Natural Areas Inventory-1981

Natural Areas Inventory
of
Brunswick County, North Carolina
DCM COPY " jr" ` DCM COPY
lease do not removemn
Division of Coastal Management Copy____ __
Department of Botany
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
AUGUST 1981
North Carolina
Coastal Energy Impact Program
Office of Coastal Management
North Carolina Department of Natural Resources
and Community Development
.
CEIP REPORT NO. 10

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Series Edited by James F. Smith
Cover Design by Jill Miller

A SURVEY OF NATURAL AREAS IN
BRUNSWICK COUNTY
NORTH CAROLINA
for
The North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program
Coastal Natural Area Inventory Project
by
Timothy D. Nifong
Department of Botany
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
The preparation of this report was funded by a Coastal
Energy Impact Program grant from the North Carolina
Coastal Management Program, through funds provided
by the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972, as amended,
which is administered by the Office of Coastal Zone
Management, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administra-
tion. The CEIP grant was part of NOAA grant
NA-79-AA-D-CZ097.
August 1981
CEIP Report No. 10

PREFACE
The North Carolina Office of Coastal Management and the
North Carolina Natural Heritage Program, both units of the
Department of Natural Resources and Community Development,
have commissioned a series of natural areas inventories for
ten counties in the coastal zone of this state. The Brunswick
County inventory was conducted in 1981 and was financed by
a Coastal Energy.Impact Program (CEIP) grant. CEIP funded
the Brunswick County inventory because of the potential
environmental impacts of peat mining and other energy -related
development.
The recommendations made in this report by Timothy D.
Nifong are advisory. His inventory and recommendations are
designed to help state and federal agencies, county officials,
resource managers, landowners and developers work out effec-
tive land management and preservation mechanisms to protect
the twenty-one outstanding or exemplary natural -areas de-
scribed in this report. Agencies such as the N.C. Division
of Environmental Management, Division of Land Resources,
Division of Marine Fisheries, Wildlife Resources Commission,
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Army Corps of
Engineers, National Marine Fisheries Service, and Environ-
mental Protection Agency should find this report useful, as
may university researchers, private consultants, and private
conservation groups. The Office of Coastal Management will
use the report in assessing permit applications and for
federal and state consistency reviews.
Tim Nifong is an experienced field botanist with
familiarity with the ecological resources of the project
region. Nifong, previous to the survey, had been con-
tracted by the Natural Heritage Program to inventory
selected sites in Brunswick County. Those earlier survey
reports were updated and included in this compilation.
Nifong is a native resident of Wilmington and, at the time
of this project, was a doctoral student in the botany pro-
gram at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
The investigator was well qualified to identify, describe,
and evaluate the most outstanding natural areas of the
county.
The project investigator was instructed to identify
natural areas that contain highly unique, endangered, or
rare natural features, or high -quality representations of
relatively undisturbed natural habitats. Because of the

rich natural diversity of Brunswick County, it is important
to note the investigator's cautionary note that he likely
overlooked some significant sites. The investigator was
instructed not to report extensively on the large expanse
of brackish and salt marshes, that fringe most of the county's
shoreline and which, for the most part, are ecosystems pro-
tected through state and federal regulatory programs. The
report does not treat the State-owned portions of Baldhead
(Smith) Island in much detail, although parts have since
been designated as a National Estuarine Sancturay and reg-
istered as a North Carolina Natural Heritage Area. The in-
vestigator did not report on the great ecological importance
of the 13,850-acre portion of the Green Swamp owned and
managed as a sancturay by the North Carolina Nature Conserv-
ancy. Therefore, an excerpt from the Green Swamp Nature
Preserve inventory and management plan, prepared by Hervey
McIver for the Nature Conservancy, is included in this
document. The investigator did not gain access to the
Sunny Point Military Ocean Terminal, so we have included an
evaluation of certain limesinks on the terminal prepared in
1976 by Dr. James F. Parnell, Professor of Biology at the
University of North Carolina at Wilmington. Additionally,
we have inserted information and figures which locate the
principal colonial waterbird nesting sites, heronries, other
shorebird breeding habitats, and sea turtle nesting beaches
in Brunswick County.
The Office of Coastal Management, and the Coastal
Resources Commission which it serves, implement the Coastal
Area Management Act of 1974 (CAMA). Under this statute,
the North Carolina Coastal Management Plan has been prepared
and approved. It includes the definition and designation
of various Areas of Environmental Concern (AEC). In some
cases, AECs coincide with natural areas that are herein
recommended for preservation or special management. In
some cases, AECs may encompass other areas --such as marsh
zone wetlands --which are not extensively treated in this
inventory.
The Natural Heritage Program is most pleased to have
had this opportunity to conduct this project for the Office
of Coastal Management. The inventory has revealed a number
of high quality natural areas that possess natural elements
of national and statewide priority and are important parts
of North Carolina's natural diversity. Some of the identi-
fied sites were previously unknown and undocumented by the
state's scientific community. The Natural Heritage Program
hopes that these areas will be protected for the benefits
of present and future generations of North Carolinians and
for the preservation of the state's truly exceptional natural
heritage.
Charles E. Roe, Coordinator
N.C. Natural Heritage Program
November 18, 1982
ii

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Editor's Preface . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . i
Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . 1
Natural Area Inventories . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . 26
Bald Head Creek . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . 26
Battery Island . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . 34
Big Cypress Bay . . . . . . .
. . . . . . 41
Big Island Savannah . . . . . . . . .
. . . . 50
Blue Pond Complex . . . . . . .
. o 63
Boiling Springs Lakes . . . . . . .
. . . . 81
Camp Branch Savannah . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . 96
Drowned Bay Savannah. . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . 104
Gause Savannah. . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . 112
Green Pond Savannah . . . . .
. . . . . . 121
Green Swamp Preserve. . . . . .
. . . . . . 129
Greenbank Bluff . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . 144
Henrytown Savannah . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . 151
Long Bays Savannah . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . 158
McKinzie Pond Marsh . . . . . . . .
. . . . 166
Orton Pond . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . 173
Pivers Bays Bog . . . . . . .
. . . 185
Sandhills Creek Impoundment . . . . .
. . . . . 192
Smithville Carolina Bay Complex . .
. . . . . . 200
Spring Creek Pond . . . . . . . . .
. . . %. . 209
Sunny Point Limesinks o . . . . . .
. . . . . . 216
Waccamaw Island Savannah. . . . . .
. . . . . 239
iii

TABLE OF CONTENTS -- CONTINUED
Appendices
A. Addenda to Previously Submitted Brunswick
County Natural Area Reports . . . . . . . . . . . 248
B. Other Significant Special Habitats in
Brunswick County . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 251
1. Sea Turtle Nesting Beaches (See Figure 4). . 251
2. Wood Stork (Mycteria americana)
feeding area . . . . . . . . . . . 252
LIST OF TABLES
1. Natural Vegetation Classification of Brunswick
County. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
2. Summary of Colonial Waterbird Nesting Sites,
Brunswick County. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
3. Summary of Brunswick County Heronries . . . . . . 23
4. Summary of Osprey (Pandion haliaetus) Nesting
Sites Containing Two or More Nesting Pairs. . . 24
LIST OF FIGURES
1. Significant Natural Areas, Brunswick County 15
2. Known "Natural" or Other Undeveloped Areas
containing Threatened and Endangered Species,
Brunswick County. . . . . . . . . . . . 19
3. Significant Bird Breeding Habitat, Brunswick
County . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
4. Special Habitats -- Sea Turtle Nesting Beaches,
Brunswick County . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
5. Bald Head Creek . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
6. Battery Island. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
7. Big Cypress Bay . . . . . . . . . . . . 49
8. Big Island Savannah . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
iv

LIST OF FIGURES -- CONTINUED
9.
Big Island Savannah Community Types . . . . .
. . 60
10.
Blue Pond Plant Assemblages . . . . . . . . .
. . 66
11.
Black Pond Plant Assemblages. . . . . . . . .
. . 67
12.
Little Blue Pond Plant Assemblages.. . . . .
. . 68
13.
Blue Pond Complex Access Map-1. . . . . . . .
. . 74
14.
Blue Pond Complex Access Map-2. . . . . .
. . 75
15.
Boiling Springs Lakes Access Map. . . . . . .
. . 89
16.
Boiling Springs Lake Ownership Map. . . . . .
. . 95
17.
Camp Branch Savannah . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . 103
18.
Drowned Bay Savannah . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . ill
19.
Gause Savannah Ownership Map. . . . . . . . .
. . 115
20.
Gause Savannah Access Map . . . . . . . . . .
. . 120
21.
Green Pond Savannah . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . 128
22.
Green Swamp Preserve . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . 132
23.
Green Swamp Preserve Soils Map. . . . . . . .
. . 134
24.
Greenbank Bluff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . 150
25.
Henrytown Savannah . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . 157
26.
Long Bays Savannah. . . . . . . . . . . .
. . 165
27.
McKinzie Pond Marsh . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . 172
28.
Orton Pond Access Map . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . 117
29.
Orton Pond and Sunny Point; Limesinks. . . . .
. . 178
30.
Orton Pond (West End) . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . 179
31.
Pivers Bays Bog . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
191
32.
Sandshill Creek Impoundment . . . . . . . . .
. . 199
33.
Smithville Carolina Bay Complex . . . . . .
207
34.
Spring Creek Pond Vegetation. . . . . . . . .
. . 209
35.
Spring Creek Pond . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . 214
v

LIST OF FIGURES -- CONTINUED
36. Spring Creek Pond Access Map. . . . . . . . . . . 215
37. Sunny Poing Limesinks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 238
38. Waccamaw Island Savannah. . . . . . . . . . . . 247
39. Wood Stork Feeding Area . . . . . . . . . . . . . 252
vi

INTRODUCTION
Objectives
The fundamental objective of this contract was to delineate those
"natural" (essentially, undeveloped) areas within Brunswick County which
merit special consideration with regard to preservation, due to their sig-
nificant biotic and/or abiotic features. As it applies here, "delineation"
refers to initial identification of potentially significant areas, final
selection of sites meriting further study through field reconnaissance,
brief investigation of these areas to gather preliminary base -line data, and
initial evaluation of -each site.
"Significance" alludes to unusual or outstanding geologic or geomorphic
features; areas which serve as habitat for one or more threatened or endangered
species of biota; geographically unusual, or disjunct populations and/or
assembalges; unusually extensive populations of a species; unusual or here-
tofore unknown combinations of plant species (community types), or outstanding
examples of known community types; and concentrated areas of breedin- habitat
for one or more animal species. The level of significance of a. natural area --
local, state, regional, or national --varies with the number of the above
listed elements of significance which pertain to the site and the relative
importance and development of each of these elements.
Natural Vegetation of Brunswick County
It was decided early during work on the contract that in order to have
the insight and perspective necessary to do a thorough job of determining
what of the county's vegetation is significant in relation to the character-
istic plant communities of the area, it was critical to have a thorough under-
standing of (1) what those communities are and what their overall condition
is in terms of human disturbance, (2) how they relate to characteristic or
significant landforms and geomorphic features, and (3) where the best intact
example --if any remains --of each community exists within the county. There-
fore, based on a thorough field reconnaissance of present-day vegetation
types, previous experience within the area, and perspective from the litera-
ture and other sources, a classification of the natural vegetation of Brunswick

TABLE 1: NATURAL VEGETATION CLASSIFICATION
Brunswick County, North Carolina
I. AQUATIC PLANT COMMUNITIES
A. Freshwater Pond Community
B. Riverine/Estuarine Community
II. WETLAND PLANT COMMUNITIES
A. Pond Margin Community
B. Marshland Communities
1. Salt Marsh
2. Brackish Marsh
C. Swamp Forest Community (Mixed Bottomland Hardwoods)
D. Bay Forest Community
E. Lowland Pine Communities
1. Pocosin
2. Flatwoods
III. TERRESTRIAL PLANT COMMUNITIES
A. Barrier Island Beach Communities
1. Dune Ridge Consocies
2. Swale and Flat Associes
B. Maritime Forest Communities
1. Mixed Coastal Hardwoods
2. Southern Maritime Forest
C. Pleistocene Sand Ridge Communities
1. Coastal Scrub Forest
2. Sandhills Associes (Upland Pine Forest)
D. Upland Hardwood Community
002,

County was developed (see Table 1).
Each division of the vegetation classification is described in general
terms, and discussed with regard to its overall county distribution and its
relation to geology and soils. Some of the vegetation types are, due largely
to their structure and dynamics, admittedly heterogeneous; nevertheless, it
is believed that the framework provided will lend overall perspective as to
the county's complete natural vegetation, and consequently, will aid the reader
in understanding and evaluating the individual natural area reports which
follow.
The vegetation classification is divided into three habitats, or eco-
systems --aquatic, wetland, and terrestrial. The definition of each ecosystem
follows that of Radford et al. (1981, in press). Of the three habitats, wet-
land plant communities are by far the most extensive in acreage within the
county, covering an estimated sixty to seventy percent of the land surface,
while terrestrial plant communities cover most of the remainder of the county.
True aquatic communities comprise only a small fraction of the county's vege-
tative cover, probably less than three percent.
I. AQUATIC PLANT COMMUNITIES
As noted, the extent of true aquatic plant communities within the
county is very limited. They are restricted to lakes, ponds, sluggish
portions of tidal streams, and limited areas within major river estuaries.
A. Freshwater Pond Community
The few old, man-made impoundments in the county, such as Orton
Pond and Sandhill Creek impoundment, contain the most extensive aquatic
populations in the area. However, although much smaller individually,
freshwater pond vegetative communities occur most frequently within
limesinks, such as those found in the Sunny Point-- Orton --Boiling
Springs Lakes region. Doline ponds are numerous in Brunswick County
within those areas underlain by fossiliferous Eocene formations (e.g.,
the Castle Hayne formation), mostly in the eastern and southeastern
portions of the county. In addition, oxbow lakes and meander scars,
of relatively minor importance along the Brunswick County portion
of the Waccamaw River drainage, may also contain aquatic communities.
In most cases freshwater pond community types are not e@pecially
diverse, and are generally limited to various combinations of water

lily (Nymphaea odorata), duckweed (Lemna spp.), water fern (Azolla
caroliniana), and other tiny aquatic species, although exceptions do
occur (e.g., Orton Pond).
Be Riverine/Estuarine Community
Riverine and estuarine communities within the county have suffered
greatly in recent decades due to development and fill, siltation, and
pollution. No good examples of "marsh" aquatic communities with such
characteristic species as pondweed (Potamogeton spp.), widgeon grass
(Ruppia maritima), and water nymph (Najas guadalupensis) are known
presently. However, Eagle Island, prior to extensive disturbance by
the N. C. Department of Transportation and U. S. Army Corps of
Engineers, was an excellent place to collect aquatic species (fide
A. E. Radford).
II. lETLAND PLANT COMMUNITIES
Wetland habitat has been divided into five vegetation types. Of
these types it is the bay forest and lowland pine communities which con-
stitute the majority of the county's mainland vegetative cover. Aside
from present-day (Holocene) formations, such as the coastal island back -
barrier flats and river floodplains, wetland communities are largely lim-
ited to four Pleistocene geomorphic surface features --the Green Swamp Shoal,
backbarrier flats of the "Canepatch" sea, backbarrier flats of the
"Socastee" sea, and Carolina bays (geomorphic landforms within the county
interpreted from Dubar et al. 1976).
A. Pond Margin Community
These are essentially the transition areas between the deep
water portions of limesinks and other ponds, and the surrounding
upland communities. If a canopy layer is present, pond cypress
(Taxodium ascenders) is the characteristic dominant species, with
swamp black gum (Nyssa sylvatica var. biflora) of lesser importance.
Associated shrub and herb assemblages are diverse and quite variable,
too numerous to list here (Dumond (1979) treats this subject in some
detail). Soils are usually Haplaquods, but occasionally are Quartzi-
psamments or Humaquepts.
Be Marshland Communities

Two subdivisions are made here, based primarily on proximity of
the area to ocean inlets, and consequently, on water salinity. The
marshes, while not nearly so extensive as those of the northeast
embayed portion of the North Carolina coast, are relatively large and
diverse for this part of the state.
1. Salt Marsh:
Salt marsh communities occur along the Intracoastal Waterway
and around the landward periphery of barrier, and to some extent,
spoil, islands. The dominant species is smooth cordgrass
(Spartina alterniflora), which often occurs in large, pure popu-
lations. The most extensive --and apparently, robust --stands
occur within the marshes of the Smith Island complex. Soils are
almost exclusively Typic Sulfaquents and Typic Psammaquents.
In addition, included within this category are the fairly
broad salt flats dominated by halophytic species such as glass -
wort (Salicornia spp.), which occur to a significant extent on
the backbarrier flats of Smith Island, and to a lesser extent
behind other of the county's barrier islands. Because these are
generally areas of oceanic storm overwash, "soils" are mixtures
of shell fragments and unconsolidated sandy sediments.
2. Brackish Marsh:
Brackish marshes dominate the estuaries of the Cape Fear,
Lockwoods's Folly, and Shallotte Rivers, along the tidal reaches
of their tributaries, and to some extent behind most of the
county's barrier islands. Of these areas, the most extensive
and diverse brackish marshes occur at the mouth of Town Creek
and northward, and within the intact western and northern por-
tions of Eagle's Island,'probably a late Pleistocene backbarrier
flat (Dubar et al. 1976).
The dominant species in "seaward" brackish marshes is gener-
ally black needle rush (Juncus roemerianus), which occurs in
tremendous pure populations along the lower reaches of the
Lockwood's Folly and Shallotte Rivers, and on various creeks
within the Smith Island complex. Soils here, though generally
slightly higher elevationally than those in salt marsh areas,
5

are again Typic Sulfaquents and Typic Psammaquents.
Within the upper, less haline portions of the estuaries and
on many of the associated tidal creeks, the marshes are more
diverse, largely dominated by cattail (Typha spp.), giant cord -
grass (Spartina cynosuroides), and saw grass (Cladium jamaicense),
singly, or in combination, with wild rice (Zizania aquatica)
occurring in widely scattered stands. Typic Medisaprists and
Typic Psammaquents predominate among soil types.
C. Swamp Forest Community
Swamp forests border the county's blackwater rivers and their
tributaries, on floodplains whose size is generally proportional to
the size of the stream. Due to their fluvial (depositional.) nature,
soils throughout the community are highly variable, ranging from
Typic Medisaprists to Humaquepts to Typic Ochraquults. Swamp forest
tends to intergrade with bay forest in the Waccamaw River --Green
Swamp region.
Mixed bottomland hardwoods usually predominate on the alluvial
flats, typically consisting of a_mixture,,in varying proportions, of
red maple (Ater rubrum), sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua), swamp
black gum, ash (Fraxinus spp.), and cypress (Taxodium spp.). Cypress
may be an integral component of the canopy, or emergent over it. A
subcanopy layer of transgressive species is generally present.
Although the dense shade of the canopy and subcanopy layers often
precludes the occurrence of a shrub or herb layer except along stream
margins or other openingsq many exceptions occur. Dwarf palmetto
(Sabal minor) is occasionally found in dense stands, and mixed herbs,
such as false nettle (Boehmeria cylindrica), violets (Viola spp.),
sedges (Carex spp.), and ferns may literally carpet the ground. In
somewhat better drained areas, especially in the ecotone between swamp
forest and surrounding uplands, bottomland laurel oak ( uercus
hemisphaerica) and, occasionally, loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) may
assume some importance among canopy species.
The most extensive stands of mixed bottomland hardwoods within
the county occur along the Cape Fear River in northern Brunswick
County, while the "best" stands from a lack of disturbance point of
It

view occur along the Juniper and Town Creek drainages:
B. Bay Forest Community
The bay forest community discussed is essentially that described
by Kologiski (1977) in his Green Swamp study, and occurs on broad,
flat interfluves within the county. Dominant canopy species are red
maple, Atlantic white cedar (Chamaecyparis thyoides), loblolly bay
(Gordonia lasianthus), sweet bay (Magnolia virginiana), red bay
(Persea borbonia), pond pine (Pinus serotina), swamp black gum, and
pond cypress, rarely in pure stand, but rather, typically in one of
a seemingly endless array of combinations. A dense shrub --transgres-
sive layer, forming a continuous "stratum" from near ground to canopy
level, is dominated by "ericaceous" species, such as shining fetter -
bush (Lyonia lucida), gallberries (Ilex coriacea, I. lg abra), blue-
berries (Vaccinium spp.), titi (C,yrilla racemiflora), and honey -cup
(Zenobia pulverulenta). The ever-present laurel -leaved greenbrier
(Smilax laurifolia) is abundant in all strata. Soils are generally
Terric to Typic Medisaprists and Typic Humaquepts.
This community has historically been subject to relatively fre-
quent fire, and it is largely this factor --along with post -fire seed
sources --which has determined the present species composition of
various sites. In addition, because of certain common factors --soil
properties, fire frequency, moisture relations, etc. --swamp forest,
bay forest, and pocosin at times may intergrade in a heterogeneous
assemblage intermediate between "characteristic" community types of
each, necessitating a somewhat arbitrary assignment into any single
vegetation category.
The best intact example of this plant community occurs in the
northwest portion of the Green Swamp, between highway NC 211 and
S.R. 1342 (Prospect Ridge), but is at present rapidly being altered
for eventual conversion to pine plantation.
F. Lowland Pine Communities
Lowland pine communities are the widespread wetland vegetation
types which cover a large percentage of mainland Brunswick County,
typically occupying low marine ridge and swale areas, Pleistocene
backbarrier flats, and other broad interfluves. Both divisions

discussed are pyrohydroseres, succeeding to a mixed pine --hardwood
community following drainage and/or fire exclusion. Much of this
area has been converted to pine plantation in the recent past.
1. Pocosin:
The pocosin community is similar in many respects to the
bay forest; for this reason, both are often considered simply
phases of the same vegetation type. Pocosin is typically domi-
nated by a pond pine canopy over a nearly innenetrable thicket
of ericaceous shrubs and "bay" species twined together by laurel -
leaved greenbrier. Soils here are generally slightly better s
drained than bay forest soils, with Medisaprists, Typic.Humaquepts,
and (especially) Typic Haplaquods predominating.
The most extensive intact examples of pocosin within the
county occur in the southern portion of the Green Swamp lying
immediately east of highway NC 211 and within the series of
Carolina bays located north of highway NC 211 and west of highway
NC 87.
2. Flatwoods:
Under natural conditions --frequent, "uninterrupted" fire,
natural drainage, etc. --pine flatwoods were probably once one
of the most extensive vegetation types within the region. The
dominant canopy species is almost universally longleaf pine
(Pinus palustris), while lower layer stratification is essentially
a function of fire frequently. Frequent fires produce herbaceous
communities with an open pine canopy, while infrequent fires
result in a closed stand of pines over an open to closed layer
of ericaceous shrubs. The "herbaceous" layer almost always
includes wire grass (Aristida stricta) and creeping blueberry
(Vaccinium crassifolium), a subshrub. This community occurs
wherever less than well -drained mineral soils with a short hydro -
period exist, if fire is not completely excluded. Typic, Aerie,
and Ultic Haplaquod soils predominate here, while Aerie to Typic
Paleaquults are less common.
This is a vegetation type within Brunswick County --and much
of the state in general --which could easily be called "endangeredg"
E

due to historical and continued, present-day development. The
mineral soils respond well to conversion efforts, with minimal
improvement, chiefly, drainage, necessary for agricultural or
silvicultural utilization. Consequently, flatwoods have been
converted from natural forest to alternative usages almost whole-
sale. In addition, with the advent of modern fire protection,
extensive or frequent burning of these areas has largely been
prevented, or at least, curtailed, and "natural" succession has
resulted in loss of much of this unique habitat and associated
species. As a result, good examples of the flatwood community
are scattered and are generally small. For these.reasons--
coupled with the relatively large number of threatened and endan-
gered species associated with pine flatwoods--a special effort
was made to identify and reconnoiter all flatwood areas within
the county.
III. TERRESTRIAL PLANT COMMUNITIES
A. Barrier Island Beach Communities
These communities are present to a greater or lesser extent
on all of the county's barrier islands, but are best developed and
much more extensive within the Smith Island complex.
1. Dune Ridge Consocies:
The dune ridge consocies, which in Brunswick County is almost
exclusively dominated by sea oats (Uniola paniculata)--hence,
consocies--occurs on active dune fields of present-day barrier
islands. Soils are essentially unconsolidated piles of shifting,
windblown sandy, sediments. The broadest active dune system
within the county, and possibly within the state, up'to 730 meters
(800 yards) wide and 12 meters (40 feet) high, occurs on Bald
Head Island (Parnell and Adams 1971).
2. Swale and Flat Associes:
This association is closely related to the dune ridge con-
socies and perhaps better treated as a sub -unit of it. The com-
munity occurs on interdunal basins and in the ecotone between
salt marsh/flat areas and dune fields. The heterogeneous vege-
tational assemblage includes both shrubs and herbs, and is

characterized by one or two dominants within any single area;
it actually represents a successional, herb -to -shrub sequence,
rather than a single vegetation .type. Typical species here
include salt -meadow cordgrass (S arp tinspatens), marsh elder
(Iva spp.), groundsel-shrub (Baccharis halimifolia), and wax
myrtle (MMyyrica cerifera). Soils are Aquic (implies partial
wetland nature of the division) to Typic Udipsamments. Excel-
lent examples of this vegetation type occur on Battery Island
and other locations within the Smith Island complex.
B. Maritime Forest Communities
The "climax" communities of stabilized dunal areas subject to
predominantly maritime influences --wind, salt stress, temperature
amelioration, etc. --these communities are found on barrier islands
and in some cases on the immediately adjacent mainland. Typic Udi-
psamments soils predominate.
1. Mixed Coastal Hardwoods:
This community occurs on somewhat sheltered, landward por-
tions of the broader Brunswick barrier islands, and to some extent
on the mainland immediately adjacent to the Cape Fear River.
Dominant canopy species are live oak ( uercus virginiana) and
laurel oak (Q. laurifolia), with or without loblolly pine.
Characteristically, a subcanopy--shrub layer of transgressive
oaks, Herucles'-club (Zanthoxylum clava-herculis), wax myrtle,
yaupon (Ilex vomitoria), and other shrub species is present.
Excepting the southeast portion of Bald Head Island and the other
major islands within the Smith Island complex, most of the mixed
coastal hardwoods community within the county has been developed
for residential purposes.
2. Southern Maritime Forest:
The cabbage palmetto (Sabal palmetto) is the earmark of
this community, which is limited in distribution within the county,
and the state, to the three main (upland) islands of the Smith
Island complex. Palmetto only rarely dominates the canopy, then
occurring in small, open stands. It is more commonly an associate
"gap" species, or occasionally codominant, with live oak and
laurel oak. A dense subcanopy layer of transgressive oaks,
1O

Hercules' -club, yaupon, cherry laurel (Prunus caroliniana), and
other tall shrub species, supporting a dense liana layer, is
characteristic. An herbaceous layer is often completely lacking
due to the dense shade of the canopy and subcanopy layers; how-
ever, where present, the groundcover is generally either poison
ivy (Rhus radicans) or partridge berry (Mitchella re ens). This
community is best developed on the northeast portion of Bald
Head Island.
C. Pleistocene Sand Ridge Communities
The mainland sand ridge vegetation of the county, dominated
by longleaf pine, occurs on Pleistocene ridges of various ages,
which represent the barrier dune complexes of former sea level
positions. Soils are chiefly Psamments. As with other pine -domi-
nated communities within the county, the vegetation here is fire
maintained (pyroseral) under natural conditions. These are the
most xeric of the county's mainland vegetation communities.
1. Coastal Scrub Forest:
Occurring on the most recent barrier ridge system of the
Brunswick County mainland (the Myrtle Barrier of Dubar et al.
(1976)), this community typically has an open longleaf pine
canopy over a subcanopy of mixed xeric oaks, and especially
scrub live oak (Quercus geminata), which may dominate in exten-
sive patches. Large areas of bare white sand are common, but
wire -grass, sand spikemoss (Selaginella arenicola),
(Stipulicida setacea), and various lichens are usually abundant.
Characteristic soils are Typic Udipsamments.
The best intact examples of coastal scrub forest occur
south of highway US 17, between Lockwood's Folly and Shallotte
Inlets.
2. Sandhills Associes (Upland Pine Forest):
A longleaf pine/turkey oak ( uercus laevis)/wire-grass com-
munity type is the classic example of this vegetation category,
and is characteristic for Brunswick County, although a longleaf
pine canopy over mixed oaks --including bluejack oak ( uercus
incana), turkey oak, dwarf post oak (Q. margaretta), and black-
jack oak (Q.. marilandica)--is also quite common. Typic to Spodic
11

Quartzipsamments, and to a much lesser extent, Typic Haplohumods,
are the usual soil types.
The extent of this community, in a relatively intact state,
is not great within the county. The largest acreage vegetated
by sandhills occurs in the Orton --Boiling Springs Lakes area
and northward, between highway NC 87 and the Cape Fear River,
although notable examples of the community exist as isolated
ridges immediately west of Bolivia and elsewhere within the
county.
D. Upland Hardwood Community
i
Given the natural operative factors controlling vegetation
within the county (e.g.,.fire, hydroperiod, etc.), upland hardwood .
communities are not extensive. However, with modern fire exclusion
and large-scale drainage efforts, many areas, such as bottomland
forest --upland forest ecotones, abandoned agricultural lands, and
various man -disturbed sites, are apparently succeeding to a loblolly
pine --mixed hardwoods (especially sweetgum) assemblage.
Natural upland hardwood sites in the county are largely restricted
to the well -drained levee soils of some of the smaller streams, and
in more extensive stand, to the downcut slopes and fluvial ridges
bordering the Cape Fear River and some of its tributaries along the
northern boundary of the county. Mixed oaks, especially southern
red oak ( uercus falcata), white oak (a. alba), and laurel oak, and
hickories (Cara spp.) are the usual canopy dominants, over an open
shrub layer of various ericads, and a sparse herb layer. Other vari,
ations among upland hardwood communities, such as the beech (Fa us
grandifolia)--southern sugar maple (Acer saccharum ssp. floridanum)
dominated community type of the Bryant Mill Creek--Greenbank Bluff
area in extreme northwest Brunswick County, are rare l.
APPROACH AND METHODS
The selection of sites to be investigated initially involved an exami-
nation of the North Carolina Natural Heritage Program's Brunswick County
computer element file, along with the corresponding topographic quad sheets.
1Kologiski (1977), however, notes that an 1870 survey of the timber
resources of the Green Swamp lists beech among the common timber species.
12

Secondly, all pertinent USDA Soil Conservation Service and Agricultural
Stabilization and Conservation Service aerial photographs were studied,
coupled with a screening flight over the county. These efforts were fol-.
lowed by extensive field reconnaissance of potentially significant areas
identified.
In addition, because it is not generally possible to identify every
significant natural area by plane or with aerial photographs, a thorough
vehicular reconnaissance of the county was undertaken. Every state and
county maintained road was travelled at least once, and hundreds of miles
of timber company access.roads and other private roads were walked or driven.
Further, a number of otherwise inaccessible potential areas were surveyed
by boat.
In order to supplement my own field reconnaissance efforts, an attempt
was made to seek assistance from others knowledgeable, or potentially so,
of the county's natural resources. Letters explaining the contract objectives
and soliciting assistance in identifying potential natural areas were sent
to all high -school -or -above -level science instructors within the county,
heads of various state and federal agencies (e.g., SCS, NCWRC, etc.), and a
number of area field biologists. The result was a generally low level of
expressed interest, and very few replies.
CONTRACT NATURAL AREA REPORTS
In addition to this introduction, the submitted contract survey report
for Brunswick County consists of (1) a series of natural area summaries,
(2) addenda to several earlier submitted Brunswick County natural area
reports, (3) a summary of significant bird breeding habitat, (4) pertinent
topographic quad sheets with significant areas mapped, and (5) a Brunswick
County map and legend with all natural areas mapped.
Thirteen natural area summaries (preliminary reconnaissance reports)
are presented. The format followed is a revised version of the North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program contract specifications. Additions, deletions, and
rearrangements of the specified format were made in order to present what
was felt to be appropriate preliminary reconnaissance information in a logical
order. The natural areas reported on are listed alphabetically:
1. Bald Head Creek Natural Area
2., Battery Island
3. Camp Branch Savannah
13

4. Drowned Bay Savannah
5. Gause Savannah
6. Green Pond Savannah
7, Greenbank Bluff
8. Henrytown Savannah
9, Long Bays Savannah
10. McKinzie Pond Marsh
11. Sandhills Creek Impoundment
12. Smithville Carolina Bay Complex
13. Waccamaw Island Savannah
Further, I submitted a number of reports dealing with significant natu-
ral areas in Brunswick County as a portion of two 1979 N. C. Heritage Program
contracts. Addenda to seven of the eleven original reports are included
according to new information gathered. They are as follows:
1. Big Cypress Bay
2. Big Island Savannah
3. Blue Pond Complex
4. Boiling Springs Lakes "Natural" Area
5. Orton Pond "Natural" Area
6® Piver Bays Bog
7. Spring Creek Pond.
In addition to the individual reports and addenda detailed here, several
other papers dealing with significant natural areas in the county have
either been prepared recently or are now in preparation. Although I have,
both prior to and during the course of this contract, briefly surveyed
several areas which fit this category, I have seen little point in dupli-
cating the original efforts, and therefore refer the reader to the original
reports for details on these significant areas. The areas involved and
the dates of the reports are listed below::
1. Bryant Mill Creek (1979)
2. Green Swamp Natural Area (1981)
3. Sunny Point Limesinks (1979).
NATURAL AREA SIGNIFICANCE
The statements of significance which are contained within each submitted
natural area report pertain to those properties of the site which are clearly
evident as significant features. However, because the field investigations
specified in this contract constitute preliminary reconnaissance reports,
rather than basic inventory, the accompanying reports should not be
2Complete references to these papers are provided in the "Literature
Cited" section of this report.
14

Figure 1.
Significant Natural Areas
Brunswick County, North Carolina
High Priority Natural Areas 0
1. Bald Head -Smith Island Complex
2. Battery Island
3. Big Cypress Bay and Ponds
4. Big Island Savanna
S. Blue Pond -Little Blue Pond -Black
Pond Limesink Complex
6. Camp Branch Savanna
7. Ferry Slip Island Pelican Colonv
8. Green Swamp P rem me
9. Greenbank (Bryant Mill) Bluff
10. Long Bays Savanna
11. Monks Island
12, Orton Pond
- 13. Smithville Carolina Bay Compi
14. Spring Creek Pond
15. Sunny Point Limesinks
16. Sunset Beach Wood Stork Pon(
17. Waccamaw Island Savanna
Local Priority Natural Areas O
1. Bird Island
2. Brunswick River at Juncture w
Cape Fear River (Alligator con,
tration area)
3. Boiling Springs Ponds
4. Drowned Bay Savanna
S. Gause Pond Savanna
6. - Green Pond Savanna
7. Henrytown Savanna
8. McKinzie Pond Marsh
9. Sandhills Creek Impoundment
10. Sampson Pond Sinks
11. Pivers Bay Bog
12. Other island nesting sites for
colonial waterbirds
1W [nkt
Shalbcz
Inkt
I Alto tin! _

interpreted as definitive statements of the total significance of any
natural area. Further significance of any site may become apparent with
additional investigation.
All natural areas reported on are worthy of preservation in their own
right, and therefore, of special consideration in planning the future devel-
opment of the.county. Twelve of the thirteen natural areas reported on
here --Bald Head Creek Natural Area, Battery Island, Camp yranch Savannah,
Gause Savannah, Green Pond Savannah, Greenbank Bluff, Henrytown Savannah,
Long Bays Savannah, McKinzie Pond Marsh, Sandhills Creek Impoundment,
Smithville Carolina Bay Complex, and Waccamaw Island Savannah --because of'
their included elements of significance and the uniqueness of each individual
area, are regarded as being of high priority, while one area --Drowned Bay
Savannah --exhibits a lesser degree of significance (medium priority). In
addition, of the other listed areas, Big Cypress Bay, Big Island Savannah,
Blue Pond, Orton Pond "Natural" Area, Spring Creek Pond, and the Sunny
Point Limesinks should also be given high priority in preservation efforts
and land -use planning3.
The relative degree of protection merited by any individual natural
area is dependent on the level of significance of the site, as well as upon
site structure and dynamics. For example, some locally significant areas
could withstand a multiple land use ethic, where such recreational activities
as hunting, fishing and hiking are permitted, while maintaining site integ-
rity. Other sites have such a high level of significance and/or are so
fragile in nature or limited in extent, that outright protection with enforce-
ment of strict usage regulations is mandatory to continued existence of
the area.
As a last note, an appeal is order with regard to the content of this
report. While an attempt was made to reconnoiter all portions of the county
with equal thoroughness, and while every reasonable effort has been made to
seek out and identify ALL significant natural areas worthy of conservation
efforts, it is nevertheless probable that one, or several, significant sites
may have been missed due to the relative inaccessibility of a few areas
-3�Phe Bryant Mill Creek site is considered to essentially be a part of
the Cape Fear River bluff forest which includes Greenbank Bluff. Further, the
Green Swamp Natural Area, owned by the North Carolina Nature Conservancy,
are presumed to be protected, although usage of adjacent privately owned
lands may ultimately affect the status of the Conservancy tract.
16

(both actual remoteness of the area and lack of owner cooperation may
result in inaccessibility), and to the sheer extent of the county. For
these reasons it is important that it NOT at this point be assumed that
all significant natural areas in Brunswick County are known, and that it
may now be safely "written off" as thoroughly explored with regard to sig-
nificant sites.
17

LITERATURE CITED
DuBar, J. R., H. S. Johnson, B. Thom, and W. 0. Hatchell. 1974. Neogene
stratigraphy and morphology, south flank of the Cape Fear Arch, North
and South Carolina, pp. 139-173. In Oaks, R. Q. and J. R. DuBar, eds.
Post -Miocene stratigraphy, central and southern Atlantic coastal plain.
Utah State University Press, Logan, Utah.
Dumond, D. M. 1979. Vegetation survey of 40 ponds, Sunny Point Military
Ocean Terminal, Brunswick County, N. C. U. S. Army Corps of Engineers,
Wilmington District, Wilmington, N. C. 25 pp. + appendices.
Kologiski, R. L. 1977. The phytosociology of the Green Swamp, North
Carolina, N. C. Agric. Expt. Sta., Tech. Bul. No. 2509 Raleigh, N. C.
McDonald, C. B., J. McCrimmon, and J. Murphy. 1979. Bryant Mill Creek
preliminary report. Unpubl. report, 11. C. Natural Heritage Program
files, Raleigh, N. C.
McIver, H. 1981. Green Swamp Nature Preserve, Brunswick County, N. C.
Unpubl. report, N. C. Nature Conservancy, Chapel Hill, N. C.
Parnell, J. F. and D. Adams. 1971. Smith Island: a resource capability
study. Interim report. UNC Sea Grant Publication, Raleigh, N. C.
Radford, A. E. 1981. Personal communication. Dept. of Botany, Univ. of
North Carolina, Chapel Hill, N. C.
D. K. S. Otte, L. J. Otte, J. R. Massey, P. D. Whitson,
et al. 1981 (in press). Natural heritage: classification, inventory,
and information. Univ. of North Carolina Press, Chapel Hill, N. C.

