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 Backdune 



The backdune is f lor istically the most diverse area on 

 the island. The eastern boundary of this zone is formed by 

 the backdune ridge. The slopes of this ridge are covered 

 primarily by shrubs, the most common being Rosa Carolina 

 (rose) , Myr ica pensylvanica (bayberry) , Prunus mar itima 

 (beach plum) , Prunus serotina (black cherry) , and 

 Toxicodendron radicans (poison ivy) . Behind the protection 

 of the backdune ridge many plant species are able to become 

 established. Although many vegetation associations are 

 present, four major vegetation types have been recognized: 

 scrub forest, shrub thicket, pine forest, and meadow. 



The most prevalent vegetation type found behind the 

 backdune ridge is a mixture of scrub forest and shrub 

 thicket. Along most of the island the trees are small and 

 relatively young, the dominant species being Prunus serotina 

 (black cherry) , Amelanchier canadensis (shadbush) , and Acer 

 rubrum (red maple) . Other less dominant species include 

 Quercus velutina (black oak) , Celtis occidentalis 

 (hackberry) , Sassafras albidum (sassafras) , and Nyssa 

 sylvatica (black gum) . Although the understory vegetation 

 varies from area to area the most common species include 

 Aralia nudicaulis (wild sarsapar ilia) , Toxicodendron 

 radicans (poison ivy) , Arenar ia lateriflora (grave 

 sandwort) , Teucr ium canadense (wood-sage) , and Smilax 

 rotundifolia (common greenbrier). The largest and oldest 

 forests on the island occur behind High Sandy in what is 

 called the Kettle Hole, although it is not a true kettle 

 hole in the geological sense. Due to the unique plant 

 communities which have developed in these areas, efforts 

 should be made to ensure their preservation. 



In open and recently disturbed areas shrub thickets 

 have become established. On uplands such as Bar Head, Grape 

 Island, and along the borders of Stage Island, Lonicera 

 morrowi (honeysuckle) forms dense thickets. Behind the 

 backdune ridge the major species forming shrub thickets 

 include Rosa spp . (rose) , Myr ica pensylvanica (bayberry) , 

 Rubus spp . (blackberry) , Ribes hirtellum (gooseberry) , 

 Prunus mar itima (beach plum) , Amelanchier stolonifera 

 (shadbush) , Celastrus scandens (bittersweet) , Smilax 

 rotundifolia (common greenbrier) , and Vitis spp . (wild 

 grape) . 



An extensive pine forest exists behind the backdune 

 ridge midway down the island. It is predominantly composed 

 of the introduced Pinus nigra (Austrian pine) with an 

 occasional P. strobus (white pine) persisting in protected 

 areas. These were planted by Refuge personnel to help 

 stabilize the dunes. Smaller stands of P. nigra which occur 

 in the backdune were also planted. Only a few small stands 

 of the naturally occurring P. r igida (pitch pine) are still 



