Print Report

A3601 Tsuga heterophylla - Picea sitchensis / Vaccinium alaskaense Forest Alliance

Type Concept Sentence: This alliance consists of tall conifer rainforests dominated by Tsuga heterophylla and/or Picea sitchensis. The understory can be dominated by Vaccinium alaskaense, which is an indicator of hypermaritime - maritime climate and nitrogen-poor soils. This alliance occurs in Alaska and the northernmost coast of British Columbia.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Western Hemlock - Sitka Spruce / Alaska Blueberry Forest Alliance

Colloquial Name: Western Hemlock - Sitka Spruce / Alaska Blueberry Forest

Hierarchy Level:  Alliance

Type Concept: This alliance consists of tall conifer rainforests dominated by Tsuga heterophylla and/or Picea sitchensis. The understory can be dominated by Vaccinium alaskaense, which is an indicator of hypermaritime - maritime climate and nitrogen poor soils. This alliance occurs in Alaska and the northernmost coast of British Columbia.

Diagnostic Characteristics: Conifer forests within 40 km (25 miles) of the coastline dominated by Tsuga heterophylla and/or Picea sitchensis.

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: Nutrient-poor soils tend to make undergrowth limited in abundance and richness.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: No Data Available

Floristics: This alliance consists of tall conifer rainforests dominated by Tsuga heterophylla and/or Picea sitchensis. The understory can be dominated by Vaccinium alaskaense.

Dynamics:  No Data Available
Environmental Description:  No Data Available
Geographic Range: This alliance occurs along the Alaska coast from Cook Inlet and Kodiak Island through the islands and mainland coast of southeastern Alaska, and just into northern British Columbia coastal areas.

Nations: CA,US

States/Provinces:  AK, BC


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.2 Cool Temperate Forest & Woodland Formation F008 1.B.2
Division 1.B.2.Nd Vancouverian Forest & Woodland Division D192 1.B.2.Nd
Macrogroup 1.B.2.Nd.3 Western Hemlock - Sitka Spruce - Redwood Rainforest Macrogroup M024 1.B.2.Nd.3
Group 1.B.2.Nd.3.h Alaskan Maritime Western Hemlock - Sitka Spruce Rainforest Group G750 1.B.2.Nd.3.h
Alliance A3601 Western Hemlock - Sitka Spruce / Alaska Blueberry Forest Alliance A3601 1.B.2.Nd.3.h
Association CEGL003205 Lodgepole Pine - (Alaska-cedar) / Salal Woodland CEGL003205 1.B.2.Nd.3.h
Association CEGL003229 Western Hemlock / (Alaska Blueberry, Oval-leaf Blueberry) Forest CEGL003229 1.B.2.Nd.3.h
Association CEGL003230 Western Hemlock / (Alaska Blueberry, Oval-leaf Blueberry) / Spreading Woodfern Forest CEGL003230 1.B.2.Nd.3.h
Association CEGL003238 Western Hemlock / Moss Forest CEGL003238 1.B.2.Nd.3.h
Association CEGL003261 Sitka Spruce - Western Hemlock / (Alaska Blueberry, Oval-leaf Blueberry) Forest CEGL003261 1.B.2.Nd.3.h
Association CEGL003263 Sitka Spruce / Oval-leaf Blueberry / Common Ladyfern Forest CEGL003263 1.B.2.Nd.3.h
Association CEGL003264 Sitka Spruce / Oval-leaf Blueberry / Spreading Woodfern Forest CEGL003264 1.B.2.Nd.3.h
Association CEGL003268 Sitka Spruce / Bryophyte Forest CEGL003268 1.B.2.Nd.3.h
Association CEGL003269 Sitka Spruce / Black Crowberry Forest CEGL003269 1.B.2.Nd.3.h
Association CEGL003272 Sitka Spruce / Mountain Woodfern Forest CEGL003272 1.B.2.Nd.3.h
Association CEGL005547 Douglas-fir - Western Hemlock / Alaska Blueberry / Common Beargrass Forest CEGL005547 1.B.2.Nd.3.h
Association CEGL005572 Western Hemlock - (Douglas-fir) / Alaska Blueberry / Western Cordilleran Bunchberry Forest CEGL005572 1.B.2.Nd.3.h
Association CEGL005573 Western Hemlock - (Douglas-fir) / Alaska Blueberry / Western Swordfern Forest CEGL005573 1.B.2.Nd.3.h
Association CEGL005574 Western Hemlock - (Douglas-fir) / Alaska Blueberry - Cascade Barberry - (Salal) Forest CEGL005574 1.B.2.Nd.3.h
Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: No Data Available
Concept Author(s): G. Kittel, in Faber-Langendoen et al. (2013)

Author of Description: G. Kittel

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 12-18-14
  • CNVC [Canadian National Vegetation Classification]. No date. Canadian National Vegetation Classification. Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Forest Service, Great Lakes Forestry Centre, Sault Ste. Marie, ON. [http://cnvc-cnvc.ca/index.cfm]
  • 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.