Appalachian mixed mesophytic forests
| Appalachian mixed mesophytic forests | |
|---|---|
Temperate broadleaf and mixed forest | |
| Borders | List
|
| Bird species | 200[1] |
| Mammal species | 73[1] |
| Geography | |
| Area | 192,200 km2 (74,200 sq mi) |
| Country | United States |
| States | List
|
| Climate type | |
| Conservation | |
| Global 200 | Yes |
| Habitat loss | 14.8%[1] |
| Protected | 8.37%[1] |
The Appalachian mixed mesophytic forests is an
This ecoregion consists of the following EPA level III ecoregions:
- Southwestern Appalachians (ecoregion)
- Central Appalachians (ecoregion)
- Western Allegheny Plateau (ecoregion)
Setting
This ecoregion is located in the plains and hill country west of the Appalachians in northwest
Climate
The climate varies from humid continental in the north to humid subtropical in the south.
Flora
They are one of the most biologically diverse
Mesophytic forests
Mesophytic forests are found on deep and enriched soils in sheltered topography such as coves and low-elevation slopes. They are often found near small streams. The herb layer is very rich and, in undisturbed areas, the trees can grow very large. Typical trees include sugar maple (Acer saccharum), beech (Fagus grandifolia), tuliptree (Liriodendron tulipifera), basswood (Tilia americana), northern red oak (Quercus rubra), cucumber tree (Magnolia acuminata), and black walnut (Juglans nigra). Other trees found here are eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis), white ash (Fraxinus americana), sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua), and yellow buckeye (Aesculus flava).[5]
Dry calcareous forests
The southern Ridge and Valley/Cumberland dry calcareous forests occur on dry to dry-mesic calcareous habitats on low escarpments of the Cumberland Plateau. They are often found on deep soils in a variety landscapes within their range. Trees are mainly oaks and hickories, with other species less abundant. Oaks include white oak (Quercus alba), northern red oak (Quercus rubra), post oak (Quercus stellata), chinkapin oak (Quercus muehlenbergii), and Shumard oak (Quercus shumardii). Hickories include shagbark hickory (Carya ovata). Other trees can be sugar maple (Acer saccharum), eastern red-cedar (Juniperus virginiana), or pines.[6]
Appalachian cove forests
Appalachian cove forests are found in sheltered concave slopes with a moist environment. Characteristic tree include yellow buckeye (Aesculus flava), sugar maple (Acer saccharum), white ash (Fraxinus americana), basswood (Tilia americana), tuliptree (Liriodendron tulipifera), Carolina silverbell (Halesia tetraptera), eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis), beech (Fagus grandifolia), cucumber tree (Magnolia acuminata), and Fraser magnolia (Magnolia fraseri).[7]
Dry-mesic oak forests
Dry-mesic oak forests cover large areas at lower and middle elevations on flat to gently rolling terrain. Mature stands have a variety of oak and hickory species adapted to dry-
Dry oak forests and woodlands
The
Low-elevation pine forests
Montane oak forests
Hemlock-northern hardwood forests
Hemlock-northern hardwood forests are found at higher elevations. They include yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis), mountain maple (Acer spicatum), sugar maple (Acer saccharum), beech (Fagus grandifolia), and eastern hemlock (Tsuga canadensis). Mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia) and rhododendron (Rhododendron spp.) are found in the understory.[12]
Spruce-fir forests
Spruce-fir forests occur at the highest elevations, above 3,200 feet (980 m). Their environment is cool and wet, with frequent fog and precipitation. Red spruce (
Bogs
Cranberry bogs harbor species typical of ecoregions found to the north. These species include cranberry and blueberry (
Other habitats
More unique, restricted habitats within these forests include
bogs. These often support endemic plants and land snails.Prehistoric period
During the
Fauna
The woodlands of the area are rich in wildlife. In particular they are important habitat for migrating birds including
Threats
This ecoregion is considered critically endangered with 95% of the habitat degraded or converted to commercial forest. Large areas have been destroyed and fragmented through
Natural areas
The remaining forest is mostly found in protected areas.
