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Description: |
DISTRIBUTION: The CWHvm1 is the most
extensive biogeoclimatic unit in the Vancouver
Forest Region. It occurs on the windward
slopes of Vancouver Island as far south
as Jordan River, and on both sides of Vancouver
Island north of Kelsey Bay. Its northern
limit on Vancouver Island occurs just north
of Port Hardy. On the mainland, the CWHvm1
occurs along the windward slopes of the
Coast Mountains, from the Fraser River to
the northern boundary of the Vancouver Forest
Region. In the south an isolated occurrence
is mapped in Garne Creek, 15 km west of
Hope; otherwise it only occurs west of Harrison
Lake. The elevational limits range from
sea level (or above CWHxm or CWHdm if present)
to approximately 650 m (600 m on Vancouver
Island).
CLIMATE: The CWHvm1 has a wet, humid
climate with cool summers and mild winters
featuring relatively little snow. Growing
seasons are long. Although precipitation
is high, it can vary considerably, from
lower values in the local rainshadow of
northeastern Vancouver Island (Port Hardy,
Port Alice, Coal Harbour, and Alice Lake
areas), to the highest values where air
masses lift over steep mountains (e.g.,
Ocean Falls).
VEGETATION: Forests on zonal sites are
dominated by Hw, Ba, and lesser amounts
of Cw. The understorey generally features
a well developed shrub layer dominated by
red huckleberry and Alaskan blueberry, and
a well-developed moss layer dominated by
Hylocomium splendens and Rhytidiadelphus
loreus. Herbs are sparse and include minor
amounts of deer fern, five-leaved bramble,
bunchberry, and queen's cup. Subdued terrain
on the west coast and northern end of Vancouver
Island features very old successional stages
dominated by Cw, Hw, and salal.
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