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Picea sitchensis - Tsuga heterophylla / Rhododendron macrophyllum - Vaccinium ovatum Forest | Western Ecology Working Group of...
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Name: Picea sitchensis - Tsuga heterophylla / Rhododendron macrophyllum - Vaccinium ovatum Forest Reference: Western Ecology Working Group of... Description: This association occurs along the Pacific coast between northern California and Tillamook Bay, Oregon. Stands of this association occur along the landward edge of the coastal dune sheet, where dunes have been stabilized for several hundred years and are remote from salt spray. In all cases, stands are contiguous with forest extending inland into the Coast Range. Mid to lower slopes and interdunal valleys are the most common locations, with all aspects represented. The association does not occur on tree islands, or in areas with more recent sand movement. The litter and humus layer varies from 1-6 inches deep, averaging 4 inches. The canopy is dominated by Tsuga heterophylla, Pseudotsuga menziesii, or Picea sitchensis. Pseudotsuga menziesii or Picea sitchensis may be entirely absent, but Tsuga heterophylla is always present with at least 5% cover. The canopy is moderately dense, with cover ranging from 30-95%, averaging 73%. Basal area is high, averaging 28.7 m2 per ha. Pseudotsuga menziesii up to 337 years old, and Picea sitchensis up to 633 years old, both obviously suppressed in the last 150 years, were recorded from this association. Tsuga heterophylla in the same plots ranged from 140-170 years old. Old-growth trees have broken tops and gnarly horizontal limbs, supporting large mats of Polypodium scouleri and the moss Antitrichia curtipendula. Conifer reproduction is sparse. The shrub layer is dominated by Vaccinium ovatum, Rhododendron macrophyllum and Gaultheria shallon, with cover ranging from 25-95%. averaging 83%. Shrub height averages 3 m. The herb layer is sparse. There are no similar, old-growth conifer forest associations found on stabilized dunes. The presence of Rhododendron macrophyllum as an understory dominant with mature Tsuga heterophylla trees on coastal dunes are characteristic. This type should be part of the Tsuga heterophylla Forest Alliance (A.145).  Accession Code: VB.CC.21524.PICEASITCHENSIS Plot-observations of this Community Concept: 0
	Party Perspective according to: NatureServe (organization) Perspective from: 26-Nov-1997 to: 17-Nov-2014
	status: accepted Community's Parent: Picea sitchensis Giant Forest Alliance This Community's Level: Association This Community's Children: [none]		Names:   Translated: Sitka Spruce - Western Hemlock / California Rhododendron - Evergreen Blueberry Forest   UID: ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.685090 NatureServe Explorer   Code: CEGL002603   Scientific: Picea sitchensis - Tsuga heterophylla / Rhododendron macrophyllum - Vaccinium ovatum Forest (convergence) and Synonyms: (undetermined) Picea sitchensis - Tsuga heterophylla / Rhododendron macrophyllum - Vaccinium ovatum Forest