4.1 CDFmm - Moist Maritime Coastal Douglas-fir Subzone · 46 4.1 CDFmm - Moist Maritime Coastal Douglas-fir Subzone DISTRIBUTION: The CDFmm is restricted to low elevations along southeast

46

4.1 CDFmm - Moist Maritime Coastal Douglas-firSubzone

DISTRIBUTION: The CDFmm is restricted to low elevations alongsoutheast Vancouver Island from Bowser to Victoria, the Gulf Islandssouth of Cortes Island, and a narrow strip along the Sunshine Coast nearHalfmoon Bay. Elevational limits range from sea level to approximately150 m.

CLIMATE (Table 19): The CDFmm lies in the rainshadow of theVancouver Island and Olympic mountains resulting in warm, drysummers and mild, wet winters. Growing seasons are very long andfeature pronounced water deficits on zonal and drier sites. The CDFmmrepresents the mildest climate in Canada.

VEGETATION (Table 15): Forests on zonal sites are dominated by Fd, aswell as Bg and Cw. The understorey is dominated by salal, dull Oregon-grape, ocean-spray, and Kindbergia oregana. Less prominent speciesinclude baldhip rose, snowberry, western trumpet honeysuckle, vanilla-leaf, and Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus. Drier sites are characterized by thepresence of Garry oak and arbutus, as well as numerous members of thelily family.

DISTINGUISHING ADJACENT UNITS FROM THE CDFmm (using zonalsites)

CWHxm - occurs adjacent and above; it has:• common Hw• rare Bg• less salal and ocean-spray• rare dogwood, snowberry, and Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus• rare Garry oak; less arbutus on drier sites• rare Indian plum on wet/rich sites

NOTES ON CLASSIFICATION: The CDFmm is the only subzone recognizedin the CDF zone in British Columbia.

Source publication

LMH 28

TREE

LAYER

SHRUB

LAYER

HERB

LAYER

MOSS LAYER

Pseudotsuga menziesii Thuja plicata

Abies grandis Acer macrophyllurn

Cornus nuttallii Tsuga heterophylla

Abies amabilis Chamaecyparis nootkatensis

Tsuga mertensiana Arbutus menziesii

Gaultheria shallon Mahonia nervosa

Vaccinium parvifolium Rubus ursinus

Rosa gymnocarpa Holodiscus discolor

Symphoricarpos mollis Lonicera ciliosa

Symphoricarpos albus Chimaphila umbellata

Vaccinium alaskaense Acer circinatum

Vaccinium membranaceum Vaccinium ovalifolium

Philadelphus lewisii Linnaea borealis

Polystichum munitum Pteridium aquilinum

Trientalis latifolia Achlys triphylla

Blechnum spicant Clintonia uniflora

Cornus canadensis Rubus pedatus

Hylocomium splendens Kindbergia oregana

Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus Plagiothecium undulatum

Rhytidiadelphus loreus Rhytidiopsis robusta

Douglas-fir western redcedar grand fir bigleaf maple western flowering dogwood western hemlock amabilis fir yellow-cedar mountain hemlock arbutus

salal dull Oregon-grape red huckleberry trailing blackberry baldhip rose ocean spray trailing snowberry western trumpet honeysuckle common snowberry prince's pine Alaskan blueberry vine maple black huckleberry oval-leaved blue berry mock-orange twinflower sword fern bracken

vanilla leaf broad-leaved starflower

deer fern queen's cup bunchberry five-leaved bramble step moss Oregon beaked moss electrified cat's tail moss flat moss lanky moss pipecleaner moss

Biogeoclimatic Unit CDFmm CWHdm CWHmm1 CWHmm2 CWHxm1 CWHxm2 TA

BLE

15. Vegetation table for zonal sites of sum

mer-dry m

aritime

biogeoclimatic units

39

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LMH 28

Biogeoclimatic unit

Number of stations Name of reference

Elevation of reference station (m) Mean annual range precipitation (m) ref. stn.

May to September range precipitation (mm) ref: stn.

Total mean range annual snowfall (cm) ref. stn.

Mean annual range temperature (°C) ref. stn.

Mean temperature of range the coldest month (°C) ref. stn.

Extreme minimum range temperature (°C) ref. stn.

Mean temperature of range the warmest month (°C) ref. stn.

Extreme maximum range temperature (°C) ref. stn.

Growing degree-days range > 5 (°C) ref. stn.

