Print Report
A3602 Picea sitchensis / Athyrium filix-femina Forest Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: This is an alliance of tall conifer rainforests dominated by Picea sitchensis often with Tsuga heterophylla. The understory has nutrient-rich soil indicators such as Athyrium filix-femina, on sites that are very wet to moist but well-drained. They are found in Alaska and the northernmost coast of British Columbia.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Sitka Spruce / Common Ladyfern Forest Alliance
Colloquial Name: Sitka Spruce / Common Ladyfern Forest
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: This alliance consists of tall conifer rainforests dominated by Picea sitchensis often with Tsuga heterophylla. Understories are herb-rich with species such as Athyrium filix-femina that are indicators of nitrogen-rich soils on very wet to moist sites that are well-drained. This alliance occurs in Alaska and the northernmost coast of British Columbia.
Diagnostic Characteristics: Picea sitchensis-dominated coastal rainforests on productive sites.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Nutrient-rich soils tend to make undergrowth abundant and rich.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: Tall coniferous trees. The herbaceous understory is often very lush, and characterized by shade-tolerant forbs and ferns.
Floristics: These rainforests are dominated by Picea sitchensis often with Tsuga heterophylla. Other tree species present may include Thuja plicata or Abies amabilis. Understories are herb-rich with species such as Athyrium filix-femina, Polystichum munitum, Tiarella trifoliata, and Rubus spectabilis.
Dynamics: These forests have a high-severity or, less commonly, moderate-severity fire regime with natural return intervals of 100-600 years.
Environmental Description: Nutrient-rich moist to wet soils on well-drained sites where water does not pond or pool.
Geographic Range: This alliance is found along the coast of Alaska from Cook Inlet through the islands and mainland of southeastern Alaska and just into northern coastal British Columbia.
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: AK, BC
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.899660
Confidence Level: Low
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 | A3602 Sitka Spruce / Common Ladyfern Forest Alliance | A3602 | 1.B.2.Nd.3.h |
| Association | CEGL003273 Sitka Spruce / Common Ladyfern Forest | CEGL003273 | 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: >< Douglas fir-western hemlock, # 230 (Küchler 1964)
>< Douglas-fir - Western Hemlock: 230 (Eyre 1980)
>< Western Hemlock: 224 (Eyre 1980)
>< Western Needleleaf Forests: 2: Cedar-Hemlock-Douglas Fir Forest (Thuja-Tsuga-Pseudotsuga) (Küchler 1964)
>< Douglas-fir - Western Hemlock: 230 (Eyre 1980)
>< Western Hemlock: 224 (Eyre 1980)
>< Western Needleleaf Forests: 2: Cedar-Hemlock-Douglas Fir Forest (Thuja-Tsuga-Pseudotsuga) (Küchler 1964)
- Eyre, F. H., editor. 1980. Forest cover types of the United States and Canada. Society of American Foresters, Washington, DC. 148 pp.
- 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.
- Green, R. N., and K. Klinka. 1994. A field guide to site interpretation for the Vancouver Forest Region. British Columbia Ministry of Forests. ISSN 0229-1622 Land Management Handbook 28. 285 pp.
- Küchler, A. W. 1964. Potential natural vegetation of the conterminous United States. American Geographic Society Special Publication 36. New York, NY. 116 pp.