Natural Area Inventory-1982

NATURAL AREA INVENTORY OF HYDE COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA
BY
J. Merrill Lynch
S. Lance Peacock
The preparation of this report was financed through a Coastal
Energy Impact Program grant provided by 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 Administration. This
CEIP grant was part of NOAA NA-80-AA-D-CZ149.
The natural area inventory was supervised by the North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program (Division of Parks and Recreation, N.C.
Department of Natural Resources and Community Development).
Project No.
Contract No. 81-03
October, 1982
1
2P. O. Box 6006
Raleich, NC 27628
DCM COPY DCM COPY
lease do not remove!!!!!
Division of Coastal Management

a
NATURAL AREA INVENTORY OF HYDE COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA
BY
J. Merrill Lynch
S. Lance Peacock
The preparation of this report was financed through a Coastal
Energy Impact Program grant provided by 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 Administration. This
CEIP grant was part of NOAA NA-80-AA-D-CZ149.
The natural area inventory was supervised by the North Carolina
Natural Heritage Program (Division of Parks and Recreation, N.C.
Department of Natural Resources and Community Development).
Project No.
Contract No. 81-03
October, 1982
1Route 2, Box 222-B
Enfield, NC 27823
2P. O. Box 6006
Raleigh, NC 27628

a
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 Hyde
County inventory was conducted in 1982 and was financed by a
Coastal Energy Impact Program (CEIP) grant. CEIP funded the
Hyde County survey because of the potential environmental
impacts of peat mining and other energy -related development.
The recommendations made in this report by J. Merrill
Lynch and S. Lance Peacock are advisory. Their inventory
and recommendations are designed to help state and federal
agencies, county officials, resource managers, landowners
and developers work out effective land management and preser-
vation mechanisms to protect the seven outstanding or exemplary
natural areas described in the 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.
Merrill Lynch and Lance Peacock are experienced field
biologists, who have previously been employed with the N.C.
Natural Heritage Program and are most familiar with natural
habitats throughout the North Carolina coastal plain region.
The investigators were exceptionally well qualified to iden-
tify, describe, and evaluate the most outstanding natural
areas of the project region.
Project investigators were instructed to identify natural
areas that contain highly unique, endangered, or rare natural
features, or high -quality representations of relatively
undisturbed natural habitats, and which may be vulnerable
to threats and damage from land use changes. Consequently,
the investigators were advised not to report extensively on
the large expanses of brackish marshes, or on lands and waters
protected and administered by the U.S. Department of the
Interior. The Hyde County inventory excludes three categories
of natural environments possessing important ecological re-
sources.
ii

Categories of natural environments not described in this
inventory are:
(1) Brackish Marsh. Vast expanses of marsh fringe the -shore-
line along Pamlico Sound. For the most part, this eco-
system is protected through State and federal regulatory
programs.
(2) National Wildlife Refuges. Both the Mattamuskeet and
Swanquarter National Wildlife Refuges are recognized on
the State Registry of Natural Heritage Areas. Lake
Mattamuskeet, in excess of 50,000 acres in size, is the
largest natural lake in North Carolina. The lake is
bordered by a narrow band of woodlands and freshwater
marshes. The refuge supports more than 100,000 wintering
waterfowl and a large number of breeding ospreys. Bald
eagles also over -winter at the lake. Swanquarter refuge
is primarily composed of needlerush-brackish marsh and
estuarine waters and is noted for large numbers of
wintering waterfows and raptors. It supports a popula-
tion of American Alligators, and a heron colony is known
to breed in an old -growth cypress stand. Much of Swan -
quarter refuge is designated as a National Wilderness
Area.
(3) Outer Banks Barrier Islands. Not included in the inventory
project, Ocraocke Island is primarily owned and managed
by the National Park Service. The narrow 12-mile-long
barrier island is relatively undisturbed and provides a
fine illustration of zonations --beach, fore dunes, sand
flats, relict dunes, tidal creeks, live oak -wax myrtle
maritime woods, and spartina marshes. The island supports
large nesting populations of shorebirds. Also in the
Ocracoke Inlet, on Shell Castle, Beacon, and North Rock
Islands, nest the state's largest breeding colony of ._
brown pelicans, which is the northernmost breeding colony
on the East Coast.
The Office of Coastal Management, and the Coastal Resources
Commission which it -serves, implement the Coastal Area Manage-
ment 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 many 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.
Peat mining has particular implications for these natural
areas, some of which overlay exploitable peat deposits. Mining
will remove natural vegetation, permanently alter the hydrology
of the region, lower surface soil types from high organic
iii

histosoils to the clayey, sandy, and loamy soils typical of
other parts of the outer coastal plain. Thus, natural
communities, once mining is complete, almost certainly could
never be re-established or reclaimed on mined -out land.
Preservation of the best natural areas, and appropriate
hydrological management, is necessary prior to and during
active peat mining.
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
extraordinary natural areas that possess natural elements of
statewide or national priority and may be critical to the
survival of North Carolina's natural diversity. Most of the
identified sites were previously unknown and undocumented by
the state'e scientific community. We are particularly
impressed by the natural heritage values contained in the
series of wetlands in the Alligator River corridor, the
Scranton hardwood forest and the Gull Rock Game Land wetlands.
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 16, 1982
iv

ABSTRACT. Seven natural areas are described and delineated
for Hyde County as a result of a field survey December 1981 -
August 1982. The natural areas contain slightly over 52,000
acres and at least 42 significant features. All but two of the
natural areas are wholly in private ownership. Publicly owned
natural areas are the Gull Rock Game Lands and Salyer's Ridge.
The entire natural area acreage is comprised of wetland habitats.
u

TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
PREFACE_ .�����.�
.....................................
ABSTRACT:�............................................ v
TABLE -OF CONTENTS .................................... vi
LISTOF FIGURES ...................................... vii
LISTOF TABLES ....................................... viii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS..................................... ix
INTRODUCTION......................................... 1
NATURAL AREA INVENTORY 13
Alligator River - Swan Lake 14
Cypress Park .................................... 49
Roper Island .................................... 67
New Lake Fork Pocosin ........................... 96
Gull Rock Game Lands 114
Scranton Hardwoods .............................. 158
Salyer's Ridge..............0................... 188
BIBLIOGRAPHY......................................... 214.
GLOSSARY............................................. 219
vi

LIST OF FIGURES
Page
1.
Natural Areas of Hyde County ..........................
13
2.
Access information map, Alligator River -
Swan Lake ...........................................
15
3.
Significant features map, Alligator River -
Swan Lake ...........................................
31
4.
Access information map, Cypress Park ..................
50
5.
Significant features map, Cypress Park ................
57
6.
Access information map, Roper Island ..................
68
7.
Significant features map, Roper Island ................
78
8.
Access information map, New Lake Fork
Pocosin.............................................
97
9.
Significant features map, New Lake Fork
Pocosin.............................................
103
10.
Access information map, Gull Rock Game
Lands ...............................................
115
11.
Significant features map, Gull Rock Game
Lands ...............................................
131
12.
Access information map, Scranton Hardwoods ............
159
13.
Significant features map, Scranton Hardwoods ..........
172
14.
Access information map, Salyer's Ridge ................
189
15.
Significant features map, Salyer's Ridge ..............
203
vii

LIST OF TABLES
Page
1. Selected Characteristics of Otte's g
Pocosin Types .............................
viii

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The assistance of the following individuals is gratefully
acknowledged:
1. Chuck Roe and Julie Moore of the North Carolina Natural
Heritage Program, for the preparation of a workable set
of inventory specifications, advice, and guidance through-
out the project.
2. Rod McClanahan, District Biologist, North Carolina Wildlife
Resources Commission; Otto.Florschutz, Jr., Biologist, U.S.
Fish and Wildlife Service; and Kirby Ballance, Technician,
Soil Conservation Service, Hyde County, for their assistance
in helping to identify and document the significant natural
areas of the county.
3. Pat White, private consulting forester, Plymouth, for his
invaluable aid in locating natural areas, identifying land-
owners, and providing a wealth of information on all aspects
of the county's natural diversity.
4. Earl Faison, Roanoke Rapids, our pilot during the reconnais-
sance flights, who aided our survey immeasurably.
5. Lee Otte, East Carolina University, Department of Geology,
who provided valuable comments on pocosin ecology and peat
information.
ix

INTRODUCTION
Hyde County is in the northeastern section of North Carolina,
situated in the Coastal Plain Province. The county is one of the
oldest in the state, formed in 1705 as a sub -unit of the earlier
Bath County, and having the name of Hyde since about 1712 (Powell,
1968). Hyde County has an area of about 1364 square miles, of
which 634 are land and 730 are water. The approximately 873,000
acres encompass a variety of habitats, ranging from open lakes,
brackish sounds and embayed rivers to freshwater marshes, pocosins
and wooded swamps and flats, with minor areas of upland mixed pine -
hardwood forests, as well as various maritime habitats on the outer
banks.
The mainland part of the county, which is the subject of the
present study, is. located on the south side of the Pamlimarle
peninsula, and is adjoined by Beaufort, Washington, Tyrrell and
Dare Counties. Most of mainland Hyde County's boundaries also
follow natural features: the Pungo River on the west, the Al-
ligator River on much of the northern boundary, and Pamlico Sound
on the east and south. The embayed and non-embayed portions of
the Pungo and Alligator Rivers, and their tributaries, drain
about half the county, with the other half draining into Pamlico
Sound, either directly or through Lake Mattamuskeet. Many small
embayments dissect the Pamlico Sound shoreline, including the
Long Shoal River, Wyesocking Bay, Juniper Bay, Rose Bay and
others. Large natural lakes are a prominent feature of the
county, and include New Lake, part of the Pungo Lake, and Lake
Mattamuskeet, the largest natural lake in the state. Swan
Creek Lake, a much smaller blackwater lake, is located in the
northwest part of the county along the channel of Swan Creek.
Elevations on the mainland are 18 feet or less.
SOILS AND RECENT GEOLOGY
A modern soil survey of Hyde County has not been conducted,
but a General Soils Map and Interpretations (SCS, 1973) has been
produced, and is the source of the following soils data. Hyde
County has six recognized Soil Associations, as follows:
a) Myatt-Bladen Association - poorly drained soils with
gray to dark gray fine sandy loam to loam sur-
face layers and friable sandy clay loam to very
firm clay subsoils.
1

Wet Ultisols which comprise about 7 percent of the
county's total land acreage and are about 80 percent
in cultivation.
Natural areas identified: none.
b) Weeksville-Pasquotank Association - very poorly
drained soils with black to gray very fine
sandy loam or silt loam surface layers over
friable silt or stratified sands.
Wet Inceptisols which comprise about 11 percent of
the county's total land acreage and are 85 percent
or more in cultivation.
Natural areas identified: Salyer's Ridge and most
of the'hardwood stands on the Gull Rock Game
Lands natural area.
c) Hyde-Bayboro Association —very poorly drained soils
with thick black loam surface layers over firm
clay loam to very firm clay subsoils.
Wet Ultisols which comprise about 12 percent of the
county's total land acreage and are about 25 percent
in cultivation with the rest in timberland including
pine plantations.
Natural areas identified: Gull Rock Game Lands (in
part); Scranton Hardwoods.
d) Capers Association - very poorly drained soils with
dark gray silty clay subsoils and loam surface
layers over sticky, plastic, silty clay subsoils.
Wet Entisols (marsh soils) which comprise about 7
percent of the county's total land acreage and are
not cultivated.
Natural areas identified: Gull Rock Game Lands (in
part) .
e) Dare-Pungo-Dorovan Association - very poorly drained
soils with thick to moderately thick organic
surface layers over mineral subsurface layers
ranging from sand to clay.
2

Deep Histosols which comprise about 20 percent of
the county's total land acreage. Large acreages
are being placed in cultivation, and peat mining
has been proposed within this group of soils.
Natural areas identified: Alligator River; Roper
Island (in part); New Lake Fork Pocosin.
f) Ponzer-Belhaven-Wasda Association - very poorly
drained soils with moderately thick to thin
organic surface layers and loamy subsurface
layers.
Shallow Histosols (Wasda series soils are Histic
Humaquepts) which comprise about 30 percent of the
county's total land acreage. Extensively cleared
for agriculture mostly during the past 20 years.
Natural areas identified: Alligator River (in part);
Roper Island (in part); Gull Rock Game Lands (in
part).
The entire area of mainland Hyde County is on the Pamlico
_ terrace or Pamlico surface. The Pamlico is the lowest and
youngest of the several generalized surfaces of the state's
Coastal Plain recognized as having been formed during periods
of higher sea level. The history of sea rise and fall is com-
plex. About 75,000 years BP (Daniel, 1981), during the Pamlico
transgression, the edge of the sea lay inland to a point now
marked by the sandy ridge of the Suffolk Scarp. The toe of
the scarp is now about 20 feet above modern sea level, and
15 miles west of the western boundary of Hyde County. During
the peak of the Wisconsin glaciation (15,000 yrs. BP), sea
level stood as much as 400 feet below its modern level (Daniel,
1981). Since that period the sea has risen to its present level,
and continues to rise today.
The complex cycle of marine transgressions and regressions
has produced differing effects upon the topography of the alter-
nately exposed and submerged surfaces. Rising seas slowed stream
-erosion by raising stream base level, and planed off or obscured
with silts and muds the previous surface features. Falling sea
level in contrast exposed areas of the continental shelf and re-
juvenated streams, increasing downcutting and topographic relief.
Concurrently with the recent period of rising sea levels,
conditions favorable to peat formation have prevailed in Hyde
County and throughout the North Carolina Coastal Plain, in a
variety of vegetational and topographic situations. During
3

the past 10,000 years, peat has been forming in blocked drainages,
Carolina bays and river floodplains; under swamp forests, pocosins
and marshes (Otte, 1981). Of these, however, only floodplain and
coastal marsh peats appear to be caused by or directly related to
sea level rise and position. Interior Hyde County peats are not
a direct result of sea level rise (Otte, 1981).
Peat has filled many of the topographic lows which were
developed on the pre -peat Pamlico surface during the full -glacial
lower stand of the sea, and peat deposits have spread beyond the
original lows to mantle adjacent uplands. In the Dismal Swamp
Oaks and Whitehead (1979) have intensively examined the topography
at the base of the peat deposits, and find that a dendritic pattern
of stream drainage was present before peat formation began. De-
tailed exploration of the sub -peat "topography" has not been con-
ducted in Hyde County, but extensive sampling of peat depths, in
conjunction with surveys of energy -grade peat deposits, indicates
the presence of a sub -peat system of stream channels similar to
that in the Dismal Swamp (Ingram and Otte, 1982; Plate I). The
regional trend of these peat -filled channels is from northwest
to southeast. Stream channel peats are the norm in the vicinity
of the Alligator River.
THE VEGETATION
Much of mainland Hyde County is comprised of a diversity of
wetland habitat types, under the criteria established by Cowardin,
et al.(1979). Uncleared areas of the county, almost without ex-
ception, support hydrophytic vegetation, and soils of the county,
whether drained or undrained, are predominantly hydric (90 percent
or more; SCS, 1973). Either of these attributes is sufficient to
indicate the presence of wetlands. As in most counties of North
Carolina's lower Coastal Plain, large areas of wetland soils and
vegetation have been cleared and put into agricultural production.
This land use was concentrated on wet mineral soils throughout
much of the historical period of development, but recently large
acreages of peat lands have been intensively developed.
Scattered areas of better -drained soils, primarily within
the Myatt-Bladen and Weeksville-Pasguotank Soils Association,
probably supported more mesic vegetation, but virtually all such
sites have been cleared for many years.
The forests of Hyde County, particularly the softwood timber,
have been exploited since the colonial period. Timber cutting
and similar activities do not necessarily entail a permanent
alteration of plant communities, however. Plant communities
in the north and northeastern and south and southwestern areas
4

of the county have retained considerable integrity of composition
in the face of repeated .logging cycles - although with changes in
the age class structure and increased presence of some species
which are promoted by disturbance or by selective removal of
their competitors. Recovery after logging is most complete in
communities where extensive ditches have not been constructed.
The vegetation of northeastern Hyde County in particular still
exhibits a remarkable correlation with soil types, an observation
which supports the conclusion that edaphic and related hydrologic
and nutrient conditions still exert a controlling influence on the
basic wetland communities of that part of the county.
Contemporary disturbances affecting the Hyde County vegetation
include continued timber cutting, fire suppression, clearing of
wetland vegetation and draining of wetland soils for agriculture,
and potentially, peat mining. The now -common practice of exten-
sive ditching in conjunction with timbering will shift wetland
sites toward drier conditions and prevent the self -maintenance
and recovery of the vegetation. This process is ;ouch further
advanced and readily observable in the Dismal Swamp (cf. Meaniey,
1979).
Modern fire control and suppression also contribute to vege-
tational changes. Fire is a natural and common force in the poco-
sin vegetation which dominates the south-central and northeast
parts of the county. Fire/vegetation relationships cannot be
adequately expressed solely in terms of fire presence or fire
absence, however. Where fire occurs, as in Hyde County pocosins,
its influence on vegetation will be in large measure a function
of its frequency. Although large wildfires continue to occur,
fire frequency is being reduced over much of the county, purposely
through fire control and incidentally through creation of cleared
areas which act as firebreaks.
Long term land -use commitments such as agricultural develop-
ment obviously require an effectively permanent alteration of the
ecosystem, including both biotic and abiotic components. Recent,
ongoing and proposed land'conversion on the Hyde mainland totals
many thousands of acres. Peat mining is the ultimate consumptive
use proposed thus far for mainland Hyde County, in which the soil
itself is removed from the site and used to produce energy. Peat
mining is proposed in various areas near the Hyde/Dare County line.
5

OUTLINE OF PRINCIPAL VEGETATION TYPES IN MAINLAND HYDE COUNTY
I. Aquatic Communities - submerged and floating aquatic plants
are found in numerous areas of Hyde County, and in
habitats ranging from fresh to brackish water. Pri-
mary localities include the Alligator River shoreline,
Pamlico Sound and its embayments, and extensive beds
of aquatic species in Lake Mattamuskeet. Minor areas
of aquatic vegetation are found in the small lakes in
the northeastern part of the county, and in New Lake
and Pungo Lake.
II. Wetland Communities
A. Brackish Marsh - very abundant in mainland Hyde County
along the shoreline of Pamlico Sound. Vast ex-
panses are located in Swanquarter National Wildlife
Refuge.
B. Freshwater Marsh - naturally uncommon in the county;
occurs in limited areas along the upper Alligator
River, near the west end of Roper Island. The most
extensive examples are in Lake Mattamuskeet.
C. Cypress -gum -cedar Swamp Forest (Taxodium distichum-Nyssa
sylvatica var. biflora-Chamaecyparis thyoides) -
One of the most extensive palustrine plant communities
of Hyde County, although now reduced in area by tim-
bering and land clearing. Primarily associated with
the embayed portion of the Alligator River, with dis-
turbed examples also occurring on Roper Island.
These palustrine swamps are on deep peat soils ap-
parently subject to sporadic flooding from adjacent
waterways (Otte, 1981). Isolated cypress stands were
noted in the vicinity of West Bluff Bay on the shore
of Pamlico Sound. Riverine cypress stands are found
along the Pungo River, which is now channelized.
D. Atlantic White Cedar - a seral sub -type within the pre-
ceeding community. Most monospecific stands resulted
after logging opened sites suitable for seedling
establishment. In Hyde County occurs principally
on deep peats, perhaps where underlain by sand
(Buell and Cain, 1943).
6

E. Pocosin - the most common general habitat in Hyde County.
A fire -influenced group of communities, always oc-
curring on peats or peaty sands, but with considerable
variation in the vegetation in response to varying
peat depth, hydrology and availability of nutrients
to the system. Four types recognized by Otte (1981)
are Pond Pine Forest, Pond Pine Woodland, High Pocosin
and Low Pocosin; his criteria for these types are sum-
marized in Table 2.
F. Mixed Hardwood Flats - this community consists primarily
of oaks, including swamp chestnut oak (uercus
michauxii), laurel oak (2_. laurifolia) and cherry -
bark oak (g. pagodaefolia). Loblolly pine (Pinus
taeda) is usually a common component. Other hard-
woods present in varying proportions, depending on
site conditions, are tulip poplar (Liriodendron
tulipifera), red maple (Acer rubrum), green ash
(Fraxinus pennsylvanica), sweetgum (Liquidambar
styraciflua) and shagbark hickory (Carya ovata).
Beech (Fagus grandifolia) occurs at scattered,
slightly better drained locales. Generally oc-
cupies flat "upland" areas of poorly drained, silty,
clayey, or fine loamy soils (usually wet Ultisols).
Once an extensive community in Hyde County, Mixed
Hardwood Flats are now severely reduced by agri-
cultural clearing, logging and pine plantation
development, and generally are one of the most
threatened communities of the North Carolina
Coastal Plain.
G. Seral Pine and Hardwoods - distributed throughout Hyde
County are areas of second -growth sweetgum, loblolly
pine and red maple, which have grown up on disturbed
sites such as old fields, logged areas, etc. These
successional communities vary widely in age and size,
often being disturbed repeatedly. Only one, Salyer's
Ridge, has attained natural significance. They occur
predominantly on poorly drained mineral soils. The
pre -disturbance vegetation of most of these sites is
not known, but probably was dominated by the same
hydric to mesic hardwood species associated with
palustrine Mixed Hardwood Flats.
III. Terrestrial Communities - we located no true terrestrial plant
communities in Hyde County. If significant examples
existed historically, they were cleared at a very early
stage in the development of the county. Possibly the
western portion of the county originally supported ter-
restrial communities on what is now cleared agricultural
land.
7

co
Soils
Hydroperiod
Shrubs
Pond Pines
TABLE 1
SELECTED CHARACTERISTICS OF OTTE'S POCOSIN TYPES
(from Otte, 1981)
low high pond pine pond pine
pocosin pocosin woodland forest
greater than four
two to four feet of
one to two feet of
peaty sand to one
feet of peat
peat
peat
or two feet of sandy
peat
abundant surface
flooded in wet sea-
flooded or saturated
saturated in wet sea-
water in wet season;
son; water table
in wet season but
son; water table drops
saturated year-round
below surface but
dropping to mineral
into mineral sediments
except in severe
remains within or-
layer in dry season
in dry season
drought
ganic layer in dry
season
height is two to
height is four to
height six to fif-
height ten to twenty
four feet on moss
eight feet; tallest
teen feet; shrub
feet; generally
mats; four to six
on hummocks; density
layer usually
closed
feet on hummocks;
is closed
closed
density of lower
shrubs open; of
taller shrubs closed
height to ten feet;
height to 25 feet;
up to 60 feet tall
mostly less than 50
trees widely scat-
widely scattered
and 2 feet dbh;
feet tall, dbh to
tered, gnarled
scattered, less
12 inches; canopy
than 50% cover
generally closed

other vegetation and land use types in Hyde County include
pine plantations, agricultural fields, abandoned fields
and habitations, four major wildlife refuges, proposed
peat mines, urban areas, and small expanses of impounded
brackish marsh.
9

STUDY OBJECTIVES, METHODS AND RESULTS
Contract requirements called for identification and field
inventory of natural areas in mainland Hyde County: the Outer
Banks and offshore islands in the sounds were excluded from
the study area. The field inventory was community -oriented;
we concentrated on locating natural communities of exceptional
quality, based on such factors as size and age of canopy species,
biologic, edaphic and hydrologic diversity, extensiveness of
habitat(s) and contiguity with other natural areas, absence
of intensive disturbance and recovery from past disturbance
and the presence of a full range of communities and ecolo-
gical conditions functioning as a system.
To inventory the diverse communities of mainland Hyde County
first necessitated a general county -wide reconnaissance. After
review of several sets of aerial photographs, particularly
November 1981 color infrared photography (US Environmental Pro-
tection Agency, 1982), an initial inspection of the county by
vehicle and on foot was completed in April, 1982. Shortly later,
an aerial reconnaissance of the entire county was conducted.
Species and site reports on file with the North Carolina Natural
Heritage Program were examined concurrently with these activities,
and knowledgeable individuals were interviewed (see acknowledge-
ments). A basic tentative list of potential study areas began
to emerge early in the reconnaissance, and was finalized by
early June.
During the reconnaissance period most of the private and
public roads in the county were driven. Roads in most of the
potential study areas identified during photography reviews were
walked during April, and some areas were visited by boat later
in the season. Throughout all periods of fieldwork, notes were
taken on vegetation, both in study areas and, for comparative
purposes, in areas not exhibiting superior natural qualities.
Orthophotoquad diazo (blackline) prints were used in the field
as guides in assessing the extent of large communities, the
amount of recent disturbance and to some degree the cover com-
position of inaccessible stands.
Sites selected as representative of community types to be
described in this report were examined on foot. Plant species
lists, tree diameters at breast height, tree height and age
estimates and a judgement of dominant species were all recorded.
Examples we considered representative or superlative and on
which we base our descriptions of the vegetation are mapped
on the site report maps incorporated in the text.
10

We conducted an informal but complete survey of the breeding
birds at most of the wooded and shrub -bog habitats upon which
we report. We did not survey the avifauna of marsh habitats
included as natural areas in this report. Other "high profile"
vertebrates were noted where observed.
The seven natural areas we have identified are as follows
(also see county map):
(1) Alligator River Swamp Forest - Swan Lake - 16,300 acres
(2) Cypress Park - 300 acres
(3) Roper Island - 9,500 acres
(4) New Lake Fork Pocosin - 9,300 acres
(5) Gull Rock Game Lands - 10,575 acres
(6) Scranton Hardwoods - 6,000 acres
(7) Salyer's Ridge - 80 acres
The candidates represent several edaphic and biotic combinations.
Most of the areas selected have a long history of disturbance of
the cover vegetation by human activity; but all are considered
to be recovered from past disturbance and ecologically intact;
i.e. not drained, having continued frequent fire in fire -adapted
vegetation, etc. Most of the areas are large, in keeping with
the expansive and still relatively unbroken character of the
vegetation in the northern and southern peripheries of the county,
but no natural area was chosen on the basis of so-called "wilderness
values." All support some rare plant and/or animal species, but
none was chosen based solely on the presence of these organisms.
Typical questions we considered when examining a potential site
were:
(1) Does the site have regional, state or county -wide
significance as a natural area?
(2) Are there unusual habitat conditions present?
(3) Has the site recovered from or escaped prior
disturbance?
11

(4) Is the site representative of a type of habitat
which is rapidly being converted to other land
uses?
(5) Would loss of the habitat constitute an irretriev-
able loss of resources to Hyde County?
The inventory results reflect a bias toward large areas of
relatively undisturbed land. A chief limit inherent in the
study is that it was too broad; more attention should have
been focused on analysis of communities at specific locations.
While such an approach would have satisfied the desire for
technically complete community descriptions, it would have
diverted us from our objective to present useful natural
areas data in the context of the county and its land use
patterns as a whole. We recognize that certain biologically
significant areas - and significant features at identified
sites - have gone unnoted and unreported by us. We wish to
point out the following areas in need of further inventory:
(1) Brackish marshes in the upper portion of the
Pungo River
(2) Swamp forest along New Lake Fork of the
Alligator River
(3) Additional survey work in the New Lake Fork Pocosin
(4) further survey work on Roper Island
(5) Mesic hardwood flats east and southeast of New Holland
(6) additional survey work on low pocosin area of Gull
Rock Game Lands
(7) aquatic and marsh communities around Lake Matta-
muskeet
(8) further survey work in the wilderness portions of
the Swanquarter National Wildlife Refuge
(9) further survey work in pond pine pocosins along
the Dare County line.
(10) the "bird refuge" tract of the Swanquarter National
Wildlife Refuge.
12

- L
figure I.
mawAREAS Of N70L C00111'Y
.r. Merr111 Lynch
S. Lance Peacock
1982
1. A1119 or klwr - Swan lake
2. Cypreee Park
3. Soper Island
e. Ner lake Pork P—.La
S. Gull Puck Case Londe
6. Scranwa Nardeoode
7. Salyer'. Ridge
Y.`

NATURAL AREA INVENTORY FORM
(To be prepared for each site)
Basic Information Summary Sheet
1. Natural Area Name: Alligator River - Swan Lake Natural Area
2. County: Hyde
3. Location: Northeastern Hyde County; the area along the south
side of the Alligator River between the Intracoastal Waterway
on the west and the Swan Lake area on the east.
4. Topographic quadrangle(s): Fairfield NW (1974), Fairfield NE
(1974), Engelhard West (1974), Engelhard East (1975), and
Engelhard NW (1975).
5. Size: Approximately 16,300 acres (all private); measured with
a grid calculator
6. Elevation: 0-5 feet msl
7. Access: Best access is from the south via First Street and 4th
Avenue West. Several unnamed spur roads branch off of 4th
Avenue West into portions of swamp interior.
8. Names of investigators: J. Merrill Lynch S. Lance Peacock
Route 2, Box 222-B P. 0. Box 6006
Enfield, NC 27823 Raleigh, NC 27628
9. Date(s) of investigation: April 8, May 9, June 30, August 12, 1982
10. Priority rating: High
14

lla. Prose Description of Natural Area
INTRODUCTION
The most extensive natural lands remaining in Hyde County
are located along a corridor bordering the Alligator River in
the northern portion of the county. These lands extend from
the Dare County line (north of Swan Lake) westward to and in-
cluding the large island known as Roper Island formed by the
Intracoastal Waterway channel and the natural Alligator River
Channel. Because of the size of this area and the varying
qualities of the natural vegetation types, the Alligator River
corridor has been divided into two contiguous natural areas,
Roper Island (see pp. ) and the Alligator River Swamp Forest,
the latter site which will be discussed in this site report.
The Alligator River Swamp Forest, encompassing about
16,300 acres, is bordered by Roper Island (Intracoastal
Waterway) on the west and by Swan Lake on the east (see Fig.
). The natural area exists as a corridor along the Al-
ligator River and varies in width from about 1.5 miles to 3
miles, and has a length of about 7 miles. The southern
boundary of the natural area lies adjacent to a huge super -
farm development, part of a consortium of agricorporations,,
which extend south almost to the western end of Lake Matta-
muskeet. This vast area, now mostly cleared and planted in
corn and soybeans,was originally a pond pine pocosin wetland.
The natural area corridor runs generally east -west except for
the eastern end near Swan Lake where the Alligator River
abruptly turns north and the natural area swings to the
north-northeast where it intercepts the Dare County line.
Swan Creek Lake, a natural freshwater lake, lies along
Swan Creek, a poorly defined drainage tributary of the
Alligator River. This tributary extends south beyond
Swan Lake into cleared agricultural areas, part of the
superfarm development mentioned above. A wooded buffer,
dominated by swamp forest vegetation similar to the Al-
ligator River corridor proper, extends as a strip � to 1
mile wide along this drainage for a distance of about 3
miles.
The Alligator River Swamp Forest Natural Area is very
similar in terms of vegetation types, ecology, and soils to
the Dare County portion of the swamp forest which lies just
to the north of the site along the east bank of the Alligator
River. The Dare County Natural Area is described in detail
in "Natural Areas of the Dare County Peninsula," pp.
16

