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CEGL003612 Ceanothus spinosus Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Redheart Shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This shrubland association occurs on moderately steep to very steep northeast- and northwest-facing slopes at low elevations between 0 and 692 m. It is characterized by a strong dominance of Ceanothus spinosus in the shrub layer and may include a wide variety of mesophytic species in the herbaceous layer, none apparently in high constancy. The emergent tree layer includes Quercus agrifolia and Juglans californica.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Based on the comments of Borchert et al. (2004), it is likely that this association is the principal one found in the Santa Monica Mountains and in the Santa Ynez Mountains to the north and west of this study area. Although Heteromeles arbutifolia is a common associate of this association, it was not found to be a strong enough indicator to warrant an entire association. We have identified a Ceanothus spinosus - Heteromeles arbutifolia - Prunus ilicifolia phase of this association which is analogous to the situation described by Borchert et al. (2004).
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: It is characterized by a strong dominance of Ceanothus spinosus in the shrub layer and may include a wide variety of mesophytic species in the herbaceous layer, none apparently in high constancy. The emergent tree layer includes Quercus agrifolia and Juglans californica. The following information has been excerpted from Borchert et al. (2004) in their description of the alliance in the Santa Ynez Mountains: Although greenbark ceanothus clearly dominates this alliance, Prunus ilicifolia and Heteromeles arbutifolia are almost always associated with it, indicating that these species form a plant association within the greenbark ceanothus alliance. Co-occurring species in this alliance may be different on ocean-facing slopes of the Santa Ynez Mountains.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: Based on the similarities of this association with the alliance description in Borchert et al. (2004), we can extrapolate from their general description and state: The greenbark ceanothus alliance is prominent on north-facing slopes, although it also occurs on ocean-facing slopes. Most stands occupy mesic (solar insolation <200), moderately steep (>50%) slopes on a variety of exposures, although north-facing aspects are most common.
Geographic Range: This association is only known from the Santa Monica Mountains region. Information about its global distribution is not available without additional inventory.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.790048
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G4
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 2 Shrub & Herb Vegetation Class | C02 | 2 |
| Subclass | 2.B Temperate & Boreal Grassland & Shrubland Subclass | S18 | 2.B |
| Formation | 2.B.1 Mediterranean Scrub & Grassland Formation | F038 | 2.B.1 |
| Division | 2.B.1.Na Californian Scrub & Grassland Division | D327 | 2.B.1.Na |
| Macrogroup | 2.B.1.Na.1 Chamise - Whiteleaf Manzanita - Scrub Oak Chaparral Macrogroup | M043 | 2.B.1.Na.1 |
| Group | 2.B.1.Na.1.b Scrub Oak - Eastwood''s Manzanita - California Ash Chaparral Group | G261 | 2.B.1.Na.1.b |
| Alliance | A3863 Hollyleaf Cherry - Toyon - Redheart Mesic Chaparral Alliance | A3863 | 2.B.1.Na.1.b |
| Association | CEGL003612 Redheart Shrubland | CEGL003612 | 2.B.1.Na.1.b |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Ceanothus spinosus - Heteromeles arbutifolia - Prunus ilicifolia (Borchert et al. 2004)
= Ceanothus spinosus Association (Sproul et al. 2011)
= Ceanothus spinosus (Sawyer et al. 2009) [37.214.01]
= Ceanothus spinosus Shrubland Association (Keeler-Wolf and Evens 2006)
= Ceanothus spinosus Association (Sproul et al. 2011)
= Ceanothus spinosus (Sawyer et al. 2009) [37.214.01]
= Ceanothus spinosus Shrubland Association (Keeler-Wolf and Evens 2006)
- Borchert, M., A. Lopez, C. Bauer, and T. Knowd. 2004. Field guide to coastal sage scrub and chaparral series of Los Padres National Forest. Report R5-TP-019. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Southwest Region, San Francisco, CA.
- Keeler-Wolf, T., and J. Evens. 2006. Vegetation classification of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area and environs in Ventura and Los Angeles counties, California. A report submitted to National Park Service, Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area by California Department of Fish and Game, Wildlife and Habitat Data Analysis Branch and The California Native Plant Society, Vegetation Program, Sacramento, CA.
- 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.
- Sproul, F., T. Keeler-Wolf, P. Gordon-Reedy, J. Dunn, A. Klein, and K. Harper. 2011. Vegetation classification manual for western San Diego County. AECOM, California Department of Fish and Game, San Diego Area Governments.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.