A survey of natural areas in Tyrrell County, North Carolina : for The North Carolina Natural Heritage Program, Coastal Natural Area Inventory Project

North

A/. (X
OoG.

Natural Areas Inventory

of

Tyrrell County, North Carolina

JUL 2 0 U83

Charles B. McDonald
Andrew N. Ash

Departnnent of Biology
East Carolina University

JANUARY 1981

North Carolina
Coastal Energy Impact Program

Office of Coastal Management

North Carolina Department of Natural Resources

and Community Development

CEIPREP0RTN0.8

To order:

Residents of North Carolina may
receive a single copy of a
publication free upon request.
Non-residents may purchase
publications for the prices
listed. Because of the
production costs involved, some
of the publications carry a
minimal charge regardless of
residency. Prices for "these are
indicated in the price list as
being "for all requests".

When ordering publications
please provide the publication
number and title and enclose a
check made payable to DNRCD. For
a complete list of CEIP
publications - or to place an
order - contact:

Coastal Energy Impact Program
Office of Coastal Management
N.C. Department of Natural

Resources and Community

Development
Box 27687
Raleigh, NC 27611

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

A SURVEY OF NATURAL AREAS IN
TYRRELL COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA

for

The North Carolina Natural

Heritage Program

Coastal Natural Area Inventory Project

by

Dr. Charles B. McDonald
Department of Biology, East Carolina University

and

Dr. Andrew N. Ash
Department of Biology, East Carolina University

The preparation of this report was financed through a Coastal
Energy Impact Program grant provided by the North Carolina Coastal
Management Program, through funds provided by the Coastal Zone
Management Act of 1972, as amended, which is administered by the
Office of Coastal Zone Management, National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration. This CEIP grant was part of NOAA grant NA-79-AA-D-
CA097.

January 1981

CEIP Report No. 8

Department of Biology
East Carolina University
Greenville, NC 27834

Digitized by the Internet Archive

in 2011 with funding from
State Library of North Carolina

http://www.archive.org/details/surveyofnaturalatyrrell

PREFACE

The North Carolina Office of Coastal Management and the
North Carolina Natural Heritage Program, both units of the
Department of Natural Resources and Community Development,
have commissioned a series of natural areas inventories for
ten counties in the coastal zone of this state. The Tyrrell
County inventory was conducted in 1980 and was financed by
a Coastal Energy Impact Program (CEIP) grant. CHIP funded
the Tyrrell County survey because of the potential environ-
mental impacts of peat mining and other energy-related
development.

The recommendations made in this report by Dr. Charles
B. McDonald and Dr. Andrew N. Ash are advisory. Their
inventory and recommendations are designed to help state
and federal agencies, county officials, resource managers,
landowners and developers work out effective land manage-
ment and preservation mechanisms to protect the eight
outstanding or exemplary natural areas described in this
report. Agencies such as the N.C. Division of Environmental
Management, Division of Land Resources, Division of Marine
Fisheries, Wildlife Resources Commission, the U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, National
Marine Fisheries Service, and Environmental Protection
Agency should find this report useful, as may university
researchers, private consultants, and private conservation
groups. The Office of Coastal Management will use the
report in assessing permit applications and for federal
and state consistency reviews.

Charles McDonald and Andrew Ash are experienced field
biologists, with respective specialties in botany and
zoology. The investigators, at the time of this project,
were faculty members with the Department of Biology, East
Carolina University. Both were well qualified to identify,
describe, and evaluate the outstanding natural areas of
the county.

Project investigators were instructed to identify
natural areas that contain highly unique, endangered, or
rare natural features, or high-quality representations
of relatively undisturbed natural habitats, and which may
be vulnerable to threats and damage from land use changes.
The perspective taken by the investigators focused
strictly on the county, and their original ratings for
described sites did not attempt to assess the sites in
comparison to other similar habitats in the region.
Since the completion of the Tyrrell County survey,
additional natural areas inventories have been conducted
for the other counties of the Pamlico-Albemarle Peninsula.

Based on comparative assessments to other natural areas
in other North Carolina coastal counties, the DNRCD Natural
Heritage Program rates the Tyrrell County natural areas on
a statewide perspective as follows:

Statewide significance (high)

Upper Alligator River Pocosin

Regional significance (medium)

Harvester Road Tall Pocosin
Buck Creek Bay Forest
Frying Pan White Cedar Stand
Upper Alligator River Marsh

Local significance (low)

Scuppernong River Swamp

Albemarle Sound Low Shoreline

Alligator Creek - Second Creek Swamp Forest

In addition to this survey report, Drs. Ash and
McDonald prepared topographic maps on which they mapped
vegetation covers for the entire county. This remark-
able "snapshot" of land use in Tyrrell County in the
fall of 1980 can be compared to pocosin maps and aerial
photographs to document the extraordinarily rapid clear-
ing, draining and land conversion activities which have
been occurring in Tyrrell County since 1974,

The Office of Coastal Management, and the Coastal
Resources Commission which it serves, implement the
Coastal Area Management Act of 1974 (CAMA) . Under this
statute, the North Carolina Coastal Management Plan has
been prepared and approved. It includes the definition
and designation of various Areas of Environmental Concern
(AEC) . In some cases, AECs may coincide with natural
areas that are herein recommended for preservation or
special management.

Peat mining has particular implications for these
natural areas, some of which overlay exploitable peat
deposits. Mining will remove natural vegetation, perma-
nently alter the hydrology of the region, lower surface
soil types from high organic histosoils to the clayey,
sandy, and loamy soils typical of other parts of the
outer coastal plain. Thus, natural communities, once
mining is complete, almost certainly could never be re-
established or reclaimed on mined-out land. Preservation
of the best natural areas, and appropriate hydrological
management, is necessary prior to and during active peat
mining.

il

The Natural Heritage Program is most pleased to have
had this opportunity to conduct this project for the
Office of Coastal Management. The inventory has revealed
a number of natural areas that possess natural elements
of statewide or regional priority and are important parts
of North Carolina's natural diversity. Most of the
identified sites were previously unknown and undocumented
by the state's scientific community. The Natural Heritage
Program hopes that these areas will be protected for the
benefits of present and future generations of North
Carolinians and for the preservation of the state's truly
exceptional natural heritage.

Charles E. Roe, Coordinator
N.C. Natural Heritage Program
November 17, 1982

111

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Preface i

Introduction and General Discussion 1

Natural Area Inventories

Upper Alligator River Pocosin 16

Buck Island Bay Forest 31

Upper Alligator River Marsh 41

Scuppernong River Swamp Forest 49

Frying Pan Lake White Cedar Forest 62

Harvester Road Tall Pocosin 71

Albemarle Sound Low Shoreline 81

Alligator Creek-Second Creek Swamp Forest 92

Bibliography

List of Figures

1. Map of Tyrrell County, N.C., showing eight natural areas

inventoried. 3

2. Washington-Hyde-Tyrrell Pocosin System 5

3. Tyrrell County Wetlands 15

4. Location of Upper Alligator River Pocosin 17

5. Boundary and Significant Features, Upper Alligator River

Pocosin 21A

6. Access Information, Upper Alligator River Pocosin 22

7. Ownership Information, Upper Alligator River Pocosin 2A

8. Boundary and Significant Features, Buck Island Bay Forest. 32

9. Access Information, Buck Island Bay Forest. 34

10. Boundary and Significant Features, Upper Alligator River

Marsh ^3

11. Boundary and Significant Features, Scuppernong River Swamp

Forest 50

12. Ownership Information, Scuppernong River Swamp Forest 58

13. Boundary and Significant Features, Frying Pan Lake Atlantic

White Cedar Forest 64

14. Access Information, Frying Pan Lake Atlantic White Cedar

Forest 66

15. Location of Harvester Road Tall Pocosin ^^

16. Boundary and Significant Features, Harvester Road Tall

Pocosin '■'

17. Access Information, Harvester Road Tall Pocosin '-*

18. Ownership Information, Harvester Road Tall Pocosin

19. Boundary and Significant Features, Albemarle Sound Low
Shoreline

20. Ownership Information, Albemarle Sound Low Shoreline

21. Boundary and Significant Features, Alligator Creek Second
Creek Swamp Forest

22. Access Information, Alligator Creek-Second Creek Swamp
Forest.

23. Ownership Information, Alligator Creek-Second Creek Swamp
Forest.

78

82
84

94
95
97

List of Tables

1. Plant Species List for Tyrrell County, N.C. 7

2. Animal Species List for Tyrrell County, N.C. 11

3. Master Species List for Upper Alligator River Pocosin 28

4. Sampling Summary, Upper Alligator River Pocosin 19

5. Significance Summary, Upper Alligator River Pocosin 21

6. Sampling Summary, Buck Island Bay Forest 35

7. Sampling Summary, Upper Alligator River Marsh ^^

8. Sampling Summary, Scuppernong Swamp Forest 52

9. Plant Species List, Swamp Forest 57

10. Ownership Information, Scuppernong River Swamp Forest 59

11. Sampling Summary, Frying Pan Lake Atlantic White Cedar

Forest 65

12. Sampling Summary, Albemarle Sound Low Shoreline "3

13. Ownership Information, Alligator Creek-Second Creek Swamp

Forest. 100

Introduction and General Discussion

Tyrrell County, North Carolina is located on the south shore of the
Albemarle Sound between Washington County and the Alligator River. It
is an area of low elevation (0 to 17 feet) and little topographic relief
encompassing 399 square miles. About 55 percent of the county is wet-
land of swamp forest, pocosin, or marsh while the remaining upland is
mostly managed pine planatation or cultivated fields. The population of
about 5000 is supported by agriculture, logging, and fishing, and
although the standard of living does not seem as high as in the more
industrialized portions of the state, the citizens of Tyrrell County
still enjoy high quality life in terms of open space, clean air and
access to outdoor recreation.

During the summer of 1980 a project was undertaken to develop
vegetation maps, locate potential natural areas, and further survey
those areas for the North Carolina Natural Heritage Program. Since very
little natural heritage information was available the first objective of
this project was a general familiarization with the entire county. This
was accomplished by ground reconnaissance and the use of orthophotoquad
aerial photographs. Virtually every road in the county was traveled,
many of them being nearly impassible farm or logging roads. In this way
shades and textures on the orthophotoquad maps could be matched with
actual vegetation types. Outlines of units of vegetation were marked on
the orthophotoquad maps for later transfer to the corresponding topo-
graphic sheets . One readily apparent problem with this technique
involved the age of the aerial photographs and subsequent extensive
changes in land use. For this reason considerable effort was devoted to
redrawing field boundaries and marking the extent of recent logging.
Despite the work involved, this effort has produced relatively accurate
information about the extent of recent land conversion in this county.
Eleven different plant community land use types were recognized and
mapped. These were:

A) Fresh water marsh. These marshes are generally dominated by
cattail. Sawgrass is often a subdominant.

B) Swamp forests. These consist of gum and some cypress. They
vary in age depending on the last logging.

C) White cedar swamp forests. Areas that appear to have 50% or
greater dominance by Atlantic white cedar. Lower density
stands have been mapped as swamp forest.

D) Pine-swamp hardwoods. Areas dominated by loblolly pine with a
subcanopy of black gum, sweet gum, and red maple. This associa-
tion is found in the slightly better drained portions of what
would otherwise be swamp forest.

E) Pine-upland hardwoods. Old loblolly pines in association with
mature red oak, southern red oak, tulip poplar, and beech.
Very limited in extent due to conversion of this land to pine
plantation or agriculture.

■2-

F) Pocosin/Bay forest. A heterogenous assemblage of community
types that can vary considerably in general aspect. All
develop in peat soils and are characterized by an impenetrable
shrub layer. Areas that are open or have a high canopy
dominance of pond pine would be called pocosin. Areas with
significant numbers of red bay and loblolly bay would be
called bay forest.

G) Old pine stands. Planted loblolly pines that exceed about 30
years. Few such areas are intensively managed so old pine
stands have started to develop stratification into canopy,
subcanopy, shrub, and herb layers.

H) Young pine stands. Planted loblolly pines that are less than
about 30 years. The pines are still so dense that vertical
stratification has not yet developed.

I) Unmanaged early serai. Most recently logged and abandoned
areas in swamp forest. Also used to designate recently
disturbed areas anywhere that the future use of the land could
not be determined.

J) Agricultural fields. Land devoted to row crop agriculture.

K) Urban.

As reconnaissance and mapping progressed, lists were being compiled
of the plants and animals that were encountered. These lists of 227
plants and 89 animals (See Tables 1 and 2.) represent only a portion of
the natural diversity but they do give an idea of the types of organisms
and amount of diversity present. Vouchers are deposited in the ECU
herbarium.

Once mapping was complete, the next task was the selection of
potential natural areas. Since the extensive mapping amounted to an
initial investigation of all potential areas it was not necessary to
designate a large number of areas and then "sift out" those of little
potential as might have been done if the initial reconnaissance had been
limited to aerial observations or map inspection. Areas were selected
on several criteria: a) those areas without recent disturbance that
have developed into exemplary examples of Coastal Plain plant
communities; 2) those areas that seemed to have potential for harboring
rare or endangered organisms; 3) those isolated areas that might serve
as wildlife sanctuaries; and, 4) those areas with high scenic or
aesthetic value. Naturally enough, each of the selected areas qualified
for more than one of the above reasons. As measures of comparison we
used our general knowledge of the Coastal Plain and our more extensive
knowledge of Tyrrell County. Ultimately some of the selected areas may
be found to have only local or regional significance while others,
hopefully, will be significant of the state or even national level.

The site specific investigations of each potential area con-
centrated on the development of a good description of that area usually
based on quantitative samples. This information could be gathered in a

LEGEND

A. NATURAL AREAS

1. Upper Alligatof Rivei

2. Harvcsiei Rojd Tall Pocoiin

3. Buck Uldnd Bav Fornl

4. Upper Alligaiof River Marsh

5. Scuppcrnong Rivet Swamp FocMI
6- Frying Pan Lake While Cedar Forest

7. Albemarle Sound Low Shoreline

8, Alligalor Creek - Second Creek Swamp Forest

B, COMMUNITY TYPES

A. Froih water nursh

B. Swamp forest

C. While ccdir dominated swimp forest

D. Pine-swamp hardwoods
£. Pinc-upUnd hardwoods
F. pocosin/Bay forcsl

-4-

relatively short period of time and it was felt that at this stage
accurate information about the structure and geographic extent of an
area would be more valuable than exhaustive collecting and observations
that might fail to produce any sightings of rare or endangered
organisms. Due to this approach it is strongly recommended that some of
the designated areas be further investigated with the specific purpose
of locating rare plants and animals.

Eight areas were selected. We feel that five of the areas should
have a very high priority for further investigation while the other
three should be placed at medium priority. The areas are located in all
parts of the country and vary in size from 154 to 29,793 acres (See
Figure 1.) All are wetland habitats. The high priority areas and their
sizes are:

Upper Alligator River Pocosin; 29,793 acres
Buck Island Bay Forest; 1,368 acres
Upper Alligator River Marsh; 971 acres
Scuppernong River Swamp Forest; 7,569 acres
Frying Pan Lake White Cedar Forest; 154 acres.

The medium priority areas and their sizes are:

Harvester Road Tall Pocosin; 7,989 acres
Albemarle Sound Low Shoreline; 1,633 acres
Alligator Creek-Second Creek Swamp Forest;
16,044 acres.

Of all the areas, the most significant seems to be the Upper
Alligator River Pocosin. This huge tract represents only a portion of a
much larger area that is south of Lake Phelps in Washington and Hyde
Counties (see attached map) . This vast system of about 124 square miles
has been greatly modified by prior attempts at agriculture and is now
threatened by the possibility of peat mining. The segment that we have
designated as the Upper Alligator River Pocosin is the least disturbed
portion of this system and remains the best example of unmodified or
only slightly modified pocosin on the Albemarle Pamlico Peninsula. This
segment is much lower in elevation than the area south of Lake Phelps
and at mostly less than 5 feet above sea level future peat mining would
be difficult. If accomplished, the mining of this area would result in
the formation of a lake or marsh. If permits are ever granted for peat
mining south of Lake Phelps, we recommend that the state attempt to
acquire the Upper Alligator River Pocosin in partial mitigation for that
destruction.

Although we have identified specific potential natural areas in
Tyrrell County, other wetland areas that were not chosen may be equally
significant for shelter and wildlife movement. All of the wetlands in
this county are interconnected creating corridors that allow unmolested
movement. Perhaps the best example of an animal that benefits from
these corridors is the black bear for it allows them to have large home
ranges without ever venturing into the open upland. We have observed
signs of bear in virtually every lowland part of the county so perhaps
this county has a relatively healthy population (See Figure 2.).

lU

I-

>■

in
O
O

O

a.

ui

Q£
Q!

>■

I-

1

LLl

Q

>
X

I

z
o

I-
o

z

X
<

Figure 2.

