The purpose of this study is to examine the importance of salinity to the distribution of J. virginiana in coastal environments. The salt tolerance of J. virginiana will be quantified relative to observed small-scale distribution patterns on a Virginia barrier island. Specific questions include: What is the small-scale distribution of J. virginiana relative to topography on Hog Island? How does soil salinity vary among J. virginiana sites relative to variation across the island? How does J. virginiana respond to varying salinity? The results will provide insight into understanding factors affecting J. virginiana across its broad distribution and determine the role of salinity in regulating small-scale distribution. It will also contribute to our understanding of the ecology of long-lived woody species on barrier islands.