Ecosystem Units of the Itcha / Ilgachuz Area

ECOSYSTEM UNITS OF THE ITCHA / ILGACHUZ AREA AND THE CHARLOTTE ALPLANDS Volume 1 - Expanded Legend

Prepared for: Wildlife Branch Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks Williams Lake, B.C.

Prepared by: Chris Clement, A.Sc.T., R.P.F., R.P.Bio. and Rod Dalziel Shearwater Mapping Ltd. Victoria, B.C.

January 2000 ECOSYSTEM UNITS OF THE ITCHA / ILGACHUZ AREA AND THE CHARLOTTE ALPLANDS Volume 2 - Data Synthesis Tables

Prepared for: Wildlife Branch Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks Williams Lake, B.C.

Prepared by: Chris Clement, A.Sc.T., R.P.F., R.P.Bio. and Rod Dalziel Shearwater Mapping Ltd. Victoria, B.C.

January 2000 TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 Introduction 1 1.2 Study area 1

2. METHODOLOGY 7

3. ECOSECTIONS AND BIOGEOCLIMATIC UNITS 9

4. ECOSYSTEM UNITS 11

IDFdk4 01 LP 11 04 DS 11 05 DW 12 07 DM 12 08 SS 12 00 ND 12 00 WM 12 IDFdw 01 DP 12 00 AT 12 00 BP 12 00 CR 12 00 DB 12 00 DK 12 00 DS 13 00 LK 13 00 SG 13 00 SH 13 00 SS 13 00 ST 13 SBPSxc 01 LK 13 02 LC 13 03 SB 13 04 SF 14 05 SH 14 06 SM ...... 14 00 BS ...... 14 CF 14 00 TS 14 00 WB 14 00 WT 14 SBPSdc 01 LJ14 02 LC 14 14 04 BF 14 05 SB 14 06 SM 14 07 BB 14 00 BS 14

00 WT 14 SBPSmc 01 LF 15 02 LC 15 03 BF 15 04 SB 15 05 SO 15 06 SH 15 07 BB 15 00 BS 15 00 WB 15 00 WT 15 SBSmc2 01 SB 15 02 PH 15 04 HB 15 08 ST 15 11 HG 15 00 BS 15 MSdc2 01 SF 15 02 DS 16 03 DK 16 04 PK 16 06 ST 16 07 SG 16 08 SH 16 00 AW 16 00 SS 16 MSxv 01 LG 16 02 LF 16 03 LK 16 04 GK 16 06 SC 17 07 SG 17 08 SH 17 00 BP ...... 17 00 BS 17 00 FC 17 00 LB 17 00 TB 18 00 TF 18 00 WG 18 00 WS 18

ESSFmw 01 FR 18 02 LJ 18 03 DF 18 04 FH 18 05 FA 18 06 FV 18 07 FO 18 08 FG 18 00 AV 18 00 BS 18 00 DG 18 00 SS 18 00 TW 19 00 WS 19

ESSFxv1 01 AC 19 02 WJ 19 03 LC 19 04 JG 19 05 AT 19 06 FR 19 07 FV 20 08 FH 20 08 AF 20 00 AV 20 00 BP 20 00 BS 20 00 BV 20 00 DG 20 00 FC 20 00 LB 20 00 SS 20 00 TB 21 00 WG 21 00 AF 21 00 LB 21 00 TF 21 00 SS 21 00 WS 21

ESSFmwp and ESSFxvp1 00 AF 21 00 CS 21 00 DG 21 00 FB 21 00 FC 21 00 FM 21 00 HT 22 00 PC 22 00 SF 22 00 SS 22 00 TW 22

AT 00 AF 22 00 CS 22 00 FC 23 00 HT 23 00 MW 23 00 PC 23 00 SF 23 00 SM 23 00 SS 23 00 TW 23

5. GLOSSARY 24

6. REFERENCES 27

APPENDICES - A: Plant Species List

EXPANDED LEGEND ITCHA / ILGACHUZ AND CHARLOTTE ALPLANDS

1INTRODUCTION 1.1 Introduction

In the summer of 1996 and 1997 Shearwater Mapping Ltd. was contracted by the Wildlife Branch of the Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks to produce Terrestrial Ecosystem maps at a scale of 1:50 000 for the Itcha / Ilgachuz study area. Additionally a map of ecosystem units at a scale of 1:20 000 was produced for the Punkutlaenkut Creek drainage. In the summer of 1998 the project was expanded to include the Charlotte Alplands. The 1996, 1997 and 1998 study areas are depicted in Figure 1 on page 3. NTS map sheets covered included 92N 13 (n. half) and 14 (n. half), 93 C 3, 4 (e. half), 5 (portions of),6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 (east half), 13 (east half), 14, 15 and 16 (see Figure 1. Study Area).

Following the standards for Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping in British Columbia (Resources Inventory Committee 1995 for Itcha/Ilgachuz and 1998 for Charlotte Alplands) 471 plots, and 287 ground visual records were located and sampled. In addition 677 quick visual records were obtained. There are thirteen Biogeoclimatic Units in the study area, including IDFdk4, IDFdw, SBPSxc, SBPSdc, SBPSmc, SBSmc2, MSdc2, MSxv, ESSFmw, ESSFmwp, ESSFxv1, ESSFxvp1 and AT. See the Biogeoclimatic Unit section (page 7) for a detailed description of biogeoclimatic units.

1.2 Study Area

Most of the study area lies within the Western Chilcotin Upland (WCU) Ecosection with only the southwestern corner occuring in the Chilcotin Plateau (CHP) Ecosection and a small northern portion occuring in the Nazko Upland (NAU) Ecosection. Elevations range from approximately 1120m (Anahim Lake) to 2400m (Far Mountain in the Ilgachuz Range) with the entire area primarily a gently sloping plateau with the Itcha Range, Ilgachuz Range, Rainbow Range and Pacific Ranges being prominent mountainous areas. Major drainages which bissect the area include the Dean River (draining the western portion) and the Chilcotin River (draining the eastern portion). Draining into the Dean River are Holtry Creek, Nimpo Creek, Dagg Creek, Holte Creek, Lehman Creek, Corkscrew Creek, Beeftrail Creek, Festuca Creek and Obsidian Creek. Draining into the Chilcotin River are Punkutlaenkut Creek, Palmer Creek, Jorgensen Creek, Clusko Creek, and Downton Creek. The northern part of the study area is drained by the Blackwater, Kushya, Coglistiko and Baezaeko Rivers. The Hotnarko River drains east of Anahim Lake into the Atnarko River. Prominent lakes within the study area include Chilcotin, Nimpo (northern part), Anahim, Kappan, Abuntlet, Lessard, Tezla, Gatcho, Eliguk, Tsibekuz, Stuyvesant, Itcha and Narcosli. The Itcha - Ilgachuz study area is part of the Fraser Plateau which has a flat and gently rolling topography having large areas of undissected upland lying between 1200 and 1525 meters (Holland 1964). A large part of the study area is underlain by flat or gently dipping late Miocine or Pliocine olivine basalt flows. On the western edge of the study area the Rainbow Range, peaking at 2478m. at Tsitsult Peak, projects above the plateau as do the other Miocine shield volcanoes of the Ilgachuz and Itcha Ranges all composed mainly of andesite and dacite. Much of the plateau is covered with glacial drift composed of basal till modified in places by drumlins and glacial grooves interspersed by occasional areas of shallow materials overlying bedrock and exposed bedrock (Tipper 1970). The Anahim valley and Coglistiko River areas have extensive areas of ablation till, eskers and meltwater channels. Isolated areas of glaciolacustrine occur in Holtry Creek and in the Baezaeko River drainage.

Shearwater Mapping Ltd. EXPANDED LEGEND ITCHA / ILGACHUZ AND CHARLOTTE ALPLANDS

The bulk of the study area occurs as SBPSxc (SubBoreal Pine-Spruce Very Dry Cold Subzone) and MSxv (Montane Spruce Very Dry Very Cold Subzone) biogeoclimatic subzones. In the SBPSxc an intensive fire history combined with a dry, cold climate results in the development of very open forests of lodgepole pine with only occasional occurrences of hybrid white spruce (Engelmann x white) and subalpine fir. Understory vegetation of zonal sites is dominated by soopolallie, kinnikinnick, twinflower and Pleurozium schreberi. Typical surficial materials are sandy gravelly and gravelly muddy morainal blankets; characteristic soil developments are Orthic Dystric Brunisol, Orthic Gray Luvisol and Brunisolic Gray Luvisol. On sites with coarse-textured soils terrestrial lichens such as Cladonia and Cladina species often proliferate. In the MSxv, which occurs above the SBPSxc up to an elevation of about 1500m, lodgepole pine still dominates forests on mesic sites. Hybrid white spruce is occasionally present both in the tree and shrub layers. Common in the understory of zonal sites are grouseberry, crowberry, twinflower, Dicranum species and Cladonia ecmocyna. Typical surficial materials are sandy, gravelly morainal blankets, with Eluviated and Orthic Dystric Brunisol soils.

Also occuring with limited geographic range are the SBPSdc (SubBoreal Pine-Spruce Dry Cold Subzone), SBPSmc (SubBoreal Pine-Spruce Moist Cold Subzone),SBSmc2 (SubBoreal Spruce Moist Cold Subzone Babine Variant) and IDFdk4 (Interior Douglas- Fir Dry Cool Subzone Chilcotin Variant). In the Charlotte Alplands area isolated pockets of IDFdw (Interior Douglas-fir Dry Warm Subzone) and MSdc2 (Montane Spruce Dry Cold Subzone Tatlayoko Variant) occur at low elevations of valleys abutting the Pacific Ranges.

