riparian plant communities of southern alberta; detailed site and

Riparian Plant Communities of Southern Alberta; Detailed Site and Soil Characterization and Interpretations

By Ron McNeil, LandWise Inc.

For

Greencover Canada Technical Assistance Program,

Public Lands and Forests, Alberta Sustainable Resource Development, and

Cows and Fish Program

December 2008

Ron McNeil, President, LandWise Inc. 210A - 12A St. North, Suite 407

Lethbridge, AB. T1H 2J1 ph. 403-320-0407

[email protected]

Riparian Plant Communities of Southern AB; Detailed Site and Soil Characterization and Interpretations

Funded by Greencover Canada, for Alberta Public Lands and Cows and Fish Dec. 2008. LandWise Inc.

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Acknowledgements The project was funded and coordinated by Greencover Canada. Bob Cameron of PFRA, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, in Calgary, Alberta, provided the project direction. Barry Adams and Angela Burkinshaw (Public Lands, Alberta Sustainable Resource Development), and Norine Ambrose, Amanda Bogen-Halawell and Kelsey Spicer-Rawe (Cows and Fish Program, Alberta) provided project guidance, assistance in site selection and field work, as well as reviewing and editing. Kerry O’Shaunessy and Nicole Bach (Cows and Fish Program), Mike Willoughby of Alberta Public Lands, Edmonton and Greg Hale of Alberta Agriculture and Food in Lethbridge also provided assistance on site and plant community information. Blair Watke of Alberta Sustainable Resource Development prepared and finalized the report figures. Figure 9a is by Lorne Fitch of the Cows and Fish Program. All other photographs are by Ron McNeil. Bruce Walker (BeauTerre Soilscapes Consulting Inc., Beaumont, AB) provided occasional field support. Jenn Carlson, Claire Fitzpatrick, and Dean Hystad of Alberta Public Lands provided GIS map products to locate sites in the field. Marilyn Neville of Gramineae Services Ltd. of Lundbreck, and Gerry Ehlert of Alberta Public Lands in Edmonton provided invaluable assistance with review and editing, particularly for site interpretations. Paul Hansen and Bill Thompson provided the framework classification of riparian and wetland sites, and they reviewed and edited the site interpretations. Cam Lockerbie (Heritage Protection Specialist; Alberta Tourism, Parks, Recreation and Culture) provided permitting for sampling in Provincial Park locations.

Suggested Citation: McNeil, R.L. 2008. Riparian Plant Communities of Southern Alberta; Detailed Site and

Soil Characterization and Interpretations. Prepared by LandWise Inc., for Alberta Public Lands and Cows and Fish. Lethbridge, Alberta. Funded by Greencover Technical Assistance Program, Canada. 180 pages.



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Executive Summary Riparian soils and parent materials often exert a strong influence on the most appropriate land management practices, but spatial and descriptive soils information for riparian plant communities is generally not available. Where riparian soils information does exist, it does not provide enough detailed information, nor is the scale detailed enough to be applied for site-specific riparian land management decisions. Alberta Public Lands and Cows and Fish actively promote riparian health and land stewardship. They have detailed plant community descriptions for 395 riparian sites belonging to 63 unique plant-community types in the Grassland Natural Region and the Montane Natural Subregion of Alberta (the study area). LandWise Inc. was contracted by Greencover Canada to provide detailed soil classification and characterization at 122 of the 395 sites. The 122 riparian sites were carefully selected based on location, including Ecodistrict and Natural Subregion, and site knowledge shared by the author, Alberta Public Lands and Cows and Fish staff. Descriptions were provided for 62 unique plant community types, and most plant communities were described at two locations in different Natural Subregions. All soils were classified and described using the Canadian System of Soil Classification, with additional descriptions including texture, structure, consistence, colour, and pH. Site descriptions included topography, drainage, moisture regime, nutrient regime, water-table depth, flood hazard, and neighbouring plant communities. Site types used in the Grassland Vegetation Inventory (GVI), coordinated by Alberta Sustainable Resource Development, were identified for all 122 sites. A rating system was developed to assess the potential impact of natural or anthropogenic disturbances. The following potential limitations related to soil and site characteristics were rated as Low, Moderate, High or Extreme at each of the 122 riparian sites: excess moisture, salinization, drought, wind erosion, water erosion, contamination, rutting, compaction and pugging, soil puddling and frost heave, invasive plants, difficulty of restoration after disturbance, and windthrow (tree throw). Results of the rating system were used to develop land management recommendations for each of the 62 plant communities, with a focus on limitations that were rated as Moderate to High or Higher (Moderate to High, High, High to Extreme, and Extreme).



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Table of Contents Acknowledgements............................................................................................................. ii Executive Summary ........................................................................................................... iii Table of Contents............................................................................................................... iv List of Tables ..................................................................................................................... vi List of Figures .................................................................................................................... vi List of Plates in Appendix B.............................................................................................. vi Introduction......................................................................................................................... 1 Study Area .......................................................................................................................... 2 Methods............................................................................................................................... 3

Site Selection .................................................................................................................. 3 Field Descriptions ........................................................................................................... 3 Interpretations and Recommendations............................................................................ 5 Reporting......................................................................................................................... 5

Results................................................................................................................................. 6 Site Distribution.............................................................................................................. 6 Sampled GVI Site Types ................................................................................................ 6 Sampled Soil Orders and Great Groups........................................................................ 18 Development of the Rating System .............................................................................. 21

Excess Moisture ........................................................................................................ 21 Salinization ............................................................................................................... 22 Drought ..................................................................................................................... 22 Wind Erosion ............................................................................................................ 23 Water Erosion ........................................................................................................... 23 Rutting, Compaction and Pugging............................................................................ 24 Soil Puddling and Frost Heave ................................................................................. 24 Invasive Plants .......................................................................................................... 25 Difficulty of Restoration after Site Disturbance ....................................................... 25 Windthrow (Tree Throw).......................................................................................... 25

Community or Habitat Types: Descriptions and Recommendations................................ 28 ACERNEG/PRUNVIR HT (Manitoba Maple/Choke Cherry)..................................... 28 AGROSMI HT (Western Wheat Grass) ....................................................................... 30 ARTECAN/AGROSMI HT (Silver Sagebrush / Western Wheat Grass)..................... 31 BETUOCC CT (Water Birch) ...................................................................................... 33 BROMINE CT (Awnless Brome)................................................................................. 34 CALACAN CT (Narrow Reedgrass)............................................................................ 35 CAREAQU HT (Water Sedge)..................................................................................... 36 CAREATH HT (Awned Sedge) ................................................................................... 38 CARELAN HT (Wooly Sedge) .................................................................................... 39 CAREUTR HT (Beaked Sedge) ................................................................................... 40 CORNSTO CT (Red-Osier Dogwood)......................................................................... 42 CRATROT CT (Round-Leaved Hawthorn) ................................................................. 43 DESCCES HT (Tufted Hair Grass) .............................................................................. 44



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DISTSTR HT (Saltgrass).............................................................................................. 45 ELAECOM CT (Silverberry) ....................................................................................... 47 ELEOPAL HT (Creeping Spike-rush).......................................................................... 48 FRAXPEN/PRUNVIR CT (Green Ash /Choke Cherry) .............................................. 49 GLYCLEP CT (Wild Licorice) .................................................................................... 51 HORDJUB CT (Foxtail Barley) ................................................................................... 52 JUNCBAL CT (Wire Rush).......................................................................................... 53 PHALARU HT (Reed Canary Grass)........................................................................... 55 PICEGLA/CORNSTO HT (White Spruce / Red-Osier Dogwood).............................. 56 PICEGLA/EQUIARV HT (White Spruce / Common Horsetail) ................................. 57 POLYCOC CT (Water Smartweed) ............................................................................. 58 POPUANG/CORNSTO CT (Narrow-Leaf Cottonwood / Red-Osier Dogwood) ........ 59 POPUANG/HERB CT (Narrow-Leaf Cottonwood / Herbaceous) .............................. 61 POPUANG/RAB CT (Narrow-Leaf Cottonwood / Recent Alluvial Bar).................... 62 POPUANG/SYMPOCC CT (Narrow-Leaf Cottonwood / Buckbrush)........................ 63 POPUBAL/CORNSTO CT (Balsam Poplar / Red-Osier Dogwood) ........................... 64 POPUBAL/HERB CT (Balsam Poplar / Herbaceous) ................................................. 66 POPUBAL/SYMPOCC CT (Balsam Poplar / Buckbrush) .......................................... 67 POPUDEL/CORNSTO CT (Plains Cottonwood/Red-Osier Dogwood) ...................... 68 POPUDEL/HERB CT (Plains Cottonwood/Herbaceous) ............................................ 70 POPUDEL/RAB CT (Plains Cottonwood Recent Alluvial Bar).................................. 71 POPUDEL/SYMPOCC CT (Plains Cottonwood / Buckbrush) ................................... 72 POPUTRE/ACTARUB HT (Aspen Poplar/Baneberry) ............................................... 73 POPUTRE/CORNSTO CT (Aspen Poplar / Red-Osier Dogwood) ............................. 75 POPUTRE/HERB CT (Aspen Poplar/Herbaceous)...................................................... 76 POPUTRE/SYMPOCC CT (Aspen Poplar / Buckbrush)............................................. 78 PRUNVIR CT (Choke Cherry)..................................................................................... 79 PUCCNUT HT (Nuttall’s Salt-meadow Grass)............................................................ 80 ROSAWOO CT (Common Wild Rose)........................................................................ 81 SALIAMY CT (Peach-leaved Willow) ........................................................................ 83 SALIBEB CT (Bebb Willow)....................................................................................... 84 SALIBEB/CAREATH HT (Bebb Willow / Awned Sedge) ......................................... 86 SALIBEB/CORNSTO HT (Bebb Willow / Red-Osier Dogwood) .............................. 87 SALIEUR CT (Samphire)............................................................................................. 89 SALIEXI CT (Sandbar Willow) ................................................................................... 90 SALILUT CT (Yellow Willow) ................................................................................... 91 SALILUT/CORNSTO HT (Yellow Willow / Red-Osier Dogwood) ........................... 93 SALIPET/CAREATH HT (Basket Willow / Awned Sedge) ....................................... 94 SALIPLA CT (Flat Leaf Willow)................................................................................. 96 SALIPLA/CAREAQU HT (Flat Leaf Willow / Water Sedge) .................................... 97 SARCVER/AGROSMI HT (Greasewood / Western Wheat Grass)............................. 98 SCIRACU HT (Great Bulrush)................................................................................... 100 SCIRPAL HT (Scirpus pallidus) ................................................................................ 101 SCIRPAU HT (Scirpus paludosus, Prairie Bulrush1)................................................. 102 SCIRPUN HT (Three-Square Rush)........................................................................... 103 SHEPARG CT (Thorny Buffaloberry) ....................................................................... 104



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SYMPOCC CT (Buckbrush) ...................................................................................... 106 TYPHLAT HT (Common Cattail).............................................................................. 107

References....................................................................................................................... 109 Appendix A: Risk Assessment Rating for Riparian Plant Communities in the Grassland Natural Region and Montane Natural Subregion............................................................ 113 Appendix B: Plates ........................................................................................................ 119

List of Tables Table 1. Natural Subregions in the study area. .................................................................. 2 Table 2. Field site descriptions. ......................................................................................... 4 Table 3. Abundance, size and contrast of mottles. ............................................................ 4 Table 5. Simplified definitions for sampled GVI site types. ........................................... 17 Table 6. Number of sampled sites by dominant site type and Natural Subregion........... 18 Table 7. Definition of Sampled Soil Orders and Soil Great Groups. .............................. 19 Table 8. Number of sampled sites representing each Soil Great Group.......................... 20 Table 9. Slope, drainage and water-table depth ranges for each Soil Great Group. ........ 21 Table 10. Risk ratings for factors that can limit riparian sites. ........................................ 26

List of Figures Figure 1. Riparian soils sample locations. ......................................................................... 7 Figure 2. Riparian soil sample locations in the Dry Mixedgrass Natural Subregion. ....... 8 Figure 3. Riparian soil sample locations in the Mixedgrass Natural Subregion................ 9 Figure 4. Riparian soil sample locations in the Northern Fescue Natural Subregion...... 10 Figure 5. Riparian soil sample locations in the Foothills Fescue Natural Subregion. ..... 11 Figure 6. Riparian soil sample locations in the Montane Natural Subregion, Cypress Hills Ecodistrict. ............................................................................................................... 12 Figure 7. Riparian soil sample locations in the Montane Natural Subregion, Black Diamond Upland and Blairmore Foothills Ecodistrict. .................................................... 13 Figure 8. Riparian soil sample locations at Writing-On-Stone Provincial Park. ............. 14 Figure 9. Riparian plant communities sampled at Writing-On-Stone Provincial Park. a) Aerial view looking downstream (east). b) Cliff-edge view looking upstream (west)... 15 Figure 10. Riparian soil sample locations at Lyndon Creek Valley west of Claresholm.16 Figure 11. Riparian plant communities sampled at Lyndon Creek west of Claresholm. 16 Figure 12. Textural Triangle. ........................................................................................... 23

List of Plates in Appendix B

Plate 1: ACERNEG PRUNVIR HT (Manitoba Maple/Choke Cherry). Upper 30 cm of Orthic Regosol at Burma Park on Battle River............................................................... 120 Plate 2: Site overview of ACERNEG PRUNVIR HT (at centre) at South Saskatchewan River in the southeast corner of CFB Suffield................................................................ 120



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Plate 3: AGROSMI HT (Western Wheat Grass) wet meadow depression site (at shovel) east of Rainier. ................................................................................................................ 121 Plate 4: AGROSMI HT Gleyed Dark Brown Solod sampled east of Rainier. .............. 121 Plate 5: ARTECAN/AGROSMI HT site (at shovel) on Bare Ck, showing the north sagebrush exclosure and deep pool of intermittent channel at auger.............................. 122 Plate 6: ARTECAN/AGROSMI HT near Bare Ck., showing round-top columnar structure and thin topsoil of the Brown Solonetz subgroup............................................ 122 Plate 7: ARTECAN/AGROSMI HT (Silver Sagebrush/Western Wheat Grass) and POPUANG/SYMPOCC CT (Narrow-Leaf Cottonwood/Buckbrush; see Plates 53 and 54) sites in the Ross Ck. valley south of Irvine..................................................................... 123 Plate 8: ARTECAN/AGROSMI HT site on Overflow fan at Ross Creek, looking south.......................................................................................................................................... 123 Plate 9: BETUOCC CT (Water Birch, at arrow) at Bindloss Park along the Red Deer River. Tallest trees belong to SALIAMY CT and are shown in Plates 81 and 82. ....... 124 Plate 10: BETUOCC CT soil cut of 70 cm at Bindloss Park on the Red Deer River.... 124 Plate 11: BROMINE CT (Awnless Brome) site, north of Ft. MacLeod with Willow Creek at right and 2005 flood debris at left. ................................................................... 125 Plate 12: BROMINE CT soil and buried layers at Callum Creek, with unstable banks.125 Plate 13: CALACAN CT (Narrow Reedgrass) and CAREAQU HT (Water Sedge), Little Fish Ck.Valley in Hand Hills.......................................................................................... 126 Plate 14: Looking southwest to CALACAN CT at Little Fish Creek Valley. The sampled CAREAQU HT site is at the pin flag in central foreground. ........................... 126 Plate 15: CAREATH HT (Awned Sedge, at clipboard): basinal site north of Homestead School; southwest of Hanna............................................................................................ 127 Plate 16: CAREATH HT site at Lyndon Creek, adjacent to SALIBEB CT (Plate 84). Figures 10 and 11 provide a multiple site overview for the Lyndon Creek area............ 127 Plate 17: CARELAN HT (Wooly Sedge) west site at auger, Dinosaur Provincial Park; Orthic Humic Gleysol. .................................................................................................... 128 Plate 18: CARELAN HT east site at shovel, Dinosaur Provincial Park; Rego Gleysol, Cumulic Phase. ............................................................................................................... 128 Plate 19: CAREUTR HT (Beaked Sedge, lower left) site beside Battle Creek in Cypress Hills Prov. Park............................................................................................................... 129 Plate 20: CAREUTR HT (Beaked Sedge) with poorly drained Rego Gleysol soil at Oldman River near Fort MacLeod.................................................................................. 129 Plate 21: CORNSTO CT (Red Osier Dogwood) site at Parflesh Creek east of Standard.......................................................................................................................................... 130 Plate 22. CORNSTO CT Orthic Regosol soil exposure to 1 m at Parflesh Creek. ....... 130 Plate 23: CRATROT CT (Round-leaved Hawthorn) shrubs and parent material at Graburn Creek, Cypress Hills. ........................................................................................ 131 Plate 24: CRATROT CT: Worm casts in the B horizon near Reesor Lake Campground in Cypress Hills Provincial Park. ........................................................................................ 131 Plate 25: DESCCES HT (Tufted Hair Grass) and adjacent communities on fluvial fan of Little Sandhill Ck. valley viewed from Dinosaur Provincial Park overlook. ................. 132 Plate 26: DESCCES HT soil near Sheerness: Solonetzic Gleysol with stained Bntg. .. 132 Plate 27: DISTSTR HT (Saltgrass, at shovel) in Bull Springs Coulee, showing contrast between Badlands and Lotic Herbaceous GVI site types. .............................................. 133



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Plate 28: DISTSTR HT at Bull Springs Coulee; Gleyed Cumulic Regosol, saline phase with groundwater at 60 cm. Recent deposition of 15 cm overlies buried topsoil........... 133 Plate 29: ELEACOM CT (Silverberry) at North Fork Milk River; Gleyed Humic Regosol and prominent gleyed horizon from 51-67 cm. ................................................ 134 Plate 30: ELEACOM CT, North Fork Milk River; soil closeup showing many, medium prominent mottles at approximately 55 cm. ................................................................... 134 Plate 31: ELEOPAL HT (Creeping Spike-rush) site (at shovel) in Sage Ck. channel near Wildhorse........................................................................................................................ 135 Plate 32: ELEOPAL HT site adjacent to Hwy. 41 south of Cypress Hills, showing upper 25 cm of Gleyed Dark Brown Solodized Solonetz and associated Bnt horizon at 15 cm +.......................................................................................................................................... 135 Plate 33: FRAXPEN/PRUNVIR CT (Green Ash/Choke Cherry) cut to 40 cm; Orthic Humic Regosol................................................................................................................ 136 Plate 34: GLYCLEP CT (Wild Licorice) on inclined bank of Lyndon Creek west of Claresholm. ..................................................................................................................... 136 Plate 35: HORDJUB CT (Foxtail Barley) fringe (at auger and shovel) around a tall marsh wetland northwest of Hilda. ................................................................................. 137 Plate 36: HORDJUB CT (Foxtail barley) Lentic Alkaline sampled site (below and left of vehicle) located northeast of Wildhorse; Solonetzic Gleysol subgroup. ....................... 137 Plate 37: JUNCBAL CT (Wire Rush) site in bottom of Bare Creek channel south of Cypress Hills................................................................................................................... 138 Plate 38: JUNCBAL CT Rego Humic Gleysol at Burma Park, with saturated surface. 138 Plate 39: PHALARU HT (Reed Canary Grass) site at Connelly Ck north of Lundbreck.......................................................................................................................................... 139 Plate 40: PHALARU HT at Bow R., with common, medium distinct mottles at 60 cm.......................................................................................................................................... 139 Plate 41: PICEGLA/CORNSTO HT (White Spruce/Red Osier Dogwood) cobbly Gleyed Gray Luvisol in Cypress Hills......................................................................................... 140 Plate 42: PICEGLA/CORNSTO HT; Gleyed Dark Gray Luvisol near junction of Highways 22 & 520 west of Claresholm. ....................................................................... 140 Plate 43: PICEGLA/EQUIARV HT (White Spruce/Common Horsetail) site at Beaver Creek, with occasional evidence of shallow bedrock. .................................................... 141 Plate 44: PICEGLA/EQUIARV HT Orthic Gray Luvisol at Beaver Creek; 55cm cut. 141 Plate 45: POLYCOC CT (Water Smartweed) at Keho Lake north of Lethbridge with PHALARU HT (Reed Canary grass) at left. .................................................................. 142 Plate 46: POLYCOC CT (patches at edge of pool in Sage Ck. Channel) with SYMPOCC CT (Buckbrush) at middle left and Silver Sagebrush on upper terrace in background. . 142 Plate 47: POPUANG/CORNSTO CT (Narrow-leaf Cottonwood/Red Osier Dogwood) at Oldman Valley near Fort MacLeod. ............................................................................... 143 Plate 48: POPUANG/CORNSTO CT Gleyed Regosolic soil at Woolford Provincial Park near Cardston, showing sands (to 55cm) over gravels. Site overview shown in Plate 97.......................................................................................................................................... 143 Plate 49: POPUANG/HERB CT (Narrow-leaf Cottonwood/Herbaceous) site at Willow Creek north of Ft. MacLeod, showing flood debris from June 2005.............................. 144 Plate 50. POPUANG/HERB CT Cumulic Regosol in cut to 50 cm at Willow Creek. . 144



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Plate 51: POPUANG/RAB CT (Narrow-leaf Cottonwood/Recent Alluvial Bar), upper 40 cm of sandy loam dominated Orthic Regosol at Woolford Provincial Park near Cardston.......................................................................................................................................... 145 Plate 52: POPUANG/RAB CT at location of Plate 51, with very gravelly fluvial below 40 cm. Site shown on right side of Plate 97 in an aerial overview. ............................... 145 Plate 53: POPUANG/SYMPOCC CT (Narrow-leaf Cottonwood/Buckbrush) through middleground (matches soil of Plate 54) of Ross Creek, southeast of Medicine Hat. ... 146 Plate 54: POPUANG/SYMPOCC CT Cumulic Regosol in cut to 50 cm. .................... 146 Plate 55: POPUBAL/CORNSTO CT (Balsam Poplar/Red Osier Dogwood) Orthic Humic Regosol to 45 cm; Wyndham-Carseland Provincial Park located southeast of Calgary............................................................................................................................ 147 Plate 56: POPUBAL/CORNSTO CT: Gleyed Rego Dark Brown Chernozem and mottled loose sands at Gooseberry Lake Provincial Park located north of Consort....... 147 Plate 57: POPUBAL/HERB CT (Balsam Poplar/Herbaceous), Summerview site. ...... 148 Plate 58: POPUBAL/HERB CT site on west side of Beauvais Lake Provincial Park. . 148 Plate 59: POPUBAL/SYMPOCC CT (Balsam Poplar/Buckbrush) at 2006 beaver dam complex one km east of Forestry Trunk Road at Racehorse Creek north of Coleman. . 149 Plate 60: POPUBAL/SYMPOCC CT, gravelly sandy loam Orthic Regosol on Racehorse Creek, 100m east of Forestry Trunk Road..................................................................... 149 Plate 61: POPUDEL/CORNSTO CT (Plains Cottonwood/Red Osier Dogwood) at Pavan Park, Lethbridge.............................................................................................................. 150 Plate 62: Sandy fluvial cut (not sampled) to 120 cm with buried soil horizons typical of POPUDEL community types at Grand Forks (confluence of Bow and Oldman Rivers).......................................................................................................................................... 150 Plate 63: POPUDEL HERB CT (Plains Cottonwood/Herbaceous) Cumulic Regosol in cut to 50 cm at Indian Battle Park, Oldman River, Lethbridge. ..................................... 151 Plate 64: POPUDEL/RAB CT (Plains Cottonwood/Recent Alluvial Bar), Alexander Wilderness Pk at Oldman R., Lethbridge. Subsoil of SALIEXI CT shown in Plate 96. 151 Plate 65: POPUDEL/RAB CT; Gleyed Cumulic Regosol with recent fluvial soil deposition (at left) at Alexander Wilderness Park, Lethbridge....................................... 152 Plate 66: POPUDEL/SYMPOCC CT (Plains Cottonwood/Buckbrush) Cumulic......... 152 Plate 67: POPUDEL/SYMPOCC CT (Plains Cottonwood/Buckbrush) at Pavan Park, Lethbridge, showing soil mottles in auger tip against a corrugated Cottonwood trunk. 153 Plate 68: POPUTRE/ACTARUB HT (Aspen Poplar/Baneberry) Orthic Humic Regosol on gravelly clay loam debris flow deposit at Beauvais Lake Provincial Park................ 153 Plate 69: POPUTRE/CORNSTO CT (Aspen Poplar/Red Osier Dogwood), overview of site and area southeast of Endiang. ................................................................................. 154 Plate 70. POPUTRE/CORNSTO CT Eluviated Dark Brown Chernozem developed on clay loam till; cut to 45 cm located 6 km west-northwest of Endiang............................ 154 Plate 71: POPUTRE HERB CT (Aspen Poplar/Herbaceous) at upper left to centre; located 11 km south of Endiang...................................................................................... 155 Plate 72: POPUTRE HERB CT near Jenner. Gleyed Eluviated Dark Brown Chernozem and soil mottles indicative of imperfect soil drainage. ................................................... 155 Plate 73: POPUTRE/SYMPOCC CT (Aspen Poplar/Buckbrush, patch indicated by arrow), with willow edge near Castle Falls. ................................................................... 156



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Plate 74: POPUTRE/SYMPOCC CT: Edge of Lentic Seasonal east of Veteran; upper 30 cm of a moderately well drained Calcareous Dark Brown Chernozem, Cumulic phase.156 Plate 75: PRUNVIR CT (Choke Cherry) large oval patch in lower to middle foreground at Writing-On-Stone Provincial Park. Also sampled BETUOCC CT at far left middleground. Refer to Figures 8, 9a and 9b for site overviews................................... 157 Plate 76: PUCCNUT HT (Nuttall’s Salt-meadow Grass) site between pack and shovel at Gooseberry Lake Provincial Park, looking to horizon and POPUBAL/CORNSTO CT (Plate 58)......................................................................................................................... 157 Plate 77: PUCCNUT HT (Nuttall’s Salt-meadow Grass in middle ground) at Etzikom Coulee in Lentic Alkaline wetland site type. .................................................................. 158 Plate 78: PUCCNUT HT, top 20 cm of Gleyed Regosol, Saline phase, at Etzikom Coulee. ............................................................................................................................ 158 Plate 79: ROSAWOO CT (Common Wild Rose) on fluvial terrace of Sounding Creek.......................................................................................................................................... 159 Plate 80: ROSAWOO CT 100 cm cut of sandy loam dominated fluvial and Orthic Regosol, Cumulic phase at South Saskatchewan River northwest of Hilda................... 159 Plate 81: SALIAMY CT (Peach-leaved Willow) site at Bindloss Park, Red Deer River with unsampled GLYCLEP CT (Wild Licorice) at lower right. .................................... 160 Plate 82: SALIAMY CT moderately well drained Orthic Humic Regosol at Plate 81 site.......................................................................................................................................... 160 Plate 83: SALIAMY CT at Lake Newell; poorly drained Orthic Gleysol showing many, moderate and prominent mottles in Bgk horizon at 8 to 37 cm in depth........................ 161 Plate 84: SALIBEB CT (Bebb Willow) site at Lyndon Creek (west of Claresholm) looking north. Also sampled CAREATH HT (Plate 16). Refer to Figures 10 and 11 for other overviews of the Lyndon Ck. area......................................................................... 161 Plate 85: Overview of SALIBEB CT fringed wetland west of Nanton (at arrow), near the Foothills Fescue & Foothills Parkland boundary............................................................ 162 Plate 86: SALIBEB CT poorly drained, clay loam, Orthic Humic Gleysol at Plate 85 site.......................................................................................................................................... 162 Plate 87: SALIBEB/CAREATH HT (Bebb Willow/Awned Sedge) site, at middleground below Bebb Willow, in Cypress Hills Provincial Park at Elkwater. .............................. 163 Plate 88: SALIBEB/CAREATH HT poorly drained Rego Humic Gleysol at west side of Beauvais Lake Provincial Park, with groundwater visible at 25 cm depth. ................... 163 Plate 89: SALIBEB/CORNSTO HT (Bebb Willow/Red-Osier Dogwood) in Lentic Semi-permanent wetland south of Endiang fringed by Aspen Poplar. ........................... 164 Plate 90: SALIBEB/CORNSTO HT branches of both key species south of Endiang. . 164 Plate 91: SALIEUR CT (Samphire) on the east shore of Dishpan Lake, CFB Suffield. Colour change (reddish-brown to green) indicates growth stages and spring shoreline. 165 Plate 92: SALIEUR CT 45 cm cut of Saline Rego Gleysol at site shown in Plate 91. 165 Plate 93: SALIEUR CT site and Saline Rego Gleysol soil material at Handhills Lake.166 Plate 94: SALIEXI CT (Sandbar Willow) at Bow River edge and GLYCLEP CT (Wild Licorice) narrow green fringe adjacent to Overflow (below steep slope) north of Hays.......................................................................................................................................... 166 Plate 95: SALIEXI CT Rego Humic Gleysol near Hays, with mottles and red root stains.......................................................................................................................................... 167



