedatus Linnaea borealis Polystichum munitum Streptopus roseus Coptis aspleniifolia Lysichitum americanum Dryopteris expansa Clintonia uniflora Hylocomium splendens Plagiothecium undulatum Rhizomnium glabrescens Rhytidiadelphus loreus Scapania bolanderi Kindbergia oregana Sphagnum girgensohnii Pellia neesiana Polytrichum alpinum Rhytidiopsis robusta western redcedar western hemlock yellow-cedar amabilis fir Sitka spruce mountain hemlock shore/lodgepole pine Douglas-fir false azalea Alaskan blueberry oval-leaved blueberry red huckleberry salal evergreen huckleberry deer fern heart-leaved twayblade false lily-of-the-valley bunchberry five-leaved bramble twinflower sword fern rosy twistedstalk fern-leaved goldthread skunk cabbage spiny wood fern queen's cup step moss flat moss large leafy moss lanky moss scapania Oregon beaked moss common green sphagnum shiny liverwort stiff-leaved haircap moss pipecleaner moss TABLE 14. Vegetation table for zonal sites of wet and very wet hypermaritime and very wet maritime CWH variants

11 43 Biogeoclimatic unit CWHvhl CWHvh2 CWHvml CWHvm2 CWHwh1 ~ Number of stations Name of reference 32 Estevan 13 a Ethelda 32 b Haney 2 Tunnel 6 Port station Point Bay Loon Lk. Camp Clements Elevation of reference station (m) Mean annual range 2009 to to to to to 1535 precipitation (mm) ref. stn May to September range 455 to to to to to 423 precipitation (mm) ref. stn Total mean range 25 to to to to to 163 annual snowfall (cm) ref. stn Mean annual range 5.4 to to to to 7.9 temperature ( C) ref. stn I 7.5 Mean temperature of range 0.5 to to to to 2.0 the coldest month ( C) ref. stn Extreme minimum range -7.5 to to to to temperature ( C) ref. stn Mean temperature of range 11.5 to to to to 14.8 the warmest month ( C) ref. stn Extreme maximum range 22.8 to to to to 32.2 temperature ( C) ref. stn Growing degree-days range 818 to to to to 1385 > 5 ( C) ref. stn Frost-free period range 163 to to to to 206 (days) ref. stn a 'l'emperature data based on 10 stations. b Temperature data based on 21 stations. - No data. TABLE 18. Climatic data for wet and very wet hypermaritime and very wet maritime CWH variants

12 CWHvh1 - occurs adjacent to the west on Vancouver Island and the mainland south of Smith Inlet; it has: minor Yc and Hm more salal, deer fern, and false lily-of-the-valley no Fd on drier sites minor evergreen huckleberry (more common on drier sites) CWHvh2 - occurs adjacent to the west on the mainland north of Smith Inlet; it has: minor Yc, Pl, fern-leaved goldthread, skunk cabbage, and Sphagnum girgensohnii more salal, and Cw; less Ba no Fd on drier sites 4.12 CWHvm2 - Montane Very Wet Maritime Coastal Western Hemlock Variant DISTRIBUTION: The CWHvm2 occurs at higher elevations, above the CWHvm1. Elevational limits range from approximately m in the south to m in the north. It grades into the MH zone above. CLIMATE (Table 18): The CWHvm2 has a wet, humid climate with cool, short summers and cool winters featuring substantial snowfall. Compared with the submontane variant, the CWHvm2 has cooler temperatures, shorter growing seasons, and heavier snowfall, with snowpacks persisting throughout the winter. VEGETATION (Table 14): Forests on zonal sites are dominated by Hw, Ba, and, to a lesser extent, Cw, Yc, and Hm. The latter two species become more common with increasing elevation and wetter sites. Major understorey species include Alaskan blueberry, five-leaved bramble, Hylocomium splendens, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, and Rhytidiopsis robusta. DISTINGUISHING ADJACENT UNITS FROM THE CWHvm2 (using zonal sites) CWHvm1- occurs below; it has: no Yc or Hm less Rhytidiopsis robusta 59

