LMH26 Intro - Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations & Rural ...

A Field Guide to Site Identification and Interpretation for the Prince Rupert Forest Region

A. Banner, W. MacKenzie, S. Haeussler, S. Thomson, J. Pojar, and R. Trowbridge

AUTHORS AND AFFILIATIONS Allen Banner, Regional Ecologist, Prince Rupert Forest Region, Ministry of Forests, Bag 5000, Smithers, B.C. V0J 2N0 Sybille Haeussler, Skeena Forestry Consultants, RR#2, S-81 C-2, Smithers, B.C. V0J 2N0 Will MacKenzie, Consulting Ecologist, Box 3652, Smithers, B.C. V0J 2N0 Jim Pojar, Forest Science Officer, Prince Rupert Forest Region, Ministry of Forests, Bag 5000, Smithers, B.C. V0J 2N0 Sandra Thomson, Assistant Ecologist, Prince Rupert Forest Region, Ministry of Forests, Bag 5000, Smithers, B.C. V0J 2N0 Rick Trowbridge, Soil Scientist, Prince Rupert Forest Region, Ministry of Forests, Bag 5000, Smithers, B.C. V0J 2N0

Canadian Cataloguing in Publication Data Main entry under title: A Field guide to site identification and interpretation for the Prince Rupert Forest Region (Land management handbook, ISSN 0229-1622 ; no. 26) Issued also in 2 part field handbook format. Includes bibliographical references: p. ISBN 0-7718-9396-5 1. Bioclimatology - British Columbia - Prince Rupert Region. 2. Biogeography - British Columbia - Prince Rupert Region. 3. Forest ecology - British Columbia Prince Rupert Region. 4. Forest management - British Columbia - Prince Rupert Region. 5. Prince Rupert Forest Region (B.C.) I. Banner, Allen, 1954- . II. British Columbia. Ministry of Forests. III. Series. QH541.5.F6F53

1993

581.5’2642’097111

C93-092435-5

© 1993 Province of British Columbia Published by the Research Branch Ministry of Forests 31 Bastion Square Victoria, B.C. V8W 3E7

Copies of this and other Ministry of Forests titles are available from Crown Publications Inc., 546 Yates Street, Victoria, B.C. V8W 1K8.

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THIS FIELD GUIDE IS DEDICATED TO DR. VLADIMIR J. KRAJINA

Dr. Vladimir J. Krajina (1905 – 1993)

PROFESSOR KRAJINA’S 40 years of teaching and research in ecology and conservation in British Columbia have inspired many of us to seek a better understanding of the natural world. His life’s work provided the foundation for ecologically based forest management in British Columbia.

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This field guide represents the synthesis of over 15 years of ecological sampling and analysis within the Prince Rupert Forest Region. The classification and interpretations presented in this guide have evolved through the collective work of a great many individuals involved in various phases of the ecosystem classification project since the mid 1970s. D.J. Wilford initially co-ordinated the project with J. Pojar in the mid to late 1970s. The following individuals carried out field work and contributed to our data base of over 2600 plots, on which the guide is largely based: R. Annas, C. Audet, K. Awmack, M. Blouw, W. Chapman, W.L. Chee, C. Clement, K.D. Coates, P. Comeau, R. Coupé, A. Deas, M. Geertsema, B.M. Geisler, E. Hamilton, S. Hardy, M. Hochachka, D. Holmes, A. Inselberg, D. Knowles, R. Laird, W. Lambkin, J. Lemieux, P. LePage, T. Lewis, S. Lindeburgh, A. Macadam, D.S. McLennan, K. McKeown, I.S. Moss, M. O’Neill, L. Ricciotti, B. Robinson, J. Schwab, K. Simonar, A. Smith, R. Smith, J.T. Standish, I. Teske, A. Waters, D. Wilford, T. Wood, K. Yearsley, and D. Yole. F. Boas, J. Godfrey, and T. Goward identified unknown bryophyte and lichen specimens. Information from previous field guides and classification reports relevant to the Prince Rupert Forest Region has been updated, revised, and amalgamated into this new regional guide; the following authors of these earlier reports are thus acknowledged: R.M. Annas, C. Clement, K.D. Coates, B.M. Geisler, D. Holmes, S. Houseknecht, A. Inselberg, K. Klinka, A. Kokoshke, T. Lewis, S. Lindeburgh, A. Macadam, D.S. McLennan, L. McCulloch, I.S. Moss, B. Robinson, K. Simonar, J.T. Standish, and D. Yole. This field guide is based on a provincially correlated classification of ecological plot data made possible by the Correlation Program. D. Meidinger co-ordinated this correlation program and contributed significantly to the evolution of this guide. T. Fleming, S. Mah, C. Cadrin, A. Inselberg, and K. Yearsley provided valuable assistance with the data analysis for the correlation project. R. Coupé, C. Delong, R.N. Green, K. Klinka, and D. Meidinger were helpful in resolving correlation issues with adjacent forest regions. T. Braumandl, M. Curran, R.N. Green, C. Delong, and D. Meidinger provided ideas and text for Chapters 1 to 3 of the guide as part of this correlation effort. In an effort to standardize site description procedures provincially, many of the site description keys provided in the appendices have been borrowed or modified from other regional guides (Nelson, Kamloops, and Vancouver forest regions). T. Ebata and S. Zeglan contributed the Forest Health section of the guide and B. Drinkwater contributed the Grass and Legume Seeding section. The Wildlife Interpretations chapter is based largely on information initially compiled by R. Lloyd, G. Radcliffe, and W. Klenner. D. Steventon provided valuable input to the Wildlife chapter as well.

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Several individuals have contributed to the development of silvicultural interpretations in the region. K.D. Coates, B.M. Geisler, R.N. Green, K. Klinka, A. Kokoshke, T. Lewis, I.S. Moss, L. McCulloch, as well as district, regional, and industrial silviculture staff have all provided valuable input throughout the ecological classification project. A. Deas of Character Graphics produced most of the graphics and also provided valuable advice and ideas on page layout and design. K. McKeown provided valuable assistance with graphics, word processing, editing, and paste-up. Research Branch Productions Resources staff were very helpful in coordinating, editing, paste-up, and final publication and provided valuable advice on layout and design; we thank P. Nystedt, H. Strongitharm, and D. Izard. G. Montgomery and S. Smith carried out the english editing and proofreading. The assistance of G. Britton with the final preparation of the camera-ready copy is very much appreciated. Plant illustrations by the following artists have been utilized in the guide: F.L. Beebe, G. Bishop, T.C. Brayshaw, M. Bryant, P. Drukker-Brammall, P. Frank, G.F. Harcombe, A. Hassen, A. Havard, B.C. Newton, P. Nystedt, E.J. Steven, and R.A. With. We thank the Royal British Columbia Museum and the British Columbia Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks for permission to use plant illustrations from their publications. We are grateful to the following individuals for their review comments on the guide: P. Beaudry, G. Buhr, T. Braumandl, K.D. Coates, P. Comeau, C. Delong, M. Grainger, R.N. Green, P. Hanna, G. Krumlick, T. Lea, P. LePage, G. Lloyd, D.S. McLennan, A. MacKinnon, S. Mah, D. Meidinger, A. Nicholson, A. Inselberg, D. Steventon, and B. Wilson. Financial support for the preparation and publication of this guide was provided by the Correlation Project (Research and Silviculture Branches) and by the Silviculture Section, Prince Rupert Forest Region. We thank D. Meidinger, G. Lloyd, N. Endacott, and K. Geertsema for providing and administering these funds.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS AUTHORS AND AFFILIATIONS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ii DEDICATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iv

