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G388 Pouteria sandwicensis - Antidesma pulvinatum - Pandanus tectorius Lowland-Coastal Seasonal Rainforest Group
Type Concept Sentence: This tropical lowland mesic and seasonally wet forest group occurs on the main Hawaiian Islands and includes inland and coastal forests composed of an open to dense, typically diverse tree canopy composed of Acacia koa, Antidesma pulvinatum, Charpentiera spp., Cryptocarya mannii, Diospyros sandwicensis, Metrosideros polymorpha, Nestegis sandwicensis, Pandanus tectorius, Pisonia umbellifera, Pittosporum confertiflorum, Pleomele spp., Pouteria sandwicensis, and Pritchardia kaalae with diagnostic species Antidesma pulvinatum, Cryptocarya mannii, Alectryon macrococcus, Charpentiera spp., Flueggea neowawraea, Rhus sandwicensis, Pisonia spp., Pritchardia hillebrandii, and Pritchardia kaalae.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: `Ala`a - Hame - Hala Lowland-Coastal Seasonal Rainforest Group
Colloquial Name: Hawaiian Lowland-Coastal Seasonal Rainforest
Hierarchy Level: Group
Type Concept: This tropical lowland mesic and seasonally wet forest group occurs on Hawai`i, Moloka`i, Maui, Kaua`i, O`ahu, and includes inland and coastal forests. Vegetation is variable, ranging from an open to dense tree canopy of mostly evergreen trees 2-20 m tall. These forests often have diverse tree canopy, subcanopy and tall-shrub layers with lianas. As with lowland dry woodlands, tree diversity is very high. Metrosideros polymorpha is very common, but many other species may dominate or codominate, including Acacia koa, Antidesma pulvinatum, Charpentiera spp., Cryptocarya mannii, Diospyros sandwicensis, Nestegis sandwicensis, Pisonia umbellifera, Pittosporum confertiflorum, Pleomele spp., Pouteria sandwicensis, and Pritchardia kaalae. Coastal area are dominated by Pandanus tectorius with other trees present such as Metrosideros polymorpha and low cover of Polynesian-introduced Aleurites moluccanus or Thespesia populnea. Also included in this group are the highly fragmented Pritchardia coastal forests, which occur on windward sea cliffs of Moloka`i, Huelo Islet, and Nihoa Island in the northwestern Hawaiian Islands. Diagnostic species of this group include the trees Antidesma pulvinatum, Cryptocarya mannii, Alectryon macrococcus, Charpentiera spp., Flueggea neowawraea, Rhus sandwicensis, Pisonia spp., Pritchardia hillebrandii, Pritchardia kaalae and shrub and vine species Ctenitis squamigera, Doodia spp., Lipochaeta succulenta, and Strongylodon ruber. The understory is variable and may be dominated by sedges and ferns or shrubs. Tree ferns (Cibotium spp.) are typically absent. Common shrubs and vines include Alyxia stellata, Cyanea spp., Delissea spp., Dodonaea viscosa, Eugenia spp., Freycinetia arborea, Hedyotis spp., Lipochaeta succulenta, Lobelia spp., Styphelia tameiameiae, and Vaccinium dentatum. Common ferns and fern allies present are Asplenium nidus, Dicranopteris linearis, Pteris spp., and graminoids include Carex spp. Exotic trees Morella faya, Psidium spp., and Schinus terebinthifolius are often present in disturbed stands. Fire-adapted exotic grasses such as Oplismenus hirtellus and Pennisetum setaceum are invasive and threaten these forests by increasing fire intensity, frequency and size. This group occurs along coasts and inland areas of the main Hawaiian Islands on mesic slopes from 5 to 1500 m (15-4920 feet) elevation, but typically less than 1000 m (3280 feet). A few representatives can be found in the northwestern Hawaiian Islands. Stands are found in the mesic, seasonal wet zone between the dry leeward and wet windward climates. Coastal forests also occur on windward sides where they intercept sufficient orographic rainfall to maintain a forest condition, yet are influenced strongly by coastal factors such as salt spray. These forests are considered mesic and too dry to support true rainforests, but typically do not experience extended periods of drought like the dry forests and woodlands. These mesic sites have relatively even, moderate precipitation throughout the year or have a distinct, seasonally dry period. Annual rainfall is 1200-2500 mm (47-98 inches) and falls largely from October to March. Substrates are highly variable but are generally well-drained and include steep, rocky talus, shallow to deep soils over weathered rock and gravelly alluvium, rocky shallow organic muck.
