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Pinus contorta var. contorta / Arctostaphylos uva-ursi Woodland | Western Ecology Working Group of...
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Name: Pinus contorta var. contorta / Arctostaphylos uva-ursi Woodland Reference: Western Ecology Working Group of... Description: These woodlands are found discontinuously along the coast between northern California and southwestern Washington. This woodland association occurs on all aspects on dry, partially-stabilized sand ridges, slopes, and flats, between open sand and the forest edge. Stands also occur on dry deflation plains. Requirements seem to be minimal sand movement, and well-drained, exposed sites. Pinus contorta var. contorta dominates the very open canopy, with stunted trees averaging 31% cover. Young Pseudotsuga menziesii or Picea sitchensis trees can occasionally be found. All stands are dominated by conspicuous mats of Arctostaphylos uva-ursi, reindeer lichens and mosses. Common species of lichens and mosses include Cladina portentosa ssp. pacifica, Cladonia cervicornis ssp. verticillata, Racomitrium ericoides, Polytrichum juniperinum and Polytrichum piliferum. These cryptogams form thin, fragile mats growing over bare sand, with very little organic matter. Arctostaphylos uva-ursi may cover up to 75% of stands, mosses up to 80%, and lichens up to 25%. The early seral status of the association is confirmed by the virtual lack of dead trees, and live basal area is the lowest of any forest or woodland association described from coastal dunes. The shrub layer is depauperate, and most vegetation is confined to the ground layer. Pteridium aquilinum, Aira caryophyllea and Allotropa virgata may be conspicuous. Areas of open sand often contain remnants of earlier seral stages, such as Festuca rubra, Poa macrantha or Lupinus littoralis. These woodlands are easily distinguished by the open and low-shrub understory and dense lichen mats. The type is the only Pinus contorta var. contorta woodland with significant cover of Arctostaphylos uva-ursi.  Accession Code: VB.CC.26614.PINUSCONTORTAVA 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: Pinus contorta Woodland Alliance This Community's Level: Association This Community's Children: [none]		Names:   Translated: Lodgepole Pine / Kinikinnick Woodland   UID: ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.688683 NatureServe Explorer   Code: CEGL002605   Scientific: Pinus contorta var. contorta / Arctostaphylos uva-ursi Woodland (convergence) and Synonyms: (undetermined) Pinus contorta var. contorta / Arctostaphylos uva-ursi Woodland