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Home My WebLink AboutConservation Resoures-1984CONSERVATION SWAMP FOREST NEW DRAINAGE IN RESOURCES NEW HANOVER COUNTY low DCM COPY DCM COPY lease do not remove!!!!! Division of Coastal Management September 1984 New Hanover County Plannina Deoartment Dexter Hayes, Planning Director TALL POCOSIN SHORT POCOSIN SHRUBS OLD DRAINAGE From: Ash, A. N. Et al, 1983, "Natural and - Modified Pocosins," FRS/09S-83/04 CONSERVATION RESOURCES in NEW HANOVER COUNTY September 1984 New Hanover County Planning Department This report is based almost completely upon work performed by David DuMond, a consulting ecologist, under contract with New Hanover County. The preparation of this document was financed, in part, through through a Coastal Area Management Act Grant provided by the N. C. 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. February 28, 1985 ADDENDUM "CONSERVATION RESOURCES OF NEW HANOVER COUNTY" The purpose of this addendum is to clarify definitions of pocosins,, primary nursery areas, and archeological/historical conservation resources, as regulated by the Conservation Overlay District (Section 59.4) of the New Hanover County Zoning Ordinance. (1) Pocosins Only pocosins exhibiting the following three characteristics will be regulated under the Conservation Overlay District (COD): (A) The pocosin must exhibit the biotic characteristics of a pocosin as defined in "Conservation Resources of New Hanover County." (B) The pocosin must cover at least five acres of the parcel (Section 59.4-2) as of the date of adoption of the COD (Section 59.4-3). (C) The pocosin must be underlaid by one of the following high organic content soils - Dorovan, Johnston, Pamlico Muck, or Tidal Marsh. The rationale for this requirement is discussed in the attached sheet, "The Addition of Pocosins to the Conservation Overlay District", presented and accepted by the Board of County Commissioners on November 19, 1984. (2) (Primary Nursery Areas) The geographical extent of primary nursery areas within the County is determined by the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries. The landward boundary of primary nursery areas, according the Division, is the mean high water line. This information was presented to and accepted by the Board of County Commissioners in their adoption of the COD on October 1, 1984. (3) Historical/Archeological Sites Of the hundreds of archeological and historical sites in the County, only certain ones are considered to be important enough to be regulated under the COD. These important sites were selected based on information provided through the N.C. Department of Archives and History. This information was presented to and accepted by the Board of County Commissioners in their adoption of the COD on October 1, 1984. The UNC Site Numbers of these important sites are 312, 438, 75, 331, 364, 530, 400, 522, 236, 237, 224, 215, 212, 526, 392, 524, 512, 194, 195, 177, 118, 111, 8, 186, 151, 500, 686, and 498. Also, 687 represents the Old Wilmington to Wrightsville Beach Trolley, but it is not on the C.O.D. map. See historic file for description. THE ADDITION OF POCOSINS TO THE CONSERVATION OVERLAY DISTRICT In response to concerns that the inclusion of all pocosins in the County in' the Conservation Overlay District (COD) would be excessively restrictive to future growth, this effort attempts to reduce the number of pocosins based on the organic matter content of the underlying soils. Only pocosins underlaid by soils with high organic content (determined by the "Soil Survey of New Hanover County, North Carolina" prepared by the U. S. Soil Conservation Service) would be included in the COD for the following reasons: (1) A high level of organic content indicates the existence of a well - established pocosin community due to years of build-up of organic matter. (2) High organic soils tend to be poorly drained and exist in low, level wet areas or along stream channels and other drainageways. The high water table and lack of topographic relief limit their development potential. (3) High organic soils tend to have low permeability. If these soils are artifically drained, they will be less likely to allow percolation of stormwater into them and, therefore, would be more likely to contribute to pollution, flooding, and freshwater intrusion problems of stormwater runoff, than would the development of more permeable soils. (4) The tendency of the high organic content soils to be located along waterways indicate their value as a buffer for the waterways. (5) If high organic soils are artifically drained and dried out, they may be more susceptible to peat fires than if maintained in their natural state. (6) High organic soils have low bearing strength which limits their capability to support building loads. (7) High organic content soils tend to have high available water capacity which would tend to support abundant plant life. The following four soils have high organic content in the County: Soil Type Acreage Percent of Count Do Dorovan 8,766 7.4 Jo Johnston 4,426 3.7 Pm Pamlico muck 958 .8 Tm Tidal marsh 8,304 7.1 Total 22,454 acres 19% Only Dorovan, Johnston, and Pamlico muck would be likely to support pocosin vegetation as defined by Dumond's report Conservation Resources in New Hanover County. These three cover 11.9% of the County, of which a significant part would be covered by swamp forest or a wetland vegetation other than pocosin. The most significant concentration of pocosins that have high organic soils are the large tracts in the northern part of the County along the rivers and streams. For the reasons stated above, we recommend that the pocosin areas as originally mapped be amended to reflect this new criteria and that they be included as a conservation resource in the Zoning Ordinance. LITERATURE CITED Parnell, J. F., D. M. DuMond and R. N. Needham. 1978. A comparison of plant succession and bird utilization on diked and undiked dredged material islands in North Carolina estuaries. U. S. Army Engineers, " Waterways Experiment Station, Vicksburg, MS. 0 Radford, A. E., et al. 1968. Manual of the vascular flora of the Carolinas. University of North Carolina Press, Chapel Hill. Strahler, Arthur N. 1973. Introduction to Physical Geography. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York. Weaver, Arlin. 1977. Soil survey of New Hanover County, North Carolina. U. S. Department of Agriculture, Soil Conservation Service. APPENDIX A: VERTEBRATE ANIMALS (EXCLUDING FISH) ASSOCIATED WITH GENERALIZED BIOTIC COMMUNITIES OF NEW HANOVER COUNTY Furnished by Dr. James F. Parnell Biology Department UNC-W Wilmington, N.C. APPENDIX A VERTEBRATE ANIMALS (EXCLUDING FISH) ASSOCIATED WITH GENERALIZED BIOTIC COMMUNITIES OF NEW HANOVER COUNTY � '�'PLIAND ,-01MMUN I T T ES (U ) UL T = Lon:g1 ea+ Fine - Tur :e�. 0--k liloodl-=nd ,_.;MP = Mixed Pine - Hardwood Forest UPF = F 'i ne Forest UHF = Hardwood Forest :1 F. n �.• U U U U L Residence i F' H T PStatus ' r.-shi fin Pd .. .. ., .. .. Doberg ., !- A1,='ed-=hou1 sered ^' mob:•:! �i' e, Northern P V .ve, i.!ourninq_ P x !..uckoo, fellows -willed S - Screech -Owl, Eastern P Owl , Great Horned P C huck-w-i 11 s-wli dow r, Hummingbird. Rub --throated S - - Woodpecker, Fred -headed P - Woodpecker, Red -bellied P - - v�--ucker. Yellow -bellied W - r, -- Moindpeckmr, Hair v i Woodpecker. Downy r- Woodpec!:er, Red -cockaded P ., X .. - Flicl er, Northern P :; x Wookpecl.::er, Pileated P Wood -Pewee, Eastern - Phoebe, Eastern- Fl-catcher, Great Crested S Kingbird. Eastern - Jay, Slue P :: x Crow, American P x .. ., x Crows, Fish P X X ., x Chickadee, Carolina P V Ti tmouse, Tufted P Nuthatch. Red -breasted W Nuthatch, White -breasted W - Nuthatch, Brown -headed P ;: X X - Creeper, Brown W :: x :: x Wren, Carolina P - x ., x Wren, House P Wren, Winter W *Residence status for bird species: W=winter resident; P=permanent resident; •d t• T=in 1 t s'•ent S-summer Page 2 Kinglet, Golden -crowned W x x x _- Kinglet, Ruby -crowned W - x - x 2natcatcher, Blue -gray S x x x x Bluebird, Eastern P x - - - Thrush, Hermit W - x x x Thrush, Wood S Robin, American P x x : : Mockingbird, Northern P : Catbird, Gray P - x - x Thrasher, Brown P - x - x Waxwing, Cedar T - - - x Shrike, Loggerhead P x - - - Starling, European P x - - - Vireo, White -eyed S - x - x Vireo, Solitary P x x x x Vireo, Yellow -throated S x x x x Vireo, Red -eyed 9 - x - x Parula, Northern S x x x x Warbler, Yellow-rumped S x x x : Warbler, Yellow -throated S x x x - Warbler, Pine P x : x - Warbler, Prairie S x - - - Warbler, Black and White T Ovenbird T - x - x Warbler, Hooded S Tanager, Summer S x x x : Cardinal, Northern P - x x : Towhee, Rufous -sided P - x x x Sparrow, Bachman's P x - - - Sparrow, Fox W - - - x Sparrow, Chipping P x - - - Sparrow, Field W x - - - Sparrow, Henslow's W x - - - Sparrow, Song W - - - x Sparrow, White -throated W - x - x Meadowlark, Eastern P x - - - Grackle, Common P x x x x Oriole, Orchard S x x x x Finch, Purple W - x - x Goldfinch, American W - x - x MAMMALS U U U U L M P H T P F F Opossum x x x x Least Shrew x - x - Southeastern Shrew - x x x Short -tailed Shrew x x x x Eastern Mole x x x x Silver -haired Bat - x - : Eastern Pipistrelle - x - x Seminole Bat - x - z Red Bat x x x x " Page - Hoary Bat .. ,. .. Evening Bat 9 Eastern Cottontail Gray Squirrel Fox Squirrel - - - Southern Flying Squirrel Cotton Mouse - x .. Golden Mouse - ,. .. Pine Vole .. .. .. _ray Foi, .. X .. ,lack Sear - .. .. Raccoon - .. - Striped Skunk Long-tailed Weasel - - Bobcat - .. - .. White-tailed Dear- ,. .. .. .. AMPHIBIANS !� ! ! U ,j r:! P H T r F . uEse Nab " - . :1:. Salamander - .. A- arb 1 ed Salamander - - Slimy Salamander - - Dwarf Salamander - - - Eastern Spadefoot Toad .. .. .. .. (yak:: Toad .. .. - - Southern Toad .. :; Green Treefrog - .. .. Spring Peeper - .. ,. Pine Woods Treefrog .. X .. - Barking Treefrog .. .. .. Squirrel Treefrog .. .. .. Gray Treefrog - .. .. .. Eastern Nar ro;':mauth Toad .. .. X - REPTILES U U U U L M P H T P F F Eastern Box Turtle - .. Carolina Anol a .. .. .. Five -lined Skink X :; u Southeastern Five -lined Skink x X x u Broadhead Skink; X. :; %, X Ground Skink; :: X X. Eastern Glass Lizard :; :: x - Worm Snake x .. .. x Scarlet Snake X - - Black Racer .. .. X >• Ringneek Snake Corn Snake - .. X :; Fiat Snake - X .. Eastern Hognose Snake X .. .. Page 4 Southern Hognose Snake : : Mole Kingsnake : : : _ Eastern Kingsnake - » : : Scarlet Kingsnake : : : - Eastern Coachwhip » Rough Green Snake - : » : Pine Snake : - : _ Pine Woods Snake : : : _ Brown Snake r� Redbelly Snake Southeastern Crowned Snake x : » : Eastern Garter Snake Rough Earth Snake Smooth Earth Snake Eastern Coral Snake : - - - Copperhead : Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake x - - - Canebrake Rattlesnake Pigmy Rattlesnake » - - - Page 5 WSF = Swamp Forest WSW -' Savannah :, PN _._ Natural Ponds dFM - Fresh Marsh Er:yr^.M = Brackish Marsh WTW -_ Open Tidal Water (Fresh, Brackish or saline) BIRDS S P S P F 8 T F 0 A 'hJ N 1°1 W Loon, Common W* - - - - - - I., Grebe, Pied -billed W - - - x - - Pelican, Brown P - - - - - - Cormorant, Double-cr, W - - - Anl : i nga S - - - - Bittern, American W - - - - x - Bittern, Least S - - - - ; x - Heron, Great Blue P - - „ „ - Heron, Little Blue P - - - „ „ - Heron, Tricolored P - - - „ „ x- Heron, Flack-cr. Night P - - - - - - Heron , Yellow-cr. Night P „ - - - „ - Heron, Green -backed S x - - x x x - Egret. Great P - - - „ „ „ - Egret, Snowy P - - - „ „ „ - Egret, Cattle S - - - - - „ - ibis, White ibis, Glossy P - - - x x „ - Goose, Canada P - - - - - - x Duck, Wood P „ - - „ „ „ Teal, Green -winged W - - -x x „ ,. Teal, Sloe -winged T - - - ,, x „ , Duck, tame. Black W - - - :: „ „ Mallard W - _ _ x x Pintail, Northern W - - - „ „ „ 11-1 Gadwall W - - - x „ Shovelor, Northern W - - - :: x x x Wigeon, American W - - - :: x x ., Canvasback W Redhead W Duck, Piing -necked W Scaup, Greater W - - - - - - x Scaup, Lesser W - - - - - - x 01 dsquaw W Scoter, Black W - - - - - - x Scoter, Surf W - - - - - - x Goldeneye, Common W Page a .cur'+ l ehead Merganser, Hooded W - - - .. - - Merganser, Red -breasted W - - - - - - Duck Rudd:, a:J - - - - - - Osprey S - - - - - Harrier, Northern 'W - - - -x x Hawk, Red -shouldered P x x x Rail, Clapper P Rail, King 'r - - - - x .. - Rail, Virginia W - - - - - x - Sor a W - - - .. - Noorhen, Common S - - - x x - - Coot, American W - - - .. x - - Ki 1 :deer P - - - x x - - Sandpiper, Spotted T - - - x x -- - Sandpiper, Solitary T - - - x x - Yellowlegs, Lesser W - - - x x - Yellowlegs, Greater A - - - x N . - - snipe, Common W - - - .. x - - Woodcock, American P x - - Gull, Laughing S - - •- - - - .. Gull, Ring -billed W - - - - - - Gull, Herring W - - - - _ _ .. Gull, Bonaparte's W - - - - - - Tern, Gull -billed S - - - - - - Tern, Caspian 11J - - - - - - Tern, Royal P - - - - - - Tern, Sandwich P - - - - - - Tern, Common S - - - - - - Tern, Forster's W - - - - - - Tern, Least S - - - - - - Tern, B1 acI:: T - - - - - - Skimmer, Black P - - - - - - Cuckoo, Yelow-billed S x x x - - - - Screech -Owl, Eastern P x x x - - - Owl, Barred P x x x - - - - Hummingbird, R.-throated S x x x - - - - Swift, Chimney S x `: x - - - - Kingfisher, Belted W - - - x - - .. Woodpecker, Red -bellied P x x x - - - - Sapsucker, Y.