BWBSmw1 - Forests, Lands, Natural Resource … sp. pelt lichens Hylocomium splendens step moss Herbs...

Draft Field Guide Insert

Soil Nutrient RegimeSoil Nutrient RegimeSoil Nutrient RegimeSoil Nutrient RegimeSoil Nutrient Regime

Very xeric

Xeric

Subxeric

Submesic

Mesic

Subhygric

Hygric

Subhydric

Soil

Mo

istu

re R

egim

eSo

il M

ois

ture

Reg

ime

Soil

Mo

istu

re R

egim

eSo

il M

ois

ture

Reg

ime

Soil

Mo

istu

re R

egim

eEDATOPIC GRID

Very poorAAAAA

PoorBBBBB

MediumCCCCC

RichDDDDD

Very richEEEEE

BWBSmw1

– Atcp $At – Creamy peavine – Atsk $At – Soopolallie – Kinnikinnick – Atsw $At – Soopolallie – Wildrye – Atlt $At – Labrador tea – Atof $At – Oak fern – Atcp $At – Creamy peavine – Accp $Ac – Cow parsnip

02 – Atsk

04 – Atlt

03 – Atsw

01 – Atcp

05 – Atof 06 – Atcp

07 – Accp

Source publication

LMH 16 Revised - Draft

D

raft Field Gu

ide Insert

BWBSmw1 Vegetation table

Populus tremuloides trembling aspenPopulus balsamifera balsam poplar

Juniperus communis common juniperShepherdia canadensis soopolallie

Spiraea betulifolia birch-leaved spireaVaccinium myrtilloides velvet-leaved blueberry

Picea mariana black spruceRosa acicularis prickly rose

Viburnum edule highbush-cranberryLonicera involucrata black twinberry

Ribes glandulosum skunk currantRibes oxyacanthoides northern gooseberry

Oplapanax horridus devil’s club

Trees

Shrubs

Herbs & Dwarf ShrubsArctostaphylos uva-ursi kinnikinnick

Leymus innovatus fuzzy-spiked wildryeVaccinium caespitosum dwarf blueberry

Vaccinium vitis-idaea lingonberryCornus canadensis bunchberry

Aralia nudicaulis wild sarsparillaLathyrus ochroleucus creamy peavine

02-Atsk 03-Atsw 04-Atlt 01-Atcp 05-Atof 07-AccpSeral units

Prominence class:Prominence class:Prominence class:Prominence class:Prominence class: 11111 22222 33333 44444 55555

Draft Field G

uide In

sert

Rubus pubescens dwarf red raspberryCalamagrostis canadensis bluejoint

Athyrium filix-femina lady fernGymnocarpium dryopteris oak fern

Prominence class:Prominence class:Prominence class:Prominence class:Prominence class: 11111 22222 33333 44444 55555

BWBSmw1 Vegetation table

Mosses and LichensStereocaulon tomentosum cottontail coral

Pleurozium schreberi red-stemmed feathermossPeltigera sp. pelt lichens

Hylocomium splendens step moss

Herbs & Dwarf Shrubs

02-Atsk 03-Atsw 04-Atlt 01-Atcp 05-Atof 07-AccpSeral units


Seral Unit KeyBWBSmw1

a Canopy dominated by balsam poplar with tremblingaspen less prevalent or absent; parent material oftenfluvial; Equisetum spp.(pgs. , )1 present.

Accp

b Canopy dominated by trembling aspen with balsampoplar less prevalent or absent; parent material variable;Equisetum spp. generally very low cover (< %) or absent.

a Generally on mid to lower slopes; Gymnocarpiumdryopteris (pg.) low to moderate coverage (>%);Rosa acicularis (pg.) low cover (<%) or absent.

Atof

b Generally on mid to upper slopes; Gymnocarpiumdryopteris generally absent; Rosa acicularis generallymoderate cover (>%).

a Coarse soil texture with a variable slope between0-50%; Arctostaphylos uva-ursi (pg.) generallymoderate cover (>%).

Atsk

b Variable soil texture, slope usually <%;Arctostaphylos uva-ursi low cover (<%)or absent.

a Generally on warm aspects if sloping;Leymus innovatus (pg.) generallymoderate cover (>%).

Atsw

b Aspect variable; Leymus innovatusgenerally low cover (<%) or absent.

a Slope gradient often >%; Ledumgroenlandicum, (pg.) and Vacciniumvitis-idaea (pg.) usually absent.

Atcp

b Slope gradient often <%; Ledumgroenlandicum and Vacciniumvitis-idaea usually present.

Atlt1 Page numbers refer to the publication Plants of Northern British Columbia

(Expanded nd Edition) (MacKinnon et al. )


VEGETVEGETVEGETVEGETVEGETAAAAATIONTIONTIONTIONTION

Tree Layer: % coverTrembling aspen

Shrub Layer: % coverRosa acicularis (prickly rose)Viburnum edule (highbush-cranberry)Amelanchier alnifolia (saskatoon)Lonicera involucrata (black twinberry)Shepherdia canadensis (soopalallie)Trembling aspen

Herb Layer: % coverLathyrus ochroleucus (creamy peavine)Epilobium angustifolium (fireweed)Cornus canadensis (bunchberry)Aster conspicuus (showy aster)Pyrola asparifolia (pink wintergreen)Rubus pubescens (trailing raspberry)Vicia americana (American vetch)Linnaea borealis (twinflower)Calamagrostis canadensis (bluejoint)Petasites frigidus var. palmatus (palmate coltsfoot)Fragaria virginiana (wild strawberry)Galium boreale (northern bedstraw)Maianthemum canadense (wild lily-of-the-valley)Mertensia paniculata (tall bluebells)Arnica cordifolia (heart-leaved arnica)

Moss Layer: % coverEurhynchium pulchellum

SOIL AND SITESOIL AND SITESOIL AND SITESOIL AND SITESOIL AND SITE

Moisture Regime: (submesic -) mesicNutrient Regime: medium – richSlope Gradient (%): - (usually <)Slope Position: upper-lower or levelParent Materials: (glacio) fluvial,

morainal,occ. lacustrine

Soil Texture: fine – coarseCoarse Fragments(%): - (usually <)

DISTRIBUTIONDISTRIBUTIONDISTRIBUTIONDISTRIBUTIONDISTRIBUTION: very common

Rosa acicularis

Viburnum edule

Lathyrus ochroleucus

$At – Creamy peavineBWBSmw1/01 - AtcpBWBSmw1/06 - Atcp




Shrub Layer: % coverRosa acicularis (prickly rose)Shepherdia canadensis (soopalallie)Amelanchier alnifolia (saskatoon)Lonicera involucrata (black twinberrry)Spiraea betulifolia (birch-leaved spirea)Viburnum edule (highbush-cranberry)Trembling aspen

