.. ....a

QH 541.5 .M3 H66 1987

'

WETLANDS OF HOMER

FINAL REPORT

Prepared for:

City of Homer 491 E. Pioneer Avenue

Homer, Alaska

Prepared by:

M. Torre Jorgenson and

Edward E. Berg

Alaska Biological Research, Inc. P.O. Box 81934

Fairbanks, Alaska 99708 .

November 1987

\

.. .., ,

...

·' ..

1 . ..

·'

. !

'

WETLANDS OF BOMER

FINAL REPORT

Prepared for:

City of Bomer 491 E. Pioneer Avenue

Homer, Alaska

Prepared by:

M. Torre Jorgenson and

Edward E. Berg

.,,__ ~ n / 1\ ,_,,, , . .., q-r

-----

Alaska Biological Research, Inc. P.O. Box 81934

Fairbanks, Alaska 99708 ·

November 1987

ARLIS ALASKA RESOURCES

JiBR.A~t:v & 'LNFO~ATION SERVICES 3150<;STRBBT, SurrE 100

ANcHORAGE, ALASKA 99503

QH 5Y I.

I M::, Htt>to

I"! ?51

\

....., i

J

I ..

List of Tables •••••• List of Figures. Acknowledgments ••••••••

TABLE OF CONTENTS

ii ii

.iii

INTRODOCTION ••••••••••••••••••••••••• " dt ••••••••••••••••••••• 1

STUDY AREA •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• ~................... 4

METHODS. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 10

RESULTS ••••••••••••••••••••• Wetland Classification. Landscape Relationships. Wetland Mapping •••••••••

. . . . . .

• • • a • • • • • • e • o

. . . . 15 15 35 37

SUMMARY ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• " .. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • 41

LITERATURE CITED ••••••••••••••••••••••• =.................... 42

APPENDIX A.

APPENDIX B.

List of in the

plant Homer

species occurring on wetlands area ••••

National Wetlands Inventory classification sys tern ••••••••••••••••••••••• ·• . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

i

45

49

"'

-t~ :fiii

~

i

~ _j

"l ; • ••

.. ;

" -~

~

.; ~

;

~ -

Table

Table

Table

Figure

Figure

1.

2.

3.

1.

2.

LIST OF TABLES

Wetland types within the City of Homer •••.••••••••• 17

Some upland types within the City of Homer ••••••••• 19

Area summaries for the wetland types within the City of Homer. • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • . • • • • • • • 3 8

· LIST OF FIGURES

Location of the study areas within the City of Homer • •••.•••••••••••.•••••••••.•.••••• (It • 5

Cross-sectional profile of wetland distribution and landscape attributes near Beluga Lake, Homer, Alaska •••••••.•••••••••••••••••••.•••••••. 36

ii

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This study was funded by the City of Homer under Purchase Order No. 04579. We would like to thank Susan Regan and Pamela Black of the Planning Department, City of Homer, who conceived this project and who have been most helpful in expediting the work. We also thank Carol Gorbics and Bud Needham of the U.Sa Army Corps of Engineers, Anchorage, for their cooperation and guidance in ensuring that this report is consistent with the needs of the Corps. Field verification of the mapping by the Corps was done by Carol Gorbics, Bud Needham, Steve Lund, and Norm Sanders. Credit also goes to Stephen Murphy, who contributed to the design of this project, Donita Lawhead for the graphic artwork! and Sandy Kennedy for manuscript preparation.

iii

.J

.. -~

INTRODUCTION

This study describes the nature and distribution of wetland

types within the City of Homer, Alaska, and represents a first

step in managing Homer's wetland resources. Large-scale wetland

mapping was done for the municipality for the purpose of procur­

ing a u.s. Army Corps of Engineers (COE) general wetlands permit.

The mapping delineates those wetland areas that require permits

under Section 404 of the 1972 Federal Water Pollution Control Act

Amendments, classifies the type of wetlands in each mapping unit

(needed to assess the value of each wetland) , and delineates

upland areas for which no permits are required. Classification

and delineation of Homer's wetlands were based on a field

inventory of the hydrologic, pedologic, and vegetative character­

istics of the various wetland types. This report documents the

methodology used in inventorying, classifying, and mapping -

Homer's wetlands. It also is intended to be a user guide for

municipal and agency personnel and the citizens of Homer, for

understanding the nature ~f the wetlands that were mapped, by

providing a description of wetland and upland types and by

identifying relationships of these wetlands to the patterns of

the Homer landscape. The wetland maps are on file in the

Planning Department, City of Homer.

The most important functions that wetlands have are in

providing habitat for fish and wildlife and in maintaining

hydrologic ·systems and the quality of surface and ground waters;

in 1972, these functions were determined by the u.s. Congress to

1

be of national importance, requiring protection under federal

law. The COE was mandated by Congress to administer the federal

regulatory program that requ£res permits for discharges of dredge

or fill materials to wetlands. For federal regulations of

discharges to wetlands, a single definition of wetlands has been

developed and adopted. ·Wetlands, as defined by the COE, are:

" ••• those areas that are inundated or saturated by surface or ground water at a frequency and duration sufficient to support, and that under normal circumstances do support, a prevalence of vegetation typically adapted for life in saturated soil conditionsQ Wetlands generally include swamps, marshes, bogs, and similar areas" (Part 323.2(c) of Title 33, Code of Federal Regulations).

The wetland definition used in this study uses the more-specific,

three-parameter approach used by the COE that requires the

presence of all three criteria: a prevalence of hydrophytic

~ vegetation, hydric soil conditions, and a saturated or flooded

1 l

hydrologic regime (USACOE 1987). Although different definitions

of wetlands have been adopted by other agencies to meet other

needs, and although there are significant differences among ~hem,

these differences have no bearing on the federal government's

regulatory definition (OCM 1981}.

This study follows earlier wetland mapping of a small I

section of the City of Homer that was done by Dames and Moore

(1985}. This study is intended to complement that earlier

mapping, which was solely a photo-interpretatiye survey, by

completing the wetland mapping within the corporate limits and by

describing the wetland types. It also is the intent of this

study to remain consistent with the earlier mapping protocol as

2

much as possible, so that the mapping products be consistent with

the earlier study.

The lack of information on the nature and values of wetlands

has contributed to the uncertainty of developers and regulators

alike under the wetland regulations. Some recent progress has

been made, howevrr. The u.s. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS

1985) mapped wetlands on the 1:63,360-scale Seldovia maps and

provided a user's guide describing/wetland types. A study of

~etland types and bird use of the Kenai Lowlands (Rosenberg 1986) //___.-·····-.

provided detailed description of wetland characteristics that

also are applicable to the Homer area. Batten et al. (1978)

• described the coastal wetlands on the Fox River Flats. A rudi-

-:i

mentary vegetation inventory also was made for the Red Meat

Research Station of the Agricultural and Forestry Experiment

' Station, University of Alaska (Scorup 1975).

Other surveys of wetland habitats that contain information

applicable to the Cook Inlet Region and that are useful in this

study include those of Nieland (1971), Evans (1972), Imamura

(1976), U.S. Army District Engineer, Alaska (1978), McCormick and

Pichon (1978), Ritchie et al. (1981), Batten and Murray (1982),

and Needham and Skordal (1987).

\

\ \

3

:.

STUDY AREA

The wetland mapping covered two general areas within the

Homer City limits: the Homer municipal airport property adjacent

to Beluga Lake and the hillside area above the East Road as far

east as Clover Lane and extending westward, uphill from the

seashore, just past Bay Vista Place (Figure 1). The following

discussion of the geology, soils, climate, hydrology, topography,

and vegetation (i.e., those factors that determine wetland

distribution} is in part paraphrased from·the more-comprehensive

descriptions included in the Soil Survey of the Homer-Ninilchik

Area, Alaska (Hinton 1971). The reader is referred to that

publication for more detail, particularly regarding soils.

The Homer area is underlain geologically by the Kenai

formation, a gently-folded, freshwater deposit several thousand

feet thick, consisting of a sequence of moderately- to weakly-

indurated, fine to medium sandstone interbedded with silt-stone

and clay-stone layers and lenses of lignitic to sub-bituminous

coal, ranging from a few feet to seven feet in thickness (Barnes

and Cobb 1959). These sedimentary rocks of late Miocene age

(Triplehorn, Turner, and Naeser 1977) frequently are exposed in

the deep; torrential gullies that dissect the hillside. A

complex assortment of surficial deposits cover the south-facing

hillside below the bluffs. A thin cap of glacial till covers the

Kenai formation on the top of the hills and covers much of the

lower part of the study area around Beluga Lake and part of the

way up the hillside. The till varies from coarse morainic

4

i.

- i

J

~ wm•"• """' '"'' SCALE: I ln. • 2000 II. -=-,-----~

'

Figure 1 - Location of study areas within the city of Homer.