-6-

Even though Tyrrell County has vast areas of relatively undisturbed
wetland, there are still threats to the wildlife and natural diversity.
One possible threat is peat mining but this will probably will not occur
very soon, at least not in Tyrrell County itself. The major threat has
been and still is land conversion for agriculture. By comparing present
field boundaries with the orthophotoquad maps, we determined that 27,160
acres have been cleared and converted to row corp agriculture since the
photographs were taken with most of this probably being done in the
latter part of the 1970' s. Much of this land was pine planataion that
had been cut and abandoned but other portions were swamp forest and
pocosin constituting high quality wildlife habitat. Hopefully, this
conversion is near an end and will allow present wildlife corridors to
remain intact. Further modification can only be detrimental to wildlife
populations while further alteration of runoff patterns could produce
major detrimental changes in the estuary. If the general soils map for
Tyrrell County is reasonably accurate, it would indicate that land
conversion is largely complete. Most of the soils that appear suitable
for agriculture have either been converted to that purpose or the land
is owned by timber companies which will maintain the land in pine pro-
duction. We certainly hope this proves to be the case and that most of
Tyrrell County's remaining pocosins, swamp forests, streams, shores, and
marshes can be preserved with minimal further change.

■7-

Table 1
Plant Species List for Tyrrell County, North Carolina

EQUISETACEAE

Equisetum arvense

LYCOPODIACEAE

Lycopodium alopecuroides

SELAGINELLACEAE

Selaginella apoda

OPHIOGLOSSACEAE

Botrychium biternatum

OSMUNDACEAE

Osmunda cinnamomea
0. regalis

ASPIDIACEAE

Athyrium asplenioides
Thelypteris palustris

BLECHNACEAE

Woodwardia areolata
W. virginica

ASPLENIACEAE

Aspleaium platyneuron

POLYPODIACEAE

Polypodium polypodioides

PINACEAE

Pinus serotina
P. taeda

TAXODIACEAE

Taxodium distichum

CUPRESSACEAE

Chamaecyparis thyoides
Juniperus virginiana

TYPHACEAE

Typha angustifolia
T. glauca
T. latifolia

ALISMATACEAE

Sagittaria falcata
S. latifolia

HYDROCHARITACEAE

Limnobium spongia

POACEAE

Arthraxon hispidus
Arundinaria gigantea
Briza minor
Bromus japonicus
Echinochloa walteri
Hordeum pusillum
Phragmites communis
Polypogon monspe liens is
Sacciolepis striata
Setaria magna
Sphenopholis obtusata
Trisetum pensylvanicum

CYPEKACEAE

Carex alata
C. complanata
C. debilis
C. festucacea
C. howei
C. lurida
C. stipata
Cladium jamaicense
Dulichium arundinaceum
Eleocharis baldwinii
E. tuberculosa
Eriophorum virginicum
Rhynchospora alba
Scirpus americanus

ARACEAE

Arisaema triphyllum
Peltandra virginica

LEMNACEAE

Spirodela oligorrhiza

ERIOCAULACEAE

Eriocaulon decangulare

Table 1 (continued)

JUNCAGINACEAE

Triglochin striata

POTAMOGETONACEAE

Potamogeton diversifolius

JUNCACEAE

Juncus acuminatus
J. bufonius
J. debilis
J. dicfaotomus
J. effusus
J. scirpoides

LILIACEAE

Amianthium muscaetoxicum
Smilax bona-nox
S. laurifolia

IRIDACEAE

Iris virginica
Sisyrinchium mucronatum

ORCHIDACEAE

Calopogon pulchellus
Cleistes divaricata
Goodyera pubescens
Habenaria blephariglottis
Pogonia ophioglossoides
Spiranthes cernua
S. praecox

SAURACEAE

Saururus cernuus

SALICACEAE

Populus heterophylla
Salix caroliniana
S. nigra

MYRICACEAE

Myrica cerifera
M. heterophylla

JUGLANDACEAE

Gary a glabra
C. tomentosa

BETULACEAE

Alnus serrulata
Carpinus caroliniana
Ostrya virginiana

PONTEDERIACEAE

Pontederia cordata

ULMACEAE

Ulmus americana

MORACEAE

Morus rubra

URTICACEAE

Boehmeria cylindrica

LORANTHACEAE

Phoradendron serotinum

ARISTOLOCHIACEAE

Hexastylis arifolia

POLYGONACEAE

Polygonum arifolium
P. hydropiperoides
P. punctatum
P. setaceum
Rumex verticillatus

AMARANTHACEAE

Alternanthera philoxeroides

PHYTOLACCACEAE

Phytolacca americana

NYMPHAEACEAE

Nuphar lutea spp. macrophyllum
Nymphaea odorata

MAGNOLIACEAE

Liriodendron tulipifera
Magnolia virginiana

RANUNCULACEAE

Clematis crispa
Ranunculus sardous

LAURACEAE

Persea borbonia
Sassafras albidum

BRASSICACEAE

Lepidium virginicum ,
Rorippa islandica

Table 1 (continued)

FAGACEAE

Fagus grandifolia

Quercus alba

Q. falcata

Q laurifolia

Q. michauxii

Q. nigra

Q. rubra

SARRACENIACEAE

Sarracenia f lava
S. purpurea

CRASSULACEAE
Penthorum sedoides

DROSERACEAE

Drosera intermedia

SAXIFRAGACEAE

Decumaria barbara
Itea virginica

HAMAMELIDACEAE

Liquidambar styracif lua

PLATANACEAE

Platanus occidentalis

ROSACEAE

Potentilla simplex
Rosa multif lora
R. palustris
Sorbus arbutifolia

FABACEAE

Amorpha fruticosa
Lathyrus hirsutus
Lespedeza bicolor
Lotus corniculatus
Melilotus alba
Trifolium repens

LINAGE AE

Linum striatum

ANACARDIACEAE

Rhus copallina
R. radicans

CYRILLACEAE

Cyrilla racemif lora
AQUIFOLIACEAE

Ilex coriacea

I ■ glabra

I . laevigata

I ■ opaca

VITACEAE

Parthenocissus quinquefolia

Vitis labrusca

V. rotundifolia

MALVACEAE

Hibiscus moscheutos
Kosteletskya virginica

THEACEAE

Gordonia lasianthus

VIOLACEAE

Viola primulifolia

LYTHRACEAE

Decodon verticillatus

MELASTOMATACEAE

Rhexia mariana

ONAGRACEAE

Ludwigia palustris
L. peploides
Oenothera fruticosa

ARALIACEAE

Aralia spinosa

APIACEAE

Centella asiatica
Hydrocotyle ranunculoides

H. umbellata

H. verticillata

Sanicula canadensis

NYSSACEAE

Nyssa aquatica

N. sylvatica
CORNACEAE

Cornus f lorida

CLETHRACEAE

Clethra alnifolia

Table 1 (continued)

•10-

ACERACEAE

Acer rub rum

CELASTRACEAE

Euonymus americanus

RHAMNACEAE

Berchemia scandens
R. nudif lorum
Vaccinium arboreum
V. atrococcum
V. corymbosum
Zenobia pulverulenta

PRIMULACEAE

Samolus parvif lorus
EBENACEAE

Diospyros virginica

SYMPLOCACEAE

Symplocos tinctoria

STYRACACEAE

Styrax grandifloria

OLEACEAE

Chionanthus virginicus
Fraxinus caroliniana
Ligustrum sinense

LOGANIACEAE

Cynoctonum sessilifolium
Gelsemium sempervirens
Polypremum procumbens

ASCLEPIADACEAE

Asclepias incarnata
A. lanceolata

CONVOLVULACEAE

Calystegia sepium

POLEMONIACEAE

Phlox drummondii

HYDROPHYLLACEAE

Hydrolea quadrivalis

VERBENACEAE

Callicarpa americana
Verbena bonariensis

ERICACEAE

Cassandra calyculata
Kalmia angustifolia
Leucothoe axillaris var.

axillaris

racemosa

Lyonia ligustrina
L. lucida

Rhododendron atlanticum
BIGNONIACEAE

Anisostichus capreolata
Camps is radicans

LENTIBULARIACEAE

Ultricularia biflora

U. inf lata var. inflata

U. inflata var. minor
ACANTHACEAE

Ruellia caroliniensis

RUBIACEAE

Cephalanthus occidentalis

Diodia virginiana

Galium tinctorium

Mitchella repens
CAPRIFOLIACEAE

Lonicera japonica

L. sempervirens

Sambucus canadensis

Virburnum dentatum var. lucidum

V. nudum

CAMPANULACEAE

Lobelia cardinalis

ASTERACEAE

Archillea millefolium
Ambrosia artemisiifolia
Anthemis cotula
Buccharis halimifolia
Carduus spinossissimus
Coreopsis falcata
C. lanceolata
Erigeron philadelphicus
E. quercifolius
E. vernus

Krigia oppositifolia
Mikania scandens
Pluchea foetida
Senecio tomentosus

Sonchus asper

LAMIACEAE

Pycnanthemum setosum
Salvia lyrata
Scutellaria integrifolia

■11-

Table 2
Animal Species List for Tyrrell County, North Caroliaa

AMPHIBIA:

REPTILIA:

AVES;

BUFONIDAE

Southern toad (Bufo terrestris)

HYLIDAE

Pine Woods treefrog (Hyla femoralis)

RANIDAE

Bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana)

Southern leopard frog (Rana utricularia)

Pickerel frog (Rana palustris)

KINOSTERNIDAE

Eastern mud turtle (Kinosternon sub rub rum)

EMYDIDAE

Spotted turble (Clemmys guttata)
Eastern box turtle (Terrapene Carolina)
Yellow-beliied turtle (Chrysemys scripta)
Florida cooter (Chrysemys f loridana)
Eastern painted turtle (Chrysemys picta)

IGUANIDAE

Carolina anole (Anolis carolinensis)

COLUBRIDAE

Plain-bellied water snake (Nerodia erythrogaster)

Southern water snake (Nerodia fasciata)

Eastern garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis)

Rough green snake (Opheodrys aestivus)

Black rat snake (Elaphe obsoleta)

Eastern kingsnake (Lampropeltis getulus)

VIPERIDAE

Eastern cottonmouth (Agkistrodon piscivorus)

Timber rattlesnake (Crotalus horridus)

PODICIPEDIDAE

Pied-billed grebe (Podilymbus podiceps)

PHALACROCORACIDAE

Double-crested cormorant (Phalacrocorax auritus)

ARDEIDAE

Great blue heron (Ardea herodias)

Green heron (Butorides striatus)

Cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis)

Great egret (Casmerodius albus)

Snowy egret (Egretta thula)

Black-crowned night heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) ,feed

-12-

ANATIDAE

Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos)

Wood duck (Aix sponsa)

CATHARTIDAE

Turkey vulture (Cathartes aura)

Black vulture (Coragyps atratus)

ACCIPITRIDAE

Red-tailed hawk (Buteo jamaicensis)

Red-shouldered hawk (Buteo lineatus)

FALCONIDAE

American kestrel (Falco sparverius)

PHASIANIDAE

Common bobwhite (Colinus virginianus)

CHARADRIIDAE

Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus)

SCOLOPACIDAE

Solitary sandpiper (Tringa solitaria)

American woodcock (Philohela minor)

LARIDAE

Herring gull (Larus argentatus)
Ring-billed gull (Larus delawarensis)
Royal tern (Sterna maxima)

COLUMBIDAE

Rock dove (Columba livia)

Mourning dove (Zenaida macroura)

TROCHILIDAE

Ruby- throated hummingbird (Archilochus colubris)

ALCEDINIDAE

Belted kingfisher (Megaceryle alcyon)

PICIDAE

Common flicker (Calaptes auratus)

Pileated woodpecker (Dryocopus pileatus)

Yellow-bellied sapsucker (Sphyrapicus varius)

Hairy woodpecker (Picoides villosus)

Downy woodpecker (Picoides pubescens)

Red-headed woodpecker (Melanerpes erythrocephalus)

TYRANNIDAE

Eastern kingbird (Tyrannus tyrannus)

Great crested flycatcher (Myiarchus crinitus)

HIRUNDINIDAE

Bank swallow (Riparia riparia)

Barn swallow (Hirundo rustica)

Table 2 (continued)

■13-

MAMMALIA:

CORVIDAE

Blue jay (Cyanocitta cristata)

American crow (Corvus brachyrhynchos )

PARIDAE

Carolina chickadee (Parus carolinensis)

Tufted titmouse (Parus bicolor)

TROGLODYTIDAE

Carolina wren (Thryothorus ludovicianus)

MIMIDAE

Northern mockingbird (Mimus polyglottos)
Gray catbird (Dumetella carolinensis)
Brown trasher (Toxostoma rufum)

TURDIDAE

American robin (Turdus migratorius)

STURNIDAE

European starling (Sturnus vulgaris)

PARULIDAE

Prothonotary warbeler (Prothonotaria citrea)

Yellow-rumped warbeler (Dendroica coronata)

Pine warbeler (Dendroica pinus)

Prarie warbeler (Dendroica discolor)

Common yellowthroat (Geothlypis trichas)

American redstart (Setophaga ruticilla)

PLOCEIDAE

House sparrow (Passer domesticus)

■ ICTERIDAE
Eastern meadowlark (Sturnella magna)
Red-winged blackbird (Agelaius phoeniceus)
Common grackle (Quiscalus quiscula)
Brown-headed cowbird (Molothrus ater)

FRINGILLIDAE

Northern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)

Indigo bunting (Passerina cyanea)

DIDELPHIDAE

Opossum (Didelphis marsupialis)

LEPORIDAE

Eastern cottontail (Sylvilagus floridanus)

Swamp cottontail (Sylvilagus palustris)

CRICETIDAE

Cotton rat (Sigmodon hispidus)

Muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus)

•14-

Table 2 (continued)

CMIDAE

Red fox (Vulpes fulva)

URSIDAE

Black bear (Ursus americanus)

PROCYONIDAE

Raccoon (Procyon lotor)

FELIDAE

Bobcat (Lynx rufus)

CERVIDAE

White-tail deer (Odocoileus virginianus)

■15-

TYRRELL COUNTY WETLANDS

I^Voet<\

ar\e

Sound

Scuppernong River

Lake Phelps

WETLANDS

(Swamp forest Pocosin or Marsh)

BLACK BEAR TRACKS OR SCAT

Figure 3.

•16-

UPPER ALLIGATOR RIVER POCOSIN
NATURAL AREA INVENTORY
Basic Information Summary Sheet:

1 . Natural Area Name

Upper Alligator River Pocosin

2 . County
Tyrrell

3. Location - On both sides of NC 94 for 2.3 miles S. of bridge over
NW fork of Alligator River. To reach center of area, begin at
bridge over NW fork of Alligator River, drive S for .5 miles and then
turn W on a canal road. Proceed 7.5 miles to end of road. Other
parts of area are reached by various farm and canal roads. (See
Figures 4-6) .

4. Topographic quadrangle

Fairfield NW, 7.5 min; New Lake, 7.5 min; Scotia, 7.5 min;
Creswell SE, 7.5 min.

5. Size
29,793 acres

6. Elevation

0-10 feet but mostly less than 5 feet

7. Access

By car on NC 94 and some farm roads, by trail bike or foot on
poorly maintained canal roads, by canoe on NW and SW forks of
the Alligator River. (See Figure 6)

8. Names of investigators

Charles B. McDonald, East Carolina University
Andrew N. Ash, East Carolina University

9. Date(s) of investigation
5/16-17/80

5/29/80

8/6/80

9/13-14/80

9A. Prose description of site

The Washington-Hyde-Tyrrell Pocosin system stretches across
parts of three counties and covers about 124 square miles. It can
be divided into two parts. The western part found in Washington,
Hyde, and Tyrrell counties covers about 88.5 square miles and might
be termed the "high elevation" portion. This area with an eleva-
tion of about 20 feet has been greatly modified by a network of

■17-

LU
1/5

(/5
O
U

o

a.

LU
Q£

>

I

LU
O

>•
X

z

o

z

X

<

Figure 4.

■18-

drainage canals and attempted agriculture. The eastern part, all
found in Tyrrell County, covers about 45.5 square miles. With
elevations of mostly less than 5 feet it can be called the low
elevation portion. This part of the system has been modified
relatively little. No agriculture has ever been attempted and
there are relatively few logging or canal roads. This report
describes the low elevation part of this vast three-county pocosin
system.

