bc · prince george region have been recognized as being very similar to the sbsn described in the...

A Field Guide for Identification and Interpretation of Ecosystemsof the Northwest Portion of thePrince George Forest Region

Land ManagementHANDBOOK NUMBER 21ISSN 0229-1622

Ministry of Forests

February 1990

BC

A Field Guide for Identification and Interpretation of Ecosystems

of the Northwest Portion of the Prince George Forest Region

by A. MacKinnon 1, C. DeLong 2, and D. Meidinger 1

1 British Columbia Forest Service Research Branch

31 Bastion Square Victoria, B.C.

V8W 3E7

2 British Columbia Forest Service Forest Sciences Section

1011-4th Avenue Prince George, B.C.

V2L 3H9

February 1990

Canadian Cataloguing In Publication Data

MacKinnon, A. (Andrew), 1956- A field guide for identification and interpretation

of ecosystems of the northwest portion of the Prince George Forest Region

(Land management handbook, ISSN 0229-1622 ; no. 21)

Includes bibliographical references. ISBN 0-771 8-8924-0

1. Bioclimatology - British Columbia. 2. Biogeography - British Columbia. 3 . Forest ecology - British Columbia. 4. Forest management - British Columbia. 5. Prince George Forest Region (B.C.) I. DeLong, C. II. Meidinger, Dellis Vern, 1953- Columbia. Ministry of Forests. IV. Title. V. Series.

. III. British

QH541.5.F6M32 1990 581.5'26420971 1 C90-092077-7

© 1990 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.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I n add i t i on t o t he authors, Steve Crudge, Helen Dudynsky, Ga i l Harrop, Glen Por te r and Micheala Waterhouse ass is ted i n data c o l l e c t i o n . helped organize and prepare botanica l specimens f o r t he herbarium. George Argus (Salicaceae), Adol f Ceska (Cyperaceae), Tracy Baloc, and Terry Wood i d e n t i f i e d o r v e r i f i e d i d e n t i f i c a t i o n o f vascular p l a n t specimens. and Judy Godfrey (Hepaticae) i d e n t i f i e d the bryophytes and Trevor Goward i d e n t i f i e d the l ichens. Kevin Bur t prepared s o i l samples f o r analys is .

Angus McLeod (College o f New Caledonia, Forestry) , s t a f f o f t he S i l v i c u l t u r e and Timber Sections, Pr ince George Regional Of f i ce , t he Fo r t St. James and Mackenzie D i s t r i c t o f f i ces , and l o c a l licensees helped formulate management i n te rp re ta t i ons . Dennis Demarchi (M in i s t r y o f Environment) provided the w i l d l i f e descr ip t ions i n Sect ion 3 . Rick Annas, John Parminter, and Jim Pojar provided valuable review comments. The f i n a n c i a l and l o g i s t i c a l assistance o f both D i s t r i c t o f f i c e s i s g r a t e f u l l y acknowledged.

Figures were d ra f t ed by Lena MacMaster. I l l u s t r a t i o n s have been used, w i t h permission, from Goward (1987), Hale (1979), Hitchcock et al. (1977), Schof ie ld (1968), Szczawinski (1959, 1962), and Taylor (1966, 1973a, 1973b, 1974a, 1974b). S c i e n t i f i c names f o l l o w Taylor and MacBryde (1977) and common names f o l l o w Meidinger (1987).

Tracy Baloc

Frank Boas

Word processing was by Jenn i fe r S tuar t and Louise Gronmyr.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . iii

1 INTRODUCTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1

2 USE OF THE GUIDE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 2.1 I d e n t i f y i n g Biogeocl imatic Un i t s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

2.2.1 S o i l s and topographic features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 2.2.2 Vegetation features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 2.2.3 Moisture and n u t r i e n t regimes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 2.2.4 I d e n t i f i c a t i o n o f u n i t s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

2.3 Management In te rp re ta t ions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

3 BIOGEOCLIMATIC UNITS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 3.1 Sub-Boreal Spruce (SBS) Zone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

3.1.1 Williston SBSmk - SBSmk2 (previously SBSo) . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 3.1.2 F in lay - Peace SBSwk - SBSwk2 (previously SBSj2) . . . . . . . 11 3.1.3 Takla SBSwk - SBSwk3 (previously SBSn) ..................... 11

3.2.1 Omineca ESSFmv - ESSFmv3 (previously ESSFn3) ........... 12 3.3 Boreal White and Black Spruce (BWBS) Zone ......................... 12

3.3.1 St ik ine BWBSdk - BWBSdk1 (previously BWBSe) ............ 12 3.4 Spruce - Willow - B i rch (SWB) Zone ................................ 13

3.4.1 SWBb ....................................................... 13 3.5 Alp ine Tundra (AT) Zone ........................................... 16

3.5.1 Atn ........................................................ 16

4 THE SBSmk2 VARIANT ..................................................... 21

5 THE SBSwk2 VARIANT ..................................................... 36

6 THE SBSwk3 VARIANT ..................................................... 51

7 THE ESSFmv3 VARIANT .................................................... 68

8 THE BWBSdk1 VARIANT .................................................... 85

9 LITERATURE CITED ....................................................... 106

APPENDICES

2.2 I d e n t i f y i n g S i t e Un i t s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

3.2 Engelmann Spruce . Subalpine F i r (ESSF) Zone ...................... 11

1 Meso slope pos i t i on diagram ............................................ 108 2 Hand t ex tu r i ng f i e l d guide ............................................. 109 3 I d e n t i f i c a t i o n o f upland humus forms ................................... 112 4 Key t o the i d e n t i f i c a t i o n o f po ten t i a l moisture regime ................. 113 5 Key t o the i d e n t i f i c a t i o n o f s o i l n u t r i e n t regime ...................... 115

- i v -

TABLES

New names f o r b iogeocl imat ic and s i t e u n i t s i n the northwest p o r t i o n o f the Pr ince George Forest Region ........................................ 3

F u l l co r re la ted vegetat ion u n i t names f o r s i t e ser ies descr ibed i n t h i s guide .................................................................. 5

1

2

3 Summary c l imate data f o r b iogeocl imat ic u n i t s .......................... 10

FIGURES

1

2

3

4

5

6

Biogeocl imat ic u n i t s o f the northwest p o r t i o n o f the Pr ince George Forest Region ................................................................. 2

Edatopic g r i d d i sp lay ing s i t e ser ies i n the SBSmk2 v a r i a n t ............. 21

Edatopic g r i d d i sp lay ing s i t e ser ies i n the SBSwk2 v a r i a n t ............. 36

Edatopic g r i d d i sp lay ing s i t e ser ies i n the SBSwk3 va r i an t ............. 51

Edatopic g r i d d i sp lay ing s i t e ser ies i n the ESSFmv3 v a r i a n t ............ 68

Edatopic g r i d d i sp lay ing s i t e ser ies i n the BWBSdk1 v a r i a n t ............ 85

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1 INTRODUCTION

This f i e l d guide describes the ecosystems o f the northwest p o r t i o n o f the Pr ince George Forest Region (Figure 1 ) . The area covered by the guide extends from W i l l i s t o n Reservoir and the Rocky Mountain Trench no r th of it, i n the east, t o the Pr ince George/Prince Rupert Forest Region boundary i n the west, and from the base o f W i l l i s t o n Reservoir in the south t o the Regional boundary again i n the north. To the no r th and west, the u n i t s described i n t h i s guide continue beyond the regional boundaries. The area f a l l s w i t h i n the Rocky Mountain Trench (north), and the Cassiar and Omineca mountains physiographic regions (Holland 1976). The guide presents a ids t o the i d e n t i f i c a t i o n o f described un i ts , and management i n te rp re ta t i ons f o r each.

The u n i t s in t h i s guide are described i n the b iogeocl imat ic ecosystem c l a s s i f i c a t i o n (BEC) system. It i s assumed t h a t the user has a working knowledge o f t h i s system. Those un fami l ia r w i t h the system should consul t Pojar (1983) f o r a non-technical account, o r contact the Ecology personnel i n the Forest Sciences Section, B.C. M i n i s t r y o f Forests, Pr ince George. Most o f the u n i t s described i n t h i s guide have a lso been described i n other publications and reports: MacKinnon (1987) 1 f o r the ESSFmv3 (prev ious ly ESSFn3); Delong et al. (1985) 2 f o r the SBSwk2 (prev ious ly SBSj2); Trowbridge et al. (1983) 3, and Meidinger and Lewis (1983) 4 f o r the ATn, and Meidinger e t al. (1986) f o r the SWBb. W i l d l i f e values are described i n Fenger et al. (1989).

The u n i t s described i n t h i s guide have been renamed as p a r t o f the p rov inc ia l c o r r e l a t i o n o f the ecological c l a s s i f i c a t i o n system. The o l d names, and the corresponding u n i t s described i n t h i s guide, are l i s t e d i n Table 1. Add i t iona l l y , the complete vegetat ion u n i t name f o r each s i t e u n i t i s given i n Table 2.

1 MacKinnon, A. 1987. Biogeocl imat ic ecological c l a s s i f i c a t i o n o f the

*

The SBSj1 and SBSj2 described i n the cent ra l p a r t o f the

Engelmann Spruce - Subalpine F i r (ESSF) Zone, ESSFn b iogeocl imat ic un i t s . B.C. Min. For. and Lands, Prince George, B.C. Unpublished repor t . 50 p.

1985. A field guide f o r the i d e n t i f i c a t i o n and i n t e r p r e t a t i o n o f ecosystems o f the SBSj2 i n the Prince George Forest Region. B.C. Min. For., Prince George, B.C. Unpublished repor t . 33 p.

the Boreal White and Black Spruce Biogeocl imat ic Zone i n the Pr ince Rupert Forest Region. B.C. Min. For., Smithers, B.C. Unpublished repor t .

subzones o f the northern p o r t i o n o f the Mackenzie Timber Supply Area. North. Fire Ecology Project. B.C. Min. For., Victoria, B.C. Unpublished report. 59 p.

2 DeLong, C., MacKinnon, A., and A. McLeod.

3 Trowbridge, R., J. Pojar, and T. Lewis. 1983. I n t e r i m c l a s s i f i c a t i o n o f

4 Meidinger, D., T. Lewis and R. Kowall. 1986. Biogeocl imat ic zones and

LEGEND BWBSdk 1 ESSFmv3 SBSmk2 SBSwk2 SBSwk3 SWBb

FIGURE 1. Biogeoclimatic u n i t s o f the northwest por t ion o f the Pr ince George Forest Region.

- 3 -

TABLE 1. New names for biogeoclimatic and site units in the northwest portion of the Prince George Forest Region

Old va r ian ts and associat ions New var iants and s i t e ser ies

All SWB units a

SBSj2 SBSwk2 01.1 Black Gooseberry - Oak Fern -

01.2 Black Gooseberry - Oak Fern -

02 Black Huckleberry - Moss 02 Pl - Huckleberry - Cladina 03 No previous u n i t 04 Dev i l ’ s Club - Oak Fern 05 Sxw - Devi l 's c lub 05 Spruce - Horseta i l 06 Sxw - Horseta i l

SBSn SBSwk3 01 Black Huckleberry - Oak Fern 01 Sxw - Oak f e r n 02 Douglas- f i r - Purple Peavine 02 SxwFd - Purple peavine 03 Pine - False Solomon’s Seal 03 Sxw - Huckleberry - Highbush-cranberry 05 Pine - Black Spruce 04 Sb - Labrador tea 04 Black Gooseberry - Black Twinberry 05 Sxw - Twinberry - Co l t s foo t 06 Dev i l ’ s Club - Fern 06 Sxw - Devi l 's c l ub 07 Spruce - Horseta i l 07 Sxw - Horseta i l

SBSo SBSmk2 01 Highbush-cranberry - Co l t s foo t 01 Sxw - Huckleberry - Highbush-cranberry 02 Pine - Soopolallie 02 Pl - Feathermoss - Cladina 03 Pine - S i t ka Alder 03 Sxw - Huckleberry - Soopolallie 04 Pine - Black Spruce 04 Sb - Huckleberry - Spirea 05 Dev i l ’ s Club - Oak Fern 05 Sxw - Oak f e rn 06 Spruce - Horseta i l 06 Sxw - Horseta i l

BWBSe1 b BWBSdk1 01/04/0 5 Hig hbu s h - cranberry - 01 Sw - Knight 's plume - Step moss

02 Pine - Lichen 02 Pl - Lingonberry - Feathermoss 03 Pine - Feathermoss 03 Sw - Wildrye - Toad-f lax 04 Pine - Black Spruce 04 Sb - Lingonberry - Knight ’s plume No previous u n i t 05 Sw - Soopola l l ie - Twinflower No previous u n i t 06 Sw - Scouring-rush - Step moss 05/06/07 Black Spruce - Labrador Tea 07 Sb - Lingonberry - Co l t s foo t

06/07 Spruce - Horseta i l 08 Sw - Currant - Horseta i l 07 Black Spruce - Sphagnum 09 Sb - Horseta i l - Sphagnum

(no change ye t )

Black Huckleberry

Dougl as Mapl e

01 Sxw - Oak f e rn

01 Sxw - Oak f e rn

03 Sxw - Huckleberry - Highbush-cranberry 04 Sb - Huckleberry - Clubmoss

Black Huckleberry - Bunchberry

Bunchberry o r White Spruce - Step Moss

o r Labrador Tea - Twinflower

- 4 -

TABLE 1. (Continued)

Old subzones and associations

ESSFn3 ESSFmv3 01 White-flowered Rhododendron - 01 Bl - Rhododendron - Feathermoss

Black Huckleberry 02 Pine - Lichen 02 BlPl - Crowberry - Cladina 03 Black Huckleberry - Bunchberry 01 Bl - Rhododendron - Feathermoss 05 Pine - Black Spruce 03 BlSb - Labrador tea 04 Black Huckleberry - Oak Fern 04 Bl - Oak f e r n - Knight 's plume 06 Dev i l ’ s Club - Oak Fern 05 Bl - Dev i l 's club - Rhododendron 07 Black Twinberry - 06 Sxw - Huckleberry - Highbush-cranberry

No previous u n i t 07 Bl - Horse ta i l - Feathermoss

a SWB u n i t s have no t y e t been corre lated. b Various versions o f descr ip t ions f o r t h i s subzone have preceded t h i s

New variants and site series

Highbush -cranberry

guide so caut ion should be exercised i n equating previous u n i t s t o the new un i t s .

