RAN6E PLANT COMMUNITIES AND CARRYIN6 CAPACITY FOR THE UPPER FOOTHILLS SUBREGION OF ALBERTA

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SUSTAINABLE RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

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r.\ngf: plant community types and carrying capacity

FOR THE UPPER FOOTHILLS SUBREGION Fourth approximation

(This publication is a revision of the second and third approximation of the Range Plant Communities and Carrying Capacity for the Upper Foothills Publication No. T/356)

2001

Prepared by

Michael G. Willoughby

Edmonton

2001

Alberta Sustainable Resource Development Public Lands Division

Pub. no.: T/003 ISBN: 0-7785-1792-6

For copies of this report contact:

- Michael Willoughby 9920 108 St, 9th Floor Edmonton, Alta.

T5K2M4 (403) 422-4598

E-mail: mike.willoughby@gov.ab.ca

111

Table of contents

Page

Introduction 1

Climate of the Upper Foothills subregion 1

Methods 3

How to use this guide 4

Results 5

Native grass and shmblands 3 1

Key to grasslands 36

Key to modified grass and shmblands 37

Key to native shmblands 38

A. Grasslands

UFAl . Water sedge meadows 39

UFA2. Sedge-Slender wheatgrass/Meadow me 40

UP A3. Tufted hairgrass-S edge 41

UFA4. Tufted hairgrass-S edge-Slender wheatgrass 42

UFA5. Rough fescue-Tufted hairgrass 43

UFA6. Rough fescue-Hairy wildrye 44

UFA7. Rough fescue/Bearberry 45

UFA7a.Califomia oatgrass-Rough fescue/Bearberry 46

UFA8. California oatgrass-Sedge 47

UFA9. Junegrass/Sedge - 48

UFAl 0. Bearberry/Slender wheatgrass 49

UFAl 1 . Fireweed/Hairy wildrye(Forb meadow) 50

UFAl 2. Rough fescue-Bog sedge 5 1

UFAl 3. Alpine rough fescue 52

UFA14. Cowparsnip-Meadowme/Fringedbrome 53

UFAl 5 . Hairy wildrye-Sedge 54

UFAl 6. Hairy wildrye-Rough fescue/Bearberry 55

UFAl 7. Idaho fescue-Parry oatgrass-Sedge 56

IV

B. Shrublands

UFBl. Willow-Bog birchAVater sedge 57

UFB2. Willow/Slender wheatgrass-Sedge 58

UFB3. Willow/Tufted hairgrass 59

UFB4. Willow/Rough fescue 60

UFB5. Bog birch/Rough fescue/Bearberry 61

UFB6. Willow/Califomia oatgrass-Sedge 62

UFB7. Pussy willow shnibland 63

UFB8. Willow/Hairy wildrye-Sedge 64

UFB9. Bog birch/Sedge-Marsh reedgrass 65

UFB 1 0. Willow-Bog birch/Sedge 66

UFB 1 1 . Willow-Bog birch 67

UFB12. Alder-Willow/Horsetail 68

C. Shrublands and Grasslands modified by grazing 69

UFCl . Slender wheatgrass-Sedge/Low forbs 72

UFC2. Rocky Mtn. fescue/Graceflil cinquefoil 73

UFC3. Kentucky bluegrass/Dandelion-Clover 74

UFC4. Kentucky bluegrass-Sedge/Dandelion 75

UFC5. Tufted hairgrass-Kentuckybluegrass 76

UFC6. Sedge-Tufted hairgrass 77

UFC7. Creeping red fescue/Clover * 78

UFC8. Kentucky bluegrass-Timothy/Meadow rue 79

UFC9. Purple oatgrass-Rough fescue 80

UFCl 0. Willow/Kentucky bluegrass 8 1

UFCl 1 . Sedge-Slender wheatgrass-Rough fescue 82

D. Deciduous community types 83

Key to deciduous community types 85

UFD 1 . Aspen/Rose/Bearberry 87

UFD2. Balsam poplar- White spruceAVillowAf ellow Mtn. avens 88

UFD3. Aspen/Rose/Hairy wildrye 89

UFD4. Aspen/Buffaloberry/Hairy wildrye 90

UFD5. Aspen/Marsh reedgrass 91

UFD6. Balsam poplarAVillow/Horsetail 92

E. Conifer community types 93

V

Key to conifer community types 95

UFEl. Lodgepolepine/Bog cranberry 97

UFE2. Lodgepole pine- White spruce/Bunchberry 98

UFE3. Lodgepole pineAVillow/Moss 99

UFE4. Lodgepole pine/Marsh reedgrass 1 00

UFE5. Black spruceAVillow 101

L)PE6. White spruce/Horsetail/Moss 102

UFE7. White spruceAVillow 103

UFE8. White spruce/Bearberry 104

UFE9. White spruce/Juniper-Buffaloberry 105

UFEl 0. White spruce/Moss 106

F. Cutblock and bum community types 1 07

UFFl . Juniper/Hairy wildrye 1 08

UFF2. Rose/Hairy wildrye 109

UFF2a. Fireweed/Hairy wildrye 110

UFF3 . White spmce/Horsetail/Kentucky bluegrass 111

UFF4. White spmce/Moss (Cutblock) 112

UFF4a. Lodgepole pine- White spmce/Moss 1 1 3

UFF5 . River alder- Willow/Fireweed-Cow parsnip 114

UFF6. Aspen/Fireweed 115

UFF7. Aspen/Blueberry-Bearberry/Hairy wildrye 116

UFF8 . Kentucky bluegrass-Creeping red fescue/Clover 117

Literature cited 118

List of Figures

Figure 1 . Overview of native shmb and grassland complex in the Upper

Foothills subregion 3 1

Figure 2. Typical native shmb and grassland transition zone in the Upper

Foothills subregion 32

Figure 3. Layout of plant community types for native grass and shmblands

in the landscape of the Upper Foothills subregion 35

Figure 4. Heavily grazed Kentucky bluegrass/Dandelion community

type 69

Figure 5. Aspen/Marsh reedgrass community type on south facing

slopes in the Upper Foothills subregion 83

Figure 6. The Lodgepole pine- White spmce/Bunchberry community is the dominant conifer community type in the Upper Foothills

VI

subregion 93

Figure 7. The Juniper/Hairy wildrye community type results from the harvesting of a White spruce/Juniper community 1 07

List of Tables

Table 1 . Ecosites and ecosite phases of the Upper Foothills subregion 6

c5 yellow mountain avens 14

c6 hairy wildrye sedge 1 5

c2 hairy wildrye Aw harvested 1 6

c4 hairy wildrye Sw harvested 1 7

elb tall bilberry/amica PI harvested 1 8

e 1 b tall bilberry/amica Sw harvested 1 9

ff fescue-califomia oatgrass ecosite 20

ffl grassland 21

ff2 shrubland 22

ffl grazed grassland 23

ff2 grazed shmbland 24

f4 bracted honeysuckle harvested 25

g2 forb meadow grazed 26

g3 grass meadow 27

g3 grass meadow grazed 28

j2 horsetail Pb 29

j 1 horsetail Sw harvested 30

Table 2. Native grass and shrublands of the Upper Foothills subregion 33

Table 3. Shmblands and grasslands modified by heavy grazing in the

Upper Foothills subregion 71

Table 4. Deciduous community types within the Upper Foothills subregion

86

Table 5. Conifer community types of the Upper Foothills subregion 96

List of Maps

Map 1 . Location of the Upper Foothills subregion in Alberta 2

Vll

Abstract

The Upper Foothills subregion is found elevationally below the Subalpine and above the Lower Foothills subregions. It is dominated by closed canopied lodgepole pine forests. In the valley bottoms the shrub and grassland community types are a classic example of multiple use land, providing summer range for livestock, prime habitat for many species of wildlife, productive watersheds, and recreational areas. Despite the importance of these vegetation types for livestock grazing, there is little information available on how grazing affects their production. There is little information on forage productivity, carrying capacity and the associated community types with grazing. The lack of information makes it very difficult to development management prescriptions for multiple use. As a result a "Carrying capacity guide" was developed for the Upper Foothills subregion to provide a framework that would easily group the vegetative community types. It is hoped this classification system can be used by field staff to assess carrying capacity and evaluate range condition on lands within the regionr

This guide represents the analysis of 470 plots described in the Upper Foothills subregion, near Grande Cache (Willmore Wilderness Park) and west of Rocky Mtn. House during the summers of 1990-1999. The 470 plots represent 67 community types. These types are split into:

A. Native grasslands

B. Native shrublands

C. Grazing modified types

D. Deciduous types

E. Conifer types

F. Cutblocks and bums

18 community types 12 community types 11 community types 6 community types 10 community types 10 community types

The dominant plant species, canopy cover, environmental conditions, response to grazing, forage production and carrying capacity are outlined for each type.

Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2016

https://archive.org/details/rangeplantcommun00will_9

Introduction

The province of Alberta is covered by a broad spectrum of vegetation regions from prairie in the South, to alpine vegetation in the mountains and dense forests in the Central and Northern parts of the province. These broad vegetation regions have been classified into 6 natural regions and 20 subregions for the province (Dept, of Environmental Protection,

1994). Each of the regions consists of groups of plant communities which are influenced by environmental conditions and human impacts. Intensive management of these regions requires the ability to recoqnize the vegetative communities that have similar productivities and respond to disturbance in the same way. The increase in use of Alberta's northern forests has recently stimulated efforts to develop detailed classification systems. Some of these classification systems include Field guide to Forest ecosystems of West Central Alberta (Corns and Annas, 1986) and Field Guide to Ecosites of West-Central Alberta (Beckingham etal., 1996).

The vegetative communities in the province of Alberta are highly regarded by most ’resource managers for their ability to provide a wide variety of benefits. They are a classic example of multiple use land, providing summer range for livestock, prime habitat for many species of wildlife, productive watersheds and recreational areas. Despite the importance of these vegetation types for livestock grazing, there is little information available on how grazing affects their production. Specifically, there is little data on the levels of utilization which are detrimental to communities growth. There is also no data on forage productivity, carrying capacity and associated community types with grazing. Traditionally, these community types have been rated at 5 ac/AUM or 60 ac/head/year, but recent work has shown that productivity can vary significantly depending upon the ecological conditions of the site.

The purpose of this guide was to develop a framework that would easily group the vegetative community types in the Upper Foothills subregion of the province. The ultimate goal is a classification system that can be used by the field staff to assess carrying capacity and evaluate range condition on lands within the region. This guide supplements the work done by Beckingham et al. (1996) on the forested community types in the Upper foothills subregion. Their guide describes 65 community types on 13 ecosites. Beckingham's guide is a good description of the forested community types found within the subregion, but it does not include forage production values and carrying capacities. It also only provides a brief description of the native shrubland and grassland communities which are extensively utilized by livestock and wildlife in this subregion.

Climate of the Upper Foothills subregion

This subregion is found elevationally below the subalpine and above the Lower Foothills subregions. It ranges in elevation from 1200-1500m at lower latitudes and from 1000-1250 m at higher latitudes. It is dominated by closed canopy lodgepole pine forests with the potential climax species on reference sites being white spruce and black spruce. This

1

subregion can be distinguished from the Subalpine subregion by the lack of engelmann spruce and from the Lower Foothills by the lack of aspen.

This subregion has a boreal climate which is modified by the Rocky Mountains. The average annual precipitation is 538 mm with over half the precipitation recieved in the summer months (340 mm). The temperature averages 1 1.5 °C in the summer and -6.0 °C in the winter. These temperatures are milder and not nearly as extreme as the other subregions within the Boreal forest and Foothills natural regions.

Map 1. Location of Upper Foothills subregion in Alberta

2

Methods

A community type approach (Mueggler, 1988) to classification was chosen in preference to the habitat type approach (Daubenmire, 1952) or ecosystem association approach (Corns and Annas, 1986) because of the lack of understanding of the successional sequences of the communities. Community types are aggregates of similar plant communities based upon existing floristics regardless of successional status (Mueggler, 1988). Community types are what is actually seen in the field. After defining the community types, they then can be linked to the ecosystem associations developed by Corns and Annas (1986) and Beckingham (1994). In the mean time community types can be used as the basis for mapping and range management planning.

Initially, grazing dispositions were inventoried by forest region in order to develop management plans following the procedure outlined in the Rangeland Resource Information System 0991). Individual plots were initially classified within a forest region using cluster analysis (SAS) and ordination (DECORANA, Gauch, 1982). These types were described in •individual carrying capacity guides for each forest. This led to differences in classification of the same types between forests, particularly for deciduous forest types. In an effort to standardize the community name and gain some understanding of each community types ecology, all plots sampled in each forest were reclassified. As the study progressed it became quite evident that there were differences in the productivity of the communities between ecoregions. As a result, it was decided to develop the classification within the ecoregion framework (Strong and Leggat, 1992). An ecoregion is a geographical area that has broad vegetation zones combined with climatic data (Strong and Anderson, 1980). As a result, the vegetation within each ecoregion is strongly influenced by the climatic conditions. Recently, the department has adapted the Natural and Subregions of Alberta classification system. This system incorporates the Natural regions and subregions classification used by Parks with the Ecoregions of Alberta classification used by Forestry, Lands and Wildlife. The Upper Foothills subregion and Upper Boreal Cordilleran ecoregion share the same boundary.

Sampling for this guide occurred within the Upper Foothills subregion . This guide outlines the classification of 439 plots described during the summers of 1990-2000 in the Southern and Northern East Slope Forest regions.

A plot consisted of a 10x10 m macroplot and ten randomly selected 1x1 m microplots to record the canopy cover of shrubs and ten nested 20x50 cm microplots to record the canopy cover of forbs and grass. The inventory followed the Range Survey Manual 0992) and uses the MF5 form. At each macroplot a 50x100 cm was clipped and separated into trees, shrubs, forbs and graminoids, oven dried and weighed. The recommended stocking rate is based on 25 percent of the total production for forested types and 50% total production for grass and shrubland types and the fact that one animal requires 455 kg of dry weight material for one month of grazing.

3

How to use the guide

First decide what category the community type is in. If it is in the Native grass and Shrub category it will not have tree cover and be found on steep south facing slopes or moist lowland areas adjacent to streams and rivers. The predominant species will be native grasses, willow and bog birch. The Grazing modified community types will resemble the native shrub and grassland community types, but will show signs of extensive grazing pressure. These community types will be dominated by grazing resistant species Kentucky bluegrass, clover and dandelion. A couple of moderately grazed community types with a predominant native species cover are also found in this category.

The Deciduous category will be plant communities dominated by deciduous tree species aspen and balsam poplar and the Conifer category will be plant communities dominated by white spruce, lodgepole pine or black spruce tree species.

In order to understand how the community types in this guide are related to the ecosites and ecosite phases outlined in “Ecosites of West-Central Alberta” (Beckingham et al., 1996), the community types in this guide are arranged by ecosite and ecosite phase (Table 1). Ecosites are defined as ecological units that develop under similar environmental influences (climate, moisture and nutrient regime). An ecosite phase is a subdivision of the ecosite based on the dominant species in the canopy. Table 1 is a reproduction of Figure 14 in the Ecosites of West-Central Alberta guide with the community types in this guide highlighted. For the most part the ecosites and ecosite phases are the same, particularly for the forested community types, but a number of new ecosites and ecosite phases had to be created for the grass and shrubland community types (Table 1). These included (ff)(mesic/rich) fescue- califomia oatgrass ecosite, and the (c5) yellow mtn avens, (c6) hairy wildrye grassland, (ffl)grassland, (ff2) shrubland, (g3) grass meadow and (j2) horsetail Pb ecosite phases. The “Grazing succession” and “Harvesting succession” categories (Table 1) outline the successional sequence the community types will undergo with increased grazing pressure or harvesting. A number of new ecosite phases were created for these categories. These included (c2) harvested Aw, (c4) harvested Sw, (el) tall bilberry/amica Pl-Sw harvested, (ffl) grazed grassland, (ff2) grazed shmbland, (f4)bracted honeysuckle Sw harvested, (g2) grazed forb meadow, (g3) grazed grass meadow and (jl) horsetail Sw harvested. All of the new ecosites and ecosite phases are summarized within this guide.

4

Results

The analysis of the 470 plots distinguished 67 community types. These types were split into 6 categories:

A. ) Native grasslands B. ) Native shrublands C. ) Grazing modified types D. ) Deciduous types E. ) Conifer types

(18 types) (12 types) (11 types) (6 types) (10 types)

F.) Cutblock t>pes (10 types)

The domir..mi plant species, canopy cover, environmental conditions, forage production and earning capacity are outlined for each community type.

5

Table 1 . Ecosites, ecosite phases and plant community types for the Upper Foothills subregion (adapted from Beckingham et ah, 1 996) (Highlighted community types are described in this guide, non-highlighted communities are outlined in the guide Ecosites of West- Central Alberta)

Harvesting Succession									I UFF6 Aw/Fireweed UFF7 Aw/BIueberry- Bearberry/Hai ry wild rye
Grazing succession
Range community type	UFAIO Bearberry/SIender wheatgrass	UFA9 Juncgrass-Sedge/Sage							UFDl Aw/Rose/Bearberry UFD3 Aw/Rose/Hairy wildrye	UFD4 Aw/Buffaloberry/ Hairy wildrye
Forested community type	a 1 . 1 bearberry grassland	al .2 saskatoon-prickly rose grassland	bl.l Pl/bearberry	1 bl .2 PI /Labrador tea/lichen	1 b 1.3 PI /bog cranberry	cl.l PI /Canada buffalo- berry/hairy wild rye	c 1.2 PI /green alder/hairy wild rye	c 1.3 PI /hairy wild rye	c2. 1 Aw/hairy wild rye	c3.1 Aw-Sw-Pl /Canada buffalo-bcrry/hairy wild rye
Ecosite phase	al shrubby grassland	b 1 bearberr	y/lichen	cl hairy wild rye PI	c2 hairy wild rye Aw	c3 hairy wild rye Aw-Sw- P1
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cl.4PI/fir/fcathcr moss	c 1.5 PI /feather moss	1! 1/ < o fN %J	e3.1 Sw/green alder/feathcr moss	e3.2Sw/tall bilberry/feather moss	e3 . 3 Sw/Labrador tea/ feather moss	c3.4 Sw/fir/feather moss	e3.5 Sw/feather moss	e4.1 Fa/tall bilberry/feather moss	• e4.2 Fa/Labrador tea/feather moss	e4.3 Fa/flr/feather moss	e4.4 Fa/feather moss
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2 .2

Moisture Regime

c5 Yellow mountain avens (n=l)

SITE CHARACTERISTICS

Nutrient Regime

Moisture regime: mesic, submesic

Nutrient regime: medium, poor

Topographic position: crest, upper slope, midslope

Slope: level

Aspect: northerly, level

SOIL CHARACTERISTICS

Organic thickness: (6-15), (0-5)

Humus form: mor, moder Surface texture: SiL, L, CL, LS, C Effective texture: SCL, CL, SiL, SL, L, C Depth to Mottles/Gley: none Drainage: well, moderately well, rapidly Parent material: M, M/R, GF Soil subgroup: BR.GL, O.EB, E.EB, O.GL

RANGE PLANT COMMUNITY TYPES

CHARACTERISTIC SPECIES

UFD2. Pb-Sw/ WillowA'ellow Mtn. avens n=l

Tree

[ 7 ] Balsam poplar

[ 5 ] White spruce

Shrub

[16] Yellow mountain avens [13] Willow

[ 9 ] Buffaloberry

[ 3 ] Bearberry

Forb

[11] Alpine hedysarum

[11] Scouring rush

[ 4 ] Alpine milk vetch

Grasses

[ 2 ] Blunt Sedge

14

Moisture Regime

c6 Hairy wildrye grassland (n=l)

SITE CHARACTERISTICS

Nutrient Regime

CHARACTERISTIC SPECIES

Shrub
[4]	Bearberry
Forb
[5]	Fireweed
[9]	Showy locoweed
[4]	American vetch
[8]	Strawberry
[2]	Graceful cinquefoil
Grasses
[31]	Hairy wildrye
[3]	Arctic bluegrass
[3]	Sedge
[1]	Slender wheatgrass

Moisture regime: mesic, submesic Nutrient regime: medium, poor Topographic position: crest, upper slope, midslope Slope: level

Aspect: northerly, level SOIL CHARACTERISTICS

Organic thickness: (6-15), (0-5)

Humus form: mor, moder Surface texture: SiL, L, CL, LS, C Effective texture: SCL, CL, SiL, SL, L, C Depth to Mottles: Gley: none Drainage: well, moderately well, rapidly Parent material: M, M/R, GF Soil subgroup: BR.GL, O.EB, E.EB, O.GL

RANGE PLANT COMMUNITY TYPES

UFA15. Hairy wildrye-Sedge n=l

15

c2b Harvested hairy wildrye Aw (n=3)

[ 4 ] Hairy wildrye [ 2 ] Indian ricegrass

Nutrient Regime

SITE CHARACTERISTICS

Moisture regime: mesic, submesic Nutrient regime: medium, rich Topographic position: upper slope, midslope, level Slope: (3-5)%

Aspect: north, east

SOIL CHARACTERISTICS

Organic thickness: (6-15), (0-5)

Humus form: mor

Surface texture: SiL, L, CL, LS, SiCL, C Effective texture: SCL, SiCL, CL, SiC, SL, C Depth to Mottles/Gley: none Drainage: well, moderately well Parent material: M, C, X

Soil subgroup: BR.GL, O.MB, O.GL, O.EB, O.DYB, GL.GL, E.EB, D.GL

RANGE PLANT COMMUNITY TYPES

UFF6. Aw/fireweed n=l

UFF7. Aw/Blueberry-Bearberry/Hairy wildrye n=2

CHARACTERISTIC SPECIES

Trees

[ 1 ] White spruce [ 7 ] Aspen [ 1 ] Lodgepole pine

Shrub

[ 7 ] Blueberry [ 2 ] Bog cranberry [ 4 ] Prickly rose [ 2 ] Green alder

Forb

[18] Fireweed [ 6 ] Horsetail [ 3 ] Heart leaved arnica

Grasses

[ 4 ] Marsh reedgrass [ 1 ] Sedge

16

c4b Harvested hairy wildrye/ Sw fa=14~)

Grasses

[3]Sedge

[21] Hairy wildrye [ 3 ] Slender wheatgrass

Nutrient Regime

CHARACTERISTIC SPECIES

Tree
[10]	White spruce
[7]	Balsam poplar
[3]	Aspen
Understory tree
[2]	White spruce
[2]	Balsam poplar
[1]	Aspen
Shrub
[3]	Shrubby cinquefoil
[5]	Rose
[7]	Creeping juniper
[8]	Willow
[3]	Bearberry
Forb
[3]	Showy locoweed
[3]	Northern hedysarum
[5]	Northern bedstraw

SITE CHARACTERISTICS

Moisture regime: mesic, submesic Nutrient regime: medium, poor Topographic position: upper slope, midslope, level Slope: (2-10)%

Aspect: southeasterly, southwesterly, south SOIL CHARACTERISTICS

Organic thickness: (6-15), (0-5)

Humus form: mor

Surface texture: SiL, L, CL, LS, SiCL, C Effective texture: SCL, SiCL, CL, SiC, SL, C Depth to Mottles/GIey: none Drainage: well, moderately well Parent material: M/R, FL, C/M Soil subgroup: O.EB, E.EB, BR.GL

RANGE PLANT COMMUNITY TYPES

UFFl. Juniper/Hairy wildrye n=4 UFF2. Rose/Hairy wildrye n=10

17

Moistare Regime

SITE CHARACTERISTICS

elb Harvested PI/ Tall bilberry/ Feather moss (n=27)

Nutrient Regime

CHARACTERISTIC SPECIES

Shrub
[1]	Rose
Forb
[4]	Fireweed
[3]	Clover
Grasses
[2]	Creeping red fescue
[3]	Kentucky bluegrass
[8]	Hairy wildrye
[2]	Timothy

Moisture regime: mesic to subxeric Nutrient regime: medium, poor Topographic position: midslope, level, upper slope Slope: (2-41)%

Aspect: variable

SOIL CHARACTERISTICS

Organic thickness: (0-4)

Humus form: moder Surface texture: SiL Effective texture: SiL Depth to Mottles/Gley: none Drainage: well, moderately well Parent material: E, GF Soil subgroup: O.EB

RANGE PLANT COMMUNITY TYPES

UFF2a. Fireweed/Hairy wildrye n=22

UFF8. Kentucky bluegrass-C. red fescue/Clover n=5

18

Moisture Regime

e3b Harvested tall bilberry/ Arnica/ Sw (n=6)

SITE CHARACTERISTICS

Xcric 2 Subxeric 3 Submesic 4 Mesic 5 Subhygric 6 Hygric 7 : Subhydric 8

Hydric 9

Nutrient Regime

Very Very

Poor Poor Med. Rich Rich A B C D E

		a >
{
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	h 1		Jji
■ (	k (

Moisture regime: mesic to subxeric Nutrient regime: medium, poor Topographic position: midslope, level, upper slope Slope: (2-41)%

Aspect: variable

SOIL CHARACTERISTICS

Organic thickness: (0-4)

Humus form: moder.

