ICH
5.4 INTERIOR CEDAR – HEMLOCK ZONE
The Interior Cedar – Hemlock zone (ICH) in the PRFR has been subdivided into
the following biogeoclimatic units:
ICHmc - Moist Cold subzone
ICHmc1 - Nass variant
ICHmc1a - Amabilis fir phase
ICHmc2 - Hazelton variant
ICHvc - Very Wet Cold subzone
ICHwc - Wet Cold subzone
Description and differentiation of biogeoclimatic units:
PRFR - South: page 4 • 35
PRFR - North: page 4 • 85
Interpretations:
Wildlife: page 6 • 8
Silviculture: page 7 • 54
Non-forested site units in the ICH:
The only non-forested site units described in the ICH zone are wetland types;
natural grasslands and scrub-steppe are extremely rare in the ICH. Avalanche
tracks occur in mountainous terrain but this site type has not been described.
Wetlands are scattered throughout the zone and are generally small and
localized. Some more extensive wetland systems occur near Meziadin Lake and
north of Swan Lake. Fens and marshes are the most common wetland type in
the ICH. These units include all herb- and shrub-dominated wetlands with
medium to rich nutrient status and water tables too high to support tree
growth. Willows, scrub birch, sedges, and horsetails are characteristic species.
The moss layer is typically dominated by sphagnum, but also includes fuzzy fen
moss, sickle moss, glow moss, and leafy mosses, indicating relatively
mineral-rich conditions. Soils are Organics (fens only) or Gleysols (fens or
marshes).
Bogs are very uncommon and localized in the ICH. They may have a sparse
stunted tree cover of hybrid and black spruce (< 10%), but are dominated by
ericaceous shrubs (mainly Labrador tea) and dwarf shrubs (crowberry and bog
cranberry). Some distinctive herb-layer species include cloudberry, bluejoint,
water sedge, and marsh cinquefoil. Sphagnum carpets these sites and is
characteristic. Soils are poorly drained Organics with a water table constantly
near the surface.
5 • 107
Site Units
ICHmc1
Moist Cold Subzone
Nass Variant
Adjacent biogeoclimatic units: ICHmc1a in the west and at higher
elevations in the south; ICHvc at similar elevations in the north; ICHmc2 at
lower elevations in the south; ESSFwv at higher elevations throughout.
Elevation range: 750 - 1100 m in the south; 300 - 950 m in the north.
Description and comparison of site series:
Zonal site series:
01 Hw - Step moss zonal forests occupy extensive areas of the ICHmc1
landscape, including a wide range of soils and landforms, with mainly mesic to
submesic moisture regimes. The typical mature stand is dominated by Hm, with
some Bl and Sx, and perhaps also Pl, Ep, or At. Feathermosses (step moss,
red-stemmed feathermoss, knight’s plume) carpet the forest floor, but
understory shrubs and herbs are almost completely absent. Occasionally, one
finds a well-developed shrub layer of huckleberries, blueberries, and false
azalea. Soils are typically Humo-Ferric Podzols with Mor humus forms.
Two phases are recognized: the Mesic phase (01a) on mid to lower slopes with
deep and/or fine-textured soils, thicker humus layers, more Sx, and less Pl; and
the Submesic phase (01b) on moisture-shedding or rapidly drained sites, with
coarse-textured and/or shallow soils, thin humus forms, more Pl, and less Sx.
Drier sites: One drier forested site series is described.
02 HwPl - Kinnikinnick - Cladonia is found on the very driest, most
nutrient-poor rock outcrops, ridges, or glaciofluvial outwash terraces where Pl is
the dominant tree. The understory vegetation includes some advance
regeneration of Pl, black huckleberry, dwarf blueberry, kinnikinnick, and cowwheat, with a mixture of red-stemmed feathermoss and lichens on the forest
floor. Note that most fire-originated Pl stands in the ICHmc1 do not belong to
this site series; they are seral stages of the 01.
Fresh to wet sites: Four forested site series have been recognized on
wetter-than-mesic sites. All are typically more nutrient-rich than the 01,
because of the influence of nutrient-laden seepage or flood waters.
03 HwBl - Oak fern is common on slope positions where there is a slight
accumulation of seepage water. Like the 01 site series, it has a well-developed
feathermoss carpet, but is distinguished by having a moderate cover of oak
fern, scattered devil’s club (<10 - 15% cover), and black gooseberry. Soils are
Humo-Ferric Podzols that may show some mottling below 40 cm; humus forms
are Mors or Moders. This unit might be confused with the 04 site series; but
the 03 has lower cover of devil’s club and lacks lady fern and red-osier
dogwood.
5 • 108
ICHmc1
04 HwBl - Devil’s club is usually found at the toe of slopes or along small
stream channels. These productive ecosystems are common, but rarely very
extensive. They have open-grown Sx and Bl, with Hw occurring mainly as a
subcanopy species. There is a heavy cover of devil’s club (>15% cover), luxuriant
growth of ferns and other herbs, and leafy mosses rather than feathermosses on
the forest floor. This site series is noticeably wetter than the 04. Soils are gleyed
(Gleysols or gleyed Podzols) but still reasonably well aerated.
05 ActSx - Dogwood forests are restricted to the active floodplains of larger
rivers. These highly productive stands are dominated by Act and have dense,
tall shrub layers of devil’s club, highbush-cranberry, and red-osier dogwood with
diverse herb layers and few mosses. Herbs indicative of rich sites, such as oak
fern, twistedstalk, foamflower, and lady fern, are common. Soils are usually
Regosols with bands of sand, silt, or gravel at varying depths. The forest floor is
thin or non-existent, due to flooding and rapid decomposition.
06 Hw - Azalea - Skunk cabbage is found on sites with a high water table. It
occurs in depressions on slopes, in former stream channels or ponds, or on level
ground where hardpan layers impede soil drainage. This site series can be
identified most clearly by an abundance of skunk cabbage and horsetails. Other
rich-site indicators such as oak fern, foamflower, and lady fern are also
common. Tree cover is patchy, with tall shrubs in the openings. The ground is
usually hummocky, with a thick peaty layer over gleyed mineral soil.
Non-forested site units:
Two very generalized non-forested units have been described in the ICHmc1:
Non-forested bog (31) and Non-forested fen/marsh (32). See page 5 • 107
for a description of these units.
Seral associations: Over much of the ICHmc1, successional stands are either
uncommon or differ little from climax stands in terms of species composition.
However, in southern portions of the variant, closer to human settlements,
Seral stands that bear little resemblance to the site series described above are
widespread. They often have mostly deciduous trees and well-developed shrub
and herb layers. Management interpretations for such stands will differ
significantly from those developed for the more typical climax forest condition.
Please refer to the most similar seral association in the ICHmc2 (page 5 • 126)
for guidance.
5 • 109
a
Tree symbols are defined in Appendix 3.
ICHmc1 Landscape Profilea
Site Units
5 • 110
5 • 111
a
Relative and actual SMR are defined in Appendices 6 and 7.
31 Non-forested fen/marsh
06 Hw -Azalea - Skunk cabbage
05 ActSx - Dogwood (Floodplain)
04 HwBl - Devil’s club
03 HwBl - Oak fern
02 HwPl - Kinnikinnick - Cladonia
01 Hw - Step moss
Site Series
ICHmc1 Edatopic Grid
ICHmc1
Site Units
ICHmc1 Site Series Flowchart
NON-FORESTED
WETLANDS
➔
31
Non-forested fen/
marsh
forests; thick shrub understory ➔
➔ Act-dominated
dominated by red-osier dogwood, mountain
05
ActSx - Dogwood
➔ Willows, sedges, or sphagnum dominate.
