2 TAble a - British Columbia · - more Bl and Se (ESSFvc has . Hm) - less Cw and Hw wet sites have: - no red-osier dogwood or enchanter’s nightshade . Forest characteristics: The

2007DRA

FT�7

TAble� Summary of climate data for biogeoclimatic units within the guide areaa

Climatic ICH ICH ICH SBS SBS ESSF ESSF ESSF characteristics mm wk1 wk3 dh vkb mm1 wk1b wc3b

Annual precip- Mean n/a 1214.1 n/a 609.4 1249.6 n/a 1043.9 1408.5 itation (mm) Range n/a 867.7–1725.4 n/a 503.1–678.5 989.7–1635.5 n/a n/a 1177.1–1624.7 Growing-season Mean 280.5 385.4 382.5 237.3 472.0 354.3 426.1 510.3precipitation (mm) Range 232.7–328.2 325.0–460.5 280.9–479.1 177.4–289.1 404.6–583.4 339.4–369.1 378.5–490.9 401.6–631.0 Annual Mean n/a 587.6 n/a 210.5 n/a n/a 538.4 782.1 snowfall (cm) Range n/a 374.8–1090.0 n/a 180.3–234.8 n/a n/a n/a n/a Annual temper- Mean n/a 4.4 4.8 3.7 2.6 n/a -0.1 -1.0 ature (°c) Range n/a 2.3–6.9 3.2–6.2 2.8–4.2 1.3–4.0 n/a -1.5–1.4 -3.1–1.1 Growing degree- Mean n/a 1364 n/a 1237 n/a n/a 748 671 days (>5°c) Range n/a 991–1808 n/a 1134–1332 n/a n/a n/a n/a Frost-free Mean n/a 121 n/a 92 n/a n/a 48 75 period (days) Range n/a 104–149 n/a 76–116 n/a n/a n/a n/a a Reynolds, G. 1989. Climatic data summaries for the biogeoclimatic zones of British Columbia. B.C. Min. For., Research Branch, Victoria, B.C. Unpublished report. b The SBSvk, ESSFwk1, and ESSFwc3 are included for comparison. No long-term climate data exist for the ICHwk4 and ESSFwc2 biogeoclimatic units.

Source publication

LMH 15 Update - Draft

ICHwk1 Variant Summary

Wells Gray Wet Cool Interior Cedar - Hemlock Variant

Location: Within the Nelson Forest Region, the ICHwk1 is found from valley bottoms to mid slopes in the upper Duncan, Incomapleux, Akolkolex, Illecillewaet, and Gold rivers and upper Pingston Creek, along the Revelstoke Reservoir north to the Goldstream River and the Mica Reservoir, north of Smith Creek. This variant also occurs extensively in the Kamloops and Prince George Forest Regions.

Elevation range: 400 to 1400 m (south aspect); 400 to 1350 (north aspect).

Climate30: Wet Climatic Region; warm, wet summers; cool winters with moderate snowfall. Soils generally do not dry out in late summer except for a short period on dry sites. Snowpacks are moderate to deep and of moderate duration, preventing soils from freezing to any significant depth, often even when the soil is bladed, due to frequent snowfalls. Major climatic limitations to growth are limited to frost in depressional areas.

Soils, geology, and landforms: Common rock types in the Purcell Mountain area of the ICHwk1 include slate, argillite, quartzite, limestone, sandstone, and conglomerate. The Selkirk Mountain areas of this variant are underlain by granitics, argillite, slate, quartzite, schist, sandstone, and conglomerate. In the Monashee Mountain area of this variant, bedrock consists of gneiss, schist, shale, argillite, limestone, and granitics. Morainal soils with loamy or silty surface textures occur on all slope positions. Glaciofluvial soils with sandy or silty textures are found in proximity to morainal soils. Fluvial soils with variable textures occur on lower or level slopes. Colluvial soils with silty or loamy textures occur on mid slope to crest positions. Shallow bedrock is a significant root restricting layer in these soils.

