Name:
A.1236
Reference:
EcoArt 2002
Description:
The ~Festuca rubra$ grassland alliance is found along the Pacific Northwest coast, from central northern California to the Puget Sound region. The climate is strongly marine, with persistent onshore (westerly) winds, high annual precipitation, and moderate temperatures. Summer months typically are relatively dry. This vegetation occupies coastal headlands on extreme sites, usually with moderate to steep slopes of southerly aspects. These headlands are composed of bedrock of conglomerates (Washington) and basalts (Oregon). The soils are derived from colluvium or sand, and are usually shallow, well-drained, and have a significant component of gravels. Persistent strong winds, salt-spray, and the shallow soils are important factors in the maintenance of these grasslands. This vegetation often occurs as small patches in a mosaic of grassland, shrubland and forest communities. Stands have a sparse to dense herbaceous layer dominated by the perennial grass ~Festuca rubra$, and with a rich forb component. ~Festuca rubra$ forms large, loose clumps from long, slender rhizomes, and has cover ranging from as low as 10% to over 70%. Associated perennial grasses may include ~Elymus glaucus, Festuca idahoensis, Danthonia californica, Calamagrostis nutkaensis$, and ~Koeleria macrantha$. Important forbs include ~Artemisia suksdorfii, Camassia leichtlinii, Viola adunca, Erigeron glaucus, Achillea millefolium, Eriophyllum lanatum$, and ~Solidago canadensis$. Trees from nearby forested areas may invade in the absence of fire; these include the conifers ~Pseudotsuga menziesii, Pinus contorta$, and ~Picea sitchensis$, and the broad-leaved ~Quercus garryana$ or ~Arbutus menziesii$.
Accession Code:
VB.CC.1001.A1236
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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