Forest community types of west-central Alberta in relation to selected environmental factors

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The forests of the Wapiti map area, Alberta, were studied to ascertain relationships among forest growth, plant community distribution, and environmental factors within the western boreal and subalpine forests. Quantitative data on tree productivity, vegetation, and soils were collected from 137 plots. The 16 described forest community types (CTs) of predominantly fire origin were dominated by lodgepole pine (Pinuscontorta Dougl. var. latifolia Engelm.), white spruce (Piceaglauca (Moench) Voss), black spruce (Piceamariana (Mill.)B.S.P.), or aspen (Populustremuloides Michx.), were floristically simple (111 vascular plants), had tree productivity ranging from 0.4 m3 ha−1 year−1 in the Piceamariana/Ledumgroenlandicum/Rubuschamaemorus type to 5.0 m3 ha−1 year−1 in the Populusbalsamifera/Rosaacicularis/Thalictrumvenulosum type, and occurred on soils representing Luvisolic, Brunisolic, Gleysolic, Regosolic, Podzolic, and Organic orders. Two major successional trends are apparent in the upland boreal forest: lodgepole pine and aspen to the Piceaglauca/Rubuspubescens – Maianthemumcanadense type on moist sites at low elevations and lodgepole pine and black spruce forest to the Picea spp. – Abieslasiocarpa/Hylocomiumsplendens type on moist to well-drained sites at higher elevations. The Pinuscontorta/Menziesiaglabella/Rubuspedatus CT succeeds to the Piceaengelmanii – Abieslasiocarpa/Menziesiaglabella CT in closed canopy subalpine forests.