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CEGL002833 Tsuga heterophylla - Abies amabilis - (Pseudotsuga menziesii) / Hylocomium splendens Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Western Hemlock - Pacific Silver Fir - (Douglas-fir) / Splendid Feathermoss Forest
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This moist, submaritime coniferous community is found at higher elevations in drainages of the climatically transitional eastern side of the Coast Mountains in southwestern British Columbia and north to the lower Kimsquit River valley near the headwaters of Dean Channel. The slope positions are variable from middle to upper and lower to level, with mainly moderate slope gradients. In the mature to old-forest stage Tsuga heterophylla often has leading coverage in the canopy, followed by Pseudotsuga menziesii, Thuja plicata, and Abies amabilis. The shrub layer features Vaccinium spp., Paxistima myrsinites, Abies amabilis, and Tsuga heterophylla. The most common herb layer species are Orthilia secunda, Linnaea borealis, Goodyera oblongifolia, Chimaphila umbellata, Clintonia uniflora, and Cornus canadensis. Hylocomium splendens and Rhytidiopsis robusta are leading species in the moss layer, followed by Pleurozium schreberi and Rhytidiadelphus loreus. This intermediate association is distinguished by its normally gentle terrain on upper to lower and level slope positions and its slightly dry to fresh nutrient-poor to medium soils. In its mature to old-forest successional stage there should be an absence of drier site indicators such as Pinus contorta, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, and Cladonia spp., as well as a general absence of species indicating more moist and/or rich soil conditions, such as Tiarella trifoliata var. unifoliata, Gymnocarpium dryopteris, Streptopus lanceolatus, and Athyrium filix-femina.
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: In the mature to old-forest stage Tsuga heterophylla often has leading coverage in the canopy, followed by Pseudotsuga menziesii, Thuja plicata, and Abies amabilis. Dry summer weather has contributed to a history of extensive wildfires in the southern part of the range, resulting in widespread distribution of Pseudotsuga menziesii. The shrub layer features Vaccinium parvifolium, Vaccinium membranaceum, Paxistima myrsinites, Abies amabilis, Vaccinium ovalifolium, Vaccinium alaskaense, and Tsuga heterophylla. Although the herb layer often has only moderate cover, it can be diverse in this coast/interior transition. Common herb layer species include Orthilia secunda, Linnaea borealis, Goodyera oblongifolia, Chimaphila umbellata, Clintonia uniflora, Cornus canadensis, Tiarella trifoliata var. unifoliata (= Tiarella unifoliata), Pyrola asarifolia, Chimaphila menziesii, and Maianthemum stellatum. Hylocomium splendens, Rhytidiopsis robusta, Dicranum fuscescens, Rhytidiadelphus loreus, Pleurozium schreberi, and Eurhynchium oreganum are the main species in the normally well-developed moss layer.
Dynamics: An intensive logging history means that few of the once extensive old-forest successional stages remain. If wind exposure is indirect, then stand replacement may be more gradual through the mortality of individual or small numbers of canopy trees. Unless windthrow and fire have been pervasive, the age composition of these potentially old forests can be uneven. The lengthy wildfire history is of concern, because the forests here are subject to dry summer weather, conditions which will, in all probability, be further provoked by the entrenching patterns of climate change. Armillaria root disease (Armillaria ostoyae) is high risk for Abies amabilis and medium risk for Pseudotsuga menziesii and Tsuga heterophylla. Annosus root disease (Heterobasidion annosum) is medium risk for Abies amabilis.
