the valley floors and on south slopes above 1,370 m (4,800 

 feet) . These soils are highly productive but are also 

 highly erodible if the vegetation is removed. In general, 

 the soils of the study area are rich and support an extensive 

 and diverse vegetative cover. 



Vegetation 



The maritime-influenced climate has a strong effect on 

 the flora of the area creating some of the most luxuriant 

 and diverse vegetation within the state. The majority of 

 the study area would be densely timbered without human dis- 

 turbance, but about 20 years ago extensive logging operations 

 were initiated at upper elevations to curtail the spread of 

 spruce bud worm infections while lower elevation private lands 

 were being developed for summer and year-round dwellings. 



Five vegetation type series which include 20 habitat 

 types as described by Pfister et al. (1977) were used by 

 wildlife on the study area. Table 1 lists the scientific 

 name, corresponding abbreviation and common name of these 

 series and habitat types. The scientific name abbreviation 

 is used throughout this report. 



Scree 



Scree is broadlv defined bv Pfister et al. (1977) as any 

 slope covered with loose rock fragments . Such sites are not 

 considered habitat types because they are topoedaphic cli- 

 maxes rather than vegetative climaxes. Unstable substrates 

 affect vegetative succession although the adjacent habitat 

 type influences plant species composition. On the study area 

 scree slopes were found associated with all series. 



Pseudotsuga menziesi (PSME) Series 



Seven habitat types within this series were recognized 

 at elevations generally below 1,460 m (4,800 feet). This 

 series and the THPL and TSHE series occupied the lowest ele- 

 vations on the area. The PSME/AGSP habitat type is not com- 

 mon on the study area. It represents the dry end of the 

 spectrum and is located at or below 1,400 m (4,600 feet) 

 on dry ridges or warm aspects. Located on all aspects ex- 

 cept north, the PSME/PHMA habitat type occurs on steep slopes. 

 The PSME/VAGL habitat type is rare on the study area, being 

 found primarily on cool, steep west slopes. The PSME/LIBO 

 habitat type occurs on gently sloping moist sites on most 

 aspects except south. PSME/SYAL is found on warm slopes and 

 benches and on rocky soils on the study area. Neither the 

 PSME/SYAL nor PSME/LIBO habitat types are common on the study 

 area. The PSME/CARU habitat type was found only occasionally 

 on the study area, on southerly exposures, as was the PSME/ 

 ARUV habitat type. 



