As we walk out of the river valley and move to higher ele- vations there is a subtle change in, the soils and vegetation. It’s not really noticeable. We’ve become quite used to travelling through different parts of the country and taking dozens of different scenes for granted, Lush valleys rich in cottonwood; the rippling sounds of an unseen river in harmony with the buzz insects. A picturesque stand of autumn birch overlooking a remote lake, A majestic stand of western hemlock whispering in a summer breeze. Scenes such as these can stir many distant memories, but have you ever wondered why cach is so different? Have you ever consl- dered the delicate balance that means the difference between a stand of birch or hemlock, or perhaps nothing at all? _ In the past two weeks we've looked at the ecology and manage- ment of river valleys. We learned of the importance of the cottonwood, Without them those favorite landscapes of yours wouldn’t exist. We learned how the succession of forest and soils are responsible for the ground on ‘which we live. And we learned that with good management these sites can be productive forever, ; while if misused they may produce nothing more than brush for years. These were important lessons. We can’t manage a forest unless we fully understand nature. But as we move up to the mid-slopes of our valley we find different forces at work, and some of the lessons leamed at lower elevations are no longer valid. Mid-siopes range in elevation between about 200 and 400 meters. They include mountain sides as weil as flat areas like the bench lands surrounding downtown Terr- ace, and the most significant dif- ference between these areas and the valicy bottom is that they are "flow through” sites as far as soil _and nutrients are concerned. As water-suspended soils and nuttients flow down the hillside, some are deposited but many continue down to the valley floor, As a result, the soils on our mid-slopes might be shallow as om meter on a bedrock base on sidchills, and two to three meters deep or more over gravel in flatter areas. In comparison, soi! depth in the valley bottom might be 20 to 25 meters. One valley bottom in southeastern B.C. has soil deposits that are said to be as much as 400 meters in depth. by Tod Strachan J Other differences between mid- slope and lowland regions are that the mid-slopes are drier — mois- ture tends to flow through the area and on down to the river — and they’re a little higher and therefore slightly cooler. In other words, the mid-slopes provide a different biogeoclimatic zone that encour- ages the growth of different spe- cles-of plants and trees than are found in valleys, Stands of lodgepole pine, which favor well-drained areas with course soils, are usually inter- spersed with a few hemlock and balsam. In wetter areas, you'll find white spruce and cedar. In other [iM areas you will find aspen, slide alder and birch, which play a role similar to that of cottonwood. And in areas that are wetter still you will find willow, and near creeks possibly a few cottonwood as well, jam As far as brush and shrubs are concemed, mid-slope areas are “ where you find false azalea, rose bushes and "vaccinium" such as” blueberries and huckleberries. But this still over simplifies the true mid-slope picture. Look at a ; : sidehil] and you see a mozaic of § greenery. There are fingers of light green around creeks, and bands of § Let’s take time to listen — these people have somthing to say Contributed by Maureen Fox The ability to communicate is our most human characteristic. Communication simply means the exchange of information; be - it thoughts, ideas, opinions or feelings. We need to com- municate to connect with other people. Many of us take com- munication for granted. We speak, hear and understand with ease, Yet, 10 percent of all people in British Columbia suffer from disorders of speech, language or hearing that restrict their ability to communicate, This makes communication disorders the most widespread handicapping condition in this country. May is Better Speech and Hearing Month, an annual, nationally-recognized month to inform the public about com- — munication, its disorders and ways to get help. This month’s campaign encourages early detection, proper treatment, and a better understanding of the needs of people with speech, language, or hearing disorders. Communication disorders can involve speech, language or hearing. Speech disorders in- volve problems with making sounds correctly, voice quality and stuttering. Language dis- orders involve difficulty in understanding or using language. — difficulty in understanding what’s heard, for example, as well as trouble in expressing abstract ideas or an unusual slowness in acquiring normal. language skills. Hearing impair- ments, even mild hearing loss, can delay speech and language development. Difficulties with communica- tion can exist across all age spans. If a child develops hear- ing, speech or language prob- lems early in life, and they are not treated, the child’s ability to learn can be affected. For older persons, communication dis- orders can intensify the isolation that they may feel. Most people with communica- tion disorders and their families can be helped by speech- language pathologists, audiolo- gists, and teachers of the hearing impaired, but often these people are not aware of the available services. In- Terrace there are several agencies that offer help to peo- ple with communication dis- orders, The. Terrace Child Development Centre provides information to parents of young Bae children who have difficulties with speech, language, or hear- | ing. The staff at the center work directly with children and § families to improve communica- § tion development. School District 88 has a speech pathologist, tion and learning skills. The Skeena speech and hearing clinic offers services to the general public with communication disorders. Sandra fg Hedley, who works with school- aged children, their families and @ teachers to enhance communica- | " deciduous trees where level sites retain moisture. And the complex- ity of the picture also depends on which direction you’re facing. North facing slopes are cooler and stay colder for a longer part of the year. This mans the winter snowfall stays on the ground longer. and you tend to find more hemlock and balsam growing there. Hemlock and tslsam are more tolerent of the cooler tem- _ peratures and don’t mind the snow load. South facing slopes are warmer and the snow tends to melt sooner. Here you will find more aspen and birch. Next week we'll look at midslope management and something called "seral sites" which you have prob- ably seen several times while driving between Cedarvale and Hazelton. Forestry Insights is regular weekly feature of the Terrace Review, written by staff reporter Tod Strachan in consultation with Registered Professional Foresters Rod Arnold and Doug Davies. —- _ Fine Dining in quiet surroundings! 5 p.m. — 10 p.m. 4620 Lakelse Avenue 638-8141 rat . 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