Frost-free period range (days) ref. stn.

station

CDFmm

52a

Victoria Airport

17 636 to 1263

873 105 to 272

142 17 to 92

50 8.8 to 10.5

9.5 1.6 to 5 . 0

3.1 -7.8 to -21 .7

- 15.6 15.1 to 18.0

10.327.8 to 40.6

36.1 1728 to 2163

18 63 155 to 304

201

a Temperature data based on 34 stations. Temperature data based on 21 stations. Temperature data based on 51 stations.

b

c

CWHdm

48b

N . Vancouver Cloverly

79 1367 to 2412

1860 280 to 525

397 45 to 177

88 8.7 to 10.3

10.0 0.5 to 3.4

2.4 -10.6 to -25.0

-17.816.6 to 18.5

17.6 3 1.7 to 40.0

33.3 1829 to 2165

2088 171 to 270

222

CWHxm

76 c

Cumberland

159 1100 to 2721

1570 160 to 565

243 26 to 234

171 7.8 to 10.7

8.7 -05 to 3.9

0.9 -13.5 to -25.6

-20.6 14.2 to 18.7

16.9 29.4 to 43.9

43.9 1498 to 2330

1723 137 to 244

153

TA

BLE

19. Clim

atic data for certain summ

er-dry maritim

ebiogeoclim

atic subzones

44

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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


LMH 28

FLOODPLAINS

Grids No: 22-24

High Bench

Medium Bench

Low Bench

High Bench

Medium Bench

Low Bench

High Bench

Medium Bench

Low Bench

Grid No. 22

CDFmm

07 Cw - Snowberry

08 Act - Red-osier dogwood

09 Act - Willow

Medium to very rich soil nutrient regime

Grid No. 23

CWHdm, CWHds1, CWHxm

08 Ss - Salmonberry


10 Act - Willow


Grid No. 24

CWHds2

08 Ss - Salmonberry


10 Act - Willow



LMH 28

SPECIAL SITES

SITES WITH STRONGLY

FLUCTUATING WATER TABLES

Grids No: 31 - 32

Grid No. 31 Relative Winter

SMR SMR CDFmm

Summer

SMR

5f VM

6f W

7f VW

12 Cw - Vanilla-leaf

I 13 Cw - Indian-plum

14 Cw - Slough sedge

SD

F

M


Grid No. 32 Relative Winter Summer

SMR SMR CWHdm, CWHxm SMR

5f VM

6f W

7f VW

13 Cw - Salmonberry

14 Cw - Black twinberry

15 Cw - Slough sedge

F

M

VM


125


LMH 28

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


LMH 28

136

Comments: Grid No. 1 CDFmm

GENERAL COMMENTS:

• high hazard for laminated root rot; moderate hazard for Armillaria root rot

• where recommended on the grid, Pl is an alternative to Fd on sites affected bylaminated root rot

SPECIFIC COMMENTS:

01 Pl is an alternative to Fd on nutrient very poor to poor sites; Bg is a suitableminor species on nutrient-medium sites; Cw can function as non-crop (nurse)species

02 marginal sites for timber production; Pl is an alternative to Fd on nutrientvery poor to poor sites

03 marginal sites for timber production; Pl is an alternative to Fd on the driestsites

04 n/a

05 n/a

06 n/a

10 marginal sites for timber production; elevated microsites are preferred

11 elevated microsites are preferred

Soil nutrient regime

Very Poor Poor Medium Rich Rich

A B C D E

VD 0

VD 1

MD 2

MD 3

MD 4

SD 5

F 6

W 7

See comments on facing page

* See grid # 22 for site series 07 - 0 9 * * See grid # 31 for site series 1 2 - 14

Site series

01 Fd - Salal 05 CwFd - Kindbergia

02 FdPl - Arbutus 06 CwBg - Foamflower

03 Fd - Oniongrass 10 Pl - Sphagnum

04 FdBg - Oregon grape 11 Cw - Skunk cabbage

Very

SPECIAL SITES

FLOODPLAINS

Grid No. 22 - 23

Grid No. 22

CDFmm

High Bench

Medium Bench

Low Bench

High Bench

Medium Bench

Low Bench

07 FdBgCw Act

08 BgCw Act or Dr

09 Act



Grid No. 23


08 BgCw Act or Dr

09 BgCw Act or [Dr]

10 Act



Site series

CDFmm CWHxm, CWHdm, CWHds1

07 Cw - Snowberry 08 Ss - Salmonberry

08 Act - Red-osier dogwood 09 Act - Red-osier dogwood

09 Act - Willow 10 Act - Willow 179


LMH 28

SPECIAL SITES

SITES W I T H STRONGLY

FLUCTUATING WATER TABLES

Grid No. 31 - 32

Grid No. 31 Relative Winter

SMR SMR CDFmm

Summer SMR

5f VM

6f W

7f Vw

12 FdBgCw Act

13 BgCw[Fd] Act or Dr

14 Cw[Bg] Act or [Dr]

SD

F

M



Grid No. 32 Relative Winter Summer

SMR SMR CWHdm, CWHxm SMR

5f VM

6f W

7f VW

13 BgCw[Fdl Act or Dr

BgCw Act or [Dr]

