Southeastern conifer forests | |
---|---|
Ecology | |
Realm | Nearctic |
Biome | Temperate coniferous forests |
Borders | |
Bird species | 236 [1] |
Mammal species | 54 [1] |
Geography | |
Area | 236,725 km2 (91,400 sq mi) |
Country | United States |
States | |
Climate type | Humid subtropical |
Conservation | |
Global 200 | Yes |
Habitat loss | 30.291% [1] |
Protected | 13.47% [1] |
The Southeastern conifer forests are a temperate coniferous forest ecoregion of the southeastern United States. It is the largest conifer forest ecoregion east of the Mississippi River. [2] It is also the southernmost instance of temperate coniferous forest within the Nearctic realm.
This ecoregion has a humid subtropical climate with precipitation highest in the warmest months.
Historic vegetation was dominated by open woodlands of longleaf pine ( Pinus palustris ) with an understory of wiregrass ( Aristida stricta ). Other natural communities include to pine savannas, flatwoods (pine forests with woody understories), and xeric hardwood forests. [2]
These are woodlands dominated by longleaf pine ( Pinus palustris ) and subject to frequent fires. The Atlantic coastal plain upland longleaf pine woodlands occur on uplands and on the higher parts of upland-wetland mosaics, while the east Gulf coastal plain interior upland longleaf pine woodlands occur on rolling dissected uplands, inland of the coastal flatlands. Soils are well- to excessively drained. Scrub oaks such as turkey oak ( Quercus laevis ) and bluejack oak ( Quercus incana ) are often in the understory. The herbaceous layer is dominated by grasses, particularly wiregrass: ( Aristida stricta ) in the north and ( Aristida beyrichiana ) in the south. [3] [4]
Florida longleaf pine sandhills consist of stands of longleaf pine ( Pinus palustris ) on very well-drained, sandy hills of the coastal plains of Florida. These stands are maintained by frequent fires. Turkey oak ( Quercus laevis ) is common in the understory. Wiregrass ( Aristida beyrichiana ) makes up the ground layer. [5]
East Gulf coastal plain near-coast pine flatwoods are forests and woodlands on broad, sandy flatlands along the northern Gulf of Mexico. Trees are typically longleaf pine ( Pinus palustris ) or slash pine ( Pinus elliottii ). Fires are naturally frequent, occurring every one to four years. Understory vegetation ranges from open and grassy to dense and shrubby, depending on fire history. Shrubs include swamp titi ( Cyrilla racemiflora ), gallberry ( Ilex coriacea ), Appalachia tea ( Ilex glabra ), fetterbush lyonia ( Lyonia lucida ), and saw palmetto ( Serenoa repens ). [6]
Southern coastal plain nonriverine cypress domes are small forested wetlands characterized by their dome-shaped appearance, with taller trees in the center and shorter trees around the perimeter. These wetlands occur on poorly drained depressions surrounded by pine flatwoods. Pond cypress ( Taxodium ascendens ) dominates the canopy, which it shares with swamp tupelo ( Nyssa biflora ) and sweetgum ( Liquidambar styraciflua ). [7]
The southern coastal plain oak dome and hammock occurs as thick stands of evergreen oaks in small patches on shallow depressions or slight hills. These forests are distinct from their surrounding habitats, which are often longleaf pine-dominated. On mesic sites, common species are southern live oak ( Quercus virginiana ), sand laurel oak ( Quercus hemisphaerica ), and American persimmon ( Diospyros virginiana ). The understory is sparse, with trumpet creeper ( Campsis radicans ) and greenbrier ( Smilax spp). On xeric sites, common species are sand live oak ( Quercus geminata ), longleaf pine ( Pinus palustris ), southern live oak ( Quercus virginiana ), wiregrass ( Aristida stricta ), and southern dawnflower ( Stylisma humistrata ). [8]
Southern coastal plain hydric hammocks are found on the flat lowlands of the southern and outermost parts of the coastal plain, usually over limestone substrates. These forests of evergreen and deciduous hardwood trees occur near the floodplains of spring-fed rivers with relatively constant flows. They can be large areas of broad, shallow wetlands. Common trees include Atlantic white cedar ( Chamaecyparis thyoides ), elm ( Ulmus americana ), red maple ( Acer rubrum ), swamp laurel oak ( Quercus laurifolia ), southern live oak ( Quercus virginiana ), american sweetgum ( Liquidambar styraciflua ), sugarberry ( Celtis laevigata ), and cabbage palm ( Sabal palmetto ). Dahoon holly ( Ilex cassine ) is a typical shrub. [9] [10]