- 5 -

TABLE 2. Full correlated vegetation unit names for site series described in this guide

S i t e ser ies F u l l vegetat ion u n i t name

SBSmk2 01 02 Pl - Pleurozium - Cladina; O r t h i l i a 03 04 Sb - Vaccinium (membranaceum) - Petasi tes; Spiraea 05 Sx - Gymnocarpium; Arnica 06 Sx - Equisetum; Cornus

SBSwk2 01 Sx - Gymnocarpium; Acer 02 Pl - Vaccinium (membranaceum) - Cladina 03 Sx - Vaccinium - Viburnum; Rubus ( p a r v i f l o r u s ) 04 Sb - Vaccinium (membranaceum) - Petasi tes; Lycopodium 05 Sx - Oplopanax; Rubus (pa rv i f l o rus ) 06 Sx - Equisetum; Cornus

SBSwk3 01 Sx - Gymnocarpium; Arnica 02 Fd - Picea - Rubus; Lathyrus (nevadensis) 03 Sx - Vaccinium - Viburnum; Rubus (pa rv i f l o rus ) 04 Sb - Ledum 05 Sx - Lonicera - Petasites; Ribes 06 07 Sx - Equisetum; Rubus

BWBSdk1 01 Sw - P t i l i u m - Hylocomium; typicum 02 Pl - Vaccinium (vitis-idaea) - Pleurozium 03 Sw - Elymus - Geocaulon 04 Sb - Vaccinium ( v i t i s - i d a e a ) - P t i l i um; Pleurozium 05 Sw - Shepherdia - Linnaea 06 Sw - Equisetum (sc i rpo ides) - Hylocomium 07 Sw - P t i l i u m - Hylocomium; Galium (boreale) 08 Sb - Vaccinium (v i t i s - i daea ) - P t i l i um; Petasites 09 Sw - Ribes ( t r i s t e ) - Equisetum 10 Sb - Equisetum - Sphagnum

ESSFmv3 01 Bl - Rhododendron - Arnica; Sorbus 02 Pl - Empetrum - Cladina 03 Bl - Picea (mariana) - Ledum 04 Bl - Gymnocarpium - P t i l i um; t y p i c 05 Bl - Oplopanax - Rhododendron 06 Bl - Delphinium - P t i l i u m 07 Bl - Equisetum - Pleurozium

Sx - Vaccinium - Viburnum; Mertensia

Sx - Vaccinium - Viburnum; Shepherdia

Sx - Oplopanax; Rubus (parviflorus)

- 6 -

Prince George Region have been recognized as being very s i m i l a r t o the SBSn described in the western p a r t o f the Region. As a r esu l t , the SBSj1, SBSj2, and SBSn have been renamed the SBSwk1, SBSwk2, and SBSwk3, respectively. SBSe2 and SBSo, also recognized as being very similar, have been renamed the SBSmk1 and the SBSmk2, respectively.

The new biogeocl imat ic u n i t codes and names are designed t o be connota t ive- - that i s , they describe the c l imate o f the un i t , r e l a t i v e t o other subzones i n the zone. relative moisture (x = very dry, d = dry, m = moist, w = wet, v = very wet) and r e l a t i v e temperature (v = very cold, c = cold, k = "kool", m = mild, w = warm, h = hot) f o r each subzone/variant w i t h i n i t s zone. For example, the Wet, Cool ("Kool") Sub-Boreal Spruce biogeoclimatic unit i s coded SBSwk; the Moist "Kool" un i t i s coded SBSmk.

The s i t e u n i t s have a lso been cor re la ted and renamed. The number o f u n i t s has been reduced, and s i m i l a r u n i t s i n d i f f e r e n t va r ian ts have been given the same name. For instance, the u n i t s i n t h i s guide prev ious ly recognized as the "Black Huckleberry - Oak fe rn" (SBSn/01), "Black Gooseberry - Oak fe rn" (SBSj2/01), and "Dev i l ’s Club - Oak f e rn (SBSo/05) ecosystem associat ions are a l l now w i t h i n "Sxw - Oak fe rn" s i t e associat ion. They share t h i s name because they are s i t e ser ies which are recognized as having s i m i l a r " qua l i t y " (actual ava i lab le moisture and nu t r ien ts ) and vegetat ion po ten t i a l . They also respond i n a s i m i l a r fashion t o management pract ices.

these should be re fe r red t o by t h e i r o l d names. When co r re l a t i on i s complete, the appropriate pages i n t h i s guide will be replaced w i t h the new descr ip t ions o f the cor re la ted un i t s .

2 USE OF THE GUIDE

The

The connotat ive symbols i n t h i s guide describe the

U n t i l co r re la t ions o f the SWB and the wetland u n i t s have been completed,

The guide i s d iv ided i n t o n ine sect ions: the In t roduc t ion i s Section 1; Section 2 describes the use o f the guide; Section 3 describes the biogeocl imat ic u n i t s (var iants) included i n the guide, and d i f f e r e n t i a t e s them; Sections 4-8 describe the s i t e u n i t s w i t h i n each var iant , and t h e i r management in te rp re ta t ions ; and Section 9 i s L i t e ra tu re Cited.

2.1 I d e n t i f y i n g Biogeocl imatic Uni ts

Figure 1 provides an overview o f the d i s t r i b u t i o n o f these u n i t s w i t h i n the area covered by t h i s guide. are ava i lab le from the M in i s t r y o f Forests (MOF) D i s t r i c t Of f ices, o r the Forest Sciences Section, MOF, Prince George.

If an area l i e s near a mapped biogeocl imat ic u n i t boundary and it is not c l ea r which biogeocl imat ic u n i t it belongs to, the user should compare the s i t e u n i t s found i n the area t o those described f o r both b iogeocl imat ic un i ts , and se lec t the u n i t t h a t best f i t s .

Biogeocl imatic u n i t s are most e a s i l y i d e n t i f i e d from maps.

Biogeocl imatic u n i t maps a t a scale o f 1:250 000

- 7 -

2.2 I d e n t i f y i n g S i t e Un i t s

vegetat ion factors , which together are used t o de r i ve ecolog ica l moisture and n u t r i e n t regimes f o r the s i t e . b iogeocl imat ic u n i t (Sect ion 2.1) , the user should inspect the area under cons iderat ion t o determine i f there are obvious moisture o r n u t r i e n t d i f fe rences which have l e d t o the development o f several vegetat ion u n i t s on t he s i t e . I f several s i t e u n i t s appear t o be present, the user should s t r a t i f y the area before i d e n t i f y i n g the un i t s . A t each d i f f e r e n t s i t e u n i t , the user should then record s i t e features (2.2.1) and vegetat ion features (2.2.2), and use these t o determine moisture and n u t r i e n t regimes (2.2.3) .

S i t e u n i t s can be i d e n t i f i e d by a combination o f s o i l , s i t e and

Having selected t he appropr ia te

2.2.1 S o i l s and topographic features

The most important topographic c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s t o note are: slope p o s i t i o n (Appendix 1 ) , slope gradient, and aspect. The most important s o i l cha rac te r i s t i cs t o note are: s o i l t e x t u r e (procedures f o r determining s o i l t ex tu re are given i n Appendix 2 ) ; coarse fragment %; humus form and depth (procedures f o r determining humus form are g iven i n Appendix 3 ) ; s o i l drainage class; depth t o water tab le ; and r o o t i n g depth.

2.2.2 Vegetation features

should be noted. Vegetation as described i n t h i s guide i s f o r c l imax o r near-cl imax ecosystems. vegetat ion t o c l a s s i f y d is tu rbed s i t es . i n f requen t l y bu t sometimes w i t h moderate cover are enclosed i n square parentheses ( [ ] ) . Sub-Boreal Spruce Zone" (Pojar e t al . 1982) o r "Some Common Plants o f the Skeena Region" (Coupé e t a l . 1982) are he lp fu l , and may be ava i l ab le from the Forest Sciences Section, MOF, Pr ince George.

2.2.3 Moisture and n u t r i e n t regimes

The in format ion from s o i l s , topography and vegetat ion i s used t o est imate the r e l a t i v e amounts o f moisture and n u t r i e n t s ava i l ab le for p l a n t growth. The guide user must keep two important f ac to rs i n mind:

i .

The p l a n t species on t he s i t e and t h e i r r e l a t i v e abundance

Caution must be exercised i n using Species occur r ing

Plant guides such as "Some Common Plants o f the

Moisture and n u t r i e n t regimes are r e l a t i v e w i t h i n a b iogeocl imat ic unit . For instance, a s i t e t h a t is average in moisture regime in the SBSwk2 will be wet te r than a s i t e t h a t i s average i n moisture regime i n the SBSmk2.

i i . All f ac to rs must be taken into account when s o i l moisture and n u t r i e n t regime are determined. One f a c t o r can compensate f o r another; f o r instance, a coarse- textured s o i l , which would be expected t o be dry, could be wet ter i f i t occurred a t the base o f a slope.

- 8 -

Moisture and n u t r i e n t regimes can be estimated using the keys in Appendices 4 and 5.

2.2.4 I d e n t i f i c a t i o n o f u n i t s

information, the user should now proceed to :

i.

A f t e r gather ing so i l s , topographic, and vegetat ion

the edatopic g r i d (e.g., Figure 2) where the moisture and n u t r i e n t regime can be used t o l oca te the s i t e un i t on the g r i d ; and

the key t o s i t e un i ts , where dichotomous keys use the so i l s , topographic, and vegetat ion features t o i d e n t i f y a s i t e u n i t .

The edatopic g r i d and the key t o s i t e u n i t s w i l l d i r e c t the user t o a p a r t i c u l a r s i t e u n i t , o r un i t s . So i ls , topographic, and vegetat ion features on the s i t e can then be compared w i t h those summarized f o r the p a r t i c u l a r s i t e unit(s) t o ensure the proper s i t e u n i t i s i d e n t i f i e d . So i l and s i t e features cha rac te r i s t i c o f a c e r t a i n s i t e un i t , o r p a r t i c u l a r l y useful i n d i s t i ngu i sh i ng i t from other s i t e un i t s , are marked w i t h an as te r i s k ( * ) .

ii.

2.3 Management In te rp re ta t ions

i n t e rp re ta t i ons f o r t h a t u n i t are ava i lab le on the page adjacent t o the s i t e u n i t descr ip t ion. preparat ion o f management prescr ip t ions; they d e t a i l t he oppor tun i t ies and const ra in ts t h a t a resource manager must consider when dea l ing w i t h a p a r t i c u l a r ecosystem. Management in te rp re ta t ions will be rev ised as more information, d i f f e r e n t technologies and changing management ob jec t ives d i c t a te . pre fer red methods o f s i t e preparat ion are marked with an as te r i s k ( * ) . More informat ion about mechanical s i t e preparat ion i s ava i lab le i n Coates and Haeussler (1987).

Once the s i t e u n i t has been i den t i f i ed , the management

In te rp re ta t ions are o f fe red as gu ide l ines t o the

In the s i t e preparat ion sect ion o f the in te rp re ta t ions ,

3 BIOGEOCLIMATIC UNITS

extends from W i l l i s t o n Reservoir and the Rocky Mountain Trench no r t h of it, in the east, t o the Prince George/Prince Rupert Forest Region boundary i n the west, and from the base o f W i l l i s t o n Reservoir in the south t o the reg iona l boundary again in the north. To the nor th and west, o f course, the u n i t s described in t h i s guide continue beyond the regional boundaries. The area covered by t h i s guide f a l l s w i t h i n the Rocky Mountain Trench (north) , and Cassiar and Omineca mountains physiographic subdiv is ions (Holland 1976).

