TABLE 14 Environmental characteristics of SBS subzones and ... · 4 >60% of plots, mean cover >7Œ15%; 5 >60% of plots, mean cover >15%. LMH 39. 5Ł11 - 10. BGC UNITS. summits of

5�11 - 2

BG

C U

NIT

S

TABLE 14 Environmental characteristics of SBS subzones and variants in the Cariboo Forest Regiona

SBSdw1 SBSdw2 SBSmh SBSmw SBSmc1 SBSmc2b SBSwk1b

Area (km2) 3443 2567 789 1374 419 1205 1473Elevation range (m) 750�1200 750�1200 450�750 700�1000 1250�1350 1200�1500 900�1250Climate

Precipitation (mm)Mean annual 585 487 559 575 719Mean summer 286 252 257 328 298 229 334Mean winter 298 235 297 354 429Mean annual snowfall (cm) 182 198 197 237 240

Temperature(°C)Mean annual 3.7 3.4 4.6 2.9 1.5 2.4Mean - warmest month 14.8 14.9 16.6 14.1 12.3 13.1Mean - coldest month -10.4 -11.0 -10.8 -12.6 -11.1

Frost-free days 152 170 179 151 117Soils

Zonal soilsc Br.G.L. Br.G.L. Br.G.L. Br.G.L. Br.G.L. Br.G.L. Br.G.L.Zonal humus formd HR (RM) HR HR, RM HR (RM) HR (RM) HR (RM) HR (RM)

aThe SBSmm has a very small area (86 km2) in the Cariboo Forest Region and is not included here. Refer to Lloyd et al. 1990.bClimatic data are from the Prince George and/or Prince Rupert forest regions; few or no data are available from the Cariboo.cBr.G.L. = Brunisolic Gray LuvisoldHR = HemiMor; RM = MorModer

Source publcation

LMH 39

5�11 - 6

BG

C U

NIT

S

Biogeoclimatic Unit Pseudotsuga menziesii

Betula papyrifera Pinus contorta

Picea engelmannii x glauca Abies lasiocarpa

Rosa acicularis Cornus stolonifera

Mahonia aquifolium Amelanchier alnifolia Lonicera involucrata

Corylus cornuta Spiraea betulifolia

Pachistima myrsinites Viburnum edule

Rubus parviflorus Vaccinium membranaceum

Ribes lacustre Elymus glaucus

Calamagrostis rubescens Aralia nudicaulis

Chimaphila umbellata Rubus pubescens Aster conspicuus

Oryzopsis asperifolia Lathyrus ochroleucus

Arnica cordifolia Cornus canadensis

Linnaea borealis Clintonia uniflora

Gymnocarpium dryopteris Streptopus roseus

Rubus pedatus Veratrum viride

Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus Pleurozium schreberi

Ptilium crista-castrensis Peltigera aphthosa

Hylocomium splendens Mnium spp.

Barbilophozia spp.

Douglas-firpaper birchlodgepole pinehybrid white sprucesubalpine firprickly rosered-osier dogwoodtall Oregon-grapesaskatoonblack twinberrybeaked hazelnutbirch-leaved spireafalseboxhighbush-cranberrythimbleberryblack huckleberryblack gooseberryblue wildryepinegrasswild sarsaparillaprince's pinetrailing raspberryshowy asterrough-leaved ricegrasscreamy peavineheart-leaved arnicabunchberrytwinflowerqueen's cupoak fernrosy twistedstalkfive-leaved brambleIndian helleboreelectrified cat's-tail mossred-stemmed feathermossknight's plumefreckle peltstep mossleafy mossesleafy liverworts

TABLE 15 SBS vegetation table - zonal sitesa

SBSdw15

4

4

1

3

1

2

3

2

3

3

2

4

3

2

3

4

3

2

3

2

1

2

4

3

3

3

5

4

1

1

SBSmc1

5

3

3

1

3

2

1

3

2

3

3

4

3

3

1

3

5

5

2

SBSwk1

1

5

4

2

3

1

2

3

3

3

4

3

3

5

3

3

3

3

5

5

1

4

4

2

SBSdw25

1

5

3

3

1

3

2

3

2

1

4

3

2

1

2

3

1

2

3

3

3

5

5

2

4

SBSmh5

4

3

1

3

3

2

3

3

4

3

3

4

2

1

3

1

2

3

3

3

1

3

4

1

3

3

1

1

2

SBSmw5

4

4

3

3

1

2

2

2

3

3

2

3

3

2

3

2

2

3

1

1

3

4

3

3

1

1

4

5

5

2

4

1

SBSmc2

5

3

1

1

1

3

4

3

3

3

3

3

5

5

3

TreeLayer

ShrubLayer

HerbLayer

MossLayer

aData are for zonal sites only. Species abundance: 1 present in 40�60% of plots surveyed; 2 >60% of plots, mean cover <1%; 3 >60% of plots, mean cover 1�7%;

4 >60% of plots, mean cover >7�15%; 5 >60% of plots, mean cover >15%

Source publcation

LMH 39

5�11 - 10

BGC UNITS

summits of hills in the Blackwater and Nazko areas. It has a much largerarea in the Prince Rupert and Prince George regions, where it also occurson plateau landscapes. The absence of Douglas-fir and greater abundanceof cool-, snowy-climate species such as five-leaved bramble, indicatesthat the climate of the SBSmc2 is cooler than that of the SBSmc1.

SBSwk1 Variant The SBSwk in the Cariboo Forest Region occurs alongthe moist eastern edge of the Fraser Plateau and on lower valley slopesin the dissected topography of the adjacent Quesnel Highland, north ofthe Cariboo River. It occurs between 900 and 1250 m and borders theESSFwk1 at higher elevations and the SBSmw at lower elevations. Alarge area of the SBSwk also occurs in the adjacent portions of the PrinceGeorge Forest Region. The SBSwk is distinguished from the SBSmw andSBSmc by abundant oak fern on zonal sites and from other SBSsubzones of the Cariboo Forest Region by the presence of speciescharacteristic of moist, relatively snowy climates, such as five-leavedbramble, rosy twistedstalk, and Indian hellebore.

The SBSwk has the wettest, snowiest climate of the SBS Zone in theCariboo Forest Region.

Old forests of hybrid white spruce and subalpine fir are common on theSBSwk landscape. These forests have a moderate cover of shrubs andherbaceous species and a well-developed moss layer. Principal shrubspecies are black huckleberry, black gooseberry, black twinberry, andthimbleberry. Lodgepole pine is the principal seral species followingwildfire and covers a large proportion of the landscape. Douglas-fir anddeciduous species are uncommon.

The SBSwk1 Variant is the only biogeoclimatic variant of the SBSwk inthe Cariboo Forest Region.

Source publcation

LMH 39

6�41 - 1

SBSwk1

SBSwk1SUB-BOREAL SPRUCEWET COOL SUBZONE

WILLOW VARIANT

The SBSwk1 occurs in the northeastern portion of the Cariboo ForestRegion and adjacent portions of the Prince George Forest Region. In theCariboo Forest Region (1473 km2), it dominates the rolling terrain alongthe western edge of the Quesnel Highland north of the Cariboo River. Italso extends eastward in valley bottoms into the more dissected andrugged landscapes of the Quesnel Highland and Cariboo Mountains. TheSBSwk1 occurs just below the ESSFwk subzone and has the highestprecipitation and coolest temperatures of the SBS Zone in the CaribooForest Region. Elevations are generally 900�1250 m.

Distinguishing Adjacent Units from the SBSwk1

The ESSFwk1 occurs above the SBSwk1 throughout its distribution inthe Cariboo Forest Region. The SBSmw occurs below the SBSwk1along most of its border, although the ICHwk4 occurs below theSBSwk1 in the lower Cariboo River valley. The ICHmk3 borders asmall portion of the SBSwk1 near Spectacle Lake along the southwesternboundary of Bowron Park. It occurs at similar elevations but inapparently warmer climates than the SBSwk1.

In the ESSFwk1, zonal sites have:� white flowered rhododendron, red elderberry, and Sitka valerian.

In the SBSmw, zonal sites have:� common Douglas-fir and prince�s pine;� little or no oak fern, three-leaved foamflower, or five-leaved bramble.

In the ICHwk4, zonal sites have:� western redcedar and western hemlock;� frequent Douglas-fir.

In the ICHmk3, zonal sites have:� western redcedar and Douglas-fir;� prince�s pine;� little or no oak fern.

Source publcation

LMH 39

6�41 - 2

SIT

E U

NIT

S

0 10 20 km.

Quesnel

Horsefly

Williams Lake

Alexis Creek

Distribution of SBSwk1 Variant in the Cariboo Forest Region

6�41 - 3

SBSwk1

Site Units of the SBSwk1

Zonal Site Series 01 Sxw - Oak fern Site Series dominates theSBSwk1 landscape, occurring from upper to lower slope positions onmedium-textured soils. It occurs on gentle and steep slopes and on allslope aspects. Climax tree species are hybrid white spruce andsubalpine fir. Spruce is the principal canopy species, while subalpine firis the principal tree species in the regeneration layer. Subalpine fir aswell as lodgepole pine are often present in the canopy. Since wildfireshave been less frequent than in other portions of the SBS in the CaribooRegion, lodgepole pine stands are also less common. The undergrowthof mature forests has a moderate cover of shrubs, consisting of severalspecies. Black twinberry and black huckleberry are among the mostabundant. The herbaceous layer has a moderate cover of low-growingspecies including oak fern, bunchberry, rosy twistedstalk, and stiffclubmoss. Moss cover is nearly continuous.

Drier Sites Sites drier than those of the zonal site series are moderatelycommon, occurring on ridge tops, shallow soils, sandy soils, and steepsouth-facing slopes. These sites are distinguished by having morelodgepole pine, birch-leaved spirea, and western mountain-ash than domesic and wetter sites. Moist-site species such as spiny wood fern,sweet-scented bedstraw, and leafy mosses are uncommon.

02 Pl - Huckleberry - Cladina Site Series occurs on upper slopesand ridge tops where bedrock is very near (<35 cm) the surface. Theseare small, localized sites with a vegetation distinguished by abundantground lichens. The mature forest canopy is typically dominated bylodgepole pine or subalpine fir. Low shrubs, especially black huckle-berry and dwarf blueberry, are abundant, but the herbaceous layer istypically sparse. Moss cover is relatively patchy, occurring mostly onmicrosites with deep soils.

6�41 - 4

SITE UNITS

03 Pl - Huckleberry - Velvet-leaved blueberry Site Series occurs ondry sands, including dry glaciofluvial terraces, as well as on dry upperand crest slope positions where soils are shallow (<80 cm) but deeperthan those of the /02 unit. Slopes range from level to steep, but aremost commonly level sandy terraces. The mature forest canopy ismost often dominated by lodgepole pine with an understory of hybridwhite spruce and subalpine fir. The undergrowth vegetation isdistinguished by abundant velvet-leaved blueberry, which, togetherwith black huckleberry, bunchberry, and twinflower, typicallydominates the undergrowth. In contrast to most other site series, blackgooseberry is absent. Feathermoss cover of the soil surface is nearlycomplete.

04 SxwFd - Knight�s plume Site Series occurs primarily on steep(>30%) south- and west-facing slopes with deep, loamy soils thathave a high coarse fragment content. Most soils contain coarsefragments more than 25 cm in diameter. This site series is also foundon gentler south- and west-facing slopes where soils are moderatelyshallow (35�80 cm) to bedrock. The mature forest canopy is typicallydominated by lodgepole pine with sparse hybrid white spruce andsubalpine fir. The shrub layer is relatively dense and dominated byblack huckleberry. The herb layer is relatively sparse, but feathermosscover is nearly complete. The vegetation is distinguished from othersites by the presence of Douglas maple and the absence of velvet-leaved blueberry, three-leaved foamflower, and false Solomon�s-seal.

05 Sxw - Huckleberry - Highbush-cranberry Site Series is the mostcommon site series on submesic sites with loamy soils. It occurs onupper slope positions, on broad, rounded hill crests with deep soils,and on some steep south- and west-facing slopes where soils are deepand coarse fragment content is not high. The mature forest canopy isdominated by hybrid white spruce or lodgepole pine. Subalpine fir isby far the most abundant understory tree species. The undergrowthvegetation is similar to that of the /01 site series but is distinguished byhaving less abundant (<10% cover) oak fern, three-leaved foamflower,and leafy mosses.

6�41 - 5

SBSwk1

Wetter sites Sites wetter than those of the zonal site series are verycommon in the SBSwk1 due to the relatively wet climate and largevolumes of soil seepage water. They occur on lower slopes and in thebottoms of small valleys, on seepage areas, and along streams andwetlands. Compared to the zonal site series, they have less lodgepolepine, birch-leaved spirea, and black huckleberry but more spiny woodfern, sweet-scented bedstraw, and common horsetail.

06 Sxw - Pink spirea - Oak fern Site Series occurs on moist sites incold air accumulation areas, primarily in small, shallow depressionsadjacent to wetlands. The mature forest typically has a relativelyopen canopy dominated by hybrid white spruce and sparse treeregeneration. The undergrowth vegetation is distinguished by itsvigorous low shrub layer, dominated by abundant pink spirea andblack twinberry. The herbaceous layer is diverse, containing manyspecies with more than 1% ground cover. Knight�s plume moss coversmost soil surfaces.

07 Sxw - Twinberry - Oak fern Site Series is found primarily onmoist lower and toe slope positions along stream channels. These areoften fluvial terraces and are typically cold air drainages. The matureforest canopy is typically dominated by large hybrid white sprucetrees with a subcanopy of subalpine fir. The undergrowth is distin-guished by a vigorous shrub layer, dominated by black twinberry andthimbleberry, and including red elderberry. Oak fern is abundant and,along with other ferns, dominates the herb layer. Moss cover isincomplete.

08 Sxw - Devil�s club Site Series occurs on moist lower slopes wherethere is a nearly sustained, relatively high volume of seepage waterflow near the surface. It typically does not occur in cold air accumula-tion areas. The mature forest canopy is dominated by a mixture ofhybrid white spruce and subalpine fir with little or no lodgepole pine.The undergrowth is dominated by and distinguished by devil�s cluband ferns, including lady fern, spiny wood fern, and oak fern. Mossescover less of the soil surface than in most other SBSwk1 sites.

6�41 - 6

SITE UNITS

09 Sxw - Horsetail Site Series occurs on level or gently sloping siteswith a persistent near-surface (<50 cm) water table. These sites areprimarily at the toe of slopes and are often adjacent to wetlands. Soilsare typically Gleysols and, less commonly, Organics. The matureforest canopy is predominantly small, widely spaced hybrid whitespruce with a small component of subalpine fir. Trees are often rootedon raised microsites. The undergrowth is distinguished by abundant(>5% cover) common horsetail. Common shrubs are black gooseberryand black twinberry.

10 Sxw - Devil�s club - Lady fern Site Series occurs in the PrinceGeorge Forest Region but has not been recorded in the Cariboo ForestRegion.

11 SbSxw - Scrub birch - Sedge Site Series occurs in wet depres-sions where a water table is near (<50 cm) the surface. These areprimarily forested wetlands. The mature forest canopy is relativelyopen, and dominated by black spruce or white spruce. The under-growth is distinguished by abundant (>5% cover) sphagnum moss.

Non-forested Sites Wetlands are common on the floor of small valleysand along gently sloping drainage channels. Sedge fens dominate thewetland area, although shrub fens and swamps are also present.Grasslands are virtually absent, and nearly all of the upland terrain isforested.

