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Description: |
DISTRIBUTION: The CWHvh2 occurs along
the outer mainland coast from Smith Inlet
in the south to the Vancouver Forest Region
boundary in the north. On the Queen Charlotte
Islands it occurs along the windward side
of the Queen Charlotte Ranges, except for
south Moresby Island where it covers much
of the area, except higher elevations. The
elevational limits range from sea level
to approximately 500 m.
CLIMATE: The CWHvh2 is cool with very
little snowfall. The proximity to the Pacific
Ocean moderates temperatures. Fog, cloud,
and drizzle are common throughout the year.
Precipitation varies widely in this unit.
It is lowest at the southern tip of the
Queen Charlotte Islands and highest where
air masses lift over steep mountains (e.g.,
4218 mm at Tasu Sound).
VEGETATION: Forests on zonal sites are
dominated by Cw, Hw, and variable amounts
of Yc. Ba (not on Queen Charlotte Islands),
Pl, and Ss occur in relatively minor amounts.
Major understorey species include salal,
Alaskan blueberry, false azalea, deer fern,
Hylocomium splendens, and Rhytidiadelphus
loreus, with minor amounts of fern-leaved
goldthread, skunk cabbage, and Sphagnum
girgensohnii. Extensive bog ecosystems occur
commonly on subdued terrain. Productive
forests are restricted to steeper, better
drained slopes and floodplains.
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