Figure 2: Known "natural" or
other undeveloped areas
containing threatened and
endangered species,
Brunswick County, N. C.
0
/ 4]

FIGURE 2: KNOWN "NATURAL" OR OTHER UNDEVELOPED AR,13,'S
CONTAINING THREATENED AND ENDA.IGERED SPcCI.ES,
BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA'
SITE
NUX'BER
"ITE NAME
2
SPECIES OF CONCERN
1�
Bald Head Creek
Sabal palmetto Cabbage Palmetto
Natural Area
OBig
Cypress Bay
Alligator mississippiensis American Alligator
Anhinga anhinga 'dater -turkey
Litsea aestivalis Pondspice
O3
Big Island Savannah
Agalinis a h lla Scale -leaf Gerardia
Coreopsis g adiata Swamp Tickweed
Dionaea muscipula Venus' Fly -trap
Habenaria integra Yellow Fringeless Orchid
Picoides borealis Red -cockaded Woodpecker
Rhynchospora breviseta Short -bristled
Beak -rush
Sarracenia rubra Sweet Pitcher Plant
Sporobolus teretifolius Wireleaf Dropseed
®
Blue Pond
Litsea aestivalis Pondspice
�5
Camp Branch Savannah
Parnassia caroliniana Grass -of -Parnassus
©
East Beach (Smith
Caretta caretta Atlantic Loggerhead Turtle
Island)
1 7
Green Pond Savannah
Myriophyllum laxum Loose Water-�milfoil
Greenbank Bluff
Parnassia grandifolia Grass -of -Parnassus
OLong
Bays Savannah
Aimo hila aestivalis Bachman's Sparrow
Fothergilla garden 'ditch -alder
Picoides borealis Red -cockaded Woodpecker
10
McKinzie Pond Marsh
Alligator mississippiensis American Alligator
Ludwigia repens Creeping Ludwigia
11
Orton Pond Natural
Alligator mississippiensis American Alligator
Area
Anhinga anhinga Water -turkey
Picoides borealis Red -cockaded -Woodpecker
Potamogeton lhnoensis Pondweed
Rhynchospora pleiantha Beak -rush
Sandhill Creek
Anhinga anhinga Water -turkey
Impoundment
®
Smithville Carolina
Picoides borealis Red -cockaded 'Woodpecker
Bay Complex
®
Ferry Slip Dredge
Pelecanus occidentalis Brown Pelican
Island
15
Waccamaw Island
Dionaea muscipula Venus' Fly -trap
Savannah
Lophiola americans Lophiola

15 (cont.) Lysimachia asperulaefolia Carolina Loose -
strife
Parnassia caroliniana Grass -of -Parnassus
1Identification code by shape: (1) Q site contains threatened or
endangered plant and animal species; (2) ❑ --site contains threatened
or endangered species of plants only; (3) A --site contains threatened
or endangered species of animals only; and (4) 0 --site is not a recog-
nized "Natural Area." but constitutes important breeding habitat for one
or more threatened or endangered species.
2See the accompanying individual Natural Area reports for more com-
plete information regarding the listed threatened and endangered species.

Figure 3: significant t
breeding habitat, Brt
County, N. C. "Watert
ra;v For

FIGURE 3: SIGNIFICANT BIRD BREEDING HABITAT, BRUNSWICK
COUNTY, N. C. "WATERBIRDS."
I. "Shorebirds:" (see Table 2)
CODE
SITE NUMBER
SITE NAME
0
1
(Cape Fear River)
"
2
(Cape Fear River)
it
3
(Cape Fear River)
".
4
(Cape Fear River)
"
5
(Cape Fear River)
"
6
New Inlet
"
9
(Long Point)
"
10
Monk's Island
"
11
Bowen Point
"
12
Glad Inlet
"
13
(Mad Inlet)
"
14
Bird Island
II. "heronries:" (see Table 3)
CODE
SITE NUMBER
SITE NAME
0
1
Juniper Creek
it
2
Lockwood's Folly
"
3
Orton Pond
"
4
Sandhills Creek
"
5
Shallotte
"
6
Twin Lakes
"
7
Battery Island (North)
"
8
Battery Island (South)
III. Osprey Nesting Sites: (see Table 4)
CODE SITE NUMBER
❑
1
rr
2
"
3
rr
4
SITE NAME
Big Cypress Bay
Blue Pond
Orton Pond
Sandy Hill Sinks

Table 2: Summary of colonial waterbird nesting sites, Brunswick County,
County, North Carolinal.
O
w
N
N
M
O
@
cd
ii
Cd
a
P4
:P)
C01
bo v+
to
m
+3
0
b
H
11
aUi
0
W
4)i
}i
d
O
4J
ca to
6
z
•r�
O
0
(Cape
Fear
R.)
Carolina
34000'N
DSD
LAAT
728
-
Beach
77057W
STMA
1
(Cape
Fear
R.)
Kure Beach
330581N
DSD
STAL
7
-
77057'W
(Cape
Fear
R.)
Kure Beach
330561N
DSU
PEOC
-
These two sites com-
77051'W
STMA
-
prise the first --and
(Cape
P
Fear
R. )
Kure Beach
°
33 55'N
DSU
STMA
-
only --records of
77°51'W
PEOC
-
Brown Pelicans nest-
LAAT
-
ing in southeastern
North Carolina.
(Cape Fear R.)
Kure Beach
330561N
DSU
GENI
34
-
77051'W
STHI
4
LAAT
-
New Inlet
Kure Beach
33054'N
BIB
RYNI
59
One of only two "natu-
77 56'W
STAL
22
ral" (no human -modi-
fication) nesting
sites in county.
Battery Island
Southport
330541N
NIM
BUAL
693
In conjunction with the
(North)
780011W
EGTH
450
next site, this is
HYTR
368
the largest nesting
CAAL
144
colony of wading birds
PLF
PLFA
86
in North Carolina.
NYNY
75
FLCA
13
EUAL
2
Battery Island
Southport
330541N
NIM
EUAL
1946
In conjunction with the
(South)
78°011W
HYTR
240
preceding site, this
EGTH
87
is the largest nest-
PLFA
72
ing colony of wading
FLCA
72
birds in North Caro-
NYNY
28
lina.
BUAL
7
BUST
5
CAAL
3
(Long Point)
Shallotte-
330551N
DSD
STAL
12
-
Holden Beach
780221W
Monks Island
Shallotte -
330551N
DSD
STAL
427
This is the largest
Holden Beach
780 23'W
RYNI
28
Least Tern colony
GENI
19
in North Carolina.
STHI
9
(Continued on next page).
21

Table 2: (Conclusion).
m
d
a)
N
M
bo
�
A+
EO
4)
44
C
r
rj 0
0 �
�
o
Ioe
z
6
t
o
to
c
o
o
z
Bowen Point Shallotte- 330551N MLM STAL 28
Holden Beach 780151W
(Mad Inlet) Calabash 330531N DSD STAL 9
78°311W
(Mad Inlet) Little R.- 33053'N DSD STAL 35 -
Calabash 780321W
Bird.Island Little 33051IN BIB RYNI 22 One of only two "natu-
River 780321W ral" (no human modi-
fication) nesting
sites in county.
1Source of the data contained in Table 2 is Parnell, J. F, and R. F.
Soots, Jr. 1979. Atlas of colonial waterbirds of Korth Carolina estuaries.
UNC Sea Grant Publication UNC-SG-78-109 Raleigh, N. C.
2"Site Types" are divided into five categories according to origin and/
or physical characteristics, as follows:
(1) BIB -- barrier island beach;
(2) DSD -- dredged material (spoil), diked;
(3) DSU -- dredged material (spoil), undiked;
(4) MLM -- mainland site, modified with addition of dredged spoil
material;
(5) NIM --- natural island, modified with addition of dredged spoil
material.
3"Nesting Species" are represented in Table 2 by an acronym created
from the first two letters of the species generic name coupled with the
first two letters of its specific epithet. The acronyms and species are
as follows, listed alphabetically:
(1) BUAL Bubulcus albus Cattle Egret
(2) BUST Butori.des stritus Green Heron
(3) CAAL Casmerodius alba Great Egret
(4) EGTH E _ etta thula .Snowy Egret
(5) EUAL Eu oc mus albus White Ibis
(6) FLCA Florida caerulea Little Blue Heron
(7) GENI Gelochelidon nilotica Gull -billed Tern
(8) HYTR Hydranassa tricolor Louisiana Heron
(9) LAAT Larus argentatus Herring Gull
(10) NYNY Nycticorax nycticorax Black -crowned Night Heron
(11) PEOC Pelecanus occidentalis Brown Pelican
(12) PLFA Plegadis falcinellus Glossy This
(13) RYNI Rynchops niger. Black Skimmer
(14) STAL Sterna albifrons Least Tern
(15) STHI erna hirundo —Common Tern
(16). STMA SSerna max a Royal Tern
22

Table 3: Summary of Brunswick County, North Carolina heronriesl.
COLONY NUM -a QUAD- COORDI- NESTING2 NUMBER
BER AND NAME RANGLE NATES SPECIES OF NESTS
(1) Juniper Creek
(2) Lockwood's
Folly
(3-) Orton Pond
Exum
Lockwood's Folly
Carolina Beach
(4) Sandhills Creek Carolina Beach
(5) Shallotte Shallotte
(6) Twin Lakes Calabash
34004'N
78 24 # w
33056'N
78012' W
34003'N
77058'w
34008'N
77059'w
33057'N
78 24'w
33056'N
78 31'w
ARHE 3
ARHE 3
ARHE
21
ANAN
2
ARHE
44
ANAN
1
ARHE
16
ARHE 2
(7) Battery Island Southport 33054'N BUAL 693
(North) 780o11w EGTH 450
HYTR 368
CAAL 144
PLFA 86
NYNY 75
FLCA 13
EUAL 2
(8) Battery Island Southport 330541N EUAL 1946
(South) 78001'w HYTR 240
EGTH 87
PLFA 72
FLCA 72
NYNY 28
BUAL 7
BUST 5
CAAL 3
1Sources of the data contained in Table 3 are (1) Parnell, J. F.,
and R. F. Soots, Jr. 1979. Atlas of colonial waterbirds of North
Carolina estuaries. UNC Sea Grant Publication UNC-SG-78-10, Raleigh,
N. C., sites 7 & 8; and (2) Soots, R. F., Jr. and J. F. Parnell. 1979.
Inland heronries of North Carolina. The Chat 43: 10-16, plus additional
study data, sites 1 - 6.
2"Nesting Species" are represented in Table 3 by an acronym created
from the first two letters of the species generic name coupled with the
first two letters of its specific epithet. The acronyms and species are
as follows: (see Table 2 for acronyms for sites 7 & 8)
(1) ANAN 'lnhinga anhinga water -turkey
(2) ARHE Ardea herodias Great Blue Heron.
23

Table 4: Summary of Osprey (Pandion halioetus) nesting sites containing
two or more nesting pairs of adult birds, Brunswick County,
North Carolinal.
SITE NUMBER QUAD- COORDI-
AND NAME RANGLE NATES NESTING PAIRS
(1) Big Cypress Bay Lockwood's Folly 330581N 5
78°11'w
(2) Blue Pond Carolina Beach 34005'N 2
77°59' .a
(3) Orton Pond Carolina Beach 340031N 61
77°581 W
(4) Sandy Hill Lockwood's Folly 34000'N 3
Sinks 780131W
1Sources of the data contained in Table 4 are (1) Personal observa-
tion of the author, 1979 — 1981, sites 1, 29 & 4; and (2) Henny, Co J.
and A. P. Noltemeier. Osprey nesting populations in the coastal
Carolinas. American Birds 29: 1073-1079, site 3.
0

Figure 4: Special Habitats -- Sea Turtle Nesting Beaches
The oceanfront beaches of the Smith Island
Complex (Bald Head, Middle, and Bluff Islands)
rank among the highest density nesting beaches
in the state for Loggerhead Sea Turtles (Caretta
caretta). The remaining beaches of Brunswi�
County are of medium significance on a state-
wide basis for Loggerhead nesting.
(Crouse, 1980, Sea Turtle Nesting - — - --- -
Surveillance in North Carolina,
1980. N.C. Natural Heritage Program
report for N.C. Wildlife Resources
Commission) .
Medium
Significance
High
Significancy

NATURAL AREA INVENTORY FORM
Preliminary Reconnaissance Survey
Brunswick County, North Carolina
1. Natural Area Name: Bald Head Creek Natural Area
2. Location: Site is located along the northeast portion of Bald Head
Island bounded by Bald Head Creek, ca. 0.4 mile west of
East Beach.
30 Topographic Quadrangle Map Reference: Cape Fear 1:24000.
Coordinates: 330571N latitude; 770581W longitude.
4. Size: ca. 25.9 ha. (64 A.).
5. Elevation: 0 to 6 m (0 to 20 ft.).
6. Vegetation Classification Category: III.B.2. Southern Maritime
Forest.
7. Investigator (s) : Timothy D. Nifong
Box 29, Coker Hall, UNC
Chapel Hill, N. C. 27514
8, Access: Boat via Southport.
26

9. Site Description:
The community type here is essentially that described for
southern maritime forest in the "Introduction" section of this
paper. The site was located from the air, and constitutes the
best known stand of cabbage palmetto (Sabal palmetto) within the
Smith Island complex, and thus, within the state. Besides existing
in several "pure" stands along Bald Head Creek, cabbage palmetto
is a canopy codominant with laurel oak ( uercus laurifolia) and live
oak (Q. virginiana) in some of the area, and an important reproducing
associate canopy species throughout the rest of the site.
The gently undulating ridge and swale topography of relict
dunes occurs throughout the Natural Area.

Ferns and fern allies--
Vines:
Pond pine pocosin:
Trees:
Canopy--
Subcanopy--
Shrubs:
Subshrubs:
Carex verrucosa
Ctenium aromaticum
Dichromena latifolia
Fimbristylis spadicea
Muhlenbergia expansa
Panicum longiligulatum
P. partoriense
P. strigosum
Rhyncospora baldwinii
R. breviseta
R. chapmanii
R. ciliaris
R. fascicularis
R. gracilenta
R. grayi
R. oligantha
R. plumosa
Scleria minor
S. pauciflora
Sporobolus teretifolius
Lycopodium alopecuroides
L. appressum
L. carolinianum
Osmunda cinnamomea
0. regalis var. spectabilis (?)
Pteridium aquilinum
Woodwardia virginica
Smilax glauca
S. laurifolia
S. walteri
Acer rubrum
Chamaecyparis thyoides
Nyssa sylvatica var. bit"lora
Pinus serotina
Taxodium ascendens
Gordonia lasianthus
Persea borbonia
Clethra aanifolia
Cyrilla racemiflora
Ilex coriacea
I. glabra
Lyonia lucida
Sorbus arbutifolia
Vaccinium crassifolium

Eupatorium roturdifolium
Euphorbia curtisii
Habenaria, blephariglottis
H. ciliaris
H.:.. cristata
H. integra
Helianthus angustifolius
H. heterophyllus
Heterotheca graminifolia
Hypericum reductum
H. stans
Hypoxis hirsuta
H. micrantha
Lachnanthes caroliniana
Lachnocaulon anceps
Lespedeza capitata
Liatris graminifolia
Oxypolis ternata
0. filiformis
Pi ' nguicula caenalea
P.lutea
Pleea tenuifolia
Pogonia ophioglossoides
Polygala cruciata
P. hookeri
P ., lutea
P. ramosa
Prenanthes autumnalis
Proserpinaca pectinata
Rhexia alifanus
R. lutea
R. mariana
Sabatia difformis
S. gentianoides
Sarracenia flava
S. purpurea
S. rubra
Seymeria cassioides
Sisyrinchium arenicola
S. mucronata
Solidago stricta
Spiranthes praecox
Tofieldia racemosa
Trilisa paniculata
Viola primulifolia
V. septemloba
Xyris ambigua
X . caroliniana
X. difformis
Graminoids-- Andropogon scoparius
A. ternarius
A. virginicus
Aristida stricta
A. virgata
Arundinaria gigantea
56

FLORA SPECIES LIST*
Lonaleaf pine savannah:
Trees:
Shrubs:
Subshrubs:
Transgressives:
Herbs:
Forbs--
Pinus palustris
Gaylussacia frondosa
Ilex coriacea
I. glabra
Magnolia virginiana
Myrica cerifera
E. heterophylla
Persea borbonia
Sorbus arbutifolia
Vaccinium crassifolium
Acer rubrul-
Nyssa sylvatica var. biflora
Agalinis aphylla
A. obtusifolia
Aletris farinosa
Amorpha herbacea
Asclepias lanceolata
Aster paludosus
A. pilosus
A. squarrosus
A. undulatus
Balduina uniflora
Baptisia tinctoria
C alopogon barbatus
C . pallida
C. pulchellus
Carduus virginia_na
C arphephorus tomentosus
Chaptalia tomentosa
Chondrophora nudata
Cleistes divaricata
Coreopsis gladiata
Cuscuta sp.
Desmodium tenuifoliu^
Dionaea muscinula
Drosera cauillaris
Elephantopus nudatus
Erigeron vernus
Eriocaulon compressum
E. decangulare
Eryngium in.te6 ifol_ "
Eupatorium leucolepsis
E. recurvans
Much thanks is expressed to Joan Wolf, who provided the bull, o= the follow` ng
species list.
55

certain of its unique species should public awareness of savannah
increase to the point where such removal becomes a problem. r
flourishing export business exloiting native populations of the
Venusflytrap kvionaea nuscipula) is known to exist in the area,
with Brunswick County serving as a primary source area for the fly—
trap,as well as some other characteristic savannah species.
RSi

Site ecological significance:
The ecologically significant features of the Big Island Savannah are
summarized:
1) Occurrence of a highly unique, exceptionally high -diversity assem-
blage of species which has evolved into its present condition over
an extensive period of time, and which is unknown to exist else-
where (see attached copy of letter to N.C. 'Nature Conservancy),
2) Presence of a now unusual community type with a savannah -like aspect--
Pinus palustris/Aristida stricta-Mixed herbs --a vegetation type which
has all but disappeared with modern fire "protection."
3) Occurrence of an extremely lame population of the commercially -
exploited threatened endemic insectivorous species, Venus' flytrar.
(Dionaea muscipula).
4) Presence of a large population of yellow fringeless -orchid (::abenar-*a
inteCra), threatened throughout its range.
5) Occurrence of scale leaf gerardia (Agaliris azhylla),.an endangered
peripheral species.
6) Presence of swamp tickweed (Coreopsis gladiata), an endangered T,eri-
pheral species.
7) Presence of the short -bristled beak rush (Rh�vncospora breviseta),
an endangered peripheral species.
8) Occurrence of the sweet pitcher plant (Sarracenia rubra), a commer-
cially-exploited.insectivorous species which is threatened through-
out its range.
9) Presence of a population of wireleaf dropseed (Sporobolus teretifolius),
a perennial grass which is threatened throughout its range.
Management recommendation ; :
The following guidelines are viewed as essential to maintaining the
Big Island Savannah in its natural state:
1) All vehicular traffic into the savannah itself or through a buffer
area of yet to be determined, but appropriate, size should be pro-
hibited under any circumstances; in addition, foot traffic through
the savannah should be regulated to preclude soil compaction or
other resultant damage which might over time alter portions of the
savannah edanhic properties, and thus vegetation.
2) The sharp ecotonal interface area that occurs at the juncture of.
the savannah and pocosin communities is, based on field observation,
and important wildlife usage area, and should be maintained, i.e.,
the pocosin buffer zone surrounding the savannah is extremely impor-
tant, both from a wildlife usage and from a savannah protection
standpoint, and should be maintained in its present condition.
3) The savannah area should be closely monitored to note at earliest
occurrence any possible effects that the adjacent pocosin-draining
ditches might possibly have on water relations in the moist savannah
area; it is quite possible that the long term effects of this
drainage :,,ay be such that a refilling of the ditches will be nan-
dated in an attempt to restore as nearly as possible the original
water table conditions within the area.
4) The savannah areas should be burned at least semi-annually, and the
adjoining pocosin burned somewhat less frequently, in order to main-
tain the community species assemblages in their present condition.
5) The area should be'given some ,kind of protection against removal of
3

Topography --The area is exceedin-ly flat, with relief in the area
probably totalling much less than 1 m; however, seemin;ly insig-
nificant changes in topography may result in marked differences'
in soil series, and thus, ve;;etational communities.
Geology --The surficial sediments are marine -deposited sands and clays
of the Talbot Terrace of Pleistocene age, overlying the Peedee
Formation of Late Cretaceous age.
Rare plants and animals:
Agalinis aphylla. Scale leaf gerardia. Endangered peripheral.
Coreopsis gladiata. Swamp tickweed. Endangered peripheral.
Dionaea muscipula. Venus' flytrap. Threatened endemic; exploited.
ge population exists here, consisting of many thousands of
individuals.
Rabenaria integra. Yellow fringeless -orchid. Threatened throuchout.
A lar;e population, probablyJconsisting of in excess of one hundred
individuals, exists on the savannah.
Rhyncospora breviseta. Short -bristled beat: rush. -Enda_^gered -eri-
pheral.
Sarracenia rubra. Sweet pitcher plant. Threatened throughout; exploited.
Sporobolus teretifolius. Wireleaf dropseed. Threatened throughout.
Publications and scientific references:
Blankenship, R.R. 1965. Reconnaissance of the Eround-;rater
resources of the Southport --Elizabethtown area., 1.1orth Carolina. IT.C_
Dept. 'Vater Res., Div. Ground Water, Ground "-ter B,-,I. NO. 6: 47 pY.
Daniels, R.B., et. al. 1978. Age of soil landscapes in the coastal
ol
plain of North Carina. Soil Sci. Soc. Aai. J. 42: 98-10=i.
Yolo-iski, R.L. 1977. The phytosociolo- of tI-e green Swamr.,
I'Iorth. Carolina. N.C. Ar. xpt. Sta., Tech. Bul !To. 30. Raley
Radford, A.E., et. al. 1964. manual of the Vascular Flora of t?_c
Carolinas. Ui+C =Tess. Chapel Bill, N.C. 1183 rp.
52

an extensive period of time.
Vegetation and plant communities:
The Big Island Savannah Natural Area is characterized by two princi-
pal plant communities, presumably due to the differences in depth to the
soil water table associated with different soil types, and thus edaphic
properties. A longleaf pine savannah community dominates the majority of
the area in two separate plots, which are separated by and each bordered
on three sides by a pond pine (Pinus serotina) pocosin.
A discussion of the community types follows:
1) Longleaf pine savannah. Pinus palustris/Aril- da stricta--Mixed herbs.
The very open canopy of this area is dominated exclusively by longleaf
pine. While no cubcanopy or shrub layer is present, characteristic
pocosin shrubs, such as sweet bay (MaTnolia vir;,iniana)_and red bay
(Persea borbonia) occur as scattered individuals from rootsprouts.
The herb layer comprises a mixture,of wire-rass (Aristila strict.nt),
orange grass (Ctenium aromaticum), and other perennial graminoids and
forbs too varied and too numerous to mention (see accompanying Flora
Species List). It is as ',tells (1932) so adequately expressed: "(here)
Nature attains...her fullest, and most varied expression of loveliness
in the form of wild flowers." From late winter until late fall, a
continuous progression of bright and varied colors unfolds across the
savannah, bordered by the deep greens of the pocosin shrubs, rendering
this one of the most purely beautiful natural areas imaginable from an
aesthetic point of view.
At various locations within the savannah communit;,,, usually in
areas proximal to the savannah--pocosin ecotone, the mixed ,C,ra=inoids
groundcover is soWe:-:hat displaced by giant cane (?.rundinaria 'g antea),
which assumes dominance or codominance of the herbaceous layer.
2) Pond pine pocosin. Pinus serotina Mixed evergreen shrubs//3W4-lax
laurifolia. The open canopy of this area is dominated by ;ond pine,
with an occasional pond cypress (Taxodium ascendens) or black gum
(F ssa sylvatica var. biflora) occurring as a canopy -sized tree. Scat-
tered Atlantic white cedar Chamaecyparis thycides), loblolly bay
(Gor donia lasiarthus), and large transgressive red maples (Acer rubrum)
occur as a highly localized subc?nopy layer. The very dense shrub layer
is dominated by titi (Cyrilla racemiflora) and stag erbush (Lyoni_
li.:cida) -in association with other char cteristic evergreen pocosin sh rab
species, with the deciduous white alder (Cleth_a ainifolia) occurring
alone the marr-ins of the pocosin. The dense un�ersrowth is "ti.el
tozether" by a tan=-lin- -rowth of laurel -leaved saab.-iar (2milax
laurifolia), forming a nearly impenetrable thicket. Few herbs can
successfully compete with the evergreen pocosin shrubs for the limited
resources available, at least for any extensive period of time, and
few herbs were noted. An exception was one or more of the stiecies of
pitcher plant (Sarraceria sp.), which were found within the pocosin
community, and are known to sometimes exist for .:,any years as suppressed
individuals in pocosin areas t'-:at once existed as open shrub boys or
as wet savannah areas prior to the institution of a l--rze de-ree of
fire protection.
Physical features:
General description --The Big Island Savannah lies in an extensive flat,
poorly -drained portion of the Green Swam_n , and is thus relatively
wet for much of the year.
51

Name of area: Big Island Savannah
County: Brunswick
Location description: 5.7 Miles north of Supply on the west side of highway*
NC 211.
Size: Approximately 50 acres (2 savannah areas)
Elevation: 18.3 m (60 ft.) above sea level.
Topographic quad map reference: Supply 1:31680 (:yap attached)
Ownership information: federal Paperboard, Inc.
Bolton, N.C. 28423
Report pre-,ared by: Timothy D. Nifong fa P. Roberts', Jr
Box 29, Coker iiall 2710 Bartran :?d.
Dept. of Botany, UNC :;'irston-Salem, ::.C. 27105
Chapel Hill, N.C. 27514
Other. persons knowledgeable about site:
1) Joan ;golf
Dept. of Botany, UNC
Chapel hill, !•%C. 27514
2) Dr. 2obe.t K. Peet
aert. of Botany, NC
Chapel Hill, N.C. 27514
Current use and protection status:
At the present time there is no known usagpine (-,-_ z3 e of the -i� Island Savannah
C
area of the reen St:-a--p. The scattered longleaf v)alusl_ _s)
canopy consists of :ridely s.:aced, relatively i:r mat,:re _` vidual trees
(average :;e,is ap_r oxl_;ately 35 years) which are _not Of marketable 'i�.e
for timber. It is probable that the tract i;, too Z.nal'_ .and the trees too
few to make harveotin;; of the area for pulpwood eco-io-ic ally •feasible.
Threats to the tact a-�-;,ear to be indirect, rather than a_rect, in
nature. . or instance, the pocooin vegetational co--rather
6 a�' ich borders
the savannas, on tree sides, more or less, has recently, been ditched in
an aprarent effort to drain the are, and render it suitable for future
tree planting activities. Because the Big Island "avanna'.: is a wet s-van-
nah, t;ith many mesic to somi-hydric plant s--ecies rreser- such drair.a�e
activities constitute a :potentially serious threat to the future :Nell
being and survival of certain characteristic sr_ecies. In addition, it is
probable that subsequent draining and/or clearing e=fcrts in the adjacent
pocosin community could ins;dvcrtertly have a seriously dara_in effect on
the outer fringe of the savannah area, allo:•rin- inv_-sion of the sarannah
by less than_ desirable weedy species.
The hi-h species diversity and unique species asse blage of this area
indicate that the savannah has undergone little or none o, the :car -caused
disruption that often accom..panies timber planting, Maintenance, and halve.;-,t.
In addition, the diversity characteristics of the sava:nah co ---unit;; pre--ent,
coupled with charred tree trunks and other evidences o= mire, indicate that
the area has been burned frequently --probably ar_nuall; or semi -annually --:or

B=
O..
., ., s
4
�
� 3
����.'���
�
yAf i+?\
.,T�
y�l AYP nY... .. :al..�:��/1i6A 31 -•�'iwX+4 ln. �:',
� S��C ��i��� t'hs
.. �V u'��W � V
Figure 7. Big Cypress Bay
�9
L 0
N
G B A
Y

Panicum verrucosum
Sacciolepis striata•
Ferns and fern -allies--
Woodwardia areolata•
W. virginica
Vines:
Rhus radicans*
Smilax sp.*
Outlying pond communities:
Trees:
Nyssa sylvatica var. biflora
Taxodium ascendens
T:ansgressives:
Liquidambar styraciflua
Persea borbonia
Pinus taeda
Shrubs:
Ilex cassine
Litsea aestivalis
-
Lyonia lucida
Myrica cerifera
Vaccinium atrococcum
Viburnum nudum
Herbs:
Forbs--
Centella asiatica
Drosera intermedia
Eupatorium capillifolium
E. recurvans
Eupatorium sp.
Hypericum cistifolium
H. tubulosum
H, virginicum
Lachnocaulon minus
Lobelia nuttallii
Ludwi.;ia bonariensis
Lycopodum rubellus var. ano-ustifolius
Nymphaea odorata
Oldenlandia uniflora
Pluchea foetida
Rhexia mariana
Solidago sp.
Xyris jupicai
Graminoids--
Andropo-on virgiricus
Panicum verrucosum
Panicum sp.
Rhyncospora fascicularis
Sacciolepis striata

FLORA SPECIES LIST
Big Cypress Bay:
Southeastern bay area pond communities:
Trees: Nyssa sylvatica var. biflora
Taxodium ascenders
Transgressi.ves: Acer rubrum*
Liquidambar styraciflua*
Shrubs: Cephalanthus occidentalis
Cyrilla racemiflora*
Decodon verticillatus
Ilex cassine
I. cassine var. myrtifolia*
I. glabra*
Itea virginica*
Lyonia ligustrina*
L. lucida*
Myrica cerifera*
Persea borbonia
Rubus sp.*
Vaccinium atrococcum
Herbs:
Forbs-- Bidens discoidea*
Diodea virginiana
Eleocharis melanocarpa
Habenaria repens
Hydrocotyle umbellata
Hypericum tubulosum
H. virginicum
Lachnanthes caroliniana
Lemna valvidiana
Ludwijia decurrens
Lycopus rubellus var, angustifoii;:s
hymphaea odorata
TTymphoides aquatica
Polygonum persicaria
Proserpinaca pectinata
Rhexia nariana
Solidago fistulosa*
Utricularia purpurea
Xyris caroliniana
X. jupicai
Graminoids-- Cyperus erythrorhizos
Erianthus sp.
Hydrochloa caroliniensis
Panicum hemitonum
*These species primarily rooted and -rowing on cypress trunks and stumps.
4'7

2) A thorough ground, water, and if possible, aerial survey of the
pond network within the interior of the bay is recommended in
order to determine the actual extent and composition of species
usage of the bay --pond complex as a nesting area for different
species of birds.
3) Restrictions on the usage of the area for fishing and other breeding
season activities within the bay area should be imposed, -if mandated,
based on the findings of the suggested nesting survey. In addi-
tion, scheduling of future heavy equipment activities in the upland
areas adjacent to the bay should be encouraged for the non -breed-
ing season.
4) A determination of the extent of usage of the pond areas as an
area of breeding habitat for the American alligator should be
undertaken if possible, in order to help establish the eventual
balance of human activity --exclusive wildlife usage of the Bid
Cypress Bay area that is appropriate for maintaining the natural
integrity of the bay as prime wildlife habitat.
t

Haliaeetus leucoce^halus. Bald eaSle. Endangered. A nest of this 8pee�es
was reported for this area in 1972, although no adults were
observed at that time. Believed possible that an osprey nest was
mistaken for the nest of.this species.
Pandion haliaetus. Osprey. Special concern. Breeds regularly at
several locations within the Big Cypress Bay.
Sciurus r_iler. Southern fox squirrel. Special concern. Reported to
occur occasionally within the refugia offered by the relatively
inpenetrable bay interior.
Publications and scientific references:
Blankenship, R.R. 1965. Reconnaissance of the ground -water resources
of the Southport -Elizabethtown area, North Carolina. N.C. Dept. Water Res.,
Div. Ground Water, Ground -Water Bul. ,To. 6. 47 pp.
Daniels, R.B., et. al. 1978. Age of soil landscapes in the coastal
plain area of Borth Carolina. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 42: 98-105.
Radford, A.E., et. al. 1964. Manual of the Vascular Flora of the
Carolinas. UNC Press. Chapel Hill, '.T.C. 1183 pp.
Site ecological significance:
The ecologically significant aspects of the Big Cypress Bay area are
summarized:
1) The site constitutes one of a very few remainin- relatively undis-
turbed limesink complexes, here located within an apparent Carolina
bay.
2) The occurrence within the inner ponds of the bay of several groups,
of mature, probably untimbered stands of pond cypress (Taxodium
ascer_dens), with scattered very large individuals.
3) The occurrence of the endangered peripheral shrub, pondspice
(Litsea aestivalis), within the bay.
4) The importance of the site as a minor rookery for the great blue
heron (Ardea herodias), and as a nesting area for several other
species of birds, including osprey (Pandion haliaetus), a species
of special concern, reportedly, water turkeys Anhirga wnhir!-a),
and possibly at one time, the bald eagle (Haliaeetus.leucoce-�halus.),
an endangered species.
4) Probable breeding of the endangered American alligator (Alli;,ator
mississi.npiensis) within the bay --pond complex.
5) Use of the bay interior, possibly as a refugia against outside
hunting and/or habitat destruction pressures, by the Southern
fox squirrel (Sciurus niCer), an animal species of special concern.
Management recommendations:
The following "management" recommendations are offered to assist in
determinin` the ultimate significance of the Big Cypress Bay area, and to aid
in maintainir_g the integrity of its associated plant and animal assemb-
lages at their present population condition and level:
1) Future encroachment of "timbering" operations upon the interior
of the bay should be halted, with the currently existing buffer
area surrounding the ponds maintained.
0

pine flatwoods community --longleaf pine/scrub live oak ( uercus geminata)/
wiregrass, longleaf pine/sand myrtle (Leionh llun buxifolium)/wiregrass--
creeping blueberry (Vaccinium crassifolium), etc. --in the flatter,
inter -ridge areas typified by a spodic quartzipsamment to aerie haplaquod
soil type. The pine flatwoods community bordered and graded into the
pocosin type vegetation and accompanying typic haplaquod soils at the
bay margins.
Physical features:
General description: .Big Cypress Bay constitutes what appears to be
an irregularly shaped Carolina bay, located in an area of well
developed (lime) sinks, bordered by sandy ridges trending TTW_SE
in direction of alignment.
Topography --A NW -SS trending Carolina bay, Big Cypress Bay contains
a series of irregularly shaped, moderately steep -walled depressions
which are believed to be doline ponds resulting from subsurface
solution of underlying limestone deposits, followed by a subsequent
slumping of the surface area above the solution cavity. The Big
Cypress Bay basin is surrounded by a series of sandy ridges extending
in a general II:;' -SE direction; relief from the pond basin area to
adjacent ridgecrests ranges to approximately 10m.
Geology --The surficial sediments are marine=deposited sands and clays
of the Pamlico Terrace of Pleistocene age, overlying the Castle
Hayne Limestone of Eocene age.
Soils--(1) Lakeland series: a thermic, coated Typic Quartzipsamment;
occupies the coarsest sandy upland ridges bordering Big
Cypress Bay; longleaf pine/turkey oak/wiregrass community
type.
(2) Kureb series: a thermic, uncoated Spodic quartzipsamment;
occupies majority of the medium to fine -textured sandy
upland areas surrounding Big Cypress Bay; pine flatwoods
community.
(3) Leon series: a sandy, siliceous, thermic Aerie Haplaquod;
occupies bay --upland ridge interface; pine/mixed evergreen
and deciduous shrubs, or mixed evergreen shrubs community
types.
(4) Murville series: a sandy, siliceous, thermic Typic Haplaquod;
occupies bay interior and pond areas; pine/mixed evergreen
and deciduous shrubs//laurel leaf sawbrier, mixed evergreen
and deciduous shrubs, and pond cypress/mixed forbs and
graminoids community types.
Rare plants and animals:
Litsea aestivalis. Pondspice. Endangered peripheral. Occurs in bay
rim area adjacent to small ephemeral pond.
Alligator mississinpiensis. American alligator. Endangered. Report-
.edly breeds at numerous localities within the Big Cypress Bay pond
complex.
Anhiga anhinra. Water turicey. Threatened. Sighted regularly at
both IW and SE pond areas. RIenorted to breed in the more isolated
interior bay areas.
M_ •

but with occasional extensive patches of spike rush, panic grass
(Panicum sp.), diodia. . (Diodia virginiana), or other species
occurring.
5) Mixed evergreen shrubs. This zone marked the beginning of the dense
shrub thicket which bordered the ponds, extending from the pond
rims.to the surrounding upland areas planted in pines ---some 6 to
60m or more --and throughout the interior of the bay. Fetter -bush
(Lyonia lucida) and titi (Cyrilla racemiflora) typically dominated
this thicket community type, although dahoon often assumed importance
proximal to the open pond rim area, and wax myrtle (11yrica cerifera)
was. occasionally dominant in the more upland areas of the zone:
Pond cypress (Taxodium ascendens) characteristically formed a
ring encircling the ponds in the shallow water and/or wet flats areas,'
usually being most concentrated in zones 1 and 2, but frequently
extending throughout zone 4 as well.
Outlying pond communities--
A number of the smaller outlying ponds, or sinks, surrounding Big
Cypress Bay were visited, with observations made regarding plant species
presence and distribution, and the overall condition of each pond recorded.
Although a characteristic assemblage of "sink species" was present at
many of the outlying pond sites (see accompanying Flora Species List),'
and vegetational zonation was still pronounced at a few of the visited
locations, these ponds have for the most part been irreversibly damaged
or largely destroyed. During the harvesting, clearing, and replanting
operations within the upland areas surrounding these ponds, the pond
cypress (Taxodium ascendens) canopies occurring within several of these
small ponds were actually rushed over, with the ponds consequently
being used as dump sites for cleared debris.
The only plant species occurrence of any significance anonv these
ponds was the location of a small population of pondspice (.itsea_
aestivalis)---an endangered peripherai species which was not observed
at any of the large ponds within the bay --around a small ephemeral
pool which lies on the outer rarGin of Big Cypress Day itself. The
fact that this pond was located on the edge of the bay is the only
probable reason that it too was not destroyed during. clearing activities
within the area.
Bay communities --
As was previously mentioned, most of the bay area is dominated by
a Pinus serotina/mixed evergreen and decidous shrub s//Snila-: laurifolia
community type, or by some close variation of this combination. A
subcanopy layer comprised of nixed transgressive trees,-e.g., red maple
(Acer rubrum) and black gum (i? ssa sylvatica ,var. biflora) 3. present
in many areas as well.
At several locations within the bay, pond pine was replaced by lob
lolly pine (Pinus taeda) in mature stand.
Upland communities --
The upland areas surrounding the bay are now iarSely--dominated
by immature "super pine" seedlings (Pirius'sp.). These areas were, how-
ever, previously and naturally vegetated :•rith.a longleaf pine (Pinus
palustris)/turkey oak (Quercus laevis) or mixed oak (Quercus.sp-.T7—
wiregrass (Aristida stricter community on`the drier ridge areas charac-
terized by a typic too spodic quartzipsamment soil, and by a longleaf
M

occur within the northwest end of Big Cypress Bay, except by way of boat,
only the much more readily accessible pond groupinr- located within the
southeast end of the bay was sampled and is reported on here. The north-
east bay area ponds were visited, however, and appear'to be very similar
vegetationally to those ponds located at the southeastern end of the bay,
which are discussed below. Further, the smaller ponds, or sinks, which
occur in areas outlying the bay itself, are briefly discussed.
A word should be mentioned here retarding the abundant evidence that
existed within the pond and bay vegetational communities, pointin to the
frequent occurrence of, and important role of past fires in maintaining
seral vegetation -communities, and in shaping the ultimate species compo-
sition of these communities.
Southeastern bay area pond communities --
The ponds found near the southeast end of the Bid Cypress Bay are
relatively steep -walled, and contain water which is seasonally as much
as 5m or more in depth. Vegetation surrounding the open water of the
pond is quite obviously associated into zones, or community types, presumably based upon hydroperiod and/or seasonal water level fluctua-
tions.within the ponds. Water levels within the ponds, although they
varied as much as 1.5m during the period of field reconnaissance are
fairly constant throughout the A '
areas of relativelydeep, Y��', the ponds being spring -fed. Large
. p, open water predominate towards the center of
the ponds,with vegetation occurring zonally in the shallow water and
pond rim areas as follo:vs:
1) dater lily--banana-plant. Nymphaea odorata--lymphoides aouatica.
Water lily, either alone or ana p, o
in combination with banlantccurs
in the shallow water rim areas of the ponds, with the zone beinJ
more or less constantly inundated. Towards the outermost (shallowest)
areas of this zone, or community type, duckweed (Lemna valvidiana)
and purple bladderwort (Utricularia nurpurea) maw assume some importance.
2) Spike rush; marsh pennywort. Eleocharis sn.-
This is the first emergent zone and t ' dnsistsOyle uspike ta.
rush or marsh enne wort as sing* ypically consists of spike
p Y single dominants, and occasionally as
Godominants. Various other herbaceous species, such as sedges
(C erus sp.), proserpinaca (Frosern-inaca pectinate
stem seedbox Ludwig• k), and winged-
(_�a decurrens commonly occurred within this zone, which is seAsonally inundated during periods of high water.
3) Pond grass. Sacciolepis striata. This pond grass zone occurs
sporadically throughout the' rim area, at times being absent,
or singly dominating large patches. This zone may intrude u_non
those emergent herbaceous zones located above or below it in pond rim vegetational sequence. the
4) St. John's wort. Kypericum sp. This outermost herbaceous
zone usually extended— from the grassy zones below it to the dense
shrub thicket encircling the pond above it, being some 1 to 2.5m
in width. St. John's wort was occasionally displaced within this
zone by some other herbaceous species, such as Virginia chain fern
(Woodwardia vir-inica). In addition, scattered shrubs, such as
button bush Cenhalanthus occidentalis), water willow (Decodon
verticil_ 1_ atus , and dahoon Ilex cassine), were frequently y encoun-
tered within this zone.
Zones 2 through 4 were often found intermixed according to local
' microtopography in the occasionally extensive flats lying between
pond areas, with St. John's wort often dominating large areas,
42

Iyame of area: Big Cypress Bay (Bi- Cypress Pond)
County: Brunswick
Location description: To reach Bim Cypress Bay, travel south 4.3 mi. on
Co. Rd. 1112 from its intersection with highway NC 211 east of Supply, to
southeast heading jeep trail (last dirt road to the left before reaching
curve to the right in Cc. 2d. 1112); proceed east-southeast along jeep
trail approximately 1.8 mi. Bay (Big Cypress Bay) containing pond net-
work (see accospanyino nap) which constitutes Big Cypress Pond is north-
east of jeep trail.
Elevation: 12.2 to 16.3m (40 to 55 ft.) above sea level.
PhysioZraphic region: Atlantic Plain Province: Coastal Plain
Section: Sea Islands Downwarp
lopoi;raphic quad map reference: Lockwoods Folly 1:31680 ..(map attached).
Size: ca. 150 acres.
Ownership infor=ation: Weyerhauser Company ,
Hwy 74
Wilmington, I..C. 29401.
Report prepared by: Timothy D. Nifong
Box 29, Coker Hall
Dept. of Botany, UNC
Chapel Rill, U.C. 27514.
Other persons knowledgeable about site: Joseph Newman
Cape Fear Drive
Southport, N.C. 28461.
Current use and protection status:
The ponds within Bi;- Cypress Bauer are subject both to some hurt4.::_ (?_;_^i-
marily duck) and some fishing activities in season. Such activiticr consti-
tute little apparent threat to nestinT within the ponds of the bay _e-V2ral
bird species, or to the vegetational communities occurring within t-he bay.
The entire upland area surroundin- the bay was cleared and repla-tled
in pines (Pinus sp.) in the late 1960's. Because the several ponds which
constitute Big Cypress Pond lie within an apparent irregular Carolina bay
(Big Cypress Bay), the high water table and subsequent wet surface soil con-
ditions impose a severe equipment limitation upon clearing and/or planting
operations in the immediate area of the bay, and consequently, a bu+fer zone
of varying width --depending upon how close to the edge of Big Cypress Bay
that a particular pond lies --and vegetated by a nocosin community type (sinus
serotina/nixed ever-reen and deciduous shrubs//Smilax laurifolia) has been
left surrounding all of the pond areas proper, and covering most of the
entire bay area.
'Vegetation and plant communities:
Because of the relative inaccessibility to the network of ponds which

13. Site Significance Summary:
(1) Battery Island is significant for its well known wading bird
rookery, and is the largest such heronry in North Carolina
(Parnell, J. F. & R. F. Soots, Jr. 1979. Atlas of colonial
waterbirds of North Carolina estuaries. UNC Sea Grant Publ.
UNC-SG-78-10, Raleigh, N. C.) (see summary Table 2 for breeding
bird data).
14. N. C. Natural Heritage Program Priority Rating:
High priority.