6�41 - 7

SBSwk1

Key to Site Units of the SBSwk1

1a. Soils shallow (<80 cm) to bedrock and no significant seepage waterinput; slope position usually crest or upper; bedrock outcrops oftenpresent.

2a. Soils predominantly very shallow (<35 cm) over bedrock; slopeposition mostly crest; cladonia and cladina lichens abundant(>5% cover); moisture regime very xeric or xeric.

SBSwk1/02 Pl - Huckleberry - Cladina

2b. Soils predominantly deeper; bedrock often not exposed; slopeposition mostly upper, occasionally crest; cladonia and cladinalichens not abundant; moisture regime xeric or subxeric.

3a. Douglas maple cover >1% and velvet-leaved blueberry absentor incidental; slope gradient >20% and slope aspectpredominantly south or west.

SBSwk1/04 SxwFd - Knight�s plume

3b. Douglas maple cover <1%; velvet-leaved blueberry usuallypresent; slope gradient <20% or, if steeper, then slopeaspect predominantly north or east.

SBSwk1/03 Pl - Huckleberry - Velvet-leavedblueberry

1b. Soils deeper (>80 cm), or significant near-surface seepage waterinput; slope position various but seldom crest; bedrock outcropsusually not present;

4a. Soil texture sand or loamy sand, and no evidence of seepagewater or water table within 100 cm of surface; slope positionpredominantly mid, upper, or level; velvet-leaved blueberrypresent.

SBSwk1/03 Pl - Huckleberry - Velvet-leavedblueberry

4b. Soil texture finer or, if sand, then evidence of seepage water or awater table within 100 cm of soil surface; slope position various;velvet-leaved blueberry usually absent or incidental.

5a. Slope gradient 30% or greater and slope aspect SE, S, SW, orW.

6�41 - 8

SITE UNITS

6a. Douglas maple cover >1%; soil coarse fragment content>50%, and large (>25 cm diameter) fragments common.

SBSwk1/04 SxwFd - Knight�s plume

6b. Douglas maple absent or incidental; soil coarse fragmentcontent <50%, or significant component of largefragments not present.

SBSwk1/05 Sxw - Huckleberry - Highbush-cranberry

5b. Slope gradient <30% or, if steeper, then slope aspect NW, N,NE, or E.

7a. Moisture regime predominantly submesic or mesic(occasionally subhygric in /01); no evidence of seepagewater input or water table within 50 cm of soil surface.

8a. Moisture regime predominantly mesic; oak fernabundant (>10% cover).

SBSwk1/01 Sxw - Oak fern

8b. Moisture regime predominantly submesic; oak fernnot abundant (<10% cover).

SBSwk1/05 Sxw - Huckleberry - Highbush-cranberry

7b. Moisture regime subhygric or wetter; evidence ofseepage water inputs or water table within 50 cm of soilsurface.

9a. Moisture regime subhygric or rarely hygric;persistent water table not present within 50 cm ofsoil surface; slope position level, mid, lower, or toe.

10a. Pink spirea cover 5% or greater; predominantlycold air accumulation basins near the perimeterof wetlands.SBSwk1/06 Sxw - Pink spirea - Oak fern

10b. Pink spirea cover <5%; site variable butgenerally not in cold air accumulation basin.

6�41 - 9

SBSwk1

11a. Devil�s club cover >5% in mature forest;cover of black twinberry and thimbleberryvariable; lower-slope seepage sites.SBSwk1/08 Sxw - Devil�s club

11b. Devil�s club cover <5%; cover of blacktwinberry or thimbleberry >5%; mostly toeslope positions along stream channels.SBSwk1/07 Sxw - Twinberry - Oak fern

9b. Moisture regime hygric or wetter; persistent watertable within 50 cm of surface; slope position toe ordepression.

12a. Surface organic layers <50 cm thick; commonhorsetail cover >5% and sphagnum moss cover<5%.SBSwk1/09 Sxw - Horsetail

12b. Surface organic layers >50 cm thick; sphagnummoss and common horsetail cover each >5%.SBSwk1/11 SbSxw - Scrub birch - Sedge

6�41 - 10

SIT

E U

NIT

S

Very Xeric0

Xeric1

Subxeric2

Submesic3

Mesic4

Subhygric5

Hygric6

Subhydric7

MediumC

RichD

VeryRich

EPoor

B

Soil Nutrient Regime

Soi

l Moi

stu

re R

egim

eSite Series0 1 Sxw - Oak fern0 2 Pl - Huckleberry - Cladina0 3 Pl - Huckleberry - Velvet-leaved blueberry0 4 SxwFd - Knight's plume0 5 Sxw - Huckleberry - Highbush-cranberry0 6 Sxw - Pink spirea - Oak fern0 7 Sxw - Twinberry - Oak fern0 8 Sxw - Devil's club0 9 Sxw - Horsetail1 1 SbSxw - Scrub birch - Sedge

Note: SBSwk1/10 occurs in the Prince GeorgeForest Region but has not been noted in theCariboo Forest Region.

VeryPoor

A

SBSwk1 Edatopic Grid

02

03 04

05

01

08

10

0706

09

11

6�41 - 11

SB

Sw

k1

05

M04

M-C02

R

03

C

05

M

01

M-C

08

M

06

M

09/11 03

C

07

M-F08

M-C 01

M 05

M

SouthAspect

NorthAspect

Soil Particle SizeF - FineM - MediumC - CoarseR - BedrockO - Organicsee Appendix 10 for definitions

Tree Symbolssee Appendix 2 for definitions

SBSwk1 Landscape Profile

M-F-O

6�41 - 12

SIT

E U

NIT

S

Site Features of SBSwk1 Site SeriesSite Series 01 02 03 04 05

Key Features zonal and othergently to steeplysloping sites withmesic or near-mesicmoisture regime

very dry ridge andhill crests and upperslopes with very thin(< 35 cm) soils overbedrock; bedrockusually exposed

mostly dry sandysoils on gentle (somesteep) slopes; alsodry, shallow (40 - 80cm) soils on N and Easpects and gentle Sand W aspects

steep S and Waspects with shallow(40 - 80 cm) loamysoils or deep loamysoils that have a highcoarse fragmentcontent

wide range ofsubmesic sites:upper slopes,broad crests, andgentle S and Waspects with deeploamy soils

Soil Moisture /Nutrient Regimes

mesic, subhygric /poor - rich

xeric /very poor - rich

xeric - submesic /very poor - medium

subxeric, submesic /poor - rich

submesic, mesic /poor - rich

Slope Position upper - lower crest crest, upper, mid,level

mid, upper upper, mid, level

Slope Aspect all all all SE, S, SW, W all (N or E onsteep slopes)

Slope Grade (%) 0 - 50 (70) 0 - 30 0 - 70 > 30 0 - 50 (70)Soil Texture gravelly loamy,

sand, siltygravelly loamy sand, gravelly sand loamy, gravelly

loamyloamy, gravellyloamy

Humus Form andThickness (cm)

Hemimor,Hemihumimor3 - 8

Xeromor1 - 3

Hemimor,Xeromor1 - 8

Hemimor3 - 8

Hemimor3 - 8

Occurrence /Size /Distribution

predominant /large /wide

uncommon /small /wide

common /medium /wide



6�41 - 13

SB

Sw

k1

Site Features of SBSwk1 Site Series (continued)Site Series 06 07 08 09 11

Key Features moist sites in cold airaccumulation basins,often adjacent towetlands

moist, lower and toeslope positions; oftenon level to gentlysloping sites adjacentto stream channels

very moist lowerslope positions withsignificant seepagevolumes; moist, richsites

wet, level to gentlysloping sites withnear-surface (< 50cm) water table and< 50 cm of peat overmineral soil

wet, level togently slopingsites with near-surface (< 50 cm)water table and50 cm or more ofpeat over mineralsoil

Soil Moisture /Nutrient Regimes

subhygric /poor, medium

subhygric /medium, rich

subhygric /rich, very rich

hygric /poor - rich

hygric, subhydric/ poor - rich

Slope Position toe, lower middle, lower, toe,level

lower, middle toe, depression depression

Slope Aspect all all all, but mostly N all N/ASlope Grade (%) < 20 0 - 20 (40) 0 - 50 0 - 5 0 - 5Soil Texture loamy, gravelly

loamygravelly loamy, silty gravelly loamy, sand loamy, silty organic

Humus Form andThickness (cm)

Hemimor3 - 8

Hemimor,Mormoder3 - 8

Hemihumimor,Hemimor5 - 20

Hydromor5 - 50

Organic soil

Occurrence /Size /Distribution

uncommon /small - medium /wide


common /medium - large /wide

uncommon /small - medium /wide


6�41 - 14

SIT

E U

NIT

S

Site Unit Pinus contorta Abies lasiocarpa

Picea engelmannii x glauca Sorbus scopulina

Spiraea betulifolia Vaccinium membranaceum

Vaccinium myrtilloides Amelanchier alnifolia

Acer glabrum Lonicera involucrata

Rubus parviflorus Spiraea douglasii

Sambucus racemosa Oplopanax horridusLedum groenlandicum

Betula glandulosa Clintonia uniflora Aralia nudicaulis

Gymnocarpium dryopteris Cornus canadensis

Streptopus roseus Smilacina stellata Tiarella trifoliata

Smilacina racemosa Dryopteris expansa

Veratrum viride Galium triflorum

Equisetum spp.Potentilla palustris

Carex disperma Cladina spp.

Cladonia spp. Dicranum spp. Peltigera spp.

Pleurozium schreberi Hylocomium splendens

Brachythecium spp. Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus

Mnium spp.Sphagnum spp.

lodgepole pinesubalpine firhybrid white sprucewestern mountain ashbirch-leaved spireablack huckleberryvelvet-leaved blueberrysaskatoonDouglas mapleblack twinberrythimbleberryhardhackred elderberrydevil's clubLabrador teascrub birchqueen's cupwild sarsaparillaoak fernbunchberryrosy twistedstalkstar-flowered false Solomon's-sealfoamflowerfalse Solomon's-sealspiny wood fernIndian helleboresweet-scented bedstrawhorsetailsmarsh cinquefoilsoft-leaved sedgereindeer lichenscladonia lichensheron's-bill mossespelt lichensred-stemmed feathermossstep mossragged mosseselectrified cat's-tail mossleafy mossessphagnum

TreeLayer

ShrubLayer

HerbLayer

MossLayer

025

3

3

2

5

2

3

2

3

3

4

3

5

3

035

3

3

1

3

5

4

1

1

1

1

4

3

1

1

3

5

045

3

3

2

5

3

3

2

2

2

3

3

3

2

2

2

2

5

3

054

4

5

2

3

4

2

3

3

3

1

3

5

3

3

1

1

1

5

4

3

1

011

4

5

1

1

3

2

3

3

3

5

4

3

1

2

1

1

3

1

5

4

2

3

4

062

5

2

2

5

3

4

2

3

4

2

2

3

2

3

3

2

2

3

3

3

3

3

071

3

5

1

5

4

3

5

1

3

1

3

2

3

2

3

1

4

1

3

3

5

08

5

4

1

2

2

2

5

1

5

3

2

3

2

5

1

2

3

3

1

3

4

5

09

3

5

1

1

1

1

1

1

4

3

3

1

3

1

5

1

4

4

1

2

4

1

111

3

4

1

2

1

3

4

3

3

3

3

2

4

1

4

SBSwk1 Vegetation Tablea

a Species abundance: 1 present in 40�60% of plots surveyed; 2 >60% of plots, mean cover <1%; 3 >60% of plots, mean cover 1�7%;

4 >60% of plots, mean cover >7�15%; 5 >60% of plots, mean cover >15%

7�41 - 1

SBSwk1

SBSwk1 Silviculture Considerations

Silviculture Practices and Options

Predominant silviculture system in the SBSwk1 is even-aged manage-ment (clearcutting), and the regeneration method is virtually all artificial(planting). Most sites are planted with Pl, Sxw, or Pl/Sxw mixtures.Mixing Sxw with Pl reduces the risk of white pine weevil damage andfrost injury to Sxw. Some sites have been broadcast burned prior toplanting, but mesic and drier sites are often planted without sitepreparation as long as they can be planted promptly following logging.Competing vegetation may be controlled as necessary by spot herbicideapplication around the planted tree. Some sites with vigorous competingvegetation prior to planting have been scarified (planting trails) but thispractice is not common currently. Wet sites are usually planted withSxw, often on artificially created mounds.

Principal crop tree species are Sxw and Pl. Fd occurs locally on steepsouth-facing slopes, but is common only near the SBSmw boundary.

Partial harvest system experience is virtually nonexistent.

Advance regeneration on mesic and near-mesic sites is predominantly Bland Sxw. Most Sxw stems and many of the younger Bl stems are ofgood form and vigour.

Principal Insect, Disease, and Abiotic Damage Concerns

Summer frost may reduce growth and result in mortality of Sxw stems,especially on gentle lower slopes and depressions.White pine weevil has caused terminal leader dieback in some Sxwplantations.Black army cutworm defoliates young Sxw and Pl seedlings, usuallyonly for one season, on some recently burned sites.Tomentosus root rot, laminated root rot, and Armillaria root diseasereduce growth and result in mortality of young or immature Pl and Sxw.Damage may be increased by partial harvesting.Spruce beetle damage risk is high, especially in valley bottoms and in thevicinity of windthrow and poor logging.Two-year-cycle budworm can cause severe defoliation, especially onregeneration in partially harvested stands.Blister rusts and gall rusts are common and can cause localized severedamage to regenerating Pl stands.Douglas-fir beetle causes localized spot mortality of Fd stems.

Source publcation

LMH 39

7�41 - 2

SILVICULTURE CONSIDERATIONS

Silviculture Considerations Table � Harvest Assumptions

No or limited canopy refers to clearcuts and larger patch (generally>60 m wide) group selection systems;

Canopy present for most stands refers to group selection systems withsmall to moderate-size (generally 30�60 m wide) harvested groups.Canopy present for wet spruce stands (/09 and /11 site series) refers tosingle tree or very small (two to few trees) group selection.

7�41 - 3

SB

Sw

k1

SBSwk1 Site Series - Silviculture ConsiderationsSiteseries

Ecologicallyadapted treespecies

Principal site factors limiting treeestablishment and early growth

No or limited canopy Canopy present

Vegetation potential and complex

01 P:Fd (nearSBSmw)PlSxw

S:BlD:Act

summer frostFd Fdlight deficits (vegetation overtop)Fd, Pl, Sxw, Act Fd, Pl, Sxw, Actsnowpress

medium (S and W aspects) to high (N and E aspects); Mixedshrub - moist forb

�shrub cover often increases significantly 3�4 years followinglogging; burning reduces shrubs, but herbaceous cover usuallywell developed within 3�4 years, especially on N aspects, afterbroadcast burning.

�survival and growth of planted Pl, Sxw, and Bl generally adequate to restock clearcut sites if vegetation controlled atplanting spot; in partial cuts, survival and growth of Pl likely poor in tree-shaded microsites;

�survival and growth of planted Fd generally poor, except on steeper slopes in western portions of SBSwk1, near theSBSmw;

�prompt planting following harvesting / site preparation will improve restocking success;�Pl natural regeneration ingress rates poor due to thick forest floor, dense shrub and herb vegetation, and cool temperatures;�natural regeneration ingress of Sxw and Bl will likely restock sites with low vegetation cover and exposed mineral soil nearmature stand edges and in partial cuts;

�broadcast burning reduces above-ground vegetation for 3�4 years, depending on intensity of burn and slope aspect;�snowpress damage greatest where tall herbaceous vegetation is abundant;�advance Bl <25 cm tall is generally of good form and vigour, and its growth releases following canopy opening.