13 CWHmm1 - occurs adjacent on Vancouver Island; it has: common Fd no Yc or Hm some dull Oregon-grape, vanilla-leaf, and Kindbergia oregana CWHmm2 - occurs adjacent on Vancouver Island; it has: common Fd minor black huckleberry and vanilla-leaf CWHms - occurs adjacent on the mainland in submaritime areas; it has: common Fd and Pleurozium schreberi rare Yc and Hm some black huckleberry and one-sided wintergreen rare salal but minor falsebox (more common on drier sites) one-leaved foamflower and oak fern on rich sites MHmm - occurs above; it has: over 50% of hemlock cover as Hm copperbush common on wetter sites 4.13 CWHwh1 - Submontane Wet Hypermaritime Coastal Western Hemlock Variant DISTRIBUTION: The CWHwh1 is restricted to the Queen Charlotte Islands where it occurs at lower elevations on the leeward side of the Queen Charlotte Ranges. The elevational limits range from sea level to approximately 350 m (250 m approaching the CWHvh2 to the west). CLIMATE (Table 18): The CWHwh1 has mild, wet winters with little snowfall, and cool moist summers. Occasional warm dry periods during the summer reflect the rainshadow effect of the Queen Charlotte Ranges. The overall temperature regime is mild due to the moderating effect of the Pacific Ocean. Cloud and fog are frequent throughout the year. VEGETATION (Table 14): Forests on zonal sites are dominated by Hw, Cw, and Ss. Mosses dominate the understorey with Hylocomium splendens, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, and Rhizomnium glabrescens occurring most commonly. The herb and shrub layers are sparse, probably due to heavy deer browsing. Very old successional stages are increasingly dominated by Cw. Subdued terrain on the Queen Charlotte 60

14 5.2 Site Classification Grids and Vegetation Summary Tables TABLE 21. Index of site classification grids Grid Site category Biogeoclimatic unit no. 1 General CDFmm 2 General CWHdm 3 General CWHds1 4 General CWHds2 5 General CWHmm1 6 General CWHmm2 7 General CWHms1 8 General CWHms2 9 General CWHvh1 10 General CWHvh2 11 General CWHvm1 12 General CWHvm2 13 General CWHwh1 14 General CWHwh2 15 General CWHws2 16 General CWHxm 17 General ESSFmw 18 General IDFww 19 General MHmm1 20 General MHmm2 21 General MHwh 22 Special - Floodplains CDFmm 23 Special - Floodplains CWHdm,CWHds1,CWHxm 24 Special - Floodplains CWHds2 25 Special - Floodplains CWHmm1 26 Special - Floodplains CWHms1,CWHms2 27 Special - Floodplains CWHwh1 28 Special - Floodplains CWHvh1,CWHvh2 29 Special - Floodplains CWHvm1 30 Special - Floodplains CWHws2 31 Special - Fluctuat water table CDFmm 32 Special - Fluctuat. water table CWHdm, CWHxm 33 Special - Shoreline/ocean spray CWHwh,CWHvh 75

15 6.1.6 Recommended tree species grids TABLE 24. Index of recommended tree species grids Grid Site category Biogeoclimatic unit no. 1 General CDFmm 2 General CWHdm 3 General CWHds1 4 General CWHds2 5 General CWHmm1 6 General CWHmm2 7 General CWHms1 8 General CWHms2 9 General CWHvh1 10 General CWHvh2 11 General CWHvm1 12 General CWHvm2 13 General CWHwh1 14 General CWHwh2 15 General CWHws2 16 General CWHxm 17 General ESSFmw 18 General IDFww 19 General MHmm1 20 General MHmm2 21 General MHwh 22 Special - Floodplains CDFmm 23 Special - Floodplains CWHdm,CWHds1,CWHxm 24 Special - Floodplains CWHds2 25 Special - Floodplains CWHmm1 26 Special - Floodplains CWHms1,CWHms2 27 Special - Floodplains CWHwh1 28 Special - Floodplains CWHvh1,CWHvh2 29 Special - Floodplains CWHvm1 30 Special - Floodplains CWHws2 31 Special - Fluctuat water table CDFmm 32 Special - Fluctuat. water table CWHdm, CWHxm 33 Special - Shoreline/ocean spray CWHwh,CWHvh 135