Tree cover < 10%
Depressional areas.
FLOODPLAIN
FORESTS
Act/Sx forests on
active floodplains of
larger streams and
rivers.
DRY FORESTS
Moisture regime 0-3.
Usually on very
coarse glaciofluvial
terraces or on ridge
crests/upper slopes.
VERY MOIST
TO WET
FORESTS
Moisture regime 6-7.
Level/depressional
areas or seepage
slopes. Gleysols or
Organics.
FRESH TO
MOIST
FORESTS
Moisture regime 4-5.
Sites not clearly dry
or wet.
alder. Enchanter’s nightshade, oak fern and
horsetails common. Moss layer sparse; mostly
leafy mosses. Regosols and Brunisols.
rocky knolls with exposed bedrock and very
➔ On
thin soils. Stunted, open Pl- or Hw- domi-
➔
nated forests. Kinnikinnick common. Sparse
but diverse shrub and herb layers. Lichens codominant in moss layer.
➔ Submesic sites; dense Hw-dominated stands. ➔
Poorly developed shrub and herb layers.
Feathermosses dominate moss layer.
02
HwPl Kinnikinnick Cladonia
01b
Hw - Step moss;
submesic phase
club abundant; no skunk cabbage.
➔ Devil’s
Seepage slopes; soils gleyed
➔
04
HwBl - Devil’s
club
club frequent; skunk cabbage and
➔ Devil’s
horsetails common. Level or depressional
➔
06
Hw - Azalea Skunk cabbage
➔ Bl/Hw/Sx forests with good growth. Devil’s
➔
04
HwBl - Devil’s
club
forests with good growth. Oak fern
➔ Bl/Hw/Sx
dominates herb layer; scattered devil’s club.
➔
03
HwBl - Oak fern
➔
01a Mesic
Hw - Step moss
sites; Organic soils or Gleysols with peaty
horizons.
club abundant. Oak fern common. Leafy
mosses co-dominate with feathermosses.
Seepage slopes; soils often mottled.
Minor component of leafy mosses. Soils
sometimes lightly mottled.
forests with moderate growth. Poorly
➔ Hw/Bl
developed shrub and herb layers. No devil’s
club; no leafy mosses; well-developed feathermoss carpet.
5 • 112
5 • 113
Prominence bars are described in Section 3.2.2, page 3 • 6.
b Limited data; unit described from fewer than three plots.
a
ICHmc1 Vegetation Tablea
ICHmc1
Site Units
ICHmc1 Environment Table
Phase
Soil
moisture/
nutrients
Slope position
Slope % Parent
range materiala
01
a) Mesic
4-(5)B-C
all, mostly mid
0 - 40
M, C, FG, Mv/R
01
b) Submesic
3B-C
crest - upper, (level)
0 - 25
Mv/R, Cv/R, M,
FG
02b
1-3/A-C
crest - level
0 - 45
R, FG
03
4-5/(C)-D
mid - lower
5 - 15
M, F, C
04
(4)-6/(C)-E
lower - depressions,
level
5 - 45
F, M, (L)
05b
(4)-6/E
level
0
F (active)
06
6-7/C-E
depressions
0-5
Ov/L, Ov/F, Ov/M
31b
7/C-E
depressions
0
O
Site
series
a
Codes are described in Section 3.2.2, page 3 • 8.
b
Limited data; unit described from fewer than three plots.
5 • 114
ICHmc1
Humus form
Soil
Soil
depth (cm)
particle sizea classificationa min-mean-max
Important site features
FL - KL, S (s) HFP, DYB, (GL) Mors
4 - 9 - 16
Widespread. Includes a broad range of
more-or-less mesic sites.
FL, FL, Ss (f) HFP, (DYB)
often gravelly
Mors
4 - 7 - 10
Soils often shallow over bedrock.
FL, S (s, f)
HFP, DYB, R
Mors
< 5 cm
Ridge tops or glaciofluvial terraces.
Soils often shallow. Crusty mor
humus forms.
L, FL (s)
HFP, EB
(gleyed)
Mors (Moders)
5 - 7 - 19
Soils receive some seepage.
FL - FL (s)
G, GL, FHP
gleyed
Moders, Mors
3 - 10 - 23
Soils receive abundant seepage.
KL - S
R, (DYB)
Moders,
usually thin
Active floodplains.
C, S
G, M
peaty “O” horizons
> 30 cm
High water tables.
--
M, H, F, (G)
peaty “O” horizons
>60cm
Sites too wet for tree growth.
5 • 115
Site Units
ICHmc1a
Moist Cold Subzone
Nass Variant
Amabilis Fir Phase
Adjacent biogeoclimatic units: ICHmc1 and ICHmc2 at lower elevations;
CWHws to the west; ESSFwv at higher elevations.
Elevation range: 750 - 1100 m.
Description and comparison of site series:
Zonal site series:
01 HwBa - Bramble dominates the ICHmc1a landscape from lower to upper
slopes. These stands have the appearance of coastal old growth. The
overstory is a mixture of Hw and Ba, with occasional Bl or Sx. In the shrub
layer there is usually abundant advance regeneration of Ba, together with
huckleberries, blueberries, and false azalea. The herb layer characteristically
has five-leaved bramble, bunchberry, and small twistedstalk. In addition to
the usual ICH feathermosses (see ICHmc1/01, page 5 • 108), pipecleaner moss
and lanky moss may be present. Soils are Podzols with relatively thick Mor
humus forms on morainal, colluvial, and occasionally fluvial parent materials.
Two phases are recognized. The Submesic phase (01b) is rare, occurring
only on the most extreme, dry ridgetops and steep upper slopes, on soils that
are either very shallow over bedrock or have a high coarse fragment content.
This phase has a poorly developed shrub layer, poorer tree growth, and more
red-stemmed feathermoss than the more typical Mesic phase (01a).
Drier sites: None described; small forested rocky knolls, similar to the
ICHmc1/02 may occur infrequently.
Fresh to wet sites: Similar to the ICHmc1/03 and 04.
02 HwBa - Oak fern is common and widespread on lower slopes throughout
the ICHmc1a. Devil’s club occurs mixed with oval-leaved blueberry. Oak fern
dominates the herb layer and feathermosses carpet the forest floor. Soils are
Orthic and Gleyed Podzols with Mor humus forms.
03 HwBa - Devil’s club - Lady fern On mountainsides, this site series is
restricted to small pockets. Larger stands are found only on valley floors, and
are often affected by cold air ponding. Bl is very common where the cold air
effect is pronounced. There is a lush growth of devil’s club, black gooseberry,
lady fern, oak fern, and spiny wood fern. Blueberries, false azalea, and
feathermosses grow mainly on decaying wood. Soils are Gleysols or gleyed
Podzols with seepage normally present within the top 40 cm of soil, with
Moder or Mor humus forms.
Non-forested site units: None described.
5 • 116
ICHmc1a
Seral associations: None described. Seral stands are rare in the ICHmc1a
except where logging has taken place.
Comments: Some forest ecosystems within the ICHmc1a will not fit the
descriptions given here, but they are minor in extent. Please refer to the
ICHmc1 as required.
5 • 117
a
Tree symbols are defined in Appendix 3.
ICHmc1a Landscape Profilea
Site Units
5 • 118
a
Relative and actual SMR are defined in Appendices 6 and 7.
03 HwBa - Devil’s club - Lady fern
02 HwBa - Oak fern
01 HwBa - Bramble
Site Series
ICHmcla Edatopic Grid
ICHmc1a
5 • 119
Site Units
ICHmc1a Site Series Flowchart
MOIST AND
RICH FORESTS
Moisture regime 4-6;
Nutrient regime C-E.
