KITSAULT MINE PROJECT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT

APPENDICES

VE51988 – Appendices

APPENDIX 3 Vegetation Assessment Methods

Appendix 3. Vegetation Assessment Methods 1.0 Ecosystems Baseline conditions were surveyed and documented by Rescan in 2009 and subsequently by AMEC in 2010. Terrestrial ecosystem mapping (TEM) was the method for baseline inventory. Ecosystems were identified and mapped as described in Appendix A. Baseline Analysis The baseline area and percent distribution of each polygon was determined. 2.0 Plant Species Composition Field surveys were completed in the LSA by Rescan in 2009 and subsequently by AMEC in 2010. These surveys included specific rare plant surveys as well as surveys for TEM and wetland surveys (see Appendix A for detailed methods). A total of 286 field inspection points were examined in the LSA and RSA (Table C2-1). Table C2-1: Field Survey Sites in the LSA

BGC Unit TEM Survey 2009 TEM Survey 2010 Rare Plant Survey 2010 Wetland Survey 2009

Total Ground Visual Full Visual Ground Visual Ground Visual

CMAun 1 3 4

CWHws1 12 5 2 19

CWHws2 17 8 4 7 2 38

MHmm1 1 1 2

MHmm2 27 38 39 15 20 6 23 18 186

MHmmp 10 7 3 2 5 10 37

Total 66 59 46 17 20 6 38 34 286

Table C2-2 lists the plant species documented in the LSA and RSA during field surveys. There are 171 species documented of which 10 are trees, 35 are shrubs, 19 are graminoids (sedges, rushes and grasses), 54 are forbs, 10 are ferns and fern allies, 9 are lichens, 2 are liverworts and 32 are mosses. Table C2-2: Plant Species Documented During Field Surveys in the LSA Type Scientific Name Common Name