7�41 - 4

SIL

VIC

UL

TU

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NS

IDE

RA

TIO

NS

SBSwk1 Site Series - Silviculture Considerations (continued)Siteseries





02 P:Fd (nearSBSmw)Pl

T:BlSxw

moisture deficitsSxw, Bl Sxw, Bllight deficits---- Plrooting restrictions (bedrock)nutrient deficits

low to medium; Ericaceous shrub - low shrub

�shrub and herbaceous cover generally develops slowlyfollowing logging and is less vigorous than in /01 site series.

�survival and growth of planted Pl generally adequate to restock cleared sites if planted in microsites with relatively deepsoil;

�survival and growth of planted Sxw and Bl generally poor to moderate due to moisture stress; best in deeper soil;�Pl natural regeneration generally adequate to restock cleared and partial-cut sites if sufficient numbers of cones present andwell distributed; scarification generally not required but may increase ingress rate; establishment and growth likely poor intree-shaded microsites of partial cuts;

�Fd natural regeneration generally adequate to restock sites on deeper soil microsites under partial Fd canopy;�maintenance of soil organic layers and woody debris important for long-term nutrient availability and natural regeneration.

7�41 - 5

SB

Sw

k1






03 P:Fd (nearSBSmw)Pl

T:BlSxw

moisture deficitsBl, Sxw Bl, Sxwsummer frost (terraces)Fd, Sxw, Bl Fd, Sxw, Blnutrient deficits (sand soils)Fd Fdlight deficits---- Pl, Fd

medium; Ericaceous shrub - low shrub

�vegetation development following logging and sitepreparation limited by dry, nutrient-poor soils.

�survival and early growth of planted Pl usually adequate to restock site without vegetation control; in partial cuts, survivaland growth likely poor in tree-shaded microsites;

�survival and growth of planted Sxw and Bl generally poor to moderate due to moisture stress; may be somewhat improvedunder partial canopy and by mineral soil exposure;

�Pl natural regeneration ingress is very limited by deep soil organic layers; scarification generally required;�advance Bl <25 cm tall is generally of good form and vigour, and growth releases following canopy opening;�maintenance of soil organic layers and woody debris important for long-term nutrient availability and natural regeneration.

7�41 - 6

SIL

VIC

UL

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IDE

RA

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04 P:FdPlSxw

S:BlD:At, Ep

moisture deficitsSxw, Bl, Ep Sxw, Bl, Eplight deficits---- Pl, At, Ep

medium; Mixed shrub - dry shrub

�increase in vegetation following tree canopy removal relativelysmall and slow due to dry soils.

�Fd more common on these than on other sites of SBSwk1, but occurs mostly near SBSmw boundary;�survival of planted Pl and Fd generally moderate to high on cleared sites without vegetation control, but poor in tree-shadedmicrosites of partial cuts; Fd survival may be poor on all sites at higher elevations;

�Pl natural regeneration generally adequate to restock cleared sites if sufficient numbers of cones present and well distributedon exposed mineral soil or mixed mineral/organic materials; scarification may be required on some sites;

�survival of planted Sxw and Bl moderate to high without vegetation control, but growth slow due to moisture stress;�Fd natural regeneration ingress generally adequate to restock sites with partial Fd canopy.

05 P:PlSxw

S:Bl

light deficits (vegetation overtop)Pl Plmoisture deficitsSxw, Bl ----

medium; Mixed shrub - dry shrub

�shrub and herbaceous vegetation development following canopyclearing less vigorous and slower than in /01 site series.

�survival and growth of planted Pl, Sxw, and Bl generally adequate to restock cleared sites if vegetation controlled at plantingspot; in partial cuts, Pl survival likely poor in tree-shaded microsites;

�Pl natural regeneration limited by thick soil organic layers; scarification generally required;�Sxw and Bl natural regeneration will generally establish near mature stand edges, and in partial cuts where vegetation cover islow and mineral soil is exposed;

�advance Sxw and Bl regeneration <25 cm tall is often of good form and vigour; growth releases following canopy opening.

7�41 - 7

SB

Sw

k1






06 P:PlSxw

S:BlD:Act

summer frostSxw, Bl Sxw, Blcold, moist soilsPl, Sxw, Bl Pl, Sxw, Bllight deficits (vegetation overtop)all species all species

medium to high; Mixed shrub - pink spirea

�cover of shrubs typically increases following canopy opening;�shrub cover variable, greatest on wettest sites.

�sites difficult to restock due to cold, moist soils and frequent summer frost;�survival and growth of planted Sxw and Bl generally poor, due to severe frost and cold soils; may be somewhat improved onraised microsites where vegetation cover is reduced and soils are warmed;

�planted Pl survival likely moderate on raised microsites where vegetation is controlled;�soils very susceptible to compaction and rutting.

07 P:PlSxw

S:BlD:Act

AtEp

light deficits (vegetation overtop)all species all speciessummer frost (gentle slopes)Sxw, Bl, Ep Sxw, Bl, Epcold, wet soilsPl, Sxw, At, Ep Pl, Sxw, At, Ep

high; Mixed shrub - moist shrub

�vigorous and nearly continuous cover of shrubs usually present inmature stands; cover and height usually increase following canopyopening; if dominant shrubs controlled, they are often quicklyreplaced by other species.

�survival and growth of planted Pl, Sxw, and Bl generally adequate to restock cleared sites if planted on raised microsites andif vegetation is controlled at planting spot; Pl survival likely poor in partial cuts;

�Sxw and Bl natural regeneration may partially restock site, but full stocking not reliable due to frost and competingvegetation;

�Bl advance regeneration <25 cm tall and most Sxw is of good form and vigour, and releases following canopy opening;�frost damage to Sxw and Bl may be somewhat reduced by planting on raised microsites and under partial canopy;�At and Ep best adapted to climates near SBSmw boundary.

7�41 - 8

SIL

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08 P:SxwS:Bl

PlD:Act

AtEp

light deficits (vegetation overtop)all species all speciessummer frost (gentle slopes)Sxw, Bl ----

high; Mixed shrub - tall fern�vigorous shrub and herbaceous vegetation; cover and height ofvegetation generally increases following canopy opening;devil's club generally declines following canopy opening butother shrubs and some forbs increase; lady fern ischaracteristic.

�survival and growth of planted Sxw and Bl is generally high on cleared sites if shrub and herb vegetation is controlled;�in partial cuts, survival of planted Pl poor to moderate, and of Sxw and Bl moderate to high, if shrubs and herbs controlled;�natural regeneration ingress of all species generally poor, due to competing shrub and herbaceous vegetation;�soils are very susceptible to compaction and rutting when not frozen.

09 P:SxwS:Bl

PlD:Act

summer frostSxw, Bl, Pl, Act Sxw, Bl, Pl, Actcold, wet soilsall species all specieslight deficits (vegetation overtop)Sxw, Pl, Act Sxw, Pl, Act

medium; Mixed shrub - wet forb

�vegetation development limited by cold, wet soils and thick soilorganic layers.

�low-productivity sites for timber, and difficult to restock after logging;�survival and early growth of planted Sxw generally poor, except moderate on raised microsites;�Pl is not common on these sites; Pl growth to maturity not well adapted to sites with near-surface water table;�frost damage to Sxw may be slightly reduced by planting on raised microsites, but benefits likely overwhelmed by cold airaccumulation if large upslope cold air source is present;

�sites very susceptible to soil rutting and compaction;�trees with large, dense crowns exposed to winds by logging generally very susceptible to windthrow.

7�41 - 9

SB

Sw

k1






11 P:PlSxw

T:Sb

summer frostSxw, Pl Sxw, Plcold, wet soilsSxw, Pl, Sb Sxw, Pl, Sb

medium; Mixed shrub - sphagnum

�vegetation development limited by cold, wet organic soils.

�very low productivity sites for timber, and very difficult to restock after logging;�survival and early growth of planted Sxw generally poor, except moderate on raised microsites;�Pl is not common on these sites; Pl growth to maturity not well adapted to sites with near-surface water table;�Sb growth very slow, and value for timber very low;�frost damage to Sxw may be slightly reduced by planting on raised microsites, but benefits likely overwhelmed by cold airaccumulation if large upslope cold air source is present;

�trees with large, dense crowns exposed to winds by logging generally very susceptible to windthrow.

A�1 - 2

AP

PE

ND

ICE

S

TABLE A1.1. Site units (shaded) in the Cariboo Forest Region and their precorrelation equivalents (unshaded).

aNo previous equivalent (npe)

a

Current (correlated) BEC unit code

BEC Unit Site unit

/01 /02 /03 /04 /05 /06 /07 /08 /09 /10 /11

Equivalent precorrelation code

BEC Unit Ecosystem unit

AT AT (site units not yet described)

BGxh3 PPBGg (see Iverson and Coupé 1996a)

BGxw2 PPBGe (see Iverson and Coupé 1996b)

CWHds1 CWHc see Guide for Vancouver Region (Green and Klinka 1994)

ESSFdc2 ESSFe1 see Guide for Kamloops Forest Region (Lloyd et al. 1990)

ESSFwc3 ESSFh2 /01 /02 /03

ESSFwk1 ESSFh1 /01 /02 /03 /05 /04 /07 in part /07 in part /08

ESSFxc ESSFd see Guide for Kamloops Forest Region (Lloyd et al. 1990)

ESSFxv1 ESSFg, ESSF undif npe npe npe npe npe npe npe npe

ESSFxv2 ESSFg, ESSF undif npe npe npe npe npe npe npe npe

ICHdk ICHe3 /01 /02 /03 /04 /05 /06 /07 /08 /09

ICHmk3 ICHe2 /01,/04 /02 /03 /05 /06 /07 /08

ICHmw3 ICHm1 see Guide for Kamloops Forest Region (Lloyd et al. 1990)

ICHwk2 ICHh1 /01,/05 /02 /03 /04 /06 in part /06 in part /07 /08

ICHwk4 ICHh2 /01,/06 /02 /03 /04 /05 /07 /08 /09

IDFdk3 IDFb2 /01 /03 /02 /05 /04 /06 /07 /08 /09, /10

IDFdk4 IDFb5 /01 /02 /03 /04 /05 /06 /07 /08 /09 /10

IDFdw IDFundiff. npe npe npe npe npe npe npe npe

IDFmw2 IDFj1 see Guide for Kamloops Forest Region (Lloyd et al. 1990)

IDFxm IDFa4 /01 /02 /03 /04 /05 /06 /07 /08 /09

IDFxw IDFa2 /01,/05,/07 /02 /03 /04 /06 /08 /09

Untitled-6

2001/02/07, 11:03 AM

2

A�1 - 3

CO

RR

EL

AT

ION

aNo previous equivalent (npe)

TABLE A 1.1 (continued)

Current (correlated) BEC unit code

BEC unit Site unit

/01 /02 /03 /04 /05 /06 /07 /08 /09 /10 /11

Equivalent Precorrelation Code

BEC unit Ecosystem Unit

MHmm2 MHb see Guide for Vancouver Forest Region (Green and Klinka 1994)

MSdc2 MS undiff npe npe npe npe npe npe npe npe npe npe npe

MSdv MS undiff npe npe npe npe npe npe npe npe npe npe npe

MSxk MSc see Guide for Kamloops Forest Region (Lloyd et al. 1990)

MSxv MSd /01 /03 /02 /04 /05 /06 /07 /08

SBPSdc SBSa3 /01 /02 /03,/04 /05 /06 /07 /09 /08

SBPSmc SBSa2 see Guide for Prince Rupert Forest Region (Banner et al 1993)

SBPSmk SBSb /01 /02 /03 /04 /05 /06 /07 /08,/09

SBPSxc SBSa1 /01 /02,/03 /05 /04 /06 /07

SBSdw1 SBSk1 /01 /02 /03 /04 /05 /06 /07 /08 /09

SBSdw2 SBSk2 /01 /02 /03 /04 /05 /06 /07 /08 /09 /10 /11

SBSmc1 SBSm2 /01 /02 /03 /04 /06 /05 /07 /08

SBSmc2 SBSe1 /01 /02 /03 /04 /05 /06 /07 /08 /09 /10 /11

SBSmh SBSl /01 /02 /03 /04 /05 /06 /07 /08 /09

SBSmm SBSm see Guide for Kamloops Forest Region (Lloyd et al. 1990)

SBSmw SBSc /01 /02 /05 /03,/04 npe /06 /07 /08 /09 /10

SBSwk1 SBSj1 /01 /02 /03,/04 /05 /06 npe /07 /08 /10 /09 /11

Untitled-6

2001/02/07, 11:03 AM

3

Source publcation

LMH 39

A�5 - 1

SMR RELATIONSHIPS

APPENDIX 5ACTUAL SOIL MOISTURE REGIME

RELATIONSHIP TO RELATIVE SOIL MOISTUREREGIME AND BIOGEOCLIMATIC UNIT

Actual Moisture Regime Codes:ED=extremely dry; VD=very dry; MD=moderately dry; SD=slightly dry;F=fresh; M=moist; VM=very moist; W=wet

BEC Relative soil moisture regime

unit 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

BGxh3 ED ED ED ED ED SD M WBGxw2 ED ED ED ED ED SD M WIDFxw ED ED VD VD MD SD M WIDFxm ED ED VD VD MD SD M WSBPSxc ED ED VD VD MD SD M WSBPSdc ED ED VD MD SD F M-VM WSBPSmk ED VD VD MD SD F M-VM WIDFdk3 ED VD VD VD MD F M WIDFdk4 ED VD VD VD MD F M WIDFdw ED VD VD MD MD F VM WIDFmw2 VD VD VD MD SD F VM WMSxk VD VD VD VD MD F M WMSxv VD VD VD MD SD F VM WSBPSmc VD VD VD MD SD F M-VM WSBSdw1 VD MD MD SD SD F M WSBSdw2 VD MD MD SD SD F M WSBSmh VD MD MD SD SD M VM WSBSmw VD MD MD SD F M VM WSBSmc1 VD MD MD SD F M VM WSBSmc2 VD MD MD SD F M VM WSBSwk1 VD MD SD F F M VM WICHdk VD VD VD MD SD M VM WICHmk3 VD MD MD SD F M VM WICHwk2 VD MD SD F F M VM WICHwk4 VD MD SD F F M VM WESSFxv VD VD MD MD SD F M WESSFdc2 VD MD MD SD SD-F M VM WESSFwk1 MD MD SD F M M VM WESSFwc3 MD MD SD F M M VM W

Source publcation

LMH 39

3 • 21

PROCEDURES

2 Page numbers refer to the publication Plants of Northern British Columbia(MacKinnon et al. [editors] 1992).

Biogeoclimatic Unit Key for SE Guide Area

1a Forest containing western redcedar; primarily located on slopesof Rocky Mountain Trench between 700 and 1200 m elevation.

ICHvk21b Forest not containing western redcedar.

2a Generally >1050 m in elevation; tree canopy dominated bysubalpine fir and Engelmann spruce; Rhododendronalbiflorum (white-flowered rhododendron) (p. 41)2 orValeriana sitchensis (Sitka valerian) (p. 221) present.

3a Generally 1050–1300 m in elevation; mature treesrelatively evenly distributed; generally some Rubusparviflorus (thimbleberry) (p. 36) on mesic and wettersites.

ESSFwk13b Generally >1300 m in elevation; mature tree distribution

often clumpy; Rubus parviflorus generally absent onmesic and wetter sites.

ESSFwc32b Generally <1050 m in elevation; tree canopy not dominated

by subalpine fir and Engelmann spruce; Rhododendronalbiflorum and Valeriana sitchensis absent.

