CCVA Fact Sheets
CCVA Fact Sheet: Meadows and Marshlands
Meadows are open grasslands where grass and other non-woody plants are the primary vegetation. With no tree
coverage, meadows are typically open, sunny areas that attract flora and fauna that require both ample space and
sunlight. These conditions allow for the growth of many wildflowers and are typically important ecosystems for
pollinating insects. Marshlands are like meadows in that they typically have no tree coverage and host primarily
grasses and woody plants. However, a defining characteristic of marshlands is their wetland features.
Predicted climate change will largely impact changes in temperature and moisture availability in meadows and
marshlands systems, likely having a cascading effect on a species habitat and increasing stress to many of these
species. The Appalachian LCC funded NatureServe to conduct vulnerability assessments on a suite of plants,
animals, and habitats within the Appalachians. These assessments can be used as an early warning system to alert
resource managers about changing conditions.
Meadows are open grasslands where grass and other non-woody plants are the primary vegetation. With no tree
coverage, meadows are typically open, sunny areas that attract flora and fauna that require both ample space and
sunlight. These conditions allow for the growth of many wildflowers and are typically important ecosystems for
pollinating insects. Marshlands are like meadows in that they typically have no tree coverage and host primarily
grasses and woody plants. However, a defining characteristic of marshlands is their wetland features.
Predicted climate change will largely impact changes in temperature and moisture availability in meadows and
marshlands systems, likely having a cascading effect on a species habitat and increasing stress to many of these
species. The Appalachian LCC funded NatureServe to conduct vulnerability assessments on a suite of plants,
animals, and habitats within the Appalachians. These assessments can be used as an early warning system to alert
resource managers about changing conditions.
Publication Date: 2018
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CCVA Fact Sheet: Forest and Woodlands
Forest/Woodland habitats describe large areas primarily dominated by trees, with moderate ground
coverage, such as grasses and shrubs. Density, tree height, and land use may all vary, though woodland is
typically used to describe lower density forests. A forest may have an open canopy, but a woodland must
have an open canopy with enough sunlight to reach the ground and limited shade.
Predicted climate change will largely impact changes in temperature and moisture availability in forest/
woodlands systems, likely having a cascading effect on a species habitat and increasing stress to many
of these species. The Appalachian LCC funded NatureServe to conduct vulnerability assessments on a
suite of plants, animals, and habitats within the Appalachians. These assessments can be used as an early
warning system to alert resource managers about changing conditions.
Forest/Woodland habitats describe large areas primarily dominated by trees, with moderate ground
coverage, such as grasses and shrubs. Density, tree height, and land use may all vary, though woodland is
typically used to describe lower density forests. A forest may have an open canopy, but a woodland must
have an open canopy with enough sunlight to reach the ground and limited shade.
Predicted climate change will largely impact changes in temperature and moisture availability in forest/
woodlands systems, likely having a cascading effect on a species habitat and increasing stress to many
of these species. The Appalachian LCC funded NatureServe to conduct vulnerability assessments on a
suite of plants, animals, and habitats within the Appalachians. These assessments can be used as an early
warning system to alert resource managers about changing conditions.
Publication Date: 2018
DOWNLOAD FILE — PDF document, 1,123 kB (1,149,958 bytes)
CCVA Fact Sheet: Open Woodlands
Open Woodlands
Used generally to describe low density forests, open woodland ecosystems contain widely spaced trees
whose crowns do not touch, causing for an open canopy, insignificant midstory canopy layer, sparse
understory and where groundcover is the most obvious feature of the landscape dominated by diverse
flora (grasses, forbes, sedges). Open Woodlands provide habitat for a diverse mix of wildlife species,
several of which are of conservation concern, such as Red Headed Woodpecker, Prairie Warbler,
Kentucky Warbler, Northern Bobwhite and Eastern Red Bat.
Predicted climate change will largely impact changes in temperature and moisture availability in open
woodlands systems, likely having a cascading effect on a species habitat and increasing stress to many
of these species. The Appalachian LCC funded NatureServe to conduct vulnerability assessments on a
suite of plants, animals, and habitats within the Appalachians. These assessments can be used as an early
warning system to alert resource managers about changing conditions.
Open Woodlands
Used generally to describe low density forests, open woodland ecosystems contain widely spaced trees
whose crowns do not touch, causing for an open canopy, insignificant midstory canopy layer, sparse
understory and where groundcover is the most obvious feature of the landscape dominated by diverse
flora (grasses, forbes, sedges). Open Woodlands provide habitat for a diverse mix of wildlife species,
several of which are of conservation concern, such as Red Headed Woodpecker, Prairie Warbler,
Kentucky Warbler, Northern Bobwhite and Eastern Red Bat.
Predicted climate change will largely impact changes in temperature and moisture availability in open
woodlands systems, likely having a cascading effect on a species habitat and increasing stress to many
of these species. The Appalachian LCC funded NatureServe to conduct vulnerability assessments on a
suite of plants, animals, and habitats within the Appalachians. These assessments can be used as an early
warning system to alert resource managers about changing conditions.
Publication Date: 2018
DOWNLOAD FILE — PDF document, 1,220 kB (1,249,322 bytes)
CCVA Fact Sheets: Forested Stream and / or Seepage
Forested Stream and/or Seepage
Forested stream environments are typically found in the buffer zones between forested land and stream banks, often
known as riparian zones. Stream headwaters and seepage areas occur where ground water percolates to the surface
through muck, mossy rock, and nettles. It can also be found under rocks, among gravel, or cobble where water has
begun to percolate in areas near open water. Breeding grounds are commonly found beneath mosses growing on
rocks, on logs, or soil surfaces in these types of seepage areas.
Predicted climate change will largely impact changes in temperature and moisture availability in forested stream
and/or seepage systems, likely having a cascading effect on a species habitat and increasing stress to many of these
species. The Appalachian LCC funded NatureServe to conduct vulnerability assessments on a suite of plants,
animals, and habitats within the Appalachians. These assessments can be used as an early warning system to alert
resource managers about changing conditions.
Forested Stream and/or Seepage
Forested stream environments are typically found in the buffer zones between forested land and stream banks, often
known as riparian zones. Stream headwaters and seepage areas occur where ground water percolates to the surface
through muck, mossy rock, and nettles. It can also be found under rocks, among gravel, or cobble where water has
begun to percolate in areas near open water. Breeding grounds are commonly found beneath mosses growing on
rocks, on logs, or soil surfaces in these types of seepage areas.
Predicted climate change will largely impact changes in temperature and moisture availability in forested stream
and/or seepage systems, likely having a cascading effect on a species habitat and increasing stress to many of these
species. The Appalachian LCC funded NatureServe to conduct vulnerability assessments on a suite of plants,
animals, and habitats within the Appalachians. These assessments can be used as an early warning system to alert
resource managers about changing conditions.
Publication Date: 2018
DOWNLOAD FILE — PDF document, 1,499 kB (1,535,758 bytes)
Fact Sheet: Assessing Vulnerability of Species and Habitats
New vulnerability assessments for 41 species and 3 habitats in the Appalachians now available.
New vulnerability assessments for 41 species and 3 habitats in the Appalachians now available.
Publication Date: 2017
DOWNLOAD FILE — PDF document, 452 kB (462,975 bytes)
