CWHvm1 Very Wet Maritime Subzone Submontane Variant Adjacent biogeoclimatic units: CWHvm2 at higher elevations; CWHvh2 towards the coast; CWHws1 inland. Elevation: 0 - 400 m. Description and comparison of Site Series: Zonal site series: 01 HwBa - Blueberry occurs primarily at mid- to upper- slope positions on colluvial, morainal, or fluvial blankets (Mineral phase 01a) or, less frequently, on Folisols over rock (Lithic phase 01b). Zonal forests are moderately productive, moderately stocked, and are dominated by Hw, Ba, and Cw. In the western portion of the variant (Khyex and Ecstall drainages transitional to the CWHvh), Hm and Yc frequently occur on zonal sites. Typical understory vegetation includes a thick shrub layer of conifer regeneration and blueberries and a sparse herb layer of bunchberry, deer fern, and spiny wood fern. A carpet of feather and leafy mosses is typical. Dry sites: Drier-than-mesic sites are rare and localized in the CWHvm1. Three forested site series have been described. 02 HwPl - Cladina is very rare, found only on the driest bedrock outcrops with very thin soils. Forests are open and stunted mixtures of Hw, Cw, and Pl. These sites may be surrounded by sloping bogs, especially in the westernmost CWHvm1. The shrub layer is dominated by salal; the herb layer is very sparse. The presence of rock moss and reindeer lichens differentiate this unit from all other site series. 03 HwCw - Salal is found on bedrock outcrops with Folisolic or thin Brunisolic soils and rapid drainage. The Hw and Cw forests are moderately stocked but stunted. Understory species are similar to zonal forests but an abundance of salal, thin soils, and poor tree growth distinguish the 03 from the 01. 04 CwHw - Sword fern is very rare in this variant, occurring almost exclusively on steep slopes with base-rich parent material. Tree growth is average on these sites; Ss, Hw, and Cw dominate. Spiny wood fern, oak fern, and sword fern are common in the understory. This site unit occurs on drier, steeper slopes than the floristically similar (but more common) 05 site series. An abundance of ferns distinguishes it from the 01 and the 03. Fresh to wet sites: Wetter forested site units dominate the landscape in the CWHvm1. Six site units have been defined (excluding floodplain forests). 05 BaCw - Foamflower occurs on freely drained colluvium on mid to lower slopes. Forests are dominated by highly productive Hw, Ba, Ss, and Cw. A diverse and lush fern layer is characteristic of this unit. A low cover of devil’s club distinguishes this unit from the 08. 06 HwBa - Deer fern is fairly common in the variant, especially in the west. It occurs on mid to lower slopes, often downslope of mesic forests. Tree species and understory vegetation are similar to zonal forests, but Cw and deer fern are more abundant. Gleyed Podzols (Mineral phase 06a), or wet organic veneers over rock (Lithic phase 06b) are typical (indicating constant lateral seepage) Site Units 5 • 40
Transcript
CWHvm1Very Wet Maritime Subzone
Submontane VariantAdjacent biogeoclimatic units: CWHvm2 at higher elevations; CWHvh2towards the coast; CWHws1 inland.Elevation: 0 - 400 m.Description and comparison of Site Series:
Zonal site series:01 HwBa - Blueberry occurs primarily at mid- to upper- slope positions oncolluvial, morainal, or fluvial blankets (Mineral phase 01a) or, less frequently,on Folisols over rock (Lithic phase 01b). Zonal forests are moderatelyproductive, moderately stocked, and are dominated by Hw, Ba, and Cw. In thewestern portion of the variant (Khyex and Ecstall drainages transitional to theCWHvh), Hm and Yc frequently occur on zonal sites. Typical understoryvegetation includes a thick shrub layer of conifer regeneration and blueberriesand a sparse herb layer of bunchberry, deer fern, and spiny wood fern. A carpetof feather and leafy mosses is typical.
Dry sites: Drier-than-mesic sites are rare and localized in the CWHvm1. Threeforested site series have been described.02 HwPl - Cladina is very rare, found only on the driest bedrock outcrops withvery thin soils. Forests are open and stunted mixtures of Hw, Cw, and Pl. Thesesites may be surrounded by sloping bogs, especially in the westernmostCWHvm1. The shrub layer is dominated by salal; the herb layer is very sparse.The presence of rock moss and reindeer lichens differentiate this unit from allother site series.03 HwCw - Salal is found on bedrock outcrops with Folisolic or thin Brunisolicsoils and rapid drainage. The Hw and Cw forests are moderately stocked butstunted. Understory species are similar to zonal forests but an abundance ofsalal, thin soils, and poor tree growth distinguish the 03 from the 01.04 CwHw - Sword fern is very rare in this variant, occurring almostexclusively on steep slopes with base-rich parent material. Tree growth isaverage on these sites; Ss, Hw, and Cw dominate. Spiny wood fern, oak fern,and sword fern are common in the understory. This site unit occurs on drier,steeper slopes than the floristically similar (but more common) 05 site series.An abundance of ferns distinguishes it from the 01 and the 03.
Fresh to wet sites: Wetter forested site units dominate the landscape in theCWHvm1. Six site units have been defined (excluding floodplain forests).05 BaCw - Foamflower occurs on freely drained colluvium on mid to lowerslopes. Forests are dominated by highly productive Hw, Ba, Ss, and Cw. Adiverse and lush fern layer is characteristic of this unit. A low cover of devil’sclub distinguishes this unit from the 08.06 HwBa - Deer fern is fairly common in the variant, especially in the west. Itoccurs on mid to lower slopes, often downslope of mesic forests. Tree species andunderstory vegetation are similar to zonal forests, but Cw and deer fern aremore abundant. Gleyed Podzols (Mineral phase 06a), or wet organic veneersover rock (Lithic phase 06b) are typical (indicating constant lateral seepage)
Site Units
5 • 40
and aid in differentiating from zonal sites. The 06 often occurs in a complexwith the poorer, scrubbier site series 12, which has Organic soils, no Ba, andhigh cover of fern-leaved goldthread.08 BaSs - Devil’s club is common on colluvial seepage slopes. This is one ofthe most productive site series in the subzone; forests are dominated by largeHw, Ba, Ss, and the occasional Cw. Characteristic understory vegetationincludes devil’s club, salmonberry, spiny wood fern, oak fern, and lanky andleafy mosses. A high cover of devil’s club distinguishes 08 from all units except09, which occurs on active fluvial flats.12 CwYc - Goldthread bog forest occurs in poorly drained valley bottoms andgradual slopes with excessive, slow-moving seepage. It is uncommon except inthe west near the CWHvh2. Forests are scrubby Cw/Hw mixes often with someYc. It is frequently found in complex with the 06 and 13 site series on slopes, orwith site series 14 in depressions. The high cover of fern-leaved goldthread andcommon green sphagnum is characteristic.13 Pl - Sphagnum bog woodlands are localized in depressional areas with deeporganic accumulations. Forests are sparse and scrubby with Pl and Cwdominating. An abundance of Pl, salal, Labrador tea, and sphagnumdistinguishes it from all units except 31, which has less than 10% tree cover.14 CwSs - Skunk cabbage swamp forests are considered nutrient-rich, but toowet to support productive stands. Cw, Hw, Ss, and Dr tend to establish onelevated mounds in this site series. Very high cover of skunk cabbagedistinguishes 14 from all other units.
