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BC Conservation Data Centre: Ecological Community Summary

Rhododendron groenlandicum / Kalmia microphylla / Sphagnum spp.
Labrador-tea / western bog-laurel / peat-mosses

 
Scientific Name: Rhododendron groenlandicum / Kalmia microphylla / Sphagnum spp.
English Name: Labrador-tea / western bog-laurel / peat-mosses
Scientific Name - Concept Reference: MacKenzie, W.H. and J.R. Moran. 2004. Wetlands of British Columbia: a guide to identification. Res. Br., B.C. Min. For., Victoria, B.C. Land Manage. Handb. No. 52.
Ecosystem Group: Wetland Realm - Peatland Group: Bog Wetland Class (Wb)
   
Conservation Status / Legal Designation
Global Status: G4
Provincial Status: S3 (Jul 2004)
BC List: Blue
Provincial FRPA list:   
Notable Species:
 
Ecology & Dynamics
Environmental Summary: This bog wetland community occurs uncommonly in the drier subzones of the south coast at low to moderate (montane) elevations. Occurrences are typically small in size and located in depressions with a high, stagnant water table, or adjacent to peatland lakes (Mackenzie & Moran 2004). Some occurrences are floating mats of Sphagnum (peat-moss), often with a central area of open water. The high water table in these communities prevents the establishment and success of tree species, but allows for shrub growth.

Sphagnum species cause organic soils to acidify and retain moisture by trapping base cations, making the substrate nutrient-poor, acidic and saturated most of the year (McKenzie and Moran 2004). The soils nutrient regime is poor to very poor, with a moderately acidic to very acidic pH. Soils are Typic Fibrisols or Mesisols with a surface layer of poorly decomposed Sphagnum peat (McKenzie & Moran 2004).
Vegetation Summary: The vegetation of this open bog wetland community is low in stature and typically has an abundance of evergreen ericaceous shrubs and other plants adapted to nutrient-poor site conditions (McKenzie and Moran 2004). There is generally little or no tree cover, but some sites may have a small amount of Pinus contorta (lodgepole pine), Tsuga heterophylla (western hemlock) or Thuja plicata (western redcedar), often <2 m in height. Rhododendron groenlandicum (Labrador tea) is typically very abundant in the shrub layer, while Myrica gale (sweet gale) can be absent to abundant. In some instances, shrub cover is minimal. The herb layer is often sparse, with Kalmia microphylla (western bog-laurel) and Oxycoccos oxycoccus (bog cranberry) being the most common species. Low-lying areas of some sites can have a high cover of Rhynchospora alba (white beak-rush), while raised sites can have abundant Rubus chamaemorus (cloudberry) (McKenzie and Moran 2004). Other bog associates include Drosera rotundifolia (round-leaved sundew) and Andromeda polifolia (bog-rosemary). Trichophorum cespitosum (tufted clubrush) is abundant in some occurrences on the Sunshine Coast (SEI Field Data 2001). Sphagnum species (peat-mosses) make up the bulk of the extensive bryophyte layer, mostly Sphagnum capillifolium (common red peat-moss), S. fuscum (common brown peat moss) and S. papillosum (fat peat-moss) in the wetter hollows (McKenzie and Moran 2004). Sites on Vancouver Island also often have an abundance of S. pacificum (Pacific peat-moss) (Golinski 2004).
Dynamic Processes Summary: This is a late successional stage or edaphic climax bog ecosystem. The Sphagnum species (peat mosses) of this community are of a group that are highly efficient at trapping base cations, thereby creating an acidic, saturated soil. Bog wetlands are sensitive to reduced summer water levels and changes to water chemistry. Increases in water inputs to these sites can convert bogs to marsh or fen communities, as bog-adapted species are readily outcompeted by minerotrophic species when nutrient availability becomes even merely moderate (McKenzie and Moran 2004).
Spatial Pattern: Small patch
 
Distribution
Endemic:
   