1 INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1•1 1.1 Objectives and Scope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1•1 1.2 Other Sources of Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1•1 1.3 Guide Content and Limitations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1•3 1.4 Format of the Guide. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1•3 1.5 Training Courses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1•4

2 BIOGEOCLIMATIC ECOSYSTEM CLASSIFICATION . . . . . . . . . . . 2•1 2.1 The Classification System . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2•1 2.2 Climate Classification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2•1 2.2.1 Naming of biogeoclimatic units . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2•3 2.3 Site Classification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2•4 2.3.1 Naming and numbering of site units. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2•5 2.4 Seral Classification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2•5 2.5 Ecoregion Classification. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2•6

3 PROCEDURES FOR SITE DESCRIPTION, IDENTIFICATION, AND MAPPING . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3•l 3.1 Identifying Biogeoclimatic Units . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3•1 3.2 Describing and Identifying Site Units . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3•2 3.2.1 Describing site units . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3•2 3.2.2 Identifying site units . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3•4 3.2.3 Identifying seral ecosystems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3•10 3.3 Mapping Site Units . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3•10

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4 BIOGEOCLIMATIC UNITS OF THE PRINCE RUPERT FOREST REGION. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4•1 4.1 Physiography . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4•1 4.2 Biogeoclimatic Units of the South Half of the Prince Rupert Forest Region . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4•5 4.2.1 AT Alpine Tundra Zone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4•13 4.2.2 CWH Coastal Western Hemlock Zone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4•17 4.2.3 ESSF Engelmann Spruce – Subalpine Fir Zone . . . . . . . 4•27 4.2.4 ICH Interior Cedar – Hemlock Zone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4•35 4.2.5 MH Mountain Hemlock Zone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4•43 4.2.6 SBPS Sub-Boreal Pine – Spruce Zone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4•47 4.2.7 SBS Sub-Boreal Spruce Zone. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4•55 4.3 Biogeoclimatic Units of the North Half of the Prince Rupert Forest Region . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4•59 4.3.1 AT Alpine Tundra Zone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4•67 4.3.2 BWBS Boreal White and Black Spruce Zone . . . . . . . . . 4•69 4.3.3 CWH Coastal Western Hemlock Zone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4•77 4.3.4 ESSF Engelmann Spruce – Subalpine Fir Zone . . . . . . . 4•81 4.3.5 ICH Interior Cedar – Hemlock Zone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4•85 4.3.6 MH Mountain Hemlock Zone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4•87 4.3.7 SBS Sub-Boreal Spruce Zone. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4•89 4.3.8 SWB Spruce – Willow – Birch Zone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4•91

5 SITE UNITS OF THE PRINCE RUPERT FOREST REGION . . . . . . 5•1 5.1 Boreal White and Black Spruce Zone. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5•3 BWBSdk1 Dry Cool Subzone – Stikine Variant. . . . . . . . . . . . . 5•4 BWBSdk2 Dry Cool Subzone – Liard Variant . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5•12 5.2 Coastal Western Hemlock Zone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5•21 CWHvh2 Very Wet Hypermaritime Subzone – Central Variant. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5•22 CWHvm1 Very Wet Maritime Subzone – Submontane variant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5•40 CWHvm2 Very Wet Maritime Subzone – Montane Variant. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5•48 CWHwm Wet Maritime Subzone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5•56 CWHwsl Wet Submaritime Subzone – Submontane Variant. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5•64

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5.3

5.4

5.5

5.6 5.7

CWHws2 Wet Submaritime Subzone – Montane Variant. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5•72 Engelmann Spruce – Subalpine Fir Zone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5•81 ESSFmc Moist Cold Subzone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5•82 ESSFmk Moist Cool Subzone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5•90 ESSFwv Wet Very Cold Subzone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5•98 Interior Cedar – Hemlock Zone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5•107 ICHmc1 Moist Cold Subzone – Nass Variant . . . . . . . . . . . . 5•108 ICHmc1a Moist Cold Subzone – Nass Variant – Amabilis Fir Phase . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5•116 ICHmc2 Moist Cold Subzone – Hazelton Variant, . . . . . . . . . 5•124 ICHvc Very Wet Cold Subzone. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5•136 ICHwc Wet Cold Subzone. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5•144 Mountain Hemlock Zone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5•153 MHmm1 Moist Maritime Subzone – Windward Variant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5•154 MHmm2 Moist Maritime Subzone – Leeward Variant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5•162 MHwh1 Wet Hypermaritime Subzone – Windward Variant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5•170 Sub-Boreal Pine – Spruce Zone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5•179 SBPSmc Moist Cold Subzone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5•180 Sub-Boreal Spruce Zone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5•189 SBSdk Dry Cool Subzone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5•190 SBSmc2 Moist Cold Subzone – Babine Variant . . . . . . . . . . . 5•198

6 WILDLIFE HABITAT INTERPRETATIONS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6•1 6.1 Regional Wildlife Diversity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6•2 6.2 Overview of Wildlife Species and Habitats for the Biogeoclimatic Zones and Subzones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6•3 6.2.1 Alpine Tundra Zone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6•3 6.2.2 Boreal White and Black Spruce Zone . . . . . . . . . . . . 6•4 6.2.3 Coastal Western Hemlock Zone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6•5 6.2.4 Engelmann Spruce – Subalpine Fir and Mountain Hemlock Zones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6•6 6.2.5 Interior Cedar – Hemlock Zone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6•8 6.2.6 Sub-Boreal Pine – Spruce and Sub-Boreal Spruce Zones . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6•9 6.2.7 Spruce – Willow – Birch Zone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6•10

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6.3 Habitats, Habitat Components, and Species of Management Concern . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6•10 6.3.1 Key habitats (landscape-level components) . . . . . . . 6•11 6.3.2 Important habitat components (stand-level components) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6•14 6.3.3 Species groups and selected species of management concern . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6•16 6.4 Wildlife Habitat Considerations in Timber Harvesting and Silvicultural Planning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6•16 6.4.1 General guidelines for maintaining wildlife habitat values . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6•19 6.4.2 Harvesting considerations,. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6•21 6.4.3 Stand management considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6•24 6.5 Summary of Wildlife Habitat Considerations in Pre-Harvest Silvicultural Prescriptions . . . . . . . . . . . . 6•25

