Print Report
A3352 Hesperocyparis goveniana - Hesperocyparis macrocarpa Woodland Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: This alliance includes closed-cone cypress groves dominated by endemic tree taxa Hesperocyparis macrocarpa, Hesperocyparis goveniana, and/or Hesperocyparis abramsiana. These forests and woodlands are limited to coastal areas with moderate maritime climate and likely receive more annual precipitation than nearby coastal chaparral, in part due to fog drip. They occur on dry ridges, headlands, uplifted maritime terraces, rocky ridges, and sand dunes in scattered locations along California''s entire coastline and onto the Channel Islands and possibly just into southern Oregon.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Gowen Cypress - Monterey Cypress Woodland Alliance
Colloquial Name: California Coastal Closed-Cone Cypress Woodland
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: This alliance consists of stands dominated by endemic tree taxa Hesperocyparis macrocarpa, Hesperocyparis goveniana, and/or Hesperocyparis abramsiana that occur in scattered groves along the coast. Pinus attenuata and Pinus muricata are dominant or codominant in some of these occurrences. These occurrences can also include pygmy woodland expressions where indurated subsoil underlies acidic sands (ancient marine terraces). Other associated plant species include Arctostaphylos hookeri, Arctostaphylos nummularia, Arctostaphylos tomentosa, Gaultheria shallon, Ledum groenlandicum, Morella californica, Rhododendron macrophyllum, and Vaccinium ovatum. The lichen and moss component of this alliance is very diverse, includes Cladonia spp., and can be abundant in these communities. This alliance is found in scattered locations along California''s entire coastline and onto the Channel Islands and possibly just into southern Oregon in southern Coos and Curry counties at elevations ranging from 0-400 m. These forests and woodlands are limited to coastal areas with moderate maritime climate and likely receive more annual precipitation than nearby coastal chaparral, in part due to fog drip. They occur on marine sedimentary, non-metamorphosed features, often on podsols or on sterile sandstone on dry ridges, headlands, uplifted maritime terraces, rocky ridges, and sand dunes. Soils in dry sites are shallow, acidic, and may be inadequately drained; soils on seasonally flooded sites are sterile with cemented hardpans.
Diagnostic Characteristics: Typically localized stands of closed-cone cypress or pines along the California coast dominated by Hesperocyparis macrocarpa, Hesperocyparis goveniana, and/or Hesperocyparis abramsiana.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This alliance is based on the ecological system ~California Coastal Closed-Cone Conifer Forest and Woodland (CES206.922)$$. While this alliance includes several MCV alliances (Sawyer et al. 2009), they are put together into one alliance of the coastal cypress and pine stands in this treatment; they are separated from the Coast Ranges and Sierra Nevada foothills cypress or pine stands, where a less "coastal" floristic component will be found. While Pinus contorta var. contorta can be found in some associations of this alliance, Pinus contorta var. contorta associations are placed in ~Vancouverian Dry Coastal Beach Pine Forest & Woodland Group (G205)$$, or else in one of the swamp or bog/fen groups when found in swamp or fen settings.
In recent taxonomic treatments, the genus Cupressus is restricted to the Old World; cypresses in California belong to the genus Callitropsis (Bartel et al. 2003, Little 2006). Currently the USNVC uses Hesperocyparis (USDA Plants 2017).
In recent taxonomic treatments, the genus Cupressus is restricted to the Old World; cypresses in California belong to the genus Callitropsis (Bartel et al. 2003, Little 2006). Currently the USNVC uses Hesperocyparis (USDA Plants 2017).
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: This needle-leaved evergreen woodland forms a canopy less than 7 m in height. The shrub understory is open to intermittent, as is the herbaceous layer.
Floristics: Stands are dominated by endemic tree taxa Hesperocyparis macrocarpa (= Cupressus macrocarpa), Hesperocyparis goveniana (= Cupressus goveniana), and/or Hesperocyparis abramsiana (= Cupressus abramsiana). Pinus muricata and Pinus radiata are common codominants or associates. Broad-leaved evergreen shrubs are common in the understory and may include Gaultheria shallon, Morella californica (= Myrica californica), Rhododendron macrophyllum, Vaccinium ovatum, and the regional endemics Ericameria fasciculata and Arctostaphylos hookeri. Navarretia atractyloides and Navarretia squarrosa are common in the herbaceous layer.