Surface texture: SiL Effective texture: SiL Depth to Mottles/Gley: none Drainage: well, moderately well Parent material: E, GF Soil subgroup: O, EB

RANGE PLANT COMMUNITY TYPES

UFF4a. Pl-Sw/Moss n=6

CHARACTERISTIC SPECIES

Tree

[ 3 ] White spruce

[10] Lodgepole pine

Shrub

[ 1 ] Willow

[2] Bunchberry

Forb

[ I ] Fire weed

[ 5 ] Horsetail

Grasses

[ 6 ] Hairy wildrye

( 3 ] Marsh reed grass

Moss

[ 1 ] Feather moss

[ 6 ] Stair step moss

19

ff Fescue-California oatgrass grassland (n=70)

mesic/rich

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

This ccositc consists of open grasslands found in valley bottoms, adjacent to nvers and streams, and on south facing slopes. The ecositc tends to be meisc to submesic and occurs on loamy fluvial parent material where flooding and Of high water tables increase soil water content and rep.emvh nutnents. The soils on these sites tend to have thick Ah honzons.

Nutrient Regime

Poor Med. Rteh A B C D E

' /	c	^ ■
	hUYT	MO®/
	Y(

SITE CHARACTERISTICS

Moisture regime; mesic, submesic Nutrient regime: rich, medium Topographic position: crest, upper, mid to lower slope

Slope: (0-5%) (5-20%)

Aspect: south, southwest

Due to the nature of the site grasslands often remain the climax

vegetation on these sites. In the moister lower slope positions shrubs often dominate the site with succession to aspen and spruce Disturbance regime, cold air drainage, and compction from a diverse cover of shrubs, forbs and grasses slow or inhibit the establishment of trees. If trees do become established, the rich loamy soils usually result tn rapid growth.

INDICATOR SPECIES

Rough fescue

California oatgrass

Tufted hairgrass

Sedge

Bearbcrry

Strawberry

Three flowered avens

Clover

Alpine rough fescue Shrubby cinquefoil Slender wheatgrass Kentucky bluegrass Hairy wildrye

SOIL CHARACTERISTICS

Organic thickness: (0-5)

Humus form: moder, mull

Surface texture: CL, SiL, L

Effective texture: CL, SiL, SL

Depth to Mottles/GIey; none

Drainage; well, moderately well, imperfectly

Parent material: F, C, E, GF

Soil subgroup: O.EB ,O.HR, CU.R

ECOSITE PHASES

ffl grassland (44) ff2 shrubland (26)

20

Moisture Regime

ffl Grassland (n=44)

SITE CHARACTERISTICS

Nutrient Regime

Moisture regime: mesic, submesic Nutrient regime: rich

Topographic position: midslope, lowerslope, level Slope: 5-20%

Aspect: southerly

SOIL CHARACTERISTICS

Organic thickness: (0-5)

Humus form: mull, moder

Surface texture: CL, SiL, L

Effective texture: CL, SiL, SL

Depth to Mottles/GIey: none

Drainage: well, modetately well, imperfectly

Parent material: E, C, F, GF

Soil subgroup: O.HR, O.EB, CU.R

RANGE PLANT COMMUNITY TYPES

CHARACTERISTIC SPECIES

Shrub

[ 3 ] Bearberry [ 4 ] Shrubby cinquefoil

Forb

[ 1 ] Slender blue beard tongue [ 1 ] Graceful cinquefoil [ 9 ] Three flowered avens [ 2 ] Wild strawberry

Grasses

[ 24 ] Rough fescue [ 2 ] Tufted hairgrass [ 4 ] Hairy wildrye [ 9 ] California oatgrass [19] Sedge [ 6 ] Slender wheatgrass [ 2 ] Alpine rough fescue

UFA5. Rough fescue-Tufted hairgrass n=5 UFA6. Rough fescue-Hairy wildrye n=l 1 UFA7. Rough fescue-Califomia oatgrass/Bearberry n=4

UFA7a. California oatgrass-Rough fescue/Bearberry n=2

UFA8. California oatgrass-Sedge n=10 UFA12. Rough fescue-Bog sedge n=9 UFA13. Arctic rough fescue n=2 UFA16. Hairy wildrye-Rough fescue/Bearberry n=l

21

Moisture Regime

ff2 Shrubland (n=26)

SITE CHARACTERISTICS

Nutrient Regime

Moisture regime: mesic, subhygric,hygric Nutrient regime: rich Topographic position: lowerslope, level Slope: 0-10%

Aspect: south westerly, north easterly SOIL CHARACTERISTICS

Organic thickness: (0-4)

Humus form: moder Surface texture: L Effective texture: CL Depth to Mottles/GIey: none Drainage: well, moderately well Parent material: L, M Soil subgroup: O.EB

RANGE PLANT COMMUNITY TYPES

CHARACTERISTIC SPECIES

Shrub
[6]	Willow
[17]	Bog birch
[4]	Bearberry
Forb
[1]	Alpine bistort
[5]	Strawberry
[1]	Lindley’s aster
[2]	Fireweed
Grasses
[1]	Hairy wildrye
[1]	Sheep fescue
[4]	Sedge
[6]	California oatgrass
[12]	Rough fescue
[1]	Purple oatgrass
[3]	Slender wheatgrass

UFB4. Willow/Rough fescue n=2 UFB5. Bog birch/Rough fescue/Bearberry n=18 UFB6. Willow/Caiifomia oatgrass-Sedge n=4 UFB8. Willow/Hairy wildrye-Sedge n=2

22

Moisture Regime

ffla Grazed grassland (n=5 7)

SITE CHARACTERISTICS

Nutrient Regime

Moisture regime: mesic, submesic Nutrient regime: rich

Topographic position: midslope, lowerslope, level Slope: 5-20%

Aspect: southerly

SOIL CHARACTERISTICS

Organic thickness: (0-5)

Humus form: mull, moder

Surface texture: CL, SiL, L

Effective texture: CL, SiL, SL

Depth to Mottles/Gley: none

Drainage: well, moderately well, imperfectly

Parent material: E, C, F, GF

Soil subgroup: O.HR, O.EB, CU.R

RANGE PLANT COMMUNITY TYPES

CHARACTERISTIC SPECIES

Shrub

[ 1 ] Shurbby cinquefoil

[ 1 ] Bog birch

Forb

[2] Strawberry

[ 2 ] Yarrow

[ 1 ] Graceful cinquefoil

[ 19 ] Clover

Grasses

[5] Sedge

[ 2 ] Idaho fescue

[ 2 ] Parry’s oatgrass

[ 32 ] Creeping red fescue

[ 1 ] Rocky mountain fescue

[15] Kentucky bluegrass

UFC2. Rocky Mtn. fescue/Graceful cinquefoil n=l UFC7. Creeping red fescue/Clover n=24 UFCIO. Purple oatgrass-Rough fescue n=l UFCll. Slender wheatgrass-Sedge-Rough fescue(n=29)

UFA17. Idaho fescue-Parry oatgrass-Sedge n=2

23

Moisture Regime

ff2a Grazed shrubland (n=2)

SITE CHARACTERISTICS

Nutrient Regime

Moisture regime: mesic, subhygric.hygric Nutrient regime: rich Topographic position: lowerslope, level Slope: 0-10%

Aspect: south westerly, norht easterly SOIL CHARACTERISTICS

Organic thickness: (0-4)

Humus form: moder Surface texture: L Effective texture: CL Depth to Mottles/Gley: none Drainage: well, moderately well Parent material: L, M Soil subgroup: O.EB

RANGE PLANT COMMUNITY TYPES

UFC9. Willow/Kentucky bluegrass n=2

CHARACTERISTIC SPECIES

Shrub
[22]	Willow
Forb
[11]	Dandelion
[7]	Yarrow
[2]	Strawberry
[5]	Tall lungwort
[5]	Clover
Grasses
[12]	Kentucky bluegrass
[5]	Sheep fescue
[9]	Slender wheatgrass
[8]	Tufted hairgrass

24

Moisture Regime

SITE CHARACTERISTICS

f4b Harvested bracted honeysuckle/ Sw (n=n

Nutrient Regime

CHARACTERISTIC SPECIES

Tree
[3]	White spruce
[5]	Aspen
Shrub
[5]	Willow
[5]	River alder
Forb
[21]	Fireweed
[13]	Cow parsnip
[10]	Stinging nettle
[10]	White geranium
[8]	Tall lungwort
[6]	Horsetail
Grasses
[4]	Slender wheatgra
[3]	Marsh reedgrass

Moisture regime: subhygric, mesic Nutrient regime: rich

Topographic position: midslope, upper slope, level Slope: (20)%

Aspect: southeasterly

SOIL CHARACTERISTICS

Organic thickness: (6-15), (16-25)

Humus form: raw moder

Surface texture: Si, L, SiL, SiCL, SiC

Effective texture: C, SiCL, SiC, Si, L, CL •

Depth to Mottles/Gley: none

Drainage: Moderately well, imperfectly

Parent material: M, L, E, C/M

Soil subgroup: D.GL, O.GL, E.EB, E.DYB

RANGE PLANT COMMUNITY TYPES

UFF5. River alder-Willow/Fireweed-Cow parsnip n= 1

25

Moisture Regime

g2a Grazed forb meadow (n=4)

SITE CHARACTERISTICS

Nutrient Regime N'ery Very

Poor Poor Med. Rich Rich

A B C D E

Moisture regime: submesic, subhygric Nutrient regime: medium, rich Topographic position: midslope, level Slope; (0-6)%

Aspect: southeast, southwest SOIL CHARACTERISTICS

Organic thickness: (6-15)

Humus form: mull Surface texture: SiC, SiL, C Effective texture: SiC, C Depth to Mottles/Gley: none Drainage: moderately well, imperfectly Parent material: L, F Soil subgroup: R.G, O.R

RANGE PLANT COMMUNITY TYPES

UFC8. K. Bluegrass-Timothy/Meadow rue(n=4)

CH \R\CT f RISTIC SPECIES

Shrub
(2]	Willow
Forb
[13]	Dandelion
[7]	Co\K parsnip
[5]	Clover
[7]	V'einy meadow rue
Grasses
[7]	Slender wheatgrass
[2]	Smooth brome
[17]	Timothy
[22]	Kentucky bluegrass

26

Moisture Regime

g3 Grass meadow (n=46)

SITE CHARACTERISTICS

Nutrient Regime

Moisture regime: mesic, subhygric.hygric Nutrient regime: very rich Topographic position: lowerslope, level Slope: 0%, 5-40%

Aspect: south westerly, south easterly, south and east SOIL CHARACTERISTICS

Organic thickness: (0-5)

Humus form: moder Surface texture: SiL, L Effective texture: SiL, LS, L Depth to Mottles/Gley: none Drainage: well, moderately well Parent material: GL, GF, F Soil subgroup: O.DYB, O.HR

RANGE PLANT COMMUNITY TYPES

UFA2. Sedge-Slender wheatgrass/Meadow rue n=3 UFA3. Tufted hairgrass-Sedge n=35 UFA4. Tufted hairgrass-Sedge-Slender wheatgrass n=8

CHARACTERISTIC SPECIES

Shrub	•
[1]	Barclay’s willow
[2]	Willow
[2]	Bog birch
Forb
[7]	Lindley’s aster
[8]	Yarrow
[8]	Veiny meadow rue
[5]	Graceful cinquefoil
[6]	Wild strawberry
Grasses
[36]	Sedge species
[3]	Slender wheatgrass
[25]	Tufted hairgrass

27

Moisture Regime

g3a Grazed grass meadow (n=74)

SITE CHARACTERISTICS

Nutrient Regime

CHARACTERISTIC SPECIES

Shrub
[1]	Willow
Forb
[4]	Strawberry
[8]	Yarrow
[9]	Graceful cinquefoil
[15]	Dandelion
[5]	Clover
[7]	Veiny meadow rue
Grasses
[21]	Sedge species*
[7]	Slender wheatgrass
[8]	Tufted hairgrass
[28]	Kentucky bluegrass
[1]	Fringed brome

Moisture regime: mesic, subhygric.hygric Nutrient regime: very rich Topographic position: lowerslope, level Slope: 0%, 5-40%

Aspect: south westerly, south easterly, south and east SOIL CHARACTERISTICS

Organic thickness: (0-5)

Humus form: moder Surface texture: SiL, L Effective texture: SiL, LS, L Depth to Mottles/GIey: none Drainage: moderately well, poor Parent material: GL, GF, F Soil subgroup: O.DYB, O.HR

RANGE PLANT COMMUNITY TYPES

UFCl. Slender wheatgrass-Sedge/Low forbs n=9 UFC3. Kentucky bluegrass/Dandelion n=23 ' UFC4. Kentucky bluegrass-Sedge/Dandelion n=25 UFC5. Tufted hairgrass-Kentucky bluegrass n=4 UFC6. Sedge/Tufted hairgrass n=13

28

Moisture Regime

j2 Horsetail Pb (n=l)

SITE CHARACTERISTICS

Nutrient Regime

CHARACTERISTIC SPECIES

Trees
[35]	Balsam poplar
[5]	Aspen
[3] Shrub	White spruce
[30]	Willow
[3]	Rose
Forb
[12]	Horsetail
[9]	Scouring rush
[3]	Tall lungwort
[1]	Scouring rush
[4]	Clover
[7]	Strawberry
Grasses
[1]	Hairy wildrye
[1]	Marsh reedgrass
[1]	Kentucky bluegrass

Moisture regime: hygric, subhygric, subhydric Nutrient regime: rieh, very rich, medium, poor Topographic position: toe, midslope, lowerslope, level

Slope: level, (2-%)

Aspect: level, northerly, westerly

SOIL CHARACTERISTICS

Organic thickness: (6- 1 5)(0-5)

Humus form: raw moder, mor, peatymor

Surface texture: SiL, L, SL

Effective texture: SiL, LS, L

Depth to Mottles/Gley: none, (26-50)(0-25)

Drainage: imperfect, poor, moderately well

Parent material: F, C

Soil subgroup: R.G, O.R, O.EB, GL.EB

RANGE PLANT COMMUNITY TYPES

UFD6. PbAVillow/Horsetail (n=l)

29

Moisture Regime

jib Harvested horsetail/ Sw (n=l)

SITE CHARACTERISTICS

Nutrient Regime

Moisture regime: hygric, subhygric Nutrient regime: rich

Topographic position: level, midslope, lower slope, toe

Slope: (1)%

Aspect: north

SOIL CHARACTERISTICS

Organic t.hickness: (6-15), (0-5)

Humus form: mor, raw moder, peatymor

Surface texture: SiL, SL, L

Effective texture: SiL, LS, L

Depth to Mottles/Gley: none

Drainage: imperfectly, moderately well, poor, very

poor

Parent material: F, C

Soil subgroup: R.G, O.R, O.EB, GL.EB

CHARACTERISTIC SPECIES

Forb
[18]	Dandelion
[3]	Strawberry
[22]	Yarrow
[8]	Graceful cinquefoil
[5]	Veiny meadow rue
Grasses
[4]	Creeping red fescue
[4]	Slender wheatgrass
[46]	Kentucky bluegrass

RANGE PLANT COMMUNITY TYPES

UFF3. Sw/Horsetail/Kentucky bluegrass(n=l)

30

UPPER FOOTHILLS SUBREGION

NATIVE GRASSLANDS AND SHRUBLANDS

Figure 1. Overview of native shrub and grassland complex in the Upper Foothills subregion

31

Native grass and shrublands

The native grass and shrubland community types (T able 2) are found in the valley bottoms, adj acent to streams andrivers,throughouttheUpperFoothills subregion. Deep snow accumulations and cold air drainage prevent trees from growing in these valley bottoms (Daubenmire, 1 978). Historically, these grass and shrublands burned frequently, further preventing tree encroachment.

The sequence of these community types along amoisture gradient from wet (UF A 1 sedge meadows) to dry (UFA9 junegrass-sedge/ sage slopes) is outlined in Figure 3. The change in species composition from the wet sedge meadows to rough fescue and California oatgrass meadows may occur over a 3 foot elevational gradient.

The maintenance of these grassland community types is extremely fire dependent. The lack of fire allows bog birch and willow to expand, shading the modal grassland community types. Prolonged shading causes the understory composition to shift from a tufted hairgrass-rough fescue dominated understory to one dominated by slender wheatgrass and sedge (Figure 3). Under heavy shrub cover (pussy willow shrubland and willow-bog birch community types), there is little forb or grass understory. Increased shrub cover also causes a decline in forage productivity and reduces the accessibility for livestock.

Figure 2. Typical native shrub and grassland transition zone in Upper Foothills subregion

32

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gl Ecosite phase shrubby meadow 1148 437 566 1487 Subhygric Mod. Well

UFB2. Willow/ Slender wheatgrass-Sedge 1573 735 1669 Subhygric Well

UFB3. Willow/ Tufted hairgrass 1168 405 772 2058 Subhygric Mod. Well

UFB7. Pussy willow shrubland 181 Subhygric Mod. well

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Figure 3, Layout of plant community types for native grass and shrublands in the landscape of the Upper Foothills subregion.

Key to Grassland Community Types (Grasslands dominated by native species)

1. Hydric, periodic flooding, depressional, dominated by sedges UFAl Water sedge meadows

Drier, ungrazed or lightly grazed dominated by forbs or grass (rough fescue, tufted hairgrass) 2

2. Moist sites dominated by Forbs (Fire weed. Cow pamsip) 3

Grass dominated(upland sedges, rough fescue, slender wheatgrass, hairy wildrye, tufted hairgrass) 4

3. Moist, lowland sites dominated by fireweed UFAl 1 Fireweed/ Hairy wildrye (Forb meadow)

Fine textured, silty soils, dominated by cow parsnip UFA 14 Cow parsnip-Meadow rue/ Fringed brome

4. Moist sites dominated by Tufted hairgrass with no rough fescue present at site, includes moderately grazed sites

dominated by slender wheatgrass. Rocky Mtn. fescue and sedge species 5

Drier sites dominated by rough fescue, hairy wildrye, California oatgrass, slender wheatgrass 6

5. Early successional sites with little slender wheatgrass, dominated by Tufted hairgrass

UFA3 Tufted hairgrass-Sedge

Later successional or grazed tufted hairgrass or rough fescue meadows with abundant forbs, sedge, and

slender wheatgrass 5a

5a Lightly grazed sites dominated by tufted hairgrass, Sedge and Slender wheatgrass....

