Native Species Recommended for the Forest Ecoregions of ...

DEDICATIONThis publication is dedicated to the memory of Wayne Harris, who hagicallypassed away on October 7,2002.As an employee of the Department of Environment for 13 years, Wayne was aspecial person with breadth and depth in a variety of resource disciplines. Hehad a passion for raptors, and banding young Femrginous and Swainson'shawks became part of his job. He went the extra mile to obtain information onendangered species, putting in long and grueling field days followed by earlymorning and late night hours in the office, documenting information andnetworking with others to advance the protection of Saskatchewan'sbiodiversity. Wayne co-operated with the oil and gas industry to determinemethods, which allowed for development, while minimizing impacts on thewildlife resource, particularly native vegetation. He recognized the importanceof reducing the impacts of exotic species, to the extent that he made a personaleffort to remove Japanese brome from pastures in the southwest corner of theprovince.As a respected and prominent ecologist, Wayne authored and co-authorednumerous publications within and outside government. Some of his writtenwork includes a pioneer effort in preparing a description of understoryvegetation within various forest ecosystems.His dedicated and professional ethic is acknowledged. His caring for theenvironment and contributions of time and knowledge remain a legacy.

TABLE OF CONTENTSAcknowledgements......... .........................1Introduction. ........................2Site Definitions.................Species by Site Type - Grasses, Sedges and Rushes.......'.....'.......'....5Species by Site Type - Forbs ........... ............................' 8Species by Site Type - Shrubs .....'.'.........1IInformdtion Sources ........FIGURESMid-Boreal Upland, Mid-Boreal Lowland and Boreal Transition Ecoregionsin Saskatchewan................................'......3

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSThis report is a collaborative effort between government and non-governmentparticipants. It has been prepared as a practical guide to assist in the use ofnative species for rehabilitating disturbed areas. Saskatchewan Environmentstaff leading preparation of the report includes: Adam Kosowan, Jim R.Smith, Rob Wright, Ann Gerry, Sheila Lamont and Bob Wilson.Thanks are extended to Dr. Jim Romo, Professor, University of Saskatchewanand the students from the Landscape Ecology and Vegetation ManagementClass, John Conkin, Sherry Stewart, Jennifer Femet, Andrew Pantel, NeilBlock, Tara Sample, Debbie Borowsky and Tim L'Arrivee. The student papersprovided a basis for this report.The project was further advanced by Joel Ulmer, a summer student withSaskatchewan Environment, who synthesized the student reports. The workundertaken by Joel is appreciated.The assistance provided by Dr. Vernon Harms, Professor emeritus, Universityof Saskatchewan and John H. Hudson, Botanist, with reviewing the report isgratefully acknowledged.Thanks are also extended to Ron Erickson, Director, and Chris Dunn,Integrated Resource Manager, Prince Albert, for their adminishative support,and to numerous other Saskatchewan Environment colleasues for theircontributions.

INTRODUCTIONThe maintenance of ecological structure, function and composition requires anunderstanding ofnatural ecosystems, and the corresponding application ofthatknowledge. Humans are unable to replicate pre-disturbance natural processes,but are able to minimize the impacts of man-made disturbances on thelandscape and facilitate recovery toward a natural system.Exotic species are recognized as a threat to the maintenance ofnaturalbiodiversity. Studies by Saskatchewan Environment have demonstrated thatsoil exposure provides a favorable location for the establishment ofundesirable plant species. Early re-establishment of native species on disturbedsites is recommended for mitigation. The intent of this report is to serve as apractical guide for the selection ofsuitable native species to reclaimdisturbances within the Mid-Boreal Upland, Mid-Boreal Lowland and BorealTransition Ecoregions (Figure l).As disturbances generally result in habitats exposed to sunlight, the specieslisted are suitable for sunlight conditions. They are organized within thefollowing site categories: dry, fresh, moist, wet and organic. Proportionally, itis suggested that the dry, fresh and moist site species mixes contain 80 to 90%grasses (and grass-like) and 10 to20Yo forbs. The wet and organic site speciesshould contain approximately 95% grasses (and grass-like) and the balanceforbs. Four or more grass (and grassJike) species and four or more forbspecies should be used in the mix. To confirm proper species selection andlocate rare species, proponents are encouraged to undertake vegetation surveysprior to development.The species listings are based on ecological suitability without consideration toseed procurement (purchase or collection). It is suggested that users obtainadditional information on species characteristics prior to purchasing seed andplanting. Local origin seed with purity from weeds is recommended.Additional information sources are identified in this report.The authors believe that this report is a useful starting point and encouragefuture efforts toward a better understanding of site and species relationships.

