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Atlantic coastal pine barrens

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 (coastal plain ponds, frost pocket), generally nutrient-poor, often acidic soils and a pine tree distribution once controlled by frequent fires.[3]

Atlantic coastal pine barrens
Ecology
RealmNearctic
Biometemperate coniferous forests
Borders
Bird species212[1]
Mammal species45[1]
Geography
Area9,000 km2 (3,500 sq mi)
CountryUnited States
States
Climate typeHumid continental (Dfb), humid subtropical (Cfa) and oceanic (Cfb) [2]
Conservation
Habitat loss30.06%[1]
Protected22.9%[1]

Setting edit

This ecoregion once stretched from North Carolina to Nova Scotia but now covers a disjunct area with three remaining large, contiguous areas including, the largest, the New Jersey Pine Barrens on the coastal plain of New Jersey, the rapidly diminishing forests of southern Long Island in New York State, and the Massachusetts Coastal Pine Barrens which stretches from Plymouth, Massachusetts in Southeastern Massachusetts to Cape Cod and the Islands of Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket.[4]

The pine barrens are underlain by sandy, nutrient-poor soils, which typically support stunted forests dominated by pines (Pinus spp.). The distinct flora of this ecoregion is maintained by the poor soils and frequent fires which revive the pines; surrounding areas with better soils are part of the Middle Atlantic coastal forests and Northeastern coastal forests ecoregions.[5]

Climate edit

This ecoregion has a humid subtropical climate in Delaware, New Jersey, and Long Island, New York, and a humid continental climate in Massachusetts.

Flora edit

The composition of the flora of the pine barrens is largely determined by fire frequency. Pitch-pine-dominated forests are the characteristic forests of this ecoregion, but where fires occur at intervals of 10 years or less, dwarf pine forests develop. Where fires are infrequent, oak-dominated forests develop. In wetland areas grow cedar swamp forests and hardwood swamp forests.[6]

Pine-dominated forests edit

Pitch pine (Pinus rigida) is the most abundant tree here. Shortleaf pine (Pinus echinata) is also present, but not as abundant. In the southern regions of the New Jersey Pine Barrens, loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) and pond pine (Pinus serotina) are present and fairly commonly encountered. A variety of oaks grow among the pines, including black (Quercus velutina), white (Quercus alba), post (Quercus stellata), chestnut (Quercus prinus), scarlet (Quercus coccinea), and blackjack (Quercus marilandica). These forests tend to be open with widely spaced trees and plenty of sunlight reaching the forest floor.[6]

The understory is thick with shrubs, including black huckleberry (Gaylussacia baccata) and early lowbush blueberry (Vaccinium pallidum). Staggerbrush (Lyonia mariana), dangleberry (Gaylussacia frondosa), mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia), and sheep laurel (Kalmia angustifolia) also occur. Bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum) is abundant.[6]

Dwarf pine forests edit

The only trees that can recover from frequent fires are pitch pine and blackjack oak, which are abundant here. Deprived of the opportunity to grow tall, these trees grow as shrubs that may only be 4 feet (120 cm) tall.[6]

Black huckleberry and early lowbush blueberry are again common here. Mountain laurel, sheep laurel, and bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi) are also common.[6]

Oak-dominated forests edit

Without fires, leaf litter accumulates, creating an environment that favors the establishment of oak seedlings instead of pine seedlings. In time, the pines grow old, die, and are replaced by oaks (Quercus spp.). The most common are black, scarlet, chestnut, white, and post oaks. Pitch and shortleaf pines are scattered among the oaks. The forest canopy tends to be closed.[6]

The understory vegetation is similar to that of the pine-dominated forest, with black huckleberry, early lowbush blueberry, and dangleberry common.[6]

Cedar swamp forests edit

Swamp forests dominated by Atlantic white cedar (Chamaecyparis thyoides) occur along the waterways of the pine barrens. The white cedars often grow from pools of standing water and, in contrast to the surrounding pine forests, considerably darken the understory. Amid the white cedars are red maple (Acer rubrum), sour gum (Nyssa sylvatica), pitch pine, and sweet bay magnolia (Magnolia virginiana). In openings and edges grow highbush blueberry, dangleberry, swamp azalea (Rhododendron viscosum), fetterbush (Eubotrys racemosa), and leatherleaf (Chamaedaphne calyculata). Sweet pepperbush (Clethra alnifolia), Sabatia kennedyana, inkberry (Ilex glabra), and winterberry (Ilex verticillata) are also present.[6]