Zonal vegetation: Climax zonal sites have Hw and Cw stands. Sxw is the most common seral species. Small amounts of falsebox and oval-leaved blueberry are commonly found. Oak fern, one-leaved foamflower and queen’s cup are common herbs. The moss layer is well developed and includes red-stemmed feathermoss, pipecleaner moss, and step moss.

Distinguishing the ICHwk1 from adjacent subzones/variants

In the ICHvk1 - more twinflower

- lady fern and >10% devil’s club - no falsebox or Utah honeysuckle

dry sites have: - spiny wood fern

most sites have:

zonal sites also have:

In the ICHmw1 - more Pl, Pw, and Fd most sites have: - less spiny wood fern

zonal sites also have: - no devil’s club - less oak fern

dry sites have: - common juniper, soopolallie and kinnikinnick

In the ICHmw2 - more Lw, Pl, Pw, and Fd most sites have:

zonal sites also have: - no devil’s club - less oak fern

- tall Oregon-grape, baldhip rose, common juniper, round- leaved alumroot, pinegrass, and juniper haircap moss

dry sites have:

In the ICHmw3 - more Pl, Pw, and Fd most sites have:

zonal sites also have: - less oak fern

30 Values for climate descriptors given in Appendix 12.

176

LMH 20

In the ESSFwm, ESSFwc1, ESSFwc2, ESSFvc most sites have: - white-flowered rhododendron, false azalea, grouseberry,

arrow-leaved groundsel, Indian hellebore, and Sitka valerian

- no Douglas maple or wild sarsaparilla - more Bl and Se (ESSFvc has Hm) - less Cw and Hw

wet sites have: - no red-osier dogwood or enchanter’s nightshade

Forest characteristics: The rarity of wildfire has led to the occurrence of numerous old-growth Cw and Hw stands. Prolific growth of the mixed shrub or fern vegetation complexes may occur on zonal and wetter sites after harvest.

Wildlife habitat: The extensive old-growth forest has historically supported an old-growth dependent wildlife community. Early seral stages (clearcuts) will be important to a wide range of species, including grizzly bear, black bear, deer, moose, and elk.

Classification note: The 03 site series is not depicted on the edatopic grid, vegetation table, environment table, or site series key. This site series only occurs in the Kamloops Forest Region, around Wells Gray Park.

177

Donna Lindenberg

Donna Lindenberg

Donna Lindenberg

Donna Lindenberg

Source publication

LMH 20

TABLE 6.1. (Concluded)

a The following subzones and variants are grouped to match the level of information available for the species listed. IDFxh includes data from IDFxh, xw, and xm; IDFdm includes data from IDFdm and dk; ICHmk includes data from ICHmk and dk; ESSFdk and dc includes data from ESSFdk, dc, and dv; and ESSFwm, wc, vc includes data from ESSFwm, wc, vc, vv, wv, and wk. The IDFxw, xm, and dk, ICHdk, and ESSFdv, vv, wv, and wk are not found in the Nelson Forest Region.

b R=red; B=blue; Y=yellow; G=green. c� a=attribute dependent. Species requires old-growth forest attributes such as large dead trees or coarse woody debris (stand level).

d=forest dependent. Species requires intact old-growth forests (landscape level). d Abundance is indicated by a lower or upper case letter. Common or abundant is an upper case letter. Uncommon, scarce, rare, or casual is a lower case letter.

An upper case letter does not indicate abundance throughout a subzone variant, but nearly always refers to local abundance. However, if a species has a

known abundance in only a small locality in a subzone or variant a lower case letter is used. Seasonality is indicated by a letter code. P - spring (March-May); S - summer (June -August); A - autumn (September-November); W - winter (December-February); M - migratory (Spring and Autumn); Y - yearlong. Some cases do not fit neatly into this scheme. For instance, a species which is known to be migratory, but has on occasion been seen in

December in a particular subzone, would still be listed as M. All entries are based on the provincial wildlife data base prepared by Stevens (1992) for the Wildlife Interpretation Subgroup.

e� Totals refer to the total number of species known to occur in each subzone.

