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G488 Arctostaphylos spp. / Festuca idahoensis ssp. roemeri - Danthonia californica Shrubland & Grassland Group
Type Concept Sentence: This herbaceous to shrub-herbaceous group is found from Vancouver Island down the Pacific coast to San Francisco, and is herbaceous grassland usually with some dwarf-shrubs mixed in but dominated by bunchgrasses such as Calamagrostis nutkaensis, Festuca rubra, Festuca idahoensis ssp. roemeri, or Danthonia californica, and dwarf-shrub species Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, Arctostaphylos columbiana, Arctostaphylos nevadensis, Gaultheria shallon, Juniperus communis, Rubus spectabilis, and Vaccinium ovatum.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Manzanita species / Roemer''s Fescue - California Oatgrass Shrubland & Grassland Group
Colloquial Name: Southern Vancouverian Shrub & Herbaceous Bald, Bluff & Prairie
Hierarchy Level: Group
Type Concept: This herbaceous to shrub-herbaceous group is found from Vancouver Island down the Pacific coast to San Francisco. The vegetation is grassland with some dwarf-shrubs which can occur as small patches but are usually in a matrix with the herbaceous vegetation. Bunchgrasses often dominate and include Calamagrostis nutkaensis, Festuca rubra, Festuca idahoensis ssp. roemeri, or Danthonia californica. Dwarf-shrub species imbedded in the herbaceous cover often include Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, Arctostaphylos columbiana, Arctostaphylos nevadensis, Gaultheria shallon, Juniperus communis, Rubus spectabilis, and Vaccinium ovatum. Occasionally scattered stunted trees, such as Picea sitchensis, Pseudotsuga menziesii, or Quercus garryana, may be present. It occurs along the coast on steep coastal terraces, headlands and bluffs, level ridgeline balds, and flat interior (leeward) meadows. The group includes many areas that are inland and do not have coastal exposure. Due to shallow soils, steep slopes, sunny aspect, and/or upper slope position, these sites are dry and marginal for tree establishment and growth except in favorable microsites. Fires, both lightning-ignited and those ignited by Native Americans, undoubtedly at least occasionally burn all these sites. Because of this fire history, the extent of this group has declined locally through tree invasion and growth, as areas formerly maintained as herbaceous by burning have filled in with trees. It occurs in the Coast Ranges, the Klamath Mountains and at low elevations on the lee side of the coastal mountains in the northern part of the range.
Diagnostic Characteristics: Grasslands are the most prevalent vegetation cover. Dwarf-shrubs occur commonly as small patches and usually in a matrix of herbaceous vegetation. Bunchgrasses often dominant include Calamagrostis nutkaensis, Festuca rubra, Festuca idahoensis ssp. roemeri, or Danthonia californica.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This group combines former groups North Pacific Hypermaritime Shrub & Herbaceous Headland Group (G278) and North Pacific Shrub & Herbaceous Bald & Bluff Group (G279), with ~California Northern Coastal Grassland (CES206.941)$$. New (2009) associations from Mount Rainier National Park (aka Rex Crawford) nearly match Chris Chappell''s description (2003) for the North Pacific bald and bluff system. ~Willamette Valley Upland Prairie and Savanna (CES204.858)$$, a closely aligned system, shares similar dominant grass species (Festuca idahoensis ssp. roemeri and Danthonia californica). Should we include it with this group?
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: Low-statured (<1.5 m) grassy area "balds," often openings in otherwise shrubby forested slopes. Dwarf-shrubs are often imbedded in the grass.