15. Field Reconnaissance Data Summary Sheet:
FLORA
"Canopy": Mixed transgressive trees and tall shrubs
Baccharis halimifolia
Daubentonia punicea
Iva frutescens
I. imbricata
Ilex vomitoria
Juniperus virginiana
Myrica cerifera
Quercus virginiana
Zanthoxylum clava-herculis
Herbs:
Borrichia frutescens
Cakile harperi
Cynodon dactylon
Distichlis spicata
Oenothera sp.
Panicum sp.
Phragmites communis
Salicornia.biglovii
S. virginica .
Setaria magna
Solidago sempervirens
Spartina alterniflora
S, patens
Triplasies purpurea
Uniola paniculata
FAUNA
See summary Table 2; also see Parnell,-J. F. and D. Adams. 1971.
Smith Island: a resource capability study. Interim report. N.C.
4e2i. Grant Publication, Wilmington.
SOIL SUBGROUP
No core taken:
KE

b. Threats:
Categorx
Description of threat
4
No known immediate threat exists; however, the
risk of an oil spill or other similar dis-
turbance is always present.
C. Management recommendations:
(1) Access to the island should be limited during the breeding
seasons of the various colonial nesting species utilizing
the island;
(2) Because this is a natural, rather than a spoil, island,.
further deposits are unnecessary to stabilize the site;
therefore, future deposition of spoil material should be
prohibited, if it is not already.
37

10. Ownership Summary:
a. Ownership type by percent area:
b. Number of owners: one (1)
c. Name(s) and address(es) of owner(s):
State of North Carolina
11, Land Use Status:
a. Natural area usage category:
tional visits.
Type
Private
Public
Unknown
Low intensity research and e duca-
b. Use of surrounding land:
(1) Undeveloped 100 % (Surrounded by Cape Fear River channels
and shallow bays).
(2) Developed: agricultural or silvicultural %
(3) Developed: urban %
12. Management Summary:
a. Current preservation status:
Category
%
Description of preservation status
2
100
Public land, informally recognized as a
natural area.
36

9. Site Description:
Battery Island represents a natural island whose surrounding
marshes have undergone some, although not drastic, modification in
the past by the addition of dredged spoil material. Two upland, normally
non -flooding areas occur on the "island," one at its southeast end,
and one in the central portion of the island. These sites are domi-
nated by dense thickets of "developing" mixed coastal hardwoods, and
by areas where species transitional between the maritime thickets
and Swale and flat associes occur.. Woody species such as live oak
(auercus vir iniana), Hercules' club (Zanthox lum clava-herculis),
Aastern red cedar Juni erusyirginiana , wax myrtle. M rrca cerifera),
yaupon (Ilex vomitoria), and marsh elder (Iva frutescens predominate.
Canopy trees are approximately 6 to 8 meters in height, and transgres-
sives of the listed species form subcanopy and shrub strata which are
essentially continuous with the canopy layer. It is in these thickets
that the well developed rookeries of the island are located (see
Table 2 for species compositions and numbers).
The upland portions of the island are surrounded by smooth cord
grass (aartina alterniflora) salt marsh, which is especially exten-
sive around the northernmost upland portion of the area. Swales,
flats, and low ridges between the salt marsh and -the upland maritime
thickets are dominated. by a mixture of grasses, especially salt -
meadow cord grass (S.patens), sedges, and forbs (see "Swale and
Flat Associes" in Introduction). Dense patches of giant reed
(Phragmites communis) dominate a few of the dredged spoil material
deposits around the upland island ridges.
MIX.

NATURAL AREA INVENTORY FORM
Preliminary Reconnaissance Survey
Brunswick County, North Carolina
1. Natural Area Name: Battery Island
2. Location: Cape Fear River, ca. 0.5 miles southeast of Southport, N. C.
3. Topographic Quadrangle Map Reference:, Southport 1:24000.
Coordinates: 33054'N' latitude; 780011w longitude.
4. Size: ca. 34.8 ha..(86 A.).
5. Elevation: 0 to 3 m (0 to 10 ft.).
6. Vegetation Classification Category: II.B.1. Salt Marsh/III.A.2.
Swale and Flat Associes/III.B.1.
Mixed Coastal Hardwoods.
7. Investigator(s): Timothy D. Nifong
Box 29, Coker Hall, UNC
Chapel Hill, N. C. 27514
8. Access: Boat via Southport.
34

J�" ♦/�I
1 �t
.V�
3 •'",2 {
'�
1� •1
��
� �.
�
�� F
'
.�.
s � �,

15. Field Reconnaissance Data Summary Sheet: (cont.)
SOIL SUBGROUP
Typic Udipsamments (as mapped by USDA - SCS; no core taken in
field)..
MENNUAIQ

15. Field Reconnaissance Data Summary Sheet:
FLORA
Canopy: Quercus virginiana--Q. Laurifolia--Sabal palmetto
Juniperus virginiana
Prunus caroliniana
Quercus laurifolia
Q. virginiana
Sabal palmetto
Subcanopy: Mixed coastal "hardwoods"
Carpinus caroliniana
Cornus florida
Persea borbonia
Prunus caroliniana
Zanthoxylum clava-herculis
Transgressives: Mixed Coastal "h'ardwoods"
Quercus laurifolia
Q. virginiana
Sabal palmetto
Shrubs: No dominants
Callicarpa americans
Erythrina herbacea (creek edge)
Ilex vomitoria
Myrica cerifera
Osmanthus americanus
Sabal minor
Herbs: No dominants to Mitchella repens
Elephantopus tomentosus
Galium pilosum
Mitchella repens
Vines: Mixed lianas
Gelsimium sempervirens
Parthenocissus quinquefolia
Rhus radicans
Smilax bona-nox
Ferns: No dominants
Asplenium platyneuron
Polypodium polypodioides:
Creek "Edge" Species:
Baccharis halimifolia
Cenchrus sp.
Ipomoea sp.
Juncus roemerianus
Spartina patens
FAUNA
No list compiled

13. Site Significance Summary:
(1) The site is an excellent example of southern maritime forest,
with a number of old growth live oaks ( uercus vir iniana),
and contains the best known stand of cabbage palmetto Sabal
palmetto), a threatened species within the state, and at the
northern end of its range on Smith Island.
14, N. C. Natural Heritage Program Priority Rating:
High priority.

b. Threats:
c.
Description of threat
.Category
3
Development of area as resort/residential com-
plex; construction of houses on already sub-
divided lots.
Management recommendations:
(1) The Natural ,Area should remain totally in its natural state.
As Parnell and Adams (1971)* noted, it is extremely important
that the maritime forest understory NOT be cleared, as it is
the "thicket" structure of the forest that mitigates against
excessive windthrow of canopy trees during severe storms.
(2) If the population of the island increases to projected levels,
some type of access restriction to the site may prove neces-
sary in order to protect the Natural Area site integrity.
*Parnell, J.
capability study.
Wilmington.
F, and D. A. Adams. 1971. Smith Island: a resource
Interim report. N. C. Sea Grant. Publication,
0.1 1

10. Ownership Summary:
a. Ownership type by percent area:
b. Number of owners: one (1)
c. Name(s) and address(es) of owner(s):
Walter R. Davis
% Bald Head Island Corporation
Southport, N. C.
Type
Private
Public
Unknown
100 %
�d
96
11. Land Use Status:
a. Natural area usage category: no apparent usage to low intensity
recreation.
b. Use of surrounding land:
(1) Undeveloped 100 %
(2) Developed: agricultural or silvicultural
(3) Developed: urban %
12. Management Summary:
a. Current preservation status:
Category
%
Description of reservation status
4
100
Private land protected by developer.

j
o4v�,
41 4 "0
4 4..
if
j
k?if-
4 lit
1, 4-, 40
44 .",j. 40o
2,
# R 14 4jt It
14
i "lit
(13 4
4 Tt �17
Y
14 1 4
14. 1
1
41
14
o 4 1#
Nv-y1 4
14
14
lit
'14 �o ;-4
tj j 4
4,4
41 '1- t 41 14 itt is
1414 t
J:IIP TI 4
co.14,4u
41
it I
4 0
14,
N
4 tj
4 14 144 1 j
s 4 04 14 4 14
f i# tIt
IT 4, * �, 4 4 1 IA 4 f: # 4 4,
41 4 44
14, 1
4
kfj '1 4
q 14 f t
1-4
i -4 '4 T.I
i,4
+
Pj
44
4
V- 04
44 ;: 4 11 —
14. 14
L
1,4 t
f 4 1 4'4
tt - lol
41 0 14
1", 1414 J,jl j #,: JAI
j, �14 fo, T -1 .
jA
lA
tjj�
i _1

Herbs:
Forbs--
Ferns and fern allies --
Vines:
Mosses:
Sa=acenia "lava
Woodwardia virginica
Smilax laurifolia
S. walteri
Sphagnum sp.
58

L
7 ! Et
zr
V.;:
elo ►K�a i o-n
1.
MG 1:7
cre
4-1
»Oeu = j
N - - S iw q M P
R - 1•
- t : 1 -
s�.nxb.Or - L e ..Eltg i1slandr.
-. - savannah "area-Q t Pocosn .. ...._ -
-
- Savan4ah urea 1 ,
—
Little 1
l
Q-
;--NC
211
:• L
0� :
C K W 0- O
D 5 ..
F.
0 L
Y -
-
lot
; r
z Figure 9. Big Island Savannah
-r
Community Types
r

Fauna Species List. Bi� Island Savannah
Chrysemys scripta - yellow -bellied pond slider
Clemmys guttata - Spotted turtle
Terrapene carolina - Eastern box turtle
Ophisaurus ventralis - Eastern glass lizard
Aghistrodon contortr.ix - Southern copperhead
Carphophis amoenus arroenus - Eastern cottonmouth
Rhadinaea flavilata - Pine woods snake
Melanerpes ery throcephalus - Red-headed woodpecker
fit

Bufo americanus - American toad
Bufo terrestris - Southern toad
hyla cinerea = Green treefrog
H,yla crucifer- Spring peeper
H,yla femoralis - Pine woods treefrog
Hyla squirella - Squirrel -tree frog
Pseudacris ri rrat a - Southern chorus frog
Pseudacris ornata- Ornate chorus frog;
Rana sphenacephala Southern leopard,frog
Odocoileus virginianus - !•Whitetail deer
Reithrodontomys hu_milis - Eastern harvest rat
SCalopus aquaticus -. Eastern -mole
Sclurus caroli nensi s - Eastern' grad,* squirrel
Sylvilagus floridanus - Eastern cottontail
62

<:me of area: Blue Pond Comnlex
County: Brunswick
Location description:
: or_d--'.Iue Pond is reached by travellinrr 10.3 --i'-es south
or 133 from the junctio. of .lS 17--11C 133, to S . _2 . 1 521 ( iirt '
roa:1) ; then r i ht on S.R. 1 ,7;21 1.35 miles to entrance -ate to
McKenzie Pond -Orton :wildlife Area access road; left (south) onto
access road an;? continue 0.7 miles to -ate at fork in road; con-
tinue 0.2 *ales past Cate to fork in road; Blue --or_d i o approxi-
mately 200 yards north on ri-ht-hand fork.
2) Little Blue '_'ond--Proceed to S.3. 1521 as above; travel 2.9 miles
west on S.2. 1521 to dirt jeen trail; turn riq., t (north) ono
jee_ trail and travel north '? miles, %:here trai_
proceed east 0.2 riles alor:-'trail- T the 21-e 'ona _ 1C
nort::::est- of trail. �l _ ^�
3) Black on --Fc l o-, ii rection1� t0 T•lt e `laC : O n d a �-
ceed a .'roxi.:,ately 0.15 mules on forest trail past :-ittle 71'.le
Pond; Black = and is 'about 75 yards north of the trail, Just over
the crest of a sandy ridr-e.
elevation:
1) Blue Fond--`,.1-7.6m (20-25 ft.) above sea level.
2) Little glue ond, Black Pond--13.7-15.2m ('1 -50 - .1 above sea.
level.
lopou-raphic quad mar_ reference: Carolina Beach 1:24'
Ownership infarmatio ::
1) Blue Pond--
2) Little Biuc
3) Blck. T'or.d--
eport prepared by:
Kenneth Sprunt
1726 Fairway Or.
Wilmington,
N.C.
2`403
and-- International Paper
Co.
4354 Market
St.
'.:ilminCtor.,
2.C.
21.
International Parer
Oo.
4354 Mar'._et
St.
'ailminCton,
i.1
2?+01
Timothy D. Iifon.-
'ox 29, Coker Hall
Dept. of 3otar_y, TIC
Chapel :?ill, I,'.C. 27514
or '.rton '=1antation
Clarendon, N.C. "-32
Other persons knowledgeable about sites: Jos::, Newman
Cape -7ear Dr.
Southport, 'a.C. 2"_61
63

Current use and protection status:
Blue Pond:
Blue Pond lies in the northwestern cortion of the Orton *,4ildlife
Management Area, and though privately owned is hence adniristered by
the N.C. wildlife Resources Commission. Although the public access
road to t-:e none itself is blocked off, 31 ne Pond is still presumably
open to flshinT activities bet -aeon the months of Yarch a_nc'_ October.
From October throu-,h ?:arch, the Wildlife Area is closed to the public
and is used nrivately for huntinr-, primarily of ducks. 'Because the
Orton '::ildlife :iana.rement Area is neither well marked nor hi rhly publi-
cized, relatively fete iersons know or use the area to any -rent extent,
and human impact has beea relatively minimal.
An area to the west of Blue Tond sho::'s evidence of Navin; been clear
cut or of some similar di:tsrbance in recent years, though a buffer area
between_ the disturbed plot and Blue Pond was left intact, and :-ence the
overall effects of t,e disturbance appears to have been of no real conse-
quence.
Greatly increa-ed usa~e of the Bl:.e 'ond area b- the - bll b.t
large could have a :_uriber of detrimental effects u_ on -he biota.
present amount of vehicular and/or foot traffic ha3 larc;e destr y ed
the natural vegetational z-)nation of ':1 C southeast r 2 m of t-e on , and
further damage of the relatively fragile rir.. ecos;; stem co -Id be expected
to increase proportional to any icrease J­n the flog, of traffic. In
addition, excessive or constant fishin,; activities during; the sprint and
early summer could ca :3e :he osprey (Fandion haliaet:is) nectinr t^Are to
abandon the site.
Kittle Glue Pond:
Little Blue Pond is currently subject to sore ^u t____ ..sa e d rinr
duck , and debr seasons ;•!ithMAapparent impact to '.' e ar^a. -he : ; _^_?S :!ich
surround the western rim of the .,00ls have been zarvested, and t`-e are-..
cub3equently cleared and renlante^ ait-hin the last decade, ::it'n relativel;
minimal effects to the -;ond. Ir_ ad-litien, some cut'. -in- of the -:ond
cypresses (7axodi.:r.. ascende:i:) surroundin- the pond has eccured ..ythi
the last fe:,i years for no apraren t reason, v:i th t?:e intac = 10­re-a_.._. -
J
in ?lace.
Che area sur=oun-lin the Yon.. is still re-ote, an : o
....mediate t!:_'e ats ti t`:e coral vegetational com:nunities are apparent.
tO h::n tinz Usar,e simil.._ t_ Ci _ tl
'ond, %: 'it'. littllast-in::of
about 0-0 half of tho
last -in:: t.Inecon :t:e area. 1t:_s
ronc is s:._rounded b;; an url:.nd area .::n.-_c'. �^c
recently been h: —_vested,
-;ocosin c:onr:unit;; one
7 to 10 m) than that sur_o:.._din
cleared, and re. 1-Inter' in
-wr-•our.din- :-lac- Mond i._ muc'
­, little `iue -on-,,
nine .
wider
_ i _.
:o•;ever,
^�a^ - in-ene- V
arable around much of
tr, rim,-a'.cinr t?^i- pond
readil acces-
sible than either glue
Ford or Little Blue
Veretatior_ and _ lant communities:
D1SOL:;,S4O Of "eretaIi^na1 COF"--111iti.� .fill f0CU _ _... ._ _1 J ;; :e
Pored moth _.ltt� v e ? n 2 -+ ✓e d4 ,-?r-1 ' - -n -
_e .'1:1 _'O�'1� -1..Ci _ c.C.. _Cnd .. rC __SCC7__ .. ... _ l :.._ In
coi:_'je of the field :!ork to all:w a--horou-h sa-^rlin„ of the site; -lie-: :ere
loC:�:t.' j in an atter:pt to identify ponds ziMilar in nature to Ellie `ond, i:Si,
available aerial nhotorraphy of the sureour_di^ orea.
M

1.'!lie Pond:
The vegetation ourro:znaing _Blue :Fond is divi::ible into a series of
~yore or less concentric zones (see accompanyin., diamram) each of which
m-"y be termed a re arate plant community in the sense of a distinct
vegetational unit. :'he zones lar7ely appear to correspond to a change
in elevation (and thus hydroperiod) in movin5 up the slope. However,
because the slope of the rim area is not constant in circling* the
pond, some zones are prolonged or extended outward at various locations,
while other zones may be absent at that point. At its northeast corner,
a blackwater stream drains into the pond from an adjacent aocosin area,
allowing the intrusion of a pocosin type community into toe normal Sold.
vegetation. In addition, the upland vegetation types surroundin, the
J
pond differed substantially from the northeast to the so..th•,•est pond rim
areas, as will be discussed :yore fully in the following, section. _en
"communities" and/or zones are differentiated, eigi-t- of which are numbered
to correspond to "he zones listed beside each s--ecies in `he accompanyinL
_fora Species List. -
0) Open :.a,ter. -'he central portion of the r.ona ccnci s
3l°se land is an acid black: -inter bond --with no e.auntic ,,_et -,-~inn
w^ tever encor:ntered. The i-;ater level of the ro nd ; - i -e July _ � a_,� was
down approximately 4 .7 cm (1? in.) from the seasonal (1:1inter) hi7h
water nark.
1) maxodium ascendens. An open car_opy of lar-e pond cy^ress (ia:.:.diu^
asce ndens rings the pond to forts a zone ap_tiroxlmatel;.' 6 m in wi dtn.
The average dhh (diameter at breast ^ei-ht) of the trees was 45.7 cr
(1 3 in.) Qith the buttressed -portion of several individual tre;�s ex-
ceeding 2 n at ;wat^r level. 1lthouh no trees were a�-e in tYis stand,
it is clear ')y comparison L �. r - ca y
t :i..h o he :r s that --,_; is - -
2) Litn` of relati: el old, i f �me%h at stunted pond c;, esa _re
sea aestivalis/Sr'-avnum sp. 1 �'
zone averaging about ., 1, m i : +kith
occurs next in the outward sequence of vegetation rings, ch_nracter-
ized by a thick mat of sphagnum moss. The zone is nor -ally flooded
during -periods of hi?h dater on the pond. Almost co-.rletely encir-
cling the pond is a large porulation of ponds -ice (Lit
sea =estivalis)
in a band ranging from 3 to 13 m in width. : cnds_rice is al^ost
exclusively limited to occurrence in t`!e s_rhaCnu mat, possibly
in relation to its requirement of the moss mat as a:: ate_rotiriate
moisture -buffering nursery bed for pondspice seedlings. Three -
ranked cane ( ulichium arundinaceum) occurs sporadically in the
outer fringe of the sp hag.> zone.
3) Mixed ':erbc. n open, savannah -like ecoto pal area = ;_�_
0 10
width serves as a break between the tall zone of ponds ice and the
zone dominated by live oak Q::•ercus virgir_isna) wnic : occurs i »a::edi-
ately adjacent outwards from tie eco tonal area. mire iMp-ortart
species here--panc grass (P_nicuM SD.), beak rush _ ( hyncos-
Cra sr.),
redroot (Lachra,nthes caroliniana ,-eado:•r beauty (^i ex; r a_*-i
and others --are gel -a any)'
atively c_..,_hag ..cter _stic doline Non, or "sink,"
species for the rericn. The species are not mi.:ed random.1 .
this zone, but are actually distributed fairly predictably, presum-
abl; accordi^ - to hydroreriod, in "zones" .,_ t' i.. t' la ��r zone.
UerCas Vi •!7 _niana/Mixed trans�ressives. Tine ., ! e' ��� .
a! 5 bh, with a recentl�;.dead live
�avi: a _bh or 114 c-m (4; i-n-.) a::d an rt � c_
a db'_:�of 9 c ad;,-.ce. ivi^2 c ,.rig..
° (39 in.)--do-,irr,tes toe fairly cl osed ca nony' of this
zone, or coc:munit often in associatic.. :�i h o5l.ily e n
Y► n + l C i__t_s
taeda) or sweet -u- (Linuidambar st',r ciflu^ a —a' lly
), occ�si�na__� in
conjunction with black gum :«ssa svlv�tica var. biflora) and swan

?) Pinus rialustris/?axed oaks/rristida stricta
L--�
Recently
disturbed
8} Pinus serotina/Cvrilla
Smilax 147rs_nliai
area
� ' 7
l
1`
1
� \ 1
t
�ercus'
guv�rrriniana/Iiixed
1 \
0) OneL :rater
•1
1 1
trans-ressives
racer.liflora--L onia lucida/,
2) Lit:3er
1 � 1
1 � \
j :: e d .:er"s
J
;) 2.Lerc-s veli.tiny/Vaccy :i. ^rnor0n- / ? _ _ l•
Pi :uo tae .a I•:ixed oalcs/;:•�r�ca ce- ifera f {
J i
°) _4uercus tore t sa--Mixed t i � /•, -
_ �o �ran��ress •rem, cci
Figure 10. Blue Pond Plant Assemblages
BLUE POND
• e

i
i
i
r
' I /
1 l �
(Scattered evergreen
shrubs)/:oodwardia
vir!-inica S�ha;nuM
sp. �
J•
IOpen eater
If-Taxoditir: ^.scendens
. i f
Cyrilla racemiflora--Lyonia luci a /Smilax: laurirolia
Figure 11. Black Pond Plant
. Assemblages
BLACK ?OND
67

Area recently cleared and
replanted in pines
Zone:
2 ! I;
3 i 1
5r"T
Pool 1:
Acer rubrum (D,E)
Andropogon virginicus (B)
Cyrilla race:aiflora (D)
Drosera canillaris (3)
D. intermedia (B)
'Dulichiun rruadinacctim (3) ! I
Eleocharis sp. (111,3)
Eriocaulon sp. (L)
ilex cassine var. myrtifolia (CI
Juncus sn. (B)
Lachranthes caroliniana (3) r
Litsea aestivalis (�)
Linuidambar styraciflua.(T7
Lyonia lucida (D)
Ilyssa sylvatica var. b iflora (D,E)
Panicum s;;. (B)
Panicum sp. (=2) ()
Persea borbonia (D)
I'inus I -lustris (7--outer frin ;e )
P. taeda (v-)
Polygala cymosa (D)
Quercus nigra (E)
Q. vir-iniana (D)
Phexia mariara (3)
?hyrcospora fascicularis (3)
.2. gip• (3)
Sacciolepis striata (B)
Slilax laurifo?ia (CD)
SDha -num sp. (Its.-C)
laxodium ascendent (A)
Tillandsia usneoides (throu-hout)
Unidentified composite (3)
f`
Carer. verrucosa (2)
Cyri_'a racemiflora (4)
Drosera intermedia (2,3)
Dulichium arundir_aceum (2)
Ilex cassine (3)
I. cassine var. myrtifolia (3)
I. a-labr (4)
Iris tridentata (2,3)
Lachnant?:es caroliniana (2)
Licuidambar styraciflua (5)
?itsea aestivalis (3)
?-yonia lucida (4)
Ityssa sylvatica var. biflora (4)
Persea borbonia (4)
Pinus taeda (5)
1� ?hyncospora fascicularis (2)
P. sp. (2)
Sacc_ole-:is stri ata (2)
• Smilax la'._ _fo'_ia 3,4)
S. walteri (3,4)
j \\``;axodiu ascende s 11)
/ Tillandsia usneoides (throug c::t
tricularia nurnurea (1)
Vaccini.u- corymbosur. (3,4)
�.;Ioodwardia viriric- (2,3)
Xyris fimbriata (2,3)
Lnen water /j3or_e:
D
LE 3L� PC::D
Figure 12. Little Blue Pond Plant
Assemblages 68

oak (",uercus her.;isphaerica). Transgressives of these species mixed
with scattered ericaceous shrubs form the unde_ story layer within
this zone. There is little herb-mceouz ;-roundcover here. This is
the last of the zones discussed that completely encircles the pond.
It extends outward for approxirately 4 m at the southern, constantly
upslopinE portion of the pond rim area, but extends outward as nuch
as 30 or 40 m in the western rim portion, where a flat to slightly
downslonin- topography prevails upon reaching the elevational level
of the live oak zone; this zone also extends outwards in a few other
rim areas.
5) Quercus velutina Vacciniun arboreum. This is a narrow zone in the
southern, constantly upsloping portion of the rim. The cano v is
dominated primarily by black oak (luercus velutina) rancin, un to
45.7 cm (18 in.) dbh, with an open Yshrub layer of larCe-indi.vi.duals
of sparkleberry (Vaccinium arboreum).
6) Pinus taeda/:•axed .oaks ps rica cerifera. ACain, this zone occurs
prirarily in the sou thern rim area. The canopy is domirated b
• loblolly pine averaging approximately 30.5 cr. (12 in..) db', occasionally
in conjunction with water oak ( uercus nigra). ';e subcanory layer
comprises a mixture of oaks, including dwarf post oak (";uerc-.s
mar-r;,retta), black oak, and towards the up*?er end of the zone; turkey
oak CQuercus laevis). In addition, mockernut hickory (Carya tomentosa)
assume importance in the understor;; in movin westward along the
zone. ;lax myrtle (Myrica cerifera) forms a low shrub layer, with
few herbs occurring in the zone.
7) 'Pinus palu3tris/Vi xed oaks/ irlotlda stri.ct$. _owards t'-e eastern
portions of the _,v_iu rim, and in the northern rip: area (f^ll^::in,� an
outward extension of zone 4), the -receding loblolly ^i::e/Mi_ced oak
zone `rades into an upland community fairly t•�r_ical of the surrounding
aria, characterized by an open canopy of lon;;leaf ni.n- ('i__^.uc
ralustris), an underztory layer composed of axed oaks--t�.r::ey oak
dwarf post oak, and scrub live oak (:uercus an herba-
ceous layer dominated by wire grass 7ristida ctricta).
R) Pinus serotina 0 rilla racemiflora-?yonia lucida :'^flax la-irolia.
In the northeastern portion of Blue 'ond the small stream that enters
frcm the adjacent 7ocosln provides a small area of habitat alor.g the
pond rim for a "typical" p ocosi n community. The cano-�y of this veZe-
tational community is dominated by pond pino ('inus ser_-tina) i
conjunction :•:it.: an occassional pond cy?:.recs, un;'erlair_ bya dense
shrub layer domi=ted by tits (Cyrilla race^:lflor a) st-- 2rb;,ch
I ;-onia lucida), and other typical ever�;r•�-.n bo; shrubs,~all inter-
twined b a tan -le of sawbri.ar.s (Smilax s-:.) . It 43 i-'e_ est; : to
note :i:at the rondspice population extends alon3 the strean and
fairly deeply into the adjacent : ocosi n.
:uerca_ L
�: s sp./:,ar •a t:;:.*,en coca--?'.ixec trans-reSSi•: es/+raCCi nil." 5:^.
it :�ltho-Zh
.. ac now sam-,led, an oaf. -hickory community e.ct-:ded aloe-
the u- " er rim T:Ortion and across t.^_-_ adjacen*.- uplands at —e S.:t r
and of Blue _ on.
The closed C n0:)y a -.--neared t:� be lar--el•
by bl_:cL- oak andsou'.hern re-: oath iQuercus falcatai ur."----Iair `•
relatively dense subcanopy of oak trans-r zsive n:! mockernut
hickory, a scat'-.ered shrub layer d-ninate' ec•;
species.
?t should be noted in addition, for each of t:ie abcvc com:-u._iti es
or zcne3 listed, that the importance or the past role of fire in the main•
tenace of --and ultimate species composition of--tbe area was clearly
I

evidenced b' "he' clum-ed ^rra"-c .:.nt or oak tr1 k c -i r
. -,, o• inr„ and of ��.:,- o�
the shrub species stems, and by tL.•e c'^.arre•' renains cf many s}u^_r.s,
including several lar.-e cypress stumps within the pond, 6 or 7 m in
from, shore.
Little glue ==ond:
An accomnanyin,: sketch of species presence, as well as species
zonation and cor.:rtanit-r distribution, is rrovided for the two pools at
Little Blue 7ond. Species assemblages in the two poolsca. , serated by
only 5 or = m during this period of low eater in the pond (down an
estimated-61 cm (24 in.) from the seasonal high water table), was
strikingly different.
Black Pond:
A rough sketch of species distribution in and around Black Pond
is provided, although it uas discovered so late in the course of the
field work, and its rim area proved to be so ir_aenetrable as to hinder
access to the interior, that it was not sam-)led. rather, it :•pas sir -.ply
visited, with field notes made of the vegetational communities -resent.
Physical description:
General description—
1) Blue Pond is bordered by a series of hills and sandy ridges
which support either an upland longleaf pine or upland'oak--
hickory community, while live oal;--loblolly pine flats bcrder
the NE and SW portions of the pond rim.
2) Little Blue Pon! lies on the western sloe of a T::'-SE trend-
in- rid-e, and is entirely surrounded by a longleaf pine sand -
hills zy e community.
3) Black -ond lies near the sup7.it on the N side of a -J..
trend -in- ridge, and is bordered on all sides by a lcn;-leaf
.ine sandhills cosmunity ty^e.
Topography --The Blue "ond ccm*plex consists, of four (little =1:e
:'ond is made up of two pools which are joined in tir:es of
high eater) irregularly sha-:ed, shallow de-,•essionz wi`.:. • e: tl.
slol,in- walls, which are tnought to be dolire ponds res:lti^;,v
from subsurface solution of t: u:�derl�-ing Castle `a-Yae l_^,e-
stone and s%bse ;cent slumping of the surface area above t:-_e sol-
ution.cavity.. The ponds are each surrounded by a series of
^ostl� 'trending, moderately slcpi n- sandy
�J
Geolo;-Y---The surficial sediments are marine -deposited sands and
clays of the Pamlico Terrace of Pleistocene ale, overlying the
Castle Bayne Limestone of Eocene a3e.
Rare plants and animals:
Litsea nestivalis (Pondspice): Endan Bred ::eripheral. The Blue Pond
site comprises a.huge population of pond -spice --possibly the largest
ih North Carolina --of 200 to 300 individuals. The population is
extremely robust . and healthy, with individual nlants ranC n -
hei,,ht from 2 to o'm, and most mature individuals heavily fruited.
Seedling re--roduction in the area at -nears to be excellent.
The Little Blue Pond population of ponds -ice cotains sc-feral
dozen smaller, but healthy individuals.
70

1:eoto�ta floridang�_(East ern. wood rat): Special concern. Breeds in
surrounding upland areas.
Pandion haliaetus (Osprey): Special concern. Breeds in Blue Pond.
One nest observed.
Sciurus rigor (Fox squirrel): Breeds in Mature longl::af pine up-
lands surroundinS pond areas.
Publications and scientific references:
Blankenship, R.R. 1961. Reconnaissance of the ground -water
resources of the Southport--aizabethtown area, w:ortr Carolina. N.C.
Dept. !'ater Res., Div., Ground ',dater, Ground-4;ater Bul. Yo. S. 47 pp.
Daniels, R.B., et. al. 197S. Age of soil landscapes in the coastal
plain of :'orth Carolina. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 42: 96'-10=.
3adf :)rd, , et. al. 1964. Manual of the Vascular Plcr of the
,,,.
Carolinas. •,.:C :'ress. Chapel Hill, N.C.
71L

Site ecological significance:
The ecologically significant features of the Blue Pond comple:t are
summarized for each of the three sites individually:
Bl::e ond--
1) The site constitutes one of the few remaining; doline ronds--or sinks --
in the area which exists in such a relatively pristine condition.
2) Vegetational zonation in the rim area surrounding the cn3 is pro-
nounced, with little indication of human disturbance.
3) The existence of a very large, healthy, reproducin;; population of
the endangered peripheral shrub, rondspice (Litsea aestival43)
surrounding;, the ::ond.
'-:) The occurrence of a stand of la-Ze and very old --probably never tim-
bered --pond cypress (Taxodium ascerder_s) fringing the ;ond.
5) The use of Blue fond as a nest site by osprey (-Pandion :aliaetus),
a bird species of special concern.
Little Blue Pond—
1) This site constitutes another doline pond site of excellent quality
relative to others in the area, with pronounced zonation of the ve=e-
tation surroundin.; the pools.
2) The vegetational differences between the two closely adjacent pools
that make up this pond are fairly striking, with no readily observable
explanation for the differences, and stand as a good example of the
high degree of species and community diversity that often occurs between
closely adjacent doline ponds.
3) The occurrence of nondspice (Litsea aestivalis) around the rims of
both pools.
4) The existence of an old growth stand of pond cypress C-2axodium
aseer_dens) (average dbh of the trees was approxi=_-tely -� .7 cm
(16 in.), but one individual tree measured 127 cm (50 in.) dbh;
annual rings from a cut stump measuring some 40.6 cm (16 in.) dbh
numbered in excess of 115.
Black Pond--
1) The primary ecological significance of Black Pond would seem to lie
in its stark vegetational contrast, from both a species and community
point of view, to Blue Pond and Little Blue Pond, both of to'which
Black Pond is very similar in terms of location, topography, and
relations to surroundin plant communities.
2) The .existence of an old growth �tnr.d of pond cypress, which is rapidly
disappearing from the area in mature stand.
Management recommendations:
The following recommendations are viewed as very important in main-
taining the Blue Pond complex sites in their present state of excellent quality:
1) Exclusion of all vehicular and limitation of foot traffic in the rim
areas of all three of the ponds, :.b order to preserve the vegetational
zonation and species assemblages in the frag; le rim ecosy-ster...
2) The use cf Blue rond should be further limited during the nesting
season of the osprey (Pandion haliaetus), as Troves to :e necessary.
3) Protection of a buffer zone of appropriate width encircling each
of the ponds should be undertaken in order to assure their relative
isolation from future human activities or other variously caused
environmental perturbations in the uplands surrounding the Bonds.
72