15 Cw Act or (Dr)

F

M

VM



Site series

CDFmm CWHdm, CWHxm

12 Cw - Vanilla-leaf 13 Cw - Salmonberry

13 Cw - Indian-plum 14 Cw - Black twinberry

14 Cw - Slough sedge 15 Cw - Slough sedge

189

14


LMH 28

Grid No. 1 : CDFmm Grid No. 2 : CWHdm

VD 0

VD 1

MD 2

MD 3

MD 4

SD 5

F 6

W 7

Soil Nutrient Regime Soil Nutrient Regime


Very

A B C D E

VD 0

MD 1

MD 2

SD 3

F 4

M 5

VM 6

W 7


Very

A B C D E


LMH 28

FLOODPLAINS

High

Bench

Medium

Bench

Low

Bench

High

Bench

Medium

Bench

Low

Bench

Grid No. 22

CDFmm

Grid No. 24

CWHds2

SI class for Act in square.

Grid No. 23


High Bench

Medium

Bench

Low

Bench

High

Bench

Medium

Bench

Low

Bench

Grid No. 25

CWHmm1


LMH 28

FLOODPLAINS SITES WITH STRONGLY

FLUCTUATING WATER TABLE

Grid No. 30 Grid No. 31

CWHws2 Winter

CDFmm Summer

SMR

High Bench

Medium Bench

Low Bench

*SI class for Act in square.

VM

W

VW

Winter SMR

VM

W

VW


* SI class for Act in square.

Grid No. 32

CWHdm, CWHxm Summer SMR

F

M

VM

Medium t o very rich soil nutrient regime

* SI class for Act in square.

SMR


LMH 28

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.


LMH 28

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

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Ch

ap

ter 5.6E

stua

rine a

ssociation

s159

.. Distribution of Estuarine Site Associations by biogeoclimatic zone

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

Em01 Widgeon-grass xx xxEm02 Glasswort – Sea-milkwort xx xsq

Em03 Seashore saltgrass xxEm04 Seaside plantain – Dwarf alkaligrass xxEm05 Lyngbye’s sedge xx xxxEm06 Lyngbye’s sedge – Douglas’ water-hemlock xxEd01 Tufted hairgrass – Meadow barley xx xxxEd02 Tufted hairgrass – Douglas’ aster x xxEd03 Arctic rush – Alaska plantain xx xs

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

s = southern subzones only q = Queen Charlotte Islands

Source publication

LMH 52

160 Wetlands of British Columbia: A Field Guide to Identification

.. Estuarine Species Importance Table

Species Em01 Em02 Em03 Em04 Em05

Herbs Ruppia maritima xyzzzz

Eleocharis palustris xyz xyz

Lilaeopsis occidentalis xyz xy

Glaux maritima xyzzz xyzz xyzzz x

Salicornia virginica xyzzzz xyzz

Distichlis spicata var. spicata xy xyzzzz

Spergularia canadensis xy xy xy

Atriplex patula xyz x

Plantago maritima xyzzz

Puccinellia pumila xyzzz

Agrostis stolonifera xy

Carex lyngbyei xyz xy xyzzzz

Potentilla egedii xy xyz

Deschampsia cespitosa x xy

Triglochin maritima xy xy

Juncus arcticus x

Plantago macrocarpaHordeum brachyantherum

Angelica lucidaAgrostis exarata x

Cicuta douglasiiAster subspicatus

Conioselinum gmeliniiFestuca rubra

Lathyrus palustrisRanunculus orthorhynchus

Sium suaveLupinus nootkatensisAchillea millefolium x

Trifolium wormskioldiiPoa trivialis x

Chapter 5.6 Estuarine associations 161

Em06 Ed01 Ed02 Ed03 Common Name

widgeon-grassxyz x x common spike-rush

x western lilaeopsisxy x x sea-milkwort

American glasswortseashore saltgrassCanadian sandspurry

x common orachexy x sea plantain

dwarf alkaligrassx creeping bentgrass

xyzzzz xyzz xyzz xy Lyngbye’s sedgexyzz xyzz xyzzz xyzzz coast silverweedxyzz xyzzzz xyzzzz xy tufted hairgrassxyz xyz xyz xyz seaside arrow-grassxyz xy x xyzzzz arctic rushxy xy xyzz xyzz Alaska plantainxyz xyz xyzz x meadow barleyxyzz x xy xy seacoast angelicaxy xy xy xy spike bentgrassxyzz x x Douglas’ water-hemlockxyzz xyzzz xyzzz Douglas’ asterxy x xyz x Pacific hemlock-parsleyxy xy xy xy red fescuexyz x xy marsh peavinexyz xy x straight-beaked buttercupxyz x x hemlock water-parsnipxy x x Nootka lupine

