GUIDE TO WETLAND ECOSYSTEMS OF THE. SUB BOREAL SPRUCE a SUBZONE CARIBOO FOREST REGION BRITISH COLUMBIA

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1 GUIDE TO WETLAND ECOSYSTEMS OF THE SUB BOREAL SPRUCE a SUBZONE CARIBOO FOREST REGION BRITISH COLUMBIA Compiled by Anna Roberts Illustrated by Shirley Salkeld March 1984

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE 1.0 INTRODUCTION STUDY AREA Location Climate Soils Vegetation SOURCES OF ECOLOGICAL DATA WETLAND ECOSYSTEM UNITS OF THE SBSa Key to Ecosystem Units Ecosystem Unit Descriptions Comparison of SBSa and IDFb Ecosystem Units Relation of Ecosystem Units to Other Wetland Classification LITERATURE CITED APPENDIX - Guide to Wetland Plant Species...Al Index to Scientific Plant Names...A48 Index to Common Plant Names...A501

3 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This guide was prepared under contract to the Ministry of Forests, Research Branch with funding provided by the Range Management Branch. Field plot data used to develop this classification were collected by G. Porter and N. Fix, Range Section, Cariboo Forest Region, and by A. Roberts while on staff with the Research Section. Data used to verify the classification were collected by R. Newman and J. Grafton, Range Section, Cariboo Forest Region, and by C.J. Selby and D.E. Moon, Agriculture Canada Research Station, Vancouver. Illustrations that have been taken from B.C. Provincial Museum publications are marked. Six plant drawings are the work of Peggy Frank and Sheri Mitchell, Ministry of Forests. The advice and assistance of Ordell Steen, Cariboo Forest Region is gratefully acknowledged.

4 TABLES Page Table 1 Summary of substrate type and mid season above surface water depth for each of the SBSa wetland ecosystem associations Table 2 Classification of wetland ecosystem associations of the SBSa, Cariboo Region according to the "Preliminary Wetland Manager's Manual" and the national wetland registry FIGURES Figure 1 Location of the study areas within the SBSa subzone in the Cariboo Forest Region... 3

5 1.0 INTRODUCTION Wetlands serve a number of very useful purposes in our environment; some act like giant sponges soaking up and storing surplus rain and snowmelt; many provide the specific type of habitat required by certain animals and plants; others provide a source of 'forage for domestic animals. These wetland ecosystems are varied and complex. In the Cariboo Forest Region as elsewhere in Canada there is considerable difficulty in differentiating between and communicating knowledgeably about the different kinds of wetland ecosystems. This report presents an ecological classification and description of wetland ecosystems of the Sub-Boreal Spruce a subzone within the Cariboo Forest Region. The objective of these studies is to provide an ecological framework for wetland management decisions in the SBSa subzone based on easily recognizable and identifiable units. Sixteen ecosystem associations are described and illustrated. The ecosystem associations are defined according to characteristic vegetation and type of substrate. The most common sequences) in which each association occurs, in relationship to other associations within a wetland, is described and diagrammed. Wetland plant species mentioned in this report are illustrated and described in the appendix. The common plant names used are those advocated by the Ministry of Forests, Research Branch. This classification is based on field data collected by the Cariboo Forest Region, Range and Research Sections. The approach used follows that developed by the Ministry of Forests ecological classification program. Further investigations of wetland ecosystems of the SBSa subzone will no doubt add other associations to those described here.

6 2.0 STUDY AREA 2.1 Location Location of the Sub-Boreal Spruce a (SBSa) biogeoclimatic subzone within the Cariboo Forest Region of central B.C. is shown on Figure 1. The SBSa is the largest subzone in the Cariboo Region, occurring from approximately 51 10' to 53 30' N latitude and from ' to 'W longitude. This subzone lies, entirely west of the Fraser Riper and extends into the southern portions of both the Prince George and Prince Rupert Forest Regions. Elevations are typically 850 m to 1,525 m. The study areas from which data were collected for this wetland classification lie on the Fraser Plateau north of Highway 20 between the Fraser River and the Coast mountains. The west Chilcotin study area extends from Anahim Lake south to Kleena Kleene. In the east Chilcotin the study areas extend from Chezacut east to 'W longitude and north to 52 30'N latitude. The north Chilcotin study area is bordered on the south by the Itcha and Ilgachuz ranges and on the north by the Blackwater River, and lies within the Pan Creek Range Unit. 2.2 Climate Climate of the SBSa is characterized by relative dryness, extreme cold and a short growing season, lessening in severity from west to east. Moisture generally increases from west to east ranging from 346 mm at Anahim Lake to 417 mm at Alexis Creek - Tautri Creek. The mean daily minimum temperatures of the warmest month (July) is 3.3 C while that of the coldest month (January) is -21 C, as recorded at the Alexis Creek - Tautri Creek climate station (Annas et al 1982). The SBSa has the most severe climate of any of the zones in the Cariboo Forest Region that occur below the subalpine, with a frost free period of 12 days. The mean annual temperature is 0.3 C (Annas and Coupe 1979).

7 Figure 1. Location of the study areas within the SBSa subzone of the Cariboo Forest Region.

8 2.3 Soils Upland soils of the SBSa subzone are predominantly Brunisolic Gray Luvisols developed on morainal material (Annas et al 1982). They are well drained and moderately pervious. The soil climate regime of this subzone is very cold and dry, thus short periods of drought may occur during the growing season (Annas and Coupe 1979). Wetland soils in the SBSa are both mineral and organic. Mineral soils are most commonly Gleysols and less often Regosols. They are developed on lacustrine, fluvial or morainal parent materials with a loamy or sandy texture. Sorted rock pools without any surface soil often occur in the shrub-carr associations. Organic soils in the SBSa are commonly humisols and less often mesisols. The organic soils occurring in fens are formed of sedge-derived pests; in bogs they are formed of sphagnum-derived pests. The wetlands in the eastern portions of the SBSa have predominantly organic soils, whereas in the southwestern portion Gleysolic soils are more common. 2.4 Vegetation Extensive fire history has resulted in much of the SBSa uplands being occupied by even-aged seral stands of lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta var. latifolia). In the west Chilcotin the zonal ecosystem association is characterized by an overstory of lodgepole pine, sparse shrub and herb layers and a strong lichen component (Annas et al 1982). Succession is very slow due to the severe climatic conditions. The lodgepole pine stands are considered fire climaxes, while white spruce with some lodgepole pine is the expected climax. An increase in available moisture from west to east across the Chilcotin is reflected by increasing moss cover, more abundant and vigorous herbaceous development and greater tree productivity (Annas et al 1982). In direct contrast to the generally poor productivity and low forage and timber values of the SBSa forest land, non-forested wetlands provide ranchers with the most productive range in the area. The sedge fens, in their native state, are used extensively for hay production. The SBSa wetlands have been included in the Continental Mid-Boreal Wetland region by the Canada Committee on Ecological (Bio-physical) Land Classification (Zoltai, 1980), with bogs and fens as the characteristic wetland types= The data analysed for this report indicate that south of N latitude fens are the dominant type of wetland and that bogs are uncommon. Low shrub fens dominated by scrub birch (Betula glandulosa), low willows, sedges and moss are very common and often cover relatively large wetland tracts, especially in the eastern portion of the SBSa. Extensive sedge fens with vegetation dominated by beaked sedge (Carex rostrata), and or water sedge (Carex aquatilis) are also common. Wetter fens dominated by slender sedge (Carex lasiocarpa), northern mannagrass (Glyceria borealis) or buckbean (Menyanthes trifoliata) are less common.

