TABLE 4.4. Environmental characteristics of MR subzones and variants in the PRFR, south half
Subzone or Variant CWHvh2 CWHvm1 CWHvm2
Extent
Area 853 192 ha 129 588 ha 92 612 ha% of PRFR, south half 7.7 % 1.2 % 0.8 %
Elevation range (m) 0 - 600 m 0 - 400 (500) m 400 - 800 m
DistributionPhysiographic regions Hecate Lowland Western slopes of Western slopes of
Coast Mtns., Kitimat Coast Mtns., KitimatRanges Ranges
Major drainages, All of the major Skeena R. and tribs. Above CWHvm1inlets, and islands coastal islands and a from Exstew to Ecstall
fringe of mainland r.; most of Douglasfrom the mouth of the Channel; GardnerPortland Canal to the Canal and lowerVancouver Forest Kitlope R.; east sideRegion Princess Royal Island
ClimateHypermaritime; cool, Wet, humid, mild Cooler, with a shortervery mild with very maritime climate with growing season andlittle snow; foggy and relatively little snow much heavier rainy year-round and a long growing snowpack than the
season CWHvm1
SoilsZonal soils Terric and Histic Ferro-Humic and Terric Folisols; Folic
Folisols; Folic phases Humo-Ferric Podzols and lithic phases ofof Ferro-Humic and (Folic phases Orthic Humo-FerricHumic Podzols common); Typic and and Ferro-Humic
Terric Folisols Podzols
Humus forms Humimors; commonly Humimors; Hemihumimors;20 - 50 cm thick Hemihumimors; Humimors;
often > 15 cm thick 16 - 75 cm thick
Vegetationa
Major tree species Cw, Yc, Hw, Pl, Hm Hw, Ba, Cw, Ss (Yc, Hw, Ba, Yc, HmHm)
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 3.
BGC Units
4 • 20
CWHvm2Very Wet Maritime Subzone
Montane VariantAdjacent biogeoclimatic units: CWHvm1 at lower elevations; CWHws1 atsimilar elevations inland; Mhmm1 at higher elevations.
Elevation: 350 - 800 m.
Description and comparison of site series:
Zonal site series:
01 HwBa - Blueberry forests are widespread throughout the variant oncolluvial (rarely morainal) blankets (Mineral phase 01a) or, less commonly, onFolisols over rock (Lithic phase 01b). Mesic forests contain moderatelyproductive Hw and Ba, with variable amounts of Hm, Yc, and Cw. Theunderstory consists of a thick shrub layer of conifer regeneration andblueberries, a moderately developed herb layer of deer fern, five-leaved bramble,and bunchberry, and a moss layer of lanky moss, pipecleaner moss, and stepmoss.
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 ForestRegion (VFR) only.
02 HwPl - Cladina is found only on the driest bedrock outcrops with very thinsoils. Forests are stunted, well-spaced Pl, Hm, and Yc and are often surrounded by sloping bogs on ridge crests. Plant species diversity is high onthese exposed montane sites. Several species, such as dwarf blueberry, whitemountain-heather, and copperbush occur here and on no other forested sites inthe CWHvm2. An abundance of reindeer lichen, heron’s-bill moss, and red-stemmed feathermoss are typical of this unit.
03 HwCw - Salal occurs on some bedrock outcrops with Folisolic or thinBrunisolic soils and rapid drainage. These Hw/Cw/Yc forests are moderatelystocked but with poorer growth than the 01. Blueberries and coniferregeneration dominate the shrub layer, with salal occurring at lower elevations. The herb layer is very sparse. A lack of Pl and reindeer lichensdifferentiates the 03 from the 02 site series.
Fresh to wet sites: Wetter-than-mesic forests dominate the landscape in theCWHvm2. Six site series have been distinguished. The 07 occurs in the VFRonly.
05 BaCw - Foamflower is not extensive in the subzone but locally common insome drainages on fresh to moist, freely drained colluvial slopes. Forests aredominated 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 thisunit; foamflowers, oak fern, and twistedstalks are also common. Low cover or
Site Units
5 • 48
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.
