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Wetland Classification and Mapping of the Kenai Lowland, Alaska
Map Unit Descriptions
Ecosystem: Relict Glacial Lakebed Map Component: LB4
Extent: 309 wetland polygons; 1921.6 ha; 1.36% of wetland area; 1.87% of wetland polygons. |
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 An LB4 peatland on Marathon Road, near the Kenai Airport (polygon 8128). |
Wetland Indicators Type: Peat Average depth to water table: 19.5 cm; n=50 Organic layer thickness: 116.0 cm; n=52 Average depth to redoximorphic features: 79.0 cm; n=3 Common Soils: STARICHKOF, DOROSHIN, SALAMATOF, NIKOLAI Common Plant communities: Sweetgale - Shrubby cinquefoil Sphagnum moss - Ericaceous shrub Bog blueberry – Dwarf birch – Tufted hairgrass
NWI: PSS1,3&4Bg HGM: Terrene Slope/Flat groundwater-dominated Throughflow |
| Accuracy assessment: 72 polygons interpreted as LB4 on aerial photographs were field checked. 23 remained LB4; 8 were revised to LB2-4; 7 were revised to LB24; 6 were revised to LB42; 5 were revised to LB43; 4 each were revised to LB3 and LB34; 3 were revised to LB46; 2 were revised to LB2; 1each was revised to: DW1-3, DW2, DW2-4, DW3, DW5A, LB23, LB32, LB45, LB6 and SM. | |
The LB4 map component occurs on Relict Glacial Lakebed Ecosystems where the water table is somewhat below the surface and the plant community is dominated by shrubs. These are widespread and common map components. Alone, and in complex with other components, especially the forested component (LB6), LB4 is a very common wetland map component in the project area. It can occupy extensive lakebeds, or ring the margin between the wetter center of a peatland and its forested margin. It most commonly forms elevated shrubby strangs on a micro-topographically complex lakebed surface. It also is common with the flark component (LB2), where the water table is at or just below the surface, and the plant community is dominated by sedges or sweetgale (Myrica gale).
