Name:
Picea sitchensis - Tsuga heterophylla / Vaccinium (alaskaense, ovalifolium) - Oplopanax horridus Swamp Forest
Reference:
NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description:
This swamp forest occurs in Alaska. Stands are dominated by uneven-aged <i>Picea sitchensis</i> and often have a significant <i>Tsuga heterophylla</i> component in the overstory and understory. Tree height ranges up to 35 m (115 feet), and tree age ranges up to 180 years. <i>Vaccinium ovalifolium, Vaccinium alaskaense</i>, or <i>Oplopanax horridus</i>, the diagnostic understory species, dominate the shrub layer along with <i>Menziesia ferruginea</i>. <i>Rubus pedatus</i> and <i>Tiarella trifoliata</i> (have high coverage values in most stands; other forb, graminoid, and fern species have highly variable cover values. As described from the Cooper River Delta, this association is a minor type occurring on floodplains, proximal outwash, beach ridges, and spits. It occurs as stringers, broad expanses of forest, or inclusions within forests. Sites occur on alluvial surfaces formed on outwash plains or floodplains, and on coastal dune crests or uplifted dunes. They are typically well-drained, although on the outwash plains and floodplains during high riverflows, they may be inundated. Often sites are sufficiently elevated above the river to avoid flooding. The surface topography is typically level on outwash plains and undulating on dune systems. On outwash plains and floodplains the soils are deep, well-drained alluvium, and on dunes they are deep, well-drained eolian sand. Soils are classified as either Typic Haplocryorthods or Typic Cryorthod. In general, they are characterized by a humus layer less than 7.6 cm (3 inches) thick over silt, sand, or gravel. The pH of the mineral layer ranges from 4.8 to 6.5. Horizon development was noted in all the soil profiles. Gleying and mottling were not observed, and soil salinity was low.
Accession Code:
urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:32145-{D8E5E585-0814-4AFA-A8AE-9C33054F33C5}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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