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CEGL000047 Chamaecyparis lawsoniana / Rhododendron occidentale / Carex spp. Swamp Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Port Orford-cedar / Western Azalea / Sedge species Swamp Forest
Colloquial Name: Port Orford-cedar Ultramafic Swamp Forest
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This is an open-canopy, coniferous forest found on metamorphic substrates, primarily serpentine and gneiss, in southwestern Oregon and northwestern California. These forests are found entirely along streams and in wet, serpentine meadows, between 305 and 1525 m (1000-5000 feet) in elevation. The forests are old, but vary widely in appearance, with many of the trees appearing stunted, and the forests not very productive, in spite of the perennial water. Chamaecyparis lawsoniana is the primary dominant in all stands. In many stands, Pseudotsuga menziesii is codominant, although it is absent from the wettest meadows. Pinus jeffreyi, or rarely Pinus attenuata can also be locally important. The understory is characterized by a fairly dense cover of Rhododendron occidentale. Few other shrubs are found, although Quercus vacciniifolia and Arctostaphylos viscida are often present. Since these stands are riparian and wetland habitats, they are often mixed with serpentine meadows. Graminoids, including Carex species, Deschampsia cespitosa, Calliscirpus criniger, and forbs, including Darlingtonia californica, Rudbeckia californica, Triantha glutinosa, and Narthecium californicum, are generally found in wet openings. It is distinguished from similar associations by its unique serpentine wetland habitat and abundant herbaceous undergrowth.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This is a wetland and riparian forest and sometimes seasonally flooded. Coastal ~Chamaecyparis lawsoniana / Rhododendron occidentale Forest (CEGL003443)$$ is found on toeslopes and lower slopes (with a high water table), and has coastal species such as Gaultheria shallon, Vaccinium virgatum, and Rubus ursinus often present, while this association is characterized by serpentine wetland species.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: The forests are old, but vary widely in appearance, with many of the trees appearing stunted, and the forests not very productive, in spite of the perennial water. Chamaecyparis lawsoniana is the primary dominant in all stands. In many stands, Pseudotsuga menziesii is codominant, although it is absent from the wettest meadows. Pinus jeffreyi, or rarely Pinus attenuata can also be locally important. The understory is characterized by a fairly dense cover of Rhododendron occidentale. Few other shrubs are found, although Quercus vacciniifolia and Arctostaphylos viscida are often present. Since these stands are riparian and wetland habitats, they are often mixed with serpentine meadows. Graminoids, including Carex species, Deschampsia cespitosa, Calliscirpus criniger (= Eriophorum crinigerum), and forbs, including Darlingtonia californica, Rudbeckia californica, Triantha glutinosa (= Tofieldia glutinosa), and Narthecium californicum, are generally found in wet openings. It is distinguished from similar associations by its unique serpentine wetland habitat and abundant herbaceous undergrowth.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This is an open-canopy, coniferous forest found on metamorphic substrates, primarily serpentine and gneiss, in southwestern Oregon and northwestern California. These forests are found entirely along streams and in wet, serpentine meadows, between 305 and 1525 m (1000-5000 feet) in elevation.
Geographic Range: One of the primary dominant species, Port Orford-cedar, is very local, restricted to southwestern Oregon and northwestern California. This association occurs throughout this area on wetlands or streamside habitats with ultramafic or serpentine soils.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CA, OR
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.690027
Confidence Level: Low
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G2
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 | A4285 Western Hemlock - Sitka Spruce / American Skunk-cabbage Swamp Forest Alliance | A4285 | 1.B.3.Ng.1.e |
| Association | CEGL000047 Port Orford-cedar / Western Azalea / Sedge species Swamp Forest | CEGL000047 | 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
- Atzet, T. A., D. E. White, L. A. McCrimmon, P. A. Martinez, P. R. Fong, and V. D. Randall. 1996. Field guide to the forested plant associations of southwestern Oregon. Technical Paper R6-NR-ECOL-TP-17-96. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region, Portland, OR.
- Becking, R. 1982. Hastingsia bracteosum ecological investigations. Final report. Klamath and Siskiyou National Forests. On file at Oregon Natural Heritage Data Base, Portland, OR.
- 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.
- Copeland, W. N. 1978. Botanical survey of Eight Dollar Mountain, May 6-9, 1978. Oregon Natural Heritage Data Base, Portland, OR.
- Hawk, G. M. 1977. A comparative study of temperate Chamaecyparis forests. Unpublished dissertation, Oregon State University, Corvallis. 194 pp.
- Jimerson, T. J. 1994. A field guide to the Port Orford cedar plant associations in northwestern California. Pacific Southwest Research Station PSW-R5-ECOL-TP-OO2. Six Rivers National Forest, Eureka, CA. 109 pp.
- Kagan, J. S. 1987c. Draft species management guide for Astragalus robbinsii var. alpiniformis. Challenge grant funding with USDA Forest Service. Oregon Natural Heritage Data Base, The Nature Conservancy, Portland.
- 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.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.
- Whittaker, R. H. 1960. Vegetation of the Siskiyou Mountains, Oregon and California. Ecological Monographs 30:279-338.
- Zobel, D. B., L. F. Roth, and G. M. Hawk. 1985. Ecology, pathology, and management of Port-Orford cedar (Chamaecyparis lawsoniana). General Technical Report GTR-PNW-194. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Forest and Range Experiment Station, Portland, OR. 161 pp.