The valuable timber resources of the swamp forests
have been exploited periodically over the last two cen-
turies by logging interests. As a result the natural
area today is a mosaic of various age classes, i.e.,
selectively cut stands, recent clearcuts, and scattered
old -growth stands, depending on the intensity and methods
of past logging operations as well as the accessibility
of the stands. Much of the natural area adjacent to the
Alligator River is roadless, most of the timber apparently
having been removed by long -abandoned tram and scid roads
which are no longer visible. Access roads and ditches are
primarily located along the margins of the natural area
and were built for access to the adjacent agricultural
fields. Land -clearing operations continue to eat away
at the swamp forest corridor, particularly in the arm
of the natural area south of Swan Lake. Recently, ad-
ditional roads and ditches have been constructed into
some of the pure Atlantic white cedar (Chamaecyparis
thyoides) stands near Swan Lake, and some of these
stands have been clearcut during the past ten years.
The logging of swamp forest timber continues today.
Soils of the natural area are primarily deep Histosols.
The area is mapped as the Dare-Pungo-Dorovan association:
very poorly drained soils with thick to moderately thick
organic surface layers over mineral subsurface layers
(SCS 1973). Detailed soil mapping is not available for
the site although the Alligator River swamp forests just
to the north in Dare County have been mapped (Barnes, 1981).
The Pungo soil series, classified as dysic, thermic Typic
Medisaprists, is the most extensive soil unit, occurring
as a wide band along the Alligator River.
V r.VrPATTOW
The predominant vegetation type along much of the Alli-
gator River in Hyde County is swamp forest composed of four
principal species which form the canopy in a mixture of
varying proportions. In most of the stands no single species
is a true dominant but rather the canopy is a heterogeneous
mixture of species. Swamp blackgum (Nyssa sylvatica var. bi-
flora)'is the tree species which is most widely distributed
and a conspicuous co -dominant in most of the stands. Based
on canopy dominance data taken in a fairly typical stand
south of Swan Creek Lake, swamp blackgum is the predicted
co -dominant in most of the swamp forest stands in the natural
area. The physiognomy of the mature swamp blackgum stands
along the Alligator River is much different from that of
stands along brownwater river systems, due to the significant
17

component of swamp and lowland conifers in the canopy and
subcanopy layers and to the density of bay trees and other
wetland shrubs in the shrub layers.
Atlantic white cedar or juniper (Chamaecyparis thyoides)
and loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) join swamp blackgum in the
canopy, and often can be considered a co -dominant gymnosperm
component of the canopy. The distribution and relative
dominance of these two species is much more variable than
that of swamp blackgum. Atlantic white cedar particularly
has a patchy distribution as a result of both selective and
clearcutting operations in many parts of the natural area.
In most stands it is a less important co -dominant; in others
its dominance locally exceeds that of swamp blackgum. Through-
out the natural area in the mature stands, Atlantic white cedar
is a medium to large and beautiful tree with a shaggy conical
top and long clear. trunk. Some individuals reach 24 inches
dbh. Loblolly pine is much more scattered in all stands
investigated, but often attains comparable diameters and
usually exceeds cedar and swamp blackgum in height. The
fourth characteristic swamp forest tree is baldcypress
(Taxodium distichum). This species is usually present as
scattered old -growth, flat-topped, "cull" trees which are
often 80-90 feet in height. These old -growth giants are
almost invariably deformed specimens of low commercial
value left behind from past logging operations. They are
usually too scattered to be considered co -dominants in the
community but because of their superior height and trunk
diameters they are conspicuous members of the swamp forest
landscape. The cypress of the natural area do not seen to
regenerate readily after cutting. In most swamp forest
stands cypress has importance values of 50% or less al-
though in a few localized old -growth stands it is a true
dominant, sharing the canopy.with a few tall loblolly pines,
under which swamp blackgum and Atlantic white cedar form a
subcanopy"_layer.
In addition to the four principal tree species just
discussed, several others reach the canopy but are of far
less importance. Red maple (Acer rubrum) is locally domi-
nant where cypress, cedar and swamp gum have been removed
or thinned out by logging, but does not attain dominance
in stands where the latter species have been less heavily
cut or where fewer logging cycles have occurred. Pond
pine (Pinus serotina) is occasional in the canopy, as are
isolated large sweet bays (Magnolia virginiana).
18

Generally, the swamp forest subcanopy consists of
smaller individuals of swamp blackgum and red maple, with
an occasional sweet bay. This stratum is not well -developed,
except as noted where bald cypress forms the true canopy.
The shrub layers of the swamp forest are rather open and
are generally occupied by one or two species. A tall shrub
layer of red bay (Persea borbonia) is locally present,
ranging in height from 15-20 feet. Sweet pepperbush
(Clethra alnifolia) and fetterbush (Lyonia lucida) are
usually the dominant low shrubs; bitter gallberry (Ilex
labra) and highbush blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum)
are scattered. Ground cover is absent except for sphag-
num mats. The ground surface is wet, with shallow standing
water present in local depressions during winter and spring.
Cypress knees (to 2 feet tall) and many fallen'.logs add to
the rough and hummocky surface pattern.
Two main community types are designated in the swamp
forest portions of the natural area, based on the features
summarized in the preceding discussion. Occupying most of
the swamp forest sites is a community consisting of Nyssa
sylvatica var. biflora-mixed lowland conifers/Persea bor-
bonia/Clethra alnifolia-Lyonia lucida (Swamp black gum -
mixed lowland conifers/Red bay/Sweet pepperbush-fetterbush;
CT 1); bald cypress is usually present but reduced in im-
portance due to past cutting. The second community type
occurs where bald cypress is still dominant: Taxodium
distichum/Nyssa sylvatica var. biflora-mixed lowland con-
ifers/Persea borbonia/Clethra alnifolia-Lyonia lucida (Bald
cypress/Swamp black gum -mixed lowland conifers/Red bay/
Sweet pepperbush-fetterbush; CT 2). Both these community
types are correlated with the Pungo soil series which is
the predominant soil mapping unit in the Alligator River
natural area.
The average height and trunk diameters of these two
community types varies considerably within the natural
area. Generally the swamp blackgum-mixed conifer (CT 1)
stands range from 60-75 feet in height and have average
dbh values of 12-18 inches. Scattered trees of 24 inches
dbh and higher are usually present. The baldcypress
dominated stands are usually taller (75-90 feet) and
have average dbh values of 14-20 inches, sometimes more.
Atlantic white cedar is widely distributed throughout the
natural area and is found in two distinct physiognomic
forms. Over much of the area is occurs as scattered
medium to old -growth trees either in the subcanopy or
canopy layers. It may reach 25%-50o relative dominance
on these sites. In some areas it occurs as a distinct
even -age monospecific community (Chamaecyparis thyoides/
mixed shrubs (Atlantic white-cedar/mixed shrubs; CT 3),
19

usually in relatively young age classes. In these situations
the white cedar forms dense, uniform -height stands excluding
most other species except for bay and pocosin shrubs which
usually form a rather sparse low shrub layer. These stands
range in height from 15 feet up to 35-40 feet with the older
stands having a more diverse mixture of other swamp forest
canopy trees.
The shrub layer is moderately well developed in this
community, but not extremely dense or diverse. Typical
species include sweet pepperbush, highbush blueberry and
sweet gallberry. Herbs are scarce; some partridgeberry
(Mitchella repens) and netted chain fern (Woodwardia
areolata) are usually found.
These monospecific stands develop after fire or clear -
cutting, when open, sunny conditions promote germination
and subsequent rapid growth of seedlings. Within the
natural area are several stands ranging from several acres
to over 200 acres in size almost all of which are located
within the swamp blackgum-mixed conifer dominated communities.
A fourth and very different community is a series of
pond pine stands located in the western and northeastern
corners of the natural area. The most extensive area is
located east and northeast of Swan Creek Lake and extends
into Dare County. This portion was examined only during
a brief aerial reconnaissance. The western section is
located along 4th Avenue West near the margin of large
agricultural fields adjacent to the southern boundary of
the natural area.
The community type in closely -examined stands is Pinus
serotina/Acer rubrum-Persea borbonia/mixed shrubs (Pond pine/
Red maple -red bay/mixed shrubs; CT 4). The canopy size classes
are varied in this community but most of the stands are mature
ranging to old -growth. The largest pines seen are along 4th
Avenue West on a 700-acre stand (see map ). Here the average
dbh is 12-14 inches, height about 70 feet and the canopy is
open. The subcanopy in this stand is poorly defined; red
maple is present but not dominant, and a few pockets of
swamp black gum occur locally. Associated with the latter
are scattered bald cypress which join pond pine in the canopy.
A distinctly lower tall -shrub stratum is composed of red bay
and lesser amounts of small red maples. ,The lowest shrubs
present include fetterbush and bitter gallberry beneath the
red bay layer; some cane (Arundinaria gigantea) also occupies
this lowest layer. These species do not form a dense growth
and the ground is fairly open within the stand.
20

The community along 4th Avenue West is the best -quality
pond pine stand in the Alligator River natural area in terms
of a mature stand of well -developed large trees.
The pond pine stands near Swan Creek Lake (about 4300
acres) appear to be very similar to the 4th Avenue West
stand in composition, but without equivalent size and
height in the canopy. These stands are excellent examples
of Otte's (1981) pond pine forest pocosin type, although
considerably more open than is called for by his classifi-
cation, perhaps due to fire and/or logging history. The
canopy is open ranging to scattered; trees are 40-50 feet
tall and 8-12 inches dbh. The tall shrub layer is again
distinctly below the canopy, and is comprised of red bay
and red maple. Cane is locally dense; the low shrubs
occurring at the 4th Avenue West site are present here
also. These stands are not burned regularly.
The pond pine stands are associated with soils of the
Roper series (mineral with a histic epipedon) and Ponzer,
Belhaven and Kilkenny series (shallow Histosols). These
represent the shallowest organic deposits in the Alligator
River natural area.
ECOLOGY OF CYPRESS -GUM AND CEDAR STANDS
The swamp forests along the Alligator River are non -
alluvial in the sense that the Alligator is an estuary or
embayed stream, not heavily loaded with sediment from the
upstream parts of the Alligator River system, or frequently
experiencing high overbank flows. These swamp forest com-
munities correlate closely with deep Histosols of the Pungo
series (see Barnes, 1981), although certain of the dominant
tree species are common associates on mineral alluvium and
floodplain peats along brownwater coastal plain rivers.
Furthermore, the Pungo series and similar deep peats are
dominated by pocosin vegetation in other parts of Hyde
County and elsewhere. Although the Hyde County swamp forests
are physiognomically and hydrologically distinct from those
of the river floodplains, they appear to be much more closely
related to the distant river swamps than to the nearby poco-
sins. The question arises as to what ecological influences
are controlling the development of the swamp forests of the
Alligator River, and conversely, what factors prevent poco-
sin development.
Otte (1981), in addressing the problem of transitional
development from swamp forest to pocosin vegetation, states
that neither peat thickness nor fire can be considered suf-
ficient to control pocosin development. He points out that
many thick peats, including those in the Alligator River
natural area, are vegetated by swamp forest. He also notes
21

that fire has historically occurred in such vegetation
without a subsequent pocosin development, as indicated
by charcoal layers sandwiched within forest peat pro-
files. Otte reports that water flow patterns are the
major difference between swamp forest sites and poco-
sin sites.
In swamp forests the water flows primarily
into and through the system, whereas, in poco-
sins the major direction of flow is out of the
system. Thus, for pocosins, the only major
source of water is precipitation, whereas for
swamp forests, besides precipitation, a large
amount of water comes in from the surrounding
higher ground [or adjacent through -flowing
streams] (Otte, 1981).
Daniel (1981), discussing flow sources and relation-
ships in peatlands, makes supporting observations of the
correlation between vegetation types and the predominant
direction and source of water movements. He links the
swamp forest vegetation type directly with relatively
nutrient -rich groundwater, stream and surface flows into
peatlands which are topographically situated to receive
such flows; while interstream peatlands elevated above
the surrounding terrain receive water only from nutrient -
poor precipitation. Otte (pers. comm., 1982), based on
field surveys and laboratory peat analyses conducted on
the Alligator River peat deposits, feels that the swamp
forests occupy locations which are and have been subject
to flooding by sediment -laden waters backing up the Al-
ligator River during major flooding events in the Albe-
marle Sound/Roanoke River system, with the resulting sedi-
ment and nutrient input maintaining the swamp forest system
as predicted by his and Daniel's hypothesis. Otte's data
demonstrate that the mineral content in peat is greatest
close to the river, an expected pattern if river flooding
provides sediment to the system. The topographic arrange-
ment of the Hyde County peatlands is consistent with Otte's
view. Many of the thick peat deposits are not domed, but
instead are associated with the Alligator River and its
tributaries (Otte and Ingram, 1980); Ingram and Otte, 1982);
where they are theoretically exposed to flooding from the river.
One question which may be asked is whether the Alligator
River swamp forests might be correctly considered alluvial in
light of Otte's convincing argument that flood -transported sedi-
ment so strongly influences the vegetation. An additional
point of interest is whether the land -clearing activities of
man have in the past three centuries tended to favor swamp
forests locally on peats by increasing stream sediment loads
22

and thus nutrient influx. Otte (pers. comm., 1982), without
proposing an answer to this elusive problem, has noted an
increased mineral content in the extreme upper layer of
peats he has sampled which may be subject to flooding; and
he attributes this to such human activity. At the same
time the direct effect of logging and clearing for agri-
culture has been to reduce the extent of the swamp forest
community throughout the peatlands of North Carolina (Ashe
and Pinchot, 1897; Kologiski, 1977; Christensen, et al.
1981; Daniel, 1981).
OTHER FEATURES
A geomorphological feature of interest is Swan Creek
Lake (400 acres; see map). This blackwater lake represents
a type which is characteristic of small tributaries to the
Alligator River in Hyde and Dare Counties. These small
lakes are irregular in shape but often elongate on a north -
south axis, and usually appear to have been formed by local
widening along pre-existing stream systems. Long reaches
of the original narrow channel are often present upstream
and downstream from a given lake, as is the case with Swan
Creek Lake. These lakes are of uncertain origin, but may
be deep peat burns which have been shaped by wave and cur-
rent action.
WILDLIFE AND AVIAN DIVERSITY
Wildlife values through the Alligator River natural
area are superior. Black bear sign (tracks, scat, clawed
trees) were common along all roads throughout the site.
Although no attempt is made here to interpret the highly
visible sign of this large and mobile animal in terms of
relative or absolute abundance, the species is evidently
using all habitats in the natural area. White-tailed deer
are common at least in association with roads. Raccoon,
marsh rabbit and gray squirrel are fairly common.
Breeding bird diversity is exceptional in the natural
area, due both to the diverse habitats present and to the
structural diversity of the swamp forests in particular.
The wood warblers are especially well -represented, with 10
species breeding in the swamp forest communities proper,
where certain species are exceptionally abundant (see Table
1) .
23

The black -throated green warbler, while found in much
younger vegetation elsewhere in Hyde County, occurs in its
greatest densities in mature swamp forests where conifers
such as bald cypress, Atlantic white cedar and loblolly
pine are an important component of the canopy; this warbler
is also common in pure white cedar stands. It is a very
local breeder in the Coastal Plain of North Carolina (Parnell,
1977).
Two other generally uncommon to rare nesting species
in the Coastal Plain are Swainson's and worm -eating warblers
(Potter, et al., 1980); both are fairly common throughout
the swamp forests of the Alligator River natural area.
Swainson's warbler prefers shrub thickets, often sweet
pepperbush (Clethra alnifolia), within mature swamp forest
stands having a closed canopy; it was not recorded in pure
white cedar stands. Worm -eating warblers are less habitat -
specific, occurring in mature swamp growth, pure cedar stands
and second -growth scrub.
Our Hyde County observations on habitat and relative
abundance during the 1982 breeding season agree closely
with Meanley's (1979) conclusions based on field work
during eight consecutive breeding seasons from 1966 to
1973 in similar habitats in the Dismal Swamp, centered
about 70 miles to the northwest. Meanley notes the
abundance of the black -throated green warbler in the
Dismal Swamp. He also points out the scarcity of Ken-
tucky warblers (three in eight seasons) and black -and -white
warblers; we found none of either species during the nesting
season. In his study area he found Swainson's warbler slightly
more common than we did in Hyde, but considered the worm -eating
warbler a notably rare breeder, whereas it is fairly common
in the natural area.
24

llb. Prose Description of Site Significance:
The qualities of extent, development and maturity which
make the stands attractive to various timber companies are
the same qualities which impart significance to the Alligator
River swamp forests as a natural area. Although subjected
to steady and continuing cutting in recent decades, signifi-
cant amounts of these swamp forests remain as excellent ex-
amples of a vegetation type which has been exploited since
the early colonial period. The mature swamp forests of
southern Dare County also offer an exceptional opportunity
for research into the ecological factors controlling the
vegetation over peats in the southeast. Together with
adjacent wetlands to the north, these swamp forests pro-
vide an uninterrupted corridor along the Alligator River
from Roper Island to the Dare County line and on into Dare
County itself.
The southern swamp forest fauna is well -represented
in the natural area. Black bear occur throughout, and the
available habitat is extensive enough to maintain a popu-
lation. The avifaunal component particularly is intact
and notably diverse, in keeping with the structural divers-
ity of the swamp forest itself. Approximately 40 breeding
bird species are known to date from the swamp forests proper,
including 10 wood warblers.
Two less extensive vegetation types within the described
area add to the overall diversity and have significant features
in their own right. The monospecific Atlantic white cedar
stands, actually part of the general swamp forest system,
support many of the same breeding birds discussed above.
The pond pine stands in places attain canopy tree sizes
of note.
Also, of geomorphological interest, is the 400-acre
Swan Creek Lake, a blackwater lake which supports a small
American Alligator population and is an undisturbed example
of a natural lake type limited to deep peat areas of Hyde
and Dare Counties.
25

N
rn
12. Significance Summary Table (categories represented and descriptions) - by site
a. Feature
b. Description of significant feature
c. Comparative assessment
Leap
High -quality wetland
Nyssa sylvatica var. i ora-mixe ow-
The swamp forests of the Al -
plant community
CT 1
land conifers/Persea borbonia/Clethra
ligator River in Hyde County
idnifolia-Lyonia luci a
form, with contiguous stands
in Dare County, the state's
Representative example of CT inventoried
best remaining example of the
by authors
palustrine swamp forest system
which once was a predominant
vegetation type over much of
the eastern North Carolina
peatlands. They are virtually
the only example of signifi-
cant areal extent. Although
much impacted by centuries o
logging activities, the
natural area retains a signi-
ficant amount of old -growth
timber, superlative wildlife
habitat (particularly for
black bear), a wilderness
aspect, and contiguity with
-
swamp forest wetlands to EKE
north in Dare County and to
the west Roper Island).
High -quality wetland
Taxodium distichum/Nyssa sylvatica var.
See preceding comparative
plant community
CT 2
biflora-mixed lowland conifers/Persea
assessment; this CT is a less
borbonia/Clethra alnifolia-Lyonia
disturbed butmuch less ex-
lucida
tensive type within the same
Representative example inventoried
swamp forest system.
by authors

12. Significance Summary Table (categories represented and descriptions) - by site
a. Feature
mapnd
Leqe
b. Description of significant feature
c. Comparative assessment
Iiigh-quality wetland
plant community
CT 3
Chamaecyparis thyoides/mixed shrubs
Well -developed examples of a
younger seral vegetation type
a"s
Representative example surveyed by
aerial reconnaissance
which contributes to the over -
all diversity of the natural
area.
High -quality wetland
plant community
CT 4
Pinus serotina/Acer rubrum-Persea bor-
bonia/mixed shrubs
Good to excellent examples of
pone pine forest and pond pine
:Representative
example inventoried
b authors
woodland (sensu Otte, 1981);
contiguity with adjacent swamp
forest communities contributes
to the overall diversity of
the natural area and enhances
the diversity of wildlife
habitat.
Endangered species
5
American Alligator
Federal and state endangered;
a small but apparently repro-
ducing population in Swan
Creek Lake; near northern
limits of species range.

12. Significance Summary Table (categories represented and descriptions) - by site
a. Feature
b. Description of significant feature
c. Comparative assessment
Leap
Threatened species
Through-
Red -shouldered Hawk
Listed as threatened in N.C.
out
by Cooper, et al., 1977;
sizable and vigorous popu-
lation in excellent habitat.
concern Special species
p p
Through-
Black Bear
Listed as o SpecialConcern
out
in N.C. by Cooper, et•al.,
1977; undetermined population
but believed to be relatively
high; habitat sufficiently
extensive and remote for
maintenance of long-term popu-
lation.
CT 1, CT
Black -throated Green Warbler,
Species of wood warblers which
Rare species
2, CT 3
Swainson's Warbler, Worm -eating Warbler
are uncommon and locally dis-
tributed breeding birds in the
N.C. coastal plain, primarily
in forested wetland habitats
associated with peat or peaty
mineral soils. The swamp
forest communities of the
natural area have large popu-
lations of these species; the
disjunct coastal plain popu-
lation of the Black -throated
Green Warbler occurs in num-.,
bers equalled only in the
Great Dismal Swamp and the
adjacent Dare County portion
of the Alligator River swamp.

N
ko
12. Significance Summary Table (categories represented and descriptions) - by site
a. Feature
b. Description of significant feature
c. Comparative assessment
Legend
Avian Species Diversity
CT 1,2,3
Diverse assemblage of breeding birds
Approximately 40 species are
known or are suspected of
breeding in the swamp forest
communities. This total in-
cludes 10 species of wood
warblers and 5 species of
woodpeckers. This represents
an excellent total for a
forested wetland ecosystem in
the N.C. coastal plain.
Unusual geomorphological
Swan Creek Lake is located
5
Swan Creek Lake
feature
along the channel of Swan
Creek. This lake and several
other examples in the adjoin-
ing Dare County peninsula
(Back Lake, Milltail Lake,
Whipping Creek Lake) are dis-
similar -from most other natural
coastal plain lakes, such as
Phelps and Pungo, in being
located along peat -filled
stream channels rather than in
topographically elevated por-
tions of the landscape. These
"stream channel" lakes may be
the result of deep peat burns,
although their origin is still
uncertain. Swan Creek Lake is
an excellent example of this
rare geomorphological feature,

w
CO
12. Significance Summary Table (categories represented and descriptions) - by site
a. Feature
Leapnd
qe
b. Description of significant feature
c. Comparative assessment
both in terms of lack of
disturbance and its wilder-
ness character.

• _ .I • \ .•a 1.•a NR I PIP.
•M�� N•po,lNw • , • - t
• YuML HIM
[%1 i
i '' \ • - ltw - n9i�NQ6E CJ— •�_�l nDiY�iY itPAf'S 7- __—__ PANE Co
: q
6,4
r..
•
y� t
:i:;:i::::'s::::::
L •A K• £ li 'A -D I'
N. G
..
SS ry
`_.. . • .. - , SWAN CREEK aill .:7a:::::::..
:::::::
N
/ 1 - LAKE 5
7
�i.
::
CT CT. 2
,
C 2
/ CT 1
Fig. 3. Significant features:
ALLIGATOR RIVER - SWAN LAKE -
. /�

Legal Status, Use, and Management
13. Ownership type by percent area:
14. Number of Owners: 1
Type
Private 100 %
Public %
Unknown %
15. Name(s) of owner(s) and/or custodian(s) (with addresses, phone numbers,
other pertinent information).
Pamlico Properties, Inc., P. 0. Box G, Macon, GA 31202
16. Name(s) of knowledgeable person(s) (with addresses, phone numbers, other
pertinent information).
Steve Barnes .agronomist
First Colony Farms
Route 1, Box 201
Creswell NC 27928
17. Attitude of owner or custodian toward preservation (contacted?):
Not known.
32

18. Uses of natural area:
Essentially all of the natural area has been logged over in
several cycles to obtain the successively most valuable remaining
or regenerated timber. Most of the timber was removed by a com-
bination of barge and a system of tram roads. Recently, Atlantic
white cedar stands have been clearcut, particularly in the Swan
Creek drainage area. Other species which have been selectively
logged are baldcypress, loblolly pine, and swamp blackgum.
Hunting is a low -intensity use throughout the area; deer and
black bear are the principal game species. Bee yards are placed
seasonally at scattered locations along the roads.
The inland margins of the natural area are steadily being
cleared and drained for agricultural development. Portions along
the southern margin have been ditched and a road system constructed
although clearing of the vegetation has not yet begun. Peat mining
for energy production is possible on these soils in the long term.
Pamlico Properties, Inc. has recently applied for a permit to begin
experimental peat mining within the natural area.
19, uses of surrounding land:
a. Wildland 50 %
b. Agricultural land 50
20. Preservation Status:
c. high -intensity forestry
% d. developed %
V
Cat
* %
*Description of
preservation
status
6
100
private land, not protected
as a natural
area by owner
I
�
I
21. Regulatory protections in force:
The Army Corps of Engineers "404" permit regulations apply to this area.
The Federal Endangeredspecies Act of 1973 protects or
and its habitat. These two sources of regulation are limited in scope and
ultimate effect.
33

22. Threats:
Timber cutting is the chief threat to the natural integrity
of the site in the short term. Additional land clearing associated
with the "superfarm" development to the south continues to erode
the margins of the natural area. Logging, per se, is not the
primary cause of ecological degradation. It is the associated
ditch and road construction which results in lowered water tables
and in increasing accessibility of the swamp forest interior. Al-
though the road construction increases the "edge effect" and bene-
fits certain species, it also increases access and makes large game
species, such as black bear, more susceptible to hunting pressure.
There is also a threat of peat mining in the area. Recently,
a peat mining permit application has been submitted for much of
the natural area. Otte and.Ingram (1980) have found energy grade
peat (less than 25% ash at 0% moisture) under much of the natural
area. Agricultural development is limited as a threat to some
degree because the woody peats are uneconomical to farm.
23. Management and Preservation Recommendation:
The Alligator River -Swan Creek Lake natural area offers an
excellent opportunity for conservation of a superlative palustrine
(non-riverine) swamp forest system. In conjunction with adjacent
Dare County natural areas, the tract contains an extensive wetland
ecosystem containing a diverse assemblage of communities and as-
sociated wildlife diversity. The Alligator River natural lands
corridor is one of the largest relatively undisturbed swamp forest
tracts remaining in the N.C. coastal plain. The U. S. Fish and
Wildlife Service should look into the possibility of acquiring
the land and establishing a national wildlife refuge unit.
34

Natural Characteristics Summar
24a. Vegetation - Biotic Community Summary CT 1
Community type: Nyssa sylvatica var. biflora-mixed lowland conifers/
Persea borbonia/Clethra alnifolia-Lyonia lucida
Community cover type: Nyssa sylvatica var. biflora-mixed lowland
conifers
General habitat feature: palustrine swamp
Average canopy height: 60-75 feet
Estimated age of canopy trees: 50-75+ years
Canopy cover: partially open -closed
Estimated size of community: 9400 acres
Successional stage: near climax
Common canopy species in community cover or community type
(but not dominant):
Nyssa sylvatica var. biflora
Chamaecyparis thyoides
Pinus taeda
Common sub -canopy or shrub stratum species in community cover or
community type (but not dominant):
Acer rubrum
canopy species transgressives
Common herb stratum species in community cover or community type
(but not dominant):
None.
Sphagnum sp. is abundant ground cover over much
of area.
W

Natural Characteristics Summary
24a. Vegetation - Biotic Community Summary CT 3
Community type: Chamaecyparis thyoides/mixed shrubs
Community cover type: Chamaecyparis thyoides
General habitat feature: palustrine swamp
Average canopy height: 30-40 feet
Estimated age of canopy trees: less than 50 years
Canopy cover: closed
Estimated size of community: 500
Successional stage: early -mid successional
Common canopy species in community cover or community type
(but not dominant):
None
Common sub -canopy or shrub stratum species in community cover or
community type (but not dominant):
Acer rubrum Clethra alnifolia
Persea borbonia Vaccinium corymbosum
Ilex coriacea
Common herb stratum species in community cover or community type
(but not dominant):
None
Sphagnum sp. mats are usually present.
37

Natural Characteristics Summary
24a. Vegetation - Biotic Community Summary CT 2
Community type: Taxodium distichum/Nyssa sylvatica var. biflora-
mixed lowland conifers/Persea borbonia/Clethra alnifolia-Lyonia lucida
Community cover type: Taxodium distichum
General habitat feature: palustrine swamp
Average canopy height: 75-90 feet
Estimated age of canopy trees: 75+ years
Canopy cover: open
Estimated size of community: 1000
Successional stage: Climax
Common canopy species in community cover or community type
(but not dominant):
Pinus taeda
Common sub -canopy or shrub stratum species in community cover or
community type (but not dominant):
Acer rubrum
Common herb stratum species in community cover or community type
(but not dominant):
None
Sphagnum sp. is an abundant ground cover of much of the area.
36

Natural Characteristics Summar
24a. Vegetation - Biotic Community Summary CT 4
Community type: Pinus serotina/Acer rubrum-Persea borbonia/mixed shrubs
Community cover type: Pinus serotina
General habitat feature: palustrine wetland
jiverage canopy height: 60-75 feet
Estimated age of canopy trees: 50-75 years
Canopy cover: Open
Estimated size of community: 5000 acres
Successional stage: near climax to climax (probably pyroclimax)
Common canopy species in community cover or community type
(but not dominant):
None
Common sub -canopy or shrub stratum species in community cover or
community type (but not dominant):
Nyssa sylvatica var. biflora Ilex glabra
Lyonia lucida
Common herb stratum species in community cover or community type
(but not dominant):
Arundinaria gigantea (locally dominant)
Vines: Smilax laurifolia
38