Floodplain sites: Three site series occur on active floodplains and reflectdifferences in bench height and frequency and duration of flooding. Soils arepoorly developed Brunisols or Regosols. Act is a characteristic species of thesesites, except on the lower Ecstall River where the transition to a hypermaritimeclimate apparently restricts its distribution.09 Ss - Salmonberry (High fluvial bench) occurs on elevated floodplain sitesthat experience seasonal water table fluctuations but not annual flooding. Theseare highly productive forests dominated by Ss and Hw. Salmonberry and devil’sclub dominate the understory. Ferns are common in the moderately developedherb layer; leafy mosses in the moss layer. Site series 09 is differentiated fromother floodplain ecosystems by dominance of conifers in the tree layer.10 Act - Red-osier dogwood (Middle fluvial bench) experiences periodic(annual) flooding and prolonged elevated water table, which greatly inhibitsconifer establishment. Forests are dominated by Act and Dr (in contrast to 09).Thickets of salmonberry, red-osier dogwood, and stink currant occupy theunderstory. Herb and moss layers are sparse. A lack of willow, greater foreststature, and higher bench height distinguish the 10 from the 11.11 Act - Willow (Low fluvial bench) is usually situated directly adjacent torivers or back channels that experience prolonged annual flooding and sedimenterosion/deposition. This prevents successful conifer establishment and scoursvegetation that is not suitably rooted. Sitka and Pacific willows, act, andsometimes Dr dominate and distinguish this unit. Herb and moss layers arevery sparse.
Non-forested site units:
Non-forested bogs (31) and fens/marshes (32) are localized in this variant.Avalanche tracks (51) from the MH and AT zones above, terminate in theCWHvm1. See page 5 • 21 for further descriptions of these units.
CWHvm1
5 • 41
CW
Hvm
1 L
and
scap
e P
rofi
lea
Site Units
5 • 42
aT
ree
sym
bols
are
def
ined
in
App
endi
x 3.
Sit
e S
erie
s
01 H
wB
a -
Blu
eber
ry02
Hw
Pl
-C
ladi
na
03 H
wC
w -
Sal
al04
Cw
Hw
-S
wor
d fe
rn05
BaC
w -
Foa
mfl
ower
06 H
wB
a -D
eer
fern
07 B
aCw
-S
alm
onbe
rry
(Van
cou
ver
Reg
ion
on
ly)
08 B
aSs
-D
evil
’s c
lub
51 A
vala
nch
e tr
ack
09b
Ss
-Sal
mon
berr
y (H
igh
flu
vial
ben
ch)
10b
Act
-R
ed-o
sier
dog
woo
d (M
iddl
e fl
uvi
al b
ench
)
11b
Act
-W
illo
w (L
ow f
luvi
al b
ench
)
12 C
wY
c -
Gol
dth
read
(Bog
for
est)
13 P
l -
Sph
agn
um
(Bog
woo
dlan
d)
14 C
wS
s -
Sku
nk
cabb
age
(Sw
amp
fore
st)
31 N
on-f
ores
ted
bog
32 N
on-f
ores
ted
fen
/mar
sh
aR
elat
ive
and
actu
al S
MR
are
def
ined
in
App
endi
ces
6 an
d 7.
bS
MR
of
floo
dpla
in s
ites
is
vari
able
an
d in
flu
ence
d by
ben
ch h
eigh
t an
d th
e ti
min
g an
d du
rati
on o
f fl
oodi
ng.
CWHvm1
5 • 43
CW
Hvm
1 E
dat
opic
Gri
d
CWHvm1 Site Series Flowchart
Site Units
5 • 44
FRESH TOMOIST FORESTS
Moisture regime 3-5.Sites not clearlywet or dry.
VERY MOIST TOWET FORESTS
Moisture regime 6-7.Seepage slopes or depressions.
DRY FORESTS
Moisture regime 0-2.Sites with rapidly drained soils; upper slope/ridge crest location. Poor tree growth.
FLOODPLAINFORESTS
AVALANCHETRACKS
NON-FORESTEDWETLANDS
Wet sites with <10%tree cover.
Dwarf Pl, Labrador tea, and other Ericaceous 31shrubs. Sphagnum clearly dominant Non-forested bog
Willows, sedges, or grasses dominate. Sphag- 32 Non-forestednum common but not dominant. fen/marsh
Sitka alder, stink currant, salmonberry, lady 51fern, and other ferns abundant. Avalanche Track
See descriptions of high, medium, low 09/10/11benches; page 5 • 41.
Scrubby Pl, Cw, and Hw; salal abundant; herb 02layer greatly reduced. Rock mosses and Hw/Pl - Cladinareindeer lichens with feather and step mosses.
Poor Cw/Hw forests with salal-dominated 03understory. Herb layer reduced. Moss layer a HwCw - Salalmix of step and lanky mosses.
Steep, upper, colluvial slopes. Tree growth 04average; Hw, Ss, Cw co-dominate. Sword, CwHw - Swordspiny wood, and oak ferns abundant. fern
Lower colluvial slopes. Tree growth good; Hw, 08Ba, Ss co-dominate. Devil’s club abundant; BaSs - Devil’sherb layer predominantly ferns. club
Scrubby Cw/Hw forests. Abundant Cw/Hw 12regeneration and blueberries in understory; CwYc -abundant goldthread and green sphagnum. Goldthread
Depressions with very wet organic blankets. 13Scrubby Pl/Cw forests. Salal and Labrador Pl - Sphagnumtea abundant in understory. Skunk cabbage andsphagnum common.
Poorly drained lower slopes and depressions. 14Hw, Cw, Ss established on elevated mounds. CwSs - SkunkShrub/herb layers diverse; salal, salmonberry, cabbagedeer fern, and skunk cabbage common.
Hw, Ba, Cw, Ss with moderate/good growth. 05Minor component of devil’s club. Herb layer BaCw - Foam-mainly a diverse mix of ferns. flower
Tree growth good; Hw, Ba, Ss co-dominate. 08Devil’s club, ferns abundant. BaSs - Devil’s
KL - FL, S(s) FHP (gleyed) Mors 2-21-42 Seepage sites with thick Mors overKL, S FO Mors 29-35-43 base-poor bedrock.
S, KL FHP, DYB, R Moders, Mors Productive colluvial seepage slopes(gleyed) 3-11-60 and fluvial fans.
KL(s), S(s), $ R, (DYB) Moders, Mulls (Mors) Active floodplain high bench sites.1-4-16 Fluctuating water table.
S, (L) R Moders, Mors (Mulls) Active floodplain medium bench sites;periodic flooding.
S R Moders, Mulls Active floodplain low bench sites;0-1-2 annual, often high-velocity flooding.
F, M, H Mors Poor-productivity bog forests common4-21-31 in westernmost CWHvm1.
F, M, H Mors, Mulls Scrubby Pl bog woodlands most6-31-80 prevalent in westernmost CWHvm1.
KL, S, L G, M, H Mors Wet, gleyed, stagnant mineral soils.4-22-50
H, M Peaty “O” horizons Lower-productivity organic soils.>50 cm
F,M Peaty “O” horizons Very poor, wet, acidic soils. Too wet>1 m for tree growth.
L, S G Moders, Mulls Wet soils with some mineral seepage.0-10-20 Too wet for tree growth.
L(s), S(s) R, (DYB) Moders, Mulls Very rich soils from colluvial mixing0-3-6 and deciduous litterfall.
CWHvm1
5 • 47
CWHvm2Very Wet Maritime Subzone
Montane VariantAdjacent biogeoclimatic units: CWHvm1 at lower elevations; CWHws1 atsimilar elevations inland; Mhmm1 at higher elevations.
