Wetland Classification and Mapping of the Kenai Lowland, Alaska
Map Unit Descriptions
Ecosystem: Tidal
Map Component: T8
Extent: 9 wetland polygons; 42.5 ha; 0.03% of wetland area; 0.05% of wetland polygons.
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A T8 unit at the mouth of the Kenai River (polygon 8525). |
Wetland Indicators Type: Tidal Average depth to water table: 55.5 cm; n=2 Organic layer thickness: 13.0 cm; n=2 Average depth to redoximorphic features: 13.0 cm; n=2 Common Soils: CLUNIE Common Plant communities: Circumpolar reedgrass – Pacific silverweed NWI: E2EM1P HGM: See Tidal Ecosystem Description |
T8 wetlands are dominated by a variety of grasses and forbs. They are found on higher protected tidal slopes of the Kenai and Kasilof Rivers and at the base of the Homer Spit. T8 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.
T8 is typically dominated by either largeflower speargrass (Poa eminens) and/or circumpolar reedgrass (Calamagrostis deschampsioides). Pacific silverweed (Argentina egedii) is a common ground cover, and Lyngbye's sedge (Carex lyngbyei) is often present. Vegetation cover can be sparse.