24b. Soil Summary (by community type) CT 1, 2, 3, 4
Soil series: Pungo
Soil classification: dysic, thermic Typic Medisaprists
Soil association: Dare-Pungo-Dorovan
pH class: Extremely acid (less than 4.5)
Source of information: General Soil Map of Hyde County, N.C.,
SCS, USDA, 1973
Other notes:
24c. Hydrology Summary (by community type) CT 1, 2, 3, 4
Hydrologic system: Palustrine
Hydrologic subsystem: Interaqueous
Water chemistry: Fresh -acid
Water regime: Saturated
Drainage class: very poorly drained
Drainage basin: Alligator River
Hydrology characterization: A very poorly drained, saturated, fresh -
acid, interaqueous palustrine system.
39

24d. Topography Summary: CT 1, 2, 3, 4
Landform: Peat -mantled flat
Shelter: Open
Aspect: Not applicable
Slope Angle: Not applicable
Profile: Not applicable
Surface patterns: Hummocky; many fallen logs and uprooted trees;
scattered numerous depressions
Position: Not applicable
25. Physiographic characterization of natural area:
An assemblage of early successional to climax communities
occupying a very poorly drained, peat -mantled flat plain along
the Alligator River and Swan Creek in the Coastal Plain Province
of the Atlantic Plain.
Geological Formation:
Pleistocene Pamlico Terrace formation (less than 100,000 yrs. BP)
overlying the Miocene Yorktown formation (15-25 my BP).
Geological Formation age:
See above.
References Cited:
Daniels, R. B., E. E. Gamble, and W. H. Wheeler. 1978.
Age of Soil Landscapes in the Coastal Plain of North Carolina.
Soil Science Society of America Journal 42: 98-105.
40

26. Summary - Endangered and threatened species
Name of species: American alligator
Species legal status and authority: Federally endangered Endangered
Species Act of 1973
Number of populations on site: Unknown.
Number of individuals per population: Unknown.
Size or Maturity of individuals: probably all age classes
Phenology of population: not applicable
Eg: vegetative %
flowering %
fruiting %
General vigor of population: unknown -not observed by authors
within natural area.
Disturbance or threats to population: Illegal trapping
Habitat characteristics
Plant community: aquatic communities in Swan Lake
Topography: n/a
Soil Series: n/a
Microclimate: n/a
Drainage basin: n/a
Other plants and animal species present: See Master Species Lists.
AERIAL OR DETAILED MAPS WITH POPULATIONS CLEARLY MARKED.
41

26. Summary - Endangered and threatened species
Name of species: Red -shouldered Hawk
Species legal status and authority: Threatened in North Carolina
(Cooper et al., 1977)
Number of populations on site: Unknown, probably at least 2-3
nesting pairs
Number of individuals per population: 2 adults plus young of the year
Size or Maturity of individuals: adult and immatures
Phenology of population: not applicable
Eg: vegetative %
flowering %
fruiting %
General vigor of population: Excellent
Disturbance or threats to population: Clearcutting, conversion of
swamp forest to agriculture
Habitat characteristics
Plant community: all of the swamp forest communities
Topography:
Soil Series:
Microclimate:
Drainage basin:
Other plants and animal species present: See Master Species Lists.
AERIAL OR DETAILED MAPS WITH POPULATIONS CLEARLY MARKED.
42

26. Sum -nary - Endangered and threatened species
Name of species: Black Bear
Species legal status and authority: Of Special Concern in N.C.
(Cooper et al., 1977)
Number of populations on site: one
Number of individuals per population: not known but believed to be
significantly high
Size or Maturity of individuals: probably all ages
Phenology of population:
Eg: vegetative %
flowering %
fruiting %
General vigor of population: Not known but believed to be good.
At least one bear was observed (near 4th Avenue West on 12 August)
and numerous tracks and scat were seen throughout natural area.
Disturbance or threats to population: Illegal hunting, land clearing
and conversion of swamp forest and pocosin habitats to agriculture.
Habitat characteristics
Plant community: Throughout
Topography: n/a
Soil Series: n/a
Microclimate: n/a
Drainage basin: n/a
Other plants and animal species present: See Master Species Lists.
AERIAL OR DETAILED MAPS WITH POPULATIONS CLEARLY MARKED.
43

27. Master species lists:
Alligator River Swamp Forest
ACERACEAE
Acer rubrum
ANACARDIACEAE
Rhus radicans
AQUIFOLIACEAE
Ilex glabra
I. coriacea
I. opaca
BLECHNACEAE
Woodwardia areolata
W. virginica
CAPRIFOLIACEAE
Viburnum nudum
CLETHRACEAE
Clethra alnifolia
CUPRESSACEAE
Chamaecyparis thyoides
CCEERACEAE
Carex spp.
CYRILLACEAE
Cyrilla racemiflora
ERICACEAE
Leucothoe axillaris
Lyonia lucida
Vaccinium corymbosum
LAURACEAE
Persea borbonia
LILIACEAE
Smilax laurifolia
LOGANIACEAE
Gelsemium sempervirens
LCRANTHACEAE
Phoradendron serotinum
MAGNOLIACEAE
Magnolia virginiana
MYRICACEAE
Myrica heterophylla
NYSSACEAE
Nyssa sylvatica var. biflora
ORCHIDACEAE
Tipularia discolor
PINACEAE
Pinus taeda
• P. serotina
45

POACEAE
Andropogon sp.
Arundinaria gigantea
POLYPODIACEAE
Polypodium polypodioides
TAXODIACEAE
Taxodium distichum
THEACEAE
Gordonia lasianthus
VITACEAE
Parthenocissus quinquefolia
Green Frog
Southern Leopard Frog
Carpenter Frog
Canebrake Rattlesnake
AMPHIBIANS
REPTILES
46

BIRDS
(Emphasis of bird lists is on breeding or summering
species; lack of adequate field work during the other
seasons prevented compilation of a complete list.)
KEY
PR = Permanent resident
SR = Summer resident
WR = Winter resident
T = Transient; spring or fall
PV, SV, WV = Visitor; permanent, summer, or winter
* = Breeding or suspected breeding at site
Wood Duck
Great Blue Heron
Green Heron
Red-tailed Hawk
Red -shouldered Hawk
Common Bobwhite
Ring -billed Gull
Mourning Dove
Yellow -billed Cuckoo
Screech Owl
Great Horned Owl
Barred Owl
Ruby -throated Hummingbird
Common Flicker
Pileated Woodpecker
Red -bellied Woodpecker
Hairy Woodpecker
Downy Woodpecker
Great Crested Flycatcher
Barn Swallow
Purple Martin
Common Crow
Fish Crow
Carolina Chickadee
Tufted Titmouse
Winter Wren
Carolina Wren
Gray Catbird
Brown Thrasher
Wood Thrush
Hermit Thrush
PR*
PR
SR*
PR*
PR*
PR*
WV
PR*
SR*
PR*
PR*
PR*
SR*
PR*
PR*
PR*
PR*
PR*
SR*
SV
SV
PR*
PV
PR*
PR*
WR
PR*
PR*
PR*
SR*
WR
47

Blue -gray Gnatcatcher
SR*
Ruby -crowned Kinglet
WR
White -eyed Vireo
SR*,
Prothonotary Warbler
SR*
Swainson's Warbler
SR*
Worm -eating Warbler
SR*
Northern Parula Warbler
SR*
Yellow-rumped Warbler
WR
Black -throated Green Warbler
SR*
Yellow -throated Warbler
SR*
Pine Warbler
PR*
Prairie Warbler
SR*
Common Yellowthroat
PR*
Hooded Warbler
SR*
Common Grackle
PV
Brown -headed Cowbird
PR*
Northern Cardinal
PR*
Indigo Bunting
SR*
Pine Siskin
WV
Rufous -sided Towhee
PR*
Swamp Sparrow
WR
Song Sparrow
WR
MAMMALS
possibly winters
Raccoon - many tracks, several seen
White-tailed Deer - abundant tracks, many seen
Eastern Gray Squirrel - commonly seen
Black Bear - many tracks and scat, at least one observed
near 4th Avenue West
Bobcat - one set of tracks
Marsh Rabbit - tracks
48

NATURAL AREA INVENTORY FORM
(To be prepared for each site)
Basic Information Summary Sheet
1. Natural Area Name: Cypress Park
2. County: Hyde
3. Location: In northeastern Hyde County about 4.3 air -miles
north of Engelhard
4. Topographic quadrangle(s): Engelhard East (1975)
Engelhard West (1974)
5. Size: 300 acres (measured with a grid calculator)
6. Elevation: 4-5 feet mean sea level
7. Access: The natural area can be reached from one of several ways.
1) From the Town of Engelhard go north on US 264 for about 4.3 miles
to junction with 2nd Avenue East on left, a private farm road. Turn
left (west) and go about 2.8 miles through large cleared fields to
block of swamp forest on right (north). Sign marks entrance to gated
dirt road and trail which enters the natural area.
2) The site can also be reached by taking SR 1311 north from junction
with US 264 about 2 miles west of Engelhard. Continue on SR 1311 about
4.5 miles to junction with private dirt road on right (1st Street)
which provides access to Mattamuskeet and Lux Farms. Turn right on
1st Street and go north about 2.6 miles to junction with 2nd Avenue
East. Turn right (east) on this road and go about 2.7 miles to
Cypress Park entrance (on left).
8. Names of investigators: J. Merrill Lynch
Route 2, Box 222-B
Enfield, NC 27823
9. Dates of investigation: April 7, June 30, 1982
10. Priority rating: Medium
49
S. Lance Peacock
P. 0. Box 6006
Raleigh, NC 27628

5�

lla. Prose Description of Site:
Cypress Park is a 300-acre tract of old -growth swamp
forest timber located in a very poorly drained, peat -dom-
inated area northeast of Lake Mattamuskeet. The stand has
been protected as a natural area for a number of years.
It probably is the last remaining stand of virgin or near -
virgin swamp forest remaining in Hyde County.
The topography of the natural area and the surrounding
land is essentially flat. There is a poorly defined drainage
system connected with Swan Creek Lake to the north which ex-
tends south to Cypress Park. This drainage corridor is
about 1-1.5 miles wide and is slightly lower (4-5 feet msl)
in elevation than the surrounding flat landscape (5-7 feet
msl). Before the advent of drainage canals and ditches,
natural flow was probably from Cypress Park north along
the drainage corridor to Swan Creek then into Swan Creek
Lake and eventually the Alligator River. Storm flooding
from the Alligator River probably inundated the natural area
on rare occasions. Today, a well-intregrated network of par-
allel drainage canals connected by a series of lateral ditches
has been constructed which completely surrounds the natural
area. This drainage network has significantly altered the
natural hydrology of the natural area by diverting runoff
into adjacent Pamlico Sound and by lowering the water table
by several feet. This drainage system, accompanied by large-
scale land clearing for row crop agriculture, has effectively
isolated the Cypress Park natural area from the drainage cor-
ridor. The long-term effects of this development on the vege-
tation community is probably substantial and will be discussed
later in this section.
The vegetation of Cypress Park is dominated by an old -
growth stand of baldcypress (Taxodium distichum). The com-
munity type is Taxodium distichum/Acer rubrum/Persea borbonia
(baldcypress/red maple/redbay; CT 1). This community is
characterized by a tall, open to partially closed canopy of
baldcypress 80-90 feet tall over a subcanopy of red maple
and a tall shrub layer of redbay. There is no well-defined
low shrub layer although redbay transgressives and seedlings
are common throughout. The ground cover is sparse except for
scattered patches of Virginia chain -fern (Woodwardia virginica),
poison -ivy (Rhus radicans), and yellow jessamine (Gelsemium
sempervirens), the latter species locally abundant in openings.
Although there are occasional canopy specimens of swamp
blackgum (Nyssa sylvatica var. biflora) scattered throughout,
the overwhelmingly dominant tree is baldcypress. This is an
51

old -age stand with average dbh's of about 33 inches with some
trees reaching 53 inches dbh. The cypress have characteristic
flat-topped crowns but do not have very enlarged buttresses,
a trait which has been observed elsewhere in the Alligator
River palustrine wetlands of Hyde and Dare Counties. Evidence
of fire is apparent throughout the tract; almost all of the
canopy trees have burn scars on their lower trunks. These
scars do not appear to be very recent however, and it is
likely that the isolation of the tract by the adjacent land
clearing has prevented recent fires and will continue to act
as a fire buffer in the future.
The average trunk diameter and the canopy height of the
cypress are strikingly uniform, suggesting that the trees are
all about the same age. Equally striking is the absence of
cypress transgressives or seedlings in the stand, indicating
that the species is not reproducing itself. Other similar
mature cypress stands in the Alligator River region exhibit
this apparent lack of successful reproduction. The species
needs abundant sunlight and a moist but not inundated seedbed
for successful germination. Young seedlings cannot tolerate
extended flooding or fire (Fowells, 1965). Con-
ditions which would prepare an ideal seedbed for cypress
regeneration probably would include an extended drought
accompanied by an intense crown fire which would kill the
existing overshadowing vegetation. Catastrophic events such
as these probably occurred rarely during pre -settlement times.
Once the cypress reached sufficient height they were probably
able to withstand all but the most intense wildfires, as evi-
denced by the abundant burn marks on the still living trees
within the tract.
The stand appears to be slowly changing due to the at-
trition of the standing cypress. Many old but still standing
dead trees are scattered throughout and many fallen logs litter
the ground. Interestingly, the sizeable gaps left by the fallen
giants are not being occupied by other smaller cypress. As
mentioned before there are no younger cypress present to re-
place them. Red maple, red bay, and an occasional sweetgum
(Liquidambar styraciflua) are quick to assume dominance within
these open spots in the canopy.
The drainage of the region for agricultural development
began in the 1960's and is continuing at the present time.
There is now cleared land containing row crops on three sides
of the natural area and additional swamp forest and pocosin
wetlands are being drained and cleared. Although difficult
to quantitatively document, this large-scale regional drainage
has undoubtedly had a profound effect on the natural area.
There are several visible signs of disturbance. Cypress
"knees" up to about one foot tall are scattered throughout
the natural area. These modified roots indicate that, at
52

least formerly, the seasonal high water table ranged up to
about the one foot depth over much of the site. Today, the
upper layers of the organic soils covering the area remain
dried out.throughout much of the year. These generally
drier conditions are coupled with an absence of fire pro-
vided by the buffering effect of nearby fields. Sweetgum,
a typical "weed" tree which often invades heavily cut -over
or drained swamps, is now present within the natural area.
It is not known to occur in undrained palustrine swamp forests
in other areas of the Alligator River corridor. Probably this
species is a recent "invader" on the site. It is also a com-
petitor with cypress, and because of its less exacting germin-
ation requirements and fast -growth, it will likely increase
as the cypress gradually die out from natural diseases and
other causes.
The prognosis for the natural area is not a good one.
Currently the site represents an excellent example of a
climax swamp forest palustrine wetland, and is probably
the nearest thing to virgin timber remaining in Hyde County.
It is a stand which is probably representative of the original
Alligator River swamp forests of Hyde and Dare Counties before
the advent of extensive logging operations. However, in a long-
term sense the stand is dying. In a large, unaltered and un-
drained wetland system a stand such as this might be expected
to continue indefinitely, if natural wildfires and other natural
conditions were allowed to exist. The present situation is far
from natural conditions. As already mentioned, the stand has
been almost completely isolated by adjacent land clearing oper-
ations. The natural hydrological patterns have been altered.
The stand now is even acting as a wind-borne sediment trap.
Large amounts of fine-grained peat and silt particles collect
on the leaves of the vegetation, blown in from adjacent fields.
Because of these man -induced conditions which appear to
be permanent and probably intensifying in the future, the
natural area is not given a high priority for protection,
although it is still considered a significant remnant example
of a swamp forest wetland.
The soils within the natural area are mapped as the Dare-
Pungo-Dorovan association, very poorly drained soils with thick
to moderately thick organic surface layers which range from
51 to over 91 inches in depth (SCS, 1973). Soil Series desig-
nation for the natural area proper has not been made but it is
likely to be Pungo, classified as dysic, thermic Typic Medis-
aprists (based on soil mapping data from adjacent Dare County;
Barnes, 1981). These deep peat soils are prominant throughout
much of the Alligator River corridor in Hyde, Dare, and Tyrrell
Counties.
53

The wildlife values of the tract are high. The numerous
cavities supplied by the old -growth cypress provide important
denning and nesting sites for mammals and many species of
cavity -nesting birds. Black bears use the area as evidenced
by common scratch marks on the cypress trunks and by scat
deposits. Other common game mammals include eastern gray
squirrel and white-tailed deer. The tract plays an increasingly
important role as escape cover and refuge for many wildlife
species as more acreage is continually cleared for agriculture.
The tract is presently connected via a disturbed but still
wooded buffer strip to the Alligator River Swamp Forest natural
area. Because of its small size (300 acres), its significance
as wildlife habitat will decline markedly if it is severed
from the nearby natural area. Unfortunately, it appears
likely that the adjacent connecting corridor will soon be
converted to agriculture.
54

llb. Prose Description of Site Significance:
The Cypress Park natural area contains probably the
last remaining, near -virgin stand of baldcypress in Hyde
County. Although other mature, old -growth stands exist
in the Alligator River swamp forest, none are known which
approach the trunk diameters and overall size of the trees
in Cypress Park. The stand (structurally and compositionally)
probably most closely approximates the original presettle-
ment palustrine swamp forest wetlands along the Alligator
River corridor.
The site, when combined with the much larger Alligator
River Swamp Forest natural area to the north, contains sig-
nificant habitat for a number of game and non -game wildlife
species, notably black bear.
55

Ln
M
12. Significance Summary Table (categories represented and descriptions) - by site
a. Feature
Map
b. Description of significant feature
c. Comparative assessment
Legend
High -quality wetland
Taxodium distichum/Acer rubrum/Persea
Excellent example of a climax,
ulant community
CT 1
borbonia
near -virgin swamp forest stand,
dominated by very old -growth
baldc ress• although recently
disturbed by nearly drainage
_projects
the stand still is
one of the best remaining
relictual examples of swam
forest timber once commonly
associated with eat -dominated
palustrine wetland systems in
the N.C. coastal plain.
Special Concern species
CT 1
Black bear
Listed as of Special Concern
in N.C. (Cooper, et al., 1977).
Increasingly rare in the
coastal plain due to wide
scale destruction of pocosin
and swamp forest habitat.
Probably uses natural area
for feeding and escape cover;
natural area not nearly large
enough by itself to support
viable population.
Large tree size
CT 1
Taxodium distichum
Some of the largest baldcypress
known in Hyde County. Trees
up to 90 feet tall and 53
inches dbh are present.

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In

Legal Status, Use, and Management
13. Ownership type by percent area:
Type
Private
Public
Unknown
100
g
g
s
14. Number of Owners: 1
15. Nane(s) of owner(s) and/or custodian(s) (with addresses, phone numbers,
other pertinent information).
Georgia Timberlands
P. 0. Box G
Macon, GA 31202
16. Name(s) of knowledgeable person(s) (with addresses, phone numbers, other
pertinent information).
B. B. (Pat) White
P. 0. Box 851
Plymouth, NC 27962
17attitude of owner or custodian toward preservation (contacted?):
Not definitely known, but apparently owner has decided to protect
site.
58

18. Uses of natural area:
The natural area has been protected by the owner as a
nature preserve for some time. The southern border of the
site is marked by a large wooden sign proclaiming "Cypress
Park." A gated narrow road leads into the site from the
southern border and deadends at the edge of the cypress
stand. From this point a foot trail leads further into the
stand and makes a loop, connecting back to the starting point.
The site is apparently used from time to time for nature walks
by school groups and other groups. In fact, the site achieved
a degree of notoriety when a wedding ceremony was performed a
few years ago under the cypress. It is obvious that the site
is protected and maintained by the owner in recognition of
its natural values.
19, Uses of surrounding land:
a. Wildland 10 % c. high -intensity forestry %
b. Agricultural land 90 % d. developed %
20. Preservation Status:
Cat
* %
*Description of preservation status
4
100
Private land, protected by owner or lessee.
21. Regulatory protections in force:
The Army Corps of Engineers "404" permit process applies to this area.
59

22. Threats:
Although, as already mentioned, the site is protected
and maintained in its natural condition, it is imminently
threatened by the fairly recent land -use alterations which
have occurred around it. Three sides of the natural area
are now bounded by extensive agricultural fields, the
result of large-scale ditching and canal construction
which lowered the water table sufficiently to allow crop
production. The natural area itself and a thin buffer
strip were left intact during this land -clearing process.
However, the resultant lowering of the water table and
removal of surrounding vegetation have significantly
altered the hydrological and ecological processes of
the swamp forest system, and have effectively doomed
the site. The lowered water table has allowed the in-
vasion of "weedy" tree species such as sweetgum, and the
proliferation of red maple. Unless the former high water
conditions can be reintroduced, the old -growth cypress
and swamp blackgum will eventually die out and be re-
placed by a red maple-sweetgum forest. Unable to re-
generate itself because of the competition from these
species, the old -growth cypress stand will slowly
change as the older trees die out from disease, light-
ning, and other factors.
23. Management and Preservation Recommendation:
The Cypress Park natural area at present represents
a protected remnant example of a palustrine swamp forest
wetland in a relatively undisturbed old -growth condition.
Because of past logging operations, very few swamp forest
stands remain in the eastern coastal plain which are still
dominated by old -growth cypress. The site would make an
ideal study area to use as a comparison with non -cypress
dominated communities. From a long-term perspective, the
site has probably been irreparably altered by the clearing
and drainage operations which have almost completely en-
circled the area. It is doubtful that water control
measures could be implemented to raise the water table to
previous levels and recreate a more natural hydrologic
regime.
However, this does not mean the site should not be
preserved. At the present time and for some years hence-
forth, it will represent an interesting remnant of a peat -
dominated, palustrine swamp forest ecosystem which was quite
extensive but is now rapidly being cleared and converted to
other uses. The site could be used as an interpretive out-
door classroom for schools, natural history organizations
and other interested groups.
60

Natural Characteristics Summar
24a. Vegetation - Biotic Community Summary CT 1
Community type: Taxodium distichum/Acer rubrum/Persea borbonia
Community cover type: Taxodium distichum
General habitat feature: palustrine swamp forest
Average canopy height: 80-90 feet
Estimated age of canopy trees: 200+
Canopy cover: Partially closed to open
Estimated size of community: 300 acres
Successional stage: Climax
Common canopy species in community cover or community type
(but not dominant):
None
Common sub -canopy or shrub stratum species in community cover or
community type (but not dominant):
Nyssa sylvatica var. biflora, Ilex opaca, Liquidambar
styraciflua, Ilex glabra
Common herb stratum species in community cover or community type
(but not dominant):
Woodwardia virginica, Rhus radicans, Gelsemium sempervirens,
Euonymus americanus
61

24b. Soil Summary (by community type) CT 1
Soil series: not known
Soil classification: -
Soil association: Dare-Pungo-Dorovan
pH class: very strongly acid
Source of information: General Soil Map of Hyde County, N.C.,
SCS, USDA, 1973
Other notes:
24c. Hydrology Summary (by community type) CT 1
Hydrologic system: Palustrine
Hydrologic subsystem: Interaqueous
Water chemistry: Fresh -acid
Water regime: Saturated (originally), now temporarily flooded (?)
Drainage class: Very poorly drained
Drainage basin: Swan Lake Creek -- Alligator River
Hydrology characterization: A very poorly drained, originally
saturated now temporarily flooded (?)
due to artificial drainage, fresh -acid,
interaqueous palustrine system.
62

24d. Topography Summary: CT 1
Landform: Palustrine swamp forest
Shelter: open
Aspect: n/a
Slope Angle: n/a
Profile: Flat
Surface patterns: Hummocky; many logs and stumps, shallow depressions
Position: n/a
25. Physiographic characterization of natural area:
A climax community occupying a very poorly drained, peat -
mantled drainage corridor which drains into Swan Creek and
eventually into the Alligator River in the Coastal Plain Pro-
vince of the Atlantic Plain.
Geological Formation:
Surficial peat deposits overlying Pleistocene (Pamlico
Terrace formation) sediments.
Geological Formation age:
Recent (less than 10,000 BP) - peat sediments
Pleistocene (less than 100,000 yrs. BP) - sands and clays of
Pamlico Terrace
References Cited:
Daniels, R. B., E. E. Gamble, and W. H. Wheeler. 1978.
Age of Soil Landscapes in the Coastal Plain of N.C. Soil
Science Soc. of Am. Journal 42: 98-105.
0

26. Su=iary - Endangered and threatened species
Name of species: Black bear
Species legal status and authority: Of Special Concern in N.C.
(Cooper et al., 1977)
Number of populations on site: one
Number of individuals per population: Unknown; a few individuals
travel through the site from large swamp forest area to the north.
Size or Maturity of individuals: -
Phenology of population: not applicable
Eg: vegetative
flowering %
fruiting % --
General vigor of population: unknown
Disturbance or threats to population: land clearing; illegal hunting
Habitat characteristics
Plant community: CT 1
Topography:
Soil Series:
Microclimate:
Drainage basin:
Other plants and animal species present: See Master Species List.
AERIAL OR DETAILED zUiPS WITH POPULATIONS CLEARLY MARKED.
64

27. Master species lists:
VASCULAR PLANTS
(listed alphabetically by family)
ACERACEAE
Acer rubrum
ANACARDIACEAE
Rhus radicans
AQUIFOLIACEAE
Ilex coriacea
I. glabra
I. opaca
ASPLENIACEAE
Asplenium platyneuron
BLECHNACEAE
Woodwardia virginica
CELASTRACEAE
Euonymus americanus
ERICACEAE
Vaccinium corymbosum
HAMAMELIDACEAE
Liquidambar styraciflua
LAURACEAE
Persea borbonia
LILIACEAE
Smilax laurifolia
S. rotundifolia
LOGANIACEAE
Gelsemium sempervirens
LORANTHACEAE
Phoradendron serotinum
MAGNOLIACEAE
Magnolia virginiana
NYSSACEAE
Nyssa sylvatica var. biflora
PINACEAE
Pinus taeda
POLYPODIACEAE
Polypodium polypodioides
SAXIFRAGACEAE
Decumaria barbara
TAXODIACEAE
Taxodium distichum
65

AMPHIBIANS
None recorded
REPTILES
Canebrake Rattlesnake
BIRDS
(Emphasis of bird lists if on breeding or summering
species; lack of adequate field work during the other
seasons prevented compilation of a complete list.)
IUsM
PR = Permanent resident
SR = Summer resident
WR = Winter resident
T = Transient, spring or fall
PV, SV, WV = Visitor; year-round, summer, or winter
* = Breeding or suspected breeding at site
Wood Duck
PR*
Great Horned Owl
PR*
Pileated Woodpecker
PR*
Hairy Woodpecker
PR*
Red -bellied Woodpecker
PR*
Downy Woodpecker
PR*
Carolina Chickadee
PR*
Fish Crow
PV
Blue -gray Gnatcatcher
SR*
Carolina Wren
PR*
Hermit Thrush
WR
Yellow-rumped Warbler
WR
Northern Cardinal
PR*
Rufous -sided Towhee
PR*
MAMMALS
Eastern Gray Squirrel (several seen)
White-tailed Deer (abundant tracks)
Black Bear (scratch marks, scat)
66

NATURAL AREA INVENTORY FORM
(To be prepared for each site)
Basic Information Summary Sheet
1. Natural Area Name: Roper Island
2. County: Hyde
3. Location: Along the Alligator River in northern Hyde County.
Island formed by Intracoastal Waterway on south
and river on north, east, and west. About 6 air -
miles due north of Lake Mattamuskeet.
4. Topographic quadrangle(s): Fairfield (1974)
Fairfield NW (1974)
Fairfield NE (1974)
5. Size: About 9,500 acres; measured with a grid calculator
6. Elevation: 0-4 feet above mean sea level
7. Access: By boat only; several private boat ramps along the
Alligator River in Tyrrell County. Closest ramp
open to public is on the Intracoastal Waterway at
the NC 94 bridge, about 3 miles SW of island.
8. Names of investigators: J. Merrill Lynch
Route 2, Box 222-B
Enfield, NC 27823
9. Dates of investigation: April 8, June 16, 1982
10. Priority rating: Low -medium
67
S. Lance Peacock
P. 0. Box 6006
Raleigh, NC 27628

®�1
:.W4
Am

lla. Prose Description of Site:
Roper Island is part of an extensive wetland corridor
along the Alligator River in the northern portion of Hyde
County. The most extensive natural lands remaining in the
county occur along this corridor which stretches from the
New Lake Fork Pocosin natural area on the west across Roper
Island, and to the Alligator River -Swan Lake natural area
on the east, a distance of over 21 air -miles. When com-
bined the three natural areas encompass over 35,000 acres.
The Roper Island natural area is about 9500 acres in
size. It is located in a wide bend of the Alligator River,
which forms a natural boundary on three sides. The southern
boundary is along the Intracoastal Waterway (IWW), a man-
made channel constructed during the 1930's creating Roper
Island (see map). Much of the land across the IWW from the
island was formerly pocosin and swamp forest but has now
been cleared for agriculture. Lands opposite the Alligator
River (in Tyrrell County) from the natural area are generally
forested wetlands although former wetlands in the vicinity of
Gum Neck are now in agriculture.
The Alligator River channel upstream from the Northwest
Fork confluence is a typical coastal plain blackwater stream
characterized by a series of sharp meanders. The slow -moving
river maintains a channel width of about 400-500 feet in this
section. Three small blackwater streams drain into this sec-
tion of the river along the western side of Roper Island.
These streams originate �r to 11 mile in the island interior.
Downstream from the Northwest Fork confluence, the Alli-
gator River widens considerably to about 1500-3000 feet and
becomes an embayed estuarine stream. The river continues to
widen gradually to the confluence of the IWW at the extreme
eastern end of the natural area.
The topography of Roper Island is essentially flat.
Elevation of the natural portions ranges from sea level
along the river to about four feet msl. The only signifi-
cant topographic relief on the island is along the IWW spoil
banks where the elevation reaches 8 feet msl. This sandy
spoil bank varies from 100-300 yards wide and is approxi-
mately seven miles long, paralleling the north bank of the
IWW.
The remainder of the island is dominated by peaty sands
and shallow to deep peats.
69

