Wetland Classification and Mapping of Seward, Alaska     Map Unit Descriptions   Ecosystem: Headwater Fen   Map Component: H3   Seward Area Extent: 7 wetland polygon; 16.2 acres

A sloping H3 peatland on the glacier-cut bedrock bench above Fourth of July Creek.

Wetland Indicators Type: Peat Average depth to water table: unk. Organic layer thickness: 104 cm at the one site measured Average depth to redoximorphic features: n/a Common Soils: Terric Cryosaprists Common Plant communities: Fewflower sedge (Carex pauciflora) Fewflower sedge - tall cottongrass (Carex pauciflora - Eriophorum angustifolium)   NWI: PSS1,3&4Eg HGM: Terrene Basin groundwater-dominated Throughflow headwater.

H3 is the Headwater Fen Ecosystem wetland component with a slightly deeper water table at or very near the surface, dominated by fewflower sedge.  Seward area Headwater Fens are only mapped on the 800' elevation glacier-cut bedrock bench above Fourth of July Creek.  There peatlands are sloping fens, as steep as 10%.   They are relatively poor in species composition compared to similar, steeper fens found to the east in Prince William Sound.  This is the most abundant Headwater Fen component; often occurring with the forested (H4) or wetter (H2) component.