Name:
Abies grandis - Picea sitchensis / Gaultheria shallon / Polystichum munitum Forest
Reference:
NatureServe Biotics 2019
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</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, 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, Notholithocarpus densiflorus</i>, and <i>Pseudotsuga menziesii</i>. However, <i>Picea sitchensis</i> is absent from these types.
Accession Code:
urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:28962-{08369D6D-C393-493A-B447-90FEC39C2EF4}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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