Two soil associations are recognized on the island
(SCS 1973). The southeastern portion adjacent to the
IWW (excluding the spoil banks) is classified as the
Ponzer-Belhaven-Wasda association: very poorly drained
soils with moderately thick to thin organic surface
layers. Most of the western, northern, and eastern
portions are classified as the Dare-Pungo-Dorovan associ-
ation: very poorly drained soils with thick to moderately
thick organic surface layers.
No detailed soil mapping has been done on Roper Island;
however, based on soils information from similar areas along
the Alligator River in Dare County, the deeper peats are
probably the Pungo series (Barnes 1981).
Ingram and Otte (1982) have mapped the peat deposits
of Roper Island as part of a study of deposits throughout
the Pamlimarle Peninsula. Depths of 8-10 feet are prevalent
along the Alligator River and gradually thin towards the in-
terior of the island. Relatively small areas of peaty sand
or sandy peat are mapped near the IWW. About 75% of the
island is underlain by peat 2 feet or more in depth.
THE VEGETATION
A brackish marsh community is located along the Alligator
River in the southwestern portion of Roper Island. It extends
along both sides of the river from the confluence with the IWW
downstream (north-northeast) for about 7.5 river miles. The
most extensive marshes are located at the extreme southwestern
corner of the island near the IWW and gradually become narrower
and more shrub -dominated towards the northern end of the island
before the Northwest Fork confluence.
The brackish marsh community (780 acres) is dominated by
narrow -leaved cattail (Typha angustifolia) with some sawgrass
(Cladium jamaicense) intermixed. The primary community type
is Typha angustifolia (narrow -leaved cattail; CT 1) although
in some areas sawgrass is frequent enough to be considered a
codominant. Along the back edges of the marsh shrubs such as
groundsel tree (Baccharis halimifolia) and seashore mallow
(Kosteletskya virginica) are common with shrub -sized loblolly
pine (Pinus taeda), red maple (Acer rubrum), and some Atlantic
white cedar (Chamaecyparis thyoides). The shrub marsh zone
becomes more prominent in the downstream sections, particularly
past Kilkenny Landing, where it extends from the riverbank in-
land until grading into various forested wetland communities.
70

The cattail marsh is widest near the IWW-Alligator River
confluence where it reaches a width of about 2000 feet. The
marshes are also quite extensive on the Tyrrell County side
of the river where they extend downstream to the NC 94 bridge.
The Raper Island marshes are characterized by an abundance
of standing dead baldcypress (Taxodium distichum). These "skele-
ton" stands of dead timber occur throughout the brackish marsh
community, from along the riverbank inland to the forested edge
of the marsh community. The dead cypress vary in size class.
Most are rather small, about 6-8 inches dbh and about 20-30
feet tall. There are scattered stands of much larger dead
cypress, up to 70 feet tall and 18 inches dbh (diameter at
breast height).
The cause of the massive cypress kill is believed to be
saltwater intrusion associated with storm tides in the late
1950's and early 1960's (Otto Florschutz, pers. comm. 1982).
"Skeleton" cypress stands are a common feature along the upper
reaches of tidal creeks and estuarine rivers in the lower North
Carolina coastal plain.
The cypress die -off has resulted in more extensive marshes
on Roper Island although there are signs that woody vegetation
is invading rapidly and may eventually replace the marsh system.
As mentioned earlier, red maples and loblolly pine are vigorously
invading the marsh, particularly in the downstream sections more
distant from the IWW. These shrub -sized (5-15 feet) trees are
also spreading from the forested interior towards the riverbank.
It is noteworthy that the most extensive, best developed portions
of the marsh are near the IWW. This implies that the saline in-
fluence of the waterway may be controlling the establishment of
woody vegetation in this section. .
The cattail marsh community also extends up the several
major and the numerous minor streams draining the west side
of Roper Island. Along the shallow margins of these streams
beds of pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata) are common. Other
species noted include water pimpernel (Samolus parviflorus),
various bladderworts (Utricularia spp.), and fragrant water -
lily (Nymphaea odorata). The blackwater streams range from
several hundred feet in length (many) to 4-� mile long (three).
American alligators have been reported from Roper Island
by local fishermen and Wildlife Resources Commission personnel
(N.C. Natural Heritage Program files). Although we saw no sign
of the species, there appeared to be excellent habitat available
along these blackwater tributary streams. Other wildlife noted
included abundant raccoon tracks and many nesting birds. One
active Osprey nest was seen in a dead cypress tree and nesting
red -winged blackbirds, eastern kingbirds, prothonotary warblers,
.common yellowthroats, and great crested flycatchers were very
common. Secretive marsh nesting birds are probably present
71

although we saw only least bitterns on our boat trip.
Unlike the brackish marsh community which is easily acces-
sible by boat, the interior forested wetlands of the island are
much more difficult to survey and inventory. Comprising about
90% of the island's acreage, these forested wetlands are acces-
sible from only one location along a road and canal leading from
the Alligator River about 11 mile into the island interior (see
map). Notes taken along this canal were compared with observ-
ations made during our aerial reconnaissance of the entire island.
Extrapolations were made using a combination of our ground and
aerial observations. We emphasize that more detailed ground
field work is needed to more accurately describe and delineate
the various plant communities present on the island. The fol-
lowing descriptions are general in nature and point to the need
for more field work.
The forested wetlands of the island can be divided into
two major types: 1) a swamp forest dominated by various com-
binations of baldcypress (Taxodium distichum, red maple (Acer
rubrum), loblolly pine (Pinus taeda), swamp blackgum (Nyssa
sylvatica var. biflora), and Atlantic white cedar (Chamaecyparis
thyoides); and 2) an open pond pine (Pinus serotina) forest over
a dense understory of bay trees and evergreen shrubs.
The swamp forest is located primarily along the northern
portion of the island adjacent to the embayed section of the
Alligator River, and in the southwestern corner near the head
of Jack's Creek (see map). Most of the areas surveyed along
the river contain young to medium growth closed stands of lob -
lolly pine, red maple, and sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua).
Canopy heights are generally 40-60 feet. Most of the cypress
have been removed during past timber operations. Swamp black -
gum is sometimes present in almost pure stands. Occasional
stands of baldcypress are also present but these are relatively
minor in extent and are composed of trees in young age classes.
Most cypress stands seen were 40-50 feet in height and 12-14
inches dbh. The swamp forest stands appear to be limited
mainly to a fairly narrow band (to 2500 feet) adjacent to the
river channel. We saw no stands in the northern section which
were significant enough to be granted community type designations
or mentioned in the significance summary of this report.
The swamp forest stands in the southwestern corner of the
island are centered around the headwaters of Jack's Creek. This
area was surveyed by air only. Several stands of baldcypress
were observed along with scattered small groups of Atlantic
white cedar. One area south of Jack's Creek has a fairly high
density of white cedar. Swamp blackgum is fairly common with
the cypress and white cedar in this section. The height of
the vegetation and the underlying shrub composition could not
be determined during our aerial observations. However, some
72

of the cypress appeared to be fairly tall (+70 feet) and flat-
topped, indicating a mature or climax condition. The white
cedar appeared to be young to medium growth (10-40 feet tall).
Most of the white cedar of the island is located in the Jack's
Creek area. Some of the white cedar stands appear to be dense
enough to be considered a monospecific community and are clas-
sified as Chamaecyparis thycides (Atlantic white cedar; CT 2).
The combined acreage of the swamp forest vegetation is
estimated to be about 800-1000 acres. Most of this area was
probably originally dominated by a greater proportion of bald -
cypress, swamp blackgum, and white cedar. Today, most of the
timber is composed of red maple, sweetgum, and loblolly pine,
species which assumed dominance when the more valuable timber
species were cut out.
The vegetation association most prominent on the island,
and the least disturbed by past logging activities, is the
pond pine -dominated wetlands. Most of the island interior
is dominated by this association (about 7200 acres).
This association is characterized by open stands of pond
pine, some of which reach 80 feet in height and have dbh's of
12-14 inches. These older -growth stands are composed of flat-
top pines and represent the least disturbed forest community
on the island.
The understory vegetation is somewhat variable, both
structurally and in species composition. Based on our ground
observations along a transect adjacent to a canal (see map),
the understory is composed of a dense tall shrub layer of red
maple, redbay, and some sweetbay. This layer ranges from 20-
40 feet tall. Underneath is a dense low shrub (2-20 feet)
layer dominated by smaller redbay, fetterbush (Lyonia lucida),
sweet gallberry (Ilex coriacea) , and locally, giant cane
(Arundinaria gigantea). Virginia chain fern (Woodwardia
virginica) is common as a ground cover over much of the area,
and is particularly abundant in openings or in disturbed cut -
over sections. The lower shrub layer is covered by very dense,
impenetrable tangles of laurel -leaved greenbriar (Smilax lauri-
folia) .
Scattered amongst the flattop pond pines are a few old -
growth baldcypress which are about the same size. These cypress
are probably "cull" trees left by past timber operations because
of various imperfections.
Based on our aerial observations, the open pond pine stands
are quite extensive in the island's interior. In some areas red
73

maple and the bay species form a distinct subcanopy under the
pines. In other areas, a dense evergreen shrub layer composed
of bays, fetterbush, and gallberries is the dominant under-
growth with red maple essentially absent.
Also present in scattered dense stands is swamp blackgum.
This species usually seems to occur in dense, almost monospecific
stands within the pond pine community. Scattered individuals of
small to medium -size Atlantic white cedar are present. No dense
stands of this species are present in the pond pine stands.
The community type(s) can be classified as Pinus serotina/
Acer rubrum-Persea borbonia/Persea borbonia and mixed evergreen
shrubs//Smilax laurifolia (Pond pine/red maple-redbay/redbay
and mixed evergreen shrubs//laurel-leaved greenbriar or Pinus
serotina/Persea borbonia and mixed evergreen shrubs//Smilax
laurifolia; CT 3).
WILDLIFE AND AVIAN DIVERSITY
The wildlife values of the pond pine stands and the swamp
forest areas are probably significant. White-tailed deer sign
is prevalent and the species is reported to be very common on
the island (Florschutz 1979). Florschutz (op. cit.) also reports
plentiful bobcat and raccoon although we saw no sign of the former.
Black bear are present, as evidenced by tracks and other sign, and
the habitats are sufficiently diverse and extensive to support a
viable population of this declining mammal. The American alligator,
a federally listed endangered species, has been reported and suit-
able habitat is present in the small creeks draining into the
Alligator River on the island's west side. At least 39 species
of breeding birds are present, including species such as Osprey
and Wood Duck. Additional field work will undoubtedly reveal the
presence of additional nesting species. Although no evidence was
seen, there is a good possibility that one or two clans of red -
cockaded woodpeckers, a federally endangered species, are present.
The open stands of old -growth pond pines provide excellent habitat
for the species.
An active cavity tree was discovered this summer in an open
pond pine stand directly across the IWW from the island. The
location of this cavity is only about 1000 feet from the natural
area; it is highly possible that the birds of this colony use the
pines on Roper Island as foraging habitat. Intensive ground recon-
naissance is needed to assess the species' status on the island.
74

llb. Prose Description of Site Significance:
The Roper Island natural area is situated within an extensive
corridor of nearly contiguous natural wetlands associated with the
Alligator River. The New Lake Fork Pocosin natural area (9300
acres) lies about 5 miles west of the island. The Alligator
River -Swan Lake natural area (16,300 acres) lies directly ad-
jacent to the east side of the natural area. When combined
these three tracts encompass about 35,100 acres containing
almost the entire spectrum of wetland habitats associated with
the deep peat landscape of the lower coastal plain. These wet-
lands have superlative wildlife values, particularly for nesting
birds and for many species of furbearers including bobcat and
black bear, which require substantial amounts of land to main-
tain viable populations.
Roper Island does not contain the best examples of forested
wetland types known in the coastal plain. Less disturbed, older -
growth stands are present in other sections of the Alligator River
corridor. Its wetland vegetation, the majority of which is not
in a pristine condition, nonetheless represents a significant
acreage which has never been drained or clearcut, and which still
retains a relatively natural hydrological system. The construction
of the Intracoastal Waterway, which may have had a negative impact
on the natural drainage systems of the region, also has had a
positive effect on the Raper Island natural area, isolating it
from the mainland and, in effect, creating a de facto wilderness.
Another significant aspect of the natural area is the pristine
esthetic quality of the Alligator River, particularly the meandering
section along the west side of Roper Island. The clear, unpolluted,
tea -colored water, the scenic marshes, and the vast, undeveloped
landscape combine to give this section a high mark as an estheti-
cally pleasing landscape.
Wildlife values of Roper Island are considered high. The
American alligator, a federally endangered species, is reported
to occur in the small streams along the island's west side. Other
rare species, such as black bear and red -shouldered hawk are also
present. There is a good possibility, though there is no definite
proof at present, that the island supports a small but significant
population of red -cockaded woodpeckers, a federally endangered
species.
75

rn
12. Significance Summary Table (categories represented and descriptions) - by site
a. Feature
Leap
b. Description of significant feature
c. Comparative assessment
High -quality wetland
plant community
CT 1
Typha angustifolia
Fairly extensive (780 acres)
brackish marsh. Habitat for a
areal extent of marsh
number of marsh -nesting birds
and animals. Habitat for
federally endangered American
alligator.
High -quality wetland
plant community
CT 2
Chamaecyparis thyoides
Several dense stands are loca-
ted near headwaters of Jack's
:•
••....•..
areal extent of white cedar stands
Creek. while not unusually
extensive or old -growth, these
stands add to the overall di-
versity of the island and pro-
vide nesting habitat for cer-
tain woodland breeding birds.
High -quality wetland
plant community
CT 3
Pinus serotina Acer rubrum-Persea bor-
bonia/Persea borbonia and mixed ever-
Extensive (7000+ acres) commun-
ity occupying most of island.
green shrubs//Smilax laurifolia
or
Includes some old -growth stands
containing trees to 80 feet tall
Pinus serotina/Persea borbonia and
mixed evergreen shrubs//Smilax lauri-
with dbh's of 12-14 inches.
Good habitat for black bear.
folia
Representative example of old -growth
stand surveyed by authors
—

J
J
12. Significance Summary Table (categories represented and descriptions) - by site
a. Feature
b. Description of significant feature
C. Comparative assessment
Leap
Endangered Species
CT 1
American Alligator
Federally endangered (Endan-
gered Species Act, 1973). Not
small
seen by authors but reported
streams
by WRC personnel and local
raining
fishermen from creeks along
west side
west side of island. Habitat
of island
good for species.'
Threatened Species
through-
Red -shouldered Hawk
Threatened in N.C. (Cooper, et.
out
al. 1977). At least 2-3 ne:J:in
pairs are present on island.
Habitat excellent.
Special Concern Species
CT 1,
Osprey
Of special concern in N.C.
(Cooper, et al., 1977). At
IWW and
least one nesting pair is
Alligator
present along west side of
River
island on river.
Special Concern Species
outoug
Black Bear
Of special concern in N.C.
(Cooper, et al., 1977). Unde-
termined population present.
Habitat sufficiently extensive
and diverse, along with other
Alligator River corridor wet-
lands, to support population.

Legal Status, Use, and Management
13. Ownership type by percent area: Type
Private 100 %
Public %
Unknown %
14. Number of Owners: 3
15. Name(s) of owner(s) and/or custodian(s) (with addresses, phone
numbers, other pertinent information).
1) Adams -Roper, Inc. (8210 acres) - primary owner
c/o Jay M. DeVoss, Sec.
Devoss and Scott
P. 0. Box 30
Decatur, Indiana 47633
2) Glenn B. O'Neal (275 acres)
_ Creek Road
Piperville, PA 18947
3) Harry M. DeWitt (370 acres)
11619 Gibson St.
Silver Spring, MD 20962
*Adams -Roper, Inc. went bankrupt in July, 1982 - present status
of ownership is not known.
16. Name(s).of knowledgeable person(s) (with addresses, phone numbers,
other pertinent information).
1) Otto Florschutz, Jr., Biologist
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
P. 0. Box 581
Washington, NC 27889
17. Attitude of owner or custodian toward preservation (contacted?):
Not known; previous owners were interested in selling property
to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service or The Nature Conservancy.
79

18. Uses of natural area:
Much of the natural area has been logged over in several
cycles to obtain the successively most valuable remaining or
regenerated timber. Early loggers used barges and a series
of tram roads to remove timber. Recently (1979), loggers dug
a short canal into the Alligator River side of the island and
selectively cut timber along this canal and along a series of
skidder trails. The canal construction was halted when the
Army Corps of Engineers issued a cease -and -desist order re-
quiring a "404" wetlands permit. Some logging continues at
the present time by cable.
There has been no agricultural development on the island.
However, there have been some small-scale logging, clearing,
and bush -hogging operations along the Intracoastal Waterway
(IWW) spoil area. A portion of the spoil area has been opened
to cattle grazing.
Construction of the IWW in the 1930's created Roper Island
and effectively curtailed many uses by cutting the area off from
the mainland.
Some deer hunting is done by the present and neighboring
owners. Excellent fishing is reported along the Alligator
River and along the three major streams which drain out of
Roper Island.
19, Uses of surrounding land:
a. Wildland 70 %
b. Agricultural land %
20. Preservation Status:
c. high -intensity forestry %
d. developed 30 %
(Intracoastal Waterway)
Cat
* %
*Description of preservation status
6
100
Private land, not protected as a natural area by owner.
21. Regulatory protections in force:
The Army Corps of Engineers "404" permit process applies to this
area.
80

22. Threats:
The major threat to Roper Island is continued logging
operations. Much merchantable loblolly and pond pine,
baldcypress, swamp blackgum, and some Atlantic white cedar
are present on the island. Much of this timber is located
in the relatively inaccessible interior. Logging of course
results in locally severe disturbance; however, the island
may have some degree of protection from modern timbering
practices (i.e., construction of access roads and associ-
ated drainage canals) because of the requirements for
federal dredge and fill permits (Section 404 of Clean Water
Act). This permit regulation has already halted one attempt
to construct an access canal on the island.
Peat mining is a potential threat; Otte and Ingram
(1980) found energy grade peat (less than 25% ash at 0%
moisture) under much of the island.
However, the lack of vehicular access to the natural
area and the low elevation of the site will probably pro-
hibit any mining in the foreseeable future.
Agricultural development is another potential threat.
The southeastern portion of the island is shallow peat or
peaty sand and could be successfully farmed if drained.
Again, the problem of access and the federal permit re-
quirements pose a severe constraint for any development
plans.
23. Management and Preservation Recommendation:
The section of the Alligator River from the southwest
confluence with the IWW downstream to the Northwest Fork
confluence should be nominated for designation as a wild
and scenic river.
If Roper Island is offered to The Nature Conservancy
as a bargain sale or as a gift, TNC should accept and trans-
fer the lands eventually to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Ser-
vice as a part of the national wildlife refuge system. Other
more significant natural areas in the Alligator River corridor
of Hyde and Dare Counties should receive a higher priority for
protection and this should be taken into account if and when
negotiations for the acquisition of Roper Island occur.
81

The entire island should be acquired, including the
400-acre IWW spoil bank, so that management activities
such as controlled burning could be freely implemented.
The interior of the island should be protected and pre-
served in its natural state with only limited trails,
boardwalks, and other public use facilities maintained.
82

Natural Characteristics Summary
24a. Vegetation - Biotic Community Summary CT 1
Community type: Typha angustifolia
Community cover type: Typha angustifolia
General habitat feature: Brackish marsh
Average canopy height: -
Estimated age of canopy trees: -
Canopy cover: -
Estimated size of community: 780 acres
Successional stage: successional to forested wetland
Common canopy species in community cover or community type
(but not dominant):
standing dead Taxodium distichum
Common sub -canopy or shrub stratum species in community cover or
community type (but not dominant):
None
Common herb stratum species in community cover or community type
(but not dominant):
Cladium jamaicense
83

Natural Characteristics Summary
24a. Vegetation - Biotic Community Summary CT 2
Community type: Chamaecyparis thyoides
Community cover type: Chamaecyparis thyoides
General habitat feature: White cedar bog
Average canopy height: unknown
Estimated age of canopy trees: unknown
Canopy cover: closed
Estimated size of community: 200 acres
Successional stage: early -mid successional
Common canopy species in community cover or community type
(but not dominant):
None _
Common sub -canopy or shrub stratum species in community cover or
community type (but not dominant):
Not known.
Common herb stratum species in community cover or community type
(but not dominant):
Not known.
84

Natural Characteristics Summary
24a. Vegetation - Biotic Community Summary CT 3
Community type: Pinus serotina/Acer rubrum-Persea borbonia/
Persea borbonia and mixed evergreen shrubs//
Smilax laurifolia
or
Pinus serotina/Persea borbonia and mixed
evergreen shrubs//Smilax laurifolia
Community cover type: Pinus serotina
General habitat feature: palustrine swamp or pocosin
Average canopy height: 50-60 up to 80 feet
Estimated age of canopy trees: 50 to 100+ years
Canopy cover: open
Estimated size of community: 7200 acres
Successional stage: late successional to pyroclimax
Common canopy species in community cover or community type
(but not dominant):
none
Common sub -canopy or shrub stratum species in community cover
or community type (but not dominant):
Lyonia lucida, Ilex coriacea, Magnolia virginiana
Common herb stratum species in community cover or community type
(but not dominant):
Arundinaria giganta (occasionally dominant)
85

24b. Soil Summary (by community type) CT 1, 2, 3
Soil series: not known
Soil classification: not determined
Soil association: 1) Ponzer-Belhaven-Wasda
2) Dare-Pungo-Dorovan
pH class: extremely acid
Source of information: General Soil Map of Hyde County,
N.C., SCS, 1973
Other notes:
24c. Hydrology Summary (by community type) CT 1, 2, 3
Hydrologic system: Palustrine
Hydrologic subsystem: Interaqueous
Water chemistry: Fresh -acid
Water regime: Saturated (CT 2, 3) to intermittently flooded (CT 1)
Drainage class: Very poorly drained
Drainage basin: Alligator River
Hydrology characterization: A very poorly drained, saturated to
intermittently flooded, fresh -acid,
interaqueous, palustrine system.
86

24d. Topography Summary: CT 1, 2, 3
Landform: Peat -mantled terrace or flat
Shelter: Open (CT 1) to sheltered (CT 2, 3)
Aspect: not applicable
Slope Angle: not applicable
Profile: Flat
Surface patterns: generally smooth, except for small depressions,
stream channels, etc.
Position: not applicable
25. Physiographic characterization of natural area:
An assemblage of early successional to pyroclimax brackish
marsh and palustrine forested wetland communities occupying a
very poorly drained, peat -mantled flat plain along the Alligator
River and the Intracoastal Waterway in the Coastal Plain Province
of the Atlantic Plain.
Geological Formation:
Recent peats over Pleistocene Pamlico Terrace Formation
sands and clays over Upper Miocene Yorktown Formation sands
and clays.
Geological Formation age:
Recent = less than 10,000 yrs. BP
Pleistocene Pamlico Terrace = less than 100,000 yrs. BP
Upper Miocene Yorktown Formation = 18-22 million years BP
References Cited:
Daniels, R. B., E. E. Gamble, and W. H. Wheeler. 1978. Age
of Soil Landscapes in the Coastal Plain of North Carolina. Soil
Science Society of America Journal 42: 98-105.
87

26. Summary - Endangered and threatened species
Name of species: American alligator
Species legal status and authority: Federally endangered (Endangered
Species Act of 1973)
Number of populations on site: ?
Number of individuals per population: ?
Size or Maturity of individuals: ?
Phenology of population: not applicable
Eg: vegetative % -
flowering % -
fruiting % -
General vigor of population: Unknown. Not seen by authors but
reported by WRC personnel and local fishermen to occur in small
creeks draining into Alligator River on west side of island.
Disturbance or threats to population: Illegal shooting
Habitat characteristics
Plant community: CT 1, open water of creeks
Topography: -
Soil Series: -
Microclimate: -
Drainage basin: -
Other plants and animal species present: See Master Species Lists.
AERIAL OR DETAILED MAPS WITH POPULATIONS CLEARLY MARKED.
88

26. Sum. -nary - Endangered and threatened species
Name of species: Red -shouldered Hawk
Species legal status and authority: Threatened In N.C. (Cooper,
et al., 1977)
Number of populations on site: 2113 pairs
Number of individuals per population: 2 (male and female) plus
young of year
Size or Maturity of individuals: adult and immature
Phenology of population: not applicable
Eg: vegetative % -
flowering % -
fruiting % -
General vigor of population: Excellent. Habitat extensive and
diverse.
Disturbance or threats to population: Clearcutting, drainage,
pesticides.
Habitat characteristics
Plant community: Throughout
Topography: -
Soil Series: -
Microclimate: -
Drainage basin: -
Other plants and animal species present: See Master Species Lists.
AERIAL OR DETAILED :'LAPS WITH POPULATIONS CLEARLY MARKED.
89

26. Sum --nary - Endangered and threatened species
Name of species: Osprey
Species legal status and authority: Of Special Concern in N.C.
(Cooper et al., 1977)
Number of populations on site: one
Number of individuals per population: 2 plus young of year
Size or Maturity of individuals: adult and immature
Phenology of population: not applicable
Eg: vegetative % -
flowering % -
fruiting % -
General vigor of population: Good. At least one nest observed in
top of dead cypress along Alligator
River about 1 mile upstream from con-
fluence with Northwest Fork.
Disturbance or threats to population: pesticides, illegal shooting
Habitat characteristics
Plant community: CT 1, open water
Topography: -
Soil Series: -
Microclimate: -
Drainage basin: -
Other plants and animal species present: See Master Species Lists.
AERIAL OR DETAILED MAPS WITH POPULATIONS CLEARLY MARKED.
90

26. Summary - Endangered and threatened species
Name of species: Black Bear
Species legal status and authority: Of Special Concern in N.C.
(Cooper, et al., 1977)
Number of populations on site: one
Number of individuals per population: undetermined
Size or Maturity of individuals: unknown
Phenology of population: not applicable
Eg: vegetative % -
flowering % -
fruiting % -
General vigor of population: Unknown. One set of tracks seen by
authors along canal edge in northern section of island. Florschutz
(1979) reports den tree on island. Habitat extensive and diverse;
most of island is inaccessible to hunters.
Disturbance or threats to population: clearcutting, drainage
Habitat characteristics
Plant community: Throughout
Topography: -
Soil Series: -
Microclimate: -
Drainage basin: -
Other plants and animal species present: See Master Species Lists.
AERIAL OR DETAILED MAPS WITH POPULATIONS CLEARLY :HARKED.
91

27. Master Species List:
VASCULAR PLANTS
(arranged alphabetically by family)
ACERACEAE
Acer rubrum
ALISMATACEAE
Sagittaria sp.
ANACARDIACEAE
Rhus radicans
AQUIFOLIACEAE
Ilex coriacea
I. glabra
ASTERACEAE
Baccharis halimifolia
BLECHNACEAE
Woodwardia virginica
CLETHRACEAE
Clethra alnifolia
CUPRESSACEAE
Chamaecyparis thyoides
CYPERACEAE
Carex spp.
Cladium jamaicense
Scirpus americanus
CYRILLACEAE
Cyrilla racemiflora
ERICACEAE
Leucothoe axillaris
Lyonia lucida
Rhododendron viscosum
Vaccinium corymbosum
HAMAMELIDACEAE
Liuqidambar styraciflua
LAURACEAE
Persea borbonia
LENTIBULARIACEAE
Utricularia spp.
LILIACEAE
Smilax laurifolia
LOGANIACEAE
Gelsemium sempervirens
MAGNOLIACEAE
Magnolia virginiana
MALVACEAE
Kosteletskya virginica
92

MYRICACEAE
Myrica cerifera
M. heterophylla
NYSSACEAE
Nyssa sylvatica var.
NYMPHAEACEAE
Nymphaea odorata
OSMUNDACEAE
Osmunda regalis var.
PINACEAE
Pinus serotina
P. taeda
POACEAE
Arundinaria gigantea
PONTEDERIACEAE
Pontederia cordata
PRIMULACEAE
Samolus parviflorus
TAXODIACEAE
Taxodium distichum
TYPHACEAE
Typha angustifolia
Green Treefrog
Gray Treefrog
Southern Cricket Frog
Carpenter Frog
Green Frog
None recorded
biflora
spectabilis
AMPHIBIANS
REPTILES
93

BIRDS
(Emphasis of bird lists is on breeding or summering
species; lack of adequate field work during the other
seasons prevented compilation of a complete list.)
KEY
PR = Permanent resident
SR = Summer resident
WR = Winter resident
T = Transient; spring or fall
PV, SV, WV = Visitor; year-round, summer or winter
* = Breeding or suspected breeding at site
Great Blue Heron
PV
Green Heron
SR*
Least Bittern
SR*
Wood Duck
PR*
Turkey Vulture
PR*
Red -shouldered Hawk
PR*
Osprey
SR*
Common Bobwhite
PR*
Laughing Gull
SV
Mourning Dove
PR*
Yellow -billed Cuckoo
SR*
Chimney Swift
SV
Ruby -throated Hummingbird
SR*
Belted Kingfisher
PV
Common Flicker
PR*
Pileated Woodpecker
PR*
Red -bellied Woodpecker
PR*
Downy Woodpecker
PR*
Red-headed Woodpecker
PR*
Eastern Kingbird
SR*
Great Crested Flycatcher
SR*
Eastern Pewee
SR*
Barn Swallow
SV
Common Crow
PR*
Fish Crow
PR*
Carolina Chickadee
PR*
Carolina Wren
PR*
Gray Catbird
PR*
Wood Thrush
SR*
White -eyed Vireo
SR*
Prothonotary Warbler
SR*
Northern Parula Warbler
SR*
94

Yellow -throated Warbler
SR*
Pine Warbler
PR*
Prairie Warbler
SR*
Ovenbird
SR*
Common Yellowthroat
PR*
Hooded Warbler
SR*
Red -winged Blackbird
PR*
Common Grackle
PR*
Brown -headed Cowbird
PR*
Northern Cardinal
PR*
Indigo Bunting
SR*
Rufous -sided Towhee
PR*
Raccoon - tracks common
White-tailed Deer - abundant tracks
Black Bear - one set of tracks
0
95

NATURAL AREA INVENTORY FORM
(To be prepared for each site)
Basic Information Summary Sheet
1. Natural Area Name: New Lake Fork Pocosin
2. County: Hyde
3. Location: Southeast of Alligator (New) Lake between New
Lake Fork of the Alligator River and the Intra-
coastal Waterway
4. Topographic quadrangle(s): New Lakd SE (1974)
5. Size: Approximately 9300 acres, measured with grid calculator
6. Elevation: 2-12 feet above mean sea level
7. Access: The southwestern side can be reached by taking SR 1303
north towards Alligator (New) Lake. About 4 miles north
of the SR 1302 junction, the road bends sharply to the
right (east). At this corner take the unmarked private
dirt road on the right (southeast) which intersects SR
1303. Natural area begins about one mile down this road
(named Boundary Road on some maps).
8. Names of investigators: J. Merrill Lynch S. Lance Peacock
Route 2, Box 222-B P. O. Box 6006
Enfield, NC 27823 Raleigh, NC 27628
9. Date(s) of investigation: April 8, August 11, 1982
10. Priority rating: Medium.
96

