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G298 Agave shawii - Fouquieria columnaris - Yucca valida / Dudleya spp. Coastal Succulent Scrub Group
Type Concept Sentence: This succulent scrub group is variable and restricted in extent, ranging from succulent-rich coastal scrub types found along the central Baja California coast to a depauperate extension north into southern California and the more southerly Channel Islands. It is dominated by succulent species, including herbaceous succulents (Dudleya spp.), leaf succulents (Agave deserti, Agave shawii, Yucca valida), cacti of moderate to tall stature, and pachycaulus woody species (Euphorbia misera, Pachycormus discolor) with additional regionally common species.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Coastal Agave - Boojum Tree - Tree Yucca / Live-forever species Coastal Succulent Scrub Group
Colloquial Name: Baja Semi-Desert Coastal Succulent Scrub
Hierarchy Level: Group
Type Concept: This succulent scrub group is highly variable and fairly restricted in extent, ranging from succulent-rich coastal scrub types found along the central Baja California coast to a depauperate extension north into southern California and the more southerly Channel Islands. Stands are dominated by succulent species, which may be herbaceous (Dudleya spp.), leaf succulents (Agave spp., Yucca spp.), cacti of moderate to tall stature, or pachycaulus woody species (Euphorbia misera, Pachycormus discolor). These California and Baja plant species include Agave deserti, Agave shawii, Bergerocactus emoryi, Ferocactus viridescens, Lycium californicum, Cylindropuntia californica var. parkeri, Opuntia littoralis, Cylindropuntia prolifera, Simmondsia chinensis, Yucca schidigera, and Yucca valida. The central Baja stands are dominated by arborescent xeromorphic species, including Fouquieria columnaris, Pachycereus pringlei, Pachycormus discolor, and Yucca valida. Most stands also have a component of smaller drought-deciduous shrubs, some of which are shared with ~Californian Coastal Scrub Macrogroup (M044)$$. These include such species as Artemisia californica, Encelia californica, Eriogonum fasciculatum, and Viguiera laciniata. Sites in northern Baja and southern California are isolated on maritime coastal bluffs and terraces, surrounded by more extensive stands of chaparral or coastal sage scrub [see ~Californian Chaparral Macrogroup (M043)$$ and ~Californian Coastal Scrub Macrogroup (M044)$$]. These areas are frost-free and receive the majority of their rainfall in the winter, unlike most other parts of the Sonoran Desert. This group receives the least annual precipitation of the California and Baja California coastal shrublands; a significant proportion is augmented by summer fog drip. Extended drought is common, which favors plants with water storage capabilities. Substrates range from coarse- to fine-textured soils.
Diagnostic Characteristics: This group is dominated by succulent species. California and Baja stands include many Opuntia species and woody shrubs Lycium californicum and Rhus integrifolia. Many different succulent species may be present such as Cylindropuntia californica var. parkeri, Cylindropuntia prolifera, Opuntia littoralis, Yucca schidigera, Ferocactus viridescens, Agave shawii, Euphorbia misera, Bergerocactus emoryi, and Simmondsia chinensis. The Sonoran stands are dominated by columnar cacti Carnegiea gigantea, Pachycereus schottii, Pachycereus pecten-aboriginum, Stenocereus alamosensis, and Stenocereus thurberi with a xeromorphic tree layer dominated by Prosopis glandulosa var. torreyana, Parkinsonia praecox, Bursera microphylla, Bursera fagaroides var. elongata, Bursera laxiflora, and a shrub layer dominated by Atriplex canescens, Atriplex polycarpa, and Suaeda moquinii.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This group is dominated by succulent species and occurs near coastal areas. The California and Baja del Norte stands include many Opuntia species and woody shrubs, whereas Sonoran stands are characterized by species of tall columnar cacti, and xeromorphic tree and shrub layers.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: This group has an open, mixed physiognomy and is dominated by succulent species, especially cacti. In southern California and Baja del Norte, there is an open, mostly evergreen shrub layer sometimes with emergent tall columnar cacti This group is dominated by succulent species. Sonoran stands are dominated by columnar cacti with xeromorphic tree and shrub layers.