4a Tree canopy generally dominated by hybrid white spruceon mesic and wetter sites; Oplopanax horridus (devil’sclub) (p. 36) and/or Vaccinium ovalifolium (oval-leavedblueberry) (p. 42) present on mesic sites.

5a Gymnocarpium dryopteris (oak fern) (p. 293) presenton most sites; Oplopanax horridus abundant (>10%cover) on mesic sites; Athyrium filix-femina (ladyfern) (p. 291) present on mesic sites.

SBSvk5b Gymnocarpium dryopteris (oak fern) (p. 293) only

present on mesic and wetter sites; Oplopanaxhorridus not abundant (<10% cover) on mesic sites;Athyrium filix-femina (lady fern) (p. 291) absent onmesic sites.

SBSwk1

Source publcation

LMH 51

3 • 22

PROCEDURES

4b Tree canopy composition variable, but only occasionallydominated by hybrid white spruce on mesic sites;Oplopanax horridus and Vaccinium ovalifolium absent onmesic sites.

6a Restricted to the lower valley slopes and valleybottoms of the Fraser River in the guide area;Corylus cornuta (beaked hazelnut) (p. 38) presentand Paxistima myrsinites (falsebox) (p. 44) absent onmesic sites.

SBSmh6b Geographic distribution not as in 6a; Corylus

cornuta absent and Paxistima myrsinites present onmesic sites.

7a Tiarella trifoliata (three-leaved foamflower)(p. 147) present on moist sites but Calamagrostisrubescens (pinegrass) (p. 240) absent on mostsites.

SBSmw7b Tiarella trifoliata absent from moist sites but

Calamagrostis rubescens present on mesic toxeric sites.

3.5 Identifying Seral Ecosystems

The biogeoclimatic ecological classification was developed based onsamples of climax and late seral vegetation (forest stands older than80 years). Because of this, environmental features must be moreheavily relied upon when attempting to assess recently disturbed orseral sites. Since environmental features among site series can overlapconsiderably, disturbed sites are often difficult to identify. Remnantclimax vegetation found in portions of the site not subjected toburning or heavy mechanical site preparation may help in theassessment. Otherwise, vegetation found in an adjacent mature standwith similar environmental features (e.g., same slope position and soiltexture) can be used.

3.6 Management Interpretations

Interpretations are provided in two areas of the guide. Within thebiogeoclimatic unit subsections (4.1–4.4) are direct interpretations.These relate to specific site units and are contained on the page facingthe appropriate unit. Section 12 contains interpretations that can bemade at a more general level than the site series, or that are best

9 • 1

9 WILLOW WET COOL SUB-BOREAL SPRUCE (SBSwk1)

Variant Summary

LocationThe SBSwk1 occurs from around McLeod Lake south to the southernboundary of the Prince George Forest Region. It is bordered at lowerelevations by the SBSmk1, the SBSmh, and the SBSmw on the west;by the SBSvk and the ICHvk2 on the east; and by the SBSwk2 on thenorth. At higher elevations, it is bordered by the ESSFwk1 in thesouth and by the ESSFwk2 in the north. This variant extends wellinto the Cariboo Forest Region.

Elevation range660–1140 m

ClimateThe SBSwk1 is one of the cooler and wetter biogeoclimatic units ofthe guide area (see Table 4.1) and has relatively high snowfall.Precipitation during the growing season is intermediate between thedry to moist SBS units and the very wet SBS and ICH, and wet ESSFunits.

Distinguishing the SBSwk1 from adjoining biogeoclimatic unitsSBSmh has:• more Douglas-fir, especially on mesic and subhygric sites; and• more beaked hazelnut and less black huckleberry on mesic sites.

SBSmk1 has:• less oak fern and more queen’s cup on mesic sites; and• less devil’s club on mesic sites.

SBSmw has:• more Douglas-fir on mesic sites;• less black huckleberry and black twinberry on mesic sites; and• no oak fern and lady fern on mesic sites.

SBSvk has:• less lodgepole pine on mesic and submesic sites;• devil’s club on mesic and submesic sites; and• more Indian hellebore and spiny wood fern on mesic sites.

Source publcation

LMH 51

9 • 2

SBSwk1

SBSwk2 has:• less black twinberry on mesic sites;• no Douglas-fir on submesic sites; and• much less lady fern on subhygric to hygric sites.

ICHvk2 has:• western hemlock or western redcedar on almost all sites;• more devil’s club and lady fern on mesic sites; and• skunk cabbage on hygric sites.

ESSFwk1 has:• white-flowered rhododendron on mesic sites; and• more Indian hellebore and Sitka valerian on mesic and wetter

sites.

ESSFwk2 has:• white-flowered rhododendron on mesic sites; and• more Indian hellebore and Sitka valerian on wetter sites.

ForestsHybrid white spruce and subalpine fir predominate in the forests ofthe SBSwk1. Lodgepole pine dominates the driest sites, though itoccurs on mesic and moist sites as well. Douglas-fir is restricted todrier sites. Black spruce is found in the wetlands and on nutrient-poor upland sites. On localized sites where stand-replacing fire hasrecently occurred, paper birch may predominate.

9 • 3

SBSwk1

FIGURE 9.1 Edatopic grid displaying site units of the SBSwk1 variant.

SBSwk1Edatopic Grid

Soi

l moi

stu

re r

egim

e

Soil nutrient regime

Poor

BVery poor

A

Very xeric

Xeric

Subxeric

Submesic

Mesic

Subhygric

Hygric

Subhydric

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

Medium

CRich

DVery rich

E

02

03

04

05

01

06

01 Sxw – Oak fern02 Pl – Huckleberry – Cladina03 Pl – Huckleberry – Velvet-leaved blueberry04 SxwFd – Knight’s plume05 Sxw – Huckleberry – Highbush-cranberry06 Sxw – Pink spirea – Oak fern

12

08

1009

11

07 Sxw – Twinberry – Oak fern08 Sxw – Devil’s club09 Sxw – Horsetail10 Sxw – Devil’s club – Lady fern11 SbSxw – Scrub birch – Sedge12 SbPl – Feathermoss

07

9 •

4

SB

Sw

k1

FIGU

RE 9.2SBSw

k1 vegetation table.

Prominence class: � 1 � 2 � 3 � 4 � 5

Site units 02 03 04 12 05 01 06 07 08 09 10 11

TreesPseudotsuga menziesii � � � � Douglas-fir

Pinus contorta � � � � � � � lodgepole pinePicea glauca × engelmannii � � � � �� hybrid white spruce

Picea mariana � � � black spruceShrubs

Vaccinium membranaceum � � � � � � � black huckleberryVaccinium myrtilloides � � � � velvet-leaved blueberry

Acer glabrum � Douglas mapleRubus parviflorus � � � � � � � thimbleberry

Ledum groenlandicum � � � Labrador teaLonicera involucrata � � � � � � � � black twinberry

Spiraea douglasiissp. menziesii � � � pink spirea

Oplopanax horridus � � �� devil’s clubCornus stolonifera � � red-osier dogwoodBetula glandulosa � scrub birch

Herbs and Dwarf ShrubsLinnaea borealis � � � twinflower

Cornus canadensis � � � � � � � � � � � � bunchberryClintonia uniflora � � � � queen’s cup

Gaultheria hispidula � � creeping-snowberryGymnocarpium dryopteris � �� oak fern

Athyrium filix-femina � � � � � lady fernEquisetum arvense � � � � common horsetail

Mosses and LichensCladina spp. � � cladina lichens

Pleurozium schreberi �� red-stemmed feathermossSphagnum spp. � � � sphagnums

Mnium spp. � � � �� leafy mosses

9 • 5

SBSwk1

1 Page numbers refer to the publication Plants of Northern British Columbia(MacKinnon et al. [editors] 1992).

Site Series Key

1a Main canopy mixed but dominated by Douglas-fir.

2a Commonly on colluvial material; >50% coarse fragments;Acer glabrum (Douglas maple) (p. 35)1 present.

SBSwk1/04

2b Never on colluvial material; <50% coarse fragments; Acerglabrum absent.

SBSwk1/05

1b Main canopy dominated by tree species other than Douglas-fir.

3a Main canopy dominated by lodgepole pine or black spruce.

4a Black spruce in main canopy; shrub layer oftendominated by Ledum groenlandicum (Labrador tea)(p. 40).

5a Organic soils, rarely lacustrine or fluvial; Equisetumspp. (horsetails) (p. 281–284) high cover (>10%).

SBSwk1/11

5b Lacustrine or glaciofluvial soils; Equisetum spp.absent.

SBSwk1/12

4b Black spruce absent from canopy; shrub layer notdominated by Ledum groenlandicum.

6a Soils shallow to bedrock or coarse-textured(glacio)fluvial; Vaccinium myrtilloides (velvet-leavedblueberry) (p. 43) abundant (>10% cover) or lichenscommon (>5% cover).

7a If sloping then aspect south-westerly; moderateherb cover (>10%); located on coarse-textured(glacio)fluvial soils or thin soils (40–80 cm) overbedrock.

SBSwk1/03

7b Aspect variable and slope position often crest;low herb cover (<10%); located on very thinsoils (<35 cm) over bedrock.

SBSwk1/02

9 • 6

SBSwk1

6b Soils variable and always deep (i.e., >80 cm tobedrock); Vaccinium myrtilloides and lichens notabundant.

8a Often mid- to upper slope; generally moderatelycoarse to coarse-textured soils; Gymnocarpiumdryopteris (oak fern) (p. 293) low to moderatecover (<10%).

SBSwk1/05

8b Usually mid- to lower slope or level; variable soiltexture; Gymnocarpium dryopteris moderate tohigh cover (>10%).

SBSwk1/01

3b Main canopy dominated by hybrid white spruce.

9a Shrub layer dominated by Spiraea douglasii ssp. menziesii(pink spirea) (p. 45); lacustrine soils; level slope position.

SBSwk1/06

9b Spiraea douglasii ssp. menziesii low cover (<2%) orabsent; soils variable; slope position variable.

10a Oplopanax horridus (devil’s club) (p. 36) high cover(>5%); mid- to lower slope, level or depression.

11a Cornus stolonifera (red-osier dogwood) (p. 48)moderate to high cover (>5%); Equisetum spp.(p. 281–284) cover high (>10%); level slopeposition adjacent to water or in depression.

SBSwk1/10

11b Cornus stolonifera low cover (usually <1%);Equisetum spp. low cover (<1%); mid- to lowerslope, or level.

SBSwk1/08

10b Oplopanax horridus cover low (usually <5%); slopeposition and soil texture variable.

12a Equisetum spp. high cover (>10%); on level orin depression; seepage water usually present.

SBSwk1/09

12b Equisetum spp. cover low (<10%); upland site;seepage water generally absent.

13a Canopy has lodgepole pine and/or Douglas-fir present; slope position variable; parentmaterial variable; coarse fragment contentvariable.

9 • 7

SBSwk1

14a Usually mid- to upper slope;Gymnocarpium dryopteris low cover(usually <10%) or absent; lodgepolepine usually a significant proportion(>25%) of the canopy.

SBSwk1/05

14b Usually mid- to lower slope, or level;Gymnocarpium dryopteris moderate tohigh cover (usually >10%); lodgepolepine usually a minor component of, orabsent from, the canopy.

SBSwk1/01

13b Canopy of hybrid white spruce andsubalpine fir, lodgepole pine very low cover(<1%) or absent, Douglas-fir absent;dominantly toe or level slope positions;dominantly fluvial parent material; coarsefragments <10% unless morainal material.

SBSwk1/07

9 • 8

SBSwk1

SBSwk1/01 Sxw – OAK FERN

VEGETATIONTree Layer: 30% cover

hybrid white spruce, subalpine fir,[lodgepole pine]

Shrub Layer: 30% coverLonicera involucrata (black twinberry)Ribes lacustre (black gooseberry)Vaccinium (black huckleberry) membranaceumRubus parviflorus (thimbleberry)Viburnum edule (highbush-cranberry)[Oplopanax horridus (devil’s club)]subalpine firhybrid white spruce

Herb Layer: 70% coverGymnocarpium dryopteris(oak fern)Cornus canadensis (bunchberry)Orthilia secunda (one-sided wintergreen)Rubus pedatus (five-leaved bramble)Streptopus roseus (rosy twistedstalk)Lycopodium annotinum (stiff clubmoss)Tiarella trifoliata (foamflower)Clintonia uniflora (queen’s cup)Smilacina racemosa (false Solomon’s-seal)Aralia nudicaulis (wild sarsaparilla)

Moss Layer: 90% coverPtilium crista-castrensis (knight’s plume)Pleurozium schreberi (red-stemmed

feathermoss)Mnium spp. (leafy mosses)[Hylocomium splendens (step moss)]

SOIL AND SITE:Moisture Regime: 3–5 (submesic-subhygric)Nutrient Regime: B-D (poor-rich)

*Slope Gradient (%): 0–56, commonly <40*Slope Position: mid to lower, level

Parent Material: variable*Soil Texture: moderately coarse to fine

Coarse Fragments (%): 0–75, usually <50

DISTRIBUTION: very common and large

Vaccinium membranaceum

Lonicera involucrata

Gymnocarpium dryopteris

9 • 9

SBSwk1

SBSwk1/01 Sxw – OAK FERN

INTERPRETATIONSSite limitations: – sites within this unit with medium- to fine-

textured lacustrine soils often have poor soilstructure, leading to poor root growth; plant stockthat will achieve better lateral root development(e.g., Cu-treated) or protect advance regeneration.

Site preparation: – see Section 12.1Species choice: – Pl, Sx, Fd, [Bl]Vegetation potential: – moderate to high (black twinberry, thimbleberry,

fireweed)Reforestation: – plant sturdy stock as soon after harvesting as

possible.– young Bl regeneration (<3 m tall) may be

susceptible to heavy browsing by moose.– restrict Fd to warm aspects on coarse-textured

soils within its natural range.– help maintain stand diversity on sites to be

planted with Pl by mapping aspen patches priorto harvest and planting these areas with spruce.

– maintain Fd component, especially veterans thatare valuable for wildlife and seed production.

Concerns: – sites within this unit with fine-textured soils arevulnerable to compaction under wet conditions;restrict traffic to winter operations or dry soilconditions.

– site conditions leading to cold air ponding willlead to frost damage of Fd and Sx regeneration;leaving a partial canopy and/or choosing a frost-resistant species (e.g., Pl) are advised.

9 • 10

SBSwk1

SBSwk1/02 Pl – HUCKLEBERRY – CLADINA


lodgepole pine, [Douglas-fir], [hybrid whitespruce]

Shrub Layer: 20% coverVaccinium (black huckleberry) membranaceum[Vaccinium myrtilloides (velvet-leaved

blueberry)]subalpine firhybrid white spruce

Herb Layer: 5% cover[Epilobium angustifolium (fireweed)][Melampyrum lineare (cow-wheat)][Cornus canadensis (bunchberry)][Linnaea borealis (twinflower)][Vaccinium caespitosum (dwarf blueberry)]

Moss Layer: 75% coverPleurozium schreberi (red-stemmed

feathermoss)Dicranum spp. (dicranum mosses)Cladina spp. (cladina lichens)Peltigera aphthosa (freckle lichen)Polytrichum juniperinum (juniper haircap moss)

SOIL AND SITE:Moisture Regime: 1–2 (xeric-subxeric)Nutrient Regime: A-B (very poor-poor)Slope Gradient (%): 0–86

*Slope Position: crest and upper*Parent Material: colluvial or morainal

veneer over bedrock*Soil Texture: medium to coarse

Coarse Fragments (%): 8–70

DISTRIBUTION: rare and small in size


Cladina spp.

