C . ydibena ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION NATURAL RESOURCES SERVICE RESOURCE INFORMATION UNIT BOW REGION ECOLOGICAL LAND CLASSIFICATION OF BIG HILL SPRINGS PROVINCIAL PARK, ALBERTA Prepared For: Natural Resources Service - Parks Alberta Environmental Protection Bow Region By: Ian Sutherland Environmental Service Alberta Environmental Protection Bow Region June, 1998 Publication No.: T/437 ISBN: 0-7785-0418-2 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1 2.0 STUDY AREA DESCRIPTION 2 2.1 Location 2 2.2 Land Use History 2 2.3 Climate 3 2.4 Hydrology 3 2.5 Physiography and Bedrock Geology 4 2.6 Surficial Geology and Soils 4 2.7 Vegetation 6 2.8 Wildlife 7 3.0 METHODS 8 3.1 Field Survey 8 3.2 Data Analysis 8 3.3 Ecological Land Classification and Mapping 9 3.4 Ecosite Legend 9 4.0 RESULTS 10 4.1 Ecological Land Classification 10 4.2 Vegetation Community Types 10 Aspen Woodland 11 Balsam Poplar or Balsam Poplar - White Spruce Woodland 13 Shrubland - Willow dominated 16 Mixed Shrublands 19 Grasslands 23 Modified Grasslands 26 Grasslands -Wet meadows 29 4.3 Significant Plant Species 31 4.4 Significant Vegetation Cover Changes 3 1 5.0 ISSUES AND RECOMMENDATIONS 32 6.0 REFERENCES 35 Appendix 1: List of Vegetation Species Appendix 2: List of Wildlife Observations Appendix 3: Ecological Land Classification LIST OF MAPS 1 . Study Area Location 2. Map of Big Hill Springs Provincial Park 3. Changes in Vegetation Communities 1972-1997 4. Ecological Land Classification (in rear pouch) 111 \W, • •<■0, 0-i»- , ^ :,.'M ^’>il3U 4.... , '- 5tt^j : .j: . ..* .::.i f*'- ''•^*»n||fe*jfvi'j!^^ '■• ■»•■■ <)»Tp|f'^»»l • •*•••>» f»».,j»»;«^- ■(Mn^.ilfi .v.*'l«. »^4‘ »'*• « '»'•■ •'•> ah'A}i I 2*^'' Id'''"''' V.''^.Q,t.:l M. a t 7 i* •»;)(» wt- il.rji.iSi ft*. U., . ,... . iwfV' ^ 1 A > I i" ( • s. ¥*^ ■ ’'•%t " 'NBWS ^■‘'- ■' v'V^^-Ar’f •"■. ./ • ' 4t. I '«0 ^ /, . '4ifc|^>- 1^^- ■..v..v'.ij >(.4: ':■ .«':3n.vsi ^' ' : ” '"7 .’ iM>U :.i liiiiiittM .v4rVljfU/Xiyiir .^^- ^ ^ ' tlll^ • ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Keith Ainsley (Resource Data Division, Edmonton) - project planning, field data collection; Beth Cornish (Resource Data Division, Edmonton) - vegetation community typing; Fine Zweier (Environmental Service, Southern East Slopes Region) - field data collection; Margaret Bradley (Environmental Service, SES Region) - cartography; Joyce Gould (Recreation & Protected Areas Division, Natural Resource Service) - vegetation inventory planning; Rod Gow (District Ranger, NRS - SES Region) - project data; chief liaison; Wanda Nadasde-Hogg (Park Ranger, NRS - SES Region) - project liaison; Lyle Lambert (Seasonal Ranger, NRS - SES Region) - field data collection; Jock Forster (Environmental Service, SES Region) - groundwater consulting; Ebe Lorberg (Water Sciences Br., NRS, Edmonton) - groundwater consulting; Steve Kassai and Olga Droppo (Calgary Field Naturalist Society) - wildlife data. IV - .T.^..'l ;rv -■«' t '-rH % '. ' ;* ■^‘ i -;*J '.:' -'F- ’*. ' " '■ B ' ir ^ m '.■U}^^-', , f-'f .'ife \ s^' mm' .. : ik'M-;*. ® KW'.'i •.■-^' 'r" V I " . tlfvjsi 1.0 INTRODUCTION Big Hill Springs Provincial Park was established in 1957 to conserve a unique coulee environment and spring-fed creek system (AEP - Park File). In years since, a number of specialists and organizations have documented various aspects of the Park’s resources including archaeological - cultural ( Glenbow Foundation; University of Calgary: Park File ), ecological (Wallis and Wershler 1972 ), hydrogeological ( Curcio 1967, 1970; Bomeuf 1983; Houseknecht 1984; Komex 1998), botanical (AEP 1994), and wildlife (Calgary Field Naturalist’s Society). The Park’s landscape features contribute significantly to under-represented Natural History Themes in the Foothills Parkland Natural Subregion (Report 3: Alberta Protected Areas System Analysis [1994]; Alberta Environmental Protection, Edmonton). A Park Management Plan (AEP 1996), currently at draft stage, raises a number of conservation issues and objectives, many of which are addressed in this update and synthesis of biophysical information, including: • preservation of natural environment, features, species, and habitat; • natural history interpretation; • water quality and quantity; • creekbank management; • improvement of facilities and infrastructure (e.g. picnic sites, roads, trails); • accommodate recreational activities; • acquisition of select adjacent parcels of land; • boundaries and fencing. In this context, the overall objectives of this study were to: • Complete a review of existing biophysical information; • Conduct a biophysical inventory to current standards and scope; • Conduct an analysis of any significant changes. Secondary objectives included: • Obtain new aerial photography of the Park and surrounding lands; • Conduct an intensive baseline study of the springs and associated features; • Make management recommendations. 1 . 1 *=,.- "Ti^: J» ' ■" . ’^ , , . .♦' : . .a|x’?r4K.v«,1 :k’^: ^irK-g I. . iMf .^1 ' ;?;..!ri;w - ..„ 7§ -' V’' f- J ■;'~*^; tUPVlbi? ■ . ( •."•infill 4 Hf^ <M> . ■.- / ' " mO- J ':. $ ..,.■ >■' v“^ . ■■ , iftfC 'W,»" <• *!• \M,4i. fli. J w •- 'lit ^«1<B j K. 2.0 STUDY AREA DESCRIPTION 2.1 Location Big Hill Springs Provincial Park is located in the Big Hill Creek valley 15 km north of Cochrane in the north half of Section 29, Township 26, Range 3, west of the Fifth Meridian. It is accessible from Secondary Highway #567, east of the Junction with Highway #22 (Map 1). It is situated, for the most part, in a side-coulee which leads from the Big Hill Creek valley and covers 32 hectares (AEP 1996) or 79 acres. Presently, the Park is distributed over two disjunct parcels of land - the main part established in 1957, and a 6-hectare parcel in the northwest comer of Section 29 (identified as the “northwest parcel” in this report) at the head of the coulee, acquired recently to preserve the primary springs. The two parcels are separated by about 150 meters of private land (Map 2). A full legal land survey has not been conducted to this point, and boundaries, fencelines, and area measurements are therefore approximate. Biogeographically, the Park is in the Foothills Parkland Natural Subregion, at the northern end. 2.2 Land Use History A constant source of water has long attracted people and wildlife to the Big Hill Springs area. Plains Indians hunted bison (evidently using the “jump” method) and camped near the springs (the AEP Park File documents findings of bone fragments and lithic tools). Lamoureux (1983) lists a “major” kill site and evidence of pictographs at Big Hill Springs, and “maybe” a major jump on the east face of Big Hill Springs coulee. Ranchers arrived in the 1880’s to graze and water their cattle. [ An anecdotal, but detailed history from this point to about 1970 is included in the Park File (AEP). ] Industrial interest in the springs and creek began before the turn of the century: a creamery was in operation from 1891 to 1910, and a trout hatchery was tested in the 1951-1956 period. Recreation, mainly picnicking became popular in the 1920’s and today is now the prime use of the area around the springs. Big Hill Springs Provincial Park was established in 1957. Increased visitor volume, heavy use, and environmental degradation into the 1970’s raised concerns among park officials, and was the impetus for early biophysical data collection and management planning (Alberta Recreation and Parks 1988; AEP Park File). In 1976 the Park was proposed for designation as a Preservation Park, and many conservation initiatives were tabled (Blogorodow 1976). A reconfiguration to “day use only” began in 1978-79 with the removal of an array of visitor services and facilities (park ranger, campground, playgrounds, roads, picnic sites, and electricity) and 2 , • *{'*'■■ i'*** ' ‘‘^ ^tt-r H>n,i]pirj<j'^ i-:- " '*' ‘ '-''in ■ n^rt^wl'i ■- . =is'' ■ >.!,< ■ ;». ■ .i'"'! i-'i ^.f; H '^' n»- «, 'v.'0}p'‘'ft^‘''r,i<pB ‘' 't»i> ' ^ / i <T^jii J i^T'' 7*t<)t*ff»r3() ;5^,l .w<4ft/-.;^W^.^ 1 ® ’ ■« S'- ~^M8* ' ' • t^'jjipMim oti »'|«l -'Ti ’' t® jr'!^ ■ » .' - .-.in -■-• t', V:(l'> , ■'*3jP''l-'"^'4‘--'|#'^ ;i-j R. -' '•»**•■ »’<b«t&.,~->; a I ■ *" ■' ’ '"ft * '.t> ^ »!J|..'|T,. ^Vf<r’-<- '<*(«^*1'S“- '\yr.i « .''^W"-||li:’4ilHW(t '■? ' j .a;™« ■ ':V;:-VSM >• ' t ‘*'.i/eiv ■ / 5" r'-to. ¥'<ii;«,,., "»"'wia *j ■\\ t '^. -4 iii *' :H,;^yfei, fiy.j •', ,y .j*| ,#i * ■ ' ■ ; i KtM- -it j . '■' ' »®.riv. «^i i^tf,‘ i;-i;i>il-S'.’'.- 'P yfv,«M(«f’nruW <r, i’;. I ,;.„ •, .♦!.. .'■'P! :-. f"T!dfr4*i#T_ 'I'^iil^ , j ^ , » e V ' .‘I . ri^' • > "' '*‘'’■4^^' ■'■'-'?»**» 'H riii;J. .Vi ! .,;«/ ><<«(> 'A«*pfl»!flilt4iJi*»ii Hmi v-:i -t 4|#|mt- ' «l6^ ’’■ - •'■( i.* ■.' ■i|iljiiwJ&<» j'>iftaii ‘ M. \ ■tinvr^^ii**'*^^'' ‘- "■ ■ ’'“* . .■'-S'' ii» ^ •»•'• ^^)^^le t'S-jni -T^./ ■' , ' . .„ ■• >*’'l)i|ii' ■■ V*.' ■ ^’ ' ' ' \ ’ 'V . , hI1 ;.v , H. ikl ALBERTA MAP 1 I MAP 2 reclamation of the sites. Day use exploration by visitors has affected the Park in terms of compacted , eroded, and denuded trails and paths (Alberta Recreation and Parks 1988). Today the facilities maintained include a parking lot, small picnic site, toilets, garbage bin, water well, and improved trails and footbridges. Cattle ranching is the main land use in the surrounding area and at some sites within the Park under arrangements with a local rancher. 2.3 Climate The Parkland Natural Region forms a biogeoclimatic transition zone between the drier grasslands of the plains and the moister coniferous forests of the Rocky Mountains. Mean annual precipitation is approximately 500mm in the northern part. Mean May to September precipitation is 290mm. The mean January temperature is -10°C and the mean July temperature is 14°C. The mean May to September temperature is 12-13°C and the frost-free period averages 90 days (Achuff 1994). Conditions specific to the town of Cochrane, 8km to the southwest, are: Temperature - Seasonal Averages Jan. -11.8°C; April 3.3°C; July16.4°C; Oct. 5.5°C Frost Free Days 112 Annual Precipitation 50cm ; Rain: 28cm Hours of Sunshine/year 2314 (from Town of Cochrane - Website Page 1997) 2.4 Hydrology The hydrology and associated landforms are very distinctive and comprise a primary natural history theme of the Park (Lamoureux 1983). The Park is situated at the confluence of the spring-fed, first-order Big Hill Springs Creek and the somewhat larger Big Hill Creek , which flows down a glacial meltwater outlet from the township to the north, southwards to the Bow River at Cochrane (Map 1). Surficial drainage of the surrounding benchlands is either towards the ravine or into Big Hill Creek valley itself.^ The Park is located in a groundwater discharge area, creating many springs and seeps, as well as unique hydrological conditions and features. The springs provide lower Big Hill Creek with its year-round source of water (Lamoureux 1983). The hydrology of the springs and Big Hill Springs Creek is treated more thoroughly in Komex (1998). ^ Use of names and spelling of these creeks and valleys has been inconsistent. National (i.e. NTS) and provincial records and maps indicate Bighill Creek, but the spring-fed creek is officially unnamed (Alberta Environmental Protection, Resource Data Division; NAD83 Listing of Named Geographic Features 1997/02/12). The Park Management Plan (1996; in Draft) itself variously uses Big Spring Creek/coulee and Big Hill Spring Creek/valley; and Big Hill valley. Names used in this report (as per Alberta Recreation and Parks 1988) reflect widely-used colloquial versions. 3 S*; ':f^‘ ir ■. t !*t,*tt| '.i-;«l t.%^ •yCn^'^lhtltl ■{!- i.'"-, ie^-i H I •(«^»v.-w»fn)^i# 1 { -m. f? H >!IVf*»/.' J of ..kV: ;»■; ■■-■'■- i?^ ’^V^»wF*- •j'tci'WiC ftom d ; ' ,vf:\ Jl 0M ■ ■’ ’■' ''■' ‘iil;' .'V^1fe^ll8& vJrUf' V . ‘tli vTir: rii. o>-*;.-uh v.--a ' ‘ 111 •'^ "■•" '* ■ 3_/^; '.'I-I ,^*-Tm ><>.v bWk^- - . • i • fit - -i-, r: U^.'Mhi^rU a".,) /N't ■:.♦« <tj;!%'..:f tr '*^3 ^ V *rjS 2.5 Physiography and Bedrock Geology Big Hill Springs Provincial Park is located at the western edge of the Interior Plains physiographic region where it meets the foothills of the Cordillera. The Interior Plains are composed of relatively undisturbed Phanerozoic sedimentary rocks, and in the Park the uppermost rock units are continental deposits of the Tertiary Porcupine Hills Formation overlying the Tertiary-Cretaceous Paskapoo Formation. These sediments were deposited as a result of erosion of the uplifting Rocky Mountains and foothills (during the late Cretaceous to early Eocene), and eastward transport of the sediments to form alluvial fans, stream, and lake sediments of the Alberta Syncline. As the sediments were deposited, the marine conditions that had dominated North America up to the end of the early Cretaceous were gradually replaced by continental conditions. The (sedimentary) lithology of the Porcupine Hills Formation is sandstone (greywackes and sub-greywackes) and siltstone with minor shale. Significant outcrops are visible along ridges and valley walls throughout the area. The formation is composed of detrital quartz, chert, non- volcanic rock fragments and clastic carbonates (Yoon 1977; Park File). 2.6 Surficial Geology and Soils During the Pleistocene Epoch, the Lamentide continental ice sheet advanced southward firom the Hudson Bay and coalesced with the eastward-advancing Cordilleran ice sheet west of Calgary in the Big Hill Springs area. Deposition of glacial drift (till) and subsequent glacio-fluvial erosion modified the pre-existing land surface (Yoon 1977: Park File). During glacial retreat about 10-12, 000 years ago, meltwater from the decaying ice margin to the north and east flowed into local topographic lows and deeply eroded the till blanket and soft underlying sandstone bedrock to create the Big Hill and Big Hill Springs coulees (Moran 1986; Alberta Recreation and Parks 1988).^ The massive erosional process exposed underground aquifers, creating springs at a number of sites (Alberta Recreation and Parks 1988). Today, the Park’s complex and dramatic landscape can be considered composed of four primary elements: • Till-blanketed Uplands. Moran (1986) describes this area as part of a larger unit of Spy Hill Drift (pebble-loam till) over the Porcupine Hills Formation sandstone. Found along upper south bank of the Big Hill Springs coulee, and extending to the south, the ^ “Coulee” is used synonymously and interchangeably with “ravine” and “valley” in most instances here. According to Caboue (1996) it’s a western Canadian term for a steep-sided prairie valley, but also refers to a broad-bottomed one of glacial meltwater origin, or to v-shaped gullies caused by more recent erosion. 4 ISyti^ifeog^ J - ‘ « H' ■: at.jQfe .lU v^. *0 ® iiij!j»;ii iF^' ~::;^ r ''•T'ftyfiir-* T -f f -fi ■■ #-:. ftl a^ijfr' . . _j. >«» yji9#®i^^ iHiw; ~'‘ . #w<JS#yiNs^. >*#,:i*. f»l|a*«^^ ;. 14 f-,;:'.yf)^;i,'i ,,,yitj4-»8!«lf9ii*.-|^. |»i“% /'’•!, A* ^!ibN««««;>«i||fc - -m,. Mg,f tf|-« gy % iiA ■ii^ = i A ■,;; ? ' Hi lmV‘^ a ^(^#f^^ifijfel ■ !iA,Si '■'" “ ' '■ ‘ ■■ ■ .Oi v' • ^ j|M(|| i1 fv ">/ ll*i»*« W; ; r. U 7V#**« « : • ^,l» V »- , >*4. .. a*!^, IP’-.' yj^^x #|#'W?few •* ♦,. ^ Ife M • Iir'^' J ■ ' .