Pine-dominated maritime forests are distributed along the length of the outer Coastal Plain maritime zone and barrier islands in Virginia, including the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay. Soils in these habitats often accumulate thick duff layers up to 15 cm (6 in) thick, which may be the result of a suppressed fire regime in some stands. The upper mineral soil horizon is dark sand or very sandy clay, and the water table may be relatively close to the surface. Forest overstories consist of nearly pure loblolly pine (Pinus taeda), with sparse to dense understories of red maple (Acer rubrum), black cherry (Prunus serotina var. serotina), and sassafras (Sassafras albidum). Shrubs, which vary greatly in cover, include southern bayberry (Myrica cerifera var. cerifera) and highbush blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum, Vaccinium formosum, and Vaccinium fuscatum). Muscadine grape (Vitis rotundifolia) and greenbriers (Smilax rotundifolia) and Smilax bona-nox) are quite common throughout. Although the overstory and shrub strata can be quite dense, the herb layer is usually sparse and floristically depauperate. Slender spikegrass (Chasmanthium laxum) is one of the few herbaceous plants that may be abundant.
Maritime forests co-dominated by deciduous trees are scattered on sheltered back dunes along both flanks of the Eastern Shore (Accomack and Northampton Counties), as well as Cape Henry in southeastern Virginia (City of Virginia Beach). They also occur in isolated, relict dune habitats on the western shore of the Chesapeake Bay and along the lower stretches of large, estuarine rivers. Habitats are most frequently located on the leeward slopes of bay-side dunes or old ocean-side dunes well protected from salt spray and winds. Soils are well drained to rapidly drained, nutrient-poor sands and sandy loams. Overstories contain variable mixtures of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda), southern red oak (Quercus falcata), water oak (Quercus nigra), post oak (Quercus stellata), black oak (Quercus velutina), cherrybark oak (Quercus pagoda), hickories (Carya glabra, Carya pallida and Carya alba), and black cherry (Prunus serotina var. serotina). Understory layers of drier stands may be very sparse, while more mesic stands often contain American holly (Ilex opaca var. opaca), sweetleaf (Symplocos tinctoria), devilwood (Osmanthus americanus), American beautyberry (Callicarpa americana), and “bay” species such as southern bayberry (Myrica cerifera var. cerifera) and red bay (Persea palustris). The herb layer is often covered with dense tangles of common greenbrier (Smilax rotundifolia) and muscadine grape (Vitis rotundifolia); true herbs are typically sparse.
Mixed coastal forests with a prominent component of broadleaf evergreen trees reach their northernmost limits along the southeastern Virginia coast, where they are confined to areas on and near False Cape and Cape Henry (City of Virginia Beach). Habitats are back dunes and the leeward sides of stabilized dunes that are protected from the ocean salt spray. Live oak (Quercus virginiana) is the dominant species in mixtures with loblolly pine (Pinus taeda), Darlington's oak (Quercus hemisphaerica var. hemisphaerica), and black cherry (Prunus serotina var. serotina). Characteristic understory plants include poison ivy (Toxicodendron radicans ssp. radicans), common greenbrier (Smilax rotundifolia), southern bayberry (Myrica cerifera var. cerifera), persimmon (Diospyros virginiana), American holly (Ilex opaca var. opaca), yaupon holly (Ilex vomitoria), and highbush blueberries (Vaccinium corymbosum, Vaccinium formosum, and Vaccinium fuscatum). Ground cover is sparse, consisting of a thin layer of dry leathery oak leaves and scattered forbs such as yellow jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens) and narrow-leaved golden-aster (Pityopsis graminifolia var. latifolia), as well as slender spikegrass. In Virginia, two state-rare moths, the orange panopoda (Panopoda repanda) and the owlet (noctuid) moth (Metria amella) , feed on live oak in this community.
All community types in this group are considered globally rare because of restricted ranges, narrow habitat requirements, and threats from coastal development.
References: Clampitt (1991), Harvill (1967), Levy (1983), The Nature Conservancy (1997).
|
Maritime forest dominated by loblolly pine (Pinus taeda), southern bayberry (Myrica cerifera var. cerifera), and slender spike-grass (Chasmanthium laxum). False Cape State Park, City of Virginia Beach. Photo © Gary P. Fleming. |
 |
Gnarled live oaks (Quercus virginiana) in a South Atlantic Maritime Evergreen Forest at False Cape State Park, City of Virginia Beach. Photo: © Gary P. Fleming. |
 |
Dry, open forest of southern red oak (Quercus falcata), water oak (Quercus nigra), and loblolly pine (Pinus taeda), on back dunes near Cape Henry, City of Virginia Beach (First Landing / Seashore State Park). Photo: Gary P. Fleming / © DCR Natural Heritage. |
| back to top of page | previous Ecological Group |