4) Steps should be taken insofar as possible to assure that any pos-
sible drainage and/or other developmental activities in areas sur-
rounding the ponds are minimal, in order to guarantee that the water
relations of the ponds are not drastically altered, i.e., to assure
that the water table is not lowered enough or drainage patterns
redirected so as to cause the ponds to shrink or dry up completely --
as has been observed to happen in adjacent coastal areas --thereby
drastically affecting future survival of the majority of the pond
rim species, which characteristically have hydroperiod-related dis-
tributions.
5) It is apparent that fire has played an important part in the develop-
ment and/or maintenance of the pond rim vegetation, although its
specific role is unclear; for this reason the area should be moni-
tored with respect to plant communities and natural plant succession,
to assure that the threatened and endangered doline pond species,
as well as the characteristic sink species assemblages, are not dis-
placed in the course of seral succession under conditions of fire
exclusion from the pond rim areas.
73

• rf �s r •'Y .�++J' Y r �' � .. . �JY' / + f l� J •� �YC`� ,•�••
i8 ' '\'• •t may`. • ` ..,, ..;%.�'� -r: " �;;- ��� '+ • � •b � •�l;A1�10 0,11:4i
'14-
IPM
ray+ - `r i7F sti* ^ .»° j`� •S jj __
I �.� ��i>,r • r•�':-.s� � .hr .'s....L'� -.'," ,fit _ .aT..� ,Y• .
� �•- , ' • �� � � lit. `
WAF
Pool
: 3 .:y.•.�f'`•X � �' � ,� a` rt' ice+
I '' i�!''•f. :rY 3. yr. "`•. �` uY • +t f
•<.rit .�-J•=:� :t ���/' .r,,�•, .� � y��.#.' •sue.-;�•�'�`r �,. .�1' �+��-
,,,6r.���v 1�. _.: . ,. •� . ,� a �,I � � i�.] � •�-v
I ;;:. ,v •� • is .
t- , . 4 �.� .� :�. .•a' . , tF, Tip ~ �i\-.�
MC KIN;IE
:. %� r� � POND � � •y 1� kk; •'� •11 �Pj�.]', �;y!�
I�I/f ':TF'ild'". 'c ,� �. ;` .�--i' to ` s��•. �j~� lfr •a',. :J' ' �3R 1 e
l Y;�' .,J•.n+ Rr "�t y� •y '�• -T•t j �L7�/'F„ !'+ •rr •�
.44
3174
M.
Figure 13. Blue Pond Complex Access
Map-1
wA p .
aim-
-74

FLORA SPECIES LIST
Blue Pond:
Zone
Occuuied: ,
Trees:
Canopy--
Liquidambar styraciflua (T j
4
.
Nyssa sylvatica var. biflora (T)
4
Pinus serotina
8
P. taeda (T)
4,6
Quercus hemisphaerica (T)
4
Q. nigra (T)
6
Q. velutina (T)
j
Q. virginiana (T)
4
Taxodium ascendens (T)
l,8
' Subcanopy--
Cornus florida
6
Ilex opaca
6
Quercus geminata (T)
?
Q. laevis
V V.
Q. margaretta
6,7
Shrubs:
Cyrilla racemiflora
8
Ilex glabra (T)
8
Litsea aestivalis (T)
2
Lyonia lucida (T)
4"8
L. mariana
4
Magnolia virginiara
4,8
Myrica cerifera (T)
6
Persia borbonia (T)
4,8
Vaccinium arboreum (T)
5,6
V. corymbosum (T)
8
V. stamineum (T)
4,6
V. sp.
Y
Transgressives:
Acer rubrum
4,8
Carya tomentosa
6
Diospyros virgiriana
-96,?
Pinus palustris
Sassafras albidum
6,?
Herbs:
Forbs--
Centella asiatica
j
Drosera capillaris
'
D. intermedia
Eleocharis sp.
Hypericum cystifolium
;
Lachnanthes caroliriana
?
Lobelia nuttallii
Polygala cymosa
P. lutea
Rhexia mariana
T indicates trangressives
of that species present, indicating species
repro-
ductive success.
76

Graminoids--
Vines:
Epiphytes:
Mosses:
Little Blue Pond:
Trees:
Canopy--
Subcanopy-
Shrubs:
Transgressives:
Herbs:
Forbs--
Utricularia biflora
2
U. subulata
3
Xyris ambigua
3
X. sp.
3
Andropogon virginicus
3
Aristida stricta
7
Carex verrucosa
Dulichium arundinaceum
2
Juncus
3
Panicum
3
P.
3
Rhyncospora ciliaris
3
R. fascicularis
3
R. harveyi
3
R. sp.
3
Sacciolepis striata
Gelsium sempervirens
4
Rhus radicans
Y
Smilax laurifolia
Smilax rotundifolia
Vitis rotundifolia
5
Tillandsia usneoides throughout
Sphagnum sp. 2
Location: Pool 1 or Pool
Liquidambar styraciflua
1,2
Nyssa sylvatica var. biflora
1,2
P inus palustris
P . taeda
1
Quercus nigra
1
Q. virginiana
1
Taxodium ascendens
1,2
Cyrilla racemiflora
1
Cyrilla racemiflora
1,2
Ilex cassine
2
I. cassine var. myrtifolia
?,2
I. glabra
2
Litsea aestivalis
1,2
Lyonia lucida
1,2
Persea borbonia
2
Vaccinium corymbosum
2�
Acer rubrum 1,2
Drosera capillaris 1

Graminoids--
Ferns and fern allies --
Vines:
Epiphytes:
Mosses:
Black Pond:
Trees:
Shrubs:
Herbs:
Forbs--
Ferns and fern allies --
Vines:
Epiphytes:
Mosses:
Drosera intermedia
Eleocharis sp.
Eriocaulon sp.
Iris tridentata
Lachnanthes caroliniana
Polygala cymosa
Rhexia mariana
Unidentified composite
Utricularia purpurea
Xyris fimbriata
Andropogon virginicus
Carex verrucosa
Dulichium artndinaceum
Juncus
Panicum
P.
Rhyncospora fascicularis
R.
Sacciolepis striata
Woodwardia virginica
Smilax laurifolia
S. walteri (?)
Tillandsia usneoides
Sphagnum sp.
Nyssa sylvatica var. biflora
Taxodium ascendens
Clethra aaurfolia
Cyrilla racemiflora
Ilex coriacea
I. glabra
Lyonia lucida
Magnolia virginiana
Persea borbonia
Quercus geminata (edge)
Zenobia pulverulenta
Polygala lutea
Woodwardia virginica
Smilax laurifolia
Tillandsia usneoides
Sphagnum sp.
78

Fauna Species List Blue Pond Complex
Chelydra serpentina - Common snapping turtle
Chrysemys scripta - Yellow -bellied pond slider
Sternotherus odoratus - Slinkpot
Terrapene Carolina - Eastern box turtle
Cnemidophorus sexlineatus - Six -lined racerurner.
Eumeuces f asciatus _ hive -lined skink
Eumeuces inerpectatus - Southeastern five -lined skink
Eumeuces laticeps - Broad -headed skink
Ophisaurus attenuatus - Eastern slender grass lizard
A histrodon contortrix _ Southern copperhead
Aghistrodon piscivorus - Eastern cotton mouth
Coluber constrictor - Black raUer
Ela he guttata._ Corn snake
Ela he obsoleta - Rat snake
Masticophis flagellum - Eastern coachwhip
Natrix erythrrogaster - Red -bellied water snake
Tantilla coronata - Southeastern crowned snake
Thannophis sirtalis si.rtalis - Eastern garter snake
Dendroeopus borealis - Red -cockaded woodpecker
Melanerpes erythrocephalus - Red-headed woodpecker

Aeris gryllus- Southern cricket frog
Bufo americanus - American toad
Bufo guercicus - Oak toad
_Bufo terrestris_ Southern toad
Hyla crucifer- Spring peeper
BXIa sguirella - Squirrel treefrog
Limnaoedus ocularis Little grass frog
Pseudacris ornata _ Ornate chorus frog
Rana clam_itans clamitans Brame frog
Didelphis marsupialis - Opossum
Glaucomysyolans Southern flying squirrel
Miccrotus pennsylvanicus _ Meadow vole
Heotorna rl,oridans - Eastern wood rat
Odocoileus viroinianus -Whitetail deer
Oryzornys palustris _Eastern rice rat
Reithrodontomys humilis - Eastern harvest mouse
Stalopus aquaticus Eastern mole
SciUrus.carolinensis _ Eastern gray squirrel
Sciurus niger - Fox squirrel
Sylvilagus floridanus - Eastern cottontail.
Sy'lvilagus palustris _ Marsh rabbit
so

Name oi`area: Boilin- Springs'Lakes Natural.Area
County: Brunswick
Location description,: The community of Boiling Springs Lakes lies approximately
3.9 miles north of the NC 211 -NC 87 junction on highway NC 87. The Boiling
Springs Lakes Natural Area encompasses approximately 15 square miles and
includes some 98 "natural" ponds (originally there was a slightly greater
number of individual ponds, but closely adjacent ponds have been "consoli-
dated" during development of the area in several instances), all lying to
the east.of highway NC 87 and west of highway NC 133.
Elevation: 7.5 to 18m (25 to 60 ft.) above sea level.
Topographic quad map reference: Funston 1:31680 (map attached).
Ownership information:
.1-65 ponds --Boiling Sprints Lakes, Inca
Boiling Springs Lakes, N.C. 2.3461
2-20 ponds --Kenneth M. Sprunt
1726 Fairway Drive or Orton Plantation
Wilmington, N.C. 28403 Clarendon, N.C. 28432
3-11 ponds --Ownership unknown,, possibly International Paper -Co.
4- 1 pond --Girl Scouts of America (Pretty Fond)
Report prepared by: Timothy D. Nifong
Box 29, Coker Hall
Dept. of Botany, UNC
Chapel Hill, N.C. 27514
Other persons knowledgeable about site: Edgar P. Roberts, Jr.
2710 Bartram Bd.
Winston-Salem, N.C. 27106
Current use and protection status:
The majority of the acreage.in the Boiling Springs Lakes 'area is included
within the confines -of the city limits of the town of Boilin- Springs Lakes
(pop. 245, see map), and is thus administered by the Boiling Springs Lakes,
Inc. lard development company. Extending on both the east and west sides of
highway NC 87, the tract owned by the development company is bordered to the
north and northeast by paper company holdings (:leyerhauser and International
Paper Co.`), and to the southeast by Orton _Plantation.
The entire tract is marked by a network of raved and unr%ved roads and
has been subdivided into lots, many of which are either occupied by mobile
homes or have houses erected on theta. A larme artificial lake--Boiling-Springs
Lake --:•ins created in 1960 at the inception of development in the area, by
damminE Alter. Creek, ::hich drains the entire upland area. In addition to t"is
"primary" body of water,: some 65 natural ronds, more or less, constitute he
other "lakes" of the developed community. '.laterfrort lots have proved to be
the choicest plots within the subdivision, and the majority of the houses are
erected. in these .seas. chile many of the dwellings front the main lake, most
of the natural ponds also have one or more dwellin"s adjacent to them. Many

pond rims are consequently actually a portion of the adjacent landowner's
backyard, and several ponds have piers built out into them. Almost all of the
ponds, unless they are extremely densely vegetated by aquatics, are used for
swimming, and if large enough, for boating.
Many .relatively abrupt changes in the natural ponds of the area are apparent.
Several of the ponds have been "regraded" during road construction to lessen
wall steepness and give an access area for residents, or otherwise disturbed
during construction of adjacent roads. The dividing ridges between small pools
occurring in clusters have in some cases been excavated to form a single
larger pond. In other instances ditches draining surrounding pocosin areas
have been channelled into the nearest doline pond. Clear Pond, the largest
of the natural ponds within the subdivision, is now connected by a canal to
Boiling Springs Lake, which has resulted in enlargement of the pond by raising
the depth of the water to a higher level. The pond is now used primarily for
recreational purposes, including picnicking, swimming, and boating.
In addition to the more direct physical alteration of the natural ponds,
it is increasingly apparent that more indirect, gradual changes -are taking
place as well in many of the ponds. The water in two of the ponds was noted
to have an uncharacteristic greenish color, which often occurs in an.area
receiving an unusually high nutrient input, such as might occur from seepage
from an adjacent septic field. Because of disturbance to the ponds during road
construction and similar activities, mooring of rim areas surrounding "popu-
lated" ponds, and fairly intense recreational usage, the vegetational nonation
so characteristic of these doline ponds in their natural state (presumably
related to hydroperiod and natural plant succession) has been altered or has
largely disappeared, with many ponds now surrounded almost exclusively by a
relatively dense cover of Sacciolepis striata, which has apparently invaded
the rim areas in many cases from adjacent roadside ditches and other low areas.
Other, more subtle lon term changes in the composition of the herbaceous
vegetation of the pond rim areas might be predicted because of the :.robable
alteration of groundwater relations in the area due to several sources, includ-
ing the drainage of adjacent pocosin areas, impoundment of the primary natural
drainage system within the area (Alen Creek), and the increased groundwater
consumption via private wells that is accompanying the gradually increasing
resident population.
The surrounding vegetational communities within the area might also be
expected to gradually change over time, due primarily to the exclusion of fires
from the area, because the pine (Pinus sp.) dominated vegetational communities
which cover the tract are all dependent upon fire for their maintenance and per-
petuation. In addition, as the area continues to grow, increased construction
and drainage activity can be expected to produce further gradual; as well as
immediate, changes in the vegetation.
. With the exception of a few of the largest ponds occurring on the adjacent
Orton property, the natural ponds on the Orton tract lie in an upland, long-
leaf pine (Pi:ius palustris) dominated area, much of which was either ti=bered
during the past spring, or in recent years. The result is that most of the
ponds on the Orton tract adjoining the town of Boiling Springs Laces have been
extensively disturbed, and a few hnve been largely destroyed. Those ponds
immediately adjacent to the subdivision are still surrounded by a fairly mature
stand of second growth longleaf pines, although -pond rim diversity is low,
and a dense stand of Sacciolepis striata surrounding the _o^ds indicates a
high probability of past disturbance in the area.
Ponds located to the north and northeast of the moiling Springs Lakes
subdivision include Pretty Pond -the largest of the doline ponds in the area
82

by'far, which has for years been a camp and recreational facility of the Girl
Scouts of America, and though an outstandinS example of a natural lake, is
relatively disturbed, and apparently offers little in the way of biological
significance --and a number of extensively disturbed smaller ponds, which are
located on paper company lands which have been recently harvested and sub-
sequently replanted. One possible exception that bears mentioning is the rela-
tively undisturbed pond located approximately one -quarter mile north of the
Boiling Springs Lakes city limits on highway NC S , about 70 m east of the
highway, adjacent to the radio tower located there. Vegetation zonation is
relatively distinct and species diversity appears high in comparison to the
majority of other ponds in the area, although time did not permit sampling of
the site.
Vegetation and plant communities:
The vegetational communities of the Boiling Springs Lakes area may be seen
in the field to correspond to changes in the topography, and to edaphic changes
that often accompany a shift in topographic position. Several different vege-
tational community types were noted, falling into three "working" categories--
a lowland pond pine (Pinus serotina) community, an upland longleaf nine com-
munity, and several compositional variations of a longleaf pine flatwoods
community cover type. In addition, the doline ponds and rim areas constituted
a species and "community" complex in themselves. Each of. -these communities will
be discussed in turn in the foilowing section.
1) Pond pine pocosin. Pinus serotina Mixed evergreen shrubs//Smilax laurifolia.
The canopy in this area is dominated by an open stand of pond pine. While
no developed subcanopy layer exists, species such as red maple (Acer rubrum),
black gum (Pd ssa sylvatica var. biflora), and red bay (Persea borbonia)
stand emergent above the dense underlying shrub thicket. The shrub layer
is in most areas dominated by titi (Cyrilla racemiflora) and/or sweet gall
berry (Ilex coriacea), covered by a sprawling growth of laurel -leaved
sawbriar Smilax laurifolia). The height, and to some extent density, of
the shrub layer is dependent upon the length of time since the last fire
occurred in that particular tract (pyroperiod). In areas protected from
fire for some time, the shrub layer is exceptionally dense and 3 m or more
in height. In areas burned more recently, the shrub layer is usually much
shorter and more open, with creeping blueberry (Vaccinium crassifolium)
often dominating as a subshrub layer in the openings. Few or no herbaceous
species are to be found in the pocosin, except in the more open areas,
where the pocosin community may grade into one of the longleaf nine flat -
wood communities discussed in a later section.
These evergreen shrub bog communities generally occur over a peat soil
in relatively flat, lowlying areas, where stream dissection is lacking, and
drainage is consequently poor. Often the water table is perched by an
impermeable subsurface hardpan layer. All of the pocosin communities with-
in the Boiling Springs Lakes area have been ditched and drained. There is
no evidence of any very recent fires within this community type.
2) Longleaf pine uplands. Pinus palustris/ uercus laevis Aristi_da str_icta.
This is Fla .familiar "sandhills" type coastal plain vegetational community
Of Wells and others. The open canopy of this vegetation type is dominated
exclusively by longleaf pine. The subcanopy layer is most typically --and
exclusively in the driest areas --dominated by turkey oak (Quercus laevis),
1wells, E.W. 1968 (reprint). The Natural Gardens of North Carolina.
UNC Press. Chapel Hill. -"

though other relatively xeric species of oak may assume greater importance
in a few areas. In addition, transgressive persimmon (Diospyros virginiana)
and sassafras (Sassafras albidum) trees are commonly scattered throughout
this community. The scattered herb layer is dominated solely'by three -awn
or wire-rass (Aristides stricta).
Two small areas were noted where the turkey oak subcanopy was absent,
and a longleaf pine/ericalean shrub community type predominated, namely, a
Pinus.Aal` ustris/Gaylussacia frondosa and a Pinus palustris/Gaylussacia
dumosa community.
These upland communities generally occur over a relatively deep,
well -drained sandy soil, and consequently are usually the first areas to
be developed; the majority of the dwellings in the Boiling Springs Lakes
subdivision occur within this community type. Much of the area is vege-
tated in third or fourth growth longleaf pines approximately 17.8 cm (7 in.)
dbh (diameter at breast height) and about 35 years in age. However, many
areas exist which comprise relatively old second growth longleaf pines,
often trees formerly "slashed" for turpentine. These are prime nesting
habitat areas for the red -cockaded woodpecker (Dendrocopus borealis), and.
a number of cavity trees were noted within this community type.
Though evidence of frequent fires in past decades within this community
are abundant, effects of a period of fire protection, such as very large
individual turkey oaks or a thick litter layer, are also very apparent.
It is probable that in the continued absence of fire a gradual change
toward a more mesic community type will occur in the future.
3) Pine flatwood communities. This area was divided into three distinguishable,
but intergrading, vegetational coiainunities, with the species variation
largely due to the soil water table relations of the plot. It is believed,
based on field observations, that fire plays an extremely important role
in the relatively short term, as well as long terra, maintenance of these
community types, and that gradual, or even relatively rapid in some cases,
plant succession towards other community types is certain under conditions
of continual fire protection. Each of these community types is discussed
below, progressing from the wettest to the driest pine flatwood community
types.
a) Pine/shrub "savannah." Pinus palustris/nixed evergreen shrubs/Vaceinium.
crassifolium-Arisida stricter. This area could readily be described as
either "sparse pocosin," or "shrubby savannah." The open canopy here
is dominated by longleaf pine, rid th the occurrence in the canopy of
occassional pond pines. There is no subcanopy layer here, though
loblolly bay (Gordonia lasianthus) may locally assume some importance,
presumably in areas with relatively trick organic epipedons. The
shrub layer is very open, consisting of scattered individuals 2 to 5m
in height, and dominated by bitter Sallberry (Ilex lg abra) and sweet
gallberry (I. coriacea), although most .other typical pocosin shrub species
are present and may assume. codominance in a given area. The ;;round is
typically carpeted with a creeping blueberry--wiregrass cover, though
in one fairly sizable area the wiregrass was almost entirely replaced
by a thick layer of rush-featherling (Pleea tenuifolia) as the.dominant
herb.
The primary extent of the pine/shrub "savannah" occurs west of
highway NC 87, in an area where few streets exist to this point, and
no .dwellings have been constructed.
b) Pine/sand myrtle flats. Pinus palustris/;,eiophyllum buxifolium/
Vaccinium crassifolium--Aristida stricter. The canopy here is ver;
similar to that of the preceding community, consisting almost entirely
84

of longleaf pine. Although scattered pocosin shrubs do occur (bitter
gallberry is particularly evident), the shrub layer is open and low,.
dominated.by sand myrtle (Leiophyllun buytifolium). The ground layer,
as in the preceding community, consists of creeping blueberry and wire -
grass.
This area is drier that the pine/shrub "savannah" discussed above,
with far fewer herbaceous species occurring here; in addition, scruu
live oak (Cuercus geminata) occassionally assumes importance as a low
subcanopy or tall shrubby sg ecies in the drier portions of this com-
munity. In one small area, sand myrtle is lar;;ely replaced by wax
myrtle (N: rica cerifera) in forming the low shrub layer.
c) Pine/oak flats. Pinus palustris/ uercus 7eminata/Aristida stricter.
Here again the open canopy layer is dominated by longleaf Dine, but
in conjunction with an open subcanopy layer consisting of scrub live
oak in the relatively moist areas of this com^unity, and a scrub live
oak --turkey oak mixture in the drier, more upland areas. The herbaceous
layer was very open, having a cover --almost exclusively --of wiregrass.
It should be reemphasized that almost every possible inter::radation
between the various flatwood communities discussed may be located, as well
as intergrades between these community types and adjacent pocosin or "sand
hill" community types, because edaphic, topographic, and hydrologic proper
ties, and hence their reflection in vegetational communities present,
change along a continuum, rather than discretely, in most instances.
4) Disturbed "communities." Pinus spp./I4yrica cerifera Andropogon virginicus.
A relatively characteristic assemblage of species exists in the extensively
disturbed (usually clearcut) areas. The canopy,'if developed, typically
consists of either loblolly (Pinus taeda) or longleaf pine, characteristi-
cally occurring with a scattered shrub layer of wax myrtle, and an herbaceous
cover of broomsedge (Andro 0 on virtginicus). Groundsel-shrub (Bacch.-.
halimifolia) and dog -fennel Eupatoriun carillifolium) are other com- on
weedy species in these areas.
5) Pond communities. The doline ponds occurrin? within the Boiling Springs
Lakes area, assumed to have been formed as a result of subsurface solution
of �he underlying Castle Hayne Limestone, with consequent surface slump
ins , have as discussed undergone a great deal of disturbance. With
regard to those 'sinks" that do exist in relatively undisturbed condition
from a vegetation standpoint, it would be impossible to. go into a lengthy
discussion of vegetational zonation and plant succession without benefit
of a systematic collection of such areas, as well as the taking of other
pertinent data. However, a list of characteristic species present in the
pond rim areas is presented in the appended Species Flora List, and a num-
ber of general observations about the doline ponds in the Boiling Sprin-s
Lakes area follow.
a) The ponds occur primarily within the upland (longleaf pine "sandaills"
community type) pine areas, and occassionally in the drier portions of
the pine flatwood communities discussed,
b) The ponds of the Boiling Springs Lakes area are all clear water (as
opposed to blackwater) ponds, with white sandy bottoms, and with no
natural drainage into the pools from adjacent pocosin areas.
2Wheeler, J.H. 1979. Personal communication. Dept. of Geology, UNC-CH,
Chapel Hill, N.C.

c) ;None of the ponds within the Boiling Springs Lakes subdivision have pond
cypress or black guru zones encircling their outer fringe areas, ,
as do many of the ponds in the nearby Sunny Point area and in other
nearby tracts. Those few ponds on Orton Plantation and paper company
properties that do have tree rings have been either extensively disturbed
or har-ely destroyed in timbering operations.
d) Total species diversity in and around the sinks is relatively low as
compared to total diversity among other groups of doline ponds observed
in the surrounding coastal region, presumably due in part to the history
of recent disturbance in the area since development was begun.
e) The most striking vegetational diversity which occurs in xoving from
one pond to the next is seen in relation to the aquatic species.
However, many of the ponds no longer --if they indeed ever dial in the
past --contain any aquatic vegetation.
Physical features:
General description --The Boiling Sprints Lakes area includes a series of
some 98 doline ponds trending I1E-SW in direction of distribution.
I:elief in the area is Generally small, ran inr to a maximun of about
5 or 6m. The area comprises and is surrounded by a number of relatively
flat, pine dominated vegetational communities.
Topography--NeArly 100 irregularly shaped depressions with Gently slopir_t
to moderately sloping walls, and ranging from 5 to 500 m across the
widest point are to be found within the area. These ponds are believed to
have resulted from surface slumping caused by subsurface solution of the
underlying Castle uayne Limestone.
Geology --The surficial sediments are marine -deposited sands and clays of
the Pamlico Terrace of Pleistocene are, overlying the Castle Hayne
Limestone of Eocene a-e.
Rare plants and animals:
An attempt was made in the Boiling Sprir_rs Lakes area to substantiate all
of the old records of threatened and endangered plant species as are contained
in the computer file of the N.C. Natural HeritaZe Pro7ram. I was, however,
unable to relocate any of the old records. Most of the failures to substan-
tiate the records relate to changes in habitat conditions within the area that
have occurred with the progression of residential development' of the tract
since 1960. For example, the witch -al der.(Fothergilla r:ardenii) reported from
the Allen Creek area in 1950 has succumbed to the clearing and flooding of the
area to fora Boiling Springs Lake.
It is probable that loose water Milfoil (Myriophyllum laxun), beak_rush
(Rhyncosnorayleiantha), and other threatened and endangered species associated
with doline ponds could be turned up by a systematic search of the 98 ponds in
the. area. However, due to the changes takint place in the ponds as discussed
previously, in conjunction with the relatively advanced state of residential
development of the area, such a search would probably prove to be rointless.
In contrast to the situation with regard to threatened and endangered
species of plants, there is, at least one animal, the endangered red -cockaded
woodpecker, which is of special interst here. The Boilin, Springs Lakes
'population of red -cockaded woodpeckers probably represents the lamest breeding
i f

population of red -cockaded woodpeckers in the county, and possibly in the area3.
Although the actual size of the population is unknown at the present time,
18 cavity trees were observed distributed fairly evenly throughout the sub-
division on both sides of highway NC 87, and on the adjacent Orton property.
In addition, a pair of feeding adults was noted in a sandhills community type
in mid -July.
Other animal species of special concern which are known to breed in the
area include the Eastern wood rat (Neotoreta flor__ idana), and the fox squirrel
(Sciurus ni;-er) .
Publications and scientific references:
Blankenship, R.R. 1965. Reconnaissance of the ground -water resources
x.of the Southport -Elizabethtown area, North Carolina. N.C. Dept. rater Res.,
Div. Ground Water, Ground -plater Bul. No. 6. 47 pp.
Daniels,. R.B., et. al. 1978. Age of soil landscapes in the coastal
plain area of North Carolina. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 42: 98-105.
Radford, A.E., et. al. 1964. ?;anual of the Vascular Flora of the
Carolinas. UNC Press. Chapel Hill, ii.C. 11?3 pp.
3Parnell, J.F. 1979. Personal communication. Dept. of Botany, UNC_"
Wilmington, N.C.
are

Site ecolosical significance:
The significant features of the Boiling Springs Lakes area are sum-
marized below:
1) Existenceof a sizable population of the endangered red -cockaded
woodpecker (Dendroconus borealis) in the area, with the critical
requirement in regard to the apparent necessity of a large tract
of suitable habitat for feeding surrounding nest cavity sites still
satisfied at this point.
2) Presence of a relatively mature longleaf pine/turkey oak/wiregrass
community type over a large portion of the tract, representing
excellent habitat for the fox squirrel (Sciurus niger), an animal
species of special concern.
3) Occurrence of several relatively undisturbed doline ponds --among
a very large, and until recently, undisturbed assemblage of sinks --
with at the least excellent.potential habitat in their rim areas,
if the species do not currently occur there, for a number of associ-
ated threatened and endangered species of plants.
Managerent recommendations:
Management of an area as extensively developed as is the Boiling Springs
Lakes area at this point--i•.,ith future• plans for a great deal of further
development --is for obvious reasons very limited. lmplementation of the
following recommendations is ^ossible within the existing framework of
private a;:,nership and development of area properties:
1) Existing rest cavity trees of the red -cockaded woodpecker should
be surve;Ted and mapped, with a subsequent determination made of
the actual population size and number of cavities currently utilized.
2) Because red -cockaded woodpeckers can co -exist fairly well with
people if suitable territorial habitat is left intact, the wood-
peckers pose little actual or potential threat to future development
of the area, if. such development is done in an intelligent and reasor�bi
manner. For this reason it is believed that the ownership and/or
management parties within the area should be infor^ed of existinr.
population size and locale, and encouraged to participate in an
effort to preserve the red -cockades as a viable part of the overall
environment of the region.
3) a survey of potentially undisturbed doline ponds outl��ing, '� closely
adjacent to, the Boiling Sprin';;s Lakes area should be wade while the
ponds may still exist in a relatively natural state (the pond located
near the radio tower which is mentioned in the discussion of cur-
rent use and protection status of the -rea :.,ould be included in this
.-roue ins) .

International
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I,.o • roq g1 na� �it�,) Orton Y< '•� • F`" �` rr Clear a / plantati • 0"OH
Radio Tot•• r'
BOILING SPRING �
TAKES StI++•.(ktl I
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Figure 15. Boiling Springs Lakes
Access Map
89

FLORA SPECIES LIST
The various vegetational communities within the Boiling Springs Lakes area
were surveyed at several locations. The following Flora Species List gives domi-
nant and representative species for each layer of the communities encountered,
but is by no means an exhaustive compilation of plant.species present.
Pond pine pocosin:
Trees: Pinus serotina
P. taeda
Transgressives: Acer rubrum
Gordonia lasianthus
Nyssa sylvatica var. biflora
Shrubs: Cyrilla racemiflora
Ilex coriacea
I. glabra
Lyonia lucida
Magnolia virginiana
Persea borbonia
Vaccinium corymbosum
Subshrubs: Vacciuium crassifolium (openings)
Herbs: Sarracenia flava
Vines: Smilax laurifolia
S. rotundifolia
Mosses: Sphagnum sp.
Longleaf pine uplands:
Trees:
,
Canopy--
Pinus palustris
P . taeda
Subcanopy--
Castanea pumila
Quercus geminata
Q. laevis
Q. margaretta
Q. marilandica
Q. velutina
Shrubs:
Gaylussacia dumosa
G. frondosa
Myrica cerifera
Vaccinium tenellum
Transgressives:
Acer rubrum
Diospyros virginiana
Nyssa sylvatica
Sassafras albidum
90

Herbs:
Forbs--
Cnidoscolus stimulosis
Graminoids--
Aristida stricter
Ferns and fern allies--
Selaginella arenicola
Pine flatwood. communities:
Trees:
Pinus palustris
P. taeda
P. serotina
Shrubs:
Clethra alnifolia
Cyrilla racemiflora
Gaylussacia frondosa
Ilex coriacea
I. glabra
I. opaca
Leiophyllum buxifolium
Magnolia virginiana
Persea borbonia
nuercus geminata
Subshrubs:
Vaccinium crassifolium
Herbs:
Forbs--
Habenaria blephariglottis
H. ciliaris
Pleea tenuifolia
Sarracenia flava
S. purpurea
Xyris sp.
Graminoids--
Aristida stricta
hyncospora cephalantha
R. sp.
Pond "connunities":
Trees:
None
Shrubs:
Qu.ercus geminata (outer rim area)
Herbs:
Forbs--
Bacopa caroliniana`
B. nonnieri•
Brasenia schreberi
Centella asiatica
Drosera capillaris
D. filiforr,.is
L'leocharis equisetoides
Eriocaulon sp.
iiabenaria blephariZlottis
H. nivea
Hydrocotyle umbellata
91

Hydrocotyle verticillata'
Lachnanthes caroliniana
Lobelia nuttallii
Ludwigia alternifolia
Myriophyllum pinnatum
Nuphar luteum ssp.macrophyllum
Nymphaea odorata
Pogonia ophioglossoides
Polygala cymosa
P. lutea
Rhexia lutea
R. mariana
Utricularia biflora
Xyris fimbriata
X. sp.
These records :were kindly provided by Dr. A.E. Radford from collections
made in the area in 1952.
�Z

Fauna Species List: BoilinS SprinSs Lakes
Chelydra serpentine - Common snapping turtle
Chrysemys scripta _ yellow -bellied pond slider
Sternotherus odoratus - Slinkpot
Terrapene carolina - Eastern box turtle
Anolis carolinensis - Green anole
Cnemidophorus sexlineatus - Six -lined racerunner
Eumeuces fasciatus _ Five -lined skink
Eumeuces inexpectatus - Southeastern five -lined skink
Eumeuces laticeps - Broad -headed skink
Aghistrodon contortr.ix - Southern copperhead
Coluber constrictor- Black racer
Elaphe guttata .- Corn snake
Ela he obsoleta _ Rat snake
Lampropelti s getulus _ Eastern mole snake
M asticophis flagellum - Eastern coachwhip
Natrix faciata - Banded water snake
Natrix taxi spilota - Brown water snake
Rhadinaea flavilata - pine woods snake
Tantilla coronata _ Southeastern crowned snake
Thannophis sirtalis sirtalis - Eastern ribbon snake
Dendrocopus borealis - Red -cockaded woodpecker
Melanerpes erythrocephalus - Red-headed woodpecker
9 3

Desmognathus fuscus _ Plorthern-dusky salamander
Plethodon glutinosus _ Slimy salamander
Acris per lllus- Southern cricketfrog
Bufo americanus - American toad
Bufo quercicus - Oak toad
Bufo terrestris - Southern toad
Hyla crucifer - Spring peeper
Byla femoralis - Pine woods treefrog
Hyla gratiosa - barking treefrog
Hyla squire!!a, - Squirrel treefrog
Pseudacris ornata - Ornate chorus frog
Rana catesbeiana _ Bullfrog
Rana sphenocephalSouthern leopard frog
Rana virratipes -Carpenter frog
Didelphis marsunialis _ opossum
Glaucomys volans _ Southern flying squirrel
Neotorna fl-oridanfL _ Eastern wood rat
Odocoileus virCD
ir_ianus -Whitetail deer
Oryzornys palustris - Eastern rice rat
Reithrodontomys humilis - Eastern harvest mouse
Sialopus aquaticus _ Eastern mole
Sciurus carolirensis _ Eastern gray squirrel
Sciurus niger - Fox squirrel
Sylvilagus floridanus - Eastern cottontail
Sylvilagus palustris -`Marsh rat.

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NATURAL AREA INVENTORY FORM
Preliminary Reconnaissance Survey
Brunswick County, North Carolina
1. Natural Area Name: Camp Branch Savannah
2. Location: Site is located northwest of the intersection of S. R.
1335 with an unmarked dirt road 3.25 miles northwest of
Exum.
3. Topographic Quadrangle Map Reference: Juniper Creek 1:24000..
Coordinates: 34o081N latitude; 780301W longitude.
4. Size: ca. 31.2 ha. (77 A.).
5. Elevation: 14 m (45 ft.).
6. Vegetation Classification Category: II.E.2. Flatwoods.
7. Investigator(s): Timothy D. Nifong
Box 29, Coker Hall, UNC
Chapel Hill, N. C. 27514
8. Kccess: S. R. 1335 (see attached county road map).
RR

9. Site Description:
Camp Branch Savannah is intermediate in wetness --.and diversity --
between Big Island Savannah (wetter and more diverse in species) and
Gause Savannah (drier and less species rich). Longleaf pine (Pinus
palustris) is the dominant canopy species over the major part oF—
the savannah, although it is replaced by pond pine (P. serotina)
in the western portion of the site. Canopy trees are relatively
mature, With flat -top trees frequent.
A shrub layer is absent at the site, and the herbaceous layer
dominants are generally orange grass (Ctenium aromaticum) and
broom sedge (Andropogon virginicus), either alone, or in combination.
Scattered among the dominant grasses is a diverse array of (orbs
(see accompanying "Field Reconnaissance Data Summary Sheet" for site
species list).
It is evident from the fire -scarred trunks of canopy trees
and the predominance of clumping among shrubs and transgressive
small trees that this site has been burned relatively frequently
in the past. In addition, the remnants of an old barbed -.,wire
fence indicate that the savannah was probably once grazed.
The site is bordered to the west by a pocosin community, to the
northwest by an old field, to the east and northeast by a swamp
forest community, and to the south by S. R. 1335.

10. Ownership Summary:
a. Ownership type by percent area: Type
Private 100 %
Public %
Unknown %
b. Number of owners: two (2)
c. Name(s) and address(es) of owner(s):
Federal Paper Board Corporation, P. 0. Box 338, Bolton, N. C.
28423;
David Spiveyt Box 30, Freeland, N. C. 28440.
11. Land Use Status:
a. Natural area usage category: lour intensity recreation (hunting)
to no apparent use.
b. Use of surrounding land:
(1) Undeveloped 80 %
(2) Developed: agricultural or silvicultural 20 %
(3) Developed: urban %
12. Management Summary:
a. Current preservation status:
Category
%
Description of preservation status
6
100
Private land not protected by owners.

b. Threats:
Category
Description of threat
3
Timbering by owner(s) and subsequent clearing
of site and replanting area as a pineplanta-
tion.
c. Management recommendations:
This site is in a relatively isolated portion of the
county, and consequently, few problems are forseen in relation
to protection of the site integrity. Annual prescribed burning
of the savannah site is the only recommendation offered to
maintain present site quality.