Figure 1. Mid-Boreal Upland, Mid-Boreal Lowland and Boreal TransitionEcoregions in Saskatchewan.

SITE DEFINITIONSDry: Moisture and nutrient deficient sites, commonly supporting jack pineforests (rapidly drained sands). Examples include the Nisbet and Fort-dla-ComeProvincial Forests. These are the driest sites supporting forestgrowth.Fresh: These sites are commonly differentiated from the dry category by thepresence ofclay or silt in the soil profile. They are topographicallylocated from the mid to upper slope positions. Coarse soils (sands) mayalso occur in this site category; however, they are topographicallylocated on lower slopes where groundwater or runoff influencesvegetation growth. A variety of boreal tree species may be found onthese sites of average growing conditions.Moist: Soils within this site category may be a variety of textures (sands,clays etc). Due to topography (mid-slope to depression), landscape(productive lowland) or other influence, more water is available for plantgrowth than in the previous categories. These are the most productiveforest sites on which a variety of boreal forest species may be found.Wet: These sites are seasonally saturated or located in areas with a higherwater table. The soils may be a variety of textures (sands, clays etc.) andare usually overlain by a shallow layer ofpeat. These poorly drainedsites are usually occupied by black spmce, white spruce and tamarack ormay consist of meadows located in depressions.Organic: Prolonged saturation and organic matter accumulation (> 40 cm) arecharacteristic of these sites. They are located in areas with a high watertable and commonly termed bogs and fens. The bogs may contain ablack spruce and/or tamarack forest cover; whereas, the dominantvegetation offens are grasses and grass-like species.

SPECIES BY SITE TYPE - GRASSES. SEDGES AND RUSIIES'DRYFREsHSITEMoIsTwEToRGANICalpine rush(Juncus alpinus; Juncus alpinoarticulatus ssp. nodulosus2 )awned sedge(Carex atherodes)awned wheat grass(Agropyron subs ecundum ; Elymus trachycaalas ssp. subsecundus)beaked sedge(Carex utriculata)bog muhly( Muhl enbe r sia clo m er at a )rog sedge/Carex masellanica),ommon cattaillTvnha latifolia)lommon great bulrush/Scirpus lacustris ssp, validus ; Schoenoplectus tabernaemontanus)common reed grass(Phragmites communis; Phragmites australis )common sweet grass(Hierochloe odorata):reeping spike-rush'Eleocharis oalustris )Dudley's rushUuncus dudlevi)fowl bluegrass(Poa palustris)fowl manna grass(Glycerid striata)foxtail barley(Hordeum iubatum)fringed brome(Bromus ciliatus)great bulrush(Scirpus lacustris ssp. acutus; Schoenoplectus acutus var. acutus)' Suitable species within each site type.I Sfu.t shading identifies species for primary consideration. Others may be suitable.I C.uy shadinfidentifies species for secondary consideration. Others may be suitable.It is recommended that users further veriff species/site suitability as soil characteristics such asacidity and salinity can influence species selection and survival. In addition, some species listedwithin the "organic" category are found in shallow water.2 The first Latin name has until recently been the accepted name and appears in books onvascular plants. The second is the cunently accepted name available only in new or revised flora.

SPECIES BY SITE TYPE - GRASSES, SEDGES AND RUSHESDRYSITEF M wR o EE I TS sTHhairJike sedge(Carex caoillaris) :1.1:.:,rairy wild ryelElymus innovatus ; Leymus innovatus)inland blue grass(Poa interior; Poa nemoralis ssp. interior)June grass(Koeleria macrantha)knotted rush(Juncus nodosus)malsh reed gfass(C alamagro s tis cana d e nsi s )narTow reed gfass(Calamagrostis neglecta ; C alamagrostis stricta ssp. stricta)nodding brome(Bromus anomalus; Bromus Porteri)northem brome(Bromus oumoellianus: Bromus inermis ssp. pumpellianus)rorthem manna grasslGlyceria borealis)northem reed grass(Calamasrostis inexDansa : Calamagrostis strictd ssp- inexpansa)northem rice grass(Orvzoosis punsens : Piptatherum pungens)plains rough fescue(Festuca altaica ssp. hallii))urple oat glass/ Schizachne purpur as ce n s )rocky mountain fescue(Festuca saximontana)ough hair grass'Asrostis scabra)usset cotton-grass/ Eriophorum chamis o ni s )sheathed cotton-grass(Erioohorum vasinatum ! at. vaginatum)sheathed sedge(Carex vasinata)i ,,: ,,' _.;,:1.1ill$s&W,..jdfioRGANIc:.''1

