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G440 Metrosideros polymorpha - Dubautia spp.- Styphelia tameiameiae Dry-Site Lava Flow Group
Type Concept Sentence: This sparsely vegetated lava group is restricted to drier portions of the islands of Hawai`i and Maui, from sea level to the subalpine zone and is composed of early-seral species such as lichen Stereocaulon vulcani and ferns Pellaea ternifolia, Asplenium spp., and Psilotum nudum. The tree Metrosideros polymorpha and shrubs Dodonaea viscosa, Styphelia tameiameiae, and a variety of other dry-site species establish in cracks or more sheltered microsites.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: `Ohi`a - Dubautia species - Pukiawe Dry-Site Lava Flow Group
Colloquial Name: Hawaiian Dry-Site Lava Flow
Hierarchy Level: Group
Type Concept: This sparsely vegetated group is restricted to areas of geologically recent volcanic activity on drier portions of the islands of Hawai`i and Maui, from sea level to the subalpine zone, and is especially common in the saddle region on the Big Island and at higher elevations and leeward areas of Maui. Precipitation is typically <500 mm. The dry climate and slow soil development significantly retard the rate of primary succession on these sites, which remain barren or sparsely vegetated for at least 75-100 years. The initial plants to colonize include the lichen Stereocaulon vulcani and ferns such as Pellaea ternifolia, Asplenium spp., and Psilotum nudum. Next the tree Metrosideros polymorpha and shrubs such as Dodonaea viscosa and Styphelia tameiameiae establish in cracks on pâhoehoe or more sheltered microsites on `a`â. Later, scattered Agrostis sandwicensis, Coprosma montana, Myoporum sandwicense, Myrsine lanaiensis, Portulaca sclerocarpa, Tetramolopium humile, Vaccinium reticulatum, Verbena litoralis, or Wahlenbergia marginata may become established. Pâhoehoe appears to support vegetation more rapidly than `a`â. Exotic perennial bunchgrass Pennisetum setaceum is invading these sites and changing natural primary succession patterns.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This group does not include wet lowland lava flows that succeed to other vegetation in less than 75-100 years.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Vegetation of this group is characterized by the early stages of primary succession on barren lava. The initial plants to colonize include the lichen Stereocaulon vulcani and ferns such as Pellaea ternifolia, Asplenium spp., and Psilotum nudum. Next the tree Metrosideros polymorpha and shrubs such as Dodonaea viscosa and Styphelia tameiameiae establish in cracks on pâhoehoe or more sheltered microsites on `a`â (Shaw and Castillo 1997). Later, scattered Agrostis sandwicensis, Coprosma montana, Myoporum sandwicense, Myrsine lanaiensis, Portulaca sclerocarpa, Tetramolopium humile, Vaccinium reticulatum, Verbena litoralis, or Wahlenbergia marginata (= Wahlenbergia gracilis) may become established. Pâhoehoe appears to support vegetation more rapidly than `a`â. Exotic perennial bunchgrass Pennisetum setaceum is invading these sites and changing natural primary succession patterns.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This lowland to subalpine dry lava group occurs 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). It is restricted to areas of geologically recent volcanic activity on drier portions of the islands of Hawai`i and Maui from sea level to the subalpine zone and especially in the saddle region on the Big Island, and higher elevation and leeward areas of Maui. The dry climate and slow soil development significantly retard the rate of primary succession on these sites, which remain barren or sparsely vegetated for at least 75-100 years.
Climate: Climate is tropical, xeric. Precipitation is typically <500 mm. Soil/substrate/hydrology: Substrates are geologically recent pâhoehoe or `a`â lava.
Climate: Climate is tropical, xeric. Precipitation is typically <500 mm. Soil/substrate/hydrology: Substrates are geologically recent pâhoehoe or `a`â lava.
Geographic Range: This sparsely vegetated lava group occurs on drier portions of the islands of Hawai`i and Maui, from sea level to the subalpine zone, and is especially common in the saddle region on the Big Island and at higher elevations and leeward areas of Maui.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: HI
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.860816
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 6 Open Rock Vegetation Class | C06 | 6 |
| Subclass | 6.A Tropical Open Rock Vegetation Subclass | S02 | 6.A |
| Formation | 6.A.1 Tropical Cliff, Scree & Other Rock Vegetation Formation | F011 | 6.A.1 |
| Division | 6.A.1.Oa Polynesian Cliff, Scree & Rock Vegetation Division | D086 | 6.A.1.Oa |
| Macrogroup | 6.A.1.Oa.1 Hawaiian Cliff, Scree & Rock Vegetation Macrogroup | M265 | 6.A.1.Oa.1 |
| Group | 6.A.1.Oa.1.b `Ohi`a - Dubautia species - Pukiawe Dry-Site Lava Flow Group | G440 | 6.A.1.Oa.1.b |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Barren Lava (Shaw and Castillo 1997)
- 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]
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