`10

lla. Prose Description of Site:
The New Lake Fork Pocosin is a 9300-acre tract of various
pocosin habitats located about one mile southeast of Alligator
(New) Lake. The predominantly high pocosin vegetation of the
tract is associated with a long, finger -like extension of deep
peat which occurs along the drainage and headwaters region of
the Alligator River. The natural area contains a representative
example of high pocosin vegetation which has not been drained
and which is contiguous with other pocosin and swamp forest
wetlands in the.Alligator River drainage corridor. Other poco-
sin vegetation types present are pond pine woodland and possibly
pond pine forest. These and the high pocosin type are categories
of pocosin vegetation proposed by Otte (1981). His definitions
of the types are summarized in Table 1.
The natural area is bordered on the west and southwest by
drained pocosin and cleared fields. The southern border is
along the Intracoastal Waterway and the east and north boundary
is the New Lake Fork of the Alligator River.
The entire natural area was intensely burned during the
spring of 1982. This fire completely killed about 90% of the
pond pines; the remaining 10% were resprouting from the trunk
_ during our visit. At least some sections of the pocosin peat
were still burning in August. Smoke rising from a bed of peat
near Boundary Road was observed.
Before the fire the site was dominated by an open stand of
low; -second -growth pond pines (Pinus serotina), about 15 feet
tall with average dbh's of 4-6 inches. Several different age
classes of taller pines were also present. Trees in the 30-40
foot height range were fairly common but widely scattered. A
few old -growth, flat-topped pines 60-70 feet tall were also
present. Frequent fires and/or timbering probably removed
most of the old -growth trees, leaving a thicker growth of
scrubby, second -growth trees.
The post -fire community has a distinctly different aspect.
Standing dead pond pine trunks are numerous and are variable
in height depending on age class as discussed in the previous
paragraph. This skeleton forest extends along both sides of
Boundary Road as far as one can see.
The shrub layer underneath the pine trunks is very dense,
averaging 2-4 feet in height. The fire burned most of the
shrub stems to the ground but there was vigorous new growth
from root sprouts. Although a close examination of the shrub
98

flora indicated a number of species present, honeybells
(Zenobia pulverulenta) appeared to be most abundant. This
species forms a dense shrub layer over about 80% of the
pocosin. Scattered with honeybells is fetterbush (Lyonia
lucida), bitter gallberry (Ilex glabra), a blueberry
(Vaccinium sp.), chokecherry (Sorbus arbutifolia), and
dwarfed red bay (Persea borbonia). Throughout the site
numerous pond pine seedlings about one foot tall are present.
Laurel -leaved greenbriar (Smilax laurifolia) is a common
vine in the shrub layer but has not yet developed the inpene-
trable tangle characteristic of many burned pocosins. The herb
layer is poorly developed. In the more open areas, Virginia
chain fern (Woodwardia virginica) forms dense colonies. It
is also present in smaller numbers under the denser shrub
layers. In some openings with standing surface water, a
sedge (Carex walteria.na) is present in small patches.
Some portions of the pocosin are dominated in the shrub
zone by dense patches of giant cane (Arundinaria gigantea).
Cane is usually associated with shallow peats or peaty mineral
soils so it is assumed that these patches are correlated with
shallow peat or where there is a significant mineral component
in the soil.
The community type of the pocosin can be classified as
dead Pinus serotina trunks/Zenobia pulverulenta-mixed pocosin
shrubs or Arundinaria gigantea (dead pond pine trunks/honey-
bells-mixed pocosin shrubs or giant cane; CT 1). The giant
cane -dominated areas are relatively minor in extent (20%)
and are not separated out in the vegetation mapping. The
other pocosin vegetation types are also not mapped.
The natural area boundary extends to the New Lake Fork of
the Alligator River. This northern section of the natural area
is inaccessible except by boat and time constraints prevented a
field survey. Aerial reconnaissance and review of aerial photo-
graphy indicates that the pocosin vegetation described above is
gradually replaced by swamp forest along New Lake Fork. A zone
dominated by what appears to be swamp blackgum (Nyssa sylvatica
var. biflora), red maple (Acer rubrum), and some baldcypress
(Taxodium distichum) is present.
The extent of fire damage to the swamp forest section is
unknown. Dense smoke in the vicinity during our aerial recon-
naissance prevented a close inspection of the swamp forest.
The entire natural area is underlain by shallow to moderately
deep peats (Ingram and Otte, 1982). Peat depths vary from 0-8
feet. Generally the deeper peats (6-8 feet) extend NE -SW across
99

the central portion of the natural area and gradually thin
out toward Alligator Lake to the north and the Intracoastal
Waterway to the south.
Two soil associations are found in the natural area
(SCS, 1973). The shallower peat areas are mapped as the
Ponzer-Belhaven-Wasda association. The deeper peats are
mapped as the Dare-Pungo-Dorovan association. Both soils
associations are characterized by organic surface layers
which are very poorly drained.
100

llb. Prose Description of Site Significance:
The New Lake Fork Pocosin is one of the two largest
relatively undisturbed pocosins remaining in Hyde County.
It and the Gull Rock Game Lands Pocosin are the two most
extensive examples of a wetland ecosystem which once was
a widespread and dominant aspect of the county landscape.
Most of the other large pocosi.ns in the county, located
north of Lake Mattamuskeet and west of Alligator Lake,
have been ditched, drained, and in most cases cleared
for agriculture. Relatively small tracts of ditched
pocosin remain in these areas.
Black bear are known to occur and the tract is ex-
tensive enough along with adjacent wooded buffers along
the Alligator River to support a viable population. Bob-
cat are also present in the natural area along with a
sizeable population of white-tailed deer. A small
breeding population of Red -shouldered Hawks, a state
threatened species, is present.
The undrained condition and extensive size of the
natural area coupled with its location contiguous or nearly
contiguous with adjacent forested wetlands is of primary
significance.
101

H
0
N
12. Significance Summary Table (categories represented and descriptions) - by site
a. Feature
Leap
b. Description of significant feature
c. Comparative assessment
High -quality wetland
plant community
CT 1
-d—ea-d Pinus sero ina trunks7zenobia
pulverulenta-mixed pocosin shrubs or
Extensive (8000+ acres) tract
of undrained i o osin ve -
Arundinaria gigantea
etation. Along with the Gull
Rock Game Lands pocosin. this
tract is one of the two best
i
Portion of CT inventoried by authors
Hyde County. Part of the Alli-
gator d o ido
which includes the Roper
-Island and Allictator River
Swamp Forest natural areas.
Threatened Species
through-
out
Red -shouldered Hawk
Threatened in N.C. (Cooper,
breeding pairs are present.
Hahitat extensive enouah to
support viable population.
Special Concern Species
P p
through-
out
Black Bear
Of special concern in N.C.
(Cooper, et al. 1977). Popu-
lation of undetermined size
resent. Habitat excellent
for species because of its
large size lack of access and
abundance of berry -producing
shrubs.

Fig. 9. Significant features: NEW LAKE FORK POCOSIN

Legal Status, Use, and Management
13. Ownership type by percent area:
14. Number of Owners: 2
Type
Private 100 %
Public %
Unknown %
15. Name(s) of owner(s) and/or custodian(s) (with addresses, phone numbers,
other pertinent information),
1) First Colony Farms 2) Rich Farms
Route 1, Box 201 Belhaven, NC 27810
Creswell, NC 27928
16. Name(s) of knowledgeable person(s) (with addresses, phone numbers, other
pertinent information).
None known.
17. Attitude of owner or custodian toward preservation (contacted?):
Not known.
104

18. Uses of natural area:
The natural area has been logged over in the past and much
of the larger merchantable pond pine has been removed. Wildfires
have removed most remaining merchantable timber from the tract.
Hunting is a low intensity use throughout the western portion
of the area accessible by roads. The degree of illegal hunting,
if any, is unknown.
Modern agricultural development has not been attempted in
the natural area; the predominantly deep peat soils are considered
inferior for agricultural use due to excessive wood content (Barnes,
pers. comm., 1982). Peat mining for energy production is possible
on these soils in the long term.
19, Uses of surrounding land:
a. Wildland 40 %
b. Agricultural land 30 %
20. Preservation Status:
c. high -intensity forestry
d. developed 30 %
(Intracoastal Waterway)
Cat
* %
*Description of preservation status
6
100
Private land, not protected as a natural area by owner.
21. Regulatory protections in force:
The Army Corps of Engineers "404" permit process applies to this area.
105

22. Threats:
Peat mining is a potential threat; Otte and Ingram (1980)
have found energy grade peat (less than 25% ash at 0% moisture)
under much of the natural area. Agricultural development is
limited as a threat to some degree because the woody peats
are currently uneconomical to farm.
23. Management and Preservation Recommendation:
The area should be recognized as a crucial component of the
Alligator River wetlands corridor which extends east of the natural
area and includes Roper Island and the Alligator River Swamp Forest.
Its importance as an excellent representative pocosin ecosystem
will increase as additional drainage and clearing operations con-
tinue to fragment the remaining pocosin areas along the Alligator
River corridor.
Contact with the owners should be made by the N.C. Natural
Heritage Program to determine their short and long-term plans
for the tract and to inform them of the natural area's biological
significance as a relatively large, intact pocosin system.
If, in the future, the site is protected, management
will be required to maintain the pocosin vegetation in its
present state. Controlled burning should be implemented
to maintain the diversity of the pocosin system. Patrolling,
gates, and enforcement agreements with the state's Wildlife
Resources Commission may be needed to control unlawful hunting.
106

Natural Characteristics Summary
24a. Vegetation - Biotic Community Summary CT 1
Community type: dead Pinus serotina trunks/Zenobia pulverulenta-
mixed pocosin shrubs or Arundinaria gigantea
Community cover type: Zenobia pulverulenta-mixed pocosin shrubs or
Arundinaria gigantea
General habitat feature: high pocosin
Average canopy height: pre -fire = 15 feet, now 2-4 feet (shrubs)
Estimated age of canopy trees: -
Canopy cover: not applicable
Estimated size of community: 8000+ acres
Successional stage: Pyroclimax
Common canopy species in community cover or community type
(but not dominant):
None
Common sub -canopy or shrub stratum species in community cover or
community type (but not dominant):
Lyonia lucida, Ilex glabra, Vaccinium sp., Persea
borbonia, Sorbus arbutifolia
Common herb stratum species in community cover or community type
(but not dominant):
Smilax laurifolia
Woodwardia virginica
Carex walteriana
107

24b. Soil Summary (by community type) CT 1
Soil series: not known
Soil classification: -
Soil association: 1) Ponzer-Belhaven-Wasda (shallow peats)
2) Dare-Pungo-Dorovan (deep peats)
pH class: Extremely acid
Source of information: General Soil Map of Hyde County,
SCS, 1973
Other notes:
24c. Hydrology Summary (by community type) CT 1
Hydrologic system: Palustrine
Hydrologic subsystem: Interaqueous
Water chemistry: Fresh -acid
Water regime: Saturated
Drainage class: Very poorly drained
Drainage basin: New Lake Fork of Alligator River
Hydrology characterization: A very poorly drained, saturated,
fresh -acid, interaqueous palustrine
system.
108

24d. Topography Summary: CT 1
Landform: peat -mantled flat
Shelter: Open
Aspect: not applicable
Slope Angle: not applicable
Profile: Flat
Surface patterns: Hummocky, many small depressions and
fallen tree trunks
Position: not applicable
25. Physiographic characterization of natural area:
Pyroclimax and successional communities occupying a very
poorly drained, peat -mantled flat near the headwaters of the
New Lake Fork of the Alligator River in the Coastal Plain
province of the Atlantic Plain.
Geological Formation:
Recent peats over Pleistocene (Pamlico Terrace) sands and
clays over Upper Miocene (Yorktown Formation) fossiliferous
sands and clays.
Geological Formation age:
Recent - less than 10,000 yrs. BP
Pleistocene - 10,000 to 100,000 yrs. BP
Upper Miocene - 18-22 million years BP
References Cited:
Daniels, R. B., E. E. Gamble, and W. H. Wheeler. 1978. Age
of Soil Landscapes in the Coastal Plain of North Carolina. Soil
Science of America Journal 42: 98-105.
109

26. Summary - Endangered and threatened species
Name of species: Red -shouldered Hawk
Species legal status and authority: Threatened in N.C.
(Cooper et al., 1977)
Number of populations on site: one
Number of individuals per population: 2 plus young of year
Size or Maturity of individuals: adult and immature
Phenology of population: not applicable
Eg: vegetative % -
flowering % -
fruiting % -
General vigor of population: Believed to be good. One pair with
young seen along Boundary Road; other
pairs probably present along New Lake
Fork.
Disturbance or threats to population: Land clearing and drainage
Habitat characteristics
Plant community: CT 1
Topography: -
Soil Series: -
Microclimate: -
Drainage basin: -
Other plants and animal species present: See Master Species List.
AERIAL OR DETAILED MAPS WITH POPULATIONS CLEARLY MARKED.
110

26. Summary - Endangered and threatened species
Name of species: Black Bear
Species legal status and authority: Of Special Concern in N.C.
(Cooper et al., 1977)
Number of populations on site: one
Number of individuals per population: unknown
Size or Maturity of individuals: unknown
Phenology of population: not applicable
Eg: vegetative % -
flowering % -
fruiting % -
General vigor of population: Not known. One set of tracks seen
along Boundary Road.
Disturbance or threats to population: Land clearing, drainage, road
construction, illegal hunting.
Habitat characteristics
Plant community: CT 1
Topography: -
Soil Series: -
Microclimate: -
Drainage basin: -
Other plants and animal species present: See Master Species List.
AERIAL OR DETAILED ;MAPS WITH POPULATIONS CLEARLY MARKED.
ill

27. Master Species List:
VASCULAR PLANTS
(listed alphabetically by family)
ACERACEAE
Acer rubrum
AQUIFOLIACEAE
Ilex glabra
I. coriacea
BLECHNACEAE
Woodwardia virginica
CYPERACEAE
Carex walteriana
ERICACEAE
Gaylussacia frondosa
Kalmia angustifolia
Lyonia lucida
Vaccinium sp.
Zenobia pulerulenta
LAURACEAE
Persea borbonia
LILIACEAE
Smilax laurifolia
MAGNOLIACEAE
Magnolia virginiana
NYSSACEAE
Nyssa sylvatica var. biflora
PINACEAE
Pinus serotina
POACEAE
Arundinaria gigantea
ROSACEAE
Sorbus arbutifolia
THEACEAE
Gordonia lasianthus
None recorded
None recorded.
AMPHIBIANS
REPTILES
112

BIRDS
(Emphasis of bird lists is on breeding or summering
species; lack of adequate field work during the other
seasons prevented compilation of a complete list.)
KEY
PR = Permanent resident
SR = Summer resident
WR = Winter resident
T = Transient; spring or fall
PV, SV, WV = Visitor; year-round, summer or winter
* = Breeding or suspected breeding at site
Great Blue Heron
Turkey Vulture
Red -shouldered Hawk
Common Bobwhite
Mourning Dove
Screech Owl
Common Flicker
Downy Woodpecker
Red-headed Woodpecker
Belted Kingfisher
Eastern Kingbird
Tree Swallow
Fish Crow
Carolina Chickadee
Gray Catbird
Brown Thrasher
Eastern Bluebird
Prairie Warbler
Common Yellowthroat
Blue Grosbeak
Indigo Bunting
Raccoon (tracks)
White-tailed Deer (abundant tracks)
Bobcat (1 set of tracks)
Black Bear (1 set of tracks and scat)
113
PV
PV
PR*
PR*
PR*
PR*
PR*
PR*
PR*
PV
SR*
T
PR*
PR*
PR*
PR*
PR*
SR*
SR*
SR*
SR*

NATURAL AREA INVENTORY FORM
(To be prepared for each site)
Basic Information Summary Sheet
1. Natural Area Name: Gull Rock Game Lands
2. County: Hyde
3. Location: In the southern part of the county between New
Holland and Pamlico Sound.
4. Topographic quadrangle(s): New Holland (1974)
Bluff Point (1951)
5. Size: Approximately 10,575 acres, measured with a grid calculator
6. Elevation: 0-4 feet above mean sea level
7. Access: There are several access points. The sweetgum stand is
best reached by taking SR 1122 to Hydeland and from there
a private dirt road due east 0.7 miles. The eastern side
of the sweetgum stand can be reached from several points
along SR 1164 0.3-1.3 miles south of New Holland. The
pond pine pocosin is along the west side of SR 1164 be-
tween 3.1 and 4.2 miles south of New Holland. The eastern
margin of the low pocosin can be reached by going south
from New Holland 3.1 miles on SR 1164 to dirt road on
right (west). Turn right and walk down dirt road for
about 1.2 miles to junction with north -south dirt road.
Low pocosin is along west side of this road. A repre-
sentative example of brackish marsh can be seen at end
of SR 1164 at Pamlico Sound.
8. Names of investigators: J. Merrill Lynch S. Lance Peacock
Route 2, Box 222-B P. O. Box 6006
Enfield, NC 27823 Raleigh, NC 27628
9. Date(s) of investigation: April 9, 29, June 16, 17, 28, 1982
10. Priority rating: High
114

ff.1
`wlI

lla. Prose Description of Natural Area
INTRODUCTION
Located between Lake Mattamuskeet and Pamlico Sound in
the southern part of Hyde County, the Gull Rock Game Lands
Natural Area encompasses a variety of wetland habitats ranging
from hardwood -dominated swamp forest and pond pine pocosin to
shrub marsh and brackish marsh systems. This wide band of
contiguous wetland habitats forms an uninterrupted transect
which begins in the Hydeland sweetgum-mixed hardwoods swamp
forest, proceeds through the extensive pond pine pocosins
in the central portion of the natural area, and includes an
area of open, low shrub pocosin. Beyond that the natural
area extends to the Pamlico Sound brackish marshes.
This wide band of natural wetlands is split into four
distinct habitat units based on differences in soils, hydrol-
ogy, and fire regime. The four major vegetation associations
correlated with each unit are discussed in the following pages
along with their soil -habitat relationships, general ecology,
and wildlife components.
The Gull Rock Game Lands natural area, about 10,575 acres
in size, is bounded on the east by the Lake Mattamuskeet Out -
fall Canal (SR 1164) and on the west by agricultural fields
near SR 1122 (in the vicinity of Hydeland) and the Swanquarter
National Wildlife Refuge boundary. Much of this immense tract
is located within the boundaries of the state-owned Gull Rock
Game Lands, but there are also privately -owned tracts along
the northern periphery and in the central interior.
In terms of local topography, the entire natural area is
a broad, very poorly drained flat associated with the head-
water region of the Juniper Bay Creek drainage system. Overall
drainage is poorly developed but water flow appears to be in a
southwestward direction into Juniper Bay Creek. Elevation
ranges from sea level to about 4 feet.
Soils of the natural area have been mapped as four dis-
tinct soil associations (SCS 1973). No detailed soil mapping
is currently available. These four soil associations occur
as wide bands trending generally east -west parallel to the
long axis of Lake Mattamuskeet and the Pamlico Sound shore-
line. There is a significant correlation between the soil
associations and the four habitat units which comprise the
natural area. The four soil associations are (north to
south) :
116

1) Weeksville-Pasquotank: Very poorly and poorly drained
mineral soils with black to gray very fine sandy loam
or silt loam surface layers (Typic Humaquepts and Typic
Haplaquepts)
2) Hyde-Bayboro: Very poorly drained mineral soils with
thick black loam surface layers (Typic Umbraquults
and Umbric Paleaquults)
3) Ponzer-Belhaven-Wasda: Very poorly drained organic
soils with moderately thick to thin organic surface
layers (Terric Medisaprists and Histic Humaquepts)
4) Capers: Very poorly drained mineral soils with dark
gray silty clay and loamy surface layers (Typic
Sulfaquents) Descriptions from SCS (1973).
VF.r.RTATTOM
The vegetation of the natural area is a diverse assemblage
of hardwood -dominated stands, baldcypress stands, pond pine
pocosin, low shrub pocosin, shrub marsh, and brackish marsh.
In general these vegetation associations occur as wide bands
or zones in a transect running north to south. They are closely
correlated with the four soil associations described in the pre-
ceding section. These vegetation -soil associations do not ex-
hibit discrete boundaries, but rather change gradually along
moisture and peat depth gradients.
For the sake of clarity, it is best to describe these
vegetation associations individually. In the following dis-
cussion they are arranged in order as they are encountered
along a north -south transect beginning near Hydeland and
ending at Pamlico Sound:
1) Hydeland-Gull Rock Sweetgum-Hardwoods Stand
2) Gull Rock Pond Pine Pocosin (this includes several
small, isolated baldcypress stands)
3) Gull Rock Low Pocosin
4) Gull Rock brackish marshes (includes shrub marsh
zone)
117

(1) Hydeland-Gull Rock Sweetgum-Hardwoods Stands
Along the northern portion of the natural area is a
band of swamp or bottomland hardwoods dominated in many
areas by sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua). These stands
occupy an area about one mile wide by two miles long. The
eastern end is along the Outfall Canal (SR 1164) just south
of New Holland. The western end is at the edge of agri-
cultural fields about 0.7 mile east of Hydeland. The
northern boundary runs along the edge of agricultural
fields adjacent to US 264 and the southern boundary grades
into pond pine pocosin. The areal extent of this associ-
ation is about 1000 acres.
Sweetgum is the most widespread of the many hardwoods
comprising the stands, exhibiting the most consistent dens-
ity and distribution. Red maple (Acer rubrum) is also very
common and often is codominant with sweetgum in the canopy.
Other less common but widely distributed canopy trees include
laurel oak (Quercus laurifolia), American elm (Ulmus americana),
baldcypress (Taxodium distichum), and swamp blackgum (Nyssa
sylvatica var. biflora). Surprisingly, loblolly pine (Pinus
taeda) is generally very uncommon in the area. Age and size
classes of the sweetgum-mixed hardwoods stands vary consid-
erably from one area to another, probably due to varying
intensity and frequency of past logging operations.
Several community types at least are present within the
natural area, of which the two most commonly encountered are
described here. The oldest, least disturbed stands are char-
acterized as Liquidambar styraciflua-mixed hydric hardwoods/
locally dominant Symplocos tinctoria-Ligustrum sinense/mixed
mesic herbs and ferns (sweetgum-mixed hydric hardwoods/locally
dominant horse sugar -swamp privet/mixed hydric herbs and ferns;
CT 1). Sweetgum accounts for about 50% of the importance
value. Other common canopy trees are baldcypress, American
elm, red maple, and laurel oak. There is essentially no sub -
canopy layer in these stands. Horsesugar and swamp privet
form locally dense shrub thickets 10-20 feet tall. However,
over much of the area these two shrubs are only sparingly
present along with scattered canopy transgressives. Almost
everywhere a number of ferns and herbs form a 100 percent
ground cover. Most common is netted chain fern (Woodwardia
areolata). In some areas this species forms almost pure
populations. Other common species include Virginia chain
fern (Woodwardia virginica) which is usually associated with
depressions of standing water, cinnamon fern (Osmunda cin-
118

namomea), poison ivy (Rhus radicans), southern lady fern
(Athyrium asplenioides), enchanters' nightshade (Circaea
lutetians) and giant cane (Arundinaria gigantea) . In-
terestingly, Japanese honeysuckle (Lonicera japonica) is
rather uncommon and, except in disturbed areas, does not
form extensive ground patches.
High -climbing vines are abundant throughout the
hardwood stands. Most common species are trumpet creeper
(Campsis radicans), cross vine (Anisostichus capreolata),
poison ivy, climbing hydrangea (Decumaria barbara), and
wild grape (Vitis sp.).
The canopy height of the sweetgum-mixed hydrichard-
woods community ranges to a maximum 75-80 feet although
generally it is in the 60-75 foot range. The canopy is
usually closed except where windfalls or other disturbances
have created openings. The average dbh of the canopy trees
ranges from 16 to 19 inches. The absence of a subcanopy
layer and the absence of a well-defined shrub layer (except
locally) gives the understory an open, park -like aspect.
This openness makes traversing the area on foot relatively
easy and provides esthetic appeal.
The fern diversity of the community is worth mentioning.
Eleven species are known to occur: Southern lady, cinnamon,
netted and Virginia chain, royal (Osmunda regalis var. spec- -
tabilis), bracken (Pteridium aquilinum), resurrection (Poly -
podium polypodioides), New York (Thelypteris noveboracensis),
ebony spleenwort (Asplenium platyneuron), sensitive (Onoclea
sensibilis), and log (Dryopteris celsa). We know of no other
area in the North Carolina coastal plain (with the possible
exception of the Great Dismal Swamp) with a comparable di-
versity of ferns. It is likely that further field work in
the area will uncover the presence of rare hybrids or ad-
ditional species.
A second widely distributed community type is Liquidambar
styraciflua-Acer rubrum/locally dominant Myrica heterophylla/
mixed hydricherbs and ferns (sweetgum-red maple/locally domi-
nant bayberry/mixed hydricherbs and ferns) . This community is
similar to the one previously described except that red maple
is a co -dominant canopy component with sweetgum. Local patches
of bayberry are associated with wet depressions. This community
is generally younger in age with corresponding lower average
canopy height (50-60 feet) and average dbh (12-14 inches).
This is probably a result of more intensive and/or more fre-
quent cutting disturbances. Understory density of canopy
transgressives is somewhat higher than in the older sweetgum-
119

mixed mesic hardwood stands. Ground cover is usually 100%
with the same species composition present.
The ground surface of the sweetgum-hardwood stands is
slightly undulating or uneven. There are many scattered
depressions which contain standing water up to 6 inches
deep. These semipermanent pools are not large enough to
noticeably affect the canopy tree distribution. However,
they clearly affect the distribution of the ground cover
species and some of the shrubs. Virginia chain fern
usually is found growing in dense patches only within the
depressions. Bayberry is also associated with the pools;
it forms dense thickets in and around some of them. It
is probable that standing water covers most if not all
of the area periodically during the winter months and that
only the deeper depressions retain standing water during
the late summer and autumn.
Scattered old stumps are present throughout. There
is no evidence of cutting within the past 40-50 years,
at least within the game lands portion of the hardwood
stands. Although the entire area shows signs of past
cutting disturbance, much of it has regained characteristics
usually associated with mature or climax stands: distinct
zonation of canopy and herb layers; open, park -like under -
story; and low density and frequency of introduced exotics,
i.e., Japonese honeysuckle and swamp privet.
The soils of the sweetgum-hardwood stands has been
mapped as the Weeksville-Pasquotank association (SCS 1973).
These are very poorly drained mineral soils which occur
around the periphery of bake Mattamuskeet. Portions of
the hardwood stands may lie in areas dominated by the Hyde-
Bayboro association. This association of very poorly
drained mineral soils occurs as a wide zone south of the
Weeksville-Pasquotank soils and is transitional to the
shallow organic soils occurring within the Pungo-Belhaven-
Wasda association.
(2) Gull Rock Pond Pine Pocosin
This vegetation association occupies much of the central
and southern portions of the natural area. It is characterized
by dense stands of pond pine (Pinus serotina).
The association is located south of the adjoining sweet -
gum -hardwood stands. It is by far the largest of the four
associations, encompassing about 7000 acres. The eastern
120

border is along the Outfall Canal (SR 1164) and the western
border grades into the Gull Rock Low Pocosin described later
in this report. The southern border grades into shrub marsh
near Pamlico Sound.
Otte (1981) proposes a basic pocosin classification
which relates vegetation to combined factors of peat depth,
seasonal wetness, and nutrient availability from underlying
mineral strata or elsewhere (See Table). His system is em-
ployed in the following description of the plant communities
present in the Gull Rock Pond Pine Pocosin and the Low Poco-
sin.
The most extensive natural community within this area
is Otte's pond pine forest type. The essential criteria
for this pocosin type are: sandy peats less than two feet
in depth, water table which drops down into the underlying
mineral sediments during dry seasons, rare to absent standing
water, and site dominated by 10-20 feet tall "bay" shrubs with
dense canopy layer of pond pines usually less than 50 feet
tall.
A representative example of this pond pine forest type
observed in the field is located along the Outfall Canal
(SR 1164) about 3.2 miles south of New Holland. The com-
munity type is classified as Pinus serotina/Persea borbonia/
mixed pocosin shrubs//Smilax laurifolia (pond pine/red bay/
mixed pocosin shrubs//laurel-leaved greenbriar; CT 2). The
closed canopy is 40-50 feet tall and dominated exclusively
by pond pine; dbh's are less than 12 inches. A dense tall
shrub layer of red bay is located underneath with an under-
lying dense low shrub layer composed of several pocosin
shrubs such as bitter gallberry (Ilex glabra), fetterbush
(Lyonia lucida), and chokecherry (Sorbus arbutifolia).
There is essentially no ground layer. The intertwining
vine, laurel -leaved greenbriar, is ubiquitous and forms
an almost inpenetrable tangle in the shrub layers. Other
"bay" shrubs are scattered within this community. Sweet
bay (Magnolia virginiana) and loblolly bay (Gordonia
lasianthus) occur but are not common enough to be con-
sidered co -dominant components of the tall shrub layer.
This community occupies much of the natural area be-
tween the hardwood stands located on mineral soils to the
north and the low pocosin area located on deep peat to the
southwest.
The dense pond pine-redbay pocosin community is situated
on sandy peats and shallow peats around the outer margin of a
deeper peat deposit near the headwaters of the Juniper Bay
121