x xyzz xy yarrowx xy xy springbank clover

xy rough bluegrass

Source publication

LMH 52

General Description

The Tufted hairgrass – Meadow barley Site Association occurs

throughout the Coast in the upper intertidal zone on fan estu-

aries, on creekside areas within moderate-sized estuaries, and as narrow

fringes on steep coastal shores with abundant groundwater seepage.

These sites experience daily but generally brief flooding by brackish water.

The Ed01 is characterized by relatively low

species diversity and a dominance of De-

schampsia cespitosa ssp. beringensis. Hordeum

brachyantherum occurs commonly and occa-

sionally other grasses, such as Festuca rubra or

Agrostis exarata. Potentilla egedii and Carex

lyngbyei are often present with low cover. In

southern disturbed sites, introduced grasses

such as Agrostis stolonifera can be dominant.

The soils are usually sandy or loamy-textured Gleysols and Regosols with

little or no humus form development.

Characteristic Vegetation

Tree layer (0 - 0 - 0)Shrub layer (0 - 0 - 0)Herb layer (35 - 65 - 99)Carex lyngbyei, Deschampsia cespitosa ssp.beringensis, Hordeum brachyantherum,Potentilla egedii, Triglochin maritimaMoss layer (0 - 0 - 0)

Comments

The Ed01 often occurs above the Em05 andbelow forest or Beach dunegrass – Beach lo-vage ecosystems.This Site Association is similarto the Ed02 but occurs on more saline (andoften wetter) sites.


Estuarine Grid

Ed01 Tufted hairgrass – Meadow barley

Deschampsia cespitosa ssp. beringensis – Hordeum brachyantherum

SalinityFresh Oligo- Meso- Poly- Eu- Hyper-

Tid

al Z

on

e

Up

per

Mid

dle

Low

er

Source publication

LMH 52

Ch

ap

ter 5.6E

stua

rine a

ssociation

s159







Source publication

LMH 52



















Juncus arcticus x








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LMH 52

Ch

ap

ter 5.6E

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rine a

ssociation

s159







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LMH 52



















Juncus arcticus x








Source publication

LMH 52

The Lyngbye’s sedge Site Association is the most common and

widespread estuarine Site Association throughout the coast. It

occurs most frequently where there are strong fluctuations of

brackish water, active sedimentation, and diurnal flooding

and exposure—locations such as tidal flats and channel margins.

Low species diversity is typical; Carex lyngbyei

often occurs in dense, pure stands. Some sites

have scattered Potentilla egedii, Deschampsia

cespitosa, Glaux maritima, and Triglochin mar-

itima.

Soils are silty or fine-sandy Gleysols or Humic

Gleysols. Most commonly they are on sites

that experience continual erosion and deposi-

tion but do occur on less dynamic sites. Soil

profiles frequently exhibit layered mineral deposits with embedded sedge

roots and shoots.


Tree layer (0 - 0 - 0)Shrub layer (0 - 0 - 0)Herb layer (30 - 75 - 99)Carex lyngbyei, Eleocharis palustris,Potentilla egediiMoss layer (0 - 0 - 0)

Comments

Along the riverine areas of the estuary, theEm05 is often the lowest vegetated zone. Ed02meadows are often directly above Em05 sitesin medium-sized estuaries.The related Em06Site Association replaces the Em05 on siteswhere freshwater influences predominate intidal reaches.


