Plant community types of sand dunes and sand plains in selected areas of the boreal natural region /

Abstract

The Alberta Natural Heritage Information Centre (ANHIC) inventories, monitors and disseminates information on biological diversity in Alberta. Detailed data regarding provincial flora, fauna and native plant communities are collected and tracking lists have been developed to monitor elements of biodiversity that are considered rare or have other special significance. Plant communities occurring in areas of unique landforms often support small patch communities that are not well documented in the province. Consequently, information gaps were identified concerning plant communities that inhabit eolian landforms in the boreal forests. Resource Data Branch of Alberta Sustainable Resource Development contracted Wildlands Ecological Consulting Ltd. to identify and inventory plant communities of the boreal sand dunes and sand plains in Holmes Crossing Sandhills Ecological Reserve and a proposed provincial park and natural area near North Buck Lake, Alberta. These sites were chosen as representative eolian landforms of the Boreal Central Mixedwood and Dry Boreal Mixedwood Natural Subregions, respectively. Eolian landforms in the Holmes Crossing Sandhills Ecological Reserve are predominately a series of well preserved transverse sand dunes with associated parabolic sand dunes and a small section of sand plains. Upland vegetation here is mainly jack pine forest, scattered stands of aspen, black spruce, mixedwood, and small stands of paperbirch and white spruce. Lowland areas support stands of black spruce and tamarack sphagnum bogs. Interdune wetlands were dominated by sedge fens, dwarf birch and willow communities. In the Holmes Crossing Sandhills Ecological Reserve there were very few areas of open sand and no active sand dunes or blowouts were observed. The North Buck Lake study area is drier and is dominated by parabolic sand dunes with larger surface areas of exposed sand. Sand dunes in this study area were stabilised by a similar pattern of vegetation although soils were more xeric influencing plant communities. There is considerable ground disturbance in the North Buck Lake study area as a result of recreational off-road vehicle use. This has affected the vegetation especially in dry open habitats and has led to an increased area of Community Development Department, Parks & Protected Areas, ASRD, reviewed the final report. Mr. Ian Macdonald assisted with the collection of data at all plots, identification of the all vascular plants and plot summaries. Ms. Janet Marsh identified lichens and ephiphytes, and Ms. Jennifer Doubt identified unknown mosses. Ms. Lynne Wassick assisted with data entry and production of the final report. Mr. Rick Riddell of Wildlands Ecological was responsible for project management, field surveys and analysis, and the final report.