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CEGL003263 Picea sitchensis / Vaccinium ovalifolium / Athyrium filix-femina Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Sitka Spruce / Oval-leaf Blueberry / Common Ladyfern Forest
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This plant association is a widespread though minor type that is found primarily in Prince William Sound, Alaska. It occurs on floodplains, high-relief hills, and dissected mountainside slopes, on northerly aspects, at slopes up to 85%, and at elevations up to 60 m (200 feet). Picea sitchensis dominates the tree layer and Tsuga heterophylla or Tsuga mertensiana often occur as minor associates. Vaccinium ovalifolium is the most constant and abundant tall shrub. Rubus spectabilis, Oplopanax horridus, and Menziesia ferruginea are common associated tall shrubs. Low and dwarf-shrubs are absent. Undergrowth species with high constancy but low cover include Rubus pedatus, Cornus canadensis, Tiarella trifoliata, Streptopus amplexifolius, Dryopteris expansa, and Gymnocarpium dryopteris.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: The first published account for this type is from the Chugach National Forest (DeVelice et al. 1999). This forest type also occurs in the South Kenai Area. This association is similar to other associations with Picea sitchensis dominant in the overstory and Vaccinium ovalifolium dominating the understory.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Picea sitchensis dominates the tree layer and Tsuga heterophylla or Tsuga mertensiana often occur as minor associates. Vaccinium ovalifolium is the most constant and abundant tall shrub. Rubus spectabilis, Oplopanax horridus (= Echinopanax horridus), and Menziesia ferruginea are common associated tall shrubs. Low and dwarf-shrubs are absent. Undergrowth species with high constancy but low cover include Rubus pedatus, Cornus canadensis, Tiarella trifoliata, Streptopus amplexifolius, Dryopteris expansa (= Dryopteris dilatata), and Gymnocarpium dryopteris.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This plant association is a widespread though minor type that is found primarily in Prince William Sound, Alaska. It occurs on floodplains, high-relief hills, and dissected mountainside slopes, on northerly aspects, at slopes up to 85%, and at elevations up to 60 m (200 feet).
Geographic Range: This plant association has only been described in Prince William Sound, Alaska, but it likely occurs in other rainforests of the region.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: AK
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.689626
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G3
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 | A3601 Western Hemlock - Sitka Spruce / Alaska Blueberry Forest Alliance | A3601 | 1.B.2.Nd.3.h |
| Association | CEGL003263 Sitka Spruce / Oval-leaf Blueberry / Common Ladyfern Forest | CEGL003263 | 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.
- DeVelice, R. L., C. J. Hubbard, K. Boggs, S. Boudreau, M. Potkin, T. Boucher, and C. Wertheim. 1999. Plant community types of the Chugach National Forest: South-central Alaska. Technical Publication R10-TP-76. USDA Forest Service, Chugach National Forest, Alaska Region. 375 pp.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.