This area forms the drainage basin for the Northwest and
Southwest forks of the Alligator River. It is virtually flat and
the buildup of peat has formed deep organic soils. Like many large
pocosins the vegetation is a mosaic of related assemblages that
although similar in many ways can differ considerably in general
aspect. The most striking differences from place to place involve
the canopy pond pines (Pinus serotina) . In some places they are
completely absent, in other places they are widely scattered, while
in still other places they may be fairly dense. Their size may
vary from stunted 10 to 15 foot trees to fairly healthy looking
trees that reach about 50 feet. In some areas they form a re-
latively uniform canopy indicating an even-aged stand while in many
other places they form a very irregular canopy probably indicating
slow establishment or episodes of establishment over a number of
years. A dense shrub layer is ever present. Like the pines, the
shrubs vary in size and thickness. They are usually largest and
thickest, 6 to 10 feet, in the areas with tall pines and much
shorter, 2 to 3 feet, in areas where the pines are widely scattered
or absent. The most common species are leatherwood (Cyrilla
racemif lora) , Zenobia (Zenobia pulverulenta) , fetterbush (Lyonia
lucida) , greenbrier (Smilax laurifolia) , bitter gallberry (Ilex
glabra) , and leatherleaf (Cassandra calyculata) . The relative
abundance of each varies from place to place. Openings between the
shrubs, mostly in the wetter areas, will permit the development of
some herbaceous vegetation. Sphagnum moss is always present.
Perhaps next in frequency is Virginia chain fern (Woodwardia
virginica) while pitcher plants (Sarracenia f lava and S^^ purpurea) ,
sundews (Drosera spp . ) , and cotton grass (Eriophorum virginicum)
are all common.

This area is so large and structurally diverse that quanti-
tative samples from any single location are inadequate to describe
the whole. Lacking time for more in depth study we sampled only a
single area. This area along NC 94 would best be called short
pocosin. It has scattered runty pond pines (see attached sheet for
calculations) that vary from about 8 to 20 feet. One tree about 12
feet tall was cut and determined from its growth rings to be 18
years old. Most larger trees cannot be aged because they have
begun to rot in the middle. Whatever their age, their growth is
very slow. The shrub zone consists of two distinct layers. The
upper layer is leatherwood and about 6 feet tall while the lower
layer at about 3 feet is dominated by Zenobia with some fetterbush,
leatherleaf, bitter gallberry, and lamb-kill (Kalmia angustifolia) .
The two layers are not mixed, if leatherwood is present it crowds
out the smaller species. When there is an opening in the shrubs
Virginia chain fern and other herbaceous plants are present.

-19-

Table 4

Vegetation Sampling Sianmary
Upper Alligator River Pocosin

Based on 25 quarter points

Total density = 722 trees/ha

Canopy

Relative

Relative

Relative

Importance

Species Frequency

Density

Dominance

Value

Pinus serotina 93

98

99

290

Taxodium distichum 7

2

1

10

-20-

10. Significance Summary. See Table 5 and Figure 5

11 . Legal Status and Use
Ownership type by percent area:

12. Number of owners: 4

Private

100%

Public

%

Unknown

%

13. Name(s) of owner(s) and/or custodian(s) with addresses,
numbers .

1. First Colony Farms 2. Richard H. Cox 3. Mary B. Lebo 4.

phone

Creswell, NC 27928

RFD 1
Princeton, NC

c/o Gilbert

Petrina

130 State St.

Harrisburg, PA

17101

Burruss Land
and Timber
Box 5152
Roanoke VA
24012

14. Use of natural area:

a. Cat.: low intensity hunting

b. Other (N/A)
Use of surrounding land:

15

a.
b.
c.

95%

Wildland

Agricultural land 5%

Developed land

16. Management Problem description

Control of hunting - Impact 3; Effort 1
Possible future logging - Impact 3; Effort 1

17. Preservation status
Cat - 6 - 100%

18. Regulatory protections in force: None.

19. Attitude of owner or custodian toward preservation: Unknown

20.

Threats

a.

Cat *SF
3 X
3 X

b.

Description of threat

logging

peat mining

>^

1

to

•

c

>^

o

a

1

?>.

4-1

•H

1

c

•rH

to

to

to

4-1

O

to

B

CO

CO

^

CO

tu

CO

4-1 to

c

X

1—1

c

1—1

o

>^

>s

o

O.

M

>-.

OJ 0)

3

o

CO

3

CX,

o

a

U-J

0

JZ

•H

CO

to

-C3

x:

00-H

o

3

u

•1— )

to

o

CO

<XXl

x:

3

o

0) CJ

o

to

01

to

r-l

CO

to

s

3

u

CO

4-1

3

> 0)

>

•rH

to

•H

OJ

4-J

13

T3

<u

•

•H

CO

CO

cx

c

U

OJ

Xl

4-1

I-I

c

01

C

U-l

a.

0)

x:

•> CO

•rH

OJ

CO

to

4-1

to

OJ

.n

•

(0

o

N

4-1

O

CO

>»

00

c

CO

M

G

(-1

c

•

CD

• H

4J

C

oo -

CO

Vh

C

• H

o

c

CO

3

o

<U

0) CO

OJ

CO

M-l

-rH

O CO

OJ

to

• H

CO

O

'H

01

■u

•w

>

B <u

0)

o

(/]

to

.— 1 tH

u

1—1

1—1

*

CD

(U

CO

00

•H

o u

Vj

T3

OJ

o

O CO

CO

c

cx

OJ

o

CO

•H

0)

4-1

CO CO

4-J

Vj

CO

•H

o

u >,

OJ

•

OJ

•

n

o

CO

TT

u

CO

O

0)

4-J

o

T) r-4

CO

X

OJ

OJ

1—1

CO

to

o

CO

J-l

m. CO

CO

(J

M

• H

a

>. CO

CO

4-J

4-1

ID

CO

00

M

cx

■U

c

<U

CO -H

CO

(U

3

c

x: c

OJ

CO

•u

o

(U

CO

•H

00

<U JZ

0)

u

w

3

14-1

CO

c

4-1

4-1

to

to

X

0)

s

>

CO

0)

u u

)-l

CO

*->

o

0k

u

O

CO

^

•

to

I-I

o

• H

OJ

CO

>

0

ex

Q)

OJ

(--

>» AJ

•

OJ

O

CO

o

c

to

i-H

iJ

r-l

TD

U O

>^

■U

U-l

O

CO

oo c

o

■o

OJ

OJ

to

01

o

•rH

ta

C

00

CO i^

o

CO

cx

4.1

O QJ

4-1

1-1

c

X

u

u

1

CO

d

M

(U

CO

c

Q)

■u

OJ

a

o

r-l -H

OJ

•H

o

4-1

4-1

to

c

to

C

•r-l

CO

x:

r-l

•H

M-( 01

T3

CO

3

o

0)

o ts

3

•rH

5

o

&

4-1

■u

d

i-<

cr

cxx: to

•t

>^

C

TJ

t4-l

to

o

•rH

0)

B

c

CO

o a"

CO

1+-I

•i-i

0)

CO

cx n

>,

4-1

1—1

■ H

C

o

4-1

u

4-1

u

o

y-i

• H

<u

•H •!-(

XI

o

c

•a

CO

l-i 00

00

CO

X

to

c

oo

CO

OJ

o

o

CO

)-l

x; c

3

• H

o

o

0)

CO

CO

to

3

1-H

X

o

a;

ex s

OJ

a!

>

!>.

B C

1-1

oox

CO

c

4-1

o

4-1

3

0)

o

jj

CO

00

B

0)

o

C

o o

o

I-I

o

0)

00

u

B

to

D.

n

•

c

o

c

U 0)

3

o

X!

^

CO

0) -I-I

■ H

to

u

U

•H

CO

X

O

o

o

o

D.

• H

00^

SC

CO

H

&

E

00 4-1

X

hJ

(X|

CO

tyi

P-

<

u

CX

B

21

CO

i::
o

oc

•H
CD

c
o

■H
4-1

cxi

•H

I-I
o

CO

OJ

o

CO

B

3

0)

C

o

H

to

CIh

I-I

e

3

x:

o

• H

4J

09

•H

cd

•o

0)

^

Q

<:

rj

• H

OJ

•o

w

O

•H

X

4-1

(0

B

H

M

CO
(U

CO

CO

•I-I

OJ

h

u

<U

CO

S

CO

(U

)-l

to

•H

3

■U

CO

C

I-I

M

t>

col

■-il
cO|

CO
I-I

o
o.
m

o

X!

o

c

X

c

OJ

oo

OJ

►J
<x

CO

1 1

4-1

4-1 D

CO

OJ B

0)

0)

3 E

;-i

X U

O

3

00 tu

>. u

4-1

•H 4-1

4-1

CO

X C

•H 4-1

<u

•rH

1-1 C

M-l

X

CO CO

AJ X

3 r-l

I-I

• H O

tj- CX

CO

& ^4

■ H

CO

X T3

>.

O

CO 01

00 C

4J

OJ

01 tn

• H to

•rH

cx

I-I OJ

m ^

c

CO

<: U

'O

1
X

Px

C

■H

h

!-i

OJ

0)

a

CX

c

m

o

na

(0

o

OJ

(U

u

a

r-l

CO

OJ

u

CO

OJ

oo

(U

•H

•rH

c

•o

o

o

to r-l

.-1

OJ

01

•a CO

•H

p-

cx

C Vh

&

co

ID

W OJ

T r\

1227

\yA

[""COLUMBIA

,^-"*'

.<^

\

«i

'I301 ^>srn^

71302

Cross Londma v"

' Pleosont VifwX'^ '375 I

BIG

PETTiGREW
STATE
PAHK : \M

l/iTE PHELPS

h-

B

^fOLLOiy

GROUND

BOUNDARY AND SIGNIFICANT FEATURES

UPPER ALLIGATOR RIVER POCOSIN

Siy.4MFl

' /un/per^-^C''**'

w

Gum Nedt

AlUCATt f
l-tKF

n

IH-

* I,
1

Kl

. soiy;'-.'!!

Figure 6.

ACCESS INFORMATION

UPPER ALLIGATOR RIVER
POCOSIN

■23-

21. Management and preservation recommendation.

Acquisition of this area is recommended. The bald cypress
that are significant are mostly within the area owned by Burruss
Land and Timber. First Colony Farms may be equally reluctant to
voluntarily protect their portion of the area. One possible means
of future acquisition by the state could be through a gift or
bargain purchase from the owners in mitigation for pocosin des-
troyed by peat mining.

The management of some areas may require prescribed burning to
encourage herbaceous species. This could perhaps be limited to the
wetter area east of NC 94. Hunting should be prohibited but this
is seen as a minor problem due to the limited access. No other
management problems are foreseen.

22. Rating (county perspective):

1)_ X high priority

2) medium priority

3) low priority

State Natural Heritage rating: Statewide (high) significance.

23. Prose statement of site significance.

This is a huge area with very little access. This alone is a
most significant feature. There is little true wilderness left and
if the pattern of development in this county is being repeated
elsewhere, even that is in jeopardy. Size and isolation make this
an excellent habitat for black bear (Ursus americanus) and if a
species like the mountain lion (Felis concolor) is to be reestab-
lished in eastern North Carolina it will need this type of open
space.

The endangered peripheral plant species, Rhynchospora alba,
was found in low pocosin along NC 94. There appears to be a
healthy population in this area. Further study will possibly show
that such species as sweet pitcher plant (Sarracenia rubra) and
cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) are also present.

The pocosin is a disappearing community type. Those with
relatively shallow organic soils are being converted to pine plan-
tation or agriculture while those with deep organic soils are now
being considered as potential energy sources. This pocosin is
significant just for its relatively natural condition with its
single most insignificant feature being the presence of numerous
large bald cypress trees (Taxodium distichum) (point 1, Figure 5).
In his study, The Phytosociology of the Green Swamp , North
Carolina, Kologiski discussed the land use history of that area.
An 1870 timber survey reported that the Green Swamp contained
tremendous resources of cypress, gum and white cedar. Systematic
logging was started about 1900 using railroads and steam skidders
to transport the harvest. Even though there were no roads, all

Figure 7.

OWNERSHIP INFORMATION

UPPER ALLIGATOR RIVER POCOSIN
(NtJhibers correspond to ownership list.)

■25-

parts of the swamp were reached. Logging increased the threat of
fire by promoting shrub growth so the present vegetation has
probably developed in response to both logging and fire. Since all
of the pocosins in North Carolina have been similarly exploited,
our present concept of pocosins probably does not correspond very
well with their appearance prior to man's large scale intervention.
The part of the pocosin in Tyrrell County with its large (18 to 24
inches DBH) bald cypress trees probably represents the closest
approximation to undisturbed pocosin that can be found in the
state. Every effort should be made to preserve this tract.

The pocosins that occupy broad upland flats are thought to
represent drainage basins that have become clogged with vegetation.
There are few streams and any artificial drainage by canals changes
water patterns to the extent that even those streams lose their
flow and cease to exist. To our knowledge, no other pocosin in the
state contains a natural stream that is so well developed as the
Southwest Fork of the Alligator River. This stream is large enough
to be traveled by canoe for its entire distance of about 9 miles.
Winter travel is recommended unless you are collecting snakes. In
addition to mere presence, this stream and the Northwest Fork of
the Alligator River have some interesting vegetational features .
The Southwest Fork contains a large stretch of open shrub marsh
(point 2, Figure 5) composed of leatherwood and Zenobia while the
Northwest Fork (point 3, Figure 5) is part of a very unusual
ecotone. On the east side of this stream there is swamp forest
while on the west side there is pocosin. Such a situation offers
an excellent opportunity for a comparitive study of the factors
that support the formation of each community type.

A relatively small section of swamp forest (Community Type B)
on Map 5 has been included in this natural area. Even though this
forest was cut within the last 15 to 20 years, the loggers left
behind some huge bald cypress trees. Most have their tops blown
out and they look like giant stumps with only a few scraggly
branches. Some trees exceed 5 feet in diameter. These trees are
either rotten in the middle or the loggers did not have large
enough saws to cut them down. Whichever, the area should be more
thoroughly searched with the chance of finding a tree of state
record size.

24. A. Natural Characteristics Summary Community Type A (See Figure 5):

a. Vegetation-Biotic Community Summary

Community type: Pinus serotina/Zenobia pulverulenta-Cyrilla

racemif lora/Woodwardia virginica-Sphagnum spp

Community cover type :

Pinus serotina

General habitat feature: Pocosin

Average tree height: From 15 to 45 feet
depending on area

-26-

Estimated age of canopy trees: ?

Estimated size of association (sq. meters, acres,

etc. ) :

28,833 acres

Successional stage:

Subclimax (fire maintained)

Sere type:

Psammosere

Common canopy species in community cover type or

community type (but not dominant) : Taxodium

distichum

Common subcanopy- shrub stratum species in community
cover type or community type (but not dominant) :
Persea borbonia , Gordonia lasianthus , Lyonia lucida ,
Smilax laurifolia

Common herb stratum species in community type (but not
dominant) : Sarracenia f lava

Soil Summary

Source of information: General Soil Map, Tyrrell County,

USDA-SCS, Rev 7/22

Soil association: Belhaven-Dare-Doravan

Soil order: Histosol

pH class: Strongly acidic?

Moisture class: Hydric

Associated community cover type or community

type:

Pinus serotipa

Hydrology Summary

Drinage basin: North Fork of Alligator River

Hydrologic system: Palustrine

Hydrologic subsystem: Interaqueous

Water chemistry: Fresh

Water regime: Nontidal - seasonally flooded

Summary-Topography and Physiography

Topographic site type characteristics

-27-

Land form: Peat Flat

Shelter: Open

Aspect: N/A

Slope angle: Nearly level

Profile: N/A

Surface patterns : Hammocky

Position: N/A

Physiographic site type of natural area: Pocosin

Physiographic site type of community cover type or
community type : As above

Geologic formation: Pamlico Terrace
Geologic formation age: Quaternary

References: Stuckey, J. L. and W. G. Steel. 1953.
Geology and Mineral Resources of North Carolina. N. C.
Geologic Survey Educational Series No. 3.

e. Summary - Endangered and threatened species

Name of species: Rhynchospora alba

Species legal status: Endangered peripheral

Number of populations on site: 1

Number of individuals per population: Numerous

Size or maturity of individuals: Fruiting specimens observed

General vigor of population: good

Disturbance or threats to population: This species may need
fire management. If shrubs become to thick they will crowd out
this herbaceous species

Habitat characteristics (See above)

f. Master species lists. See Table 3.

I
I.

-28-

Table 3.
Master Species List

ACERACEAE
Acer rub rum

APIACEAE

Hydrocotyle verticillata
var . triradiata

AQUIFOLIACEAE

Ilex glabra

BLECHNACEAE

Woodwardia virginica

CAPRIFOLIACEAE

Viburnum nudum

CIETHRACEAE

Clethra alnifolia

CYPERACEAE

Eriophorum virginicum
Rhynchospora alba

CYRILLACEAE

Cyrilla racemiflora

DROSERACEAE

Drosera intermedia

ERICACEAE

Cassandra calyculata
Kalmia angustifolia
Lyonia ligustrina
Lyonia lucida
Zenobia pulverulenta

EQUISETACEAE

Equisetum arvense

ERIOCAULACEAE

Eriocaulon decangulare

FABACEAE

Lathyrus hirsutus

LAURACEAE

Persea borbonia

LYCOPODIACEAE

Lycopodium alopecuroides

MAGNOLIACEAE

Magnolia virginiana

MYRICACEAE

Myrica cerifera
Myrica heterophylla

NYMPHAEACEAE

Nuphar lutea

spp. macrophyllum
Nymphaea odorata

NYSSACEAE

Nyssa sylvatica

OLEACEAE

Ligustrum sinense

ORCHIDACEAE

Calopogon pulcbellus

PINACEAE

Pinus serotina

PONTEDERIACEAE

Pontederia cordata

ROSACEAE

Sorbus arbutifolia

SARRACENIACEAE

Sarracenia f lava
Sarracenia purpurea

TAXODIACEAE

Taxodium distichum

LILIACEAE

Smilax laurifolia

-29-

24B. Natural Characteristics Summary

a. Vegetation-Biotic Community Summary Community Type B. See Map
5.

