Print Report

A3610 Tsuga heterophylla - Thuja plicata / Blechnum spicant Rich Mesic Forest Alliance

Type Concept Sentence: This alliance consists of forests of the Pacific Northwest coastal mountains dominated by Tsuga heterophylla and Thuja plicata, with heavy to light maritime influence, on moderate to steep slopes, usually facing the ocean, with nutrient-rich and mesic soils.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Western Hemlock - Western Red-cedar / Deer Fern Rich Mesic Forest Alliance

Colloquial Name: Western Hemlock - Western Red-cedar Rich Mesic Forest

Hierarchy Level:  Alliance

Type Concept: This alliance consists of forests of the Pacific Northwest coastal mountains dominated by Tsuga heterophylla and Thuja plicata, with heavy to light maritime influence, on moderate to steep slopes, usually facing the ocean, with nutrient-rich and mesic soils.

Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: These forests are found on very wet and rich soils.

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

Floristics: Details of this alliance need to be developed from Canadian plot data.

Dynamics:  No Data Available
Environmental Description:  No Data Available
Geographic Range: This alliance is found in coastal mountains from British Columbia south to northern California.

Nations: CA,US

States/Provinces:  AK, BC, CA, OR, WA


Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented

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 A3610 Western Hemlock - Western Red-cedar / Deer Fern Rich Mesic Forest Alliance A3610 1.B.2.Nd.3.f
Association CEGL000469 Western Red-cedar / Vine Maple Forest CEGL000469 1.B.2.Nd.3.f
Association CEGL000475 Western Red-cedar / Salal Forest CEGL000475 1.B.2.Nd.3.f
Association CEGL002778 Western Hemlock - Western Red-cedar / (Alaska Blueberry, Oval-leaf Blueberry) / Splendid Feathermoss Forest CEGL002778 1.B.2.Nd.3.f
Association CEGL002843 Western Hemlock - (Western Red-cedar, Douglas-fir) / Western Swordfern - Deer Fern Forest CEGL002843 1.B.2.Nd.3.f
Association CEGL003228 Western Hemlock - Western Red-cedar / (Alaska Blueberry, Oval-leaf Blueberry) / Western Swordfern Forest CEGL003228 1.B.2.Nd.3.f
Association CEGL003787 Sitka Spruce - Western Hemlock / Western Swordfern Forest CEGL003787 1.B.2.Nd.3.f
Association CEGL005528 Sitka Spruce - Douglas-fir / Redwood Sorrel Forest CEGL005528 1.B.2.Nd.3.f
Association CEGL005530 Sitka Spruce - Western Hemlock / Western Swordfern - Redwood Sorrel Forest CEGL005530 1.B.2.Nd.3.f
Association CEGL007290 Western Red-cedar / Common Ladyfern - Cooley''s Hedge-nettle Forest CEGL007290 1.B.2.Nd.3.f
Association CEGL007292 Western Red-cedar / Salmonberry / Redwood Sorrel Forest CEGL007292 1.B.2.Nd.3.f
Association CEGL007308 Sitka Spruce - Douglas-fir / Western Swordfern Forest CEGL007308 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: No Data Available
Concept Author(s): D. Meidinger, in Faber-Langendoen et al. (2013)

Author of Description: G. Kittel

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 09-26-14
  • 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.