- Alabama
- Georgia
- Kentucky
- Maryland
- Ohio
- Ales Run Wilderness Area
- Beaver Creek State Park
- Blue Rock State Forest
- Brush Creek State Forest
- Brush Creek Wilderness Area
- Burr Oak State Park
- Clear Creek Nature Preserve
- Crown City Wildlife Area
- Dean State Forets
- Egypt Valley Wilderness Area
- Fernwood State Forest
- Highlandtown Wilderness Area
- Hocking State Forest
- Mohican-Memorial State Forest
- Muskingum River State Park
- Perry State Forest
- Pike State Forest
- Salt Fork State Park
- Shade River State Forest
- Shawnee State Forest
- Strouds Run State Park
- Tar Hollow State Forest
- Tri-Valley Wilderness Area
- Wayne National Forest
- Wolf Creek Wilderness Area
- Woodybury State Wilderness Area
- Zaleski State Forest
- Pennsylvania
- Tennessee
- Virginia
- Parts of Jefferson National Forest
- Parts of
- West Virginia
- Babcock State Park
- Beech Fork State Park
- Blackwater Falls State Park
- Canaan Valley National Wildlife Refuge
- Canaan Valley Resort State Park
- Cedar Creek State Park
- Chief Logan State Park
- Coopers Rock State Forest
- Gauley River National Recreation Area
- Holly River State Park
- Kanawha State Forest
- Monongahela National Forest
See also
- Appalachian temperate rainforest
- Western Allegheny Plateau ecoregion: WWF sub−ecoregion on the western Allegheny Plateau.
- List of ecoregions in the United States (WWF)
- List of ecoregions in the United States (EPA)
References
- ^ a b c d "The Atlas of Global Conservation". The Nature Conservancy. Archived from the original on 2012-03-05. Retrieved 2017-05-06.
- ^ https://www.mindat.org/climate-Cfb.html
- ^ https://geodiode.com/climate/koppen-classification
- ^ "Encyclopedia of Arkansas". Encyclopedia of Arkansas. Retrieved 2021-02-11.
- ^ "South-Central Interior Mesophytic Forest". NatureServe Explorer. Retrieved 8 October 2012.
- ^ "Southern Ridge and Valley / Cumberland Dry Calcareous Forest". NatureServe Explorer. Retrieved 2 November 2012.
- ^ "Southern and Central Appalachian Cove Forest". NatureServe Explorer. Retrieved 8 October 2012.
- ^ "Northeastern Interior Dry-Mesic Oak Forest". NatureServe Explorer. Retrieved 8 October 2012.
- ^ "Allegheny-Cumberland Dry Oak Forest and Woodland". NatureServe Explorer. Retrieved 11 October 2012.
- ^ "Southern Appalachian Low-Elevation Pine Forest". NatureServe Explorer. Retrieved 11 October 2012.
- ^ "Central and Southern Appalachian Montane Oak Forest". NatureServe Explorer. Retrieved 10 October 2012.
- ^ "Appalachian (Hemlock)-Northern Hardwood". NatureServe Explorer. Retrieved 8 October 2012.
- ^ "Central and Southern Appalachian Spruce-Fir Forest". NatureServe Explorer. Retrieved 8 October 2012.
Bibliography
- "Appalachian mixed mesophytic forests". Terrestrial Ecoregions. World Wildlife Fund.
- World Wildlife Fund, ed. (2001). "Appalachian mixed mesophytic forests". WildWorld Ecoregion Profile. National Geographic Society. Archived from the original on 2010-03-08.
- Appalachian mixed mesophytic forests images at bioimages.vanderbilt.edu
- Owen, Wayne (2002). "Chapter 2 (TERRA–2): The History of Native Plant Communities in the South". Southern Forest Resource Assessment Final Report. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Research Station. Retrieved 2008-07-29.
- Data source for map: Olson, D. M. and E. Dinerstein. The Global 200: Priority ecoregions for global conservation. (PDF file) Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden 89: pgs. 125-126.