Print Report
G413 Leucaena leucocephala / Pennisetum spp. - Melinis spp. Polynesian Ruderal Lowland Shrubland, Grassland & Savanna Group
Type Concept Sentence: The Polynesian ruderal lowland dry grassland and shrubland group is characterized by grass or shrub layers dominated by non-native woody species such as Lantana camara, Leucaena leucocephala, and/or Schinus terebinthifolius and non-native herbaceous species such as Pennisetum setaceum, Pennisetum clandestinum, and Paspalum vaginatum with and without a non-native shrub overstory.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Koa Haole / Fountaingrass species - Stinkgrass species Polynesian Ruderal Lowland Shrubland, Grassland & Savanna Group
Colloquial Name: Polynesian Ruderal Lowland Shrubland, Grassland & Savanna
Hierarchy Level: Group
Type Concept: This Polynesian ruderal lowland dry grassland and shrubland group is characterized by grass or shrub layers dominated by non-native species that have become abundant with absence of fire, the introduction of aggressive invasive species and disturbance from changes in land use, such as cattle and feral pig grazing. These non-native grasslands and shrublands have replaced native grasslands and shrublands. Native grasslands were once fairly widespread and were maintained and expanded by regular burning by ancient Hawaiians. Many dry grasslands have been replaced by exotic grass species or converted to exotic shrublands. Stands are dominated by non-native greases such as Andropogon virginicus, Cynodon dactylon, Melinis minutiflora, Melinis repens, Pennisetum setaceum, Pennisetum clandestinum, Pennisetum purpureum, and Paspalum vaginatum with and without a non-native shrub overstory. Shrublands can be dominated by the introduced non-natives Lantana camara, Leucaena leucocephala, and/or Schinus terebinthifolius. Native lowland dry shrublands are relatively intolerant to grazing pressure and fire, and are replaced by alien-dominated communities when subjected to these disturbances. Sites range from flat to steep slopes with varying soil depths, as well as rocky cliffs and recent lava flows with sparse to dense coverage, depending on substrate and moisture availability. Elevations extend from sea level to montane zone. Sparsely vegetated rocky cliffs and recent lava flows dominated by non-native species are included in this group because the same species occur as those found in non-sparse stands. The density and height of shrubs may be reduced by recent fire or increased with increased moisture, for example when near riparian areas.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This ruderal group contains all grasslands, shrublands, scrub, savanna, and sparse vegetation that are strongly dominated (>90% relative canopy cover) by non-native shrubs or non-native herbaceous species. This group is most abundant in the more disturbed lowlands, but may extend to the montane zone. This group also includes shrublands with native shrub canopy and an understory so a severely degraded that the natural plant community cannot be determined, and community has converted to a ruderal or novel type (usually dominated by non-native species with >90% relative cover).
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: Lowland dry grasslands and shrublands characterized by either a grass layer <1 m tall, or an open to closed short-shrub (<2 m tall) layer.
Floristics: This lowland group is composed of non-native-dominated grasslands, shrublands, savannas and sparse vegetation. Non-native herbaceous species include Andropogon virginicus, Axonopus fissifolius, Bothriochloa bladhii, Bothriochloa pertusa, Cynodon dactylon, Dactyloctenium aegyptium, Digitaria insularis, Hyparrhenia rufa, Melinis minutiflora, Melinis repens, Nephrolepis multiflora, Paspalum conjugatum, Paspalum vaginatum, Pennisetum ciliare, Pennisetum clandestinum, Pennisetum purpureum, Pennisetum setaceum, Sacciolepis indica, Schizachyrium condensatum, Spermacoce assurgens, Urochloa maxima, and/or Zinnia peruviana. Scattered to dense layer of shrubs are also included in the group when the shrub layer is dominated by introduced shrub species such as Lantana camara, Leucaena leucocephala, and/or Schinus terebinthifolius.
Dynamics: Native grasslands were once fairly widespread and were maintained and expanded by regular burning by ancient Hawaiians. Non-native grasslands have increased the fuel load and consequentially the fire frequency and severity, which is very destructive to most native shrublands and other native vegetation types.
Environmental Description: This group historically occurred on the leeward side of all the main islands and some of the smaller dry islands, although the shrublands are not reported from Ni`ihau and Kaho`olawe. Elevation ranges from 10 and 1000 m. This group grades into dry strand along the coasts. High-elevation stands transition to montane shrublands near 1000 m elevation. These shrublands occur on open gentle slopes to steep ridges of dissected slopes.
Climate: Climate is tropical with summers hot and dry. Annual precipitation is mostly restricted to the winter months, and ranges from 500 to 1750 mm for shrublands and most grasslands, but grasslands also occur in drier areas (down to 100 mm annual precipitation).
Soil/substrate/hydrology: Substrates are variable. Soils range from silty loams to relatively unweathered pâhoehoe lava. This group also includes coastal dry grasslands that occur outside the coastal effects of salt spray and salinity.
Climate: Climate is tropical with summers hot and dry. Annual precipitation is mostly restricted to the winter months, and ranges from 500 to 1750 mm for shrublands and most grasslands, but grasslands also occur in drier areas (down to 100 mm annual precipitation).
Soil/substrate/hydrology: Substrates are variable. Soils range from silty loams to relatively unweathered pâhoehoe lava. This group also includes coastal dry grasslands that occur outside the coastal effects of salt spray and salinity.
Geographic Range: Leeward side of all the main Hawaiian Islands and some of the smaller dry islands, although the shrublands are not reported from Ni`ihau and Kaho`olawe, and elsewhere in Polynesia.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: HI
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.860776
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNA
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 2 Shrub & Herb Vegetation Class | C02 | 2 |
| Subclass | 2.A Tropical Grassland, Savanna & Shrubland Subclass | S01 | 2.A |
| Formation | 2.A.1 Tropical Lowland Grassland, Savanna & Shrubland Formation | F019 | 2.A.1 |
| Division | 2.A.1.Ol Polynesian Lowland Shrubland, Grassland & Savanna Division | D074 | 2.A.1.Ol |
| Macrogroup | 2.A.1.Ol.90 Polynesian Ruderal Lowland Shrubland, Grassland & Savanna Macrogroup | M220 | 2.A.1.Ol.90 |
| Group | 2.A.1.Ol.90.a Koa Haole / Fountaingrass species - Stinkgrass species Polynesian Ruderal Lowland Shrubland, Grassland & Savanna Group | G413 | 2.A.1.Ol.90.a |
Concept Lineage: G414 & G415 merged into G413.
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
- 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.