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Coast Forest Region Version 6 Provincial Biogeoclimatic Zones

Variant: CWHwh2 Coastal Western Hemlock, Montane Wet Hypermaritime
Description:

DISTRIBUTION: The CWHwh2 is restricted to the Queen Charlotte Islands where it occurs above the CWHwh1 throughout the eastern Skidegate Plateau and eastern Queen Charlotte Ranges. Elevational limits range from approximately 350 to 600 m.

CLIMATE: The CWHwh2 is cooler and wetter than the CWHwh1 below it, and has greater snowfall and a more persistent snowpack. Low cloud and fog likely influence this variant more than the submontane variant. There are no long-term climate data to characterize this unit.

VEGETATION: Forests on zonal sites are dominated by Hw, Cw, and Yc, with Ss occurring less commonly. Minor amounts of Hm may occur but vigour is poor. The understorey is dominated by mosses and liverworts, including Hylocomium splendens, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, and Scapania bolanderi. The herb and shrub layers are sparse, probably due to heavy deer browsing.


Area (Ha): 84112.55  
TEM Area (Ha): 29616.74  
% of Prov BEC w/ TEM: 35.21  
  For lists of red and blue listed communities and species in this subzone, please search within the Ministry of Environment's BC Species and Ecosystems Explorer
Further Links:
  1. Download Special Report Series 6 [Chapter 6] in PDF Format
  2. The Ecology of the Coastal Western Hemlock Zone - Brochure 31
  3. A Field Guide to Site Identification and Interpretation for the Vancouver Forest Region
  4. TEM Website
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