State 1
Reference State (minimally managed)

Community 1.1
White Pine - Mixed Conifer Forest

This ecological site occurs on sandy to loamy mesic soils (usually well drained, occasionally imperfectly drained or very well drained), often with a slowly decomposing duff layer of conifer needles. Soils are generally shallow (<40 cm) and moderately acidic (pH 5.0-6.0). These forests are usually at low elevations (<900') on slopes or coarse-textured flats. This is a closed canopy forest type in which white pine is dominant. The pine trees tend to be larger and the other trees smaller, the smaller trees may be more numerous. In many of these forests, the dense and strongly coniferous canopy limits understory growth. Shrub cover is rarely >20% and the herb layer rarely exceeds 30%. The herb layer can include a spotty mixture, but graminoids are very uncommon. The ground layer is mostly conifer litter, with bryoid cover <25%. (Gawler and Cutko, 2010)

Resilience management. Maine Natural Areas Program State Rank: S5 Secure – At very low risk or extinction or elimination due to a very extensive range, abundant populations or occurrences, and little to no concern from declines or threats. Demand for white pine has considerably reduced mature, undisturbed examples of this type. Most sites known to be of high ecological quality lack formal protection. Maintaining the surrounding lands as forest is important in conserving particular stands of this type, particularly given that many known examples are small (<50 acres). (Gawler and Cutko, 2010)

Community 1.2
Hemlock Forest

Hemlock forests are usually on slopes (typically 5-50%) and ravines, with well drained loamy soil. On lower slopes and flats, soils may grade to imperfectly drained. Soils tend to be shallow (<50 cm) and acidic (pH 4.8-5.6). Sites are from sea level to 1200’ and often in cool microsites, although aspect varies. This closed canopy forest type is dominated by hemlock (>50% cover) or, less often, hemlock is co-dominant with red spruce, red oak, yellow birch, red maple, or sugar maple. The conifer canopy allows little light to reach below, and the shrub, herb, and bryoid layers are sparse (each usually <25%, and sometimes absent altogether). Small conifers are present in the herb layer, as well as scattered individuals of typical upland conifer forest. Graminoids are rarely very apparent. The ground layer is mostly conifer litter, with spotty bryophyte cover. (Gawler and Cutko, 2010)

Resilience management. Maine Natural Areas Program State Rank: S4 Apparently Secure – At fairly low risk of extinction or elimination due to an extensive range and/or many populations or occurrences, but with possible cause for some concern as a result of local recent declines, threats, or other factors. Demand in the 1700s -1800s for hemlock considerably reduced mature, undisturbed examples of this type, yet poor market conditions more recently have caused hemlock to be left in partial harvests; many of these legacy trees are quite old. Some evidence suggests that hemlock is less successful at maintaining itself in the face of human-caused disturbance than are northern hardwoods. Most sites known to be of high ecological quality are in southern and central Maine and lack formal protection. Maintaining the surrounding lands as forest is important in conserving particular stands of this type, particularly given that many known examples are small (<50 acres). (Gawler and Cutko, 2010)

Community 1.3
Jack Pine Woodland

These are open canopy woodlands (<60% closure) in which the dominant tree is always jack pine. Red spruce, black spruce, or white pine are common associates. The canopy trees are generally stunted and have poor growth form. Below the canopy, smaller jack pines are common, with scattered shrubs. The extensive herb layer is mostly heath shrubs that may form a thick tangle in canopy openings. Herbs are very sparse. The bryoid layer varies from extensive to quite sparse, and is dominated by reindeer lichens. Sites are dry and occur in cooler climate regions, on gentle slopes with very well drained flats, or on low ridges, usually at <900’ elevation. The substrate is a thin layer (<20 cm) of sandy soil or poorly decomposed organic duff over bedrock; some occurrences grow on deeper sands. Substrates are acidic (pH ~5.0) and nutrient poor. (Gawler and Cutko, 2010)

Resilience management. Maine Natural Areas Program State Rank: S3 Vulnerable – At moderate risk of extinction or elimination due to a fairly restricted range, relatively few populations or occurrences, recent and widespread declines, threats, or other factors. Most sites contain evidence of past fire, which in most cases is required to open the serotinous cones of jack pine. Natural fires in these woodlands may increase the ability of jack pine to maintain its dominance over potentially invasive or fire sensitive tree species. Several sites are on public lands or private conservation lands. (Gawler and Cutko, 2010)

Community 1.4
Birch - Oak Talus Woodland

Sites typically occur on dry, acidic talus substrates with various aspects. Documented elevations are from nearly sea level to about 1500’. These community types are partial canopy deciduous woodlands or patches of woodland among talus areas. Overall canopy closure may be <25% when the open areas are included, the herb layer is best developed in open patches. Vegetation is generally very patchy, developing in pockets among the rocks. (Gawler and Cutko, 2010)

Resilience management. Maine Natural Areas Program State Rank: S3 Vulnerable – At moderate risk of extinction or elimination due to a fairly restricted range, relatively few populations or occurrences, recent and widespread declines, threats, or other factors. Talus woodlands receive little human use because of their inaccessibility and low timber value; however, areas at the base of talus slopes that receive water and nutrients from above sometimes have enough large trees to make logging economical. Conservation of these sites should include the range of talus forest cover, from the base of the slope on up, with a buffer of adjacent forest cover. (Gawler and Cutko, 2010)

Pathway 1.1a
Community 1.1 to 1.2

Competition among species

Context dependence. White pine may be co-dominant in stands that are transitional, with pine giving way to hemlock in time.

State 2
Semi-natural State

Shifts in ecological site composition, functionality, and dynamics driven by natural disturbances, processes, and pressures (may have some anthropogenic influences). More research is needed to determine the extent of the Semi-natural state associated with this ecological site.

Community 2.1
Invasiveness and Biological Introductions

Introduction of invasive species, pathogens, and/or pests resulting in shifts in ecological site composition, functionality, and dynamics. More research is needed to determine the extent of these effects on the semi-natural state associated with this ecological site.

State 3
Cultural State

Shifts in ecological site composition, functionality, and dynamics that are primary driven by anthropogenic disturbances and pressures (may have some associated natural influences). More research is needed to determine the extent of the cultural state associated with this ecological site.

Transition T1A
State 1 to 2

Introduction of invasive species, pests, and/or pathogens; alteration of ecological dynamics, functions, and composition, etc.

Transition T1B
State 1 to 3

Timber management and harvesting, mechanical landscape alteration, mechanical soil disturbance, planting, seeding

Restoration pathway R2A
State 2 to 1

Mechanical, biological, or chemical management of invasive species, pests, and/or pathogens; establishment of native plants through seeding and/or planting

Transition T2A
State 2 to 3

Timber management and harvesting, landscape clearing, mechanical landscape alteration, mechanical soil disturbance, planting, seeding, cultivation

Restoration pathway R3A
State 3 to 1

Restoration of native plant communities, planting, seeding, removal of obstructions or barriers

Restoration pathway R3B
State 3 to 2

Restoration of native plant communities, planting, seeding, removal of obstructions or barriers