Print Report
G442 Agrostis sandwicensis - Pellaea ternifolia - Racomitrium spp. Alpine Bedrock & Scree Group
Type Concept Sentence: This barren to sparsely vegetated group is found on alpine slopes of higher mountains of Maui and Hawai`i and may have sparse cover of grasses Agrostis sandwicensis, Trisetum glomeratum, ferns Pellaea ternifolia, Asplenium adiantum-nigrum, Asplenium trichomanes, lichens and mosses.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Hawai`i Bentgrass - Kalamoho Lau Li`i - Racomitrium Moss Alpine Bedrock & Scree Group
Colloquial Name: Hawaiian Alpine Bedrock & Scree
Hierarchy Level: Group
Type Concept: This barren to sparsely vegetated group is found on alpine slopes of higher mountains of Maui and Hawai`i. Vegetation, if present, is sparse and may include scattered grasses Agrostis sandwicensis, Trisetum glomeratum, ferns Pellaea ternifolia, Asplenium adiantum-nigrum, Asplenium trichomanes, lichens Lecanora melaena, and mosses Grimmia spp. and Racomitrium spp. Stands occur in alpine zones from 3000-4590 m (9835-14,000 feet) elevation. Sites are generally very dry and cold. Precipitation occurs infrequently during the winter months of October-March. Snow is typically present on summits during winter months and can occur down to 3000 m. Snow can remain year-round on higher-elevation northerly slopes. Nightly frosts are common and can occur down to 3000 m. Sites are wind-exposed with high solar radiation. Substrates include cinder, volcanic ash, and basaltic lava, but can include glacial moraine. Ground surface is mostly gravel and barren rock.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
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: No Data Available
Floristics: This alpine group is barren to sparsely vegetated. Vegetation, if present, may include scattered grasses Agrostis sandwicensis, Trisetum glomeratum, ferns Pellaea ternifolia, Asplenium adiantum-nigrum, Asplenium trichomanes, lichens Lecanora melaena, and mosses Grimmia spp. and Racomitrium spp. (Mueller-Dombois and Fosberg 1998).
Dynamics: Annual precipitation is low as this group occurs above the inversion layer of warmer air that frequently forms 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 barren to sparsely vegetated group occurs on alpine slopes of higher mountains of Maui and Hawai`i at 3000-4590 m (9835-14,000 feet) elevation. Sites are generally very dry and cold. It is restricted to the arid zone (Zone 1) of the 7 Moisture Zones developed for the Hawaiian Islands by Price et al. (2007). Sites are wind-exposed with high solar radiation and extreme daily temperature variation often ranging from >10°C (50°F) to below freezing (Stone and Pratt 1994b).
Climate: Precipitation occurs infrequently during the winter months of October-March. Snow is typically present on summits during winter months and can occur down to 3000 m (Gagne and Cuddihy 1990). Snow can remain year-round on higher elevation northerly slopes. Nightly frosts are common and can occur down to 3000 m.
Soil/substrate/hydrology: Substrates include cinder, volcanic ash, and basaltic lava, but can include glacial moraine. Ground surface is mostly gravel and barren rock.
Climate: Precipitation occurs infrequently during the winter months of October-March. Snow is typically present on summits during winter months and can occur down to 3000 m (Gagne and Cuddihy 1990). Snow can remain year-round on higher elevation northerly slopes. Nightly frosts are common and can occur down to 3000 m.
Soil/substrate/hydrology: Substrates include cinder, volcanic ash, and basaltic lava, but can include glacial moraine. Ground surface is mostly gravel and barren rock.
Geographic Range: This group occurs on alpine slopes of higher mountains of Maui and Hawai`i.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: HI
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.860807
Confidence Level: Low
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.a Hawai`i Bentgrass - Kalamoho Lau Li`i - Racomitrium Moss Alpine Bedrock & Scree Group | G442 | 4.A.1.Od.1.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Hawaiian Alpine Aeolian Desert (Gon 1999)
- 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. 1999. Hawaiian alpine aeolian desert. Unpublished report on file. Hawai`i Biodiversity & Mapping Program, Center for Conservation Research and Training (CCRT), Pacific Biosciences Research Center (PBRC), University of Hawai`i, 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.