16 Comments: Grid No. 12 CWHvm2 GENERAL COMMENTS: the application of Fd and Pw should be restricted to the southern portion (south of Brooks Peninsula and Seymour Inlet) and based on local evidence of their natural occurrence in the area (generally restricted to low elevations on well to rapidly drained soils on steep southerly aspects) Ss has wider application in the northern part of the variant (north of Seymour Inlet). Sitka spruce weevil hazard is moderate in the southern portion and low in the northern portion of the variant Yc is an alternative to, or may be used with Cw throughout the variant, and should replace it at upper elevational limits; Bp is recommended on a trial basis as an alternative to Ba on nutrient-medium to rich sites, south of 50 o N latitude SPECIFIC COMMENTS: 01 Ss is a suitable species on nutrient-medium sites, particularly in the northern portion; Yc is an alternative to Cw 02 marginal sites for timber production; Fd is an alternative to Pl in the southern portion; Yc is an alternative to Cw 03 Yc is an alternative to Cw; Fd is an alternative to Hw on steep southerly aspects at lower elevations in the southern portion of the variant; Pw is a suitable minor species in the southern portion 04 Yc is an alternative to Cw; Fd is an alternative to Hw on steep southerly aspects at lower elevations in the southern portion of the variant; Pw is a suitable minor species in the southern portion; Ss is a suitable minor species, particularly in the northern portion 05 Yc is an alternative to Cw; Ss is an alternative to Ba, particularly in the northern portion of the variant 06 Yc is an alternative to Cw; Ss is a suitable minor species on nut.-medium sites 07 Yc is an alternative to Cw; Ss is an alternative to Ba, particularly in the northern portion; Hw is suitable on sites with thick forest floors (>20 cm) or abundant decayed wood, but should not form the leading species 09 Hm is an alternative to Hw at upper elevations; Pl is a suitable minor species 10 marginal sites for timber production; elevated microsites are preferred 11 Ss is a suitable minor species, particularly in the northern portion; elevated microsites are preferred 158

17 Soil nutrient regime Very Very Poor Poor Medium Rich Rich A B C D E MD 0 SD 1 SD 2 F 3 F 4 M 5 VM 6 W 7 Site series 01 HwBa - Blueberry See comments on facing page * 08 in the northern portion of the variant 06 HwBa - Deer fern 02 HwPl - Cladina 07 BaCw - Salmonberry 03 HwCW - Salal 08 BaSs - Devil's club 04 CwHw - Swordfern 09 CwYc - Goldthread 05 BaCw - Foamflower 10 Pl - Sphagnum 11 CwSs - Skunk cabbage

18 Grid No. 11: CWHvm1 Grid No. 12: CWHvm2 Soil Nutrient Regime Soil Nutrient Regime ~ Very Very Very Very Poor Poor Medium Rich Rich Poor Poor Medium Rich Rich A B C D E A B C D E MD 0 MD 0 SD 1 SD 1 SD 2 SD 2 F 3 F 3 F 4 F 4 M 5 M 5 VM 6 VM 6 W 7 W 7 * M/4 on salal phase

