VI SPINE TRAIL Land & Ecosystem Types Terry Lewis Terry Lewis Hiker & Mtn biker – Comox Valley Hiker & Mtn biker – Comox Valley Semi-retired Semi-retired Background – soil science, forestry, consultant Background – soil science, forestry, consultant lots of mapping of soils & ecosystems lots of mapping of soils & ecosystems

VI SPINE TRAIL Land & Ecosystem Types Forested lands and lower-elevation ecosystems Forested lands and lower-elevation ecosystems Matrix Matrix Sensitive sites/soils Sensitive sites/soils Old roads Old roads Parkland & Alpine areas Parkland & Alpine areas Come. Let's Build Trails. Together.

Lower elevation forest matrix Variable amounts of clearing – tool needs Variable amounts of clearing – tool needs Shrub cover varies with elevation Shrub cover varies with elevation Lower elevation dry sites = salal Lower elevation dry sites = salal Lower elevation mesic sites = moss Lower elevation mesic sites = moss Lower elevation moist sites = ferns, salmonberry Lower elevation moist sites = ferns, salmonberry Higher elevation sites = blueberries Higher elevation sites = blueberries Balance construction with features Balance construction with features Windfall amounts Windfall amounts Highly variable – chainsaw use Highly variable – chainsaw use

Lower elevation Sensitive sites Water – the root of most problems Water – the root of most problems Running water – erosion – erodible soils Running water – erosion – erodible soils Control grades = control water Control grades = control water Standing water – poor soil drainage Standing water – poor soil drainage Avoid OR Avoid OR A feature to protect A feature to protect

Lower elevation forest - old roads, grades Variable clearing Variable clearing Light clearing at most lower elevations Light clearing at most lower elevations Thick at intermediate eleations Thick at intermediate eleations Sitka alder multi-stemmed Sitka alder multi-stemmed Drainage – water control Drainage – water control Existing or potential Existing or potential

Parkland to Alpine Lighter trail Lighter trail Clearing & windfalls limited to tree clumps Clearing & windfalls limited to tree clumps Sensitive vegetation Sensitive vegetation Wet>herbaceous>heath>talus>rock Wet>herbaceous>heath>talus>rock Route marking becomes critical Route marking becomes critical Visibility, weather, safety Visibility, weather, safety Snow avalanche tracks Snow avalanche tracks Heavy brush (Sitka alder) to herbaceous Heavy brush (Sitka alder) to herbaceous Avoid/minimize – high maintenance Avoid/minimize – high maintenance

VI SPINE TRAIL - Getting it Built By Contract or by Volunteers? By Contract or by Volunteers? an appropriate mix? an appropriate mix? crew of 2, building 80 days/yr = 12 km trail crew of 2, building 80 days/yr = 12 km trail Land Ownership/tenure issues Land Ownership/tenure issues Acknowledgement of ‘working forests’ Acknowledgement of ‘working forests’

Come. Let's Build Trails. Together.