Occuring above the MSxv are the ESSFxv1 (Engelmann Spruce-Subalpine Fir Very Dry Very Cold Subzone West Chilcotin Variant) and the Alpine Tundra Zone (AT). Occurring sporadically and transitionally between ESSFxv1 and AT is a parkland unit of the ESSFxv1, (ESSFxvp1) which is characterized by the presence of stunted tree islands interspersed with dry and moist meadows. Along the western boundary of the study area the ESSFmw and ESSFmwp occur sporadically (Engelmann Spruce - Subalpine Fir Moist Warm Subzone and Engelmann Spruce - Subalpine Fir Moist Warm Parkland Subzone). Typical vegetation on mesic sites in the ESSFxv1 consists of open lodgepole pine forests, usually with a component of Engelmann spruce and subalpine fir. Common species include grouseberry, heart-leaved arnica, Dicranum species, Barbilophozia species and Cladonia ecmocyna. A diversity of non-forested ecosystems occur in the ESSFxv1 including dry and moist meadows, shrub carrs, riparian shrublands, talus slopes, rock outcrops, fens, and dry grasslands. The Alpine Tundra varies depending on the type of underlying bedrock. In the Itchas / Ilgachuz area where bedrock is predominantly basaltic mesic alpine vegetation is dominated by scrub birch or Altai fescue. In the Charlotte Alplands where bedrock types are mostly acidic the mesic vegetation is dominated by scrub birch, dwarf snow willow and sedges.

2. METHODOLOGY

A total of 471 full plots (FS882) were located and sampled, as well as 287 ground inspection records and 677 quick visual records. Plots were selected to characterize the range of ecosystems and structural stages occurring on the various surficial materials. The existing Site Series classification (Steen and Coupe 1997) was utilized, except for non-forested units which were named according to RIC standards.

ITCHA / ILGACHUZ AND CHARLOTTE ALPLANDS FIELD SAMPLE MATRIX

BIOGEO PLOTS GROUND QUICK TOTAL UNIT VISUALS VISUALS IDFdk4 4 5 2 11 IDFdw 7 5 26 38 SBPSxc 98 97 126 321 SBPSdc 4 4 7 15 SBPSmc 25 8 29 62 SBSmc2 2 2 3 7 MSdc2 3 2 7 12 MSxv 135 95 99 329 ESSFmw 0 0 0 0 ESSFmwp 0 0 0 0 ESSFxv1 67 33 184 284 ESSFxvp1 53 15 62 130 AT 73 21 132 226

TOTAL 471 287 677 1435

Note: Quick visuals include those done on ground and from helicopter

At each plot location Ecosystem Field Forms (FS882) were completed according to Luttermerding et al. (1990). For the Charlotte Alplands new standards were followed (MOF and MOELP 1998). A complete list of vascular plants was made and percent cover estimates were recorded for each species entry. Dominant mosses, lichens and liverworts were also recorded. Soils were described in terms of horizons, texture, percentage of coarse fragments and presence of roots, with classifications conforming to the Canadian System of Soil Classification (1987). Humus forms were also classified (following Klinka et al. 1981) and described. Surficial geology terminology is after Howes and Kenk (1997). Unknown or dubious plant specimens were collected and identified (by J. Penny, B.C. Conservation Data Centre(vascular plants), Trevor Goward (lichens) and Terry

McIntosh (mosses and liverworts). Nomenclature of vascular plants follows Douglas (1997); mosses after Crum et al. (1973); lichens according to Hale and Culberson (1970); and liverworts after Stotler and Crandall-Stotler (1977). Also recorded at each plot location were information on coarse woody debris (following RIC standards), wildlife species ratings (capability and suitability), scat information (primarily caribou), wildlife trees and aboreal lichen loading ratings.

For ground inspections the following parameters were recorded: surveyors, date, mapsheet, aerial photo number, elevation, slope, aspect, slope position, soil moisture regime, soil nutrient regime, soil drainage, soil texture, soil classification, terrain unit, site series, structural stage, site modifier, and Ecosection. In addition a brief summary list of plant species and wildlife ratings was recorded. Quick visual records consisted only of date, surveyors, mapsheet, terrain unit site series (observations were often made by helicopter) and biogeoclimatic subzone.

During field sampling the variation in structural stages was sampled. Structural stages sampled, and also mapped, are:

1a Non-vegetated (<5% total cover) 1b Sparsely vegetated (<10% vascular plants, up to 100% bryophytes / lichens) 2 Herb (wetlands, grasslands, tundra or recently logged) 3 Shrub / Herb (early successional stage or disclimax / communities dominated by shrubby vegetation <10m tall <20 years for normal forest succession, up to 100+ years for disclimax / climax communities) 3a Low Shrub (disclimax / climax communities dominated by shrubby vegetation <2m tall). 3b Tall Shrub (disclimax / climax communities dominated by >2m tall and <10m). 4 Pole Sapling (trees greater than 10m tall, <40 years for normal succession or up to 100 years for stagnant stands 5 Young Forest (40 to 80 years) 6 Mature Forest (80 to 140 years) 7 Old Forest (>140 years)

Note: for the Charlotte Alplands mapping structural stage 2 (for non-forested units) was often mapped as 2a (Forb-dominated) or 2b (Graminoid-dominated).

Office work consisted of data synthesis (see Volume 2 for environmental and vegetation data synthesis tables), ecosystem description and ecosystem mapping. Mapping was done on 1:60 000 (1987) black and white aerial photos. (Punkutlaenkut Creek was also mapped on 1:15 000 (1991) colour aerial photographs). Ecosystems were mapped within a bioterrain framework. Map symbols representing the site series are subdivided, based on site conditions such as depth of soil, aspect, soil texture and landform (subdivisions are represented by the addition of site modifier symbols). These site modifiers (Resources Inventory Committee 1998) which are attached to the site series symbols on the maps, are as follows: a - active floodplain

the site series occurs on an active fluvial floodplain (level or very gently sloping surface bordering a river that has been formed by river erosion and deposition), where evidence of active sedimentation and deposition is present. c - coarse-textured soil the site series occurs on soils with a coarse texture, including sand and loamy sand; and also sandy loam, loam, and sandy clay loam with greater than 70% coarse fragment volume. d - deep soil the site series occurs on soils greater than 100 cm to bedrock. f - fine-textured soil the site series occurs on soils with a fine texture including silt and silt loam with less than 20% coarse fragment volume; and clay, silty clay, silty clay loam, clay loam, sandy clay and heavy clay with less than 35% coarse fragment volume. k - cool, northerly aspect the site series occurs on gently sloping topography (less then 25% in the interior, less than 35% in the CWH, CDF, and MH zones). n - fluvial fan the site series occurs on a fluvial fan (most common), or on a colluvial fan or cone. p - peaty soil the site series occurs on deep organics or a peaty surface (15-60 cm)3 over mineral materials (e.g., on organic materials of sedge, sphagnum, or decomposed wood). r - ridged the site series occurs throughout an area of ridged terrain, or it occurs on a ridge crest. s - shallow soil the site series occurs where soils are considered to be shallow to bedrock (20-100 cm). t - fluvial terrace the site series occurs on a fluvial or glaciofluvial terrace, lacustrine terrace, or rock cut terrace. v - very shallow soil the site series occurs where soils are considered to be very shallow to bedrock (less than 20 cm). w- warm, southerly aspect the site series occurs on warm, southerly or westerly aspects (1350 - 2850), on moderately steep slopes (25%-100% slope in the interior and 35%-100% slope in the CWH, CDF and MH zones).

Definitions are from standard for Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping in British Columbia (Resources Inventory Committee 1998).

Map symbols consist of a site series, site modifier (if applicable) and structural stage. For example:

(LG)Pl - Crowberry - Feathermoss site series, (f)fine-textured (site modifier), (5)young forest (structural stage). Up to two site modifiers can be attached to a site series. Complex (2 or 3 part) map symbols are utilized where landscape, site or vegetation conditions are diverse. For example:

8 LGf5 - 2 SGp5

Eighty percent Pl - Crowberry - Feathermoss site series, fine-textured, young forest with twenty percent Sxw - Horsetail - Crowberry site series, peaty, young forest. Note that for complex map symbols deciles are placed before the site series symbols, and deciles must always total 10 (10 = 100%). A maximum of three site series are allowed for any one polygon, with a minimum of 10% for any one component.

3. ECOSECTIONS AND BIOGEOCIMATIC UNITS

The Western Chilcotin Upland (WCU) Ecosection occupies approximately 90% of the study area, while the Chilcotin Plateau (CHP) Ecosection occurs around Chilcotin Lake, and lower Chilcotin River and Palmer Creek. The Nazko Upland (NAU) Ecosection occupies a small area in the northwest corner; the Western Chilcotin Ranges (WCR) occurs in the southwest corner of the study area. Information contained in the biogeoclimatic unit descriptions is taken from Steen and Coupe (1997).

IDFdk4 - Interior Douglas-Fir Dry Cool Subzone Chilcotin Variant

The IDFdk4 occurs within the Chilcotin Plateau below approximately 1250m in the southeast corner of the study area. The typical zonal climax sites in this zone are dominated by multiaged Douglas-fir while most seral stands are dominated by lodgepole pine. Due to and extensive fire history, most stands are dominated by lodgepole pine; small stands of trembling aspen occur throughout this zone as well. The dominant understory of zonal sites include soopolallie, kinnikinnick, prickly rose, pinegrass, red- stemmed feathermoss and Peltigera species.

IDFdw - Interior Douglas - fir Dry Warm Subzone

The IDFdw occurs below 1000m in the Klinaklini River valley and the Atnarko River valley. In the Hotnarko River Valley the IDFdw extends from the valley bottom up to 1200m. Climax forests are dominated by open stands of Douglas-fir; seral stands may have a consideral component of lodgepole pine and trembling aspen. Typical understory plants on zonal sites include prickly rose, soopolallie, birch-leaved spirea, pinegrass, showy aster, kinnikinnick and wild strawberry.

SBPSxc - Sub-Boreal Pine-Spruce Very Dry Cold Subzone

The SBPSxc occurs below 1300m in the southeast and southwest portions of the study area. Fire history has resulted in extensive lodgepole pine stands with hybrid white spruce occurring in regeneration layers on gentle slopes and on moist sites with medium to fine-textured soils. Trembling aspen occurs throughout this zone in small stands or scattered amongst the lodgepole pine. On zonal sites, the low-growing understory is dominated by soopolallie, kinnikinnick, twinflower, pinegrass and Cladonia species with lesser amounts of prickly rose and common juniper and a sparse moss cover.

