Print Report
CEGL005530 Picea sitchensis - Tsuga heterophylla / Polystichum munitum - Oxalis oregana Forest
Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available
Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Sitka Spruce - Western Hemlock / Western Swordfern - Redwood Sorrel Forest
Colloquial Name: No Data Available
Hierarchy Level: Association
Type Concept: This Sitka spruce forest occurs in Washington and Oregon. Picea sitchensis usually dominates the canopy or codominates with Tsuga heterophylla. Acer macrophyllum or Alnus rubra are sometimes prominent to codominant. Tree regeneration is dominated by Tsuga heterophylla and/or Picea sitchensis. The shrub layer is variable in abundance. When well-developed (mainly in major river valleys), it is dominated by the tall shrub Acer circinatum. Rubus spectabilis, Vaccinium alaskaense, and Vaccinium parvifolium are usually present in small amounts, though the former can be prominent. The well-developed herb layer is codominated by Polystichum munitum and Oxalis oregana. Athyrium filix-femina, Blechnum spicant, and Tiarella trifoliata are usually present. Tiarella trifoliata or Achlys californica and/or Achlys triphylla can be abundant. On the western Olympic Peninsula, this association occurs at low elevations. Sites are relatively moist but not wet, with well-drained soils. Most often it is located on lower or toeslopes or riparian terraces. It is very extensive on high terraces of major rivers. This association occurs in a limited range within Washington where much of it has been altered by forest harvesting. Recovery is expected within 100 years from time of stand-replacement disturbances, if sites are not planted with Douglas-fir as they often are.
Diagnostic Characteristics: No Data Available
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: No Data Available
Floristics: No Data Available
Dynamics: No Data Available
Environmental Description: No Data Available
Geographic Range: No Data Available
Nations: US
States/Provinces: OR, WA
Plot Analysis Summary:
http://vegbank.org/natureserve/ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.942444
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 | CEGL005530 Sitka Spruce - Western Hemlock / Western Swordfern - Redwood Sorrel Forest | CEGL005530 | 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: < Picea sitchensis / Oxalis oregana (Kagan et al. 2004)
> Picea sitchensis-Tsuga heterophylla/Acer circinatum/Polystichum munitum-Oxalis oregana Community Type (Henderson et al. 1979)
= Picea sitchensis-Tsuga heterophylla/Polystichum munitum-Oxalis oregana (Meidinger et al. 2005) [PNWCOAST_077]
> Picea sitchensis-Tsuga heterophylla/Polystichum munitum-Oxalis oregana Community Type (Henderson et al. 1979)
= Picea sitchensis-Tsuga heterophylla/Polystichum munitum-Oxalis oregana Forest (Crawford et al. 2009)
> Picea sitchensis-Tsuga heterophylla/Vaccinium alaskaense Community Type (Henderson et al. 1979)
? Picea sitchensis-Tsuga heterophylla Community (Fonda 1974)
> Picea sitchensis/Acer circinatum Association (Chappell 1999)
> Picea sitchensis/Acer circinatum-WArip (Chappell 1999)
> Picea sitchensis/Oxalis oregana Association (Bigley and Hull 1995)
> Picea sitchensis/Oxalis oregana Association (Chappell 1999)
> Picea sitchensis/Oxalis oregana-NWW (Henderson et al. 1989)
> Picea sitchensis/Oxalis oregana-Olympics (Bigley and Hull 1995)
> Picea sitchensis/Oxalis oregana-WArip (Chappell 1999)
> Picea sitchensis/Polystichum munitum-Oxalis oregana Association (Henderson et al. 1989)
? Tsuga heterophylla Community (Fonda 1974)
< Sitka spruce / Oregon oxalis (PISI/OXOR) (Hemstrom and Logan 1986)
> Picea sitchensis-Tsuga heterophylla/Acer circinatum/Polystichum munitum-Oxalis oregana Community Type (Henderson et al. 1979)
= Picea sitchensis-Tsuga heterophylla/Polystichum munitum-Oxalis oregana (Meidinger et al. 2005) [PNWCOAST_077]
> Picea sitchensis-Tsuga heterophylla/Polystichum munitum-Oxalis oregana Community Type (Henderson et al. 1979)
= Picea sitchensis-Tsuga heterophylla/Polystichum munitum-Oxalis oregana Forest (Crawford et al. 2009)
> Picea sitchensis-Tsuga heterophylla/Vaccinium alaskaense Community Type (Henderson et al. 1979)
? Picea sitchensis-Tsuga heterophylla Community (Fonda 1974)
> Picea sitchensis/Acer circinatum Association (Chappell 1999)
> Picea sitchensis/Acer circinatum-WArip (Chappell 1999)
> Picea sitchensis/Oxalis oregana Association (Bigley and Hull 1995)
> Picea sitchensis/Oxalis oregana Association (Chappell 1999)
> Picea sitchensis/Oxalis oregana-NWW (Henderson et al. 1989)
> Picea sitchensis/Oxalis oregana-Olympics (Bigley and Hull 1995)
> Picea sitchensis/Oxalis oregana-WArip (Chappell 1999)
> Picea sitchensis/Polystichum munitum-Oxalis oregana Association (Henderson et al. 1989)
? Tsuga heterophylla Community (Fonda 1974)
< Sitka spruce / Oregon oxalis (PISI/OXOR) (Hemstrom and Logan 1986)
- Bigley, R., and S. Hull. 1995. Draft guide to plant associations on the Olympic Experimental Forest. Washington Department of Natural Resources, Olympia, WA. 50 pp.
