{
  "_meta": {
    "version": "1.0",
    "location": "Ketchikan, AK (55°20′N)",
    "climate_zone": "Pacific Temperate Rainforest",
    "soil_order": "Spodosol",
    "baseline_ph": {
      "min": 4.2,
      "max": 5.3,
      "typical": 4.8
    },
    "annual_precip_mm": 2100,
    "citizen": "Audrey Maldonato",
    "certification_track": "Certified Grounds Manager, ISA Arborist"
  },
  "canopy_species": [
    {
      "wikidata": "Q1144409",
      "binomial": "Tsuga heterophylla",
      "common": "Western Hemlock",
      "role": "dominant_canopy",
      "shade_factor": 0.85,
      "lifespan_years": 600,
      "notes": "Creates dense shade; drives podzolization via needle litter"
    }
  ],
  "understory_matrix": [
    {
      "wikidata": "Q941600",
      "binomial": "Gaultheria shallon",
      "common": "Salal",
      "family": "Ericaceae",
      "light_requirement": "partial_shade",
      "ph_tolerance": {
        "optimal_min": 4.5,
        "optimal_max": 6.0,
        "tolerance_range": [3.8, 7.2]
      },
      "hardiness_zone": "7b",
      "growth_form": "evergreen_shrub",
      "height_cm": 120,
      "spread_cm": 180,
      "maintenance_level": "low",
      "invasive_risk": false,
      "functional_traits": ["ground_cover", "erosion_control", "wildlife_food"],
      "establishment_notes": "Thrives under hemlock canopy; tolerates compacted till"
    },
    {
      "wikidata": "Q2273822",
      "binomial": "Polystichum munitum",
      "common": "Western Sword Fern",
      "family": "Dryopteridaceae",
      "light_requirement": "deep_shade",
      "ph_tolerance": {
        "optimal_min": 4.0,
        "optimal_max": 6.5,
        "tolerance_range": [3.5, 7.5]
      },
      "hardiness_zone": "7b",
      "growth_form": "perennial_fern",
      "height_cm": 90,
      "spread_cm": 75,
      "maintenance_level": "zero",
      "invasive_risk": false,
      "functional_traits": ["moisture_retention", "microhabitat_structure"],
      "establishment_notes": "Dominant dry-firm shade species; forms dense mats"
    },
    {
      "wikidata": "Q114823",
      "binomial": "Rhododendron macrophyllum",
      "common": "Pacific Rhododendron",
      "family": "Ericaceae",
      "light_requirement": "filtered_light",
      "ph_tolerance": {
        "optimal_min": 4.5,
        "optimal_max": 5.8,
        "tolerance_range": [3.5, 6.5]
      },
      "hardiness_zone": "7b",
      "growth_form": "evergreen_shrub",
      "height_cm": 300,
      "spread_cm": 250,
      "maintenance_level": "low",
      "invasive_risk": false,
      "functional_traits": ["visual_screen", "pollinator_support"],
      "establishment_notes": "Requires organic mulch; avoid lime amendments"
    },
    {
      "wikidata": "Q189319",
      "binomial": "Vaccinium ovatum",
      "common": "Evergreen Huckleberry",
      "family": "Ericaceae",
      "light_requirement": "partial_shade",
      "ph_tolerance": {
        "optimal_min": 4.8,
        "optimal_max": 6.0,
        "tolerance_range": [4.0, 6.8]
      },
      "hardiness_zone": "7b",
      "growth_form": "deciduous_shrub",
      "height_cm": 200,
      "spread_cm": 200,
      "maintenance_level": "low",
      "invasive_risk": false,
      "functional_traits": ["food_production", "cover_crop"],
      "establishment_notes": "Native berry crop; no pruning required"
    }
  ]
}