Lakeshore Ecosystem

State Rank: S5

The lakeshore or pondshore ecosystem is the group of communities on the shoreline or the near-shore vegetated waters surrounding the open-water portion of a lake or pond. It is distributed statewide except for extreme southern Maine, where lakeshore/pondshore ecosystems are distinguished as a separate type (Coastal Plain Pondshore Ecosystem), which is characterized by assemblages with more southerly affinities. It includes wetland communities such as lakeside marshes and fens, as well as communities where the soils are not saturated over most of the growing season, but which are disturbed by ice-scour, flooding, or waves. Terrestrial forests bordering lakes are included under forested upland ecosystems.

Natural Communities Associated with Lakeshore Ecosystem