Print Report
G435 Argyroxiphium sandwicense - Coprosma ernodeoides - Tetramolopium humile Alpine Scrub Group
Type Concept Sentence: This sparse to open alpine scrub group occurs on Maui and Hawai`i and is characterized by scattered dwarf-shrubs (5-20%) of Argyroxiphium spp., Coprosma ernodeoides, Dubautia menziesii, Geranium spp., Silene struthioloides, Styphelia tameiameiae, Tetramolopium humile, or Vaccinium spp.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: `Ahinahina - `Aiakanene - Alpine Tetramolopium Alpine Scrub Group
Colloquial Name: Hawaiian Alpine Scrub
Hierarchy Level: Group
Type Concept: This sparse to open alpine scrub group occurs on Maui and Hawai`i and is characterized by scattered dwarf-shrubs (5-20%) of Argyroxiphium spp., Coprosma ernodeoides, Dubautia menziesii, Geranium spp., Silene struthioloides, Styphelia tameiameiae, Tetramolopium humile, or Vaccinium spp. Also present may be scattered grasses Agrostis sandwicensis, Deschampsia nubigena, Trisetum glomeratum, forbs Pseudognaphalium sandwicensium, ferns Pellaea ternifolia, Asplenium adiantum-nigrum, Asplenium trichomanes, lichens Lecanora melaena, and mosses Grimmia haleakalae, Racomitrium spp. Stands occur on dry alpine slopes from near 3000 to 3400 m (9835-11,150 feet) elevation and may extend down into the upper subalpine zone. The wet tradewinds frequently do not rise above 1900 m, being suppressed by the tropical inversion layer, leaving this alpine zone too dry to support wet vegetation. Annual precipitation is generally 750-1250 mm and falls from October to March, often as snow. Sites are wind-exposed. Frost is frequent, even during summer months. Substrates are well-drained and gravelly and derived from cinder and ash, and they can include glacial moraine.
Diagnostic Characteristics: Diagnostic species for this alpine scrub include Argyroxiphium spp., Coprosma ernodeoides, Dubautia menziesii, Geranium cuneatum, Silene struthioloides, Styphelia tameiameiae, Tetramolopium humile, or Vaccinium spp. Also present may be scattered grasses Agrostis sandwicensis, Deschampsia nubigena, Trisetum glomeratum, forbs Pseudognaphalium, ferns Pellaea ternifolia, Asplenium adiantum-nigrum, Asplenium trichomanes, lichens Lecanora melaena, and mosses Grimmia haleakalae, Racomitrium spp.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Dwarf-shrub refers to short shrubs (usually less than a half meter tall), not necessarily shrubs dwarfed by adverse environmental conditions.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: Vegetation is characterized by an sparse to open, dwarf-shrub layer (5-25% cover).
Floristics: Vegetation is characterized by an sparse to open dwarf-shrub layer (5-25% cover) composed of Argyroxiphium spp., Coprosma ernodeoides, Dubautia menziesii, Silene struthioloides, Geranium cuneatum, Styphelia tameiameiae, Tetramolopium humile, or Vaccinium reticulatum, although some of these species can also occur at lower elevations (Gagne and Cuddihy 1990, Stone and Pratt 1994b). Associated species may include scattered grasses Agrostis sandwicensis, Deschampsia nubigena, Trisetum glomeratum, forbs Pseudognaphalium sandwicensium (= Gnaphalium sandwicensium), ferns Pellaea ternifolia, Asplenium adiantum-nigrum, Asplenium trichomanes, lichens Lecanora melaena, and mosses Grimmia haleakalae, Racomitrium lanuginosum (Gagne and Cuddihy 1990, Stone and Pratt 1994b). Argyroxiphium sandwicense and Coprosma ernodeoides are diagnostic species. Non-native species Poa pratensis and Rumex acetosella may be present in disturbed stands
Dynamics: Annual precipitation is low as this group occurs above an inversion layer of warmer air that frequently forms well below 3000 m and dramatically reduces precipitation at higher elevations (Gagne and Cuddihy 1990). The inversion layer largely prevents moisture from the wet tradewinds from reaching the alpine zone.
Environmental Description: This sparse to open alpine group occurs on dry alpine slopes of Maui and Hawai`i from near 3000 to 3400 m (9835-11,150 feet) elevation, sometimes extending down into the subalpine 2600 m (8525 feet) in arid zones (Gagne and Cuddihy 1990, Mueller-Dombois and Fosberg 1998). It is restricted to the arid zone (Zone 1) of the 7 Moisture Zones developed for the Hawaiian Islands by Price et al. (2007).
Climate: The wet tradewinds frequently do not rise above 1900 m, being suppressed by the tropical inversion layer, leaving alpine slopes too dry to support wet vegetation (Mueller-Dombois and Fosberg 1998). Annual rainfall is generally 750-1250 mm and falls from October to March, often as snow. Sites are wind-exposed and cold with wide daily temperature variation often ranging from >10°C (50°F) during the day to below freezing at night (Stone and Pratt 1994b). Frost is frequent even during summer months.
Soil/substrate/hydrology: Substrates are well-drained, gravelly and derived from cinder and ash, and can include glacial moraine.
Climate: The wet tradewinds frequently do not rise above 1900 m, being suppressed by the tropical inversion layer, leaving alpine slopes too dry to support wet vegetation (Mueller-Dombois and Fosberg 1998). Annual rainfall is generally 750-1250 mm and falls from October to March, often as snow. Sites are wind-exposed and cold with wide daily temperature variation often ranging from >10°C (50°F) during the day to below freezing at night (Stone and Pratt 1994b). Frost is frequent even during summer months.
Soil/substrate/hydrology: Substrates are well-drained, gravelly and derived from cinder and ash, and can include glacial moraine.
Geographic Range: This scrub group occurs on dry alpine slopes of Maui and Hawai`i.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: HI
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.860792
Confidence Level: High
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 4 Polar & High Montane Scrub, Grassland & Barrens Class | C04 | 4 |
| Subclass | 4.A Tropical High Montane Scrub & Grassland Subclass | S16 | 4.A |
| Formation | 4.A.1 Tropical High Montane Scrub & Grassland Formation | F022 | 4.A.1 |
| Division | 4.A.1.Od Polynesian High Montane Scrub & Grassland Division | D082 | 4.A.1.Od |
| Macrogroup | 4.A.1.Od.1 Hawaiian High Montane Scrub & Grassland Macrogroup | M251 | 4.A.1.Od.1 |
| Group | 4.A.1.Od.1.b `Ahinahina - `Aiakanene - Alpine Tetramolopium Alpine Scrub Group | G435 | 4.A.1.Od.1.b |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Alpine Dry Shrubland (Gagne and Cuddihy 1990)
> `Ahinahina/Na`ena`e (Argyroxiphium/Dubautia) Shrubland (Gagne and Cuddihy 1990)
> `Ahinahina/Na`ena`e (Argyroxiphium/Dubautia) Shrubland (Gagne and Cuddihy 1990)
- 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.
- Stone, C. P., and L. W. Pratt. 1994b. Hawai`i''s plants and animals: Biological sketches of Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Second edition. Hawai`i Natural History Association, National Park Service and University of Hawai''i Cooperative National Park Resources Studies Unit. 408 pp. [reprinted in 2002]
- 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.