lmh26 intro · 2003. 4. 10. · title: lmh26 intro author: donna lindenberg created date: 8/18/2000...

5.4 INTERIOR CEDAR – HEMLOCK ZONE

The Interior Cedar – Hemlock zone (ICH) in the PRFR has been subdivided intothe following biogeoclimatic units:

ICHmc - Moist Cold subzoneICHmc1 - Nass variant

ICHmc1a - Amabilis fir phaseICHmc2 - Hazelton variant

ICHvc - Very Wet Cold subzone

ICHwc - Wet Cold subzone

Description and differentiation of biogeoclimatic units:

PRFR - South: page 4 • 35

PRFR - North: page 4 • 85

Interpretations:

Wildlife: page 6 • 8

Silviculture: page 7 • 54

Non-forested site units in the ICH:

The only non-forested site units described in the ICH zone are wetland types;natural grasslands and scrub-steppe are extremely rare in the ICH. Avalanchetracks occur in mountainous terrain but this site type has not been described.

Wetlands are scattered throughout the zone and are generally small andlocalized. Some more extensive wetland systems occur near Meziadin Lake andnorth of Swan Lake. Fens and marshes are the most common wetland type inthe ICH. These units include all herb- and shrub-dominated wetlands withmedium to rich nutrient status and water tables too high to support treegrowth. Willows, scrub birch, sedges, and horsetails are characteristic species.The moss layer is typically dominated by sphagnum, but also includes fuzzy fenmoss, sickle moss, glow moss, and leafy mosses, indicating relativelymineral-rich conditions. Soils are Organics (fens only) or Gleysols (fens ormarshes).

Bogs are very uncommon and localized in the ICH. They may have a sparsestunted tree cover of hybrid and black spruce (< 10%), but are dominated byericaceous shrubs (mainly Labrador tea) and dwarf shrubs (crowberry and bogcranberry). Some distinctive herb-layer species include cloudberry, bluejoint,water sedge, and marsh cinquefoil. Sphagnum carpets these sites and ischaracteristic. Soils are poorly drained Organics with a water table constantlynear the surface.

ICH

5 • 107

ICHmc1Moist Cold Subzone

Nass Variant

Adjacent biogeoclimatic units: ICHmc1a in the west and at higherelevations in the south; ICHvc at similar elevations in the north; ICHmc2 atlower elevations in the south; ESSFwv at higher elevations throughout.

Elevation range: 750 - 1100 m in the south; 300 - 950 m in the north.

Description and comparison of site series:

Zonal site series:

01 Hw - Step moss zonal forests occupy extensive areas of the ICHmc1landscape, including a wide range of soils and landforms, with mainly mesic tosubmesic moisture regimes. The typical mature stand is dominated by Hm, withsome Bl and Sx, and perhaps also Pl, Ep, or At. Feathermosses (step moss,red-stemmed feathermoss, knight’s plume) carpet the forest floor, butunderstory shrubs and herbs are almost completely absent. Occasionally, onefinds a well-developed shrub layer of huckleberries, blueberries, and falseazalea. Soils are typically Humo-Ferric Podzols with Mor humus forms.

Two phases are recognized: the Mesic phase (01a) on mid to lower slopes withdeep and/or fine-textured soils, thicker humus layers, more Sx, and less Pl; andthe Submesic phase (01b) on moisture-shedding or rapidly drained sites, withcoarse-textured and/or shallow soils, thin humus forms, more Pl, and less Sx.

Drier sites: One drier forested site series is described.

02 HwPl - Kinnikinnick - Cladonia is found on the very driest, mostnutrient-poor rock outcrops, ridges, or glaciofluvial outwash terraces where Pl isthe dominant tree. The understory vegetation includes some advanceregeneration of Pl, black huckleberry, dwarf blueberry, kinnikinnick, and cow-wheat, with a mixture of red-stemmed feathermoss and lichens on the forestfloor. Note that most fire-originated Pl stands in the ICHmc1 do not belong tothis site series; they are seral stages of the 01.

Fresh to wet sites: Four forested site series have been recognized onwetter-than-mesic sites. All are typically more nutrient-rich than the 01,because of the influence of nutrient-laden seepage or flood waters.

03 HwBl - Oak fern is common on slope positions where there is a slightaccumulation of seepage water. Like the 01 site series, it has a well-developedfeathermoss carpet, but is distinguished by having a moderate cover of oak fern, scattered devil’s club (<10 - 15% cover), and black gooseberry. Soils areHumo-Ferric Podzols that may show some mottling below 40 cm; humus formsare Mors or Moders. This unit might be confused with the 04 site series; but the 03 has lower cover of devil’s club and lacks lady fern and red-osier dogwood.

Site Units

5 • 108

04 HwBl - Devil’s club is usually found at the toe of slopes or along smallstream channels. These productive ecosystems are common, but rarely veryextensive. They have open-grown Sx and Bl, with Hw occurring mainly as asubcanopy species. There is a heavy cover of devil’s club (>15% cover), luxuriantgrowth of ferns and other herbs, and leafy mosses rather than feathermosses onthe forest floor. This site series is noticeably wetter than the 04. Soils are gleyed(Gleysols or gleyed Podzols) but still reasonably well aerated.

05 ActSx - Dogwood forests are restricted to the active floodplains of largerrivers. These highly productive stands are dominated by Act and have dense,tall shrub layers of devil’s club, highbush-cranberry, and red-osier dogwood withdiverse herb layers and few mosses. Herbs indicative of rich sites, such as oakfern, twistedstalk, foamflower, and lady fern, are common. Soils are usuallyRegosols with bands of sand, silt, or gravel at varying depths. The forest floor isthin or non-existent, due to flooding and rapid decomposition.

06 Hw - Azalea - Skunk cabbage is found on sites with a high water table. Itoccurs in depressions on slopes, in former stream channels or ponds, or on levelground where hardpan layers impede soil drainage. This site series can beidentified most clearly by an abundance of skunk cabbage and horsetails. Otherrich-site indicators such as oak fern, foamflower, and lady fern are alsocommon. Tree cover is patchy, with tall shrubs in the openings. The ground isusually hummocky, with a thick peaty layer over gleyed mineral soil.

Non-forested site units:

Two very generalized non-forested units have been described in the ICHmc1:Non-forested bog (31) and Non-forested fen/marsh (32). See page 5 • 107for a description of these units.

Seral associations: Over much of the ICHmc1, successional stands are eitheruncommon or differ little from climax stands in terms of species composition.However, in southern portions of the variant, closer to human settlements,Seral stands that bear little resemblance to the site series described above arewidespread. They often have mostly deciduous trees and well-developed shruband herb layers. Management interpretations for such stands will differsignificantly from those developed for the more typical climax forest condition.Please refer to the most similar seral association in the ICHmc2 (page 5 • 126)for guidance.

ICHmc1

5 • 109

ICH

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Site Units

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ICH

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ICHmc1 Site Series Flowchart

Site Units

5 • 112

NON-FORESTED

WETLANDS

Tree cover < 10%

Depressional areas.

