Coastal Plain Swamp | Adaptation Workbook

Situated on the Atlantic coastal plain in depressions, basins, along streams and rivers, and in low-lying areas. Includes a range of forested wetlands heavily influenced by local fresh-water hydrology, with plant communities that reflect the occurrence of seasonal or persistent flooding. Common species include red maple, sweetgum, blackgum, willow oak, and green ash; loblolly pine may occur in locations south of the Delaware Bay. Atlantic white-cedar is often dominant in peat-accumulating basins that are hydrologically isolated from rivers and streams. Better-drained soils within active floodplains can also support baldcypress, shagbark hickory, and wet oaks (pin, swamp white, willow and overcup). Pitch pine lowlands are included here to reflect their occupation of saturated deep peats, but forms a mosaic with upland pitch pine barrens as well as the basin peat swamp forests.

Climate Impact Statements

As temperatures continue to rise, some coastal plain swamps may experience moisture deficits, reducing tree growth and increasing the risk of tree mortality.

Changing precipitation patterns may alter the water table in these groundwater-fed systems, driving changes in species composition in coastal plain swamps.

Continuing sea-level rise is projected to permanently flood areas where elevation is close to the sea level, compounding the effects of storm surge, flooding, and salt spray.

Many species in coastal plain swamps are projected to persist under climate change, including baldcypress, green ash, pin oak, pitch pine, sweetgum, loblolly pine, red maple, and willow oak. Ash species will likely be limited by emerald ash borer.

Atlantic white-cedar is projected to decline under a range of future climates, and the loss of this keystone species may result in the total loss of cedar swamps in the coastal plain.

Vulnerability

Low-Moderate

Adaptive Capacity

Moderate-High

Potential Impacts

Mixed