a field guide for identification and ... - british columbia

A Field Guide for Identificationand Interpretation of Ecosystemsof the Northeast Portion of thePrince George Forest Region

Land ManagementHANDBOOK NUMBER 22ISSN 0229-1622

Ministry of Forests

February 1990

A Field Guide for Identification and Interpretation of Ecosystems

of the Northeast Portion of the Prince George Forest Region

by C. DeLong 1, A. MacKinnonn 2, and L. Jang 3

1 British Columbia Forest Service Forest Sciences Section

1011-4th Avenue Prince George, B.C. V2L 3H9

2 British Columbia Forest Service Research Branch

31 Bastion Square Victoria, B.C.

V8W 3E7

3 Site 77A, R.R. #2 Summerland, B.C.

V0H 1Z0

February 1990

Ministry of Forests

Canadian Cataloguing in Publication Data

DeLong, C. A field guide for identification and interpretation

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

(Land management handbook, ISSN 0229-1622 ; no. 22)

Includes bibliographical references. ISBN 0-771 8-8925-9

1. Bioclimatology - British Columbia. 2. Biogeography - British Columbia. 3 . Forest ecology - British Columbia. 4. Forest management - British Columbia, 5. Prince George Forest Region (B.C.) I. MacKinnon, A. (Andrew), 1956- . II. Jang, L. III. British Columbia. Ministry of Forests. IV. Title. V. Series.

QH541.5.F6D42 1990 581 52642'0971 1 C90-092078-5

© 1990 Province of British Columbia Published by the Research Branch Ministry of Forests 31 Bastion Square Victoria, B.C. V8W 3E7

Copies of this report may be obtained, depending upon supply, from: Crown Publications, 521 Fort St., Victoria B.C. V8W 1E7

http://www.crownpub.bc.ca Ph: (250) 386-4636

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The f o l l o w i n g i n d i v i d u a l s ass is ted in data c o l l e c t i o n : Gary Bank, Wayne B l a s h i l l , B r ian Brozni tsky, A l i s o n Candy, Wai-Lin Chee, Steve Crudge, Tracy Fleming, Peggy Frank, Graeme Hope, Del Meidinger, I an McIver, Glen Porter , Duncan Wil l iams, Ter ry Wood, and Karen Yearsley. Most of t he data used in t h e fo rmula t ion of t he u n i t s in t h e BWBSmw2 was c o l l e c t e d by Rick Annas. he rba r ium. George Argus (Salicaceae), Adolf Ceska (Cyperaceae), Tracy Baloc, and Ter ry Wood ident i f ied or v e r i f i e d ident i f icat ion of vascular p l a n t specimens. Frank Boas and Judy Godfrey (Hepaticae) ident i f ied t h e bryophytes and Trevor Goward ident i f ied t h e l i chens. Kevin B u r t prepared soi l samples f o r analysis.

Si lv icul ture and Timber Sections, Pr ince George Regional O f f i c e , t h e F o r t S t . John, F o r t Nelson, and Dawson Creek D i s t r i c t o f f i c e s , and l o c a l l i censees helped formulate management i n t e r p r e t a t i o n s . Dennis Demarchi ( M i n i s t r y of Environment) provided the wi ld l i fe desc r ip t i ons in Sect ion 3 . I a n Corns, R ick Annas, and John Parminter provided valuable rev iew comments. The f i n a n c i a l and l o g i s t i c a l assistance of t h e D i s t r i c t o f f i c e s is g r a t e f u l l y acknowledged.

have been used, w i t h permission, from Goward (1987), Hale (1979), Schof ie ld (1968), Szczawinski (1959, 1962), Tay lor (1966, 1973a, 1973b, 1974a, 1974b) and Hitchcock et a l . (1987). (1977), and common names f o l l o w Meidinger (1987).

Tracy Baloc helped organize and prepare botan ica l specimens f o r the

Angus McLeod (Col lege o f New Caledonia, Forestry) , staf f o f t h e

Word processing was by J e n n i f e r S tua r t and Louise Gronmyr. I l lustrat ions

S c i e n t i f i c names f o l l o w Tay lor and MacBryde

i i i

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .......................................................... i i i

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

2 USE OF THE GUIDE ....................................................... 6 2.1 I d e n t i f y i n g Biogeocl imat ic U n i t s .................................. 6 2.2 I d e n t i f y i n g S i t e Un i t s ................................................... 7

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

3 BIOGEOCLIMATIC UNITS .................................................. 8 3.1 D is t i ngu ish ing F l o r i s t i c Features o f t he BWBS and Neighbouring Zones 9 3.2 Var ian ts o f t he BWBS .............................................. 9 3.3 BWBSmw........................................................... 9

3.3.1 Peace BWBSmw - BWBSmw1 (prev ious ly BWBSc1 and BWBSc2) ...... 10 3.3.2 F o r t Nelson BWBSmw - BWBSmw2 (prev ious ly BWBSa1) ........... 10

3.4 BWBSdk ............................................................ 12 3.4.1 Liard BWBSdk - BWBSdk2 (prev ious ly BWBSa2) ................. 12

3.5 BWBSwk ............................................................ 12 3.5.1 Murray BWBSwk - BWBSwk1 (prev ious ly BWBSd1) ................ 13 3.5.2 Graham BWBSwk - BWBSwk2 (prev ious ly BWBSd2) ................ 13 3.5.3 Kledo BWBSwk - BWBSwk3 (prev ious ly BWBSb) .................. 13

4 THE BWBSmw1 VARIANT ................................................... 15

5 THE BWBSmw2 VARIANT ................................................... 35

6 THE BWBSwk1 VARIANT ................................................... 63

2.3 Management I n t e r p r e t a t i o n s ........................................ 8

7 THE BWBSwk2 VARIANT .................................................... 83

8 LITERATURE CITED ...................................................... 98

APPENDICES

1 Meso s lope p o s i t i o n diagram ............................................... 100

4 105 5 Key to t he ident i f icat ion of s o i l n u t r i e n t regime ...................... 107

iv

2 Hand t e x t u r i n g f i e l d guide ............................................. 101 3 Ident i f icat ion o f upland humus forms ....................................... 104

Key to t he ident i f icat ion of p o t e n t i a l moisture regime .................

TABLES

1 New names f o r b iogeoc l imat ic and s i t e u n i t s i n t h e nor theast p o r t i o n of the Pr ince George Forest Region .......................................

2 F u l l c o r r e l a t e d vegetat ion uni t names for s i t e se r ies described in t h i s guide ................................................................. 5

3 Summary c l ima te data f o r b iogeoc l imat ic u n i t s ......................... 11

3

FIGURES

1

2

3

4

5

B iogeoc l imat ic u n i t s o f t h e nor theast p o r t i o n o f t he Pr ince George Forest Region ......................................................... 2

Edatopic gr id d i sp lay ing s i t e se r ies in the BWBSmw1 v a r i a n t ........... 15

Edatopic gr id d i sp lay ing s i t e se r ies in the BWBSmw2 v a r i a n t ........... 35

Edatopic gr id d i sp lay ing s i t e se r ies in the BWBSwk1 v a r i a n t ........... 63

Edatopic gr id d i sp lay ing s i t e se r ies in the BWBSwk2 v a r i a n t ........... 83

v

1 INTRODUCTION

t he south and 1050 m i n the no r th ) in B r i t i s h Columbia’s northeastern corner (F igu re 1 ) . A l b e r t a Plateau, L i a r d Plateau, and L i a r d P l a i n physiographic regions (Holland 1976). I t i s character ized by a nor thern cont inenta l c l imate, w i t h very long, c o l d w in te rs and short , warm summers. The landscape is a mosaic o f poor ly d ra ined muskeg, mixed sera l stands conta in ing lodgepole p ine and aspen, and some mature whi te and b lack spruce stands. F i r e s are common and the Northern F i r e Ecology Pro jec t repor ts (Parminter 1983, 1984) 1 descr ibe the f i r e s ’ impact on t he boreal landscape. The guide presents a ids t o the i d e n t i f i c a t i o n of descr ibed un i t s , and management interpretations f o r each.