Herb Layer: % coverArctostaphylos uva-ursi (kinnikinnick)Lathyrus ochroleucus (creamy peavine)Vicia americana (American vetch)Fragaria virginiana (wild strawberry)Epilobium angustifolium (fireweed)Linnaea borealis (twinflower)Aster conspicuus (showy aster)Leymus innovatus (fuzzy-spiked wildrye)Calamagrostis canadensis (bluejoint)Galium boreale (northern bedstraw)Orthilia secunda (one-sided wintergreen)Cornus canadensis (bunchberry)Vaccinium caespitosum (dwarf blueberry)Pyrola asarifolia (pink wintergreen)Aster ciliolatus (fringed aster)Petasites frigidus var. palmatus (palmate coltsfoot)Arnica cordifolia (heart-leaved arnica)

Moss Layer: % coverHylocomium splendens (stepmoss)Peltigera canina (dog pelt)Eurhynchium pulchellum


Moisture Regime: subxeric-submesicNutrient Regime: poor (-medium)

* Slope Gradient (%): -

* Slope Position: upper-midParent Materials: (glacio) fluvial

* Soil Texture: coarseCoarse Fragments(%): -

DISTRIBUTIONDISTRIBUTIONDISTRIBUTIONDISTRIBUTIONDISTRIBUTION: uncommon, confined to dry ridges

Rosa acicularis

Shepherdiacanadensis

Arctostaphylosuva-ursi

$At – Soopolallie – KinnikinnickBWBSmw1/02 - Atsk




Shrub Layer: % coverViburnum edule (highbush-cranberry)Rosa acicularis (prickly rose)Shepherdia canadensis (soopalallie)Spiraea betulifolia (birch-leaved spirea)Amelanchier alnifolia (saskatoon)Trembling aspen

Herb Layer: % coverEpilobium angustifolium (fireweed)Leymus innovatus (fuzzy-spiked wildrye)Aster conspicuus (showy aster)Calamagrostis canadensis (bluejoint)Mertensia paniculata (tall bluebells)Lathyrus ochroleucus (creamy peavine)Galium boreale (northern bedstraw)Cornus canadensis (bunchberry)Rubus pubescens (trailing raspberry)Aster ciliolatus (fringed aster)Maianthemum canadense (false lily-of-the-valley)Pyrola asarifolia (pink wintergreen)Petasites frigidus var. palmatus (palmate coltsfoot)Arnica cordifolia (heart-leaved arnica)Vicia americana (American vetch)

Moss Layer: % cover


Moisture Regime: submesic (- mesic)Nutrient Regime: poor - medium

* Slope Gradient (%): - (usually <)* Slope Position: upper-mid or level

Parent Materials: (glacio) fluvial, morainal,occ. lacustrine

Soil Texture: coarse – fineCoarse Fragments(%): - (usually <)

DISTRIBUTIONDISTRIBUTIONDISTRIBUTIONDISTRIBUTIONDISTRIBUTION: common on warm aspects

Shepherdiacanadensis

Leymus innovatus

Aster conspicuus

$At – Soopolallie – WildryeBWBSmw1/03-Atsw




Shrub Layer: % coverRosa acicularis (prickly rose)Viburnum edule (highbush-cranberry)Ledum groenlandicum (Labrador tea)Vaccinium myrtilloides (velvet-leaved blueberry)Lonicera involucrata (black twinberry)Shepherdia canadensis (soopolallie)White spruce, Trembling aspen

Herb Layer: % coverCornus canadensis (bunchberry)Epilobium angustifolium (fireweed)Vaccinium caespitosum (dwarf blueberry)Linnaea borealis (twinflower)Rubus pubescens (trailing raspberry)Pyrola asarifolia (pink wintergreen)Maianthemum canadense (false lily-of-the-valley)Calamagrostis canadensis (bluejoint)Lathyrus ochroleucus (creamy peavine)Leymus innovatus (fuzzy-spiked wildrye)Petasites frigidus var palmatus (palmate coltsfoot)Fragaria virginiana (wild strawberry)Mertensiana paniculata (tall bluebells)Vaccinium vitis-idaea (lingonberry)Arnica cordifolia (heart-leaved arnica)Orthilia secunda (one-sided wintergreen)Aster ciliolatus (fringed aster)Vicia americana (American vetch)Galium boreale (northern bedstraw)

Moss Layer: % coverHylocomium splendens (stepmoss)Pleurozium schreberi (red-stemmed

feathermoss)Peltigera spp. (pelt lichens)Brachythecium salebrosum (golden ragged moss)Eurhynchium pulchellum (elegant beaked-moss)


Moisture Regime: submesic (-subhygric)Nutrient Regime: poor (-medium)

* Slope Gradient (%): -; generally <* Aspect: northerly, if sloping* Slope Position: mid – upper or level

Parent Materials: morainal or fluvialSoil Texture: fine - coarseCoarse Fragments(%): - (usually <)

DISTRIBUTIONDISTRIBUTIONDISTRIBUTIONDISTRIBUTIONDISTRIBUTION: common in gently sloping terrain

Ledumgroenlandicum

Vacciniummyrtilloides

Vacciniumcaespitosum

$At – Labrador teaBWBSmw1/04 - Atlt




Shrub Layer: % coverViburnum edule (highbush-cranberry)Rosa acicularis (prickly rose)Lonicera involucrata (black twinberry)Alnus viridis spp. sinuata (Sitka alder)Ribes triste (red swamp currant)Trembling aspen

Herb Layer: % coverGymnocarpium dryopteris (oak fern)Cornus canadensis (bunchberry)Epilobium angustifolium (fireweed)Lathyrus ochroleucus (creamy peavine)Petasites frigidus var. palmatus (palmate coltsfoot)Aralia nudicaulis (wild sarsaparilla)Calamagrostis canadensis (bluejoint)Linnaea borealis (twinflower)Rubus pubescens (trailing raspberry)Mertensia paniculata (tall bluebell)Pyrola asarifolia (pink wintergreen)Equisetum spp. (horsetails)Mitella nuda (common mitrewort)Galium triflorum (sweet-scented

bedstraw)

Moss Layer: % cover


Moisture Regime: (mesic -) subhygricNutrient Regime: (medium -)richSlope Gradient (%): -

* Aspect: northerly if sloping* Slope Position: mid – lower or level

Parent Materials: fluvial or morainal* Soil Texture: medium – fine

Coarse Fragments(%): -

DISTRIBUTIONDISTRIBUTIONDISTRIBUTIONDISTRIBUTIONDISTRIBUTION: uncommon and generally restricted to coolaspects

Lonicerainvolucrata

Viburnum edule

Gymnocarpiumdryopteris

$At – Oak fernBWBSmw1/05 - Atof



Tree Layer: % coverBalsam poplar

Shrub Layer: % coverRosa acicularis (prickly rose)Viburnum edule (highbush-cranberry)Rubus idaeus (red raspberry)Lonicera involucrata (black twinberry)Cornus stolonifera (red-osier dogwood)Balsam poplar

Herb Layer: % coverPetasites frigidus var. palmatus (palmate coltsfoot)Equisetum spp. (horsetails)Epilobium angustifolium (fireweed)Aster conspicuus (showy aster)Lathyrus ochroleucus (creamy peavine)Heracleum maximum (cow-parsnip)Mertensia paniculata (tall bluebells)Calamagrostis canadensis (bluejoint)Rubus pubescens (trailing raspberry)Fragaria virginiana (wild strawberry)Cornus canadensis (bunchberry)Aster ciliolatus (fringed aster)Vicia americana (American vetch)Pyrola asarifolia (pink wintergreen)Galium boreale (northern bedstraw)

Moss Layer: % coverMnium spp. (leafy mosses)


Moisture Regime: subhygric (- hygric)Nutrient Regime: rich

* Slope Gradient (%): -; usually <

* Slope Position: mid – toe or levelParent Materials: fluvial, occ. morainal

or lacustrine* Soil Texture: medium – fine

Coarse Fragments(%): - (usually )

DISTRIBUTIONDISTRIBUTIONDISTRIBUTIONDISTRIBUTIONDISTRIBUTION: common but restricted to lower slopes

Rubus idaeus

Equisetum spp.

