Common name: Silver beech forest with mountain lacebark and weeping matipo Code: A: BF5
Where does it occur?
This forest alliance occurs in montane and subalpine areas of South Island (from 460 to 1260 m).
Description
It is dominated by Nothofagus menziesii in the canopy, with Hoheria glabrata, Coprosma ciliata and Myrsine divaricata in the understory and Polystichum vestitum in the ground layer. Hoheria glabrata is a strong indicator species. This alliance includes the forested LUCAS plots of the Hoheria glabrata – Coprosma pseudocuneata – Olearia ilicifolia (Nothofagus menziesii) / Polystichum vestitum low forest and subalpine shrubland alliance of Wiser & Hurst (2008, 2010) and Wiser et al. (2011). Species richness is moderate, with on average 28 species per plot. Very few exotic species are present.
Indicator species
Co-occurrence of Hoheria glabrata, Nothofagus menziesii and Polystichum vestitum.
Stand characteristics
| Mean canopy height (m): | 17 m (range 3–30) |
Synonyms
| Relationship | Name | Author |
|---|---|---|
| overlaps with | Beech forests: northern South Island | Wardle (1991) |
| is included within | Primary tree- and shrub-heaths and subalpine bush: Western Nelson | Wardle (1991) |
| overlaps with | Silver beech forest | Singers & Rogers (unpublished) |
| overlaps with | Primary tree- and shrub-heaths and subalpine bush: Western South Island below latitude 43o 40’ | Wardle (1991) |
Component associations
Nothofagus menziesii / Hoheria glabrata – Myrsine divaricata – Coprosma ciliata / Polystichum vestitum montane forest
Common name: Silver beech – mountain lacebark forest
Code: a: BF10
Where does it occur?
This 60 500 ha association has been sampled on the South Island in montane areas west of the Main Divide, outside of the "beech gap". Sites range from flat to very steeply sloping (55º). Altitudes range from 480 to 1260 m.
Description
On average stands are 18 m tall, but may be up to 30 m tall.These forests have moderate numbers of species, with on average 27 species, but as few as 11 and as many as 56, recorded on a plot. Of these fewer than 1%, on average, are exotic.
Indicator species
Polystichum vestitum always occurs in this association.Co-occurrence with combinations of either
Hoheria glabrata, Nothofagus menziesii, Cardamine debilis sensu lato and Ranunculus reflexus OR
Hoheria glabrata,Cardamine debilis sensu lato, Myrsine divaricata and Coprosma cuneata OR
Hoheria glabrata, Nothofagus menziesii, Myrsine divaricata, Hypolepis millefolium OR
Hoheria glabrata, Nothofagus menziesii, Nertera dichondrifolia sensu lato and Nematoceras trilobum