The u n i t s in t h i s guide are descr ibed i n t he b iogeoc l imat ic ecosystem c l a s s i f i c a t i o n (BEC) system. I t i s assumed t h a t t he user has a working knowledge o f t h i s system. Those un fami l i a r w i t h t he system should consu l t Po ja r (1983) f o r a non-technical account, or con tac t t he Ecology personnel in t he Forest Sciences Section, B.C. M i n i s t r y of Forests, Pr ince George. Most of t he u n i t s descr ibed i n t h i s guide have a lso been descr ibed i n other p u b l i c a t i o n s and repor ts : Meidinger and Lewis (1983) 2 f o r t he For t Nelson Timber Supply Area; Jang et al. (1986) 3 f o r t he BWBSmw1 (prev iously BWBSc1); DeLong (1988) f o r t he sera l u n i t s o f t he BWBSmw1; Annas (1977) f o r the BWBSmw2 (p rev ious l y BWBSa1); and Jang et al. (1987) 4 f o r t he BWBSwk1 (prev iously BWBSd1). As wel l , s o i l surveys have been done i n t he Peace River (Farstad et a l . 1965) and Fo r t Nelson (Valent ine 1971) areas, and t he land base near

1 Parminter, J. 1983. F i re-eco log ica l r e l a t i o n s h i p s f o r t he b iogeocl imat ic zones o f t he Fo r t Nelson Timber Supply Area. Northern F i r e Ecology P ro jec t . B.C. Min. For., V i c t o r i a , B.C. Unpublished repor t . 53 p. and: 1984. F i re-eco log ica l r e l a t i o n s h i p s f o r t he b iogeoc l imat ic zones of t he no r the rn p o r t i o n o f the Mackenzie Timber Supply Area. Northern F i r e Ecology P ro jec t . B.C. Min. For., V i c t o r i a , B.C. Unpublished repor t . 102 p.

subzones o f the nor thern p o r t i o n o f t he Mackenzie Timber Supply Area. North. F i r e Ecology Pro ject . B.C. Min. For., V i c t o r i a , B.C. Unpublished r e p o r t . 59 p.

ident i f icat ion and interpretat ion o f ecosystems o f t he BWBSc1 in the Pr ince George Forest Region. B.C. Min. For., Pr ince George, B.C. Unpublished repo r t . 39 p.

ident i f icat ion and interpretat ion o f ecosystems o f t h e BWBSd1 i n t he Pr ince George Forest Region. B.C. Min. For., Pr ince George, B.C. Unpublished r e p o r t . 43 p.

Th is guide describes t he lowland and montane ecosystems (below 1200 m in

This area, nor theast of the Rocky Mountains, encompasses the

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

3 Jang, L., A. McLeod, and D. Wil l iams. 1986. A f i e l d guide f o r the

4 Jang, L., A. McLeod, and D . Wil l iams. 1987. A f i e l d guide f o r the

L E G E N D

BWBSdk2 BWBSmw1 BWBSmw2 BWBSwk1 BWBSwk2 BWBSwk3

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

Donna Lindenberg

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

b lueberry

blueberry

b lueberry

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TABLE 1. (Continued)

Old va r i an ts and ecosystem assoc ia t ions New v a r i a n t s and s i t e s e r i e s

BWBSd1 BWBSwk1 01 Pine - Huckleberry 01 Sw - Huckleberry - Step moss 02 Pine - Lichen 02 Pl - L ingonberry - Velvet- leaved

03.1 Pine - Black Spruce - Velvet- leaved b. 03 Sb - Lingonberry - C o l t s f o o t 03.2 Pine - Black Spruce - Clubmoss 03 Sb - Lingonberry - C o l t s f o o t 03.3 Pine - Black Spruce - Black Twinberry 03 Sb - Lingonberry - C o l t s f o o t 04 Pine - Soopolallie 04 Sw - Wi ldrye - Peavine 05 Spruce - Highbush-cranberry 05 Sw - Currant - B luebe l l s 06 Spruce - Horse ta i l 06 Sw - Currant - Ho rse ta i l 07.2 Black Spruce - Ho rse ta i l - Sphagnum 07 Sb - H o r s e t a i l - Sphagnum 07.1 Black Spruce - Ho rse ta i l - Feathermoss 08 Sb - Wi l low - Glow moss

BWBSd2 BWBSwk2 01 Black Huckleberry - Bunchberry 02 Pine - Lichen 02 Pl - Lingonberry - Feathermoss 03 Soopo la l l i e - Fuzzy-spiked Wi ldrye 04 Labrador Tea - Lingonberry 05 Black Gooseberry - Common Mi t rewor t 06 Spruce - Horse ta i l

b lueber ry

01 Sw - Huckleberry - Step moss

03 Sw - Wi ldrye - Peavine 04 Sb - Lingonberry - C o l t s f o o t 05 Sw - Currant - B luebe l l s 06 Sw - Currant - Ho rse ta i l

a The "$" symbol indicates that the uni t described is seral .

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sw - Populus - Hylocomium; Lathyrus

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

Sb - Equisetum - Sphagnum

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

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

Sb - Rubus (chamaemorus) - Sphagnum

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Tumbler Ridge has been e c o l o g i c a l l y descr ibed as p a r t o f an impact study f o r Northeast Coal development (Vold 1977; Harcombe 1978). W i l d l i f e values i n the area are descr ibed in Fenger et al. (1989).

p r o v i n c i a l c o r r e l a t i o n o f t he eco log ica l c l a s s i f i c a t i o n system. The o l d names, and t he corresponding u n i t s descr ibed i n t h i s guide, are l i s t e d in Table 1. Add i t i ona l l y , t he complete co r re la ted vegetat ion u n i t names f o r most of t h e s i t e u n i t s are given i n Table 2. The new biogeocl imat ic u n i t codes and names are designed t o be connotat ive - - t h a t i s , they descr ibe t he c l ima te o f the u n i t , r e l a t i v e t o o ther subzones i n t he zone. The connotat ive symbols i n t h i s guide descr ibe the r e l a t i v e mois ture (x = very dry, d = dry, m = moist , w = wet, v = very wet) and r e l a t i v e temperature ( v = very cold, c = cold, k = "kool" , m = mi ld , w = warm, h = ho t ) f o r each subzone/variant wi th in i t s zone. For example, t he Mois t Warm (mw) Boreal White and Black Spruce biogeoclimatic unit is coded BWBSmw; t he Wet Cool ("Kool") unit is coded BWBSwk.

has been reduced, and s i m i l a r u n i t s in d i f f e r e n t va r i an ts have been g iven t he same name. For example, p rev ious l y named ecosystem associat ions "Highbush-cranberry - Tall B luebe l ls " (BWBSc1/06), "Highbush-cranberry - B l u e j o i n t " (BWBSc2/05), "Spruce - Highbush-cranberry" (BWBSd1/05), and "Black Gooseberry - Common Mi t rewort" (BWBSd2/05) are a l l now within the "Sw - Currant - B luebe l ls" s i te associat ion. They share t h i s name because they are s i t e ser ies which are recognized as having s i m i l a r " q u a l i t y " (actual a v a i l a b l e mois ture and n u t r i e n t s ) and vegetat ion p o t e n t i a l . s i m i l a r fashion t o management p rac t i ces .

