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A3105 Pinus rigida - Pinus taeda Maritime Forest & Woodland Alliance

Type Concept Sentence: Maritime and coastal forests ranging from southern Maine to northern Virginia dominated by Pinus taeda or Pinus rigida, ranging from closed-canopy forests to stunted open woodlands.

Common (Translated Scientific) Name: Pitch Pine - Loblolly Pine Maritime Forest & Woodland Alliance

Colloquial Name: North Atlantic Maritime Pine Forest & Woodland

Hierarchy Level:  Alliance

Type Concept: This alliance comprises maritime and coastal forests found on the Outer Coastal Plain and on barrier islands in sheltered backdunes protected from overwash, or directly adjacent to actively shifting foredunes that are exposed to salt spray, winds and storms. One association is adjacent to tidal marsh and experiences irregular tidal flooding. Pinus taeda or Pinus rigida are characteristic, with deciduous associates sometimes including Fagus grandifolia, Liquidambar styraciflua, Quercus falcata, or Quercus nigra in the mid-Atlantic, and Quercus velutina, Quercus stellata, or Quercus coccinea in the northeast. Juniperus virginiana may be frequent. The shrub layer can include Gaylussacia baccata, Quercus ilicifolia, Vaccinium angustifolium, Vaccinium pallidum, Morella pensylvanica, or Morella cerifera. Vines and lianas are nearly always present in abundance, including Vitis rotundifolia, Toxicodendron radicans, Smilax rotundifolia, Smilax glauca, and Parthenocissus quinquefolia, as well as Smilax bona-nox and Gelsemium sempervirens at the southern end of the range. The field layer may support Aristida tuberculosa, Carex pensylvanica, Cyperus grayi, Deschampsia flexuosa, Dichanthelium ovale, Dichanthelium scoparium, Elephantopus nudatus, Lechea maritima var. virginica, Gaultheria procumbens, Hudsonia tomentosa, Mitchella repens, Polygonella articulata, Pteridium aquilinum, Schizachyrium littorale, Schizachyrium scoparium, and Solidago sempervirens. Where this vegetation occurs adjacent to salt marsh, Spartina patens, Panicum virgatum, and Distichlis spicata may be more characteristic. Soils are sandy and rapidly drained.

Diagnostic Characteristics: Maritime and coastal settings; dominated by either Pinus rigida or Pinus taeda.

Rationale for Nominal Species or Physiognomic Features: No Data Available

Classification Comments: Includes pitch pine and loblolly pine dune woodlands characterized by Hudsonia tomentosa, as well as closed-canopy forests characterized by Morella pensylvanica or Morella cerifera.

Similar NVC Types: No Data Available
note: No Data Available
Physiognomy and Structure: In the denser woodlands, more pine duff accumulates, and herb diversity and cover are generally higher. Where woodlands are more open and trees sparse, growing conditions are harsh, less duff accumulates, and vast areas of exposed white sand are characteristic. Trees are generally characterized by low spreading branches and multiple trunks. A shrub layer is sparse or lacking; herbaceous cover is usually low to moderate.

Floristics: Pinus taeda or Pinus rigida are characteristic, with deciduous associates sometimes including Fagus grandifolia, Liquidambar styraciflua, Quercus falcata, or Quercus nigra in the mid-Atlantic, and Quercus velutina, Quercus stellata, or Quercus coccinea in the northeast. Juniperus virginiana is a common associate. The shrub layer can include Gaylussacia baccata, Quercus ilicifolia, Vaccinium angustifolium, Vaccinium pallidum, Morella pensylvanica (= Myrica pensylvanica), or Morella cerifera (= Myrica cerifera). Vines and lianas are nearly always present in abundance, including Vitis rotundifolia, Toxicodendron radicans, Smilax rotundifolia, Smilax glauca, and Parthenocissus quinquefolia, as well as Smilax bona-nox and Gelsemium sempervirens at the southern end of the range. The field layer may support Aristida tuberculosa, Carex pensylvanica, Cyperus grayi, Deschampsia flexuosa, Dichanthelium ovale, Dichanthelium scoparium, Elephantopus nudatus, Lechea maritima var. virginica, Gaultheria procumbens, Hudsonia tomentosa, Mitchella repens, Polygonella articulata, Pteridium aquilinum, Schizachyrium littorale, Schizachyrium scoparium, and Solidago sempervirens. Where this vegetation occurs adjacent to salt marsh, Spartina patens, Panicum virgatum, and Distichlis spicata may be more characteristic. Lichens and mosses may be common where there is abundant exposed sand.