9 The tufted hairgrass (Deschampsia cespitosa) meadow association appears to be unique to the SBSa subzone in the Cariboo Region, and may cover areas as large as 30 hectares. Saline meadows are relatively uncommon. Two distinct shrub-carr associations occur in this subzone. The drier shrub-carr dominated by scrub birch (Betula glandulosa), kinnikinnik (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi), and mat muhly (Muhlenbergia richardsonis) frequently forms a shrub border in the transition area between wetland and upland, but also may dominate relatively large wetland tracts. The prevalence of kobresia (Kobresia myosuroides) in this shrub-carr association, a species usually restricted to the alpine or subalpine, is a reflection of the cold climate of this subzone. The wetter shrub-carr is less extensive and dominated by grey-leaved willow (Salix glauca), scrub birch, grasses and mosses. The shallow open water ecosystems have not been defined as separate associations. Further data collection is needed before this could be done. 3.0 SOURCES OF ECOLOGICAL DATA Several agencies have gathered data for wetland ecosystems of the SBSa subzone. The ecological data used to classify the SBSa wetland ecosystems came from field work carried out by the Range and Research Sections, Cariboo Forest Region, Ministry of Forests. Extensive ecological data on site, soil and vegetation from 76 wetland ecosystems in the west Chilcotin were collected by the Range Section in Further ecological data from 46 wetland ecosystems in the east Chilcotin were collected by the Research Section in Range inventory data collected by Ministry of Forests in 1981 from 34 wetlands within the Pan Creek Range Unit were used to verify this classification. This data is recorded on range ground call plot sheets. Ecological data collected by Agriculture Canada in 1982 from 35 wetland sites in the eastern portion of the SBSa were also used to verify this ecosystem classification. Other SBSa wetland data available includes that collected by Mayall and Hart (1980) during field testing of the Preliminary Wetland Managers Manual for the Cariboo Wetland Working Group. This data is recorded on wetland assessment data forms. "A number of aquic-centered wetlands within the SBSa were classified by Mayall (1983) to class, subclass and variant levels according to Runka and Lewis (1981) for the Canadian Wildlife Service, Environment Canada. Very little data is available for wetlands that occur in the northeast portion of the SBSa subzone.

10 4.0 WETLAND ECOSYSTEM UNITS OF THE SBSa SUBZONE 4.1 Provisional Key to Non-Forested Wetland Ecosystems of the SBSa Subzone, Cariboo Forest Region 1a. Open water with less than 10 percent cover of emergent plants SBSa/W16 Shallow open water 1b. Not open water, if standing water covers site then emergent plant cover greater than 10 percent. 2a. Organic accumulations greater than 15 cm thick over mineral soil, vegetation rooted primarily in organic materials; standing water often present in mid-season; fen and bog ecosystems. 3a. Organic accumulations are primarily sphagnum - derived pests; vegetation includes extensive moss cover dominated by sphagnum mosses with variable amounts of ericaceous shrubs, sedges, lichens and scattered spruce (Picea spp.) trees. SBSa/W9 Labrador tea - Sphagnum bog 3b. Organic accumulations not sphagnum - derived pests; sphagnum mosses absent or scarce, vegetation often dominated by shrubs, sedges or non-sphagnum mosses. 4a. Shrub cover greater than 5%; early season standing water depths usually less than 20 cm. 5a. Shrub layer dominated by low shrubs (usually less than 1.5 m), scrub birch (Betula glandulosa) and bog willow (Salix pedicellaris) ugly present; herb layer dominated by sedges; soil surface not hummocky. SBSa/W8 Bog willow - Sedge low shrub fen 5b. Shrub layer dominated by tall shrubs (greater than 1.5 m), Maccall's willow (Salix maccalliana) usually present; herb layer dominated by sedges in wet depressed areas between shrub covered hummocks. SBSa/W6 Maccall's willow - Sedge tall shrub fen 4b. Shrub cover less than 5%; early season standing water depths often greater than 20 cm. 6a. Buckbean (Menyanthes trifoliata), seaside arrowgrass (Triglochin maritimum) or lesser panicled sedge (Carex diandra) dominant; soil organic accumulations usually greater than cm thick. SBSa/W13 Buckbean - Arrowgrass fen 6b. Buckbean, arrowgrass or lesser panicled sedge not dominant; soil organic accumulations variable.

11 7a. Northern mannagrass (Glyceria borealis) abundant, dominating herbaceous layer. SBSa/W10 Northern mannagrass fen 7b. Northern mannagrass not abundant, herbaceous vegetation dominated by sedges. 8a. Beaked sedge (Carex rostrata) or water sedge (Carex aquatilis) dominate herbaceous layer forming nearly continuous cover. SBSa/Wl2 Beaked sedge fen 8b. Slender sedge (Carex lasiocarpa) dominates herbaceous layer. SBSa/W14 Slender sedge fen 2b. Organic accumulations absent or less than 15 cm thick over mineral soil, vegetation rooted primarily in mineral-.soil; marsh, swamp, shrub-carr or meadow ecosystems. 9a. Shrub cover greater than 5%. 10a. Permanent or nearly permanent subsurface water flow present, sites most often adjacent to flowing streams or rivers; vegetation dominated by Drummond's willow (Salix drummondiana). SBSa/W7 Drummond's willow - Sedge swamp 10b. No significant subsurface water flow present, sites not adjacent to flowing channeled streams or rivers, any subsurface flow is very slow and down very low gradient slopes, sites rarely or only briefly inundated; shrub layer dominated by scrub birch (Betula glandulosa) or grey-leaved willow (Salix glauca). 11a. Shrub layer dominated by scrub birch (Betula glandulosa); kinnikinnick (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) and mat muhly (Muhlenbergia richardsonis) abundant; moss layer not well develop. SBSa/W4 Scrub birch - Kinnikinnick shrub-carr 11b. Shrub layer dominated by grey-leaved willow (Salix glauca); kinnikinnick and mat muhly not abundant; moss layer well developed. SBSa/W5 Grey-leaved willow - Moss shrub-carr 9b. Shrub cover less than 5%.. 12a. Sites seasonally inundated, standing water often present in mid-growing season; vegetation dominated by sedges or bulrush. 13a. Vegetation dominated by sedges, awned sedge (Carex atherodes) or beaked sedge (Carex rostrata) abundant. SBSa W11 Awned sedge marsh 13b. Vegetation dominated by bulrush (Scirpus lacustris). SBSa/W15 Bulrush marsh

12 12b. Sites rarely or only briefly inundated, standing water absent in mid-growing season; vegetation dominated by grasses, rushes and or forbs. 14a. Tufted hairgrass (Deschampsia cespitosa) dominates vegetation. SB a/w3 Tufted hairgrass meadow. 14b. Tufted hairgrass not dominant. 15a. Alkali saltgrass (Distichlis stricta) or Nuttall's alkaligrass (Puccinellia nuttalliana) dominate vegetation. BSa/W1 Saltgrass - Alkaligrass meadow 15b. Alkali saltgrass and Nuttall's alkaligrass absent; arctic rush (Juncus arcticus), field sedge (Carex praegracilis) and mat muhly (Muhlenbergia richardsonis) usually present. SBSa W2 Arctic rush - Field sedge meadow ',

13 4.2 Ecosystem Unit Descriptions Descriptions of the sixteen ecosystem associations encountered in the SBSa subzone, Cariboo Forest Region are presented on the following pages, generally in order of increasing wetness. Substrate type and above-surface, mid-season water depths for each of the associations are summarized on Table 1.