UFA4 Tufted hairgrass-Sedge-Slender wheatgrass

Lightly to moderately grazed sites dominated by sedge, slender wheatgrass. Rocky Mtn. fescue or

grateful cinquefoil 5b

5b Moderately to heavily grazed site dominated by Rocky Mtn. fescue or graceful cinquefoil

UFC2 Rocky Mtn. fescue/Graceful cinquefoil

Lightly to moderately grazed site dominated by slender wheatgrass, sedge, low forb species or rough fescue

5c

5c Dry well drained sites with some rough fescue present UFCl 1 Sedge-Slender wheatgrass-Rough fescue

Moister sites, tufted hairgrass present UFCl Slender wheatgrass-Sedge/Low forbs

6. Rough fescue dominated, higher elevation and moist sites 7

Hairy wildrye, California oatgrass, slender wheatgrass, Idaho fescue. Parry oatgrass or Purple oatgrass

dominated ; 12

7. Moist Alpine sites with globeflower, fleabane, monkshood, mountain heliotrope or drier sites with bog sedge . . 8

Drier sites at lower elevations tufted hairgrass, hairy wildrye, bearberry or slender wheatgrass codominant 9

8. Dry well drained sites with bog sedge codominant UFA 12 Rough fescue-Bog sedge

Moist Alpine sites with alpine forb species UFA 13 Alpine rough fescue

9. Moist sites codominated with Tufted hairgrass UFA5 Rough fescue-Tufted hairgrass

Drier well drained sites dominated by hairy wildrye, bearberry, 10

10. Lower, south facing slopes, well-developed soils hairy wildiye codominant . . UFA6 Rough fescue-Hairy wildrye

Well drained sites with Bearberry present in understory 11

1 1 . Shallow, well drained, gravelly soils, low nutrient UFA7 Rough fescue/ Bearberry

Ghost area California oatgrass dominated UFA7a California oatgrass-Rough fescue/ Bearberry

12. California oatgrass dominated, well-drained soil, cold air drainage level areas in valley bottoms UFA8 California oatgrass-Sedge

Idaho fescue. Parry oatgrass, Hairy wildrye or Purple oatgrass dominated communities on south facing slopes or dry gravelly river beds 13

1 3. Low land moist meadows or dry gravelly river beds 15

Steep south facing slopes 14

14. Steep, south facing slopes, shallow soils, drought tolerant species Junegrass, sage UFA9 Junegrass-Sedge/ Sage

Hairy wildrye or Idaho fescue, Purple oatgrass. Parry oatgrass dominated sites 16

15. River bed, dry, gravelly, well drained sites UFA 10 Bearberry/ Slender wheatgrass

Moist meadows dominated by drier sedge species UFA2 Sedge-Slender wheatgrass/ Meadow rue

16. Hairy wildrye dominated 17

Moister, south facing slopes in the Ghost area, Idaho fescue. Parry oatgrass, Purple oatgrass dominated

grasslands 16a

16a Idaho fescue, Parry oatgrass dominated sites in the Ghost area UFAl 7 Idaho fescue-P.oatgrass-Sedge

36

Grazed sites dominated by Purple oatgrass and rough fescue UFC9 Purple oatgrass-Rough fescue

17. South facing slopes, at higher elevation UFA 15 Hairy wildrye-Sedge

Grazed site, dominated by hairy wildrye, rough fescue present . . UFA 16 Hairy wildr>’e-Rough fescue/Bearberry

Key to Grazing Modified Grassland and Shrubland Community Types (dominated by non-native species)

1. Native dominated 2

Non-native dominated, creeping red fescue, Kentucky bluegrass, clover, dandelion ... 7

2. Grass dominated (slender wheatgrass, rocky mtn. fescue, sedge, purple oatgrass, tufted

hairgrass) 3

Shrub dominated with K. bluegrass understory UFCIO Willow/ Kentucky bluegrass

3. Moist grassy meadows with rough fescue, tufted hairgrass still present on site 4

Drier, well drained sites dominated by Rocky mtn. fescue

UFC2 Rocky mtn. Fescue/ Graceful cinquefoil

4 Slender wheatgrass, Sedge and purple oatgrass dominated community 4a

Grazed tufted hairgrass communities(moister sites) 5

4a Slender wheatgrass and Sedge dominated UFCl Slender wheatgrass-Sedge/Low forbs

Purple oatgrass dominates UFC9 Purple oatgrass-Rough fescue

3. Kentucky bluegrass present UFC5 Tufted hairgrass-Kentucky bluegrass

Kentucky bluegrass absent, recovering site UFC6 Sedge-Tufted hairgrass

4. Kentucky bluegrass dominated 8

Seeded sites with Creeping red fescue UFC7 Creeping red fescue/ Clover

5. Heavily grazed sites with dandelion as co-dominant

UFC3 Kentucky bluegrass/ Dandelion

Heavily grazed cow parsnip meadow, lower elevation sites, cow parsnip present in small amounts UFC8 Kentucky bluegrass-Timothy/ Meadow rue

37

Key to Shrubland Community Types

1. Bog birch dominated 2

Willow dominated 3

2. Dry, nutrient poor soils, with rough fescue UFB5 Bog birch/ Rough fescue/ Bearberry

Wet, poor drainage, no willow cover UFB9 Bog birch/ Sedge-Marsh reedgrass

3. Poorly drained sites with water sedge in understory, or shrublands with little understory ... 4 Drier well drained sites with slender wheatgrass, hairy wildrye, rough fescue, tufted hairgrass

found in the understory 7

4. Poor drainage, very wet sites UFBl Willow-Bog birch/ Water sedge

Shrub dominated sites with little understory willow and bog birch dominated 5

5: Tall willow or alder dominated 6

Short willow, imperfectly drained sites little understory UFBl 1 Willow-Bog birch

6. Occurring along water bodies UFB7 Pussy willow shrubland

Moist, nutrient rich seepage sites with alder and willow UFBl 2 Alder- Willow/ Horsetail

7. Well drained sites with Hairy wildrye dominating the understory, typical of well drained valley

bottomland sites UFB8 Willow/ Hairy wildiye-Sedge

Recently invaded grasslands with rough fescue, tufted hairgrass or California oatgrass, slender wheatgrass or graceful sedge 8

8. California oatgrass dominated UFB6 Willow/ California oatgrass-Sedge

Rough fescue or tufted hairgrass present in imderstory 9

9. Rough fescue dominated UFB4 Willow/ Rough fescue

Tufted hairgrass, graceful sedge or slender wheatgrass dominated 10

10. Tufted hairgrass dominated UFB3 Willow/ Tufted hairgrass

Sedge or Slender wheatgrass dominated understory 1 1

11. Sedge dominated ! UFBIO Willow-Bog birch/ Sedge

Slender wheatgrass dominated UFB2 Willow/ Slender wheatgrass-Sedge

38

UFAl. Water-Beaked sedge meadows

(Carex aquatilis-Carex rostrata)

n=14 Wet conditions and periodic flooding' result in the formation of water sedge meadows. Bog birch and willow will invade into the drier edges of these meadows to form the willow-bog birch/ water sedge community type (UFBl).

These community types are quite productive, producing nearly 2000 kg/ha of forage, but the high water table in the spring and summer when these meadows are most palatable limits livestock use. A study in the Yukon found that crude protein on these meadows declined from a high of 10% in May to less than 5% in September (Bailey et al., 1992). As a result, these meadows would be rated as secondary or non-use range.

Plant Composition canopy cover(%)

Shrubs Willow	Mean	Range	Const.
(Salix spp) Bog birch	2	0-10	79
{Betula glandulosa) 1 Forbs Arrow leaved coltsfoot	0-1	29
(Petasites sagittatus) Grasses Water sedge	2	0-20	7
(Carex aquatilis) Beaked sedge	14	0-63	29
{Carex rostrata) Sedge	2	0-30	7
{Carex spp) Tufted hairgrass	64	0-96	50
(Deschampsia cespitosa)	11	0-40	86

Environmental Variables

Moisture Regime:

SUBHYDRIC .

Nutrient Regime

Mesotrophic

Elevation:

1091-1760 M (1484 M)

Soil Drainage:

Poorly

Aspect:

Variable

Slope:

0-5%

FORAGE PRODUCTIONfKG/HA'I

Grass: 1981(810-4438)

ForbS: 384 (46-776)

Shrubs: 872 (8-1736)

Total: 2381 (966-4684)

Suggested Grazing capacity

Non-use

39

UFA2. Sedge-Slender wheatgrass/ Meadow rue

(Carex spp.-Agropyron trachycaulum/ Thalictrum venulosum)

n=3 These sites arc dominated by three sedge species that are adapted to moist conditions: C praticola, C praegracihs and C prairea. The presence of small amoimts of tufted hairgrass and rough fescue indicates that these sites may represent a phase of the rough fescue-tufted hairgrass plant community (UFA5). Past heavy grazing pressure may have shifted the plant community to one dominated by sedge species or these sites could be too wet for tufted hairgrass and rough fescue growth.

The forage productivity on this community type is good. In comparison with the water sedge meadows (UFAl). these sites remain drier throughout the growing season and this allows easy access for livestock. This commuiuty v^ould be rated as primary range.

PL.ANT Com position canopy Cover(%)

Shrubs Shrubby ct'»oi fto;L	Mean	Range	Const.
(Poteniilla fritncosa) Bog birch	1	0-2	67
(Betula glcnduloia) Forbs Veinymladoa rue	1	0-2	33
(Thalictrum xt-nulosumj Old man’s	28	20-36	100
(Geum triflorum) 9 Slender blue beardtongue	0-14	67
(Pensiemon procerus) Yarrow	5	0-8	67
(Achillea millefolium) Silvery asouEfoiL	10	5-14	100
(Potentilla arguta) Lindley's aster	5	0-8	67
(Aster ciholatus) Grasseis Meadow sedge	2	0-5	33
(Carex praticola) Graceful sedge	16	0-26	67
{Carex praegracihs) Prairie SEDGE	11	0-32	33
(Carex prairea) Sedge	9	0-28	33
{Carex spp) Slender wheatgrass	25	0-75	33
(Agropyron trachycaulum)^	0-12	67

Environmental Variables

Moisture Regime:

SUBHYGRIC

Nutrient Regime:

Permesotrophic

Elevation:

1460 m Soil Drainage:

Moderately well

Aspect:

East

Slope:

0-5%

Forage pRODucTiONfKG/HAl

Total: 2500

Suggested Grazing Capacity

0.4 ha/AUM or 0.8 acres/AUM

40

UFA3. Tufted hairgrass-Sedge

(Deschampsia cespitosa-Carex praegracilis)

n=34 This community is located on moist sites that are better drained and slightly drier than the pure sedge meadows (UFAl). Willoughby (1992) and Willoughby (1999), found that tufted hairgrass is a common plant species on these lowland sites throughout the Upper Foothills and Lower Subalpine subregions. At lower elevations, this species appears to be replaced by marsh reedgrass. When this community type is protected from grazing for 25-30 years, willow and bog birch expand (willow/ tufted hairgrass (UFB3)) and tufted hairgrass and sedge decline (Willoughby, 1992). The decline in graminoid cover also results in a decline in available forage production from 2200 to 1800 kg/ha. Continuous heavy grazing pressure causes hairgrass to decline and the site will be invaded by Kentucky bluegrass and dandelion.

Bork ( 1 994), found this community type, to be the most productive type described in Willmore wilderness park. Forage production averages over 2000 kg/ha and can vary from 800-3300 kg/ha. This community type would be rated as primary range.

Plant Composition canopy cover(%)

Shrubs Barclay's willow	Mean	Range	CONST.
(Salix barclayi) Willow	1	0-8	23
{Salix spp) BOG BIRCH	1	0-12	14
{Betula glandulosa) Forbs Yarrow	1	0-10	23
(Achillea millefolium) Strawberry	8	0-41	94
(Fragaria virginiana) Veiny meadow rue	7	0-27	77
(Thalictrum venulosum) Lindley's aster	6	0-23	74
(Aster ciliolatus) Graceful cinquefoil	7	0-44	57
(Potentilla gracilis) Dandelion	6	0-23	89
(T araxacum officinale) Grasses Tufted hairgrass	5	0-30	60
(Deschampsia cespitosa) Graceful sedge	31	2-70	100
(Carex praegracilis) Water sedge	12	0-43	69
{Carex aquatilis) Sedge	1	0-20	11
{Carex spp)	26	0-88	14

Slender wheatgrass

(Agropyron trachpaulum) 9 0-27 71

Environmkntal Variables

Moisture Regime:

SUBHYGRIC

Nutrient Regime:

Permesotrophic

Elevation:

1276-1800 M (1461m)

Soil Drainage:

Moderately well

Aspect:

Variable

Slope:

0-40%

Forage production(kg/ha^

Grass: 1665(422-3654) Forbs: 513(6-1572) Shrubs: 277 (124-414) Total: 2455(824-3706)

Suggested grazing capacity

0.4 ha/AUM or 0.9 aCRES/AUM

41

UFA4. Tufted hairgrass-Sedge-Slender wheatgrass

(Deschampsia cespitosa-Carex spp.-Agropyron trachycaulum)

n=8 This community type may be transitional between the willow dominated community types and the tufted hairgrass dominated grasslands. Two of the sites described in this community are represented by the inside, ungrazed transect at two rangeland reference area sites. Protection from grazing for 25-35 years appears to allow willow to expand and there is a shift away from a tufted hairgrass dominated community type to a type that is dominatedby slender wheatgrass, sedge and tall forb species. Continued protection from grazing and fire will likely lead to a community dominated by willow and bog birch with little understory of forbs and grass.

Plant Composition canopy covERf%^

Shrubs Barclay’s willow	Mean	Range	CONST.
(Salix barclayi) Willow	3	0-13	38
{Salix spp) Bog birch	6	0-33	38
{Betula glandulosa) Forbs Lindley's aster	5	0-26	50
(Aster ciliolatus) Veiny meadow rue	6	0-15	50
(Thalictrum venulosum) Yarrow	11	0-31	88
(Achillea millefolium) Graceful cinquefoil	7	T-13	100
(Potentilla gracilis) Strawberry	4	T-13	100
(Fragaria virginiana) American VETCH	6	0-15	88
(Vida americana) Fireweed	3	1-5	100
{Epilobium angustifolium)A Tall LUNGWORT	0-8	75
(Mertensia paniculata) Grasses Graceful SEDGE .	8	0r32	88
(Car ex praegracilis) Tufted hairgrass	11	0-21	75
(Deschampsia cespitosa) Slender wheatgrass	9	1-17	100
(Agropyron trachycaulum) \Z	0-28	88

Environmental Variables

Moisture Regime;

SUBHYGRIC

Nutrient Regime:

Permesotrophic

Elevation:

1303-1805 M (1423 M)

Soil Drainage:

Moderately well

ASPECT:

Variable

Slope;

0-5%

FORAGE PRODUCTION(KG/HA)

Grass: 1831 (864-2416)

Forbs: 971(477-1702)

Total: 2745(1478-4118)

Suggested grazing capacity

0.3 ha/AUM or 0.7 acRES/AUM

42

UFA5. Rough fescue-Tufted hairgrass

(Festuca scabrella-Deschampsia cespitosa)

n=5 This community type is located up slope from the tufted hairgrass-sedge community type (UFA3) on drier,

better drained soils. The drier soil conditions limit the amount of forage being produced. There was 300 kg/ha less forage produced in the rough fescue-tufted hairgrass community type compared to the tufted hairgrass-sedge community type (UFA3).

In the absence of fire and grazing, this community type will become dominated by willow and bog birch (willow/ rough fescue community type (UFB4)). Heavy grazing pressure also decreases the cover of rough fescue and tufted hairgrass and allows Kentucky bluegrass and dandelion to increase (Willoughby, 1992). The dominant plant species on this community are highly palatable and the sites are easily accessible to livestock. Consequently, this community would be rated as primary range.

Plant Composition canopy cover(%)

Mean Range Const.

FORBS

Slender blue beardtongue

(Penstemon procerus) Yarrow	4	1-9	100
(Achillea millefolium) Graceful cinquefoil	4	1-11	100
(Potentilla gracilis) Chickweed	3	0-6	80
(Cerastium arvense) Monkshood	1	0-4	80
(Aconitum delphinfolium) 1 Old man’s whiskers	0-4	40
{Geum triflorum) Grasses Rough fescue	5	0-25	40
(Festuca scabrella) Tufted hairgrass	23	18-28	100
(Deschampsia cespitosa) Slender wheatgrass	17	3-29	100
(Agropyron trachycaulum)A Graceful SEDGE	1-6	100
(Carex praegracilis) California oatgrass	13	0-50	60
(Danthonia califomica)	3	0-8	60

Environmental Variables

Moisture Regime:

SUBHYGRIC

Nutrient Regime:

Permesotrophic

Elevation:

1370-1737 M (1532 m)

Soil Drainage:

Moderately well

Aspect:

Southeast

Slope:

0-3%

Forage Production (kg/ha)

Grass: 1068(605-1797)

ForbS: 618(166-1252)

Total: 1684(913-2272)

Suggested Grazing Capacity

0.5 HA/AUM or 1.2 ACRES/AUM

43

UFA6. Rough fescue-Hairy wildrye

(Festuca scabrella-Elymus innovatus)

n=18 These grasslands are located on lower, south facing slopes. They represent the transition zone from the dry junegrass-sedge/ sage (UFA9) dominated south facing slopes to the moist rough fescue and tufted hairgrass dominated community types (UFA5). Grazing pressure causes a shift away from a rough fescue, hairy wildrye dominated community (UFA6) to a sedge, Kentucky bluegrass dominated community (UFC4) (Willoughby, 1992), These grasslands are fairly moist and have well developed soils which makes them very productive. This community type would be rated as primary range.

This community type is very similar to the rough fescue dominated communities described in the Ya Ha Tinda, west of Sundre (Willoughby et al. 2001)

Plant Composition canopy cover(%> Environmental Variables

Mean Range Const.

Shrubs

B EBB'S WILLOW

(Salix bebbiana) Shrubby cinquefoil	2	0-13	18
(Potentilla fruticosa) Forbs Fireweed	3.	0-13	78
(Epilobium angustifolium)3	0-30	27
Old man’s whiskers (Geum triflorum)	5	0-19	56
Star flowered Solomon's seal
(Smilacina stellata) Wild strawberry	2	0-27	33
(Fragaria virginiana) Veiny meadow rue	4	0-9	67
{Thalictrum venulosum) Grasses Rough fescue	4	0-19	73
(Festuca scabrella) Hairy wildrye	35	8-85	100
(Elymus innovatus) Slender wheatgrass	8	0-28	67
(Agropyron trachycaulum)4	-0-18	61
Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis) Graceful SEDGE	1	0-5	39
{Carex praegracilis) Sedge	5	0-42	22
{Carex spp) Prairie SEDGE	9	0-24	44
(Carex prairea) JUNEGRASS	1	0-18	11
{Koeleria macrantha)	4	0-19	67

Moisture Regime;

Mesic

Nutrient Regime:

Mesotrophic

Elevation:

1320-1798 M (1589 M)

Soil Drainage:

Well

Aspect:

South

Slope:

5-48%

Forage Production (^kg/ha)

Grass; 2041(472-4832)

Forbs: 358(12-696)

Total: 2190(484-5162)

Suggested grazing Capacity

0.4 HA/AUM or 0.9 ACRES/AUM

44

UFA7. Rough fescue/ Bearberry

(Festuca scabrella/ Arctostaphylos uva-ursi)

n=4 This community type was described in the Upper Clearwater Forest Land Use Zone and is similar to the bog birch' rough fescue/ bearberry community type but lacks the cover of bog birch. Willoughby (2001) felt that bog birch indicated sites with deeper snow accumulations. This commimity occupies sites that have shallow, well- drained, and gravelly soils and there maybe little snow cover which does not favour the growth of bog birch. This commumtv- is rnoderately productive but because of the poor soil conditions, precautions must be taken to prevent overutilization

Plant Comp(<sition CANOPYCovF«r%^ Environmental Variables

Shrubs Bearblrr>	Mean	Range	Const.	Moisture Regime: SUBXERIC Nutrient Regime:
(AfctosiJph^los uuj ursi) Shrubby crN<,’H OIL	21	12-31	100	Mesotrophic Elevation:
{PotentiHa oj j) Forbs Old man's ^	2	0-5	75	1676-1829 M (1745 M) Soil Drainage: Well
(Geurn trifioruf*'.) Yarrow	10	0-26	75	Aspect: South
{Achillea Graceful cinq. tfoil	11	0-38	75	Slope: 0-5%
(PotentiHa graaluj Grasses	3	0-10	50	Forage Production <^kg/ha)
Rough FEscut
(Festuca scabrella) Slender w heatgrass	49	38-56	100	Grass: 1023(580-1686) Forbs: 538(204-820)
(Agropyron trachycaulum)9 Graceful SEDGE	5-19	100	Total: 1561(1156-1890)
(Carex praegracihs) Fringed brome	3	0-6	75	Suggested grazing Capacity
{Bromus ciltatus) Hairy wildrye	4	0-7	75	0.6 ha/AUM or 1.3 acres/AUM
{Elymus innovatus)	4	0-9	75

45

UFA7a. California oatgrass-Rough fescue/ Bearberry

{Danthonia calif omica-Festuca scabrella/ Arctostaphylos uva-ursi)

n=2 This community type was described in the Ghost area west of Calgary. It appears to represent a transitional

grassland between the Montane and Upper Foothills subregions. This community also appears to be transitional between the California oatgrass dominated grasslands (UFA8) and the previously described Rough fescue/Bearberry dominated community. This community is located on steep, south facing slopes and small hillcrests with well- drained subxeric soils. The dry site conditions limit the amount of forage available for domestic livestock and the steep slopes restrict livestock access. Consequently, this community type should be rated non-use.

Plant Composition canopy cover(%>

Mean Range Const.

Shrubs Bearberry ■ (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) 21	4-36	100
Shrubby cinquefoil {Potentilla fruticosa)	8	1-15	100
FORBS Old man's whiskers (Geum triflorum)	20	11-27	100
Yarrow {Achillea millefolium)	2	T-3	100
Graceful cinquefoil (Potentilla gracilis)	1	T-1	100
Grasses California oatgrass {Danthonia californica)	29	27-30	100
Rough fescue (Festuca scabrella)	15	7-22	100
Idaho fescue {Festuca idahoensis)	8	5-11	100
Sedge (Carex spp)	11	4-7	100
Hairy wildrye {Elymus innovatus)	1	0-2	50

Moisture Regime:

Subxeric Nutrient Regime:

Mesotrophic

Elevation:

1745 m

Soil Drainage:

Well

Aspect:

South

Slope:

25%

Forage Production (kg/ha')

Total 1561 *Estimate

Suggested grazing Capacity 0.6 Ha/AUM or 1.3 AC/AUM

Environmental Variables

46

UFA8. California oatgrass-Sedge

(Danthonia californica-Carex praegracilis)

n=9 Dry, gravelly or stony soils support this moderately productive grassland that is dominated by California oatgrass. Small pockets of this community type occur throughout the Upper Foothills subregion. In the Yukon, these small meadows were found to form in depressions which appeared to act as pronounced frost pockets (Bailey et al., 1992). In the Subalpine subregion, these California oatgrass dominated grasslands are often associated with bog sedge (Willoughby 1999). The cold air drainage and poor nutrient quality of the soil limits the forage productivity of these sites.

Plant Composition canopy cover(

Mean Range Const.

Shrubs

Shiiubby cinquefoil

{Potentilla fruticosa) Dwarf bilberry	1	0-25	60
(Vaccinium caespitosum) Forbs Lindley's aster	1	0-5	10
(Aster ciliolatus) Wild strawberry	2	0-10	30
(Fragaria virginiana) Old man's whiskers	8	2-15	100
(Geum triflorum) Alpine MILK VETCH	14	0-46	90
(Astragalus alpinus) Veiny meadow rue	3	0-17	30
(Thalictrum venulosum) Blue eyed grass	7	0-25	90
(Sisyrinchium montanum) 2 Grasses California oatgrass	0-19	30
(Danthonia californica) Graceful sedge	31	0-57	90
(Car ex praegracilis) Sedge	10	0-37	50
{Car ex spp) Slender wheatgrass	18	0-50	50
(Agropyron trachycaulum)% Sheep fescue	0-36	80
(Festuca saximontana) Columbia needlegrass	3	0-15	40
(Stipa Columbiana)	4	0-21	30

Moisture Regime;

Mesic

Nutrient Regime;

Mesotrophic

Elevation;

1400-1580 M (1484 m)

Soil Drainage;

Well

aspect;

Variable

Slope;

0-45%

Forage Production (kg/ha)

Grass; 1051 (400-1582)

Forbs; 373 (118-762)

Shrubs; 585 (110-1402)

Total; 1578 (1033-2014)

Suggested Grazing Capacity

0.6 ha/AUM or 1.3 acres/AUM

Environmentai. Variables

47

UFA9. Junegrass-Sedge/ Sage

(Koeleria macrantha-Carex sppJ Artemisia frigida)

n=4 . This community type occurs on steep, south facing slopes with shallow soils overlying sandstone bedrock.

The majority of the vegetation is composed of the drought tolerant species: sage, bearberry and junegrass. The inaccessibility and fragile nature of the soils make this community type unsuitable for grazing.

This community type is very similar to the blunt sedge-rocky mtn. fescue/ bearberry community described by Willoughby (1999) and the junegrass-hairy wildrye-brome community described by Corns and Achuff (1982) on steep south-facing slopes in the Subalpine subregion.

