Print Report
G398 Pipturus albidus - Pisonia umbellifera - Charpentiera spp. Riparian & Floodplain Forest & Scrub Group
Type Concept Sentence: This riparian and floodplain forest group may be found on the main Hawaiian Islands. Riparian stands occur along drainage corridors and are characterized by Pipturus albidus, Pisonia umbellifera, and species of Charpentiera surrounded by dry and mesic forests and Metrosideros polymorpha montane rainforest. Most floodplains were converted to agriculture and other uses by early Polynesians; there are few remnant low-elevation natural stands.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Mamaki - Papala Kepau - Papala species Riparian & Floodplain Forest & Scrub Group
Colloquial Name: Hawaiian Riparian & Floodplain Forest & Shrubland
Hierarchy Level: Group
Type Concept: This riparian and floodplain forest group may be found on Hawai`i, Lâna`i, Maui, Moloka`i, Kaua`i, and O`ahu. Riparian stands occur along lower elevation drainage corridors and are characterized by Pisonia umbellifera and species of Charpentiera surrounded by dry and mesic forests. Pipturus albidus occurs in montane and upper lowland areas that form linear patches. It sometimes shares dominance with other Urticaceae shrub species such as Boehmeria grandis, Touchardia latifolia, and Urera glabra in wet gulch bottoms surrounded by Metrosideros polymorpha montane rainforest. Other areas possess a diverse understory of ferns and bryophytes. Polynesian-introduced species such as Aleurites moluccanus, Hibiscus tiliaceus, Syzygium malaccense, and other non-native species are often present, but do not dominate. Riparian stands occur as narrow bands of terrestrial vegetation bordering perennial streams from near sea level to 915 m (3000 feet) elevation. At montane elevations, there is little vegetation distinction between the plants in the riparian corridor and plants in wet gulch bottoms of surrounding montane rainforest. Vegetated forest corridors are generally broken by a series of waterfalls and may reach 48.3 km (30 miles) long. Low-elevation floodplain sites (up to 122 m [400 feet]) occur in valley floors containing perennial streams that flood every 1 to 5 years. Most floodplains were converted to agriculture and other uses by early Polynesians. There are few remnant low-elevation natural stands. Soils are alluvial deposits and clay that remain moist due to the influence from stream channel flooding, a shallow subsurface water table, and nutrient-rich alluvium deposited during flood events. Soils are generally well-drained basaltic lava with varying depths of clay and organic horizons that usually contain rock and organic sediments carried down from steep adjacent slopes.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Most floodplains were converted to agriculture and other uses by early Polynesians and are dominated by introduced species such as Aleurites moluccanus, Hibiscus tiliaceus, and Syzygium malaccense. There are few remnant low-elevation natural stands.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Riparian stands occur along lower elevation drainage corridors and are characterized by Pisonia umbellifera and species of Charpentiera surrounded by dry and mesic forests. Pipturus albidus occurs in montane and upper lowland areas that form linear patches. It sometimes shares dominance with other Urticaceae shrub species such as Boehmeria grandis, Touchardia latifolia, and Urera glabra in wet gulch bottoms surrounded by Metrosideros polymorpha montane rainforest. Other areas possess a diverse understory of ferns and bryophytes. Polynesian-introduced species such as Aleurites moluccanus, Hibiscus tiliaceus, Syzygium malaccense, and other non-native species are often present, but do not dominate.
Dynamics: Typical disturbances during the pre-European era included flood, landslide, and storms. A major threat now is Hawaiian wet valley irrigated agriculture that has nearly completely converted natural vegetation into Colocasia esculenta and other planted vegetation. This group is threatened by invasion of numerous alien fishes, mollusks, crustaceans and plants, which interfere with ecological functions and interrupt ecological processes.
Environmental Description: Riparian stands occur as narrow bands of terrestrial vegetation bordering perennial streams from near sea level to 915 m (3000 feet) elevation. At montane elevations, there is little vegetation distinction between the plants in the riparian corridor and plants in wet gulch bottoms of surrounding montane rainforest. Vegetated forest corridors are generally broken by a series of waterfalls and may reach 48.3 km (30 miles) long. Low-elevation floodplain sites (up to 122 m [400 feet]) occur in valley floors containing perennial streams that flood every 1 to 5 years. Most floodplains were converted to agriculture and other uses by early Polynesians. Few remnant low-elevation natural stands remain.
Climate: Climate is variable depending on which coast a stand occurs and ranges from arid to very wet (Zones 1-7), but is generally moderately dry to moderately wet (Zones 3-6) of the 7 Moisture Zones developed for the Hawaiian Islands by Price et al. (2007). Annual precipitation may vary from less than 500 mm to over 4500 mm.
Soil/substrate/hydrology: Substrates are alluvial deposits and clay that remain moist due to influence from stream channel flooding, a shallow subsurface water table, and nutrient-rich alluvium deposited during flood events. Soils are generally well-drained basaltic lava with varying depths of clay and organic horizons that usually contain rock and organic sediments carried down from steep adjacent slopes.
Climate: Climate is variable depending on which coast a stand occurs and ranges from arid to very wet (Zones 1-7), but is generally moderately dry to moderately wet (Zones 3-6) of the 7 Moisture Zones developed for the Hawaiian Islands by Price et al. (2007). Annual precipitation may vary from less than 500 mm to over 4500 mm.
Soil/substrate/hydrology: Substrates are alluvial deposits and clay that remain moist due to influence from stream channel flooding, a shallow subsurface water table, and nutrient-rich alluvium deposited during flood events. Soils are generally well-drained basaltic lava with varying depths of clay and organic horizons that usually contain rock and organic sediments carried down from steep adjacent slopes.
Geographic Range: This riparian and floodplain forest group occurs as narrow bands of terrestrial vegetation bordering perennial streams from near sea level to 915 m (3000 feet) elevation on Kaua`i, O`ahu, Moloka`i, Lâna`i, Maui, and Hawai`i.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: HI
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.860726
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 1 Forest & Woodland Class | C01 | 1 |
| Subclass | 1.A Tropical Forest & Woodland Subclass | S17 | 1.A |
| Formation | 1.A.4 Tropical Flooded & Swamp Forest Formation | F029 | 1.A.4 |
| Division | 1.A.4.Ob Polynesian Flooded & Swamp Forest Division | D003 | 1.A.4.Ob |
| Macrogroup | 1.A.4.Ob.1 Hawaiian Flooded & Swamp Forest Macrogroup | M201 | 1.A.4.Ob.1 |
| Group | 1.A.4.Ob.1.a Mamaki - Papala Kepau - Papala species Riparian & Floodplain Forest & Scrub Group | G398 | 1.A.4.Ob.1.a |
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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