Maine's Forest Vegetation Regions: Selected Maps 1858-1993

Abstract

Past maps of Maine forest vegetation regions display changing perceptions of economically important resources, changing scientific knowl? edge, and the author's purpose in preparing them. Recent maps divide Maine into as many as 15 biophysical regions (McMahon 1993), or as few as one ecoregion (Braun 1972). A new map based on satellite imagery displays pixels indicating different forest types, dispensing with regional boundaries. This map may provide the most accurate view of Maine's complex forest vegetation. Forest vegetation maps provide a way of depicting and visualizing the forest. Maps prepared for managing individual tracts may depict extremely detailed distinctions of composition, structure, age, and stocking. At another level, Maine forests are included in regional or national maps showing the distribution of major plant formations or biomes. How these maps show the forest illustrates current economic perceptions of forest values, the status of scientific knowledge, and the purpose of the map (Bailey et al. 1985, Bailey 1995). This article provides a selective overview of forest vegetation maps prepared for Maine. Reviewing these maps enables us to see the developing aware? ness of the forest and its changes over time. This summary may be of interest to naturalists, teachers, and authors who occasionally wish to use visual portrayals of Maine's forests.