U.S. Department of the Interior Southeast Climate Science Center Insular Ecosystems of the Southeastern United States: A Regional Synthesis to Support Biodiversity Conservation in a Changing Climate Professional Paper 1828 U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey Cover photographs, left column, top to bottom: Photographs are by Alan M. Cressler, U.S. Geological Survey, unless noted otherwise. Ambystoma maculatum (spotted salamander) in a Carolina bay on the eastern shore of Maryland. Photograph by Joel Snodgrass, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. Geum radiatum, Roan Mountain, Pisgah National Forest, Mitchell County, North Carolina. Dalea gattingeri, Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, Catoosa County, Georgia. Round Bald, Pisgah and Cherokee National Forests, Mitchell County, North Carolina, and Carter County, Tennessee. Cover photographs, right column, top to bottom: Habitat monitoring at Leatherwood Ford cobble bar, Big South Fork Cumberland River, Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, Tennessee. Photograph by Nora Murdock, National Park Service. Soil island, Davidson-Arabia Mountain Nature Preserve, Dekalb County, Georgia. Photograph by Alan M. Cressler, U.S. Geological Survey. Antioch Bay, Hoke County, North Carolina. Photograph by Lisa Kelly, University of North Carolina at Pembroke. Insular Ecosystems of the Southeastern United States: A Regional Synthesis to Support Biodiversity Conservation in a Changing Climate By Jennifer M. Cartwright and William J. Wolfe U.S. Department of the Interior Southeast Climate Science Center Professional Paper 1828 U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey U.S. Department of the Interior SALLY JEWELL, Secretary U.S. Geological Survey Suzette M. Kimball, Director U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia: 2016 For more information on the USGS—the Federal source for science about the Earth, its natural and living resources, natural hazards, and the environment—visit http://www.usgs.gov or call 1–888–ASK–USGS. For an overview of USGS information products, including maps, imagery, and publications, visit http://store.usgs.gov. Any use of trade, firm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. Although this information product, for the most part, is in the public domain, it also may contain copyrighted materials as noted in the text. Permission to reproduce copyrighted items must be secured from the copyright owner. Suggested citation: Cartwright, J.M., and Wolfe, W.J., 2016, Insular ecosystems of the southeastern United States—A regional synthesis to support biodiversity conservation in a changing climate: U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 1828, 162 p., http://dx.doi.org/10.3133/pp1828. http://catalog.loc.gov/ ISSN 1044-9612 (print) ISSN 2330-7102 (online) ISBN 978-1-4113-4067-1 iii Contents Acknowledgments .....................................................................................................................................viii Abstract ...........................................................................................................................................................1 Chapter A. Introduction ...............................................................................................................................3 Background............................................................................................................................................4 Purpose and Scope ..............................................................................................................................4 Approach ................................................................................................................................................4 References .............................................................................................................................................6 Chapter B. Granite Outcrops of the Piedmont .........................................................................................9 Introduction............................................................................................................................................9 Geographic Range ................................................................................................................................9 Physical Geography............................................................................................................................11 Stress and Disturbance Regimes .....................................................................................................11 Community Types and Vegetation Dynamics .................................................................................12 Contributions to Regional Biodiversity ............................................................................................15 Conservation Considerations ............................................................................................................18 References ...........................................................................................................................................20 Chapter C. Limestone Cedar Glades ........................................................................................................23 Introduction..........................................................................................................................................23 Geographic Range ..............................................................................................................................24 Physical Geography............................................................................................................................25 Stress and Disturbance Regimes .....................................................................................................26 Community Types and Vegetation Dynamics .................................................................................27 Differentiation from Related Ecosystems .......................................................................................28 Contributions to Regional Biodiversity ............................................................................................29 Conservation Considerations ............................................................................................................32 References ...........................................................................................................................................35 Chapter D. Xeric Limestone Prairies .......................................................................................................39 Introduction..........................................................................................................................................39 Geographic Range and Differentiation from Related Ecosystems .............................................39 Physical Geography............................................................................................................................42 Stress and Disturbance Regimes .....................................................................................................42 Community Types and Vegetation Dynamics .................................................................................44 Contributions to Regional Biodiversity ............................................................................................46 Conservation Considerations ............................................................................................................47 References ...........................................................................................................................................50 Chapter E. Mid-Appalachian Shale Barrens ..........................................................................................55 Introduction..........................................................................................................................................55 Geographic Range ..............................................................................................................................55 Physical Geography............................................................................................................................57 Stress and Disturbance Regimes .....................................................................................................58 Community Types and Vegetation Dynamics .................................................................................59 Contributions to Regional Biodiversity ............................................................................................60 Conservation Considerations ............................................................................................................62 References ...........................................................................................................................................64 iv Chapter F. High-Elevation Outcrops and Balds of the Southern Appalachians ...............................67 Introduction..........................................................................................................................................67 Geographic Range ..............................................................................................................................68 Physical Geography............................................................................................................................69