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Wetland Classification and Mapping
of Seward, Alaska An extension of wetland classification and mapping of the Kenai Lowland
Map Unit Descriptions Ecosystem: Depression Map Units: D1-3, D31
Seward Area Extent: D1-3: 2 wetland polygons; 4.8 acres. D31: 1 wetland polygon; 0.1 acre. |
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 The only D31 Depression, a small season-variable pond surrounded by bluejoint reedgrass, on the bedrock knob north of Bear Lake. |
Wetland Indicators Type: Peat Average depth to water table: 20 cm Organic layer thickness: 150+ cm Average depth to redoximorphic features: n/a Common Soils: Typic Cryohemists Common Plant communities: D1 component: Open water D2 component: Sitka sedge (Carex sitchensis) Sphagnum - tall cottongrass (Sphagnum spp. - Eriophorum angustifolium) D3 Component: Bluejoint reedgrass (Calamagrostis canadensis) NWI: PEM1 HGM: Terrene Basin Isolated. |
These are uncommon small ponds (D1) with a sedge-dominated and/or a bluejoint reedgrass fringe in bedrock depressions not hydrologically connected at or very near the surface with other wetlands. Sedge dominated fringes (D2) have a water table at or near the surface for most of the growing season, and bluejoint fringes (D3) have a deeper water table. The few wetlands mapped as either D1-3 (open water, sedge and bluejoint components all present) or D31 (a small season variable pool surrounded by bluejoint) occur in small bedrock depressions on the bedrock knob north of Bear Lake.