Tree Abies amabilis amabilis fir

Tree Abies lasiocarpa subalpine fir

Tree Acer sp. maple

Tree Betula papyrifera. paper birch

Tree Chamaecyparis nootkatensis yellow-cedar

Tree Picea sitchensis Sitka spruce

Tree Picea x lutzii Roche spruce

Tree Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa

black cottonwood

Tree Thuja plicata western redcedar

Tree Tsuga heterophylla western hemlock

Type Scientific Name Common Name

Tree Tsuga mertensiana mountain hemlock

Shrub Alnus rubra red alder

Shrub Alnus viridis ssp. sinuata Sitka alder

Shrub Andromeda polifolia bog rosemary

Shrub Arctostaphylos uva-ursi kinnikinnick

Shrub Cassiope mertensiana white mountain-heather

Shrub Cassiope tetragona four-angled mountain-heather

Shrub Cornus canadensis bunchberry

Shrub Cornus stolonifera red-osier dogwood

Shrub Elliottia pyroliflorus copperbush

Shrub Empetrum nigrum crowberry

Shrub Kalmia microphylla western bog-laurel

Shrub Ledum glandulosum trapper's tea

Shrub Menziesia ferruginea false azalea

Shrub Oplopanax horridus devil's club

Shrub Oxycoccus oxycoccos bog cranberry

Shrub Phyllodoce empetriformis pink mountain-heather

Shrub Phyllodoce glanduliflora yellow mountain-heather

Shrub Rhododendron albiflorum white-flowered rhododendron

Shrub Rhus glabra smooth sumac

Shrub Ribes divaricatum wild black gooseberry

Shrub Ribes viscosissimum sticky currant

Shrub Rubus chamaemorus cloudberry

Shrub Rubus pedatus five-leaved bramble

Shrub Rubus spectabilis salmonberry

Shrub Salix barclayi Barclay’s willow

Shrub Salix spp. willow species

Shrub Sambucus racemosa red elderberry

Shrub Sorbus scopulina western mountain-ash

Shrub Sorbus sitchensis Sitka mountain-ash

Shrub Vaccinium alaskaense Alaskan blueberry

Shrub Vaccinium caespitosum dwarf blueberry

Shrub Vaccinium membranaceum black huckleberry

Shrub Vaccinium ovalifolium oval-leaved blueberry

Shrub Vaccinium ovatum evergreen huckleberry

Shrub Vaccinium parvifolium red huckleberry

Shrub Vaccinium scoparium grouseberry

Shrub Vaccinium uliginosum bog blueberry

Type Scientific Name Common Name

Shrub Vaccinium vitis-idaea ssp.minus northern mountain cranberry

Shrub Viburnum edule highbush-cranberry

Graminoid Agrostis aequivalvis Alaska bentgrass

Graminoid Carex anthoxanthea yellow-flowered sedge

Graminoid Carex dioica yellow bog sedge

Graminoid Carex limosa shore sedge

Graminoid Carex macrochaeta longawn sedge

Graminoid Carex pauciflora few-flowered sedge

Graminoid Carex pluriflora many-flowered sedge

Graminoid Carex sitchensis Sitka sedge

Graminoid Carex sp. sedge

Graminoid Eleocharis palustris common spike-rush

Graminoid Eleocharis sp. spike-rush

Graminoid Equisetum arvense common horsetail

Graminoid Eriophorum angustifolium narrow-leaved cotton-grass

Graminoid Juncus mertensianus Merten's rush

Graminoid Luzula parviflora small-flowered wood-rush

Graminoid Poa palustris fowl bluegrass

Graminoid Scirpus microcarpus small-flowered bullrush

Graminoid Trichophorum cespitosum tufted clubrush

Graminoid Vahlodea atropurpurea mountain hairgrass

Forb Aconitum delphiniifolium mountain monkshood

Forb Actaea rubra baneberry

Forb Arnica cordifolia heart-leaved arnica

Forb Arnica latifolia mountain arnica

Forb Caltha leptosepala white mountain marsh-marigold

Forb Castilleja parviflora small-flowered paintbrush

Forb Clintonia uniflora queen's cup

Forb Comarum palustre marsh cinquefoil

Forb Coptis aspleniifolia spleenwort-leaved goldthread

Forb Coptis trifolia three-leaved goldthread

Forb Corallorhiza striata striped coralroot

Forb Dodecatheon sp. shooting star

Forb Drosera anglica great sundew

Forb Drosera sp. sundew

Forb Epilobium anagallidifolium alpine willowherb

Forb Epilobium ciliatum purple-leaved willowherb

Forb Erigeron sp fleabane

Type Scientific Name Common Name

Forb Eriogonum sp. buckwheat

Forb Fauria crista-galli deer-cabbage

Forb Gentiana douglasiana swamp gentian

Forb Geum calthifolium caltha-leaved avens

Forb Goodyera oblongifolia rattlesnake-plantain

Forb Hieracium sp. hawkweed

Forb Hippuris vulgaris common mare's-tail

Forb Leptarrhena pyrolifolia leatherleaf saxifrage

Forb Listera cordata heart-leaved twayblade

Forb Lobaria pulmonaria lungwort

Forb Luetkea pectinata partridge-foot

Forb Lysichiton americanus skunk cabbage

Forb Lysimachia sp. loosestrife

Forb Menyanthes trifoliata buckbean

Forb Monotropa hypopithys pinesap

Forb Nuphar lutea yellow pond-lily

Forb Orthilia secunda one-sided wintergreen

Forb Osmorhiza sp. sweet-cicely

Forb Parnassia fimbriata fringed grass-of-Parnassus

Forb Parnassia sp. grass-of-parnassus

Forb Pedicularis ornithorhyncha bird's-beak lousewort

Forb Pedicularis sp. lousewort