Floristics: This scrub vegetation is dominated by succulent species which may be herbaceous (Dudleya spp.), leaf succulents (Agave shawii, Agave deserti, Yucca valida), cacti of moderate to tall stature, or pachycaulus arborescent xeromorphic woody species, including Euphorbia misera, Fouquieria columnaris (= Idria columnaris), Pachycereus pringlei, and Pachycormus discolor in central Baja stands. Other California and Baja plant species include Artemisia californica, Bergerocactus emoryi, Coreopsis gigantea, Dudleya greenei, Encelia californica, Ericameria ericoides, Eriogonum cinereum, Ferocactus viridescens, Lycium californicum, Cylindropuntia californica var. parkeri (= Opuntia parryi), Opuntia littoralis, Opuntia oricola, Cylindropuntia prolifera (= Opuntia prolifera), Simmondsia chinensis, and Yucca schidigera. Additional species mentioned by Peinado et al. (1994a) include Ambrosia camphorata, Ambrosia chenopodiifolia, Artemisia californica, Dudleya lanceolata, Echinocereus maritimus, Eriogonum fasciculatum var. flavoviride (= Eriogonum flavoviride), Ferocactus fordii, Lotus scoparius, Nassella lepida (= Stipa lepida), Rhus integrifolia, Rosa minutifolia, and Viguiera laciniata. Floristic information was compiled from Shreve and Wiggins (1964), Brown (1982a), Turner and Brown (1982), Barbour and Major (1988), MacMahon (1988), Peinado et al. (1994a), Holland and Keil (1995), Sawyer and Keeler-Wolf (1995), and Sawyer et al. (2009).
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This group is fairly restricted and includes succulent-rich coastal scrub types found along the Baja del Norte and southern California coasts, north to Anacapa Island and the Santa Monica Mountains, California. Sites in northern Baja and southern California are isolated maritime coastal bluffs and terraces. Sites reach several km inland in the Vizcaino Region of central Baja California. These areas are frost-free and receive the least annual precipitation of the California and Baja California coastal shrublands, most of which falls in winter. Precipitation is augmented by summer fog drip. Sonoran stands are extremely arid with mean annual precipitation of less than 100 mm, which occurs mostly in the summer-early fall season (monsoon). Extended drought is common which favors plants with water storage. Substrates are typically coarse-textured (Turner and Brown 1982). Climate: Sites are extremely arid with mean annual precipitation of less than 100 mm, which occurs mostly in the summer-early fall season (monsoon).
Geographic Range: This group is very localized and patchy, ranging from San Diego County, California, where it occurs intermittently on isolated maritime coastal bluffs and xeric slopes and terraces, south into central Baja California, Mexico, where stands are more extensive. Stands also occur on the more southerly Channel Islands (San Clemente, Catalina, Santa Barbara, and Anacapa) and in the flat coastal plain along the Central Gulf Coast of Sonora between Empalme and Potam, Mexico.
Nations: MX,US
States/Provinces: CA, MXBCN, MXSON
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.856731
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR
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 | A3459 Giant Coreopsis Coastal Bluff Desert Scrub Alliance | A3459 | 3.A.2.Na.4.a |
| Alliance | A3460 California Desert-thorn Desert Scrub Alliance | A3460 | 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 |
| Alliance | A4144 Greene''s Live-forever - Live-forever species Succulent Scrub Alliance | A4144 | 3.A.2.Na.4.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: < Central Gulf Coast Subdivision (Turner 1982a)
< Sonoran Desertscrub, Agave-Bursage ("Vizcaino") Series - 154.15 (Brown et al. 1979)
< Sonoran Desertscrub, Copal-Torote ("Central Gulf Coast") Series - 154.14 (Brown et al. 1979)
< Sonoran Desertscrub, Agave-Bursage ("Vizcaino") Series - 154.15 (Brown et al. 1979)
< Sonoran Desertscrub, Copal-Torote ("Central Gulf Coast") Series - 154.14 (Brown et al. 1979)
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