Print Report
CEGL003260 Picea sitchensis / Oplopanax horridus / Circaea alpina Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Sitka Spruce / Devil''s-club / Small Enchanter''s-nightshade Forest
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This plant association is found only on hill slopes adjacent to the Stikine River Delta, Alaska. Windblown silt is deposited on these sites at least annually, and the soils are deep and well- to moderately well-drained silts. Elevation is less than 150 m (500 feet). The overstory, typically about 60% cover, consists of Picea sitchensis and Tsuga heterophylla and regeneration is common. Average shrub cover is 60% and Oplopanax horridus dominates the tall-shrub layer, sometimes codominating with Rubus spectabilis. Low shrubs are absent. The forb layer averages 25% cover and Circaea alpina dominates. Fern cover averages 60% including Athyrium filix-femina and Gymnocarpium dryopteris. Grasses and sedges are lacking.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: The only published account for this type is from the Stikine Area, Tongass National Forest, Alaska (Pawuk and Kissinger 1989). This plant association is similar to other types with Picea sitchensis in the overstory and Oplopanax horridus in the understory.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: No Data Available
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: No Data Available
Geographic Range: This plant association is restricted to hill slopes adjacent to the Stikine River Delta, Alaska.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AK
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.687648
Confidence Level: Moderate
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.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 | A3603 Sitka Spruce / Devil''s-club Forest Alliance | A3603 | 1.B.2.Nd.3.h |
| Association | CEGL003260 Sitka Spruce / Devil''s-club / Small Enchanter''s-nightshade Forest | CEGL003260 | 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: No Data Available
- 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.
- 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.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.