Pacific Northwest Coastal Headland Shrubland

EVT 9667North Pacific Hypermaritime Shrub Headland
CES204.088GNRShrubShrubland
Summary
This system consists of herbaceous- and shrub-dominated areas directly adjacent to the outer Pacific Coast from central Oregon north to Vancouver Island. These are very windy sites where wind and salt spray combine to limit tree growth. The climate is very wet, relatively warm in winter, and cool and foggy. In Oregon, fires apparently set by Native Americans also contributed to the open character of many of these sites. The relative prevalence of grasslands versus shrublands increases to the south. Steep slopes on coastal bluffs, headlands, or small islands are typical, though sometimes this system occurs on relatively level tops of headlands or islands. Soils can be shallow to bedrock or of glacial or marine sediment origin. Vegetation is dominated by perennial bunchgrasses or shrubs. Dominant species include Vaccinium ovatum, Gaultheria shallon, Rubus spectabilis, Calamagrostis nutkaensis, and Festuca rubra. Scattered stunted trees, especially Picea sitchensis, are often present.
Source: NatureServe Explorer
Distribution
This system occurs from the southern Oregon coast north to Vancouver Island.
Source: NatureServe Explorer
Ecologically Associated Plant Species

Plant species that characterize this ecosystem type, organized by vegetation stratum. These are species ecologically associated with the ecosystem, not confirmed present in any specific area.

Tree canopy

Picea sitchensis

Shrub/sapling (tall & short)

Rubus spectabilis

Short shrub/sapling

Gaultheria shallon, Vaccinium ovatum

Herb (field)

Calamagrostis nutkaensis, Festuca rubra, Sidalcea hirtipes

Nonvascular

Triquetrella californica
Source: NatureServe Ecological System assessment
Ecologically Associated Animals (4)

Animal species ecologically associated with this ecosystem type based on NatureServe assessment. These are species whose habitat requirements overlap with this ecosystem, not confirmed present in any specific roadless area.

Mammals (3)

Common NameScientific NameG-Rank
Creeping VoleMicrotus oregoniG5
Trowbridge's ShrewSorex trowbridgiiG5
Vagrant ShrewSorex vagransG5

Reptiles (1)

Common NameScientific NameG-Rank
Northwestern GartersnakeThamnophis ordinoidesG5
Source: NatureServe Ecological System assessment
At-Risk Species Associated with this Ecosystem (2)

Species with conservation concern that are ecologically associated with this ecosystem type. G-Rank indicates global conservation status: G1 (critically imperiled) through G5 (secure). ESA status indicates U.S. Endangered Species Act listing.

Common NameScientific NameG-RankESA Status
Bristly-stem SidalceaSidalcea hirtipesG2--
California Triquetrella MossTriquetrella californicaG2--
Source: NatureServe Ecological System assessment
Component Associations (5)

Plant community associations that occur within this ecological system. Associations are the finest level of the U.S. National Vegetation Classification (USNVC) and describe specific, repeating assemblages of plant species. Each association represents a distinct community type that may be found where this ecosystem occurs.

NameG-Rank
Calamagrostis nutkaensis - Elymus glaucus Grassland NatureServe
Danthonia californica - Festuca rubra Grassland NatureServe
Empetrum nigrum - Gaultheria shallon Dwarf-shrubland NatureServe
Festuca rubra Coastal Headland Grassland NatureServe
Lomatium martindalei Grassland NatureServe
State Conservation Ranks (2)

Subnational conservation status ranks (S-ranks) assigned by Natural Heritage Programs in each state where this ecosystem occurs. S1 indicates critically imperiled at the state level, S2 imperiled, S3 vulnerable, S4 apparently secure, and S5 secure. An ecosystem may be globally secure but imperiled in specific states at the edge of its range.

StateS-Rank
ORSNR
WASNR
Methodology and Data Sources

Ecosystem classification: Ecosystems are classified using the LANDFIRE 2024 Existing Vegetation Type (EVT) layer, mapped to NatureServe Terrestrial Ecological Systems via a curated crosswalk. Each EVT is linked to the USNVC (U.S. National Vegetation Classification) hierarchy through pixel-level co-occurrence analysis of LANDFIRE EVT and NatureServe IVC Group rasters across all roadless areas.

Vegetation coverage: Coverage percentages and hectares are derived from zonal statistics of the LANDFIRE 2024 EVT raster intersected with roadless area boundaries.

Ecosystem narratives and community species: Sourced from the NatureServe Explorer API, representing professional ecological assessments of vegetation composition, environmental setting, dynamics, threats, and characteristic species assemblages.

IVC hierarchy: The International Vegetation Classification hierarchy is sourced from the USNVC v3.0 Catalog, providing the full classification from Biome through Association levels.

Component associations: Plant community associations listed as components of each NatureServe Ecological System. Association data from the NatureServe Explorer API.

State ranks: Conservation status ranks assigned by NatureServe member programs in each state where the ecosystem occurs.