Community type: Nyssa sylvatica

Community cover type: Nyssa sylvatica

General habitat feature: Swamp Forest

Average tree height: 40 feet

Estimated age of canopy trees: 20 years except for the
few huge bald C5npress trees.

Estimated size of association (sq. meters, acres, etc.):
960 acres .

Successional stage: Subclimax

Sere type: Pelosere?

Common canopy species in community cover type or community
type (but not dominant) : Acer rub rum, Taxodium distichum

Common subcanopy-shrub stratum species in community cover
type or community type (but not dominant) :

Common herb stratum species in community type (but not dominant)

b. Soil Summary

Source of information: General Soil Map, Tyrrell County,
North Carolina; USDA-SCS; Revised 7/72
Soil association: Belhaven-Dare-Dorovan

Soil order: Histosol

pH class: Acidic?

Moisture class: Hydric

Associated community cover type or community type:
Nyssa sylvatica

c. Hydrology Summary

Drainage basin: North Fork of Alligator River
Hydrologic system: Palustrine

■30-

Hydrologic subsystem: Interaqueous

Water chemistry: Fresh

Water regime: Nontidal-seasonally flooded

Summary-Topography and Physiography

Topographic site type characteristics

Land form: Floodplain

Shelter: Open

Aspect: N/A

Slope angle: Nearly level

Profile: N/A

Surface patterns: Smooth

Position: N/A

Physiographic site type of natural area: Big stump swamp
(proposed)

Physiographic site type of community cover type or community
type: Swamp Forest

Geologic formation: Pamlico Terrace
Geologic formation age: Quaternary

References: Stuckey, J. L. and W. G. Steel. 1953. Geology
and Mineral Resources of North Carolina, N. C. Geologic Survey
Educational Series No. 3.

Summary - Endangered and Threatened Species - N/A

Master species lists not compiled for this area.

■31-

BUCK ISLAND BAY FOREST
NATURAL AREA INVENTORY
Basic Information Smnmary Sheet;

1. Natural Area Name
Buck Island Bay Forest

2 . County
Tyrrell

3. Location

Site is 1 1/4 miles south along an unimproved logging road
from its junction with county road 1314. This junction with 1314 is at
a point on 1314 0.9 miles west of its terminus at Grapevine Landing. (See
Figure 1 and 8) .

4. Topographic quadrangle
Fairfield NE, N. C.

5. Size
1,368 acres

6. Elevation
1-3 feet

7. Access

By unimproved logging road from county road 1314. (See Figure 9).

8. Names of investigators

Charles B. McDonald, East Carolina University
Andrew N. Ash, East Carolina University

9. Date(s) of investigation

5/22-23/80
9/21-22/80

9A. Prose description of site

Buck Island is a robust example of bay forest. The canopy is
dominated by pond pine (Pinus serotina) with many large loblolly
bays (Gordonia lasianthus) . The subcanopy consists primarily of
loblolly bay and red bay (Persea borbonia ) . The shrub layer is
primarily sweet gallberry (Ilex coriacea) and fetter-bush (Lyonia
lucida) . A sampling summary based on 25 quarter points follows
this description to further clarify vegetative composition.

The soils on the site are histosols, primarily composed of
peat, which have been deposited within the last 9,000 years or so.
These soils have a deep organic horizon, 5 feet on the site,
deposited on the Pamlico Terrace, a sand formation of quaternary
age.

■33-

The area is poorly drained and periodically flooded in the
wintertime. During summers, the site is usually dry. Most
drainage is by sheet flow to the Alligator River or downward
through the organic horizon to the water table.

Upon first glance, the system seems two-layered instead of
three-layered. The canopy and sub-canopy become obvious only after
several minutes careful study. Much closer to the realities of
walking, the shrub layer is immediately obvious and often painfully
so.

The mature pond pines, ranging from 70-80 years in age, are
certainly as fine a stand of this species as I have seen. The many
large loblolly bays of the canopy and sub-canopy are worthy of
documentation. The occasional red bay gains true arboreal stature
which I have seen at few other localities. In all, the canopy
seems mature and unaltered since regeneration at about the turn of
the century.

The shrub layer is made up of sweet gallberry, fetter-bush,
male-berry (Lyonia ligustrina) , and sparkleberry (Vaccinitim
corymbosum) . The resulting tangle is sufficiently dense to render
"impenetrable" an euphemism. Not only can you not walk, you can't
see where you are not walking. However aggravating this situation
may be, it has some good points. First, it keeps human activity to
a minimum. Second, it provides food in the form of foliage and
berries. Third, it provides excellent cover. For these reasons,
the site should be reasonably rich in wildlife. In particular,
sign of black bear (Ursus americanus) were found on the site. As
Buck Island is a little over 2 square miles in size, it may not be
able to support bear by itself. However, it might be organized as
part of a larger county-wide refuge and corridor system to preserve
present bear populations in Tyrrell County.

In summary. Buck Island is an excellent example of bay forest,
which is not currently disturbed by commercial or recreational
interests. Because of this lack of disturbance. Buck Island and
large acreages of surrounding community types make excellent
wildlife habitat, in particular for black bear.

ACCESS INFORMATION

BUCK ISLAND BAY FOREST

-35-

TABLE 6
Buck Island Bay Forest
Sampling Summary
Based on 25 quarter point plots.

Canopy
Total density =671 trees/ha

Relative

Relative

Relative

Importance

Species

Frequency

Density

Dominance

Value

Pinus serotina

64

80

78

222

Gordonia

21

13

12

46

lasianthus

Acer rubrum

10

5

8

23

Persea borbonia 5

2

1

8

Subcanopy

Relative

Relative

Relative

Importance

Species

Frequency

Density

Dominance

Value

Persea borbonia 44

49

43

136

Gordonia

40

41

51

132

lasianthus

Myrica cerifera 6

5

1

12

Pinus serotina

6

3

2

11

Acer rubrum

2

1

3

6

Magnolia

2

1

1

4

virgxniana

-36-

10. Significance Sununary. (categories represented and descriptions)

11,

12.
13.

Feature

High quality
wetland plant
community

Special habitat

Description

Pinus serotina/Gordonia
lasianthus-Persea
borbonia/Ilex
coriacea-Lyonia lucida

Black bear, Bay Forest

Comparative Assessment

Most nearly "natural"
of 2-3 examples in
county

One of several
large tracts of
bear habitat in the
county that
experience little
human intrusion

Legal Status and Use

Ownership type by percent area:

TZE£

Private

Public

Unknown

100%

Number of owners:

Name(s) of owner(s) and/or custodian(s) (with addresses,
phone numbers .

Prim West, Inc. , (M. Primat of France) - apparently managed by First

Colony Farms Inc.

14.

15.

Use of Natural area:

a. Cat. Low intensity Forest

b. Other (describe) Intrusions; a) two unimproved logging roads

b) frequent low-level jet overflights

Low Intensity Recreation

Use of surrounding land

a. Wildland 100%

b. Agricultural Land

c. Developed Land

%

16. Management problem description*

3. /Possible future logging - Impact 3; Effort 1
1. /Controlled hunting of bear - Impact 3; Effort 1

^Assuming eventual ownership by public interest group

■37-

17. Preservation status
Cat. - 6 - 100%

18. Regulatory protections in force State and Federal laws protecting
endangered species, Sec. 404(b) of the clean water act.

19. Attitude of owner or custodian toward preservation. Unknown.

20. Threats

a. Cat "SF b. Description of threat

Possible logging and development of entire
area by First Colony Farms.

21. Management and preservation recommendation.

This large tract of bay forest should be preserved as an
exemplary tract of such habitat. Also, it serves as a refuge for
what I feel may be a good county-wide population of black bear. If
it is to be preserved as bay forest, it should be managed against
any successional trends away from this community type. This would
not be necessary if the site were preserved only as a bear sanc-
tuary, since bear do well in a variety of similar habitats. The
key to bear management should be tract size as bear have large home
ranges .

There are no problems to be corrected on the area at present,
but the owners could try to log and develop the area at any time.
They claim to operate under an informal policy whereby any land
within 1/2 mile of an estuary or river is not developed (Buck
Island falls within this limit) .

22. Rating (County perspective):

1) X high priority

2) medium priority

3) low priority

State Natural Heritage rating: regional (medium) significance.

23. Prose statement of site significance

Buck Island is a mature (70-80 years) example of bay forest.
These systems are probably fire controlled and thus few such
systems can be expected to reach such an age. This lack of fire
has yielded many large pond pines (Pinus serotina) , loblolly bays
(Gordonia lasianthus) , and red bays (Persea borbonia) . For the
same reason, the shrub layer is unusually robust. Certainly there
are few remaining superior examples of this community type in the
state. The area is remote from human habitation or development,
thus it retains a "natural" flavor which is readily apparent to the
visitor. This feeling is slightly marred by low-level jet over-

■38-

f lights. As mature habitat, the area offers a haven for endangered
plants and animals gerraaine to pocosin-type systems. Plants such
as resinous Joe-Pye weed (Eupatorium resinosum) , white wicky
(Kalmia cuneata) and rough-leaf loosestrife (Lysimachia
asperulaefolia) and animals such as pine-barrens treefrog (Hyla
andersoni) and black bear (Ursus americanus) could occur here.
Sign of bear were noticed at the site. Certainly large tracts of
habitat along estuarine margins are among the last strongholds for
bear in this state. Tyrrell County seems to have a bear population
worthy of further investigation and areas such as Buck Island
should be aquired whenever possible. The community type, age,
remoteness and habitat quality of Buck Island all argue for its
registration as a natural area. Further investigation should lead
to a firm basis in fact to support the indications given here.

24. Natural Chateristics Summary

a. Vegetation-Biotic Community Summary

Community type: Pinus serotina/Gordonia lasianthus-Persea
borbonia/Ilex coriacea-Lyonia lucida

Community cover type: Pinus serotina

General habitat feature: Bay forest

Average tree height: 42 feet

Estimated size of association (sq. meters, acres, etc.):
1,368 acres

Successional stage: Climax (best guess) could go to Gordonia
forest?

Sere tjrpe: Psammosere?

Common canopy species in community cover type or community
type (but not dominant) : Gordonia lasianthus

Common subcanopy-shrub stratum species in community cover type
or community type (but not dominant) :

Lyonia ligustrina, Vaccinium corymbosum

Common herb stratum species in community type (but not

dominant) : None

b. Soil Summary

Source of information: General Soil Map, Tyrrell County,
USDA-SCS Rev. 7-72

Soil association: Belhaven-Dare-Dorovan

-39-

Soil order: Histosols

pH class: Unknown

Moisture class: Hydric

Associated community cover type or community type:
Pinus serotina

Hydrology Summary

Drinage basin: Alligator River

Hydrologic system: Palustrine

Hydrologic subsystem: Inter aqueous

Water chemistry: Fresh

Water regime: Nontidal-seasonally flooded

Summary-Topography and PHysiography

Topographic site type characteristics

Land form: Peat flat

Shelter: Open

Aspect: NA

Slope angle: Nearly level

Profile: NA " .

Surface patterns : hummocky

Position: NA

Physiographic site type of natural area: Buck Island

Physiographic site type of community cover type or community
type: Peat flat

Geologic formation: Pamlico Terrace

Geologic formation age: Quaternary

References: Stuckey, J. L. and W. G. Steel. 1953. Geology
and Mineral Reources of North Carolina. North Carolina
Geological Survey. Educational Series No. 3.

■40-

e. Summary - Endangered and threatened species
Name of species: Ursus americanus (black bear)
Species legal status: Special concern
Number of populations on site: NA

Number of individuals per population: Not known

Size or maturity of individuals: Not known

General vigor of population: Now known

Disturbance or threats to population: Development of habitat,
excessive hunting and recreational use.
Habitat characterists (See above)

f. Master species lists
ACERACEAE

Acer rub rum

AQUIFOLIACEAE

Ilex coriacea
Ilex glabra
Ilex laevigata

BLECHNACEAE

Woodwardia virginica

ERICACEAE

Lyonia ligustrina
Lyonia lucida
Rhododendron nudif lorum
Vaccinium corymbosujij

LAURACEAE

Persea borbonia

LILIACEAE

Smilax laurifolia

MAGNOLIACEAE

Magnolia virginiana

MYRICACEAE

Myrica cerifera

PINACEAE

Pinus serotiaa

ROSACEAE

Sorbus arbutifolia

THEACEAE

Gordonia lasianthus

-41-

UPPER ALLIGATOR RIVER MARSH

NATURAL AREA INVENTORY

Basic Information Summary Sheet:

1. Natural Area Name

Upper Alligator River Marsh

2. County
Tyrrell

3. Location

Located along Alligator River from where NC 94 crosses the river at
the Tyrrell-Hyde County border eastward along the river - 4.5 miles
See figures 1 and 10.

4. Topographic quadrangle
Fairfield, Fairfield NW

5. Size

971 acres

6. Elevation
0-2 feet

7. Access

By foot from NC 94 at Tyrrell-Hyde County border. By boat form
same spot. By boat from Gum Neck Landing. See figures 10.

8. Names of investigators

Charles B. McDonald, East Carolina University
Andrew N. Ash, East Carolina University

9. Date(s) of investigation
5/31/80

6/12-13/80
8/6/80

9A. Prose description of site

The upper Alligator River Marsh is a 971 acre stretch of fresh
water marsh dominated by Typha glauca. The marsh seems robust and has
probably expanded recently as there are dead and dying trees near the
edge. The attached vegetative analysis sheet gives an indication of the
abundance and distribution of the more common plants in the marsh.

The soils are histosoils over a parent material of quaternary sand
typical of the Pamlico Terrace. The marsh occupies the flood plain of
the upper Alligator River for a distance of over four miles.

At first view, the observer is impressed with the extremely high
density of Typha and the fairly common red cedars (Juniperus virginiana)

-42-

which dot the marsh. Other plants are not visible at first glance and
exhibit relatively little importance. The last readily obvious features
are the numerous snags at the edge of the marsh. These might be the
effects of rising sea level or salt water intrusion.

The marsh is undoubtedly the haven of numerous water birds such as
coots, rails, ducks, herrons, egrets, bitterns, etc. As this is one of
only two large tracts of fresh water marsh in the county, preservation
could well be in order.

10. Significance Summary (categories represented and descriptions)

a. Feature - High quality wetland plant community

b. Description of significant feature - Typha glauca

c. Comparative assessment - One of two large acreages of this
community type in county.

11 . Legal Status and Use

Ownership type by percent area: Private 100%

Public

Unknown

12. Number of owners:

13. Nanie(s) of owner(s) and/or custodian(s) (with addresses, phone
numbers .

First Colony Farms, Inc. (except for Roper Island)

Creswell, NC 27928

14. Use of natural area:

a. Cat. Low intensity recreation ___________

b. Other (describe) Intrusions: one improved road (NC 94),
intra-coastal waterway passes through the marsh.

15. Use of surrounding land:

a. Wildland 100 %

b. Agricultural land %

c. Developed land

16. Management problem description

Control of human use and abuse - Impact 3; Effort 2

Elimation of incompatible uses on - Impact 3; Effort 3
area or adjacent land

Figure 10.

BOUNDARY AND SIGNIFICANT FEATURES
UPPER ALLIGATOR RIVER MARSH

■44-

Table 7

Vegetation Sampling Summary
Upper Alligator River Marsh

Based on 10 meter square plots
Total density = 1.24 x 10 stems/ha

Species

Relative

Relat

ive

Relative

Importance

Frequency

Densi

M

Dominance

Value

Typha glauca

30.3

88.8

85.8

204.9

Osmunda regalis

15.2

0.6

2.7

18.5

Hydrocotyle umbellata

9.1

3.9

2.1

15.1

Mikania scandens

9.1

1.1

2.4

12.6

Hibiscus moscheutos

9.1

0.4

2.2

11.7

Eleocharis sp.

6.1

2.6

1.9

10.6

Cladium jamaicense

6.1

1.4

1.6

9.1

Triglochin striata

3.0

0.5

0.3

3.8

Polygonum punctatum

3.0

0.3

0.3

3.6

Rhus radicans

3.0

0.2

0.3

3.5

Samolus parviflorus

3.0

0.2

0.2

3.4

Solidago sp.

