Print Report

CEGL005547 Pseudotsuga menziesii - Tsuga heterophylla / Vaccinium alaskaense / Xerophyllum tenax Forest

Type Concept Sentence: No Data Available

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

Colloquial Name: No Data Available

Hierarchy Level:  Association

Type Concept: This Douglas-fir - western hemlock forest of Alaska, Washington and Oregon has a canopy codominated by Pseudotsuga menziesii and Tsuga heterophylla. Thuja plicata and Abies amabilis occur in about half the sampled stands, and the former can be prominent. The shrub layer can be rather sparse to well-developed. Vaccinium alaskaense may be absent but can dominate the shrub layer. Mahonia nervosa is always present and often prominent. Gaultheria shallon and Vaccinium parvifolium are usually present. Acer circinatum is present and can be prominent. The herb layer is dominated by Xerophyllum tenax, which is always over 5% cover. Linnaea borealis and Chimaphila umbellata are frequent. This association occurs at mid elevations. Sites occupied are mid to upper slopes and ridgetops, have shallow rocky soils, and are moderately to very steep.

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 Pseudotsuga menziesii and Tsuga heterophylla. Thuja plicata and Abies amabilis occur in about half the sampled stands, and the former can be prominent. The shrub layer can be rather sparse to well-developed. Vaccinium alaskaense may be absent but can dominate the shrub layer. Mahonia nervosa (= Berberis nervosa) is always present and often prominent. Gaultheria shallon and Vaccinium parvifolium are usually present. Acer circinatum is present and can be prominent. The herb layer is dominated by Xerophyllum tenax, which is always over 5% cover. Linnaea borealis and Chimaphila umbellata are frequent.

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 CEGL005547 Douglas-fir - Western Hemlock / Alaska Blueberry / Common Beargrass Forest CEGL005547 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: = Pseudotsuga menziesii-Tsuga heterophylla/Vaccinium alaskaense/Xerophyllum tenax (Meidinger et al. 2005) [PNWCOAST_203]
= Pseudotsuga menziesii-Tsuga heterophylla/Vaccinium alaskaense/Xerophyllum tenax Forest (Crawford et al. 2009) [PNWCOAST_203]
> Tsuga heterophylla / Vaccinium alaskaense / Cornus canadense (Topik et al. 1986)
> Tsuga heterophylla / Vaccinium alaskaense / Oxalis oregana (Topik et al. 1986)
< Tsuga heterophylla / Vaccinium alaskaense (Kagan et al. 2004)
< Tsuga heterophylla / Vaccinium alaskaense (Henderson et al. 1989)
< Tsuga heterophylla / Vaccinium alaskaense (Henderson et al. 1992)
? Tsuga heterophylla / Vaccinium ovalifolium Community Type (Fox 1983)
? Tsuga heterophylla / Vaccinium ovalifolium Community Type (DeVelice et al. 1994)
? Tsuga heterophylla / Vaccinium ovalifolium Community Type (Borchers et al. 1989)
< 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
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