| Description: |
This study was undertaken to investigate detailed land classification in forested mountainous terrain. Two small watersheds in south-eastern British Columbia, each of approximately 3500 ha in area, were selected for classification and mapping of terrain and soil features (a simultaneous study completed vegetation classification and mapping). The results of the study include maps of terrain and soil features presented on photo-maps at scales of approximately 1:8,000 and planimetric maps at scales of 1:15,840; written descriptions of the terrain and soil features; cross-sectional diagrams depicting the relationships between various landscape features; and soil interpretations for erosion and forest capability. The terrain features are classified primarily on the basis of genesis and secondary characteristics of surface expression, texture, slope, and modifying processes. The soils were classified as phases of soil families according to the Canadian System of Soil Classification. The Templeton River study area, located in the Purcell Mountains and the adjacent Rocky Mountain Trench, has a complex array of terrain features derived from sedimentary rocks. These include a variety of morainal materials ranging from rubbly materials associated with presently active ice to compact fine textured non-calcareous and moderately textured calcareous materials. Steep slopes have created abundant colluvial features including aprons and fans which grade to shallow colluvial veneers over bedrock or morainal materials. The valley mouth has abundant glaciofluvial and glaciolacustrine features, with minor areas of fluvial materials adjacent to Templeton River. The soils of the area are highly variable, reflecting complex variation in parent materials, climate, and vegetation. At the lower elevations the soils are dominantly Luvisols, which grade to Brunisols and Podzols in the cooler and moister environments. The Grassy Creek study area, located in the Selkirk Mountains, is dominated by morainal materials of relatively uniform ... |