Physical: The reserve is situated near the northern edge of the Fraser Lowland on a large deltaic plain. Surficial materials originated from Pleistocene glaciation, subsequent marine invasion, and finally deposition of river-borne sediments. The Fraser River sediments, which originated as floodplain and overbank deposits of the Fraser and Pitt rivers, may be up to 15 m thick and overlie up to 300 m of marine silt, sand, and clay. Two bedrock knolls protrude through this material in the reserve.

See the Original PDF version: Pitt Polder ER 99

Biological: The vegetation varies from open bogland, through treed bogland, to upland forest and sparse vegetation on rock outcrops. Seven plant communities have been described in this small area. Open boglands, mostly in the northern part of the reserve, are dominated by shrubs of the heath family (Labrador tea, bog- laurel, bog cranberry, and bog blueberry) and sphagnum mosses. A similar type, referred to as bog forest, supports the plants listed above plus lodgepole pine trees. The bogs contain interesting northern relict plants such as cloudberry. Paper birch stands in which hardhack is the dominant shrub and reed canarygrass the dominant grass also occur in boggy sites. On slightly higher ground are lodgepole pine-western hemlock stands with an understory of oval-leaved blueberry, salal, and moss. Two kinds of seral forest resulting from logging and/or fire occupy small areas. These are red alder stands containing juvenile hemlock, salmonberry, bracken, lady fern, and moss, and juvenile Douglas-fir woods containing hemlock, red huckleberry, salal, and bracken.

A variety of birds and mammals typical of boglands and seral forest types is present. A few rare greater sandhill cranes are believed to nest in surrounding bogs.

Research Opportunities: The reserve is located within a large expanse of bogland, but much of this has been altered by cultivation, dyking, and drainage. Drainage ditches occur along the north and south boundaries and have lowered the water table in the reserve. This has encouraged the development of lodgepole pine bog forest and the pine-hemlock community. A report on Sandhill Cranes is available.