Pleurozium schreberi

9 • 11

SBSwk1

SBSwk1/02 Pl – HUCKLEBERRY – CLADINA

INTERPRETATIONSSite limitations: – very difficult sites to reforest; consider managing

these sites primarily as wildlife habitat.– site and soil conditions of this unit result in

marginal forest productivity; seriously considerexcluding logging from this unit.

– sites within this unit with high coarse fragmentcontent (>70%) will have significantly reducedsoil moisture retention and will be extremelydifficult to plant; attempt to regenerate naturallyby retaining Pl cones.

Silvicultural system: – minimize or align large slash accumulations whenlogging to help meet site preparation objectivesand reduce fire hazard.

Site preparation: – light scarification for seedbed preparation orsummer logging with no site preparation.

Species choice: – Fd, Pl, (Bl, Sx)Vegetation potential: – lowReforestation: – attempt to regenerate naturally if potential exists.

– if natural regeneration is not feasible, plant Fd orPl.

– Bl and Sx will be significantly less productive thanPl on these sites.

Concerns: – site and soil conditions of this unit result indrought hazard for a significant portion of thegrowing season; natural regeneration is generallymore adapted to surviving these conditions,especially during establishment.

– full tree harvesting may lead to nutrient depletionand seriously reduce the number and distributionof cones; distribute woody debris and cones acrossthese sites (i.e., lop and scatter).

– sites within this unit are vulnerable to nutrientdeficiency if forest floors are reduced; avoid sitepreparation methods that reduce forest floorthickness, such as slashburning or brushblading.

9 • 12

SBSwk1

SBSwk1/03 Pl – HUCKLEBERRY – VELVET-LEAVED BLUEBERRY


lodgepole pine, [hybrid white spruce],[subalpine fir]

Shrub Layer: 45% coverVaccinium myrtilloides (velvet-leaved blueberry)Vaccinium (black huckleberry) membranaceumSorbus scopulina (western mountain-ash)Spiraea betulifolia (birch-leaved spirea)Rosa acicularis (prickly rose)Amelanchier alnifolia (saskatoon)subalpine firlodgepole pine

Herb Layer: 25% coverCornus canadensis (bunchberry)Linnaea borealis (twinflower)Clintonia uniflora (queen’s cup)Lycopodium (ground-cedar) complanatumRubus pedatus (five-leaved bramble)Vaccinium caespitosum (dwarf blueberry)

Moss Layer: 95% coverPeltigera aphthosa (freckle lichen)Pleurozium schreberi (red-stemmed

feathermoss)Ptilium crista-castrensis (knight’s plume)Dicranum polysetum (wavy-leaved moss)[Cladina rangiferina (reindeer lichen)][Hylocomium splendens (step moss)]

SOIL AND SITE:Moisture Regime: 1–3 (xeric-submesic)Nutrient Regime: A-C (very poor-medium)Slope Gradient (%): 0–62Slope Position: variable, crest to levelParent Material: variable, often

(glacio)fluvial*Soil Texture: coarse


DISTRIBUTION: common on upper (glacio)fluvial terraces and sites withbedrock within 1 m of thesurface

Vaccinium myrtilloides

Cornus canadensis

Pleurozium schreberi

9 • 13

SBSwk1

SBSwk1/03 Pl – HUCKLEBERRY – VELVET-LEAVED BLUEBERRY

INTERPRETATIONSSite limitations: – sites within this unit with high coarse fragment

content (>70%) will have significantly reducedsoil moisture retention and will be extremelydifficult to plant; attempt to regenerate naturallyby retaining Pl cones on site.



Species choice: – Pl, Fd, [Sx], (Bl)Vegetation potential: – lowReforestation: – attempt to regenerate naturally if potential exists.

– if natural regeneration is not feasible, plant Pl orFd.

– plant Sx on moist microsites only.– Bl is significantly less productive than Pl on these

sites.Concerns: – site and soil conditions of this unit result in

drought hazard for a significant portion of thegrowing season; natural regeneration is generallymore adapted to surviving these conditions,especially during establishment.

– full tree harvesting may lead to nutrient depletionand seriously reduce the number and distributionof cones; distribute woody debris and cones acrossthese sites (i.e., lop and scatter).


9 • 14

SBSwk1

SBSwk1/04 SxwFd – KNIGHT’S PLUME


Douglas-fir, hybrid white spruce, [lodgepole pine]

Shrub Layer: 30% coverAcer glabrum (Douglas maple)Amelanchier alnifolia (saskatoon)Vaccinium (black huckleberry) membranaceumRubus parviflorus (thimbleberry)Ribes lacustre (black gooseberry)Spiraea betulifolia (birch-leaved spirea)Rosa acicularis (prickly rose)Viburnum edule (highbush-cranberry)subalpine fir

Herb Layer: 20% coverCornus canadensis (bunchberry)Streptopus roseus (rosy twistedstalk)Aralia nudicaulis (wild sarsaparilla)Smilacina racemosa (false Solomon’s-seal)Orthilia secunda (one-sided wintergreen)Disporum hookeri (Hooker’s fairybells)Clintonia uniflora (queen’s cup)


feathermoss)Rhytidiadelphus (electrified cat’s-tail triquetrus moss)Hylocomium splendens (step moss)Ptilium crista-castrensis (knight’s plume)Dicranum polysetum (wavy-leaved moss)

SOIL AND SITE:Moisture Regime: 2–3 (subxeric-submesic)Nutrient Regime: B-D (poor-rich)Slope Gradient (%): 12–63

*Slope Position: mid to upper, crest*Slope Aspect: generally southerly

Parent Material: variable, commonlycolluvial

*Soil Texture: medium to coarseCoarse Fragments (%): 5–88, usually >50

DISTRIBUTION: uncommon; small areasoccurring on S to W facingslopes

Acer glabrum

Streptopus roseus

Hylocomium splendens

9 • 15

SBSwk1

SBSwk1/04 SxwFd – KNIGHT’S PLUME

INTERPRETATIONSSite limitations: – sites within this unit with high coarse fragment

content (>70%) will have significantly reducedsoil moisture retention and will be extremelydifficult to plant; attempt to regenerate naturallyby retaining Pl cones and/or leaving Fd seed treeson site.

Silvicultural system: – assess partial cutting feasibility.– minimize or align large slash accumulations when

logging to help meet site preparation objectivesand reduce fire hazard.


Species choice: – Fd, Pl, Sx, [Bl]Vegetation potential: – lowReforestation: – maintain Fd component, especially veterans that

are valuable for wildlife and seed production.– attempt to preserve Fd advance regeneration

when partial cutting.– promote natural Pl and Fd regeneration by light

scarification or spot screefing.– only plant Sx and Bl on moister microsites.– young Bl regeneration (<3 m tall) may be

susceptible to heavy browsing by moose.Concerns: – full tree harvesting may lead to nutrient depletion

and seriously reduce the number and distributionof cones; distribute woody debris and cones acrossthese sites (i.e., lop and scatter).

– site and soil conditions of this unit result indrought hazard for a significant portion of thegrowing season; natural regeneration is generallymore adapted to surviving these conditions,especially during establishment.


9 • 16

SBSwk1

SBSwk1/05 Sxw – HUCKLEBERRY – HIGHBUSH-CRANBERRY


hybrid white spruce, lodgepole pine, subalpinefir, [Douglas-fir]

Shrub Layer: 45% coverVaccinium (black huckleberry) membranaceumRubus parviflorus (thimbleberry)Spiraea betulifolia (birch-leaved spirea)Sorbus scopulina (western mountain-ash)Ribes lacustre (black gooseberry)Rosa acicularis (prickly rose)Viburnum edule (highbush-cranberry)Lonicera involucrata (black twinberry)subalpine fir

Herb Layer: 60% coverCornus canadensis (bunchberry)Clintonia uniflora (queen’s cup)Gymnocarpium dryopteris(oak fern)Streptopus roseus (rosy twistedstalk)Rubus pedatus (five-leaved bramble)Orthilia secunda (one-sided wintergreen)Epilobium angustifolium (fireweed)Linnaea borealis (twinflower)Lycopodium annotinum (stiff clubmoss)


feathermoss)Ptilium crista-castrensis (knight’s plume)[Rhytidiadelphus (electrified cat’s-tail triquetrus moss)][Hylocomium splendens (step moss)]

SOIL AND SITE:Moisture Regime: 3–4 (submesic-mesic)Nutrient Regime: B-D (poor-rich)

*Slope Gradient (%): 0–75, usually <50Slope Position: variable, commonly

upper and midParent Material: morainal, glaciofluvial

*Soil Texture: generally medium tocoarse, occasionally fine


DISTRIBUTION: common


Cornus canadensis

Ptilium crista- castrensis

9 • 17

SBSwk1

SBSwk1/05 Sxw – HUCKLEBERRY – HIGHBUSH-CRANBERRY


textured lacustrine soils often have poor soilstructure, leading to poor root growth; plantstock that will achieve better lateral rootdevelopment (e.g., Cu-treated) or protect advanceregeneration.

Site preparation: – see Section 12.1Species choice: – Fd, Pl, Sx, [Bl]Vegetation potential: – moderate (black twinberry, thimbleberry,

fireweed)Reforestation: – plant sturdy stock as soon after harvesting as

possible.– young Bl regeneration (<3 m tall) may be

susceptible to heavy browsing by moose.– restrict Fd to warm aspects on coarse-textured

soils within its natural range.– help maintain stand diversity on sites to be

planted with Pl by mapping aspen patches priorto harvest and planting these areas with spruce.

– maintain Fd component, especially veterans thatare valuable for wildlife and seed production.

Concerns: – sites within this unit with fine-textured soils arevulnerable to compaction under wet conditions;restrict traffic to winter operations or dry soilconditions.

– site conditions leading to cold air ponding willlead to frost damage of Fd and Sx regeneration;leaving a partial canopy and/or choosing a frost-resistant species (e.g., Pl) are advised.

9 • 18

SBSwk1

SBSwk1/06 Sxw – PINK SPIREA – OAK FERN

VEGETATION

Tree Layer: 40% coverhybrid white spruce, lodgepole pine, tremblingaspen, black spruce

Shrub Layer: 55% coverSpiraea douglasii ssp. menziesii (pink spirea)Lonicera involucrata (black twinberry)Alnus incana ssp. tenuifolia (mountain alder)Viburnum edule (highbush-cranberry)Rosa acicularis (prickly rose)Ribes lacustre (black gooseberry)[Rubus parviflorus (thimbleberry)]subalpine fir

Herb Layer: 35% coverGymnocarpium dryopteris(oak fern)Cornus canadensis (bunchberry)Calamagrostis canadensis (bluejoint)Clintonia uniflora (queen’s cup)Athyrium filix-femina (lady fern)Linnaea borealis (twinflower)Lycopodium obscurum (ground-pine)Pyrola asarifolia (pink wintergreen)

Moss Layer: 50% coverRhytidiadelphus (electrified cat’s-tail triquetrus moss)Pleurozium schreberi (red-stemmed

feathermoss)Ptilium crista-castrensis (knight’s plume)Dicranum scoparium (broom moss)

SOIL AND SITE:Moisture Regime: 5 (subhygric)Nutrient Regime: B-C (poor-medium)

*Slope Gradient (%): 0–5*Slope Position: level

Parent Material: lacustrine or morainal*Soil Texture: moderately fine to fine


COMMENTS: based on few plots

DISTRIBUTION: uncommon and restricted to coldair drainage pockets

Spiraea douglasii

Alnus incana ssp. tenuifolia

Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus

9 • 19

SBSwk1

SBSwk1/06 Sxw – PINK SPIREA – OAK FERN

INTERPRETATIONSSite limitations: – sites within this unit often have poor soil

structure, leading to poor root growth; plant stockthat will achieve better lateral root development(e.g., Cu-treated), prescribe natural regeneration,or protect advance regeneration.

Site preparation: – see Section 12.1– avoid mechanical site preparation when clay-

textured soils occur right to the surface.Species choice: – Pl, Sx, [Bl, Sb]Vegetation potential: – moderate (trembling aspen, black twinberry,

thimbleberry, fireweed)– a young trembling aspen canopy can help reduce

frost damage of planted stock.Reforestation: – preserve vigorous Sx regeneration.

– supplement advance regeneration by plantingsturdy stock in groups on available raisedmicrosites.

– help maintain stand diversity on sites to beplanted with Pl by mapping aspen patches priorto harvest and planting these areas with spruce.

– young Bl regeneration (<3 m tall) may besusceptible to heavy browsing by moose.

Concerns: – a combination of poorly structured soils and frostmakes these sites difficult to regenerate; preservegood quality advance regeneration duringharvesting.

– sites within this unit with fine-textured soils arevery vulnerable to compaction under wetconditions; restrict traffic to winter operations.

– site conditions may lead to frost damage of Sxregeneration, especially in any naturally occurringor artificially created depression; leaving a partialcanopy and/or choosing a frost-resistant species(e.g., Pl) is advised.

– sites within this unit with silty soils aresusceptible to frost heaving; bareroot stock willlikely resist frost heaving better than plug stock.

– if a root-restricting layer is present within 30 cmof soil surface, then sites will have a highblowdown risk.

9 • 20

SBSwk1

SBSwk1/07 Sxw – TWINBERRY – OAK FERN


hybrid white spruce, subalpine fir

Shrub Layer: 50% coverLonicera involucrata (black twinberry)Rubus parviflorus (thimbleberry)Viburnum edule (highbush-cranberry)Ribes lacustre (black gooseberry)subalpine firhybrid white spruce

Herb Layer: 65% coverGymnocarpium dryopteris(oak fern)Tiarella trifoliata (foamflower)Streptopus amplexifolius (clasping twistedstalk)Equisetum spp. (horsetails)Mitella nuda (common mitrewort)Athyrium filix-femina (lady fern)Dryopteris expansa (spiny wood fern)Rubus pedatus (five-leaved bramble)Streptopus roseus (rosy twistedstalk)Smilacina racemosa (false Solomon’s-seal)Galium triflorum (sweet-scented bedstraw)Cornus canadensis (bunchberry)

Moss Layer: 65% coverPtilium crista-castrensis (knight’s plume)Rhytidiadelphus (electrified cat’s-tail triquetrus moss)Pleurozium schreberi (red-stemmed

feathermoss)Mnium spp. (leafy mosses)

SOIL AND SITE:Moisture Regime: 5 (subhygric)Nutrient Regime: C-D (medium-rich)Slope Gradient (%): 0–32Slope Position: mid to toe, usually levelParent Material: fluvial, occasionally

morainalSoil Texture: mediumCoarse Fragments (%): 0–35, usually <10

COMMENTS: these sites occur in pockets ofcold air drainage

DISTRIBUTION: common; adjacent to streamchannels


Rubus parviflorus


9 • 21

SBSwk1

SBSwk1/07 Sxw – TWINBERRY – OAK FERN

INTERPRETATIONSSite limitations: – sites within this unit with saturated soils are

poorly aerated, which slows root development;plant seedlings on naturally or artificially raisedmicrosites.

Site preparation: – see Section 12.1Species choice: – Pl, Sx, [Bl]Vegetation potential: – moderate to high (black twinberry, thimbleberry,

fireweed)Reforestation: – preserve vigorous Sx regeneration.

– plant sturdy stock as soon after harvesting aspossible.

– young Bl regeneration (<3 m tall) may besusceptible to heavy browsing by moose.

Concerns: – sites within this unit with silty soils aresusceptible to frost heaving; bareroot stock willlikely resist frost heaving better than plug stock.

– sites within this unit with fine-textured soils arevulnerable to compaction under wet conditions;restrict traffic to winter operations or dry soilconditions.