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.. Distribution of Fen Site Associations by biogeoclimatic zone

BG BWBS SBPSPP SWB ESSF ICH IDF MS SBS CDF CWH MH

Wf01 Water sedge – Beaked sedge xx x xx xxx xxx xxx xi

Wf02 Scrub birch – Water sedge xxx x xx xx xx xxWf03 Water sedge – Peat-moss xx xWf04 Barclay’s willow – Water sedge – Glow mosss x xxx x xWf05 Slender sedge – Common hook-moss x xx xx xx xxWf06 Slender sedge – Buckbean x x x xWf07 Scrub birch – Buckbean – Shore sedge x x x xWf08 Shore sedge – Buckbean – Hook-moss x x x x xWf09 Few-flowered spike-rush – Hook-moss x x xWf10 Hudson Bay clubrush – Red hook-moss xWf11 Tufted clubrush – Star moss x x x x xWf12 Narrow-leaved cotton-grass – Marsh-marigold xxxWf13 Narrow-leaved cotton-grass – Shore sedge xx xWf50 Narrow-leaved cotton-grass – Peat-moss x xxxWf51 Sitka sedge – Peat-moss x xx xxWf52 Sweet gale – Sitka sedge xx xxs

Wf53 Slender sedge – White beak-rush x xxs

x = incidental; < 5% of wetlands xx = minor; 5–25% of wetlands xxx = major; >25% of wetlands

i = inland areas only s = southern subzones only

Source publication

LMH 52

80 Wetlands of British Columbia: A Field Guide to Identification

.. 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 cespitosumEriophorum angustifolium x xy xy x x xy xy

Caltha leptosepala xy xy

Carex anthoxantheaEquisetum 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 anagalloidesTriantha glutinosa x x xy

Schoenoplectus tabernaemontaniFauria 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

General Description

Slender sedge – Common hook-moss fens are common

throughout the Interior at elevations below 1400 m. These

fens occur on peat flats surrounding small lakes and ponds or

in infilled palustrine basins. Pro-

longed shallow surface flooding and

continual surface peat saturation are typical.

Carex lasiocarpa and Drepanocladus aduncus

are constant dominants. Other large water

sedges, such as C. aquatilis and C. utriculata,

are also common. There can be a very sparse

shrub cover of Salix pedicellaris, S. candida, or

Betula nana. The moss layer is usually well

developed but is occasionally absent. Hook-

mosses usually dominate with occasional inclusions of other brown

mosses.

Deep peat deposits are common but some sites may occur on thin or-

ganic veneers. Mesisols are the most common soil type but Humisols

and Fibrisols also occur.

Characteristic Vegetation

Tree layer (0 - 0 - 0)Shrub layer (0 - 3 - 10)Herb layer (13 - 60 - 100)Carex aquatilis, C. lasiocarpa, C. utriculataMoss layer (0 - 55 - 100)Drepanocladus aduncus

Comments

Some Wf 05 sites are marsh-like with deepflooding, low diversity, and virtually no mosslayer.The related Wf 06 occurs on floatingmats with a more equable water regime andhummock/hollow topography. Slender-sedge fens (Wf 05, Wf 06) occur in locationssimilar to the Wf 01 but seem to representsites with longer surface saturation and morebasic soil water. Similar sites in coastal areasare described by the Wf53.