Elevation: 350 - 800 m.
Description and comparison of site series:
Zonal site series:
01 HwBa - Blueberry forests are widespread throughout the variant oncolluvial (rarely morainal) blankets (Mineral phase 01a) or, less commonly, onFolisols over rock (Lithic phase 01b). Mesic forests contain moderatelyproductive Hw and Ba, with variable amounts of Hm, Yc, and Cw. Theunderstory consists of a thick shrub layer of conifer regeneration andblueberries, a moderately developed herb layer of deer fern, five-leaved bramble,and bunchberry, and a moss layer of lanky moss, pipecleaner moss, and stepmoss.
Drier sites: Drier-than-mesic sites are very rare and localized in the CWHvm2.Two site series have been described. The 04 occurs in the Vancouver ForestRegion (VFR) only.
02 HwPl - Cladina is found only on the driest bedrock outcrops with very thinsoils. Forests are stunted, well-spaced Pl, Hm, and Yc and are often surrounded by sloping bogs on ridge crests. Plant species diversity is high onthese exposed montane sites. Several species, such as dwarf blueberry, whitemountain-heather, and copperbush occur here and on no other forested sites inthe CWHvm2. An abundance of reindeer lichen, heron’s-bill moss, and red-stemmed feathermoss are typical of this unit.
03 HwCw - Salal occurs on some bedrock outcrops with Folisolic or thinBrunisolic soils and rapid drainage. These Hw/Cw/Yc forests are moderatelystocked but with poorer growth than the 01. Blueberries and coniferregeneration dominate the shrub layer, with salal occurring at lower elevations. The herb layer is very sparse. A lack of Pl and reindeer lichensdifferentiates the 03 from the 02 site series.
Fresh to wet sites: Wetter-than-mesic forests dominate the landscape in theCWHvm2. Six site series have been distinguished. The 07 occurs in the VFRonly.
05 BaCw - Foamflower is not extensive in the subzone but locally common insome drainages on fresh to moist, freely drained colluvial slopes. Forests aredominated by productive Hw, Ba, Ss, and Cw. A lush fern layer is characteristic of this unit and distinguishes it from zonal forests. Blueberries,five-leaved bramble, and spiny wood fern are the most abundant species in thisunit; foamflowers, oak fern, and twistedstalks are also common. Low cover or
Site Units
5 • 48
absence of salmonberry and devil’s club differentiates this unit from the 08.This site series is most common in areas with base-rich bedrock.
06 HwBa - Deer fern occurs on some mid to lower seepage slopes downslope ofmesic forests. Tree species and understory vegetation are similar to zonalforests, but Yc, Cw, deer fern, and fern-leaved goldthread are more abundant.Podzols with evidence of seepage (often gleying) are typical and aid indifferentiating the 06 from zonal sites. On some gentle, lower slopes, 06 maygrade into the 09, which has Organic soils and a forest cover dominated byscrubby Yc, Hm, and Hw.
08 BaSs - Devil’s club is common on colluvial slopes and fluvial fans thatreceive abundant nutrient-rich seepage. This is the most productive site seriesin the variant; forests are dominated by large Hw and Ba with some Ss.Characteristic understory vegetation includes devil’s club, foamflowers,salmonberry, lady fern, spiny wood fern and lanky, step, and leafy mosses. Ahigh cover of devil’s club distinguishes the 08 from all other units.
09 CwYc - Goldthread bog forest is common on poorly drained valley bottomsand slopes with excessive slow-moving seepage. It may be found in a complexwith site series 10 on gentle slopes or with the 11 in depressions. Forests arescrubby Cw, Yc, and Hw with a dense understory of conifer regeneration, blue-berries, and salal. Deer fern, goldthread, and skunk cabbage are common. Soilsare generally Organic. This unit is distinguished from the more productive 06by the low cover of Ba and the presence of skunk cabbage and wet organic soils.
10 Pl - Sphagnum bog woodlands are found in depressional areas and ongradual slopes with deep organic accumulations over acidic bedrock. In thesteep terrain of the CWHvm2 there is limited opportunity for the developmentof this forest type (except in western drainages transitional to the CWHvh,where Pl - Sphagnum may cover large areas on moderately steep slopes). Theforest canopy is sparse and consists of scrubby Yc, Hm, Hw, and Cw, with amoderate component of Pl. Shrub layers are dense and consist mainly of coniferregeneration, huckleberries, and Labrador tea. The herb layer containsscattered goldthread, deer fern, skunk cabbage, crowberry, and deer cabbage.Prominence of green sphagnum and presence of Pl distinguish this unit from allother forested units.
11 CwSs - Skunk cabbage swamp forests are considered nutrient-rich butsoils are too wet and poorly aerated to support highly productive forest stands.Wet depressions and lower slopes with organic soils or Gleysols are typical.Trees establish on elevated microsites; Hw and Yc are the most abundant, butHm, Cw, Ba, and Ss also occur. An abundance of skunk cabbage and otherrich-site indicators, such as salmonberry, foamflower, and ferns, differentiatethis unit from other wet sites (09 and 10).
Non-forested site units:
There is limited opportunity for the development of non-forested wetlands in thesteep terrain of the CWHvm2. Non-forested bogs (31) are the most commonwetland type and occur in scattered small depressions and occasionally onslopes in the most western watersheds of the subzone. Non-forestedfens/marshes (32) are very rare and occur mainly in riparian areas.Avalanche tracks (51) cut through the CWHvm2 from the MH above, andoften extend down through to the CWHvm1.
See page 5 • 21 for further descriptions of these non-forested CWH units.
CWHvm2
5 • 49
CW
Hvm
2 L
and
scap
e P
rofi
lea
Site Units
5 • 50
aT
ree
sym
bols
are
def
ined
in
App
endi
x 3.
Sit
e S
erie
s
01 H
wB
a -
Blu
eber
ry
02 H
wP
l -
Cla
din
a
03 H
wC
w -
Sal
al
04 C
wH
w -
Sw
ord
fern
(V
anco
uve
r R
egio
n o
nly
)
05 B
aCw
-F
oam
flow
er
06 H
wB
a -
Dee
r fe
rn
07 B
aCw
-S
alm
onbe
rry
(Van
cou
ver
Reg
ion
on
ly)
08 B
aSs
-D
evil
’s c
lub
51 A
vala
nch
e tr
ack
09 C
wY
c -
Gol
dth
read
(B
og f
ores
t)
10 P
l -
Sph
agn
um
(B
og w
oodl
and)
11 C
wS
s -
Sku
nk
cabb
age
(Sw
amp
fore
st)
31 N
on-f
ores
ted
bog
32 N
on-f
ores
ted
fen
/mar
sh
aR
elat
ive
and
actu
al S
MR
are
def
ined
in
App
endi
ces
6 an
d 7.
CWHvm2
5 • 51
CW
Hvm
2 E
dat
opic
Gri
d
CWHvm2 Site Series Flowchart
Site Units
5 • 52
FRESH TOMOISTFORESTS
Moisture regime 3-5.Sites not clearly wetor dry.
VERY MOIST TOWET FORESTS
Moisture regime 6-7.Seepage areas or depressions.
DRY FORESTS
Moisture regime 0-2.Sites with rapidlydrained soils; upperslope/ridge crestlocations.
