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A4124 Quercus tomentella - Lyonothamnus floribundus California Islands Woodland Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: This alliance consists of woodlands dominated by Quercus tomentella and Lyonothamnus floribundus. They occur as remnant patches on California''s offshore islands.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Island Live Oak - Catalina Ironwood California Islands Woodland Alliance
Colloquial Name: California Islands Woodland
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: This alliance consists of woodlands dominated by Quercus tomentella and Lyonothamnus floribundus. Other trees present may include Prunus ilicifolia and/or Quercus x macdonaldii. Stands occur as remnant patches on California''s offshore islands on relatively deep, moist, sandstone-derived soils. Stands are often found in sub-riparian settings on northern slopes or in deep ravines or narrow valleys. The range of this alliance is confined to the Mediterranean climatic zone with warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters. Most precipitation falls between November and May. Summer and winter temperatures are moderated by the proximity of the ocean, and fog is common in the summer. Yearly precipitation totals average about 50 cm.
Diagnostic Characteristics: Stands are dominated by Quercus tomentella and Lyonothamnus floribundus.
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: This alliance is based primarily on ecological system ~Southern California Oak Woodland and Savanna (CES206.938)$$.
Previously this alliance was recognized as two separate alliances (Sawyer et al. 2009). While the two species that dominate do not usually occur together in the same stand, they are found with similar associated species and in similar habitats. Both are island endemics and evergreen broadleaf trees.
Previously this alliance was recognized as two separate alliances (Sawyer et al. 2009). While the two species that dominate do not usually occur together in the same stand, they are found with similar associated species and in similar habitats. Both are island endemics and evergreen broadleaf trees.
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: This lowland or submontane, winter-rain, evergreen, sclerophyllous forest forms a continuous canopy less than 15 m in height. The shrub layer is absent, and the herbaceous layer is sparse. This alliance supports many taxa that are tracked by the CNPS Rare Plant Inventory (CNPS 2015).
Floristics: This alliance consists of woodlands dominated by Quercus tomentella and Lyonothamnus floribundus. Other trees present may include Prunus ilicifolia and/or Quercus x macdonaldii.
Species of Interest: Both of the dominant species in this alliance are Channel Islands endemics and tracked by the CNPS Rare Plant Inventory (2015): Quercus tomentella (CRPR 4.2) and Lyonothamnus floribundus ssp. aspleniifolius (CRPR 1B.2) in the northern Channel Islands. The other subspecies, Lyonothamnus floribundus ssp. floribundus (CRPR 1B.2), occurs on Santa Catalina Island in the southern Channel Islands. Other species of interest are sometimes found in the alliance: Lotus dendroideus var. dendroideus (= Acmispon dendroideus var. dendroideus) (CRPR 4.2), Arctostaphylos confertiflora (FE, CRPR 1B.2), Diplacus parviflorus (= Mimulus aurantiacus var. parviflorus) (CRPR 4.3), and Quercus pacifica (CRPR 4.2). These taxa occur at less than 20% constancy in samples of this alliance: Arctostaphylos viridissima (CRPR 4.2), Ceanothus megacarpus var. insularis (CRPR 4.3), Helianthemum greenei (= Crocanthemum greenei) (FT, CRPR 1B.2), Dudleya greenei (CRPR 4.2), Galium nuttallii ssp. insulare (CRPR 4.3), Hazardia detonsa (CRPR 4.3), Heuchera maxima (CRPR 1B.2), Lepechinia fragrans (CRPR 4.2), Salvia brandegeei (CRPR 1B.2), and Achnatherum diegoense (= Stipa diegoensis) (CRPR 4.2).
Species of Interest: Both of the dominant species in this alliance are Channel Islands endemics and tracked by the CNPS Rare Plant Inventory (2015): Quercus tomentella (CRPR 4.2) and Lyonothamnus floribundus ssp. aspleniifolius (CRPR 1B.2) in the northern Channel Islands. The other subspecies, Lyonothamnus floribundus ssp. floribundus (CRPR 1B.2), occurs on Santa Catalina Island in the southern Channel Islands. Other species of interest are sometimes found in the alliance: Lotus dendroideus var. dendroideus (= Acmispon dendroideus var. dendroideus) (CRPR 4.2), Arctostaphylos confertiflora (FE, CRPR 1B.2), Diplacus parviflorus (= Mimulus aurantiacus var. parviflorus) (CRPR 4.3), and Quercus pacifica (CRPR 4.2). These taxa occur at less than 20% constancy in samples of this alliance: Arctostaphylos viridissima (CRPR 4.2), Ceanothus megacarpus var. insularis (CRPR 4.3), Helianthemum greenei (= Crocanthemum greenei) (FT, CRPR 1B.2), Dudleya greenei (CRPR 4.2), Galium nuttallii ssp. insulare (CRPR 4.3), Hazardia detonsa (CRPR 4.3), Heuchera maxima (CRPR 1B.2), Lepechinia fragrans (CRPR 4.2), Salvia brandegeei (CRPR 1B.2), and Achnatherum diegoense (= Stipa diegoensis) (CRPR 4.2).
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: This coastal California forest alliance grows on relatively deep, moist, sandstone-derived soils, on northern slopes or in deep ravines or narrow valleys. Stands are often found in sub-riparian settings. The range of this alliance is confined to the Mediterranean climatic zone with warm, dry summers and mild, wet winters. Most precipitation falls between November and May. Summer and winter temperatures are moderated by the proximity of the ocean, and fog is common in the summer. Yearly precipitation totals average about 50 cm.
Geographic Range: This alliance of coastal southern California is restricted to the larger Channel Islands.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.933700
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.1 Warm Temperate Forest & Woodland Formation | F018 | 1.B.1 |
| Division | 1.B.1.Nc Californian Forest & Woodland Division | D007 | 1.B.1.Nc |
| Macrogroup | 1.B.1.Nc.1 California Live Oak - California Laurel - Western Cypress species Forest & Woodland Macrogroup | M009 | 1.B.1.Nc.1 |
| Group | 1.B.1.Nc.1.a California Live Oak - Valley Oak - California Laurel Forest & Woodland Group | G195 | 1.B.1.Nc.1.a |
| Alliance | A4124 Island Live Oak - Catalina Ironwood California Islands Woodland Alliance | A4124 | 1.B.1.Nc.1.a |
| Association | CEGL003098 Island Live Oak Forest | CEGL003098 | 1.B.1.Nc.1.a |
Concept Lineage: No Data Available
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: > Lyonothamnus floribundus Woodland Special Stands (Sawyer et al. 2009) [77.000.00]
= Quercus tomentella - Lyonothamnus floribundus California Islands Woodland Alliance (Rodriguez et al. 2017)
> Quercus tomentella (Island oak groves) Special Stands (Sawyer et al. 2009) [71.090.00]
? Island Oak Woodland (#71190) (Holland 1986b)
= Quercus tomentella - Lyonothamnus floribundus California Islands Woodland Alliance (Rodriguez et al. 2017)
> Quercus tomentella (Island oak groves) Special Stands (Sawyer et al. 2009) [71.090.00]
? Island Oak Woodland (#71190) (Holland 1986b)
- AIS [Aerial Information Systems, Inc.]. 2007. Santa Cruz Island photo interpretation and mapping classification report. Unpublished report to The Nature Conservancy, Redlands, CA.
- Allen, B. H., R. R. Everet, and B. A. Holzman. 1991. A classification system for California''s hardwood rangelands. Hilgardia 59:1-45.
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