DRY FORESTS

Moisture regime 0-3.

Usually on very

coarse glaciofluvial

terraces or on ridge

crests/upper slopes.

VERY MOIST

TO WET

FORESTS


Level/depressional

areas or seepage

slopes. Gleysols or

Organics.

FRESH TOMOISTFORESTS


Sites not clearly dry

or wet.

FLOODPLAIN

FORESTS

Act/Sx forests on

active floodplains of

larger streams and

rivers.

Willows, sedges, or sphagnum dominate. 31Non-forested fen/marsh

Act-dominated forests; thick shrub understory 05dominated by red-osier dogwood, mountain ActSx - Dogwoodalder. Enchanter’s nightshade, oak fern andhorsetails common. Moss layer sparse; mostlyleafy mosses. Regosols and Brunisols.

On rocky knolls with exposed bedrock and very 02thin soils. Stunted, open Pl- or Hw- domi- HwPl -nated forests. Kinnikinnick common. Sparse Kinnikinnick -but diverse shrub and herb layers. Lichens co- Cladoniadominant in moss layer.

Submesic sites; dense Hw-dominated stands. 01bPoorly developed shrub and herb layers. Hw - Step moss;Feathermosses dominate moss layer. submesic phase

Devil’s club abundant; no skunk cabbage. 04Seepage slopes; soils gleyed HwBl - Devil’s

club

Devil’s club frequent; skunk cabbage and 06horsetails common. Level or depressional Hw - Azalea -sites; Organic soils or Gleysols with peaty Skunk cabbagehorizons.

Bl/Hw/Sx forests with good growth. Devil’s 04club abundant. Oak fern common. Leafy HwBl - Devil’smosses co-dominate with feathermosses. clubSeepage slopes; soils often mottled.

Bl/Hw/Sx forests with good growth. Oak fern 03dominates herb layer; scattered devil’s club. HwBl - Oak fernMinor component of leafy mosses. Soilssometimes lightly mottled.

Hw/Bl forests with moderate growth. Poorly 01a Mesicdeveloped shrub and herb layers. No devil’s Hw - Step mossclub; no leafy mosses; well-developed feather-moss carpet.

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ICHmc1

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ICH

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ICHmc1 Environment Table

SoilSite moisture/ Slope % Parentseries Phase nutrients Slope position range materiala

01 a) Mesic 4-(5)B-C all, mostly mid 0 - 40 M, C, FG, Mv/R

01 b) Submesic 3B-C crest - upper, (level) 0 - 25 Mv/R, Cv/R, M,FG

02b 1-3/A-C crest - level 0 - 45 R, FG

03 4-5/(C)-D mid - lower 5 - 15 M, F, C

04 (4)-6/(C)-E lower - depressions, 5 - 45 F, M, (L)level

05b (4)-6/E level 0 F (active)

06 6-7/C-E depressions 0 - 5 Ov/L, Ov/F, Ov/M

31b 7/C-E depressions 0 O

a Codes are described in Section 3.2.2, page 3 • 8. b Limited data; unit described from fewer than three plots.

Site Units

5 • 114

Humus formSoil Soil depth (cm)particle sizea classificationa min-mean-max Important site features

FL - KL, S (s) HFP, DYB, (GL) Mors Widespread. Includes a broad range of4 - 9 - 16 more-or-less mesic sites.

FL, FL, Ss (f) HFP, (DYB) Mors Soils often shallow over bedrock.often gravelly 4 - 7 - 10

FL, S (s, f) HFP, DYB, R Mors Ridge tops or glaciofluvial terraces.< 5 cm Soils often shallow. Crusty mor

humus forms.

L, FL (s) HFP, EB Mors (Moders) Soils receive some seepage.(gleyed) 5 - 7 - 19

FL - FL (s) G, GL, FHP Moders, Mors Soils receive abundant seepage.gleyed 3 - 10 - 23

KL - S R, (DYB) Moders, Active floodplains.usually thin

C, S G, M peaty “O” horizons High water tables.> 30 cm

-- M, H, F, (G) peaty “O” horizons Sites too wet for tree growth.>60cm

ICHmc1

5 • 115

ICHmc1aMoist Cold Subzone

Nass VariantAmabilis Fir Phase

Adjacent biogeoclimatic units: ICHmc1 and ICHmc2 at lower elevations;CWHws to the west; ESSFwv at higher elevations.

Elevation range: 750 - 1100 m.


Zonal site series:

01 HwBa - Bramble dominates the ICHmc1a landscape from lower to upperslopes. These stands have the appearance of coastal old growth. The overstory is a mixture of Hw and Ba, with occasional Bl or Sx. In the shrublayer there is usually abundant advance regeneration of Ba, together withhuckleberries, blueberries, and false azalea. The herb layer characteristicallyhas five-leaved bramble, bunchberry, and small twistedstalk. In addition to the usual ICH feathermosses (see ICHmc1/01, page 5 • 108), pipecleaner mossand lanky moss may be present. Soils are Podzols with relatively thick Morhumus forms on morainal, colluvial, and occasionally fluvial parent materials.

Two phases are recognized. The Submesic phase (01b) is rare, occurring only on the most extreme, dry ridgetops and steep upper slopes, on soils thatare either very shallow over bedrock or have a high coarse fragment content.This phase has a poorly developed shrub layer, poorer tree growth, and morered-stemmed feathermoss than the more typical Mesic phase (01a).

Drier sites: None described; small forested rocky knolls, similar to theICHmc1/02 may occur infrequently.

Fresh to wet sites: Similar to the ICHmc1/03 and 04.

02 HwBa - Oak fern is common and widespread on lower slopes throughoutthe ICHmc1a. Devil’s club occurs mixed with oval-leaved blueberry. Oak ferndominates the herb layer and feathermosses carpet the forest floor. Soils areOrthic and Gleyed Podzols with Mor humus forms.

03 HwBa - Devil’s club - Lady fern On mountainsides, this site series isrestricted to small pockets. Larger stands are found only on valley floors, andare often affected by cold air ponding. Bl is very common where the cold aireffect is pronounced. There is a lush growth of devil’s club, black gooseberry,lady fern, oak fern, and spiny wood fern. Blueberries, false azalea, andfeathermosses grow mainly on decaying wood. Soils are Gleysols or gleyedPodzols with seepage normally present within the top 40 cm of soil, with Moder or Mor humus forms.

Non-forested site units: None described.

Site Units

5 • 116

Seral associations: None described. Seral stands are rare in the ICHmc1aexcept where logging has taken place.

Comments: Some forest ecosystems within the ICHmc1a will not fit thedescriptions given here, but they are minor in extent. Please refer to theICHmc1 as required.

ICHmc1a

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ICH

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ICH

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ICHmc1a Site Series Flowchart

Site Units

5 • 120

MOIST AND

RICH FORESTSMoisture regime 4-6;

Nutrient regime C-E.

