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Environmental Baseline Study:
Vegetation and Wetlands
Total E&P Canada Ltd.Calgary, Alberta
Binder Section Pages.indd cover9 12/11/2007 1:53:23 PM
Environmental Baseline Study: Vegetation and Wetlands Table of Contents
TOTAL E&P Canada Ltd. December 2007 Page i
Table of Contents
1 Introduction ................................................................................................................................ 1-1 1.1 Background .................................................................................................................................. 1-1 1.2 Focus of Baseline Investigations .................................................................................................. 1-1 1.3 Study Areas .................................................................................................................................. 1-1
1.3.1 Local Study Area ............................................................................................................. 1-1 1.3.2 Regional Study Area ....................................................................................................... 1-1
2 Methods ....................................................................................................................................... 2-1 2.1 Local Study Area .......................................................................................................................... 2-1
2.1.1 Review of Historical Data ............................................................................................... 2-1 2.1.2 Local Study Area Vegetation Characterization, Classification and Mapping ................. 2-1 2.1.3 Rare Plants ....................................................................................................................... 2-2 2.1.4 Rare Ecological Communities ......................................................................................... 2-3 2.1.5 Weeds .............................................................................................................................. 2-4 2.1.6 Species Nomenclature ..................................................................................................... 2-5
2.2 Regional Study Area .................................................................................................................... 2-5 2.2.1 Regional Study Area Vegetation Characterization and Mapping ................................... 2-5
2.3 Quality Assurance and Quality Control ....................................................................................... 2-6 3 Results ......................................................................................................................................... 3-1 3.1 Local Study Area .......................................................................................................................... 3-1
3.1.1 Local Study Area Vegetation Characterization, Classification and Mapping ................. 3-1 3.1.2 Rare Plants ....................................................................................................................... 3-8 3.1.3 Rare Plant Communities .................................................................................................. 3-9 3.1.4 Weeds .............................................................................................................................. 3-9
3.2 Regional Study Area .................................................................................................................... 3-9 3.2.1 Regional Study Area Vegetation Characterization and Mapping ................................... 3-9
4 Summary ..................................................................................................................................... 4-1 4.1 Local Study Area .......................................................................................................................... 4-1 4.2 Regional Study Area .................................................................................................................... 4-1 5 References ................................................................................................................................... 5-1 5.1 Literature Cited............................................................................................................................. 5-1 5.2 Personal Communication ............................................................................................................. 5-2 5.3 Internet Sites ................................................................................................................................. 5-2 Appendix A Vegetation Survey Sites................................................................................................ A-1 Appendix B Diversity Data by Vegetation Class ............................................................................. B-1
Environmental Baseline Study: Vegetation and Wetlands Table of Contents
December 2007 TOTAL E&P Canada Ltd.Page ii
List of Tables
Table 2.1-1 Alberta Natural Heritage Information Centre Rankings .................................................. 2-2 Table 2.1-2 Rare Ecological Community Provincial Rankings .......................................................... 2-3 Table 3.1-1 Land Units in the Local Study Area ................................................................................ 3-2 Table 3.1-2 Rare Plant Occurrences in the Local Study Area ............................................................ 3-8 Table A-1 Vegetation Survey Sites ................................................................................................. A-3 Table B-1 Vegetation Species Observed in the Aspen Poplar Woodland Alliance ......................... B-3 Table B-2 Vegetation Species Observed in the White Spruce Woodland Alliance ......................... B-8 Table B-3 Vegetation Species Observed in the White Spruce-Mixed Evergreen Woodland
Alliance ......................................................................................................................... B-11 Table B-4 Vegetation Species Observed in the Aspen Poplar Shrubland Alliance........................ B-16 Table B-5 Vegetation Species Observed in the Chokecherry Shrubland Alliance ......................... B-17 Table B-6 Vegetation Species Observed in the Prickly Rose Shrubland Alliance ......................... B-19 Table B-7 Vegetation Species Observed in the Ephemeral Marsh Wetland Class ........................ B-21 Table B-8 Vegetation Species Observed in the Temporary Marsh Wetland Class ........................ B-24 Table B-9 Vegetation Species Observed in the Seasonal Marsh Wetland Class ........................... B-27 Table B-10 Vegetation Species Observed in the Semi-Permanent Marsh Wetland Class ............... B-32 Table B-11 Vegetation Species Observed in the Pasture-Prairie Alliance ....................................... B-33
List of Figures
Figure 1.1-1 TOTAL Lands ................................................................................................................. 1-2 Figure 1.3-1 Vegetation Local Study Area .......................................................................................... 1-3 Figure 1.3-2 Vegetation Regional Study Area ..................................................................................... 1-4 Figure 3.1-1 Vegetation Land Units and Survey Sites in the Local Study Area .................................. 3-3 Figure 3.2-1 Vegetation Landforms Sensitive to Air Emissions in the Regional Study Area ........... 3-11 Figure B-1 Site-Species Curve for the Aspen Poplar Woodland Alliance ........................................ B-7 Figure B-2 Site-Species Curve for the White Spruce Woodland Alliance ...................................... B-11 Figure B-3 Site-Species Curve for the White Spruce-Mixed Evergreen Woodland Alliance ......... B-15 Figure B-4 Site-Species Curve for the Aspen Poplar Shrubland Alliance ...................................... B-17 Figure B-5 Site-Species Curve for the Chokecherry Shrubland Alliance ....................................... B-19 Figure B-6 Site-Species Curve for the Prickly Rose Shrubland Alliance ........................................ B-21 Figure B-7 Site-Species Curve for the Ephemeral Marsh Wetland Class ....................................... B-23 Figure B-8 Site-Species Curve for the Temporary Marsh Wetland Class ....................................... B-26 Figure B-9 Site-Species Curve for the Seasonal Marsh Wetland Class .......................................... B-31 Figure B-10 Site-Species Curve for the Semi-Permanent Marsh Wetland Class .............................. B-33 Figure B-11 Site-Species Curve for the Pasture–Prairie Alliance ..................................................... B-37
Environmental Baseline Study: Vegetation and Wetlands Abbreviations
TOTAL E&P Canada Ltd. December 2007 Page iii
Abbreviations
ANHIC .............................................................. Alberta Natural Heritage Information Centre EIA ...................................................................................... environmental impact assessment LSA .................................................................................................................. local study area RSA ............................................................................................................ regional study area SQL ................................................................................................. structured query language TOTAL ........................................................................................... TOTAL E&P Canada Ltd.
Environmental Baseline Study: Vegetation and Wetlands Abbreviations
December 2007 TOTAL E&P Canada Ltd.Page iv
Environmental Baseline Study: Vegetation and Wetlands Section 1: Introduction
TOTAL E&P Canada Ltd. December 2007 Page 1-1
1 Introduction 1.1 Background
TOTAL E&P Canada Ltd. (TOTAL) owns a parcel of land in Alberta’s Industrial Heartland near Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta (see Figure 1.1-1). The parcel is situated in the following portions of Township 55, Range 21, West of the 4th Meridian:
• Section 18: • portions of legal subdivisions (LSDs) 11, 12 • all of LSDs 13 and 14
• Section 19 • Section 20:
• portion of LSD 3 • all of LSDs 4, 5 and 6 • northwest quarter
The proposed site secured by TOTAL is in an area zoned for heavy industrial development.
Throughout this document, this land (including small inholdings that TOTAL is intending to acquire) is referred to as the TOTAL lands.
1.2 Focus of Baseline Investigations Baseline vegetation investigations included reviewing existing vegetation studies (including baseline studies for other recent, filed applications), aerial photographs and relevant regulatory publications, as well as field surveys in 2007. Spring and summer rare plant and vegetation mapping surveys were done in June 2007 and August 2007.
The focus of baseline vegetation investigations was to:
• characterize, classify and map natural and disturbed land units • delineate wetlands • identify rare plant species and rare ecological communities • identify locations of existing weeds
1.3 Study Areas 1.3.1 Local Study Area
The local study area (LSA) for the vegetation baseline studies consists of the TOTAL lands, as well as some adjacent lands (i.e., buffer). The LSA includes a buffer to the TOTAL lands to the south where isolated wetlands or surface water drainages to isolated wetlands are bisected by the TOTAL lands boundary. The vegetation LSA is 471 ha (see Figure 1.3-1).
1.3.2 Regional Study Area The vegetation regional study area (RSA) is a 100 km by 100 km area air centred on the TOTAL lands (see Figure 1.3-2). The vegetation RSA is 1,000,000 ha.
TITLE
FIGURE 1.1-1TOTAL LANDS*
SCALE
North Saskatchewan River
Redwater River
Sturgeo
n River
ManawanLake
CookingLake Beaverhill
Lake
Lamont
TofieldBeaumontDevon
GibbonsBonAccord
Legal
Bruderheim
Redwater
Morinville
Leduc
Edmonton
21
28A2
831
45
637
16
FortSaskatchewan
STURGEONMUNICIPAL DISTRICT
LAMONTCOUNTY
BEAVERCOUNTY
STRATHCONACOUNTY
LEDUCCOUNTY
COUNTY OFTHORNHILD NO.7
WESTLOCKCOUNTY SMOKY LAKE
COUNTY
IMPROVEMENTDISTRICT 13
North Saskatc
hewan
River
15
RR 22
0
830TWP RD 552
TWP 55RGE 21
W4M
TWP 55RGE 22
W4M
TWP 56RGE 21
W4MTWP 56RGE 22
W4M
Sturgeon River
Astoti
n Cree
k
RR 21
5
RR 21
4
TWP RD 554
5 0 5 10 15
Distance in Kilometres
500 0 500 1,000 1,500
Distance in Metres
TOTAL LandsPaved Access - DividedPaved AccessUnpaved AccessRailwayWatercourse
Alberta Industrial HeartlandMunicipal BoundaryTOTAL LandsPaved AccessUnpaved AccessRailwayWatercourseUrban Area
*includes small inholdings TOTAL intends to acquire
A B
A
B
Fort Saskatchewan
North Saskatchewan
River
15
RR 22
0
830TWP RD 552
TWP 55RGE 21
W4M
TWP 55RGE 22
W4M
TWP 56RGE 21
W4M
TWP 56RGE 22
W4M
358500
358500
361000
361000
363500
363500
5956
000
5956
000
5958
500
5958
500
5961
000
5961
000
5963
500
5963
500
FIGURE 1.3-1 500 0 500 1,000 1,500
Distance in Metres
Local Study AreaTOTAL LandsPaved Access - DividedPaved AccessUnpaved AccessRailwayWatercourseUrban Area
TITLE SCALE
VEGETATION LOCAL STUDY AREA
North Saskatchewan River
Redwater River
Sturgeo
n River
ManawanLake
CookingLake
BeaverhillLake
Mundare
Lamont
TofieldBeaumontDevon
Gibbons
BonAccord
Legal
Smoky Lake
Bruderheim
Millet
Redwater
Morinville
Leduc
Edmonton
21
28A2
2
831
45
637
15
Elk IslandNational Park
16
FortSaskatchewan
TWP60
TWP59
TWP58
TWP57
TWP56
TWP55
TWP54
TWP53
TWP52
TWP51
TWP50
TWP49
TWP61
RGE17RGE18RGE19RGE20RGE21RGE22RGE23RGE24RGE25RGE26
RGE15W4M
322000
322000
362000
362000
402000
402000
5882
000
5882
000
5922
000
5922
000
5962
000
5962
000
6002
000
6002
000
FIGURE 1.3-25 0 5 10 15
Distance in Kilometres
Regional Study AreaTOTAL LandsPaved AccessUnpaved AccessRailwayWater CourseProtected AreaNatural AreaUrban Area
TITLE SCALE
VEGETATION REGIONAL STUDY AREA
Environmental Baseline Study: Vegetation and Wetlands Section 2: Methods
TOTAL E&P Canada Ltd. December 2007 Page 2-1
2 Methods 2.1 Local Study Area
2.1.1 Review of Historical Data
Site-specific historical data collected in the LSA were identified from information on rare plant and rare plant communities archived by Alberta Natural Heritage Information Centre (ANHIC). Historical data from recent applications (i.e., Shell 2007) do not overlap with the LSA.
2.1.2 Local Study Area Vegetation Characterization, Classification and Mapping
A preliminary land unit map was constructed for the LSA from interpretation of aerial photographs at a scale of 1:20,000 using PurVIEW™. Land unit polygons were identified and mapped based on dominant canopy species, aspect, topographic position, crown closure and inferred moisture regimes. Land units include:
• upland native vegetation classes • lowland native and non-native (i.e., cultivated) wetland classes • upland agricultural lands including areas under cultivation or used as pasture • industrial lands Polygons were digitized onto an orthorectified black-and-white digital photomosaic. A minimum polygon size of 0.25 ha was used to map all land units. Information collected during subsequent field surveys, including information gathered during the soils survey, was used to verify and refine the preliminary land map units.
Vegetation survey sites were identified from preliminary mapping to include a minimum two sites in each land unit except for industrial and cultivated lands. Vegetation survey sites were restricted to TOTAL lands and did not extend into the buffer. Vegetation was characterized and classified at all sites surveyed in the LSA in 2007. For a list of sites surveyed in 2007 by land unit, see Appendix A.