-bellied W x x x - - - - Woodpecker, Hair, P x x x - - - - Woodpecker, Downy P x x x - - - - Woodpecker, Red -cockaded P - x x - - - - Flicker, Northern P x x x - - - Woodpecker, Pi1eated P x x x - - - - Flycatcher, Acadian S x - - - - - - Flycatcher, Gr. Crested S x .. x - - - - Jay, Blue P A X X - - - - Crow, American P x x x - - - - Crow, Fish P x x x - - - - Chickadee, Carolina P x x x - - - Titmouse, Tufted P x x x - - - - Nuthatch, Red -breasted W x x x - - - - Page 7 Nuthatch. White -breasted P Nuthatch, Brown -headed P x x x - - - - Creeper, Brown W : - Wren, Carolina P : x : - — - Wren, House House W x x » - - - - Wren, Winter W x x - - - - - Wren' Sedge W Wren, Marsh P - - - - : » - Kinglet, Golden -crowned W x x x - - - - Kinglet, Ruby -crowned W Gnatcatcher, Blue -gray S x x x - - - - Bluebird, Eastern P - x : - - - - Thrush, Hermit W x x Thrush, Wood S x - - - - - - Robin, American P : x : - - - - Catbird, Gray P x x : - - - - Thrasher, Brown P x x : - - - - Waxwing, Cedar : - - - - - Vireo, White -eyed P x : » - - - - Vireo, Yellow -throated S x x : - Vireo, Red-eved S x x x - - - - Parula, Northern S x x : - - - - Warbler, Yellow-rumped W x x - - - - - Warbler, Black-th. Green S x x : - - - - Warbler, Yellow -throated S x x : - - - - Warbler, Pine P x x : - - - - Warbler, Prairie S - x x - - - - Warbler, Prothonotary S x x - - - - - Warbler, Swainson's S x x - Yellowthroat, Common P x x : - : : - Warbler, Hooded S x x - - - - - Yellow -breasted Chat S - x - - - - - Tanager, Summer S x x : - - - - Cardinal, Northern P x x « - - - - Towhee, Rufous -sided P - : : - - - - Sparrow, Bachman's P - x x - - - - Sparrow, Seaside P - - - Sparrow, Song W - - - - Sparrow, Swamp W x x - - x : - Sparrow, White-thrqated W x x - - - - - Blackbird, Red -winged P x x - - Meadowlark, Eastern P - - « - - - - Blackbird, Rusty W x x - _ - - - Grackle, Boat -tailed P - : - - Grackle, Common P x x x - x x - Oriole, Orchard S - x x - Finch, Purple W x - - - - - - MAMMALS W W W W W W W S P S P F B T � F O A N M M W Opossum x x x - - - - Short -tailed Shrew x x - - - - - Paw Least Shrew Easter: s Male e Southeastern r: yoti s Silver -haired Bat Eastern Pipistrelle Seminole Hat Red Bat Hoary Hat Evening Bat Eastern Cottontail Marsh Rabbit Gray Squirrel Fox Squirrel Southern Flying Squirrel Marsh Rice Rat Cotton Mouse Golden House M E k :a t Gray Fox Black Bear Raccoon Mi1ii<: Striped Skunk River utter Bobcat White-tailed Deer AMPHIBIANS S P S P F B T F O A N M M :_! Lesser Siren .. - - .. .. .. - Greater- Siren .. - - .. .. x - Eastern Newt - - - .. - - Dwarf Mudpuppy - - - - - - Two -toed Mudpuppy - - - - x - - Marbled Salamander x - - - - - - Southern Dusky Salamander .. - - - - - - Two -lined Salamander x - - - x - - Three -lined Salamander x - - -- Dwarf Salamander - Many -lined Salamander - x - x x - - Southern Cricket Frog x x .. .. .. - - Green Treefrog x x x x x X - Spring Peeper x x x x x - - Pine bloods Treefrog - x x x x - - Barking Treefrog - x X x x - - Squirrel Treefrog - x x x x x - Gray Treefrog X .. x x X - - Little Grass Frog - x x x x - - Brimley's Chorus Frog - x x x x - - Southern Chorus Frog - .. X x x - - Ornate Chorus Frog - x x x x - - Bullfrog x - - X x - - Pace 9 ureen +rog x - - x x - - Pickerel Frog x - - - - - - Southern Leopard Frog x - - : x - - Carpenter Frog - x x x x - - REPTILES W W W W # W W S P S P F B T ' F O A N M M W American Alligator x - - » : » : Snapping Turtle x - - : « - : ' Eastern Mud Turtle x x x X. » : - Eastern Musk Turtle x x x : : x - Florida Cooter - - - x x Painted Turtle - - - : : Redbelly Turtle - - - : : Yellowbe1ly Slider - - - : : - : Spotted Turtle x - - x x - x Chicken Turtle - - - : x - : Diamondback Terrapin - - - - - x « Carolina Ano1e : x x - x - - Five -lined Skink Southeastern Five -lined Skink x x x - - - - Broadhead Skink Mud Snake x x - - - - - Rainbow Snake x x - - - - - Eastern Kingsnake x - - - - - - Redbelly Water Snake x - Banded Water Snake x - - x x x x Brown Water Snake x - - x x Pine Woods Snake Black Swamp Snake - - x x : - - Eastern Ribbon Snake - x x x x - - Copperhead x - x - - - - Cottonmouth ' x x - x x - - E. Diamondback Rattlesnake Canebrake Rattlesnake x x - - x x - :rage 10 ''.vB = Barrier island - Beach Complex -.S = Maritime shrub Thickets °iSM = malt 'Marsh ='t1RDS °1 M it S S S B T N Pelican, Brown P* „ - „ Cormorant, Double -crested W x - x Bittern, American W - - Bittern, Least S - - Heron, Great Blue p - - Heron, Little Blue p - - Heron, Tricolored p - - Heron, ;lack -crowned Night P - - Heron , Yellow -crowned Night P - - Heron, Green -backed S - - Egr'et, Great p - - „ Egret, Snow P - - Ibis, White P - - ibis, Glossy S - - Teal, Green -winged W - - Teal, Blue -winged W - - Duck, American Black - Mal 1 and Wigeon, American W - - pi ntai 1 , Northern W - - Gadwall W - - .. Buff 1 ehead W - - Merganser, Hooded W - - Mergansear,Red-breasted W - - „ ,Osprey S - - „ Harrier, Northern W „ - ;; Hawk, Sharp -shinned W x „ „ Hawk, Coopers W x „ „ Hawk, Red-tailed P ., „ .. Hawk, Red -shouldered P - - Merlin T „ „ Falcon, peregrine T x „ Rail, Clapper P - - X, Rail, King W - - Rail, Virgini.a W - - Sora W . - - ;, Plover, Black -bellied W r. - Plover, Wi1son's S x - -_ Plover, Semipalmated W x - x Plover, Piping T x - - Oystercatcher, American P x - X, Yellowlegs, Greater W x - ;; Yellowlegs, Lesser W Willet P x - :: Page 11 Uhimbre1 T Todwit, Marbled Turnstone, Ruddy W knot, Red T 5anderling W x - - Sandpiper, Semipalmated T x - x Eanopiper, Western W x - x Sandpiper, Least W x - x ' Oun1in W x - x Dowitcher, Short -billed W x - x _ Gull, Laughing S x - x Gull, Ring -billed W x - x Gull, Herring W x - x Gull, Greater Black -backed W x - x Tern, Gull -billed S x - x Tern, Caspian P : - : Tern, Royal P : - : Tern, Gandwich P : - : Fern, Common 7ern, Forster's W Tern, Least 6 x - ^ Tern, Black T Skimmer, Black P Dove, Mourning P : - - Ground -Dove, Common P x - - Cuckoo, Yellow -billed S - - - Owl, Barn P : : : Owl, Short -eared W x x x Nighthawk, Common S x - - Kingfisher, Belted P Flicker, Northern P Phoebe, Eastern W - x - Kingbird, Eastern S x x - Swallow, Tree W x x x . / Swallow, Barn S x x : Jay, Blue P - x - Crow, Fish P x x : Nuthatch, Red -breasted W - x - Wren, Carolina P : : - Wren, House W x x - Wren, Sedge W x - x Wren, Marsh S x - x _ Kinglet, Ruby -crowned W - x - Robin, American W - x- - Mockingbird, Northern P - : - _ Gray Catbird P - x - Thrasher, Brown P - : - Waxwing, Cedar W - x _ Starling, European P Vireo, White -eyed S - x - Vireo, Philidelphia T Vireo, Red -eyed T Warbler, Orange -crowned W x x - Parula, Northern T - x - Page 12 Warbler. Yellow War-bl er, , Nagnol i at T - x - Warbler, Cape May T - x - War-oler, Black -throated Blue T - x - Warbler, Yellow-rumped W - x - Warbler, Fine T - x - Warbler, Prairie S - „ - War-bler, Palm W x x - Warbler, Black -and -White T - x - Redstart, American T - „ - Warbler , :Prothonotary T - Ovenbird T - „ - Waterthrush, Northern T - - Waterthrush, Louisiana T - x - Yel1owthroat, Common F „ „ Warbler, !-hooded T - x Cardinal, Northern R - x - Grosbeak:, Blue l - A Bunting, indigo T - x Bunting, Fainted S - x - Towhee, Rufous -sided F - x - Sparrow, Chipping W x x - Spar row, Field W x x - Sparrow, Savannah W x x - Sparrow, Sharp -tailed W x - Sparrow, Seaside F „ - ,. Sp" Song ong W x N .. Sparrow, Swamp W x x x Sparrow, White -throated W - x - Sparrow, White -crowned T - x - Bobolink: T x x ,. Blackbird, Redwiraged F x x x Meadowlark, Eastern F N x - Orackle, :oat -tailed F x x Grackle, Common F „ „ Cowbird, Brown T „ - - Oriole, Orchard T - „ Oriole, Northern T - x- Goldfinch, American W x x - Sparrow, House F x x - MAMMALS M MI M B. S S.. B T M Opossum x x - Least Shrew - - Seminole Bat - - X Red Bat - - %, Eastern Cottontail >: :: - Marsh Rabbit x „ „ Gray Squirrel - x - Marsh Rice Rat Cotton Mouse Page l_ Muskrat House Mouse x .. - Gray -c., X .. - Raccoon X x Mink - - X River Otter - - AMPHIBIANS M 1-1 N 9 S S Southern Toad .. .. Green Treetrog .. x - Squirrel Treefroy X - Southern Leopard Frog .. ., - REPTILES M M M -- B T N Eastern Mud Turtle .. .. - Eastern Musk: Turtle .. x - Diamondback Terrapin - - X Carolina Anol e .. x - Six -lined Race Runner .. - - Eastern Class Lizard ., .. Black Racer .. x It Corn Snake ., x - Eastern Coachwhip x .. - Cottonmouth .. .. - Canebrake Rattlesnake x .. - aGe i .1 A NTHROPOGEN I C COMMUNITIES ..UD - lvr ba�i - Developed Land _'PP = Fine Plantation A:DD = Dredged Material Disposal Site :: ^L - ".gr i cul tur-Ltl Land H L = successional Lend AUC = Utility Corridors AIL = impoundments and Lagoons ARL = Ruderal Land BIRDS A A A A A A A U P D A S U T R D P D L L C L L Loon, Common !+J* - - - - - - „ - Gr'ebe, Pied -billed - - - - - - - Grebe, Horned Cormorant, Double -crested !+1Heron, Great Blue - Heron, Little B1uE- Heron, Tri col ored P- Heron, Green -backed S- Egret, Great P- Egret, Snowy P- Goose, Canada W - - - - - - - Duct,, Wood P - - - - - - - Teal, Green -winged W - - % - - - - Teal" , Blue -winged !+J - - - - - - B1 act; Duch; L+J - - - - - - Mallard WPintail, Northern l+J- Gadwall W- Shovelor, Northern W - - „ - - - - Wigeon, American 11J- Canvasback !+J - - - - - - - Redhead IrJ- Ring-necked Duck W - - - - - - - Scaup, Greater !+J - - - - - - >; - Scaup, Lesser !+J - - - - - - „ - But:lehead W - - - - - - „ - Merganser, Hooded !+J - - - - - - ,. - Ruddy Duch: W - - - - - - -- Vulture, Turkey P - ., - x ,. x - Vulture, Black P - :; - :; x- Osprey S - - ., - - - ., Harrier, Northern W x- Hawk, Sharp -shinned W x ., - - ; „ - - Hawk, Cooper= s IrJ- Hawk, Red -shouldered P :; x - - x x - - Hawk; Red-tailed P - x - >; >; x Kestrel, American W .. - - :; ., „ - >; Bobwhite, Northern P x >; Page 15 Rail, Clapper P - - x - - - - - Rail, King P - .- x - - - - - Rail, Virginia W - - Sora W Coot, American 11J - •- - - - •- -• Killdeer P x -- x-- x yellowlegs, Greater W - - x - - - x . Yellowlegs, Lesser W - - x - - - x Sandpiper, Solitary T - - H - - - x ,; Sandpiper, Spotted T - - x - - - x x Sandpiper, Upland T - - `sandpiper, Least T - - - - - x .. Sandpiper, Semipalmated T - - x - - - x Sandpiper, Western W - - x x - - x .. Woodcock, American P - - - - x - - - =Gull, Laughing S - - x - - - x - Gull, Ring -billed W x - x ., - - Gull, Herring W - - x -- - - - ern, Bull -billed S - - x - .- - x - Tern, Royal P - - .I -- Tern, Sandwich P - - x - - - - - .ern, Common S - - x - - - x - Tern, Least S - - x - - - - - Skimmer, Black P - - - - - - Dove, Rock P x - Dose, Nourning P x x - x x ., - x Cuckoo, Yellow -billed S x x - - x - - - Owl , Barn P x - x x - - - - Screech -Owl, Eastern P - x - - x x - - Owl, great Horned P - x - - x x - - Owl, Barred P - - - - x x - - Nighthawk, Common S x x x x x x - x Chuck -wills -widow S x x - x x x - - Swi+t, Chimney S x - x x x x x Hummingbird, Ruby -throated S x - - x x - - King+isher, Belted P - - - - - - x - Woodpecker, Fred -headed P x x - - X .x - - Woodpecker, Downy P x x - x - - - Woodpecker, Red -cockaded P - x - - - - - - Flicker, Northern P x - x x x - X Woodpecker, Pi1eated P - x - - x - - - Wood -Pewee, Eastern S - x - - .. - - - Flycatcher, Great Crested S x x - - x - - - Kingbird, Eastern S x -- x x x- x Martin, Purple S x - - x - - - x Swallow, Tree W - - - - - - x - Swallow, Barn S x - - x - - x - Swallow, Rough -winged S - - - x - - x V. Jay, Blue P. :; x - - x - - - Crow, American P - x x X x -- x Crow, Fish P - x x x x - x x Chickadee, Carolina P x x - - x - - Titmouse, Tufted P x x - - x - - - Nuthatch, Red-brested W - x - - x - - - Page 1 Nuthatch, Brown -headed P x x - - - - - Creeger, crown W - % - - - - Wren, Carolina P x .. - - - - Wren, House [41 - - - - Kinglet, Golden -crowned W - x -- - - - - Kinglet, Ruby -crowned W - x - - - - - ??rt.atcatcher, Blue -gray S - x - - x - - - Bluebird, Eastern P x x- x x- 11.1 Thrush, Hermit W - - - - x - - - Robin, Amearican P x - - x x - - Mockingbird, Northern P x - - x - x - , Gray; Catbird P x x - - x x - - Thrasher, Brown P x - x -- x x - Pipit. !later W - - - x - - - Waxwing, Cedar r x - - - - - - - Shrlke, Loggerhead P x - - x - x - ,. Starling, European P x - - x -- - - Vir-_oy White -eyed S - x - - .. x - Vireo, Solitary S - x - - x - - - Vireo, Yellow -throated S - .. - - .. - - - Vireo, Red -eyed - - x - - x - - - Par ul a, Northern S - - - - x - - - Warbler, Yellow T - - - - - - - - Warbler, !'Magnolia T - - - - - - - - Warbler, Cape May T - - - - - - - - War-bler, Black -throated Blue T - - - - - - - Warbler, 'f el 1 ow-rumped W x .. x - x - -- - War-bler, Yellow -throated S x x - - x - - - Warbler, Pine S; x x - - x - - - Warbler, Prairie S - x x- x x- .. Warbler, Palirl S - x x -- - - - .. Warbler, Bay -breasted T - - - - - - - - Warbler, Blackpoll T - - - - - - - - War-bler, Black -and -white T - x - - x - - - Redstart, American T - - - - - - - - Yel1owthroat, Common P - ., x - x x - Warbler, Hooded S - - - - x - - - Yellow -breasted Chat S - x - - x - - - Tanager, Summer S x x - - x - - - Cardinal, Northern P x x x- x x- >c Grosbeak, Blue S - - - x x x - .. Bunting, Indigo S - .. - x x .. - .. Bursting, Painted S - ., x - x x - x Towhee, Rufous -sided P x x x - x x _ _. Sparrow, Bachman's P - x - - - - - - Sparrow, Chipping S x x- x x x- >1 Sparrow, Field S x x- x x x- I. Sparrow, Vesper W - - - x - - - x Sparrow, Savannah W - - x x - - - x Sparrow, Song W - - x - x x - >: Sparrow, White -throated W x ., x- x x - - Junco, Dark -eyed W >c - - X. - - - >: Bobolink T - - x x - - - - Blackbird, Red -winged P - - x x - - - x Meadowlark, Eastern Gr-ack l e, Boat -tailed Grackle, Common Cowbird, Brown -headed Oriole, Orchard Oriole, Northern Finch, Purple Siskin, Pine Gold inch, American Grosbeak, Evening Sparrow, House MAMMALS Opossum Southeastern Shrew Short -tailed Shrew Least Shrew Eastern Mole Southeastern Myoti s Silver -haired Bat Eastern Pipistrelle Seminole Bat Red Bat Hoary Bat Evening Bat Eastern Cottontail Marsh Rabbit Gray Squirrel Fax Squirrel Southern Flying Squirrel Eastern Harvest Mouse Marsh Rice Rat Cotton Mouse Golden Mouse Hispid Cotton Rat Pine Vole Norway Rat Black Rat House Mouse Red Fox Gray Fox Black Bear Raccoon Mink Striped Skunk: River Otter Bobcat White-tailed Deer AMPHIBIANS P P- F' - A W, - - - - - - - W x - - - - - - - A A A A A A A A U P D A S U I R D P D L L C L L X. - - x x x x x - x - is is is - - - x X X x x - x - X - - - - - - A A A A A A A A Eastern n Spadef oo4 Toad Oak: road Southern road Southern Cricket Frog Green T r eefrog _ Squirrel Treefrog LittleGrass Frog Brimley's Chorus Frog Southern Chorus Frog Bul 1 f rog Southern Leopard Frog Eastern Narrowmouth Toad REPTILES American Alligator Snapping turtle .: gel l ow3bel l y Slider Chicken Turtle Eastern Box Turtle Carolina Anole Five -lined Skink Southeastern Five -lined Skink Ground Skink Six -lined Racerunner Eastern Glass Lizard Worm Snake Scarlet Snake Black: Racer Corn Snake t Snake Eastern Hognose Snake Southern Hognose Snake Mole Kingsnake Eastern Kingsnake Banded Water Snake Brown !'later Snake Rough Green Snake Pine Woods Snake Copperhead Canebrake Rattlesnake P = Permanent Resident W = Winter Resident S = Summer Resident T = Transient Page 18 U F D A S C i R D P D ._ L C L L - - x x x - A l A N A A A A U P D A S U 1 R D P L L L C L L X X - - :: .. ., X - x x -- x x - x x - x x x x x -- Page 19 AREAS OF SPECIAL INTEREST important Animal ?reeding Colonies There are several important animal breeding sites in New Hanover County. The most obvious are the islands in the Cape Fear- River occupied by nesting colonial water birds. Attached to this report are two maps taken from the Atlas of Colonial Waterbirds of North Carolina Estuaries by Parnell and Soots (1979) showing where these islands are located. These maps also point out similar sites on dredged material islands along the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway and on the beach at Ft. Fisher, Masonboro, Mason Inlet and Rich Inlet. These sites are regularly used as nesting sites by gulls, terns and skimmers. Perhaps the most important of these is island number 39 on :lap U. This has been the site of a large congregation of nesting birds for several years. The site is occupied by the endangered Brown Pelican as well by gulls and terns. Other especially important sites are the Ft. Fisher beach, the northern tip of Masonboro.Island and the southern tip of Figure Eight Island. There are also a number of small freshwater ponds on the Cape Fear Penninsula between Wilmington and Carolina beach that are important breeding sites for several species of frogs and salamanders. Those that I am familiar with are between highway 421 and the river road and will show up on the aerial photography of that area. Page 20 important Animal Species Location r site of major importance to many animal species i l l New Hanover 'r County is the lower portion of the Carolina Beach Pennl nsul a --the Ft. Fisher region. This area of maritime thickets from Carolina Beach southward to the beginning of the rock jetty is a major passage area for migrating land birds during the fall migration. This area is :hailed much like a funnel and fall migrants moving down the Atlantic Coast are funneled down the penninsula to Ft. Fisher where they congregate prior to crossing the Cape Fear River. . See the paper by Davis and Parnell (?83) for an explanation of this situation and for lists of species and indications of abundance. The beaches and mudf1ats of Nasonboro Island and the Ft. Fishier region are as important to shorebirds during both spring and fall as are the uplands to land birds. The Masonboro and Ft. Fisher beaches and estuaries provide extensive feeding and resting areas for many species of shorebirds and wading birds in an area otherwise heavily populated and frequently disturbed. The beaches are also migration routes for the endancaered Peregrine Falcon. There are likely still a few Red -cockaded Woodpeckers in the county. I still see one occassionally at the University and there may be a few birds in the longleaf pine forests between Wilmington and Carolina Beach. I do not, however, know specifically where their colony sites are located. Page 21 There are two small creeks emptying into the Cape Fear- River south of Wilmington and several freshwater creeks emptying into the Northeast Cape Fear beatween Wilmington and Castle Hayne that provide important Alligator habitat. important Community Complexes The old rice fields just above Wilmington on the Northeast Cape Fear River are excellent examples of these very rich oligohaline estuarine communities. They are likely very important components of the Cape Fear Estuary but have as yet been little studied. They are certainly potential Natural Areas even though they represent communities strongly influenced by man at an earlier time. They have been proposed for protected status by the Corps of Engineers. See the UNCW thesis by Lawrence Rows (1992) and Corps of Engineers Report by James Parnell (1977) for biological data on the area. See also the Corps report on the Wilmington Harbor -Northeast Cape Fear River Project report dated September 1978. The tidal swamp forests along the Northeast Cape Fear River just upriver from the old rice fields are also very important natural communities. Although cut over, they have very diverse and dense bird populations. See the UNCW thesis by Robert Needham (1992) and the Corps of Engineers Report by Parnell (1977). These swamps also provide habitat for deer, black bear and many other small mammals. They also may qualify as potential natural areas. Certainly the CONSERVATION RESOURCE AREAS IN NEW HANOVER COUNTY This report describes certain important conservation resource areas in New Hanover County. Emphasis is placed on describing: 1. the values of the different areas 2. the sensitivity of the areas to be developed 3. the relative frequency of occurrence of the areas in the County. The first section of this report discusses the aquifer recharge areas, archaeological and historical sites, and primary nursery areas. The second section consists of a draft report prepared by our ecological consultant, David M. DuMond, concerning the biotic communities and ecology of the County. 1. Secondary aquifer recharge area Approximately one half of the County's population uses the County's aquifer (groundwater) system as their only source of water, by means of either individual wells or community well systems. The County's proposed public water system, although its construction is not anticipated for a number of years would also be dependent upon the aquifer system. The secondary aquifer recharge area is less important than the primary aquifer recharge area in terms of the quantity of water from rainfall that percolates its surface to recharge the aquifer system. The quality of the aquifer water, however, is significantly more sensitive to pollution in the secondary rather than the primary recharge area. This high sensitivity of the secondary area is due primarily to the presence of nearly exposed geological strata that allow water and pollutants to infiltrate directly into the aquifer system. The secondary recharge area, therefore, is relatively more susceptible to such problems as chemical spills and malfunctioning septic tanks that could potentially contaminate the groundwater supplies throughout the County. This characteristic is more fully explained in the Planning Department's May, 1982, report, "New Hanover County Aquifer Management Program" The boundaries of both the secondary and primary aquifer recharge areas are difficult to pinpoint because of the lack of a comprehensive network of data points (monitored well sites) throughout the County. The secondary and primary aquifer recharge areas are approximately equal in area and cover around one half of the County, running in a wide band down the center of the County from north to south. 2. Primary aquifer recharge area As described above, the primary aquifer recharge area is where most of the recharging of the volume of water in the aquifer occurs. It should be noted that the County's aquifer system appears to have sufficient volume to support anticipated growth in the County well into the 21st century. Any development that increases surface runoff and reduces infiltration due to construction of impervious surfaces and drainage ditches reduce the capability of the aquifer to be recharged. Because of the present large capacity of the aquifer, however, the reduction of recharge capacity is not as threatening of a problem as the dramatic potential for pollution of the aquifer through the secondary recharge area. The secondary recharge area is the western section of the aquifer recharge area. 3. Important Archaeological and historical sites The County has hundreds of archaeological and historical sites. These sites tend to be located along streams and the waterfront, where the availability of water, game, and fish played an important role in early native American and historical settlements. Each of these sites has been inventoried by the N. C. Department of Archives and History. These inventories provide data on locations, artifacts found, soils, and other pertinent information. Based on this information, it is possible to prioritize the sites in terms of their contributions to our knowledge of early human life in the County. Approximately 30 such sites have been identified and mapped. It is important to realize that many of the other sites may also be significant once they are analyzed. These sites, however, are being destroyed every year by development and natural forces. Efforts should be made to analyze these potentially important sites before they are destroyed. 4. Primary Nursery Areas These areas are important both to the economy and the recreation potential of the County. They consist of marshy lands and waters which are considered by the State to be particularly important in the reproductive cycle of shellfish and finfish in the County. These areas provide both food and habitat to such economically important species as brown shrimp. Primary nursery areas, however, are environmentally fragile and susceptible to negative impacts caused by nonpoint and septic pollution and by freshwater intrusion. These causes result from poor septic tank development, large impervious surfaces causing high runoff, and, in general, poor drainage planning and management. Much of the County's waters in the sounds and up the Cape Fear River are considered to be primary nursery areas, with the exception of shipping channels and certain areas adjacent to existing heavily developed areas. It is important to note, however, that the geography of the County's waters, i. e. long, narrow sounds and estuaries, tend to create relatively rapid mixing of tidal waters. This action, therefore, may create pollution impacts on primary nursery areas from pollution sources located elsewhere. Generalized Biotic Communities and Natural Areas of Special Interest in New Hanover County, North Carolina I. Biophysical Setting Introduction The present landscape of New Hanover County is a product of both past and on -going processes. These processes, at least in a geologic sense, relate to the past and present erosional and depositional history of the landscape. Erosion and deposition of sediments creates hills, valleys, and flats. It is formation of these features that shapes the landscape, while interaction of sediments, climate, landscape and time govern the patterns of vegetation that cover the landscape. The major factor influencing the natural distribution of animals is habitats. All the above interrelated physical aspects and biological entities compose the biophysical setting of an area. The biophysical setting of New Hanover County is best characterized as coastal -maritime. The County's location in -the State, along the Atlantic seaboard, puts it at the very northern edge of tropical influences, due largely to its proximity to the ocean. All coastal portions of the State have been placed in the Eastern Deciduous Forest Biome, but regional variations strongly modify that designation. They are more typically included in a Southeastern Evergreen Forest Region. The biophysical setting of the County can best be examined by looking at the major entities which compose it. These major entities are climate, weather, soils, geology and vegetation and animals. Each of these biophysical elements will be examined in the following paragraphs as they pertain to New Hanover County. Climate and Weather Patterns Broad climate classification schemes generally have little meaning when examining relatively small areas, but they do serve to set a framework for variations in local weather patterns. The climate of the County is strongly influenced by two major climatological