Estuarine Grid

Em05 Lyngbye’s sedge

Carex lyngbyei

SalinityFresh Oligo- Meso- Poly- Eu- Hyper-

Tid

al Z

on

e

Up

per

Mid

dle

Low

er

Source publication

LMH 52

Ch

ap

ter 5.2F

ens

79

.. Distribution of Fen Site Associations by biogeoclimatic zone


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

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

Wf53 Slender sedge – White beak-rush x xxs

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

i = inland areas only s = southern subzones only

Source publication

LMH 52


.. Fen Species Importance Table

Species Wf01 Wf02 Wf03 Wf04 Wf05 Wf06 Wf07 Wf08

Shrubs Betula nana x xyzzz x xy x x xyzzz x

Salix barclayi x x xyzzzz

Salix pedicellaris x xyz xy xy xyzz xy

Spiraea douglasii x x x x

Myrica gale

Herbs Carex utriculata xyzzz xyz xy xy xyz x x x

and Carex aquatilis xyzzz xyzz xyzzz xyzz xyz x xyz x

Dwarf Comarum palustre xy xyz xy xy xy xyzz xy

Shrubs Calamagrostis canadensis x xy x xyzz x x x x

Carex lasiocarpa x xyzzzz xyzzzz xy x

Menyanthes trifoliata x x x xyzzz xyzzz xyzz

Carex limosa x x x x xy xyzz xyzzz

Carex chordorrhiza x x xy xyz xy

Eleocharis quinqueflora x x

Trichophorum alpinum x

Trichophorum cespitosumEriophorum angustifolium x xy xy x x xy xy

Caltha leptosepala xy xy

Carex anthoxantheaEquisetum fluviatile x x xy xy xy xy

Carex magellanica x x

Carex sitchensis xy xy xyz xyz x x

Rhynchospora alba x

Carex livida x x x x

Eriophorum chamissonis x x x

Vahlodea atropurpurea x

Drosera anglica x x xy

Hypericum anagalloidesTriantha glutinosa x x xy

Schoenoplectus tabernaemontaniFauria crista-galli

Senecio triangularis x x xyz xy

Andromeda polifolia x xy xy

Kalmia microphylla x x x

Oxycoccus oxycoccos x x x x xy x

Triglochin maritima x x x xy xy

Drosera rotundifolia x x x

Leptarrhena pyrolifolia xy x

Platanthera dilatata x xy x x x

Sanguisorba canadensis x xy

Utricularia intermedia x x x xy

Viola palustris x x x

Lichens Sphagnum Group I xy xyz xyzz x x xyz x

and Aulacomnium palustre x xyz xyz xyzz x x x x

Mosses Drepanocladus spp. xyz x xy xyzz xyz xyz xyz

Sphagnum Group II x xyz x x xyz xy

Tomentypnum nitens x xyzz xyz xy x xyz xy

Philonotis fontana xy xyz

Calliergon stramineum x x x x x

Scorpidium spp. x xy xyzz xy

Campylium stellatum x x xy xy x x

Warnstorfia spp. x xy x x xyz x xy

Meesia triquetra x x xy xy

General Description

Slender sedge – Buckbean fens are uncommon in the Central

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

occur on floating mats adjacent to small lakes and peatland

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

surface saturation and shallow

inundation.

Sites are often slightly hummocked,

with Menyanthes trifoliata occurring

in the wet depressions and Carex lasiocarpa

and Drepanocladus spp. and other mosses oc-

curring on mounds. A sparse shrub layer can

occur and the moss layer is always well devel-

oped. Hook-mosses are the most common

component of the moss layer but Sphagnum

spp. or Campylium stellatum may dominate on some sites.

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

persaturated horizon. Fibrisols and Mesisols are typical soil types.


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

Comments

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

Similar sites in coastal areas are described by the Wf53.

Chapter 5.2 Fens 87

Slender sedge – Buckbean Wf 06

Carex lasiocarpa – Menyanthes trifoliata

Wetland Edatopic Grid

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Soil Nutrient Regime

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Rhynchospora alba x





























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

Sweet gale – Sitka sedge fens are uncommon at low elevations

in the Georgia Depression and Coast and Mountains in a wide

variety of landscape positions. Sites can be shallowly flooded

in the early season but will drop just

below the surface for most of the

growing season.

Myrica gale and Spiraea douglasii

form a closed and sometimes dense

thicket mostly < 1.5 m in height. Carex sitchen-

sis dominates the herb layer but there is a

scattering of other species on most sites. Be-

cause of flooding, the bryophyte layer is

generally sparse but on some sites cover of

Sphagnum or other moss species may be high.

Peat deposits are mostly shallow, moderately to well decomposed sedge

and wood peat. Terric Humisols and Mesisols are common soil types.


Tree layer (0 - 0 - 0)Shrub layer (30 - 60 - 85)Myrica gale, Spiraea douglasiiHerb layer (20 - 35 - 100)Carex sitchensisMoss layer (0 - 14 - 60)Sphagnum spp.