Diagnostic Characteristics: Tree and shrub diversity is very high. Diagnostic species include the trees Antidesma pulvinatum, Cryptocarya mannii, Alectryon macrococcus, Charpentiera spp., Flueggea neowawraea, Rhus sandwicensis, Pisonia spp., Pritchardia hillebrandii, Pritchardia kaalae, and shrub and vine species Ctenitis squamigera, Doodia spp., Lipochaeta succulenta, and Strongylodon ruber. Dominant and codominant species include Acacia koa, Antidesma pulvinatum, Charpentiera spp., Cryptocarya mannii, Diospyros sandwicensis, Nestegis sandwicensis, Pandanus tectorius, Pisonia umbellifera, Pittosporum confertiflorum, Pleomele spp., Pouteria sandwicensis, Pritchardia kaalae, and the ubiquitous Metrosideros polymorpha. Understory lacks wet indicator species such as Cheirodendron spp., Cibotium spp., and Freycinetia arborea.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Coastal forests include the highly fragmented Pritchardia coastal forest remnants, which occur on windward sea cliffs of Moloka`i, Huelo Islet, and Nihoa Island in the northwestern Hawaiian Islands. Lowland and foothill moist forests have been largely eliminated by development and introduced weed species so few intact stands remain to base classification on. Coastal stands are similar to ~Hawaiian Scrub & Herb Coastal Strand Group (G421)$$ with scattered trees, but are characterized by an open to dense tree canopy.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: The vegetation of this tropical lowland mesic and seasonally wet forest group is variable, ranging from an open to dense tree canopy of mostly evergreen trees 2-20 m tall. These forests often have diverse tree canopy, subcanopy and tall-shrub layers with lianas. As with lowland dry woodlands, tree diversity is very high. Metrosideros polymorpha is very common, but many other species may dominate or codominate, including Acacia koa, Antidesma pulvinatum, Charpentiera spp., Cryptocarya mannii, Diospyros sandwicensis, Nestegis sandwicensis, Pisonia umbellifera, Pittosporum confertiflorum, Pleomele spp., Pouteria sandwicensis, and Pritchardia kaalae. Coastal area are dominated by Pandanus tectorius with other trees present such as Metrosideros polymorpha and low cover of Polynesian-introduced Aleurites moluccanus or Thespesia populnea. Also included in this group are the highly fragmented Pritchardia coastal forests, which occur on windward sea cliffs of Moloka`i, Huelo Islet, and Nihoa Island in the northwestern Hawaiian Islands. Diagnostic species of this group include the trees Antidesma pulvinatum, Cryptocarya mannii, Alectryon macrococcus, Charpentiera spp., Flueggea neowawraea, Rhus sandwicensis, Pisonia spp., Pritchardia hillebrandii, Pritchardia kaalae, and shrub and vine species Ctenitis squamigera, Doodia spp., Lipochaeta succulenta, and Strongylodon ruber. Other characteristic species in these diverse mesic forests may include Bobea spp., Coprosma spp., Gardenia spp., Hibiscus spp., Melicope spp., Myrsine spp., Nothocestrum spp., Psychotria spp., Ochrosia spp., Pipturus albidus, Pittosporum spp., Rauvolfia spp., Santalum spp., Syzygium sandwicense, Xylosma hawaiiensis, Tetraplasandra spp., Zanthoxylum hawaiiense, and drier forest species such as Chamaesyce celastroides, Sophora chrysophylla, and Myoporum sandwicense. The understory is variable and may be dominated by sedges and ferns or shrubs. Tree ferns (Cibotium spp.) are typically absent. Common shrubs and vines include Alyxia stellata (= Alyxia oliviformis), Cyanea spp., Delissea spp., Dodonaea viscosa, Eugenia spp., Freycinetia arborea, Hedyotis spp., Lobelia spp., Styphelia tameiameiae, and Vaccinium dentatum. Common ferns and fern allies present are Asplenium nidus, Dicranopteris linearis, Pteris spp., and graminoids include Carex spp. Native plant associates in coastal mesic forest are now relatively uncommon, being largely replaced by alien species, but a diverse flora once likely existed. Remnant native constituents such as Lipochaeta succulenta may dominate the understory and forest edges. Exotic trees Morella faya, Psidium spp., and Schinus terebinthifolius are often present in disturbed stands. Fire-adapted exotic grasses such as Oplismenus hirtellus and Pennisetum setaceum are invasive and threaten these forests by increasing fire intensity, frequency and size.
Dynamics: In coastal areas with annual rainfall of 1800-3800 mm on Hawai`i, recent lava flows exposed to salt spray are believed to have undergone succession involving eventual replacement of colonizing Metrosideros polymorpha by Pandanus tectorius (Atkinson 1970, as cited in Wagner et al. 1999).