The northwest po r t i on o f the Prince George Forest Region (Figure 1)

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Five biogeocl imat ic zones are recognized i n t h i s area: the Sub-Boreal Spruce (SBS) zone a t lower e levat ions i n the south, w i t h the Engelmann Spruce - Subalpine Fir (ESSF) zone above it in the subalpine; the Boreal White and Black Spruce (BWBS) zone a t lower e levat ions i n the north, w i t h the Spruce - Willow - B i rch (SWB) and ESSF above it i n the subalpine; and the Alp ine Tundra (AT) zone above t r e e l i n e over the e n t i r e area.

zones are not discussed beyond this sect ion. No units have been described in the SWB or AT, and consequently these

3.1 Sub-Boreal Spruce (SBS) Zone

around the f l a t shores o f Williston Reservoir as f a r no r th as Ingenika Arm (SBSmk2 - prev ious ly SBSo); i n the va l l ey between the Rocky and Omineca Mountains, as f a r no r th as Peace Reach, surrounding the SBSmk2 and fingering into the side valleys o f both ranges (SBSwk2 - prev ious ly SBSj2); and i n the va l leys o f the western Omineca and eastern Skeena Mountains (SBSwk3 - prev ious ly SBSn). Above a l l th ree SBS var iants l i e s the ESSF; the SBS occurs below about 1100 m over most o f the area.

The c l imate i s f a i r l y uniform i n the SBS throughout t h i s area, w i t h the SBSwk2 and (presumably) SBSwk3 being wetter than the SBSmk2. data are summarized in Table 3.

The SBS has climax fo res ts dominated by hybr id whi te spruce (Picea glauca x P. engelmannii), subalpine fir (Abies lasiocarpa), o r occasional ly Douglas- f i r (Pseudotsuga menziesi i ) ( i n the very south o f the SBSwk3) o r lodgepole pine (Pinus contor ta) (on very d ry s i tes , o r on some ecosystems w i t h b lack spruce). The ESSF forests have canopies dominated by Engelmann spruce (Picea engelmannii) and subalpine f ir, w i t h white-flowered rhododendron (Rhododendron albiflorum) i n the understory. Forests o f the BWBS t o the nor th have more black spruce (Picea mariana,) and lodgepole p ine i n the main canopy on upland s i tes , p r i m a r i l y whi te spruce (Picea glauca) r a the r than hybr id whi te spruce, and the presence (e.g., mountain monkshood [Aconitum delphini i fo l ium]) and absence (e.g., most ferns) o f key i nd i ca to r species.

The SBS zone w i t h i n the study area occurs:

Climate

3.1.1 Williston SBSmk - SBSmk2 (previously SBSo)

The SBSmk2 occurs around the flat shores o f W i l l i s t o n Reservoir, from Mackenzie i n the south t o Ingenika Arm i n the north, and nor th up the Ospika Arm (see Figure 1 ) . the SBS u n i t s described i n the area, being i n the rainshadow o f the Omineca Mountains. Climate data are presented i n Table 3.

Climax fo res ts have canopies o f hybr id whi te spruce, w i t h lodgepole p ine on d r i e r s i t e s and subalpine fir on wet ter s i tes . Lodgepole p ine i s a common seral species on most s i t es . i s most e a s i l y d is t ingu ished from the SBSwk2 by the absence o f oak f e r n (Gymnocarpium dryopter is) on mesic s i tes .

This i s the d r i e s t o f

The SBSmk2

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TABLE 3. Summary cl imate data for biogeocl imat ic uni ts a

BGC Seasonal Annual Annual mean u n i t p r e c i p i t a t i o n p r e c i p i t a t i o n temperature Mean annual Fros t- f ree

May-Sept (mm) (mm) (°C) snowfal l (cm) pe r iod (days) Mean Range Mean Range Mean Range Mean Range Mean Range

SBSmk2 250 210-295 690 N/A +1 .2 +0.7-+1.9 335 N/A 75 N/A SBSwk2 335 210-535 905 550-1915 +1.0 -0.1-+1.7 1075 N/A 80 N/A SBSwk3 260 225-295 610 520- 700 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

ESSFmv3 260 205-315 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

BWBSdk1 225 130-280 405 325-505 -0.2 -1.9-+2.0 180 135-270 65 45-110

SWBb 350 255-445 580 460-700 -1.9 -0.5--3.2 270 145-395 35 N/A

ATn 425 285-560 1460 755-2170 -0.8 -1.8-+0.2 1265 550-1975 50 20-65

a Reynolds, G. 1989. C l imat ic data summaries f o r the biogeocl imat ic zones o f B r i t i s h Columbia. B.C. M in i s t r y o f Forests, Research Branch. Unpublished repor t .

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The extensive lowland hab i ta t t h a t surrounds W i l l i s t o n Reservoir supports small populations o f wintering moose and caribou, b lack bear and g r i z z l y bear, as wel l as many species o f furbearers, such as marten, lynx, wolverine, gray wolf, beaver and muskrat. Most o f the important w in ter ing hab i t a t f o r moose and car ibou has been f looded by the reservo i r .

3.1.2 F in lay - Peace SBSwk - SBSwk2 (previously SBSj2)

The SBSwk2 occurs a t lower e levat ions (below 1100 m) i n the va l l ey between the Rocky and Omineca mountains, surrounding the SBSmk2 and f i nger ing i n t o the s ide va l leys o f both mountain ranges (see Figure 1). Corre la t ion has lumped t h i s u n i t w i t h the SBSwk3 ( former ly SBSn) as var iants. o f zonal (average moisture and n u t r i e n t regime) s i t es . (The SBSwk1 [ former ly SBSj1] is the third va r ian t in this subzone.)

Climate i n the SBSwk2 is wet and cool, w i t h mean annual p r e c i p i t a t i o n of 824 m and mean annual temperature of +0.7°C. The wet ter c l imate of t h i s and the SBSwk3 r e f l e c t s t h e i r pos i t i on i n the f o o t h i l l s and va l l ey bottoms o f major mountain ranges.

Climax fo res ts have canopies o f hybr id whi te spruce and subalpine fir, w i t h lodgepole p ine as a seral species on mesic and d r i e r s i tes , and as a topoedaphic cl imax species on very d ry s i t es . Dev i l ’s c l ub (Oplopanax horr idus) i s more common in t h i s subzone than the SBSmk2.

This va r ian t provides summer hab i t a t f o r moose, mule deer, b lack bear and g r i z z l y bear, and ea r l y fall hab i t a t for caribou.

3.1.3 Takla SBSwk - SBSwk3 (previously SBSn)

Mountains, a t e levat ions below 1100 m, from Trembleur and Inzana lakes i n the south, no r th t o the nor th end o f Bear Lake (see Figure 1) and probably f u r t h e r no r th and west.

assumed (from vegetat ion development) t o be very s i m i l a r t o t h a t o f the SBSwk2.

SBSwk2, w i t h canopies dominated by hybr id whi te spruce and subalpine fir, and lodgepole p ine as a common seral and topoedaphic species. Some ecosystems i n the southern por t ions o f t h i s va r i an t have Douglas- f i r i n the canopy.

This va r ian t provides summer hab i t a t f o r moose, b lack bear and grizzly bear, as we l l as hab i t a t for beaver, muskrat, spruce grouse and r u f f e d grouse.

3.2 Engelmann Spruce - Subalpine Fir (ESSF) Zone

The ESSF zone w i t h i n the study area consists of one var iant , the ESSFmv3 (previously ESSFn3).

This was done to r e f l e c t the s i m i l a r i t y

The SBSwk3 occurs i n the va l leys o f the western Omineca

Climate i n the SBSwk3 has not been wel l documented, but i s

Climax fo res ts i n the SBSwk3 are s i m i l a r t o those i n the

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3.2.1 Omineca ESSFmv - ESSFmv3 (previously ESSFn3)

The ESSFmv3 w i t h i n the study area occurs above approximately 1100 m and below the Alp ine Tundra. It i s replaced i n the northern l a t i t u d e s by another subalpine zone, the SWB (see Figure 1).

The c l imate o f the ESSFn3 i s moist and very cold, w i t h 714 mm of total annual p rec i p i t a t i on , the ma jo r i t y f a l l i n g as snow. Mean annual temperature i s -0.2°C. The ESSF u n i t s i n general are cooler and wet ter than the SBS u n i t s which occur below them.

fir.

Mature stands o f p ine and spruce w i t h dense arboreal l i chen are used by car ibou i n the win ter . Moist s i t e s such as avalanche t racks and subalpine meadows are used i n the summer by moose, b lack bear and g r i z z l y bear. The extensive con i f e r fo res ts are used by marten, red squ i r r e l , spruce grouse, great horned owl and great gray owl. South-facing rock outcrops are used by mountain goat dur ing the win ter .

3.3 Boreal White and Black Spruce (BWBS) Zone

The BWBS zone w i t h i n the study area cons is ts of one subzone, the BWBSdk1 (previously BWBSe).

3.3.1 Stikine BWBSdk - BWBSdk1 (previously BWBSe)

The Cordilleran Boreal White and Black Spruce (BWBSdk1) subzone is a lowland t o montane subzone occurr ing nor th o f Germansen Landing between 250 and 1100 m i n e levat ion, i n the main va l leys o f the Omineca Mountains (see Figure 1).

Climate i s coo ler and d r i e r than t h a t o f the SBS i n the study area, though growing season temperatures may exceed those i n any other b iogeocl imat ic un i t covered i n t h i s guide. on limited sampling) are summarized in Table 3.

Forestry a c t i v i t i e s have been l i m i t e d i n the BWBSdk1, though the area can be expected t o be extensively harvested as l icensees move north. Climax fo res ts have canopies o f wh i te spruce (Picea glauca) and lodgepole pine, w i t h b lack spruce sometimes occurr ing i n the main canopy on upland s i tes . The e n t i r e subzone i s c l i m a t i c a l l y dry, and has an extensive f i r e h i s to ry , documented i n Parminter (1984) 5. cl imax species. It a lso forms extensive seral stands. Moist and wet i nd i ca to r species such as dev i l ’ s c lub (Oplopanax horr idus) and the l a rge r ferns (e.g., spiny wood f e rn [Dryopter is ass im i l i s ] and lady f e rn [Athyrium f i l i x - f em ina ] ) , common in the SBS, are absent here.

Climax fo res ts have canopies o f Engelmann spruce and subalpine

This va r ian t provides a va r i e t y o f hab i ta ts f o r w i l d l i f e .

Cl imate data (based

Lodgepole p ine i s a common topoedaphic and c l i m a t i c

5 Parminter, J. 1984. F i re-eco log ica l re la t ionsh ips f o r the biogeocl imat ic zones o f the northern po r t i on o f the Mackenzie Timber Supply Area. North. F i r e Ecology Pro jec t . B.C. Min. For., V ic to r ia , B.C. Unpublished repor t . 102 p.

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This subzone provides some o f the best remaining moose win ter hab i t a t i n the F in lay watershed. A r e l i c t populat ion o f Rocky Mountain e l k occurs i n the Ingenika Val ley. and lowlands support moose, b lack bear, g r i z z l y bear, gray wolf , beaver, muskrat and spruce grouse. Mature stands o f p ine and spruce w i t h dense arboreal and sometimes t e r r e s t r i a l l i c h e n are used by car ibou dur ing the winter . The extensive con i f e r f o res t s are used by marten, red squ i r re l , spruce grouse, great horned owl and great gray owl.

3.4 Spruce - Wil low - B i rch (SBS) Zone

The SWB zone w i t h i n the study area consists o f one subzone, the SWBb.

3.4.1 SWBb

The SWBb was sampled and described as p a r t o f the Northern F i r e Ecology Project . The mater ia l presented here i s from Meidinger e t al. (1986) 6, and Pojar (1983). As the s i t e u n i t s have no t been formal ly described, they are discussed here i n general terms on ly and not dea l t w i t h elsewhere i n the repor t .

Mesilinka River, and northeast o f the Skeena River, t o the Yukon and Northwest Territories borders. 1500 m, dropping as low as 800 m in some co ld val leys. The SWBb occurs above the BWBSdk1 to the west o f the Rocky Mountain Trench. Over much of the northern area covered by this guide, however, where the e levat ion does no t drop below 1050 m, the SWBb occurs down t o the va l l ey bottoms (see Figure 1).

cool even in the summer. Total annual p r e c i p i t a t i o n is low (569 mm), with the vast ma jo r i t y falling as snow. are summarized in Table 3.

