Print Report
M059 Pacific Coastal Beach & Dune Macrogroup
Type Concept Sentence: Coastal beach and active dunes along the temperate Pacific coast of North America.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Pacific Coastal Beach & Dune Macrogroup
Colloquial Name: Pacific Coastal Beach & Dune
Hierarchy Level: Macrogroup
Type Concept: This macrogroup consists of herbaceous and shrubby vegetation on temperate coastal sandy and cobble-on-sand beaches, beach dunes, and sand spits. Wetland dune swales are excluded. Herbaceous communities include salt-tolerant forb-dominated types with Abronia latifolia, Achillea millefolium var. borealis, Cochlearia groenlandica, Equisetum variegatum, Honckenya peploides, Lathyrus japonicus var. maritimus, Mertensia maritima, and grasslands dominated by Leymus mollis, Leymus arenarius, and/or Festuca rubra. Dwarf-shrub are dominated by Empetrum nigrum, Ericameria ericoides, Lupinus chamissonis, Lupinus arboreus, Gaultheria shallon, Vaccinium ovatum, Myrica gale, or Salix spp. Herbaceous species intermixed with dwarf-shrubs include Lathyrus japonicus var. maritimus, Conioselinum chinense, Cornus suecica, and Cnidium cnidiifolium. This macrogroup occurs along the Pacific coast from Mexico to Alaska, including the Aleutian Islands.
Diagnostic Characteristics: This macrogroup is restricted to the immediate sandy coastline and open shrub-herb vegetation on dunes (typically within 2 km) from the coast. These coastal sandy beaches and dunes contain graminoid or broad-leaved herbaceous vegetation up to about 1 m in height, usually rhizomatous or stoloniferous. Total cover varies from very low on beaches and active dunes to moderately dense on stabilized dunes. Characteristic species include salt-tolerant forbs such as Abronia latifolia, Abronia maritima, Achillea millefolium var. borealis, Artemisia pycnocephala, Calystegia macrostegia, Calystegia soldanella, Camissonia cheiranthifolia, Cochlearia groenlandica, Erigeron glaucus, Equisetum variegatum, Honckenya peploides, Lathyrus littoralis, Malacothrix incana, and Mertensia maritima. Grasslands are dominated by Leymus mollis, Leymus arenarius, or Festuca rubra and may include Poa douglasii, Poa eminens, Hordeum brachyantherum, and Deschampsia beringensis, and forbs such as Achillea millefolium var. borealis, Angelica genuflexa, Angelica lucida, Claytonia sibirica, Fragaria chiloensis, Heracleum maximum, Lathyrus japonicus var. maritimus, Ligusticum scoticum, Lupinus nootkatensis, Polygonum paronychia, and Senecio pseudoarnica. Dwarf-shrub communities are dominated by Empetrum nigrum, Ericameria ericoides, Lupinus chamissonis, Gaultheria shallon, Vaccinium ovatum, Myrica gale, or Salix species. Herbaceous species intermixed with dwarf-shrubs include Lathyrus japonicus var. maritimus, Conioselinum chinense, Cornus suecica, and Cnidium cnidiifolium. Lupinus arboreus in native stands also are included.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: The concept is suggested to extend only in the temperate zone, north of which occurs ~North American Arctic Coastal Shore Macrogroup (M402)$$, but it is possible that this macrogroup should include the boreal coast, and M402 should be restricted to the Arctic?
Carmen Cadrin (pers. comm. 2014): I think the description presented in the macrogroup is too broad. Although some British Columbia sites have dune vegetation immediately adjacent to estuarine meadows, I''m not sure they should be lumped together in the same macrogroup. If it must stay as is, I suggest writing up the vegetation types by site characteristics as indicated in Environment and Dynamics sections. See also Review comments form for more details and Mackenzie (2012) for comparison of Terrestrial Realm/Beachland Class and Estuarine Realm.
According to Manuel Peinado (pers. comm. 2014), four macrogroups may need to be split within this macrogroup (in addition to removing the boreal and Arctic vegetation to M402): (1) North Pacific Temperate and Boreal Dune Vegetation (his Honckenyo-Elymetea arenarii). 469ff; (2) Californian Dune Vegetation (Ambrosietea chamissonis). 472ff; (3) Bajo California - Mesoamerica Tropical Dune Vegetation (Euphorbio-leucophyllae-Sporoboletea virginici). 474ff; and (4) Pacific Tidal Beach (Cakiletea maritimae). P. 472. Although Cakile is exotic in the west, your paper suggests other native components. But this is a challenging type for us, with respect to this macrogroup versus ~North Pacific Coastal Ruderal Grassland & Shrubland Macrogroup (M511)$$.
