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A.105 | EcoArt 2002
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Name: A.105 Reference: EcoArt 2002 Description: This giant conifer forest alliance is found within the maritime climate-influenced region of the Pacific Northwest, from northern California to southern Alaska, usually within 50 km of tidewater and below 1000 m in elevation. Stands typically occur on coastal terraces, but extend up river valleys and seaward slopes of coastal mountains. Stands occur on moderate to steep slopes with shallow to moderately deep soils and on stabilized coastal dunes with sandy soils. Forests included of this alliance are dominated by ~Picea sitchensis$, but ~Tsuga heterophylla$ and ~Pseudotsuga menziesii$ may codominate the canopy, especially at the most inland sites. Other common trees include ~Thuja plicata, Chamaecyparis nootkatensis$ in northern stands, ~Abies grandis, Chamaecyparis lawsoniana$, or ~Sequoia sempervirens$ in southern stands, and ~Pinus contorta$ on semi-stabilized dunes along the coast of Oregon and northern California. Broad-leaved trees include the shade-tolerant ~Acer macrophyllum$, which may form a sparse subcanopy in older stands, and the seral species ~Alnus rubra$ and ~Populus balsamifera ssp. trichocarpa$ in disturbed stands. An ericaceous tall-shrub layer is common, with ~Vaccinium parvifolium$ or ~Menziesia ferruginea$ abundant at moist sites, and ~Rhododendron macrophyllum, Vaccinium ovatum$, or ~Gaultheria shallon$ more important at drier sites. ~Rubus spectabilis$ is common and persistent following disturbance, and the low-shrub ~Oplopanax horridus$ is common at very wet sites. The herbaceous layer is dominated by mesic, shade-tolerant ferns and forbs such as ~Polystichum munitum, Oxalis oregana, Maianthemum dilatatum, Blechnum spicant$, and ~Athyrium filix-femina$. Mosses and lichens are abundant on logs, snags, trees, or the ground surface. Diagnostic of this forest alliance is the presence of a giant upper tree canopy (>50 m tall) that is dominated by ~Picea sitchensis$.  Accession Code: VB.CC.820.A105 Plot-observations of this Community Concept: 0
	Party Perspective according to: NatureServe (organization) Perspective from: 26-Nov-1997 to: 17-Mar-2005
	status: accepted Community's Parent: I.A.8.N.a This Community's Level: Alliance This Community's Children: [none]		Names:   Code: A.105   Scientific: PICEA SITCHENSIS GIANT FOREST ALLIANCE   Common: Sitka Spruce Giant Forest Alliance (convergence) and Synonyms: (undetermined) Picea sitchensis Giant Forest Alliance