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A3603 Picea sitchensis / Oplopanax horridus Forest Alliance

Type Concept Sentence: This alliance consists of forests dominated by Picea sitchensis often with Tsuga heterophylla. Understory shrubs include species such as Oplopanax horridus as an indicator of very wet, subirrigated water-receiving sites on nutrient-rich soils. This alliance occurs in Alaska and the northernmost coast of British Columbia.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Sitka Spruce / Devil''s-club Forest Alliance

Colloquial Name: Sitka Spruce / Devil''s-club Forest

Hierarchy Level:  Alliance

Type Concept: This alliance covers tall conifer rainforests dominated by Picea sitchensis often with Tsuga heterophylla, Callitropsis nootkatensis, and/or Tsuga mertensiana. The understory may be dominated by Oplopanax horridus, an indicator of very wet, subirrigated water-receiving sites on nutrient-rich soils. This alliance occurs in Alaska and the northernmost coast of British Columbia.

Diagnostic Characteristics: Picea sitchensis-dominated coastal rainforests on very wet and productive sites.

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: Very wet and 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.

Floristics: This alliance covers tall conifer rainforests dominated by Picea sitchensis often with Tsuga heterophylla, Callitropsis nootkatensis (= Chamaecyparis nootkatensis), and/or Tsuga mertensiana. The understory may be dominated by Oplopanax horridus.

Dynamics:  No Data Available
Environmental Description:  No Data Available
Geographic Range: This alliances 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


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 A3603 Sitka Spruce / Devil''s-club Forest Alliance A3603 1.B.2.Nd.3.h
Association CEGL003232 Western Hemlock / (Alaska Blueberry, Oval-leaf Blueberry) - Devil''s-club Forest CEGL003232 1.B.2.Nd.3.h
Association CEGL003233 Western Hemlock / Devil''s-club - Salmonberry Forest CEGL003233 1.B.2.Nd.3.h
Association CEGL003234 Western Hemlock / Devil''s-club / Western Oakfern Forest CEGL003234 1.B.2.Nd.3.h
Association CEGL003236 Western Hemlock / Oval-leaf Blueberry - Rusty Menziesia Forest CEGL003236 1.B.2.Nd.3.h
Association CEGL003239 Western Hemlock - Alaska-cedar / (Alaska Blueberry, Oval-leaf Blueberry) Forest CEGL003239 1.B.2.Nd.3.h
Association CEGL003241 Western Hemlock - Alaska-cedar / (Alaska Blueberry, Oval-leaf Blueberry) - Devil''s-club Forest CEGL003241 1.B.2.Nd.3.h
Association CEGL003242 Western Hemlock - Alaska-cedar / Oval-leaf Blueberry - Rusty Menziesia Forest CEGL003242 1.B.2.Nd.3.h
Association CEGL003259 Sitka Spruce / Devil''s-club / Mountain Woodfern Forest CEGL003259 1.B.2.Nd.3.h
Association CEGL003260 Sitka Spruce / Devil''s-club / Small Enchanter''s-nightshade Forest CEGL003260 1.B.2.Nd.3.h
Association CEGL003267 Sitka Spruce / Bluejoint Woodland CEGL003267 1.B.2.Nd.3.h
Association CEGL003275 Sitka Spruce - Mountain Hemlock / (Alaska Blueberry, Oval-leaf Blueberry) / Howell''s Marsh-marigold Forest CEGL003275 1.B.2.Nd.3.h
Association CEGL003276 Sitka Spruce - Mountain Hemlock / (Alaska Blueberry, Oval-leaf Blueberry) - Devil''s-club Forest CEGL003276 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
  • 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.