– site conditions may lead to frost damage of Sxand Bl regeneration, especially in any naturallyoccurring or artificially created depression;leaving a partial canopy and/or choosing a frost-resistant species (e.g., Pl) are advised.

9 • 22

SBSwk1

SBSwk1/08 Sxw – DEVIL’S CLUB



Shrub Layer: 65% coverOplopanax horridus (devil’s club)Rubus parviflorus (thimbleberry)Ribes lacustre (black gooseberry)Lonicera involucrata (black twinberry)Vaccinium ovalifolium (oval-leaved blueberry)Vaccinium membranaceum (black huckleberry)subalpine fir

Herb Layer: 65% coverGymnocarpium dryopteris(oak fern)Dryopteris expansa (spiny wood fern)Athyrium filix-femina (lady fern)Cornus canadensis (bunchberry)Streptopus roseus (rosy twistedstalk)Smilacina racemosa (false Solomon’s-seal)Streptopus amplexifolius (clasping twistedstalk)Rubus pedatus (five-leaved bramble)Tiarella trifoliata (three-leaved foamflower)


feathermoss)Mnium spp. (leafy mosses)[Rhytidiadelphus (electrified cat’s-tail triquetrus moss)]

SOIL AND SITE:Moisture Regime: 5 (subhygric)Nutrient Regime: D-E (rich-very rich)Slope Gradient (%): 0–45, usually <15Slope Position: variable; usually mid to

lowerParent Material: lacustrine, morainal,

fluvialSoil Texture: medium to fineCoarse Fragments (%): 0–75, 0 in lacustrine

COMMENTS: seepage usually expected early ingrowing season

DISTRIBUTION: common


Oplopanax horridus

Dryopteris expansa

9 • 23

SBSwk1

SBSwk1/08 Sxw – DEVIL’S CLUB


textured lacustrine soils often have poor soilstructure, leading to poor root growth; plant stockthat will achieve better lateral root development(e.g., Cu-treated) or protect advance regeneration.

Site preparation: – see Section 12.1Species choice: – Sx, [Pl, Bl]Vegetation potential: – very high (black twinberry, thimbleberry,

fireweed, lady fern)Reforestation: – plant sturdy stock as soon after harvesting as

possible.– preserve advance regeneration where feasible.– avoid planting Sx or Bl in obvious frost pockets

unless risk can be reduced by providing cover.– young Bl regeneration (<3 m tall) may be

susceptible to heavy browsing by moose.– due to the very high level of competition on

theses sites, successfully regenerating them to Plwithout high site treatment costs will be difficult.

Concerns: – sites with thick organic horizons (>10 cm) reducespring soil temperatures, slowing rootdevelopment; attempt to reduce organic horizonthickness during site preparation.

– sites with thick organic horizons (>10 cm) and/orshallow (<30 cm) effective rooting depth haveincreased windthrow hazard; block layouts musthave windfirm boundaries, or a wide buffer ofstanding timber must be left around such sites.

– site conditions may lead to frost damage ofregeneration, especially in any naturally occurringor artificially created depression; leaving a partialcanopy and/or choosing a frost-resistant species(e.g., Pl) is advised.

– sites with fine-textured soils are vulnerable tocompaction under wet conditions; restrict trafficto winter operations or dry soil conditions.

9 • 24

SBSwk1

SBSwk1/09 Sxw – HORSETAIL



Shrub Layer: 30% coverRibes lacustre (black gooseberry)Lonicera involucrata (black twinberry)Viburnum edule (highbush-cranberry)Oplopanax horridus (devil’s club)Rubus idaeus (red raspberry)subalpine fir

Herb Layer: 75% coverEquisetum sylvaticum (wood horsetail)Cornus canadensis (bunchberry)Equisetum arvense (common horsetail)Gymnocarpium dryopteris(oak fern)Dryopteris expansa (spiny wood fern)Rubus pedatus (five-leaved bramble)Athyrium filix-femina (lady fern)Tiarella trifoliata (foamflower)Galium triflorum (sweet-scented bedstraw)


feathermoss)Rhytidiadelphus (electrified cat’s-tail triquetrus moss)Hylocomium splendens (step moss)Mnium spp. (leafy mosses)

SOIL AND SITE:Moisture Regime: 6 (hygric)Nutrient Regime: B-D (poor-rich)Slope Gradient (%): 0–7Slope Position: level or depressionParent Material: fluvial, occasionally

morainalSoil Texture: medium to coarseCoarse Fragments (%): 0–20

COMMENTS: these sites may be influenced byseasonally high water tablesassociated with nearby rivers andstreams; depressions oftenflooded during snowmelt

DISTRIBUTION: common but small in area


Equisetum sylvaticum

Equisetum arvense

9 • 25

SBSwk1

SBSwk1/09 Sxw – HORSETAIL

INTERPRETATIONSSite limitations: – very difficult sites to reforest; consider managing

these sites primarily as wildlife habitat.– sites with saturated soils are poorly aerated, which

slows root development; plant seedlings onnaturally or artificially raised microsites.

Site preparation: – see Section 12.1– avoid creating an excessive number of microsites,

especially on sites within this unit with a watertable <30 cm from the surface.

– carefully assess plantable and preparable raisedmicrosites to determine target stocking levels.

Species choice: – Sx, [Bl, Pl]Vegetation potential: – high (black twinberry, fireweed, bluejoint)Reforestation: – preserve advance regeneration.


– consider reducing inter-tree spacing to takeadvantage of available raised microsites.

– retain Ac veterans where possible for wildlife.– young Bl regeneration (<3 m tall) may be

susceptible to heavy browsing by moose.Concerns: – site conditions may lead to frost damage of

regeneration, especially in any naturally occurringor artificially created depression; leaving a partialcanopy and/or choosing a frost-resistant species(e.g., Pl) is advised.

– sites within this unit with thick organic horizons(>10 cm) have increased windthrow hazard; blocklayouts must have windfirm boundaries, or a widebuffer of standing timber must be left around suchsites.

– this unit may provide important habitat forwildlife; discuss prescription with fish and wildlifepersonnel.

– water table will likely rise above the groundsurface in the spring causing seedling mortalityon non-elevated sites.

– this unit is critical to the control of runoffstreamflow.

9 • 26

SBSwk1

SBSwk1/10 Sxw – DEVIL’S CLUB – LADY FERN



Shrub Layer: 75% coverOplopanax horridus (devil’s club)Cornus stolonifera (red-osier dogwood)Lonicera involucrata (black twinberry)Viburnum edule (highbush-cranberry)Ribes lacustre (black gooseberry)Rubus parviflorus (thimbleberry)Alnus incana ssp. tenuifolia (mountain alder)subalpine fir

Herb Layer: 50% coverAthyrium filix-femina (lady fern)Equisetum arvense (common horsetail)Gymnocarpium dryopteris(oak fern)Equisetum sylvaticum (wood horsetail)Rubus pedatus (five-leaved bramble)Tiarella trifoliata (three-leaved

foamflower)Viola spp. (violets)Cornus canadensis (bunchberry)Mitella nuda (common mitrewort)Dryopteris expansa (spiny wood fern)


feathermoss)Ptilium crista-castrensis (knight’s plume)Mnium spp. (leafy mosses)

SOIL AND SITE:Moisture Regime: 6 (hygric)Nutrient Regime: D-E (rich-very rich)Slope Gradient (%): 0–7Slope Position: level or depressionParent Material: fluvial, occasionally

morainalSoil Texture: medium to coarseCoarse Fragments (%): 0–20

COMMENTS: seepage often present

DISTRIBUTION: uncommon and small in area

Oplopanax horridus

Cornus stolonifera

Athyrium filix-femina

9 • 27

SBSwk1

SBSwk1/10 Sxw – DEVIL’S CLUB – LADY FERN

INTERPRETATIONSSite limitations: – these sites have saturated soils that are poorly

aerated, which slows root development; plantseedlings on naturally or artificially raisedmicrosites.

Site preparation: – see Section 12.1– avoid creating an excessive number of microsites,

especially on sites within this unit with a watertable <30 cm from the surface.

– carefully assess plantable and preparable raisedmicrosites to determine target stocking levels.

Species choice: – Sx, [Bl, Pl]Vegetation potential: – very high (fireweed, thimbleberry, lady fern, black

twinberry)Reforestation: – preserve advance regeneration.


– consider reducing inter-tree spacing to takeadvantage of available raised microsites.

– retain Ac veterans where possible for wildlife.Concerns: – site conditions may lead to frost damage of

regeneration, especially in any naturally occurringor artificially created depression; leaving a partialcanopy and/or choosing a frost-resistant species(e.g., Pl) is advised.

– sites within this unit with thick organic horizons(>10 cm) have increased windthrow hazard; blocklayouts must have windfirm boundaries, or a widebuffer of standing timber must be left around suchsites.

– these sites may represent important wildlifehabitat; discuss prescription with fish and wildlifepersonnel.

– water table will likely rise above the groundsurface in the spring causing seedling mortalityon non-elevated sites.

– this unit is critical to the control of runoffstreamflow.

9 • 28

SBSwk1

SBSwk1/11 SbSxw – SCRUB BIRCH – SEDGE


[black spruce], [lodgepole pine]

Shrub Layer: 30% coverLedum groenlandicum (Labrador tea)Lonicera involucrata (black twinberry)Betula glandulosa (scrub birch)Spiraea douglasii ssp. menziesii (pink spirea)black sprucesubalpine fir

Herb Layer: 55% coverGaultheria hispidula (creeping-snowberry)Potentilla palustris (marsh cinquefoil)Cornus canadensis (bunchberry)Equisetum arvense (common horsetail)Pyrola asarifolia (pink wintergreen)Rubus pedatus (five-leaved bramble)Orthilia secunda (one-sided wintergreen)Equisetum sylvaticum (wood horsetail)Carex disperma (soft-leaved sedge)Calamagrostis canadensis (bluejoint)

Moss Layer: 90% coverSphagnum spp. (sphagnum mosses)Pleurozium schreberi (red-stemmed

feathermoss)Ptilium crista-castrensis (knight’s plume)Peltigera aphthosa (freckle lichen)Aulacomnium palustre (glow moss)

SOIL AND SITE:Moisture Regime: 6–7 (hygric-subhydric)Nutrient Regime: A-D (very poor-rich)

*Slope Gradient (%): 0*Slope Position: level, depression

Parent Material: organic, lacustrine,fluvial

Soil Texture: fine mineral, organicsoils commonly mesicin texture

*Coarse Fragments (%): 0

DISTRIBUTION: common but often restrictedin size

Ledum groenlandicum

Equisetum arvense

Sphagnum spp.

9 • 29

SBSwk1

SBSwk1/11 SbSxw – SCRUB BIRCH – SEDGE

INTERPRETATIONSSite limitations: – site and soil conditions of this unit result in

marginal forest productivity; seriously considerexcluding logging from this unit.

Silvicultural system: – avoid logging.

9 • 30

SBSwk1

SBSwk1/12 SbPl – FEATHERMOSS

VEGETATIONTree Layer: 20% coverblack spruce, lodgepole pine

Shrub Layer: 40% coverVaccinium myrtilloides (velvet-leaved

blueberry)Ledum groenlandicum (Labrador tea)[Shepherdia canadensis (soopolallie)]

Herb Layer: 25% coverCornus canadensis (bunchberry)Linnaea borealis (twinflower)Gaultheria hispidula (creeping snowberry)[Vaccinium caespitosum (dwarf blueberry)][Lycopodium (ground-cedar)] complanatum[Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (kinnikinnick)]


feathermoss)Hylocomium splendens (step moss)Ptilium crista-castrensis (knight’s plume)[Sphagnum spp. (sphagnum mosses)]

SOIL AND SITE:Moisture Regime: 3–5 (submesic-

subhygric)Nutrient Regime: A-B (very poor-poor)

*Slope Gradient (%): 0–5*Slope Position: level*Parent Material: lacustrine; occasionally

glaciofluvialSoil Texture: variableCoarse Fragments (%): 0–50, generally <10

DISTRIBUTION: uncommon and localized

Vaccinium myrtilloides

Ledum groenlandicum

Gaultheria hispidula

9 • 31

SBSwk1

SBSwk1/12 SbPl – FEATHERMOSS

INTERPRETATIONSSite limitations: – compact soil layers and/or low aeration porosity

associated with fine-textured soils will reducerooting depth and decrease productivity over arotation; regenerate naturally whenever possible.

– soils are often saturated in the spring, but mayexperience drought in summer, both resulting inpoor root development; the poor productivityresulting from these limitations should dictate alimited intensive silvicultural investment.

– sites with medium- to fine-textured lacustrinesoils often have poor soil structure, leading topoor root growth; plant stock that will achievebetter lateral root development (e.g., Cu-treated),prescribe natural regeneration, or protect advanceregeneration.


Site preparation: – see Section 12.1Species choice: – Pl, (Sx, Sb)Vegetation potential: – lowReforestation: – attempt to regenerate naturally if potential exists.

– if natural regeneration is not feasible, plant Pl.– Sx and Sb will generally be less productive on

these sites.Concerns: – full tree harvesting may lead to nutrient depletion

and seriously reduce the number and distributionof cones; distribute woody debris and cones acrossthese sites (i.e., lop and scatter).

– site conditions leading to cold air ponding willlead to frost damage of regeneration; leaving apartial canopy and/or choosing a frost-resistantspecies (e.g., Pl) are advised.

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.. Distribution of Fen Site Associations by biogeoclimatic zone

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

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

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

Wf53 Slender sedge – White beak-rush x xxs

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

i = inland areas only s = southern subzones only

Source publication

LMH 52

80 Wetlands of British Columbia: A Field Guide to Identification

.. Fen Species Importance Table

Species Wf01 Wf02 Wf03 Wf04 Wf05 Wf06 Wf07 Wf08

Shrubs Betula nana x xyzzz x xy x x xyzzz x

Salix barclayi x x xyzzzz

Salix pedicellaris x xyz xy xy xyzz xy

Spiraea douglasii x x x x

Myrica gale

Herbs Carex utriculata xyzzz xyz xy xy xyz x x x

and Carex aquatilis xyzzz xyzz xyzzz xyzz xyz x xyz x

Dwarf Comarum palustre xy xyz xy xy xy xyzz xy

Shrubs Calamagrostis canadensis x xy x xyzz x x x x

Carex lasiocarpa x xyzzzz xyzzzz xy x

Menyanthes trifoliata x x x xyzzz xyzzz xyzz

Carex limosa x x x x xy xyzz xyzzz

Carex chordorrhiza x x xy xyz xy

Eleocharis quinqueflora x x

Trichophorum alpinum x

Trichophorum cespitosumEriophorum angustifolium x xy xy x x xy xy

Caltha leptosepala xy xy

Carex anthoxantheaEquisetum fluviatile x x xy xy xy xy

Carex magellanica x x

Carex sitchensis xy xy xyz xyz x x

Rhynchospora alba x

Carex livida x x x x

Eriophorum chamissonis x x x

Vahlodea atropurpurea x

Drosera anglica x x xy

Hypericum anagalloidesTriantha glutinosa x x xy

Schoenoplectus tabernaemontaniFauria crista-galli

Senecio triangularis x x xyz xy

Andromeda polifolia x xy xy

Kalmia microphylla x x x

Oxycoccus oxycoccos x x x x xy x

Triglochin maritima x x x xy xy

Drosera rotundifolia x x x

Leptarrhena pyrolifolia xy x

Platanthera dilatata x xy x x x

Sanguisorba canadensis x xy

Utricularia intermedia x x x xy

Viola palustris x x x

Lichens Sphagnum Group I xy xyz xyzz x x xyz x

and Aulacomnium palustre x xyz xyz xyzz x x x x

Mosses Drepanocladus spp. xyz x xy xyzz xyz xyz xyz

Sphagnum Group II x xyz x x xyz xy

Tomentypnum nitens x xyzz xyz xy x xyz xy

Philonotis fontana xy xyz

Calliergon stramineum x x x x x

Scorpidium spp. x xy xyzz xy

Campylium stellatum x x xy xy x x

Warnstorfia spp. x xy x x xyz x xy

Meesia triquetra x x xy xy

General Description

Slender sedge – Common hook-moss fens are common

throughout the Interior at elevations below 1400 m. These

fens occur on peat flats surrounding small lakes and ponds or

in infilled palustrine basins. Pro-

longed shallow surface flooding and

continual surface peat saturation are typical.