systems. Most of the southeastern United States is within the Humid Mesothermal region (Strahler 1973). Such a designation means generally that the area experiences warm summers, cool winters and precipitation more -or -less evenly distributed throughout the year: Considering $ew.Hanover County's'close proximity -to th&_*Atlaritic-Ocean, there is also a strong maritime influence in the climate of the area. This influence tends to moderate the local environment, reducing extremes in temperature and allowing for slightly more moisture throughout the year than is experienced inland. A specific example of this maritime effect is visible almost every spring. Bud breaking tends to be slightly 2 retarded along the outer coast because of the land's proximity to a colder mass of water. Water cools slower and warms slower than air. Weather as opposed to climate is applied to the more -or -less regular course of meteorological events that influence the day to day environment. The average annual temperature at Wilmington is about 63 degrees. The highest average daily temperatures occur in June, July and August, while the lowest occur in December, January and February. The growing season, or the average freeze -free period is between 240 and 250 days each year (Weaver 1977). Precipitation is distributed most heavily in the months of June, July and August and usually falls during thunderstorms. The dry season us- ually falls between the months of March, April and May. April is the driest month of the year. Free water on the landscape accumulates during winter, not because precipitation is greatest during that period, but because evaporation rates are reduced as a result of cooler temperatures and because plants are not removing as much water from the soil. Winter is the season when freshwater wetlands are most apparent. New Hanover County receives an average of 53 to 54 inches of precipitation each year (Weaver 1977). The lack of precipitation during spring strongly influences the period when wild fire is most prevalent. Dryness enhanced by winds accompanying the changing of the seasons creates optimum conditions for wild fire during this period. Fire is a profound physical factor influencing the character of vegetation in southeastern North Carolina. Several vegetation types are dependent upon irregular burning for their continued existence. In addition, the natural delineations between some upland and wetland communities is defined by fire. Soils The development of soils is influenced by all the factors affecting land- scapes, but the dominant factor in the area is parent material, or the original material in which soil forms over time. There are two dominant types of parent material in New Hanover County, sand and muck. The origin of sand along the coast is directly related to past rises and falls of sea levels, which, in turn, are related to past advances and re- cessions of ice caps. The sands originally came from worn down mountains and were carried down rivers and deposited. Subsequent movement has been largely a maritime phenomenon. Many higher hills around the County were once moving dunes, while lower ridges, flats and swales were beaches, river sloughs, marshes and salt flats, all left behind by receding ocean levels (and growing glaciers). Movement of sand by erosion along beaches of the area often exposes old sites of marshes and swamps still containing grass peat and tree stumps. While the origin of sands is a part of geologic history and measured in millions of years, the origin of surficial muck or organic soils is more current. Muck soils are made largely of partially decayed plant remains. 3 They are silty in texture and have a high water holding capacity. On a volume per volume basis, organic soils hold many times more water than do sands, and hold the water more tenaciously. Organic soils form only in wet conditions. When organic soils are exposed to drying con- ditions, they oxidize and eventually disappear. When dry, such soils readily burn. A wide range of soil types has formed in New Hanover County. Twenty- five soil series are listed by the Soil Conservation Service (Weaver 1977). About forty percent of the County contains wetland soils supporting the preponderance of the wetland vegetation. The soils of the County are com- posed of varying mixtures of primarily sand and organic matter with re- latively minor amounts of clay. Some of the soils have formed in largely upland conditions, and some have formed in areas that are constantly flooded. Some have formed in areas with seasonally fluctuating water tables. Many soil hydrologic regimes exist between the excessively well -drained soils of sandhills and the constantly flooded soils of marshes and swamps. The high porosity of some soils when subjected to human habitation leads to modification of adjacent wetland habitats. Geology At least one and perhaps two geologic formations under the surficial sands of New Hanover County have figured into how the surface of the landscape is shaped. Both of these formations are forms of limestone. The younger formation, a Pleistocene coquina, often called coquinite, consists of small shells cemented by calcium carbonate in a matrix of sand. This formation is orange in color, at least where exposed, and appears to closely underlie surface sands of the southern end of the County. It is exposed at Snow's Cut where the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway was constructed through the peninsula, joining the sound and the Lower Cape Fear River. It has also been exposed naturally by the ocean at Fort Fisher. The second formation is called the Castle Hayne Formation. This formation varies in depth below the surface from over 100 feet to outcropping north of Wilmington. This formation is thought to be Eocene in age and is a marine limestone, or as it is called locally, marl. It consists of cemented shell casts, phosphate nodules, sand and, locally, sharks' teeth. This formation is an important local resource of high quality well water. The influence these formations have on surface landforms is one example of what geologists call karst topography. As surface rainwater percolates downward through the overlying coarse sands, it tends to be stopped by __the limestone. Eventually cavities are dissolved in the limestone by the water, and the dissolved material is removed. The overburden of surficial sand slumps if the limestone formation is close enough to the surface and the resulting cone -shaped depression fills with organic debris and, eventually water.. The resulting ponds (.technically, dolines or doline 4 ponds) are familiar features in pine woods around the County. If soils within the depressions remain unvegetated, the tendency is for them to fill rather rapidly with sand. Vegetation The vegetation or plant cover of New Hanover County has long been in- fluenced by the activities of humans. Not a great deal is known about the hunting and agricultural practices of early Native American inhab- itants of the area, but it is probably safe to assume that one of their most effective tools for obtaining game was fire. Burning removes old stems of woody or fibrous plants and promotes production of tender green shoots more attractive to wildlife for browse and grazing. [Whether or not fire was used prior to settlement by Europeans is probably immaterial. Many species of plants with special adaptations for surviving and benefiting from fire exist in the area, and probably have for thousands of years. Fire, even without human presence, is not at all uncommon. Lightning kills of pine and lightning scars from strikes can be found in most upland and some wetland habitats throughout the area. The vegetation cover of New Hanover County may be considered as existing under four, broad physical regimes, (1) Upland forested vegetation which exists in largely sandy, well -drained to excessively well -drained soils that are never or almost never flooded for any significant period of time; (2) Wetland vegetation which exists in soils saturated at all times or for a significantly long period of time throughout the year; (3) Maritime vegetation which exists in a regime of upland or wetland soils that are influenced by salt derived from ocean waters; and (4) Anthropogenic vegetation which exists under various regimes in various soils largely re- sulting from human occupation or intervention. The first three types of vegetation are largely natural, or are for the most part functioning under natural controls. Examples of these natural groups of vegetation are swamp forests, salt marshes, longleaf pine forests, etc. The fourth type is used to refer to a multitude of lightly to heavily managed vegetation types found in both upland and wetland areas. Examples are pastures, agricultural fields, pine plantations, timbered areas, etc. Forest vegetation occurring in the County can be addressed best by using standard terminology to describe the various levels or strata of vegetation. These strata are generally identified as the canopy, or highest level of vegetation; the subcanopy, which is composed of woody species that by the nature of -their growth never reach the height of the canopy; shrub layer; and herb layer. Distinction between a relatively tall shrub layer and a low subcanopy may at times be difficult. All layers under the canopy are referred to here as understory. The intent in recognition of these types of vegetation units is to single out those areas which are not currently being manipulated for some special direct human use. It is probably safe to say that no area in the County has survived without some past or present human influence. In any sense, dif- ferentiation between what is natural and what is not is futile. The method chosen is practical, even if open to interpretation. Adequate descriptions of the wide ranges of variation within the vegetation types are not always possible when the described types are also being used as map units. Variation in nature is continuous and usually gradual. Such variation is difficult to delineate either by written or graphical methods. Both methods used in this report and the accompanying maps are approximations. On -the -ground reconnaissance of any particular site must be accomplished before final decisions can be made as to the exact char- acter of the described or delineated community. Animals Animal species including reptiles, amphibians, birds and mammals are characteristically a part of biotic communities in New Hanover County. The usage made of these habitats is for foraging, reproduction and cover. Many species are not specific to one habitat, and may use a variety of both wet- land and upland communities. Several species require close juxtaposition of wetland and upland habitats. Most of these animals move about within a particular area termed their home range. The size of the home range is governed by the availability of food and the overall quality of the habitat. Many species, at least during some portion of the year, set up specific territories which are actively defended against intruders of the same or other species. Territorial limits are established relative to the needs of the animals and the quality and availability of habitat. Maintenance of the integrity of territories may mean the difference between reproductive success and failure and ultimately, presence or absence.of the species in the area. The requirements of some species for foraging, breeding, reproduction and cover in their habitats are frequently very specific. Such narrow habitat requirements are susceptible to truncation by natural or anthropogenic influences. Many of the more common and highly successful species tolerate wide habitat fluctuations or modifications, while some may simply be extirpated. Some of our most common species have actually benefited from anthropogenic activities. Most species have not. Animals specific to plant communities in New Hanover County are listed in Appendix A: Vertebrate Animals (excluding Fish). Associated with Generalized Biotic Communities of New Hanover County, North Carolina. T II. Biotic'Communities Biotic communities are assemblages of plants, animals and physical features or conditions which, when combined in a specific setting, make up a functioning, interacting unit of landscape. Such communities generally perform certain functions which may be either ignored or valued by man, but which are of general benefit to the community or other, adjacent biotic communities. In New Hanover County as with many developing areas of the country, the integrity, the ecological functions, and in many cases, the entire physi- cal framework for the original biotic communities have been lost. to one sort of human -oriented use or another. Such communities exist in a sub - natural state where the full potential of physical and biological inter- action will probably not soon be realized. To reflect varying intergrades of conditions, both natural and human wrought, the division of communities into four broad categories has been used. Each broad category contains several generalized biotic community types which can be recognized in aerial photographs as well as on the landscape. These biotic community types are listed below along with their accompanying map symbols in parentheses and are discussed at greater length in the following