Print Report
A3607 Picea sitchensis Stabilized Dune Forest Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: This alliance covers those forests dominated by Picea sitchensis or mixed with other conifers on dry, well-drained, stabilized sand dunes or rocky outcrops along the Pacific Coast.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Sitka Spruce Stabilized Dune Forest Alliance
Colloquial Name: Sitka Spruce Stabilized Dune Forest
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: This alliance consists of forests dominated by Picea sitchensis that occur on dry, well-drained, stabilized sand dunes or rocky outcrops along the Pacific Coast. Other codominant conifer species include Pinus contorta, Tsuga heterophylla, and Pseudotsuga menziesii. A short-shrub layer is usually present, but is often patchy and rarely has substantial cover. Cespitose graminoids or forbs tolerant of dry conditions are dominant. Lichens and mosses may be present, and are an important component in coastal stands. This alliance is found along the southwestern British Columbia to northern California coast. Sites are very well-drained on sandy soils. Pinus contorta trees may be stunted and twisted in coastal stands.
Diagnostic Characteristics: Dry sandy or rock outcrop substrates, well-drained, water-shedding stabilized sand dunes dominated by Picea sitchensis and Pinus contorta var. contorta.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This alliance covers forest on stabilized sand dunes.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: Stands of needle-leaved evergreen trees from 10-30 m in height. Scattered ericaceous shrubs dominate a sparse ground layer, which may include a sparse cover of cespitose graminoids.
Floristics: Stands of this alliance are dominated by Picea sitchensis. Other codominant conifer species include Callitropsis nootkatensis (= Chamaecyparis nootkatensis), Pinus contorta, Pseudotsuga menziesii, and Tsuga heterophylla. In wooded coastal dune stands Pinus contorta var. contorta codominates the very open canopy with Picea sitchensis. Young Pseudotsuga menziesii or Picea sitchensis trees can occasionally be found. The shrub layer is characterized by conspicuous mats of Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, Gaultheria shallon, Rhododendron macrophyllum, and/or Vaccinium ovatum, and reindeer lichens and mosses. Common species of lichens and mosses include Cladonia portentosa ssp. pacifica (= Cladina portentosa ssp. pacifica), Cladonia verticillata (= Cladonia cervicornis ssp. verticillata), Polytrichum juniperinum, Polytrichum piliferum, Racomitrium ericoides, and Racomitrium lanuginosum. These cryptogams form thin, fragile mats growing over bare sand, with very little organic matter.
Dynamics: Fires tend to be infrequent in stands of this alliance due to high average humidities and low lightning frequencies. When they do burn, these forests are susceptible to high-intensity crown fires. Fire is infrequent in coastal stands, but shifting sand substrates and wind-borne salt spray act to discourage competition and provide suitable condition for stand regeneration.
Environmental Description: Vegetation occurs within the maritime climate-influenced region of the Pacific Northwest, from northern California to southwestern British Columbia, usually within 50 km of tidewater and below 1000 m in elevation. Stands are associated with sandy soils of stabilized dune habitats of coastal Oregon and Washington. On coastal wooded sand dunes, stands occur on all aspects on dry, partially-stabilized sand ridges, slopes, and flats, between open sand and the forest edge. Stands also occur on dry deflation plains. Requirements here seem to be minimal sand movement, and well-drained, exposed sites. Soils supporting these woodlands are acidic, and rarely are formed from calcareous parent materials.
Geographic Range: This alliance is found along the southwestern British Columbia to northern California coast.
Nations: CA,US
States/Provinces: BC, CA, OR, WA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.899665
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.f Western Hemlock - Sitka Spruce North-Central Pacific Rainforest Group | G751 | 1.B.2.Nd.3.f |
| Alliance | A3607 Sitka Spruce Stabilized Dune Forest Alliance | A3607 | 1.B.2.Nd.3.f |
| Association | CEGL000403 Beach Pine - Sitka Spruce / California Huckleberry Forest | CEGL000403 | 1.B.2.Nd.3.f |
| Association | CEGL002603 Sitka Spruce - Western Hemlock / Pacific Rhododendron - California Huckleberry Forest | CEGL002603 | 1.B.2.Nd.3.f |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: >< Picea sitchensis (Sitka spruce forest) Alliance (Sawyer et al. 2009) [83.200.00]
>< Lodgepole Pine Series (Sawyer and Keeler-Wolf 1995)
>< Lodgepole Pine: 218 (Eyre 1980)
>< Sitka Spruce Series (Henderson et al. 1989)
>< Sitka Spruce Series (Sawyer and Keeler-Wolf 1995)
>< Sitka Spruce: 223 (Eyre 1980)
>< Western Hemlock - Sitka Spruce: 225 (Eyre 1980)
>< Western Needleleaf Forests: 1: Spruce-Cedar-Hemlock Forest (Picea-Thuja-Tsuga) (Küchler 1964)
>< Lodgepole Pine Series (Sawyer and Keeler-Wolf 1995)
>< Lodgepole Pine: 218 (Eyre 1980)
>< Sitka Spruce Series (Henderson et al. 1989)
>< Sitka Spruce Series (Sawyer and Keeler-Wolf 1995)
>< Sitka Spruce: 223 (Eyre 1980)
>< Western Hemlock - Sitka Spruce: 225 (Eyre 1980)
>< Western Needleleaf Forests: 1: Spruce-Cedar-Hemlock Forest (Picea-Thuja-Tsuga) (Küchler 1964)
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