Grey-leaved Willow - Scrub B i rch associat ion. t r e e canopy is usua l ly dominated by whi te spruce, w i t h a minor component o f subalpine f i r , although the l a t t e r species may co-dominate w i t h whi te spruce in some stands. in t h i s associat ion, lodgepole p ine is o f t en present and t rembl ing aspen occasional ly. The shrub l aye r is usua l l y moderately t o wel l devel oped and is dominated by scrub b i r c h (Betula glandulosa), wi l lows, shrubby c inque fo i l ( P o t e n t i l l a f ru t i cosa) , and soopo la l l i e (Shepherdia canadensis). The moderately to poor l y devel oped herb l aye r i s dominated by the dwarf woody p lan ts crowberry (Empetrum nigrum) and l ingonberry (Vaccinium v i t i s - i daea ) .

The r i p a r i a n hab i ta ts

The SWBb i s the subalpine subzone occur r ing nor th o f the

It ranges i n e leva t ion from 1050 t o

Climate is inter ior subalpine, co ld throughout the year and

Climate data f o r the SWBb

The r e l a t i v e l y open

Of the sera l species

The zonal ecosystem o f the SWBb is a White Spruce -

The well-developed

6 Meidinger, D., T. Lewis and R. Kowall. 1986. Biogeocl imat ic zones and subzones o f the northern po r t i on o f the Mackenzie Timber Supply Area, British Columbia. North. Fire Ecology Project . B.C. Min. For., V i c t o r i a , B.C. Unpublished repor t . 59 p.

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moss layer is dominated by step moss, although red-stemmed feathermoss is often common. Peltigera aphthosa and Nephroma arcticum are usually present.

On dry (subxeric), coarse-textured glaciofluvial materials or on south-facing slopes of coarse morainal deposits, a Lodgepole Pine - Scrub Birch - Lichen association is found. The relatively open canopy of these woodland ecosystems is dominated by lodgepole pine, with a minor component of white spruce. Trembling aspen and subalpine fir occasionally occur as well. The moderately to poorly developed shrub layer is usually dominated by scrub birch; but sometimes white spruce, lodgepole pine, or subalpine fir dominate the understory. The herb layer is dominated by dwarf woody plants such as crowberry, kinnikinnick (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi), lingonberry, and dwarf blueberry (Vaccinium caespitosum). moderately developed and is co-dominated by mosses and lichens; litter cover is significant.

slightly moister association (a White Spruce - [Lodgepole Pine] - Step Moss association) is found. The tree layer is well developed and is dominated by white spruce, often with a significant component of lodgepole pine. species. The shrub layer is poorly developed, likely as a result of the denser canopy. soopolallie, and common juniper. The herb layer is moderately developed, with fuzzy-spiked wildrye (Elymus innovatus), Altai fescue (Festuca a l ta ica) , arctic lupine (Lupinus arcticus), one-sided wintergreen (Orthilia secunda), bastard toadflax (Geocaulon lividum), and twinflower (Linnaea borealis) being the common species. well-developed moss layer is dominated by step moss.

On dry, high-elevation, steep south aspects, stunted groves of trembling aspen or balsam poplar are often found. often occur adjacent to each other but there are seldom mixed stands. The trembling aspen stands occur on colluvial slopes, which are subxeric to submesic in moisture regime, while the balsam poplar stands are usually on the moister sites. and balsam poplar stands comprise stunted and gnarled trees often at least 50-80 years old. The shrub and herb layers are diverse and well developed. Common understory species are soopolallie, prickly rose (Rosa ac icu lar is ) , highbush-cranberry (Viburnum edule), willows (Scouler's, grey-leaved, and Barclay’s), f i reweed, arctic lupine, tall bluebells (Mertensia Paniculata), heart-leaved arnica (Arnica cordifolia), wild strawberry (Fragaria virginiana), and tall larkspur (Delphinium glaucum). Kinnikinnick and twinflower are more common in the trembling aspen stands, and species such as fuzzy-spiked wildrye and mountain monkshood (Aconitum delphiniifolium) are more common in the balsam poplar stands. The moss layers are very poorly developed in both these ecosystems. Although these stands are likely successional to some white spruce ecosystem, no conifer regeneration was noted in the stands examined. are considered to be fire sub-climax ecosystems.

Cladina lichens and the leafy lichens

The moss layer is only

On gravelly fluvial materials (fans and upper terraces) a

Trembling aspen and black spruce are infrequent

Common species are grey-leaved willow,

The

The two types

Both the trembling aspen

Because of repeated fires, they

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On f ine- tex tu red morainal mater ia ls w i t h subhygric t o hygr ic

The shrub l a y e r i s dominated moisture regimes, open whi te spruce - subalpine fir stands w i t h well-developed herb layers are found. by grey- leaved wi l low, w i t h scrub b i r c h a lso common. inc lude A l t a i fescue, a r c t i c lupine, t a l l b luebel ls , heart- leaved arnica, t a l l larkspur, mountain monkshood, and subalpine daisy (Er igeron perear inus). The well-developed moss l a y e r i s dominated by step moss and red-stemmed feathermoss. Common leafy liverwort (Barbilophozia lycopodioides) is also present.

Forested t r a n s i t i o n a l bogs are q u i t e var iab le, but commonly inc lude more open canopies o f black spruce, whi te spruce, and sometimes subalpine fir. we l l -developed shrub layer . Grey-leaved wi l low, Barclay’s wi l low, and Labrador tea (Ledum qroenlandicum) are a lso common. are lingonberry, cloudberry (Rubus chamaemorus), crowberry, and wood ho rse ta i l (Equisetum sylvaticum). The mosses vary in abundance, bu t include sphagnum mosses, glow moss (Aulacomnium palustre), red-stemmed feathermoss, and common haircap moss (Polytrichum commune).

permafrost s o i l s can occur. lower elevat ions. These stands have moderately t o well-developed shrub and herb layers, dominated by Labrador tea, scrub b i rch, wi l lows, arctic lupine, tall Jacob’s-ladder (Polemonium caeruleum), polargrass (Arctagrost is l a t i f o l i a ) , dwarf scouring rush (Equisetum scirpoides), red bearberry (Arctostaphylos rubra), t a l l larkspur, c loudberry and l ingonberry. dominated by step moss and glow moss. Cryosols, with permafrost a t a depth o f 50-75 cm.

fens to d r y c o l l u v i a l scrub. Shrubby ecosystems are espec ia l l y common i n the wide va l leys inf luenced by co ld a i r drainage, on d ry col luvia l slopes, and in the upper e leva t ion parkland-scrub.

Subalpine grasslands are frequent, but not extensive i n the SWB (Pojar 1983).

Forest ry c a p a b i l i t y o f the SWB is l i m i t e d by the no r the r l y l a t i t u d e and subalpine cont inenta l c l imate. The SWB i s near the limit o f c l i m a t i c condi t ions t h a t can support f o r e s t growth. the zone likely produces l ess than 1 m 3 /ha per year, although s i t e s w i t h warmer s o i l temperatures and a longer growing season (i .e., favourable S and W aspects, coarser- textured g l a c i o f l u v i a l fans and terraces, lower e levat ions) might produce up t o 2-2.5 m 3 /ha per year. The SWB i n the Mackenzie TSA i s the southernmost p a r t o f the zone and s i t e s are genera l ly more product ive than the zone as a whole. Ex i s t i ng mature stands, however, are shor t and o f ten q u i t e open, and are there fo re mostly non-commercial now and i n t o the foreseeable fu ture. years could be expected.

Common herbs

Scrub b i r c h is the most common shrub i n the

Common herbs

On very steep nor th aspects, open stands o f whi te spruce on Black spruce can a lso be present at

The well-developed moss l a y e r i s The s o i l s are Organic

Shrub-dominated ecosystems are common, ranging from swamps and

Most o f

If managed, r o t a t i o n lengths i n the order o f 150

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The management o f lands i n the SWB and o f the f i r e s t h a t these lands i nev i t ab l y experience needs t o be based on appreciat ion o f the r e a l i t i e s o f resource capab i l i t i e s . The c a p a b i l i t y of the SWB f o r w i l d l i f e is not e a s i l y surpassed (Pojar et al. 1983). 7 This subzone provides a v a r i e t y o f hab i ta ts f o r w i l d l i f e in northern Br i t ish Columbia. Va l ley bottom r i p a r i a n fo res ts and wetlands are used by moose, g r i z z l y bear, b lack bear and gray wol f . Open p ine fo res ts w i t h t e r r e s t r i a l o r arboreal l i chen are used by car ibou i n the winter . The extensive s h r u b - f i l l e d va l leys are used by moose, caribou, g r i z z l y bear, gray wol f , wolverine and w i l l ow ptarmigan. Avalanche t racks and seepage s i t e s are important f o r g r i z z l y bear. Steep souther ly aspect grass/shrub hab i ta ts are used by Stone’s sheep, espec ia l ly i n the win ter , wh i le the more rugged, h igher e levat ion s i t e s are used by mountain goat. I n the Rocky Mountain F o o t h i l l s , the souther ly- facing aspen/shrub/grass hab i ta ts are important f o r Rocky Mountain e lk , moose, gray wo l f and g r i z z l y bear. As wel l , small populat ions o f both mule deer and wh i t e - t a i l ed deer use t h i s hab i t a t i n the Muskwa Valley, and a la rge herd o f P la ins Bison has escaped c a p t i v i t y and taken up residence in t h i s subzone w i t h i n the Sikanni Chief and Halfway r i v e r watersheds o f the Rocky Mountain Foothills.

type, is a lso exce l lent . I n accordance w i t h soc ie ty ’s des i re f o r w i l d l i f e f o r consumptive and non-consumptive use, l o ca l i zed key hab i ta ts could be managed o r enhanced by prescr ibed f i r e .

The po ten t ia l f o r recreat ion, p a r t i c u l a r l y o f the wilderness

3.5 Alp ine Tundra (AT) Zone

The AT zone w i t h i n the study area cons is ts o f one subzone, the ATn.

3.5.1 ATn

primarily from the work o f Pojar (1986) and Luckhurst (1973). s i t e u n i t s have no t been formal ly described, and as the area has no value in f o res t r y terms, the s i t e u n i t s are described i n general terms here and not dea l t w i t h elsewhere i n the repor t .

b iogeocl imat ic uni t in B r i t i s h Columbia. Winters are long and cold, w i t h a t l e a s t 7 months w i t h mean temperature l ess than 0°C. F ros t - f ree periods are very short, and f r o s t can occur a t any t ime dur ing the year.

The ATn was described i n Meidinger and Lewis (1983) 8, As the

The c l imate o f the ATn is the most severe o f any

7 Pojar, J., R. Trowbridge, and T. Lewis. 1983. Biogeocl imat ic zones of the Cassiar Timber Supply Area, northwestern B r i t i s h Columbia. B.C. Min. For., Smithers, B.C. Unpublished repor t .

the For t Nelson Timber Supply Area, B r i t i s h Columbia. Pro jec t . B.C. Min. For., V i c t o r i a B.C. Unpublished repor t . 59pp.

8 Meidinger, D. and T. Lewis. 1983. Biogeocl imatic zones and subzones of Northern F i r e Ecology

- 17 -

The ATn i s the a lp ine subzone throughout the area covered by t h i s guide, occurr ing a t e levat ions above approximately 1500 m, over the ESSFmv3 and the SWBb subalpine un i t s . The ESSFmv3 and SWBb grade i n t o parkland ( o r scrub) subzones i n t h e i r upper e levat ions below t ree line.

The AT i s c h a r a c t e r i s t i c a l l y a t ree less zone. Trees, however, do occur sporadica l ly in the alpine, but usua l l y in a krummholz form. Alp ine vegetat ion i s dominated by shrubs, herbs, bryophytes, and l ichens. Rocks, ice, and snow are a lso c h a r a c t e r i s t i c o f much o f the alpine landscape.

A lp ine p lan t communities vary from shrub f ie lds o r scrub- dominated vegetat ion a t lower elevat ions, t o grass- and/or herb-dominated vegetat ion a t middle elevat ions, t o lichen-dominated vegetat ion a t the highest elevat ions.

A lp ine p lan ts are usua l l y small, c lose t o the ground, and o f ten separated by bare s o i l o r rock. The environment i s harsh i n the a lp ine and the tundra vegetat ion does l i t t le t o modify the micro-environment. Therefore, the e f f e c t o f environmental f ac to rs such as topographic pos i t ion , exposure t o wind and inso la t ion , and distr ibut ion o f snow and meltwater, are s t rong ly expressed i n a lp ine p lan t communities. Hence, a lp ine vegetat ion is o f t en present as a complex mosaic in response t o environmental and s o i l condi t ions.