Characterization included identifying dominant tree and shrub species and percent cover or dominance within the different physiognomic structures (i.e., canopy, subcanopy, tall shrub and low shrub). Distinctive dominant graminoid and herbaceous species were identified and percent cover was estimated using a four-part scale (dominant, common, rare, trace). Physical aspects of each site were also noted, including soil moisture and soil nutrient regime, as well as slope and aspect. Vegetation characterization surveys were done June 18 to 21 and August 14 to 16, 2007.
A vegetation class (i.e., alliance) was assigned to each upland site based on the dominant tree, shrub and herb constituents, as described by Wheatley and Bentz (2002). If the upland vegetation class did not fit well with the communities identified by Wheatley and Bentz (2002), a vegetation class was generated. An alliance represents a vegetation class identified by its canopy structure. A vegetation class was assigned to each graminoid-dominated wetland site (i.e., marshes) based on water permanence and water chemistry following Stewart and Kantrud (1971).
For a list of species identified during 2007 vegetation surveys, see Appendix B.
Environmental Baseline Study: Vegetation and Wetlands Section 2: Methods
December 2007 TOTAL E&P Canada Ltd.Page 2-2
2.1.3 Rare Plants
Rare plants are species that exist in small numbers or have a limited global or provincial distribution (Lancaster 2000). Rare plants that occur in Alberta are ranked, mapped and tracked by ANHIC (Gould 2006). For this baseline study, ANHIC definitions were used to rank rare species as S1, S2 and occasionally S3 or S4 species (see Table 2.1-1). Some species were given a composite rank (i.e., S2/S3) to reflect uncertainty in their status. Species ranked S1 to S3 are included on ANHIC’s tracking list. Additional species for which ANHIC recommends that more information be collected are placed on watch lists. Species included on watch lists have S3 to S4 ranks.
ANHIC regularly evaluates species ranking and placement on tracking and watch lists. Because species included on watch lists typically have restricted distributions but are common within their range, population declines can result in reclassifying a species from the watch list to the tracking list (Gould 2006). The Alberta rare plant tracking and watch lists were updated in July 2006.
Table 2.1-1 Alberta Natural Heritage Information Centre Rankings Provincial
Rank Global Rank Definition
S1 G1 Five or fewer recorded occurrences, or with few individuals remaining. S2 G2 Six to 20 occurrences, or with many individuals in fewer occurrences. S3 G3 Twenty-one to 100 occurrences and might be rare and local throughout its
range, or its range might be restricted (might be abundant at some locations or might be vulnerable to extirpation because of some factor of its biology).
S4 G4 Apparently secure under present conditions and typically with more than 100 occurrences or could be fewer with many large populations. Might also be rare in parts of its range, especially at the periphery.
S5 G5 Demonstrably secure under present conditions with more than 100 occurrences but might be rare in part of its range, especially at the periphery.
SOURCE: Gould 2006
The following provincial and federal resources were checked for previous observations of rare plants in the LSA:
• ANHIC’s element occurrence database (Rintoul 2007, pers. comm.) • Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada Species At Risk
Database (Environment Canada 2006, Internet site) A spring rare plant survey for vascular plants and bryophytes was done on TOTAL lands from June 18 to 21, 2007. A late summer rare plant survey for vascular plants and lichens was done on TOTAL lands from August 14 to 16, 2007.
Environmental Baseline Study: Vegetation and Wetlands Section 2: Methods
TOTAL E&P Canada Ltd. December 2007 Page 2-3
At each vegetation survey site, the vascular rare plant specialists conducted a random meander walk within a plant community and compiled a species list until no new species were found. A UTM location was recorded at all sites. Specimens requiring further examination or species confirmation were collected, with the exception of plants where seed heads or flowers required for identification to species level were unavailable or where plant populations were small (i.e., fewer than 20) (Lancaster 2000). For surveying bryophytes and lichens, the surveyor focused on sampling all microhabitats at the site and completed subsequent species identification in the lab. A list of all rare plant sites identified during the 2007 vegetation field programs will be submitted to ANHIC.
2.1.4 Rare Ecological Communities
Rare ecological communities are defined as “community types that have been described as unusual, uncommon, of limited extent or encountered infrequently, or described by vegetation experts as in decline or threatened” (Allen 2006). Communities with restricted distribution in Alberta are ranked, mapped and tracked by ANHIC. The ANHIC list was reviewed before the rare plant surveys. For the definitions for provincial rankings of rare plant communities, see Table 2.1-2.
Observations for rare ecological communities were included in rare plant surveys.
If a community was identified as unique or unusual, sampling was done to document its composition and condition. The sampling standard included:
• sampling tree species and cover within a 20 by 20 m plot • sampling shrubs and understorey species within a 10 by 10 m plot • recording the UTM • photographing the community • recording aspect, slope, moisture regime and drainage regime
Table 2.1-2 Rare Ecological Community Provincial Rankings Provincial
Rank Definition S1 Five or fewer occurrences or very few remaining hectares. S2 Six to 20 occurrences or few remaining hectares. S3 Twenty-one to 80 occurrences. Might be rare and local throughout its range or found locally, even
abundantly, in a restricted range. S4 Apparently secure provincially though it might be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the
periphery. S5 Demonstrably secure provincially though it might be quite rare in parts of its range, especially at the
periphery. SNR Element is not yet ranked. SU Unrankable – Currently unrankable due to lack of information or due to substantially conflicting
information about status or trends. SNA Not Applicable – A conservation status rank is not applicable because the species is not a
suitable target for conservation activities.
Environmental Baseline Study: Vegetation and Wetlands Section 2: Methods
December 2007 TOTAL E&P Canada Ltd.Page 2-4
Table 2.1-2 Rare Ecological Community Provincial Rankings (cont’d) Provincial
Rank Definition S#S# Range Rank* – A numeric range rank (e.g., S2S3) is used to indicate any range of uncertainty about
the status of the species or community. Ranges cannot skip more than one rank (e.g., SU is used rather than S1S4).
MODIFIERS ? Can be added to any rank to denote an inexact numeric rank (e.g. S1? = Believed to be five or fewer
occurrences, but some doubt exists concerning status).
NOTE: *Ranks can be combined to indicate a range (e.g. S2S3 = Between 6 and 80 occurrences throughout Alberta, but the exact status is uncertain). Combined ranks indicate a larger margin of error than ranks assigned a "?" qualifier.
SOURCE: Allen (2006)
2.1.5 Weeds
Weeds are:
• all species listed as restricted, noxious or nuisance in Alberta’s Weed Control Act regulations
• weed species considered to be problematic in Strathcona County (Strathcona County 2007, Internet site; Wells 2006, pers. comm.)
Following is a list of 13 weed species of concern in Strathcona County (Strathcona County 2007, Internet site; Wells 2006, pers. comm.). Asterisks (*) indicate species of special concern due to increased prevalence or establishment of the weedy species. Stork’s bill (Erodium cicutarium) is not listed on the Strathcona County site because it is not prevalent, though it is also a weed species of concern (Wells 2006, pers. comm.). Species of concern in Strathcona County include:
• Canada thistle (Cirsium arvense) • field scabious (Knautia arvensis) • leafy spurge (Euphorbia esula) • ox-eye daisy (Chrysanthemum leucanthemum)* • perennial sow thistle (Sonchus arvensis)* • scentless chamomile (Matricaria perforata)* • tall buttercup (Ranunculus acris)* • tansy (Tanacetum vulgare)* • toadflax (Linaria vulgaris)* • white cockle (Silene pratensis)* • purple loosestrife (Lythrum salicaria) • cleavers (Galium aparine and Galium spurium) • stork’s-bill (Erodium cicutarium) While no field surveys specifically targeted identification of weeds such species were noted during all field surveys.
Environmental Baseline Study: Vegetation and Wetlands Section 2: Methods
TOTAL E&P Canada Ltd. December 2007 Page 2-5
2.1.6 Species Nomenclature
Taxonomic nomenclature follows ANHIC (2006) for vascular species, Anderson et al. (1990) for bryophytes and ANHIC (2002) for lichens.
2.2 Regional Study Area
2.2.1 Regional Study Area Vegetation Characterization and Mapping
RSA vegetation characterization and mapping focused on identifying landforms that support a high diversity of plant species with a high sensitivity to air emissions. The sensitivity of plants to emissions also depends on the type of plant and the community in which it is found.
Lichens and bryophytes respond to airborne pollutants sooner than vascular plants due to morphology and physiological processes. Lichens and bryophytes do not have a waxy protective coating, nor do they always interact with the soil to derive nutrients (Conti and Cecchetti 2001; Onianwa 2001). Rather, they obtain chemicals directly from the air or through precipitation. Chemicals enter surface cells via diffusion and ion exchange (Onianwa 2001).
Filamentous, fruticose and epiphytic lichens containing cyanobacteria are the most pollution-sensitive lichens (Brodo et al. 2001; WHO 2000). Bryophytes accumulate substances in their tissue and show changes in growth rate (Jäger 2001). Therefore, lichens and bryophytes act as excellent indicator species for effects of air emissions, including fumigation and effects from acid deposition (see Conti and Cecchetti 2001; Vitt et al. 2003 for examples).
In the RSA, lichen and bryophyte diversity and cover is high in areas of dune landforms and in peatlands. Regional spatial information on the distribution of landforms that support a high diversity of species sensitive to air emissions included historical information on the distribution of:
• dune landforms (from David 1977) • peatlands (from Vitt et al. 1996)
Environmental Baseline Study: Vegetation and Wetlands Section 2: Methods
December 2007 TOTAL E&P Canada Ltd.Page 2-6
2.3 Quality Assurance and Quality Control
Quality assurance and quality control methods used to ensure high-quality data collection during field programs and high-quality data processing during data analyses included:
• using qualified staff for field surveys • selecting sites in areas of homogeneous vegetation for ecosite phase and wetland
class survey • ensuring quality assurance and quality control checks were not done by the botanist
who generated the data • reviewing data sheets to ensure that:
• they were complete, legible and accurate, e.g., metric units and species’ names • site photographs were included • specimens collected were appropriately and clearly labelled
• incorporating historical data in a regional structured query language (SQL) database • incorporating baseline field data in a regional SQL database • verifying field data entries • checking for synonyms to ensure consistent nomenclature • using aerial photographs in PurVIEW™ to supplement field upland vegetation type
and wetland classification modifications on the LSA map
Environmental Baseline Study: Vegetation and Wetlands Section 3: Results
TOTAL E&P Canada Ltd. December 2007 Page 3-1
3 Results 3.1 Local Study Area
The LSA is in the Central Parkland Subregion of the Parkland Natural Region of Alberta (Achuff 1994; ANHIC 2006, Internet site). This subregion is a transition zone between the drier Grassland Natural Region to the south and the Boreal Forest Natural Region to the north. Native vegetation in the Central Parkland Subregion consists of groves of aspen intermixed with grasslands, with occasional wetlands in depressions. A large portion of the Central Parkland Subregion, and in particular, the Fort Saskatchewan area, has been converted to agricultural, residential and industrial use (Prairie Conservation Forum 2001).
The LSA is situated east of the North Saskatchewan River on existing industrial and agricultural lands, with small pockets of wetland, grassland and forested vegetation communities.
3.1.1 Local Study Area Vegetation Characterization, Classification and Mapping
Land units are distinctive and mappable disturbance areas, agricultural lands or vegetation types as defined by the:
• Preliminary Classification of Plant Communities in the Central Parkland Natural Subregion of Alberta (Wheatley and Bentz 2002) for uplands
• Classification of Natural Ponds and Lakes in the Glaciated Prairie Region (Stewart and Kantrud 1971) for graminoid-dominated wetlands (i.e., marshes)
Land units were mapped as part of baseline investigations in the LSA.
For land units identified in the LSA, see Figure 3.1-1, and for descriptions of the land units, see Table 3.1-1. A total of 124 survey sites were examined with most (88 sites) located in wetlands. Vegetated land covers about 96% of the LSA (Land Units 1 to 13) but most of these land units represent agricultural lands or pasture–prairie alliance. Native vegetation is represented by Land Units 1 through 11, with uplands including Land Units 1 through 6 and wetlands including Land Units 7 through 11.
3.1.1.1 Aspen Poplar Woodland Alliance
The aspen poplar (Populus tremuloides) woodland alliance is composed of a canopy of trembling aspen. A shrub understorey consists of various species, including Saskatoon berry (Amelanchier alnifolia), prickly rose (Rosa acicularis), snowberry (Symphoricarpus albus) and other shrubs including aspen poplar. In some cases, the canopy layer is the shrub layer, with aspen poplar dominating. The herb layer is diverse and variable and includes smooth brome (Bromus inermis), cream-coloured vetchling (Lathyrus ochroleucus), dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), dwarf raspberry (Rubus pubescens) and western Canada violet (Viola americana). Wheatly and Bentz (2002) identify vegetation communities within this alliance as common in the Central Parkland Region.
Environmental Baseline Study: Vegetation and Wetlands Section 3: Results
December 2007 TOTAL E&P Canada Ltd.Page 3-2
The aspen poplar woodland alliance land unit occupies 47.3 ha (10.1%) of the LSA (see Table 3.1-1). Detailed species information associated with this alliance is provided in Appendix B.