■ ■ j-Jlftfc “ T A ’ ^ r moderately sloping, undulating benchland is about 1265m AMSL. Soils found at benchland sites were were fine to medium-textured (clayey), mainly weak-profiled Calcareous Black Chernozems, and often gravelly-cobbly. • Glaciofluvial Terrace. The north bench above Big Hill Springs coulee is a glaciofluvial terrace about 30 meters below the morainal benchlands of Section 32 to the north."^ Of till parent material like the surrounding benchlands, soils found were fine to medium textured (clayey), mainly weak-profiled Calcareous Black Chernozems, and often gravelly-cobbly.^ Orthic Black Chernozems may be found in cultivated sites (tame pastures). • Coulee Walls. The banks range from about 65m high in Big Hill valley to 15m high near the upper end of Big Hill Springs coulee, and range from 35-80% slope.^ Moran (1986) describes them as eroded bedrock outcrops of the non-marine Porcupine Hills formation, although at Big Hill Springs they are largely mantled with residuum, colluvium, or thin unconsolidated till veneers (Turchenek and Fawcett 1994). The dramatic, near- vertical bedrock face on the east bank of Big Hill Creek coulee towers just above - and outside - the Park’s east boundary. Other smaller bedrock exposures are found in the Big Hill Springs ravine, mostly too small to map or indiscernible on airphotos. Slope failures (slumps and creep) are evident at many steeper sites, attesting to the generally weak bank stability afforded by the bedrock and till mantles in the area. Significant ecological differences occur between the north and south-facing slopes in the highly incised Big Hill Springs Creek ravine. Slope, aspect, angle, and slope position are key determinants. Soils found on the heavily vegetated north-facing slope included primarily medium-textured (clay loams) and weakly developed or eroded Calcareous Black Chernozems with some Orthic Eutric Brunisols. On the south-facing bank, soil development appears minimal due to gradient, soil drainage, and insolation. Medium to coarse-textured Orthic Regosols were found on steep middle and upper slopes, and medium-textured Calcareous Dark Brown Chernozems on shallower, more vegetated lower slopes. In the Big Hill coulee, with moderately vegetated banks oriented east and west, soils on lower and mid-slopes tend towards Chemozemic (e.g. weakly-developed or eroded Orthic Blacks) in mainly fine to medium-textured colluvium. ^ Soils nomenclature and terminology is according to the Canadian System of Soil Classification - 2"^^ Edition: by Agriculture Canada, Pub. No. 1646 (1987). An identical - and intersecting - feature is found above the east boundary of the Park in Big Hill Coulee. Bedrock control (i.e. fault-lines) likely accounts for the remarkable linearity of their outer risers or scarps. ^ Turchenek and Fawcett (1994) describe a landscape unit with glaciolacustrine veneer and some poorly- drained soils (Dunvargan-Maycroft) along the back of the terrace, extending slightly into the Park at points near the escarpment along the stepped northern boundary. ^ Lamoureux (1983) states that Big Hill coulee is the most deeply-incised glacial meltwater channel in the region, and is recorded as an Environmentally Significant Area for this and other biophysical reasons. 5 ■'ifefv '(!fcS»4>S- , f. « '' 'V*■‘'•'•^.'• -I’i '.. l iify* K [jJJ ' 1? ■ <iV. ■■ ""gu?* 'M! ;-W I I '' :j 5.' 'ti: ^ ^ “■r i*V ^'. >0 ■i t a 1 'nc ■ ■ , \ ■ ■ ' 1 '.; jrU ■ • :npU bm. »iOf' [ > " ah cw fa>v^i^^>>iuhkt jftjliapj* .■i.fi-if'iJisf ^fn vtXr^flan ;f?JC ' ‘ rygJS^fjjl ♦. ■ 1 *^-' , ■ ■•-. . '-. ■ '-'.-y; ■ . . „ ' * • - m: Wl4- *' ■ »" ■■ • J'iUJ’ i - *p 3f*^ ,1 V |'•V'^^n^ , j pl*'i ,<*, {i>rs|i»^.) 'r , |..• ■. '•■'''«■ * 'ft ' • "■*' 'Mr* ’ k/ r'f-j.t ‘>>iiAif« i\ M^: ■ f^j||kirtw'r|t\^' ; ■. , 44-4/w ■ ■: "# , , . .■■ ' -,V - ■ • Valley Bottoms. The floor of the Big Hill coulee is about 1200m AMSL, with relief nearly level at 2.5% towards the east (Big Hill Creek) and south. Moran (1986) and Turchenek and Fawcett (1994) classify this area as a silty-clayey fluvial floodplain. Although MacMillan (1987) calls the parent material here “recent lacustrine” in a depressional area, the specific physical characteristics remain undisputed.^ Coarse fluvial deposits from Big Hill Springs Creek overlie most of the Big Hill coulee within the Park boundary. A classic raised alluvial fan has formed, deflecting the normally meandering Big Hill Creek with comparatively erosion-resistant materials, over time, against the east coulee wall.^ Fluvial gravels in this feature are concentrated upslope (underlying the vicinity of the parking lot), and finer sediments downslope, towards the creek. Fans have formed at the bases of other nearby ravines and draws to the south, down the valley, and influenced the course of Big Hill Creek at those sites. The forested Big Hill Springs ravine bottom, downcut in the old spillway, rises more steeply, about 5%, to the northwest and has numerous relict channels, terraces, and tufa deposits (Komex 1998). Soil types found in depressional sites like ravine floors reflect the effects of relatively fine-textured fluvial parent materials, low gradient, moist water regime, and typically lush vegetation. Medium-textured colluvium (at the edges) and alluvium (in the floodplain) are found in both valleys. Primary alluvial soils are Humic and Cumulic Regosols, sometimes gleyed, and Calcareous or Orthic Black Chernozems at raised and grassier sites. Elevation within the Park boundary ranges from 1 198 meters (AMSL) at the banks of Big Hill Creek, to 1272 meters on the highest benchlands above Big Hill Springs ravine. 2.7 Vegetation The Foothills Parkland Natural Subregion generally forms a narrow transitional band between the grasslands of the Foothills Fescue Subregion and the forests of the Montane Subregion (within the Chemozemic soil regime). Desiccation by wind and low precipitation appear to be the main factors determining the extent of this Subregion. Affected by topography and climate, there is a rapid transition from grassland with groves, to forest with grassy parks, to closed deciduous forest (Achuff 1994). This northern and largest segment of the Foothills Parkland is called the Black Diamond Upland ecodistrict, and characterized vegetatively as cleared land and shrub (Strong 1995). Strong (1992) and others contend that European settlement of the Parkland Natural Region reduced the normal frequency of fire, allowing former grasslands to be ^ Cauboue et al (1996) defines the sequential events of lacustrine deposition followed by partial reworking by fluvial processes as “fluviolacustrine”, appropriate where Big Hill Creek has meandered through. ^ Airphoto interpretation suggests that, under historical flow and deposition regimes, Big Hill Springs Creek should gradually migrate westwards, along the roadway, and that the confluence with Big Hill Creek will move northwards around the expanding fan. No changes in streamcourse were apparent between the 1985 and 1997 airphotos. 6 yr«':;e*£ ^ ''il'*’ -•‘''i» «ufi j;m-j ;-)^ s,n1 'rHife;i«*i»tja?fr;j'((^-, •■■■»» '1S.^ « p». _ ,»■;<». •;:,’.■■«)» . ,^|;i45«j«i'>br' »|||^ ’■ ■■'’•<. ni!*‘t649 «'!?S*>^*'»'*‘4-t'>''''^ f'-fej).-'"’ " # ':i ■ ' ^ ;.* -'IwK** ^ *»^»W "■■■^' ■ j^%r^ ^‘'‘l^b : :.«^a '«■■ jg ,4 ■ ■ ->f i- ’\ii’?S^^^ - fitii.. ';t«^ r fU!- '1-j! - <MiJ»-''*'V "PfTfT i.-'iTW’-'i'r fi?«i|j^ ■''" f ',‘id4'." ./* >%■ "'* .f*- U#^5^* }/ * 4i^-4 ^?-:V|r?''!!^' .ri*, >.*. .> , x^*' yft a 41^.^ ,,Ajt JT* ’ k«®inA4c| ti-^^VU . :’'>r.5 ^ p W(,»> y*. ■ • ■ .. t, , ■' ♦» . ‘■^'l t-i^t ‘^> 'a -. ih.u‘4*n viJ« .f - .. i', >• ‘ . '*»■«>• I u.‘ »n .■ nt.4jM ■ ^ M . r^ b i'*.„ “ encroached by aspen and deciduous shrubs from the foothills. Today, little native grassland exists, having been encroached or replaced by crops and tame forage species. Despite the extensive agriculture in the area. Big Hill coulee remains integral to a linear system of diverse green space environments extending from the Bow Valley to Highway 2 (which includes other coulees, valleys, and an abandoned railway line). Lamoureux (1983) recommends it as an “Environmental Priority Area”, and AEP (1997) identifies it as an extensive Provincial Environmentally Significant Area (ESA). This vicinity near Calgary has recorded some of the most northerly occurrences of Lupinus spp. (lupines), Danthonia spp. (oat grass), and Festuca idahoensis (bluebunch fescue) (Achuff 1994). The Park, at some sites used heavily by visitors prior to 1979, has undergone significant artificial re vegetation with native and introduced species. Lin (1980) describes landscaping, sodding, seeding, tree planting (aspen and white spruce), shrub planting (“golden” willow and dogwood), maintenance, and other reclamation / rehabilitation activities during 1979-80. A large grove of Caragana arborescens (common caragana) and some Syringa villosa (late lilac) remains at the reclaimed site of a former park warden’s cabin. AEP (1994) notes the occasional presence of honeysuckle cultivars, and two widespread tame forage species, Medicago sativa (alfalfa) and Phleum pratense (timothy), probably spread from nearby pastures by winds and cattle. 2.8 Wildlife An extensive list of animal species, primarily avifauna, observed in the Park can be found in Wallis and Wershler (1972). Spalding (1980) states that the Richardson’s ground squirrel (also inventoried by Wallis and Wershler) is the most frequently seen mammal in the area, and that mink have also been observed. According to both references, common birds include the Savannah sparrow, Cedar Waxwing, Western Meadowlark, and Common Yellowthroat. Other noteworthy birds in the vicinity of the Park are the Great Blue Heron, Cooper’s Hawk, Prairie Falcon and Ruffed Grouse.^ Of these, the Cooper’s Hawk is considered rarest (Semenchuk 1992). Recent sightings of 132 bird species by members of the Calgary Field Naturalist’s Society in and near the Park are listed in Appendix 2. At least 21 of the species were apparently breeding in the area (evidenced by nests, fledglings, breeding pairs, and courtship and distraction displays). Two species listed are endangered: Piping Plover and Peregrine Falcon. Some mammal, reptile, and insect observations are also listed in Appendix 2. Beaver activity (new dam and lodge), not mentioned in reference materials, was observed just beyond the southeast comer during field checks in May, 1998. The dam backed-up Big Hill Creek in the Park. ^ Draw sites (small, shallow ravines) on the southwest side of the Park, were reported in 1974 to have up to three grouse leeks (AEP-Park File). 7 m: -'4 .,^-r. ■iH ■*(!'■,*» T>'. . *- -■ - : ^ ,...: £ , .... -;l . .v«'... ...^'i„; - . ' r;-:' ...•.'jatJt"#'.'bii .■^J.t:?i4ifijS^aijJfe'tiiii» ft k.w,,4j« IW ' - . - ■ - ■. . --U' .T r-r-’TT--? ■ jr^ ’ mrnii-iWf— r,»V ^ J/VS f ’■ ^tf i? ' ‘ i _ j^K 9l.7t*^0>«'. ,,A**t' t t-.’l'.,r-- •■ ■V ’•■■■ • ^■ _ •• ■£ 5'-*jw”^- ..■.•«»■>•,- ■’n, ■ ' ■ ■ r; 4 **/ - -•• -V l-^"*. < itVP! i^i Lamoureux (1983) suggests Rainbow trout or Rainbow-Cutthroat hybrids may be present in Big Hill Creek as far upstream as the Park, since populations have been noted less than a mile to the south in wider reaches. The Parkland has experienced significant habitat “fragmentation” from agricultural expansion. This has especially impacted forest-dwelling birds (AEP 1997). 3.0 METHODS 3.1 Field Survey Initial stratification of the study area and selection of field sample sites was performed on 1:5000 panchromatic aerial photos taken on May 1, 1985 (i.e. leaf-off). Airphoto interpretation delineated ecological units that were distinctive by their geomorphic and vegetation patterns. Representative field sites were selected to identify and document, on standard field plot forms, the range of landform, soil, and vegetation conditions across the study area. Field survey was carried out in early July 1997 (with some follow-up fieldwork in late September) according to methods and guidelines in the Ecological Land Survey Site Description Manual (CAPAF 1994). A total of 29 diverse sites throughout Big Hill Springs Provincial Park were visited on foot and documented. A study of the Park’s hydrogeological characteristics and features, including the springs and creek was conducted at the same time under contract by Komex International Inc. of Calgary as a special component of the overall biophysical inventory. The study report is referenced as Komex, 1998. Plant taxonomy follows Moss (1983) with common and scientific names referencing the Alberta Plants and Fungi Master Species List and Species Group Checklists (AEP 1993). Soil and landform terminology and classification used in this study are from CAPAF (1994), Cauboue et al (1996), and the Canadian System of Soil Classification (CSSC) by the Agriculture Canada Expert Committee on Soil Survey (1987). 3.2 Data Analysis A list of 126 species of vascular plants (excludes mosses and lichens) was compiled from field sampling, and is included as Appendix 1 . The list is generally consistent with those in AEP (1994) and Wallis and Wershler (1972) . Differences could be attributed to the number and variety of sites visited as well as to plant phenology during each survey,. These vegetation data were analysed and grouped into community types according to the “tabular method” described in Chapter 9 of Mueller-Dombois and Ellenberg (1974). This 8 ■ I'V’* ' "'i-t ,tti e.ti ■■ ., >. .^ir.; ■ ) * ■ •'sa:? >fc' ;»'/tu^*i!^ <V3'.t.n- f -'»«!.> !f:??f%|l"*t<' "‘1^ ‘:.ii ™ '-'j||i • ]W^y V'lMiiH- ^ W'WJl'Wi «r ■•?* <4f:Evys ;*f"»'i^e’J« jf S, ,tii) -sikit. ", '“*%,<„ f^' -iti-r ‘I :*■-*':■ •■ < %t‘ ' .( -iftaS' .'’J>s..':i . hI jB_,}r»^»'V''^ 5>. ■■'W ■!i> 't9vt; -JKWJ^iiaJ^'WJ 'M' jm '* ■■ <■ fl' K »S^1!1. v,Vr.,4^i .A ,/n #4ii\'... p: Mi rg0® '.V *^', ' : '’ ' , ^'" ' ' . ' « -w ^ .''P- ^ • . 7 j(tf '^'T^y ■ ' "J'^^ ■'■'W' " ■' ... - , ^j, Mf /. %. ■•-V ' ,jy.^f*u,, : y«ttWf.Sf'L I-'- •■■^^1 ^■'- fiik ■•»<).•.. 1- ;W.t«l9E3'N.i'4:»i&<'^' '» P»4. :.,irn ■■-^■■-■'tCL, '.•■>|) n>J«.,/- l...| ;>r,,'^'Ti, fe«fl5, ^ '' *' ^JV A3U»t *‘'»''Vi7Kr*-))>^ ^ 1 iPlr : ‘ ■ Cj ' ’’ ’ ’> uT "*.*i iUfti «». ...jM ^ •' 'i k method of floristic classification emphasizes dominance, constancy, and diagnostic or differentiating species in determining plant associations. 