News/Reports

Clayhurst ER #8 Overview

Posted February 24, 2006 | Categories : 8,Reports,Species List |

From BC PARKS  PDF FILE: clayhurst

Excerpt: with Species list

COMPOSITION

Physical:  The reserve the Peace River. Small areas of plateau surface and alluvial floodplain are also present, as well as a short segment of the Peace River and steep banks on its south side. Over most of the area sandstone and shale bedrock of the Dunvegan Formation are overlain by colluvial material such as slopewash and slide debris. Two small streams dissect the area and have formed small alluvial fans. Alluvial action of the Peace River has been modified by upstream flow control which has eliminated the spring flood and reduced winter ice cover.

Biological: A mosaic of aspen forest, aspen parkland, shrubland, grassy slopes, eroded banks, floodplain cottonwood stands and sandbars are present. Aspen forest covers much of the area, especially the plateau surface and valley of the westernmost creek. Grassy slopes support wheatgrasses, needlegrasses and a variety of forbs. Common upland shrubs are Saskatoon, prickly rose and snowberry. Alluvial cottonwood stands have an understory dominated by various willows, red-osier dogwood and water birch.
Great Plains species of plants which enter British Columbia only in the Peace River Parklands have been collected in the reserve. Several other plants of similar distribution and rarity should also occur. As in the case of plants, some eastern birds range into the province only in this area. Waterfowl and shorebirds migrate through the valley and stop on sandbars and beaches. The American Kestrel, Ruffed Grouse, Least Flycatcher, Yellow Warbler and Brewer’s Blackbird are known to nest in the reserve. The valley slopes provide excellent winter range for deer.

RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES: Effects of climate change in the physiographic units associated with the Alberta plains. Effects of the dam on the hydrological system and associated ecosystem changes.

Flora:

aspen, trembling (Populus tremuloides)

birch, water (Betula occidentalis)

cottonwood, black (Populus trichocarpa ssp. trichocarpa)

dogwood, red-osier (Cornus stolonifera)

mugwort, long-leaved (Artemisia longifolia)

muhly, slender (Muhlenbergia filiformis)

needlegrass (Stipa spp.)

rose, prickly (Rosa acicularis spp. sayi)

Saskatoon (Amelanchier alnifolia)

snowberry, (Symphoricarpos sp.)

willows (Salix spp.)

 

Fauna
Blackbird,Brewer’s (Euphagus cyanocephalus)

Deer (Odocoileussp.)

Flycatcher, Least (Empidonax minimus)

Grosbeak, Rose-breasted (Pheucticus ludovicianus)

Grouse, Ruffed (Bonasa umbellus)
Jay, Blue (Cyanocitta cristata)

Kestrel, American (Falco sparverius)

Oriole, Bullock’s (Icterus bullockii)

Warbler, Canada (Wilsonia canadensis)

Warbler, Yellow (Dendroica petechia)

 Red Osier Dogwood (Cornus stolonifera)

Garry Fletcher Photo