06 HwBa - Deer fern occurs on some mid to lower seepage slopes downslope ofmesic forests. Tree species and understory vegetation are similar to zonalforests, but Yc, Cw, deer fern, and fern-leaved goldthread are more abundant.Podzols with evidence of seepage (often gleying) are typical and aid indifferentiating the 06 from zonal sites. On some gentle, lower slopes, 06 maygrade into the 09, which has Organic soils and a forest cover dominated byscrubby Yc, Hm, and Hw.
08 BaSs - Devil’s club is common on colluvial slopes and fluvial fans thatreceive abundant nutrient-rich seepage. This is the most productive site seriesin 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. Ahigh cover of devil’s club distinguishes the 08 from all other units.
09 CwYc - Goldthread bog forest is common on poorly drained valley bottomsand slopes with excessive slow-moving seepage. It may be found in a complexwith site series 10 on gentle slopes or with the 11 in depressions. Forests arescrubby Cw, Yc, and Hw with a dense understory of conifer regeneration, blue-berries, and salal. Deer fern, goldthread, and skunk cabbage are common. Soilsare generally Organic. This unit is distinguished from the more productive 06by 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 ongradual slopes with deep organic accumulations over acidic bedrock. In thesteep terrain of the CWHvm2 there is limited opportunity for the developmentof this forest type (except in western drainages transitional to the CWHvh,where Pl - Sphagnum may cover large areas on moderately steep slopes). Theforest canopy is sparse and consists of scrubby Yc, Hm, Hw, and Cw, with amoderate component of Pl. Shrub layers are dense and consist mainly of coniferregeneration, huckleberries, and Labrador tea. The herb layer containsscattered goldthread, deer fern, skunk cabbage, crowberry, and deer cabbage.Prominence of green sphagnum and presence of Pl distinguish this unit from allother forested units.
11 CwSs - Skunk cabbage swamp forests are considered nutrient-rich butsoils 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, butHm, Cw, Ba, and Ss also occur. An abundance of skunk cabbage and otherrich-site indicators, such as salmonberry, foamflower, and ferns, differentiatethis unit from other wet sites (09 and 10).
Non-forested site units:
There is limited opportunity for the development of non-forested wetlands in thesteep terrain of the CWHvm2. Non-forested bogs (31) are the most commonwetland type and occur in scattered small depressions and occasionally onslopes in the most western watersheds of the subzone. Non-forestedfens/marshes (32) are very rare and occur mainly in riparian areas.Avalanche tracks (51) cut through the CWHvm2 from the MH above, andoften extend down through to the CWHvm1.
See page 5 • 21 for further descriptions of these non-forested CWH units.
CWHvm2
5 • 49
Site Series
01 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.
CW
Hvm
2
5 • 51
CWHvm2 Edatopic Grid
CWHvm2 Site Series Flowchart
Site Units
5 • 52
FRESH TOMOISTFORESTS
Moisture regime 3-5.Sites not clearly wetor dry.
VERY MOIST TOWET FORESTS
Moisture regime 6-7.Seepage areas or depressions.
DRY FORESTS
Moisture regime 0-2.Sites with rapidlydrained soils; upperslope/ridge crestlocations.
AVALANCHETRACKS
NON-FORESTEDWETLANDSTree cover < 10%
Dwarf Pl, Labrador tea, and other Ericaceous 31shrubs. Sphagnum clearly dominant Non-forested bog
Willows, sedges, or grasses dominate. Sphag- 32 Non-forestednum common but not dominant. fen/marsh
Shrub and herb layers diverse and very lush. 51Stink currant, red-osier dogwood, salmonberry, Avalanche tracklady fern, and spiny wood fern abundant.
Scrubby Pl, Yc, and Hm ridgecrest forests. 02Herb layer diverse but reduced. Lichens co- HwPl - Cladinadominate with mosses. Rare in CWHvm2.
Poor Cw/Hw/Yc forests with blueberry (salal) 03understory. Herb layer reduced. Pipecleaner, HwCw - Salalstep, and lanky mosses dominate. Rare.
Mid to lower colluvial slopes/fluvial flats and 08 BaSs - Devil’sfans. Hw/Ba/(Ss) forests with good growth. clubDevil’s club abundant; ferns dominant.
