Coastal Plain Pine-Oak Barrens | Adaptation Workbook

Situated on the Atlantic coastal plain, this is a dry, fire-adapted forest with a variable canopy of pitch pine and scrub oak. Other oaks are sometimes present, including scarlet, blackjack, chestnut, black, white oak, and post oak. Composition and structure vary with fire frequency. In general, pines are more prevalent in stands with a fire-return interval of less than 10 years, while oaks are more prevalent in stands with a longer fire-return interval. Scrub oak stands may occur without pine cover, particularly in low-lying areas.

Climate Impact Statements

Moisture deficits are expected to become more common, resulting in increased mortality of young regeneration and mature trees in pine-oak barrens.

The dominant species in pine-oak barrens are projected to increase under both climate scenarios.

Pine-oak barrens have low species diversity, which contributes to a reduced adaptive capacity.

Future fire frequency and intensity will strongly influence species composition and dominance in pine-oak barrens. Short fire return intervals may favor pitch pine, while longer fire return intervals may favor oak species.

The absence of fire combined with other disturbances is expected to promote invasive species in pine-oak barrens such as barren bromegrass, cheat grass, Japanese bromegrass, spotted knapweed, Japanese honeysuckle, and garlic-mustard.

Forest pests in pine-oak barrens, including southern pine beetle, are expected to benefit from warmer and drier conditions.

Vulnerability

Low-Moderate

Adaptive Capacity

Moderate

Potential Impacts