AVALANCHETRACKS
NON-FORESTEDWETLANDSTree cover < 10%
Dwarf Pl, Labrador tea, and other Ericaceous 31shrubs. Sphagnum clearly dominant Non-forested bog
Willows, sedges, or grasses dominate. Sphag- 32 Non-forestednum common but not dominant. fen/marsh
Shrub and herb layers diverse and very lush. 51Stink currant, red-osier dogwood, salmonberry, Avalanche tracklady fern, and spiny wood fern abundant.
Scrubby Pl, Yc, and Hm ridgecrest forests. 02Herb layer diverse but reduced. Lichens co- HwPl - Cladinadominate with mosses. Rare in CWHvm2.
Poor Cw/Hw/Yc forests with blueberry (salal) 03understory. Herb layer reduced. Pipecleaner, HwCw - Salalstep, and lanky mosses dominate. Rare.
Mid to lower colluvial slopes/fluvial flats and 08 BaSs - Devil’sfans. Hw/Ba/(Ss) forests with good growth. clubDevil’s club abundant; ferns dominant.
Gently sloping to depressional sites with 09organic veneers. Scrubby and open Yc/Hm/ CwYc -Hw bog forests. Blueberry/(salal) understory; Goldthreadgoldthread and skunk cabbage common.
Depressions and gentle slopes with very wet 10organic blankets. Scrubby woodlands with a Pl - Sphagnumcomponent of Pl. Goldthread, skunk cab-bage, and deer-cabbage common; greensphagnum abundant.
Swamp forests on lower slopes/depressions. 11Well-spaced trees on elevated mounds. Shrub/ CwSs - Skunkherb layers diverse; skunk cabbage, salmon- cabbageberry, and ferns common.
Freely drained upper to lower colluvial slopes 05and fluvial fans. Hw/Ba/Cw/Ss forests with BaCw - Foam-good growth. Herb layer with ferns, flowertwistedstalk, and foamflower.
Mid to lower slopes on colluvial or fluvial 08 BaSs - Devil’slandforms. Tree growth good; Hw Ba, (Ss) co- clubdominate. Devil’s club abundant; herb layerpredominantly ferns.
Moist mid to lower slopes. Hw/Cw/Yc/(Ba)/ 06(Hm) forests with average growth. Yc regen., HwBa - Deer ferndeer fern, and goldthread conspicuous.
All slope positions. Hw/Ba/Cw/(Yc/Hm) 01forests with average growth. Ba regen. and HwBa - Blueberryfive-leaved bramble common. Herb layerreduced.
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aP
rom
inen
ce b
ars
are
desc
ribe
d in
Sec
tion
3.2
.2, p
age
3 •
6.
bS
ite
un
its
04 a
nd
07 o
ccu
r in
th
e V
anco
uve
r F
ores
t R
egio
n o
nly
an
d ar
e n
ot i
ncl
ude
d.c
Dat
a ar
e ta
ken
fro
m C
WH
wm
plo
ts (
31, 3
2) o
r fr
om V
anco
uve
r F
ores
t R
egio
n C
WH
vm2
plot
s (0
2, 0
3).
CWHvm2
5 • 53
CW
Hvm
2 V
eget
atio
n T
able
a
CWHvm2 Environment Table
SoilSite moisture/ Slope %seriesa Phase nutrients Slope position range Parent materialb
01 a) Mineral 3-4/B-C upper - lower 0 - 80 C, (M,F)
a Site series 04 and 07 occur in the Vancouver Forest Region only, and are not included. b Codes are described in Section 3.2.2, page 3 • 8. c Data are taken from Vancouver Forest Region CWHvm2 plots (02, 03) or from CWHwm
plots.
Site Units
5 • 54
Humus formSoil Soil depth (cm)particle sizeb classificationb min-mean-max Important site features
FL - KL FO, M, H, FHP Mors Saturated, poorly aerated organic12 - 34 - 80 veneers. Poor-productivity bog forests
FL M, H, FHP, FO Mors Nutrient-poor acidic peat blankets.12 - 46 - 89 Bog woodlands.
FL - KL G, HG, H Mors, Moders Swamp forests on saturated, poorly1 - 17 - 55 aerated mineral (organic) soils.
-- F, M peaty “O” horizons Non-forested bogs; rare in the> 1 m CWHvm2.
S M, G peaty “O” horizons Non-forested fens/marshes; very rare> 1 m in the CWHvm2.
L, S(s) R, DYB Mors, Moders Rich conditions from colluvial mixing3 - 10 - 14 and deciduous litterfall.
CWHvm2
5 • 55
CWHwmWet Maritime Subzone
Adjacent biogeoclimatic units: ICHwc inland along the Stikine and Iskutrivers; MHmm1 at higher elevations; CWHvh2 and CWHvm1 to the south.
Elevation range: 0 - 600 m.
Description and comparison of site series:
Zonal site series:01 HwSs - Blueberry is common throughout the subzone. Zonal stands occurmostly on mid- to level slope position on a variety of parent materials. Typically,stands are moderately productive Hw and Ss with abundant blueberries in theunderstory. The herb layer is scattered bunchberry, five-leaved bramble, andspiny wood fern. Lanky and step mosses usually dominate the moss layer.
Two phases are recognized: the Mineral Phase (01a) occurs on morainal,colluvial, and fluvial blankets; and the less common Lithic Phase (01b), whichoccurs on sites with shallow soil veneers over bedrock or fragmental colluvium.
Drier sites: One drier forested site series is recognized.02 HwSs - Step moss occurs only on the driest upper slopes and ridge crests.These sites are common in the subzone but rarely extensive. They arefloristically similar to zonal sites but have lower productivity. Upper slopeposition, thinner and redder soils, and a nearly absent herb layer helpdistinguish the 02 from the 01.
Fresh to wet sites: Five wetter forested site series are recognized (excludingfloodplain forests, page 5•57).03 SsHw - Oak fern occurs on moderately well-drained and rich colluvial orfluvial parent materials, mostly commonly on middle to lower slopes. Treegrowth is good on these sites. The diverse herb layer is dominated by rich-siteindicators such as oak fern, spiny wood fern, and foamflower; scattered ladyfern and devil’s club may also occur. A low cover of devil’s club and salmonberry distinguish the 03 from the 04 site series.04 SsHw - Devil’s club is one of the most productive units in the subzone. It isfound on colluvial seepage slopes and on active fluvial fans of small mountainstreams. The tree layer consists of large Hw and Ss. Shrub and herb layers arediverse and lush, with a profusion of devil’s club as the most prominent feature.An abundance of ferns, enchanter’s nightshade, and stink currant are alsocharacteristic. The 05 site series has very similar vegetation, but its location onactive floodplains and the presence of Act distinguish it from the 04.
08 Hw - Sphagnum is typified by open, scrubby Hw/Hm forests growing inareas with poor drainage and cold exposure (northerly aspects, cold air pockets).It is most commonly found on wet organic veneers over fluvial and morainalmaterials. Understory vegetation is dominated by blueberries and skunkcabbage; rich-site indicators such as ferns, foamflower, and devil’s club areabsent. Mosses are a mix of feathermosses, leafy mosses, and green sphagnum.Soils are Gleysols or greyed Podzols. The 08 is differentiated from 01, 09,
Site Units
5 • 56
and 04 site series by lack of Ss, low productivity, and abundance of sphagnum.A lack of 99 and typical bog species distinguishes the 08 from site series 10.