Plant Composition canopy cover(%i

Shrubs Prickly rose -	Mean	Range	Const.
(Rosa acicularis) Bearberry	2	0-3	75
(Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) 1 Forbs Plains wormwood	0-5	25
(Artemisia campestris) Fringed sage	1	0-5	25
(Artemisia frigida) Mountain goldenrod	7	0-17	75
(Solidago spathulata) Late yellow loco weed	1	0-5	25
(Oxytropis monticola) Grasses Junegrass	1	0-3	25
(Koeleria macrantha) Thread-leaved sedge	19	13-30	100
{Car ex filifolia) Sedge	14	0-32	50
{Car ex spp) Sheep fescue	14	0-38	75
(Festuca saximontana)	1	0-5	25

Moisture Regime:

Sub xeric Nutrient Regime:

SUBMESOTROPHIC

Elevation:

1560-1720 M (1592 M)

Soil Drainage:

Rapidly

Aspect:

South

Slope:

25-40%

Forage Production (kg/ha)

Grass: 737(400-1044)

Forbs; 359(222-495)

Shrubs: 171 (1-400)

Total: 1147(800-1378)

Suggested Grazing Capacity

Non-use

Environmental Variables

48

UTAIO. Bearberry/ Slender wheatgrass

(Arctostaphylos uva-ursi/ Agropyron trachycaulum)

n=2 This community type is found scattered throughout the Upper Foothills subregion on dry, gravelly, well drained river flats. The presence of silverberry, yellow mountain avens, bearberry and early yellow locoweed are very common on these sites.

The poor soil conditions limit the forage productivity and amount of regrowth after grazing. This community type should be rated as secondary or non-use range.

Plant Composition canopy cover(%^

Mean

Shrubs

Silverberry

(Elaeagnus commutata) 1 Yellow mountain avens {Dryas drummondii) 2 Bearberry

(Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) 1 1 FORBS

Strawberry

(Fragaria virginiana) 22

Early yellow locoweed ( Oxytropis sericea) 1 2

Yarrow

(Achillea millefolium) 3

Grasses

JUNEGRASS

(Koeleria macrantha) 3

Rough fescue (Festuca scabrella) 4

Slender wheatgrass (Agropyron trachycaulum)6 ALPINE BLUEGRASS (Poa alpina) 5

Sheep fescue (Festuca saximontana) 2

Range	Const.	Moisture Regime:
		SUBMESIC
		Nutrient Regime:
0-1	50	Mesotrophic
Elevation:
0-3	50	1400-1415 M (1408 M)
Soil Drainage:
8-12	100	Well
		Aspect:
		Southeast
14-29	100	Slope:
		0-3%
0-24	50	Forage Production (kg/haI
1-5	100	Grass: 400 Shrubs: 400
0-5	50	Total: 500
0-8	50	Suggested Grazing Capacity
0-11	100	Non-Use
0-10	50
0-3	50

Environmental Variables

49

^ — r

UFAll. Fireweed/ Hairy wildrye (Forb meadow)

(Epilobium angustifolium/ Elymus innovatus)

n=3 This community type is found on moist lowland sites adjacent to the lodgepole pine and white spmce dominated forests. It represents the transition from the willow and grass dominated riparian areas to the conifer dominated forests. In the absence of disturbance (fire) it appears that succession of conifers into the grassy meadows shifts the species dominance away from a predominantly graminoid cover to one dominated by forbs such as fireweed, Lindley’s aster and palmate leaved coltsfoot. There is also a shift in grass cover away from tufted hairgrass, rough fescue and sedge species to more shade tolerant grass species such as purple oatgrass and hairy wildrye. Periodic burning of this site is required to limit tree and shrub expansion.

This community type is very productive and easily accessible to livestock. It would be rated as primary

range.

Plant Composition canopy cover(%)

•*	Mean	Range	Const.	Moisture Regime:
				Subhygric
Understory trees				Nutrient Regime:
White SPRUCE				Permesotrophic
(Picea glauca)	3	0-8	67	Elevation:
Lodgepole pine				1310-1454 M (1401m)
(Pinus contorta)	6	0-10	67	Soil Drainage:
Shrubs				Moderately well
Willow				ASPECT:
(Salix spp.)	16	0-25	67	Southeast
Forbs				Slope:
Fireweed				0-2%
(Epilobium angustifolium)25	T-47	100
Strawberry				Forage Production Ikg/haI
(Fragaria virginiana)	7	3-13	100
Lindley’s aster				Grass: 200
(Aster ciliolatus)	16	0-26	67	Forbs: 1154
Yarrow				Shrubs: 400
(Achillea millefolium)	7	3-11	100
Grasses				Total: 1252 (1182-1354)
Hairy wildrye	10	T-20	100
(Elymus innovatus)
Purple oatgrass				Suggested Grazing Capacity
(Schizachne purpurascens)6	0-15	67	0.7 ha/aum or 1 .6 ac/aum
1 Ur J CU HAIKU
(Deschampsia cespitosa)	3	0-4	67

Environmental Variables

50

UFA12. Rough fescue-Bog sedge

(Festuca scabrella-Kobresia myosuroides)

n=2 This community is very similar to the bog birch/ rough fescue-bog sedge community type described by Willoughby (1999) in the Foothills ecodistrict of the Subalpine subregion. Bog sedge is well adapted to growing on dry alpine slopes and rocky ridges in the mountains. Corns and Achuff ( 1 982), described bog sedge dominated commuruty types on windswept ridges in the alpine subregion of Banff and Jasper National Parks. The sites described ic this community type appear to represent the transition from the Upper Foothills to the Subalpine subregion.

Plant ro\ii‘OStTiON canopy covERr%> Mean Range Const.

Environmental Variables

SHRL'BS

Shrubby ciN^KT/ofL

{Potentilla ) Bearberry	1	0-1	50
(Arct05taph\loi u\a-uru) Forbs Fireweed	6	0-11	50
(Epilobvum cnj^uUi/oliumJ 1 Old m an’s v. h&kirs	0-1	50
(Geum trifiontm) False dandeuos	19	15-21	100
(Agoseris ghuca) Alpine hedysar’.m	3	1-6	100
(Hedysarum alpinum} Grasses Hairy wildr\ e	1	0-5	22
(Elymus inno\atus) Rough fescue	10	2-17	100
(Festuca scabrelia) Bog SEDGE	38	32-43	100
(Kobresia myosuroides) Slender wheatcrass	25	12-37	100
{Agropyron trachycaulum)\% Sedge	12-22	100
(Carexspp.)	8	2-13	100

Moisture Regime;

MESIC

Nutrient Regime:

Mesotrophic

Elevation:

1432-1828 M (1688 m)

Soil Drainage;

Well

ASPECT:

Southerly

Slope:

0-40%

Forage production (kg/ha)

Grass: 966(832-1234)

ForbS: 149(98-202)

Total: 1115(932-1434)

Suggested Grazing Capacity

0.8ha/au.m

51

UFA13. Arctic rough fescue

(Festuca altaica)

n=2 This community was described at higher elevations in Willmore Wilderness Park. Bork (1994), described

this community type on alpine and subalpine slopes where climate and soil conditions are still suitable for fescue to dominate in the stand. The community has a subhygric moisture regime and is moderately well drained. Forb species such as globeflower, fleabane, monkshood, and mountain heliotrope are all characteristic of these high elevation meadows.

This community is much wetter than the rough fescue-bog sedge community (UFA 1 2) previously described and is similar to the forb meadows community type described by Willoughby (1999) in the Subalpine subregion.

Plant Composition canopy cover(%>

Mean Shrubs Dwarf bilberry	Range	Const.
( Vdccinium caespitosum) 3 Dwarf birch	2-3	100
{Betula glandulosa) 1 Forbs Yarrow	0-1	50
(Achillea millefolium) 2 Monkshood	1-3	100
(Aconitum delphinifolium)\ Mountain heliotrope	0-2	100
(Valeriana sitchensis) 1 Wandering daisy	0-2	100
(Erigeron peregrinus) 2 Globeflower	0-3	50
{Trollius albiflorus) 2 Grasses Rough fescue	0-4	50
(Festuca altaica) 47 Mountain timothy	36-57	100
(Phleum commutatum) 1 Slender wheatgrass	2-2	100
{Agropyron trachycaulum)! Sedge	2-2	100
(Carexspp.) 6 Tufted hairgrass	5-7	100
{Deschampsia cespitosa) 2	0-4	50

Moisture Regime:

SUBHYRGIC Nutrient Regime:

Permesotrophic

Elevation:

1510-2000 M (1755 m)

Soil Drainage:

Moderately well

Forage production (kg/ha)

Grass: 743 (527-959)

Forbs: 372(368-375)

Total: 1115(895-1334)

Suggested Grazing Capacity

0.8 ha/aum or 1 .7 ac/aum

Environmental Variables

52

UFA14. Cow parsnip- Veiny meadow rue/ Fringed brome

(Heracleum lanatum-Thalictrum venulosum/ Bromus ciliatus) n=l This community type is transitional between the Lower Foothills and Upper Foothills subregions. It was described on fine textured, silty soils adjacent to the Baptiste river west of Rocky Mountain House. Grazed stands of this community type were also described in the Solomon valley, west of Hinton. Increased grazing pressure generally allows timothy, Kentucky bluegrass and dandelion to increase with a corresponding drop in the cover of cow parsnip, meadow rue and the native grasses and sedges. The high moisture and nutrient regime of this-site makes it extremely productive, and once it has been invaded by agronomic species it is highly palatable for domestic livestock. It is difficult to find representative stands of this community type that have not been grazed.

Plant Composition canopy cover(%)

	Mean Range	Const.
Shrubs Willow {Salix spp.) Snowberry {Symphoricarpos	4	100
occidentalis)	4	100
FORBS Cow parsnip (Heracleum lanatum) Veiny meadow rue	21	100
(Thalictrum venulosum) Tall lungwort	10	100
(Mertensia paniculata) Tall larkspur	11	100
(Delphinium glaucum) Fireweed	8	100
(Epilobium angustifolium)5	100
American vetch ( Vida americana) Grasses Kentucky bluegrass	3	100
(Poa pratensis) Awned sedge	15	100
(Carex atherodes) Slender wheatgrass	7	100
{Agropyron trachycaulum)A	100
Sedge
{Carex spp.) Fringed brome	12	100
{Bromus ciliatus)	6	100

Environmental Variables

Moisture Regime:

SUBHYGRIC Nutrient Regime:

Permesotrophic

Elevation:

1060 M

Soil Drainage:

Moderately well

Forage Production (kg/ha)

Total: 5000

Suggested grazing Capacity

0.3 ha/aum or 0.4 ac/aum

53

UFA15. Hairy wildrye-Sedge

(Elymus innovatus-Carex spp.)

n=l This community type was described on south facing slopes along Wilson Creek in the Upper Foothills subregion. Corns and Achuff (1982) described similar community types in the subalpine of Banff and Jasper National Parks. These included the shmbby cinquefoil/ hairy wildrye and hairy wildrye/ bearberry-juniper community types. Both of these community types were associated with steep south facing slopes. The presence of this community type may indicate the transition to the Subalpine subregion.

This community type does not produce a large amount of forage because of the dry site conditions and poor nutrient content of the soil, but the lack of open areas for livestock grazing in this subregion makes these grassland • sites attractive to livestock.

Plant Composition canopy cover(%) environmental Variables Mean Range Const.

Forbs Showy locoweed (Oxytropis splendens)	18		100
American vetch (Vida aniericana)	8		100
Lowgoldenrod (Solidago multiradiata)	6		100
Strawberry (Fragaria virginiana)	2		100
FIREWEED (Epilobium angustifolium)4		100
Alpine HEDYSARUM {Hedysarum alpinum)	1		100
Grasses Hairy wildrye (Elymus innovatus)	50		100
Arctic bluegrass (Poa arctica)	6	.	100
Sedge {Carex spp.)	5		100

Moisture Regime:

SUBMESIC

Nutrient Regime:

SUBMESOTROPHIC

Elevation:

1860 m

Soil Drainage:

Well

ASPECT:

Southwest

Slope:

5%

Forage PROPUcTioNf kg/ha)

Grass: 222 ForbS: 66 Shrubs: 8 Total: 296

Suggested grazing capacity

3. 1 ha/aum or 6.9 ac/aum

54

UFA16. Hairy wildrye-Rough fescue/ Bearberry

(Elymus innovatus-Festuca scabrella/ Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) n=l This community was described in the Ghost area west of Calgary on a well drained, level valley floor. It appears to represent a grazed rough fescue, bearberry or hairy wildrye dominated community. Willoughby (2000) found that heavy grazing on the rough fescue dominated grasslands often leads to a community that is dominated by sedge and hairy wildrye. Protection from grazing or a reduction in stocking rate allows this community type to recover back to a rough fescue dominated community. The time frame for complete recovery takes 20 years (Willoughby 2000)

Plant Composition canopy cover(%^

	Mean	Range Const.
Shrubs Bearberry
{Arctostaphylos uva-ursi)	7	100
Shrubby cinquefoil {Potentilla fruticosa) Forbs Fireweed	1	100
(Epilobium angustifolium)5	100
Graceful cinquefoil {Potentilla gracilis) Goldenrod	4	100
(Solidago missouriensis) Smooth aster	1	100
{Aster laevis) Strawberry	1	100
(Fragaria virginiana) Veiny meadow rue	13	100
{Thalictrum venulosum) Grasses Slender wheatgrass	1	100
{Agropyron trachycaulum)!	100
Hairy wildrye
(Elymus innovatus) Sedge	11	100
{Carex spp.) Rough fescue	1	100
{Festuca scabrella)	2	100

Environmental Variables

Moisture Regime:

Mesic

Nutrient Regime:

Mesotrophic

Elevation:

1680

Soil Drainage:

Moderately well Aspect:

East

Slope:

3%

Forage production(kg/ha)

Grass: 2008 Forbs: 557 Total: 2121

Suggested grazing capacity

0.4 ha/aum or 1 .0 ac/aum

55

UFA17. Idaho fescue-Parry oatgrass-Sedge

(Festuca idahoensis-Danthonia parryUCarex spp.) n=2 This community type was described in the Ghost area west of Calgary. This area represents a transition between the Montane and Upper Foothills subregions. This community type is very similar to moderately and heavily grazed rough fescue dominated communities in the Montane subregion. Both Idaho fescue and Parry oatgrass are more characteristic of the Montane subregion and increase with increased grazing pressure. Protection from grazing will often allow this community type to recover back to a Rough fescue-Parry oatgrass dominated community type.

Plant Composition canopy covERf%>

Shrubs Shrubby CINQUEFOIL	Mean	Range	Const.
{Potentilla fruticosa) Bog birch	3	2-3	100
{Betula glandulosa) Willow	3	0-5	50
{Salix spp) FORBS Strawberry	2	0-4	50
(Fragaria virginiana) Yarrow	22	10-33	100 ‘
{Achillea millefolium) Veiny meadow rue	13	6-18	100
{Thalictrum venulosum) Graceful cinquefoil	10	7-11	100
{Potentilla gracilis) Grasses Sedge	4	0-8	50
{Carex spp.) Idaho fescue	39	28-50	100
{Festuca idahoensis) Parry’s oatgrass	22	28-50	100
{Danthonia parryi) Hairy wildrye	21	16-25	100
(Elymus innovatus)	2	0-3	50

Environmental Variables

Moisture Regime;

SUBHYGRIC Nutrient Regime:

Mesotrophic

Elevation:

1400 m

Soil Drainage:

Imperfectly

Aspect:

South

Slope:

2-15%

Forage production(kg/ha) Total: 1467 *Estimate

Suggested grazing capacity

ha/aum or ac/aum 0.6 HA/AUM OR 1.4 ac/aum

56

UFBl. Willow-Bog birch/ Water sedge

(Salix spp.-Betula glandulosa/ Carex aquatilis)

n=45 This shrub community appears in areas with very poor drainage. It is found in association with the wetter water sedge meadows (UFAl). These sites are fairly productive but are difficult to graze due to the moist ground conditions and heavy shrub cover which reduces access and mobility in the area. Increased flooding and prolonged water logging may result in the disappearance of willow and a transition to a water sedge meadow.

Plant Composition canopy cover(%>

Shrubs Barclay’s willow	Mean	Range	Const.
{Salix bardayi) Willow	2	0-48	9
(Salix spp.) BOG BIRCH	28	0-65	84
(Betula glandulosa) Forbs	11	0-58	56
Arrow leaved coltsfoot
(Petasites sagittatus) Lindley's aster	1	0-13	36
(Aster ciliolatus) 1 Sticky purple geranium	0-6	11
(Geranium viscosissimum)\ Graceful cinquefoil	0-14	11
(Potentilla gracilis) ARCTIC ASTER	1	0-7	29
(Aster sibiricus) Grasses Water SEDGE	1	0-8	2
(Carex aquatilis) Sedge	11	0-76	24
{Carex spp.) Tufted hairgrass	40	0-82	71
(Deschampsia cespitosa) Marsh reedgrass (Calamagrostis	6	0-35	80
canadensis)	1	0-13	11

Environmental Variables

Moisture Regime;

SUBHYDRIC

Nutrient Regime

Mesotrophic

Elevation:

1227-1820 M (1443 M)

Soil Drainage:

Poorly

Aspect:

Variable

Slope:

0-14%

Forage Production Tkc/ha)

Grass: 1325 (340-3000)

Forbs: 126(2-402)

Shrubs: 732 (54-2180)

Total: 2105 (814-4662)

Suggested Grazing capacity

Non-use

57

UFB2. Willow/ Slender wheatgrass-Sedge

(Salix spp./Agropyron trachycaulum-Carex spp.)

n=4 This community type is very similar to the tufted hairgrass-sedge-slender wheatgrass c.t. (UFA4) previously described. Both community types appear to represent the various stages of succession onto tufted hairgrass meadows. When these communities are protected from disturbance (fire and grazing), willow and bog birch expand and tufted hairgrass declines. Willow growth also appears to favour the growth of tall forbs (veiny meadow rue, fireweed, aster) and slender wheatgrass. Fire has played a dominant role in controlling brush encroachment in the past and continued protection will allow continued shrub expansion, resulting in a decline in forage production.

Plant Composition canopy cover(%)

Shrubs Barclay’s willow	Mean	Range	Const.
(Salix barclayi) Bog birch	13	0-19	75
{Betula glandulosd) Forbs Veiny meadow rue	13	2-23	100
(Thalictrum venulosum) Old man's whiskers	7	3-9	100
(Geum triflorum) Strawberry	17	3-23	100
(Fragaria virginiana) Tall larkspur	13	10-15	100
(Delphinium glaucum) Lindley's aster	1	0-T	50
(Aster ciliolatus) Yarrow	10	0-26	75
(Achillea millefolium) Grasses Graceful SEDGE	8	4-13	100
(Carex praegracilis) Sedge	24	0-37	75
{Carex spp.) Slender wheatgrass	7	0-29	25
(Agropyron trachycaulum)\5 California oatgrass	0-22	75
(Danthonia californica) Tufted hairgrass	7	0-20	100
(Deschampsia cespitosa)	4	0-12	75

Environmental Variables

Moisture Regime:

SUBHYGRIC

Nutrient Regime :

Permesotrophic

Elevation:

1349-1615 M (1455 m)

Soil Drainage:

Well

Aspect:

North to northeast

Slope:

0-4%

Forage Production (kg/ha)

Grass: 1573 Forbs: 735

Total: 1669(900-2308)

Suggested Grazing Capacity

0.5 ha/AUM or 1 .2 acRES/AUM

58

UFB3. Willow/ Tufted hairgrass

(Salix barclayi/ Deschampsia cespitosa)

n=16 This community type is found in association with the tufted hairgrass-sedge c.t. (UFA3). Willow encroachment into a tufted hairgrass meadow eventually results in this community type. Historically, fire has played an important role in the maintenance of the grassland community types in this subregion. Continued fire suppression will eventually allow willow and bog birch to invade many of these grassy meadows.

The encroachment of willow onto the tufted hairgrass-sedge c.t. causes a decline in forage production from 2200 kg/ha to 1200 kg/ha for grass and forb production. Continued protection of this community type from disturbance will most likely lead to the development of a community type similar to the willow/ slender wheatgrass (UFB2) and then to the pussy willow shrubland (UFB7). The latter community has a high cover of willow (7 1 %) and very little forage for domestic livestock.

Plant Composition canopy cover(%^

Shrubs Barclay’s willow	Mean	Range	Const.
(Salix barcalyi) Bog birch	33	0-85	88
(Betula glandulosa) Forbs Yarrow	11	0-75	88
(Achillea millefolium) Wild strawberry	6	2-14	100
(Fragaria virginiana) Lindley's aster	9	0-30	94
(Aster ciliolatus) Veiny meadow rue	11	0-25	81
(Thalictnim venulosum) Graceful cinquefoil	5	0-21	81
(Potentilla gracilis) Dandelion	4	0-10	88
(T araxacum ojfincinale) Grasses Tufted hairgrass	2	0-11	50
(Deschampsia cespitosa) Slender wheatgrass	18	0-38	100
(Agropyron trachycaulum)Z Graceful SEDGE	0-25	94
(Carex praegracilis) Purple oatgrass	12	0-31	69
(Schizachne purpurascens) 4	0-32	56

Environmkntat. Variables

Moisture Regime;

SUBHYGRIC

Nutrient Regime:

Permesotrophic

Elevation:

1 104-1667 M (1434 M)

Soil Drainage:

Moderately well

Aspect:

Variable

Slope:

0-10%

FORAGE PRODUCTION^ KG/HA)

Grass: 1168 (275-2484)

ForbS: 405 (8-1052)

Shrubs: 772 (36-2250)

Total: 2058 (500-5132)

Suggested Grazing Capacity

0.4 ha/AUM or 1 .0 acres/AUM

59

UFB4. Willow/ Rough fescue

(Salix barclayi/ Festuca scabrella)

n=2 This community type was described by Bork (1994) in Willmore Wilderness Park. Bork felt this community type originated from recent shrub encroachment onto rough fescue grasslands. Continued shrub expansion will result in decreasing forage productivity. Bork also felt that fescue will be replaced by wheatgrass and sedge plant species. These plants being better adapted to shading and competition from adjacent shrubs.

