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Wetland Classification and Mapping
of Seward, Alaska
Map Unit Descriptions Ecosystem: Headwater Fen Map Component: H4
Seward Area Extent: 12 wetland polygons; 24.6 acres |
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An H4 wetland on the glacier-cut bedrock bench above Fourth of July Creek.
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Wetland Indicators Type: Mineral soil Depth to water table: 28 cm on 28 August 2006 at the one site measured Organic layer thickness: 13 cm at the one site measured Depth to redoximorphic features: 20 cm at the one site measured Common Soils: Typic Cryaquents Common Plant communities: Mountain hemlock / early blueberry (Tsuga mertensiana / Vaccinium ovalifolium) Mountain hemlock / early blueberry- rusty menziesia (Tsuga mertensiana / Vaccinium ovalifolium - Menziesia ferruginea)
NWI: PFO4Eg HGM: Terrene Basin groundwater-dominated Throughflow headwater. |
H4 is the forested Headwater Fen Ecosystem wetland component, with a deeper water table. Seward area Headwater Fens are only mapped on the 800' elevation glacier-cut bedrock bench above Fourth of July Creek. This Headwater Fen component commonly occurs alone or with the sloping fewflower sedge-dominated component (H3).
There is much evidence of old timber-cutting activity in the forested headwater fens above Fourth of July Creek. Some areas appear to have been nearly clear-cut many years ago.
