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Description: |
DISTRIBUTION: The CWHvh1
occurs in hypermaritime areas of the south coast.
It is restricted to a narrow coastal fringe on the
outer coast of Vancouver Island from near Port Renfrew
to Quatsino Sound. It widens north of Quatsino Sound,
covering the northern end of Vancouver Island. On
the mainland it occupies lower elevations along
the outer coast from Wells Passage, west of Broughton
Island, to Smith Inlet. The elevational limits range
from sea level to approximately 200 m (higher in
the north).
CLIMATE: The CWHvh1 is cool with very little
snowfall. The proximity to the Pacific Ocean moderates
temperatures throughout the year. Fog, cloud, and
drizzle are common throughout the year. Precipitation
varies widely in this unit, with lowest values occurring
in the local rainshadow on the northeastern part
of Vancouver Island at Bull Harbour. The highest
values occur where air masses lift over steep mountains
(e.g., 3943 mm at Port Renfrew).
VEGETATION: Forests on zonal sites are dominated
by Hw, accompanied by Ba, Cw, and minor amounts
of Yc (in the northern part). Major understorey
species include salal, Alaskan blueberry, red huckleberry,
deer fern, Hylocomium splendens, and Rhytidiadelphus
loreus. Evergreen huckleberry is a minor species
on zonal sites, but more common on drier sites.
It is a good indicator of the CWHvh1. Bog ecosystems
occur commonly on subdued terrain.
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