7 SILVICULTURAL INTERPRETATIONS. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7•1 7.1 Forest Productivity and Regeneration: Ecological Principles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7•2 7.1.1 Climate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7•2 7.1.2 Soil . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7•5 7.1.3 Vegetation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7•10 7.2 Interpretations Tables . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7•16 7.2.1 Site series . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7•16 7.2.2 Productivity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7•16 7.2.3 Limiting factors for productivity and regeneration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7•17 7.2.4 Vegetation potential and complexes. . . . . . . . . . . . . 7•18 7.2.5 Tree species selection guidelines.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7•22 7.2.6 Reforestation considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7•26 7.3 Forest Health . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7•74 7.4 Grass and Legume Seeding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7•80 7.4.1 Developing a seeding prescription . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7•81 8 LITERATURE CITED. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8•1

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APPENDICES 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18

Ecosystem classification, interpretive, and plant guide references relevant to the PRFR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A•3 Correlation between old and new biogeoclimatic and site units . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A•12 Tree species codes and symbols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A•17 Ecoregion classification in the PRFR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A•19 Sample ecological classification reconnaissance plot form . . . . . . . A•24 Relative and actual soil moisture relationships . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A•26 Soil moisture regime identification key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A•28 Soil nutrient regime identification table. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A•30 Landform identification key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A•32 Key to common rock types of the PRFR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A•34 Soil texturing key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A•35 A soil classification key, to the great group level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A•40 Humus forms key . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A•42 Common plants of the Prince Rupert Forest Region . . . . . . . . . . . A•44 Comparison charts for visual estimation of foliage cover . . . . . . . . A•50 Mapping procedures for treatment unit maps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A•51 Free growing stocking standards and guidelines for the PRFR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A•54 Glossary of common and scientific names of common forest pests . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A•61

TABLES 2.1 3.1 3.2 3.3 4.1 4.2

Connotative codes used for subzone names in the PRFR . . . . . . . . . 2•3 Abbreviations used to describe parent materials . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3•8 Abbreviations used to describe soil particle size . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3•8 Abbreviations for soil classification used in this field guide . . . . . . . 3•9 Physiographic subdivisions of the PRFR. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4•3 Environmental characteristics of all zones in the PRFR, south half . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4•6

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4.3 Climatic characteristics of all forested zones in the PRFR, south half . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4•8 4.4 Environmental characteristics of CWH subzones and variants in the PRFR, south half . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4•20 4.5 Environmental characteristics of ESSF and MH subzones and variants in the PRFR, south half . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4•30 4.6 Environmental characteristics of ICH subzones, variants, and phases in the PRFR, south and north halves. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4•38 4.7 Environmental characteristics of SBPS and SBS subzones and variants in the PRFR, south half . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4•50 4.8 Environmental characteristics of all forested zones in the PRFR, north half . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4•60 4.9 Climatic characteristics of all forested zones in the PRFR, north half . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4•62 4.10 Environmental characteristics of BWBS subzones and variants in the PRFR, north half. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4•72 6.1 Selected species management groups . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6•12 6.2 Habitat features of selected species of management concern . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6•17 6.3 Potential impacts of broad management activities on important stand structure attributes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6•20 6.4 Preliminary seral stage objectives by biogeoclimatic zone . . . . . . . 6•20 6.5 Preliminary minimum structural objectives to be maintained for mature second-growth stands on zonal sites . . . . . 6•21 7.1 Vegetation potential classes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7•18 7.2 Major complexes of competing vegetation in the PRFR . . . . . . . . . 7•19 7.3 Slashburning severity levels and approximate fuel consumption . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7•27 7.4 Major pests of spruce in four biogeoclimatic zones of the PRFR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7•76 7.5 Major pests of lodgepole pine in four biogeoclimatic zones of the PRFR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7•77 7.6 Major pests of amabilis fir and subalpine fir in four biogeoclimatic zones of the PRFR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7•78 7.7 Major pests of western hemlock in two biogeoclimatic zones of the PRFR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7•79

xi

7.8

Major pests of western redcedar and yellow-cedar in two biogeoclimatic zones of the PRFR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7•79 7.9 Major pests of trembling aspen and black cottonwood in three biogeoclimatic zones of the PRFR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7•80 7.10 Suggested seed mixes for different uses and site conditions in the PRFR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7•83 7.11 Attributes and tolerances of recommended grass and legume species for use in seed mixes in the PRFR. . . . . . . . . 7•84

FIGURES 1.1 2.1 2.2 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7

Location of the Prince Rupert Forest Region and Forest Districts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1•2 The hierarchical structure of the climate and site classification in the BEC system . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2•2 An illustration of the structural and developmental stages used in seral classification . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2•5 A flowchart outlining the procedure for identifying site units . . . . 3•3 An example of an edatopic grid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3•5 An example of a vegetation table. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3•6 Mesoslope position diagram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3•7 An example of a landscape profile diagram. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3•9 Flowchart outlining the ecosystem mapping process . . . . . . . . . . 3•11 Map showing the division of the PRFR into north and south halves . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4•2 Vegetation table for all forested zones in the PRFR, south half . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4•10 Distribution of the AT zone in the PRFR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4•14 Distribution of CWH subzones in the PRFR; south half . . . . . . . . 4•18 Vegetation table for CWH subzones and variants in the PRFR, south half . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4•22 Distribution of forested ESSF subzones and variants in the PRFR, south half . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4•28 Vegetation table for ESSF and MH subzones and variants in the PRFR, south half . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4•32

xii

4.8 4.9 4.10 4.11 4.12 4.13 4.14 4.15 4.16 4.17 7.1 7.2

Distribution of ICH subzones and variants in the PRFR, south half . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4•36 Vegetation table for ICH subzones and variants in the PRFR, south and north halves . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4•40 Distribution of MH variants in the PRFR, south half . . . . . . . . . . 4•44 Distribution of SBPS and SBS subzones and variants in the PRFR, south half . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4•48 Vegetation table for SBPS and SBS subzones and variants in the PRFR, south half. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4•52 Vegetation table for all forested zones in the PRFR, north half . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4•64 Distribution of BWBS subzones and variants in the PRFR, north half . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4•70 Vegetation table for BWBS subzones and variants in the PRFR, north half . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4•74 Distribution of CWH, ICH, and SBS zones in the PRFR, north half . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4•78 Distribution of ESSF, MH, and SWB zones in the PRFR, north half . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4•82 Microtopographic variation in surface soil characteristics and soil climate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7•7 Relative ranking of ecological tolerances and nutritional requirements for major tree species in the PRFR . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7•24

xiii

MH 5.5 MOUNTAIN HEMLOCK ZONE The Mountain Hemlock zone (MH) in the PRFR has been subdivided into the following forested biogeoclimatic units: MHmm - Moist Maritime (Forested) subzone MHmm1 - Windward variant MHmm2 - Leeward variant MHwh - Wet Hypermaritime (Forested) subzone MHwh1 - Windward variant Above each of the two forested subzones is a corresponding parkland subzone occupying the transition from treeline to true alpine tundra (AT zone). Only the forested subzones are described in this guide.