5

.. material to poorly-sorted silty gravels. A thin veneer of silty,

wind-laid material, derived from volcanic ash and from loess

deposition during deglaciation, covers most of the glacial till

and hillsides and varies from a few centimeters to more than

150 em (5 ft) thick. The ash, which may be a dominant part of

the surficial mixture in some places, originated from volc~noes

along the hillside are covered with a mixture of mud-flows and

debris-flows, retransported deposits, and floodplain deposits.

Topographic lows have been partially filled by retransported de-

posits, a mixture of alluvium and colluvium, composed of fine to .

medium fluvial sand with some silt and scattered angular detrital

blocks of coal and silt-stone (Reger 1978). Debris-flows may be

interbedded with the retransported deposits and are more commonly

found near the mouth of small to moderate gullies. Fluvial

deposits, in the form of small creek floodplain deposit~, have

accumulated along the larger streams. Large, mostly-vegetated

alluvial fans have accumulated at the base of the hillside, most

notably above Beluga Lake and from Palmer Creek below Bear

Canyon.

Organic deposits, formed from the accumulated remains· of

mosses and sedges, frequently occur in depressions and can be as

much as 3-4 m thick. These organic deposits usually cover lacus­

trine sediments or gravelly, glacial drift.

6

' ' . .

Soils of the Homer area are closely associated with surfi-

cial deposits, but frequently intergrade and have complex

horizons due to the wide variety of formative processes described

above. The Kachemak series consists of well-drained material in

which volcanic ash is dominant; this series is prevalent on the

upper hillsides, where slope-wash and mass-wasting have not

reduced the ash accumulation. The Mutnala series has formed in

the well-drained mantle of volcanic ash·and loess that covers

~ gravelly glacial till. The Spenard series is similar to the

l ,

i

' -

1 . i

J

Mutnala series, in that it is formed in a mantle of ash and loess

over medium-textured glacial till, but is somewhat poorly drained

and is mottled or has other indications of wetness. The retrans-

ported deposits generally underlie the Beluga series and typic­

ally are.cold, wet soils that have a thin, dark-colored mineral

horizon over gleyed loam to silty-clay loam textured material.

The Doroshin, Salamatof, and Starichkof series have been formed

in organic deposits. The Doroshin series is the moderately

thick, organic soil that copsists of 50-125 em of soft, partly-

decomposed sedge and moss peat over lacustrine-silt loam or

poorly-drained glacial drift. The Salamatof series is formed of

thick peat deposits (>125 em) that usually consist of undecom-

posed sphagnum moss peat that overlies partially-decomposed

coarse sphagnum moss peat that is interlayered with sedge peat.

The Starichkof series also is formed of thick peat deposits

(>125 em), but is more decomposed than is the Salamatof series,

consisting of partly-disintegrated moss and sedge peat.

7

..J

1

J

J

Hydrologic processes are the fundamental determinants of the

distribution of wetlands in the Homer area. The Homer area has

cool summers and moderately cold winters, resulting in low rates

of both evaporation and transpiration. Homer receives about

60 em (24 in) of precipitation annually, with precipitation

generally lightest in late winter and spring and heaviest in late

summer and fall. The relatively light rainfall in the early part

of1 the growing season generally is offset by the large amount of

soil moisture that comes from melted snow.

As a result of the low rate of evapotranspiration in this I

area, much of the precipitation either runs off at the surface or

enters the groundwater system. In well-drained areas, precipita-

tion percolates through the soil and is effective in leaching the·

surface soil horizon while recharging the groundwater supply.

Fine-grained deposits, though, have low permeability, resulting

in greater runoff and frequently saturated soil conditions, with

the water table near the surface.

In the. study area, the micro-drainages and interrupted

channels are good indications of the pattern of water movement.

Seepage areas are common on the hillsides, as are small alluvial

fans at the bases of torrential gullies, where the normally dry

channels diffuse and disappear mi9-slope. Many small channels

with normally low flows continue to the base of the slope and

frequently have areas of fresh sedimentation adjacent to the

shallow banks, indicating temporary flooding. Percolation of

groundwater in small springs in the Beluga Lake area and seeps at

8

'!

.. l

-'

the base of the bluffs at tide-water in some locations, helping

to create an estuarine environment, are indicative of the

importance of upslope groundwater recharge zones.

The upland and wetland vegetation of the study area will be

described in more detail in a later section. Upland vegetation

j generally is comprised of grasslands, Sitka spruce and birch

~ iliJ

forests, and alder thickets. Wetlands generally are comprised of

marshes, wet meadows, halophytic wet meadows, shrub bogs, and

~ black spruce forests. Although recent reports have suggested

that most of the native vegetation in the upland areas have not

been disturbed by land clearing, grazing, logging, or recent

-1 fires (Hinton 1971), some evidence indicates otherwise. The area i

J

• -'

]

J ]

has been settled nearly continuously since the rnid-1700s,

initially by Athabascan Indians and Russians.. The effects of

settlement have become more pronounced since the 1930s, when

about 165 homesteaders settled in the vicinity of Horner and

Anchor Point. Land clearing and wildfires to maintain pastures

have been frequent practices. Charcoal fragments are occasion-. .

ally found in the soil profile, indicative of past fires~ Mud-

flows and newly added retransported material contribute to the

patchiness of the vegetation. An early pioneer was reported to

have been astonished about how much the vegetation had grown up

since she was last in the Horner area.

9

. I

~

METHODS

Wetland areas were identified and delineated on 1:4800-scale

photographs (provided by the USACOE) for the airport property and

on 1:12,000-scale color photographs (provided by the Municipal­

ity) for the hillside area prior to the field inventory. As part

of this process, a map of surficial geology was drawn on mylar

j overlays on the photographs, based on the smaller-scale mapping

of Reger (1977} and on the experience of the authors. The

delineation of surficial materials was useful in delineating

boundaries of wetland systems. A drainage density map delineat-

ing major and micro-drainages also was prepared. This map of

drainage density was particularly useful in identifying wet areas

on the hillside where vegetation patterns were not very useful.

A preliminary delineation of wetla~d areas then.was made without

classifying wetland types. Within the delineated areas, study-

sites representing the range of photo-characteristics were

subjectively selected for field inventory. During the inventory,

study-sites were added or changed, as a better understanding of

the relationships between photo-characteristics and wetland

characteristics emerged and as information needs changedo

The hydrologic, pedologic, and vegetative characteristics of

J 33 sites in the study area were described during the field

inventory 27 May-S June 1987. The water regimes were classified

according to the definitions of Cowardin et al. (1979). At each

site, a soil pit was dug and a soil profile wa~ described,

according to standard procedures (USDA 1975) • A water sample was

10

.)

.. j

collected from the water standing in the soil pit, filtered, and

bottled for conductivity determinations and pH in the lab.

Conductivity was measured with a HACH (Model 16300) conductivity

meter and pH was measured using an Omega pH pen. If no water

could be collected, a soil sample was taken from the top of the B

horizon or at 30 ern if no B horizon existed and a saturated soil

paste was made in the lab for the determinations.

The percent cover of plant life-forms and individual species

were visually estimated within a 10 m x 10 rn area surrounding the

soil pit. Additional plant species that occurred adjacent to the

10 m x 10 rn area used for estimating cover also were included in

·the species list, if the site maintained uniform vegetative

characteristics. Scientific nomenclature for non-woody vascular

plants is that of Hulten (1968) ~ nomenclature for trees and

shrubs is that of Viereck and Little (19721. A reference collec-

tion was made and is with ABR in Fairbanks and with Edward Berg

in Homer. Unusual specimens were delivered to the Herbarium,

University of Alaska Museum, Fairbanks. Due to the early timing

of the survey, species lists are likely to be incompleteG

Soil types were classified according to standard taxonomy

(USDA 1975, 1985) and to the descriptions of the soil series used

in the Homer soil surveys (Furbush and Schoephorster 1971, Hinton

1971). The dominant vegetation (i.e., that with greater than 10%

cover) at each site was listed, and each site was assigned to a

level IV class of the Alaska Vegetation Classification (Viereck

et alo 1986) based on the similarity of the species composition

11

of the site to the descriptions listed in the classification. A

wetland indicator code (wetland obligate to upland obligate~ see

Appendix A) was assigned to each species according to the list of

plant species that occur in Alaska's wetlands (Reed 1986).

Sites were classified as wetlands if they met the charac-

teristics of wetland hydrology, hydric soils, and hydrophytic

vegetation, using.the COE three-parameter approach (USACOE 1987). I

The type of wetland was categorized using the National Wetlands

Inventory (NWI) system (Cowardin et al. 1979; see Appendix B) o

We used conservative philosophy in classifying and delineating

wetlands: if sites were borderline wetlands and a distinction

could not be clearly made on one of the parameters, sites were

designated as wetlands. Wetland criteria are defined in the COE

Wetlands Determination Manual (USACOE 1987) and a brief summary

of the criteria is provided below.

