Which of the following forest ecosystems is characterized by longleaf pines?

The forest ecosystem known for longleaf pines is primarily the Sandhill's Longleaf Pine Forests. This ecosystem is specifically adapted to the sandy soils and fire-prone conditions found in the southeastern United States, particularly in North Carolina. Longleaf pine trees are well-suited for these areas due to their resilience to fire, which is a natural part of the ecosystem that helps maintain the open understory and promotes the growth of a diverse range of understory species, including grasses and flowering plants.

The longleaf pine forest ecosystem is important for several reasons. It supports a high level of biodiversity, including various wildlife species that depend on this habitat for survival. Historically, these forests were much more widespread, but they have significantly declined due to logging, land conversion, and fire suppression. Conservation efforts now focus on restoring and managing these ecosystems to promote the growth of longleaf pines and their associated flora and fauna.

While the other forest types listed, such as Mountain Ridge Forests, Piedmont Hardwood Forests, and Coastal Marsh Forests, are important in their respective regions, they are characterized by different tree species and ecological conditions that are not dominated by longleaf pines.