Wf 05 Slender sedge – Common hook-moss

Carex lasiocarpa – Drepanocladus aduncus

Wetland Edatopic Grid

A B C D E F

Soil Nutrient Regime

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.. Distribution of Fen Site Associations by biogeoclimatic zone


Wf01 Water sedge – Beaked sedge xx x xx xxx xxx xxx xi

Wf02 Scrub birch – Water sedge xxx x xx xx xx xxWf03 Water sedge – Peat-moss xx xWf04 Barclay’s willow – Water sedge – Glow mosss x xxx x xWf05 Slender sedge – Common hook-moss x xx xx xx xxWf06 Slender sedge – Buckbean x x x xWf07 Scrub birch – Buckbean – Shore sedge x x x xWf08 Shore sedge – Buckbean – Hook-moss x x x x xWf09 Few-flowered spike-rush – Hook-moss x x xWf10 Hudson Bay clubrush – Red hook-moss xWf11 Tufted clubrush – Star moss x x x x xWf12 Narrow-leaved cotton-grass – Marsh-marigold xxxWf13 Narrow-leaved cotton-grass – Shore sedge xx xWf50 Narrow-leaved cotton-grass – Peat-moss x xxxWf51 Sitka sedge – Peat-moss x xx xxWf52 Sweet gale – Sitka sedge xx xxs

Wf53 Slender sedge – White beak-rush x xxs


i = inland areas only s = southern subzones only

Source publication

LMH 52


.. 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 cespitosumEriophorum angustifolium x xy xy x x xy xy

Caltha leptosepala xy xy

Carex anthoxantheaEquisetum 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 anagalloidesTriantha glutinosa x x xy

Schoenoplectus tabernaemontaniFauria 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

General Description

Slender sedge – Buckbean fens are uncommon in the Central

and Sub-Boreal Interior at elevations below 1300 m. They

occur on floating mats adjacent to small lakes and peatland

ponds, or in flarks of patterned fens where there is permanent

surface saturation and shallow

inundation.

Sites are often slightly hummocked,

with Menyanthes trifoliata occurring

in the wet depressions and Carex lasiocarpa

and Drepanocladus spp. and other mosses oc-

curring on mounds. A sparse shrub layer can

occur and the moss layer is always well devel-

oped. Hook-mosses are the most common

component of the moss layer but Sphagnum

spp. or Campylium stellatum may dominate on some sites.

Sites have sedge peat to 2.5 m, often with a subsurface water lens or su-

persaturated horizon. Fibrisols and Mesisols are typical soil types.


Tree layer (0 - 0 - 0)Shrub layer (0 - 3 - 10)Herb layer (20 - 65 - 85)Carex lasiocarpa, Menyanthes trifoliataMoss layer (30 - 55 - 100)Drepanocladus aduncus, Warnstorfia spp.

Comments

Wf 06 site conditions are intermediate be-tween the Wf 05 and the Wf 08.The Wf 06has a more equable water regime with lessflooding, less water flow, and greater peat saturation than the related Wf 05, but hasdeeper and more dynamic surface water thanthe Wf 08. Slender-sedge fens (Wf 05, Wf 06)occur in locations similar to the Wf 01 but seem to represent sites with longer surface satura-tion and more basic soil water.The Wf 06 almost always occurs as a floating mat adjacent to awaterbody.

Similar sites in coastal areas are described by the Wf53.

Chapter 5.2 Fens 87

Slender sedge – Buckbean Wf 06

Carex lasiocarpa – Menyanthes trifoliata


A B C D E F


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.. Distribution of Marsh Site Associations by biogeoclimatic zone


Wm01 Beaked sedge – Water sedge x xx x xxx xxx xx xx xWm02 Swamp horsetail – Beaked sedge x x x x xxWm03 Awned sedge x xWm04 Common spike-rush x x xx x x xx xWm05 Cattail xxx x xx xx x xx xx xs