Forb Petasites frigidus var. palmatus palmate coltsfoot

Forb Platanthera dilatata fragrant white rein orchid

Forb Platanthera stricta slender rein orchid

Forb Sanguisorba canadensis Sitka burnet

Forb Sanguisorba sp. burnet

Forb Saxifraga sp. saxifrage

Forb Senecio triangularis arrow-leaved groundsel

Forb Streptopus amplexifolius clasping twistedstalk

Forb Streptopus sp. twistedstalk

Forb Tiarella trifoliata three-leaved foamflower

Forb Tofieldia glutinosa sticky asphodel

Forb Triantha glutinosa sticky false asphodel

Forb Trientalis europaea ssp. arctica northern starflower

Forb Vaccaria pyramidata cow-basil

Forb Valeriana sitchensis Sitka valerian

Forb Veratrum viride Indian hellebore

Type Scientific Name Common Name

Forb Viola canadensis Canada violet

Forb Viola sp. violet

Fern and Fern Allies Asplenium sp. spleenwort

Fern and Fern Allies Athyrium filix-femina lady fern

Fern and Fern Allies Blechnum spicant deer fern

Fern and Fern Allies Botrychium virginianum rattlesnake fern

Fern and Fern Allies Diphasiastrum complanatum ground-cedar

Fern and Fern Allies Dryopteris expansa spiny wood fern

Fern and Fern Allies Gymnocarpium dryopteris oak fern

Fern and Fern Allies Lycopodium annotinum stiff club-moss

Fern and Fern Allies Lycopodium sp. clubmoss

Fern and Fern Allies Woodsia scopulina mountain cliff fern

Moss Aulacommium palustre glow moss

Moss Barbula sp. beard-moss

Moss Brachythecium calcareum calcareous brachythecium moss

Moss Brachythecium sp. ragged-moss

Moss Dicranum acutifolium acuteleaf dicranum moss

Moss Dicranum groenlandicum Greenland dicranum moss

Moss Dicranum sp. heron's-bill moss

Moss Hylocomiastrum sp. wood-moss

Moss Hylocomium splendens step moss

Moss Mnium sp moss

Moss Orthothecium sp. moss

Moss Plagiomnium insigne coastal leafy moss

Moss Plagiothecium undulatum flat-moss

Moss Pleurozium schreberi red-stemmed feathermoss

Moss Polytrichastrum sp. moss

Moss Ptilium crista-castrensis knight's plume

Moss Rhizocarpon grande big map lichen

Moss Rhizocarpon sp. moss

Moss Rhizomnium glabrescens large leafy moss

Moss Rhizomnium magnifolium large-leaf leafy moss

Moss Rhizomnium sp. leafy moss

Moss Rhytidiadelphus loreus lanky moss

Moss Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus electrified cat's-tail moss

Moss Rhytidiopsis robusta pipecleaner moss

Moss Rhytidium sp. moss

Moss Sparganium angustifolium narrow-leaved bur-reed

Type Scientific Name Common Name

Moss Sphagnum angustifolium poor-fen peat-moss

Moss Sphagnum capillifolium common red peat-moss

Moss Sphagnum girgensohnii common green peat-moss

Moss Sphagnum lindbergii brown-stemmed peat-moss

Moss Sphagnum papillosum fat peat-moss

Moss Sphagnum sp. peat-moss

Moss Sphagnum squarrosum shaggy peat

Liverwort Barbilophozia sp. liverwort

Liverwort Lophozia ventricosa tri-tip leafy liverwort

Lichen Alectoria sarmentosa common witch's hair

Lichen Cladina portentosa Pacific reindeer lichen

Lichen Cladina rangiferina grey reindeer

Lichen Cladina sp. reindeer lichens

Lichen Cladonia borealis boreal pixie-cup

Lichen Cladonia homosekikaica homoseckikaicpixie-cup

Lichen Cladonia macrophyllodes stepladdered pixie-cup

Lichen Cladonia sp. clad lichens

Lichen Peltigera aphthosa freckle pelt

Baseline Analysis There was no analysis for this indicator. 3.0 Invasive Plants There are three categories of invasive plant species within the LSA. Invasive species are listed by Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations (MFLNRO) under the Forest and Range Practices Act (FRPA) (Government of BC 2004), noxious species are listed by the Weed Control Act (Government of BC 2010) and alien invasive species (AIS) are designated by the Community Charter bylaw (Government of BC 2008). Invasive plants do not occur naturally in ecosystems in British Columbia. They reproduce rapidly, are resilient and can overwhelm existing native vegetation (MFLNRO 2010). Under the Invasive Alien Plant Program (IAPP), the MFLNRO maintains a database for invasive plant data in BC (MFLNRO 2010). The IAPP lists 168 invasive species. Of the 168 invasive species in the province, 21 are designated as noxious weeds within all regions of BC and one specifically within the Kitimat-Stikine Regional district. In addition, the Community Charter bylaw legally designates AIS. These are species listed in sections 1 and 2 of the Schedule cited in BC Reg. 144/2004. Table C3-1 summarizes the invasive plants that have the potential to occur in the LSA and RSA. No invasive plants were identified by field surveys. Six invasive species occur in close proximity to the LSA and RSA according to the MFLNRO database (Table C3-1).