2 USE OF THE GUIDE

Sect ion 2 descr ibes the use o f t he guide; Sect ion 3 describes the b iogeoc l imat ic u n i t s (var ian ts ) inc luded i n t he guide, and d i f f e r e n t i a t e s them; Sections 4-7 descr ibe t he s i t e u n i t s within each var iant , and t h e i r management i n te rp re ta t i ons ; and Sect ion 8 i s L i t e r a t u r e C i t e d .

The u n i t s descr ibed in t h i s guide have been renamed as p a r t o f t h e

The s i t e u n i t s have a lso been co r re la ted and renamed. The number o f u n i t s

They a lso respond i n a

The guide i s d i v i ded i n t o n i ne sect ions: t he In t roduc t i on i s Sect ion 1;

2.1 I d e n t i f y i n g Biogeocl imat ic Un i t s

Biogeocl imat ic u n i t s a re most e a s i l y i d e n t i f i e d f rom maps. prov ides an overview o f t h e d i s t r i b u t i o n o f these u n i t s w i t h i n t he area covered by t h i s guide. Biogeocl imat ic uni t maps a t a sca le o f 1:250 000 a re ava i l ab le from M i n i s t r y o f Forests (MOF) D i s t r i c t Of f ices, o r t he Forest Science Section, MOF, Prince George.

I f an area l i e s near a mapped b iogeoc l imat ic u n i t boundary and i t i s n o t c l e a r which b iogeoc l imat ic u n i t i t belongs to, the user should compare t h e s i t e u n i t s found i n t he area t o those descr ibed f o r both b iogeoc l imat ic un i t s , and se lec t t he u n i t t h a t best f i t s .

F igure 1

- 7 -

2.2 Identifying S i te Units

S i t e units can be iden t i f i ed by a combination o f s o i l , s i t e and vegetation fac tors , which together are used t o der ive s o i l moisture and nutrient regimes fo r the s i t e . Having se lected the appropriate biogeocl imatic uni t (Sect ion 2.1), the user should inspect the area under consideration t o determine i f there are obvious moisture o r nutrient d i f fe rences which have led t o the development o f several vegetation units on the s i t e . I f several s i t e uni ts appear t o be present, the user should s t r a t i f y the area before ident i fy ing these units. At each s i t e unit, the user should then record s i t e features (2.2.1) and vegetation features (2.2.2), and use these t o determine moisture and nutrient regimes (2.2.3).

2.2.1 So i l s and topographic features

The most important topographic character is t ics t o note are: s lope posi t ion (Appendix 1 ) , s lope gradient, and aspect. The most important s o i l character is t ics t o note are: f o r determining s o i l texture are given in Appendix 2) ; coarse fragment %; humus form and depth (procedures f o r determining humus form are given in Appendix 3 ) ; s o i l drainage c lass ; depth t o water tab le ; and rooting depth.

2.2.2 Vegetation features

should be noted. Vegetation as described in th i s guide i s f o r mature ecosystems. Caution must be exercised in using vegetation t o c l a s s i f y disturbed s i t e s . Species occurring infrequently but sometimes with moderate cover are enclosed in square parentheses ( [ ] ) . Plant guides such as "Some Common Plants o f the Sub-Boreal Spruce Zone" (Pojar et al. 1982) o r "Some Common Plants o f the Skeena Region" (Coupé et al. 1982) are helpful and may be avai lable from the Forest Science Sect ion, MOF, Prince George.

2.2.3 Moisture and nutrient regimes

The information from s o i l s , topography and vegetation i s used t o estimate the re la t i ve amounts o f moisture and nutrients avai lab le fo r plant growth. The guide user must keep two important fac to rs in mind:

i .

s o i l texture (procedures

The plant species on the s i t e and the i r re la t ive abundance

Moisture and nutrient regimes are re la t ive within a biogeocl imatic unit. For instance, a s i t e that i s average in moisture regime in the BWBSwk1 wi l l be wetter than a s i t e that i s average in moisture regime in the BWBSmw1.

- 8 -

i i . A l l f ac to rs must be taken i n t o account when s o i l moisture and n u t r i e n t regime are determined. One f a c t o r may compensate f o r another; for instance, a coarse- textured s o i l , which might be expected to be dry, might be we t te r i f i t occurs a t t he base of a slope.

Moisture and n u t r i e n t regimes can be est imated using t he keys in Appendices 4 and 5.

2.2.4 Identification of units

information, the user should now proceed to :

i .

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

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

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

The edatopic g r i d and the key t o s i t e u n i t s w i l l d i r e c t t he user t o a p a r t i c u l a r s i t e unit, o r u n i t s . So i l s , topographic, and vegetat ion features on t he s i t e can then be compared w i t h those summarized f o r t he p a r t i c u l a r s i t e u n i t ( s ) t o ensure t he proper s i t e u n i t i s i d e n t i f i e d . Soil and s i t e fea tu res c h a r a c t e r i s t i c o f a c e r t a i n s i t e u n i t , o r p a r t i c u l a r l y use fu l in d i s t i n g u i s h i n g i t f r o m o ther s i t e un i t s , are marked with an a s t e r i s k ( * ) .

i i .

2 .3 Management I n t e r p r e t a t i o n s

i n t e r p r e t a t i o n s f o r t h a t u n i t are a v a i l a b l e on t he page adjacent t o t he s i t e u n i t descr ip t ion . I n t e r p r e t a t i o n s are o f fe red as gu ide l ines t o t he prepara t ion o f management p rescr ip t ions ; they d e t a i l t he oppor tun i t i es and cons t ra in t s t h a t a resource manager must consider when dea l ing w i t h a p a r t i c u l a r ecosystem. Management i n t e r p r e t a t i o n s w i l l be rev ised as more in formation, different technologies and different management ob jec t i ves d i c t a t e . The s i t e p repara t ion method gene ra l l y considered t o be t he most appropr ia te f o r the s i t e i s marked with an a s t e r i s k ( * ) . More in fo rmat ion about mechanical s i t e preparat ion i s a v a i l a b l e i n Coates and Haeussler (1987).

Once t he s i t e uni t has been i d e n t i f i e d , t he management

3 BIOGEOCLIMATIC UNITS

The dominant b iogeocl imat ic zone i n t he study area i s t he Boreal White and Black Spruce (BWBS) zone. The BWBS i s bordered by t h e Sub-Boreal Spruce (SBS) zone to t he west, the Engelmann Spruce - Subalpine F i r (ESSF) zone above 1200 m in the southern por t ions , and t he Spruce - Wi l low - B i r c h (SWB) zone above 1050 m in t he northern portions o f t he area.