3.0

0.1

0.2

3.3

-45-

17. Preservation status
Cat. -6 - 100%

18. Regulatory protections in force: Sec. 404 (b) of the Clean Water Act.
U.S. Government owns Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway right-of-way.

19. Attitude of owner or custodian toward preservation (contacted?)
Not known

20.

Threats
a. Cat
3

*SF b. Description of threat

First Colony Farms could do anything, possibly
X new canals, etc.

21. Management and preservation recommendation

The entire expanse of the fresh water marsh should be preserved.
The area should be managed against excess human use or abuse. Farming
practices in fields to the south sould be closely monitored for their
effects. The Army Corps of Engineers should be consulted about
management practices necessary to keep the intracoastal waterway
functional. This waterway passes through the western end of the marsh.
There are no apparent existing management problems.

The only probable land conversion might be the construction of
drainage canals. This is not too likely. Preservation of most of the
marsh could be effected even if canals were dug. Acquisition could
possibly be by registration, purchase, or easement.

22. Rating (County perspective)

1)

2)"

3)"

X

high priority
medium priority
low priority

State Natural Heritage rating: regional (medium) significance.

23. Prose statement of site significance

The significance of the Upper Alligator River Marsh is that it is a
971 acre expanse of Typha glauca freshwater marsh. Also, the area
serves as excellent wildlife habitat for marsh, semi-aquatic, and
aquatic species. The area is readily approached by boat and car,
and this adds to its appeal in terms of recreation. There is only
one other large acreage of fresh water marsh in Tyrrell County, and
this marsh is at the other end of the county. Thus, the upper
Alligator Marsh may have some regional importance in terms of
natural heritage. Further on-site evaluation may yield additonal
data which argue for preservation.

-46-

24. Natural Characteristics Siunmary

a. Vegetation-Biotic Community Summary

Community type: Typha glauca

Community cover type: Typha glauca

General habitat feature: Fresh water marsh

Average rush height: 8-10 Feet

Estimated age of canopy trees: N/A

Estimated size of association (sq. meters, acres, etc.): 971 acres

Successional stage: Climax?

Sere type: Psammosere-Pelosere

Common canopy species in communtiy cover type or community
type (but not dominant): None

Common subcanopy-shrub stratum species in community cover type
or community type (but not dominant) : None

Common herb stratum species in community type (but not dominant) :
None

B. Soil Summary

Source of information: General Soil Survey, Tyrrell County,
USDA-SCS Revised 7/72

Soil association:. Belhaven-Dare-Dorovan

Soil order: Histosols

pH class: Unknown

Moisture class: Hydric

Associated communtiy cover type or community type: Typha glauca

c. Hydrology Summary

Drainage basin: Alligator River

Hydrologic system: Riverine

Hydrologic subsystem: Lower Perennial

-47-

Water chemistry: Fresh

Water regime: Semipermanently flooded

d. Summary-Topography and Physiography
Topographic site type characteristics
Land form: Stream channel and floodplain
Shelter: Open

Aspect: N/A

Slope angle: Nearly level

Profile: N/A

Surface patterns: Sandy-silty-hamraocky

Position: N/A • "

Physiographic site type of natural area: Fresh water cattail
marsh

Physiographic site type of community cover type or community
type: Fresh water cattail marsh

Geologic formation: Pamlico Terrace

Geologic formation age: Quaternary

Referecnes: Stucky, J. L. and W. G. Steel. 1953. Geology and

Mineral Resources of North Carolina. North Carolina Geological Survey, E'

Series No. 3.

e. Suimnary - Endangered and Threatened Species - N/A

f. Master species list:

ALISMATACEAE JUNCAGINACEAE

Sagittaria falcata Triglochin striata

ANACARDIACEAE MALVACEAE

Rhus radicans Hibiscus moscheutos

Kosteletskya virginica

APLIACEAE MYRICACEAE

Centella asiatica Myrica cerifera

Hydrocotyle umbellata

ASPIDIACEAE OSMUNDACEAE

Thelypteris palustris Osmunda regalis

-48-

ASTERACEAE

Baccharis halimifolia
Mikania scaadens
Solidago sp.

CUPRESSACEAE

Juniperus virginiaaa

POACEAE

Setaria magna

POLYGONACEAE

Polygonum punctatum
Rumex verticillatus

CYPERACEAE
Carex lurida
Cladium jamaicense
Eleocharis sp.

Scirpus americanus

JUNCACEAE

Juncus dichotomus

PRIMULACEAE

Samolus parviflorus

TYPHACEAE

Typha glauca

-49-

SCUPPERNONG RIVER SWAMP FOREST

NATURAL AREA INVENTORY
Basic Information Sununary Sheet:

1. Natural Area Name
Scuppernong River Swamp Forest

2. County
Tyrrell

3. Location - Along both sides of the Scuppernong River from the river's
intersection with the western county boundary north-eastward to
Columbia. See figures 1 and 11.

4. Topographic guadrangle

Creswell South East, 7.5 min. ; Columbia East, 7.5 min. ; Coliunbia West,
7.5 min.

5. Size
7,570 acres

1

6. Elevation
1-4 feet

7. Access

By several Federal, State and County roads. Principally, U.S. 64, N.C.
94, and county roads 1105, 1108, 1110, 1111. Also by boat from Columbia
or Creswell. See figures 12.

8. Names of investigators

Charles B. McDonald, East Carolina University
Andrew N. Ash, East Carolina University

9. Date(s) of investigation
5/29-31/80

9/13/80

9A. Prose description of site

The Scuppernong River is a lower coastal plain river with adjacent swamp
forest. It is an excellent example of its kind. The river and drainage basin are
relatively short but extremely rich in natural values. The river meanders to
and fro within the swamp forested flood plain. Each bend provides a point
with a stand of white cedar (Chamaecyparis thyoides) in its crook. The river
is placid and narrow enough that wildlife and vegetation on either side can be
readily observed from a canoe in the middle. Wildlife seems abundant in the river
as well as within the swamp forest corridor on either side.

The swamp forest canopy (see attached quarter points sheet) is dominated
by gum (Nyssa sylvatica) with a shrub layer chiefly composed of titi
(Cyrilla racemif lora) and Virginia willow (Itea virginica) . The herb layer
is dominated by royal fern (Osmunda regalis) and lizzard's tail (Saururus
cernuus) .

ijiy^JlUt /

TT1GREW ^
STATE

B PHELPS m

HOLLOW GROUND

SWAMP

u

H-

Figure 1 1 .

BOUNDARY AND SIGNIFICANT FEATURES

SCUPPERNONG RIVER SWAMP FOREST

^

■51-

Due to the patchwork ownership pattern, the swamp forest occurs in
a mosaic of ages that disclose successional processes in swamp systems.
All areas seem at least 20 years old.

The floodplain soils are mucky histosols and make for messy walking
during the winter wet season. The soil stays saturated during this time
and frequent, but irregular inundation of the floodplain occurs in
conjunction with winter rains.

The system stretches between the towns of Creswell and Colubmia,
yet the river is small enough and the forest corridor wide enough that
the visitor is rapidly removed from the intrusions of 20th century life.
It is a small yet intimate place, a perfect setting in which to appre-
ciate nature.

Feature

10. Significance Summary (categories represented and descriptions)
b. Description of significant feature c. Comparative Assessment

High quality wet
land plant commu-
nity

Nyssa sylvatica/ Cyrilla racemiflora
Itea virginica/Osmunda regalis-
Saururus cernuus

Best example of riverine
swamp forest in county.

Outstanding aqua-
tic feature

Small lower coastal plain river

Only example in county.
Very scenic due to second
growth swamp forest. Short
length would make ideal canoe
trail.

-52-

Table 8.

Scupperaong River Swamp Forest
Sampling Summary

Based on 15 quarter points

Canopy

Total density = 1490 trees/ha

Relative

Relative

Species

Frequency

Density

Nyssa sylvatica

37.50

53.33

Fraxinus caroliniana

27.50

20.00

Chamaecyparis thyoides

17.50

15.00

Pinus taeda

5.00

3.33

Taxodium distichum

2.50

1.67

Acer rubrum

5.00

3.33

Nyssa aquatica

5.00

3.33

Relative

Importance

Dominance

Value

63.12

153.95

9.76

57.26

15.98

48.48

3.31

11.64

5.91

10.08

0.99

9.32

0.93

9.26

-53-

11. Legal Status and Use
Ownership type by percent area:

12. Number of owners: 46

Private

100

%

Public

%

Unknown

%

13. Name(s) of owner(s) and/or custodian(s) with addresses, phone
numbers .

See Figure 12 and Table 10.

14. Use of natural area:

Low intensity Low intensity
a. Cat. recreation forestry

b. Other (describe) Intrusions: Improved roads, utility corridors,
canals.

15. Use of surrounding land:

a. Wildland 43 %

b. Agricultural land 55 %

c. Developed land 2%

16. Management problem description

Control of human overuse and abuse - Impact 3; Effort 2

Control of rates of agricultural land drainage - Impact 3; Effort 3

17. Preservation status

Cat - 6 - 100%

Land is in private ownership by many owners, but probably is used
informally as a recreation and natural area. No overt efforts to
preserve its natural values are known. ^

18. Regulatory protections in force: Sec. 404(b) of the Clean Water Act.

19. Attitude of owner or custodian toward preservation: Not Known.

20. Threats

A. Cat *SF B. Description of threat

3 X Timbering of portions could occur at any time

-54-

21 . Management and preservation recommendation

The aspects of the Scuppernong River System that should be pre-
served are the river itself as an example of a lower coastal plain
river, and the accompanying swamp forest as a representative example of
swamp forest and as good wildlife habitat. Water quality of the Scup-
pernong should be controlled as much as possible by regulating volumes
of water pumped off local fields via canals into the river. Also new
sewage treatment facilities should be discouraged. Careful control
should be exercised over agricultural fertilizer applications in mar-
ginal fields if possible. The swamp forest should be left unmodified
and succession allowed to proceed.

Periodic local timbering may occur until this area is acquired or
registered. There are many owners who may wish to realize short-term
profits from their holdings. Due to the great number of owners, a
voluntary registration program may be the best approach to preserving
the area. Alternately, several of the larger parcels might be bought.

22. Rating (County perspective):

1) X high priority

2) medium priority

3) low priority

State Natural Heritage rating: local significance.

23. Prose statement of site significance

The Scuppernong River is a small and scenic river with an accom-
panying corridor of swamp forest of varying age stands. The river is
extremely scenic and of a good size and configuration for a canoe trail.
The river is wide enough to be open, yet not so wide as to preclude
vegetative or wildlife observation on either side. It would be an
excellent Sunday afternoon outing for any naturalist.

Currently the ares is significant as a wildlife corridor, as the
best example of riverine swamp forest in the county, and as an area of
low intensity recreation. As conversion of flatland swamp forest areas
to farmland continues in Tyrrell County, these latter three values may
become increasingly important.

More knowledge of flooding patterns and water quality intrusions in
the Scuppernong River will have great bearing on the ultimate decision
concerning acquisition or registration. The river and floodplain may be
of local historical significance of which we, as investigators, are
unaware.

-55-

24. Natural Characteristics Summary

a. Vegetation-Biotic Community Summary

Community type : Nyssa sylvatica/Cyrilla racemiflora-Itea
virginica/Osmunda regal is-Saururus cernuus
Community cover type: Nyssa sylvatica

General habitat feature: Swamp forest

Average tree height: 40 feet

Estimated age of canopy trees: 35-45 years

Estimated size of association (sq. meters, acres, etc.): 7,570 acres

Successional stage: Late succession

Sere type: Pelosere

Common canopy species in community cover type or community type
(but not dominant) : Fraxinus caroliniana, Chamaecyparis thyoides
Common subcanopy-shrub stratum species in community cover type or
community type (but not dominant) : None

Common herb stratum species in comnunity type (but not dominant) :
Hydrocotyle verticillata

b. Soil Summary

Source of information: General soil map, Tyrrell County,

USDA-SCS, Rev. 7/72

Soil series: Belhaven-Dare-Dorovan

Soil order: Histosoils

pH class: Unknown

Moisture class: Hydric .-^

Associated communtiy cover type or community type:
Nyssa sylvatica

c. Hydrology Summary

Drainage basin: Scuppernong River
Hydrologic system: Riverine
Hydrologic subsystem: Lower perennial
Water chemistry: Fresh

-56-

Water regime: Intermittantly flooded

d. Summary-Topography and Physiography
Topographic site type characteristics
Land form: Lower flood plain
Shelter: Open

Aspect: N/A

Slope angle: Nearly level

Profile: N/A

Surface patterns : Muddy-hummocky

Position: N/A

Physiographic site type of natural area: Scuppernong River

Flood Plain

Physiographic site type of community cover type or community
type: Lower flood plain

Geologic formation: Pamlico terrace
Geologic formation age: Quaternary

References: Stucky, J.L. and W.G. Steel. 1953. Geology and Mineral
Resources of North Carolina. North Carolina Geological Survey. Educatio
Series No. 3.

e. Summary - Endangered and threatened species

Name of species: Black bear (Ursus americana) (tracks obseirved)

Species legal status: Special concern

Number of populations on site: ?

Number of individuals per population: ?

Size or maturity of individuals: ?

General vigor of population: ? Probably moderate to poor

Disturbance or threats to population: Increased clearing activity

Habitat characterists : See above

f. Master species lists. See Table 9.

-57-

ACERACEAE
Acer rub rum

Table 9.

Plant Species List

Swamp Forest

LILIACEAE

Smilax laurifolia

ANACARDIACEAE
Rhus radicans

APIACEAE

Hydrocotyle verticillata

AQUIFOLIACEAE
Ilex glabra
Ilex opaca

ARACEAE

Peltandra virginica

BETULACEAE

Alnus serrulata

CAPRIFOLIACEAE
Viburnum nudum

CLETHRACEAE

Clethra alnifolia

MAGNOLIACEAE

Magnolia virginiana

MYRICACEAE

Myrica cerifera

NYSSACEAE

Nyssa aquatica
Nyssa sylvatica

OLEACEAE

Fraxinus caroliniana

OPHIOGLOSSACEAE

Botrychium biternatum

OSMUNDACEAE

Osmunda regalis

PINACEAE

Pinus taeda

CORNACEAE
Cornus sp.

CUPRESSACEAE

Chamaecyparis thyoides

CYPERACEAE
Carex sp.

Cyrillaceae

Cyrilla racemiflora

ERICACEAE

Lyonia lucida
Rhododendron nudiflorum
Vaccinium sp.

HAMAMELIDACEAE

Liquidambar styracif lua

HYPERICACEAE
Hypericum sp.

LAURACEAE

Persea borbonia

POLYGONACEAE

Polygonum setaceum

RHAMNACEAE

Berchemia scandens

ROSACEAE

Rosa palustris
Rubus sp.

SAURURACEAE
= Saururus cernuus

SAXIFRAGACEAE

Decumaria barbara
Itea virginica

TAXODIACEAE

Taxodium distichum

URTICACEAE

Boebmeria cylindrica

VITACEAE

Parthenocissus quinquefolia

SAVANNAH

i>EniGREW ^vsi
STATS *

PARK

HOLLOW

GROUND

SWAMP

n

tf

Figure 12.

OWNERSHIP INFORMATION

SCUPPERNONG RIVER SWAMP FOREST
(Numbers correspond to ownership list.)

-59-

Table 10.

Ownership Information
Scuppernong River Swamp Forest
Tyrrell County, NC

Owner

1. Weyerhaeuser, Inc.
Plymouth, NC 27962

2. Dr. S. C. Chaplin
Joseph Rhodes
Columbia, NC 27925

3. First Colony Farms, Inc.
Creswell, NC 27928

4. Robert L. Spruill
Elizabeth D. Spruill
Route 1, Box 87
Columbia, NC 27925

5. David D. Green
509 Lisford Place
Portsmoth, VA 23704

6. W. A. Armstrong
Route 2, Box 70
Columbia, NC 27925

7. Coastal Lumber Company, Inc.
P.O. Box 829

Weldon, NC 27890

8. T. W. Dillon
Route 2, Box 82
Columbia, NC 27925

9. Ruth W. Woodley
Columbia, NC 27925

10. Ruby L. Phelps
James R. Phelps
Henry M. Bryant
5900 Harland Street

New Carralton, MD 20784

11. Mae G. Basnight
P.O. Box 173
Columbia, NC 27925

12. D. F. West

c/o Virgie May West
Route 5, Box 295
Rocky Mount, NC 27801

Parcel(s) owned
1, 4, 16

3, 13, 14, 15

10

11

12

17

-60-

Table 10 (Continued)

13. William L. Beasly Jr. 18
P.O. Box 427

Scotland Neck, NC 27874

14. Herbert L. Liverman 19
519 Sunnybrook Rd.

Raleigh, NC 27610

15. H. T. Davenport 20
P.O. Box 345

Columbia, NC 27925

16. Harry McMullen Jr. 21
c/o Neva S. McMullen

P.O. Box 8
Washington, NC 27889

17. Wallace I. Hill 22
Route 2, Box 15

Columbia, NC 27925

18. Butler Land and Timber Company 23
Chase City, VA 23924

19. Robert E. Parker Jr. 24
F. Perry

P.O. Box 476
Richmond, VA 23204

20. L. C. Tarkington 25
Mary Tarkington

c/o Raife Tarkington
Creswell, NC 27928.

