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Description: |
DISTRIBUTION:
The MHmm2 occurs at high elevations in submaritime
areas of the coast. The lower elevational
limit is between 900 and 1200 m and the
upper limit is between 1200 and 1400 m.
CLIMATE: The MHmm2 has a climate transitional
between the coast and interior, characterized
by long, moist, cold winters and short,
cool, moist summers. The climate is somewhat
colder and drier than the windward variant.
Frozen soils are rare due to the insulating
snowpack, but growing season frosts are
common. Total snowfall is high, resulting
in substantial snowpacks that can persist
into July.
VEGETATION: Forests on zonal sites are
dominated by Ba and Hm, with Hw (lower elevations)
and Bl occurring less commonly. Alaskan
blueberry, black huckleberry, oval-leaved
blueberry, five-leaved bramble, Rhytidiopsis
robusta, and Pleurozium schreberi are common
in the understorey. White-flowered rhododendron
may also be present. Vegetation and stand
characteristics are strongly influenced
by local topography, which affects timing
and pattern of snowmelt. Upper elevations
grade into discontinuous forests of the
parkland subzone (MHmmp2).
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