Table 3.1-1 Land Units in the Local Study Area Land Unit Number
Land Unit
Area (ha)
Area (% of LSA)
Number of Survey Sites
Uplands 1 Aspen Poplar Woodland Alliance 47.3 10.1 10 2 White Spruce Woodland Alliance 7.9 1.7 4
3 White Spruce–Mixed Evergreen Deciduous Woodland Alliance 40.5 8.6 5
4 Aspen Poplar Shrubland Alliance 4.8 1.0 1 5 Chokecherry Shrubland Alliance 2.1 0.4 2 6 Prickly Rose Shrubland Alliance 2.1 0.5 2 Upland Subtotal 104.7 22.2* 24
Wetlands 7 Ephemeral Marsh (Class1 Wetland) 12.7 2.7 47 8 Temporary Marsh (Class 2 Wetland) 5.8 1.2 7 9 Seasonal Marsh (Class 3 Wetland) 33.5 7.1 29 10 Semi-permanent Marsh (Class 4 Wetland) 0.3 0.1 2
11 Shrubby Willow Swamp (Palustrine Emergent Scrub–Shrub Broad-Leaved Deciduous Wetland) 2.8 0.6 3
Wetland Subtotal 55.0 11.7 88 Agricultural Land
12 Cultivated Land 91.5 19.4 0 13 Pasture–Prairie Alliance 200.3 42.5 12 Agricultural Land Subtotal 291.8 62.0* 12
Industrial Land 14 Industrial Land 19.34 4.1 0 Industrial Land Subtotal 19.4 4.1 0 Total 471 100 124
NOTE: * Subtotal value is accurate, however differs from apparent summation of the components due to rounding.
15
RR 22
0 830
TWP 55RGE 21
W4M
TWP 55RGE 22
W4M
Astot
in C r
eek
RR 21
5
RR 21
4
TWP RD 554
N67
N66
N64
N62N61N60
N59N57N56
N55
N54N53N52
RN05
RN36
RN35
RN34RN33
RN32
RN31RN30
RN29
RN28
RN26
RN23
RN21
RN18
RN16
RN14
RN13
RN10
RN09
RN08
RN06RN04
RN03
RN01
LH749LH748
LH747 LH750
LH747
LH746LH745
LH743 LH742 LH741
LH740LH739
LH738
LH737
LH736LH735
LH734LH732
LH731LH730
LH729
LH728
LH727
LH726
LH725
LH724
LH722LH721
LH720
LH719
LH716
LH715
LH714
LH713
LH712
LH711 LH710
LH709
LH708
LH706LH705
LH704
LH703
LH701
RN19-4
RN27-2RN27-1
RN25-3RN25-2
RN25-1
RN24-2RN24-1
RN22-2RN22-1
RN20-2
RN20-1
RN19-3
RN19-2
RN19-1
RN07-2RN07-1
RN02-3RN02-2
RN02-1
LH723b
LH723a
LH733-2
LH715-4
LH715-2LH715-3
LH729-3LH729-2
LH744-2
LH719-2
LH717-3
LH744-1
LH733-1
LH717-2 LH717-1
LH707-2LH707-1
LH702-2
LH702-1LH713-2
LH719-1
RN29b RN29c
360000
360000
5960
000
5960
000
Survey SiteVegetation Land UnitUplands
(4) Aspen Poplar Shrubland Alliance(1) Aspen Poplar Woodland Alliance(2) White Spruce Woodland Alliance(3) White Spruce -Mixed Evergreen Deciduous Woodland Alliance(6) Rose Shrubland Alliance(5) Chokecherry Shrubland Alliance
Wetlands(7) Ephemeral Marsh (Class 1 Wetland)(8) Temporary Marsh (Class 2 Wetland)(9) Seasonal Marsh (Class 3 Wetland)(10) Semi-Permanent Marsh (Class 4 Wetland)(11) Shrubby Willow Swamp
Agricultural Land(12) Cultivated Lands(13) Pasture-Praire Alliance
Disturbed Land(14) Industrial Lands
Local Study AreaTOTAL LandsPaved Access - DividedPaved AccessUnpaved AccessRailwayWatercourseUrban Area
TITLE
FIGURE 3.1-1 150 0 150 300 450
Distance in MetresVEGETATION LAND UNITS AND SURVEY SITES IN THE LOCAL STUDY AREA
SCALE
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3.1.1.2 White Spruce Woodland Alliance
The white spruce (Picea glauca) woodland alliance is composed of a canopy of white spruce and supports a diverse assemblage of understorey shrub species that includes beaked hazelnut (Corylus cornuta), northern gooseberry (Ribes oxyacanthoides), red-osier dogwood (Cornus stolonifera) and Saskatoon berry (Amelanchier alnifolia). The herb layer frequently includes species such as bishop’s-cap (Mitella nuda), common yarrow (Achillea millifolium), wild lily-of-the-valley (Maianthemum canadense), wild sarsaparilla (Aralia nudicaulis) and wild strawberry (Fragaria virginiana). Wheatly and Bentz (2002) identify vegetation communities in this alliance as common in the Central Parkland Region.
The white spruce woodland alliance land unit occupies 7.9 ha (1.7%) of the LSA. For species information associated with this alliance, see Appendix B.
3.1.1.3 White Spruce–Mixed Evergreen Deciduous Woodland Alliance
The white spruce mixed–evergreen deciduous ecological land unit has a forest canopy dominated by white spruce. Aspen and paper birch (Betula papyrifera) can be present as subdominant species within the tree canopy. An open shrub layer consisting of some combination of species that includes Saskatoon berry and wild rose as well as tree canopy species is typical. Understorey species include common yarrow, cream-coloured vetchling, creeping thistle (Circium arvense), dandelion, northern bedstraw (Galium boreale), tall lungwort (Mertensia paniculata) and wild lily-of-the-valley. Wheatly and Bentz (2002) identify vegetation communities within this alliance as common in the Central Parkland Region.
The white spruce–mixed evergreen deciduous woodland alliance land unit occupies 40.5 ha (8.6%) of the LSA. For species information associated with this alliance, see Appendix B.
3.1.1.4 Aspen Poplar Shrubland Alliance
Aspen shrubland stands represent a young, shrub-level successional stage of the aspen poplar woodland alliance that was previously logged. Northern gooseberry is often present in the subcanopy with common herbs including purple oat grass (Schizachne purpuscens), star-flowered Solomon’s-seal (Smilacina stellata) and wild red raspberry (Rubus idaeus). Wheatly and Bentz (2002) identify vegetation communities within this alliance as common in the Central Parkland Region.
The aspen poplar shrubland alliance land unit occupies 4.8 ha (1.0%) of the LSA. For species information associated with this alliance, see Appendix B.
3.1.1.5 Chokecherry Shrubland Alliance
The chokecherry (Prunus virginiana) shrubland alliance has a tall shrub canopy that is dominated by chokecherry with minor amounts of Manitoba maple (Acer negundo) and white spruce and a low subcanopy of prickly rose. Frequent herb species include common yarrow, field mouse-ear chickweed (Cerastium arvense) and star-flowered Solomon's-seal (Smilacina stellata). Wheatly and Bentz (2002) identify vegetation communities within this alliance as common in the Central Parkland Region.
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The chokecherry shrubland alliance land unit occupies 2.1 ha (0.4%) of the LSA. For species information associated with this alliance, see Appendix B.
3.1.1.6 Prickly Rose Shrubland Alliance
The prickly rose shrubland alliance in the LSA does not fit well with descriptions in Wheatly and Bentz (2002). This shrubland alliance has a low shrub canopy that is dominated by prickly rose but also includes additional shrub species such as beaked hazelnut, bristly black currant (Ribes lacustris), chokecherry, red-osier dogwood, snowberry and wild sarsaparilla. Scattered individuals of aspen polar might also be present in the shrub layer. Frequent herbs include common nettle (Urtica dioica), common yarrow, meadow and woodland horsetail (Equisetum pratense and E. sylvaticum), northern bedstraw and wild strawberry. Wheatly and Bentz (2002) identify vegetation communities within this alliance as common in the Central Parkland Region.
The prickly rose shrubland alliance occupies 2.1 ha (0.5%) of the LSA. For species information associated with this alliance, see Appendix B.
3.1.1.7 Ephemeral Marsh
Ephemeral marshes (Class 1 wetlands) are dominated by wetland low-prairie vegetation in the deepest part of the pond basin. Ephemeral marshes in the LSA have largely been cultivated. When not in cultivation this wetland class is dominated by Kentucky bluegrass (Poa palustris) or quack grass (Agropyron repens). Marshes are common in the Central Parkland Subregion (see Vitt et al. 1996) though many ephemeral marshes have been tilled for agricultural purposes.
The ephemeral marsh wetland class occupies 12.7 ha (2.7%) of the LSA. For species information associated with this alliance, see Appendix B.
3.1.1.8 Temporary Marsh
Temporary marshes (Class 2 wetlands) are dominated by wet meadow vegetation in the deepest part of the pond basin. Species such as yellow cress (Rorippa islandica) and foxtail barley (Hordeum jubatum) dominate. Smooth brome (Bromus inermis), wild mint (Mentha arvensis) and yellow avens (Geum aleppicum) may also be frequently present. Marshes are common in the Central Parkland Subregion (see Vitt et al. 1996) though many temporary marshes have been tilled for agricultural purposes.
The temporary marsh wetland class occupies 5.8 ha (1.2%) of the LSA. For species information associated with this alliance, see Appendix B.
3.1.1.9 Seasonal Marsh
Seasonal marshes (Class 3 wetlands) are dominated by shallow marsh vegetation in the deepest part of the pond basin. Shallow marsh vegetation includes moisture-loving grasses and sedges, including awned sedge (Carex atherodes), beaked sedge (Carex retrorsa), turned sedge (Carex rostrata), small bottle sedge (Carex utriculata) common tall manna grass (Glyceria grandis), spangletop (Scolochloa festucacea) and other species that prefer moist conditions (wild mint, yellow avens and creeping thistle).
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Some seasonal marshes have a peripheral ring of willows. Marshes are common in the Central Parkland Subregion (see Vitt et al. 1996) though the margin of many seasonal marshes have been tilled for agricultural purposes.
The seasonal marsh wetland class occupies 33.5 ha (7.1%) of the LSA. For species information associated with this alliance, see Appendix B.
3.1.1.10 Semi-Permanent Marsh
One semi-permanent marsh (Class 4 wetland) was found in the LSA. This semi-permanent marsh is dominated by deep marsh vegetation characterized by the presence of cat tail (Typha latifolia). Other wetland species present include celery-leaved buttercup (Ranunculs scleratus), common tall manna grass, reed canary grass (Phlaris arundinacea) and water parsnip (Sium suave). Some semi-permanent marshes have a peripheral ring of willows. Marshes are common in the Central Parkland Subregion (see Vitt et al. 1996) though the margin of many semi-permanent marshes have been tilled for agricultural purposes.
The semi-permanent marsh wetland class occupies 0.3 ha (0.1%) of the LSA. For species information associated with this alliance, see Appendix B.
3.1.1.11 Shrubby Willow Swamp
Shrubby willow swamp (palustrine emergent scrub–shrub broad-leaved deciduous wetland) was found in isolated basins in the LSA or along the margin of seasonal to semi-permanent marshes. Shrubby swamps are common in the Central Parkland and frequently occur around the margin of marshes (Vitt et al. 1996). This wetland land unit is characterized by willows (Salix spp.) including basket willow (Salix petiolaris), beaked willow (Salix bebbiana) and pussy willow (Salix discolour) with occasional red-osier dogwood individuals present. The herb layer frequently includes species typical of the wet meadow marsh zone including arrow-leaved coltsfoot (Petasites sagittatus), common nettle, creeping thistle, wild mint and yellow avens. Wheatly and Bentz (2002) identify shrubby willow swamps as common in the Central Parkland Region.
The shrubby willow swamp land unit occupies 2.8 ha (0.6%) of the LSA. For species information associated with this alliance, see Appendix B.
3.1.1.12 Cultivated Land
All cultivated land (Land Unit 13), including land with vegetated modifications such as windrows, is included in the agricultural land unit. This includes land used for planting crops such as barley and oats, and hayfields used for baling or silage in the fall. Some rights-of-way are present in areas of cultivated land.
This land unit occupies 91.5 ha (19.4%) of the LSA.
3.1.1.13 Pasture–Prairie Alliance
The pasture–prairie alliance (Land Unit 13) comprises land used for pasture. Although a large component of the vegetation community consists of agronomic and weed species, prairie species were also documented. Dominant agronomic species include smooth brome (Bromus inermis).
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Dominant weed species include butter-and-eggs (Linaria vulgaris) and quack grass (Agropyron repens). The most common native species include common horsetail (Equisetum arvense), prickly rose and American vetch (Vicia americana). Some rights-of-way are present in areas of pasture–prairie that have revegetated either naturally or through reclamation.
This land unit occupies 200.3 ha (42.5%) of the LSA. For species information associated with this alliance, see Appendix B.
3.1.1.14 Industrial Land
Industrial land includes land where vegetation has been removed for structures such as roads, trails and buildings.
This land unit occupies 19.4 ha (4.1%) of the LSA.
3.1.2 Rare Plants
Two rare plant species occurrences were identified in the LSA (see Figure 3.1-1 and Table 3.1-2). Occurrences included the vascular plant species:
• green saxifrage (Chrysosplenium tetrandrum) • long-leaved bluet (Hedyotis longifolia)
Table 3.1-2 Rare Plant Occurrences in the Local Study Area Common
Name Scientific Name (with Authority)
Track or Watch List
Site Number Easting Northing Zone
Provincial Rank
Global Rank
Green saxifrage
Chrysosplenium tetrandrum (Lund.) T. Fries.