- Bourgeron, P. S., and L. D. Engelking, editors. 1994. A preliminary vegetation classification of the western United States. Unpublished report. The Nature Conservancy, Western Heritage Task Force, Boulder, CO. 175 pp. plus appendix.
- Chappell, C. B. 1999. Ecological classification of low-elevation riparian vegetation on the Olympic Experimental State Forest: A first approximation. Unpublished progress report. Washing Natural Heritage Program, Washington Department of Natural Resources, Olympia. 43 pp.
- Crawford, R. C., C. B. Chappell, C. C. Thompson, and F. J. Rocchio. 2009. Vegetation classification of Mount Rainier, North Cascades, and Olympic national parks. Plant association descriptions and identification keys: Appendices A-G. Natural Resource Technical Report NPS/NCCN/NRTR--2009/D-586. National Park Service, Fort Collins, CO. 586 pp.
- Fonda, R. W. 1974. Forest succession in relation to river terrace development in Olympic National Park, Washington. Ecology 55:927-942.
- Hemstrom, M. A., and S. E. Logan. 1986. Plant association and management guide Siuslaw National Forest. Report R6-Ecol 220-1986a. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region, Portland, OR. 121 pp.
- Henderson, J. A., B. G. Smith, and R. L. Mauk. 1979. Plant communities of the Hoh and Dosewallips drainages, Olympic National Park, Washington. Unpublished progress report. Department of Forestry and Outdoor Recreation, Utah State University, Logan.
- Henderson, J. A., D. A. Peter, R. Lesher, and D. C. Shaw. 1989. Forested plant associations of the Olympic National Forest. R6-ECOL-TP-001-88. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region, Portland, OR. 502 pp.
- Henderson, J. A., D. A. Peter, and R. Lesher. 1986. Preliminary plant associations of the Olympic National Forest. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region. 136 pp.
- Kagan, J. S., J. A. Christy, M. P. Murray, and J. A. Titus. 2004. Classification of native vegetation of Oregon. January 2004. Oregon Natural Heritage Information Center, Portland. 52 pp.
- McCain, C., and N. M. Diaz. 2002a. Field guide to the forested plant associations of the northern Oregon Coast Range. Siuslaw National Forest, USFS; Salem District, BLM; Eugene District, BLM. Technical Paper R6-NR-ECOL-TP-03-02. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region, Portland, OR. 250 pp.
- Meidinger, D., C. Chappell, C. Cadrin, G. Kittel, C. McCain, K. Boggs, J. Kagan, G. Cushon, A. Banner, and T. DeMeo. 2005. International Vegetation Classification of the Pacific Northwest: International correlation of temperate coastal forest plant associations of Oregon, Washington, British Columbia and Alaska. Contributors: B.C. Ministry of Forests, USDA Forest Service, B.C. Conservation Data Centre, Alaska Natural Heritage Program, Washington Natural Heritage Program, and Oregon Natural Heritage Information Center.
- Quaye, E. C. 1982. The structure and dynamics of old-growth Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis) forest of the Oregon Coast Range. Ph.D. dissertation, Oregon State University, Corvallis. 109 pp.
- WNHP [Washington Natural Heritage Program]. 2018. Unpublished data files. Washington Natural Heritage Program, Department of Natural Resources, Olympia, WA.
- Western Ecology Working Group of NatureServe. No date. International Ecological Classification Standard: International Vegetation Classification. Terrestrial Vegetation. NatureServe, Boulder, CO.