Seepage slopes and

receiving sites. Rich/

wet site indicators

prevalent.

DRY AND

FRESH

FORESTSMoisture regime 2-4;

Nutrient regime A-C.

Few rich/wet site

indicators present.

Devil’s club abundant. Ba, Hw, Bl, Sx stands. 03Lady fern, leafy mosses abundant. Soils notice- HwBa - Devil’sably mottled. club - Lady fern

Scattered devil’s club. Ba, Hw stands. No lady 02fern. Oak fern common. Leafy mosses and HwBa - Oak fernfeathermosses co-dominate. Soils with indistinctmottling.

Ba, Hw, (Bl) stands of average growth. Moder- 01aately developed shrub and herb layers. Step HwBa - Bramble;moss dominant. mesic phase

Densely stocked stands with poor growth. 01bPoorly developed shrub and herb layers. HwBa - Bramble;Feathermosses dominant. Soils very well submesic phasedrained, coarse textured, or on steep terrain.Ridge crests and upper slopes predominate.

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ICH

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ICHmc1a Environment Table

SoilSite moisture/ Slope %series Phase nutrients Slope position range Parent materiala

01 a) Mesic 4B-C upper - mid, (lower) 15 - 70 C, M

01 b) Submesic 2-3B-C 0 - 45 C, M, F

02b 4-5/C-D toe - level 0 - 35 C, L, M, F

03b 5-6/D-E toe 0 - 15 C, F, M


Site Units

5 • 122

Humus formSoil Soil depth (cm)particle sizea classificationa (min-mean-max) Important site features

L, KL, Ss HFP, FHP Mors Widespread on a broad range of more-6 - 13 - 27 or-less mesic sites.

L, S, Ss HFP, R Mors Relatively uncommon. Upper slopes3 - 8 - 12 and ridgecrests.

KLs, FL, C (s) HFP, MB Mors, Moders Fairly widespread on seepage slopes.(gleyed) 4 - 5 - 5

FL(s) gleyed DYB, Moders, Mors Restricted to sites receiving abundantHFP, R , G 18 seepage.

ICHmc1a

5 • 123

ICHmc2Moist Cold Subzone

Hazelton Variant

Adjacent biogeoclimatic units: ICHmc1 occurs to the north; SBSdk andSBSmc2 to the east; ESSFwv (and ESSFmc in the east) at higher elevations;CWHws at similar and higher elevations towards the coast.



Zonal site series:01 Hw - Step moss dominates the ICHmc2 landscape on a wide variety ofsoils, landforms, and slope positions with more-or-less average moisture andnutrient status. Zonal sites typically have a thick feathermoss carpet andinclude a diversity of tree species — Hw dominates, but scattered Cw, Pl, Sx,Bl, Ep, At, and Act are also common. Shrub and herb layers are usually poorlydeveloped, consisting of scattered blueberry, conifer regeneration, false azalea,bunchberry, and twinflower.Two variations of the zonal site series are recognized. The typical Hw (Cw)variation [01(1)] has Hw and Cw as climatic climax tree species and has fewshrubs or herbs; the BlSx variation [01(2)] is found in low-elevation, easternsections of the variant where the climate resembles the SBS zone. It has littleHw, no Cw, and a well-developed shrub layer with abundant Bl regeneration,black huckleberry, and thimbleberry. One often finds the 01(2) on valleybottoms with the 01(1) on adjacent (milder and moister) side slopes.There are also two phases. The Mesic (01a) phase occurs on mid and lowerslopes; the Submesic (01b) phase occurs on upper slopes and ridge crests withshallow or coarse-textured soils. The 01b tends to have smaller trees, more Pl,and fewer herbs and shrubs than the 01a.

Drier sites: One drier forested site series is recognized (in addition to theSubmesic 01b phase described above).02 HwPl - Kinnikinnick - Cladonia is relatively uncommon in the variant,occupying only the driest ridge crests, upper slopes, and gravelly terraces. These are almost pure stands of scattered, low-productivity Pl, maintained byintermittent fire. Characteristic understory herbs include dwarf blueberry,kinnikinnick, and cow-wheat. The forest floor is a mixture of red-stemmedfeathermoss and lichens (compare to 51, page 5•126). Soils are sandy andgravelly Humo-Ferric Podzols or Dystric Brunisols with thin Mor humus forms.

Fresh to wet sites: Six wetter forested site series are described.03 HwCw - Oak fern is common on slope positions where there is a slightaccumulation of seepage water. Hw and Cw are the dominant tree species; Bl,Sx, and Ep may also occur. The moderately well-developed understory hasscattered devil’s club, black gooseberry, highbush-cranberry, and thimbleberryin the shrub layer, and oak fern (the characteristic dominant), foamflower,queen’s cup, bunchberry, and clasping twistedstalk in the herb layer. The mosslayer is dominated by feathermosses. Soils may show some weak mottling at

Site Units

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depth. The 03 is differentiated from the wetter 04 by its low cover (< 20%) ofdevil’s club.

04 CwHw - Devil’s club - Oak fern is found on slopes where abundantseepage percolates through colluvium, or along small streams. These ecosystemsare usually characterized by large, widely spaced Hw, Cw, and Sx, abundantdevil’s club, and patches of other tall shrubs. The herb layer is dominated byoak fern and other rich-site indicators, and the moss layer includes bothfeathermosses and leafy mosses. The humus layer shows active faunaldecomposition (Moders), and the soils are gleyed, with abundant seepage, butgood aeration. Abundant devil’s club (> 20%) but no lady fern or enchanter’snightshade separates this unit from the drier 03 and the wetter 05.

05 Sx - Devil’s club - Lady fern is typically found in valley bottoms on slopetoes and level areas that are affected by cold air ponding. Sx and Bl rather thanHw and Cw usually dominate the tree layer; Ep is sometimes present. Theshrub layer is dominated by devil’s club together with Sitka alder,highbush-cranberry, black twinberry, thimbleberry, currants, gooseberries, andred-osier dogwood. Lady fern dominates the herb layer and enchanter’snightshade is an excellent indicator. The moss layer is patchy. Leafy mosses aredominant and feathermosses are generally restricted to elevated microsites.Soils are strongly gleyed, often with seasonally high water tables and thickhumus forms. A dominance of Sx and Bl in the canopy rather Hw and Cwdifferentiates,this unit from the closely related 04 site series.

06 ActSx - Dogwood floodplains are common along major rivers. Act isdominant and Sx and Cw are the most common subcanopy trees. There is a tall,well-developed shrub layer with red-osier dogwood, mountain alder, and blacktwinberry dominant, and a diverse herb layer with horsetails, enchanter’snightshade, and a variety of other herbs. Mosses are mostly absent except ondecaying wood. Soils are Regosols with less than 2 - 5 cm of surface organicmatter, little coloration or structure, and signs of past flooding such as bands ofsand or silt and buried organic layers. Soil drainage is usually good, but thewater table fluctuates seasonally.