Wetland hydrology was indicated by drainage patterns, drift

lines, sediment deposition, watermarks, visual observation of

saturated soils, and visual observation of inundationo Free

water within the root zone (normally the upper 30 em) in a soil

' sampling hole, soil saturation, and standing water at the surface

were the most commonly used indicators of wetlands in the study

Hydric soils may be classified into two broad groups,

organic and mineral. Organic soils {Histosols) are formed under

conditions of nearly continuous saturation and generally have an

organic (peat or muck) horizon thicker than 40 em. Mineral soils

12

are considered hydric if they have any of the following: a

histic epipedon (organic layer 20-40 em thick) , sulfidic material

(presence of hydrogen sulfide is indicated by rotten egg odor),

aquic {reducing conditions) or peraquic {presence of groundwater

near the soil surface) moisture regime, reducing soil conditions,

iron and/or manganese concretions, or soil colors indicative of

periodic soil saturation.

Soil colors are often the most diagnostic indicator of ~ < hydric soils. For non-sandy soils, hydric condi-tions exist if

the soil color just below the A-horizon or at a depth of 25 em

has a:

1} matrix chroma of 2 or less and a value of 4 or more in mottled soils having low or moderate organic contents,

2) matrix chroma of 1 or less in unmottled soils having a ·value of 4 or m~re, or

3) matrix chroma of less than 2 and a value of less than 4 when organic content is high (but not an organic soil)~

Hydrophytic vegetation consists of plant species that

typically are adapted for li~e in saturated soil conditions. The

plants a~ each site were given a cover estimate of percent cover

and a wetland status indicator code (see Appendix A) • The number

of species in each wetland indicator code were tallied and the

number of species with obligate (OBL), facultative wetland

(FACW), and facultative {FAC) codes were summed. If this sum was

more than 50%, the vegetation was considered a positive indicator

of the presence of wetlandso

Mapping of the wetlands was done on 1:1200 (1 11 =100')

13

..

-

blueline orthophoto maps. Minimal mapping areas were 10 cm2

(1200 m2 on the ground) for wetlands within upland areas and

40 cm2 (4800 m2 on the ground) for wetland types within other

wetland types. Wetland areas were delineated and classified,

based on experience gained by frequent reference to the photos

during the inventory and by frequent comparison of units being

mapped to the 33 field-site locations (control sites) plotted on

the aerial photographs.

Identification and delineation of boundaries of wetlands on

_,the airport property relied principally on the distribution of

vegetation types and their spectral characteristics on the

photography. The delineation of wetlands on the hillside, where

the vegetation in seepage areas was indistinct from that of

upl~nd areas, relied to a large extent ~n identifying topographic .

depressions and concave slopes-that collect water. In some

instances, drainages that were obscured by forests were identi-

fied based on the topographic lines {2 ft interval) on the

orthophoto base maps. Wetlands in drainages were mapped as

linear features, unless the wetlands were greater than 1 em (12 m

on the ground) wide. The map units were labelled with the NWI

symbols.

Field verification of the mapping was done by the COE during

24-27 August 1987. Adjustments to wetland boundaries and typing

were made on field copies of the maps where inaccuracies were

encountered. After the verification, ABR met with the COE on

20 October to resolve minor disagreements, and to achieve

consensus on final classification and delineation.

14

RESULTS

WETLAND CLASSIFICATION

The wetland types encountered in the study area are pre­

sented in Table 1; some upland vegetation types are presented in

Table 2. Classification of the major wetland types of the Homer

area uses terminology that is compatible with classification of

Alaska wetland types (Batten and Murray 1982) and the Alaska

·~ Vegetation Classification (Viereck et al. 1986). Such physio­

gnomic descriptions present useful images of the ecological

characteristics of the wetland types. Also included are the NWI

classifications (see Cowardin et al. 1979) of the wetland types,

used for labelling the map units, and the dominant vegetation

associated with each type. The Level V classes are represent­

ative vegetation types that were described in the field~ however,

the level V classes may not include all of the species that may

be dominant from one location to another. A list of all the

plants found on wetland sites in this study and including others

listed as occurring on wetlands in the area (USFWS 1985) is

presented in Appendix A.

The following descriptions of each wetland type include:

1) a brief listing of the dominant and associated plant species

• that are typically present; 2) generalizations of the setting,

hydrology, and soil characteristics of the wetland; and 3) a

representative photograph. Soil pH is described as acid (<5.5),

circumneutral (5.5-7.4), or alkaline (>7.4) and soil salinity is

characterized as fresh (<800 umhos/cm), oligosaline

15

.j • J

....:.

(800-8000 umhos/cm), mesosaline (8,000-30,000 umhos/cm), or

polysaline (30,000-45,000 umhos/cm).

Lakes, creeks, and ponds are not described in detail,

because they are easily recognized. Lakes (Beluga and Lampert

lakes) are included in the lacustrine system, are larger than

8 ha in size, have less than 30 percent emergent cover, and have

water depths that exceed 2.2 m. Ponds are part of the palustrine ,_

system and are less than 8 ha in size. Creeks in this

classification include all the small drainages running dQwn. the ~-

/'

hillside. The water usually is contained within a small channel,

it has shallow banks," and it runs through forests, shrubland, and

meadows •

16

..... -..J

L ... I ... ·- .. ~_,' 1:

Table 1. Wetland types of the Homer area.

Major wetland Type

Tidal Flat

Tidal Beach

Estuarine Wet Meadow

Lake

Creek

Pond

Shrub Swamp

Marsh

Wet Meadow

Bog Meadow

Physiognomic Vegetation Typel (Level IV, Alaska Vegetation Classification)

Barren

Barren

Halophyt'ic Wet Meadow

Sparse aquatic

Sparse aquatic or emergent

Sparse aquatic or emergent

Alder shrub swamp

Fresh herb/sedge marsh

Bluejoint-herb meadow

Subarctic lowland herb bog meadow

Subarctic lowland sedge bog meadow

NWI Classi­fication2 Dominant Vegetation (Level V)

M2US3N, M2US1/2N

M2US1P, M2US2P

E2EM1P Carex lyngbyaei-Puccinellia phryganodes-

LlOWH i Ot-U

R3SB I R4SB I OC/..J

POWH foe{.)

PSSl/USY

PEMlH.

PEMlB'

· PEMlY

PEMlF

Trighochin maritimus

Alnus tenuifolia-Calamagrostis canadensis­Equisetum spp.

Carex sitchensis-Menyanthes trifoliata­Equisetum fluviatale-Potentilla palustris

Calamagrostis canadensis-Dryopteris dilatat- · Equisetum arvense

Menayanthes trifoliata-Equisetum fluviatale­!£!! setosa-Caltha palustris

Carex livida-c. limosa-c. pluriflora­Hippuris vulgaris-Menyanthes trifoliata

Carex livida-Tricophorum caespitosum­Eriophorum russeolum

\.

Table 1.. Continued.

Major Wetland Type

Bog Meadow (continued)

SCrub Shrub Bog

Patterned Bog

Forested Bog

Wet Forest

Physiognomic Vegetation Type1 (Level IV, Alaska Vegetation Classification)

Subarctic lowland sedge IOOSS bog

Willow-graminoi~ bog

Ericaceous shrub bog

Dwarf black spruce scrub bog

Complex of bog meadows, scrub shrub bogs, and forested bogs

Open black spruce forest bog

Wet Sitka spruce-birch forest

Paper birch forest

1 Refer to Viereck et al. (1986). 2 Refer to Cowardin et al. (1979).

\ •.. _.J

NWI Classi­fication2

PEM1Y

PSS1/3B ·

PSS4B,PSS1/4B, PSS4/1B

PSS1/4Y

. F04 . PF04B,PSS'4B

F04 P---B SSl PF04/1B

PF01B

Dominant Vegetation (Level V)

carex lim::>sa-Equisetum fluviatale­SaliX fuscescens-Sphagnurn spp.

Eriophorum angustifolium-Eriophorum russeolum­Sphagnum spp.

Salix planifolia-calanagrostis canadensis Salix planifolia-calanagrostis canadensis­

~iseturn fluviatale-Aulacornn1urn palustre Salplamfolia-calamagrosti.s canadensis­

Sphagnum spp.

Ernpetrurn nigrum-Betula ~-Myrica gale/ Sphagnum spp.

Picea rnariana-Em~trurn nigrum-Ledum palustre­Vacc1n1um vit~-idaea-Sphagnurn spp.

See listing~ under bog types.

Picea rnariana/Ledum palustre-Vaccinium viti.s-idaea-Empetrurn nigrurn-Sphagnum spp.­featherm::>ss

Picea sitchensis-Betula papyrifera/Equisetum arvense-calamagrostis canadensi.s-featherm::>ss

Picea sitchens1s-Betula ~pyrifera/Alnus tenUlfolia-ca1arnagrost1s canadens1s­Equiseturn arvense

Betula papyrifera/Dryopteris dilitata­Equiseturn arvense-calanagrostis canadensis

'·- .~

Table 2. Some upland types of the Homer area.