09 Ss - Skunk cabbage swamp forests occur on level sites in receiving areasand depressions where soils are saturated close to the surface and poorlyaerated. Sites are often hummocky, with large Ss and Hw rooting only onbetter-drained microsites. A diverse, lush herb layer dominated by skunkcabbage, lady fern, foamflower, and twistedstalks occurs in wet swales betweenhummocks. Gleysols derived from fluvial, glaciolacustrine, and glaciomarinedeposits are typical. The 09 is distinguished from 08 by high productivity andan abundance of Ss and skunk cabbage. A minor component of devil’s club,abundant skunk cabbage, and wetter conditions separate this unit from the 04site series.
10 Pl - Sphagnum bog woodlands are infrequent throughout this subzone.They are found in depressions and level areas with poor drainage and thickorganic layers. Soils are Mesisols and Fibrisols. This site series is distinguished clearly from all other units by a stunted tree layer dominated byPl and Yc. Site series 31 has similar species but less than 10% tree cover.
Floodplain sites: Three site series occur on active floodplains of larger streamsand rivers and reflect differences in bench height and frequency of flooding.Soils are poorly developed Brunisols or Regosols.
05 Ss - Salmonberry (High fluvial bench) occurs on elevated floodplain sitesthat experience seasonally fluctuating water tables but only occasional flooding.These are highly productive forests dominated by Ss and Ha with salmonberry,devil’s club, stink currant, and red-osier dogwood comprising the denseunderstory. Ferns are common in the moderately developed herb layer and leafymosses in the moss layer. The 05 is differentiated from other floodplain units bythe dominance of conifers in the tree layer. It is floristically similar to the 04site series, but location, parent material, and relatively young mineral soilsdistinguish the 05 from the 04.
06 Act - Red-osier dogwood (Middle fluvial bench) experiences prolongedelevated water tables during the growing season, greatly inhibiting coniferestablishment. Forests are dominated by Act and Dr; conifers only occur onelevated microsites. Understories are dominated by thickets of salmonberry,devil’s club, red-osier dogwood, and stink currant. Herb and moss layers aregreatly reduced. A low cover of conifers distinguishes the 06 from the 05; lack ofwillows, greater forest stature, and higher bench height distinguish the 06 fromthe 07.
07 Act - Willow (Low fluvial bench) is usually situated directly adjacent torivers, or in back channels that experience prolonged annual flooding andsediment erosion/deposition. Soil textures are highly variable (fine silts togravels) and depend on river gradients. Low bench plant communities are alsohighly variable and range from willow-dominated gravel bars to closed Dr andAct stands.
Non-forested site units:
The CWHwm is predominantly a forested landscape. Non-forested bogs (31)and Non-forested fens/marshes (32) are very localized in this unit.Avalanche tracks (51) from the MH and AT zones terminate in the CWHwm.See page 5 • 21 for further description of these units.
CWHwm
5 • 57
CW
Hw
m L
and
scap
e P
rofi
lea
Site Units
5 • 58
aT
ree
sym
bols
are
def
ined
in
App
endi
x 3.
Sit
e S
erie
s
01 H
wS
s -
Blu
eber
ry
02 H
wS
s -
Ste
p m
oss
03 S
sHw
- O
ak f
ern
04 S
sHw
-D
evil
’s c
lub
51 A
vala
nch
e tr
ack
05b
Ss
-S
alm
onbe
rry
(Hig
h f
luvi
al b
ench
)
06b
Act
-R
ed-o
sier
dog
woo
d (M
iddl
e fl
uvi
al b
ench
)
07b
Act
-W
illo
w (L
ow f
luvi
al b
ench
)
08 H
w -
Sph
agn
um
09 S
s -
Sku
nk
cabb
age
(Sw
amp
fore
st)
10 P
l -
Sph
agn
um
(Bog
woo
dlan
d)
31 N
on-f
ores
ted
bog
32 N
on-f
ores
ted
fen
/mar
sh
aR
elat
ive
and
actu
al S
MR
are
def
ined
in
App
endi
ces
6 an
d 7.
bS
MR
of
floo
dpla
in s
ites
is
vari
able
an
d in
flu
ence
d by
ben
ch h
eigh
t an
d ti
min
g an
d du
rati
on o
f fl
oodi
ng.
CWHwm
5 • 59
CW
Hw
m E
dat
opic
Gri
d
CWHwm Site Series Flowchart
Site Units
5 • 60
WET FORESTS
Mositure regime 6-7.Seepage slopes ordepressions.
DRY TO MOIST
FORESTS
Moisture regime 0-5.
FLOODPLAIN
FORESTS
Stands on activefloodplains.
AVALANCHE
TRACKS
NON-FORESTED
WETLANDS
Tree cover < 10%
Dwarf Pl, Labrador tea, cotton-grass, and 31sphagnum common. Non-forested bog
Dr, willows, sedges, grasses, or bulrushes 32 Non-forestedcommon. fen/marsh
Shrub and herb layers diverse and very lush. 51Sitka alder, salmonberry, lady fern, and spiny Avalanche trackwood fern abundant.
Productive Ss/Hw forests. High benches. 05Moderate humus development. Ss - Salmonberry
Few conifers in canopy; Act and Dr co- 06 Act - Red-osierdominate. Humus thin or absent. dogwood
Dry sites; upper slopes and ridge crests. Poor 02forest productivity. Herb layer sparse/absent HwSs - Step moss
Moderate forest productivity. Herb layer 01reduced; few rich-site indicators. Mainly HwSs - Blueberryfeathermosses.
Low tree growth. No devil’s club; herb layer 08reduced; mainly sphagnum and leafy mosses. Hw- Sphagnum
Above-average tree growth; minor component 03of devil’s club; herb layer well developed and SsHw - Oak ferndominated by ferns.
Good tree growth; devil’s club abundant. Herb 04layer well developed, dominated by lady fern. SsHw - Devil’s
club
Tree growth good. Devil’s club abundant; herb 04 SsHw - Devil’slayer lush and diverse; ferns dominate. club
Tree growth poor; no Ss, no devil’s club; herb 08layer reduced. Skunk cabbage common; green Hw - Sphagnumsphagnum abundant.
Tree growth low; no Ss; Pl and Yc common. No 10devil’s club; deer-cabbage, sphagnum com- Pl - Sphagnummon.
Tree growth variable; Hw and Ss forests. Minor 09component of devil’s club; herb layer diverse Ss - Skunk cabbageand dominated by ferns and skunk cabbage.
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aP
rom
inen
ce b
ars
are
desc
ribe
d in
Sec
tion
3.2
.2, p
age
3 •
6.
bL
imit
ed d
ata;
un
it d
escr
ibed
fro
m f
ewer
th
an t
hre
e pl
ots.
CWHwm
5 • 61
CW
Hw
m V
eget
atio
n T
able
a
CWHwm Environment Table
SoilSite moisture/ Slope %series Phase nutrients Slope position range Parent materiala
01 a) Mineral 3-5B-C mid (all) 0 - 100 C, M, (F, FG)
01 b) Lithic 3-4B-C mid (all) 5 - 100 Ov/R, Ov/C
02 1-2/A-C all 10 - 105 Ov/R, Ov/C, (M)
03 3-5/D-E mid, lower (upper) 0 - 85 C, F
04 5-6/D-E mid - level 0 - 85 C, F
05 5-6/D-E level 0 - 5 F
06 5-6/D-E level 0 - 3 F
07 6-7/C-E level 0 - 5 F
08b 5-6/A-C lower, toe 3 - 20 Ov/M, Ov/F
09 6-7/C-E lower - level 0 - 35 F, C, O
10b 7+/A-C mid - level 10 - 20 O
31 7+/A-C mid - level 0 - 5 O
32 7/C-E level (lower) 0 - 30 O, Ov/F
51 3-5/D-E upper - mid 15 - 85 C
a Codes are described in Section 3.2.2, page 3 • 8. b Limited data; unit described from fewer than three plots.
