Central Oak-Pine | Adaptation Workbook

Oak and oak-pine forests are found in dry to mesic conditions across a variety of sites, from low to high elevations. This type occurs as a large matrix and patches and dominates the central Mid-Atlantic region. Fire history largely determines community composition at individual occurrences. Dominant species in these forests include drought-tolerant oaks, especially northern red, white, black, chestnut, or scarlet oak. Soils are often acidic, and range from dry, and nutrient-poor to relatively basic and moist. Eastern white pine and numerous hardwood species may be present as co-dominants based on the site conditions, including red maple, sassafras, pignut hickory, and mockernut hickory. Pines (pitch, red, shortleaf, Virginia) can outnumber oaks on exposed ridgetops and outcrops. Fire can have a large influence on species composition; appropriate fire regimes will promote xerophytic oaks and pines on the same site that mesic species dominate in the absence of fire.

Climate Impact Statements

Central oak-pine forests thrive across a variety of soil moisture tolerances and is expected to find micro-habitats and refugia in order to persist in some form on the landscape, increasing its adaptive capacity.

Late summer and fall moisture deficits and prolonged higher temperatures may increase fire risk in central oak-pine forests, especially in places where vegetation dries or coarse woody debris accumulates from natural mortality or storm damage.

Moderate increases in the frequency of drought and wildfire, particularly on hotter or drier sites, may favor pine species.

Many dominant species in oak-pine forests are projected to remain stable or increase, including many oaks (black, chestnut, northern red, scarlet, and white), pines (pitch, shortleaf, and Virginia), American chestnut, and mockernut and pignut hickory.

Forest pests including spongy moth (L. dispar) and southern pine beetle are already a serious threat to oaks and pines, and are expected to benefit from warmer and drier conditions. Drought stress may increase the risk of oak decline or sudden oak death.

Deer herbivory is currently very limiting to oak seedling establishment and growth, and deer populations are not expected to change dramatically due to climate alone.

Invasive species such as buckthorn, honeysuckle, and garlic mustard are expected to become more problematic under climate change.

High levels of diversity may increase the ability of forests to adapt to climate change.

Vulnerability

Low-Moderate

Adaptive Capacity