Central Atlantic Coast Wet Longleaf Pine Savanna

EVT 7449Central Atlantic Coastal Plain Wet Longleaf Pine Savanna and Flatwoods
CES203.265GNRTreeRiparian
Summary
This ecological system of wet Pinus palustris-dominated savannas and flatwoods ranges from southern Virginia to central South Carolina. It was once one of the most extensive systems in the coastward part of its range. Examples and associations share the common features of wet, seasonally saturated, mineral soils and exposure to frequent fire. They occur on a wide range of soil textures, which is an important factor in distinguishing different associations. The vegetation is naturally dominated by Pinus palustris or, less frequently, Pinus serotina. There is a dense ground cover of herbs and low shrubs; grasses dominate but there is often a large diversity of other herbs. Frequent, low-intensity fire is the dominant natural ecological force.
Source: NatureServe Explorer
Vegetation
Vegetation is a set of associations that are naturally woodlands or savannas dominated by Pinus palustris or, less frequently, by Pinus serotina, Pinus elliottii, or some combination. Hardwoods are present in any abundance only in examples altered by fire suppression. The ground cover is a dense combination of herbs and low shrubs. A variety of ericaceous shrubs and hollies is common, with density determined by fire history. Grasses naturally dominate the ground cover. Aristida stricta often dominates within its range, but Ctenium aromaticum, Sporobolus pinetorum, Sporobolus teretifolius, or other grasses may dominate. A great diversity of other herbs is often present, including composites, sedges, insectivorous plants, and variety of showy forbs. Communities in this system are often very high in species richness, with some of the highest values measured anywhere at the 1/10-hectare, 1/100-hectare, and 1-m2 levels. However, some associations are naturally low to moderate in species richness.
Source: NatureServe Explorer
Environment
This system occurs on wet mineral soil sites, primarily in the Middle and Outer Coastal Plain but occasionally in the Fall-line Sandhills. Landforms include low areas in relict beach ridge systems and eolian sand deposits, and poorly drained clayey, loamy, or sandy flats. They occasionally occur on river terraces above current flood levels. Soils range from clayey to sandy, with no accumulated organic surface layer. Soils are seasonally saturated, due to high water table or poor soil drainage. The unifying feature of this system is wet mineral soils associated with a high frequency of fire. Variation in soil texture appears to be a primary driver of differences between associations within the system, with biogeography also important.
Source: NatureServe Explorer
Dynamics
Frequent fire is the predominant natural disturbance in this system. Communities naturally burned every few years, many averaging as often as every 3 years. Fires are naturally low to moderate in intensity. They burn above-ground parts of herbs and shrubs but have little effect on the fire-tolerant trees. Vegetation recovers very quickly from fire, with live herbaceous biomass often restored in just a few weeks during the growing season. Many plants have their flowering triggered by burning, the effects on subsequent establishment are not well-documented. In the absence of fire, the shrubs increase and hardwoods may invade the system. Herb layer density and diversity decline after a number of years without fire. In time, unburned examples may become nearly indistinguishable from the drier associations of Atlantic Coastal Plain Peatland Pocosin and Canebrake (CES203.267).

Canopies are believed to naturally be multi-aged, consisting of a mosaic of even-aged patches driven by gap-phase regeneration. Pinus palustris is shade-intolerant and slow to reach reproductive age but is very long-lived, and healthy trees continue to produce more cones as they age beyond 100 years.
Source: NatureServe Explorer
Threats
Lack of fire is a big threat for all Pinus palustris ecosystems. Threats also include the loss of habitat from commercial and residential development, and fragmentation of habitat by roads. These threats limit prescribed burning due to urban interface, safety and smoke management concerns. Invasive exotic species are threats, including Imperata cylindrica (Brewer 2008), Lespedeza bicolor, Lespedeza cuneata, Lonicera japonica, and feral pigs (Sus scrofa), which root up Pinus palustris seedlings (Wahlenberg 1946) and herbaceous plants with thick roots. Pinus palustris woodlands have declined due to conversion to intensively managed pine plantations. Today, conversion for development is greater than conversion to intensively managed pine plantations.
Source: NatureServe Explorer
Distribution
This system ranges from southern Virginia to central South Carolina. To the south, the equivalent system is Southern Atlantic Coastal Plain Wet Pine Savanna and Flatwoods (CES203.536), the range of which includes Georgia and northern Florida.
Source: NatureServe Explorer
Ecologically Associated Plant Species

Plant species that characterize this ecosystem type, organized by vegetation stratum. These are species ecologically associated with the ecosystem, not confirmed present in any specific area.