13. Site Significance Summary:
(1) The site represents the largest known orange grass (Ctenium
aromaticum) dominated longleaf pine (Pinus palustris savan-
nah, and is a high quality site,.vith few intrusions.
(2) The sit.exontains a population of grass-of-Parnassas (Parnassia .
caroliniana), a rare species throughout the state.
14. N. C. Natural Heritage Program Priority Rating:
high priority.
Elm

15. Field Reconnaissance Data Summary Sheet:
FLORA
Canopy: Pinus palustris
Pinus palustris
P. serotina
Subcanopy: None
Transgressives: No dominants
Liquidambar styraciflua
Magnolia virginiana
Nyssa sylvatica
Symplocos tinctoria
Shrubs: No dominants
Gaylussacia dumosa
G, frondosa
Ilex glabra
Myrica cerifera var. pumila
M, heterophylla
Sorbus arbutifolia
Vaccinium atrococcum
Subshrubs: No dominants
Vaccinium crassifolium
Herbs: Ctenium aromaticum or Andropogon virginicus or CTAR--ANVI
Agalinis purpurea (?)
Aletris farinosa
Andropogon virginicum
Aristida stricta
Arundinaria gigantea
Ascelpias longifolia
Aster squarrosus
Balduina uniflora
Baptisia cinerea
B. tinctoria
Carphephorus tomentosus
Centella asiatica
Crotolaria sp.
Ctenium aromaticum
Dichanthelium ensifolium (?)
Drosera capillaris
Erigeron vernus
Eriocaulon decangulare
Eupatorium rotundifolium
Eupatorium sp.
Eryngium yuccifolium
Hypericum lloydii
H. stans
Hypoxis hirsuta
Lachnanthes caroliniana
Lespedeza hirta
Pinguicula caerulea

15. Field Reconnaissance Data Summary Sheet: (cont.)
Herbs (cont.)
Polygala lutea
P. ramosa
Rhexia alifanus
Sarracenia flava
S. purpurea
Scutellaria integrifolia
Tephrosia hispidula
Tofieldia sp.
Trilisa paniculata
Xyris sp.
Zigadenus densus
Vines: No dominants
Gelsimium sempervirens
Smilax glauca
S. laurifolia
Ferns: No dominants
Pteridium aquilinum
Fern Allies: No dominants
Lycopodium appressum
FAUNA
Amphibians and Reptiles:
Eastern Glass Lizard (Ophisaurus ventralis)
Eastern Box Turtle (Terrapene Carolina)
Birds:
Bobwhite (Colinus virginianus)
Common Grackle (Quiscalus quisdula)
Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas)
Fish Crow (Gorvus ossifragus)
Great -crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus crinitus)
Pine Warbler (Dendroica pinus)
Prairie Warbler (D. discolor)
Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria citrea)
Red -eyed Vireo (Vireo olivaceus)
Rufous -sided Towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus)
SOIL SUBGROUP
Aerie Paleaquults.
LE

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NATURAL AREA INVENTORY FORM
Preliminary Reconnaissance Survey
Brunswick County, North Carolina
1. Natural Area Name: Drowned Bay Savannah
2. Location: Site is northeast of the junction of .highway NC 904 and
S. R. 1163.
3. Topographic Quadrangle Map Reference: Shallotte 1:24000.
Coordinates: 33055'N latitude; 780301W longitude.
4.. Size: ca. 73.7 ha. (182 A.).
5. Elevation: 12 m (40 ft.).
6. Vegetation Classification -Category: II.E.2. Flatwoods.
7. Investigator(s): Timothy D. Nifong
Box 299 Coker Hall, UNC
Chapel Hill, N. C. 27514
8. Access: Highway NC 904 and S,. R. 1163 (see attached county road map).
10X

9. Site Description:
Drowned Bay Savannah is characterized'hy a .Pious palustris/
Mixed Pineland Shrubs/Vaccinium crassifolium--Aristida stricta
community type, with the low shrub layer typically being.dominated
by bitter gallberry (Ilex labra), and dangleberry (GUjussacia
dumosa) mixed with various other ericads and transgressive tall
shrubs and small trees. In the eastern portions of thb-site, pond
pine (Pious serotina) assumes dominance in the canopy. Canopy
trees here are relatively immature, being mostly 8 to 15 centimeters
DBH, indicating that the site was timbered in the near past
Herbaceous flora at the site does not appear at present to be
particularly diverse, but this may in actuality be more apparent
than real, considering the lengthy drought that has occurred in the
southeast coastal plain, and the fact that, given the existing
soil type of the savannah, this is a relatively mesic site.
It is apparent that fire has been frequent at the site, based on
the number of charred stumps, the predominance of clumped shrubs,
and fire scarring of all of the trunks of the canopy pines.

10. Ownership Summary:
a. Ownership type by percent area: Type
Private 100
Public %
Unknown %
b. Number of owners: two (2). one principal.
c. Name(s) and address(es) of owner(s):
E. John Thorp, 18836 SW 35th St., Homstead, FL 33050;
Thomas Franklin Thorp, Rt. 1, Box 12, Alvin, S. C. 29427.
11, Land Use Status:
a. Natural area usage category: no apparent use; intrusion --two
north - south plowed fire lanes.
b. Use of surrounding land:
(1) Undeveloped 40 %
(2) Developed: agricultural or silvicultural 40 %
(3) Developed: urban 20 %
12. Management Summary:
a. Current preservation status:
Category
%
Description of preservation status
6
100
Private land not protected by owner.
166

; b. Threats:
CategorX
Description of threat
3
Timbering by ownerg draina a and subsequent
replanting as j2ine lantation• subdivision of
area as residential lots and eventual develop-
ment of area.
c. Management recommendations:
A program of prescribed, probably annuals burning of the
area should be instituted here. No other immediate management
problems are forseen for this site.
167

13. Site Significance Summary:
(1) This is the most extensive sandy soil longleaf pine (Pious
palustris) savannah in the county.
14. N. C. Natural Heritage Program Priority Rating:
local priority" .

15. . Field Reconnaissance Data Summary Sheet:
FLORA
Canopy: Pinus palustris
Pinus palustris
P. serotina
Subcanopy: None
Transgressives: No dominants
Acer rubrum
Ilex opaca
Magnolia virginiana
Nyssa sylvatica
Persea borbonia
Quercus geminate
Q. laevis
Q. nigra
Rhus copallina
Sassafras albidum
Shrubs: Mixed pineland shrubs
Clethra alnifolia
Gaylussacia dumosa
G. frondosa
Ilex coriacea
I. glabra
Lyonia lucida
L. mariana
Myrica cerifera var. pumila
Rhododendron atlanticum
Sorbus arbutifolia
Subshrub Vaccinium crassifolium
Vaccinium crassifolium
Herbs: Aristida stricta
Andropogon virginicus
Aristida stricta
Arundinaria gigantea
Centella asiatica
Cleistes divaricata
Drosera capillaris
D. intermedia
Hypericum fasciculatum (?)
H. reductum
Iris verna
Lachnocaulon minus
Panicum sp.
Polygala lutes
Pyxidanthera barbulata
Rhexia alifanus
Scleria sp.
Sisyrinchium angustifolium
Trilisa paniculata
Utricularia subulata

15. Field Reconnaissance Data Summary Sheet: (coot.)
Herbs (coat.)
Xyris sp.
Vines: No dominants
Geisimium sempervirens
Smilax laurifolia
Ferns: No dominants
Pteridium aquilinum
Woodwardia virginica
Fern Allies: No dominants
Lycopodium appressum
Mosses: No dominants
Sphagnum sp.
FAUNA
Birds:
Bobwhite (Colinus virginianus)
Brown -headed Nuthatch (Sitta pusilla)
Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis)
Great -crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus crinitus)
Pine Warbler (Dendroica pious)
Rufous -sided Towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus)
Red-headed Woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus)
SOIL SUBGROUP
Aeric Haplaquods.

NATURAL AREA INVENTORY FORM
Preliminary Reconnaissance Survey
Brunswick County, North Carolina
1. Natural Area Name: Gause Savannah
2. Location: Site is located ca. 400 m north.of highway US 17, ca.
2.3 miles west of the junction of US 17 and highway NC
9o4.
3. Topographic Quadrangle Map Reference: Calabash 1:24000.
Coordinates: 330571N latitude; 78032PW longitude.
4. Size: ca. 48.6 ha. (120 A.).
5. Elevation: 11 to 12 m (35 to 40 ft.).
6. Vegetation Classification Category: II.E.2. Flatwoods.
7. Investigator(s): Timothy D. Nifong
Box-29, Coker Hall, UNC
Chapel Hill,'N. C. 27514
8. Access: Highway US 17 (see attached county road map).
112

9. Site Description:
Gause Savannah represents the drier end of the spectrum among
clay soil savannahs. Young and medium sized longleaf pines (Pinus
palustris) dominate the canopy, mostly in closed stand, with no
subcanopy or shrub layers. The herbaceous layer appears to be
almost pure wire -grass (Ari�ti stric_ta) at first glance, but
upon closer examination, is clearlriy much more diverse. Because
the spring of 1980 was the first time in several years that the area
had been burned (fide Freeman Gause), the wire -grass layer responded
by growing and fruiting so prolifically that the old needles (leaves)
and flowering stalks effectively obscure the actual diversity of the
herbaceous flora ias indicated by the accompanying species list)
over much of the site. Interestingly, approximately one-half of
the site -was re -burned in the spring of 19819and with the combustion
of last year's wire -grass above -ground biomass, the burned portion
of the site stands in stark contrast against the unburned portion.
The savannah is bordered on all sides, more or less, except the
northeast, by agricultural fields. It is actually the burning of
these fields in the spring which has led to the frequent burning of
Gause Savannah. Pine: flatwoods and some pocosin border the site to
the northeast,

10. Ownership Summary:
a. Ownership type by percent area: Type
Private 100 %
Public %
Unknown %
b. Number of owners: aix (6). one principal owner.
c. Name(s) and address(es) of owner(s):
Freeman Gause, Ash, N. C. 28420;
George W. Gause, 15 Patten Place, Newark, N. J. 07112;
Willie Hill, Ash, N. C. 28420;
Jethro Hart, Ash, N. C. 28420;
I. V. Cribb, Rt. 39 Box 35, Whiteville, N. Co;
Harry Hill* Rt. 1, Box 21OA9 Ash, N. Co 28420.
11, Land Use Status: _
a. Natural area usage category: low intensity recreation (hunting)
to no apparent use; intrusions --numerous plowed fire lanes in
the northwest portion of the site, some dumping.
b. Use of surrounding land:
(1) Undeveloped _.,30 %
(2) Developed: agricultural or silvicultural 70 %
(3) Developed: urban %
12. Management Summary:
a. Current preservation status:
Cate or
%
Description of preservation status
4
100
Private landprotected by owner.
114

i
1.. Y. Cribb I
/ 1
I Freeman Gause
Willie
Hill I
Harry— — — — — — — — — — — — —• — — — — — — — -- — — — —`
Hill
George W. Gause i Jethro Hart
US 17
Figure 19. Gause Savannah Ownership
Map

b. Threats:
Category
Description of threat
the i and either subsequent
Ihe ar a a a ne antation
or clearing of the -site for agricultural
fields.
c. Management recommendations:
(1) A program of annual prescribed burning should be instituted
at the site;
(2) Vehicular traffic into the savannah should be restricted;
(3) Some of the myriad of seemingly unnecessary fire lanes in
the northwestern portion of the savannah should probably
be "regraded" in an attempt to restore the area to its
approximate original contours;
(4) The large population of hooded pitcher plants (Sarracenia
minor) at the site.should be monitored for possible exploita—
tion, although this is unlikely, given the limited access
into the area.
UC3

13, Site Significance Summary:
(T) This site represents the only known 'dry" clay soil (Aquic
Paleudults) longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) savannah,
and is an excellent example of such a savannah.
(2) The site contains notably large populations of the following:
(a) Sarracenia minor (an exploited species);
(b) Baptisia cinerea.
14. N. Co Natural Heritage Program Priority Rating:'
local priority
a

15. Field Recounaissance Data Summary Sheet:
FLU
Canopy: Pinus palustris
Pinus palustris
P. taeda
Subcanopy: None
Transgressives: No dominants
Acer rubrum
Diospyros virginiana
Liquidambar styraciflua
Nyasa sylvatica
Quercus marilandica
Q. nigra:,
Rhus copallina
Shrubs: No dominants
Clethra alnifolia
Gaylussacia dumosa
G. frondosa
Ilex cassine var. myrtifolia
I. coriacea
I. glabra
Magnolia virginiana
Myrica cerifera var. pumila
Quercus geminata
Q. pumila
Rubus sp.
Sorbus arbutifolia
Vaccinium tenellum
Subshrubs: No dominants
Vaccinium crassifolium
Herbs: Aristides stricta
Aletris farinosa
Andropogon virginicum
Aristida stricta
Arundinaria gigantea
Asclepias longifolia
Aster linariifolius
A. squarrosus
Baptisia cinerea
B. tinctoria
Coreopsis spp.
Ctenium aromaticum
Erigeron vernus
Eryngium yuccifolium
Eupatorium rotundifolium
Euphorbia curticii
Iris sp.
Lespedeza hirta
Manisuris rugosa
Polygala ramosa

15. Field Reconnaissance Data Summary Sheet: ((coat.)
Herbs (cont.)
Psoralea sp.
Pterocaulon pycnostachyum
Rhexia alifanus
Sarracenia flava
S'. minor
S. purpurea
Scutellaria integrifolia
Sisyrinchium angustifolium
Stylosanthes biflora
Tephrosia hispidula
Vernonia acaulis
Viola primulifolia
Xyris sp.
Vines: No dominants
Gelsimium sempervirens
Smilax glauca
Ferns:
Osmunda regalis
Pteridium aquilinum
Woodwardia virginica
FAUNA
Birds:
Brown -headed Nuthatch (Sitta pusilla)
Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)
Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus)
Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas)
Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis) -
Eastern Wood Pewee (Contropus virens)
Great -crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus crinitus)
Rufous -sided Towhee .(Pipi,ld erythrophthalmus)
White -eyed Vireo (Vireo griseus)
Mammal:
Eastern Cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus)
SOIL SUBGROUP
Aeric Paleaquults to Aquic Paleudults.

It
_ \\- - —_ -- — J `__ 46j\
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40
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It
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37
Thomasboro
V227 NO
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- II Figure 20. Gause Savannah Access Map —

NATURAL AREA INVENTORY FORM
Preliminary Reconnaissance Survey
Brunswick County, North Carolina
1. Natural area Name: Green Pond Savannah
2. Location: Site is located east of highway NC 87 via dirt access road
located 0.8 mile south of the entrance road to South
Brunswick High School (0.2 mile north of the Orton Creek
Bridge on highway NC 87).
3. Topographic Quadrangle Map Reference: Funston 1:24000/Southport 1:24000.
Coordinates: 34000'N latitude; 780021W longitude.
4.. Size: ea. 31.2 ha. (77 A.).
5. Elevation: ca. 11 to 12 m (35 to 40 ft.).
6. Vegetation Classification Category: II.E.2. Flatwoods/I.A. Fresh-
water Fond Community.
7. Investigator(s): Timothy D. Nifong
Box 29, Coker Hall, UNC
Chapel Hill, N. C. 27514
8. Access: Highway NC 87 (see attached county road map).
JL21

9. Site Description:
Green Pond Savannah represents another significant variation of
the longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) savannah within the existing
spectrum of flatwood sites within Brunswick County and the North
Carolina coastal plain as a whole. The canopy is dominated by rela-
tively mature longleaf pines --some 20 to 25 cm DBH--over a low shrub
layer of sand myittle (Leiophyllum buxifolium), either alone, or with
dwarf blueberry (Vaccinium tenellum) as a codominant. The shrub layer
is in turn underlain by a "herbaceous" layer containing creeping
blueberry (V. crassifolium) and wire -grass (Aristida stricta) as domi-
nants.
Green Pond, which lies in the western, central portion of the
site (see accompanying topographic quad sheet), is a relatively steep -
walled limesink, one of the series of Sunny Point--Orton--Boiling
Springs Lakes sinks. The extreme clarity of the water and the white
sandy bottom of the pond tend to reflect aquatic vegetation (both
algae and vascular plants), giving the water its "green's appearance.
There is very little vegetation in or around the -pond itself, except-
ing the population of loose water-milfoil (Myriophyllum laxum) within
the sink, probably at least partially due to the relative steep-
ness of the rim slope. The herbaceous and shrub layers of the savan-
nah are much more open in the immediate vicinity of the pondq and large
patches of bare white sand are frequent.
The site is bordered on the north by a pocosin community within
an,adjacent swale area, and to the east and south by a mixed pines --
hardwoods community which is transitional --and also successional given
the absence of recent fire -•-between the savannah community and the
adjacent mixed bottomland hardwoods community which borders Orton
Creek.
As with all of the Brunswick savannah.sites, it
on observable evidences such as_fire-scarred trunks,
predominantly clumped, and charred stumps,that frequent
largely responsible ,for the evolution and maintenance
its open, savannah condition,
is clear, based
shrubs which are
fire has been
of the site in

10. Ownership Summary:
a. Ownership type by percent area: Type
Private 100 %
Public %
Unknown 96
b. Number of owners: one (1
c. Name(s) and address(es) of owner(s):
Lawrence G. Sprunt et al.
Box 3625
Wilmington, N, C. 28401.
11. Land Use Status:
a. Natural area usage category: low intensity recreation, e. g.,
swimming in Green Pond.
b. Use of surrounding land:
(1) Undeveloped 100 %
(2) Developed: agricultural or silvicultural °d
(3) Developed: urban
12. Management Summary:
a. Current preservation status:
.Category % Description of preservation status
.�3

b. Threats:
Description
of
threat
-Category
3
Logging of the mature
longleaf
pine canopy.
c. Management recommendations:
(1) This site is used as a shortcut by some in travelling from
highway NC 87 to highway NC 133; all vehicular traffic within
the savannah area should be discontinued, and the road
blocked off at both ends;
(2) A program of prescribed burning should be undertaken at the
site; periodic, but not too frequent fire is probably desir-
able if the site is to be managed for its exceptionally large
sand myrtle (Leiophyllum buxifolium) population;
(3) Past hunting around, and swimming within, Green Pond has
resulted in heavy littering and other abuse of the area;
for this reason, future access to the site should probably
be limited.

13. Site Significance Summary:
(1) This is the largest sand myrtle (heiophyllum buxifolium) pop}
elation known within the Carolinas when considered in terms of
number of individuals within a single community type, bounded
by other communities,(fide A. E. Radford).
(2) The site represents an .excellent example of an unusual community
type --Pious palustris%Leio hyp llum buxifolium/'"Aristida str�ictaa.
(3) Green Pond contains a sizeable population of the threatened
species, loose water-milfoil (Myrio hyp llum laxum).
(4) Green Pond is a good example of a steep -walled limesink.
14. N. C. Natural Heritage Program Priority Rating:
local priority

15. Field Reconnaissance Data Summary Sheet:
FLORA --Savannah
Canopy: Pinus palustris
Pinus palustris
P. serotina
P. taeda
Subcanopy: None
Transgressives: No dominants
Diospyros virginiana
Magnolia virginiana
Nyssa sylvatica
Persea borbonia
Quercus geminata
Q. laevis
Shrubs: Leiophyllum buxifolium
Gaylussacia.dumosa.
G. frondosa
Ilex glabra
I. opaca
Leiophyllum buxifolium
Lyonia lucida
L. mariana
Myrica cerifera var. pumila
Vaccinium tenellum
Subshrub: Vaccinium crassifolium
Vaccinium crassifolium
Herbs: Aristida stricta
Andropogon virginicus
Aristida stricta
Hypericum reductum
Pyxidanthera barbulata
Rhexia alifanus.
Trilisa paniculata
FLORA --Pond
Canopy: None
Subcanopy: None
Transgressives: No dominants
Nyssa sylvatica var, biflora
Shrubs: None
Herbs: No dominants
Centella asiatica
Dichanthelium ensifolium (?S Panicum
Eriocaulon decangulare
Lachnocaulon minus
Rhexia mariana
..''

15. Field Reconnaissance Data Summary Sheet: (cont.)
Herbs: (coat.)
Xyris sp.
Aquatics: Myrophyllum laxum
Myriophyllum laxum
SOIL SUBGROUP
Aeric Haplaquods: spodic horizon at 55 cm.
r

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Ill 111 �% �.
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Orton Pond
X 47
33
3767000m.N.
r
DUTHPf - INTERIOR -GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. WASHINGTON. O. c._I.{3 776 oom.E 34°oL)'
., 78 ° 00'
Green Pond Figure 21. Green Pond Savannah10
- GOAD CLASSIFICATION troy
7000- Savannah
Heavy-duty Light -duty
-OMETER pA
Unimproved dirt
U. S. Route State Route
c

0
GREEN SWAMP NATURE PRESERVE
BRUNSWICK COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA
(N 340101, W 780201)
Prepared for the
North Carolina Nature Conservancy
by
Hervey McIver
February, 1981

INTRODUCTION
The 13,850-acre Green Swamp tract, five miles north of Supply, N.C., in
Brunswick County, was given to the North Carolina Nature Conservancy (NCNC)
by Federal Paper Board Corp., Inc. (FPB) in 1977. The area contains a broad
array of lower Coastal Plain ecosystems and wildlife habitats, many of which
are becoming increasingly rare due to agricultural and forestry expansion. The
vast majority of land is pocosin, a thick shrub community atop organic peat.
Pocosin provides much open space and habitat for a number of large mammals
including deer, black bear, bobcat, and reputedly, the eastern cougar.
More important, especially from a management/stewardship perspective, is
the floral diversity of the swamp. Fifteen insectivorous plants, twelve
orchids, seventeen endangered or threatened species, one plant --purple balduina
(Balduina atropurpurea)--previously unrecorded in North Carolina, and twenty-one
species of sphagnum are among the numerous plant species found within the
property boundaries. Many of these are located in the approximately 230 acres
of savannah scattered as "islands" along ridges within the tract. Expanses
of green grasses and sedges laden with wildflowers beneath tall, straight,
longleaf pines provide a beautiful and fascinating setting for researchers,
educators, and casual observers. The longleaf pines provide food and nesting
for the endangered red -cockaded woodpecker. The Green Swamp contains some
of the finest examples of "wet" savannah in the nation.
Most of the property lies on a broad, flat, marine terrace between fifty
and seventy feet above sea level. The southern edge lies along the Penholoway
escarpment, an ancient shoreline. The land here is dissected by broad, shallow
valleys, and the soils are generally drier. Two projections of the property
extend into this scarp, the Myers-Clemmons area along N.C. Rt. 211 and the
Beaverdam farther east. These tracts contain most of the 950 acres of pine
plantations as well as several natural longleaf, loblolly, and bottomland
hardwood stands, Carolina Bays, and a series of limestone (marl) sinks.
The significance of the Green Swamp as a natural area was recognized
nationally by its designation in 1974 as a National Natural Landmark. Long
before this acknowledgement, its remote beauty was appreciated by many local
people, while educators, botanists, zoologists, and ecologists have utilized
the swamp as an outdoor laboratory. Active management will be required to
protect, maintain, and enhance the unique natural features and habitats of
the Green Swamp. It is hoped that the following stewardship plan will supply
basis and direction to continued management for many years to come.
JL�

ECOLOGICAL INVENTORY.SUMMARY
Russell Kologiski's The Phytosociology of the Green Swamp and the National
Park Service Green Swamp report.elaborate many of the ecological features within
the swamp. Much of the following general summary is taken from these sources,
and they may be referred to for further information.
Abiotic Features
Geology
The Green Swamp is located on the Penholoway Terrace, one of a series of
marine terraces formed as the Atlantic Ocean retreated across the Coastal Plain.
It may also be a shoal system of deltic origin formed during the early Medial
Pleistocene. NCNC's property is located in the southeast corner of the Green
Swamp, approximately fifty to seventy feet in elevation. Detailed geological
surveys of the swamp and NCNC's land have not been made. Pleistocene surficial
deposits of sands and mixed clays twenty-five to thirty feet thick underlie the
entire swamp. Beneath these deposits lies.the Late Cretaceous Peedee Formation
of clays with interbeds of calcareous sands. The Duplin and Waccamaw Marls of
the Miocene age possibly lie between these two stratigraphic units.
The southern edge of the property borders a scarp, an ancient shoreline.
Beneath surficial deposits here lies the Eocene Castle Hayne Limestone Formation.
A series of sinks, including two large and several smaller ones in the
Myers-Clemmons tract, have probably resulted from underground solution within
this formation. Carolina Bays, unusual elliptical geomorphic features of the
Atlantic Coastal Plain, are frequent along this southern edge. Evidence of
bays within the pocosin is indicated from aerial photographs.
Topography
The topography of the Green Swamp is a function of beach formations
developed during the last inundation, erosion since then, the build-up of peat,
and the formation of Carolina Bays. The Conservancy's land lies on a broad,
interstream northwest -southeast trending ridge at the terminous of the Waccamaw
River and Cape Fear River divide. The formation of peat deposits began
approximately 10,000 years ago in low, wet areas. Acting like a growing,
spreading sponge, it developed laterally, overtopping many topographic highs.
To the scanning eye the terrain appears flat, although the center is domed.
Higher ridges and bay rims within the swamp outcrop as "islands." Map 1
displays these features. The property lies within the Supply, Bolivia, Honey
Island, and Lewis Swamp, N.C. 1:24,000 topographic quad maps.
31

page S
Map 1
POCOSIN
i
.--' SoupsTO
Bolton
Urivin
POCOSIN
Creek
+ •
r
Borrow- `
Pit
,r
Experimental
Plot .
Beaverdam Tract
NC Rt. 211
Myers-
Clemmons To US. 17.
Tract Supply
GREEN SWAMP PRESERVE
To
Supply
Scale: 1:79200
1 -100 chains
Savannah
--_
Plantation
- - - -
Access
roads
Figure 22. Green Swamp
Preserve
3,32

The escarpment along they southern edge gently slopes seawardwwith a
network of shallov valleys and sand. ridges. Most of the Carolina Brays within
the: property are found: in.the two prajections in this area. These elliptical
depressions are aligned on. a northwest-southeast.axis and fora distinct
topagraphic features on: the landscape. The series of limestone sinks,, two
Of which .are. aver 100 feet in diameter, sftand out irr the, southern part of the
Myers-Clemmons tract,
- So ills:
The soils within. the Green Swamp were mapped by Kolog ski from vegetation
analysis: and FPB site data, (Map- 2.).. Sails are more varied than the generalized
map: indicates, with. a number of soilseries often: Located on 'single savannahs
(Append1iz K). Histos is or deep peat sails, ' is the predominate soil order
with im the swamp.. Along the ridges of. the escarpment .in the: southern portions
of NCNC land, the sails-aregenerally sandy with more poorly drained. mineral
sails, im the shallow valleys
Feat is presently being mined" experimentally for use as an energy source
elsewhere in Narthc Carolina. The Department of Energy. sponsored peat survey
teamout of the UNC%CH Geology Department will survey peat deposits and peat,
characteristics,within mute's'property in 1981. .The Soil Conservation Service
of Brunswick. County will map the soils, in the area during the early 1980's.
l.
Hydrology
The original. G'reem Swamp encompassed some 200,000 acres in. Columbus and
Brunswick Counties,, extending throughout the lowland swamp forests and upland
pucosin of the Waccamav River drainage.; NCNC"s preserve"lies on the .broad,
interstream. flat between. ,the Cape Fear River and Waccamaw`River drainage
systems. Driving Creek flows west from the swampy, to the Waccamaw' River.
Smaller streams, often- intermittent, flow, from the pacasin east to the Cape
Year River vrim T'owm Creek and south to the Lackwoods Folly River.. The vast
peat areas, and lower portions. of savannahs are wetlands as classified by the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.. The source of Driving Creek is an extensive,
boggy, area, lacally termed the "'soups"' (Map 1). The probable source of water
to, this- area. is .rainfall which drains laterally through ,the peat,, ECharles
Daniels, USGS Hydrologist,, personal communication). 1t is'possible that the
arem is am aquifer discharge from lower stratigraphnic units
Rydrmlagxcal dynamfas within pocasins are little, understood. Lateral flow
witfirirn the peat is, slow- due to its lawn permeability. Surface flora during the
Idgh water seasam Cwinter. and, spring) is more rapid. FPH intends to place a
13

To
Bolton
urivinD(
Creek
NC Rt. 211
Map 2
Generalized Soil Map of the Green Swamp
.t
j Undo ermined
To US. 17�: '
Supply
GREEN SWAMP PRESERVE
V— To Supply Scale: 1:79200
1" = 100 chains
vrm4fiea-
i
t
i
i
t
Pocosin soils (Histosols)
Savannah Soils
Dare-Dorovan series
Foreston-Wrightsboro series
Torhunta series
'��-
Leon series
Pamlico-Ponzer series
Lynchburg series
Rains series
Figure 23. Green Swamp Preserve
Soils Map
134

Map 2
Key to the Generalized Soil Map of the Green Swamp
Pocosin Soils
Dare series - Dystic, thermic Typic Medisaprist
Dorovan series - Dystic, thermic typic medisaprist.
Deep, very poorly drained, extremely acid (pH=4.5 or less) organic soils.
Water table is at or near the surface most of the year.
Pamlico series - Sandy or sandy skeletal, siliceous, dystic, thermic
Terric Medisaprist.
Ponzer series - Loamy, mixed, dystic, thermic Terric Medisaprist.
Moderately deep, slow to moderate permeability, very poorly drained,
extremely to very strongly acid organic soils. The water table is at
or near the surface 6 to 12 months of the year.
Torhunta-series - Coarse loamy, siliceous, acid, thermic Typic Humaaquepts.
Moderately deep, moderately permeable, very strongly acid (pH=4.5-5.0),
very poorly drained loamy fine sand of partial fluvial origin.
Savannah Soils
Foreston series - Coarse loamy, siliceous, thermic Aquic Paleudult.
Wrightsboro series - Fine loamy, siliceous, thermic Aquic Paleudult:
Deep, Moderately permeable, very strongly acid, moderately well -drained
fine sandy loamy. Water table is within 2.5 feet of the surface 2 to 6
months of the year.
Leon series - Sandy, siliceous, thermic Aeric Haplaquods.
Deep, rapidly permeable., very strongly acid, poorly drained fine sandy soils.
Water table is within 10 inches of the surface 2 to 4 months of the year.
Lynchburg series - Fine loamy, siliceous, thermic Aeric Paleaquult.
Deep, rapidly permeable, strongly acid, poorly drained sandy loam.
Rains series - Fine loamy,_ siliceous, thermic Typic Paleaquult.
Deep, moderately permeable, very strongly acid, poorly drained sandy loam.
Water table is within 12 inches of the surface 2 to 6 months of the year.
135

drainage canal along the northern border of NCNC's land. Due to the peat's
low permeability, the water table is little affected "beyond 200 feet from the
ditchl. However, this ditch would effectively eliminate any surface and
subsurface flow entering the Conservancy's property, should such flow exist.
Measures need to be taken to monitor stream flow within Driving Creek to
determine any effects this canal may have on the swamp's hydrology over the
long term (see Scientific Use --Research and Appendix D).
Biotic Features
Flora
The three major community types in the Green Swamp --the pocosin and bay
forest, the savannahs, and the natural pine stands --have developed in association
with their particular abiotic characteristics coupled with.the pressure of
disturbance, primarily a long history of fire. The floral display within the
swamp includes a number of endangered and threatened species, insectivorous
plants, and orchids (Tables 1 and 2).
The pocosin and bay forest of NCNC's property include several plant
community types, all characterized by an organic peat soil and thick, almost
impenetrable shrubs laced with the thorny laurel -leaf catbrier (Smilax
laurifolia). The communities as defined and mapped by Kologiski include the
Pine-Ericalean Pocosin in the wetter, deeper peats, Conifer -Hardwood Pocosin
in shallower peats, and the Bay Forest along Driving Creek. The only location
of Atlantic white cedar (Chamaecyparis thyoides) is a'small, mixed, medium -aged
stand by the creek near Rt. 211. The communities within the pocosin grade from
one to another with no distinct boundaries.
The dynamics of the pocosin ecosystems are not fully understood, although
changes in vegetational structure and composition do occur with time. Nutrient
availability, depth of peat, hydroperiod (the effective time in which the water
table is at or above ground surface), and fire history appear to play roles in
community development. Fire exclusion or suppression would only allow increased
organic litter build-up, making likely the possibility of an even greater future
burn.
Savannahs are the most unique community and habitat within the Conservancy's
land. Approximately 230 acres of savannah lands exist within the property.
Ecosystematic inventories of five savannahs are found in Appendix K. Appendix L
contains descriptions and partial species lists for the other savannah islands.
The close proximity of the water table to the surface is crucial to the great
diversity found there. Within the domed or ridged savannahs occur a number of
136

Table 1
Endangered
and Threatened Plants
Species
Common Name
Habitat
§tatus
Agalinis aphylla
Scale -leaf gerardia
S
NC-EP
Amorpha georgiana
Georgian amorpha
S
NC-EP
Asclepias pedicellata
Stalked milkweed
S
NC-EP
Balduina atropurpurea
Purple balduina
S
First occurrence in 1:
(EP in S. Carolina)
Coreopsis gladiata
Swamp tickweed
S
NC-EP
Dionea muscipula
Venus fly -trap
S
NC-TE, Expl., T 78 SZ
T-Fed
Fotherfilla gardenii
Dwarf fothergilla
P
NC-TP
Habenaria integra
Yellow fringeless orchid
S
NC -TT
Helenium pinnatifidum
Dissected sneezeweed
S
NC-EP
Lophiola americana
Golden crest
P
NC-EP
Lysimachia asperulaefolia
Rough -leaf loosestrife
S
NC-EP, 78 S1
Parnassia caroliniana
Carolina parnassia
S
NC-TP
Peltandra sagittaefolia
Arrowleaf shieldwort
P
NC-TP
Pyxidanthera barbulata
Well's pyxie-moss
S
NC-EE
var. brevifolia
Rhynchospora alba
White beakrush
P.
NC-EP
Sarracenia rubra
Sweet pitcher plant
S&P
NC -TT, Expl.,
T fed
Sporobolus teretifolius
Wireleaf dropseed
S
NC -TT
S Savannah EE Endangered endemic
P Pocosin EP Endangered peripheral
TE Threatened endemic
TP Threatened peripheral
TT Threatened throughout
Expl. Exploited
NC Cooper, J.E., et. al., 1977. Endangered and Threatened Plants and Animals
of North Carolina. N.C. Museum of Natural History, Raleigh.
78 SM Ayensu, E.S. and R.A. De Filipps, 1978. Endangered and Threatened
Plants of the United States. Smithsonian Institute and World
Wildlife Fund, Washington, D.C.
T Fed Threatened, Federal Register 40 (127): 27823-27924. July 1, 1975.
13'7

Table 2
Orchids found in the Green Swamp
Calopogon barbatus
Bearded grass -pink
C. pallidus
Pale grass -pink
C. pulchellus
Grass -pink
Cleites divaricata
Spreading pogonia
Habenaria blephariglottis
White fringed orchis
H. ciliaris
Yellow fringed orchis
H. cristata
Crested fringed orchis
H. integra
Yellow fringeless orchis
Pogonia ophioglossoides
Rose pogonia
Spiranthes longilabris
Giant spiraled ladies' tresses
S. praecox
Grass leaved ladies' tresses
S. grayi
Little ladies' tresses
Insectivorous plants found in the Green Swam
Dionaea muscipula
Venus fly -trap
Drosera capillaris
Sundew
D. intermedia
Sundew
Pinguicula caerulea
Butterwort
P.Autea
Butterwort
Sarracenia catesbaei (flava x purpurea)
Pitcher Plant
S. flava
Trumpet pitcher plant
S. minor
Hooded pitcher plant
S. purpurea
Purple pitcher plant
S. rubra
Sweet pitcher plant
Utricularia cornuta
Bladderwort
U. inflata
Bladderwort
U. juncea
Bladderwort
U. purpurea
Bladderwort
U. subulata
Bladderwort
138

community types segregated concentrically according to moisture regime. The
wetter communities alongside the pocosin display the greatest diversity. As
many as fifty species of vascular plants have been noted here within a square
meter.
The maintenance of the savannah communities is dependent upon disturbance,
primarily the frequent occurrence of fire. Fire consumes shrubs and dead
plant material which accumulates, thus freeing the many low, herbaceous species
to sunlight. Additional disturbance has occurred during historic times. The
cutting of the longleaf pine and their use in naval industries may have spurred
herbaceous communities by reducing canopy shading. Early this century a garden
grew on Bean Patch Island. Soil disturbance by crayfish and the digging of
raccoons'in wet areas exposes ground to the establishment of many plant species.
The dynamics of these savannah communities are little understood, but various
forms of disturbance have and are continuing to play roles in their development.
The Nature Conservancy has approximately 228 acres of dry site, second
growth natural tree stands on the two southern projections. These are broken
down to 133 acres of longleaf pine, seventy-eight acres of loblolly, and
seventeen acres of pine/upland hardwoods (scrub oaks, sweetgum, etc.). Most
of these stands have had fire exclusion for a number of years, such that a
thick shrub layer of varying height dominates below the tree canopy. The soils
of the natural stands are generally drier than the wetter savannah lands,
theieby lacking the floral diversity and array of rare species of the latter.
However, these areas are suitable upland habitat for several animals including
deer and bear. Two large limestone sinks and several smaller ones are located
in the Myers-Clemmons tract. Although they have not been inventoried in detail,
they do not seem to be significant in relation to other sinks in southeast
North Carolina (Tim Nifong, UNC/CH Botany Department, personal communication).
Approximately 950 acres of loblolly and slash pine plantation exist on
NCNC property, primarily in the Myers-Clemmons and Beaverdam tracts. About
one-half of this acreage was planted in 1960/1961 on dry, sandy uplands with
a poor site index. Twelve acres of loblolly pine planted in 1961 are in need
of thinning at this time. The remaining plantation tracts are four -to -seven-
year stands of various site indices.
Fauna
The various communities within the Green Swamp prove habitat to a number
of animal species. Table 3 lists the rarer animals found in the NCNC natural
area or noted in the Green Swamp. Additional faunal information and studies
139

Table 3
Rare Animals in the Green Swamp Siting
Species Common Name Status NCNC GS
Fish:
Elassoma (new species) Pigmy sunfish Driving Cr.
Lepomis marginatus Dollar sunfish Small Borrow Pits
Amphibians and Reptiles:
Alligator mississippiensis American alligator E X
Crotalus adamanteus Eastern diamondback E X
Micrurus fulvius fulvius
Birds:
Ciconiiformes
Eudocimus albus
Nyctanassa violacea
Nycticorax nycticorax
Passeriformes
Aimophila aestivalis
Dendroica petechia
D. virens
Helmitheros swainsoni
Lanius ludovicianus
Protonotaria citrea
Pelecaniformes
Anhinga anhinga
Piciformes
Picoides borealis
Falconiformes
Accipiter striatus
Buteo jamaicensis
B. lineatus
Cathartes aura
Circus cyaneus
Coragyps stratus
Falco sparverius
Pandion haliaetus
rattlesnake
Eastern coral snake SC X
White ibis SC X
Yellow -crowned night heron SC X
Black -crowned night heron SC X
Bachman's sparrow T
Yellow warbler SC X
Black -throated green warbler SC
Swainson's warbler SC
Loggerhead shrike SC
Prothonotary warbler SC
Anhinga
T
Red -cockaded woodpecker
E
X
Sharp -shinned hawk
T
g
Red-tailed hawk
SC
X
Red -shouldered hawk
T
X
Turkey vulture
T
X
Marsh hawk
Undet.
X
Black vulture
T
X
American kestrel
T
X
Osprey
SC
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
140

Table 3 (cont.)
Siting
Species. Common Name Status NCNC GS
Mammals:
Condylura cristata Star -nose mole X
Felis concolor Eastern cougar E X
(perhaps var. coryi) (Florida)
Lasiurus seminolus Seminole bat Undet. X
Odocoileus virginianus White-tailed deer X
(remnant of nearly extirpated southern population)
Plecotus rafinesquii
macrostis Rafineque's big -eared bat Undet. X
Ursus americanus Black bear SC X
1 As listed in Cooper, J.E., et. al., 1977. Endangered and Threatened Plants
and Animals of North Carolina, N.C. Museum of Natural History, Raleigh.
141

are found in Appendices G, H, and I. Information on specific nesting or
denning areas is needed to determine species status. Nesting and feeding
trees for the red -cockaded woodpecker exist on Bean Patch Island and
Shoestring Island. Bear and deer commonly feed on upland sites, although
the pocosin supports some seasonal forage and supplies refuge.
LEGAL,INFORMATION
The Conservancy's property has tax-exempt status in Brunswick County.
The. area is classified as forestland in the 1976 Brunswick County Land Use
Plan. The land is leased to the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
as gameland and as a bear sanctuary. Copies of the letter granting tax-exempt
status, the NCWRC lease, and the county land use plan map are on file at the
NCNC office in Chapel Hill.
OBJECTIVES OF THE GREEN SWAMP STEWARDSHIP PLAN
A broad set of objectives is essential to the stewards of the Green Swamp,
not only as directives for present decisions, but also as guidelines in
approaching future problems which will inevitably arise. The objectives are:
1. To protect, maintain, and enhance the natural communities and
features within the property including the savannahs, pocosin,
and natural pine stands, and variations within these.
2. To protect and enhance unusual plant and animal species,
including endangered or threatened species, insectivorous
plants, orchids, and red -cockaded woodpecker.
3. To make the natural area available for educational and
scientific use by teachers and researchers.
4. To make portions available to the general public for aesthetic
appreciation.
5. To foster local interest in and appreciation of the natural
qualities of the area.
6. To optimally maintain suitable existing pine plantations as
sources of income for the Green Swamp and other NCNC
stewardship programs.
The first two objectives are interrelated and of primary importance. Without
the maintenance of the swamp's natural features, the remaining goals lose their
purpose.
THREATS TO THE. NATURAL FEATURES
Three major threats to the natural features of the Green Swamp exist. The
first is the loss of many savannah plant sp ties due to the long-term exclusion

of fire. In the absence of fire, shrubs and dead grass material will shade
out many of the low -growing herbs. Shrub invasion is most critical in the
savannah-pocosin ecotone, an excellent habitat for many significant herbaceous
species. Aerial photographs taken in 1937 show more extensive open savannahs
than at present. Roads and drainage canals coupled with wildfire suppression
have, in general, reduced fire frequency and subsequently reduced the area of.
open savannah. Through a systematic program of prescribe burning, NCNC will
be able to maintain its savannah lands and associated species and check
encroachment by shrubs.
The second threat is the destruction of sensitive savannah communities
through excessive trampling by visitors. The wetter portions are dense with
species diversity, and one cannot help but step on a venus flytrap and other
significant plants when walking through. Major destruction occurs when several
persons successively travel the same path. With the limited area of these wet
habitats along the savannah edges, a significant portion may be destroyed
without careful guidance and monitoring of visitor use.
A severe threat is the theft of plants, either the venus flytrap and
other commercially valuable species, or timber for firewood. Many persons
have been seen collecting plants along Rt. 211, and timber trespass has been
reported at a couple of localities. Dealing with plant collectors will
involve the regular patroling of sites most vulnerable to collection, primarily
the savannahs along Rt. 211. Additional assistance in discovering and
identifying collectors may be available from paper company employees, Forest
Service personnel, hunters, and frequent visitors. Any persons found digging
plants will be told to leave the property, after it is explained to them the
damage they are causing. NCNC may wish to prosecute second offenders for
trespassing. Dealing with the problem posed by large-scale plant collectors
involves a degree of understanding for their situation. Many have minimal
alternative income. Collectors may prove stubborn, and prosecution could evoke
a violent reprisal such as arson. Such occurrences have been known to take
place; thus, care and tactfulness is necessary on the part of the patroller.
Protection of the venus flytrap under North Carolina law expired July 1, 1980.
Presently, an alternative, more effective law is under consideration by the
Plant Protection Section of the N.C. Department of Agriculture.
143

NATURAL AREA INVENTORY FORM
Preliminary Reconnaissance Survey
Brunswick County, North Carolina
1. Natural Area Name: Greenbank Bluff
2. Location: Site is a northwest --facing bluff along the Cape Fear
River, and is accessible by foot, or more easily, by
boat. From the water, Greenbank Bluff is located ca.
1.25 miles northeast of Neils Eddy landing (Columbus
County; see accompanying topographic quad sheet). By
foot, the site is ca. 2.0 miles west of.S.R. 1422.
3. Topographic Quadrangle Map Reference: Acme 1:62500.
Coordinates: 340221N latitude; 780101W longitude.
4.. Size: ca. 3.2 ha. (8.0 A.).
5. Elevation: 0 to 15 m (0 to 50 ft.).
6. Vegetation Classification Category: III.D. Upland Hardwood Community.
7. Investigator(s): Timothy D. Nifong
Box 29, Coker Hall, UNC
Chapel Hill, N. C. 27514
8. Access: Cape Fear River via Neils Eddy Landing.
r •�

9. Site Description:
Greenbank Bluff is the highest and steepest north --facing slope
within Brunswick County (see Acme, 1:62500, topographic quad sheet).
It is composed primarily of "greenish -black" clay., an outcropping of
the underlying Pee dee Formation exposed by r�verine downcutting, and
has an associated marl phase (Richards (1950)` notes that the-Peedee
Formation is composed mostly of sands, but that "calcareous or impure
limestone" and shell fragments are frequent (p.10)).
The dominant community type immediately above the bluff is Mixed
hardwoods --including southern sugar maple (Acer sacccharum sap.
floridanum) and beech (Fagus grrandifolia) most prominently --/Mixed
transgressive hardwoods and shrubs Christmas fern (Pol stichum
acrostichoides) or partridge berry (Mitchella repens). Moving
northward or southward along the bluff away from the exposed marl
outcrop), beech and sugar maple largely give way to pines (Pines
spp.) and mixed oaks ( uercus app.) in the canopy over mixed heaths
(Vaccinium spp. and others in the shrub layer. One notable area
in the northwesternmost portion of the bluff site exhibits a dense
groundcover of galax (Galax aphylla) and trailing arbutus (Epigaea
repens) under the Mixed d aks- pines/Mixed heaths.
The crest of the bluff itself is covered with very large (to
an estimated 25 cm DBH) wax myrtles (Myrica cerifera), most of which
are rooted at the slope crest and "recumbent" down the slope due to
erosion and slumping of the substrate material. Although piles of
slumped material at the base of the bluff and freshly exposed faces
on the 'tcliff" indicate that the site is not completely stabilized,
it nevertheless appears to exist in a relative state of equilibrium.
Wild hydrangea (Hydrangea arborescens) in dense stand covers most
of the bluff face. The very notable exception is a population of
grass -of -Parnassus (Parnassia ffrandifolia) which carpets the slope
in an expanse estimated at 2 m by 4 m in size.. In addition, several
large patches of scouring rush (Equisetum h eaale) cover portions
of the toe area of the bluff.
•
Richards, H. G. 1950. Geology of the coastal plain of North
Carolina. Trans. Amer. Philos. Soc., Philadelphia, 40: 1-83.