3.3 Ecological Land Classification and Mapping The ELC is a hierarchical landscape classification and mapping system that subdivides the land surface into units with similar environmental / biophysical components. The map units that result from this process are characterized by distinctive recurring patterns of surficial material, landform, soil and vegetation. It serves, by means of data interpretation and analysis, to describe typical conditions and to generalize or simplify the landscape into units that may receive the same management. New aerial photography of Big Hill Springs Provincial Park was acquired in June and July 1997 at scales of 1:5000 and 1:10 000. Subsequently, the ELC polygons were transferred from the 1985 photos to the new ones, with minor changes according to differences in vegetative cover evident on the 1997 coverage. Terrain, soils and vegetation data from the field sample sites were synthesized and used to develop the ELC scheme and to refine the polygon boundaries. Map unit descriptions appearing on the ecosite (ELC) map (Map 4) represent the Ecosite level of the hierarchical classification system. This structure embraces the over-arching biophysical characteristics documented for the Natural Regions and Subregions (Achuff 1994), for their more local Ecodistricts (Strong 1995) and from airphoto and field data. 3.4 Ecosite Legend Individual ecosite classes are described in spreadsheet format in Appendix 3. The study area lies within the Foothills Parkland Natural Subregion (#14) , and more specifically the Black Diamond Upland (BLA) ecodistrict. Parent materials, the prime parameter used in delineating ecosites, are coded as follows: A Anthropogenic: Human-made or human-modified materials or features. C Colluvium: Unconsolidated materials moved by gravity; often at the base of a slope. Slopewash deposits or veneers are included. X (in association with C: “CX”) Residuum: The product of in situ decomposition (e.g. weathering) of rock. F Fluvial: Related to streamflow and its associated erosional / depositional processes and features. FL Fluvio-Lacustrine: Lacustrine (or glaciolacustrine) deposits that have been partially re-worked by fluvial processes. GF Glacio-Fluvial: Pertaining to meltwater streams from wasting glacier ice and especially to the deposits and landforms produced by the streams. M Morainal (till): Loosely-consolidated rock debris formerly on or in a glacier, that accumulated in place as the surface ice was removed by ablation. 9 ■2 C,i ■ if -A' *■ .f)-^ •«1 ' / © /' '■Iv V »'■■■?■■'■ j: ,.. . ;i. '.Ur lu*' .. w5 V... .-kCl.ti -4'^ ' ’■ : - ■ -’• -rj-^ W: •■’^ . ■'*. ‘ ■ - jici--;.. • , iQf."i *^- - ■ ~ ^ ’ 65a‘, to ...,%\!'4^ /|1 .,;•* . ny «■• vr, . ^ ' %-. ••>«»<», ni 3^i-v iTf;’' s^i Vl^- ' •;'">;**•' vwr^y-r.v*^-;* .* ’’-ti .,r . *9'^r:m*->:; /•**«‘t -Xi^ *■» i*' {Ji^' ^ ■> t' ‘ * ‘ _ . r._. It^\. . ..-. _’‘'^V' ... .1. J' l'-L w *. 'v“ .‘■H !■ lir.f t r ;■•' ' :u-j .''>o;>‘rnw ^‘j 0 4^^ fWUf rp -.-.w '>•* ^ fn— • fo' 'jaK u: iw " m . - ■• •,4 - /..V:.’..-' ..fv .:-; -/(.'ij:j^7^f, a» u'i Br<xfi:4I^L ^ii., ’ ..^J '^uz^rnttr '4ii‘ .;.-ii«.^ •:,;(!■ ';. , ' '^ic.’i;.-, "*i '• ;> « ' ' ’ b l;n»r'.^ ■.r'/itk^d i*- ^ “ -- ^ -^>-.%.i.»« r«w.-« m t ' •■•vi^r;^' .* • - - • hi »J-V.JM- ■ : .«.i»ii-— ^ .. .1, ...... ;~ -a . 'O ■ ,'t .. ,• .''Wii! .< 'H5t y. K l^iT .-*1 T .t \K ■:. I V :n.i f ^ I v ’■ .‘^v 1/ .^H‘i ' u v>? -3 *rn)’s ■ / •i’ - -r .1,. ;a ® •^;; V- ^ViA'^ •■''>: ;t« '. - -., !j ^>1 4 ’2XCj^ i il"’ n%'H. Inr. vv^.'-*' :•. •.. h :.r * . k% J‘? ->■ ,.- )*'j b>iofr»i4if^sX’4r#^^ ‘ai ; U. '• _: ' *V* f ^ ^ hThW i f \ ‘ It f ' - ‘ ' • cSv ^^‘2 . . .fL ii 1 ri:^^ *11 Numbers following the parent material identifier, such as 1,2,3, etc. represent specific combinations of landscape characteristics (slope steepness, drainage, soil subgroups, biota) occuring on the parent materials that more precisely describe the ecosite. Decimal numbers used in the Colluvial ecosite 2 show sub-categories primarily related to the composition and slope position of extensive and highly- varied Mixed Shrub communities in the Park.^^ The slash (“/”) marks used in the Vegetation Community descriptions separate vertical strata (e.g. canopy / shrubs / ground cover), and dashes (“-“) are between dominant and sub-dominant (or in some cases co-dominant) species. Slope classes, and soil subgroups and textures follow the Canadian System of Soil Classification. The seven soil drainage classes follow the CanSIS Manual for Describing Soils in the Field (Land Resource Research Institute 1983), and are reproduced in CAP AF (1994). 4.0 RESULTS 4.1 Ecological Land Classification Map 4 shows a delineation of ecological units in Big Hill Springs Provincial Park distinguished primarily by geomorphic parameters (site, drainage, soils, etc.) and secondly by vegetation communities. 4.2 Vegetation Community Types In most respects, the vegetative species and communities of the study area conform to those documented for the Foothills Parkland: Agropyron spp. (wheat grass) - Poa spp. (bluegrass) - Danthonia parryi (Parry’s oat grass) communities dominate grasslands, with a large diversity of forb and grass species. Populus tremuloides (aspen) is generally dominant in the upland forests, with Populus balsamifera (balsam poplar) and Picea glauca (white spruce) occurring on shadier and/or moister sites. Distinctive in the area, willow groveland dominated by Salix bebbiana (Bebb’s willow) (Achuff 1994) occurs in a variety of environments at Big Hill Springs ranging from medium-textured fluvial and fluvio-lacustrine material on imperfectly to poorly-drained sites as found in the coulee bottoms, to drier till-blanketed upland sites. At this level of mapping, a full ecosite code would incorporate the Natural Subregion and ecodistrict identifiers (e.g. 14BLA.C2.1). An abbreviated version (e.g. C2.1) is shown on the ELC legend and map as all the ecosites here are in the same ecodistrict. 10 *•? * 1 K ' ■ I > • . *^- r i -Tli-. ■ ’'VtkL'J ' ’ t ,' ■ V • ■• ■ ^ ^ .VH.r* nTi <* j... . .-t.; ' > ’• ■' ■ r, it*i._4. . ..'..r- .*. r^;.^. *. L.-T^'ViiW*rrtrIPfS-^.tl' '■■ . ':'U_*M ■ •' .. „.. ■' '..■•I' ' *r^#. r’^tftrv 1* -4ip... ■ ■ V ' ,'■ ' ^ ^ f. . c-na 'iibifiVvi,- /V -.^•'iN ;;*vv<»a’' **< , ,. ^ }^Tnnfrf:> *. >/> '• t, ., u?i? ' r •,n>^4te»f*:.^ , .^1 '.® ,T.t^ ’ ^ J» *1 *v U‘- t??*M«ir«t5i W ■ /.^ 'i.i^ai I’.- i tj^V- .■ ,a- 'li .,- > ■ • ij -';T' *■ .;. > ■' • :vr;j?-^'' . j( • . ’^f< s ij, T.« ■'XM ty:' “a* ' r> •■ ■' ■M‘ -a^ • - > -^i." -..-i ■ » fj} I V ^ ’ * ‘ ^ii ;«tt^ . v^' ifiiM^iH'rtfti!;'. iwisi' ;vi*‘ '.ri»'j»i. ■ !*-r,'ii : :•; ,.„ j,ij ,fj ■ dj tfe»tK*'V;*riW ' ■ HW?»WiS<lf|ii/ 'j ■*•’ ' 'f>' ' •'-■ ' ' • ')a' •■ - ■ ■'V r2/'-'‘4". , , i'- : .«i m»r*na' ! ' I f''' ‘v ' ' » *53 >*.' •* Vu : ' : ■' V' c- 'i ,.>• :*%C )vr*ri^n. ';'»i^f ', 'i; j’J^>qcn» *»’ ft* 4, -*i .«, ^ ■- Is ,, -*.y ,. . •• ... vin- in* : -^'-.^t dV.n •.; V' 3.lMn.i p*. b r {, j , ! J i.M -f!' . , ■ , . ^-f ‘ '■■■ .,■ „ tstsvi' »)W' )• _ ^ *4'0* ‘r^j - - '\ f* -T^.'fSrt ^ ' ‘‘n " n/^ f^'> . \ t -.> ; ' ' . ’ . • , aiPiifwh^^' i *1 1." ► ® ,, ■' df''^ *k M -1, I '.■- 1 ?v * ‘#*.r. >- *? JU' Field data from the 29 sites were classified into 25 different vegetation community types (4 sites were essentially duplicates), which can be grouped into generic categories of two forest types, two shrubland types, and three grassland types. Vegetation community types are integral to the character of an ecosite. Although community types and landform units have typical associations, they, as with individual species, range from those occupying landscape-specific habitat to those common across a variety of environments. This is reflected in the Community Type descriptions that follow, and in a species-site list. Appendix 1. The slash (“/”) mark shown in the community type nomenclature separates vertical strata (e.g. canopy / shrubs / ground cover), and dashes (“-“) are between dominant and sub- dominant (or in some cases co-dominant) species, by stratum. More typical conditions (e.g. in a range of slopes, moisture regimes, or set of soil subgroups) are named first in the community description tables. Proportions of a community’s cover types can vary significantly between sites depending on local conditions. Aspen Woodland Three aspen community types were sampled in this study, representing the range that may be found mainly on the morainal uplands or colluvial coulee walls in the south part of the Park. Smaller and isolated stands were planted at the picnic sites, and can also be found on levees and banks along the lower reach of Big Hill Springs Creek. Shrubby understories, reflecting varying moisture and nutriest regimes, consist primarily of cow parsnip, prickly rose, with occasional snowberry. 4.2.1 Aspen / Cow parsnip Below the Big Hill Springs coulee crest, in a mesic transition zone between the morainal aspen groves and the white spruce and balsam poplar-dominated units lower down, an aspen / cow parsnip community has established. About 5% white spruce are present in the overstory and understory, signifying the onset of a spruce-dominated climax community. Soil moisture may be retained (i.e. infiltration impeded) due to a shallow depth to bedrock. Big Hill Springs Provincial Park Community Type: Aspen / Cow parsnip Sites: #23 Ecosites: C3 11 /- >L,V' n^i ,%'^-- ■ r l?r ; ■i'^- ^r*‘ vjil'i » -I' 4 . -V f.« “ • s4fi j',!.uvti *<>>in<'' i7m?4;* •4Ml(B.^w^:i-'^V ® • ViC^~*^^'.^ 'iJhv ■■ . ., , • i fi Si .:cJUi:^ijirt»ffl- «« •» ' 'f' '.‘ffiT fI^-lV»8yvi.. ' ‘(V ’ ftitrn- ' *1 Mi« i .r, ■•>.^lf''>:“C Iki* )ili^>il4r.<fV^ ■■ --rBW ^ Cfi ^igitarM'j.,4 i^, : .;irtW ui . ' v n^fj>';'';i \ ' 'q.'win yf .; > ) ff - 'u n'T^i/yb : f, ii . *v i 4 f m.'.rv «‘^ vt"T,'''^"' r *M -V ''■■ ■jm'' ■vn-i . ’-■I }^' rv*’' V -ioi'. 'HI ^ ^•^•^■■’%'\'' • ‘ " ■•' 'iOi rv»i'''*.if W:^*>-‘/\i^'' iiL V-', ..i !? Moisture regime: mesic Nutrient regime: permesotrophic Soil drainage: moderate Soil subgroups: O.BL Slopes: 31-45% Slope position, Aspect: Crest-Upper, NE Predominant / key species: Scientific name Common Name % Cover Trees: Populus tremuloides aspen 30 Picea glauca white spruce 5 Shrubs: Ribes oxyacanthoides northern gooseberry 5 Forbs: Heracleum lanatum Viola canadensis cow parsnip western Canada violet 70 15 Gram- Elymus innovatus hairy wild rye 15 inoids: Poa pratensis Kentucky bluegrass 15 4.2.2 Aspen / Prickly rose Mature to old serai stands of aspen occupy areas adjacent to the aspen / cow parsnip communities. They occur on better-drained soils along the south side of the Park in morainal and colluvial parent materials. No significant understory has developed, and a variety of shrubs, mainly prickly rose and scattered white spruce, dominate this stratum. Big Hill Springs Provincial Park Community Type: Aspen / Prickly rose i Sites: #6,22 Ecosites: C3, M2 Moisture regime: mesic Nutrient regime: mesotrophic Soil drainage: moderate - well Soil subgroups: CA.BL Slopes: 10-45% Slope position. Aspect: Mid, NE Predominant / key species: Scientific name Common Name % Cover Trees: Populus tremuloides aspen 45-60 Rosa acicularis prickly rose 20-35 Shrubs: Ribes oxyacanthoides northern gooseberry 5-10 Rubus idaeus wild red raspberry 5-10 Symphoricarpos albus snowberry 3-8 Forbs: Viola canadensis western Canada violet 10-25 Pyrola asarifolia common pink wintergreen 1-3 12 ■■“r M I |i n a uj'"' -.."v' .. l!? SI J JJj 1^4, f >'/,0 ^fr "Z'-* “’T .Jit- ^ ••■' • . « I -^ - :■ - --f i: V’-yt ' «_ , ,,'t :i>Ldr. !„. ; ' .*%■ . -^w ■-...f4[. .- ^ »^'«v, .in\tr.'/»'|i : l*':. , '%J.% ■ -'■ , ' * . ':i ' akk ..,.i k I r • Gram- Elymus innovatus hairy wild rye 1-15 inoids: Poa pratensis Kentucky bluegrass 5-10 4.2.3 Aspen / Snowberry-Prickly rose Evidence of brush encroachment is found on grassy sites near the southwest edge of the Park above Big Hill Springs coulee. Here the aspen is open, short, and somewhat gnarly suggesting environmental stresses caused by insolation, moisture deficits, and competition with brush species. Other nearby aspen communities on till exhibit similar soil characteristics (horizons, thicknesses, textures) but here we have a typical grassland soil. Snowberry, an increaser, is most common in dry habitats, and its berries are toxic. Big Hill Springs Provincial Park Community Type: Aspen / Snowberry - Prickly rose Sites: #20 Ecosites: M2 Moisture regime: submesic Nutrient regime: mesotrophic Soil drainage: moderate Soil subgroups: CA.BL Slopes: 2-5% Slope position, Aspect: Upper, SE Predominant / key species: Scientific name Common Name % Cover Trees: Populus tremuloides aspen 20 Symphoricarpos albus snowberry 30 Shrubs: Rosa acicularis prickly rose 25 Ribes oxyacanthoides northern gooseberry 5 Forbs: Heracleum lanatum cow parsnip 2 Thalictrum venulosum veiny meadow rue 2 Gram- Poa pratensis Kentucky bluegrass 20 inoids: Elymus innovatus hairy wild rye 3 Balsam Poplar or Balsam Poplar - White Spruce Woodland Balsam poplar is associated with typically moister habitats than is aspen, such as depressions and fluvial terraces and floodplains. In the study area, ideal environments are found along Big Hill Springs Creek and the north-facing coulee wall above it. White spruce often shares the habitat, tending in many sites to succeed balsam poplar with a shade-tolerant climax community. The 3 communities described below are at differing successional stages, evidenced by the proportions of balsam and spruce. 13 •rv'iTH'^^ci ^ ; .•^?..^r,*^£- «m4v^ • ./ • •-. _ _ '-^ ;W : ® S5’ ^ <i-r.--m: .«)g»aK>---ah»ia .>1^:'# fMSiM w* • ^=^• i ^ >4^1^ • ^>. fV*^PPR^.i><Vr •. ' - ' ■ ' ■ I ■ '' '■* yw i*'/li'^-W '■ ‘** f;-' w,... T — ^ <-. rngje> i 1,,^^ • ^ ^ i ■ - ^ ^ — — •■ - - “t-'- K- M' >4w<Sli. I«:‘V:.’| '«5l V?># S ■c* .- mIiI I e*rfi ,f‘%«'(, >t. n _ ,_ ■ ' I '■' ®-: ■'3^&»vf®(j,gt^ -fe^.,-,-i! >1 .1 mn«ii{||Wi^ -4p-'- ■ ^ « ■ • iii«> ^ Hi a.i. j.' -•' .( :v;j(j,%*^'' *‘'V“ ■ »*i :yi^ ,« t* :it^‘ SP^'‘fc<rB&^ _ 9'^t ^ * i*- .1 »^%‘-»--«h<.‘ r^ * -. Ml*’ J '•'■ ,.’ ’ ■’'', 1^ ■. . ' '■■-'■', ■■■ .-.-A . ■ Sit: l^.'.^vi,:wniyr v jp:: ■t’»>|,|^‘--.H:: , t3 /if- J .' • ■ K • *#U •♦ * -A ‘■"fjy 4.2.4 Balsam poplar / Cow parsnip This community is found along the Big Hill Springs Creek floodplain and coulee floor, from the picnic site west to mid-ravine, where white spruce become mixed in progressively shadier sites. Much of the area has a hummocky or terraced microrelief (created by fluvial erosion and deposition over time) creating a myriad of moist depressions and drier knolls. The balsam poplar favour the comparatively dry sites here, growing to over 20m, and the cow parsnip tend to the depressions. The Chernozem soil near the mouth of the coulee suggests this area was once grassed, perhaps used as pasture, and encroached by balsam poplar with a change in land use. No significant spruce understory was found at the sample site, however a few young aspen were noted. The Viola, Geranium, and Delphinium are common to moist woods. Big Hill Springs Provincial Park Community Type: Balsam poplar / Cow parsnip Sites: #24 Ecosites: F5 Moisture regime: mesic Nutrient regime: permesotrophic Soil drainage: well Soil subgroups: O.BL Slopes: 2-5% Slope position, Aspect: Depression, SE Predominant / key species: Scientific name Common Name % Cover T rees: Populus balsamifera balsam poplar 35 Shrubs: Populus balsamifera balsam poplar 5 Ribes oxyacanthoides northern gooseberry 5 Heracleum lanatum cow parsnip 15 Forbs: Viola canadensis western Canada violet 8 Delphinium glaucum tall larkspur 5 Geranium richardsonii wild white geranium 5 Gram- Poa pratensis Kentucky bluegrass 10 inoids: Bromus inermis awnless brome 8 4.2.5 Balsam poplar - White spruce / Willow / Horsetail This mixedwood community is found associated with a variety of relatively mosit sites: (1) in the shady riparian zone on the coulee floor where overbank flooding of Big Hill Springs Creek and saturated soil is common, (2) sites further upstream and closer to the creek than the Balsam / Cow parsnip community described previously, and (3) north- 14 r- ,S , ■ , i ia ■ ' , ^‘\K ' ■ ' t ■■’" " m;> ' W.r* ^■•' ,W?fi -/Jiim’i). iCfi . fv h|if>2t7,^icjr>') •$iNi||^?.;U.i .