19 APPENDIX 8. Correlation of old and new biogeoclimatic and site units. TABLE A-1. Biogeoclimatic units New symbol New name Old symbol a CDFmm Moist Maritime CDF CDFa CWHdm Dry Maritime CWH CWHa2 CWHds1 Southern Dry Submaritime CWH CWHc1 CWHds2 Central Dry Submaritime CWH CWHc2, h1, h2 CWHmm1 Submontane Moist Maritime CWH CWHb3 CWHmm2 Montane Moist Maritime CWH CWHb4 CWHms1 Southern Moist Submaritime CWH CWHb5 CWHms2 Central Moist Submaritime CWH CWHb6, h3 CWHvh1 Southern Very Wet Hypermaritime CWHd1 CWH CWHvh2 Central Very Wet Hypermaritime CWH CWHd2, CCPH CWHvm1 Submontane Very Wet Maritime CWHb1, i1 CWH CWHvm2 Montane Very Wet Maritime CWH CWHb2, i2 CWHwh1 Submontane Wet Hypermaritime CWHe1, g1 CWH CWHwh2 Montane Wet Hypermaritime CWH CWHe2, g2 CWHws2 Montane Wet Submaritime CWH CWHb7, f2, i3 CWHxm1 b Eastern Very Dry Maritime CWH CDFb CWHxm2 b Western Very Dry Maritime CWH CWHa1 ESSFmw Moist Warm ESSF ESSFf IDFww Wet Warm IDF IDFe MHmm1 Windward Moist Maritime MH MHa, d MHmm2 Leeward Moist Maritime MH MHb, e MHwh Wet Hypermaritime MH MHc, f a From Yole et al. (1982), Banner, et al. 1983, Green, et al. (1984), Pojar et al. (1988). b Combined into CWHxm in this guide because of floristic and management similarities. 282

20 APPENDIX 8. ( Continued ) TABLE A-2. Site units New grid # Old grid # and and BGC unit BGC unit 1 CDFmm 6 CDF 2 CWHdm 8 CWHa2 3 CWHds1 18 CWHc1 4 CWHds2 17 CWHc2 5 CWHmm1 11 CWHb3 6 CWHmm2 12 CWHb4 7 CWHms CWHb5 8 CWHms CWHb6 9,10 CWHvh, 18 CWHd 11 CWHvm1 9 CWHb1 12 CWHvm2 10 CWHb2 13,14 CWHwh * 15 CWHWS CWHb7 i 16 CWHxm 4 '7 CWHa1 17 ESSFmw 5 3 ESSFf 18 IDFww 6 4,5 ldfe 19 MHmm1 1 MHa 20 MHmm2 2 MHb 21 MHwh * * No equivalent in Green et al. (1984) 1 New site series includes portions of old site units 1 and 3 New site series includes portions of old site units 2 and 4 3 No new equivalent for old site unit 3 4 CWHxm most closely represents the old CWHa1 5 No new equivalent for old site units 3,5, and 8 6 No new equivalent for old site units 2,5,7, and 8 7 New site series includes old site units 1 and 2 283

21 Chapter 5.2 Fens 79 TABLE Distribution of Fen Site Associations by biogeoclimatic zone BG BWBS SBPS PP SWB ESSF ICH IDF MS SBS CDF CWH MH Wf01 Water sedge Beaked sedge xx x xx xxx xxx xxx x i Wf02 Scrub birch Water sedge xxx x xx xx xx xx Wf03 Water sedge Peat-moss xx x Wf04 Barclay s willow Water sedge Glow mosss x xxx x x Wf05 Slender sedge Common hook-moss x xx xx xx xx Wf06 Slender sedge Buckbean x x x x Wf07 Scrub birch Buckbean Shore sedge x x x x Wf08 Shore sedge Buckbean Hook-moss x x x x x Wf09 Few-flowered spike-rush Hook-moss x x x Wf10 Hudson Bay clubrush Red hook-moss x Wf11 Tufted clubrush Star moss x x x x x Wf12 Narrow-leaved cotton-grass Marsh-marigold xxx Wf13 Narrow-leaved cotton-grass Shore sedge xx x Wf50 Narrow-leaved cotton-grass Peat-moss x xxx Wf51 Sitka sedge Peat-moss x xx xx Wf52 Sweet gale Sitka sedge xx xx s Wf53 Slender sedge White beak-rush x xx s x = incidental; < 5% of wetlands xx = minor; 5 25% of wetlands xxx = major; >25% of wetlands i = inland areas only s = southern subzones only

