Print Report
G407 Prosopis pallida - Pithecellobium dulce / Pennisetum setaceum Woodland & Scrub Group
Type Concept Sentence: This ruderal Polynesian group contains all dry forests, woodlands and scrub that are strongly dominated (>90% relative canopy cover) by non-native trees such as Prosopis pallida with Pithecellobium dulce or Tournefortia argentea, as well as any dry forest or woodland with a severely degraded understory so that an ecologist cannot determine the natural plant community and it has converted to a ruderal or novel type (usually dominated by non-native species with >90% relative cover).
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Kiawe - `Opiuma / Crimson Fountaingrass Woodland & Scrub Group
Colloquial Name: Polynesian Ruderal Dry Woodland & Scrub
Hierarchy Level: Group
Type Concept: This ruderal Polynesian group includes all dry forests, woodlands and scrub that are strongly dominated (>90% relative canopy cover) by non-native species in the tree canopy. Prosopis pallida is common in lowlands with other characteristic exotic trees such as Pithecellobium dulce, Schinus terebinthifolius, and Tournefortia argentea common along the coasts. Relatively mesic invasive trees such as Morinda citrifolia, Psidium guajava, and Samanea saman may be present, but do not dominate. This group also includes severely degraded stands still dominated by native trees such as Sophora chrysophylla with a ruderal understory strongly dominated by invasive, exotic species such as shrubs Leucaena leucocephala and Lantana camara, and herbaceous species Microlaena stipoides, Melinis repens, Pennisetum ciliare, Pennisetum setaceum, and Urochloa maxima to the degree that an ecologist cannot determine the natural plant community. Stands in this group have been converted to ruderal or novel vegetation usually with >90% relative canopy cover of non-native species in the understory. This ruderal group occurs mostly along the coast and inland below 1000 m (3300 feet) elevation, but extends into the subalpine zone (2900 m [9510 feet]) on drier slopes of high volcanos of Maui and Hawai`i. Stands typically occur on the drier leeward sides of islands where there is a strong rainshadow effect from high mountains that reduce precipitation or occur above the inversion layer between 1600 and 3000 m, which dramatically reduces precipitation. Annual rainfall is generally 300-1200 mm. Substrates include well-drained, sandy loam soils derived from volcanic ash or cinder and weathered `a`â or pâhoehoe basaltic lava.
Diagnostic Characteristics: Stands in this group are either dominated by exotic trees such as Prosopis pallida, Pithecellobium dulce, Schinus terebinthifolius, and Tournefortia argentea, or have a native-dominated tree canopy with an understory strongly dominated by exotic species, including Andropogon virginicus, Pennisetum setaceum, and Schizachyrium condensatum. Schinus terebinthifolius is more common mesic areas, but stands in this group occur along the Kona Coast of Hawai`i.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Although most remaining native lowland dry woodlands are in fair to poor condition because of presence of invasive exotic shrubs such as Lantana camara, Leucaena leucocephala, Schinus terebinthifolius, and widespread exotic grasses including Andropogon virginicus, Pennisetum setaceum, and Schizachyrium condensatum, these exotics do not strongly dominate the stand and the natural plant community can still be determined. Schinus terebinthifolius is more common in mesic areas and is represented by ~Schinus terebinthifolius Ruderal Scrub Woodland (CEGL008148)$$ in ~Polynesian Ruderal Lowland Rainforest Group (G390)$$.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: This ruderal Polynesian group includes all dry forests, woodlands and scrub that are strongly dominated (>90% relative canopy cover) by non-native trees in tree canopy. Prosopis pallida is most common, with other dry characteristic exotic trees such as Melia azedarach, Pithecellobium dulce, and Tournefortia argentea along the coast. Relatively mesic invasive trees such as Morinda citrifolia, Psidium guajava, Samanea saman, and Schinus terebinthifolius may be present but do not dominate. Other stands may include severely degraded stands still dominated by native trees, but strongly dominated by invasive, exotic species in the understory to the degree that an ecologist cannot determine the natural plant community. These stands are converted to ruderal or novel vegetation usually with >90% relative cover. Common exotic understory species include shrubs species Vachellia farnesiana (= Acacia farnesiana), Indigofera suffruticosa, Lantana camara, Leucaena leucocephala, and herbaceous species Microlaena stipoides (= Ehrharta stipoides), Melinis repens, Pennisetum ciliare, Pennisetum setaceum, and Urochloa maxima. The higher elevation dry ruderal woodlands and scrub typically have a mostly native woody canopy of Chamaesyce celastroides, Chamaesyce olowaluana, Sophora chrysophylla, or Metrosideros polymorpha with understory strongly dominated by invasive grasses, especially Pennisetum setaceum and Microlaena stipoides.