% < ■ ' ■ T*. ^txll -.^1 ^-Vjjn^i -‘iltaif ,. ■j5‘f^'riS' dy Wir »• •>'l«iT ..f V'^ w*wirr.ijrt fi j .j'3^ . ;j{:^v'lVife'ip(S m. ^ d .i ..t.t ' . t. {J\.t . .a^Li r:l :>>!V .^, ¥ tki'jtg^^v«''l ■••'?,■ *.. : .SMK k ti r/«.» , • »•' /■ ■ ' • .. . . '^^'! ii'' \ mUx, . k :j;^\ ' ;.(}; .fU '«•' -'•'W.?. '' -g >HJ»v : .v; .'■•m ^ ; ■■• '♦firiw \ ’ ’• •-}] aM’iv. • ■^ . > '5T«*i j ^T‘{^ ^■'■•T.fM!^^^■■ :>5u- ■‘J^i- •! 15 - — — ^ I^., - -iSt -■‘- . ■••- • ^(te*_v,i(r«. , ■if. ' ■*^ r»n~-: - t ---^.t7’ » - -.i^ ■iplXfy^'nfi "<Afa>»<^- «<if^4,.'. '*' t ■:■ , '. ■ ij*t, i«5’ 'T« ♦v‘'(^. .n^yr;, ®' sij , :.• - 1 «^.ui ^ V"' 1, y* j , li J;' ,_ 2 •■'.w;o>'|vri-Vi ,4,.- , .■ J f\i -^fi» f ■%? ut H!Wim<J(lr‘)c Vf.rt rri^v.i/ri > K.-.V1 '*'V,.‘ V /.5ficr.A-.-.^i(^/ ■ i? .rt^ir. .:.^ 'r- ;4^’ •!«■•'. -Ml •‘HI h - ' .<i , i,,.s'.t-»ito:- ■ L- . i>*i:-tfM4-' .m- iifl‘r-t-r,*^ , ' - A', ^ v,j4 ,, '' . ■> ..- J « .r If facing coulee banks in the northwest parcel. Spruce may be expected to replace the serai Balsam poplar in drier sites. Species data below are from Site #13; #19 is similar. Big Hill Springs Provincial Park Community Type: Balsam poplar - White spruce / Willow / Horsetail Sites: #13,19 Ecosites: F5, C4 Moisture regime: subhydric - mesic Nutrient regime: permesotrophic Soil drainage: very poor - well Soil subgroups: R.HG, CA.BL Slopes: 0-70% Slope position, Aspect: Depression, lower- mid; N Predominant / key species: Scientific name Common Name % Cover Trees: Populus balsamifera Picea glauca balsam poplar white spruce 10 10 Shrubs: Salix bebbiana Populus balsamifera Ribes oxyacanthoides beaked willow balsam poplar northern gooseberry 25 5 3 Forbs: Equisetum arvense Aster conspicuus Epilobium angustifolium Veronica americana common horsetail showy aster common fireweed American brooklime 20 5 3 2 Gram- inoids: Carex spp. Poa pratensis Catabrosa aquatica sedge Kentucky bluegrass brook grass 15 5 3 4.2.6 White Spruce - Balsam poplar / Hairy wild rye This community type is found at mid- to lower-slopes of the north-facing wall of Big Hill Springs ravine. The proportion of white spruce in the community is greater to the west up the ravine, and up-slope. The balsam poplar component is typical of lower slopes, while aspen would be found instead on drier uplands. It exemplifies a mature climax forest community for the study area. Big Hill Springs Provincial Park Community Type: White spruce - Balsam poplar / Hairy wild rye Sites: #7 Ecosites: C5 15 %4^U^ uit irH”^ nlplir ^ iih»A *i&.fibM ^ : ; .-’. i^'^^iSvST S^tnii -i !Wm •‘.'■Tai ;>>.■• r^-T* :y '.'itrM»>' / . e !•' ■■ f ” ’I ' ^ ' ' i>s ^ . f ’ - ■;J. ^ o /<»: intlfj(^v:> #i:,*.-.. .• .i' *f( ‘ U'.^t ij^f> .5:; '"•»T • " t •. '*■ r^v, ^ '■v . ■ • • ■ ; * i . '- » •' '*^'-* " ■■ ^ '-■ ■ *i^’" ' ■ ' *■ ■— --TT- i-n* ’■ 1 Moisture regime: submesic Nutrient regime: mesotrophic Soil drainage: well Soil subgroups: CA.BL, O.EB Slopes: 46-70% Slope position, Aspect: Mid, NE Predominant / key species: Scientific name Common Name % Cover Picea glauca white spruce 35 Trees: Populus balsamifera balsam poplar 10-15* Populus tremuloides aspen 10 Picea glauca white spruce 3 Sheperdia canadensis buffalo berry 7 Shrubs: Ribes oxyacanthoides northern gooseberry 7 Rosa acicularis prickly rose 6 Symphoricarpos aibus snowberry 5 Rubus idaeus wild red raspberry 5 Forbs: Aster conspicuus showy aster 7 Vioia canadensis western Canada violet 5 Gram- Elymus innovatus hairy wild rye 25 inoids: Poa pratensis Kentucky bluegrass 10 * 1 0% denotes canopy; 1 5% denotes understory Shrubland - Willow dominated Willow {Salix spp.) occurs in a wide range of landscapes or ecological units such as woods, thickets, riverbanks, wetlands, and disturbed sites. They provide browse and bedding for herbivores. At Big Hill Springs, a recurring species is Salix bebbiana (beaked willow) encountered in wetland as well as upland sites, and in poor to rich nutrient regimes.^ ^ Willow is usually found here with secondary shrub species in areas once grassland and under a grazing regime, establishing first in drainages before spreading. 4.2.7 Willow - Cinquefoil / Bluegrass This wetland community of l-2m high willows straddles the lower reach of Big Hill Springs Creek in Big Hill coulee, between the road at the Park’s north boundary and Big Hill Creek. It has formed on the outer fringe of the alluvial fan feature where creek water maintains a high soil moisture level. Aspens, some planted during landscaping, occupy At some sites, willow was recorded to the genus level only. Other willow species have been observed in the Park, mainly in wet areas: S. pseudomonticola (false mountain willow), S. planifola (flat-leaved willow), S. lucida (shining willow), S. maccalliana (velvet-fruited willow), and S. lutea (yellow willow) (AEP 1994). 16 4. _ . rr?:; d{.>, ■ 'b ."ViWSItiR^SiiS , fp.': nir “ ; >1^.,- ic!":f -. .'-'H f / ^ ' ■ _ 'wiqp^-C'fcr «er. . ' 7ft : ’ ■‘‘^'. •ivi 1 ism .. .. :» ;-3Ti '■V ■ t'(i fc' i;^ . ■ l«l if^Uili :n U i;--- isfeiifi '^m .^tJljj^^jjK* \ J ', ;Y . »■■%■' ■'r^' -'7 ’’h , ,-. :m.. •V ■ * » f • •) .,.!.VV I tlWB|*.a t • :j( ^^tiim M»’.»n4^>l'>nvu - « ter’ >ia -,C9o;r t !«tU'T.i;.- ' (vti /■ •■j;.'M ‘ /i :ft» ,:, i.iV ., ;<teV. V"J .rj’.JK.* lltosi ti '^J<»^. ^ • -'•■’>'iiOiV\:fTi-’ti; “•'* >> i/vyx^;^i v.^ o j^/i ^ ‘M^ V'j4 '; < ■ ':u ■ jpf tf 5>> »W^A UJP^i -|T L . ■'•? -■ "V-'-”* ■*•■ V, ;.- ■ ;;l F>5V ,i- S . -i^''<l|^; - — -i : -»'^f > 'irr^'a •«? t)^ ^ * --af j ’ > > t ^PhardMlit: t' V ;, < :ti'»*&^ i»Li i ...ki f drier knolls and levees on the upstream edge of the unit. Gleyed medium-textured soil, with a high carbonate content indicates moist and nutrient-rich conditions. The cinquefoil, about .5m in height, is most dense in openings between the willows and around the edge of the community. Big Hill Springs Provincial Park Community Type: Willow - Cinquefoil / Bluegrass Sites: #2 Ecosites: F2 Moisture regime: subhydric Nutrient regime: eutrophic Soil drainage: imperfect Soil subgroups: GLCU.HR Slopes: 0-.5% Slope position, Aspect: Toe-Depression, N/A Predominant / key species: Scientific name Common Name % Cover Salix bebbiana beaked willow 30 Shrubs: Potentilla fruticosa shrubby cinquefoil 20 Ribes oxyacanthoides northern gooseberry 15 Achillea millefolium common yarrow 5 Forbs: Mentha arvensis Geum aleppicum wild mint yellow avens 5 3 Senecio sp. groundsel 3 Gram- inoids: Poa pratensis Kentucky bluegrass 40 Juncus balticus wire rush 20 Poa palustrus fowl bluegrass 10 4.2.8 Willow / Bluegrass - Rough fescue This serai upland community is found on inclined to undulating till mantle above Big Hill Springs coulee to the south. The sample site, at the southwest comer in the northwest parcel of the Park, is affected by cattle grazing and bmsh encroachment. This vegetation association is a variant of other upland willow-dominated communities (like 4.2.9) along the southwest edge of the Park, and extending southward. Fescue is a decreaser under grazing and may be replaced by the more invasive bluegrass, especially on abused upland sites (Tannas 1997). Big Hill Springs Provincial Park Community Type: Willow / Bluegrass - Rough fescue Sites: #18 Ecosites: Ml Moisture regime: mesic Nutrient regime: permesotrophic Soil drainage: moderate Soil subgroups: O.BL Slopes:10-30% Slope position, Aspect: Mid, NE Predominant / key species: 17 FIS' .■■' ':v^ ■MM Hi" 1 “'m • ' tjjv»^ ■ » ; -, ’ "Vi r '■ ItJiT"’ .1 ,,. / t|.,4iij,0ao^;:,‘, .■■.(H'*>‘i)f V '>■ urtjlJ.S '.'IlJ'S>«4iW' 4.^'-.. ««1 -- l*V^. ■' #.'j . »t.c . . . ..^ 1 ■ :* iHf J. »• ^iVf. V f. V-; :/%l ^ t .'r' ', ' ■ -V li^rivwf.Mt^^ *3ir#*>-.' >.'V.jA'' (‘ ■ ■ • '* . 'ft.': i};m 45 f ,v"' " l.' 'i’ .fU;>1,:jr/ •',* : .', , ,. oi VviV/.i-. .u.JU-i irw Jv b-n^<j^ ' , « ^ '4 ,•*>>’ .^ ' .4 A» >s,- ^ >?l ' '> ;i; Scientific name Common Name % Cover Salix bebbiana beaked willow 30 Sheperdia canadensis Canada buffalo berry 10 Shrubs: Potentilla fruticosa shrubby cinquefoil 5 Betula glandulosa bog birch 5 Populus balsamifera balsam poplar 5 Forbs: Fragaria virginiana wild strawberry 8 Gram- inoids: Festuca scabrella rough fescue 15 Poa pratensis Kentucky bluegrass 15 Danthonia parryi Parry oat grass 5 4.2.9 Willow - Prickly rose / Hairy wild rye - Bluegrass Beyond the aspen communities above Big Hill Springs coulee, willow-dominated groves spread up-slope to the south, just beyond the Park’s irregular southwest boundary on undulating and gullied morainal uplands. Fingers of this community protrude into the Park through breaks between the aspen stands. Scattered white spruce are found on knolls and rises between gullies. The dominant shrub species found in the community favour relatively rich nutrient regimes as are found in calcareous Black Chernozems present here. Aspen could encroach in some sites of this community to form climatic climax stands, however succession would be slow in many parts due to dry conditions, and the willow would remain an edaphic climax. Big Hill Springs Provincial Park Community Type: Willow - Prickly rose / Hairy wild rye - Bluegrass Sites: #21 Ecosites: Ml Moisture regime: submesic Nutrient regime: permesotrophic Soil drainage: moderate Soil subgroups: CA.BL Slopes: 10-30% Predominant / key species: Slope position, Aspect: Mid, NE Scientific name Common Name % Cover Salix bebbiana beaked willow 45* Shrubs: Rosa acicularis prickly rose 40 Symphoricarpos albus snowberry 20 Amelanchier alnifolia saskatoon 5 Forbs: Rubus idaeus wild red raspberry 5 Taraxacum officinale common dandelion 5 Gram- Elymus innovatus hairy wild rye 25 inoids: Poa pratensis Kentucky bluegrass 20 * Willow occupies the “tall shrub” stratum, while the others occupy the “low shrub’ 18 0> I — ~ ■■ -'I i*'ii-— * - , ^ ?i ' '.i'^»j"*-; iO . ' . ' ■.. TJ kJi$¥ •Cl* MMI)^k.4 mM ■' ' . " ^ _ ''j»p..4>u«J!»ArfJ m /■i^^jl^:>:9i ,^^ \t|‘^|;j%tftrt?iB ;rt Jiteajja;; t»ji4::v" >’t i'aj^iiioy - 1^ 61 a«(i . Si’fe, t::^r''#|fte |*ia.;.i 'i/M0i fit ■• T«!n ,3ei!'".Sfi.f';, r»? &h?'f ■OJ^ ' ■. .. , ._. .- ' ..a._. ^ .. (V:.i^':!^, \H\t% ^ v-j. «V.\sM’^^'! *-- ***^» * j^afpia - -*.-^'» 'm; ' , I iH%-» ri " £;■' It* '■ ,/■ -SiX'fr, •; t f^>6 . ^ . t ' — -p.,- — — 4— ■ Wp ftiflp? ’ ’V, y ■'•/'ihw ’4?»^ i - •■*' ^'• j' ■ -----*^1*---* . ^ -' ■ ■ -:-T { VI ^ f 'Vfr^l » 4 , -' «#*?'l^§i^',i I Vv:*V. JVi.litlW* ' .Caytrii-M 7if; : • .f ’ V» .‘^v. , ' ^■ ' M / I'-t::-: ..jfr Mixed Shrublands Communities that fall into this category are as diverse as they are extensive at Big Hill Springs. Sites sampled v^ere found to be dominated mainly by snowberry (buckbrush) or silver berry (wolf-willow) and to a lesser extent by prickly rose. Significantly, they occur mainly on hillsides within and near the Park perhaps due to lighter historical grazing regimes and/or sufficient moisture on the mid-to-lower slopes. 4.2.10 Snowberry - Prickly rose / Bluegrass This community is found on a relatively moist lower hillslope of Big Hill coulee south the mouth of Big Hill Springs ravine (upslope from the parking lot). Shallow depth to bedrock and the lower slope position produce seeps that support lush growth at certain microsites. While sparse, the moisture and nutrient-loving Cow parsnip was encountered on lower slopes. Scattered l-2m willow sit over this knee-high shrub conununity giving it an open appearance on the hillside. Aspen are beginning to encroach this serai community from the fringes at many sites. The snowberry and rose are increasers; saskatoon is a decreaser, but a valuable component of native range (Tannas 1997). Big Hill Springs Provincial Park Community Type: Snowberry - Prickly rose / Bluegrass Sites: #5 Ecosites: C2.1 Moisture regime: subhygric Nutrient regime: permesotrophic Soil drainage: moderate Soil subgroups: O.BL Slopes: 31-45% Slope position, Aspect: Lower, E Predominant / key species: Scientific name Common Name % Cover T rees: Symphoricarpos albus snowberry 25 Rosa acicularis prickly rose 30 Shrubs: Amelanchier alnifolia saskatoon 15 Salix bebbiana beaked willow 5 Ribes oxyacanthoides northern gooseberry 4 Forbs: Thalictrum venulosum veiny meadow rue 4 Anemone canadensis Canada anemone 3 Gram- Poa pratensis Kentucky bluegrass 35 inoids: Bromus inermis awnless brome 5 This is approximately where ANHIC records indicate an observation of the relatively rare - and tracked - fern species Pellaea glabella (smooth cliff brake) in 1994. Its preference for habitat among limestone rocks (Moss 1992) would be met by the local tufa deposits. 19 ^ ,|.y-: .iHdi ,4.' '^''5'',,'” i'' ■ >■ : T 1'— 'i.. ." ;; N;,. _ ,5idk;!^i. , ' '■ J rr^ »• ; '■ "W ■^-T' li : *i' : ''Mki. . ' ' ,.jmam > ifl R 4.2.11 Snowberry / Brome - Bluegrass On the floor of Big Hill Springs ravine, the open and gently-sloping area supporting this community appears to have been an old clearing, perhaps pasture, now undergoing significant brush encroachment both from the creekbanks below and the aspen above. The sample site is on one of several fluvial terraces in a sequence extending the length of the coulee. Nutrient-rich, moist, with a deep alluvial topsoil, it provides ideal habitat for the invasive brome grass. Big Hill Springs Provincial Park Community Type: Snowberry / Brome - Bluegrass Sites: #14 Ecosites: F6 Moisture regime: subhygric Nutrient regime: eutrophic Soil drainage: well Soil subgroups: R.BL Slopes: 6-15% Slope position, Aspect: Toe, E Predominant / key species: Scientific name Common Name % Cover Symphoricarpos albus snowberry 15 Shrubs: Salix bebbiana beaked willow 5 Ribes oxyacanthoides northern gooseberry 2 Heracleum lanatum cow parsnip 5 Forbs: Taraxacum officanale common dandelion 5 Urtica dioica common nettle 3 Gram- inoids: Bromus inermis Poa pratensis awnless brome * Kentucky bluegrass 50 15 Carex sprengelii Sprengell’s sedge 5 * Colloquially called “smooth” brome. 4.2.12 Snowberry / Bluegrass This community is found on open lower slopes of both coulees in relatively arid environments (due to insolation, slope, and well-drained soil) on colluvial parent materials. The wide ratio range of snowberry to bluegrass in these sites (i.e. 15:80 to 75:10) suggests the effects of local site characteristics (e.g. seeps, aspect, microrelief, grazing regime) on competition between these two increaser species. The Dark Brown Chernozem was found on a predominantly shrubby site with a strong south aspect. Big Hill Springs Provincial Park Community Type: Snowberry / Bluegrass Sites: #25,29 Ecosites: C2.1 20 V . ■ r’ 'id.