Print Report
CEGL003194 Baccharis pilularis / Nassella pulchra Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: An apparently rare shrubland association from central and southern coastal California, dominated by Baccharis pilularis and the native bunchgrass Nassella pulchra.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Coyotebrush / Purple Needlegrass Shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This shrubland association is currently only known from Point Reyes National Seashore in California, and the following description is based on occurrences there. Additional information will be added as it becomes available. Stands are found at low elevations on the mid to upper third of usually on undulating slopes (14-45°) with east-southeast to southwest aspects. Soil textures range from moderately fine clay loam to medium to very fine sandy loam and are from shale or sandstone origin. In the Marin Headlands unit of Golden Gate, where this association occurs commonly, these stands occupy the south-facing ridgelines of spur ridges where grazing kept the Baccharis from invading for many years. Currently, many of these stands are being more rapidly colonized by Baccharis as a result of reduced grazing. There is probably a dynamic relationship between soil type (xeric fine-grained, but relatively shallow) and disturbance (more frequent disturbance from grazing reduces Baccharis), which if shifted will result in either more grass or more Baccharis in these stands. This shrubland forms an intermittent to continuous herb layer and an open to intermittent shrub layer 1-2 m tall. This is an open scrub-steppe dominated by Baccharis pilularis and characterized by the bunchgrass Nassella pulchra. There is a variety of other species that may be found in this association, including Achillea millefolium, Aira caryophyllea, Vulpia myuros, Plantago lanceolata, Lolium perenne ssp. multiflorum, Pseudognaphalium californicum, Anagallis arvensis, Galium sp., Avena barbata, Erodium sp., Hypochaeris sp., Chlorogalum pomeridianum, Sonchus sp., and Danthonia californica. Species contributing to minor amounts of cover vary and may include Artemisia californica, Agrostis sp., Briza minor, Bromus carinatus, Castilleja brevistyla, Dichondra donelliana, Eschscholzia californica, Eriogonum latifolium, Grindelia stricta, Lotus sp., Madia sp., Marah fabaceus, Pteridium aquilinum, Rubus ursinus, Rumex acetosella, Sanicula crassicaulis, and Silene gallica. This shrubland association is often found adjacent to Baccharis and Toxicodendron diversilobum associations.
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: This shrubland forms an intermittent to continuous herb layer and an open to intermittent shrub layer 1-2 m tall. This is an open scrub-steppe dominated by Baccharis pilularis (= ssp. consanguinea) and characterized by the bunchgrass Nassella pulchra. There is a variety of other species that may be found in this association, including Achillea millefolium, Aira caryophyllea, Vulpia myuros, Plantago lanceolata, Lolium perenne ssp. multiflorum (= Lolium multiflorum), Pseudognaphalium californicum (= Gnaphalium californicum), Anagallis arvensis, Galium sp., Avena barbata, Erodium sp., Hypochaeris sp., Chlorogalum pomeridianum, Sonchus sp., and Danthonia californica. Species contributing to minor amounts of cover vary and may include Artemisia californica, Agrostis sp., Briza minor, Bromus carinatus, Castilleja brevistyla, Dichondra donelliana, Eschscholzia californica, Eriogonum latifolium, Grindelia stricta, Lotus sp., Madia sp., Marah fabaceus, Pteridium aquilinum, Rubus ursinus, Rumex acetosella, Sanicula crassicaulis, and Silene gallica.
Dynamics: In the Marin Headlands unit of Golden Gate, where this association occurs commonly, these stands occupy the south-facing ridgelines of spur ridges where grazing kept the Baccharis from invading for many years. Currently, many of these stands are being more rapidly colonized by Baccharis as a result of reduced grazing. There is probably a dynamic relationship between soil type (xeric fine-grained, but relatively shallow) and disturbance (more frequent disturbance from grazing reduces Baccharis), which if shifted will result in either more grass or more Baccharis in these stands.
Environmental Description: Stands are found at low elevations on the mid to upper third of usually on undulating slopes (14-45°) with east-southeast to southwest aspects. Soil textures range from moderately fine clay loam to medium to very fine sandy loam and are from shale or sandstone origin.
Geographic Range: This association is only known from the Point Reyes National Seashore and Golden Gate National Recreation Area. Information about its global characteristics is not available without additional inventory. It is likely that this association exists in other parts of central coastal California such as the Santa Cruz Mountains and the Channel Islands.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.688860
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G3
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 2 Shrub & Herb Vegetation Class | C02 | 2 |
| Subclass | 2.B Temperate & Boreal Grassland & Shrubland Subclass | S18 | 2.B |
| Formation | 2.B.1 Mediterranean Scrub & Grassland Formation | F038 | 2.B.1 |
| Division | 2.B.1.Na Californian Scrub & Grassland Division | D327 | 2.B.1.Na |
| Macrogroup | 2.B.1.Na.2 Coastal Sagebrush - Black Sage - Coyotebrush Coastal Scrub Macrogroup | M044 | 2.B.1.Na.2 |
| Group | 2.B.1.Na.2.c Californian North Coastal & Mesic Scrub Group | G662 | 2.B.1.Na.2.c |
| Alliance | A0836 Coyotebrush Scrub Alliance | A0836 | 2.B.1.Na.2.c |
| Association | CEGL003194 Coyotebrush / Purple Needlegrass Shrubland | CEGL003194 | 2.B.1.Na.2.c |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Baccharis pilularis - Nassella pulchra Association (Schirokauer et al. 2003) [pi code 24056]
< Baccharis pilularis / (Stipa pulchra - Elymus glaucus - Bromus carinatus) Association (Rodriguez et al. 2017)
= Baccharis pilularis / Nassella pulchra (Sawyer et al. 2009) [32.060.10]
< Baccharis pilularis / (Stipa pulchra - Elymus glaucus - Bromus carinatus) Association (Rodriguez et al. 2017)
= Baccharis pilularis / Nassella pulchra (Sawyer et al. 2009) [32.060.10]
- Rodriguez, D., K. G. Sikes, T. Keeler-Wolf, G. Kittel, J. Curtis, C. Curley, and J. Evens. 2017. Vegetation classification of Channel Islands National Park. Report to the National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO.
- 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.
- Schirokauer, D., T. Keeler-Wolf, J. Meinke, and P. van der Leeden. 2003. Plant community classification and mapping project. Point Reyes National Seashore, Golden Gate National Recreation Area, San Francisco Water Department Watershed Lands, Mount Tamalpais, Tomales Bay, and Samuel P. Taylor State Parks. Final report. California State Department of Fish and Game, Wildlife and Habitat Data Analysis Branch, Sacramento, National Park Service, Point Reyes Station, and Aerial Information Systems, Redlands, CA. 82 pp. [http://biology.usgs.gov/npsveg/pore_goga/index.html]
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.