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Plate 96: SALIEXI CT subsoil material with decomposing roots (not soil mottles) from 20 to 30 cm depth of Orthic Regosol adjacent to Oldman River in Lethbridge. ............ 167 Plate 97: SALILUT CT (Yellow Willow) and other plant communities (refer to Plates 48, 51, and 52) at St. Mary River, Woolford Prov. Park. ............................................... 168 Plate 98: SALILUT CT soil at Willow Creek east of Drumheller. ............................... 168 Plate 99: SALILUT/CORNSTO HT (Yellow Willow/Red Osier Dogwood) spring northwest of Hilda, sampled at shovel and auger. .......................................................... 169 Plate 100. SALILUT/CORNSTO HT Rego Humic Gleysol northwest of Hilda. ......... 169 Plate 101: Soil mottles at 20 to 25 cm in SALILUT/CORNSTO HT soil northwest of Hilda................................................................................................................................ 170 Plate 102: SALIPET/CAREATH HT (Basket Willow/Awned Sedge, small fringed wetland in centre) 9 km north of Homestead School...................................................... 170 Plate 103: SALIPET/CAREATH HT soil 9 km north of Homestead School: Gleyed Dark Brown Solodized Solonetz with common, coarse distinct mottles above the Bntgj. ..... 171 Plate 104: SALIPET/CAREATH HT 9 km N of Homestead School, with strong medium to coarse columnar Bntgj at right, and weak medium to fine platy Aegj at upper left. .. 171 Plate 105: SALIPLA CT (Flat-leaved Willow, at centre right) site at Stimson Creek, showing recent alluvial deposit dominated by gravels and cobbles. .............................. 172 Plate 106: SALIPLA CT Rego Humic Gleysol at Stimson Creek................................. 172 Plate 107: SALIPLA/CAREAQU HT (Flat-leaved Willow/Water Sedge) at Battle Creek.......................................................................................................................................... 173 Plate 108: SALIPLA/CAREAQU HT Rego Gleysol at Battle Creek with water table at 27 cm............................................................................................................................... 173 Plate 109: SARCVER/AGROSMI HT (Greasewood/Western Wheat Grass) site at Dishpan Lake, CFB Suffield........................................................................................... 174 Plate 110: SARCVER/AGROSMI HT Orthic Regosol, Solonetzic Phase, at Dishpan Lake................................................................................................................................. 174 Plate 111: SCIRACU HT (Great Bulrush) site in Sounding Creek channel.................. 175 Plate 112: SCIRPAL HT (Scirpus pallidus) site between Cayley and High River. ...... 175 Plate 113: SCIRPAU HT (Scirpus paludosus, Prairie Bulrush) site at Lake Newell, with muskrat pile..................................................................................................................... 176 Plate 114: SCIRPAU HT site at McGregor Lake. ......................................................... 176 Plate 115: SCIRPUN HT (Three-Square Rush) site at Snake Creek east of Vulcan..... 177 Plate 116: SCIRPUN HT Rego Humic Gleysol to 55 cm at Snake Creek. ................... 177 Plate 117: SHEPARG CT (Thorny Buffaloberry) site, Shallow to Gravel GVI site type.......................................................................................................................................... 178 Plate 118: SHEPARG CT Cumulic Regosol at Writing-On-Stone Prov. Park. ............ 178 Plate 119: SYMPOCC CT (Buckbrush) Cumulic Regosol in 3-m cut at Writing-On-Stone Prov. Park. Site overview is provided in Figures 8, 9a and 9b............................ 179 Plate 120: SYMPOCC CT Rego Black Chernozem, upper 50 cm at Lyndon Creek. ... 179 Plate 121: TYPHLAT HT (Common Cattail) site at Beauvais Lake Prov. Park........... 180 Plate 122: TYPHLAT HT site at Kinbrook Marsh, Lake Newell, with 60 cm water above soil surface. ..................................................................................................................... 180



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Introduction Alberta Public Lands and Cows and Fish actively promote land stewardship strategies in Alberta, and these strategies provide numerous environmental, economic and social benefits. Riparian areas are critical for promoting land stewardship. Riparian areas are valuable for many reasons. They recharge aquifers, receive discharge from aquifers, filter nutrients and sediment from water, provide habitats for fish and wildlife, store water, maintain biodiversity, create primary production, control salinity build and maintain banks and shores, help to control erosion, and create recreational opportunities (Ambrose et al. 2004). Public Lands and Cows and Fish use the Thompson and Hansen (2002 and 2003) classification of riparian habitat and community types to promote Riparian Health Assessment. The 2002 classification identifies and describes 63 distinct riparian and wetland plant communities in the Grassland Natural Region of Alberta. The classification system lacks specific detailed information about the associated soil and parent material characteristics. Soils and parent materials often have a strong influence on the most appropriate land management practices. Furthermore, soils information provides a framework for developing hypotheses about soil genesis, which increases our understanding of the response of soils to management changes. Riparian habitats characterized by the same or similar plant communities can be characterized by varying soils and parent materials. Spatial and descriptive soils information for riparian plant communities is presently limited. AGRASID (Agricultural Regions of Alberta Soil Information Database, ASIC 2001) is at a scale of 1:100,000. AGRASID generally includes flowing riparian channels as part of an Undifferentiated Soil Landscape Model (SLM, the basic mapped polygon) that includes the entire valley including two sides and the bottom. In AGRASID, still-water wetlands are generally described as Undifferentiated Gleyed soils, the Gleysolic Order or as Water. More detailed soil surveys at a scale of 1:50,000 are available for some municipalities in Alberta. Some of the more detailed soil surveys focus attention on upland and agricultural soil landscapes, and the riparian units may be described as Undifferentiated or as Alluvium units. A specific 1:50,000 Soil Survey, the M.D. of Cardston (Brierley et al. 1991), identifies five specific valley soil landscapes and five specific still-water wetland soil landscapes. A single mapped unit in a 1:50,000-scale soil survey usually includes multiple riparian and upland plant community types. Therefore, the scale of this information is not detailed enough to be applied for site-specific planning decisions such as for riparian plant communities. Soil and site interpretations are extremely valuable to land managers, but soil and landscape interpretations pertinent to riparian plant communities have not been previously developed.



2

Objectives of this project are to provide: • Detailed soil classification and characterization at 122 distinct riparian sites belonging

to 62 habitat or community types in the Grassland Natural Region and the Montane Natural Subregion of Alberta;

• An interpretive rating of potential soil- and landscape-related limitations in riparian plant communities.

• Management-related recommendations to promote improved land stewardship for each of the 62 unique plant communities.

Study Area Alberta is divided into Natural Regions and Natural Subregions, which provide the ecological context within which resource management activities are planned. The climatic, physiographic, vegetation, soil, wildlife and land use attributes that characterize each Natural Region and Subregion are described by the Natural Regions Committee (2006). This study focuses on the Grassland Natural Region and the Montane Natural Subregion (Table 1). A major goal of site selection was to represent each Natural Subregion (Natural Regions Committee 2006) and each Ecodistrict in the study area. Ecodistricts are characterized by distinctive groupings of relief, geology, landforms, soils, vegetation, water and fauna (Wiken 1986). A description of each Natural Subregions is provided in Natural Regions Committee (2006), including climate, vegetation, geology and geomorphology, water and wetlands, soils, land use, and a comparison with other similar Natural Subregions. Table 1. Natural Subregions in the study area.

Natural Region Natural Subregion Km2 Percentage of Alberta

Dry Mixedgrass 46,937 7.1

Mixedgrass 20,072 3.0

Northern Fescue 24,933 2.3

Grassland

Foothills Fescue 13,623 2.1

Rocky Mountain Montane 8,768 1.3

Total 114,333 15.8 Data in Table 1 is from Natural Regions Committee (2006).



3

Methods

Site Selection Alberta Public Lands and Cows and Fish have detailed plant community descriptions for approximately 395 riparian sites in the Grassland Natural Region and the Montane Natural Subregion of Alberta. The 395 riparian sites are classified using the system of Thompson and Hansen (2002). LandWise Inc., in consultation with Alberta Public Lands and Cows and Fish staff, selected 122 of the 395 riparian sites for detailed soil classification and characterization. An attempt was made to represent all or most of the 63 unique plant-community types described by Thompson and Hansen (2002). Public Lands, Cows and Fish and LandWise Inc. provided suggestions for the most appropriate sites to represent most or all of the 63 plant communities. This was based mainly on their knowledge of the 395 plant-community data set, including vegetation composition and density, and the goal of representing all Natural Subregions (Natural Regions Committee 2006) (Table 1) and Ecodistricts within the study area. Each plant community could not be sampled in each Natural Subregion, because some plant communities occur in only one or two Natural Subregions. A total of 62 plant communities were described. Most plant communities were described at two locations, ideally in different Natural Subregions, or if possible in different ecodistricts. Three of the 62 plant communities were described at three specific locations and an additional three were described at only one location.

Field Descriptions Soil characterization was conducted and documented at 122 riparian locations, with approximately two sites described for each plant community to improve the understanding of soil variability. The pedons were located by a hand-held global positioning system (GPS) at or very close to the chosen sampled location. The following plant identification or community references were used to confirm that the location sampled was representative of the correct habitat or community type: Best et al. (1971), Moss (1977), Delesalle (1998), Stone and Lawrence (2000), Thompson and Hansen (2002), Hale et al. (2005), and Johnson et al. (2005). Field site descriptions (Table 2) were based on the framework provided by Alberta Environmental Protection (1994). All soils were classified and described using the Canadian System of Soil Classification (SCWG 1998). Soils were described in the field using Alberta Environmental Protection (1994) and the Manual for Describing Soils in the Field (Day 1982). Drainage classes and moisture regime classes were reviewed and refined based on detailed descriptions provided by Beckingham and Archibald (1996). Soils descriptions for imperfectly, poorly, and very poorly drained classes were refined, mainly for the Gleysolic Order, using the context provided by McKeague et al. (1986).



4

Table 2. Field site descriptions.

Site Descriptions Soil Descriptions Horizon Descriptions

Easting and Northing Soil Subgroup Horizon boundary

Elevation Phase (if applicable) Horizon thickness

Aspect Parent material Soil textures

Slope Soil textural class Primary structure

Flood hazard Surface expression Consistence

Soil drainage Coarse fragment content (% by volume)

pH

Perviousness Depth to water table on sampling date

Degree of effervescence

Site Position Depth to carbonates Soil colour

Ecological moisture regime Soil horizons Colour of mottles (if applicable)

Nutrient regime Horizon depths Description of mottles (if applicable, including abundance, size and contrast. See Table 3).

Surface substrate (% cover)

Neighbouring plant communities

Site Type used in the Grassland Vegetation Inventory (GVI)

General comments The template for description of soil mottles is contained in Table 3.

Table 3. Abundance, size and contrast of mottles.

Mottle Abundance Mottle Size Few <2% Fine <5 mm

Common 2 to 20% Medium 5 to 15 mm

Many >20% Coarse >15 mm

Mottle Contrast Using Munsell Colour Charts Same Hue (Eg., both colors

10YR) Hue Difference of One Page (Eg., 10YR vs. 7.5YR)

Hue Difference of Two or More Pages (Eg., 10YR vs. 5YR)

Faint ≤ 2 units of value, and ≤ 1 unit of chroma

≤ 1 unit of value and ≤ 1 unit of chroma

Hue differences of 2 or more charts are distinct or prominent

Distinct Between faint and prominent Between faint and prominent

0 to <2 units of chroma and/or value

Prominent At least 4 units in value and/or chroma

At least 3 units in value and/or chroma

At least 2 units in value and/or chroma



5

Note: Table 3 is from Richardson and Vepraskas (2001).

Interpretations and Recommendations Interpretations related to riparian and wetland plant communities were developed to help improve land stewardship. A literature review was used to identify the most important limitations related to soil and site characteristics, such as the risk of wind and/or water erosion, runoff, and inundation. A system was developed to rate each potential limitation at each riparian site. The rating system was designed to assess the potential impact of natural perturbations (Eg., climate variation) or anthropogenic disturbances (Eg., pipelines, road developments) on riparian plant communities. Limitations were rated as Low, Moderate, High or Extreme. For plant communities with more than one rating for a particular limitation, both ratings were reported (Eg., Low to Moderate). Results for some plant communities spanned more than two rating classes (Eg., Low to High), in which case they were reported as variable. Results of the rating system were used to develop recommendations for each of the 62 plant communities. Recommendations focus on limitations that were rated as Moderate to High or Higher (Moderate to High, High, High to Extreme, or Extreme). Examples of recommendations include those for site preservation and enhancement of biodiversity, seasonally-appropriate land management practices, site suitability for livestock holding areas, and appropriate locations for public facilities such as roads and campgrounds.

Reporting The following standard format was designed to document field characteristics at each of the 62 plant communities. Habitat or community type: Sample Location #

Natural Subregion

Ecodistrict General Location Adjacent Plant Communities

Site Information for Each Location:

• Correlation with Alberta Grassland Vegetation Inventory: • Common Slope Class: • Ecological Moisture Regime: • Nutrient Regime: • Surface Substrate: • Parent Material and Surface Expression: • Flooding: • Depth to Groundwater on Sampling Date (cm): • Comments:

All groundwater referred to in this study is shallow groundwater or free water within the soil profile. Depth to groundwater indicates depth to the water table. The term groundwater in this report does not imply aquifers that transmit groundwater in quantities sufficient for production in water wells.



6

Soil Information for Each Location: • Drainage Class(es): • Sampled Soil Subgroup(s): • Topsoil Depth and Characteristics: • Textures: • Reaction:

Interpretations: Soil-related Limitations Rated as Moderate to High or Greater The following standard format was designed to document soil-related limitations at each of the 62 plant communities.

Moderate to High

High High to Extreme

Extreme Rationale for Site Restoration After Disturbance

Management Recommendations:

List of Plates in Appendix B: Numerous digital photographs were taken at each site. An electronic version of all photographs has been provided to Alberta Public Lands and Cows and Fish. Field data sheets have been provided to Alberta Public Lands and Cows and Fish. A separate digital database of site information for the 122 sampled sites is provided in the Ecological Site Information System (ESIS) of Alberta Sustainable Resource Development.

Results

Site Distribution Detailed soil and site descriptions were prepared for 122 sites representing 62 habitat or community type types in the Grassland Natural Region and the Montane Natural Subregion of Alberta. The distribution of all sampled locations by Natural Subregion is shown in Figure 1. The distributions of sampled locations within each Natural Subregion and its ecodistricts are shown in Figures 2 to 10. Two sites are in the Central Parkland Natural Subregion, very close to the boundary with the Northern Fescue Natural Subregion. These two sites will also be used in the riparian soils report for the Parkland Natural Region and Dry Mixedwood Natural Subregion, which is expected to be available in spring/summer 2008.

Sampled GVI Site Types The Grassland Vegetation Inventory (GVI) classifies lands into 32 Site Types, including 10 wetland site types, 14 upland site types, and 8 anthropogenic site types (McNeil 2006). A detailed description of each of the 32 site types is provided by McNeil (2006).



7

Figure 1. Riparian soils sample locations.



8

Figure 2. Riparian soil sample locations in the Dry Mixedgrass Natural Subregion.



9

Figure 3. Riparian soil sample locations in the Mixedgrass Natural Subregion.



10

Figure 4. Riparian soil sample locations in the Northern Fescue Natural Subregion.



11

Figure 5. Riparian soil sample locations in the Foothills Fescue Natural Subregion.



12

Figure 6. Riparian soil sample locations in the Montane Natural Subregion, Cypress Hills Ecodistrict.



13

Figure 7. Riparian soil sample locations in the Montane Natural Subregion, Black Diamond Upland and Blairmore Foothills Ecodistrict.



14

Figure 8. Riparian soil sample locations at Writing-On-Stone Provincial Park.



15

Figure 9. Riparian plant communities sampled at Writing-On-Stone Provincial Park. a) Aerial view looking downstream (east). b) Cliff-edge view looking upstream (west).

PRUNVIR CT

SYMPOCC CT

SHEPARG CT

BETUOCC CT

a)

PRUNVIR CT

SYMPOCC CT

SHEPARG CT

BETUOCC CT

a)

PRUNVIR CT

SYMPOCC CT

SHEPARG CTBETUOCC CT

b)

PRUNVIR CT

SYMPOCC CT

SHEPARG CTBETUOCC CT

b)



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Figure 10. Riparian soil sample locations at Lyndon Creek Valley west of Claresholm.

Figure 11. Riparian plant communities sampled at Lyndon Creek west of Claresholm.



17

Eleven GVI site types were sampled in the current study, including four flowing water site types (Lotic), five still water site types (Lentic), and two site types representing available groundwater (Subirrigated) or additional surface water (Overflow) (Table 5).

Table 5. Simplified definitions for sampled GVI site types.

Dominant GVI Site Type

*Simplifed Definition

Lotic Shrub Zones adjacent to flowing water characterized by shrubs with a canopy cover of at least 10%.

Lotic Deciduous Zones adjacent to flowing water characterized by deciduous trees with a canopy cover of >25%.

Lotic Herbaceous Zones adjacent to flowing water characterized by sedge and non-sedge herbaceous vegetation.

Lotic Coniferous Zones adjacent to flowing water characterized by

Lentic Water Still water wetland dominated by open water.

Lentic Semi to Permanent

Still water wetland dominated by deep marsh vegetation.

Lentic Seasonal Still water wetland dominated by shallow marsh vegetation.

Lentic Temporary Still water wetland dominated by wet meadow vegetation.

Lentic Alkaline Still water wetland dominated by saline materials or alkaline fen vegetation.

Overflow Fan, apron or terrace settings that are subject to water spreading and sheet flow.

Subirrigated The water table is near the surface during the growing season, but rarely above.

*Definitions for Lotic site types are based on Thompson and Hansen (2002). *Definitions for Lentic site types are based on Stewart and Kantrud (1971). *Definitions for Overflow and Subirrigated site types are contained in Adams et al. (2003, 2004a, 2004b). Each GVI site type was sampled in at least two Natural Subregions, with the exception of Lotic Coniferous (Montane only) and Overflow (Dry Mixedgrass only).



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Table 6. Number of sampled sites by dominant site type and Natural Subregion.

Natural Subregion Totals Dominant GVI Site Type

Dry Mixedgrass

Mixedgrass Northern Fescue

Foothills Fescue

Montane Central Parkland

Lotic Shrub 10 4 3 8 7 32

Lotic Deciduous 8 10 2 3 1 24

Lotic Herbaceous 10 2 4 2 18

Lotic Coniferous 3 3

Lentic Water 1 1 2

Lentic Semi to Permanent

3 2 2 2 3 1 13

Lentic Seasonal 2 2 1 5

Lentic Temporary 2 1 3 6

Lentic Alkaline 4 2 6

Overflow 6 6

Subirrigated 2 4 7 Total Sampled Sites

46 22 16 15 20 2 122

Range of Elevations in meters

589 to 956 817 to 1155 685 to 910 909 to 1325

1191 to 1467

631 to 636

Sampled Soil Orders and Great Groups Ten Soil Great Groups in Five Soil Orders were sampled (Table 7). Regosolic and Gleysolic Soil Orders were sampled most frequently (Table 8).



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Table 7. Definition of Sampled Soil Orders and Soil Great Groups.

Soil Order Soil Great Group

Simplified Definition Based on SCWG (1998)

Chernozem Well to imperfectly drained soils characterized by the accumulation of organic matter from the decomposition of grassland, forbes and grasses.

Dark Brown Chernozem

Chernozemic soils with a topsoil colour value darker than 3.5 moist and 3.5 to 4.5 dry.

Black Chernozem

Chernozemic soils with a topsoil colour value darker than 3.5 moist and dry.

Gleysol Very poorly to imperfectly drained soils influenced by periodic or sustained reducing conditions during their genesis.

Gleysol Gleysolic soils lacking a well-developed mineral-organic surface horizon, and with eluvial and illuvial horizons.

Humic Gleysol

Gleysolic soils with a dark-coloured topsoil horizon at least 10 cm thick.

Luvic Gleysol

Gleysolic soils with an illuvial horizon; may or may not have an eluvial horizon.

Luvisol Well to imperfectly drained soils with a light coloured eluvial horizon and a clay-enriched illuvial horizon.

Gray Luvisol

Luvisolic soils with a mean annual soil temperature <8oC, and lack a Chernozemic topsoil.

Regosol Well to imperfectly drained weakly developed soils that do not contain a B horizon at least 5 cm thick.

Regosol Regosolic soils that do not have a dark-coloured topsoil at least 10 cm thick.

Humic Regosol

Regosolic soils that have a dark-coloured topsoil at least 10 cm thick.

Solonetz Well to imperfectly drained soils with a B horizon that is very hard when dry and swells to a sticky mass when wet, due to the influence of sodium.

Solonetz Lacks a continuous eluvial horizon greater than 2 cm thick.

Solodized Solonetz

Has a continuous eluvial horizon greater than 2 cm thick.



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Table 8. Number of sampled sites representing each Soil Great Group.

Natural Subregion Totals Soil Order Soil Great Group

Dry Mixedgrass

Mixedgrass Northern Fescue

Foothills Fescue

Montane Central Parkland


2 2 5 9 Chernozem

Black Chernozem

2 2 4

Gleysol 13 3 5 2 5 28

Humic Gleysol

2 1 1 2 3 1 10

Gleysol

Luvic Gleysol

1 2 3

Luvisol Gray Luvisol

5 5

Regosol 22 12 3 6 2 1 46 Regosol

Humic Regosol

5 1 3 3 12

Solonetz 2 2 Solonetz

Solodized Solonetz

1 2 3

Totals 47 22 16 15 20 2 122 The characteristics of each Soil Order are sometimes reflected by drainage classes and the range of slopes and water-table depths (Table 9). For example, Gleysolic soils are usually poorly to very poorly drained, in contrast to the other soil orders, which are generally well to imperfectly drained. Regosolic soils sometimes occur on highly sloping landscapes, while Gleysolic and Solonetzic Order soils often occur in relatively flat areas. Water-table depth tends to be shallow in the Gleysolic Order, and relatively deep in the Solonetzic and Regosolic Soil Orders (Table 9). Most of the riparian types were sampled in two locations. Many of the riparian types characteristically occur in a narrow range of soil properties, including soil subgroups and drainage classes. However, some riparian types can occur in a wide range of soil properties.



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Table 9. Slope, drainage and water-table depth ranges for each Soil Great Group.

Slope % (Range)

Number of Sites in Each Drainage Class Soil Order Soil Great Group

Well Moderately Well

Imperfectly Poorly Very Poorly

*Water-Table Depth Range (cm) at time of sampling


1.5 to 16 1 5 3 80 to 250 Chernozem

Black Chernozem

1.5 to 32 3 1 100 to 150

Gleysol 0 to 7 19 9 +60 to 250

Humic Gleysol

0 to 8 1 7 2 +20 to 100

Gleysol

Luvic Gleysol

0 to 1 2 1 +20 to 100

Luvisol Gray Luvisol

0.5 to 45 1 4 40 to 150

Regosol 0 to 50 15 17 14 50 to 480 Regosol

Humic Regosol

0.5 to 24 2 4 6 60 to 320

Solonetz 4 to 8 1 1 260 to 550 Solonetz

Solodized Solonetz

0 to 1 3 180 to 250

Totals 19 31 32 28 12

*: + indicates water table is above ground surface.

Development of the Rating System The following eleven soil-related limitations were selected based on the literature review: drought, excess moisture, rutting, compaction and pugging, soil puddling and frost heave, wind erosion, water erosion, salinization (either extent or degree), contamination, invasive plants, difficulty of restoration after site disturbance, and windthrow (tree throw). The rating of limitations represents an initial system developed by the project partners. The ratings are expected to be modified as understanding of riparian types increases. Excess Moisture Excess moisture can be a concern because the site can be seriously degraded if not properly managed (Beckingham and Archibald 1996). This limitation was rated based on the internal soil drainage class. Riparian soil landscapes that are most prone to excess moisture have standing water above the soil surface, and are typically very poorly drained. If these sites must be disturbed, the only appropriate time is during frozen conditions. Riparian soil landscapes that are least prone to excess moisture are



22

dominated by well- and moderately-well-drained soils. The soil drainage classes of rapidly and very rapidly drained do not occur in riparian or wetland soil landscapes. Salinization Soil salinity tends to be highest in dry areas because there is a lower amount of precipitation to flush salts downwards. Salinization potential tends to be higher in riparian landscapes with parent materials that are moderate to high in salt, including glacial till, fine-textured lacustrine, and fine-textured bedrock. Salinization potential increases in valley and concave settings, including areas adjacent to wetlands, particularly locations with a high water table (Pettapiece and Eilers 1990). Locations with some existing salinity are particularly prone to increased salinization. Areas with a low risk for soil salinization include gravelly or sandy floodplains, and plain settings in sands where wetlands constitute a minor portion of the landscape. Site disturbance, particularly when topsoil and subsoil may be admixed, can increase the potential for soil to become saline, or for the areal extent of salinization to increase. Changes to slopes or the hydrologic regime can increase runoff water or subsurface flow, and also increase the potential for soil salinization (Pettapiece and Eilers 1990). Drought The factors used to rate the potential effect of drought on riparian plant communities were moisture regime and soil textural classes (Beckingham and Archibald 1996). The riparian soil landscapes that are most prone to drought have coarse-textured soils (Figure 12) dominated by either sands or gravels, and are subject to fluctuating water tables. Climate also plays a role. Sandy- or gravelly-dominated riparian plant communities in the Dry Mixedgrass Natural Subregion are more prone to drought than plant communities in moister areas such as the Foothills Fescue or Montane Natural Subregions. Anthropogenic factors that can increase drought potential include the removal or disturbance of organic rich surfaces, and impairment of the water regime.



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Figure 12. Textural Triangle. Wind Erosion The highest risk for wind erosion tends to occur in areas with coarse-textured soils (sands) and sparse vegetative cover (Kjearssgard et al. 1986). Dune-dominated landscapes are particularly prone to wind erosion, due to variable vegetative cover, coarse textures, and complex slopes (McNeil et al. 1994). Wind erosion rates are more severe in the driest regions (e.g., the Dry Mixedgrass Natural Subregion) compared with moist regions (e.g., Montane Natural Subregion) (Coote and Pettapiece 1987). Risk for wind erosion is low in areas dominated by loamy and fine loamy textured soils, with moderate to high vegetative cover. Areas that have negligible to low risk for wind erosion include permanent water bodies and permanent wetlands (Coote and Pettapiece 1987). Anthropogenic factors that can increase wind erosion potential include the removal or disturbance of surface vegetation, particularly on windward aspects. Water Erosion Water erosion is promoted in large area catchments with long or steep slopes, minimal to low vegetative cover or organic matter, and channeled or dissected landscapes. Soils with similar proportions of silt and clay (silty clay, silty clay loam and clay loam) and soils dominated by silt (silt, silt loam) also tend to promote runoff and transport of soil

10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

HC

SiCC

SC

SiL

Si

L

SCL

SL

LS S

CLSiCL

Textural Sub-group

HC Heav y Clay C Clay S iC S ilt y Clay S C S andy Clay S iCL S ilt y Clay Loa m CL Clay Loa m S CL S andy Clay Loam L Loam S iL S ilt Loa m S i S ilt S L S andy Loam LS Loamy S and S S and

% C

lay

% Sand

HCSands (Sa), Choppy Sandhills (CS)

Ecological/Range Site

Sandy (Sy)

Very fine Fine Moderately fine Medium Moderately coarse

Very coarse

Clayey (Cy)

Loamy (Lo)

Textural Class



24

materials (McNeil et al. 1994; Beckingham and Archibald 1996). Low relief slopes associated with coarse-textured soils have a low risk for water erosion. Compaction caused by excess traffic can increase overland flow, which can promote water erosion. Contamination Contamination risk relates to the potential for subsurface soil and/or groundwater to be contaminated through mismanaged anthropogenic activity, such as high livestock concentrations, manure application without a buffer or a nutrient management plan, or improperly designed or constructed oil and gas facilities. Riparian and wetland areas tend to be focus points for recharge1 and discharge2. Riparian settings can be dominated by either recharge or discharge, and it is common for some sites to have conditions alternate between recharge and discharge as the moisture regime changes, such as with seasons and/or variable climatic conditions. If there is a source of contamination at surface, recharging water can carry contaminants into soil and to groundwater (Webber and Singh 1995). Groundwater can carry contaminants to soils or surface water in discharge areas, but ratings for this report focus only on soil characteristics at each plant community, and the potential for recharge from these locations to contaminate the subsurface. The risk for subsurface soil contamination is higher in areas where recharge is promoted by sparse vegetative cover and coarse textures (Reynolds et al. 1995). Inadequate replacement of disturbed soil materials can provide a leaching conduit to the subsurface. Rutting, Compaction and Pugging Rutting and pugging are forms of compaction. Rutting is caused by vehicles, pugging is caused by livestock hoof tracks, and compaction is caused by compression involving a large surface area. Roots and underground soil fauna create structure and pore spaces that allow water to infiltrate and store within a sponge-like surface. This limitation was rated based on a combination of moisture regime, soil drainage, topsoil characteristics, and texture (Beckingham and Archibald 1996; Fitch and Ambrose 2003). Soil Puddling and Frost Heave Soil puddling is a crusting process where the structure of the soil layer is destroyed through the realignment of clay particles (Beckingham and Archibald 1996). Frost heave occurs when soil water is segregated and freezes into a layer or ice lens near the soil surface (Beckingham and Archibald 1996). The most susceptible soils are characterized by imperfect drainage and high silt content in the surface horizons (Corns and Annas 1986). The potential for frost-heave and soil puddling can be reduced by maintaining ground cover and including an organic layer around seedlings (Corns and Annas 1986).