- , yAi ;r2.v Moisture regime; submesic Nutrient regime: mesotrophic Soil drainage: well Soil subgroups: CA.BL, CA.DB Slopes: 16-30% Slope position, Aspect: Lower, S-W Predominant / key species: Scientific name Common Name % Cover I Symphoricarpos albus snowberry 15-75 I Shrubs: Ribes oxyacanthoides northern gooseberry 0-3 Amelanchier alnifolia saskatoon 0-3 Forbs: Geranium viscosissimum sticky purple geranium 1-5 Gram- inoids: Poa pratensis Kentucky bluegrass 10-80 4.2.13 Silverberry - Choke cherry / Bluegrass Dense groves of silverberry are found on the lower colluvium-blanketed slopes of the east wall of Big Hill Creek coulee along the Park’s east boundary, and in a few sites on the south-facing bank of Big Hill Springs ravine. These sites represent typical silverberry habitat. It’s an increaser, resistant to moderate browsing and forms rather extensive colonies as climax grasses decline. Choke cherry is a decreaser, not as highly competetive (Tannas 1997). This indicates a silverberry / bluegrass edaphic climax community. Big Hill Springs Provincial Park Community Type: Silverberry - Choke cherry / Bluegrass Sites: #9 Ecosites: C2.2 Moisture regime: submesic Nutrient regime: mesotrophic Soil drainage: moderate Soil subgroups: O.R Slopes: 31-70% Slope position. Aspect: Mid-Lower, W-S Predominant / key species: Scientific name Common Name % Cover Eleagnus commutata silverberry 60* Shrubs: Prunus virginiana choke cherry 30 Symphoricarpos albus snowberry 25 Amelanchier alnifolia saskatoon 5 21 W . .. . ■ 7- ^ -Vd y- )' ^ H'V ' A ^Ill^f Ji'iltl l■i■lltlMl 'J Ti n I ' r 1 ,m>>- 1A. . - ,«>k .«<. ur«jri«.A A*.,,- ,., V^,-^,,.|; „.. ' . i«::ij‘'i;;,. ‘ ” jp '.Ji I , , 'v;‘ ;■: , ^ v .v/v^r.#tt^pg|'' ' L II .. ■ ...V', ' P. '":■' : ' '"' ■ . ■ .'.'Vi"*^ '--' - ^li'^+l^f^'^''''---''-- -"’Sr ^■'*^' •*1 '^' "' , ,,.w, JmMei'iyh ^ tmK^ m '¥ .;"V, , ■ -1 ' «• -^r^\- .y , p,:'^ f," ' Ti r-. - -.- . , -,v V<^ ’•• ^ 2»<i L ,■-' I'fa.fS'isiu.'t i:tfal,^t5tr-. i(^mm'^y^/!‘ifi-'m vim^t. ,i'«l ' '■*’; .j,’' .vk/'a' « ^,„V ,'.#.iiki;^ir ,^J-- , ^ t'''A‘^ ■•■ '«’, __ ■ fci'' ' ' ,. ^ , ' ' V ■-'■'i-'y :-,k'.:ai . ^ yl k '■ f ;-■ - '«MW ^1 1)1 I ,-.,A -• 'l..*.-li<t. -I'j^ .... a<i;’, «l^'^ V,^.%^te _.4iia ■ ■ . >'■•'',7' .A li. ■■» ;* ■■ ,vt ,,■,> ^ ^ i f« A Forbs: Aster conspicuus showy aster 5 Thalictrum venulosum veiny meadow rue 4 Gram- Poa pratensis Kentucky bluegrass 20 inoids: Agropyron dasystachyum northern wheatgrass 5 * Silverberry occupies the “tall shrub” stratum, while the others occupy the “low shrub”. 4.2.14 Prickly rose - Silverberry / Bluegrass This community occupies the middle hillside zone between the road and the colluvium- resuduum-outcrops unit (CXI) on the west crest of Big Hill Creek coulee. Buffalo berry is present at the upper fringes. There are signs of soil creep along this bank, perhaps exacerbated by cattle grazing-trampling over time, however it currently appears stable due to vegetative cover. The shrubs, all increasers, comprise a maturing edaphic climax community due to lack of moisture (caused by strong slopes, well-drained soil, and insolation) and poor soil development. Big Hill Springs Provincial Park Community Type: Silverberry - Choke cherry / Bluegrass Sites: #28 Ecosites: C2.3 Moisture regime: submesic Nutrient regime: permesotrophic Soil drainage: well Soil subgroups: CA.BL Slopes: 31-45% Slope position, Aspect: Mid, E Predominant / key species: Scientific name Common Name % Cover Rosa acicularis prickly rose 40 Shrubs: Eleagnus commutata silverberry 25 Symphoricarpos albus snowberry 5 Forbs: Apocynum androsaemifolium spreading dogbane 3 Geranium viscosissimum sticky purple geranium 3 Gram- inoids: Poa pratensis Kentucky bluegrass 10 4.2.15 Silverberry - Cinquefoil / Wheat grass - Sedge This community is described using a composite of characteristics of two similar and nearby sites on the upper slopes on the east wall of Big Hill Springs coulee (above and just beyond the Park’s east boundary). These sites are just below the glaciofluvial terrace 22 %■ ’VH'; flfej* .v«/, .’'■:2’':^ " V” " " ■' fl'. ' ■ 'i ■#, •iff* «•^■'H<^^l!^....ts4f1*•^ *i4> ^'': " % '’■ .: -Hr ■ ■ *3 1 •*.i5 (described in Section 2.6) on colluvial veneer over inclined weathered bedrock. The sedge, a drought-resistant increaser, sometimes found on such exposed areas and eroded slopes at high elevations, can be very effective in erosion control here due to its dense and tough root structure (Tannas 1997). Of the grasses - all increasers - June grass is native and a common grassland species. The sample sites are classed as young to mature edaphic climax communities. Big Hill Springs Provincial Park Community T ype: Silverberry - Cinquefoil / Wheat grass - Sedge Sites: #8,10 Ecosites: C2.2 Moisture regime: submesic Nutrient regime: mesotrophic Soil drainage: moderate Soil subgroups: O.R, R.DB Slopes: 31-70% Slope position, Aspect: Mid-Lower, W-S Predominant / key species: Scientific name Common Name % Cover Eleagnus commutate silverberry 8-15 Shrubs: Amelanchier alnifolia saskatoon 5-15 Potentilla fruticosa shrubby cinquefoil 2-5 Prunus virginiana choke cherry 1 Forbs: Galium boreale northern bedstraw 3-30 Artemesia frigida pasture sagewort 3-10 Agropyron dasystachyum northern wheat grass 10-30 Gram- Poa pratensis Kentucky bluegrass 20 inoids: Carex filifolia thread-leaved sedge 15-20 Koeleria macrantha June grass 5-25 Grasslands The four grassland communities described below represent a cross-section of essentially what remains of “native” or natural communities (opposed to tame or reclaimed sites) in an area long used for ranching. The presence and occasional dominance of introduced or non-native species like crested wheat grass and Kentucky bluegrass attest to the long- term effects of historical pasture seeding, dispersion by wind and animals, grazing regimes, and aggressive habitat competition by introduced / invader and increaser species such as brome. AEP (1997) describes that fescue grasslands, including those in the Parkland, are threatened by extensive cultivation and that any remaining areas should be considered endangered. Grassland community types at Big Hill Springs are often quite variable by species composition, and spatially - as influenced by site-specific conditions including parent material, slope-aspect, microrelief, moisture, and land use. 23 ,„j,^vnc*F'WK»S}d«#^ jrfiiin,.,. ’ hfttif ...arTrii<||i^ f ■■ _ It F • ,fil ) '^ f,ii(!'\itfii- i». {5 vW *4!^-;:^Jl*iyi''*' ri ’* tx. •l^ .lili . .v„i4|. m 4. .^'‘.m:\ 4S'>' ■ JjA^kimtik 4.2.16 Sand grass - Northern wheat grass - June grass The sampled site is on an open mid-slope of the north bank of Big Hill Springs coulee, on medium to coarse soils. These factors combined with a strong south aspect contribute to the relative aridity of the site, hence its edaphic climax successional status. Although an increaser, sand grass is susceptible to trampling, with implications for human and cattle access and the site’s slope stability. Northern wheatgrass, normally an increaser - and tolerant to grazing and trampling - may be a decreaser on such dry sites. June grass, often indicative of overgrazing, is an increaser (Tannas 1997). I Big Hill Springs Provincial Park Community Type: Sand grass - Northern wheat grass - June grass Sites: #26 Ecosites: C1 Moisture regime: submesic-subxeric Nutrient regime: mesotrophic Soil drainage: well-rapid Soil subgroups: O.R Slopes: 46-70% Slope position, Aspect: Mid, S Predominant / key species: Scientific name Common Name % Cover Shrubs: Potentilla fruticosa shrubby cinquefoil 1 Artemesia frigida pasture sagewort 2 Forbs: TrifoHum repens white clover 2 Phlox hoodii moss phlox 2 Calamovilfa longifolia sand grass 30 Gram- Agropyron dasystachyum northern wheatgrass 15 inoids: Koeleria macrantha June grass 15 Carex filifolia thread-leaved sedge 5 4.2.17 Northern wheat grass - Bluebunch fescue This community shares the same ecological unit as the previous one, about 60m to the east along the north bank of Big Hill Springs coulee. Significant differences between sites are the shallower slope and finer-textured soil here facilitating Chemozemic soil development. Both the predominant grass species are increasers and can withstand grazing and trampling. The scattered shrubby cinquefoil on site may be seen as invasive and troublesome in range-lands, although they contribute to erosion control. This was the only sample site where the northern green bog-orchid (Habenaria hyperborea) was encountered - unusual in a dry grassland habitat, and uncommon in the Park (AEP 1994). Big Hill Springs Provincial Sites: #27 Park Community Type: Northern wheat grass - Bluebunch fescue Ecosites: C1 24 >( .:>! •• ; rauf .aw^; "5^ po .■•’■itK.'"- ^ ‘ . .SW!I. ' ^ ■ '* , cS^l ^ - , ^ ;;-;^^>'-'JISreM ■„ fesL . ' Z f^y . , =• - V. ■•?%... 0 6> (it >#<!»" ■■-\^i»wA,‘- ,/ ■ ■' ‘>i?5^j??^ .W ■' ^t99iihy I *' r.1*!?': ii’f ^ 'gj \ ^ '•!:afC.>''^v 'iM. •• A.i ■fnri^'jt^- ;a»vf?i»«tjiV«r>vf c^*? • ■ iH .^^v.: »^* ■•"**" ■ ' 5 .•• ■ " > ; ar^^Nif^; ■•>, <•, *, .^iii-<r T % ; » w^>' ■-.'•i * ^htk7/. «. ,^i’a^’’ •:.* •!> n.»li’t^)!» |. "SI* ■ I*. 7*%' :t4' V*’' '•i.'c^i;V.- './>;’ i^-/< /.ti f ■'•aV'^. ! ;^ j‘, •',iti',»'’J'’ V' f;-i'( ,41. tf/wrf4fWilirt»«3‘^bA» lii, *?^ir Iw0ii4. - . Vi»\v- ifM^o •- «.tf >'-f}V-{ p^- .•l«it,#'v;'i;;' r ' '■W»*«»^» PW III II ^ liirvW — • !l** e. ^■■ ■'^ -ilk^."^.' i > ■>l^ ^ X--i . i" ''■ r' I 'Al If*' Moisture regime: submesic-mesic Nutrient regime: permesotrophic Soil drainage: well Soil subgroups: CA.BL Slopes: 10-15% Slope position, Aspect: Mid, S Predominant / key species: Scientific name Common Name % Cover Shrubs: Potentilla fruticosa shrubby cinquefoil 1 Thermopsis rhombofolia golden bean 5 Forbs: Smiliacina stellata star-flowered Solomon’s seal 5 Solidago missouriensis low goldenrod 3 Agropyron dasystachyum northern wheat grass 30 Gram- inoids: Festuca idahoensis Koeleria macrantha bluebunch fescue June grass 20 5 Poa pratensis Kentucky bluegrass 5 Stipa comata needle-and-thread 5 4.2.18 Parry oat grass - Kentucky bluegrass At the far northwest comer of the main Park parcel, the grassy landscape grades from a gently-undulating glaciofluvial terrace to upper colluvial slopes of Big Hill Springs coulee. The Chemozemic Black topsoil is deeper and fragment-free on the benchland portion. Light grazing use is evident. Both dominant grasses are increasers, although bluegrass is probably the more invasive and persistent, often replacing native species on abused upland sites in the region (Tannas 1997). Similarly, shmbby cinquefoil is invasive, adapted to a variety of soils, and can degrade good-quality grasslands. Successional status is a mature edaphic climax. Big Hill Springs Provincial Park Community Type: Parry oat grass - Kentucky bluegrass Sites: #12 Ecosites: GF1,C1 Moisture regime: mesic-submesic Nutrient regime: mesotrophic Soil drainage: moderate Soil subgroups: CA.BL Slopes: .5-30% Slope position. Aspect: Crest-Upper, S Predominant / key species: Scientific name Common Name % Cover Shrubs: Potentilla fruticosa shrubby cinquefoil 2 Rosa acicularis prickly rose 1 Thallctrum venulosum veiny meadow rue 8 Forbs: Sisyrinchium montanum common blue-eyed grass 3 Anemone patens prairie crocus 2 25 ^isr^r T..jssr,„-."'^?rs3R ■»4flr ■».'.w*(«*Rt fe^ AiUg. IWiff > i»<ill !'*■- -•'■«*''■ 'w .|pil^|. ,f. ^■«*|rT< l!? ,3>. , _ 4j~:».'^..ag)((j»«''^ ... ■ ,':'^.05 «<if>*6iJn'. »i # ...: - '.i^'to ,t^t«<y.. -;ys-'-i>l ^ ‘ V ■•«<i,_ ^ ^ Sa'^'^ . T3^ .i,,... .. r^inif^n^ 'n.t:,»*ia^:*»s'. f * *" '^''i iC^isiSlS te'.vrvift •':«'.«:■ ■• i i 'ik M- -l-;?*‘r ♦ *vw : W '_- ,W#( •• • 'WV i4jS . •* ritiAllWit:' *= '*x\ 9(i^ 0 .i.' Danthonia parryi Parry oat grass 25 Gram- Poa pratensis Kentucky bluegrass 25 inoids: Koeleria macrantha June grass 5 Stipa virdula green needle grass 5 4.2.19 Kentucky bluegrass - Rough fescue The sample site is located in the northwest parcel of the Park, low on the glaciofluvial terrace on the north side of the upper Big Hill Springs coulee. The soil is medium- textured Black Chemozemic. The site, long a pasture, apparently remains under a light grazing regime. Bluegrass is an increaser, often replacing natives on abused upland sites. Fescues are usually hardy, drought-resistant and suited to intensive grazing. Rough fescue is a valuable climax species, but slow to establish and is often a decreaser in many places (Tannas 1997). There is a rich variety of forbs represented in this mature edaphic climax community, although in small proportions. Big Hill Springs Provincial Park Community Type: Kentucky bluegrass - Rough fescue Sites: #16 Ecosites: GF1 Moisture regime: subxeric Nutrient regime: mesotrophic Soil drainage: well Soil subgroups: O.BL Slopes: 0-9% Slope position, Aspect: Upper-Mid, S Predominant / key species: Scientific name Common Name % Cover Thermopsis rhombofolia golden bean 5 Forbs: Artemesia frigida pasture sagewort 5 Achillea millefolium common yarrow 2 Poa pratensis Kentucky bluegrass 50 Gram- inoids: Festuca scabrella rough fescue 25 Agropyron dasystachyum northern wheatgrass 5 Koeleria macrantha June grass 2 Stipa virdula green needle grass 3 Modified Grasslands Some sites in the Park, as discussed in previous sections, have experienced cultivation: seeding and / or reclamation and the introduction of non-native grass species. These correspond to former tame pastures recently acquired by the Park (i.e. the northwest parcel), and reclaimed facility sites in the lower part of the Park. 26 ' - 4 -i; "W.fM ' •«' <■•■ ‘ ' ttf ' K‘ ^1 -^v:,A>nr ’...‘ ..# r.i i:^.r --'af.ii _i‘- *• W.|ifr; Mi V|f^riia5># -«<i3 ?jSn".*£T\ ^ its >'U«V -i«l>i-‘ mm-T^- .t,L-<M ’m'>a<^v MMu j '’4 ^ 4 ttft i > vii^ l \ - t- 4JIP i -- ,„ . •’ ' :' ' \ iimipITy ^ 4' ' _.252^^ ' *■ \. ,.i \ .f^P0^ ;t>7^ ' Y :';\vM;J»^",l^‘f? j. ;rt'',’ (■# ^ri.'l't: ■ . I ' . ^ ?/n;<' .v.mNf^ IXti'N ! ■ . i,;f/l .♦ : n*fcr,;v' 'V V .4 ' •»• ■l-o/•1lfi^*^^'^!4ff -A.v «t;/'>;v ■ i,j'i *Si.v •c.4y;‘i •«i, m r'f-iim ■■-■>'»9' ^*«'J^:i^J|»|'''''-’ '7' ' u«'/ :^f ' ■i4i*/."i.'»:<('v ^'•'■ha* 'I..' I VI).-'? • ■.*• 4|t' „t»tl(' . It. ■ ■ r- ‘ Jttl^ilti: -.^'i: .ri '*' S t. i w ')5iM<;'»i>»Mi »i‘. ■ , *^w»^'<}»8i^*'*^^1#^ iv-'-^ ^-'>3 If- ,. Jfe '"|Vn«vi 'k liiiL'AlL. < 4.2.20 Northern wheat grass - June grass This community was identified on the edge of the former Park headquarters facility site. Located on an elevated fluvial terrace in Big Hill Creek ravine, much of the central part was altered by the processes of site preparation, construction, landscaping, and finally, dismantling and reclamation. The peripheral vegetation appears essentially native and is synopsized in the table below. The reclaimed portion has a heavy cover of brome grass (Bromus spp.) - invasive, but excellent for site stabilization (Tannas 1997), with a lesser amount of Kentucky bluegrass.^^ There are remnant ornamental shrubs: mainly caragana, with some lilac and honeysuckle. Perhaps due to contouring and tillage at reclamation, as well its receiving slope position, this site is quite moist as evidenced by gleyed soil, lush brome growth, and balsam poplar shoots. Big Hill Springs Provincial Park Community Type: Northern wheat grass - June grass Sites: #11 Ecosites: F6 Moisture regime: subhygric Nutrient regime: permesotrophic Soil drainage: imperfect Soil subgroups: O.BL, O.HG Slopes: .5-2.5% Slope position, Aspect: Toe-Depression, N/A Predominant / key species: Scientific name Common Name % Cover Shrubs: Potentilla fruticosa shrubby cinquefoil 2 Juniperus horizontalis creeping juniper Thermopsis rhombofolia golden bean 3 Forbs: Artemesia frigida pasture sagewort 5 Galium boreale northern bedstraw 20 Agropyron dasystachyum northern wheatgrass 25 Gram- Poa pratensis Kentucky bluegrass 15 inoids: Koeleria macrantha June grass 15 Danthonia parryi Parry oat grass 5 4.2.21 Awnless brome - Timothy On an ecosite resembling the previous one, this grassland community is situated on the alluvial fan near the mouth of Big Hill Springs Creek where the old campground was. Lin (1980) describes the area as being covered with exotic grasses and weeds before reclaiming with a seed mix of crested wheat grass, Kentucky bluegrass, creeping red Lin (1980) documents that the site was reclaimed with a seed mix of 30% creeping red fescue (Festuca sp.), 45% crested wheat grass (Agropyron pectiniforme), and 5% white clover {Trifolium repens). This composition is not evident today. 