SBPSdc - Sub-Boreal Pine-Spruce Dry Cold Subzone

The SBPSdc occurs as two small lobes east of Mount Sheringham and around Narcosli Lake in the northeast, below 1250m. Fire history maintains lodgepole pine as the dominant overstory species with hybrid spruce rarely surpassing the understory except on moist sites. Level to gently sloping sites, sometimes have small locally occuring aspen stands while the majority have moderately open to closed canopies of lodgepole pine. Kinnikinnick, pinegrass and red-stemmed feathermoss dominate the understory with various herbs and scattered shrub species also occuring.

SBPSmc - Sub-Boreal Pine-Spruce Moist Cold Subzone

The SBPSmc occurs in the lower Dean River and Blackwater River valleys below 1250m. Zonal sites in this subzone occur on level to mid-slope positions and soil types dominated by even-aged lodgepole pine in the tree canopy. Hybrid white spruce is a commonly abundant in the regeneration layer with soopolallie, prickly rose, birch-leaved spirea and common juniper present in the shrub layer. The sparse to moderate herb layer includes bunchberry, twinflower, dwarf blueberry and kinnikinnick with Peltigera species, Cladonia species and red-stemmed feathermoss common.

SBSmc2 - Sub-Boreal Spruce Moist Cold Subzone Babine Variant

The SBSmc2 occurs as a small lobe east of Narcosli Lake between 1200 and 1350m. Loamy soils occuring on gentle to moderately steep slopes dominated by lodgepole pine are characteristic of the zonal site in this subzone. (On upper slopes a shallow soil phase (25-50cm) sometimes occurs over bedrock while all other zonal sites are in the deep soil phase). Fire history prevents the majority of the stands from reaching their climax where they would be dominated by hybrid white spruce and subalpine fir. Stands are characterized by a nearly continuous moss layer with an understory dominated by black huckleberry, green alder, bunchberry, queen's cup and twinflower.

MSdc2 - Montane Spruce Dry Cold Subzone Tatlayoko Variant

The MSdc2 has a limited occurrence in the Klinaklini and Atnarko River valleys between 1000 and 1670m. Climax forests are dominated by subalpine fir and hybrid white spruce. Douglas-fir and lodgepole pine are sometimes present in climax stands and lodgepole pine usually dominates seral stands. Typical shrubs and herbs include soopolallie, green alder, birch-leaved spirea, twinflower, one-sided wintergreen, heart- leaved arnica and bunchberry.

MSxv - Montane Spruce Very Dry Very Cold Subzone

The MSxv occurs as an extensive belt below the ESSFxv1 and above the SBPS units with an elevational range of 1250 to 1700m. The climax forest of hybrid white spruce and subalpine fir is rarely present due to slow succession and frequent fire history. Lodgepole pine usually dominates these stands with hybrid white spruce, lodgepole pine and occasional subalpine fir regenerating beneath. The understory is commonly made up of crowberry, grouseberry and twinflower with lesser amounts of heart-leaved arnica and bunchberry and a continuous layer of Dicranum species, red-stemmed feathermoss, knight's plume and Cladonia species on the forest floor. ESSFmw - Engelmann Spruce - Subalpine Fir Moist Warm Subzone

The ESSFmw is confined to a small area in the southwest corner of the study area. The presence of amabilis fir with subalpine fir is indicative of a coastal climatic influence. Common shrubs and herbs on zonal sites include white-flowered rhododendron, Sitka alder, black huckleberry, Sitka valerian, five-leaved bramble and one-sided wintergreen.

ESSFmwp - Engelmann Spruce - Subalpine Fir Parkland Moist Warm Subzone

The ESSFmwp occurs as discontinuous patches above the upper limits of the ESSFmw proper, typically becoming part of the alpine / subalpine mosaic. Elevations range from 1750 to 2100m. Parkland landscapes are typically composed of tree islands interspersed with dry grasslands and rich herbaceous meadows. Tree islands are

composed of stunted, wind-blown subalpine fir, and meadows are commonly dominated by Altai fescue, dwarf blueberry, globeflower, subalpine daisy, arrow-leaved groundsel and mountain sagewort.

ESSFxv1 Engelmann Spruce-Subalpine Fir Very Dry Very Cold Subzone West Chilcotin Variant

The ESSFxv1 occurs as a horizontal band around all mountains above the MSxv; approximate elevational range is 1650 to 1750m. The ESSFxv1 zonal site series most commonly occurs on mid slopes and on upper or lower slopes to a lesser extent. Lodgepole pine dominates the majority of stands where forest fires have occurred, with subalpine fir and Engelmann spruce dominating climax stands. Stands on zonal sites typically have a sparse shrub layer and low covers of heart-leaved arnica, heathers, grouseberry and Arctic lupine with scattered Dicranum and Cladonia species in the moss/lichen layer.

ESSFxvp1Engelmann Spruce - Subalpine Fir Parkland Very Dry Very Cold Subzone West Chilcotin Variant

The ESSFxvp1 occurs as discontinuous patches above the upper limits of the ESSFxv1 proper, typically becoming part of the alpine / subalpine mosaic. Elevations range from 1750 to 2100m. Parkland landscapes are typically composed of tree islands interspersed with dry grasslands and rich herbaceous meadows. Tree islands are composed of stunted, wind-blown subalpine fir, and meadows are commonly dominated by Altai fescue, dwarf blueberry, globeflower, subalpine daisy, arrow-leaved groundsel and mountain sagewort.

AT Alpine Tundra Zone

The Alpine Tundra Zone occurs on all mountain tops at elevations above approximately 1820m. Elevation varies depending on aspect, wind exposure and landform. Mesic alpine ecosystems (on rich bedrock types) are dominated by either scrub birch or Altai fescue, typically on subdued slopes of morainal or colluvial material. Other consistently present herbs include alpine fescue, white mountain-avens, kinnikinnick, mountain sagewort and northern goldenrod. The patchy moss layer is dominated by Flavocetraria nivalis, Stereocaulon spp., and Cetraria species. On poor bedrock types (which are prevalent in the Charlotte Alplands) typical species on mesic sites are scrub birch, dwarf snow willow, sedges, Altai fescue, ragged snow and Cladina arbuscula.

4. ECOSYSTEM UNITS

An ecosystem unit incorporates site series, site modifiers and structural stage. Site series are named according to the plant association they belong to; for forested site series usually one or two tree species and one or two of a shrub, herb, moss, lichen or liverwort; non-forested site units two or three of any of shrub, herb, moss, lichen and liverwort species. Two letter site series symbols are now standardized for all biogeoclimatic units in the province (Resource Inventory Committee 1998). A summary of all ecosystem units is provided in Table 1.

Table 1. Ecosystem Units of the Itcha / Ilgachuz Area

IDFdk4 01 LP FdPl - Pinegrass - Feathermoss, typic (gentle mesic slopes, deep, medium-textured moraine) LPf FdPl - Pinegrass - Feathermoss, fine-textured soil LPfs FdPl - Pinegrass - Feathermoss, fine-textured soil, shallow soil 04 DS Fd - Juniper - Pasture sage,typic (deep soil,medium-textured moraine,warm aspect) DScs Fd - Juniper - Pasture sage, coarse-textured and shallow soil DSv Fd - Juniper - Pasture sage, very shallow soil

05 DW Fd - Bluebunch wheatgrass - Pinegrass,typic(warm aspect, deep,medium-textured moraine) DWf Fd - Bluebunch wheatgrass - Pinegrass, fine-textured soil DWs Fd - Bluebunch wheatgrass - Pinegrass, shallow soil

07 DM Fd - Feathermoss - Stepmoss,typic (deep soil, cool aspect, medium-textured moraine) DMs Fd - Feathermoss - Stepmoss, shallow soil DMf Fd - Feathermoss - Stepmoss, fine-textured soil

08 SS Sxw - Scrub birch - Feathermoss, typic (lower moist slopes, deep, coarse-textured soil) SSf Sxw - Scrub birch - Feathermoss, fine-textured soil

00 ND Needlegrass meadow, typic(deep soil, gentle slope, medium-textured soils)

00 WM Wet meadow, typic (deep soil, gentle slope, fine-textured soils)

IDFdw 01 DP Fd - Prickly rose - Pinegrass, typic (gentle mesic slopes, deep, medium-textured moraine) DPc Fd - Prickly rose - Pinegrass, coarse-textured soil DPk Fd - Prickly rose - Pinegrass, cool aspect DPks Fd - Prickly rose - Pinegrass, cool aspect, shallow soil DPs Fd - Prickly rose - Pinegrass, shallow soil DPw Fd - Prickly rose - Pinegrass, warm aspect

00 AT Trembling aspen - Thimbleberry - Sarsaparilla, typic (deep, medium-textured soil, gentle slope) ATn Trembling aspen - Thimbleberry - Sarsaparilla, fan

00 BP FdBl - Prickly rose - Pinegrass, typic (deep, medium-textured soil, cool aspect) BPc FdBl - Prickly rose - Pinegrass, coarse-textured soil BPs FdBl - Prickly rose - Pinegrass, shallow soil

00 CR Black cottonwood - Red-osier dogwood floodplain, typic (active floodplain, coarse-textured soil, terrace)

00 DB Fd - Prickly rose - Bluebunch wheatgrass, typic (not mapped) (deep, medium-textured moraine, warm aspect) 00 DK Fd - Soopolallie - Kinnikinnick, typic (deep, medium-textured soil, warm aspect) DKc Fd - Soopolallie - Kinnikinnick, coarse-textured soil DKs Fd - Soopolallie - Kinnikinnick, shallow soil

00 DS Fd - Saskatoon - Snowberry, typic (shallow soil, warm aspect) DSk Fd - Saskatoon - Snowberry, cool aspect DSkv Fd - Saskatoon - Snowberry, cool aspect, very shallow soil DSv Fd - Saskatoon - Snowberry, very shallow soil