Heracleummaximum

$Ac – Cow-parsnipBWBSmw1/07 - Accp

L E G E N D

BWBSdk2 BWBSmw1 BWBSmw2 BWBSwk1 BWBSwk2 BWBSwk3

- 2 -

FIGURE 1. Biogeoclimatic units of the northeast portion of the Prince George Forest Region.

Donna Lindenberg

Source publication

LMH 22

- 3 -

TABLE 1. New names f o r b iogeoc l imat ic and s i t e u n i t s i n t he northeast p o r t i o n o f t he Pr ince George Forest Region

Old va r ian ts and ecosystem assoc ia t ions New var ian ts and s i t e se r ies

BWBSc1 BWBSmw1 01 Highbush-cranberry - T r a i l i n g Raspberry 01 SwAt - Step moss 02 Pine - K i nn i k i nn i ck 02 Pl - Lingonberry - Velvet- leaved

03 Pine - Soopo la l l i e 03 Sw - Wi ldrye - Peavine 04 Pine - Black Spruce 04 Sb - Lingonberry - Co l t s f oo t 05 Highbush-cranberry - Oak Fern 05 Sw - Currant - Oak f e r n 06 Highbush-cranberry - Tall Bluebells 06 Sw - Currant - B luebe l l s 07 Spruce - Horse ta i l 07 Sw - Currant - Horse ta i l 08 Black Spruce - Horse ta i l 08 Sb - Labrador tea - Sphagnum

BWBSc2 BWBSmw1 01 Highbush-cranberry - T r a i l i n g Raspberry 01 SwAt - Step moss 02 Soopo la l l i e - Fuzzy-spiked Wildrye 02 Pl - Lingonberry - Velvet- leaved

03 P r i c k l y Rose - Fuzzy-spiked Wildrye 03 Sw - Wi ldrye - Peavine 04 Pine - Black Spruce 04 Sb - Lingonberry - Co l t s f oo t 05 Highbush-cranberry - Bluejoint 06 Sw - Currant - B luebe l l s 06 Spruce - Horse ta i l 07 Sw - Currant - Horse ta i l 07 Black Spruce - Horse ta i l 08 Sb - Labrador t ea - Sphagnum

BWBSa1 BWBSmw2 01 Aspen - White Spruce 01 SwAt - Step moss

02-$ A t - S w - Step moss a

02 Pine - Lichen 02 P l - Lingonberry - Velvet- leaved

03 Pine - Black Spruce 03 Sb - Lingonberry - Knight ’s plume 04 Pine - Clubmoss 04 Sb - Lingonberry - Co l t s f oo t 05 Spruce - Horse ta i l 05 Sw - Currant - Horse ta i l 05//M1 Balsam Poplar - Horse ta i l 05-$ Ac - A lder - Horse ta i l 06 Black Spruce - Horse ta i l 06 Sb - Feathermoss - B luebe l l s 07 Tamarack - Horse ta i l 07 L t - Horse ta i l 08 Black Spruce - Sphagnum 08 Sb - Cloudberry - Sphagnum 09 Black Spruce - Wil low 09 Sb - Wi l low 10 Tamarack - Buckbean 10 L t - Buckbean

b lueberry

blueberry

b lueberry

- 5 -

TABLE 2. F u l l co r re la ted vegeta t ion un i t names f o r s i t e ser ies descr ibed i n t h i s guide

S i te se r i es Vegetat ion unit n a m e s

BWBSmw1 01 02 Pl - Vaccinium ( v i t i s - i d a e a ) - Vaccinium ( m y r t i l l o i d e s ) 03 04 05 Sw - Ribes ( t r i s t e ) - Gymnocarpium 06 Sw - Ribes ( t r i s t e ) - Mertensia 07 Sw - Ribes ( t r i s t e ) - Equisetum (arvense and pratense) 08

BWBSmw2 01 02 Pl - Vaccinium ( v i t i s - i daea ) - Vaccinium ( m y r t i l l o i d e s ) 03 04 05 05-$ a no t co r re l a ted 06 Sb - Pleurozium; Mertensia 07 no t co r re l a ted 08 09 not co r re l a ted 10 no t co r re l a ted

BWBSwk1 01 Sw - Vaccinum (membranaceum) - Hylocomium; Spiraea 02 Pl - Vaccinium ( v i t i s - i daea ) - Vaccinium ( m y r t i l l o i d e s ) 03 Sb - Vaccinium ( v i t i s - i daea ) - Pti l ium; Petas i tes 04 Sw - Elymus - Lathyrus 05 Sw - Ribes ( t r i s t e ) - Mertensia 06 Sw - Ribes ( t r i s t e ) - Equisetum (arvense and pratense) 07 Sb - S a l i x (myrt i l l i fo l ia) - Aulacomnium 08 Sb - Equisetum - Sphagnum

BWBSwk2 01 Sw - Vaccinum (membranaceum) - Hylocomium; Pt i l ium 02 Pl - Vaccinium ( v i t i s - i daea ) - Pleurozium 03 Sw - Elymus - Lathyrus 04 Sb - Vaccinium ( v i t i s - i daea ) - P t i l i u m ; Petas i tes 05 Sw - Ribes ( t r i s t e ) - Mertensia 06 Sw - Ribes ( t r i s t e ) - Equisetum (arvense and pratense)

a The "$" symbol i nd ica tes t h a t t he u n i t described i s sera l .

Sw - Populus - Hylocomium; Lathyrus

Sw - Elymus - Lathyrus Sb - Vaccinium ( v i t i s - i daea ) - P t i l i um; Petasi tes

Sb - Equisetum - Sphagnum

Sw - Populus - Hylocomium; Vaccinium ( v i t i s - i daea )

Sb - Vaccinium ( v i t i s - i daea ) - Pt i l ium; Pleurozium Sb - Vaccinium ( v i t i s - i daea ) - Pti l ium; Petas i tes Sw - Ribes ( t r i s t e ) - Equisetum (arvense and pratense)

Sb - Rubus (chamaemorus) - Sphagnum

Source publication

LMH 22

- 10 -

and intermediate in moisture when compared to the other BWBS subzones. The forests are generally dominated by white spruce or aspen.