Wm06 Great bulrush xxx x x xx xx x x xWm07 Baltic rush x xxWm50 Sitka sedge – Hemlock-parsley xx xxWm51 Three-way sedge x x x


s = southern subzones only

Source publication

LMH 52


.. Marsh Species Importance Table

Species Wm01 Wm02 Wm03 Wm04 Wm05

Herbs Carex utriculata xyzzz xyzzz x xy

and Carex aquatilis xyzz xy x

Dwarf Equisetum fluviatile x xyzzzz x

Shrubs Comarum palustre xy xy x

Sium suave x xy

Carex exsiccata x

Carex atherodes xyzzzz

Polygonum amphibium x x xy x x

Eleocharis palustris x xyzzzz x

Potamogeton richardsonii xyz

Typha latifolia x xyzzzz

Schoenoplectus acutus x

Menyanthes trifoliataUtricularia macrorhiza x x x x x

Juncus balticus x x

Hordeum jubatum x

Potentilla anserina x

Calamagrostis canadensis xy x xy x

Cicuta douglasii x x

Lysichiton americanus x

Oenanthe sarmentosa x

Galium trifidum x

Spiraea douglasii x

Carex sitchensisNuphar lutea ssp. polysepala x x

Dulichium arundinaceum

Mosses Drepanocladus spp. xy xy xy x x

Warnstorfia spp. x x x x x

General Description

Beaked sedge – Water sedge marshes constitute the most

common and widespread Marsh Site Association in the

province. The Wm01 occurs in all subzones from low to sub-

alpine elevations on sites that are inundated by shallow,

low-energy floodwaters and that experience

some late-season drawdown. These marshes are

found in a wide variety of landscape positions

including flooded beaver ponds, lake margins,

floodplains, and palustrine basins.

Species diversity is low and plant cover is

strongly dominated by Carex utriculata and C. aquatilis

with scattered forbs, aquatics, and mosses. On sites experi-

encing significant surface drying, species diversity increases

and sites become more meadow-like. Species such as Cala-

magrostis canadensis, Geum macrophyllum, or Deschampsia

cespitosa can become prominent.

The Wm01 occurs over a wide range of site conditions on

mineral substrates with thin peat veneers. Common soil

types include Gleysols and Terric Humisols.


Tree layer (0 - 0 - 0)Shrub layer (0 - 0 - 5)Herb layer (13 - 80 - 100)Carex aquatilis, C. utriculataMoss layer (0 - 5 - 100)

Comments

The Wf 01 and Wm01 have similar plant com-munities, but, because these units arespecies-poor and the two dominant sedgespecies have a wide ecological amplitude, theplant community poorly differentiates betweensites on peat (Wf 01) and those on mineral soil(Wm01). In general, the Wm01 is more deeplyflooded, has more dynamic hydrology, and has a higher cover of C. utriculata.

The Wm02 is another similar community that occurs on more hydrologically dynamic loca-tions such as lake margins or floodplains. In cooler climates the Wm01 frequently develops intoWf 01 on sites with less dynamic hydrology.

Some Wm01 sites have scattered tall shrubs; those sites supporting > 10% shrub cover are de-scribed by Swamp Site Associations (Section 5.4).



Wm01 Beaked sedge – Water sedge

Carex utriculata – Carex aquatilis

A B C D E F


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Sium suave x xy

Carex exsiccata x








Juncus balticus x x

Hordeum jubatum x






Galium trifidum x

Spiraea douglasii x





Chapter 5.3 Marshes 107

Wm06 Wm07 Wm50 Wm51 Common Name

x x x x beaked sedgewater sedge

x swamp horsetailxy xy marsh cinquefoil

hemlock water-parsnipx x xy inflated sedgex awned sedge

x water smartweedx x common spike-rush

Richardson’s pondweedx x common cattailxyzzzz x great bulrushx xy buckbeanx x greater bladderwortx xyzzzz Baltic rush

xyz foxtail barleyx xyz common silverweed

x x bluejointx Douglas’ water-hemlockxy skunk cabbagexyzz Pacific water-parsleyxyz small bedstrawxy x pink spireaxyzzzz xyz Sitka sedge

x x xyz yellow pond-lilyxyzzzz three-way sedge

x hook-mosses: intermediatex x hook-mosses: poor

General Description

Great bulrush marshes occur widely in subzones with warm

and dry summers. Wave-exposed lake embayments with

significant water movements, and grassland potholes with

occasional substrate exposure (conditions that provide

abundant aeration and limit organic accu-

mulations), are the most common locations

for this Site Association.

