Map Unit Descriptions
Ecosystem: Tidal
Map Unit: T29
Extent: 1 wetland polygon; ha; 0.0% of wetland area; 0.0% of wetland polygons.
 The single T29 wetland at the head of Kachemak Bay (polygon 32276). |
Wetland Indicators Type: Average depth to water table: Organic layer thickness: Average depth to redoximorphic features: Common Soils: CLUNIE Common Plant communities: T2 Component: T9 Component: |
The single T29 wetland was mapped at the head of Kachemak Bay in an area heavily used by horses. It lies at the upper reaches of tidal influence, yet had a substantial creeping alkaligrass (T2) component.
Creeping alkaligrass lies in Vince and Snow's (1984) Outer Mudflats Zone 1, which they estimated was the most frequently inundated of any zone on the Susitna Flats (26-46 times per summer, with an average of 34 times per summer), in upper Cook Inlet, Alaska. They also found that water was retained for only 4-5 hours per inundation.
The site we visited obviously flooded less frequently. The creeping alkaligrass may be present because of the herbivores.