Table C3-1: Potential Invasive Plants in the LSA and RSA

Common Name Scientific Name MFLNR

O (IAPP)1

Weed Control Act2 Community Charter3 Location

Prov Reg Prov Reg

Velvet leaf Abutilon theophrasti invasive noxious AIS

Russian knapweed Acroptilon repens invasive

Jointed goatgrass Aegilops cylindrica invasive noxious AIS

Goutweed / bishop's weed Aegopodium podagraria invasive

Tree of heaven Ailanthus altissima invasive

Garlic mustard Alliaria petiolata invasive AIS

Redroot amaranth / rough pigweed

Amaranthus retroflexus invasive

Common bugloss Anchusa officinalis invasive

Bur chervil Anthriscus caucalis invasive

Wild chervil Anthriscus sylvestris invasive

Burdock species Arctium spp invasive noxious AIS RSA

Wormwood Artemisia absinthium invasive

Wild oats Avena fatua invasive noxious AIS

Hoary alyssum Berteroa incana invasive

Smooth brome grass Bromus inermis AIS

Cheatgrass / downy brome Bromus tectorum invasive AIS

Butterfly bush Buddleja davidii invasive

Flowering rush Butomus umbellatus invasive AIS

Hedge false bindweed Calystegia sepium invasive

Shepherd's-purse Capsella bursa-pastoris invasive

Hoary cress Cardaria draba invasive

Plumeless thistle Carduus acanthoides invasive

Nodding thistle Carduus nutans invasive AIS

Caraway Carum carvi invasive

Longspine sandbur Cenchrus longispinus invasive

Spotted knapweed Centaurea biebersteinii invasive

Bachelor's button Centaurea cyanus invasive

Meadow knapweed Centaurea debeauxii invasive

Diffuse knapweed Centaurea diffusa invasive noxious AIS

Brown knapweed Centaurea jacea invasive

Spotted knapweed Centaurea maculosa noxious AIS

Mountain bluet Centaurea montana invasive

Black knapweed Centaurea nigra invasive

Greater knapweed Centaurea scabiosa invasive

Yellow starthistle Centaurea solstitialis invasive noxious AIS

Knapweed species Centaurea spp. invasive

Greater celandine Chelidonium majus invasive

Rush skeletonweed Chondrilla juncea invasive noxious AIS

Chicory Cichorium intybus invasive

Canada thistle Cirsium arvense invasive noxious AIS

Marsh plume thistle/Marsh thistle

Cirsium palustre invasive

Common Name Scientific Name MFLNR

O (IAPP)1

Weed Control Act2 Community Charter3 Location

Prov Reg Prov Reg

Bull thistle Cirsium vulgare invasive AIS RSA

Old man's beard / traveller's joy

Clematis vitalba invasive

Poison hemlock Conium maculatum invasive AIS

Field bindweed Convolvulus arvensis invasive

Annual hawksbeard Crepis tectorum invasive

Common crupina Crupina vulgaris invasive noxious AIS

Dodder Cuscuta spp. invasive noxious AIS

Hound's-tongue Cynoglossum officinale invasive noxious AIS

Hedgehog dogtail Cynosurus echinatus invasive

Yellow nutsedge Cyperus esculentus invasive noxious AIS

Purple nutsedge Cyperus rotundus invasive noxious AIS

Scotch broom Cytisus scoparius invasive AIS

Portuguese broom Cytisus striatus invasive

Orchard grass Dactylis glomerta

AIS (coast)

