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Acer macrophyllum Forest Alliance | Western Ecology Working Group of...
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Name: Acer macrophyllum Forest Alliance Reference: Western Ecology Working Group of... Description: The vegetation types within this alliance occur along the Pacific Coast from southwestern Oregon to northwestern Washington, and into the lowland valleys of the Puget Trough and Willamette Valley. This maritime-influenced region receives annual precipitation ranging from 75-400 cm, mostly as winter rain. Vegetation within this alliance usually occurs along low-elevation (0-1000 m) valley slopes and lower mountain slopes, often forming a seral community in moist coniferous forests. This alliance is usually found within Tsuga heterophylla / Thuja plicata forest, but also grows within Pseudotsuga menziesii forests. Communities within this alliance may represent disclimax communities within the major coniferous forests of the region, which have been favored by past logging or other disturbances. Communities within this type are usually strongly dominated by Acer macrophyllum, which forms a diffuse canopy. Some conifers, such as Pseudotsuga menziesii, Tsuga heterophylla, Thuja plicata, Picea sitchensis, or Abies grandis may be present, and can usually be found growing in the understory or as occasional canopy trees. Deciduous trees, such as Alnus rubra, Cornus nuttallii, and Betula papyrifera (which is sometimes codominant in northwestern Washington), may also be present in the tree stratum. The forest understory is usually species-rich and well-developed compared to adjacent conifer forests in the same area. Common shrub species in stands of this type include Acer circinatum (which is always present), Sambucus racemosa var. melanocarpa, Rubus spectabilis, Rubus parviflorus, Gaultheria shallon, Vaccinium membranaceum, and Mahonia nervosa. The herbaceous layer is often well-developed, with ferns being the most important component. Species include Polystichum munitum, Athyrium filix-femina, and Pteridium aquilinum.  Accession Code: VB.CC.20519.ACERMACROPHYLLU 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: Acer macrophyllum Forest Alliance   Translated: Bigleaf Maple Forest Alliance   UID: HIGHER_CLASS_UNIT.2.126293 NatureServe Explorer   Code: A.263