27 '* 'afi.i? »i- » tfkS-riAWtaiWpa} ww-v »»(»«!•«; *sKX^ . ■■, », i»M« <vi pm </%» • tt* -s.-'i** . .wOlCiaiJ'ial i-*ef ns v •,* a- . ^ 3 I ■» gj; . ■; *-Jr ^ "•THiyjH . ■ ■. _ T V }», v ,<5-4 ^:^m- ^ ® . •' ■ T • • T, _ 4- (♦•i>5?-' ' ,fch#r!?;v.'S#»|NF'| ts .w. 3..-..ii»^ «■»> ■— ,.,i. ^v^^' >y\^A *1 ’S ^ M' '' ■ L’l >YI<' A/i;>lir'^*ij A* - • ' 4 w . <»tt»'.r?ir‘ V. J'i; /»n^ K. fTXwyv? -'■ . ■ .,iU ■■'**•«* S' tilt f^it ||wp .. ^ sV ' ' jg^^P ■ ’M{|ttj^'4?>iV' i? .tf:lW ; • tii^^t iir 'iki' fescue and white clover (as well as with some transplanted aspen and spruce). Since then, brome and timothy have invaded and dominated due to the moist and rich soils. The site is criss-crossed with old vehicle trails and tracks. Big Hill Springs Provincial Park Community Type: Awnless brome - Timothy Sites: #4 Ecosites: F4 Moisture regime: subhygric Nutrient regime: permesotrophic Soil drainage: well Soil subgroups: CA.BL Slopes: 2-5% Slope position, Aspect: Toe-Depression, E Predominant / key species: Scientific name Common Name % Cover Forbs: Ranunculus acris Trifolium pratense tall buttercup red clover 2 2 Gram- inoids: Bromus inermis Phleum pratense awnless brome * timothy 60 30 Carex spp. sedge 5 * Colloquially called “smooth” brome. 4.2.22 Kentucky bluegrass - Awnless brome - Timothy This community is found in a tame pasture near the centre of the northwest parcel, on the broad glaciofluvial terrace. Each grass species here is an increaser, with brome and timothy the more invasive, aggressive and persistent - and relatively more abundant in the moist depressions (shallow relict channels) at this site. Big Hill Springs Provincial Park Community Type: Kentucky bluegrass - Awnless brome - I Timothy Sites: #15 Ecosites: GF1 Moisture regime: subhygric Nutrient regime: mesotrophic Soil drainage: moderate Soil subgroups: O.BL Slopes: 2-5% Slope position. Aspect: Mid, SE Predominant / key species: Scientific name Common Name % Cover Shrubs: Rosa acicularis prickly rose 1 Thermopsis rhombofolia golden bean 5 Forbs: Artemesia ludoviciana prairie sagewort 3 Geranium viscosissimum sticky purple geranium 3 28 4# ,a: m ’f5'' .;f,i .. . >.« ' iiilSii'WiilwtJ'r ■ idt ll'iNii^ -^ ' - ^ jjWj - - ^ " i ■ - ‘ tIi^'^ ii ?}rfeSJ:f^ S _ t ..- jfe. -__^Jb”S4^ .Si r.'» •>■■: ..% <J ik:;''.. '**' ' n» m !■ .'n’1 i'\^ ;i«. Pv>C'‘*j I- .t ,' , , ,-J >C|ffif iittvr.v 1 3 i iflVJ S ' ^ »'.^"•>l'i■^,''• ' •' •^•*‘«'iP' ‘ ^i.t :k:?ij"i >r4i ^ ‘iE' .* '*i. - - 4). ’•^ir >• «« r» f - Ill y^uiii^^ >-^ ■-r'“'^ « Vt vu nG^nsi*' '* ^'Hi. "* 1 •1 \ 'ij /■ ■ ‘/^■"f ■ L- ■ ' ■ Tift'’' 'lai , 4*: -f, i„»., ^jfi<: .-^ : m «T4fc.’ -4- <o4i S' .r* •.i‘> ^.L ,J » « :i,i:f'.r^< Gram- inoids: Poa pratensis Kentucky bluegrass 80 Bromus inermis Phleum pratense awnless brome timothy 5 5 Grasslands -Wet meadows This category of vegetation community at Big Hill Springs is characterized by a site’s proximity to water and high water table, and by a preponderance of hygrophytic graminoids such as sedges (Carex spp.) and rushes {Juncus spp.). 4.2.23 Tall buttercup / Wire rush Above Big Hill Creek on the outer fringe of the alluvial fan, this meadow community has experienced cattle grazing (a tussocky surface) as well as effects from park visitors over time (since it surrounds the former campground). The soil, moist - as manifested by gleying in the profile, and rich in nutrients (calcareous) supports a lush vegetative cover. The introduced and invasive buttercup is common in such depressional and low meadows; and the rush, also an increaser is resistant to to trampling and spreads when other species decline (Tannas 1997). Big Hill Springs Provincial Park Community Type: Tall buttercup / Wire rush Sites: #3 Ecosites: F3 Moisture regime: subhygric Nutrient regime: permesotrophic Soil drainage: imperfect Soil subgroups: GLCU.R Slopes: 2-5% Slope position, Aspect: Toe-Depression, E Predominant / key species: Scientific name Common Name % Cover Shrubs: Potentilla fruticosa shrubby cinquefoil 2 Ranunculus acris tall buttercup 15 Forbs: Potentilla anserina silverweed 5 Achillea millefolium common yarrow 4 Gram- inoids: Juncus balticus Phleum pratense wire rush timothy 25 20 Poa pratensis Kentucky bluegrass 15 29 , IT. ■.{ m f I ■■ ■■ ‘ '■ ■,f -u . . . , ■■ ■ -• _7 * ■*■ ■ri t>"'V- i| », »''• ' ■ i t *’ ’'.T- illifi’fil'fc I «i»((r jSs. .• r • "' 'S’, ■!< )|iM|r><u%<iT.M'> • «»,;)#?> »i.i . --'^Hk> ■ rJjii-'wf'jfj '«<» •‘.•iJPHk *V^ » W ".i'>'i^*niiiirx,y.Tt I yi> t.»-ttii‘.* . .p|pSfffW«^bM<r v^ 4ut? • ■ .:• : - '* ' ' Wii' i>aw fi.% 1,; , ^ ’ ,( . * iL- ' ' ' ^€: I ’5?^^3iS’ *i*;^,lj!i ' «...r - 1 ;■ '■!* r-rt* :* --■ <■ AV.— »M>.-r^'i»l-»'- — »• - ■lAi mm^y^ 'l«*?VHC3fa01frT 4.2.24 Water sedge This riparian community is established on the floodplain of Big Hill Creek south of the confluence with Big Hill Springs Creek. Its thick rich, silty topsoil is subjected to periodic flooding and deposition. Trampling by cattle has degraded the soft creekbank with the formation of tussocks and small pits. Scattered willow in clumps and thickets surround the site upslope on the moister fringes of the alluvial fan. The sedge, normally a decreaser and somewhat susceptible to grazing pressure, can be good for soil-binding and erosion control in wet sites. Big Hill Springs Provincial Park Community Type: Water sedge I Sites: #1 Ecosites: FI I Moisture regime: subhydric Nutrient regime: eutrophic Soil drainage: imperfect - well Soil subgroups: O.HR Slopes: 0-2.5 % Slope position, Aspect: Depression-level, N/A Predominant / key species: Scientific name Common Name % Cover Shrubs: Salix spp. willow 1 Forbs: Mentha arvensis PotentHIa anserina wild mint silverweed 5 3 Gram- Carex aquatilus water sedge 40 inoids: Poa pratensis Kentucky bluegrass 10 4.2.25 Kentucky bluegrass - Fowl bluegrass - Bebb’s sedge This edaphic climax community occurs adjacent to the uppermost spring discharge site on the floor of Big Hill Springs coulee, in the northwest parcel. Nominally tame pasture (as is the area just above it to the north), the site is significantly affected by year-round springwater, as well as by concentrated surface runoff in the spring and during rainy periods. Fowl bluegrass, unlike Kentucky bluegrass, is a decreaser and wetland species (Tannas 1997). This was the only site where the northern willow-herb {Epilobium ciliatum), generally common especially in wet and “springy places”, was encountered. Big Hill Springs Provincial Park Community Type: Kentucky bluegrass - Fowl bluegrass Bebb’s sedge Sites: #17 Ecosites: F5 30 ■■■ ‘ .4, j'". IT '« *^i^^:;:,^.»X%&-i-v3(gt, 3 ^ »t^-.-^'T^ij i *' ' K ^;,. - '*;»*•*. .' *i*^gi!i^i ' ..tr/’T ^ '•■• V^v *^'4»»V' I Jfe V L, . 1^ Hb ,-r/a f ’*t^- ».iu^ i *,^- -'^it - 1* ■ ' ■ ® 'i aM N. «S SBIIK'?. -: ;•■' » ' ,^ ' ^'‘/. .ilt<«, >■’''' ‘ j!’P, ■''?!■ ^ -If, t* ■UfJ^^J^l't.''’. vl ' ■-’i'i^ ?|T .;■ a><« f ,Ui-^ *siS' wv/ *^c.'T ^ " V<.‘ J ?!int.'>T : 19 J1 ’- I r» ' , ' i.ife* " ‘‘f «■ -r./sXi-r ' , r 1 i' fk't « 1 .■- ■■ ■ **4*.-‘ •1^'** >1. tv/ Vfe'} ^-- ly. ^ •■id^’^ vr.', Moisture regime: subhygric Nutrient regime: permesotrophic Soil drainage: well Soil subgroups: O.HR Slopes: 2-5% Slope position, Aspect: Depression, NW Predominant / key species: Scientific name Common Name % Cover Shrubs: Sa//x spp. willow 5 Forbs: Epilobium ciliatum northern willow-herb 10 Veronica americana American brooklime 5 Poa pratensis Kentucky bluegrass 25 Gram- inoids: Poa palustrus fowl bluegrass 10 Phleum pratense timothy 5 Carex bebbii Bebb’s sedge 5 Catabrosa aquatica brook grass 5 4.3 Significant Plant Species Of the 126 vascular plant species encountered during this study, no rare or uncommon species (as tracked by ANHIC)^"^ were observed. Six species deemed Uncommon by AEP (1994) were observed, and are indicated in the Vegetation Species List, Appendix 1.^^ The ANHIC database contains a number of observations of 2 rare species in or close to Big Hill Springs Provincial Park: Pellaea glabella smooth cliff brake (fern) Ranunculus aquatilus large-leaved white water crowfoot 4.4 Significant Vegetation Cover Changes Changes in vegetative cover represent the most apparent, extensive, and rapid of biophysical changes in the Park. A natural process of vegetation succession in a conservation area such as a park would normally be viewed as positive, and management practices would seek to foster this ecological evolution. Succession from the region’s historical extensive grass cover to parkland in the absence of extensive grazing (and with fire suppression) is almost Alberta Natural Heritage Information Centre database on rare plants. Administered by Alberta Environmental Protection, Natural Resources Service - Parks. Wallis and Wershler recorded 5 of these 6 species too. It may suggest they aren’t that “uncommon”. 31 MAP 3 inevitable. As succession proceeds, community structure becomes more stratified, biomass and organic matter accumulate, and nutrient cycling becomes more internal in the system. Food webs become more complex, species diversity increases to a point and net community production approaches equilibrium (Smith 1996). The transition of vegetative cover from pioneer and serai communities such as grasses, shrubs and poplar to maturing climax communities like spruce stands is evident in many areas of the Park. Expansion of the spruce and poplar communities into old shrubland in the south of the Park and in Big Hill Springs ravine is the most significant in an areal sense. In Big Hill coulee, willow and mixed-shrub groves have matured and spread into former grassland pasture. Apparent changes between current vegetation community distribution and that mapped by Wallis and Wershler 25 years ago (possibly using June, 1970 airphoto data) are indicated on Map 3. However, differences in approaches to ground cover character- ization, classification, and mapping - rather than real change - may bear on the validity or extent of some of the “Changes” shown on Map 3 (e.g. 16, 17, 18). These differences would preclude a detailed comparison and analysis. 5.0 ISSUES AND RECOMMENDATIONS The following are considered to be some issues that bear on the Park’s ecological integrity, conservation of its natural history features, and enjoyment by the public. Most are self-evident and may merit further detailed study in order to develop suitable management approaches. 5.1 Land Use As long as grazing is approved for certain Park lands, degradation, or at least suspension of some natural processes (e.g. vegetation succession, streamcourse development) may be expected. A range-specific inventory and assessment should be performed if cattle grazing is likely to continue within the Park, so ecologically-based guidelines can be established. Impacts from visitor use, as well, were apparent at some sites and might be mitigated by facility / infrastructure enhancements, and signage appealing to a conservation ethic. 5.2 Fences and Boundaries Wire fences were established in a pre- or early Park setting to control cattle grazing. Some fences in and around the Park appear to have become obsolete for that purpose, yet remain in-situ, in varying states of repair and decay. As well, most fencelines have little 32 correspondence with Park boundaries. Evidence of the Park’s true boundaries on the ground is very limited and (with the fencing and unofficial warning signs) may unnecessarily deter visitors from experiencing its far comers. 5.3 Sensitive Sites No ecosites or vegetation corrununities in the Park were analysed specifically as to their biological / ecological or physical vulnerability. Komex (1998) comments on the susceptibility of the tufa formations to erosion and wear, and on the effects of cattle and streambank trampling on water quality. If there are any significantly sensitive sites at Big Hill Springs, most will likely be in the relatively soft streamcourse, riparian, or wet areas. 5.4 Bank Stability The steeper coulee walls are weak and physically sensitive to weathering, erosion, and trampling; therefore susceptible to mass movements including outright collapse. Numerous creep, slump, and rockfall deposits were observed. Access to the top and bottom of these sites should be restricted. 5.5 Rare Plants It was suggested (pers. comm., Joyce Gould - Keith Ainsley) during the course of fieldwork, that the best prospects of finding any rare or uncommon plant species, probably mosses, would be in the ecologically unique spring or stream sites, and by a bryophyte specialist. As well, locations of the two rare plants already identified in the Park should be sought-out. A follow-up rare plant survey may be warranted. 5.5 Brush Encroachment Bmsh encroachment involves viable rangelands being invaded by woody vegetation - bmsh and young trees, to a point where forage production is lost or unavailable for grazing. It’s evident from comparing historical and contemporary airphotos and maps that this is occurring at many sites in the Park, particularly above the south bank of Big Hill Springs coulee, and in Big Hill coulee. Assessments should be made with a view to to preserving grassland communities through pro-active measures, or to “let Nature take its course”. 33 ivil jr.TjT' ;w'i M, ^h,*.- • ><^^'8)pr*.-i^ ^■irarBwi V 1 * ■» iu ■<£ ’• R ♦ >*; ■ A1!^ . • ' ’.,' '• i5 i /.* ' 1^55^L it i: • •'’?/ ■ '>" 'if" 1 fjtlflt'# ^;C^ JC V--V -v ■ / 0/1 rvjMijjgll;^ ‘v. ^ • ic ^j\U. ■ JT'^'tf* 4* tfr *1 r£0 ‘ , ][i./.iji'irl. tfV^ , ■ , ''.‘l.i1;s<^vvi^i mtP'' «jf^'/'’V ^ 1^.' ' ■ ' -^f ‘?W. eT i > :n;v«. . < ••jw us 'jvm ■ .r-> • * »?i Alu .v ’-Vi** u. vj jifr •t-'i ‘l|:i<*v*l?!'rte^«:‘ ^«i*l*'?|l’;»4- •ntei*Vrt4v;^«j|?f=T .») ^^''. .•■*•■. ■«. ..,. ona -4-" ^.’ .•; f.’': .: .»A '> -Wr - 'ti'j ^4^ • w ' #■' T f ^ ja ■yAfv*5^<j, jiii-*' v<ji(^«r<v.in^< iiv ?■• ;“ vw. iv^jiV.,- , f-ju fr*'c5i '*.r )k:K li'.'V ‘'v '.Vi v%V‘'- v !!<i,,, ;j -. vvi '».q- vU'’i :>£ .'T,^ ^ » '% I 0>i 4^9-rf71^ut^' to 4:^- .'-ir^^-^0 ’ '/ V ii >4 - Vf 5.6 Adjacent Lands It’s apparent that with the two parcels of the Park not contiguous, and that because some of the Park’s natural history features are minimally or not wholly enclosed by Park boundaries, that full and effective management of these features is constrained. Section 2.7 describes the link the Park plays in a regional green space network. Big Hill Springs Provincial Park is a very small “island” - only 38 hectares, hardly ecologically viable on its own. It’s vulnerable, and perhaps irreversibly affected by land use practices and industrial activities on nearby properties: farms, ranches, acreages, gravel operations, etc. Much of the local watershed drains through the Park, with implications for water quality and supply. 34 ' '4'' ^ ^ ^v _ ..,- . J '-.l Sfflip&f ‘^i;<^ 4*H>*:r'<^i J;i»'.'