Wetland Classification and Mapping of the Kenai Lowland, Alaska
Map Unit Descriptions
Ecosystem: Tidal
Tidal Map Unit: T43; T34
Extent:
T43: 11 wetland polygons; 59.3 ha; 0.04% of wetland area; 0.07% of wetland polygons.
T34: 2 wetland polygons; 6.4 ha; 0.00% of wetland area; 0.01% of wetland polygons.
A segregated T43 wetland along the Homer Spit (polygon 50684).
A mixed T34 wetland near the mouth of the Kenai River (polygon 8655). |
Wetland Indicators Type: Tidal Average depth to water table: T3: at least 150 cm; n=1 T4: 114 cm; n=4 Organic layer thickness: T3: 23.5; n=2 T4: 25.5; n=2 Average depth to redoximorphic features: T3: 0.0; n=2 T4: 0.2 cm; n=5 Common Soils: CLUNIE Common Plant communities: T3 Component: Marsh arrowgrass – Seaside arrowgrass T4 Component: |
T43 wetlands are a complex, either mixed or segregated, of alkaligrass and goosetongue and/or arrowgrass. They occur in the estuaries of the two glacier-fed rivers, the Kenai and the Kasilof, and along the northeast side of the Homer Spit at intermediate levels above the tide. If alkaligrass is dominant the wetland is named T43; and if arrowgrass and/or goosetongue dominate, T34.
The goosetongue and arrowgrass components (T3) often occur adjacent to tidal guts, and flood frequently (8 times per summer) retaining water for 2-3 hours per inundation; while the alkaligrass component (T4) floods somewhat more frequently (15 times per summer), and retains water longer (2-5 days) (Vince and Snow, 1984), but typically occupies broad, low levees.