Gently sloping to depressional sites with 09organic veneers. Scrubby and open Yc/Hm/ CwYc -Hw bog forests. Blueberry/(salal) understory; Goldthreadgoldthread and skunk cabbage common.
Depressions and gentle slopes with very wet 10organic blankets. Scrubby woodlands with a Pl - Sphagnumcomponent of Pl. Goldthread, skunk cab-bage, and deer-cabbage common; greensphagnum abundant.
Swamp forests on lower slopes/depressions. 11Well-spaced trees on elevated mounds. Shrub/ CwSs - Skunkherb layers diverse; skunk cabbage, salmon- cabbageberry, and ferns common.
Freely drained upper to lower colluvial slopes 05and fluvial fans. Hw/Ba/Cw/Ss forests with BaCw - Foam-good growth. Herb layer with ferns, flowertwistedstalk, and foamflower.
Mid to lower slopes on colluvial or fluvial 08 BaSs - Devil’slandforms. Tree growth good; Hw Ba, (Ss) co- clubdominate. Devil’s club abundant; herb layerpredominantly ferns.
Moist mid to lower slopes. Hw/Cw/Yc/(Ba)/ 06(Hm) forests with average growth. Yc regen., HwBa - Deer ferndeer fern, and goldthread conspicuous.
All slope positions. Hw/Ba/Cw/(Yc/Hm) 01forests with average growth. Ba regen. and HwBa - Blueberryfive-leaved bramble common. Herb layerreduced.
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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).
CW
Hvm
2
5 • 53
CWHvm2 Vegetation Tablea
CWHvm2 Environment Table
SoilSite moisture/ Slope %seriesa Phase nutrients Slope position range Parent materialb
01 a) Mineral 3-4/B-C upper - lower 0 - 80 C, (M,F)
01 b) Lithic 3-4/B-C upper - (lower) 15 - 65 Ov/C, Ov/R
02c 0/A-C crest 0 - 35 Cv/R, Ov/R
03c 1-2/A-C crest - upper 0 - 130 Cv/R, Mv/R
05 3-4/D-E upper - lower 20 - 90 C
06 5/B-C mid - lower 0 - 75 C, M, Ov/M
08 5-6/D-E mid - lower 20 - 84 C (F)
09 5-6/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)
31c 7+/A-B level (mid) 0 - 5 O
32c 7+/C-E level (lower) 0 - 15 O, F
51 5-6/D-E lower - toe 15 - 30 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.
Site Units
5 • 54
Humus formSoil Soil depth (cm)particle sizeb classificationb min-mean-max Important site features
L(s), KLs, S(s) HIP, FHP Mors Moderately deep, freely drained3 - 26 - 64 Podzols.
L(s), KL(s) FO Mors Organic veneers over fragmental3 - 30 - 77 colluvium and bedrock.
KL(s) HFP, DYB, FO Mors Very rare in CWHvm2.4 - 7 - 15
KL, L, S(s) HFP Mors Shedding upper slopes are generally5 - 13 - 23 01b rather than 03 in the CWHvm2.
KL(s), S(s), FHP, HFP, (FO) Mors, Moders Freely drained colluvial slopes withFL - L 3 - 14 - 35 intermittent seepage.
FL - KL(s), FHP, HP, HFP, H Mors Seepage sites with thick Mors overS(s) (gleyed) 8 - 19 - 33 base-poor bedrock.
L(s), S FHP, HFP, Mors, Moders Productive, colluvial seepage slopes.(FO) (gleyed) 5 - 10 - 28
FL - KL FO, M, H, FHP Mors Saturated, poorly aerated organic12 - 34 - 80 veneers. Poor-productivity bog forests
FL M, H, FHP, FO Mors Nutrient-poor acidic peat blankets.12 - 46 - 89 Bog woodlands.
FL - KL G, HG, H Mors, Moders Swamp forests on saturated, poorly1 - 17 - 55 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 mixing3 - 10 - 14 and deciduous litterfall.