21. Margaret H. Burke 26
Route 1, Box 163

Columbia, NC 27925

22. W. M. Norcum 28
Carrie Norcum

c/o Rodney Cooper
Columbia, NC 27925

23. S. C. Chaplin 27
c/o Wilma Chaplin

Columbia, NC 27925

24. Robert D. Shore 29
Mary M. Shore

2809 Lazy Lane
Winston-Salem, NC 27106

-61-

Table 10 (Continued)

25. Morris G. Pritchett 30
Wanda W. Pritchett

P.O. Box 158
Creswell, NC 27928

26. Ray McClees 31
Jean McClees

Route 2, Box 5
Columbia, NC 27925

-62-

FRYING PAN LAKE ATLANTIC WHITE CEDAR FOREST
NATURAL AREA INVENTORY

Basic Infomnation Summary Sheet:

1. Natural Area Name

Frying Pan Lake Atlantic White Cedar Forest

2. County
Tyrrell

3. Location: From the jet of NC 94 and State Road 1307 (Frying Pan
Road) proceed S 2.75 mi. turn E on a farm road proceeding 1.5 mi
E., 1.5 mi SE, then another .85 mi E (follow the electric line).
From there proceed another .5 mi. E on an unimproved logging road.
See figures 1 and 13.

4. Topographic quadrangle

Scotia, 7.5 min; Frying Pan, 7.5 min.

5. Size

154 acres

6. Elevation

1 foot - 2 feet

7. Access

By private farm and logging roads from NC Hwy 94. See figure 14.

8. Names of investigators

Charles B. McDonald, East Carolina University
Andrew N. Ash, East Carolina University

9. Date(s) of investigation
5/23/80

6/30/80
7/1/80

9A. Prose description of site

This natural area is located in the flat flood plain that surrounds
Frying Pan Lake. The area is only inches above sea level and is thus
very poorly drained. The water table which is never more than a few
inches below the surface is highest during the winter and early spring
and lowest during the late summer and early fall. The soils are totally
organic. When a metal rod was used as a probe it was determined that
the depth of the organic matter exceeds five feet. The organic matter
produces an extremely acid soil and this combined with the anaerobic
conditions from the high water table greatly reduces the microbial
decompostion of leaves and other fallen litter. As a result the surface
zone - consisting of noncompacted leaves, sticks, and roots - that
sometimes unexpectedly gives way from the weight of a footstep. Such
hidden depressions, however, are seldom more than a foot or two deep.

-63-

The surrounding vegetation is a typical swamp forest of black gum
(Nyssa sylvatica) , red maple (Acer rub rum) , and occasional bald cypress
(Taxodium distichum) . From the general size of the trees it was pro-
bably last logged about 60 to 75 years ago.

The natural area itself encompasses about 154 acres and is nearly
circular in outline. The swamp forest within this area is almost total-
ly dominated by Atlantic white cedar (Chamaecyparis thyoides) with a
density of about 506 trees per acre (1250/ha). The trees are about 60
feet tall with the largest being 14.8 in. (37.7 cm) in diameter and most
trees ranging rora 9 to 12 in. in diameter. The canopy is even-aged and
from increment borings was determined to be about 60 years old. - Al-
though infrequent, other species found in the canopy were loblolly pine
(Pinus taeda) , black gum (Nyssa sylvatica) , and red maple (Acer rub rum)
(See Table 11 for calculated importance values).

The subcanopy forms as distinct a stratum as does the canopy and

its density of 509 trees per acre (1258/ha) is almost identical to the

canopy's density. It is strongly dominated by black gum (See Table 11

for calculated importance values).

The shrub layer is not particularly dense and contains such charac-
teristic species as sweet pepper bush (Clethra alnifolia) , bitter gall-
berry (Ilex glabra) , fetterbush (Lyonia lucida) , and sparkleberry
(Vaccinium arboreum) . As in most swamp forests the herb layer is rather
sparse with perhaps the most frequently occurring species being Virginia
chain fern (Woodwardia virginica) and royal fern (Osmunda regalis) .

From our observations and data it appears that this is a succes-
sional community. There are numerous stumps, the largest being 44 in.
(121 cm) in diameter, so the present stand probably became established
after the area had been logged. Judging from the age of the canopy trees
this was probably 60 to 70 years ago. Like many other conifers the
Atlantic white cedar will only establish in openings that are produced
by fire or logging. They form a dense stand that thins itself with age
and then, as we have observed, a subcanopy of shade tolerant hardwoods
develops. The length of time from initial establishment to ultimate
replacement by hardwoods is probably about 250 years but this represents
a guess because fire or logging usually cuts the sequence short.

10. Significance Summary (catergories represented and descriptions)

a. Feature b. Description of significant feature c. Comparative Assessment

High quality wet-
land plant com-
munity.

Chamaecyparis thyoides/Nyssa sylvatica/
Clethra alnifolia - mixed shrubs

Highest density stand of
Atlantic white cedar in
county .

Area with high
research interest

Chamaecyparis thyoides/Nyssa sylvatica/
Clethra alnifolia-mixed shrubs

Few mature stands of
Atlantic white cedar
are available for research

IJOS
TrovB

SCUPPERt^

U

1109 nas

■^ TM 1237

/ '^V/'>

X

•^ ■'<\^'"'

- \ !)

/

'«(t1"*

. J^

« 1 y

•<^=3=?<

iC'-.^ COLUMBIA

*g,i*«*—

"^fef

^i^^*^^'*^

x""*^

jn 1

^^2^^

^SSP^L— — ^'

•^^ ^^

lA -J ^A.-- /

rl

^^

^■JH^X ^^^J

iJ''''^^*"^*^

Uil Vi

fi:/^

fasi ^'*—

i

Lj^L^

A

V

^

J Plecsant ViSw\ A^ V,

\

1=^

' '

^4tl. ^^^f^^

^

^^ >-~-^, --\-

^N

k. ro

^^

;%5i!or r- jV"

BIG

SAVANNAH

Alligotof

1101
, Crots Londmg ~

w

Figure 13.

BOUNDARY AND SIGNIFICANT FEATURES

■RYING PAN LAKE ATLANTIC WHITE CEDAR FOREST

HOLLOW GROUND

SWAMP

-65-

Table 11.

Sampling Summary
Frying Pan Lake Atlantic White Cedar Forest

Based on 25 quarter point plots

Total density = 1,250 trees/ha

Canopy

Species

Relative
Frequency

Rela
Dens

tive
itx

Relative
Dominance

Important

Value

Chamaecyparis
thyoides

60

82

85

227

Pinus taeda

26

12

12

50

Nyssa sylvatica 10

4

2

16

Acer rubrum

5

2

1

8

Subcanopy

Total density = 1258 trees/ha

Rel

a tive

Relative

Rel.

a tive

Important

Species Fre

quency

Density

Dominance

Value

Nyssa sylvatica

63

83

85

231

Acer rubrum

16

9

8

33

Persea borbonia

16

6

5

27

Ilex opaca

3

1

1

5

Chamaecyparis
thyoides

3

1

1

5

Figure 14.

ACCESS INFORMATION

FRYING PAN LAKE
ATLANTIC WHITE CEDAR FOREST

-67-

11 . Legal Status and Use

Ownership type by percent area :

Private

100

%

Public
Unknown

%
%

12. Number of owners: 1

13. Name of owner:

Prulean Farms Joint Venture (Prudential Insurance owns 80%; First
Colony Farms 20%)
Creswell, NC 27928

14. Use of natural area:

a. Cat. Low intensity recreation

b. Other (describe) Intrusion of frequent low level jet overflights

15. Use of surrounding land:

a. Wildland 100 %

b. Agricultural land %

c. Developed land %

16. Management problem description:

Excess flood water from

agricultural drainage operations - Impact 3; Effort 1

17. Preservation status ^
Cat - 6 - 100%

18. Regulatory protections in force: Section 404(b) of the Clear Water Act

19. Attitude of owner or custodian toward preservation: Unknown

20 . Threats

a. Category 3 *SF X

b. Description of threat. Atlantic white cedar is valuable
timber. High density stands are easy to cut. Approximately
2900 acres of similar forest have been harvested in the vicin-
ity of Frying Pan Lake in the last few years.

21. Management and preservation recommendation.

Prevent logging! An agricultural drainage canal that runs
directly through the middle of the natural area should be blocked
with the water diverted in such a way that sheet flow through the

■68-

surrounding swamp forest is achieved. Natural area registration by
the landmanager , First Colony Farms, should be encouraged.

22. Rating (County perspective):

1) X high priority

2) medium priority

3) low priority

State Natural Heritage rating: regional (mediiam) significance.

23. Prose statement of site significance.

The Atlantic white cedar (Chamaecyparis thyoides) is found in
the Northeastern Tidewater, Sandhill, and Southeastern Coastal
Plain regions of North Carolina. It is a beautiful tree that grows
perfectly straight. Its bark is reddish-brown and somewhat flaky
while the foliage is a deep bluish-green and has the characteristic
cedar fragrance. The tree is found in swamp forests and pocosins
where it may occur as a minor component of the community or in some
instances may form pure stands that contain only Atlantic white
cedar. It is these pure stands that constitute the community type
known as the Atlantic white cedar forest. Such forests are in
extreme jeopardy in North Carolina. The lesser threat to their
existence is the occurrence of fire. Like many conifers the
Atlantic white cedar will not sprout from the root crown or bole.
When a fire moves through a young dense stand the foliage provides
fuel and the stand is completely destroyed. The much greater
threat to the Atlantic white cedar forest is logging. The light
colored fragrant wood is very durable and therefore valuable for a
number of uses. Dense stands that contain only the single species
are economical to harvest so stands are usually cut long before the
trees ever reach full maturity. Approximately 2900 acres of
Atlantic white cedar forest have been cut in the vicinity of Frying
Pan Lake in the la.st few years making the one small area described
in this report the only relatively mature high density stand that
remains in Tyrrell County. Some such stands should be saved. Our
understanding of the factors that control the location of these
forests and the successional dynamics of developing stands is
relatively poor. Only with the preservation of some stands will we
ever have the opportunity to answer these questions.

24. Natural Characteristics Summary

a. Vegetation-Biotic Community Summary

Community type: Camaecyparis thyoides/ Nyssa sylvatica/
Clethra alnifolia-mixed shrubs

Community cover type: Chamaecyparis thyoides

General habitat feature: Atlantic white cedar swamp forest

Average tree height: 60 feet

Estimated age of canopy trees: 60 years

-69-

Estiraated size of association (sq. meters, acres, etc.):
154 acres

Successional stage: Subclimax

Sere type: Pelosere

Common canopy species in community cover type or community
type (but not dominant) : Pinus taeda

Common subcanopy-shrub stratum species in community cover
tjrpe or community type (but not dominant): Subcanopy: Acer
rub rum, Persea borbonia; Shrub: Lyonia lucida. Ilex glabra

Common herb stratum species in community type (but not
dominant) : Peltandra virginica , Qsmunda regalis , Sphagnum
sp . , Woodward ia virginica

b. Soil Summary

Source of information: General Soil Map, Tyrrell County, NC;
USDA-SCS; Revised 7/72

Soil association: Belhaven-Dare-Dorovan

Soil order: Histosol

pH class: Strongly acid

Moisture class: Hydric

Associated community cover type or community type: Chamaecyparis
thy o ides

c. Hydrology Summary

Drainage basin: Alligator River

Hydrologic system: Palustrine

Hydrologic subsystem: Interaqueous ^

Water chemistry: Fresh

Water regime: Nontidal-Semipermanently flooded

d. Summary-Topography and Physiography
Topographic site type characteristics
Land form: Floodplain

Shelter: Open

■70-

Aspect: N/A

Slope angle: Nearly level

Profile: N/A

Surface patterns: Smooth

Position: N/A

Physiographic site type of natural area: Atlantic White
Cedar Swamp Forest

Physiographic site type of community cover type or community
type: as above

Geologic formation: Pamlico Terrace
Geologic formation age: Quaternary

References: Stuckey, J. L. and W. G. Steel. 1953.

Geology and Mineral Resources of North Carolina Geologic

Survey Educational Series No. 3.

Summary - Endangered and Threatened species: N/A

Master Species List

ACERACEAE

Acer rubrum

LAURACEAE

Persea borbonia

ANACARDIACEAE

Rhus radicans

LILIACEAE

Smilax laurifolia

AQUIFOLIACEAE

Illex glabra

ARACEAE

Peltandra virginica

BIGNONIACEAE

Camps is radicans

BLECHNACEAE

Woodwardia virginica

CLETHRACEAE

Clethra alnifolia

MAGNOLIACEAE

Magnolia virginiana

NYSSACEAE

Nyssa sylvatica

OSMUNDACEAE

Osmunda cinnamomea
Osmunda regalis

PINACEAE

Pinus taeda

ROSACEAE

Sorbus arbutifolia

CUPRESSACEAE

Chamaecyparis thyoides

VITACEAE

Parthenocissus quinquefolia
Vitis rotundifolia

ERICACEAE

Lyonia lucida
Vaccinium arboreum

■71-

HARVESTER ROAD TALL POCOSIN
NATURAL AREA INVENTORY

Basic Information Summary Sheet:

1. Natural Area Name
Harvester Road Tall Pocosin

2 . County

Tyrrell «

3. Location: Southwest corner of Tyrrell County. The route to this

area is by farm roads and too complicated for description.
See Figures 1 and 16.

4. Topographic quadrangle:

New Lake - 7.5 min.
New Lake NW - 7.5 min.
Creswell SE - 7.5 min.

5. Size: 7989 acres

6. Elevation: 10 feet - 17 feet

7. Access: By various canal and farm roads. See Figure 17.

8. Names of investigators:

Charles B. McDonald - East Carolina University
Andrew N. Ash - East Carolina University

9. Date(s) of investigation

2/2/80
5/16/80

9A. Prose description of site:

This area ia a large tract of tall pocosin. The dominant is
pond pine (Pinus serotina) but its density is usually not great
enough to close the canopy. The shrub layer is extremely dense
consisting of such species as dangleberry (Gaylussacia f rondosa) ,
bitter gallberry (Ilex glabra) , Zenobia (Zenobia pulverulenta) , and
greenbriar (Smilax laurifolia) . Most of the vegetation does not
seem particularly old. The sweet bays (Magnolia virginiana) and
loblolly bays (Gordonia lasianthus) still have their youthful
growth form, many of the pond pines have not developed crowns, and
the shrubs are mostly only knee to waist high. The age is about 30
years which makes sense because this is part of the large pocosin
south of Lake Phelps that was first cleared for agriculture in the
early 1950' s.

-72-

I-
1/5

>

in

O
U
O
a.

UJ

>
H-
uj
Q

>-
X

z

o
I-
o
z

X

<

Figure 15.

-73-

The pocosins south of Lake Phelps in Washington and Hyde
counties and those in Tyrrell County are all part of the same
system. The elevation of the Washington-Hyde portion is 15 to 20
feet while most of the pocosin in Tyrrell County is 5 feet or less.
The area described here is in the zone of elevational transition
and at 10 to 17 feet should really be included in the Washington-
Hyde part of the system. See Figure 15.

The land is flat and the soils are apparently extremely deep
peat. The ditches that have been cut are about ten feet deep and
even at this depth only the organic portion of the profile is
visible. As you travel west leaving Tyrrell County and entering
Washington County, the pocosin becomes progressively more modified.
First there are sections with low shrubs and small pond pines, then
sections with only low shrubs, and finally sections dominated by
broomsedge. This series of one-half or one square mile blocks
produces an excellent sequence of pocosin successional stages.

10.

Significance Summary (categories represented and descriptions)

Feature

b. Description of

significant feature

c. Comparative
Assessment

High quality ter-
restrial plant
community

Pinus serotina /mixed Erica-
ceous shrubs

Developing tall pocosin
with limited modifi-
cation. Part of one
of the largest pocosin
systems in the state.

Outstanding geo-
logic feature

Peatlands

Part of one of the
major peat deposits
in the state

Area with high
research value

Developing tall pocosin

Pocosin areas in adjacent
Washington County were
cleared at different
times producing an
excellent system in which
to study the succession
of pocosin lands.

11. Legal Status and Use

Ownership type by percent area: Private

Public
Unknown

100

%

"%

%

12.
13.