Description and differentiation of biogeoclimatic units: PRFR - South: page 4 • 43 PRFR - North: page 4 • 87

Interpretations: Wildlife: page 6 • 6 Silviculture: page 7 • 62

Application of site classification in the MH zone: The severe climate (heavy snow, short growing seasons, severe exposure to wind, cold, and wet soils) has a dominant and overriding effect on vegetation development and forest productivity in this subalpine zone. Although we have tentatively defined several site series to describe the edaphic variability occurring within our forested MH subzones, this ecological variability is generally not reflected in the vegetation and forest productivity to the extent seen in most other zones (including the interior subalpine ESSF). This is largely due to the exposed conditions and cold, moist to wet soils, with relatively thick, compact (Mor) humus forms that prevail on most sites in the MH zone. Thus, many of the forested plant associations over a range of edatopes share a similar assemblage of species (albeit in varying amounts), and most sites, regardless of edaphic characteristics, exhibit low to poor forest productivity. The above factors, combined with our very limited sampling of the MH zone, makes site description and classification relatively difficult. To date, there has been little or no forest harvesting in the MH zone of the PRFR and most of this zone is inaccessible because of its steep terrain. Much more ecological information is needed from those areas that are accessible before any development in this sensitive zone occurs. Classification and description of site series presented here should be considered a first approximation pending further field work.

5 • 153

Site Units MHmm 1 Moist Maritime Subzone Windward Variant Adjacent biogeoclimatic units: CWHvm occurs at lower elevations in the south and CWHwm at lower elevations in the north; MHmm2 at similar elevations inland; MHwh1 at similar elevations towards the coast; MHmm1 parkland at higher elevations. Elevation range: 800 - 1200 m. Description and comparison of site series: See notes on application of site classification in the MH zone, page 5 • 153. Zonal site series: 01 HmBa - Blueberry is common throughout the subzone. Zonal forests occur mostly on colluvial deposits and on localized morainal or organic (LFH) veneers over bedrock from upper to mid slopes. Overall, the steep MH landscape has very little glacial till. Forests are typically closed Hm/Ba stands with a continuous blueberry understory. The herb layer is usually sparse and of poor productivity, and is represented by five-leaved bramble and a few scattered subalpine indicators such as pink mountain-heather. A continuous moss layer is composed mainly of pipecleaner, heron’s-bill, and lanky mosses. In the MH zone, forest productivity on most sites is limited by the severe climate. However, the best stands generally occur on steep, colluvial slopes with free drainage. Drier sites: One drier forested site series is recognized. 02 HmBa - Mountain-heather occurs on the driest forested sites, mostly on exposed upper slopes and ridge crests with rapid drainage and lower snow loading. Severe exposure to wind is probably the most important controlling factor for this site series. Forests are scrubby and consist of open Hm/Ba stands with a thick shrub layer. Blueberry, copperbush, huckleberry, false azalea, and conifer regeneration are all abundant. Dwarf woody shrubs, such as white and pink mountain-heather, are common. Moist to wet sites: Seven wetter forested site series are recognized. 03 BaHm - Oakfern occurs on rich colluvial or morainal parent materials, often on moderate slopes that receive seasonal seepage at depth. This is the most productive unit in the variant, supporting moderately sized Ba, Hm, Yc, and sometimes Hw. Devil’s club is common in this unit, as is salmonberry and Sitka alder. Herbs that reflect rich site conditions, such as twistedstalk, lady fern, foamflower, and oak fern, are common. Feathermosses and leafy mosses co-dominate. This site series is closely aligned to the 05 site series and floristic differences are subtle. However, the 05 site series has wetter conditions, reflected in its Gleysolic or gleyed soils and poorer stand productivity. 04 HmBa - Bramble occurs on steep seepage slopes that have a high content of coarse fragments. Forests are similar in composition to 01 forests, but, generally, shrub and herb layers are better developed. Soils are also similar, but influenced more by subsurface seepage than are those on 01 sites. 5 • 154

MHmm1 05 BaHm - Twistedstalk is fairly common in the variant on lower slopes where abundant seepage leads to wet conditions. The nutrient regime is rich, but excess moisture limits forest productivity. Vegetation is similar to that in the 03 site series, with rich-site indicators such as devil’s club, twistedstalk, oak fern, and foamflower occurring. Gleysolic or heavily mottled soils and poorer forest productivity distinguish 05 from 03. 06 HmYc - Deer-cabbage forests occur on flat ridge crests, gradual slopes, and depressions where melting snowpacks keep soils saturated and cold for most of the growing season. Forests are very scrubby Hm/Yc/Ba mixtures. Thick shrub layers of copperbush, blueberry, and false azalea are typical. Five-leaved bramble and deer-cabbage are usually abundant in the herb layer. 07 YcHm - Hellebore occurs on moderately steep to steep, wet, seepage slopes. Gleysols derived from colluvium (or morainal till) are typical. Stands are scrubby and open with a diverse and lush herb layer dominated by white marsh-marigold, lady fern, foamflower, Indian hellebore, twistedstalk, leafy mosses, and sphagnum. The 07 is distinguished from the drier 05 site series by a lower shrub and tree cover, the presence of white marsh-marigold, and the obvious dominance of leafy mosses and sphagnum. This site series grades into other site series of adjacent edatopes (05, 06, 09) and distinguishing the 07 from these is often difficult. 08 HmYc - Sphagnum is restricted in occurrence. These wet bog forests are found on level ridge crests or depressions, often in complex with non-forested wetlands (31). Soils are Mesisols. These very scrubby, open Hm/Yc forests are characterized by dense understories of blueberry, copperbush, false azalea, and conifer regeneration. Deer-cabbage, white marsh-marigold, five-leaved bramble, and bunchberry are the common herbs for this unit. The moss layer is a mix of lanky and step mosses and sphagnum. The 08 typically intergrades into 06. 09 YcHm - Skunk cabbage has a diverse canopy of Hm, Yc, Ba, and Hw; productivity is low because of saturated, cold, poorly aerated soil conditions. Sites are usually localized on lower wet seepage slopes and depressions that have mineral seepage influence. Understory vegetation is lush and very diverse. Skunk cabbage, Indian hellebore, and other rich-site indicators such as oak fern and lady fern are typical. The 09 is often in complex with 05 and 06 forests.