14 SBSa/W1 ECOSYSTEM UNIT: SALTGRASS - ALKALIGRASS MEADOW ASSOCIATION (Distichlis stricta - Puccinellia nuttalliana Meadow Association) MOISTURE REGIME: subhygric STANDING WATER DEPTH: seasonal, absent by mid-season SUBSURFACE WATER DEPTH: cm HYDROTOPOGRAPHIC POSITION: linked basin/terminal basin palustrine SLOPE POSITION/GRADIENT: level/0-3% OCCURRENCE: uncommon PARENT MATERIAL: silty to clayey lacustrine or fluvial ORGANIC - DEPTH: N/A - DECOMPOSITION: N/A MINERAL SOIL TEXTURE: silty clay, silty clay loam SOIL DRAINAGE: moderately well to imperfect ROOTING DEPTH: 70 cm SOIL CLASSIFICATION: Regosol, Gleysol WETLAND CLASSIFICATION: (RUNKA AND LEWIS 1981): Saline Mineral Meadow SITE/SOIL COMMENTS: These ecosystems may have standing water early in the spring but soon become dry. Soils are saline mineral with some organic accumulation on the surface. Salt crusts may form when the soil surface dries. CHARACTERISTIC VEGETATION (by layer): HERB Alkali saltgrass Distichlis stricta - good indicators Nuttall's alkaligrass Puccinellia nuttalliana usually present Alkali bluegrass Poa juncifolia - not always Pahute weed Suaeda depressa present VEGETATION COMMENTS: Grasses tolerant of high salinity levels dominate this ecosystem. Foxtail barley (Hordeum jubatum) and silverweed (Potentilla anserina) may also be present, often increasing after disturbance. High salinity levels restrict plant growth to a few species with a low total plant cover. WETLAND SEQUENCE: This uncommon association may cover a large area with a shrub-carr on one or more sides, or it may be smaller and surrounded by more diverse meadow communities.

15 S8Sa/W1 SALTGRASS - ALKALIGRASS MEADOW ASSOCIATION (Distichlis stricta - Puccinellia nuttalliana Meadow Association)

16 SBSa/W2 ECOSYSTEM UNIT: ARCTIC RUSH - FIELD SEDGE MEADOW ASSOCIATION (Juncus arcticus - Carex praegracilis Meadow Association) MOISTURE REGIME: subhygric/hygric STANDING WATER DEPTH: absent SUBSURFACE WATER DEPTH: 0-60 cm, HYDROTOPOGRAPHIC POSITION: linked basin (lowland) palustrine SLOPE POSITION/GRADIENT: depression (level)/0-1%,/ OCCURRENCE: common J PARENT MATERIAL: ORGANIC - DEPTH: - DECOMPOSITION: shy, clayey or sandy fluvial or lacustrine 0-10 cm poor MINERAL SOIL TEXTURE: silty clay loam to sandy clay loam (loamy sand) SOIL DRAINAGE: imperfect ROOTING DEPTH: cm SOIL CLASSIFICATION: Orthic Gleysol, Humic Gleysol WETLAND CLASSIFICATION: (RUNKA AND LEWIS 1981): Mineral (Organic) Meadow SITE/SOIL COMMENTS: These ecosystems occur on mineral materials with organically enriched surface horizons. They are rarely inundated although surfaces are wet early in the growing season. CHARACTERISTIC VEGETATION (by layer): HERB Field sedge Carex praegracilis - good indicator Arctic rush Juncus arcticus - always present, sparse cover Graceful cinquefoil Potentilla gracilis - scattered individuals Kentucky bluegrass Poa pratensis - mat forming, high cover Mat Muhly Muhlenbergia richardsonis value when present VEGETATION COMMENTS: The dominant cover of this diverse association is typically graminoid. Arctic rush is always present, usually in small amounts, while field sedge often has a high cover value. Graceful cinquefoil is characteristic of this association. WETLAND SEQUENCE: This meadow association may be found bounding a saline meadow association (SBSa/W1) or may bound a central, wetter sedge fen association. A shrub-cart may or may not occur on the periphery.

17 SBSa/W2 ARCTIC RUSH - FIELD SEDGE MEADOW ASSOCIATION (Juncus arcticus - Carex praegracilis Meadow Association)

18 SBSa/W3 ECOSYSTEM UNIT: TUFTED HAIRGRASS MEADOW ASSOCIATION (Deschampsia cespitosa Meadow Association) MOISTURE REGIME: subhygric to subhydric STANDING WATER DEPTH: seasonal, absent by mid-season SUBSURFACE WATER DEPTH: 0-80 cm HYDROTOPOGRAPHIC POSITION: linked basis palustrine (seepage slope) SLOPE POSITION/GRADIENT: level/0-5% OCCURRENCE: common, often large PARENT MATERIAL: variable: lacustrine, fluvial, or morainal ORGANIC - DEPTH: - DECOMPOSITION: 0-15 cm poor to moderate MINERAL SOIL TEXTURE: variable: clayey, silty, loamy or sandy SOIL DRAINAGE: poor to moderately well ROUTING DEPTH: 46 (17-95) cm SOIL CLASSIFICATION: Gleysol, Regosol WETLAND CLASSIFICATION: (RUNKA AND LEWIS 1981): Mineral (Organic) Meadow SITE/SOIL COMMENTS: These ecosystems are saturated early in the growing season. They may be sloped and receive seepage from upland forest, or be level and poorly drained. These meadow soils frequently have up to 15 cm (20) of organic material at the surface. CHARACTERISTIC VEGETATION (by layer): HERB Tufted hairgrass Deschampsia cespitosa - dominant grass Beaked sedge Carex rostrata - usually present Arctic rush Juncus arcticus - may be present in Kentucky bluegrass Poa pratensis small amounts MOSS Drepanocladus aduncus - usually Brachythecium sp. present VEGETATION COMMENTS: This productive graminoid community is dominated by a uniform stand of tufted hairgrass. Where standing water is present during early parts of the growing season, beaked sedge shows better vigor, and may become equally dominant with tufted hairgrass. The moss layer is not well developed. WETLAND SEQUENCE: This tufted hairgrass meadow association may cover nearly 100 of a wetland, or it may be part of a sequence from a central shallow open water to a sedge fen association to meadow. The wetter shrub-carr association (SBSa/W5) may occur in pockets on the periphery.