On the Gulf coastal plain, maritime forest consists of a mosaic of forests and shrublands on barrier islands and strands. It occurs in sheltered areas behind coastal dunes and grasslands. Forests are dominated by a mixture of needle-leaved and broad-leaved evergreen trees, including sand pine ( Pinus clausa ), slash pine ( Pinus elliottii ), longleaf pine ( Pinus palustris ), southern live oak ( Quercus virginiana ), cabbage palm ( Sabal palmetto ), pignut hickory ( Carya glabra ), and sand hickory ( Carya pallida ). Wetland areas are dominated by pond cypress ( Taxodium ascendens ) and sweetbay magnolia ( Magnolia virginiana ). Wind and salt spray from the ocean can make these forests appear pruned and sculpted. [11]
On the Atlantic coastal plain, maritime forest consists of forests and shrublands on stabilized upland dunes of barrier islands and strands. Oaks tend to dominate the overstory, often southern live oak ( Quercus virginiana ) and sand live oak ( Quercus geminata ). Woodlands dominated by pine species include southern species such as longleaf pine ( Pinus palustris ), pond pine ( Pinus serotina ), and slash pine ( Pinus elliottii ). The understory is dense and shrubby, including southern live oak ( Quercus virginiana ), sand live oak ( Quercus geminata ), laurel oak ( Quercus hemisphaerica ), Chapman oak ( Quercus chapmanii ), myrtle oak ( Quercus myrtifolia ), and southern magnolia ( Magnolia grandiflora ). [12]
This includes a variety of deciduous oak forests and mixed evergreen forests dominated by oak. Pines are often present as well. This forest is found in fire-sheltered locations surrounded by pine-dominated uplands, including slopes near rivers and sinkholes. Sand laurel oak ( Quercus hemisphaerica ) is the typical oak species; post oak ( Quercus stellata ), southern red oak ( Quercus falcata ), and white oak ( Quercus alba ) are associates. The forest canopy can be diverse, including hickories and other hardwood species. Common pines include loblolly pine ( Pinus taeda ), spruce pine ( Pinus glabra ), or shortleaf pine ( Pinus echinata ). To the south, this becomes the southern coastal plain oak dome and hammock. [13]
On the southern Atlantic coastal plain, mesic slope forest is found on steep slopes, bluffs, and sheltered ravines. Fire is rare. They occur on mesic soils, and contain species not found in other forest systems in the area. These include American beech ( Fagus grandifolia ), southern magnolia ( Magnolia grandiflora ), and purple anise ( Illicium floridanum ). The related east Gulf coastal plain northern mesic hardwood slope forest occurs to the north and has more deciduous trees. [14]
On the inland east Gulf coastal plain, mesic slope forest consists of deciduous hardwood forests found in slopes and ravines. They inhabit mesic sites between drier uplands and moister streams. American beech ( Fagus grandifolia ), white oak ( Quercus alba ), and cherrybark oak ( Quercus pagoda ) are the distinguishing tree species. Loblolly pine ( Pinus taeda ) is common in the southern part of the range. The related southern coastal plain mesic slope forest is found to the south. [15]
These forests occur on dry and dry-mesic sites and are dominated by oaks and hickories. These habitats are protected from fires by either steep topography, isolation, or limited flammability of the vegetation. Typical canopy species include white oak ( Quercus alba ), sand laurel oak ( Quercus hemisphaerica ), mockernut hickory ( Carya tomentosa ), and pignut hickory ( Carya glabra ). [16]
Floridian highlands freshwater marshes are highland marshes found in shallow peat-filled valleys, the basins of dried lakes, and the borders of existing lakes. The vegetation mosaic includes a range of mostly herbaceous plant communities, varying based on water depth. Deep water supports various submerged and floating plants. Meter-deep water supports emergent herbaceous perennials, typically in dense, monospecific stands; species include bulrush ( Typha latifolia ), pickerelweed ( Pontederia cordata ), and American lotus ( Nelumbo lutea ). Shallow areas only submerged during wet season support more graminoid vegetation, including maidencane ( Panicum hemitomon ) and southern cutgrass ( Leersia hexandra ). Subsidence and drainage pattern changes make these habitats shift and change over time. Soils can be mucky, loamy, or sandy, but they are generally above permeable subsoils that create standing water much of the year. These marshes may also be called meadows or prairies. [17]