Plant Composition canopy cover(%i

	Mean	Range	Const.
Trees SUBALPINE FIR ' (Ahies lasiocarpa) Shrubs Willow	1	0-1	50
(Salix spp; Bog birch	26	25-27	100
(Betula glandulosa)	24	10-38	100
Yellow mountain avens
(Dryas drummondii) Alpine bearberry	3	0-5	50
(Arctostaphylos rubra) Forbs Alpine bistort	4	0-7	50
(Polygonum viviparum) Monkshood	10	T-19	100
(Aconitium delphinifolium) 3	0-5	50
Indian paintbrush (Castelleja miniata) Grasses Rough fescue	2	0-4	50
(Festuca scabrella) Graceful SEDGE	13	12-14	100
(Car ex praegracilis)	2	0-3	50

Environmental Variables

Moisture Regime:

Hygric

Nutrient Regime:

Permesotrophic

Elevation:

1465-1560 M (1528 m)

Soil Drainage:

Moderately well

Aspect:

Westerly

Slope:

0-10%

FORAGE PRODUCTION^ KG/HA)

Grass: 640(600-680)

FORBS: 132(64-200)

Shrubs: 733 (150-1316)

Total: 1505(950-2060)

Suggested Grazing Capacity

0.6 HA/AUM or 1.3 ACRES/AUM

60

UFB5. Bog birch/ Rough fescue/ Bearberry

(Betula glandulosa/ Festuca scabrella/ Arctostaphylos uva-ursi)

n=l 9 This community type is very similar to the rough fescue-bearberry (UFA7) type previously described, but

it is successionally more advanced. The soils on this community type are gravelly, drier and have a poorer nutrient regime than the other rough fescue and tufted hairgrass dominated community types. The lack of fire on this community type has allowed the shrub cover to expand, reducing forage productivity for wildlife and domestic livestock. In one study, burning a bog birch/ rough fescue/ bearberry community type twice in 3 year intervals controlled birch growth and increased total forage production by over 40% compared to the unbumed control (Bork, 1990).

Plant Composition canopy covERf%>

	Mean	Range	Const.
Shrubs
Bog birch (Betula glandulosa) Willow	33	1-60	100
{Salix spp) Bearberry	4	0-13	50
(Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) 9	0-28	90
Forbs Lindley's aster (Aster ciliolatus) ALPINE MILKVETCH	1	0-4	17
(Astragalus alpinus) Wild strawberry	1	0-9	28
(Fragaria virginiana) Fireweed	7	•0-24	83
(Epilobium angustifolium)3 Slender blue beardtongue	0-6	78
(Penstemon procerus) Old man's whiskers	1	0-8	39
(Geum triflorum) Grasses Rough fescue	4	0-17	89
(Festuca scabrella) Graceful sedge	27	3-81	100
(Carex praegracilis) Slender wheatgrass	3	0-16	33
(Agropyron trachycaulum)3	0-20	22
California oatgrass {Danthonia californica)	8	0-44	72

Environmental Variables

Moisture Regime:

SUBHYGRIC

Nutrient Regime:

Permesotrophic

Elevation:

1303-1798 M (1562 M)

Soil Drainage:

Well

ASPECT:

Southerly

Slope:

1-25%

FORAGE PRODUCTIONrKG/HA)

Grass: 1206(856-1728)

Forbs: 173(14-394)

Shrubs: 306 (140-582)

Total: 1523(1000-1986)

Suggested grazing Capacity

0.6 Ha/AUM or 1 .3 acres/AUM

61

UFB6. Willow/ California oatgrass-Sedge

(Salix barclayi/ Danthonia califomica-Carex spp.)

n=4 This community type likely develops from willow encroachment onto an oatgrass dominated meadow. The

oatgrass meadows are found on dry, gravelly soils. These meadows may also form in frost pockets. The spread of willow is likely caused by the lack of natural disturbance, such as fire. The cover of willow on this community type is fairly extensive. This will restrict access of domestic livestock. This community type would be rated as secondary range.

Plant Composition canopy cover(%)

Mean Range Const.

Environmental Variables

Shrubs Willow spp. (Salix barclayi)'	20	0-60	50	Moisture Regime: SUBHYGRIC Nutrient Regime:
Bog birch (Betula glandulosa)	10	0-18	75	PERMESOTROPHIC Elevation:
Forbs Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)	10	2-24	100	1400-1500 M (1458 m) Soil Drainage: Moderately well
Graceful cinquefoil (Potentilla gracilis)	6	0-15	75	Aspect: West
Wild strawberry (Fragaria virginiana)	20	9-44	100	Slope: 0-30%
Slender blue beardtongue (Penstemon procerus) 2	0-6	50	FORAGE PRODUCTION^KG/HA)
ALSIKE CLOVER (Trifolium pratense)	4	0-17	25	Grass: 1324(598-2050)
Fireweed (Epilobium angustifolium)!	0-4	100	ForbS: 400(382-418) Shrubs: 300
Veiny meadow rue (Thalictrum venulosum)	4	0-9	75	Total: 1874(1316-2432)
Grasses California oatgrass (Danthonia califomica) Graceful SEDGE (Carex praegracilis)	33	19-56	100	Suggested Grazing Capacity 0.5 ha/AUM or 1 .1 acres/AUM
10	0-30	50
Sheep fescue (Festuca saximontana)	7	0-22	50
Slender wheatgrass (Agropyron trachycaulum)5	0-10	75

62

UFB7. Pussy willow shrubland

(Salix discolor)

n=2 This community type is common along riparian areas, swanks and fringes of marshes and lakes. It appears

to be succcssionally more advanced than the other willow dominated community types described in this guide. As the willow cover expands over time it shades the understory vegetation resulting in a loss of forage productivity. This commuiur/ tvpe produces only 200 kg/ha and is generally inaccessible to domestic livestock. This community type should be rated as non-use.

Plant Composition canopy covERf%^ Enyironmental Variables

Mean Range Const.

				Moisture Regime:
Shrubs				SUBHYGRIC
Pussy wiuo a				Nutrient Regime:
(Salix disco ion	71	70-71	100	Permesotrophic
Bog BIRCH				Elevation:
(Betula glonJui so)	20	8-30	100	1318-1325 M (1322 M)
Forbs				Soil Drainage:
LINDLEY'S as UR (Asier ciliolousj	6	5-7	100	Moderately well
Palmate le.^ \ i d coltsfoot	0-0		FORAGE PRODUCTION('KG/HA'>
(Petasiies po.-rotus)	3	100
Wild stk^abf rj^.y (Fragaria M'giniona) Grasses Tufted r\:rgr.ass	4	1-7	100	Total: 181(101-261)
	1-9	100	Suggested Grazing Capacity
(Descharr.psij cespiiosa) Marsh reedgrass	5	Non-use
(CalamagrostLS
canadensis)	3	0-5	100

63

UFB8. Willow/ Hairy wildrye-Sedge

(Salix barclayi/ Elymiis innovatus-Carex spp.)

n=2 This plant community represents a rough fescue-hairy wildrye community type (UFA6) that has continued

to undergo succession in die absence of fire and grazing. Willow cover has increased, shading the growth of grasses (rough fescue) and allowing tall-growing forbs (fireweed, aster, veiny meadow rue) to increase. Continued protection from disturbance will allow succession to shrub and eventually tree species. The understorey vegetation will be increasingly shaded and forage production will continue to decrease.

Plant Composition canopy covERf%)

	Mean	Range	Const.
Trees White spruce. (Pfcea glauca)	1	0-T	50
Shrubs Willow spp.		•
(Salix barclayi) Bog birch	30	19-40	100
(Betula glandulosa) Forbs Lindley's aster	21	5-36	100
(Aster ciliolatus) Veiny meadow rue	12	10-13	100
(Thalictrum venulosum) Fireweed	6	2-8	100
(Epilobium angustifolium) 5	2-7	100
Strawberry (Fragaria virginiana) Tall LUNGWORT	11	8-13	100
(Mertensia paniculate) Grasses Graceful SEDGE	4	0-6	100
(Carex praegracilis) Hairy wildrye	32	20-44	100
(Elymus innovatus) Purple oatgrass	25	13-37	100
(Schizachne purpurascens)22	9-35	100
Slender wheatgrass
(Agropyron trachycaulum)22	16-26	100

Environmental Variables

Moisture Regime;

SUBHYGRIC Nutrient Regime:

Permesotrophic

Elevation:

1371-1400 M (1386) M Soil Drainage:

Moderately well

ASPECT:

Northeast

Slope:

0-3%

FORAGE PRODUCTIONfKG/HA~)

Total: 1550(900-2200)

Suggested Grazing Capacity

0.5 ha/AUM or U aCRES/AUM

64

UFB9. Bog birch/ Sedge-Marsh reedgrass

(Betula glandulosa/ Carex spp.~Calamagrostis canadensis)

n=l This community type occupies valley drainages on soils that are saturated with water for part of the growing season. This type is very similar to the willow-bog birch/ sedge (UFBl) c.t, but lacks the willow cover. It is not clear why there is no willow cover on this type. It is possible that bog birch is better adapted to growing on poor nutrient soils. The presence of marsh reedgrass may indicate the transition from the Lower Foothills to Upper Foothills subregion. Willoughby (1992), observed that marsh reedgrass was more abundant on these lowland sites at lower elevations.

The thick cover of bog birch and very wet conditions restrict access to domestic livestock. Consequently, this community type would be rated as secondary or non-use range.

Plant Composition canopy cover(%>

Mean Range Const.

Shrubs Bog birch

(Betula glandulosa) 39 - 100

Forbs

Dwarf raspberry

(Rubus arcticus) 1 - 100

Grasses

Marsh reedgrass (Calamagrostis

canadensis) 11 - 100

Tufted hairgrass

(Deschampsia cespitosa) 2 - 100

Brownish sedge

(Carex brunnescens) 11 - 100

Environmental Variables

Moisture Regime;

Hygric

Nutrient Regime:

SUBMESOTROPHIC

Elevation:

1513m

Soil Drainage:

Imperfectly

Aspect:

West

Slope:

. 3%

FORAGE PRODUCTION<'KG/HA'>

Grass: 796 Forbs: 58 Shrubs: 322 Total; 1176

Suggested Grazing Capacity

Non-use

65

UFBIO. Willow-Bog birch/ Sedge

(Salix barclayi-Betula glandulosa/ Carex spp.)

n=12 This type is very similar to the willow-bog birch/ water sedge community type (UFB 1), but the soils are drier and bener drained. The drier soil conditions favour the growth of graceful sedge over water sedge.

This community type has a thick cover of bog birch and willow which restricts livestock access to the forage. This community type would be rated as secondary or non-use range.

Plant CoNtrosiTiON canopy covERf %>

Shrubs Bog birch	Mean	Range	Const.
(Betula ghndulosa) Wi^w	21	0-55	75
(S'alix spp) Forbs Lin OLE Ys as'ir	33	2-46	100
(Aster cihoUtus) Yarrow	4	0-15	58
(Achillea miHefohum) Strawberry	4	0-11	92
(Fragaria vtrginiana) Tall lungwort	4	0-14	67
(Mertensia paniculate) Veiny mealow rue	2	0-6	58
(Thalictrum \enuIosum) Grasses Graceful SEDGE	3	0-8	67
(Carex praegracilis) Slender wheatcrass	21	0-53	67
(Agropyron trachycaulumJA Hairy wildrye	0-27	58
(Elymus innovatus) Tufted hairgrass	4	0-25	50
(Deschampsia cespitosa)	3	0-10	67

Environmental Variables

Moisture Regime:

Hygric

Nutrient Regime:

Mesotrophic

Elevation:

1356-1646 M (1523 M)

Soil Drainage:

Imperfectly

Aspect:

Varmble

Slope:

0-15%

FORAGE PRODUCTION^ KG/HA)

Grass: 937(500-1416)

FORBS: 176(10-568)

Shrub: 730(200-1522)

Total: 1730(800-2468)

Suggested Grazing Capacity

Non-use

66

UFBll. Willow-Bog birch

(Salix barclayi-Betula glandulosa)

n=l 1 This community type is very similar to the willow-bog birch/ sedge c.t. (UFB 1 ), but is successionally more

advanced. The lack of fire has allowed continued expansion of the shrub cover. This has restricted access to livestock and lowered forage productivity. This community type would be rated as non-use for domestic livestock.

Plant Composition canopy covERr%^ Environmental Variables

Mean Range Const.

Shrubs Willow spp

(Salix spp) Bog birch	37	0-85	100
(Betula glandulosa) Forbs Veiny meadow rue	17	5-50	100
(Thalictrum venulosum) Strawberry	2	0-9	73
(Fragaria virginiana) FIREWEED	5	0-14	73
(Epilobium angustifolium)! Lindley's aster	0-7	73
(Aster ciliolatus) Grasses Baltic RUSH	4	0-16	55
(Juncus balticus) Graceful SEDGE	2	0-10	90
(Car ex praegracilis) Slender wheatgrass	2	0-5	54
(Agropyron trachycaulum)! Tufted hairgrass	0-5	55
(Deschampsia cespitosa)	2	0-6	64

Moisture Regime:

SUBHYGRIC

Nutrient Regime:

Mesotrophic

Elevation:

1375-1646 M (1472 M)

Soil Drainage:

Imperfectly

Aspect:

Variable

Slope:

0-5%

FORAGE PRODUCTION(KG/HA^

Grass: 1265(383-2966)

Forbs: 811(200-1188)

Shrubs: 438 (200-752)

Total: 2105(783-4292)

Suggested Grazing Capacity Non-use

67

UFB12. Willow-Alder/ Horsetail

(Salix bebbiana-Alnus tenuifolia/ Eqiusetum arvense)

n=l This community type was described on the boundary between the Upper and Lower foothills subregions in the Solomon valley northwest of Hinton. It is very similar to the to the willow-alder/ shield fem-wild sarsaparilla community described by Lane et al (2000) in the Saddle Hills north of Grande Prairie. This community tends to occupy moist nutrient rich seepage areas which favour the growth of willow, horsetail and fern species. The high cover of willow and alder limits productivity of forbs and grass. It also limits access to domestic livestock. As a result this community type would be rated as non-use.

Plant Composition canopy coverp/..^ Environmental Variables

Mean Range Const.

Shrubs Bebb’s willow

(Salix bebbiana) River ALDER	85	-	100
(Alnus tenuifolia) Bracted honeysuckle	15	-	100
{Lonicera involcrata) Forbs Horsetail	5		100
(Equisetum arvense) Strawberry	14	-	100
(Fragaria virginiana) Tall LUNGWORT	1	-	100
(Mertensia paniculata) Lindley's Aster	3	-	100
(Aster ciliolatus) Cow PARSNIP	1	-	100
{Heracleum lanatum) Grasses Tall MANNA GRASS	2		100
(Glyceria grandis) Kentucky bluegrass	1	-	100
(Poa pratensis)	1	-	100

Moisture Regime:

Hygric

. Nutrient Regime:

Permesotrophic

Elevation:

1200 M

Soil Drainage:

Imperfectly

Forage pROPucTioNfKG/HA)

Grass: 162 Forbs: 1786 Total: 1948

Suggested Grazing Capacity Non-use

68

UPPER FOOTHILLS SUBREGION

SHRUBLANDS AND GRASSLANDS MODIFIED BY GRAZING

69

Grazing modified community types

The grazing modified community types in the Upper Foothills subregion are outlined in Table 3. There are a few grasslands that exhibit signs of historic heavy grazing. These sites are predominantly covered by Kentucky bluegrass, timothy, dandelion and clover plant species (UFC3. Kentucky bluegrass-sedge/ dandelion and UFC4. Kentucky bluegrass/ dandelion and UFC8. Kentucky bluegrass-Timothy/Veiny meadow rue). Under long-term moderate grazing pressure or heavy grazing over a couple of years, there is a general decline in rough fescue and tufted hairgrass and an increase in sedge and slender wheatgrass (UFCl Slender wheatgrass-sedge/ strawberry and UFC 1 1 .Sedge-Slender wheatgrass-Rough fescue). When these plant communities are protected from grazing, they appear to succeed back to the original communities dominated by rough fescue and tufted hairgrass. However, when Kentucky bluegrass becomes established, the community appears to revert to a rough fescue or tufted hairgrass-Kentucky bluegrass-dominated plant community (UFC5. Tufted hairgrass-Kentucky bluegrass) when protected from grazing.

The climax range condition model suggests that vegetation development will be directional, predictable and revert to the original vegetation when protected from grazing, but once Kentucky bluegrass has established, bluegrass appears to compete with rough fescue and tufted hairgrass for co-dominance. These Kentucky bluegrass communities move toward a different community rather than back to the original vegetation when protected from livestock disturbance.

The Rocky Mtn. fescue/ graceful cinquefoil community (UFC2) appears to be a moderately to heavily grazed California oatgrass community type. The dry, gravelly conditions on this site do not appear to favour the growth of Kentucky bluegrass under heavy grazing conditions.

The Creeping red fescue/ Clover (UFC7) community type represents seeded pastures and pipelines within the Upper Foothills subregion. This community type usually occurs at lower elevations, adjacent to farms and ranches where extensive modification of the native grass and shrublands have taken place.

The Purple oatgrass-Rough fescue (UFC9) community type was described in the Ghost area west of Calgary. It appears to represent a rough fescue, hairy wildrye dominated grassland that has undergone heavy grazing pressure. Willoughby (2000) has described purple oatgrass communities on saline soils in the Dry Mixedwood subregion. It is possible that this community type maybe associated with a saline seepage area which favours the growth of purple oatgrass.

70

Table 3. Shrublands and grasslands modified by heavy grazing pressure in the Upper foothills subregion

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UFCl. Slender wheatgrass-Sedge/ Low forbs

(Agropyron trachycaulum-Carex sppJ Fragaria virginiana)

n=10 This community type appears to arise from grazing a modal fescue-tufted hairgrass community (UFA5). Moderate to heavy grazing causes fescue and hairgrass, bodi decreasers, to decline in the stand. This community is very common in the valley bottoms in areas that are heavily utilized. While still quite productive, these sites have lost two of the most advantageous species. Only a reduction in grazing pressure will once again allow fescue and tufted hairgrass to become prevalent in the stand.

Plant Composition Canopy Cover(%)

Shrubs Willow	Mean	Range	Const.
{Salix spp) Forbs Strawberry	4	0-25	30
(Fragaria virginiana) Yarrow	12	0-25	70
(Achillea millefolium) Graceful cinquefoil	8	2-14	100
(Potentilla gracilis) Lindley's aster	9	0-31	80
(Aster ciliolatus) Dandelion	5	0-20	60
(T araxacum officinale) Meadow rue	3	0-8	50
{Thalictrum venulosum) Grasses Slender wheatgrass	4	0-17	70
(Agropyron trachycalum) 26 Tufted hairgrass	1-58	100
(Deschampsia cespitosa) Graceful SEDGE	1	0-6	10
(Carex praegracilis) Kentucky bluegrass	21	0-47	80
(Poa pratensis) Hairy wildrye	1	0^	40
{Elymus innovatus) Fringed brome	5	0-15	50
{Bromus ciliatus)	9	0-56	40

Environmental Variables

Moisture Regime:

Mesic

Nutrient Regime

Mesotrophic

Elevation:

1400-2438 M (1623 M)

Soil Drainage:

Moderately well

ASPECT:

Southerly

Slope:

0-27%

FORAGE PRODUCTION^ KG/HA)

Grass: 1492(824-2548)

Forbs: 528(96-869)

Total: 1760(920-2900)

Suggested Grazing Capacity

0.5HA/AUMOR 1.2ACRES/AUM

72

UFC2. Rocky Mountain fescue/ Graceful cinquefoil

(Festuca brachyphylla/ Potentilla gracilis)

n=l This community type was described on a gravelly, well drained site adjacent to Fall creek. It appears that this site was once a California oatgrass-sedge community type (UFA8), but heavy grazing pressure has shifted the community to one dominated by unpalatable low growing graminoids and forbs (Rocky mountain fescue, sedge, yarrow, graceful cinquefoil, pussy toes). The dry site conditions and poor nutrient conditions do not favour the growth of Kentucky bluegrass. This community type would benefit from a deferred rotational grazing system, where the community is rested every other year.

Plant Composition canopy cover(%^

Forbs Wild strawberry	Mean	Range	Const.
(Fragaria virginiana) Graceful cinquefoil	2	-	100
(Potentilla gracilis) Yarrow	13	-	100
(Achillea millefolium) ALPINE MILKVETCH	8	-	100
(Astragalus alpinus) ROSEY PUSSY TOES	6	-	100
(Antennaria rosea) Red seeded dandelion	2	-	100
(T araxacum laevigatum) 2 Grasses Rocky mountain fescue		100
(Festuca brachyphylla) Brownish sedge	21	-	100
(Carex brunnescens) Slender wheatgrass	5	-	100
(Agropyron trachysalum) California oatgrass	4	-	100
{Danthonia californica)	4	-	100

Environmental Variables

Moisture Regime:

SUBHYGRIC

Nutrient Regime:

Mesotrophic

Elevation:

1350 m Soil Drainage:

Well

FORAGE PRODUCTIONfKG/HA't

Total: 917

Suggested Grazing Capacity

1 .0 Ha/AUM or 2.2 acres/AUM

73

UFC3. Kentucky bluegrass/ Clover-Dandelion

(Poa pratensis/ Trifolium spp.-Taraxacum officinale)

n=23 This community type develops when the modal tufted hairgrass-sedge dominated communities (UFA3, UFA4) are grazed heavily for prolonged periods of time. Willoughby ( 1 992), felt these grasslands exhibited signs of historic heavy grazing pressure. He felt that under long-term moderate grazing or heavy grazing over a couple of years, rough fescue and tufted hairgrass decline and sedge, slender wheatgrass, and low growing forbs increase. When these plant communities are protected from grazing, they appear to succeed back to the original communities dominated by rough fescue and tufted hairgrass. However, when Kentucky bluegrass becomes established the community appears to revert to a rough fescue or tufted hairgrass-Kentucky bluegrass dominated plant community (UFC5).

These community types are highly productive for domestic livestock during the growing season, but the poor quality of Kentucky bluegrass, particularly in the donnant season, limits the use of these community types for wildlife.

plant Composition canopy cover(%)

Forbs Dandelion	Mean	Range	Const.
(Taraxacum officinale) Wild strawberry	15	6-37	100
(Fragaria virginiana) Clover	3	0-21	61
(T rifolium repens) Yarrow	15	0-52	74
(Achillea millefolium) Graceful cinquefoil	7	0-15	96
(Potentilla gracilis) Veiny meadow rue	6	0-25	83
(Thalictrum venulosum) Grasses Kentucky bluegrass	4	0-21	61
(Poa pratensis) Slender wheatgrass	48	0-97	96
(Agropyron trachycaulum)A Creeping red fescue	0-26	65
{Festuca rubra) Tufted hairgrass	3	0-26	30
(Deschampsia cespitosa)	1	0-4	22

Environmental Variables

Moisture Regime:

Mesic

Nutrient Regime:

Mesotrophic

Elevation:

1 150-1600 M (1276 M)

Soil Drainage:

Moderately well

Aspect:

Variable

Slope:

0-35%

Forage PROPUCTioNrKG/HA)

Grass: 2206(621-4319)

Forbs: 622(153-2102)

Shrubs: 150

Total: 2837(1014-4686)

Suggested Grazing Capacity

0.3 ha/AUM or 0.7 acres/AUM

74

UFC4. Kentucky bluegrass-Sedge/ Dandelion

(Poa pratensis-Carex sppJ Taraxacum officinale)

n=25 This comrrainity type is similar to the Kentucky bluegrass/ clover-dandelion community type (UFC3), but

it has not been grazed as heavily. There is still an abundance of native plant species such as veiny meadow rue, slender uhcatgrass. tufted hairgrass and sedge, but there has been an increase in grazing resistant species, such as Kentuck>- bluegrass. dandelion and clover. If this community type is protected from grazing it will probably revert back to a rafted haugrass-Kentucky bluegrass dominated type (UFC5) (Willoughby, 1992). Kentucky bluegrass, once established, appears to be a successful competitor.

