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Wetland Classification and Mapping of the Kenai Lowland, Alaska
Map Unit Descriptions Ecosystem: Kettle Map Units: K23; K32
Extent: K23: 289 wetland polygons; 1554.8 ha; 1.10% of wetland area; 1.75% of wetland polygons. K32: 255 wetland polygons; 1125.8 ha; 0.79% of wetland area; 1.55% of wetland polygons. |
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 A mixed K23 wetland with shrubs on hummocks and sedges in micro-topographic low spots, near Kasilof (polygon 22324).
A more or less segregated K32 unit in the Soldotna Creek watershed near Mackey Lakes (polygon 72). |
Wetland Indicators Type: Peat Average depth to water table: K2: 9.1 cm; n=39 K3: 28.1 cm; n=60 Organic layer thickness: K2: 136.0 cm; n=41 K3: 98.8 cm; n=60 Average depth to redoximorphic features: K2: 18.0 cm; n=6 K3: 19.0 cm; n=3 Common Soils: K2: STARICHKOF, DOROSHIN, SALAMATOF K3: STARICHKOF, DOROSHIN, TRUULI, NIKOLAI, SALAMATOF, CHUNILNA Common Plant communities: K2 Component: Sphagnum moss / Tall cottongrass Tufted bulrush - Tall cottongrass Sphagnum moss - Creeping sedge K3 Component: |
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Accuracy assessment: 51 polygons interpreted as K23 on
aerial photographs were field checked. 37 remained K23; 4 were revised
to K3; 3 were revised to K32; 2 were revised to
K2 and 1 each was revised
to D23, DW23,
K21, K2-4 and K4. 34 polygons interpreted as K32 on aerial photographs were field checked. 21 remained K32; 7 were revised to K23; 2 were revised to K3 and 1 each was revised to: DW1-5, K2; SSL and SS. |
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These widespread and common kettle map complexes occur segregated as concentric rings of sedge dominated plant communities (K2) surrounded by shrubbier communities with a deeper water table (K3), or mixed as subtle ribbed fens with apparently incipient strang-flark development. When sedge communities dominate, the wetland is named K23, when the water table is deeper and shrubs dominate it is named K32. Typically K23 and K32 occur as discrete wetlands, but where kettles are larger, such as on the interlobate moraine between Nikiski and Sterling, they can exist as a sub-unit in a larger kettle that also contains an open water (K1) center and/or a forested (K4) margin.
In Homer, the name K23d refers to a wetland that was K23 but is now disturbed.
