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CEGL001426 Baccharis pilularis / Artemisia pycnocephala - Scrophularia californica Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Coyotebrush / Beach Wormwood - California Figwort Shrubland
Colloquial Name: South Coast Coyotebrush Herb Dune Shrubland
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This association is found in the sand dunes that exist in scattered localities along the northern Pacific Coast. It develops in areas inland of the foredune, on sand plains and dune ridges, where less wind and salt spray allows better vegetative stabilization of the taller dunes. This is an open, low (1-2 m tall), primarily evergreen scrub community. It is dominated by Baccharis pilularis, with a lower, denser layer of evergreen subshrubs and perennial forbs, including Artemisia pycnocephala, Scrophularia californica, Lupinus arboreus, and Eriogonum latifolium. Seedlings of Pinus contorta occur in most examples of this association. Successionally may follow one of the pioneering herbaceous dune communities which have stabilized dune sands enough to permit establishment of shrubby species. Close to the shore, this association may persist indefinitely because wind and salt spray inhibit tree growth. Farther from shore, wind-pruning is less and tree species may become dominant.
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 an open, low (1-2 m tall), primarily evergreen scrub community. It is dominated by Baccharis pilularis, with a lower, denser layer of evergreen subshrubs and perennial forbs, including Artemisia pycnocephala, Scrophularia californica, Lupinus arboreus, and Eriogonum latifolium. Seedlings of Pinus contorta (lodgepole pine) occur in most examples of this association.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: Sand dunes exist in scattered localities along the north Pacific coast, from northern California to southern Washington. Their formation is due to a complex interaction of prevailing winds, ocean currents and wave action, local topographic features, and sediment discharge from rivers. These dunes have formed since the last Pleistocene glaciation. The sands are primarily arkosic (feldspar and quartz). Dune sands are very poor soils. There is no accumulation of organic matter, and nutrients are so low as to be unmeasurable (Wiedemann 1984). Because of rapid drainage and the high rainfall, salinity is not an important factor in these soils, even on areas just above the beach.
The climate is characterized as marine, with a summer dry season. Average annual precipitation is roughly 36 to 50 inches, with 80% occurring in the winter months. Clouds and fog are present throughout the year, and northerly or westerly winds are persistent.
This association develops in areas inland of the foredune, on sand plains and dune ridges, where less wind and salt spray allows better vegetative stabilization of the taller dunes.
The climate is characterized as marine, with a summer dry season. Average annual precipitation is roughly 36 to 50 inches, with 80% occurring in the winter months. Clouds and fog are present throughout the year, and northerly or westerly winds are persistent.
This association develops in areas inland of the foredune, on sand plains and dune ridges, where less wind and salt spray allows better vegetative stabilization of the taller dunes.
Geographic Range: This association is restricted to scattered localities within the coastal dunes of southern Oregon and northern California.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CA, OR
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.685786
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G1G2
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 | CEGL001426 Coyotebrush / Beach Wormwood - California Figwort Shrubland | CEGL001426 | 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 / Scrophularia californica (Wiedemann 1984)
- Alpert, P. 1984. Inventory and analysis of Oregon coastal dunes. Unpublished manuscript prepared for the Oregon Natural Heritage Program, Portland, OR.
- 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.
- Grossman, D. H., K. Lemon Goodin, and C. L. Reuss, editors. 1994. Rare plant communities of the conterminous United States: An initial survey. The Nature Conservancy. Arlington, VA. 620 pp.
- 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.