"Tundra" vegetation, cons is t ing o f p ros t ra te shrubs, short-stemmed perennial herbs, bryophytes, and lichens, dominates the ATn. elevations.

grass - cryptogam" tundra. The dominant and c h a r a c t e r i s t i c species are net ted w i l l ow (Sa l i x r e t i c u l a t a ) , po la r w i l l ow (Sa l i x polar is) , small-awned sedge (Carex microchaeta), awned haircap moss (Polytr ichum pi l i ferum), and the lichens Ce t ra r i a spp., Stereocaulon spp., and Thamnolia vermicular is. Other common species are a lp ine sweetgrass (Hierochloe alpina), Altai fescue, a lp ine bluegrass (Poa alpina), a lp ine fescue (Festuca b r a c h y p h y l l a ) , a lp ine b i s t o r t ( B i s t o r t a v i v i p a r a ) , and moss campion (Si lene acaul is) . The zonal ecosystem occurs over a wide range o f mesic to moist (subhygric) s i t e s on moderately s loping to f l a t topography. Sombri c and Melani c Brunisols, Regosols, and Cryosols.

is found. S o i l s are usua l l y Brunisols o r Regosols on g r a v e l l y o r rubb ly col luvia l veneers. Bare mineral s o i l i s o f t e n exposed and f r o s t s o r t i n g and heaving are ac t i ve processes producing patterned ground. Common p lan ts inc lude ent i re- leaved whi te mountain-avens (Dryas i n t e g r i f o l i a ) , b lack ish locoweed (Oxytropis nigrescens), moss campion, one-flowered c inquefoi l ( P o t e n t i l l a u n i f l o r a ) , ne t ted wi l low, a lp ine sweetgrass, small-awned sedge, and Be l la rd 's kobresia (Kobresia myosuroides).

Some shrub t h i c k e t o r scrub vegetat ion i s found a t the lower

The zonal ecosystem o f the ATn i s a "dwarf w i l l ow - sedge -

S o i l s inc lude

On exposed, windswept, convex r idges, a "cushion p lan t " tundra

- 18 -

Another widespread ecosystem is t he " a lp ine heath", character ized by four-angled mountain-heather (Cassiope tetragona), en t i re- leaved whi te mountain-avens, and ne t ted and p o l a r wi l lows. Although i t i s poss ib ly zonal a t low e levat ions o f the ATn, i t i s best developed on moist t o mesic nor thern and eastern slopes. This is l i k e l y due t o the grea ter snow accumulation and du ra t i on on these aspects. S o i l s are var iable, and may be D y s t r i c Brunisols, Regosols, Gleysols, Cryosols, o r Organics. Seepage and solifluction are common processes. Although the dwarf shrubs are dominant, common herbs inc lude moss campion, cap i ta te lousewort (Ped icu la r is capitata), a lp ine b i s t o r t , small-awned sedge, short-stalked sedge (Carex podocarpa), a r c t i c bluegrass (Poa a rc t i ca ) , and Altai fescue.

F a i r l y common on steep, genera l l y south- fac ing slopes i s an " A l t a i fescue - l i c h e n tundra" ecosystem. S i tes are we l l drained, mesic to slightly d r i e r , and w i t h l i g h t , discont inuous w in te r snow cover. Soils are usua l ly Sombric o r Melanic Brunisols . Vegetation is dominated by A l t a i fescue and mountain sage. Other common herbs are a lp ine sweetgrass, small -awned sedge, and spiked woodrush (Luzula spicata). lichens Cetrar ia, spp., Cladina spp., Cladonia spp., and Stereocaulon spp.

Alp ine seepage and snowbed areas are common, although o f t e n small. The vegetat ion is heterogeneous, so on ly the most widespread middle- t o h igh-e levat ion seepage/snowbed type wil l be described here. The vegetat ion o f t h i s type i s dominated by ne t ted and po la r wi l lows, shor t - s ta lked sedge, a r c t i c c o l t ’ s - f o o t (Petas i tes f r i g i d u s ) , mountain sage, subalpine but tercup (Ranunculus eschscholtzii), and nor thern anemone (Anemone p a r v i f l o r a ) . A g rea t diversity o f o ther herbs is found, i nc lud ing wh i te marsh-marigold (Caltha leptosepala), r ed wil lowherb, dwarf scouring rush, a lp ine b i s t o r t , red-stemmed saxi f rage (Saxifraga lyal l i i ) , a lp ine speedwell (Veronica wormskjoldii), Lapland reedgrass (Calamagrostis lapponica), three- f lowered rush (Juncus triglumis), chestnut rush (Luzula p a r v i f l o r a ) , and a lp ine bluegrass. The s o i l s are Gleysol ic , Cryosolic, or Organic.

A lp ine f e l l f i e l d occurs on many mountain tops and h igh r i d g e c res ts . Terms such as "mountain-top d e t r i t u s " , " rubble sheet", and " b l o c k f i e l d " are used to descr ibe t h i s landscape u n i t . are extensive areas of coarse, angular debr is t h a t form on l e v e l o r gen t l y s lop ing areas as a result of frost sha t te r i ng and heaving. The windswept, complex t e r r a i n i s a mosaic o f snow-free patches and accumulation areas, and th is f a c t o r in f luences the d i s t r i b u t i o n o f p lan ts w i t h i n the fellfield. Although a number o f p l a n t communities could be described on a microscale, ove ra l l t h e f e l l f i e l d s can be t rea ted as a s ing le unit. Vascular p lan ts and most mosses and f r u t i c o s e lichens are r e s t r i c t e d t o protected depressions and crevices. The most common herbs are a lp ine b i t t e r - c r e s s (Cardamine b e l l i d i f o l i a ) , a lp ine rockcress (Draba a l p i n a ) , moss campion, t u f t e d sax i f rage ( S a x i f r i g a caesp i tosa) , three- toothed saxifrage, purp le

Common cryptogams inc lude awned hai rcap moss and the

F e l l f i e l d s

- 19 -

mountain sax i f rage (Saxifrage oppositifolia), a r c t i c c i nque fo i l ( P o t e n t i l l a hyparctica), short-awned sedge, a lp ine fescue, and curved a lp ine woodrush (Luzula arcuata). Dominant cryptogams are the mosses Rhacomitrium lanuginosum and awned haircap moss, and the l i chens Cetrar ia, spp., Dacty l ina spp., Parmelia, spp., Umb i l i ca r i a spp., Stereocaul on spp., and Thamnolia vermicularis. The so i ls of these periglacially ac t i ve areas are Regosols.

elevat ions. They are o f two basic types: scrub b i r c h t h i c k e t s and Bar ra t t ’s w i l l ow th icke ts . The scrub b i r c h communities are common on mesic to moist, upper c o l l u v i a l slopes and on g l a c i o f l u v i a l mater ia ls in high, exposed passes. on wet s i t e s in a lp ine va l leys, usua l l y on gen t l y s lop ing alluvial fans at the base o f long slopes and w i t h i n the meander p l a i n of low-gradient a lp ine streams.

There is no wood product ion po ten t i a l i n the Alp ine Tundra Zone. However, in conjunct ion w i th the subalpine SWB Zone, it provides some of the most important w i l d l i f e h a b i t a t i n B r i t i s h Columbia. Moist, herbaceous meadows are used by Stone’s sheep, caribou, w i l l ow ptarmigan, hoary marmot, and g r i z z l y bear. Rounded, windswept vegetated r idges are used as w in te r h a b i t a t by car ibou and Stone’s sheep. Steep, rugged vegetated a lp ine i s used by mountain goat. Most of the higher e leva t ion a lp ine i n the Muskwa and Cassiar ranges is barren, devoid o f herbaceous vegetat ion and there fo re no t supporting w i l d l i f e , except i t i s o f t en used by cow car ibou dur ing calving, or by cliff-nesting b i r d s of prey such as gyr fa lcon and golden eagl e.

The po ten t i a l f o r recrea t ion i s high. The a lp ine t e r r a i n var ies from the rugged B a t t l e o f B r i t a i n Range t o the more rounded Omineca Mountains. Most areas provide a wide d i v e r s i t y o f a lp ine vegetation. considerable vegetat ion and wi ld l i fe d i v e r s i t y , and provides many oppor tun i t ies f o r h ik ing , horseback r i d i n g , and hunting. A few g u i d e - o u t f i t t e r s operate in the area. Despite the great po ten t i a l , the remoteness of t h i s area continues t o limit the recrea t iona l use of the alpine.

A lp ine shrub-dominated ecosystems are common a t low t o middle

The Barratt’s w i l l ow communities are found

I n combination w i t h the SWB, most o f the area has

- 20 -

NOTES

- 21 -

4 THE SBSmk2 VARIANT SBSmk2 Williston SBSmk

Soil Nutrient Regime

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

1 xeric

2 subxeric

3 submesic

4 mesic

5 subhygric

6 hygric

7 subhydric

02

03

05

04

06

Site Series

01 Sxw - Huckleberry - Highbush-cranberry ~ 02 Pl - Feathermoss - Cladina

03 Sxw - Huckleberry - Soopolallie 04 Sb - Huckleberry - Spirea 05 Sxw - Oak fern 06 Sxw - Horsetail

FIGURE 2. Edatopic grid displaying site series in the SBSmk2 variant.

- 22 -

KEY TO SITE UNITS OF THE SBSmk2

1a Organic s o i l s

1b Mineral s o i l s Bog ecosystems

2a Canopy dominated by wh i te spruce

3a Usua l ly l e v e l ; o f t e n adjacent t o moving water; Equisetum spp. (p. 24) 9 moderate t o h igh cover (>5% cover)

3b Slope p o s i t i o n var iab le ; o f t e n no t adjacent t o moving water; Equisetum spp. low cover (<1%) o r absent

4a General ly lower slope, o r l e v e l and in f luenced by water tab le ; Oplopanax horridus (p. 10) and Gymnocarpium dryopteris (p . 26) moderate t o h igh cover (>1%)

SBSmk2/05

4b General ly n o t lower slope and if l e v e l , n o t in f luenced by a water tab le ; Oplopanax horridus and Gymnocarpium dryopteris low cover (<5%) o r absent

SBSmk2/06

5a General ly upper slope o r c res t , i f l e v e l then coarse textured; Lonicera i nvo luc ra ta (p. 9) low cover (<1%) o r absent

SBSmk2/03

5b General ly mid to t o e slope, i f l e v e l then medium textured;

SBSmk2/01 Lonicera i nvo luc ra ta genera l l y moderate cover ( > 5 % )

2b Canopy dominated by lodgepole p ine

6a General ly lower slope, or l e v e l and in f luenced by water tab le ; Oplopanax horridus (p. 10) and Gymnocarpium dryopteris (p. 26) moderate t o h igh cover (>1%)

6b General ly n o t lower slope and i f l e v e l , no t in f luenced by a water tab le ; Oplopanax horridus and Gymnocarpium dryopteris low cover (<1%) o r absent

SBSmk2/05

9 Page numbers r e f e r t o t h e p u b l i c a t i o n "Some Common P lants o f t h e Sub-Boreal Spruce Zone" (Pojar e t a l . 1982).

- 23 -

7a Slope grad ient 10%, aspect f lat o r nor th- fac ing ; b lack spruce present in canopy

7b Slope grad ient and aspect var iab le ; b lack spruce absent from canopy

8a Level o r c r e s t slope pos i t i on ; coarse- textured s o i l s ;

SBSmk2/04

Arctostaphylos uva-urs i (p. 16) present SBSmk2/02

8b Slope p o s i t i o n and s o i l t e x t u r e var iab le ; Arctostaphylos uva-ursi absent

9a General ly upper slope o r c res t , i f l e v e l then coarse- textured; Lonicera i nvo luc ra ta low cover (<1%) o r absent

SBSmk2/03

9b General ly mid t o t o e slope, i f l e v e l then medium textured;

SBSmk2/01 Lonicera i nvo luc ra ta genera l l y moderate cover (>5%)

SBSmk2/01

SXW - HUCKLEBERRY - HIGHBUSH-CRANBERRY

VEGETATION

Tree Layer: 40% cover Hybrid whi te spruce, lodgepole p ine

Shrub Layer: 50% cover Viburnum edule Rosa a c i c u l a r i s ( p r i c k l y rose) Lonicera involucrata Vaccinium membranaceum Alnus v i r i d i s ssp. s inua ta [Rubus p a r v i f l o r u s subalpine f i r hyb r i d whi te spruce

Herb Layer: 70% cover Viburnum edule Cornus canadensis (bunch berry)

Petas i tes palmatus (palmate c o l t s f o o t ) Linnaea borealis ( tw in f lower ) Rubus pubescens Smilacina racemosa Mitella nuda (common mi t rewor t ) O r th i l i a secunda Lycopodium annotinum Epilobium angustifol ium Ara l ia nudicaulis Mertensia paniculata Equisetum arvense Pyrola asar i fo l ia Geocaulon lividum

Moss Layer: 90% cover Pleurozium schreberi

Hylocomium splendens

( h i g h bush -cranberry)

(b lack twinberry) ( b l a c k huckleberry) (S i t ka a lder ) (thimbleberry)]

( t r a i l i n g raspberry) (false Solomon’s seal)

(one-sided wintergreen) (stiff clubmoss) (fireweed) (wiId sarsapar i la) ( t a l l bluebells) (common horse ta i l ) ( rosy wintergreen) (bastard t o a d - f l a x )

( red - stemmed feathermoss) (kn ight ’s plume) (s tep moss)

Vaccinium membranaceum P t i l i u m c r i s ta - cas t rens i s

SOIL AND S I T E

Moisture Regime: mesic Nu t r i en t Regime: poor - r i c h

Parent Mater ia l : morainal or

* Slope Gradient (%): 0-25 * Slope Posi t ion: mid to toe o r l e v e l

* S o i l Texture: usua l l y moderately coarse (glacio)fluvial

or medium Coarse Fragments(%): 0-75 S i t e Index: Pl 28 (26-30)

SX 29 (24-34)

Petas i tes palmatus DISTRIBUTION: very common

Donna Lindenberg

- 25 -

SXW - HUCKLEBERRY - HIGHBUSH-CRANBERRY (SBSmk2/01)

INTERPRETATIONS

Loqqinq: - c l ea rcu t - attempt t o reduce s lash accumulations - f u l l t r e e harvest ing may se r i ous l y 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

S i t e Preparation:

Ob jec t i ve

Mechanical

Prescr ibed f ire

- enhance na tu ra l regenerat ion; reduce debr is ;

- l i g h t drag scar i f y * ; patch s c a r i f y ; mix humus

- l i g h t broadcast burn (remove L hor izon) i f logged

improve planter access

w i t h mineral s o i l

i n win ter ; p i l e and burn ( i f stand has 60%+ component o f Sx)

Species choice:

Prefer red - Pl, Sx Acceptable

Brush hazard: - moderate t o h igh ( t remb l ing aspen, fireweed,

- pos t - p lan t i ng inspect ions o f harvested s i t e s b lack twinberry , th imbleberry)

should be c a r r i e d out t o determine t h e need for vegetat ion c o n t r o l

Reforestat ion: - do no t accept advance Bl regenerat ion - conduct a Pl cone survey. I f cones are

i n s u f f i c i e n t and compet i t ion moderate, p l a n t Pl stock w i thou t s i t e preparat ion.