Track RN32 360539 5960231 12 S3 G5
Long-leaved bluet
Hedyotis longifolia (Gaertn.) Hook.
Track LH739 360642 5959082 12 S2 G4G5
3.1.2.1 Green Saxifrage – Chrysosplenium tetrandrum (Lund) Th. Fries
Green saxifrage (Chrysosplenium tetrandrum) is a perennial herb that grows on moist, shady banks and ledges from Ellesmere Island to Alaska and south into the United States (Moss 1983). Green saxifrage is listed on Alberta’s tracking list and has a rank of S3. It is considered globally secure with a listed rank of G5 (Gould 2006).
One occurrence of this species was identified (at Site RN32) on the TOTAL lands during the 2007 spring rare plant survey.
3.1.2.2 Long-leaved Bluet – Hedyotis longifolia (Gaertn.) Hook.
Long-leaved bluet (Hedyotis longifolia) is a herbaceous perennial that grows on sandy soil on dunes and in open woods (Kershaw et al. 2001; Moss 1983). This species has a rank of S2 on ANHIC’s tracking list and is considered to be apparently to demonstratively secure on a global basis (G4G5) (Gould 2006).
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One occurrence of this species was identified (at Site LH739) in the TOTAL lands during the 2007 late summer rare plant survey.
3.1.3 Rare Plant Communities
No rare plant communities were identified in the LSA from historical sources or baseline surveys.
3.1.4 Weeds
While no restricted weeds were identified in the LSA, several noxious and nuisance species were identified during vegetation field surveys. Weed species were observed in the interior of all native vegetation patches. Species observed included:
• noxious species of concern to Strathcona County – butter-and-eggs (Linaria vulgaris), bladder campion (Silene cucubalus), creeping thistle (Cirsium arvense), perennial sow-thistle (Sonchus arvensis) and white cockle (Silene pratensis)
• nuisance species – common dandelion (Taraxacum officinale), European stickseed (Lappula squarrosa), field mouse-ear chickweed (Cerastium arvense), quack grass (Agropyron repens), rough cinquefoil (Potentilla norvegica), stinkweed (Thlaspi arvense) and wild mustard (Brassica kaber)
3.2 Regional Study Area
3.2.1 Regional Study Area Vegetation Characterization and Mapping
The RSA (see Figure 3.1-1) is the area within the 100 km by 100 km area centred on the TOTAL lands.
The RSA is in the Central Parkland and Boreal Dry Mixedwood subregions. As discussed in Section 3.1, native vegetation of the Central Parkland consists of groves of aspen interspersed with grasslands and occasional wetlands in depressions. The south–central portion of the RSA lies in the Boreal Dry Mixedwood Subregion with a disjunct area on the Cooking Lake Moraine (Achuff 1994). Vegetation in the Boreal Dry Mixedwood consists of aspen and balsam poplar forests, as well as white spruce and balsam fir forests. Native vegetation is relatively restricted in this area with most of the land base cleared of native vegetation for agriculture, industry and transportation. Remaining areas of native vegetation tend to be restricted to riparian areas and river valleys, dune landforms, wetlands including peatlands and moraines not suitable for tilling or in protected areas.
Vegetation that is particularly sensitive to air emissions includes bryophytes and lichens. Bryophyte and lichen species have high cover and diversity on dune landforms and peatlands. Dune landforms and peatlands are found in the RSA (see Figure 3.2-1).
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Several dune landforms are found in the RSA, including Eastgate Sand Hills, Redwater River Sand Hills and Beaverhill Creek Sand Hills (see Figure 3.2-1) (David 1977). Dune uplands consist mainly of Primula soils and can provide habitat for diverse lichen communities in open jackpine (Pinus banksiana) forests with bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi), low bilberry (Vaccinium myrtilloides), bog cranberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea) and prickly rose (Rosa acicularis) (Achuff 1994). Dune landforms comprise about 28,209 ha (2.8%) of the RSA. Peat-accumulating wetlands are often found in small interdune basins (Vitt et al. 1996).
A variety of wetlands are found in the RSA. Wetlands in the Boreal Dry Mixedwood Subregion include marshes and swamps as well as peat-accumulating fens and bogs (Nicholson and Vitt 1994). Peatlands in the Cooking Lake Moraine occur largely as perched systems whereas peatlands in the southern part of the Boreal Dry Mixedwood also occur in areas of groundwater discharge. Peatland complexes comprise about 74,152 ha (7.4%) of the RSA, excluding those present in dune landforms.
Landforms that support vegetation sensitive to air emissions (i.e., dune landforms and peatlands) represent a total area of 102,361 ha (10.2%).
16
FortSaskatchewan
BeaverhillLakeCooking
Lake
ManawanLake
Sturgeo
n River
Redwater River
North Saskatchewan River
Edmonton
Leduc
Camrose
Morinville
Westlock
Redwater
Millet
Calmar
Bruderheim
Smoky Lake
Legal
BonAccord
Gibbons
Devon Beaumont
StoneyPlain
Tofield
Lamont
Mundare
EastgateSand Hills
Beaverhill CreekSand Hills
Redwater RiverSand Hills
15
637
45
831
2
228A
21
Elk IslandNational Park
322000
322000
362000
362000
402000
402000
5882
000
5882
000
5922
000
5922
000
5962
000
5962
000
6002
000
6002
000
FIGURE 3.2-15 0 5 10 15
Distance in Kilometres
Dune LandformPeatland
≤ 30% Fen or Bog40-60% Fen or Bog≥ 70% Fen or Bog
Natural SubregionCentral MixedwoodCentral ParklandDry Mixedwood
Regional Study AreaTOTAL LandsPaved AccessUnpaved AccessRailwayWatercourseProtected AreaNatural AreaUrban Area
TITLE SCALE
VEGETATION LANDFORMS SENSITIVETO AIR EMISSIONS IN THE REGIONAL STUDY AREA
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4 Summary
4.1 Local Study Area
The LSA is characterized by:
• an area of 471 ha that is dominated by agricultural and industrial land • native vegetation, including six upland vegetation alliances that cover 104.7 ha
(22.2%) of the LSA and five wetland classes that cover 55 ha (11.7%) • all native vegetation land units are considered common in the Central Parkland
Region • the presence of two rare plants: green saxifrage (Chrysosplenium tetrandrum) and
long-leaved bluet (Hedyotis longifolia) • the presence of weeds in the interior of all native vegetation stands, including
noxious and nuisance weed species
4.2 Regional Study Area
The RSA comprises an area of 1,000,000 ha and includes 102,361 ha (10.2%) of dune landforms and peatlands that support vegetation sensitive to air emissions.
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5 References
5.1 Literature Cited
Achuff, P. 1994. Natural Regions, Subregions and Natural History Themes of Alberta (Revised). Alberta Environmental Protection, Parks Service. Edmonton, Alberta.
Alberta Native Plant Working Group. 2000. A Rogue’s Gallery of Non-native Invasive Plants. Alberta Native Plant Council, Edmonton, Alberta.
Allen, L. 2006. Preliminary Ecological Community Tracking List. Alberta Natural Heritage Information Centre. Parks and Protected Areas Division, Alberta Community Development. Edmonton, Alberta.
ANHIC (Alberta Natural Heritage Information Centre). 2002. List of all Lichen Elements. Parks and Protected Areas Division, Alberta Community Development. Edmonton, Alberta.
ANHIC. 2006. List of all Vascular Plant Elements. Parks and Protected Areas Division, Alberta Community Development. Edmonton, Alberta.
Anderson, B.W., H.A Crum and W.R. Buck. 1990. List of the mosses of North America north of Mexico. The Bryologist 93: 448–499.
Brodo, I., M. Sylvia, D. Sharnoff and S. Sharnoff. 2001. Lichens of North America. Yale University.
Conti, M.E. and G. Cecchetti. 2001. Biological monitoring: lichens as bioindicators of air pollution assessment – a review. Environmental Pollution 114: 471–492.
Cowardin, L.M., V. Carter, F.C. Golet and E.T. LaRoe. 1979. Classification of Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats of the United States. U.S. Department of the Interior. Fish and Wildlife Service. Office of Biological Services. Washington, D.C.
David, P.P. 1977. Sand Dune Occurrences of Canada. A Theme and Resource Inventory Study of Eolian Landforms of Canada. Produced for Indian and Northern Affairs, National Parks Branch. File Number 90/7-P.1 Eolian Landforms 74–230.
Gould, J. 2006. Alberta Natural Heritage Information Centre Tracking and Watch Lists – Vascular Plants, Mosses, Liverworts and Hornworts. Alberta Community Development, Edmonton, Alberta.
Jäger, H.H. 2001. Monitoring of air pollution effects on vegetation – Methods and problems: Experiences from European monitoring programs. In: Wood Buffalo Environmental Association. 2001. Direct Effects Workshop: Proceedings. Wood Buffalo Environmental Association and Terrestrial Environmental Effects Monitoring Program. Calgary, Alberta.
Lancaster, Jane (ed.). 2000. Alberta Native Plant Council Guidelines for Rare Plant Surveys in Alberta. Alberta Native Plant Council. Edmonton, Alberta.
Moss, E.H. 1983. Flora of Alberta. 2nd Edition (revised by J. G. Packer). University of Toronto Press. Toronto, Ontario.
Nicholson, B.J. and D.H. Vitt. 1994. Wetland development at Elk Island National Park, Alberta, Canada. Journal of Paleolimnology 12: 19–34.
Environmental Baseline Study: Vegetation and Wetlands Section 5: References
December 2007 TOTAL E&P Canada Ltd.Page 5-2
Onianwa, P.C. 2001. Monitoring atmospheric metal pollution: a review of the use of mosses as indicators. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 71: 13–50.
Prairie Conservation Forum. 2001. Alberta Prairie Conservation Action Plan: 2001-2005. Published by the Prairie Conservation Forum. Lethbridge, Alberta.
Shell (Shell Canada Ltd.). 2007. Application for Approval of the Scotford 2 Upgrader Expansion Project. Submitted to Alberta Energy and Utilities Board and to Alberta Environment. July 2007.
Stewart, R. E. and H.A. Kantrud. 1971. Classification of Natural Ponds and Lakes in the Glaciated Prairie Region. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Washington, D.C.
Vitt, D.H., L.A. Halsey, M.N. Thormann and T. Martin. 1996. Peatland Inventory of Alberta. Network of Centres of Excellence, Sustainable Forest Management Network, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta.
Vitt, D.H., K. Wieder, L.A. Halsey and M. Turetsky. 2003. Response of Sphagnum fuscum to nitrogen deposition: A case study of ombrogenous peatlands in Alberta, Canada. The Bryologist 106: 235–245.
Wheatley, M. and J. Bentz. 2002. A Preliminary Classification of Plant Communities in the Central Parkland Natural Subregion of Alberta. Geowest Environmental Consultants Ltd. Edmonton, Alberta.
WHO (World Health Organization). 2000. Air Quality Guidelines for Europe, 2nd Edition. WHO Regional Publications, European Series, No. 91. WHO Regional Office for Europe.
5.2 Personal Communication
Rintoul, J. June 2007. Electronic Element Occurrence Report. Section Head and Information Coordinator, Alberta Natural Heritage Information Centre, Heritage Protection and Recreation Management Branch, Parks and Protected Areas Division, Alberta Community Development.
Wells, D. Assistant Agricultural Officer; Weed Specialist. Strathcona County. Conversation. September 14, 2006.
5.3 Internet Sites
ANHIC (Alberta Natural Heritage Information Centre). 2006. Natural Regions: Parkland Subregion. Available at: http://tprc.alberta.ca/parks/heritageinfocentre/naturalregions/parkland.aspx. Accessed July 2007.
Environment Canada. 2006. Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada Species at Risk Database. Available at: http://www.cosewic.gc.ca/eng/sct1/searchform_e.cfm. Accessed: July 2007.
Strathcona County. 2007. Weeds and Their Control. Available at: http://www.strathcona.ab.ca/Strathcona/Departments/Transportation+and+Agriculture+Services/Agriculture+Services/Weeds/default.htm. Accessed July 2007.