Tree canopy

Magnolia virginiana, Pinus elliottii, Pinus palustris, Pinus serotina

Shrub/sapling (tall & short)

Ilex coriacea, Ilex glabra, Lyonia lucida

Short shrub/sapling

Amorpha confusa, Amorpha georgiana

Herb (field)

Agalinis aphylla, Allium sp. 1, Andropogon arctatus, Aristida stricta, Calopogon multiflorus, Carex chapmanii, Carex lutea, Carex striata var. striata, Carex superata, Cirsium lecontei, Cirsium virginianum, Coreopsis aristulata, Ctenium aromaticum, Desmodium paniculatum var. epetiolatum, Dichanthelium hirstii, Dionaea muscipula, Eryngium aquaticum var. ravenelii, Eupatorium anomalum, Eupatorium mohrii, Gentiana autumnalis, Helianthus floridanus, Hypericum adpressum, Iris tridentata, Lachnocaulon beyrichianum, Lachnocaulon minus, Linum floridanum var. chrysocarpum, Lobelia boykinii, Ludwigia ravenii, Lysimachia asperulifolia, Lysimachia loomisii, Macbridea caroliniana, Minuartia godfreyi, Muhlenbergia torreyana, Narthecium americanum, Oxypolis ternata, Parnassia caroliniana, Paspalum dilatatum, Plantago lanceolata, Plantago sparsiflora, Platanthera blephariglottis var. conspicua, Platanthera integra, Pteroglossaspis ecristata, Rhexia alifanus, Rhexia aristosa, Rhynchospora cephalantha, Rhynchospora galeana, Rhynchospora globularis var. pinetorum, Rhynchospora pallida, Rhynchospora pleiantha, Rhynchospora thornei, Rudbeckia heliopsidis, Ruellia pedunculata ssp. pinetorum, Sabatia brevifolia, Sarracenia rubra, Sarracenia rubra ssp. rubra, Schwalbea americana, Scleria bellii, Senega hookeri, Solidago pulchra, Solidago verna, Solidago villosicarpa, Spiranthes eatonii, Spiranthes longilabris, Sporobolus floridanus, Sporobolus pinetorum, Sporobolus teretifolius, Thalictrum cooleyi, Tiedemannia canbyi, Tofieldia glabra, Tridens flavus var. chapmanii, Trillium pusillum, Trillium pusillum var. pusillum, Xyris serotina, Xyris sp. 1, Xyris stricta

Nonvascular

Bruchia hallii
Source: NatureServe Ecological System assessment
Ecologically Associated Animals (15)

Animal species ecologically associated with this ecosystem type based on NatureServe assessment. These are species whose habitat requirements overlap with this ecosystem, not confirmed present in any specific roadless area.

Birds (1)

Common NameScientific NameG-Rank
Florida Sandhill CraneAntigone canadensis pratensisG5T2

Amphibians (5)

Common NameScientific NameG-Rank
Pine Woods TreefrogDryophytes femoralisG5
Gopher FrogLithobates capitoG2G3
Southern Leopard FrogLithobates sphenocephalusG5
Brimley's Chorus FrogPseudacris brimleyiG5
Little Grass FrogPseudacris ocularisG5

Butterflies & Moths (5)

Common NameScientific NameG-Rank
Eastern Arogos SkipperAtrytone arogos arogosG2G3T1T2
Loammi SkipperAtrytonopsis loammiG2
Berry's SkipperEuphyes berryiG3G4
Venus Flytrap CutwormHemipachnobia subporphyreaG1
Carter's Noctuid MothPhotedes carteraeG2G3

Insects (2)

Common NameScientific NameG-Rank
Little Eastern GrasshopperEotettix pusillusG2G3
Slender-bodied Spur-throat GrasshopperMelanoplus attenuatusG2G3

Other (2)

Common NameScientific NameG-Rank
Pyxie MothAgrotis carolinaG2G3Q
North Carolina Gabara MothGabara sp. 1G1G3
Source: NatureServe Ecological System assessment
At-Risk Species Associated with this Ecosystem (70)

Species with conservation concern that are ecologically associated with this ecosystem type. G-Rank indicates global conservation status: G1 (critically imperiled) through G5 (secure). ESA status indicates U.S. Endangered Species Act listing.

