Wetland Classification and Mapping of the Kenai Lowland, Alaska

 

Map Unit Descriptions

 

Ecosystem: Tidal

 

Map Units: T58

 

Extent: 2 wetland polygons; 31.1 ha; 0.02% of wetland area; 0.01% of wetland polygons.

 

A T58 wetland near the mouth of the Anchor River (polygon 28171).

 

 

The other T58 wetland, near the mouth of the Kasilof River (polygon 22935).

Wetland Indicators

Type: Tidal

Average depth to water table:

T5: 8 cm; n=1

T8: 55.5 cm; n=2

Organic layer thickness:

T5: at least 150 cm; n=1

T8: 13.0 cm; n=2

Average depth to redoximorphic features:

T5: n/a

T8:13.0 cm; n=2

Common Soils:  CLUNIE

Common Plant communities:

T8 Component:

Circumpolar reedgrass – Pacific silverweed

T5 Component:

Ramensk’s sedge

 

T58 wetlands are comprised of Ramensk's sedge (T5) and a variety of grasses and forbs (T8). Two wetlands were mapped as T58.  At both, Ramensk's sedge dominates a heterogeneous environment where the diverse grass and forb plant community grows in segregated patches, as well as in mixed stands of nearly pure Ramensk's sedge at the base of a bluff.  One is located near the mouth of the Anchor River, the other near the Kasilof River mouth.

 

T5 is the tidal zone occupied by Ramensk's sedge, and corresponds with Vince and Snow's (1984) 'Outer Sedge Marsh Zone 3', estimated to be inundated on only the highest spring tides, or an average of 3 times per summer on the Susitna Flats (with a range of 0-5 times per summer), in upper Cook Inlet, Alaska.  Vince and Snow found that water was retained for 2-3 days per inundation. 

 

T8 is found on higher slopes above protected tidal flats, and corresponds to Vince and Snow's (1984) 'Riverbank Levees zone 6'.  Vince and Snow estimate that Riverbank Levees are inundated an average of once per summer (range 0-2 times for a duration of 2-3 hours), by the highest spring tides. 

 


 

 Introduction and Key to Plant Communities  

Introduction and Key to Ecosystems

    Kenai Hydric Soils    Map Unit Summary    Methods    Glossary

 

Contact: Mike Gracz
Kenai Watershed Forum 
Homer Field Office
Old Town Professional Center
3430 Main Street Suite B1
Homer, AK  99603
907-235-2218

15 November 2005 15:04