Carex lasiocarpa and Drepanocladus aduncus

are constant dominants. Other large water

sedges, such as C. aquatilis and C. utriculata,

are also common. There can be a very sparse

shrub cover of Salix pedicellaris, S. candida, or

Betula nana. The moss layer is usually well

developed but is occasionally absent. Hook-

mosses usually dominate with occasional inclusions of other brown

mosses.

Deep peat deposits are common but some sites may occur on thin or-

ganic veneers. Mesisols are the most common soil type but Humisols

and Fibrisols also occur.

Characteristic Vegetation

Tree layer (0 - 0 - 0)Shrub layer (0 - 3 - 10)Herb layer (13 - 60 - 100)Carex aquatilis, C. lasiocarpa, C. utriculataMoss layer (0 - 55 - 100)Drepanocladus aduncus

Comments

Some Wf 05 sites are marsh-like with deepflooding, low diversity, and virtually no mosslayer.The related Wf 06 occurs on floatingmats with a more equable water regime andhummock/hollow topography. Slender-sedge fens (Wf 05, Wf 06) occur in locationssimilar to the Wf 01 but seem to representsites with longer surface saturation and morebasic soil water. Similar sites in coastal areasare described by the Wf53.


Wf 05 Slender sedge – Common hook-moss

Carex lasiocarpa – Drepanocladus aduncus

Wetland Edatopic Grid

A B C D E F


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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

Source publication

LMH 52


.. Swamp Species Importance Table

Species Ws03 Ws04 Ws05 Ws02 Ws06 Ws07 Ws08 Ws01

Trees Picea X x x x x x xyzzz xyzzz xyz

Picea mariana x

Abies lasiocarpa x xy xyzzzz xy

Tsuga heterophylla x

Thuja plicata x

Picea sitchensisAlnus rubra

Acer macrophyllumChamaecyparis nootkatensis

Tsuga mertensiana x

Abies amabilis

Shrubs Salix bebbiana xyzzzz x x

Salix drummondiana x xyzzz x x

Salix maccalliana x x xyzzzz

Alnus incana xyzz x xyzzz xyz xyz xyzzzz

Lonicera involucrata xyz xy xy xy xy xyzz xy xyz

Spiraea douglasii x xy xyzz xy xyzz

Cornus stolonifera xyz x xy xy xy

Vaccinium alaskaense/ovalifolium xy

Salix sitchensis xy xyzzzz

Salix lucida x x

Rubus spectabilis x

Sambucus racemosa x

Gaultheria shallonRibes bracteosum

Elliottia pyroliflorus

Herbs Calamagrostis canadensis xyzzz xyz xyzz xyzz xyz xy xy xyz

and Carex aquatilis/sitchensis x xyzz xyzz xyzzzz xyzzz xy

Dwarf Carex utriculata xyz xyzz xyzzz xy xyz

Shrubs Gymnocarpium dryopteris x x x xy xy xy

Valeriana sitchensis xyzz

Scirpus microcarpus x xyz

Equisetum arvense xyzz x x xy xyzz xyzzzz xyzzz xyz

Lysichiton americanus x xy xyzzzz

Athyrium filix-femina x xy x x xyzzz

Tiarella trifoliata xy xy x

Streptopus lanceolatus x x

Maianthemum dilatatumOenanthe sarmentosa

Polystichum munitumEquisetum telmateia

Blechnum spicantVeratrum viride x xy x

Fauria crista-galli

Mosses Drepanocladus spp. x xyzz x x

and Mnium spp. xyz xy xyz xyz xy xyzzz xyzzz xyzz

Lichens Aulacomnium palustre x xy xyz x xyzz xyzz x

Sphagnum spp. x x x x x

Hylocomium splendens x xyzz

Pleurozium schreberi x xyz xy x

Eurhynchium praelongumRhytidiadelphus loreus

General Description

Mountain alder – Skunk cabbage – Lady fern swamps are

common in wet regions of the Sub-Boreal Interior and South-

ern Interior Mountains, particularly in areas underlain by

glaciolacustrine deposits. The Ws01 frequently occurs in wet

gullies or along small creeks where there is con-

tinuous seepage near the surface and poor drainage. It also

occurs in the lagg of peatlands, where seepage from up-

slope enriches peat deposits.

Alnus incana dominates these sites, which have a lush and

diverse understorey where Athyrium filix-femina and

Lysichiton americanus are prominent. Scattered spruce is

common. The moss layer is often sparse because of shad-

ing and high rates of litterfall.

Soils are usually poorly drained, fine-textured mineral

deposits with a veneer of well-humified woody peat.

Occasionally this unit will occur on deeper peat deposits.


Tree layer (0 - 5 - 8)Picea XShrub layer (20 - 53 - 99)Alnus incana, Lonicera involucrata, Picea X,Spiraea douglasiiHerb layer (35 - 68 - 95)Athyrium filix-femina, Calamagrostiscanadensis, Equisetum arvense,Lysichiton americanusMoss layer (0 - 24 - 87)Mnium spp.

Comments

Several other mountain alder–dominated SiteAssociations occur.The Fl01 and Fl02 occur on well-drained soils adjacent to streams andrivers; these sites lack skunk cabbage. On wet-ter sites, Carex sitchensis is dominant in theunderstorey and described by the Ws02.

The Ws01 often fully occupies small depres-sions and gullies in upland forest. It also occursbetween sedge fens and upland forest.



Ws01 Mountain alder – Skunk cabbage – Lady fern

Alnus incana – Lysichiton americanus – Athyrium filix-femina

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Thuja plicata x



Tsuga mertensiana x

Abies amabilis










Salix lucida x x

Rubus spectabilis x

Sambucus racemosa x

















Fauria crista-galli








General Description

The Mountain alder – Pink spirea – Sitka sedge Swamp Site

Association is common in wet climates of the Sub-Boreal In-

terior, Southern Interior Mountains, and interior transition

areas of the Coast and Mountains. The Ws02 occurs on

beaver-flooded flats of small creeks, peripheral zones of wet-

lands, and lakeshores, where there is

early season flooding, continuous

seepage near the surface, and poor

drainage.

Alnus incana forms an open to sparse canopy.

Spiraea douglasii can be scattered or promi-

nent. Carex aquatilis or C. sitchensis is usually

the dominant species of the herb layer, but

Scirpus microcarpus dominates on some sites.

Significant cover of Calamagrostis canadensis is

common.

Soils are derived from fluvial or lacustrine material and often have a

veneer or blanket of sedge peat. Organic horizons have silty or sandy

lenses throughout, indicating periodic significant flood events.


Tree layer (0 - 0 - 2)Shrub layer (12 - 44 - 99)Alnus incana, Spiraea douglasiiHerb layer (20 - 72 - 100)Calamagrostis canadensis, Carexaquatilis/sitchensis, Comarum palustre, Scirpus microcarpusMoss layer (0 - 10 - 85)Mnium spp.

Comments

The Ws02 is similar to Willow – Sedge Site Associations but occurs on sites with more dynamic water flow; willow-dominated sites(Ws04–06) tend to be more stagnant.

Chapter 5.4 Swamps 129

Mountain alder – Pink spirea – Sitka sedge Ws02

Alnus incana – Spiraea douglasii – Carex sitchensis


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Picea mariana x



Thuja plicata x



Tsuga mertensiana x

Abies amabilis










Salix lucida x x

Rubus spectabilis x

Sambucus racemosa x

















Fauria crista-galli








General Description

Drummond’s willow – Beaked sedge swamps/fens are com-

mon in the Central and Sub-Boreal Interior in back-levee

depressions of low-gradient creeks or channel margins in

peatland streams. Ws04 sites can be

deeply flooded during the spring

freshet and after drawdown maintain a high

watertable due to fine-textured soils or low-

lying position relative to the watertable.

Salix drummondiana dominates these sites,

with other shrubs such as Lonicera involucrata

and Spiraea douglasii common in the low-

shrub layer. The herb layer is moderately well

developed and predominantly Carex aquatilis

and C. utriculata.

Sedge peat veneers or blankets over fine- to medium-textured fluvial

or lacustrine materials are typical. Flooding can result in buried organic

layers, peat and mineral mixing, or reduced surface organic accumula-

tion.


Tree layer (0 - .5 - 10)Shrub layer (10 - 52 - 100)Lonicera involucrata, Salix drummondiana,Spiraea douglasiiHerb layer (2 - 53 - 90)Calamagrostis canadensis, Carexaquatilis/sitchensis, C. utriculataMoss layer (0 - 14 - 80)Mnium spp.

Comments

In wetter climates of the Interior, the Ws04 isreplaced by the Ws06.

The Ws04 occurs along open water channelsadjacent to Wf 01 and Wm01 units. It also oc-curs in low sites along sluggish streamsadjacent to the Fl05.

Drummond’s willow is well adapted to fluvial sites; twigs and branches have brittle bases thatreadily break during flood events.These whips will readily root in mineral soils.


Drummond’s willow – Beaked sedge Ws04

Salix drummondiana – Carex utriculata


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Thuja plicata x



Tsuga mertensiana x

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Salix lucida x x

Rubus spectabilis x

Sambucus racemosa x

















Fauria crista-galli








General Description

Sitka willow – Sitka sedge swamps are uncommon at low

elevations in the Coast and Mountains, Nass Basin, and wet

subzones of the Southern Interior Mountains and Sub-Boreal

Interior. These sites are usually associated with fluvial systems

or linked basins and experience

prolonged saturation and brief early-season

flooding.

Salix sitchensis dominates Ws06 sites. The herb

layer is primarily Carex sitchensis and

Equisetum arvense. Other large sedges and

forbs are also common. On some sites, partic-

ularly those under shade, Scirpus microcarpus

replaces C. sitchensis as the site dominant.

The moss layer is poorly developed.

Gleysols derived from fluvial materials are the

most common soil type. On some sites, sedge peat is layered in fluvial

deposits.


Tree layer (0 - .2 - 2)Shrub layer (15 - 50 - 90)Alnus incana, Salix sitchensisHerb layer (30 - 74 - 99)Calamagrostis canadensis, Carex sitchensis,C. utriculata, Equisetum arvense,Scirpus microcarpusMoss layer (2 - 8 - 35)Mnium spp.

Comments

Adjacent communities are often Wm01 orWm02 marshes or low bench flood commu-nities.This Site Association is similar to theWs04 and Ws02; the former occurs in driersubzones and the latter on more active flood-plain sites.

Sitka willow is well adapted to fluvial sites; twigs and branches have brittle bases that readilybreak during flood events.These whips will readily root in mineral soils.


Sitka willow – Sitka sedge Ws06

Salix sitchensis – Carex sitchensis


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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


s = southern subzones only

Source publication

LMH 52


.. 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

Beaked sedge – Water sedge marshes constitute the most

common and widespread Marsh Site Association in the

province. The Wm01 occurs in all subzones from low to sub-

alpine elevations on sites that are inundated by shallow,

low-energy floodwaters and that experience

some late-season drawdown. These marshes are

found in a wide variety of landscape positions

including flooded beaver ponds, lake margins,

floodplains, and palustrine basins.

Species diversity is low and plant cover is

strongly dominated by Carex utriculata and C. aquatilis

with scattered forbs, aquatics, and mosses. On sites experi-

encing significant surface drying, species diversity increases

and sites become more meadow-like. Species such as Cala-

magrostis canadensis, Geum macrophyllum, or Deschampsia

cespitosa can become prominent.

The Wm01 occurs over a wide range of site conditions on

mineral substrates with thin peat veneers. Common soil

types include Gleysols and Terric Humisols.


Tree layer (0 - 0 - 0)Shrub layer (0 - 0 - 5)Herb layer (13 - 80 - 100)Carex aquatilis, C. utriculataMoss layer (0 - 5 - 100)

Comments

The Wf 01 and Wm01 have similar plant com-munities, but, because these units arespecies-poor and the two dominant sedgespecies have a wide ecological amplitude, theplant community poorly differentiates betweensites on peat (Wf 01) and those on mineral soil(Wm01). In general, the Wm01 is more deeplyflooded, has more dynamic hydrology, and has a higher cover of C. utriculata.

The Wm02 is another similar community that occurs on more hydrologically dynamic loca-tions such as lake margins or floodplains. In cooler climates the Wm01 frequently develops intoWf 01 on sites with less dynamic hydrology.

Some Wm01 sites have scattered tall shrubs; those sites supporting > 10% shrub cover are de-scribed by Swamp Site Associations (Section 5.4).



Wm01 Beaked sedge – Water sedge

Carex utriculata – Carex aquatilis

A B C D E F


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General Description

The Scrub birch – Water sedge Fen Site Association is one of

the most common peatland Site Associations throughout the

Interior and is absent only from PP/BG and wet ESSF subzones. It is

frequently a major component of large peatlands where there is some

watertable fluctuation and the surface becomes aerated by mid-season.

These sites are often hummocked, with shrubs rooting on elevated

microsites.

Betula nana and Carex aquatilis are the charac-

teristic species but Salix pedicellaris and Carex

utriculata dominate on wetter sites. The moss

layer is variable and can be diverse, absent, or

dominated by Tomentypnum nitens, Sphag-

num, or Drepanocladus. Some drier sites will

have scattered, stunted trees (spruce or black

spruce most commonly).

Common soil types are terric and typic Mesisols and Fibrisols. Peat

depths are frequently between 1 and 2 m but deep sedge-derived peat to

4 m occurs; this Site Association can occassionally occur on thin organic

veneers.


Tree layer (0 - 0 - 10)Shrub layer (10 - 35 - 100)Betula nana, Salix pedicellarisHerb layer (5 - 60 - 100)Carex aquatilis, C. utriculata,Comarum palustreMoss layer (0 - 70 - 100)Aulacomnium palustre, Drepanocladusaduncus, Sphagnum Group I,Tomentypnum nitens

Comments

The Wf 02 Site Association often occursaround the periphery of the wetter Wf 01 or adjacent to the drier Wb05 .These three Site Associations may represent a sequence of long-term peatland succession. Many sites have amoss layer with rich and poor site indicators, suggesting that they are in transition from fen tobog conditions.

The Wf 02 is one of the most common Interior peatland community types at low to subalpineelevations. It is probably only absent from the AT, BG, and PP zones. In coastal areas, similarsites are occupied by the Wf52.

Chapter 5.2 Fens 83


Scrub birch – Water sedge Wf 02

Betula nana – Carex aquatilis

A B C D E F


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General Description

Water sedge – Peat-moss fens occur mainly at elevations

above 1100 m in the Interior (ESSF zone), where they are the

counterpart to the Wf02 of lower elevations. These comm-

unities appear to be relatively

common but have not been exten-

sively sampled. Small pocket depressions or

gradual seepage slopes where there is no flood-

ing are typical locations.

