Warmer temperatures are generally not expected to have major effects on this community because it is at the northern extent of its range in the region and occurs on particularly warm and dry sites. It is uncertain how climate change would affect the low-lying frost pockets common in this forest type, which generally favor cold-hardy scrub oak. Over the long-term, substantially warmer temperatures could reduce the occurrence of these unique microclimates. Although pitch pine-scrub oak forests are generally expected to benefit under warmer and drier conditions, the close association of this forest type with sandy, nutrient-poor soils suggests that it may be unable to expand its extent appreciably.