pages. Upland Communities (U) Longleaf pine -Turkey oak Woodlands (ULT) Mixed Pine -Hardwood Forest (UMP) Pine Forest (UPF) Hardwood Forest (UHF) Wetland Communities (W) Swamp Forest (WSF) Pocosin (including white cedar swamp) (WPO) Savannah (WSA) Ponds (Natural) (WPN) Fresh Marsh (WFM) Brackish Marsh (WBM) Open Tidal Water (Fresh, brackish saline) (WTW) Maritime Communities (M) Barrier Island -Beach Complex (including dunes) (EBB) Maritime Shrub Thicket (MST) Salt Marsh (MSM) Anthropogenic Communities (A) Pine Plantation (APP) Dredged Material Deposits (ADD) Agricultural Land (AAL) Successional Land (Reverted) (ASL) Utility Corridors (AUC) Urban -Developed Land (AUD) Impoundments and Lagoons (AIL) Ruderal Land (ARL) 7 Upland Communities (U) Longleaf Pine -Turkey Oak Woodlands (ULT) Coarse, sandy soils with deep A horizons and very low amounts of organic material in the upper horizons support a forest type called longleaf pine - turkey oak woodlands. The canopy, or highest level of the forest strata, is dominated by longleaf pine (Pinus palustris).1 The typical subcanopy species is turkey oak (Quercus laevis). Once established in sandy soils with locally occurring clay lenses, two species of colonial shrubs or small trees may persist in these woodlands as subcanopy species. Wax myrtle (Myrica cerifera) is supported in moister phases of these woodlands; scrub live oak (Quercus virginiana var. geminata) may occur in almost circular stands up to 15 or 20 feet in height. Bluejack oak (Quercus incana) and scrubby post oak (Quercus margaretta), non -colonial species, occur infre- quently in drier sands of ridges and upper, gentle slopes. Several variations in this forest type occur in more xeric and somewhat more mesic situations, and have developed as a result of frequent fire or recent timber cutting. Longleaf pine forest can develop a thickness that shades out turkey oak or other understory species. Pine forest may be the result. Another variation of this forest type develops as a result of fairly recent cutting of longleaf pine. In such a situation, it may appear that the landscape has recovered and turkey oak has become the dominant canopy species. A third variation on the longleaf pine -turkey oak wood- lands can be found in more mesic sites. This habitat is frequently called pine flatwoods. Again, turkey oak is less common and sometimes ab- sent. Wetter woods containing longleaf pine are generally considered to be savannah, a wetland type. There is a wide variation in the degree of canopy openness and in the moisture regimes within the soils. Some sites often enclose small wetlands. These conditions add to the overall diversity of plant species within the shrub and herb layers. Leaf litter amounts vary from altogether absent with bare white sand to over six inches in depth. The most characteristic shrub species are stagger -bush (Lgonia mariana), dwarf wax myrtle (Myrica cerifera var. pumila) and stunted scrub live oak - the latter not usually exceeding three feet in height. Fetter -bush (Lyonia lucida) and blueberries (several species of Vaccinium) occur in some of the more mesic soils, while running oak (Quercus pumila), though not common, can be found in drier sites. Herbaceous species may be almost absent in soils with bare exposed sands, but there are several species which are highly typical, wiregrass (Aristida stricta), Carolina ipecac (Euphorbia ipecacuanhae), most visible in the spring as a prostrate but deep-rooted perennial, stinging nettle 1Scientific names of plants follow those used in Radford, et al. 1968. Unless otherwise specified. 8 (Cnidoscolus stimulosus), dayflower (Tradescantia rosea), bracken fern (Pteridium aquilinum), beakrush (Rhynchospora megalocarpa) and cactus (Opuntia compressa). Slightly moister soil regimes allow the additional growth of vanilla -plant (Trilisa odorotissima and I. paniculata), black -root (Pterocaulon pycnostachyum), carphephorus (Carphephorus bellidifolius and C. tomentosus), and running blueberry (Vaccinium crassifolium). Longleaf pine -turkey oak woodlands constitute one of the most xeric (driest) natural vegetation types in New Hanover County. This xeric character is reflected by the special modifications of each species for coping with near desert - like conditions. Water is not held in the coarse sandy soils, and moves down quickly out of the reach of normal rooting zones. Roots of plants in these woodlands penetrate the soil more deeply and have devices for water storage. The taproot of Carolina ipecac may extend three or more feet into the soil. The trees that survive in these habitats must have thick bark to prevent moisture loss and fire damage. Almost all plants have thick protective coverings on their leaves to reduce moisture loss. Turkey oak seedlings in these dry habitats orient their leaves so as to receive the least amount of direct sunlight and heat loading by turning the young leaves edge -wise to the sun and to the ground. Reflection of heat by white sandy soil may pose as much of a heating problem as the sun itself. These adaptations for existence in a__ desert -like, fire -influenced en- vironment have developed over millions of years. Though the adaptations are not all necessarily unique to the world, they are unique from the standpoint of the kind of habitat that they allow to develop in southeastern North Carolina. This habitat, though taken for granted locally, is unique to the State. It is disappearing rapidly. Mixed Pine -Hardwood Forest (LMp) Mixed pine -hardwood forests in New Hanover County are a transitional forest type in which the canopy is nearly an equal mix of pine, generally loblolly pine (Pinus taeda), and one or more of several species of broad - leafed or hardwood trees. The most common of these other tree species are red maple (Acer rubrum), sweetgum (Liquidambar st raciflua), laurel oak (Quercus laurifolia), live oak (Quercus virginiana), water oak (Quercus nigra) and black gum ( ssa sylvatica). Which of these species occur with pine depends upon soil moisture conditions and previous soil usage. The transitional character of this vegetation type stems from the fact that land with this combination of species has generally had some prior, more - or -less intensive usage such as agriculture. Smaller plots or stands may represent regrowth in heavily disturbed timbered land. Theoretically, pine will eventually fail to regenerate under shade and other conditions im- posed by the broad -leafed species. A slow development to an upland hard- wood forest community, provided other disturbances are minimal, would be the outcome of transition. Such a process may take in excess of 100 years from the time of abandonment of an agricultural field. Pine forest is the hypothetical successional precursor of this mixed situation. Pine -mixed hardwood communities do not thrive long under a regime of severe burning. Compared to the dominant species of longleaf pine- 9 turkey oak woodlands, the dominant species of pine -mixed hardwoods are poorly adapted to fire. To develop, these communities have been protected from wildlife. In a sense, much of this community in sandy coastal soils has developed in response to and is dependent upon human habitation, in spite of the fact that it is here considered natural. Growing conditions within mixed pine -hardwood forests are so highly variable that characterization of understory strata is difficult. Much of what grows in such forests is a result of the interaction between past human usage and existing environmental conditions. Subcanopy species most often present are sassafras (Sassafras albidum), American holly (Ilex opaca), sweet bay (Magnolia virginiana) and flowering dogwood (Cornus florida) and horse sugar (Symplocos tinctoria). Woody vines also figure into the subcanopy; poison ivy (Rhus radicans), catbriar (Smilax glauca) and yellow jessamine (Gelsemium sempervirens), commonly. Within New Hanover County, the most commonly associated shrub species in pine -hardwood stands is wax myrtle (Myrica cerifera). This ubiquitous species grows in a wide variety of upland and wetland habitats. Many other species can be found, given the variety of growing conditions present in this forest type. Blueberries (Vaccinium spp.), a spindly form of yaupon (Ilex vomitoria) and sweet pepperbush (Clethra alnifolia) are generally scat- tered throughout these woodlands. A common escape from cultivation is privet (Ligustrum sinense ), found around abandoned homesites and mesic woodland openings along with well -estab- lished ornamentals including wisteria (Wisteria sinensis), and magnolia (Magnolia grandifolia). Pine Forest (UPF) There are four species of pine commonly occurring in -New Hanover County, longleaf pine, loblolly pine, slash pine (Pinus elliottii) and pond pine (Pinus serotina). Rarely a mix of three of these species can be found, but ordinarily loblolly and longleaf are the dominants of natural- ly regenerated pine forest. Loblolly is the most likely species to take over abandoned agricultural soils. Slash is primarily a planted species in pine plantations, along with occasional loblolly pine plantation. Loblolly pine forest, much like pine -hardwood forest, is somewhat dependent upon fire protection. It is the first forest type to develop on abandoned agricultural soil and; as - mentioned above, is replaced in time by hardwood forest. The understory constituents of this forest type are much the same as those found in pine -hardwood forests, but a somewhat different set of dominance conditions prevails. Pine is the only dominant, while sweetgum, red maple, black gum and various oaks as well as some of the common subcanopy and shrub species found in pine -hardwood forests all, at least temporarily, ,function in the understory layers. 10 Hardwood Forest (UHF) Hardwood forest is rare in New Hanover County. The contrastingly wet or dry character of the soils plus general lack of clay subsoils and disturbance do not favor development of this forest type. The degree of disturbance found in upland sites indicates a long history of clearing for agricultural and other purposes and, perhaps, an insufficient amount of time has elapsed to allow regeneration of this generally oak -hickory dominated forest type. A few stands of marginally typical hardwood forest can be found along the upper slopes of drainage lines or along other well -drained slopes. A few stands along Prince George's Creek in the northern part of the County and a few isolated stands along the Northeast Cape Fear River bluffs northwest of Wilmington are among the few stands that exist. This type is more typical of the piedmont plateau. These stands are generally dominated by laurel oak, with water oak and an occasional mockernut hickory (Carya tomentosa). It is not at all un- usual for several of the canopy species from mixed pine -hardwoods to also be present; loblolly pine, red maple, sweetgum, black gum to name a few. Drier or well -drained sites can contain white oak (Quercus alba), southern red oak (Quercus falcata) and an occasional live oak. Tran- sitional stands across wetland and upland forests along well -drained slopes may contain a considerable amount of yellow poplar (Liriodendron tulip i- fera). White oak is a rare tree in New Hanover County. It does become common in Brunswick County along many of the Cape Fear River bluffs and steeper tributary slope forests, as a part of well -developed hardwood forest. Flowering dogwood is the most typical understory species. Shrubs and herbs are generally low in diversity. One stand visited has a subcanopy dominated by paw -paw (Asimina parviflora). American olive (Osmanthus americanus) is a low subcanopy or high shrub layer species. Wild ginger (Hexastylis arifolia) is the major characteristic herb along with several species of woodland grasses and sedges. Catbriar and poison ivy are the typical woody vines. Bamboo (Arundinaria gigantea), a woody grass is the most abundant shrub species. Wetland Communities (W) Vast expanses of wetlands occur within New Hanover County. Perhaps as much -as half of the area of the County supports wetland vegetation. These wetlands provide a valuable resource of ecological goods and services that help in sustaining aquatic and upland habitat. Wetlands function in the storage and slow release of nutrients that sustain the bases of various foodwebs in freshwater, estuarine and marine habitats. Wetlands also function in flood water storage and water purification. Wetlands provide wildlife habitat. Some basin wetlands function in recharge of ground 11 aquifers. High quality wetlands should be considered not only a valuable ecological resource but also a natural heritage. Swamp Forest (WSF) Swamp forest communities occur along all major and many minor freshwater rivers and streams of the County. Swamp forest also forms in the confines of deeper pocosins located at the heads of streams. Much of the riverine swamp forest is under the influence of daily lunar tides as ocean levels rise and fall and provide a barrier to the downstream movement of fresh- water. Most of the tidal swamp forest is along the Northeast Cape Fear River and tributaries. The soils of swamp forests are largely organic, having formed by deposition of partially decayed plant debris. The soils consist of logs, leaves, silty muck and in areas adjacent to uplands lenses