Site Units
5 • 62
Humus formSoil Soil depth (cm)particle sizea classificationa min-mean-max Important site features
KL, S, L, (FL) FHP, HFP, FO, Mors Moderately well-drained PodzolsDYB 5 - 21- 70 common; some deep Folisols.
S, KL FO Mors Organic veneers over fragmental7 - 26 - 59 colluvium or bedrock.
KL, S(s) FO, HFP, SYS, Mors Organic veneers over bedrock or(R) 5 - 23 - 80 Podzols on well-drained colluvium.
S R, (DYB) Moders, Mars Active floodplain high bench sites;2 - 4 - 7 fluctuating water table.
S R, (DYB) Moders, Mors Active floodplain medium bench sites;0 - 4 - 11 periodic flooding.
S R Moders Active floodplain low bench sites;0 - 2 - 4 annual, often high-velocity, flooding.
S FHP, M, FO; Mors Deep Mor humus forms. Imperfectlygleyed 25 - 41- 60 drained, often gleyed soils.
S, L G, R, M, HFP; Mors, Moders Wet, gleyed, stagnant soils.(gleyed) 2 - 8 - 19
-- M peaty “O” horizons Wet, acidic, bog woodlands.>60 cm
-- F, M peaty “O” horizons Very poor, wet, acidic soils. Too wet> 1 m for tree growth.
-- F, M, G Moders, Mors Wet soils with some mineral seepage4 - 12 - 36 influence. Too wet for tree growth.
S, (L) R, DYB Moders, Mulls Very rich soils from colluvial mixing1 - 6 - 16 and deciduous litter.
CWHwm
5 • 63
CWHws1Wet Submaritime Subzone
Submontane VariantAdjacent biogeoclimatic units: CWHws2 at higher elevations; ICHmc2 atsimilar elevations inland; CWHvm1 at similar elevations towards the coast.Elevation range: 10 - 600 m.Description and comparison of site series:
Zonal site series:01 HwBa - Bramble is widespread in the variant at all slope positions and ona variety of parent materials. Forests are dominated by Hw and Ba with aminor component of Cw. Shrub layers are usually well developed and dominatedby conifer regeneration and Alaskan blueberry; however, some sites may havelittle understory development. Bunchberry, five-leaved bramble, and Queen’scup are the major herb species, but these have low cover. Soils are coarse-textured Podzols with moderately thick Mor humus layers. Two phases arerecognized: a Typic phase (01a) on colluvial, morainal, or lacustrine deposits;and a Glaciofluvial phase (01b), which occurs on coarse-textured glaciofluvialand inactive fluvial deposits.
Drier sites: Two drier forested site series have been described.02 Pl - Kinnikinnick is rare and confined to dry upper slopes and ridge crestswith thin morainal/colluvial veneers over bedrock. These are stunted and widelyspaced Pl forests with a small component of Hw. Shrub layers are sparse; herblayers typically have scattered kinnikinnick, dwarf blueberry, prince’s pine, andrattlesnake-plantain. The moss layer is feathermoss patches with some rockmoss and reindeer lichen occurring (contrast with 03).03 HwPl - Feathermoss is widespread on gravelly glaciofluvial outwash(Glaciofluvial phase 03b) and coarse morainal and colluvial veneers (Typicphase 03a). Forests are either pure Pl stands (common in the upper Kitimatand Kitsumkalum valleys) or dense, small-diameter Hw stands with scatteredPl and Cw. Shrub and herb layers are very poorly developed; the moss layer is acontinuous feathermoss carpet. It is differentiated from the drier 02 by betterstand growth and absence of kinnikinnick. Submesic 01 forests have bettergrowth and better-developed shrub and herb layers.
Fresh to wet sites: Five wetter forested site series have been described(excluding floodplain forests, page 5•65).04 BaCw - Oak fern is widespread on mid to lower slopes in seepage areaswhere conditions are moist and rich. These are Hw-dominated forests withsecondary components of Ba, Cw, or Sxs. A light cover of devil’s club (<20%) ischaracteristic of this unit with oakfern as the dominant herb and scatteredfoamflower, spiny wood fern, bunchberry, and five-leaved bramble usuallyoccurring. Step and lanky mosses form a continuous carpet with scattered leafymosses. The 06 is similar in appearance, but wetter conditions, much highercover of devil’s club, lusher understory, and dominance of leafy mossesdistinguish it from the 04.05 HwBa - Queen’s cup is locally common in the Kitimat Valley butuncommon elsewhere in the subzone. It represents sites that are wetter than
Site Units
5 • 64
the 01 but lack the rich-site indicators of the 04 and 06. Forest composition andgrowth are equivalent to the 01; understory species are also similar buttypically more lush. Small patches of skunk cabbage in wet hollows are goodindicators when present. The 05 is distinguished from 01 more on the basis ofsoil conditions than by vegetation; soils are imperfectly drained, gleyed Podzols,often with cemented horizons at depth.
06 BaCw - Devil’s club is very productive and supports stands with largewell-spaced Hw, Hw, and Sxs. These sites are found most typically on lowerslopes, toes, level areas, or in gullies that receive abundant seepage. Soils aregleyed Podzols developed on morainal, colluvial, or fluvial deposits. Theunderstory is usually dense devil’s club and salmonberry thickets with ladyfern, oak fern, spiny wood fern, and foamflower. Leafy mosses predominate(contrast with 04).
10 Pl - Sphagnum bog woodlands of scrubby Pl and Cw are uncommon in theCWHws1. They are restricted to some localized peat-filled depressions at thebase of slopes or valley floors. Typical understory species are Labrador tea,skunk cabbage, sedges, and sphagnum. The 10 is easily distinguished fromother units by its unique bog vegetation and stunted canopy.
11 CwSs - Skunk cabbage swamp forests occur mainly on wet gradual slopesor level sites (occasionally in complex with 05). Despite rich soil conditions, theCw/Hw/Sxs forests have low productivity because of high water tables. Theunderstory is composed of blueberries with scattered red-osier dogwood,highbush-cranberry, salmonberry, and abundant ferns and skunk cabbage. Soilsare Gleysols and Organics developed on lacustrine or fluvial deposits. The 11 isdistinguished from the 06 by soil characteristics, scattered devil’s club, andgreater abundance of skunk cabbage.
Floodplain sites: Three site series occur on active floodplains and reflectdifferences in bench height and frequency of flooding. Soils are poorly developedBrunisols or Regosols.
07 Ss - Salmonberry (High fluvial bench) occurs on elevated floodplain sitesthat have seasonally fluctuating water tables, but generally only flood every fewyears. Highly productive forests dominated by Ss are typical. Salmonberry anddevil’s club dominate the understory. Ferns are common in the moderatelydeveloped herb layer; leafy mosses are common in the moss layer.
08 Act - Red-osier dogwood (Middle fluvial bench) experiences prolongedelevated water tables during the growing season that limit coniferestablishment. Forests are dominated by Act with some Ss. Understories aredominated by thickets of salmonberry, red-osier dogwood, and red elderberry.Herb and moss layers are greatly reduced. Low cover of conifers distinguish the08 from the 07. Lack of willows, greater forest stature, and higher bench heightdistinguish the 08 from the 09.
