in the Reid State Park area (region 2) . Common associates include pinweed 

 ( Lechea maritima ) , pinweed aster ( Aster linariifolius ) , joint weed 

 ( Polygonella articulata ) , a rush ( Juncus greenei ) , and two sedges (Carex 

 silicea and C. pensylvanica ) . Lichens ( Cladonia spp.) are an important 

 component of this community. Their presence reflects the maritime climate of 

 coastal Maine. They are generally absent from dry dune slack communities 

 farther south (Nelson and Fink 1978) . The above associates may comprise the 

 community in the absence of beach heather. 



The shrub community is dominated by bayberry ( Myrica pensylvanica ) , Virginia 

 rose ( Rosa virginiana ) , meadow sweet ( Spiraea latifolia ) , and raspberry ( Rubus 

 idaeus ) . This community may be intermixed with either the dry slack dune 

 community or the dunegrass community, or it may form a homogeneous community 

 on the landward side of the above communities. This community is present in 

 regions 3 to 6, where the dry dune slack community is absent. The rugosa rose 

 (Rosa rugosa ) and gooseberry ( Ribes spp.) are important components of this 

 community in regions 4 to 6. Bayberry occurs infrequently east of Penobscot 

 Bay. 



The dune forest community is found on nutrient deficient inactive parabolic 

 dunes. The shrub community intergrades into this community. Pitch pine 

 ( Pinus rigida ) is the dominant species where salt spray is high. Red maple 

 ( Acer rubrum ) , white birch (Betula papyrifera ) , aspen ( Populus tremuloides ) , 

 and juneberry ( Amelanchier spp.) are common associates on more developed soils 

 where nutrient levels are higher. A well-developed herbaceous layer may exist 

 in the more nutrient-rich areas. 



RESEARCH NEEDS 



Since the marine and estuarine systems are contiguous and generally similar 

 ecologically, data gaps in both are discussed in chapter 5, "The Estuarine 

 System." 



4-97 



10-80 



