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CEGL003044 Hesperocyparis sargentii Woodland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Sargent''s Cypress Woodland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: Stands of this community typically occur on lower canyon slopes and in ravines from 200-900 m of elevation. Stands are restricted to rocky outcrops and formations of ultramafic serpentine. The climate of this region is distinctly Mediterranean with droughty summers and moist winters. Annual precipitation varies across the region and with elevation, from roughly 30 cm to 80 cm/year. Some sites supporting Hesperocyparis sargentii stands are within the summer fog belt and can receive significant moisture from fog drip. Hesperocyparis sargentii is the sole or dominant tree. Other conifers that may be present include Pinus attenuata, Pinus sabiniana, and Hesperocyparis macnabiana. The height of the trees is typically less than 15 m, and the canopy is intermittent or open. On the most favorable, mesic sites, Hesperocyparis sargentii can reach 25 m in height. Shrubs are common or infrequent, the most common associates being the broad-leaved, evergreen Ceanothus cuneatus, Quercus dumosa, and Quercus durata.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: The species composition among the stands dominated by Hesperocyparis sargentii varies widely and is composed of associates of several other alliances occurring in this region. However, stands are extensive enough, and have some consistency in habitat characteristics as well as species composition, to warrant recognition. Keeler-Wolf (1990) reports on density and basal area of a few stands in Colusa County. Further plot-based, quantitative surveys are needed.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: In stands of this woodland, the needle-leaved evergreen tree Hesperocyparis sargentii (= Cupressus sargentii) is the sole or dominant tree. Other conifers that may be present include Pinus attenuata, Pinus sabiniana, and Hesperocyparis macnabiana (= Cupressus macnabiana). Broad-leaved evergreen trees may also be present, such as Umbellularia californica and Quercus wislizeni. The height of the trees is typically less than 15 m, and the canopy is intermittent or open. On the most favorable, mesic sites, Hesperocyparis sargentii can reach 25 m in height. Shrubs are common or infrequent, the most common associates being the broad-leaved evergreen Ceanothus cuneatus, Quercus dumosa, and Quercus durata. In addition to Quercus durata, Ceanothus jepsonii and Arctostaphylos hookeri ssp. montana are other broad-leaved evergreen shrubs that are restricted to serpentine soils. The herbaceous layer is sparse.
Dynamics: As with most other Hesperocyparis species, Hesperocyparis sargentii is dependent upon fire to open its serotinous cones, allowing seeds to be shed. Germination is rapid, an adaptation to allow utilization of winter rains for seedling establishment. Necessary fire-return intervals are unknown for most Hesperocyparis species.
Environmental Description: Stands occur from 200-900 m elevation in the Coast Ranges. The climate of this region is characterized by a distinct summer dry season, with most of the annual precipitation falling as rain during the late fall and winter months. The amount of annual precipitation varies from north to south, with elevation, and with location on the western (seaward) or eastern slope of the ranges. Locations on the western slopes of these ranges have climates more strongly maritime, with higher precipitation and less annual fluctuation in temperatures. Some sites supporting Hesperocyparis sargentii stands are within the summer fog belt and can receive significant moisture from fog drip. Sites supporting stands are typically on lower canyon slopes and in ravines. Throughout the range of distribution, these stands are restricted to rocky outcrops and formations of ultramafic serpentine. The soils are poorly drained, infertile rocky clays and typically less than 30 cm deep.
Geographic Range: This woodland occurs in scattered groves in both the inner and outer Coast Ranges of California, from extreme northern Mendocino County, 645 km south to Santa Barbara County.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.686632
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.b Western Cypress species - Pine species Forest & Woodland Group | G198 | 1.B.1.Nc.1.b |
| Alliance | A3355 Sargent''s Cypress - MacNab''s Cypress - Modoc Cypress Woodland Alliance | A3355 | 1.B.1.Nc.1.b |
| Association | CEGL003044 Sargent''s Cypress Woodland | CEGL003044 | 1.B.1.Nc.1.b |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Callitropsis sargentii (Sawyer et al. 2009) [81.500.01]
= Callitropsis sargentii Woodland Alliance (Sawyer and Keeler-Wolf 1995)
= Callitropsis sargentii Woodland Alliance (Sawyer and Keeler-Wolf 1995)
- 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.
- Keeler-Wolf, T. 1990a. Ecological surveys of Forest Service Research Natural Areas in California. General Technical Report PSW-125. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Research Station, Berkeley, CA. 165 pp.
- Sawyer, J. O., T. Keeler-Wolf, and J. Evens. 2009. A manual of California vegetation. Second edition. California Native Plant Society, Sacramento CA. 1300 pp.
- Sawyer, J. O., and T. Keeler-Wolf. 1995. A manual of California vegetation. California Native Plant Society, Sacramento. 471 pp.
- Vogl, R. J., W. P. Armstrong, K. L. White, and K. L. Cole. 1988. The closed-cone pines and cypresses. Pages 295-358 in: M. G. Barbour and J. Major, editors. 1988. Terrestrial vegetation of California: New expanded edition. California Native Plant Society, Special Publication 9, Sacramento. 1030 pp.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.