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A4125 Aesculus californica Woodland Alliance
Type Concept Sentence: This alliance consists of woodlands dominated by Aesculus californica. Other trees present may include Fraxinus dipetala, Pinus sabiniana, Prunus ilicifolia, Quercus douglasii, Quercus wislizeni, and Umbellularia californica. This woodland alliance occurs at elevations between 100 to 1500 m in cismontane California and requires shallow, excessively drained soils on steep, north-facing slopes.
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: California Buckeye Woodland Alliance
Colloquial Name: California Buckeye Woodland
Hierarchy Level: Alliance
Type Concept: Aesculus californica is the dominant or important species in the tree layer and can attain tree size due to the low fire frequency. Other trees present may include Fraxinus dipetala, Pinus sabiniana, Prunus ilicifolia, Quercus douglasii, Quercus wislizeni, and Umbellularia californica. Shrubs may include Diplacus aurantiacus, Frangula californica, Heteromeles arbutifolia, and Toxicodendron diversilobum. The herbaceous layer is sparse. This woodland alliance occurs at elevations between 100 to 1500 m in cismontane California and requires shallow, excessively drained soils on steep, north-facing slopes. Stands are small and often occur in relatively mesic concavities inland or on steep lower to mid slopes in more coastal areas.
Diagnostic Characteristics: Stands dominated by Aesculus californica with >50-60% relative cover in the tree canopy (Keeler-Wolf et al. 2003a, Evens and Kentner 2006, Klein et al. 2007).
Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available
Classification Comments: No Data Available
Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: This deciduous woodland has a continuous to intermittent tree canopy less than 10 m in height. The tree canopy may be two-tiered. Shrubs are infrequent, and the herbaceous layer is sparse.
Floristics: This woodland alliance contains Aesculus californica as a dominant or important species in the tree layer. Other trees present may include Fraxinus dipetala, Pinus sabiniana, Prunus ilicifolia, Quercus douglasii, Quercus wislizeni, and Umbellularia californica. Shrubs may occasionally create a significant layer. Some shrub species include Diplacus aurantiacus (= Mimulus aurantiacus), Frangula californica (= Rhamnus californica), Heteromeles arbutifolia, Keckiella breviflora, Prunus ilicifolia ssp. ilicifolia, and Toxicodendron diversilobum. The herbaceous layer can be sparse; mosses may be well-developed on rocks in the understory.
Dynamics: This alliance thrives in areas with low fire frequency. Stands grow on steep, north-facing slopes and draws, which tend to be cooler and moister than the surrounding terrain. These conditions provide some protection from fire, allowing Aesculus californica to attain tree stature.
Environmental Description: This woodland alliance of cismontane California requires shallow, excessively drained soils especially on steep, north-facing slopes and draws. Elevations range from 100 to 1500 m. Aesculus californica attains tree size in stands of this alliance due to the low fire frequency. Stands are small and often occur in relatively mesic concavities inland or on steep lower to mid slopes in more coastal areas (Sawyer et al. 2009).
Geographic Range: This alliance occurs throughout California''s inner Coast Ranges, the Sierra Nevada foothills, and the montane Transverse Ranges.
Nations: US
States/Provinces: CA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.933703
Confidence Level: Moderate
Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: G3
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 | A4125 California Buckeye Woodland Alliance | A4125 | 1.B.1.Nc.1.a |
| Association | CEGL005302 California Buckeye / Pacific Poison-oak / Moss Woodland | CEGL005302 | 1.B.1.Nc.1.a |
Concept Lineage: A.602
Predecessors: No Data Available
Obsolete Names: No Data Available
Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: = Aesculus californica (California buckeye groves) Alliance (Sawyer et al. 2009) [75.100.00]
= Aesculus californica Alliance (California buckeye groves) (Buck-Diaz et al. 2012)
= Aesculus californica Woodland Alliance (CNPS 2017) [75.100.00]
< California Buckeye Series (Sawyer and Keeler-Wolf 1995)
? Great Valley Valley Oak Riparian Forest (#61430) (Holland 1986b)
>< Mainland Cherry Forest (#81820) (Holland 1986b)
>< Mixed North Slope Forest (#81500) (Holland 1986b)
? Valley Oak Woodland (#71130) (Holland 1986b)
= Aesculus californica Alliance (California buckeye groves) (Buck-Diaz et al. 2012)
= Aesculus californica Woodland Alliance (CNPS 2017) [75.100.00]
< California Buckeye Series (Sawyer and Keeler-Wolf 1995)
? Great Valley Valley Oak Riparian Forest (#61430) (Holland 1986b)
>< Mainland Cherry Forest (#81820) (Holland 1986b)
>< Mixed North Slope Forest (#81500) (Holland 1986b)
? Valley Oak Woodland (#71130) (Holland 1986b)
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