1 Recharge is the downward percolation of moisture to the water table. 2 Discharge is the movement of groundwater up to the water table or the soil surface. Springs are classic examples of discharge.



25

Invasive Plants This risk factor applies to the risk of invasive plants spreading or colonizing a riparian plant community when it is disturbed. The rating for this risk factor is based on soil and landscape conditions that can promote the spread of invasive plants. The rating was not based on the presence of invasive plants currently in the riparian area, because this can vary widely, both spatially and temporally. In addition, this rating was not based on the relative vulnerability of the native riparian habitat or community type, because the information collected for this study relates mainly to soils and hydrology. Riparian areas that are strongly saline or have standing water for most or all of the year have a low potential for the spread of invasive plants. Riparian areas that are prone to drying out, with a negligible to low density of vegetative cover and negligible to low salinity, have a higher risk for the spread of invasive plants. Difficulty of Restoration after Site Disturbance This risk factor applies to the degree of difficulty in restoring the natural riparian habitat or community type following vegetative removal and soil disturbance. Examples of this type of disturbance could include a trenched pipeline or a road development through a riparian or wetland habitat or community type. Ratings for this risk factor are based on factors such as the following.

• The sensitivity or resiliency of riparian plant communities; • Current knowledge of reclamation and restoration techniques, including soil

handling, salvage and storage, and restoration of hydrologic regime; • The availability of growth material; and • Whether plants can be easily propagated by seed or live cuttings.

Ratings for this risk factor were based on ideas generated from a review of the literature, particularly Thompson and Hansen (2002, 2003) Smerciu et al. (2002, 2004), Neville et al. (2007), and discussion amongst project partners. Windthrow (Tree Throw) Windthrow represents the potential for strong winds to fell trees. The windthrow rating is based on organic thickness of the soil, presence and depth to water table, tree rooting habit, and effective soil texture (Beckingham and Archibald 1996). Sites with shallow-rooted trees on soils with thick organic layers or a high water table have an extreme risk for windthrow (Beckingham and Archibald 1996). The windthrow risk rating was only applied to the white spruce tree units (PICEGLA) in the Montane Natural Subregion.

• The PICEGLA/EQUIARV habitat types near Elkwater Lake in the Cypress Hills and at Beaver Creek in the Porcupine Hills have a high risk rating for windthrow.

• The PICEGLA/CORNSTO habitat type at Burke Creek in the Porcupine Hills has a high risk rating for windthrow. The PICEGLA/CORNSTO habitat type at Reesor Lake in the Cypress Hills has a moderate risk rating for windthrow.



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The system used to rate the above potential limitations to riparian areas are summarized in Table 10. Ratings for each limitation and each habitat or community type are listed in Appendix A. The rating of limitations represents an initial system developed by the project partners. These ratings are expected to be modified as additional scientific information becomes available, or as land management strategies and techniques become more sophisticated. Table 10. Risk ratings for factors that can limit riparian sites.

Degree of Limitation Limitation

Factors Used to Develop Ratings Low (L) Moderate (M) High (H) Extreme

(X)

Excess Moisture

Soil drainage class Well Moderately well to Imperfect

Poor Very poor

Salinization (either extent or degree)

Based on likelihood of salts, depth to saline groundwater, and discharge versus recharge.

Areas dominated by recharge

Discharge dominated areas without free salts in soil materials

Mixed recharge and discharge, and presence of salts in parent materials

Existing salinity, either surface or subsurface, and dominated by discharge

Drought Dominant soil textural class (refer to Figure 12) and moisture regime

Moderately fine, fine or very fine textured; hydric to subhydric

Medium; hygric Coarse loamy (sandy); subhygric to submesic

Sands or gravelly; subxeric to very xeric

Wind Erosion

Combination of texture, drought risk and amount of exposed mineral soil (surface substrate cover).

Fine to medium-textured soils with good surface cover

Sandy loam textures; fine and medium textures with moderate surface cover

Sandy with good surface cover; fine textures with low surface cover

Coarsest textures; low surface cover

Water Erosion

Combination of texture, slope % and length, and amount of exposed mineral soil (surface substrate cover)

Uniform coarse textured soils with high vegetative cover; level to depressional areas with minimal flow

Coarse and medium textured soils with low vegetative cover and moderate slopes

Texturally stratified soils or Solonetzic or Luvisolic order soils on moderate relief slopes

Fine textures, low vegetative cover; may be associated with long or steep slopes or a significant catchment area

Contamina-tion

Combination of soil texture and proximity to groundwater or surface water

Dominated by discharge, but recharge may occur on a limited basis

Recharge and discharge alternate with local moisture conditions

High rates of recharge

Extremely high rates of recharge. Coarse-textured soils with low cation exchange capacity and



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Degree of Limitation Limitation

Factors Used to Develop Ratings Low (L) Moderate (M) High (H) Extreme

(X) are at or near groundwater or surface water.

Rutting, Compaction, and Pugging

Combination of moisture regime, soil drainage, topsoil characteristics, and texture.

Summer use not impacted by moisture conditions

Summer use available at any dry period

Summer use possible (Eg. 1 in 2 to 1 in 7 years)

Summer use is seldom possible. (Eg., 1 in 8 years or more)

Soil Puddling and Frost Heave

Combination of soil texture (particle size) and drainage class.

High sand content; well and moderately well drained

High sand content; imperfectly and poorly drained. Medium-textured soils of well and moderately well drained

High clay content and poorly or moderately well drained classes

Fine textured soils with high silt content and imperfect drainage.

Invasive Plants

Moisture regime, salinity, soil texture, and surface substrate cover

Generally submerged plant communities; or highly saline

Exposed peaty soils; low percentage of bare soil; usually wet; or negligible to moderate salinity

Moderate to high percentage of bare sandy or clayey soils; subject to occasional drying; or negligible to moderate salinity.

High percentage of bare loamy soils; subject to frequent drying; or negligible to low salinity

Difficulty of Restoration After Site Disturbance

Based on site potential of restoring species and habitat after disturbance of the riparian type, soil, and/or hydrology.

Resilient habitat or community type and habitat and easy to restore

Moderately resilient habitat or community type and habitat that can be restored with care and attention.

Sensitive species or habitat that present a high degree of difficulty for habitat or community type restoration.

Very sensitive species or habitat and no known techniques to restore the desired habitat or community type.



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Community or Habitat Types: Descriptions and Recommendations

The following descriptions of soil and landscape characteristics at the 62 riparian habitat or community type types include recommendations for the management of each site. Most of the riparian types were sampled in two locations. The characteristic soil subgroups and drainage classes are listed for each sampled riparian type in the following descriptions. The descriptions of soil subgroups or drainage classes include the term “Variable” for sampled riparian types that characteristically occur in a wide range of these soil properties. This report defines variability as: 1) more than two soil drainage classes, or 2) soil subgroup classification that encompasses more than two distinctly different Great Groups or Orders. Other soil properties are not evaluated for variability. Some plant communities may occur in a wide range of conditions, but the term “variable” was not listed because the sampled results from this study did not reflect variability.

Interpretations of soil-related limitations are included for limitations rated as Moderate to High, High, High to Extreme, and Extreme. The complete interpretations of soil-related limitations are provided in Appendix A for each sampled riparian community or habitat type.

ACERNEG/PRUNVIR HT (Manitoba Maple/Choke Cherry) Sample Location #

Natural Subregion


9890103 Dry Mixedgrass

Bindloss Plain

South Saskatchewan River north of Medicine Hat

POPUDEL/HERB CT ARTECAN/AGROSMI HT

9901304 Mixedgrass Blackfoot Plain

Bow River at Cluny Bridge SALIEXI CT POPUANG/CORNSTO CT

9900051 Central Parkland

Sedgewick Plain

Battle River north of Coronation

POPUBAL/CORNSTO CT SALILUT/CORNSTO HT

Site Information for Each Location: • Correlation with Alberta Grassland Vegetation Inventory: Lotic Deciduous. • Common Slope Range: 0.5 to 5%. • Ecological Moisture Regime: Submesic (moderately fresh) to hygric (moist). • Nutrient Regime: Mesotrophic (medium) to eutrophic (very rich). • Surface Substrate: Typically dominated by organic matter, but may be dominated

by mineral soil in areas with recent erosion or deposition. • Parent Material and Surface Expression: Fluvial terraced • Flooding: May be expected. • Depth to Groundwater on Sampling Date (cm): 250; 300; 180 • Comments: Site 9900051 may also be representative of the nearby Northern

Fescue, due to the warmer micro-climate associated with the Battle River valley.



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Soil Information for Each Location: • Drainage Class(es): Moderately well to well; may include imperfectly drained. • Sampled Soil Subgroup(s): Cumulic Regosol. Other soils include Orthic and

Gleyed Regosol. • Topsoil Depth and Characteristics: Generally thin with buried layers and low to

moderate organic matter content • Textures: Sandy loam to loamy sand with negligible coarse fragments. • Reaction: Neutral to moderately alkaline; Non to moderately calcareous.

Interpretations: Soil-related Limitations Rated as Moderate to High or Greater

Moderate to High



Invasive Plants

Contamination

Difficulty of Restoration

Habitat sensitivity, the difficulty of re-establishing Manitoba Maple, soil and hydrologic conditions, and the potential for invasive plants will make restoration difficult after disturbance.

• Other Interpretations: Subject to periodic flooding, and may be subject to either

soil deposition or scour.

Management Recommendations: Use by livestock should be minimized in order to protect this valuable and sensitive habitat type, to reduce the potential for nutrient loading in a flood-prone setting, to protect banks, and to minimize conflict between livestock and wildlife. The Manitoba Maple/Choke Cherry habitat type is not appropriate for a winter feeding or summer shade site for livestock, because the typically low broad branches are highly susceptible to mechanical damage by livestock. The best grazing use is of short duration in late summer or autumn. This habitat type is not appropriate for manure storage or campground facilities, but it is desirable for day use picnic areas.

Developments/disturbances should avoid this habitat type due to the sensitivity, infrequent occurrence, importance and value to wildlife, and difficulty of restoration, particularly for Manitoba Maple. Chokecherry can easily be grown from native nursery-grown transplants or from seed.

List of Plates in Appendix B: Plate 1: ACERNEG PRUNVIR HT (Manitoba Maple/Choke Cherry). Upper 30 cm

of Orthic Regosol at Burma Park on Battle River.

Plate 2: Site overview of ACERNEG PRUNVIR HT (at centre) at South Saskatchewan River in the southeast corner of CFB Suffield.



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AGROSMI HT (Western Wheat Grass)

Sample Location #

Natural Subregion



Purple Springs Plain

Oldman River west of Grand Forks

ROSAWOO CT


Bow City Plain

East of Ranier or south of Lake Newell

DISTSTR HT; HORDJUBCT

Site Information for Each Location: • Correlation with Alberta Grassland Vegetation Inventory: Lotic Herbaceous,

Lentic Temporary, Overflow and Blowouts • Common Slope Range: 0 to 5% • Ecological Moisture Regime: Subxeric (moderately dry) to subhygric

(moderately moist) • Nutrient Regime: Mesotrophic (medium) to permesotrophic (rich) • Surface Substrate: Both mineral and organic surfaces occur • Parent Material and Surface Expression: Fluvial terraced; Lacustrine veneer

over till over softrock • Flooding: May be expected to rare • Depth to Groundwater on Sampling Date (cm): 250; 400 • Comments: 9901021 represents a highly modified community

Soil Information for Each Location: • Drainage Class(es): Imperfectly to well drained • Sampled Soil Subgroup(s): Variable. Gleyed Dark Brown Solod, Cumulic

Regosol (coarse variant of Verdigris (VGR). Other expected soils include other subgroups of the Regosolic, Solonetzic and Chernozemic Orders. Eluviated subgroups also occur.

• Topsoil Depth and Characteristics: Generally medium (7 to 12 cms thick), moderate organic matter content and may be sodic and/or saline

• Textures: Silty clay loam, loamy sand, sandy loam • Reaction: Neutral to moderately alkaline


Moderate to High High High to Extreme

Extreme


Salinization

Invasive Plants



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Management Recommendations: Western Wheat Grass tolerates fine textured soils and variable moisture conditions (Best et al. 1971) and spreads quickly. It is valuable for reclamation and for controlling erosion (Hale et al 2005) provided that attention is focused on the restoration of soil quality and landscape characteristics. If soils or hydrology are altered, the potential for salinity and invasive plants magnifies. Organic matter additions, such as a thin layer of commercial peat moss, can reduce the risk of puddling or frost heave to seedlings.

List of Plates in Appendix B: • Plate 3: AGROSMI HT (Western Wheat Grass) wet meadow depression site (at

shovel) east of Rainier.

• Plate 4: AGROSMI HT Gleyed Dark Brown Solod sampled east of Rainier.

ARTECAN/AGROSMI HT (Silver Sagebrush / Western Wheat Grass) Sample Location #

Natural Subregion



Wildhorse Plain

SRD Sagebrush monitoring south of Bare Ck.

AGROSMI HT; DESCCES HT


Cypress Slope

Ross Creek Valley south of Irvine

None due to steep bank to creek

Site Information for Each Location: • Correlation with Alberta Grassland Vegetation Inventory: Overflow; Lotic

Shrub and Lotic Herbaceous • Common Slope Range: 2 to 9% • Ecological Moisture Regime: Subhygric (moderately moist) to subxeric

(moderately dry) • Nutrient Regime: Permesotrophic (rich) to mesotrophic (medium) • Surface Substrate: Typified by a co-dominant mix of mineral or organic surfaces • Parent Material and Surface Expression: Fluvial apron to terraced • Flooding: No hazard to rare • Depth to Groundwater on sampling date (cm): 260; 550

Soil Information for Each Location: • Drainage Class(es): Moderately well to well drained • Sampled Soil Subgroup(s): Variable. Brown Solonetz to Saline Regosol. Plot #

2005001 is a shallow variant of the Bullpound (BLP) series. • Topsoil Depth and Characteristics: Generally less than 10 cm thick with low

organic matter content and may be sodic • Textures: Silty clay loam to clay • Reaction: Neutral



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Interpretations: Soil-Related Limitations Rated as Moderate to High or Greater

Moderate to High


Extreme


Salinization

Drought

Water Erosion

Invasive Plants

• Other Interpretations: Silver Sagebrush can occur in many landscapes, but the

greatest cover is usually associated with the Overflow range site (McNeil and Sawyer 2001) and Lotic Shrub areas (Penniket and Associates Ltd. 2002). Mean sagebrush occupancy in southeastern Alberta was 46% for Lotic areas and 19.5% for Overflow areas (Jones et al. 2005), where occupancy is defined as an estimate of the area with silver sagebrush plants.

Management Recommendations: Disturbances can promote Silver Sagebrush but increase the risk for water erosion, salinization, and the spread of invasive plants. Care and attention are required to restore soil quality and landscape characteristics. If soils or hydrology are altered, the potential for salinity and invasive plants magnifies, and a return to Silver Sagebrush/Western Wheat Grass is compromised. Organic matter additions, such as a thin layer of commercial peat moss, can reduce the risk of puddling or frost heave to seedlings.

List of Plates in Appendix B:

• Plate 5: ARTECAN/AGROSMI HT site (at shovel) on Bare Ck, showing the north sagebrush exclosure and deep pool of intermittent channel at auger.

• Plate 6: ARTECAN/AGROSMI HT near Bare Ck., showing round-top columnar structure and thin topsoil of the Brown Solonetz subgroup.

• Plate 7: ARTECAN/AGROSMI HT (Silver Sagebrush/Western Wheat Grass) and POPUANG/SYMPOCC CT (Narrow-Leaf Cottonwood/Buckbrush; see Plates 53 and 54) sites in the Ross Ck. valley south of Irvine.

• Plate 8: ARTECAN/AGROSMI HT site on Overflow fan at Ross Creek, looking south.



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BETUOCC CT (Water Birch) Sample Location #

Natural Subregion



Bindloss Plain

Bindloss Park in Special Areas at the Red Deer River

SHEPARG CT; SALIAMY CT


Foremost Plain

Writing-On-Stone Provincial Park

SHEPARG CT; SYMPOCC CT

Site Information for Each Location: • Correlation with Alberta Grassland Vegetation Inventory: Lotic Deciduous,

Lotic Shrub • Common Slope Class: 0.5 to 2% • Ecological Moisture Regime: Mesic (fresh) • Nutrient Regime: Mesotrophic (medium) • Surface Substrate: Dominantly organic layer from leaf litter • Parent Material and Surface Expression: Fluvial terraced • Flooding: May be expected • Depth to Groundwater on sampling date (cm): 250; 200

Soil Information for Each Location: • Drainage Class(es): Well to imperfectly drained • Sampled Soil Subgroup(s): Orthic Regosol; Gleyed Resosol • Topsoil Depth and Characteristics: Thin to medium depth with buried layers • Textures: Sandy loam to sand • Reaction: Weakly to moderately alkaline


Moderate to High



Contamination Invasive Plants


Difficult to restore hydrology after disturbance.

Management Recommendations: Minimize use by livestock in order to protect this valuable and sensitive community type, to reduce the potential for nutrient loading in a flood-prone setting, to protect banks, and to minimize conflict between livestock and wildlife. Water Birch is not appropriate for a winter feeding or summer shade site for livestock, because the typically low-lying branches are susceptible to mechanical damage by livestock. The best grazing use is short duration in late summer or autumn. This community type is not appropriate for manure storage or campground facilities, but it is desirable for day use such as picnic areas. Invasion by non-native plants is a risk, due to the variable moisture regime and the presence of some bare soil. Developments/disturbances should avoid the Water Birch



34

community type due to the sensitivity, infrequent occurrence, importance and value to wildlife, and high limitation for restoration.

List of Plates in Appendix B: Plate 9: BETUOCC CT (Water Birch, at arrow) at Bindloss Park along the Red Deer

River. Tallest trees belong to SALIAMY CT and are shown in Plates 81 and 82.

Plate 10: BETUOCC CT soil cut of 70 cm at Bindloss Park on the Red Deer River.

BROMINE CT (Awnless Brome) Sample Location #

Natural Subregion


2002101 Foothills Fescue

Cardston Plain

Callum Creek north of Maycroft

JUNCBAL CT

9890147 Mixedgrass Lethbridge Plain

Willow Creek north of Ft. MacLeod

POPUANG HERB CT

Site Information for Each Location: • Correlation with Alberta Grassland Vegetation Inventory: Lotic Herbaceous • Common Slope Range: 0.5 to 5% • Ecological Moisture Regime: Subhygric ( moderately moist) to mesic (fresh) • Nutrient Regime: Mesotrophic(medium) to eutrophic (very rich) • Surface Substrate: Dominantly organic or a mix of mineral and organic soils. • Parent Material and Surface Expression: Fluvial terraced • Flooding: May be expected • Depth to Groundwater on Sampling Date (cm): 125; 140

Soil Information for Each Location: • Drainage Class(es): Imperfectly to moderately well drained • Sampled Soil Subgroup(s): Variable. Gleyed Cumulic Regosol; Rego Dark

Brown Chernozem • Topsoil Depth and Characteristics: Thin to moderate with buried layers and

variable organic matter content • Textures: Clay loam to sandy loam with up to 15% coarse fragments • Reaction: Strongly alkaline

Interpretations: Soil-Related Limitations Rated as Moderate to High or Greater

Variable (Low to High)

Moderate to High


Extreme


Contamination Water Erosion



35

Management Recommendations: Awnless Brome is an introduced species, and out-competes desirable native species (Hale et al 2005). Awnless Brome can be very prone to water erosion (Plate 12) as this community type does not provide bank armouring. Livestock grazing and/or winter use should be of short duration in order to protect valuable surface water sources and to reduce the potential for nutrient loading in flood-prone settings.

Awnless Brome sites characterized in this study had either sandy or silty surfaces. Silty surfaces are prone to soil puddling and frost heave. Awnless Brome is a resilient species, and highly capable of natural recovery following disturbance.

List of Plates in Appendix B: Plate 11: BROMINE CT (Awnless Brome) site, north of Ft. MacLeod with Willow

Creek at right and 2005 flood debris at left.

Plate 12: BROMINE CT soil and buried layers at Callum Creek, with unstable banks.

CALACAN CT (Narrow Reedgrass) Sample Location #

Natural Subregion


9890278 Northern Fescue

Wintering Hills

Little Fish Creek east of Little Fish Lake

CAREAQU HT; Water


• Correlation with Alberta Grassland Vegetation Inventory: Lotic Herbaceous • Common Slope Range: 0 to 2 % • Ecological Moisture Regime: Hydric (wet) • Nutrient Regime: Permesotrophic (medium) • Surface Substrate: Dominantly organic with discontinuous shallow peat • Parent Material and Surface Expression: Lacustrine over fluvial level • Flooding: Frequent • Depth to Groundwater on Sampling Date (cm): at surface

Soil Information for Each Location:

• Drainage Class(es): Poorly drained • Sampled Soil Subgroup(s): Rego Gleysol • Topsoil Depth and Characteristics: Shallow peat over reduced mineral layer • Textures: Silty clay • Reaction: Moderately to strongly alkaline



36


Moderate to High


Extreme

Invasive Plants Excess Moisture


Contamination


Management Recommendations: Avoid human or livestock use except when dry or frozen. Livestock grazing and/or winter use should be of short duration in order to protect valuable surface water sources, and to minimize the potential for pugging and nutrient loading. Narrow Reedgrass is capable of natural recovery when disturbed, provided hydrology and surface soil characteristics can be restored.

List of Plates in Appendix B: Plate 13: CALACAN CT (Narrow Reedgrass) and CAREAQU HT (Water Sedge),

Little Fish Ck.Valley in Hand Hills.

Plate 14: Looking southwest to CALACAN CT at Little Fish Creek Valley. The sampled CAREAQU HT site is at the pin flag in central foreground.

CAREAQU HT (Water Sedge) Sample Location #

Natural Subregion



Bindloss Plain

Whitehorse Lake in CFB Suffield

SARCVER/AGROSMI HT; Water


Wintering Hills

Little Fish Creek East of Little Fish Lake

CALACAN CT; Water

Site Information for Each Location: • Correlation with Alberta Grassland Vegetation Inventory: Lotic Herbaceous • Common Slope Class: 0 to 0.5% • Ecological Moisture Regime: Subhydric (moderately wet) to hydric (wet) • Nutrient Regime: Mesotrophic (medium) to permesotrophic (medium) • Surface Substrate: Dominantly organic material or standing water • Parent Material and Surface Expression: Fluvial level • Flooding: Frequent • Depth to Groundwater on Sampling Date (cm): Surface or 10 cm above surface • Comments: 18 to 36 cm peat at surface; Wild Parsnip occurs at edges



37


• Drainage Class(es): Poorly to very poorly drained • Sampled Soil Subgroup(s): Rego Gleysol, Peaty phase • Topsoil Depth and Characteristics: Peat layer > 15 cms over reduced mineral • Textures: Sandy loam to sandy clay loam • Reaction: Neutral to moderately alkaline


Moderate to High


Extreme Rationale for Site Restoration After

Disturbance

Salinization Contamination Excess Moisture




Avoidance is recommended due to frequent standing water or saturated conditions. It will be difficult to restore soil and hydrologic conditions if the site is disturbed.

Management Recommendations: Water Sedge sites sampled in this study indicate sensitive habitats such as springs or locations with Species at Risk. It is important to avoid human or livestock use except when dry or frozen. Livestock grazing and/or winter use should be of short duration in order to protect valuable surface water sources, and to minimize the potential for pugging and nutrient loading. Water Sedge is capable of natural recovery when disturbed, but it requires care and attention to restore soil and hydrology without causing salinization, rutting, compaction or pugging.

List of Plates in Appendix B: Plate 13: CALACAN CT (Narrow Reedgrass) and CAREAQU HT (Water Sedge),

Little Fish Ck.Valley in Hand Hills.




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CAREATH HT (Awned Sedge) Sample Location #

Natural Subregion



Willow Ck. Upland

Lyndon Creek west of Claresholm

SALILUT CT; Water


Berry Ck. Plain

13.5 km north of Homestead School on Sec. #862

SALIPET CT; POLYCOC CT

Site Information for Each Location: • Correlation with Alberta Grassland Vegetation Inventory: Lotic Herbaceous;

Lentic Seasonal • Common Slope Range: 0 to 2 % • Ecological Moisture Regime: Hygric (moist) to subhygric (moderately moist) • Nutrient Regime: Permesotrophic (medium) • Surface Substrate: Dominantly organic and derived of decomposing plants • Parent Material and Surface Expression: Lacustrine veneer over till • Flooding: May be expected to frequent • Depth to Groundwater on Sampling Date (cm): 15; 100 • Comments: 9901046 better represents the Northern Fescue Natural Subregion

Soil Information for Each Location: • Drainage Class(es): Poorly drained • Sampled Soil Subgroup(s): Rego Gleysol; Orthic Humic Gleysol • Topsoil Depth and Characteristics: Deep (15 to 25 cms) dark gray and mineral • Textures: Sandy clay loam to clay • Reaction: Slightly acidic to moderately alkaline





Excess Moisture

Difficulty of Restoration Contamination

It will be difficult to restore soil quality, hydrology and landscape characteristics after disturbance.


Management Recommendations: It is important to avoid human or livestock use of the Awned Sedge habitat type except when dry or frozen. Livestock grazing and/or winter use should be of short duration in order to protect valuable surface water sources, and to minimize the potential for pugging and nutrient loading. Awned Sedge is capable of natural recovery when disturbed, but it requires care and attention to restore soil and hydrology without causing salinization, rutting, compaction or pugging.



39

List of Plates in Appendix B: Plate 15: CAREATH HT (Awned Sedge, at clipboard): basinal site north of

Homestead School; southwest of Hanna.

Plate 16: CAREATH HT site at Lyndon Creek, adjacent to SALIBEB CT (Plate 84).

CARELAN HT (Wooly Sedge) Sample Location #

Natural Subregion



Berry Ck. Plain

Dinosaur Provincial Park near Red Deer River

POPUDEL/SYMPOCC CT


Berry Ck. Plain

Dinosaur Provincial Park near Red Deer River

TYPHLAT HT; POPUDEL/SYMPOCC CT


• Correlation with Alberta Grassland Vegetation Inventory: Lotic Deciduous; Lentic Semi-permanent to Permanent

• Common Slope Range: 0-2 % • Ecological Moisture Regime: Subhydric (moderately wet) • Nutrient Regime: Eutrophic (very rich) • Surface Substrate: Water or organic surface comprised of decomposing plants • Parent Material and Surface Expression: Oxbow swale within a Fluvial terrace • Flooding: May be expected • Depth to Groundwater on Sampling Date (cm): 30; 15 cm above surface • Comments: Basins with a defined depressional edge are classified Lentic in GVI.

Soil Information for Each Location: • Drainage Class(es): Poorly drained • Sampled Soil Subgroup(s): Orthic Gleysol; Rego Gleysol, Cumulic phase • Topsoil Depth and Characteristics: Thin and usually with buried layers • Textures: Silty clay loam to silty clay • Reaction: Moderately alkaline



40


Moderate to High



Excess Moisture


It is expected that there will be a high degree of difficulty to maintain soil quality, hydrology and landscape characteristics after disturbance.

Contamination



Management Recommendations: It is important to avoid human or livestock use except when dry or frozen. Livestock grazing and/or winter use should be of short duration in order to protect valuable surface water sources, and to minimize the potential for pugging and nutrient loading. Wooly Sedge is capable of natural recovery when disturbed, but it requires care and attention to restore soil and hydrology without causing salinization, rutting, compaction or pugging.

List of Plates in Appendix B: Plate 17: CARELAN HT (Wooly Sedge) west site at auger, Dinosaur Provincial

Park; Orthic Humic Gleysol.

Plate 18: CARELAN HT east site at shovel, Dinosaur Provincial Park; Rego Gleysol, Cumulic Phase.

