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Penobscot Lowlands

Ecoregion in ME

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The Penobscot Lowlands ecoregion is lower and flatter than surrounding ecoregions. A distinguishing characteristic is its deep fine sediments and many areas of wet flats with swamp and bog deposits. Glaciomarine sediments of silt, clay, sand, and gravel cover many of the flatter lower elevations, deposits formed from marine submergence of lowland areas, or where glacial meltwater streams entered the sea. Some alluvial deposition of deep, coarser sediments occur along the Penobscot River. Fine and fine-silty, frigid Inceptisols, loamy Spodosols, and Histosols are typical. The region has a relatively moderate climate and diverse flora and fauna. Northern hardwoods and northern hardwoods-spruce forests are major forest types. Second growth hemlock forests are common with scattered sugar maples, big-tooth aspen, paper birch, and white pine. Areas of red pine occur on some low ridges. Settlement and road patterns are less dense than in Ecoregion 82e to the west. The many open wetlands provide breeding habitat for wetland-dependent birds.

— EPA

Plants

Common Buckthorn Rhamnus cathartica (species), “Purging Buckthorn”, “Buckthorn”

Penobscot Lowlands

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