Print Report

CEGL005573 Tsuga heterophylla - (Pseudotsuga menziesii) / Vaccinium alaskaense / Polystichum munitum Forest

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Western Hemlock - (Douglas-fir) / Alaska Blueberry / Western Swordfern Forest

Colloquial Name: No Data Available

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This western hemlock forest of Alaska, Washington and Oregon has a canopy codominated by Tsuga heterophylla, Pseudotsuga menziesii, and/or Thuja plicata. Tsuga heterophylla dominates tree regeneration and occupies over 10% total cover. Abies amabilis is usually present in small amounts as regeneration. The shrub layer is usually present but rarely dense. Vaccinium alaskaense is always prominent to codominant. Vaccinium parvifolium is usually prominent. Mahonia nervosa or Acer circinatum sometimes occur, the latter prominently. The herb layer is diverse and well-developed. Polystichum munitum is always prominent to codominant. Blechnum spicant is usually prominent. Clintonia uniflora, Tiarella trifoliata var. unifoliata, and Cornus unalaschkensis are usually present. Sites are mostly lower and toeslopes or benches with well-drained soils at moderately low elevations. This association occurs within a narrow environmental range in the mountains of western Washington and has been impacted by logging outside of the national parks.

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: The canopy is codominated by Tsuga heterophylla, Pseudotsuga menziesii, and/or Thuja plicata. Tsuga heterophylla dominates tree regeneration and occupies over 10% total cover. Abies amabilis is usually present in small amounts as regeneration. The shrub layer is usually present but rarely dense. Vaccinium alaskaense is always prominent to codominant. Vaccinium parvifolium is usually prominent. Mahonia nervosa (= Berberis nervosa) or Acer circinatum sometimes occur, the latter prominently. The herb layer is diverse and well-developed. Polystichum munitum is always prominent to codominant. Blechnum spicant is usually prominent. Clintonia uniflora, Tiarella trifoliata var. unifoliata, and Cornus unalaschkensis are usually present.

Dynamics:  No Data Available
Environmental Description:  No Data Available
Geographic Range: No Data Available

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  AK, OR, WA


Confidence Level: Low - Poorly Documented

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.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.h Alaskan Maritime Western Hemlock - Sitka Spruce Rainforest Group G750 1.B.2.Nd.3.h
Alliance A3601 Western Hemlock - Sitka Spruce / Alaska Blueberry Forest Alliance A3601 1.B.2.Nd.3.h
Association CEGL005573 Western Hemlock - (Douglas-fir) / Alaska Blueberry / Western Swordfern Forest CEGL005573 1.B.2.Nd.3.h
Concept Lineage: No Data Available

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: > Tsuga heterophylla / Vaccinium alaskaense / Cornus canadense (Topik et al. 1986)
> Tsuga heterophylla / Vaccinium alaskaense / Oxalis oregana (Topik et al. 1986)
< Tsuga heterophylla / Vaccinium alaskaense (Henderson et al. 1992)
< Tsuga heterophylla / Vaccinium alaskaense (Kagan et al. 2004)
< Tsuga heterophylla / Vaccinium alaskaense (Henderson et al. 1989)
? Tsuga heterophylla / Vaccinium ovalifolium Community Type (DeVelice et al. 1994)
? Tsuga heterophylla / Vaccinium ovalifolium Community Type (Fox 1983)
? Tsuga heterophylla / Vaccinium ovalifolium Community Type (Borchers et al. 1989)
= Tsuga heterophylla-(Pseudotsuga menziesii)/Vaccinium alaskaense/Polystichum munitum (Meidinger et al. 2005) [PNWCOAST_259]
= Tsuga heterophylla-(Pseudotsuga menziesii)/Vaccinium alaskaense/Polystichum munitum Forest (Crawford et al. 2009) [PNWCOAST_259]
< Tsuga heterophylla/Vaccinium ovalifolium Community Type (Boggs 2000)
Concept Author(s): Meidinger et al. (2005)

Author of Description: Crawford et al. (2009)