- 9 -

3.1 Distinguishing Floristic Features of the BWBS and Neighbouring Zones

The boreal nature of t h e BWBS c l imate is r e f l e c t e d i n t he vegetat ion of t he zone, which includes many of the common species o f t he boreal reg ions o f Canada. True c l imax forests are l a r g e l y unknown i n t he BWBS, as few (if any) areas have escaped f i r e f o r several hundred years. Hypothet ica l c l imax fo res ts may be dominated by wh i te spruce and/or b lack spruce, or perhaps subalpine f i r (rare, probably because o f repeated burnings and l a c k o f seed).

F i r e has had a major in f luence on t he development of many p l a n t communities. Seral (non-climax) stands o f predominantly aspen o r balsam poplar dominate t he lower elevations, whereas sera l lodgepole pine dominated stands are common a t the h igher e leva t i ons and on coarser- textured s o i l s .

The SBS ( t o the west o f t he BWBS) is moister, warmer and l ess " cont inenta l " than t he BWBS. Upland SBS f o r e s t s o f t e n have a component of subalpine f i r i n them and seldom conta in b lack spruce. The ESSF and SWB (above the BWBS) have subalpine c l imates which are co lder and mois ter than the BWBS. Vegetat ional ly , t h e ESSF and SWB genera l l y l a c k b lack spruce, bu t have a l a r g e component of subalpine f i r . White-flowered rhododendron, absent in t he BWBS, is a common component o f most ecosystems in the ESSF. In t he SWB, t he understory is typically scrub b i r c h and wi l low, ne i t he r of which are common understory components of most stands i n t he BWBS.

3.2 Var iants o f the BWBS

With in the BWBS there i s considerable c l i m a t i c v a r i a t i o n which corresponds p r i m a r i l y t o differences i n l a t i t u d e and e leva t i on within t he zone.

The lat i tudinal shi f ts in vegetat ion in t he zone are sub t le whereas the al t i tudinal shi f ts are q u i t e s ign i f i can t . The BWBS 5 zone in the area i s d iv ided into f ive dist inct b iogeocl imat ic var ian ts :

BWBSmw1: Peace Moist Warm BWBS (prev ious ly BWBSc1 and BWBSc2) BWBSmw2: Fo r t Nelson Mo is t Warm BWBS (prev ious ly BWBSa1) BWBSdk2: L i a r d Dry Cool BWBS (prev ious ly BWBSa2) BWBSwk1: Murray Wet Cool BWBS (prev ious ly BWBSd1) BWBSwk2: Graham Wet Cool BWBS (prev ious ly BWBSd2) BWBSwk3: Kledo Wet Cool BWBS (prev ious ly BWBSb)

3.3 BWBSmw

near where t he A lber ta border t ransects t he Rocky Mountains up t o t he Yukon and Northwest T e r r i t o r i e s borders. 1050 m i n t he south and 350 t o 1050 m i n t he nor th.

The BWBSmw covers the r o l l i n g topography from the Red Wil low River

E leva t ion ranges from 650 t o The c l ima te i s warmer

5 Any f u r t h e r re ference t o the BWBS will be to o n l y t he area included i n t h i s guide.

- 10 -

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

3.3.1 Peace BWBSmw - BWBSmw1 (previously BWBSc1 and BWBSc2)

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

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

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

3.3.2 Fort Nelson BWBSmw - BWBSmw2 (previously BWBSa1)

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

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

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

The Peace River Lowland portion of this variant provides

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

Balsam poplar, white spruce

- 11 -

TABLE 3. Summary climate data for biogeoclimatic units a

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

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

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

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

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

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

- 12 -

such as yellowlegs, common snipe, semipalmated plover and Wilson’s phalarope. The riparian habitats and southerly-facing aspen forests adjacent to the Rocky Mountain foothil ls in the Muskwa River drainage provide year-round habitat for Rocky Mountain elk, moose, mule deer, white-tailed deer, grizzly bear and gray wolf, while the deeply dissected canyons of the Sikanni River provide escape terrain for mountain goat, Stone’s sheep and mule deer.

3 .4 BWBSdk

Liard River drainage upriver of the Hells Gate rapids, between the elevations of 400 and 1100 m. I t is located below the SWB and borders the BWBSmw2 near the Hells Gate rapids.

The general climate is drier and colder with a shorter growing season than the BWBSmw.

3.4.1

The BWBSdk2 Variant is the only variant of this subzone found in the study area. I t is relatively dry during the growing season, but wetter during the winter.

Mature forests on upland sites are dominated by white spruce, sometimes with variable amounts of subalpine fir and black spruce. Seral stands of lodgepole pine, trembling aspen, and mixes of white spruce, aspen and lodgepole pine are common, especially on upland sites. Wetland sites are dominated by black spruce with a minor component of tamarack. w i t h i n the area described by this guide, no further discussion of this unit will be made in the text.

gray wolf, black bear and furbearers, especially lynx, wolverine, marten, beaver and muskrat. A small population of Rocky Mountain elk is found on the north side of the Liard River, between Hells Gate rapids and Liard Hot Springs. populations of waterfowl, especially mallard, northern pintail, common goldeneye and ring-nec ked duck.

The BWBSdk in the Prince George Forest Region is found only in the

Liard BWBSdk - BWBSdk2 (previously BWBSa2)

Because of the limited extent of this variant

The Liard Plain provides habitat for moose, w in te r ing caribou,

The wetlands support breeding

3 . 5 BWBSwk

the Rocky Mountains from the Alberta border, northward to the Yukon border. north i t is reduced to isolated pockets. and either the ESSF or SWB at elevations of 900-1300 m depending on the lat i tude and topography.

season than the BWBSmw (see Table 3). The forests are generally dominated by white spruce or lodgepole pine.

The BWBSwk is found in the foothi l ls and on lower t o mid-slopes o f

The BWBSwk i s widespread a t i ts southern extent, whereas in the I t is located between t h e BWBSmw

The general c l ima te i s we t te r and coo ler w i t h a shor ter growing

- 13 -

3.5.1 Murray BWBSwk - BWBSwk1 (previously BWBSd1)

slopes of the Rocky Mountains from where the Rocky Mountains transect the Alberta border to just north of the Peace arm of Williston Lake in the Hackney Hills. Elevation generally ranges from 1050 to 1200 m but can occur as a narrow band from 900 to 1050 m in some of the portions that are in the Rocky Mountains. The climate during the growing season is slightly drier and colder with a shorter growing season than the BWBSwk2. The winters are warmer with a higher snowpack than the BWBSwk2 (Table 3).

amounts of black spruce occurring on wetter and poorer sites. black spruce stands can occur on very wet sites on organic soils. Lodgepole pine is the dominant seral species and forms widespread forests along with minor amounts of white spruce and/or black spruce. Trembling aspen is common as a seral species at lower elevations.

grizzly bear. Rocky Mountain elk and mule deer make somewhat limited use of this habitat.

3.5.2 Graham BWBSwk - BWBSwk2 (previously BWBSd2)

The BWBSwk2 Variant covers the foothills and mid to lower slopes of the Rocky Mountains from the Hackney Hills north to where the Sikanni Chief River drains out of the Rocky Mountains. at elevations between 1050 and 1200 m. The BWBSwk2 is slightly wetter and warmer over the growing season than the BWBSwk1. has a longer growing season, but colder winters with less snowpack.