Non-forested site units: Two non-forested site units are described for the MH zone: Non-forested wetland (31) and Avalanche track (51). The steep rugged terrain limits wetland formation over most of the subzone, but Non-forested wetlands are common in localized depressional areas and on some gentle to moderate slopes where high and stagnant water tables, late snowmelt, and cold, peaty soils limit tree establishment and growth. Characteristic species include copperbush, mountain-heather, deer-cabbage, marsh-marigold, sedges, clubrush, and sphagnum. In the MHmm subzone, deep snowpacks and steep terrain lead to the formation of large areas of Avalanche track ecosystems. Periodic or annual snowslides remove trees, keeping these sites in a young shrub seral stage. As a result of colluvial mixing and constant seepage, avalanche tracks are rich and support lush shrub and herb communities. Sitka alder, willows, salmonberry, lady fern, and Sitka valerian are typical avalanche track species.

5 • 155

a

Tree symbols are defined in Appendix 3.

MHmm1 Landscape Profilea

Site Units

5 • 156

5 • 157 a

Relative and actual SMR are defined in Appendices 6 and 7.

01 HmBa - Blueberry 02 HmBa - Mountain-heather 03 BaHm - Oak fern 04 HmBa - Bramble 05 BaHm - Twistedstalk 51 Avalanche track 06 HmYc - Deer-cabbage 07 YcHm - Hellebore 08 HmYc - Sphagnum 09 YcHm - Skunk cabbage 31 Non-forested wetland

Site Series

MHmm1 Edatopic Grid

MHmm1

Site Units MHmm1 Site Series Flowchart NON-FORESTED WETLANDS

➔ Ericaceous shrubs, deer-cabbage, sedges, and ➔ 31 sphagnum common.

Non-forested wetlands

Tree cover < 10%.

AVALANCHE TRACKS

slopes on steep terrain. Sitka alder, ➔ Colluvial willow, and salmonberry thickets. Ferns,

➔ 51

Avalanche track

twistedstalk, and Sitka valerian common.

No trees.

DRY TO FRESH FORESTS Moisture regime 0-3.

➔ Exposed rocky knolls. Copperbush, mountain-heather, and blueberries abundant.

Moisture regime 6-7. Seepage slopes and depressions.

Mountainheather

and mid slopes. Copperbush, mountain- ➔ 01 ➔ Upper heathers, and rich-site indicators uncommon. HmBa - Blueberry

➔ Mid to lower slopes. Copperbush and moun-

➔ 03

wet sites. Skunk cabbage abundant; ➔ Very rich-site indicators common.

09 YcHm - Skunk ➔ cabbage

tain-heathers absent. Ferns, twistedstalk, and foamflower (rich-site indicators) abundant.

VERY MOIST TO WET FORESTS

➔ 02 HmBa -

BaHm - Oak fern

wet sites. Skunk cabbage scattered; few ➔ 08 ➔ Very rich-site indicators; copperbush and sphagnum HmYc Sphagnum

abundant.

sites. Skunk cabbage scattered; marsh➔ Wet ➔ 07 marigold and rich-site indicators abundant. YcHm - Hellebore sites. No skunk cabbage and scattered 06 ➔ Wet ➔ HmYc sphagnum; few rich-site indicators; copperbush - Deerand deer fern abundant.

FRESH TO MOIST FORESTS Moisture regime 4-5. Sites not clearly wet or dry.

cabbage

to medium productivity. Soils gleyed. ➔ 05 ➔ Poor Rich-site indicators (devil’s club, twistedstalk, BaHm lady fern, foamflower) scattered to common. productive forests. Abundant ➔ Moderately rich-site indicators (devil’s club, Sitka alder,

Twistedstalk

➔ 03

BaHm - Oak fern

salmonberry, oak fern, lady fern). Hm - blueberry forests. Few ➔ Poor-productivity rich-site indicators. Herb layer moderately

➔ 04

HmBa - Bramble

well developed.

➔ Poor to moderately productive Hm - blueberry

forests. Few rich-site indicators; herb layer greatly reduced.

5 • 158

➔ 01

HmBa - Blueberry

5 • 159

Prominence bars are described in Section 3.2.2, page 3 • 6.

Limited data; unit described from fewer than three plots.

a

b

MHmm1 Vegetation Tablea

MHmm1

Site Units MHmm1 Environment Table Soil moisture/ nutrients

Slope position

Slope % range

Parent materiala

01

2-4/A-C

upper - mid

10 - 75

C, Ov/C, (M)

02b

0-1/A-C

crest

0 - 60

Ov/R, (Mv/R)

03

2-4/D-E

mid - toe

20 - 65

C, (Ov/R), (M)

04

5/A-C

mid (upper)

3 - 85

C, Cv/R, (M)

05

5/D-E

mid - toe

9 - 85

C, (M)

06b

6/A-C

crest - upper

10 - 35

C, (M)

07b

6/D-E

upper - lower

30 - 60

C, Ov/R, M

08b

7/A-B

lower

10 - 30

O

09b

7/C-E

lower

3 - 50

C, M

31

7+/A-E

upper - lower, depressions

5 - 60

O

51

5-6/D-E

upper - lower

5 - 85

C

Site series

Phase

a

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

b


5 • 160

MHmm1

Soil Soil particle sizea classificationa

Humus form Depth (cm) min-mean-max

Important site features

Ls, KL, (L)

HFP, FHP, FO

Mors 5 - 21 - 48

Most common site series on mid to upper slopes.

Ss, KL(s)

HP, FO

Mors 10 - 21 - 37

Extreme exposure to wind.

Ls, KL, (L)

HFP, (FO)

Mors 3 - 18 - 42

Freely drained, relatively productive sites.

FLs, Ss

FHP, HFP

Mors 2 - 18 - 40

Similar to 01 but greater seepage influence.

Ls

G, HFP, R (gleyed)

Mors 2 - 21 - 68

Seepage sites. Gleyed soils limit productivity.

L

HFP; gleyed

Mors 10 - 15 - 25

Deep, long-lasting snowpacks. Lowproductivity forests.

FL, L

G

Mors 10 - 20 - 30

Rooting and productivity restricted in wet, cold soils.

--

M

peaty “O” horizons >60 cm

Very wet, poor bog forests; limited extent.

S, KL

G

Mors, Moders 5 - 31 - 65

Very wet, but mineral-rich swamp forests. Uncommon.

--

F

peaty “O” horizons >75 cm

Non-forested wetlands. Soils too wet and cold for tree growth.

S, L

R, DYB

Moders 1-6-0

Rich site conditions from colluvial mixing and deciduous litterfall.

