HERBACEOUS PLANTS AND VINES Aster, Aster spp.; Common ragweed Ambrosia
 artemisiifolia; Partridge berry, Mitchella repens; Partridge
 pea, Cassia spp.; Poison ivy, Toxicodendron radicans; Violet,
 Viola spp.; Virginia creeper, Parthenocissus quinquefolia; Wild
 grape, Vitis spp.

 Information about plants which occur in specific ecological communities is
 in Appendix B.

3. Animals

 Animals found in this community vary according to the stages of plant
 succession. Areas of young growth attract wildlife that are widely
 adapted and quick reproducing, such as cottontail rabbits and bobwhite
 quail. In more mature stands, woodpeckers, moles, woodcocks, and other
 narrowly adapted animals can be found.

 Wildlife that occur in this community include:

 MAMMALS Cottontail rabbit, gray squirrel, gray fox, cotton mouse,
 white-tailed deer, raccoons

 BIRDS Barred owl, bobwhite quail, pileated woodpecker, red-bellied
 woodpecker, wild turkey, woodcock

 Information on animals known to occur in specific ecological communities
 is in Appendix C.

LAND USE INTERPRETATIONS

1. Environmental Value as a Natural System

 Unlike most communities, the mixed hardwood and pine do not have a
 dominant stress factor. There is some competition between plants for use
 of water, sunlight, and available nutrients. Once the mixed hardwoods and
 pine are established, they can withstand disturbance due to the complex
 and diverse vegetation and the excellent plant growth conditions. The
 community is fire resistant but fire may occur during drought conditions.
 Recovery of hardwoods after a fire is vigorous but damaged trees are often
 attacked by disease and subject to rot.

 Fire will keep the system in a predominantly pine stage. However, in
 mature stands, fire is infrequent and plants that are not fire-tolerant
 can become dominant.

 The finer textured soils of this community have a relatively low
 permeability. This results in a limited aquifer recharge and some surface
 runoff. Mixed hardwood and pine communities are important for flood
 control on watersheds. This community is a good producer of timber and
 areas are used for timber production. Intensive management may cause a
 low diversity of plants with an adverse change in some wildlife
 populations.

 The community has a high value for wildlife. This is especially true
 where varying successional stages occur next to each other. The community