Subalpine meadow vegetation of south central Vancouver Island

Abstract

The subalpine meadow vegetation at three sites in the south central mountains of Vancouver Island was described. Based on dominance, six plant community types were delimited by ordination and classification. The community types are Phlox–moss, Anaphalis–Aster, Ribes–Heuchera, Pteridium aquilinum, Senecio–Veratrum, and Vaccinium–Carex. Although the two low-elevation sites were floristically similar, community definition was sharply delineated at Haley Lake but more continuous at Bell Creek. In contrast, the high-elevation Gemini Peak site was floristically and compositionally different and showed a more advanced stage of succession towards forest-dominated communities. Comparisons of the plant communities with those described for other subalpine regions of the Pacific Northwest indicated the strongest similarity to the vegetation of the Olympic Mountains, Washington.