09 Act - Willow (Low fluvial bench) is usually situated directly streamside orin back channels that experience prolonged annual flooding and sedimenterosion/deposition. This limits tree growth and scours vegetation that is notfirmly rooted. Act is scattered in the unit; Dr, willows, and Sitka alder maydominate.
Non-forested site units: Two non-forested site series occur sporadically in thevariant: Non-forested bog (31) and Non-forested fen/marsh (32). See page5 • 21 for general descriptions of CWH wetlands.
CWHws1
5 • 65
CW
Hw
s1 L
and
scap
e P
rofi
lea
Site Units
5 • 66
aT
ree
sym
bols
are
def
ined
in
App
endi
x 3.
Sit
e S
erie
s
01 H
wB
a -
Bra
mbl
e
02 P
l -
Kin
nik
inn
ick
03 H
wP
l -
Fea
ther
mos
s
04 B
aCw
-O
ak f
ern
05 H
wB
a -
Qu
een
’s c
up
06 B
aCw
-D
evil
’s c
lub
07b
Ss
-S
alm
onbe
rry
(Hig
h f
luvi
al b
ench
)
08b
Act
-R
ed o
sier
dog
woo
d (M
iddl
e fl
uvi
al b
ench
)
09b
Act
-W
illo
w (L
ow f
luvi
al b
ench
)
10 P
l -
Sph
agn
um
(Bog
woo
dlan
d)
11 C
wS
s -
Sku
nk
cabb
age
(Sw
amp
fore
st)
31 N
on-f
ores
ted
bog
32 N
on-f
ores
ted
fen
/mar
sh
aR
elat
ive
and
actu
al S
MR
are
def
ined
in
App
endi
ces
6 an
d 7.
bS
MR
of
floo
dpla
in s
ites
is
vari
able
an
d in
flu
ence
d by
ben
ch h
eigh
t an
d ti
min
g an
d du
rati
on o
f fl
oodi
ng.
CWHws1
5 • 67
CW
Hw
s1 E
dat
opic
Gri
d
CWHws1 Site Series Flowchart
Site Units
5 • 68
NON-FORESTED
WETLANDS
Tree cover < 10%
FLOODPLAIN
FORESTS
Sites on the activefloodplains of majorrivers.
DRY FORESTS
Moisture regime 0-3.Sites with rapidlydrained soils.
VERY MOIST TO
WET FORESTS
Moisture regime 6-7.Seepage slopes ordepressions.
FRESH TO
MOIST FORESTS
Moisture regime 4-5.Sites not clearly wetor dry.
Dwarf Pl, Labrador tea, and other Ericaceous 31shrubs. Sphagnum clearly dominant. Non-forested bog
Willows, sedges, or grasses dominate. Sphag- 32 Non-forestednum common but not dominant fen/marsh
Ss-dominated canopy. Productive high bench 07sites. Moderately developed forest floor. Ss - Salmonberry
Few conifers in canopy; Act and Dr co- 08 Act - Red-osierdominate. Thin forest floor. dogwood
Dense, small-diameter Hw or Pl forests; shrub 03and herb layer sparse. Moss layer continuous; HwPl -red-stemmed feathermoss prominent. Feathermoss
Hw/Ba forests with average growth; blueberry 01 Zonalunderstory. Moss layer continuous; red- HwBa - Bramblestemmed feathermoss minor component; stepand lanky mosses co-dominate.
Hw/Cw/(Ba)/(Sxs) forests with good growth. 06Well-developed shrub and herb layers with BaCw - Devil’sdevil’s club, salmonberry, and ferns promi- clubnent. Few blueberries; leafy mosses dominant.
Hw/Ba(Cw) forests with average growth. Herb 05 HwBa -layer with a few ferns or skunk cabbage. Queen’s cup
Hw/Cw swamp forests with variable growth. 11Herb layer lush, dominated by skunk cabbage CwSs - Skunkand lady fern. cabbage
Pl/Cw bog forests with poor growth. Labrador 10tea and sphagnum prominent. Pl - Sphagnum
Devil’s club and blueberry common. Herb 04layer moderately developed. Oak fern abundant. BaCw - Oak fernLeafy mosses are minor component.
Devil’s club abundant. Herb layer with abun- 06 BaCw - Devil’sdant ferns. Leafy mosses dominate. club
No devil’s club; herb layer moderately devel- 05 HwBa -oped but few ferns. Lanky moss dominates Queen’s cup
No devil’s club. Blueberries dominate. Herb 01layer poorly developed. HwBa - Bramble
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a P
rom
inen
ce b
ars
are
desc
ribe
d in
Sec
tion
3.2
.2, p
age
3 •
6.
bL
imit
ed d
ata;
un
it d
escr
ibed
fro
m f
ewer
th
an t
hre
e pl
ots.
CWHws1
5 • 69
CW
Hw
s1 V
eget
atio
n T
able
a
CWHws1 Environment Table
SoilSite moisture/ Slope %series Phase nutrients Slope position range Parent materiala
Ss HFP, (DYB) Mors Coarse outwash gravels in major valley6 - 7 - 10 bottoms.
KL, L, S DYB, FO; Moders, Mors Freely drained mid to lower slopes(gleyed) 6 - 31 - 55 with intermittent seepage.
L, KL, C HFP (gleyed) Mors Imperfect drainage or perched water5 - 15 - 34 table.
Ls HFP (gleyed) Moders Very productive rich seepage sites on5 - 8 - 13 lower slopes.
S, L, KL (s) R, DYB (HFP) Moders Active floodplain high bench sites;3 - 10 - 20 fluctuating water table.
S, KL(s) R Moders, Mors Active floodplain medium bench sites;2 - 3 - 5 periodic (annual) flooding.
S, KL (s) R Moders, Mors Active floodplain low bench sites;3 - 3 - 5 annual, often high-velocity flooding.
FL G, H peaty “O” horizons Wet, acidic bog woodlands; rare in>1 m CWHws1.
L, FL G Moders Wet, gleyed, stagnant mineral soils.30 - 35 - 40
-- M, F peaty “O” horizons Very wet, poor acidic soils. Too wet> 1 m for tree growth.
-- M, F, G peaty “O” horizons Very wet soils with some mineral> 1 m seepage. Too wet for tree growth.
CWHws1
5 • 71
CWHws2Wet Submaritime Subzone
Montane Variant
Adjacent biogeoclimatic units: CWHws1 at lower elevations; ICHmc2 atlower elevations inland; CWHvm1 near Kemano and in the Kitlope watershed;MHmm2 at higher elevations.
Elevation range: 600 - 1000 m.
Description and comparison of site series:
Zonal site series:
01 HwBa - Bramble forests are found on a wide range of parent materials andslope positions. These Hw/Ba stands have understories consisting mainly of Baregeneration, blueberries, bunchberry, and five-leaved bramble and are usuallypoorly developed, though occasionally the shrub layer is well developed. Themoss layer is continuous and dominated by pipecleaner, step, and lanky mosses.Soils are Podzols or (rarely) Folisols with high coarse fragment content.
Drier sites: Two drier forested site series have been described (these units arerare in the PRFR portion of the CWHws2).
02 Pl - Kinnikinnick is very rare in the PRFR, being found only on a few verydry upper slopes and ridge crests with thin morainal/colluvial veneers overbedrock. This site series is restricted mainly to the Kimsquit valley within theVancouver Forest Region. Stands are dominated by stunted and scattered Pl.Shrub and herb layers are sparse; the moss layer is patchy. It is distinguishedfrom the 03 site series by dominance of stunted Pl in the canopy and thepresence of kinnikinnick and rock moss.