Seepage slopes and
receiving sites. Rich/
wet site indicators
prevalent.
DRY AND
FRESH
FORESTS
Moisture regime 2-4;
Nutrient regime A-C.
Few rich/wet site
indicators present.
Devil’s club abundant. Ba, Hw, Bl, Sx stands. ➔
➔ Lady
fern, leafy mosses abundant. Soils noticeably mottled.
Scattered devil’s club. Ba, Hw stands. No lady ➔
➔ fern.
Oak fern common. Leafy mosses and
03
HwBa - Devil’s
club - Lady fern
02
HwBa - Oak fern
feathermosses co-dominate. Soils with indistinct
mottling.
➔ Ba, Hw, (Bl) stands of average growth. Moder-
➔
01a
HwBa - Bramble;
mesic phase
stocked stands with poor growth.
➔ Densely
Poorly developed shrub and herb layers.
➔
01b
HwBa - Bramble;
submesic phase
ately developed shrub and herb layers. Step
moss dominant.
Feathermosses dominant. Soils very well
drained, coarse textured, or on steep terrain.
Ridge crests and upper slopes predominate.
5 • 120
5 • 121
Prominence bars are described in Section 3.2.2, page 3 • 6.
Limited data; unit described from fewer than three plots.
a
b
ICHmc 1a Vegetation Tablea
ICHmc1a
Site Units
ICHmc1a Environment Table
Site
series Phase
Soil
moisture/
nutrients
Slope position
Slope %
range
Parent materiala
01
a) Mesic
4B-C
upper - mid, (lower)
15 - 70
C, M
01
b) Submesic
2-3B-C
0 - 45
C, M, F
02b
4-5/C-D
toe - level
0 - 35
C, L, M, F
03b
5-6/D-E
toe
0 - 15
C, F, M
a
Codes are described in Section 3.2.2, page 3 • 8.
b
Limited data; unit described from fewer than three plots.
5 • 122
ICHmc1a
Soil
Soil
particle sizea classificationa
Humus form
depth (cm)
(min-mean-max)
Important site features
L, KL, Ss
HFP, FHP
Mors
6 - 13 - 27
Widespread on a broad range of moreor-less mesic sites.
L, S, Ss
HFP, R
Mors
3 - 8 - 12
Relatively uncommon. Upper slopes
and ridgecrests.
KLs, FL, C (s)
HFP, MB
(gleyed)
Mors, Moders
4-5-5
Fairly widespread on seepage slopes.
FL(s)
gleyed DYB,
HFP, R , G
Moders, Mors
18
Restricted to sites receiving abundant
seepage.
5 • 123
Site Units
ICHmc2
Moist Cold Subzone
Hazelton Variant
Adjacent biogeoclimatic units: ICHmc1 occurs to the north; SBSdk and
SBSmc2 to the east; ESSFwv (and ESSFmc in the east) at higher elevations;
CWHws at similar and higher elevations towards the coast.
Elevation range: 100 - 750 m.
Description and comparison of site series:
Zonal site series:
01 Hw - Step moss dominates the ICHmc2 landscape on a wide variety of
soils, landforms, and slope positions with more-or-less average moisture and
nutrient status. Zonal sites typically have a thick feathermoss carpet and
include a diversity of tree species — Hw dominates, but scattered Cw, Pl, Sx,
Bl, Ep, At, and Act are also common. Shrub and herb layers are usually poorly
developed, consisting of scattered blueberry, conifer regeneration, false azalea,
bunchberry, and twinflower.
Two variations of the zonal site series are recognized. The typical Hw (Cw)
variation [01(1)] has Hw and Cw as climatic climax tree species and has few
shrubs or herbs; the BlSx variation [01(2)] is found in low-elevation, eastern
sections of the variant where the climate resembles the SBS zone. It has little
Hw, no Cw, and a well-developed shrub layer with abundant Bl regeneration,
black huckleberry, and thimbleberry. One often finds the 01(2) on valley
bottoms with the 01(1) on adjacent (milder and moister) side slopes.
There are also two phases. The Mesic (01a) phase occurs on mid and lower
slopes; the Submesic (01b) phase occurs on upper slopes and ridge crests with
shallow or coarse-textured soils. The 01b tends to have smaller trees, more Pl,
and fewer herbs and shrubs than the 01a.
Drier sites: One drier forested site series is recognized (in addition to the
Submesic 01b phase described above).
02 HwPl - Kinnikinnick - Cladonia is relatively uncommon in the variant,
occupying only the driest ridge crests, upper slopes, and gravelly terraces.
These are almost pure stands of scattered, low-productivity Pl, maintained by
intermittent fire. Characteristic understory herbs include dwarf blueberry,
kinnikinnick, and cow-wheat. The forest floor is a mixture of red-stemmed
feathermoss and lichens (compare to 51, page 5•126). Soils are sandy and
gravelly Humo-Ferric Podzols or Dystric Brunisols with thin Mor humus forms.
Fresh to wet sites: Six wetter forested site series are described.
03 HwCw - Oak fern is common on slope positions where there is a slight
accumulation of seepage water. Hw and Cw are the dominant tree species; Bl,
Sx, and Ep may also occur. The moderately well-developed understory has
scattered devil’s club, black gooseberry, highbush-cranberry, and thimbleberry
in the shrub layer, and oak fern (the characteristic dominant), foamflower,
queen’s cup, bunchberry, and clasping twistedstalk in the herb layer. The moss
layer is dominated by feathermosses. Soils may show some weak mottling at
5 • 124
ICHmc2
depth. The 03 is differentiated from the wetter 04 by its low cover (< 20%) of
devil’s club.
04 CwHw - Devil’s club - Oak fern is found on slopes where abundant
seepage percolates through colluvium, or along small streams. These ecosystems
are usually characterized by large, widely spaced Hw, Cw, and Sx, abundant
devil’s club, and patches of other tall shrubs. The herb layer is dominated by
oak fern and other rich-site indicators, and the moss layer includes both
feathermosses and leafy mosses. The humus layer shows active faunal
decomposition (Moders), and the soils are gleyed, with abundant seepage, but
good aeration. Abundant devil’s club (> 20%) but no lady fern or enchanter’s
nightshade separates this unit from the drier 03 and the wetter 05.
05 Sx - Devil’s club - Lady fern is typically found in valley bottoms on slope
toes and level areas that are affected by cold air ponding. Sx and Bl rather than
Hw and Cw usually dominate the tree layer; Ep is sometimes present. The
shrub layer is dominated by devil’s club together with Sitka alder,
highbush-cranberry, black twinberry, thimbleberry, currants, gooseberries, and
red-osier dogwood. Lady fern dominates the herb layer and enchanter’s
nightshade is an excellent indicator. The moss layer is patchy. Leafy mosses are
dominant and feathermosses are generally restricted to elevated microsites.
Soils are strongly gleyed, often with seasonally high water tables and thick
humus forms. A dominance of Sx and Bl in the canopy rather Hw and Cw
differentiates,this unit from the closely related 04 site series.
06 ActSx - Dogwood floodplains are common along major rivers. Act is
dominant and Sx and Cw are the most common subcanopy trees. There is a tall,
well-developed shrub layer with red-osier dogwood, mountain alder, and black
twinberry dominant, and a diverse herb layer with horsetails, enchanter’s
nightshade, and a variety of other herbs. Mosses are mostly absent except on
decaying wood. Soils are Regosols with less than 2 - 5 cm of surface organic
matter, little coloration or structure, and signs of past flooding such as bands of
sand or silt and buried organic layers. Soil drainage is usually good, but the
water table fluctuates seasonally.
