TEM Map Code Site Association CDFmm Site Series Wf52 Sweet

TEM Map Code Site Association CDFmm Site Series

Wf52 Sweet galeSitka sedge fen 00SITE DESCRIPTION SITE CHARACTERISTICS Sweet galeSitka sedge sites are uncommon in the CDFmm, but occur in a variety of landscape positions that are

shallowly flooded during part of the year. Wf52 sites are characterized by low species diversity, dominated by sweet

gale, Sitka sedge, and Sphagnum mosses. This fen ecosystem has a closed and dense thicket of sweet gale and hardhack. Sitka sedge dominates the herb layer. Terric Humisols and Mesisols most common.

This unit is mapped only on Texada Island and in the northern portion of the Cowichan Valley.

Assumed modifiers: N/A Modifiers used: p

Elevation (m) Slope (%) Aspect () Surficial material Drainage SMR SNR

0 0 999 Ob p-v 6-7 C

No photo available Plots: A213, A223, CXV038, JCV021, V986

pDistribution of Map Units Containing Wf52 Units

TEM Map Code Site Association CDFmm & CWHxm Site Series

Wf53 Slender sedgeWhite-beak-rush fen 00SITE DESCRIPTION SITE CHARACTERISTICS These fens are richer than Wf51 and Wf52 fens. These sites require permanently saturated soils and are tolerant of

prolonged shallow inundation. Lake margins are the most common location but some isolated basins may also have

suitable conditions. These sites are characterized by low species diversity dominated by slender sedge, white-beak

rush, and scattered sweet gale low shrubs. A variety of water mosses and hook mosses may also be present. Terric

Mesisols and Humisols are common.

These ecosystems are mapped only on Saltspring Island and Saanich.

Assumed modifiers: N/A Modifiers used: d, s


0 0 999 Ob p-v 7 D

No photo available Plots: C180, C181, C186, C184

pDistribution of Map Units Containing Wf53 Units


Wm05 Cattail marsh 00SITE DESCRIPTION SITE CHARACTERISTICS The cattail marsh ecosystem is widespread and locally common throughout the study area in protected embayments

at open water areas and permanently saturated wetlands. Cattail dominates the vegetation layers with few other

species. Cattail marshes are often a result of nutrient loading adjacent to human development and agricultural lands.

This marsh ecosystem occurs on well decomposed organic veneers or saturated mineral soils (Gleysols).

From plot data dominant species included common cattail and common rush, while associate species included slough

sedge.

These marshes are distributed throughout the CDFmm mainly on Vancouver Island south of Nanoose, Sechelt, and

Texada, Lasqueti, and Thormanby Islands.



0 0 999 Ov, Ob p-v 7-8 D

Plots: DHV030, DHG038, DHV052, DHV054, DHV064, HRV217, CHV202,

HRV022

pDistribution of Map Units Containing Wm05 Units


Wm06 Great bulrush marsh 00SITE DESCRIPTION SITE CHARACTERISTICS The Great bulrush marsh ecosystem overlaps with cattail marshes (Wm05) along lake margins and wave-exposed

lake embayments with significant water movement. Bulrush species dominate the vegetation layers with few other

species. Soils are mostly Gleysols and Humic Gleysols.

This unit was mapped only in the Cowichan Valley on Quamichan Lake.

Assumed modifiers: N/A Modifiers used: N/A


0 0 999 Ob v 7-8 D

No photo available Plots: N/A


Wm50 Sitka sedgeHemlock-parsley marsh 00SITE DESCRIPTION SITE CHARACTERISTICS The Sitka sedge Hemlock-parsley marsh ecosystem is very uncommon in the study area. Sitka sedge is always

present with a number of other forb and grass species, depending on the substrate and amount of flowing water.

Wm50 sites develop on organic veneers and marine deposits along streams and ponds near coastal waters.

From plot data dominant species included common rush, small-flowered forget-me-not and slough sedge, while

associate species included common green peat-moss and hardhack.

This ecosystem was found on Lasqueti Island, Parksville/Qualicum area, Sechelt, Saanich and on Somenos Lake in the

Cowichan Valley.




Wm51 Three-way sedge marsh 00SITE DESCRIPTION SITE CHARACTERISTICS The Three-way sedge marsh ecosystem occurs along protected margins of shallow lakes or sluggish streams on mucky

substrates. Wm51 sites are transitional between fen ecosystem interfaces. They occur in permanently flooded

conditions on degrading peat or soft muck.

Several Wm51 ecosystems are mapped in the Cowichan Valley and Saanich.




Ws50 Pink spireaSitka sedge swamp 00SITE DESCRIPTION SITE CHARACTERISTICS Pink spirea-Sitka sedge swamps are a common CDFmm wetland type. The shrub layer is dominated by pink spirea

with minor components of willows and red-osier dogwood. Sitka sedge may not always be present, depending on the

density of spirea and amount of open water. Ws50 sites typically occur on organic veneers of poorly decomposed

plant residue formed over gleyed mineral soil.

From plot data dominant species included hardhack and slough sedge, while associate species included bluejoint

reedgrass and red alder.

This ecosystem is the most common wetland in the CDFmm. It is distributed throughout the entire project area.

Assumed modifiers: N/A Modifiers used: p, s


30-500 0 999 Ov, Ob, WGu, Lp p 7-8 B-E

Plots: CHV041, CHV046, CHV050, CHV066, CHV073, CHV082, CHV128, CHV203, CHV216, CHV266, HRV008, HRV104, HRV105, HRV211,

HRG022, HRG033, HRG080, DHV021, DHV053, DHV063, JCV024

pDistribution of Map Units Containing Ws50 Units


Ws51 Sitka willowPacific willowSkunk cabbage swamp 00SITE DESCRIPTION SITE CHARACTERISTICS The Sitka willow-Pacific willow-Skunk cabbage swamp ecosystem occurs throughout the study area. Sitka and Pacific

willow are common tall shrubs with a diverse understory of herbs and mosses. Skunk cabbage and lady fern are

common herbs that thrive in the rich organic soils. These sites may develop near floodplains or marshes, and are

often flooded for many months of the year.

From plot data associate species included slough sedge, willow, red alder, salmonberry, skunk cabbage, highbush-

cranberry, Pacific crab apple and salal.

This wetland type is common throughout the CDFmm and is distributed throughout most of the Vancouver Island

portion. It is rare on the Gulf Islands, as well as in Powell River and Sechelt.




Ws52 Red alderSkunk cabbage swamp 00SITE DESCRIPTION SITE CHARACTERISTICS The Red-alder Skunk cabbage ecosystem was found in the northern portion of the study area near Powell River and

on Texada, Denman, and Galiano Islands at low elevations. Ws52 swamps are uncommon, but when present occur

adjacent to small creeks and floodplains.

Red alder and salmonberry are dominant shrub species with occasional tall willows. A diverse understory of herbs, such

as skunk cabbage, lady fern and Sitka sedge may be present with variable amounts of moss. These sites have high

watertables and lack elevated microsites that allow for conifer development (MacKenzie and Moran, 2004).



Documents

TEM Map Code Site Association CDFmm Site Series Wf52 Sweet