19 SBSa/W3 TUFTED HAIRGRASS MEADOW ASSOCIATION (Deschampsia cespitosa Meadow Association)

20 SBSa/W4 ECOSYSTEM UNIT: SCRUB BIRCH - KINNIKINNICK SHRUB-CARR ASSOCIATION (Betula glandulosa - Arctostaphylos uva-ursi Shrub-Carr Association MOISTURE REGIME: STANDING WATER DEPTH: SUBSURFACE WATER DEPTH: HYDROTOPOGRAPHIC POSITION: SLOPE POSITION/GRADIENT: OCCURRENCE: PARENT MATERIAL: ORGANIC - DEPTH: - DECOMPOSITION: MINERAL SOIL TEXTURE: SOIL DRAINAGE: ROOTING DEPTH: SOIL CLASSIFICATION: WETLAND CLASSIFICATION: (RUNKA AND LEWIS 1981): subhygric absent cm linked basin palustrine (seepage slope) level/0-10% very common clayey to silty fluvial or lacustrine; loamy morainal 0-5 cm variable variable: clayey, silty, or loamy imperfect 41 (25-70) cm Gleysol, Regosol Mineral Shrub-Carr SITE/SOIL COMMENTS: These ecosystems are rarely, if ever, inundated but soils may be saturated early in the growing season. The soils are mineral with less than 5 cm surface accumulation of organic matter. Depressions filled with large sorted rocks frequently occur. CHARACTERISTIC VEGETATION (by layer): SHRUB Scrub birch Betula glandulosa - high cover Grey-leaved willow Salix glauca Short-fruited willow Salix brachycarpa - good indicator HERB Mat Muhly Muhlenbergia richardsonis - dominant grass Kinnikinnick Arctostaphylos uva-ursi - good indicator Bellard's kobresia Kobresia myosuroides - good indicator when present Arctic rush Field sedge Wild strawberry Yarrow Juncus arcticus Carex praegracilis Fragaria virginiana Achillea millefolium VEGETATION COMMENTS: This scrub birch dominated association has a typical hummocky soil surface. Mat muhly and kinnikinnick dominate the herb layer. Bellard's kobresia occurs only in these ecosystems within the SBSa subzone. WETLAND SEQUENCE: This shrub-carr association most frequently occurs in the transition zone from wetter ecosystems to uplands. It can, however, cover 100% of a wetland area.

21 SBSa/W4 SCRUB BIRCH - KINNIKINNICK SHRUB-CARR ASSOCIATION (Betula glandulosa - Arctostaphylos uva-ursi Shrub-Carr Association

22 SBSa/W5 ECOSYSTEM UNIT: GREY-LEAVED WILLOW - MOSS SHRUB-CARR ASSOCIATION (Salix glauca - Moss Shrub-Carr Association) MOISTURE REGIME: STANDING WATER DEPTH: SUBSURFACE WATER DEPTH: HYDROTOPOGRAPHIC POSITION: SLOPE POSITION/GRADIENT: OCCURRENCE: PARENT MATERIAL: ORGANIC - DEPTH: - DECOMPOSITION: MINERAL SOIL TEXTURE: SOIL DRAINAGE: ROOTING DEPTH: SOIL CLASSIFICATION: WETLAND CLASSIFICATION: (RUNKA AND LEWIS 1981): subhygric to hygric absent 0-53 cm linked basis palustrine (seepage slope) level/0-10% common silty to loamy fluvial and morainal 1-15 cm variable silty clay loam, silt loam, sandy clay loam, sandy loam imperfect to poor 38 (21-71) cm Gleysol, Regosol Organic Shrub-Carr SITE/SOIL COMMENTS: These shrub-carr ecosystems are wetter than SBSa/W4, but still do not have standing water between hummocks. The soils have up to 15 cm surface accumulation of organic material overlying mineral. CHARACTERISTIC VEGETATION (by layer): SHRUB Grey-leaved willow Salix glauca - always present Scrub birch Betula glandulosa Maccall's willow Salix maccalliana HERB Tufted hairgrass Deschampsia cespitosa - scattered individuals Kinnikinnick Arctostaphylos uva-ursi - sparse cover Wild strawberry Fragaria virginiana Fringed aster Aster ciliolatus - always present Yarrow Achillea millefolium - in small amounts Marsh valerian Valeriana dioica Slender wheatgrass Agropyron trachycaulum Hair bentgrass Agrostis scabra Fringed brome Bromus ciliolatus MOSS Aulacomnium palustre Tomenthypnum nitens Drepanocladus aduncus VEGETATION COMMENTS: The shrub layer is well developed with m tall shrubs growing primarily on hummocks. The herb layer is very diverse with a large number of species all having sparse cover value. A diverse, well-developed moss layer is usually present. WETLAND SEQUENCE: This shrub-carr association frequently occurs on the boundary of either a tufted hairgrass or an arctic rush - field sedge meadow.

23 SBSa/W5 GREY-LEAVED WILLOW - MOSS SHRUB-CARR ASSOCIATION (Salix glauca - Moss Shrub-Carr Association)

24 SBSa/W6 ECOSYSTEM UNIT: MACCALL'S WILLOW-SEDGE TALL SHRUB FEN ASSOCIATION (Salix maccalliana - Carex spp. Tall Shrub Fen Association) MOISTURE REGIME: STANDING WATER DEPTH: SUBSURFACE WATER DEPTH: HYDROTOPOGRAPHIC POSITION: SLOPE POSITION/GRADIENT: OCCURRENCE: PARENT MATERIAL: ORGANIC - DEPTH: - DECOMPOSITION: MINERAL SOIL TEXTURE: SOIL DRAINAGE: ROOTING DEPTH: SOIL CLASSIFICATION: WETLAND CLASSIFICATION: (RUNKA AND LEWIS 1981): hygric to subhydric seasonal, 0-10 cm 0-40 cm linked basin palustrine depression (level)/0-2% common organic blanket or organic veneer over mineral over 20 cm variable silt loam to sandy clay loam poor to very poor cm Humisol, Fibrisol, Gleysol Deep Mesic (Humic, Fibric) Fen Shallow Fibric Fen SITE/SOIL COMMENTS: Standing water is usually present between the hummocks at least until mid-season. The soils have a shallow to deep organic accumulation over fluvial material. CHARACTERISTIC VEGETATION (by layer): SHRUB Maccall's willow Salix maccalliana - dominant tall shrub Northern brush willow Salix arbusculoides - not always present. Scrub birch Betula glandulosa HERB Beaked sedge Carex rostrata - dominant Water sedge Carex aquatilis in wet Sartwells' sedge Carex sartwellii hollows Scribner's reedgrass Calamagrostis scribneri - scattered small Arrow-leaved colt's-foot Petasites sagittatus groups MOSS Drepanocladus aduncus Brachythecium spp. Aulacomnium palustre Mnium ragicum VEGETATION COMMENTS: These ecosystems are characterized by the presence of tall willows on hummocks with the depressed areas between supporting a high cover of sedges. Grasses (Glyceria spp. and Calamagrostis spp.) are commonly present. The diverse moss layer is moderately we developed. WETLAND SEQUENCE: This tall shrub fen association may border a wetter central area with shallow open water and a sedge fen, or it may form the central part of a wetland with a shrub-carr on the periphery.

