Print Report

A3346 Quercus agrifolia Woodland Alliance

Type Concept Sentence: This alliance covers Quercus agrifolia-dominated upland woodlands with understory vegetation of shrubs such as Heteromeles arbutifolia, Rubus ursinus, Symphoricarpos mollis, and Toxicodendron diversilobum, or perennial bunchgrasses. This alliance occurs throughout the Pacific coastal areas from Sonoma County, California, south to Baja California, Mexico.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: California Live Oak Woodland Alliance

Colloquial Name: Coast Live Oak Woodland

Hierarchy Level:  Alliance

Type Concept: This alliance consists of Quercus agrifolia-dominated upland woodlands. Other trees present include Umbellularia californica. Canopy cover varies from dense conditions that support sparse understory vegetation of Heteromeles arbutifolia, Rubus ursinus, Symphoricarpos mollis, and Toxicodendron diversilobum, to more open conditions with a perennial bunchgrass understory. The latter typically occurs on south-facing slopes with soils of variable depth. Variable canopy densities in existing occurrences are likely due to variation in soil moisture regime, natural patch dynamics of fire, and land use (fire suppression, livestock grazing, herbivory, etc.). These woodlands occur throughout the Pacific coastal areas from Sonoma County, California, south to Baja California, Mexico.

Diagnostic Characteristics: Dominance in the upper canopy by Quercus agrifolia.

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: Concept is based more on the ecological system ~California Coastal Live Oak Woodland and Savanna (CES206.937)$$ than the old alliance. However, the two are very similar. Riparian expressions of Quercus agrifolia have been pulled out and moved to ~Platanus racemosa - Quercus agrifolia - Juglans californica Riparian Woodland Alliance (A3750)$$.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: This sclerophyllous, evergreen woodland forms an open to continuous tree canopy less than 30 m in height. Shrubs are occasional or common, and the herbaceous layer is grassy or absent.

Floristics: Stands of this woodland alliance contain Quercus agrifolia, often with Umbellularia californica as an important or dominant species in the tree canopy. Other trees may include Arbutus menziesii, Heteromeles arbutifolia, Quercus chrysolepis, Quercus douglasii, Quercus dumosa, Quercus engelmannii, and Quercus kelloggii. The shrub layer may contain Adenostoma fasciculatum, Artemisia californica, Ceanothus oliganthus, Holodiscus discolor, Malosma laurina, Rhamnus ilicifolia (= Rhamnus crocea ssp. ilicifolia), Rubus spp., Salvia mellifera, Symphoricarpos mollis, and Toxicodendron diversilobum. The herbaceous layer is grassy or absent, depending on the degree of shrub cover. Some stands have little shrub layer and a dense herbaceous layer of grasses. This alliance supports many taxa tracked by the CNPS Rare Plant Inventory (CNPS 2015b).

Dynamics:  Stands of Quercus agrifolia seem to be dependent on permanent soil moisture at depth, or periodic inundation with fresh water is needed. Variable canopy densities in existing occurrences are likely due to variation in soil moisture regime, natural patch dynamics of fire, and land use (fire suppression, livestock grazing, herbivory, etc.). Quercus agrifolia var. agrifolia grows in areas of coastal influence and has a wide distribution in California. It is a long-lived evergreen tree.
Environmental Description:  This woodland alliance occurs between sea level and 1200 m on the flanks of the coastal mountains of California and Baja California, Mexico. Stands are usually found on slopes, often steep, and along raised streambanks and terraces. The precipitation regime in the range of this alliance is strongly Mediterranean, with most precipitation falling between November and April as rain. Summers are warm and dry, though the coastal influence moderates temperatures. Annual precipitation totals range from 20-50 cm.
Geographic Range: This alliance is found in Pacific coastal areas from Sonoma County, California, south to Baja California, Mexico.

Nations: MX,US

States/Provinces:  CA, MXBCN


Confidence Level: Moderate

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G5

Greasons: No Data Available
Type Name Database Code Classification Code
Class 1 Forest & Woodland Class C01 1
Subclass 1.B Temperate & Boreal Forest & Woodland Subclass S15 1.B
Formation 1.B.1 Warm Temperate Forest & Woodland Formation F018 1.B.1
Division 1.B.1.Nc Californian Forest & Woodland Division D007 1.B.1.Nc
Macrogroup 1.B.1.Nc.1 California Live Oak - California Laurel - Western Cypress species Forest & Woodland Macrogroup M009 1.B.1.Nc.1
Group 1.B.1.Nc.1.a California Live Oak - Valley Oak - California Laurel Forest & Woodland Group G195 1.B.1.Nc.1.a
Alliance A3346 California Live Oak Woodland Alliance A3346 1.B.1.Nc.1.a
Association CEGL002860 California Live Oak / Chamise Woodland CEGL002860 1.B.1.Nc.1.a
Association CEGL002861 California Live Oak / Annual Grass-Herb Woodland CEGL002861 1.B.1.Nc.1.a
Association CEGL002862 California Live Oak / Redheart Woodland CEGL002862 1.B.1.Nc.1.a
Association CEGL002863 California Live Oak / Toyon Woodland CEGL002863 1.B.1.Nc.1.a
Association CEGL002864 California Live Oak / Scrub Oak Woodland CEGL002864 1.B.1.Nc.1.a
Association CEGL002865 California Live Oak / San Luis Purple Sage - Coastal Sagebrush Woodland CEGL002865 1.B.1.Nc.1.a
Association CEGL002866 California Live Oak / Pacific Poison-oak Woodland CEGL002866 1.B.1.Nc.1.a
Association CEGL002869 California Live Oak - California Laurel Woodland CEGL002869 1.B.1.Nc.1.a
Association CEGL002870 California Live Oak - California Laurel / Hairy Ceanothus Woodland CEGL002870 1.B.1.Nc.1.a
Association CEGL002905 California Live Oak South Coast Woodland CEGL002905 1.B.1.Nc.1.a
Association CEGL003169 California Live Oak / Pacific Poison-oak - (Beaked Hazelnut) Woodland CEGL003169 1.B.1.Nc.1.a
Association CEGL003175 California Laurel - California Live Oak / Pacific Poison-oak Forest CEGL003175 1.B.1.Nc.1.a
Concept Lineage: A.589 and A.607

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Quercus agrifolia (Coast live oak woodland) Alliance (Sawyer et al. 2009) [71.060.00]
= Quercus agrifolia Woodland Alliance (Rodriguez et al. 2017)
= Quercus agrifolia Woodland Alliance (CNPS 2017) [71.060.00]
? California Bay Forest (#81200) (Holland 1986b)
? California Walnut Woodland (#71210) (Holland 1986b)
? Central Coast Live Oak Riparian Forest (#61220) (Holland 1986b)
? Coast Live Oak Forest (Cheatham and Haller 1975)
? Coast Live Oak Woodland (#71160) (Holland 1986b)
? Silk-tassel Forest (#81900) (Holland 1986b)
? Southern Coast Live Oak Riparian Forest (#61310) (Holland 1986b)
Concept Author(s): M.S. Reid, in Faber-Langendoen et al. (2013)

Author of Description: M.S. Reid

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 12-18-14
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