- p l a n t Sx i f Sx was lead ing species i n o r i g i n a l stand, o r i f the re i s a h igh component o f aspen on s i t e

consider s a n i t a t i o n t h i n n i n g on Pl stands i n fec ted w i t h m i s t l e t o e o r g a l l r u s t

Concerns: - m is t le toe , g a l l r u s t ( i f managing for P l ) ;

- f r o s t heaving on coarse- textured s o i l s

SBSmk2/02

Pl - FEATHERMOSS - CLADINA

VEGETATION

Tree Layer: 10% cover

Shrub Layer: 30% cover

Lodgepole pine

Shepherdia canadensis Rosa a c i c u l a r i s ( p r i c k l y rose) Viburnum edule Spiraea b e t u l i f o l i a lodgepol e p i ne subalpine f i r

Herb Layer: 10% cover Arctostaphylos uva-urs i ( k i n n i k i n n i c k ) Linnaea boreal is (twinflower)

Epi lobium angustifolium (fireweed) Cornus canadensis (bunchberry) Vaccinium caespitosum (dwarf b lueberry) O r th i l i a secunda (one-sided wintergreen)

Moss Layer: 85% cover Pleurozium schreber i (red - stemmed feathermoss) Hylocomium splendens (s tep moss) Polytrichum juniperinum ( j u n i p e r ha i rcap moss) Cladina spp.

(soopolallie)

( h i g h bus h - cranberry) (birch-leaved sp i rea)

Shepherdia canadensis Oryzopsis asperifolia (rough-leaved r i ceg rass )

SOIL AND SITE

Moisture Regime: x e r i c - subxer ic N u t r i e n t Regime: very poor - poor

Parent Mater ia l : ( g l a c i o ) f l u v i a l o r

A. uva-urs i Slope Gradient (%): 0-60 * Slope Pos i t ion : l e v e l o r c r e s t

* S o i l Texture: u s u a l l y coarse morainal

Coarse Fragments (%): 0-55 S i t e Index: Pl 23 (15-32)

DISTRIBUTION: common, e s p e c i a l l y i n l a r g e v a l l e y bottoms, bu t small i n area

Cladina spp.

- 27 -

PL - FEATHERMOSS - CLADINA (SBSmk2/02)

INTERPRETATIONS

Logging: - c l e a r c u t - f u l l t r e e harves t ing may s e r i o u s l y reduce cones


S i t e preparation:

Ob jec t ive status; reduce debr is ; improve p l a n t e r access

Mechanical mineral s o i l

Prescribed f i r e - do no t burn

- enhance na tu ra l regenerat ion; improve moisture

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

Species choice:

Pre fer red - Pl Acceptable

Brush hazard: - low

Reforestation: - conduct a Pl cone survey. present, mechanical ly t r e a t s i t e . i n s u f f i c i e n t , p l a n t Pl s tock w i thou t s i t e preparat ion.

- extreme drought per iods - m i s t l e t o e and g a l l r u s t

I f enough seed i s I f cones are

Concerns:

SBSmk2/03

SXW - HUCKLEBERRY - SOOPOLALLIE

VEGETATION



Lodgepole pine, hyb r id wh i te spruce

Viburnum edule (highbush-cranberry) Rosa a c i c u l a r i s ( p r i c k l y rose) Shepherdia canadensis Alnus v i r i d i s ssp. s inuata Spiraea betulifolia Vaccinium membranaceum subalpine f i r h y b r i d wh i te spruce

Herb Layer: 35% cover Viburnum edule Cornus canadensis (bunchberry)

Linnaea borealis ( tw in f l ower ) Smilacina racemosa ( f a l s e Solomon’s-seal) O r t h i l i a secunda (one-sided wintergreen) Epilobium angus t i f o l i um ( f i reweed) Rubus pubescens ( t r a i l i n g raspberry) Oryzopsis asperifolia (rough-leaved ricegrass) Ara l ia nudicaul is ( w i l d s a r s a p a r i l l a ) Geocaulon lividum (bastard toad- f l ax )

Moss Layer: 95% cover Pleurozium schreber i Hylocomium splendens P t i l i u m c r i s t a - c a s t r e n s i s ( kn igh t ’s plume) P e l t i g e r a aphthosa Dicranum p o l y s e t u m (wavy-leaved moss)

(soopolallie) ( S i t k a a lde r ) (b i r ch- leaved sp i rea) ( b l a c k huckleberry)

(red-stemmed feathermoss) (s tep moss)

Rosa a c i c u l a r i s SOIL AND SITE

Moisture Regime: submesic - mesic N u t r i e n t Regime: poor - medium

Parent Mater ia l : morainal o r

Slope Gradient (%): 0-45 * Slope Pos i t ion : mid t o c r e s t o r l e v e l

(glacio)fluvial * S o i l Texture: medium t o coarse


SX 27 (18-35)

DISTRIBUTION: common

Shepherdia canadensis

Donna Lindenberg

- 29 -

SXW - HUCKLEBERRY - SOOPOLALLIE (SBSmk2/03)

INTERPRETATIONS

Logging: - c l ea rcu t - attempt t o reduce s lash accumulations - fu l l t r e e harves t ing may se r i ous l y 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 if managing f o r na tu ra l s


Object ive - enhance na tu ra l regenerat ion; improve mois ture s ta tus; reduce debr is; improve p l a n t e r access

Mechanical mineral s o i l

P resc r ibed fire - do no t burn

- l i g h t drag scar i f y * ; d i s c t rench; mix humus w i t h

- may need t o p i l e and burn

Species choice:

Pre fe r red - Pl Acceptable

Brush hazard: - low

Reforestat ion: - conduct a Pl cone survey. If enough seed i s

Concerns:

present, mechanical ly t r e a t s i t e .

r u s t s a n i t a t i o n program will l i k e l y be requi red; consider s a n i t a t i o n t h i n n i n g on i n f e c t e d Pl stands.

- drought

- m i s t l e t o e and g a l l r u s t . A m i s t l e t o e o r g a l l

SBSmk2/04

Sb - HUCKLEBERRY - SPIREA

VEGETATION



Lodgepole pine, b lack spruce, h y b r i d wh i te spruce

Shepherdia canadensis (soopolallie) Ledum groenlandicum (Labrador tea) Vaccinium membranaceum ( b l a c k huckleberry) Rosa acicularis ( p r i c k l y rose) Vaccinium m y r t i l l o i d e s ( ve l ve t - l eaved b lueberry) subalpine f i r b lack spruce

Linnaea boreal is ( tw in f l ower ) Shepherdia canadensis Cornus canadensis (bunchberry)

Geocaulon lividum Epilobium anqust i fol ium Vaccinium caespitosum (dwarf b lueberry) Gau l ther ia h isp idu la (creeping-snowberry) Lycopodium complanatum (ground-cedar) Oryzopsis asperifolia O r t h i l i a secunda Calamagrostis canadensis

Moss Layer: 95% cover Pleurozium schreber i (red-stemmed feathermoss) Hylocomium splendens Peltigera aphthosa P t i l i u m c r i s t a - c a s t r e n s i s (kn igh t ’s plume) Cladina m i t i s Dicranum polysetum

Herb Layer: 15% cover

(bastard t o a d - f l a x ) ( f i reweed)

(rough-leaved r i ceg rass ) (one-sided wintergreen) ( b l u e j o i n t )

(s tep moss)

(wavy-leaved moss) Ledum groenlandicum

SOIL AND SITE

Moisture Regime: submesic - subhygric N u t r i e n t Regime: very poor - poor

* Aspect: n o r t h e r l y o r f l a t * Slope Gradient (%): u s u a l l y l e s s than 10

Slope Pos i t ion : mid t o lower o r l e v e l * Parent Ma te r ia l : g l a c i o f l u v i a l * S o i l Texture: medium t o coarse


SX 24 (23-26)

COMMENTS:

DISTRIBUTION: common i n some areas

Often associated w i t h compact so i l s .

Gau l ther ia h i sp idu la

Donna Lindenberg

- 31 -

SB - HUCKLEBERRY - SPIREA (SBSmk2/04)

INTERPRETATIONS

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



Ob jec t i ve - increase so i l temperatures; enhance na tu ra l regenerat ion; reduce debr is ; improve p l a n t e r access

spot mounding Mechanical - l i g h t drag scar i f y * ; mix humus w i t h minera l s o i l ;

Prescr ibed f i r e - l i g h t broadcast burn (remove L hor izon)

Species choice:

Prefer red - Pl Acceptable

Brush hazard: - low t o moderate ( t remb l ing aspen, f ireweed) brush compet i t ion will l i k e l y occur w i t h i n 3 years o f harvest ing; s i t e s should be inspected a t 3 years t o determine i f any f u r t h e r t reatments are requ i red

requ i red on t h i s u n i t . Reforestat ion: - conduct a Pl cone survey. P lan t i ng i s r a r e l y

Concerns: - compact t i l l s - windthrow - perched water tab le . Only harvest i n t h e w i n t e r

o r d r y p a r t of summer. m i c r o s i t e may improve growth on areas which are subhygric.

A s l i g h t l y r a i sed

- m is t le toe , g a l l r u s t

SBSmk2/05

Ribes lacustre

G. dryopter is

SXW - OAK FERN

VEGETATION



Hybr id wh i te spruce, subalpine f i r , lodgepole p ine

Oplopanax hor r idus ( d e v i l ’ s c lub) Ribes lacustre Lonicera i nvo luc ra ta (b lack tw inber ry ) Viburnum edule Rosa a c i c u l a r i s ( p r i c k l y rose) subalpine f i r hyb r id wh i te spruce

Herb Layer: 60% cover Gymnocarpium dryopter is

Pyrola asa r i f o l i a Streptopus amplexifolius Galium triflorum (sweet-scented bedstraw) Linnaea borealis Rubus pubescens Lycopodium annotinum ( s t i f f clubmoss) Equisetum arvense Aral ia nudicaul is

Moss Layer: 75% cover Hylocomium splendens P t i l i u m c r i s t a - c a s t r e n s i s ( kn igh t ’s plume) Pleurozium schreberi Mnium spp. (leafy mosses)

( b l a c k gooseberry)

( h i g h bush-cranberry)

(oak fe rn )

( rosy wintergreen) (c lasp ing t w i s t e d s t a l k )

( t r a i l i n g raspberry)

(common horseta i l ) (w i ld s a r s a p a r i l l a )

(s tep moss)

(red-stemmed feathermoss)

0plopanax ho r r i dus Cornus canadensis (bunchberry)

SOIL AND S ITE

Moisture Regime: subhygric N u t r i e n t Regime: medium - r i c h ( - very r i c h ) Slope Gradient (%) : 0-50

* Slope Pos i t ion : u s u a l l y lower t o t o e but sometimes level

Parent Mater ia l : S o i l Texture: coarse t o medium

v a r i a b l e

Coarse Fragments: 0-50

S i t e Index: Pl 34 (31-37) SX 26 (21-30)

* Seepage Water: may be present below 50 cm

COMMENTS:

DISTRIBUTION:

N u t r i e n t - r i c h s i t e s may have patchy cover o f Gymnocarpium drvopter is .

uncommon and no t l a r g e i n area

(twinflower)

- 33 -

SXW - OAK FERN (SBSmk2/05)

INTERPRETATIONS

Logging:


Ob jec t ive

- c l e a r c u t

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

- patch s c a r i f y ; mound; plow

- medium broadcast burn* (remove L hor izon) ; sho r t

Mechanical

Prescr ibed f i r e burning windows will l ikely necess i ta te burn ing in t h e summer

Species choice:

Pre fer red - Sx Acceptable

Brush hazard: - moderate t o h igh (b lack twinberry, f ireweed, aspen, th imbleberry)

- brush compet i t ion w i l l r e q u i r e pos t - p lan t i ng inspect ions o f harvested s i t e s , p a r t i c u l a r l y i f s i t e s mechanical ly t rea ted; these inspect ions may i n d i c a t e t h e need f o r c o n t r o l o f vegeta t ion compet i t ion

l e a s t 2 years p r i o r t o harvest

s i t e s

a f t e r s i t e prepara t ion

- pre-harvest ing con t ro l o f apen should be done a t

- aspen suckering can be a ser ious problem on these

- vigorous stock should be p lan ted immediately Reforestat ion:

Concerns: - windthrow - root rot

SBSmk2/06

SXW - HORSETAIL

VEGETATION

Tree Layer: 20% cover Hybr id wh i te spruce

Shrub Layer: 30% cover Cornus ser icea ( red- os ie r dogwood) Rosa a c i c u l a r i s ( p r i c k l y rose) Viburnum edule (h igh bush -cranberry) Lonicera i nvo luc ra ta (b lack tw inber ry ) Ribes lacustre subalpine f i r

Herb Layer: 65% cover Equisetum arvense Equisetum sylvaticum

Rubus pubescens Cornus canadensis (bunchberry) Mertensia paniculata Linnaea boreal is ( tw in f l ower ) Petas i 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 ) Galium t r i f l o r u m Gymnocarpium dryopter is Calamagrostis canadensis ( b l u e j o i n t ) Ara l ia nudicaul is

Moss Layer: 90% cover Hylocomium splendens Pleurozium schreberi P t i l i u m c r i s t a - c a s t r e n s i s ( kn igh t ’s plume) Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus (electrified c a t ’ s - t a i l moss)


(common ho rse ta i l ) (wood h o r s e t a i l )

Cornus ser icea Equisetum pratense (meadow horse ta i l ) ( t r a i l i n g raspberry)

( t a l l b l u e b e l l s )

(sweet-scented bedstraw) (oak fe rn )

(wild sarsapar i l la)

(s tep moss) ( red- stemmed f e a t hermoss)

Rosa ac i cu la r i s

Equisetum arvense

SOIL AND S I T E

Moisture Regime: h y g r i c N u t r i e n t Regime: medium - r i c h

* Slope Pos i t ion : usually level * Parent Ma te r ia l : u s u a l l y f l u v i a l

* Slope Gradient (%) : 0-5

Soil Texture: medium t o coarse Humus Thickness (cm): 3-70 Coarse Fragments (%): 0-50

* Seepage Water: u s u a l l y present a t depths g rea te r than 30 cm

S i t e Index: SX 26 (20-32)

DISTRIBUTION: common but small i n area, and genera l l y on f l u v i a l f l o o d p l a i n s

- 35 -

SXW - HORSETAIL (SBSmk2/06)

INTERPRETATIONS

Logging: - c l e a r c u t - t r a f f i c a b i l i t y wil l be a problem on t h i s s i t e

du r ing t h e summer

S i t e preparat ion:

Ob jec t ive - 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 l a n t e r access; increase s o i l temperature

Mechanical - mound*

Prescr ibed fire - broadcast burn

Species choice:

Pre fer red Sx Acceptable

Brush hazard: - h igh t o very h igh (b lack twinberry, f ireweed, bluejoint, lady fe rn )

- brush compet i t ion will r e q u i r e pos t - p lan t i ng inspect ions o f harvested s i t e s t o determine t h e need f o r 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 tes

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

- water t a b l e wil l l i k e l y r i s e above the ground

- f l o o d i n g - windthrow hazard i s extreme - he rb i c ide use t o c o n t r o l brush compet i t ion may

c o n f l i c t w i t h w i l d l i f e needs - t h i s assoc ia t ion i s c r i t i c a l t o t h e c o n t r o l o f

r u n o f f and stream f l o w

Reforestat ion:

Concerns: sur face i n the spr ing causing seedling m o r t a l i t y

- 36 -

5 THE SBSwk2 VARIANT SBSwk2 Finlay - Peace SBSwk



1 xeric

2 subxeric

3 submesic

4 mesic

5 subhygric

6 hygric

7 subhydric

Site Series

01 Sxw - Oak fern 02 Pl - Huckleberry - Cladina 03 Sxw - Huckleberry - Highbush-cranberry 04 Sb - Huckleberry - Clubmoss 05 Sxw - Devil's club 06 Sxw - Horsetail

FIGURE 3. Edatopic grid displaying site series in the SBSwk2 variant.

- 37 -

KEY TO SITE UNITS OF THE SBSwk2

1 a Canopy composed almost exc lus ive ly of lodgepole pine o r mixed lodgepole pine and black spruce, white spruce low cover (5%) o r absent; upper s lope o r level

2a Black spruce present in canopy; s o i l s general ly not coarse textured; Cladina spp. (p. 55) low cover (<2%) o r absent

2b Black spruce not present in canopy; s o i l s coarse textured; Cladina spp. usually moderate t o high cover (>5%)

SBSwk2/04

SBSwk2/02

1b Canopy composed part ly o r en t i re l y o f hybrid white spruce, occasional ly in combination with lodgepole pine; s lope pos i t ion var iable

3a Canopy usually lodgepole pine and hybrid white spruce; mid t o upper s lope; Gymnocarpium dryopteris (p. 26) 10 low cover (<1%) o r absent

SBSwk2/03

3b Lodgepole pine usually absent from canopy; mid t o lower s lope o r t oe , o r l eve l , occasional ly upper s lope on north aspects; Gymnocarpium dryopteris moderate t o high cover ( 5 % )

4a Lower s lope; Oplopanax horridus (p. 10) moderate t o high cover (>10%)

SBSwk2/05

4b Midslope t o t o e o r l eve l ; Oplopanax horridus low cover (<5%) o r absent

5a Usually t o e o f s lope o r l eve l ; seepage water of ten present; Equisetum spp. (p. 24) moderate t o high cover ( > 1 0 % )

SBSwk2/06

5b Usually midslope, upper s lope i f north aspect, lower s lope i f south aspect; seepage water usually absent; Equisetum spp. low cover (<2%) o r absent

SBSwk2/01

10 Page numbers r e f e r t o the publ icat ion "Some Common Plants o f the Sub-Boreal Spruce Zone" (Pojar e t a l . 1982).

SBSwk2/01

Ribes lacustre

Viburnum edule

SXW - OAK FERN

VEGETATION



Hybr id wh i te spruce, subalpine f i r

Ribes lacustre (b lack gooseberry) Viburnum edule (highbush-cranberry) Vaccinium membranaceum 0plopanax horridus ( d e v i l ’ s c lub) Alnus v i r i d i s ssp. s inuata [Rubus p a r v i f l o r u s [Acer glabrum subalpine fir

Gymnocarpium dryopter is (oak fe rn ) Cornus canadensis (bunchberry) O r t h i l i a secunda (one-sided wintergreen) Streptopus amplexifolius (c lasp ing t w i s t e d s t a l k ) Lycopodium annotinum (stiff clubmoss) Rubus pedatus ( f ive- leaved bramble) Petas i tes palmatus (palmate c o l t s f o o t ) Smilacina racemosa (false Solomon ’s-seal) Linnaea boreal is ( tw in f l ower ) Tiarella trifoliata ( three- leaved foamflower)

Moss Layer: 80% cover Pleurozium schreber i ( red- stemmed feathermoss) P t i l i u m c r i s t a - c a s t r e n s i s ( kn igh t ’s plume) Hylocomium splendens (s tep moss)

( b l a c k huckleberry)

( S i t k a a lde r ) (thimbleberry)] (Douglas maple)]

Herb Layer: 60% cover

SOIL AND S I T E

Moisture Regime: (submesic-) mesic N u t r i e n t Regime: Slope Gradient (%) : 0-80 ( r a r e l y 0)

Parent Mater ia l : morainal, (glacio)fluvial S o i l Texture: coarse t o moderately f i n e

(poor- ) medium ( - r i c h )

* Slope Pos i t ion : mid; upper i f n o r t h e r l y aspect

Coarse Fragments (%): 0-60


Gymnocarpium dryopteris

- 39 -

SXW - OAK FERN (SBSwk2/01)

INTERPRETAT IONS

- c l ea rcu t (w in te r ) ; l ayou t and logg ing methods Logging:


Ob jec t i ve

should f a c i l i t a t e burn ing

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

Mechanical

Prescr ibed f i r e

- patch s c a r i f y ; mix humus w i t h mineral

- broadcast burn* (remove L hor izon) - windrow and burn - shor t burning windows wil l l i k e l y necess i ta te

burning i n t h e summer

Species choice:

Pre fe r red - Pl, Sx Acceptable

Brush hazard: - h igh (aspen, fireweed, th imbleberry) - pos t - p lan t i ng inspect ions o f harvested s i t e s

should be c a r r i e d o u t to determine t h e need f o r vegetat ion con t ro l

- pre-harvest ing con t ro l o f aspen should be done a t l e a s t 2 years pr ior to harvest

- aspen suckering can be a ser ious problem on these s i t e s

- vigorous stock should be p lanted immediately a f t e r s i t e preparat ion

- r o o t r o t ( i f managing f o r Sx) - windthrow

Reforestat ion:

Concerns:

SBSwk2/02

V. membranaceum

A. vir idis ssp. s inuata

Pl - HUCKLEBERRY - CLADINA

VEGETATION



Lodgepol e p i ne

Vaccinium membranaceum Alnus viridis ssp. sinuata subalpine f i r h y b r i d wh i te spruce

Herb Layer: 15% cover Cornus canadensis (bunchberry) O r t h i l i a secunda (one-sided wintergreen) Pyrola chlorantha (green wintergreen)

Moss Layer: 95% cover Pleurozium schreber i Cladina spp. P e l t i g e r a aphthosa Dicranum spp. Barbi lophozia spp.

(b lack huckleberry) ( S i t k a a lde r )

( red- stemmed feathermoss)

SOIL AND S ITE

Moisture Regime: N u t r i e n t Regime: poor

subxeric

* Slope Gradient (%) : 0-6 (usua l l y 0) * Slope Pos i t ion : l e v e l o r upper * Parent Ma te r ia l : (glacio)fluvial * S o i l Texture: coarse

COMMENTS: L imi ted data for this s i t e ser ies.

DISTRIBUTION: uncommon

Coarse Fragments (%): 40-60

Cladina spp.

- 41 -

Pl - HUCKLEBERRY - CLADINA (SBSwk2/02)

INTERPRETATIONS

Logging: - c l ea rcu t - f u l l t r e e harvest ing may se r i ous l y 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 ls


Objective - enhance na tu ra l regeneration; improve moisture

Mechanical

status; reduce debris; improve p l a n t e r access

- l i g h t drag s c a r i f y i f logged i n w in te r and cone crop survey ind ica tes a good supply of seeds; d i s c trench; mix humus w i t h mineral s o i l

Prescr ibed fire - do no t burn

Species choice:

Prefer red - Pl Acceptable

Brush hazard: - low

Reforestat ion: - conduct a Pl cone survey t o see. I f cones are

Concerns: - m is t l e toe

i n s u f f i c i e n t , p l a n t Pl stock.

