Wetland Classification and Mapping of the Kenai Lowland, Alaska

 

 

Map Unit Descriptions

 

 

Ecosystem: Discharge Slope

 

Map Unit: SSC; SCS

 

Extent:

SSC: 27 wetland polygons; 183.1 ha; 0.13% of wetland area; 0.16% of wetland polygons.

SCS: 20 wetland polygons; 107.3 ha; 0.08% of wetland area; 0.12% of wetland polygons.

An SSC wetland near the Village of Nikolaevsk (polygon 7171). 

An SCS wetland in the Caribou Hills along the North Fork of Deep Creek (polygon 26624).

Wetland Indicators

Type: Mineral or Peat

Average depth to water table:

SS: 31.1 cm; n=13

SC: 54.8 cm; n=5

Organic layer thickness:

SS: 44.5 cm; n=15

SC: 39.1 cm; n=7

Average depth to redoximorphic features:

SS: 26.1 cm; n=7

SC: 17.2 cm; n=6

Common Soils: 

SS: STARICHKOF, TLIKAKILA, SNOWDANCE, FORELAND, DOROSHIN

SC: BELUGA, NIKOLAI, KALIFONSKY

Common Plant communities:

SS component:

Barclay's willow / Rich

Barclay's willow / Bluejoint - Field horsetail

Barclay's willow / Bluejoint / Marsh fivefinger

Tealeaf willow / Crowberry

 

SC component:

Bluejoint - Field horsetail

Bluejoint streamside

Barclay's willow / Rich
Accuracy assessment: 1 polygon interpreted as SSC on aerial photographs was field checked.  It remained SSC.

1 polygon interpreted as SCS on aerial photographs was field checked.  It was revised to SSL.

 

SSC wetlands are where willow, usually Barclay's willow (Salix barclayi), dominates a discharge slope with nearly pure patches of bluejoint grass (Calamagrostis canadensis).  Where bluejoint dominates with patches of willow, the wetland is named SCS.  Bluejoint often occurs on well-drained south-facing slopes, but can also indicate the regulatory criteria outlined in the 1987 Wetland Delineation Manual are met.  Typically, the presence of field horsetail (Equisetum arvense) or marsh horsetail (E. palustre) indicates wetland conditions, and fireweed (Chamerion angustifolium) indicates upland.  These wetlands are uncommon, found mostly at the base of the bluffs along the north shore of Kachemak Bay and at higher elevations in the Caribou Hills.

In Homer, the name SCSd refers to a wetland that was SCS but is now disturbed.

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 Introduction and Key to Plant Communities  

Introduction and Key to Ecosystems

    Kenai Hydric Soils    Map Unit Summary    Methods    Glossary

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Contact: Mike Gracz
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Homer, AK  99603
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15 November 2005 15:04