22 TABLE Fen Species Importance Table Species Wf01 Wf02 Wf03 Wf04 Wf05 Wf06 Wf07 Wf08 Shrubs Betula nana x xyzzz x xy x x xyzzz x Salix barclayi x x xyzzzz Salix pedicellaris x xyz xy xy xyzz xy Spiraea douglasii x x x x Myrica gale Herbs Carex utriculata xyzzz xyz xy xy xyz x x x and Carex aquatilis xyzzz xyzz xyzzz xyzz xyz x xyz x Dwarf Comarum palustre xy xyz xy xy xy xyzz xy Shrubs Calamagrostis canadensis x xy x xyzz x x x x Carex lasiocarpa x xyzzzz xyzzzz xy x Menyanthes trifoliata x x x xyzzz xyzzz xyzz Carex limosa x x x x xy xyzz xyzzz Carex chordorrhiza x x xy xyz xy Eleocharis quinqueflora x x Trichophorum alpinum x Trichophorum cespitosum Eriophorum angustifolium x xy xy x x xy xy Caltha leptosepala xy xy Carex anthoxanthea Equisetum fluviatile x x xy xy xy xy Carex magellanica x x Carex sitchensis xy xy xyz xyz x x Rhynchospora alba x Carex livida x x x x Eriophorum chamissonis x x x Vahlodea atropurpurea x Drosera anglica x x xy Hypericum anagalloides Triantha glutinosa x x xy Schoenoplectus tabernaemontani Fauria crista-galli Senecio triangularis x x xyz xy Andromeda polifolia x xy xy Kalmia microphylla x x x Oxycoccus oxycoccos x x x x xy x Triglochin maritima x x x xy xy Drosera rotundifolia x x x Leptarrhena pyrolifolia xy x Platanthera dilatata x xy x x x Sanguisorba canadensis x xy Utricularia intermedia x x x xy Viola palustris x x x Lichens Sphagnum Group I xy xyz xyzz x x xyz x and Aulacomnium palustre x xyz xyz xyzz x x x x Mosses Drepanocladus spp. xyz x xy xyzz xyz xyz xyz Sphagnum Group II x xyz x x xyz xy Tomentypnum nitens x xyzz xyz xy x xyz xy Philonotis fontana xy xyz Calliergon stramineum x x x x x Scorpidium spp. x xy xyzz xy Campylium stellatum x x xy xy x x Warnstorfia spp. x xy x x xyz x xy Meesia triquetra x x xy xy 80 Wetlands of British Columbia: A Field Guide to Identification

23 Wf09 Wf10 Wf11 Wf12 Wf13 Wf50 Wf51 Wf52 Wf53 Common Name x x xy x scrub birch x x Barclay s willow xy x x bog willow x xyz x pink spirea x xyzzzz xyz sweet gale xy x x xy x x beaked sedge x xyz x xy xyz x x water sedge xy x x x xyz xy x marsh cinquefoil x x xy xy xy xy x bluejoint reedgrass x xyz xy x x x xyzzz slender sedge xyzzz xyz x x x xy x x buckbean xyz xyzz xyz x xyzz x x shore sedge xyzz x cordroot sedge xyzzzz x x few-flowered spike-rush xyzzzz x Hudson Bay clubrush x xyzzzz x xyz x tufted clubrush xyz x xyz xyzzzz xyzzz xyzzzz xy x narrow-leaved cotton-grass xy x xyzz xyz x x white mtn. marsh-marigold xy x yellow-flowered sedge x x x swamp horsetail x x xyz x poor sedge x x x xy x xyzzzz xyzzz x Sitka sedge xy xyzz white beak-rush xy x x pale sedge x xy Chamisso s cotton-grass xy xy x mountain hairgrass x xyzz xy x x x xy great sundew x x bog St. John s-wort x xyz xy xy xy sticky asphodel xy great bulrush xyz x deer-cabbage x x x x x arrow-leaved groundsel xyz x x bog-rosemary x x xy x xyz x x western bog-laurel x xyz x xy x bog cranberry xyz x seaside arrow-grass x xy x xy round-leaved sundew xy xy x x leatherleaf saxifrage xy x x xy x x x fragrant white rein orchid x x x xy xy x Sitka burnet x xy x flat-leaved bladderwort x x x x xy x marsh violet x xy xy x xyz xyzz xyzz x peat-moss Group I xy x x xyz xyz xy xy x glow moss xyz xy xy x x hook-mosses xy xyz xyz x x xyzz x peat-moss Group II xyz xyz x xy x x golden fuzzy fen moss xy xyz spring moss xy xyz x xy x x x straw spear-moss xy xyzz x x x sausage-moss xyzzz xyzzz xy yellow star-moss x x xy xy x hook-mosses xy x x three-ranked hump-moss Chapter 5.2 Fens 81