Plant diversity is low; typically, Schoenoplec-

tus acutus is the only species with significant

cover. Bulrush marshes are usually adjacent

to open water in wetland mosaics and can sometimes

be found in complex with the Wm05.

Floodwaters to 1.5 m depth in the spring are typical,

with significant growing-season drawdown occurring

in potholes. Great bulrush is tolerant of alkali soils

and often dominates in brackish potholes. Soils are

mostly Gleysols and Humic Gleysols, though Terric

Humisols occasionally occur.


Tree layer (0 - 0 - 0)Shrub layer (0 - 0 - 5)Herb layer (10 - 70 - 100)Schoenoplectus acutusMoss layer (0 - 0 - 60)

Comments

The Wm06 includes marshes dominated byS. tabernaemontani (soft-stemmed bulrush).On wave-exposed lake shorelines or wheresites are more brackish, S. acutus is more frequent, while in protected waters and potholes with mucky substrates,S. tabernaemontani is typical.

Site conditions for Wm05 and Wm06 over-lap. S. acutus dominates on sites with alkaline mineral soils, greater wave exposure, orpronounced surface drying. Where marshes are heavily grazed by Muskrat, S. acutus is oftenfavoured over Typha latifolia because it stores nutrients in the root mass and recovers morerapidly from grazing.


Great bulrush Wm06

Schoenoplectus acutus


A B C D E F


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Sium suave x xy

Carex exsiccata x








Juncus balticus x x

Hordeum jubatum x






Galium trifidum x

Spiraea douglasii x






Wm06 Wm07 Wm50 Wm51 Common Name

x x x x beaked sedgewater sedge

x swamp horsetailxy xy marsh cinquefoil

hemlock water-parsnipx x xy inflated sedgex awned sedge

x water smartweedx x common spike-rush

Richardson’s pondweedx x common cattailxyzzzz x great bulrushx xy buckbeanx x greater bladderwortx xyzzzz Baltic rush

xyz foxtail barleyx xyz common silverweed

x x bluejointx Douglas’ water-hemlockxy skunk cabbagexyzz Pacific water-parsleyxyz small bedstrawxy x pink spireaxyzzzz xyz Sitka sedge

x x xyz yellow pond-lilyxyzzzz three-way sedge

x hook-mosses: intermediatex x hook-mosses: poor

General Description

Three-way sedge marshes/fens are uncommon and often of

limited extent on the south Coast and rare in wet regions of

the Southern Interior Mountains at elevations below 600 m.

The Wm51 occurs along the protected margins of shallow

lakes or sluggish streams on mucky substrates.

Dulichium arundinaceum is always

dominant. There is often a minor

component of emergent sedges or

rushes. Other species that grow well on flood-

ed, degrading peaty soils, such as Nuphar

lutea, Menyanthes trifoliata, and Comarum

palustre occur on some sites.

The Wm51 prefers permanently flooded con-

ditions on degrading peat or soft muck (mix

of fine mineral material and organics).


Tree layer (0 - 0 - 0)Shrub layer (0 - 2 - 5)Herb layer (40 - 80 - 100)Carex sitchensis, Dulichium arundinaceum,Nuphar luteaMoss layer (0 - 5 - 10)

Comments

The Wm51 often occurs at the interface be-tween peatland ecosystems such as theWf52 and shallow-water ecosystems domi-nated by pond-lily or water shield.


