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.
Publication Date: 2018
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