Dynamics: The nominal species require fire to open their serotinous cones for regeneration. Rapid germination allows seedlings to establish during the rainy season. Necessary fire intervals are unknown.
Environmental Description: Stands of this alliance are found within a few kilometers of the coast, at elevations raning from 0 to about 400 m. Annual precipitation is approximately 50 cm, with a distinct summer dry season. Temperatures are mild, and all stands are within the zone of coastal fog incursion. Fog drip contributes significant moisture. These stands occur on partially podzolized marine terraces derived from sandstone and old beach deposits. The sterile soils are thin, highly acidic, poorly drained, and sandy in texture. A hardpan has developed, through which water percolates very slowly.
Geographic Range: This alliance is found in scattered locations along California''s entire coastline and onto the Channel Islands and possibly just into southern Oregon in southern Coos and Curry counties.
Nations: MX,US
States/Provinces: CA, MXBCN, OR?
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.899476
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR
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.b Western Cypress species - Pine species Forest & Woodland Group | G198 | 1.B.1.Nc.1.b |
| Alliance | A3352 Gowen Cypress - Monterey Cypress Woodland Alliance | A3352 | 1.B.1.Nc.1.b |
| Association | CEGL003042 Pygmy Cypress Scrub | CEGL003042 | 1.B.1.Nc.1.b |
Concept Lineage: includes A.807
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: > Callitropsis abramsiana (Santa Cruz cypress groves) Special Stands (Sawyer et al. 2009) [81.606.00]
> Callitropsis goveniana (Monterey pygmy cypress stands) Special Stands (Sawyer et al. 2009) [81.603.00]
> Callitropsis macrocarpa (Monterey cypress stands) Special Stands (Sawyer et al. 2009) [81.604.00]
> Callitropsis pigmaea (Mendocino pygmy cypress woodland) Alliance (Sawyer et al. 2009) [81.400.00]
> Mendocino Pygmy Cypress Forest (#83161) (Holland 1986b)
> Monterey Cypress Forest (#83150) (Holland 1986b)
> Monterey Pygmy Cypress Forest (#83162) (Holland 1986b)
> Callitropsis goveniana (Monterey pygmy cypress stands) Special Stands (Sawyer et al. 2009) [81.603.00]
> Callitropsis macrocarpa (Monterey cypress stands) Special Stands (Sawyer et al. 2009) [81.604.00]
> Callitropsis pigmaea (Mendocino pygmy cypress woodland) Alliance (Sawyer et al. 2009) [81.400.00]
> Mendocino Pygmy Cypress Forest (#83161) (Holland 1986b)
> Monterey Cypress Forest (#83150) (Holland 1986b)
> Monterey Pygmy Cypress Forest (#83162) (Holland 1986b)
- Bartel, J. A., R. P. Adams, S. A. James, L. E. Mumba, and R. N. Pandey. 2003. Variation among Cupressus species from the western hemisphere based on Random Amplified Polymorphic DNAs (RAPDs). Biochemical Systematics and Ecology 31:693-702.
- Faber-Langendoen, D., J. Drake, M. Hall, G. Kittel, S. Menard, C. Nordman, M. Pyne, M. Reid, M. Russo, K. Schulz, L. Sneddon, K. Snow, and J. Teague. 2013-2019b. Screening alliances for induction into the U.S. National Vegetation Classification: Part 1 - Alliance concept review. NatureServe, Arlington, VA.
- Holland, R. F. 1986b. Preliminary descriptions of the terrestrial natural communities of California. Unpublished report prepared for the California Department of Fish and Game, Nongame-Heritage Program and Natural Diversity Database, Sacramento. 156 pp.
- Little, D. P. 2006. Evolution and circumscription of the true Cypresses (Cupressaceae: Cupressus). Systematic Botany 31:461-480.
- Sawyer, J. O., T. Keeler-Wolf, and J. Evens. 2009. A manual of California vegetation. Second edition. California Native Plant Society, Sacramento CA. 1300 pp.
- Sawyer, J. O., and T. Keeler-Wolf. 1995. A manual of California vegetation. California Native Plant Society, Sacramento. 471 pp.
- Vogl, R. J., W. P. Armstrong, K. L. White, and K. L. Cole. 1988. The closed-cone pines and cypresses. Pages 295-358 in: M. G. Barbour and J. Major, editors. 1988. Terrestrial vegetation of California: New expanded edition. California Native Plant Society, Special Publication 9, Sacramento. 1030 pp.