Creek drainage. The deepest peat deposits are located in an
area dominated by low pocosin and some high pocosin, situated
southwest of the dense pond pine stands described above. In
general, the vegetational pattern as one moves from the outer
margins of the peat deposit to the inner "center" of maximum
peat thickness is across a moisture and peat thickness gradi-
ent. Pond pine forest around the shallow peat margins grades
into high pocosin and finally to low pocosin in the center of
the peat body. This pattern follows the general intrapocosin
variation described by Otte (1981).
The soils of the pond pine pocosin vegetation association
have not been mapped in detail. The soil association is pro-
bably Ponzer-Belhaven-Wasda: very poorly drained organic soils.
The pond pine stands are associated with the shallower peat
deposits of this soil association.
A distinctly different vegetation type is present within
the pond pine pocosin area. Baldcypress (Taxodium distichum)
stands occur as small (less than 50 acres) isolated "islands"
along the southern portion of the natural area within 1.5
miles of Pamlico Sound. These stands were not investigated
from the ground but were surveyed aerially and located on
aerial photographs. Baldcypress predominates in the canopy
along with a few tall pines (either Pinus taeda or P. sero-
tina). Canopy height is 70-90 feet. Understory vegetation
could not be definitely determined but appeared to consist
of red maple (Acer rubrum) and bay shrubs. The physiognomy
of these stands is striking when compared with the adjoining
pond pine stands. The controlling factors determining the
distribution and formation of these cypress stands is unknown.
Soil differences and hydrology are probable factors; further
field work is needed to determine what the controlling factors
are.
(3) Gull Rock Low Pocosin
This vegetation association is located in the central por-
tion of the natural area. It is surrounded on all four sides
by the pond pine pocosin described earlier. The low pocosin,
about 1900 acres in size, is located almost wholly within the
state-owned game lands except for a very small area along its
eastern margin contained in the Ficklen tract.
Otte (1981) describes the following characteristics of
low pocosin: greater than 4 feet of peat, saturated soils
with abundant surface water up to 2 feet deep during wet
seasons, dense pocosin shrub vegetation with heights of 2-4
feet with scattered, stunted pond pines up to 10 feet tall.
122

A representative example of low pocosin observed in the
field is located along a north -south access road situated
about 1.25 miles west of the Outfall Canal Road (SR 1164).
The dominant vegetation observed here is titi (Cyrilla race-
miflora), 4-6 feet tall over an assemblage of slightly lower
shrubs including stunted redbay (Persea borbonia), fetterbush
(Lyonia lucida), honeybells (Zenobia pulverulenta) and choke-
cherry (Sorbus arbutifolia). In more open patches a dense
herb layer composed of Virginia chain fern (Woodwardia vir-
ginica) is present. Pond pines are very scattered to almost
completely absent. They are stunted, less than 10 feet tall
and with dbh's less than three inches. Scattered small lob -
lolly bays (Gordonia lasianthus) 5-10 feet tall are also
present.
The community type is Cyrilla racemiflora-mixed pocosin
shrubs/Woodwardia virginica (titi-mixed pocosin shrubs/Vir-
ginia chain fern; CT 3). There is much local variation in
dominance of the shrub species. In some areas there are
open zones dominated exclusively by Virginia chain fern.
Sweet pepperbush (Clethra alnifolia) forms locally dense
zones in scattered locations. Other zones dominated by
honeybells, chokecherry, and fetterbush are also present.
Laurel -leaved greenbriar (Smilax laurifolia) forms a
dense tangle throughout much of the shrub zone.
In some open, wet depressions several pitcherplants
occur (Sarracenia purpurea, S. flava). Pitcherplants are
also found along the ditch and road margins.
Unfortunately, the wettest and lowest portions of the
low pocosin were not field checked. An area of about 500
acres located southwest of the north -south access road
appears to be dominated by low shrubs 2-4 feet in height
and possibly by a sedge marsh system. This area was sur-
veyed by air in April 1982. From our aerial observations
this area appears to be a very wet, treeless, low shrub
and/or sedge marsh dominated wetland. Ground field work
is needed to determine the community types present.
The low pocosin vegetation types described above appear
to be correlated with a deep peat deposit mapped by Otte and
Ingram (1980). Their peat survey covered six square miles,
of which approximately 1.5 are underlain by peat up to 2
feet thick, 2.25 by peat 2-4 feet thick, and 2.25 by peat
4-5 feet thick. The deepest parts of this peat deposit are
believed to lie underneath the low pocosin area.
123

It should also be mentioned that a third pocosin type,
high pocosin, is also present within the natural area. This
type is transitional between low pocosin and pond pine forest.
Its characteristics are: peat depth of 2-4 feet, saturated
organic soils with water tables which drop 1-2 feet below
the surface in dry seasons, dense shrub layer dominated by
bay species 4-8 feet tall with scattered pond pines to 25
feet tall. Areas sampled which match this description are
located between the Outfall Canal Road and the Low Pocosin
area. There is a gradual increase in pond pine density and
height and shrub layer height as one proceeds east from the
low pocosin to the pond pine forest along the Outfall Canal.
Most areas of high pocosin are included in the Gull Rock pond
pine pocosin vegetation association. Because there is a con-
tinuum of vegetation types it is not practical to delineate
the areal extent of the high pocosin-dominated areas.
The soils of the low pocosin have been mapped as the
Ponzer-Belhaven-Wasda association (SCS 1973). The deeper
organics, i.e., Ponzer and Belhaven series, probably dom-
inate in this area.
(4) Gull Rock Brackish Marshes
This vegetation association occupies about 675 acres
along the Pamlico Sound shoreline in the southern portion
of the natural area. The brackish marsh zone is fairly
extensive along the sound and its many small bays, averaging
between 1000 and 3000 feet in width.
Three distinct zones are present which are controlled
by flooding frequency and duration. Adjacent to the open
water is a zone dominated by almost pure stands of black
needlerush (Juncus roemarianus). The needlerush marsh is
irregularly flooded by above average high tides and storm
tides. Threesquare (Scirpus americanus) forms small, dense
patches within the needlerush zone. The next higher marsh
is dominated by sawgrass (Cladium jamaicense). These plants
form a dense layer up to nine feet in height. The separation
of the needlerush and sawgrass zones is usually quite distinct.
Flooding occurs only occasionally in this zone. These two
marsh types are listed as CT 4 in the significance summary
and biotic summary tables.
Further inland the sawgrass grades gradually into a
shrub marsh system which contains along with sawgrass
various shrubs such as bayberry (Myrica sp.), groundsel
124

tree (Baccharis halimifolia), small red maple (Acer rubrum)
transgressives and small pond pine. The shrubs assume in-
creasing dominance and gradually increase in height as one
moves inland. The shrub zone grades gradually into a pond
pine -red maple low tree zone which eventually becomes pond
pine pocosin. The shrub marsh zone is flooded on rare oc-
casions by storm tides.
The soils of this vegetation type have been mapped as
the Capers association: very poorly drained mineral soils
which are mildly alkaline due to the salt influence from
the adjacent brackish sound.
WILDLIFE AND AVIAN DIVERSITY
The Gull Rock Game Lands natural area has superlative
values for a diversity of game and non -game species. The
natural area, by virtue of its size, remoteness, and habitat
diversity, supports one of the last viable black bear popu-
lations in the coastal plain. The natural area, along with
the adjacent wilderness areas of Swanquarter National Wild-
life Refuge and more disturbed portions of the Gull Rock
Game Lands, encompasses a total of about 20,000 acres.
Much of this acreage is either formally designated wilder-
ness (8800 acres of the Swanquarter National Wildlife Refuge)
or de facto wilderness (much of the Gull Rock Game Lands).
Its large size and ecological diversity provide crutial
nesting, denning, and feeding habitat for many wildlife
species.
Sixty-three species of breeding birds are known to
occur and at least 8 species of mammals are present. Ac-
cording to Rod McClanahan (WRC District biologist) the area
supports "very large" black bear and "large" white-tailed
deer populations. Our observations of numerous track and
scat sign of both black bear and white-tailed deer support
McClanahan's information. Bear sign are particularly pre-
valent in the low pocosin area. Bobcat are also reported
to be present in undetermined numbers.
125

llb. Prose Description of Site Significance:
The Gull Rock Game Lands natural area contains the
highest diversity of wetland habitat types in a relatively
natural state remaining in Hyde County. The natural area
contains excellent examples of brackish marsh; low, high,
and pond pine -dominated pocosin; and sweetgum-mixed hard-
wood flats. All of these vegetation types are situated
in one contiguous tract and form an uninterrupted corridor
from Pamlico Sound inland to New Holland, with extensive
marshes adjoining to the west on Swanquarter National
Wildlife Refuge. Although subjected to periodic cutting
in the past, the pocosin and hardwoods communities have
retained significant natural qualities in the present
second -growth timber.
The sweetgum-hardwood flats are an example of a
rapidly disappearing coastal plain vegetation association.
Although more disturbed than the hardwood flats contained
in the Scranton Hardwoods natural area, they nevertheless
contain a substantial amount of mature timber and provide
habitat for a number of wildlife species.
_ The low pocosin community is an excellent example of
an undrained, shrub -dominated wetland system and is buffered
by an extensive pond pine pocosin surrounding it.
The brackish marshes along Pamlico Sound are critical
habitat for a number of invertebrate as well as vertebrate
animals. These marshes are widespread along the sound and
are included in the natural area primarily because they are
part of a continuum of habitats which add to the natural
area's diversity.
The southern coastal fauna is well -represented in the
natural area. Black bear occur throughout and the diversity
and extensiveness of the habitats is sufficient to maintain
a viable population. The avifaunal component is notably
diverse, in keeping with the habitat diversity present.
Approximately 63 breeding bird species are known to occur,
including five species of woodpeckers and 12 species of
wood warblers.
The natural area provides habitat for a small American
Alligator population, an endangered species. A state en-
dangered peripheral plant, Southern Twayblade, is present
in the sweetgum-hardwood flats. An unusually high diversity
of ferns (eleven species) is also a noteworthy feature of
that habitat.
126

N
v
12. Significance Summary Table (categories represented and descriptions) - by site
a. Feature
b. Description of significant feature
c. Comparative assessment
Leap
High -quality wetland
Liquidambar styraciflua-mixed hydric
Mature, second -growth wetland
plant community
CT 1
hardwoods/locally dominant Symplocos
community which is an excellent
tinctoria-Ligustrum sinense/mixed hydric
example of a mesic-hydric
herbs and ferns
hardwood stand associated with
wet mineral soils. Most of
the "hardwood flats" in Hyde
Old -growth section of CT inventoried
County and elsewhere in the
by authors
N.C. coastal plain have been
drained and converted to
either agricultural or silvi-
cultural production. This is
one of the few remaining tracts
which contains mature timber.
High -quality wetland
Pinus serotina/Persea borbonia/mixed
Good example of pond pine -
plant community
CT 2
pocosin shrubs//Smilax laurifolia
dominated pocosin. This com-
Representative example of CT
munity is similar to many other
pond pine stands associated
with peat -dominated pocosins
in the coastal plain. Its
major significance is as a
buffer around the low pocosin
community and its contiguity
with both that community and
the mixed mesic hardwood
stands. It is also signifi-
cant for its value as wildlife
habitat, particularly for
black bear.

N
N
CO
12. Significance Summary Table (categories represented and descriptions) - by site
a. Feature
LMapnd
b. Description of significant feature
c. Comparative assessment
High -quality wetland
plant community
CT 3
Cyrilla racemiflora-mixed pocosin
shrubs/Koodwardia virginica
Excellent example of a wet low
Approximate areal extent of CT
disturbed condition. It forms
with CT 2 a system of relative-
ly undisturbed pocosin habitats
which illustrate most of the
characteristic pocosin vege-
tation t pes.
High -quality wetland
plant community
CT 4
a) Juncus roemarianus
and
Excellent example of undrained
brackish marsh systems.
b) Cladium jamaicense
Habitat for a number of marsh
and wading birds. Primary
Approximate areal extent of CT
significance of these marshes
is their contiguity along a
vegetation gradient with the
pond pine pocosin communities
mentioned in the text.
Endangered species
CT 1
Listera australis (Southern twayblade)
Endangered peripheral in N.C.
(Cooper, et al., 1977). Com-
mon throughout much of the
hardwood stands.

H
N
ko
12. Significance Summary Table (categories represented and descriptions) - by site
a. Feature
b. Description of significant feature
c. Comparative assessment
LMap
Endangered species
g p
portions
American alligator
Federally endangered (Endan-
of CT 2,
ered Species Act of 1973).
3, 4
Reported to occur in potholes
and drainage canals in eastern
and southern portions of
natural area Rod McClanahan
WRC District biologist, pers.
comm. 982).
Threatened s ecies
p
CT 1,
Red -shouldered Hawk
Threatened throughout N.C.
CT 2
(Cooper et al., 1977). At
least 2 nesting pairs are
resent in wooded northern and
central sections of natural
area.
Special Concern Species
edge of
Osprey
Of Special Concern in N.C.
Pamlico
(Cooper et al. 1977). At
.Sound
least several nesting pairs
are known in natural area.
Special Concern Species
through-
Black Bear
Of Special Concern in N.C.
out
(Cooper et al. 1977). "Very
large" population in natural
area (Rod McClanahan, WRC
district biologist, pers. comm.,
_
1982). Area is large and di-
verse enough to support viable
population. One of two re-

w
0
12. Significance Summary Table (categories represented and descriptions). - by site
a. Feature
Flap
Le end
b. Description of significant feature
c. Comparative assessment
aining strongholds for species
in county (the other is the
Alligator River swamp forest
corridor).
Unusual fern diversity
CT 1
Eleven species of ferns
Eleven species of ferns are
known to occur in the mixed
hydrichardwood stands. This
is considered to be an unusual-
ly high diversity for the N.C.
Coastal Plain. Only known area
of comparable diversity is in
the Great Dismal Swamp.

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Legal Status, Use, and Management
13. Ownership type by percent area:
14. Number of Owners: 17
Type
Private 15 %
Public 85 %
Unknown %
15. Name(s) of owner(s) and/or custodian(s) (with addresses, phone
numbers, other pertinent information). (in order of importance)
1) State of North Carolina
Wildlife Resources Commission
Gull Rock Game Lands Unit
512 N. Salisbury Street
Raleigh, NC 27611
2) James S. Ficklen, Jr. (agent)
P. O. Box 2127
E.C.U. Station
Greenville, NC 27834
3) C. Gilbert Gibbs
Engelhard, NC 27824
4) Zelma Howard
Route 1, Box 131
Swanquarter, NC 27885
plus additional 13 owners of small fractions of sweetgum section
of natural area; various addresses.
16. Name(s) of knowledgeable person(s) (with addresses, phone numbers,
other pertinent information).
1) Rod McClanahan
Route 1, Box 442-B
Jamesville, NC 27846
17. Attitude of owner or custodiam toward preservation (contacted?):
Not known.
132

18. Uses of natural area:
The state-owned gamelands section of the natural area is open
to public hunting and is managed for that purpose. The primary
game species is white-tailed deer; other smaller game such as
squirrel, rabbit, quail, and dove are also hunted. The game -
lands is a protected black bear sanctuary; no hunting is allowed
for that species. Hunting is also a primary use on the privately
owner tracts within the natural area, particularly those adjoining
agricultural fields along the northern border.
Timber harvesting is an on -going use throughout the state
game lands where there is merchantable timber. Blocks of timber
are periodically sold to private companies to generate revenue.
Much of the recent timber sales have been in the extensive pond
pine stands where clearcutting methods have been used to remove
the timber. Much of the game lands portion on the sweetgum-
hardwood stands has been selectively cut .(high -graded) over the
years. Logging in this area was periodically active at least
back into the 1800's and early 1900's when much of the timber
was removed by rail. An old tram road, now maintained as a
hunting access trail, runs east -west across the natural area
between Hydeland and SR 1164. There has apparently been no
timbering in this portion of the natural area within the past
twenty years or so. The privately owned portions of the sweet -
gum -hardwood stands have a similar cutting history.
Portions of the pond pine pocosin stands on the gamelands
just outside the natural area boundaries have recently been
burned, diked, and impounded to create waterfowl impoundments.
Two large impoundments are located near the end of SR 1164
along the west side of the road. Several others are planned
east of SR 1164 several miles from the natural area. As far
as is known, the Wildlife Resources Commission has no plans
to impound any areas within the natural area boundaries.
19. Uses of surrounding land:
a. Wildland 75 % c. high -intensity forestry
b. Agricultural land 25 % d. developed %
10
133

20. Preservation Status:
Cat
* %
*Description of preservation status
2
85
Public land, informally recognized as a natural area
6
15
Private land, not protected by owner or lessee
21. Regulatory protections in force:
The Army Corps of Engineers "404" permit process applies to this
area; the Federal Endangered Species Act of 1973 protects the American
alligator and its habitat. These two sources of regulation are limited
in scope and effect.
22. Threats:
The natural area contains a relatively small body of energy -grade
peats (Otte and Ingram, 1980). Barnes (pers. comm., 1982) states
that peats of the Ponzer soil series, which are prevalent on the. site,
are considered generally well suited to peat energy production, within
certain mineral (ash) content limits which must be tested on a per -
site basis. Exploitation of peat for energy must be considered a
potential activity at the site, although it is highly unlikely that
the Wildlife Resources Commission will find such use compatible with
present wildlife management policies.
Timber management on the game lands, particularly in the pond
pine stands, is an ongoing use. Blocks of timber have been clearcut
within the past ten years and additional areas are slated to be cut.
The associated road and ditch construction has a negative impact on
some wildlife species, notably black bear, by increasing access and
likelihood of illegal hunting.
The hardwood stands, although not timbered in recent years,
may be subject to cutting in the future.
Waterfowl impoundments have been established adjacent to the
natural area in areas formerly dominated by high marsh and pond
pine pocosin. There are no additional impoundments planned for
the near future within the natural area.
134

23. Management and Preservation Recommendation:
The natural area offers an excellent opportunity for con-
servation of a variety of wetland habitats. The N.C. Natural
Heritage Program should initiate contact with the N.C. Wildlife
Resources Commission about the possibility of designating por-
tions of the game lands as registered natural areas. Portions
of the sweetgum-mixed hardwoods stands and the low pocosin
should receive top priority for additional protection because
of their superlative natural values.
Management of the natural area should include controlled
burning of portions of the low pocosin area, and restrictions
on timber sales in the best preserved, mature hardwood and
baldcypress stands.
135

Natural Characteristics Summary
24a. Vegetation - Biotic Community Summary CT 1
Community type: Liquidambar styraciflua-mixed hydric hardwoods/
locally dominant Symplocos tinctoria-Ligustrum sinese/mixed hydric
herbs and ferns.
Community cover type: Liquidambar styraciflua-mixed hydrichardwoods
General habitat feature: hardwood flats
Average canopy height: 75-80 feet
Estimated age of canopy trees: unknown
Canopy cover: closed
Estimated size of community: less than 1000 acres
Successional stage: late successional
Common canopy species in community cover or community type
(but not dominant):
Ulmus americana, Acer rubrum, Quercus laurifolia, Taxodium
distichum
Common sub -canopy or shrub stratum species in community cover or
community type (but not dominant):
Leucothoe axillaris, Ilex opaca
Common herb stratum species in community cover or community type
(but not dominant):
Woodwardia areolata, W. virginica, Circaea lutetiana,
Osmunda cinnamomea, Arundinaria gigantea, Rhus radicans,
Athyrium asplenioides, Lonicera japonica
136

Natural Characteristics Summary
24a. Vegetation - Biotic Community Summary CT 2
Community type: Pinus serotina/Persea borbonia/mixed pocosin shrubs//
Smilax laurifolia
Community cover type: Pinus serotina
General habitat feature: pond pine pocosin
Average canopy height: 40-50 feet
Estimated age of canopy trees: unknown
Canopy cover: closed
Estimated size of community: less than 7000 acres
Successional stage: mid to late successional
Common canopy species in community cover or community type
(but not dominant):
none
Common sub -canopy or shrub stratum species in community cover or
community type (but not dominant):
Magnolia virginiana, Gordonia lasianthus, Acer rubrum, Lyonia
lucida, Ilex glabra, Sorbus arbutifolia
Common herb stratum species in community cover or community type
(but not dominant):
Woodwardia virginica
137

Natural Characteristics Summary
24a. Vegetation - Biotic Community Summary CT 3
Community type: Cyrilla racemiflora-mixed pocosin shrubs/Woodwardia
virginica
Community cover type: Cyrilla racemiflora-mixed pocosin shrubs
General habitat feature: low pocosin
Average canopy height: not applicable
Estimated age of canopy trees: not applicable
Canopy cover: not applicable
Estimated size of community: 1900 acres
Successional stage: late successional or pyro-edaphic climax?
Common canopy species in community cover or community type
(but not dominant):
none
Common sub -canopy or shrub stratum species in community cover or
community type (but not dominant):
Persea borbonia, Lyonia lucida, Zenobia pulverulenta, Sorbus
arbutifolia, Clethra alnifolia, Gordonia lasianthus
Common herb stratum species in community cover or community type
(but not dominant):
Smilax laurifolia
138

Natural Characteristics Summar
24a. Vegetation - Biotic Community Summary CT 4
Community type: 1) Juncus roemarianus, 2) Cladium jamaicense
Community cover type: 1) Juncus roemarianus, 2) Cladium jamaicense
General habitat feature: irregularly flooded brackish marsh
Average canopy height: not applicable
Estimated age of canopy trees: not applicable
Canopy cover: not applicable
Estimated size of community: 675 acres
Successional stage: climax
Common canopy species in community cover or community type
(but not dominant):
None
Common sub -canopy or shrub stratum species in community cover or
community type (but not dominant):
Baccharis haliminifolia, Myrica cerifera
Common herb stratum species in community cover or community type
(but not dominant):
Scirpus americanus
139

24b. Soil Summary (by community type) CT 1
Soil series: Undetermined
Soil classification: Weeksville: Typic Humaquepts
Pasquotank: Typic Haplaquepts
Soil association: Weeksville-Pasquotank
pH class: very strongly acid
Source of information: General Soil Map of Hyde County,
SCS, 1973
Other notes:
24c. Hydrology Summary (by community type) CT 1
Hydrologic system: Palustrine
Hydrologic subsystem: Interaqueous
Water chemistry: fresh
Water regime: Intermittently flooded
Drainage class: Very poorly drained
Drainage basin: Juniper Bay Creek into Pamlico Sound
Hydrology characterization: A very poorly drained, intermittently
flooded, fresh, interaqueous, palustrine
system.
140

24b. Soil Summary (by community type) CT 2
Soil series: Undetermined
Soil classification: Ponzer: Terric Medisaprists
Belhaven: Terric Medisaprists
Wasda: Histic Humaquepts
Soil association: Ponzer-Belhaven-Wasda
pH class: Extremely acid
Source of information: General Soil Map of Hyde County,
SCS, 1973
Other notes: This community is probably dominated by the
shallower organics.
24c. Hydrology Summary (by community type) CT 2
Hydrologic system: Palustrine
Hydrologic subsystem: Interaqueous
Water chemistry: fresh
Water regime: temporarily flooded to saturated
Drainage class: very poorly drained
Drainage basin: Juniper Bay Creek into Pamlico Sound
Hydrology characterization: A very poorly drained, temporarily
flooded to saturated, fresh, inter -
aqueous palustrine system.
141

24b. Soil Summary (by community type) CT 3
Soil series: probably Ponzer
Soil classification: See CT 2
Soil association: Ponzer-Belhaven-Wasda
pH class: Extremely acid
Source of information: General Soil Map of Hyde County,
SCS, 1973
Other notes:
24c. Hydrology Summary (by community type) CT 3
Hydrologic system: Palustrine
Hydrologic subsystem: Interaqueous
Water chemistry: Fresh
Water regime: saturated
Drainage class: Very poorly drained
Drainage basin: Juniper Bay Creek into Pamlico Sound
Hydrology characterization: A very poorly drained, saturated,
fresh, interaqueous palustrine system.
142

24b. Soil Summary (by community type) CT 4
Soil series: undetermined, probably Capers
Soil classification: Capers: Typic Sulfaquents
Soil association: Capers
pH class: unknown
Source of information: General Soil Map of Hyde County,
SCS, 1973
Other notes:
24c. Hydrology Summary (by community type) CT 4
Hydrologic system: Estuarine
Hydrologic subsystem: Intertidal
Water chemistry: Brackish
Water regime: Irregularly flooded
Drainage class: Very poorly drained
Drainage basin: Pamlico Sound
Hydrology characterization: A very poorly drained, irregularly
flooded, brackish, intertidal,
estuarine system.
143

24b. 1) Topography Summary: CT 1
Landform: non -alluvial flat
Shelter: Sheltered
Aspect: not applicable
Slope Angle: not applicable
Profile: Flat
Surface patterns: Generally smooth; many scattered
depressions
Position: not applicable
2) Topography Summary: CT 2, 3
Landform: non -alluvial, peat -mantled flat
Shelter: sheltered
Aspect: not applicable
Slope Angle: not applicable
Profile: Flat
Surface patterns: hummocky; particularly in CT 3
Position: not applicable
3) Topography Summary: CT 4
Landform: brackish marsh
Shelter: open
Aspect: not applicable
Slope Angle: not applicable
Profile: Flat
Surface patterns: Smooth, except for small scattered
depressions and small tidal creeks
Position: not applicable
144

25. Physiographic characterization of natural area:
Mid -successional to near -climax communities on
mineral and peat -dominated landscape on the Pamlico
Terrace in the Coastal Plain Province of the Atlantic
Plain.
Geological Formation:
Pleistocene Pamlico Terrace formation over the
Upper Miocene Yorktown Formation.
Geological Formation age:
Pleistocene Pamlico Terrace: less than 100,000 yrs. BP
Upper Miocene Yorktown Formation: 18-22 million yrs. BP
References Cited:
Daniels, R. B., E. E. Gamble, and W. H. Wheeler. 1978.
Age of Soil Landscapes in the Coastal Plain of North Carolina.
Soil Science Soc. of Am. Journal 42: 98-105.
145

26. SuaLaary - Endangered and threatened species
Name of species: Listera australis
Species legal status and authority: Endangered peripheral in
North Carolina (Cooper et al.,
1977)
Number of populations on site: one
Number of individuals per population: Present as scattered
individuals over a large area.
Size or Maturity of individuals: all ages
Phenology of population: not known
Eg: vegetative %
flowering %
fruiting %
General vigor of population: Excellent
Disturbance or threats to population: Clearcutting or conversion of
hardwood forests to other uses
Habitat characteristics
Plant community: CT 1
Topography: slightly elevated rises
Soil Series: Weeksville-Pasquotank association
Microclimate: -
Drainage basin: -
Other plants and animal species present: See Master Species Lists.
AERIAL OR DETAILED MAPS WITH POPULATIONS CLEARLY MARKED.
146

26. SuaLnary - Endangered and threatened species
Name of species: American Alligator
Species legal status and authority: Federally Endangered (Endangered
Species Act of 1973)
Number of populations on site: one
Number of individuals per population: undetermined; not observed by
authors, reported to occur in
potholes and drainage ditches
- in portions of natural area.
Size or Maturity of individuals: not known
Phenology of population: not applicable
Eg: vegetative % -
flowering % -
fruiting % -
General vigor of population: not known
Disturbance or threats to population: none known
Habitat characteristics
Plant community: CT 2, 3, 4
Topography: -
Soil Series: -
Microclimate: -
Drainage basin: -
Other plants and animal species present: See Master Species List.
AERIAL OR DETAILED MAPS WITH POPULATIONS CLEARLY MARKED.
147

26. Summary - Endangered and threatened species
Name of species: Red -shouldered Hawk
Species legal status and authority: Threatened in North Carolina
(Cooper et al., 1977).
Number of populations on site: 2+ pairs
Number of individuals per population: 2 (male and female) per
pair plus young of year
Size or Maturity of individuals: all ages
Phenology of population: not applicable
Eg: vegetative % -
flowering % -
fruiting % -
General vigor of population: Excellent
Disturbance or threats to population: Drainage and conversion to
• agriculture, pesticides, clear -
cutting
Habitat characteristics
Plant community: CT 1, 2
Topography: -
Soil Series: -
Microclimate:
Drainage basin: -
Other plants and animal species present: See Master Species List.
AERIAL OR DETAILED 1111APS WITH POPULATIONS CLEARLY MARKED.
148

26. Summary - Endangered and threatened species
Name of species: Black Bear
Species legal status and authority: Of Special Concern'in N.C.
(Cooper, et al., 1977)
Number of populations on site: one
Number of individuals per population: Undetermined but believed
to be relatively high
Size or Maturity of individuals: all ages
Phenology of population: not applicable
Eg: vegetative %
flowering %
fruiting %
General vigor of population: Probably excellent
Disturbance or threats to population: Clearcutting, conversion
of wetlands to agriculture,
illegal hunting
Habitat characteristics
Plant community: throughout
Topography: -
Soil Series: -
Microclimate: -
Drainage basin: -
Other plants and animal species present: See Master Species Lists.
AERIAL OR DETAILED MAPS WITH POPULATIONS CLEARLY MARKED.
149

27. Master Species List:
VASCULAR PLANTS
(listed alphabetically by family)
ARECACEAE
Acer rubrum
ANACARDIACEAE
Rhus radicans
R. copalina
APIACEAE
Centella asiatica
Sanicula sp.
AQUIFOLIACEAE
Ilex coriacea
I. glabra
I. opaca
ARACEAE
Arisaema triphyllum
ARECACEAE
Sabal minor
• ASCLEPIADACEAE
Matelea sp.
ASPIDIACEAE
Athyrum asplenicides
Dryopteris celsa
Onoclea sensibilis
Thelypteris noveboracensis
ASPLENIACEAE
Asplenium platyneuron
ASTERACEAE
Baccharis haliminifolia
BALSAMINACEAE
Impatiens capensis
BLECHNACEAE
Woodwardia areolata
W. virginica
BIGNONIACEAE
Anisostichus capreolata
Campsis radicans
CAPRIFOLIACEAE
Lonicera japonica
CELASTRACEAE
Euonymus americanus
CLETHRACEAE
Clethra alnifolia
COMMELINACEAE
Commelina virginica
150

CONVOLVULACEAE
Cuscuta sp.
CORAACEAE
Cornus stricta
CUPRESSACEAE
Juniperus virginiana
CYPERACEAE
Carex spp.
Scirpus americanus
Cladium jamaicense
CYRILLACEAE
Cyrilla racemiflora
DIOSCOREACEAE
Dioscorea villosa
ERICACEAE
Galussacia sp.
Vaccinium corymbosum
Vaccinium sp.
Leucothoe axillaris
Zenobia pulverulenta
Lyonia lucida
L. mariana
FAGACEAE
Quercus laurifolia
Q. michauxii
GENTIANACEAE
Bartonia virginica
HAMAMELIDACEAE
Li-quidambar styraciflua
JUNCACEAE
Juncus roemarianus
Juncus sp.
LAURACEAE
Persea borbonia
Lindera benzoin
LILIACEAE
Smilax rotundifolia
S. laurifolia
LOGANIACEAE
Gelsemium sempervirens
LORANTHACEAE
Phoradendron serotinum
MAGNOLIACEAE
Magnolia virginiana
Liriodendron tulipifera
MORACEAE
Morus rubra
MYRICACEAE
Myrica cerifera
M. heterophylla
151

