Name:
Baccharis pilularis / Nassella pulchra Shrubland
Reference:
NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description:
This shrubland association is currently only known from Point Reyes National Seashore in California, and the following description is based on occurrences there. Additional information will be added as it becomes available. Stands are found at low elevations on the mid to upper third of usually on undulating slopes (14-45°) with east-southeast to southwest aspects. Soil textures range from moderately fine clay loam to medium to very fine sandy loam and are from shale or sandstone origin. In the Marin Headlands unit of Golden Gate, where this association occurs commonly, these stands occupy the south-facing ridgelines of spur ridges where grazing kept the <i>Baccharis</i> from invading for many years. Currently, many of these stands are being more rapidly colonized by <i>Baccharis</i> as a result of reduced grazing. There is probably a dynamic relationship between soil type (xeric fine-grained, but relatively shallow) and disturbance (more frequent disturbance from grazing reduces <i>Baccharis</i>), which if shifted will result in either more grass or more <i>Baccharis</i> in these stands. This shrubland forms an intermittent to continuous herb layer and an open to intermittent shrub layer 1-2 m tall. This is an open scrub-steppe dominated by <i>Baccharis pilularis</i> and characterized by the bunchgrass <i>Nassella pulchra</i>. There is a variety of other species that may be found in this association, including <i>Achillea millefolium, Aira caryophyllea, Vulpia myuros, Plantago lanceolata, Lolium perenne ssp. multiflorum, Pseudognaphalium californicum, Anagallis arvensis, Galium</i> sp., <i>Avena barbata, Erodium</i> sp., <i>Hypochaeris</i> sp., <i>Chlorogalum pomeridianum, Sonchus</i> sp., and <i>Danthonia californica</i>. Species contributing to minor amounts of cover vary and may include <i>Artemisia californica, Agrostis</i> sp., <i>Briza minor, Bromus carinatus, Castilleja brevistyla, Dichondra donelliana, Eschscholzia californica, Eriogonum latifolium, Grindelia stricta, Lotus</i> sp., <i>Madia</i> sp., <i>Marah fabaceus, Pteridium aquilinum, Rubus ursinus, Rumex acetosella, Sanicula crassicaulis</i>, and <i>Silene gallica</i>. This shrubland association is often found adjacent to <i>Baccharis</i> and <i>Toxicodendron diversilobum</i> associations.
Accession Code:
urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:32077-{C5E8F5D5-27BC-4524-B3EE-76EF4ADE2B1D}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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