07 CwSx - Horsetail - Skunk cabbage is relatively uncommon and standsare never very extensive. This site series occurs at the base of mountain slopes,in depressions on benches or terraces, and in abandoned stream back channelsor filled-in ponds. Dominant trees are Sx, Cw, and Bl, with Hw in thesubcanopy. Tree growth ranges from medium to poor, depending on sitenutrient status and the degree of soil aeration. Typical shrubs include mountainalder, false azalea, oval-leaved blueberry, black twinberry, highbush-cranberry,red-osier dogwood, and devil’s club. Horsetails, soft-leaved sedge, and skunkcabbage (absent in eastern portions of the variant) are excellent indicators ofthis site series. Feathermosses are found on mounds; leafy mosses andsphagnum in wet hollows. Soils are poorly drained Gleysols, Mesisols, andHumisols with thick, mucky organic layers in the hollows and Mors on mounds.

08 SbSx - Scrub birch - Sedge forested swamps are uncommon and restrictedto poorly drained depressions in major valleys. This unit represents nutrient-medium swamp forests, which tend to be more common in the ICHmc2 than aretrue bog forests. These forested wetlands often occur in a complex with non-forested bogs (31) and fens/marshes (32). The trees are small and stunted. Sbgenerally dominates over Sx; Pl may occur occasionally. The main shrubs arescrub birch, Labrador tea, and hardhack. The herb layer is dominated by sedges and swamp horsetail, and includes dwarf ericaceous species (bogcranberry, bog-rosemary, creeping-snowberry), and aquatic plants (marsh

ICHmc2

5 • 125

cinquefoil, buckbean) not found in upland forest. Soils are Organics, overlain bya thick, hummocky mat of sphagnum.

Non-forested site units:

Two very generalized non-forested units have been described in the ICHmc2:Non-forested bog (31) and Non-forested fen/marsh (32). See page 5 • 107for descriptions of these units.

Seral associations: Seral ecosystems, with little resemblance to the climaxforest communities described above, are widespread in low-elevation portions ofthe ICHmc2 surrounding areas of human settlement. These stands havedeveloped after relatively frequent or severe fires or other major disturbancessuch as land clearing. Site classification is difficult because the speciescomposition is extremely variable and usually reflects the history of disturbanceand recolonization more than it reflects the physical characteristics of the site.Although it is possible to classify these ecosystems according to their expectedclimax condition, succession to a conifer climax community will be lengthy onthese sites. Also, these seral ecosystems have quite different managementcharacteristics than the climax ecosystems (e.g., wildlife values, regenerationproblems, vegetation potential). Four seral associations are thereforerecognized:

51 $PlHw - Feathermoss represents submesic seral forests that would,without disturbance, eventually develop into the 01b site series. These standsare dominated by Pl, with Hw in the understory, and have a moderatelydeveloped shrub layer dominated by soopolallie, saskatoon, thimbleberry, andblack huckleberry. The moderately diverse herb layer contains a mixture of dry-and mesic-site indicators. There is a well-developed feathermoss carpetdominated by red-stemmed feathermoss and lacking reindeer lichens (compareto unit 02). This site series is usually found on dry ridges or glaciofluvialterraces.

52 $SxEp - Thimbleberry - Hazelnut represents an assortment of seralstands with more-or-less mesic moisture status, and dominantly coniferousoverstories (Sx, Pl, some Bl), often with a significant amount of Ep andoccasionally some At. Over a long period of uninterrupted natural succession,most would eventually develop into 01a forests. Hw and Cw may beregenerating in the understory, and these sites generally have well-developed,persistent shrub and herb understories (with thimbleberry, highbush-cranberry,wild sarsaparilla, purple peavine, and false Solomon’s-seal). Soils are well-drained Podzols, Brunisols, and Luvisols with Mor and Moder humus forms.

53 $AtEp - Dogwood includes deciduous-dominated seral stands, mostly onproductive, low-elevation, mesic to subhygric sites equivalent to the 03 siteseries. They have dense, tall shrub and herb layers, and almost no moss layer.Coniferous regeneration is sparse. They occur on a wide range of soils, butorganic layers are usually relatively nutrient-rich Moders formed from rapidlydecomposing deciduous leaf litter.

54 $SxEp - Devil’s club occurs on moist (subhygric-hygric) sites andrepresents the seral equivalent of the 04 (and possibly 05) site series. It iscommonly found in valley bottoms, often on sites with cold air ponding or asubboreal climatic influence. The dominant trees are Sx, Bl, and Ep rather thanHw and Cw. In addition to devil’s club and oak fern, the shrub/herb layersinclude many seral species typical of moist sites in the SBS zone (thimbleberry,

Site Units

5 • 126

highbush-cranberry, red-osier dogwood, prickly rose, baneberry, purple peavine,false Solomon’s-seal, sweet-cicely, and wild sarsaparilla). The moss layer is notwell developed, but feathermosses are most abundant. Soils have Moder humusforms and are often gleyed.

ICHmc2

5 • 127

ICH

mc2

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ICHmc2

5 • 129

ICH

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rid


Site Units

5 • 130

NON-FORESTED

WETLANDSTree cover < 10%

FLOODPLAIN

FORESTSStands on active river

floodplains.

DECIDUOUS-DOMINATED

SERAL FORESTSStands with a high

component of At or

Ep.

DRY FORESTSMoisture regime 0-3.

Usually on ridge

crests, upper slopes,

or terraces; thin and/

or coarse soils.

Sites dominated by sphagnum mosses, 31Labrador tea, and other ericaceous shrubs. Non-forested bog

Sedges and willows predominant. Sphagnum 32not dominant. Non-forested fen/

marsh

Act/Sx forests; thick red-osier dogwood and 06mountain alder understory. Regosols or ActSx - DogwoodBrunisols.

More-or-less mesic sites. Ep, Sx, and Pl co- 52dominate. Shrub layer vigorous. Moss layer $SxEp -moderately developed. Thimbleberry-

Hazelnut

Mesic - subhygric sites. Few conifers; At and 53Ep dominate. Shrub layers tall and vigorous; $AtEp - Dogwoodmoss layer very sparse.

Mesic/subhygric and rich. Moist seepage sites. 54Ep, At, Sx co-dominate. Devil’s club abundant. $SxEp - Devil’s

club

Very dry sites. Low-productivity Pl forests; 02kinnikinnick, dwarf blueberry, and cow- HwPl - Kinnikin-wheat abundant. Sparse shrub and herb layer. nick - CladoniaLichens co-dominate in moss layer.

Forests dominated by Pl with some At and 51Hw. Shrub/herb layer moderately well $PlHw -developed; soopolallie and saskatoon common; Feathermossfeathermosses dominant.

Hw dominant; Pl common. Shrub/herb layers 01bnearly absent. Thick feathermoss carpet. Hw - Step moss;

submesic phase

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ICHmc2

5 • 131

WET FORESTSMoisture regime 6-7.