Common NameScientific NameG-RankESA Status
Coastal Plain False FoxgloveAgalinis aphyllaG3G4--
Pyxie MothAgrotis carolinaG2G3Q--
Savanna OnionAllium sp. 1G1G2--
Savanna Indigo-bushAmorpha confusaG2G3Under Review
Georgia LeadplantAmorpha georgianaG1Under Review
Pinewoods BluestemAndropogon arctatusG3--
Florida Sandhill CraneAntigone canadensis pratensisG5T2--
Eastern Arogos SkipperAtrytone arogos arogosG2G3T1T2--
Loammi SkipperAtrytonopsis loammiG2--
Hall's Bruchia MossBruchia halliiG2--
Many-flower Grass-pinkCalopogon multiflorusG3--
Chapman's SedgeCarex chapmaniiG3--
Golden SedgeCarex luteaG2Endangered
Le Conte's ThistleCirsium leconteiG3--
Short-awned CoreopsisCoreopsis aristulataG1--
Panicled-leaf Tick-trefoilDesmodium paniculatum var. epetiolatumG5T1Q--
Hirst Brothers' PanicgrassDichanthelium hirstiiG1--
Venus FlytrapDionaea muscipulaG2G3--
Little Eastern GrasshopperEotettix pusillusG2G3--
Ravenel's EryngoEryngium aquaticum var. raveneliiG4T2T3--
Florida ThoroughwortEupatorium anomalumG2G3--
Berry's SkipperEuphyes berryiG3G4--
North Carolina Gabara MothGabara sp. 1G1G3--
Pine Barren GentianGentiana autumnalisG3--
Venus Flytrap CutwormHemipachnobia subporphyreaG1--
Creeping St. John's-wortHypericum adpressumG3--
Savanna IrisIris tridentataG3G4--
Small's BogbuttonLachnocaulon minusG3G4--
Yellow-fruit FlaxLinum floridanum var. chrysocarpumG5?T3?--
Gopher FrogLithobates capitoG2G3Under Review
Boykin's LobeliaLobelia boykiniiG2?Under Review
Raven's SeedboxLudwigia raveniiG1G2Under Review
Roughleaf LoosestrifeLysimachia asperulifoliaG3Endangered
Loomis' LoosestrifeLysimachia loomisiiG3?--
Carolina Birds-in-a-nestMacbridea carolinianaG3--
Slender-bodied Spur-throat GrasshopperMelanoplus attenuatusG2G3--
Godfrey's StitchwortMinuartia godfreyiG1Under Review
Torrey's DropseedMuhlenbergia torreyanaG3--
Bog AsphodelNarthecium americanumG2--
Savanna CowbaneOxypolis ternataG3--
Carolina Grass-of-ParnassusParnassia carolinianaG3--
Carter's Noctuid MothPhotedes carteraeG2G3--
Pineland PlantainPlantago sparsifloraG3--
Yellow Fringeless OrchidPlatanthera integraG3G4--
Awned MeadowbeautyRhexia aristosaG3G4--
Short-bristle BaldrushRhynchospora galeanaG3?--
Small's BeakrushRhynchospora globularis var. pinetorumG5?T3T4--
Pale BeakrushRhynchospora pallidaG3--
Brown BeakrushRhynchospora pleianthaG2G3--
Thorne's BeakrushRhynchospora thorneiG3--
Sun-facing ConeflowerRudbeckia heliopsidisG2Under Review
Stalked Wild PetuniaRuellia pedunculata ssp. pinetorumG5T2T3--
Shortleaf PinkSabatia brevifoliaG3G4--
Red-flowered Sweet PitcherplantSarracenia rubra ssp. rubraG3G4T3T4--
American ChaffseedSchwalbea americanaG2Endangered
Smooth-seeded Hairy NutrushScleria belliiG3--
Hooker's MilkwortSenega hookeriG3--
Carolina GoldenrodSolidago pulchraG3--
Spring-flowering GoldenrodSolidago vernaG2--
Coastal GoldenrodSolidago villosicarpaG2--
Eaton's Ladies'-tressesSpiranthes eatoniiG3Q--
Giant-spiral Ladies'-tressesSpiranthes longilabrisG3--
Florida DropseedSporobolus floridanusG3--
Carolina DropseedSporobolus pinetorumG3--
Wireleaf DropseedSporobolus teretifoliusG2Under Review
Cooley's MeadowrueThalictrum cooleyiG1Endangered
Canby's DropwortTiedemannia canbyiG2Endangered
Chapman's RedtopTridens flavus var. chapmaniiG5T3--
Least TrilliumTrillium pusillum var. pusillumG4T3--
Acid-swamp Yellow-eyed-grassXyris serotinaG3G4--
Source: NatureServe Ecological System assessment
Component Associations (14)

Plant community associations that occur within this ecological system. Associations are the finest level of the U.S. National Vegetation Classification (USNVC) and describe specific, repeating assemblages of plant species. Each association represents a distinct community type that may be found where this ecosystem occurs.