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Appendix A Vegetation Survey Sites
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Table A-1 Vegetation Survey Sites Survey
Site Easting Northing Zone Alliance or Wetland Class
LH701 360517 5960398 12 Upland: White Spruce–Mixed Evergreen Deciduous Woodland Alliance
LH702-1 360753 5960444 12 Wetland: Semi-permanent Marsh
LH702-2 360733 5960451 12 Wetland: Semi-permanent Marsh
LH703 360772 5960322 12 Upland: Rose Shrubland Alliance
LH704 360779 5960148 12 Wetland : Shrubby Willow Swamp
LH705 360761 5960058 12 Upland: Chokecherry Shrubland Alliance
LH706 360592 5960042 12 Upland: White Spruce–Mixed Evergreen Deciduous Woodland Alliance
LH707-1 360539 5960040 12 Wetland: Seasonal Marsh
LH707-2 360557 5960034 12 Wetland: Seasonal Marsh
LH708 360749 5960179 12 Upland: White Spruce–Mixed Evergreen Deciduous Woodland Alliance
LH709 361447 5960327 12 Upland: Aspen Poplar Woodland Alliance
LH710 361580 5960008 12 Upland: Prickly Rose Shrubland Alliance
LH711 361385 5959960 12 Upland: White Spruce Woodland Alliance
LH712 361410 5960139 12 Upland: Aspen Poplar Woodland Alliance
LH713-1 362113 5960352 12 Wetland: Seasonal Marsh
LH713-2 362123 5960391 12 Wetland: Seasonal Marsh
LH714 362418 5959841 12 Wetland: Ephemeral Marsh
LH715 362418 5959659 12 Wetland: Temporary Marsh
LH715-2 362331 5959477 12 Wetland: Ephemeral Marsh
LH715-3 362158 5959451 12 Wetland: Ephemeral Marsh
LH715-4 362373 5959337 12 Wetland : Shrubby Willow Swamp
LH716 362335 5960088 12 Wetland: Ephemeral Marsh
LH717-1 361497 5958921 12 Wetland: Ephemeral Marsh
LH717-2 361447 5958921 12 Wetland: Ephemeral Marsh
LH717-3 361094 5958896 12 Wetland: Ephemeral Marsh
LH719 361314 5958907 12 Agricultural Land: Pasture-prairie Alliance
LH719-1 361317 5959091 12 Wetland: Ephemeral Marsh
LH719-2 361482 5959014 12 Wetland: Ephemeral Marsh
LH720 361205 5959079 12 Wetland: Ephemeral Marsh
LH721 361081 5959097 12 Agricultural Land: Pasture–prairie Alliance
LH722 361015 5957903 12 Wetland: Temporary Marsh
LH723a 360920 5959117 12 Wetland: Temporary Marsh
LH723b 360900 5959248 12 Wetland: Temporary Marsh
LH724 360975 5959452 12 Wetland: Ephemeral Marsh
LH725 360962 5959512 12 Wetland: Seasonal Marsh
LH726 361068 5959402 12 Wetland: Ephemeral Marsh
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Table A-1 Vegetation Survey Sites (cont’d) Survey
Site Easting Northing Zone Alliance or Wetland Class LH727 361574 5959117 12 Wetland: Ephemeral Marsh
LH728 361267 5959394 12 Wetland: Ephemeral Marsh
LH729 361646 5959278 12 Wetland: Ephemeral Marsh
LH729-2 361683 5959423 12 Wetland: Ephemeral Marsh
LH729-3 361837 5959434 12 Wetland: Ephemeral Marsh
LH730 361622 5959158 12 Wetland: Ephemeral Marsh
LH731 361625 5959087 12 Wetland: Ephemeral Marsh
LH732 361621 5958992 12 Wetland: Ephemeral Marsh
LH733-1 361828 5959026 12 Wetland: Ephemeral Marsh
LH733-2 361936 5958870 12 Wetland: Ephemeral Marsh
LH734 361569 5959013 12 Wetland: Temporary Marsh
LH735 360217 5958815 12 Wetland: Ephemeral Marsh
LH736 360475 5958793 12 Wetland: Ephemeral Marsh
LH737 360520 5959071 12 Wetland: Temporary Marsh
LH738 360640 5959053 12 Agricultural Land: Pasture–prairie Alliance
LH739 360642 5959082 12 Agricultural Land: Pasture–prairie Alliance
LH740 360745 5959148 12 Upland: Aspen Poplar Shrubland Alliance
LH741 360719 5959303 12 Agricultural Land: Pasture–prairie Alliance
LH742 360615 5959228 12 Upland: Aspen Poplar Woodland Alliance
LH743 360363 5959222 12 Upland: Aspen Poplar Woodland Alliance
LH744-1 361530 5959088 12 Wetland: Seasonal Marsh
LH744-2 361557 5959226 12 Wetland: Seasonal Marsh
LH745 361997 5959831 12 Wetland: Ephemeral Marsh
LH746 362139 5959859 12 Wetland: Temporary Marsh
LH747-1 362365 5960262 12 Wetland: Ephemeral Marsh
LH747-2 361912 5959615 12 Wetland: Ephemeral Marsh
LH748 361946 5959504 12 Wetland: Ephemeral Marsh
LH749 362208 5959603 12 Wetland: Ephemeral Marsh
LH750 362051 5959603 12 Wetland: Ephemeral Marsh
RN01 360512 5958314 12 Wetland: Ephemeral Marsh
RN02-1 360367 5958621 12 Wetland: Seasonal Marsh
RN02-2 360437 5958645 12 Wetland: Seasonal Marsh
RN02-3 360484 5958647 12 Wetland: Seasonal Marsh
RN03 360064 5958700 12 Wetland: Seasonal Marsh
RN04 360421 5958941 12 Upland: Aspen Poplar Woodland Alliance
RN05 360100 5959300 12 Agricultural Land: Pasture–prairie Alliance
RN06 360973 5959017 12 Agricultural Land: Pasture–prairie Alliance
RN07-1 361434 5958977 12 Wetland: Seasonal Marsh
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Table A-1 Vegetation Survey Sites (cont’d) Survey
Site Easting Northing Zone Alliance or Wetland Class =RN07-2 361406 5958989 12 Wetland: Seasonal Marsh
RN08 361324 5959250 12 Agricultural Land: Pasture–prairie Alliance
RN09 360730 5959483 12 Upland: White Spruce Woodland Alliance
RN10 360378 5959622 12 Upland: Aspen Poplar Woodland Alliance
RN13 360510 5960260 12 Upland: White Spruce–Mixed Evergreen Deciduous Woodland Alliance
RN14 360709 5960055 12 Upland: Chokecherry Shrubland Alliance
RN16 361178 5960340 12 Wetland : Shrubby Willow Swamp
RN18 361074 5959784 12 Wetland: Seasonal Marsh
RN19-1 362018 5960160 12 Wetland: Seasonal Marsh
RN19-2 361974 5960006 12 Wetland: Seasonal Marsh
RN19-3 362064 5960097 12 Wetland: Seasonal Marsh
RN19-4 361934 5959872 12 Wetland: Seasonal Marsh
RN20-1 361928 5960354 12 Wetland: Seasonal Marsh
RN20-2 362021 5960275 12 Wetland: Seasonal Marsh
RN21 361435 5960247 12 Upland: Aspen Poplar Woodland Alliance
RN22-1 360349 5959649 12 Agricultural Land: Pasture–prairie Alliance
RN22-2 360341 5959673 12 Agricultural Land: Pasture–prairie Alliance
RN23 360704 5959373 12 Upland: White Spruce Woodland Alliance
RN24-1 360179 5958655 12 Wetland: Seasonal Marsh
RN24-2 360194 5958660 12 Wetland: Seasonal Marsh
RN25-1 360610 5958129 12 Wetland: Seasonal Marsh
RN25-2 360572 5958142 12 Wetland: Seasonal Marsh
RN25-3 360541 5958172 12 Wetland: Seasonal Marsh
RN26 360445 5958227 12 Wetland: Ephemeral Marsh
RN27-1 360601 5958576 12 Wetland: Seasonal Marsh
RN27-2 360556 5958581 12 Wetland: Seasonal Marsh
RN28 360895 5958949 12 Agricultural Land: Pasture–prairie Alliance
RN29 361180 5959427 12 Wetland: Ephemeral Marsh
RN29b 361050 5959350 12 Wetland: Ephemeral Marsh
RN29c 361133 5959320 12 Wetland: Seasonal Marsh
RN30 360291 5960402 12 Agricultural Land: Pasture–prairie Alliance
RN31 360616 5960302 12 Wetland: Seasonal Marsh
RN32 360539 5960231 12 Upland: White Spruce–Mixed Evergreen Deciduous Woodland Alliance
RN33 361172 5959923 12 Upland: Aspen Poplar Woodland Alliance
RN34 360996 5959880 12 Upland: Aspen Poplar Woodland Alliance
RN35 361374 5959739 12 Upland: White Spruce Woodland Alliance
RN36 360293 5959947 12 Upland: Aspen Poplar Woodland Alliance
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December 2007 TOTAL E&P Canada Ltd.Page A-6
Table A-1 Vegetation Survey Sites (cont’d) Survey
Site Easting Northing Zone Alliance or Wetland Class N52 360272 5958494 12 Wetland: Ephemeral Marsh
N53 360457 5958475 12 Wetland: Ephemeral Marsh
N54 360573 5958448 12 Wetland: Ephemeral Marsh
N55 360233 5958362 12 Wetland: Ephemeral Marsh
N56 360354 5958373 12 Wetland: Ephemeral Marsh
N57 360466 5958349 12 Wetland: Ephemeral Marsh
N59 360607 5958306 12 Wetland: Ephemeral Marsh
N60 360641 5958347 12 Wetland: Ephemeral Marsh
N61 360745 5958381 12 Wetland: Ephemeral Marsh
N62 360294 5958300 12 Wetland: Ephemeral Marsh
N64 360491 5958107 12 Wetland: Ephemeral Marsh
N66 360716 5958254 12 Wetland: Ephemeral Marsh
N67 360715 5958078 12 Wetland: Ephemeral Marsh
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TOTAL E&P Canada Ltd. December 2007 Page B-1
Appendix B Diversity Data by Vegetation Class
Environmental Baseline Study: Vegetation and Wetlands Appendix B: Diversity Data by Vegetation Class
December 2007 TOTAL E&P Canada Ltd.Page B-2
Environmental Baseline Study: Vegetation and Wetlands Appendix B: Diversity Data by Vegetation Class
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B.1 Introduction This appendix provides information on:
• vegetation species collected from individual upland vegetation alliances and wetland classes
• site-species curves for individual upland vegetation alliances and wetland classes • species richness (i.e., number of species), the Shannon Diversity Index (H’=-∑pi ln
pi, where pi is the proportion of occurrences of the ith species) and Evenness (E=H’/Hmax =H’/ln S, where S is the total number o species) for individual upland vegetation alliances and wetland classes where site species -curves indicate that sampling of the overall population was sufficient to identify all species occurring within the vegetation type
B.2 Aspen Poplar Woodland Alliance For a list of vegetation species observed in the Aspen Poplar Woodland Alliance on TOTAL lands, see Table B-1. For a site-species curve, see Figure B-1. As the site-species curve for this alliance plateaus (i.e., no new species are found at some point along the curve), species richness and diversity indices were determined. There were 92 vegetation species observed in the Aspen Poplar Woodland Alliance. This alliance has a Shannon Diversity Index of 3.93 and an Evenness of 0.95.
Table B-1 Vegetation Species Observed in the Aspen Poplar Woodland Alliance
Latin Name Common Name
Vascular – Tree
Betula papyrifera Marsh. White birch
Picea glauca (Moench) Voss White spruce
Populus tremuloides Michx. Aspen
Vascular – Shrubs
Alnus crispa (Ait.)Pursh Green alder
Amelanchier alnifolia Nutt. Saskatoon berry
Cornus stolonifera Michx. Red-osier dogwood
Corylus cornuta Marsh. Beaked hazelnut
Elaeagnus commutata Bernh. Silverberry
Linnaea borealis L. Twinflower
Lonicera dioica L. Twining honeysuckle
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Table B-1 Vegetation Species Observed in the Aspen Poplar Woodland Alliance (cont’d)
Latin Name Common Name
Vascular – Shrub (cont’d)
Lonicera involucrata Richards. Bracted honeysuckle, black twin berry
Prunus virginiana L. Choke cherry
Ribes hudsonianum Richards. Northern black currant
Ribes lacustre (Pers.) Poir. Bristly black currant
Ribes oxyacanthoides L. Northern gooseberry
Rosa acicularis Lindl. Prickly rose
Rosa woodsii Lindl. Common wild rose
Rubus idaeus L. Wild red raspberry
Salix bebbiana Sarg. Beaked willow
Salix petiolaris Sm. Basket willow
Shepherdia canadensis (L.) Nutt Canada buffaloberry
Symphoricarpos albus (L.) Blake Snowberry
Vascular – Graminoids
Agropyron repens (L.) Beauv. Quack grass
Bromus inermis Leyss. Awnless brome, smooth brome
Bromus pumpellianus Scribn.