00 LK Pl - Kinnikinnick - Cladonia, typic (deep, coarse-textured soil, gentle slope)

00 SG Sxw - Twinberry - Gooseberry, typic (deep, moist medium-textured moraine, gentle slope) SGa Sxw - Twinberry - Gooseberry, active floodplain

00 SH Sxw - Horsetail, typic (deep wet, medium-textured soil) SHa Sxw - Horsetail, active floodplain SHc Sxw - Horsetail, coarse-textured soil SHp Sxw - Horsetail, peaty soil

00 SS Scrub birch - Sedge - Sphagnum fen, typic (peaty soil) SSa Scrub birch - Sedge - Sphagnum fen, active floodplain

00 ST Sxw - Soopolallie - Twinberry, typic (deep,fine-textured soil, moist gentle slope) STc Sxw - Soopolallie - Twinberry, coarse-textured soil STg Sxw - Soopolallie - Twinberry, gullied STgk Sxw - Soopolallie - Twinberry, gullied, cool aspect STgw Sxw - Soopolallie - Twinberry, gullied, warm aspect STk Sxw - Soopolallie - Twinberry, cool aspect STn Sxw - Soopolallie - Twinberry, fan

SBPSxc 01 LK Pl - Kinnikinnick - Feathermoss, typic (gentle mesic slopes, deep, medium-textured soil) LKc Pl - Kinnikinnick - Feathermoss, coarse-textured soil LKck Pl - Kinnikinnick - Feathermoss, coarse-textured soil, cool aspect LKf Pl - Kinnikinnick - Feathermoss, fine-textured soil LKfk Pl - Kinnikinnick - Feathermoss, fine-textured soil, cool aspect LKfs Pl - Kinnikinnick - Feathermoss, fine-textured and shallow soil LKfw Pl - Kinnikinnick - Feathermoss, fine-textured soil, warm aspect LKk Pl - Kinnikinnick - Feathermoss, cool aspect LKks Pl - Kinnikinnick - Feathermoss, cool aspect, shallow soil LKkv Pl - Kinnikinnick - Feathermoss, cool aspect, very shallow soil LKs Pl - Kinnikinnick - Feathermoss, shallow soil LKsw Pl - Kinnikinnick - Feathermoss, shallow soil, warm aspect LKw Pl - Kinnikinnick - Feathermoss, warm aspect

02 LC Pl - Kinnikinnick - Cladonia, typic (coarse-textured glaciofluvial, deep soil, gentle slope) LCk Pl - Kinnikinnick - Cladonia, cool aspect LCks Pl - Kinnikinnick - Cladonia, cool aspect, shallow soil LCkv Pl - Kinnikinnick - Cladonia, cool aspect, very shallow soil LCr Pl - Kinnikinnick - Cladonia, ridged LCs Pl - Kinnikinnick - Cladonia, shallow soil LCsw Pl - Kinnikinnick - Cladonia, shallow soil, warm aspect LCv Pl - Kinnikinnick - Cladonia, very shallow soil LCvw Pl - Kinnikinnick - Cladonia, very shallow soil, warm aspect LCw Pl - Kinnikinnick - Cladonia, warm aspect

03 SB Sxw - Scrub birch - Fenmoss, typic (moist cold air depressions, deep soil,gentle slope,medium-textured) SBc Sxw - Scrub birch - Fenmoss, coarse-textured soil SBf Sxw - Scrub birch - Fenmoss, fine-textured soil SBp Sxw - Scrub birch - Fenmoss, peaty soil

04 SF Sxw - Scrub birch - Feathermoss,typic (moist cold air depressions, deep soil, gentle slope, medium-textured) SFc Sxw - Scrub birch - Feathermoss, coarse-textured soil SFf Sxw - Scrub birch - Feathermoss, fine-textured soil SFgk Sxw - Scrub birch - Feathermoss, gullied, cool aspect SFp Sxw - Scrub birch - Feathermoss, peaty soil SFs Sxw - Scrub birch - Feathermoss, shallow soil

05 SH Sxw - Horsetail - Glow moss, typic (moist gentle slopes and depressions, medium-textured soil) SHc Sxw - Horsetail - Glow moss, coarse -textured soil SHf Sxw - Horsetail - Glow moss, fine-textured soil SHn Sxw - Horsetail - Glow moss, fan SHp Sxw - Horsetail - Glow moss, peaty soil

06 SM Sxw - Horsetail - Meadowrue, typic (deep, medium-textured soil, depressions and gentle slopes) SMa Sxw - Horsetail - Meadowrue, active floodplain SMc Sxw - Horsetail - Meadowrue, coarse-textured fluvial terrace SMn Sxw - Horsetail - Meadowrue, fan SMp Sxw - Horsetail - Meadowrue, peaty soil

00 BS Sedge - Bluejoint fen, typic (peaty) BSc Sedge - Bluejoint fen, coarse-textured soil BSf Sedge - Bluejoint fen, fine-textured soil

00 TS Timber oatgrass - Sedge dry meadow, typic (level deep, medium-textured moraine) TSf Timber oatgrass - Sedge dry meadow, fine-textured soil TSp Timber oatgrass - Sedge dry meadow, peaty soil

00 WB Willow - Scrub birch shrub carr, typic (deep, medium-textured soil, gentle slope) WBc Willow - Scrub birch shrub carr, coarse-textured soil WBf Willow - Scrub birch shrub carr, fine-textured soil WBp Willow - Scrub birch shrub carr, peaty soil

00 WT Willow - Sedge fen, typic (organic over floodplain) WTa Willow - Sedge fen, active floodplain

SBPSdc 01 LJ Pl - Juniper - Feathermoss, typic (deep soil, gentle slope, medium-textured moraine) LJf Pl - Juniper - Feathermoss, fine-textured soil LJk Pl - Juniper - Feathermoss, cool aspect LJks Pl - Juniper - Feathermoss, cool aspect,shallow soil LJs Pl - Juniper - Feathermoss, shallow soil LJw Pl - Juniper - Feathermoss, warm aspect

02 LC Pl - Kinnikinnick - Cladonia, typic (coarse-textured, deep soils on upper slopes) LCk Pl - Kinnikinnick - Cladonia, cool aspect LCr Pl - Kinnikinnick - Cladonia, ridged LCs Pl - Kinnikinnick - Cladonia, shallow soil LCsw Pl - Kinnikinnick - Cladonia, shallow soil, warm aspect LCvw Pl - Kinnikinnick - Cladonia, very shallow soil, warm aspect LCw Pl - Kinnikinnick - Cladonia, warm aspect

03 LFc Pl - Kinnikinnick - Feathermoss, typic (coarse-textured)(not mapped)

04 BF PlSb - Feathermoss, typic (deep soil, gentle slope, medium-textured moraine)

05 SB Sxw - Scrub birch - Feathermoss, typic (deep soil, gentle slope,medium-textured moraine) SBf Sxw - Scrub birch - Feathermoss, fine-textured soil

06 SMa Sxw - Horsetail - Meadowrue, active floodplain (deep, gentle slope, medium-textured fluvial) SMc Sxw - Horsetail - Meadowrue, typic

07 BB Sb - Scrub birch - Sedge, typic (forested bog, peaty)

00 BS Sedge - Bluejoint fen, typic (peaty)

SBPSmc 01 LF Pl - Feathermoss - Cladonia, typic (gentle mesic slopes, deep, medium-textured moraine) LFk Pl - Feathermoss - Cladonia, cool aspect LFks Pl - Feathermoss - Cladonia, cool aspect, shallow soil LFs Pl - Feathermoss - Cladonia, shallow soil LFw Pl - Feathermoss - Cladonia, warm aspect

02 LC Pl - Kinnikinnick - Cladonia, typic (deep coarse-textured glaciofluvial, gentle slope) LCk Pl - Kinnikinnick - Cladonia, cool aspect LCkv Pl - Kinnikinnick - Cladonia, cool aspect, very shallow soil LCr Pl - Kinnikinnick - Cladonia, ridged LCrv Pl - Kinnikinnick - Cladonia, ridged, very shallow soil LCs Pl - Kinnikinnick - Cladonia, shallow soil LCsw Pl - Kinnikinnick - Cladonia, shallow soil, warm aspect LCvw Pl - Kinnikinnick - Cladonia, very shallow soil, warm aspect LCw Pl - Kinnikinnick - Cladonia, warm aspect

03 BF SbPl - Feathermoss, typic (gentle slope, deep soil, medium-textured moraine) BFk SbPl - Feathermoss, cool aspect

04 SB Sxw - Scrub birch - feathermoss, typic (flat, deep soil,medium-textured moraine)

05 SO Sxw - Horsetail, typic (riparian forests and receiving, gentle slopes, deep soils, medium-textured moraine) SOa Sxw - Horsetail, active floodplain SOn Sxw - Horsetail, fan

06 SH Sxw - Horsetail - Glow moss, typic (wet toe slopes and depressions, deep soil, medium-textured moraine) SHa Sxw - Horsetail - Glow moss, active floodplain SHc Sxw - Horsetail - Glow moss, coarse-textured soil

07 BB Sb - Scrub birch - Sedge, typic (peaty)

00 WB Willow - Scrub birch shrub carr, typic (gentle slope, deep medium-textured moraine) WBf Willow - Scrub birch shrub carr, fine-textured soil WBn Willow - Scrub birch shrub carr, fan WBp Willow - Scrub birch shrub carr, peaty soil

SBSmc2 01 SB Sxw - Huckleberry, typic (mesic medium-textured moraine, deep soil, gentle slope) SBk Sxw - Huckleberry, cool aspect SBks Sxw - Huckleberry, cool aspect, shallow soil SBsw Sxw - Huckleberry, shallow soil, warm aspect SBw Sxw - Huckleberry, warm aspect

02 PH Pl - Huckleberry - Cladonia, typic (gentle sloping coarse-textured glaciofluvial terrace, deep soil) PHsw Pl - Huckleberry - Cladonia, shallow soil, warm aspect PHw Pl - Huckleberry - Cladonia, warm aspect