of clay and sand. Particulate matter stored in swamps may bind and trap pollutants transported in the water column. The most characteristic canopy species in swamp forests is cypress (Taxodium distichum). Cypress is intolerant of exposure to salinities in excess of two parts per thousand. For this reason, cypress does not now form extensive stands along the river south of Ness Creek. Isolated trees can be seen south of Ness Creek, and large stands occur in the upper ends of tributaries of the Lower Cape Fear River. Regular intrusion of saline water moves up the river and is slowly mixed with freshwater as it ap- proaches Wilmington, or moves into small tributaries. Other canopy species occurring in varying combinations with cypress and each other are green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica), red maple, swamp black gum (Nyssa sylvatica var. biflora). Associated tree species in the most permanently flooded swamp forests are water hickory (Carya aquatica) and water ash (Fraxinus caroliniana). In less frequently flooded portions of the swamp forest, swamp chestnut oak (Quercus michauxii), sweetgum and loblolly pine occur. Tupelo (Nyssa aquatica) is infrequent. Frequency and duration of flooding control the character not only of the canopy in swamp forest, but also the diversity of understory layers. In deep sloughs which contain water almost permanently, little in the way of shrub and herb strata ever develop. The shrubs and herbs that are present are confined to hummocks, stumps and bases of living -trees. Three -shrubs characteristically are found in such situations, Virginia willow (Itea virginica), swamp rose (Rosa palustris) and maleberry (Lyonia ligustrina) along with woody vines such as poison ive, swamp -jessamine (Gelsemium rankii) and climbing hydrangea (Decumaria barbara). All these species can be found rooted directly in soil on the floor of the forest in less per- manently flooded areas. Dwarf palmetto (Sabal minor) is also a character- istic shrub species in tidal swamp forest. 12 Few herbaceous species can tolerate regular flooding and constant shade but several species, once thought to be rather rare, do more -or -less com- monly occur. White arrow -arum (Peltandra sagittifolia) and sabatia (Sabatia dodecandra) frequently grow in wet soil of the upper non -tidal portions of swamp forests as well as in logs and stumps. Several species of sedges (Carex spp., Cyperus spp., and Scirpus spp.) do well in wet, shaded soils and are quite common. The amount of herbaceous cover present from one year to the next is variable since heavy flooding during the growing season can severely retard their growth. There is often abroad zone of transition between flooded swamp forest and upland communities. This transition is variable, but is best typified as a form of pocosin. The term bay forest is also applied. This vegetation type will be explained more fully under the explanation for pocosins. Nar- row transition zones to uplands and adjacent agricultural land, particularly where sediment has moved into the wetland, are quite variable in what plant species are supported. Sandy soils may support a thick cover of alder (Alnus serrulata), a small tree, along with a wide assortment of weedy species. Soils with more clay support black willow (Salix nigra) which, under certain situations, can extend well into the swamp forest and be an important subcanopy tree. Pocosin (WPO) Pocosin vegetation probably constitutes the greatest acreage of any single natural vegetation type in New Hanover County. This type of vegetation oc- cupies several different topographic features in the County. Carolina Bays, river swamp forest transitions to uplands, broad, level areas of terrain where water is perched and minor stream drainage lines, all support po- cosin vegetation. Other colloquial names for this vegetation type are bay, shrub bay and shrub swamp. Carolina Bays are specific topographic features of unknown origin on the coastal plain landscape of the Southeast from Virginia to North Florida. These features are elliptical depressions with the long axis of the ellipse oriented within about 18 to 200 around northwest -southeast. Thou- sands of these bays occur in the coastal plain in the Southeast, but only a few are recognizable in New Hanover County. Some of the bays in other areas of the State contain open water as do some of those in Bladen Lakes State Forest, White Lake and Lake Waccamaw. Some depressions contain deep peat deposits supporting pocosin vegetation, and some are filled by sand or a mixture of sand and clay. Some theories consider the depressions are of meteoritic origin, but no such materials have ever been found. Cur- rent thinking subscribes to the idea that they were derived from a com- bination of wind and water related phenomena prior to the onset of the last ice age, the Wisconsin glaciation. None of these theories is entirely satisfactory, so the origin of Carolina Bays remains unknown. One 13 early theorist proposed that a more -or -less circular basin had been cleaned out in shallow seas by giant spawning sharks, and then had taken on an elliptical shape as a result of northwest winds. The pocosin vegetation of Carolina Bays is often partially surrounded by a narrow rim of sand along the southeast and northwest sides. The vegetation of these rims is, in most cases, longleaf pine -turkey oak. Though it has been recently severely burned and there have been attempts to drain it in the past, New Hanover County's best example of a Carolina Bay is located just south of Pine Valley development. This development occupies the remains of one that was once better. Soils of pocosins are quite variable. Some contain no accumulations of peat and the vegetation is supported in coarse wet sands subject to a seasonally fluctuating water table. Some contain deep (over 10 feet) accumulations of peat (a combination of Sphagnum moss and vascular plant debris) surrounding centers of open water. Since dry peat is combustible, it is likely fire has been responsible for open areas. Peat fires once started have been known to burn for many months in a low oxygen environ- ment. The resulting holes eventually refill with water. Pocosin vegetation takes on two basic forms, high and low-. High pocosin, with reference to the relative height of the vegetation, consists of a scattered or diffuse canopy of pond pine with a continuous understory of largely evergreen shrubs. The shrubs are generally interlaced by long stems of the woody vine bamboo briar (Smilax laurifolia). The most commonly occurring shrubs are fetter bush, a species of evergreen holly (Ilex coriacea), red bay (Persea borbonia), sweet bay and loblolly-bay (Gordonia lasianthus). Another species of evergreen holly.(Ilex lg abra), zenobia (Zenobia pulverulenta), blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum) and lamb -kill (Kalmia angustifolia) usually grow along the outside margins of high pocosins. Low pocosin vegetation intergrades with that of pine flatwoods and savannah vegetation. Low pocosin vegetation is composed of Ilex Ig abra, I. coriacea, rush-featherling (Plea tenuifolia) and scattered pond or longleaf pine. Low pocosin is a product of vegetation in a specific hydrologic regime, and fire. A combination of slightly less water plus a fire regime produces savannah, a rare habitat that supports many unusual plants. Herbaceous species in high pocosin are rarely seen, but may occur briefly just _after a fire before the shrub stratum regains its original thickness. Some of the plants which can be seen are several species of boneset (Euparotium spp.), Venus' fly trap (Dionaea muscipula) and meadow beauty (Rhexia alifanus). Herbaceous species are considerably more common in low pocosin and, in addition to those mentioned above, include rush feather - ling, several species of yellow -eyed grass (Xyris-spp.), pitcher --plants (Sarracenia flava, S. purpurea) and redroot (Lachnanthes caroliniana). 14 White cedar swamp dominated by Atlantic white cedar (Chamaecyparis thyoides) can regenerate following burning of some peat -based pocosin vegetation or perhaps sometimes in cypress swamps following fire. This vegetation type is relatively rare in New Hanover County, but does occur along some transitions from swamp forest to longleaf pine -turkey oak. Another purer though younger stand is located in the southern part of the County. This latter stand seems to have regenerated from some form of swamp forest- pocosin intergrade following fire. Other canopy and subcanopy species often included in white cedar swamp are pond pine, red bay and sweet bay. Savannah (WSA) Savannahs are possibly New Hanover County's rarest vegetation type, if indeed they do exist. Several small savannah -like areas have been delineated during the mapping, but careful field checks have not been undertaken as yet to verify their existence. The major canopy species of savannahs is longleaf pine, though pond pine can occur. The dominant herbaceous species is wiregrass. Due to fre- quent fire required to maintain this wetland type, few shrubs occur. Bitter gallberry (Ilex glabra) is most commonly present if fire has been absent for an extended period of time. Without fire, savannah vegetation would become essentially low pocosin. Many of the transition zones from longleaf pine -turkey oak habitats to high pocosins are savannah -like, but these are usually narrow borders no more than a few feet wide surrounding denser pocosin. Savannahs are the habitats which support unusual assemblages of pitcher plants, Venus' fly traps, orchids and other relatively rare herbaceous plants. They are wetlands but are not generally wet during the growing season. With regular fire, savannahs can be created from some phases of low pocosin. Ponds (WPN) Natural ponds, other than openings in pocosins, occur in scattered localities throughout the County where underlying marl has been dissolved and the sur- face has slumped into the water table. Pond habitats thus created support a variety of shrub and herb species that are found together in no other habitat in the State. The best developed examples are usually less than an acre in area. The ponds are subject to periodic drying and firing of any accumulated organic matter, peat and even cypress. Although they may form in other habitats, they are most visible as islands of water in long- leaf pine -turkey oak woodlands. Several very rare plants are largely specific to these habitats Loose water milfoil (Myriophyllum laxum) and dwarf bladderwort (Utricularia 15 olivacea), listed as threatened species in North Carolina, both occur in waters of these ponds in New Hanover County. Pond spice (Litsea aestivalis), a very rare shrub, grows around the rims of some of the ponds and marks high water. Other rare species of plants found in the ponds in the County are Tracy's beakrush (Rhynchospora tracyi), Robbins spikerush (Eleocharis robbinsii), cut -grass (Leersia hexandra), watergrass (Hydrochloa carolinensis) and pond dog fennel (Eupatorium leptophyllum). These ponds are exceedingly fragile ecosystems and are subject to several depradations. Uncontrolled disposal of construction and other rubbish has eliminated several. Use of the rims of the ponds as ORV race tracks has caused many to become wet muddy puddles, incapable of supporting plants. Others have inadvertently been drained by removal of groundwater from wells, construction of ditches and creation of borrow pits. The numbers of healthy examples of this habitat type in the County are dwindling rapidly. Fresh Marsh (WFM) Freshwater marsh occurs along the Northeast Cape Fear River and some of its tributaries upstream of any periodic salt or brackish water intrusion. It can also be found where natural wetland vegetation has been cleared, but this sort of habitat would be classified as anthr-op-ogee= successional land. Common plants in fresh marsh along the Northeast Cape Fear River and its tributaries are pickerelweed (Pontederia cordata), cattail.(Typha latifolia), arrowhead (Sagittaria latifolia), ludwigea (Ludwigea uruguyensis), alligator weed (Alternanthera philoxeroides), water willow (Decodon verticillatus) and arrow -arum (Peltandra virginica). Clumps of woody species such as alder (Alnus serrulata) and black willow are frequently scattered where soils are more firm. Brackish Marsh (WBM) Most of the river marshes from Ness Creek south. along the Cape Fear River to just north of Snow's Cut are brackish. In addition, the headward portions of many streams such as Hewlett's Creek, Whiskey Creek and others con- tain small stands of brackish marsh along the eastern side of the County parallel to the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway. These marshes are subject to irregular intrusion of brackish or saline water, and therefore support very few cypress trees. Dead standing cypress or ghost trees indicate past intrusion of salty water. These brackish or oligohaline marshes intergrade slowly with wetland systems dependent upon freshwater. Species dominance in these brackish systems is governed by a range of soil water salinities, fire and other forms of natural disturbance such as heavy flooding. 