Carex deweyana Schwein Dewey's sedge
Carex sp. L. Sedge species
Glyceria striata (Lam.) A.S. Hitchc. Fowl manna grass
Hierochloe odorata L. Beauv. Sweet grass
Juncus balticus Willd. Wire rush
Oryzopsis asperifolia Michx. White-grained mountain rice grass
Poa palustris L. Fowl bluegrass, fowl meadow grass
Poa pratensis L. Kentucky bluegrass
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Table B-1 Vegetation Species Observed in the Aspen Poplar Woodland Alliance (cont’d)
Latin Name Common Name
Vascular – Graminoid (cont’d)
Schizachne purpurascens (Torr.) Swallen Purple oat grass
Vascular – Forbs
Achillea millefolium L. Common yarrow
Anemone multifida Poir. Cut-leaved anemone
Aralia nudicaulis L. Wild sarsaparilla
Artemisia ludoviciana Nutt. Prairie sagewort
Aster ciliolatus Lindl. Lindley's aster
Aster laevis L. Smooth aster
Campanula rotundifolia L. Harebell
Cerastium arvense L. Field mouse-ear chickweed
Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop. Creeping thistle
Cornus canadensis L. Bunchberry
Epilobium angustifolium L. Common fireweed
Epilobium sp. L. Willowherb species
Equisetum arvense L. Common horsetail
Equisetum pratense Ehrh. Meadow horsetail
Equisetum sylvaticum L. Woodland horsetail
Fragaria virginiana Duchesne Wild strawberry
Galium boreale L. Northern bedstraw
Galium triflorum Michx. Sweet-scented bedstraw
Geum aleppicum Jacq. Yellow avens
Hieracium umbellatum L. Narrow-leaved hawkweed
Lappula squarrosa (Retz.) Durmort. Bluebur
Lathyrus ochroleucus Hook. Cream-coloured vetchling
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December 2007 TOTAL E&P Canada Ltd.Page B-6
Table B-1 Vegetation Species Observed in the Aspen Poplar Woodland Alliance (cont’d)
Latin Name Common Name
Vascular – Forbs (cont’d)
Linaria vulgaris Hill Butter-and-eggs
Maianthemum canadense Desf. Wild lily-of-the-valley
Mentha arvensis L. Wild mint
Mertensia paniculata (Ait.) G. Don Tall lungwort, bluebell
Moehringia lateriflora (L.) Fenzl. Blunt-leaved sandwort
Potentilla anserina L. Silverweed
Pyrola asarifolia Michx. Common pink wintergreen
Ranunculus macounii Britt Macoun's buttercup
Rubus pubescens Raf. Dewberry, dwarf raspberry
Scutellaria galericulata L. Marsh skullcap
Smilacina stellata (L.) Desf. Star-flowered Solomon's-seal
Sonchus arvensis L. Perennial sow-thistle
Stellaria longifolia Muhl. ex Willd. Long-leaved chickweed
Stellaria longipes Goldie Long-stalked chickweed
Taraxacum officinale Weber Common dandelion
Thalictrum venulosum Trel. Veiny meadow rue
Thermopsis rhombifolia Nutt. Richards. Golden bean
Trifolium hybridum L. Alsike clover
Urtica dioica L. Common nettle
Vicia americana Muhl. ex Willd. Wild vetch, American vetch
Viola canadensis L. Western Canada violet
Viola renifolia Gray Kidney-leaved violet
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Table B-1 Vegetation Species Observed in the Aspen Poplar Woodland Alliance (cont’d)
Latin Name Common Name
Bryophytes and Lichens
Amblystegium serpens (Hedw.) Schimp.
Brachythecium salebrosum (Web. & Mohr.) Schimp. in B.S.G.
Cladina mitis (Sandst.) Hustich Green reindeer lichen
Flavopunctelia flaventior (Stirton) Hale Lichen
Hylocomium splendens (Hedw.) B.S.G. Stair-step moss
Leptodictyum riparium (Hedw.) Warnst. Streamside leptodictyum moss
Orthotrichum obtusifolium Brid.
Physcia adscendens (Fr.) H. Olivier Hooded lichen
Plagiomnium cuspidatum (Hedw.) T. Kop.
Pleurozium schreberi (Brid.) Mitt. Schreber's moss
Pylaisiella polyantha (Hedw.) Grout
Usnea alpina Mot. Old man's beard
Xanthoria fallax (Hepp) Arnold
Figure B-1 Site-Species Curve for the Aspen Poplar Woodland Alliance
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December 2007 TOTAL E&P Canada Ltd.Page B-8
B.3 White Spruce Woodland Alliance For a list of vegetation species observed in the White Spruce Woodland Alliance on TOTAL lands, see Table B-2. For a site-species curve, see Figure B-2. There were 59 species observed in the White Spruce Woodland Alliance. As the site-species curve for this alliance does not plateau (i.e., no new species are found at some point along the curve), diversity indices were not determined.
Table B-2 Vegetation Species Observed in the White Spruce Woodland Alliance
Latin Name Common Name
Vascular – Trees
Betula papyrifera Marsh. White birch
Picea glauca (Moench) Voss White spruce
Populus balsamifera L. Balsam poplar
Populus tremuloides Michx. Aspen
Vascular – Shrubs
Amelanchier alnifolia Nutt. Saskatoon berry
Betula pumila L. Dwarf birch
Corylus cornuta Marsh. Beaked hazelnut
Linnaea borealis L. Twinflower
Lonicera dioica L. Twining honeysuckle
Prunus virginiana L. Choke cherry
Ribes oxyacanthoides L. Northern gooseberry
Rosa acicularis Lindl. Prickly rose
Rubus idaeus L. Wild red raspberry
Symphoricarpos albus (L.) Blake Snowberry
Vaccinium myrtilloides Michx. Common blueberry
Vaccinium vitis-idaea L. Bog cranberry
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Table B-2 Vegetation Species Observed in the White Spruce Woodland Alliance (cont’d)
Latin Name Common Name
Vascular – Graminoids
Carex rostrata Stokes Beaked sedge
Carex utriculata Boott Small bottle sedge
Oryzopsis asperifolia Michx. White-grained mountain rice grass
Poa palustris L. Fowl bluegrass, fowl meadow grass
Poa pratensis L. Kentucky bluegrass
Schizachne purpurascens (Torr.) Swallen Purple oat grass
Vascular – Forbs
Achillea millefolium L. Common yarrow
Aralia nudicaulis L. Wild sarsaparilla
Chenopodium album L. Lamb's -quarters
Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop. Creeping thistle
Comandra umbellata (L.) Nutt. Bastard toadflax
Cornus canadensis L. Bunchberry
Descurainia sophia (L.) Webb Flixweed
Epilobium angustifolium L. Common fireweed
Equisetum arvense L. Common horsetail
Galium boreale L. Northern bedstraw
Galium triflorum Michx. Sweet-scented bedstraw
Geocaulon lividum (Richards.) Fern. Northern bastard toadflax
Lathyrus ochroleucus Hook. Cream-colored vetchling
Maianthemum canadense Desf. Wild lily-of-the-valley
Mertensia paniculata (Ait.) G. Don Tall lungwort, bluebell
Moehringia lateriflora (L.) Fenzl. Blunt-leaved sandwort
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Table B-2 Vegetation Species Observed in the White Spruce Woodland Alliance (cont’d)
Latin Name Common Name
Vascular – Forbs (cont’d)
Petasites palmatus (Ait.) Gray Palmate-leaved coltsfoot
Pyrola asarifolia Michx. Common pink wintergreen
Rubus pubescens Raf. Dewberry, dwarf raspberry
Smilacina stellata (L.) Desf. Star-flowered solomon's-seal
Stellaria longipes Goldie Long-stalked chickweed
Taraxacum officinale Weber Common dandelion
Thalictrum venulosum Trel. Veiny meadow rue
Urtica dioica L. Common nettle
Viola adunca Sm. Early blue violet
Viola nephrophylla Greene Bog violet
Viola renifolia Gray Kidney-leaved violet
Bryophytes and Lichens
Amblystegium serpens (Hedw.) Schimp.
Brachythecium salebrosum (Web. & Mohr.) Schimp. in B.S.G.
Hylocomium splendens (Hedw.) B.S.G. Stair-step moss
Orthotrichum obtusifolium Brid.
Orthotrichum speciosum Nees in Sturm
Plagiomnium cuspidatum (Hedw.) T. Kop.
Pleurozium schreberi (Brid.) Mitt. Schreber's moss
Ptilium crista-castrensis (Hedw.) De Not. Knight's plume moss
Xanthoria fallax (Hepp) Arnold
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Figure B-2 Site-Species Curve for the White Spruce Woodland Alliance
B.4 White Spruce–Mixed Evergreen Deciduous Woodland Alliance For a list of vegetation species observed in the White Spruce–Mixed Evergreen Woodland Alliance on TOTAL lands, see Table B-3. For a site-species curve, see Figure B-3. There were 89 species observed in the White Spruce–Mixed Evergreen Deciduous Woodland Alliance. As the site-species curve for this alliance does not plateau (i.e., no new species are found at some point along the curve), diversity indices were not determined.
Table B-3 Vegetation Species Observed in the White Spruce-Mixed Evergreen Woodland Alliance
Latin Name Common Name
Vascular – Trees
Betula papyrifera Marsh. White birch
Larix laricina (Du Roi) K. Koch Tamarack
Picea glauca (Moench) Voss White spruce
Populus balsamifera L. Balsam poplar
Populus tremuloides Michx. Aspen
Vascular – Shrubs
Amelanchier alnifolia Nutt. Saskatoon berry
Betula pumila L. Dwarf birch
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December 2007 TOTAL E&P Canada Ltd.Page B-12
Table B-3 Vegetation Species Observed in the White Spruce-Mixed Evergreen Woodland Alliance (cont’d)
Latin Name Common Name
Vascular – Shrubs (cont’d)
Cornus stolonifera Michx. Red-osier dogwood
Corylus cornuta Marsh. Beaked hazelnut
Linnaea borealis L. Twinflower
Ribes hudsonianum Richards. Northern black currant
Ribes lacustre (Pers.) Poir. Bristly black currant
Ribes oxyacanthoides L. Northern gooseberry
Rosa acicularis Lindl. Prickly rose
Rubus idaeus L. Wild red raspberry
Salix bebbiana Sarg. Beaked willow
Salix petiolaris Sm. Basket willow
Shepherdia canadensis (L.) Nutt Canada buffaloberry
Viburnum edule (Michx.) Raf. Low-bush cranberry
Vascular – Graminoids
Agrostis scabra Willd. Rough hair grass
Agrostis stolonifera L. Redtop
Bromus inermis Leyss. Awnless brome, smooth brome
Carex aenea Fern. Silvery-flowered sedge
Carex deweyana Schwein Dewey's sedge
Carex disperma Dewey Two-seeded sedge
Glyceria striata (Lam.) A.S. Hitchc. Fowl manna grass
Oryzopsis asperifolia Michx. White-grained mountain rice grass
Poa pratensis L. Kentucky bluegrass
Schizachne purpurascens (Torr.) Swallen Purple oat grass
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Table B-3 Vegetation Species Observed in the White Spruce-Mixed Evergreen Woodland Alliance (cont’d)
Latin Name Common Name
Vascular – Forbs
Achillea millefolium L. Common yarrow
Actaea rubra (Ait.) Willd. Red and white baneberry
Antennaria sp. Gaertn. Pussytoes species
Aralia nudicaulis L. Wild sarsaparilla
Aster ciliolatus Lindl. Lindley's aster
Aster laevis L. Smooth aster
Campanula rotundifolia L. Harebell
Chenopodium album L. Lamb's -quarters
Chrysosplenium tetrandrum (Lund) Th. Fries Green saxifrage
Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop. Creeping thistle
Cornus canadensis L. Bunchberry
Dryopteris assimilis S. Walker Broad spinulose shield fern
Equisetum arvense L. Common horsetail
Equisetum pratense Ehrh. Meadow horsetail
Equisetum scirpoides Michx. Dwarf scouring-rush
Erigeron philadelphicus L. Philadelphia fleabane
Fragaria virginiana Duchesne Wild strawberry
Galium boreale L. Northern bedstraw
Galium triflorum Michx. Sweet-scented bedstraw
Geocaulon lividum (Richards.) Fern. Northern bastard toadflax
Geum aleppicum Jacq. Yellow avens
Hieracium umbellatum L. Narrow-leaved hawkweed
Lathyrus ochroleucus Hook. Cream-colored vetchling
Maianthemum canadense Desf. Wild lily-of-the-valley
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Table B-3 Vegetation Species Observed in the White Spruce-Mixed Evergreen Woodland Alliance (cont’d)
Latin Name Common Name
Vascular – Forbs (cont’d)
Mentha arvensis L. Wild mint
Mertensia paniculata (Ait.) G. Don Tall lungwort, bluebell
Mitella nuda L. Bishop's-cap
Moehringia lateriflora (L.) Fenzl. Blunt-leaved sandwort
Petasites palmatus (Ait.) Gray Palmate-leaved coltsfoot
Petasites sagittatus (Pursh) A. Gray Arrow-leaved coltsfoot
Potentilla norvegica L. Rough cinquefoil
Pyrola asarifolia Michx. Common pink wintergreen
Rubus pubescens Raf. Dewberry, dwarf raspberry
Rumex sp. L. Dock species
Scutellaria galericulata L. Marsh skullcap
Senecio eremophilus Richards. Cut-leaved ragwort
Smilacina stellata (L.) Desf. Star-flowered Solomon's-seal
Sonchus arvensis L. Perennial sow-thistle
Taraxacum officinale Weber Common dandelion
Thalictrum sp. L. Meadow rue species
Thalictrum venulosum Trel. Veiny meadow rue
Trifolium hybridum L. Alsike clover
Urtica dioica L. Common nettle
Vicia americana Muhl. ex Willd. Wild vetch, American vetch
Viola nephrophylla Greene Bog violet
Viola renifolia Gray Kidney-leaved violet
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Table B-3 Vegetation Species Observed in the White Spruce-Mixed Evergreen Woodland Alliance (cont’d)
Latin Name Common Name
Bryophytes and Lichens
Amblystegium serpens (Hedw.) Schimp.
Brachythecium salebrosum (Web. & Mohr.) Schimp. in B.S.G.
