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CEGL000549 Quercus garryana / Carex geyeri Woodland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Oregon White Oak / Geyer''s Sedge Woodland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This is a deciduous woodland association found along lower treeline in the eastern Cascades near the Columbia River gorge. These sites are generally found on slopes or ridgetops between 610 and 945 m (2000-3100 feet) elevation. The existing vegetation is characterized by an open Quercus garryana layer occasionally with scattered individual Pinus ponderosa or Pseudotsuga menziesii trees. The tree canopy is mostly open and only rarely approaches being a closed stand where clones of Quercus garryana merge. Ceanothus velutinus and/or Amelanchier alnifolia may form a sparse shrub layer with only a few other shrub species. The herbaceous layer is patchy and graminoid-dominated primarily by Carex geyeri and Calamagrostis rubescens.
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 is an open forest association dominated by the broad-leaved deciduous tree Quercus garryana, with the needle-leaved evergreen trees Pseudotsuga menziesii and Pinus ponderosa being components of the canopy. Quercus averages 25% cover, with the conifers contributing another 20%. A common structure is scattered, old Quercus or conifers, mixed with younger trees which give a dense appearance. A few broad-leaved deciduous shrubs are present, and none are abundant; species may include Amelanchier alnifolia, Spiraea betulifolia, and Purshia tridentata. The herbaceous layer has moderate cover and is dominated by the perennial sedge Carex geyeri (with 15-20% cover), and the perennial grass Calamagrostis rubescens. Of the perennial forbs, Cacaliopsis nardosmia (= Luina nardosmia) is the most abundant (with 20-25% cover); others commonly present include Lupinus bingenensis var. subsaccatus (= Lupinus sulphureus ssp. subsaccatus), Achillea millefolium, and Lomatium triternatum.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This association is found on the eastern side of the Cascades Range, a mountainous region in the rainshadow of the Cascade crest. Quercus garryana is one of the most heat- and drought-tolerant tree species in the Pacific Northwest, but it is not very cold-tolerant. This association occurs at the lowermost boundary of woodland and forest vegetation, on hot, dry sites. It is found between 610 and 945 m (2000-3100 feet) elevation, on moderately steep to steep, mid and lower slope positions. The soils are derived from basalt colluvium, are gravelly and contain moderate amounts of rocks and stones. The soil surface is covered by plant litter.
Geographic Range: This community has a narrow natural range in the southeastern Cascade foothills in Washington and perhaps adjacent Oregon. Appears to be restricted to a narrow zone in two counties in Washington.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: WA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.689012
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G1G2
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.1 Southern Vancouverian Dry Foothill Forest & Woodland Macrogroup | M886 | 1.B.2.Nd.1 |
| Group | 1.B.2.Nd.1.b Oregon White Oak - Ponderosa Pine - Douglas-fir Forest & Woodland Group | G206 | 1.B.2.Nd.1.b |
| Alliance | A3327 Oregon White Oak - Ponderosa Pine / Geyer''s Sedge Woodland Alliance | A3327 | 1.B.2.Nd.1.b |
| Association | CEGL000549 Oregon White Oak / Geyer''s Sedge Woodland | CEGL000549 | 1.B.2.Nd.1.b |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Quercus garryana / Calamagrostis rubescens - Carex geyeri (Lillybridge et al. 1995) [QUGA/CARU-CAGE ASSOCIATION HOG211]
- 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.
- Franklin, J. F., and C. T. Dyrness. 1973. Natural vegetation of Oregon and Washington. General Technical Report PNW-8. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Forest and Range Experiment Station, Portland, OR. 417 pp.
- John, T., D. Tart, and R. Clausnitzer. 1988. Forest associations of the Yakama Indian Reservation. Draft. Yakama Indian Nation. Toppenish, WA. 133 pp.
- John, T., and D. Tart. 1986. Forested plant associations of the Yakima Drainage within the Yakama Indian Reservation. Review copy prepared for the Yakama Indian Nation - BIA-SCS.
- Lillybridge, T. R., B. L. Kovalchik, C. K. Williams, and B. G. Smith. 1995. Field guide for forested plant associations of the Wenatchee National Forest. General Technical Report PNW-GTR-359. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station, Portland, OR. 335 pp.
- WNHP [Washington Natural Heritage Program]. 2018. Unpublished data files. Washington Natural Heritage Program, Department of Natural Resources, Olympia, WA.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.
- Williams, C. K., and B. G. Smith. 1990. Forested plant associations of the Wenatchee National Forest. Unpublished draft prepared by the USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region, Portland, OR. 217 pp.