Number of owners :

Name(s) of owner(s) and/or custodian(s) with addresses, phone
numbers :

1. First Colony Farms
Creswell, NC 27928

Figure 16.

BOUNDARY AND SIGNIFICANT FEATURES

HARVESTER ROAD TALL POCOSIN

y

Figure 17.

ACCESS INFORMATION
HARVESTER ROAD TALL POCOSIN

^AW^, f

-76-

2. Lakeside Farmers of Tyrrell County, Inc.
c/o Edsel Baines
Creswell, NC 27928

See Figure 18.

14. Use of natural area:

a. Category - low intensity recreation; peat mining possible
but not yet accomplished.

b. Other (describe) - Intrusion of drainage canals cut at
^ mile intervals.

15. Use of surround land:

a. Wildland 70%

b. Agricultural 30^0

c. Developed 6%

16. Management problem description

Prevention of peat mining - Impact 3; Effort 1

Prevention of logging - Impact 3; Effort 1

Removal or blockage of most roads - Impact 3; Effort 1

Prevention of clearing and agricultural development - Impact 3; Effort 1

17. Preservation status

Category - 6 - 100%

Description of preservation status - We believe that this is part
of the area that First Colony Farms has designated for peat mining.

18. Regulatory protections in force - Unknown

19. Attitude of owner or custodian toward preservation (contacted?)
Unknown .

20. Threats

a. Category - 2; ^ISF - X

b. Description of threat - Peat raining

a. Category - 1; -^'SY - X

b. Description of threat - Expansion of agriculture in the
northern part.

21. Management and preservation recommendation.

At 10 to 17 feet this area is high enough that peat could be
mined without any elaborate pumping or drainage. If First Colony
Farms is ever given permission to mine peat on a large scale this

-77-

area will eventually be completely destroyed. Preventing this or
reducing its impact can probably only be accomplished through
negotiation between the land owners and government.

Just maintaining the integrity of this area is dependent on
the prevention of peat mining and the prevention of further agri-
cultural expansion from the north. If this is accomplished, the
blockage of only a few roads would prevent human access producing
an excellent wilderness sanctuary. Landowners should be contacted
and encouraged to register the portions of this area that they know
will not be developed.

22. Rating (County perspective):

1) high priority

2) X medium priority

3) low priority

State Natural Heritage rating: regional (medium) significance.

23. Prose statement of site significance

The Washington-Hyde-Tyrrell pocosin system covers about 125
square miles with about 66 square miles in Washington and Hyde
counties and the remaining 59 square miles in Tyrrell County. Most
of the land in Washington and Hyde counties was converted to agri-
culture in the early 1950 's but this project failed and the land is
now slowly returning to its original composition. The area des-
cribed in this report is part of that original conversion attempt.
This section was either abandoned first or has had the least subse-
quent disturbance because the vegetation in this area is much
better developed than most of the pocosin further west. Con-
sidering the amount of modification in this huge pocosin system it
seems advisable to place a relatively high preservation priority on
any natural or semi-natural portions that are left.

Pocosins are difficult or imposssible to walk through, they
have generally been regarded as economically worthless, and even
their ecological significance has been questioned. For these
reasons, research on pocosins has long been neglected. This par-
ticular area presents the opportunity to develop a much better
understanding of one aspect of pocosins, that being, successional
change. Due to the pattern of abandonment from agriculture dif-
ferent stages of succession are all present in the same general
area making this an excellent place to gather this needed data.

This area in its present condition would make a good wildlife

sanctuary. It is remote from any state roads and by blocking only

a few canal roads it could be completely cut off from human inter-
vention.

Figure 18.

OWNERSHIP INFORMATION

HARVESTER ROAD TALL POCOSIN
(Numbers correspond to ownership list.

■79-

24. Natural Characteristics Summary

a. Vegetation-Biotic Community Summary

Community type: Pinus serotina/ mixed Ericaceous shrubs

Community cover type: Pinus serotina

General habitat feature: Tall pocosin

Average tree height: 35 feet

Estimated age of canopy trees: 30 years

Estimated size of association (sq. meters, acres,
etc.): 7,989 acres

Successional stage: Subclimax (fire maintained)

Sere type: Psammosere

Commonly canopy species in community cover type or community
type (but not dominant) : Gordonia lasianthus , Magnolia
virginiania

Conmion subcanopy-shrub stratum species in community cover
type or community type (but not dominant) : Zenobia
pulverulenta , Gaylussacia f rondosa , Vaccinium spp,
Ilex glabra , Smilax laurifolia

Common herb stratum species in community type (but not
dominant) :

b. Soil Summary

Source of information: General Soil Map, Tyrrell County,
USDA-SCS; Revised 7/72

Soil association: Belhaven-Dare-Dorovan

Soil order: Histosol ^

pH class: Strongly acidic?

Moisture class: Hydric

Associated community cover type or community t5rpe: Pinus
serotina

c. Hydrology Summary

Drainage basin: North Fork of Alligator River
Hydrologic system: Palustrine

-80-

Hydrologic subsystem: Interaqueous

Water chemistry: Fresh

Water regime: Nontidal-seasonally flooded

d. Summary-Topography and Physiography
Topographic site type characteristics
Land form: Peat Flat

Shelter: Open

Aspect: N/A

Slope angle: Nearly level

Profile: N/A

Surface patterns: Hammocky

Position: N/A

Physiographic site type of natural area: Tall pocosin

Physiographic site type of community cover type or community
type: as above

Geologic formation: Pamlico Terrace
Geologic formation age: Quaternary

References: Stucky, J. L. and W. G. Steel. 1953. Geology
and Mineral Resources of North Carolina. North Carolina
Geologic Survey Educational Series No. 3.

e. Summary - Endangered and Threatened species: N/A

f. Master species lists

Site specific list not compiled for this area.

See list for Upper Alligator River Pocosin.

That area appears to have similar species composition.

■81-

ALBEMARLE SOUND LOW SHORELINE
NATURAL AREA INVENTORY

Basic Information Summary Sheet:

1 . Natural Area Name
Albemarle Sound Low Shoreline

2 . County
Tyrrell

3. Location: From Columbia, proceed north on County Road 1209 until
it junctions with County Road 1120. Turn left and follow 1220 to
the Albemarle Sound. The area starts here and extends eastward and
southward along the shore to the mouth of Alligator Creek. It can
be approached at its eastern end on County Road 1223. See Figures
1 and 19.

4. Topographic quadrangle:

Fort Landing - 7.5 min.
Columbia East - 7.5 min.

5. Size: 1,633 acres

6. Elevation: 1-3 feet

7. Access: Along County Roads 1209, 1220, 1225, 1223 and a few,
unnumbered dirt roads. See Figure 20.

8. Names of Investigators:

Charles B. McDonald, East Carolina University
Andrew N. Ash, East Carolina University

9. Date(s) of investigation: 5/7-8/80

9A. Prose description of site

The Albemarle Sound low shoreline is an example of estuarine
low shoreline. This length of shoreline and its accompanying sand
spit make it extremely interesting geologically. The sand spit is
temporarily stabilized by a fresh water marsh dominated by Typha
spp. This marsh is one of the two large marshes in Tyrrell County.
As such it may be of some regional significance. The soils on
which it is found are histosols covering sand and silt. This marsh
is probably flooded most of the time and may represent a climax for
the site.

The forest behind the shoreline is dominated by loblolly pine
(Pinus taeda) and sweetgum (Liquidambar styracif lua) growing on
histosols underlain by sand (see attached quarter point sheet).
These areas are wet in winter and dry to wet in summer. Although
this forest is robust with the pines doing well, it is probably not
representative of the original vegetation. On certain sites, many
of the pines appear to be planted. Although not terribly inter-
esting in terms of natural heritage, this forest does offer a good
buffer from human activities to the south.

*L«« Shool h.

1 ^^HH^r

1,327

1 y

' *^\

Z*^

S 1^

- ''1

1509

)/ y'!s^^~

n'u'

COLUMBIA

^^^^^^

.U JC

K , POP. 902

J^^5£-i"*^^

tcyj^E

rr^_

^ ^^

3^Zu

^^*^

T*^

V

-^Jf^^i

■v

"^

^

f'^'''^ X>i

Jjps

1 vv

^ -^

1 \ IT

vJ^

ii(u - V^^^ -c3W X

119*

\

>*«»,«■

ir'*«f

/

./7 '"•'J ,

I)

o^r

{\ \

-^ '*>ry^

"^^^sfei'

/j -•'

^^^^

if

1/ !

■'I
If

)

I
'1 I

U

;' Second Crert

//

) ] PoiM

il

■-r',

1

I

1

U

i

\\

i

l'^;

\'M

1

■'ij.

1

II

HOLLOW

GROUND

J\

1 JOiiO^FrYina Pan landing

n

SWAMP

(/ \ FRYING PAN ^ ^

Figure 19.

BOUNDARIES AND SIGNIFICANT FEATURES

ALBEMARLE SOUND LOW SHORELINE

n

/ ■

cc \

■

1

/ !

^1

ijOSHMl Port

I

'^Jl

n\

4

V '' "^

7'

(I I

/ i

-83-

The shoreline offers a wonderful view of the Albemarle Sound
and would provide many opportunities for recreation as well as
being a possible site for geological investigations.

Sampling Summary
Albemarle Sound Low Shoreline

Based on 15 quarter points.

Total density - 661 trees/ha

Canopy

Species

Pinus taeda

Liquidambar styraciflua
Quercus laurif lolia
Acer rub rum
Salix nigra
Nyssa sylvatica

Relative Relative
Frequency Densit

Relative Importance
Dominance Value

43 62

67

172

31 23

23

77

9 5

3

17

6 3

3

12 ,

6 3

2

11

6 3

2

11

Sub canopy

Total density - 1575 trees/ha

Species

Relative Relative Relative Importance
Frequency Density Dominance Value

Acer rub rum 33

Nyssa sylvatica 28

Liquidambar styraciflua 15

Magnolia virginica 8

Persea borbonia 8

Quercus laurifolia 5

Nyssa aquatica 2

Myrica cerifera 2

38
28
13
7
5
3
3
2

31
31
18
5
6
6
2
1

102
87
46
20
19
14
8
5

10.

Significance Summary (categories represented and descriptions)

a . Feature

b. Description of
significant feature

c. Comparative
assessment

High quality ter-
restrial plant
community

Pinus taeda -Liquidambar
styracif lua/Acer rubrum-
Nyssa sylvatica/?

A representative stretch
of lowland pine-swamp
hardwood vegetation.

High quality wet-
land plant com-
munity

Typha sp.

One of two large acerages
of freshwater marsh in
county.

Oustanding geo-
logic feature

Estuarine Low Shoreline

Best unmodified example
in county

HOLLOW

GROUSD

SV^MP

Figure 20.

OWNERSHIP INFORMATION

ALBEMARLE SOUND LOW SHORELINE
(Numbers correspond to ownership list.)

-85-

11. Legal Status and Use
Ownership type by percent area:

12. Number of owners: 2

Private

100

%

Public

%

Unknown

%

13. Name(s) of owner(s) and/or costodian(s) with addresses, phone
numbers .

Area 1: Butler Timber Company, Inc.,
Chase City, VA 23924

Area 2: P. K. Gravely

c/o Peoples Bank and Trust Company, Inc.
Rocky Mount, NC 27801

See Figure 20.

14. Use of natural area:

a. Category - Instrusions: (1) improved road, a few cottages
and duck blinds on stilts in the water offshore.

b. Other - (describe) -

15. Use of surrounding land:

a. Wildlife 95%

b. Agricultural land 5%

c. Developed land 0%

16. Management problem description

Control of human use - Impact 3; Effort 2
Control of erosion - Impact 3; Effort 3

17. Preservation status

Category - 6 - 100% s=.

18. Regulatory protections in force: Section 404(b) of the Clean
Water Act.

19. Attitude of owner or custodian toward preservation. Not known

20. Threats

a. Category - 3; ^;SF - X

b. Description of threat - Logging could take place at any time,
erosion of low shoreline could occur at any time.

■86-

21. Management and preservation recommendation:

Low shoreline is one of several characteristic shoreline types
along the Albemarle Sound (Vincent Bellis, ECU, personal communica-
tion) . This area should be managed for the preservation of natural
vegetation behind the shoreline. The actual shoreline boundary
itself will be hard to stabilize as low estuarine shorelines are
very susceptable to erosion by storm and rising sea level. I would
suggest letting nature take its course as there is probably little
we could do to stabilize the shoreline anyway. Preservation of the
vegetation to landward will provide a buffer zone that will make
the area more pleasant for recreation. The marsh at the east end
of the area would need little management except for control of
human visitation.

The attitude of the owners toward preservation is not known.
Logging could occur at any time. The shoreline could be saved if
the companies agreed to stop cutting within 1/4 mile of the shore
or marsh. It is possible the land might be bought and remotely
possible the owners would agree to voluntary registration.

22. Rating (County perspective):

1) high priority

2) X medium priority

3) low priority

State Natural Heritage rating: local significance.

23. Prose statement of site significance

The Ablemarle Sound low shoreline is an excellent example of
its kind. It receives relatively little visitation and thus would
make an excellent recreational area. The fresh water marsh domi-
nated by Typha sp. (cattails) at its eastern end is one of two
large examples of such systems in the county. The forest behind
the shoreline is dominated by pine (Pinus taeda) and sweet gum
(Liquidambar styracif lua) . This forest is probably not represen-
tative of the primordial vegetation, but does provide a buffer
against agricultural activities to the south.

The area could furnish excellent recreation in the way of
canoeing and fishing as well as furnishing an example of low shore-
line physiography. It could very easily be used as a site for
study of sand movement along estuarine shores as the point at the
eastern end of the area seems to be an actively forming spit with
numerous off-shore bars.

24A. Natural Characteristics Summary

a. Vegetation-Biotic Community Summary

Community type: Pinus taeda -Liquidambar styraciflua/Acer
rubrum-Nyssa sylvatica/Woodwardia areolata-Woodwardia
virginica

-87-

Community cover type: Pinus taeda-Liquidambar styraciflua

General habitat feature: Low shoreline and forest

Average tree height: 40 feet

Estimated age of canopy trees: 40 years

Estimated size of association (sq. meters, acres, etc.): 1473 acres

Successional stage: Late serai (transient)

Sere type: Psammosere?

Commonly canopy species in community cover t3rpe or community
type (but not dominant): None

Common subcanopy-shrub stratum species in community cover
type or community tjrpe (but not dominant) : Liquidambar
styraciflua

Common herb stratum species in community type (but not
dominant): None

Soil Summary

Source of information: General Soil Map, Tyrrell County,
USDA-SCS; Revised 7/72

Soil association: Belhaven-Dare-Dorovan

Soil order: Histosols

pH class: Unknown

Moisture class: Hydric

Associated community cover t3^e or community type: Pinus
taeda-Liquidambar styraciflua

Hydrology Summary "'^

Drainage basin: Albemarle Sound

Hydrologic system: Terrestrial

Hydrologic subsystem: Wet

Water chemistry: Fresh

Water regime: Seasonally saturated

Summary-Topography and Physiography

Topographic site type characteristics

-88-

Land form: Low estuarine shoreline

Shelter: Open

Aspect: N/A

Slope angle: Nearly level

Profile: N/A

Surface patterns: Hammocky

Position: N/A

Physiographic site type of natural area: Mixed pine-hardwood
lowland and beach berra.

Physiographic site type of community cover type or community
type: Mixed pine-hardwood lowland and beach berm

Geologic formation: Pamlico Terrace
Geologic formation age: Quaternary

References: Stucky, J. L. and W. G. Steel. 1953. Geology
and mineral resources of North Carolina.
North Carolina Geological Survey. Educational
Series No. 3.

e. Summary - Endangered and threatened species - N/A

24B. Natural Characteristic Summary

a. Vegetation-Biotic Community Summary

Community type: Typha spp.

Community cover type: Typha spp.

General habitat feature: Freshwater marsh

Average rush height: 8-10 feet

Estimated age of canopy trees: N/A

Estimated size of association (sq. meters, acres, etc.): 160 acres

Successional stage: Climax?

Sere type: Psamraosere-Pelosere

Common canopy species in community cover type or community
type (but not dominant) : None

Common herb stratum species in community type (but not
dominant) : None

-89-

b. Soil Summary

Source of information: General Soil Survey, Tyrrell County,
USDA-SCS; Revised 7/72.

Shelter: Open

Soil association: Belhaven-Dare-Dorovan

Soil order: Histosols

pH class:

Moisture class: Hydric

Associated community cover type or community type: Typha sp.

c. Hydrology Summary

Drainage basin: Albemarle Sound - Alligator River

Hydrologic System: Riverine

Hydrologic subsystem: Lower Perrenial

Water chemistry: Fresh

Water regime: Semipermanently flooded

d. Summary-Topography and Physiography
Topographic site type characteristics
Land form: Estuarine point and sand spit
Aspect: N/A

Slope angle: Nearly level

Profile: N/A

Surface patterns: Sandy-silty

Position: N/A

Physiographic site type of natural area: Long shoal point

Physiographic site type of community cover type or community
type: Freshwater cattail marsh

Geologic formation: Pamlico Terrace
Geologic formation: Quaternary

-90-

References: Stucky, J. L. and W. G. Steel. 1953. Geology
and mineral resources of North Carolina. North Carolina
Geological Survey. Educational Series No. 3.

