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CEGL003241 Tsuga heterophylla - Callitropsis nootkatensis / Vaccinium (alaskaense, ovalifolium) - Oplopanax horridus Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Western Hemlock - Alaska-cedar / (Alaska Blueberry, Oval-leaf Blueberry) - Devil''s-club Forest
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This plant association is widespread throughout southeastern Alaska. It occurs on a variety of valley, hill and mountain landforms. It is most characteristic on upper portions of heavily dissected mountain slopes, up to 460 m (1500 feet) elevation. As with other Oplopanax horridus associations, it is typical along V-notches. The soils are mineral and somewhat poorly drained. The forest canopy is closed (mean cover of 69%) and codominated by Tsuga heterophylla and Callitropsis nootkatensis. Picea sitchensis also occurs. The forest canopy averages 34 m (110 feet) tall and snags are common. All three tree species occur in the understory. The shrub layer is characterized by Vaccinium spp., primarily Vaccinium ovalifolium, and Oplopanax horridus. Herbaceous species are abundant and include Cornus canadensis and Rubus pedatus.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: The first published account for this type is from the Ketchikan Area (DeMeo et al. 1992). These forests also occur in the Chatham Area (Martin et al. 1995) and the Stikine Area (Pawuk and Kissinger 1989). This association was also described by Martin et al. (1995) and Pawuk and Kissinger (1989).
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: The forest canopy is closed (mean cover of 69%) and codominated by Tsuga heterophylla and Callitropsis nootkatensis (= Chamaecyparis nootkatensis). Picea sitchensis also occurs. The forest canopy averages 34 m (110 feet) tall and snags are common. All three tree species occur in the understory. The shrub layer is characterized by Vaccinium spp., primarily Vaccinium ovalifolium, and Oplopanax horridus. Herbaceous species are abundant and include Cornus canadensis and Rubus pedatus.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: It occurs on a variety of valley, hill and mountain landforms. It is most characteristic on upper portions of heavily dissected mountain slopes, up to 460 m (1500 feet) elevation. As with other Oplopanax horridus associations, it is typical along V-notches. The soils are mineral and somewhat poorly drained.
Geographic Range: This association occurs in southeastern Alaska.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AK
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.683147
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G3
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 1 Forest & Woodland Class | C01 | 1 |
| Subclass | 1.B Temperate & Boreal Forest & Woodland Subclass | S15 | 1.B |
| Formation | 1.B.2 Cool Temperate Forest & Woodland Formation | F008 | 1.B.2 |
| Division | 1.B.2.Nd Vancouverian Forest & Woodland Division | D192 | 1.B.2.Nd |
| Macrogroup | 1.B.2.Nd.3 Western Hemlock - Sitka Spruce - Redwood Rainforest Macrogroup | M024 | 1.B.2.Nd.3 |
| Group | 1.B.2.Nd.3.h Alaskan Maritime Western Hemlock - Sitka Spruce Rainforest Group | G750 | 1.B.2.Nd.3.h |
| Alliance | A3603 Sitka Spruce / Devil''s-club Forest Alliance | A3603 | 1.B.2.Nd.3.h |
| Association | CEGL003241 Western Hemlock - Alaska-cedar / (Alaska Blueberry, Oval-leaf Blueberry) - Devil''s-club Forest | CEGL003241 | 1.B.2.Nd.3.h |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Tsuga heterophylla-Chamaecyparis nootkatensis/Vaccinium (alaskaense and ovalifolium)-Oplopanax horridus (Meidinger et al. 2005) [PNWCOAST_251]
- Boggs, K. 1996. Forested plant communities of maritime southcentral and southeast Alaska. Unpublished report of the Alaska Natural Heritage Program, University of Alaska, Anchorage.
- Bourgeron, P. S., and L. D. Engelking, editors. 1994. A preliminary vegetation classification of the western United States. Unpublished report. The Nature Conservancy, Western Heritage Task Force, Boulder, CO. 175 pp. plus appendix.
- DeMeo, T., J. Martin, and R. A. West. 1992. Forest plant association management guide, Ketchikan Area, Tongass National Forest. R10-MB-210. USDA Forest Service, Alaska Region. 405 pp.
- Martin, R. R., S. J. Trull, W. W. Brady, R. A. West, and J. M. Downs. 1995. Forest plant association management guide, Chatham Area, Tongass National Forest. R10-RP-57. USDA Forest Service, Alaska Region.
- Meidinger, D., C. Chappell, C. Cadrin, G. Kittel, C. McCain, K. Boggs, J. Kagan, G. Cushon, A. Banner, and T. DeMeo. 2005. International Vegetation Classification of the Pacific Northwest: International correlation of temperate coastal forest plant associations of Oregon, Washington, British Columbia and Alaska. Contributors: B.C. Ministry of Forests, USDA Forest Service, B.C. Conservation Data Centre, Alaska Natural Heritage Program, Washington Natural Heritage Program, and Oregon Natural Heritage Information Center.
- Pawuk, W. H., and E. J. Kissinger. 1989. Preliminary forest plant associations of the Stikine Area, Tongass National Forest. Technical Publication R10-TP-72. USDA Forest Service, Alaska Region, Juneau, AK. 126 pp.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.