Comments

The Wf52 Site Association is common as acomponent of many peatlands in the southCoast. It is most often found in complex withthe Wm50 in more peripheral (and drier) locations but occurs around other Site Associ-ations as well, including estuarine marshes.

Shrub thickets dominated by Spiraea dou-glasii with sparse Myrica gale and Carex spp.are common in the region where the Wf52occurs.These communities are usually onmineral soil and described by the Ws50 SiteAssociation.

Chapter 5.2 Fens 97

Sweet gale – Sitka sedge Wf52

Myrica gale – Carex sitchensis


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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

Slender sedge – White beak-rush fens occur in the Georgia

Depression at elevations below 600 m. The Wf 53 requires

permanently saturated soils and is tolerant of prolonged shal-

low inundation. Lake margins are the most common location

but some isolated basins may also

have suitable conditions.

Carex lasiocarpa is always abundant and

dominant. Rhynchospora alba and scattered

low-growing Myrica gale occur on most sites.

However, wetter sites often lack these species

and have aquatic species such as Nuphar lutea,

Brasenia schreberi, or Menyanthes trifoliata in-

stead. Schoenoplectus acutus grows in more

alkaline examples of the Wf 53.

Soils are shallow mesic or humic peat of sedge

or limnic origin. Terric Mesisols and Humisols are common soil types.


Tree layer (0 - 0 - 0)Shrub layer (0 - 3 - 10)Myrica galeHerb layer (60 - 80 - 85)Carex lasiocarpa, Rhynchospora albaMoss layer (0 - 2 - 8)

Comments

Coastal Carex lasiocarpa stands occur on arange of ecological conditions from semi-ter-restrial to shallowly flooded and marsh-likepeatlands. Ceska (1978) observed variants ofthis unit: a typic with Rhynchospora alba, alimose variant with Nuphar lutea, a minericvariant with Dulichium arundinaceum andSchoenoplectus acutus, and a higher-elevation variant with Carex limosa. With sufficient additional data, several more specific clas-sification units based on the presence of additional dominants might be indicated. Carexlasiocarpa communities with abundant Spiraea douglasii and Myrica gale occur on drier andhummocky sites (see additional units).

The Wf52 is similar but grows on drier and more acidic sites than the Wf53.The Wf53 is analo-gous to the Wf 05 of the Interior but has little or no moss cover and includes coastal species.


Wf53 Slender sedge – White beak-rush

Carex lasiocarpa – Rhynchospora alba


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.. Distribution of Marsh Site Associations by biogeoclimatic zone


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

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


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.. Marsh Species Importance Table

Species Wm01 Wm02 Wm03 Wm04 Wm05

Herbs Carex utriculata xyzzz xyzzz x xy

and Carex aquatilis xyzz xy x

Dwarf Equisetum fluviatile x xyzzzz x

Shrubs Comarum palustre xy xy x

Sium suave x xy

Carex exsiccata x

Carex atherodes xyzzzz

Polygonum amphibium x x xy x x

Eleocharis palustris x xyzzzz x

Potamogeton richardsonii xyz

Typha latifolia x xyzzzz

Schoenoplectus acutus x

Menyanthes trifoliataUtricularia macrorhiza x x x x x

Juncus balticus x x

Hordeum jubatum x

Potentilla anserina x

Calamagrostis canadensis xy x xy x

Cicuta douglasii x x

Lysichiton americanus x

Oenanthe sarmentosa x

Galium trifidum x

Spiraea douglasii x

Carex sitchensisNuphar lutea ssp. polysepala x x

Dulichium arundinaceum

Mosses Drepanocladus spp. xy xy xy x x

Warnstorfia spp. x x x x x

General Description

Common spike-rush marshes are widely distributed through-

out the Interior at elevations below 1300 m. They occur along

lakeshores, and as a zone in larger potholes, oxbows, and

slow-moving rivers, where there is some weak

waterflow or wave action. Sites are shallowly

flooded in the early season in all locations; the

watertable often drops to the surface in palus-

trine locations but is permanent in lacustrine or

fluvial systems. Wm04 sites also occur in fresh-

water and brackish tidal reaches of large coastal

rivers and estuaries.

Plant diversity is low; Eleocharis palustris is often the only

emergent species with significant cover. In interior sites,

submerged and floating aquatics can be common; in estu-

arine sites Carex lyngbyei is often present.

Soils are typically sandy or gravelly with or without a thin

organic veneer.