Depressional or

receiving sites. Soils

Gleysols or Organics.

FRESH TO

MOIST FORESTSMoisture regime 4-5.

Stands not noticeably

dry or very wet. Tree

growth medium to

good.

Tree growth medium to good. Skunk cabbage 07and/or horsetails abundant. Scattered devil’s CwSx - Horsetail -club. Leafy mosses common. Level and Skunk cabbagedepressional sites.

Forests with large Sx, Cw, or Bl. Devil’s club, 05mountain alder, and lady fern abundant; Sx - Devil’s club -leafy mosses common. Seepage sites. Lady fern

Stunted Sb/Sx forests. Scrub birch, mountain 08alder, and sedges abundant. Sphagnum mosses SbSx - Scrub birchdominant. Depressions, cold air drainage - Sedgesites.

Cw/Sx/(Hw) forests with good growth. Devil’s 05club, mountain alder, and lady fern Sx - Devil’s club -abundant; leafy mosses common. Seepage Lady fernsites; soils distinctly mottled.

Hw/Cw forests with good growth. Devil’s club 04abundant. Little or no lady fern. Leafy mosses CwHw - Devil’sco-dominate with feathermosses. Soils mottled. club - Oak fern

Hw/Cw forests with good growth. Scattered 03devil’s club; oak fern abundant. Minor HwCw - Oak ferncomponent of leafy mosses. Soils with weak orno mottling.

Hw/(Cw) forests with average growth. Poorly 01adeveloped shrub and herb layers; no oak fern. Hw - Step moss;leafy mosses absent or rare. No mottling. mesic phase

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ICHmc2 Environment TableSoil

Site moisture/ Slope % Parentseries Phase nutrients Slope position range materiala

01 a) Mesic 4(5)B-C upper - level, mostly 0 - 90 M, C, F, (FG)mid

01 b) Submesic 3/B-C crest - mid, level 0 - 50 M, FG, C

02b 1-2/A-C crest, level 0 - 25 R, FG

03 4-5/C-D(E) mid - toe (level) 0 - 70 M, F, (FG)

04 5/D-E mid - depressions 0 - 40 M, F, L

05 (5)-6/(C) mid - depressions 0 - 10 M, F, L

06 4-6/E level 0 - 5 F (active)

07 6-7/C-E lower - depressions 0 - 10 O, F, L, M

08 7/C-E depressions, level 0 O

31 7+/A-B depressions 0 O

32 7+/C-E depressions, level 0 - 5 O

51 3/A-C level, upper - crest 0 - 20 FG, M, Cv/R

52 3-5B-D upper - lower, level 0 - 45 M, FG, F

53 4-5/C-D upper - lower, level 0 - 35 M, F, FG

54 4-5/D-E lower - toe, (level) 0 - 20 M, F


Site Units

5 • 134


L - KL, S; (s) HFP, DYB, GL Mors Includes a broad range of more-or-less1 - 10 - 28 mesic sites and soils.

KLs, S(s, f), HFP, DYB Mors Soils often gravelly or rocky.FL(s) 5 - 10 - 17

KLs - Ss; (f) HFP, DYB Mors Rapidly drained, nutrient-poor soils.3 - 5

FL, S DYB, EB, GL, Moders, Mors Sites receive some seepage.HFP; (gleyed) 5 - 11 - 26

C, FL, S (s, f) G, R, DYB, GL; Moders (Mors) Abundant seepage.gleyed 5 - 14 - 36

C, FL; (s) G, DYB Moders High water tables, but well-aeratedgleyed, (H) 6 - 16 - 40 soils.

F$, S (s) R Moders Active floodplains; seasonally fluctuat-0 - 3 ing water tables; soils freely drained.

FC, S G, M, H Moders, Mulls Poorly drained mineral and organic2 - 18 - 48+ soils with poor aeration.

-- M, F, H peaty “O” horizons Acidic sphagnum/sedge-derived peat.>60 cm

-- M, F, H peaty “O” horizons Soils too wet for tree growth.> 1m

-- M, H, F, G peaty “O” horizons Soils too wet for tree growth.> 1m

FL, L, KL, Ss; DYB Mors Mostly river terraces. Recent fire(f) 3 - 5 - 8 history. Equivalent to 01b.

FC, L, KL S; DYB, GL, HFP Moders, Mors Equivalent sites to 01a.(s) 5 - 9 - 14

FL, L, KL, S; HFP, DYB, GL, Moders Includes a wide range of(s) (R) 4 - 7 - 10 deciduous-dominated sites.

FL, L, KL; (s) EB, GL, R Moders Rich sites with moderate seepage.(gleyed) 5 - 10 - 30

ICHmc2

5 • 135

ICHvcVery Wet Cold Subzone

Adjacent biogeoclimatic units: ICHmc1 in the south; ICHwc in the north;ESSFwv at higher elevations.



Zonal site series:

01 HwBl - Devil’s club. Because the ICHvc is cool and moist year-round witha heavy and long-lasting snowpack, moisture-loving species such as devil’s cluband oak fern occur on zonal ecosystems. These species occur together with blackhuckleberry, oval-leaved and Alaskan blueberry, false azalea, five-leaved bramble,and feathermosses. Two variations of the zonal ecosystem occur: the 01(1) Hwvariation has Hw as the dominant tree species — it is found on middle slopepositions that are unaffected by cold air ponding; the 01(2) Bl variation has Blas the dominant tree species — it is found in portions of the landscape (lowerslopes and valley bottoms) affected by cold air ponding and later snowmelt.Generally, shrub and herb layers are more lush in 01(2). Soils are well-drainedPodzols and Brunisols that remain moist throughout the growing season.

Drier sites: Due to climatic factors, there are few truly dry ecosystems in theICHvc. Only one drier forested site series is described.

02 Hw - Step moss is found on most drier-than-mesic sites, typically upperslopes and ridge tops with coarse-textured or shallow soils. It is characterizedby lack or scarcity of devil’s club and oak fern. Feathermosses are alwaysdominant, and blueberries, huckleberries, and false azalea are usuallyabundant. The 02 also has two variations: the 02(1) Hw variation and the02(2) Bl variation. As in the 01 site series, these two variations tend to reflectthe degree of cold air drainage and thus occupy different positions in thelandscape. Other than their dominant tree species, they have very similarvegetation characteristics. Hm is common in the 02(1) at higher elevations.Soils are typically well- to rapidly drained Podzols.

Moist to wet sites: Four forested site series that are wetter than mesic aredescribed.

03 Sx - Devil’s club is found on the moisture-receiving, lower slope positionsthat cover a significant percentage of the ICHvc1 landscape. These forests havelarge, open-grown Bl and Sx. Devil’s club, oak fern, and spiny wood fern are thecharacteristic understory species, but in this site series there are relatively fewblueberries or huckleberries, and leafy mosses rather than feathermossesdominate the forest floor (compare to 01 above). This unit may be confused withthe wetter 04 site series, but low cover of red-osier dogwood and horsetails, andmid to lower slope postion are factors that can be used to differentiate the 03from the 04.

