Print Report
CEGL003261 Picea sitchensis - Tsuga heterophylla / Vaccinium (alaskaense, ovalifolium) Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Sitka Spruce - Western Hemlock / (Alaska Blueberry, Oval-leaf Blueberry) Forest
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: Stands consist of moderately dense uneven-aged Picea sitchensis. Tsuga heterophylla is often a minor component in the overstory and understory. Tree height ranges from 23 to 32 m (75-105 feet), and tree age ranges up to 205 years. Vaccinium alaskaense or Vaccinium ovalifolium, the diagnostic understory species, dominate the shrub layer; Oplopanax horridus and Rubus spectabilis occur in most stands as a minor component. Rubus pedatus and Gymnocarpium dryopteris have high coverage values in most stands. Other forb, graminoid, and fern species have highly variable cover values. In many stands, bryophytes form a carpet consisting mainly of Hylocomium splendens and Rhytidiadelphus loreus. This type occurs throughout southeast and south-central Alaska. As described from the Cooper River Delta, this association is a minor type occurring on floodplains, proximal outwash, beach ridges, and spits. It occurs as stringers, broad expanses of forest, or inclusions within forests. Sites occur on alluvial surfaces formed on outwash plains, and on coastal dune crests or uplifted dunes. They are typically well-drained, although on the outwash plains and floodplains, during high riverflows, they may be inundated. Some sites are sufficiently elevated above the river to avoid flooding. The surface topography is typically level on outwash plains and undulating on dune systems. On outwash plains and floodplains the soils are deep, well-drained alluvium, and on dunes they are deep, well-drained eolian sand. Soils are variable, classified as either Typic Cryorthents or Typic Cryochrept. In general, they are characterized by a humus layer less than 10 cm (4 inches) thick over silt or sand. The pH of the humus layer ranges from 4.5 to 5.1, and the mineral layer pH ranges from 5.4 to 6.4. Horizon development was noted for all soil profiles. Gleying and mottling were not observed, and soil salinity was low.
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 Ketchikan Area in the Tongass National Forest (DeMeo et al. 1992). These forest also occur in the Yakutat Foreland (Shephard 1995), the Chatham Area (Martin et al. 1995), the Stikine Area (Pawuk and Kissinger 1989), the Chugach National Forest (DeVelice et al. 1999), in the Copper River Delta (Boggs 2000) and the South Kenai Area. Worley (1977) describes a related type for the outer coast of Glacier Bay National Park.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Stands consist of moderately dense uneven-aged Picea sitchensis. Tsuga heterophylla is often a minor component in the overstory and understory. Tree height ranges from 23 to 32 m (75-105 feet), and tree age ranges up to 205 years. Vaccinium alaskaense or Vaccinium ovalifolium, the diagnostic understory species, dominate the shrub layer; Oplopanax horridus (= Echinopanax horridus) and Rubus spectabilis occur in most stands as a minor component. Rubus pedatus and Gymnocarpium dryopteris have high coverage values in most stands. Other forb, graminoid, and fern species have highly variable cover values. In many stands, bryophytes form a carpet consisting mainly of Hylocomium splendens and Rhytidiadelphus loreus.
Dynamics: This is a mid- to late-successional type that follows the Picea sitchensis / Alnus crispa (Sitka spruce / Sitka alder) community type or Populus trichocarpa / young (black cottonwood / young) community type (Boggs 2000). On all landscapes, this community may be seral to other Picea sitchensis types and, eventually, Tsuga heterophylla communities.
Environmental Description: As described from the Cooper River Delta, Alaska (Boggs 2000), this association is a minor type occurring on floodplains, proximal outwash, beach ridges, and spits. It occurs as stringers, broad expanses of forest, or inclusions within forests. Sites occur on alluvial surfaces formed on outwash plains, and on coastal dune crests or uplifted dunes. They are typically well-drained, although on the outwash plains and floodplains, during high riverflows, they may be inundated. Some sites are sufficiently elevated above the river to avoid flooding. The surface topography is typically level on outwash plains and undulating on dune systems. On outwash plains and floodplains the soils are deep, well-drained alluvium, and on dunes they are deep, well-drained eolian sand. Soils are variable, classified as either Typic Cryorthents or Typic Cryochrept. In general, they are characterized by a humus layer less than 10 cm (4 inches) thick over silt or sand. The pH of the humus layer ranges from 4.5 to 5.1, and the mineral layer pH ranges from 5.4 to 6.4. Horizon development was noted for all soil profiles. Gleying and mottling were not observed, and soil salinity was low.