Upland Type

Upland

Physiognomic Vegetation Type! (Level IV, Alaska Vegetation Classification)

Bluejoint-herb meadow

Mixed herb meadow

Large umbel meadow

Alder

Sitka spruce forest

Sitka spruce-birch forest

Birch forest

1 Refer to Viereck et al. (1986). 2 Refer to Cowardin et al. (1979).

'• \. . )

NWi Classi­fication2

u

u

u

u

u

u

u

Dominant Vegetation (Level V)

Calamagrostis canadensis-Epilobium angustifoliut

Epilobium angustifolium-Gymnocarpium dryopt1 s· Sanguisorba stipulata-Heracleum lanatum­Lupinus nootkatensis

Heracleum lanatum-Equisetum arvense-Urtica lyalli

Alnus tenuifolia/Sambucus racemosa-Equisetum arvense~Impatiens nolo-tangere

Picea sitchensis/Menziesia furruginae­Hylocomium splendens

Picea sitchensis/Empetrum nigrens-feathermoss­Sphagnum·spp.

Picea sitchensis-Betula papyrifera/Gymnocarpium dryopteris-Equisetum arvense-Hylocomium splendens

Betula papyrifera/Dryopteris dilatata-Equisetum arvense

l ..

! •

.J

BARREN TIDAL FLAT M2US3N, M2US1/2N

These regularly flooded, unvegetated mud and sand flats are regularly exposed to the moderate energy wave action along the shorelines of Kachemak Bay. Water in intertidal puddles is alkaline and polysaline.

20

\

~,

' ..

I

"'

. -

BARREN TIDAL BEACH M2US1P, M2US2P

These irregularly-flooded, unvegetated beaches are exposed to high-energy wave action along the shorelines of Kachemak·Bay. These beaches typically are composed of gravel and sand, along with some boulders. Soil water in the sand is alkaline and oligosaline.

21

l

·•

I i ..,

• -·-;;:; -!':':::---

" ,;•

HALOPHYTIC WET MEADOW E2EM1P

In these wetlands, which are flooded irregularly by tidal water, grasses and sedges may occur in pure stands or may be associated with those species exposed to short {but regular) inundation. Typically, two zones are present. The higher zone, which is oligosaline (slightly brackish) , is dominated by nearly pure stands of Lyngbye sedge and may be partially affected by groundwater seepage at the base of the tidewater bluffs. The lower zone, which is more affected by extremely high tides, is mesosaline, and has less lush vegetation; this zone is dominated by maritime arrowgrass, marsh arrowgrass, creeping alkaligrass, four-leaf marestail, Rarnenski sedge, or spikerush.

22

I

.l!'J ~

l J

..

ALDER SHRUB SWAMP PSSl/OSY

Thinleaf alder forms a closed canopy in this we·tland type, although diamond leaf willow also may be present. Bluejoint grass is abundant and frequently forms fairly dense clumps. In its most characteristic form, this wetland has abundant puddles that support marsh marigold, ·swamp horsetail, marsh horsetail, and marsh cinquefoil. In less-wet.sites, meadow horsetail is more important. Other associated species include European starflower, touch-me-not, marsh violet, Jacob•s ladder, and large leaf avens. _

These sites are most frequent on the lower slopes of the Homer hillside on the floodplains of small streams with low banks. The higher microsites are saturated, and the depressions have semi-permanent water~ All sites are subject to temporary flooding, and fresh sedimentation is usually evident. The soil water is circumneutral and fresh. Sites with infrequent flooding can have a thick, dark-colored mineral horizon over gleyed loam to silty-clay loam textured material (Beluga series), although the surface horizon may be buried by fresh sedimentation. Where flooding and sedimeqtation are more frequent, a surface horizon may not have had time to develop (e.g., Moose River series).

This alder shrub swamp is similar to the upland alder thickets, but the latter do not have the frequent puddles and usually have more meadow horsetail, ferns, and nettles. This wetland also can be similar to the willow-graminoid bog, although the latter generally does not have much alder.

23

-,

l .... .FRESH HERB/SEDGE MARSH PEMlH

These marshes are dominated by patches of Sitka sedge, buckbean, swamp horsetail, and marsh cinquefoil. These marshes, which border Beluga Lak~, are permanently flooded and generally have water deeper than 10 em. The water is circumneutral and fresh. The substrate is generally an undecomposed, very fibrous sedge peat. The marsh resulted from the impoundment of Beluga Lakeo

These marshes are similar to herb bog meadows, but have deeper water and do not have the abundant moss mounds that support ·a greater diversity of plants.

24 ---

, j

BLUEJOINT-BERB WET MEADOW PEM1B

These wet meadows are dominated by clumps of bluejoint grass, mountai~ woodfern, fireweed, and-mead9w horsetail. Few scattered trees and shrubs may be present including paper birch, thinle·af alder, diamond leaf willow, and Bebb willow. Other associated species include Douglas water hemlock, Jacob's ladder, European starflower, Sitka burnet, marsh violet, nagoonberry, Hudson Bay currant, blunt-leaved sandwort, yarrow, cow parsnip, stinging nettle, and clasping twisted stalk.

These wetlands occur on seepage areas in topographic depressions and concave catchments on the upper hillside. They tend to be patchy, are interspersed with upland meadows, have indistinct boundaries, and differ little floristically from the upland meadows. Soils are saturated, groundwater is at or near the surface, and lower microsites with ponded water frequently are present. Soil water is circumneutral and fresh. The poorly­drained soils generally have a thick dark-colored surface horizon over a dark grayish-brown to dark gray silt loam to silty-clay loam parent material. The fine-grained parent material usually is debris-flow or retransported deposits coming off the bluffs. These sites may be important zones of groundwater recharge, although the low permeability of the subsurface soils may reduce their contribution.

The wet meadows are similar to the upland bluejoint meadows, but the latter do not have as much of a prevalence of wet micro­sites with water near the surface, and have less Jacob's ladder and Douglas water hemlock. This habitat barely meets the wetland c~iteria but was included for the purposes of the study.

25

• j

-)

J

SUBARCTIC LOWLAND HERB BOG MEADOW PEMlY

Moss mounds form raised micro-sites, giving the bog a distinctive hummocky appearance. Depressions or troughs with standing or slowly flowing water are abundant, forming a dense network of micro-drainages. The wetter areas are dominated by buckbean, swamp horsetail, beachhead Iris, marsh marigold, and occasionally Sitka sedge. The moss mounds have a scattered to moderate cover of bluejoint and other grasses, and occasionally, shore sedge. Scattered low shrubs include diamond-leaf willow, dwarf birch, and leatherleaf. Other scattered herbs include Mackenzie water hemlock and arctic dock.

This type of bog meadow covers extensive areas on the gently sloping valley bottom next to Beluga Lake and receives surface water and groundwater from the hillside. Higher micro-sites are saturated, and the micro-drainages are semipermanently flooded~ The soil is a thick peat (Salamatof and Starickhof series), consisting of mostly undecomposed sedge and moss peat. The soil water pH is circumneutral and the salinity is fresh.

Herb bog meadows are similar to sedge bog meadows and sedge­moss bog meadows, but are dominated by herbs and have few sedges. They also are similar to fresh herb/sedge marshes, but the water is not as deep (<15 em) and the water regime is more variable •

.26

I -;

]

' i j

SUBARCTIC LOWLAND SEDGE BOG MEADOW PEMlF

This·wetland type is dominated by low, peat-forming sedges, commonly Russet cotton sedge, livid sedge, shore sedge, many­flowered sedge, and tufted clubrush. These species are much smaller and more delicate than the coarse, robust species that dominate sedge wet meadows. Scattered mounds of Sphagnum and Dicranum moss provide higher microsites but are not dominant. Scattered shrubs that may or may not be present include bog rosemary, dwarf birch, sweet gale, leatherleaf, and northern Labrador tea. Other associated species include roundleaf sundew, ·· buckbean, tall cotton sedge, and lichens.

Sedge bog meadows are most extensive on the broad, morainal knoll south of the airport runway. These sites are disconnected from the surface water and groundwater input from the hillside and thus receive all their water from precipitation and are nutrient poor. The sites are semipermanently flooded with shallow (<10 em) standing water and are among the wettest bog wetland types. The peat soil is composed primarily of sedge material overlying a mineral substrate (Doroshin series) G The soil water is acidic and fresh.

Sedge bog meadows are an intermediate step in pond succes­sion. Peat accumulation in pond.s and sedge wet meadows can lead to their gradual transformation into sedge-bog meadows. Further peat accumulation raises the surface above water level, thus forming sedge-moss bogs and eventually scrub shrub bogs. Sedge bog meadows are similar to sedge-moss bogs but lack a dominant moss component.

27

rV\ ,..,,.\ t~ rl ~.t;;_,~\..J' ...... -

..

