Lowland and Riparian Hardwood

A range of forested wetlands found in depressions and low-lying areas, along waterways, and in floodplains. These forests are heavily influenced by local hydrology, with plant communities that reflect the occurrence of seasonal flooding, erosion, groundwater seepage, or other local dynamics. Better-drained soils may support a variety of hardwood species suited to local conditions, often dominated by pin oak, swamp white oak, shagbark hickory, and sweetgum. Poorly drained or inundated soils can include silver maple, sycamore, boxelder, musclewood, blackgum, sweetgum, red maple, black ash, river birch, green ash, bur oak (rare), cottonwood (rare).