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CEGL003084 Pseudotsuga macrocarpa Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Bigcone Douglas-fir Forest
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This forest type is restricted to the montane zone of the Transverse and Peninsular ranges of southwestern California, from the Mt. Pinos region in Kern County, south into San Diego County. Occurrences are found from 275-2400 m elevation, usually on slopes facing the coast rather than the desert. Annual precipitation increases with elevation and ranges from 70 cm to over 100 cm, with a distinct summer dry season. Most stands are restricted to steep slopes of mesic (northern) exposures and canyon sides at lower elevations, but are found on warmer aspects at the upper elevational limits. Pseudotsuga macrocarpa is the only or dominant tree in the canopy of these stands. Other conifers that may be present include Abies lowiana, Calocedrus decurrens, Pinus coulteri, Pinus lambertiana, Pinus monophylla, and Pinus ponderosa. Broad-leaved trees may also occur, including the evergreen Quercus chrysolepis and Umbellularia californica, and the deciduous Quercus kelloggii. The tree canopy is typically less than 30 m in height and is structurally composed of only one layer, with no subcanopy. Canopy cover may be continuous (on flatter sites) or intermittent (on steep slopes). Shrubs are infrequent, and the herbaceous layer is sparse.
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: The needle-leaved evergreen tree Pseudotsuga macrocarpa is the only or dominant tree in the canopy of these stands. Other conifers that may be present include Abies lowiana (= Abies concolor var. lowiana), Calocedrus decurrens, Pinus coulteri, Pinus lambertiana, Pinus monophylla, and Pinus ponderosa. Broad-leaved trees may also occur, including the evergreen Quercus chrysolepis and Umbellularia californica, and the deciduous Quercus kelloggii. The tree canopy is typically less than 30 m in height and is structurally composed of only one layer, with no subcanopy. Canopy cover may be continuous (on flatter sites) or intermittent (on steep slopes). Shrubs are infrequent, and the herbaceous layer is sparse.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: Stands are found from 275-2400 m elevation of the Transverse and Peninsular ranges, usually on slopes facing the coast rather than the desert. Annual precipitation increases with elevation and ranges from 70 cm to over 100 cm, with a distinct summer dry season. Precipitation is episodic, and droughts of several years duration are not uncommon. Stands occurs above the zone of summer fogs, and temperatures show more fluctuation annually than those at lower elevations. Most stands are restricted to steep slopes of mesic (northern) exposures and canyon sides at lower elevations but are on warmer aspects at the upper elevational limits. Sites are rocky and with little soil development. Soil parent materials are sandstone and schist. The soils are skeletally developed, well-drained and rocky, with a variety of textures.
Geographic Range: Restricted to the montane zone of the Transverse and Peninsular ranges of southwestern California, from the Mt. Pinos region in Kern County, south into San Diego County.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.689658
Confidence Level: Low
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.2 Incense-cedar - Jeffrey Pine - Sierra White Fir Forest Macrogroup | M023 | 1.B.2.Nd.2 |
| Group | 1.B.2.Nd.2.a Incense-cedar - Sugar Pine - Sierra White Fir Forest & Woodland Group | G344 | 1.B.2.Nd.2.a |
| Alliance | A3675 Bigcone Douglas-fir - Canyon Live Oak Forest Alliance | A3675 | 1.B.2.Nd.2.a |
| Association | CEGL003084 Bigcone Douglas-fir Forest | CEGL003084 | 1.B.2.Nd.2.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: < Pseudotsuga macrocarpa (Bigcone Douglas fir forest) Alliance (Sawyer et al. 2009) [82.100.00]
= Pseudotsuga macrocarpa Forest Alliance (Sawyer and Keeler-Wolf 1995)
= Pseudotsuga macrocarpa Forest Alliance (Sawyer and Keeler-Wolf 1995)
- Cheatham, N. H., and J. R. Haller. 1975. An annotated list of California habitat types. Unpublished report. University of California, Natural Land and Water Reserves System.
- Griffin, J. R., and W. B. Critchfield. 1972. The distribution of forest trees in California. Research Paper PSW-82/1972. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Forest and Range Experiment Station, Berkeley, CA. 114 pp.
- Sawyer, J. O., D. A. Thornburgh, and J. R. Griffin. 1988. Mixed evergreen forest. Pages 359-381 in: M. G. Barbour and J. Major, editors. 1988. Terrestrial vegetation of California: New expanded edition. California Native Plant Society, Special Publication 9, Sacramento. 1030 pp.
- 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.
- Sawyer, J. O., and T. Keeler-Wolf. 1995. A manual of California vegetation. California Native Plant Society, Sacramento. 471 pp.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.