. ·'

SUBARCTIC LOWLAND SEDGE~MOSS BOG PEMlY

This wetland type has a nearly continuous mat of mosses, principally Sphagnum. Sedges, such as tall cotton sedge, russet cotton sedge, water sedge, shore sedge, and tufted clubrush, are common and usually co-dominant. The overall appearance is of low sedges and other herbs growing out of a carpet of Sphagnum mosses. Low and dwarf shrubs are common but scattered and can include bog willow, dwarf birch, bog rosemary, bog cranberry, sweet gale, leatherleaf, northern Labrador tea, black crowberry, low bush cranberry, and cloudberry. Stunted black spruce may_ be widely scattered. Other herbs that may be present include Labrador lousewort, round-leaved sundew, and marsh cinquefoilo Scattered Cladina lichens may be present •

These s~tes are most common in the broad basin near Lampert Lake and occur in filled pond basins and as floating mats along the edge of Beluga Lake. The soils are saturated, but frequently have lower microsites that are semipermanently flooded. The sites on the broad morainal ridge near the airport rely on precipitation input and are slightly more acidic than sites in the valley bottom near Beluga Lake, which receive surface and groundwater recharge and are more circumneutral. The soils generally consist of thick, fibrous Sphagnum peat {Salamatof series), but they may contain some sedge peat.

Sedge-moss bogs differ from sedge-bog meadows in the importance of the nearly continuous moss mat. The sedge-moss bog sites in the Beluga Lake basin can be forb-rich and tend towards herb-bog meadows, which have a stronger broad-leaved herb component.

28

! .,

'

J WILLOW-GRAMINOID BOG PSSl/EMlB

These bogs have an open to closed shrub layer dominated by diamond leaf willow and a ground layer dominated by clumps of bluejoint grass. Scattered thinleaf alder, paper birch, Sitka spruce, and bog willow may be present. In wetter micro-sites, swamp horsetail, marsh cinquefoil, or Sphagnum moss are present. Less-wet areas often have nagoonberry, Jacob's ladder, European starflower, bog violet, fireweed, wintergreen, cioudberry, and lowbush cranberry. Mosses may be more important under closed shrub canopies. '

Willow-graminoid bogs occur on the lower slopes of the _ hillside above Beluga Lake, particularly on the broad, gently­sloping alluvial fans, in seepage areas, and on some cleared sites near the airport runway. The saturated soils have a thin, dark-colored surface horizon over mottled silty clay or clay loam parent material. Groundwater is near the surface {<15 em). Sites on the hillside are circumneutral and fresh. Sites near the runway are more acidic in comparison.

Willow-graminoid bogs are similar to bluejoint wet meadows, but have more shrub cover, and differ from ericaceous shrub bogs by having a dominance of willows and few ericaceous shrubs.

29

. l

'' i

l j

·,

l

ERICACEOUS SHRUB BOG PSS~/3B

This wetland type is dominated by deciduous and evergreen shrubs, such as black crowberry, dwarf birch, sweet ·gale, northern Labrador tea, and lowbush cranberry. Sphagnum moss forms a nearly continuous carpet on the surface. Other species of less importance include bog rosemary, bog cranberry, leather­leaf, shrubby cinquefoil, meadow horsetail, bog horsetail, Bigelow sedge, tall cotton sedge, Labrador lousewort, and round­leaved sundew.

This wetland occurs on gentle slopes and on raised bog islands. Within the study area, its distribution is limited to the morainal ridge by the airport that is cut off from the hillside surface and groundwater movement. The saturated soils typically are composed of thick, undecomposed to partially­decomposed Sphagnum peat, although sedge peat also may be inter­layered. Sites on slopes tend to be circumneutral and fresh.

Ericaceous shrub bogs are similar to and frequently have evolved from sedge-moss bogs, but differ in that they have more shrubs and less sedges. They also are similar to Dwarf black spruce scrub bogs, having nearly identical species composition, but do not have tree cover greater than 10%.

30

.J

J

l ;

1

] ....

.. ,

., J

DWARF BLACK SPRUCE SCRUB BOG PSS4B, PSS4/lB, PSSl/4B

The stunted black spruce (less than 6 meters tall) in these wetlands can form a canopy that is closed (PSS4B), or open (PSS4/1B) or may form an open woodland (PSS1/4B). Although the coverage of black spruce may vary, the species-composition of the understory generally is very similar, changing only in percent­ages. The ecological attributes and wetland values also are similar; thus, the three types are grouped for description. The understory consists of deciduous and evergreen shrubs and tends to be denser under an open spruce canopy and sparser under a closed canopy. The wetland typically includes black crowberry, northern Labrador tea, dwarf birch, bog blueberry, 1owbush cranberry, bog cranberry, cloudberry, and diamond-leaf willow. A nearby continuous carpet of Sphagnum and feathermosses cover the ground. Herbs are scarce, but include Labrador lousewort, bluejoint grass, and meadow horsetail.

This wetland occurs on slopes and on raised bog portions of organic basins; in the study area, its distribution is limited to the morainal ridge near the airport. The soils are saturated with groundwater near (<15 em) the surface. The soils generally consist of a sequence of undecomposed to moderately-decomposed Sphagnum peat with some sedge peat (Salamatof and Doroshin series). Soil water is acid and fresh.

This wetland is similar to ericaceous shrub bogs and forested bogs, differing principally in the size and density of the black spruce canopy.

31

j

Ill ' '

-I

J

l j

" -j

j

, ! l

BLACK SPRUCE FOREST BOG PF04B, PF04/SS1B, PF04/SS4B

The black spruce in these wetlands are greater than 6 m tall and can form a closed (PF04B} or open (PF04/SS1B) canopy or may be intermixed with patches of dwarf black spruce (PF04/SS4B). Although the coverage of black spruce may vary, the species­composition of the understory generally remains similar changing only in percentages. The understory of deciduous and evergreen shrubs is dominated by black crowberry, northern Labrador tea, dwarf birch, lowbush cranberry, bog blueberry, and diamond-leaf willow. The ground is covered by Sphagnum moss, feathermosses, and some lichens. S~attered herbs include bluejoint grass, meadow horsetail, Labrador lousewort, and Jacob's ladder.

This wetland occurs on slightly better-drained slopes; within the study area, it is found only on the morainal ridge near the airport. The soils are saturated, and groundwater occurs near the surface, at least early in the year. The soils may be of the Salamatof, Doroshin, or Spenard series, depending on the thickness of the surface organic horizon and drainage. Soil water is circumneutral and fresh.

This wetland is similar to dwarf black spruce scrub bog, but has taller trees.

32

l

J

I .J

l

WET SITKA SPRUCE-BIRCH FOREST PF04/lB

Sitka spruce and paper birch form a closed canopy. The shrub understory is dominated by thinl"eaf alder, which may be dense in forest openings. The ground cover generally is domi­nated by bluejoint grass and meadow horsetail, but can be highly variable, due to frequent puddles and upturned rootballs from fallen trees. The higher microsites are covered with feather­mosses and support twinflower, European starflower, oak fern, wood fern, trailing black current, lowbush cranberry, and wintergreen. Where water is present, lower micro-sites often have Sphagnum moss or marsh marigold.

This wetland occurs on the lower portions of the hillside where surface and groundwater movement from the hillside keeps water at or near the surface. This wetland is most prevalent below the East Road and above Beluga Lake. The soils usually have a thin to· moderately-thick organic layer and a thin, dark­colored mineral horizon over a mottled silty loam to silty-clay parent material that has been retransported from the hillsides (Beluga series). The soil water is circumneutral and fresh.

This wetland is similar to upland Sitka spruce-birch forests, but puddles are prevalent.

33

WET PAPER BIRCH FOREST PFOlB

This uncommon wetland has a closed birch canopy, but lacks a noticeable shrub understory. The understory is dominated by woodfern, oak fern, meadow horsetail, and bluejoint grass. Other associated species include clasping twisted stalk, European starflower, trailing black currant, nagoonberry, Douglas water hemlock, bog blueberry, touch-me-not, and umbel-flowered bitter­cress. A few scattered Sitka spruce may be present.

This wetland occurs in seepage areas formed in topographic depressions or concave catchments on the hillside. Ground.water, which is at or near the surface, is circumneutral and fresh. The saturated soils have a thin, dark-colored surface horizon above a prominently mottled and gray silty-clay parent material made of debris-flow and retransported sediments. These sites were classified as wetlands, although the vegetation indicator species showed uncertain wetland ·status.

This wetland is similar to wet Sitka spruce-birch forests, but has few spruce and less shrubs and mosses.

34

rn1 :iii

~. !

LANDSCAPE RELATIONSHIPS

The relationship of wetlands to the topographic, pedologic,

and geologic attributes of the Homer landscape are presented in a

cross-sectional profile of the airport property (Figure 2). The

generalized soil profiles illustrate the stratigraphy of the top

1.5 m of the soil surface and boundaries between the major soil

horizons show the general range in depths. The water table

during early summer is denoted by the black triangle. The soil

series are listed beneath the profiles and area boundaries are

delineated with vertical lines. On organic terrain, where the

peat thickness is variable and in various states of decomposi-

tion, several soil series are listed. Black spruce bogs on

slopes also have highly variable organic layer thicknesses.

