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CEGL003268 Picea sitchensis / Bryophyte Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Sitka Spruce / Bryophyte Forest
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This association is a minor, yet widespread, type on terraces of floodplains and outwash plains of the Copper River Delta, Alaska (except the Copper River outwash where it does not occur), on the higher positions of stabilized dunes of beaches and spits and on moraines. On outwash plains and floodplains, the sites are well-drained, although during high riverflows, they may be inundated. The surface topography differs from level to pitted with hummocks. On coastal dunes, the sites are well-drained and have an undulating surface topography. Site shape is usually linear. Vegetation zones, moving from dunes of increasing stability, elevation, and distance from the ocean, typically change from Leymus arenarius types to various herbaceous types to forested types. The soils are variable, classified as either Spodic Cryopsamments, Typic Cryumbrepts, or Typic Cryorthents. In general, they are characterized by a litter layer 5 to 10 cm (2-4 inches) thick over sand. The pH of the litter layer ranges from 4.5 to 5.4, and the mineral layer pH ranges from 5.4 to 6.5. Horizon development in the soil profiles was uncommon. Gleying was not found, and mottling was noted in one profile. Salinity was low in all stands. Stands are composed of moderately dense mature Picea sitchensis and a scattering of Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa trees. Other shrub, forb (except Equisetum arvense), graminoid, and fern species have consistently low cover values. Tree height of an average-sized tree ranges from 10.7 to 27.5 m (35-90 feet), and their age ranges from 37 to 125 years. The stands are typically a single cohort. Dead Alnus viridis ssp. sinuata occurs as a major component in most stands. Equisetum arvense occasionally dominates the herbaceous understory. In all stands, bryophytes form a carpet consisting of Hylocomium splendens, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, and other moss species. This is a mid-successional type that follows Picea sitchensis / Alnus crispa community type [~Picea sitchensis / Oplopanax horridus - Alnus viridis ssp. sinuata Riparian Woodland (CEGL003254)$$] or Populus trichocarpa / young community type (Boggs 2000). On all landscapes, this community is seral to other Picea sitchensis types and, eventually, Tsuga heterophylla communities.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: The first published account for this type is from the Yakutat Foreland (Shephard 1995). These forests also occur in the Chugach National Forest (DeVelice et al. 1999), Copper River Delta (Boggs 2000), and on the South Kenai.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Stands are composed of moderately dense mature Picea sitchensis and a scattering of Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa (= Populus trichocarpa) trees. Other shrub, forb (except Equisetum arvense), graminoid, and fern species have consistently low cover values. Tree height of an average-sized tree ranges from 10.7 to 27.5 m (35-90 feet), and their age ranges from 37 to 125 years. The stands are typically a single cohort. Dead Alnus viridis ssp. sinuata (= Alnus crispa ssp. sinuata) occurs as a major component in most stands. Equisetum arvense occasionally dominates the herbaceous understory. In all stands, bryophytes form a carpet consisting of Hylocomium splendens, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Rhytidiadelphus squarrosus, and other moss species.
Dynamics: This is a mid-successional type that follows Picea sitchensis / Alnus crispa community type or Populus trichocarpa / young community type (Boggs 2000). On all landscapes, this community is seral to other Picea sitchensis types and, eventually, Tsuga heterophylla communities.
Environmental Description: This association is a minor, yet widespread, type on terraces of floodplains and outwash plains of the Copper River Delta, Alaska (except the Copper River outwash where it does not occur), on the higher positions of stabilized dunes of beaches and spits and on moraines. On outwash plains and floodplains, the sites are well-drained, although during high riverflows, they may be inundated. The surface topography differs from level to pitted with hummocks. On coastal dunes, the sites are well-drained and have an undulating surface topography. Site shape is usually linear. Vegetation zones, moving from dunes of increasing stability, elevation, and distance from the ocean, typically change from Leymus arenarius types to various herbaceous types to forested types. The soils are variable, classified as either Spodic Cryopsamments, Typic Cryumbrepts, or Typic Cryorthents. In general, they are characterized by a litter layer 5 to 10 cm (2-4 inches) thick over sand. The pH of the litter layer ranges from 4.5 to 5.4, and the mineral layer pH ranges from 5.4 to 6.5. Horizon development in the soil profiles was uncommon. Gleying was not found, and mottling was noted in one profile. Salinity was low in all stands.
Geographic Range: No Data Available
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AK
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.686607
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G4
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.h Alaskan Maritime Western Hemlock - Sitka Spruce Rainforest Group | G750 | 1.B.2.Nd.3.h |
| Alliance | A3601 Western Hemlock - Sitka Spruce / Alaska Blueberry Forest Alliance | A3601 | 1.B.2.Nd.3.h |
| Association | CEGL003268 Sitka Spruce / Bryophyte Forest | CEGL003268 | 1.B.2.Nd.3.h |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Picea sitchensis / Bryophyte Community Type (Sitka Spruce / Bryophyte Community Type) (Boggs 2000)
? Picea sitchensis / seral (Sitka spruce/seral) Community Type (Shephard 1995)
? Picea sitchensis / seral (Sitka spruce/seral) Community Type (Shephard 1995)
- Boggs, K. 1996. Forested plant communities of maritime southcentral and southeast Alaska. Unpublished report of the Alaska Natural Heritage Program, University of Alaska, Anchorage.
- Boggs, K. 2000. Classification of community types, successional sequences and landscapes of the Copper River Delta, Alaska. General Technical Report PNW-GTR-469. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station, Portland, OR. March 2000. 244 pp.
- 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.
- DeVelice, R. L., C. J. Hubbard, K. Boggs, S. Boudreau, M. Potkin, T. Boucher, and C. Wertheim. 1999. Plant community types of the Chugach National Forest: South-central Alaska. Technical Publication R10-TP-76. USDA Forest Service, Chugach National Forest, Alaska Region. 375 pp.
- Shephard, M. E. 1995. Plant community ecology and classification of the Yakutat Foreland, Alaska. R10-TP-56. USDA Forest Service, Alaska Region. 213 pp. plus appendices.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.