Hardwood swamp forests edit

Sweet gum (Liquidambar styraciflua) and red maple are the most abundant trees in the hardwood swamp forests. American holly (Ilex opaca), a broadleaf evergreen tree, is common. Pin oak (Quercus palustris), swamp white oak (Quercus bicolor), willow oak (Quercus phellos), tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifera),[dubious ] sour gum, and sweet bay magnolia are associates.[6][page needed]

Poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans) and Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) are often abundant and grow in thickets. Shrubs include arrowwood (Viburnum dentatum), spicebush (Lindera benzoin), highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum), sweet pepperbush (Clethra alnifolia), and swamp azalea.[6]

Grasslands edit

The region also contains areas of maritime grassland on Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket, and out at the tip of Long Island that are unique in the United States (see Conscience Point National Wildlife Refuge for an example).

Fauna edit

Wildlife adapted to this environment includes the Pine Barrens tree frog, Plymouth red-bellied turtle and the extinct heath hen. The beaches of these coasts are important breeding grounds for piping plovers (especially on Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket, and Long Island) and roseate terns (especially on Bird Island).

Threats and preservation edit

The pine barrens ecosystems have been severely damaged by urban developments as the east coast has become built up with housing, including vacation and retirement properties. Only about 10% of original habitat remains and is very fragmented.[5] Blocks of remaining habitat include: the New Jersey Pine Barrens; Albany Pine Bush and Long Island Central Pine Barrens in New York; and the Massachusetts Coastal Pine Barrens with concentrations in Myles Standish State Forest, Manuel F. Correllus State Forest on Martha's Vineyard, Cape Cod National Seashore and Joint Base Cape Cod and the Mashpee Wampanoag Indian Reservation in Massachusetts. These areas are now well conserved.

See also edit

References and external links edit

  1. ^ a b c d | climate = Humid continental, humid subtropical and oceanic Hoekstra, J. M.; Molnar, J. L.; Jennings, M.; Revenga, C.; Spalding, M. D.; Boucher, T. M.; Robertson, J. C.; Heibel, T. J.; Ellison, K. (2010). Molnar, J. L. (ed.). The Atlas of Global Conservation: Changes, Challenges, and Opportunities to Make a Difference. University of California Press. ISBN 978-0-520-26256-0.
  2. ^ Hoekstra, J. M.; Molnar, J. L.; Jennings, M.; Revenga, C.; Spalding, M. D.; Boucher, T. M.; Robertson, J. C.; Heibel, T. J.; Ellison, K. (2010). Molnar, J. L. (ed.). The Atlas of Global Conservation: Changes, Challenges, and Opportunities to Make a Difference. University of California Press. ISBN 978-0-520-26256-0.
  3. ^ Forman, Richard T. T.; Ralph E. Boerner (Jan–Mar 1981). "Fire Frequency and the Pine Barrens of New Jersey". Bulletin of the Torrey Botanical Club. 108 (1). Torrey Botanical Society: 34–50. doi:10.2307/2484334. JSTOR 2484334.
  4. ^ Sohl, Terry L.; Sohl, Lauri B. (5 June 2012). "Land-use Change in the Atlantic Coastal Pine Barrens Ecoregion". Geographical Review. 102 (2): 180–201. doi:10.1111/j.1931-0846.2012.00142.x. S2CID 161751342. (PDF) from the original on 2021-10-29.
  5. ^ a b "Atlantic coastal pine barrens". Terrestrial Ecoregions. World Wildlife Fund. Retrieved 2010-12-21.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Collins, B. R.; Anderson, K. H. (1994). Plant Communities of New Jersey: A Study in Landscape Diversity. Rutgers University Press. ISBN 978-0-8135-2071-1.
  • Nature Conservancy Pine Barrens of Southeast Massachusetts
  • Atlantic coastal pine barrens images at bioimages.vanderbilt.edu (slow modem version)
  • Pine Barrens Alliance

