9. Site Description: 



The community type here is essentially that described for 

 southern maritime forest in the "Introduction" section of this 

 paper. The site was located from the air, and constitutes the 

 best known stand of cabbage palmetto (Sabal palmetto ) within the 

 Smith Island complex, and thus, within the state. Besides existing 

 in several "pure" stands along Bald Head Creek, cabbage palmetto 

 is a canopy codominant with laurel oak ( Quercus laurifolia ) and live 

 oak (^. virginiana ) in some of the area, and an important reproducing 

 associate canopy species throughout the rest of the site. 



The gently undulating ridge and swale topography of relict 

 dunes occurs throughout the Natural Area, 