3.3.1 Peace BWBSmw - BWBSmw1 (previously BWBSc1 and BWBSc2)

The BWBSmw1 variant covers the rolling plains which extend from near where the Rocky Mountains transect the Alberta border, north to near the Beatton River. Elevation ranges from 750 to 1050 m. This variant has a drier and cooler growing season than the BWBSmw2, but the winters are warmer and moister (see Table 3). The forests in this variant are dominated by aspen. low lying, wetter sites. sites where there has been limited fire history. Lodgepole pine is present as a seral species on drier and poorer sites. Black spruce forests, often with a minor component of tamarack, are common on organic soils.

year-round habitat for mule deer, white-tailed deer, moose, black bear, and small herds of Rocky Mountain elk. Much of the original lowland habitat has been converted to agricultural crops and wildlife use the few remaining aspen stands and riverbreaks. Sharp-tailed grouse occur in the more open habitats and ruffed grouse occur in the aspen stands. Wood bison, grizzly bear and gray wolf have been extirpated from this area.

Lowland, provides habitat for moose, caribou, black bear, gray wolf and grizzly bear. The numerous wetlands support large populations of breeding waterfowl, such as mallard, northern pintail, Barrow’s goldeneye and common snipe. A few trumpeter swan also nest in these wetlands.

3.3.2 Fort Nelson BWBSmw - BWBSmw2 (previously BWBSa1)

The BWBSmw2 variant covers the undulating terrain and lowlands from near the Beatton River in the south, to the Northwest Territories and Yukon borders in the north. This variant is wetter and warmer during the growing season but colder during the winter compared to the BWBSmw1. Elevation ranges from 300 to 1050 m. Aspen - white spruce forests dominate the better drained sites. On the poorly drained sites black spruce forests, often with a minor component of tamarack are common. Tamarack can form almost pure stands on very wet sites. Lodgepole pine is relatively common, especially on wetter sites in combination with black spruce or well-drained higher elevation sites. and often trembling aspen and paper birch are common on the floodplains of the major water courses.

The extensive Fort Nelson Lowland provides habitat for wintering populations of caribou, black bear, and furbearers, especially lynx, marten, beaver and muskrat. Moose are more commonly found along the riparian areas. The numerous wetlands support large populations of waterfowl, such as mallard, northern pintail, blue-winged teal and northern shoveler, and shorebirds,

Balsam poplar is common on the White spruce is present on moist to wetter

The Peace River Lowland portion of this variant provides

The upland port ion, both south and north o f the Peace River

Balsam poplar, white spruce

Source publication

LMH 22

- 11 -

TABLE 3. Summary climate data for biogeoclimatic units a

BGC Seasonal Annual Annual mean unit precipitation precipitation temperature Mean annual Frost-free

Mean Range Mean Range Mean Range Mean Range Mean Range May-Sept (mm) (mm) (°C) snowfall (cm) period (day)

BWBSmw1 290 225-355 485 395-660 +.1.1 -1.2-+2.7 190 130-250 150 125-170 BWBSmw2 295 275-345 460 450-485 -1.6 -2.2--1.1 185 N/A 105 N/A

BWBSdk2 225 195-255 460 440-480 -2.1 -2.9--0.6 195 190-205 75 55-85

BWBSwk1 320 230-395 645 630-660 +0.9 +.2-+1.9 210 N/A 90 N/A BWBSwk2 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A BWBSwk3 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

a Reynolds, G. 1989. Cl imat ic data summaries f o r the biogeocl imatic zones o f B r i t i s h Columbia. B.C. Min. For., Research Branch. V ic to r ia , B.C. Unpublished report.

- 15 - BWBSmw1 Peace BWBSmw

4 THE BWBSmw1 VARIANT Soil Nutrient Regime

A B C D E very poor poor medium rich very rich

~~

1 xeric

2 subxeric

3 submesic

Soil Moisture 4 mesic

Regime

5 subhygric

6 hygric

7 subhydric

Site Series

' 01 SwAt - Step moss ~ 02 Pl - Lingonberry - Velvet-leaved blueberry l 03 Sw - Wildrye - Peavine 04 Sb - Lingonberry - Coltsfoot 05 Sw - Currant - Oak fern 06 Sw - Currant - Bluebells 07 Sw - Currant - Horsetail 08 Sb - Labrador tea - Sphagnum I

I

FIGURE 2. Edatopic grid displaying site series in the BWBSmw1 variant.

Source publication

LMH 22

- 16 -

SIMPLIFIED KEY TO ECOSYSTEM UNITS OF BWBSmw1

1a Canopy dominated by black spruce or by a combination of black spruce and lodgepole pine; sites usually level

2a Canopy dominated by black spruce, lodgepole pine rare or absent, tamarack occasionally present; Equisetum spp. (p. 24) 6 commonly present and often abundant; soils organic or fluvial

Canopy a combination of lodgepole pine and black spruce; Equisetum spp. usually very low cover (<1%) or absent; soils morainal or (glacio)fluvial

BWBSmw1/08

2b

BWBSmw1/04

1b Canopy dominated by lodgepole pine or white spruce, black spruce minor or absent

3a Canopy dominated by white spruce or trembling aspen-white spruce, lodgepol e pi ne rare or absent

4a Canopy often a mixture of lodgepole pine and white spruce or trembling aspen and white spruce; Gymnocarpium dryopteris (p. 26), Delphinium glaucum (tall larkspur) and/or Equisetum spp. (p. 24) usually absent

Canopy white spruce or a mixture of white spruce and balsam poplar; Gymnocarpium dryopteris, Delphinium glaucum or Equisetum spp. present

5a Sites usually level; Equisetum spp. (p. 24) abundant

BWBSmw1/01

4b

(usually >20%)

Site position variable, but usually not level; Equisetum spp. low cover (<1%) or absent

6a Aspect usually northerly; Sorbus scopulina (western mountain-ash) usually present, Gymnocarpium dryopteris moderate to high cover (usually >10%)

BWBSmw1/05

Aspect generally not northerly; Sorbus scopulina and Gymnocarpium dryopteris l ow cover (4% each) or absent

BWBSmw1/06

BWBSmw1/07

5b

6b

6 Page numbers refer to the publication "Some Common Plants of the Sub-Boreal Spruce Zone" (Pojar et a l . 1982).

- 17 -

3b Canopy dominated by lodgepole p ine o r a combination of lodgepole p ine and whi te spruce

7a Canopy usua l l y pure lodgepole pine, wh i te spruce absent; mid t o upper slope; moss l a y e r p r i m a r i l y Cladina spp. (p. 55)

Canopy usua l l y a combination o f lodgepole p ine and whi te spruce; slope p o s i t i o n var iable; moss l a y e r p r i m a r i l y

BWBSmw1/02

7b

Hylocomium splendens (p. 60) and pleurozium schreberi (p. 61)