The forests are very similar to those of the BWBSwk1 variant. This variant provides summer habitat for moose, mule deer,

black bear and grizzly bear. Rocky Mountain elk have recently been repatriated to the southerly facing slopes of the Peace River Canyon and will use this habitat in the summer.

3.5.3 Kledo BWBSwk - BWBSwk3 (previously BWBSb)

The BWBSwk3 variant occurs as isolated pockets in the Rocky Mountain foothills between 900 and 1200 m from the Sikanni Chief River north to the Northwest Territories border.

There is very little climatic data available from this variant, but i t is assumed to have a similar climate to the other BWBSwk variants. Lodgepole pine - black spruce - white spruce forests dominate the landscape. The BWBSwk3 will not be discussed further in this text.

lesser extent, moose. blue grouse.

The BWBSwk1 variant is found in the foothills and mid to lower

Mature spruce forests are dominated by white spruce, with minor Pure

This variant provides summer habitat for moose, black bear and

I t occurs

I t also

This variant provides summer habitat for black bear and, to a It is used year-round by spruce grouse and

- I4 -

NOTES

- 15 - BWBSmw1 Peace BWBSmw

4 THE BWBSmw1 VARIANT Soil Nutrient Regime

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

~~

1 xeric

2 subxeric

3 submesic

Soil Moisture 4 mesic

Regime

5 subhygric

6 hygric

7 subhydric

Site Series

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

I

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

- 16 -

SIMPLIFIED KEY TO ECOSYSTEM UNITS OF BWBSmw1

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

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

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

BWBSmw1/08

2b

BWBSmw1/04

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

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

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

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

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

BWBSmw1/01

4b

(usually >20%)

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

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

BWBSmw1/05

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

BWBSmw1/06

BWBSmw1/07

5b

6b

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

- 17 -

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

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

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

BWBSmw1/02

7b

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

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

BWBSmw1/03

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

BWBSmw1/01

8b

BWBSmw1/01

trembling aspen

Rosa ac icu lar is

SwAt - STEP MOSS

VEGETATION

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

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

Herb layer: 55% cover Cornus canadensis (bunchberry)

(twinflower) (trailing raspberry)

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

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

(step moss)

(knight’s plume)

SOIL AND SITE

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

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

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

0-65 (usually less than 20)

occ. lacustrine

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

SW 25 (18-32)

DISTRIBUTION: very common

Hylocomium splendens

(common mitrewort)

- 19 -

SWAT - STEP MOSS (BWBSmw1/01)

INTERPRETATIONS

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

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

S i t e preparation:

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

Mechanical

Prescr ibed f i r e

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

- p i l e and burn

Species choice:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Reforestat ion:

Concerns: - windthrow

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

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

BWBSmw1/02

Pl - LINGONBERRY - VELVET-LEAVED BLUEBERRY

VEGETATION

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

lodgepole pine

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

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

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

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

(green wintergreen) (one- sided wintergreen)

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

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

SOIL AND SITE

Moss Layer: 65% cover

(step moss)

( jun iper haircap moss)

Mois ture Regime: subxeric

Slope Gradient (%): 0-40

Parent Mater ia l :

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

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

* S o i l Texture: medium t o coarse

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

DISTRIBUTION : uncommon

Vaccinium myrtilloides

Arctostaphylos uva-ursi

- 21 -

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

INTERPRETATIONS

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

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

S i t e preparat ion:

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

Mechanical mineral s o i l

Prescribed fire - do not burn

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

Species choice:

Preferred - Pl Acceptable

Brush hazard: - low

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

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

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

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

BWBSmw1/03

SW - WILDRYE - PEAVINE

VEGETATION

Tree Layer: 35% cover

Shrub Layer: 25% cover

Lodgepol e pine, wh i te spruce

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

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

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

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

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

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

(prickly rose)

(soopolallie)


SOIL AND S ITE

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

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

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

Slope Gradient (%) : 0-60

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

SW 24 (20-32)

DISTRIBUTION: uncommon

Elymus innovatus

Lathyrus ochroleucus

- 23 -

SW - WILDRYE - PEAVINE (BWBSmw1/03)

INTERPRETATIONS

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

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

Site preparation:

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

Mechanical mineral s o i l

Prescribed f i re - do no t burn

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

Species choice:

Prefer red - Pl Acceptable

Brush hazard: - low

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

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

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

BWBSmw1/04

black spruce

Sb - LINGONBERRY - COLTSFOOT

VEGETATION

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

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

(Labrador tea) (h ighbush-cranberry)

Ledum groenlandicum Viburnum edule b lack spruce

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

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

rb Layer: 35% cover

(l ingonberry)

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

SOIL AND SITE

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

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

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

* Slope Gradient (%): 0- 10

sloping

(glacio)fluvial

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

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

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

DISTRIBUTION : common

Vaccinium vitis-idaea

- 25 -

SB - LINGONBERRY - COLTSFOOT (BWBS1/04)

INTERPRETATIONS

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

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

Logging:

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

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


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

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

Prescribed f i r e - do no t burn

Species choice:


Brush hazard: - low

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

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

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

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

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

Concerns: - drought

BWBSmw1/05 I

Viburnum edule

Ribes t r i s t e

SW - CURRANT - OAK FERN

VEGETATION

Tree Layer: 30% cover White spruce

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

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

Hylocomium splendens [PIeurozium schreber i

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

(S i t ka a lder )

Herb Layer: 60% cover

(oak fe rn )

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

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

SOIL AND SITE

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

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

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

Slope Gradient (%): 3-25

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

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


Gymnocarpium dryopter is

- 27 -

SW - CURRANT - OAK FERN (BWBSmW1/05)

INTERPRETAT IIONS

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

of r a i n f a l l occur


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

Mechanical

Prescribed f i re

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

- p i l e and burn; broadcast burn*

Species choice:

Prefer red - Sw Acceptable - Pl

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

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

Ref orest a t i o n :

Concerns:

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

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

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

BWBSmw1/06

Viburnum edule

Ribes t r i s t e

M. paniculata

SW - CURRANT - BLUEBELLS

VEGETATION


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

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

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

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

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

White spruce

( p r i c k l y rose)

SOIL AND SITE

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

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

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

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

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

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

DISTRIBUTION: common

- 29 -

SW - CURRANT - BLUEBELLS (BWBSrnw1/06)

INTERPRETATIONS

Logging: - c lea rcu t

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


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

Mechanical

P resc r ibed f i re

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

- p i l e and burn

Species choice:

Pre fer red - Sw Acceptable - Pl

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

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

Reforestat ion:

Concerns : - windthrow

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

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

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

BWBSmw1/07

Rosa acicularis

Ribes t r i s t e

SW - CURRANT - HORSETAIL

VEGETATION

Tree Layer: 40% cover White spruce

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

Rosa ac icu la r is

(black twinberry) Viburnum e d u l e

(black gooseberry) Lonicera involucrata

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

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

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

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

(tall bluebells)

(trailing raspberry)

Moss Layer: 60% cover (step moss)

(kn ight ’s plume)

SOIL AND SITE

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

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

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

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

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

DISTRIBUTION: uncomnon

Equisetum arvense

- 31 -

SW - CURRANT - HORSETAIL (SWBSmw1/07)

INTERPRETATIONS

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

frozen


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

Mechanical - mound*

Prescr ibed f i r e - broadcast burn

Species choice:

Acceptable Pre fe r red - Sw

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Reforestat ion:

Concerns: - root rot

r u n o f f and stream f l ow

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

conflict with wildlife needs

BWBSmw1/08

Sb - LABRADOR TEA - SPHAGNUM

VEGETATION



Black spruce

(Labrador tea) (w i l lows)

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

Equisetum scirpoides Petas i tes palmatus Vaccinium vitis-idaea

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

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

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

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

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

Aulacomnium p a l u s t r e

SOIL AND SITE Equisetum scirpoides

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

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

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

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

DISTRIBUTION: common

Sphagnum spp.