These Kentuck"y bluegrass dominated community types are very productive, but they have lost two of the most ad\ anta^'eous species (tufted hairgrass and rough fescue). The forage quality of these native species is much better, particularly in the dormant season.

Plant (’omposition canopy cover(%^

Shrubs Shrubby cin^;	Mean	Range	Const.
(Potentilla fruucosa^ PRJCiaY ROSE	2	0-6	48
(Rosa acicularisj Forbs Dandelion	2	0-19	16
(Taraxacum cfficinale) Yarrow	24	1-53	100
(Achillea mille/ohum) STRAW'BERRY	9	1-25	100
(Fragana virgin tana) Veiny MEADOW RUE	6	0-14	84
(Thalictrum venulosumj Graceful cinquefoil	11	0-41	80
(Potentilla gracilis) Grasses Kentucky bluegrass	14	0-40	88
(Poa pratensis) Slender wheatgrass	36	0-85	96
(Agropyron trachycaulumJS Tufted hairgrass	0-29	64
(Deschampsia cespitosa) Sedge spp.	6	0-21	72
(Carexspp) Creeping red fescue	21	0-73	64
(Festuca rubra) Rough fescue	1	0-5	12
(Festuca scabrella)	4	0-12	60

Environmental Variables

Moisture Regime:

Mesic

Nutrient Regime

Permesotrophic

Elevation:

1 150-1660 M (1447 M)

Soil Drainage:

Moderately well

Forage PROPucTioNrKG/HA)

Grass: 1915(632-4304)

Fores: 845(264-3344)

Shrubs: 102

Total: 2767(1491-4864)

Suggested Grazing Capacity

0.3 ha/AUM or 0.7 acRES/AUM

75

UFC5. Tufted hairgrass-Kentucky bluegrass

(Deschampsia cespitosa-Poa pratensis)

n=4 This community type is similar to the other Kentucky bluegrass dominated community types, but grazing pressure has been lighter or it was heavy and then became more moderate because of reduced stocking rates or rotational grazing. Willoughby (1992), found that tufted hairgrass could compete with Kentucky bluegrass in the absence of grazing, but it appears that once Kentucky bluegrass is established it remains to form a stable community type.

Plant Composition canopy cover(%')

SmiuBS Shrubby cinquefoil	Mean	Range	Const.
(Potentilla fruticosa) Forbs Dandeuon	1	0-5	25
(Taraxacum officinale) Yarrow	13	3-21	100
(Achillea millefolium) Strawberry	3	T-5	100
(Fragaria virginiana) Veiny meadow rue	4	0-14	50
(Thalictrum venulosum) Graceful cinquefoil	2	T-5	100
(Potentilla gracilis) Grasses Kentucky bluegrass	7	0-18	50
(Poa pratensis) Slender wheatgrass	12	2-19	100
(Agropyron trachycaulum)S Tufted hairgrass	0-10	75
(Deschampsia cespitosa) Sedge spp.	41	12-68	100
(Carexspp.) Rough fescue	9	0-17	100
(Festuca scabrella)	2	0-5	75

Environmental Variables

Moisture Regime:

SUBHYGRIC

Nutrient Regime:

Permesotrophic

Elevation:

1300-1600 M (1400 m)

Soil Drainage:

Moderately well

ASPECT:

North

FORAGE PRODUCTIONrKG/HA')

Grass: 3292 Forbs: 1010 Total: 4302

Suggested Grazing Capacity

0.2 ha/AUM or 0.5 acres/AUM

76

UFC6. Sedge-Tufted hairgrass

(Car ex spp.-Deschampsia cespitosa)

n=13 This community type was described at Harrison Flats in the Upper Clearwater River valley. It appears to represent a tufted hairgrass-sedge community that was heavily grazed in the past and now is rested and only lightly utilized. It appears that the heavy grazing pressure was not prolonged enough to allow Kentucky bluegrass invasion. It is also possible that Kentucky bluegrass is not predominant on this site because of lack of seed source in these isolated areas. It is likely, with continued protection from grazing, that this community type will succeed back to a modal tufted hairgrass-sedge dominated community type.

Plant Composition canopy covERr/oi

Shrubs Shrubby cinquefoil	Mean	Range	Const.
(Potentilla fruticosa) Forbs Dandelion	2	0-6	69
(Taraxacum officinale) Yarrow	7	0-22	69
(Achillea millefolium) Strawberry	11	0-41	85
(Fragaria virginiana) Veiny meadow rue	5	0-10	54
(Thalictrum venulosum) Graceful cinquefoil	10	0-38	62
(Potentilla gracilis) Grasses Kentucky bluegrass	5	0-26	46
(Poa pratensis) Slender wheatgrass	1	0-5	23
(Agropyron trachycaulum)! Tufted hairgrass	0-13	31
(Deschampsia cespitosa) Sedge	20	0-46	92
(Carexspp.) Rough fescue	63	0-93	100
(Festuca scabrella) Baltic rush	7	0-19	62
{Juncus balticus)	15	0-58	100

Environmental Variables

Moisture Regime:

SUBHYGRIC

Nutrient Regime:

Mesotrophic

Elevation:

1529-1829 M (1781m)

Soil Drainage:

Imperfectly

Aspect:

Variable

Slope:

0%

FORAGE PR0DUCT10N(KG/HA)

Grass: 1020(684-1510)

FORBS: 409(150-891)

Shrubs: 322 Total: 1468(932-1962)

Suggested Grazing Capacity

0.6 ha/AUM or 1 .4 acres/AUM

77

UFC7. Creeping red fescue-Clover

(Festuca rubra-Trifolium spp.)

n=23 This community type was described at lower elevations, adjacent to farms and ranches in the Upper Foothills subregion. This community represents native communities that have been disturbed and planted to creeping red fescue. These include pipelines, roadsides and cultivated pastures. Lane et al. (2000^ felt this community type developed when a site which was seeded to creeping red fescue-timothy-clover and received low levels of use. Creeping red fescue spreads throughout the site by creeping rhizomes and chokes out the timothy by forming a dense matt of litter. This community type is normally considered to be in good or excellent condition.

Plant Composition canopy cover(%> Environmental Variables

Mean Range Const.

Foi^s

Dandelion

(T araxacum officinale) Yarrow	1	0-21	88
(Achillea millefolium) Strawberry	2	0-7	1
(Fragaria virginiana) Clover SPP.	2	0-12	63
(Trifolium spp) Graceful cinquefoil	22	0-49	100
(Potentilla gracilis) Grasses Kentucky bluegrass	1	0-7	29
(Poa pratensis) Creeping red fescue	18	0-58	83
(Festuca rubra) Tufted hairgrass	37	6-87	100
(Deschampsia cespitosa) Sedge spp.	1	0-4	25
(Car ex spp.) Hairy wild rye	2	0-11	58
(Elymus innovatus) Timothy	2	0-17	29
(Phleum pratense)	5	0-31	71

Moisture Regime Mesic

Nutrient Regime:

Mesotrophic

Elevation:

1212-1880 M (1464 M)

Soil Drainage:

WELL

Aspect:

Variable

Slope:

0-40%

FORAGE PR0DUCT10N(KG/HA)

Grass: 1789(332-4894) Forbs: 302(20-1114) Shrubs: 384

Total: 2009(404-5054)

Suggested Grazing Capacity

0.5 ha/AUM or 1 .0 acres/AUM

78

UFC8. Kentucky bluegrass-Timothy/ Meadow rue

(Poa pratensis-Phleum pratense/ Thalictrum venulosum)

n=4 This community type represents the grazed and disturbed community of the cow parsnip-meadow rue/

fringed brome community (UFA14). The high productivity and open nature of this community msJce it extremely attractive to domestic livestock. Heavy to moderate grazing pressure causes cow parsnip, veiny meadow rue and fringed brome to decrease and allows Kentucky bluegrass, timothy and dandelion to increase.

Plant Composition canopy cover(%^ Environmental Variables

Mean Range Const.

Shrubs

Willow

{Salix spp.) FORBS Dandelion	2	0-5	75
(Taraxacum officinale) Cow PARSNIP	13	2-35	100
(Heracleum lanatum) Strawberry	7	0-23	50
(Fragaria virginiana) Clover	1	0-1	50
(T rifoUum repens, T. hybridum) Veiny meadow rue	5	0-20	25
(Thalictrum venulosum) Grasses Kentucky bluegrass	7	0-24	50
(Poa pratensis) Slender wheatgrass	22	0-33	75
(Agropyron trachycaulum)! Smooth brome	0-16	75
(Bromus inermis) Timothy	2	0-7	25
{Phleum pratense)	17	11-25	100

Moisture Regime:

Mesic

Nutrient Regime:

Permesotrophic

Elevation:

1060-15201M (1330 m)

Soil Drainage:

Moderately well

Aspect:

Variable

Slope:

0-6%

FORAGE PRODUCTlONf kg/ha)

Grass: 2834(308-6322) ForbS: 1469(210-2830) Shrubs: 42

Total: 4313(560-6942)

Suggested Grazing Capacity

0.3 ha/AUM or 0.7 acres/AUM

79

UFC9. Purple oatgrass-Rough fescue

(Schizachne purpurascens -Festuca scabrella)

n=l This community type was described in the Ghost area west of Calgary. It appears to represent a rough fescue, hairy wildrye dominated grassland that has undergone heavy grazing pressure. Willoughby ( 1 995) has found that purple oatgrass will increase with increased grazing pressure on nutrient poor soils in the Lower Foothills subregion. Willoughby (2000) also described a purple oatgrass-califomia oatgrass dominated community type on saline soils in the Dry Mixedwood subregion. It is possible that this community type maybe associated with a saline seepage area which favours the growth of purple oatgrass.

This community type is fairly productive, but the maj ority of the production is coming from purple oatgrass which is only moderately palatable to livestock. This community type should probably be rated as secondary range.

Plant Composition canopy cover(%) Environmental Variables

Mean Range Const.

Shrubs Shrubby cinquefoil {Potentilla fruticosa)	6		100
Forbs Three flowered avens (Geum triflorum)	4		100
Graceful cinquefoil (Potentilla gracilis)	3	.	100
Yarrow (Achillia millifolium)	3		100
Smooth aster (Aster laevis)	2		100
Grasses Purple OAT GRASS (Schizachne purpurascens) 15		100
Slender wheatgrass (Agropyron trachycaulum)10	.	100
Rough fescue (Festuca scabrella)	7		100
PRESL SEDGE {Carex preslii)	5		100
JUNEGRASS (Koeleria macrantha)	1	-	100

Moisture Regime:

SUBMESIC Nutrient Regime:

Mesotrophic

Elevation:

1460

Soil Drainage:

Well

Aspect:

Southerly

SLOPE:

25%

FORAGE PRODUCTIONfKG/HAl

Grass: 2052 Forbs: 362 Shrubs: 384 Total: 2798

Suggested Grazing Capacity

0.3 Ha/AUM or 0.7 Ac/AUM

80

UFCIO. Willow/ Kentucky bluegrass

(Salix sppJPoa pratensis)

n=2 This community type represents the grazed and disturbed community of the willow/ tufted hairgrass-sedge

community type (UFB3). The high productivity and open nature of this community make it extremely attractive to domestic livestock. Heavy to moderate grazing pressure causes the native plant species to decrease and allows Kentucky bluegrass and dandelion to increase.

Plant Composition canopy covERf%> Environmental Variables

Mean Range Const.

Shrubs

Willow

{Salix spp.) Forbs Dandeuon	22	19-25	100
(Taraxacum officinale) Yarrow	11	1-21	100
(Achillea millefolium) Strawberry	7	5-7	100
(Fragaria virginiana) White clover	2	T-4	100
(Trifolium repens) Talllungword	5	0-10	50
(Mertensia paniculata) Grasses Kentucky bluegrass	5	0-10	50
(Poa pratensis) Slender wheatgrass	12	10-13	100
(Agropyron trachycaulum)9 Tufted hairgrass	5-12	100
(Deschampsia cespitosa) Sheep fescue	8	0-15	50
{Festuca saximontana)	5	0-10	50

Moisture Regime;

Mesic

Nutrient Regime:

Permesotrophic

Elevation:

1370-1667 M (1499 m)

Soil Drainage:

Well

Aspect:

Variable

Slope:

0-25%

FORAGE PRODUCTIONfKG/HAl

Grass: 1466(880-2052) Forbs: 339(316-332) Shrubs: 384

Total: 1997(1196-2798)

Suggested Grazing Capacity

0.5 ha/AUM or 1 .1 acres/AUM

81

UFCll. Sedge-Slender wheatgrass-Rough fescue

(Carex spp.-Agropyron trachycaulum-Festuca scabrella)

n=29 This community type represents the grazed transects at the McCue Creek, Yara Creek and Upper James River rangeland reference areas over 30 years from the 1 960’s to the early 1 980’s. The continued grazing pressure since the 1980's has allowed Kentucky bluegrass to invade onto these sites to form a Kentucky bluegrass-Sedge dominated community type (Willoughby 2000). In the 1960's when these sites were protected from grazing the plant community succeeded back to a rough fescue-hairy wildrye dominated community.

Plant Composition canopy cover(%i

Shrubs Shrubby cinquefoil	Mean	Range	Const,
{Potentilla fruticosa. ) Forbs Dandelion	2	0-10	62
(Taraxacum officinale) Yarrow	3	0-13	90
(Achillea millefolium) Strawberry	3	0-7	97
(Fragaria virginiana) Graceful cinquefoil	2	0-18	45
{Potentilla gracilis) American vetch	3	0-8	79
(Vida americana) Grasses Kentucky bluegrass	3	0-16	93
(Poa pratensis) Slender wheatgrass	3	0-16	52
(Agropyron trachycaulum)9 Rough fescue	1-19	100
(Festuca scabrella) Sedge spp.	8	1-32	100
{Car ex spp.) Hairy wildrye	10	0-31	69
{Elymus innovatus)	3	0-20	41

Environmental Variables

Moisture Regime:

Mesic

Nutrient Regime:

MESOTROPHIC

Elevation:

1470-1660(1543m)

Soil Drainage:

Well

ASPECT:

Southerly

Slope:

2-22%

FORAGE PR0DUCTI0N(KG/HA)

Grass: 802 Forbs: 322 Shrubs: 18 Total: 1207

Suggested Grazing Capacity

1.1 ha/AUM or 2.5 acres/AUM

82

UPPER FOOTHILLS SUBREGION

DECIDUOUS COMMUNITY TYPES

Figure 5. Aspen/Marsh reedgrass community type on south facing slopes in the Upper Foothills subregion

83

Deciduous community types

The six deciduous community types described in the Upper Foothills subregion are outlined in Table 4. Deciduous types are rare in this subregion. The cool climate severely restricts the growth of deciduous tree species (Strong and Leggat 1992). As a result, aspen and balsam poplar are generally found on south facing slopes where the increased insolation permits colonization.

The Pb-Sw/ Willow/ Yellow Mtn. avens community type (UFD2) is representative of the .gravelly floodplains adjacent to rivers and streams. The Aw/ Rose/ Bearberry, Aw/ Rose/ Hairy wildrye and Aw/ Buffaloberry/ Hairy wildrye commimity types are found on dry south facing slopes throughout the region. The Aw/ Buffaloberry/ Hairy wildrye community type appears to be successionally more advanced, with slightly acidic soils, than the Aw/ Rose/ Hairy wildrye community type. The Aw/ Marsh reedgrass type is slightly moister than the other aspen community types found on south facing slopes in the Upper Foothills subregion and the Pb/ Willow/ Horsetail was described on the river floodplain adjacent to the Wildhay river.

84

Key to Deciduous Community Types

1 . balsam poplar dominates the oyerstory 2

Drier sites with Aspen dominating the oyerstory 3

2. Low nutrient, dry grayelly river floodplains . . UFD2 Balsam poplar- White spruce/ Willow/ Yellow mtn. Avens

Moist, moderately well drained soils UFD6 Balsam poplar/ Willow/ horsetail

3. Dry , south and west facing slopes 4

Moister richer sites with Marsh reedgrass dominated imderstory UFD5 Aspen/ Marsh reedgrass

4. Bearberry or Buffaloberry dominate understory 5

Grass and forbs dominate the understory of this dry, sunny site UFD3 Aspen/ Rose/ Hairy wildrye

5. Dry site conditions on steep south facing slope

Lower, south facing slopes and lower nutrient soils (high pH)

UFDl Aspen/ Rose/ Bearberry

UFD4 Aspen/ Buffaloberry/ Hairy wildrye

Table 4. Forage production (kg/ha) for the deciduous community types and ecosite phases, within the Upper Foothills subregion

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UFDl. Aspen/ Rose/ Bearberry

(Populus tremuloides/ Rosa acicularis/ Arctostaphylos uva-ursi)

n=l This community type was described on the steep south facing slope above Rough Creek, west of Rocky Mountain House. The drier site conditions favour the growth of bearberry. This community type probably represents an earlier succcssional phase of the PI/ bearberry community type described by Beckingham et al ( 1 996). The forage producuvity of this community type is only moderate, but the openness of the stand makes it accessible for livestock. This community type would be rated as secondary range.

Plant Composition canopy cover(%)

Mean Trees Aspen	Range	Const.
(Populus tremuloides) 47 Shrubs Prickly rose		100
(Rosa acicularis } 22 Bearberry	-	100
(Arciostaphyloi u^a ursi) 16 Forbs Strays BERRY		100
(Fragaria urgimana) 7 LindleYs aster	-	100
(Aster ciliolatus) 1 Fireweed	-	100
(Epilobium angustifolium)\ 1 Yarrovs	-	100
(Achillea millefolium) 3 Grasses Slender v-heatgrass		100
(Agropyron trachycaulum)5 Fringed B ROME	-	100
(Bromus cihatus) 3 Rough fescue	-	100
(Festuca scabrella) 3	-	100

Environmental Variables

Moisture Regime:

Mesic

Nutrient Regime:

Mesotrophic

Elevation:

1215m Soil Drainage:

Well

ASPECT:

South-east

Slope:

30%

FORAGE PRODUCTION^KG/HA)

Grass: 450 Forbs: 300 Shrubs: 114 Total: 864

Suggested grazing capacity

2.1 ha/AUM or 5.1 ACRES/AUM

87

I

I

UFD2. Balsam poplar/ Willow/ Yellow Mountain Avens

(Populus balsamifera/ Salix sppJ Dry as drummondii)

n=l This community type is common throughout the Upper Foothills subregion on gravelly floodplains along

, rivers and streams. It is similar to the bearberry/ slender wheatgrass community (UFA 10), but it is successionally

more advanced. This type is dominated by balsam poplar with an understory of spruce in the later successional stages. This particular stand was fairly young with the tree canopy being less than 5 m tall. Y ellow mountain avens is a common pioneer species on gravelly river bars and rocky slopes up into the alpine tundra (MacKinnon et al., 1992). As this community succeeds towards a mature forest, yellow mountain avens will undoubtably decline in cover.

The forage production on this community type is very low. The poor nutrient status of the soil limits the growth of grasses, forbs and shrubs. As a result, this community type would be rated as non-use range.

Plant Composition canopy cover(

	Mean	Range	Const.
Trees Balsam poplar (Populus balsamifera) White spruce	7	-	100
(Picea glauca) Shrubs Willow	5		100
(Salix spp.) Buffaloberry	13		100
(Shepherdia canadensis)	9	-	100
Yellow mountain avens
(Dryas drummondii) Bearberry	16	-	100
(Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) 3	-	100
Forbs V/ILD STRAWBERRY {Fragaria virginiana) Alpine hedysarum	1	-	100
(Hedysarum alpinum) Scouring rush	11	-	100
(Equisetum scirpoides) Alpine milkvetch	11	-	100
(Astragalus alpinus)	4	-	100
Grasses Blunt SEDGE (Carex obtusata)	2		100

Environmental Variables

Moisture Regime:

Mesic

Nutrient Regime:

Permesotrophic

Elevation:

1524 m Soil Drainage:

Imperfectly

Forage PROPUCTioNtKG/HAl

Grass: 62 Forbs: 316 Shrubs: 230 Total: 608

Suggested grazing capacity

3 ha/AUM or 7 acres/AUM

88

UFD3. Aspen/ Rose/ Hairy wildrye

(Populus tremuloides/ Rosa acicularis/ Elymus innovatus)

n=l 0 This community type is typical of aspen forest types found throughout the Upper Foothills subregion on south facing slopes. The dry site conditions and high solar insolation favours the growA of grasses and forbs rather than shrubs. The canopy cover of aspen is also noticeably lower on this community type. This community type is similar to the Aw/ buffaloberry/ hairy wildrye community (UFD4)described in Willmore Wilderness Park, but the absence of buffaloberry distinguishes this type from the Willmore type. This community is moderately productive for domestic livestock. This community would be rated as secondary range.

Plant Composition canopy cover(%^

Trees ASJPEN	Mean	Range	Const.
(Populus tremuloides) Shrubs Prickly rose	41	10-72	100
(Rosa acicularis) Willow .	1	0-7	60
(Salix spp.) Forbs Lindley’s aster	1	0-10	40
(Aster ciliolatus) Wild STRAWBERRY	4	0-18	40
(Fragaria virginiana) Tall LUNGWORT	13	1-33	100
(Mertensia paniculata) 4 Cream colored vetchling	0-12	100
(Lathyrus ochroleucus) Veiny meadow rue	3	1-7	100
(Thalictrum venulosum) Grasses Hairy wild rye	3	0-9	80
(Elymus innovatus) Purple OATGRASS	20	0-62	90
(Schizachne purpurascens)A Slender wheatgrass	0-20	40
(Agropyron trachycaulum)A	0-26	20

Environmental Variables

Moisture Regime Mesic

Nutrient Regime

Mesotrophic

Elevation:

1345-1515 M (1457 m)

Soil Drainage (mean):

Moderately well

Aspect:

South to southwest '

Slope:

0-35%

FORAGE PRODUCTION(KG/HA'>

Grass: 200 Forbs: 467(150-1000)

Shrubs: 134 (50-300)

Total: 800(401-1500)

Suggested Grazing Capacity

1 .1 ha/AUM or 2.5 AC/AUM

89

UFD4. Aspen/ Buffaloberry/ Hairy wildrye

(Populus tremuloides/ Shepherdia canadensis/ Elymus innovatus)

n=3 This community type was described along lower, south facing slopes and river terraces throughout Willmore Wilderness Park and areas west of Hinton. Bork (1994), found this community type, to be uncommon throughout Willmore, but pockets of this type were found along the Smoky, Sulphur and Sheep rivers on the North side of the Park. Bork felt that frequent disturbance and/ or arid conditions resulted in the aspen dominated overstory. He felt if left undisturbed, the community type would eventually succeed to a coniferous forest. This community type is very similar to the Aw/ buffaloberry type described by Youngblood (1993) in Alaska and the Aw/ rose/ hairy wildrye community type (UFD3) previously described near Rocky Mtn. House. The presence of buffaloberry distinguishes this northern type from the more southern rose type. The presence of buffaloberry may indicate a higher pH and lower nutrient status. Beckingham (1994), described Aw/ buffaloberry stands on lower pH sites.