Dynamics: Fire-adapted exotic grasses such as Pennisetum setaceum are invasive and threaten these dry woodlands by increasing fire intensity, frequency and size (Castillo 1997). The exotic rosette forb Verbascum thapsus is common in many stands.
Environmental Description: This ruderal group occurs in coastal areas and on dry slopes of the main Hawaiian Islands generally from 5-1000 m (15-3280 feet) elevation, but it may extend to 2900 m (9510 feet) elevation (Gagne and Cuddihy 1990). However, most stands occur below 1000 m (3280 feet) where there is a long history of disturbance and invasive species. Landforms range from coastal flats to steep slopes.
Climate: It occurs from very dry to seasonally mesic zones (Zones 2, 3, and 4) of the 7 Moisture Zones developed for the Hawaiian Islands by Price et al. (2007). Stands typically occur on the leeward sides of islands where there is a strong rainshadow effect from high mountains that reduce precipitation from moisture-laden tradewinds. Some stands occur within an inversion layer of warmer air that 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). Annual rainfall is generally 300-1200 mm.
Soil/substrate/hydrology: Substrates include well-drained, sandy loam soils derived from volcanic ash or cinder and weathered `a`â or pâhoehoe basaltic lava. Higher elevation substrates are often shallow with little soil development.
Climate: It occurs from very dry to seasonally mesic zones (Zones 2, 3, and 4) of the 7 Moisture Zones developed for the Hawaiian Islands by Price et al. (2007). Stands typically occur on the leeward sides of islands where there is a strong rainshadow effect from high mountains that reduce precipitation from moisture-laden tradewinds. Some stands occur within an inversion layer of warmer air that 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). Annual rainfall is generally 300-1200 mm.
Soil/substrate/hydrology: Substrates include well-drained, sandy loam soils derived from volcanic ash or cinder and weathered `a`â or pâhoehoe basaltic lava. Higher elevation substrates are often shallow with little soil development.
Geographic Range: This ruderal Polynesian group has been described from all the main Hawaiian Islands and contains all dry woodlands and scrub that are strongly dominated by non-native trees.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: HI
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.860815
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNA
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 1 Forest & Woodland Class | C01 | 1 |
| Subclass | 1.A Tropical Forest & Woodland Subclass | S17 | 1.A |
| Formation | 1.A.1 Tropical Dry Forest & Woodland Formation | F003 | 1.A.1 |
| Division | 1.A.1.Oc Polynesian Dry Forest & Woodland Division | D072 | 1.A.1.Oc |
| Macrogroup | 1.A.1.Oc.90 Polynesian Ruderal Dry Woodland & Scrub Macrogroup | M213 | 1.A.1.Oc.90 |
| Group | 1.A.1.Oc.90.a Kiawe - `Opiuma / Crimson Fountaingrass Woodland & Scrub Group | G407 | 1.A.1.Oc.90.a |
| Alliance | A4234 Kiawe - Brazilian Peppertree Dry Lowland Ruderal Woodland Alliance | A4234 | 1.A.1.Oc.90.a |
| Alliance | A4235 `Opiuma - Velvetleaf Soldierbush Dry Lowland Ruderal Woodland Alliance | A4235 | 1.A.1.Oc.90.a |
| Alliance | A4236 Mamani - `Ohi`a / Crimson Fountaingrass Ruderal Dry Woodland Alliance | A4236 | 1.A.1.Oc.90.a |
Concept Lineage: G408 & G409 merged into G407.
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: > Coastal Dry Forest (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.