- 33 -

SB - LABRADOR TEA - SPHAGNUM (BWBSmw1/08)

INTERPRETAT IONS

Management objectives: - non-commercial at this time

- 34 -

NOTES

- 35 - BWBSmw2 Fort Nelson BWBSmw

5 THE BWBSmw2 VARIANT Soil Nutrient Regime

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

1 xeric

2 subxeric

3 submesic

Soil Moisture 4 mesic

Regime

5 subhygric

6 hygric

7 subhydric

Site Series

01 SwAt - Step moss 02 Pl - Lingonberry - Velvet-leaved blueberry 03 Sb - Lingonberry - Knight's plume 04 Sb - Lingonberry - Coltsfoot 05 Sw - Currant - Horsetail 06 Feathermoss - Bluebells 07 Lt - Horsetail 08 Sb - Cloudberry - Sphagnum 09 Sb - Willow 10 Lt - Buckbean

I ~~~~

FIGURE 3. Edatopic grid displaying site series in the BWBSmw2 variant.

- 36 -

SIMPLIFIED KEY TO ECOSYSTEM UNITS OF BWBSmw2

1a Si te occurs on level to gent ly s loping r iver terraces

2a

2b

1b S i t e occurs on l e v e l to moderately s lop ing uplands, o r on level to depressional wetlands

3a S i t e occurs on l e v e l to moderately s lop ing uplands

Canopy dominated by wh i te spruce

Canopy dominated by balsam poplar

BWBSmw2/05

BWBSmw2/05-$

4a Canopy dominated by wh i te spruce and/or t rembl ing aspen; soi ls moderately f i n e tex tu red

5a White spruce dominant

5b Trembling aspen dominant

Canopy dominated by lodgepole pine, o r by b lack spruce and lodgepol e p ine; soi ls v a r i a b l e

6a

BWBSmw2/01

BWBSmw2/01-$

4b

Canopy dominated by lodgepole p ine

7a High cover (>15%) of lichens; soils coarse tex tu red

BWBSmw2/02

7b Low t o moderate cover (<15%) o f l ichens; soi ls v a r i a b l e

8a Black spruce very r a r e o r absent in t h e canopy and in regeneration; Lycopodium annotinum

BWBSmw2/04 (p. 28) 7 moderate cover (>7%)

8b Black spruce present i n canopy and the dominant regenerat ion; Lycopodium annotinum very low cover (<1%) o r absent

BWBSmw2/03

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

- 37 -

6b Canopy dominated by b lack spruce and lodgepole pine.

9a Equisetum spp. h igh cover (>10) (p. 24)

9b Equisetum spp. low cover (<1%) o r absent

BWBSmw2/06

BWBSmw2/03

3b S i t e occurs on l e v e l t o depressional wetlands

10a Canopy dominated by b l ack spruce

11a Shrub l a y e r dominated by Ledum groenlandicum (p. 9); moss l a y e r dominated by Sphagnum fuscum (a sphagnum moss)

BWBSmw2/08

11b Shrub l a y e r dominated by Salix spp. (p. 12); moss l aye r dominated by Aulacomnium p a l u s t r e (p. 58)

BWBSmw2/09

10b Canopy dominated by tamarack

12a Shrub l aye r no t dominated by Be tu la glandulosa (p. 8); moderate t o h igh cover (>10%) of horsetails BWBSmw2/07

12b Shrub l a y e r dominated by Betu la glandulosa; horsetails very low cover (<1%) o r absent

BWBSmw2/ 10

Donna Lindenberg

Donna Lindenberg

BWBSmw2/01

Viburnum edule

Linnaea boreal is

SwAt - STEP MOSS

VEGETATION


Shrub Layer: 20% cover Viburnum edu le (highbush-cranberry)

White spruce, t remb l ing aspen, b lack spruce

Rosa acicularis ( p r i c k l y rose) whi te spruce

Herb Layer: 20% cover Linnaea boreal is ( tw in f lower) Cornus canadensis (bunchberry) Rubus pubescens Orthila secunda Mer tens ia paniculata M i t e l l a nuda (common mi t rewor t ) V i o l a renifolia Vaccinium vi t is- idaea

Moss Layer: 60% cover Hylocomium splendens P t i l i u m c r i s t a - c a s t r e n s i s Pleurozium schreberi

( t r a i l i n g raspberry) (one-sided wintergreen) (tal l bluebells)

(kidney-leaved violet) (lingonberry)

(step moss) (knight ’s plume) (red-stemmed feathermoss)

SOIL AND S ITE

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

Parent Mate r ia l : morainal, g l a c i o f l u v i a l ,

Coarse Fragments: few

* Slope Gradient (%): 0-22 * Slope Pos i t ion : l e ve l , upper t o mid

* So i l Texture: moderately f i n e l acus t r i ne

S i t e Index (m @ 100yrs): SW 22 (21-27) Pl 20


Hylocomium splendens

- 39 -

SWAT - STEP MOSS (BWBSmw2/01)

INTERPRETATIONS

Logging: - c l ea rcu t


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

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

Mechanical


Species choice:

Pre fe r red - Sw Acceptable - Pl, At

Brush hazard: - h igh ( b l u e j o i n t , w i l low, a lder , fireweed, trembling aspen i f managing f o r spruce)

- brush compet i t ion will r e q u i r e pos t - p lan t ing inspect ions o f harvested s i t e s t o determine the need f o r vegetat ion c o n t r o l

- l a rge vigorous s tock should be p lanted as soon as poss ib le a f t e r s i t e p repara t ion

- hack and s q u i r t aspen 2 years p r i o r t o harvest - i f b i r c h is present remove t o reduce seeding i n

potent ial - 3 m knockdown o f a l l r es idua l s t o f a c i l i t a t e an

a e r i a l brushing and weeding program - removal o f d u f f l a y e r down t o minera l s o i l du r i ng

s i t e p repara t ion will acce le ra te the invasion o f b l u e j o i n t (Calamagrostis canadensis) unless t he d u f f and s o i l l aye rs are turned over (e.g., mounding or plowing)

Reforestat ion:

Concerns: - f r o s t heaving - drought ( f rom d ry ing d u f f l a y e r ) - compaction - eros ion

I BWBSmw2/01-$ I $ At - SW - STEP MOSS

VEGETATION

Tree Layer: 60% cover Trembling aspen, (white spruce)

Shrub Layer: 75% cover (highbush-cranberry) (prickly rose)

(Bebb’s willow) (northern gooseberry) (red-osier dogwood)

Viburnum edule Rosa acicularis Alnus viridus spp. fruiticosa Salix bebbiana Ribes oxyacanthoides Cornus sericea Lonicera dioica (red honeysuckle) Amelanchier alnifolia (saskatoon) white spruce

(green alder)

Moss Layer: 40% cover Hylocomium splendens Ptilium crista-castrensis (knight’s plume) Eurhynchium pulchellum