Environmental Description: This coniferous community is located within the Moist Submaritime Coastal Western Hemlock Subzone (CWHms) at higher elevations in drainages of the Fraser River both east and north from Chilliwack in the lower Fraser Valley, and on the eastern side of the Coast Mountains north to headwaters of the Dean Channel. The rainshadow effects of mountain ranges to the west contribute to summer-dry conditions which lead to high wildfire hazard. The potential distribution is from approximately 650 m to 1200 m above sea level in the westerly drainages experiencing some maritime influence, with an upward shift to approximately 900 m to 1350 m in the drainages farther to the east which experience less maritime influence. In its more northerly or central distribution, a much lower elevational range from sea level to 700 m is typical. Slope positions are variable, from middle to upper and lower to level. Soils are developed on morainal, fluvial and occasionally colluvial materials, with textures ranging from fine loamy to sandy. Well- to moderately well-drained, slightly dry to fresh and nutrient-poor to medium soils are normal for this site. Forest floors are mors and moders which are commonly 5-10 cm thick.
Geographic Range: This community occurs in British Columbia within variants of the Moist Submaritime subzone of the Coastal Western Hemlock zone (CWHms1 and CWHms2), which occupy a total of 6331 km2. It is found in drainages of the Fraser River both east and north from Chilliwack in the lower Fraser Valley, and in drainages on the eastern side of the Coast Mountains from valleys adjacent to the northern half of Harrison Lake northwestward to as far as the lower Kimsquit River valley near the headwaters of Dean Channel, approximately 75 km north of Bella Coola.
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: BC, OR, WA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.787600
Confidence Level: High
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G2G3
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.d Pacific Silver Fir - Western Hemlock Rainforest Group | G241 | 1.B.2.Nd.3.d |
| Alliance | A3387 Pacific Silver Fir - Western Hemlock / Thinleaf Huckleberry Cold Forest Alliance | A3387 | 1.B.2.Nd.3.d |
| Association | CEGL002833 Western Hemlock - Pacific Silver Fir - (Douglas-fir) / Splendid Feathermoss Forest | CEGL002833 | 1.B.2.Nd.3.d |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Tsuga heterophylla-Abies amabilis-(Pseudotsuga menziesii)/Pleurozium schreberi (Meidinger et al. 2005) [PNWCOAST_244]
> CWH ms 1 /01 (Green and Klinka 1994)
> CWH ms 2 /01 (Green and Klinka 1994)
> CWH ms 1 /01 (Green and Klinka 1994)
> CWH ms 2 /01 (Green and Klinka 1994)
- BCCDC [British Columbia Conservation Data Centre]. 2018. Unpublished data on file at British Columbia Conservation Data Center. Ministry of Environment, Victoria.
- BCMFRB [British Columbia Ministry of Forests Research Branch]. 2003a. Vegetation classification hierarchy: BECMaster May 2003. British Columbia Ministry of Forests, Victoria, BC.
- BCMFRB [British Columbia Ministry of Forests Research Branch]. 2005a. Vegetation classification hierarchy: BECMaster 2005. British Columbia Ministry of Forests, Victoria, BC.
- BCMFRB [British Columbia Ministry of Forests Research Branch]. 2005b. Vegetation and environment plot data: BECMaster January 2005. British Columbia Ministry of Forests, Victoria, BC.
- Eng, M. 2005. Analysis of biogeoclimatic units by forest cover and forest age class. Unpublished data. British Columbia Ministry of Forests Research Branch, Victoria, BC.
- Green, R. N., and K. Klinka. 1994. A field guide to site interpretation for the Vancouver Forest Region. British Columbia Ministry of Forests. ISSN 0229-1622 Land Management Handbook 28. 285 pp.
- Meidinger, D., C. Chappell, C. Cadrin, G. Kittel, C. McCain, K. Boggs, J. Kagan, G. Cushon, A. Banner, and T. DeMeo. 2005. International Vegetation Classification of the Pacific Northwest: International correlation of temperate coastal forest plant associations of Oregon, Washington, British Columbia and Alaska. Contributors: B.C. Ministry of Forests, USDA Forest Service, B.C. Conservation Data Centre, Alaska Natural Heritage Program, Washington Natural Heritage Program, and Oregon Natural Heritage Information Center.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.