Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Canyon Live Oak - California Laurel Forest

Colloquial Name: No Data Available

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This forest association is currently only known from Point Reyes National Seashore and Yosemite National Park in California, and the following description is based on occurrences there. Additional global information will be added as it becomes available. Stands at Point Reyes are found at among the highest elevations (585-746 m [1920-2447 feet]) of sampled vegetation plots. They occur on the upper third of 13-34°, north-facing slopes. Soil textures range from medium to very fine sandy loam to coarse loamy sand. A high percentage (95-99%) of litter is found under the forest canopy and gravel makes up 20-65% of the topsoil. These stands generally occur on shallow rocky soil and may be immediately adjacent to ~Arctostaphylos glandulosa - Quercus wislizeni Shrubland (CEGL003180)$$, the chaparral on south-facing slopes on the opposite side of the ridges. Locally these stands have probably the coolest average winter temperatures and are usually above the influence of the summer marine layer. They are thus probably the most interior and continental of any forest association at Point Reyes. Stands at Yosemite are found at low to mid elevations (488-1615m [1600-5300 feet]) on the low to upper portions of slopes of all aspects. This association is found on somewhat steep to very steep (20-65°) rocky slopes. Soils tend to be rocky and well-drained with textures ranging from rocky to silty loam of granitic, metamorphic and igneous parent material. Soil depths are shallow to moderately deep. These sites generally experience low to moderate disturbance. Similar stands occur south to Sequoia National Park on moderate to steep slopes below 1675 m (5500 feet) elevation.

Stands at Point Reyes form an open herb layer, an open shrub layer and a continuous tree layer. This association is dominated by an intermittent to continuous layer of Umbellularia californica. Quercus chrysolepis is also present and sometimes may have a higher percent cover than Umbellularia californica. Elymus glaucus, Pseudotsuga menziesii, and Iris sp. are usually present and Corylus cornuta, Rosa gymnocarpa, Toxicodendron diversilobum, Carex sp., Polystichum munitum, Quercus agrifolia, and a variety of other understory species may also be present. On slightly deeper soils, at lower slope positions, and on similar aspects this association often occurs adjacent to stands of the Pseudotsuga menziesii alliances. At Yosemite, stands form a moderately dense forest dominated by Quercus chrysolepis in the overstory and Umbellularia californica in the understory tree layer, although Umbellularia californica is less abundant. In some stands, Quercus kelloggii may be common (usually mid-elevations around 1220-1525 m [4000-5000 feet]). Toxicodendron diversilobum can be common in the shrub layer, and Dryopteris arguta can be common in the herb layer of some sites. A variety of other species is also found in this association, including Aesculus californica, Quercus kelloggii, Pseudotsuga menziesii, Melica californica, Vulpia microstachys, Bromus tectorum, Selaginella hansenii, and moss.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: The vegetation type identified at Point Reyes National Seashore and at Yosemite National Park are assumed to represent the same association. Further review is required by the California ecologists to determine if this is a correct assumption. Similar stands occur south to Sequoia National Park on moderate to steep slopes below 1675 m (5500 feet) elevation.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available

note: No Data Available