Abstract for CNVC00016

Forest
Forêt

Picea sitchensis / Gaultheria shallon / Maianthemum dilatatum

Sitka Spruce / Salal / Two-leaved False Soloman's Seal
Épinette de Sitka / Salal / Maïanthème dilaté


CNVC00016 is a coniferous forest association that occurs in very wet, hypermaritime climates on rocky headlands (typic subassociation) and beachplains (Trisetum canescens subassociation) along the outer coast of British Columbia. Sites supporting this association occur at low elevations (0 to 30 mASL) where there is exposure to salt spray. The Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis)-dominated canopy is moderately open and often shaped and thinned by strong winds. The shrub layer is characterized by high cover of salal (Gaultheria shallon), with regenerating Sitka spruce and western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla). The dominant species in the herb layer is two-leaved false Soloman's seal (Maianthemum dilatatum). Tall trisetum (Trisetum canescens) occurs with low cover in the subassociation of this name. The moss layer has moderate cover of Oregon beaked moss (Eurhynchium oreganum) with low cover of several other species of mosses and liverworts.

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