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G416 Styphelia tameiameiae - Chenopodium oahuense / Eragrostis atropioides Montane-Subalpine Dry Shrubland & Grassland Group
Type Concept Sentence: This montane-subalpine dry shrubland and grassland group is characterized by a moderate to dense bunchgrass layer (<1 m tall) dominated or codominated by Eragrostis atropioides and sometimes Panicum tenuifolium, or an open to closed shrub layer dominated by Dodonaea viscosa, Styphelia tameiameiae, Vaccinium spp., and, less commonly, Chenopodium oahuense or shrubby Metrosideros polymorpha.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Pukiawe - `Aweoweo / Mountain Pili Montane-Subalpine Dry Shrubland & Grassland Group
Colloquial Name: Hawaiian Montane-Subalpine Dry Shrubland & Grassland
Hierarchy Level: Group
Type Concept: This montane-subalpine dry shrubland and grassland group is characterized by a moderate to dense bunchgrass layer (<1 m tall) that is dominated by Eragrostis atropioides and sometimes codominated by Panicum tenuifolium or an open to closed shrub layer dominated by Dodonaea viscosa, Styphelia tameiameiae, Vaccinium spp., and, less commonly, Chenopodium oahuense or shrubby Metrosideros polymorpha. Associated herbaceous species include Agrostis sandwicensis, Eragrostis deflexa, Gahnia spp., Luzula spp., Trisetum glomeratum, and ferns such as Sadleria cyatheoides, Pellaea ternifolia, and Asplenium spp. Other characteristic shrubs include Argyroxiphium spp., Bidens menziesii, Chamaesyce spp., Dubautia ciliolata, Dubautia linearis, Dianella spp., Exocarpos spp., Geranium cuneatum, Lipochaeta spp., Osteomeles anthyllidifolia, Pseudognaphalium sandwicensium, Sida fallax, Silene spp., and Tetramolopium spp. Scattered Metrosideros polymorpha, Sophora chrysophylla, or Myoporum sandwicense trees may be present in some stands. This shrubland and grassland group occurs on dry slopes of higher mountains of Maui and Hawai`i, from near 900 to 3000 m (2950-9835 feet) elevation. The grasslands are more restricted and occur from near 1615 to 2300 m (5295-7540 feet) elevation on saddles and slopes of Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa, Hualalai, Hawai`i. An inversion layer of warmer air forms 50-70% of the time between 1600 and 3000 m that dramatically reduces precipitation at higher elevations. This is because the wet tradewinds generally do not rise above 1900 m (6230 feet) and are deflected around the mountains, leaving upper slopes too dry to support rainforests. Stands occur at lower elevations on leeward sides of islands where there is a strong rainshadow effect. Annual rainfall is generally 400-1500 mm. Many sites are wind-exposed. Substrates include cinder, well-drained, sandy loam soils derived from volcanic ash or cinder, and weathered `a`â or pâhoehoe basaltic lava with little soil development. Exotic invasive grasses such as Pennisetum setaceum and forbs such as Heterotheca grandiflora, Senecio madagascariensis, and Verbascum thapsus may be present to common, but not dominant in stands. Fire-adapted exotic grass Pennisetum setaceum has not significantly invaded and is only occasionally present. Stands dominated by exotics are classified in ~Polynesian Ruderal Subalpine-Montane Shrubland & Grassland Group (G418)$$.
Diagnostic Characteristics: Diagnostic species for this montane to subalpine dry shrubland and grassland group are Chamaesyce spp., Chenopodium oahuense, Dodonaea viscosa, Dubautia ciliolata, Dubautia linearis, Dianella spp., Eragrostis atropioides, Exocarpos spp., Geranium cuneatum, Panicum tenuifolium, Styphelia tameiameiae, Vaccinium spp., and, less commonly, shrubby Metrosideros polymorpha.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: No Data Available
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: This shrubland and grassland group is characterized by a moderate to dense bunchgrass layer (<1 m tall) and/or an open to closed shrub layer. Scattered trees may be present but do not form a layer.
Floristics: This montane-subalpine dry shrubland and grassland group is characterized by a moderate to dense bunchgrass layer (<1 m tall) dominated by Eragrostis atropioides and sometimes codominated by Panicum tenuifolium or an open to closed shrub layer dominated by Dodonaea viscosa, Styphelia tameiameiae, Vaccinium spp., and, less commonly, Chenopodium oahuense or shrubby Metrosideros polymorpha (Gagne and Cuddihy 1990). Associated herbaceous species include Agrostis sandwicensis, Eragrostis deflexa, Gahnia spp., Luzula spp., Trisetum glomeratum and ferns such as Sadleria cyatheoides, Pellaea ternifolia, and Asplenium spp. Other characteristic shrubs include Argyroxiphium spp., Bidens menziesii, Chamaesyce spp., Dubautia ciliolata, Dubautia linearis, Dianella spp., Exocarpos spp., Geranium cuneatum, Lipochaeta spp., Osteomeles anthyllidifolia, Pseudognaphalium sandwicensium (= Gnaphalium sandwicensium), Sida fallax, Silene spp., and Tetramolopium spp. Scattered Metrosideros polymorpha, Sophora chrysophylla, or Myoporum sandwicense trees may be present in some stands. Weedy exotic forbs such as Heterotheca grandiflora, Senecio madagascariensis, Verbascum thapsus, and Verbesina encelioides are common in disturbed stands, but do not dominate (Shaw and Castillo 1997, J. Jacobi pers. comm.).
