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CEGL003255 Picea sitchensis - Tsuga heterophylla / Rubus spectabilis / Dryopteris expansa Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Sitka Spruce - Western Hemlock / Salmonberry / Spreading Woodfern Forest
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: The stands consist of moderately open uneven-aged Picea sitchensis. Rubus spectabilis, the diagnostic understory species, dominates the tall-shrub layer, and Alnus viridis ssp. sinuata forms a significant component in some stands. Species composition and cover are highly variable in the forb, graminoid, and fern layers. In many stands, bryophytes form a carpet consisting mainly of Hylocomium splendens, Rhizomnium glabrescens, and Rhytidiadelphus loreus. As described from Cooper River Delta, Alaska, this association is a major type occurring on alluvial surfaces, formed on outwash plains, and on coastal dune crests or uplifted dunes. It occurs as stringers, broad expanses of forest or inclusions within forests. The sites are typically well-drained, although on outwash plains during high riverflows, they may be inundated. Some sites may be sufficiently elevated above the river to avoid flooding. The surface topography is typically level on outwash plains and undulating on dune systems. The soils on the outwash plains are deep, well-drained alluvium. They are characterized by a thin to thick humic layer and weakly developed mineral horizons. Mottling was noted in most of the soil profiles. The soils on dunes are deep, well-drained eolian sand.
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). This type also occurs in the Copper River Delta (Boggs 1996, 2000) and the South Kenai Area. This type has been previously described in south-central Alaska by DeVelice et al. (1994) and southeast Alaska by DeMeo et al. (1992).
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: The stands consist of moderately open uneven-aged Picea sitchensis. Rubus spectabilis, the diagnostic understory species, dominates the tall-shrub layer, and Alnus viridis ssp. sinuata (= Alnus crispa ssp. sinuata) forms a significant component in some stands. Species composition and cover are highly variable in the forb, graminoid, and fern layers. In many stands, bryophytes form a carpet consisting mainly of Hylocomium splendens, Rhizomnium glabrescens, and Rhytidiadelphus loreus.
Dynamics: This is a mid-successional type that follows the Picea sitchensis / Alnus crispa (Sitka spruce / Sitka alder) community type or Populus trichocarpa / young (black cottonwood / young) community type (Boggs 2000). On all landscapes, this community may be seral to other Picea sitchensis types and, eventually, Tsuga heterophylla communities.
Environmental Description: As described from Cooper River Delta, this association is a major type occurring on alluvial surfaces, formed on outwash plains, and on coastal dune crests or uplifted dunes. It occurs as stringers, broad expanses of forest or inclusions within forests. The sites are typically well-drained, although on outwash plains during high riverflows, they may be inundated. Some sites may be sufficiently elevated above the river to avoid flooding. The surface topography is typically level on outwash plains and undulating on dune systems. The soils on the outwash plains are deep, well-drained alluvium. They are characterized by a thin to thick humic layer and weakly developed mineral horizons. Mottling was noted in most of the soil profiles. The soils on dunes are deep, well-drained eolian sand.
Geographic Range: This type is from the Ketchikan Area (DeMeo et al. 1992). It also occurs in the Copper River Delta (Boggs 1996, 2000) and the South Kenai Area and has been previously described in south-central Alaska by DeVelice et al. (1994) and southeast Alaska by DeMeo et al. (1992).
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AK
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.684376
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G3G4
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.3 Temperate Flooded & Swamp Forest Formation | F026 | 1.B.3 |
| Division | 1.B.3.Ng Vancouverian Flooded & Swamp Forest Division | D193 | 1.B.3.Ng |
| Macrogroup | 1.B.3.Ng.1 Vancouverian Flooded & Swamp Forest Macrogroup | M035 | 1.B.3.Ng.1 |
| Group | 1.B.3.Ng.1.g Western Hemlock - Mountain Hemlock / American Skunk-cabbage Swamp Forest Group | G854 | 1.B.3.Ng.1.g |
| Alliance | A4286 Western Hemlock - Sitka Spruce Alaskan Swamp Forest Alliance | A4286 | 1.B.3.Ng.1.g |
| Association | CEGL003255 Sitka Spruce - Western Hemlock / Salmonberry / Spreading Woodfern Forest | CEGL003255 | 1.B.3.Ng.1.g |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Picea sitchensis / Rubus spectabilis (DeMeo et al. 1992)
= Picea sitchensis / Rubus spectabilis Community Type (Sitka Spruce/Salmonberry Community Type) (Boggs 2000)
= Picea sitchensis-Tsuga heterophylla/Rubus spectabilis/Dryopteris expansa (Meidinger et al. 2005) [PNWCOAST_078]
= Picea sitchensis / Rubus spectabilis Community Type (Sitka Spruce/Salmonberry Community Type) (Boggs 2000)
= Picea sitchensis-Tsuga heterophylla/Rubus spectabilis/Dryopteris expansa (Meidinger et al. 2005) [PNWCOAST_078]
- Boggs, K. 1996. Forested plant communities of maritime southcentral and southeast Alaska. Unpublished report of the Alaska Natural Heritage Program, University of Alaska, Anchorage.
- Boggs, K. 2000. Classification of community types, successional sequences and landscapes of the Copper River Delta, Alaska. General Technical Report PNW-GTR-469. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station, Portland, OR. March 2000. 244 pp.
- 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.
- 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.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.