5 • 161

Site Units MHmm2 Moist Maritime Subzone Leeward Variant Adjacent biogeoclimatic units: CWHws2 at lower elevations; ESSFwv at similar elevations inland in the north; ESSFmk at similar elevations inland in the south; MHmm1 at similar elevations towards the coast; MHmm2 parkland and AT at higher elevations. Elevation range: 1000 - 1800 m. Description and comparison of site series: (See notes on application of site classification in the MH zone, page 5 • 153.) Zonal site series: 01 HmBa - Blueberry is common throughout the subzone. Zonal forests occur mostly on colluvial deposits and on localized morainal and organic veneers over bedrock, from upper to mid slopes. Overall, the steep MH landscape has very little glacial till. Forests are typically closed Hm/Ba stands of poor productivity with a continuous blueberry/huckleberry understory. In contrast to MHmm1, these less maritime MHmm2 mesic sites often have a subalpine fir component, little or no yellow-cedar, and an abundance of black huckleberry. The herb layer is usually sparse and represented by five-leaved bramble and perhaps a few scattered subalpine mountain-heather species. A continuous moss layer is composed mainly of pipecleaner and heron’s-bill moss, and red-stemmed feathermoss. In the MH zone, forest productivity on most sites is limited by the severe climate. However, the best stands generally occur on steep, colluvial slopes with free drainage. Drier sites: One drier forested site series is recognized. 02 HmBa - Mountain-heather occurs on xeric and subxeric sites, mostly on exposed upper slopes and ridge crests with rapid drainage and lower snow loading. Forests are scrubby and open Hm, Ba, (Bl), and (Hw) stands with a thick shrub layer; Yc may occur in the westernmost portions of the variant. Blueberry, copperbush, huckleberry, false azalea, and conifer regeneration are all abundant. Herbs are scattered pink mountain-heather and five-leaved bramble. Severe exposure to wind is an important controlling factor for this site series. Fresh to wet sites: Seven wetter forested site series are recognized. 03 BaHm - Oak fern occurs on rich colluvial (or morainal) parent materials, often on moderate slopes that receive some seasonal seepage at depth. This is the most productive unit in the variant supporting moderately sized Ba, Hm, and Bl. Scattered devil’s club and Sitka alder occur in this unit. Herbs that reflect rich site conditions, such as twistedstalk, lady fern, foamflower, and oak fern are common. The moss layer is diverse but only moderately developed; pipecleaner moss, red-stemmed feathermoss, leafy mosses, and leafy liverworts co-dominate with lanky and step mosses. As in the MHmm1, this site series is closely aligned to the 05, and its floristic composition is very similar. Site

5 • 162

MHmm2 conditions are most useful in distinguishing the 03 from the 05; the 05 site series has wetter conditions reflected in gleyed soils, and poorer stand productivity. 04 HmBa - Bramble occurs on steep seepage slopes that have a high content of coarse fragments. Forests are similar in composition to zonal sites but, generally, shrub and herb layers are better developed. Soils are also similar but are influenced more by subsurface seepage. As in the 01, Bl may occur in this unit. 05 BaHm - Twistedstalk is common in the variant on lower slopes with abundant seepage. Conditions are rich, but productivity is limited by excess moisture. Vegetation is similar to that in the 03 site series, with rich-site indicators such as devil’s club, rosy twistedstalk, oak fern, and foamflower often being found. Gleysolic or heavily mottled soils and poorer forest productivity distinguish the 05 from the 03. 06 HmYc - Deer-cabbage scrub forests occur on flat ridge crests and gradual slopes and depressions where melting snowpacks keep soils saturated and cold for most of the growing season. Forests are very scrubby and dominated by Hm with scattered Ba and Yc. Thick shrub layers of blueberries, copperbush, and false azalea are common. Deer-cabbage is abundant and a key indicator species in these wet scrub forests. 07 YcHm - Hellebore occurs on moderately steep to steep, wet seepage slopes. Gleysols derived from colluvium (or morainal till) are typical. The scrubby, open forests are Hm dominated. Herbs such as Indian hellebore, deer-cabbage, and rosy twistedstalk dominate. The 07 grades into the 05, 06, and 09 site series. Distinguishing between these related site series may be difficult. 08 HmYc - Sphagnum is rare in the variant. These wet bog forests are found on level ridge crests or depressions, often complexed with poorer Non-forested wetlands (31). Soils are Mesisols. Very scrubby open Hm forests are characterized by dense understories of blueberry, copperbush, false azalea, and conifer regeneration. White marsh-marigold, pink and white mountainheathers, and five-leaved bramble are common species in the herb layer. The moss layer is a mix of heron’s-bill moss, red-stemmed feathermoss, lanky moss, and sphagnums. The 08 typically intergrades with the 06. 09 YcHm - Skunk cabbage is localized on lower wet seepage slopes and depressions that have mineral seepage influence. Stands are scrubby and Hm/ Ba dominated; Yc is much less common than on the same site association in the MHmm1. Low productivity reflects the saturated, cold, poorly aerated soils. Understory vegetation is lush and very diverse. Skunk cabbage, Indian hellebore, and rich-site indicators such as lady fern and oak fern are common. Leafy mosses and sphagnums dominate the moss layer. The 09 is often in complex with 05 and 07 forests.

Non-forested site units: Two non-forested site units are described for the MH zone: Non-forested wetland (31) and Avalanche track (51). See page 5 • 155 for descriptions.

5 • 163

a


MHmm2 Landscape Profilea

Site Units

5 • 164

5 • 165 a


31 Non-forested wetland

09 YcHm - Skunk cabbage

08 HmYc - Sphagnum

07 YcHm - Hellebore

06 HmYc - Deer-cabbage

51 Avalanche track

05 BaHm - Twistedstalk

04 HmBa - Bramble

03 BaHm - Oak fern

02 HmBa - Mountain-heather

01 HmBa - Blueberry

Site Series

MHmm2 Edatopic Grid

MHmm2

Site Units MHmm2 Site Series Flowchart NON-FORESTED WETLANDS

shrubs, deer-cabbage, sedges, and ➔ ➔ Ericaceous sphagnum common.

31 Non-forested wetlands

Tree cover < 10%.

AVALANCHE TRACKS

DRY TO FRESH FORESTS Moisture regime 0-4. Upper slopes and ridge crests.

slopes on steep terrain. Sitka alder, ➔ Colluvial willow, and salmonberry thickets. Ferns,

➔

51 Avalanche track

twistedstalk, and Sitka valerian common.

rocky knolls. Very scrubby stands. ➔ ➔ Exposed Copperbush, mountain-heather and blueberries abundant. and mid slopes. Hm/Ba/Bl - blueberry ➔ Upper huckleberry forests of poor to medium

02 HmBa - Mountainheather

➔

01 HmBa - Blueberry

➔

03 BaHm - Oak fern

productivity. Rich-site indicators lacking. to lower slopes. Best forest growth in ➔ Mid MHmm2. Ferns, twistedstalk, and foamflower (rich-site indicators) common.