Cladina mitis (Sandst.) Hustich Green reindeer lichen
Cladonia pyxidata (L.) Hoffm. Brown pixie-cup
Drepanocladus aduncus (Hedw.) Warnst. Brown moss, common hook moss
Lecidella euphorea (Florke) Hertel Lichen
Parmelia sulcata Taylor Waxpaper lichen
Physcia adscendens (Fr.) H. Olivier Hooded lichen
Physcia aipolia (Ehrh. ex Humb.) Furnr. Grey-eyed rosette
Plagiomnium cuspidatum (Hedw.) T. Kop.
Pleurozium schreberi (Brid.) Mitt. Schreber's moss
Xanthoria fallax (Hepp) Arnold
Figure B-3 Site-Species Curve for the White Spruce-Mixed Evergreen Woodland Alliance
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December 2007 TOTAL E&P Canada Ltd.Page B-16
B.5 Aspen Poplar Shrubland Alliance For a list of vegetation species observed in the Aspen Poplar Shrubland Alliance on TOTAL lands, see Table B-4. For a site-species curve, see Figure B-4. There were 15 species observed in the Aspen Poplar Shrubland Alliance. As the site-species curve for this alliance does not plateau (i.e., no new species are found at some point along the curve), diversity indices were not determined.
Table B-4 Vegetation Species Observed in the Aspen Poplar Shrubland Alliance
Latin Name Common Name
Vascular – Trees
Picea glauca (Moench) Voss White spruce
Populus tremuloides Michx. Aspen
Vascular – Shrubs
Corylus cornuta Marsh. Beaked hazelnut
Rosa acicularis Lindl. Prickly rose
Rubus idaeus L. Wild red raspberry
Salix petiolaris Sm. Basket willow
Vascular – Graminoids
Bromus inermis Leyss. Awnless brome, smooth brome
Vascular – Forbs
Achillea millefolium L. Common yarrow
Artemisia campestris L. Plains wormwood
Aster ciliolatus Lindl. Lindley's aster
Aster laevis L. Smooth aster
Equisetum arvense L. Common horsetail
Fragaria virginiana Duchesne Wild strawberry
Maianthemum canadense Desf. Wild lily-of-the-valley
Urtica dioica L. Common nettle
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Figure B-4 Site-Species Curve for the Aspen Poplar Shrubland Alliance
B.6 Chokecherry Shrubland Alliance For a list of vegetation species observed in the Chokecherry Shrubland Alliance on TOTAL lands, see Table B-5. For a site-species curve, see Figure B-5. There were 23 species observed in the Chokecherry Shrubland Alliance. As the site-species curve for this alliance does not plateau (i.e., no new species are found at some point along the curve), diversity indices were not determined.
Table B-5 Vegetation Species Observed in the Chokecherry Shrubland Alliance
Latin Name Common Name
Vascular – Trees
Acer negundo L. Manitoba maple
Picea glauca (Moench) Voss White spruce
Vascular – Shrubs
Amelanchier alnifolia Nutt. Saskatoon berry
Prunus virginiana L. Choke cherry
Rosa acicularis Lindl. Prickly rose
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Table B-5 Vegetation Species Observed in the Chokecherry Shrubland Alliance (cont’d)
Latin Name Common Name
Vascular – Graminoids
Juncus balticus Willd. Wire rush
Poa pratensis L. Kentucky bluegrass
Triticum aestivum L. Common wheat
Vascular – Forbs
Achillea millefolium L. Common yarrow
Agoseris glauca (Pursh) Raf. Yellow false dandelion
Anemone patens L. Prairie crocus
Artemisia frigida Willd. Pasture sagewort
Artemisia ludoviciana Nutt. Prairie sagewort
Campanula rotundifolia L. Harebell
Cerastium arvense L. Field mouse-ear chickweed
Comandra umbellata (L.) Nutt. Bastard toadflax
Fragaria virginiana Duchesne Wild strawberry
Gaillardia aristata Pursh Gaillardia
Lathyrus ochroleucus Hook. Cream-colored vetchling
Lycopodium clavatum L. Running club-moss
Silene cucubalus Wibel Bladder campion
Smilacina stellata (L.) Desf. Star-flowered Solomon's-seal
Thermopsis rhombifolia Nutt. Richards. Golden bean
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Figure B-5 Site-Species Curve for the Chokecherry Shrubland Alliance
B.7 Prickly Rose Shrubland Alliance For a list of vegetation species observed in the Prickly Rose Shrubland Alliance on TOTAL lands, see Table B-6. For a site-species curve, see Figure B-6. There were 30 species observed in the Prickly Rose Shrubland Alliance. As the site-species curve for this alliance does not plateau (i.e., no new species are found at some point along the curve), diversity indices were not determined.
Table B-6 Vegetation Species Observed in the Prickly Rose Shrubland Alliance
Latin Name Common Name
Vascular – Trees
Populus balsamifera L. Balsam poplar
Populus tremuloides Michx. Aspen
Vascular – Shrubs
Rosa acicularis Lindl. Prickly rose
Rubus idaeus L. Wild red raspberry
Viburnum edule (Michx.) Raf. Low-bush cranberry
Vascular – Graminoids
Bromus inermis Leyss. Awnless brome, smooth brome
Carex aenea Fern. Silvery-flowered sedge
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Table B-6 Vegetation Species Observed in the Prickly Rose Shrubland Alliance (cont’d)
Latin Name Common Name
Vascular – Forbs
Achillea millefolium L. Common yarrow
Artemisia frigida Willd. Pasture sagewort
Artemisia sp. L. Sage species
Aster ciliolatus Lindl. Lindley's aster
Bidens cernua L. Nodding beggarticks
Campanula rotundifolia L. Harebell
Chenopodium rubrum L. Red goosefoot
Clematis occidentalis (Hornem.) DC. Purple clematis
Dracocephalum parviflorum Nutt. American dragonhead
Epilobium angustifolium L. Common fireweed
Fragaria virginiana Duchesne Wild strawberry
Galium triflorum Michx. Sweet-scented bedstraw
Heracleum lanatum Michx. Cow parsnip
Maianthemum canadense Desf. Wild lily-of-the-valley
Potentilla norvegica L. Rough cinquefoil
Smilacina stellata (L.) Desf. Star-flowered Solomon's-seal
Solidago canadensis L. Canada goldenrod
Thalictrum venulosum Trel. Veiny meadow rue
Bryophytes and Lichens
Candelariella vitellina (Hoffm.) Mull. Arg. Lichen
Cladonia pyxidata (L.) Hoffm. Brown pixie-cup
Physcia adscendens (Fr.) H. Olivier Hooded lichen
Physcia aipolia (Ehrh. ex Humb.) Furnr. Grey-eyed rosette
Xanthoria fallax (Hepp) Arnold
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Figure B-6 Site-Species Curve for the Prickly Rose Shrubland Alliance
B.8 Ephemeral Marsh For a list of vegetation species observed in the Ephemeral Marsh Wetland Class on TOTAL lands, see Table B-7. For a site-species curve, see Figure B-7. As the site-species curve for this alliance plateaus (i.e., no new species are found at some point along the curve), species richness and diversity indices were determined. There were 41 vegetation species observed in the Ephemeral Marsh Wetland Class. This alliance has a Shannon Diversity Index of 3.22 and an Evenness of 0.86.
Table B-7 Vegetation Species Observed in the Ephemeral Marsh Wetland Class
Latin Name Common Name
Vascular – Shrubs
Cornus stolonifera Michx. Red-osier dogwood
Salix petiolaris Sm. Basket willow
Vascular – Graminoids
Agropyron repens (L.) Beauv. Quack grass
Agrostis scabra Willd. Rough hair grass
Alopecurus aequalis Sobol. Short-awned foxtail
Beckmannia syzigachne (Steud). Fern. Slough grass
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Table B-7 Vegetation Species Observed in the Ephemeral Marsh Wetland Class (cont’d)
Latin Name Common Name
Vascular – Graminoids (cont’d)
Bromus inermis Leyss. Awnless brome, smooth brome
Carex atherodes Spreng. Awned sedge
Carex bebbii Olney ex Fern. Bebb's sedge
Carex utriculata Boott Small bottle sedge
Glyceria grandis S. Wats. Common tall manna grass
Hordeum jubatum L. Foxtail barley
Phleum pratense L. Timothy
Poa palustris L. Fowl bluegrass, fowl meadow grass
Poa pratensis L. Kentucky bluegrass
Triticum aestivum L. Common wheat
Vascular – Forbs
Achillea millefolium L. Common yarrow
Artemisia campestris L. Plains wormwood
Artemisia frigida Willd. Pasture sagewort
Artemisia ludoviciana Nutt. Prairie sagewort
Aster ciliolatus Lindl. Lindley's aster
Aster laevis L. Smooth aster
Brassica kaber (DC.) L.C. Wheeler Wild mustard
Campanula rotundifolia L. Harebell
Chenopodium album L. Lamb's -quarters
Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop. Creeping thistle
Epilobium palustre L Marsh willowherb
Equisetum arvense L. Common horsetail
Melilotus alba Desr. White sweet-clover
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Table B-7 Vegetation Species Observed in the Ephemeral Marsh Wetland Class (cont’d)
Latin Name Common Name
Vascular – Forbs (cont’d)
Mentha arvensis L. Wild mint
Plantago major L. Common plantain
Polygonum amphibium L. Water smartweed
Potentilla anserina L. Silverweed
Rorippa islandica (Oeder) Borbas
Sagittaria cuneata Sheldon Arum-leaved arrowhead
Scutellaria galericulata L. Marsh skullcap
Silene pratensis (Rafn) God. & Gren. White cockle
Solidago canadensis L. Canada goldenrod
Sonchus arvensis L. Perennial sow-thistle
Taraxacum officinale Weber Common dandelion
Viola renifolia Gray Kidney-leaved violet
Figure B-7 Site-Species Curve for the Ephemeral Marsh Wetland Class
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B.9 Temporary Marsh For a list of vegetation species observed in the Temporary Marsh Wetland Class on TOTAL lands, see Table B-8. For a site-species curve, see Figure B-8. As the site-species curve for this alliance plateaus (i.e., no new species are found at some point along the curve), species richness and diversity indices were determined. There were 44 vegetation species observed in the Temporary Marsh Wetland Class. This alliance has a Shannon Diversity Index of 3.58 and an Evenness of 0.95.
Table B-8 Vegetation Species Observed in the Temporary Marsh Wetland Class
Latin Name Common Name
Vascular – Shrubs
Juniperus horizontalis Moench Creeping juniper
Prunus virginiana L. Choke cherry
Ribes hudsonianum Richards. Northern black currant
Salix bebbiana Sarg. Beaked willow
Salix discolor Muhl. Pussy willow
Vascular – Graminoids
Agropyron repens (L.) Beauv. Quack grass
Agrostis scabra Willd. Rough hair grass
Bromus inermis Leyss. Awnless brome, smooth brome
Calamagrostis canadensis (Michx.) Beauv. Bluejoint reed-grass
Carex canescens L.
Carex disperma Dewey Two-seeded sedge
Carex siccata Dewey Hay sedge
Glyceria striata (Lam.) A.S. Hitchc. Fowl manna grass
Hordeum jubatum L. Foxtail barley
Phalaris arundinacea L. Reed canary grass
Poa pratensis L. Kentucky bluegrass
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Table B-8 Vegetation Species Observed in the Temporary Marsh Wetland Class (cont’d)
Latin Name Common Name
Vascular – Forbs
Achillea millefolium L. Common yarrow
Artemisia campestris L. Plains wormwood
Artemisia ludoviciana Nutt. Prairie sagewort
Chenopodium album L. Lamb's -quarters
Cicuta maculata L. Water-hemlock
Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop. Creeping thistle
Epilobium angustifolium L. Common fireweed
Galium boreale L. Northern bedstraw
Geum aleppicum Jacq. Yellow avens
Melilotus alba Desr. White sweet-clover
Mentha arvensis L. Wild mint
Plantago major L. Common plantain
Polygonum amphibium L. Water smartweed
Potentilla norvegica L. Rough cinquefoil
Potentilla palustris (L.) Scop. Marsh cinquefoil
Rorippa islandica (Oeder) Borbas
Scutellaria galericulata L. Marsh skullcap
Silene cucubalus Wibel Bladder campion
Sonchus arvensis L. Perennial sow-thistle
Stellaria longifolia Muhl. ex Willd. Long-leaved chickweed
Taraxacum officinale Weber Common dandelion
Thlaspi arvense L. Stinkweed
Urtica dioica L. Common nettle
Viola renifolia Gray Kidney-leaved violet
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Table B-8 Vegetation Species Observed in the Temporary Marsh Wetland Class (cont’d)
Latin Name Common Name
Bryophytes and Lichens
Bryum sp. Hedw.
Ceratodon purpureus (Hedw.) Brid. Purple horn-toothed moss
Drepanocladus aduncus (Hedw.) Warnst. Brown moss, common hook moss
Plagiomnium cuspidatum (Hedw.) T. Kop.
Figure B-8 Site-Species Curve for the Temporary Marsh Wetland Class
B.10 Seasonal Marsh For a list of vegetation species observed in the Seasonal Marsh Wetland Class on TOTAL lands, see Table B-9. For a site-species curve, see Figure B-9. As the site-species curve for this alliance plateaus (i.e., no new species are found at some point along the curve), species richness and diversity indices were determined. There were 100 vegetation species observed in the Seasonal Marsh Wetland Class. This wetland class had the most diversity of all vegetation types. This alliance has a Shannon Diversity Index of 4.15 and an Evenness of 0.9.