SPECIES BY SITE TYPE _ GRASSES. SEDGES AND RUSHESilender cotton-grass'Eriophorum gracile)rlenderush'Juncus tenuis);and sedge'Caret houghtoniana);ilvery-flowered sedge'Carex aenea; Csrex siccata)ilender wheat grass'Agropyron trachycaulum; Elymus trachycaulus ssp. trachvcaulus)ilough grass' B e c kmannia svzi sac hne );mall-fruited bulrush/Scirpusmicrocarpus)itreambank wheatgrass'Apropyron riparium: Elvmus lanceolatus var. rioarius);all cotton-grass/ E rio p ho rum anws tifo lium )DRYFREsHSITEMoIsTwEToRGANIctall manna grass(Glyceria grandis)timber oat grass( D ant h onia int erme di a):hinJeaved cotton grass'Erio p h o rum v ir idicar inatum):ufted hair grass' D e s c hamp s ia cae s p ito s a):wo-stamened sedge'Carex diandra)water sedge(Carex aquatilis)white-grained mountain rice grass(Ory zo p s is as per ifo lia )wire rush(Juncus balticus)yellow bog sedge'Carex gtnqcrates)

American dragonhead(Dr acoceohalum p amifl orum )American vetch(Vicia americana)SPECIES BY SITE TYPE _ FORBSarrow-leaved coltsfoot(Petasites sagittatus ; Petasites frigidus var. sagittatus)arumleaved arrowhead(Sagittaria cuneata)balsam groundsel(Senecio pauperculus ; Packera paupercula)Bicknell's geranium(Geranium bicfuellii)rlue columbine/ A a uile sia b rev is tv I a )broad-leaved pussytoes(Antennaria neglecta)bristly buttercup(Ranunculus p ensy Iv anicus)ruck-bean/M env anthes trifo li at a)runchberry/Cornus canadensis)3anada anemonelAnemone canadensis)DRFRFsH3anada goldenrod(Solidaso canadensis)common harebell(C amnanu I a ro tundifo li a ) lcommon yarrow( A c hil I e a m i I I efo I iu m)cow-parsmp(Heracleum lanatum ; Heracleum maximum)cream-colored vetchling(Lathyrus ochroleucus)cut-leaved anemone(Anemone multifida)cutJeaved ragwort(Senecio eremophilus)Ii:;:lSITEMoIsTi}r);r$sll:::',early blue violet#;r(Viola adunca) 4fireweed(Eoilobium ansustifolium : Chamerion ansustifolium)lranklin's scorpionweed'Phacelia franklinii)IwEToRGANICllt;:fr':''trs i.':"r-

SPECIES BY SITE TYPE _ FORBSDRYFRESHSITEMoISTwEToRGAN Icliant hyssop'A s as t ac h e fo e ni culum )golden dock/Rumex maritimus)lapland buttercup(Ranunculus lapponicus)Lindley's aster(Aster ciliolatus ; Symphyotrichum ciliolatum)long-leaved starwort( S t e I I ar i a I o n gifo I i a)long-stalked chickweed(Stellaria longipes)Macoun's buttercup(Ranunculus macounii)marsh aster(Aster borealis ; Symphyotrichum boreale)marsh hedge-nettle(Stachys palustris var. pilosa; Stachys pilosa)marsh ragwort(Senecio congestus)marsh skullcap(Scute I laria eale riculata)nountain goldenrod'Solidago spathulata; Solidago simplex ssp. simplex)narrow-leaved dock(Rumex salicifulius v ar. mexicanus)narrow-leaved hawkweed(Hieracium umbellatum)northem bedstraw(Galium boreale)northem daisy fleabane(Erigeron acris)northem gentian(G entianella amarella ssp acuta)northem valerian(Valeriana dioica var. sylvatica)palmate-leaved coltsfoot(Petasites palmatus; Petasites frigidus var. palmatus))hiladelphia fleabane'Erigeron philadelphicus )rlains wormwood'Artemisia campestris )lrarne crocus'Anemone patens; Pulsatilla patens ssp. multiJida)purple peavine(Lathyrus venosus)Idlffi9

