PrintMaritime Forests
Maritime forests are coastally located areas of woods that develop on elevations and topography that is higher than that of coastal wetlands. They primarily rely upon shallow freshwater and cannot tolerate long exposure to salty water; even salt spray can be detrimental to some species of trees that establish maritime forests habitats. Such systems are discontinuously distributed along the U.S. Atlantic coast, but can be found elsewhere as well. In most cases, the soil composition promoting the growth of these forests is sand, either derived from sedimentary units deposited in the past or more recent deposits, such as beach ridges.
Picture of a maritime forest along the Georgia Coast, U.S.A. Note the relatively smooth canopy that helps to shield the interior plants from coastal winds and salt spray.