16 The common species in more saline areas are black needle rush (Juncus roemerianus), sawgrass (Cladium jamaicense), giant cordgrass (Spartina cynosuroides) and thickets of wax myrtle. Further up the river at Ness Creek, the marsh is nearly fresh and is exceedingly diverse with large areas dominated by one or more of the following species: Wild rice (Zizania aquatica Cattail (Typha angustifolia) Tearthumbs (Polygonum sagitattum and P. arifolium) Sawgrass Knotweeds (Polygonum spp.) Swamp spiderlily (Hymenocallis crassifolia) Alder Water willow Arrow -arum From Wilmington north, most of the oligohaline marshes occupy sites that previously supported rice culture from the mid 1700's through the 1800's. Patterns of ditches and dikes and locations of weirs and gates are quite visible on aerial photography as well as on the ground. These marshes and their history of clearing, cultivation and final abandonment are intimately linked to the history of Wilmington, as a whole. The relicts of rice culture are probably best preserved around Ness Creek. Further north along the river, cypress dominates abandoned rice fields and obscures much of the early culture techniques. Further south, suitable rice culture sites were probably not available along the New Hanover County side of the Cape Fear River. Open Tidal Water (WTW) Open tidal water is a designation used to refer to most of the open tidal fresh, brackish and saline water within the County. Tidal mud flats ex- posed during low tide are included -in this designation. No attempts will be made to examine these habitats in detail for they are essentially outside the scope of this study. Birds, and at least some reptiles, amphibians and a few mammals using these systems are listed in Appendix A. Maritime Communities (M) Maritime communities are those habitats most strongly influenced by ocean -derived salts, whether water or air born. All the communities can at times be -wetlands. Some are very salty, and some are nearly fresh, for at least part of the time. Most of these communities are found along the eastern fringes of the County, but shrub thickets and salt marshes do occur in the Lower Cape Fear River, largely south of Snow's Cut. 17 Barrier Island -Beach Complex (MBB) Much of North Carolina's outer coast exists as a series of barrier islands separated by dynamic inlets. Behind the barrier islands are salt marshes, directly influenced by tidal waters moving through the inlets as well as storm wash over the island. Most barrier islands are unstable and undergo constant change, often moving measureably each year as a result of wind and water. Some of this movement may be toward the mainland as overwash of sand and other materials feed the leeward marsh with substrate. These two interactive systems function as an effective buffer for the mainland against storms. Because of the relative youth of barrier islands, the vegetation they support is often sparse and intermittent. Relatively stable dune systems can support arborescent vegetation with full development of canopy, sub - canopy, shrub and herb strata. No such communities exist in New Hanover County. The windward dunes of the islands support a varying cover of sea oats (Uniola paniculata), beach grass (Ammophila breviligulata), and coarse panic grass (Panicum amarum). Leeward dunes and inter -dune swales offer more protection from the direct effects of wind and water and the sandy soils of these areas can support a more diverse assemblage of plants. Some of the scattered woody species to be found are most typically yaupon, green briar (Smilax auriculata and S. bona-nox), wax myrtle, silverling (Baccharis halimifolia), yucca (Yucca filamentosa) and occasionally red cedar (Juniperus virginiana). Herbaceous species of the swales are fleabane (Erigeron canadensis), sea ox-eye daisy (Gaillardia pulchella), cactus (Opuntia drummondii), clumps of stiff panic grass (Panicum virgatum), seaside goldenrod (Solidago sempervirens), beach pea (Strophostyles helvola). Sea rocket (Cakile edentula) and beach pea may be most abundant along the seaward side of the foredune. Stiff panic grass and broomsedge (Andropogon virginicus) frequently grow in the moister soils of the inter -dune swales. Active beaches are unvegetated. In addition to the direct impacts of wind and ocean water, there are effects of salt spray on the vegetation. Salt born in fine droplets of water may be blown inland by on -shore winds. These droplets settle in protected areas on vegetation, and with the whipping effects of the wind, enter internal plant stem and leaf tissues causing necrosis. Tissues killed by salt spray are then pruned by the wind. The typical espallier-shape of woody vegetation in maritime environments is a direct result of these two natural pruning agents, salt spray and wind. Maritime Shrub Thickets (MST) Thickets of shrubby vegetation along the southern mainland of New.Hanover County occur along a micro -topography that is alternately wet and dry. In a sense, these thickets, at least the ones where wet -soils prevail, are a salt tolerant version of pocosin vegetation. The dominant'species is wax 18 myrtle, but silverling, loblolly pine, yaupon and live oak also occur. A small stand containing cabbage palm (Sabal palmetto) was found. This location may be the northernmost natural distribution for this species. Much of the shrub thicket is close enough to the ocean so that it receives not only salt spray, but is directly flooded by salt water in storm and spring tides. The effects of salt spray are readily visible on loblolly pine following a northeast storm at Fort Fisher. Salt Marsh (MSM) Salt marsh develops on more -or -less regularly flooded muck soils in estuary streams and behind barrier islands. It is dominated by one species, smooth cordgrass (Spartina alterniflora). Less frequently flooded portions of salt marsh may support a cover of salt meadow cordgrass (Spartina patens ), or saltgrass (Distichlis spicata) with a mixture of sea lavender (Limonium carolinianum), glasswort (Salicornia virginica) and salt marsh aster (Aster tenuifolius). Along transitions to uplands, shrubs appear. Sea ox-eye (Borrichia frutescens), marsh elder (Iva frutescens), silverling and wax myrtle may occur along a gentle slope in the general order listed, from wet to drier soils. The ecological goods and services provided by salt marsh systems are well - documented. They serve as habitat for numerous species of juvenile estuarine and marine finfish and for shellfish. They export organic matter that serves as a basis for marine and estuarine food chains. They function in purification of water, locking up certain harmful pollutants. These habitats are essential for a viable fishery industry and for shoreline erosion pro- tection in estuarine habitats. They are a valuable recreational resource, and serve ultimately as a monitor of the health of the entire estuary. Anthropogenic Communities (A) As indicated earlier in the text of the report, anthropogenic communities are those vegetation groups that are or have in the recent past been manipulated for human usage. Such usage has been and/or will continue to be the dominant ecological force shaping these communities. Most of these units are not entirely devoid of value or ecological function. Many still function as habitat for a wide assortment of wildlife species. Several still bear vestiges of previous, more natural community types. There are frequently in- clusions of such features as natural ponds within some of the units. This sort of inclusion makes it imperative that on -site inspections be made before decisions are finalized as to the relative values of such units. Pine Plantation (APP) Many acres of land within New Hanover County have been converted for use. as pine plantation. Much of this acreage in the northern part of the County 19 was once pocosin, savannah or upland longleaf pine -turkey oak woodlands. The key species currently dominating the canopy of most pine plantation is slash pine, although loblolly pine, and to a lesser extent, longleaf pine have been planted. Modifications imposed on pocosin landscapes for pine plantation are heavy. Much of the original pond pine in natural pocosins is considered either worthless or so scattered as to make harvesting uneconomical. The first step in preparation of lower sites is drainage by construction of an interconnecting lattice of ditches. One standard method for site preparation uses a heavy caterpillar with high flotation to go over the landscape with a shear blade and a rolling drum chopper. This process separates much of the vegetation from the roots. The dead material is then burned. Following burning, the soil is turned into wind rows. The objects here are to bring at least some mineral soil to the surface and to provide an elevated, well -drained ridge on which to plant seedlings. Planting is usually done in the winter months. Rotation on such sites usually is about 35 to 45 years. Thinning may be done at 15 and 25 years. Older stands are often burned to eliminate com- petitive species such as red maple, red bay, loblolly bay and sweet bay, and to prevent a buildup of combustible materials which, if burned by wild fire, could kill the timber crop. Most of the land under such cultivation in the County is at some fairly early stage in the first rotation. Since pocosin vegetation is tolerant to fire, and frequently responds posi- tively to it, pine seedlings in many wetter sites are overwhelmed by heavy growth of various evergreen shrubs before they can grow above the shrub layer. Replanting following a second site preparation may become necessary in such situations. Dredged Material Disposal Sites (ADD) During the course of construction and maintenance of river channels, harbors and commercial water ways, such as the Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway (AIWW), many thousands of cubic yards of material dredged from channels have been deposited in tidal shallows, marshes and upland sites. The result of such deposition has been the creation of subaerial habitats that are, at least in an ecological sense, new to the world. Sands and silts so exposed became the sites for a natural series of suc-n cessional processes ultimately leading to development of pine and live oak forests that have much the same appearance as maritime shrub thickets and forests that have developed on barrier islands --along the North Carolina coast. As has been established (Parnell, at- al.-1978), early as well as later stages in the development of habitat in dredged material_.may be exceedingly important for -nesting and rearing of many speciesof colonial - waterbirds, including. Brown Pelicans, terns, shorebirds, herons and egrets, and gulls. Some species, displaced from original barrier island habitats by human occupation, make use of this only remaining adequate habitat on 20 dredged material islands. These island habitats are therefore exceedingly important to the bird life of the County and to the coastal regions of the State. Agricultural Land (AAL) Lands under cultivation for annually harvested agricultural products, or that are obviously used as pasturage for livestock are classified as agricultural lands. These areas may include borders and edges of woodlands quite valuable for wildlife. Successional Land (ASL) Lands which have either recently been abandoned or which have recently experienced some severe human -influenced manipulation are classified as successional land. Examples of these units are timbered lands, severely burned areas, areas partially cleared as a part of some speculative land venture, heavily drained or otherwise severely modified wetlands, abandoned agricultural fields.not yet supporting a tree canopy and abandoned quarry sites. The diversity of such sites and the ecological effects of their past usage make typification of the vegetation impossible. It must suffice to say that generally they support a variety of weedy species sometimes mixed with species that are vestiges of previously natural communities. Pocosin, for instance, cleared for some purpose, but then abandoned, may support a weedy stand of broomsedge (Andropogon virginicus) as well as occasional clumps of pitcher plants. Utility Corridors (AUC) Narrow corridors of land cleared for implacement of power lines and buried pipelines are classified as utility corridors. Since power and pipelines criss-cross nearly all the vegetation types of the County, they cannot be characterized as to habitat or community type. They are maintained regu- larly by mowing and cutting and are therefore kept at an early level of ecological development optimum for a group of species dictated by the character of the original community type. Where agricultural lands or successional lands are crossed by power lines, few modifications have resulted. Urban -Developed Land (AUD) Urban -developed land in the County is land directly supporting human habitation, residences and commercial areas. The intensity of land modification for human habitation is highly variable. Some single unit residential develop- ments in upland areas still bear much of the character of the original natural community type: Ideally, development of longleaf pine -turkey oak woodlands can result in minimal disturbance of at least a portion of the 21 original vegetation. Natural ponds are occasionally not filled and narrow strings of pocosins form natural breaks. Obviously, this ideal is not the case with areas replaced by shopping