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Pseudotsuga menziesii - Arbutus menziesii Forest Alliance | Western Ecology Working Group of...
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Name: Pseudotsuga menziesii - Arbutus menziesii Forest Alliance Reference: Western Ecology Working Group of... Description: This mixed broadleaf-conifer forest alliance is found in lowland areas of the Puget Sound, including the San Juan Islands, in Washington. It is less common around the margins of the Willamette Valley, Oregon. This alliance occurs along low-elevation (0-1000 m) mountain slopes and valley margins, usually on southern exposures with ample sun and seasonal drought, often adjacent to saltwater shorelines. Primarily, this alliance occurs in areas with a pronounced rainshadow effect from the Olympics or coastal ranges. Sites usually have bedrock or sandy soils which drain quickly. Arbutus menziesii stump sprouts following fire, and these communities were probably subject to a moderate severity fire regime in presettlement times. Typically there is a diffuse canopy of Arbutus menziesii, and Pseudotsuga menziesii is emergent through this sclerophyllous layer. Other conifers, such as Taxus brevifolia, Juniperus scopulorum, and Pinus contorta, may be present in the tree layer, depending upon location and stand history. The broad-leaved deciduous tree Quercus garryana may also be present in the upper tree stratum, or as a subcanopy. The forest understory is usually species-rich and well-developed. Common shrub species include Gaultheria shallon, Holodiscus discolor, Symphoricarpos albus, Lonicera hispidula, Vaccinium ovatum, and Corylus cornuta var. californica. The herbaceous layer is usually well-developed and dominated by xerophytic grasses and forbs. Vicia americana, Lathyrus nevadensis, and Sanicula crassicaulis are common forbs, and Festuca occidentalis, Elymus glaucus, and Bromus vulgaris are typical grass species. Ferns include Polystichum munitum and Pteridium aquilinum.  Accession Code: VB.CC.17889.PSEUDOTSUGAMENZ Plot-observations of this Community Concept: 0
	Party Perspective according to: NatureServe (organization) Perspective from: 26-Nov-1997 to: 01-May-2019
	status: accepted This Community's Level: Alliance This Community's Children: [none]		Names:   Scientific: Pseudotsuga menziesii - Arbutus menziesii Forest Alliance   Translated: Douglas-fir - Pacific Madrone Forest Alliance   UID: HIGHER_CLASS_UNIT.2.126098 NatureServe Explorer   Code: A.159