Two phases are recognized. The Fluvial phase (03a) occurs on small fluvialfans and terraces with sandy-textured Podzols and Regosols; the Morainal

Site Units

5 • 136

phase (03b) occurs on glacial till (and sometimes lacustrine or colluvialdeposits) with loamy or finer-textured Podzols and Luvisols that occasionallyshow some gleying.

04 Sx - Devil’s club - Dogwood is another site series characterized by devil’sclub. The 04 is somewhat wetter and richer than the 03 and is found only invalley bottoms on high bench (but active) floodplains adjacent to larger streams and rivers. The vegetation is very similar to the 03, but a high cover of red-osier dogwood and horsetails is more characteristic of the 04 site series.The 05 site series also occurs on active floodplains, but there is a dominance ofAct on these sites. 04 sites support productive ecosystems with freely drained(but occasionally gleyed) Regosolic, Brunisolic, or Luvisolic soils and fairly thinhumus layers (compare to 06 below).

05 ActSx - Dogwood forests occur on the active floodplains (medium to lowerbenches) of larger rivers and on the toe of larger fluvial fans. They usually flood annually. Act is dominant and Bl and Sx are scattered in the subcanopy.Shrub layers are tall and well developed and feature Sitka alder, red-osierdogwood, and some devil’s club. Characteristic herb-layer species are pinkwintergreen, one-sided wintergreen, oak fern, lady fern, and horsetails. Thesoils are mainly freely drained Regosols. An abundance of Act in the canopydistinguishes this unit from all others.

06 Sx - Horsetail is found on low-lying sites with fluctuating high watertables. The 06 is restricted to the margins of swamps, wetlands, and lakes, and is relatively uncommon. Sx and Bl are the dominant trees, blueberries(growing on mounds) are the dominant shrub, and horsetails (together with oak fern and lady fern) are the dominant herbs. The moss layer is often patchy and features leafy and ragged mosses. Soils are gleyed Regosols andLuvisols, and Gleysols with fairly thick humus forms. The wet soils, abundance of horsetails, and relative scarcity of devil’s club (<5%) distinguishthis site series from the 03 and 04.

Non-forested site units: Three non-forested site series are described for theICHvc. One is the Non-forested fen/marsh (31), which is uncommon in thesubzone. A description of this unit can be found on page 5 • 107.

Two alder-dominated ecosystems are widespread in the ICHvc. The successional history of these alder thickets is unclear, but their occurrence isundoubtedly related to the exceptionally deep and long-lasting snowpack of theICHvc.

51 $Sitka alder - Devil’s club warrants separate recognition as a site seriesin the ICHvc because it is so prevalent. Some of these units are created andmaintained by recurring avalanches on concave mountain slopes and gullies,but many others occur in landscape positions where avalanches are unlikely.Sitka alder, devil’s club, red elderberry, and salmonberry are the characteristicshrubs. There is a lush herb layer with ferns, twistedstalks, and violets, andvirtually no moss layer. These are highly productive ecosystems with abundantseepage and often thick, turfy humus layers.

52 $Mountain alder - Lady fern ecosystems are distinguished from slidealder thickets (51) by their slope position (wet depressions in the bottoms ofgullies and adjacent to creeks and lakes) and their dominant species (mountain alder rather than Sitka alder). Horsetails, bluejoint, and skunkcabbage (where present) are also good indicators of this wet unit. Soils areGleysols and gleyed Regosols with thick, often saturated, humus layers.

ICHvc

5 • 137

ICH

vc L

and

scap

e P

rofi

lea

Site Units

5 • 138

aT

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x 3.

Sit

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01 H

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Mou

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(Wet

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ICHvc

5 • 139

ICH

vc E

dat

opic

Gri

d

ICHvc Site Series Flowchart

Site Units

5 • 140

NON-FORESTED

WETLANDSTree cover < 10%

ALDER -DOMINATED

ECOSYSTEMSTree cover < 10%

FLOODPLAIN

FORESTSStands on activefloodplains and

fluvial fans.

VERY MOIST TO


Depressions or

receiving sites. Soils

Gleysols or Organics.

DRY TO MOIST

FORESTSMoisture regime 1-5.

Tree growth poor to

good.

Site dominated by willows and sedges. 31Non-forested fen/marsh

Avalanche tracks and sidehill thickets. Sitka 51alder dominant; devil’s club abundant. $Sitka alder -

Devil’s club

Level and depression areas with high water table. 52Mountain alder dominant; red-osier dogwood $Mountain alder -abundant. Lady fern

Act-dominated stands; dense understory of red- 05osier dogwood, devil’s club, and Sitka alder; ActSx - Dogwoodlittle or no moss layer.

Coniferous canopy; Act absent or rare; dense 04understory of dogwood and devil’s club; Sx - Devil’s club -moss layer moderately developed. Dogwood

Tree growth moderate to good. Horsetails 06abundant; lady fern, foamflower, oval-leaved Sx - Horsetailblueberry, and leafy mosses common. Level anddepressional sites.

Productive forests. Devil’s club abundant; leafy 03mosses dominant. Seepage slopes and level Sx - Devil’s clubareas; mottling evident.

Productive forests. Devil’s club abundant; moss 01layer dominated by feathermosses. HwBl - Devil’s

club

No devil’s club. Drier ecosystems (SMR 1-3) 02with poor to moderate growth. Herb layer Hw - Step mosssparse. Soils well drained; no gleying.

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ICHvc

5 • 141

ICH

vc V

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ICHvc Environment Table


01 (4)-5/B-D upper - lower 5 - 70 M, C, FG

02 1-3(4)/A-C crest - mid (level) 0 - 80 Mv/R, Cv/R, FG,M

03 a) Fluvial 4-5/D-E level, mid - lower 0 - 20 F

03 b) Morainal 4-5/C-D mid - depressions 0 - 65 M, (L, C)

04 4-6/D-E level 0 - 2 F (active), Lv/F

05 4-6/E level (mid) 0 - 5 F (active)

06 6-7/C-E level, depressions 0 - 2 F (L, M)

31 7+/C-E level, depressions 0 O

51 4-6/D-E mid - depressions 3 - 50 M, C, F

52 6-7/C-E depressions, level 0 F (M)

a Codes are described in Section 3.2.2, page 3 • 8.

Site Units

5 • 142


FL - S (s,f) HFP, FHP, DYB Mors Soils moist but well to moderately well4 - 9 - 18 drained.

FLs - Ss (f) HFP (R) Mors Rapidly drained sites on gravelly or2 - 6 - 12 shallow soils.

FL - S (s,f) DYB, R, (HFP, Mors, Moders Better drained, coarser-textured soilsGL) 2 - 9 - 23 than 03b.

C - KL (s,f) FHP, HFP, GL; Mors, Moders Finer-textured, often more poorly(gleyed) 4 - 9 - 24 drained soils than 03a.