10. Ownership Summary:
a. Ownership type by percent area: Type
Private
Public %
Unknown %
b. Number of owners: two (2)
c. Name(s) and address(es) of owner(s):
Fred Keith, % Keith Realty, St, Paulo, N. Co
Sledge Chip Corporation, Box 523, Whiteville, N. C.
11. Land Use Status:
a. Natural area usage category: low intensity recreation to no.
apparent use.
b. Use of surrounding land:
(1) Undeveloped 100 %
(2) Developed: agricultural or silvicultural
(3) Developed: urban _.__. %
12. Management Summary:
a. Current preservation status:
Category
%
Description of preservation status
4
100
Private land protected by owners.
JAG

b. Threats:
Cate or
Description of threat
4
Develppment of area above bluff as low density
"residential" area poses only known potential
hazard.
c. Management recommendations:
This is an.isolated area.of the county, and little future
management is forseen under continuation of present site condi-
tions other than continued restriction of access to the site.
14- 7

13. Site Signficance Summary:
(1) The bluff is the location of a population of grass-of-Parnassas
(Parnassia grandifolia), disjunct from the southwest mounthins
of the state, where is rare.
(2) The high quality Mixed southern hardwoods/Mixed transgressives/
Polystichum acrostichoides community type above the bluff is
unusual for the southeast coast portion of the state.
(3) The large population of galax (Galax aphylla) above the bluff
area is significant for the southeast coast location.
(4) The site constitutes a high quality geologic outcrop, presumed
to be the Pee Dee Formation of Cretaceous age.
14. N. C. Natural Heritage Program Priority Rating:
High priority.
r »
..

15. Field Reconnaissance Data Summary Sheet:
FLORA --immediate bluff area only
Canopy: Mixed southern hardwoods (all species above bluff)
Acer saccharum ssp. floridanum
Fagus grandifolia
Juglans nigra
Quercus alba
Subcanopy: None
Transgressives: Not recorded
Shrubs: Hydrangea arborescens
Hydrangea arborescens
Myrica cerifera (crest of bluff) --tree sized here
Herbs: No dominants
Mitchella repens (above bluff)
Parnassia grandifolia
Ferns: Polystichum acrostichoides
Polystichum acrostichoides
Fern Allies: No dominants
Equisetum hyemale
Vines: No dominants
Lonicera sempervirens
FAUNA
None recorded
SOIL SUBGROUP
Not applicable.

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NATURAL AREA INVENTORY FORM
Preliminary Reconnaissance Survey
Brunswick County, North Carolina
1. Natural Area Name: Henrytown Savannah
2. Location: Site is located at end of private timber company service
road heading northwest from S.R. 1412, 0.7 mi. west of
its junction with highway US 17.
3. Topographic Quadrangle Map Reference: Winnabow 1:24000.
Coordinates: 340111N latitude; 78007'W longitude.
4. Size: ca. 2145 ha. (53 A.).
5. Elevation: 14 to 20 m (45 to 65 ft.).
6. Vegetation Classification Category: III.C.2. Sandhilla Associes/
II.E.2. Flatwoods.
7. Investigator(s): Timothy D. Nifong
Box 29, Coker Hall, UNC
Chapel Hill, N. C. 27514
8. Access: S.R. 1412 (see attached county road map).
i51

g. Site Description:
Henrytown Savannah is best described as an upland longleaf pine
(Pinus palustris) savannah. The site is not typical of extensive
savannah sites within the region, which are usually found on Pleistocene
backbarrier flats, but rather, is located on a gentle, 2 to 10 per
cent slope. It is further notable that the savannah is not ecotonal,
at least in the usual sense of the word, between the pacosin community
which borders it to the south and west (downslope), and the upland
sand ridge community which borders it to the north and east (upslope),
as the drier portions of the site are at its southern end, and the
savannah becomes more mesic in nature moving upslope.
Longleaf pine is the ever present canopy species. Downslope there
is no:>subcanopy or shrub layer, and the open herbaceous layer is domi-
nated by wire -grass (Aristida stricta) and xeric herbs alternating with
patches of bare white sand. Upslope, a low shrub layer approximately
0.5 to 1 m in height is present, dominated by a mixture of "pineland"
shrubs, especially dwarf huckleberry (Qa lussacia dumosa), squaw -huckle-
berry (Vaccinium stamineum), dwarf blueberry V. tenellum), and bitter
gallberry Ilex lg abra . Almost always creeping blueberry U.
crassifolium and wire -grass form a carpet beneath the shrub layer.
Although the longleaf pines of the canopy are generally small or
medium sized, mature round timber "flat -tops" are present at the site,
indicating that recent cutting of mature pines has not occured here,
as it has on many adjacent sites. Abundant evidences of past fires,
such as charred trunks and stumps., are present at the site.

10. Ownership Summary:
a. Ownership type by percent area:
Type
Private 100 %
Public %
Unknown %
.r_
b. Number of owners: three (3)
c. Name(s) and address(es) of owner(s):
Federal -Paper Board Co., P.O. Box 338, Bolton, N. C. 28423;
International Paper Co., 4354 Market St., Wilmington, N. C. 28401;
Lizzie James, Rt. 2, Box 426, Leland, N. C. 28511.
11. Land Use Status:
a. Natural area usage category: low intensity, managed timberland,
to no apparent use.
b. Use of surrounding land:
(1) Undeveloped 100 %
(2) Developed: agricultural or silvicultural
(3) Developed: urban %
12. Management Summary:
a. Current preservation status:
.Category
%
Description of preservation status
6
100;
Private land, not protected by owners.
153

b. Threats:
Categorl
Description of threat
3
Timbering by owners and subsequent replanting
as pine plantation.
c. Management recommendations:
A program of regular prescribed burning of the site should
be instituted. Burning every three to five years should be
sufficient, as this site is generally semi-xeric in nature, and
does not therefore produce extremely large masses of above-
ground biomass annually.
Drainage of peripheral areas offers little concern relative
to this particular site, as the savannah itself is, atypically,
naturally a well to somewhat excessively drained upland location.
Further, because access to the area is•so limited, little threat
to the site from the public at large is foreseen.
154

13. Site Significance Summary:
(1) This is one of only a very few extensive, upland (slope) savan-
nahs known, and the only such one occurring over an Entic
Haplohumod soil. In addition, the mesic, upelope portion of
the site seems to represent an area::of-incipient sink or
bay:,formation.
14. N. C. Natural Heritage Program Priority Rating:
local priority.
Iss

15. Field Reconnaissance Data Summary Sheet: (coat.)
FAUNA
Birds:
Cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)
Chimney Swift (Chaetura pelagica)
Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas)
Great -crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus crinitus)
Prairie Warbler (Dendroica discolor)
Rufous -sided Towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus)
White -eyed Vireo (Vireo-griseus)
SOIL SUBGROUP
Entic Haplohumods: spodic horizon at 80 cm.

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CL

NATURAL AREA INVENTORY FORM
Preliminary Reconnaissance Survey
Brunswick County, North Carolina
1. Natural Area Name: Long Bays Savannah
2. Location: Site is located east of S. R. 13219 0,7 mile south of
its junction with S. R. 1322,
3.. Topographic Quadrangle Map Reference: Freeland 1:2400o.
Coordinates: 340011N latitude; 78032'W longitude.
4. Size: ca. 21.9 ha. (54 A.).
5. Elevation: 20 m (65 ft.).
6. Vegetation Classification Category: II.E.2. Flatwoods.
7. Investigator(s): Timothy D. Nifong
Box 29t Coker Hall, UNC
Chapel Hill, N. C. 27514
8. Access: S. R. 1321 (see attached county road map).
158

9. Site Description:
Long Bays Savannah represents one of few remaining extensive
longleaf pine (Pious palustris), sandy soil savannah sites in the
area. Though soils here.are sandy, throughout the profile, an under-
lying spodic horizon perches the water table, making this a much
wetter site than soil texture alone would indicate it to be.
Canopy pines here are large in comparison with most savannah
sites in the county, though DBH's were not measured. Although
abundant evidence of past frequent fires is presentt fire has been
excluded from the site for several years, resulting in the growth
of an open, mixed shrub layer, consisting of most of the "typical"
evergreen and ericaceous "bay" shrub species (seelPreliminary Field
Reconnaissance Data Summary Sheet".species list). This shrub layer
stands at approximately 1 to 1.5 meters in height. The "herbaceous"
layer dominants are creeping blueberry (Vaccinium crassifolium)
and wire -grass (Aristida stricta).
The savannah site is essentially bordered on all sides by.pond
pine (P. serotina) pocosin, within a series of Carolina bays and
connecting drainages. The boundary between pocosin and savannah
tends to be rather abruptt rather than ecotonal. (gradual), in nature,
although.the latter situation_,is the-.usual:eass within the area.

10. Ownership Summary:
a. Ownership type by percent area:
b. Number of owners: one (1)
c. Name(s) and address(es) of owner(s):
Canal Industries, Inc.
Box 830
Conway, S. C. 29526.
11, Land Use Status:
a. Natural area usage category:
apparent use.
Type
Private
1ZL-6
Public
%
Unknown
%
low intensity recreation to no
b.. Use of surrounding land:
(1) Undeveloped 100 % (but approximately 25% of surrounding land
recently subdi ided into lots and presently for sale).
(2) Developed: agricultural.or silvicultural %
(3) Developed: urban %
12. Management Summary:
a. Current preservation status:
Category
%
Description of preservation status
Privatst lan4, not protected by owner,
160

b. Threats:
Descri tion of threat
.Categorl
a' a
replanjing ol sitsitg as Ring plantation bv
owner,
c. Management recommendations:
(1) A program of prescribed --probably annual --burning should
be instituted at the site.
(2) Drainage ditches peripheral to the site along its eastern
boundary should be closed if possible to prevent long
term changes in the site to some extent.
161

13. Site Significance Summary:
(1) The site represents the most extensive high quality longleaf
Pine (Pinus palustris) savannah over a Haplaquod soil known
in the region.
(2) Three species of special concern were noted at the site. -
(a) Witch -alder (Fotherg_ i� lla gardenii) is present among the
savannah shrub species.
(b) Red -cockaded Woodpeckers (Picoides borealis) were noted at
the site, although no cavity trees were located; this
species is on the federal list of endangered species.
(c) Bachman's Sparrow,(Aimophila aestivalis); a threatened
species within the state, was prevent at the site.
(3) An extremely large population of yellow star -grass (Hypoxis
uncea), an infrequent savannah species within the state,
occurs at this site.
14. N. C. Natural Heritage Program Priority Rating:
High priority.

15. Field Reconnaissance Data Summary Sheet
FLORA
Canopy:, Pinus palustris
Pinus palustris
Subcanopy: None
Transgressives: No dominants
Diospyros virginiana
Magnolia virginiana
Nyssa sylvatica
Persea borbonia
Pinus serotina
Rhus copallina
Sassafras albidum
Shrubs: Mixed pineland shrubs
Fothergilla gardenii
Gaylussacia dumosa
G. frondosa
Ilex coriacea
I. glabra
Kalmia angustifolia var. caroliniana
Lyonia ligustrina
L. mariana
Myrica cerifera var. pumila
M. heterophylla
Rhododendron atlanticum
Sorbus arbutifolia
Vaccinium atrococcum
V. tenellum
Subshrub: Vaccinium crassifolium
Vaccinium crassifolium
Herbs: Aristida stricta
Agalinis sp.
Andropogon virginicus
Arsitida stricta
Arundinaria gigantea
Carphephorus tomentosus
Dichanthelium ensifolium (?)
Drosera capillaris
Hypericum fasciculatum (?)
H. reductum
Hypoxis juncea
Juncus scirpoides
Polygala.lutea
Pterocaulon pycnostachyuan
Pyxidanthera.barbulata
Rhexia alifanus
Scleria sp.
t

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15. Field Reconnaissance Data Summary Sheet: (cont.)
Herbs: (cunt.)
Trilisa paniculata
Utricularia subulata
Xyris sp.
Vines: No dominants
Smilax laurifolia
Ferns: No dominants
Osmunda cinnamomea
Pteridium aquilinum
Moss: No dominant
Sphagnum sp.
FAUNA
Birds:
Bachman's Sparrow (Aimophila aestivalis)
Bobwhite (Colinus virginianus)
Brown -headed Nuthatch (Sitta pusilla)
Common Flicker (Colaptes auratus)
Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas)
Great -crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus crinitus)
Pine Warbler (Dendroica pinus)
Prairie Warbler (D. discolor)
Red -bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus)
Red -cockaded Woodpecker (Picoides borealis)
Rufous -sided Towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus)
Summer Tanager (Piranga rubra)
Mammal:
Eastern Cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus)
SOIL SUBGROUP
Aeric Haplaquods.

NATURAL AREA INVENTORY FORM
Preliminary Reconnaissance Survey
Brunswick County, North Carolina
1. Natural Area Name: McKinzie Pond Marsh
2, Location: Site is reached by travelling 1.35 miles west on S. R.
1521 from its junction with highway NC 133 to the entrance
to the Orton Wildlife Refuge, then south on dirt road 1.1
miles; site is northwest of landing at end of dirt road.
3. Topographic Quadrangle Map Reference: Carolina Beach 1:24000.
Coordinates: 340041N latitude; 77059'w longitude.
4. Size: ca. 8.5 ha. (21 A.).
5. Elevation: 0 to 1.5 m (0 to 5 ft.).
6. Vegetation Classification Category: II.B.2. Brackish Marsh
7. Investigator(s): Timothy D. Nifong
Box 299 Coker Hall, UNC
Chapel Hill, N. C. 27514
8. Access: S. R. 1521 (see attached county road map).
sss

9. Site Description:
McKinzie Pond Marsh is -almost completely dominated by a single
brackish --fresh water marsh species, saw grass-.(Cladium jamaioenee).
In a few places common cattail (Typha latifolia) assumes minor impor-
tance within the stand. Only three woody species were observed
in the marsh --red maple (Acer xubrum), swamp dogwood (Corpus stricta),
and swamp willow (Salix caroliniana). Individuals of these woo
species range from immature to more characteristically) fairly old -
although stunted and small --and it is not clear whether succession
or retrogression, if either, is taking place at the site.
The saw grass marsh occurs primarily along the north boundary
of McKinzie Pond, and extends from the pond's edge to the upslope
area of the surrounding uplands, which are dominated by mixed pine
and oak woods (see "Blue Pond Complex" report, 1979, N. C. Natural
Heritage Program files for description). To the east and west the
marsh is bordered by typical mixed bottomland hardwoods (see "Intro-
duction" for description),
McKinzie Pond itself is located at the point where Allen Creek
becomes Lilliput Creek (see topographic quad sheet), and is in
essence simply a broad, rounded basin within the creek drainage.
Its origin is unknown, but it is suggested here that because it is
located in a region.of abundant limesinks underlain by the Eocene
Castle Hayne Formation, that perhaps McKinzie Pond represents a
limesink that was dissected by an active drainage system, or alter-
natively, a sinkhole occurring within an established drainage.basin.
Observed vegetation within the open water of the pond is limited`
to scattered patches of cow -lily (Nuphar lu�teu_m) and duckweed (Lemma
,perpusilla).

10.. Ownership Summary:
a. Ownership type by percent area:
Type
Private
100 %
Public
%
Unknown
%
b. Number of owners: one (1)
c. Name(s) and address(es) of owner(s):
Lawrence G. Sprunt et al.
Box 3625
Wilmingtong N. C. 28401.
11, Land Use Status:
a. Natural area usage category: low intensity recreation (fishing).
b. Use of surrounding land:
(1) Undeveloped 100 %
(2) Developed: agricultural or silvicultural
(3) Developed: urban
12. Management Summary:
a. Current preservation status:
Category
%
Description of preservation status
4
100
Private land, posted by owner, and patrolled
by agent for the N.C. Wildlife Resources
Commission, by lease agreement.

b. Threats:
Descri tion of threat
.Category
4
No known threat exists under the present owner--
NCWRC management agreement.
c. Management recommendations:
This area is currently given protection sufficient to ensure
site integrity, and little site management is necessary or
recommended.
169

13. Site Significance Summary:
(1) The site represents the only essentially "landlocked" or
"upland" (non estuarine) saw grass (Cladium jamaicense) marsh
known.
(2) Two species of special`.concern occur at the site:
(a) Ludwigia repens (N. C. Heritage files);
W Alli ator mississippiensis (on federal endangered species
list).
14. N, C. Natural Heritage Program Priority Rating:
local priority.

15. Field Reconnaissance Data Summary Sheet:
FLORA
Canopy: None
Subcanopy: None
Transgressives: No dominants
Acer rubrum
Cornus stricta
Salix caroliniana
Shrubs: No dominants
Myrica cerifera
Rosa palustris
Herbs:
Carex sp.
Cladium jamaicense
Erianthus op.
Lemna perpusilla (pond)
Ludwigia repens (N. C. Natural Heritage Program files)
Nuphar luteum (pond)
Scirpus sp.
Typha latifolia
Ferns: No dominants
Woodwardia virginica
FAUNA
No list compiled
SOIL SUBGROUP
Terric Medisaprists.

Dame of area: Orton Pond natural area
County: .3-runswick
Location description: Orton Pond is reached by travelling 12.'* miles
south on highway 'iC 133 fro^ its junction with highwav US 17, to the
roir_t There the road fort proceed1.'� miles south on the left-hand
fork (S.R.1529),at which point the road crosses the Orton Pond da-m.
The Orton Pond :'atuual Area is bordered on the north and :aest by ITC 133,
on the s uth by the Sunny Point:ilitary Ocean Terminal (?'CTS>7), and
except in the immediate Orton Creek (dam) vicinity, on the east by S.R.
1529.
Elevation: Sea level to 15 m (50 ft.) above sea level.
Topographic quad map reference: Carolina Beach 1:24000 (map attached)
Ownershio information: Kenneth M. Sprunt
1726 Fairway Drive or Orton Plantation
Wilmington, N.C. 28403 Clarendon, :.C. 20-432
Report prepared by:
Timothy D. :lifon;;
Box 29, Coker Hall
Dept. of Botany, UNC
Chapel Hill, N.C. 27514
Ed-ar P. Roberts, Jr.
2710 Bartram Road
Winston-Salem, N.C. 2710�
Other persons knowledgeable about the site:
Dr. James F. Parnell
Dent. of Biology, U?:C-'r:
Wilmington, N.C. 28401
Current use and protection status:
The entire Orton Pond area is privately owned and under private admin-
istration, and is zealously guarded against outside trespass or other unau-
thorized use of the area. It is probable that it is this very close atten-
tion which has allowed this unique area to remain in a relat=vely undisturbed
state as compared to the surrounding- area, and which has perpetuated the
high site quality relative to vegetational communities, as well as actual
and potential wildlife usage.
Orton Pond itself is used primarily for hunting and fishing a small
number of individuals, which has very little lasting impact on the area.
No other human activities in the area are known, although it is probable
that some merchantible timber either exists or has been harvested adjacent
to the upper reaches of the pond.
It is quite rossible that song future detrimental effects co:ald oc.ur
among the slant and animal species assemblages that occupy the Ton's Branch
arm of Orton Pond, as a result of saline contamination resultinT `ron
s4lt seepa.c,e into the groundwater from s_roils material deposited b,, the
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the drainage areas adjacent to 1'o^'s
173

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nzie Pond
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Branch on the nearby Sunny Point Military Ocean Terminal (MOTSU).
The Sampson Pond area contains a number of high quality doline
pond sites, which exist in very good condition relative to other similar
sites in the area. Sampson Pond was once used for swimming and other
recreation on a small scale, but this use has apparently been larr-ely
discontinued in recent years. The ponds are all located in an area which
is vegetated primarily by a stand of second growth longleaf pine (Pinus
palustris), although other successional communities are present in sur-
rounding tracts which have been disturbed at some time in the past. It
is not known if there are future plans to harvest timber in the Sampson
Pond area.
Vegetation and plant communities:
Any extensive discussion of Orton Pond Natural Area vegetational com-
munities would be relatively meaningless, since access to the area was
not granted by the landowner, and consequently, no vegetation sampling
was possible. However, in viewing aerial photography of the ^ond area
in conjunction with field reconnaisance as was afforded from ^ublic
roads, it appears likely that the most extensive upland plant communities,
such as occur in the Sampson Pond area and in the upland areas west of
Orton Pond, are very similar to those comparable communities described
in the Boiling Springs Lakes area report, which deals with the directly
adjacent area west of Orton Pond.
Kmown vegetational communities in the immediate vicinity of Crton
Pond are somewhat unique, and in view of both the age of the pond itself
and the topography of the immediately surrounding upland areas, a sam-
pling of vegetational communities on and arl-acent to the pond nargins
would probably be most interesting. 3ecause the lake io relatively exten-
sive and very old, huge beds of aquatic sr.ecies, such as water s`Iield
(Brasenia sc'-xeberi), water milfoil (Nyrionh llum heleronhyil-,n), and
yellow nelu^nbo Nelumbo l utea) exist within the pond'. rald cypress
(Taxodium dictichu- occurs in dense stand along the margins of the pond,
and as stunted individuals scattered throughout the -nond. In addition,
bluff areas to the north of the pond are vegetated by a relatively mature
oak --hickory hardwood forest, as well as by mature stands of longleaf
pine in some areas.
Phyzical features:
General descri;;tion--Orton Pond, oriented in a SW -NE direction, resulted
from the damming of Orton Creek. In its upper reaches the ^or_d is
flanked by a series of relatively steep bluffs. Towards the eastern en
of the pond, a series of hills and low ridges occur interspersed with
a series of shallow, irregularly -shaped depressions (e.az., Campson Pona).
Topography --Both N- and S-facing bluffs surround much of Orton Pond.
Relief ranges to 15 m in the pond's westernmost extensions, but is
generally in the range of 6 m at the eastern pond margin. '_'orals Occur-
ring -near the SE end of Orton Pond have gently to moderately -sloping
malls, and are believed to have resulted from subsurface solution of
limestone deposits, followed by subsequent surface slumping.
el
Geology --The surficial sediments are marine -deposited sands and clays of
the Pamlico Terrace of Pleistocene are, overlying the Castle Hayne
Limestone of Eocene age.
1Parnell, J.F. 1979. Personal communication. Dept. Biology, UNC-W,
Wilmington, N.C. 28401.
174

Rare plants and animals:
'otamogeton illinoensis: Endangered peripheral. Occurs in area of the
dam on Orton Pond.
Rhyncospora _oleiantha: Endangered peripheral. From rim of doline pond
north of Sampson Pond.
Alligator mississippiensis: Endangered. Breeds in tree?: areas of
Orton Pond.
Anhinga anhinga: Threatened. Known to breed regularly at Crton Pond.
Dend--ocopus borealis: Endangered. Mature cavity trees (longleaf
pine) known to be located N and W of pond.
Probably also occur S of Orton Pond in the
Sampson Pond area. Fire protection of area
believed to be having detrimental effects on
appropriate habitat for this species.
Elliptio sp.: S,,ecial concern. Population may be threatened by
saline contamination of groundwater in Tomis Branch
area caused by dredged spoils disposal in upland
area of the adjacent MOTSU property.
Microtus pennsylvanicus: Special concern. Breeding population in
the area.
Neotorna floridans: Special concern. Breeding population in the area.
Pandion haliaetus: Special concern. 51 nesting pairs were observed
on Orton Pond in 1971. Records of osprey nest-
ing on pond date back to the turn of the cen-
tury. Nesting occurs in bald cypress on Orton
'Pond and in the Orton Creek swamp just below the
dam, as well as in pond cypress on Sampson Pond.
Area believed extremely important as a refugia
from which adjacent areas of suitable habitat might be
colonized as population increases.
Sciurus niger: Special concern. Range of the fox squirrel is much
reduced in the area due to timberins operations.
Survival of the species critically related to the
availability of mast from mature stands of longleaf
nine, such as still remain in the Orton -Pond --Sampson
fond area.
Publications and scientific references:
Blankenship, D.R. 1965. Reconnaissance of the ground -water
resources of the South ort--Elizabethtowr. area, 'North Carolina. N.C.
Dept. 'dater Res., Div. Ground Water, Ground-'r:ater Bul. No. 6: 47 pp.
Daniels, R.B., et. al. 1978. -,,e of so-1 landscapes in the coastal
plain of North Carolina. Soil Sci.. Soc. Am. J. 42: 93-105.
Parnell, J.F. &. R. Walton. 1972. Osprey reproductive success in
southeastern North Carolina. In Transactions of the North American
Osprey Rcsearch Conference, J.C. Ogden, ed. US Dept. Int. Nat. Park
Serv. ::'ashington, D.-C.
175

Site ecological significance:
A summarization of the ecologically sir
nificart feat;:res of the Orton --
Sampson Pond area follows:
1) Existence of a very old --and very lar.;e relative to other lakes in
the area --bode of freshwater, Orton Pond, in a relatively undisturbed
state.
2) Presence within Orton Pond of at least one threatened or endan-.eyed
plant species, the endangered peripheral aquatic, pon dweed (Potamoaeton
illinoensis), and the probable occurrence of other such species at
the site.
3) The current and historical importance of Orton Pond as a breedin-
area for many species of birds, of which the water turkey (Anhin^-a
anhinSa) is threatened, and the osprey (:-andion haliaetus) is a
species of special concern; the osprey is also kncwn to nest at
Sampson Pond. The breeding habitat constituted by Orton 'Pond is
believed to be critical to Maintenance of current nonulation levels
of these species.
4) Use of the Orton Pond area by other animal species of significance,
including the American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis), an
endan-eyed species, and one or more species of the pop spi
ce (Elliptio
sp.), a mollusk of special concern.
5) Existence of a number of high quality, relatively undisturbed doline
ponds that exhibit marked vegetation zonation and hi,h species
diversity.
6) Presence of at least one endangered "doline pond species," beak
rush (Bhyncospora nleiantha), with excellent areas of habitat
present for the occurrence of other such "sink" species of special
significance.
7) Importance of the mature longleaf nine forest surrounding ;such of
the Orton --Sampson Pond area, known to contain a population of red -
cockaded woodpeckers (Dendrocopus borealis), an endangered species,
as well as known to constitute an area of critical habitat for
several animal species of special concern --the fox squirrel (Sciuris
nicer), Eastern wood rat (:leotorna floridanOL)
Idanal-ement recommendations:
Due to the incomplete database, relative to the entire extent of this
ecologically diverse area, which exists to this point, in conjunction
with the current exclusion from the area of most outside interests, it
is felt that any attempt to outline Management recommendations for the
area would be premature and relatively useless.
It is hoped that those persons who use and control usage of the Orton
Pond --Sampson Pond area will realize its extreme ecological importance,
and continue to preserve it --as they lar-ely have in the past --in its
current, relatively undisturbed condition.
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45 — —
INTERIOR -GEOLOGICAL SURVEY. WASHINGTON. D. C.-1992 7/I) •[. 34'OO'
MR 1-1 L 78�00'
Green Pond ROAD CLASSIFICATION tio,Z
Savannah
, 1111.,vv duly LiKnI duty
I MEIEN
Figure 30. Orton Pond (West End) JL79 Unimproved dirt
♦•7 U. S. Route S'3te Route
r.

FLORA SPECIES LIST
The following species list contains either those species which were either rela-
tively readily identifiable from a distance or occurred adjacent to public access
roads through the area, and species records reported firsthand by reliable taxoni-
mists, as access to the Orton,Pond and Sampson Pond areas was not granted. Those
species records which are marked with an asterisk were kindly provided to me
by Dr. A.E. Radford, UNC-Chapel Hill, from a 1951 collection of the area.
Orton Pond Area:
Bacopa carolinia.na*
Bra.senia schreberi
Cambomba caroliniana*
Ceratophyllum echinatum*
Echinodorus cordifolius*
Habenaria repens*
Hydrochloa caroliniensis*
Ilex cassine*
Myriophyllum heterophyllum
Najas sp.*
Nelumbo lutea
Nymphaea odorata
Nuphar luteum ssp. macrophyllum
Pontederia cordata
Potamogeton illinoensis
Sagittaria graminea*
Taxodium distichum
Typha latifolia
Samt;son Pond Area:
Trees: Nyssa sylvatica var. biflora
Pinus palustris
P. taeda
P. serotina
Taxodium ascendens
Shrubs:
Herbs:
Forbs--
Cephalanthus occidentalis
Cyrilla racemiflora
Ilex coriacea
I. glabra
Lyonia lucida
Magnolia virginiana
Myrica cerifera
Persea borbonia
Vaccinium arboreum
V. stamineum
Bartonia virginica
Burmannia biflora
Habitat:
marshy pond edge
floating aquatic
swa., edge
sWidy pond edge
swam_ edge
s::a: edge
swami edge
swa-_ edge
submersed aquatic
sandy pond 'edge
floating aquatic
floating aquatic
floating aquatic
marshy pond edge
pond edge
swa-- edge
pond margins; scat-
tered througout, 7c:
marshy pond edge
U M

Centella asiatica
Drosera capillaris
D. intermedia
Eleocharis microcarpa
Eriocaulon compressum
E. sp.
Hypericum reductum
Lachnanthes caroliniana
Ludwigia alternifolia
Polygala cymosa
P. lutea
Rhexia lutea
R. mariana
Utricularia biflora
U. fibrosa*
Xyris sp.
Aquatics-- Brasenia schreberi*
Cabomba caroliniana*
Egeria densa*
Myriophyllum heterophyllum*
Najas guadalupensis*
Nuphar luteum ssp. macrophyllum
Nymphaea odorata
Nymphoides aquatica
Potamogeton sp.*
Graminoids-- Aristida stricta
Carex comosa*
Juncus sp. (elliottii g oup)
P anicum verrucosum
P . sp.
P. sp. (no. 2)
Rhyncospora filifolia
R. harveyi
R. pleiantha
Sacciolepis striata
Scleria ciliata
Ferns and fern allies-- Lycopodium al.opecuroides
L — appressum
Woodwardia virginica
Vines: Smilax laurifoiia
S. sp.
Mosses: Sphagnum sp.

