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CEGL000152 Pinus contorta var. contorta / Gaultheria shallon - Rhododendron macrophyllum - Vaccinium ovatum Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Beach Pine / Salal - Pacific Rhododendron - California Huckleberry Forest
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This association occurs on flat to depressional topography with impeded drainage, usually on ancient marine terraces. The predominant Blacklock soil series is nutrient-poor and is underlain by impervious hardpan that inhibits drainage. Seasonal standing water and limited rooting depth stunts tree growth and have caused these stands to be called "pygmy forest." Vegetation is mostly stunted Pinus contorta var. contorta with a dense understory of Ledum glandulosum, Vaccinium ovatum, and Rhododendron macrophyllum. Characteristic openings among the shrubs, usually flooded seasonally, have Carex obnupta, Deschampsia cespitosa, Vaccinium uliginosum, Sanguisorba officinalis, Xerophyllum tenax, Hypericum anagalloides, Sisyrinchium californicum, Calamagrostis nutkaensis, Drosera rotundifolia, reindeer lichens (various species of Cladonia), and several species of Sphagnum moss. Some areas where the shallow soil was burned or washed away have a barren pavement of hardpan with virtually nothing growing on it except scattered Pinus contorta var. contorta, with their roots running along the surface of the pavement.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Oregon Natural Heritage Program suggested a name change for this association to Pinus contorta var. contorta / Vaccinium ovatum - Ledum glandulosum Forest.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This association is dominated by an open canopy of dwarfed and stunted individuals of the needle-leaved evergreen tree Pinus contorta. Due to the nutrient-poor, water-logged soils in this association, this tree reaches heights of only 2-5 m, but does not take on a shrubby, multi-branched form. Both tall- and short-shrub layers are well-developed and composed predominantly of evergreen ericaceous shrubs. Dominant shrubs in the 2- to 5-m tall layer include the broad-leaved evergreen Rhododendron macrophyllum, Vaccinium ovatum, and Morella californica (= Myrica californica). Together these shrubs have 30-50% cover. The shorter shrub layer is dominated by the broad-leaved evergreen Gaultheria shallon and Ledum glandulosum, together typically with greater than 50% cover. Other shrubs occasionally present include Cornus canadensis and Arctostaphylos columbiana. The herbaceous layer is dominated by the perennial forb Xerophyllum tenax, with cover from 5-25%, and the perennial fern Pteridium aquilinum, with cover varying from 5% to over 50%. Characteristic openings among the shrubs, usually flooded seasonally, have Carex obnupta, Deschampsia cespitosa, Vaccinium uliginosum (= ssp. occidentale), Sanguisorba officinalis, Xerophyllum tenax, Hypericum anagalloides, Sisyrinchium californicum, Calamagrostis nutkaensis, Drosera rotundifolia, reindeer lichens (various species of Cladonia), and several species of Sphagnum moss.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: The association occurs in a coastal region on elevated marine terraces. The climate is strongly marine-dominated, with average annual precipitation of 190 cm, most of which occurs during late fall and winter as rain. Temperatures are greatly moderated by the oceanic influence. Persistent, strong onshore winds are another climatic factor of some importance, and winter storms can often have winds exceeding 120 km/hour.
This association is found on level, marine coastal terraces, elevated approximately 40 m above sea level, and underlain by tuffaceous, indurated sandstone. The terraces are covered by strongly leached, nutrient-poor soils derived from fossil sand dunes and marine deposits, called Blacklock soils. These soils have an impenetrable iron hardpan in the B2 horizon that has developed at a depth of 30-76 cm, and is 15-30 cm thick. The A horizon ranges in texture from sandy loam to loam. A perched water table is the result of the iron pan, and during the winter rains the entire surface of the terrace is flooded.
The surface of these terraces is marked by a pattern of ridges and swales, in linear formations, which are apparently a series of "fossilized" sand dunes. The swales hold water much longer into the growing season, due to a strongly developed iron pan at 30 cm depth, and support stands of this association.
This association is found on level, marine coastal terraces, elevated approximately 40 m above sea level, and underlain by tuffaceous, indurated sandstone. The terraces are covered by strongly leached, nutrient-poor soils derived from fossil sand dunes and marine deposits, called Blacklock soils. These soils have an impenetrable iron hardpan in the B2 horizon that has developed at a depth of 30-76 cm, and is 15-30 cm thick. The A horizon ranges in texture from sandy loam to loam. A perched water table is the result of the iron pan, and during the winter rains the entire surface of the terrace is flooded.
The surface of these terraces is marked by a pattern of ridges and swales, in linear formations, which are apparently a series of "fossilized" sand dunes. The swales hold water much longer into the growing season, due to a strongly developed iron pan at 30 cm depth, and support stands of this association.
Geographic Range: This association is very rare globally, being present only around Blacklock Point in Floras Lake State Park in coastal southwestern Oregon. A similar assemblage occurs in the Jug Handle Creek area of coastal northern California, and may represent the same association.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CA?, OR
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.688948
Confidence Level: Low
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.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.e Western Hemlock - Red Alder / Yellow Skunk-cabbage Swamp Forest Group | G853 | 1.B.3.Ng.1.e |
| Alliance | A3755 Lodgepole Pine Swamp Forest Alliance | A3755 | 1.B.3.Ng.1.e |
| Association | CEGL000152 Beach Pine / Salal - Pacific Rhododendron - California Huckleberry Forest | CEGL000152 | 1.B.3.Ng.1.e |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
- 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.
- Jenny, H., R. J. Arkley, and A. M. Schultz. 1969. The pygmy forest-podsol ecosystem and its dune associates of the Mendocino coast. Madrono 20:60-74.
- Kagan, J. S., J. A. Christy, M. P. Murray, and J. A. Titus. 2004. Classification of native vegetation of Oregon. January 2004. Oregon Natural Heritage Information Center, Portland. 52 pp.
- Martin, R. C., and R. E. Frenkel. 1978. Preserve analysis: Blacklock Point. Oregon Natural Area Preserves Advisory Committee to the State Land Board, Salem, OR. 63 pp.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.