Print Report
G439 Artemisia australis - Psydrax odorata / Trisetum glomeratum Hawaiian Dry Cliff Group
Type Concept Sentence: This group is variable but is generally sparse or patchy and composed of an open shrub or herbaceous layer that is restricted to ledges and cracks in rocks on very steep dry slopes and cliffs on lee sides of the Hawaiian Islands.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Oahu Wormwood - Alahe`e / Pili Uka Hawaiian Dry Cliff Group
Colloquial Name: Hawaiian Dry Cliff
Hierarchy Level: Group
Type Concept: This group occurs on very steep dry slopes and cliffs and in Hawai`i. Vegetation is variable but is generally sparse or patchy, composed of an open shrub or herbaceous layer that is restricted to ledges, cracks in rocks, or less steep slopes. Common grass and fern species include Deschampsia nubigena, Heteropogon contortus, Peperomia tetraphylla, Plectranthus parviflorus, and Trisetum glomeratum; common shrubs include Artemisia australis, Artemisia mauiensis, Chamaesyce celastroides, Psydrax odorata, and Schiedea globosa. Stands are often weedy, being invaded by several introduced species such as Vachellia farnesiana, Lantana camara, Leucaena leucocephala, Melinis repens, and Prosopis pallida. Stands occur on cliffs away from the direct influence of the shoreline (surf, wind and salt spray). On the larger islands it extends up to montane zone and into subalpine zone on Maui and Hawai`i. Elevation ranges from 15 to 3000 m (50-9835 feet). Stands occur on the leeward sides of islands in the rainshadows of mountains and ridges. Annual rainfall is generally low (500-1500 mm). Substrates include sandy loam soils derived from cinder, volcanic ash, and weathered basaltic lava with little soil development. Many sites are wind-exposed and may be unstable or highly eroded.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This group is based on Hawaiian Mixed Shrub Lowland Dry Cliff (Gon and HNHP 2006). It should include higher elevation examples, up to subalpine on Maui, with notes on some different species present in higher vs. lower examples.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Vegetation is variable but is generally sparse or patchy, composed of an open shrub or herbaceous layer, and restricted to ledges or less steep slopes. Common grass and fern species include Deschampsia nubigena, Heteropogon contortus, Peperomia tetraphylla, Plectranthus parviflorus, and Trisetum glomeratum; common shrubs include Artemisia australis, Artemisia mauiensis, Chamaesyce celastroides, Psydrax odorata, and Schiedea globosa. Stands are often weedy, being invaded by several introduced species such as Melinis repens, Lantana camara, Leucaena leucocephala, Vachellia farnesiana (= Acacia farnesiana), and Prosopis pallida.
Dynamics: Goats have destroyed the vegetation in many dry cliff areas to where the original vegetation is unknown (Mueller-Dombois and Fosberg 1998). Landslides are the only common natural disturbance. Fire could possibly burn because of pili grass presence, but does not really affect vegetation structure and composition.
Environmental Description: This group occurs on very steep dry slopes and cliffs and in Hawai`i away from the direct influence of the shoreline (surf, wind and salt spray), and extends up to montane and subalpine slopes on Maui and Hawai`i. Elevation ranges from 15 to 3000 m (50-9835 feet). Many sites are wind-exposed.
Climate: Climate is tropical. Annual rainfall is generally low (500-1500 mm). Stands occur on the drier leeward sides of islands in the rainshadows. This group occurs over a broad moisture range within the arid, very dry, and moderately dry zones (Zones 1, 2 and 3) of the 7 Moisture Zones developed for the Hawaiian Islands by Price et al. (2007).
Soil/substrate/hydrology: Substrates include sandy loam soils derived from cinder, volcanic ash, and weathered basaltic lava with little soil development. The steeper slopes are often eroded, especially if composed of unconsolidated substrates.
Climate: Climate is tropical. Annual rainfall is generally low (500-1500 mm). Stands occur on the drier leeward sides of islands in the rainshadows. This group occurs over a broad moisture range within the arid, very dry, and moderately dry zones (Zones 1, 2 and 3) of the 7 Moisture Zones developed for the Hawaiian Islands by Price et al. (2007).
Soil/substrate/hydrology: Substrates include sandy loam soils derived from cinder, volcanic ash, and weathered basaltic lava with little soil development. The steeper slopes are often eroded, especially if composed of unconsolidated substrates.
Geographic Range: This group occurs on the larger Hawaiian Islands, extending from lowlands to montane zones, and up to subalpine zones on Maui and Hawai`i.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: HI
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.860787
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 6 Open Rock Vegetation Class | C06 | 6 |
| Subclass | 6.A Tropical Open Rock Vegetation Subclass | S02 | 6.A |
| Formation | 6.A.1 Tropical Cliff, Scree & Other Rock Vegetation Formation | F011 | 6.A.1 |
| Division | 6.A.1.Oa Polynesian Cliff, Scree & Rock Vegetation Division | D086 | 6.A.1.Oa |
| Macrogroup | 6.A.1.Oa.1 Hawaiian Cliff, Scree & Rock Vegetation Macrogroup | M265 | 6.A.1.Oa.1 |
| Group | 6.A.1.Oa.1.a Oahu Wormwood - Alahe`e / Pili Uka Hawaiian Dry Cliff Group | G439 | 6.A.1.Oa.1.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: > Hawaiian Mixed Shrub Lowland Dry Cliff (Gon and HNHP 2006)
= Vegetation on Dry Cliffs (Mueller-Dombois and Fosberg 1998)
= Vegetation on Dry Cliffs (Mueller-Dombois and Fosberg 1998)
- 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.
- Gon, S. M., III, and HNHP [Hawai''i Natural Heritage Program]. 2006. Hawaiian Natural Community Classification. Database and summary descriptions of native natural communities of the Hawaiian Islands. Files archived at The Nature Conservancy of Hawai''i and The University of Hawai''i Center for Conservation Research and Training, 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.
- Shaw, R. B., and J. M. Castillo. 1997. Plant communities of Pohakuloa Training Area, Hawaii. Center for Ecological Management of Military Lands. Department of Forest Sciences. Colorado State University. Fort Collins.
- 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.