Wm51 Three-way sedge



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.. Distribution of Swamp Site Associations by biogeoclimatic zone


Ws01 Mountain alder – Skunk cabbage – Lady fern xx xxw

Ws02 Mountain alder – Pink spirea – Sitka sedge x x xx x x xw xWs03 Bebb’s willow – Bluejoint x xx xx x xxWs04 Drummond’s willow – Beaked sedge x x x xxWs05 MacCalla’s willow – Beaked sedge x xWs06 Sitka willow – Sitka sedge xx xw

Ws07 Spruce – Common horsetail – Leafy moss xx x xx xx xx xxxWs08 Subalpine fir – Sitka valerian – Common horsetail xxWs09 Black spruce – Skunk cabbage – Peat-moss xx xw

Ws10 Western redcedar – Spruce – Skunk cabbage xxWs11 Spruce – Subalpine fir – Skunk cabbage xw

Ws50 Pink spirea – Sitka sedge x xw xxx xxWs51 Sitka willow – Pacific willow – Skunk cabbage x x xWs52 Red alder – Skunk cabbage xx xxWs53 Western redcedar – Sword fern – Skunk cabbage x xx

Ws54 Western redcedar – Western hemlock – Skunk cabbage x xxWs55 Yellow-cedar – Mountain hemlock – Skunk cabbage xx


w = wet subzones only x = very dry subzones only

Source publication

LMH 52


.. 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 sitchensisAlnus rubra

Acer macrophyllumChamaecyparis 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 shallonRibes 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 dilatatumOenanthe sarmentosa

Polystichum munitumEquisetum telmateia

Blechnum spicantVeratrum 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 praelongumRhytidiadelphus loreus

General Description

The Mountain alder – Pink spirea – Sitka sedge Swamp Site

Association is common in wet climates of the Sub-Boreal In-

terior, Southern Interior Mountains, and interior transition

areas of the Coast and Mountains. The Ws02 occurs on

beaver-flooded flats of small creeks, peripheral zones of wet-

lands, and lakeshores, where there is

early season flooding, continuous

seepage near the surface, and poor

drainage.

Alnus incana forms an open to sparse canopy.

Spiraea douglasii can be scattered or promi-

nent. Carex aquatilis or C. sitchensis is usually

the dominant species of the herb layer, but

Scirpus microcarpus dominates on some sites.

Significant cover of Calamagrostis canadensis is

common.

Soils are derived from fluvial or lacustrine material and often have a

veneer or blanket of sedge peat. Organic horizons have silty or sandy

lenses throughout, indicating periodic significant flood events.


Tree layer (0 - 0 - 2)Shrub layer (12 - 44 - 99)Alnus incana, Spiraea douglasiiHerb layer (20 - 72 - 100)Calamagrostis canadensis, Carexaquatilis/sitchensis, Comarum palustre, Scirpus microcarpusMoss layer (0 - 10 - 85)Mnium spp.

Comments

The Ws02 is similar to Willow – Sedge Site Associations but occurs on sites with more dynamic water flow; willow-dominated sites(Ws04–06) tend to be more stagnant.

Chapter 5.4 Swamps 129

Mountain alder – Pink spirea – Sitka sedge Ws02

Alnus incana – Spiraea douglasii – Carex sitchensis


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.. Distribution of Flood Site Associations by biogeoclimatic zone


Fl01 Mountain alder – Common horsetail xxx x xx xx xx xxx xFl02 Mountain alder – Red-osier dogwood – Lady fern xx xxw xFl03 Pacific willow – Red-osier dogwood – Horsetail x x x x xFl04 Sitka willow – Red-osier dogwood – Horsetail xx xw xFl05 Drummond’s willow – Bluejoint x x x xxxFl06 Sandbar willow x xFl07 Water birch – Rose x xh

Fm01 Cottonwood – Snowberry – Rose x xx xFm02 Cottonwood – Spruce – Red-osier dogwood x xx xx xx xx xxFm03 Cottonwood – Subalpine fir – Devil’s club xx xw

Fl50 Sitka willow – False lily-of-the-valley xFl51 Red alder – Salmonberry – Horsetail xx xxFm50 Cottonwood – Red alder – Salmonberry xx xxxoc

x = incidental; < 5% of flood sites xx = minor; 5–25% of flood sites xxx = major; >25% of flood sites

w = wet/very wet subzones only h = warm/hot subzones only xoc = not on outer coast (hypermaritime)