Daphne / spurge laurel Daphne laureola invasive AIS

Queen Anne’s lace / wild carrot

Daucus carota invasive

Didymo Didymosphenia geminata invasive

Teasel Dipsacus fullonum invasive

Barnyard grass Echinochloa crusgalli invasive AIS

Blueweed Echium vulgare invasive

Russian olive Elaeagnus angustifolia invasive

Cypress spurge Euphorbia cyparissias invasive

Leafy spurge Euphorbia esula invasive noxious AIS

Eyebright Euphrasia nemorosa invasive

Tartary buckwheat Fagopyrum tataricum invasive

Japanese knotweed Fallopia japonica invasive AIS Townsite

Giant knotweed Fallopia sachalinensis invasive AIS

Bohemian knotweed Fallopia x bohemicum invasive

Sweet fennel Foeniculum vulgare invasive

French broom Genista monspessulana invasive

Herb robert Geranium robertianum invasive

Cudweed Gnaphalium uliginosum invasive

Baby's breath Gypsophila paniculata invasive AIS

English ivy Hedera helix invasive AIS

Giant hogweed Heracleum mantegazzianum invasive AIS

Dame's rocket Hesperis matronalis invasive

Polar hawkweed Hieracium atratum invasive

Orange hawkweed Hieracium aurantiacum invasive

Meadow hawkweed Hieracium caespitosum invasive

Whiplash hawkweed Hieracium flagellare invasive

King devil hawkweed Hieracium floribundum invasive

Common Name Scientific Name MFLNR

O (IAPP)1

Weed Control Act2 Community Charter3 Location

Prov Reg Prov Reg

Yellow devil hawkweed Hieracium glomeratum invasive

Smooth hawkweed Hieracium laevigatum invasive

Common hawkweed Hieracium lanchenalii invasive

Spotted hawkweed Hieracium maculatum invasive

Wall hawkweed Hieracium murorum invasive

Mouse ear hawkweed Hieracium pilosella invasive

Tall hawkweed Hieracium piloselloides invasive

Queen devil hawkweed Hieracium praealtum invasive

Yellow hawkweed Hieracium pratense invasive

European hawkweed Hieracium sabaudum invasive

Hawkweed species Hieracium spp invasive

Spanish bluebells Hyacinthoides hispanica invasive

Hydrilla Hydrilla verticillata AIS

Black henbane Hyoscyamus niger invasive

St. John's wort/Saint John's wort/ Goatweed

Hypericum perforatum invasive

AIS

Smooth cat's ear Hypochaeris glabra invasive

Hairy cat's-ear Hypochaeris radicata invasive

English holly Ilex aquifolium invasive

Policeman's helmet / himalayan balsam

Impatiens glandulifera invasive

AIS

Yellow iris/flag Iris pseudachoris invasive AIS

Field scabious Knautia arvensis invasive

Kochia Kochia scoparia invasive

Yellow archangel Lamiastrum galeobdolon invasive

Purple deadnettle Lamium purpureum invasive

Flat pea / flat peavine Lathyrus sylvestis invasive

Perennial pepperweed Lepidium latifolium invasive

Oxeye daisy Leucanthemum vulgare invasive

Kitsault Access Road

Dalmatian toadflax Linaria dalmatica invasive noxious AIS

Yellow/common toadflax Linaria vulgaris invasive noxious AIS

White cockle Lychnis alba invasive

Garden loosestrife Lysimachia vulgaris invasive

Purple loosestrife Lythrum salicaria invasive AIS

Wand loosestrife Lythrum virgatum invasive

Chilean tarweed Madia sativa invasive

Scentless chamomile Matricaria perforata / Matricaria maritima

invasive noxious

AIS

Nisga'a Hwy (Hwy

113)

