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CEGL003098 Quercus tomentella Forest
Type Concept Sentence: This association is known only from the larger of the Channel Islands off the coast of southern California. It is composed of a mixture of mostly evergreen, small to medium-sized trees and large shrubs with Quercus tomentella and Quercus x macdonaldii the most abundant trees.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Island Live Oak Forest
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This association is known only from the larger of the Channel Islands off the coast of southern California: Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz, Santa Catalina and San Clemente. These islands are characterized by a highly maritime climate with mild temperatures which fluctuate only slightly during the year. The islands are essentially frost-free. Annual precipitation is roughly 30 cm, most falling as rain during the fall and winter months. The summer dry season is ameliorated somewhat by frequent fog, high humidities, and/or low clouds, especially on the windward sides. Strong westerly or northwesterly winds are an important factor. Occurrences of these oak forests are found from sea level to 100 m elevation, on north-facing slopes, in ravines or narrow valleys. Sites are sub-riparian, with relatively deep and somewhat rocky soils derived from sandstone and with sandy textures. This is a poorly described type, with little known about its floristic composition. It is composed of a mixture of mostly evergreen, small to medium-sized trees and large shrubs, 5-15 m in height. Quercus tomentella is the most abundant tree, with Quercus x macdonaldii also abundant. The canopy is continuous. Several of the shrubs that occur are arborescent taxa of chaparral-forming shrub species, and most of them are endemic to the Channel Islands. The herbaceous layer is sparse.
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: This is a poorly known type, despite its relative rarity. It is composed of a mixture of mostly evergreen, small to medium-sized trees and large shrubs, 5-15 m in height. Quercus tomentella is the most abundant tree, with Quercus x macdonaldii also abundant. The canopy is continuous. Several of the shrubs that occur are arborescent taxa of chaparral-forming shrub species, and most of them are endemic to the Channel Islands. The herbaceous layer is sparse.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: The islands where this community occurs are characterized by a highly maritime climate with mild temperatures which fluctuate only slightly during the year. The islands are essentially frost-free. Annual precipitation is roughly 30 cm, most falling as rain during the fall and winter months. The summer dry season is ameliorated somewhat by frequent fog, high humidities, and/or low clouds, especially on the windward sides. Strong westerly or northwesterly winds are an important factor. Stands are found from sea level to 100 m elevation, on north-facing slopes, in ravines or narrow valleys. Sites are sub-riparian, with relatively deep and somewhat rocky soils derived from sandstone and with sandy textures.
Geographic Range: It is known only from the larger of the Channel Islands off the coast of southern California: Santa Rosa, Santa Cruz, Santa Catalina and San Clemente. Quercus tomentella is also found on Guadalupe Island off the coast of Baja California, Mexico.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.685516
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G2?
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.1 Warm Temperate Forest & Woodland Formation | F018 | 1.B.1 |
| Division | 1.B.1.Nc Californian Forest & Woodland Division | D007 | 1.B.1.Nc |
| Macrogroup | 1.B.1.Nc.1 California Live Oak - California Laurel - Western Cypress species Forest & Woodland Macrogroup | M009 | 1.B.1.Nc.1 |
| Group | 1.B.1.Nc.1.a California Live Oak - Valley Oak - California Laurel Forest & Woodland Group | G195 | 1.B.1.Nc.1.a |
| Alliance | A4124 Island Live Oak - Catalina Ironwood California Islands Woodland Alliance | A4124 | 1.B.1.Nc.1.a |
| Association | CEGL003098 Island Live Oak Forest | CEGL003098 | 1.B.1.Nc.1.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Quercus tomentella Association (Rodriguez et al. 2017)
- Cheatham, N. H., and J. R. Haller. 1975. An annotated list of California habitat types. Unpublished report. University of California, Natural Land and Water Reserves System.
- Griffin, J. R., and W. B. Critchfield. 1972. The distribution of forest trees in California. Research Paper PSW-82/1972. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Forest and Range Experiment Station, Berkeley, CA. 114 pp.
- Minnich, R. A. 1980. Vegetation of Santa Cruz and Santa Catalina islands. Pages 123-137 in: D. M. Power, editor. The California islands: Proceedings of a multidisciplinary symposium. Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History, Santa Barbara. 787 pp.
- Philbrick, R. N., and J. R. Haller. 1988. The southern California islands. Pages 893-906 in: M. G. Barbour and J. Major, editors. Terrestrial vegetation of California: New expanded edition. California Native Plant Society, Special Publication 9, Sacramento. 1030 pp.
- Rodriguez, D., K. G. Sikes, T. Keeler-Wolf, G. Kittel, J. Curtis, C. Curley, and J. Evens. 2017. Vegetation classification of Channel Islands National Park. Report to the National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO.
- Sawyer, J. O., and T. Keeler-Wolf. 1995. A manual of California vegetation. California Native Plant Society, Sacramento. 471 pp.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.