Print Report
A3351 Quercus engelmannii Southern California Woodland Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: This alliance consists of woodlands where Quercus engelmannii is the dominant or codominant oak. Other species often present include Juglans californica, Quercus agrifolia, Quercus kelloggii, and/or Quercus wislizeni. These oak woodlands and savannas occur in coastal plains, intermountain valleys, and low mountains (such as the San Jacinto Mountains) from Ventura County, California, south into Baja California, Mexico.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Engelmann Oak Southern California Woodland Alliance
Colloquial Name: Southern California Engelmann Oak Woodland
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: This alliance consists of woodlands where Quercus engelmannii is the dominant or codominant oak in a mixed closed or open canopy. Other species often present include Juglans californica, Quercus agrifolia, Quercus kelloggii, and/or Quercus wislizeni. Southern chaparral species such as Adenostoma fasciculatum, Arctostaphylos spp., Artemisia californica, Ceanothus spp., Ribes spp., Rhus integrifolia, Rhus ovata, and Rhus trilobata are also characteristic. These oak woodlands and savannas occur in coastal plains, intermountain valleys, and low mountains (such as the San Jacinto Mountains) from Ventura County, California, south into Baja California, Mexico. Most of these woodlands and savannas have been heavily altered through urban and agricultural development throughout southern California. 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.).
Diagnostic Characteristics: Stands are dominated or codominated by Quercus engelmannii.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This alliance is based primarily on ecological system ~Southern California Oak Woodland and Savanna (CES206.938)$$.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: This sclerophyllous, extremely xeromorphic evergreen woodland forms an open to closed canopy less than 18 m in height. Shrubs are infrequent to common, and graminoids dominate the ground layer.
Floristics: This woodland of valley bottoms and riparian areas in southern California and Baja California is characterized by the importance of Quercus engelmannii in the tree canopy. Quercus agrifolia is a common associate, though it must be less important than Quercus engelmannii for the stand to belong to this alliance. Other trees present may include Quercus kelloggii, Quercus dumosa, and Juglans californica. Quercus dumosa hybridizes with Quercus engelmannii and individuals intermediate between the two species can often be found. Southern chaparral species such as Adenostoma fasciculatum, Arctostaphylos spp., Artemisia californica, Ceanothus spp., Ribes spp., Rhus integrifolia, Rhus ovata, and Rhus trilobata are characteristic in the understory. The ground is typically dominated by annual graminoids. These woodlands may occur as remnant patches on offshore islands, where they include endemic species such as Quercus tomentella and Lyonothamnus floribundus.
Dynamics: Most of these woodlands and savannas have been heavily altered through urban and agricultural development throughout southern California. 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.).
Environmental Description: This woodland of valley bottoms and riparian corridors of southern California occurs on deep soils of gentle valley floors and on raised stream terraces. Stands are found between 50 and 1220 m elevation. Soils are usually fine-textured. This alliance grows in a region dominated by a Mediterranean climate, with mild, moist winters and warm, dry summers. Average yearly precipitation totals are about 80 cm. Because of the fine-textured soils and topographic location of stands, soil moisture is relatively abundant and constant.
Geographic Range: This alliance occurs in coastal plains and intermountain valleys from Ventura County, California, south into Baja California, Mexico.
Nations: MX,US
States/Provinces: CA, MXBCN
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.899475
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G3
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 | A3351 Engelmann Oak Southern California Woodland Alliance | A3351 | 1.B.1.Nc.1.a |
Concept Lineage: A.590
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Quercus engelmannii (Engelmann oak woodland) Alliance (Sawyer et al. 2009) [71.070.00]
= Quercus engelmannii Woodland Alliance (CNPS 2017) [71.070.00]
? Coast Live Oak Forest (Cheatham and Haller 1975)
>< Dense Engelmann Oak Woodland (#71182) (Holland 1986b)
= Engelmann Oak Series (Sawyer and Keeler-Wolf 1995)
>< Open Engelmann Oak Woodland (#71181) (Holland 1986b)
? Southern Oak Woodland (Cheatham and Haller 1975)
= Quercus engelmannii Woodland Alliance (CNPS 2017) [71.070.00]
? Coast Live Oak Forest (Cheatham and Haller 1975)
>< Dense Engelmann Oak Woodland (#71182) (Holland 1986b)
= Engelmann Oak Series (Sawyer and Keeler-Wolf 1995)
>< Open Engelmann Oak Woodland (#71181) (Holland 1986b)
? Southern Oak Woodland (Cheatham and Haller 1975)
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