24 Wf51 Sitka sedge Peat-moss Carex sitchensis Sphagnum General Description Sitka sedge Peat-moss fens occur at low elevations along the Coast, in wet drainage channels or hollows in sloping peatlands where there is gradually flowing surface water. These sites are uncommon and often of small areal extent relative to other ecosystems of the Coast. Carex sitchensis grows in dense swards with Sphagnum species in carpets or floating in shallow water. A diversity of other species occurs with low cover on most sites. Peat accumulations in the Wf 51 range from thin veneers to deep blankets of poorly to well-decomposed peat. Organic layers are often intermixed with mineral materials. Fibrisols are the most common soil type but Mesisols and Humisols also occur. Characteristic Vegetation Tree layer ( ) Shrub layer ( ) Herb layer ( ) Carex sitchensis, Comarum palustre Moss layer ( ) Sphagnum spp. Comments The Wf51 is similar to the Wf 01 in most respects but has a coastal distribution; Carex sitchensis replaces Carex aquatilis on the Coast.The presence of Sphagnum on these sites reflects the wider tolerance to variable hydrology of Sphagnum species that occur in this climate and not to ombrotrophic conditions, which is typical in the Interior. The Wm50 occurs on more hydrologically active sites than the Wf51. Soil Moisture Regime VM W VW Wetland Edatopic Grid Soil Nutrient Regime A B C D E F VA MA SA N Ak ph St Sl Mo Dy VD Hydrodynamic Index 96 Wetlands of British Columbia: A Field Guide to Identification

25 Chapter 5.4 Swamps 125 TABLE Distribution of Swamp Site Associations by biogeoclimatic zone BG BWBS SBPS PP SWB ESSF ICH IDF MS SBS CDF CWH MH Ws01 Mountain alder Skunk cabbage Lady fern xx xx w Ws02 Mountain alder Pink spirea Sitka sedge x x xx x x x w x Ws03 Bebb s willow Bluejoint x xx xx x xx Ws04 Drummond s willow Beaked sedge x x x xx Ws05 MacCalla s willow Beaked sedge x x Ws06 Sitka willow Sitka sedge xx x w Ws07 Spruce Common horsetail Leafy moss xx x xx xx xx xxx Ws08 Subalpine fir Sitka valerian Common horsetail xx Ws09 Black spruce Skunk cabbage Peat-moss xx x w Ws10 Western redcedar Spruce Skunk cabbage xx Ws11 Spruce Subalpine fir Skunk cabbage x w Ws50 Pink spirea Sitka sedge x x w xxx xx Ws51 Sitka willow Pacific willow Skunk cabbage x x x Ws52 Red alder Skunk cabbage xx xx Ws53 Western redcedar Sword fern Skunk cabbage x x x Ws54 Western redcedar Western hemlock Skunk cabbage x xx Ws55 Yellow-cedar Mountain hemlock Skunk cabbage xx x = incidental; < 5% of wetlands xx = minor; 5 25% of wetlands xxx = major; >25% of wetlands w = wet subzones only x = very dry subzones only