NYSSACEAE
Nyssa sylvatica var. biflora
OLEACEAE
Fraxinus pennsylvanica
Ligustrum sinense
ONAGRACEAE
Circaea lutetiana _
OPHIOGLOSSACEAE
Botrychium sp.
ORCHIDACEAE
Listera australis
OSMUNDACEAE
Osmunda cinnamomea
0. regalis var. spectabilis
OXALIDACEAE
Oxalis sp.
PHYTOLACCACEAE
Phytolacca americana
PINACEAE
Pinus taeda
P. serotina
POACEAE
Arundinaria gigantea
Distichlis spicata
Uniola sessiliflora
POLYGONACEAE
Polygonum sp.
POLYPODIACEAE
Polypodium polypodioides
PONTEDERIACEAE
Pontederia cordata
PTERIDACEAE
Pteridium aquilinum
RHAMNACEAE
Berchemia scandens
ROSACEAE
Crataequs sp.
Prunus serotina
Rubus sp.
Sorbus arbutifolia
RUBIACEAE
Cephalanthus occidentalis
Mitchella re_pens
Galium spp.
SALICACEAE
Salix sp.
Populus heterophylla
SARRACENIACEAE
Sarracenia flava
S. purpurea
152

SAURURACEAE
Saururus cernuus
SAXIFRAGACEAE
Decumaria barbara
Itea virginica
SYMPLOCOCEAE
Symplocos tinctoria
TAXODIACEAE
Taxodium distichum
THEACEAE
Gordonia lasianthus
TYPHACEAE
Typha latifolia
T. angustifolia
ULMACEAE
Ulmus americans
URTICACEAE
Boehmeria cylindrica
VERBENACEAE
Callicarpa americana
VITLACEAE
Viola sp.
VITACEAE
Parthenocissus quinquefolia
Vitis sp.
Gray Treefrog
Southern Toad
Eastern Kingsnake
Banded Watersnake
Hog -nosed Snake
Rough Green Snake
Black Rat Snake
Painted Turtle
Yellow -bellied Turtle
Five -lined Skink
Broad -headed Skink
AMPHIBIANS
REPTILES
153

BIRDS
(Emphasis of bird lists is on breeding or summering
species; lack of adequate field work during the other
seasons prevented compilation of a complete list.)
KEY
PR = Permanent resident
SR = Summer resident
WR = Winter resident
T = Transient, spring or fall
PV, SV, WV = Visitor; year-round, summer, or winter
* = Breeding or suspected breeding at site
Common Loon
WR
Double -crested Cormorant
PV
Green Heron
SR*
Louisiana Heron
PV
Great Blue Heron
PR*
Least Bittern
SR*
Black Duck
PR (may breed)
Godwall
PR (may breed)
Wood Duck
PR*
Turkey Vulture
_ PR*
Black Vulture
PV
Red-tailed Hawk
PR*
Red -shouldered Hawk
PR*
Osprey
SR*
Common Bobwhite
PR*
Sara
T
Clapper Rail
PR*
Spotted Sandpiper
T
Lesser Yellowlegs
T
Least Sandpiper
T
Great Black -backed Gull
WR
Herring Gull
WR
Ring -billed Gull
WR
Laughing Gull
SR
Forster's Tern
SR*
Least Tern
SV
Royal Tern
SV
Mourning Dove
PR*
Chuck-will's-Widow
SR*
Common Nighthawk
SR
Yellow -billed Cuckoo
SR*
Chimney Swift
SV
Ruby -throated Hummingbird SR*
154

Common Flicker
PR*
Pileated Woodpecker
PR*
Red -bellied Woodpecker
PR*
Hairy Woodpecker
PR*
Downy Woodpecker
PR*
Eastern Kingbird
SR*
Great Crested Flycatcher
SR*
Acadian Flycatcher
SR*
Eastern Pewee
SR*
Barn Swallow
SV
Purple Martin
SV
Blue Jay
PR*
Common Crow
PR*
Fish Crow
PR*
Carolina Chickadee
PR*
Tufted Titmouse
PR*
Brown -headed Nuthatch
PR*
Carolina Wren
PR*
Long -billed Marsh Wren
PR*
Gray Catbird
PR*
Brown Thrasher
PR*
American Robin
PR*
Wood Thrush
SR*
Blue -gray Gnatcatcher
SR*
Starling
PV
White -eyed Vireo
SR*
Red -eyed Vireo
SR*
Prothonotary Warbler
SR*
Swainson's Warbler
SR*
Yellow Warbler
T
Northern Parula Warbler
SR*
Yellow-rumped Warbler
WR
Black -throated Green Warbler
SR*
Yellow -throated Warbler
SR*
Pine Warbler
PR*
Prairie Warbler
SR*
Northern Waterthrush
T
Ovenbird
SR*
Common Yellowthroat
PR*
Yellow -breasted Chat
SR*
Hooded Warbler
SR*
American Redstart
SR*
Bobolink
T
Eastern Meadowlark
PR*
Red -winged Blackbird
PR*
Orchard Oriole
SR*
Boat -tailed Grackle
PR*
Common Grackle
PR*
(may winter)
155

Brown -headed Cowbird
PR*
Northern Cardinal
PR*
Blue Grosbeak
SR*
Indigo Bunting
SR*
American Goldfinch
PV
Rufous -sided Towhee
PR*
Seaside Sparrow
PR*
Swamp Sparrow
WR
Song Sparrow
WR
MAMMALS
White-tailed Deer
Marsh Rabbit
Cottontail Rabbit
Bobcat
Raccoon
opossum
Eastern Gray Squirrel
Black Bear
156
- abundant tracks throughout
- several seen
- several seen
- no sign observed by authors,
reported by WRC personnel
- tracks common
- several sets of tracks
- several seen
- numerous signs observed
including scratched trees,
scat, and 4-5 sets of tracks;
most sign around low pocosin area.

NATURAL AREA INVENTORY FORM
(To be prepared for each site)
Basic Information Summary Sheet
1. Natural Area Name: Scranton Hardwoods
2. County: Hyde
3. Location: Along the east side of US 264 between Scranton
Creek and the Intracoastal Waterway.
4. Topographic quadrangle(s): Ponzer (1974)
Scranton (1974)
5. Size: Approximately 6000 acres; measured with grid calculator
6. Elevation: 4-8 feet above mean sea level
7. Access: Any number of points along US 264 which forms west
boundary of natural area. Old -growth stands are
located primarily between 1.4 and 2.5 miles south
of the Intracoastal Waterway bridge.
8. Names of investigators: J. Merrill Lynch S. Lance Peacock
Route 2, Box 222-B P. O. Box 6006
Enfield, NC 27823 Raleigh, NC 27628
9. Date(s) of investigation: February 26, April 9, June 28,
August 12, 1982
10. Priority rating: High -very high
157

lla. Prose Description of Site:
INTRODUCTION
The Scranton Hardwoods natural area is a 6000-acre
wetland containing the most extensive tract of non -alluvial,
hydric hardwoods known in the Pamlimarle Peninsula and prob-
ably the largest contiguous block anywhere in the North
Carolina coastal plain. The wetland hardwood stands are
an outstanding example of an undrained, relatively undis-
turbed system and include several tracts of climax-, old -
growth timber representing several plant communities which
are endangered in the coastal plain. The area also has
superlative wildlife values and supports a diversity of
game and nongame wildlife species.
Hydric hardwood flats, otherwise known as oak flats
or bottoms, are similar in species composition and struc-
tural physiognomy to bottomland hardwoods found on alluvial
terraces and natural levees along brownwater rivers in the
coastal plain. The major difference is the geomorphic land -
form with which they are associated. Hardwood or oak flats
are situated on "upland" terraces underlain by poorly drained
soils, and differ from alluvial bottomland hardwoods in not
being associated with stream or river floodplains and there-
fore not subject to annual stream flooding. These non -alluvial
oak flats are usually associated with poorly drained silty,
clayey, or fine loamy soils located on the lower marine ter-
races of the lower coastal plain. The oak flats wetland
system is discussed in more detail in the Vegetation section.
The Scranton Hardwoods natural area is located in
western Hyde County between Lake Mattamuskeet and the
Pungo River. The tract is bordered on the north by the
Intracoastal Waterway, on the south by Scranton Creek,
on the west by US Highway 264, and on the east by exten-
sive pine plantations and agricultural fields.
The natural area is situated about 1.75 miles east
of the embayed Pungo River estuary and is drained by two
small tributaries of that river. Wilkerson Creek, a
portion of which has been modified by the Intracoastal
Waterway, drains the northern portion of the tract. A
poorly defined, narrow drainage basin or floodplain occurs
along the stream channel. Water flow is intermittent in
the upper parts of the stream basin. The southern part
of the natural area is drained by Scranton Creek, a some-
what larger stream which is affected by tidal influence
from the Pungo River. Most of the natural area between
159

these two streams is essentially flat; elevations range
from about 4 feet along the streams to 8 feet in the
eastern margin of the tract. This interstream flat is
essentially undrained. Surface ponding is common,
particularly during the winter months, and the seasonal
high water table is at or near the surface during this
period.
Soils of the natural area are primarily wet Ultisols.
No detailed soil mapping is available for the area al-
though the soil association is mapped as Hyde-Bayboro
(SCS, 1973). The Hyde silt loam series is classified
as fine -silty, mixed, thermic Typic Umbraquults. The
Bayboro loam series is classified as clayey, mixed,
thermic Umbric Paleaquults. Both soil types are very
poorly drained soils with thick loamy surface layers
over firm clay loam to very firm clay subsoils.
UF.MPTATTON
The natural area is dominated for the most part by
stands of mixed hardwoods or pine -mixed hardwoods. The
hardwood stands vary in structure, age, and species com-
position depending on a number of interrelated factors,
including soil differences and past logging history. In
these mesic hardwood stands there are no dominant canopy
species; rather a number of species share co -dominance
with loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) in varying proportions.
Slight rises or depressions affect soils and drainage
with a corresponding shift in canopy species composition
and relative dominance. Differences in canopy composition
between slightly higher and lower portions of the landscape
are slight compared with the differences between the climax,
old -growth stands and recently cut, younger growth stands.
Frequency and intensity of past logging operations account
for most of the vegetation differences.
A series of quarter points was taken to quantitatively
determine the relative frequency, dominance, and density
of the various canopy tree species. Based on this data
the mature climax stands are classified as Mixed hydric
oaks and Pinus taeda/Carpinus caroliniana/Carex spp. or
Saururus cernuus (Mixed hydricoaks and loblolly pine/iron-
wood/mixed sedges or lizard's tail; CT 1). The principle
oaks in this community, listed in order of their importance
are: cherrybark oak (Quercus falcata var. pagodaefolia),
laurel oak (Q. laurifolia), and swamp chestnut oak (Q.
michauxii). Other hardwoods present in varying proportions
160

include (in order of importance): tulip poplar (Lirio-
dendron tulipifera), red maple (Acer rubrum), green ash
(Fraxinus pennsylvanica), American elm (Ulmus americana),
sweetgum (Liquidambar styraciflua), shagbark hickory
(Carya ovata), and swamp blackgum (Nyssa sylvatica var.
biflora). Scattered throughout the slightly higher,
better drained areas are large beech (Fagus grandifolia).
In general, swamp chestnut and cherrybark oaks along
with loblolly pine are more common on the slightly better
drained areas of the tract and laurel oak, green ash, and
American elm are more frequent in the lower, more poorly
drained areas. There is no subcanopy layer. A tall shrub
zone dominated by ironwood is present throughout much of
the natural area although pawpaw (Asimina triloba), and
spicebush (Lindera benzoin) are locally common. There is
much variation in dominance of the ground cover. The higher
areas are dominated by spanglegrass (Uniola sessiliflora) or
in some areas by giant cane (Arundinaria gigantea). Other
slightly wetter sites are dominated by various sedges (Carex
spp.) or by lizard's tail. There appears also to be some
seasonal variation in ground cover dominance. Lizard's
tail and spanglegrass form dense colonies during the late
summer but are much less abundant during the early part
of the growing season.
Vines are common.throughout the natural area. Common
species include cross -vine (Anisostichus capreolata),
trumpet creeper (Campsis radicans), rattan vine (Berchemia
scandens), grape (Vitis sp.), and climbing hydrangea (Decum-
aria barbara).
The canopy is essentially closed although numerous wind -
thrown trees provide openings. Canopy height ranges from
75-90 feet and individual crowns of the oaks are character-
istically broad and expansive, a common condition in old -
growth hardwood stands. Consequently, the individual trees
are rather widely spaced. In one area sampled there was an
average of 100 canopy trees per acre. The average dbh (diam-
eter at breast height) of the stands varies considerably. In
the mature, climax stands along US 264, the average dbh is 20
inches although there are many scattered old -growth trees much
larger. Some of the maximum'dbh's measured were: green ash
(38 inches), swamp chestnut oak (51 inches), cherrybark oak
(45 inches), and laurel oak (66.5 inches).
The understory layer of ironwood is essentially open.
The low density of shrubs and canopy transgressives gives
the area an open, park -like aspect.
161

The plant community (CT 1) described above is represented
by mature stands just east of US 264 (see map). Thes high -
quality stands have undergone the least disturbance in terms
of past timber cutting. Scattered old stumps and old logging
trails are still visible and indicate that at least some of
the high-grade timber was removed. The age of the stumps
suggests that logging operations were conducted some time
ago, probably no more recently than 75 years ago. The high
average dbh (20 inches) and the presence of numerous old -
growth trees indicates that the cutting was not very intense.
The surface underlying much of the pine -mixed oaks com-
munity is relatively flat. There are numerous slight, localized
rises and depressions. Relief is on the order of 1-2 feet be-
tween these topographic highs and lows. Some low-lying areas
have ponded waters up to several inches deep even during mid-
summer. These and other slightly higher areas are probably
often inundated during the winter months when water tables
are high and evapotranspiration rates are low. Numerous
depressions formed by uprooted trees are scattered through-
out. These depressions along with the slight undulations
mentioned above give the ground surface an uneven appearance.
The best -formed, mature stands of mixed oaks and loblolly
pine occupy an area of about 1720 acres (see map).
Other sections included within the natural area have
been subjected to recent heavy thinning and clearcutting.
One rectangular block (75 acres) located in the northern
interior of the natural area has been clearcut and reseeded
in dense loblolly pines 10-20 feet tall. Another much larger
tract located in the eastern part of the natural area has been
heavily thinned within the past 10-15 years. Thinning removed
almost all of the high-grade oaks, ash, and pine. The canopy
in this section is now dominated by sweetgum, tulip poplar,
red maple, and swamp blackgum. The canopy is more open than
in the mature stands and there is an abundance of shrubby
canopy transgressives. Understory layers are much denser
due to the increased amount of sunlight. Although these more
heavily timbered stands are not considered to be of high
natural significance relative to the undisturbed stands, they
still retain some natural qualities because of the continued
domination by hardwood species. This point can be more clearly
understood when one compares the vegetation surrounding the
natural area to the thinned hardwood stands. Intensively
managed loblolly pine plantations covering several thousand
acres now almostly completely encompass the natural area.
Conversion of the hardwood stands to managed tree farms
greatly reduces both floristic and faunistic diversity;
artificial drainage associated with the development of
these tree farms further alters the ecosystem.
162

The thinned hardwood stands may, over time, slowly
develop into mature mixed oak communities similar to the
present old -growth stands. There is an abundant seed
source present and gradual replacement of more "weedy"
tree species by the climax forest species can occur on
the site, if no further cutting occurs. The thinned
stands occupy about 4180 acres and serve as an important
hardwood buffer adjoining the surrounding pine plantation.
Contrasting with the hardwood -dominated forest com-
munity described above is a small area (100 acres) of
brackish marsh located along Scranton Creek. This marsh
can be divided into three distinct zones which are cor-
related with flooding frequency and duration. The lower
marsh zone along the stream channel is dominated by an
almost pure zone of black needlerush (Juncus roemarianus).
The higher marsh zone is dominated by dense stands of
sawgrass (Cladium jamaicense). Salt grass (Distichlis
spicata) forms small, concentric zones within the saw -
grass marsh. This zonation pattern seems to be typical
of most brackish creeks in western and southern Hyde County.
Because much more extensive examples of these brackish
marsh communities occur elsewhere in the county, the
_ natural area marsh is not considered to be a highly
significant example of this habitat type.
Ecology of HydricHardwood or "Oak" Flats
The term "oak flats" has been used to describe this
characteristic bottomland hardwood forest type in the
coastal plain. Pinchot and Ashe (1897) in a discussion
of the various vegetation types in the North Carolina
coastal plain listed four general bottomland or wetland
forest types: 1) pond pine pocosin, Z) Atlantic white
cedar swamps, 3) gum and cypress swamps, and 4) oak flats.
In their definition of oak flats Pinchot and Ashe
(oa. cit.) described them as forests "... in which numerous
broad -leaf trees, chiefly oaks, constitute the greater
portion of the growth ..." They further state that oak
flats occur along the borders of cypress and gum swamps
on damp or moist usually deep loams, and are often inun-
dated during the spring. They mention a diversity of
bottomland oaks along with loblolly pine as characteristic
canopy components. They include bottomland associations of
broad -leaf trees which occur on floodplain terraces and
natural levees along brownwater streams and rivers in the
oak flats category.
163

Although similar in many respects we feel that the
alluvial bottomland forests and the non -alluvial, "upland"
wetland forests should be considered distinct types based
on their position on different geomorphological landforms.
Non-riverine oak flats were probably once extensive
in Hyde County in areas dominated by fine loamy, silty and
clayey soils with high water tables. Soils of this type -
occur as wide bands around Lake Mattamuskeet and along
the Pungo River (SCS 1973). However, these soil types
when properly drained have high agricultural productivity,
and most have been drained, cleared, and converted to farm-
land. The wettest, most poorly drained mineral soils have
been largely converted to silviculture, as evidenced by the
extensive pine plantations surrounding the natural area.
The remaining "scraps" of hardwood flats are typically
small (less than 100 acres) and isolated. Their ecological
integrity has been severely reduced as a result of the
large scale clearing operations.
Today in Hyde County there are only two remaining large
blocks of hardwood flats which have not been converted to
other uses. The Scranton Hardwoods stand is the last pri-
vately owned tract and the state-owned Gull Rock Gamelands
south of Lake Mattamuskeet contains the remaining stands.
The conversion of the oak (hardwood) flats has not been
limited to Hyde County; once -extensive stands in other
lower coastal plain counties have also been reduced to
small, isolated remnants. Other than Hyde County, the
best remaining stands are located in Pamlico County. For
a description of these see "Natural Areas of Pamlico County"
(Peacock and Lynch, 1982; pp. ).
The hardwood stands in Hyde County and elsewhere tend
to occur as concentric bands surrounding areas of medium
to deep peats. To the east of the natural area is a large
peat deposit associated with the Alligator River drainage.
This peat body extends across the northern part of the
county and includes much of the area between Alligator
(New) and Pungo Lakes. The peaty surface layers gradually
thin out in the direction of the Pungo River and the natural
area. Several miles east of the natural area the peat -dom-
inated (organic) soils are gradually replaced by mesic to
hydric mineral soils. This soil change has a pronounced
effect on the vegetation communities. Pond pine -bay shrub
pocosin and swamp blackgum communities associated with the
peat soils are replaced by mesic hardwoods occupying the
wet mineral soils. The gradation between the two vegetation
types is gradual and has been altered by extensive land -use
changes in the area (pine plantations and cleared fields).
164

The same relative position of hardwood flats along
the outer margins of a peat -dominated landscape is found
in Pamlico County in and around the Light Grounds Pocosin.
There hardwood flats similar to the Scranton Hardwoods
stands occur as a concentric band surrounding the peaty
pocosin wetland. This relationship has not been described
previously in the literature and further, more intensive
field work by hydrologists, botanists, pedologists and
others is urgently needed to describe this unique and
rapidly disappearing pocosin-hardwood flats ecosystem.
Wildlife and Avian Diversity
The Scranton Hardwoods natural area has superlative
values in terms of wildlife habitat and avian diversity.
The tract supports the largest deer herd in Hyde County
(Rod McClanahan, WRC District biologist, pers. Comm.
1982) and probably some of the densest populations known
anywhere in the state.
The area is designated an official black bear sanctuary
by the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission. Although no bear
sign was observed by us, bears are reported to feed in and
pass through the area occasionally (McClanahan, pers. comm.
1982). Because of the increasing isolation of the tract
due to massive land clearing operations north and east of
the natural area, it is unlikely that the site can support a
viable bear population in the future.
The natural area also contains a Wild Turkey population
as a result of a February 1981 release of 15 birds (Rod Mc-
Clanahan, WRC biologist, pers. comm. 1982). At least one
brood was successfully reared in the summer of 1982 and
it is likely that a viable breeding population will become
established. The mature oak stands provide ideal habitat
for the species and its large size (6000 acres) insures
sufficient space to support a population.
Wild Turkeys were probably originally native in Hyde
and adjacent counties until illegal hunting and habitat
destruction caused their demise some years ago (McClanahan,
pers. comm., 1982).
The forested wetland supports at least 35 species of
breeding birds including 5 species of woodpeckers and 7
species of wood warblers. The only known Hyde County
population of White -breasted Nuthatches is found here.
In the lower coastal plain this species is restricted
to mature riverine cypress -gum swamps and hardwood
flats.
165

llb. Prose Description of Site Significance:
Scranton Hardwoods natural area is the most extensive
example of a hydric palustrine (non-riverine) hardwood
system located in the North Carolina coastal plain. The
old -growth hydrichardwood stands total about 1700 acres
and are surrounded by about 4000 acres of less significant
but still important buffer hardwood stands of various age
classes.
The old -growth component is the largest contiguous
"block" of relatively undisturbed,hydric oaks and other
hardwoods in a climax successional stage known in the
North Carolina coastal plain.
The hardwood stands are one of the most endangered
wetland forest systems in the coastal plain. When ade-
quately drained, the soils of the hardwood "flats" make
productive cropland and they are also excellent for in-
tensive loblolly pine tree farms. For these reasons,
much of what once was dominated by these wetlands is
now in row crop agriculture and pine plantations. The
last remnants of natural vegetation have been reduced
in most cases to scattered woodlots and other small,
isolated blocks.
The Scranton Hardwoods tract protects by far the
largest "block" of these wetlands known in the coastal
plain. The natural area should receive top priority
for the protection of this last protected example of
a once extensive wetland system.
Equally significant is the superlative wildlife values
of the natural area. Its large size (6000 acres) coupled
with an abundance of mast -producing oaks and other hard-
woods provides ideal habitat for a number of species de-
pendent on mature hardwood stands. The tract supports a
very large white-tailed deer population (reported to be
one of the largest in the county) and serves as an im-
portant sanctuary for black bear during their seasonal
movements. A Wild Turkey restoration program is under-
way on the property and an additional 35 species of
breeding birds are known to occur. Birds associated
with mature hardwoods are particularly abundant.
At least one endangered plant species is known to occur.
Southern twayblade, a species of orchid listed as a state
endangered peripheral, is found over much of the natural
area. Further field work may reveal additional rare or
endangered species.
166

r
rn
12. Significance Summary Table (categories represented and descriptions) - by site
a. Feature
b. Description of significant feature
c. Comparative assessment
LMaend
High -quality wetland
Mixed bottomland oaks and Pinus taeda/
This is the most extensive
Xja
CT 1
>inus caroliniana/Carex spP. or
tract of mature h dric to
Saururus cernuus
mesic oaks and other hard-
woods associated with a non-
riverine hardwood flat wet-
land known in the N.C. coastal
Mature, old -growth portion of CT 1
plain. The mature, climax
stands encompass a contiguous
1720 acres, by far the largest
block known anywhere in the
N.C. coastal plain. Average
canopydbh of these stands is
20 inches and canopy height is
75-90 feet. An additional
nearly 4000 acres of more dis-
turbed but still intact hard-
wood stands provides a signi-
ficant buffer to the best
stands.
Endangered species
CT 1
Listera australis (Southern Twayblade)
Endangered peripheral in N.C.
(Cooper et al. 1977). Large,
vigorous population present
throughout natural area.

N
rn
12. Significance Summary Table (categories represented and descriptions) - by site
a. Feature
Map
Le end
b. Description of significant feature
c. Comparative assessment
Threatened Species
through-
out
Red -shouldered Hawk
Considered threatened in N.C.
-by Cooner et al (1977)- At
least 2-3 breeding pairs occur
within
Habitat is sufficiently exten-
si
lation.
Species Concern species
through-
out
Black Bear
Considered to be "of special
concern" in N.C. by Cooper Pi -
al. (1977). Area provides
sanctuary and feeding
for transient bears although
not extensive enough to support
viable population.
Rare Speciesthrough-
out
White -breasted Nuthatch
Uncommon to rare in the Pamli-
marle Peninsula of N.C. Re-
stricted to mature cypress -gum
swamps and hardwood flats.
Fairly common permanent resi-
dent in natural area. Only
known population in Hyde County.

r
rn
12. Significance Summary Table (categories represented and descriptions) - by site
a. Feature
slap
b. Description of significant feature
c. Comparative assessment
Le end
Avian Species Diversity
p Y
through-
out
35 species of breeding woodland birds
Extensive forested wetland
provides -critical babitat for
a diversity of woodland specie
climax hardwoods for nesting
habitat. Total includes 5
species of woodpeckers and 9
species of -wood warblers. Man
species are becoming increas-
in 1 uncommon in county and
elsewhere due to habitat de-
struction as a result of
draining and clearing opera-
tions.
Superlative Wildlife
through-
White-tailed deer, Wild Turkey,
Area supports one of thelargest
Habitat
out
Eastern graV squirrel
deer herds in Hyde County (Rod
McClanahan, pers. comm., 1982).
Excellent habitat for intro-
duced Wild Turkeys which were
released on the tract in 1981.
Only known population of turlv-y
in the Pamlimarle Peninsula.
Mature oak stands provide habi-
tat for a large population of
eastern gray squirrels. Other
furbearers, including raccoon
and eastern cottontail, are
also common.

r
J
0
12. Significance Summary Table (categories represented and descriptions) - by site
a. Feature
r`ap
Lec end
b. Description of significant feature
c. Comparative assessment
Unusually large
trees
CT 1
Quercus laurifolia, Q. michauxii,
Q. falcata var. pagodaefolia, Fraxinus
Many scattered very large old -
growth canopy trees are
pennsylvanica
scattered in the mature hard-
wood stands. Some of the
largest dbh's measured include:
Swamp chestnut oak (Quercus
michauxii)-51 inches, Cherry -
bark oak (Q. falcata var.
pagodaefolia)-45 inches,
Laurel oak (Q. laurifolia)-66.5
inches, Green ash (Fraxinus
pennsylvanica)-38 inches.
Many trees reach 90 feet in
height. The laurel oak is of
state champion size. There is
potential for several other
state champion trees in tract.