(step moss)

trembling aspen Herb Layer: 40% cover Linnaea borealis Cornus canadensis

Aralia nudicaulis Lathyrus ochroleucus Orthillia secunda Mertensia paniculata Mitella nuda

Gal ium boreal e Pyrola asarifolia Viola renifolia Epilobium angustifolium

Rubus pubescens

Maianthemum canadense

(twinflower) (bunchberry) (trailing raspberry) (wild sarsaparilla) (creamy peavine) (one-sided wintergreen) (tall bluebells) (common mitrewort) (false lily-of-the-valley) (northern bedstraw) (pink wintergreen) (kidney-leaved violet) (fireweed)

Viburnum edule

SOIL AND SITE

Moisture Regime: Nutrient Regime:

* Slope Gradient (%): * Slope Position:

Parent Material :

* Soil Texture: Coarse Fragments:


(submesic -) mesic poor - rich 0-22 level upper to mid morainal, glaciofluvial,

lacustrine moderately f ine few

Linnaea borealis

Donna Lindenberg

Donna Lindenberg

- 41 -

$ AT - SW - STEP MOSS (BWBSmw2/01-$)

INTERPRETATIONS

Logging: - c l ea rcu t aspen stands t h a t have l ess than 900

- avoid logg ing stands t h a t have between 900-1050

- p ro tec t spruce regeneration in stands that have

stems/ha spruce

stems/ha spruce

more than 1050 stems/ha

S i t e prepara t ion :

Object ive

Prescribed f i r e - broadcast burn

- as 01 i f you are managing for p lanted spruce - s t imu la te aspen suckering i f managing f o r aspen

Species choice:

Prefer red - SW, At Acceptable - Pl

- h igh (b l ue jo i n t , alder, f i reweed and w i l l ow) - no s i t e preparat ion i s necessary if you are

managing s i t e fo r aspen, bu t broadcast burning will enhance stocking

- i d e n t i f y dense patches o f Sw and s k i d around them when logg ing

- a s a n i t a t i o n spacing may be requ i red a t some p o i n t i n the f u tu re if advanced Sw regenerat ion has been protected

- p ro tec t i ng advance Sw regenerat ion wil l be d i f f i c u l t and may requ i re modi f ied harvest ing techniques using smaller more manoeuvrable equipment, and designated r a t h e r than random sk i d t r a i l s

- c o n i f e r re lease i n n a t u r a l l y occur r ing stands o f A t wi th an Sw understory should be reassessed based on the po ten t i a l value o f t he At

Brush hazard:

Reforestat ion:

Concerns: - maintenance o f Sw understory - f r o s t heaving - drought - compaction - heavy aspen slash load

BWBSmw2/02

lodgepole pine

Pl - LINGONBERRY - VELVET-LEAVED BLUEBERRY

VEGETATION

Tree Layer: 40% cover Lodgepole pine, t rembl ing aspen, b lack spruce, (whi te spruce, j a c k pine)

Shrub Layer: 30% cover ( p r i c k l y rose) (Labrador tea)

Rosa acicularis

(soopolallie) Ledum groenlandicum Shepherdia canadensis ’ Alnus v i r id is ssp. fruiticosa (green a lder ) Viburnum edule (highbush-cranberry) Vaccinium myrt i l lo ides ( ve l ve t - l eaved blueberry) b lack spruce whi te spruce

Herb Layer: 50% cover Vaccinium vitis-idaea Arctostaphylos uva-ursi ( k inn i k inn i ck ) Linnaea borealis Cornus canadensis

Epilobium angustifolium (f ireweed) Pyrola asa r i f o l i a Pyrola ch lo ran tha

Moss Layer: 50% cover Cladina spp. Pleurozium schreber i ( r e d - s t e m m e d feathermoss) Hylocomium splendens Cladonia spp. P e l t i g e r a spp. hosa

(lingonberry)

( tw in f lower ) (bunchberry)

Geocaulon l iv idum (bastard toadf lax)

(p ink wintergreen) (green wintergreen)

(s tep moss)

Vaccinium vitis-idaea SOIL AND SITE

Moisture Regime: x e r i c - subxeric Nu t r i en t Regime: very poor - poor Slope Gradient (%): 0

* Slope Posi t ion: c r e s t * Parent M a t e r i a l : f l u v i a l , e o l i a n * S o i l Texture: moderately coarse - coarse

DISTRIBUTION: r a r e

Cladina spp.

- 43 -

PL - LINGONBERRY - VELVET-LEAVED BLUEBERRY ( BWBSmw2/02)

INTERPRETATIONS

Managemen t objec t ives : - non-commercial at this time

BWBSmw2/03

Sb - LINGONBERRY - KNIGHT’S PLUME

VEGETATION

Tree Layer: 40% cover Lodgepole pine, t rembl ing aspen, (white spruce)

Shrub Layer: 50% cover (Labrador tea) (highbush-cranberry) ( p r i c k l y rose) (Bebb’s wi l low) (Scouler’s willow) (soopolallie)

Ledum groenlandicum Viburnum edule Rosa acicularis Salix bebbiana Salix scouleriana Shepherdia canadensis trembling aspen whi te spruce black spruce

60% cover Cornus canadensis (bunchberry) Vaccinium vitis-idaea

(fireweed) Lycopodium annotinum Epilobium angustifolium

Elymus innovatus (fuzzy-spiked w i ld rye ) Linnaea boreal is (twinflower) Lathyrus ochroleucus (creamy peavine) Orthilia secunda (one-sided wintergreen) Maianthemum canadensis (false l i l y - o f - the- va l ley ) Equisetum sylvaticum (wood ho rse ta i l ) Equisetum arvense (common h o r s e t a i l ) Equisetum pratense (meadow horsetai l ) V i o l a renifolia (kidney-leaved v i o l e t ) Lycopodium complanatum (ground cedar) Pyrola asar i fo l ia (p ink wintergreen)

Ledum groenlandicum Herb Layer:

(l ingonberry)

Viburnum edule Moss Layer: 70% cover Hylocomium splendens Pleurozium schreberi Peltigera aphthosa

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

SOIL AND SITE

Moisture Regime: submesic Nu t r ien t Regime: poor - medium

Parent Mater ia l :

* Slope Gradient (%): 0-5 * Slope Pos i t ion: c res t t o upper, l e v e l

* S o i l Texture: f i n e - moderately f i n e


morainal, (eolian)

S i t e Index (m @ 100 yr): Pl 17 (15-22)

Vaccinium vi t is- idaea

(stiff clubmoss)

- 45 -

SB - LINGONBERRY - KNIGHT’S PLUME (BWBSmw2/03)

INTERPRETATIONS

Logging: - c l ea rcu t - t raf f icabi l i ty wil l be a problem on these s i t e s

- fu l l t r e e harvest ing may ser ious ly reduce cones a f t e r snowmelt o r heavy r a i n s

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


Object ive - enhance na tu ra l regeneration; improve moisture status; reduce debr is; improve p l an te r access; increase s o i l temperatures; p ro tec t th in humus forms

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

Prescr ibed fire - do n o t burn

Species choice:


Brush hazard: - low

Reforestat ion: - conduct a Pl cone survey t o determine potent ia l seed supply. stock.