Tree layer (0 - 0 - 0)Shrub layer (0 - 0 - 0)Herb layer (10 - 70 - 100)Eleocharis palustris,Potamogeton richardsoniiMoss layer (0 - 0 - 10)

Comments

Eleocharis palustris occurs commonly in awide variety of wetland habitats, includingalkaline and weakly saline marshes, richfens, and estuarine marshes. However, theWm04 describes only those sites where E. palustris dominates. Wm04 sites are gen-erally more shallowly flooded than Wm06sites and better aerated than Wm05 sites.

The Wm04 commonly occurs adjacent toWm05, Wm06, and Wm07 Site Associationsor shallow-water ecosystems.

Chapter 5.3 Marshes 111

Common spike-rush Wm04

Eleocharis palustris


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Juncus balticus x x

Hordeum jubatum x






Galium trifidum x

Spiraea douglasii x





General Description

Cattail marshes are common throughout the Coast and Interi-

or at low elevations in subzones with warm summers. They

occur most commonly in protected lake embayments and

potholes or even roadside ditches, where the surface substrate

remains saturated for most of the growing season.

Typha latifolia dominates, often with few other

rooted plants present, especially where nutrient

levels are high and T. latifolia growth profuse.

Occasionally there is significant cover of Carex

utriculata, Schoenoplectus acutus, or Lemna spp.

These sites often have organic veneers of well-decomposed,

odiferous muck. Soil types can be Humisols or Humic

Gleysols. Water depths may be up to 1 m in the spring but

recede in late summer, sometimes to the surface.


Tree layer (0 - 0 - 0)Shrub layer (0 - 0 - 10)Herb layer (40 - 80 - 100)Typha latifoliaMoss layer (0 - 0 - 90)

Comments

Typha latifolia effectively turns high nutrientlevels (N and P) into biomass and often dom-inates wetlands experiencing nutrientloading. Addition of agricultural or humanwaste to most wetlands will lead to an in-crease and eventual dominance by T. latifoliaif climatic conditions are favourable. Initial T. latifolia establishment requires substrateexposure for seedling establishment and germination, though once established it spreads extensively by rhizomes so that large stands may consist of only a few individual plants.

Similar sites with more dynamic hydrology or lower N and P are usually occupied by Wm06.Patches of S. acutus in Wm05 marshes can be a result of intensive grazing by Muskrat.S. acutus stores nutrients in the root mass and can more rapidly recover from removal of itsstem than can T. latifolia.


Wm05 Cattail

Typha latifolia


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Juncus balticus x x

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Galium trifidum x

Spiraea douglasii x






Wm06 Wm07 Wm50 Wm51 Common Name

x x x x beaked sedgewater sedge

x swamp horsetailxy xy marsh cinquefoil

hemlock water-parsnipx x xy inflated sedgex awned sedge

x water smartweedx x common spike-rush

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

xyz foxtail barleyx xyz common silverweed

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

x x xyz yellow pond-lilyxyzzzz three-way sedge

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

General Description

Great bulrush marshes occur widely in subzones with warm

and dry summers. Wave-exposed lake embayments with

significant water movements, and grassland potholes with

occasional substrate exposure (conditions that provide

abundant aeration and limit organic accu-

mulations), are the most common locations

for this Site Association.

Plant diversity is low; typically, Schoenoplec-

tus acutus is the only species with significant

cover. Bulrush marshes are usually adjacent

to open water in wetland mosaics and can sometimes

be found in complex with the Wm05.

Floodwaters to 1.5 m depth in the spring are typical,

with significant growing-season drawdown occurring

in potholes. Great bulrush is tolerant of alkali soils

and often dominates in brackish potholes. Soils are

mostly Gleysols and Humic Gleysols, though Terric

Humisols occasionally occur.


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

Comments

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

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


Great bulrush Wm06

Schoenoplectus acutus


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Galium trifidum x

Spiraea douglasii x






Wm06 Wm07 Wm50 Wm51 Common Name

x x x x beaked sedgewater sedge

x swamp horsetailxy xy marsh cinquefoil

hemlock water-parsnipx x xy inflated sedgex awned sedge

x water smartweedx x common spike-rush

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

xyz foxtail barleyx xyz common silverweed

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

x x xyz yellow pond-lilyxyzzzz three-way sedge

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

General Description

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

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

the Southern Interior Mountains at elevations below 600 m.

The Wm51 occurs along the protected margins of shallow

lakes or sluggish streams on mucky substrates.

Dulichium arundinaceum is always

dominant. There is often a minor

component of emergent sedges or

rushes. Other species that grow well on flood-

ed, degrading peaty soils, such as Nuphar

lutea, Menyanthes trifoliata, and Comarum

palustre occur on some sites.