Southern coastal plain nonriverine basin swamps occur in large, seasonally-flooded depressions away from rivers. Sites are often forested by trees including bald cypress ( Taxodium distichum ), swamp tupelo ( Nyssa biflora ), evergreen shrubs, and hardwoods. Slash pine ( Pinus elliottii ) is sometimes found. Characteristic shrubs include buckwheat tree ( Cliftonia monophylla ), swamp cyrilla ( Cyrilla racemiflora ), fetterbush lyonia ( Lyonia lucida ), and laurelleaf greenbrier ( Smilax laurifolia ). [18]
Southern coastal plain blackwater river floodplain forests occur in the drainages of blackwater rivers and streams. Typical trees include bald cypress ( Taxodium distichum ), water tupelo ( Nyssa aquatica ), and Atlantic white cedar ( Chamaecyparis thyoides ). [19]
Mature longleaf pine forests are important habitat for the vulnerable red-cockaded woodpecker ( Picoides borealis ) and gopher tortoise ( Gopherus polyphemus ). [2]
Today, nearly all mature stands of longleaf pine are gone, and only a few isolated sites still contain substantial natural habitat. In many areas, longleaf pine forests have been replaced with plantations of slash pine ( Pinus elliottii ), which are less biologically diverse than native habitat.
The Northeastern coastal forests are a temperate broadleaf and mixed forests ecoregion of the northeast and middle Atlantic region of the United States. The ecoregion covers an area of 34,630 sq miles (89,691 km2) encompassing the Piedmont and coastal plain of seven states, extending from coastal southwestern Maine, southeastern New Hampshire, eastern Massachusetts, and Rhode Island, southward through Connecticut, New York State, New Jersey, southeast Pennsylvania, Delaware and Maryland.
The Big Thicket is the name given to a somewhat imprecise region of a heavily forested area of Southeast Texas in the United States. This area represents a portion of the mixed pine-hardwood forests of the Southeast US. The National Park Service established the Big Thicket National Preserve (BTNP) within the region in 1974 and it is recognized as a biosphere reserve by UNESCO. Although the diversity of animals in the area is high, with over 500 vertebrates, it is the complex mosaic of ecosystems and plant diversity that is particularly remarkable. Biologists have identified at least eight, and up to eleven, ecosystems in the Big Thicket area. More than 160 species of trees and shrubs, 800 herbs and vines, and 340 types of grasses are known to occur in the Big Thicket, and estimates as high as over 1000 flowering plant species and 200 trees and shrubs have been made, plus ferns, carnivorous plants, and more. The Big Thicket has historically been the most dense forest region in what is now Texas.
Myakka River State Park is a Florida State Park, that is located nine miles (14 km) east of Interstate 75 in Sarasota County and a portion of southeastern Manatee County on the Atlantic coastal plain. This state park consists of 37,000 acres (150 km2), making it one of the state's largest parks. It is also one of the oldest parks in the state. It was delineated in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps. A small portion of the park was the gift of the family of Bertha Palmer to the state. The park is named after the Myakka River.
The Atlantic coastal pine barrens is a now rare temperate coniferous forest ecoregion of the Northeast United States distinguished by unique species and topographical features, generally nutrient-poor, often acidic soils and a pine tree distribution once controlled by frequent fires.
The Apalachicola National Forest is the largest U.S. National Forest in the state of Florida. It encompasses 632,890 acres and is the only national forest located in the Florida Panhandle. The National Forest provides water and land-based outdoors activities such as off-road biking, hiking, swimming, boating, hunting, fishing, horse-back riding, and off-road ATV usage.
Hammock is a term used in the southeastern United States for stands of trees, usually hardwood, that form an ecological island in a contrasting ecosystem. Hammocks grow on elevated areas, often just a few inches high, surrounded by wetlands that are too wet to support them. The term hammock is also applied to stands of hardwood trees growing on slopes between wetlands and drier uplands supporting a mixed or coniferous forest. Types of hammocks found in the United States include tropical hardwood hammocks, temperate hardwood hammocks, and maritime or coastal hammocks. Hammocks are also often classified as hydric, mesic or xeric. The types are not exclusive, but often grade into each other.