Surficia.l deposits are listed _at the bottom.

The movement of surface water and groundwater also is

important in determining the distribution of wetlands. Wetlands

on the hillside and Beluga Lake basin are recharged by streams

and groundwater, as indicated by occasional springs. Soil water

in these wetlands is circurnneutral and fresh. The more neutral

pH and more available cations indicate a higher nutrient availa-

bility that has contributed to the relatively lush growth of

these wetlands. In contrast, the sedge bog meadows, sedge-moss

bogs, dwarf black spruce bogs, and black spruce forested bogs

that occur on the broad morainal ridge by the airport receive

inputs of water only by precipitation and are much less produc­

tive. The pH tends to be acidic in the thicker peat deposits in

35

... ~~ , •• n It 0 "' Ill I Ill

f1) n rt ... 0 ::1

PI ,_. '" ., 0 "' .... ,_. ID

0 "' ~ rt ,_. "' ::1

0.

0. .... "' rt ., .... tJ" c rt .... 0 ::1 "' ::1

0. ,_. "' 8. "' n Ill

'g .. rt

rt ,, IT c rt

f1)

Ill

::1

f1) .. ., bJ

f1) ... c '2

II

'!I~ en

a

.. a

..

a

m»

zo

.... "!

Oz

-I-.r---J

f z f ~

u m .. 0 ~ ..

'-'-'--'

DE

PJf

t lc

m, -···~ n

o

~ ··•14

n

I~UI

JDIN

I •

IIIR

I

WiT

II!

AD

OW

IPR

UC

I •

IIR

CH

PO

RI I

f

WE

T IP

AU

CI

I BI

RCH

fO

AE

BI

SH

AU

l IW

AIU

'

WIL

lOW

• Q

RA

UIN

OD

BO

O L

OEA

DO

W

HEA

D I

!DQ

I

80

0 W

EA

DO

W

FR

ES

H t

iER

B I

S

ED

GE

UA

RS

H

EfU

CA

CE

OU

S 6

11R

UB

Q

PQ

OW

AR

F BL

AC

K I

PA

UC

I O

OQ

BAR

REN

IIJ

AL

FLA

i

IIW

AR

P lA

EI

.,

ICA

UI

IOQ

·

ltuC

AC

IDU

I IH

IWI

10

0

IID

OII

HIA

I•,

10

0 I

IEA

DO

W

I!D

OI!

IYO

II

&()

Q U

EA

DO

W

DW

AR

f T

RE

I IC

AU

O D

OQ

IIII

CA

IP

RU

CI

FOR

EST

.•.. -

I .. .. ,. " • .. • i • i

the basins and more circumneutral on the slopes. The low

conductivity (40-80pmhos/cm) of these wetlands indicates that

the availability of cations is low and that the area is nutrient-

poor, resulting in sparse and stunted growth forms and in the

prevalence of mosses.

WETLAND MAPPING

The area summaries for each wetland type are presented in

Table 3. The airport property consists almost entirely of

wetlands, except for the runway, for other disturbed and drained

areas that have been developed, and for a few patches of upland

forests. The predominant wetlands are bog meadows, scrub-shrub

bogs, and forested bogs. Small areas of wet forests and shrub

swamp occur on the lower portion of the hillside above Beluga

Lake. A narrow band of halophytic wet meadows, tidal flats, and

beaches occurs along the shore. The middle and upper hillside is predominantly non-wetland except for small, scattered patches of

wet meadows and rare patches of wet forests that occur on seepage

areas and topographic depressions. The hillside also is dis-

sected by numerous small creeks and drainages.

During mapping classific~tion and boundary delineation,

problems with wetland areas most frequently arose between bog

meadow types and between dwarf black spruce, scrub bog, and black

spruce forested bog types. The bog meadow types frequently have

~ gradual and subtle vegetative changes on the ground and equally

subtle changes in photo-characteristics. The difficulty in

distinguishing black spruce bog types occurs when trying to·

37

j

Table 3. Area summaries for the wetland types within the City of Homer.

Wetland 'Type

Tidal flats

Tidal beach

Estuarine wet meadow

Lake

Pond

Shrub swamp

Herb/sedge marsh

Wet meadow

Herb bog meadow

Sedge bog meadow

Sedge-moss bog

Willow-graminoid bog

Ericaceous shrub bog

Black spruce scrub bog

Black spruce forest bog

Wet Sitka spruce­birch forest

Wet birch forest

TOTAL

Airport Property nliffiber total range

area (ha) (ha)

5

1

3

6

3

a

2

9

4

7.9

4.0

35.5

1.2

0.5

17.9

47.9

5.1

2.8

21 15.6

3 16.7

51 80.3

14 16.0

5 9.2

135 260.6

0.6-3.8

4.0

0.4-34.5

0.1-1.0

0.1-0.3

0.1-8.9

8.6-39.3

0.2-1. 7

0.4-1.4

O.l-4.4

0.1-8.0

0.1-7 .. 7

0.1-39.3

Note: Creeks and ·drainages were not measured.

38

Hillside number total range

area (ha) (ha)

l

3

39

3

1

47

17.1

0.5

1L7

0.7

0.3

30.3

17.1

0.1-2.1

0.1-0.4

0.3

0.1-17 .. 1

quantify the cover and height of the black spruce. Although

these types of errors are both difficult to avoid and to assess,

the consequences for the permitting process are minimal, because

these wetlands are very similar ecologically.

More important are the difficulties in distinguishing

between a few of the wetland types and some upland typeso

Distinguishing between wetland Sitka spruce-birch forest and

upland Sitka spruce-birch forest is difficult on the photographs,

because they have similar photo-characteristics. Fortunately,

they are less difficult to distinguish on the ground, because of

the prevalence of puddles and wet microsites in the wet forest

1 type. We believe the ~apping error to be very small, however, .i

- because this wet forest type is common on the retransported

deposits at the bottom of the hillside, particularly above Beluga

Lake. In addition, almost-all of the forests within the airport

property were wetlands, so there was little interspersion of

wetland and upland types that would lead to difficulty in

mapping. There were very few instances of wet forests within the

hillside mapping area and they were limited to topographic

depressions or concave catchments. Accurate delineation of

boundaries of this wetland type on maps was difficult and will

require on-site verification.

Another problem resulted with mapping of wet bluejoint-herb

meadows. This wetland barely make the wetland criteria, is

difficult to distinguish on the photos, and is floristically

similar to upland bluejoint-herb meadows. This wetland was

39

·-~

delineated on the photos based on its occurrence in topographic

depressions and concave catchments and on the prevalence of

micro-drainages. The occurrence of these sites tend to be

patchy, with wetlands interspersed with upland meadows, particu­

larly along the dissected micro-drainages. These wetland areas

tended to be small in area, but occurred frequently at the head

of drainage.s on the upper slopes of the hillside. This wetland

' will require.individual on-site determinations for accurate

assessment. We used a conservative approach and mapped _the-/.

///

meadows as wetlands if there was doubt.

40

SUMMARY

Inventory of Homer's wetlands collected site descriptions of

the hydrologic, pedologic, and vegetative characteristics of

25 wetland sites and 8 upland sites. Wetlands were determined

using the three-parameter approach of the Corps of Engineers.

The sites were classified into 14 major wetland types, 13 physic-~ ~ gnomic vegetation types~. and 26 National Wetland Inventory System

; '

J

J

-!

'

classes. A cross-sectional profile of the distribution of

wetlands on the Homer landscape was made, portraying the rela-

tionship of the various wetlands to the topographic, pedolog~c,

and geologic attributes of the terrain.

Wetlands were delineated and classified on large-scale

orthophoto maps (1"=100') for two major areas within the City of

Homer. The airport property was largely wetlands, with the

exception of the airport development. Principal wetlands

included: Beluga and Lampert lakes, estuarine wet meadows, shrub

swamps, marshes, bog meadows, scrub shrub bogs, forested bogs,

and wet forests. The hillside area was predominantly uplands

with numerous creeks and drainages and scattered seepage areas

with wet meadow wetlands.

41

I j

LITERATURE CITED

Barnes, F.F., and E.H. Cobb. 1959. Geology and coal resources, U.S. Geol. Surv. Bull. 1058-F, Homer District, Alaska.

pages 217-259.

Batten, A., S. Murph·y, and D.F. Murray. 1978. Definition of Alaskan coastal wetlands by floristic criteria. Final Report. EPA 804965-01. Corvallis Env. Res. Lab., ORo 490 p.

Batten, A., and D.F. Murray. 1982. A literature survey on the wetland vegetation of Alaska. Environmental Laboratory. u.s. Army Engineer Waterways Exp. Sta., Vicksburg, MS. Tech. Rep. Y-82-2. 232 p.