Wild four o'clock Mirabilis nyctaginea invasive

Parrot feather Myriophyllum aquaticum invasive

Eurasian watermilfoil Myriophyllum spicatum invasive AIS

Fragrant water lily Nymphaea odorata subsp. odorata

invasive

Common Name Scientific Name MFLNR

O (IAPP)1

Weed Control Act2 Community Charter3 Location

Prov Reg Prov Reg

Yellow floating heart Nymphoides peltata invasive

Scotch thistle Onopordum acanthium invasive

Reed canary grass Phalaris arundinacea AIS

Common reed Phragmites australis AIS

Wild buckwheat Polygonum convolvulus invasive

Lady's-thumb Polygonum persicaria invasive

Himalayan knotweed Polygonum polystachyum invasive

Curly pondweed Potamogeton crispus AIS

Sulphur cinquefoil Potentilla recta invasive

Cherry laurel Prunus laurocerasus invasive

Portugese laurel Prunus lusitanica invasive

Kudzu Pueraria montana AIS

Meadow buttercup Ranunculus acris invasive

Creeping buttercup Ranunculus repens invasive

Bristly locust / rose acacia Robinia hispida invasive

Black locust Robinia pseudoacacia invasive

Himalayan blackberry Rubus armeniacus invasive AIS

Cutleaf blackberry Rubus laciniatus invasive

Sheep sorrel Rumex acetosella invasive

Curled dock Rumex crispus invasive

Russian thistle Salsola kali invasive

Wood sage Salvia nemorsa invasive

Meadow clary Salvia pratensis invasive

Japanese wireweed Sargassum muticum invasive

Tansy ragwort Senecio jacobaea invasive noxious AIS

Groundsel Senecio vulgaris invasive

Green foxtail / green bristlegrass

Setaria viridis invasive

Night-flowering catchfly Silene noctiflora invasive

Bladder campion Silene vulgaris invasive

Milk thistle Silybum marianum invasive

Wild mustard Sinapis arvensis invasive

Nightshade Solanum spp invasive

Carpet burweed Soliva sessilis invasive AIS

Perennial sow thistle Sonchus arvensis invasive noxious AIS

Annual sow thistle Sonchus oleraceus invasive noxious AIS

Sowthistle species Sonchus species invasive

Saltwater cord grass Spartina alterniflora invasive

English cordgrass Spartina anglica invasive

Dense-flowered cordgrass Spartina densiflora invasive

Salt-meadow cord grass Spartina patens invasive

Spanish broom Spartium junceum invasive

Prickly comfrey Symphytum asperum invasive

Common comfrey Symphytum officinale invasive

Common Name Scientific Name MFLNR

O (IAPP)1

Weed Control Act2 Community Charter3 Location

Prov Reg Prov Reg

Saltcedar / tamarisk Tamarix ramosissima invasive AIS

Common tansy Tanacetum vulgare invasive

Kitsault Access Road

Western goat's-beard / Yellow salsify

Tragopogon dubius invasive

AIS

Meadow goats-beard Tragopogon pratensis invasive

Puncturevine Tribulus terrestris invasive

Coltsfoot Tussilago farfara invasive

Gorse Ulex europaeus invasive noxious AIS

Siberian elm Ulmus pumila invasive

Mullein Verbascum thapsis invasive

Bigleaf periwinkle / large periwinkle

Vinca major invasive

Common periwinkle Vinca minor invasive

Dwarf eelgrass Zostera japonica invasive

Source: 1 MFLNRO 2010; 2 Government of BC 2010; 3 Government of BC 2008 4.0 Species at Risk Species at risk include those species listed by the British Columbia Conservation Data Centre (BC CDC) on the red- or blue-list (BC CDC 2010). The red-list includes taxa that have been legally designated as Endangered or Threatened. The blue-list includes taxa not immediately threatened, but of “special concern” (formerly vulnerable), because of characteristics that make them particularly sensitive to human activities or natural events. Definitions are available from the BC CDC (2010). Species may also be federally-listed on Schedules 1, 2 or 3 of the Species at Risk Act (SARA). Schedule 1 includes taxa designated as ‘at risk’ in Canada. Taxa designated as 'at risk' by COSEWIC (the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada) before the creation of SARA must be reassessed according to the new criteria of the Act before they can be added to Schedule 1. Those taxa are included on Schedules 2 and 3, and are not yet officially protected under SARA. Definitions of SARA and COSEWIC designations are available from the Government of Canada (2010). Thirteen red-listed and forty blue-listed species were identified as having the potential to occur in the LSA (Table C4-1). Of these, none are listed as species at risk under the federal SARA. No species at risk were documented during the field surveys.