- drought

SBSwk2/03

SXW - HUCKLEBERRY - HIGHBUSH-CRANBERRY

VEGETATION



Lodgepole pine, hybr id whi te spruce

Vaccinium membranaceum ( b l a c k huckleberry) Viburnum edule Spiraea be tu l i fo l ia Alnus viridis ssp. s inuata (S i t ka a lder ) Ribes lacustre (b lack gooseberry) Sorbus scopulina subalpine f ir lodgepol e pi ne

(highbush -cranberry) (b i rch- leaved sp i rea)

(western mount a i n - ash)

Herb Layer: 60% cover V. membranaceum Cornus canadensis (bunchberry)

Orthi l ia secunda Lycopodium annotinum Rubus pedatus ( f i ve- leaved bramble) Linnaea bo rea l i s ( tw in f lower ) Smilacina racemosa Pyrola chlorantha (green wintergreen) Arnica c o r d i f o l i a

Moss Layer: 95% cover Pleurozium schreberi P t i l i u m c r i s ta - cas t rens i s (kn igh t ’s plume)

(one-sided wintergreen) (stiff clubmoss)

( fa lse Solomon’s-seal)

(hear t - leaved arn ica)


SOIL AND SITE

Moisture Regime: Nu t r i en t Regime: poor - medium

Parent Mater ia l :

submesic

Slope Gradient (%): 0-75 * Slope Posi t ion: mid to upper; or l e v e l

* S o i l Texture: moderately coarse to

g l a c i o f l u v i a l , morainal, c o l l u v i a l

coarse Coarse Fragments (%): 0-60


Viburnum edule

Spiraea betul i fo l ia

- 43 -

SXW - HUCKLEBERRY - HIGHBUSH-CRANBERRY (SBSwk2/03)

INTERPRETATIONS

Logging: - c l ea rcu t


Object ive

Mechanical

Prescribed f i r e - broadcast burn (remove L hor izon)

- reduce debr is; prepare p l a n t i n g spots; minimize

- patch sca r i f y ; d i s c trench; mix humus w i t h mineral

- avoid burning s i t e s w i t h a th in humus l a y e r ( l ess

f u t u r e brush competit ion; improve p l a n t e r access

than 6 cm)

Species choice:

Prefer red - Pl, Sx Acceptable

Brush hazard: - moderate (f ireweed, trembling aspen) - pre-harvest ing con t ro l o f aspen should be done a t

l e a s t 2 years p r i o r t o harvest - aspen suckering can be a ser ious problem on these

s i t e s - moderate brush compet i t ion will l i k e l y occur

w i t h i n 3 years o f harvest ing; an inspec t ion a t 3 years will i nd i ca te i f any f u r t h e r treatment i s requi red

Reforestat ion:

Concerns: - drought

SBSwk2/04

black spruce

Sb - HUCKLEBERRY - CLUBMOSS

VEGETATION



Hybrid whi te spruce, lodgepole pine, b lack spruce

Rosa a c i c u l a r i s ( p r i c k l y rose) Vaccinium membranaceum Viburnum edule (highbush-cranberry) Alnus vir idis ssp. s inuata Ribes lacustre Sorbus scopulina Ledum groenlandicum subalpine f ir hyb r i d wh i te spruce b lack spruce

Herb Layer: 45% cover Cornus canadensis (bunchberry) Linnaea borealis ( tw in f lower ) Equisetum scirpoides Or th i l i a secunda Epilobium angus t i fo l ium Lycopodium annotinum M i t e l l a nuda (common mi t rewor t ) Gymnocarpium dryopter is (oakfern) Rubus pubescens ( t r a i l i n g raspberry) Petas i tes palmatus (palmate c o l t s f o o t ) Rubus pedatus

P t i l i u m c r i s ta - cas t rens i s (kn ight ’s plume)

( b l a c k huckleberry)

(S i t ka a lder ) ( b l a c k gooseberry) (western mountain- ash) (Labrador tea)

(dwarf scouring-rush) (one-sided wintergreen) (fireweed) (stiff clubmoss)

( f ive- leaved bramble)

Moss Layer: 60% cover

Pleurozium schreberi Equisetum sc i rpo ides Peltiqera aphthosa

SOIL AND S I T E

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

* Aspect: n o r t h e r l y or f l a t * Slope Gradient (%): usua l l y l e s s than 25

Slope Posi t ion: mid t o upper o r l e v e l Parent Mater ia l : glacio(fluvial) o r

So i l Texture: moderately f i n e t o coarse Coarse Fragments (%): 0-85 S i t e Index: Pl 22

morainal

SX 22 (19-26)

COMMENTS:

DISTRIBUTION: common in some areas

Often associated w i t h compact s o i l s . Lycopodium annotinum


- 45 -

SB - HUCKLEBERRY - CLUBMOSS (SBSwk2/04)

INTERPRETATIONS

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

- on ly harvest in t he w in te r o r d r y p a r t o f summer



Objec t ive

Mechanical - l i g h t drag scar i fy* ; mix humus with mineral s o i l ;

Prescr ibed f i re

- enhance na tu ra l regenerat ion; reduce debr is ; improve p lan te r access

spot mounding

- l i g h t broadcast burn (remove L hor izon)

Species choice:

Preferred - Pl Acceptable - Sx

Brush hazard: - low t o moderate (trembling aspen, f i reweed) - brush compet i t ion wil l l i k e l y occur w i t h i n

3 years o f harvest ing; s i t e s should be inspected a t 3 years t o determine i f any f u r t h e r treatment i s requ i red

Reforestat ion:

Concerns: - compact t i l l - windthrow - perched water tab le ; a s l i g h t l y ra i sed m i c r o s i t e

may improve growth on areas which are subhygric - mis t le toe, g a l l r u s t ( i f managing f o r Pl) - r o o t r o t ( i f managing for Sx) - t r a f f i c a b i l i t y problems

SBSwk2/05

SXW - DEVIL’S CLUB

VEGETATION



Hybrid wh i te spruce, subalpine f i r

Oplopanax horr idus ( dev i l ’ s c lub) Rubus p a r v i f l o r u s ( th imbleberry) Ribes lacustre subalpine f i r

Herb Layer: 80% cover Gymnocarpium dryopter is (oak fe rn ) Rubus pedatus T i a r e l l a t r i f o l i a t a C l i n t o n i a u n i f l o r a (queen’ s cup)

Cornus canadensis (bunchberry) Osmorhiza ch i l ens i s Lycopodium annotinum ( s t i f f clubmoss) Smilacina racemosa Rubus pubescens ( t r a i l i n g raspberry)

Pti l ium c r i s t a - cas t r ens i s (kn ight ’s plume) Pleurozium schreberi (red-stemmed feathermoss) Mnium spp. ( leafy mosses)


( f i v e - l e a v e d bramble) (three-leaved foamflower)

Oplopanax hor r idus Streptopus amplexi fo l ius (c lasp ing tw i s t eds ta l k )

(sweet-cicely)

( f a l s e Solomon’s-seal)

Moss Layer: 70% cover

SOIL AND S ITE

Moisture Regime: (mesic) - subhygric N u t r i e n t Regime: medium - r i c h

Parent Mater ia l : v a r i a b l e S o i l Texture: v a r i a b l e

Slope Gradient ( % ) : 5-35 * Slope Pos i t ion : lower

Coarse Fragments (%): 9-80 * Seepage Water: may be present


Rubus parvif lorus

Gymnocarpium dryopter is

Donna Lindenberg

- 47 -

SXW - DEVIL’S CLUB (SBSwk2/05)

INTERPRETATIONS

Logging: - c lea rcu t (w in ter ) ; l ayou t and logg ing methods

- inspect t he s i t e t o determine i f the re i s a f i n e should f a c i l i t a t e burning

tex tured s o i l , i n which case the use o f low ground pressure veh ic les t o prevent compaction i s recommended


Objec t ive - reduce debr is ; prepare p l a n t i n g spots; minimize f u t u r e brush competi t ion; improve p l a n t e r access; increase s o i l temperature

- patch sca r i f y ; mound; plow

- shor t burning windows w i l l l i k e l y necess i ta te

Mechanical

Prescr ibed f i re - broadcast burn*

burning i n the summer

Species choice:

Preferred - Sx Acceptable

Brush hazard: - very h igh (fireweed, th imbleberry) - pos t - p lan t ing inspect ions of harvested s i t e s

should be c a r r i e d ou t t o determine the need f o r vegetat ion con t ro l

- pre-harvest ing con t ro l of aspen should be done at l e a s t 2 years p r i o r t o harvest

- l a r g e vigorous stock should be p lan ted immediately a f t e r s i t e prepara t ion

Reforestat ion:

Concerns: - windthrow - r o o t r o t

SBSwk2/06

Ribes lacustre

Cornus ser icea

Equisetum arvense

SXW - HORSETAIL

VEGETATION

Tree Layer: 15% cover Hybrid whi te spruce, subalpine f i r

Shrub Layer: 25% cover Ribes lacustre Lonicera i n v o l u c r a t a Viburnum edule (highbush-cranberry) Cornus ser i cea ( red-os ie r dogwood) Rosa acicular is subalpine f ir

Herb Layer: 75% cover Equisetum arvense (common horseta i l ) Equisetum pratense (meadow h o r s e t a i l ) Cornus canadensis (bunchberry) Rubus pubescens ( t r a i l i n g raspberry) Linnaea borealis ( tw in f lower ) M i t e l l a nuda (common mi t rewor t ) Gymnocarpium dryopter is (oak fe rn ) Mertensia paniculata Galium t r i f l o r u m (sweet-scented bedstraw) Streptopus amplexi fo l ius Smilacina racemosa Heracleum sphondylium Rubus pedatus Aconitum de lph in i i f o l i um Ara l ia nudicaulis

Moss Layer: 50% cover Hylocomium splendens Mnium spp. ( leafy mosses) Ptilium c r i s ta- cas t rens is , (kn ight ’s plume) Pleurozium schreber i

( b l a c k gooseberry) (b lack twinberry)

( p r i c k l y rose)

( t a l l b l u e b e l l s )

(c lasp ing tw i s teds ta l k ) (false Solomon’s-seal) (cow-parsnip) (five-leaved bramble) (mountain monkshood) ( w i l d sa rsapa r i l l a )

(s tep moss)

( red - stemmed feathermoss)

SOIL AND S ITE

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

Slope Posi t ion: ( lower) - t oe o r l e v e l Parent Mater ia l : (glacio)fluvial Soil Texture: medium t o moderately

Seepage Water: o f t e n present

Slope Gradient (%) : 0-6

coarse Coarse Fragments (%): 0-56

DISTRIBUTION: uncommon west of t he Rocky Mountains; common east of t he Rocky Mountains

Donna Lindenberg

Donna Lindenberg

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SXW - HORSETAIL (SBSwk2/06)

INTERPRETATIONS

Logg ing :


Object ive

- c l ea rcu t

- reduce debr is; prepare ra i sed p l a n t i n g spots; minimize f u t u r e brush compet i t ion; improve p lan te r access; increase so i l temperature

Mechanical - mound* - t r a f f i c a b i l i t y wil l be a problem on t h i s s i t e

dur ing the summer

Prescribed f i re - broadcast burn

Species choice:

Prefer red - Sx Acceptable

Brush hazard: - very h igh (black twinberry, fireweed, wi l lows, b l u e j o i n t )

should be c a r r i e d ou t t o determine the need for vegetat ion con t ro 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 tes

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

- pos t - p lan t ing inspect ions o f harvested s i t e s

Reforestat ion:

Concerns: - t h i s assoc iat ion i s c r i t i c a l t o t he con t ro l o f

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

- windthrow - r o o t r o t - compaction - h igh water tab le ; water t a b l e wil l l i k e l y r i s e

above the ground surface i n t he spr ing causing seedling mortal i ty

r u n o f f and stream f l ow

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

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NOTES

- 51 -

SBSwk3 Takla SBSwk


6 THE SBSwk3 VARIANT


1 xeric

2 subxeric

3 submesic

4 mesic

5 subhygric

6 hygric ,

7 subhydric

Site Series

1 01 Sxw - Oak fern 02 SxwFd - Purple peavine 03 Sxw - Huckleberry - Highbush-cranberry 04 Sb - Labrador tea 05 Sxw - Twinberry - Coltsfoot 06 Sxw - Devil's club 07 Sxw - Horsetail

FIGURE 4. Edatopic g r id displaying s i t e series i n the SBSwk3 variant.

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KEY TO SITE UNITS OF THE SBSwk3

1 a Canopy dominated by Douglas-fir; Amelanchier a ln i fo l ia , (p. 7) 11 present; s lope posi t ion upper o r level

SBSwk3/02

1 b Canopy dominated by other species; Amelanchier a l n i f o l i a absent; s lope posi t ion variable

2a Canopy dominated by a combination o f lodgepole pine and black spruce; s lope gradient l e s s than 1 0 % , of ten 0 ( i . e . , f l a t ) ; Aulacomnium palustre (p. 58) present

SBSwk3/04

2b Canopy dominated by hybrid white spruce, sometimes in combination with lodgepole pine; s lope gradient variable; Aulacomnium palustre usually absent

3a Level o r depression; parent material f luv ia l o r lacustr ine; Equisetum spp. (p. 24) abundant (usually >30% cover)

SBSwk3/07

3b Slope posi t ion variable; parent material var iable; Equisetum spp. low cover (2%) o r absent

4a Slope posi t ion mid t o lower (occasional ly upper on north aspects) ; Oplopanax horridus (p. 10) abundant (usually >15% cover)

SBSwk3/06

4b Slope posi t ion variable; Oplopanax horridus low cover (<3%) o r absent

5a Gymnocarpium dryopteris (p. 26) moderate t o high cover (usually >5%)

SBSwk3/01

5b Gymnocarpium drvopteris low cover (usually < 2%) o r absent

11 Page numbers re fe r t o the publication "Some Common Plants o f the Sub-Boreal Spruce Zone" (Pojar e t a l . 1982).

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6a Usually mid to upper slope; lodgepole pine usually present in the canopy; Rubus pubescens (p. 18) usually very low cover (1%) or absent

SBSwk3/03

6b Usually mid to lower slope; lodgepole pine usually absent from the canopy; Rubus pubescens usually low to moderate cover (>1%)

SBSwk3/05

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bc · prince george region have been recognized as being very similar to the sbsn described in the...

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