CAREUTR HT (Beaked Sedge) Sample Location #

Natural Subregion


9890063 Montane Cypress Hills

Battle Creek near Reesor Campground, Cypress Hills

ELAECOM CT; Water; PICEGLA/EQUIARV HT


Oldman River Valley at Fort MacLeod

POPUANG/CORNSTO CT

Site Information for Each Location: • Correlation with Alberta Grassland Vegetation Inventory: Lotic Shrub;

Lentic Semi-permanent to Permanent • Common Slope Class: 0 to 0.5 % • Ecological Moisture Regime: Hygric (moist) • Nutrient Regime: Permesotrophic (medium) to Mesotrophic (medium) • Surface Substrate: Dominantly organic composed of decomposing plants



41

• Parent Material and Surface Expression: 10 cm of peat over gravelly fluvial • Flooding: May be expected to frequent • Depth to Groundwater on Sampling Date: 20 cm above ground; 30 cm below

Soil Information for Each Location: • Drainage Class(es): Poorly drained • Sampled Soil Subgroup(s): Rego Gleysol • Topsoil Depth and Characteristics: Thin mesic peat of 10 cm; no mineral topsoil • Textures: Very gravelly sandy loam to silty clay loam • Reaction: Moderately alkaline


Moderate to High




Excess Moisture

Rutting, Compaction and Pugging

Invasive Plants Contamination


Avoidance is recommended due to frequent standing water or saturated conditions. It is expected that there will be a high degree of difficulty to maintain soil quality, hydrology and landscape characteristics.

Management Recommendations: It is important to avoid human or livestock use except when dry or frozen. Livestock grazing and/or winter use should be of short duration in order to protect valuable surface water sources, and to minimize the potential for pugging and nutrient loading. Beaked Sedge is capable of natural recovery when disturbed, but it requires care and attention to restore soil and hydrology without causing salinization, rutting, compaction or pugging.

List of Plates in Appendix B: Plate 19: CAREUTR HT (Beaked Sedge, lower left) site beside Battle Creek in

Cypress Hills Prov. Park.

Plate 20: CAREUTR HT (Beaked Sedge) with poorly drained Rego Gleysol soil at Oldman River near Fort MacLeod.



42

CORNSTO CT (Red-Osier Dogwood) Sample Location #

Natural Subregion



Drumheller Plain

Midland Provincial Park, Drumheller

POPUDEL/SYMPOCC CT; Water

9901305 Mixedgrass Standard Plain

Parflesh Creek between Chancellor and Cluny

SYMPOCC CT; BROMINE CT


Overflow • Common Slope Class: 0.5 to 2 % • Ecological Moisture Regime: Subhygric (moderately moist) • Nutrient Regime: Permesotrophic (medium) • Surface Substrate: Dominantly an organic surface of leaf litter • Parent Material and Surface Expression: Fluvial terraced • Flooding: May be expected to rare • Depth to Groundwater on Sampling Date (cm): 185; 350 • Comments: Cumulic, fining upwards, with 3 cm recent deposition

Soil Information for Each Location: • Drainage Class(es): Moderately well drained to well drained • Sampled Soil Subgroup(s): Cumulic Regosol • Topsoil Depth and Characteristics: Thin to moderate depth (7 to 15 cm) with

buried layers and variable organic matter content • Textures: Sandy loam to loamy sand • Reaction: Neutral to moderately alkaline


Moderate to High


Extreme

Contamination Drought Invasive Plants

Management Recommendations: Red-Osier Dogwood is highly palatable and therefore may be an early decreasing species (Hale et al. 2005). It is a valuable food source for deer and elk (Morris et al. 1962). Invasion by non-native plants is a risk, due to the variable moisture regime and the presence of some bare soil mixed with surfaces of leaf litter. Developments and disturbances should be minimized due to the importance and value to wildlife, in addition to the risk for invasive plants. If this community type is disturbed, care and attention will be required to restore soil quality. The best grazing use is short duration in late summer or autumn. This community type is not appropriate for winter feeding, due to the high to extreme potential for invasive plants and potential for nutrient loading of near-by surface waters.



43

List of Plates in Appendix B: Plate 21: CORNSTO CT (Red Osier Dogwood) site at Parflesh Creek east of

Standard.

Plate 22. CORNSTO CT Orthic Regosol soil exposure to 1 m at Parflesh Creek.

CRATROT CT (Round-Leaved Hawthorn) Sample Location #

Natural Subregion



Battle Creek near Reesor Campground, Cypress Hills

PICEGLA/EQUIARV HT


Graburn Creek in Cypress Hills Provincial Park

PICEGLA/CORNSTO HT; Water


• Correlation with Alberta Grassland Vegetation Inventory: Lotic Shrub; Subirrigated; Thin Breaks; Overflow

• Common Slope Range: 0.5 to 5 % • Ecological Moisture Regime: Submesic (moderately fresh) to sybhygric

(moderately moist) • Nutrient Regime: Submesotrophic (poor) to permesotrophic (medium) • Surface Substrate: Dominantly an organic or turfy layer • Parent Material and Surface Expression: Fluvial terraced • Flooding: Rare to may be expected • Depth to Groundwater on Sampling Date (cm): 150; 100 • Comments: Many earthworm casts; about 40% cobbles in subsoil.

Soil Information for Each Location: • Drainage Class(es): Imperfectly drained • Sampled Soil Subgroup(s): Variable. Gleyed Dark Gray Luvisol; Gleyed Rego

Black Chernozem • Topsoil Depth and Characteristics: Moderate to deep (15 to 25 cm); with

leached (Ae) horizon in Luvisolic subgroups • Textures: Clay loam over sandy loam; very gravelly clay loam • Reaction: Moderately acidic to neutral


Moderate to High



Invasive Plants



It is expected that there will be a high degree of difficulty to maintain soil quality and hydrologic conditions after disturbance.



44

• Other Interpretations: Reliably diagnostic of imperfect drainage in the Cypress Hills Ecodistrict of the Montane Natural Subregion.

Management Recommendations: Developments and/or disturbances should avoid the Round-leaved Hawthorn community type due to the near proximity to groundwater or subsurface flow, the importance and value to wildlife, and the high degree of difficulty of restoration, particularly for soil quality and hydrologic conditions. If sites are disturbed, special consideration must be given to preventing the underlying gravels from mixing with the upper soil. In addition, the high organic matter and silt or clay content makes the surface soil horizons susceptible to soil puddling and frost heave. Disturbances will also promote invasive plants. Livestock use should be limited to short-season grazing. Manure storage or campground facilities are not appropriate, but day use picnic areas are acceptable, in terraced settings.

List of Plates in Appendix B: Plate 23: CRATROT CT (Round-leaved Hawthorn) shrubs and parent material at

Graburn Creek, Cypress Hills.

Plate 24: CRATROT CT: Worm casts in the B horizon near Reesor Lake Campground in Cypress Hills Provincial Park.

DESCCES HT (Tufted Hair Grass) Sample Location #

Natural Subregion



Berry Ck. Plain

Bullpound Community Pasture SW of Sheerness

PUCCNUT HT


Berry Ck. Plain

Dinosaur Provincial Park; Little Sandhill Creek

SYMPOCC CT; ARTECAN/AGROSMI HT


• Correlation with Alberta Grassland Vegetation Inventory: Lentic Seasonal; Lotic Herbaceous; Overflow

• Common Slope Class: 0.5 to 2% • Ecological Moisture Regime: Hygric (moist) to subhygric (moderately moist) • Nutrient Regime: Permesotrophic (medium) to mesotrophic (medium) • Surface Substrate: Dominantly organic with a turfy surface • Parent Material and Surface Expression: Lacustrine blanket over till; Fluvial

apron in slightly concave pockets • Flooding: May be expected • Depth to Groundwater on Sampling Date (cm): 120; 240 • Comments: 9901033 was saturated to 50 cm and dry to moist below in Oct. 05.

Soil Information for Each Location: • Drainage Class(es): Poorly to imperfectly drained



45

• Sampled Soil Subgroup(s): Variable. Solonetzic Gleysol; Gleyed Regosol • Topsoil Depth and Characteristics: Thin to moderate (6 to 15 cm), variable

organic matter content and may be sodic • Textures: Silty clay loam to silty clay • Reaction: Neutral to moderately alkaline


Moderate to High

High High to Extreme Extreme

Excess Moisture


Salinization

Management Recommendations: Tufted Hair Grass is a tough and rigid grass that livestock usually avoid (Johnson et al. 2005). Tufted Hair Grass can easily be out-competed by unwanted species such as Foxtail Barley, especially if salinity increases. Care and attention are required to restore soil chemistry and hydrology characteristics after disturbance, and to minimize the potential for soil puddling and frost heave.

List of Plates in Appendix B: Plate 25: DESCCES HT (Tufted Hair Grass) and adjacent communities on fluvial fan

of Little Sandhill Ck. valley viewed from Dinosaur Provincial Park overlook.

Plate 26: DESCCES HT soil near Sheerness: Solonetzic Gleysol with stained Bntg.

DISTSTR HT (Saltgrass) Sample Location #

Natural Subregion



Wildhorse Plain

Bare Creek in Twp. 3 Rg. 2 W4M



Schuler Plain

Bull Spring Coulee 500 m S of South Saskatchewan River

AGROSMI CT; CAREAQU HT; SARCVER/AGROSMI HT


• Correlation with Alberta Grassland Vegetation Inventory: Lotic Herbaceous; Subirrigated, Lentic Temporary, Lentic Alkaline, Saline Lowland

• Common Slope Range: 0 to 5 % • Ecological Moisture Regime: Mesic (fresh) to subhygric (moderately moist) • Nutrient Regime: Submesotrophic (poor) to permesotrophic (medium) • Surface Substrate: Mix of mineral and organic surfaces • Parent Material and Surface Expression: Fluvial apron, terraced or level;

Lacustrine shores • Flooding: Variable; No hazard to may be expected



46

• Depth to Groundwater on Sampling Date (cm): 300; 60


• Drainage Class(es): Moderately well to imperfectly drained • Sampled Soil Subgroup(s): Orthic Regosol, Saline phase; Gleyed Cumulic

Regosol, Saline phase • Topsoil Depth and Characteristics: Thin to moderate depths and low organic

matter content; may have buried layers and usually strongly saline • Textures: Clay loam to sandy loam • Reaction: Moderately alkaline and moderately saline.



Extreme


Water Erosion

Salinization


Management Recommendations: Saltgrass has a relatively good reclamation potential in saline soils (Delesalle 1998), but it can be out-competed by unwanted species such as Foxtail Barley, especially if salinity decreases. Care and attention will be required to restore soil chemistry and hydrology characteristics after disturbance, and to minimize the potential for rutting, compaction, and pugging, and soil puddling and frost heave.

List of Plates in Appendix B: Plate 27: DISTSTR HT (Saltgrass, at shovel) in Bull Springs Coulee, showing

contrast between Badlands and Lotic Herbaceous GVI site types.

Plate 28: DISTSTR HT at Bull Springs Coulee; Gleyed Cumulic Regosol, saline phase with groundwater at 60 cm. Recent deposition of 15 cm overlies buried topsoil.



47

ELAECOM CT (Silverberry) Sample Location #

Natural Subregion



Delacour Plain Bow River at Wyndham-Carseland Provincial Park

POPUBAL HERB CT; SYMPOCC CT

9901333 Montane Blairmore Foothills

Oldman River 3 km N of Gap, or Racehorse Junction

POPUBAL/SYMPOCC CT


Del Bonita Plateau

North Fork Milk River west of Del Bonita

ROSAWOO CT; Water

Site Information for Each Location: • Correlation with Alberta Grassland Vegetation Inventory: Lotic Shrub,

Overflow • Common Slope Range: 0.5 to 5 % • Ecological Moisture Regime: Mesic (fresh) to subhygric (moderately moist) • Nutrient Regime: Permesotrophic (medium) to mesotrophic (medium) • Surface Substrate: Dominantly organic derived from leaf residue • Parent Material and Surface Expression: Fluvial terraced • Flooding: Rare to may be expected • Depth to Groundwater on Sampling Date (cm): 300; 300; 200 • Comments: Community also occurs on moist upland areas (eg. snow-catch)

Soil Information for Each Location: • Drainage Class(es): Imperfectly drained to well drained • Sampled Soil Subgroup(s): Orthic Humic Regosol; Gleyed Humic Regosol;

Cumulic Regosol • Topsoil Depth and Characteristics: Moderate depth (8 to 20cm); usually dark

and with moderate to high organic matter content • Textures: Loam to loamy sand, sometimes over gravelly loamy sand • Reaction: Moderately to strongly alkaline


Moderate to High


Extreme


Drought

Management Recommendations: Silverberry is a nitrogen fixing shrub (Hale et al. 2005) which can be used to improve site fertility. Silverberry is also relatively common outside riparian areas.

Invasion by non-native plants is a risk, due to the somewhat variable moisture regime, the building of soil nitrogen, and the presence of some bare soil mixed with surfaces of leaf



48

litter. Developments and disturbances should be minimized due to the importance and value to wildlife, in addition to the risk for invasive plants. If the Silverberry community type is disturbed it will require care and attention to restore soil quality. The best grazing use for riparian areas associated with this community type is short duration in late summer or autumn. This community type is not appropriate for winter feeding, due to the potential for invasive plants and nutrient loading of near-by surface waters.

List of Plates in Appendix B: Plate 29: ELEACOM CT (Silverberry) at North Fork Milk River; Gleyed Humic

Regosol and prominent gleyed horizon from 51-67 cm.

Plate 30: ELEACOM CT, North Fork Milk River; soil closeup showing many, medium prominent mottles at approximately 55 cm.

ELEOPAL HT (Creeping Spike-rush) Sample Location #

Natural Subregion


9890071 Mixedgrass Cypress Hills

16 km south of Cypress Hills Provincial Park on Hwy. 41

DESCCES HT; Beckmannia syzigachne (Slough grass)


Wildhorse Plain

Sage Creek channel near Wildhorse

POLYCOC CT; HORDJUB CT

Site Information for Each Location: • Correlation with Alberta Grassland Vegetation Inventory: Lentic Temporary;

Lotic Herbaceous • Common Slope Class: 0.5-2% • Ecological Moisture Regime: Submesic (moderately fresh) to subhygric

(moderately moist) • Nutrient Regime: Mesotrophic (medium) to permesotrophic (medium) • Surface Substrate: Dominantly organic surface, with some exposed mineral • Parent Material and Surface Expression: Dissected or channeled Fluvial;

Lacustrine or Fluvial depressions • Flooding: May be expected to frequent • Depth to Groundwater on Sampling Date (cm): 250; 50

Soil Information for Each Location: • Drainage Class(es): Imperfectly drained • Sampled Soil Subgroup(s): Variable. Gleyed Brown Solodized Solonetz; Gleyed

Cumulic Regosol • Topsoil Depth and Characteristics: Moderate depth (10 to 24 cm) and variable

organic matter content; may include eluviated (leaching) horizons. • Textures: Silty clay loam • Reaction: Neutral to strongly alkaline and commonly saline or sodic



49


Moderate to High



Disturbance

Water Erosion Contamination Salinization



It will be difficult to restore soil quality and hydrologic conditions if disturbed.

Invasive Plants


• Other Interpretations: Creeping Spike-rush is considered rare on the prairies, but may be found in calcium-rich wetlands (Johnson et al. 1995).

Management Recommendations: It is important to avoid human or livestock use except when dry or frozen. Livestock grazing and/or winter use should be of short duration in order to protect valuable surface water sources, and to minimize the potential for pugging and nutrient loading. Creeping Spike-rush is capable of natural recovery when disturbed, but it requires care and attention to restore soil and hydrology without causing numerous problems, including salinization, rutting, compaction or pugging.

List of Plates in Appendix B: Plate 31: ELEOPAL HT (Creeping Spike-rush) site (at shovel) in Sage Ck. channel

near Wildhorse.

Plate 32: ELEOPAL HT site adjacent to Hwy. 41 south of Cypress Hills, showing upper 25 cm of Gleyed Dark Brown Solodized Solonetz with associated Bnt horizon at 15 cm +.

FRAXPEN/PRUNVIR CT (Green Ash /Choke Cherry) This type is described in the Saskatchewan report by Thompson and Hansen (2001). Sample Location #

Natural Subregion



Bindloss Plain

Police Point Park at Medicine Hat

PRUNVIR CT


Bindloss Plain

Police Point Park at Medicine Hat

POPUDEL HERB CT; SALIEXI CT



50


• Correlation with Alberta Grassland Vegetation Inventory: Lotic Shrub; Lotic Deciduous

• Common Slope Range: 2 to 5%, but community can occur in gullies up to 30 % • Ecological Moisture Regime: Mesic (fresh) • Nutrient Regime: Mesotrophic (medium) • Surface Substrate: Dominantly organic comprised of leaf litter with up to 6 cms • Parent Material and Surface Expression: Fluvial terraced with some gullies • Flooding: May be expected • Depth to Groundwater on Sampling Date (cm): 240; 350 • Comments: Cumulic and Humic variant of Verdigris (VGR) series.


• Drainage Class(es): Moderately well to well drained • Sampled Soil Subgroup(s): Cumulic Humic Regosol; Orthic Regosol • Topsoil Depth and Characteristics: Thin to moderate depth with buried layers

and low organic matter content • Textures: Loamy sand to sandy loam • Reaction: Moderately to strongly alkaline


Moderate to High


Extreme


Management Recommendations: Use by livestock should be minimized in order to protect this community type, to reduce the potential for nutrient loading in a flood-prone setting, to protect banks, and to minimize conflict between livestock and wildlife. The Green Ash/Choke Cherry community type is not appropriate for a winter feeding or summer shade site for livestock due to the high potential for mechanical damage to branches. The best grazing use is of short duration in late summer or autumn. This community type is not appropriate for manure storage or campground facilities, but it is desirable for day use picnic areas.

This community type occurs infrequently and is important and valuable to wildlife. If disturbed, care and attention will be required to restore this community type. Choke cherry can easily be grown from native nursery-grown transplants or from seed.

List of Plates in Appendix B: Plate 33: FRAXPEN/PRUNVIR CT (Green Ash/Choke Cherry) cut to 40 cm; Orthic

Humic Regosol.



51

GLYCLEP CT (Wild Licorice) Sample Location #

Natural Subregion



Vauxhall Plain

Bow River at Hays Bridge SALIEXI CT


Willow Ck. Upland


SYMPOCC CT; CAREATH HT


Lotic Shrub; Subirrigated; Lentic Temporary • Common Slope Range: Variable; 0 to 60 % due to presence on riser slopes • Ecological Moisture Regime: Mesic (fresh) to submesic (moderately fresh) • Nutrient Regime: Permesotrophic (medium) to mesotrophic (medium) • Surface Substrate: Mixture of mineral and organic surface • Parent Material and Surface Expression: Fluvial terraced (can be on risers) and

Lacustrine depressional edges • Flooding: May be expected to frequent • Depth to Groundwater on Sampling Date (cm): 140; 150

Soil Information for Each Location: • Drainage Class(es): Imperfectly to moderately well drained • Sampled Soil Subgroup(s): Variable. Cumulic Regosol; Calcareous Black

Chernozem • Topsoil Depth and Characteristics: Thin to moderate depth with buried layers

and low to moderate organic matter content • Textures: Sandy loam to clay loam • Reaction: Moderately alkaline




Extreme

Salinization


Water Erosion

Invasive Plants

Management Recommendations: Care and attention will be required to restore soil quality, hydrologic conditions and landscape characteristics. If soils or hydrology are altered, the potential for salinity and invasive plants magnifies. Organic matter additions, such as a thin layer of commercial peat moss, can reduce the risk of puddling or frost heave to seedlings, particularly on silty surfaces. Some Wild Licorice community types are characterized by moderate to high components of bare soil, and therefore the potential for water erosion is high if the community is subject to varying conditions of flowing water.



52

List of Plates in Appendix B: Plate 34: GLYCLEP CT (Wild Licorice) on inclined bank of Lyndon Creek west of

Claresholm.

Also visible in Plate 81 adjacent to SALIAMY CT.

HORDJUB CT (Foxtail Barley) Sample Location #

Natural Subregion



Wildhorse Plain

Sage Creek Plain near Wildhorse

AGROSMI HT; PUCCNUT HT


Schuler Plain

About 16 km west-northwest of Hilda

SALIEUR CT; CAREROS HT


• Correlation with Alberta Grassland Vegetation Inventory: Lentic Alkaline; Lentic Temporary; Saline Lowland

• Common Slope Class: 0.5 to 2% • Ecological Moisture Regime: Subxeric (moderately dry) to subhygric

(moderately moist) • Nutrient Regime: Mesotrophic (medium) to hypereutrophic (eg. saline) • Surface Substrate: Mix of mineral and organic surfaces • Parent Material and Surface Expression: Lacustrine or Fluvial level, undulating

to depressional • Flooding: Rare to may be expected • Depth to Groundwater on Sampling Date (cm): 250; 90

Soil Information for Each Location: • Drainage Class(es): Poorly to imperfectly drained • Sampled Soil Subgroup(s): Solonetzic Gleysol; Gleyed Humic Regosol, Saline • Topsoil Depth and Characteristics: Generally thin and with low to moderate

organic matter content and often associated with salinity • Textures: Silty clay; clay loam to clay • Reaction: Moderately to strongly alkaline and moderately saline


Variable: Low to High


Excess Moisture Soil Puddling and Frost Heave

Salinization

Water Erosion

Management Recommendations: Foxtail Barley is easily established as a pioneer species on disturbed riparian sites (Delesalle 1998) and tolerates moderate salinity and



53

flooding (Best et al. 1971). Foxtail Barley is resilient when disturbed, and highly capable of natural recovery. It can easily out-compete more desirable saline-tolerant species.

List of Plates in Appendix B: Plate 35: HORDJUB CT (Foxtail Barley) fringe (at auger and shovel) around a tall

marsh wetland northwest of Hilda.

Plate 36: HORDJUB CT (Foxtail barley) Lentic Alkaline sampled site (below and left of vehicle) located northeast of Wildhorse; Solonetzic Gleysol subgroup.

JUNCBAL CT (Wire Rush) Sample Location #

Natural Subregion



Wildhorse Plain

Bare Creek in Twp. 3 R. 2, W4M

ARTECAN/AGROSMI HT

9900049 Central Parkland

Sedgewick Plain

Burma Park, Battle R. at Sec. #872 north of Coronation

TYPHLAT HT; POPUBAL HERB CT


Lentic Semi to Permanent; Subirrigated • Common Slope Class: 0 to 0.5% • Ecological Moisture Regime: Subhygric (moderately moist) to hygric (moist) • Nutrient Regime: Permesotrophic (medium) to submesotrophic (poor) • Surface Substrate: Dominantly organic, with some mineral and water • Parent Material and Surface Expression: Microsites in Fluvial terraces

including below springs or within channels or gullies • Flooding: Frequent • Depth to Groundwater on Sampling Date (cm): 120; at surface


• Drainage Class(es): Imperfectly to poorly drained • Sampled Soil Subgroup(s): Gleyed Cumulic Regosol, Saline phase; Rego Humic

Gleysol, Saline phase • Topsoil Depth and Characteristics: Generally thin and may be buried; low to

moderate organic matter content and often associated with salinity • Textures: Sandy clay loam over gravelly sandy clay loam; clay • Reaction: Slightly acidic to moderately alkaline



54



Extreme

Excess Moisture Rutting, Compaction, and Pugging

Salinization


Management Recommendations: Hale et al. (2005) list four functions and values for Wire Rush (Baltic Rush).

Forms a network of strong rhizomes that stabilize the soil, making it an important species for erosion control along shorelines.

Colonies are excellent for trapping and collecting sediment, taking up nutrients, and fixing nitrogen.

Rushes improve riparian habitat for amphibians and create spawning areas for fish.

Increases with heavy grazing pressure due to relative low palatability and an aggressive creeping root system that allows spreading when other species decline.

It is important to avoid human or livestock use of Wire Rush types except when it is dry or frozen. Livestock grazing and/or winter use should be of short duration in order to protect valuable surface water sources, and to minimize the potential for pugging and nutrient loading. Wire Rush is capable of natural recovery when disturbed, but it requires care and attention to restore soil and hydrology without causing problems, including salinization, rutting, compaction or pugging.


Plate 37: JUNCBAL CT (Wire Rush) site in bottom of Bare Creek channel south of Cypress Hills.

Plate 38: JUNCBAL CT Rego Humic Gleysol at Burma Park, with saturated surface.



55

PHALARU HT (Reed Canary Grass) Sample Location #

Natural Subregion



Cardston Plain

Connelly Creek north of Lundbreck

POPUBAL/CORNSTO CT; SALIPET/CAREATH HT



Bow River south of Ronalaine Bridge

SALIEXI CT; Water (river)

Site Information for Each Location: • Correlation with Alberta Grassland Vegetation Inventory: Lentic Seasonal;

Lotic Herbaceous • Common Slope Class: 0.5 to 2% • Ecological Moisture Regime: Subhydric (moderately wet) • Nutrient Regime: Permesotrophic (medium) • Surface Substrate: Mix of mineral, organic and water; shallow peat <15 cm thick • Parent Material and Surface Expression: Fluvial terraced; or lacustrine veneer • Flooding: Frequent • Depth to Groundwater on Sampling Date: 5 cm above ground; 80 cm

Soil Information for Each Location: • Drainage Class(es): Poorly drained • Sampled Soil Subgroup(s): Rego Humic Gleysol • Topsoil Depth and Characteristics: Thin to moderate depth (7 to 15 cm) and

moderate organic matter content • Textures: Silty clay loam over sandy loam; loam to sandy loam over loamy sand,

with gravelly loamy sand below 75 cm. • Reaction: Moderately alkaline


Moderate to High High High to Extreme Extreme

Salinization Excess Moisture



Management Recommendations: Reed Canary Grass can be a rapid site invader, and is a heavy user of nutrients (Hale et al. 2005). Areas with Reed Canary Grass could be harvested periodically. Periodic removal of the high nutrient biomass would potentially improve water quality over time in riparian settings. Minimize livestock use to short durations in order to protect valuable surface water sources, and to minimize the potential



56

for salinization, pugging, and nutrient loading. Reed Canary Grass is highly resilient when disturbed, and capable of natural recovery.

List of Plates in Appendix B: • Plate 39: PHALARU HT (Reed Canary Grass) site at Connelly Ck north of

Lundbreck. • Plate 40: PHALARU HT at Bow R., with common, medium distinct mottles at 60

cm.

PICEGLA/CORNSTO HT (White Spruce / Red-Osier Dogwood) Sample Location #

Natural Subregion



Near west end of Reesor Lake in Cypress Hills

Water (lake)


Burke Creek 1 km east of Hwy 22 & Sec. 520 Junction

Water (creek); PICEGLA/EQUIARV HT

Site Information for Each Location: • Correlation with Alberta Grassland Vegetation Inventory: Subirrigated; Lotic

Coniferous • Common Slope Range: Variable; 2 to 35% • Ecological Moisture Regime: Mesic (fresh) to hygric (moist) • Nutrient Regime: Mesotrophic (medium) to permesotrophic (medium) • Surface Substrate: Mix of mineral and organic surface, with 10 to 20% cobbles • Parent Material and Surface Expression: Variable; Fluvial terraced, Colluvial

inclined with channels. • Flooding: Rare to may be expected • Depth to Groundwater on Sampling Date (cm): 125; 40

Soil Information for Each Location: • Drainage Class(es): Imperfectly drained • Sampled Soil Subgroup(s): Gleyed Gray Luvisol; Gleyed Dark Gray Luvisol • Topsoil Depth and Characteristics: Thin leaf litter with underlying thin (3 to 10

cm) mineral topsoil of low to moderate organic matter content • Textures: Clay loam to very gravelly sandy clay loam • Reaction: Slightly acidic to neutral



Moderate to High



Disturbance

Water Erosion


Contamination Difficulty of Restoration

This is a successional type that requires extensive time to restore.



57

Management Recommendations: It is important to avoid disturbance of White Spruce/Red Osier Dogwood, as this habitat type takes many generations to restore. Short duration grazing in late summer, autumn or winter is acceptable.

List of Plates in Appendix B: Plate 41: PICEGLA/CORNSTO HT (White Spruce/Red Osier Dogwood) cobbly

Gleyed Gray Luvisol in Cypress Hills. Plate 42: PICEGLA/CORNSTO HT; Gleyed Dark Gray Luvisol near junction of

Highways 22 & 520 west of Claresholm.