8a General ly mid t o upper slope o r i f no t then s o i l s coarse; Elymus innovatus (fuzzy-spiked w i l d rye ) usua l l y present, i f no t then shrub and herb l aye r poo r l y developed; o f t e n on south- o r west- facing aspects

BWBSmw1/03

Slope p o s i t i o n var iable; Elymus innovatus low cover (<1%) or absent, shrub and herb l aye r w e l l developed; aspect v a r i a b l e

BWBSmw1/01

8b

BWBSmw1/01

trembling aspen

Rosa ac icu lar is

SwAt - STEP MOSS

VEGETATION

Tree Layer: 40% cover White spruce, trembling aspen, lodgepole pine, balsam poplar

Shrub Layer: 25% cover Rosa acicularis (prickly rose) Viburnum edule (highbush-cranberry) white spruce

Herb layer: 55% cover Cornus canadensis (bunchberry)

(twinflower) (trailing raspberry)

Linnaea borealis Rubus pubescens Mertensia paniculata (tall bluebells) Petasites palmatus (palmate coltsfoot) Pyrola asarifolia (pink wintergreen) Orthilia secunda (one-sided wintergreen) Epilobium angustifolium ( f i reweed) Lathyrus ochroleucus (creamy peavine) Mitella nuda Arnica cordifolia (heart-leaved arnica) Elymus innovatus (fuzzy- spiked wildrye)

Moss Layer: 55% cover Hylcomium splendens Pleurozium schreberi (red-stemmed feathermoss) Ptilium crista-castrensis

(step moss)

(knight’s plume)

SOIL AND SITE

Moisture Regime: (submesic) - mesic Nutrient Regime: poor - rich Slope Gradient (%):

Slope Position: upper - lower Parent Material : (glacio)fluvial, morainal

Soil Texture: moderately fine to coarse Coarse Fragments (%) : 0-65 (usually less than

0-65 (usually less than 20)

occ. lacustrine

20) Site Index (m @ 100yrs): PI 24 (18-29)

SW 25 (18-32)

DISTRIBUTION: very common

Hylocomium splendens

(common mitrewort)

- 19 -

SWAT - STEP MOSS (BWBSmw1/01)

INTERPRETATIONS

Logging: - c l ea rcu t - t r a f f i c a b i l i t y may be a problem i n spr ing or

a f t e r a long duration of rain in summer

S i t e preparation:

Object i v e - reduce debr is; prepare p l a n t i n g spots; minimize f u t u r e brush competit ion; improve p l a n t e r access; increase so i l temperature

Mechanical

Prescr ibed f i r e

- patch sca r i f y ; plow; w in te r r i p p e r plow

- p i l e and burn

Species choice:

P re fe r red - Sw, Pl Acceptable - A t

Brush hazard: - very h i g h ( t rembl ing aspen, b lue jo in t , f i reweed) - brush compet i t ion will requ i re pos t -p lan t ing

inspect ions o f harvested s i t es ; these inspect ions may i nd i ca te the need t o con t ro l vegetat ion compet i t ion

- i f stand has a l a rge component o f lodgepole p ine and cone survey ind ica tes adequate seed, na tu ra l s tock ing may be achievable

- to achieve natura l stocking, humus depth must be reduced and seed dispersed

- root rot (if managing f o r Sw) - compaction - drought - increas ing s o i l temperature may be as important

- he rb ic ide use t o con t ro l brush compet i t ion may

Reforestat ion:

Concerns: - windthrow

as reducing vegetat ion compet i t ion f o r improving seedling performance

conf l ic t w i t h wi ld l i fe needs

BWBSmw1/02

Pl - LINGONBERRY - VELVET-LEAVED BLUEBERRY

VEGETATION

Tree Layer: 30% cover Lodgepol e p ine, wh i te spruce

lodgepole pine

Shrub Layer: 30% cover (b i rch- leaved spirea) (ve l ve t - leaved blueberry)

Spiraea betulifolia Vaccinium myrtilloides whi te spruce lodgepol e p i ne

(k inn ik inn ick ) Herb Layer: 55% cover

Geocaulon lividum (bastard t o a d f l a x ) Elymus innovatus (fuzzy-spiked w i ld rye ) Lathyrus ochroleucus (creamy peavine) Maianthemum canadense ( w i l d l i l y - o f - t h e va l l ey ) Fragar ia virginiana (w i l d strawberry) Orvzopsis pungens (short-awned r icegrass)

(green wintergreen) (one- sided wintergreen)

Pyrola chlorantha Orthilia [Vaccinium vitis-idaea (l ingonberry)]

Cladina spp. Hylocomium splendens Pleurozium schreber i (red-stemmed feathermoss) Polytrichum juniperinum

SOIL AND SITE

Moss Layer: 65% cover

(step moss)

( jun iper haircap moss)

Mois ture Regime: subxeric

Slope Gradient (%): 0-40

Parent Mater ia l :

Spiraea betulifolia Nu t r i en t Regime: poor - (medium)

* Slope Pos i t i on : upper t o c r e s t o r l e v e l usua l ly (g lac io ) f luv ia l

* S o i l Texture: medium t o coarse

Pl 20 Coarse Fragments (%): 0-30 S i t e Index (m @ 100 yr):

DISTRIBUTION : uncommon

Vaccinium myrtilloides

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi

- 21 -

PL - LINGONBERRY - VELVET- LEAVED BLUEBERRY (BWBSmw1/02)

INTERPRETATIONS

Logging: - c lea rcu t - full tree harvest ing may ser ious ly reduce cones

on a s i t e ; good cone d i s t r i b u t i o n must be ensured i f you are managing for na tu ra ls

S i t e preparat ion:

Object ive - enhance natura l regeneration; improve moisture status; reduce debr is; improve p l an te r access; p ro tec t t h i n humus forms

Mechanical mineral s o i l

Prescribed fire - do not burn

- l ight drag scar i fy* ; d i s c trench; mix humus w i t h

Species choice:

Preferred - Pl Acceptable

Brush hazard: - low

Reforestat ion: - conduct a Pl cone survey t o determine seed adequacy f o r es tab l i sh ing a na tu ra l Pl stand. I f cones are i n s u f f i c i e n t , p l a n t Pl stock.