Dynamics: Dry shrublands have broad transition zones with dry woodlands dominated by Metrosideros polymorpha, Sophora chrysophylla, or Myoporum sandwicense trees. In areas below upper treeline, these shrublands may exist as a persistent seral stage maintained by disturbance such as periodic fire, historically. However, fire-adapted exotic grasses such as Pennisetum setaceum are invasive and threaten these dry shrublands and grasslands by increasing fire intensity, frequency and size. More frequent burning because of presence of fire-adapted exotic grasses has converted many dry shrubland stands to introduced grassland (Castillo 1997). Weedy exotic forbs such as Verbascum thapsus, and Verbesina encelioides are common in disturbed stands (Shaw and Castillo 1997, J. Jacobi pers. comm.).
Environmental Description: This shrubland and grassland group occurs on dry slopes of higher mountains of Maui and Hawai`i, from near 900 to 3000 m (2950-9835 feet) elevation. The grasslands are more restricted and occur from near 1615 to 2300 m (5295-7540 feet) elevation on saddles and slopes of Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa, Hualalai, Hawai`i. An inversion layer of warmer air forms 50-70% of the time between 1600 and 3000 m that dramatically reduces precipitation at higher elevations (Gagne and Cuddihy 1990). This is because the wet tradewinds generally do not rise above 1900 m (6230 feet) and are deflected around the mountains, leaving upper slopes too dry to support rainforests (Mueller-Dombois and Fosberg 1998). Stands also occur at lower elevations on leeward sides of islands where there is a strong rainshadow effect.
Climate: Climate is tropical. Annual rainfall is generally 400-1500 mm. It is found 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). Many sites are wind-exposed.
Soil/substrate/hydrology: Substrates include cinder, well-drained, sandy loam soils derived from volcanic ash, and weathered `a`â or pâhoehoe basaltic lava with little soil development.
Climate: Climate is tropical. Annual rainfall is generally 400-1500 mm. It is found 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). Many sites are wind-exposed.
Soil/substrate/hydrology: Substrates include cinder, well-drained, sandy loam soils derived from volcanic ash, and weathered `a`â or pâhoehoe basaltic lava with little soil development.
Geographic Range: This Hawaiian shrubland and grassland group occurs on montane and subalpine dry slopes of higher mountains of Maui and Hawai`i.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: HI
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.860804
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.a Pukiawe - `Aweoweo / Mountain Pili Montane-Subalpine Dry Shrubland & Grassland Group | G416 | 2.A.2.Oh.1.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: > Chenopodium Scrub (Mueller-Dombois and Fosberg 1998)
> Chenopodium Shrubland (Shaw and Castillo 1997)
> Dodonaea Mixed Shrubland (Shaw and Castillo 1997)
> Eragrostis Grassland (Shaw and Castillo 1997)
> Styphelia-Dodonaea Shrubland (Shaw and Castillo 1997)
> Styphelia Mixed Shrubland (Shaw and Castillo 1997)
> Styphelia-dominated Heath Scrub (Mueller-Dombois and Fosberg 1998)
> Lovegrass/Mountain Pili (Eragrostis/Panicum) Grassland (Gagne and Cuddihy 1990)
> Montane Dry Grassland (Gagne and Cuddihy 1990)
> Montane Dry Shrubland (Gagne and Cuddihy 1990)
> Subalpine Dry Shrubland (Gagne and Cuddihy 1990)
> Chenopodium Shrubland (Shaw and Castillo 1997)
> Dodonaea Mixed Shrubland (Shaw and Castillo 1997)
> Eragrostis Grassland (Shaw and Castillo 1997)
> Styphelia-Dodonaea Shrubland (Shaw and Castillo 1997)
> Styphelia Mixed Shrubland (Shaw and Castillo 1997)
> Styphelia-dominated Heath Scrub (Mueller-Dombois and Fosberg 1998)
> Lovegrass/Mountain Pili (Eragrostis/Panicum) Grassland (Gagne and Cuddihy 1990)
> Montane Dry Grassland (Gagne and Cuddihy 1990)
> Montane Dry Shrubland (Gagne and Cuddihy 1990)
> Subalpine Dry Shrubland (Gagne and Cuddihy 1990)
- Castillo, J. M. 1997. Control of Pennisetum setaceum (Forssk.) Chiov. in native Hawaiian dry upland ecosystems. Unpublished thesis, Department of Forestry, Colorado State University, Fort Collins. 35 pp.
- 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.
- 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.