Source publication

LMH 52


.. Flood Species Importance Table

Species Fl04 Fl05 Fl06 Fl03 Fl07 Fl01 Fl02

TreesPopulus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa x xyz x xy x

Picea X x x x x x xy xy

Abies lasiocarpa x x

Alnus rubraPicea sitchensis

Shrubs Salix sitchensis xyzzzz x x xy

Salix drummondiana xyz xyzzzz x

Salix exigua x xyzzzz xy

Salix lucida xy x xyzzzz x

Betula occidentalis xyzzzz

Salix bebbiana x x xyz x

Alnus incana xy x xy xyzzz xy xyzzzz xyzzzz

Cornus stolonifera xyzz x xyzzzz xyz xy xyzz

Lonicera involucrata xyz xyzz x xyz xyzz

Rosa woodsii xyzz

Rosa nutkana x xy

Symphoricarpos albus x xyz x

Acer glabrum xy

Rosa acicularis x xy x x x x

Oplopanax horridus x x

Rubus parviflorus x x x xy

Viburnum edule xy x x x

Sambucus racemosa x xy xyz

Rubus spectabilisRibes bracteosum x x

Herbs Calamagrostis canadensis xy xyzzz x xy xy xy

and Equisetum arvense xyzz xy x xyzz xy xyzzz xyzz

Dwarf Equisetum hyemale x xyzz x

Shrubs Athyrium filix-femina xy x xyz xyzz

Urtica dioica x x xy xyzz

Heracleum maximum x xy x xyz xyz

Matteuccia struthiopteris x xyzzz

Poa pratensis x x xyz x

Osmorhiza berteroi x x x

Pyrola asarifolia x x x x

Actaea rubra x x xy

Gymnocarpium dryopteris x xyz xy

Circaea alpina x x x x xy

Streptopus amplexifolius x xy xy

Aster subspicatus x

Stachys mexicanaElymus glaucus x x x

Maianthemum dilatatum

Mosses Brachythecium spp. xy x x xyz xy

and Mnium spp. xy xy x x xyz xyz

Lichens Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus

General Description

Mountain alder – Red-osier dogwood – Lady fern sites are

common at low elevations in the wet climates of the Sub-

Boreal Interior, Southern Interior Mountains, and Nass Basin, along

streams and in creek gullies. Low-gradient floodplains with loamy or

fine-textured soils and moderate duration of flooding are characteristic

of this Site Association.

Alnus incana always dominates the canopy but a diversity

of shrubs is common. Cornus stolonifera and Lonicera

involucrata are frequently abundant. The understorey is

diverse and lush, with a marked abundance of large ferns.

In the eastern SBS and in some locations in the Skeena-

Nass area, Matteuccia struthiopteris is the dominant fern;

elsewhere Athyrium filix-femina predominates. The moss

layer is usually very sparse.

Soils are Humic Gleysols or Cumulic Regosols.


Tree layer (0 - 0 - 10)Shrub layer (10 - 78 -100)Alnus incana, Cornus stolonifera, Lonicerainvolucrata, Sambucus racemosaHerb layer (20 - 75 - 100)Athyrium filix-femina, Equisetum arvense,Heracleum maximum, Matteucciastruthiopteris, Urtica dioicaMoss layer (0 - 4 - 20)Brachythecium spp., Mnium spp.

Comments

Similar but wetter sites with a perched wa-tertable have an abundance of Lysichitonamericanus and are described by the Ws01.Higher-gradient sites with gravelly or sandysoils are occupied by the Fl01.The Fl02 is oftenfound in association with Fm02 or Fm03 mid-dle bench communities.


Chapter 5.7 Flood associations 181

Mountain alder – Red-osier dogwood – Lady fern Fl02

Alnus incana – Cornus stolonifera – Athyrium filix-femina

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Documents

2 TAble a - British Columbia · - more Bl and Se (ESSFvc has . Hm) - less Cw and Hw wet sites have: - no red-osier dogwood or enchanter’s nightshade . Forest characteristics: The