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Description: |
DISTRIBUTION:
The ESSF occurs at high elevations in subcontinental
areas along the eastern extremities of the
Vancouver Forest Region. Elevational ranges
vary from approximately 1300 to 1650 m in
the south; and from 1200 to 1550 m in the
north. CLIMATE: The ESSFmw has long, cold
winters featuring heavy snowfall, and short,
cool summers. The continental temperature
regime is moderated somewhat by its proximity
to the Pacific Ocean. This is the mildest
subzone of the ESSF zone. Total snowfall
is high, resulting in substantial snowpacks
that can persist into June. Soils may freeze
when temperatures drop in the fall before
a snowpack forms.
VEGETATION: Forests on zonal sites are
dominated by Bl, Se, and, to a lesser extent,
Ba. Pl is common in fire-regenerated early
successional stands. Ba and Hm may dominate
in the upper reaches of narrow valleys and
on steep northerly aspects (refer to MHmm2
in these situations). The understorey is
dominated by black huckleberry, whiteflowered
rhododendron, Pleurozium schreberi, and
Rhytidiopsis robusta. Less common species
include one-sided wintergreen, Sitka valerian,
and five-leaved bramble. Snow avalanche
tracks, dominated by slide alder, commonly
bisect the continuous forest in the ESSFmw.
Upper elevations grade into discontinuous
forests of the parkland subzone (ESSFmwp).
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