CWHvm2
5 • 55
TREE
LAYER
SHRUB LAYER
HERB
LAYER
MOSS LAYER
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
Hylocomium splendens Plagiothecium undulatum Rhizomnium glabrescens
Rhytidiadelphus loreus Scapania bolanderi Kindbergia oregana
Sphagnum girgensohnii Pellia neesiana
Polytrichum alpinum Rhytidiopsis robusta
Clintonia
p
uniflora
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
Biogeoclimatic Unit CWHvm1 CWHvm2 CWHvh1 CWHvh2 CWHwh1 CWHwh2 TA
BLE
14. Vegetation table for zonal sites of w
et and very wet
hypermaritim
e and very wet m
aritime C
WH
variants
38
Biogeoclimatic unit CWHvhl CWHvh2 CWHvml CWHvm2 CWHwh1
Number of stations Name of reference Estevan Ethelda Haney Tunnel Port station Point Bay Loon Lk. Camp Clements
Elevation o f reference station (m) 7 8 354 671 16 Mean annual range 2009 to 3943 1532 to 4218 1555 to 4387 2760 to 2850 1152 to 1535 precipitation (mm) ref. stn. 3 120 3 186 2682 2850 1535
May to September range 455 to 806 421 to 961 364 to 1162 550 to 681 286 to 423 precipitation (mm) ref. stn. 617 869 611 550 416
Total mean range 25 to 272 51 to 195 20 to 548 552 to 605 61 to 163 annual snowfall (cm) ref. stn. 45 144 195 552 88
Mean annual range 5.4 to 9.4 6.7 to 8.5 7.0 to 10.1 - 7.1 to 7.9 temperature (°C) ref. stn. 9.1 7.7 8.3 - I 7.5
Mean temperature o f range 0.5 to 4.7 -0.2 to 3.9 -4.5 to 3.7 - 0.3 to 2.0 the coldest month (°C) ref. stn. 4.5 1.9 0.5 - 0.4
Extreme minimum range -7.5 to -17.2 -1 1.1 to -24.4 -8.9 to -22.8 - -13.3 to -25.0 temperature (°C) ref. stn. -13.9 -16.7 - 19.4 - -1 7.2
Mean temperature o f range 11.5 to 15.3 13.1 to 15.1 13.8 to 18.8 - 13.5 to 14.8 the warmest month (°C) ref. stn. 14.1 13.7 16.3 - 14.8
Extreme maximum range 22.8 to 37.8 23.4 to 33.3 27.8 to 41.1 - 26.7 to 32.2 temperature (°C) ref. stn. 28.9 29.4 34.4 - 30
Growing degree-days range 818 to 1722 1148 to 1485 1313 to 2011 - 1206 to 1385 > 5 (°C)
Frost-free period range 163 to 265 156 to 272 165 to252 - 160 to 206
(days) ref. stn. 229 160 199 - 163 a 'l'emperature data based on 10 stations. b Temperature data based on 21 stations. - No data.
32 13 a 32b 2 6
~
ref. stn. 1607 1319 1633 - 1347
TA
BLE
18. Clim
atic data for wet and very w
et hypermaritim
eand very w
et maritim
e CW
H variants
43
59
CWHvh1 - occurs adjacent to the west on Vancouver Island and themainland 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 SmithInlet; 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 MaritimeCoastal Western Hemlock Variant
DISTRIBUTION: The CWHvm2 occurs at higher elevations, above theCWHvm1. Elevational limits range from approximately 650-1000 m inthe south to 450-800 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. Comparedwith the submontane variant, the CWHvm2 has cooler temperatures,shorter growing seasons, and heavier snowfall, with snowpacks persistingthroughout 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 becomemore common with increasing elevation and wetter sites. Majorunderstorey species include Alaskan blueberry, five-leaved bramble,Hylocomium splendens, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, and Rhytidiopsis robusta.
DISTINGUISHING ADJACENT UNITS FROM THE CWHvm2 (using zonalsites)
CWHvm1- occurs below; it has:• no Yc or Hm• less Rhytidiopsis robusta
60
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 HypermaritimeCoastal Western Hemlock Variant
DISTRIBUTION: The CWHwh1 is restricted to the Queen Charlotte Islandswhere it occurs at lower elevations on the leeward side of the QueenCharlotte Ranges. The elevational limits range from sea level toapproximately 350 m (250 m approaching the CWHvh2 to the west).