Manuel Peinado (pers. comm. 2014): The author of ~Pacific Coastal Beach & Dune Macrogroup (M059)$$ and ~Pacific Coastal Cliff & Bluff Macrogroup (M058)$$ has made a substantial synthesis effort, which is much appreciated. This effort is even more outstanding if we consider the extent of the coastal zone examined along with its vast diversity despite only including the vegetation of dunes and beaches. However, unfortunately, I feel that the final result of this great effort does not reflect the concept of the macrogroup as defined by the USNVC (2014):
"A vegetation classification unit of intermediate rank defined by combinations of moderate sets of diagnostic plant species and diagnostic growth forms that reflect biogeographic differences in composition and sub-continental to regional differences in mesoclimate, geology, substrates, hydrology, and disturbance regimes."
As indicated in the publications I cite in this form, along North America''s Pacific coast, including the coasts of Mexico (and even those of Mesoamerica), there exists an extensive biogeographic diversity recognized by several classification systems (Takhtajan, Thorne, Cronquist, etc.) that is clearly related to dune and beach vegetation. In addition, neither does the proposal put forward distinguish the clear differences in zonobiomes and climates that arise from the Aleutian islands to the Mexican tropical costs. Thus, on the continental scale, there are at least four macrobioclimates and a similar number of zonobiomes: Boreal, Temperate, Mediterranean and Tropical. These show considerable regional differences reflected in the azonal communities of dunes, beaches and salt marshes. The proposal also lacks consideration of the ecological processes of zonation and succession, which are key to interpreting the vegetation of dunes and beaches and consequently fails to include very characteristic vegetation types such as debris-line communities, herbaceous rhizomatous vegetation on oligotrophic habitats, consolidated dune scrubs, stabilized dune forests, willow shrubs on dune swales and deflation plains, terophytic sand communities and other specialized groups. These factors are reflected in intense changes in these sets of diagnostic plant species and diagnostic growth forms. If you consider it appropriate, I could make a different proposal based on my syntaxonomical scheme (cf. Peinado et al. 2011a).
Carmen Cadrin (pers. comm. 2014): I think the description presented in the macrogroup is too broad. Although some British Columbia sites have dune vegetation immediately adjacent to estuarine meadows, I''m not sure they should be lumped together in the same macrogroup. If it must stay as is, I suggest writing up the vegetation types by site characteristics as indicated in Environment and Dynamics sections. See also Review comments form for more details and Mackenzie (2012) for comparison of Terrestrial Realm/Beachland Class and Estuarine Realm.
According to Manuel Peinado (pers. comm. 2014), four macrogroups may need to be split within this macrogroup (in addition to removing the boreal and Arctic vegetation to M402): (1) North Pacific Temperate and Boreal Dune Vegetation (his Honckenyo-Elymetea arenarii). 469ff; (2) Californian Dune Vegetation (Ambrosietea chamissonis). 472ff; (3) Bajo California - Mesoamerica Tropical Dune Vegetation (Euphorbio-leucophyllae-Sporoboletea virginici). 474ff; and (4) Pacific Tidal Beach (Cakiletea maritimae). P. 472. Although Cakile is exotic in the west, your paper suggests other native components. But this is a challenging type for us, with respect to this macrogroup versus ~North Pacific Coastal Ruderal Grassland & Shrubland Macrogroup (M511)$$.
Manuel Peinado (pers. comm. 2014): The author of ~Pacific Coastal Beach & Dune Macrogroup (M059)$$ and ~Pacific Coastal Cliff & Bluff Macrogroup (M058)$$ has made a substantial synthesis effort, which is much appreciated. This effort is even more outstanding if we consider the extent of the coastal zone examined along with its vast diversity despite only including the vegetation of dunes and beaches. However, unfortunately, I feel that the final result of this great effort does not reflect the concept of the macrogroup as defined by the USNVC (2014):
"A vegetation classification unit of intermediate rank defined by combinations of moderate sets of diagnostic plant species and diagnostic growth forms that reflect biogeographic differences in composition and sub-continental to regional differences in mesoclimate, geology, substrates, hydrology, and disturbance regimes."
As indicated in the publications I cite in this form, along North America''s Pacific coast, including the coasts of Mexico (and even those of Mesoamerica), there exists an extensive biogeographic diversity recognized by several classification systems (Takhtajan, Thorne, Cronquist, etc.) that is clearly related to dune and beach vegetation. In addition, neither does the proposal put forward distinguish the clear differences in zonobiomes and climates that arise from the Aleutian islands to the Mexican tropical costs. Thus, on the continental scale, there are at least four macrobioclimates and a similar number of zonobiomes: Boreal, Temperate, Mediterranean and Tropical. These show considerable regional differences reflected in the azonal communities of dunes, beaches and salt marshes. The proposal also lacks consideration of the ecological processes of zonation and succession, which are key to interpreting the vegetation of dunes and beaches and consequently fails to include very characteristic vegetation types such as debris-line communities, herbaceous rhizomatous vegetation on oligotrophic habitats, consolidated dune scrubs, stabilized dune forests, willow shrubs on dune swales and deflation plains, terophytic sand communities and other specialized groups. These factors are reflected in intense changes in these sets of diagnostic plant species and diagnostic growth forms. If you consider it appropriate, I could make a different proposal based on my syntaxonomical scheme (cf. Peinado et al. 2011a).