Table C4-1: Potential Vascular and Nonvascular Plant Species at Risk in the LSA

Type Scientific Name Common Name Global Status

Prov Status

BC List

CF Priority Rank

SARA COSEWIC

Vascular Arctanthemum arcticum ssp. arcticum

arctic daisy G5TNR SH Red 2

Vascular Callitriche heterophylla ssp. heterophylla

two-edged water-starwort

G5T5 S2S3 Blue 3

Vascular Caltha palustris var. palustris

yellow marsh-marigold G5T5 S2S3 Blue 2

Vascular Carex glareosa var. amphigena

lesser saltmarsh sedge G4G5T3T5 S2S3 Blue 3

Vascular Carex gmelinii Gmelin's sedge G4G5 S2S3 Blue 2

Vascular Cornus suecica dwarf bog bunchberry G5 S1S3 Red 2

Vascular Eleocharis kamtschatica Kamchatka spike-rush G4 S2S3 Blue 2

Vascular Hippuris tetraphylla four-leaved mare's-tail G5 S2S3 Blue 2

Vascular Juncus arcticus ssp. alaskanus

arctic rush G5T4T5 S2S3 Blue 3

Vascular Juncus stygius bog rush G5 S2S3 Blue 3

Vascular Lilaea scilloides flowering quillwort G5? S2S3 Blue 3

Vascular Malaxis brachypoda white adder's-mouth orchid

G4Q S2S3 Blue 3

Vascular Malaxis paludosa bog adder's-mouth orchid

G4 S2S3 Blue 3

Vascular Piperia candida white-lip rein orchid G3 S2 Red 2

Vascular Polemonium boreale northern Jacob's-ladder

G5 S2S3 Blue 3

Vascular Polystichum setigerum Alaska holly fern G3 S2S3 Blue 3

Vascular Sanguisorba menziesii Menzies' burnet G3G4 S2S3 Blue 3

Vascular Saxifraga nelsoniana ssp. carlottae

dotted saxifrage G5T3? S3 Blue 2

Vascular Triglochin concinna graceful arrow-grass G5 S2 Red 3

Nonvascular Amphidium mougeotii Mougeot's yoke-moss G5 S2S3 Blue 3

Nonvascular Andreaea rothii dusky rock-moss G5 S2S3 Blue 2

Nonvascular Bryhnia hultenii Hulten's bryhnia moss G4 S1 Red 2

Nonvascular Bryum muehlenbeckii Muehlenbeck's thread-moss

G4G5 S2S3 Blue 3

Nonvascular Campylopus flexuosus campylopus moss G5? S2S3 Blue 3

Nonvascular Cynodontium tenellum delicate dog-tooth moss

G3G5Q S2S3 Blue 3

Nonvascular Cyrtomnium hymenophyllum

crytomnium moss G3G5 S2S3 Blue 3

Nonvascular Dicranum bonjeanii Bonjean's dicranum moss

G4G5 S2S3 Blue 3

Nonvascular Dicranum spadiceum dicranum moss G5? S2S3 Blue 3

Nonvascular Didymodon leskeoides didymodon moss G2G4 S1 Red 2

Nonvascular Didymodon nigrescens black didymodon moss G3G5 S2S3 Blue 3

Type Scientific Name Common Name Global Status

Prov Status

BC List

CF Priority Rank

SARA COSEWIC

Nonvascular Diphyscium foliosum nut-moss G5 S2S3 Blue 3

Nonvascular Ditrichum zonatum var. scabrifolium

scabrous cow-hair moss

G3G5T2T3 S2S3 Blue 1

Nonvascular Drepanocladus crassicostatus

drepanocladus moss G3G5 S2S3 Blue 3

Nonvascular Entodon concinnus entodon moss G4G5 S1S3 Red 2

Nonvascular Isopterygiopsis muelleriana Mueller's silk-moss G5 S1 Red 2

Nonvascular Loeskypnum badium loeskypnum moss G4G5 S2S3 Blue 3

Nonvascular Loeskypnum wickesiae Wicke's loeskypnum moss

G3G5 S2S3 Blue 2

Nonvascular Philonotis yezoana philonotis moss G2G3 S2 Red 3

Nonvascular Pleuroziopsis ruthenica pleuroziopsis moss G3 S1S3 Red 2

Nonvascular Pohlia columbica pohlia moss G3G5 S1S3 Red 2

Nonvascular Pohlia filum fat-bud thread-moss G4G5 S2S3 Blue 3

Nonvascular Pohlia sphagnicola pohlia moss G2G3 S2S3 Blue 3

Nonvascular Rhabdoweisia crispata toothed streak-moss G5 S2S3 Blue 3

Nonvascular Sematophyllum micans sparklling signal-moss G3G5 S2S3 Blue 2

Nonvascular Sphagnum aongstroemii Aongstroem's moss G2G3 S1S3 Red 2

Nonvascular Sphagnum balticum Baltic peat-moss G2G4 S2S3 Blue 3

Nonvascular Sphagnum contortum twisted peat-moss G5 S2S3 Blue 3

Nonvascular Sphagnum quinquefarium five-ranked peat-moss G5 S2S3 Blue 3

Nonvascular Sphagnum subobesum sphagnum G3G5 S1S3 Red 2

Nonvascular Tetraplodon angustatus narrow cruet-moss G4 S2S3 Blue 3

Nonvascular Tetrodontium brownianum Brown's four-toothed moss

G3G4 S2S3 Blue 2

Nonvascular Trematodon ambiguus common long-necked moss

G5 S2S3 Blue 2

Fungus Pseudocyphellaria rainierensis

oldgrowth specklebelly G3G4 S2S3 Blue 2 3 Special Concern

4.1 Species at Risk Potential Analysis Since no species at risk were documented during field surveys it is not possible to assess species at risk potential for the LSA or RSA. 5.0 Ecological Communities at Risk The BC CDC lists eleven ecological communities as red- or blue-listed in the biogeoclimatic units occurring in the LSA (BC CDC 2010). Of the eleven ecological communities four are red-listed and seven are blue-listed (Table C5-1).

Table C5-1: Potentially occurring Ecological Communities at Risk

Scientific Name Common Name Global Status

Prov Status

BC List

CF Priority Rank

BGC Units

Pinus contorta / Arctostaphylos uva-ursi

lodgepole pine / kinnikinnick

GNR S2 Red 2 CWHws1/02; CWHws2/02

Carex sitchensis / Sphagnum spp.

Sitka sedge / peat-mosses G2 S2 Red 1 CWHws2/Wf51

Picea sitchensis / Rubus spectabilis

Sitka spruce / salmonberry G3 S2 Red 2 CWHws1/07

Picea sitchensis / Rubus spectabilis

Sitka spruce / salmonberry G3 S3 Blue 2 CWHws2/07

Tsuga heterophylla - Pinus contorta / Pleurozium schreberi

western hemlock - lodgepole pine / red-stemmed feathermoss

G2G3 S2S3 Blue 1 CWHws1/03; CWHws2/03

Thuja plicata - Picea sitchensis / Lysichiton americanus

western redcedar - Sitka spruce / skunk cabbage

G3? S3? Blue 3 CWHws1/11

Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa - Alnus rubra / Rubus spectabilis

black cottonwood - red alder / salmonberry

GNR S3 Blue 2 CWHws1/08; CWHws2/08

Menyanthes trifoliata - Carex lasiocarpa

buckbean - slender sedge G3 S3 Blue 2 CWHws1/Wf06

Carex limosa - Menyanthes trifoliata / Sphagnum spp.