Summary - Endangered and Threatened Species - N/A

■91-

f. Plant Species List

ACERACEAE

Acer rubrum

LAURACEAE

Persea borbonia

ANACAJRDIACEAE

Rhus radicans

LILIACEAE

Smilax bona-nox
Smilax laurifolia

AQUIFOLIACEAE

Ilex glabra

ASPIDIACEAE

Athyrium asplenioides

BETULACEAE

Carpinus caroliniena

BIGNONIACEAE

Campsis radicans

BLECMACEAE

Woodwardia areolata
Woodwardia virginica

CAPRIFOLIACEAE

Lonicera japonica
Viburnum nudum

MAGNOLIACEAE

Magnolia virginica

MYRICACEAE

Myrica cerifera

NYSSACEAE

Nyssa aquatica
Nyssa sylvatica

OSMUNDACEAE

Osmunda cinnamonea
Qsmunda regalis

PINACEAE

Pinus taeda

RHAMNACEAE

Berchemia scandens

ERICACEAE

Lyonia lucida
Vaccinium spp.

FAGACEAE

Que reus laurifolia
Que reus nigra

HAMAMELIDACEAE

Liquidambar styraciflua

JIJNCACEAE

Juncus effusus

ROSACEAE

Sorbus arbutifolia

SALICACEAE

Populus heterophylla
Salix nigra

SAURURACEAE

Saururus cernuus

SYMPLOCACEAE

Symplocos tinctoria

ULMACEAE

Ulmus araericana

VITACEAE

Parthenocissus quinquefolia
Vitis rotundifolia

-92-

ALLIGATQR CREEK - SECOND CREEK SWAMP FOREST
NATURAL AREA INVENTORY

Basic Information Summairy Sheet

1. Natural Area Name

Alligator Creek - Second Creek Swamp Forest

2 . County
Tyrrell

3. Location: Both N and S of US 64 from the junction of US 64 and
State Road 1229 to the Alligator River. To reach the southern part
of the area, drive E on State Road 1301 until it ends then proceed
E and SE on a network of private logging roads. See Figures 1 and
21.

4. Topographic quadrangle

Fort Landing, 7.5 min; Frying Pan, 7.5 min. ; Columbia East, 7.5
min.

5. Size
16,044 acres

6. Elevation

1 foot - 3ffet

7. Access: By car through locked gates at end of State Road 1301. By
foot N and S of US 64. By boat from Alligator River, Alligator
Creek, and Second Creek. See Figure 22.

8. Names of investigators

Charles B. McDonald, East Carolina University
Andrew N. Ash, East Carolina University

9. Dates of investigation
5/8/80

6/12/80

9A. Prose description of site

This large area is entirely swamp forest but does contain
three different swamp forest community types. The first is a
loblolly pine -black gum (Pinus taeda - Nyssa sylvatica) associa-
tion in which loblolly pine is the canopy dominant while black gum
is the canopy subdominant as well as subcanopy dominant. This type
of swamp forest occupies the highest and driest sites. The second
community is a black gum-bald cypress (Nyssa sylvatica -Taxodium
distichum) association. Black gum is by far the dominant component
and may occur almost to th exclusion of bald cypress in the most
recently logged areas. This association occupies the wettest
sites. The third community is an Atlantic white cedar - red
maple - black gum (Chamaecyparis thyoides - Acer rubrum-Nyssa

•93-

sylvatica) association. This community is relatively restricted,
occurring in

several patches in the area between US 64 and Second Creek.

Large parts of the area between US 64 and Second Creek show
evidence of logging within the last 20-30 years. Some sections
have an open canopy of black gum and red maple above a dense shrub
thicket of fetterbush (Lyonia lucida) , wax myrtle (Myrica cerifera) ,
and greenbrier (Smilax spp.) while other sections contain dense
stockings of small (3-5 in. DBH) black gum over greenbrier thickets.

All of the swamp forests in the county serve as wildlife
corridors for such species as black bear (Ursus americanus) . The
area described here lies at the junction of two such corridors.
One corridor runs north and south parallel to the Alligator River
while the other runs west to connect with the Scuppernong River.

10. Significance Summary (catergories represented and descriptions)

a. Feature

Nature preserve/
limited access area

Special habitat

b. Description of significant feature
Nyssa sylvatica - Pinus taeda

Black bear

c. Comparative Assessment

Only area in county
with controlled human
access .

Only area in county
with controlled human
access .

11. Legal Status and Use
Ownership type by percent area:

12. Number of owners: 11

Private

100%

Public

0%

Unknown

0%

13. Name(s) of owner(s) and/or custodian(s) with addresses with phone
niombers .

Wilbert Bailey, Rural Route, Columbia, NC 27925, is the local
custodian for the locked area owned by GMS Timber Co. He can
usually be located by asking around Columbia. Try the hardware
store or the NAPA auto parts store. Don't confuse him with his
brother Willard. See Map 23 and Table 13.

14. Use of natural area:

a. Category - Low intensity recreation

b. Other (describe) - N/A

15. Use of surrounding land:

a. Wildlife

b. Agricultural land

c. Developed land

70%

30%

0%

Figure 21.

BOUNDARY AND SIGNIFICANT FEATURES

ALLIGATOR CREEK-SECOND CREEK SWAMP FOREST

■95-

Figure 22.

ACCESS INFORMATION

ALLIGATOR CREEK-SECOND CREEK fjJ
SWAMP FOREST

■96-

17. Preservation status
Category - 6 - 100%

18. Regulatory protections in force: See 404(b) of the Clean Water
Act.

19. Attitude of owner or custodian toward preservation: Unknown

20. Threats

a. Category 4 *SF

b. Description of threat: N/A

21. Management and preservation recommendation.

This section of swamp forest, particularly that south of US 64, has
limited access because canals act as barriers and the few gates
into the area remain locked. This limited access should be maintained.
Logging must be prevented. No further mangement is needed to
maintain this area as a wildlife sanctuary.

22. Rating: (County perspective):

1) high priority

2) X medium priority

3) low priority

State Natural Heritage rating: local significance.

23. Prose statement of site significance

This area is not considered significant for any aspects of its
natural vegetation. We saw no particularly exemplary stands of
swamp forest and in fact much of the area appears to have been cut
within the past 20-30 years. The area does, however, serve as an
excellent wildlife sanctuary. By having locked gates which are
undoubtedly intended to restrict deer hunting, the GMS timber
Company has created a refuge for all of the wildlife. No other
portion of the county has this type of restrictec access. This
wildlife sanctuary does have black bear and would be suitable
habitat for other animals such as beaver, otter, and alligator.
The area is also strategically located. If it were destroyed
through timbering or other land use it would bisect the swamp
forest corridor along the Alligator River and also cut swamp forest
access to the western part of the county.

24. Natural Characteristics Summary

A. Vegetation-Biotic Community Summary

Community type: Nyssa sylvatica-Pinus taeda

Community cover type: Nyssa sylvatica-Pinus taeda

General habitat feature: Swamp forest ' " '. ■ •

Average tree height: 55 feet

Estimated age of canopy trees: 20-80 years depending on

location

\~\

u 1

^jlong a<»i n

j'l
u

I'l •

/ 1

/ /

/ 1

■^n i:

' /

1

rp^-!!

/

/

^5^X105 ff

V V

^f/' ^ff'JSl

1 J/ l^**

'/\ "*

. V

?- 'JSQI V'V^ ^^*"

^^

r-^^ Xb

1 Ploouint ViJw

r^iiis L. ^

.■ -B.IM<

Jk

-J ^-.

\ '^ //^w

U0«

]'\

u

\

I

/

U/.OB'

SVAMP

::/

I I Second CFtt«k
.' 1 Poiol

'•'Bi-i

^ r

Si ''^

ii!

i!
//

Ji

n >

ii I

M

\^

^A\

.^"

^ ^1

GROUND

1308 \ j>rryinq Pon Landing

Figure 23.

OWNERSHIP INFORMATION

ALLIGATOR CREEK-SECOND CREEK SWAMP FOREST
(Numbers correspond to ownership list

11
I I

I A

I Sil

\ I

\

/'J

O" 1 'H
"J! \ '0

M N

1 1\

-98-

Estimated size of association (sq. meters, acres, etc.):
16,044 acres

Successional stage: Subclimax

Sere type: Pelosere

Common canopy species in community cover type of
community type (but not dominant) : Taxodium distichum,
Chamaecyparis thyoides

Common subcanopy-shrub stratum species in community cover
type or community type (but not dominant) : Lyonia lucida ,
Myrica cerifera, Lyonia ligustrina , Smilax spp.

Common herb stratum species in community type (but not dominant)
Sphagnum spp. , Osmunda regalis , Saururus cernuus

B. Soil Summary

Source of information: General Soil Map, Tyrrell County, North
Carolina; USDA-SCS; Revised 7/72

Soil Association: Belhaven-Dare-Dorovan

Soil Order: Histosol

pH class: Acidic?

Moisture class: Hydric

Associated community cover type or community type: Nyssa
sylvatica-Pinus taeda

C. Hydrology Summary

Drainage basin: Alligator River

Hydrologic system: Palustrine

Hydrologic subsystem: Interaqueous

Water chemistry: Fresh

Water regime: Nontidal-Semipermanently flooded

D. Summary - Topography and Physiography
Topographic site type characteristics
Land form: Floodplain

Shelter: Open
Aspect: N/A

-99-

Slope angle: Nearly level

Profile: N/A

Surface patterns: Smooth

Position: N/A

Physiographic site type of natural area: Alligator Creek-
Second Creek Swamp forest

Physiographic site type of community cover type or community
type: Swamp forest

Geologic formation: Pamlico Terrace

Geologic formation age: Quaternary

References: Stuckey, J. L. and W. G. Steel. 1953. Geology
and mineral resources of North Carolina. North Carolina
Geologic Survey Educational Series No. 3.

Summary - Endangered and Threatened Species

Name of species: Ursus americanus (Black bear)

Species legal status: Special concern

Number of populations on site: N/A

Number of individuals per population: Unknown

Size or maturity of individuals: Unknown

General vigor of population: Unknown

Disturbance or threats to population: Land development,
hunting

Habitat characteristics (See above)

Master species lists

Site specific list not compiled. See lists for Albemarle

Sound Shoreline, Scuppernong River Swamp Forest and Frying Pan

Lake

Atlantic White Cedar Swamp forest as these areas appear to

have similar species composition.

-100-

Table 13.

Ownership Information
Allgator Creek - Second Creek Swamp Forest
Tyrrell County, North Carolina

Owner

1. CMS Timber Co.

c/o Clayton Services

1114 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York 10086

2. Butler Land and Timber
Chase City, VA 23924

3. S. Norris Broadhead
Paul E. Broadhead

100 Bldg., 22nd Ave. South
Meridian, MS 39901

4. R. B. Jordan, Jr.
C. W. Pritchett
P. 0. Box 98

Mt. Gilead, NC 27306

5. Albert Brick
Irving Brick
Robert L. Sikes

1025 Vermont Ave. N. W.
Washington, DC 20005

6. Mary Lebo

c/o Gilbert Petrino
130 State Street
Harrisburg, PA 17101

7. James E. Howell

c/o Ike Howell (estate)
110 Riverview Road
Savannah, GA 31410

8. Weyerhaeuser, Inc.
Plymouth, NC 27962

9. Sam E. Broadhead

100 Bldg., 22 Ave. South
Meridian, MS 39301

Parcel (s) Owned
1

5,8,11

10

CEIP Publications

1. Hauser, E. W. , P. D. Cribbins, P. D. Tschetter, and R. D. Latta.
Coastal Energy Transportation Needs to Support Major Energy Projects

in North Carolina's Coastal Zone. CEIP Report #1. September 1981. $10.

2. P. D. Cribbins. A Study of OCS Onshore Support Bases and Coal Export
Terminals. CEIP Report //2. September 1981. $10.

3. Tschetter, P. D., M. Fisch, and R. D. Latta. An Assessment of
Potential Impacts of Energy-Related Transportation Developments on
North Carolina's Coastal Zone. CEIP Report #3. July 1981. $10.

4. Cribbins, P. S. An Analysis of State and Federal Policies Affecting
Major Energy Projects in North Carolina's Coastal Zone. CEIP Report
#4. September 1981. $10.

5. Brower, David, W. D, McElyea, D. R. Godschalk, and N. D. Lofaro.
Outer Continental Shelf Development and the North Carolina Coast:
A Guide for Local Planners. CEIP Report #5. August 1981. $10.

6. Rogers, Golden and Halpern, Inc., and Engineers for Energy and the
Environment, Inc. Mitigating the Impacts of Energy Facilities: A
Local Air Quality Program for the Wilmington, N. C. Area. CEIP
Report #6. September 1981. $10.

7. Richardson, C. J. (editor). Pocosin Wetlands: an Integrated Analysis
of Coastal Plain Freshwater Bogs in North Carolina. Stroudsburg (Pa):
Hutchinson Ross. 364 pp. $25. Available from School of Forestry,
Duke University, Durham, N. C. 27709. (This proceedings volume is for
a conference partially funded by N. C. CEIP. It replaces the N. C.
Peat Sourcebook in this publication list.)

8. McDonald, C. B. and A. M. Ash. Natural Areas Inventory of Tyrrell
County, N. C. CEIP Report #8. October 1981. $10.

9. Fussell, J., and E. J. Wilson. Natural Areas Inventory of Carteret
County, N. C. CEIP Report #9. October 1981. $10.

10. Nyfong, T. D, Natural Areas Inventory of Brunswick County, N. C.
CEIP Report #10. October 1981. $10.

11. Leonard, S. W., and R. J. Davis. Natural Areas Inventory for Pender
County, N. C. CEIP Report #11. October 1981. $10.

12. Cribbins, Paul D., and Latta, R, Daniel. Coastal Energy Transporta-
tion Study: Alternative Technologies for Transporting and Handling
Export Coal. CEIP Report #12. January 1982. $10.

13. Creveling, Kenneth. Beach Communities and Oil Spills: Environmental
and Economic Consequences for Brunswick County, N. C. CEIP Report
jtU. May 1982. $10.

^//^Txy

DATE DUE

14.

15.

16.

19.

25.

26,

27.

28,

29.

30.

31.

33.

34.

35,

MAR 1 3 1990

Rogers, Golde-.j^^^,^^
Environment.
Facility-Rela.
Carolina Area

Fussell, J. , -
of Craven Cou_
$10.

Frost, Cecil -
Carolina. CE

17. Stone, John B-
Energy Transf.
Rail Traffic
August 1982. ~

Pate, Prestor_
Estuarine Nui
Report #19. "

Wang Engineei
Moving Throuj"
October 1982-

CAVLORO

"or Energy and the
_ Help Mitigate Energy
ngton County, North
$10.

_.ral Areas Inventory
.5. October 1982.

I County, North

Jschetter. Coastal
: Impacts of Increased
")lina. CEIP Report #17.

Upland Drainage on
-Zarolina. CEIP

ct of Coal Trains
-EIP Report #25.

Anderson & Associates, inc. uoai iram nuvemcuus Through the City of
Wilmington, North Carolina. CEIP Report #26. October 1982. $10.

Peacock, S. Lance and J. Merrill Lynch. Natural Areas Inventory of
Mainland Dare County, North Carolina. CEIP Report #27. November 1982.
$10.

Lynch, J. Merrill and S. Lance Peacock. Natural Areas Inventory of
Hyde County, North Carolina. CEIP Report #28. October 1982. $10.

Peacock, S. Lance and J. Merrill Lynch. Natural Areas Inventory of
Pamlico County, North Carolina. CEIP Report #29. November 1982. $10.

Lynch, J. Merrill and S, Lance Peacock. Natural Areas Inventory of
Washington County, North Carolina. CEIP Report #30. October 1982.
$10.

Muga, Bruce J. Review and Evaluation of Oil Spill Models for Applica-
tion to North Carolina Waters. CEIP Report #31. August 1982. $10.

Sorrell, F. Yates and Richard R. Johnson. Oil and Gas Pipelines in
Coastal North Carolina: Impacts and Routing Considerations. CEIP
Report #33. December 1982. $10.

Roberts and Eichler Associates, Inc. Area Development Plan for Radio
Island. CEIP Report #34. June 1983. $10.

Cribbins, Paul D. Coastal Energy Transportation Study, Phase III,
Volume 4: The Potential for Wide-Beam, Shallow-Draft Ships to Serve
Coal and Other Bulk Commodity Terminals along the Cape Fear River.
CEIP Report #35. August 1982. $10.