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Wetland Classification and Mapping of the Kenai Lowland, Alaska
Map Unit Descriptions Ecosystem: Relict Glacial Lakebed Map Unit: LB1-3; LB31
Extent: LB1-3: 129 wetland polygons; 2165.9 ha; 1.53% of wetland area; 0.79% of wetland polygons. LB31: 4 wetland polygons; 13.9 ha; 0.01% of wetland area; 0.02% of wetland polygons. |
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 An LB1-3 unit in the large fen complex east of Anchor Point (polygon 48).
An LB1-3 unit south of Bill Besser Lake, along the Point Possession Strip (polygon 6457). |
Wetland Indicators Type: Peat Average depth to water table: LB1: n/a LB2: 11.3 cm; n=32 LB3: 9.9 cm; n=13 Organic layer thickness: LB1: n/a LB2: 146.6 cm; n=36 LB3: 119.2 cm; n=13 Average depth to redoximorphic features: LB1: n/a LB2: n/a LB3: n/a Common Soils: LB1: pond LB2: STARICHKOF, DOROSHIN LB3: STARICHKOF, DOROSHIN Common Plant communities: LB1 component:
LB2 component: Tufted bulrush - Tall cottongrass Sweetgale – Dwarf birch / Water horsetail Tufted bulrush – Fewflower sedge
LB3 component: Sphagnum moss - Ericaceous shrub Sphagnum moss / Tall cottongrass Sphagnum moss - Manyflower sedge |
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Accuracy assessment: 28 polygons interpreted as LB1-3 on
aerial photographs were field checked. 19 remained LB1-3; 3 each were
revised to LB1-4 and LB2; 1each was revised to LB12,
LB23 and LB24. None of the polygons interpreted as LB31 on aerial photographs were field checked. |
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LB1-3 complexes cover the range of map components from open water (LB1) through sedge dominated communities (LB2) to sphagnum dominated communities (LB3) present at a scale too fine-grained to delineate separately. Often this occurs as an extensive shallow pool that is being slowly invaded by circular sphagnum islands. It could also be a fine-textured mosaic of small pools, flarks and sphagnum hummocks. In many locations it appears as though a sphagnum bog is in the processes of over-running pools and flark vegetation.
The LB1-3 unit is by far the most predominant. Only four polygons are named LB31, they are scattered from Kenai to near Anchor Point. Theses wetlands have small amounts of open water in an otherwise sphagnum-dominated bog.
