North Atlantic Coastal Plain Hardwood Forest

Factsheet

United States

Publication date: January 1, 2010

File format: PDF

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This oak‑dominated hardwood forest occurs on dry, sandy coastal plain soils and often includes pine where disturbed. It features heath shrubs, sparse herbs, and periodic fires that promote oak regeneration.

Subject Tags

  • Forest

Summary

The North Atlantic Coastal Plain Hardwood Forest is an oak‑dominated system on dry, sandy or gravelly coastal plain soils, sometimes mixed with pine in disturbed areas. With a heath shrub layer, sparse herbs, and periodic fires that support oak regeneration, it forms mosaics with pine barrens and mesic hardwood forests across its range.