Abstract for CNVC00046

Forest
Forêt

Thuja plicata - Pseudotsuga menziesii - Tsuga heterophylla / Oplopanax horridus / Polystichum munitum / Plagiomnium insigne

Western Redcedar - Douglas-fir - Western Hemlock / Devil's Club / Western Sword Fern / Coastal Leafy Moss
Thuya géant - Douglas de Menzies - Pruche de l'Ouest / Bois piquant / Fougère épée / Mnie remarquable


Located within the rain shadow valleys of the leeward Pacific Ranges of British Columbia, this very productive, Pacific coastal coniferous or mixed coniferous / hardwood forest association is exposed to a distinctly drier transitional coast / interior climatic regime than other coastal forest associations. CNVC00046 is typically found on lower / toe slope and level topopositions which receive seepage water. The moist soils are nutritionally rich. The elevation range is from near sea level in valley floors to 650 mASL. In its mature and old forest stage western redcedar (Thuja plicata) and western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla) are leading species along with Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), which forms the uppermost canopy layer. The larger trees are vulnerable to wind breakage and blowdown. Devil's club (Oplopanax horridus) typically dominates the shrub layer; salmonberry (Rubus spectabilis) is usually present and vine maple (Acer circinatum) can be abundant. Along with additional species of moist, nutrient-rich sites, the lush herb layer includes spreading wood fern (Dryopteris expansa), western sword fern (Polystichum munitum) and three-leaved foamflower (Tiarella trifoliata). Common mosses include coastal leafy moss (Plagiomnium insigne), stairstep moss (Hylocomium splendens) and electrified cat's-tail moss (Rhytidiadelphus triquetrus).

 Factsheet