IN
\ V , a, T:' ' t •,•.::•: fir, � t 'I ,.
to ., I '}' •. '� ,.,,. ?,%�,} r:•;}:•};:,:•=f I ,+' ? ' }{ ,'} ,,'
'1� '�.•,.,, ,.,,. ..•.,.,., " 4 ,' � ',fig`
�. ''J' ,d •:i: ':t. tip. 7� �
t
yj
: 1, _l..)��1t 1 I • � f ?•', , • • ' � ` I , / — 1 �„� h�et C /.
K

Legal Status, Use, and Management
13. Ownership type by percent area: Type
Private 100 %
Public %
Unknown €
14. Number of Owners: 1
15. Name(s) of owner(s) and/or custodian(s) (with addresses, phone numbers,
other pertinent information),
Bruce B. Cameron
P. O. Box 3649
Wilmington, NC 28406
16. Name(s) of knowledgeable person(s) (with addresses, phone numbers, other
pertinent information).
Rod McClanahan Bill Lawrence
WRC District Biologist WRC Wildlife Protector
Route 1, Box 442-B Box 27
Jamesville, NC 27846 Scranton, NC 27875
17. Attitude of owner or custodian toward preservation (contacted?):
Not contacted.
172 -

18. Uses of natural area:
All of the natural area has been selectively logged in
several cycles to obtain the successively most valuable re-
maining or regenerated timber. Some of the older growth
stands contain old stumps which appear to be cypress. These
stands contain a significant amount of valuable mature standing
timber, mostly loblolly pine, swamp chestnut oak and cherrybark
oak. The older growth stands do not appear to have been logged
during the past fifty to seventy-five years. Other stands have
been selectively logged for valuable oak, pine, and hickory
timber much more recently. These stands contain a higher
proportion of lower quality timber such as sweetgum and red
maple mixed in with oaks and other species.
A network of roads and associated clearings is maintained
within the natural area. These roads are used primarily for
hunting activities and secondarily for fire control and access
for timber removal. In addition to the road system, a grass
airplane runway is maintained along with several cabins near
the Intracoastal Waterway.
The area is used as a private hunting and fishing retreat
by the owner and is actively managed for wildlife production
by the owner in conjunction with the N.C. Wildlife Resources
Commission (WRC). Access to the property is strictly limited
and all roads leading in from the adjacent US 264 highway are
blocked by locked gates. Hunting rights in the area are re-
stricted and there are no areas open to the general public.
This policy of access restrictions and limited hunting along
with accompanying game management in effect protects the wild-
life of the area.
Although some timber harvesting is done on the tract, it
appears that this practice is mainly to enhance wildlife
habitat by creating more edge effect and a greater diversity
of game foods rather than providing cash flow or timber sales
profits.
The tract is regularly patrolled by WRC personnel and
"no hunting" signs are posted at frequent intervals along
US 264. Recently, WRC biologists have cooperated with the
owner in attempting to establish a Wild Turkey population
in the area. Wild birds were released about a year ago and
reproduction was successful this spring with at least one
brood produced.
Apparently at least a portion of the natural area was
the site of attempted farming operations. Old furrows can
still be seen in some areas adjacent to US 264. Judging
from the size of the present vegetation, these operations
ceased at least 75 years ago if not longer.
173

19. Uses of surrounding land:
a. Wildland 10 %
b. Agricultural land
20. Preservation Status:
C. High -intensity forestry 90 %
d. Developed %
Cat
*%
*Description of preservation status
4
100
Private land, protected by owner
21. Regulatory protections in force:
None known.
22. Threats:
Timber cutting is the chief disruptive activity in the
short term. The selective cutting which has been practiced
over much of the natural area has maintained dominance by
valuable wildlife food trees such as oaks, hickories, and
other hardwoods. More intense cutting in the future could
cause a proportional shift to less desirable hardwoods such
as sweetgum and red maple, and significantly lower the site's
natural and wildlife values.
Good conservation techniques are presently being practiced
to maintain the mature oak -pine stands along with some desirable
edge effect along the roads. It appears that the present owner
intends to maintain a high -quality bottomland hardwoods habitat
for wildlife. However, in the long-term the tract could be
sold or divided and the present conditions altered. The long
term plans of the owner are not known.
Another more minor threat is the possible widening of the
existing dual -lane highway to a four -lane superhighway. This
would damage a significant portion of the old -growth stands,
most of which lie adjacent to the highway.
23. Management and Preservation Recommendation:
The Scranton Hardwoods natural area offers an excellent
opportunity for conservation of a significantly large block
of an undrained, palustrine (non-riverine) mesic hardwoods
system. It is the largest contiguous block of palustrine
174

Natural Characteristics Summary
24a. Vegetation - Biotic Community Summary CT 1
Community type: Mixed hydricoaks and Pinus taeda/Carpinus caroliniana/
Carex spp. or Saururus cernuus
Community cover type: Mixed hydricoaks and Pinus taeda
General habitat feature: nonalluvial hardwood flats
,Iverage canopy height: 80 feet
Estimated age of canopy trees: 100+
Canopy cover: Closed
Estimated size of community: old -growth stands total about 1720 acres
Successional stage: near -climax to climax
Common canopy species in community cover or community type
(but not dominant): Listed in order of importance value (based
on 10 quarter points): Quercus pagodaefolia, Pinus taeda, Quercus
laurifolia, Liriodendron tulipifera, Acer rubrum, Quercus michauxii
Common sub -canopy or shrub stratum species in community cover or
community type (but not dominant):
Diospyros virginiana, Asimina triloba, Cornus sp., Magnolia
virginiana, Vaccinium corymbosum, Crataequs sp., Sabal minor,
Lindera benzoin
Common herb stratum species in community cover or community type
(but not dominant):
Galium sp., Tipularia discolor, Lonicera japonica, Asplenium
platyneuron, Mitchella repens, Euonymus americanus, Uniola
sessilifolia
176

mesic hardwoods known in the coastal plain of North Carolina.
Its values are enhanced by its relatively undisturbed character,
the presence of old -growth forest stands, and its superlative
wildlife values.
The owner should be encouraged to continue the wise
management of the tract's wildlife and natural values in
cooperation with the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission.
In addition, the tract should be registered as an out-
standing example of a mesic hardwoods ecosystem by the
N.C. Natural Heritage Program. To assure protection in
the long term, The Nature Conservancy should make contact
with the owner and investigate the possibility of establishing
a nature preserve in an estate settlement.
175

24b. Soil Summary (by community type) CT 1
Soil series: unknown, probably Hyde and Bayboro
Soil classification: Hyde: fine -silty, mixed, thermic Typic Umbraquults
Bayboro: clayey, mixed, thermic Umbric Paleaquults
Soil association: Hyde-Bayboro
pH class: Very strongly acid
Source of information: General Soil Map of Hyde County, North
Carolina, SCS, USDA, 1973.
Other notes:
24c. Hydrology Summary (by community type) CT 1
Hydrologic system: Palustrine
Hydrologic subsystem: Interaqueous
Water chemistry: Fresh -acid
Water regime: intermittently flooded
Drainage class: Very poorly drained
Drainage basin: Wilkerson and Scranton Creeks-- Pungo River-- Pamlico
River
Hydrology characterization: A very poorly drained, intermittently
flooded, fresh -acid, interaqueous
palustrine system.
177

24d. Topography Summary: CT 1
Landform: Interstream flat dominated by mineral soils
Shelter: sheltered
Aspect: n/a
Slope Angle: n/a
Profile: Flat
Surface patterns: Generally smooth, except for small depressions
and slightly elevated ridges; elevation gradient less than 2 feet
over much of the area.
25. Physiographic characterization of natural area:
A series of mid -successional to climax bottomland hardwoods
and brackish marsh communities located on the Pamlico Terrace
and drained by Wilkerson and Scranton Creeks, in the Coastal
Plain province of the Atlantic Plain.
Geological Formation:
Pleistocene Pamlico Terrace deposits overlying Upper Miocene
Yorktown Formation.
Geological Formation age:
Pamlico Terrace: less than 100,000 yrs. BP
Yorktown Formation: 15-25 million yrs. BP
References Cited:
Daniels, R. B., E. E. Gamble, and W. H. Wheeler. 1978. Age
of Soil Landscapes in the Coastal Plain of North Carolina. Soil
Science Soc. of Am. Journal 42: 98-105.
178

26. Sum. -nary - Endangered and threatened species
Name of species: Listera australis
Species legal status and authority: Endangered peripheral in N.C.
(Cooper et al., 1977)
Number of populations on site: one
Number of individuals per population: 500 plus
Size or Maturity of individuals: immature and mature
Phenology of population: not known
Eg: vegetative %
flowering %
fruiting %
General vigor of population: excellent
Disturbance or threats to population: none known
Habitat characteristics
Plant community: CT 1
Topography: slightly elevated flats
Soil Series: Hyde-Bayboro association
Microclimate: -
Drainage basin: Pungo River
Other plants and animal species present: See Master Species List.
AERIAL OR DETAILED MAPS WITH POPULATIONS CLEARLY MARKED.
179

26. SuaLnary - Endangered and threatened species
Name of species: Red -shouldered Hawk
Species legal status and authority: Threatened in North Carolina
(Cooper et al., 1977)
Number of populations on site: 2+ breeding pairs
Number of individuals per population: 2 adults plus young of the
year
Size or Maturity of individuals: adult and immature
Phenology of population: not applicable
Eg: vegetative % -
flowering % -
fruiting % -
General vigor of population: Excellent
Disturbance or threats to population: Clearcutting, conversion of
hardwoods to pine plantations
Habitat characteristics
Plant community: Throughout
Topography: Flat
Soil Series: Hyde-Bayboro
Microclimate: -
Drainage basin: Pungo River
Other plants and animal species present: See Master Species List.
AERIAL OR DETAILED :MAPS WITH POPULATIONS CLEARLY MARKED.
180

26. Su=nary - Endangered and threatened species
Name of species: Black bear
Species legal status and authority: Of Special Concern in North
Carolina (Cooper et al., 19771,
Number of populations on site: unknown
Number of individuals per population: unknown
Size or Maturity of individuals: all ages
Phenology of population: not applicable
Eg: vegetative %
flowering %
fruiting %
General vigor of population: Not seen nor sign observed by authors.
Reported to pass through the area occasionally on way to and from
large pocosin areas to northeast (WRC biologists, pers. comm., 1982).
Disturbance or threats to population:
Habitat characteristics
Plant community: Throughout
Topography: -
Soil Series: -
Microclimate: -
Drainage basin:
Other plants and animal species present: See Master Species List.
AERIAL OR DETAILED :TAPS WITH POPULATIONS CLEARLY MARKED.
181

27. Master Species List:
VASCULAR PLANTS
(listed alphabetically by family)
ACANTHACEAE
Ruellia caroliniensis
ACERACEAE
Acer rubrum
ANACARDIACEAE
Rhus radicans
ANNONACEAE
Asimina triloba
AQUIFOLIACEAE
Ilex opaca
ARECACEAE
Sabal minor
ASPIDIACEAE
Athyrium asplenioides
Polystichum acrostichoides
ASPLENIACEAE
Asplenium platyneuron
BERBERIDACEAE
Podophyllum peltatum
BETULACEAE
Carpinus caroliniana
BLECHNACEAE
Woodwardia areolata
W. virginica
BIGNONIACEAE
Anisostichus capreolata
Campsis radicans
CAPRIFOLIACEAE
Lonicera japonica
CELASTRACEAE
Euonymus americanus
CLETHRACEAE
Clethra alnifolia
CORNACEAE
Cornus stricta
CYPERACEAE
Carex spp.
EBENACEAE
Diospyros virginiana
ERICACEAE
Vaccinium corymbosum
Leucothoe axillaris
182

FAGACEAE
Fagus grandifolia
Quercus laurifolia
Q. michauxii
Q. phellos
Q. falcata var. pagodaefolia
HAMAMELIDACEAE
Liquidambar styraciflua
JUGLANDACEAE
Carya ovata
C. glabra
JUNCACEAE
Juncus sp.
LAMIACEAE
Scutellaria sp.
LAURACEAE
Lindera benzoin
Persea borbonia
LILIACEAE
Smilax rotundifolia
Smilax spp.
LOGANIACEAE
Gelsemium sempervirens
LORANTHACEAE
Phoradendron serotinum
MAGNOLIACEAE
Liriodendron tulipifera
Magnolia virginiana
NYSSACEAE
Nyssa sylvatica var. biflora
OLEACEAE
Fraxinus pennsylvanica
OPHIOGLOSSACEAE
Botrychium sp.
ORCHIDACEAE
Listera australis
Tipularia discolor
PINACEAE
Pinus taeda
P. palustris
POACEAE
Arundinaria gigantea
Uniola sessiliflora
POLYPODIACEAE
Polypodium polypodioides
RANUNCULACEAE
Ranunculus sp.
RHAMNACEAE
Berchemia scandens
183

ROSACEAE
Crataegus spp.
RUBIACEAE
Galium sp.
Mitchella repens
SALICACEAE
Populus heterophylla
SAURURACEAE
Saururus cernuus
SAXIFRAGACEAE
Decumaria barbara
TAXODIACEAE
Taxodium distichum
ULMACEAE
Ulmus americana
URTICACEAE
Boehmeria cylindrica
VIOLACEAE
Viola sp.
VITACEAE
Parthenocissus quinquefolia
Vitis spp.
Spring Peeper
Fowler's Toad
Gray Treefrog
AMPHIBIANS
REPTILES
Eastern Box Turtle (common)
Ground Skink
Five -lined Skink
Black Rat Snake
184

BIRDS
(Emphasis of bird lists is on breeding or summering
species; lack of adequate field work during the other
seasons prevented compilation of a complete list.)
Im
PR = Permanent resident
SR = Summer resident
WR = Winter resident
T = Transient, spring or fall
PV, SV, WV = Visitor; year-round, summer, or winter
* = Breeding or suspected breeding at site
Wood Duck
PR*
Turkey Vulture
PR
Black Vulture
PR
Red-tailed Hawk
PR*
Red -shouldered Hawk
PR*
Wild Turkey
PR* (introduced; 15
birds released
_
February 1981)
Mourning Dove
PR*
Yellow -billed Cuckoo
SR*
Barred Owl
PR*
Chimney Swift
SV
Ruby -throated Hummingbird
SR*
Common Flicker
PR*
Pileated Woodpecker
PR*
Red -bellied Woodpecker
PR*
Hairy Woodpecker
PR*
Downy Woodpecker
PR*
Great Crested Flycatcher
SR*
Acadian Flycatcher
SR*
Eastern Pewee
SR*
Blue Jay
PR*
Common Crow
PR*
Carolina Chickadee
PR*
Tufted Titmouse
PR*
White -breasted Nuthatch
PR*
Carolina Wren
PR*
American Robin
PR
Wood Thrush
SR*
Blue -gray Gnatcatcher
SR*
Golden -crowned Kinglet
WR
Ruby -crowned Kinglet
WR
White -eyed Vireo
SR*
Red -eyed Vireo
SR*
Prothonotary Warbler
SR*
185

Yellow-rumped Warbler
WR
Black -throated Green Warbler
T
Yellow -throated Warbler
SR*
Pine Warbler
PR*
Ovenbird
SR*
Common Yellowthroat
SR*
Hooded Warbler
SR*
Louisiana Waterthrush
SR*
Brown -headed Cowbird
PR*
Summer Tanager
SR*
Northern Cardinal
PR*
Evening Grosbeak
WR
White -throated Sparrow
WR
White-tailed Deer - abundant; up to 35 seen each trip;
tracks and scat everywhere
Eastern Cottontail Rabbit - several seen, tracks
Raccoon - tracks common
Opossum - tracks
Eastern Gray Squirrel - several seen
Black Bear - no tracks or sign observed by authors;
reported to occur in area by WRC personnel
186

NATURAL AREA INVENTORY FORM
(To be prepared for each site)
Basic Information Summary Sheet
1. Natural Area Name: Salyer's Ridge Natural Area
2. County: Hyde
3. Location: Along the southern border of Rose Bay Canal near
where it enters Lake Mattamuskeet. Natural area
is completely within the Mattamuskeet National
Wildlife Refuge.
4. Topographic quadrangle(s): Swanquarter (1974)
5. Size: 80 acres
6. Elevation: 3-5 feet above mean sea level
7. Access: At Swindell Fork (junction of US 264 and SR 1304), go
north on SR 1304 for 4.7 miles to Rose Bay Canal. Turn
right (east) on dirt access road parallel to canal and
go about 0.2 mile to deadend at entrance to refuge.
Natural area is south and east of the refuge boundary
on south side of canal.
8. Names of investigators: J. Merrill Lynch S. Lance Peacock
Route 2, Box 222-B P. O. Box 6006
Enfield, NC 27823 Raleigh, NC 27628
9. Date(s) of investigation: April 8, 1982
10. Priority rating: Low
187

il

lla. Prose Description of Site:
The Salyer's Ridge Natural Area contains a mature stand of
loblolly pine, one of the oldest -growth stands dominated by this
species known in Hyde County. The 80-acre stand is part of the
Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge and is designated a Re-
search Natural Area by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The
size and stature of the pines gives the tract impressive esthetic
and scenic qualities although its overall significance as a natural
area is not exceptionally high because of its suspected anthro-
pomorphic origins.
The tract is located near the southwestern corner of Lake
Mattamuskeet, a large natural freshwater body encompassing about
40,000 acres. Much of the lake margin itself is dominated by
emergent marsh vegetation and many sites have been impounded
to enhance waterfowl habitat. Behind the marsh fringe is a
forested swamp forest which, depending on location and past
disturbance, is dominated by a number of wetland trees.
The natural area proper is a part of the "lake margin"
forested swamp forest complex. It is located about 0.5 mile
from the present-day lake margin. In order to understand the
natural area's relationship to the lake and the underlying soils
it is necessary to describe briefly the geomorphology of the lake
and the immediately surrounding lands.
Lake Mattamuskeet's origin is not known. It has been sug-
gested that the lake formed as a result of a deep peat burn and
subsequently enlarged itself by wind and wave erosion along its
shoreline. Another theory suggests.that the lake may be multi-
ple carolina bays although this view is not a popular one at the
present time (Mattamuskeet NWR Master Plan, no date).
Regardless of its origin, the lake must at one time have
been substantially larger than it is today. Examination of
topographic maps covering the Lake Mattamuskeet area clearly
indicate an arcuate series of slightly elevated ridges (5-8
feet msl) which encircle the lake at distances which average
about one mile from the current lakeshore. These ridges were
formed by a former lake shoreline when lake water levels were
3-5 feet higher than present levels. The area between these
ridges and the present lakeshore is presently occupied by a
mosaic of swamp forest wetlands, waterfowl impoundments, and
drained cultivated fields. Many North Carolinians have pro-
bably heard or read about the ill-fated attempt during the
1930's to drain the lake and convert it to agriculture. Al-
though unsuccessful, this drainage attempt did allow some
marginal farming operations to become established particularly
189

around the rim of the lake. Other slightly higher areas,
particularly on the southern and eastern sides of the lake,
have been under agriculture for a long time, probably at
least since the mid-17001s.
The natural area is situated in the area between the
ridges (the former lake margin) and the present lake margin.
At only 3-5 feet above sea level, the natural area occupies
a low flat which was probably originally dominated by either
a hardwood wetland or a baldcypress-hardwood wetland.
The soils of the natural area are classified as the
Weeksville-Pasquotank association: very poorly and poorly
drained soils with black to gray very fine sandy loam or silty
loam surface layers (SCS, 1973). The majority of this associ-
ation in Hyde County occurs as a large, homogeneous body around
the perimeter of Lake Mattamuskeet. Approximately 850 of the
association acreage has been cleared for cultivation with many
additional acres in the process of being cleared (SCS, 1973).
The vegetation of the natural area is dominated by lob -
lolly pine (Pinus taeda). The community type is Pinus taeda/
Symplocos tinctoria or locally Persea borbonia (loblolly pine/
horsesugar or locally by redbay; CT 1). This community is
characterized by a tall closed canopy of pines 90-100 feet '
tall over a distinct shrub layer of horsesugar (also known
as sweetleaf) and in places by dense patches of redbay. There
is essentially no herb layer although poison ivy (Rhus radicans)
is a locally abundant ground cover.
Red maple (Acer rubrum) and sweetgum (Liquidambar styra-
ciflua) are present as scattered individuals in the subcanopy
layer (40-60 feet tall) but are not dominant enough to be con-
sidered a subcanopy component in the community type. Vines are
abundant throughout and include a diversity of high -climbing
species: poison ivy, trumpet creeper (Campsis radicans),
cross -vine (Anisostichus capreolata),.rattan-vine (Berchemia
scandens), Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus quinquefolia),
and yellow jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens). Almost every
pine trunk has at least one vine attached. Many of the vines
appear to have started growing when the pines were quite small.
The vines are free -swinging and are attached to the lower
branches of the pines at heights of about 75 feet.
The loblolly pines are impressive in their height (average:
90-100 feet) and in their trunk diameters (average: 22 inches).
One of the more striking aspects of the pine stand's physiognomy
is the overall even -age character of the trees. Most of the
pines have about the same height and trunk diameter measurements.
The age of the stand is estimated to be about 110 years old (Steve
Frick, pers. comm. 1982). The even -aged character of the stand
190

suggests that the pines germinated and began growing in an open
situation, probably in an abandoned field. The moist mineral
soils of the area provided an ideal seedbed and the pines grew
at a rapid rate, overtopping competing hardwoods and establishing
canopy dominance. The scarcity of oaks and hickories in the
subcanopy also suggests that the stand developed in an old -
field situation. Oaks and hickories are typically slow growing
species and their seed dispersion is usually by animal agents.
This puts them at a distinct disadvantage in pioneer oldfield
succession when there is an abundance of red maple, loblolly
pine, and sweetgum in the vicinity, all of which produce seeds
which are primarily wind dispersed. Apparently these latter
species were able to colonize the area quickly and the pine,
by virtue of its faster growth rate, eventually attained canopy
dominance.
The ground surface of the natural area is relatively
smooth. There are some shallow depressions scattered about
which may hold water after heavy rains but generally the
surface is dry. The dense canopy of pines essentially blocks
most sunlight from reaching the ground layer and there is very
little herbaceous ground cover.
191

llb. Prose Description of Site Significance:
The Salyer's Ridge natural area contains an old -growth
stand of loblolly pine, and is probably the largest and
oldest stand of this species in Hyde County. Because of
its probable origin from an abandoned field, the stand can-
not be considered completely "natural", although it can be
considered to be an excellent example of a pine forest in
the final stages of_oldfield succession.
192

H
w
12. Significance Summary Table (categories represented and descriptions) - by site
a. Feature
M'ap
Le end
b. Description of significant feature
c. Comparative assessment
High -quality wetland
plant community
CT 1
Pinus taeda/Symplocos tinctoria or
locally Persea borbonia
Largest stand of old -growth
(+110 yrs. old) loblolly
pines known in Hyde County.
Trees average 90-100 feet tall
and 22 inches dbh.

Fig. 15. Significant features:
SALYER'S RIDGE
(community type occupies entire
natural area)
194

Legal Status, Use, and Management
13. Ownership type by percent area:
14. Number of Owners: 1
Type
Private
Publ is
Unknown
100
15. Name(s) of owner(s) and/or custodian(s) (with addresses, phone numbers,
other pertinent information).
Department of the Interior
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge
Route 1. Box W-2
Swanquarter, NC 27885
16. Name(s) of knowledgeable person(s) (with addresses, phone numbers, other
pertinent information).
Steve Frick, Manager
Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge
Route 1, Box W-2
Swanquarter, NC 27885
17. Attitude of owner or custodian toward preservation (contacted?):
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Serivice recognizes the site as an official
research natural area.
195

18. Uses of natural area:
The natural area has been set aside as a Research Natural
Area within the Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge. It is
to be managed for scientific and esthetic values. Natural suc-
cession will be allowed to continue and no cutting or other dis-
turbance to the vegetation is planned. The area receives little
use from the public. No hunting is allowed within the tract.
There is a maintained jeep trail which follows the refuge boundary
and skirts the edge of the natural area. This trail is probably
used infrequently by hikers, birdwatchers, and others.
The tract is also registered as an outstanding natural area
along with other sites within the refuge by the N.C. Natural
Heritage Program.
19, Uses of surrounding land:
a. Wildland 100 %
b. Agricultural land
20. Preservation Status:
c. high -intensity forestry
% d. developed %
Cat
* %
*Description of preservation status
1
100
Public land, formally designated as a natural area.
21. Regulatory protections in force:
Protected by Fish and Wildlife service regulations as a Research
Natural Area.
4
196

22. Threats:
At the present time there is no threat to the natural
area. It is identified as a Research Natural Area and
managed in its natural state for scientific research.
23. Management and Preservation Recommendation:
Refuge personnel should continue to protect the site
in its natural state. Natural succession within the forest
should be allowed to continue and scientific research activ-
ities should be encouraged.
197

Natural Characteristics Summar
24a. Vegetation - Biotic Community Summary CT 1
Community type: Pinus taeda/Symplocos tinctoria or locally Persea
borbonia
Community cover type: Pinus taeda
General habitat feature: non -alluvial, bottomland flat
Average canopy height: 90-100 feet
Estimated age of canopy trees: 110 years
Canopy cover: closed to partially open
Estimated size of community: 80 acres
Successional stage: Late successional
Common canopy species in community cover or community type
(but not dominant):
None
Common sub -canopy or shrub stratum species in community cover or
community type (but not dominant):
Liquidambar styraciflua
Acer rubrum
Common herb stratum species in community cover or community type
(but not dominant):
Vines: Rhus radicans Berchemia scandens
Campsis radicans Parthenocissus quinquefolia
Anisostichus capreolata Gelsemium sempervirens
198

24b. Soil Summary (by community type) CT 1
Soil series: not known
Soil classification: Weeksville: coarse -silty, mixed, acid, thermic
Typic Humaquepts
Pasquotank: coarse -silty, mixed, acid, thermic
Typic Haplaquepts
Soil association: Weeksville-Pasquotank
pH class: Very strongly acid
Source of information: General Soil Map of Hyde County, N.C.,
SCS, 1973
Other notes:
24c. Hydrology Summary (by community type) CT 1
Hydrologic system: Palustrine
Hydrologic subsystem: Interaqueous
Water chemistry: Fresh
Water regime: Intermittently flooded
Drainage class: Very poorly drained
Drainage basin: Lake Mattamuskeet
Hydrology characterization: A very poorly drained, intermittently
flooded, fresh, interaqueous, palustrine
system.
199

4
24d. Topography Summary: CT 1
Landform: non -alluvial flat (former lake margin)
Shelter: closed
Aspect: n/a
Slope Angle: n/a
Profile: Flat
Surface patterns: Generally smooth
Position: n/a
25. Physiographic characterization of natural area:
A late successional community occupying a very poorly
drained, non -alluvial flat near the margin of Lake Matta-
muskeet in the Coastal Plain Province of the Atlantic Plain.
Geological Formation:
Pleistocene (Pamlico Terrace) sands and clays over Upper
Miocene (Yorktown Formation) fossiliferous sands and clays.
Geological Formation age:
Pleistocene (Pamlico Terrace): less than 100,000 yrs. BP
Upper Miocene (Yorktown Formation): 18-22 million yrs. BP
References Cited:
Daniels, R. B., E. E. Gamble, and W. H. Wheeler. 1978.
Age of Soil Landscapes in the Coastal Plain of North Carolina.
Soil Science Soc. of Am. Journal 42: 98-105.
200

10
26. Sum, -nary - Endangered and threatened species
Name of species: None recorded.
Species legal status and authority:
Number of populations on site:
Number of individuals per population:
Size or Maturity of individuals:
Phenology of population:
Eg: vegetative %
flowering %
fruiting %
General vigor of population:
Disturbance or threats to population:
Habitat characteristics
Plant community:
Topography:
Soil Series:
Microclimate:
Drainage basin:
Other plants and animal species present:
AERIAL OR DETAILED MAPS WITH POPULATIONS CLEARLY MARKED.
201

27. Master species lists:
a
VASCULAR PLANTS
(listed alphabetically by family)
ACERACEAE
Acer rubrum
ANACARDIACEAE
Rhus radicans
ANNONACEAE
Asimina triloba
APIACEAE
Centella asiatica
ASPIDIACEAE
Athyrium asplenioides
BIGNONIACEAE
Anisostichus capreolata
Campsis radicans
BLECHNACEAE
Woodwardia areolata
W. virginica
BROMELIACEAE
Tillandsia usneoides
CELASTRACEAE
Euonymus americanus
CLETHRACEAE
Clethra alnifolia
CYPERACEAE
Carex spp.
ERICACEAE
Vaccinium sp.
FAGACEAE
Quercus laurifolia
HAMAMELIDACEAE
Liquidambar styraciflua
LAURACEAE
Persea borbonia
LILIACEAE
Smilax rotundifolia
LOGANIACEAE
Gelsemium sempervirens
MAGNOLIACEAE
Liriodendron tulipifera
Magnolia virginiana
MYRICACEAE
Myrica cerifera
NYSSACEAE
Nyssa sylvatica var. biflora
ORCHIDACEAE
Goodyera pubescens
Tipularia discolor
202

OSMUNDACEAE
Osmunda regalis var. spectabilis
PINACEAE
Pinus taeda
POLYPODIACEAE
Polypodium polypodioides
RHAMNACEAE
Berchamia scandens
RUBIACEAE
Mitchella repens
SYMPLOCACEAE
Symplocos tinctoria
TAXODIACEAE
Taxodium distichum
VITACEAE
Parthenocissus quinquefolia
vitis sp.
AMPHIBIANS
None recorded.
REPTILES
None recorded.
4 203

i
BIRDS
(Emphasis of bird lists is on breeding or summering
species; lack of adequate field work during the other
seasons prevented compilation of a complete list.)
KEY
PR = Permanent resident
SR = Summer resident
WR = Winter resident
T = Transient, spring or fall
PV, SV, WV = Visitor; year-round, summer, or winter
* = Breeding or suspected breeding at site
Common Flicker
PR*
Pileated Woodpecker
PR*
Red -bellied Woodpecker
PR*
Hairy Woodpecker
PR*
Downy Woodpecker
PR*
Fish Crow
PV
Carolina Chickadee
PR*
Tufted Titmouse
PR*
Blue -gray Gnatcatcher
SR*
Prothonotary Warbler
SR*
Yellow-rumped Warbler
WR
Pine Warbler
PR*
Ovenbird
SR*
MAMMALS
White-tailed Deer (tracks)
204

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4

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4
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209

0
4
GLOSSARY
(from Bellis et al., 1975)
Area of Environmental Concern -(AEC) Especially fragile or ecolo-
gically unique areas of the North Carolina Coast where development
should occur only if it is in harmony with natural processes. Areas
of the coast where the public welfare might be endangered by unwise
manipulation of the environment.
BP - Before present.
canopy - A layer of leaves and branches formed by the interlocking
mosaic of tree tops in a forest.
Coastal Area Management Act of 1974 - An act passed by the North
Carolina legislature in 1974 intended to promote wise development
of North Carolina'a coastal resources. Among other provisions
this act calls for the designation of certain especially sensi-
tive areas as 'Areas of Environmental Concern.'
cypress fringe - A straight or curved line of cypress running paral-
lel to the shoreline. Older cypress fringe has its trees standing
in water while young cypress fringe occupies sandy beaches in front
of eroding sand or clay banks.
dbh - Diameter at breast height (diameter of tree in inches measured
at a point 4.5 feet above the ground).
ecological succession - Process by which one community of living
organisms is gradually replaced by another. Usually each succes-
sive community is more stable than the last, thus leading toward
a final community especially well suited to the particular environ-
mental conditions existing at that location.
flood plain - Lowlands adjacent to a river or stream which become
inundated during periods of high flow. Flood plains are a natural
component of the river system and function as overflow storage areas.
msl - Mean sea level.
Pamlico Terrace - A low, flat, featureless, topographic surface
extending over the Coastal Plain of the Southeastern U.S. at
elevations less than 20 feet above sea level. It is considered
the relict sea floor of the Sangamon Interglacial.
Pamlimarle Peninsula - The peninsula bounded on the north by Albe-
marle Sound and on the south by the Pamlico River. Includes all of
Washington, Beaufort, and mainland portions of Dare and Hyde Counties.
210

peat - Accumulations of slowly decomposing plant remains.
Peat is formed in swamps and marshes. Erosion of peat soils
releases suspended organic matter into coastal waters as well
as certain 'humic acids' which give water a tea colored stain.
Pleistocene Epoch - That period of earth history which saw the
advance and retreat of the four great Ice Ages. It is generally
considered to have begun between 1 and 2 million years ago and
to have continued up until about 18,000 years ago.
relict beach ridge - Throughout the Southeastern U.S. ancient
shorelines are detected at various elevations inland from the
coast. These shorelines are often manifested as continuous
ridges and are considered a product of higher stands of the
sea during the Pleistocene Ice Ages.
Sangamon Interglacial - A period of deglaciation (no continental
ice sheets) during the Pleistocene Epoch between the Illinoian
and Wisconsin Ice Ages. This period is generally considered
to have taken place about 80-100,000 years ago.
sp and spp - Species (singular and plural).
Suffolk Scarp - A topographic ridge rising from 20 to 40 feet above
sea level which runs parallel to the coast throughout North Carolina.
It is considered an ancient shoreline formed during the Pleistocene
Epoch.
swamp forest - Type of forest characterized by seasonal flooding
and water saturated organic soils. Water tupelo, swamp black gum
and bald cypress are dominant tree species.
Talbot (Chowan) Terrace - A rather flat but stream -dissected sur-
face lying at an average elevation of 40-45 feet throughout South-
eastern United States. It is considered to have been a sea floor
during the Pleistocene Epoch. In North Carolina it lies west of
the topographic ridge known as the Suffolk Scarp.
Yorktown Formation - An ancient deposit of clay and clayey sand
which typically contains abundant marine fossils including clams,
snails, whale vertebrae, and shark teeth. It occurs extensively
over eastern North Carolina and is generally considered a deposi-
tional product of the Miocene Epoch which took place 15-20 million
years ago.
211