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CEGL000099 Tsuga heterophylla / Chrysolepis chrysophylla Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Western Hemlock / Giant Chinquapin Forest
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This conifer forest association is restricted to the Klamath Mountains and southern Cascade Range in Oregon. A moderately open canopy and a dense shrub understory typify these conifer forests that vary between young- and old-growth. The tree canopy is composed of Tsuga heterophylla and Pseudotsuga menziesii. The shrub layer is dominated by Rhododendron macrophyllum, Chrysolepis chrysophylla, Acer circinatum, Gaultheria shallon, and Mahonia nervosa. Linnaea borealis and Xerophyllum tenax are the only herbs to average greater than 1% cover. This is the only Tsuga heterophylla association in the Cascades to support Xerophyllum tenax with any notable cover. Stands are most common near ridgetops at elevations of 460-790 m (1508-2591 feet). Sites are generally steep slopes with a south or southwest aspect. Most soils are of pyroclastic parent material, shallow, stony, and loamy.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This association is a fairly distinct community.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: A moderately open canopy and a dense shrub understory typify these conifer forests that vary between young- and old-growth. The tree canopy is composed of Tsuga heterophylla and Pseudotsuga menziesii with 7% and 36% cover, respectively. The shrub layer is dominated by Rhododendron macrophyllum, Chrysolepis chrysophylla (= Castanopsis chrysophylla), Acer circinatum, Gaultheria shallon, and Mahonia nervosa (= var. nervosa) with 40%, 23%, 18%, 40%, and 10% cover, respectively. Linnaea borealis (5%) and Xerophyllum tenax (10%) are the only herbs to average greater than 1% cover. This is the only Tsuga heterophylla association in the Cascades to support Xerophyllum tenax with any notable cover.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This conifer forest association is restricted to the Klamath Mountains and southern Cascade Range in Oregon. Stands are most common near ridgetops at elevations of 460-790 m (1508-2591 feet). Sites are generally steep slopes with a south or southwest aspect. Most soils are of pyroclastic parent material, shallow, stony, and loamy.
Geographic Range: This association is restricted low elevations in the Klamath Mountains and southern Cascade Range in Oregon.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: OR
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.685373
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G3
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.c Douglas-fir - Western Hemlock / Salal Rainforest Group | G240 | 1.B.2.Nd.3.c |
| Alliance | A3378 Western Hemlock - Douglas-fir / Western Cordilleran Bunchberry Mesic Forest Alliance | A3378 | 1.B.2.Nd.3.c |
| Association | CEGL000099 Western Hemlock / Giant Chinquapin Forest | CEGL000099 | 1.B.2.Nd.3.c |
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.
- Dyrness, C. T., J. F. Franklin, and C. Maser. 1974b. Wheeler Creek Research Natural Area. Supplement #1 to "Federal Research Natural Areas in Oregon and Washington. A guidebook for scientists and educators" by Franklin, J. F., F. C. Hall, C. T. Dryness, and C. Maser. USDA Forest Service.
- Dyrness, C. T., J. F. Franklin, and W. H. Moir. 1974a. A preliminary classification of forest communities in the central portion of the western Cascades of Oregon. Coniferous Forest Biome Bulletin 4:1-123.
- 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.