04 HB Sxw - Huckleberry - Dwarf blueberry, typic (moist medium-textured morainal, deep soil, gentle slope)

HBks Sxw - Huckleberry - Dwarf blueberry, cool aspect, shallow soil

08 ST Sxw - Twinberry - Oak fern, typic (deep soil, gentle receiving slope, medium-textured)

11 HG Sxw - Horsetail - Glow moss, typic (gentle slope and depression, deep, medium-textured moraine) HGf Sxw - Horsetail - Glow moss, fine-textured soil HGp Sxw - Horsetail - Glow moss, peaty soil

MSdc2 01 SF Sxw - Wintergreen - Feathermoss, typic (deep, medium-textured moraine, gentle slope) SFk Sxw - Wintergreen - Feathermoss, cool aspect SFks Sxw - Wintergreen - Feathermoss, cool aspect, shallow soil SFw Sxw - Wintergreen - Feathermoss, warm aspect

02 DS FdBl - Spirea - Stonecrop, typic (shallow soil, ridgetops) DSk FdBl - Spirea - Stonecrop, cool aspect DSkv FdBl - Spirea - Stonecrop, cool aspect, very shallow soil DSvw FdBl - Spirea - Stonecrop, very shallow soil, warm aspect DSw FdBl - Spirea - Stonecrop, warm aspect

03 DK FdBl - Soopolallie - Kinnikinnick, typic (deep medium-textured soil, warm aspect) DKc FdBl - Soopolallie - Kinnikinnick, coarse-textured soil DKkv FdBl - Soopolallie - Kinnikinnick, cool aspect, very shallow soil DKs FdBl - Soopolallie - Kinnikinnick, shallow soil

04 PK PlBl - Soopolallie - Kinnikinnick, typic (deep, coarse-textured soil, gentle slope)

06 ST Sxw - Twinberry - Reedgrass, typic (deep, fine-textured soil, moist lower slopes and flats) STg Sxw - Twinberry - Reedgrass, gullied

07 SG Sxw - Gooseberry, typic (deep, fine-textured soil, gentle slopes with seepage) SGa Sxw - Gooseberry, active floodplain SGg Sxw - Gooseberry, gullied SGgk Sxw - Gooseberry, gulled, cool aspect SGgw Sxw - Gooseberry, gullied, warm aspect SGk Sxw - Gooseberry, cool aspect SGn Sxw - Gooseberry, fan SGw Sxw - Gooseberry, warm aspect

08 SH Sxw - Horsetail, typic (deep, fine-textured soil with near-surface water tables) SHa Sxw - Horsetail, active floodplain

00 AW Sitka alder - Willow - avalanche tract, typic (deep, medium-textured soil) AWk Sitka alder - Willow - avalanche tract, cool aspect

00 SS Scrub birch - Sedge fen, typic (peaty soil)

MSxv 01 LG Pl - Crowberry - Feathermoss, typic (deep soil, gentle slope, medium-textured moraine) LGc Pl - Crowberry - Feathermoss, coarse-textured LGck Pl - Crowberry - Feathermoss, coarse-textured soil, cool aspect LGf Pl - Crowberry - Feathermoss, fine-textured soil LGfk Pl - Crowberry - Feathermoss, fine-textured soil, cool aspect LGfs Pl - Crowberry - Feathermoss, fine-textured and shallow soil LGfw Pl - Crowberry - Feathermoss, fine-textured soil, warm aspect LGk Pl - Crowberry - Feathermoss, cool aspect LGks Pl - Crowberry - Feathermoss, cool aspect, shallow soil LGkv Pl - Crowberry - Feathermoss, cool aspect, very shallow soil LGs Pl - Crowberry - Feathermoss, shallow soil

LGw Pl - Crowberry - Feathermoss, warm aspect

02 LF Pl - Fescue - Stereocaulon, typic (deep, coarse-textured glaciofluvial soil, gentle slope) LFs Pl - Fescue - Stereocaulon, shallow soil

03 LK Pl - Kinnikinnick - Cladonia, typic (shallow soil, ridgetop, gentle slope, medium-textured soil) LKc Pl - Kinnikinnick - Cladonia, coarse-textured soil LKk Pl - Kinnikinnick - Cladonia, cool aspect LKkv Pl - Kinnikinnick - Cladonia, cool aspect, very shallow soil LKv Pl - Kinnikinnick - Cladonia, very shallow soil LKvw Pl - Kinnikinnick - Cladonia, very shallow soil, warm aspect LKw Pl - Kinnikinnick - Cladonia, warm aspect

04 GK Pl - Grouseberry - Kinnikinnick, typic (deep, medium-textured soil, gentle slope) GKc Pl - Grouseberry - Kinnikinnick, coarse-textured glaciofluvial GKk Pl - Grouseberry - Kinnikinnick, cool aspect GKks Pl - Grouseberry - Kinnikinnick, cool aspect, shallow soil GKkv Pl - Grouseberry - Kinnikinnick, cool aspect, very shallow soil GKr Pl - Grouseberry - Kinnikinnick, ridged GKs Pl - Grouseberry - Kinnikinnick, shallow soil GKsw Pl - Grouseberry - Kinnikinnick, shallow soil, warm aspect GKv Pl - Grouseberry - Kinnikinnick, very shallow soil GKvw Pl - Grouseberry - Kinnikinnick, very shallow soil, warm aspect GKw Pl - Grouseberry - Kinnikinnick, warm aspect

06 SC Sxw - Crowberry - Knight's plume, typic (deep soil, level to gentle slope, medium-textured moraine wit intermittent seepage) SCc Sxw - Crowberry - Knight's plume, coarse-textured soil SCf Sxw - Crowberry - Knight's plume, fine-textured soil SCfk Sxw - Crowberry - Knight's plume, fine-textured soil, cool aspect SCfs Sxw - Crowberry - Knight's plume, fine-textured soil, shallow soil SCk Sxw - Crowberry - Knight's plume, cool aspect SCp Sxw - Crowberry - Knight's plume, peaty soil SCs Sxw - Crowberry - Knight's plume, shallow soil

07 SG Sxw - Crowberry - Glow moss, typic (deep soil, gentle slope with seepage, medium-textured moraine adjacent to wetlands) SGc Sxw - Crowberry - Glow moss, coarse-textured soil SGf Sxw - Crowberry - Glow moss, fine-textured soil SGp Sxw - Crowberry - Glow moss, peaty soil

08 SH Sxw - Horsetail - Crowberry, typic (toe slopes, deep medium-textured soil, with near surface water table) SHa Sxw - Horsetail - Crowberry, active floodplain SHc Sxw - Horsetail - Crowberry, coarse-textured soil SHf Sxw - Horsetail - Crowberry, fine-textured soil SHn Sxw - Horsetail - Crowberry, fan SHp Sxw - Horsetail - Crowberry, peaty

00 BP Scrub birch - Small-flowered penstemon shrub carr,typic (deep coarse-textured soil, level to gently sloping cold air basins)

00 BS Sedge - Bluejoint fen, typic (peaty soil) BSc Sedge - Bluejoint fen, coarse-textured soil BSf Sedge - Bluejoint fen, fine-textured soil

00 FC Altai fescue - Cladonia dry grassland,typic (deep coarse-textured glaciofluvial soil, in cold-air basins)

00 LB Pl - Scrub birch - Altai fescue, typic (deep soil, gentle slope, medium-textured moraine) LBc Pl - Scrub birch - Altai fescue, coarse-textured soil

00 TB Timber oatgrass - Sedge - Herb wet meadow, typic (coarse glaciofluvial, deep soil, gentle slopes) TBf Timber oatgrass - Sedge - Herb wet meadow, fine-textured soil TBp Timber oatgrass - Sedge - Herb wet meadow, peaty soil

00 TF Timber oatgrass - Altai fescue cold dry meadow, typic (gentle slope, deep, medium-textured moraine, cold-air basins) TFc Timber oatgrass - Altai fescue cold dry meadow, coarse-textured soil

00 WG Willow - Glow moss shrublands,typic (active fluvial, coarse-textured soils, level)

00 WS Willow - Scrub birch - Sedge fen, typic (organic over floodplain) WSa Willow - Scrub birch - Sedge fen, active floodplain

ESSFmw 01 FR BlBa - Rhododendron, typic (deep, medium-textured soil, gentle slope) FRc BlBa - Rhododendron, coarse-textured soil FRk BlBa - Rhododendron, cool aspect FRks BlBa - Rhododendron, cool aspect, shallow soil FRsw BlBa - Rhododendron, shallow soil, warm aspect FRw BlBa - Rhododendron, warm aspect

02 LJ BlPl - Juniper - Racomitrium, typic (gentle slope, ridgetop, shallow soil) LJv BlPl - Juniper - Racomitrium, very shallow soil LJvw BlPl - Juniper - Racomitrium, very shallow soil, warm aspect LJw BlPl - Juniper - Racomitrium, warm aspect

03 DF Fd - Falsebox - Pinegrass, typic (deep, medium-textured soil, gentle upper slope) DFkv Fd - Falsebox - Pinegrass, cool aspect, very shallow soil DFsw Fd - Falsebox - Pinegrass, shallow soil, warm aspect DFvw Fd - Falsebox - Pinegrass, very shallow soil, warm aspect

04 FH Bl - Huckleberry - Falsebox, typic (deep, medium-textured soil, gentle upper slopes) FHc Bl - Huckleberry - Falsebox, coarse-textured soil FHcw Bl - Huckleberry - Falsebox, coarse-textured soil, warm aspect FHks Bl - Huckleberry - Falsebox, cool aspect, shallow soil FHsw Bl - Huckleberry - Falsebox, shallow soil, warm aspect FHw Bl - Huckleberry - warm aspect

05 FA BlBa - Azalea - Pipecleaner moss, typic (deep, medium-textured soil, lower receiving gentle slopes)

06 FV Bl - Gooseberry - Valerian, typic (deep, medium-textured soil, lower receiving gentle slopes) FVc Bl - Gooseberry - Valerian, coarse-textured soil FVgw Bl - Gooseberry - Valerian, gullied, warm aspect

07 FO BlBa - Oak fern - Lady fern, typic (deep, medium-textured soil, lower receiving gentle slopes) FOa BlBa - Oak fern - Lady fern, active floodplain FOn BlBa - Oak fern - Lady fern, fan