26 TABLE Swamp Species Importance Table Species Ws03 Ws04 Ws05 Ws02 Ws06 Ws07 Ws08 Ws01 Trees Picea X x x x x x xyzzz xyzzz xyz Picea mariana x Abies lasiocarpa x xy xyzzzz xy Tsuga heterophylla x Thuja plicata x Picea sitchensis Alnus rubra Acer macrophyllum Chamaecyparis nootkatensis Tsuga mertensiana x Abies amabilis Shrubs Salix bebbiana xyzzzz x x Salix drummondiana x xyzzz x x Salix maccalliana x x xyzzzz Alnus incana xyzz x xyzzz xyz xyz xyzzzz Lonicera involucrata xyz xy xy xy xy xyzz xy xyz Spiraea douglasii x xy xyzz xy xyzz Cornus stolonifera xyz x xy xy xy Vaccinium alaskaense/ovalifolium xy Salix sitchensis xy xyzzzz Salix lucida x x Rubus spectabilis x Sambucus racemosa x Gaultheria shallon Ribes bracteosum Elliottia pyroliflorus Herbs Calamagrostis canadensis xyzzz xyz xyzz xyzz xyz xy xy xyz and Carex aquatilis/sitchensis x xyzz xyzz xyzzzz xyzzz xy Dwarf Carex utriculata xyz xyzz xyzzz xy xyz Shrubs Gymnocarpium dryopteris x x x xy xy xy Valeriana sitchensis xyzz Scirpus microcarpus x xyz Equisetum arvense xyzz x x xy xyzz xyzzzz xyzzz xyz Lysichiton americanus x xy xyzzzz Athyrium filix-femina x xy x x xyzzz Tiarella trifoliata xy xy x Streptopus lanceolatus x x Maianthemum dilatatum Oenanthe sarmentosa Polystichum munitum Equisetum telmateia Blechnum spicant Veratrum viride x xy x Fauria crista-galli Mosses Drepanocladus spp. x xyzz x x and Mnium spp. xyz xy xyz xyz xy xyzzz xyzzz xyzz Lichens Aulacomnium palustre x xy xyz x xyzz xyzz x Sphagnum spp. x x x x x Hylocomium splendens x xyzz Pleurozium schreberi x xyz xy x Eurhynchium praelongum Rhytidiadelphus loreus 126 Wetlands of British Columbia: A Field Guide to Identification

27 Sitka willow Sitka sedge Ws06 Salix sitchensis Carex sitchensis General Description Sitka willow Sitka sedge swamps are uncommon at low elevations in the Coast and Mountains, Nass Basin, and wet subzones of the Southern Interior Mountains and Sub-Boreal Interior. These sites are usually associated with fluvial systems or linked basins and experience prolonged saturation and brief early-season flooding. Salix sitchensis dominates Ws06 sites. The herb layer is primarily Carex sitchensis and Equisetum arvense. Other large sedges and forbs are also common. On some sites, particularly those under shade, Scirpus microcarpus replaces C. sitchensis as the site dominant. The moss layer is poorly developed. Gleysols derived from fluvial materials are the most common soil type. On some sites, sedge peat is layered in fluvial deposits. Characteristic Vegetation Tree layer ( ) Shrub layer ( ) Alnus incana, Salix sitchensis Herb layer ( ) Calamagrostis canadensis, Carex sitchensis, C. utriculata, Equisetum arvense, Scirpus microcarpus Moss layer ( ) Mnium spp. Comments Wetland Edatopic Grid Soil Nutrient Regime A B C D E F Adjacent communities are often Wm01 or Wm02 marshes or low bench flood communities.this Site Association is similar to the Ws04 and Ws02; the former occurs in drier subzones and the latter on more active floodplain sites. Sitka willow is well adapted to fluvial sites; twigs and branches have brittle bases that readily break during flood events.these whips will readily root in mineral soils. Soil Moisture Regime VM W VA MA SA N Ak ph VW St Sl Mo Dy VD Hydrodynamic Index Chapter 5.4 Swamps 133