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CEGL003444 Abies procera / Oxalis oregana Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Noble Fir / Redwood Sorrel Forest
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This association is known from the northern Oregon Coast Ranges, and is assumed to be extirpated from the adjacent Willapa Hills in southwestern Washington. It occurs on isolated peaks, found at lower elevations (670 m [2200 feet]) by the ocean, and between 915 and 1220 m (3000-4000 feet) further inland. Soils are deep, moderately stony and moist but well-drained, generally colluvium. It occurs on ridges and upper slopes generally, with a few occurrences from mid slopes. Canopy closure of mature trees averages 82%. Abies procera dominates the canopy, but Pseudotsuga menziesii, Tsuga heterophylla, and Abies amabilis are occasionally found in the overstory and understory. Some Abies procera and Pseudotsuga menziesii trees are very large, easily reaching giant conifer status, but generally the stands are shorter. Sampled stands ranged from 80 to 211 years old. Shrubs have limited cover, with Rubus spectabilis and Ribes lacustre often present at 1% cover. Oxalis oregana dominates the forest floor, with 52% cover, although Polystichum munitum, Osmorhiza berteroi, Claytonia sibirica, Clintonia uniflora, and Coptis laciniata are all often present. No other associations are dominated by Abies procera.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This is a distinct, very rare and local association. The type is somewhat similar to types in the Olympic Mountains, and at one time might have been more widespread. Due to the rarity of true fir forests, McCain and Diaz (2002a) combined the Abies procera and the Abies amabilis types in her Coast Ranges guide. Abies amabilis dominates only two coastal stands, although it is fairly widespread in the Cascades and Olympics. Abies procera / Oxalis oregana dominates five sampled Coast Ranges stands, and does not occur anywhere else. Dr. McCain has agreed to changing the name to Abies procera / Oxalis oregana Forest.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Canopy closure of mature trees averages 82%. Abies procera dominates the canopy, but Pseudotsuga menziesii, Tsuga heterophylla, and Abies amabilis are occasionally found in the overstory and understory. Some Abies procera and Pseudotsuga menziesii trees are very large, easily reaching giant conifer status, but generally the stands are shorter. Sampled stands ranged from 80 to 211 years old. Shrubs have limited cover, with Rubus spectabilis and Ribes lacustre often present at 1% cover. Oxalis oregana dominates the forest floor, with 52% cover, although Polystichum munitum, Osmorhiza berteroi (= Osmorhiza chilensis), Claytonia sibirica (= Montia sibirica), Clintonia uniflora, and Coptis laciniata are all often present. No other associations are dominated by Abies procera.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: It occurs on isolated peaks, found at lower elevations (670 m [2200 feet]) by the ocean, and between 915 and 1220 m (3000-4000 feet) further inland. Soils are deep, moderately stony and moist but well-drained, generally colluvium. It occurs on ridges and upper slopes generally, with a few occurrences from mid slopes.
Geographic Range: This is a very local association, found in only on a few, isolated peaks on the northern Oregon Coast Range and is assumed extirpated from southwestern Washington Coast Range.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: OR
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.683983
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G1
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.d Pacific Silver Fir - Western Hemlock Rainforest Group | G241 | 1.B.2.Nd.3.d |
| Alliance | A3387 Pacific Silver Fir - Western Hemlock / Thinleaf Huckleberry Cold Forest Alliance | A3387 | 1.B.2.Nd.3.d |
| Association | CEGL003444 Noble Fir / Redwood Sorrel Forest | CEGL003444 | 1.B.2.Nd.3.d |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Abies procera/Oxalis oregana (Meidinger et al. 2005) [PNWCOAST_037]
- Kagan, J. S., J. A. Christy, M. P. Murray, and J. A. Titus. 2004. Classification of native vegetation of Oregon. January 2004. Oregon Natural Heritage Information Center, Portland. 52 pp.
- McCain, C., and N. M. Diaz. 2002a. Field guide to the forested plant associations of the northern Oregon Coast Range. Siuslaw National Forest, USFS; Salem District, BLM; Eugene District, BLM. Technical Paper R6-NR-ECOL-TP-03-02. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region, Portland, OR. 250 pp.
- 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.
- WNHP [Washington Natural Heritage Program]. 2018. Unpublished data files. Washington Natural Heritage Program, Department of Natural Resources, Olympia, WA.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.