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A0822 Isocoma menziesii - Lupinus chamissonis - Ericameria ericoides Shrubland Alliance

Type Concept Sentence: Stands of this central and southern California alliance are found in areas of coastal sand accumulation and dominated by Ericameria ericoides, Isocoma menziesii, or Lupinus chamissonis singly or in combination with one another.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Menzies'' Goldenbush - Chamisso Bush Lupine - California Goldenbush Shrubland Alliance

Colloquial Name: Goldenbush - Chamisso Bush Lupine Shrubland

Hierarchy Level:  Alliance

Type Concept: A mix of broad-leaved evergreen shrubs and subshrubs dominates this dune scrub alliance, typically less than 1 m tall. Species commonly present can include Artemisia californica, Artemisia pycnocephala, Ephedra californica, Ericameria ericoides, Isocoma menziesii, Lupinus chamissonis, and the stem succulent (cactus) Opuntia littoralis. The canopy of this low-shrub layer can be quite dense and continuous or intermittent to open. Species composition varies somewhat from northern to southern stands. The taller, broad-leaved deciduous shrub Rhus integrifolia may be present as an emergent. The herbaceous component may be abundant or sparse. This alliance is known from northern and central California coastal dune systems. These shrublands are found in areas of coastal sand accumulation, on partially stabilized backdune slopes of sand bars, ridges, flats, river mouths, and spits along the coastline.

Diagnostic Characteristics: Coastal shrublands of stabilized backdune slopes of sand bars, ridges, flats, river mouths, and spits along the coastline dominated by Ericameria ericoides, Isocoma menziesii, or Lupinus chamissonis singly or in combination with one another.

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: This alliance is currently treated by ecologists in California (Sawyer et al. 2009) as two alliances: Lupinus chamissonis - Ericameria ericoides Shrubland Alliance and Isocoma menziesii Shrubland Alliance, but they are tentatively combined here as communities dominated by the nominal species are said to occur in association with one another.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: This dune scrub alliance is dominated by a mix of broad-leaved evergreen shrubs and subshrubs, typically less than 1 m tall. The canopy can be closed, open or intermittent. Taller, broad-leaved deciduous shrubs may be present as emergents. The herbaceous component may be abundant or sparse.

Floristics: This dune scrub alliance is dominated by a mix of broad-leaved evergreen shrubs and subshrubs, typically less than 1 m tall. Cover is variable from 10% to over 60%. Species commonly present can include Artemisia californica, Artemisia pycnocephala, Ephedra californica, Ericameria ericoides, Isocoma menziesii, Lupinus chamissonis, and the stem succulent (cactus) Opuntia littoralis. The canopy of this low-shrub layer can be quite dense and continuous or intermittent to open. Species composition varies somewhat from northern to southern stands. The taller, broad-leaved deciduous shrub Rhus integrifolia may be present as an emergent. The herbaceous component may be abundant or sparse.

Dynamics:  This alliance is restricted to the coastal region in relatively small occurrences. In the southern portion of its range it has been eliminated from mainland locations, with the exception of the El Segundo Dunes, and persists only as small examples in Baja California, Mexico, and the Channel Islands. It is threatened by ORV activities and development.
Environmental Description:  The central and southern California coastal regions have a strongly maritime climate, characterized by low average annual precipitation, ranging from 34 cm at San Francisco to less than 25 cm at San Diego and south. A very high percentage of this precipitation falls during the fall and winter months as rain, while summers are typically warm and dry. Winter temperatures are mild. Persistent onshore winds and salt spray are important factors. Stands of this alliance are found in areas of coastal sand accumulation, on partially stabilized backdune slopes of sand bars, ridges, flats, river mouths, and spits along the coastline. Typically they occur further from the coast than foredunes. Soils are well-drained sands, with low organic matter and nutrients.
Geographic Range: This dune scrub alliance is known from dunes of the immediate coastal region of northern, central and southern California, from the vicinity of Bodega Bay and probably south into Baja California, Mexico.

Nations: MX,US

States/Provinces:  CA, MXBCN


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.B Temperate & Boreal Grassland & Shrubland Subclass S18 2.B
Formation 2.B.4 Temperate to Polar Scrub & Herb Coastal Vegetation Formation F005 2.B.4
Division 2.B.4.Nb Pacific North American Coastal Scrub & Herb Vegetation Division D027 2.B.4.Nb
Macrogroup 2.B.4.Nb.2 Pacific Coastal Beach & Dune Macrogroup M059 2.B.4.Nb.2
Group 2.B.4.Nb.2.a Californian Coastal Beach & Dune Group G663 2.B.4.Nb.2.a
Alliance A0822 Menzies'' Goldenbush - Chamisso Bush Lupine - California Goldenbush Shrubland Alliance A0822 2.B.4.Nb.2.a
Association CEGL003182 Beach Wormwood - Sandcarpet Shrubland CEGL003182 2.B.4.Nb.2.a
Association CEGL003492 Chamisso Bush Lupine - California Goldenbush Shrubland CEGL003492 2.B.4.Nb.2.a
Concept Lineage: equivalent to A.822

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: > Isocoma menziesii (Menzies’s golden bush scrub) Alliance (Sawyer et al. 2009) [32.044.00]
> Isocoma menziesii Shrubland Alliance (Rodriguez et al. 2017)
> Lupinus chamissonis - Ericameria ericoides (Silver dune lupine - mock heather scrub) Alliance (Sawyer et al. 2009) [32.160.00]
? Dune Lupine-Goldenbush Series (Sawyer and Keeler-Wolf 1995)
Concept Author(s): T. Keeler-Wolf and M. Schindel, after J.O. Sawyer et al. (2009)

Author of Description: M.E. Hall

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 09-26-14
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