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Classification of natural forest communities of coastal British Columbia, Canada

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Abstract

In comparison to countries with a tradition of vegetation studies, a comprehensive, hierarchical classification of plant communities in the province of British Columbia has not yet been developed. Such a classification is needed for systematic ecological studies and coordinated conservation of vegetation. As the culmination of fifty years of detailed surveys, tabular and multivariate analyses of 3779 relevés of natural, old-growth, submontane, montane and subalpine forest communities in coastal British Columbia were used to develop a hierarchy of vegetation units according to the Braun-Blanquet approach. At the highest level, we distinguished seven orders: Quercus garryana, Pseudotsuga menziesii-Mahonia nervosa, Tsuga heterophylla-Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Tsuga mertensiana, Thuja plicata-Tiarella trifoliata, Populus trichocarpa, and Pinus contorta-Sphagnum. Diagnostic table, ordination, and elimatic and edaphic regimes were used to show floristic affinities among the orders and to interpret their relationships to regional environmental gradients. Plant communities of each order were briefly characterized by their floristic composition, physiognomy, succession, and environment. The synopsis for all delineated vegetation units (order, suborder, alliance, and association) of coastal British Columbia is included.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Forest Sciences Department, University of British Columbia, V6T 1Z4, Vancouver, B.C., Canada

    Karel Klinka & Hong Qian

  2. British Columbia Forest Service, Prince Rupert Region, V0J 2N0, Smithers, B.C., Canada

    Jim Pojar

  3. Research Branch, British Columbia Forest Service, 31 Bastion Square, V8W 3E7, Victoria, B.C., Canada

    V. Del Meidinger

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  1. Karel Klinka
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  4. V. Del Meidinger
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Klinka, K., Qian, H., Pojar, J. et al. Classification of natural forest communities of coastal British Columbia, Canada. Vegetatio 125, 149–168 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00044648

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