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G417 Styphelia tameiameiae - Rubus hawaiensis / Deschampsia nubigena Montane-Subalpine Mesic-Wet Shrubland & Grassland Group
Type Concept Sentence: This montane-subalpine mesic-wet shrubland and grassland group is characterized an open to closed scrub layer frequently composed of Styphelia tameiameiae with Dubautia spp., Coprosma montana, shrubby Metrosideros polymorpha, Rubus hawaiensis, Sadleria cyatheoides, Sophora chrysophylla, Styphelia tameiameiae, and Vaccinium reticulatum and/or a moderate to dense bunchgrass layer (<1 m tall) dominated by Deschampsia nubigena with Pteridium aquilinum var. decompositum frequently codominant.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Pukiawe - Akala / Hawai`i Alpine Hairgrass Montane-Subalpine Mesic-Wet Shrubland & Grassland Group
Colloquial Name: Hawaiian Montane-Subalpine Mesic-Wet Shrubland & Grassland
Hierarchy Level: Group
Type Concept: This montane-subalpine mesic-wet shrubland and grassland group is characterized by a moderate to dense bunchgrass layer (<1 m tall) dominated by Deschampsia nubigena with Pteridium aquilinum var. decompositum frequently codominant or an open to closed scrub layer frequently composed of Styphelia tameiameiae with Dubautia spp., Coprosma montana, shrubby Metrosideros polymorpha, Rubus hawaiensis, Sadleria cyatheoides, Sophora chrysophylla, Styphelia tameiameiae, and Vaccinium reticulatum. Associated species in grassland stands include Carex macloviana, Luzula hawaiiensis, Plantago spp., Ranunculus hawaiensis, Sanicula sandwicensis, and Uncinia cf. uncinata. Several exotic species are common in disturbed stands. Associated species in shrubland stands include Coprosma ernodeoides, Geranium multiflorum, and Rubus macraei. Lycopodium venustulum is important in the Kipahulu Valley stands. Dodonaea viscosa and Styphelia tameiameiae are important shrubs in the upper Kaupo Gap area east-southeast of Haleakala Crater. Herbaceous species are generally sparse, e.g., Deschampsia nubigena and Fragaria chiloensis ssp. sandwicensis. Ferns include Dryopteris wallichiana and Pteridium aquilinum. This group includes sparse to dense vegetation found on wet cliffs and windswept ridges that is highly variable, ranging from dense dwarf-shrublands (<0.5 m tall) to wind-stunted Metrosideros polymorpha and scattered shrubs (1-3 m in height) that are clothed with masses of epiphytic cryptogams and have a diverse array of native shrubs, vines, herbs and ferns.
This group is found above 1000 m elevation on cool, mesic to wet slopes in the taller Hawaiian Islands. Stands occur on mesic windward subalpine slopes of east Maui and Mauna Loa, Hawai`i. Elevation ranges from 1950 to 2300 m on the outer north slopes of Haleakala Crater, and the upper Kaupo Gap area east-southeast of Haleakala Crater on Maui, and 1180-1980 m on Hawai`i. Sites include ridges and upper slopes that are dissected, as well as crests of steep ridges and cliff faces throughout the main Hawaiian Islands. These environments are characterized by regularly windy and usually foggy and wet conditions. Climate is tropical, cool and relatively mesic as annual rainfall is generally 1300-2500 m with rain distributed fairly evenly throughout the year. Soils are generally shallow, over soft, highly weathered rock that retains soil moisture, but includes thin mucky clays, deeper ash deposits and thin cinder-derived soil with many rock outcrops.
This group is found above 1000 m elevation on cool, mesic to wet slopes in the taller Hawaiian Islands. Stands occur on mesic windward subalpine slopes of east Maui and Mauna Loa, Hawai`i. Elevation ranges from 1950 to 2300 m on the outer north slopes of Haleakala Crater, and the upper Kaupo Gap area east-southeast of Haleakala Crater on Maui, and 1180-1980 m on Hawai`i. Sites include ridges and upper slopes that are dissected, as well as crests of steep ridges and cliff faces throughout the main Hawaiian Islands. These environments are characterized by regularly windy and usually foggy and wet conditions. Climate is tropical, cool and relatively mesic as annual rainfall is generally 1300-2500 m with rain distributed fairly evenly throughout the year. Soils are generally shallow, over soft, highly weathered rock that retains soil moisture, but includes thin mucky clays, deeper ash deposits and thin cinder-derived soil with many rock outcrops.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This group is broadly defined and includes mesic to wet scrub and herbaceous-dominated stands that occur in montane and subalpine zones.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: This mesic-wet shrubland and grassland group is characterized by an open to closed, scrub layer and/or an open to dense herbaceous layer (<1 m tall).