This community type provides a good forage base for domestic livestock. In the Upper foothills, this community type is often located in close proximity to the trails and camps used by outfitters and recreationalists.

Plant Composition canopy covERf%^

Trees Aspen	Mean	Range	Const.
(Populus tremuloides) White spruce	34	24-52	100
(Picea glauca) Shrubs Buffaloberry	4	0-11	33
(Shepherdia canadensis) Prickly rose	14	10-18	100
(Rosa acicularis) Willow	7	1-7	100
(Salix spp.) Twin-flower	17	5-36	100
(Linnaea borealis) Bunchberry	1	0-4	33
(Cornus canadensis) Forbs Fireweed	2	0-7	33
(Epilobium angustifolium) 3 Showy aster	1-5	100
(Aster conspicuus) Strawberry	1	0-4	33
(Fragaria virginiana) Grasses Hairy wild rye	9	•3-19	100
(Elymus innovatus) Marsh reedgrass (C.alamagrostis	24	14-34	100
canadensis)	3	0-5	50

Environmental Variables

Moisture Regime:

Mesic

Nutrient Regime:

Mesotrophic

Elevation:

914-1500 M (957 M)

Soil Drainage:

Well

Aspect:

South

Slope:

0-10%

FORAGE PRODUCTIONrKG/HA^

Grass: 400 Fores: 350 Shrubs: 200 Total: 950

Suggested Grazing Capacity

1 ha/AUMor2.1 acres/AUM

90

UFD5. Aspen/ Marsh reedgrass

(Populus tremuloides/ Calamagrostis canadensis)

n=4 This community type was described on a south facing slope in the Solomon valley west of Hinton and observed near Fall Creek and Upper James west of Rocky Mountain House. This community type is scattered throughout the valleys in small isolated areas. It appears to have a slightly higher moisture regime than the bearberry, hairy wildrye and buffaloberry dominated community types previously described. The dominance of marsh reedgrass indicates that some nutrient rich seepage occurs at some point in the growing season. This community type was located adjacent to Kentucky bluegrass-timothy dominated meadows (UFC8). As a result, this aspen dominated community type was extensively utilized by livestock.

Plant Composition canopy covERf%i

T*£ES Aspen	Mean	Range	Const.
(Populus tremuloides) Balsam poplar	29	14-45	100
(Populus balsamifera) White spruce	3	0-8	75
(Picea glauca) Shrubs Prickly rose	7	0-13	75
(Rosa acicularis) Willow	1	0-3	75
(Salix spp.) Forbs Canada violet	3	0-8	50
(Viola canadensis) Peavine	4	0-17	50
(Lathyrus ochroleucus) Tall lungwort	3	0-5	75
(Mertensia paniculata) Lindley’s aster	3	T-6	100
(Aster ciliolatus) Strawberry	5	0-13	50
(Fragaria virginiana) Cow parnsip	4	1-9	100
{Heracleum lanatum) Grasses Hairy wild rye	3	0-10	50
(Elymus innovatus) Marsh reedgrass (Calamagrostis	6	3-10	100
canadensis)	14	4-20	100

Environmental Variables

Moisture Regime:

SUBHYGRIC Nutrient Regime:

Permesotrophic

Elevation:

1450-1500 M (1477 M)

Soil Drainage:

Moderately well

Aspect:

West

Slope:

3-18%

FORAGE PRODUCTION^ KG/HA)

Grass: 206(110-301)

Forbs: 776(350-1202)

Shrubs: 110(100-120)

Total: 1092(751-1432)

Suggested grazing Capacity

1.6 HA/AUM or 3.8 AC/AUM

91

UFD6. Balsam poplar/ Willow/ Horsetail

(Populus balsamifera/ Salix spp/ Equisetum arvense)

n=l This community type was described on the flood plain of the Wildhay River northwest of Hinton. This community is not common in the Upper Foothills subregion and likely represents the continued succession of a willow/ horsetail dominated community type (UFB12). Continued succession in the absence of disturbance will likely lead to the development of a Sw/ horsetail dominated community type (UFE6).

This community type is being used by livestock because of its close proximity to a right of way that had been seeded to Creeping red fescue and clover. When in close proximity to primary range areas this community type should be rated as secondary range.

Plant Composition canopy cover(%^ Environmental Variables

Mean Range Const.

Trees

Aspen

(Populus tremuloides) Balsam poplar	5	-	100
(Populus balsamifera) White spruce	35	-	100
(Picea glauca) Shrubs Prickly rose	3		100
(Rosa acicularis) Beaked willow	3	-	100
(Salix bebbiana) Forbs Horsetail	50		100
(Equisetum arvense) Scouring rush	12	-	100
(Equisetum scirpoides) Tall lungwort	9	-	100
(Mertensia paniculata) Lindley’s aster	3	-	100
(Aster cilioatus) Strawberry	4	-	100
(Fragaria virginiana) Red clover	7	-	100
{Trifolium pratense) Grasses Hairy wild rye	4		100
(Elymus innovatus) Marsh reeckjRass (Calamagrostis	1		100
canadensis) Kentucky bluegrass	1	-	100
{Poa pratensis)	1	-	100

Moisture Regime:

SUBHYGRIC

Nutrient Regime:

Permesotrophic

Elevation:

1500 m Soil Drainage:

Moderately well

FORAGE PRODUCTION(KG/HA')

Grass: 50 Forbs: 550 Shrubs: 150 Total: 750

Suggested grazing Capacity

1 .2 HA/AUM or 2.7 AC/AUM

92

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Conifer community types

Lodgepole pine dominates the overstory vegetation of the mesic reference sites in the Upper Foothills subregion. Typical forests are represented by the PI/ bog cranberry (UFEl) and the PI/ marsh reedgrass c.t. (UFE4) community types. Secondary succession is by white spruce and leads to the formation of the Pl-Sw/ bunchberry c.t. (UFE2). Continued succession on wetter sites, in the absence of disturbance, leads to a Sw/ horsetail/ moss dominated c.t. (UFE6) and to the Sw/ moss (UFEIO) dominated community on more mesic sites.

Wetter, subhygric sites can be dominated by lodgepole pine, black spruce or white spruce. Many of these sites have a predominant willow understory (PI/ willow/ moss (UFE3) or Sw/ willow(UFE7)). These types appear to represent continued succession from the native shrub and grassland community types. Succession in the absence of disturbance on these sites will be to white spruce. The Sw/ willow c.t. (UFE7) appears to be typical of a climax forest on these subhygric sites.

Blhck spruce dominates poorly drained depressional areas (Sb/ willow (UFE5)). These sites have a high water table throughout most of the year. Organic accumulations are a common result of the poor drainage conditions and low oxygen availability (Strong and Leggat, 1992).

Dry, south facing slopes are typically dominated by deciduous aspen forests with succession to a S w/ bearberry (UFE8) and PI/ bearberry/ hairy wildrye dominated community types (Beckingham et al., 1996). A Sw/ juniper (UFE9) c.t. was described on fme-textured, calcareous loess deposits, with high pH’s near Brule lake. These deposits blow out of the Athabasca river valley from Jasper National Park.

The conifer forest types are generally unsuitable for livestock grazing and are typically rated as non- use. The ten coniferous community types described in the Upper Foothills subregion are outlined in Table 5. A more complete description of coniferous c.t. can be found in Beckingham et al. (1996).

94

Key to Coniferous Community Types

1. Lodgepole pine dominated community 2

White or black spruce dominated community 5

2. The community is supported by well drained, coarse soil. It is often located on south facing slopes and exhibits a

structured understory of grass, forb and shrub species 3

The community is located on less deyeloped, wet soils which support a willow imderstory UFE3 Lodgepole pine/ Willow/ Moss

3. The community is succeeding to white spruce in undisturbed areas. Moss cover increases with canopy closure and

grass, forb, and shrub species decline UFE2 Lodgepole pine- White spruce/ Bunchberry

The understory is dominated by shrubs, forbs or grasses 4

4. Shrubs dominate the understory on these well drained, south slopes UFEl Lodgepole pine/ Bog cranberry

Forbs and grasses dominate the understory UFE4 Lodgepole pine/ Marsh reedgrass

5. Dry site conditions 6

•Wet site conditions 7

6. Poor nutrient regime, bearberry dominates the understory, wind UFE8 White spruce/ Bearberry

Fine textured calcareous loess with a high pH UFE9 White spruce/ Juniper-Buffaloberry

7. Drainage is poor, willow dominates the understory 8

Mesic, moss dominates the understory 9

8. White spruce dominated overstory, wetter, low light UFE7 White spruce/ Willow

Black spruce dominated overstory, wet, often saturated soils UFE5 Black spruce/ Willow

9. Wet soils, canopy is closing, promoting moss and loss of forb etc UFE6 White spruce/ Horsetail/ Moss

Closed canopy, successionally mature UFEIO White spruce/ Moss

95

Table 5. Conifer community types of the Upper Foothills subregion

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UFEl. Lodgepole pine/ Bog cranberry

(Pinus contorta/ Vaccinium vitis-idaea)

n=8 This community type is common on dry, coarse textured, well drained sites throughout the Upper Foothills

subregion and is part of die subxeric/ poor ecosite described by Beckingham et al. (1996). These sites are generally located on slopes with southerly aspects. This community type is very similar to the PI/ hairy wildrye/ bunchberry community type described by Lane et al. (2000) in the Lower Foothills subregion, and the Pl-Sw/ low bush cranberry/ twinflower type described by Beckingham (1994) in the Upper Foothills subregion, but this community type appears to be drier with a poorer nutrient regime. Beckingham ( 1 994), felt that white spmce would eventually dominate the canopy of this community type.

Generally, this community type is not useful for domestic livestock grazing because it does not produce good quality forage.

Plant Composition canopy cover(%)

Trees Lodgepole pine	Mean	Range	Const.
(Pinus contorta) White spruce	35	20-50	100
(Picea glauca) Understory Trees White spruce	7	0-20	50
(Picea glauca) Shrubs Bog cranberry	2	0-15	25
(Vaccinium vitis-idaea) Labrador TEA	22	9-57	100
(Ledum groenlandicum) Dewberry	4	0-18	63
{Rubus Pubescens) Bearberry	2	0-14	13
(Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) Bunchberry	1	0-9	13
(Cornus canadensis) Twinflower	5	0-14	88
(Linnaea borealis) Grasses Hairy wildrye	6	0-21	88
(Elymus innovatus)	6	0-18	88
Moss	63	27-86	100

Environmental Variables

Moisture Regime;

Mesic

Nutrient Regime:

Submesotrophic

Elevation;

1091-1475 M (1354 m)

Soil Drainage:

Well

Aspect:

Variable

Slope:

0-15%

Forage Production (kg/ha)

Grass: 62 Forbs: 316 Shrubs: 92 Total 271(89-470)

Suggested Grazing Capacity

Non-Use

97

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UFE2. Lodgepole pine-White spruce/ Bunchberry

(Pinus contorta-Picea glauca/ Comus canadensis)

n=5 This community type represents the modal type onmesic/mesotrophic sites throughout the Upper Foothills

subregion and may be transitional to the Lower Foothills subregion if aspen occurs in the stand. Strong ( 1 992), found that lodgepole pine dominated the reference sites in this subregion with white spruce succession occurring on undisturbed areas. Beckingham (1994), described a similar community type (Pl-Sw/ low bush cranberry/ twinflower) and felt that white spmce and balsam fir will eventually dominate the canopy. The change in canopy dominance will lead to a decline in understory cover of shrubs and forbs. As succession occurs, moss cover will increase.

This community type would be rated as non-use range for domestic livestock. There is little forage that

Plant Composition canopy cover(%i

Trees Lodgepole pine	Mean	Range	Const.
(Pinus contorta) White spruce	37	30-45	100
(Picea glauca) Shrubs Dwarf bilberry	21	0-35	80
(Vaccinium caespitosum) Bog cranberry	3	0-7	80
(Vaccinium vitis-idaea) Willow	3	0-5	80
(Salix spp.) Bunchberry	2	0-5	60
(Comus canadensis) Twin-flower	21	2-39	100
(Linnaea borealis) Forbs Wild strawberry	2	0-5	100
(Fragaria virginiana) ■ Grasses Hairy wild rye	1	0-3	60
(Elymus innovatus) Marsh reedgrass (Calamagrostis	5	0-12	100
canadensis)	1	0-1	80
Moss	59	36-76	100

Environmental Variables

Moisture Regime:

Mesic

Nutrient Regime:

Mesotrophic

Elevation:

1091-1500 M (1368 M)

Soil Drainage:

Well

Aspect:

South

Slope:

0-15%

FORAGE PRODUCTION(KG/HA)

Total: 361(288-496)

Suggested Grazing Capacity

NON-USE

98

UFE3. Lodgepole pine/ Willow/ Moss

(Pinus contorta/ Salix sppJ Moss spp.)

n=3 This community type is very similar to the other lodgepole pine dominated community types, but it is found

on wetter soils that lack development. This community type is slightly drier than the Pl-Sb/ labrador tea- whortleberry/ bunchberry/ feather moss type described by Beckingham (1994) and the Sb/ willow dominated community type (UFE5) described in this guide. Herbaceous plants are scarce in the understory of this community type. As a result, there is little forage for domestic livestock and this community would be rated non-use.

Plant Composition canopy cover(%)

MEAN RANGE CONST.

Trees

Lodgepole pine

(Pinus contorta) White spruce	32	25-40	100
(Picea glauca) Shrubs Willow	13	5-30	100
(Salix spp.) Bunchberry	23	13-34	100
(Cornus canadensis) Twin-flower	4	1-6	100
(Linnaea borealis) Forbs Wild Strawberry	1	0-3	33
pragaria virginiana) 3 Palmate leaved coltsfoot	1-4	100
(Petasites palmatus) Grasses Hairy wild rye	1	T	100
(Elymus innovatus) Marsh reedgrass	4	T-7	100
(Calamagrostis canadensis)!	0-5	67
Moss	59	31-75	100

Environmental Variables

Moisture Regime;

SUBHYGRIC

Nutrient Regime:

Permesotrophic

Elevation:

1390-1560 M (1451m)

Soil Drainage:

Moderately well

Aspect:

Northerly

Slope:

0-10%

FORAGE PRODUCTION^ KG/HA)

Grass: 478(283-672)

FORBS: 192(170-214)

Shrubs; 252 (204-300)

Total: 845(644-1046)

Suggested Grazing Capacity non-use

99

UFE4. Lodgepole pine/ Marsh reedgrass

(Pinus contorta/ Calamagrostis canadensis)

n=3 This community type is similar to the PI /hairy wildrye/ fireweed-peavine community type described by Lane et al. (2000). The tree canopy is open which allows good understory growth.

The good understory forage production and easy access through this community type makes it useful for livestock grazing. If this community type occurs adjacent to a physical feature that attracts livestock to the area, it may be considered primary range.

Plant Composition canopy covERr%^ Environmental Variables

Mean range const.

Trees

Lodgepole pine

(P'inus contorta) White spruce	13	0-30 .	67
(Picea glauca) Shrubs Prickly rose	12	0-20	67
(Rosa acicularis) Bog Cranberry	1	T-2	100
(Vaccinium vitis-idaea) Bunchberry	2	0-7	33
(Comus canadensis) Twin-flower	5	2-9	100
(Linnaea borealis) Forbs Fireweed	4	T-6	100
(Epilobium angustifolium) 3 Lindley's aster	2-3	100
(Aster ciliolatus) Grasses Hairy wild rye	3	T-6	100
(Elymus innovatus) Marsh reedgrass {Calamagrostis	5	2-6	100
canadensis)	12	4-18	100
Moss	12	8-17	100

Moisture Regime:

Mesic

Nutrient Regime:

Mesotrophic

Elevation:

1350-1380 M (1367) M Soil Drainage:

Well

Aspect:

Variable

Slope:

0-45%

FORAGE PRODUCTIONrKG/HA)

Total: 801(600-1200)

Suggested Grazing Capacity

NON-USE

100

UFE5. Black spruce/ Willow

(Picea mariana/ Salix spp.)

n=2 This community type is characterized by a dominant cover of black spruce and a sparse understory cover.

The sites are moist in the spring and dry out later in the growing season. Corns and Annas (1986), found that these forests have a fire origin and can persist for more than 150 years.

This community type would be considered non-use for domestic livestock.

Plant Composition canopy cover(%^

Trees Black spruce	Mean	RANGE	CONST.
(Picea mariana)' White spruce	15	10-20	100
(Picea glauca) Shrubs Willow spp.	6	2-10	100
(Salix spp.) Labrador TEA	49	32-65	100
(Ledum groenlandicum) Bunchberry	7	0-14	50
( Corn us canadensis) 1 FORBS Palmate leaved coltsfoot	0-13	50
(Petasites palmatus) Wild strawberry	1	0-1	50
(Fragaria virginiana) Horsetail	1	T-1	100
(Equisetum spp) Grasses Water SEDGE	8	T-8	100
(Carex aquatilis ) Graceful SEDGE	5	0-10	50
(Carex praegracilis)	4	0-8	50
Moss	51	41-59	100

Environmental Variables

Moisture Regime:

Hygric

Nutrient Regime:

Permesotrophic

Elevation:

1415-1454 M (1435) M Soil Drainage:

Imperfectly

Aspect:

North

Slope:

0-10%

FORAGE PRODUCTION(KG/HA)

Grass: 89(62-116)

FORBS: 166(15-316)

Shrubs: 130 (30-230)

Total: 385(161-608)

Suggested Grazing Capacity

Non-use

UFE6. White spruce/ Horsetail/ Moss

(Picea glauca/ Equisetum arvense/ Moss spp.)

n=3 This community type is successionally more advanced than the Pl-Sw/ bunchberry community type (UFE2 )

previously described. The lack of fire disturbance has allowed white spruce to succeed into the lodgepole pine canopy and dominate the site. As these stands mature, their canopies close, shading the understory vegetation and allowing moss cover to increase. The sparseness and low palatablity of the vegetation limits the use of these stands by domestic livestock.

Plant Composition canopy covERf%)

Trees White spruce	Mean	Range	Const.
(Picea glauca) ' Balsam Poplar	43	15-65	100
(Populus balsamifera) Understory trees Balsam Poplar	2	0-3	67
(Populus balsamifera) Shrubs Low BUSH CRANBERRY	2	0-5	33
(Viburnum edule) Rose	2	0-3	67
{Rosa acicularis) Twinflower	5	0-14	67
(Linnaea borealis) 5 Forbs Palmate leaved coltsfoot	0-9	67
(Petasites palmatus) Scouring rush	11	0-22	67
( Equisetum scirpoides) Horsetail	9	0-16	67
(Equisetum arvense) Tall LUNGWORT	9	9-12	100
(Mertensia paniculata) Grasses Hairy wildrye	2	0-4	67
(Elymus innovatus)	5	3-7	100
Moss	37	0-91	67

Environmental Variables

Moisture Regime:

SUBHYGRIC

Nutrient Regime:

Mesotrophic

Elevation:

1350-1454 M (1415 m)

Soil Drainage:

Moderately well

Aspect:

Northeast •

Slope:

3%

FORAGE PRODUCTIQN(KG/HA^

Grass: 83 (68-96)

Forbs: 223(212-234)

Shrubs: 98 (0-196)

Total: 418(332-504)

Suggested Grazing Capacity

Non-Use

102

UFE7. White spruce/ Willow

(Picea glauca/ Salix spp.)

n=l This community type is similar to the Sw/ bunchberry/ moss community type, but is found on wetter sites, with poorer drainage. The wetter sites favour the growth of willow in the understory. The high cover of willow and spruce limits the amoimt of light reaching the understory. Consequently, there is little forage for domestic livestock.

Plant Composition canopy covERfv.^

	Mean	Range	Const.
Trees White spruce (Picea glauca) Lodgepolepine	45	-	100
(Pinus contortd)	10	-	100
Shrubs Willow (Salix spp.) Bog birch	60	-	100
(Betula glandulosa) Low BILBERRY	8	-	100
(Vaccinium caespitosum) Twin-flower	6	-	100
(Linnaea borealis) Forbs	5	-	100
Cream colored vetchling
(Lathyrus ochroleucus) Lindley's aster	2	-	100
(Aster ciliolatus) Wild STRAWBERRY	9	-	100
(Fragaria virginiana) Alpine aster	12	-	100
(Aster alpinus) Yarrow	3	-	100
(Achillea millefolium) FIREWEED	3	-	100
(Epilobium angustifoliur) 3	-	100
Grasses Graceful SEDGE (Car ex praegracilis) Hairy wild rye	7	-	100
(Elymus innovatus)	8	-	100

Environmental Variables

Moisture Regime:

SUBHYGRIC Nutrient Regime:

Permesotrophic

Elevation:

1646 m

Soil Drainage:

Moderately well

ASPECT:

West

Slope:

15%

FORAGE PRODUCTION/KG/HA~>

Total: 300

Suggested Grazing Capacity

NON-USE

103

UFE8. White spruce/ Bearberry

(Picea glauca/ Arctostaphylos uva-ursi)

n=l This community type is similar to the Sw/ buffaloberry/ bearberry c.t. described by Lane et al. (2000) in the Lower Foothills. This type is fairly dry with a poor nutrient regime; as indicated by the high abundance of bearberry. It rruy also be somewhat windswept and desiccated, as indicated by the low tree canopy cover.

If this community type is located near a physical feature that attracts livestock to the area it may be considered to be primary or secondary range. In other instances though, where it is not near an attractive feature, this comnmrury r>pe would be considered non-use.

Plant C ()^^ position canopy cover(%>

Mean Trees White spRi*CT	Range	Const.
(Picea ghucj) 20 aspen	-	100
(Populus 8 Shrlbs Shrubby ctn :?uEfOJL		100
(Potentilla fruncoia) 12 WiujO’a spp	-	100
(Sahx spp ) 9 Bog birch	-	100
(Betula glandulosa) 7 Bearberry	-	100
(Arctostapkylos u^a-ursi) 23 Forbs Showy locoweed		100
( Oxytrcpis splen dens) 10 Wild STRAWBERRY	-	100
(Fragaria virginiana) 18 ALPINE MILXVETCH	-	100
(Astragalus alpinus) 7 Clover	-	100
(Trifolium repens) 6 Dandeuon	-	100
(Taraxacum off cinale) 6 Grasses Purple oatgrass		100
(Schizachne purpurascens)\ 8 Slender wheatcrass	-	100
(Agropyron trachycaulum)\4 Blunt SEDGE	-	100
(Carex obtustata) 10	-	100

Environmental Variables

Moisture Regime:

Mesic

Nutrient Regime:

Mesotrophic

Elevation:

1311m

Soil Drainage:

Moderately Well

FORAGE PRODUCTlONrKG/HAl

Total: 400

Suggested Grazing Capacity

Non-Use

104

UFE9. White spruce/ Juniper-Buffaloberry

(Picea glauca/ Juniperus horizontalis-Shepherdia canadensis)

n=2 This community type was described along the north shore of Brule lake. It is characteristic of the fine- textured, calcareous loess deposits which have blown down the Athabasca river valley from Jasper National Park. The soils of this community have a high pH (8) which supports a good cover of hairy wildrye. This community type is extremely slow growing. When harvested, the cutblocks resemble native grasslands (juniper/ hairy wildrye (UFFl) and rose/ hairy wildrye (UFF2)).

