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CEGL002605 Pinus contorta var. contorta / Arctostaphylos uva-ursi Woodland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Beach Pine / Kinnikinnick Woodland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: These woodlands are found discontinuously along the coast between northern California and southwestern Washington. This woodland association occurs on all aspects on dry, partially-stabilized sand ridges, slopes, and flats, between open sand and the forest edge. Stands also occur on dry deflation plains. Requirements seem to be minimal sand movement, and well-drained, exposed sites. Pinus contorta var. contorta dominates the very open canopy, with stunted trees averaging 31% cover. Young Pseudotsuga menziesii or Picea sitchensis trees can occasionally be found. All stands are dominated by conspicuous mats of Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, reindeer lichens and mosses. Common species of lichens and mosses include Cladina portentosa ssp. pacifica, Cladonia cervicornis ssp. verticillata, Racomitrium ericoides, Polytrichum juniperinum and Polytrichum piliferum. These cryptogams form thin, fragile mats growing over bare sand, with very little organic matter. Arctostaphylos uva-ursi may cover up to 75% of stands, mosses up to 80%, and lichens up to 25%. The early seral status of the association is confirmed by the virtual lack of dead trees, and live basal area is the lowest of any forest or woodland association described from coastal dunes. The shrub layer is depauperate, and most vegetation is confined to the ground layer. Pteridium aquilinum, Aira caryophyllea and Allotropa virgata may be conspicuous. Areas of open sand often contain remnants of earlier seral stages, such as Festuca rubra, Poa macrantha or Lupinus littoralis. These woodlands are easily distinguished by the open and low-shrub understory and dense lichen mats. The type is the only Pinus contorta var. contorta woodland with significant cover of Arctostaphylos uva-ursi.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: No Data Available
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 community occurs on stabilized coastal sand dunes distributed discontinuously between northern California and southwestern Washington.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CA, OR, WA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.688683
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G1
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.b Beach Pine Forest & Woodland Group | G205 | 1.B.2.Nd.3.b |
| Alliance | A3717 Beach Pine Sand Dune Woodland Alliance | A3717 | 1.B.2.Nd.3.b |
| Association | CEGL002605 Beach Pine / Kinnikinnick Woodland | CEGL002605 | 1.B.2.Nd.3.b |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Shore Pine / Bearberry Woodland (Pinus contorta var. contorta / Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) (Christy et al. 1998) [(p.68)]
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