Fauna Species List: Orton Pond Natural Area
Desmo nathus fuscus --Northern .dusky Salamander
Plethodon glutinosus - Slimy salamander
Acris gryllus - Southern cricket frog
Bufo americanus -American toad
Bufo querci cus _ Oak toad
Bufo terrestris _ Southern toad
Hyla cinerea - Green treefrog
Hyla crucifer _ Spring peeper _
jy a femoralis _ Pine woods treefrog
Hyla souirella -Squirrel tree frog
Pseudacris ornata _ Ornate chorus frog
Rana catesbeiana. - Bullfrog
Rana clamitans clamitans - Bronze frog
Rana virgatipes -Carpenter frog
Didelphi s marsunialis - Opossum
Glaucomys volans Southern flying squirrel
Lynx rufus - Bobcat
Microtus pennsylvanicus - Meadow vole
Neotorna'I.oridan9 -Eastern wood rat
Odocoileus virginianus - Whitetail deer
Oryzomys palustris - Eastern rice rat
Peromyocus gossypinus - Cotton mouse
Peromyscus nuttalli - Golden mouse
Procyon lotor - Raccoon
Reithrodontomys humilis -Eastern harvest mouse
S.talopus aquaticus -Eastern mole
Sciurus carolinensis - Eastern gray squirrel
Sciurus niger - Fox squirrel
Sigmodon hispidus - Common cotton rat
Sylvilagus floridanus - Eastern cottontail
Sylvilagus palustris - Marsh rabbit
Uroc�yon cinereoargent eus - Grey fox
R-UYN

0
' Alligator miss issippiensis — American alligator
Chelydra serpentina - Common snapping turtle
Chrysemys concinna - River cooter
Chrysemys scripta - yellow -bellied pond slider
Clemmys guttata - Spotted turtle
Sternotherus odoratus - Stinkpot
Terrapene carolina - Eastern box turtle
Anolis carolinensis - Green anole
Cnemidophorus sexlineatus - Six -lined racerunner
Eumeuces fasciatus _ Five -lined skink
Eumeuces inexpectatus - Southeastern five -lined skink
Eumeuces laticeps - Broad -headed skink
Ophisaurus attenuatus _ Eastern slender glass lizard
Ophisaurus ventralis - Eastern glass lizard
Aghistrodon contortrix - Southern copperhead
Aghistrodon piscivorus - Eastern cottonmouth
Carphophis amoenus amoenus - Eastern worm snake
Coluber constrictor - Black racer
Ela he guttata - Corn snake
Ela he obsoleta - Rat snake
Heterodon_ simus - Southern hognose snake
Lampropeltis getulus — Eastern mole snake
Masticophis flagellum - Eastern coachwhip
Natrix erythrogaster - Red -bellied water snake
Natrix faciata - Banded ,rater snake
Natrix taxispilota - Brown water snake
Opheodrys aestivus - Rough green snake
Rhadinaea flavilata = pine woods snake.
Sistrurus miliarius _ Carolina pygmy rattlesnake
Storeria occipitomaculata - Red -bellied snake
Thamnophis sauritus sauritus - Eastern ribbon snake
Thannophis sirtali.s sirtalis - Eastern garter snake
a
183

Anhinga anhinga leuco aster - Anhinga (water turkey)
Dendrocopus borealis- Red -cockaded woodpecker
Melanerpes erythrocephalus - Red-headed woodpecker
Pandion halioetus carolinensis - Osprey
IT

Name of area: Piver Bays Bog
County: Brunswick
Location description: The Piver Bays Bog area is reached by travellin-
west 0.25 mi. on highway NC 130 from its juncture with Co Rd. 1335•
The bog is located approximately 15m south of NC.130.
Elevation: 18.3m (60 ft.)Iabove sea level.
Physiographic region: Atlantic Plain Province: Coastal Plain
Section: Sea Islands Downwarp
Topographic quad map reference: Bxum 1:31680 (map attached).
Size: ca. 1.5 acres.
Ownership information: International Paper Company M
Shallotte, N.C. 28459-
Report prepared by: Timothy D. Nifon-
Box 29. Coker Fall
Dept. of Botany, MIC
Chapel Hill, N.C. 27514.
Other persons knowledgeable about site: Steve Leonard
Dept. of Biology
Florida State University
Tallahassee, Florida.
Current use and.protection status:
There is currently no known usage of this area. However, because it
is in a location and situation very similar to that of the Cypress Creek
Bog --adjacent to highway NC 130 and partially within a power line easement,
and on relatively non -productive paper company land --the Piver Bays Bog
is subject to the same sorts of possible threats as is the Cypress Creek
Bog area. These include possible use of herbicides by the power company
to maintain power line right-of-way clearance, possible clearing and sub-
sequent replanting of the area by the owner, and a possible widening of
highway IIC 130 (see Cypress Creek Boo Natural Area report).
Vegetation and plant communities:
With respect to vegetational communities, the Piver Bays Boo is very
similar to the Cypress Creek Bog area occurring some 15 miles northwest-
ward. The primary difference relates to the fact that the Piver Bays Bog
lies adjacent to NC 130 at a point where the road dissects the inner por-
tions of a series of adjacent Carolina bays; consequently, there is much less
of an extended, raised flat surrounding the Piver Bays Bob than surrounds
the Cypress Creek Bog, and the vegetational communities surrounding the Piver
bog are thusly somewhat more homogeneous than those plant communities sur-
rounding the Cypress Creek Bog. The bog vegetation and the surrounding bay
183

vegetation are discussed below. It should be mentioned at the outset that,
as is usually the case in coastal plain vegetational communities, abundant
evidences, e..Q., charred stumps and tree trunks, clustered stem arrangements,,.
eto.., indicate the important role played by fire in the past development
and maintenance of the bog and surrounding bay communities.
Bog communities--The-vegetation combinations found within the bog itself
may be divided into three community types:
1) Black gum. Nyssa sIlvatica var. biflora. Dwarfed black gum approx-
imately 2m in height and 5 to 6 cm dbh (diameter at breast height),
and having swollen bases, dominate much of the bog, with nothing,
other than occasional pockets of sphagnum moss (Sphagnum sp.),
growing below the gum. Water within the bog (pond is deepest
here, seasonally to 40cm.
2) Black gum/diffuse rush. Nyssa sylvatica var.biflora Juncus diffusissimus.
The water level is slightly shallower within this community type,
and black gum forms an open canopy over diffuse rush. Sphagnum moss.
may or may not be present as a ground -covering mat.
3) Diffuse rush--yellow-eyed grass --beak rush. Juncus diffusissimus--
Ryris fimbriata--Rhyncospora chalarocenhala. A combination of diffuse
rush and yellow -eyed grass share dominanCein these treeless areas..
Beak rush may share dominance within this community type, or may
dominate it altogether. Sphagnum moss usually covers the surface
of the ground here.
In addition, the presence of a large and occasionally dense,'healthy,
reproducing population of sweet pitcher plant (Sarracenia rubra) should
be mentioned as occurring within the bog community at various scattered
localities, characteristically growing on thick sphagnum mats.
Disturbed savannah community --A brief mention should be made of the vege-
tation which exists between the bog and highway NC 130, in the power line
right-of-way. A disturbed --the area is mowed --mixed evergreen shrubs/
mixed graminoids community type occurs here in a zone some 10 to 15m
in width.
Surrounding bay communities --The bog (pond) area itself is surrounded by
an open, pine flatwoods community, which gradually changes to a denser,
fairly typical "bay community" in moving further outwards from the bog
in any direction. Each of these areas is discussed below:
1) Pond pine/mixed evergreen shrubs/creeping blueberry-wiregrass.
Pinus serotina/mixed evergreen shrubs/Vaccinium crassifolium--Aristida
stricta. This flatwoods community, which immediately surrounds the
bog, is characterized by an open canopy layer of scattered pond pines,
with individual trees averaging approximately 12 to 16cm dbh. The
tall, open shrub layer is composed of mixed evergreen shrubs (see
accompanying Flora Species List), with bitter gallberry (Ilex lg abra)
and sweet gallberry (Ilex coriacea) occasionally occurring as the
shrub layer codominants. A mixture of creeping blueberry and wire -
grass forms the "herbaceous" layer.
2), Pond pine/nixed evergreen shrub s//laur el- leaf sawbrier. Pinus serotina
mixed evergreen shrubs//Smilax laurifolia. This is the "typical"
dense pocosin community that dominates most of the inner (Carolina)
bay area which borders Piver Bays Bog. Floristically it is similar
to the pine flatwoods community just previously discussed, but it
is different from that community in the fact that no herbaceous
layer is present within this latter discussed community type, due
to the thick shrub layer which is "tied" together into a nearly inpen-
etrable thicket by a tangling growth of laurel -leaf sawbrier (Smilax

laurifolia).
Physical features:
General description--Piver Bays Bog is a shallow, elliptical depres-
sion with a slight E-`af orientation, located within the dense Paco-
-sin community of a NW -SE trending Carolina bay.
Topography --The boo itself is some 0.5m lower in elevation that the
surrounding landscape, normally containing standing.water for
almost the entire year; the surrounding bay area is extremely flat'
with relief totalling much less than 1m.
Geology--The.surficial sediments are marine deposited'sands and clays
of the .Pamlico Terrace of Pleistocene ages most likely overlying the
Peedee-Formation of Late Cretaceous age.
Rare plants and animals:
Dionaea musciula. Venus' flytrap. Threatened endemic; exploited.
Marshallia mrandiflora. Great marshallia. Endan-ered peripheral.
Reported from the Piver Bays Bog by Y.ologiski and Connette in their
1973 N.C. Natural Areas Survey,.this record could not be substan-
tiated in the field. However, because the species blooms in late
spring, and the Piver bog was visited in late summer, it is possible
that this species could occur within the;bog area and pass unnoticed._
This record, if substantiated,represents a significant disjunction,
as the species is known only from a few bogs in Henderson and
Granville Counties,.N.C. within the Carolinas.
Sarracenia rubra.• Sweet pitcher plant. Threatened throughout; ex-
ploited. This location represents one of the largest, most concen-
trated populations of sweet pitcher plant known in the area.
Publications and scientific references:
Blankenship, R.R. 1965. Reconnaissance of the ground -water resources
of the Southport -Elizabethtown area, North Carolina. N.C. Dept. .later Res.,
Div. Ground ;later, Ground -Slater Bul. No. 6. 47 pp.
Daniels, R.B., et. al. 1978. Age of soil landscapes in the coastal
plain area of Borth Carolina. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 42: 9011-105.
Radford, A.E., et. al. 1964. Manual of the Vascular Flora of the
Carolinas. URIC Press. Chapel Hill, N.C. 1183 pp.
Site ecological significance:
The ecologically significant features of the site are summarized:
1) The occurrence of a relatively undisturbed, inner bay bog community,
an increasingly rare phenomenon on the southeastern coastal plain
of the state where extensive ditching and draining activities have
occurred.
2) Possible locality for I'arshallia grandiflora, an endangered peripheral
species known only from the mountains of the Carolinas.
3) The occurrence of a large, healthy, reproducing population of
Sarracenia rubra, a species that is threatened throughout its range.'

4) Presence of Dionaea muscipula, a threatened and commercially -
exploited endemic species.
Management recommendations:
The management guidelines formulated for the Piver Bays Bog area are
in essence identical to those suggested with re-ard to the Cypress Creek
Bog Natural Area. Consequently, the guidelines are summarized below, but
are not repeated here in detail (see Cypress Creek Bog IZatural Area report):
1) Responsible parties should be contacted in order to insure the
future survival of the bog community and a surrounding buffer zone
of appropriate size.
2) The area should be periodically burned to maintain the fire -depen-
dent vegetational communities in their present state.
3) The bog area should be monitored and protected from removal of
its threatened and endangered species, if such action should.
prove necessary.

FLORA SPECIES"LIST
Piver Bays Bog:
Trees•
Pinus serotina
Transgressives:
Acer rubrum
Nyssa sylvatica var. biflora
Pinus palustris
Shrubs:
Clethra alnifolia
Cyrilla racemiflora
Gaylussacia frondosa
Gordonia lasianthus
Ilex cassine
I. coriacea
I. glabra
Leucothoe racemoss
Lyonia lucida .
L. mariana
Magnolia virginiana
Myrica cerifera
M. heterophylla
Persea borbonia
Rhus copallina
Sorbus arbutitolia
Vaccinium atrococcum
V. stamineum
V. tenellum
Subshrub:
Vaccinium crassifolium
Herbs:
Forbs--
Agalinis virgata (?)
Aletris farinosa
Carphephorus tomentosus
Centella asiatica
Chondrophora nudata
Coreopsis angustifolia
Dionaea muscipula
Drosera intermedia
Eriocaulon decangulare
Eupatorium album
E. pilosum.
E. recurvans
Heterotheca nervosa
Hypericum cistifolium
H. reductum
H. stans
Lachnanthes caroliniana
Lobelia nuttallii
Ludwigia sp.

Graminoids--
Ferns and fern allies --
Vines:
Mosses:
Marshallia grandiflora*
Polygala lutea
P. ramosa
Rhexia alifanus
R. mariana
Sabatia difformis
Sabatia s-o.
Sarracenia flava
S. rubra
Solidaga sp.
Trilisa paniculata
Utricularia juncea
Utricularia sp.
Xyris ambigua
X. fimbriata
AndropoSon ternarius
A. virginicum
Aristida stricta
Arundinaria gigantea
Juncus diffusissimus
J. scirpoides
Muhlenbergia inexpansa
Panicum sp.
Rhyncospora cephalantha
R. chalorocephala
R. chapmanii
R. fascicularis
Lycopodium appressum
L. carolinianum
Woodwardia virminica
Gelsimium sempervirens
Smilax-glauca
S. laurifolia
Vitis rotundifolia
Sphagnum sp.
'Reported for this location by Kolo�;iski and Connette in their 1973
N.C. Natural Areas Survey; record was not substantiated in the field.
' JL90

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Figure 31.
E
Pive,ts Bays Bog
K V

NATURAL AREA INVENTORY FORM
Preliminary Reconnaissance Survey
Brunswick County, North Carolina
1. Natural Area Name: Sandhill Creek Impoundment
2. Location: Upper end of creek crosses highway NC 133 0.25 mile
north of its junction with S. R. 1521; Sandhill Creek
runs northeastward from this point.
3. Topographic Quadrangle Map Reference: Carolina Beach 1:24000.
Coordinates: 340061N latitude; 770571W longitude.
4. Size: ca. 78.6 ha. (194 A.).
5. Elevation: 1.5 to 3 m (5 to 10 ft.).
6. Vegetation Classification Category: I.A. Freshwater Pond Community;
II.C. Swamp Forest.
7. Investigator (s) : Timothy D. Nifong
Box 29, Coker Hall, UNC
Chapel Hill, N. C. 27514
8. Qccess: Highway NC 133 (see attached county road map).

9. Site Description:
Sandhill Creek Impoundment is, like Orton Pond, the man-made
lake of an old plantation. The impoundment here is, however, sha1-
lower than Orton Pond, and relatively little "Open" water exists
at the site; swamp forest extends well out into the impoundment.
The swamp forest thus created is dominated by swamp black gum
(Nyssa sylvatica var, bif�lora_) and pond cypress (Taxodium ascendens),
with little else approaching canopy size. In open areas water lily
(Nymphaea odorata) and duckweed (Lemma app.) cover the surface of
the water.-"
The Sandhill Creek drainage is located within the Orton --Boiling
Springs hakes area Pleistocene barrier sand ridge region, and is,
therefore, surrounded on all sides: by upland pine forest. In the
southern portion of this upland pine community the dominant community
type is, as might be predicted, Pinus alustris Mixed Oaks ( uercus
incana, g. laevis, and Q. margaretta: Mixed Pineland Shrubs/!G stida
str� iota; however, it is interesting to note that storax (Styrax
grandifolia) is abundant among the ericads of the open shrub layer.
The often broad ecotone area between the impoundment itself, and
the surrounding upland longleaf pine community,is dominated by a
dense thicket of swamp forest/bay forest type species, including
red maple (Acer rubrum), red bay (Persea borbonia), swamp black gum,
and pond cypress among the canopy spec es, and shining fetter -bush
(Lyoui.a lucida), sweet gallberry (Ilex coriacea), and titi (C ry ills
racemifloraT in the shrub and I�subcanopy" layers. The shrub, sub
canopy, and canopy layers tend to merge in a continuum of sine classes
in this ecotonal area.

10, Ownership Summary:
a. Ownership type by percent area: Tie
Private 100 `k
Public %
Unknown %
b. Number of owners: one (1)
c. Name(s) and address(es) of owner(s):
Town Creek Timber Company, 810 DuPont Bldg.9 Miami, FL 33131.
11. Land Use Status:
a. Natural area usage category: low intensity recreation; managed
for wildlife.
b. Use of surrounding land:
(1) Undeveloped ' gg %
(2) Developed: agricultural or silvicultural .r.
(3) Developed: urban %
12. Management Summary:
a. Current preservation status:
Category
%
Description of preservation status
4
100
Private landprotected by owner.

Categorl
Descri tion of threat
3
Disturbance from clearing adjacent uplands and
replanting in pines; possible industrial
development.
c. Management recommendations:
(1) Public access to the impoundment should continue to be
restricted during the spring nesting season of the birds
breeding in the Sandhills Creek rookery;
(2) A buffer zone of some undetermined Width should be maintained
surrounding the creek drainage basin, to ensure the protec-
tion of water quality and preclude siltation and pollution
from construction or silvicultural practices.

13. Site Significance Summary:
(1) The site represents significant animal breeding habitat, sum-
marized below:
(a) The site represents an inland heronry containing -breeding
populations of both Great Blue Herons (Ardea herodias)
and Anhingas (Anh� infra anhinga), a threatened spe in
the state (see summary Table 3).
(b) The American Alligator(Alligator mississi iensis) is
relatively abundant at the sit,g,and breeds in the impound-
ment (fide J. Newman, Brunswick Co. NCWRC agent); the
alligator is on the federal endangered species list.
(2) The site contains a good example of a swamp black gum (N ssa
aylvatica var. bif_ lora)--Pond cypress (Taxodium ascer ndens
swamp, with a number of old growth trees.
14. N. C. Natural Heritage Program Prioity Rating:
local priority.

15. Field Reconnaissance Data Summary Sheet:
FLORA
Canopy: Nyssa_,.sylvatica.varo biflora--Taxodium ascendens
Liquidambar styraciflua
Nyasa sylvatica var. biflora
Taxodium ascendens
Subcanopy: Mixed bay species to No dominants
Acer rubrum
Persea borbonia
Transgressives: Mixed bay species to No dominants
Acer rubrum
Liquidambar styraciflua
Magnolia virginiana
Nyssa sylvatica var. biflora
Persea borbonia
Taxodium ascendens
Shrubs: Mixed bay species to No dominants
Clethra alnifolia
Cyrilla: racemiflora
Gaylussacia frondosa (ecotone)
Ilex coriacea (ecotone)
Lyonia lucida
Myrica cerifera (ecotone)
Rhus vernix
Sorbus arbutifolia (ecotone)
Herbs: Nymphaea odorata--Lemna sp, in open pond areas
Azolla caroliniana (pond)
Lemna spp. (pond)
Nymphaea odorata (pond)
Xyris sp.
Vines:. No dominants
Smilax laurifolia
Ferns: No dominants
Osmunda cinnamomea
FAUNA
Bibde:
Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus)
Common Flicker (Colaptes auratus)
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)
Great Egret (Casmerodius albus)
Great -crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus crinitus)
Northern Parula (Parula americana)
Pileated Woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus)
Pine Warbler (Dendroica pinus)
Prairie Warbler (D. discolor)
Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria citrea)

/u f
ti
f
Ik47� rS .-+"I(�'�C"�y -Y J:}-sue it •�G ,' � .: � ^..1
l
� '�'^ �� /�.✓, _' ."•R . - , :* ' A � � � .��1�,7c�� + tea.
jot
-',t.�t� � '"�rri"f �kr' h' ''4 ,j .��-{c`��''_ �:;: ;l+•i•;�,��.v,�1� qr�*" y •: J�:'
w•' ,�'i.yS,'%y ✓t % }cu'"�r. j . f .ti.4 �M Y 7�' • • L�n� 1
✓¢�y(C'4. d�,'*� f� i�r- Jyr j/ tea„ T • r. ,1,_ .{:.,E � ..i �,k• •, s.t 'ti+' •� /y..L. S
� .{SJf� C/-t� � , V �' J' � Y Lr��r .`�f � r+ 6• N JS, 'P ^ <.�#T ��j.tG•'«c,�e• -
{
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r.a 9

15. Field Reconnaissance Data Summary Sheet: (coot.)
Birds: (cont.)
Red -bellied Woodpecker (Melanerpes carolinus)
Robin (Turdus migratorius)
Snowy Egret (Egretta thula)
Wood Duck (Aix sponsa)
Yellow -throated Warbler (Dendroicae dominica)
SOIL SUBGROUP
No core taken.

NATURAL AREA INVENTORY FORM
Preliminary Reconnaissance Survey
Brunswick County, North Carolina
1. Natural Area Name: Smithville Carolina Bay Complex
2. Location: Access roads;,(1) dirt road heads north from highway NO 211
2.1 miles west of junction of NO 211 and NO 133; (2) dirt
road heads west from highway NC.87 1.4 miles south of the
junction of the entrance road to South Brunswick High
School and NO 87.
3. Topographic Quadrangle Map Reference: Southpoiit 1:24000.
Coordinates: ca. 330591N latitude; 780041W longitude.
4.. Size: ca. 1977.6 ha. (4883 A.).
5. Elevation: 11 to 22 m (35 to 55 ft.).
6. Vegetation Classification Category: II.E.1. Pocosin/ II.E.2. Flat
woods/ III.C.2. Sandhills Associes.
7. Investigator(s): Timothy D. Nifong
Box 29, Coker Hall, UNC
Chapel Hill, N. C. 27514
8. Access: Highways NO 211 and NO 87 (see attached county road map).
200

9. Site Description:
The Smithville Carolina Bay Complex includes a series of dozens
of small and large Carolina bays, associated sand rims, and Pleistocene
(presumably marine) low ridge and swale topography. The bays them-
selves are almost invariably vegetated by pond pine (Pious serotina)
dominated "low pocosin "I The pines are generally small --probably
as a response to both frequent dr--,severe fire and nutrient poor con-
ditions --mostly 4 to 5 meters in height, with DBHs of 10 to 15 centi-
meters or less, forming a very open canopy. Although scattered
tall shrubs and transgressive "bay" trees 2 to 3 meters in height are
present, the shrub layer is generally about 1 meter in height, and
is dominated by a mixture of shining fetter bush (Tgonia lucida),
tits (Cyrilla racemiflora), bitter gallberry (Ilex lg abra), andq
occasionally, other spec 'ea. twined together into a dense thicket by
laurel -leaved catbrier (Smilax laurifolia).
In a few bays the pond pines in the canopy are much larger,
usually accompanied by an increased dominance of "bay" trees (see
"Pocosin" in Introduction), indicating a probable lack of fire for
a number of years. Swale areas within the complex also tend to be
dominated by a similar pocosin community type.
The sand rims, where undisturbed --several have been planted in
what appears to be a slash pine (Pinus elliottii) hybrid by the
ownero-are dominated by an open longleaf pine (Pinus palustris)
canopy, over a mixture of turkey oak ( uercus laev s) and scrub live
oak (q. geminata) in the subcanopy layer. A shrub layer is absent,
and the herbaceous layer _usually consists of open to sparse cover by
wire -grass (Aristida stricta) and mixed forbs, such as dtipulicida
(Stipulicida setacea) and St. John's sand -wort (Hypericum reductum).
Bay --rim ecotones and low ridge areas tend to be similar vege-
tationally, and are floristically the most interesting areas within
the bay complex. Longleaf pine is the canopy dominant with no sub
canopy, usually over a scattered shrub layer of either gallberry
(Ilex spp.) or sand myrtle (Leiophyllum buxifolium), the latter
of en in dense stand. The ground beneath the shrub layer is almost
invariably covered with.a mixture of wire -grass and creeping blue-
berry (Vaccinium crassifolium). One very notable exception occurs
in the case of a number of -low -ridge. -and swale interface areas, in
which rush-featherling (Pleea tenuifolia) dominates the herbaceous
layer to the exclusion of everything else. The largest such area
observed measured approximately 800 meters (0.5 mi.) in length by
an average 30 meters (15 to 60 m) in width.
Canopy pines in these "flatwoods" areas are some of the largest
observed in the county during the course of this contract, being
mostly old -growth flattops, and four Red -cockaded -Woodpecker (Picoi_ desk
borealis) cavity trees were located among these. In addition, as
noted, sand myrtle may dominate here in extensive populations, occur-
ring both on the interbay flats and low ridges within the area. These
extensive sand myrtle populations, the large rush-featherling "flat,"
and the Red -cockaded Woodpecker nest trees are identified on the
accompanying topographic quad sheets.

10. Ownership Summary:
a. Ownership type by percent area: Type
Private 100
Public �%
Unknown %
b. Number of owners: three (3)
c. Name(s) and address(es) of owner(s):
Boiling Springs Lakes Corp., Boiling Spring Lakea, N. C.
Lawrence G. Sprunt et al., Box 36259 Wilmington, N. C. 28401
Weyerhaeuser Co., Plymouth, N. C. 27692
11. Land Use Status:
a. Natural area usage category: (1) low intensity recreation; (2)
Intrusions --(a) utility corridors (power line right-of-way), (b)
small planted and managed pine "plantations" on some bay rims, (c)
trash dumps adjacent to highway NC 87.
b. Use of surrounding land:
(1) Undeveloped _2Q %
(2) Developed: agricultural or silvicultural 30 %
(3) Developed: urban %
12, Management Summary:
a. Current preservation status:
Category
%
Description of preservation status
6
70
Private land, not protected by owner.
4
30
Private land posted and patrolled by owner.
262.

Categorl
Description of threat
3
Drainage of bays; logging of areas with mature
pineal and subsequent replanting as pine
plantation; very recent (April 181) intru-
sions (land clearing) indicate possible de-
veiopmenz in zne near ruzure.
c. Management recommendations:
(1) It is especially important that frequent prescribed burning
of the entire area be continued in order to ensure main-
tenance of existing community diversity and animal habitat.
(2) Vehicular traffic on the single access road through the
area --it connects highways NC 87 and NC 133--should be
restricted by some means to prevent further dumping of
trash within the complex.
2W

13. Site Significance Summary:
(1) Rush. featherling (Pleea tenuifolia) is • widely scattered and
infrequent is its occurrence within the southeast; it is not
known to dominate areas in a savannah like condition else-
where (fide A..B. Radford). The site is, therefore, very sig-
nificant both from a community type and population perspective.
(2) The complex contains excellent examples of "savannah" communities
over marine (Pleistocene) ridge and swale topography.
(3) The complex represents possibly the largest expanse of near
coast, relatively undisturbed (undrained) Carolina bays within
the state; further, these bays are excellent examples of "pocosin
type" bays.
(4)' The population of sand myrtle (Leiophyllum buxifolium) here,
when considered in its entirety, is probably the largest popu-
lation of the species in North Carolina. Sand myrtle is not
known in extensive populations on the state's coast north of
Brunswick County.
(5) The complex area contains four known cavity tree's of the Red -
cockaded Woodpecker (Picoides borealis), which is on the federal
list of endangered species.
(6) The Smithville bay complex represents significant wildlife habi-
tate, both in terms of its sheer size (it is one of the largest
intact pocosin areas in the county) and diversity of available
habitats.
14. N. C. Natural Heritage Program Priority Rating:
High priority.

15. Field Reconnaissance Data Summary Sheet:
FLORA --Carolina bays
Canopy: Pinus serotina
Pinus serotina
Subcanopy: None
Transgressives: No dominants
Acer rubrum
Gordonia lasianthus
Liquidambar styraciflua
Magnolia virginiana
Nyssa sylvatica var. biflora
Persea borbonia
Shrubs: Mixed pineland shrubs
Clethra alnifolia
Cyrilla racemiflora
Gaylussacia frondosa
Ilex coriacea
I. glabra
Lyonia lucida
Myrica cerifera
Sorbus arbutifolia
Herbs: No dominants
Andropogon virginicus
Aristida stricta
Arundinaria gigantea
Eriophorum virginicum
Lachnanthes caroliniana
Lobelia nuttallii
Pleea tenuifolia
Polygala lutea
Proserpinaca pectinate
Sarracenia flava
S. purpurea
Xyris op.
Vines: Smilax laurifolia
Smilax laurifolia
Ferns: No dominants
Woodwardia virginica
Mosses: No dominants
Sphagnum sp.
FAUNA
Birds:
Carolina Chickadee (Parus carolinensis,)
Common Yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas)
Eastern Bluebird (Sialia sialis)
Fish Crow (Corvus ossifragus)
Great -crested Flycatcher (Myiarchus crinitus)

15. Field Reconnaissance Data Summary Sheet: (cont.)
Birds: (cont.)
Prairie Warbler (Dendroica discolor)
Prothonotary Warbler (Protonotaria citrea)
Red -cockaded Woodpecker (Picoides borealis)
Rufous -sided Towhee (Pipilo erythrophthalmus)
Yellow -breasted Chat (Icteria virens)
Yellow -throated Warbler (Dendroica dominica)
Mammals:
Fox squirrel (Sciurus niger)
SOIL SUBGROUPS
Carolina bays:
Typic Haplaquods to Terric Medisaprists
Flats and low ridges:
Aeric Haplaquods
Bay rims:
Typic to Spodic Quartzipsamments
FLORA --Bay rims
Canopy: Pinus palustris
Pinus palustris
Subcanopy: Mixed Oaks
Quercus geminata
Q. incana
Q. laevis
Transgressives: No dominants
Diospyros virginiana
Shrubs: No dominants
Gaylussacia dumosa
Ilex glabra
I. opaca
Leiophyllum buxifolium
Lyonia mariana
Subshrub: No dominants
Vaccinium crassifolium
Herbs: No dominants
Aristida stricta
Caidoscolus stimulosus
Dichanthelium sp.
Hypericum reductum
Polygonella polygama
Pyxidanthera barbulata
Stipulicida setacea
Ferns: No dominants
Pteridium aquilinum

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Name of area: Spring Creek Pond
County: Brunswick
Location description: Spring Creek Pond is reached by travelling south
6.85 mi. on Co. Rd. 1115 from its junction with highway NC 211, to its
intersection with Co. Rd. 1119; proceed southeast (left) 1.10 mi. on
Co. Rd. 1119 to its intersection with Co. Rd. 1120; travel 0.10 mi.
west (right) on Co. Rd. 1120 to driveway on left (south).side of road;
turn left into driveway and proceed south 0.10 mi. to last brick house on
left; travel south along trail (extension of driveway; accessible only
by foot) from house approximately 290m. Pond is left of trail approxi-
mately 40m through a dense pocosin-like shrub thicket.
Elevation: 6.1m (20 ft.) above sea level.
Physiographic region: Atlantic Plain Province: Coastal Plain
Section: Sea Islands Downwarn
Topographic quad map reference: Lockwoods Folly 1:31680 (map attached).
Size: Pond itself is 2 acres in sizes With surrounding buffer area 1/8 mi.
in width, area is ca. 10 acres in size.
Ownership information: Cecil Holden
Brown's Landing
Supply, N.C. 28462.
Report prepared by: Timothy D. Nifong
Box 29, Coker Hall
Department of Botany, UNC
Chapel Hill, N.C. 27514.
Other persons knowled-eable about site: None known.
Current use and protection status:
There is no Imown present usage of this -relatively isolated, i-. s-
cessible pond, or of the area immediately surrounding it, althouGh sore
hunting activity in season --which poses little or no threat to the irti­-
rity of the vegetational communities present --is suspected. The pond and
surrounding upland area are protected from vehicular traffic by the o::-+er,
which has largely precluded any outside intrusion into the pond vici::it.
Vegetation and plant communities:
Springy Creek Pond is a nearly round, shallow, marshy depression,
encircled by a dense thicket of evergreen shrub species occurrin- to the
water's edge, while the surrounding uplands are vegetated by pine (Pirus
sp.Moak (�uercus sp.) flatwoods interspersed with broad sandy ridges occu-
pied by a longleaf pine (Pinus -.nalustris)/turkey oak (^uercus laevis)/wire-
,.grass (Aristic?a stricta) vegetational community.
The vegetational composition of the pond community itself is most
striking. The pond is shallow, with the water being approximately 0.5m

Pine flatwoods community /
• Nyssa sylvatica var. biflora
Ilex cassine
Eleocharis equisetoides/
Nyritihaea 4dorata
P
Ce halanthus accidentalis
Pinus palustris
ridge com-
munities
Mixed shrub pocosin
C.
:Rhyncosnora inundata
I }
Panieun hemitonun
I '
T; ssa sylvatica var.
biflora "domes"
Phyncospora inundata.
Spring Creek drainage
Spring Creek Pond vegetation.
Figure 34. Spring Creek Pond
Vegetation 2c9 -

and relatively constant in depth from rim to center, and contains a horse-
tail spike rush (Eleocharrs equisetoides)/eater lily (Nymphaea odorata)
community type nearly throughout. There are two separate black gum N ssa
sylvatica var. biflora) "domes' near the center of the pond, with stunted
black gum also dominating as a_canopy layer in the immediate pond rim area.
A sparse inner "zone" of button bush (Cephalanthus occidentalis) rings the
pond rim area within the Eleocharis equisetoides Nymphaea odorata community,
and also occurs in.a sparse "zone" encircling the black gum domes near the.
center of the pond. Tall beak rush (8hyncos2ora inundata) assumes codomi-
nance with the horsetail spike rush in bands along the outer edge of the
pond.
Cypress (Taxodium sp.) domes are not uncommon in shallow, marshy ponded
areas of the outer coastal plain of north Carolina, but no cypress were
observed at Spring Creek Pond, and black gum entirely replaces cypress in
the dopes here.. These doves are not islands, and the water surrounding the
bases of the gums comprising the domes is for the most part as deep as the
water of the adjacent surrounding pond, with the area apparently inundated
for the entire year except in periods of extreme drought. In the micro -
habitat afforded.by crevices in the swollen bases of the black gum "canopy"
of the doge areas, seedlings of several of the evergreen shrub species
present in the pond rim area --especially fetter -bush (Lyonia lucida)--have
sprouted, and in places have attained a large size, giving a thicket -like
appearance.to the domes.
The dense'pocosin vegetation that surrounds the pond forms a zone 5 to
?m in height and 15 to 30m in width, and is dominated either by mixed ever-
green shrubs (see accompanying Flora Species List), or often, almost exclu-
sively by fetter -bush. Dahoon (Ilex cassine) is sometimes the predominant
shrub along the rim of the pond.
In moving outwards from the pond, the dense pocosin-like shrub thicket
becomes increasingly open, and the evergreen shrub community grades into
an open pine flatwoods community. The vegetation here usually consists of
a scattered canopy layer of pond pine (Pinus serotina), underlain by an open
to dense subcanopy layer of scrub live oak uercus geminata). The shrub
and/or herbaceous layer combinations existing in conjunction with the Pinus
serotina Quercus geminata canopy/subcanopy are many, most importantly including
dwarf blueberry Vaccinium tenellum),./dwarf huckleberry (Ga lussacia
dumosa), /dangleberry Ga lussacia frondosa), /creeping blueberry Vaccinium
crassifolium)--wiregrass Aristida stricta , and /wiregrass. In addition,
scrub live oak may predominate by itself in some areas, forming dense thickets.
To the north, east, and south of the pond, the pine flatwoods community
eventually gives way to the coarse sand ridge ve5etational communities char-
acteristic of the region, predominantly longleaf pine/turkey oak (Cuercus
laevis)/wiregrass, but including -a longleaf pine/mixed oaks/ wiregrass community
type. The pine flatwoods community extends outward west,of the pond (see
accompanying map).
Physical features:
General description --Spring Creek Pond, nearly circular in outline,
is located in a low flat between E-W trending sandy ridges (probably
relict dunes of Pleistocene age). The pond may have been formed
by the blockage of the drainage which forms the upper reaches of
Spring Creek, probably in conjunction with slumping; of the surface
caused by subsurface solution of underlying limestone or marl
deposits.
Topography--East-west trending sandy ridges surround the pond on three
sides, with a broad flat extendin y, ward.- from the western end of

the pond between ridges. Local relief ranges to 4m, from pond
basin to upland ridgetops.
Geology --The surficial sediments are marine deposited sands and clays
of the Paulico Terrace of Pleistocene a,-e, probably overlying the
Castle Hayne Limestone of Eocene age, and possibly overlying the
Duplin Marl of Late.Miocene age.
Soils--(1) Pond area and surrounding flatwood communities: Leon
series; a sandy, siliceous, thermic Aeric Haplaquod.
(2) Adjacent upland ridges: Uando series; a mixed, thermic
Typic Udipsamment.
Rare plants and animals:
Sciurus ni-er. Southern fox squirrel. Special concern. Signs indi-
cating presence of the fox squirrel were noticeable throughout the
upland area surrour_dinZ; the pond, and one individual was observed
within the dense shrub thicket which surrounds the pond.
No other threatened or endangered plant or animal species were col-
lected or observed in the Sprin- Creep: Pond area. However, individual'
longleaf pines of sufficient size and age to be utilized for nesting by
the red -cockaded woodpecker (Dendroco7us borealis) were numerous along
the rid-e south of the pond, although no actual cavity trees were sighted.
Publications and scientific references:
Blankenship, R.R. 1965. Reconnaissance of the ground -water resources
of the Southport -Elizabethtown area, North Carolina. N.C. Dept. 'dater Res.,
Div. Ground Water, Ground -Water Bul. No. 6. 47 pp.
Daniels, R.B., et. al. 1978. Age of soil landscapes in the coastal
plain area of North Carolina. Soil Sci. Soc. Ara, J. 42: 98-105.
Radford, A.E., et. al. 1964. Manual of the Vascular Flora of the
Carolinas. UIX Press. Chapel rill, Il.C. 1183 pp.
Site ecological significance:
The ecologically significant features of the Spring Creel; Pond area
are outlined:
1) The community type which occurs within the 2-acre por_d--Eleo^'�^rig
equisetoides/Tlym-ohaea odorata--is not present elsewhere in :'_ uns•.+ick
County, and is unknown for other locations in the southeastern
coastal plain of North Carolina.
2) The.two highly unusual black ;um domes located at. the center of
Spring Creek Pond have been observed in z less well developed state
at one other disturbed location within the county, but no snch other
domes are known to exist within an undisturbed pond community'else-
where in the county, nor in the entire region.
Management recommendations:
There are anarently no immediate threats to the integrity of the vege-
tational communities comprising; this unusual plant assembla.;e; however, with
the rapid rate at which similar coastal tracts throuchout the region a:e
being developed and "urbanized," the Spring Creek Pond area is already in
the apparent position of representing a parcel of prime residential property.

FLORA SPECIES LIST•
W
Spring.Creek Pond:
Trees:
Canopy--
V.
Subcanopy--
Transgressives:
Shrubs:
0
Subshrubs:
Herbs:
Forbs--
...
Graminoids--
Zone * :
Ptyssa sylvatica var. biflora 1
Pinus palustris 3
P. serotina 2
Quercus geminata 2,3
Q. incana 293
Q. laevis 3
Acer rubrum 1,2
Diospyros virginiana 3
Cephalanthus occidentalis 1
Clethra alnifolia
2
Cyrilla racemiflora
112
Gaylussacia dunosa
2
G. frondosa
2
Gordonia lasianthus
112
Ilex cassine
1
I. coriacea
112
I. glabra
1,2
Lyonia lucida
112
L. mariana
2
Magnolia virginiana
2
Myrica cerifera
112
Persea borbonia
1,2
Rhus vernix
1
Sorbus arbutifolia
2
Vaccinium arboreum
2,3
V. atrococcum
112
V. tenellum
2
Vaccinium.crassifolium 2
Eleocharis equisetoides
1
Eriocaulon decangulare
2
Heterotheca nervosa
3
Hype-ricum reductum
2,3
Lachnocaulon minus
2
Polygala lutea
2
Rhexia mariana
2
Trilisa paniculata
2
Utricularia purpurea
`
1
Xyris sp.
2
Andropogon virginicus 2
*Zones are as follows: (1) basin area; (2) surrounding flatwood com-
munities; (3) surrounding ridge communities (see accompanying map of pond
and surrounding area).
212

Aristida stricter
Arundinaria gigantea
Dulichium arundinaceum
Erianthus sp.
Juncus diffusissimus
Panicum hemitonum
Rhyncospora inundata
Rhyncospora sp.
Ferns and fern allies--
Woodwardia virginica
Vines:
Smilax laurifolia
Smilax sp.
Mosses:
Sphagnum sp.
Unidentified moss
Lichens:
Cladium sp.
2,3
2
1
1
2
1
1
2
`m
1
2
2,3
213

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s -

Site:
NATURAL LANDMARK BRIEF
Sunny Point Limestone Sinks, Brunswick County
North Carolina
Description:
There are five ponds in the recommended group. They
range from about one-half acre to almost five acres. The
ponds are of disputed origin (commonly called limestone
sinks), are limited to the southeastern states, and, and
many are being drained or destroyed by development. They
comprise a unique ecosystem with a diverse and interesting
flora. Many species of aquatic plants appear to be
restricted to these ponds. Ponds in southeastern North
Carolina contain several plants on the proposed U. S. rare
and endangered species lists.
Ownership:
The recommended ponds are located entirely within the
boundaries of the Sunny Point Military Ocean Terminal owned
by the United States Army.
Proposed by:
Theme/Subtheme classification 6, 24, 32/Dc, Eab, Na
Significance:
The major significance of this very limited aquatic
ecosystem is the unique flora. These ponds contain several
species of rare plants with very restricted ranges.
W;

.
`
Land Use:
Sunny Point is a munitions terminal for the United
States Army. The ponds are in the buffer zone in an area
managed for timber production and wildlife. Nearby areas
have been diked for the disposal of dredge spoil removed
from shipping channels and turning basins.
Dangers to Integrity of the area:
Nearby parts of the terminal property have been diked
for the disposal of dredge spoil. Several ponds have been
destroyed by salt water seeping from beneath the dike.
Without designation as natural landmarks this fate could
befall the recommended ponds.
Special Conditions:
Access is very tightly controlled by the military
authorities. No general public access is available.
Studied by:
James F. Parnell, Professor of Biology
Biology Department
University of North Carolina at Wilmington
Wilmington, North Carolina 28401
21.117

Evaluator:
James F. Parnell, Ph.D.
Professor
Department of Biology
University of North Carolina at Wilmington
Wilmington, North Carolina 28401
Phone: [phone] ext. 287
Theme Study:
6, 24, 32/Dc, Eab, Na
Sources of Information:
1. Personal communication with Mr. David DuMond of Rt. 2
Box 451-D, Wilmington, North Carolina 28401.
2. Personal communication with Col. Walter Daniels, Base
Commander and Mr. Eugene Tomlinson, Jr., Chief of Services,
Sunny Point Military Ocean Terminal, Wilmington, North
Carolina, 28401.
3. Ground observations of the site on 25 April 1976 and
aerial observations on 28 April 1976.
Location:
The Sunny Point Military Ocean Terminal is located in
Brunswick County, North Carolina at 340 02' North and 771
57' West. The site is in the northeastern norner of the
property. It is east of Highway 133 just off the Cape
Fear River.
2- 8

Significant .Statement
These small natural upland ponds are restricted to a
limited geographic region. Their origin is uncertain, but
their £lora'is unique and of considerable interest to
botanists. A number of plants of very limited distribution
occur,in these ponds. The series of ponds at the Sunny
Point Military Ocean Terminal is quite characteristic of
certain stages of this community type. They are in a
protected area and should remain as good examples of this
rare ecosystem.
These ponds are of national significance as good
examples of a rare and interesting ecosystem of limited
geographic extent. Of particular importance.is the
probable occurrence of such rare aquatic plants as the
bladderwort (Utricularia olivaceae), Litsea.aestivalis,
Lindera melissaefolium, 14yriophyllum laxum, and Lacnocaulon
beyrichianum. All of the above are on the proposed
national list of threatened and endangered plants
(Smithsonian 1975).
219

The Sunny Point Ponds
The Sunny Point ponds represent several stages in the
range of conditions described in the previous section.
Those suggested for inclusion in the Natural Landmarks
Program include ponds fringed by pond. cypress with relatively
deep water centers, ponds bordered by a mixture of cypress
and pine with emergent shrub zones and shallow bog -like
ponds without woody vegetation.
While extensive observations have not been made at
Sunny Point, the key floral elements are present. One of
these ponds, for example, is adjacent to the site where
Beal and Quay (1968) initially collected the first North
Carolina specimen of Utricularia olivaceae. ZMyriophyllum
laxum is known to occur in the Sunny Point ponds and several
other rare plants are known from nearby ponds and are
probably present at Sunny Point.
The Sunny Point ponds also appear to have the typical
vertebrate components. Birdlife is abundant. Wood Ducks,
Ospreys, and a variety of long-legged waders have been
observed in the ponds. Small songbirds including Prothonotary
and Yellow -throated Warblers are regular summer residents
where cypress fringes occur.
Five ponds are being recommended as a natural landmark.
They were specifically chosen to represent a variety of
conditions often seen in such communities. All are in
relatively close proximity (see the enclosed map). They

appear to be the best representatives on the Sunny Point
property, although a number of others are present. If the
ponds are designated as a natural landmark buffer zones of
about 100 meters out from the pond edges should be included.
It should be recommended that these buffers be maintained -in.
natural vegetation if possible. Two ponds are adjacent to
roads. If roadbanks are kept vegetated this should prevent
silting.

