|
Wetland Classification and Mapping of the Kenai Lowland, Alaska
Map Unit Descriptions Ecosystem: Relict Glacial Drainageway Map Unit: DW2-4; DW24; DW42
Extent: DW2-4: 16 wetland polygons; 101.1 ha; 0.07% of wetland area; 0.10% of wetland polygons. DW24: 7 wetland polygons; 41.9 ha; 0.03% of wetland area; 0.04% of wetland polygons. DW42: 2 wetland polygons; 59.6 ha; 0.04% of wetland area; 0.01% of wetland polygons. |
|
|
A segregated DW2-4 unit in the headwaters of the Anchor River near Caribou Lake (polygon 9991).
A mixed DW2-4 unit along Crooked Creek, near Kasilof (polygon 9784). |
Wetland Indicators Type: Peat Average depth to water table: DW2: 14.9; n=25 DW3: 32.1 cm; n=36 DW4: 53.3 cm; n=4 Organic layer thickness: DW2: 132.2 cm; n=25 DW3: 102.2 cm; n=40 DW4: 68.6 cm; n=4 Average depth to redoximorphic features: DW2: 97.0 cm at the single site measured DW3: 67.8 cm; n=6 DW4: 70.0 cm at the single site measured Common Soils: DW2: SALAMATOF, STARICHKOF DW3: STARICHKOF, NIKOLAI, DOROSHIN, SLIKOK, COAL CREEK DW4: STARICHKOF, NIKOLAI, KALIFONSKY Common Plant communities: DW2 component: Water sedge / Marsh fivefinger Sphagnum moss - Creeping sedge
DW3 component: Sweetgale – Dwarf birch / Water horsetail Barclay's willow / Bluejoint / Marsh fivefinger Sweetgale – Shrubby cinquefoil DW4 component: |
| Accuracy assessment: The single polygon interpreted as DW2-4 on aerial photographs that was field checked remained DW2-4. 3 polygons interpreted as DW24 on aerial photographs were field checked. 1 remained DW24, 1 each was revised to DW2 and LB2-4. | |
These uncommon, scattered map units are in Relict Glacial Drainageway Ecosystems dominated by sedges (DW2) and bluejoint grass (Calamagrostis canadensis) (DW4) and, in the case of DW2-4, shrubby hummocks (DW3), either intermixed or as separate more or less parallel linear features. The water table is close to the surface, and the microtopography is usually well-developed.
Where the components are intermixed, the sedges are found in microtopographic-low spots frequently with ample standing water, with the bluejoint on tussocks and the shrubs, if present, on hummocks. Where the units are parallel, a complex with a wetter medial linear feature dominated by sedges is fringed by parallel bluejoint, and, in the case of DW2-4, shrubby components.