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 05-11-16
  • Boggs, K. 2000. Classification of community types, successional sequences and landscapes of the Copper River Delta, Alaska. General Technical Report PNW-GTR-469. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station, Portland, OR. March 2000. 244 pp.
  • Borchers, S. L., J. Wattenbarger, and R. Ament. 1989. Forest plant associations of Montague Island, Chugach National Forest. Unpublished report. USDA Forest Service, Alaska Region, Chugach National Forest, Anchorage, AK. 5 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.
  • 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.
  • DeMeo, T., J. Martin, and R. A. West. 1992. Forest plant association management guide, Ketchikan Area, Tongass National Forest. R10-MB-210. USDA Forest Service, Alaska Region. 405 pp.
  • DeVelice, R., C. Hubbard, M. Potkin, and T. Boucher. 1994. Preliminary classification of vegetation types of Prince William Sound. Unpublished report on file USDA Forest Service, Alaska Region. Chugach National Forest, Anchorage. 40 pp.
  • Fox, J. L. 1983. Constraints on winter habitat selection by the mountain goat (Oreamnos americanus) in Alaska. Ph.D. thesis, University of Washington, Seattle. 147 pp.
  • Franklin, J. F., W. H. Moir, M. A. Hemstrom, and S. Greene. 1979. Forest ecosystems of Mount Rainier National Park. Unpublished report prepared for the USDI National Park Service.
  • Halverson, N. M., C. Topik, and R. van Vickle. 1986. Plant association and management guide for the western hemlock zone Mt. Hood National Forest. R6-ECOL-232A-1986. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region, Portland, OR. 111 pp.
  • Hemstrom, M. A., S. E. Logan, and W. Pavlat. 1987. Plant association and management guide, Willamette National Forest. Report R6-Ecol 257-B-86. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region, Portland, OR. 312 pp.
  • 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, R. Lesher, and D. C. Shaw. 1992. Field guide to forested plant associations of the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Technical Paper R6-ECOL-TP-028-91. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region, Portland, OR. 196 pp.
  • Henderson, J. A., D. A. Peter, and R. Lesher. 1985. Preliminary plant associations and habitat types of the Mt. Baker Ranger District, Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Unpublished report for USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region. 74 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.
  • Henderson, J. A., and D. Peter. 1981. Preliminary plant associations and habitat types of the Green and Cedar River drainages. North Bend District, Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Unpublished report prepared for USDA Forest Service. 48 pp.
  • Henderson, J. A., and D. Peter. 1982. Preliminary plant associations and habitat types of the Snoqualmie and adjacent Skykomish River drainages, Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Unpublished report prepared for USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region. 87 pp.
  • Henderson, J. A., and D. Peter. 1983. Preliminary plant associations and habitat types of the Skykomish Ranger District, Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. Unpublished report prepared for USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region. 67 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.
  • Martin, R. R., S. J. Trull, W. W. Brady, R. A. West, and J. M. Downs. 1995. Forest plant association management guide, Chatham Area, Tongass National Forest. R10-RP-57. USDA Forest Service, Alaska Region.
  • 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.
  • McCain, C., and N. M. Diaz. 2002b. Field guide to the forested plant associations of the westside central Cascades of northwest Oregon. Willamette N.F., USFS; Mt. Hood N.F., USFS; Salem District, BLM; Eugene District, BLM. Technical Paper R6-NR-ECOL-TP-02-02. USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Region, Portland, OR.
  • 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.
  • Pawuk, W. H., and E. J. Kissinger. 1989. Preliminary forest plant associations of the Stikine Area, Tongass National Forest. Technical Publication R10-TP-72. USDA Forest Service, Alaska Region, Juneau, AK. 126 pp.
  • Shephard, M. E. 1995. Plant community ecology and classification of the Yakutat Foreland, Alaska. R10-TP-56. USDA Forest Service, Alaska Region. 213 pp. plus appendices.
  • Topik, C., N. M. Halverson, and D. G. Brockway. 1986. Plant associations and management guide for the western hemlock zone. R6-ECOL-230a-1986. USDA Forest Service, Gifford Pinchot National Forest, Pacific Northwest Region, Portland, OR. 137 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.
  • Worley, I. A. 1977. Plant community analysis. Pages 126-239 in: G. P. Streveler and I. A. Worley, editors. Dixon Harbor biological survey. Final report on the summer phase of 1975 field work. U.S. National Park Service, Juneau, AK.
  • del Moral, R., and J. N. Long. 1977. Classification of montane forest community types in the Cedar River drainage of western Washington, U.S.A. Canadian Journal of Forest Research 7(2):217-225.