Floristics: This montane-subalpine mesic-wet shrubland and grassland group is characterized by a moderate to dense bunchgrass layer (<1 m tall) dominated by Deschampsia nubigena with Pteridium aquilinum var. decompositum frequently codominant or an open to closed scrub layer frequently composed of Styphelia tameiameiae with Dubautia spp., Coprosma montana, shrubby Metrosideros polymorpha, Rubus hawaiensis, Sadleria cyatheoides, Sophora chrysophylla, Styphelia tameiameiae, and Vaccinium reticulatum. Associated species in grassland stands include Carex macloviana, Luzula hawaiiensis, Plantago spp., Ranunculus hawaiensis, Sanicula sandwicensis, and Uncinia cf. uncinata. Several exotic species are common in disturbed stands. Associated species in shrubland stands include Coprosma ernodeoides, Geranium multiflorum, and Rubus macraei. Lycopodium venustulum is important in the Kipahulu Valley stands. Dodonaea viscosa and Styphelia tameiameiae are important shrubs in the upper Kaupo Gap area east-southeast of Haleakala Crater. Herbaceous species are generally sparse, e.g., Deschampsia nubigena and Fragaria chiloensis ssp. sandwicensis. Ferns include Dryopteris wallichiana and Pteridium aquilinum. This group includes sparse to dense vegetation found on wet cliffs and windswept ridge crests that is highly variable, ranging from dense dwarf-shrublands (<0.5 m tall) to wind-stunted Metrosideros polymorpha and scattered shrubs (1-3 m in height) are clothed with masses of epiphytic cryptogams and have a diverse array of native shrubs, vines, herbs and ferns. Woody plants become so wind-stunted in some sites that sedges and ferns form a continuous canopy with them. Dominant species vary according to island and abiotic factors but generally include wind-stunted species of Cibotium, Melicope, Metrosideros, Myrsine, and Vaccinium on wet cliff and ridges. Other species include Asplenium spp., Astelia menziesiana, Bidens spp., Broussaisia arguta, Cyrtandra spp., Diplopterygium pinnatum, Dicranopteris linearis, Dubautia spp., Eurya sandwicensis, Freycinetia arborea, Hedyotis terminalis, Lycopodiella cernua, Lobelia spp., Machaerina angustifolia, Peperomia spp., Phyllostegia spp., Scaevola spp., Sadleria pallida, Tetraplasandra spp., Trematolobelia spp., and several rare endemic species, including the orchid Anoectochilus sandvicensis.
Dynamics: Natural fires are extremely rare, though evidence exists as charcoal layers of past fire at Kalapawili, associated with lava flows on Hawai`i Island, and lightning throughout range. Storms might expand its range by opening tree canopies in adjacent forest and forming new alluvial pans, taking stands back to primary succession. Landslides occur occasionally on steeper slopes and cliffs, uncovering bare mineral soils, which are colonized by pioneer species such as Metrosideros, Dicranopteris, and other ruderal natives.
Environmental Description: This grassland and shrubland group occurs above 1000 m elevation in taller islands of Hawai`i. Stands are found on cool, mesic windward subalpine slopes of east Maui and Mauna Loa, Hawai`i. Elevation ranges from 1950 to 2800 m elevation on the outer north slopes of Haleakala Crater, and the upper Kaupo Gap area east-southeast of Haleakala Crater on Maui, and 1180-1980 m on Hawai`i. Sites include ridges and upper slopes that are dissected, as well as crests of steep ridges and cliff faces throughout the main Hawaiian Islands.
Climate: Climate is tropical, cool and relatively mesic to wet as annual rainfall is ranges from 1300-2500 mm with rain distributed fairly evenly throughout the year. Sites often occur within the seasonally mesic and moist mesic zones (Zones 4 and 5), but range from dry at high elevations to very wet (Zones 2 and 7) of the 7 Moisture Zones developed for the Hawaiian Islands by Price et al. (2007). These environments are characterized by regularly windy and often foggy and wet to mesic conditions.
Soil/substrate/hydrology: Soils are generally shallow, over soft, highly weathered rock that retains soil moisture, but includes thin mucky clays, deeper ash deposits and thin cinder-derived soil with many rock outcrops (Gagne and Cuddihy 1990, J. Jacobi pers. comm.).
Climate: Climate is tropical, cool and relatively mesic to wet as annual rainfall is ranges from 1300-2500 mm with rain distributed fairly evenly throughout the year. Sites often occur within the seasonally mesic and moist mesic zones (Zones 4 and 5), but range from dry at high elevations to very wet (Zones 2 and 7) of the 7 Moisture Zones developed for the Hawaiian Islands by Price et al. (2007). These environments are characterized by regularly windy and often foggy and wet to mesic conditions.
Soil/substrate/hydrology: Soils are generally shallow, over soft, highly weathered rock that retains soil moisture, but includes thin mucky clays, deeper ash deposits and thin cinder-derived soil with many rock outcrops (Gagne and Cuddihy 1990, J. Jacobi pers. comm.).
Geographic Range: This mesic to wet, grassland and shrubland group occurs in the montane and subalpine zones of the taller islands in Hawai`i.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: HI
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.860793
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR
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.2 Tropical Montane Grassland & Shrubland Formation | F017 | 2.A.2 |
| Division | 2.A.2.Oh Polynesian Montane Shrubland, Grassland & Savanna Division | D076 | 2.A.2.Oh |
| Macrogroup | 2.A.2.Oh.1 Hawaiian Montane Shrubland, Grassland & Savanna Macrogroup | M224 | 2.A.2.Oh.1 |
| Group | 2.A.2.Oh.1.b Pukiawe - Akala / Hawai`i Alpine Hairgrass Montane-Subalpine Mesic-Wet Shrubland & Grassland Group | G417 | 2.A.2.Oh.1.b |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Montane Wet Shrubland (Gagne and Cuddihy 1990)
> Subalpine Mesic Grassland (Gagne and Cuddihy 1990)
> Subalpine Mesic Shrubland (Gagne and Cuddihy 1990)
> Subalpine Mesic Grassland (Gagne and Cuddihy 1990)
> Subalpine Mesic 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.
- Jacobi, Dr. James D. Personal communication. Research Botanist, Kilauea Field Station, Pacific Island Ecosystems, U.S. Geological Survey, Honolulu, HI.
- 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.