Name:
Styphelia tameiameiae - Rubus hawaiensis / Deschampsia nubigena Montane-Subalpine Mesic-Wet Shrubland & Grassland Group
Reference:
NatureServe Biotics 2019
Description:
This montane-subalpine mesic-wet shrubland and grassland group is characterized by a moderate to dense bunchgrass layer (<1 m tall) dominated by <i>Deschampsia nubigena</i> with <i>Pteridium aquilinum var. decompositum</i> frequently codominant or an open to closed scrub layer frequently composed of <i>Styphelia tameiameiae</i> with <i>Dubautia</i> spp., <i>Coprosma montana</i>, shrubby <i>Metrosideros polymorpha, Rubus hawaiensis, Sadleria cyatheoides, Sophora chrysophylla, Styphelia tameiameiae</i>, and <i>Vaccinium reticulatum</i>. Associated species in grassland stands include <i>Carex macloviana, Luzula hawaiiensis, Plantago</i> spp., <i>Ranunculus hawaiensis, Sanicula sandwicensis</i>, and <i>Uncinia cf. uncinata</i>. Several exotic species are common in disturbed stands. Associated species in shrubland stands include <i>Coprosma ernodeoides, Geranium multiflorum</i>, and <i>Rubus macraei</i>. <i>Lycopodium venustulum</i> is important in the Kipahulu Valley stands. <i>Dodonaea viscosa</i> and <i>Styphelia tameiameiae</i> are important shrubs in the upper Kaupo Gap area east-southeast of Haleakala Crater. Herbaceous species are generally sparse, e.g., <i>Deschampsia nubigena</i> and <i>Fragaria chiloensis ssp. sandwicensis</i>. Ferns include <i>Dryopteris wallichiana</i> and <i>Pteridium aquilinum</i>. This group includes sparse to dense vegetation found on wet cliffs and windswept ridges that is highly variable, ranging from dense dwarf-shrublands (<0.5 m tall) to wind-stunted <i>Metrosideros polymorpha</i> and scattered shrubs (1-3 m in height) that are clothed with masses of epiphytic cryptogams and have a diverse array of native shrubs, vines, herbs and ferns.<br /><br />This group is found above 1000 m elevation on cool, mesic to wet slopes in the taller Hawaiian Islands. Stands occur on mesic windward subalpine slopes of east Maui and Mauna Loa, Hawai`i. Elevation ranges from 1950 to 2300 m on the outer north slopes of Haleakala Crater, and the upper Kaupo Gap area east-southeast of Haleakala Crater on Maui, and 1180-1980 m on Hawai`i. Sites include ridges and upper slopes that are dissected, as well as crests of steep ridges and cliff faces throughout the main Hawaiian Islands. These environments are characterized by regularly windy and usually foggy and wet conditions. Climate is tropical, cool and relatively mesic as annual rainfall is generally 1300-2500 m with rain distributed fairly evenly throughout the year. Soils are generally shallow, over soft, highly weathered rock that retains soil moisture, but includes thin mucky clays, deeper ash deposits and thin cinder-derived soil with many rock outcrops.
Accession Code:
urn:lsid:vegbank.org:commConcept:40149-{07A32FC5-F2CA-4FFF-84BC-E8BF48DD2B9F}
Plot-observations of this Community Concept:
0
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