Concerns: - drought - m i s t l e t oe - t he humus forms on these s i t e s are t h i n and

removal o f any po r t i on o f the humus l aye r may se r ious ly a f f e c t s i t e p r o d u c t i v i t y

- because o f the low p r o d u c t i v i t y o f these s i t es , l a rge s i l v i c u l t u r e expenditures may be d i f f i c u l t t o j u s t i f y , and management must ensure t h a t p r o d u c t i v i t y i s no t f u r t h e r reduced

BWBSmw1/03

SW - WILDRYE - PEAVINE

VEGETATION

Tree Layer: 35% cover

Shrub Layer: 25% cover

Lodgepol e pine, wh i te spruce

Rosa acicularis Viburnum edule (highbush-cranberry) Shepherdia canadensis Spiraea betulifolia (b i rch- leaved spirea) whi te spruce trembling aspen

Herb Layer: 50% cover Linnaea boreal is ( twinfower) Elymus innovatu (fuzzy-spiked wildrye)

Shepherdia canadensis Cornus canadensis (bunchberry) Epilobium angus t i f o l i um ( f i r e w e e d )

( t r a i l i n g raspberry) (creamy peavine)

Rubus pubescens Lathyrus ochroleucus Arnica cordifolia (heart- leaved arnica) Orthilia secunda (one- sided wintergreen) Petasi tes palmatus (palmate co l t s f oo t ) Pyrola asar i fo l ia ( rosy wintergreen) Mertensia paniculata (tall bluebells) Aster conspicuus (showy aster ) Maianthemum canadense ( f a l s e lily-of-the-valley)

Hylocomium splendens (s tep moss) Pleurozium schreberi (red-stemmed feathermoss) Pti l ium crista-castrensis (kn ight ’s plume)

(prickly rose)

(soopolallie)

Moss Layer: 75% cover

SOIL AND S ITE

Moisture Regime: submesic - (mesic) Nu t r ien t Regime: poor - medium

Slope Pos i t ion: v a r i a b l e * Parent Mater ia l : var iab le , o f t e n

( g l a c i o ) f l u v i a l * S o i l Texture: medium t o coarse

Slope Gradient (%) : 0-60

Coarse Fragments (%) : 0-80 S i t e Index (m @ 100yrs): PI 24 (22-30)

SW 24 (20-32)

DISTRIBUTION: uncommon

Elymus innovatus

Lathyrus ochroleucus

- 23 -

SW - WILDRYE - PEAVINE (BWBSmw1/03)

INTERPRETATIONS

Logging: - c lea rcu t - f u l l t r e e harvest ing may ser ious ly reduce cones

on a s i t e ; good cone d i s t r i b u t i o n must be ensured i f managing f o r na tu ra l s

Site preparation:

Object ive - enhance na tu ra l regeneration; improve moisture status; reduce debris; improve p lan te r access; p ro tec t t h i n humus forms

Mechanical mineral s o i l

Prescribed f i re - do no t burn

- l ight drag sca r i f y ; d i s c trench; mix humus w i t h

Species choice:

Prefer red - Pl Acceptable

Brush hazard: - low

Reforesta t ion: - conduct a Pl cone survey t o determine seed adequacy f o r es tab l i sh ing a natura l Pl stand. If cones are i n s u f f i c i e n t , p l a n t Pl stock.

Concerns: - drought - the humus forms on these s i t e s are o f ten t h i n and

removal of any po r t i on o f the humus layer may ser ious ly a f f e c t s i t e p r o d u c t i v i t y

BWBSmw1/04

black spruce

Sb - LINGONBERRY - COLTSFOOT

VEGETATION

Tree Layer: 35% cover Lodgepol e pine, (black spruce)

Shrub Layer: 40% cover Rosa acicularis ( p r i c k l y rose)

(Labrador tea) (h ighbush-cranberry)

Ledum groenlandicum Viburnum edule b lack spruce

Cornus canadensis (bunchberry) Linnaea borealis ( tw in f lower) Vaccinium vitis-idaea Epilobium angustifolium (fireweed) Petasi tes palmatus (palmate c o l t s f o o t ) Vaccinium caespitosum (dwarf b lueberry)

Pleurozium schreberi Hylocomium splendens Peltigera aphthosa P t i l i u m c r i s ta- cas t rens is (kn ight ’s plume)

rb Layer: 35% cover

(l ingonberry)

Moss Layer: 75% cover (red-stemmed feathermoss) (step moss)

SOIL AND SITE

Moisture Regime: submesic - subhygric Nu t r i en t Regime: (very poor - ) medium

* Aspect: usua l l y nor th- fac ing i f

usually level morainal, l a c u s t r i n e or

* Slope Gradient (%): 0- 10

sloping

(glacio)fluvial

Ledum groenlandicum * Slope Posi t ion: Parent Mater ia l :

S o i l Texture: f i n e t o coarse Coarse Fragments (%) : S i t e Index (m @ 100yrs):

0- 70 Pl 20 (13-27) SW 20 (13-28)

DISTRIBUTION : common

Vaccinium vitis-idaea

- 25 -

SB - LINGONBERRY - COLTSFOOT (BWBS1/04)

INTERPRETATIONS

- c lea rcu t - f u l l t r e e harvest ing may se r i ous l y reduce cones

- t raf f icabi l i ty wil l be a problem on these s i t e s

Logging:

on a s i t e ; good cone d i s t r i b u t i o n must be ensured i f managing f o r natura l s

du r ing the spr ing and a f t e r p r e c i p i t a t i o n events in the summer


Object ive - enhance natura l regeneration; improve moisture status; reduce debris; improve p l an te r access; increase s o i l temperatures; p ro tec t t h i n humus forms

Mechanical - l i g h t drag scar i f y ; mix humus w i t h mineral s o i l

Prescribed f i r e - do no t burn

Species choice:

Prefer red - Pl Acceptable

Brush hazard: - low

Reforesta t ion: - conduct a Pl cone survey t o determine seed adequacy f o r es tab l i sh ing a na tu ra l Pl stand. If cones are i n s u f f i c i e n t , p l a n t Pl stock.

- na tu ra l stocking could take up to 5 years

- compaction - h igh water t a b l e i n spr ing - t he humus forms on these s i t e s are o f t e n t h i n and

removal o f any po r t i on o f the humus l aye r may ser ious ly a f f e c t s i t e p r o d u c t i v i t y

- because o f the low p r o d u c t i v i t y o f most o f these s i t e s la rge s i l v i c u l t u r e expenditures may be d i f f i c u l t t o j u s t i f y , and management must ensure t h a t p roduc t i v i t y i s n o t f u r t h e r reduced

Concerns: - drought

BWBSmw1/05 I

Viburnum edule

Ribes t r i s t e

SW - CURRANT - OAK FERN

VEGETATION

Tree Layer: 30% cover White spruce

Shrub Layer: 40% cover Viburnum edule (highbush-cranberry) Sorbus scopulina Rosa acicularis Lonicera involucrata Ribes lacustre (b lack gooseberry) Alnus viridis ssp. s inuata [Oplopanax horridus ( d e v i l ’ s c lub ) ] [Ribes t r i s t e ( red swamp cu r ran t ) ]

Cornus canadensis (bunchberry) Gymnocarpium dryopteris Mitella nuda (common mi t rewor t ) Linnaea borealis ( tw in f lower) Smilacina racemosa ( f a l s e Solomon’s-seal) Rubus pubescens Petasi tes palmatus Osmorhiza chilensis Galium triflorum (sweet-scented bedstraw) [Calamagrostis canadensis ( b l u e j o i n t ) ]

Hylocomium splendens [PIeurozium schreber i

(western mount a i n - ash) ( p r i c k l y rose) ( b l a c k twinberry)

(S i t ka a lder )

Herb Layer: 60% cover

(oak fe rn )

( t r a i l i n g raspberry) (palmate c o l t s f o o t ) (sweet-cicely)

Moss Layer: 55% cover (s tep moss) (red-stemmed feathermoss)]

SOIL AND SITE

Moisture Regime: (mesic) - subhygric Nu t r i en t Regime: (medium) - r i c h

* Slope Posi t ion: mid - lower Parent Mater ia l : variable

* S o i l Texture: medium t o f i n e

Slope Gradient (%): 3-25

Coarse Fragments (%): 10-22 S i t e Index SX 29 (28-30)

COMMENTS: These s i t e s can have a moderate t o h igh cover of Oplopanax horridus (dev i l ’s c lub).