The Wm51 prefers permanently flooded con-

ditions on degrading peat or soft muck (mix

of fine mineral material and organics).


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

Comments

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


Wm51 Three-way sedge



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.. Distribution of Swamp Site Associations by biogeoclimatic zone


Ws01 Mountain alder – Skunk cabbage – Lady fern xx xxw

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

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

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

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

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


w = wet subzones only x = very dry subzones only

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.. 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

Chapter 5.4 Swamps 127

Ws09 Ws10 Ws11 Ws50 Ws51 Ws52 Ws53 Ws54 Ws55 Common Name

xyz xyzz xyzz sprucexyzz x x black sprucexyzzz xyzz xyzzzz subalpine firxy xyzzz x xyzz xyzzzz xyzzzz western hemlockx xyzzzz x xyz xyzzzz xyzzz xy western redcedar

xy x xyz xyzz x Sitka sprucex xy xyzzzz xyzzz xy x red alder

xyz xyzz bigleaf maplexy xyzzzz yellow-cedarx xyzzzz mountain hemlockxyz xyzzz amabilis fir

x Bebb’s willowx Drummond’s willow

MacCalla’s willowxyzz xy xyzzz x mountain alderxy xy xyzz x xyz x x x black twinberryxyzz x xyz xyzzzz xyz x x pink spireax xy xy x xyz xy xy x red-osier dogwoodxyz xyzz xyz x xyzzz xyzzzz Alaska/oval-leaved blueberryx xyzzzz Sitka willow

x xyzzzz Pacific willowx x xyzz xyzzzz xyzzz xyzz xyz salmonberry

x x xyzzz xyzz x red elderberryx x xy xyzz x salal

x xyzz xy x stink currantxyz copperbush

xyz xy xy x x x x bluejointx xyzz x x water/Sitka sedge

xy beaked sedgexy xyzz xyzz x x xy xy oak fern

Sitka valerianx x xyz x x small-flowered bulrushxyzz xyzz xyzz x xyz x x x common horsetailxyzzzz xyzzz xyzzzz xy xyzzzz xyzzzz xyzzz xyzzz xyzzz skunk cabbagexyz xyzzz xyzzz x xyzz xyzzz xyzzz xyzz xyz lady fernx xyz xyzz x xyz xyz xyz xy foamflowerxy xyz xyz x x xy xy rosy twistedstalk

x xyzz xyzz xy xy false lily-of-the-valleyx xyzz xy x x Pacific water-parsley

xyz xyzz x x sword fernx xy xyzz x giant horsetailx x x xyzz xyz deer fern

x x x x xyz Indian helleborex xyz deer-cabbage

x hook-mossesxyz xyzzz xyzzz x xyz xyzz xyzz xyzz xyzz leafy mossesxy x xy x glow mossxyzzz xyzz xyz xy x x xyz xyzz peat-mossesx xyz x x x xyzz xyz step mossxyzz xyz xy red-stemmed feather-moss

xy xyzzz xyzzz xy x beak mossx x x x xyzz xyzz lanky moss

General Description

Pink spirea – Sitka sedge swamps are common at low eleva-

tions of the Georgia Depression in basins, gullies, and margins

of waterbodies and peatlands. These sites experience pro-

longed saturation and brief early-season flooding.

Species diversity is low in this Site Association.

Spiraea douglasii always dominates Ws50 sites; few other

shrub species occur. The sedge-dominated understorey is

sparse or well developed. Few species other than Carex

sitchensis are common. The moss layer is often minimal

but Aulacomnium palustre or Sphagnum spp. occur with

high abundance on some sites.

Humisols and Gleysols are the most common soil types.


Tree layer (0 - 0 - 2)Shrub layer (15 - 70 - 99)Spiraea douglasiiHerb layer (2 - 35 - 85)Carex sitchensisMoss layer (0 - 34 - 90)Aulacomnium palustre, Sphagnum Group I

Comments

The Ws50 Site Association is common as a component of many peatlands along thesouthern Coast. It can be the dominant SiteAssociation in small basins or surroundingWm50 marshes. S. douglasii increases withdisturbance and many spirea thickets actual-ly represent disturbance communities thathave developed after hydrological change.Understoreys in these successional communi-ties vary from completely absent to bog-like.

Shrub thickets dominated by Myrica galewith sedge are common in the region wherethe Ws50 occurs.These communities are usu-ally on peat and are described by the Wf52Site Association.

Chapter 5.4 Swamps 139

Pink spirea – Sitka sedge Ws50

Spiraea douglasii – Carex sitchensis


A B C D E F


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Source publication

LMH 52

Documents

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