07 CwSx - Horsetail - Skunk cabbage is relatively uncommon and stands
are never very extensive. This site series occurs at the base of mountain slopes,
in depressions on benches or terraces, and in abandoned stream back channels
or filled-in ponds. Dominant trees are Sx, Cw, and Bl, with Hw in the
subcanopy. Tree growth ranges from medium to poor, depending on site
nutrient status and the degree of soil aeration. Typical shrubs include mountain
alder, false azalea, oval-leaved blueberry, black twinberry, highbush-cranberry,
red-osier dogwood, and devil’s club. Horsetails, soft-leaved sedge, and skunk
cabbage (absent in eastern portions of the variant) are excellent indicators of
this site series. Feathermosses are found on mounds; leafy mosses and
sphagnum in wet hollows. Soils are poorly drained Gleysols, Mesisols, and
Humisols with thick, mucky organic layers in the hollows and Mors on mounds.
08 SbSx - Scrub birch - Sedge forested swamps are uncommon and restricted
to poorly drained depressions in major valleys. This unit represents nutrientmedium swamp forests, which tend to be more common in the ICHmc2 than are
true bog forests. These forested wetlands often occur in a complex with nonforested bogs (31) and fens/marshes (32). The trees are small and stunted. Sb
generally dominates over Sx; Pl may occur occasionally. The main shrubs are
scrub birch, Labrador tea, and hardhack. The herb layer is dominated by
sedges and swamp horsetail, and includes dwarf ericaceous species (bog
cranberry, bog-rosemary, creeping-snowberry), and aquatic plants (marsh
5 • 125
Site Units
cinquefoil, buckbean) not found in upland forest. Soils are Organics, overlain by
a thick, hummocky mat of sphagnum.
Non-forested site units:
Two very generalized non-forested units have been described in the ICHmc2:
Non-forested bog (31) and Non-forested fen/marsh (32). See page 5 • 107
for descriptions of these units.
Seral associations: Seral ecosystems, with little resemblance to the climax
forest communities described above, are widespread in low-elevation portions of
the ICHmc2 surrounding areas of human settlement. These stands have
developed after relatively frequent or severe fires or other major disturbances
such as land clearing. Site classification is difficult because the species
composition is extremely variable and usually reflects the history of disturbance
and recolonization more than it reflects the physical characteristics of the site.
Although it is possible to classify these ecosystems according to their expected
climax condition, succession to a conifer climax community will be lengthy on
these sites. Also, these seral ecosystems have quite different management
characteristics than the climax ecosystems (e.g., wildlife values, regeneration
problems, vegetation potential). Four seral associations are therefore
recognized:
51 $PlHw - Feathermoss represents submesic seral forests that would,
without disturbance, eventually develop into the 01b site series. These stands
are dominated by Pl, with Hw in the understory, and have a moderately
developed shrub layer dominated by soopolallie, saskatoon, thimbleberry, and
black huckleberry. The moderately diverse herb layer contains a mixture of dryand mesic-site indicators. There is a well-developed feathermoss carpet
dominated by red-stemmed feathermoss and lacking reindeer lichens (compare
to unit 02). This site series is usually found on dry ridges or glaciofluvial
terraces.
52 $SxEp - Thimbleberry - Hazelnut represents an assortment of seral
stands with more-or-less mesic moisture status, and dominantly coniferous
overstories (Sx, Pl, some Bl), often with a significant amount of Ep and
occasionally some At. Over a long period of uninterrupted natural succession,
most would eventually develop into 01a forests. Hw and Cw may be
regenerating in the understory, and these sites generally have well-developed,
persistent shrub and herb understories (with thimbleberry, highbush-cranberry,
wild sarsaparilla, purple peavine, and false Solomon’s-seal). Soils are welldrained Podzols, Brunisols, and Luvisols with Mor and Moder humus forms.
53 $AtEp - Dogwood includes deciduous-dominated seral stands, mostly on
productive, low-elevation, mesic to subhygric sites equivalent to the 03 site
series. They have dense, tall shrub and herb layers, and almost no moss layer.
Coniferous regeneration is sparse. They occur on a wide range of soils, but
organic layers are usually relatively nutrient-rich Moders formed from rapidly
decomposing deciduous leaf litter.
54 $SxEp - Devil’s club occurs on moist (subhygric-hygric) sites and
represents the seral equivalent of the 04 (and possibly 05) site series. It is
commonly found in valley bottoms, often on sites with cold air ponding or a
subboreal climatic influence. The dominant trees are Sx, Bl, and Ep rather than
Hw and Cw. In addition to devil’s club and oak fern, the shrub/herb layers
include many seral species typical of moist sites in the SBS zone (thimbleberry,
5 • 126
ICHmc2
highbush-cranberry, red-osier dogwood, prickly rose, baneberry, purple peavine,
false Solomon’s-seal, sweet-cicely, and wild sarsaparilla). The moss layer is not
well developed, but feathermosses are most abundant. Soils have Moder humus
forms and are often gleyed.
5 • 127
a
Tree symbols are defined in Appendix 3.
ICHmc2 Landscape Profilea
Site Units
5 • 128
5 • 129
a
Relative and actual SMR are defined in Appendices 6 and 7.
32 Non-forested fen/marsh
31 Non-forested bog
08 SbSx - Scrub birch - Sedge (Forested swamp)
07 CwSx - Horsetail - Skunk cabbage
06 ActSx - Dogwood (Floodplain)
05 $SxEp - Devil’s club - Lady fern
54 $SxEp - Devil’s club (Seral)
04 CwHw - Devil’s club - Oak fern
03 HwCw - Oak fern
53 $At Ep - Dogwood (Seral)
52 $SxEp - Thimbleberry - Hazelnut (Seral)
51 $PlHw - Feathermoss (Seral)
02 HwPl - Kinnikinnick - Cladonia
01 Hw - Step moss
Site Series
ICHmc2 Edatopic Grid
ICHmc2
Site Units
ICHmc2 Site Series Flowchart
NON-FORESTED
WETLANDS
Tree cover < 10%
➔
31
Non-forested bog
➔ Sedges and willows predominant. Sphagnum ➔
32
Non-forested fen/
marsh
➔
06
ActSx - Dogwood
➔
52
$SxEp ThimbleberryHazelnut
➔
53
$AtEp - Dogwood
➔ Sites dominated by sphagnum mosses,
Labrador tea, and other ericaceous shrubs.
not dominant.
FLOODPLAIN
FORESTS
forests; thick red-osier dogwood and
➔ Act/Sx
mountain alder understory. Regosols or
Brunisols.
Stands on active river
floodplains.
DECIDUOUSDOMINATED
SERAL FORESTS
Stands with a high
component of At or
Ep.
mesic sites. Ep, Sx, and Pl co➔ More-or-less
dominate. Shrub layer vigorous. Moss layer
moderately developed.
➔ Mesic - subhygric sites. Few conifers; At and
Ep dominate. Shrub layers tall and vigorous;
moss layer very sparse.
➔ Mesic/subhygric and rich. Moist seepage sites. ➔
54
$SxEp - Devil’s
club
➔ Very dry sites. Low-productivity Pl forests;
02
HwPl - Kinnikinnick - Cladonia
Ep, At, Sx co-dominate. Devil’s club abundant.
DRY FORESTS
Moisture regime 0-3.
Usually on ridge
crests, upper slopes,
or terraces; thin and/
or coarse soils.
kinnikinnick, dwarf blueberry, and cowwheat abundant. Sparse shrub and herb layer.
Lichens co-dominate in moss layer.
