Print Report
A3459 Coreopsis gigantea Coastal Bluff Desert Scrub Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: Shrub vegetation of coastal bluffs of the southern California coast dominated or codominated by Coreopsis gigantea in association with other coastal species.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Giant Coreopsis Coastal Bluff Desert Scrub Alliance
Colloquial Name: Giant Coreopsis Coastal Bluff Desert Scrub
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: Vegetation is characterized by a two-tiered, open to moderate canopy <1 to 5 m tall and dominated or codominated by Coreopsis gigantea. Other shrub associates may include Artemisia californica, Atriplex semibaccata, Baccharis pilularis, Cleome isomeris, Encelia californica, Ericameria ericoides, Eriogonum arborescens, Eriogonum cinereum, Frankenia salina, Isocoma menziesii, Opuntia littoralis, Rhus integrifolia, and Suaeda taxifolia. The herbaceous layer is open to intermittent. This shrub vegetation occurs on coastal bluffs in the southern California coast. Stands occur within 2 km of the coast on steep bluffs and slopes. Elevations ranges from sea level to 400 m.
Diagnostic Characteristics: Vegetation of the southern California coast occurring on bluffs where Coreopsis gigantea has >30% relative cover in the shrub canopy in association with other coastal species. The herbaceous layer is intermittent and open.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Little information exists for the description of this alliance and the information presented here is based on Keeler-Wolf and Evens (2006).
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: This vegetation is characterized by a two-tiered, open to moderate shrub canopy <1 to 5 m in height and dominated by drought-deciduous shrubs with an open to intermittent herbaceous layer.
Floristics: Vegetation is characterized by a two-tiered, open to moderate shrub canopy <1 to 5 m in height and dominated or codominated by Coreopsis gigantea. Other shrub associates may include Artemisia californica, Atriplex semibaccata, Baccharis pilularis, Cleome isomeris (= Isomeris arborea), Encelia californica, Ericameria ericoides, Eriogonum arborescens, Eriogonum cinereum, Frankenia salina, Isocoma menziesii, Opuntia littoralis, Rhus integrifolia, and Suaeda taxifolia.
Dynamics: This vegetation is not considered fire-adapted and individuals of Coreopsis gigantea appear to be killed by fire (Keeler-Wolf and Evens 2006).
Environmental Description: Stands occur within 2 km of the coast on steep bluffs and slopes, but occasionally in wind gaps. Elevations ranges from sea level to 400 m.
Geographic Range: This alliance occurs in the Santa Monica Mountains and Channel Islands of southern California.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.899582
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G3
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 3 Desert & Semi-Desert Class | C03 | 3 |
| Subclass | 3.A Warm Desert & Semi-Desert Woodland, Scrub & Grassland Subclass | S06 | 3.A |
| Formation | 3.A.2 Warm Desert & Semi-Desert Scrub & Grassland Formation | F015 | 3.A.2 |
| Division | 3.A.2.Na North American Warm Desert Scrub & Grassland Division | D039 | 3.A.2.Na |
| Macrogroup | 3.A.2.Na.4 Saguaro - Organ Pipe Cactus - Burrobush Mojave-Sonoran Semi-Desert Scrub Macrogroup | M088 | 3.A.2.Na.4 |
| Group | 3.A.2.Na.4.a Coastal Agave - Boojum Tree - Tree Yucca / Live-forever species Coastal Succulent Scrub Group | G298 | 3.A.2.Na.4.a |
| Alliance | A3459 Giant Coreopsis Coastal Bluff Desert Scrub Alliance | A3459 | 3.A.2.Na.4.a |
| Association | CEGL003635 Giant Coreopsis - Coastal Sagebrush - Coastal Buckwheat Scrub | CEGL003635 | 3.A.2.Na.4.a |
| Association | CEGL003637 Giant Coreopsis - California Goldenbush - California Brittlebush Scrub | CEGL003637 | 3.A.2.Na.4.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Coreopsis gigantea (Giant coreopsis scrub) Alliance (Sawyer et al. 2009) [43.100.00]
= Coreopsis gigantea shrubland alliance (Keeler-Wolf and Evens 2006)
= Coreopsis gigantea Shrubland Alliance (CNPS 2017) [43.100.00]
= Leptosyne gigantea Coastal Bluff Shrubland Alliance (Rodriguez et al. 2017)
< California sagebrush series (Sawyer and Keeler-Wolf 1995)
< Southern Coastal Bluff Scrub (#31200) (Holland 1986b)
= Coreopsis gigantea shrubland alliance (Keeler-Wolf and Evens 2006)
= Coreopsis gigantea Shrubland Alliance (CNPS 2017) [43.100.00]
= Leptosyne gigantea Coastal Bluff Shrubland Alliance (Rodriguez et al. 2017)
< California sagebrush series (Sawyer and Keeler-Wolf 1995)
< Southern Coastal Bluff Scrub (#31200) (Holland 1986b)
- CNPS [California Native Plant Society]. 2015-2017. A manual of California vegetation [online]. California Native Plant Society, Sacramento, CA. [http://vegetation.cnps.org/].
- 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.
- HDR. 2014. Vegetation classification and mapping, Naval Base Ventura County, San Nicolas Island, California. Unpublished report prepared by HDR for Naval Facilities Engineering Command Southwest, San Diego, CA.
- 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.
- Johnson, L., and D. Rodriguez. 2001. Terrestrial vegetation monitoring, Channel Islands National Park 1996-2000 report. Technical Report 01-06. National Park Service, Channel Islands National Park, Ventura, CA.
- Junak, S., D. A. Knapp, J. R. Haller, R. Philbrick, A. Schoenherr and T. Keeler-Wolf. 2007. The Channel Islands. Chapter 9 in: M. G. Barbour, T. Keeler-Wolf and A. A. Schoenherr, editors. Terrestrial vegetation of California, third edition. University of California Press, Berkeley.
- Keeler-Wolf, T., and J. Evens. 2006. Vegetation classification of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area and environs in Ventura and Los Angeles counties, California. A report submitted to National Park Service, Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area by California Department of Fish and Game, Wildlife and Habitat Data Analysis Branch and The California Native Plant Society, Vegetation Program, Sacramento, CA.
- Rodriguez, D., K. G. Sikes, T. Keeler-Wolf, G. Kittel, J. Curtis, C. Curley, and J. Evens. 2017. Vegetation classification of Channel Islands National Park. Report to the National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO.
- 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.