CLIMATE (Table 18): The CWHwh1 has mild, wet winters with littlesnowfall, and cool moist summers. Occasional warm dry periods duringthe summer reflect the rainshadow effect of the Queen Charlotte Ranges.The overall temperature regime is mild due to the moderating effect of thePacific 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 Hylocomiumsplendens, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, and Rhizomnium glabrescensoccurring 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
75
5.2 Site Classification Grids and VegetationSummary Tables
TABLE 21. Index of site classification grids
Gridno.
Site category Biogeoclimatic unit
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 CWHvh110 General CWHvh211 General CWHvm112 General CWHvm213 General CWHwh114 General CWHwh215 General CWHws216 General CWHxm17 General ESSFmw18 General IDFww19 General MHmm120 General MHmm221 General MHwh22 Special - Floodplains CDFmm23 Special - Floodplains CWHdm,CWHds1,CWHxm24 Special - Floodplains CWHds225 Special - Floodplains CWHmm126 Special - Floodplains CWHms1,CWHms227 Special - Floodplains CWHwh128 Special - Floodplains CWHvh1,CWHvh229 Special - Floodplains CWHvm130 Special - Floodplains CWHws231 Special - Fluctuat water table CDFmm32 Special - Fluctuat. water table CWHdm, CWHxm33 Special - Shoreline/ocean spray CWHwh,CWHvh
135
6.1.6 Recommended tree species grids
TABLE 24. Index of recommended tree species grids
Gridno.
Site category Biogeoclimatic unit
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 CWHvh110 General CWHvh211 General CWHvm112 General CWHvm213 General CWHwh114 General CWHwh215 General CWHws216 General CWHxm17 General ESSFmw18 General IDFww19 General MHmm120 General MHmm221 General MHwh22 Special - Floodplains CDFmm23 Special - Floodplains CWHdm,CWHds1,CWHxm24 Special - Floodplains CWHds225 Special - Floodplains CWHmm126 Special - Floodplains CWHms1,CWHms227 Special - Floodplains CWHwh128 Special - Floodplains CWHvh1,CWHvh229 Special - Floodplains CWHvm130 Special - Floodplains CWHws231 Special - Fluctuat water table CDFmm32 Special - Fluctuat. water table CWHdm, CWHxm33 Special - Shoreline/ocean spray CWHwh,CWHvh
158
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 evidenceof their natural occurrence in the area (generally restricted to low elevationson well to rapidly drained soils on steep southerly aspects)
• Ss has wider application in the northern part of the variant (north of SeymourInlet). Sitka spruce weevil hazard is moderate in the southern portion and lowin the northern portion of the variant
• Yc is an alternative to, or may be used with Cw throughout the variant, andshould replace it at upper elevational limits; Bp is recommended on a trialbasis as an alternative to Ba on nutrient-medium to rich sites, south of 50o Nlatitude
SPECIFIC COMMENTS:
01 Ss is a suitable species on nutrient-medium sites, particularly in the northernportion; Yc is an alternative to Cw
02 marginal sites for timber production; Fd is an alternative to Pl in the southernportion; Yc is an alternative to Cw
03 Yc is an alternative to Cw; Fd is an alternative to Hw on steep southerlyaspects at lower elevations in the southern portion of the variant; Pw is asuitable minor species in the southern portion
04 Yc is an alternative to Cw; Fd is an alternative to Hw on steep southerlyaspects at lower elevations in the southern portion of the variant; Pw is asuitable 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 thenorthern 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 thenorthern portion; Hw is suitable on sites with thick forest floors (>20 cm) orabundant 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; elevatedmicrosites are preferred
MD 0
SD 1
SD 2
F 3
F 4
M 5
VM 6
W 7
Soil nutrient regime
Very Poor Poor Medium Rich Rich
A B C D E
See comments on facing page
* 08 in the northern portion of t h e variant
Site series
01 HwBa - Blueberry
02 HwPl - Cladina 07 BaCw - Salmonberry
06 HwBa - Deer fern
03 HwCW - Salal 08 BaSs - Devil's club
04 CwHw - Swordfern 09 CwYc - Goldthread
05 BaCw - Foamflower 10 Pl - Sphagnum
11 CwSs - Skunk cabbage
V e r y
Grid No. 11: CWHvm1 Grid No. 12: CWHvm2
MD 0
SD 1
SD 2
F 3
F 4
M 5
VM 6
W 7
Soil Nutrient Regime
Poor Poor Medium Rich Rich A B C D E
~
Soil Nutrient Regime
Poor Poor Medium Rich Rich Very
A B C D E
MD 0
SD 1
SD 2
F 3
F 4
M 5
VM 6
W 7
* M / 4 on salal phase
Very Very Very
282
APPENDIX 8. Correlation of old and newbiogeoclimatic and site units.