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Table B-9 Vegetation Species Observed in the Seasonal Marsh Wetland Class
Latin Name Common Name
Vascular – Trees
Populus balsamifera L. Balsam poplar
Populus tremuloides Michx. Aspen
Sorbus scopulina Greene Western mountain-ash
Vascular – Shrubs
Cornus stolonifera Michx. Red-osier dogwood
Prunus pensylvanica L.f. Pin cherry
Ribes lacustre (Pers.) Poir. Bristly black currant
Rubus idaeus L. Wild red raspberry
Salix bebbiana Sarg. Beaked willow
Salix discolor Muhl. Pussy willow
Salix petiolaris Sm. Basket willow
Salix sp. L. Willow species
Vascular – Graminoids
Agropyron repens (L.) Beauv. Quack grass
Agrostis scabra Willd. Rough hair grass
Agrostis stolonifera L. Redtop
Alopecurus aequalis Sobol. Short-awned foxtail
Beckmannia syzigachne (Steud). Fern. Slough grass
Bromus inermis Leyss. Awnless brome, smooth brome
Carex aquatilis Wahlenb. Water sedge
Carex atherodes Spreng. Awned sedge
Carex deweyana Schwein Dewey's sedge
Carex rostrata Stokes Beaked sedge
Carex sp. L. Sedge species
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Table B-9 Vegetation Species Observed in the Seasonal Marsh Wetland Class (cont’d)
Latin Name Common Name
Vascular – Graminoids (cont’d)
Carex utriculata Boott Small bottle sedge
Eleocharis palustris (L.) R. & S. Creeping spike-rush
Glyceria grandis S. Wats. Common tall manna grass
Glyceria striata (Lam.) A.S. Hitchc. Fowl manna grass
Hierochloe odorata L. Beauv. Sweet grass
Hordeum jubatum L. Foxtail barley
Juncus balticus Willd. Wire rush
Phalaris arundinacea L. Reed canary grass
Phleum pratense L. Timothy
Poa palustris L. Fowl bluegrass, fowl meadow grass
Poa pratensis L. Kentucky bluegrass
Scolochloa festucacea (Willd.) Link Spangletop
Typha latifolia L. Common cattail
Vascular – Forbs
Achillea millefolium L. Common yarrow
Achillea sibirica Ledeb. Many-flowered yarrow
Anemone canadensis L. Canada anemone
Antennaria sp. Gaertn. Pussytoes species
Asclepias ovalifolia Dcne. Low milkweed
Campanula rotundifolia L. Harebell
Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop. Creeping thistle
Epilobium angustifolium L. Common fireweed
Epilobium palustre L Marsh willowherb
Equisetum arvense L. Common horsetail
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Table B-9 Vegetation Species Observed in the Seasonal Marsh Wetland Class (cont’d)
Latin Name Common Name
Vascular – Forbs (cont’d)
Equisetum hyemale L. Common scouring-rush
Equisetum sylvaticum L. Woodland horsetail
Erigeron philadelphicus L. Philadelphia fleabane
Fragaria virginiana Duchesne Wild strawberry
Galium boreale L. Northern bedstraw
Galium trifidum L. Small bedstraw
Geum aleppicum Jacq. Yellow avens
Habenaria sp. (Willd.) sp Orchid species
Hieracium umbellatum L. Narrow-leaved hawkweed
Hippuris vulgaris L. Common mare's-tail
Lemna minor L. Common duckweed
Linaria vulgaris Hill Butter-and-eggs
Lycopus uniflorus Michx. Northern water-horehound
Medicago lupulina L. Black medick
Melilotus alba Desr. White sweet-clover
Mentha arvensis L. Wild mint
Menyanthes trifoliata L. Buck-bean
Moehringia lateriflora (L.) Fenzl. Blunt-leaved sandwort
Petasites sagittatus (Pursh) A. Gray Arrow-leaved coltsfoot
Plantago major L. Common plantain
Polygonum amphibium L. Water smartweed
Polygonum coccineum Muhl. Water smartweed
Potentilla anserina L. Silverweed
Potentilla gracilis Dougl. ex Hook. Graceful cinquefoil
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Table B-9 Vegetation Species Observed in the Seasonal Marsh Wetland Class (cont’d)
Latin Name Common Name
Vascular – Forbs (cont’d)
Potentilla norvegica L. Rough cinquefoil
Potentilla palustris (L.) Scop. Marsh cinquefoil
Ranunculus cymbalaria Pursh Seaside buttercup
Ranunculus macounii Britt Macoun's buttercup
Ranunculus sceleratus L. Celery-leaved buttercup
Rubus pubescens Raf. Dewberry, dwarf raspberry
Rumex occidentalis S. Wats Western dock
Rumex sp. L. Dock species
Scutellaria galericulata L. Marsh skullcap
Sisyrinchium montanum Greene Common blue-eyed grass
Sium suave Walt. Water parsnip
Solidago sp. L. Goldenrod species
Sonchus arvensis L. Perennial sow-thistle
Stellaria longifolia Muhl. ex Willd. Long-leaved chickweed
Taraxacum officinale Weber Common dandelion
Thlaspi arvense L. Stinkweed
Trifolium hybridum L. Alsike clover
Urtica dioica L. Common nettle
Veronica americana Schwein. ex Benth. American brooklime, American speedwell
Vicia americana Muhl. ex Willd. Wild vetch, american vetch
Viola canadensis L. Western canada violet
Viola nephrophylla Greene Bog violet
Viola renifolia Gray Kidney-leaved violet
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Table B-9 Vegetation Species Observed in the Seasonal Marsh Wetland Class (cont’d)
Latin Name Common Name
Bryophytes and Lichens
Amblystegium serpens (Hedw.) Schimp.
Aulacomnium palustre (Hedw.) Schwaegr. Tufted moss
Ceratodon purpureus (Hedw.) Brid. Purple horn-toothed moss
Drepanocladus aduncus (Hedw.) Warnst. Brown moss, common hook moss
Orthotrichum obtusifolium Brid.
Physcia adscendens (Fr.) H. Olivier Hooded lichen
Plagiomnium cuspidatum (Hedw.) T. Kop.
Xanthoria fallax (Hepp) Arnold
Figure B-9 Site-Species Curve for the Seasonal Marsh Wetland Class
B.11 Semi-Permanent Marsh For a list of vegetation species observed in the Semi-Permanent Marsh Wetland Class on TOTAL lands, see Table B-10. For a site-species curve, see Figure B-10. There were 17 species observed in the Semi-Permanent Marsh Alliance. As the site-species curve for this alliance does not plateau (i.e., no new species are found at some point along the curve), diversity indices were not determined.
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Table B-10 Vegetation Species Observed in the Semi-Permanent Marsh Wetland Class
Latin Name Common Name
Vascular – Shrubs
Salix discolor Muhl. Pussy willow
Vascular – Graminoids
Agrostis scabra Willd. Rough hair grass
Beckmannia syzigachne (Steud). Fern. Slough grass
Calamagrostis canadensis (Michx.) Beauv. Bluejoint reed-grass
Carex bebbii Olney ex Fern. Bebb's sedge
Carex utriculata Boott Small bottle sedge
Phalaris arundinacea L. Reed canary grass
Typha latifolia L. Common cattail
Vascular – Forbs
Cicuta maculata L. Water-hemlock
Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop. Creeping thistle
Lycopus uniflorus Michx. Northern water-horehound
Mentha arvensis L. Wild mint
Polygonum amphibium L. Water smartweed
Scutellaria galericulata L. Marsh skullcap
Sonchus arvensis L. Perennial sow-thistle
Bryophytes and Lichens
Physcia aipolia (Ehrh. ex Humb.) Furnr. Grey-eyed rosette
Usnea subfloridana Stirton Old man's beard
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Figure B-10 Site-Species Curve for the Semi-Permanent Marsh Wetland Class
B.12 Pasture-Prairie Alliance For a list of vegetation species observed in the Pasture–Prairie Alliance on TOTAL lands, see Table B-11. For a site-species curve, see Figure B-11. As the site-species curve for this alliance plateaus (i.e., no new species are found at some point along the curve), species richness and diversity indices were determined. There were 75 vegetation species observed in the Aspen Poplar Woodland Alliance. This alliance has a Shannon Diversity Index of 4.35 and an Evenness of 0.97.
Table B-11 Vegetation Species Observed in the Pasture-Prairie Alliance
Latin Name Common Name
Vascular – Trees
Picea glauca (Moench) Voss White spruce
Populus balsamifera L. Balsam poplar
Populus tremuloides Michx. Aspen
Vascular – Shrubs
Amelanchier alnifolia Nutt. Saskatoon berry
Juniperus horizontalis Moench Creeping juniper
Lonicera involucrata Richards. Bracted honeysuckle, black twin berry
Prunus virginiana L. Choke cherry
Rosa acicularis Lindl. Prickly rose
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Table B-11 Vegetation Species Observed in the Pasture-Prairie Alliance (cont’d)
Latin Name Common Name
Vascular – Shrubs (cont’d)
Salix bebbiana Sarg. Beaked willow
Viburnum edule (Michx.) Raf. Low-bush cranberry
Vascular – Graminoids
Agropyron pectiniforme Roemer & J.A. Schultes Crested wheat grass
Agropyron repens (L.) Beauv. Quack grass
Agrostis scabra Willd. Rough hair grass
Alopecurus aequalis Sobol. Short-awned foxtail
Beckmannia syzigachne (Steud). Fern. Slough grass
Bromus inermis Leyss. Awnless brome, smooth brome
Carex aquatilis Wahlenb. Water sedge
Carex utriculata Boott Small bottle sedge
Eleocharis palustris (L.) R. & S. Creeping spike-rush
Festuca rubra L. Red fescue
Glyceria grandis S. Wats. Common tall manna grass
Melampyrum lineare Desr. Cow-wheat
Phleum pratense L. Timothy
Poa pratensis L. Kentucky bluegrass
Schizachne purpurascens (Torr.) Swallen Purple oat grass
Scirpus microcarpus J. & K. Presl. Small-fruited bulrush
Vascular – Forbs
Achillea millefolium L. Common yarrow
Artemisia campestris L. Plains wormwood
Artemisia frigida Willd. Pasture sagewort
Artemisia ludoviciana Nutt. Prairie sagewort
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Table B-11 Vegetation Species Observed in the Pasture-Prairie Alliance (cont’d)
Latin Name Common Name
Vascular – Forbs (cont’d)
Aster ciliolatus Lindl. Lindley's aster
Aster laevis L. Smooth aster
Campanula rotundifolia L. Harebell
Cerastium arvense L. Field mouse-ear chickweed
Chenopodium album L. Lamb's -quarters
Cirsium arvense (L.) Scop. Creeping thistle
Comandra umbellata (L.) Nutt. Bastard toadflax
Descurainia sophia (L.) Webb Flixweed
Descurainia sophioides (Fisch.) O.E. Schulz
Epilobium angustifolium L. Common fireweed
Equisetum arvense L. Common horsetail
Erigeron philadelphicus L. Philadelphia fleabane
Fragaria virginiana Duchesne Wild strawberry
Galium boreale L. Northern bedstraw
Galium trifidum L. Small bedstraw
Geum macrophyllum Willd. Large-leaved yellow avens
Hedyotis longifolia (Gaertn.) Hook. Long-leaved bluets
Hieracium umbellatum L. Narrow-leaved hawkweed
Lathyrus ochroleucus Hook. Cream-colored vetchling
Linaria vulgaris Hill Butter-and-eggs
Maianthemum canadense Desf. Wild lily-of-the-valley
Mentha arvensis L. Wild mint
Petasites sagittatus (Pursh) A. Gray Arrow-leaved coltsfoot
Potentilla norvegica L. Rough cinquefoil
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Table B-11 Vegetation Species Observed in the Pasture-Prairie Alliance (cont’d)
Latin Name Common Name
Vascular – Forbs (cont’d)
Ranunculus macounii Britt Macoun's buttercup
Rubus pubescens Raf. Dewberry, dwarf raspberry
Smilacina stellata (L.) Desf. Star-flowered Solomon's-seal
Solidago canadensis L. Canada goldenrod
Stellaria longipes Goldie Long-stalked chickweed
Taraxacum officinale Weber Common dandelion
Thalictrum venulosum Trel. Veiny meadow rue
Thermopsis rhombifolia Nutt. Richards. Golden bean
Tragopogon dubius Scop. Common goat's-beard
Trifolium hybridum L. Alsike clover
Urtica dioica L. Common nettle
Vicia americana Muhl. ex Willd. Wild vetch, American vetch
Viola renifolia Gray Kidney-leaved violet
Viola sp. L. Violet species
Bryophytes and Lichens
Amblystegium serpens (Hedw.) Schimp.
Brachythecium salebrosum (Web. & Mohr.) Schimp. in B.S.G.
Orthotrichum obtusifolium Brid.
Physcia adscendens (Fr.) H. Olivier Hooded lichen
Physcia aipolia (Ehrh. ex Humb.) Furnr. Grey-eyed rosette
Plagiomnium cuspidatum (Hedw.) T. Kop.
Pylaisiella polyantha (Hedw.) Grout
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Figure B-11 Site-Species Curve for the Pasture–Prairie Alliance
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