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CEGL003710 Opuntia (littoralis, oricola, & hybrids) - (Cylindropuntia prolifera) Mixed Coastal Sage Scrub Shrubland
Type Concept Sentence: This shrubland association is characterized by a dominance of Opuntia spp. (primarily Opuntia littoralis but occasionally Opuntia oricola or both) in the shrub layer. It occurs in southern California.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: (Coastal Prickly-pear, Chaparral Prickly-pear, & Prickly-pear hybrids) - (Coastal Cholla) Mixed Coastal Sage Scrub Shrubland
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This shrubland association occurs on somewhat steep to steep southeast- and southwest-facing slopes at low elevations between 10 and 310 m. It is characterized by a dominance of Opuntia spp. (primarily Opuntia littoralis but occasionally Opuntia oricola or both) in the shrub layer. The herbaceous layer is generally composed of a variety of non-native species at low cover. The emergent tree layer is usually absent.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: These stands dominated by playtopuntias (either Opuntia littoralis or Opuntia oricola) are not to be confused with the stands of more Baja Californian floristic affinities that occur in San Diego County and on some of the southern Channel Islands. The local stands provide excellent habitat for the coastal cactus wren. These stands are placed in the Opuntia littoralis alliance (c.f., Sawyer and Keeler-Wolf 1995) despite the uncertainty of some of the Opuntia species in some of the stands.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This association has only been described from the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. Until further inventory is completed, there is no global information.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This association has only been described from the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. Until further inventory is completed, there is no global information.
Geographic Range: This association is only known from the Santa Monica Mountains region. Information about its global distribution is not available without additional inventory. Other similar stands of maritime cactus scrub occur south and east through the western Los Angeles Basin to San Diego County.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.790198
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G3
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 3 Desert & Semi-Desert Class | C03 | 3 |
| Subclass | 3.A Warm Desert & Semi-Desert Woodland, Scrub & Grassland Subclass | S06 | 3.A |
| Formation | 3.A.2 Warm Desert & Semi-Desert Scrub & Grassland Formation | F015 | 3.A.2 |
| Division | 3.A.2.Na North American Warm Desert Scrub & Grassland Division | D039 | 3.A.2.Na |
| Macrogroup | 3.A.2.Na.4 Saguaro - Organ Pipe Cactus - Burrobush Mojave-Sonoran Semi-Desert Scrub Macrogroup | M088 | 3.A.2.Na.4 |
| Group | 3.A.2.Na.4.a Coastal Agave - Boojum Tree - Tree Yucca / Live-forever species Coastal Succulent Scrub Group | G298 | 3.A.2.Na.4.a |
| Alliance | A3885 Coastal Prickly-pear - Chaparral Prickly-pear - Coastal Cholla Succulent Scrub Alliance | A3885 | 3.A.2.Na.4.a |
| Association | CEGL003710 (Coastal Prickly-pear, Chaparral Prickly-pear, & Prickly-pear hybrids) - (Coastal Cholla) Mixed Coastal Sage Scrub Shrubland | CEGL003710 | 3.A.2.Na.4.a |
Concept Lineage: Upgraded to Standard during screening.
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: > Cylindropuntia prolifera - Mixed Coastal Scrub Association (Rodriguez et al. 2017)
> Opuntia littoralis - Mixed Coastal Scrub Association (Rodriguez et al. 2017)
= Opuntia littoralis - mixed coastal sage scrub (Sawyer et al. 2009) [32.150.02]
= Opuntia spp.-Mixed Coastal Sage Scrub Shrubland Association (Keeler-Wolf and Evens 2006)
< Maritime Succulent Scrub (#32400) (Holland 1986b)
> Opuntia littoralis - Mixed Coastal Scrub Association (Rodriguez et al. 2017)
= Opuntia littoralis - mixed coastal sage scrub (Sawyer et al. 2009) [32.150.02]
= Opuntia spp.-Mixed Coastal Sage Scrub Shrubland Association (Keeler-Wolf and Evens 2006)
< Maritime Succulent Scrub (#32400) (Holland 1986b)
- Holland, R. F. 1986b. Preliminary descriptions of the terrestrial natural communities of California. Unpublished report prepared for the California Department of Fish and Game, Nongame-Heritage Program and Natural Diversity Database, Sacramento. 156 pp.
- 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.
- Rodriguez, D., K. G. Sikes, T. Keeler-Wolf, G. Kittel, J. Curtis, C. Curley, and J. Evens. 2017. Vegetation classification of Channel Islands National Park. Report to the National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO.
- 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.