Maritime Shrubland State Rank: S3 - Vulnerable

from salt deposits on their leaves. Fire (>40% cover) in the salt spray was an important part of this environment zone. Large patches of scrub oak prior to the establishment of fire are separated out as Scrub Oak suppression regimes in settled areas. Shrublands. Areas dominated by Without regular disturbance, the pitch pine are Maritime Pitch community may succeed to forest. Pine Woodland on Dunes, or Pitch Pine - Scrub Oak Community. Red cedar (Virginia juniper) dominated areas are Bayberry in fruit, Maritime Juniper Woodland/ in a Maritime Shrublands. When shrub cover is Shrubland. <40%, the community is Dense sumac in a Maritime Shrubland. Photo: NHESP. Photo: Patricia Swain, NHESP. something else, often Sandplain Heathland or Maritime Dune. Song Sparrows. Maritime Shrublands are Description: Maritime Shrubland Maritime Dunes include patches of shrubs important during fall migrations for cover communities occur along the coast within in areas protected from winds and salt and forage -- many of the plants have fruit the area of direct influence of the ocean spray. When large and continuous such attractive to migrants. White-tailed deer and salt spray, such as on barrier beach Characteristic Species: Maritime patches may be Maritime Shrublands. maintain large populations in shrubland dunes, next to tidal marshes, or on bluffs Shrublands are up to 2-3m (~6-10 ft.) tall Tree cover should be <25% overall in a habitats. Coastal plain shrublands are or rocky headlands. Maritime Shrublands and very dense, often with one or several Maritime Shrubland. Maritime and coastal habitat to state rare moths whose larvae often occur on sand or bedrock that does species dominant. They usually have a forests and shrublands grade into each feed on the typical shrubs. Generally, not hold water. They may extend inland in sparse herbaceous layer, but grasses or other and other community types, such as fewer terrestrial animals are expected as areas with droughty soils or extreme sedges can be abundant. Vines, including wetlands in interdunal swales, dry the environment becomes saltier. exposure to ocean winds that inhibit tree catbrier and poison ivy, often cover other shrubby dunes, and more inland oak growth. Offshore islands can have plants, grow in dense patches on their forests. Examples with Public Access: extensive areas of Maritime Shrublands. own, or form impenetrable barriers Habitat for Associated Fauna: Halibut Point SP, Rockport; Boston They are dominated by patches of dense particularly on their edges. Black Harbor Islands, Weymouth; Demarest - Shrub thickets provide nesting areas for shrubs with scattered areas of more open huckleberry, bayberry, black cherry, black Lloyd Memorial SP, Dartmouth; Quivett Northern Harriers, Northern Towhee, and low growth or bare ground, and have less chokeberry, sumac, blueberries, and Creek/Paines Creek (town), Brewster. than about 25% tree canopy. Plants in juniper are some of the shrubs that occur these communities are exposed to the either mixed or with any one dominant in direct influences of salt and constant small or large patches. Large areas with ocean wind, which select for stress- dense red cedar are split out as Maritime tolerant species. The species of maritime Juniper Woodland/Shrubland. Low bush shrublands do not withstand flooding by blueberry and bearberry may be abundant. salt water, but they tolerate or recover Non-native species including Oriental bittersweet and Morrow's honeysuckle are Maritime Shrubland communities are often abundant. dominated by patches of dense shrubs with scattered areas of more open low Differentiating from Related growth or bare ground; On rocky coastal Communities: Maritime Shrublands headlands or behind dunes, they receive are intended to be large, relatively salt spray during storms; Beach plum flowering in Maritime Shrubland. Maritime Shrubland, with salt damage from a continuous areas dominated by shrubs Photo: Patricia Swain, NHESP. storm. Photo: Patricia Swain, NHESP.

From: Classification of Natural Communities of Massachusetts htthttpp://www;mass;gov/nhesp/://www;mass;gov/nhesp/ Updated: 2016 Natural Heritage & Endangered Species Program, Division of FishFisheeriesries & Wildlife, 1 Rabbit Hill Rd;, Westborough, M! 01581 (508) 389-6360