25 SBSa/W6 MACCALL'S WILLOW-SEDGE TALL SHRUB FEN ASSOCIATION (Salix maccalliana - Carex spp. Tall Shrub Fen Association)

26 SBSa/W7 ECOSYSTEM UNIT: DRUMMOND'S WILLOW - SEDGE SWAMP ASSOCIATION (Salix drummondiana - Carex rostrata Swamp Association) MOISTURE REGIME: hygric to hydric STANDING WATER DEPTH: seasonal, absent by mid-season SUBSURFACE WATER DEPTH: 0-40 Cm HYDROTOPOGRAPHIC POSITION: stream riverine SLOPE POSITION/GRADIENT: level/0-2% OCCURRENCE: common PARENT MATERIAL: loamy to sandy fluvial ORGANIC - DEPTH: 0-15 cm (occasionally to 35 cm) - DECOMPOSITION: poor to moderate MINERAL SOIL TEXTURE: SOIL DRAINAGE: ROUTING DEPTH: CLASSIFICATION: WETLAND CLASSIFICATION (RUNKA AND LEWIS 1981): silt loam, loam, sandy loam, loamy sand, sand poor to very poor 20-35cm Gleysol Shrub Mineral (Organic) Swamp SITE/SOIL COMMENTS: these sites are most often associated with channeled streams and rivers, and tend to be narrow though sometimes of considerable length. The soils are usually saturated throughout the growing season. CHARACTERISTIC VEGETATION (by layer): SHRUB Drummond's willow Salix drummondiana - a good indicator Grey-leaved willow Salix glauca Mackenzie's willow Salix mackenzieana New England willow Salix myrtillifolia var. cordata Black twinberry Lonicera involucrata HERB Beaked sedge Carex rostrata - usually Scribner's reedgrass Calamagrostis scribneri present Meadow arnica Arnica chamisonis Arrow-leaned colt's-foot Petasites sagittatus Bluejoint Calamagrostis canadensis Large-leaned avens Geum macrophyllum MOSS Brachythecium spp. Mnium ragicum VEGETATION COMMENTS: The dominant tall shrub is usually Drummond's willow. The herb layer is species rich, sharing many species with SBSa/W6. The moss layer is not well developed but always present. WETLAND SEQUENCE: This mineral swamp association often covers 100 of a channeled form of wetland, or there may be an awned sedge marsh adjoining.

27 SBSa/W7 DR UMMOND'S WILLOW - SEDGE SWAMP ASSOCIATION (Salix drummondiana - Carex rostrata Swamp Association)

28 SBSa/W8 ECOSYSTEM UNIT: BOG WILLOW - SEDGE LOW SHRUB FEN ASSOCIATION (Salix pedicellaris - Carex spp. Low Shrub Fen Association) MOISTURE REGIME: subhydric STANDING WATER DEPTH: 0-10 cm SUBSURFACE WATER DEPTH: 0-20 cm HYDROTOPOGRAPHIC POSITION: linked basis palustrine (lacustrine, flood plain riverine) SLOPE POSITION/GRADIENT: depression/0-2% OCCURRENCE: very common, often large PARENT MATERIAL: fibric, mesic, humic organic blanket ORGANIC - DEPTH: greater than 150 cm - DECOMPOSITION: variable MINERAL SOIL TEXTURE: N/A SOIL DRAINAGE: very poor ROUTING DEPTH: 72(65-85j SOIL CLASSIFICATION: Typic Fibrisol, Mesisol, or Humisol WETLAND CLASSIFICATION (RUNKA AND LEWIS 1981): Deep Mesic (Humic, Fibric) Fen SITE/SOIL COMMENTS: These ecosystems typically have an irregular microtopography soil surface expression, sometimes ribbed in a net pattern. The water table is at or near the surface for most of the year. Soils are formed on deep organic materials. CHARACTERISTIC VEGETATION (by layer): SHRUB Scrub birch Betula glandulosa - always present Bog willow Salix pedicellaris - good Hoary willow Salix candida indicators HERB Water sedge Carex aquatilis - always present Prairie sedge Carex prairea - good vigour and high cover when present Beaked sedge Carex rostrata Shore sedge Carex limosa Short-beaked sedge Carex simulata Lesser-panicled sedge Carex diandra - most Arrowgrass Triglochin maritimum abundant in Marsh cinquefoil Potentilla palustris wetter Narrow-leaved cotton-grass Eriophorum angustifolium depressions MOSS Drepanocladus aduncus - moss layer often Tomethypnum nitens 10 cm thick VEGETATION COMMENTS: Low shrubs, 1.5 m or less high, dominate this association with scrub birch always present. Bog willow and hoary willow are the other characteristic low shrubs. The herb layer always has water sedge present with a smaller component of other sedges. When prairie sedge is present it becomes the dominant herb. Wetter areas have a decrease in shrub cover with an increase in lesser panicled sedge, marsh cinquefoil or spike-rush (Eleocharis spp.). The moss layer is continuous.

29 SBSa/W8 BOG WILLOW - SEDGE LOW SHRUB FEN ASSOCIATION (Salix pedicellaris - Carex spp. Low Shrub Fen Association) WETLAND SEQUENCE: This common low shrub fen association may cover 100% of a large wetland area, or it may be of patterned form with a buckbean arrowgrass association in wetter areas. Occasionally a tall shrub fen occurs on the border.,

30 SBSa/W9 ECOSYSTEM UNIT: LABRADOR TEA - SPHAGNUM BOG ASSOCIATION (Ledum groenlandicum - Sphagnum Bog Association) MOISTURE REGIME: hygric STANDING WATER DEPTH: absent by mid-season SUBSURFACE WATER DEPTH: cm HYDROTOPOGRAPHIC POSITION: linked basin palustrine (flood plain riverine) SLOPE POSITION/GRADIENT: depression/0-5% OCCURRENCE: uncommon PARENT MATERIAL: fibric or mesic organic blanket ORGANIC - DEPTH: greater than 150 cm - DECOMPOSITION: poor to moderate MINERAL SOIL TEXTURE: N/A SOIL DRAINAGE: poor ROOTING DEPTH: cm SOIL CLASSIFICATION: Fibrisol, Mesisol WETLAND CLASSIFICATION (RUNKA AND LEWIS (1981): Shallow Fibric (Deep Fibric) Bog SITE/SOIL COMMENTS: These sites typically have a hummocky surface with the mounds separated by abrupt, narrow depressions. The soils are formed of deep, poorly decomposed sphagnum-derived pests and are saturated with water for most or all of the growing season. CHARACTERISTIC VEGETATION (by layer): SHRUB White spruce Picea glauca - scattered individuals, Black spruce Picea mariana very poor vigor Scrub birch Betula glandulosa Labrador tea Ledum groenlandicum - good indicator HERB Water sedge Carex aquatilis Crowberry Empetrum nigrum - characteristic Bog cranberry Vaccinium oxycoccos species Creeping snowberry Gaultheria hispidula MOSS Sphagnum capillaceum - dominant Sphagnum fuscum cover VEGETATION COMMENTS: The vegetation is dominated by a raised, dense layer of sphagnum moss, with a low (20 cm) shrub layer of Labrador tea. Water sedge is always present with a low cover value (10-20%). These ecosystems are quite distinctive and unmistakably different from any other ecosystem unit described in this guide. WETLAND SEQUENCE: This bog association may dominate a wetland, or bound a low shrub fen.