DISTRIBUTION: uncommon

Gymnocarpium dryopter is

- 27 -

SW - CURRANT - OAK FERN (BWBSmW1/05)

INTERPRETAT IIONS

Logging: - c l ea rcu t - t raf f icabi l i ty may be a problem i f l ong durat ions

of r a i n f a l l occur


Object ive - reduce debr is ; prepare p l an t i ng spots; minimize f u tu re brush competit ion; improve p l an te r access; increase so i l temperature

Mechanical

Prescribed f i re

- patch s c a r i f y ; mound; plow; w in te r r i p p e r plow

- p i l e and burn; broadcast burn*

Species choice:

Prefer red - Sw Acceptable - Pl

Brush hazard: - very h i gh (b lack twinberry, f ireweed) - brush compet i t ion w i l l r equ i re pos t -p lan t ing

inspect ions of harvested s i t e s t o determine the need f o r vegetat ion con t ro l

Ref orest a t i o n :

Concerns:

- use l a r g e p l an t i ng stock

- windthrow - r o o t r o t ( i f managing for Sw) - compaction - he rb ic ide use t o con t ro l brush competit ion may

c o n f l i c t w i t h wi ld l i fe needs

BWBSmw1/06

Viburnum edule

Ribes t r i s t e

M. paniculata

SW - CURRANT - BLUEBELLS

VEGETATION


Shrub Layer: 50% cover Viburnum edule (highbush-cranberry) Rosa acicularis Ribes triste ( red swamp cu r ran t ) Lonicera involucrata (b lack twinberry) Ribes oxyacanthoides (northern gooseberry) Ribes lacustre (black gooseberry) (Cornus sericea) ( red-os ier dogwood) trembling aspen whi te spruce

Herb Layer: 60% cover Cornus canadensis (bunchberry) Epilobium angustifolium (f ireweed) Linnaea borealis ( tw in f lower)

( t r a i l i n g raspberry) (tall bluebells)

Rubus pubescens Mertensia paniculata Petasi tes palmatus (palmate c o l t s f o o t ) M i t e l l a nuda (common mi t rewor t ) Lathyrus ochroleucus (creamy peavine) Pyrola asa r i f o l i a (p ink wintergreen) Calamagrostis canadensis ( b l ue jo i n t ) Pyrola c h l o r a n t h a (green wintergreen) O r th i l i a secunda (one-sided wintergreen) V io l a spp. ( v i o l e t s ) [Galium t r i f l o r u m (sweet-scented bedstraw)]

Moss Layer: 55% cover Hylocomium splendens (step moss) Pleurozium schreberi (red-stemmed feathermoss) Pti l ium crista-castrensis (knight ’s plume) [Mnium spp. ( l ea f y mosses)]

White spruce

( p r i c k l y rose)

SOIL AND SITE

Moisture Regime: (mesic) - subhygric Nu t r i en t Regime: (medium) - r i c h

Slope Pos i t ion: Parent Mate r ia l : va r iab le

Slope Gradient (%) : 0-35 upper t o lower o r l e v e l

* S o i l Texture: medium t o f i n e

* Seepage Water: o f t en present Coarse Fragments (%): 0-40

S i t e Index (m @ 100yrs): SW 28 (21-36) Pl 24 (18-28)

DISTRIBUTION: common

- 29 -

SW - CURRANT - BLUEBELLS (BWBSrnw1/06)

INTERPRETATIONS

Logging: - c lea rcu t

rainfal l - t raf f icabi l i ty may be a problem a f t e r heavy


Object ive - reduce debr is; prepare p l an t i ng spots; minimize f u t u r e brush competit ion; improve p lan te r access; increase s o i l temperature

Mechanical

P resc r ibed f i re

- patch sca r i f y ; mound; plow*; w in ter r i p p e r plow

- p i l e and burn

Species choice:

Pre fer red - Sw Acceptable - Pl

Brush hazard: - extreme (b lue jo in t , t rembl ing aspen, fireweed) - brush compet i t ion will requ i re post-p lant ing

inspect ions o f harvested s i t e s t o determine t h e need f o r vegetat ion con t ro l

Reforestat ion:

Concerns : - windthrow

- use l a r g e p l an t i ng stock

- r o o t r o t (if managing f o r Sw) - compaction - he rb ic ide use t o con t ro l brush competi t ion may

c o n f l i c t w i t h w i l d l i f e needs

BWBSmw1/07

Rosa acicularis

Ribes t r i s t e

SW - CURRANT - HORSETAIL

VEGETATION

Tree Layer: 40% cover White spruce

Shrub Layer: 30% cover ( p r i c k l y rose) (highbush-cranberry)

Rosa ac icu la r is

(black twinberry) Viburnum e d u l e

(black gooseberry) Lonicera involucrata

( red swamp currant ) Ribes lacustre Ribes t r i s t e (Cornus sericea) ( red-os ier dogwood)

Herb Layer: 65% cover Equisetum spp. (arvense, (horseta i ls )

pratense) Mertensia paniculata Petas i tes palmatus (palmate co l t s f oo t ) Linnaea borealis ( tw in f lower) Rubus pubescens Cornus canadensis (bunchberry) M i t e l l a nuda (common mitrewort)

Hylocomium splendens Pleurozium schreber i (red-stemmed feathermoss) P t i l i u m crista-castrensis

(tall bluebells)

(trailing raspberry)

Moss Layer: 60% cover (step moss)

(kn ight ’s plume)

SOIL AND SITE

Moisture Regime: (subhygric) - hygr i c Nu t r ien t Regime: medium - r i c h

* Slope Gradient (%) : 0-36; usua l l y l ess than 5 * Slope Posi t ion: usua l l y l eve l (mid -

* Parent Ma te r i a l : Soil Texture: Coarse Fragments (%):

lower) lacustrine, fluvial moderately coarse t o f i n e 0-20 (usual ly 0)

S i t e Index (m @ 100yrs): SW 24 (21-33)

DISTRIBUTION: uncomnon

Equisetum arvense

- 31 -

SW - CURRANT - HORSETAIL (SWBSmw1/07)

INTERPRETATIONS

Logging: - c l ea rcu t - t raf f icabi l i ty wil l be a problem when ground no t

frozen


Ob jec t i ve - reduce debr is ; prepare r a i s e d p l a n t i n g spots; minimize f u t u r e brush competi t ion; improve p lan te r access; increase s o i l temperature

