Print Report
CEGL003262 Picea sitchensis - Tsuga heterophylla / Vaccinium (alaskaense, ovalifolium) - Oplopanax horridus Swamp Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Sitka Spruce - Western Hemlock / (Alaska Blueberry, Oval-leaf Blueberry) - Devil''s-club Swamp Forest
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This swamp forest occurs in Alaska. Stands are dominated by uneven-aged Picea sitchensis and often have a significant Tsuga heterophylla component in the overstory and understory. Tree height ranges up to 35 m (115 feet), and tree age ranges up to 180 years. Vaccinium ovalifolium, Vaccinium alaskaense, or Oplopanax horridus, the diagnostic understory species, dominate the shrub layer along with Menziesia ferruginea. Rubus pedatus and Tiarella trifoliata (have high coverage values in most stands; other forb, graminoid, and fern species have highly variable cover values. 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 or floodplains, 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. Often 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 classified as either Typic Haplocryorthods or Typic Cryorthod. In general, they are characterized by a humus layer less than 7.6 cm (3 inches) thick over silt, sand, or gravel. The pH of the mineral layer ranges from 4.8 to 6.5. Horizon development was noted in all the 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, Alaska (DeMeo et al. 1992). These forests 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), on the 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 dominated by uneven-aged Picea sitchensis and often have a significant Tsuga heterophylla component in the overstory and understory. Tree height ranges up to 35 m (115 feet), and tree age ranges up to 180 years. Vaccinium ovalifolium, Vaccinium alaskaense, or Oplopanax horridus (= Echinopanax horridus), the diagnostic understory species, dominate the shrub layer along with Menziesia ferruginea. Rubus pedatus and Tiarella trifoliata (have high coverage values in most stands; other forb, graminoid, and fern species have highly variable cover values.
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 or floodplains, 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. Often 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 classified as either Typic Haplocryorthods or Typic Cryorthod. In general, they are characterized by a humus layer less than 7.6 cm (3 inches) thick over silt, sand, or gravel. The pH of the mineral layer ranges from 4.8 to 6.5. Horizon development was noted in all the soil profiles. Gleying and mottling were not observed, and soil salinity was low.
Geographic Range: This swamp forest occurs in Alaska.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AK
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.687279
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.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.g Western Hemlock - Mountain Hemlock / American Skunk-cabbage Swamp Forest Group | G854 | 1.B.3.Ng.1.g |
| Alliance | A4286 Western Hemlock - Sitka Spruce Alaskan Swamp Forest Alliance | A4286 | 1.B.3.Ng.1.g |
| Association | CEGL003262 Sitka Spruce - Western Hemlock / (Alaska Blueberry, Oval-leaf Blueberry) - Devil''s-club Swamp Forest | CEGL003262 | 1.B.3.Ng.1.g |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: ? Picea sitchensis / Vaccinium ovalifolium - Echinopanax horridum (Sitka spruce / tall blueberry - devil''s club) Community Type (Martin et al. 1995) [described for southeastern Alaska.]
? Picea sitchensis / Vaccinium ovalifolium - Echinopanax horridum (Sitka spruce / tall blueberry - devil''s club) Community Type (DeMeo et al. 1992) [described for southeastern Alaska.]
? Picea sitchensis / Vaccinium ovalifolium - Echinopanax horridum (Sitka spruce / tall blueberry - devil''s club) Community Type (Borchers et al. 1989) [previously described for south-central Alaska.]
? Picea sitchensis / Vaccinium ovalifolium - Echinopanax horridum (Sitka spruce / tall blueberry - devil''s club) Community Type (DeVelice et al. 1994) [previously described for south-central Alaska.]
= Picea sitchensis / Vaccinium ovalifolium - Echinopanax horridum Community Type (Sitka Spruce/Tall Blueberry-Devil''s Club Community Type) (Boggs 2000)
= Picea sitchensis / Vaccinium ovalifolium - Oplopanax horridus Community Type (Shephard 1995)
= Picea sitchensis / Vaccinium ovalifolium - Oplopanax horridus Forest (Pawuk and Kissinger 1989)
= Picea sitchensis-Tsuga heterophylla/Vaccinium (alaskaense and ovalifolium)-Oplopanax horridus (Meidinger et al. 2005) [PNWCOAST_084]
? Picea sitchensis / Vaccinium ovalifolium - Echinopanax horridum (Sitka spruce / tall blueberry - devil''s club) Community Type (DeMeo et al. 1992) [described for southeastern Alaska.]
? Picea sitchensis / Vaccinium ovalifolium - Echinopanax horridum (Sitka spruce / tall blueberry - devil''s club) Community Type (Borchers et al. 1989) [previously described for south-central Alaska.]
? Picea sitchensis / Vaccinium ovalifolium - Echinopanax horridum (Sitka spruce / tall blueberry - devil''s club) Community Type (DeVelice et al. 1994) [previously described for south-central Alaska.]
= Picea sitchensis / Vaccinium ovalifolium - Echinopanax horridum Community Type (Sitka Spruce/Tall Blueberry-Devil''s Club Community Type) (Boggs 2000)
= Picea sitchensis / Vaccinium ovalifolium - Oplopanax horridus Community Type (Shephard 1995)
= Picea sitchensis / Vaccinium ovalifolium - Oplopanax horridus Forest (Pawuk and Kissinger 1989)
= Picea sitchensis-Tsuga heterophylla/Vaccinium (alaskaense and ovalifolium)-Oplopanax horridus (Meidinger et al. 2005) [PNWCOAST_084]
- 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.