➔
➔ Forests dominated by Pl with some At and ➔
Hw. Shrub/herb layer moderately well
developed; soopolallie and saskatoon common;
feathermosses dominant.
➔ Hw dominant; Pl common. Shrub/herb layers
nearly absent. Thick feathermoss carpet.
5 • 130
➔
51
$PlHw Feathermoss
01b
Hw - Step moss;
submesic phase
ICHmc2
ICHmc2 Site Series Flowchart
WET FORESTS
Moisture regime 6-7.
Depressional or
receiving sites. Soils
Gleysols or Organics.
growth medium to good. Skunk cabbage
➔
➔ Tree
and/or horsetails abundant. Scattered devil’s
club. Leafy mosses common. Level and
depressional sites.
➔
05
Sx - Devil’s club Lady fern
➔ Stunted Sb/Sx forests. Scrub birch, mountain
➔
08
SbSx - Scrub birch
- Sedge
forests with good growth. Devil’s
➔ Cw/Sx/(Hw)
club, mountain alder, and lady fern
➔
05
Sx - Devil’s club Lady fern
with large Sx, Cw, or Bl. Devil’s club,
➔ Forests
mountain alder, and lady fern abundant;
leafy mosses common. Seepage sites.
alder, and sedges abundant. Sphagnum mosses
dominant. Depressions, cold air drainage
sites.
FRESH TO
MOIST FORESTS
Moisture regime 4-5.
Stands not noticeably
dry or very wet. Tree
growth medium to
good.
07
CwSx - Horsetail Skunk cabbage
abundant; leafy mosses common. Seepage
sites; soils distinctly mottled.
forests with good growth. Devil’s club
➔
➔ Hw/Cw
abundant. Little or no lady fern. Leafy mosses
co-dominate with feathermosses. Soils mottled.
04
CwHw - Devil’s
club - Oak fern
➔ Hw/Cw forests with good growth. Scattered
➔
03
HwCw - Oak fern
forests with average growth. Poorly
➔ Hw/(Cw)
developed shrub and herb layers; no oak fern.
➔
01a
Hw - Step moss;
mesic phase
devil’s club; oak fern abundant. Minor
component of leafy mosses. Soils with weak or
no mottling.
leafy mosses absent or rare. No mottling.
5 • 131
ICHmc2 Vegetation Tablea
Site Units
5 • 132
5 • 133
Prominence bars are described in Section 3.2.2, page 3 • 6.
Limited data; unit described from fewer than three plots.
Two variations are described for this site unit. See introductory section (page 5 • 124) for variation descriptions.
a
b
c
ICHmc2
Site Units
ICHmc2 Environment Table
Site
series
Phase
Soil
moisture/
nutrients
01
a) Mesic
4(5)B-C
01
b) Submesic
Slope %
range
Parent
materiala
upper - level, mostly
mid
0 - 90
M, C, F, (FG)
3/B-C
crest - mid, level
0 - 50
M, FG, C
02b
1-2/A-C
crest, level
0 - 25
R, FG
03
4-5/C-D(E)
mid - toe (level)
0 - 70
M, F, (FG)
04
5/D-E
mid - depressions
0 - 40
M, F, L
05
(5)-6/(C)
mid - depressions
0 - 10
M, F, L
06
4-6/E
level
0-5
F (active)
07
6-7/C-E
lower - depressions
0 - 10
O, F, L, M
08
7/C-E
depressions, level
0
O
31
7+/A-B
depressions
0
O
32
7+/C-E
depressions, level
0-5
O
51
3/A-C
level, upper - crest
0 - 20
FG, M, Cv/R
52
3-5B-D
upper - lower, level
0 - 45
M, FG, F
53
4-5/C-D
upper - lower, level
0 - 35
M, F, FG
54
4-5/D-E
lower - toe, (level)
0 - 20
M, F
Slope position
a
Codes are described in Section 3.2.2, page 3 • 8.
b
Limited data; unit described from fewer than three plots.
5 • 134
ICHmc2
Soil
Soil
particle sizea classificationa
Humus form
depth (cm)
min-mean-max
Important site features
L - KL, S; (s)
HFP, DYB, GL
Mors
1 - 10 - 28
Includes a broad range of more-or-less
mesic sites and soils.
KLs, S(s, f),
FL(s)
HFP, DYB
Mors
5 - 10 - 17
Soils often gravelly or rocky.
KLs - Ss; (f)
HFP, DYB
Mors
3-5
Rapidly drained, nutrient-poor soils.
FL, S
DYB, EB, GL,
HFP; (gleyed)
Moders, Mors
5 - 11 - 26
Sites receive some seepage.
C, FL, S (s, f)
G, R, DYB, GL;
gleyed
Moders (Mors)
5 - 14 - 36
Abundant seepage.
C, FL; (s)
G, DYB
gleyed, (H)
Moders
6 - 16 - 40
High water tables, but well-aerated
soils.
F$, S (s)
R
Moders
0-3
Active floodplains; seasonally fluctuating water tables; soils freely drained.
FC, S
G, M, H
Moders, Mulls
2 - 18 - 48+
Poorly drained mineral and organic
soils with poor aeration.
--
M, F, H
peaty “O” horizons
>60 cm
Acidic sphagnum/sedge-derived peat.
--
M, F, H
peaty “O” horizons
> 1m
Soils too wet for tree growth.
--
M, H, F, G
peaty “O” horizons
> 1m
Soils too wet for tree growth.
FL, L, KL, Ss;
(f)
DYB
Mors
3-5-8
Mostly river terraces. Recent fire
history. Equivalent to 01b.
FC, L, KL S;
(s)
DYB, GL, HFP
Moders, Mors
5 - 9 - 14
Equivalent sites to 01a.
FL, L, KL, S;
(s)
HFP, DYB, GL,
(R)
Moders
4 - 7 - 10
Includes a wide range of
deciduous-dominated sites.
FL, L, KL; (s)
EB, GL, R
(gleyed)
Moders
5 - 10 - 30
Rich sites with moderate seepage.
5 • 135
Site Units
ICHvc
Very Wet Cold Subzone
Adjacent biogeoclimatic units: ICHmc1 in the south; ICHwc in the north;
ESSFwv at higher elevations.
Elevation range: 240 - 1000 m.
Description and comparison of site series:
Zonal site series:
01 HwBl - Devil’s club. Because the ICHvc is cool and moist year-round with
a heavy and long-lasting snowpack, moisture-loving species such as devil’s club
and oak fern occur on zonal ecosystems. These species occur together with black
huckleberry, oval-leaved and Alaskan blueberry, false azalea, five-leaved bramble,
and feathermosses. Two variations of the zonal ecosystem occur: the 01(1) Hw
variation has Hw as the dominant tree species — it is found on middle slope
positions that are unaffected by cold air ponding; the 01(2) Bl variation has Bl
as the dominant tree species — it is found in portions of the landscape (lower
slopes and valley bottoms) affected by cold air ponding and later snowmelt.
Generally, shrub and herb layers are more lush in 01(2). Soils are well-drained
Podzols and Brunisols that remain moist throughout the growing season.
Drier sites: Due to climatic factors, there are few truly dry ecosystems in the
ICHvc. Only one drier forested site series is described.
02 Hw - Step moss is found on most drier-than-mesic sites, typically upper
slopes and ridge tops with coarse-textured or shallow soils. It is characterized
by lack or scarcity of devil’s club and oak fern. Feathermosses are always
dominant, and blueberries, huckleberries, and false azalea are usually
abundant. The 02 also has two variations: the 02(1) Hw variation and the
02(2) Bl variation. As in the 01 site series, these two variations tend to reflect
the degree of cold air drainage and thus occupy different positions in the
landscape. Other than their dominant tree species, they have very similar
vegetation characteristics. Hm is common in the 02(1) at higher elevations.
