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Abies grandis - Picea sitchensis / Gaultheria shallon / Polystichum munitum Forest | Western Ecology Working Group of...
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Name: Abies grandis - Picea sitchensis / Gaultheria shallon / Polystichum munitum Forest Reference: Western Ecology Working Group of... Description: This is a coastal, coniferous forest known only from the southwestern Oregon coastal zone, and is the only association in which <i>Abies grandis</i> and <i>Picea sitchensis</i> codominate. These forests were formerly widespread in a narrow (approximately 5 km wide) strip along the ocean from Cape Blanco to the California border. Very few remnants of this community are left, and the description represents the range from dry site to moist site. These might have been (if they had not all been clearcut) otherwise split into <i>Abies grandis - Picea sitchensis / Rubus spectabilis, Abies grandis - Picea sitchensis / Gaultheria shallon - Vaccinium ovatum</i>, and <i>Abies grandis - Picea sitchensis / Polystichum munitum</i> associations. These forests are found on all slopes and aspects, but most remaining sites are on the relatively level terrace above the ocean, or on ocean-facing, western aspect, slopes. Coastal fog, salt-spray, and wind are the primary ecological drivers of this community. The dense canopy of these forests is codominated by <i>Picea sitchensis</i> and <i>Abies grandis</i>. Other trees only occasionally found include <i>Chamaecyparis lawsoniana</i> and <i>Pseudotsuga menziesii</i>. <i>Alnus rubra</i> is common in disturbed areas and along water courses, and <i>Frangula purshiana (= Rhamnus purshiana)</i> also is found. The understory varies from open, herb dominated slopes with dense cover of <i>Polystichum munitum</i> and <i>Maianthemum dilatatum</i>, to impenetrable tall shrublands with <i>Gaultheria shallon, Vaccinium ovatum</i> or in moist sites <i>Rubus spectabilis</i> growing 2-3 m tall. These five species provide most of the cover, but many others can be found. Other shrubs include <i>Rubus parviflorus, Morella californica (= Myrica californica), Lonicera involucrata</i>, and <i>Sambucus racemosa</i>. This is the only community in the United States in which <i>Picea sitchensis</i> and <i>Abies grandis</i> are codominant. Because of its occurrence in southwestern Oregon, it is occasionally (incorrectly) called a <i>Picea sitchensis - Abies concolor</i> type. Further inland, <i>Abies grandis</i> forms similar and rare associations with <i>Tsuga heterophylla, Lithocarpus densiflorus</i>, and <i>Pseudotsuga menziesii</i>. However, <i>Picea sitchensis</i> is absent from these types.  Accession Code: VB.CC.33348.CEGL000053 Plot-observations of this Community Concept: 0
	Party Perspective according to: NatureServe (organization) Perspective from: 17-Nov-2014 to: 01-May-2019
	status: accepted This Community's Level: association This Community's Children: [none]		Names:   UID: ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.687574 NatureServe Explorer   Translated: Grand Fir - Sitka Spruce / Salal / Western Swordfern Forest   Scientific: Abies grandis - Picea sitchensis / Gaultheria shallon / Polystichum munitum Forest   Code: CEGL000053