If cones are i n s u f f i c i e n t , p l a n t Pl

Concerns: - drought - compaction - h igh water t ab l e i n spr ing - t he humus forms on these s i t e s are o f t en t h i n and

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

- because o f the low p roduc t i v i t y o f these s i tes , l a r g e s i l v i c u l t u r e expenditures may be d i f f i c u l t to justify, and management must ensure t h a t productivity is not further reduced

BWBSmw2/04 ~

b lack spruce

Sb - LINGONBERRY - COLTSFOOT

VEGETATION



Black spruce, lodgepole pine

Ledum groenlandicum (Labrador tea) b lack spruce

Herb Layer: 15% cover Cornus canadensis (bunchberry) Vaccinium vi t is- idaea

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

(lingonberry)


(step moss) (kn ight ’s plume)

SOIL AND SITE

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

* Slope Gradient ( % ) : 0-12 * Slope Posi t ion: lower, toe

Parent Mater ial :

So i l Texture: v a r i a b l e

very poor - medium

morainal, g l a c i o f l u v i a l , l acus t r i ne


Ledum groenlandicum

Vaccinium vi t is- idaea

- 47 -

SB - LINGONBERRY - COLTSFOOT (BWBSmw2/04)

INTERPRETATIONS

Management objectives: - non-commercial at this time

BWBSmw2/05

Rosa ac icu la r i s

SW - CURRANT- HORSETAIL

VEGETATION



White spruce, paper b i r c h

( p r i c k l y rose) (highbush-cranberry)

Rosa acicularis

(mountain a lder ) Viburnum edule Alnus incana ssp. tenuifolia Ribes oxycanthoides (northern gooseberry)

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

Cornus canadensis (bunchberry) M i t e l l a nuda (common mi t rewor t ) Goodyera repens (dwarf ra t t l esnake orch id) Equisetum pratense (meadow horsetail) Equisetum scirpoides (dwarf scouring-rush) Rubus pubescens ( t r a i l i n g raspberry)

(p ink wintergreen) ( tw in f lower)

Pyrola asar i fo l ia Linnaea boreal is Mertensia paniculata ( t a l l b luebel ls) V io la r e n i f o l i a (kidney- leaved v i o l e t ) Galium t r i f l o r u m (sweet-scented bedstraw) Calamagrostis canadensis ( b l ue jo i n t )

Herb Layer: 70% cover

Moss Layer: 3-75% cover (depending on t ime s ince l a s t f lood)

Hylocomium splendens P t i l i u m crista-castrensis

(step moss)

Cornus canadensis SOIL AND SITE

Moisture Regime: Nu t r ien t Regime: medium - r i c h

subhygric

* Slope Gradient (%): 1-2 * Slope Posi t ion: upper te r race (level) * Parent Mater ia l : f l u v i a l * So i l Texture: moderately f i n e t o

moderately coarse S i t e Index (m @ 100 yr): Sw 22

DISTRIBUTION: common along major rivers

Equisetum pratense

(knight’s plume)

Donna Lindenberg

Donna Lindenberg

- 49 -

SW - CURRANT - HORSETAIL (BWBSmw2/05)

INTERPRETATIONS

Logging: - c l ea rcu t - hardwood removal should be considered t o

f a c i l i t a t e chemical brushing and weeding


Ob jec t ive Sw - reduce debris; prepare (elevated) p l a n t i n g spots; minimize fu tu re brush competi t ion; improve p l a n t e r access; mix humus and mineral s o i l ; increase s o i l temperature

Ac - prepare seedbed by exposing mineral s o i l

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


Species choice:

Pre fer red - Sw Acceptable - AC

Reforestat ion: - t e r race 1 - manage for Ac o r hyb r i d poplar ( t r i a l basis)

- ter races 2 & 3 - p lan t Sw - erosion o f terraces 2 & 3 by t he r i v e r may remove

any p lanted Sw before i t reaches merchantable size; extent o f erosion should be pred ic ted and p lan t i ng boundaries adjusted accord ingly

- na tu ra l Sw regenerat ion can be expected i f there has been recent f lood ing

- raw p l a n t Sw i f d u f f depth i s l ess than 10 cm, as r o o t s wil l be i n contact w i t h moist, well-decomposed H mater ial ; otherwise prepare s i t e

- p l a n t on elevated mic ros i tes

- h igh (speckled alder, p r i c k l y rose, highbush cranberry, b lue jo in t , balsam poplar, paper b i r ch ) ; a con i fe r re lease program wil l probably be requi red

Brush hazard:

Concerns: - f l ood ing - eros ion - windthrow on b lock edge

BWBSmw2/05 -~---- -$

balsam poplar

Alnus incana ssp. tenui fo l ia

$ Ac - ALDER - HORSETAIL

VEGETATION



Balsam poplar, white spruce

Cornus sericea (red-osier dogwood) Viburnum edule (highbush-cranberry) Alnus incana ssp. tenui fo l ia (mountain a lder ) Rosa acicularis ( p r i c k l y rose) whi te spruce

Pyrola asarifolia Equisetum pratense Equisetum hyemale Rubus pubescens V i c i a americana (American vetch)

-Herb Layer: 10% cover (p ink wintergreen) (meadow h o r s e t a i l ) (scouring -rush) ( t r a i l i n g raspberry)

Moss Layer: usua l l y absent

SOIL AND S ITE

Moisture Regime: subhygric - hygr i c Nu t r i en t Regime: r i c h

* Slope Pos i t ion: middle te r race (level) * Parent Mate r ia l : f l u v i a l * S o i l Texture: medium t o moderately

DISTRIBUTION: t h i s associat ion o f t e n occupies the middle

* Slope Gradient (%): 0

coarse

and lower terraces o f major r i v e r va l leys

Equisetum pratense

- 51 -

$ AC - ALDER - HORSETAIL (BWBSmW/05-$)

INTERPRETATIONS

Logging: - c lea rcu t - there is a l a r g e Sw understory associated w i t h

- a conifer re lease program may a i d in adding t h i s assoc ia t ion

increment to the Sw, but i t is more likely t h a t the s i t e will be c lea rcu t and merchantable Sw harvested


Object ive Sw - reduce debr is; prepare (elevated) p l an t i ng spots; minimize f u t u r e brush competit ion; improve p l an te r access; mix humus and mineral soil; increase soi l temperature

Ac - prepare seedbed by exposing mineral s o i l

Ac - s c a r i f y Mechanical Sw - mound; plow; winter r i p p e r plow

Prescribed f i r e - broadcast burn

Species choice:

Acceptable Pre fe r red - SW, AC

Brush hazard:

Reforesta t ion:

- h igh (speckled alder, prickly rose, highbush cranberry, bluejoint, balsam poplar)

- te r race 1 - manage for Ac or hybrid poplar (trial basis)

- te r races 2 & 3 - p lan t Sw, mixed wood management o r manage for Ac

- erosion o f ter races 2 & 3 by the river may remove any planted Sw before i t reaches merchantable size; ex tent o f erosion should be p red ic ted and p l an t i ng boundaries adjusted accordingly

- na tu ra l Sw regeneration can be expected i f t he re has been recent f lood ing and there i s an adjacent seed source

- raw p l an t Sw i f d u f f depth is l e ss than 10 cm o r r oo t s wil l be in contact w i t h moist, well-decomposed H materal; otherwise prepare s i t e

- p l a n t on elevated microsites

Concerns: - f l ood ing

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a field guide for identification and ... - british columbia

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