Soils are typically well- to rapidly drained Podzols.
Moist to wet sites: Four forested site series that are wetter than mesic are
described.
03 Sx - Devil’s club is found on the moisture-receiving, lower slope positions
that cover a significant percentage of the ICHvc1 landscape. These forests have
large, open-grown Bl and Sx. Devil’s club, oak fern, and spiny wood fern are the
characteristic understory species, but in this site series there are relatively few
blueberries or huckleberries, and leafy mosses rather than feathermosses
dominate the forest floor (compare to 01 above). This unit may be confused with
the wetter 04 site series, but low cover of red-osier dogwood and horsetails, and
mid to lower slope postion are factors that can be used to differentiate the 03
from the 04.
Two phases are recognized. The Fluvial phase (03a) occurs on small fluvial
fans and terraces with sandy-textured Podzols and Regosols; the Morainal
5 • 136
ICHvc
phase (03b) occurs on glacial till (and sometimes lacustrine or colluvial
deposits) with loamy or finer-textured Podzols and Luvisols that occasionally
show some gleying.
04 Sx - Devil’s club - Dogwood is another site series characterized by devil’s
club. The 04 is somewhat wetter and richer than the 03 and is found only in
valley bottoms on high bench (but active) floodplains adjacent to larger
streams and rivers. The vegetation is very similar to the 03, but a high cover
of red-osier dogwood and horsetails is more characteristic of the 04 site series.
The 05 site series also occurs on active floodplains, but there is a dominance of
Act on these sites. 04 sites support productive ecosystems with freely drained
(but occasionally gleyed) Regosolic, Brunisolic, or Luvisolic soils and fairly thin
humus layers (compare to 06 below).
05 ActSx - Dogwood forests occur on the active floodplains (medium to lower
benches) of larger rivers and on the toe of larger fluvial fans. They usually
flood annually. Act is dominant and Bl and Sx are scattered in the subcanopy.
Shrub layers are tall and well developed and feature Sitka alder, red-osier
dogwood, and some devil’s club. Characteristic herb-layer species are pink
wintergreen, one-sided wintergreen, oak fern, lady fern, and horsetails. The
soils are mainly freely drained Regosols. An abundance of Act in the canopy
distinguishes this unit from all others.
06 Sx - Horsetail is found on low-lying sites with fluctuating high water
tables. The 06 is restricted to the margins of swamps, wetlands, and lakes,
and is relatively uncommon. Sx and Bl are the dominant trees, blueberries
(growing on mounds) are the dominant shrub, and horsetails (together with
oak fern and lady fern) are the dominant herbs. The moss layer is often
patchy and features leafy and ragged mosses. Soils are gleyed Regosols and
Luvisols, and Gleysols with fairly thick humus forms. The wet soils,
abundance of horsetails, and relative scarcity of devil’s club (<5%) distinguish
this site series from the 03 and 04.
Non-forested site units: Three non-forested site series are described for the
ICHvc. One is the Non-forested fen/marsh (31), which is uncommon in the
subzone. A description of this unit can be found on page 5 • 107.
Two alder-dominated ecosystems are widespread in the ICHvc. The
successional history of these alder thickets is unclear, but their occurrence is
undoubtedly related to the exceptionally deep and long-lasting snowpack of the
ICHvc.
51 $Sitka alder - Devil’s club warrants separate recognition as a site series
in the ICHvc because it is so prevalent. Some of these units are created and
maintained by recurring avalanches on concave mountain slopes and gullies,
but many others occur in landscape positions where avalanches are unlikely.
Sitka alder, devil’s club, red elderberry, and salmonberry are the characteristic
shrubs. There is a lush herb layer with ferns, twistedstalks, and violets, and
virtually no moss layer. These are highly productive ecosystems with abundant
seepage and often thick, turfy humus layers.
52 $Mountain alder - Lady fern ecosystems are distinguished from slide
alder thickets (51) by their slope position (wet depressions in the bottoms of
gullies and adjacent to creeks and lakes) and their dominant species
(mountain alder rather than Sitka alder). Horsetails, bluejoint, and skunk
cabbage (where present) are also good indicators of this wet unit. Soils are
Gleysols and gleyed Regosols with thick, often saturated, humus layers.
5 • 137
a
Tree symbols are defined in Appendix 3.
ICHvc Landscape Profilea
Site Units
5 • 138
5 • 139
a
Relative and actual SMR are defined in Appendices 6 and 7.
31 Non-forested fen/marsh
52 $Mountain alder - Lady fern (Wet thicket)
06 Sx - Horsetail
05 ActSx - Dogwood (Floodplain)
04 Sx - Devil’s club - Dogwood (Floodplain)
51 $Sitka alder - Devil’s club (Moist thicket)
03 Sx - Devil’s club
02 Hw - Step moss
01 HwBl - Devil’s club
Site Series
ICHvc Edatopic Grid
ICHvc
Site Units
ICHvc Site Series Flowchart
NON-FORESTED
WETLANDS
➔ Site dominated by willows and sedges.
➔
31
Non-forested fen/
marsh
tracks and sidehill thickets. Sitka
➔ Avalanche
alder dominant; devil’s club abundant.
➔
51
$Sitka alder Devil’s club
Tree cover < 10%
ALDER DOMINATED
ECOSYSTEMS
Tree cover < 10%
FLOODPLAIN
FORESTS
Stands on active
floodplains and
fluvial fans.
and depression areas with high water table. ➔
➔ Level
Mountain alder dominant; red-osier dogwood
abundant.
stands; dense understory of red- ➔
➔ Act-dominated
osier dogwood, devil’s club, and Sitka alder;
Moisture regime 6-7.
Depressions or
receiving sites. Soils
Gleysols or Organics.
DRY TO MOIST
FORESTS
Moisture regime 1-5.
Tree growth poor to
good.
05
ActSx - Dogwood
little or no moss layer.
canopy; Act absent or rare; dense
➔ Coniferous
understory of dogwood and devil’s club;
➔
moss layer moderately developed.
VERY MOIST TO
WET FORESTS
52
$Mountain alder Lady fern
growth moderate to good. Horsetails
➔
➔ Tree
abundant; lady fern, foamflower, oval-leaved
04
Sx - Devil’s club Dogwood
06
Sx - Horsetail
blueberry, and leafy mosses common. Level and
depressional sites.
forests. Devil’s club abundant; leafy
➔ Productive
mosses dominant. Seepage slopes and level
➔
03
Sx - Devil’s club
➔
01
HwBl - Devil’s
club
areas; mottling evident.
forests. Devil’s club abundant; moss
➔ Productive
layer dominated by feathermosses.
devil’s club. Drier ecosystems (SMR 1-3) ➔
➔ No
with poor to moderate growth. Herb layer
sparse. Soils well drained; no gleying.
5 • 140
02
Hw - Step moss
a
Prominence bars are described in Section 3.2.2, page 3 • 6.
ICHvc Vegetation Tablea
ICHvc
5 • 141
Site Units
ICHvc Environment Table
Soil
moisture/
nutrients
01
02
Site
series
Phase
Slope position
Slope %
range
Parent materiala
(4)-5/B-D
upper - lower
5 - 70
M, C, FG
1-3(4)/A-C
crest - mid (level)
0 - 80
Mv/R, Cv/R, FG,
M
03
a) Fluvial
4-5/D-E
level, mid - lower
0 - 20
F
03
b) Morainal
4-5/C-D
mid - depressions
0 - 65
M, (L, C)
04
4-6/D-E
level
0-2
F (active), Lv/F
05
4-6/E
level (mid)
0-5
F (active)
06
6-7/C-E
level, depressions
0-2
F (L, M)
31
7+/C-E
level, depressions
0
O
51
4-6/D-E
mid - depressions
3 - 50
M, C, F
52
6-7/C-E
depressions, level
0
F (M)
a
Codes are described in Section 3.2.2, page 3 • 8.