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: Vegetation is comprised of creeping to low-statured (up to about 1 m tall) perennial grasses, forbs and dwarf-shrubs. Plants are usually rhizomatous or stoloniferous. Total cover varies from very low on beaches and active dunes to moderately dense on stabilized dunes.
Floristics: This macrogroup consists of communities of salt-tolerant forbs such as Abronia latifolia, Abronia maritima, Achillea millefolium var. borealis, Artemisia pycnocephala, Calystegia macrostegia, Calystegia soldanella, Camissonia cheiranthifolia, Cochlearia groenlandica, Erigeron glaucus, Equisetum variegatum, Honckenya peploides, Lathyrus littoralis, Malacothrix incana, and Mertensia maritima. Grasslands are dominated by Leymus mollis, Leymus arenarius (= Elymus arenarius), or Festuca rubra and may include Poa douglasii, Poa eminens, Hordeum brachyantherum, and Deschampsia beringensis, and forbs such as Achillea millefolium var. borealis, Angelica genuflexa, Angelica lucida, Claytonia sibirica, Fragaria chiloensis, Heracleum maximum, Lathyrus japonicus var. maritimus, Ligusticum scoticum, Lupinus nootkatensis, Polygonum paronychia, and Senecio pseudoarnica. Dwarf-shrub communities are dominated by Empetrum nigrum, Ericameria ericoides, Lupinus chamissonis, Gaultheria shallon, Vaccinium ovatum, Myrica gale, or Salix species. Herbaceous species intermixed with dwarf-shrubs include Lathyrus japonicus var. maritimus (= Lathyrus maritimus), Conioselinum chinense, Cornus suecica, and Cnidium cnidiifolium. Lupinus arboreus in native stands also are included.
Dynamics: Processes that define this macrogroup include sand deposition, salt spray, wind erosion, long-shore transport, dune formation, and water erosion such as overwash from storm surges. Herbaceous species stabilize the sand deposits (dunes, beaches), and the older deposits support dwarf-shrubs mixed with herbaceous species.
The beach and open (shrub-herb) dune vegetation is but one part of the vegetation on dunes, including debris-line communities, herbaceous rhizomatous vegetation on oligotrophic habitats, consolidated dune scrubs, stabilized dune forests, willow shrubs on dune swales and deflation plains, terophytic sand communities and other specialized groups. The zonal and successional relationships among these communities are complicated and non-linear.
The beach and open (shrub-herb) dune vegetation is but one part of the vegetation on dunes, including debris-line communities, herbaceous rhizomatous vegetation on oligotrophic habitats, consolidated dune scrubs, stabilized dune forests, willow shrubs on dune swales and deflation plains, terophytic sand communities and other specialized groups. The zonal and successional relationships among these communities are complicated and non-linear.
Environmental Description: This macrogroup occurs on sandy beaches and dunes, with or without salt spray, typically within 2 km of the coast. Soils are usually sandy and well-drained; some areas may have a cobble layer on top of sand. Forb communities are salt-tolerant and tend to occur just above mean high tide, while the grasslands tend to occur on cobble beaches and on dunes that become higher and further away from the beach. On the California Channel Islands, communities can be further interior where sand has been moved >2 km inland from high winds. Dwarf-shrub communities occur on older dunes, usually behind grassland-dominated dunes.
Geographic Range: This macrogroup occurs on the immediate sandy coastline and sand dunes typically within 2 km of the coast, from the Aleutian Islands south along Alaska''s central and southeastern coastline (including Kodiak and other islands), British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, California and possibly into Mexico.
Nations: CA,MX,US
States/Provinces: AK, BC, CA, MXBCN, OR, WA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.860663
Confidence Level: High
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.4 Temperate to Polar Scrub & Herb Coastal Vegetation Formation | F005 | 2.B.4 |
| Division | 2.B.4.Nb Pacific North American Coastal Scrub & Herb Vegetation Division | D027 | 2.B.4.Nb |
| Macrogroup | 2.B.4.Nb.2 Pacific Coastal Beach & Dune Macrogroup | M059 | 2.B.4.Nb.2 |
| Group | 2.B.4.Nb.2.a Californian Coastal Beach & Dune Group | G663 | 2.B.4.Nb.2.a |
| Group | 2.B.4.Nb.2.b American Dunegrass - Sand Ryegrass - Coastal Sand-verbena Dune Grassland & Beach Group | G498 | 2.B.4.Nb.2.b |
| Group | 2.B.4.Nb.2.c Warm Pacific Coastal Beach & Dune Group | G664 | 2.B.4.Nb.2.c |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: < Beach and Dune (Barbour et al. 2007a)
< III.A.1.a - Elymus (Viereck et al. 1992)
< III.A.1.a - Elymus (Viereck et al. 1992)
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