shore sedge - buckbean / peat-mosses

G3 S3 Blue 2 CWHws1/Wb13; CWHws2/Wb13

Abies amabilis - Thuja plicata / Oplopanax horridus

amabilis fir - western redcedar / devil's club Moist Submaritime

G3G4 S3 Blue 2 CWHws1/06

Abies amabilis - Thuja plicata / Gymnocarpium dryopteris

amabilis fir - western redcedar / oak fern

GNR S3 Blue 2 CWHws1/04; CWHws2/04

Calamagrostis purpurascens Herbaceous Vegetation

purple reedgrass Herbaceous Vegetation

G2 S2 Red 2 CMA; MHmmp/00

Baseline Analysis The baseline area and percent distribution of each polygon was determined. 6.0 Sensitive Ecosystems Sensitive ecosystems are rare and fragile ecosystems identified and mapped in regional areas of BC. Sensitive ecosystems are based on the Sensitive Ecosystem Inventory (SEI) classes described by Ministry of Environment (RISC 2006). For the purpose of the baseline report a modified version of the SEI classes are used. Three sensitive ecosystems occur within the LSA and RSA. Table C6-1 lists and describes these four sensitive ecosystem classes. Table C6-1: Descriptions of Sensitive Ecosystems Code Sensitive Ecosystem DescriptionOF Old Forest Forest ecosystems dominated by large, old coniferous trees; WN Wetlands Forested ecosystems and non-forested ecosystems where the water

table is at or near the surface; includes bogs (treed and non-treed) fens, marshes, swamps and shallow open water

SV Sparsely Vegetated Ecosystems where rock and talus prevent vegetation development; includes shrubby rock outcrops, sparsely vegetated or un-vegetated rock outcrops, talus and cliffs. Mudflats were also included as a sensitive ecosystem.

Source: RISC 2006.

6.1 Old Forests Coastal old-growth stage forests are classified as greater than 250 years and mapped as structural stage 7 (RIC 1998). These old forests are structurally complex stands comprised mainly of shade-tolerant conifers and regenerating tree species. Snags and coarse woody debris are common in the understory, as are gaps in the canopy allowing light to reach to the forest floor resulting in a proliferation of herb and shrub layers. Baseline Analysis The baseline area and percent distribution of each polygon was determined. 6.2 Wetlands Wetlands refer to ecosystems dominated by water-loving plants and have wet or saturated soil conditions and are represented by a wide range of ecosystems from semi-terrestrial fens, bogs and swamps to semi-aquatic marshes and shallow open water (MacKenzie and Moran 2004). Transitional and estuarine ecosystems are also included. Baseline Analysis The baseline area and percent distribution of each polygon was determined. 6.3 Sparsely Vegetated Sparsely vegetated ecosystems are as the name suggest sparely vegetated with small patches of moss or lichen as the dominant vegetation type. Sparsely vegetated units are represented by bedrock, rock outcrops, sheer cliffs, boulder piles on talus slopes or mudflats. These units are small and scattered throughout the LSA and RSA. Baseline Analysis The baseline area and percent distribution of each polygon was determined.

References British Columbia Conservation Data Centre (BC CDC). 2010. BC Species and Ecosystems

Explorer. B.C. Ministry. of Environment. Victoria, B.C.Available at: http://www.env.gov.bc.ca/cdc/index.html. Accessed: July 2010.

Government of British Columbia (BC). 2004. Forest and Range Practices Act, Invasive Plants Regulation, B.C Reg. 18/2004. Available at: http://www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/bclaws_new/document/ID/freeside/18_18_2004. Accessed February 2010.

Government of BC. 2008. Community Charter Spheres of Concurrent Jurisdiction - Environment and Wildlife Regulation, BC Reg. 144/2004 (includes amendments up to BC Reg. 235/2008, August 7, 2008). Available at: http://www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/bclaws_new/document/ID/freeside/03026_00. Accessed February 2010.

Government of BC. 2010. British Columbia Weed Control Act (1996); Weed Control Regulation, BC Reg. 66/85 (includes amendments up to B.C. Reg. 4/2010, January 14, 2010). Available at: http://www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/bclaws_new/document/ID/freeside/10_66_85. Accessed February 2010.

Government of Canada. 2010. Species at Risk Act (SARA). S.C. 2002.c29. Available at: http://www.sararegistry.gc.ca/approach/act/default_e.cfm

Government of Canada. 2010. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC). Available at: http://www.cosewic.gc.ca/eng/sct3/index_e.cfm#12

MacKenzie, W.H. and J.R. Moran. 2004. Wetlands of British Columbia. A Guide to Identification. Land Management Handbook No. 52. Res. Br., B.C. Ministry of Forests, Victoria, B.C.

Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations (MFLNRO) 2010. Ministry of Forests Lands and Natural Resource Operations. Invasive Alien Plant Program. Available at: http://www.for.gov.bc.ca/hra/plants/application.htm. Accessed December 2010

Resource Information Standards Committee (RISC) 2006. Standards for Mapping Ecosystems at Risk in British Columbia. An Approach to Mapping Ecosystems at Risk in British Columbia. Terrestrial Ecosystems Task Force Resource Inventory Standards Committee. Victoria, BC.

Resource Inventory Committee (RIC) 1998. Standards for Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping in British Columbia. Prepared by Ecosystems Working Group, Terrestrial Ecosystems Task Force and Resource Inventory Committee. RIC, Victoria, BC.