Name:
Danthonia californica Herbaceous Alliance
Reference:
Western Ecology Working Group of...
Description:
This grassland alliance occurs on coastal terraces, hilltop 'balds,' and valley bottom habitats of the central and northern Pacific Coast below 1200 m elevation. The climate is Mediterranean, with abundant winter rains and dry summers. In the south, these stands are largely coastal, where fogs and cool temperatures lower drought stress in summer. In the north, these grasslands are widespread throughout the low-elevation valleys west of the Cascade Range where most stands occur as islands in an otherwise forested landscape. Environmental conditions that preclude forest development are the unifying factors for these communities, including sustained salt-laden winds of coastal terraces and headlands, excessively drained and windy ridgetops, hot interior valleys with high fire frequencies, and sites with heavy or infertile soils. These grasslands are characterized by a dense cover of Danthonia californica, usually in association with other perennial bunch grasses, including Deschampsia caespitosa, Calamagrostis nutkaensis, Poa secunda, Festuca idahoensis, Festuca rubra, Festuca californica, Stipa spp., and Agrostis spp. Associated forbs and ferns are diverse. Common species include Achillea millefolium, Fragaria virginiana, Pteridium aquilinum, Sidalcea malviflora ssp. virgata (= Sidalcea virgata), Eriophyllum lanatum, and Zigadenus venenosus. A sparse layer of invading trees and shrubs may be present in these stands, especially near forest or woodland margins. Pseudotsuga menziesii, Quercus garryana, Fraxinus latifolia, Pinus ponderosa, and Rosa eglanteria are the most common woody species. Diagnostic of this grassland alliance is the dominance of Danthonia californica.
Accession Code:
VB.CC.18297.DANTHONIACALIFO
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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