Geographic Range: This type occurs throughout southeast and south-central Alaska.
Nations: CA?,US
States/Provinces: AK, BC?
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.686625
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G5
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 | CEGL003261 Sitka Spruce - Western Hemlock / (Alaska Blueberry, Oval-leaf Blueberry) Forest | CEGL003261 | 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 / Vaccinium ovalifolium (Sitka spruce/tall blueberry) Community Type (Borchers et al. 1989)
= Picea sitchensis / Vaccinium ovalifolium Community Type (DeVelice et al. 1994)
= Picea sitchensis / Vaccinium ovalifolium Community Type (DeMeo et al. 1992)
= Picea sitchensis / Vaccinium ovalifolium Community Type (Martin et al. 1995)
= Picea sitchensis / Vaccinium ovalifolium Community Type (Shephard 1995)
= Picea sitchensis / Vaccinium ovalifolium Community Type (Sitka Spruce/Tall Blueberry Community Type) (Boggs 2000)
= Picea sitchensis-Tsuga heterophylla/Vaccinium (alaskaense and ovalifolium) (Meidinger et al. 2005) [PNWCOAST_082]
= Picea sitchensis / Vaccinium ovalifolium Community Type (DeVelice et al. 1994)
= Picea sitchensis / Vaccinium ovalifolium Community Type (DeMeo et al. 1992)
= Picea sitchensis / Vaccinium ovalifolium Community Type (Martin et al. 1995)
= Picea sitchensis / Vaccinium ovalifolium Community Type (Shephard 1995)
= Picea sitchensis / Vaccinium ovalifolium Community Type (Sitka Spruce/Tall Blueberry Community Type) (Boggs 2000)
= Picea sitchensis-Tsuga heterophylla/Vaccinium (alaskaense and ovalifolium) (Meidinger et al. 2005) [PNWCOAST_082]
- 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.
- Borchers, S. L., J. Wattenbarger, and R. Ament. 1989. Forest plant associations of Montague Island, Chugach National Forest. Unpublished report. USDA Forest Service, Alaska Region, Chugach National Forest, Anchorage, AK. 5 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.
- DeMeo, T., J. Martin, and R. A. West. 1992. Forest plant association management guide, Ketchikan Area, Tongass National Forest. R10-MB-210. USDA Forest Service, Alaska Region. 405 pp.
- 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.
- DeVelice, R., C. Hubbard, M. Potkin, and T. Boucher. 1994. Preliminary classification of vegetation types of Prince William Sound. Unpublished report on file USDA Forest Service, Alaska Region. Chugach National Forest, Anchorage. 40 pp.
- Martin, R. R., S. J. Trull, W. W. Brady, R. A. West, and J. M. Downs. 1995. Forest plant association management guide, Chatham Area, Tongass National Forest. R10-RP-57. USDA Forest Service, Alaska Region.
- Meidinger, D., C. Chappell, C. Cadrin, G. Kittel, C. McCain, K. Boggs, J. Kagan, G. Cushon, A. Banner, and T. DeMeo. 2005. International Vegetation Classification of the Pacific Northwest: International correlation of temperate coastal forest plant associations of Oregon, Washington, British Columbia and Alaska. Contributors: B.C. Ministry of Forests, USDA Forest Service, B.C. Conservation Data Centre, Alaska Natural Heritage Program, Washington Natural Heritage Program, and Oregon Natural Heritage Information Center.
- Pawuk, W. H., and E. J. Kissinger. 1989. Preliminary forest plant associations of the Stikine Area, Tongass National Forest. Technical Publication R10-TP-72. USDA Forest Service, Alaska Region, Juneau, AK. 126 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.