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

CWHvm2 Landscape Profilea

Site U

nits

5 • 50

a Tree symbols are defined in Appendix 3.

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