|
Wetland Classification and Mapping of the Kenai Lowland, Alaska
Map Unit Descriptions
Ecosystem: Kettle Map Component: K3; K3d
Extent: 578 wetland polygons; 1663.0 ha; 1.17% of wetland area; 3.50% of wetland polygons. |
|
 A K3 wetland near Daniel's lake, north of Nikiski (polygon 1246). |
Wetland Indicators Type: Peat Average depth to water table: 28.1 cm; n=60 Organic layer thickness: 98.8 cm; n=60 Average depth to redoximorphic features: 19.0 cm; n=3 Common Soils: STARICHKOF, DOROSHIN, TRUULI, NIKOLAI, SALAMATOF, CHUNILNA Common Plant communities: Sphagnum moss - Ericaceous shrub Sphagnum moss – Manyflower sedge
NWI: PSS1,3&4Bg HGM: Terrene Basin groundwater-dominated Throughflow (headwater) |
| Accuracy assessment: 78 polygons interpreted as K3 on aerial photographs were field checked. 36 remained K3; 13 were revised to K32; 7 were revised to K23; 3 each were revised to K2-4 and K43; 2 each were revised to: DW3, K2, K34, SCG and upland; 1 each was revised to: LB64, DW2, DW2-4, DWR, SL and SS. | |
The common and widespread K3 map component occurs with a water table somewhat below the surface on modified moraines or on a kettle-kame landscape. It is typically dominated by shrubs, or bluejoint grass (Calamagrostis canadensis). K3 occupies the zone between the shallow water table, often sedge-dominated component (K2) and the forested component (K4), and commonly forms complexes with either one, although it is common as a seperate wetland. On the kettle-kame landscape of the interlobate moraine, between Nikiski and Sterling, this is either an ericaceous shrubby peatland, or a deep sphagnum moss - round sedge lawn. On the southern peninsula, K3 is typically occupied by Barclay's willow (Salix barclayi) and bluejoint grass, over a mineral soil.
In Homer, the name K3d refers to a wetland that was K3 but is now disturbed.
