Chapter 4 Habitats
Addendum 2
4.4.19 Piedmont and Coastal Plain Oak Forest
4.4.19.1 Ecosystem Description
Oak forests were once the most common natural community type in the Piedmont, occupying most of the uplands. In the Coastal Plain they were much more limited, especially in areas farther south. They occur primarily in dissected areas such as stream bluffs but may also occur on low upland ridges within large floodplain terraces or swamps. Soils are usually acidic, but on unusual types of rock, such as diabase and gabbro, they may be circumneutral. Piedmont and Coastal Plain oak-hickory forests are generally dominated by white oak in combination with post, red, southern red, or black oak species. Hickories are generally the second most diverse genus in the canopy, but pines, maples, tulip poplar, or other hardwood species may be abundant. In less acidic examples, ash is often abundant. Large numbers of pine, tulip poplar, sweetgum, or red maple usually indicate a history of severe disturbance. The understory in these forests often consists of red maple, sourwood, black gum, and flowering dogwood. In acidic sites, species of blueberry or huckleberry can form a substantial shrub layer. Herbs are generally sparse and low in diversity at present; they were more abundant and diverse when fire was a regular occurrence. Natural oak — hickory forests can be categorized into eight community types based on canopy composition, moisture levels, and soil chemistry, as well as biogeography. The first two community types are the most abundant, and some of the others are rare. • Dry Oak — Hickory Forests were once one of the predominant forests of the Piedmont, occurring on drier upper slopes and on the broad upland ridges where acidic soils are present. In the Coastal Plain they are scarce and limited to dry upper slopes of bluff systems. White oak, in combination with post oak or southern red oak, dominates the canopy in more natural examples, and hickories and shortleaf pine are commonly associated. Dry Oak — Hickory Forests were probably once the most extensive forests in the Piedmont. Although they remain one of the most common community types, extensive agriculture and land development on the flat uplands has reduced them by a greater proportion than most other community types. Very mature examples are uncommon, and old-growth examples are unknown. Coastal Plain examples are rare.
• Dry — Mesic Oak — Hickory Forest communities occur on slightly more moist areas, on slopes and rolling uplands. They typically have white and red oaks as the primary
2022 Addendum 2 NC Wildlife Action Plan
4A2-1
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