Print Report
G411 Dodonaea viscosa - Styphelia tameiameiae / Dicranopteris linearis Lowland Mesic-Wet Shrubland & Grassland Group
Type Concept Sentence: This Hawaiian lowland mesic to wet grassland and shrubland group is characterized by either an open to dense, moderately tall herbaceous layer (to 1.2 m tall) that is typically dominated by Eragrostis variabilis or Dicranopteris linearis, sometimes with Carex spp., Dianella spp., Gahnia spp., and Luzula spp. or an open to closed short-shrub layer (0.5-3 m tall) frequently dominated by Dodonaea viscosa and Styphelia tameiameiae with other characteristic species including Chamaesyce spp., Dicranopteris spp., shrubby Metrosideros polymorpha, Odontosoria, Osteomeles anthyllidifolia, Sadleria spp., Scaevola spp., Vaccinium spp., and Wikstroemia spp. and varying herbaceous undergrowth.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: `A`ali`i - Pukiawe / Uluhe Lowland Mesic-Wet Shrubland & Grassland Group
Colloquial Name: Hawaiian Lowland Mesic-Wet Shrubland & Grassland
Hierarchy Level: Group
Type Concept: This lowland mesic to wet grassland and shrubland group is found on the main Hawaiian Islands and is characterized by an open to dense, moderately tall herbaceous layer (to 1.2 m tall) that is typically dominated by Eragrostis variabilis or Dicranopteris linearis, sometimes with Carex spp., Dianella spp., Gahnia spp., and Luzula spp. or an open to closed short-shrub layer (0.5-3 m tall) with varying herbaceous undergrowth. The shrub layer is frequently dominated by Dodonaea viscosa and Styphelia tameiameiae. Other characteristic species include Psydrax odorata, Chamaesyce spp., Cladonia (lichen), Cocculus spp., Dicranopteris spp., Korthalsella spp., Lobelia yuccoides, shrubby Metrosideros polymorpha, Odontosoria, Osteomeles anthyllidifolia, Pittosporum spp., Sadleria spp., Scaevola gaudichaudiana, Scaevola gaudichaudii, Vaccinium spp., and Wikstroemia spp. Most examples of this group have been invaded by non-native species. Lowland mesic grasslands grade into mesic shrublands and forests where Metrosideros polymorpha is frequently a dominant species. Grassland stands can be found on moderate to steep slopes of Kaua`i, O`ahu, Moloka`i and Maui from 300 to 2000 m (1000-6500 feet) elevation; shrublands are more restricted in elevation and occur between 10 and 850 m (33-2800 feet) on all the main islands with well-developed stands on leeward Moloka`i and leeward western Maui, but absent on Kaho`olawe. The shrublands develop where forests cannot be supported, such as ridgetops subject to seasonal drought. Vegetation in this group may extend downslope to coastal slopes. The climate is tropical and seasonal, with hot dry summers and primarily winter (November to March) rainfall of 750-1000 mm (30-40 inches) annually and up to 2000 mm. Soils are generally shallow. On the younger islands, it can occur on young pâhoehoe that is beginning to form a thin mantle of soil.
Diagnostic Characteristics: These grassland stands tend to be floristically poor, dominated by Eragrostis variabilis, on moderate to steep slopes of Kaua`i, O`ahu, Moloka`i and Maui.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This group has a broad moisture range.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: This grassland and shrubland group is characterized by an open to dense, moderately tall herbaceous layer (to 1.2 m tall) or an open to closed short-shrub layer (0.5-3 m tall) with varying herbaceous undergrowth.
Floristics: This mesic to wet grassland and shrubland group is characterized by an open to dense, moderately tall herbaceous layer (to 1.2 m tall) that is typically dominated by Eragrostis variabilis or Dicranopteris linearis, sometimes with Carex spp., Dianella spp., Gahnia spp., and Luzula spp. present, or an open to closed short-shrub layer (0.5-3 m tall) with varying herbaceous undergrowth. The shrub layer is frequently dominated by Dodonaea viscosa and Styphelia tameiameiae. Other characteristic species include Psydrax odorata, Chamaesyce spp., Cladonia (lichen), Cocculus spp., Dicranopteris spp., Korthalsella spp., Lobelia yuccoides, shrubby Metrosideros polymorpha, Odontosoria (= Sphenomeris), Osteomeles anthyllidifolia, Pittosporum spp., Sadleria spp., Scaevola gaudichaudiana, Scaevola gaudichaudii, Vaccinium spp., and Wikstroemia spp. Most examples of this group have been invaded by non-native species such as Andropogon virginicus, Melinis minutiflora, Melinis repens, Nephrolepis multiflora, or Schizachyrium condensatum. Lowland mesic grasslands grade into mesic shrublands and forests where Metrosideros polymorpha is frequently a dominant species.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This lowland mesic to wet grassland and shrubland group can be found on moderate to steep slopes on most of the Hawaiian Islands. Grasslands range from 300 to 2000 m (1000-6500 feet) elevation on Kaua`i, O`ahu, Moloka`i and Maui, whereas shrublands occur between 10 and 850 m (33-2800 feet) on all the main islands with well-developed stands on leeward Moloka`i and leeward western Maui, but absent on Kaho`olawe. The shrublands develop where forests cannot be supported, such as ridgetops subject to seasonal drought. Vegetation in this group may extend downslope to coastal slopes.
Climate: The climate is tropical and seasonal, typically with hot dry summers and cool, wet winters (November to March). Rainfall ranges from 750-2000 mm (30-79 inches) annually with shrubland and herbaceous communities occurring in wetter areas. This group occurs mostly within the seasonally mesic to wet zones (Zones 4, 5, 6 and 7) 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).
Soil/substrate/hydrology: Soils are variable depending on moisture zones, but are often thin and easily dried out. On the younger islands, it can occur on young pâhoehoe that is beginning to form a thin mantle of soil.
Climate: The climate is tropical and seasonal, typically with hot dry summers and cool, wet winters (November to March). Rainfall ranges from 750-2000 mm (30-79 inches) annually with shrubland and herbaceous communities occurring in wetter areas. This group occurs mostly within the seasonally mesic to wet zones (Zones 4, 5, 6 and 7) 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).
Soil/substrate/hydrology: Soils are variable depending on moisture zones, but are often thin and easily dried out. On the younger islands, it can occur on young pâhoehoe that is beginning to form a thin mantle of soil.
Geographic Range: This lowland mesic to wet grassland and shrubland group occurs on Hawai`i, Kaua`i, O`ahu, Moloka`i and Maui.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: HI
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.860801
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.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.1 Hawaiian Lowland Shrubland, Grassland & Savanna Macrogroup | M217 | 2.A.1.Ol.1 |
| Group | 2.A.1.Ol.1.b `A`ali`i - Pukiawe / Uluhe Lowland Mesic-Wet Shrubland & Grassland Group | G411 | 2.A.1.Ol.1.b |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: > Lowland Mesic Grassland (Gagne and Cuddihy 1990)
> Lowland Mesic Shrubland (Gagne and Cuddihy 1990)
> Lowland Wet Grassland and Sedgeland (Gagne and Cuddihy 1990)
> Lowland Wet Mixed Communities (Gagne and Cuddihy 1990)
> Lowland Mesic Shrubland (Gagne and Cuddihy 1990)
> Lowland Wet Grassland and Sedgeland (Gagne and Cuddihy 1990)
> Lowland Wet Mixed Communities (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.
- 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.