Coastal Plain Rivershore Ecosystem

  State Rank: S2

This rivershore ecosystem is the group of communities bordering and directly influenced by the open-water portion of rivers in extreme southern Maine. It is superficially similar to the Appalachian - Acadian Rivershore Ecosystem, but its climatic influences and species affinities are allied with areas southward along the Atlantic coastal plain. It includes palustrine communities such as floodplain forests, as well as terrestrial communities (such as the river beach community) where the soils are not saturated over most of the growing season but which are disturbed by ice-scour or flooding. Terrestrial forests bordering rivers are included under forested upland ecosystems.

Natural Communities Associated with Coastal Plain Rivershore Ecosystem