5 • 142
ICHvc
Soil
Soil
a
particle size classificationa
Humus form
depth (cm)
min-mean-max
Important site features
FL - S (s,f)
HFP, FHP, DYB
Mors
4 - 9 - 18
Soils moist but well to moderately well
drained.
FLs - Ss (f)
HFP (R)
Mors
2 - 6 - 12
Rapidly drained sites on gravelly or
shallow soils.
FL - S (s,f)
DYB, R, (HFP,
GL)
Mors, Moders
2 - 9 - 23
Better drained, coarser-textured soils
than 03b.
C - KL (s,f)
FHP, HFP, GL;
(gleyed)
Mors, Moders
4 - 9 - 24
Finer-textured, often more poorly
drained soils than 03a.
FC - S (s,f)
R, DYB, GL;
(gleyed)
Mors, Moders
4-6-7
Productive, active (high bench) fluvial
sites.
FL - S
R, (G)
Mors, Moders
2 - 6 - 12
Active floodplains (medium to low
bench).
FC - Ss
R, G, GL;
gleyed
Mors
6 - 11 - 14
High water table. Poorly aerated soils.
--
RG, F, H, M
Moders, Mors
often > 40 cm
Too wet for tree growth.
FL - S
SB, HG, HFP
Mors
8 - 10 - 12
Results from disturbances such as
avalanches, blowdown, or fire.
FC - S
G, R; gleyed
Mors, Moders
5 - 17 - 32
Too wet for tree growth.
High water table.
5 • 143
Site Units
ICHwc
Wet Cold Subzone
Adjacent biogeoclimatic units: ICHvc to the south; BWBSdk1 to the north;
CWHwm in coastal valleys to the west; ESSFwv at higher elevations; some SBS
(undifferentiated) to the north along the Stikine River.
Elevation range: 150 - 900 m.
Description and comparison of site series:
Zonal site series:
01 HwBl - Oak fern is widespread on mid to lower slopes and level sites on a
wide variety of landforms. Zonal forests are characterized by closed stands of
Hw, with Bl and scattered Sx. Blueberries, black huckleberry, false azalea, and
scattered devil’s club compose the shrub layer. The most common herb species
are bunchberry, five-leaved bramble, oak fern, and one-sided wintergreen. The
well-developed moss layer is dominated by red-stemmed feathermoss and step
moss.
Drier sites: Two drier forested site series are described.
02 HwPl - Feathermoss - Cladonia is uncommon and is only found on the
very driest sites such as ridge crests, glaciofluvial benches, and recent lava
flows (e.g., Iskut Canyon). Trees are well-spaced, stunted Hw and Pl (<50%
cover). Understory species are similar to the 03 but cover and stature are lower.
Heron’s-bill moss, soopolallie, and kinnikinnick are good indicators.
03 Hw - Step moss is a very common ecosystem on upper and mid-slope sites
that are slightly drier and poorer than zonal. The tree cover is dominated by
Hw with occasional Bl, Sx, or Pl. The understory is usually sparse with a thick
carpet of feathermosses. Blueberries, black huckleberry, and false azalea
dominate in the shrub layer; bunchberry, prince’s pine, and five-leaved bramble
are scattered in the herb layer. This unit is differentiated from the 02 by lack of
heron’s-bill moss and by having a low cover of Pl and better tree growth. Lack of
devil’s club and oak fern distinguish the 03 from the 01.
Fresh to wet sites: Five wetter forested site series are described.
04 HwBl - Devil’s club is widespread and extensive in the subzone on lower
slope sites that are slightly moister and richer than zonal. The tree cover is
dominantly Hw with a minor component of Sx and Bl. Moist conditions are
reflected in the high cover of devil’s club and oak fern and the presence of
thimbleberry — species that have much lower cover in the 01. Large ferns such
as lady fern and spiny wood fern are absent or rare (in contrast to 05). The moss
layer includes ragged and leafy mosses as well as feathermosses. Soils with
slight seepage or mottling at depth are common.
05 Sx - Devil’s club is common on lower to toe slope positions receiving
abundant seepage. It is typified by mixed Hw/Sx stands with a fairly open
canopy and good vigour. Shrub layers have a heavy cover of devil’s club and
often include black gooseberry, red elderberry, red-osier dogwood, and
highbush-cranberry. The lush herb layer is dominated by oak fern, spiny wood
fern, and lady fern — the latter two species distinguish this unit from the drier
5 • 144
ICHwc
04 site series. Horsetails are rare. The moss layer is not well developed and is
dominated by ragged and leafy mosses.
06 ActSx - Dogwood occupies fairly large areas of valley bottom adjacent to
streams and rivers. These ecosystems are exposed to cold air drainage and
periodic flooding. The vigorous tree canopy is dominated by Act (the diagnostic
feature of this unit), together with Sx and Bl. Hw is rare. The well-developed
shrub layer is dominated by devil’s club, red-osier dogwood, mountain alder,
and highbush-cranberry. Horsetails dominate the diverse herb layer. There is
little moss. The soils are generally well-drained Brunisols or Gleysols on
imperfectly drained sites.
07 HwSx - Blueberry - Sphagnum represents poorly growing stands of Sx,
Hw, and Bl occupying small wet depressions subject to cold air ponding. The
well-developed shrub layer is dominated by blueberries, false azalea, and
mountain alder, with scattered Labrador tea. The most prominent herb-layer
species include bunchberry, horsetails, oak fern, sedges, and five-leaved
bramble. There is a thick moss layer including red-stemmed feathermoss,
sphagnum, liverworts, and leafy mosses. The soils are mostly Organics,
Gleysols, or gleyed Podzols with a high water table and a thick, saturated
organic layer.
08 Sx - Horsetail is uncommon and usually occupies narrow bands at the toe
of slopes, in depressions, and along sluggish streams. Forests are open, mixed
stands of Sx, Bl, and Hw. Horsetail is characteristic. Soils are poorly drained
Gleysols (sometimes Organics) with saturated mucky humus forms. This site
series can be distinguished from the 06 (which also has abundant horsetail) by
its poorer tree growth, lack of red-osier dogwood and highbush-cranberry, and
greater abundance of feathermosses and sphagnum. It is distinguished from the
07 by the presence of devil’s club, black gooseberry, and foamflowers, and its
lack of Labrador tea and lower cover of sphagnum.
Non-forested site units: Non-forested bog (31) and Non-forested fen/
marsh (32) are scattered throughout the ICHwc. See page 5 • 107. Two alderdominated, non-forested seral associations are recognized:
51 $Sitka alder - Devil’s club develops on steep valley sides where frequent
avalanches prevent mature tree cover from establishing. The dense shrub layer
is characterized by devil’s club, salmonberry, Sitka alder, and red elderberry.
Ferns dominate the herb layer. Soils are mostly well- to imperfectly drained
Humo-Ferric Podzols with Moder humus forms.
52 $Mountain alder - Lady fern develops in swampy locations in valley
bottoms where Sx -Horsetail ecosystems would be expected if the dense shrub
cover ever opened up sufficiently for trees to become established. Mountain
alder, rather than Sitka alder, makes up the shrub layer. Soils are saturated
Organics and Humic Gleysols.