TABLE A-1. Biogeoclimatic units
Newsymbol
New name Oldsymbol a
CDFmm Moist Maritime CDF CDFaCWHdm Dry Maritime CWH CWHa2CWHds1 Southern Dry Submaritime CWH CWHc1CWHds2 Central Dry Submaritime CWH CWHc2, h1, h2CWHmm1 Submontane Moist Maritime CWH CWHb3CWHmm2 Montane Moist Maritime CWH CWHb4CWHms1 Southern Moist Submaritime CWH CWHb5CWHms2 Central Moist Submaritime CWH CWHb6, h3CWHvh1 Southern Very Wet Hypermaritime
CWHCWHd1
CWHvh2 Central Very Wet HypermaritimeCWH
CWHd2,CCPH
CWHvm1 Submontane Very Wet MaritimeCWH
CWHb1, i1
CWHvm2 Montane Very Wet Maritime CWH CWHb2, i2CWHwh1 Submontane Wet Hypermaritime
CWHCWHe1, g1
CWHwh2 Montane Wet Hypermaritime CWH CWHe2, g2CWHws2 Montane Wet Submaritime CWH CWHb7, f2, i3CWHxm1b Eastern Very Dry Maritime CWH CDFbCWHxm2b Western Very Dry Maritime CWH CWHa1ESSFmw Moist Warm ESSF ESSFfIDFww Wet Warm IDF IDFeMHmm1 Windward Moist Maritime MH MHa, dMHmm2 Leeward Moist Maritime MH MHb, eMHwh 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 managementsimilarities.
APPENDIX 8. ( Continued )
TABLE A-2. Site units
2 CWHdm 8 CWHa2
3 CWHds1 18 CWHc1
4 CWHds2 17 CWHc2
5 CWHmm1 11 CWHb3
6 CWHmm2 12 CWHb4
7 CWHms13
13 CWHb5
8 CWHms2 3 14 CWHb6
9,10 CWHvh, 18 CWHd
11 CWHvm1 9 CWHb1
12 CWHvm2 10 CWHb2
13,14 CWHwh *
15 CWHWS2 3 15 CWHb7i
16 CWHxm4 '7 CWHa1
17 ESSFmw5
3 ESSFf
18 IDFww6
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
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
New grid # Old grid # and and
BGC unit BGC unit
1 CDFmm 6 CDF
283
4
Ch
ap
ter 5.2F
ens
79
.. 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
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
Chapter 5.2 Fens 81
Wf09 Wf10 Wf11 Wf12 Wf13 Wf50 Wf51 Wf52 Wf53 Common Name
x x xy x scrub birchx x Barclay’s willow
xy x x bog willowx xyz x pink spireax xyzzzz xyz sweet gale
xy x x xy x x beaked sedgex xyz x xy xyz x x water sedgexy x x x xyz xy x marsh cinquefoilx x xy xy xy xy x bluejoint reedgrassx xyz xy x x x xyzzz slender sedge
xyzzz xyz x x x xy x x buckbeanxyz xyzz xyz x xyzz x x shore sedge
xyzz x cordroot sedgexyzzzz x x few-flowered spike-rush
xyzzzz x Hudson Bay clubrushx xyzzzz x xyz x tufted clubrush
xyz x xyz xyzzzz xyzzz xyzzzz xy x narrow-leaved cotton-grassxy x xyzz xyz x x white mtn. marsh-marigold
xy x yellow-flowered sedgex x x swamp horsetailx x xyz x poor sedge
x x x xy x xyzzzz xyzzz x Sitka sedgexy xyzz white beak-rush
xy x x pale sedgex xy Chamisso’s cotton-grass
xy xy x mountain hairgrassx xyzz xy x x x xy great sundew
x x bog St. John’s-wortx xyz xy xy xy sticky asphodel
xy great bulrushxyz x deer-cabbage
x x x x x arrow-leaved groundselxyz x x bog-rosemary
x x xy x xyz x x western bog-laurelx xyz x xy x bog cranberry
xyz x seaside arrow-grassx xy x xy round-leaved sundew
xy xy x x leatherleaf saxifragexy x x xy x x x fragrant white rein orchidx x x xy xy x Sitka burnet
