Wetland Classification and Mapping of the Kenai Lowland, Alaska
Map Unit Descriptions
Ecosystem: Tidal
Map Component: T1
Extent: 3 wetland polygons; 5.4 ha; 0.00% of wetland area; 0.02% of wetland polygons.
 A T1 unit at the mouth of the Kenai River (polygon 8508). |
Wetland Indicators Type: Mineral or Peat Average depth to water table: n/a Organic layer thickness: 48 cm at the single site measured. Average depth to redoximorphic features: 0 cm, at the single site measured. Common Soils: CLUNIE Common Plant communities: NWI: E2EM1P HGM: See Tidal Ecosystem Description |
T1 map components are found where tidal flooding is relatively infrequent, but leaves pools behind that slowly evaporate, creating highly saline soils. After flooding, much of the ground consists of cracked bare soil with little plant cover. Stickystem pearlwort (Sagina maxima), and glasswort (Salicornia maritima) are frequently the only plants able to tolerate the salinity of these uncommon Kenai wetlands. Glasswort is not common in Alaska; it is only reported from the Anchorage and Homer areas in The Flora of Alaska (Hulten, 1968).
Soils at many sites are high in organic matter, and the Clunie soil series is common. Soils at other sites have low organic content (Vince and Snow, 1984) and are classified as typic cryaquents.