atlantic, coastal, pine, barrens, rare, temperate, coniferous, forest, ecoregion, northeast, united, states, distinguished, unique, species, topographical, features, coastal, plain, ponds, frost, pocket, generally, nutrient, poor, often, acidic, soils, pine, t. 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 coastal plain ponds frost pocket generally nutrient poor often acidic soils and a pine tree distribution once controlled by frequent fires 3 Atlantic coastal pine barrensThe Pine Barrens of New JerseyEcologyRealmNearcticBiometemperate coniferous forestsBordersMiddle Atlantic coastal forestsNortheastern coastal forestsBird species212 1 Mammal species45 1 GeographyArea9 000 km2 3 500 sq mi CountryUnited StatesStatesNew JerseyNew YorkMassachusettsDelawareMarylandClimate typeHumid continental Dfb humid subtropical Cfa and oceanic Cfb 2 ConservationHabitat loss30 06 1 Protected22 9 1 Contents 1 Setting 2 Climate 3 Flora 3 1 Pine dominated forests 3 2 Dwarf pine forests 3 3 Oak dominated forests 3 4 Cedar swamp forests 3 5 Hardwood swamp forests 3 6 Grasslands 4 Fauna 5 Threats and preservation 6 See also 7 References and external linksSetting editThis ecoregion once stretched from North Carolina to Nova Scotia but now covers a disjunct area with three remaining large contiguous areas including the largest the New Jersey Pine Barrens on the coastal plain of New Jersey the rapidly diminishing forests of southern Long Island in New York State and the Massachusetts Coastal Pine Barrens which stretches from Plymouth Massachusetts in Southeastern Massachusetts to Cape Cod and the Islands of Martha s Vineyard and Nantucket 4 The pine barrens are underlain by sandy nutrient poor soils which typically support stunted forests dominated by pines Pinus spp The distinct flora of this ecoregion is maintained by the poor soils and frequent fires which revive the pines surrounding areas with better soils are part of the Middle Atlantic coastal forests and Northeastern coastal forests ecoregions 5 Climate editThis ecoregion has a humid subtropical climate in Delaware New Jersey and Long Island New York and a humid continental climate in Massachusetts Flora editThe composition of the flora of the pine barrens is largely determined by fire frequency Pitch pine dominated forests are the characteristic forests of this ecoregion but where fires occur at intervals of 10 years or less dwarf pine forests develop Where fires are infrequent oak dominated forests develop In wetland areas grow cedar swamp forests and hardwood swamp forests 6 Pine dominated forests edit Pitch pine Pinus rigida is the most abundant tree here Shortleaf pine Pinus echinata is also present but not as abundant In the southern regions of the New Jersey Pine Barrens loblolly pine Pinus taeda and pond pine Pinus serotina are present and fairly commonly encountered A variety of oaks grow among the pines including black Quercus velutina white Quercus alba post Quercus stellata chestnut Quercus prinus scarlet Quercus coccinea and blackjack Quercus marilandica These forests tend to be open with widely spaced trees and plenty of sunlight reaching the forest floor 6 The understory is thick with shrubs including black huckleberry Gaylussacia baccata and early lowbush blueberry Vaccinium pallidum Staggerbrush Lyonia mariana dangleberry Gaylussacia frondosa mountain laurel Kalmia latifolia and sheep laurel Kalmia angustifolia also occur Bracken fern Pteridium aquilinum is abundant 6 Dwarf pine forests edit The only trees that can recover from frequent fires are pitch pine and blackjack oak which are abundant here Deprived of the opportunity to grow tall these trees grow as shrubs that may only be 4 feet 120 cm tall 6 Black huckleberry and early lowbush blueberry are again common here Mountain laurel sheep laurel and bearberry Arctostaphylos uva ursi are also common 6 Oak dominated forests edit Without fires leaf litter accumulates creating an environment that favors the establishment of oak seedlings instead of pine seedlings In time the pines grow old die and are replaced by oaks Quercus spp The most common are black scarlet chestnut white and post oaks Pitch and shortleaf pines are scattered among the oaks The forest canopy tends to be closed 6 The understory vegetation is similar to that of the pine dominated forest with black huckleberry early lowbush blueberry and dangleberry common 