Print Report
A3862 Quercus durata Ultramafic Chaparral Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: This shrubland alliance consists of stands dominated or codominated by Quercus durata on serpentine soil or other ultramafic substrates. It occurs in the Coast Ranges of California between 150 and 1500 m in elevation, under a Mediterranean climate with cool, wet winters and long, hot summers.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Leather Oak Ultramafic Chaparral Alliance
Colloquial Name: Pre-montane Ultramafic Leather Oak Chaparral
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: This alliance consists of shrublands where Quercus durata is dominant or codominant in the shrub canopy. Other associated species include Adenostoma fasciculatum, Arctostaphylos glandulosa, Arctostaphylos glauca, Arctostaphylos pungens, Arctostaphylos viscida, Ceanothus jepsonii, Cercocarpus montanus, Eriodictyon californicum, Fremontodendron californicum, Garrya congdonii, Heteromeles arbutifolia, Quercus berberidifolia, Quercus wislizeni, and Umbellularia californica. Emergent Hesperocyparis macnabiana, Hesperocyparis sargentii, Juniperus californica, Pinus attenuata, or Pinus sabiniana trees may be present with sparse cover. Herbaceous layer is sparse to intermittent. Stands are restricted to areas with serpentine soils or other ultramafic substrates which are shallow and rocky, and occur between 150 and 1500 m in elevation within the Coast Ranges of California. The climate is Mediterranean with cool, wet winters and long, hot summers. Precipitation ranges from 200 cm annually in the north to 50 cm annually in the south.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: Quercus durata is the sole, dominant, or important shrub.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: A few scattered emergent needle-leaved evergreen trees (10-15 m tall) may be present. Short sclerophyllous shrubs (<2.5 m tall) are the dominant lifeform. The canopy is intermittent. The herbaceous layer is sparse.
Floristics: This alliance is associated with several restricted species throughout its range due to its fidelity to soils derived from serpentine. Quercus durata is dominant or codominant in the shrub canopy. Other associated species include Adenostoma fasciculatum, Arctostaphylos glandulosa, Arctostaphylos glauca, Arctostaphylos pungens, Arctostaphylos viscida, Ceanothus jepsonii, Cercocarpus montanus, Eriodictyon californicum, Fremontodendron californicum, Garrya congdonii, Heteromeles arbutifolia, Quercus berberidifolia, Quercus wislizeni, and Umbellularia californica. Emergent Hesperocyparis macnabiana (= Cupressus macnabiana), Hesperocyparis sargentii (= Cupressus sargentii), Juniperus californica, Pinus attenuata, or Pinus sabiniana trees may be present with sparse cover. Herbaceous layer is sparse to intermittent.
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This shrubland alliance of the Coast Ranges of California is restricted to areas with serpentine-derived soils and primarily occurs at elevations between 150 and 1500 m. Climate is Mediterranean with cool, wet winters and long, hot summers. Precipitation ranges from 200 cm annually in the north to 50 cm annually in the south. It occurs in a mosaic with other chaparral alliances or foothill woodland alliances.
Geographic Range: This alliance is restricted to serpentine outcrops and soils of the California Coast Ranges and Sierra Nevada foothills.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.899913
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR
Greasons: No Data Available
| Type | Name | Database Code | Classification Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Class | 2 Shrub & Herb Vegetation Class | C02 | 2 |
| Subclass | 2.B Temperate & Boreal Grassland & Shrubland Subclass | S18 | 2.B |
| Formation | 2.B.1 Mediterranean Scrub & Grassland Formation | F038 | 2.B.1 |
| Division | 2.B.1.Na Californian Scrub & Grassland Division | D327 | 2.B.1.Na |
| Macrogroup | 2.B.1.Na.1 Chamise - Whiteleaf Manzanita - Scrub Oak Chaparral Macrogroup | M043 | 2.B.1.Na.1 |
| Group | 2.B.1.Na.1.b Scrub Oak - Eastwood''s Manzanita - California Ash Chaparral Group | G261 | 2.B.1.Na.1.b |
| Alliance | A3862 Leather Oak Ultramafic Chaparral Alliance | A3862 | 2.B.1.Na.1.b |
| Association | CEGL003351 Leather Oak - Eastwood''s Manzanita Shrubland | CEGL003351 | 2.B.1.Na.1.b |
Concept Lineage: A.778
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Quercus durata (Leather oak chaparral) Alliance (Sawyer et al. 2009) [37.405.00]
= Leather Oak Chaparral (#37620) (Holland 1986b)
= Leather Oak Series (Sawyer and Keeler-Wolf 1995)
>< Serpentine Chaparral (Cheatham and Haller 1975)
= Leather Oak Chaparral (#37620) (Holland 1986b)
= Leather Oak Series (Sawyer and Keeler-Wolf 1995)
>< Serpentine Chaparral (Cheatham and Haller 1975)
- Cheatham, N. H., and J. R. Haller. 1975. An annotated list of California habitat types. Unpublished report. University of California, Natural Land and Water Reserves System.
- 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.
- Holland, R. F. 1986b. Preliminary descriptions of the terrestrial natural communities of California. Unpublished report prepared for the California Department of Fish and Game, Nongame-Heritage Program and Natural Diversity Database, Sacramento. 156 pp.
- Sawyer, J. O., T. Keeler-Wolf, and J. Evens. 2009. A manual of California vegetation. Second edition. California Native Plant Society, Sacramento CA. 1300 pp.
- Sawyer, J. O., and T. Keeler-Wolf. 1995. A manual of California vegetation. California Native Plant Society, Sacramento. 471 pp.