PICEGLA/EQUIARV HT (White Spruce / Common Horsetail) Sample Location #

Natural Subregion



SE of Elkwater and south of Cypress Hills Ski Hill

POPUBAL HERB CT


Beaver Ck. at Forest Reserve Boundary, Porcupine Hills

SALIPET CT

Site Information for Each Location: • Correlation with Alberta Grassland Vegetation Inventory: Lotic Coniferous • Common Slope Range: Variable; 0 to 45% • Ecological Moisture Regime: Subxeric (moderately dry) to subhygric

(moderately moist) • Nutrient Regime: Permesotrophic (medium) to mesotrophic (medium) • Surface Substrate: Mix of mineral and organic surface mantle • Parent Material and Surface Expression: Variable; Fluvial terraced, Colluvial

inclined with channels. • Flooding: Variable; Rare to frequent • Depth to Groundwater on Sampling Date (cm): 75; 100


• Drainage Class(es): Imperfectly to moderately well drained • Sampled Soil Subgroup(s): Gleyed Gray Luvisol; Orthic Gray Luvisol • Topsoil Depth and Characteristics: Moderate to deep leaf litter of 5 to 16 cm

over thin leached layer; generally low organic matter content • Textures: Clay loam to sandy clay loam • Reaction: Slightly acidic to weakly alkaline


Moderate to High



Contamination This is a successional type that requires extensive time to restore.

Windthrow




58

Management Recommendations: It is important to avoid disturbance of White Spruce/Common Horsetail, as this habitat type takes many generations to restore. Short duration grazing in late summer, autumn or winter is acceptable. Horestail rhizomes can penetrate as deep as 1 m (Hale et al. 2005), so it is useful as a soil stabilizer. Forage containing 20% or more Horsetail may cause thiamine deficiency in horses (Stone and Lawrence 2000).


• Plate 43: PICEGLA/EQUIARV HT (White Spruce/Common Horsetail) site at Beaver Creek, with occasional evidence of shallow bedrock.

• Plate 44: PICEGLA/EQUIARV HT Orthic Gray Luvisol at Beaver Creek; 55cm cut.

POLYCOC CT (Water Smartweed) Sample Location #

Natural Subregion



Wildhorse Plain

Sage Creek channel near Wildhorse

ELEOPAL HT


Keho Lake, east side Water (lake); PHALARU HT


Lentic Open Water • Common Slope Range: 0 to 2% • Ecological Moisture Regime: Hygric (moist) to hydric (wet) • Nutrient Regime: Permesotrophic (medium) to mesotrophic (medium) • Surface Substrate: Dominantly mineral surface or water • Parent Material and Surface Expression: Lacustrine level to depressional;

Fluvial terraces with channels or dissections • Flooding: Frequent • Depth to Groundwater on Sampling Date: 35 cm below; 20 cm above ground


• Drainage Class(es): Poorly to very poorly drained • Sampled Soil Subgroup(s): Rego Gleysol; Orthic Luvic Gleysol • Topsoil Depth and Characteristics: Negligible to thin (0 to 5 cm) with low

organic matter content and may be associated with saline waters • Textures: Silty clay loam to silty clay • Reaction: Weakly to moderately alkaline



59




Contamination Excess Moisture

Salinization


Other Interpretations: Only occurs at shorelines or stream edges, and represents a direct contact to surface water and sometimes to groundwater.

Management Recommendations: It is important to avoid human or livestock use except when dry or frozen. Livestock grazing and/or winter use should be of short duration in order to protect valuable surface water sources, and to minimize the potential for pugging and nutrient loading. Water Smartweed is capable of natural recovery when disturbed, but it requires care and attention to restore hydrology and soil conditions without exacerbating salinization or rutting, compaction or pugging.


• Plate 45: POLYCOC CT (Water Smartweed) at Keho Lake north of Lethbridge with PHALARU HT (Reed Canary grass) at left.

• Plate 46: POLYCOC CT (patches at edge of pool in Sage Ck. Channel) with SYMPOCC CT (Buckbrush) at middle left and Silver Sagebrush on upper terrace in background.

POPUANG/CORNSTO CT (Narrow-Leaf Cottonwood / Red-Osier Dogwood) Sample Location #

Natural Subregion



Oldman River north of Ft. MacLeod

POPUANG HERB CT


Cardston Plain

Woolford Provincial Park near Cardston

POPUANG RAB CT; SALILUT HT


• Correlation with Alberta Grassland Vegetation Inventory: Lotic Deciduous • Common Slope Class: 2 to 5 % • Ecological Moisture Regime: Submesic (moderately fresh) to mesic (fresh) • Nutrient Regime: Permesotrophic (medium) to eutrophic (very rich) • Surface Substrate: Mix of mineral and organic surface • Parent Material and Surface Expression: Fluvial terraced • Flooding: May be expected • Depth to Groundwater on Sampling Date (cm): 280; 250



60


• Drainage Class(es): Well drained • Sampled Soil Subgroup(s): Gleyed Cumulic Regosol; Orthic Regosol • Topsoil Depth and Characteristics: Thin to moderate depth with buried layers

and low organic matter content • Textures: Loamy sand to sandy loam over gravelly loamy sand to gravelly sand • Reaction: Moderately to strongly alkaline


Moderate to High High Rationale for Site Restoration After Disturbance



Avoidance is recommended, but restoration can be promoted by using live cuttings or transplants of the key species. It is expected to be difficult to restore hydrologic conditions and soil quality after disturbance.

Management Recommendations: Use by livestock should be minimized in order to protect this community type, to reduce the potential for nutrient loading in a flood-prone setting, to protect banks, and to minimize conflict between livestock and wildlife. Narrow-leaf Cottonwood/Red Osier Dogwood is not appropriate for a winter feeding location. The best grazing use is of short duration in late summer or autumn. This community type is not appropriate for manure storage or campground facilities, but it is desirable for day use picnic areas.

Developments/disturbances should avoid this community type due to the sensitivity, importance and value to wildlife, and the difficulty of restoration.


• Plate 47: POPUANG/CORNSTO CT (Narrow-leaf Cottonwood/Red Osier Dogwood) at Oldman Valley near Fort MacLeod.

• Plate 48: POPUANG/CORNSTO CT Gleyed Regosolic soil at Woolford Provincial Park near Cardston, showing sands (to 55cm) over gravels. Site overview shown in Plate 97.



61

POPUANG/HERB CT (Narrow-Leaf Cottonwood / Herbaceous) Sample Location #

Natural Subregion



Willow Creek north of Fort MacLeod

BROMINE CT


Oldman River valley at Fort MacLeod

CAREROS HT; POPUANG/SYMPOCC CT

Site Information for Each Location: • Correlation with Alberta Grassland Vegetation Inventory: Lotic Deciduous • Common Slope Class: 0.5 to 2 % • Ecological Moisture Regime: Submesic (moderately fresh) • Nutrient Regime: Mesotrophic (medium) to permesotrophic (medium) • Surface Substrate: Mix of mineral and organic surfaces • Parent Material and Surface Expression: Fluvial terraced • Flooding: May be expected • Depth to Groundwater on Sampling Date (cm): 250; 150 • Comments: Cumulic with 11 cm recent deposition at 9890155

Soil Information for Each Location: • Drainage Class(es): Moderately well drained • Sampled Soil Subgroup(s): Cumulic Regosol; Orthic Humic Regosol • Topsoil Depth and Characteristics: Thin to moderate depth with buried layers

and low organic matter content • Textures: gravelly loamy sand; sandy loam over gravelly sand • Reaction: Moderately alkaline


Moderate to High


Extreme


Management Recommendations: If possible, developments/disturbances should avoid this community type to reduce the potential for invasive species, which can inhibit a potential shrub layer, and can ultimately increase the potential for water erosion. Restoration can be promoted by using live cuttings or transplants. Care and attention will be required to restore after disturbance, particularly for hydrologic conditions.

Use by livestock should be minimized in order to protect this community type, to reduce the potential for nutrient loading in a flood-prone setting, to protect banks, and to minimize conflict between livestock and wildlife. Narrow-leaf Cottonwood/Herbaceous is not appropriate for a winter feeding location. The best grazing use is of short duration in late summer or autumn. This community type is not appropriate for manure storage. It



62

is desirable for day use picnic areas, and could be suitable for campground facilities provided that flood events are not frequent.

List of Plates in Appendix B: Plate 49: POPUANG/HERB CT (Narrow-leaf Cottonwood/Herbaceous) site at

Willow Creek north of Ft. MacLeod, showing flood debris from June 2005. Plate 50. POPUANG/HERB CT Cumulic Regosol in cut to 50 cm at Willow Creek.

POPUANG/RAB CT (Narrow-Leaf Cottonwood / Recent Alluvial Bar) Sample Location #

Natural Subregion



Cardston Plain


POPUANG/CORNSTO CT; SALILUT CT


Cardston Plain


POPUANG/CORNSTO CT; SALILUT CT


• Correlation with Alberta Grassland Vegetation Inventory: Lotic Shrub • Common Slope Class: 0.5 to 2 % • Ecological Moisture Regime: Mesic (fresh) • Nutrient Regime: Mesotrophic (medium) • Surface Substrate: Mix of mineral and organic surfaces • Parent Material and Surface Expression: Fluvial terraced • Flooding: Frequent • Depth to Groundwater on Sampling Date (cm): 150; 200 • Comments: Gravels at 45 cm; 40 to 50% coarse fragments in parent material

Soil Information for Each Location: • Drainage Class(es): Moderately well drained • Sampled Soil Subgroup(s): Orthic Regosol • Topsoil Depth and Characteristics: Negligible to thin with buried layers and low

organic matter content • Textures: Sandy loam to loamy sand over gravelly to very gravelly loamy sand • Reaction: Moderately alkaline


Moderate to High


Extreme

Invasive Plants

Contamination



63

• Other Interpretations: Subject to periodic flooding, and frequently subject to either soil deposition or scour.

Management Recommendations: The Narrow-leaf Cottonwood/Recent Alluvial Bar should not be disturbed because young cottonwoods, including saplings, provide many ecological goods and services. Young cottonwoods reduce flow and dissipate energy during floods, which helps to reduce the amount of alluvial channel changes during flooding. Restoration can be promoted by using live cuttings of Narrow-leaf Cottonwoods.


• Plate 51: POPUANG/RAB CT (Narrow-leaf Cottonwood/Recent Alluvial Bar), upper 40 cm of sandy loam dominated Orthic Regosol at Woolford Provincial Park near Cardston.

• Plate 52: POPUANG/RAB CT at location of Plate 51, with very gravelly fluvial below 40 cm. Site shown on right side of Plate 97 in an aerial overview.

POPUANG/SYMPOCC CT (Narrow-Leaf Cottonwood / Buckbrush) Sample Location #

Natural Subregion



Cypress Slope

Ross Creek valley south of Irvine

PHALARU HT


Oldman River valley at Fort MacLeod

POPUANG HERB CT

Site Information for Each Location: • Correlation with Alberta Grassland Vegetation Inventory: Lotic Deciduous • Common Slope Class: 0.5 to 2% • Ecological Moisture Regime: Subhygric (moderately moist) to submesic

(moderately fresh) • Nutrient Regime: Mesotrophic (medium) • Surface Substrate: Dominantly organic comprised of leaf litter • Parent Material and Surface Expression: Fluvial terraced • Flooding: May be expected • Depth to Groundwater on Sampling Date (cm): 300; 220


• Drainage Class(es): Moderately well to well drained • Sampled Soil Subgroup(s): Cumulic Regosol; Rego Dark Brown Chernozem • Topsoil Depth and Characteristics: Thin to moderate depth with occasional

buried layers and low to moderate organic matter content • Textures: Loamy sand to sandy loam • Reaction: Slightly to moderately alkaline



64


Moderate to High





Avoidance is recommended, but restoration can be promoted by using live cuttings or transplants of the key species. It is expected to be difficult to restore hydrologic conditions and soil quality when disturbed.

Management Recommendations: Use by livestock should be minimized in order to protect this community type, to reduce the potential for nutrient loading in a flood-prone setting, to protect banks, and to minimize conflict between livestock and wildlife. Narrow-leaf Cottonwood/Buckbrush is not appropriate for a winter feeding location. The best grazing use is of short duration in late summer or autumn. This community type is not appropriate for manure storage. It is desirable for day use picnic areas, and could be suitable for campground facilities provided that flood events are not frequent. Developments/disturbances should avoid this community type due to the sensitivity, importance and value to wildlife, and difficulty of restoration.

List of Plates in Appendix B: Plate 53: POPUANG/SYMPOCC CT (Narrow-leaf Cottonwood/Buckbrush) through

middleground (matches soil of Plate 54) of Ross Creek, southeast of Medicine Hat.

Plate 54: POPUANG/SYMPOCC CT Cumulic Regosol in cut to 50 cm.

POPUBAL/CORNSTO CT (Balsam Poplar / Red-Osier Dogwood) Sample Location #

Natural Subregion



Neutral Hills

Gooseberry Lake Provincial Park north of Consort

SALIEXI CT; POPUTRE /HERB CT


Delacour Plain

Bow River at Wyndham-Carseland Provincial Park

POPUBAL/HERB CT


• Correlation with Alberta Grassland Vegetation Inventory: Subirrigated; Lotic Deciduous

• Common Slope Class: 2 to 5 % • Ecological Moisture Regime: Subhygric (moderately moist) to hygric (moist) • Nutrient Regime: Submesotrophic (poor) to permesotrophic (medium) • Surface Substrate: Mainly an organic surface derived from leaf residue • Parent Material and Surface Expression: Fluvial terraces and Lacustrine beach • Flooding: Variable; no hazard to may be expected



65



• Drainage Class(es): Imperfectly drained to moderately well drained • Sampled Soil Subgroup(s): Gleyed Rego Dark Brown Chernozem; Orthic Humic

Regosol • Topsoil Depth and Characteristics: Moderate depth ( 8 to 20 cm) and moderate

organic matter content • Textures: Sandy loam to sand • Reaction: Neutral to weakly alkaline


Moderate to High




Contamination

Invasive Plants


Avoidance is recommended, but restoration can be promoted by using live cuttings or transplants of the key species. It is expected to be difficult to restore hydrology and soils after disturbance.

Management Recommendations: Use by livestock should be minimized in order to protect this community type, to reduce the potential for nutrient loading in a flood-prone setting, to protect bank and shore habitats, and to minimize conflict between livestock and wildlife. Balsam Poplar/Red Osier Dogwood is not appropriate for a winter feeding location. The best grazing use is of short duration in late summer or autumn. This community type is not appropriate for manure storage or campground facilities, but it is desirable for day use picnic areas.

Developments/disturbances should avoid this community type due to the sensitivity, potential for invasive plants, the importance and value to wildlife, and difficulty of restoration.


Plate 55: POPUBAL/CORNSTO CT (Balsam Poplar/Red Osier Dogwood) Orthic Humic Regosol to 45 cm; Wyndham-Carseland Provincial Park located southeast of Calgary.

Plate 56: POPUBAL/CORNSTO CT: Gleyed Rego Dark Brown Chernozem and mottled loose sands at Gooseberry Lake Provincial Park located north of Consort.



66

POPUBAL/HERB CT (Balsam Poplar / Herbaceous) Sample Location #

Natural Subregion



Beauvais Lake Provincial Park

PICEGLA/EQUIARV HT


Oldman R. at Summerview Bridge west of Brocket

BROMINE CT

Site Information for Each Location: • Correlation with Alberta Grassland Vegetation Inventory: Subirrigated; Lotic

Deciduous • Common Slope Range: 0.5 to 3% • Ecological Moisture Regime: Hygric (moist) to submesic (moderately fresh) • Nutrient Regime: Permesotrophic (medium) to mesotrophic (medium) • Surface Substrate: Dominantly organic material derived from leaf residue • Parent Material and Surface Expression: Fluvial terraces and fans • Flooding: Frequent to may be expected • Depth to Groundwater on Sampling Date (cm): 50; 220

Soil Information for Each Location: • Drainage Class(es): Variable; well drained to poorly drained • Sampled Soil Subgroup(s): Variable; Rego Humic Gleysol; Orthic Regosol • Topsoil Depth and Characteristics: Thin to moderate depth (5 to 20 cm) with

dark colours and low to moderate organic matter content • Textures: Clay loam to clay; sandy loam • Reaction: Neutral to moderately alkaline


Moderate to High


Extreme


Management Recommendations: Developments/disturbances should avoid this community type to reduce the potential for invasive species, which can inhibit a potential shrub layer, and can ultimately increase the potential for water erosion. Restoration can be promoted by using live cuttings or transplants. Care and attention will be required after disturbance, particularly to restore hydrology conditions.

Use by livestock should be minimized in order to protect this community type, to reduce the potential for nutrient loading in a flood-prone setting, to protect banks, and to minimize conflict between livestock and wildlife. Balsam Poplar/Herbaceous may serve as an occasional winter feeding location, provided that use is infrequent and mechanical damage to the community type is minimized. Manure must be properly handled and



67

applied to adjacent land holdings using a nutrient management plan. The best grazing use is of short duration in late summer or autumn. This plant community is not appropriate for manure storage or campground facilities, but it is desirable for day use picnic areas.


• Plate 57: POPUBAL/HERB CT (Balsam Poplar/Herbaceous), Summerview site.

• Plate 58: POPUBAL/HERB CT site on west side of Beauvais Lake Provincial Park.

POPUBAL/SYMPOCC CT (Balsam Poplar / Buckbrush) Sample Location #

Natural Subregion



100 m E of For. Tr. Rd. at Gap Rd. S of Racehorse Ck.

Gravel flats and braided channel of Racehorse Creek


1 km E of For. Tr. Rd. at Gap Rd. South of Racehorse Ck.

Gravel flats and braided channel of Racehorse Creek

Site Information for Each Location: • Correlation with Alberta Grassland Vegetation Inventory: Lotic Deciduous;

Shade-tolerant White Spruce indicates a transition to Lotic Coniferous • Common Slope Range: 0.5 to 5 % • Ecological Moisture Regime: Mesic (fresh) to subhygric (moderately moist) • Nutrient Regime: Mesotrophic (medium) • Surface Substrate: Dominantly organic material derived from leaf residue • Parent Material and Surface Expression: Fluvial terraced • Flooding: Rare to may be expected • Depth to Groundwater on Sampling Date (cm): 150; 60

Soil Information for Each Location: • Drainage Class(es): Variable: Imperfectly to moderately well to well drained • Sampled Soil Subgroup(s): Variable: Orthic Regosol; Gleyed Humic Regosol • Topsoil Depth and Characteristics: Thin to moderate depth (6 to 15 cm) with

gray colour and low organic matter content • Textures: Gravelly sandy loam to sandy loam • Reaction: Weakly alkaline



68


Moderate to High





Avoidance is recommended, but restoration can be promoted by using live cuttings or transplants of the key species. Restoration after disturbance is expected as difficult, mainly for hydrology and soils.

Management Recommendations: Use by livestock should be minimized in order to protect this community type, to reduce the potential for nutrient loading in a flood-prone setting, to protect banks, and to minimize conflict between livestock and wildlife. Balsam Poplar/Buckbrush is not appropriate for a winter feeding location. The best grazing use is of short duration in late summer or autumn. This community type is not appropriate for manure storage or campground facilities, but it is desirable for day use picnic areas.

Developments/disturbances should avoid this community type due to the sensitivity, importance and value to wildlife, and difficultly of restoration.


• Plate 59: POPUBAL/SYMPOCC CT (Balsam Poplar/Buckbrush) at 2006 beaver dam complex one km east of Forestry Trunk Road at Racehorse Creek north of Coleman.

• Plate 60: POPUBAL/SYMPOCC CT, gravelly sandy loam Orthic Regosol on Racehorse Creek, 100m east of Forestry Trunk Road.

POPUDEL/CORNSTO CT (Plains Cottonwood/Red-Osier Dogwood) Sample Location #

Natural Subregion


9890098 Bindloss Plain Dry Mixedgrass

Police Point Park, Medicine Hat

FRAXPEN/PRUNVIR CT;

9901296 Lethbridge Plain

Mixedgrass Pavan Park, Oldman River, Lethbridge

POPUDEL HERB CT; SHEPARG CT

Site Information for Each Location: • Correlation with Alberta Grassland Vegetation Inventory: Lotic Deciduous • Common Slope Range: 1 to 3 % • Ecological Moisture Regime: Hygric (moist); submesic (moderately fresh) to

subhygric (moderately moist) • Nutrient Regime: Eutrophic (very rich) to mesotrophic (medium) • Surface Substrate: Variable; 70% mineral or 75 to 90% organic material



69

• Parent Material and Surface Expression: Fluvial terraced • Flooding: May be expected • Depth to Groundwater on Sampling Date (cm): 170; 350; 270

Soil Information for Each Location: • Drainage Class(es): Imperfectly drained to moderately well drained • Sampled Soil Subgroup(s): Gleyed Cumulic Humic Regosol, (3 cm recent

deposition); Cumulic Regosol (25 cm recent deposition) to Gleyed Cumulic Regosol, (14 cm recent deposition)

• Topsoil Depth and Characteristics: Thin to moderate depth (4 to 15 cm) with grayish colours and low organic matter content

• Textures: sandy loam, or silt loam over sandy loam • Reaction: Weakly to moderately alkaline


Moderate to High





Avoidance is recommended, but restoration can be promoted by using live cuttings or transplants of the key species. Restoration after disturbace is expected to be difficult, particularly for hydrology and soils.

Management Recommendations: Use by livestock should be minimized in order to protect this community type, to reduce the potential for nutrient loading in a flood-prone setting, to protect banks, and to minimize conflict between livestock and wildlife. Plains Cottonwood/Red Osier Dogwood is not appropriate for a winter feeding location. The best grazing use is of short duration in late summer or autumn. This community type is not appropriate for manure storage or campground facilities, but it is desirable for day use picnic areas.

Developments/disturbances should avoid this community type due to the sensitivity, potential for invasive plants, importance and value to wildlife, and difficulty of restoration. List of Plates in Appendix B:

• Plate 61: POPUDEL/CORNSTO CT (Plains Cottonwood/Red Osier Dogwood) ground cover at Pavan Park, Lethbridge.

• Plate 62: Sandy fluvial cut (not sampled) to 120 cm with buried soil horizons typical of POPUDEL community types at Grand Forks (confluence of Bow and Oldman Rivers).



70

POPUDEL/HERB CT (Plains Cottonwood/Herbaceous) Sample Location #

Natural Subregion




Grand Forks of Bow and Oldman Rivers

SALIEXI CT; POPUDEL/CORNSTO CT


Indian Battle Park at Lethbridge

POPUDEL/CORNSTO CT; POPUDEL/SYMPOCC CT

Site Information for Each Location: • Correlation with Alberta Grassland Vegetation Inventory: Lotic Deciduous • Common Slope Range: 0.5 to 5 % • Ecological Moisture Regime: Mesic (fresh) to subhygric (moderately moist) • Nutrient Regime: Permesotrophic (medium) • Surface Substrate: Mix of mineral and organic surfaces • Parent Material and Surface Expression: Fluvial terraced • Flooding: May be expected to frequent • Depth to Groundwater on Sampling Date (cm): 350; 240

Soil Information for Each Location: • Drainage Class(es): Well to moderately well drained • Sampled Soil Subgroup(s): Cumulic Regosol, with 5 to 9 cm recent deposition • Topsoil Depth and Characteristics: Thin to moderate depth (6 to 20 cm) with

dark grayish colours and low organic matter content • Textures: Loamy sand to sand • Reaction: Weakly to strongly alkaline


Moderate to High



Management Recommendations: Developments/disturbances should avoid this community type to reduce the high to extreme potential for invasive species, which can inhibit a potential shrub layer, and can ultimately increase the potential for water erosion. Restoration can be promoted by using live cuttings or transplants. Care and attention will be required after disturbance, particularly to restore hydrologic conditions.

Use by livestock should be minimized in order to protect this community type, to reduce the potential for nutrient loading in a flood-prone setting, to protect banks, and to minimize conflict between livestock and wildlife. Plains Cottonwood/Herbaceous should be avoided for winter feeding locations, because of the sensitivity of this plant community. The best grazing use is of short duration in late summer or autumn. This community type is not appropriate for manure storage or campground facilities, but it is desirable for day use picnic areas.



71


• Plate 63: POPUDEL HERB CT (Plains Cottonwood/Herbaceous) Cumulic Regosol in cut to 50 cm at Indian Battle Park, Oldman River, Lethbridge.

POPUDEL/RAB CT (Plains Cottonwood Recent Alluvial Bar) Sample Location #

Natural Subregion





SALIEXI CT; GLYCLEP CT


Alexander Wilderness Park, Oldman River, Lethbridge

SALILUT CT; POPUDEL HERB CT


• Correlation with Alberta Grassland Vegetation Inventory: Lotic Shrub • Common Slope Class: 0.5 to 2% • Ecological Moisture Regime: Subhygric (moderately moist) to hygric (moist) • Nutrient Regime: Mesotrophic (medium) • Surface Substrate: Dominantly mineral, with <50% organic debris or leaves • Parent Material and Surface Expression: Fluvial terraced • Flooding: Frequent • Depth to Groundwater on Sampling Date (cm): 180; 130 • Comments: Many varied horizons; Cumulic with 18 cm recent deposition

Soil Information for Each Location: • Drainage Class(es): Imperfectly drained • Sampled Soil Subgroup(s): Gleyed Cumulic Regosol • Topsoil Depth and Characteristics: Negligible to thin with buried layers and low

organic matter content • Textures: Loamy sand to sandy loam • Reaction: Weakly to moderately alkaline

Interpretations: Soil-related Limitations Rated as Moderate to High or Greater Moderate to

High High High to

Extreme Extreme


• Other Interpretations: Subject to periodic flooding, and frequently subject to either soil deposition or scour.

Management Recommendations: The Plains Cottonwood/Recent Alluvial Bar should not be disturbed, due to the high potential for invasive plants. Avoidance is recommended due to the high potential for alluvial channel changes during flooding. Young cottonwoods, including saplings, play an important role in reducing flood flow



72

and dissipating flood energy, which helps to reduce the amount of alluvial channel changes during flooding. Use by livestock should be minimized in order to protect this community type, and to reduce the potential for nutrient loading in a flood-prone setting. Restoration can be promoted by using live cuttings of Plains Cottonwoods.


• Plate 64: POPUDEL/RAB CT (Plains Cottonwood/Recent Alluvial Bar), Alexander Wilderness Pk at Oldman R., Lethbridge. Subsoil of SALIEXI CT shown in Plate 96.

• Plate 65: POPUDEL/RAB CT; Gleyed Cumulic Regosol with recent fluvial soil deposition (at left) at Alexander Wilderness Park, Lethbridge.

POPUDEL/SYMPOCC CT (Plains Cottonwood / Buckbrush) Sample Location #

Natural Subregion





POPUDEL/RAB CT; POPUDEL/HERB CT; PRUNVIR CT

9901295 Lethbridge Plain

Mixedgrass Pavan Park, Oldman River, Lethbridge

POPUDEL/HERB CT; SHEPARG CT

Site Information for Each Location: • Correlation with Alberta Grassland Vegetation Inventory: Lotic Deciduous • Common Slope Range: 0.5 to 7 % • Ecological Moisture Regime: Mesic (fresh); subhygric (moderately moist) • Nutrient Regime: Permesotrophic (medium) • Surface Substrate: Dominantly organic surface • Parent Material and Surface Expression: Fluvial terraced • Flooding: May be expected • Depth to Groundwater on Sampling Date (cm): 280; 350


• Drainage Class(es): moderately well drained • Sampled Soil Subgroup(s): Cumulic Regosol with 2 cm recent deposition;

Orthic Regosol • Topsoil Depth and Characteristics: : Thin to moderate depth (5 to 15 cm) with

grayish colours, low organic matter content and a discontinuous leaf litter mat. • Textures: Sand; Silt loam to sandy loam • Reaction: Weakly to moderately alkaline



73


Moderate to High





Avoidance is recommended, but restoration can be promoted by using live cuttings or transplants of the key species. Care and attention after disturbance will be required to restore hydrology and soils.

Management Recommendations: Use by livestock should be minimized in order to protect this community type, to reduce the potential for nutrient loading in a flood-prone setting, to protect banks, and to minimize conflict between livestock and wildlife. Plains Cottonwood/Buckbrush is not recommended for a winter feeding location due to the sensitivity of the community type. The best grazing use is of short duration in late summer or autumn. This community type is not appropriate for manure storage or campground facilities, but it is desirable for day use picnic areas.

Developments/disturbances should avoid this community type due to the sensitivity, the potential for invasive plants, the importance and value to wildlife, and the difficulty of restoration.


• Plate 66: POPUDEL/SYMPOCC CT (Plains Cottonwood/Buckbrush) Cumulic Regosol in cut to 35 cm at Grand Forks (confluence of Bow and Oldman Rivers).

• Plate 67: POPUDEL/SYMPOCC CT (Plains Cottonwood/Buckbrush) at Pavan Park, Lethbridge, showing soil mottles in auger tip against a corrugated Cottonwood trunk.