Cowardin, L.M., v. Carter, G.C. Golet, and E.T. LaRoe. 1979o Classification of Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats of the United States. Office of Biol. Serv., u.s. Fish arid Wildlife Serv., Washington, DC. 103 p.

Dames and Moore. 1985. Maps of wetlands within the City of Homer. Unpubl. maps prepared for the City of Homer.

Evans, C., E. Parker. study of Resource Program,

Buck, R. Buffler,.G. Fisk, R. Forbes, and W. 1972. The Cook Inlet environment: A background available knowledge. Uriiv~rsity of Alaska, and Science Service Center, Alaska Sea Grant for the Alaska District, Corps of Engineers.

Furbush, C.E., and D.B. Schoephorster. 1971. Soil Survey of Homer, Alaska. U.S.D.A. Soil Conservation Serv., Palmer, AK. 32 p.

Hinton, R.B. 1971. Soil survey of Homer-Ninilchik area, Alaska. U.S.D.A. Soil Coriservation Serv., Washington, DC. 48 p.

Hulten, E. 1968. Flora of Alaska and neighboring territorieso Stanford Univ. Press, Stanford, CA. 1008 p.

Imamura, K.K. 1976. A preliminary inventory of tidally­influenced wetlands of coastal Alaska. Alaska Dept. of Envir. Conserv., Juneua, AK. 42 p.

McCormick, J. and w. Pichon. 1978. Wetlands of Potter Marsh­Point Campbell to Potter. Prepared by Wapora, Inc., Anchorage, AK for u.s. Army, Alaska District, Corps of Eng. 79 p.

42

Needham, R.N., and T.M. Skordal. 1987. Summary of wetland mapping, Juneau, Alaska. Alaska District, Corps of Eng., Anchorage, AK. 15 p.

Nieland, B.J. patterns A report 22.p.

1971. Survey of vegetational and environmental of the Chickaloon Flats, Kenai Peninsula, Alaska. to the Kenai National Moose Range, Kenai, AK.

Office of Coastal Management. 1981. Wetlands management in Alaska. A report to the Alaska Coastal Policy Council. Office of the Governor, Juneau, AK. 119 p.

~ Reed, P.B. 1986. Wetland plant list Alaska region. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Serv., St. Petersburg, FL. 22 p.

.., J

Reger, R.D. 1977. Photointerpretive map of the surficial geology of the southern Kenai Lowlands, Alaska. Alaska Division of Geological and Geophysical Survey, Anchorage, AK. Open-File Report IliA. Map.

1979. Bluff Point landslide, a massive ancient rock failure near Homer, Alaska. In Short notes on Alaska geology - 1978. Alaska State-oivision of Geological and Geophysical Survey, Geol. Rept. 61. Pages 5-9.

Ritchie, R., J. Curatolo, and A. Batten. 198.1. Knik Arm wet;:land· study. Final R~port to u.s. Fish and Wildlife Service, Western Alaska Ecological Services, Anchorage, AK. 195 p.

Rosenberg, D.H. 1986. Wetland types and bird use of Kenai Lowlands. Special Studies, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Anchorage, AK. 189 p.

Scorup, P. 1975. Vegetation inventory, Homer Branch' Stationo Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, Palmer, AK. Unpubl. maps.

Triplehorn, D.M., D.L. Turner, and c.w. Naeser. 1977. K-Ar and fission-track dating of ash partings in coal beds from the Kenai Peninsula, Alaska: A revised age for the Homerian Stage-Clamgulchian Stage boundary. Geol. Soc. Amer. Bull. 88:1156-1160.

U.S. Army District Engineer, Alaska. 1978. Kenai River review. u.s. Army Corps of Engineers, Anchorage, AK. 334 p.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. 1987. Corps of Engineers wetlands delineation manual. Waterways Experiment Station, Vicks­burg, MS. Tech. Rept. Y-87-1. 99 p.

43

J l ·!

U.S. Deparment of Agriculture. 1975. Soil taxonomy - U.S.D.A. Handbook No. 436. U.S.D.A. Soil Conservation Service, Washington, DC.

1985. Keys to soil taxonomy. Support Services, Washington, DC.

U.S.D.A. Soil Management 244 p.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Notes to users for Seldovia 1:63,000-scale National Wetlands Inventory Maps. Anchorage, AK. 44 p.

Viereck, L.A., and E.L. Little, Jr. 1972. Alaska trees and shrubs. U.S.D.A., Forest Service, Agricultural Handbook 410. 265 p~

Viereck, L.A., C.T. Dyrness, and A.R. Batten. 1986. The 1986 revision of the Alaska vegetation classification. U.S.D.A. Institute of Northern Forestry, Fairbanks, AK. 112 p.

44

! '

..

APPENDIX A. List of plant species found on wetlands in the Homer area.

Life Form Scientific Nane Cornrrcn Nane Status

Trees ** Betula papyrifera Paper birch FACU i i l_;

** Picea glauca White spruce FACU ** Picea mariana Black spruce FACW r.l ** Picea s~tchensis Stika spruce FACU

~J Populus balsarnifer Balsam poplar FACO Populus trichoca.rpa Black cottonwood NC

- Shrubs Alnus spp. Alder FAC ** Alnus tenuifolia Thinleaf alder FAC * Andromeda pol~folia Bog roserrary OBL

~~ ** Betula nana Dwarf Arctic birch FAC * Chamadaphne calyculata Leather leaf FACW

** Empetrum nigrum Black crowberry FAC ** I.edum decumbens Northern labrador tea FACW ** Myrica gale SWeet gale OBL * Potentilla fructicosa Shrubby cinquefoil FAC * Ilibes hudsomanum Hudson Bay currant FAC * Ilibes laxiflorum Trailing black currant NC

Ri.l:::es triste Red current FAC Rosa ac~cularis Prickly rose FACU

* Rubus arct~cus Nagoonberry FAC * ·Rubus chamaerrorus Cloudberry FACW * Rubus pedatus Five-leaf bramble FAC+

--~

* Salix sp. Willow * Salix alaxensis Fel tleaf willow FAC * Salix barclayi Barclay willow FAC * Salix bebbiana Bebb willow FAC * Salix fuscescens Bog willow FAOJ * Salix glauca Greyleaf willow FAC * Salix planifolia Diaxrond leaf willow 'FACW * SPirea beauverdiana Beauverd spirea FAC :1~

.:.:.J * Vaccinium oxycoccus Bog cranberry OBL * Vaccinium uliginosum Bog blueber:cy FAC

"" ,;i ** Vaccinium vitis-idaea Lowbushcranber:ry FAC -,~

;

Viburnum edule Highbush cranberry FACU

J Forbs * Achillea borealis Yarrow FACU * Angelica genuflexa Kneeling angelica FACW * Angelica lucida Seawatch angelica FACU

l Atriplex sp. Saltbush .. , Atriplex patula Spear scale FACW

_J

** cal tha palustris Marsh marigold OBL * cardarnine umbellata Umbel-flowered bittercress FACW

Chrysanthemum arctiet.m'l Arctic daisy NC * Cicuta douglassi Douglas water hemlock OBL * Cicuta machenzei Mckenzie water hemlock OBL

45

•

\ \

APPENDIX A. Continued.

Life Form Scientific Name Corrm:>n Name Status

Forbs Cornus canadensis Bunchberry

-I (cont.) * Drosera rotundifolia SUndew OBL ** Dryopteris dilatata Mountain 'WOOdfern FACU ........

;j * Epilobiurn angustifolium Fireweed FACU · ~~

* Epilobium latifolium Red Willow-herb FAC ....

** Eq\llsetum arvense Meadow horsetail FACU

·~ ** Equiseturn flUVl.atile SWamp horsetail OBL .Jd ** Equisetum pc;lustre Marsh horsetail FACW

Equisetum s~lvaticum Wbodland horsetail FACU -~ * Galium trifidum Bedstraw FACW

* Geum macrophyllum Large leaf avens FAON Glaux maritima Sea milkwort OBL

* Gymnocarpium dryOpteris oak fern FACU * Heracleum lanatum Cow parsnip FACU * Hippuris tetraphylla Four-leaf marestail OBL

** Hippur~s vulgaris Carmon marestail OBL * Impatiens nolo-tangere Touch-me-not FACW

** Ir~s setosa "!

Beach-head iris FAC Lathyrus palustris Marsh peavine OBL

* Linnea borealis Twin flower UPL

l Lupinus sp. Lupine FAC ** Menyanthes trifoliata Buckbean OBL * Moehringia lateriflora Blunt-leaved sandwort NC

Myr~ophyllum sp. Water milfoil OBL Myriophyllum spicatum Spike water milfoil OBL Nuphar polysepalum Yellow water lily OBL Nymphaea tetragona Dwarf water lily OBL

* Pedicularis labradorica Labrador lousewort FACW Plantago maritima Plantain FACW

* Polernonium acutiflorum Jacob's ladder FAC ,, Potamogeton sp. Pondweed OBL :~ Potamogeton filiformis Filiform pondweed OBL

Potamoaeton fries~i Fries pondweed OBL ;P, Potamogeton pect~tus Fennel-leaf pondweed OBL ·~

Potamogeton perfoliatus Clasping-leaf pondweed OBL Potamogeton vaginatus Sheathed pondweed OBL

-) Potentilla egedi~ Pacific sil verweed FACW i

** Potentilla palustris Marsh cinquefoil OBL j

* Pyrola asarifolia Wintergreen FAC * Pyrola secunda One-sided wintergreen . OPL

l * Ranunculus cymbalaria Shore buttercup OBL -' * Rumex arcticus Arctic dock FAC

Salico~a europaea Glasswort OBL * Sanguisorba stipulata Stika burnet FACW

· Sparganium sp. Bur reed

46

APPENDIX A. Continued.

