New Jersey Pinelands Pitch Pine Lowland

EVT 7456Northern Atlantic Coastal Plain Pitch Pine Lowland
CES203.374GNRTreeRiparian
Summary
This system comprises wetland pine barrens vegetation and coastal plain peatlands from the New Jersey Pine Barrens south into the Delmarva Peninsula and upper Chesapeake Bay. Although this system can be extensive, components often co-occur as a mosaic with upland pine barrens vegetation as well. The vegetation is characterized by associations having variable hydroperiods, occurring on a range of substrates from saturated deep peats to seasonally saturated mineral soils. Physiognomy of the component associations is similarly widely variable, ranging from wet grasslands dominated by Calamovilfa brevipilis, to boggy shrublands characterized by Gaylussacia dumosa, Chamaedaphne calyculata, Eubotrys racemosa, and others, to seasonally saturated pine forests characterized by mesic species such as Clethra alnifolia. Fire frequency, as well as hydrology, has a profound influence on the vegetation. Where fire frequency is high, woody vegetation is impeded, favoring the development of large wet grasslands.
Source: NatureServe Explorer
Vegetation
The vegetation is characterized by associations having variable hydroperiods, occurring on a range of substrates from saturated deep peats to seasonally saturated mineral soils. Physiognomy of the component associations is similarly widely variable, ranging from wet grasslands dominated by Calamovilfa brevipilis, to boggy shrublands characterized by Gaylussacia dumosa, Chamaedaphne calyculata, Eubotrys racemosa (= Leucothoe racemosa), and others, to seasonally saturated pine forests characterized by mesic species such as Clethra alnifolia.
Source: NatureServe Explorer
Environment
This system occurs within the larger matrix of pitch pine - scrub oak barrens of the New Jersey Pinelands. Hydrology is primarily groundwater-controlled; vegetation composition is a reflection of depth to water table.
Source: NatureServe Explorer
Dynamics
This system and the composition and structure of its mosaic of patch types are influenced by depth to water table (Ehrenfeld 1986). Pitch pines are also structured by fires, but fire regime differs from uplands in that in the wet environment, fire frequency is lower, but the high shrub density often leads to crown fires. In high-intensity fires, pitch pines are killed, and even the organic layer may be consumed during periods of drought. Successional pathways following fire depend on depth of remaining organic layer and proximity of seed source (Little 1979c).
Source: NatureServe Explorer
Threats
Alteration of hydrology leading to drying of substrate.
Source: NatureServe Explorer
Distribution
This system is best developed in the New Jersey Pine Barrens, but occurrences are present south to the Inner Coastal Plain of Maryland.
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

Chamaecyparis thyoides, Pinus rigida

Shrub/sapling (tall & short)

Leucothoe racemosa, Rubus hypolasius, Vaccinium corymbosum

Herb (field)

Calamovilfa brevipilis, Carex striata, Cirsium virginianum, Coreopsis rosea, Eupatorium resinosum, Gentiana autumnalis, Juncus caesariensis, Muhlenbergia torreyana, Narthecium americanum, Platanthera integra, Rhexia aristosa, Rhynchospora knieskernii, Rhynchospora pallida, Scirpus longii
Source: NatureServe Ecological System assessment
Ecologically Associated Animals (4)

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.

Reptiles (4)

Common NameScientific NameG-Rank
Eastern Hog-nosed SnakeHeterodon platirhinosG5
Eastern KingsnakeLampropeltis getulaG5
Rough GreensnakeOpheodrys aestivusG5
Eastern RibbonsnakeThamnophis sauritaG5
Source: NatureServe Ecological System assessment
At-Risk Species Associated with this Ecosystem (12)

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
Rose CoreopsisCoreopsis roseaG3--
Pine Barrens BonesetEupatorium resinosumG3--
Pine Barren GentianGentiana autumnalisG3--
New Jersey RushJuncus caesariensisG2G3--
Torrey's DropseedMuhlenbergia torreyanaG3--
Bog AsphodelNarthecium americanumG2--
Yellow Fringeless OrchidPlatanthera integraG3G4--
Awned MeadowbeautyRhexia aristosaG3G4--
Knieskern's BeaksedgeRhynchospora knieskerniiG2Threatened
Pale BeakrushRhynchospora pallidaG3--
Pineland DewberryRubus hypolasiusG1?Q--
Long's BulrushScirpus longiiG3--
Source: NatureServe Ecological System assessment
Component Associations (11)

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
Acer rubrum - Nyssa sylvatica - Magnolia virginiana / Viburnum nudum var. nudum / Osmunda cinnamomea SwampG3 NatureServe
Chamaedaphne calyculata / Carex striata Acidic PeatlandGNR NatureServe
Gaylussacia dumosa / Calamovilfa brevipilis Shrubby Graminoid Acidic PeatlandG1 NatureServe
Nyssa sylvatica - Magnolia virginiana / Rhododendron viscosum - Toxicodendron vernix / Smilax pseudochina Swamp WoodlandG1 NatureServe
Panicum virgatum Central Interior Wet MeadowGNR NatureServe
Pinus rigida / Chamaedaphne calyculata / Sphagnum spp. Swamp WoodlandG4 NatureServe
Pinus rigida / Gaylussacia baccata - Kalmia angustifolia Swamp WoodlandGNR NatureServe
Pinus rigida / Gaylussacia dumosa / Calamovilfa brevipilis Swamp WoodlandG1 NatureServe
Pinus rigida - Nyssa sylvatica / Clethra alnifolia - Eubotrys racemosa ForestG2 NatureServe
Pinus rigida / Vaccinium corymbosum - Eubotrys racemosa / Sphagnum spp. Swamp WoodlandG3 NatureServe
Vaccinium corymbosum / Sphagnum spp. Acidic PeatlandG4 NatureServe
State Conservation Ranks (2)

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
MDSNR
NJSNR
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.