Floristics: Grasslands are the most prevalent vegetation cover. Dwarf-shrubs occur commonly, especially in mountains or foothills, as very small patches for the most part, usually in a matrix of herbaceous vegetation, most often near edges. Bunch grasses often dominant include Calamagrostis nutkaensis, Festuca rubra, Festuca idahoensis ssp. roemeri (= Festuca roemeri), or Danthonia californica. Other grasses that may be present include Achnatherum lemmonii, Koeleria macrantha, Agrostis spp., Bromus carinatus, Festuca idahoensis, Deschampsia cespitosa, or Trisetum canescens. Dwarf-shrub species imbedded in the herbaceous cover include Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, Arctostaphylos columbiana, Arctostaphylos nevadensis, Gaultheria shallon, Juniperus communis, Rubus spectabilis, and Vaccinium ovatum. Occasionally scattered stunted trees such as Picea sitchensis, Pseudotsuga menziesii or Quercus garryana may be present. Perennial forbs may be present to abundant and include Allium cernuum, Camassia quamash, Camassia leichtlinii, Grindelia hirsutula, Iris douglasiana, Lomatium martindalei, Mimulus guttatus (in seeps), Plectritis congesta, Phlox diffusa, Sisyrinchium bellum, Sanicula arctopoides, or Triteleia hyacinthina. Significant portions of some balds, especially on rock outcrops, are dominated by bryophytes (mosses) and to a lesser degree lichens.
Dynamics: Fires, both lightning-ignited and those ignited by Native Americans, undoubtedly at least occasionally burn all these sites. Lower elevation sites in the Georgia Basin, Puget Trough, and Willamette Valley probably were burned somewhat more frequently and, in some cases, intentionally. Because of this fire history, the extent of this group has declined locally through tree invasion and growth, as areas formerly maintained as herbaceous by burning have filled in with trees. In recent centuries, these were fire-dominated systems, and there is a known history of Native American use of fire in these areas. While still present, annual grasses and forbs are not as prevalent in these grasslands as elsewhere in California. With fire suppression, Baccharis pilularis and other shrub components of north coastal scrub often invade and can replace these grasslands with scrub-dominated systems.
Environmental Description: This group consists of mostly herbaceous-dominated areas located primarily on shallow soils and windy sites where wind and salt spray combine to limit tree growth, as well as dry well-drained bluffs that are not exposed to coastal influences directly. Steep slopes on coastal bluffs, headlands, or small islands are typical, though sometimes this group can be found on relatively level tops of headlands or islands. The group also includes flat meadows found on the lee side of the coastal mountains. Due to shallow soils, steep slopes, sunny aspect, and/or upper slope position, these sites are dry and marginal for tree establishment and growth except in favorable microsites. Rock outcrops are a typical small-scale feature within balds and are considered part of this group. The climate is relatively dry to wet (50.8 cm to perhaps 254 cm [20-100 inches] annual precipitation), always with a distinct dry summer season when these sites usually become droughty enough to limit tree growth and establishment. The relative prevalence of grasslands versus shrublands increases to the south. Soils can be shallow to bedrock or of glacial or marine sediment origin. Seeps can be found in some balds that dry out by summer.
Geographic Range: This herbaceous to shrub-herbaceous group is found from Vancouver Island down the coast to San Francisco. It occurs along the coast on coastal terraces and ridgeline balds in the Coast Ranges, Klamath Mountains, and at low elevations on the lee side of the coastal mountains in the northern part of the range. Small patches have been documented as far south as Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties.
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: BC, CA, OR, WA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.836893
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR
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.2 Temperate Grassland & Shrubland Formation | F012 | 2.B.2 |
| Division | 2.B.2.Nf Western North American Grassland & Shrubland Division | D022 | 2.B.2.Nf |
| Macrogroup | 2.B.2.Nf.4 Southern Vancouverian Lowland Grassland & Shrubland Macrogroup | M050 | 2.B.2.Nf.4 |
| Group | 2.B.2.Nf.4.a Manzanita species / Roemer''s Fescue - California Oatgrass Shrubland & Grassland Group | G488 | 2.B.2.Nf.4.a |
| Alliance | A1647 Cascade Desert-parsley Meadow Alliance | A1647 | 2.B.2.Nf.4.a |
| Alliance | A3739 Red Fescue - Pacific Reedgrass Exposed Coastal Headland Grassland Alliance | A3739 | 2.B.2.Nf.4.a |
| Alliance | A4210 Roemer''s Fescue - California Oatgrass Interior Prairie, Bald & Bluff Grassland Alliance | A4210 | 2.B.2.Nf.4.a |
Concept Lineage: This group combines former groups North Pacific Hypermaritime Shrub & Herbaceous Headland Group (G278) and North Pacific Shrub & Herbaceous Bald & Bluff Group (G279), with ~California Northern Coastal Grassland (CES206.941)$$.
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
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