x xy x flat-leaved bladderwortx x x x xy x marsh violet
x xy xy x xyz xyzz xyzz x peat-moss Group Ixy x x xyz xyz xy xy x glow mossxyz xy xy x x hook-mossesxy xyz xyz x x xyzz x peat-moss Group IIxyz xyz x xy x x golden fuzzy fen moss
xy xyz spring mossxy xyz x xy x x x straw spear-mossxy xyzz x x x sausage-moss
xyzzz xyzzz xy yellow star-mossx x xy xy x hook-mossesxy x x three-ranked hump-moss
General Description
Sitka sedge – Peat-moss fens occur at low elevations along the
Coast, in wet drainage channels or hollows in sloping peat-
lands 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 Hu-
misols also occur.
Characteristic Vegetation
Tree layer (0 - 0 - 0)Shrub layer (0 - .5 - 5)Herb layer (15 - 82 - 100)Carex sitchensis, Comarum palustreMoss layer (0 - 40 - 100)Sphagnum spp.
Comments
The Wf51 is similar to the Wf 01 in most re-spects but has a coastal distribution; Carexsitchensis replaces Carex aquatilis on theCoast.The presence of Sphagnum on thesesites reflects the wider tolerance to variablehydrology of Sphagnum species that occurin this climate and not to ombrotrophic con-ditions, which is typical in the Interior.
The Wm50 occurs on more hydrologically ac-tive sites than the Wf51.
96 Wetlands of British Columbia: A Field Guide to Identification
Wf51 Sitka sedge – Peat-moss
Carex sitchensis – Sphagnum
Wetland Edatopic Grid
A B C D E F
Soil Nutrient Regime
VM
W
VW
VAM
ASA
N
Ak
pH
St
SlM
oDy
VD
Hydro
dynam
ic In
dex
Soil
Mo
istu
re R
egim
e
Ch
ap
ter 5.4S
wa
mp
s125
.. Distribution of Swamp Site Associations by biogeoclimatic zone
BG BWBS SBPSPP SWB ESSF ICH IDF MS SBS CDF CWH MH
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
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
126 Wetlands of British Columbia: A Field Guide to Identification
.. 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
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, partic-
ularly 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 (0 - .2 - 2)Shrub layer (15 - 50 - 90)Alnus incana, Salix sitchensisHerb layer (30 - 74 - 99)Calamagrostis canadensis, Carex sitchensis,C. utriculata, Equisetum arvense,Scirpus microcarpusMoss layer (2 - 8 - 35)Mnium spp.
Comments
Adjacent communities are often Wm01 orWm02 marshes or low bench flood commu-nities.This Site Association is similar to theWs04 and Ws02; the former occurs in driersubzones and the latter on more active flood-plain sites.
Sitka willow is well adapted to fluvial sites; twigs and branches have brittle bases that readilybreak during flood events.These whips will readily root in mineral soils.
Chapter 5.4 Swamps 133
Sitka willow – Sitka sedge Ws06
Salix sitchensis – Carex sitchensis
Wetland Edatopic Grid
A B C D E F
Soil Nutrient Regime
VM
W
VW
VAM
ASA
N
Ak
pH
St
SlM
oDy
VD
Hydro
dynam
ic In
dex
Soil
Mo
istu
re R
egim
e