31 SBSa/W9 LABRADOR TEA - SPHAGNUM BOG ASSOCIATION (Ledum groenlandicum - Sphagnum Bog Association)

32 SBSa/W10 ECOSYSTEM UNIT: NORTHERN MANNAGRASS FEN ASSOCIATION (Glyceria borealis Fen Association) MOISTURE REGIME: subhydric STANDING WATER DEPTH: 0-25 cm SUBSURFACE WATER DEPTH: permanently at surface HYDROTOPOGRAPHIC POSITION: closed basin (linked basin palustrine) SLOPE POSITION/GRADIENT: depression/0-2% OCCURRENCE: uncommon PARENT MATERIAL: mesic or humic organic veneer over mineral ORGANIC - DEPTH: cm - DECOMPOSITION: moderate to well MINERAL SOIL TEXTURE: silty clay loam to loam SOIL DRAINAGE: very poor ROOTING DEPTH: SOIL CLASSIFICATION: Terric Humisol, Rego Gleysol WETLAND CLASSIFICATION (RUNKA AND LEWIS 1981): Deep Humic (Shallow Humic) Fen SITE/SOIL COMMENTS: These ecosystems are usually in a central position with standing water present for most of the year. The soils have a shallow layer of well decomposed peat over mineral materials. CHARACTERISTIC VEGETATION (by layer): HERB Northern mannagrass Glyceria borealis - dominant Common spikerush Eleocharis palustris - not always Swamp horsetail Equisetum fluviatile present Spring water-starwort Callitriche palustris MOSS Drepanocladus aduncus VEGETATION COMMENTS: The vegetation is dominated by a nearly continuous cover of northern mannagrass which may occur in pure stands or mixed with either spike-rush or swamp horsetail. Aquatics such as water-starwort and pondweeds (Potamogeton natans, P. gramineus) are frequently present. A moss layer may or may not be present. WETLAND SEQUENCE: This association may occur in the central part of a wetland surrounded by a sedge fen, or may be part of a sequence from shallow open water to a sedge fen association on the border.

33 SBSa/W10 NORTHERN MANNAGRASS FEN ASSOCIATION (Glyceria borealis Fen Association)

34 SBSa/W11 ECOSYSTEM UNIT: AWNED SEDGE MARSH ASSOCIATION (Carex atherodes Marsh Association) MOISTURE REGIME: subhydric (hygric to hydric) STANDING WATER DEPTH: 0-35 cm, seasonal SUBSURFACE WATER DEPTH: near surface HYDROTOPOGRAPHIC POSITION: linked basin palustrine SLOPE POSITION/GRADIENT: depression/0-2% OCCURRENCE: uncommon PARENT MATERIAL: silty to clayey lacustrine or fluvial, (loamy morainal) ORGANIC - DEPTH: 0-5 cm - DECOMPOSITION: poor MINERAL SOIL TEXTURE: silty clay, silty clay loam, loam SOIL DRAINAGE: ROOTING DEPTH: SOIL CLASSIFICATION: WETLAND CLASSIFICATION (RUNKA AND LEWIS 1981): very poor 20 cm Gleysol Shallow (Deep) Marsh SITE/SOIL COMMENTS: These ecosystems are seasonally or permanently inundated. The soils are deep mineral with little or no surface organic materials. CHARACTERISTIC VEGETATION (by layer): HERB Awned sedge Carex atherodes - a good indicator Beaked sedge Carex rostrata when present Water sedge Carex aquatilis Meadow foxtail Alopecurus aequalis Flat-leaved bladderwort Utricularia intermedia Ivy-leaved duckweed Lemna trisulca MOSS Drepanocladus aduncus -not always Brachythecium sp. present VEGETATION COMMENTS: These ecosystems are characterized by a uniform cover of large sedges, often interspersed with patches of open water. Stands are usually a mixture of awned sedge, beaked sedge and water sedge in which either species may be dominant. Aquatic species, especially bladderworts (Utricularia spp.) and duck-weeds (Lemna spp.) are often present. A floating -1verwort (Ricciocarpus natans may be found on the surface of the water. WETLAND SEQUENCE: This marsh association may surround shallow open water, with or without a narrow band of bulrush, or it may be in the central position bounded by a sedge fen with or without a tufted hairgrass association on the periphery.

35 SBSa/W11 AWNED SEDGE MARSH ASSOCIATION (Carex atherodes Marsh Association)

36 SBSa/W12 ECOSYSTEM UNIT: BEAKED SEDGE FEN ASSOCIATION (Carex rostrata Fen Association) MOISTURE REGIME: subhydric to hydric STANDING WATER DEPTH: 0-50 cm, seasonal SUBSURFACE WATER DEPTH: near surface HYDROTOPOGRAPHIC POSITION: peripheral-linked basin palustrine SLOPE POSITION/GRADIENT: depression/0-2% OCCURRENCE: very common, often large PARENT MATERIAL: fibric, mesic, humic organic blanket or organic veneer ORGANIC - DEPTH: 20 to greater than 180 cm - DECOMPOSITION: variable MINERAL SOIL TEXTURE: variable SOIL DRAINAGE: very poor ROOTING DEPTH: cm SOIL CLASSIFICATION: Gleysol, Fibrisol, Mesisol, Humisol WETLAND CLASSIFICATION (RUNKA AND LEWIS 1981): Deep Mesic (Humic) or Shallow Fibric (Mesic) Fen SITE/SOIL COMMENTS: These ecosystems are inundated early in the growing season but standing water most often disappears by mid-august. Soil organic accumulations vary from 25 cm to over 180 cm deep (usually averaging at least 25 cm). CHARACTERISTIC VEGETATION (by layer): HERB Beaked sedge Carex rostrata - dominant Water sedge Carex aquatilis Slimstem reedgrass Calamagrostis stricta - scattered individuals Tall mannagrass Glyceria elata Water smartweed Polygonum amphibium MOSS Drepanocladus aduncus - dominant moss Brachythecium sp. VEGETATION COMMENTS: These ecosystems are characterized by a continuous cover of large sedges. Beaked sedge is always present, frequently mixed with lesser amounts of water sedge. Grasses (Calamagrostis spp. and Glyceria spp.) are commonly present but have sparse cover. There is usually a well developed moss layer. WETLAND SEQUENCE: This common association may form the main part of a large wetland with a narrow shrub border or it may be intermediate between shallow open water and a shrub border.