03 HwPl - Feathermoss is a little more common than the 02 but not aswidespread as in the CWHws l. Dry ridge crests and upper slopes with skeletalsoils support small-diameter Hw/Pl/Ba forests. The 03 has similar speciescomposition to 01 forests, but the presence of Pl, low cover of lanky moss,below-average productivity, and thin, coarse soils distinguish the 03 from 01.The lack of kinnikinnick and rock moss, and the dominance of Hw in the canopyseparate this unit from the 02.
Fresh to wet sites. Five wetter forested site series have been described.
04 BaCw - Oak fern is common in the variant where intermittent seepage orbase-rich parent material creates slightly richer soil conditions. Forests aredominated by Hw and Ba with better than average growth. Shrub and herblayers are well developed. Devil’s club, blueberry, ferns, and foamflower arecommon. Lanky moss, step moss, and leafy mosses predominate. Speciescomposition is similar to that in the 06 site series; however, higher cover of ladyfern, devil’s club, and leafy mosses, and gleyed soils, are more typical of thewetter 06 unit.
05 HwBa - Queen’s cup is closely related to 01 forests but is found on moregradual mid to lower slopes where drainage is imperfect. Shrub and herb
Site Units
5 • 72
species are similar to those in the 01, but are represented by higher cover. Soilsare generally mottled. Scattered patches of skunk cabbage maybe found in wethollows. The lack of rich-site indicator species such as foamflower, lady fern, ordevil’s club distinguishes this site series from other moist units. This unit isrelatively uncommon in the CWHws2.
06 BaCw - Devil’s club forests are the most productive in the variant andhave large, wellspaced Hw, Ba, Sxs, and (Bl). These are typically small areas onlower slopes, toes, and level areas that receive abundant seepage. Soils areGleysols or gleyed Podzols developed on fluvium or washed colluvium andmorainal till. The understory is composed of dense devil’s club and salmonberrythickets, lady fern, oak fern, spiny wood fern, and leafy mosses. The 06 isfloristically similar to the 07, but the dominance of Sxs and its location on activefloodplains distinguish the 07 from the 06. The 06 is distinguished from othersite series by the predominance of devil’s club and lady fern.
10 Pl - Sphagnum bog woodlands are very uncommon in the steeper terrain ofthe CWHws2. They are restricted to small, poorly drained depressions withorganic soils. Forests are scrubby and open Pl, Hm, Hw, and (Cw) mixtures.Shrub and herb layers are moderately developed and consist of a distinctivecombination of bog and forest species. Blueberries, salal, Labrador tea, deerfern, white marsh-marigold, fern-leaved goldthread, deer-cabbage, andsphagnum are common species.
11 CwSs - Skunk cabbage forests are localized in the CWHws2. Level togently sloping sites that receive abundant (but slowly moving) mineral seepageprovide the conditions for these swamp forests. Forest productivity is limited bypoorly aerated, wet soils. These sites support a well-developed herb layercomposed of ferns and skunk cabbage and a vigorous shrub layer dominated byred-osier dogwood and salmonberry. Trees are well-spaced Hw, (Ba), (Cw), and(Sxs), typically rooted on elevated hummocks. Soils are Organics or Gleysols.The abundance of skunk cabbage and lady fern distinguish this unit from othersite series.
Floodplain sites: In the PRFR portion of the CWHws2, which occurs primarilyat montane elevations above the CWHws1 or ICHmc2, floodplain forests areuncommon. In the southernmost portion of the PRFR and in the adjacentVancouver Forest Region, the CWHws2 occurs in the valley bottoms of a fewmajor drainages, such as the Kitlope (and tributaries) and the Kimsquit.Floodplain forests are extensive in these drainages; therefore, we haverecognized the same three floodplain site series that occur in the CWHws1. Thedescriptions of the CWHws1 floodplain forests presented on page 5 • 65 alsoapply to the CWHws2. One characteristic of upper valley CWHws2 floodplainsites is the occurrence of subalpine fir at relatively low elevations. This reflectsthe exposure to cold air drainage, common at the upper ends of these coastalvalleys.
Non-forested site units:
Three non-forested site units occur in the CWHws2: Non-forested bog (31),Nonforested fen/marsh (32), and Avalanche track (51). Wetlands are rare in the CWHws2, but avalanche tracks, originating in the MH and ATabove, occur throughout. See page 5 • 21 for general descriptions of thesenon-forested CWH units.
CWHws2
5 • 73
CW
Hw
s2 L
and
scap
e P
rofi
lea
Site Units
5 • 74
aT
ree
sym
bols
are
def
ined
in
App
endi
x 3.
Sit
e S
erie
s
01 H
wB
a -
Bra
mbl
e02
Pl
-K
inn
ikin
nic
k03
Hw
Pl
-F
eath
erm
oss
04 B
aCw
-O
ak f
ern
05 H
wB
a -
Qu
een
’s c
up
51 A
vala
nch
e tr
ack
06 B
aCw
-D
evil
’s c
lub
07b
Ss
-S
alm
onbe
rry
(Hig
h f
luvi
al b
ench
)
08b
Act
-R
ed-o
sier
dog
woo
d (M
iddl
e fl
uvi
al b
ench
)
09b
Act
-W
illo
w (L
ow f
luvi
al b
ench
)
10 P
l -
Sph
agn
um
(Bog
woo
dlan
d)
11 C
wS
s -
Sku
nk
cabb
age
(Sw
amp
fore
st)
31 N
on-f
ores
ted
bog
32 N
on-f
ores
ted
fen
/mar
sh
aR
elat
ive
and
actu
al S
MR
are
def
ined
in
App
endi
ces
6 an
d 7.
bS
MR
of
floo
dpla
in s
ites
is
vari
able
an
d in
flu
ence
d by
ben
ch h
eigh
t an
d ti
min
g an
d du
rati
on o
f fl
oodi
ng.
CWHws2
5 • 75
CW
Hw
s2 E
dat
opic
Gri
d
CWHws2 Site Series Flowchart
Site Units
5 • 76
NON-FORESTED
WETLANDS
Tree cover < 10%
FLOODPLAIN
FORESTS
Sites on the activefloodplains of majorrivers. Restricted tothe southernmostCWHws2.
DRY FORESTS
Moisture regime 0-3.Sites with rapidlydrained soils.
VERY MOIST TO
WET FORESTS
Moisture regime 6-7.Seepage slopes ordepressions.
FRESH TO
MOIST FORESTS
Moisture regime 4-5.Sites not clearly wet or dry.
AVALANCHE
TRACKS
Dwarf shore pine, Labrador tea, and other 31Ericaceous shrubs. Sphagnum clearly dominant. Non-forested bog
Willows, sedges, or grasses dominate. Sphag- 32 Non-forestednum common but not dominant fen/marsh
Shrub and herb layers diverse and very lush. 51Sitka alder, stink currant, red-osier dogwood, Avalanche tracksalmonberry, and ferns abundant.
Conifer-dominated canopy. Productive high 07bench sites. Moderately developed forest floor. Ss - Salmonberry
Few confiers in canopy; Act and Dr co- 08 Act - Red-osierdominate. Thin forest floor. dogwood
Conifers absent from canopy; Dr dominates 09canopy. Litter layer only. Act - Willow
Stunted and scattered Pl; kinnikinnick, 02rattlesnake-plantain common. Moss layer Pl - Kinnikinnickreduced; rock moss common. Very rare.