6 Cedar swamp forests edit Swamp forests dominated by Atlantic white cedar Chamaecyparis thyoides occur along the waterways of the pine barrens The white cedars often grow from pools of standing water and in contrast to the surrounding pine forests considerably darken the understory Amid the white cedars are red maple Acer rubrum sour gum Nyssa sylvatica pitch pine and sweet bay magnolia Magnolia virginiana In openings and edges grow highbush blueberry dangleberry swamp azalea Rhododendron viscosum fetterbush Eubotrys racemosa and leatherleaf Chamaedaphne calyculata Sweet pepperbush Clethra alnifolia Sabatia kennedyana inkberry Ilex glabra and winterberry Ilex verticillata are also present 6 Hardwood swamp forests edit Sweet gum Liquidambar styraciflua and red maple are the most abundant trees in the hardwood swamp forests American holly Ilex opaca a broadleaf evergreen tree is common Pin oak Quercus palustris swamp white oak Quercus bicolor willow oak Quercus phellos tulip tree Liriodendron tulipifera dubious discuss sour gum and sweet bay magnolia are associates 6 page needed Poison ivy Toxicodendron radicans and Japanese honeysuckle Lonicera japonica are often abundant and grow in thickets Shrubs include arrowwood Viburnum dentatum spicebush Lindera benzoin highbush blueberry Vaccinium corymbosum sweet pepperbush Clethra alnifolia and swamp azalea 6 Grasslands edit The region also contains areas of maritime grassland on Martha s Vineyard Nantucket and out at the tip of Long Island that are unique in the United States see Conscience Point National Wildlife Refuge for an example Fauna editWildlife adapted to this environment includes the Pine Barrens tree frog Plymouth red bellied turtle and the extinct heath hen The beaches of these coasts are important breeding grounds for piping plovers especially on Cape Cod Martha s Vineyard Nantucket and Long Island and roseate terns especially on Bird Island Threats and preservation editThe pine barrens ecosystems have been severely damaged by urban developments as the east coast has become built up with housing including vacation and retirement properties Only about 10 of original habitat remains and is very fragmented 5 Blocks of remaining habitat include the New Jersey Pine Barrens Albany Pine Bush and Long Island Central Pine Barrens in New York and the Massachusetts Coastal Pine Barrens with concentrations in Myles Standish State Forest Manuel F Correllus State Forest on Martha s Vineyard Cape Cod National Seashore and Joint Base Cape Cod and the Mashpee Wampanoag Indian Reservation in Massachusetts These areas are now well conserved See also editList of ecoregions in the United States WWF Pine barrensReferences and external links edit a b c d climate Humid continental humid subtropical and oceanic Hoekstra J M Molnar J L Jennings M Revenga C Spalding M D Boucher T M Robertson J C Heibel T J Ellison K 2010 Molnar J L ed The Atlas of Global Conservation Changes Challenges and Opportunities to Make a Difference University of California Press ISBN 978 0 520 26256 0 Hoekstra J M Molnar J L Jennings M Revenga C Spalding M D Boucher T M Robertson J C Heibel T J Ellison K 2010 Molnar J L ed The Atlas of Global Conservation Changes Challenges and Opportunities to Make a Difference University of California Press ISBN 978 0 520 26256 0 Forman Richard T T Ralph E Boerner Jan Mar 1981 Fire Frequency and the Pine Barrens of New Jersey Bulletin of the Torrey Botanical Club 108 1 Torrey Botanical Society 34 50 doi 10 2307 2484334 JSTOR 2484334 Sohl Terry L Sohl Lauri B 5 June 2012 Land use Change in the Atlantic Coastal Pine Barrens Ecoregion Geographical Review 102 2 180 201 doi 10 1111 j 1931 0846 2012 00142 x S2CID 161751342 Archived PDF from the original on 2021 10 29 a b Atlantic coastal pine barrens Terrestrial Ecoregions World Wildlife Fund Retrieved 2010 12 21 a b c d e f g h i j Collins B R Anderson K H 1994 Plant Communities of New Jersey A Study in Landscape Diversity Rutgers University Press ISBN 978 0 8135 2071 1 Nature Conservancy Pine Barrens of Southeast Massachusetts Atlantic coastal pine barrens images at bioimages vanderbilt edu slow modem version Pine Barrens Alliance Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Atlantic coastal pine barrens amp oldid 1213478544, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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