VERY MOIST TO WET FORESTS Moisture regime 6-7. Seepage slopes and depressions. Stands generally of low to poor productivity.

wet sites. Skunk cabbage abundant, ➔ ➔ Very rich-site indicators common; scattered sphagnum.

➔ Very wet sites. Skunk cabbage scattered; few

rich-site indicators; copperbush, heathers, and sphagnum abundant.

➔

➔ Wet sites. Skunk cabbage scattered or absent; ➔ deer-cabbage, Indian hellebore, and oak fern scattered.

Moisture Regime 4-5. Sites not clearly wet or dry.

08 HmYc - Sphagnum

07 YcHm - Hellebore

➔ Wet sites. Skunk cabbage scattered or absent

➔

06 HmYc - Deercabbage.

to medium-productivity forests. Soils ➔ Poorgleyed. Rich-site indicators (devil’s club,

➔

05 BaHm Twistedstalk

➔ Moderately productive forests. Soils freely

➔

03 BaHm - Oak fern

Hm - blueberry forests. Soils ➔ Poor-productivity subhygric. Few rich-site indicators. Herb

➔

04 HmBa - Bramble

➔

01 HmBa - Blueberry

Deer-cabbage abundant.

FRESH TO MOIST FORESTS


twistedstalk, lady fern, foamflower) common.

drained. Abundant rich-site indicators (devil’s club, green alder, oak fern, lady fern).

layer moderately well developed.

➔ Poor- to medium-productivity, mesic, Hm -

blueberry forests. Few rich-site indicators; herb layer greatly reduced.

5 • 166

5 • 167


Limited data; units described from fewer than three plots.

Subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa) is a significant overstory and understory component in the easternmost MHmm2.

a

b

c

MHmm2 Vegetation Tablea

MHmm2

Site Units MHmm2 Environment Table Soil moisture/ nutrients

Slope position

Slope % range

Parent materiala

01

2-4/A-C

upper - mid

10 - 75

C, Ov/C, (M)

02

0-1/A-C

crest

0 - 60

Ov/R, Mv/R

03

2-4/D-E

mid - toe

20 - 65

C, (Ov/R), (M)

04

5/A-C

upper - mid

3 - 85

C, Cv/R, (M)

05

5/D-E

mid - toe

9 - 85

C, (M)

06b

6/A-C

crest - upper

10 - 35

M, (C)

07b

6/D-E

upper - lower

30 - 60

C, (M)

08b

7/A-B

lower

10 - 30

O

09

7/C-E

lower

3 - 50

C, M

31

7/A-E

upper - lower

5 - 60

O

51b

5-6/D-E

upper - lower

5 - 85

C

Site series

Phase

a


b


5 • 168

MHmm2

Soil soil a particle size classificationa

Humus form depth (cm) min-mean-max


Ls, K, (L)

HFP, FHP, FO

Mors 5 - 21- 48


Ss, KL(s)

HP, FO

Mors 10 - 21 - 37

Extremely exposed sites.

Ls, KL, (L)

HFP, (FO)

Mors 3 - 18 - 42

Freely drained, productive (for the MH zone) sites.

FLs, Ss

FHP, HFP

Mors 2 - 18 - 40


Ls

G, HFP, R (gleyed)

Mors 2 - 21 - 68

Seepage sites. Gleyed soils limit productivity.

L

HFP; gleyed

Mors 10 - 15 - 25

Low-productivity forests in late snow areas.

FL, L

G

Mors 10 - 20 - 30

Rooting and productivity limited by wet, cold soils.

--

M

peaty “O” horizons > 60 cm

Very wet, poor bog forests; limited extent.

S, KL

G

Mors, Moders 5 - 31 - 65

Very wet, but mineral-rich swamp forests. Uncommon.

--

F

peaty “O” horizons > 75 cm

Non-forested wetlands. Soils too wet and cold for tree growth.

S, L

R, DYB

Moders 1 - 6 - 13

Rich site conditions from colluvial mixing and deciduous litterfall.

5 • 169

Site Units MHwh 1 Wet Hypermaritime Subzone Windward Variant Adjacent biogeoclimatic units: CWHvh2 occurs at lower elevations; MHmm1 at similar elevations inland. Elevation range: 600 - 1100 m. Description and comparison of site series: Zonal site series: Forest productivity in the MHwh is limited by the cold, wet, windy climate. As in the MHmm, the best zonal stands generally occur on steep colluvial slopes with free drainage. (see notes on application of site classification in the MH zone, page 5 • 153). The 03 site series is not described in this guide. It occurs only on base-rich parent materials, which are common on the Queen Charlotte Islands but not found on the mainland. 01 HmSs - Blueberry includes scrubby, but often dense, stands dominated by Hm, Hw, Yc, and (Ss). In contrast to MHmm zonal sites, Ss may form a minor component on MHwh1 zonal sites. These sites are common throughout the variant on moderately well-drained (by hypermaritime standards) mid to upper slopes and crests. Shrub and herb layers are reduced due to the tight canopy closure on these sites. Blueberry thickets will form in canopy gaps. The moss layer is continuous and dominated by lanky moss; step moss, green sphagnum, and pipecleaner moss are also common. Drier sites: One drier site series is recognized. 02 HwYc - Mountain-heather is restricted to crests and upper slope positions that have organic layers directly overlying rock or fragmental colluvium (Folisols). Severe exposure to wind is an important factor on these sites. Trees are very stunted and well spaced; Hm, Yc, (Cw), and (Ba) are common. Understory vegetation is well developed and distinctive. Mountain-heathers, blueberries, partridgefoot, fern-leaved goldthread, Pacific reedgrass, and heron’s-bill mosses are prominent. Moist to wet sites: Six wetter site series are recognized. 04 HmYc - Goldthread forests occur on thin veneers (mostly colluvial and saprolitic) on gentle to moderate seepage slopes. Tree growth is poor and forests are scrubby; Yc and Hm are common. Shrub layers are poorly developed and are floristically similar to zonal sites. Herb layers are sparse to moderately developed and characterized by fern-leaved goldthread, Pacific reedgrass, and five-leaved bramble. 05 YcHm - Twistedstalk occurs most commonly on steep slopes that receive constant seepage through thin colluvial veneers. The 05 represents the most productive forests in the variant; forests are still somewhat scrubby, but larger Ss, Yc, and Hm may be found. Understory shrub composition is similar to that in zonal forests, but the herb layer is much better developed, consisting of twistedstalk, Pacific reedgrass, five-leaved bramble, and others. Leafy mosses are prevalent in the moss layer. Gleyed soils and a significant component of Ss 5 • 170