FC - S (s,f) R, DYB, GL; Mors, Moders Productive, active (high bench) fluvial(gleyed) 4 - 6 - 7 sites.

FL - S R, (G) Mors, Moders Active floodplains (medium to low2 - 6 - 12 bench).

FC - Ss R, G, GL; Mors High water table. Poorly aerated soils.gleyed 6 - 11 - 14

-- RG, F, H, M Moders, Mors Too wet for tree growth.often > 40 cm

FL - S SB, HG, HFP Mors Results from disturbances such as8 - 10 - 12 avalanches, blowdown, or fire.

FC - S G, R; gleyed Mors, Moders Too wet for tree growth.5 - 17 - 32 High water table.

ICHvc

5 • 143

ICHwcWet Cold Subzone

Adjacent biogeoclimatic units: ICHvc to the south; BWBSdk1 to the north;CWHwm in coastal valleys to the west; ESSFwv at higher elevations; some SBS(undifferentiated) to the north along the Stikine River.



Zonal site series:01 HwBl - Oak fern is widespread on mid to lower slopes and level sites on awide variety of landforms. Zonal forests are characterized by closed stands ofHw, with Bl and scattered Sx. Blueberries, black huckleberry, false azalea, andscattered devil’s club compose the shrub layer. The most common herb speciesare bunchberry, five-leaved bramble, oak fern, and one-sided wintergreen. Thewell-developed moss layer is dominated by red-stemmed feathermoss and stepmoss.

Drier sites: Two drier forested site series are described.02 HwPl - Feathermoss - Cladonia is uncommon and is only found on thevery driest sites such as ridge crests, glaciofluvial benches, and recent lavaflows (e.g., Iskut Canyon). Trees are well-spaced, stunted Hw and Pl (<50%cover). Understory species are similar to the 03 but cover and stature are lower.Heron’s-bill moss, soopolallie, and kinnikinnick are good indicators.03 Hw - Step moss is a very common ecosystem on upper and mid-slope sitesthat are slightly drier and poorer than zonal. The tree cover is dominated byHw with occasional Bl, Sx, or Pl. The understory is usually sparse with a thickcarpet of feathermosses. Blueberries, black huckleberry, and false azaleadominate in the shrub layer; bunchberry, prince’s pine, and five-leaved brambleare scattered in the herb layer. This unit is differentiated from the 02 by lack ofheron’s-bill moss and by having a low cover of Pl and better tree growth. Lack ofdevil’s club and oak fern distinguish the 03 from the 01.

Fresh to wet sites: Five wetter forested site series are described.04 HwBl - Devil’s club is widespread and extensive in the subzone on lowerslope sites that are slightly moister and richer than zonal. The tree cover isdominantly Hw with a minor component of Sx and Bl. Moist conditions arereflected in the high cover of devil’s club and oak fern and the presence ofthimbleberry — species that have much lower cover in the 01. Large ferns suchas lady fern and spiny wood fern are absent or rare (in contrast to 05). The mosslayer includes ragged and leafy mosses as well as feathermosses. Soils withslight seepage or mottling at depth are common.05 Sx - Devil’s club is common on lower to toe slope positions receivingabundant seepage. It is typified by mixed Hw/Sx stands with a fairly opencanopy and good vigour. Shrub layers have a heavy cover of devil’s club andoften include black gooseberry, red elderberry, red-osier dogwood, andhighbush-cranberry. The lush herb layer is dominated by oak fern, spiny woodfern, and lady fern — the latter two species distinguish this unit from the drier

Site Units

5 • 144

04 site series. Horsetails are rare. The moss layer is not well developed and isdominated by ragged and leafy mosses.

06 ActSx - Dogwood occupies fairly large areas of valley bottom adjacent tostreams and rivers. These ecosystems are exposed to cold air drainage andperiodic flooding. The vigorous tree canopy is dominated by Act (the diagnosticfeature of this unit), together with Sx and Bl. Hw is rare. The well-developedshrub layer is dominated by devil’s club, red-osier dogwood, mountain alder,and highbush-cranberry. Horsetails dominate the diverse herb layer. There islittle moss. The soils are generally well-drained Brunisols or Gleysols onimperfectly drained sites.

07 HwSx - Blueberry - Sphagnum represents poorly growing stands of Sx,Hw, and Bl occupying small wet depressions subject to cold air ponding. Thewell-developed shrub layer is dominated by blueberries, false azalea, andmountain alder, with scattered Labrador tea. The most prominent herb-layerspecies include bunchberry, horsetails, oak fern, sedges, and five-leavedbramble. There is a thick moss layer including red-stemmed feathermoss,sphagnum, liverworts, and leafy mosses. The soils are mostly Organics,Gleysols, or gleyed Podzols with a high water table and a thick, saturatedorganic layer.

08 Sx - Horsetail is uncommon and usually occupies narrow bands at the toeof slopes, in depressions, and along sluggish streams. Forests are open, mixedstands of Sx, Bl, and Hw. Horsetail is characteristic. Soils are poorly drainedGleysols (sometimes Organics) with saturated mucky humus forms. This siteseries can be distinguished from the 06 (which also has abundant horsetail) byits poorer tree growth, lack of red-osier dogwood and highbush-cranberry, andgreater abundance of feathermosses and sphagnum. It is distinguished from the07 by the presence of devil’s club, black gooseberry, and foamflowers, and itslack of Labrador tea and lower cover of sphagnum.

Non-forested site units: Non-forested bog (31) and Non-forested fen/marsh (32) are scattered throughout the ICHwc. See page 5 • 107. Two alder-dominated, non-forested seral associations are recognized:

51 $Sitka alder - Devil’s club develops on steep valley sides where frequentavalanches prevent mature tree cover from establishing. The dense shrub layeris characterized by devil’s club, salmonberry, Sitka alder, and red elderberry.Ferns dominate the herb layer. Soils are mostly well- to imperfectly drainedHumo-Ferric Podzols with Moder humus forms.

52 $Mountain alder - Lady fern develops in swampy locations in valleybottoms where Sx -Horsetail ecosystems would be expected if the dense shrubcover ever opened up sufficiently for trees to become established. Mountainalder, rather than Sitka alder, makes up the shrub layer. Soils are saturatedOrganics and Humic Gleysols.

Comments: The area around Bob Quinn Lake (from Ningunsaw River to Devil’sLake) is dominated by seral stands and has such a distinct flora that a separatephase, the Bob Quinn phase [ICHwc(a)], has been proposed. In this area, Hw isgenerally absent, devil’s club is uncommon, soils are Luvisols rather thanPodzols, and the understory of mature forests contains species such as roses,snowberries, and meadowrue, which are normally associated with boreal orsub-boreal climates. This area has a history of frequent fire and probably has acolder, drier climate than the rest of the ICHwc.

ICHwc

5 • 145

ICH

wc

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App

endi

x 3.