08 FG Bl - Gooseberry - Horsetail, typic (treed swamp, deep, medium-textured, poorly drained soil) FGn Bl - Gooseberry - Horsetail, fan

00 AV Sitka alder - Willow - Sitka valerian avalanche tract, typic (deep, medium-textured soil) AVk Sitka alder - Willow - Sitka valerian avalanche tract, cool aspect AVks Sitka alder - Willow - Sitka valerian avalanche tract, cool aspect, shallow soil AVsw Sitka alder - Willow - Sitka valerian avalanche tract, shallow soil, warm aspect AVw Sitka alder - Willow - Sitka valerian avalanche tract, warm aspect

00 BS Sedge - Bluejoint fen, typic (peaty soil)

00 DG Subalpine daisy - Arrow-leaved groundsel wet meadow,typic (deep, medium-textured soil, gentle slope) DGp Subalpine daisy - Arrow-leaved groundsel wet meadow, peaty soil DGw Subalpine daisy - Arrow-leaved groundsel wet meadow, warm aspect

00 SS Scrub birch - Ragged snow shrub steppe, typic (deep, medium-textured soil, gentle slope) SSks Scrub birch - Ragged snow shrub steppe, cool aspect, shallow soil

00 TW Two-toned sedge - Dwarf snow willow tundra, typic (deep, medium-textured soil, gentle slope)

00 WS Willow - Scrub birch - Sedge fen, typic (peaty soil) WSa Willow - Scrub birch - Sedge fen, active floodplain WSn Willow - Scrub birch - Sedge fen, fan

ESSFxv1 01 AC Bl - Arnica - Cladonia, typic (deep soil, gentle slope, medium-textured moraine) ACc Bl - Arnica - Cladonia, coarse-textured soil ACcs Bl - Arnica - Cladonia, coarse-textured, shallow soil ACk Bl - Arnica - Cladonia, cool aspect ACks Bl - Arnica - Cladonia, cool aspect, shallow soil ACs Bl - Arnica - Cladonia, shallow soil ACsw Bl - Arnica - Cladonia, shallow soil, warm aspect ACw Bl - Arnica - Cladonia, warm aspect

02 WJ BlPa - Juniper - Cladonia, typic (shallow soil, gently sloping ridgetops) WJd BlPa - Juniper - Cladonia, deep soil WJdk BlPa - Juniper - Cladonia, deep soil, cool aspect WJdw BlPa - Juniper - Cladonia, deep soil, warm aspect WJk BlPa - Juniper - Cladonia, cool aspect WJkv BlPa - Juniper - Cladonia, cool aspect, very shallow soil WJv BlPa - Juniper - Cladonia, very shallow soil WJvw BlPa - Juniper - Cladonia, very shallow soil, warm aspect WJw BlPa - Juniper - Cladonia, warm aspect

03 LC Pl - Cladonia - Stereocaulon, typic (coarse-textured glaciofluvial, deep soil, gentle slope) LCk Pl - Cladonia - Stereocaulon, cool aspect LCks Pl - Cladonia - Stereocaulon, cool aspect, shallow soil LCkv Pl - Cladonia - Stereocaulon, cool aspect, very shallow soil LCr Pl - Cladonia - Stereocaulon, ridged LCs Pl - Cladonia - Stereocaulon, shallow soil LCsw Pl - Cladonia - Stereocaulon, shallow soil, warm aspect LCv Pl - Cladonia - Stereocaulon, very shallow soil LCvw Pl - Cladonia - Stereocaulon, very shallow soil, warm aspect LCw Pl - Cladonia - Stereocaulon, warm aspect

04 JG BlPa - Juniper - Grouseberry, typic (coarse-textured, deep soil, warm aspect) JGm BlPa - Juniper - Grouseberry, medium-textured soil JGms BlPa - Juniper - Grouseberry, medium-textured soil, shallow soil JGs BlPa - Juniper - Grouseberry, shallow soil JGv BlPa - Juniper - Grouseberry, very shallow soil

05 AT BlPa - Arnica - Twinflower, typic (coarse-textured, deep soil, cool aspect) ATs BlPa - Arnica - Twinflower, shallow soil ATv BlPa - Arnica - Twinflower, very shallow soil

06 FR Bl - Rhododendron - Crowberry, typic (coarse-textured, deep soil, gentle slopes with intermittent seepage) FRk Bl - Rhododendron - Crowberry, cool aspect

FRks Bl - Rhododendron - Crowberry, cool aspect, shallow soil FRs Bl - Rhododendron - Crowberry, shallow soil

07 FV Bl - Valerian - Arnica, typic (moisture-receiving lower gentle slopes, deep medium-textured moraine) FVc Bl - Valerian - Arnica, coarse-textured soil FVg Bl - Valerian - Arnica, gullied FVgk Bl - Valerian - Arnica, gulled, cool aspect FVgw Bl - Valerian - Arnica, gulled, warm aspect FVk Bl - Valerian - Arnica, cool aspect FVp Bl - Valerian - Arnica, peaty soil FVs Bl - Valerian - Arnica, shallow soil FVw Bl - Valerian - Arnica, warm aspect

08 FH Bl - Horsetail - Glow moss, typic (cold, moist valley floor, medium-textured, deep level to gently sloping moraine) FHa Bl - Horsetail - Glow moss, active floodplain FHc Bl - Horsetail - Glow moss, coarse-textured soil FHks Bl - Horsetail - Glow moss, cool aspect, shallow soil FHn Bl - Horsetail - Glow moss, fan FHp Bl - Horsetail - Glow moss, peaty soil FHw Bl - Horsetail - Glow moss, warm aspect

00 AF White mountain-avens - Altai fescue tundra, typic (shallow soils and gentle slopes) AFw White mountain-avens - Altai fescue tundra, warm aspect

00 AV Sitka alder - Willow - Sitka valerian avalanche, typic (deep, medium-textured soil) AVk Sitka alder - Willow - Sitka valerian avalanche, cool aspect AVks Sitka alder - Willow - Sitka valerian avalanche, cool aspect, shallow soil AVsw Sitka alder - Willow - Sitka valerian avalanche, shallow soil, warm aspect AVw Sitka alder - Willow - Sitka valerian avalanche, warm aspect

00 BP Scrub birch - Small-flowered penstemon shrub carr, typic (deep soil, gentle slopes in cold air basins, medium-textured moraine)

00 BS Sedge - Bluejoint fen, typic (peaty) BScSedge - Bluejoint fen, coarse-textured soil

00 BV Bluejoint - Sitka valerian avalanche tract, typic (deep, peaty soil) Note: This unit was not mapped.

00 DG Subalpine daisy - Arrow-leaved groundsel wet meadow, typic (deep moist soil, gentle slope, medium-textured moraine and fluvial) DGc Subalpine daisy - Arrow-leaved groundsel wet meadow, coarse-textured soil DGk Subalpine daisy - Arrow-leaved groundsel wet meadow, cool aspect DGp Subalpine daisy - Arrow-leaved groundsel wet meadow, peaty soil DGs Subalpine daisy - Arrow-leaved groundsel wet meadow, shallow soil

00 FC Altai fescue - Cladonia dry grassland, typic (deep, coarse-textured soil, gentle slope in cold-air basins) FCsw Altai fescue - Cladonia dry grassland, shallow soil, warm aspect FCv Altai fescue - Cladonia dry grassland, very shallow soil

00 LB Pl - Scrub birch - Altai fescue, typic (deep soil, gentle slope, medium-textured moraine adjacent to shrub carrs and meadows)

00 SS Scrub birch - Ragged snow, shrub steppe, typic (deep, medium-textured soil, gentle slope) SSk Scrub birch - Ragged snow, shrub steppe, cool aspect SSks Scrub birch - Ragged snow, shrub steppe, cool aspect, shallow soil SSsw Scrub birch - Ragged snow, shrub steppe, shallow soil, warm aspect

00 TB Timber oatgrass - Sedge - Herb wet meadow, typic (deep, coarse-textured soil, gentle slopes in moist cold air basins) TBp Timber oatgrass - Sedge - Herb wet meadow, peaty soil

00 TF Timber oatgrass - Altai fescue cold dry meadow, typic ( deep soil, gentle slope, medium-textured moraine cold-air basins) TFc Timber oatgrass - Altai fescue cold dry meadow, coarse-textured soil

00 WG Willow - Glow moss shrublands, typic (active floodplain) WGn Willow - Glow moss shrublands, fan

00 WS Willow - Scrub birch - Sedge fen, typic (peaty) WSa Willow - Scrub birch - Sedge fen, active floodplain

ESSFmwp and ESSFxvp1

00 AF * White mountain-avens - Altai fescue tundra, typic (deep, medium - textured soil, gentle slope) AFk White mountain-avens - Altai fescue tundra, cool aspect AFks White mountain-avens - Altai fescue tundra, cool aspect, shallow soil AFkv * White mountain-avens - Altai fescue tundra, cool aspect, very shallow soil AFs White mountain-avens - Altai fescue tundra, shallow soil AFsw White mountain-avens - Altai fescue tundra, shallow soil, warm aspect AFv * White mountain-avens - Altai fescue tundra, very shallow soil AFvw White mountain-avens - Altai fescue tundra, very shallow soil, warm aspect AFw White mountain-avens - Altai fescue tundra, warm aspect

00 CS Cottongrass - Sedge - Sphagnum fen, typic (peaty soil) CSa Cottongrass - Sedge - Sphagnum fen, active floodplain CSn Cottongrass - Sedge - Sphagnum fen, fan

00 DG * Subalpine daisy - Arrow-leaved groundsel wet meadow, typic (deep, medium-textured soil, moist gentle slope) DGk Subalpine daisy - Arrow-leaved groundsel wet meadow, cool aspect DGkp Subalpine daisy - Arrow-leaved groundsel wet meadow, cool aspect, peaty soil DGp Subalpine daisy - Arrow-leaved groundsel wet meadow, peaty soil DGs Subalpine daisy - Arrow-leaved groundsel wet meadow, shallow soil DGw Subalpine daisy - Arrow-leaved groundsel wet meadow, warm aspect

