-
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
Elevation (m) Slope (%) Aspect () Surficial material Drainage
SMR SNR
0 0 999 Ob p-v 7 D
No photo available Plots: C180, C181, C186, C184
-
pDistribution of Map Units Containing Wf53 Units
-
TEM Map Code Site Association CDFmm Site Series
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.
Assumed modifiers: N/A Modifiers used: p
Elevation (m) Slope (%) Aspect () Surficial material Drainage
SMR SNR
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
-
TEM Map Code Site Association CDFmm Site Series
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
Elevation (m) Slope (%) Aspect () Surficial material Drainage
SMR SNR
0 0 999 Ob v 7-8 D
No photo available Plots: N/A
-
pDistribution of Map Units Containing Wm06 Units
-
TEM Map Code Site Association CDFmm Site Series
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.
Assumed modifiers: N/A Modifiers used: N/A
Elevation (m) Slope (%) Aspect () Surficial material Drainage
SMR SNR
-
pDistribution of Map Units Containing Wm50 Units
-
TEM Map Code Site Association CDFmm Site Series
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.
Assumed modifiers: N/A Modifiers used: N/A
Elevation (m) Slope (%) Aspect () Surficial material Drainage
SMR SNR
-
pDistribution of Map Units Containing Wm51 Units
-
TEM Map Code Site Association CDFmm & CWHxm Site Series
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
Elevation (m) Slope (%) Aspect () Surficial material Drainage
SMR SNR
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
-
TEM Map Code Site Association CDFmm & CWHxm Site Series
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.
Assumed modifiers: N/A Modifiers used: p
Elevation (m) Slope (%) Aspect () Surficial material Drainage
SMR SNR
-
pDistribution of Map Units Containing Ws51 Units
-
TEM Map Code Site Association CDFmm Site Series
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).
Assumed modifiers: N/A Modifiers used: N/A
Elevation (m) Slope (%) Aspect () Surficial material Drainage
SMR SNR
-
pDistribution of Map Units Containing Ws52 Units