Field Guide to Ecosites of Northern Alberta

An ecological classification system was developed for Northern Albertathrough the analysis of vegetation, soil, site, and forest productivityinformation. The hierarchical classification system has three levels -ecosite, ecosite phase and plant community type. Thirty-eight ecositesare described with further detail provided by subdivision into ecositeand ecosite phase and plant community type. A soil type classificationsystem that describes 17 soil types was also developed. Managementinterpretations were made for drought, excess moisture, soil ruttinghazard, soil compaction hazard, puddling hazard, soil erosion hazard,frost heave hazard, soil temperature limitations, vegetationcompetition, and windthrow hazard. Colour photos and drawings for 87common plants of northern Alberta are presented.