Coastal grasslands - RI

Eastern meadowlark  (photo: USGS)

Savannah sparrow
 

- general -
Maritime and sandplain grasslands rim the coast of the project area. Maritime grasslands are 'edge of the ice' communities that occur only on Long Island, Block Island, Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket, and Cape Cod. Sandplain grasslands are closely associated with the edge of the ice, being restricted to outwash deposits south of the moraine. These communities are endemic to Long Island and southern New England.
 

- threats -
Because of their limited occurrence, coastal grasslands have always been home to rare or unusual species; with the demise of the grasslands communities, some species have become endangered, while others are already extinct. 
Coastal grasslands habitat are destroyed to make way for housing and other forms of development.  Another threat comes when wild fires are suppressed.  Fires are essential to the maintenance of these grasslands, and when they are quelled, vegetation changes and natural communities are eventually lost. Several native species have declined, ceased to breed, or been extirpated from sites. 
 

- details -
A network of native grasslands occurs in Long Island and southern New England both on the terminal and recessional moraines and the outwash plain or sandplain, which was formed from the deposition and reworking of glacial sediments from the most recent (Wisconsin) glacial advance. 

Maritime plant communities, particularly grassland, heathland, and shrubland communities comprise what is often collectively referred to as moorlands. These maritime communities occur on sandy, glacially-derived soils and are under the influence of a maritime climate, characterized by moderate temperatures, a long frost-free season, ocean winds, and salt spray. While these edaphic (relating to soil) and climatic factors help maintain open grasslands, another key element appears to be fire, much the same as in the Midwestern prairie system. These communities provide essential habitat for a number of regionally and globally rare species. 

The maritime grasslands are generally dominated by bunch-forming grasses such as little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), common hairgrass (Deschampsia flexuosa), and poverty-grass (Danthonia spicata). Maritime heathland, such as occurs on the Montauk Peninsula, Martha's Vineyard, and Nantucket Island, is dominated by bearberry (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi), black huckleberry (Gaylussacia baccata), and blueberry (Vaccinium spp.). Sandplain grasslands, such as the Hempstead Plains on Long Island, are similar in character to the maritime grasslands, but are located beyond the influence of offshore winds and salt spray. These grasslands also evolved with and were maintained by fire. Historically, tall sandplain grasslands were dominated by prairie-type grasses, including big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii), little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium), broom-sedge (Andropogon virginicus), Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans), and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum). 
These grasslands have supported, and could continue to support, nesting by several species of declining numbers of grassland birds, including grasshopper sparrow (Ammodramus savannarum) and upland sandpiper (Bartramia longicauda). Another rare bird species that feeds and nests in some of the grasslands is norther harrier (Circus cyaneus).