37 SBSa/W12 BEAKED SEDGE FEN ASSOCIATION (Carex rostrata Fen Association)

38 SBSa/W13 ECOSYSTEM UNIT: BUCKBEAN - ARROWGRASS FEN ASSOCIATION (Menyanthes trifoliata - Triglochin maritimum Fen Association) MOISTURE REGIME: subhydric to hydric STANDING WATER DEPTH: 0-20 cm SUBSURFACE WATER DEPTH: permanently at surface HYDROTOPOGRAPHIC POSITION: linked basin palustrine (lacustrine) SLOPE POSITION/GRADIENT: depression/0-2% OCCURRENCE: common PARENT MATERIAL: organic blanket or organic veneer over mineral ORGANIC - DEPTH: 70 to greater than 130 cm - DECOMPOSITION: variable MINERAL SOIL TEXTURE: N/A SOIL DRAINAGE: very poor ROOTING DEPTH: cm SOIL CLASSIFICATION: Humisol, Mesisol, Fibrisol WETLAND CLASSIFICATION: (RUNKA AND LEWIS 1981): Deep Mesic (Fibric) Fen (Floating Fen) SITE/SOIL COMMENTS: These ecosystems are seasonally inundated with the soils remaining saturated all year. Organic accumulations are usually greater than 70 cm. The surface layers may be highly carbonated (marl-like) organic deposits. These ecosystems occasionally occur as floating fens. CHARACTERISTIC VEGETATION (by layer): HERB Buckbean Menyanthes trifoliata - good indicators Seaside arrowgrass Triglochin maritimum when present Lesser-panic led sedge Carex diandra - dominant when present Few-flowered spike-rush Flat-leaned bladderwort Grass-leaved pondweed Eleocharis cinqueflora Utricularia intermedia Potamogeton gramineus MOSS Drepanocladus aduncus - growth Drepanocladus crassicostatus vigorous VEGETATION COMMENTS: This variable association may be dominated by buckbean, arrowgrass or lesser-panicled sedge. Spike rushes may be present as well as aquatics such as bladderworts and pondweeds. The moss layer is well developed. WETLAND SEQUENCE: This association may form 100% of a wetland or may be interspersed with a low shrub fen association.

39 SBSa/W13 BUCKMAN - ARROWGRASS FEN ASSOCIATION (Menyanthes trifoliata - Triglochin maritimum Fen Association)

40 SBSa/W14 ECOSYSTEM UNIT: SLENDER SEDGE FEN ASSOCIATION (Carex lasiocarpa Fen Association) MOISTURE REGIME: hydric STANDING WATER DEPTH: 2-70 cm SUBSURFACE WATER DEPTH: permanently at surface HYDROTOPOGRAPHIC POSITION: linked basin palustrine (lacustrine) SLOPE POSITION/GRAOIENT: depression/0-2% OCCURRENCE: uncommon PARENT MATERIAL: mesic to humic organic blanket or organic veneer over silty fluvial ORGANIC - DEPTH: 35 to greater than 100 cm - DECOMPOSITION: variable MINERAL SOIL TEXTURE: silt loam SOIL DRAINAGE: very poor ROOTING DEPTH: SOIL CLASSIFICATION: Gleysol, Mesisol, Humisol WETLAND CLASSIFICATION: (RUNKA AND LEWIS 1981): Deep Humic (Fibric) or Shallow Mesic Fen SITE/SOIL COMMENTS: These ecosystems frequently have more than 50 cm of standing water all year. Soil organic accumulations are usually deep. CHARACTERISTIC VEGETATION (by layer): HERB Slender sedge Carex lasiocarpa - good indicator, Beaked sedge Carex rostrata excellent vigor Swamp horsetail Equisetum fluviatile Flat-leaved bladderwort Utricularia intermedia MOSS Drepanocladus aduncus VEGETATION COMMENTS: These ecosystems are characterized by a tall uniform stand of slender sedge with lesser amounts of beaked sedge. Swamp horsetail and flat-leaved bladderwort, both rich fen indicators, are frequently present. The moss layer, when present, is well developed. WETLAND SEQUENCE: Frequently this slender sedge association occupies the central portion of wetland surrounded by beaked sedge, or it may adjoin an area of shallow open water.

41 SBSa/W14 SLENDER SEDGE FEN ASSOCIATION (Carex lasiocarpa Fen Association)

42 SBSa/W15 ECOSYSTEM UNIT: BULRUSH MARSH ASSOCIATION (Scirpus lacustris Marsh Association) MOISTURE REGIME: hydric STANDING WATER DEPTH: cm SUBSURFACE WATER DEPTH: N/A HYDROTOPOGRAPHIC POSITION: stream riverine SLOPE POSITION/GRADIENT: depression/0-2% OCCURRENCE: uncommon, small PARENT MATERIAL: silty to sandy lacustrine or fluvial ORGANIC - DEPTH: 0 - DECOMPOSITION: N/A MINERAL SOIL TEXTURE: silt loam to sand SOIL DRAINAGE: very poor ROOTING DEPTH: N/A SOIL CLASSIFICATION: Rego Gleysol WETLAND CLASSIFICATION: (RUNKA AND LEWIS 1981): Deep Marsh SITE/SOIL COMMENTS: These ecosystems are often found at the edge of open water. They are usually permanently inundated. Soil surfaces are usually mineral. CHARACTERISTIC VEGETATION (by layer): HERB Great bulrush Scirpus lacustris - dominant Ivy-leaved duckweed Lemna trisulca Northern spiked water-milfoil Myriophyllum exalbescens MOSS Floating liverwort Ricciocarpus natans VEGETATION COMMENTS: Bulrush is the dominant emergent in this deep marsh association. Aquatics such as duckweed, milfoil and floating liverwort may be present. WETLAND SEQUENCE: This bulrush association usually occurs in a narrow band on the edge of shallow open water. An awned sedge marsh association occasionally occurs on the periphery.

43 SBSa/W15 BULRUSH MARSH ASSOCIATION (Scirpus lacustris Marsh Association)

44 SBSa/W16 ECOSYSTEM UNIT: SHALLOW OPEN WATER MOISTURE REGIME: hydric STANDING WATER DEPTH: cm SUBSURFACE WATER DEPTH: N/A HYDROTOPOGRAPHIC POSITION: linked basin lacustrine (palustrine) stream riverine; closed basin SLOPE POSITION/GRADIENT: depression/0-1% OCCURRENCE: very common PARENT MATERIAL: clayey, silty, or sandy lacustrine or fluvial; organic veneer over mineral ORGANIC - DEPTH: 0 to greater than 100 cm - DECOMPOSITION: variable MINERAL SOIL TEXTURE: clay, silt loam, sandy loam, loamy sand SOIL DRAINAGE: very poor ROOTING DEPTH: N/A SOIL CLASSIFICATION: Rego Gleysol, Fibrisol, Mesisol, Humisol WETLAND CLASSIFICATION: (RUNKA AND LEWIS 1981): Shallow Open Water SITE/SOIL COMMENTS: This variable group of ecosystems has permanent standing water less than 200 cm deep. However, in dry years the water may occasionally diminish to the soil surface. Soils are usually mineral but may have thick organic accumulations. CHARACTERISTIC VEGETATION (by layer): HERB Northern spiked water-milfoil Myriophyllum exalbescens Coontail Ceratophyllum demersum Yellow waterlily Nuphar lutea Ivy-leaved duckweed Lemna trisulca Floating-leaved pondweed Potamogeton natans Water buttercup Ranunculus gmelinii MOSS Floating liverwort Ricciocarpus natans VEGETATION COMMENTS: These ecosystems have a great diversity of submerged and floating aquatic plants with less than 10 percent emergent plant cover. A moss layer may be present. Several ecosystem associations, yet to be defined, are likely included within this ecosystem unit.

