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CEGL003187 Baccharis pilularis / Danthonia californica Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Coyotebrush / California Oatgrass Shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This shrubland association is currently only known from Point Reyes National Seashore in California, and the following description is based on occurrences there. Additional information will be added as it becomes available. Stands are found on convex or linear, middle third of slopes to ridgetops of 8-45° on all aspects. Soil textures range from coarse sandy loam to moderately fine clay loam of shale, siltstone, and sandstone. The stands may occur on the landward side of coastal dune systems such as at North Beach on Point Reyes Peninsula. Some stands have more windblown sand in the soil surface layer while others are found on fine-grained marine sediments. Moisture content is somewhat higher than surrounding upland annual grassland vegetation, but somewhat lower than adjacent Deschampsia cespitosa stands or stands of ~Baccharis pilularis / Deschampsia cespitosa Shrubland (CEGL003188)$$. Stands of this shrubland have a dense herbaceous cover. It is dominated by low subshrubs of Baccharis pilularis and Danthonia californica and usually includes Pteridium aquilinum, Aira caryophyllea, Plantago lanceolata, Achillea millefolium, Holcus lanatus, Bromus maritimus, Carex sp., Cirsium quercetorum, and Rumex acetosella. Often found in this association are Iris douglasiana, Eriogonum latifolium, Vulpia sp., Elymus glaucus, Bromus hordeaceus, Grindelia stricta, Hypochaeris radicata, Pseudognaphalium californicum, and Madia sp. This association is frequently found adjacent to annual grasslands.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: No Data Available
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Stands of this shrubland have a dense herbaceous cover. It is dominated by low subshrubs of Baccharis pilularis and Danthonia californica and usually includes Pteridium aquilinum, Aira caryophyllea, Plantago lanceolata, Achillea millefolium, Holcus lanatus, Bromus maritimus, Carex sp., Cirsium quercetorum, and Rumex acetosella. Often found in this association are Iris douglasiana, Eriogonum latifolium, Vulpia sp., Elymus glaucus, Bromus hordeaceus, Grindelia stricta, Hypochaeris radicata, Pseudognaphalium californicum (= Gnaphalium californicum), and Madia sp. This association is frequently found adjacent to annual grasslands.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: Stands are found on convex or linear, middle third of slopes to ridgetops of 8-45° on all aspects. Soil textures range from coarse sandy loam to moderately fine clay loam of shale, siltstone, and sandstone. The stands may occur on the landward side of coastal dune systems such as at North Beach on Point Reyes Peninsula. Some stands have more windblown sand in the soil surface layer while others are found on fine-grained marine sediments. Moisture content is somewhat higher than surrounding upland annual grassland vegetation, but somewhat lower than adjacent Deschampsia cespitosa stands or stands of ~Baccharis pilularis / Deschampsia cespitosa Shrubland (CEGL003188)$$.
Geographic Range: This association is only known from the Point Reyes National Seashore. Information about its global characteristics is not available without additional inventory. It is likely that this association is transitional between "coastal terrace prairie" and "north coastal scrub" communities (sensu Holland 1986) and was thus, at a time prior to invasive exotic grass colonization, relatively common. Stands with high cover of native grasses such as Danthonia californica are now restricted in northern and central coastal California. It is likely that some of the best remaining stands of this association occur within the mapping area of this project.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.684746
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G2
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 2 Shrub & Herb Vegetation Class | C02 | 2 |
| Subclass | 2.B Temperate & Boreal Grassland & Shrubland Subclass | S18 | 2.B |
| Formation | 2.B.1 Mediterranean Scrub & Grassland Formation | F038 | 2.B.1 |
| Division | 2.B.1.Na Californian Scrub & Grassland Division | D327 | 2.B.1.Na |
| Macrogroup | 2.B.1.Na.2 Coastal Sagebrush - Black Sage - Coyotebrush Coastal Scrub Macrogroup | M044 | 2.B.1.Na.2 |
| Group | 2.B.1.Na.2.c Californian North Coastal & Mesic Scrub Group | G662 | 2.B.1.Na.2.c |
| Alliance | A0836 Coyotebrush Scrub Alliance | A0836 | 2.B.1.Na.2.c |
| Association | CEGL003187 Coyotebrush / California Oatgrass Shrubland | CEGL003187 | 2.B.1.Na.2.c |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Baccharis pilularis / Danthonia californica (Sawyer et al. 2009) [32.060.11]
= Baccharis pilularis / Danthonia californica Association (Schirokauer et al. 2003) [pi code 24061]
= Northern Coyote Brush Scrub (#32110) (Holland 1986b)
= Baccharis pilularis / Danthonia californica Association (Schirokauer et al. 2003) [pi code 24061]
= Northern Coyote Brush Scrub (#32110) (Holland 1986b)
- Holland, R. F. 1986b. Preliminary descriptions of the terrestrial natural communities of California. Unpublished report prepared for the California Department of Fish and Game, Nongame-Heritage Program and Natural Diversity Database, Sacramento. 156 pp.
- Sawyer, J. O., T. Keeler-Wolf, and J. Evens. 2009. A manual of California vegetation. Second edition. California Native Plant Society, Sacramento CA. 1300 pp.
- Schirokauer, D., T. Keeler-Wolf, J. Meinke, and P. van der Leeden. 2003. Plant community classification and mapping project. Point Reyes National Seashore, Golden Gate National Recreation Area, San Francisco Water Department Watershed Lands, Mount Tamalpais, Tomales Bay, and Samuel P. Taylor State Parks. Final report. California State Department of Fish and Game, Wildlife and Habitat Data Analysis Branch, Sacramento, National Park Service, Point Reyes Station, and Aerial Information Systems, Redlands, CA. 82 pp. [http://biology.usgs.gov/npsveg/pore_goga/index.html]
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.