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Picea sitchensis - Tsuga heterophylla / Rhododendron macrophyllum - Vaccinium ovatum Forest | NatureServe Biotics 2019
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Name: Picea sitchensis - Tsuga heterophylla / Rhododendron macrophyllum - Vaccinium ovatum Forest Reference: NatureServe Biotics 2019 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 Ranges. 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 2.5 to 15 cm (1-6 inches) deep, averaging 10 cm (4 inches). The canopy is dominated by <i>Tsuga heterophylla, Pseudotsuga menziesii</i>, or <i>Picea sitchensis</i>. <i>Pseudotsuga menziesii</i> or <i>Picea sitchensis</i> may be entirely absent, but <i>Tsuga heterophylla</i> 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. <i>Pseudotsuga menziesii</i> up to 337 years old, and <i>Picea sitchensis</i> up to 633 years old, both obviously suppressed in the last 150 years, were recorded from this association. <i>Tsuga heterophylla</i> in the same plots ranged from 140-170 years old. Old-growth trees have broken tops and gnarly horizontal limbs, supporting large mats of <i>Polypodium scouleri</i> and the moss <i>Antitrichia curtipendula</i>. Conifer reproduction is sparse. The shrub layer is dominated by <i>Vaccinium ovatum, Rhododendron macrophyllum</i> and <i>Gaultheria shallon</i>, 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 <i>Rhododendron macrophyllum</i> as an understory dominant with mature <i>Tsuga heterophylla</i> trees on coastal dunes are characteristic.  Accession Code: urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:31511-{6FDFA15A-F466-44CB-B455-B26041D0BC1B} Plot-observations of this Community Concept: 0
	Party Perspective according to: NatureServe (organization) Perspective from: 26-Nov-1997 to: ongoing
	status: accepted Community's Parent: Picea sitchensis Stabilized Dune Forest Alliance This Community's Level: Association This Community's Children: [none]		Names:   UID: ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.685090 NatureServe Explorer   Code: CEGL002603   Translated: Sitka Spruce - Western Hemlock / Pacific Rhododendron - California Huckleberry Forest   Scientific: Picea sitchensis - Tsuga heterophylla / Rhododendron macrophyllum - Vaccinium ovatum Forest (convergence) and Synonyms: (similar) Picea sitchensis - Tsuga heterophylla / Rhododendron macrophyllum - Vaccinium ovatum Forest (similar) CEGL002603 (similar) Picea sitchensis - Tsuga heterophylla / Rhododendron macrophyllum - Vaccinium ovatum Forest