Why is the term Eastern Woodlands sometimes used for Northeast Indian peoples?

The term "Eastern Woodlands" is sometimes used to refer to Northeast Indian peoples because scholars occasionally combine the Northeast and Southeast culture areas into a single, broader classification.12

It is important to note that this terminology is frequently confused with "Woodland cultures," which refers to a specific group of prehistoric societies rather than a geographic culture area. While the Northeast and Southeast regions share cultural and environmental characteristics, they are distinct areas that transition into one another. The Northeast is defined by a mosaic of temperate forests, wetlands, and coastal zones, while the Southeast is characterized by diverse ecological zones ranging from coastal lowlands to the Appalachian Mountains.12