Environmental Description: This group occurs along coasts and mesic slopes of Hawai`i, Moloka`i, Maui, Kaua`i and O`ahu, from 5 to 1500 m (15-4920 feet) elevation, typically less than 1000 m (3280 feet). A few representatives can be found in the northwestern Hawaiian Islands. Stands are found in the mesic, seasonal wet zone between the dry leeward and wet windward climates. Coastal forests also occur on windward sides where they intercept sufficient orographic rainfall to maintain a forest condition, yet are influenced strongly by coastal factors such as salt spray. These forests are considered mesic and too dry to support true rainforests, but typically do not experience extended periods of drought like the dry forests and woodlands.
Climate: These mesic sites have relatively even, moderate precipitation throughout the year or have a distinct, seasonally dry period. This lowland group occurs mostly within the seasonally mesic and moist mesic zones (Zones 4 and 5) of the 7 Moisture Zones developed for the Hawaiian Islands by Price et al. (2007), but may extend into the moderately dry zone (Zone 3) at lower elevation (<300 m). Coastal forests also occur in the moderately wet zone (Zone 6) on windward sides of the islands where they intercept sufficient orographic rainfall to maintain a forest condition, yet are influenced strongly by coastal factors such as salt spray. Annual rainfall is 1200-2500 mm (47-98 inches) and falls largely from October to March.
Soil/substrate/hydrology: Substrates are highly variable but are generally well-drained and include steep, rocky talus, shallow to deep soils over weathered rock and gravelly alluvium, rocky shallow organic muck.
Climate: These mesic sites have relatively even, moderate precipitation throughout the year or have a distinct, seasonally dry period. This lowland group occurs mostly within the seasonally mesic and moist mesic zones (Zones 4 and 5) of the 7 Moisture Zones developed for the Hawaiian Islands by Price et al. (2007), but may extend into the moderately dry zone (Zone 3) at lower elevation (<300 m). Coastal forests also occur in the moderately wet zone (Zone 6) on windward sides of the islands where they intercept sufficient orographic rainfall to maintain a forest condition, yet are influenced strongly by coastal factors such as salt spray. Annual rainfall is 1200-2500 mm (47-98 inches) and falls largely from October to March.
Soil/substrate/hydrology: Substrates are highly variable but are generally well-drained and include steep, rocky talus, shallow to deep soils over weathered rock and gravelly alluvium, rocky shallow organic muck.
Geographic Range: This tropical lowland mesic and seasonally wet forest group occurs on the main Hawaiian Islands and includes inland and coastal forests to 1500 m (4920 feet) elevation.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: HI
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.860741
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.2 Tropical Lowland Humid Forest Formation | F020 | 1.A.2 |
| Division | 1.A.2.Oa Polynesian Lowland Humid Forest Division | D066 | 1.A.2.Oa |
| Macrogroup | 1.A.2.Oa.1 Hawaiian Lowland Rainforest Macrogroup | M187 | 1.A.2.Oa.1 |
| Group | 1.A.2.Oa.1.a `Ala`a - Hame - Hala Lowland-Coastal Seasonal Rainforest Group | G388 | 1.A.2.Oa.1.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: > Coastal Mesic Forest (Gagne and Cuddihy 1990)
> Lowland Mesic Forest (Gagne and Cuddihy 1990)
> Lowland Mesic Forest (Gagne and Cuddihy 1990)
- Atkinson, I. A. E. 1970. Successional trends in the coastal and lowland forest of Mauna Loa and Kilauea volcanoes, Hawaii. Pacific Science 24:387-400.
- Faber-Langendoen, D., J. Drake, S. Gawler, M. Hall, C. Josse, G. Kittel, S. Menard, C. Nordman, M. Pyne, M. Reid, L. Sneddon, K. Schulz, J. Teague, M. Russo, K. Snow, and P. Comer, editors. 2010-2019a. Divisions, Macrogroups and Groups for the Revised U.S. National Vegetation Classification. NatureServe, Arlington, VA. plus appendices. [in preparation]
- Gagne, W. C., and L. W. Cuddihy. 1990. Vegetation. Pages 45-114 in: W. L. Wagner, D. R. Herbst, and S. H. Sohmer, editors. Manual of the Flowering Plants of Hawaii. 2 volumes. University of Hawaii Press, Honolulu.
- Mueller-Dombois, D., and F. R. Fosberg. 1998. Vegetation of the tropical Pacific islands. Springer-Verlag, New York. 733 pp.
- Price, J. P., S. M. Gon, III, J. D. Jacobi, and D. Matsuwaki. 2007. Mapping plant species ranges in the Hawaiian Islands: Developing a methodology and associated GIS layers. Hawai''i Cooperative Studies Unit. Technical Report HCSU-008. Pacific Aquaculture and Coastal Resources Center (PACRC), University of Hawai''i, Hilo. 58 pp., includes 16 figures and 6 tables.
- Wagner, W. L., D. R. Herbst, and S. H. Sohmer. 1999. Manual of the flowering plants of Hawaii. Revised edition. Volumes 1 and 2. University of Hawaii Press and Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu. 1919 pp.