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CEGL003253 Picea sitchensis - Alnus rubra / Rubus spectabilis - Oplopanax horridus / Lysichiton americanus Riparian Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Sitka Spruce - Red Alder / Salmonberry - Devil''s-club / American Skunk-cabbage Riparian Forest
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This plant association is found on low-elevation floodplains of southeastern Alaska. It represents the most frequently disturbed portion of the riparian zone on well-drained undifferentiated alluvium. The stands occur below 60 m (200 feet) elevation. It has a relatively closed canopy averaging 55% cover. Picea sitchensis and Alnus rubra dominate the overstory, and Tsuga heterophylla is a common associate. Overstory height averages 45 m (148 feet) tall. The understory shrub layer is dominated by Rubus spectabilis, and Oplopanax horridus and Ribes bracteosum are also common. The herbaceous layer is sparse and includes Circaea alpina and Tiarella trifoliata.
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 Chatham Area (Martin et al. 1995). The Picea sitchensis / Alnus rubra woodland type from the Ketchikan Area (DeMeo et al. 1992) was reclassified to this association. This association was originally described by Martin et al. (1995), and DeMeo et al. (1992) described a synonymous type named Picea sitchensis / Alnus rubra. This association is most similar to the Picea sitchensis / Rubus spectabilis association, the next association in the riparian zone along a disturbance gradient from most to least disturbed.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: It has a relatively closed canopy averaging 55% cover. Picea sitchensis and Alnus rubra dominate the overstory, and Tsuga heterophylla is a common associate. Overstory height averages 45 m (148 feet) tall. The understory shrub layer is dominated by Rubus spectabilis, and Oplopanax horridus (= Echinopanax horridus) and Ribes bracteosum are also common. The herbaceous layer is sparse and includes Circaea alpina and Tiarella trifoliata.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This plant association is found on low-elevation [below 60 m (200 feet)] floodplains of southeastern Alaska. It represents the most frequently disturbed portion of the riparian zone on well-drained undifferentiated alluvium.
Geographic Range: This plant association is restricted to southeastern Alaska.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AK
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.687137
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G3
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.3 Temperate Flooded & Swamp Forest Formation | F026 | 1.B.3 |
| Division | 1.B.3.Ng Vancouverian Flooded & Swamp Forest Division | D193 | 1.B.3.Ng |
| Macrogroup | 1.B.3.Ng.1 Vancouverian Flooded & Swamp Forest Macrogroup | M035 | 1.B.3.Ng.1 |
| Group | 1.B.3.Ng.1.f Sitka Spruce - Black Cottonwood Alaskan Riparian Woodland Group | G852 | 1.B.3.Ng.1.f |
| Alliance | A3747 Sitka Spruce Riparian Forest Alliance | A3747 | 1.B.3.Ng.1.f |
| Association | CEGL003253 Sitka Spruce - Red Alder / Salmonberry - Devil''s-club / American Skunk-cabbage Riparian Forest | CEGL003253 | 1.B.3.Ng.1.f |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Picea sitchensis / Alnus rubra (DeMeo et al. 1992)
= Picea sitchensis-Alnus rubra/Rubus spectabilis-Oplopanax horridus/Lysichiton americanus (Meidinger et al. 2005) [PNWCOAST_050]
= Picea sitchensis-Alnus rubra/Rubus spectabilis-Oplopanax horridus/Lysichiton americanus (Meidinger et al. 2005) [PNWCOAST_050]
- Boggs, K. 1996. Forested plant communities of maritime southcentral and southeast Alaska. Unpublished report of the Alaska Natural Heritage Program, University of Alaska, Anchorage.
- 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.
- Flagstad, L., and T. Boucher. 2013. Landcover classes: Sitka National Historical Park. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/SITK/NRTR--2013/773. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 100 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.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.