Sit

e S

erie

s

01 H

wB

l -

Oak

fer

n

02 H

wP

l -

Fea

ther

mos

s -

Cla

don

ia

03 H

w -

Ste

p m

oss

04 H

wB

l -

Dev

il’s

clu

b

05 S

x -

Dev

il’s

clu

b

51 $

Sit

ka a

lder

-D

evil

’s c

lub

(Moi

st t

hic

ket)

06 A

ctS

x -

Dog

woo

d (F

lood

plai

n)

07 H

wS

x -

Blu

eber

ry -

Sph

agn

um

08 S

x -

Hor

seta

il

52 $

Mou

nta

in a

lder

-L

ady

fern

(wet

th

icke

t)

31 N

on-f

ores

ted

bog

32 N

on-f

ores

ted

fen

/mar

sh

aR

elat

ive

and

actu

al S

MR

are

def

ined

in

App

endi

ces

6 an

d 7.

ICHwc

5 • 147

ICH

wc

Ed

atop

ic G

rid

ICHwc Site Series Flowchart

Site Units

5 • 148

NON-FORESTED

WETLANDSTree cover < 10%.

ALDER-DOMI-NATED SERAL

ECOSYSTEMSTree cover < 10%.

FRESH TO

MOIST FORESTSMoisture regime 3-5.

Sites not clearly dry

or wet.

FLOODPLAIN

FORESTS

VERY MOIST TO


Level/depressional

areas.

Saturated Organic or

Gleysolic soils.

DRY FORESTSMoisture regime 1-2.

Most commonly on

very coarse parent

materials, or on ridge

crests and upper

slopes.

Sites dominated by sphagnum, Labrador tea, 31 Non-forestedand other ericaceous shrubs. bog

Sites dominated by sedges and willows; 32 Non-forestedsphagnum mixed with other mosses. fen/marsh

Moist, sloping sites. Thickets of Sitka alder, 51devil’s club, salmonberry, and red elderberry. $Sitka alder -Soils well to imperfectly drained. Devil’s club

Wet, swampy depression. Thickets of moun- 52 $Mountaintain alder. Soils poorly drained. alder - Lady fern

Act-dominated forests. Dense tall shrub layer; 06 ActSx -red-osier dogwood abundant. Dogwood

Very dry Hw/Pl forests with poor growth. 02 HwPl -Curly heron’s-bill moss abundant; scattered Feathermoss -lichens. Cladonia

Dry, Hw-dominated forests. Thick feathermoss 03carpet; lichens not abundant. Hw - Step moss

Sx/Hw/Bl forests with poor growth. Blueber- 07 HwSx -ries. Labrador tea in shrub layer. Devil’s club, Blueberry -lady fern absent or rare. Sphagnum common. Sphagnum

Open Hw/Sx/Bl forests with moderate to good 08growth. Horsetails dominant. Devil’s club Sx - Horsetailcommon; lady fern rare. Feathermosses andleafy mosses abundant; sphagnum uncommon.

Hw-dominated forests with poor to moderate 03growth. Devil’s club absent or rare; blueber- Hw - Step mossries dominant. Feathermosses only.

Hw-dominated forests with moderate growth. 01Devil’s club, blueberries, and oak fern HwBl - Oak ferncommon. Feathermosses only. No mottling.

Hw-dominated forests of moderate to good 04growth. Diverse shrub/herb layers with devil’s HwBl - Devil’sclub and oak fern abundant. Large ferns clubabsent or rare. Some ragged and leafymosses. Some seepage or mottling.

Open Sx/Hw forests with good growth. Devil’s 05club dominant; lady fern common. Leafy, Sx - Devil’s clubragged mosses co-dominate with feathermosses.

Sx/Hw/Bl forests with poor growth. Blue ber- 07 HwSx -ries, Labrador tea in shrub layer. Devil’s club, Blueberry -lady fern absent or rare. Sphagnum common. Sphagnum

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➔

aP

rom

inen

ce b

ars

are

desc

ribe

d in

Sec

tion

3.2

.2, p

age

3 •

6.

bL

imit

ed d

ata;

un

it d

escr

ibed

fro

m f

ewer

th

an t

hre

e pl

ots.

ICHwc

5 • 149

ICH

wc

Veg

etat

ion

Tab

lea

ICHwc Environment Table


01 4/C(D) mid - lower, level 0 - 90 M, C, (F, E)

02 1-2/A-C crest - level 0 - 20 R, C (M, FG)

03 2-4/B-C upper - mid, level 0 - 80 M, C (F, E, R)

04 4-5/(C)D-E lower 3 - 60 F, M, E (C)

05 5/(C)D-E lower - toe 0 - 70 F, M, (E, C)

06 4-6/E level 0 - 5 F

07 (5)6-7/A-B depressions 0 O (M)

08 6-7/(C)-E depressions, level 0 - 50 O, F, M

31 7/A-B depressions 0 O

32b 7/C-E depressions 0 O

51b 4-5/ mid - upper 40 - 90 C, M, (D)(C)D(E)

52b 6-7/C-E depressions 0 O (M) (F)

a Codes are described in Section 3.2.2, page 3 • 8.

b Limited data; unit described from fewer than three plots.

Site Units

5 • 150


FL(s) - KL(s) HFP, (FHP) Mors Widespread on a variety of landforms(FO, GL) 5 - 9 - 21 with more-or-less mesic moisture regime.

FLs - KLs, Ss HFP, DYB Mors Restricted to very dry shallow, gravelly3 - 5 - 14 soils. Iskut lava beds.

FL(s) - KL(s) HFP (FHP) Mors Typically occurs on shedding sites3 - 6 - 9 upslope of 01.

FL(s) - KL(s), HFP (FHP), Mors, moders Intermittent seepage within 40 cm of soil(s) (DYB) (gleyed) 3 - 6 - 10 surface.

FL(s) - KL(s) HFP,FHP,DYB, Moders, mors Seepage always present within 40 cm of(HP,G); gleyed. 2 - 11 - 28 soil surface.

S, FL G (DYB) Moders, Mulls, Mors Active floodplain sites only. Seasonally0 - 3 - 5 fluctuating water tables.

-- HG, H, M, F, peaty “O” horizons Bog forest. Cold air drainage sites.HFP; gleyed > 30 cm

F, KL(s) G, GL, H, M, FO Moders, Mors Saturated, poorly aerated soils along4 - 14 - 30 sluggish streams.

-- F, M peaty “O” horizons Non-forested bogs. Soils too wet and>1 m cold for tree growth.

-- H peaty “O” horizons Non-forested fens/marshes. Soils too wet>1 m and cold for tree growth.

FL, KL HFP (G, DYB) Moders Avalanche tracks and late snow areas.< 5 cm Nutrient-rich, friable soils.

F M, HG, (H) Mulls, Moders Wet, saturated depressions.5 - 30+ cm

ICHwc

5 • 151

Site Units

5 • 152

lmh26 intro · 2003. 4. 10. · title: lmh26 intro author: donna lindenberg created date: 8/18/2000...

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