Maritime forest

Last updated
Miguel Lillo Park, a maritime forest nature preserve in Necochea, Argentina. Necochea Parque Miguel Lillo Buenos Aires Argentina.JPG
Miguel Lillo Park, a maritime forest nature preserve in Necochea, Argentina.

A maritime forest is an ocean coastal wooded habitat found on higher ground than dune areas within range of salt spray. [1] They can be found along the Atlantic and Pacific Northwest coasts of the United States. [2] [3] The maritime forests of the southeast U.S. are often laurel forests. They can also be found in areas of South-East Asia, for example Chek Jawa, a wetland reserve which also features a maritime forest as one of the independent ecosystem.

Contents

Flora

High winds, salt spray, and sandy soil provide a harsh environment for plant life. Maritime forests are composed of deciduous, coniferous, and broadleaf evergreens. Trees in maritime forests include the southern sugar maple, [4] swamp dogwood, [4] mockernut hickory, [4] white ash, [5] and the white poplar. [6] Many plants in the maritime forests have a natural waxy coating to protect them from the salt spray. Most of the plants found in maritime forests are evergreens and shrubs along with a low population on pitcher plants.[ citation needed ]

Fauna

Animals that live in these forests include foxes, deer, rabbits, tree frogs, raccoons, toads, silver-back gorillas, and painted buntings.[ citation needed ]

Places

Some places where maritime forests can be found are: Bald Head Island (North Carolina), Necochea (Argentina), Jekyll Island (Georgia), and on almost all barrier islands, such as the Currituck Banks Reserve [7] in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. [8]

References

  1. Hill, K. (16 July 2002). "Maritime Hammock Habitats". Smithsonian Marine Station. Archived from the original on 6 October 2009. Retrieved 16 October 2009.
  2. Olson, Donald (23 July 2014). The Pacific Northwest Garden Tour. Timber Press. ISBN   9781604694512.
  3. 1 2 3 Russell, Alice B. "Trees of the Maritime Forest (A-E)". North Carolina State University. Archived from the original on 14 June 2010. Retrieved 16 October 2009.
  4. Russell, Alice B. "Trees of the Maritime Forest (F-J)". North Carolina State University. Archived from the original on 9 July 2010. Retrieved 16 October 2009.
  5. Russell, Alice P. "Trees of the Maritime Forest (P-Z)". North Carolina State University. Archived from the original on 23 July 2010. Retrieved 16 October 2009.
  6. "Currituck Banks Reserve". Archived from the original on 2020-10-17. Retrieved 2020-10-15.
  7. US Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. "What is a maritime forest?". oceanservice.noaa.gov. Archived from the original on 2020-10-17. Retrieved 2020-10-15.