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CEGL002603 Picea sitchensis - Tsuga heterophylla / Rhododendron macrophyllum - Vaccinium ovatum Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Sitka Spruce - Western Hemlock / Pacific Rhododendron - California Huckleberry Forest
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This association occurs along the Pacific Coast between northern California and Tillamook Bay, Oregon. Stands of this association occur along the landward edge of the coastal dune sheet, where dunes have been stabilized for several hundred years and are remote from salt spray. In all cases, stands are contiguous with forest extending inland into the Coast Ranges. Mid to lower slopes and interdunal valleys are the most common locations, with all aspects represented. The association does not occur on tree islands, or in areas with more recent sand movement. The litter and humus layer varies from 2.5 to 15 cm (1-6 inches) deep, averaging 10 cm (4 inches). The canopy is dominated by Tsuga heterophylla, Pseudotsuga menziesii, or Picea sitchensis. Pseudotsuga menziesii or Picea sitchensis may be entirely absent, but Tsuga heterophylla is always present with at least 5% cover. The canopy is moderately dense, with cover ranging from 30-95%, averaging 73%. Basal area is high, averaging 28.7 m2 per ha. Pseudotsuga menziesii up to 337 years old, and Picea sitchensis up to 633 years old, both obviously suppressed in the last 150 years, were recorded from this association. Tsuga heterophylla in the same plots ranged from 140-170 years old. Old-growth trees have broken tops and gnarly horizontal limbs, supporting large mats of Polypodium scouleri and the moss Antitrichia curtipendula. Conifer reproduction is sparse. The shrub layer is dominated by Vaccinium ovatum, Rhododendron macrophyllum and Gaultheria shallon, with cover ranging from 25-95%. averaging 83%. Shrub height averages 3 m. The herb layer is sparse. There are no similar, old-growth conifer forest associations found on stabilized dunes. The presence of Rhododendron macrophyllum as an understory dominant with mature Tsuga heterophylla trees on coastal dunes are characteristic.
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: No Data Available
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: No Data Available
Geographic Range: This community occurs on coastal sand dunes between northern California and central Oregon.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CA, OR
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.685090
Confidence Level: Moderate
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.f Western Hemlock - Sitka Spruce North-Central Pacific Rainforest Group | G751 | 1.B.2.Nd.3.f |
| Alliance | A3607 Sitka Spruce Stabilized Dune Forest Alliance | A3607 | 1.B.2.Nd.3.f |
| Association | CEGL002603 Sitka Spruce - Western Hemlock / Pacific Rhododendron - California Huckleberry Forest | CEGL002603 | 1.B.2.Nd.3.f |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
- 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.
- 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.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.
- Wiedemann, A. M. 1966. Contributions to the plant ecology of the Oregon coastal sand dunes. Ph.D. dissertation, Oregon State University, Corvallis. 255 pp.
- Wiedemann, A. M. 1984. The ecology of Pacific Northwest coastal sand dunes: A community profile. USDI Fish and Wildlife Service Report FWS/OBS-84/04. 130 pp.