PREFACE 



This report is one in a series of 

 community profiles whose objective is to 

 synthesize extant literature for specific 

 wetland habitats into definitive, yet 

 handy ecological references. To the 

 extent possible, the geographic scope of 

 this profile is focused on bottomland 

 hardwood swamps occupying the riverine 

 floodplains of the Southeast whose drain- 

 age originates in the Appalachian Moun- 

 tains/Piedmont or Coastal Plain (see study 

 area Figure 1). References are occasion- 

 ally made to studies outside this area, 

 primarily for comparative purposes or to 

 highlight important points. The sections 

 detailing the plant associations and soils 

 in the study area are derived from field 

 investigations conducted specifically for 

 this project. 



In order to explain the complexities 

 of the ecological relationships that are 

 operating in these bottomland hardwood 

 ecosystems, this report details not only 

 the biology of floodplains but also the 

 geomorphological and hydrological compo- 

 nents and processes that are operating on 

 various scales. These factors, in concert 

 with the biota, dictate both the ecologi- 

 cal structure and function of the bottom- 

 land hardwood ecosystems. We have utilized 

 the ecological zone concept developed by 

 the National Wetlands Technical Council to 

 organize and explain the structural com- 

 plexity of the flora and fauna. 



The information in this profile will 

 be useful to environmental managers and 

 planners, wetland ecologists, students, 

 and interested laymen concerned with the 

 fate and the ecological nature and value 

 of these ecosystems. The format, style, 

 and level of presentation should make this 

 report adaptable to a variety of uses, 

 ranging from preparation of environmental 

 assessment reports to supplementary or 

 topical reading material for college wet- 

 land ecology courses. The descriptive 

 materials detailing the floristics of 

 these swamps have been cross-referenced to 

 specific site locations and give the 

 report the utility of a field guide hand- 

 book for the interested reader. 



The senior author wrote the original 

 manuscript and accepts the responsibility 

 for all statements, theories, and figures 

 not credited otherwise. The co-authors 

 extensively revised, reorganized the for- 

 mat, and contributed parts of the manu- 

 script, especially Chapters 3 and 4. 



Any questions or comments about or 

 requests for this publication should be 

 directed to: 



Information Transfer Specialist 

 National Coastal Ecosystems 

 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 

 NASA/SI idell Computer Complex 

 1010 Gause Boulevard 

 SI idell, LA 70458 



Team 



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