NameG-Rank
Hypericum tenuifolium / Aristida stricta Wet Dwarf-shrublandG1 NatureServe
Pinus palustris / Arundinaria tecta - Liquidambar styraciflua / Andropogon glomeratus - Sarracenia minor WoodlandG1 NatureServe
Pinus palustris / Ilex glabra / Aristida stricta WoodlandG3 NatureServe
Pinus palustris / Leiophyllum buxifolium / Aristida stricta WoodlandG1 NatureServe
Pinus palustris - Pinus serotina / Ctenium aromaticum - Muhlenbergia expansa - Carphephorus odoratissimus WoodlandG3 NatureServe
Pinus palustris - Pinus serotina / Ctenium aromaticum - Muhlenbergia expansa - Rhynchospora latifolia WoodlandG1 NatureServe
Pinus palustris - Pinus serotina / Ctenium aromaticum - Scleria pauciflora - Sarracenia flava WoodlandG1 NatureServe
Pinus palustris - (Pinus serotina) / Ilex glabra - Gaylussacia frondosa - (Kalmia carolina) WoodlandG2 NatureServe
Pinus palustris - Pinus serotina / Magnolia virginiana / Sporobolus teretifolius - Carex striata WoodlandG1 NatureServe
Pinus palustris - Pinus serotina / Pleea tenuifolia - Aristida stricta WoodlandG1 NatureServe
Pinus palustris - Pinus serotina / Sporobolus pinetorum - (Aristida stricta) - Eryngium integrifolium WoodlandG2 NatureServe
Pinus palustris - Pinus serotina / Sporobolus pinetorum - Ctenium aromaticum - Eriocaulon decangulare var. decangulare WoodlandG1 NatureServe
Pinus palustris - Pinus taeda - Pinus serotina / Quercus pumila / Aristida stricta WoodlandG1 NatureServe
Pinus palustris / Serenoa repens - Ilex glabra WoodlandG2 NatureServe
State Conservation Ranks (3)

Subnational conservation status ranks (S-ranks) assigned by Natural Heritage Programs in each state where this ecosystem occurs. S1 indicates critically imperiled at the state level, S2 imperiled, S3 vulnerable, S4 apparently secure, and S5 secure. An ecosystem may be globally secure but imperiled in specific states at the edge of its range.

StateS-Rank
NCSNR
SCSNR
VASNR
Roadless Areas (6)

Inventoried Roadless Areas where this ecosystem is present, identified from LANDFIRE 2024 Existing Vegetation Type spatial analysis. Coverage indicates the proportion of each area occupied by this ecosystem type.

North Carolina (4)

AreaForestCoverageHectares
Catfish Lake South - ACroatan National Forest18.6%16.29
Pocosin AdditionCroatan National Forest14.7%17.01
Pond Pine BCroatan National Forest2.0%24.03
Catfish Lake NorthCroatan National Forest0.9%39.6

South Carolina (2)

AreaForestCoverageHectares
Wambaw ExtFrancis Marion National Forest13.3%28.35
Hellhole ExtFrancis Marion National Forest7.9%28.26
Methodology and Data Sources

Ecosystem classification: Ecosystems are classified using the LANDFIRE 2024 Existing Vegetation Type (EVT) layer, mapped to NatureServe Terrestrial Ecological Systems via a curated crosswalk. Each EVT is linked to the USNVC (U.S. National Vegetation Classification) hierarchy through pixel-level co-occurrence analysis of LANDFIRE EVT and NatureServe IVC Group rasters across all roadless areas.

Vegetation coverage: Coverage percentages and hectares are derived from zonal statistics of the LANDFIRE 2024 EVT raster intersected with roadless area boundaries.

Ecosystem narratives and community species: Sourced from the NatureServe Explorer API, representing professional ecological assessments of vegetation composition, environmental setting, dynamics, threats, and characteristic species assemblages.

IVC hierarchy: The International Vegetation Classification hierarchy is sourced from the USNVC v3.0 Catalog, providing the full classification from Biome through Association levels.

Component associations: Plant community associations listed as components of each NatureServe Ecological System. Association data from the NatureServe Explorer API.

State ranks: Conservation status ranks assigned by NatureServe member programs in each state where the ecosystem occurs.