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Metrosideros polymorpha - Sophora chrysophylla - Chamaesyce olowaluana Montane-Subalpine Dry Forest & Woodland Group | NatureServe Biotics 2019
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Name: Metrosideros polymorpha - Sophora chrysophylla - Chamaesyce olowaluana Montane-Subalpine Dry Forest & Woodland Group Reference: NatureServe Biotics 2019 Description: This montane to subalpine forest and woodland group occurs on the larger Hawaiian Islands and is characterized by an open to dense tree layer dominated or codominated by <i>Metrosideros polymorpha</i>, and other trees such as <i>Acacia koa, Chamaesyce celastroides, Chamaesyce olowaluana, Myoporum sandwicense</i>, or <i>Sophora chrysophylla</i>. Diagnostic taxa for this group are <i>Chamaesyce olowaluana, Sophora chrysophylla</i>, and species of <i>Exocarpos</i> (shrubs). Other trees include <i>Myrsine lanaiensis, Santalum</i> spp., and <i>Zanthoxylum hawaiiense</i>. Understory is frequently composed of <i>Chenopodium oahuense, Dodonaea viscosa, Styphelia tameiameiae</i>, and <i>Vaccinium</i> spp. that form a sparse to moderately dense shrub layer up to 3 m tall. Native graminoids (e.g., <i>Gahnia</i> spp.) usually have less than 10% cover and ferns (e.g., <i>Pteridium aquilinum</i>) are often present, but contribute low cover, especially at higher elevations. Native grasses include <i>Eragrostis atropioides</i>. Fire-adapted exotic grasses such as <i>Pennisetum setaceum</i> are invasive and threaten these dry shrublands by increasing fire intensity, frequency and size. The exotic rosette forb <i>Verbascum thapsus</i> is common in many stands. Stands occur on dry slopes of higher mountains of Maui and Hawai`i, from 1000-2900 m (3280-9510 feet) elevation. An inversion layer of warmer air forms 50-70% of the time between 1600 and 3000 m that dramatically reduces precipitation at higher elevations. This is because the wet tradewinds generally do not rise above 1900 m (6230 feet) and are deflected around the mountains, leaving upper slopes too dry to support rainforests. Stands also occur at lower elevations on the leeward sides of islands where there is a strong rainshadow effect. Annual rainfall is generally 300-1200 mm. Many sites are wind-exposed. Substrates include cinder, well-drained, sandy loam soils derived from volcanic ash, and weathered `a`â or pâhoehoe basaltic lava with little soil development.  Accession Code: urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:40143-{A858554D-16DE-4196-9702-733098D0921B} Plot-observations of this Community Concept: 0
	Party Perspective according to: NatureServe (organization) Perspective from: 25-May-2016 to: ongoing
	status: accepted Community's Parent: Hawaiian Dry Forest & Woodland Macrogroup This Community's Level: Group This Community's Children: [none]		Names:   UID: ELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.860766 NatureServe Explorer   Code: G406   Scientific: Metrosideros polymorpha - Sophora chrysophylla - Chamaesyce olowaluana Montane-Subalpine Dry Forest & Woodland Group