SPBCIES BY SITE TYPE _ FORBSans er ina ; A rge ntina dnse rina)s te IIata ; Maianlhemum s tel latum)Isaved false solomon's-scalveiny meadow rueWestem Canada violet'Rumex occidentalis; Rumex aquaticus vat(As le r hes pe r ius ; Sy mphyo tr ic h um lanceo la tu mwild lily-of+he-valley(Maianthemum canaclensewild rnint(Mentha arvensiswoodland strawbenyow rnarsh-marigoldltha nalustris)l0

SPECIES BY SITE TYPE _ SHRUBSalderleaved buckthom(Rhamnus alnifolia)reaked hazelnut'Corylus cornuta)rearberrylAr c t o s t ap hy I o s uva -ut" s i )bog birch(Betula glandulosa; Betula nana)Canada blueberry(Vaccinium myrt illoides)bracted honeysuckle(Lonicera involucrata)Canada buffaloberry(Shepherdia canadensis)chokecherry(Prunus virginiana var. melanocarpa)common Junrper(Juniperus communis)lommon snowberry/Symphoricarpos albus);reeping juniper/Ju n i p eru s h ori z o n t a I i,s )dry-ground cranberry( Va c c in ium I i ti s - ida e a)dwarfbirch(Betula pumila var. glandulifera)dwarf bog-rosemary(Andromeda polifolia)fly honeysuckle(Lonicera villosa)green alder'Alnus crispa: Alnus viridis sso. crispa)righ bush-cranbeny'Viburnum trilobum : Yiburnum ooulus )DRYFRESH,i;,$llwj::n€ii{:fi-r'li.;::=r{i:.::i:'iSITEMoIsTwEToRGANIC11

SPECIES BY SITE TYPE _ SHRUBSLabrador tea(Ledum sroenlandicum)leatherleaf(C hamae daphne c aly cul ata)low bush-cranberry(Viburnum edule)northem bog-laurel(Kalmia polifolia)pin cherry(Prunus pensylvanica)DRYFRESHt""*.SITEMoISTrrickly rose'Rosa acicularis):ed-osier dogwood/Cornus stolonifera: Cornus sericea sso. stolonifer) ,river alder(Alnus tenuifolia; Alnus incana ssp. tenuifolia)SaskatoonrA m e I anc h ie r a I n ifo I ia)shrubby cinquefoil(Potentilla fruticosa: DasiDhora fruticosa ssp. floribunda)small bog cranberryr'Orycoccus micrcarpus ; Vaccinium orycoccos)twining honeysuckle(Lonicera dioica)wild gooseberry(Ribes oxv acanthoides )wild red raspberry(Rubus idaeus ssD. str,.sosrrs)willows(Salix soo.)liiawETir,.:,1.'oRGANICt2

INFORMATION SOURCESActon, D. F., G.A. Padbury and C.T. Stushnoff (Principal Authors) and L.Gallagher, D. Gauthier, L. Kelly, T. Radenbaugh and J. Thorpe(Contributing Authors). 1998. The Ecoregions of Saskatchewan.Saskatchewan Environment and Resource Management and CanadianPlains Research Center, University of Regina. 205 pp.Gerling, S. G., M. G. Willoughby, A. Schoepf, K. E. Tannas and C. A. Tannas'1996. A Guide to Using Native Plants on Disturbed Lands. AlbertaAgriculture, Food and Rural Development and Alberta EnvironmentalProtection. ISBN 0-7732 -6125-7.247 pp.Hardy BBT Limited. 1989. Manual of Plant Species Suitability forReclamation in Alberta - 2no Edition. Alberta Land Conservation andReclamation Council Report No. RRTAC 89 -4. 436 pp.Harris, W.C. Revised 1989. A Guide to Forest Understory Vegetation inSaskatchewan. Govetnment of Saskatchewan and Forestry Canada.106 pp.Johnson, D., L. Kershaw, A. MacKinnon and J. Pojar. 1995. Plants of theWestern Boreal Forest and Aspen Parkland. Lone Pine Publishingand the Canadian Forestry Service. ISBN l-55105-058-7. 392pp.Kabzems, A., A.L. Kosowan and W.C. Harris. 1986. Mixedwood Section inan Ecological Perspective Saskatchewan. Technical Bulletin No. 8,Second Edition. Saskatchewan Parks and Renewable Resources andCanadian Forestry Service. 122 PP.Native Plant Society of Saskatchewan. info@,npss.sk.caSaskatchewan Conservation Data Centre. http://www.biodiversit)'.sk.caWark D.B., W.R. Poole, R.G. Amott, L.R. Moats and I. Wetter. Revegetatingwith Native Grasses. Ducks Unlimited Canada. 133 pp.13

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