The Appalachian mixed mesophytic forests is an ecoregion of the temperate broadleaf and mixed forests biome, as defined by the World Wildlife Fund. It consists of mesophytic plants west of the Appalachian Mountains in the Southeastern United States.
The Appalachian–Blue Ridge forests are an ecoregion in the Temperate broadleaf and mixed forests Biome, in the Eastern United States. The ecoregion is located in the central and southern Appalachian Mountains, including the Ridge-and-Valley Appalachians and the Blue Ridge Mountains. It covers an area of about 61,500 square miles (159,000 km2) in: northeast Alabama and Georgia, northwest South Carolina, eastern Tennessee, western North Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, and central West Virginia and Pennsylvania; and small extensions into Kentucky, New Jersey, and New York.
Florida sand pine scrub is an endangered subtropical forest ecoregion found throughout Florida in the United States. It is found on coastal and inland sand ridges and is characterized by an evergreen xeromorphic plant community dominated by shrubs and dwarf oaks. Because the low-nutrient sandy soils do not retain moisture, the ecosystem is effectively an arid one. Wildfires infrequently occur in the Florida scrub. Most of the annual rainfall falls in summer. It is endangered by residential, commercial and agricultural development, with the largest remaining block in and around the Ocala National Forest. Lake Wales Ridge National Wildlife Refuge also holds a high proportion of remaining scrub habitat, while the Archbold Biological Station near Lake Placid contains about 20 km2 (7.7 sq mi) of scrub habitat and sponsors biological research on it.
The New England-Acadian forests are a temperate broadleaf and mixed forest ecoregion in North America that includes a variety of habitats on the hills, mountains and plateaus of New England and New York State in the Northeastern United States, and Quebec and the Maritime Provinces of Eastern Canada.
Colt Creek State Park is a Florida State Park in Central Florida, 16 miles (26 km) north of Lakeland off of State Road 471. This 5,067 acre park nestled within the Green Swamp Wilderness Area and named after one of the tributaries that flows through the property was opened to the public on January 20, 2007. Composed mainly of pine flatwoods, cypress domes and open pasture land, this piece of pristine wilderness is home to many animal species including the American bald eagle, Southern fox squirrel, gopher tortoise, white-tailed deer, wild turkey and bobcat.
The Middle Atlantic coastal forests are a temperate coniferous forest mixed with patches of evergreen broadleaved forests along the coast of the southeastern United States.
The Southeastern mixed forests are an ecoregion of the temperate broadleaf and mixed forest biome, in the lower portion of the Eastern United States.
The Interior Low Plateaus are a physiographic region in eastern United States. It consists of a diverse landscape that extends from north Alabama across central Tennessee and Kentucky into southern Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio. Its natural communities are a matrix of temperate forests, woodlands, and prairies.
A bayhead or baygall is a specific type of wetland or swamp habitat. The name baygall is derived from sweetbay magnolia and sweet gallberry holly. Baygalls are recognized as a discrete ecosystem by ecologists and the swamps have been described as "distinct wetland communities in the Natural Communities of Louisiana". Baygall swamps are most often found in the low lying margins of floodplains and bottomlands with little or poor drainage to the main creek, bayou, or river channel. Baygall or bayhead swamps found on slopes and hillsides are sometimes referred to as a forest seep or hanging bogs. Hanging bogs are typically found in hardwood-pine forests. Most baygall swamps are semi-permanently saturated, or flooded.
The Florida longleaf pine sandhill is a forest system found on sandhills in the coastal plains of northern Florida, ranging from the panhandle to the central peninsula. Particular examples can be found in Ocala National Forest, Withlacoochee State Forest, Mike Roess Gold Head Branch State Park, and Eglin Air Force Base.
The Southern coastal plain oak dome and hammock is a forest type occurring in small patches in Florida, Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi. These forests consist of thick stands of evergreen oaks on shallow depressions or slight hills. They are distinct from their surrounding habitats, which are often woodlands dominated by longleaf pine.
The east Gulf coastal plain near-coast pine flatwoods are forests and woodlands found in the eastern Gulf coastal plain, in the states of Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, and Mississippi. They take the form of forests and woodlands on broad, sandy flatlands. Fires are naturally frequent, occurring every one to four years.
The Atlantic coastal plain upland longleaf pine woodland is plant community found on the southern Atlantic coastal plain, in the states of southern Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and northeastern Florida.
The upland hardwood forests of Florida are closed canopy forests dominated by deciduous and evergreen trees, and shrubs.