Comments: The area around Bob Quinn Lake (from Ningunsaw River to Devil’s
Lake) is dominated by seral stands and has such a distinct flora that a separate
phase, the Bob Quinn phase [ICHwc(a)], has been proposed. In this area, Hw is
generally absent, devil’s club is uncommon, soils are Luvisols rather than
Podzols, and the understory of mature forests contains species such as roses,
snowberries, and meadowrue, which are normally associated with boreal or
sub-boreal climates. This area has a history of frequent fire and probably has a
colder, drier climate than the rest of the ICHwc.
5 • 145
a
Tree symbols are defined in Appendix 3.
ICHwc Landscape Profilea
Site Units
5 • 146
5 • 147
a
Relative and actual SMR are defined in Appendices 6 and 7.
32 Non-forested fen/marsh
31 Non-forested bog
52 $Mountain alder - Lady fern (wet thicket)
08 Sx - Horsetail
07 HwSx - Blueberry - Sphagnum
06 ActSx - Dogwood (Floodplain)
51 $Sitka alder - Devil’s club (Moist thicket)
05 Sx - Devil’s club
04 HwBl - Devil’s club
03 Hw - Step moss
02 HwPl - Feathermoss - Cladonia
01 HwBl - Oak fern
Site Series
ICHwc Edatopic Grid
ICHwc
Site Units
ICHwc Site Series Flowchart
NON-FORESTED
WETLANDS
Tree cover < 10%.
ALDER-DOMINATED SERAL
ECOSYSTEMS
Tree cover < 10%.
FLOODPLAIN
FORESTS
DRY FORESTS
Moisture regime 1-2.
Most commonly on
very coarse parent
materials, or on ridge
crests and upper
slopes.
VERY MOIST TO
WET FORESTS
Moisture regime 6-7.
Level/depressional
areas.
Saturated Organic or
Gleysolic soils.
FRESH TO
MOIST FORESTS
Moisture regime 3-5.
Sites not clearly dry
or wet.
➔ Sites dominated by sphagnum, Labrador tea,
➔
31 Non-forested
bog
➔ Sites dominated by sedges and willows;
➔
32 Non-forested
fen/marsh
sloping sites. Thickets of Sitka alder,
➔ Moist,
devil’s club, salmonberry, and red elderberry.
➔
51
$Sitka alder Devil’s club
swampy depression. Thickets of moun➔ Wet,
tain alder. Soils poorly drained.
➔
52 $Mountain
alder - Lady fern
forests. Dense tall shrub layer;
➔ Act-dominated
red-osier dogwood abundant.
➔
06 ActSx Dogwood
and other ericaceous shrubs.
sphagnum mixed with other mosses.
Soils well to imperfectly drained.
dry Hw/Pl forests with poor growth.
➔
➔ Very
Curly heron’s-bill moss abundant; scattered
lichens.
02 HwPl Feathermoss Cladonia
Hw-dominated forests. Thick feathermoss
➔ Dry,
carpet; lichens not abundant.
➔
03
Hw - Step moss
➔ Sx/Hw/Bl forests with poor growth. Blueber-
➔
07 HwSx Blueberry Sphagnum
➔ Open Hw/Sx/Bl forests with moderate to good
➔
08
Sx - Horsetail
forests with poor to moderate
➔ Hw-dominated
growth. Devil’s club absent or rare; blueber-
➔
03
Hw - Step moss
➔
01
HwBl - Oak fern
ries. Labrador tea in shrub layer. Devil’s club,
lady fern absent or rare. Sphagnum common.
growth. Horsetails dominant. Devil’s club
common; lady fern rare. Feathermosses and
leafy mosses abundant; sphagnum uncommon.
ries dominant. Feathermosses only.
forests with moderate growth.
➔ Hw-dominated
Devil’s club, blueberries, and oak fern
common. Feathermosses only. No mottling.
forests of moderate to good
➔
➔ Hw-dominated
growth. Diverse shrub/herb layers with devil’s
club and oak fern abundant. Large ferns
absent or rare. Some ragged and leafy
mosses. Some seepage or mottling.
04
HwBl - Devil’s
club
➔ Open Sx/Hw forests with good growth. Devil’s
➔
05
Sx - Devil’s club
➔ Sx/Hw/Bl forests with poor growth. Blue ber-
➔
07 HwSx Blueberry Sphagnum
club dominant; lady fern common. Leafy,
ragged mosses co-dominate with feathermosses.
ries, Labrador tea in shrub layer. Devil’s club,
lady fern absent or rare. Sphagnum common.
5 • 148
5 • 149
Prominence bars are described in Section 3.2.2, page 3 • 6.
Limited data; unit described from fewer than three plots.
a
b
ICHwc Vegetation Tablea
ICHwc
Site Units
ICHwc Environment Table
Soil
moisture/
nutrients
Slope position
Slope %
range
Parent materiala
01
4/C(D)
mid - lower, level
0 - 90
M, C, (F, E)
02
1-2/A-C
crest - level
0 - 20
R, C (M, FG)
03
2-4/B-C
upper - mid, level
0 - 80
M, C (F, E, R)
04
4-5/(C)D-E
lower
3 - 60
F, M, E (C)
05
5/(C)D-E
lower - toe
0 - 70
F, M, (E, C)
06
4-6/E
level
0-5
F
07
(5)6-7/A-B
depressions
0
O (M)
08
6-7/(C)-E
depressions, level
0 - 50
O, F, M
31
7/A-B
depressions
0
O
32b
7/C-E
depressions
0
O
51b
4-5/
(C)D(E)
mid - upper
40 - 90
C, M, (D)
52b
6-7/C-E
depressions
0
O (M) (F)
Site
series
Phase
a
Codes are described in Section 3.2.2, page 3 • 8.
b
Limited data; unit described from fewer than three plots.
5 • 150
ICHwc
Humus form
Soil
Soil
depth (cm)
particle sizea classificationa min-mean-max
FL(s) - KL(s)
HFP, (FHP)
(FO, GL)
Important site features
Mors
5 - 9 - 21
Widespread on a variety of landforms
with more-or-less mesic moisture regime.
FLs - KLs, Ss HFP, DYB
Mors
3 - 5 - 14
Restricted to very dry shallow, gravelly
soils. Iskut lava beds.
FL(s) - KL(s)
Mors
3-6-9
Typically occurs on shedding sites
upslope of 01.
Mors, moders
3 - 6 - 10
Intermittent seepage within 40 cm of soil
surface.
HFP (FHP)
FL(s) - KL(s), HFP (FHP),
(s)
(DYB) (gleyed)
FL(s) - KL(s)
HFP,FHP,DYB, Moders, mors
(HP,G); gleyed. 2 - 11 - 28
S, FL
G (DYB)
Moders, Mulls, Mors Active floodplain sites only. Seasonally
0-3-5
fluctuating water tables.
--
HG, H, M, F,
HFP; gleyed
peaty “O” horizons
> 30 cm
F, KL(s)
G, GL, H, M, FO Moders, Mors
4 - 14 - 30
Saturated, poorly aerated soils along
sluggish streams.
--
F, M
peaty “O” horizons
>1 m
Non-forested bogs. Soils too wet and
cold for tree growth.
--
H
peaty “O” horizons
>1 m
Non-forested fens/marshes. Soils too wet
and cold for tree growth.
FL, KL
HFP (G, DYB)
Moders
< 5 cm
Avalanche tracks and late snow areas.
Nutrient-rich, friable soils.
F
M, HG, (H)
Mulls, Moders
5 - 30+ cm
Wet, saturated depressions.
5 • 151
Seepage always present within 40 cm of
soil surface.
Bog forest. Cold air drainage sites.
Site Units
5 • 152