malls, airports, roads, factories, etc. Impoundments and Lagoons (AIL) Areas modified for water and waste water storage are impoundments and lagoons. It has been an historical practice to impound the headwaters of some tidal creeks for either scenic value, waterfowl encouragement, irrigation or other agricultural use and as a hydrologic head for milling power. Green- field Lake, along the Lower Cape Fear River, Graham's Pond, along Howe Creek and Airlie-Lake along Bradley Creek are a few of many examples. In addition, excavated ponds are constructed in lowland habitats for watering of livestock and irrigation. Sewage treatment lagoons have been constructed to handle wastewater from some smaller municipalities and commercial ventures. Such habitats may be of importance to waterfowl, both ducks and other water birds, for foraging and nesting. Even wastewater lagoons are used by water- fowl. Old ponds supporting heavy growths of aquatic weeds and cypress are prime habitat for Wood Ducks and a variety of freshwater fish. Ruderal Land (ARL) Ruderal land is here used to refer to relatively small areas of landscape subject to constant disturbance as a result of shifting of soils by humans. Piles of rubble and soil that remain for a season or more are invaded by a wide assortment of grass and forb species. Examples of areas where ruderal vegetation can develop are fill dirt deposit areas, borrow pit areas and stone quarries. Some wetland habitats created for uncertain durations by inadvertent impoundment, or by excavation into the groundwater table be- come excellent foraging habitats for waterfowl and small wading birds. Areas of Special'Interest Since during the course of this project it has not been possible to visit or become familiar with all areas of the County, this listing of special interest areas should not be considered complete. Those that are known and those which need more intensive exploration for unique or rare features are listed below. Important Animal Breeding Colonies (AB) AB1 Laughing Gull breeding colony. Dredged material deposit. Lower Cape Fear River. AB2 Brown Pelican breeding colony. Dredged material island. Lower Cape Fear River. 22 AB Not yet found. Any breeding habitat actively supporting a concentration of frog and toad species. One previously known to the author has been destroyed by speculation development in Battle Park south of Myrtle Grove. Up to 11 or 12 species had been seen at one time along with associated foraging snakes. AB Red Cockaded Woodpecker. ULT just east of UNC-W. Area needs to be surveyed to see if a viable colony site is present. Colony site nea Pine Valley School lost to severe fire, 1981. AB Colonial waterbird nesting. Dredged material islands. S. of Wrightsville Beach. Important Animal Species.Locations (AS) AS1 Area of concentration of migratory birds. Maritime shrub thickets at Fort Fisher and south along the peninsula. AS2 Coquina limestone. This outcrop of rock along the beach at Fort Fisher is only one known along the North Carolina coast. Tide pools formed in the rock are excellent for marine biology field trips. AS Colonial waterbird nesting. MBB south of Fort Fisher. Least Tern, Wilson's Plover. Beach also used by Loggerhead Turtle for nesting. AS American Alligator habitat. Not specifically mapped. Cape Fear River margins. Wilmington, south and north. Animals are frequently seen. Important Plant Species Locations (PS) PS1 Pond spice (Litsea aestivalis). Best stand known in the County. Margin of woodland pond, General Electric Properties. PS2 Pond spice (Litsea aestivalis). Pine Valley. In danger of development. PS3 Pond spice (Litsea aestivalis) and miniature sunfishes in. pond. Samsara. PS4 Pond spice (Litsea aestivalis). Samsara. PSS Dwarf bladderwort (Utricularia olivacea). Natural pond. PS6 Robbins spikerush (Eleocharis robbinsii). Natural pond. 23 PS7 Venus' fly trap (Dionaea muscipula). Carolina Beach State Park. Sheet 3-36. PS8 Venus' fly trap (Dionaea muscipula). Kure Beach. Savannah, somewhat degraded. PS Venus' fly trap (Dionaea muscipula). Many unmapped occur- rances in margins of pocosin vegetation where thin edges of savannah -like habitat have developed. PS9 Green fly orchid (Epidendrum conopseum). Native epiphytic orchid on cypress along Island Creek. Potential Natural Area (PN) PN1 Possible bluffs along N.E. Cape Fear River. Could support unusual vegetation for area, considering isolated nature. PN2 Sugar Loaf. Stabilized eolian dune deposit. Important historical and natural landmark. Carolina Beach State Park. PN3 Well -developed pocosin vegetation north of N.H.C. Airport. Should be carefully surveyed for rare plants where possible and preserved as excellent example of type. PN4 Freshwater natural ponds just west of Samsara. PN5 Freshwater pond -marsh complex near large Carolina Bay at Pine Valley. PN6 Pocosin in headwaters of Prince George's Creek and Island Creek. Possibly jeopardized by stone quarry development. PN7 Young Atlantic white cedar swamp west across U.S. 421 1000ft. west from Myrtle Grove Sound Road. Purple pitcher plants (Sarracenia purpurea) with white arrow -arum (Peltandra sagittaefolia). PN8 Slightly brackish to fresh marsh transition. Upper reach of Hewlett's Creek, west side of Masonboro Loop Road near present site of N.H.C. waste water -pump. -facility. Should be mowed regularly. Bog moss-.(MAyaca fluviatilis) and arrow -grass (Triglochin striata). Other interesting plant species. PN9 WPO-WSA complex in the pocosin headwaters of Island Creek (sheets 694 and 696) should be carefully surveyed during spring and fall seasons for rare plants. PN10 Pembroke Jones area. Combinations of WPN, WPO and WSF should be surveyed for natural features. Whole area con- stitutes an unusual grouping of plant subcommunity types for the area (sheets 7118, 7112 and 6100). 24 PN11 Two large areas of ULT surrounded by WPO and WSF be- tween Island Creek and Superior Stone Quarry. Possible Red -cockaded Woodpeckers and Bachman's Sparrows, two endangered species. Marl closely under surface could support unusual plant species. Should be surveyed during spring and late summer seasons (sheet 7110). PN12 Largest area of WSA in New Hanover County. May support Venus' fly traps, pitcher plants of several species, as well as other rare savannah plants. Also prime habitat for Red -cockaded Woodpeckers and Bachman's Sparrows. Should be explored during spring and late summer for rare plants and birds (sheet 7114). PN Masonboro Island. Barrier island in nearly natural state. Loggerhead Turtle nesting. Waterbird nesting. PN Greenfield Lake. Old Mill Pond. Well -developed cypress and water tupelo. At least 2 rare species of mollusks. Important Community Complexes (IC) IC1 Interesting transitions from WPO to WSF and ULT. N.E. Cape Fear River. Should be surveyed carefully. IC2 Pond. N.E. Cape Fear River peninsula. IC3 Remnant of Carolina Bay sandridge. Should be surveyed. IC4 Laurel oak ( uercus laurifolia), paw -paw (Asimina parviflora) along bluffs of N.E. Cape Fear River. Could be important natural areas as well. IC5 Natural pond. River Road. Sheet 332. IC6, 7, Natural ponds. Carolina Beach State Park. Contains Tracy's and 8 beakrush (Rhynchospora tr_ ate) and blue butterwort (Pin- guicula cerulea). IC9 Pocosin. North of N.H.C. Airport. Sheet 449. IC10 Carolina Bay. Pine Valley. Best example in the County. IC11 Carolina Bay. Samsara. IC There is what appears to be a complex of wetland -upland habitats containing WSB, WPO, WSF, and ULT that may represent examples of a drowning landscape along River Road north of Snow's Cut. The pockets of ULT surrounded by WSF and WPO should be surveyed. 25 IC Tidal Creeks along sounds are known nursery areas for several species of commercially important finfish. Registered Natural Area (RN) RN Zeke's and No -Name Islands. National Estuarine Sanctuary. Partially in N.H. County. Conclusions and Recommendations Inclusion of humans into any otherwise natural system of landscape features is predictably a detrement to the natural environment. Since humans area product of the natural world, and are currently the most profound bio- physical influence on the globe, it is best to speak in terms of human man- agement rather than environmental management in addressing the problems created by their presence. In New Hanover County we have a chance to con- sider what sorts of human management are most agreeable to the population of humans and at the same time jeopardize the natural environment the least. The fragility of certain natural communities makes them more susceptible to modification. Generally, wetland systems are more sensitive than uplands. Because of their direct dependence on water, any modifications of the chemical or physical characteristics of the hydrologic regime can impact these interconnected habitats along flowage lines. Impacts and their general effects in wetland systems are listed below. Ditching and drainage --Removal of water from a wetland system sets in action a series of changes that cause shifts in plant dominance. Species able to compete in saturated soils are replaced by species better able to compete in newer drier soils. Many of the semi -drained pocosins in New Hanover County are being invaded by loblolly pine and other more upland weedy plant species. The pocosins so drained lose their integrity, and eventually cease to function as pocosins. Eutrophication--This term is defined as a natural process of lake filling by sediments and plant debris. Eutrophication of lakes and ponds in New Hanover County is hastened by influx of organic pollutants such as domestic sewage and chemical pollutants such as sprays and fertilizers. These pollutants enrich and raise the pH of aquatic habitats, encouraging the' growth of certain undesirable algae and aquatic plants to the point that they either deplete normal oxygen supplies or simply replace the original habitat. Small amounts of lawn fertilizer or a leaky domestic sewage in" stallation can eliminate the original character of natural ponds. Uric ontrolled'solid waste disposal --For so long wetlands have been considered of no good use to humans. The major reason for this philosophy is that they could not be farmed in any traditional way as can uplands. They seem to be a good place to deposit rubbish. This has happened during the development of Pine Valley. One very unique pond -bog habitat has been filled with construction debris and others are jeopardized as development continues. The concern with this practice is not only the physical removal of wetlands Ml but also the possible chemical impacts to the groundwater system and other adjacent aquatic systems. Individual home domestic sewage --The parent material composing the upland soils of New Hanover County functions poorly in home sewage treatment. So much of the soil otherwise suitable to construction is little more than a conduit to movement of sewage into adjacent ditches, creeks, and eventually estuaries. The extent of closure of shell fisheries along the mainland side of the sounds is direct evidence of the inadequacies of sandy soils in treating sewage. Speculative land clearing --This practice is probably one of the most des- tructive to all habitats in the County. In the process, landscapes are denuded, wetlands and upland habitats alike, are destroyed and animals are displaced or simply covered. Land so affected is generally of little value ecologically or aesthetically. Any of the above activities to a minor or major extent in or adjacent to wetlands can be sufficient to destroy their original character. These on -going activities can serve as directions to be taken in developing planning guidelines. Guidelines will have to be implemented with supervision as a main goal. Potential activities which could severely impact the natural heritage of the County may require on -site decisions between planning officials and developers. Construction and engineering planning should be reviewed with the landscape as the main concern, not construction expense. This first survey for areas of special interest to natural heritage is not complete. Not every acre of the County was covered. There are very likely more such areas, and a system for incorporation of new finds must remain available for modification and additions in the future. Page Animal names in this report are based on the following references. Birds: :SOU. 1983. The AOU Checklist of North American Birds. Ame. Ornithologists' Union, Lawrence, Kansas. Mammals: Lee, D. S. et. al. 19e2. A Distributional Survey of North Carolina Mammals. Occ. Papers of the N. C. Biological Survey, 1982-10, Raleigh. Reptiles and amphibians: Marto+, B. S. et. al. 199 . Amphibians and Reptiles of the Carolinas and Virginia. The University of N. C. Press, Chapel Hill. Citations for other publications or manuscripts mentioned in this report follow. Corps of Engineers. 1978. Wilmington Harbor - Northeast Cape Fear River Wilmington, N. C. Draft Environmental Statement. Davis, R. J. and J. F. Parnell. Fall migration of land birds at Ft. Fisher, New Hanover Co., N. C. Chat 47:85-95. Needham, Robert N. 1982., Breeding Birds of a Southern River Swamp Forest. MS Thesis, UNCW. Parnell, J. F. 1977. Project Report to the Wilmington District US Army Corps of Engineers. Rozas, Lawrence. 1982. The Seasonal Distribution of the Macrofauna of an Oligohaline Tidal Creek in