POPUTRE/ACTARUB HT (Aspen Poplar/Baneberry) This Habitat Type is not described in the Alberta riparian plant community reports (Thompson and Hansen 2002, 2003) nor in the Montana (Hansen et al. 1995) or Saskatchewan (Thompson and Hansen 2001) reports. However, several sites were noted in southern Alberta, and two locations were sampled representing different Ecodistricts of the Montane Natural Subregion. Sample Location #

Natural Subregion



East end of Elkwater on south side of Lake

PICEGLA/EQUIARV HT; POPUBAL/CORNSTO CT


Beauvais Lake Prov. Park CAREROS HT; POPUBAL/HERB CT



74


• Correlation with Alberta Grassland Vegetation Inventory: Subirrigated; Lotic Deciduous; Overflow

• Common Slope Class: 2 to 5% • Ecological Moisture Regime: Hygric (moist) to mesic (fresh) • Nutrient Regime: Mesotrophic (medium) • Surface Substrate: Dominantly organic, with some mineral materials • Parent Material and Surface Expression: Lacustrine blanket; Fluvial fan • Flooding: Rare to may be expected • Depth to Groundwater on Sampling Date (cm): 150; 300


• Drainage Class(es): Imperfectly to moderately well drained • Sampled Soil Subgroup(s): Gleyed Regosol; Orthic Humic Regosol • Topsoil Depth and Characteristics: Thin to moderate depth (5 to 15 cm) with

grayish colours, low organic matter content and a discontinuous leaf litter mat. • Textures: Silty clay loam; gravelly clay loam to clay loam • Reaction: Neutral to moderately alkaline


Moderate to High




Invasive Plants


Avoidance is recommended, but restoration can be promoted by using live cuttings or transplants. Restoration of hydrology and soils after disturbance is expected to be difficult.

Management Recommendations: The Aspen Poplar/ Baneberry habitat type should be managed to best maintain the hydrologic regime, and to focus care and attention on maintaining habitat quality.

Use by livestock should be minimized in order to protect this habitat type, to reduce the potential for nutrient loading in a flood-prone setting, to protect bank and shore habitats, and to minimize conflict between livestock and wildlife. Aspen Poplar/ Baneberry is not appropriate for a winter feeding location due to the sensitivity of the habitat type. The best grazing use is of short duration in late summer or autumn. This habitat type is not appropriate for manure storage or campground facilities, but it is desirable for day use picnic areas.

Developments/disturbances should avoid this habitat type to reduce the potential for invasive species, which can inhibit a potential shrub layer, and can ultimately increase the potential for water erosion. Restoration can be promoted by using live cuttings or transplants. Hydrology may be especially difficult to restore.



75


• Plate 68: POPUTRE/ACTARUB HT (Aspen Poplar/Baneberry) Orthic Humic Regosol on gravelly clay loam debris flow deposit at Beauvais Lake Provincial Park.

POPUTRE/CORNSTO CT (Aspen Poplar / Red-Osier Dogwood) Sample Location #

Natural Subregion



Endiang Upland

11 km SSE of Endiang POPUTRE/HERB CT; CAREATH HT


Endiang Upland

6 km WNW of Endiang SALIBEB/CAREATH HT; POPUTRE/HERB CT


• Correlation with Alberta Grassland Vegetation Inventory: Lentic Temporary; Subirrigated

• Common Slope Range: 2 to 15 % but some edges of Lentics may be up to 30%. • Ecological Moisture Regime: Mesic (fresh) • Nutrient Regime: Permesotrophic (medium) to mesotrophic (medium) • Surface Substrate: Dominantly organic material • Parent Material and Surface Expression: Morainal hummocky to inclined • Flooding: Rare to no hazard • Depth to Groundwater on Sampling Date (cm): 150; 200

Soil Information for Each Location: • Drainage Class(es): Imperfectly to moderately well drained • Sampled Soil Subgroup(s): Gleyed Eluviated Dark Brown Chernozem;

Eluviated Dark Brown Chernozem • Topsoil Depth and Characteristics: Moderate to deep mineral (10 to 25 cm) with

dark grayish colours (also an eluviated layer-Ae), moderate organic matter content and a discontinuous leaf litter mat (0 to 15 cm depth).

• Textures: Clay loam • Reaction: Slightly acidic to neutral


Variable (Moderate to

Extreme)

Moderate to High


Extreme

Invasive Plants Soil Puddling and Frost Heave

Management Recommendations: The Aspen Poplar/Red Osier Dogwood community type should be managed to best maintain the hydrologic regime, and to focus care and attention on maintaining habitat quality.



76

Use by livestock should be minimized in order to protect this community type, to reduce the potential for nutrient loading in a flood-prone setting, to protect bank and shore habitats, and to minimize conflict between livestock and wildlife. Aspen Poplar/ Red Osier Dogwood may serve as an occasional winter feeding location, provided that manure is properly handled and applied to adjacent land holdings using a nutrient management plan. The best grazing use is of short duration in late summer or autumn. This community type is not appropriate for manure storage or campground facilities, but it is desirable for day use picnic areas.

Developments/disturbances should avoid this community type to reduce the potential for invasive species, which can inhibit a potential shrub layer, and can ultimately increase the potential for water erosion. Restoration can be promoted by using live cuttings or transplants, and special techniques for hydrology.


• Plate 69: POPUTRE/CORNSTO CT (Aspen Poplar/Red Osier Dogwood), overview of site and area southeast of Endiang.

• Plate 70. POPUTRE/CORNSTO CT Eluviated Dark Brown Chernozem developed on clay loam till; cut to 45 cm located 6 km west-northwest of Endiang.

POPUTRE/HERB CT (Aspen Poplar/Herbaceous) Sample Location #

Natural Subregion



Rainy Hills Upland

10 km east of Jenner on Sec. #555

PHALARU HT; POPUTRE/SYMPOCC CT


Endiang Upland

11 km south of Endiang and 200 m west of Sec. #855

Considered a young community, and no recognized riparian neighbours.

Site Information for Each Location: • Correlation with Alberta Grassland Vegetation Inventory: Lentic Temporary • Common Slope Class: 0.5 to 2 % • Ecological Moisture Regime: Subhygric (moderately moist) to mesic (fresh) • Nutrient Regime: Permesotrophic (medium) to mesotrophic (medium) • Surface Substrate: Dominantly organic material • Parent Material and Surface Expression: Lacustrine veneer over morainal

hummocky; morainal undulating • Flooding: Rare to no hazard • Depth to Groundwater on Sampling Date (cm): 230; 250 • Comments: 9901048 is interpreted as a 50 year-old stand of aspen


• Drainage Class(es): Imperfectly to moderately well drained



77

• Sampled Soil Subgroup(s): Gleyed Eluviated Dark Brown Chernozem (Dark Brown at this location indicates reduced evapotranspiration); Eluviated Dark Brown Chernozem

• Topsoil Depth and Characteristics: Moderate to deep mineral (10 to 25 cm) with dark grayish colours (may include an eluviated layer-Ae), moderate to low organic matter content and a discontinuous leaf litter mat (0 to 10 cm depth).

• Textures: clay loam; loamy sand to sandy loam • Reaction: Neutral to weakly alkaline



Extreme



Management Recommendations: The Aspen Poplar/Herbaceous community type should be managed to best maintain the hydrologic regime, and to focus care and attention on maintaining habitat quality.

Developments/disturbances should avoid this community type to reduce the potential for invasive species, which can inhibit a potential shrub layer, and can ultimately increase the potential for water erosion. Restoration can be promoted by using live cuttings or transplants, and attention to hydrologic conditions.

Use by livestock should be minimized in order to protect this community type, to reduce the potential for nutrient loading in a flood-prone setting, to protect banks, and to minimize conflict between livestock and wildlife. Aspen Poplar/Herbaceous may serve as an occasional winter feeding location, provided that manure is properly handled and applied to adjacent land holdings using a nutrient management plan. The best grazing use is of short duration in late summer or autumn. This community type is not appropriate for manure storage or campground facilities, but it is desirable for day use picnic areas.


• Plate 71: POPUTRE HERB CT (Aspen Poplar/Herbaceous) at upper left to centre; located 11 km south of Endiang.

• Plate 72: POPUTRE HERB CT near Jenner. Gleyed Eluviated Dark Brown Chernozem and soil mottles indicative of imperfect soil drainage.



78

POPUTRE/SYMPOCC CT (Aspen Poplar / Buckbrush) Sample Location #

Natural Subregion



Castor Plain

8 km east of Veteran SALIBEB/CAREATH HT; POPUTRE/HERB CT


2 km S of Castle Falls Recr. Area W of Beaver Mines

SALIPLA CT

Site Information for Each Location: • Correlation with Alberta Grassland Vegetation Inventory: Lentic Temporary;

Subirrigated • Common Slope Range: 0.5 to 5 % • Ecological Moisture Regime: Mesic (fresh) • Nutrient Regime: Mesotrophic (medium) • Surface Substrate: Dominantly organic material • Parent Material and Surface Expression: Morainal hummocky; Fluvial terraced • Flooding: Rare to no hazard • Depth to Groundwater on Sampling Date (cm): 200; 135

Soil Information for Each Location: • Drainage Class(es): Moderately well drained • Sampled Soil Subgroup(s): Calcareous Dark Brown Chernozem; Orthic Black

Chernozem • Topsoil Depth and Characteristics: Moderate to deep mineral (15 to 30 cm) with

dark colours (may include a transitional layer-AB), moderate to high organic matter content and a discontinuous leaf litter mat (0 to 10 cm depth).

• Textures: Clay loam; loam to sandy loam over gravelly sandy loam • Reaction: Slightly acidic to slightly alkaline

Interpretations: Soil-related Limitations Rated as Moderate to High or Greater Variable (Moderate to

Extreme) Moderate to

High High High to

Extreme Extreme


Management Recommendations: The Aspen Poplar/Buckbrush community type should be managed to best maintain the hydrologic regime, and to focus care and attention on maintaining habitat quality.

Use by livestock should be minimized in order to protect this plant community, to reduce the potential for nutrient loading in a flood-prone setting, to protect bank and shore habitats, and to minimize conflict between livestock and wildlife. Aspen Poplar/ Buckbrush may serve as an occasional winter feeding location, provided that it is used infrequently, and mechanical damage to the community type is minimal. Manure must be properly handled and applied to adjacent land holdings using a nutrient management



79

plan. The best grazing use is of short duration in late summer or autumn. This community type is not appropriate for manure storage or campground facilities, but it is desirable for day use picnic areas.

If possible, developments/disturbances should avoid this community type to reduce the potential for invasive species, which can inhibit a potential shrub layer, and can ultimately increase the potential for water erosion. Restoration can be promoted by using live cuttings or transplants, and special techniques for hydrology.

List of Plates in Appendix B: • Plate 73: POPUTRE/SYMPOCC CT (Aspen Poplar/Buckbrush, patch indicated

by arrow), with willow edge near Castle Falls.

• Plate 74: POPUTRE/SYMPOCC CT: Edge of Lentic Seasonal east of Veteran; upper 30 cm of a moderately well drained Calcareous Dark Brown Chernozem, Cumulic phase.

PRUNVIR CT (Choke Cherry) Sample Location #

Natural Subregion



Foremost Plain


ARTECAN/AGROSMI HT; SHEPARG CT; SYMPOCC CT




POPUDEL/HERB CT

Site Information for Each Location: • Correlation with Alberta Grassland Vegetation Inventory: Overflow; Lotic

Shrub • Common Slope Range: 0.5 to 5 % • Ecological Moisture Regime: Submesic (moderately fresh) • Nutrient Regime: Mesotrophic (medium) • Surface Substrate: Dominantly organic material • Parent Material and Surface Expression: Fluvial terraced • Flooding: Rare to may be expected • Depth to Groundwater on Sampling Date (cm): 350; 480

Soil Information for Each Location: • Drainage Class(es): Well drained • Sampled Soil Subgroup(s): Orthic Regosol • Topsoil Depth and Characteristics: Thin to moderate depth (5 to 15 cm) with

grayish colours, low organic matter content and a discontinuous leaf litter mat. • Textures: Sandy loam to loamy sand • Reaction: Weakly to moderately alkaline



80


Moderate to High


Extreme

Contamination Drought Invasive Plants

Management Recommendations: Several fruit-eating birds consume Choke Cherry in great numbers (Kuijt 1972). Choke Cherry is potentially toxic to livestock in early spring or after frost. Poisonings to livestock are rare, as large amounts must be consumed (Stone and Lawrence 2000). Invasion by non-native plants is a high to extreme risk, due to the variable moisture regime, potential for occasional droughts, and the presence of some bare soil mixed with surfaces of leaf litter. Developments and disturbances should be minimized due to the importance and value to wildlife, in addition to the risk for invasive plants. If this community type is disturbed, care and attention will be required to restore soil quality and hydrologic characteristics. The best grazing use is short duration in late summer or autumn. This community type is not appropriate for winter feeding, due to mechanical damage of branches, the potential for invasive plants, and nutrient loading of near-by surface waters.


• Plate 75: PRUNVIR CT (Choke Cherry) large oval patch in lower to middle foreground at Writing-On-Stone Provincial Park. Also sampled BETUOCC CT at far left middle-ground. Refer to Figures 8, 9a and 9b for site overviews.

PUCCNUT HT (Nuttall’s Salt-meadow Grass) Sample Location #

Natural Subregion



Neutral Hills

Gooseberry Lake Prov. Park SALIEXI CT; TYPHLAT HT; Water


Foremost Plain

S. edge of Etzikom coulee, 11 km S of Etzikom

HORDJUB CT; SALIEUR CT

Site Information for Each Location: • Correlation with Alberta Grassland Vegetation Inventory: Lentic Alkali • Common Slope Range: 0 to 2 % • Ecological Moisture Regime: subhydric (moderately wet) • Nutrient Regime: Hypereutrophic (Eg., saline); mesotrophic (medium) • Surface Substrate: Dominantly organic surface • Parent Material and Surface Expression: Lacustrine level to depressional • Flooding: May be expected • Depth to Groundwater on Sampling Date (cm): 5; 85




81

• Drainage Class(es): Very poorly to imperfectly drained • Sampled Soil Subgroup(s): Saline phases of Rego Gleysol and Gleyed Regosol • Topsoil Depth and Characteristics: Thin to moderate depths (5 to 20 cm), low

organic matter content, transitional to parent material (AC) and strongly saline • Textures: Loam to clay • Reaction: Moderately to strongly alkaline


Variable (Moderate

to Extreme)



Disturbance

Excess Moisture

Contamination Soil Puddling and Frost Heave

Salinization



Avoidance is recommended due to frequent standing water or saturated conditions. Restoration of soil, hydrology and landscape characteristics is expected to be highly difficult after disturbance.

Management Recommendations: It is important to avoid human or livestock use except when dry or frozen. Livestock grazing and/or winter use should be of short duration in order to protect valuable surface water sources, and to minimize the extreme potential for pugging and salinization, and the high potential for nutrient loading. Nuttall’s Salt-meadow Grass should not be disturbed due to the potential for contamination, rutting, or the modification of salinity and moisture regime. These potential changes make it difficult to restore soil, hydrology and landscape characteristics.


• Plate 76: PUCCNUT HT (Nuttall’s Salt-meadow Grass) site between pack and shovel at Gooseberry Lake Provincial Park, looking to horizon and POPUBAL/CORNSTO CT (Plate 58).

• Plate 77: PUCCNUT HT (Nuttall’s Salt-meadow Grass in middle ground) at Etzikom Coulee in Lentic Alkaline wetland site type.

• Plate 78: PUCCNUT HT, top 20 cm of Gleyed Regosol, Saline phase, at Etzikom Coulee.

ROSAWOO CT (Common Wild Rose) Sample Location #

Natural Subregion



Bindloss Plain

Old Ferry Crossing on S. Sask. R. NW of Hilda

ARTECAN/AGROSMI HT; SALILUT CT


Sounding Ck. Plain

Sounding Ck. valley S of Sedalia in Twp. 30 R5, W4M

SYMPOCC CT



82


• Correlation with Alberta Grassland Vegetation Inventory: Lotic Shrub; Overflow

• Common Slope Range: 0.5 to 9 %, but may occur on riser slopes to 60% • Ecological Moisture Regime: Mesic (fresh) to submesic (moderately fresh) • Nutrient Regime: Mesotrophic (medium) • Surface Substrate: Dominated by organic matter • Parent Material and Surface Expression: Fluvial terraced • Flooding: Rare to no hazard • Depth to Groundwater on Sampling Date (cm): 300; 250


• Drainage Class(es): Well to moderately well drained • Sampled Soil Subgroup(s): Orthic Regosol; Orthic Dark Brown Chernozem • Topsoil Depth and Characteristics: Thin to moderate depth (5 to 20 cm),dark

grayish to gray colours, low organic matter content and may have buried horizons • Textures: Sandy loam to loamy sand; clay loam • Reaction: Neutral to moderately alkaline


Moderate to High



Contamination Drought

Invasive Plants

Management Recommendations: Invasion by non-native plants is a high to extreme risk, due to the variable moisture regime, potential for occasional droughts, and the presence of some bare soil mixed with surfaces of leaf litter. Developments and disturbances should be minimized due to the importance and value to wildlife, in addition to the risk for invasive plants. If Common Wild Rose is disturbed it will require attention to restore soil quality and hydrologic characteristics. However, it is highly capable of assisted recovery, as Common Wild Rose is easily grown from root cuttings or nursery stock. The best grazing use is short duration in late summer or autumn. This community type is not appropriate for winter feeding, due to the potential for invasive plants and nutrient loading of near-by surface waters.


• Plate 79: ROSAWOO CT (Common Wild Rose) on fluvial terrace of Sounding Creek.

• Plate 80: ROSAWOO CT 100 cm cut of sandy loam dominated fluvial and Orthic Regosol, Cumulic phase at South Saskatchewan River northwest of Hilda.



83

SALIAMY CT (Peach-leaved Willow) Sample Location #

Natural Subregion



Bow City Plain

Kinbrook Marsh, Lake Newell

AGROSMI HT; TYPHLAT HT


Bindloss Plain

Bindloss Park of Special Areas, at Red Deer River

GLYCLEP CT; BETUOCC CT

Site Information for Each Location: • Correlation with Alberta Grassland Vegetation Inventory: Lentic Seasonal;

Lotic Shrub • Common Slope Class: 0.5 to 2 % • Ecological Moisture Regime: Subhydric (moderately wet) to mesic (fresh) • Nutrient Regime: Eutrophic (very rich) to mesotrophic (medium) • Surface Substrate: Dominantly organic material • Parent Material and Surface Expression: Morainal undulating; Fluvial terraced • Flooding: May be expected • Depth to Groundwater on Sampling Date (cm): 90; 320

Soil Information for Each Location: • Drainage Class(es): Variable. Poorly to moderately well drained • Sampled Soil Subgroup(s): Variable. Orthic Humic Regosol; Orthic Gleysol

(Orthic Humic Gleysols also occur) • Topsoil Depth and Characteristics: Thin to moderate depth (8 to 20 cm),dark

colour, and moderate organic matter content; fungal mycelia in Ahk at 9890141. • Textures: Clay loam to sandy clay loam • Reaction: Slightly to moderately alkaline


Moderate to High Rationale for Site Restoration After Disturbance

Excess Moisture

Salinization



Invasive Plants

Contamination


Avoidance is recommended, but restoration can be promoted by using live cuttings. It is expected that restoration will be difficult after disburbance, particularly for hydrologic conditions and soil quality.

• Other Interpretations: Can be subject to periodic flooding.



84

Management Recommendations: Use by livestock should be minimized in order to protect this valuable community type, to reduce the potential for nutrient loading in a flood-prone setting, to protect bank or shore habitats, and to minimize conflict between livestock and wildlife. This community type is not appropriate for a winter feeding or summer shade site for livestock, due to the potential for damaged branches and trunks. The best grazing use is of short duration in late summer or autumn. This community type is not appropriate for manure storage or campground facilities, but it is desirable for day use picnic areas.

Developments/disturbances should avoid this community type due to the sensitivity, infrequent occurrence, importance and value to wildlife, and difficulty of restoration.


• Plate 81: SALIAMY CT (Peach-leaved Willow) site at Bindloss Park, Red Deer River with unsampled GLYCLEP CT (Wild Licorice) at lower right.

• Plate 82: SALIAMY CT moderately well drained Orthic Humic Regosol at Plate 81 site.

• Plate 83: SALIAMY CT at Lake Newell; poorly drained Orthic Gleysol showing many, moderate and prominent mottles in Bgk horizon at 8 to 37 cm in depth.

SALIBEB CT (Bebb Willow) Sample Location #

Natural Subregion Ecodistrict General Location Adjacent Plant Communities

9890160 Foothills Fescue Willow Ck. Upland


SYMPOCC CT; CAREATH HT

9890234 Foothills Fescue (Transitional to Foothills Parkland)

Willow Ck. Upland

Springhill, about 20 km west of Nanton

CAREATH HT


• Correlation with Alberta Grassland Vegetation Inventory: Sampled locations are Lotic Shrub and Lentic Semi-Permanent to Permanent. However, Bebb Willow is widespread in Alberta’s southwest, particularly in the Foothills Parkland and Montane Natural Subregions. Bebb Will occurs on both riparian and non-riparian sites, the latter of which include Overflow, Thin Breaks, Loamy, and Clayey.

• Common Slope Class: 0.5 to 5% • Ecological Moisture Regime: Subhygric (moderately moist) to hygric (moist) • Nutrient Regime: Permesotrophic (medium) to mesotrophic (medium) • Surface Substrate: Dominantly organic material. • Parent Material and Surface Expression: Fluvial terraced; Lacustrine veneer

over morainal hummocky. • Flooding: May be expected. • Depth to Groundwater on Sampling Date (cm): 150; 75



85


• Drainage Class(es): Imperfectly to poorly drained • Sampled Soil Subgroup(s): Gleyed Humic Regosol; Orthic Humic Gleysol • Topsoil Depth and Characteristics: Moderate to deep (12 to 25 cm) with dark

grayish colours, moderate organic matter content, and may have an eluviated horizon. Topsoil at #9890234 has been worked by earthworms.

• Textures: Sandy clay loam; clay loam to clay • Reaction: Moderately acidic to moderately alkaline.



Excess Moisture



Invasive Plants

Contamination

Management Recommendations: Heavy utilization may eliminate Bebb Willow from riparian areas (Hale et al. 2005). Use by livestock should be minimized in order to protect this valuable community type, to reduce the potential for nutrient loading in a flood-prone setting, to protect bank or shore habitats, and to minimize conflict between livestock and wildlife. This community type is not appropriate for a winter feeding or summer shade site for livestock due to the potential for branch damage. The best grazing use is of short duration in late summer or autumn. This community type is not appropriate for manure storage, but it is desireable for campground facilities or day-use picnic areas.

Developments/disturbances should avoid this community type due to the sensitivity, infrequent occurrence, importance and value to wildlife. If disturbed, care and attention will be required to restore soil or hydrologic conditions. The Bebb Willow community type can be assisted through the use of live stakes, layering of brush residue, or use of rooted container stocks.


• Plate 84: SALIBEB CT (Bebb Willow) site at Lyndon Creek (west of Claresholm) looking north. Also sampled CAREATH HT (Plate 16). Refer to Figures 10 and 11 for other overviews of the Lyndon Ck. area.

• Plate 85: Overview of SALIBEB CT fringed wetland west of Nanton (at arrow), near the Foothills Fescue & Foothills Parkland boundary.

• Plate 86: SALIBEB CT poorly drained, clay loam, Orthic Humic Gleysol at Plate 85 site.



86

SALIBEB/CAREATH HT (Bebb Willow / Awned Sedge) Sample Location #

Natural Subregion



Elkwater Lake Jct. S of Hwy 41 in Cypress Hills P. Park

CAREATH HT; TYPHLAT HT


Beauvais Lake Prov. Park CAREATH HT; Water


Correlation with Alberta Grassland Vegetation Inventory: Both sampled locations were Lentic Semi-permanent to Permanent. Bebb Willow / Awned Sedge is widespread in the Foothills Parkland and Montane Natural Subregions, and is mainly associated with riparian sites including Subirrigated, Lotic Shrub, and Lentic Semi-Permanent to Permanent.

• Common Slope Range: 0 to 2% • Ecological Moisture Regime: Hygric (moist) • Nutrient Regime: Permesotrophic (medium) to mesotrophic (medium) • Surface Substrate: Dominantly organic material. • Parent Material and Surface Expression: Lacustrine level. • Flooding: Rare to may be expected. • Depth to Groundwater on Sampling Date (cm): 10; 25

Soil Information for Each Location: • Drainage Class(es): Poorly drained • Sampled Soil Subgroup(s): Rego Gleysol, Peaty phase (30 cm peat at surface);

Rego Humic Gleysol • Topsoil Depth and Characteristics: Discontinuous thin-phase organic or peat

surface (<40 cm) overlying thin to moderate (5 to 15 cm) mineral with dark gray colour and moderate organic matter content.

• Textures: Silty clay • Reaction: Slightly acidic to moderately alkaline.




Excess Moisture Rutting, Compaction, and Pugging



Avoidance is recommended, but restoration can be promoted by using live cuttings. Restoration is expected to be highly difficult upon disturbance, particularly for hydrologic and soil conditions.



87

Management Recommendations: Heavy utilization may eliminate Bebb Willow/Awned Sedge from riparian areas (Hale et al. 2005), due to rutting, compaction or pugging, and the resulting modified hydrologic regime. This habitat type is not appropriate for a winter feeding or summer shade site for livestock. Use by livestock should be minimized in order to protect this valuable habitat type, to minimize branch damage, to reduce the potential for nutrient loading in a flood-prone setting, to protect bank or shore habitats, and to minimize conflict between livestock and wildlife. The best grazing use is of short duration in late summer or autumn. This habitat type is not appropriate for manure storage or campground facilities, due to the proximity to groundwater, but it is desirable for day use picnic areas.

Developments/disturbances should avoid this habitat type due to the sensitivity, infrequent occurrence, importance and value to wildlife, and limitations for restoration of soil or hydrologic conditions. The Bebb Willow/Awned Sedge habitat type can be assisted through the use of live stakes, layering of brush residue, or use of rooted container stocks. Awned Sedge is capable of natural recovery when disturbed, but it requires a focus on restoration of soil and hydrologic conditions to prevent salinization, rutting, compaction or pugging.


• Plate 87: SALIBEB/CAREATH HT (Bebb Willow/Awned Sedge) site, at middleground below Bebb Willow, in Cypress Hills Provincial Park at Elkwater.

• Plate 88: SALIBEB/CAREATH HT poorly drained Rego Humic Gleysol at west side of Beauvais Lake Provincial Park, with groundwater visible at 25 cm depth.

SALIBEB/CORNSTO HT (Bebb Willow / Red-Osier Dogwood) Sample Location #

Natural Subregion



Endiang Upland

8 km south of Endiang SALIBEB CT; CAREATH HT; POPUTRE/HERB CT

Site Information for Each Location: • Correlation with Alberta Grassland Vegetation Inventory: The sampled

location occurs in Lentic Semi-permanent to Permanent. This plant community occurs in the moister Natural Subregions on both riparian and upland sites.

• Common Slope Class: 0.5 to 2% • Ecological Moisture Regime: Subhygric (moderately moist) • Nutrient Regime: Permesotrophic (medium) • Surface Substrate: Dominantly organic material. • Parent Material and Surface Expression: Glaciofluvial veneer over till



88

• Flooding: May be expected. • Depth to Groundwater on Sampling Date (cm): 100

Soil Information for Each Location: • Drainage Class(es): Poorly drained • Sampled Soil Subgroup(s): Humic Luvic Gleysol • Topsoil Depth and Characteristics: Moderate to deep (12 to 25 cm) with dark

grayish colours, moderate organic matter content, with an eluviated horizon. May have a discontinuous veneer of leaf litter.

• Textures: Clay loam • Reaction: Weakly acidic to neutral.


Moderate to High

High Rationale for Site Restoration After Disturbance

Excess Moisture

Contamination

Soil Puddling and Frost Heave; Invasive Plants



Avoidance is recommended, but restoration can be promoted by using live cuttings. A high degree of difficulty is expected for restoration after disturbance, particularly for hydrologic conditions and soils.

Management Recommendations: Heavy utilization may eliminate Bebb Willow/Red-Osier Dogwood from riparian areas (Hale et al. 2005), due to rutting, compaction or pugging, and the resulting modified hydrologic regime. Use by livestock should be minimized in order to protect this valuable habitat type, to reduce the potential for nutrient loading in a flood-prone setting, to protect bank or shore habitats, to prevent branch damage, and to minimize conflict between livestock and wildlife. This habitat type is not appropriate for a winter feeding or summer shade site for livestock. The best grazing use is of short duration in late summer or autumn. This habitat type is not appropriate for manure storage or campground facilities, but it is desirable for day use picnic areas.

Developments/disturbances should avoid this habitat type due to the sensitivity, infrequent occurrence, importance and value to wildlife, and the high degree of difficulty expected for restoration of soil and hydrologic conditions after disturbance. The Bebb Willow/Red-Osier Dogwood habitat type can be assisted through the use of live stakes, layering of brush residue, or use of rooted container stocks. Red-Osier Dogwood is highly palatable and therefore may be an early decreasing species (Hale et al. 2005).