Mechanical - mound*

Prescr ibed f i r e - broadcast burn

Species choice:

Acceptable Pre fe r red - Sw

,Brush hazard: - h igh ( b l u e j o i n t , wi l lows, balsam poplar) - brush compet i t ion wil l r e q u i r e pos t - p lan t ing

inspect ions o f harvested s i t e s t o determine t he need for vegetat ion c o n t r o l

- p l a n t a f t e r water t a b l e drops below ground l e v e l and p l a n t on d r i e r m ic ros i t es

- use l a r g e p l a n t i n g s tock

- compaction - t h i s assoc ia t ion is cr i t ical to the control of

- windthrow hazard i s extreme - water t a b l e wil l l ikely r i s e above t he ground

- herb ic ide use to c o n t r o l brush compet i t ion may

Reforestat ion:

Concerns: - root rot

r u n o f f and stream f l ow

surface in t he spr ing, causing seedling m o r t a l i t y

conflict with wildlife needs

BWBSmw1/08

Sb - LABRADOR TEA - SPHAGNUM

VEGETATION


Shrub Layer: 50% cover

Black spruce

(Labrador tea) (w i l lows)

Ledum groenlandicum Salix spp. Rosa acicularis ( p r i c k l y rose) Viburnum edule (highbush-cranberry) b lack spruce

Equisetum scirpoides Petas i tes palmatus Vaccinium vitis-idaea

Ledum groenlandicum Mitella nuda (common mi t rewort ) Equisetum sy lvat icum (wood h o r s e t a i l ) M i t e l l a nuda (common mi t rewort ) Moneses unif lora ( s i n g l e d e l i g h t ) Equisetum arvense (common h o r s e t a i l ) Cornus canadensis (bunchberry) Rubus pubescens (trailing raspberry)

Moss Layer: 90% cover Hylocomium splendens (s tep moss)

(red-stemmed feathermoss) Pleurozium schreberi (glow moss)

P t i l i u m crista-castrensis (kn igh t ’s plume) Sphagnum spp. (sphagnum mosses) P e l t i g e r a aphthosa

Herb Layer: 60% cover (dwarf scouring-rush) (palmate c o l t s f o o t ) (lingonber ry )

Aulacomnium p a l u s t r e

SOIL AND SITE Equisetum scirpoides

Moisture Regime: h y g r i c - subhydric Nu t r i en t Regime: very poor - poor

* Slope Gradient (%): 0-12 (usua l l y 0) * Slope Pos i t ion : v a r i a b l e , o f t e n depressi on * Parent Mater ia l : organic o r f l u v i a l * S o i l Texture: mesic, f ibr ic if organic;

medium if f l u v i a l Coarse Fragments (%): 0-4; u s u a l l y 0

Lt 17 S i t e Index (m @ 100yrs): SW 20 (17-23)

DISTRIBUTION: common

Sphagnum spp.

- 33 -

SB - LABRADOR TEA - SPHAGNUM (BWBSmw1/08)

INTERPRETAT IONS

Management objectives: - non-commercial at this time

Ch

ap

ter 5.2F

ens

79

.. Distribution of Fen Site Associations by biogeoclimatic zone

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

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

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

Wf53 Slender sedge – White beak-rush x xxs

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

i = inland areas only s = southern subzones only

Source publication

LMH 52

80 Wetlands of British Columbia: A Field Guide to Identification

.. Fen Species Importance Table

Species Wf01 Wf02 Wf03 Wf04 Wf05 Wf06 Wf07 Wf08

Shrubs Betula nana x xyzzz x xy x x xyzzz x

Salix barclayi x x xyzzzz

Salix pedicellaris x xyz xy xy xyzz xy

Spiraea douglasii x x x x

Myrica gale

Herbs Carex utriculata xyzzz xyz xy xy xyz x x x

and Carex aquatilis xyzzz xyzz xyzzz xyzz xyz x xyz x

Dwarf Comarum palustre xy xyz xy xy xy xyzz xy

Shrubs Calamagrostis canadensis x xy x xyzz x x x x

Carex lasiocarpa x xyzzzz xyzzzz xy x

Menyanthes trifoliata x x x xyzzz xyzzz xyzz

Carex limosa x x x x xy xyzz xyzzz

Carex chordorrhiza x x xy xyz xy

Eleocharis quinqueflora x x

Trichophorum alpinum x

Trichophorum cespitosumEriophorum angustifolium x xy xy x x xy xy

Caltha leptosepala xy xy

Carex anthoxantheaEquisetum fluviatile x x xy xy xy xy

Carex magellanica x x

Carex sitchensis xy xy xyz xyz x x

Rhynchospora alba x

Carex livida x x x x

Eriophorum chamissonis x x x

Vahlodea atropurpurea x

Drosera anglica x x xy

Hypericum anagalloidesTriantha glutinosa x x xy

Schoenoplectus tabernaemontaniFauria crista-galli

Senecio triangularis x x xyz xy

Andromeda polifolia x xy xy

Kalmia microphylla x x x

Oxycoccus oxycoccos x x x x xy x

Triglochin maritima x x x xy xy

Drosera rotundifolia x x x

Leptarrhena pyrolifolia xy x

Platanthera dilatata x xy x x x

Sanguisorba canadensis x xy

Utricularia intermedia x x x xy

Viola palustris x x x

Lichens Sphagnum Group I xy xyz xyzz x x xyz x

and Aulacomnium palustre x xyz xyz xyzz x x x x

Mosses Drepanocladus spp. xyz x xy xyzz xyz xyz xyz

Sphagnum Group II x xyz x x xyz xy

Tomentypnum nitens x xyzz xyz xy x xyz xy

Philonotis fontana xy xyz

Calliergon stramineum x x x x x

Scorpidium spp. x xy xyzz xy

Campylium stellatum x x xy xy x x

Warnstorfia spp. x xy x x xyz x xy

Meesia triquetra x x xy xy

General Description

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

the most common peatland Site Associations throughout the

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

frequently a major component of large peatlands where there is some

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

These sites are often hummocked, with shrubs rooting on elevated

microsites.

Betula nana and Carex aquatilis are the charac-

teristic species but Salix pedicellaris and Carex

utriculata dominate on wetter sites. The moss

layer is variable and can be diverse, absent, or

dominated by Tomentypnum nitens, Sphag-

num, or Drepanocladus. Some drier sites will

have scattered, stunted trees (spruce or black

spruce most commonly).

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

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

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

veneers.

Characteristic Vegetation

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

Comments

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

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

Chapter 5.2 Fens 83

Wetland Edatopic Grid

Scrub birch – Water sedge Wf 02

Betula nana – Carex aquatilis

A B C D E F

Soil Nutrient Regime

VM

W

VW

VAM

ASA

N

Ak

pH

St

SlM

oDy

VD

Hydro

dynam

ic In

dex

Soil

Mo

istu

re R

egim

e

Source publication

LMH 52

BWBSmw1 - Forests, Lands, Natural Resource … sp. pelt lichens Hylocomium splendens step moss Herbs...

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