Dynamics:  This alliance occurs in a dynamic system where storms, salt spray, and wind generally stunt the growth of woody species. Where this vegetation is more open and exposed, wind causes the substrate to shift, forming blowouts or further accumulating on dunes.
Environmental Description:  This alliance occurs on maritime dunes and coastal settings, either within protected interdunes, or adjacent to actively shifting dunes exposed to storm surge, salt spray, and wind. The substrate is rapidly drained, nutrient-poor sands or sandy loams.
Geographic Range: This alliance is found in coastal regions from southern Maine to northern Virginia.

Nations: US

States/Provinces:  CT, DE, MA, MD, ME, NJ, NY, RI, VA


Confidence Level: Moderate

Confidence Level Comments: No Data Available
Grank: GNR

Greasons: No Data Available
Type Name Database Code Classification Code
Class 1 Forest & Woodland Class C01 1
Subclass 1.B Temperate & Boreal Forest & Woodland Subclass S15 1.B
Formation 1.B.2 Cool Temperate Forest & Woodland Formation F008 1.B.2
Division 1.B.2.Na Eastern North American Forest & Woodland Division D008 1.B.2.Na
Macrogroup 1.B.2.Na.9 Pitch Pine - oak spp. - American Holly North Atlantic Forest Macrogroup M525 1.B.2.Na.9
Group 1.B.2.Na.9.c Pitch Pine - American Beech / Northern Bayberry Maritime Forest Group G893 1.B.2.Na.9.c
Alliance A3105 Pitch Pine - Loblolly Pine Maritime Forest & Woodland Alliance A3105 1.B.2.Na.9.c
Association CEGL006040 Loblolly Pine - (Southern Red Oak, Water Oak) / Wax-myrtle / Muscadine Forest CEGL006040 1.B.2.Na.9.c
Association CEGL006052 Loblolly Pine / Woolly Beach-heather Woodland CEGL006052 1.B.2.Na.9.c
Association CEGL006117 Pitch Pine / Woolly Beach-heather Woodland CEGL006117 1.B.2.Na.9.c
Association CEGL006849 Loblolly Pine / Wax-myrtle / Saltmeadow Cordgrass Tidal Woodland CEGL006849 1.B.2.Na.9.c
Concept Lineage: A.524, A.526, A.406

Predecessors: No Data Available

Obsolete Names: No Data Available

Obsolete Parents: No Data Available
Synonomy: >< IA9a. Mid-Atlantic Barrier Island Forest (Allard 1990)
? Maritime Pitch Pine Dune Woodland (NYNHP 2013o)
Concept Author(s): L. Sneddon, in Faber-Langendoen et al. (2013)

Author of Description: L. Sneddon

Acknowledgements: No Data Available

Version Date: 12-18-14
  • Allard, D. J. 1990. Southeastern United States ecological community classification. Interim report, Version 1.2. The Nature Conservancy, Southeast Regional Office, Chapel Hill, NC. 96 pp.
  • Faber-Langendoen, D., J. Drake, M. Hall, G. Kittel, S. Menard, C. Nordman, M. Pyne, M. Reid, M. Russo, K. Schulz, L. Sneddon, K. Snow, and J. Teague. 2013-2019b. Screening alliances for induction into the U.S. National Vegetation Classification: Part 1 - Alliance concept review. NatureServe, Arlington, VA.
  • Gawler, S. C., and A. Cutko. 2010. Natural landscapes of Maine: A classification of vegetated natural communities and ecosystems. Maine Natural Areas Program, Department of Conservation, Augusta.
  • NYNHP [New York Natural Heritage Program]. 2013o. Online conservation guide for Maritime Pitch Pine Dune Woodland. New York Natural Heritage Program, Albany, NY. [http://www.acris.nynhp.org/guide.php?id=9956&part=4]
  • Schafale, M. P., and A. S. Weakley. 1990. Classification of the natural communities of North Carolina. Third approximation. North Carolina Department of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources, Division of Parks and Recreation, Natural Heritage Program, Raleigh. 325 pp.
  • Swain, P. C., and J. B. Kearsley. 2011. Classification of the natural communities of Massachusetts. Version 1.4. Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program, Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, Westborough, MA. [http://www.mass.gov/eea/agencies/dfg/dfw/natural-heritage/natural-communities/classification-of-natural-communities.html]