00 FB * Bl - Dwarf blueberry - Dicranum parkland, typic (deep, medium-textured soil, gentle slope) FBc Bl - Dwarf blueberry - Dicranum parkland, coarse-textured soil FBk Bl - Dwarf blueberry - Dicranum parkland, cool aspect FBks* Bl - Dwarf blueberry - Dicranum parkland, cool aspect, shallow soil FBkv Bl - Dwarf blueberry - Dicranum parkland, cool aspect, very shallow soil FBs * Bl - Dwarf blueberry - Dicranum parkland, shallow soil FBsw * Bl - Dwarf blueberry - Dicranum parkland, shallow soil, warm aspect FBvw Bl - Dwarf blueberry - Dicranum parkland, very shallow soil, warm aspect FBw Bl - Dwarf blueberry - Dicranum parkland, warm aspect

Note - * indicates units occurring in both ESSFmwp and ESSFxvp1; all others occur only in the

ESSFxvp1 00 FC Altai fescue - Cladonia grassland, typic (deep, medium-textured soil, gentle slope, rich bedrock types) FCc Altai fescue - Cladonia grassland, coarse-textured soil FCks Altai fescue - Cladonia grassland, cool aspect, shallow soil FCs Altai fescue - Cladonia grassland, shallow soil FCsw Altai fescue - Cladonia grassland, shallow soil, warm aspect FCw Altai fescue - Cladonia grassland, warm aspect

00 FM * Bl - Heather parkland, typic (deep, medium-textured soil, gentle slope)

FMk * Bl - Heather parkalnd, cool aspect FMks Bl - Heather parkland, cool aspect, shallow soil FMs Bl - Heather parkland, shallow soil FMsw Bl - Heather parkland, shallow soil, warm aspect FMw* Bl - Heather parkland, warm aspect

00 HT * Heather - Mountain sagewort tundra, typic (deep, medium-textured soil, gentle slope) HTk * Heather - Mountain sagewort tunda, cool aspect HTks Heather - Mountain sagewort tundra, cool aspect, shallow soil HTs Heather - Mountain sagewort tundra, shallow soil HTsw Heather - Mountain sagewort tundra, shallow soil, warm aspect HTw Heather - Mountain sagewort tundra, warm aspect

00 PC Pa - Crowberry krummholz, typic (gentle slope, shallow soil) PCk Pa - Crowberry krummholz, cool aspect PCw Pa - Crowberry krummholz, warm aspect

00 SF Scrub birch - Altai fescue shrub steppe, typic (deep, medium-textured soil, gentle slope, rich bedrock types) SFk Scrub birch - Altai fescue shrub steppe, cool aspect SFks Scrub birch - Altai fescue shrub steppe, cool aspect, shallow soil SFs Scrub birch - Altai fescue shrub steppe, shallow soil SFsw Scrub birch - Altai fescue shrub steppe, shallow soil, warm aspect SFw Scrub birch - Altai fescue shrub steppe, warm aspect

00 SS * Scrub birch - Ragged snow shrub steppe, typic (deep, medium-textured soil, gentle slope, poor bedrock types) SSk * Scrub birch - Ragged snow shrub steppe, cool aspect SSks * Scrub birch - Ragged snow shrub steppe, cool aspect, shallow soil SSs Scrub birch - Ragged snow shrub steppe, shallow soil SSsw Scrub birch - Ragged snow shrub steppe, shallow soil, warm aspect SSw Scrub birch - Ragged snow shrub steppe, warm aspect

00 TW * Two-toned sedge - Dwarf snow willow tundra, typic (deep, medium-textured soil, gentle slope, poor bedrock types) TWk * Two-toned sedge - Dwarf snow willow tundra, cool aspect TWks* Two-toned sedge - Dwarf snow willow tundra, cool aspect, shallow soil TWs * Two-toned sedge - Dwarf snow willow tundra, shallow soil TWsw Two-toned sedge - Dwarf snow willow tundra, shallow soil, warm aspect TWw Two-toned sedge - Dwarf snow willow, tundra, warm aspect

AT 00 AF White mountain-avens - Altai fescue tundra, typic (shallow soil, gentle slope) AFd White mountain-avens - Altai fescue tundra, deep soil AFdk White mountain-avens - Altai fescue tundra, deep soil, cool aspect AFk White mountain-avens - Altai fescue tundra, cool aspect AFkv White mountain-avens - Altai fescue tundra, cool aspect, very shallow soil AFv White mountain-avens - Altai fescue tundra, very shallow soil AFvw White mountain-avens - Altai fescue tundra, very shallow soil, warm aspect AFw White mountain-avens - Altai fescue tundra, warm aspect

00 CS Cottongrass - Sedge - Sphagnum, typic (peaty soil) CSn Cottongrass - Sedge - Sphagnum, fan

00 FC Altai fescue-Cladonia grassland, typic (deep soil, medium-textured soil, gentle slope, rich bedrock types) FCk Altai fescue-Cladonia grassland, cool aspect FCks Altai fescue-Cladonia grassland, cool aspect, shallow soil FCkv Altai fescue-Cladonia grassland, cool aspect, very shallow soil FCs Altai fescue-Cladonia grassland, shallow soil FCsw Altai fescue-Cladonia grassland, shallow soil, warm aspect FCw Altai fescue-Cladonia grassland, warm aspect

00 HT Heather - Mountain sagewort tundra, typic (deep, medium-textured soil, gentle slope, poor bedrock types) HTk Heather - Mountain sagewort tundra, cool aspect HTks Heather - Mountain sagewort tundra, cool aspect, shallow soil HTs Heather - Mountain sagewort tundra, shallow soil HTsw Heather - Mountain sagewort tundra, shallow soil, warm aspect HTw Heather - Mountain sagewort tundra, warm aspect

00 MW Moss campion-Spiked wood-rush tundra, typic (shallow soils, gentle slope) (Note: MW is mapped as part of AF unit)

00 PC Pa - Crowberry krummholz, typic (shallow soil, gentle slope) PCk Pa - Crowberry krummholz, cool aspect PCw Pa - Crowberry krummholz, warm aspect

00 SF Scrub birch - Altai fescue shrub steppe, typic (deep, medium-textured soil, gentle slope, rich bedrock types) SFk Scrub birch - Altai fescue shrub steppe, cool aspect SFks Scrub birch - Altai fescue shrub steppe, cool aspect, shallow soil SFkv Scrub birch - Altai fescue shrub steppe, cool aspect, very shallow soil SFs Scrub birch - Altai fescue shrub steppe, shallow soil SFsw Scrub birch - Altai fescue shrub steppe, shallow soil, warm aspect SFw Scrub birch - Altai fescue shrub steppe, warm aspect

00 SM Sedge - Mountain sagewort wet meadow, typic (deep moist, medium-textured soil, gentle slope)

00 SS Scrub birch - Ragged snow, shrub steppe, typic (deep, medium-textured soil, gentle slope, poor bedrock types) SSk Scrub birch - Ragged snow, shrub steppe, cool aspect SSks Scrub birch - Ragged snow, shrub steppe, cool aspect, shallow soil SSkv Scrub birch - Ragged snow, shrub steppe, cool aspect, very shallow soil SSs Scrub birch - Ragged snow, shrub steppe, shallow soil SSsw Scrub birch - Ragged snow, shrub steppe, shallow soil, warm aspect SSw Scrub birch - Ragged snow shrub steppe, warm aspect

00 TW Two-toned sedge - Dwarf snow willow tundra, typic (deep, medium-textured soil, gentle slope, poor bedrock types) TWk Two-toned sedge - Dwarf snow willow tundra, cool aspect TWks Two-toned sedge - Dwarf snow willow tundra, cool aspect, shallow soil TWs Two-toned sedge - Dwarf snow willow tundra, shallow soil TWsw Two-toned sedge - Dwarf snow willow tundra, shallow soil, warm aspect TWw Two-toned sedge - Dwarf snow willow tundra, warm aspect

Each ecosystem is described in terms of dominant and associated plant species for each vegetation layer (trees, shrubs, herbs and mosses / lichens / liverworts). Dominant species have a frequency of 75% or greater, combined with a mean cover of at least 5%. Associated species have a frequency of less than 75% (with any mean cover value) or frequency of 75% or greater combined with mean cover of less than 5%. Frequency is the number of plots (within the sample group) that a species occurs in, expressed as a percentage. Mean cover is the mean of all percent cover ratings for specific plants within an ecosystem unit.

For site series with less than 3 samples, information provided in the field guide (Steen and Coupe 1997) is used to derive descriptions of site conditions and vegetation.

A number of anthropogenic and sparsely vegetated units were mapped:

BF,BFk,BFs,BFw Blockfield Angular blocks of rock derived from underlying bedrock or drift. CF Cultivated field Area subject to human agricultural processes. ES,ESw Exposed soil Any area of exposed soil that is not included in any of the other definitions GB Gravel bar Un-vegetated wave and current formed bar in larger rivers. GL Glacier A mass of perennial ice and snow with definite lateral limits. LA Lake Water body >2m deep and >50ha in area. OW Open water Wetland of standing water <2m deep. PD Pond A small body of water >2m deep, but less then 50ha. RI River Watercourse formed when water flows between continuous,

definable banks. RO,ROk,ROw Rock outcrop Gentle to steep, bedrock escarpment or outcropping. RR Rural Any area in which residences and other human developments are scattered and intermingled with forest, range, farmland and native vegetation or cultivated crops TA,TAk,TAw Talus slope Angular rock fragments of any size accumulated at the foot of steep rock slopes as a result of successive rock falls. UR Urban An area in which residences and other human developments form an almost continual covering of the landscape.

No detailed descriptions are provided for these units (except for CF in SBPSxc, TA in ESSFxv1, RO in MSxv, and BF in AT).

For site descriptions, surficial material, soil development and humus forms are listed in order of frequency of occurrence. See Glossary for definition of technical terms. Arboreal lichen ratings (ALR) are provided for all forested site series. Where data was available the ratings are linked to specific structural stages, otherwise a general rating is given to the entire site series.

