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G648 Southern Vancouverian Lowland Ruderal Grassland & Shrubland Group
Type Concept Sentence: This group is dominated by non-native invasive shrub or herbaceous species, such as Agrostis capillaris, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Cytisus scoparius, Rubus armeniacus, or many other introduced species, generally occurring on disturbed land throughout Pacific coastal areas below approximately 1500 m (5000 feet) in elevation.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Southern Vancouverian Lowland Ruderal Grassland & Shrubland Group
Colloquial Name: Southern Vancouverian Lowland Ruderal Grassland & Shrubland
Hierarchy Level: Group
Type Concept: This group is dominated by non-native species, such as introduced and invasive shrubs Cytisus scoparius, Rubus armeniacus, Ulex europaeus, and the introduced grasses Agrostis capillaris, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Bromus hordeaceus, Holcus lanatus, and/or Poa pratensis. It is abundant in waste areas and disturbed land throughout Pacific coastal areas either as abandoned pastures, roadside margins or other weedy places, below approximately 1500 m (5000 feet) in elevation. Sites are not mowed or otherwise maintained. Generally, these are areas that have been heavily disturbed by heavy equipment, such as old plowed fields, townsites, and abandoned millsites, livestock holding areas, and other once heavily used places that have been left as "waste" places.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Restoration stands of planted or seeded native grasses such as Festuca idahoensis ssp. roemeri, Festuca rubra, or Leymus mollis are considered ruderal due to the fact that the planted species are the only native species present. If long-term restoration efforts succeed in reestablishing composition typical of a native plant associations, then stands could be reclassified into that type.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available
Floristics: Sites are dominated by non-native herbaceous species, or introduced shrubs such as Cytisus scoparius, Rubus armeniacus, Ulex europaeus, and Lupinus arboreus, or areas planted/seeded with native grasses undergoing restoration. In some areas, stands may be dominated by native herbaceous species; however, these cases occur on clearly disturbed ground. Non-native graminoids that can be abundant include Agrostis avenacea, Agrostis capillaris, Agrostis stolonifera, Anthoxanthum odoratum, Arrhenatherum elatius, Bromus diandrus ssp. rigidus (= Bromus rigidus), Bromus hordeaceus, Bromus madritensis, Bromus sterilis, Cynosurus echinatus, Schedonorus arundinaceus (= Schedonorus phoenix), Lolium perenne, and Vulpia bromoides (= Festuca bromoides). Other graminoids that are present to abundant include Aira caryophyllea, Aira praecox, Dactylis glomerata, Elymus repens, Holcus lanatus, and Poa pratensis. Some areas are dominated by non-native forbs such as Cirsium arvense, Hypochaeris radicata, Leucanthemum vulgare, Medicago lupulina, Rumex acetosella, Sisymbrium altissimum, Taraxacum officinale, Teesdalia nudicaulis, and Trifolium dubium.
Of course, some waste areas are a mix of non-native grasses and forbs, or a mix of native and non-native species. Other non-native forbs that may be present include Centaurium erythraea, Cirsium vulgare, Trifolium pratense, Vicia hirsuta, and Vicia sativa. Native graminoids that may be present include Carex inops, Bromus sitchensis, Elymus glaucus, Festuca rubra ssp. rubra, and Leymus mollis. Stands of planted or seeded areas of native grasses (areas undergoing restoration) are included in this group until they mature into recognizable native plant associations. Native forbs and ferns that can be increasers with disturbance may be present and include Cerastium arvense, Galium aparine, Heracleum maximum, Marah oreganus, and Pteridium aquilinum. Some native shrubs may be scattered about with low abundance and include Rubus ursinus, Symphoricarpos albus and Rosa nutkana. Some areas have small to extensive patches of the introduced shrub Rubus armeniacus that is usually interspersed with the non-native grasses mentioned above.
Of course, some waste areas are a mix of non-native grasses and forbs, or a mix of native and non-native species. Other non-native forbs that may be present include Centaurium erythraea, Cirsium vulgare, Trifolium pratense, Vicia hirsuta, and Vicia sativa. Native graminoids that may be present include Carex inops, Bromus sitchensis, Elymus glaucus, Festuca rubra ssp. rubra, and Leymus mollis. Stands of planted or seeded areas of native grasses (areas undergoing restoration) are included in this group until they mature into recognizable native plant associations. Native forbs and ferns that can be increasers with disturbance may be present and include Cerastium arvense, Galium aparine, Heracleum maximum, Marah oreganus, and Pteridium aquilinum. Some native shrubs may be scattered about with low abundance and include Rubus ursinus, Symphoricarpos albus and Rosa nutkana. Some areas have small to extensive patches of the introduced shrub Rubus armeniacus that is usually interspersed with the non-native grasses mentioned above.
Dynamics: This group is generally a product of disturbance or abandonment of human or livestock activity, and once established is a quite permanent part of the landscape.
Environmental Description: This group is widespread throughout the coastal areas of the Pacific Northwest, but has been intensively studied in the Puget Sound specifically. Stands occur on soils that have been disturbed in the past from plowing, grazing or animal holding areas such as old corrals or rabbit warrens. Soils are mostly shallow and textures range from gravel, sand, sandy loam to loam. These areas are mostly flat or on low slopes and are usually well-drained. Hydrology ranges from very dry south-facing slopes to somewhat mesic north-facing protected sites. This group does not include sand dunes.
Geographic Range: This group occurs in the Pacific Northwest in disturbed sites and waste areas along the coast from California to Washington and possibly elsewhere.
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: BC, CA, OR, WA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.874156
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNA
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 2 Shrub & Herb Vegetation Class | C02 | 2 |
| Subclass | 2.B Temperate & Boreal Grassland & Shrubland Subclass | S18 | 2.B |
| Formation | 2.B.2 Temperate Grassland & Shrubland Formation | F012 | 2.B.2 |
| Division | 2.B.2.Nf Western North American Grassland & Shrubland Division | D022 | 2.B.2.Nf |
| Macrogroup | 2.B.2.Nf.90 Smooth Brome - Knapweed species - Pepperweed species Western North American Ruderal Grassland & Shrubland Macrogroup | M493 | 2.B.2.Nf.90 |
| Group | 2.B.2.Nf.90.b Southern Vancouverian Lowland Ruderal Grassland & Shrubland Group | G648 | 2.B.2.Nf.90.b |
| Alliance | A2062 Scotch Broom - Common Gorse Coastal Ruderal Scrub Alliance | A2062 | 2.B.2.Nf.90.b |
| Alliance | A2063 Sweet Vernal Grass - Common Velvetgrass Ruderal Coastal Grassland Alliance | A2063 | 2.B.2.Nf.90.b |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
- 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]