• Plate 89: SALIBEB/CORNSTO HT (Bebb Willow/Red-Osier Dogwood) in Lentic Semi-permanent wetland south of Endiang fringed by Aspen Poplar.



89

• Plate 90: SALIBEB/CORNSTO HT branches of both key species south of Endiang.

SALIEUR CT (Samphire) Sample Location #

Natural Subregion



Bindloss Plain

East shore of Dishpan Lake in CFB Suffield

SARCVER/AGROSMI HT; Water


Wintering Hills

Handhills Lake HORDJUB CT; Water


• Correlation with Alberta Grassland Vegetation Inventory: Lentic Alkaline; Saline Lowland; Lotic Herbaceous

• Common Slope Range: 0 to 2% • Ecological Moisture Regime: Subhydric (moderately wet) to hygric (moist) • Nutrient Regime: Hypereutrophic (Eg., saline) • Surface Substrate: 90 to 95% mineral surface. • Parent Material and Surface Expression: Lacustrine level (beach setting). • Flooding: Variable; rare to frequent. • Depth to Groundwater on Sampling Date (cm): 130; 160

Soil Information for Each Location: • Drainage Class(es): Poorly drained • Sampled Soil Subgroup(s): Rego Gleysol, Saline phase • Topsoil Depth and Characteristics: None to thin, with low organic matter

content. • Textures: Sandy clay loam to loamy coarse sand. • Reaction: Moderately to strongly alkaline; strongly saline.



Extreme

Water Erosion Excess Moisture

Salinization


Wind Erosion


• Other Interpretations: Samphire typically occurs in highly saline areas that may be flooded early in the season.

Management Recommendations: Samphire is one of the most saline-tolerant native plants. If salinity or soil conditions are further worsened, it may inhibit the successful



90

growth of any desirable plants. It is important to avoid human or livestock use except when dry or frozen. Livestock grazing and/or winter use should be of short duration in order to minimize the extreme potential for pugging and salinization, and the high potential for flooding and wind erosion.


• Plate 91: SALIEUR CT (Samphire) on the east shore of Dishpan Lake, CFB Suffield. Colour change (reddish-brown to green) indicates growth stages and spring shoreline.

• Plate 92: SALIEUR CT 45 cm cut of Saline Rego Gleysol at site shown in Plate 91.

• Plate 93: SALIEUR CT site and Saline Rego Gleysol soil material at Handhills Lake.

SALIEXI CT (Sandbar Willow) Sample Location #

Natural Subregion



Vauxhall Plain

Bow River at Hays Bridge GLYCLEP CT; Water


Oldman River at Alexander Wilderness Park, Lethbridge

POPUDEL/RAB CT; Water

Site Information for Each Location: • Correlation with Alberta Grassland Vegetation Inventory: Lotic Shrub • Common Slope Range: 0 to 2%, but may be on short riser slopes up to 30%. • Ecological Moisture Regime: Subhygric (moderately moist) to mesic (fresh) • Nutrient Regime: Permesotrophic (medium) to mesotrophic (medium) • Surface Substrate: 90 to 95% mineral surface. • Parent Material and Surface Expression: Fuvial terraced • Flooding: May be expected, to frequent. • Depth to Groundwater on Sampling Date (cm): 95; 125

Soil Information for Each Location: • Drainage Class(es): Variable. Poorly to moderately well drained • Sampled Soil Subgroup(s): Variable. Rego Humic Gleysol, Cumulic phase;

Orthic Regosol • Topsoil Depth and Characteristics: Thin to moderate depth (5 to 15 cm), grayish

colours, low organic matter content and may have buried horizons. • Textures: Sandy loam to loamy sand to sandy clay loam • Reaction: Weakly to moderately alkaline.



91




Extreme

Water Erosion Excess Moisture Contamination

Invasive Plants

Management Recommendations: Flexibile stems and branches allow Sandbar Willow to provide a valuable bank and floodplain armour, especially during high flow events (Hale et al. 2005). The Sandbar Willow community type should not be disturbed because of its importance for flood control. The shrub growth plays an important role in reducing flood flow and dissipating flood energy, which helps to reduce the amount of alluvial channel changes during flooding. Restoration can be promoted by using live cuttings. Human-caused disturbance can increase the potential for invasive plants and soil contamination.


• Plate 94: SALIEXI CT (Sandbar Willow) at Bow River edge and GLYCLEP CT (Wild Licorice) narrow green fringe adjacent to Overflow (below steep slope) north of Hays.

• Plate 95: SALIEXI CT Rego Humic Gleysol near Hays, with mottles and red root stains.

• Plate 96: SALIEXI CT subsoil material with decomposing roots (not soil mottles) from 20 to 30 cm depth of Orthic Regosol adjacent to Oldman River in Lethbridge.

SALILUT CT (Yellow Willow) Sample Location #

Natural Subregion



Drumheller Plain

Willow Ck. east of Drumheller

ELAECOM CT; SYMPOCC CT; JUNCBAL CT


Cardston Plain

St. Mary River at Woolford Prov. Park

POPUANG/RAB CT; POPUANG/CORNSTO; Water


• Correlation with Alberta Grassland Vegetation Inventory: Lotic Shrub • Common Slope Range: 0.5 to 5% • Ecological Moisture Regime: Mesic (fresh) to submesic (moderately fresh) • Nutrient Regime: Mesotrophic (medium) • Surface Substrate: 70 to 80% organic material. • Parent Material and Surface Expression: Fluvial terraced • Flooding: May be expected



92



• Drainage Class(es): Variable. Imperfectly to well drained • Sampled Soil Subgroup(s): Variable. Gleyed Cumulic Humic Regosol, with

buried Ah at 31 to 36 cm; Orthic Regosol with 4 cm Ah at surface • Topsoil Depth and Characteristics: Thin to moderate depth (3 to 15 cm), grayish

colours, low to moderate organic matter content and may have buried horizons • Textures: Sandy loam to loamy sand to gravelly loamy sand • Reaction: Neutral to moderately alkaline


Moderate to High



Management Recommendations: Heavy use may eliminate Yellow Willow from riparian areas (Hale et al. 2005). The shrub growth plays an important role in reducing flood flow and dissipating flood energy, which helps to reduce the amount of alluvial channel changes during flooding.

Use by livestock should be minimized in order to protect this valuable community type, to reduce the potential for nutrient loading in a flood-prone setting, to protect bank or shore habitats, to prevent branch damage, and to avoid possible conflict between livestock and wildlife. This community type is not appropriate for a winter feeding or summer shade site for livestock. The best grazing use is of short duration in late summer or autumn. This community type is not appropriate for manure storage or campground facilities, but it is desirable for day use picnic areas.

Developments/disturbances should be minimized due to the importance and value to wildlife, and the potential for invasive plants and contamination. Restoration can be promoted by using live cuttings, with care and attention to the restoration of soil and hydrology characteristics.


• Plate 97: SALILUT CT (Yellow Willow) and other plant communities (refer to Plates 48, 51, and 52) at St. Mary River, Woolford Prov. Park.

• Plate 98: SALILUT CT soil at Willow Creek east of Drumheller.



93

SALILUT/CORNSTO HT (Yellow Willow / Red-Osier Dogwood) Sample Location #

Natural Subregion



Drumheller Plain

Kneehills Ck. at Carbon PHALARU HT; ELAECOM CT


Bindloss Plain

Near old Ferry Crossing on S. Sask. R. NW of Hilda

CAREATH HT; ELAECOM CT

Site Information for Each Location: • Correlation with Alberta Grassland Vegetation Inventory: Lotic Shrub; Lotic

Herbaceous, at edge of productive upland spring • Common Slope Range: 2 to 9% • Ecological Moisture Regime: Mesic (fresh) to subhydric (moderately wet) • Nutrient Regime: Permesotrophic (medium) to eutrophic (very rich) • Surface Substrate: 90 to 95% organic material. • Parent Material and Surface Expression: Fluvial terraced; Eolian veneer over

softrock • Flooding: Variable; May be expected to no hazard • Depth to Groundwater on Sampling Date (cm): 280; 28

Soil Information for Each Location: • Drainage Class(es): Variable. Well to poorly drained • Sampled Soil Subgroup(s): Variable. Orthic Regosol; Rego Humic Gleysol • Topsoil Depth and Characteristics: Thin to moderate depth (3 to 12 cm), grayish

colours, low to moderate organic matter content and may have buried horizons and discontinuous leaf litter. Eg., #9901308 has LFH of 4 cm and Ah of 4 cm

• Textures: Sandy loam to loamy sand; silty clay • Reaction: Slightly acidic to slightly alkaline



Moderate to High

High Rationale for Site Restoration After Disturbance



Contamination


Invasive Plants

Avoidance is recommended, but restoration can be promoted by using live cuttings, and special techniques for hydrology and soils.

Management Recommendations: Heavy use may eliminate Yellow Willow from riparian areas (Hale et al. 2005). The shrub growth plays an important role in reducing flood flow and dissipating flood energy, which helps to reduce the amount of alluvial channel changes during flooding.



94

Use by livestock should be minimized in order to protect this valuable habitat type, to reduce the potential for nutrient loading in a flood-prone setting, to protect bank or shore habitats, and to avoid possible conflict between livestock and wildlife. The Yellow Willow/Red Osier Dogwood habitat type is not appropriate for a winter feeding or summer shade site for livestock because of the potential for damage to the habitat type. The best grazing use is of short duration in late summer or autumn. This habitat type is not appropriate for manure storage or campground facilities, but it is desirable for day use picnic areas.

Developments/disturbances should be minimized due to the importance and value to wildlife, and the potential for invasive plants and contamination. Restoration can be promoted by using live cuttings. Restoration after disturbance is expected to be difficult, particularly for soil quality and hydrology conditions.


• Plate 99: SALILUT/CORNSTO HT (Yellow Willow/Red Osier Dogwood) spring northwest of Hilda, sampled at shovel and auger.

• Plate 100. SALILUT/CORNSTO HT Rego Humic Gleysol northwest of Hilda.

• Plate 101: Soil mottles at 20 to 25 cm in SALILUT/CORNSTO HT soil northwest of Hilda.

SALIPET/CAREATH HT (Basket Willow / Awned Sedge) Sample Location #

Natural Subregion



Castor Plain

8 km east of Veteran POPUTRE/HERB CT; CAREATH HT

9901045 Mixedgrass Majorville Upland

9 km north of Homestead School on Sec. #862

SALIPET CT; POPUTRE/HERB CT

Site Information for Each Location: • Correlation with Alberta Grassland Vegetation Inventory: Lentic Semi-

permanent to Permanent; Lentic Seasonal • Common Slope Class: 0.5% to 2% • Ecological Moisture Regime: Subhydric (moderately wet) to subxeric

(moderately dry) • Nutrient Regime: Permesotrophic (medium) • Surface Substrate: Mix of mineral and organic materials • Parent Material and Surface Expression: Morainal hummocky; Lacustrine

blanket over morainal hummocky • Flooding: May be expected • Depth to Groundwater on Sampling Date (cm): 75; 180


• Drainage Class(es): Variable. Poorly to imperfectly drained



95

• Sampled Soil Subgroup(s): Variable. Humic Luvic Gleysol; Gleyed Dark Brown Solodized Solonetz

• Topsoil Depth and Characteristics: Moderate to deep (12 to 25 cm) mineral; moderate organic matter with dark gray colours and eluviated horizons

• Textures: Silty clay; clay loam to clay • Reaction: Moderately acidic to neutral



Moderate to High


Rationale for Site Restoration After Disturbance





Avoidance is recommended, but restoration can be promoted by using live cuttings. Restoration after disturbance is expected to be highly difficult, particularly for hydrologic conditions and soil quality.

Management Recommendations: Use by livestock should be minimized in order to protect this valuable habitat type, to reduce the potential for nutrient loading in a flood-prone setting, to protect bank or shore habitats, and to minimize conflict between livestock and wildlife. The Basket Willow/Awned Sedge habitat type is not appropriate for a winter feeding or summer shade site for livestock, due to the potential for damage to this habitat type. The best grazing use is of short duration in late summer or autumn. This habitat type is not appropriate for manure storage or campground facilities, but it is desirable for day use picnic areas.

Developments/disturbances should avoid the Basket Willow/Awned Sedge habitat type due to the sensitivity, infrequent occurrence, importance and value to wildlife, and the high difficulty of restoration of soil or hydrologic conditions. The Basket Willow/Awned Sedge habitat type can be assisted through the use of live cuttings. Awned Sedge is capable of natural recovery when disturbed, but it is expected to the highly difficult to restore soil quality and hydrologic conditions without causing salinization, rutting, compaction or pugging.


• Plate 102: SALIPET/CAREATH HT (Basket Willow/Awned Sedge, small fringed wetland in centre) 9 km north of Homestead School.

• Plate 103: SALIPET/CAREATH HT soil 9 km north of Homestead School: Gleyed Dark Brown Solodized Solonetz with common, coarse distinct mottles above the Bntgj.

• Plate 104: SALIPET/CAREATH HT 9 km N of Homestead School, with strong medium to coarse columnar Bntgj at right, and weak medium to fine platy Aegj at upper left.



96

SALIPLA CT (Flat Leaf Willow) Sample Location #

Natural Subregion



Stimson Ck. downstream of Indian Graves Campground

CAREAQU HT; SALIPLA/CAREAQU HT

Site Information for Each Location: • Correlation with Alberta Grassland Vegetation Inventory: Lotic Shrub • Common Slope Class: 2 to 5% • Ecological Moisture Regime: Subhygric (moderately moist) • Nutrient Regime: Permesotrophic (medium) • Surface Substrate: 70% organic material. • Parent Material and Surface Expression: Fluvial terraced • Flooding: Frequent • Depth to Groundwater on Sampling Date (cm): 70, but water-table fluctuates

between 20 and 70 cm

Soil Information for Each Location: • Drainage Class(es): Poorly drained • Sampled Soil Subgroup(s): Rego Humic Gleysol • Topsoil Depth and Characteristics: Deep (20 to 40 cm) mineral; moderate

organic matter content. with dark gray colours; May have eluviated horizons • Textures: Clay loam over bedrock • Reaction: Weakly acidic to neutral


Moderate to High




Excess Moisture

Invasive Plants



Avoidance is recommended, but restoration can be promoted by using live cuttings. A high degree of difficulty is expected for restoration after disturbance, particularly for hydrologic conditions and soil quality.

Management Recommendations: Use by livestock should be minimized in order to protect this valuable community type, to reduce the potential for nutrient loading in a flood-prone setting, to protect bank or shore habitats, and to minimize conflict between livestock and wildlife. The Flat-leaved Willow community type is not appropriate for a winter feeding or summer shade site for livestock, due to the potential for damage to this community type. The best grazing use is of short duration in late summer or autumn. This community type is not appropriate for manure storage or campground facilities, but it is desirable for day use picnic areas.



97

Developments/disturbances should avoid this community type due to the sensitivity, infrequent occurrence, importance and value to wildlife, limitations for rutting, compaction and pugging, and the high degree of difficulty of restoring soil or hydrologic conditions. The Flat-leaved Willow community type can be assisted through the use of live cuttings. List of Plates in Appendix B:

• Plate 105: SALIPLA CT (Flat-leaved Willow, at centre right) site at Stimson Creek, showing recent alluvial deposit dominated by gravels and cobbles.

• Plate 106: SALIPLA CT Rego Humic Gleysol at Stimson Creek.

SALIPLA/CAREAQU HT (Flat Leaf Willow / Water Sedge) This Habitat Type occurs in the Montane, Parkland and Dry Mixedgrass, and is only described in Thompson and Hansen (2003). Sample Location #

Natural Subregion


9901278 Montane Cypress Hils

Battle Ck. at Graburn Gap Ranch, Cypress Hills P. Park

Water


Simson Ck. downstream of Indian Graves Campground

CAREAQU HT; SALIPLA CT

Site Information for Each Location: • Correlation with Alberta Grassland Vegetation Inventory: Lotic Shrub • Common Slope Range: 0 to 2% • Ecological Moisture Regime: Hygric (moist) to hydric (wet) • Nutrient Regime: Permesotrophic (medium) • Surface Substrate: Dominantly organic material, or organic and water • Parent Material and Surface Expression: Fluvial terraced • Flooding: Frequent • Depth to Groundwater on Sampling Date (cm): 27; 20 cm above ground

Soil Information for Each Location: • Drainage Class(es): Poorly to very poorly drained • Sampled Soil Subgroup(s): Rego Gleysol, Calcareous phase; Rego Gleysol,

Cumulic phase, with buried peaty layer of 55 cm thick. • Topsoil Depth and Characteristics: Discontinuous thin-phase organic or peat

surface (<20 cm) overlying thin (0 to 10 cm) mineral of grayish colour and low organic matter content

• Textures: Loam to sandy clay loam; clay loam to clay • Reaction: Moderately acidic to slightly alkaline



98


Moderate to High





Excess Moisture


Avoidance is recommended, but restoration can be promoted by using live cuttings. A high degree of difficulty is expected for restoration after disturbance, particularly for hydrologic conditions and soil quality.

Management Recommendations: If disturbed, there is an extreme potential for rutting, compaction or pugging, and a modified hydrologic regime. Use by livestock should be minimized in order to protect the Flat-leaved Willow/Water Sedge habitat type. This habitat type is not appropriate for a winter feeding or summer shade site for livestock, due to the high potential for damage to this habitat type. The best grazing use is of short duration in late summer or autumn. This habitat type is not appropriate for manure storage or campground facilities, but it is desirable for day use picnic areas.

Developments/disturbances should avoid the Flat-leaved Willow/Water Sedge habitat type due to the sensitivity, infrequent occurrence, importance and value to wildlife. Water Sedge is capable of natural recovery upon disturbance, and Flat-leaved Willow can be assisted through the use of live cuttings. However, restoration of soil and hydrologic conditions is expected to present a high degree of difficulty without causing additional problems, such as compaction.


• Plate 107: SALIPLA/CAREAQU HT (Flat-leaved Willow/Water Sedge) at Battle Creek.

• Plate 108: SALIPLA/CAREAQU HT Rego Gleysol at Battle Creek with water table at 27 cm.

SARCVER/AGROSMI HT (Greasewood / Western Wheat Grass) Sample Location #

Natural Subregion



Wildhorse Plain

Bare Ck. in Twp. 2 Rge. 2 W4



Bindloss Plain

East side of Dishpan lake in CFB Suffield

SALIEUR CT; AGROSMI HT



99


• Correlation with Alberta Grassland Vegetation Inventory: Lotic shrub; Subirrigated

• Common Slope Range: 0.5 to 9% • Ecological Moisture Regime: Mesic (fresh) to submesic (moderately fresh) • Nutrient Regime: Mesotrophic (medium) to submesotrophic (poor) • Surface Substrate: Mix of mineral and organic material • Parent Material and Surface Expression: Fluvial apron or terraced • Flooding: Rare, to no hazard. • Depth to Groundwater on Sampling Date (cm): 110; 150


• Drainage Class(es): Imperfectly to moderately well drained • Sampled Soil Subgroup(s): Variable. Gleyed Humic Regosol, Saline phase;

Orthic Regosol (grading to a Solonetzic Order soil) • Topsoil Depth and Characteristics: Thin (4 to 12 cm) with low to moderate

organic matter; may have buried layers, and usually sodic and/or saline • Textures: Sandy clay; sandy clay loam • Reaction: Weakly to moderately alkaline


Moderate to High




Salinization Soil Puddling and Frost Heave


A high degree of difficulty is expected for restoration after disturbance, particularly for hydrologic conditions and soil chemistry.

• Other Interpretations: Greasewood/Western Wheat Grass occurs in a habitat similar to Silver Sagebrush/Western Wheat Grass, but typically occupies more saline and/or sodic locations.

Management Recommendations: Disturbances can promote Greasewood, but increase the risk for salinization, rutting, compaction and pugging. A high degree of difficulty is expected for restoration after disturbance, particularly for soil quality and landscape characteristics. If soils or hydrology are altered, the potential for salinity and invasive plants magnifies. Organic matter additions, such as a thin layer of commercial peat moss, can reduce the risk of puddling or frost heave to seedlings.

List of Plates in Appendix B: • Plate 109: SARCVER/AGROSMI HT (Greasewood/Western Wheat Grass) site at

Dishpan Lake, CFB Suffield.



100

• Plate 110: SARCVER/AGROSMI HT Orthic Regosol, Solonetzic Phase, at Dishpan Lake.

SCIRACU HT (Great Bulrush) Sample Location #

Natural Subregion



Sullivan Lake Plain

Monitor Ck. 14 km south of Consort

JUNCBAL CT; Water


Sounding Creek Plain

Sounding Ck. valley south of Sedalia in Twp. 30 Rg. 5 W4

SALIBEB CT; Water

Site Information for Each Location: • Correlation with Alberta Grassland Vegetation Inventory: Lotic Herbaceous • Common Slope Class: 0 to 0.5% • Ecological Moisture Regime: Hydric (wet) • Nutrient Regime: Eutrophic (very rich) • Surface Substrate: Organic material, with 70 to 90% water • Parent Material and Surface Expression: Fluvial blanket • Flooding: Frequent • Depth to Groundwater on Sampling Date: 20 cm above surface; at surface

Soil Information for Each Location: • Drainage Class(es): Very poorly drained • Sampled Soil Subgroup(s): Rego Humic Gleysol • Topsoil Depth and Characteristics: Moderate (10 to 15 cm) with low to

moderate organic matter content and dark grayish colours • Textures: Loam to sandy loam; sandy loam to sandy clay loam • Reaction: Moderately alkaline


Moderate to High




Salinization Rutting, Compaction, and Pugging

Excess Moisture

Contamination

Avoidance is recommended due to frequent standing water or saturated conditions. If disturbed, it is expected it will be difficult to restore soil, hydrology and landscape characteristics.

Management Recommendations: Great Bulrush sites sampled in this study indicate sensitive wet habitats such as springs or locations with Species at Risk. It is important to avoid human or livestock use except when dry or frozen. Livestock grazing and/or winter use should be of short duration in order to protect valuable surface water sources, and to minimize the potential for pugging and nutrient loading. Great Bulrush is capable of natural recovery when disturbed, it will be difficult to restore soil and hydrology without causing contamination, salinization, rutting, compaction or pugging.



101


• Plate 111: SCIRACU HT (Great Bulrush) site in Sounding Creek channel.

SCIRPAL HT (Scirpus pallidus3) This Habitat Type is not described in Thompson and Hansen (2002 or 2003) Sample Location #

Natural Subregion



Bow City Plain

Southeast of Lake Newell HORDJUB CT; PUCCNUT HT; Water


Delacour Plain

Between Cayley and High River

HORDJUB CT; Water

Site Information for Each Location: • Correlation with Alberta Grassland Vegetation Inventory: Lentic Open

Water; Lentic Semi-permanent to Permanent • Common Slope Class: 0 to 0.5% • Ecological Moisture Regime: Subhydric (moderately wet) to hydric (wet) • Nutrient Regime: Hypereutrophic (Eg., saline) to mesotrophic (medium) • Surface Substrate: Dominated by water • Parent Material and Surface Expression: Morainal undulating • Flooding: Frequent • Depth to Groundwater on Sampling Date: 60 and 25 cm above surface

Soil Information for Each Location: • Drainage Class(es): Poorly to very poorly drained • Sampled Soil Subgroup(s): Rego Gleysol, Saline phase; Rego Gleysol • Topsoil Depth and Characteristics: Thin to moderate (5 to 12 cm) with low

organic matter content and dark grayish colours • Textures: silty clay loam to silty clay; silty clay loam • Reaction: Neutral to strongly alkaline and saline


Moderate to High



Disturbance






3 Bill Thompson, Personal Communication. 2006.



102

Management Recommendations: Scirpus pallidus sites sampled in this study indicate sensitive wet habitats such as saline wetlands. It is important to avoid human or livestock use except when dry or frozen. Livestock grazing and/or winter use should be of short duration in order to protect valuable surface water sources, and to minimize the potential for pugging and nutrient loading. Scirpus pallidus is capable of natural recovery when disturbed, but it will be difficult to restore soil chemistry and hydrology without aggravating or causing contamination, salinization, rutting, compaction or pugging.

List of Plates in Appendix B: • Plate 112: SCIRPAL HT (Scirpus pallidus) site between Cayley and High River.

SCIRPAU HT (Scirpus paludosus, Prairie Bulrush1) Sample Location #

Natural Subregion



Bow City Plain

Kinbrook Island Prov. Park at Lake Newell

TYPHLAT HT; Water

9901300 Mixedgrass Blackfoot Plain

McGregor Lake Park W of Milo

PHALARU HT; Water


• Correlation with Alberta Grassland Vegetation Inventory: Lentic Semi-permanent to Permanent

• Common Slope Class: 0.5 to 2% • Ecological Moisture Regime: Hydric (wet) • Nutrient Regime: Eutrophic (very rich) to permesotrophic (medium) • Surface Substrate: Mix of mineral and organic, with 10 to 20% water • Parent Material and Surface Expression: Lacustrine blanket • Flooding: Frequent • Depth to Groundwater on Sampling Date (cm): At surface (0); 7


• Drainage Class(es): Very poorly drained • Sampled Soil Subgroup(s): Rego Gleysol; Rego Gleysol, Cumulic phase, with 12

cm of new beach material • Topsoil Depth and Characteristics: Site 9890115 has 10 cm peat; Site 9901300

has a buried mixed topsoil horizon from 12 to 20 cm • Textures: Sandy clay loam; Loam to sandy loam • Reaction: Moderately alkaline



103


Moderate to High




Salinization Rutting, Compaction, and Pugging

Excess Moisture


Contamination


Management Recommendations: Prairie Bulrush sites sampled in this study indicate sensitive wet habitats adjacent to lakes. It is important to avoid human or livestock use except when dry or frozen. Livestock grazing and/or winter use should be of short duration in order to protect valuable surface water sources, and to minimize the potential for pugging and nutrient loading. Prairie Bulrush is capable of natural recovery when disturbed, but it will be difficult to restore soil chemistry and hydrology without causing contamination, salinization, rutting, compaction or pugging.


• Plate 113: SCIRPAU HT (Scirpus paludosus, Prairie Bulrush), site at Lake Newell, with muskrat pile.

• Plate 114: SCIRPAU HT site at McGregor Lake.

SCIRPUN HT (Three-Square Rush) Sample Location #

Natural Subregion



Drumheller Plain

Willow Ck. east of Drumheller

DISTSTR HT; ARTECAN/AGROSMI HT

9901299 Mixedgrass Vulcan Plain

Snake Ck. SW of MacGregor Lake

HORDJUB CT; DISTSTR HT; Water

Site Information for Each Location: • Correlation with Alberta Grassland Vegetation Inventory: Lotic Herbaceous • Common Slope Range: 0 to 5 % with stronger slopes at some springs • Ecological Moisture Regime: Hydric (wet) • Nutrient Regime: Hypereutrophic (Eg., saline) • Surface Substrate: Dominated by water with secondary organic material • Parent Material and Surface Expression: Colluvial veneer over softrock;

Oxbow in Fluvial terraced setting • Flooding: Frequent except at sloping springs • Depth to Groundwater on Sampling Date: 20 cm; 30 cm above surface



104


• Drainage Class(es): Poorly to very poorly drained • Sampled Soil Subgroup(s): Rego Gleysol, Saline phase; Rego Humic Gleysol • Topsoil Depth and Characteristics: Moderate (9 cm thick) highly reduced, dark

gray and saline • Textures: Sandy loam; Sandy clay loam over gravelly sandy loam • Reaction: Moderately to strongly alkaline


Moderate to High






Contamination Rutting, Compaction, and Pugging


Management Recommendations: Three-Square Rush sites sampled in this study indicate sensitive wet habitats such as springs or locations with Species at Risk. It is important to avoid human or livestock use except when dry or frozen. Livestock grazing and/or winter use should be of short duration in order to protect valuable surface water sources, and to minimize the potential for pugging and nutrient loading. Three-Square Rush is capable of natural recovery when disturbed, but it will be difficult to restore soil and hydrology without causing contamination, salinization, rutting, compaction or pugging.


• Plate 115: SCIRPUN HT (Three-Square Rush) site at Snake Creek east of Vulcan.

• Plate 116: SCIRPUN HT Rego Humic Gleysol to 55 cm at Snake Creek.