^<ih;.^yij3a^;y,t<^m l/gl ' “ "'■' '"* "■'" ■' ' ' "■'' 5*,, .)Tf:-,v<tii J K,. i : " ■% \ ? ■"'' • ,• ■ ;/ _- J.JIU*' ,»i. rv m M-" ' • .1 ■ - ■'».*! M-MMM 4 « ,;.. 1 6.0 REFERENCES Alberta Environmental Protection (AEP). 1993. Alberta Plants and Fungi - Master Species List and Species Group Checklists. Pub. No. Ref. 75. Alberta Environmental Protection (AEP) - Parks. 1994. Big Hill Springs Provincial Park: Plants. Alberta’s Watchable Wildlife Checklist Series. Government of Alberta. Alberta Environmental Protection (AEP). 1996. Big Hill Springs Provincial Park Management Plan. Natural Resources Service, Parks Management. Alberta Environmental Protection (AEP). 1997. The Parkland Natural Region of Alberta. Natural Resources Service, Recreation and Protected Areas Division, Natural Heritage Planning and Evaluation Branch. Alberta Environmental Protection (AEP). nd. Park File: Big Hill Springs Provincial Park. Natural Resource Service, Parks Management. Alberta Recreation and Parks, ca. 1988. Big Hill Springs Provincial Park. Curriculum guide. Copy held at University of Alberta, Edmonton. Blogorodow, P. et al 1976. Big Hill Springs Provincial Park: Mini Master Plan. Regional Park Planning, Planning and Design Branch, Alberta Recreation, Parks and Wildlife. Bomeuf, D. 1983. Springs of Alberta. Alberta Research Council. Canada- Alberta Partnership Agreement in Forestry (CAPAF). 1994. Ecological Land Survey Site Description Manual. Produced for Canadian Forest Service and Alberta Land and Forest Services; Alberta Environmental Protection Cauboue, M., Strong, W.L., Archambault, L. and Sims, R.A. 1996. Terminology of Ecological Land Classification in Canada. Natural Resources Canada, and Canadian Forest Service - Quebec. Information Report LAU-X-1 14E. Curcio, Michele P. 1967, 1970. Water Study and Report (for Big Hill Springs Provincial Park). Department of Lands and Forests, Parks Division. Government of Alberta. Houseknecht, Stephan J. 1984. Natural History Study of Mineral and Thermal Springs in Canada. TERA Environmental Consultants Ltd., Vancouver; Prepared for Parks Canada. Komex International Ltd. 1998. Hydrogeological Characterization of Big Hill Springs Provincial Park. Prepared for Alberta Environmental Protection, Southern East Slopes Region, Calgary. 35 Lamoureux, RJ. 1983. Environmentally Significant Areas of the Calgary Region. Prepared for the Calgary Regional Planning Commission Lin, E., et al 1980. Horticultural Management Plan for Big Hill Springs Provincial Park. Alberta Recreation and Parks - Parks Division. MacMillan, R.A. 1987. Soil Survey of the Calgary Urban Perimeter. Alberta Soil Survey Report No. 45. Alberta Research Council, Edmonton. Moss, E.H. 1983. Flora of Alberta. 2"^. Ed. Revised by J. Packer. University of Toronto Press. Mueller-Dombois, D. and Ellenberg, H. 1974. Aims and Methods of Vegetation Ecology. John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Semenchuk, G. (ed.). 1992. The Atlas of Breeding Birds of Alberta. Federation of Alberta Naturalists, Edmonton, Alberta. Smith, R.L. 1996. Ecology and Field Biology - 5^ Edition. Harper Collins College Publishers. Spalding, D.A.E. (Ed.). 1980. A Nature Guide to Alberta. Provincial Museum of Alberta publication No.5. Hurtig Publishers, Edmonton. Strong, W.L. 1992. Ecoregions and Ecodistricts of Alberta, Volume 1. Prepared by Ecological Land Surveys Ltd. for Alberta Forestry, Lands and Wildlife; Land Information Services Division; Edmonton Strong, W.L. 1995. Ecodistricts of Alberta: Summary of Biophysical Attributes. Prepared for Alberta Environmental Protection; Resource Data Division; Edmonton Tannas, K. ca. 1997. Common Plants of the Western Rangelands, Vols. I and II. Curriculum and Instructional Development Services, Lethbridge Community College. Turchenek, L.W. and Fawcett, M.D. 1994. Soil Survey of the Municipal District of Rocky View No. 44, Alberta (excluding the Calgary Urban Perimeter). Alberta Soil Survey Report No.53. Alberta Research Council, Edmonton. Wallis, C.A. and Wershler, C.R. 1972. An Ecological Survey of Big Hill Springs Provincial Park. Provincial Parks Planning Branch, Department of Lands and Forests, Alberta. 36 ragK: ■ s*- -i; ■ ^-r toldp^i #A ‘^-^M-itAJ. ‘4! 4 H®? ' mPK . , , - , iSBiK ■i'i i^»U' .. ■ WFA-Wftva . I-' ,‘J "^1- , ■ ,. .ta S “ Wi to : t&wa . , , ■{■>■ , «! ■ Z; , te; ■ . 4-^ :?■’■' '■'t' ^ ■’ ■'■. ''■'* r',„ ■• . ' . t' ' -'v' ^ ^ i „ *^f ‘~ ' ■»"':■ ■' 3^, .U I ^*' 'i ,<i;'?s4>u):;<W:4^:iS .»(» T^'^Krj ..M • -nak? <*i ,i)|nft?ip (.sjW.w'ie u'nit^ »vgflji».;; 'i).'/j?»iiK». JOMU'JXHi'j !■>' y- ^ ■' «'St,',r. .•.:ifS* , „ '■i ■<;. •.. . a- - ^ ''^ ' it -'■»:*»* , \;' v:‘rtr*^!Jwi y-»5«afir«A if&l ..4r*»rrtf%W ■ «e ./^ ,<iiit'^>:* ‘ d ' V Appendix 1 BIG HILL SPRINGS PROVINCIAL PARK: VEGETATION SPECIES The 126 species listed below were observed and recorded during field sampling in July 1997. This list does not constitute a complete or exhaustive list of species to be found in the Park, but would supplement other inventories. Habitat Codes: A - Aspen Woodlands; G - Grasslands; Gm - Modified Grasslands; M - Moist Meadows; P - Balsam poplar or Balsam poplar-White spruce dominated Woodlands; R - Riparian areas; Sm - Mixed Shrublands; Sw - Willow-dominated Shrublands. The habitat code sequence shown below for each species is not significant. U - Uncommon (AEP 1 994). Species Common Name Habitat Site# Achillea millefolium common yarrow M/Sm/Sw/G/Gm/A 2,3,5,9,11,15,16,17,18,20,21,25,28 Actaea rubra red and white baneberry A 6,22,23 Agropyron dasystachyum northern wheatgrass Sm/G 8,9,10,11,16,26,27,29 Allium textile prairie onion Sm/G 10,11,26,27,29 Amelanchier alnifolia saskatoon Sm / A / Sw 5,8,9,10,18,20,22,28,29 Anemone canadensis Canada anemone M / Sm / A 2,3,5,6,14 Anemone multifida cut-leafed anenome Sm/G 8,11,16 Anemone patens prairie crocus G/Gm 12,15,27 Antennaria parvifolia small-leaved everlasting G 11,27 Apocynum androsaemifolium spreading dogbane Sm 8,9,10,28 Arctostaphlos uva-ursi common bearberry Sw 18 Artemesia frigida pasture sagewort Sm/G 8,9,10,11,16,25,26,27,28 Artemesia ludoviciana prairie sagewort Sm/Gm 5,9,15,29 Aster alpinus alpine aster Sm 25 Aster ciliolatus Lindley’s aster A/P/Sm/Sw/G 6,7,9,12,18,21,23,24 Aster conspicuus showy aster A / P / Sm / Sw 6,7,9,13,20,21,24 Aster laevis smooth aster Sm 28 Aster spp. aster Sm 5 Astragalus dasyglottis purple milk vetch G/Sw/A 11,12,18,20 Astragalus tennellus loose-flowered milk vetch Sm/G 8,10,26 Betula glandulosa bog birch Sw 18 Bromus inermis awnless brome A / G / Sm / Gm / P 4,5,8,9,10,14,15,16,24,25,28 Calamagrostis canadensis bluejoint A/G 6 Calamovilfa longifolia sand grass G 26 Campanula rotundifolia harebell Sm/G 8,27 Caragana arborencens common caragana Gm 11 Carex aquatilus water sedge R 1 Carex bebbii Bebb’s sedge M 17 Carex filifolia thread-leaved sedge Sm/G 8,10,26 Carex spp. sedge P/R 13 Carex sprengelii Sprengel’s sedge A / P / Sm 7,14,23 Catabrosa aquatica brook grass P/R/M U 13,17 Cerastium arvense mouse-ear chickweed R/M/Sm/A/G/Sw 1,2,3,5,12,18,20 Cirsium arvense Canada thistle R/M/Sm/Sw/P 1,2,5,13,18,19,29 Cirsium undulatum wavy-leaved thistle Sm/G U 10,26,27,29 Danthonia parry! Parry oat grasss G / Sw / Sm 11,12,18,25 Delphinium glaucum tall larkspur P 7,13,23,24 Disporum trachycarpum fairy bells A/P 6,7,22 Dodecatheon pulchellum shooting star M 3 Eleagnus commutata silverberry Sm 8,9,10,28 Elymus innovatus hairy wild rye A / P / Sm / Sw 6,7,9,20,21,22,23 Epilobium angustifolium common fireweed R/M/Sm/A/P 1,2,3,5,6,7,13,23,24 Epilobium ciliatum northern willowherb M 17 Equisetum arvense common horsetail R/M/P 1,2,13,17,24 Erigeron flagellaris creeping fleabane Sm/G 8,10,11,26 Erigeron glabellus smooth fleabane G 27 Erigonum flavum yellow umbrella-plant G 27 Festuca idahoensis bluebunch fescue G 27 Festuca scabrella rough fescue Sm / G / Gm / Sw / A 8,10,15,16,18 Fragaria virginiana wild strawberry M/A/Sm/Sw/P/G 3,6,7,9,12,18,20,21,22,24 Gaillardia aristata gaillardia Sm/G U 8,27 Galium boreale northern bedstraw M / Sm / Sw / A / P / G 3,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,16,18,20,21,22,24,25,26,27,28,29 Gaura coccinea scarlet butterflyweed Sm 10,29 Geranium richardsonii wild white geranium A/P 22,23,24 Geranium viscosissimum sticky purple geranium Sm/Gm 5,14,15,25,28,29 Geum aleppicum yellow avens R/M/P/A U 1,2,7,13,17,22,23 i " ' ''.' ^ T>'iii' "" ' ' E .' , *,.: 'cfl y{*{T »Mdfw*»‘r'i<" *in. ^ ot-v^"iv- 9^'t; jr,.*»*fe3 <3«wai««w ..... ITT' ...A' ' ■._ ■H, rv :i« ■«! ^ ■*' ' • >rt|jl/0Or4i ^ ^"-- ■ 1- .« ■ ’ «W»*r •’ if. ' • ~ '""■i ' <#»;«yrj^H|fc f»H»rtwi^ ,i*'»^Vv';,ii^, ^ :u. - v r'.'^v M V 4X3fik* Wt.' il^ IS. ‘ X^# s ' j '’ ^ ««l»l ' '■'' ' n%'' * r-v. ^ iiwt'Ai.* fi*f« ^‘^"' ‘ ffl '*W4tU^«. y»yJW*i**i' •, .PtaMT^rW .: 'l|(!:«8i>fi»S^% «W^>^ ^lygia ,vt.4‘yj ■" -■ vTS mnt ' M :‘‘i-i j ‘li^ef'^sw ■ ^ 'fwj ■*«,(«» . • > I «>'*{ ^ fi4'l(' ■ ,^ >-<' •?'»*^ , Ml* ‘^4'>»4lt^ m*^bxi^'- > • h, 4A ' <»l ««.fe#fsiirt . ;<5rr"*it» ■». ‘ . ^'> »£l*l. .IS'i#!!*>-^'' . •■■V."# 'V' a*^' . x t.'HS ' 0' •ASP i,t-a'(rrtWiJ ■• 'tisaxv; n^,.■ti:^^fV<^o1■- -*%su ■*^ -rtiTBOMWOiii^ ^.«8# < nujt^i:‘'*r •..-ivrAA ^ij^- W/h m»y»iitf •■ »iifc'i.v«nic« ' iviltmm- •' ' '.«•'♦ <Y.'Ji •V.X'J Geum triflorum three-flowered evens Sm/Sw/G/Gm/A/P 5,12,15,20,24 Habenaria hyperborea nor. green bog orchid G M 27 Hackelia floribunda large-flowered stickseed Sm 29 Hackelia jessicae Jessica’s stickseed Sm/A 14,23 Hedysarum alpinum alpine hedysarum Sm / M / G / Gm / Sw / A 5,8,9,11,12,15,16,17,18,20,25,28 Heracleum lanatum cow parsnip Sm/A/P 5,6,7,13,14,20,23,24 Hipperis vulgaris common mare’s tail R / stream 1 Juncus balticus wire rush M / Sm / P 2,3,5,13,17 Juniperus horizontalis creeping juniper Sm/G 8,10,11 Koeleria macrantha June grass Sm/G 8,10,11,16,26,27 Lathyrus ochroleucus cream-colored vetchling A / P / Sw 6,7,20,21,22,23 Lilium philadelphicum western wood lily Sw 21 Lithospermum incisum narrow-leaved puccoon Sm 8 Lithospermum ruderale wooly gromwell Sm/A/G 9,11,16,20,25,27,28 Lonicera dioica twining honeysuckle A/P 6,7 Lonicera involucrata bracted honeysuckle A/P 6,7 Mentha arvensis wild mint R/M/P 1.2,17,24 Menyanthes trifoliata buck bean R/M 1,2 Mnium sp. R/M 1.2 Monarda fistulosa wild bergamont Sm 9,25,28 Nasturtium officinale water cress P/R 13 Osmorhiza depauperata spreading sweet cicely A 23 Oxytropis splendens showy locoweed Sm 8 Phleum pratense timothy M / Sm / P / Gm 3,4,9,13,15,17 Phlox hoodii moss phlox G 26 Picea glauca white spruce A / P / Sw 6,7,13,21,23,24 Poa palustrus fowl bluegrass M/P 2,13,17 Poa pratensis Kentucky bluegrass M/Sw/Sm/A/P/G/Gm/R 1 ,2,3,5,6,7,8,9,1 1 ,12-1 8,20,21 ,22,23,2. Populus balsamifera balsam poplar Sm/A/P/Sw 5,6,7,13,24 Populus tremuloides aspen A / P / Sw 6,7,13,20,21,22,23 Potentilla hippiana wooly cinquefoil G 11 Potentilla anserina silverweed R/M 1,2,3,17 Potentilla fruticosa shrubby cinquefoil M/Sm/Sw/G 2,3,5,8,9,10,1 1,12,18,26,27,28 Potentilla gracilis graceful cinquefoil Gm/Sm 15,25,28 Prunus Virginians choke cherry Sm 8,9,10,28 Pyrola asarifolia com. pink wintergreen A 6,22,23 Ranunculus acris tall buttercup M/P/R 3,13,17 Ribes oxyacanthoides northern gooseberry M/Sm/A/P/Sw 2,5,6,7,9,13,14,20,21,22,23,24,25,28 Rosa acicularis prickly rose Sm / A / P / G / Gm / Sw 5,6,7,9,10,12,15,18,20,21,22,23,24,25, Rubus idaeus wild red raspberry A / P / Sw 6,7,21,22,23,24 Salix bebbiana beaked willow M/ Sw/Sm/P 2,5,13,14,18,21 Salix spp. willow R/P/G/M 1,6,12,17,24 Scutellaria galericulata marsh skullcap P/R 13 Senecio canus prairie groundsel M / Sm / G 3,8,10,27 Senecio sp. ragwort / groundsel M 2 Senecio vulgaris common groundsel P/R/M 13,17 Sheperdia canadensis Canada buffalo berry Sm / P / Sw / G 5,7,8,13,18,27,28 Sisyrinchium montanum common blue-eyed grass Sm / G / Gm 8,11,12,15,16,25 Smiliacina stellata Solomon’s-seal Sm / A / P / G / Sw 5,6,7,9,10,12,21,22,23,26,27,28 Solidago missouriensis low goldenrod G 27 Solidago spp. goldenrod G 12 Spiraea betulifolia white meadowsweet A/P 6,7 Stipa Columbiana Columbia needle grass G/Sw 27,29 Stipa comata needle-and-thread G 27 Stipa viridula green needle grass Sm/G 10,12,16 Symphoricarpos albus snowberry Sm/Sw/A/P 5,6,7,9,10,14,18,20,21,22,23,25,28,29 Taraxacum officinale common dandelion R/M/A/Sm/P/Sw 1,3,6,9,13,14,17,20,21,22,23,24 Thalictrum venulosum veiny meadow rue M / Sm / A / G / Sw 3,5,6,9,12,14,18,20,28 Thermopsis rhombofolia golden bean Sm / G / Gm / M 8,10,11,12,15,16,17,27,28,29 Thiaspi arvense stinkweed Sm 14 Trifolium pratense red clover G 4,27 Trifolium repens white clover P/G/M 13,17,26 Urtica dioica common nettle A/P/M 6,7,13,14,17,22,23,24 Veronica americana American brooklime P/R-M U 13,17 Vicea americana wild vetch M/Sm/AVG/Sw 2,3,5,6,8,10,11,12,18,20,21,22,23 Viola adunca early blue violet Sm 5 Viola canadensis western Canada violet M/A/P/Sw 3,6,21,22,23,24 Viola nephrophylia bog violet R/M 1.2 Zigadenus elegans white camas M / Sm / G / Sw 2,3,8,11,12,16,18,21,27 Zizia aptera heart-leafed Alexander M / Sw / Sm / Gm 3,5,15,18,21 ,*Cfi fi Twr.'/*'.r»7^f sJ'f ' ^ . t'lll 'H vr*,v^;-e<4^ ” ■ ■ "^la? vw >.. .. . ■f ' -s. ■ ■ v,p % . ' ',.'■ ■%m:i “ ■r^^n'.. “' m ’3' ; m i v^.. "■ '€i;i|^,, rf^ !t« ^,i? ' ' Aiur>,. r*J: C... , ^ m ■ j>^ ^:^'-<f - C"*' '''■ '■ . ^ ’ '"'k ^ * 'saww<i. c? ..wtwv -Sa« Mt^lK : k<¥: ' 1'Uk /4H Miv®' -,J_ I {4iii)4P‘»l ^■Vf iHv|! % ’-' >;'■- AvA-,r?V^ ^ n'i W.\-5'.A-r-ai>''-M. ' r'' , ‘*wriii/»'fli^Jsp «l« , ■ )|(|51,,39»^ >©» •f--' • i>i^ *■ u. ! • ^r'f\'-;iM?: r >'•. '-.^- ' ■Nkv: iN^fwi^ f'SS,™ '■<V :.(i- ivJ^j rtC'W ‘,r,. V - j •-,,<■ P .59 tel^«teC3^fi^ ,*■ .*> *%/*VJp». frcJ-t•^v• - v^^iAfO ■M0mK* J i»lwrt»''t*.* AWAi ,,*i -^iK* ,vtoM lifj<»rt«i.Tjktr'' Svty^ «Cf^ 5«ya' : ■ «?f -ii rfiigr^-W ««rvi^ *•>- ' V '’ . etf,'Mr>lW'". *»« :^«^*Vlq5>PX -“ Jii iiS^v,.-'’>y4< / ' »wf1 #s%?5»o '■■■'■ yif:)4>i'^ 9^. •W^Jif!H* ■'nr4",v'^' , h^r-4»nt' tikl^^ :•&* diAWi'Wf s *^. '^sy,%j- ■*, -‘«)f ^.kW ?^r> ■• i ■ ••.'