Name:
Abies amabilis - Tsuga heterophylla / Achlys triphylla Forest Alliance
Reference:
NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description:
This is a typically mixed conifer forest alliance with <i>Tsuga heterophylla</i> codominant with <i>Abies amabilis</i> in the overstory; <i>Pseudotsuga menziesii</i> may be present in the canopy depending on site history. <i>Abies amabilis</i> is the most shade-tolerant conifer and is dominant in all age classes. <i>Callitropsis nootkatensis</i> may be frequent in the upper elevations of the alliance and is occasionally codominant. Associated shrubs are primarily ericaceous. <i>Acer circinatum, Gaultheria shallon, Mahonia nervosa, Rhododendron macrophyllum, Rubus pedatus</i>, or <i>Vaccinium alaskaense</i> dominate the shrub layer when present, and <i>Blechnum spicant</i> and <i>Vaccinium alaskaense</i> are strong indicators for direct maritime climate. The herbaceous layer is generally dominated by shade-tolerant species, often with strong maritime indicators, including <i>Achlys californica, Achlys triphylla, Blechnum spicant, Cornus unalaschkensis, Maianthemum stellatum, Polystichum munitum, Streptopus lanceolatus var. curvipes, Tiarella trifoliata var. unifoliata</i>, and many others. An upper tree canopy that is dominated or codominated by <i>Abies amabilis</i> is diagnostic of this forest alliance. The elevational range for this alliance is 800-1500 m in the Cascades, and sea level to 1200 m in the Olympic Mountains northward through British Columbia. Stands typically occupy moderate to steep middle and upper mountain slopes and are often contiguous with low-elevation <i>Tsuga heterophylla</i> and/or <i>Pseudotsuga menziesii</i> forests and higher subalpine forests of <i>Tsuga mertensiana</i> and <i>Callitropsis nootkatensis</i>.
Accession Code:
urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:38673-{179A03C8-1815-4905-82C5-4A0002ABAF46}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
|