Size:
The proposed natural landmark consists of f ive small
ponds. They range in size from approximately one-half acre
to about five acres.
Boundaries:
All ponds are within the boundaries of the Sunny Point
Military Ocean Terminal. The ponds are located near the
northeast corner of the property.
Correspondent:
Col. Walter Daniels; Commander
Sunny Point Military Ocean Terminal
Wilmington, North Carolina 28401
(919)-763-6581
' Land Use:
Sunny Point serves the U. S. Army as a munitions'
terminal. Much of the tract is a buffer zone w1 thout
extensive development. While conditions are relatively
natural, most of the uplands are managed for timber production
and wildlife. Visitor use is very limited, but some public
hunting and fishing are allowed. Public access is strictly
controlled.
Dangers to Integrity of area:
The major threat to the integrity of the proposed site
is the deposition of dredge spoil. In recent years it has
become necessary to dispose large volumes of spoil on upland
sites. This involves materials removed from shipping channels
222

(
and turning basins associated with the primary function of
the facility. A large upland area near the ponds recommended
for natural landmark status has been diked, and dredge spoil
in a saline water mixture has been deposited. There has been
some seepage of salt water from beneath the dike. This has
destroyed or damaged the natural vegetation in several sinks
near the dike. Minor damage is apparent in one sink
recommended by this study. The other four appear not to have
been damaged. They appear to be far enough away to be out of
danger. Several potential sinks were damaged and rejected
because of the loss of natural vegetation.
This impoundment is expected to serve for about ten
years. A new impoundment is under construction near the southern
r
end of the property. Its use will not endanger the selected
ponds.
Designation, of the proposed ponds as a natural landmark
should ensure that this area will not be considered for future
disposal sites.
The high degree of protection from human damage offered
by the location within a tightly controlled area should be
helpful in protecting the rare plant species associated with
the ponds.

Description of Natural Values
These ponds are scattered throughout southeastern North
Carolina. While it is generally recognized among ecologists
that they represent unique natural communities of great
interest, no detailed studies have been accomplished. Mr.
David Dumond of Wilmington, North Carolina has, however, been
making observations on the natural history of these ponds for
about two years. His work represents the only attempt to
characterize these ponds. He has prepared a preliminary
report which includes observations on the Sunny Point ponds
as well as others in Brunswick, New Hanover, and Pender
counties. Mr DuMond's report is included with his permission.
Upland Natural Ponds in the Coastal Plain of Southeastern
North Carolina
David DuMond
Route 2, Box 451-D
Wilmington, N. C.
Scattered through southeastern North Carolina are several
hundred natural ponds of generally unknown origin. These,
ponds are particularly apparent where they occur in sandy
upland woods composed of longleaf pine (Pinus palustris),
turkey oak ( uercus laevis), and wire grass (Aristida stricta)
in Brunswick, New Hanover, and Pender counties. Matrix
terrestrial vegetation is not limited to this type.
Origin Hypothesis:
Several hypotheses, both published and unpublished, have
been generated by geologists as to the origins of these ponds -
"A

The most widely known idea relates the depressions with deep,
subsurface solution of limestone (marl), with subsequent
slumping of surface sands (Bain 1970 and LeGrand 1973). This
hypothesis does not go on to give any explanation for their
continued existance. Another hypothesis relates their continued
existance to illuviation and deposition of finely divided
organic detritus which forms an effective "plug" in subsurface
sand interstices. Another idea suggests the ponds occur over
ancient (Pleistocene) clay or muck deposits, laid dawn during
periods of higher ocean stands.
A recent idea regarding formation suggests that the depressions
are ancient wind deflation pits (Personal Communication with
Dr. Victor Zullo, Department of Geology, University of North
( Carolina at*Wilmington, Wilmington, N. C. ).
A published theory (Smith 1931) relates some natural ponds in
South Carolina to solvent action on subsurface pans formed by
illuviati.on in ancient sandy soils. As portions of the relict
pans have gone into solution, the surface sands have slowly
subsided.
None of these ideas except, perhaps, the last explain both
origin and continued existance of the ponds over the entire
range of their variability. It may be that several factors are
responsible for their origin.
Physical Expressions:
The ponds (or depressions) vary in extent from small fractions
of acres to many acres. Pretty Pond in eastern Brunswick County
l
�M5

and Silver Lake in central western.New Hanover County are
probably the largest. The smallest known to me are less
than 30 feet wide from rim to rim. Ponds may occur singly
or in groups of 2 to 10.
The depressions range in depth from greater than 10 feet
to less than 1 foot with respect to surrounding terrain. In
the deeper ones, water may persist at the level of the normal
rim for nearly the entire year, or it may occupy a small
portion of the bottoms for only a few months of the year.
The variation in the steepness of the side slopes is great.
A range between'450 and less than 100 has been noted. The
steeper slopes seem to be excessive in terms of the normal
Angles of repose for surrounding sands. There is only a
fragment of evidence that such angles are being reduced
through time, though it certainly seems reasonable that they
should. One small, deep depression at Sunny Point Military
Ocean Terminal showed some upper side slope erosion as there
were visible signs that shrub or tree stems had been uprooted
and fallen to the bottom.
From subjective observation, the larger the pond, the
greater the surface asymmetry. Small round depressions and
ponds exist, but large round ponds do not. Intermediate -size
ponds are generally ovoid.
One point seems clear. All ponds are expressions of very
local water table aquifers. In this way they function as windows
for viewing localized water table equilibria. In some areas
Z46

where these local water tables are continuous with drainage
lines, the ponds occur at the origins of the most headward
dendrites of drainage patterns. Most ponds have no surface
drainage at all. Evaporation and subsurface losses must, in
the latter situations, be responsible for observed seasonal
water -level reductions.
Biology:
The biology of upland ponds in North Carolina has received
only scant attention. A paper by Beal and Quay (1968) dealt
with the taxonomy and ecology of a diminuitive bladderwort
known as Utricularia olivacea. In North Carolina this species
is found only in the upland natural ponds in the coastal plain.
Its entire world range is represented by only six other areas,
two -in South America, one in Cuba, one in Florida, one in
Georgia, and one in New Jersey. Beal and Quay related this
unusual distribution to the migration routes of aquatic and
wading birds.
Several other species of vascular plants are also known
only from these pond habitats in North Carolina, though their
total ranges extend outside this state. These are (Personal
Communication from A. E. Radford, University of North Carolina,
Chapel Hill, North Carolina):
Myriophyllum laxum
Eleocharis equisetoides
Rhynchospora tracyi
Nymphoides aquatica
Eleocharis robbinsii
22,)V

Four species, recently suggested for the national list of
endangered and threatened plant species (Smithsonian
Institution 1975), occur in or around the margins of upland
natural ponds. They are;
Litsea aestivalis
Lindera melissaefolium
Myriophyllum laxum
Lacnocaulon beyrichianum
Although these species are also known from other states,
they represent real rareness in North Carolina. These are
species known to be wholly or partially dependent upon one
kind of habitat, but the habitat has generally received very
little scientific attention.
There is no biological way to describe a typical upland
natural pond. The habitat complexes vary in response to many
factors. Basically there are two major catagories of ponds,
those containing pond cypress (Taxodium ascendens) with
several other tree and shrub species, and those which are open.
Fire and direct disturbance by man, particularly as a result
of off -the -road vehicular traffic and litter deposition, may
be primarily responsible for this variation.
Left undisturbed, there may be a series of successional
changes that progress from ponds with sandy margins to ponds
containing pond cypress and shrubs such as titi (Cyrilla
racemif lora). This, of course, is dependent upon the depth of
the pond, its. seasonal water level fluctuations, steepness
I

of the pond side -slopes, and time.
Some ponds contain a central stand of pond cypress and
gum (N ssa sylvatica var. biflora), but no marginal arborescent
vegetation. Fire as well as other disturbances are probably
factors in this expression.
The intermediate phase of development seems to be
represented by many ponds where the surrounding upland vegetation
gives way to a series of concentric rings of herbaceous
vegetation that represent increasing permanence of hydric
conditions toward the center of the pond. Again, water level
fluctuations, slope, and time are important factors. The most
permanent hydric situation, of course, is open water.
Below is an annotated list of vascular plant species which
have been seen growing in or along the edges of these natural
upland ponds. Among these are many species which are
relatively rare in North Carolina. The list is a result of
casual inventory and should in no way be considered exhaustive.
Alismataceae
Sagittaria graminea Michx.
Sagittaria teres S. Wats. Reported by A. E. Radford
(Personal Communication, 1972)
Apiacea
Centella asiatica (L.) Urban. Common around ponds
with open sandy margins.
229

Aquifoliaceae
Ilex cassine L. Scattered around some more open pond
margins.
Ilex lg abra (L) Gray. Common constituent of pond margins
heavily vegetated by shrubs.
Asteraceae
Aster dumosus L. Uncommon along moist margins.
Chaptalia tomentosa Vent. Seen at one pond in Brunswick
County. Moist margins.
Eupatori.um capillifolium var. leptophyllum (DC) Ahles.
Sandy margins, frequently in shallow water.
Pluchea foetida (L.) DC. Occasional, particularly where
margins have been disturbed.
Burmanniaceae
Burztannia capitata (Gmel.) Mart. Quite frequent in low
grasses around open sandy margins.
Commelinaceae
Aneilema nodiflorum (L.) Kunth. l occurrence in a shallow
woodland pond in New Hanover County.
Cyperaceae
Carex walteriana Bailey. Rooted in floating peat (Sphagnum
sp.) where bog -like conditions prevail'.
Dichromena latifolia Baldw. Uncommon, Scattered ponds.
Eleocharis equisetoides (Ell.) Torr. Scattered ponds
Eleocharis robbinsii Oakes. Rare. Floating in open,
perenially wet depressions.

Eleocharis tricostata Torr. 1 pond. New Hanover
County.
Eleocharis sp. Species not determined. Sandy margins.
Fuirena squarrosa Michx. Frequent around grassy margins.
Rhynchospora pleiantha (Kukenth.). Gale. Obscure,
but present around many grassy margins.
Rhynchospora tracyi Britt. More or less constantly
flooded, usually central portions of ponds.
Scleria reticularis Michx.' Not frequent, but occurring
around grassy margins.
Cyrillaceae
Cyrilla racemiflora L. Common where a shrub perifery occurs.
Either scattered or dense.
Droseraceae
Drosera capillaris Poir. Sandy, open, seasonally flooded
margins.
Drosera intermedia Hayne. Constantly flooded portions of
ponds in a thin veneer or organic matter.
Eriocaulaceae
Eriocaulon decangulare L. Sandy margins.
Eriocaulon compressum Lam. Flooded, sandy pond bottoms.
Lachnocaulon beyrichianum Sporleder. Supposed presence
in association with upland natural ponds based on
Radford, et. al. (1968), page 261.
Gentianaceae.
Bartonia verna (Michx.) Muhl. Common around sandy,
sparcely vegetated margins.
231

Bartonia virginica (L.) BSP. Infrequent around wet,
sandy margins.
Nymphoides aquatica (J. F. Smel.) Kintz. A floating
aquatic depending on nearly constantly standing
water in shallow ponds.
Sabatia difformis (L.) Druce. Wet, sandy margins.
Haemodoraceae
Lachnanthes caroliniana (Lam. ) Dandy. Sandy margins
frequently with a thick growth of grasses and sedges.
Ilaloragaceae
MYriophyllum laxum Shuttlew. ex Chapm. Submerged
. aquatic with emergent leaves; in water of shallower
ponds. Brunswick County only, as yet.
My riophyllum pinnatum (Walt.) -Blume. BSP. Submerged
C
in a cluster of disturbed ponds in New Hanover
County. Likely much more common.
Proser.pinaca palustris L. Submerged and emergent in
heavily disturbed ponds.
Lauraceae
I.indera melissaefolium (Walt.) Blume. Reported from
Bladen County, in association with natural ponds
(Melvin 1954) .
Litsea aestivalis (L.) Fern. Occasionally tall shrub
growing perif eral to some ponds.
Lentibulariaceae
Pinguicula caerulea Walt. Occasional on the sandy,
�. grassy margins of some ponds.
232

Utricularia inflata var. minor (L.) Chapm. Submerged
1
and emergent aquatic more characteristic of
somewhat disturbed ponds.
Utricularia olivacea Wright ex Griseb. Floating
aquatic, particularly in association with U.
purpurea in scattered ponds.
Utricularia purpurea Walt. Floating in shallower waters
where depressions have a heavy accumulation of organic
matter, but are open to light.
Utricularia subulata L. Terrestrial in marginal sandy
and sparcely grassy areas.
Utricularia spp. Others present but n t specifically
identified.
Lobeliaceae
Lobelia nuttallii R. & S. Sandy margins; frequently
with a thick growth of grasses and sedges.
Lycopodiaceae
L co odium sp. Not identified. Present where wet
savannah -like conditions prevail.
Melastomataceae
Rhexia spp. Not specifically identified; present where
savannah -like conditions prevail.
Nymphaeacea
Nu har advena (Ait.) Ait. Fairly common where water
depths reach 2 to 3 feet at the lowest.
Nymphaea odorata Ait. Centers of ponds or areas where
Cwater depths of 2 to 3 feet are maintained. Uncommon.
233

Nyssaceae
N ssa sylvatica var. biflora (Walt.) Sarg.
Common marginal tree, occurring usually singly or
in small groups in or around shallower ponds.
Onagraceae
Ludwigia palustris (L.) Ell. Occurring occasionally in
somewhat disturbed ponds.
Poaceae
Amphicar.pum purshii Kunth. Radford et. al. 1968
Andropogon virginicus L. Common on open, wide margins of
shallower ponds not inundated in late summer.
Erap;rosti-s elliottii S. Wats. Occasional on margins of
open grassy type escaping inundations during summer.
Eragrostis refracta (Muhl.) Scribn. Occasional around
l
moist, sandy margins.
Erianthus giganteus (Walt.) Muhl. Frequently found
around shallow marshy borders.
Hvdrochloa caroliniensis Beauv. Floating in submerged
mats in perennial ponds.
Leersia hexandra Swarts. Emergent mats in perennial ponds.
Panicum dichotomiflorum Michx. Sandy margins.
Panicum erectifolium Nash. Open sandy margins not
subject to flooding.
Panicum hemitomon Schult. Disturbed perennial ponds.
Panicum tenerum Beyr. ex Trin. Flooded edges.
Panicum verrucosum Muhl. Sandy margins not subject to
summer flooding.
234

Polygalaceae
Polygala lutea L. Moist sandy margins. -
Polygala ramosa Ell. Wet margins.
Polygonaceae
Polygonum hydropiperoides var. opelousanum (Riddell
ex Small) Stone. Shallow water of perennially
wet ponds.
Scrophulariaceae
Bacopa caroliana (Walt.) Robins. Not seen by me.
Taxodiaceae
Taxodium ascendens Brongn. Usually dominant where
ponds are surrounded by trees.
Violaceae
Viola lanceolata L. One pond. Unusual location in
organic soil of small stand of Taxodium ascendens
in the central portion of a pond. Seen blooming
in October.
Xyridaceae
X ris u icai Rich. Wet or flooded margins.
X ris smalliana Nash. Frequent where sanannah-like
conditions have developed.
I have accumulated some observations over a three year
period on the use of these ponds by vertebrates. The ponds
seem to be very important feeding and breeding sites for a
variety of amphibians and reptiles. Bird species of a wide
variety forage in the depths and edges of the ponds.
235

Such ponds are probably important for mammals, but the
only observations are indirect --from tracks left in the
soft sand. Raccoon (Procyon lotor), White-tailed Deer
(0docoileus virginianus), and Otter (Lutra canadensis)
are the only mammals that I have seen,utilizing the ponds.
Following is a list of vertebrates that have been
seen using these upland ponds.
' Birds:
Pied -billed Grebe (Podilymbus podiceps)
Great Blue Heron (Ardea herodias)
Green Heron (Butorides virescens)
Little Blue heron (Florida caerulea)
Great Egret (Casmerodius albus)
`i Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus)
White Ibis (Eudocimus albus)
Wood Duck (Aix sponsa)
Ful.vous Tree Duck (Dendrocygna bicolor)
Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)
Marsh Hawk.(Circus cyaneus)
Sparrow Hawk (Falco sparverius)
American Woodcock (Philhela minor)
Common Snipe (Capella gallinago)
Greater Yellowlegs (Totanus melanoteucus
Lesser Yellowlegs (Totanus flavipes)
Eastern Kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus)
r.fv'A Is

Amphibians
Broken -striped Newt (Notopthalmus viridescens dorsalis)
Two -lined Salamander•(Eurycea bislineata cirriger a)
Pine -woods Treefrog (Hyla femoralis)
Squirrel Treefrog (Hyla squirella)
Green Treefrog (Hyla cinerea)
Little Grass Frog (Limnaoedus ocularis)
Southern Cricket Frog (Acris gryllus gryllus)
Southern Chorus Frog (Pseudacris nigrita nigrita)
Brimley's Chorus From (Pseudacris brimleyi)
Bullfrog (Rana catesbiana)
Carpenter Frog (Rana virgatipes)
Southern Leopard Frog (Rana utricularia)
ff Spadefoot Toad (Scaphiopus holbrooki)
Narrow -mouthed Toad (Gastrophryne carolinensis)
Reptiles
Several unknown Turtles
Eastern Glass Lizard (Ophisaurus ventralis)
Green Anole (Anolis carolinensis)
Broad -headed Skink (Eumeces laticeps)
Banded Water Snake (Natrix fasciata)
Red -bellied Snake (Storeria occipitomaculata)
Eastern Garter Snake (Thamnophis sirtalis sirtalis)
Hognose Snake (Heterodon sp.)
Northern Black Racer (Colub er constrictor)
Eastern Coachwhip (Masticophis flagellum)
C
237

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NATURAL AREA INVENTORY FORM
Preliminary Reconnaissance Survey
Brunswick County, North Carolina
1. Natural Area Name: Waccamaw Island Savannah
2. Location: Site is located adjacent to and north of highway NC 904,
0.25 miles south of the Waccamaw River bridge.
3. Topographic Quadrangle Map Reference: Pireway 1:24000.
Coordinates: 340011N latitude; 78038'W longitude.
4. Size: 4.5 ha. (11 A.).
5. Elevation: 9 to 12 m (30 to 40 ft.).
6. Vegetation Classification Category: II.E.2. Flatwoods.
7. Investigator(s): Timothy D. Nifong
Box 29, Coker Hall, UNC
Chapel Hill, N. C. 27514
8. Access: Highway NC 904 (see attached county road map).
2L19

9. Site Description:
The Waccamaw Island Savannah is an extremely diverse savannah
site in terms of available microhabitats, and consequently, in terms
of plant species richness. This is true due largely to the fact that
the savannah occurs on a fluvial "island" within the swamp forest
adjacent to the Waccamaw River, and exemplifies the ridge and swale
topography typical of the area. Though the canopy dominant is longleaf
pine (Pious palustris) throughout, the herb and shrub species assemblages
range from very mesic associations on the clay soils of the swales to
semi-xeric ones on the sandier ridge soils, with obvious and interesting
zonation of some species resulting.
The site community type is open Pinus palustris/Mixed herbs, with
shrub and transgressive tree species occurring sporadically. In the
swale areas, the herbaceous flora is extremely variable, consisting of
a mixture of wire -grass (Aristida stricta) and a varied array of fortis,
including large populations of several insectivorous species, such as
Venus' flytrap (Dionaea muscipula) and pitcher plants (Sarracenia spp.).
The drier ridge essentially, eastern) portion of the island exhibits
a decrease in herbaceous diversity, and a mixture of wire -grass and
pine,•woods beard tongue (Penstemon australis) predominates (at least
vernally).
As noted, the island is surrounded by swamp forest, here largely
dominated by swamp black gum (Nyssa sylvatica var, biflora), with pond
cypress (Taxodium ascendens) and Atlantic white cedar am ecyparis
th oides) being of bonze importance. Swamp willow (Salix caroliniana)
s abun nt along the boundary of the swamp forest community with
the island savannah.
Within the savannah itself, the scattered pines of the canopy are
relatively mature, as indicated by the frequency of flat -top trees.
Evidences of frequent past fires are abundant at the site, which was
burned this spring (1981) as well.
,fie`' •.. t

10. Ownership Summary:
a. Ownership type by percent area:
b. Number of owners: one (1).
c. Name(s) and address(es) of owner(s):
Waccamaw Paradise, Inc.
Rt. 1, sox 303
Hallsboro, N. C.
Type
Private 100 %
Public _%
Unknown %
11. hand Use Status:
a. Natural area usage category: (1) No apparent use to low intensity
recreation; (2) Intrusions: highway NC 904 dissects the island,
and forms the southern boundary of the natural area.
b. Use of surrounding land:
(1) Undeveloped 100 %
(2) Developed: agricultural or silvicultural %
(3) Developed: urban %
12. Management Summary:
a. Current preservation status:
Category
%
Descri tion of preservation status
4
-
Private land, posted by assumed lessee, Mr.
Henry C. Hughes of Loris, S. C.
24JL

b. Threats:
Cate or
Descri tion of threat
3
Timbering and replanting in ines• widening of
highway NC 904; possible development as art
of vacation --hunting lodge complex.
c. Management recommendations:
(1) Annual prescribed burning of the site should continue;
(2) All vehicular traffic on the island, excepting.the single
access road which traverses it, should be strictly prohibited;
(3) Because the site contains at least four highly exploited
insectivorous species --Venus' flytrap (Dionaea.musci ula),
a threatened endemic; trumpets (Sarracen a flava); pitcher -
plant (S. purpurea); and hooded pitcher -plant S. minor) --
as well as a number of other rare and/or threatened and endan-
gered plant species, populations of these notable plants
should be monitored to ensure their protection and continued
survival;
(4) It is possible, due to the relatively fragile nature of some
of ithe wetter portions of this site and the ready public
access to the area, that some form of restricted access will
prove necessary in the future.
242

n
13. Site Significance. Summary:
(1) This is a very high quality site and the only known example
of a fluvial ridge and swale savannah in the state.
(2) The site contains a number of.plant species of special concern--.
endangered, threatened, rare, exploited --which are listed
below:
(a) Dionaea muscipula
(b) Lophiola americana
(c) Lysimachia asperulaefolia
(d) Parnassia caroliniana
(e) Sarracenia. minor.
(3) Extremely large populations of two exploited species exist at
the site. These are pitcher plant (Sarracenia purpuurea), with
a hundred or more individuals at the site, and hooded pitcher
plant (Sarracenia minor), with an estimated hundred and fifty
individuals. This is the largest population of hooded pitcher
plant known in the state (fide A. E. Radford).
14. N. C. Natural Heritage Program Priority Rating:
High priority.

15. Field Reconnaissance Data Summary Sheet:
FLORA
Canopy: Pinus palustris
Pinus palustris
P. taeda
Taxodium ascendens
Subcanopy: None
Tranagressives: No dominants
Acer rubrum
Diospyros virginiana
Liquidambar styraciflua
Magnolia virginiana
Nyssa sylvatica var. biflora
Quercus geminate
Q. marilandica
Q. nigra
Shrubs: No dominants
Clethra alnifolia
Cyrilla racemiflora
Gaylussacia dumosa
Ilex glabra
Myrica cerifera var. pumila
Quercus pumila
Rubus sp.
Subshrub: No dominants
Vaccinium crassifolium
Herbs: Mixed herbs
Aletris farinosa
Aristida stricta
Asclepias lanceolata
A. longifolia
Aster squarrosus
A. tortifolius (2)
Baptisia cinerea
Calopogon pallida
C. pulchellus
Carphephorus tomentosus
Centella asiatica
Coreopsis falcata
Ctenium aromaticum
Dichanthelium ensifolium (?)
Dichromena latifolia
Dionaea muscipula
Drosera capillaris
Erigeron vernus
Eriocaulon decangulare
Eupatorium rotundifolium

15. Field Reconnaissance Data Summary Sheet: (coat.)
Herbs: (cant.)
Fimbristylis sp.
Juncus platyphyllus
Lachnanthes caroliniana
Lachnocaulon minus
Lespedeza hirta
Lobelia nuttallii
Lophiola americana
Lysimachia asperulaefolia
Muhlenbergia inexpansa
Parnassia caroliniana
Penstemon australis
Polygala lutea
P. ramosa
Pterocaulon pycnostachyum
Rhexia alifanus
R. mariana
Sarracenia flava
S. minor
S. purpurea
Scutellaria integrifolia
Sisyrinchium angustifolium
Solidago o.dora
Tephrosia hispidula
Trilisa paniculata
Vernonia acaulis
Viola primulifolia
Zigadenus densus
Vines: No dominants
Gelsimium sempervirens
Smilax glauca
Ferns: No dominants
Osmunda regalis
Pteridium aquilinum
Woodwardia virginica
Fern Allies: No dominants
Lycopodium appressum
FAUNA
Birds:
Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus)
Fish Crow (Corvus ossifragus)
Pine Warbler (Dendroica pinus)
Prairie Warbler (D. discolor)
Prothonotary Warbler. (Protonotaria citrea)
Tufted Titmouse (Parus bicolor)
White -eyed Vireo (Vireo griseus)

15., Field Reconnaissance Data Summary Sheet: (cont.)
SOIL SUBGROUP
Swalea:
Aerie Paleaquults
Ridges:
No cores taken.

0 00
X44 `\
J`
3
`z
Z —
A=?;3'X'MATZ MEAN
..".-;NATtCN, 1946
\
�_
\-�Pireway
•_ _ __-__
--_�M228
2 BM — — - -
a--`36`
_ _
�•�39
is
39
USA A- _ Waccamaw Island
Savannah
IL
38 X O\ _ �_
;. is p =
34.00,001,
LONGS 7 Ml. iNTMO•-osowcICw1- S-11EY. WASHINGTON. O. C-rasa 78.37'30"
INDEX TO BOUNDARIES
\- - - 3
I
t 2 !
1
A 1
9
�'pl
,p yC
r'�79 j
�C 6��!
.1
North Gro1Ms
A. Columbus County
1. South Willis., Township
2. Willis— 7pwnahm
3. Lea Township
4. Bus Hi11 Township
B. BNnswick County
5. Wamamsw Township
South Carolina
C. Hurry County
6. Simpson Ci Tpwnahip
INDEX TO ADJOINING SHEETS
78.5230" 78-4500" 78-37'30" 78-30.00"
34-15.00"
°tiy�
yti��\
titi��
1I
r
I
A.M.S. 1646
I h
b
I
Sheet 525211 SW falls within NI 17.6.
AMS Y501. 1:250,000
Figure 38. Waccamaw Island Savannah
247 PIREWAY, N. C., S. C.
N3400•W7837.5 /7.5
34-07'30"
34.00'00"
33-52'30"

APPENDIX A; ADDENDA TO PREVIOUSLY SUBMITTEDI BRUNSWICK
COUNTY NATURAL AREA REPORTS.
.Big Cypress Bay
Since submission of the original 1979 contract report, the entire
interior area of the bay has been explored. The vegetational communities
throughout are similar to those already detailed in the earlier contract
report, with the dominant interior community type in terms of areal extent
being pond cypress (Taxodium ascendens)/swamp black gum (Nyssa sylvatica
var. biflora)/dahoon Ilex cassine var. myrtifolia). Notably large popu-
lations of several infrequent species--water-spider orchid (Habenaria
repens), cassena (Ilex cassine var. cassine), and bladderwort Utricularia
fibrosa)--occur around the northwest bay area sinks and within the interior
bay forest.
The importance of the site as breeding habitat for a number of "special
concern" bird species was probably underestimated in the original report,
and needs to be further inventoried.
Big Island Savannah
Savannah area 2 (see topographic map accompanying original report)
and the adjacent pocosin area which occurs between this tract and savan-
nah area 1 (the main portion of Big Island Savannah) were drained, clear-
cut, burned, and plowed during the summer of 1980. As a result, Big
Island Savannah is now surrounded on three sides (highway NC 211 borders
the savannah on the fourth side) by intensively managed pine plantation.
The effects of such disturbance on the local hydrology cannot be predicted
precisely, but it is probable that the savannah itself will gradually
become drier as a result of further lowering of the area water table.
Big Island Savannah is clearly the largest, most diverse clay soil
savannah presently known, not only within the county, but also, within
the state. The importance of the site as representing a nearly "extir-
pated" portion of our natural heritage cannot be overemphasized. Unfor-
tunately, the outlook for the future of the site does not presently look
particularly bright.
Blue Pond
During the winter of 1980, the longleaf pine (Pious palustris) forest
adjacent to Little Blue and Black Ponds was clearcut, burned, and plowed
by the owner, with a great deal of disturbance resulting within the pond
communities, greatly lowering the site qualities. Blue Pond itself, under
different ownership, remains in escellent condition.
An additional pair of nesting osprey (Pandion halioetus) was present
at Blue Pond during the 1981 nesting season.
1The reports referred to were originally submitted in 1979 as portions
of two contract inventory agreements with the N. C. Natural Heritage Program.

Boiling,S r� ings Lakes "Natural" Area
As noted in the original report, the largest concentration of Red -
cockaded Woodpeckers (Picoides borealis) in the county, both in terms of
population size and density, occurs within the Boiling Springs Lakes
development, and the American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis)
is common throughout the tract. Both species are on the federal list
of endangered species. Additionally, it has since been verified that
several threatened plant species occur within the area. These include
pine barrens dog -fennel (Eu atorium capillifolium var, le to h llum),
pondspice (Litsea aestivalis , and loose water-milfoil Myriophyllum
laxum).
It is suggested that some effort be made toward preservation of
these significant biotic elements, e. g., educating the developers and
individual owners of the value of their lands as breeding habitat for
a number of threatened and endangered species. however, due to the mul-
tiple ownerships of the various sites concerned, previous and present -;day
developmental activities, heavy recreational use of the area, and other
related factors, the value of the tract as a potential natural area must
be considered very low.
Orton Pond Natural Area
When considered in its entirety, i. e., in terms of the 1979 report,
expanded to include the Brunswick Town area limesinks, Orton Pond Natural
Area is clearly one of the most significant areas in Brunswick County and
within the state. Verified threatened and endangered species present
include (alphabetically):
Alligator mississippiensis American Alligator
Anhinga anhinga Water -turkey
Eleocharis robinsii Dwarf Spike-rush
Picoides borealis Red -cockaded Woodpecker
Potamogeton illinoensis Pondweed
Rhexia cubensis Meadow -beauty
Rh nchos ora tracyi Tracy's Beak -rush
tricularia olivacea Dwarf Bladderwort.
In addition, the natural area contains exceptionally high quality
geomorphic examples of limesinks with a great variety of vegetational com-
munity types, extremely important breeding habitat for two "special con-
cern" speciesofbirds--the Osprey (Pandion halioetus) and Great Blue
Heron (Ardea herodias)--as well as the threatened Water -turkey, and
extensive populations of a number of aquatic species infrequent in the
region.
Piver Bays Bog
The original contract report concerned with the bog site warned that
the threat of destruction of the natural area from development of adjacent
lands as pine plantation was great. The site was destroyed during 1980
as a result of activities by its owners in converting the adjacent pocosin
area to pine plantation. This is extremely unfortunate in light of the
importance of the bogs,large sweet pitcher plant (Sarracenia rubra) popu-
lation, and in light of the fact that destruction of the site was unnecessary
for successful silvicultural use and management of the adjacent pocosin.
x-49

Instead,destruction of the site resulted more from ignorance of its sig-
nificance, rather than necessity or intent to disturb the bog site.
Spring Creek Pond
The longleaf pine (Pinus Palustris)/Mixed oaks (Quercus spp.) com-
munity which surrounds Spring Creek Pond is one of the best, if not the
best, example of undisturbed Coastal Scrub Forest (see Introduction,
Table 1) occurring within the county. When considered in conjunction
with the merits of the pond community itself, this fact greatly increases
the significance of the site as a natural --and research --area.

Appendix B: other Significant Special Habitats in
Brunswick County
1. Sea Turtle Nesting Beaches (See Figure 4 on p. 25)•
2. Wood Stork (Mycteria americana) Feeding Area.
A small flock of post -breeding dispersants from
Georgia and Florida regularly occur during late
summer in the vicinity of two freshwater ponds
-near Sunset Beach. These ponds ara located on
the north side of County road 1186 near the
Intracoastal Waterway. This is the northern-
most locality on the Atlantic coast where this
species occurs regularly. (LeGrand, 1980, Southern
Atlantic Coast Region, American Birds 34:886).
See Calabash topographicquadrangle for location
of feeding area.
251.

I I
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0

CEIP Publications
1. Hauser, E. W., P. D..Cribbins, P. D. Tschetter, and R. D. Latta.
Coastal Energy Transportation Needs -to Support Major Energy Projects
in North Carolina's Coastal Zone. CEIP Report # 1. September 1981. $10.
2. P. D. Cribbins. A Study of OCS Onshore Support Bases and Coal Export
Terminals. CEIP Report # 2. September 1981. $10.
3. Tschetter, P. D., M. Fisch, and R. D. Latta. An Assessment of
Potential Impacts of Energy -Related Transportation Developments on
North Carolina's Coastal Zone. CEIP Report #3. July 1981. $10.
4. Cribbins, P. S. An Analysis of State and Federal Policies Affecting
Major Energy Projects in North Carolina's Coastal Zone. CEIP Report
#4. September 1981. $10.
5. Brower, David, W. D. McElyea, D. R. Godschalk, and N. D. Lofaro.
Outer Continental Shelf Development and the North Carolina Coast:
A Guide for Local Planners. CEIP Report #5. August 1981. $10.
6. Rogers, Golden and.Halpern, Inc., and Engineers for Energy and the
Environment, Inc. Mitigating the Impacts of Energy Facilities: A
Local Air Quality Program for the Wilmington, N. C. Area. CEIP
Report #6. September 1981. $10.
7. Richardson, C. J. (editor). Pocosin Wetlands: an Integrated Analysis
of Coastal Plain Freshwater Bogs in North Carolina. Stroudsburg (Pa):
Hutchinson Ross. 364 pp. $25. Available from School of Forestry,
Duke University, Durham, N. C. 27709. (This proceedings volume is for
a conference partially funded by N. C. CEIP. It replaces the N. C.
Peat Sourcebook in this publication list.)
8. McDonald, C. B. and A. M. Ash.. Natural Areas Inventory of Tyrrell
County,.N. C. CEIP Report #8. October 1981. $10.
9. Fussell, J., and E. J. Wilson. Natural Areas Inventory of Carteret
County, N. C. CEIP Report #9. October 1981. $10.
10. Nyfong, T. D. Natural Areas Inventory of Brunswick County, N. C.
CEIP Report # 10. October 1981. $10.
11. Leonard, S. W., and R. J. Davis. Natural Areas Inventory for'Pender
County, N. C. CEIP Report #11. October 1981. $10.
12. Cribbins, Paul D., and Latta, R. Daniel. Coastal Energy Transporta-
tion Study: Alternative Technologies for Transporting and Handling
Export Coal. CEIP Report #12. January 1982. $10.
13. Creveling, Kenneth. Beach Communities and Oil Spills: Environmental
and Economic Consequences for Brunswick County, N. C. CEIP Report
#13. May 1982. $10.

CEIP Publications
14. Rogers, Golden and Halpern, Inc., and Engineers for Energy and the
Environment. The Design of a Planning Program to Help Mitigate Energy
Facility -Related Air Quality Impacts in the Washington County, North
Carolina Area. CEIP Report #14. September 1982. $10.
15. Fussell, J., C. B. McDonald, and A. M. Ash. Natural Areas Inventory
of Craven County, North Carolina. CEIP Report #15. October 1982.
$10.
16. Frost, Cecil C. Natural Areas Inventory of Gates County, North
Carolina. CEIP Report #16. April 1982. $10.
17. Stone, John R., Michael T. Stanley, and Paul T. Tschetter. Coastal
Energy Transportation Study, Phase III, Volume 3: Impacts of Increased
Rail Traffic on Communities in Eastern North Carolina. CEIP Report #17.
August 1982. $10.
19. Pate, Preston P., and Jones, Robert. Effects of Upland Drainage on
Estuarine Nursery Areas of Pamlico Sound, North Carolina. CEIP
Report #19. December 1981. $1.00.
25. Wang Engineering Co., Inc. Analysis of the Impact of Coal Trains
Moving Through Morehead City, North Carolina. CEIP Report # 25.
October 1982. $10.
26. Anderson & Associates, Inc. Coal Train Movements Through the City of
Wilmington, North Carolina. CEIP Report #26. October 1982. $10.
27. Peacock, S. Lance and J. Merrill Lynch. Natural Areas Inventory of
Mainland Dare County, North Carolina. CEIP Report #27. November 1982.
$10.
28. Lynch, J. Merrill and S. Lance Peacock. Natural Areas Inventory of
Hyde County, North Carolina. CEIP Report # 28. October 1982. $10.
29. Peacock, S. Lance and J. Merrill Lynch. Natural Areas Inventory of
Pamlico County, North Carolina. CEIP Report #29. November 1982. $10.
30. Lynch, J. Merrill and S, Lance Peacock. Natural Areas Inventory of
Washington County, North Carolina. CEIP Report #30. October 1982.
$10.
31. Muga, Bruce J. Review and Evaluation of Oil Spill Models for Applica-
tion to North Carolina Waters. CEIP Report #31. August 1982. $10.
33. Sorrell, F. Yates and Richard R. Johnson. Oil and Gas Pipelines in
Coastal North Carolina: Impacts and Routing Considerations. CEIP
Report #33. December 1982. $10.
34. Roberts and Eichler Associates, Inc. Area Development Plan for Radio
Island. CEIP Report #34. June 1983. $10.
35. Cribbins, Paul D. Coastal Energy Transportation Study, Phase III,
Volume 4: The Potential for Wide -Beam, Shallow -Draft Ships to Serve
Coal and Other Bulk Commodity Terminals along the Cape Fear River.
CEIP Report #35. August 1982. $10.