5. GLOSSARY (Footnotes denote sources) bog1 Nutrient - poor peatlands (pH <4.5) characterized by plant communities with a large component of ericaceous shrubs and Sphagnum mosses. blanket2 A mantle of unconsolidated materials thick enough to mask minor irregularities of the surface, but still conforming to underlying topography; greater than 1 metre thick.

Brunisolic Gray3 A luvisolic soil (clay enriched Bt horizon) that has a Luvisol weakly developed mineral soil horizon (Bm) on the surface.

Cumulic Regosol3 A soil lacking development which forms through periodic repeated inundation as evidenced by buried thin humus layers. dry meadow Typically developed on well-drained mineral materials; diverse community of upland herbs, grasses and sedges.

Eluviated Dystric3 A weakly-developed acidic soil lacking a well-developed

Brunisol mineral-organic surface horizon, which has an eluviated horizon (Ae). fan2 A relatively smooth segment of a cone with a slope gradient of up to 26%. Typically applied to fluvial fans, colluvial fans or glaciofluvial fans. fen1 A wetland dominated by sedges and grasses where the main source of water is through-flowing (groundwater).

Fibric Humisol3 A humic (well decomposed) organic soil with a subdominant Fibric (poorly decomposed) layer.

Shearwater Mapping Ltd. EXPANDED LEGEND ITCHA / ILGACHUZ AND CHARLOTTE ALPLANDS fluvial2 Materials transported and deposited by streams and rivers. glaciofluvial2 Materials that exhibit clear evidence of having been deposited by glacial meltwater in front of or in contact with glacial ice.

Gleyed Dystric Differs from Eluviated Dystric Brunisol by having mottles Brunisol3 that indicate gleying.

Gleyed Gray3 A luvisolic soil (Clay enriched Bt horizon) with distinct Luvisol mottling within 50cm of the mineral surface or prominent mottles at depths of 50 - 100 cm

Gleyed Humo-Ferric3 Differ from Orthic Humo-Ferric Podzol by having Podzol mottles that indicate gleying.

Gleyed Regosol3 They differ from Orthic Regosol by having faint to distinct mottles that indicate gleying within 50 of the mineral surface.

Lacustrine2 Sediments that have settled from suspension, in bodies of standing fresh water.

Mesic Fibrisol3 A fibric (poorly decomposed) organic soil with a subdominant mesic layer (moderately decomposed) layer.

Mesic Humisol3 A humic (well decomposed) organic soil with a subdominant mesic layer (moderately decomposed) layer.

Moder4 Humus form having F and H humus horizons which have been fragmented through faunal activity.

Mor4 Humus form having the least level of decomposition with fungi dominant in the F horizon (fermented). morainal2 Material deposited directly by glacier ice without modification by any other agent of transportation. organic2 Sediments composed largely of organic materials resulting from the accumulation of vegetative matter.

Orthic Dystric3 Weakly - developed acidic soils lacking a well-developed Brunisol mineral-organic surface horizon.

Orthic Gleysol3 Soils having strongly gleyed B and C horizons and may have organic surface horizons and an eluvial horizon.

Orthic Gray3 A soil usually derived from fine-textured parent material, Luvisol with a clay-enriched B horizon (Bt).

Orthic Humic3 Gleyed soils (subject to fluctuating water tables as Gleysol evidenced by strong mottling in the soil profile) with an organic enriched surface horizon (Ah).

Orthic Humo-Ferric3 Soils having a Bhf horizon at least 10cm thick, usually Podzol having an Ac horizon.

Orthic Regosol3 A soil lacking development, with no horizon differentiation in the soil profile. plain2 A level or very gentle sloping, unidirectional surface. (0 to 5% slope).

Rego Gleysol3 A gleysolic soil lacking a B horizon at least 10 cm thick.

Rego Humic3 Differs from an Orthic Humic Gleysol by lacking a B Gleysol horizon at least 10cm thick. shrub carr1 Low shrub-dominated ecosystem in frost-prone basins; never inundated and seasonally saturated; usually has extremely mounded shrubs on elevated sites; herb and moss layers diverse, often dominated by forbs and grasses. terrace2 A single or assemblage of step-like form(s) where each step-like form consists of a scarp face and a horizontal or gently inclined surface above it.

Terric Fibrisol3 A fibric (poorly decomposed) organic soil with at least 40 cm of organic material over mineral soil.

Terric Humisol3 A humic (well decomposed) organic soil having at least 40 cm of organic matter (of which at least 12 cm is humic) over mineral soil.

Terric Mesisol3 A moderately well decomposed (mesic) organic soil with mineral soil contact within 40 cm of the soil surface.

Typic Humisol3 Organic soils having the most advanced stage of decomposition (humic).

Typic Mesisol3 Organic soils having a moderate level of decomposition (mesic). veneer2 A mantle of unconsolidated materials too thin to mask minor irregularities of the surface of the underlying materal; thickness ranges from 10 cm to 1 metre. wet meadow1 Developed on mineral materials; periodically saturated, seldom inundated; diverse community of grasses, low sedges, rushes and forbs.

1. Field Manual for Describing Ecosystem 1998. 2. Howes and Kenk 1997. 3. Canadian System of Soil Classification 1987. 4. Klinka et al. 1981.

Shearwater Mapping Ltd. EXPANDED LEGEND ITCHA / ILGACHUZ AND CHARLOTTE ALPLANDS 6. REFERENCES

Agriculture Canada Expert Committee on Soil Survey. 1987. Canadian system of soil classification. 2nd edition. Agriculture Canada Publication 1646. 164 p.

B.C. Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks and B.C. Ministry of Forests. 1998. Field manual for describing terrestrial ecosystems, Victoria, B.C.

Crum, A.H., W.C. Steer, and L.E. Anderson. 1973. A new list of mosses for North America north of Mexico. Bryologist 76:83-130.

Hale, M.E., and W.L. Culberson. 1970. A second checklist of the lichens of the continental United States and Canada. Bryologist 63:137-172.

Douglas, G.W., G.B. Straley, and D. Meidinger. 1989, 1990, 1991, 1994. The Vascular Plants of British Columbia. Parts 1-4. Special Report Series Nos. 1-4. Research Branch, B.C. Ministry of Forests, Victoria, B.C.

Holland, S.S. 1976. Landforms of British Columbia. A physiographic outline. Bulletin 48. British Columbia Department of Mines and Mineral Resources, Victoria. 138 p.

Howes, D.E., and E. Kenk. 1997. Terrain classification system for British Columbia (revised edition). MOE Manual 10. Recreational Fisheries Branch, Ministry of Environment, and Surveys and Resource Mapping Branch, Ministry of Crown Lands, Province of British Columbia, Victoria, B.C. 90 p.

Klinka, K., R.N. Green, R.L. Trowbridge, and L.E. Lowe. 1981. Taxonomic classification of humus forms in ecosystems of British Columbia. First Approximation. Land Management Report 8. British Columbia Ministry of Forests, Victoria. 54 p.

Luttmerding, H.A., D.A. Demarchi, E.C. Lea, D.V. Meidinger and T. Vold (editors). 1990. Describing ecosystems in the field (2nd edition). MOE Manual II. Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks, in cooperation with Ministry of Forests, Victoria, B.C. 213 p.

Meidinger, D. 1987. Recommended vernacular names for common plants of British Columbia. B.C. Ministry of Forests and Lands, Research Report RR8702-HQ. Victoria. 64 p.

Resources Inventory Committee. 1998. Standard for terrestrial ecosystem mapping in British Columbia. Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks. Victoria, B.C.

Steen, O.A. and R.A. Coupe. 1997. A field guide to forest site identification and interpretation for the Cariboo Forest Region. B.C. Ministry of Forest, Victoria, B.C. Land Mangement Handbook 39 p. (Ports 1 and 2).

Taylor, R.L., and B. MacBryde. 1977. Vascular plants of British Columbia: a descriptive resource inventory. Technical Bulletin 4. University of British Columbia, Vancouver.

Tipper, H.W. 1970. Glacial geomorphology and pleistoncene history of central British Columbia. Geological Survey of Canada, Bulletin 196. Department of Energy, Mines and Resources, Ottawa, Canada.

Armleder, H.M., S.K. Stevenson and S.D. Walker. 1992. Estimating the abundance of arboreal forage lichens. Land Management Handbook Field Guide Insert 7. B.C. Ministry of Forests, Victoria, B.C.

Figure 1. Study Area

SBPSxc / 02 - Plot 9628105, logged

SBPSxc / 02 - Plot 9620058, pole sapling stage.

Plot 9628195 - SBPSxc / 06 active floodplain.

Plot 9628194 - SBPSxc / 06 open shrubby / herb site.

Plot 9620061 - MSxv / 01, shrub stage.

Plot 9614544 - MSxv / 01, pole sapling stage.

Typical parkland (FB) interspersed with FC and AF (both pictures).

Rock unit in ESSFxv1.

Typical barren talus is ESSFxv1. No data was obtained for the ESSFmwp units (only in the Charlotte Alplands). Refer to the appropriate ESSFxvp1 description; plant species may differ slightly from those in the ESSFxvp1. The following map units occur in both ESSFxvp1 and ESSFmwp:

AF, AFkv, AFv DG FB, FBks, FBs, Fbsw FM, FMk, FMw HT, HTk SS, SSk, SSks TW, TWk, TWks, TWs

Descriptions for the following site series can be found as follows:

SS, SSk, SSks, SSs, SSsw, SSw AT page 293 TW, TWk, TWks, TWs, TWsw, TWw AT page 296

Logged mesic (01) site in ESSFxv1, Plot 9801266

Sedge - Bluejoint fen in ESSFxv1, Plot 9801371

Typical FB parkland (Plot 9801255)

PC krummholz slope in alpine transition (Plot 9801298)

Typical rich fen in Alpine Tundra Zone.

Windswept AF ridge, in Charlotte Alplands.

APPENDIX A

Plant Species List

ECOSYSTEM DESCRIPTIONS

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