Life Form

Forbs (cont.)

Scientific Name

Spergularia canadensis * Streptopus emPlexifolius * Stellaria s~tchana

Suaeda rnari ti.rra Thalictrum sp. Tofieldia coccinea

* Tr~entalis europea * Urtica lyalli

Utricularia sp. * V~ola ep~psila

Graminoids Arctagrostis sp. ** calamagrostis canadensis

calamagrostis deschampsioides care.."< sp.

** care.."{ aquatilis * carex bigelowii * carex canescens

** carex lircosa ** carex livida ** carex lyngbyaei

* carex petasata ** carex pluriflora * carex ramenski * carex rostrata * carex rotundata

** carex si tchensis Cochlear~a officinalis Deschampsia beringensis Eleocharis palustris

* Eleocharis sp. Elymus arenarius

** Eriophorum angustifolium ** Er~ophorum russeolum

Festuca rubra Glycer~a sp.

* Juncus alpinus Juncus oreganus

* LUzula multiflora Poa eminens PUCcinellia sp.

* Puccinellia glabra Puccinellia grandis Puccinellia lucida PUccinellia nutkaensis

** Puccinellia phyrganodes

47

Cornnon Name Status _

Spurry Clasping twisted-stalk Many flower starwort Sea blite

FACW FAC FAC FACW

Meadowrue Northern Asphodel European starflower Stinging nettle Bladderwort Marsh violet

Polar grass Bluejoint grass Reed bent grass Sedge Water sedge Bigelow sedge Silvery sedge Shore sedge Livid sedge Lyngbye sedge Petasate sedge Nany-flowered sedge Ramenski sedge Beaked sedge Rotund sedge Sitka sedge Scurvy grass Hairgrass Spikerush Spikerush Wildrye Tall cotton sedge Russet cotton sedge Red fescue Manna grass Alpine rush Rush

FAC FAC FACU OBL FACW

FAC FACW

OBL FAC OBL OBL OBL OBL NC OBL OBL OBL OBL OBL FAC FAC

OBL, FACW FAC OBL OBL FAC OBL OBL

l'J.S.ny-flowered woodrush Bluegrass

OBL FACU FAC

Alkali grass Anderson alkaligrass Shining alkaligrass Lucida alkaligrass Pacific alkaligrass Creeping alkaligrass

OBL OBL OBL OBL OBL

\

I A

APPENDIX A. Continued.

Life Form Scientific Name

Gramir~ids Puccinellia triflora (cont.)

Mosses

Lichens

Alga

Ruppia spiralis Rynchosp:>ra alba Scirpus paludosus Scirpus validus

** Tr~chophorurn caespitosum ** Triglochin maritimum * Tr~glochin palustr~

Zannichellia palustris

** Aulacomnium palustre * Dicranum sp. * Drepanocladus sp.

** Hylocomium splendens ** Pleurozeum schreber~ * Polytr~chum Juniperinum * Ptil~dium cil~are

** Sphagnum sp. * Tomenthypnum ni tens

* Cladonia alpina * Cladonia rangiferina

Nephroma arctica Peltigera apthosa

* Tharnnolia sp.

Fucus sp. I.amineria sp. Macrocystis sp. Nerocystis sp.

Cormx:m Name

Three-flowered alkali grass

Ditchgrass Whitebeaked rush Bulrush Softstem bulrush Tufted Clubrush 1-"..aritime arrcw.;rass Marsh arrowgrass Horned pondweed

Moss

Moss Feathe.I"IroSS Feathermoss Hairy cap moss

Moss

Reindeer moss Lichen Lichen Lichen

Rockweed

Status

FAON OBL

OBL OBL OBL OBL OBL OBL

** Dominant plant species found on "Wetland sites described in this study. * less important plant species found on wetland sites described in this

study. All other plant species are listed as occurring on wetlands within the Seldovia 1:250,000 quad area (USFWS 1985) •

48

_l

l

j

APPENDIX B. Nc:-. ;.anal Wetlands Inventory r 1.ssification System

Use of Wetland teaend: Wetland data are displayed on overlays or maps by a series of letters and numbers (alpha numerics) with the first letter representing the system and subsequent alpha numerics representing, in a sequential manner, the subordinate levels of detail down to the modifiers. Where classes and subclasses have been mixed, they are separated by a diagonal line.

Exam-oles

a. Classification of wetlands to water regime and special modifier:

b. Mixing of wetland classes and subclasses:

Lacustrine timnetic Unconsolidated Bottom Mud Intermittently Exposed Diked/Impounded

PF02/~~lF = Palustrine, Forested, Needle-leaved deciduous (PF02) mixed with Palustrine, Emergent, Persistent (PEMl) with semipermanent water regime (F).

CJ System

CJ Subsystem

[}[] Marine

E8 Subtidal Intertidal

m Estuarine

E8 Subtidal Intertidal

~ Palustrine CJ No Subsystem

WETLAND LEGEND"'

Riverine l Tidal

tower Perennial Upper Perennial Intermittent Unknown Perennial**

ITJ Lacustrine

E8 timnetic Littoral

['E] Upland

*Should be used in conjunction with •classification of Wetlands and Deepwat~r Habitats of the United States,• by L. M. Cowardin et al. **Not included in •classification of Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats of the United States.• Created specifically for National Wetland Inventory mapping effort.

49

Wetland Legend (continued)

CJ Class

c:J Subclass

~ Aauatic Bed l Algal 2 Aquatic Moss

Rooted Vascular Floating Vascular Unknown Submergent** Unknown Surface**

@] Emergent [[] Persistent ITJ Nonpersistent

(NJ Forested (}:] Broad-Leaved

Deciduous []:] Needle-Leaved

Decidous Cl:J Broad-Leaved

Evergreen [i:J Needle-Leaved

Evergreen Dead Deciduous** Evergreen**

~ Moss/Lichen

E8 Moss Lichen

~ Open Water/ Unknown Bottom**

~ Rock Bottom (I] Bedrock D.J Rubble

CLASSES AND SUBCLASSES

(!LJ Reef ·Coral Mollusk Worm

~ Rocky Shore (I] Bedrock [I] Rubble

Bedrock Rubble Cobble/Gravel Sand Mud Organic Vegetated

{]I) Scrub/Shrub (}:] Broad-Leaved

Deciduous [1:] Needle-Leaved

Deciduous Cl:J Broad-Leaved

Evergreen· [i:J Needle-Leaved

Evergreen Dead Deciduous** Evergreen**

[]!] Unconsolidated Bottom

Cobble/Gravel Sand Mud Organic

~ Unconsolldat~d Shore 1 Cobble/Grave! 2 Sand 3 Mud

Organic Vegetat.ed

**Not included in •classification of Wetlands and Deepwater Habitats of the United States. • Created specifically for National Wetland Inventory mapping efforts.

50

- ,,

MODIFIERS TO WETLAND CLASSIFICATION

WATER REGIME MODIFIERS

Non tidal

Temporary Saturated Seasonal Seasonally Flooded-Well Drained Seasonally Flooded-Saturated Semipermanent .//~---- -Intermittently E~posed Permanent Intermittently Flooded

Nontidal Combined

Intermittently Exposed/ Permanent (G,H above)**

Intermittently Flooded/ Temporary (A,J above)**

Saturated Semipermanent/ All Seasonals (B,C,D,E F above)**

Nontidal and Tidal

I:J[] Unknown** [__[] Artificial

Tidal

Subtidal Irregularly Exposed Regularly Flooded Irregularly Flooded Seasonal - Tidal Temporary - Tidal Semipermanent - Tidal Permanent - Tidal

w"'ATER CHEMISTRY ~DIFIERS

Coastal Halinity

Hyperhaline Euhaline Mixohaline (Brackish) Polyhaline Mesohaline Oligohaline Fresh

Inland Salini tv

Hypersaline Eusaline Mixosaline Fresh

cH Freshwater

Acid Circumneutral Alkaline

**Not included in •classif_ication of Wetlands and Deepwater E:abi tats of the United States.• Cre~ted specifically for National Wetland Inventory mapping . Efforto

- 51

(