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G563 Pinus contorta var. murrayana / Ceanothus megacarpus - Cercocarpus montanus var. minutiflorus Cliff, Scree & Rock Vegetation Group
Type Concept Sentence: This cliff, scree and rock vegetation is scattered across California''s Coast, Transverse, and Peninsular ranges, Klamath Mountains, southern Sierra Nevada, and the northern coast of Baja California.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Sierra Lodgepole Pine / Bigpod Ceanothus - Smooth Mountain-mahogany Cliff, Scree & Rock Vegetation Group
Colloquial Name: Californian Cliff, Scree & Rock Vegetation
Hierarchy Level: Group
Type Concept: This group is scattered across California''s Coast, Transverse, and Peninsular ranges, Klamath Mountains, southern Sierra Nevada, and the northern coast of Baja California. Sites include barren and sparsely vegetated areas of steep cliff faces, narrow canyons, smaller rock outcrops of various igneous, sedimentary, serpentinite, and metamorphic bedrock. This group also includes unstable scree and talus slopes typically occurring below cliff faces. Scattered vegetation may include trees such as Pseudotsuga menziesii, Pinus contorta var. murrayana, Pinus ponderosa, and Pinus jeffreyi. Shrubs may include Ceanothus megacarpus, Ceanothus leucodermis, Cercocarpus montanus var. glaber, Cercocarpus montanus var. minutiflorus, Arctostaphylos glauca, and Xylococcus bicolor. Soil development is limited as is herbaceous cover, but may include Allium falcifolium, Allium cratericola, Streptanthus spp., Hesperolinon spp., Asclepias solanoana, Eriogonum ursinum, Eriogonum nudum, Eriogonum luteolum, Erigeron spp., Dudleya cymosa, Dudleya lanceolata, Lewisia rediviva, Pentagramma triangularis, Selaginella bigelovii, Bromus rubens, Vulpia spp., and others. Moss and lichen can be well-developed, and needs better characterization.
Diagnostic Characteristics: This is a sparsely vegetated and barren group characterized by patchy vegetation that does not exceed 10% total cover. Species occupying these sites may be opportunistic and/or adapted to such conditions. Woody species may include Pseudotsuga menziesii, Pinus contorta var. murrayana, Pinus ponderosa, Pinus jeffreyi, Ceanothus megacarpus, Ceanothus leucodermis, Cercocarpus montanus var. minutiflorus, Arctostaphylos glauca, and Xylococcus bicolor. Soil development is limited as is herbaceous cover, but may include Allium falcifolium, Allium cratericola, Streptanthus spp., Hesperolinon spp., Asclepias solanoana, Eriogonum ursinum, Eriogonum nudum, Eriogonum luteolum, Erigeron spp., Dudleya cymosa, Dudleya lanceolata, Lewisia rediviva, Pentagramma triangularis, Selaginella bigelovii, Bromus rubens, Vulpia spp., and others. Moss and lichen can be well-developed.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This type may overlap with ~Western North American Cliff, Scree & Rock Vegetation Macrogroup (M887)$$, especially ~Southern Vancouverian Cliff, Scree & Rock Vegetation Group (G573)$$. Further review is needed.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: Vegetation of the group is variable in physiognomy and structure due to harsh substrate conditions and exposure, but is composed of a patchy assemblage of needleleaf trees, broadleaf deciduous shrubs, and sporadic herbaceous cover.
Floristics: Scattered vegetation may include trees such as Pseudotsuga menziesii, Pinus contorta var. murrayana, Pinus ponderosa, and Pinus jeffreyi. Shrubs may include Ceanothus megacarpus, Ceanothus leucodermis, Cercocarpus montanus var. glaber (= Cercocarpus betuloides), Cercocarpus montanus var. minutiflorus (= Cercocarpus minutiflorus), Arctostaphylos glauca, and Xylococcus bicolor. Herbaceous cover is limited but may include Streptanthus spp., Hesperolinon spp., Allium falcifolium, Allium cratericola, Asclepias solanoana, Eriogonum ursinum, Eriogonum nudum, Eriogonum luteolum, Erigeron spp., Dudleya cymosa, Dudleya lanceolata, Lewisia rediviva, Pentagramma triangularis, Selaginella bigelovii, Bromus rubens, Vulpia spp., and others. Moss and lichen can be well-developed, and needs better characterization.
Dynamics: Poor, rocky, loosely consolidated soils help maintain stands of this group by limiting the establishment of species from adjacent communities. Not all serpentinite outcrops support distinct vegetation. Only those with very low Ca:Mg ratio impact biotic composition.
Environmental Description: This group is known from California''s Coast, Transverse, and Peninsular ranges, Klamath Mountains, southern Sierra Nevada, and the northern coast of Baja California. Sites include barren and sparsely vegetated areas of steep cliff faces, narrow canyons, smaller rock outcrops of various igneous, sedimentary, serpentinite, and metamorphic bedrock. This group also includes unstable scree and talus slopes typically occurring below cliff faces. Soil/substrate/hydrology: Soils are poorly developed, rocky, and loosely consolidated. Parent materials include igneous, sedimentary, serpentinite, and metamorphic bedrock and scree.
Geographic Range: This group is known from California''s Coast, Transverse, and Peninsular ranges, Klamath Mountains, southern Sierra Nevada, and the northern coast of Baja California.
Nations: MX,US
States/Provinces: CA, MXBCN
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.856728
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR
Greasons: No Data Available
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
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