Carex aquatilis is the dominant species,

though there can be significant occurrence of

subalpine forbs such as Caltha leptosepala,

Sanguisorba canadensis, or Senecio triangularis

on some sites. Peat-mosses are usually domi-

nant in the Wf03, though there may be a diversity of other mosses such

as Aulacomnium palustre, Tomentypnum nitens, and others.

Mesisols derived from sedge peat up to 2 m (rarely to 4 m) in depth are

common.


Tree layer (0 - 0 - 0)Shrub layer (0 - 3 - 10)Herb layer (25 - 70 - 100)Carex aquatilis, C. sitchensis,Senecio triangularisMoss layer (30 - 85 - 100)Aulacomnium palustre, Sphagnum Group I,Tomentypnum nitens

Comments

The Wf11 and Wf12 occur only at higher elevations but require greater surface water-flow and replace the Wf 03 on active seepsand more saturated sites. Frost and cold soils rather than a high watertable probably limitshrub establishment on Wf 03 sites.



Wf 03 Water sedge – Peat-moss

Carex aquatilis – Sphagnum

A B C D E F


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General Description

Barclay’s willow – Water sedge – Glow moss fen/swamps are

common at subalpine elevations of the Sub-Boreal Interior,

Southern Interior Mountains, and Northern Boreal Moun-

tains. They occur on subalpine

seepage slopes, along glacier-fed

creeks, and in frost-prone basins.

Salix barclayi dominates the shrub

layer with a scattering of other low shrub

species. Carex aquatilis dominates the herb

layer but is often accompanied by scattered

high-elevation species such as Caltha lep-

tosepala, Eriophorum angustifolium, and

Leptarrhena pyrolifolia. The moss layer can

be absent or moderately well developed.

Continuous (often copious) groundwater or snowmelt seepage is typical,

and soils are cold. Peat is often shallow because of low biomass produc-

tion but occasionally deep sedge peat deposits are encountered.

Common soil types include terric Mesisols, Humisols, and Fibrisols


Tree layer (0 - .5 - 3)Shrub layer (10 - 35 - 95)Salix barclayiHerb layer (26 - 65 - 99)Calamagrostis canadensis, Carex aquatilis,C. sitchensisMoss layer (0 - 15 - 95)Aulacomnium palustre, Mnium spp.,Philonotis fontana

Comments

Wf 04 can occur alone or surrounding sedgeor cotton-grass fens (Wf 03 or Wf12), or inwet depressions within forb-rich subalpinemeadows or carrs.The similar Sc03 is alsocommon at high elevations in the Interior.However, the Sc03’s low shrub physiognomyis the result of cold-air drainage not wet soils,and it is characterized by subalpine forbs with few hydrophytes.

Chapter 5.2 Fens 85

Barclay’s willow – Water sedge – Glow moss Wf 04

Salix barclayi – Carex aquatilis – Aulacomnium palustre


A B C D E F


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General Description

The Shore sedge – Buckbean – Hook-moss is an uncommon,

rich Fen Site Association that occurs mainly at higher eleva-

tions throughout the Interior (700–1800 m) in colder

subzones. These fens occur on pond-side floating mats or in

flarks of patterned fens where there is prolonged shallow

flooding to no more than several

centimetres.

Carex limosa rooted in shallow

water is the constant dominant on these sites.

Menyanthes trifoliata occurs on most sites but

can be very sparse or absent on some. A

diversity of species tolerant of permanent sat-

uration such as Carex chordorrhiza, Equisetum

fluviatile, and Andromeda polifolia commonly

occur with low cover.

Peat deposits are shallow (0.5 m) to very deep (> 6 m), fibric or mesic,

and derived from fine sedges and brown mosses. Fibrisols are the most

common soil type.


Tree layer (0 - 0 - 0)Shrub layer (0 - .5 - 10)Herb layer (14 - 35 - 100)C. limosa, Menyanthes trifoliataMoss layer (1 - 85 - 100)Drepanocladus spp.

Comments

This is the most common and dominant SiteAssociation in patterned fens. In weakly pat-terned fens, the Wf 08 occurs over ribs andflarks. Where there is a more pronouncedrib/flark pattern, the Wf 08 will typicallyoccur in flarks and the floristically similar,shrubby Wf 07 on elevated ribs.

The Wf 06 occurs on wetter and more hydrologically dynamic sites than the Wf 08. Similarlystagnant sites with acidic soil water are occupied by the Wb13.The Wf 08 has similar hydrolo-gy to the Wf 09 and Wf10, but with more mobile groundwater and greater degree of surfaceflooding. Wf 08 sites may become Wb13 sites in some circumstances.Peat deposits are often consistent throughout the profile, and peat core contents of fine sedgeand brown mosses are readily identifiable.This suggests that these ecosystems can be stableand long-lived.

Chapter 5.2 Fens 89

Shore sedge – Buckbean – Hook-moss Wf 08

Carex limosa – Menyanthes trifoliata – Drepanocladus


A B C D E F


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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


s = southern subzones only

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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

The Swamp horsetail – Beaked sedge Marsh Site Association is

uncommon at lower elevations throughout the Interior. Com-

mon locations are in back-levee depressions along sediment-

laden, low-gradient streams, protected bays of large lakes, or

hydrologically modified (flooded) fens. The Wm02 also oc-

curs along the Coast in tidal reaches of large rivers above

saltwater influence.

Plant diversity is low. Sites are dom-

inated by Equisetum fluviatile with Carex

utriculata sometimes co-dominating; often

there are scattered aquatics such as Potamoge-

ton and Myriophyllum spp. The Wm02 is

similar to the Wm01 but is distinguished by its

higher hydrodynamic index and by the domi-

nance of E. fluviatile.

Soils are derived from silty or fine-sandy fluvi-

um, deep limnic deposits at open margins of lakes, or recently flooded

peat. Rego Gleysols and Terric Humisols are common soil types.


Tree layer (0 - 0 - 0)Shrub layer (0 - 0 - 4)Herb layer (18 - 85 - 100)C. utriculata, Equisetum fluviatileMoss layer (0 - 0 - 90)

Comments

E. fluviatile is tolerant of extreme variationsin water depth and high rates of sedimenta-tion and can colonize exposed mineral orpeat soils. It has been used to revegetate theextreme environment of the drawdown zonein reservoirs.

On fluvial sites, the Wm02 is usually adjacentto tall-willow swamps or low bench commu-nities. In lake systems, Wm02 commonlyadjoins open water and other marsh commu-nities.

Chapter 5.3 Marshes 109

Swamp horsetail – Beaked sedge Wm02

Equisetum fluviatile – Carex utriculata


A B C D E F


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.. Distribution of Flood Site Associations by biogeoclimatic zone


Fl01 Mountain alder – Common horsetail xxx x xx xx xx xxx xFl02 Mountain alder – Red-osier dogwood – Lady fern xx xxw xFl03 Pacific willow – Red-osier dogwood – Horsetail x x x x xFl04 Sitka willow – Red-osier dogwood – Horsetail xx xw xFl05 Drummond’s willow – Bluejoint x x x xxxFl06 Sandbar willow x xFl07 Water birch – Rose x xh

Fm01 Cottonwood – Snowberry – Rose x xx xFm02 Cottonwood – Spruce – Red-osier dogwood x xx xx xx xx xxFm03 Cottonwood – Subalpine fir – Devil’s club xx xw

Fl50 Sitka willow – False lily-of-the-valley xFl51 Red alder – Salmonberry – Horsetail xx xxFm50 Cottonwood – Red alder – Salmonberry xx xxxoc

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

w = wet/very wet subzones only h = warm/hot subzones only xoc = not on outer coast (hypermaritime)

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.. Flood Species Importance Table

Species Fl04 Fl05 Fl06 Fl03 Fl07 Fl01 Fl02

TreesPopulus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa x xyz x xy x

Picea X x x x x x xy xy

Abies lasiocarpa x x

Alnus rubraPicea sitchensis

Shrubs Salix sitchensis xyzzzz x x xy

Salix drummondiana xyz xyzzzz x

Salix exigua x xyzzzz xy

Salix lucida xy x xyzzzz x

Betula occidentalis xyzzzz

Salix bebbiana x x xyz x

Alnus incana xy x xy xyzzz xy xyzzzz xyzzzz

Cornus stolonifera xyzz x xyzzzz xyz xy xyzz

Lonicera involucrata xyz xyzz x xyz xyzz

Rosa woodsii xyzz

Rosa nutkana x xy

Symphoricarpos albus x xyz x

Acer glabrum xy

Rosa acicularis x xy x x x x

Oplopanax horridus x x

Rubus parviflorus x x x xy

Viburnum edule xy x x x

Sambucus racemosa x xy xyz

Rubus spectabilisRibes bracteosum x x

Herbs Calamagrostis canadensis xy xyzzz x xy xy xy

and Equisetum arvense xyzz xy x xyzz xy xyzzz xyzz

Dwarf Equisetum hyemale x xyzz x

Shrubs Athyrium filix-femina xy x xyz xyzz

Urtica dioica x x xy xyzz

Heracleum maximum x xy x xyz xyz

Matteuccia struthiopteris x xyzzz

Poa pratensis x x xyz x

Osmorhiza berteroi x x x

Pyrola asarifolia x x x x

Actaea rubra x x xy

Gymnocarpium dryopteris x xyz xy

Circaea alpina x x x x xy

Streptopus amplexifolius x xy xy

Aster subspicatus x

Stachys mexicanaElymus glaucus x x x

Maianthemum dilatatum

Mosses Brachythecium spp. xy x x xyz xy

and Mnium spp. xy xy x x xyz xyz

Lichens Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus

General Description

Mountain alder – Red-osier dogwood – Lady fern sites are

common at low elevations in the wet climates of the Sub-

Boreal Interior, Southern Interior Mountains, and Nass Basin, along

streams and in creek gullies. Low-gradient floodplains with loamy or

fine-textured soils and moderate duration of flooding are characteristic

of this Site Association.

Alnus incana always dominates the canopy but a diversity

of shrubs is common. Cornus stolonifera and Lonicera

involucrata are frequently abundant. The understorey is

diverse and lush, with a marked abundance of large ferns.

In the eastern SBS and in some locations in the Skeena-

Nass area, Matteuccia struthiopteris is the dominant fern;

elsewhere Athyrium filix-femina predominates. The moss

layer is usually very sparse.

Soils are Humic Gleysols or Cumulic Regosols.


Tree layer (0 - 0 - 10)Shrub layer (10 - 78 -100)Alnus incana, Cornus stolonifera, Lonicerainvolucrata, Sambucus racemosaHerb layer (20 - 75 - 100)Athyrium filix-femina, Equisetum arvense,Heracleum maximum, Matteucciastruthiopteris, Urtica dioicaMoss layer (0 - 4 - 20)Brachythecium spp., Mnium spp.

Comments

Similar but wetter sites with a perched wa-tertable have an abundance of Lysichitonamericanus and are described by the Ws01.Higher-gradient sites with gravelly or sandysoils are occupied by the Fl01.The Fl02 is oftenfound in association with Fm02 or Fm03 mid-dle bench communities.


Chapter 5.7 Flood associations 181

Mountain alder – Red-osier dogwood – Lady fern Fl02

Alnus incana – Cornus stolonifera – Athyrium filix-femina

A B C D E F


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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

The Tufted clubrush – Star moss Fen Site Association is

scattered throughout the Interior at middle to subalpine ele-

vations, most commonly in regions underlain with base-rich

parent materials. These fens occur on level and gently sloping,

groundwater-fed peatlands that are

permanently saturated but rarely inundated.

Sites have smooth, ribbed, or slightly hum-

mocked topography and any depressions are

water-filled.

Trichophorum cespitosum and Campylium

stellatum are constant dominants and occur

mainly on drier microsites. Menyanthes

trifoliata and calcium-encrusted Scorpidium

scorpioides and Scorpidium revolvens are com-

monly found in very shallow pools.

Most sites have a distinct dense and tenacious turfy peat. Deep peat is

typical (to 5 m) but occasionally thin peat veneers occur. Fibrisols and

Mesisols are typical soil types.


Tree layer (0 - 0 - 0)Shrub layer (0 - 1 - 10)Herb layer (20 - 75 - 97)Carex limosa, Eriophorum angustifolium,Menyanthes trifoliata, Trichophorum cespitosumMoss layer (0 - 70 - 95)Campylium stellatum, Sphagnum Group II

Comments

The Wf11 occurs where extremely high pHlimits the availability of phosphorous, mak-ing these sites nutrient-poor even thoughthey have an abundance of cations.Tuftedclubrush–dominated wetlands are also foundin regions underlain by base-poor granitic parent material, such as coastal British Columbia, where phosphorus is also limited.These com-munities lack minerotrophic site indicators and have a Sphagnum-dominated moss layer.Tufted clubrush – Peat-moss ecosystems (Wb52) are very common in coastal British Columbiabut several sites have been observed in interior locations where the local geology is of igneousintrusive origin (e.g., Monashee Ranges).


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Wf11 Tufted clubrush – Star moss

Trichophorum cespitosum – Campylium stellatum

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Picea mariana x



Thuja plicata x



Tsuga mertensiana x

Abies amabilis










Salix lucida x x

Rubus spectabilis x

Sambucus racemosa x

















Fauria crista-galli









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.


Pink spirea – Sitka sedge Ws50

Spiraea douglasii – Carex sitchensis


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General Description

Scrub birch – Buckbean – Shore sedge fens occur throughout

the Central and Sub-Boreal Interior at middle elevations

below 1400 m, in palustrine basins or patterned fens with per-

manently high watertables. Most sites are prominently

hummocked or ribbed with elevated sites and permanent

shallow-water hollows.

An open cover of Betula nana or Salix pedicel-

laris rooted on elevated microsites is distinctive. Low

sedges such as Carex chordorrhiza and C. limosa are promi-

nent throughout most sites, while Comarum palustre and

Menyanthes trifoliata occupy inundated depressions. The

composition of the well-developed bryophyte layer is vari-

able. Mixed-species Sphagnum cover is common on some

sites (not necessarily the most acidic), brown mosses are

common on others, while true calciphiles such as Scorpidi-

um scorpioides occur only on the most basic sites.

Mesisols and Fibrisols derived from sedge/moss peat are

typical. Peat is often >1 m in depth but, less commonly,

sites occur on peat veneers.


Tree layer (0 - 0 - 0)Shrub layer (10 - 26 - 55)Betula nana, Salix pedicellarisHerb layer (20 - 60 - 80)Carex aquatilis, C. chordorrhiza, C. limosa,Comarum palustre, Menyanthes trifoliataMoss layer (20 - 95 - 100)Drepanocladus aduncus, Scorpidium spp.,Sphagnum Group I, Sphagnum Group II,Tomentypnum nitens

Comments

The Wf 07 covers much of the acidity/alkalini-ty gradient, with little change in the vascularflora but a marked difference in thebryophyte composition. Some sites have more Sphagnum and are generally more bog-like,while others are more clearly rich fens.These sites are similar to the Wb13 but have a well developed shrub layer. However, there is a high degree of intergradation with few clear envi-ronmental criteria to separate most sites (except at the extremes of the spectrum). Hence, thevariation has been grouped into a single Site Association.

The open shrub cover of the the Wf 07 distinguishes it from the wetter Wf 08 or Wb13.The Wf 07may represent the middle stage of a peatland succession sequence: Wf 08 >> Wf 07 >> Wb11in some regions .


Wf 07 Scrub birch – Buckbean – Shore sedge

Betula nana – Menyanthes trifoliata – Carex limosa


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Documents

TABLE 14 Environmental characteristics of SBS subzones and ... · 4 >60% of plots, mean cover >7Œ15%; 5 >60% of plots, mean cover >15%. LMH 39. 5Ł11 - 10. BGC UNITS. summits of