<^ •S A-^r. •"••■' _K ^tirtl«^.' r-ii* - 3c Appendix 2 Calgary Field Naturalist’s Society Bird Record Project Big Hill Springs Provincial Park - Bird sightings, 1987 to date The following bird species were observed in or near the Park by members of the CFNS and recorded in the Bird Record Project database or in members’ personal notes. Boldface entrys indicate species confirmed or evidently breeding in the Park. Asterisks (*) indicate endangered species. Alder Flycatcher American Coot American Crow American Dipper American Goldfinch American Kestrel American Redstart American Robin American Tree Sparrow American Widgeon Bald Eagle Bank Swallow Barn Swallow Barrow’s Goldeneye Black Tern Black-billed Magpie Black-capped Chickadee Blackpoll Warbler Blue Jay Blue-winged Teal Bohemian Waxwing Boreal Chickadee Boreal Owl Brewer’s Blackbird Broad-winged Hawk Brown Creeper Brown-headed Cowbird Canada Goose Cape May Warbler Cedar Waxwing Chipping Sparrow Cinnamon Teal Clay-coloured Sparrow Cliff Swallow Common Raven Common Redpoll Common Snipe Common Yellowthroat Cooper’s Hawk Cordilleran Flycatcher Dark-eyed Junco Downy Woodpecker Eastern Kingbird Eastern Phoebe European Starling Evening Grosbeak Gad wall Golden Eagle Golden-crowned Kinglet Gray Catbird Great Blue Heron Great Horned Owl Greater Yellowlegs Green- winged Teal Hairy Woodpecker Hermit Thrush Hoary Redpoll Hooded Merganser House Sparrow House Wren Kildeer Least Flycatcher LeConte’s Sparrow Lesser Scaup Lesser Yellowlegs Lincoln’s Sparrow Loggerhead Shrike Long-billed Curlew MacGillivray’s Warbler Mallard Merlin Mountain Bluebird Mountain Chickadee Mourning Warbler Northern Flicker Northern Goshawk Northern Harrier Northern Oriole Northern Pigmy Owl Northern Pintail Northern Rough-winged ! Northern Shoveler Northern Shrike Olive-sided Flycatcher Orange-crowned Warbler Peregrine Falcon * Pied-billed Grebe Pileated Woodpecker Pine Grosbeak Pine Siskin Piping Plover * Prairie Falcon Red Crossbill Red-breasted Grosbeak Red-breasted Nuthatch Red-eyed Vireo Red-naped Sapsucker Red-necked Grebe Red-Tailed Hawk Red- winged Blackbird Ring-necked Duck Rock Dove Rough-legged Hawk Ruby-crowned Kinglet Ruffed Grouse Savannah Sparrow Say’s Phoebe Sharp-shinned Hawk Sharp-tailed Grouse Sharp-tailed Sparrow Song Sparrow Sora Spotted Sandpiper Swainson’s Hawk Swainson’s Thrush Tennessee Warbler Tree Swallow Vesper Sparrow Warbling Vireo Western Meadowlark Western Tanager Western Wood-pewee White-crowned Sparrow White-throated Sparrow White- winged crossbill Willow Flycatcher Hi ■-' ' m '* ■ ■^ft.-,v i" '““‘ ' ' ’*'■"" "S^i: m...i^imj«m^ ' ■■ ■■ ■ ‘ ' V- %p ■Ws ■■'li#«i^ ■.PSi-',:' a AnTV;^«r "^' .^sSB^'# •■:.• ,; ;,'i Vii4 ' ■■'' ■#*■•«* W.^K;^a^^^^ ;.T4#:>y ie,}«O«U0Ks <j!ifl^ii^h ^ (Tfe X *'i' ' '>*'>J4' ,' _,. . . ^ «7>-» »*|*;.V'''‘' j'f'Jfc c.SS«»»;€ ■jw ,j|it'H»4«t''^''^ Wf^'; ifitTfUriwAci:.^ 'V''.. ■ . S I.' ,’i i'^. (hll^.M. si 'J’> • t!^/ ■ „+ >^;■v^i^^4^■ :ij ■■ ;';. . ' '■■ ^t»^■_ ^x i "' EwflNf^ t - .-t?# *^1.1, lj«^ f-r. invv 4?|f>4jj,vvt Vtf l" Wilson’s Phalarope Wilson’s Warbler Yellow Warbler Yellow-bellied Sapsucker Yellow-headed Blackbird Yellow-rumped Warbler Mammals sighted 1987 to date: Insects sighted 1987 to date: COMMON: Butterflies: Coyote Cabbage White Meadow Vole Clouded Sulphur Mule Deer Common Alpine Pocket Gopher Melissa Blue Porcupine Milbert’s Tortoiseshell Red Squirrel Mourning Cloak Richardson’s Ground Squirrel Painted Lady Varying Hare (Snowshoe Hare) Pearly Crescentspot LESS COMMON: Prairie Ringlet Red Admiral American Badger Red-disked Alpine Jumping Mouse Satyr Anglewing Long-Tailed Weasel Tiger Swallowtail Moose Western White Reptiles: White Admiral Wood Nymph Garter Snake Observations provided by Steven Kassai and the Others: Cicada Hawk Moth Ichneumon Wasp Calgary Field Naturalists Society, 1998. Showy Emerald Moth Note: CFNS and members’ wildlife sighting records often have further data including exact sites, dates, numbers, and special characteristics. ,iUi^i'mi^^m:i ‘ ■■‘f. •?*'. I ^;V , ■V- ■ ." ■ *■ - ' .J,;ir: IC Appendix 3: BIG HILL SPRINGS PROVINCIAL PARK Ccosite ” I Vegetation Physiognomy 1 Vegetation Community Types A Anthropogenic 1 Unvegetated, OR sodded grounds vinth planted trees I Aspen and White spruce / Kentucky bluegrass Upper alluvial far Cl Colluvial 1 Grasslands (including native remnants) I Northern wheat grass - Bluebunch fescue; 1 Sand grass - Northern wheat grass - June grass Upper south-facir and sandstone bee C2.1 1 Mixed shrubs: Snowberry dominant; 1 Some aspen encroachment at edges 1 Snowberry - Rose - Cinquefoil / Kentucky bluegrass- 1 Brome - Northern wheat grass Mid-to-lower coul weathered sandstc C2.2 1 Mixed shrubs: Silverberry dominant I Silverbeny - Choke cherry - Rose - Cinqeufoil / Sedge- 1 Kentucky bluegrass Mid-to-lower coul weathered sandsto C2.3 1 Mixed shrubs: Rose dominant 1 Rose- Silverbeny -Buffalobeny/ Kentucky bluegrass Lower coulee wall weathered sandsto C3 1 Aspen woodland I Aspen / Rose - Cow parsnip North-facing, mids blanket over inclin C4 Balsam poplar woodland 1 Balsam Poplar - White Spruce / Gooseberry Lower north-facinj sandstone bedrock C5 White spruce-dominated woodland White spruce - Balsam poplar - Aspen / Hairy wild rye North-feeing coule bedrock and till. [ ( CXI Colluvial-Rock Residuum Unvegetated, to sparse grass and scattered shrubs Snowberry - Rose / Kentucky bluegrass - Northern wheat grass Upper coulee walls colluvium and resic FI 1 Fluvial Sedges with scattered willow-dominated shrub groves I Willow / Sedge Creek channels and F2 1 Willow-dominated shrubland I Willow - Cinquefoi 1 - Aspen / Kentucky bluegrass - Rush Lower alluvial fan j F3 1 Open wet meadow I scattered Cinquefoil / Buttercup / Rush - Timothy Alluvial fan periphe F4 I Modified (reclaimed) grassland with scattered I transplanted aspen and spruce | Brome - Timothy Upper alluvial fan. | F5 1 Moist riparian meadow and woodland I Balsam poplar - White spnice-Aspen / Cow parsnip - Willow - Horsetail / Fowl bluegrass - Sedge Floodplain and bank undulating / tenacei F6 1 Open moist poplar forest with shrubs and grasses I scattered Aspen - Balsam poplar / Snowberry - Willow / Cow parsnip / Brome - Kentucky bluegrass Fluvial terrace seque tufa deposits in lowe FLl 1 Fluvio-Lacustrine 1 Wet meadow 1 scattered Cinquefoil / Buttercup / Rush - Timothy Big Hill Creek coule GFl 1 Glacio-Fluvial | Grasslands and tame pastures I Oat grass - Kentucky bluegrass; Kentucky bluegrass - Rough fescue; Kentucky bluegrass - Brome - Timothy Glacio-fluvial tenao coulee, mainly to the Fluvial (or GF) venee Ml I Morainal I Willow-dominated shrubland I scattered White spruce / Willow - Rose - Snowbeny / Hairy wild rye - Kentucky bluegrass - Rough fescue Inclined, undulating. Big Hill Springs coul M2 1 Aspen woodland I Aspen / Rose - Snowberry 1 Upper north-facing rii blanket. [ Mbi-uV / R park ecological land classification Geomorphology (with unit codes ] Slope (%) Soil Subgroups ' Textures Drain- age Class Comments r alluvial fan. Coarse gravels. [ Ff-i ] 0-2.5 N/A N/A N/A Remaining visitor facilities include paved road, gravel parking lot, toilet- garbage and picnic sites south-facing coulee wall. Colluvial veneers over till andstone bedrock. [ Cv / M, Ri-s ] 10-100 Calcareous Black, Orthic Regosol gravelly- cobbly SiL,CL,SiC,L, LS 4 Sites 12b, 26, 27 o-lower coulee wall; colluvial blanket over inclined ered sandstone. [ Cv-M / Ri ] 16-30 Calcareous and Orthic Black; and Calcareous Dark Brown SiL,SiCL,L 3-4 Sites 5, 25, 29 Evidence of soil creep o-lower coulee wall; colluvial blanket over inclined ered sandstone. ( Cv-M / Ri-s ] 31-70 Orthic Regosol, Rego Dark Brown rubbly - gravelly SC, SiCL, SiC,C 4 Sites 8,9,10; submesic. Evidence of soil creep r coulee wall; colluvial veneers over inclined ered sandstone. [ Cv-M / Ri ] 31-45 Calcareous Black SiL,SiCL 3-4 Site 28; submesic Evidence of soil creep •facing, tnidslope coulee wall and ledges; colluvial :tover inclined bedrock. [ Cv-b / Mi, Ri ] 31-45 Orthic and Calcareous Black SL,SCI CL -,SiC,Si 3^ Sites 6,23 north-facing coulee wall; colluvial veneer over one bedrock and till. ( Cv / M-Ri ] 31-70 Calcareous Black gravelh rubbly SiCL /- 4-3 Site 19 feeing coulee wall; colluvial veneer over sandstone kandtill. [Cv/Ri-s,V] 46-100 Calcareous Black, Orthic Eutric Brunisol rubbly SiCL,S L 3^ Site 7 coulee walls; cliffs, sandstone outcrops; rubbly ium and residuum. [ RXi-sMV ] 46- >100 Orthic Regosols, non-soils rubbly : SCL SL, 3-4 Area of active weathering, erosion, creep, and rockfall channels and floodplains in Big Hill coulee. [ Flo ] 0-2.5 Orthic Humic Regosol Si, SiCl L 4-3 Site 1; trampled streambanks alluvial fan and streambank levees. [ Ffl-t ] 0-2.5 Gleyed Cumulic Humic Regosol SiL, SCL, SiCL, CL 5 Site 2; tufa fragments in soil profile; aspen stands on creek levees al fan periphery; medium-textured over coarse !nts. [ Ffol-i ] 2-5 Gleyed Cumulic Regosol SCL,CSC 5 Site 3; tufa fragments in soil profile; extensive cattle grazing effects alluvial fan. ( Ffl-i ] 2-5 Calcareous Black Gravel! SL,SC1 y .,sc 3 Site 4; reclaimed campground; extensive cattle grazing effects )lain and banks of Big Hill Springs Creek; dissected, ting / terraced. [ Fou-tE ] .5-5 Calcareous Black, Rego Humic Gleysol, Orthic Humic Regosol SCL,SC SiCL, SiC, 3-7 Sites 13, 17, 24; drier regimes on knolls or terraces, moister near creekbanks. Trampled banks at some sites 1 terrace sequence above Big Hill Springs Creek; posits in lower ravine. [ Ftl-i ] .5-15 Rego Black, Orthic Humic Gleysol SiL, SiCL 3,5 Sites 11 (reclaimed), 14; includes relict channel, meander, and point bar in NW parcel used as pasture. F6 units mapped adjacently on ELC map reflect different terrace levels. 11 Creek coulee (off the alluvial fan). [ FLlo ] 0-2.5 Rego Humic Gleysol, Terric Mesisol CL, SiC :l 6-7 Southeast corner of Park adjacent to Big Hill Creek •fluvial terrace sequence above Big Hill Springs mainly to the north; gently undulating to inclined, (or GF) veneer over till / bedrock. [ GFti ] 0-9 Orthic and Calcareous Black L, SiL, SiCL 3-4 Sites 12a, 15, 16 d, undulating, and gullied morainal upland south of II Springs coulee; above M2. [Mbi-u-mV / R ] 10-30 Calcareous and Orthic Black gravelly- cobbly SiCL, SiC, C 4 Sites 18,21 lorth-facing rim of Big Hill Springs coulee; morainal . [ Mbi-uV / R ] 2-15 Calcareous Black SiCL,SiC,C 4 Sites 20, 22. Some aspen-encroached grass & shrub sites. iL,oi,-iooi-'n .SI, Map 4 Ecological Land Classification <3P elc units scau fsf ® » Field Samole Sites ? Big Hill Springs Provincial Park ™ «o N’A ofSec.29 Tp.26 Rg.03 WSMer. x ^ tt Fences (not all are shown) 1:2500 200 250 300 metres ^ 1 1 1 1 1 ; 1 00 800 1000 feet June, 1997 1:5000 Airphotos, Environmental Service, Calgary. Ecosite Vegetation Physiognomy Vegetation Community Type Geomorphology Slope (%) Soil Subgroups Textures Drainagi Class Comments A Anthropogemc Unvegetated, OR sodded grounds with planted trees. Aspen and White spruce /Kentucky bluegrass Upper alluvial fan. Coarse gravels. [Ff-i] 0-2.6 N/A NA N/A Remaining visitor facilities include paved road, gravel parking lot, toilet, garbage and picnic sites. Cl Colluvial Graaslands (including native remnants). Northern wheat grass - Bluebunch fescue; Sand grass - Northern wheat grass - June grass Upper south-facing coulee wall; colluvial veneers over till and sandstone bedrock. [Cv/M, Ri-s] 10-100 Calcareous Black, Orthic Regosol gravclly-cobbly SiL,CL,SiC,L.LS Sites 12b, 26, 27 C2.1 Mixed shrubs; Snowbeny dominant. Some Aspen encroachment at edges. Snowbeny - Rose - Cinquefoil /Kentucky bluegrass - Brome - Northern wheat grass Mid-to-lower coulee wall; colluvial blanket over inclined weathered sandstone. [Cv-M/Ri] 16-30 Calcareous and Orthic Black; and Calcareous Dark Brown SiL,SiCL,L 3^ Sites 6, 25, 29 Evidence of soil creep. C2.2 Mixed shrubB: Silverberry dominant. SUverberry - Choke cherry - Rose - Cinqpiefoil /Sedge - KentucI^ bluegrass Mid-to-lower coulee wall; coUuvial blanket over inclined weathered sandstone. [Cv-M/Ri-s] 31-70 Orthic Regosol, Rego Dark Brown rubbly-graveUy SC,SiCL,SiC,C 4 r Sites 8, 9, 10; submesic. Evidence of soil creep. C2.3 Mixed shrubs; Bose dominant. Rose - Silverberry - Buffaloberiy /Kentucky bluegrass Lower coulee wall; coUuvial veneers over inclined weathered sandstone. [Cv-WRi] 31-45 Calcareous Black 3iL,SiCL 3-4 Site 28; submesic. Evidence of soil creep. C3 Aspen woodland. Aspen /Rose - Cow parsnip North-facing, midslope coulee wall and ledges; colluvial blanket over inclined bedrock. [Cv-h^Mi,Ri] 31-45 Orthic and Calcareous Black SL,SCL,SiC,SiCL 3-4 1 Sites 6, 23 C4 Balaam poplar woodland. Balsam poplar - White spruce /Gooseberry Lower north-facing coulee wall; coUuvial veneer over sandstone bedrock and tiU. [Cv/M-Ri] 31-70 Calcareous Black graveUy-rubbly SiCL 4-3 ' Site 19 C5 White spruce - dominated woodland. White spruce - Balsam poplar - Aspen /Hairy wild rye North-facing coulee waU; coUuvial veneer over sandstone bedrock and tiU. [C«Gli-s,V] 46-100 Calcareous Black, Orthic Eutric Brunisol rubbly SiCL.SL 3^ Site 7 CXI Colhivial-Eock Besiditum Unvegetated, to sparse grass and scattered shrubs. Snowbeny - Rose /Kentucky bluegrase - Northern wheat grass 1 : ' Upper coulee walls; clifis, sandstone outcrops; 1 rubbly colluvium and residuum. [RXi-sMV] 46->100 Orthic Regosols, non-soils rubbly SL.SCL 3-4 Area of active weathering, erosion, creep and rockfaU. FI Fhmal Sedges with scattered Willow - dominated shrub groves. Willow /Sedge Creek channels and floodplains in Big HiU coulee. [Flo] 0-2.6 Orthic Humic Regosol Si, SiCL 4-3 I Site 1; trampled streambanks. F2 Willow - dominated Bhrubland. Willow - Cinquefoil - Aspen /Kentucky bluegrass - Rush Lower alluvial fan and streambank levees. [Ffl-t] 0-2.5 1 Gleyed CumuUc Humic Regosol SiL.SCL.SiCL.CL 5 Site 2; tufa fragments in soil profile; aspen stands on creek levees. F3 Open wet meadow. Scattered Cinquefoil /Buttercup /Rush - Timothy Alluvial fan periphery; medium-textured over coarse fragments. [Ffol-i] 2-5 Gleyed CumuUc Regosol SCL,CSC 6 Site 3; tufa fragments in soil profile; extensive cattle grazing efiects. F4 Modified (reclaiined) grassland with scattered transplanted Aspen and Spruce. Brome - Timothy Upper alluvial fan. [Ffl-i] 2-5 Calcareous Black gravelly SL,SCL,SC 3 Site 4; reclaimed campground; extensive cattle grazing efiects. P5 Moist riparian meadow and woodland. Balsam Poplar - White spruce - Aspen /Cow parsnip - Willow - Horsetail/Powl bluegrass - Sedge Floodplain and banks of Big HiU Springs Creek; dissected, undulating /terraced. [Fou-tK] ^1],* .6-6 Calcareous Black, Rego Humic Gleysol, Orthic Humic Regosol SCL,SC.SiCL,SiC 3-7 Sites 13, 17, 24; drier regimes on knolls or terraces, moister near creekbanks. Trampled banks at some sites. F6 Open moist Poplar forest with shrubs and grasses. Scattered Aspen - Balsam poplar /Snowberry - Willow /Cow parsnip /Brome - Kentucky bluegrass Fluvial terrace sequence above Big Hill Springs Creek; tufa deposits in lower ravine. [Ftl-i] .6-16 Rego Black, Orthic Humic Gleysol SiL,SiCL 3-6 Sites U(reclaimed), 14; includes reUct channel, meander and point bar in NW parcel used as pasture, F6 units mapped adjacently on ELC map reflect different terrace levels. m Flnvio-lacastrme Wet meadow. Scattered Cinquefoil /Buttercup /Bush - Timothy Big Hill Creek coulee (off the alluvial fan). [FLlo] 0-2.6 Rego Humic Gleysol, Terric Mesisol CL,SiCL 6-7 Southeast comer of Park adj&ceni to Big Hill Creek. GFl Claao-nurial Grasslands and pastures. Oat grass - Kentucl^ bluegrass; Kentucky bluegrass - Bough fescue; Kentucky bluegrass - Brome - Timothy Glacio-fluvial terrace sequence above Big Hill Springs coulee, mainly to the north; gently undulating to inclined. Fluvial (or GF) veneer over till /bedrock. [GFtiJ 0-9 Orthic and Calcareous Black L,SiL,SiCL 3-4 Sites 12a. 15, 16 Ml Willow - dominated sbrubland. Scattered White spruce /Willow - Rose - Snowberry / Hairy wild rye - Kentucky bluegrass - Rough fescue Inclined, undulating and gullied morainal upland south of Big Hill Springs coulee; above M2. [Mbi-u-mV/R] 10-30 Calcareous and Orthic Black gravelly-cobbly SiCL,SiC,C 4 Sites 18, 21 m Aapen woodland. Aspen /Rose ~ Snowbeny upper north-facing rim of Big HiU Springs coulee; morainal blanket. [Mbi-uV/B] 2-16 Calcareous Black SiCL,SiC,C 4 Sites 20, 22. Some aspen-encroached grass and shrub sites. I National Library of Canada I Bibliotheque nationale du Canada 3 3286 52098050 5