Woodland, Glades, and Barrens | Adaptation Workbook

Composed of several unique forests that are associated with specific rock substrates at low to mid-elevations, these forests occupy the driest sites, and some sites are driven by fire while others are unaffected. Eastern red cedar, common in the absence of fire, is typically found in an open, stunted canopy with sugar maple, northern red and white oak, pignut hickory, eastern redbud, and hackberry. Pitch pine, Virginia pine, scrub oak, and white oak can occupy the driest areas.

Climate Impact Statements

Warmer, drier summers are likely to increase the risk of drought and fire in these locations, which would help maintain the open conditions favoring this community type.

Extreme precipitation events may increase the rate of erosion or disintegration of the shale parent material.

This community is adapted to extreme weather and natural disturbance, and already occupies some of the driest and hottest habitat in the region; all of these reasons suggest that it can adapt to various climate-related stressors.

Most dominant species are projected to increase or remain stable, including eastern redcedar, eastern redbud, hackberry, northern red oak, pignut hickory, pitch pine, scrub oak, Virginia pine, and white oak.

Forest health is not greatly challenged by pests and pathogens, but could become more problematic if the system becomes very drought-stressed.

Vulnerability

Low

Adaptive Capacity

Moderate-High

Potential Impacts

Very supportive to ecosystem