SHEPARG CT (Thorny Buffaloberry) Sample Location #

Natural Subregion



Foremost Plain


BETUOCC CT


Alexander Wilderness Park, Lethbridge

POPUDEL/CORNSTO CT; POPUDEL/SYMPOCC CT


• Correlation with Alberta Grassland Vegetation Inventory: Lotic Shrub • Common Slope Class: 0.5 to 2 % • Ecological Moisture Regime: Mesic (fresh) to submesic (moderately fresh)



105

• Nutrient Regime: Mesotrophic (medium) • Surface Substrate: Dominantly organic material • Parent Material and Surface Expression: Fluvial terraced • Flooding: May be expected • Depth to Groundwater on Sampling Date (cm): 150; 230


• Drainage Class(es): Variable. Imperfectly to well drained • Sampled Soil Subgroup(s): Gleyed Cumulic Regosol and Cumulic Regosol • Topsoil Depth and Characteristics: Thin to moderate depth (5 to 15 cms) with

numerous buried layers and variable organic matter content • Textures: Sandy loam to sandy clay loam; sandy loam over gravelly sand • Reaction: Moderately alkaline


Moderate to High


Extreme

Contamination

Invasive Plants

Management Recommendations: Thorny Buffaloberry is used by numerous species. It provides good grazing value for deer, valuable cover for Sharptail Grouse and other birds, and has a valuable fruit for numerous birds (Morris et al. 1962).

Invasion by non-native plants is a moderate to high risk, due to the variable moisture regime, potential for occasional droughts, and the presence of some bare soil mixed with surfaces of leaf litter. Developments and disturbances should be minimized due to the importance and value to wildlife, in addition to the risk for invasive plants. If the Thorny Buffaloberry community type is disturbed it will require care and attention to restore soil quality and hydrologic characteristics. The best grazing use is short duration in late summer or autumn. This community type is not appropriate for winter feeding, due to the potential for invasive plants and nutrient loading of near-by surface or ground waters.


• Plate 117: SHEPARG CT (Thorny Buffaloberry) site, Shallow to Gravel GVI site type.

• Plate 118: SHEPARG CT Cumulic Regosol at Writing-On-Stone Prov. Park.



106

SYMPOCC CT (Buckbrush) Sample Location #

Natural Subregion



Willow Ck. Upland

Lyndon Ck. west of Claresholm

GLYCLEP CT; ELAECOM HT


Foremost Plain


PRUNVIR CT; BETUOCC CT


Overflow • Common Slope Class: 5 to 9 % • Ecological Moisture Regime: Mesic (fresh) • Nutrient Regime: Mesotrophic (medium) • Surface Substrate: More than 90% organic • Parent Material and Surface Expression: Fluvial terraced • Flooding: Rare to may be expected • Depth to Groundwater on Sampling Date (cm): 150; 400

Soil Information for Each Location: • Drainage Class(es): Moderately well drained • Sampled Soil Subgroup(s): Rego Black Chernozem, Calcareous phase; Cumulic

Regosol • Topsoil Depth and Characteristics: Thin to moderate depth (5 to 15 cms) with

numerous buried layers and variable organic matter content • Textures: Loam to sandy clay loam; Sandy loam to sandy clay loam • Reaction: Slightly to moderately alkaline


Moderate to High


Extreme


Drought

Management Recommendations: Invasion by non-native plants is a moderate to high risk, due to the variable moisture regime, potential for occasional droughts, and the presence of some bare soil mixed with surfaces of leaf litter. Developments and disturbances should be minimized due to the importance and value to wildlife, in addition to the risk for invasive plants. If the Buckbrush community type is disturbed it will require care and attention to restore soil quality and hydrologic characteristics. However, it is capable of assisted recovery through the use of nursery stock. The best grazing use is short duration in late summer or autumn. This community type is not appropriate for winter feeding, due to the potential for invasive plants and nutrient loading of near-by surface waters.



107


• Plate 119: SYMPOCC CT (Buckbrush) Cumulic Regosol in 3-m cut at Writing-On-Stone Prov. Park. Site overview is provided in Figures 8, 9a and 9b.

• Plate 120: SYMPOCC CT Rego Black Chernozem, upper 50 cm at Lyndon Creek.

TYPHLAT HT (Common Cattail) Sample Location #

Natural Subregion



Bow City Plain

Kinbrook Marsh, Lake Newell

SALIAMY CT; PHALARU HT; Water


Beauvais Lake Prov. Park ELAECOM CT; Water

Site Information for Each Location: • Correlation with Alberta Grassland Vegetation Inventory: Lentic Semi-

permanent to permanent • Common Slope Class: 0 to 0.5 % • Ecological Moisture Regime: Hydric (wet) • Nutrient Regime: Permesotrophic (medium) • Surface Substrate: Water dominated with secondary organic material • Parent Material and Surface Expression: Lacustrine level (beach) • Flooding: Frequent • Depth to Groundwater on Sampling Date (cm above ground): 60

Soil Information for Each Location: • Drainage Class(es): Very poorly drained • Sampled Soil Subgroup(s): Rego Gleysol; Rego Gleysol, Peaty phase • Topsoil Depth and Characteristics: Mesic peat 10 to 40 cm thick below water • Textures: Mesic peat over loam • Reaction: Moderately alkaline


Moderate to High



Salinization

Excess Moisture


Contamination





108

Management Recommendations: The extensive root system of Common Cattail helps to stabilize riparian habitats (Hale et al. 2005). Common Cattail represents a range of wetland habitats with varying permanency and water chemistry. It is important to avoid human or livestock use except when dry or frozen. Livestock grazing and/or winter use of areas adjacent to and including Common Cattail should be of short duration in order to protect valuable surface water sources, and to minimize the potential for pugging and nutrient loading. Common Cattail is capable of natural recovery when disturbed, but it is expected to be difficult to restore soil and hydrology conditions without causing contamination, salinization, rutting, compaction or pugging.


• Plate 121: TYPHLAT HT (Common Cattail) site at Beauvais Lake Prov. Park.

• Plate 122: TYPHLAT HT site at Kinbrook Marsh, Lake Newell, with 60 cm water above soil surface.



109

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113

Appendix A: Risk Assessment Rating for Riparian Plant Communities in the Grassland Natural Region and Montane

Natural Subregion

Legend

Rating Symbol

Rating

X: Extreme limitation

H – X: High to Extreme limitation

H: High limitation

M – H: Moderate to High limitation

M: Moderate limitation

L – H: or M - X

Variable limitation – Low to High or Moderate to Extreme

L – M: Low to Moderate limitation

L: Low limitation



114

Appendix A. Risk Assessment Rating for Riparian Plant Communities in the Grassland Natural Region and Montane Natural Subregion.

Potential Limitation Riparian Plant Community

Excess Moisture

Salinization (either

extent or degree)

Drought Wind Erosion

Water Erosion

Contam-ination


Soil Puddling and Frost

Heave

Invasive Plants


ACERNEG/PRUNVIR HT

L- M L M L M H L L - M M-H H

AGROSMI HT L- M H L L M M M M - H M-H M

ARTECAN/AGROSMI HT

L- M H H M H M L M - H H M

BETUOCC CT L- M L M L L H L - M L - M H-X H

BROMINE CT M L L L H - X H L L - H M L

CALACAN CT H M L L L H H H M-H L

CAREAQU HT H - X M - H L L L H X M - H L-M H

CAREATH HT H M L L L H H M - H L-M M - H

CARELAN HT H M L L L H H - X H M-H H

CAREUTR HT H M L L L H X M - H M-H H

CORNSTO CT L- M M H M M M - H M L H-X M

CRATROT CT M L M L M M M H M-H H

DESCCES HT M - H M - H M M M M M H - X M M

DISTSTR HT M X L M H L M - H M - H L M



115



Excess Moisture


extent or degree)


Water Erosion

Contam-ination



Heave

Invasive Plants


ELEACOM CT L- M L - M H M M M - H L L - M M-H M

ELEOPAL HT M H - X L L M - H H M - H X M-H M - H

FRAXPEN/PRUNVIR CT

L- M L M L M H L L M-H M

GLYCLEP CT M L - H L M H M L - M M - H M-H M

HORDJUB CT L-H X L M L-H L L - M H - X L L

JUNCBAL CT M - H X L L L M H M - H L-M M

PHALARU HT H M - H L L L M M - H M - H L-M L

PICEGLA/CORNSTO HT

M L L L L - H H M M - H M X

PICEGLA/EQUIARV HT

M L M L L - M H M L - M M X

POLYCOC CT H - X H - X L L L - M H H - X M - H L L - M

POPUANG/CORNSTO CT

L- M L M L L - M H L L M-H M - H

POPUANG/HERB CT M L M L M H L L H-X M

POPUANG/RAB CT L- M L M L M X L L H L

POPUANG/SYMPOCC CT

L- M L M L L - M H L L M-H M - H



116



Excess Moisture


extent or degree)


Water Erosion

Contam-ination



Heave

Invasive Plants


POPUBAL/CORNSTO CT

M L - M M L L - M H L - M M - H M-H M - H

POPUBAL/HERB CT L- M L M L M H M L - M H-X M

POPUBAL/SYMPOCC CT

M L M L L - M H L - M L - M M-H M - H

POPUDEL/CORNSTO CT

M L M L L - M H L - M L - M M-H M - H

POPUDEL/HERB CT L- M L M L M H L L - M H-X M

POPUDEL/RAB CT M L M L M X L L - M H L

POPUDEL/SYMPOCC CT

M L M L L - M H L L - M M-H M - H

POPUTRE/ACTARUB HT

M L L L L - M M L - M M - H M-H M - H

POPUTRE/CORNSTO CT

M L L L L - M M M M - H M-X L - M

POPUTRE/HERB CT M L L L L - M H L - M M - H H-X L - M

POPUTRE/SYMPOCC CT

M L - M L L L - M M - H L - M L - M M-X L - M

PRUNVIR CT L L H M L M - H L L H-X M



117



Excess Moisture


extent or degree)


Water Erosion

Contam-ination



Heave

Invasive Plants


PUCCNUT HT M - X X L L L H X H - X L H

ROSAWOO CT L- M L H M M M - H L - M L - M H-X L

SALIAMY CT M - H M - H L L L - M M - H M - H M - H M-H M - H

SALIBEB CT M - H L L L L - M M - H M - H M - H M-H M

SALIBEB/CAREATH HT

H L L L L H H - X H - X L-M H

SALIBEB/CORNSTO HT

H L L L L H H M - H M-H H

SALIEUR CT H X M H M - H L X M - H L L

SALIEXI CT M - H L L M L - H H M L - M H L

SALILUT CT L- M L - M L L L - M H - X M L - M H M

SALILUT/CORNSTO CT

L - H M L L L - M H H L - H H M - H

SALIPET/CAREATH HT

M - H L - H L L L H M - H H - X L-M H

SALIPLA CT H L L L L - M M H M - H M-H H

SALIPLA/CAREAQU HT

H - X L L L L - M M X M - H L-M H

SARCVER/AGROSMI M X M M L - H L H M - H L H



118



Excess Moisture


extent or degree)


Water Erosion

Contam-ination



Heave

Invasive Plants


HT

SCIRACU HT X H L L L H H - X L - M L M - H

SCIRPAL HT H - X H L L L H X H - X L M - H

SCIRPAU HT X H L L L H H - X M - H L M - H

SCIRPUN HT H - X H L L L H H - X M - H L M - H

SHEPARG CT L- M L M M L - M M - H L L - M M-H M

SYMPOCC CT M L H M L - M M - H L L M-H M

TYPHLAT HT X H L L L X X L - M L M - H



119

Appendix B: Plates



120

Plate 1: ACERNEG PRUNVIR HT (Manitoba Maple/Choke Cherry). Upper 30 cm of Orthic Regosol at Burma Park on Battle River.

Plate 2: Site overview of ACERNEG PRUNVIR HT (at centre) at South Saskatchewan River in the southeast corner of CFB Suffield.



121

Plate 3: AGROSMI HT (Western Wheat Grass) wet meadow depression site (at shovel) east of Rainier.

Plate 4: AGROSMI HT Gleyed Dark Brown Solod sampled east of Rainier.



122

Plate 5: ARTECAN/AGROSMI HT site (at shovel) on Bare Ck, showing the north sagebrush exclosure and deep pool of intermittent channel at auger.

Plate 6: ARTECAN/AGROSMI HT near Bare Ck., showing round-top columnar structure and thin topsoil of the Brown Solonetz subgroup.



123

Plate 7: ARTECAN/AGROSMI HT (Silver Sagebrush/Western Wheat Grass) and POPUANG/SYMPOCC CT (Narrow-Leaf Cottonwood/Buckbrush; see Plates 53 and 54) sites in the Ross Ck. valley south of Irvine.

Plate 8: ARTECAN/AGROSMI HT site on Overflow fan at Ross Creek, looking south.



124

Plate 9: BETUOCC CT (Water Birch, at arrow) at Bindloss Park along the Red Deer River. Tallest trees belong to SALIAMY CT and are shown in Plates 81 and 82.

Plate 10: BETUOCC CT soil cut of 70 cm at Bindloss Park on the Red Deer River.



125

Plate 11: BROMINE CT (Awnless Brome) site, north of Ft. MacLeod with Willow Creek at right and 2005 flood debris at left.

Plate 12: BROMINE CT soil and buried layers at Callum Creek, with unstable banks.



126

Plate 13: CALACAN CT (Narrow Reedgrass) and CAREAQU HT (Water Sedge), Little Fish Ck.Valley in Hand Hills.




127

Plate 15: CAREATH HT (Awned Sedge, at clipboard): basinal site north of Homestead School; southwest of Hanna.

Plate 16: CAREATH HT site at Lyndon Creek, adjacent to SALIBEB CT (Plate 84). Figures 10 and 11 provide a multiple site overview for the Lyndon Creek area.



128

Plate 17: CARELAN HT (Wooly Sedge) west site at auger, Dinosaur Provincial Park; Orthic Humic Gleysol.

Plate 18: CARELAN HT east site at shovel, Dinosaur Provincial Park; Rego Gleysol, Cumulic Phase.



129

Plate 19: CAREUTR HT (Beaked Sedge, lower left) site beside Battle Creek in Cypress Hills Prov. Park.

Plate 20: CAREUTR HT (Beaked Sedge) with poorly drained Rego Gleysol soil at Oldman River near Fort MacLeod.



130

Plate 21: CORNSTO CT (Red Osier Dogwood) site at Parflesh Creek east of Standard.

Plate 22. CORNSTO CT Orthic Regosol soil exposure to 1 m at Parflesh Creek.



131

Plate 23: CRATROT CT (Round-leaved Hawthorn) shrubs and parent material at Graburn Creek, Cypress Hills.

Plate 24: CRATROT CT: Worm casts in the B horizon near Reesor Lake Campground in Cypress Hills Provincial Park.



132

Plate 25: DESCCES HT (Tufted Hair Grass) and adjacent communities on fluvial fan of Little Sandhill Ck. valley viewed from Dinosaur Provincial Park overlook.

Plate 26: DESCCES HT soil near Sheerness: Solonetzic Gleysol with stained Bntg.



133

Plate 27: DISTSTR HT (Saltgrass, at shovel) in Bull Springs Coulee, showing contrast between Badlands and Lotic Herbaceous GVI site types.

Plate 28: DISTSTR HT at Bull Springs Coulee; Gleyed Cumulic Regosol, saline phase with groundwater at 60 cm. Recent deposition of 15 cm overlies buried topsoil.



134

Plate 29: ELEACOM CT (Silverberry) at North Fork Milk River; Gleyed Humic Regosol and prominent gleyed horizon from 51-67 cm.

Plate 30: ELEACOM CT, North Fork Milk River; soil closeup showing many, medium prominent mottles at approximately 55 cm.



135

Plate 31: ELEOPAL HT (Creeping Spike-rush) site (at shovel) in Sage Ck. channel near Wildhorse.

Plate 32: ELEOPAL HT site adjacent to Hwy. 41 south of Cypress Hills, showing upper 25 cm of Gleyed Dark Brown Solodized Solonetz and associated Bnt horizon at 15 cm +.



136

Plate 33: FRAXPEN/PRUNVIR CT (Green Ash/Choke Cherry) cut to 40 cm; Orthic Humic Regosol.

Plate 34: GLYCLEP CT (Wild Licorice) on inclined bank of Lyndon Creek west of Claresholm.



137

Plate 35: HORDJUB CT (Foxtail Barley) fringe (at auger and shovel) around a tall marsh wetland northwest of Hilda.

Plate 36: HORDJUB CT (Foxtail barley) Lentic Alkaline sampled site (below and left of vehicle) located northeast of Wildhorse; Solonetzic Gleysol subgroup.



138

Plate 37: JUNCBAL CT (Wire Rush) site in bottom of Bare Creek channel south of Cypress Hills.

Plate 38: JUNCBAL CT Rego Humic Gleysol at Burma Park, with saturated surface.



139

Plate 39: PHALARU HT (Reed Canary Grass) site at Connelly Ck north of Lundbreck.

Plate 40: PHALARU HT at Bow R., with common, medium distinct mottles at 60 cm.



140

Plate 41: PICEGLA/CORNSTO HT (White Spruce/Red Osier Dogwood) cobbly Gleyed Gray Luvisol in Cypress Hills.

Plate 42: PICEGLA/CORNSTO HT; Gleyed Dark Gray Luvisol near junction of Highways 22 & 520 west of Claresholm.



141

Plate 43: PICEGLA/EQUIARV HT (White Spruce/Common Horsetail) site at Beaver Creek, with occasional evidence of shallow bedrock.

Plate 44: PICEGLA/EQUIARV HT Orthic Gray Luvisol at Beaver Creek; 55cm cut.



142

Plate 45: POLYCOC CT (Water Smartweed) at Keho Lake north of Lethbridge with PHALARU HT (Reed Canary grass) at left.

Plate 46: POLYCOC CT (patches at edge of pool in Sage Ck. Channel) with SYMPOCC CT (Buckbrush) at middle left and Silver Sagebrush on upper terrace in background.



143

Plate 47: POPUANG/CORNSTO CT (Narrow-leaf Cottonwood/Red Osier Dogwood) at Oldman Valley near Fort MacLeod.

Plate 48: POPUANG/CORNSTO CT Gleyed Regosolic soil at Woolford Provincial Park near Cardston, showing sands (to 55cm) over gravels. Site overview shown in Plate 97.



144

Plate 49: POPUANG/HERB CT (Narrow-leaf Cottonwood/Herbaceous) site at Willow Creek north of Ft. MacLeod, showing flood debris from June 2005.

Plate 50. POPUANG/HERB CT Cumulic Regosol in cut to 50 cm at Willow Creek.



145

Plate 51: POPUANG/RAB CT (Narrow-leaf Cottonwood/Recent Alluvial Bar), upper 40 cm of sandy loam dominated Orthic Regosol at Woolford Provincial Park near Cardston.

Plate 52: POPUANG/RAB CT at location of Plate 51, with very gravelly fluvial below 40 cm. Site shown on right side of Plate 97 in an aerial overview.



146

Plate 53: POPUANG/SYMPOCC CT (Narrow-leaf Cottonwood/Buckbrush) through middleground (matches soil of Plate 54) of Ross Creek, southeast of Medicine Hat.

Plate 54: POPUANG/SYMPOCC CT Cumulic Regosol in cut to 50 cm.



147

Plate 55: POPUBAL/CORNSTO CT (Balsam Poplar/Red Osier Dogwood) Orthic Humic Regosol to 45 cm; Wyndham-Carseland Provincial Park located southeast of Calgary.

Plate 56: POPUBAL/CORNSTO CT: Gleyed Rego Dark Brown Chernozem and mottled loose sands at Gooseberry Lake Provincial Park located north of Consort.



148

Plate 57: POPUBAL/HERB CT (Balsam Poplar/Herbaceous), Summerview site.

Plate 58: POPUBAL/HERB CT site on west side of Beauvais Lake Provincial Park.



149

Plate 59: POPUBAL/SYMPOCC CT (Balsam Poplar/Buckbrush) at 2006 beaver dam complex one km east of Forestry Trunk Road at Racehorse Creek north of Coleman.

Plate 60: POPUBAL/SYMPOCC CT, gravelly sandy loam Orthic Regosol on Racehorse Creek, 100m east of Forestry Trunk Road.



150

Plate 61: POPUDEL/CORNSTO CT (Plains Cottonwood/Red Osier Dogwood) at Pavan Park, Lethbridge.

Plate 62: Sandy fluvial cut (not sampled) to 120 cm with buried soil horizons typical of POPUDEL community types at Grand Forks (confluence of Bow and Oldman Rivers).



151

Plate 63: POPUDEL HERB CT (Plains Cottonwood/Herbaceous) Cumulic Regosol in cut to 50 cm at Indian Battle Park, Oldman River, Lethbridge.

Plate 64: POPUDEL/RAB CT (Plains Cottonwood/Recent Alluvial Bar), Alexander Wilderness Pk at Oldman R., Lethbridge. Subsoil of SALIEXI CT shown in Plate 96.



152

Plate 65: POPUDEL/RAB CT; Gleyed Cumulic Regosol with recent fluvial soil deposition (at left) at Alexander Wilderness Park, Lethbridge.

Plate 66: POPUDEL/SYMPOCC CT (Plains Cottonwood/Buckbrush) Cumulic Regosol in cut to 35 cm at Grand Forks (confluence of Bow and Oldman Rivers).



153

Plate 67: POPUDEL/SYMPOCC CT (Plains Cottonwood/Buckbrush) at Pavan Park, Lethbridge, showing soil mottles in auger tip against a corrugated Cottonwood trunk.

Plate 68: POPUTRE/ACTARUB HT (Aspen Poplar/Baneberry) Orthic Humic Regosol on gravelly clay loam debris flow deposit at Beauvais Lake Provincial Park.



154

Plate 69: POPUTRE/CORNSTO CT (Aspen Poplar/Red Osier Dogwood), overview of site and area southeast of Endiang.

Plate 70. POPUTRE/CORNSTO CT Eluviated Dark Brown Chernozem developed on clay loam till; cut to 45 cm located 6 km west-northwest of Endiang.



155

Plate 71: POPUTRE HERB CT (Aspen Poplar/Herbaceous) at upper left to centre; located 11 km south of Endiang.

Plate 72: POPUTRE HERB CT near Jenner. Gleyed Eluviated Dark Brown Chernozem and soil mottles indicative of imperfect soil drainage.



156

Plate 73: POPUTRE/SYMPOCC CT (Aspen Poplar/Buckbrush, patch indicated by arrow), with willow edge near Castle Falls.

Plate 74: POPUTRE/SYMPOCC CT: Edge of Lentic Seasonal east of Veteran; upper 30 cm of a moderately well drained Calcareous Dark Brown Chernozem, Cumulic phase.



157

Plate 75: PRUNVIR CT (Choke Cherry) large oval patch in lower to middle foreground at Writing-On-Stone Provincial Park. Also sampled BETUOCC CT at far left middleground. Refer to Figures 8, 9a and 9b for site overviews.

Plate 76: PUCCNUT HT (Nuttall’s Salt-meadow Grass) site between pack and shovel at Gooseberry Lake Provincial Park, looking to horizon and POPUBAL/CORNSTO CT (Plate 58).



158

Plate 77: PUCCNUT HT (Nuttall’s Salt-meadow Grass in middle ground) at Etzikom Coulee in Lentic Alkaline wetland site type.

Plate 78: PUCCNUT HT, top 20 cm of Gleyed Regosol, Saline phase, at Etzikom Coulee.



159

Plate 79: ROSAWOO CT (Common Wild Rose) on fluvial terrace of Sounding Creek.

Plate 80: ROSAWOO CT 100 cm cut of sandy loam dominated fluvial and Orthic Regosol, Cumulic phase at South Saskatchewan River northwest of Hilda.



160

Plate 81: SALIAMY CT (Peach-leaved Willow) site at Bindloss Park, Red Deer River with unsampled GLYCLEP CT (Wild Licorice) at lower right.

Plate 82: SALIAMY CT moderately well drained Orthic Humic Regosol at Plate 81 site.



161

Plate 83: SALIAMY CT at Lake Newell; poorly drained Orthic Gleysol showing many, moderate and prominent mottles in Bgk horizon at 8 to 37 cm in depth.

Plate 84: SALIBEB CT (Bebb Willow) site at Lyndon Creek (west of Claresholm) looking north. Also sampled CAREATH HT (Plate 16). Refer to Figures 10 and 11 for other overviews of the Lyndon Ck. area.



162

Plate 85: Overview of SALIBEB CT fringed wetland west of Nanton (at arrow), near the Foothills Fescue & Foothills Parkland boundary.

Plate 86: SALIBEB CT poorly drained, clay loam, Orthic Humic Gleysol at Plate 85 site.



163

Plate 87: SALIBEB/CAREATH HT (Bebb Willow/Awned Sedge) site, at middleground below Bebb Willow, in Cypress Hills Provincial Park at Elkwater.

Plate 88: SALIBEB/CAREATH HT poorly drained Rego Humic Gleysol at west side of Beauvais Lake Provincial Park, with groundwater visible at 25 cm depth.



164

Plate 89: SALIBEB/CORNSTO HT (Bebb Willow/Red-Osier Dogwood) in Lentic Semi-permanent wetland south of Endiang fringed by Aspen Poplar.

Plate 90: SALIBEB/CORNSTO HT branches of both key species south of Endiang.



165

Plate 91: SALIEUR CT (Samphire) on the east shore of Dishpan Lake, CFB Suffield. Colour change (reddish-brown to green) indicates growth stages and spring shoreline.

Plate 92: SALIEUR CT 45 cm cut of Saline Rego Gleysol at site shown in Plate 91.



166

Plate 93: SALIEUR CT site and Saline Rego Gleysol soil material at Handhills Lake.

Plate 94: SALIEXI CT (Sandbar Willow) at Bow River edge and GLYCLEP CT (Wild Licorice) narrow green fringe adjacent to Overflow (below steep slope) north of Hays.



167

Plate 95: SALIEXI CT Rego Humic Gleysol near Hays, with mottles and red root stains.

Plate 96: SALIEXI CT subsoil material with decomposing roots (not soil mottles) from 20 to 30 cm depth of Orthic Regosol adjacent to Oldman River in Lethbridge.



168

Plate 97: SALILUT CT (Yellow Willow) and other plant communities (refer to Plates 48, 51, and 52) at St. Mary River, Woolford Prov. Park.

Plate 98: SALILUT CT soil at Willow Creek east of Drumheller.



169

Plate 99: SALILUT/CORNSTO HT (Yellow Willow/Red Osier Dogwood) spring northwest of Hilda, sampled at shovel and auger.

Plate 100. SALILUT/CORNSTO HT Rego Humic Gleysol northwest of Hilda.



170

Plate 101: Soil mottles at 20 to 25 cm in SALILUT/CORNSTO HT soil northwest of Hilda.

Plate 102: SALIPET/CAREATH HT (Basket Willow/Awned Sedge, small fringed wetland in centre) 9 km north of Homestead School.



171

Plate 103: SALIPET/CAREATH HT soil 9 km north of Homestead School: Gleyed Dark Brown Solodized Solonetz with common, coarse distinct mottles above the Bntgj.

Plate 104: SALIPET/CAREATH HT 9 km N of Homestead School, with strong medium to coarse columnar Bntgj at right, and weak medium to fine platy Aegj at upper left.



172

Plate 105: SALIPLA CT (Flat-leaved Willow, at centre right) site at Stimson Creek, showing recent alluvial deposit dominated by gravels and cobbles.

Plate 106: SALIPLA CT Rego Humic Gleysol at Stimson Creek.



173

Plate 107: SALIPLA/CAREAQU HT (Flat-leaved Willow/Water Sedge) at Battle Creek.

Plate 108: SALIPLA/CAREAQU HT Rego Gleysol at Battle Creek with water table at 27 cm.



174

Plate 109: SARCVER/AGROSMI HT (Greasewood/Western Wheat Grass) site at Dishpan Lake, CFB Suffield.

Plate 110: SARCVER/AGROSMI HT Orthic Regosol, Solonetzic Phase, at Dishpan Lake.



175

Plate 111: SCIRACU HT (Great Bulrush) site in Sounding Creek channel.

Plate 112: SCIRPAL HT (Scirpus pallidus) site between Cayley and High River.



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Plate 113: SCIRPAU HT (Scirpus paludosus, Prairie Bulrush) site at Lake Newell, with muskrat pile.

Plate 114: SCIRPAU HT site at McGregor Lake.



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Plate 115: SCIRPUN HT (Three-Square Rush) site at Snake Creek east of Vulcan.

Plate 116: SCIRPUN HT Rego Humic Gleysol to 55 cm at Snake Creek.



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Plate 117: SHEPARG CT (Thorny Buffaloberry) site, Shallow to Gravel GVI site type.

Plate 118: SHEPARG CT Cumulic Regosol at Writing-On-Stone Prov. Park.



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Plate 119: SYMPOCC CT (Buckbrush) Cumulic Regosol in 3-m cut at Writing-On-Stone Prov. Park. Site overview is provided in Figures 8, 9a and 9b.

Plate 120: SYMPOCC CT Rego Black Chernozem, upper 50 cm at Lyndon Creek.



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Plate 121: TYPHLAT HT (Common Cattail) site at Beauvais Lake Prov. Park.

Plate 122: TYPHLAT HT site at Kinbrook Marsh, Lake Newell, with 60 cm water above soil surface.

riparian plant communities of southern alberta; detailed site and

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