Print Report
CEGL003195 Baccharis pilularis / Polystichum munitum Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Coyotebrush / Western Swordfern 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 at low elevations on north-facing slopes (19-25°) and on the middle to entire sides of slopes. Soil textures range from medium to very fine sandy loam to moderately coarse sandy loam of granitic origin. These stands are currently unknown off of granitic substrate. This association appears to have the capacity to develop following regrowth of Baccharis pilularis stands after clearing of north-facing exposures for pasture. Some stands near Drakes Estero were cleared in the early part of this century. It is likely that this association may further proceed without disturbance to ~Baccharis pilularis - Holodiscus discolor Shrubland (CEGL003192)$$ or ~Baccharis pilularis - Frangula californica - Rubus parviflorus Shrubland (CEGL003191)$$, depending on microclimate and geographic location. Stands of this shrubland form an open herb layer and an intermittent shrub layer 1-2 m tall. The overall affect is a dense two-tiered shrubland with Baccharis pilularis forming the dominant overstory and Polystichum munitum the dominant understory. Also present in this association are Agrostis pallens, Erechtites minimus, Pteridium aquilinum, Stachys ajugoides, Holodiscus discolor, Iris douglasiana, Toxicodendron diversilobum, Rubus parviflorus, Rubus ursinus, Maianthemum stellatum, Heracleum maximum, Holcus lanatus, Marah fabaceus, Clinopodium douglasii, and Scrophularia californica. Other species that may be present are Calamagrostis nutkaensis, Mahonia pinnata, Galium californicum, Frangula californica, and Elymus californicus. These stands are often adjacent to other Baccharis pilularis associations such as ~Baccharis pilularis - Toxicodendron diversilobum Shrubland (CEGL003197)$$ (on adjacent west- or east-facing slopes), ~Baccharis pilularis - Artemisia californica Shrubland (CEGL003184)$$ (on south-facing slopes), or ~Baccharis pilularis - Ceanothus thyrsiflorus Shrubland (CEGL003186)$$ (on neutral slopes). On adjacent bottomland, Salix lasiolepis, Rubus spectabilis, Salix lasiolepis / Rubus sp., and Alnus rubra / Sambucus racemosa associations may occur.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: No Data Available
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Stands of this shrubland form an open herb layer and an intermittent shrub layer 1-2 m tall. The overall affect is a dense two-tiered shrubland with Baccharis pilularis forming the dominant overstory and Polystichum munitum the dominant understory. Also present in this association are Agrostis pallens, Erechtites minimus, Pteridium aquilinum, Stachys ajugoides, Holodiscus discolor, Iris douglasiana, Toxicodendron diversilobum, Rubus parviflorus, Rubus ursinus, Maianthemum stellatum (= Smilacina stellata), Heracleum maximum (= Heracleum lanatum), Holcus lanatus, Marah fabaceus, Clinopodium douglasii (= Satureja douglasii), and Scrophularia californica. Other species that may be present are Calamagrostis nutkaensis, Mahonia pinnata (= Berberis pinnata), Galium californicum, Frangula californica (= Rhamnus californica), and Elymus californicus.
Dynamics: This association appears to have the capacity to develop following regrowth of Baccharis pilularis stands after clearing of north-facing exposures for pasture. Some stands near Drakes Estero were cleared in the early part of this century. It is likely that this association may further proceed without disturbance to ~Baccharis pilularis - Holodiscus discolor Shrubland (CEGL003192)$$ or ~Baccharis pilularis - Frangula californica - Rubus parviflorus Shrubland (CEGL003191)$$, depending on microclimate and geographic location.
Environmental Description: Stands are found at low elevations on north-facing slopes (19-25°) and on the middle to entire sides of slopes. Soil textures range from medium to very fine sandy loam to moderately coarse sandy loam of granitic origin. These stands are currently unknown off of granitic substrate.
Geographic Range: This association is only known from the Point Reyes National Seashore. Information about its global characteristics is not available without additional inventory. Grams et al. (1977) also note this association from the Point Reyes Peninsula.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.685012
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G3
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 | CEGL003195 Coyotebrush / Western Swordfern Shrubland | CEGL003195 | 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 / Polystichum munitum (Sawyer et al. 2009) [32.060.04]
= Baccharis pilularis / Polystichum munitum Association (Schirokauer et al. 2003) [pi code 24053]
= Baccharis pilularis / Polystichum munitum Shrubland (Grams et al. 1977)
= Baccharis pilularis/Polystichum munitum association (Stumpf et al. 2017)
= Baccharis pilularis / Polystichum munitum Association (Schirokauer et al. 2003) [pi code 24053]
= Baccharis pilularis / Polystichum munitum Shrubland (Grams et al. 1977)
= Baccharis pilularis/Polystichum munitum association (Stumpf et al. 2017)
- Grams, H. G., K. R. McPherson, V. V. King, S. A. MacLeod, and M. G. Barbour. 1977. Northern coastal scrub on Point Reyes Peninsula. Madrono 24:18-23.
- 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]
- Stumpf, K. A., Cogan Technology, and Kier Associates. 2017. Vegetation mapping and classification project: Redwood National and State Parks, California. Natural Resource Report NPS/REDW/NRR--2017/1431. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 270 pp.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.