MHwh1 in the canopy are characteristic features. Wetter sites usually have a component of Indian hellebore, marsh-marigold, and deer-cabbage. 06 HmYc - Deer-cabbage occurs on broad ridge crests and gentle to moderate slopes where seepage moves slowly through thin mineral veneers, leading to saturated conditions. Deer-cabbage and scattered sedges characterize the herb layer. The moss layer is dominantly lanky and step moss, but pipecleaner moss and sphagnum are also common. Forests on these sites are very scrubby and unproductive. 07 YcHm - Hellebore occupies similar topographic positions to the 06, but the nutrient regime appears to be richer in this site series. A greater abundance of Indian hellebore and less deer-cabbage helps to distinguish the 07 from the 06. However, 06 and 07 forests often are found in a complex and can be difficult to distinguish. Low forest productivity is common to both units. 08 HmYc - Sphagnum bog forests of Hm and Yc typically grow on thick organic blankets on level ridge crests or depressions. Forests are very scrubby and open with a shrubby understory of copperbush, blueberries, mountain-heathers, and conifer regeneration. Mountain-heathers, goldthread, marsh-marigold, and skunk cabbage are common herbs. Although many sites transitional between the 08 and the 09 are encountered, 08 tends to have less skunk cabbage, fewer sedges, less leafy moss, and more sphagnum (as well as a greater diversity of sphagnum species) than does the 09. 09 YcHm - Skunk cabbage swamp forests are less common than bog forests (08). They occur in very wet, level areas with stagnant (usually mineral) soils. Trees are scrubby and well spaced; Yc, Hm, Hw, and Ba co-dominate. Herb and shrub layers are lush and diverse. Abundant sedges, skunk cabbage, Sitka valerian, and leatherleaf saxifrage characterize this unit. See comments under 08. Non-forested site units: As in the hypermaritime CWHvh2 at lower elevations on the outer coast, open Non-forested wetlands (31) (mostly blanket bogs) are common in the MHwh even on some moderate to steep slopes. Richer wetlands (fens and marshes) are rare. Avalanche tracks are much less characteristic of the MHwh than they are of the MHmm; no avalanche track unit is described.

5 • 171

a


MHwh1 Landscape Profilea

Site Units

5 • 172

5 • 173 a


31 Non-forested wetland


08 HmYc - Sphagnum

07 YcHm - Hellebore

06 HmYc - Deer-cabbage

05 YcHm - Twistedstalk

04 HmYc - Goldthread

03 SsHm - Reedgrass (Queen Charlotte Is. only)

02 HmYc - Mountain-heather

01 HmSs - Blueberry

Site Series

MHwh1 Edatopic Grid

MHwh1

Site Units MHwh1 Site Series Flowchart NON-FORESTED WETLANDS

➔ White marsh-marigold, deer-cabbage, western

➔ 31

rocky knolls. Mountain-heathers, ➔ Exposed partidgefoot, Pacific reedgrass, and heron’s bill

➔ 02

bog-laurel, sedges, and sphagnum common.

Non-forested wetland

Tree cover < 10%.

DRY TO FRESH FORESTS Moisture regime 0-3.

moss prominent.

➔ Hm-blueberry forests on upper to midslope

➔ 01

➔ Very wet sites; mid/lower slopes, depressions.

➔ 09

colluvial (morainal, saprolitic) veneers. Herb layer greatly reduced.

VERY MOIST TO WET FORESTS Moisture regime 6-7. Seepage slopes and depressions.

HmYc - Mountainheather

Skunk cabbage and sedges dominant. Green sphagnum and leafy mosses common.

HmSs - Blueberry

YcHm - Skunk cabbage

wet sites; mid/lower slopes, depressions. ➔ 08 ➔ Very Skunk cabbage and several sphagnum species HmYc - Sphagnum common; few sedges or leafy mosses. sites. Indian hellebore common; skunk ➔ Wet cabbage scattered or absent.

➔ 07

YcHm - Hellebore

sites. Crests and gentle upper slopes. Little ➔ 06 ➔ Wet or no skunk cabbage; deer-cabbage and HmYc - Deersphagnums abundant.

FRESH TO MOIST FORESTS Moisture regime 4-5.

➔ Low- to poor-productivity forests; no Ss in canopy, herb layer moderately developed. Lanky moss dominant.

forests (for MH zone). Often signifi➔ Productive cant component of Ss in canopy. Herb layer moderately developed; twistedstalk common. Leafy mosses dominant. Hm/Hw/Yc - blueberry forests. Herb ➔ Mesic layers greatly reduced.

5 • 174

cabbage

04 ➔ HmYc Goldthread

➔ 05 YcHm Twistedstalk

01 ➔ HmSs - Blueberry

5 • 175



a

b

MHwh 1 Vegetation Tablea

MHwh1

Site Units MHwh1 Environment Table Soil moisture/ nutrients

Slope position

Slope % range

Parent materiala

01

2-4/A-C

mid - crest

5 - 70

C, (M, Cv, Mv/R)

02b

0-1/A-C

crest - upper

10 - 90

Ov/R, D

04

5/A-C

mid - upper

15 - 55

Cv/R, Ov/R, Mv/R, D

05b

5/D-E

lower - upper

20 - 60

Cv/R, Ov/R, (Mv/R)

06b

6/A-C

lower - upper

10 - 30

Cv/R, Ov/R, Mv/R

07

6/D-E

upper - mid

10 - 50

Cv/R, Ov/R, Mv/R

08b

7/A-B

upper - mid

2 - 70

Ov/M, Ov/R

09b

7/C-E

upper - mid

3 - 50

M

31b

7+/A-E

all

0 - 25

O

Site series

Phase

a


b


5 • 176

MHwh1

Soil Soil a particle size classificationa

Humus form depth (cm) min-mean-max


S(s), FL(s) - KL(s)

FHP, FO

Mors 11 - 31- 80


(f)

FO

Mors 8 - 9 - 10

Extremely exposed, windy sites.

KL - (FL)

FHP, (G)

Mors, (Moders) 6 - 15 - 34


FL

G, FHP (gleyed) Mors (Moders) 6 - 8 - 10

Relatively productive seepage sites.

KL - (FL)

G, FHP (gleyed) Mors 6 - 10 - 14

Wet, stagnant soils limit productivity.

FL, S

FO, G, HP

Mors 8 - 26 - 60

Richer nutrient regime than 06 but wet, stagnant soils limit productivity.

KL, S

F, M, G

Mors 1 - 8 - 15

Very wet, poor bog forests.

S(s), KL

G, M

Mulls 5 - 34 - 65

Very wet, but mineral-rich swamp forests; uncommon.

--

F, M

peaty “O” horizons Non-forested wetlands; soils too wet >60 cm and cold for tree growth.

5 • 177

Site Units

5 • 178