Authors / Contributors
Author: Schaefer, C.
Last updated: Mar 30, 2012
   
References and Related Literature
B.C. Ministry of Forests, Lands, and Natural Resource Operations. Biogeoclimatic Ecosystem Classification (BEC) Map, WHSE_FOREST_VEGETATION.BEC_BIOGEOCLIMATIC_POLY [ESRI ArcSDE format]. Version 9. Ministry of Forests, Lands, and Natural Resource Operations, Forest Analysis and Inventory Branch, Victoria, B.C. Updated Regularly.
Golinski, K. 2004. Mires of Vancouver Island, British Columbia: vegetation classification and differences between disturbed and undistrubed mires. PhD Thesis, Univ of Vic., Victoria, BC. ? pp.
MacKenzie, W.H. and J.R. Moran. 2004. Wetlands of British Columbia: a guide to identification. Res. Br., B.C. Min. For., Victoria, B.C. Land Manage. Handb. No. 52.
McPhee, M., P. Ward, J. Kirkby, L. Wolfe, N. Page, K. Dunster, N.K. Dawe, and I. Nykwist. 2000. Sensitive Ecosystems Inventory: East Vancouver Island and Gulf Islands, 1993 - 1997. Volume 2: Conservation Manual. Tech. Rep. Ser. No. 345, Can. Wildl. Serv., Pac. and Yukon Reg., BC.
Sensitive Ecosystems Inventory of the Georgia Lowlands and Adjacent Islands. 2001. Field data from year 1 (2000) and year 2 (2001) to support sensitive ecosystem mapping for the study area.
Sensitive Ecosystems Inventory [SEI] of East Vancouver Island and Gulf Islands: Sensitive Ecosystems Mapping, Disturbance Mapping and Re-evaluation of Major Riparian Corridors. 2004. Prepared by Axys Environ. Consulting Ltd. for Environ. Can., Can. Wildl. Serv., B.C. Minist. Sustainable Resour. Manage., and B.C. Minist. Water, Land and Air Prot., and the Habitat Conserv. Trust Fund. 66 mapsheets, 1:20 000 scale.
Sensitive Ecosystems Inventory [SEI] of the Sunshine Coast and Adjacent Islands. 2005. Cadrin, C., C. Erwin, B. Fuller, C. Schaefer and J. Stacey. 1:20 000 spatial data.
Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping [TEM] (Reconnaissance Level), of the King Island and Ingram-Ellerslie Lake Study Area of the central B.C. coast. March 31, 2006. Prepared for David Byng, Western Forest Products Inc., Campbell River, B.C., by R.N. Green, B.A. Blackwell and Associates Ltd.1:20 000 spatial data.
Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping [TEM] for the Clayoquot Sound Area (Atleo, Bedwell, Bulson River, Catface, Flores Island, Fortune, Hesquiat, Hesquiat Peninsula, Pretty Girl, Sydney River, Tranquil Creek and Ursus Creek study areas). March 1999h. Prepared for Ministry of Forests, Port Alberni Forest District, by Madrone Consultants Ltd., Duncan, B.C., 1:20,000 spatial data.
Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping [TEM] for the Clayoquot Sound Area (Marble study area). March 1999f. Prepared for Ministry of Forests, Port Alberni Forest District, by Madrone Consultants Ltd., Duncan, B.C., 1:20,000 spatial data.
Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping [TEM] for the Clayoquot Sound Area (Muriel Ridge study area). March 1999g. Prepared for Ministry of Forests, Port Alberni Forest District, by Madrone Consultants Ltd., Duncan, B.C., 1:20,000 spatial data.
Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping [TEM] for the Clayoquot Sound Study Area, Year Four. March 2002f. Prepared for the Ministry of Sustainable Resource Management, Nanaimo Forest District, by Madrone Consultants Ltd., Duncan, B.C. 1:20 000 spatial data.
Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping [TEM] of Chilliwack Lake Provincial Park and Chilliwack River Ecological Reserve. 2002b. Prepared for the Planning, Innovation and Enforcement (P.I.E.) Division of the Ministry of Water, Land and Air, by Atticus Resource Consulting Ltd. 1:20,000 spatial data.
Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping [TEM] of Indian Arm and Mount Seymour Provincial Parks. 2000d. Prepared for BC Parks, Lower Mainland Region, Ministry of Environment, Lands and Parks, by Innes, T., R. Fuller and D. Spaeth Filatow. 1:20 000 spatial data.
Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping [TEM] of Knight Inlet (TFL 45). 1999c. Prepared for Interfor, by B.A. Blackwell and Associates. 1:20 000 spatial data.
Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping [TEM] of Princess Royal Island. January, 1997c. Norecol, Dames and Moore, Inc., Vancouver, British Columbia. 1:50 000 spatial data.
Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping [TEM] of Sooke Hills Wilderness and Mount Wells Regional Parks. March, 2000f. Prepared for CRD Parks, Victoria, B.C., by the Wildlife Inventory Section, Resources Inventory Branch, Ministry of Environment Lands and Parks, Victoria, B.C. 1:20 000 spatial data.
Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping [TEM] of TFL 41 - Dala Creek. 1997. Acer Resource Consulting. 1:20 000 spatial data.
Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping [TEM] of the Deer Group and Vernon Bay, Vancouver Island, B.C. March 2002d. Madrone Consultants Ltd., Duncan, B.C. 1:20, 000 spatial data.
Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping [TEM] of the Escalante Watershed Unit. March 2002e. Prepared for the Ministry of Sustainable Resource Management Coast Region, by Madrone Consultants Ltd., Duncan, B.C. 1:20 000 spatial data.
Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping [TEM] of the Gold River and Conuma Study Areas (TFL 19). February 1999e. Prepared for Western Forest Products Ltd., Gold River Woodlands, by Madrone Consultants Ltd., 1:20 000 spatial data.
Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping [TEM] of the Khutzeymateen River Study Area. 1989. Shearwater Mapping Ltd. 1:20 000 spatial data.
Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping [TEM] of the Lull Sallie Study Area. 2003c. Shearwater Mapping Ltd., Victoria, B.C. 1:20,000 spatial data.
Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping [TEM] of the Mission Tree Farm. March 31, 2003d. Prepared for District of Mission, B.C., by R.N. Green, B.A. Blackwell and Associates Ltd., B.C. 1:20 000 spatial data.
Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping [TEM] of the Mt. Cornation Study Area. 1997b. Madrone Consultants Limited. 1:20 000 spatial data.
Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping [TEM] of the Strathcona TSA - Eliza Kaouk Landscape Unit. 2003b. Prepared for Western Forest Products, by B.A. Blackwell and Associates. 1:20 000 spatial data.
Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping [TEM] of the Strathcona TSA - Fullmore Landscape Unit. 2004. Prepared for Western Forest Products, by B.A. Blackwell and Associates. 1:20 000 spatial data.
Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping [TEM] of the Strathcona TSA - Gold Landscape Unit. 2004b. Prepared for Western Forest Products, by B.A. Blackwell and Associates. 1:20 000 spatial data.
Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping [TEM] of the Strathcona TSA - Tahsis Landscape Unit. 2005. Prepared for Western Forest Products, by B.A. Blackwell and Associates. 1:20 000 spatial data.
Terrestrial Ecosystem Mapping [TEM] Report for Effingham River and Toquart Bay. January 2003f. Prepared for Ministry Of Forests Nanaimo Forest District, by Madrone Consultants Ltd., Duncan, B.C. 1:20 000 spatial data.
Ward, P., G. Radcliffe, J. Kirkby, J. Illingworth, and C. Cadrin. 1998. Sensitive Ecosystems Inventory: East Vancouver Island and Gulf Islands 1993-1997. Volume 1: Methodology, Ecological Descriptions and Results. Tech. Rep. Ser. No. 320, Can. Wildl. Serv., Pac. and Yukon Reg., BC.
 

Please visit the website Conservation Status Ranks for definitions of the data fields used in this summary report.

Suggested Citation:

B.C. Conservation Data Centre. 2012. Ecological Community Summary: Rhododendron groenlandicum / Kalmia microphylla / Sphagnum spp.. B.C. Minist. of Environment. Available: https://a100.gov.bc.ca/pub/eswp/ (accessed Jun 16, 2026).