Print Report
A4117 Quercus sadleriana - Notholithocarpus densiflorus var. echinoides Shrubland Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: This alliance consists of shrublands dominated by Quercus sadleriana and/or Notholithocarpus densiflorus var. echinoides. It is found in the Klamath-Siskiyou mountains of southern Oregon and California, as well as along the foothills of the central Sierra Nevada. Stands commonly occur after disturbance from fire or logging along ridges and upper slopes between 600 and 3300 m elevation.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Deer Oak - Tanoak Shrubland Alliance
Colloquial Name: Californian Disturbance-Driven Montane Scrub Oak Chaparral
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: This alliance consists of shrublands dominated by Quercus sadleriana and/or Notholithocarpus densiflorus var. echinoides. Other shrubs may include Arctostaphylos nevadensis, Arctostaphylos patula, Ceanothus cordulatus, Ceanothus cuneatus, Ceanothus velutinus, Holodiscus discolor, Prunus emarginata, and Symphoricarpos mollis. Emergent conifers such as Abies lowiana, Pinus lambertiana, Pinus ponderosa, or Pseudotsuga menziesii may be present at low cover. The herbaceous layer is sparse. This alliance is found in the Klamath-Siskiyou mountains of southern Oregon and California, as well as along the foothills of the central Sierra Nevada. Topography and substrates are varied but tend towards skeletal, thin, rocky soils derived from granitics, mafic, and ultramafic. Most stands establish after fire or in areas with a history of logging. Climate has long, dry summers and wet winters. Average yearly precipitation totals vary from roughly 200 cm in the northern end of the range to 40 cm in the southern Sierra Nevada.
Diagnostic Characteristics: Dominance of Quercus sadleriana or Notholithocarpus densiflorus var. echinoides, singularly or mixed with other montane chaparral shrubs such as Arctostaphylos nevadensis, Arctostaphylos patula, Ceanothus cordulatus, Ceanothus cuneatus, Ceanothus velutinus, Holodiscus discolor, Prunus emarginata, and Symphoricarpos mollis.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This alliance includes two Sawyer et al. (2009) alliances because they occur in similar ecological settings, and respond to disturbance in similar ways.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: This hemi-sclerophyllous, temperate, broad-leaved evergreen shrubland forms an intermittent to continuous canopy up to 2 m in height. Emergent conifers (10-15 m tall) may be present. The herbaceous layer is sparse.
Floristics: This shrubland of montane and subalpine zones in northern California and Oregon is dominated by Quercus sadleriana or Notholithocarpus densiflorus var. echinoides (= Lithocarpus densiflorus var. echinoides), singularly or mixed with other montane chaparral shrubs such as Arctostaphylos nevadensis, Arctostaphylos patula, Ceanothus cordulatus, Ceanothus cuneatus, Ceanothus velutinus, Holodiscus discolor, Prunus emarginata, and Symphoricarpos mollis. Emergent conifers such as Abies lowiana (= Abies concolor var. lowiana), Pinus lambertiana, Pinus ponderosa, or Pseudotsuga menziesii may be present at low cover. The herbaceous layer is sparse.
Dynamics: This alliance is probably not self-perpetuating. Most stands are established after fire or logging and are transitional to forest.
Environmental Description: Habitat is on rocky exposed ridges and steep slopes of all aspects at montane and subalpine (600-2200 m) elevations. The climactic regime where this alliance grows is largely Mediterranean, though not as strongly as in more southerly parts of California. Winters are cool and very wet, with annual precipitation totals often in excess of 200 cm. Average yearly precipitation totals vary from roughly 200 cm in the northern end of the range to 40 cm in the southern Sierra Nevada. Summers are warm and fairly dry.
Geographic Range: This alliance occurs from the Klamath Mountains of Oregon to southern California. Stands are also found in the Coast Ranges, Sierra Nevada, and Transverse and Peninsular ranges.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CA, OR
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.932832
Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented
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.2 Temperate Grassland & Shrubland Formation | F012 | 2.B.2 |
| Division | 2.B.2.Ng Western North American Interior Chaparral Division | D061 | 2.B.2.Ng |
| Macrogroup | 2.B.2.Ng.1 Greenleaf Manzanita - Snowbrush Ceanothus - Huckleberry Oak Montane Chaparral Macrogroup | M094 | 2.B.2.Ng.1 |
| Group | 2.B.2.Ng.1.a Greenleaf Manzanita - Pinemat Manzanita - Snowbrush Ceanothus Montane Sclerophyll Scrub Group | G282 | 2.B.2.Ng.1.a |
| Alliance | A4117 Deer Oak - Tanoak Shrubland Alliance | A4117 | 2.B.2.Ng.1.a |
Concept Lineage: includes A.743
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: > Lithocarpus densiflorus var. echinoides (Shrub tanoak chaparral) Alliance (Sawyer et al. 2009) [73.110.00]
> Quercus sadleriana (Sadler oak or deer oak brush fields) Alliance (Sawyer et al. 2009) [37.412.00]
> Quercus sadleriana (Sadler oak or deer oak brush fields) Alliance (Sawyer et al. 2009) [37.412.00]
- 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.