Plant Composition Canopy Cover(%) ENVIRONMENTAL VARIABLES

Mean Range Const.

Trees

White SPRUCE

(Picea glauca) - Shrubs Shrubby cinquefoil	50	50	100
(Potentilla fruticosa) Creeping JUNIPER.	3	1-4	100
(Juniperus horizontalis) Prickly rose	44	43-45	100
(Rosa acicularis) Buffaloberry	7	6-8	100
{Shepherdia canadensis) Forbs White CAMAS	3	0-5	50
(Zigadenus elegans) Showy locoweed	4	T-7	100
(Oxytropis splendens) Northern hedysarum	2	T-3	100
(Hedysarum boreale) Northern bedstraw	2	0-4	50
(Galium boreale) Bastard toad flax	2	1-2	100
(Comandra umbellata) Grasses Hairy wildrye	1	1-2	100
(Elymus innovatus) Blunt SEDGE	14	13-14	100
(Carex obtustata)	4	3-5	100

Moisture Regime:

Mesic

Nutrient Regime:

Mesotrophic

Elevation:

1066 m

Soil Drainage:

Well .

ASPECT:

South

Slope:

0-5%

FORAGE PRODUCTIONf KG/HA)

Grass: 297(294-300)

FORBS: 176(146-206)

Shrubs: 181 (36-326)

Total: 654(536-772)

Suggested Grazing Capacity

Non-Use

105

UFEIO. White spruce/ Moss

(Picea glauca/Moss spp.)

n=l This community type represents a successionally mature forested stand in the Upper Foothills subregion.

As succession occurs from pine to spruce, the canopy cover becomes closed and the amount of understory vegetation decreases until most of the shrub, forb and grass layers have been eliminated. As a result, there is limited forage available for domestic livestock within these spruce dominated community types. This community is typically rated as non-use for domestic livestock.

Plant Composition Canopy cover(%^

mean Range Const. ENVIRONMENTAL VARIABLES

Trees

White spruce

(Picea glauca) - Lodgepole pine	45	-	100
{Pinus contorta) Understory Trees SUBALPINE FIR	5		100
{Abies lasiocarpa) Shrubs Buffaloberry	25		100
(Shepherdia canadensis) Bog cranberry.	5	-	100
(Vaccinium caespitosum) Prickly rose	4	-	100
(Rosa acicularis) Twinflower	2	-	100
(Linnaea borealis) Forbs Heart leaved arnica	10		100
(Arnica cordifolia) Showy aster	8	-	100
(Aster conspicuus) Bunchberry	5	-	100
(Cornus canadensis) Strawberry	3	-	100
(Fragaria virginiana) Grasses Hairy wildrye	2		100
(Elymus innovatus) Moss Stair step moss	10		100
{Hylocomium splendens)	90		100

Moisture Regime:

Mesic

Nutrient Regime:

Mesotrophic

Elevation:

1350 m

Soil Drainage:

Well

Aspect:

East

Slope:

10%

Forage production(kg/ha'>

Grass: 78 Fores: 96 Shrubs: 160 Total: 332

Suggested Grazing Capacity

Non-Use

106

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Cutblock and burn community types

In general, cutblocks provide only a limited source of forage for domestic livestock in the Upper Foothills subregion. The Brule stock association, Robb head tax permit and Upper James allotment are examples where the livestock rely principally on the forage within harvested cutblocks. On average, cutblocks produce twice as much forage as deciduous stands and nearly 3 times the forage as coniferous stands. In the Brule stock association, forage production on the cutblocks averaged 3-5 times greater than the unharvested white spruce dominated forest.

Two of the cutblock community types in this guide were described from the Brule stock association.

These are the juniper/ hairy wildrye (UFF 1 ) and rose/ hairy wildrye (UFF2) c.t. . Both of these types have very little growth of regenerating trees and resemble native grasslands (Figure 7).

Other cutblock community types were described on moister sites throughout the Solomon valley. These communities represent areas that were harvested 30-40 years ago. Currently, they are important sources of forage for domestic livestock throughout the area.

One bum community type was described from the Solomon valley. This bum occurred on an Se-Fa/ willow community approximately 1 0 years ago. The site was located in an area that had nutrient rich seepage that made it very productive for horses grazing the area.

In the Upper James and Wilson creek allotments west of Sundre, harvesting of lodgepole pine dominated sites produces fireweed/ hairy wildrye dominated communities on south and west facing slopes. On the more northern aspects in this area, the cutblocks tended to be dominated by moss to form the Pl-Sw/ moss community type. Livestock preferred to graze the fireweed/ hairy wildrye dominated cutblocks.

Figure 7. The juniper/ hairy wildrye community type (UFFl) results from the harvesting of a Sw/ juniper community.

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UFFl. Juniper/ Hairy wildrye

(Juniperus horizontalis/ Elymus innovatus)

n=4 This community represents a harvested Sw/ juniper community along the north shore of Brule lake. It is characteristic of the fme-textured, calcareous loess deposits, which have blown down the Athabasca river valley from Jasper National Park. The soils of this community have a high pH (8) wjiich supports a good cover of hairy wildrye. This community type is extremely slow growing. When harvested, the cutblocks resemble native grasslands.

This community is very similar to the rose/ hairy wildrye community, but appears to be in a later successional stage. This community type was described in older cutblocks (35 yrs) than the rose/ hairy wildrye community type (UFF2). As succession occurs on these cutblocks it appears that juniper and grass cover increase, causing a corresponding increase in forage production.

Plant Composition Canopy Cover(%J .

Trees White SPRUCE	Mean	Range	Const.
(Picea glauca) Balsam poplar	12	5-18	100
{Populus balsamifera) ASPEN	8	0-15	75
{Populus tremuloides) Understory Trees White spruce	6	0-15	50
(Picea glauca) Balsam poplar	1	0-2	25
{Populus balsamifera) ASPEN	1	0-1	25
{Populus tremuloides) Shrubs Shrubby cinquefoil	1	0-2	50
(Potentilla fruticosa) Creeping juniper.	7	2-11	100
(Juniperus horizontalis) Prickly rose	19	11-27	100
(Rosa acicularis) Willow	6	0-10	75
{Salix spp) Bearberry	14	3-15	100
(Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) Forbs Showy locoweed	9	0-17	75
(Oxytropis splendens) Northern hedysarum	3	1-4	100
(Hedysarum boreale) Northern bedstraw	6	0-7	75
(Galium boreale) Grasses	8	6-10	100

Hairy wildrye

(Elymus innovatus) 12	3-24	100
Blunt sedge
(Carex obtustata) 6	0-15	75
Slender wheatgrass
{Agropyron trachycaulum)!	0-4	50

Environmental Variables

Moisture Regime:

SUBMESIC

Nutrient Regime:

SUBMESOTROPHIC

Elevation:

1036-1066 M (1046 m)

Soil Drainage:

Well

Aspect:

South

Slope:

0-5%

FORAGE PRODUCTION(KG/HA)

Grass: 520(268-866)

Forbs: 697(124-1538)

Shrubs: 267 (12-450)

Total: 2089(592-3732)

Suggested Grazing Capacity

0.4 Ha/AUM or 1 .0 AC/AUM

108

UFF2. Rose/ Hairy wildrye

(Rosa acicularis/ Elymus innovatus)

n=10 This community type represents a Sw/ juniper community that was harvested 20 years ago. It is very similar to the previously described juniper/ hairy wildrye community (UFFl), but lacks the cover of juniper. It appears that harvesting disturbance causes juniper to decline in cover. As succession occurs, juniper and grass density increase, causing forage productivity to increase. The site conditions are so harsh it appears that grass cover has to undergo succession onto the site.

Plant Composition Canopy covERf

Mean Range Const.

Trees White SPRUCE
(Picea glauca)' Balsam poplar	9	0-20	90
{Populus balsamifera) ASPEN	6	0-15	80
{Populus tremuloides) Understory Trees White SPRUCE	2	0-10	30
(Picea glauca) Balsam poplar	2	0-15	10
{Populus balsamifera) ASPEN	2	0-20	50
{Populus tremuloides) Shrubs Shrubby cinquefoil	1	0-1	20
(Potentilla fruticosa) Creeping juniper.	1	0-4	80
(Juniperus horizontalis) Prickly rose	2	0-7	60
(Rosa acicularis) Willow spp.	4	0-13	90
{Salix spp) Bearberry	6	0-10	80
(Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) FORBS White cam as	1	0-7	50
(Zigadenus elegans) Showy locoweed	1	0-3	30
(Oxytropis splendens) Northern hedysarum	2	0-4	60
(Hedysarum boreale) Northern BEDSTRAW	1	0-24	40
(Galium boreale) Dandelion	4	T-11	100
{Taraxacum officinale) Grasses	3	0-8	90

Hairy wildrye

(Elymus innovatus) 24	4-40	100
Blunt sedge
(Car ex obtustata) 2	0-7	60
Slender wheatgrass
{Agropyron trachycaulum)4	0-10	70

Environmental Variables

Moisture Regime:

Mesic

Nutrient Regime:

Mesotrophic

Elevation:

1036 m

Soil Drainage:

Well

Aspect:

Southerly

Slope:

2-10%

FORAGE PRODUCTIONf KG/HA)

Grass: 723(212-1514)

ForbS: 388(126-756)

Shrubs: 132 (2-454)

Total: 1243(540-2360)

Suggested Grazing Capacity

0.7 Ha/AUM or 1 .6 AC/AUM

109

UFF2a. Fireweed/ Hairy wildrye

(Epilobium angustifolium/ Elymiis innovatus)

n=22 This community type represents a PI/ moss community that was harvested 5-7 years ago. This community

type was described on south and west facing slopes throughout Ihe area. On more northerly aspects, moss dominates the understory of these cutblocks. Cutblocks can be an important source of forage for domestic livestock. They produce on average twice as much as deciduous stands, and nearly three times more than conifer stands. It must be remembered that this increase in forage is only temporary. As the cutblock undergoes succession there is a corresponding drop in production.

Plant Composition Canopy Cover(%^

Understory trees Lodgepole pine'	Mean	Range	Const.
(Firms contorta) ASPEN	1	0-10	59
{Populus tremuloides) Shrubs Prickly rose	1	0-2	23
(Rosa acicularis) Willow spp.	1	0-5	86
{Salix spp.) Bunchberry	1	0-6	41
(Comus canadensis) Forbs Fireweed	1	0-1	73
(Epilobium angustifolium) 5 Showy ASTER	0-7	91
(Aster conspicuus) Northern bedstraw	1	0-7	46
(Galium boreale) Grasses Hairy wildrye	1	0-1	27
(Elymus innovatus) Sedge	12	0-16	96
(Car ex spp) Pinegrass	3	0-9	91
{Calamagrostis rubescens)\	0-11	27

Environmental Variables

Moisture Regime:

SUBMESIC Nutrient Regime:

Mesotrophic

Elevation:

1390-1700 M (1513 m)

Soil Drainage:

Well

Aspect:

Variable

Slope:

2-30%

FORAGE PRODUCTIONf KG/HA)

Grass: 704(566-842)

Forbs: 511 (178-844)

Total: 1215(744-1686)

Suggested Grazing Capacity

0.7HA/AUMOR 1.7AC/AUM

no

UFF3. White spruce/ Horsetail/ Kentucky bluegrass

(Picea glauca/ Equisetum arvense/Poa pratensis)

n=l This community type represents a Sw/ Horsetail community that was harvested 30-40 years ago along the

banks of Moosehom creek east of Rock Lake. These cutblocks are an important source of forage for domestic livestock and have been extensively utilized by cattle throughout the summer months. The high moisture and nutrient content of the sites make them extremely productive. Once invaded by agronomic species (Kentucky bluegrass and clover) they are extremely palatable to livestock.

Plant Composition Canopy Cover(%>

mean Range Const. ENVIRONMENTAL VARIABLES

Trees White spruce
(Picea glauca) - Shrubs Willow	40		100
(Salix spp.) Prickly rose	2	-	100
(Rosa acicularis) Forbs Dandelion	3		100
(T araxacum officinale) Tall larkspur	5	-	100
(Delphinium glaucum) Dewberry	5	-	100
(Rubus puhescens) Tall lungwort	5	-	100
(Mertensia paniculata) Yarrow	5	-	100
(Achillea millefolium) Horsetail	3	-	100
{Equisetum arvense) Grasses Hairy wildrye	2		100
(Elymus innovatus) Kentucky bluegrass	3	-	100
(Poa pratensis) Slender wheatgrass	12	-	100
{Agropyron trachycaulum)3	-	100

Moisture Regime:

SUBHYGRIC Nutrient Regime:

Permesotrophic

Elevation:

1350 M

Soil Drainage:

Moderately well Aspect:

North

Slope:

1%

FORAGE PROPUCTION/KG/HA')

Grass: 498 FORBS: 2378 Total: 2876

Suggested Grazing Capacity

0.3 Ha/AUM or 0.7 ac/AUM

111

UFF4. White spruce/ Moss

(Picea glauca/ Moss spp.)

n=l This community type represents a Sw/ moss community that was harvested 30-40 years ago along the banks

of West Solomon Creek. The regeneration on this cutblock is to subalpine fir which is similar to the understory of the Sw/ moss (UFEIO) community that was harvested in the same area. This community is an important source of forage for wintering horses. The open canopy cover allows for a greater abundance of forbs and grasses in the understory. As the community continues to undergo succession and the canopy becomes denser there will be a corresponding drop in available forage.

Plant Composition canopy covERr%)

Mean Range Const.

Trees

White SPRUCE

(Picea glauca) Subalpine fir	10	-	100
{Abies lasiocarpd) Shrubs Willow	30		100
(Salix spp.) River ALDER	3	-	100
(Alnus tenuifolia) Bunchberry	3	-	100
(Comus canadensis) Forbs Fireweed	1		100
(Epildbium angustifolium)4 Peavine	-	100
(Lathyrus ochroleucus) Moss Feather moss	1		100
{Pleurozium scherberi)	6	-	100

Environmental Variables

Moisture Regime:

Mesic

Nutrient Regime:

Mesotrophic

Elevation:

1300 M

Soil Drainage:

Moderately well Aspect:

East

Slope:

10%

FORAGE PRODUCTION^KG/HA^

Grass: 428 Forbs: 476 Shrubs: 78 Total: 982

Suggested Grazing Capacity

0.9 Ha/AUM or 2.1 ac/AUM

112

UFF4a. Lodgepole pine-White spruce/ Moss

(Pinus contorta-Picea glauca/ Moss spp.)

n=6 This community type represents a Sw/ moss or Lodgepole pine community that was harvested 5- 1 0 years

ago. These moss dominated cutblocks tend to occupy north aspects where the climatic conditions are cooler and moister. Livestock do not prefer to graze these sites.

Plant Composition Canopy cover(%> ENVIRONMENTAL VARIABLES

	Mean	Range	Const.	Moisture Regime:
Trees				Mesic
White SPRUCE				Nutrient Regime:
(Picea glauca)	3	0-15	17	Mesotrophic
Lodgepole PINE				Elevation:
{Pinus contorta)	10	0-25	50	1335-1572 M (1414 m)
UnDerstory Trees				Soil Drainage:
White spruce				- Moderately WELL
(Picea glauca)	2	0-8	50	aspect:
Lodgepole pine				Variable
{Pinus contorta)	2	0-10	17	Slope:
Shrubs Willow				0-16%
(Salix spp.) Rose	1	0-2	67	FORAGE PRODUCTIONCKG/HA)
(Rosa acicularis) Bunchberry	1	0-2	100	Total: 450
(Comus canadensis)	2	0-10	50
	Suggested Grazing Capacity
FORBS
Fireweed				Non-use
(Eoilobium an^ustifolium) 1	0-5	50
Horsetail
(Equisetum arvense) Grass Hairy wildrye	5	0-18	50
(Elymus innovatus) Marsh reedgrass {Calamagrostis	6	0-13	100
canadensis)	3	0-8	33
Moss Feather moss {Pleurozium scherberi) Stairstep moss	1	0-3	50
{Hylocomium splendens)	6	0-15	67

113

UFF5. River alder-Willow/ Fireweed-Cow parsnip

(Alnus tenuifolia-Salix sppJ Epilobium angustifolium-Heracleum lanatum)

n=l This community type represents a Engelmann x White spruce-Subalpine fir community that was burned 1 0 years ago. The site was located within a nutrient rich seepage area, which favoured the growth of cow parsnip, firewecd and horsetail. The lack of tree canopy cover and moisture and nutrient regime of the area made the site very productive for domestic livestock. This site was extensively utilized by horses throughout the winter and summer months

Plant Composition Canopy covERf%^

™ mean Range Const. ENVIRONMENTAL VARIABLES

Trees

White spp’JCE

(Picea glauca) ASl^EN	3	-	100
{Populus t'efruIoiJes) Shrubs Willow	5		100
(Salix spp ) River aldlr	5	-	100
(Alnus tenui/olu) Forbs Fireweed	5		100
(Epilobium angustifohum)l\ Cow parsnip	-	100
(Heracleum lanatum) Stinging nettle	13	-	100
(Urtica dioica) White GER.ANIL-M	10	-	100
(Geranium richardsonii) Tall ll'ngwort	10	-	100
(Mertensia paniculata) Horsetail	8	-	100
(Equisetum arxense) Grasses Slender wheatgrass	6		100
(Agropyron trachycaulum )1 Marsh reedgrass (Calamagrostis		100
canadensis)	3	-	100

Moisture Regime:

SUBHYGRIC Nutrient Regime:

Permesotrophic

Elevation:

1200 m

Soil Drainage:

Moderately well

ASPECT:

East

Slope:

20%

FORAGE PRODUCTIONfKG/HA')

Grass: 122 Forbs: 3034 Total: 3156

Suggested Grazing Capacity

0.3 Ha/AUM or 0.6 aC/AUM

114

UFF6. Aspen/ Fireweed

(Populus tremuloides/ Epilohium angustifolium)

n=l This community type represents a Pl-Sw/ bunchberry community that was harvested near the Robb area. The regeneration of this community back to aspen indicates that this particular cutblock is transitional to the Lower Foothills subregion. Indeed, the Robb area is on the border between the Upper and Lower Foothills subregions. This community type is highly productive for domestic livestock. Harvesting the trees allows the grasses and forbs to grow, increasing the forage productivity.

Plant Composition Canopy covERfVo) _

^Mean Range Const. ENVIRONMENTAL VARIABLES

Understory Trees White SPRUCE (Picea glauca) -	1		100
ASPEN {Populus tremuloides)	6		100
Shrubs Prickly rose. (Rosa acicularis)	6		100
Green alder (Alnus crispa)	7		100
Dewberry {Rubus pubescens)	3		100
Forbs Fireweed (Epilobium angustifolium) 52		100
Horsetail (Equisetum arvense)	9	.	100
Heart leaved arnica (Arnica cordifolia)	8	.	100
Tall LUNGWORT {Mertensia paniculata)	2		100
Grasses Sedge spp. (Carexsp.)	3		100
Marsh reedgrass {Calamagrostis canadensis)	13		100

Moisture Regime:

Mesic

Nutrient Regime:

Permesotrophic

Elevation:

1091 M

Soil Drainage:

Moderately well

ASPECT:

North

Slope:

5%

FORAGE PRODUCTIONfKG/HA)

Grass: 540 FORBS: 1520 Shrubs: 150 Total: 2210

Suggested Grazing Capacity

0.8 Ha/AUM or 1.8 aC/AUM

115

UFF7. Aspen/ Blueberry-Bearberry/ Hairy wildrye

(Populus tremuloides/ Vaccinium myrtilloides-Arctostaphylos uva-ursi/ Elymus innovatus)

n=2 This community type represents a PI/ bog cranberry community (UFE 1 ) that was harv ested near the Robb

area. The ecological conditions of this site are drier with a poorer nutrient regime. Regeneration of the trees will be much slower than the Aw/ fireweed community type which was described previously. Harvesting of the pine overstory allows grasses and forbs to flourish. This provides a good forage base for domestic livestock. Caution must be used when grazing cutblocks that the stocking rate is not too high to limit the growth of regenerating trees.

Plant Composition canopy cover(%)

Understory Trees White spruce	Mean	Range	Const.
(Picea glauca) Aspen	1	0-1	50
{Populus tremuloides) Lodgepolepine	7	0-13	50
{Pinus contorta) Shrubs Blueberry	2	T-3	100
(Vaccinium myrtilloides) Bog cranberry	11	T-22	100
(Vaccinium caespitosum) Forbs Fireweed	2	0-3	50
(Epilobium angustifoliur^ Lindley’s aster	1	0-2	50
(Aster ciliolatus) Strawberry	2	0-4	50
(Fragaria virginiana) Yarrow	2	T-3	100
{Achillea millefolium) Grasses Indian ricegrass	1	0-2	50
{Oryzopsis pungens) Hairy wildrye	2	T-3	100
{Elymus innovatus)	6	T-10	100

Environmental Variables

Moisture Regime :

SUBMESIC

Nutrient Regime:

Mesotrophic

Elevation:

1091 M

Soil Drainage :

Well

Aspect:

East

Slope:

3%

Forage productionCkg/ha')

Grass: 300 Forbs: 310 Shrubs: 285 Total: 895

Suggested Grazing Capacity

2.0 Ha/AUM or 4.6 AC/AUM

116

UFF8. Kentucky bluegrass-Creeping red fescue/ Clover

(Poa pratensis-Festuca rubra/ Trifolium spp.)

n=5 This community type represents cutblocks that have been heavily grazed by livestock. Heavy livestock grazing favours the growth of the invaders Kentucky bluegrass and timothy. The grazing pressure which favours the growth of these grass species is usually detrimental to the growth of trees. Cattle damage to the conifer trees is usually trampling damage which scars die trees and breaks the stem.

Plant Composition Canopy covers

Mean Range Const.

Environmental Variables

Shrubs Rose				Moisture Regime: SUBMESIC
(Rosa acicularis) Forbs Fireweed	1	0-4	20	Nutrient Regime: SUBMESOTROPHIC Elevation:
(Epilobium angusufoUum) 1 Clover	0-3	80	1435-1480 M (1453 M) Soil Drainage:
(Trifohum spp ) Strawberry	15	0-48	80	Moderately well ASPECT:
(Fragana \irginianj) Yarrow	1	0-2	40	Variable Slope:
{Achillea nuUefohum) Grasses Timothy	1	0-T	60	0-12% Forage productionCkg/haI
{Phleum praiense) Hairy wildrye	8	T-35	100	Grass: 932
{Elymus innovatus) Kentucky bluegrass	1	0-3	40	Total: 932
{Poa pratensis) Creeping red fescue	15	0-67	80	Suggested Grazing Capacity
{Festuca rubra)	10	0-41	80	2.0 Ha/AUM or 4.6 AC/AUM

117

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