Plant Communities of the Similkameen Valley, British Columbia, and Their Relationships to Soils

Abstract

Five vegetation zones were recognized in the Similkameen Valley of southern British Columbia. These zones were largely controlled by elevation primarily as a reflection of climate. The climate becomes progressively more moist from east to west and with increasing elevation. Two habitat types were described in the Artemisia tridentata zone, three in the Pinus ponderosa zone, five in the Pseudotsuga menziesii zone, five in the Abies lasiocarpa zone, and one in the Alpine zone. Some habitat types correlated well with the soils at a great group level. The Pinus—Festuca habitat type was found mostly on Dark Gray soils, the Pseudotsuga—Festuca habitat type on a variety of soils, the Pseudotsuga—Calamagrostis habitat type on Gray Luvisols, the Festuca—Eriogonum habitat type on Black Chernozems, the Abies—Vaccinium—Calamagrostis habitat type on Dystric Brunisols, and the Abies—Vaccinium, Phyllodoce habitat type on Alpine Dytsric Brunisols soils. A key for the identification of the major habitat types is included.

Effect of Burning or Clipping Agropyron spicatum in the Autumn on the Spring Foraging Behaviour of Mule Deer and Cattle

“…The soils of the big sagebrush community are dark brown chernozems while those of the Douglas fir community are primarily eutric brunisols (G. Young, unpublished). The floristic composition has been described by McLean (1970) and van Ryswyk, McLean & Marchand (1966). Average annual precipitation at Kamloops airport is 25 cm and the elevation 350 m. The study sites were situated at heights of 580 m and 760 m in the big sagebrush and Douglas fir communities, respectively.…”

“…Bluebunch wheatgrass is the dominant herbaceous plant in the big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata)-bluebunch wheatgrass and the Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii)-bluebunch wheatgrass communities (McLean 1970). These communities are represented in major proportions, in south-central British Columbia, on ranges occupied by cattle in both late spring and autumn and by deer in early spring.…”

Cattle Diets and Distribution on Spring–fall and Summer Ranges Near Kamloops, British Columbia

“…The land rises from the lake in several well defined stages: from the lake, at 335 m above sea level (masl) (1957) and Mclean (1970 (Daubenmire 1959 …”

Phenological Patterns and Adaptations in an Artemisia/Agropyron Plant Community

“…Scribn. & Smith has been well described in terms of seral and climax dominants (e.g., Tisdale 1947, Daubenmire 1970, McLean 1970, few studies provide detailed, phenological attributes of these plant communities. Blaisdell (1958) reported seasonal development and yield for 23 species within Artemisia/Agropyron-dominated vegetation of southern Idaho, while Sauer and Uresk (1976) documented phenological patterns for 12 plant species within an Artemisia tridentata/Agropyron spicatum association of south-central Washington.…”