45

46 SBSa/W16 SHALLOW OPEN WATER

47 Table 1 Summary of substrate type and mid season, above surface water depth for each of the 16 wetland ecosystem associations of the SBSa. ECOSYSTEM UNIT SUBSTRATE TYPE ABOVE SURFACE WATER DEPTH Meadows SBSa/W1 Saltgrass - Alkaligrass meadow mineral 0 SBSa/W2 Arctic rush - Field sedge meadow mineral 0 SBSa/W3 Tufted hairgrass meadow shallow organic/mineral seasonal Shrub-carrs SBSa/W4 Scrub birch - Kinnikinnick mineral 0 shrub carr SBSa/W5 Grey-leaved willow - Moss shallow organic/mineral 0 shrub carr Fens SBSa/W6 Maccall's willow - Sedge organic seasonal tall shrub fen SBSa/W8 Bog willow - Sedge organic 1-10 cm low shrub fen SBSa/W10 Northern mannagrass fen organic 0-25 cm SBSa/W12 Beaked sedge fen organic 0-50 cm SBSa/W13 Buckbean - Arrowgrass fen organic cm SBSa/W14 Slender sedge fen organic 2-70 cm Swamps SBSa/W7 Drummond's willow - Sedge swamp shallow organic/mineral seasonal Bogs SBSa/W9 Labrador tea - Sphagnum bog organic 0 Marshes SBSa/W11 Awned sedge marsh mineral 0-35 cm SBSa/W15 Bulrush marsh mineral cm Shallow Open Water SBSa/W16 Shallow open water mineral or cm shallow organic/mineral

48 4.3 Comparison of SBSa Wetland Ecosystem Units With Those of the IDFb The ecosystem associations of the SBSa and IDFb subzones differ substantially from each other. This difference can apparently be attributed to colder climate of the SBSa. Saline meadows and saline or fresh water marshes are characteristic wetlands in central and southern portions of the IDFb (Research and Range Sections, 1983), while fens and shrub dominated wetlands characterize the SBSa. The cattail (Typha latifolia) marsh association that is common in the IDFb subzone does not occur in any of the study areas in the SBSa. Nevada bulrush (Scirpus nevadensis), a species that is characteristic of saline meadow ecosystems, is not found in the SBSa. Several ecosystem associations that are common in the SBSa do not occur in the warmer IDFb. Drummond's willow (Salix drummondiana) the dominant shrub of swamps in the SBSa and northern bog willow (Salix arbusculoides), a characteristic willow of some fens, do not occur in the ID b. Prairie sedge (Carex prairea), often dominant in low shrub fen associations in the Skis absent from the IDFb. The tufted hairgrass (Deschampsia cespitosa) meadow association has been noted only in the SBSa subzone. The Labrador tea - Sphagnum bog association is uncommon in the SBSa but is absent from the IDFb. Colder climate of the SBSa with a shorter growing season is reflected in the occurrence of wetland ecosystem associations that differ from those found in the IDFb. 4.4 Relation of Ecosystem Associations to Other Wetland Classifications Other ecological wetland classification schemes which are available to wetland managers in the Cariboo Region include those developed by Runka and Lewis (1981), the National Wetlands Working Group (Tarnocai 1980) and Moon and Selby (1983). The relation of the wetland ecosystem units in this report to the wetland types defined by Runka and Lewis (1981) is indicated in the ecosystem unit descriptions and is summarized on Table 2. All of the ecosystem associations fit within the Runka and Lewis (1981) wetland classes. The wetland subclass and variant levels of the Runka and Lewis (1981) classification have not been maintained. Rather, greater emphasis has been given to vegetation as an indicator of ecosystem characteristics. Whenever possible however, the wetland subclasses) and wetland variants) to which an association belongs are indicated in the descriptions. The National Wetlands Working-Group has established a Canadian wetland registry in order to provide a basis for uniform data collection and comparison from wetlands across Canada (Tarnocai 1980). The classification of ecosystem associations in this guide in terms of the national classification scheme is indicated on Table 2. Moon and Selby (1983) have defined several wetland systems which occur in the Cariboo - Chilcotin region. Each system represents a diagnostic sequence of wetland vegetation and soil types which can be used to classify an entire wetland area. Thus the wetland system is a landscape classification in which each unit includes one or more of the classes of Runka and Lewis (1981) or associations of this guide

49 Table 2 Classification or wetland ecosystem associations of the SBSa, Cariboo Region, according to the "Preliminary Wetland Managers Manual" (Runka and Lewis, 1981) and the Natural Wetland Registry (Tarnocai, 198U). Ecosystem Association Saltgrass - Alkaligrass Meadow Classification Runka and Lewis Tarnocai Mineral Meadow - Arctic Rush - Field sedge Meadow Tufted hairgrass Meadow Scrub birch - Kinnikinnick Shrub-Carr Grey-leaved willow - Moss Shrub-Carr Mineral Meadow (Organic Meadow) Organic Meadow Mineral Meadow Mineral Shrub-Carr Organic Shrub-Carr Maccall's willow - Sedge Tall Shrub Fen Deep Mesic Fen Deep Humic Fen Deep or Shallow Fibric Fen Tall Shrub Horizontal Fen Drummond's willow Swamp Shrub Mineral Swamp Tall Shrub Stream Swamp Bog willow - Sedge Low Shrub Fen Labrador tea - Sphagnum Bog Northern mannagrass Fen Awned sedge Marsh Beaked sedge Fen Buckbean - Arrowgrass Fen Slender sedge Fen Deep Mesic Fen Deep Humic Fen Deep Fibric Fen Shallow Fibric Bog Deep Fibric Bog Deep Humic Fen Shallow Humic Fen Deep Marsh Shallow Marsh Deep Mesic (Humic) Fen Shallow Fibric (Mesic) Fen Deep Mesic Fen Deep Fibric Fen Floating Fen Deep Humic (Fibric) Fen Shallow Mesic Fen Low Shrub Horizontal Fen Low Shrub Net Fen Moss Domed Bog Grass Horizontal Fen Sedge Floodplain Marsh Sedge Shallow Basin Marsh Sedge Horizontal Fen Mixed Forb Horizontal Fen Mixed Forb Floating Fen Sedge Shore Fen Sedge Horizontal Fen Bulrush Marsh Deep Marsh Rush Stream Marsh Rush Shore Marsh Shallow Open Water Shallow Open Water Floating Shallow Basin Water Submerged Shallow Basin Water